Tumor tissue is a complex of tumor cells, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix, and they constitute a disordered and aggressive microenvironment, which plays an indispensable role in the occurrence and development of tumors. In breast cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) not only promote the occurrence, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumor, but also participate in events including angiogenesis, lymph angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and reconstruction of the microenvironment, which are known to induce cancer. Therefore, a new strategy for tumor therapy is provided by targeting CAF. This article reviews the research progress of CAF in breast cancer.

AIM:To investigate the effect of N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) on the Notch signaling pathway in a model of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) damage.METHODS:HUVECs were divided into control group, ox-LDL group, DAPT group and ox-LDL+DAPT group.The morphological changes of the HUVECs with different treatments were observed under light microscope.The viability of the HUVECs was measured by CCK-8 assay.The protein expression levels of Notch1, Notch4 and Jagged1 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:ox-LDL induced great damage to the HUVECs, evidenced by increased cell death and debris in the culture.However, the cell damage was abolished by adding DAPT into the culture.The viability of the HUVECs was increased by co-treatment with DAPT and ox-LDL.ox-LDL treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Notch1 and Jagged1, and elevated Notch4.However, these changes were totally reversed by DAPT.None of these proteins showed significant change in the HUVECs co-treated with DAPT and ox-LDL as compared with control group.CONCLUSION:ox-LDL is able to induce HUVEC damage in vitro.DAPT attenuates ox-LDL-induced damage in the HUVECs by regulating the Notch signaling pathway.

Taxillus chinensis,belonging to hemiparasitic herbal medicine and featuring its wild host range,is used for relief from rheumatic conditions,reinforcement of liver and kidney,strengthening of tendon and bone,and prevention of abortion.It showed that host trees presented significant impacts on the quality of Taxillus chinensis in the modern researches.In this study,both domestic and foreign published articles over Taxillus chinensis from various host trees were reviewed to summarized its herbalogy,chemical constituents,toxicity,and pharmacological action.In regard to the influences on the quality of medicinal materials,ideas and references for the quality control of Taxillus chinensis were provided by analyzing the quality of Taxillus chinensis impacted by hosts.

Objective To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of induction chemotherapy(ICT)followed by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3 DCRT)plus concurrent weekly paclitaxel for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods Patients with stage Ⅲ NSCLC in favorable conditions were treated with 2 to 4 cycles of carboplatin(AUC=5-6,d1)combined with paclitaxel(175 mg/m2,d1),then followed by weekly paclitaxel(40 mg/m2)and concurrent 3DCRT within 3-4 weeks.The prescription dose of radiotherapy was given as high as possible while total lung V20≤31% and total dose of the spinal cord ≤50 Gy. Results ICT was well tolerated.During the concurrent chemoradiotherapy,the treatment of 4 patients was ended ahead of the schedule because of severe pulmonary and cardiac toxicities:the treatment of 2 patients was delayed for 7 and 12 days because of fatigue.Leucopenia(33/56)was in grade 1-2 except 1 patient in grade 3.Lymphocytopenia was severe(54/56,42 in grade 3).Three patients developed grade 3 acute radiation-induced esophagitis.and 3 developed grade 3-4 radiation-induced pneumonitis.There was one patients each who developed grade 2,3,and 4 late esophagealdamage,respectively.Nine developed grade 2 pulmonary fibrosis.The overall response rate was 69.7%.The 1-year overall survival rate was 72.3%.The 1-year local progression-free survival rate was 62.7%. Conclusions The schedule of ICT followed by weekly paclitaxel and concurrent 3DCRT can be well tolerated by most of the favorable patients with stageⅢ NSCLC.and the toxicity is tolerable. Results of this study are encouraging, though long-term results should be followed up.

Objective To explore the extensively drug resistant mechanism and clinical treatment strategy of Klebsiella pneu-moniae .Methods The isolate was identified by Vitek2 Compact System.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by Kirby-Bauer method.KPC-2 carbapenemase was detected by modified Hodge test.The gene encoding KPC-2 carbapenemase was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)and then sequenced.Results The strain was resistant to all antibiotics used in routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing except amikacin.Modified Hodge test showed positive result.KPC-2 gene was detected by PCR.The sequence was consistent with that of 11844849 in GenBank.After treatment for one month,no exten-sively drug resistant K.pneumoniae strain was detected from the patient.Conclusions It is necessary to strengthen the monito-ring and improve the awareness of extensively drug resistant K.pneumoniae for better control of such infections.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of neck Gongfa exercise in intervening people at high risk for cervical spondylosis. Methods:A total of 212 participants from 8 companies at high risk for cervical spondylosis were divided into two groups using the random number table method,with 105 participants in the control group receiving health education and 107 participants in the trial group receiving an additional neck Gongfa exercise.After successive 3-month interventions,the two groups were compared in terms of cervical soft tissue tension and neck disability index(NDI)score.The incidence of cervical spondylosis was observed 3 months later. Results:During the process,10 cases dropped out in the trial group,and the control group had 9 dropout cases.After the intervention,the cervical soft tissue tension value and NDI score improved in both groups(P<0.05)and showed significant differences between the two groups(P<0.05).At the 3-month follow-up,the trial group had a lower incidence rate of cervical spondylosis than the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion:For people at high risk for cervical spondylosis,neck Gongfa exercise can effectively improve cervical soft tissue tension and motor dysfunction and lower the incidence of cervical spondylosis in the short run.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) between Taxilli Herba parasitized in mulberry and its host-plants.

METHODThe contents of DNJ of Taxilli Herba parasitized in mulberry and non-mulberry were determined by RP-HPLC. DNJ was extracted with 0.05 mol x L(-1) HCl, and then detected by fluorescence detector after derivatized with FMOC-Cl at pH 8.0 with borate buffer. The separation was performed on an Agilent C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous acetic acid (51: 49) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The wavelength of fluorescence detector was operated at lambda(EX) = 254 nm and lambda(EM) = 322 nm.

RESULTThe linear range of DNJ was 3.72-37.2 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9). The average recovery was 96.42%. The contents of DNJ in mulberry and Taxilli Herba parasitized in mulberry were 1.39-10.16 mg x g(-1) and 0.46-2.72 mg x g(-1), respectively. However, the contents of DNJ could not be detected in Taxilli Herba parasitized in non mulberry and its host-plants.

CONCLUSIONAs the characteristic constituent of mulberry, DNJ was accumulated in Taxilli Herba This method can be applied to the quality control of Taxilli Herba from mulberry.

Objective To investigate the level change of interleukin-37(IL-37) and its clinical significance in the patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD) and nephrotic syndrome(NS) .Methods 57 cases of CKD (CKD group) and 13 cases of NS (NS group) in the Affiliated Donghua Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from September to November 2016 were selected .The CKD group was redivided into the CKD stage 1 ,stage 3 and stage 5 groups .At the same time 22 individuals undergoing physical examina-tion were selected as the healthy control group .The ELISA sandwich method was adopted to detect the plasma IL-37 level .Then the detection results were statistically analyzed .Results The level of plasma IL-37 in the CKD group and NS group was significant-ly higher than that in the healthy control group ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .01);the level of plasma IL-37 had no statistical difference among the CKD stage 1 group ,CKD stage 3 group and CKD stage 5 group(P>0 .05);the plasma IL-37 lev-el after treatment in the CKD group and NS group was decreased compared with before treatment ,the difference was statistically significant(P<0 .01);the plasma IL-37 level in CKD patients was positively correlated with the WBC and lymphocyte cells levels . Conclusion The patients with CKD and NS have high level expression of plasma IL-37 ,which might have good auxiliary diagnostic value for CKD and NS .

Objective: In order to master the epidemic trend of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and evaluate the effect of prevention and control, we evaluate the epidemic dynamics of COVID-19 in mainland China, Hubei province, Wuhan city and other provinces outside Hubei from January 16 to February 14, 2020. Methods: We collected the daily number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases by nucleic acid detection reported by the National Health Commission from January 16, 2020 to February 14, 2020. The analysis includes the epidemic curve of the new confirmed cases, multiple of the new confirmed cases for period-over-period, multiple of the new confirmed cases for fixed-base, and the period-over-period growth rate of the new confirmed cases. Results: From January 16 to February 14, 2020, the cumulative number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in mainland China was 50 031, including 37 930 in Hubei province, 22 883 in Wuhan city and 12 101 in other provinces outside Hubei. The peak of the number of new confirmed cases in other provinces outside Hubei was from January 31 to February 4, 2020, and the peak of new confirmed cases in Wuhan city and Hubei province was from February 5 to February 9, 2020. The number of new confirmed cases in other provinces outside Hubei showed a significant decline (23% compared with the peak) from February 5 to February 9, 2020, while the number of new confirmed cases in Wuhan city (30% compared with the peak) and Hubei Province (37% compared with the peak) decreased significantly from February 10 to February 14, 2020. Conclusion The epidemic prevention and control measures taken by the state and governments at all levels have shown very significant effects, effectively curbing the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in China.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the local failure and the impact on survival by prospectively comparing involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) and elective nodal irradiation (ENI) in combination with concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer ( LA-NSCLC ).Methods LANSCLC patients were treated with 2 cycles of carboplatin ( AUC =5 - 6,d1 ) combined with paclitaxel ( 175mg/m2 ),followed assessment without distant metastasis,then randomized into IFRT (45 patients) or ENI (54 patients) arm.IFRT included primary tumor,ipsilateral hilar and positive mediastinal lymph nodes;ENI included the primary lesion,ipsilateral hilar,hilateral mediastinal lymph node drainage and bilateral supraclavicular area.The prescription dose was given as high as possible with V20 ≤35％ and spinal cord dose ≤50 Gy,combined weekly paclitaxel 40 mg/m2 concurrent chemotherapy.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival data and the log-rank method was used to test distribution of survival time between arms.ResultsThe follow-up rate was 99％.49,29 and 17 patients were followed-up for 1-,2-and 3-year,respectively.More patients from group IFRT received ＞60 Gy than ENI (49％ vs.26％,x2 =5.59,P =0.018 ).The local failure rates were 29％ and 36％,respectively ( x2 =0.46,P =0.497 ).The 1-,2-and 3-year local tumor progression-free survival rates were 76％,69％,65％ and 80％,53％,49％ ( x2 =0.74,P =0.389),respectively; the 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival rates were 80％,41％,33％ and 69％,32％,13％ (x2 =3.97,P =0.046),respectively.There were no significant differences in acute and late toxicities between the arms ( x2 =3.910 - 0.155,P =0.142 - 0.925 ).ConclusionsIFRT improved radiation dose and survival rate and did not increase the failure of elective lymph node region compared with ENI.The toxicities were no differences between IFRT and ENL Further investigation with big size sample is warranted.