1.Therapeutic effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor givinostat on air inflammation and high airway resistance in a murine asthma model
Xinming SU ; Yuan REN ; Lingfei KONG ; Jian KANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2017;56(2):121-126
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of givinostat , a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), on the development of chronic asthma with airway inflammation , airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness ( AHR) .Methods BALB/C mice were randomly divided into control group , asthma group, dexamethasone group and givinostat group (n=12 per group).AHR was assessed.Total cell numbers and differential counts , interleukin-4 ( IL-4 ) , interleukin-5 ( IL-5 ) and interferon-γ( IFNγ) levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were measured in the above 4 groups.The pathology of lung tissue was evaluated .Immunohistochemical ( IHC) staining and Western blot were used to detect αsmooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1(TGFβ1).Results Compared with the asthma only group, givinostat treatment relieved airway resistance (2.96 ±1.01 vs 6.50 ±0.79,P<0.05).Total inflammatory cells [(33.04 ±5.62) ×104/ml vs (98.04 ±9.27) ×104/ml,P<0.01], eosinophil cells [(9.17 ±2.33) ×104/ml vs(37.64 ±6.98) ×104/ml, P <0.01], IL-4 [(10.12 ±2.98)ng/ml vs (16.88 ±2.78)ng/ml,P<0.05] and IL-5 [(27.09 ±3.62)ng/ml vs (37.86 ±7.34)ng/ml, P<0.05] levels were all reduced in givinostat group , while IFNγ[ ( 91.86 ±23.73 ) pg/ml vs ( 60.49 ±11.88 ) pg/ml, P>0.05] was enhanced in BALF.Inflammatory cell infiltration around the airway was reduced , with decreased inflammatory cell score [(1.60 ±0.69) points vs (3.40 ±0.68) points, P <0.01] and inflammatory cell number (111.65 ±31.41 vs 601.25 ±186.85, P<0.01).The goblet cell metaplasia [(26.36 ±2.33)%vs (57.21 ±11.56)%] and collagen deposition area [(52.77 ±7.58)μm2/μm vs (111.81 ±12.40)μm2/μm] were obviously reduced (P<0.01).The expressions of α-SMA and TGFβ1 in the lung tissue were both significantly decreased ( P<0.01 ) .Conclusion Givinostat treatment can reduce airway inflammation , airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness in chronic asthma .Its effect is comparable to that of glucocorticoid hormone treatment .
2. Study on the effects of target-silencing CXCR3 expression on malignant proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma
Ying REN ; Yunzhen KAN ; Lingfei KONG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2018;26(7):508-512
Objective:
To explicit, the expression of chemokine receptor 3 in HCC tissues and its relationship with overall survival of patients, and to explore the effect of targeted silencing CXCR3 gene on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its mechanism of action.
Methods:
The expression of CXCR3 in 60 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and its adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The clinicopathological correlations between the expression levels of CXCR3 in hepatoma tissues of liver cancer patients were analyzed and univariate Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed in combination with follow-up data. Huh7 hepatoma cells were infected with lentivirus LV-CXCR3-shRNA. The effects of CXCR3 deletion on proliferation of hepatoma cells were determined by CCK-8 assay and tumor-bearing nude mice experiment.
Results:
CXCR3 was highly expressed in HCC tissues, and the overall survival rate (OS) of patients with high CXCR3 expression was significantly lower than that of patients with low expression. After the CXCR3 gene was successfully silenced in Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, the proliferation ability of Huh7 cells was significantly inhibited in vitro, and the tumor growth rate of nude mice was slowed down, and the activity of JAK-STAT pathway in Huh7 cells was decreased, and the levels of c-MYC and Bcl-xl protein were decreased. In addition, deletion of CXCR3 can effectively inhibit IL-6-mediated JAK-STAT pathway activation.
Conclusion
CXCR3 high expression indicated that the survival rate was poor, and the target silencing of CXCR3 gene could inhibit the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and maybe related to inhibition of JAK-STAT pathway activity. CXCR3 may be a potential target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
3.Investigation on the impact of centralized volume-based procurement of dental implant consumables on corruption risk prevention and control in public hospitals
Linling LIAN ; Lingfei REN ; Fei TENG ; Guoli YANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2024;40(5):334-338
Objective:To analyze the impact of the implementation of the policy of centralized volume-based procurement of dental implant consumables on the prevention and control of corruption risk in public hospitals, and provide reference for improving the construction of corruption risk prevention and control in public hospitals.Methods:Develop a survey questionnaire for three entities: the Discipline Inspection Commission of public hospitals, dental implant doctors in public hospitals, and dental implant consumables distribution enterprises. The questionnaire content for the Discipline Inspection Commission of public hospitals mainly included the impact of the implementation of the policy of centralized volume-based procurement of dental implant consumables on the prevention and control of hospital integrity risks, as well as the development of supporting policies in hospitals; The questionnaire content for dental implant doctors mainly included their understanding of the centralized volume-based procurement policy, their communication with distribution companies, and their awareness of integrity; The questionnaire content for dental implant consumables distribution enterprises mainly included the situation of the distribution enterprises entering the centralized volume-based procurement catalog for implants, and the subsequent adjustment of business strategies.Using convenience sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted from February to June 2023 on the Discipline Inspection Commission of public hospitals in Zhejiang Province, dental implant doctors in public hospitals nationwide, and distribution enterprises of dental implant consumables in Zhejiang Province. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the questionnaire data.Results:Effectively collected 16 questionnaires filled out by the Discipline Inspection Commission leaders of public hospitals in Zhejiang Province. Among them, the Discipline Inspection Commission leaders of 11 public hospitals believed that the implementation of the policy of centralized volume-based procurement of dental implant consumables could reduce the existing corruption risks of public hospitals, 1 believed that it would create new corruption risks, and 4 believed that both aspects of the impact existed; 12 leaders believed that the policy′s strengthening of corruption risk prevention and control was mainly reflected in squeezing implant prices, reducing selection and procurement risks, and reducing red envelopes and kickbacks. 270 questionnaires from dental implant doctors in public hospitals were effectively collected. Regarding the implementation of the centralized volume-based procurement policy, 187 people believed that it would inhibit the development of the dental implant industry, 148 people expected their personal salaries to decrease, 78 people would participate more in lectures and training organized by enterprises, and 39 people would recommend implant systems outside the centralized volume-based procurement catalog to patients; 140 people were unable to accurately grasp all the contents of the " Nine Guidelines on Integrity for Staff of Medical Institution" ; Only 202 people believed that compliance contact with distribution companies could only be based on listening to their introduction to the implant system. 23 questionnaires were effectively collected from dental implant consumables distribution companies. Among them, 22 companies would reduce their expenses in maintaining relationships with clinical doctors after the implementation of the centralized procurement policy, and 14 companies would reduce their sales position expenses. All distribution companies believed that the phenomenon of medical institution staff receiving red envelopes and kickbacks would decrease or disappear after the implementation of the centralized volume-based procurement policy.Conclusions:The implementation of the policy of centralized volume-based procurement of dental implant consumables is beneficial for reducing the existing corruption risks in public hospitals, but if regulatory oversight is inadequate, new corruption risks will arise in the early stages of policy implementation. Public hospitals should improve the supporting system for centralized volume-based procurement of dental implant consumables, standardize the procurement process of dental implant consumables outside the centralized volume-based procurement catalog, strengthen supervision and inspection of centralized procurement, and further strengthen corruption risk prevention and control by implementing anti-corruption education.