0 05) However, the positive expression of SSX genes in the PBMC had close correlation with prognosis of HCC patients Metastasis and/or recurrence took place in 50% (8 out of l6) patients with positive expression of SSX genes in their PBMC,while only 10 5% (2 out of l9) patients with negative expression of SSX genes in their PBMC developed metastasis and/or recurrence ( P =0 028) Conclusion SSX genes mRNA may be used as specific tumor markers for the detection of the circulating HCC cells

This work was mainly studied the effects of the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and preliminarily discussed the regulating mechanisms. The effect of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the vitality of macrophages was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of alkaloids on the phagocytosis of macrophages was determined by neutral red trial and respiratory burst activity was tested by NBT. The expressions of respiratory-burst-associated genes influenced by alkaloids were detected by qRT-PCR. The conformation change of membrane protein in macrophages by the impact of alkaloids was studied by fluorospectro-photometer. Results showed that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages in different level and berberine had the best effect. Berberine, coptisine and palmatine had up-regulation effects on respiratory burst activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by PMA and regulatory activity on the mRNA expression of PKC, p40phox or p47phox, whereas the epiberberine had no significant influence on respiratory burst. Moreover, alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could change the conformation of membrane protein and the berberine showed the strongest activity. The results suggested that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma might activate macrophages through changing the conformation of membrane protein of macrophages and then enhanced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of alkaloids on the respiratory burst activity of macrophages may be also related to the expression level of PKC, p40phox and p47phox.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

METHODSSixty cases with colorectal cancer liver metastasis confirmed by pathology and mageology diagnosis were treated with acupuncture. Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Hegu (LI 4), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3) ,Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected for acupuncture, and Shenque (CV 8), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36) were selected for moxibustion. The changes of CD(3) , CD(4) , CD(8) T cells and NK cells in value were examined with flow cytometry before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe value of T lymphocyte subsets such as CD(3) , CD(4), and CD(8) , as well as NK cells were obviously increased after treatment, and there were significant differences between them before and after treatment.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve the immune function of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Leukocyte Count ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; secondary ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of 5-hydroxytamine receptors in hepatic stellate cells HSCs and action of 5-hydroxytamine on biological characteristics of HSC.

METHODSLiver ex vivo perfusion of collagenase and density gradient centrifugation were used to isolate hepatic stellate cell. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of 5-hydroxytamine receptor subtypes 1A, 2A, 2B and 3. Western blot hybridization was used to elucidate the effect of 5-hydroxytamine and its 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin and 3 receptor antagonist ondanosetron on expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and Smad4 in HSC. HSCs were cultured on silicone membrane. The effect of 5-hydroxytamine, ketanserin and ondanosetron on cell contraction were studied.

RESULTSHSC expressed 5-hydroxytamine receptors subtypes 1A, 2A and 2B. 5-hydroxytamine significantly increased the expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad4 in HSC (P < 0.05). This was antagonized by ketanserin, not by ondanosetron. 5-hydroxytamine induced cell contraction in a dose-dependant manner. Ketanserin antagonized this action, but ondanosetron did not.

CONCLUSIONSHSCs express 5-hydroxytamine receptors. 5-hydroxytamine could affect the biological characteristics of HSC through its receptor mediation, and may play a role in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; Liver ; chemistry ; cytology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Serotonin ; analysis ; physiology ; Serotonin ; pharmacology ; Serotonin Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of MAGE-B genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in order to find new targets for immunotherapy.

METHODSThe expression of MAGE-B1, B2, A1 and A3 mRNA was detected using RT-PCR in HCC tissues and the corresponding adjacent non-HCC tissues from 47 HCC patients, 30 samples of cirrhosis and normal liver tissues. Four samples selected randomly from MAGE-B1 or B2 with positive RT-PCR results were sequenced to confirm the results of RT-PCR. The relationship between the expression of MAGE-B and some clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.

RESULTSMAGE-B1 mRNA and MAGE-B2 mRNA were detected in 44.7% (21/47) and 61.7% (29/47) of HCC samples, respectively, while neither MAGE-B1 nor MAGE-B2 could be detected in the corresponding adjacent non-HCC liver tissues. In addition, none of 30 samples of cirrhosis and normal liver tissues was shown to express both MAGE-B genes. The DNA sequence confirmed that the RT-PCR products were truly target cDNA. The frequency of the expression of MAGE-A1 and A3 was 74.5% (35/47) and 44.7% (21/47), respectively. There was significant correlation between the expression of MAGE-B and MAGE-A (P < 0.05). However, the positive expression of MAGE-B was observed in 5 out of 12 HCC tissues without expression of MAGE-A1 and/or A3. When all four MAGE genes were examined, the positive rate of expression of one, two, three and four genes was 83.0% (39/47), 55.3% (26/47), 48.9% (23/47), and 38.3% (18/47) of 47 HCC tissues, respectively. No correlation was found between the expression of MAGE-B and clinical parameters such as age, sex, tumor size, degree of tumor differentiation, serum alpha-fetoprotein level and hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMAGE-B genes are expressed with relatively high frequency and specificity in HCC. Most HCC patients with positive expression of at least one member of MAGE-B or MAGE-A gene family are adequate candidates to receive specific immunotherapy. Frequent co-expression of multiple members of MAGE-B and MAGE-A subfamilies provides the possibility of using polyvalent vaccines to achieve more effective immunotherapeutic results.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

The G1 cytoplasmic tail of Hantaan virus (HTNV) harbors a highly conserved region, which is homologous to immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM) and is termed the ITAM-like sequence. To demonstrate the potential signal-transducing activity of G1 ITAM-like sequence resembling the canonical ITAM within immune and endothelial cells, a series of experiments were performed to define its interaction with cellular kinases. The synthesized G1 ITAM-like peptide was shown to coprecipitate with cellular phosphoprotein complexes by an immune-complex kinase assay. Mutational analyses showed that this ITAM-like sequence was a substrate for the Src family kinase Fyn, and two conserved tyrosine residues were required for coprecipitating Lyn, Syk, and ZAP-70 kinases. These findings demonstrated that HTNV envelope glycoprotein G1 contains a functional ITAM-like sequence in its cytoplasmic tail, which can bind critical cellular kinases that regulate immune and endothelial cell functions.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Hantaan virus ; chemistry ; physiology ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; physiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Syk Kinase ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the value of a simple occlusive technique of the triple vessels, ie, portal vein, superior mesenteric vessels and splenic vein, in complicated pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODSThe technique was fulfilled with a No.8 urethral catheter to encycle the portal vein, superior mesenteric vessels and its near tissue plus pancreatic tail and splenic vein than the neck of pancreas was transected and well exposure superior mesenteric vein and complete transaction of uncinate. From November 2005 to November 2006 the technique was applied to 12 cases of pancreatic malignancy which presented very infiltrated and adhesive to the hilar vascular structure.

RESULTSThe 12 cases were accomplished according with this technique. The operating time was (292.4 +/- 36.3) min (270 - 390 min) and the intraoperative blood loss was (833.3 +/- 618.4) ml (300 - 2500 ml). The postoperative complication included one case of lymphatic leakage, two cases of pneumonia, one case of abdominal infection and two cases of wound infection. There was no perioperative mortality. The postoperative hospital stay was 17 d (11 - 29 d).

CONCLUSIONSUse this triple vessels occlusive technique can improve the safety and feasibility in complicated cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology ; Splenic Vein ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the strategy of isolated complete resection of the caudate lobe of the liver through the anterior liver-splitting approach.

METHODSFrom January 1995 to June 2006, isolated complete caudate resection of the caudate lobe of the liver through the anterior liver-splitting approach in which accessed the caudate lobe by separation the liver parenchyma along the interlobar plane, was performed on 19 patients with tumors originated in caudate lobe. They were included hepatocellular carcinoma in 13 cases, cholangiocarcinoma in 4 cases and hemangioma in 2 cases, the tumor size range from 4 - 12 cm. The approach to hepatic resection involved routine use of Peng's multifunctional operative dissector, inflow and outflow of hepatic vascular control before hepatic parenchyma transection, low central venous pressure and selective use of liver hanging maneuver, as well as retrograde caudate lobectomy.

RESULTSThe operations were successful in 19 patients. Operating time averaged at (296 +/- 55) min. The average amount of blood loss were 1200 ml (ranged from 500 - 3000 ml). Postoperative complications included ascites in 2 cases, pleural effusion in 5 cases and bile leakage in 2 cases. They were cured by drainage. No mortality occurred in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of anterior approach for isolated caudate lobectomy can converse certain kind of caudate lobe tumor from non-resectable to respectable resulting in widening the indication. The intraoperative routine use of Peng's multifunctional operative dissector, application of inflow and outflow of hepatic vascular control, low central venous pressure and selective use of liver hanging maneuver, as well as retrograde caudate lobectomy make the anterior liver-splitting approach for isolated complete caudate lobectomy safer and easier.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma ; surgery ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

The main components and working principle of the fluid infusion and blood transfusion warmer were introduced,and the causes for the adverse events of the warmer were summarized based on National Medical Device Adverse Event Monitoring Information System and related literature in the world.The potential risks of the warmer were analyzed during operation,and the quality concerns and corresponding evaluation methods were proposed for the warmer from the aspects of device marking and documentation,structure,and temperature.References were provided for standard preparation,pre-market technical review and system verification of the fluid infusion and blood transfusion warmer.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(10):76-80]

BACKGROUNDThough trabeculectomy is often performed on patients with medically refractive pigmentary glaucoma (PG), the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment on PG remain unknown. The aim of this study was to summarize the long-term efficacy and safety of trabeculectomy on PG.

METHODSThis was a prospective case series observational study. Eighteen consecutive PG patients were followed up for 8 years after trabeculectomy from May 2006 to April 2007. Visual acuity (VA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, Humphrey visual field analysis (VFA), and stereoscopic funduscopy were performed on admission and every 6 months after the surgery. Postoperative IOP, VA, BCVA, VFA, adjunctive anti-glaucoma medication, treatment-related side-effects, changes in blebs, and main clinical findings in the anterior segment of PG were recorded and compared with the baseline.

RESULTSEighteen PG eyes from 18 patients, with average preoperative IOP of 34.5 ± 4.7 mmHg (range: 21-47 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) were enrolled in this study. All enrolled patients completed the follow-up visits and required examinations. Eight years after trabeculectomy, all surgical eyes (18/18) had satisfactory IOP control with an average of 13.7 ± 2.5 mmHg (range: 9-19 mmHg), which was significantly lower than baseline (P = 0.001). Majority (15/18) of the PG eyes had stable VA, BCVA, VFA, and optic disc cupping parameters. Functional blebs still existed in 12/18 of the PG eyes at the last follow-up visit. Unanimously, pigmentation in the anterior segment attenuated with time after surgical treatment. No severe side-effects were recorded in any of the surgical eyes.

CONCLUSIONSAll surgical PG eyes in this study had satisfactory IOP control 8 years after the surgery with well-preserved visual function. The long-term efficacy and safety of trabeculectomy are promising in PG patients.

Adult ; Female ; Glaucoma ; surgery ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Trabeculectomy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult