Objective To investigate the health-related quality of life and its relative factors in children with leukemia during maintenance treatment period. Therefore, the basis for effective individualization intervention can be provided. Methods A total of 224 leukemia children in maintenance treatment were collected in Affiliated Children′s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from October 2015 to January 2016 by convenience sampling methods, questionnaire was used to assess the physical status, emotional status, social status, school status of the children. Results Single factor and generalized linear regression analysis were used to conclude that patient′s age (F=5.841-36.343, all P<0.01), parenting pattern (F=4.006-4.288, all P<0.05), family economic status (F=3.277-15.865, P<0.05 or 0.01) and the caregivers′information mastery level household location (F=2.044-2.661, P<0.05 or 0.01) had significant influence on the quality of life of children with leukemia in maintenance treatment. Conclusions The health-related quality of life and its relative factors in children with leukemia during maintenance treatment period should be analysis comprehensively. At the same time, take intervention should be taken from physiology, psychology, society, and school, to improve the social adaptability of children with leukemia and help them return to society as soon as possible.

Objective To observe the role of intermediate conductance calcium?activated potassium channels (KCa3.1) in alkalinization and β?glycerophosphate induced vascular calcification. Methods Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and aortic rings were obtained from rat thoracic aorta, and then randomly divided into control group (pH was provided into 7.4, 8.0), high phosphorus groups (pH was provided into 7.4, 7.7 and 8.0, VSMCs in three groups were treated with 10 mmol/L β?glycerophosphate; HCl and NaHCO3 were used to adjust the pH) and TRAM?34 group (20 nmol/L was added into pH8.0 high phosphorus dulbecco's modified eagle's medium). Calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured by Alizarin red staining, calcium content and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay after cells were simulated for 12 days. Intracellular free Ca2 + was measured by ELISA. The expression of KCa3.1, runt?related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were detected by RT?PCR and Western blotting 4 days after cells were stimulated. Calcium deposition was measured by von Kossa staining and calcium content after aortic rings were cultured for 12 days. The expressions of KCa3.1 and Runx2 were detected by immunohistochemistry after aortic rings were cultured for 4 days. Results Compared with control group, calcification in VSMCs and aortic rings were significantly increased in high phosphorus group (P<0.05) while decreased in TRAM?34 group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expressions of KCa3.1, Runx2 and the activity of ALP in high phosphorus groups were increased (P<0.05) while decreased in TRAM?34 group (P<0.05). Besides, expressions of Runx2 and KCa3.1 were augmented as the pH was higher (P<0.05). The expression of Runx2 in aortic rings was the same situation. Besides, the Ca2+ influx was blocked by TRAM?34 (P<0.05). Conclusions Alkalinization contributes to β?glycerophosphate induced VSMCs calcification through increase of Ca2 + influx, up?regulation of KCa3.1 and promotion of osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation.

Objective:To discuss the distinctive sonographic feature and the biological behavior of renal angiomyolipoma(RAML),and to provide the reference for the clinicians to make the accurate diagnosis of RAML.Methods:The clinical data of one patient with invasive classical RAML combined with pseudaneurysm formation were collected.The sonographic appearances were analyzed in conjunction with the pathological characteristics to clarify the biological behavior of RAML,and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:The patient,a 60-year-old female,visited the local hospital due to discomfort in the lumbar area,and received CT examination,and the CT examination results revealed a left renal mass,so the patient came to our hospital.The specialist clinical examinations and laboratory investigations were unremarkable.The ultrasound results indicated an enlarged left kidney with a cystic and solid mass at the upper pole,which featured pseudaneurysm formation(originating from the interlobar arteries);the enhanced CT image results suggested a high probability of upper pole renal carcinoma combined with aneurysmal formation within the tumor,alongside invasion into the left adrenal gland.The patient underwent laparoscopic radical left nephrectomy,and the postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of invasive classical RAML.Conclusion:The classical RAML can exhibit the invasive biological behavior.The pseudaneurysm formation is a special sonographic manifestation of RAML,which can be challenging to differentiate from the other renal tumors.

Macrophages have a leading position in the tumor microenvironment (TME) which paves the way to carcinogenesis. Initially, monocytes and macrophages are recruited to the sites where the tumor develops. Under the guidance of different microenvironmental signals, macrophages would polarize into two functional phenotypes, named as classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). Contrary to the anti-tumor effect of M1, M2 exerts anti-inflammatory and tumorigenic characters. In progressive tumor, M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are in the majority, being vital regulators reacting upon TME. This review elaborates on the role of TAMs in tumor progression. Furthermore, prospective macrophage-focused therapeutic strategies, including drugs not only in clinical trials but also at primary research stages, are summarized followed by a discussion about their clinical application values. Nanoparticulate systems with efficient drug delivery and improved antitumor effect are also summed up in this article.

Background Arsenic exposure is a common and important environmental and occupational hazardous factor in China, and arsenic-induced insulin resistance (IR) has attracted widespread attention as a negative health outcome to the population. Objective To explore part of the mechanism of hepatic IR induced by arsenic exposure based on the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors γ (PPARγ)/ glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) pathway, and to investigate potential effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on hepatic IR induced by arsenic exposure and associated mechanism of action. Methods The target of drug action was predicted by network pharmacology and verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo experiments: 48 SPF C57BL/6J male mice were divided into 4 groups, including control group, 50 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ model group (NaAsO₂), 50 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂+10 mg·kg⁻¹ GBE intervene group (NaAsO₂+GBE), and 10 mg·kg⁻¹ GBE group (GBE), 12 mice in each group. The animals were given free access to purified water containing 50 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂, or given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline containing 10 mg·kg⁻¹ GBE once per week. After 6 months of exposure, blood glucose detection, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed. Serum and liver tissues were collected after the mice were neutralized, liver histopathological sections were obtained, serum insulin levels, liver tissue glycogen content, glucose content were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of PPARγ and GLUT4 proteins was detected by Western blot (WB). In vitro experiments: HepG2 cells were divided into 4 groups, including control group, 8 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ group (NaAsO₂), 8 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + 200 mg·L⁻¹ GBE intervene group (NaAsO₂+GBE), and 200 mg·L⁻¹ GBE group (GBE). The levels of glycogen and glucose were detected by ELISA, and the expression of PPARγ and GLUT4 proteins was detected by WB. Results A strong binding effect between GBE and PPARγ was revealed by network pharmacology. In in vivo experiments, the NaAsO₂ group exhibited an elevated blood glucose compared to the control group, and the NaAsO₂+GBE group showed a decreased blood glucose compared to the NaAsO₂ group (P<0.01). The histopathological sections indicated severe liver structural damage in the arsenic exposure groups (NaAsO₂ group and NaAsO₂+GBE group), with varying staining intensity, partial liver cell necrosis, and diffuse red blood cell appearance. Both results of in vitro and in vivo experiments showed a decrease in glycogen synthesis and glucose uptake in the NaAsO₂ groups compared to the control groups, which was alleviated in the NaAsO₂+GBE group (P<0.01). The results of WB revealed inhibited PPARγ expression and reduced GLUT4 levels on the cell membrane, and all these changes were alleviated in the NaAsO₂+GBE group (P<0.01). Conclusion This study findings suggest that GBE antagonizes arsenic exposure-induced hepatic IR by regulating the PPARγ/GLUT4 pathway, indicating that GBE has a protective effect on arsenic exposure-induced hepatic IR, and PPARγ may be a potential therapeutic target for arsenic exposure-induced hepatic IR.