OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of triptolide on the differentiation of human Th17 cells.

METHODHuman peripheral blood mononuclear cells, purified CD4+ T cells and CD4+CD45RA- memory T cells were treated with various concentrations of triptolide in vitro. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the intracellular expression of IL-17 and IFN-gamma. Cytokine production of IL-17 and IFN-gamma was measured by ELISA.

RESULTCell proliferation, intracellular expression of IL-17 and IL-17 secretion were inhibited by triptolide in a dose-dependent manner. IFN-gamma expression and production were also inhibited by triptolide.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide inhibits the differentiation of human Th17 cell. The observation may indicate at least one of the mechanisms of the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of triptolide.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; secretion ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Adolescent ; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; pathology ; Male

We present a rare case of colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and review the literature. A 54-year-old male was referred to our hospital with a history of bloody stools and fever. A right kidney tumor measuring about 10 cm in diameter was found by abdominal computed tomography. Right radical nephrectomy and a right hemicolectomy with ileotransversostomy were performed. Pathological diagnosis was chromophobe RCC with sarcomotoid change involving the colon. Chromophobe RCC with sarcomotoid change is very rare.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; complications ; diagnosis ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between the proteasome subunit PSMA7 expression in colorectal cancer and its role in liver metastasis.

METHODSTo identify the PSMA7 protein expression in 62 primary site colorectal cancers, 34 lymph node metastatic sites and 13 liver metastatic sites by immunohistochemistry and clarify the correlation of its expression with the clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTSHigh expression of PSMA7 was detected in 38.7% (24/62) of primary site colorectal cancer, 52.9% (18/34) of lymph node metastatic sites and 100% (13/13) liver metastatic sites but not in the normal colorectal tissue. High expression of PSMA7 was significantly correlated with liver metastasis (P = 0.028). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with high expression of PSMA7 than in those with low expression of PSMA7 (P = 0.0008). As well, in multivariate analysis, PSMA7 expression demonstrated to be an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.004, relative risk 5.057; 95% confidence interval, 1.682-15.201).

CONCLUSIONPSMA7 may play an important role in the colorectal cancer progression. Evaluation of PSMA7 expression in primary colorectal cancer at the time of surgery might be a valuable test in defining patients with a high risk of developing liver metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Colonic Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; metabolism ; Rectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) level in patients with traumatic brain injury and investigate the role of AVP in the process of brain edema.

METHODSA total of 30 patients with traumatic brain injury were involved in our study. They were divided into two groups by Glasgow Coma Scale: severe traumatic brain injury group (STBI, GCS less than or equal to 8) and moderate traumatic brain injury group (MTBI, GCS larger than 8). Samples of venous blood were collected in the morning at rest from 15 healthy volunteers (control group)and within 24 h after traumatic brain injury from these patients for AVP determinations by radioimmunoassay. The severity and duration of the brain edema were estimated by head CT scan.

RESULTSPlasma AVP levels (ng/L) were (mean+/-SD): control, 3.06+/-1.49; MTBI, 38.12+/-7.25; and STBI, 66.61+/-17.10. The plasma level of AVP was significantly increased within 24 h after traumatic brain injury and followed by the reduction of GCS, suggesting the deterioration of cerebral injury (P less than 0.01). And the AVP level was correlated with the severity (STBI r equal to 0.919, P less than 0.01; MTBI r equal to 0.724, P less than 0.01) and the duration of brain edema (STBI r equal to 0.790, P less than 0.01; MTBI r equal to 0.712, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe plasma AVP level is closely associated with the severity of traumatic brain injury. AVP may play an important role in pathogenesis of brain edema after traumatic brain injury.

Adult ; Arginine Vasopressin ; blood ; Brain Edema ; blood ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Brain Injuries ; blood ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo prepare monoclonal antibodies specific for M1 protein of H5N1 subtype human influenza virus, this work may provide new tool in rapid diagnosis and study of type A influenza virus.

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant H5N1 (A/Anhui/1/2005)/M1 protein expressed in E. coli. Spleen cells of the immunized mice were fused with sp2/0 cells to produce hybridoma cell lines. ELISA was performed to identify the monoclonal antibody against M1 protein of H5N1. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were applied to identify the specificity of these antibodies.

RESULTSThree hybridoma cell lines steadily secreting anti-H5N1/M1 McAb were obtained, and their cross reactivity was confirmed by cross-reaction test and IFA.

CONCLUSIONMonoclonal antibodies immunized with H5N1 subtype influenza virus M1 protein are cross-reactive, which can be used to detect different subtype of influenze virus type A.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; analysis ; immunology ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; immunology ; Cell Line ; Cross Reactions ; Dogs ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; immunology ; virology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To explore the value of CatWalk-assisted gait test in evaluating the changes of motor function in the rat models of traumatic brain injury.Methods Improved Feeney tree fall brain damage device was employed to establish the craniocerebral injury rat models; injured loci were located in the right side of the brain cortex; CatWalk-assisted gait test and mNSS were performed on the 3rd,7th,14th and 28th d of injury.SPSS 13.0 software was used to compare the scores of the above tests.Results Significant differences on each parameter of the left hind limb were noted between the day before injury and the day of 7 d after injury(P＜0.05); and significant differences were also noted between left and right hind limbs(P＜0.05).Significant differences on such motion parameters as maximum contact area,contact strength,claw length and walking cycle in the left and right fore limbs were noted between the 14th d of injury and before injury(P＜0.05); and the walking cycle,average intensity and time of claws leaving the flat between two steps in these rats were signficantly different between the 14th d of injury and before injury(P＜0.05.No significant differences on each motion parameter were found between the 3rdand 28th d of injury(P＞0.05).Significant differences on mNSS scores were noted between the day before injury and the 3rd,7th 14th,and 28th d of injury(P＜0.05); and the mNSS scores on the 3rd and 7th d of injury were obviously higher than those before injury.Conclusion Catwalk-assisted gait test can accurately detect the changes of motor function,enjoying an important significance in the study of behavior of rat with traumatic brain injury.

Objective: To explore the effects of circTNPO1 on the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma (OS) by sponging miR-338-3p. Methods: The expression of circTNPO1 on osteoblasts and multiple OS cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR. CircTNPO1 stable knockdown 143B cell line was constructed by sh-circTNPO1. Cell count kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and wound healing assay were applied to evaluate the proliferation and metastasis of this cell. Luciferase reporter assay was used to explore the binding between circTNPO1 and miR-338-3p. In xenograft tumor model, miR-338-3p inhibitor or its control was injected into the circTNPO1 knockdown tumors. The weight and size of the tumors were evaluated and Ki-67 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The RNA expression of circTNPO1 in OS cell lines U2OS, HOS, MG63, 143B, ZOS and ZOSM were 2.73±0.27, 3.18±0.54, 4.33±0.52, 5.75±0.65, 4.50±0.49 and 3.96±0.35, respectively, higher than 1.00±0.09 in hFOB1.19 (P<0.001). CCK-8 assay revealed that after 48 h and 72 h, the absorbance of sh-circTNPO1 #1 was 0.81±0.05 and 1.09±0.06, while sh-circTNPO1 #2 143B cells was 0.84±0.04 and 1.2±0.04, which were sharply reduced compared with the control (1.00±0.06 and 1.49±0.06, P<0.001); after 48 h and 72 h, the absorbance of 143B cells transfected with circTNPO1 #1 and miR-338-3p (0.92±0.06 and 1.32±0.07) were higher than those of cells transfected with sh-circTNPO1 cells and miR NC (0.92±0.06 and 1.32±0.07, P<0.050). Wound healing assay demonstrated that the 24 hour-migration rates of sh-circTNPO1 #1 and sh-circTNPO1 #2 cells were (24.43±2.15)% and (39.70±4.20)% respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the control [(56.51±3.27)%, P<0.010]; the migration rates of sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR NC and sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR-338-3p inhibitor were (26.70±2.21)% and (46.10±5.71)%, with a significant difference (P<0.005). In xenograft tumor model, the weight and size of tumors in control, sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR NC and sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR-338-3p inhibitor mice were (458.80±158.10) mg, (262.50±82.09) mg, (395.40±137.60) mg and (593.00±228.40) mm(2,) (203.30±144.20) mm(2,) (488.60±208.60) mm(2,) respectively. Compared with control, sh-circTNPO1 tumors were significantly smaller (P<0.01). Injection with miR-338-3p inhibitor significantly reversed both the weight and size of tumors (P<0.05). Conclusion: CircTNPO1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of OS by sponging miR-338-3p, which could be a new target for OS treatments.
Animals ; Bone Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism* ; Mice ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Osteosarcoma/secondary* ; RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; Sincalide/metabolism*

BACKGROUNDTo compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis between younger and aged patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSWe analyzed the outcome of 451 HCC patients underwent liver resection, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation, respectively. Then risk factors for aged and younger patients' survival were evaluated by multivariate analysis, respectively.

RESULTSThe patients who were older than 55 years old were defined as the older group. The overall survival for aged patients was significantly worse than those younger patients. The younger patients had similar liver functional reserve but more aggressive tumor factors than aged patients. Cox regression analysis showed that the elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (Wald χ2 = 3.963, P = 0.047, hazard ratio [HR] =1.453, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.006-2.098), lower albumin (Wald χ2 = 12.213, P < 0.001, HR = 1.982, 95% CI: 1.351-2.910), tumor size (Wald χ2 = 8.179, P = 0.004, HR = 1.841, 95% CI: 1.212-2.797), and higher alpha-fetoprotein level (Wald χ2 = 4.044, P = 0.044, HR = 1.465, 95% CI: 1.010-2.126) were independent prognostic factors for aged patients, while only elevated levels of AST (Wald χ2 = 14.491, P < 0.001, HR = 2.285, 95% CI: 1.493-3.496) and tumor size (Wald χ2 = 21.662, P < 0.001, HR = 2.928, 95% CI: 1.863-4.604) were independent prognostic factors for younger patients.

CONCLUSIONSAge is a risk factor to determine the prognosis of patients with HCC. Aged patients who have good liver functional reserve are still encouraged to receive curative therapy.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the expression of DKKL1 in ejaculated spermatozoa of normal fertile men and men with asthenospermia and investigate the role of DKKL1 in the pathogenesis of asthenospermia.

METHODSThe characteristics of semen samples collected from normal fertile men and men with asthenospermia were analyzed using computer-assisted sperm analysis according to WHO criteria. The ejaculated sperms were isolated by Percoll discontinuous density gradients to detect the expression of DKKL1 mRNA and protein using real-time PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe expression of DKKL1 mRNA was significantly down-regulated by 11.1 times in asthenospermic men as compared with that in normal fertile men (P<0.01). Western blotting showed that the expression of DKKL1 protein was down-regulated by 2.4 times in asthenospermic men compared to normal fertile men.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of DKKL1, which may play an important role in sperm motility,is significantly decreased in ejaculated spermatozoa of men with asthenospermia.