Objective To investigate the regulation of B-lymphocyte stimulator(BLyS) levels in response to IFN-γand IL-6. Methods Flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and Western blot were applied to examine the expression level of BLyS in response to IFN-γ and IL-6 . Results IFN-γand IL-6 induced BLyS expression in KM3 cells. After treated with BAY11-7082, an IkB-α phospho- rylation inhibitor, the up regulation of BI,yS induced by IFN-γ was completely inhibited. Inhibiting the nu-clear faetor-kB (NF-kB) and mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) activation in KM3 cells reduced BLyS protein and gene expression. Conclusion MAPK and NF-kB pathways are involved in the regulation of BLyS expression, which suggests that MAPK and NF-kB might be used for the treatment of multiple mye- loma.

Objective: To analyze the auxiliary diagnostic value of prostate cancer-associated non-coding RNA transcript1(PCAT-1) in serum of colorectal cancer(CRC) patients. Methods: The serum samples were collected from 73 patients with CRC who underwent surgical treatment and were diagnosed by pathology, 54 patients with colorectal polyps and 62 healthy controls at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from October 2015 to January 2017. The serum level of PCAT-1 in CRC patients, colorectal polyps and healthy controls were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The relationship between the level of PCAT-1 and the clinical pathologic feature was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnosis value of PCAT-1, carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) alone and the combination of one of them in CRC. Results: The relative expression of PCAT-1 was 2.190 0(0.852 5, 6.715 0), 0.586 5(0.331 8, 1.697 0), 0.530 0(0.127 5, 0.957 5) respectively in CRC patients, colorectal polyps and healthy controls. The expression level of serum PCAT-1 in CRC patients was not related to the age (U=593, P=0.753 3), sex (U=536, P=0.390 8), tumor size (U=549, P=0.557 2) and location (U=584, P=0.426 7), but there was related to the degree of tumor differentiation (U=30, P=0.038 4) and tumor staging (U=399, P=0.005 0). ROC curve was used to analyze the expression of serum PCAT-1, CEA and CA199 for the diagnostic efficiency of CRC. The area under the curve(AUC) of ROC were 0.836, 0.756, 0.493 respectively in comparing CRC patients with healthy controls. The sensitivity of three joint tests was 93.2%(68/73), which was higher than that of single index. The area under the curve of ROC were 0.739, 0.673, and 0.515 respectively in comparing CRC patients with colorectal polyps. The sensitivity of three joint tests was 95.9%(70/73), which was higher than that of single index. Conclusions PCAT-1 maybe has auxiliary diagnosis of CRC. The combination of PCAT-1, CEA and CA199 remarkably improved the diagnostic efficacy of CRC.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 514-518)

Objective To explore whether the stimulation effect of high phosphate on hyperplasia of human parathyroid cells and hyperparathyroidism through local cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) up-regulation pathway. Methods Parathyroid glands were collected from 19 uremic patients undergoing parathyroidectomy.Expressions of COX1,COX2 and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of the glands were detected by immunohistochemistry.Primary parathyroid cells were cultured and treated with high or normal phosphate for 48 hours.Then expressions of COX2 and PCNA were detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR. Results Among 62 glands from above 19 patients,43 glands were nodular hyperplasia and 19 diffuse hyperplasia.Both high expressions of COX2 and PCNA were found in these blands.Expression of COX2 was found in both oxyphil and chief cells and was more in the diffuse hyperplasia glands than that in the nodular hyperplasia (P＜0.05).80.60％ and 85.20％ of COX2 positive cells in diffuse hyperplasia glands and nodular hyperplasia also expressed PCNA. High phosphate could stimulate iPTH secretion in vitro (P＜0.05).Expressions of COX2 and PCNA were higher in high phosphate group.(P＜0.05). Conclusion High phosphate may stimulate the hyperplasia of parathyroid cells by up-regulating the local COX2 expression.

Objective To investigate the effects of a proliferation-inducing ligand(APRIL)gene silencing by small interfering RNA(siRNA)on cell cycle and proliferation of colon carcinoma SW480 cells.Methods The siRNA plasmid vector targeting APRIL gene,named as siRNA-APRIL,was transfected into SW480 cells,transfected with scrambled vector as a nontargeting control and nontransfected group as another control.APRIL mRNA and protein expression were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Cell proliferation activity was analyzed by cell counting kit-8(CK-8),cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry,and p21 together with p27,two important regulatory genes in cell cycle,were measured by RTPCR.Results Compared with nontargeting control and nontransfected control,APRIL expression was inhibited significantly at both mRNA and protein level by siRNA-APRIL being transfected in SW480 cells(P ＜0.05).Cell proliferation ability was drastically repressed after siRNA-APRIL being transfected at 48 h,72 h and 96 h(P ＜ 0.05).After transfected 48 h,the percent of Go/G1 phase cell was significantly increased,S and G2/M phase cell were significantly decreased,the number of cell in apoptosis was increased and the expression of p21 and p27 mRNA were up-regulated(P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference when compared the two control groups each other(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion siRNA-APRIL can effectively knockdown the expression of APRIL gene in SW480 cells,moreover,it can inhibit the cell proliferation and induce G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest,which occurrence may involve in upregulation the mRNA expression of p21 and p27.

Objective To evaluate the endoscopic and pathologic characteristics and etiological ex-amination of viral esophagitis. Methods The data of 16 patients with viral esophagitis, including endoscop-ic, pathological and immunohistochemical findings were retrospectively studied. Results Endoscopic find-ings of viral esophagitis were characterized by single or multiple round and oval ulcers, located at the upper and middle esophagus. The surface of the ulcer was clean, and the boundary was distinct. Pathologic findings included degeneration and necrosis in squamons epithelium, accompanied by ulcer, infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes, hyperplasia of capillaries and basal cells and formation of granulation tissues, Immunocyto-chemical examination showed HSV-1 was positive in biopses, while CMV, EBV, HHV8 were negetive. Con-dusion Viral esophagtitis exhibited distinctive endosoopic and pathological features, and etiology can be confirmed by immunohistochemical examinations.

Objective To assess the clinical value of endoscopic uhrasonography(EUS)combined with the mini-probe endoscopic uhrasonography(MPUS)in determing tumor invasion depth and lymph node metastases of early superficial esophageal cancer.Methods One hundred and twenty-four superficial esophageal cancer lesions of 121 patients were staged by EUS combined with MPUS,and the results were finally compared with pathological findings of surgical specimens or samples obtained by mucosal resection.Results The diagnostic accuracy of EUS in T staging of superficial esophageal cancer was 82.3%(102/124).The total ratio of lymph node metastases was 5.0%(6/121),with no node metastases in carcinoma in situ,1.3%(1/28)in mucosal carcinoma,11.6%(5/43)in submucosal carcinoma.Conclusion EUS combined with MPUS is accurate in staging of the superficial carcinoma,which can help the choice of therapeutic strategies.

OBJECTIVETo compare the antitussive activity of three kinds of Stemonae Radix specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, including roots of Stemona sessilifolia, S. japonica and S. tuberosa.

METHODThe antitussive activity was determined in mouse after cough induction by ammonia aerosol stimulation and the number of cough in 2 min were detected with codeine as positive control.

RESULTAll the decoctions, the total alkaloid fractions and non-alkaloid fractions of S. sessilifolia, S. japonica and three chemical types of S. tuberosa showed significant antitussive effect and exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of coughing. The ED50 values showed that the antitussive activity strength for both total alkaloid fractions and the decoctions are: S. tuberosa (Type I) > S. sessilifolia > S. japonica. The total alkaloid fractions had more potent atitussive activity than the decoctions and non-alkaloid fractions. The antitussive activity strength for the three chemical types of S. tuberosa is: Type I > Type III > Type II. The samples from different producing areas for the same species of Stemonae Radix had no significant differences in antitussive activity. The result also showed that the honey-processed slice had much stronger antitussive activity than raw slice.

CONCLUSIONThe antitussive efficacies of Stemonae Radix were influenced by chemical diversity both in same species and among different species, different fractions and processed method.

Animals ; Antitussive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Cough ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Stemonaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of hypopharyngeal carcinoma detected by narrow band imaging(NBI)endoscopy and evaluate the value of NBI in the early diagnosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS Between December 2008 and July 2009,a total of 46 consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in this study. High performance endoscopic system equipped with the white light mode and NBI mode was introduced in the examination of pharynx and larynx. The quality of visualization of morphologies of epithelial capillary and demarcation line of each lesion under NBI view was evaluated in comparison with conventional white light endoscopy. RESULTS Among the 46 patients,a total of 86 lesions were detected. The notable characteristic of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is the well demarcated brownish area and scattered brown dots. The NBI laryngoscope could provide better visualization of morphologies of epithelial capillary and demarcation line in superficial carcinoma of hypopharynx than the white light mode(P

To investigate the knowledge regarding clinical research among children at 8-18 years of age. The survey results will form the basis for developing public education program for this population. Methods The survey was conducted among children at 8-18 years of age using WeChat and spot investigation between January 2016 and January 2017. According to different developmental stages, the survey population was divided into four groups: age 8-10, 11-13, 14-15 and 16-18 years. The level of knowledge regarding clinical research was analyzed. Results Totally 1 329 questionnaires were issued and 1 233 effective questionnaires were returned with a recovery rate of 92.8%. The overall awareness rate regarding clinical research was 32.8% (405/1 233). It revealed that 282 (22.9%) individuals thought that clinical research was to treat people like experimental rats. When asked"who have the final decision on research participation", the percentages of those who chose oneself, parents or guardian and doctor were 44.6% (550/1 233), 74.2% (915/1 233) and 36.8% (454/1 233) respectively. When asked "If you want to participate a study, but your parents or guardian do not agree, what would you do?", 33.9% (418/1 233) of individuals will "give up". As to "If you do not want to participate a study, but your parents or guardian think you should, what would you do? ", 51.3% (632/1 233) chose"listen to parents" and 28.8% (355/1 233) chose"refuse the suggestions of parents or guardian". As to "what are your greatest concerns of participating an investigation?", 68.1% (840/1 233) chose"worry about added pain or discomfort". But 58.0%(715/1 233) thought if"doctors and nurses take good care of me"their "concerns will reduce" or "feel better to participate in the research? ". 55.6% (686/1 233) and 49.3% (608/1 233) individuals responded that they will"participate in an research? "when they"know that other people also participate the research" and when they"know the details regarding what will happen after the enrollment". Conclusions The knowledge level of clinical research among children aged 8-18 years were not high. It is very necessary to promote the public education of clinical research for this population and also very necessary to address their concern regarding the research.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in diagnosis of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs), mediastinal occupying lesion of unknown origin, as well as in N-staging for lung cancer. Methods EUS-FNA was performed via esophagus with a 22-gange needle in 61 patients, followed by pathological and cytological examinations. Results The positive diagnosis rate of EUS-FNA was 93.4% (57/61), and the cytological and pathological diagnostic accuracy were 85.2% (52/61) and 83.6% (51/61), respectively. Of 61 patients, 26 were suspected as having lung cancer with mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis, but the bronchoscopy failed to confirm the diag-nosis. EUS-FNA diagnosed lung cancer in 21 and benign lesion in 5. Of 22 patients with mediastinal occupying lesions of unknown origin, 19 (86.4%) were diagnosed by EUS-FNA. Of 7 patients with malignant tumor history and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, EUS-FNA confirmed mediastinal metastasis in 6 (85.7%). Six cases of lung cancer with suspected mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis were confirmed by EUS-FNA and the corresponding therapy regimen was modified. No complications related to EUS-FNA procedure occurred. Conclusion EUS-FNA is a safe and effective method for diagnosis of enlarged medistinal LNs, mediastinal lesion of unkown origin and N-stage of lung cancer.