Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma

Objective To evaluate the theraputic effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of portal vein.Methods One hundred and six patients of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of portal vein under treament of TACE were observed before and after the procedure.Results After TACE tumor size reduced＞50% in 23 patients,＜50% in 25, no significant change in 44.The size of tumor enlarged in 12.The disappearance of portal vein tumor thrombosis accessed in 14,with reduction in 39,and no significant change in 51.Two patients died within one week.Conclusion TACE provides good therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of portal vein.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-tumor effect of dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with G422 glioblastomas RNA in mice bearing intracranially G422 glioblastomas.

METHODSDCs were pulsed in vitro with glioblastomas G422 cell RNA. The tumor-bearing mice were injected intratumorally or subcutaneously with pulsed DCs, PBS, non-pulsed DCs. The survival duration of mice was recorded. Serum levels of cytokine IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-10, IL-4 were detected. Pathological examination was performed.

RESULTSThe survival duration of mice with DC-based vaccine increased significantly(P<0.01). The serum IFN-gamma level was increased (P<0.01) and IL-10 level was decreased (P<0.05) after treatment. Pathological examination showed necrotic tumor in the treatment mice.

CONCLUSIONDC vaccination can significantly increase survival duration of mice with intratumoral or subcutaneous administration of vaccines.

Animals ; Brain Neoplasms ; immunology ; therapy ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; transplantation ; Glioblastoma ; immunology ; therapy ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Mice ; RNA, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Random Allocation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

Purpose To investigate the expression of miR-200a and PTEN in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and their relationships with clinicopathologic features. Methods In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry ( EnVision method) for miR-200a and PTEN were performed in 87 CRCs and normal colorectal tissues distant from tumors. Relationship between expression of miR-200a and PTEN and clinicopathologic parameters of CRC was also analyzed. Results The in situ hybridization showed that the positive expression rate of the miR-200a in CRC was higher than those in normal colorectal mucosa (P<0. 01). The expression of miR-200a was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation (rs =0. 503, P<0. 01). The immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression rate of the PTEN in CRC was lower than those in normal colorectal mucosa (P<0. 01). The expression of miR-200a was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation (rs = -0. 493, P<0. 01). Expression of miR-200a and PTEN was not correlated with age, sex, tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P>0. 05). The expression of miR-200a had a close negative correlation to that of PTEN in CRC (P<0. 01). Conclusions Overexpression of miR-200a might be associated with the occurrence and development by targeting PTEN, and they could be the indicators in the early diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of CRC.

OBJECTIVETo construct pPICZalphaA-soluble interleukin-1 receptor type I (sIL-1RI) recombinant expression vector containing the gene fragment encoding the extracellular domain of sIL-1RI for its expression in Pichia pastoris.

METHODSsIL-1RI gene was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into the yeast expression vector pPICZalphaA by digestion ligation. The recombinant plasmid pPICZalphaA-sIL1RI was transformed into E.coli Stb13, and the positive clones were analyzed by PCR and DNA sequencing. The pPICZalphaA-sIL1RI recombinant plasmid was electroporated into GS115 cells and the transformants were analyzed by PCR. After phenotype identification, the recombinant strains were induced by methanol to express the target protein, which was analyzed by Western blotting of the cell extract and supernatant.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid pPICZalphaA-sIL-1RI was constructed successfully, and the results of Western blotting showed that yeast induced by methanol expressed a protein of about 39 kD.

CONCLUSIONsIL-1RI protein has been successfully expressed in P.pastoris expression system, which provides the basis for further study of sIL-1RI.

Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Pichia ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and the possible mechanism of IL-6 on NMDA-excited neuronal discharges of rats in vitro.

METHODSThe cerebellar slices were prepared and spontaneous discharges of single cerebellar interposed nuclear (IN) neurons were recorded by extracellular recordings. The cerebellar slices were perfused with artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF) containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), IL-6, JAK inhibitor AG490. The changes in firing activities of the neurons treated with the drugs were recorded. The levels of phosphorylation at serine 897 site of NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) in the neurons treated with various drugs mentioned above were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe discharge rates of the neurons that were treated with IL-6 together with NMDA were significantly lower than those of the neurons treated with NMDA alone. AG490 partially blocked the inhibitory effect of IL-6 on the NMDA-stimulated neuronal firing activity. The treatment of the neurons with IL6 and NMDA led to a concentration-dependent suppression of the phospho-NR1 expression relative to those neurons treated with NMDA alone. AG490 blocked the effect of the IL-6-induced depression of phospho-NR1 expression.

CONCLUSIONIL-6 inhibits NMDA-stimulated neuronal firing activity, and simultaneously down-regulates the phosphorylation of NR1 at serine 897 site.

Animals ; Cerebellum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; N-Methylaspartate ; pharmacology ; Nerve Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) genotypes in Hubei province.

METHODSEpidemiological survey was carried out to HIV-1 carriers who were identified in Hubei province. HIV-1 env V3-V4, gag P17/24 and the first exon of tat region were amplified by nested-polymerase chain reaction(nPCR) .The sequences were determined, and phylogenetic analyses were then performed.

RESULTS4 HIV-1 strains or circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) were identified in Hubei province with subtype B' the predominant which covered 5 kinds of populations including former blood donors, blood receivers, spouses of the infected people, sex workers and their clients, homosexuals, mainly distributed in the areas with many former blood donors. CRF08-BC and CRF01-AE were found distributed in economically more developed cities or southern area of the province, and the major transmission routes was through sexual contact. Only 1 patient, an injecting drug user, was identified having subtype C.

CONCLUSIONSubtype B' was the main epidemic subtypes in Hubei province while CRF08-BC, CRF01-AE and subtype C were also circulating in the province, indicating the transmission of the disease might to become more complex.

China ; epidemiology ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in the treatment of male climacteric syndrome and to investigate the specificity and sensitivity of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and serum total testosterone as the curative effect index.

METHODSForty patients aged 40-75 with male climacteric syndrome were divided into two groups randomly and injected with rhGH 4 IU (Group A) or 8 IU (Group B). The patients were followed up for about 12 weeks after 12-week treatment and then asked the questions of the assessed index of male climacteric syndrome at the 4th, 8th and 12th week of the treatment and 12 weeks after the treatment. The serum IGF-1, total testosterone (TT) and prostatic specific antigen(PSA) were measured before and after the treatment. The data were analysed by the software of SPSS 12.0 for Windows.

RESULTSThe scores of the 4th, 8th and 12th week and the follow-up significantly declined compared with the baseline (P < 0.01), but did not differ significantly between Groups A and B (P > 0.05). After the treatment, serum total testosterone, PSA and prostate volume had no obvious change (P > 0.05), and the IGF-1 level was markedly higher than the baseline and the normal public. No obvious side effect was found during the treatment and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSmall dosage of rhGH(4 IU/week) for 12 weeks can effectively treat male climacteric syndrome. The value of IGF-1 was parallel with the treatment effects. Short-time and small-dosage treatment with rhGH is safe and has little side effect.

Andropause ; Follow-Up Studies ; Human Growth Hormone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Syndrome ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic influence on long-term overall survival (OS) from treatment with Chinese medicine (CM) and chemotherapy or targeted therapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 206 advanced NSCLC patients who were treated with CM and Western medicine in Beijing Cancer Hospital from April 1999 to July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Long-term survivors were defined as OS ≥ 3 years after treatment with CM and chemotherapy. Twenty-eight patients had OS ≥ 3 years, 178 had OS < 3 years, and all clinical data were statistically analyzed with the Cox model. Variables were gender, age, smoking status, performance status (PS) score, pathological type, clinical stage, first-line chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and use of CM. Univariate survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank sequential inspection. Multivariate survival analysis was used to analyze the meaningful factors of univariate survival analysis with the Cox model.

RESULTSThe survival rate of patients with OS ≥ 3 years was 13.6% (28/206). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that PS score, clinical stage, disease control rate to first-line chemotherapy, and use of CM were independent factors of longterm OS (all <0.05). However, gender, age, smoking, and use of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitor were not significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPS score, clinical stage, disease control rate to first-line chemotherapy, and use of CM are probably independent prognostic factors for long-term OS in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of inhibiting stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) expression by RNA interference (RNAi) on adhesion and drug sensitivity of Jurkat cells co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells.

METHODSSDF-1 specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing plasmid was transferred into cultured human acute leukemic bone marrow stromal cells, positive clones were isolated by screening G418 resistance (Group A) , SDF-1 protein level in culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The adhesion rates to bone marrow stromal cells layer and the drug sensitivity to doxorubicin of co-cultured Jurkat cells were detected by cell counting and MTT assay, respectively. The un-transfected bone marrow stromal cells of acute leukemia patient (Group B) or normal subject (Group C) were taken as control.

RESULTSThe level of secreted SDF-1 protein (pg/10(5) cells/week) in the supernatants of Group A, B and C were 1920 +/- 205, 12,370 +/- 1355 and 6620 +/- 770, respectively. Of co-cultured Jurkat cells in Group A, B and C, the adhesion rates after 24 h co-culturing were (28.8 +/- 2.6)%, (57.4 +/- 3.8)% and (45.2 +/- 4.0)%, respectively, and the IC50 values of doxorubicin were 585, 6162 and 1758 nmol/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONDown-regulating SDF-1 expression of bone marrow stromal cells by RNAi reduces adhesion rates and enhances drug sensitivity to doxorubicin of their co-cultured Jurkat cells.

Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; RNA Interference ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism