To establish a new method for identifying genus of Lilium by DNA barcoding technology, ITS, ITS2, psbA-trnH, matK and rbcL sequences were analyzed in term of variation of inter- and intra-species, barcoding gap, neighbor-joining tree to distinguish genus of Lilium based on 978 sequences from experimental and GenBank database, and identification efficiency was evaluated by Nearest distance and BLAST1 methods. The results showed that DNA barcoding could identify different species in genus of Lilium. ITS sequence performed higher identification efficiency, and had significant difference between intra- and inter-species. And NJ tree could also divide species into different clades. Results indicate that DNA barcoding can identify genus of Lilium accurately. ITS sequence can be the optimal barcode to identify species of Lilium.
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Lilium ; classification

This study provides the candidate sequences in the identification of Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis and its adulterants using DNA barcoding. We amplified and sequenced the region psbA-trnH, with the data of 284 sequences from GenBank, the differential intra- and inter-specific divergences, genetic distance, barcoding gap were used to evaluate five barcodes, and the identification efficiency was assessed using BLAST1 and Nearest Distance methods. The results showed that psbA-trnH barcodes performed high identification efficiency and inter-specific divergences among the five different DNA barcodes. Analysis of the barcoding gap and NJ tree showed psbA-trnH was superior to other barcodes. Based on the identification and PCR amplification efficiency, psbA-trnH can be the ideal barcode to identify Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis and its adulterants accurately.
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Ranunculaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Rhizome ; genetics ; Species Specificity

Objective To observe the distribution of O2-O3 mixture in the disc and the shrinkage of herniation after the application of percutaneous lumbar discectomy (PLD) combined with medical ozone (O3) in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and analyze the clinical effect of PLD combined with O3 and the complications of lumbar disc hemiation. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with lumbar disc herniation proved by imaging (CT or MRI) and physical examinations were divided randomly into 3 groups (n=40): PLD-treated group, O3-treated group and PLD combined with O3 treatment group.They were treated as planning and their clinical effects were observed. Results PLD combined with O3 treatment group showed a significantly lower incidence of lumbago and obviously better distribution of O3 in or outside the discs as compared with the other 2 groups. The shrinkage rate of herniation was not statistically different among the 3 groups. The effective rate in the PLD combined with O3 treatment group was 86% (34/40); that in the PLD-treated group was 83% (33/40); that in the O3-treated group was 35% (14/40). After 6-18 months follow-up, the total effective rate was as following: 87.5% (35/40) in the PLD-treated group, 77.5% (31/40) in the O3-treated group and 92.5% (37/40) in the PLD combined with O3 treatment group. No complications were found in all the 3 groups. Conclusion PLD combined with O3 is a safe and effective method in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with less adverse reaction.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSSixty-five Chinese HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients were treated with 5 MU recombinant rIFN-alpha 1b subcutaneously thrice weekly for 5 to 24 months, followed by 12 months of treatment-free follow-up; one hundred and eighty-eight Chinese HBeAg-positive patients served as controls. For each patient, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was measured biochemically and serum HBV DNA level was detected with fluorescent-quantitative PCR, HBeAg with enzymoimmunoassay every 1 to 3 months during therapy and during the follow-up period. HBeAg loss (only for HBeAg-positive cases), HBV DNA undetectable, and ALT normalization: the three together were considered a combined response.

RESULTSRates of combined response were similar in HBeAg-negative patients (58.5%, 38/65) or HBeAg-positive ones at the end of treatment (weighted chi square test, chi2 = 1.878, P<0.05), but were higher at the end of the follow-up period in the HBeAg-negative cases (75.4%, 49/65) (weighted chi square test, chi2 = 4.796, P<0.05). Furthermore, relapse rates at the end of the follow-up period, were also similar in HBeAg-negative patients (15.8%, 6/38) or HBeAg positive (chi2 = 0.205, P>0.05). Combined response was achieved at a median of 6.0 months (2-16 months) of treatment course in HBeAg-negative patients while at a median of 6.0 months (1-22 months) in HBeAg-positive cases (Z = -0.186, P>0.05, by the Wilcoxon rank sum test). The only factor predictive of combined response, by binary logistic regression analysis, was inflammatory activity in the liver biopsy. Gender, age, baseline ALT level, baseline HBV DNA level, and anti-HBe were not predictive factors.

CONCLUSIONInterferon-alpha therapy induces a similar primary and sustained response in HBeAg-negative and in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bufalin combined Gefitinib on lung cancer H1975 cells, and to explore its potential mechanisms for anti-tumor.

METHODSThe cytostatic effects of bufalin (1 -100 nmol/L), gefitinib (0.1-20 micromol/L), and bufalin plus gefitinib on H1975 cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Their effects on apoptosis of H1975 cells were determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Their effects on expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Met signal pathway related proteins in H1975 cells were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSResults of MTT assay showed that gefitinib over 5 micromol/L could inhibit H1975 cells. But combined therapy of bufalin and gefitinib could potently inhibit the growth of H1975 cells. Results of FCM showed the apoptotic rate was 61.64% +/- 5.61% in the bufalin plus gefitinib group, obviously higher than that of the bufalin group (18.34% +/- 3.42%) and the gefitinib group (7.32% +/- 1.08%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). Results of Western blot showed the protein expressions of p-EGFR, p-Met, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in H1975 cells could be markedly down-regulated by bufalin plus gefitinib.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of bufalin and gefitinib potently inhibited the growth of H1975 cells, and induced cell apoptosis. The potential mechanism for anti-tumor might be involved in blocking EGFR-PI3k/Akt pathway.

Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Purpose: Current variability in methods for tumor mutational burden (TMB) estimation and reporting demonstrates the urgent need for a homogeneous TMB assessment approach. Here, we compared TMB distributions in different cancer types using two customized targeted panels commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: TMB spectra of 295- and 1021-gene panels in multiple cancer types were compared using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). The TMB distributions across a diverse cohort of 2,332 cancer cases were then investigated for their associations with clinical features. Treatment response data were collected for 222 patients who received immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and their homologous recombination DNA damage repair (HR-DDR) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression were additionally assessed and compared with the TMB and response rate. Results: The median TMB between gene panels was similar despite a wide range in TMB values. The highest TMB was 8 and 10 in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma according to the classification of histopathology and cancer types, respectively. Twenty-three out of 103 patients (22.3%) were HR-DDR‒positive and could benefit from ICI therapy; out of those 23 patients, seven patients had high TMB (p=0.004). Additionally, PD-L1 expression was not associated with TMB or treatment response among patients receiving ICIs. Conclusion Targeted NGS assays demonstrated the ability to evaluate TMB in pan-cancer samples as a tool to predict response to ICIs. In addition, TMB integrated with HR-DDR‒positive status could be a significant biomarker for predicting ICI response in patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequencies of allele and genotype of HLA-DRB1 gene in Luoba ethnic group. METHODS: HLA-DRB1 genes from 92 individuals of Luoba ethnic group in Tibet Autonomous region were investigated, using PCR-SSO (polymerase chain reaction -sequence specific oligo-nucleotide) genotyping methods. We compared allele frequencies of Luoba population in HLA-DRB1 locus with that of various ethnic groups distributed worldwide, constructed the phylogenetic tree by UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean), and counted genetic distance by Nei measure. RESULTS: Of the 11 DRB1 alleles detected, the two most common genes were DRBI * 04( gene frequency: 27.20% ) and DRB * 12 (25.50%) , which covered 52.70% of the total alleles detected from Luoba ethnic group. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1 * 14(15.20% ), DRB1 * 15(9.80% ) and DRB1 * 08(8.20% ) were more than 5%. Luoba was unique in the distribution of HLA alleles. The genetic distance between Luoba and Tibetan was closer than that with other population. A dendrogram based on the DRB1 genes by cluster analysis suggested that Luoba ethnic group might cluster with Tibetan firstly, then cluster with other population living in China (except Uygr) , and cluster with Caucasian and Black finally. CONCLUSION The HLA-DRBI gene frequency of Luoba individuals in Tibet Linzhi had some differences compared with that of other Chinese population. The kindred relation between Luoba and Tibetan was closer than that with other population, which was coincident with the results of ethnology, history and sociology.
China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tibet ; ethnology

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are a group of cells that have self-renewal, highly proliferative and multidrug differentiation potential. The properties of UC-MSCs and their tumor tropism make them an ideal tool for glioma cell therapy. These cells can act by paracrine or as a delivery system for genes and drugs. It has been demonstrated that UC-MSCs can inhibit the growth of glioma and improve the survival after transplantation into the brain. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the molecular mechanisms and safety of UC-MSCs in the treatment of glioma and to provide a useful reference for further research. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and CNKI databases from 2000 to 2017 with the English terms of "glioma; umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells" and the Chinese terms of "glioma; umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; safety; molecular mechanism". Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 articles were finally reserved for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: UC-MSCs have obvious effect on treating glioma. These cells can treat glioma through homing mechanism and paracrine mechanism as gene carrier and co-culture. Moreover, UC-MSCs have certain safety in the treatment of glioma.

Background: Data on the effects of excess aldosterone on glucose metabolism are inconsistent. This study compared the changes in glucose metabolism in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after adrenalectomy or treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). Methods: Overall, 241 patients were enrolled; 153 underwent adrenalectomy and 88 received an MRA. Fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) were compared between the treatment groups after 1 year. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and factors determining HOMA-IR and PAC were evaluated. Results: No baseline differences were observed between the groups. Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β increased in both groups and there were no significant differences in fasting glucose following treatment. Multiple regression analysis showed associations between PAC and HOMA-IR (β=0.172, P=0.017) after treatment. Treatment with spironolactone was the only risk factor associated with PAC >30 ng/dL (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 10; P<0.001) and conferred a 2.48-fold risk of insulin resistance after 1 year compared with surgery (95% CI, 1.3 to 4.8; P=0.007). Conclusion Spironolactone treatment might increase insulin resistance in patients with PA. This strengthened the current recommendation that adrenalectomy is the preferred strategy for patient with positive lateralization test. Achieving a post-treatment PAC of <30 ng/dL for improved insulin sensitivity may be appropriate.