OBJECTIVETo elucidate the role of transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-β1) in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of mesothelial cells and peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

METHODSHMrSV5 cells, a human peritoneal mesothelial cell line, were incubated with TGF-β1, and their morphological changes were observed by phase contrast microscopy. Expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, cytokeratin, E-cadherin, phosphorylated-Smad2 and Smad2 were examined by Western blotting. After fibroblastic-like mesothelial cells were co-incubate with HSC-39 cells(gastric cancer cell line), the adhesion and invasion potential of HSC-39 were evaluated by adhesion and invasion assay in vitro.

RESULTSFew mesothelial cells converted to spindle fibroblast-like morphology for 24 h, and remarkable phenotypic changes were observed at 72 h of TGF-β1 activation. TGF-β1 could induce α-SMA and vimentin expression, and down-regulate cytokeratin and E-cadherin expression in mesothelial cells (P<0.05). TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of Smad2 within 15 min of stimulation, reached a maximum at 30 min after treatment and remained high level during the experiment without affecting total Smad2 expression(P>0.05). The percentage of HSC-39 gastric cancer cells adhered were significantly increased as compared to the control. When the mesothelial cells were treated by TGF-β1 for 72 h, the increased adhesion percentage was(146±17)%(P<0.05). After fibroblastic-like mesothelial cells co-incubated with HSC-39 cells for 48 h, more cancer cells [(61.1±11.4) cells/view field] invaded the coated membrane as compared to the control group [(31.9±8.1) cells/view field] (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTGF-β1 can induce the transition of mesothelial cells into myofibroblasts and Smad2 signal pathway may play a role in this transition, which is associated with increased adhesion and invasiveness of gastric cancer cells, and provides favorable environment for the dissemination of gastric cancer.

Cadherins ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; Signal Transduction ; Smad2 Protein ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Vimentin

Objective To explore the effect of angiogenesis in carotid atherosclerotic plaque.Methods From Jan 2016 to Aug 2016,Carotid artery plaque was abtained in 52 cases after carotid endarterectomy at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of China-Japan Friendship Hospital.Patients were divided into symptomatic group and asymptomatic group.Specimens were stained with HE and Movat,and the density,size,distribution and morphology of neovascularization were counted.Results The density of neovascularization in the symptomatic group and the asymptomatic group were 5.27 ± 0.46 and 2.30 ±0.29,respectively (P ＜ 0.001),the average cross-sectional area of neovascularization in the symptomatic group was (2.26±0.21) mm2 and (1.00 ±0.48) mm2 in the asymptomatic group (P=0.02).In the distribution,the symptomatic group and the asymptomatic group were 3.37 ± 0.46/ mm2,1.32 ±0.16/mm2 in basal part,3.71 ±0.42/mm2,1.56 ±0.20/mm2 in the shoulder part,3.48 ±0.44/mm2,1.55 ± 0.21/ mm2 in the fibrous cap,respectively (P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The density and cross-sectional area of neovascularization in the symptomatic group were larger than those in the asymptomatic group,irregular branching vessels were dominant.

Objective:To discuss the inhibitory effect of chelerythrine(CHE)on the migration,invasion,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of the human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells,and to clarify the associated mechanism.Methods:The SKOV3 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group and 2.5,5.0,10.0,20.0,and 40.0 μmol·L-1 CHE groups.Methylthiazolydiphenyl-tetrazolium(MTT)assay was used to detect the inhibitory rates of proliferation of the cells in various groups.The SKOV3 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)group,TGF-β1+5 μmol·L-1 CHE group,and TGF-β1+10 μmol·L-1 CHE group.Cell scratch assay was used to detect the migration rates of the cells in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,and Vimentin proteins in the cells in various groups;immunofluorescence staining method was used to detect the fluorescence intensities of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in the cells in various groups.Results:The MTT assay results showed that compared with control group,the inhibitory rates of proliferation of the cells in 5.0,10.0,20.0,and 40.0 μmol·L-1 CHE groups were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The cell scratch assay results showed that compared with control group,the migration rate of the cells in TGF-β1 group was increased(P<0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the migration rates of the cells in TGF-β1+5 μmol·L-1 CHE group and TGF-β1+10 μmol·L-1 CHE group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with control group,the numbers of migration and invasion cells in TGF-β1 group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with TGF-β1 group,the numbers of migration and invasion cells in TGF-β1+5 μmo·l L-1 CHE group and TGF-β1+10 μmo·l L-1 CHE group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression level of E-cadherin protein in the cells in TGF-β1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of E-cadherin protein in the cells in TGF-β1+5 μmol·L-1 CHE group and TGF-β1+10 μmol·L-1 CHE group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with control group,the fluorescence intensity of E-cadherin in the cells in TGF-β1 group was decreased,and the fluorescence intensity of N-cadherin was increased;compared with TGF-β1 group,the fluorescence intensities of E-cadherin in the cells in TGF-β 1+5 μmol·L-1 CHE group and TGF-β1+10 μmol·L-1 CHE group were significantly increased,and the fluorescence intensities of N-cadherin were decreased.Conclusion:CHE can inhibit the proliferation,migration,invasion,and EMT of the human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells.

Objective:To investigate the incidences and risk factors of poor hematopoietic reconstitution (PHR) in patients with hematological diseases who underwent haploidentical allograft and were treated with rituximab for desensitization.Methods:Eight-three donor specific anti-HLA antibody (DSA, 2000 ≤MFI<10 000) positive patients who underwent haploidentical allograft were prospectively enrolled. Rituximab (375 mg/m 2) was used for desensitization day-3 of conditioning regimen. Incidence and factors associated with PHR, including primary poor graft function and prolonged thrombocytopenia, were investigated. Results:There were 22 males and 61 females with a median age of 39(range: 1-65) years. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 100 day cumulative incidences of neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 93.0% and 90.7%, respectively. The incidences of PHR were 14.7%. The 3-year relapse rate, non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate, event-free survival (EFS), leukemia-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 6.5%, 15.1%, 70.8%, 79.4% and 79.4%, respectively. Patients with DSA MFI<5 000 (group A, n=46) experienced lower PHR (4.4% vs. 27.5%, P=0.003), and higher 3-year EFS (79.5% vs. 59.8%, P=0.020) compared to those with DSA MFI≥5 000 (group B, n=37). Multivariate analysis showed that DSA MFI≥5 000 was correlated with PHR ( HR=6.101, P=0.021). PHR was associated with higher NRM ( HR=4.110, P=0.026), lower DFS ( HR=3.656, P=0.019) and OS ( HR=3.656, P=0.019). Conclusion:Our data suggest that high pre-transplant DSA level is a risk factor for PHR in patients with hematological diseases receiving haploidentical allograft and rituximab for desensitization.

Objective:To investigate the value of minimal residual disease (MRD) in prediction of prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients with or above complete remission 2 (CR2) underwent.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 201 ALL patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and pretransplant disease status ≥CR2 in Peking University People′s Hospital from January 2009 to December 2018. MRD was measured by multi-parameter flow cytometry at 1 month before transplantation and 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months or 12 months after transplantation. To investigate the influence of dynamic changes of MRD before and after transplantation on prognosis.Results:201 ALL patients, including 126 males and 75 females, with a median age of 18 years. The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse mortality (NRM), leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) of all cases were 34%, 16%, 50%, and 56%, respectively. Positive pre-SCT MRD patients with higher 3-year CIR (47% vs 26%, P=0.003), lower 3-year LFS (40% vs 55%, P=0.047) and OS (42% vs 60%, P=0.065) than those with negative one. Subjects with positive post-MRD had higher 3-year CIR (73% vs 22%, P<0.001) and lower 3-year LFS (28% vs 56%, P=0.005) and OS (32% vs 60%, P=0.040) compared with those with negative one. Multivariate analysis showed that both pre-MRD and post-MRD were associated with higher CIR ( HR=1.823, P=0.018; HR=3.474, P<0.001), lower LFS ( HR=1.779, P=0.007; HR=2.185, P=0.001) and OS ( HR=1.609, P=0.034; HR=1.970, P=0.001). Negative pre-and post-SCT MRD group had lower 3-year CIR (17%, 42%, 82%; P<0.001) and higher 3-year LFS (61%, 44%, 18%; P<0.001) and OS (63%, 47%, 27%; P<0.001) compared with those unrisen post-SCT MRD group, and increased post-SCT MRD group. Multivariate analysis showed that pre-and post-SCT MRD dynamics were associated with CIR, LFS and OS ( P<0.01 for all) independently. The pre-and post-SCT MRD dynamics could better distinguish CIR (C=0.669) from that of pre-SCT MRD (C=0.587) and post-SCT MRD (C=0.629). Conclusion:Our data suggest that pre-SCT MRD, post-SCT MRD and the dynamic peri-SCT MRD could be used to predict transplant outcome of ALLpatients with or above CR2 who underwent allo-SCT.

Femoral neck fracture (FNF) in the elderly patients is currently a major health challenge worldwide, with excessive consumption of medical resources, high incidence of complications as well as suboptimal outcome and prognosis. Hip joint arthroplasty (HJA) has been the mainstream treatment for FNF in the elderly, but the conventional surgical approaches and techniques are still confronted with a series of bottlenecks such as dislocation, limp and limb length discrepancy. In recent years, direct anterior approach (DAA) for HJA (DAA-HJA) has been a major new choice in the field of joint replacement, which achieves improved clinical effectiveness of HJA in the treatment of elderly FNF, due to the fact that DAA approach involves the neuromuscular interface and accords with the idea of soft tissue retention and enhanced recovery after surgery. However, there is still a lack of unified understanding of standard technique and procedure of DAA-HJA in the treatment of elderly FNF. Therefore, relevant experts from the Hip Joint Group of Chinese Orthopedics Association of Chinese Medical Association, Youth Arthrology Group of Orthopedic Committee of PLA, Orthopedic Committee of Chongqing Medical Association, Branch of Orthopedic Surgeons of Chongqing Medical Doctor Association and Sport Medicine Committee of Chongqing Medical Association were organized to formulate the " Chinese expert consensus on the technical standard of direct anterior hip arthroplasty for elderly femoral neck fracture ( version 2023)" based on evidence-based medicine. This consensus mainly proposed 13 recommendations covering indications, surgical plans, prosthesis selections, surgical techniques and processes, and postoperative management of DAA-HJA in elderly patients with FNF, aiming to promote standardized, systematic and patient-specific diagnosis and treatment to improve the functional prognosis of the patients.