Recently, the immunotherapy has been highlighted among cancer treatments. Cancer-testis antigen (CTA) has been studied in a variety of solid tumors because of its specific expression in tumors, and testis, ovary and placenta tissues, but not in other normal tissues. In order to provide a new approach for multiple myeloma (MM) immunotherapy, we examined the CTA expression in MM cell lines, and primary myeloma cells in patients with MM. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of MAGE-C1/CT7, SSX1, SSX2 and SSX4 in MM cell lines of RPMI-8226 and U266, and bone marrow (BM) cells of 25 MM patients and 18 healthy volunteers. The results showed that the 4 CTAs were expressed in RPMI-8226 and U266 cell lines. The positive expression rate of MAGE-C1/CT7, SSX1, SSX2 and SSX4 in the BM cells of 25 MM patients was 28% (7/25), 80% (20/25), 40% (10/25) and 68% (17/25), respectively. In contrast, the expression of any member of the CTAs was not detected in BM cells of 18 healthy volunteers. The expression of two or more CTAs was detected in 80% (20/25) MM patients, and that of at least one CTA in 88% (22/25). The mRNA expression levels of SSX1 and SSX4 were significantly higher in patients with MM at stage III than in those at stage I and II (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the mRNA expression levels of MAGE-C1/CT7 and SSX2 in further stratified analyses by age, gender, MM types and percentage of MM cells in BM (P>0.05). In conclusion, our present study showed that MAGE-C1/CT7, SSX1, SSX2 and SSX4 were co-expressed in MM cell lines and the primary myeloma cells in MM patients, but not expressed in BM cells of healthy subjects. The mRNA levels of SSX1 and SSX4 are associated with MM clinical stage. This work may provide a new insight into MM immunotherapy in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproducibility of non-verbal facial expressions (smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, cheek puff) in normal persons using dynamic three-dimensional (3D) imaging and provide reference data for future research. METHODS: In this study, 15 adults (7 males and 8 females) without facial asymmetry and facial nerve dysfunction were recruited. Each participant was seated upright in front of the 3D imaging system in natural head position. The whole face could be captured in all six cameras. The dynamic 3D system captured 60 3D images per second. Four facial expressions were included: smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, and cheek puff. Before starting, we instructed the subjects to make facial expressions to develop muscle memory. During recording, each facial expression took about 3 to 4 seconds. At least 1 week later, the procedure was repeated. The rest position (T0) was considered as the base frame. The first quartile of expressions (T1), just after reaching the maximum state of expressions (T2), just before the end of maximum state of expressions (T3), the third quartile of expressions (T4), and the end of motion (T5) were selected as key frames. Using the stable part of face such as forehead, each key frame (T1-T5) of the different expressions was aligned on the corresponding frame at rest (T0). The root mean square (RMS) between each key frame and its corresponding frame at rest were calculated. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was applied to assess statistical differences between the corresponding frames of the different facial expressions. RESULTS: Facial expressions like smile lips closed, smile lips open, and cheek puff were reproducible. Lip purse was not reproducible. The statistically significant differences were found on the T2 frame of the repeated lip purse movement. CONCLUSION The dynamic 3D imaging can be used to evaluate the reproducibility of facial expressions. Compared with the qualitative analysis and two-dimensions analysis, dynamic 3D images can be able to more truly represent the facial expressions which make the research more reliable.
Adult ; Face/diagnostic imaging* ; Facial Expression ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lip/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Photogrammetry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Smiling

Pro-inflammatory macrophages play key regulatory role in the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we constructed a celastrol (Cel)-loaded polyamide-amine dendrimer (PAMAM) drug delivery system, which could target folate receptor and mitochondria. It could target inflammatory macrophages and realize chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy. Using PAMAM as the nano-carrier, folate receptor-targeting group folic acid (FA) and mitochondria-targeting group IR808 (also known as the photothermal agent) were conjugated with PAMAM through amide reaction, and then complexed with anti-inflammatory drug Cel to prepare the FA-PAMAM-IR808/Cel nanocomplex. In vitro characterization results showed that the drug loading efficiency of the nanocomplex was 50.90%, particle size was between 130 and 160 nm, average potential was between 1.0 and 3.5 mV, the drug release showed pH sensitivity, temperature reached to 42.5 ℃ after near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation for 10 min. In vitro cellular uptake experiments showed that the nanocomplex had obvious folate receptor-targeting and mitochondria-targeting ability. Following irradiation with NIR light, the cytotoxicity and cellular apoptosis enhanced. The secretion of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. This study provided insights for the development of novel anti-RA nanomedicines.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the promoter of IL-12B gene polymorphism and the susceptibility and clinical features of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer with or without Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection in children and adolescent.Methods Mucosal biopsies were obtained from 132 children and adolescent (patient group),including 100 children with chronic gastritis and 32 children with duodenal ulcer,undergoing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms.Biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxilin and eosin (HE),and gastritis was graded according to the Sydney system.Serology,urease test and histology were taken to assess Hp status.Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood or gastric biopsies of patients and 102 healthy children as normal control group.The promoter of IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing.The genotype distributions and allele frequencies were compared between the study group and the normal control group,and the association of genotypes with clinicopathological features was studied.IL-12B mRNA level expressions in gastric mucosa were confirmed by reverse transcription PCR biopsy-based tests.Results The genotype distributions and allele frequencies of IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphisms were similar in gastric upper gastrointestinal diseases and healthy subjects.The IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphisms were not associated with Hp status.IL-12B+1188A/G gene polymorphisms did not affect IL-12B mRNA level expressions and were not associated with the degree of antrum chronic inflammation.Conclusions These data suggest that IL-12B+1188A/G gene polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer in children and adolescent.

Abstract?AIM:To study the Influence and outcomes of eye healthcare information teaching for the visual development of children under“combination of medicine and education” in kindergartens.?METHODS:The children(5-6 years old) were randomly selected from 6 kindergartens in Nanjing, 3 in Yuhua District as the experimental group, and the other 3 in Jianye District as the control group.A one-year follow-up was conducted to evaluate the difference of visual development, including the rate of low vision, rate of referral caused by refractive abnormality, rate of astigmatism, the average of the equivalent spherical lens and the rate of lacking physiological hypermetropia, between the experimental group and the control group children.?RESULTS:One school year later,the rate of low vision, rate of referral caused by refractive abnormality and the rate of astigmatism, were significantly lower (P<0.05)in the experimental group under the mode of“combination of medicine and education”, which were also lower than those before experiment(P<0.05).The average of the equivalent spherical lens of experimental group increased and the rate of lacking physiological hypermetropia decreased significantly, compared with the control group ( P <0.05 ) and with those before experiment(P<0.05).?CONCLUSION:Using “combination of medicine and education” eye health care model,is good for children's visual development,so as to reduce the rate of low vision and delay the occurrence of myopia.

OBJECTIVETo speed up seedling production of pasqueflower (Puzlsatilla chinenses) and their modernization in pasqueflower.

METHODWith tissue culture method, primary culture of different explants, culture of cluster buds and their rooting culture were conducted on medium of treatment combinations of adding different hormones.

RESULTThe appropriate medium for different culture stages were MS + 6-BA 1.0-3.0 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0-0.05 mg x L(-1) + Sucrose 30 g x L(-1) in primary culture, MS + 6-BA 0.2 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.02 mg x L(-1) + BR 0.00001 mg x L(-1) + Sucrose 30 g x L(-1) in differentiation and subculture of cluster buds, 1/2 MS + NAA 0.4 mg x L(-1) + Sucrose 20 g x L(-1) in rooting.

CONCLUSIONApplying stem tip and flower buds as explants, high frequency propagation of seedlings can be achieved with plant tissue culture in Pasqueflower.

Flowers ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Pulsatilla ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods

Accidents, Occupational ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis-promoting effect of PDCD5 on human prostate cancer cells PC-3M-1E8.

METHODSPCI-neo and PCI-neo-PDCD5 were transfected into PC-3M-1E8 cells by Lipofectamine 2000, the viability of the cells was analyzed by MTT assay 16 hours after removal of the serum, and the apoptosis was determined by in situ end-labeling and electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe viability and growing speed of the transfected cells were significantly decreased and their apoptotic indexes significantly increased as compared with the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONPDCD5 may significantly inhibit the in vitro growth and promote the apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells PC-3M-1E8.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Plasmids ; chemistry ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; methods

AIMTo observe the change of potassium current on cultured neurons differentiated from hippocampus neural stem cells of the newborn rat.

METHODSNeural stem cells from newborn rat hippocampus were cultured in vitro and passaged continuously. Differentiation of the cell was induced by serum and removing mitogens. After differentiation cells were plated on plastic dishes and cultured for 1 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d. Whole-cell voltage patch clamp recording was used respectively to detect voltage-dependent K+ current.

RESULTSAfter 1 d culture, no current was detected, and on the 7th d, 14th d, 21st d after differentiation, the amplitude of K+ currents was (18.077 +/- 2.789)pA/pF, (13.099 +/- 2.742)pA/pF, (34.045 +/- 8.067)pA/pF at +50 mV. The recorded K+ current included two components that could be blocked by TEA and 4-AP separately, assumed the slowly inactivating delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) and the fast inactivating transient outward K+ current (IA).

CONCLUSIONThe function of potassium channels on the hippocampus neural stem cells of the newborn rat approaches mature gradually when the time of differentiation becomes longer in vitro.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley