Objective:Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of methotrexate(MTX)-modified magnetic nanoparticles in thermo-chemotherapy for rat breast cancer and its impact on immune function.Methods:Female Wistar rats were subcutaneously inoculated with breast cancer Walker-256 cells to establish a transplantation tumor model,and injected with polyethyleneimine(PEI)-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47T group,42T group and multiple 42T group)or MTX-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47TC group,42TC group and multiple 42TC group)for thermotherapy under the magnetic field at different temperatures(47℃and 42℃).The rats injected with MTX-modified magnetic fluid only(MFC group)and the tumor-bearing rats without any treatment(blank control group),with irradiation treatment in an alternating magnetic field only for 30 minutes(M group),with injection of PEI-modified magnetic fluid only(MF group),with treatment of MTX-mono drug(MTX group)and not inoculated with tumor cells(normal group)were used as control groups.X-ray radiography was used to display the distribution of magnetic fluid in the tumor tissue 24 hours,2 weeks and 2 months after intra-tumor injection.After 24 hours of treatment,three rats were selected from each of the 47T and 47TC groups,and the effect of magnetic fluid on tumor cells was observed under an electron microscope after execution.After 14 days of treatment,the tumor volume of rats was measured and statistically analyzed.At the same time,4 rats were selected from each of the 47TC,47T,42TC,42T,MFC,MTX,blank control and normal groups,and the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA method.The remaining rats were observed for long-term survival.Results:The magnetic nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the center of the tumor but unevenly distributed at the tumor's edge;they primarily localize amomg tumor cells and can penertrate into tumor cells.Tumor growth was inhibited in rats in the 47TC,47T,multiple 42TC and multiple 42T groups(all P<0.05),and the survival rates of the rats were high.As compared with the blank control group,the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were increased while the IL-4 level was decreased in the 47TC and 47T groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes and multiple sessions at 42℃for 60 minutes can partially inhibit tumor growth and prolong rat survival.This effect maybe related to the thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes which can activate the body's immune function.

Objective:Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of methotrexate(MTX)-modified magnetic nanoparticles in thermo-chemotherapy for rat breast cancer and its impact on immune function.Methods:Female Wistar rats were subcutaneously inoculated with breast cancer Walker-256 cells to establish a transplantation tumor model,and injected with polyethyleneimine(PEI)-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47T group,42T group and multiple 42T group)or MTX-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47TC group,42TC group and multiple 42TC group)for thermotherapy under the magnetic field at different temperatures(47℃and 42℃).The rats injected with MTX-modified magnetic fluid only(MFC group)and the tumor-bearing rats without any treatment(blank control group),with irradiation treatment in an alternating magnetic field only for 30 minutes(M group),with injection of PEI-modified magnetic fluid only(MF group),with treatment of MTX-mono drug(MTX group)and not inoculated with tumor cells(normal group)were used as control groups.X-ray radiography was used to display the distribution of magnetic fluid in the tumor tissue 24 hours,2 weeks and 2 months after intra-tumor injection.After 24 hours of treatment,three rats were selected from each of the 47T and 47TC groups,and the effect of magnetic fluid on tumor cells was observed under an electron microscope after execution.After 14 days of treatment,the tumor volume of rats was measured and statistically analyzed.At the same time,4 rats were selected from each of the 47TC,47T,42TC,42T,MFC,MTX,blank control and normal groups,and the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA method.The remaining rats were observed for long-term survival.Results:The magnetic nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the center of the tumor but unevenly distributed at the tumor's edge;they primarily localize amomg tumor cells and can penertrate into tumor cells.Tumor growth was inhibited in rats in the 47TC,47T,multiple 42TC and multiple 42T groups(all P<0.05),and the survival rates of the rats were high.As compared with the blank control group,the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were increased while the IL-4 level was decreased in the 47TC and 47T groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes and multiple sessions at 42℃for 60 minutes can partially inhibit tumor growth and prolong rat survival.This effect maybe related to the thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes which can activate the body's immune function.

Objective:To investigate effect of inhibiting nuclear transcription factor-E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)pathway on metastasis and secretion of immune escape factors of pancreatic cancer cells under high glucose state.Methods:Human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 was cultured,and treated with 5.5,10,25 and 50 mmol/L glucose.Cell proliferation rate was detected by MTT at 12 h,24 h and 48 h,respectively,and at 24 h,changes of intracellular Nrf2 expression were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot;experimental groups included control group,high glucose(HG)group,Nrf2 inhibitor ML385+high glucose(ML385+HG)group,MTT was used to detect cell proliferation rate,cell colony formation assay was used to detect number of colonies formed,Tran-swell was used to detect number of cell migration and invasion,in vitro scratch assay was used to detect cell wound healing,ELISA was used to determine contents of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),IFN-γ,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and IL-6,distribution of intracellular Nrf2 was observed by immunofluorescence staining,Western blot was used to detect protein expres-sions of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in cells.Results:Compared with 5.5 mmol/L glucose group,proliferation rate of Panc-1 cells was increased when treated with 10,25 and 50 mmol/L glucose for 12 h and 24 h,expressions of Nrf2 mRNA and protein were increased(P<0.05);compared with control group,proliferation rate of cells in HG group was increased,number of colonies formed was increased,numbers of migration and invasion were also increased,and rate of wound healing was increased,contents of VEGF,IFN-γ,TGF-β1 and IL-6 in cell culture supernatant were increased,Nrf2 fluorescence staining was significantly enhanced,expres-sion of Nrf2 in nucleus was increased,and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were up-regulated(P<0.05);compared with HG group,cell proliferation rate in ML385+HG group was decreased,number of colonies formed,numbers of migration and invasion were also decreased,wound healing rate was decreased,VEGF,IFN-γ,TGF-β1 and IL-6 contents in cell culture supernatant were also decreased,intracellular Nrf2 fluorescent staining was weaken,and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were down-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusion:Nrf2 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells under high glucose state,inhibiting Nrf2 can inhibit prolifera-tion,migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells promoted by high glucose,and reduce secretion of immune escape factors.

Ballistocardiogram (BCG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) can realize the detection of cardiac function from mechanical and electrical dimensions respectively. By extracting the corresponding characteristic parameters of the two signals and carrying out joint analysis, an important cardiac physiological index such as cardiac contractility, can be reflected. To overcome the shortcomings of complication and heaviness of the existing acquisition equipment, a wearable BCG-ECG signal acquisition system is designed in this paper, which realizes BCG signal acquisition based on accelerometer and ECG signal acquisition based on conductive rubber electrodes. The signals of 6 healthy persons were collected, and BCG signals collected by piezoelectric films were used as reference signals. The waveform characteristics of signals were compared, and the difference of cardiac cycle acquisition was analyzed. The waveform characteristics of the two signals acquired by the device were consistent with the standard signals, and there was no significant difference in the acquisition of the cardiac cycle between the proposed method and the traditional method. The results show that the system can accurately collect human BCG signals and ECG signals. The system provides a basis for subsequent research on BCG signal formation mechanism and health applications.

Objective To investigate the role of microRNA-106a and microRNA-106b (miR-106a/b) in diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods In this study,108 HCC patients and 54 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled.Blood samples were collected from each participant,and total RNA was extracted from the plasma.We determined miR-106a/b expression levels using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Results The miR-106a/b expression levels in HCC patients were elevated compared with the healthy controls (P＜ 0.001).The ROC curve analysis showed that miR-106a/b expression levels could be used to predict the risk of HCC,with AUC values of 0.670 (95％ CI:0.573-0.768) and 0.684 (95％ CI:0.593-0.776),respectively.The miR-106a expression level in HCC patients correlated positively with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) presence (P =0.028),differentiation (P =0.025),tumor size (P =0.002),lymph node metastasis (P =0.028),and TNM stage (P =0.037).The miR-106b expression level correlated positively with HBsAg presence (P =0.003),alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (P =0.031),and tumor size (P =0.005).To further investigate the correlation of miR-106a/b expression levels with overall survival (OS),Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted.The results showed that HCC patients with high miR-106a expression displayed shorter OS (P =0.013).In addition,univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression showed that miR-106a was an independent risk factor for HCC prognosis.Conclusion Circulating miR-106a/b expression levels could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC,and a high circulating miR-106a expression level is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of HCC patients.

AIM:To investigate the expression of CUE domain-containing 2 (CUEDC2) in hepatocellular car-cinoma ( HCC) and to analyze its clinical prognostic significance .METHODS:Total 186 formalin-fixed paraffin-embed-ded tissues obtained from surgical HCC with detailed clinicopathological and follow -up data were used .The expression of CUEDC2 was detected by immunohistochemistry .The relationships between the expression of CUEDC 2 and clinicopatholog-ical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed .RESULTS: The positive rate of CUEDC 2 in HCC was 85.5% ( 159/186), among which, the low expression was 52.2%(97/186) and the high expression was 47.8%(89/186).CUEDC2 expression was correlated with serum alpha-fetal protein (AFP) level, tumor size, tumor number, tumor differentiation and TNM stage (P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the patients with high expression of CUEDC 2 were asso-ciated with significantly shorter overall survival and recurrence-free survival than those with low CUEDC 2 expression ( P<0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed 3 independent prognostic factors including CUEDC 2 expression, ser-um AFP and tumor number .CONCLUSION:CUEDC2 was expressed in most HCC tissues , which was relevant to tumor growth, tumor differentiation and prognosis .CUEDC2 could be a novel valuable molecular marker to predict the HCC prog-nosis.

Objective To compare the heart rate variability (HRV)measurements between ballistocardiogram (BCG) and electrocardiography (ECG).Methods The signals of BCG and ECG of 21 patients were collected synchronously.JJ intervals of BCG and RR intervals of ECG were used to calculate the cardiac periods.The parameters of HRV analysis were calculated in time domain analysis,frequency domain analysis and nonlinear analysis.The results derived from BCG and ECG were compared.Results The parameters of HRV analysis calculated from BCG and ECG had high similarity.The correlation coefficients of SDNN,TP,LF,HF and SD2 between the BCG and ECG methods were high (r =1).The correlation coefficients of rMSSD and SD2 were 0.99 and of PNN50 and LF/HF were 0.98 between the two methods.HRV analysis results derived from the two methods were similar (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion HRV could also be measured reliably by calculating the JJ interval from BCG.

Magnetic induction hyperthermia becomes a very important tumor treatment method at present. In order to ensure a successful operation, doctors should make hyperthermia treatment planning before surgery. Based on Integration Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) framework and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medcine (DICOM) standard, we proposed and carried out a network workflow integrated with modern medical information systems for the dissemination of information in magnetic induction hyperthermia like accurate accessing patient information and radiology image data, storing processed images, sharing and verifying hyperthermia reports. The results proved that our system could not only improve the efficiency of magnetic induction hyperthermia treatment planning, but also save medical resources and reduce labor costs.
Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Phenomena ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Radiology Information Systems ; Systems Integration

BACKGROUND:Now most of the researches on transplant hair are based on the patients with enough hair, but there is no apparent corrective effect for large area of alopecia. Implanted artificial hairs can solve this problem. OBJECTIVE:To make and evaluate the γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane/polypyrrole/polyester (KH-550/PPy/PET) composite monofilament as implanted artificial hairs, and to carry out cytotoxicity tests using NCTC clone 929 cels with composite monofilament.
METHODS:KH-550/PPy/PET composite monofilament was prepared in a series of steps, including pre-spotting, alkali treatment, silane coupling agent treatment and polypyrrole coating. The viability of NCTC clone 929 cels were detected after 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 days of co-culture with composite monofilament by using cellcounting kit-8.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:KH-550/PPy/PET composite monofilament had a smooth surface without crack. The PPy films did not come off accidentaly and had good wearability. After alkali treatment, PPy quality on the surface of monofilament was significantly heavier than before. Using silane coupling agent (KH-550) could effectively enhance biocompatibility and binding force of polyester monofilaments. After co-cultured with composite monofilaments, the viability of NCTC clone 929 cels was 100%, 80.37%, 73.26%, 81.96%, 77.50% at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 respectively. The level of cytotoxicity was grade 1. The results show that KH-550 can effectively enhance the binding force between PPy and PET monofilament, and the prepared KH-550/PPy/PET composite monofilament has good biocompatibility and no acute toxicity.

BACKGROUND:Magnetic bone cements have been used to treat bone metastasis in Japan, which are made by adding Fe3O4 nanoparticles to bone cements. Magnetic bone cements containing micron carbonyl iron powder have not been reported.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare polymethylmethacrylate-based cements containing carbonyl iron powder, and to test the magnetic characterizations and the heat-generating abilities of al samples according to ISO 5833 standard in vitro. METHODS:The carbonyl iron powder was mixed with polymethylmethacrylate-based bone cement power to prepare magnetic bone cements containing 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%carbonyl iron powder, respectively. The setting time, polymerization temperature, compressive strength, magnetic property and in vitro heat-generating ability were tested.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The setting time and polymerization temperature were increased with the increased content of carbonyl iron powder. The highest polymerization temperature of each sample was 65-70 ℃. The increased content of carbonyl iron power could not change the highest polymerization temperature but delay its appearance. The compressive strength of each sample was higher than 60 MPa, and moreover, the compressive strength of the pure polymethylmethacrylate-based bone cement was higher than 60 MPa, which met the ISO 5833 standard. The saturation magnetic intensity was increased with the increasing of carbonyl iron power content. The heat-generating ability of magnetic bone cements had a positive correlation with the magnetic field strength and the content of carbonyl iron powder.