Glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is a grade 4 glioma with the highest malignancy and invasiveness in the central nervous system,accounting for approximately 30％of all tumors in the central nervous system.Due to the unclear pathogenesis of GBM,there is currently no specific target for the treatment of GBM.Temozolomide(TMZ)is the only first-line chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of GBM,but suffers from a low drug response rate and high susceptibility to drug resistance.Therefore,the development of new targets and novel GBM therapeutic agents is an urgent clinical problem.Pentraxin 3(PTX3),a member of the pentameric protein superfamily,has been shown to have a promotive effect on a variety of tumors.Increasing evidences showed that PTX3 played a crucial role in the progression of GBM.PTX3 can promote the proliferation,migration and invasion ability of GBM cells,increase the angiogenesis ability in the GBM microenvironment and malignant progression of GBM.In the article,the structure,physiological function,expression regulation,role and mechanism of PTX3 in GBM were mainly reviewed,with a view to provide guidance for PTX3 as a potential drug target for the treatment of GBM.

Objective:To present a set of clinically representative quality assurance (QA) test cases for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRT) plans of multiple intracranial metastases, in order to assess the plan quality and machine execution capabilities.Methods:Based on the clinical characteristics of multiple brain metastases, four groups of test cases with three target volumes (TVs), six TVs, nine TVs, and TVs near organs at risk (OARs) were designed. For these cases, SRT plans were developed, and plan quality was assessed using metrics including the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conformality index (RTOG CI), gradient index (GI), homogeneity index (HI), and the volume of normal brain tissue receiving a dose of 24 Gy ( V24 Gy), which was defined as the volume enclosed by the 24 Gy isodose line around the Brain-PTV ( V24 Gy of Brain-PTV). Verification plans were generated for each test case, including the verification of point doses, planar doses (PD), and SRS MapCHECK (SMC) semiconductor matrix planar doses. Compared with the calculated result of the treatment planning system (TPS), the criteria for the γ analysis of planar doses were set at 1 mm/2% and 2 mm/2%. Results:For the four groups of test cases, the mean CI, GI, HI, and V24 Gy of Brain-PTV were 1.04±0.03, 3.79±0.40, 0.73±0.01 and (7.46±3.80) cm 3, respectively. The mean deviations of the point doses were 0.88%±0.98%, 1.47%±0.79%, 1.52%± 0.76%, and 1.17% ± 0.38%, respectively. The mean γ passing rates of the single fields for PDs were greater than 98% at 2 mm/2% and exceeding 96% at 1 mm/2%, and the mean γ pass rates of the SMC semiconductor matrix for PDs were 97.75% ± 2.31% and 99.33% ± 0.62%, at 1 mm/2% and 2 mm/2% respectively. Conclusions:The proposed QA test cases for SRT of multiple intracranial metastases allow for the effective assessments of the plan quality and machine execution capabilities and, thus, can assist various centers in clinical applications.

Glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is a grade 4 glioma with the highest malignancy and invasiveness in the central nervous system,accounting for approximately 30％of all tumors in the central nervous system.Due to the unclear pathogenesis of GBM,there is currently no specific target for the treatment of GBM.Temozolomide(TMZ)is the only first-line chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of GBM,but suffers from a low drug response rate and high susceptibility to drug resistance.Therefore,the development of new targets and novel GBM therapeutic agents is an urgent clinical problem.Pentraxin 3(PTX3),a member of the pentameric protein superfamily,has been shown to have a promotive effect on a variety of tumors.Increasing evidences showed that PTX3 played a crucial role in the progression of GBM.PTX3 can promote the proliferation,migration and invasion ability of GBM cells,increase the angiogenesis ability in the GBM microenvironment and malignant progression of GBM.In the article,the structure,physiological function,expression regulation,role and mechanism of PTX3 in GBM were mainly reviewed,with a view to provide guidance for PTX3 as a potential drug target for the treatment of GBM.

Objective:To present a set of clinically representative quality assurance (QA) test cases for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRT) plans of multiple intracranial metastases, in order to assess the plan quality and machine execution capabilities.Methods:Based on the clinical characteristics of multiple brain metastases, four groups of test cases with three target volumes (TVs), six TVs, nine TVs, and TVs near organs at risk (OARs) were designed. For these cases, SRT plans were developed, and plan quality was assessed using metrics including the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conformality index (RTOG CI), gradient index (GI), homogeneity index (HI), and the volume of normal brain tissue receiving a dose of 24 Gy ( V24 Gy), which was defined as the volume enclosed by the 24 Gy isodose line around the Brain-PTV ( V24 Gy of Brain-PTV). Verification plans were generated for each test case, including the verification of point doses, planar doses (PD), and SRS MapCHECK (SMC) semiconductor matrix planar doses. Compared with the calculated result of the treatment planning system (TPS), the criteria for the γ analysis of planar doses were set at 1 mm/2% and 2 mm/2%. Results:For the four groups of test cases, the mean CI, GI, HI, and V24 Gy of Brain-PTV were 1.04±0.03, 3.79±0.40, 0.73±0.01 and (7.46±3.80) cm 3, respectively. The mean deviations of the point doses were 0.88%±0.98%, 1.47%±0.79%, 1.52%± 0.76%, and 1.17% ± 0.38%, respectively. The mean γ passing rates of the single fields for PDs were greater than 98% at 2 mm/2% and exceeding 96% at 1 mm/2%, and the mean γ pass rates of the SMC semiconductor matrix for PDs were 97.75% ± 2.31% and 99.33% ± 0.62%, at 1 mm/2% and 2 mm/2% respectively. Conclusions:The proposed QA test cases for SRT of multiple intracranial metastases allow for the effective assessments of the plan quality and machine execution capabilities and, thus, can assist various centers in clinical applications.

Background The fate of adult stem cells is associated with its surrounding microenviroment.Our previous work found that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) micro-environment enhance the stemness of human limbal stem cells (LSCs),but its mechanism has not been elucidated.Objective This study was to explore the molecular mechanism of ESC micro-environment enhancing the stemness and inhibiting the apoptosis of LSCs.Methods Human LSCs were cultured by explant culture method with CnT-20 medium and CnT-20+20％ ES culture supernatant (ESC-CM),respectively.Colony formation assay was used to analyze the proliferation ability of cells.Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) siRNA (19-25nt siRNA) or siRNA (sc-37007) was transfected into the cells of ESCCM group.Apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were assayed by flow cytometry,and the expressions of telomerase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TERT siRNA-or siRNA-F-transfected cells by immunofluorescence and flow cytomery.RT-PCR,immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were employed to determine the expressions of p63,ATP-binding cassette transporer G2 (ABCG2),integrin β1 mRNA and proteins and cytokeratin 3 (C K3) in the cells.The levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK),Akt,glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and p21 protein and phosphorylation proteins in the cells were detected by Western blot.Results The LSCs presented an increased proliferative capacity and passaged to the eighth generation with the colony-forming efficiency (CFE) of (7.6±0.6) ％ in ESC-CM group,but the cells to the sixth generation with the CFE of (5.6±0.6)％,showing a significant difference between them (t =4.454,P =0.011).The apoptotic rates of the cells from 2 through 6 generations were lower in the ESC-CM group than those in the CnT-20 group (all at P＜0.05).The apoptotic rate of the cells was (7.67± 1.31)％ in the siRNA-F transfected group,which was significantly lower than (32.33 ±3.13)％in the siRNA-TERT transfected group (t =-12.588,P =0.000).No significant differences were seen in the expression levels of p63,ABCG2,integrin β1 mRNA and proteins and TERT protein in the primary cells between the ESC-CM group and the CnT-20 group (all at P＞0.05),but significantly declined expressions of CK3 mRNA and protein were found in the ESC-CM group compared with the CnT-20 group (all at P＜0.01).However,the expressions of p63,ABCG2,integrin β1 mRNA and proteins and TERT protein in the second generation of the cells were significantly higher in the ESC-CM group compared with the CnT-20 group (all at P＜0.01).The telomerase activity was (4.83±0.67) ％ in the siRNA-TERT transfected group,which was significantly lower than (46.71±1.22) ％ of the siRNA-F transfected group (t =52.116,P =0.000).The expression of pFAK,pAkt,pGSK3β proteins were weakened,but the expression of p21 was increased in the ESC-CM group after addition of FAK inhibitor,GSK3β inhibitor and TERT-siRNA transfected group.Mitochondrial membrane potential in the second generation of cells was elevated in the ESC-CM group in comparison with the CnT-20 group and the siRNA-TERT transfected group (all at P＜0.01),and the rates of ROS positively reaction was lower in the ESC-CM group and the siRNA-F transfected group than those of the CnT-20 group and siRNA-TERT transfected group (all at P＜0.01).Conclusions ESC-CM culture system can effectively keep the stemness of LSCs and inhibit apoptosis.ESC-CM culture system plays functions probably via telomerase-p21-mitochondrial axis and the activation of the FAK/Wnt signaling pathways.

Objective To develop a rapid and reliable method for determination of 210Po using large-area grid ionization chamber α spectrometry.Methods Samples were digested using a microwave digestion system.After preparation of sample source,the concentration of 210Po in clam was detected by large-area grid ionization chamber (φ 25 cm).209Po tracer was used to obtain the recovery.Results Large-area grid ionization chamber could achieve better counting and α spectrum resolution when the optimized thickness was 250 μg/cm2.By spiking 209Po tracer in clam,the minimum detectable activity was 9.870 × 10 4 Bq and the recovery of 210Po was 98％.Conclusions Compared with the traditional method,the developed method can avoid separation process,using less quantity of sample (0.2-0.5 g dry) and simplify the measurement process.This method may be has broad application prospects.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of abnormal multiples of the median (MoM) of second trimester maternal serum triple screening (STMSTS) markers for adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods 16 000 singleton pregnancies at 15+0 to 20+6 weeks' gestation who underwent STMSTS between July 2010 and January 2013 in the First Hospital of Jilin University were recruited.Maternal serum AFP,free β-hCG (F-β-hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) levels were measured using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay,and then convened to MoM.LifeCycle 3.2 software was used to calculate risk,and a risk value greater than 1 in 270 or 1 in 350 was considered as high risk for trisomy 21 syndrome (Down syndrome,DS) and trisomy 18 syndrome (Edwards syndrome,ES),respectively.MoM of AFP more than 2.5was considered high risk for open neural tube defect (ONTD).Amniocentesis and karyotyping,ultrasound screening were advised for high risk women.AFP,F-β-hCG higher than 2.0 MoM or uE3 lower than 0.5MoM was considered as abnormal,respectively.The MoM of STMSTS marker between women with adverse pregnancy outcome and with normal outcome was compared.Results (1) The median MoM of AFP,F-β-hCG and uE3 was 0.91 MoM,0.94 MoM and 1.05 MoM,respectively.Of the 16 000 pregnant women,there was no statistical difference in the median MoM of triple screening marker at different weeks of gestation (P＞0.05).The positive rate of DS,ES and ONTD in women ≤35 years old (n=14 972) was 4.03％ (603/14 972),0.36％(54/14 972) and 0.29％(44/14 972) respectively.And in women＞35 years old(n=1 028),the positive rate was 24.51％ (252/1 028),1.95％ (20/1 028) and 0.78％ (8/1 028),respectively.There was a statistically significant difference of positive rate between the two groups(P＜0.05).(2) 9 cases of DS,1 case of ES and 1 ease of ONTD were found in the high risk group,and 2 cases of DS in the low risk group.The detection rate of DS,ES and ONTD was 9/11,1/1 and 1/1 respectively; and the positive predictive value was 1.05％(9/855),1.35％(1/74) and 1.92％(1/52),respectively.(3)The incidence of adverse outcome (group 1) was 1.49 ％(239/16 000).7 760 pregnant women in this study were healthy during pregnancy,so were their fetuses (group 2).There were significant differences in the age at delivery,body weight and markers' MoM of STMSTS between the two groups(P＜0.01).(4) In group 1,the rate of abnormal MoM of AFP or F-β-hCG was 7.95％(19/239) and 23.85％ (57/239),and the abnormal rate of MoM of uE3 was 4.18％(10/239).The rate of two abnormal MoM of markers was 5.02％(12/239); the rate that all three MoM were abnormal was 0.84％(2/ 239).However,in group 2,the rate of two abnormal MoM of markers was 0.14 ％(11/7 760); and the rate that all three MoM were abnormal was 0.There was a significant difference of abnormal MoM of maternal serum marker between the two groups (P＜0.01).Conclusions There is a relationship between abnormal marker of STMSTS and adverse outcomes.STMSTS show a high value in the detection of DS,ES and ONTD.

Background Recent studies indicated that human amnion mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) can be induced to differentiate into multiple types of cells in vitro,but whether the hAMSCs can differentiate into ocular surface cells has not been reported yet.Objective This study was to investigate the feasibility of inducing differentiation of hAMSCs into ocular surface cells by co-culturing with human bulbar conjunctiva fibroblasts (hBCFs).Methods This study was approved by Ethic Committee of Affiliated Second Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.HAMSCs were isolated from placenta under the informed consent of healthy delivery women.hAMSCs were cultured,passaged and identified by detecting the expressions of CD44,CD45,CD73,CD90 in the cells with flow cytometer,osteogenesis and adipogenic differentiation experiments.Human conjunctival tissue was obtained during the eye operation under the informed consent of patients and hBCFs were isolated and cultured with explant culture.The cells were divided into the hAMSCs culture group and the hAMSCs and hBCFs co-culture group and cultivated in Transwell chambers for 7 days.The expressions of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the cells were assayed by immnofluorescence technique.Results Cultured hAMSCs showed the slender shape and cell body enlarged with passage.CD44,CD73 and CD90 were expressed in the cells,and the expression of CD45 was absent.After 3-4 weeks of osteogenesis and adipogenic induce,the cells showed red staining for alizarin and oil red O.In the co-culture group of hAMSCs and hBCFs,hAMSCs presented the epithelioid cell-like in shape and showed the positive response for CK19 and weaker response for α-SMA.However,in the hAMSCs culture group,the cells showed the positive response for α-SMA and absent response for CK19.Conclusions The hAMSCs can differentiate into ocular surface cells after being induced by hBCFs.And the differentiation mechanism is possibly relevant to mesenchymal cells epithelium.

Objective To study the influences of the length of sexual abstinence on sperm parameters and seminal plasma biochemical indicator.Methods Sperm concentration and motility were detected by computer assisted sperm analysis(CASA).The sperm morphology was analyzed using semiautomatic sperm morphology analyzer.Seminal plasma fructose concentration,neutral a-glycosidase,zinc,and acid phosphates concentration were measured by spectrophotometer.Improved DTNB was conducted for detection of the content of seminal plasma novain.Prostatespecific antigen(PSA)was measured with commercial kit.Three groups were defined according to the days of sexual abstinence:G1(1-3 days),G2(4-5 days)and G3(＞6 days).Results Sperm concentration of G2 was significantly higher than that of G1(P＜0.01),and of G3 than that of G1 and G2(P＜0.01).Sperm motility and per centage of morphologically normal sperm of G3 were significantly lower than that of G1(P＜0.01).Seminal plasma fructose concentration of G3 was significantly lower than that of G1 and G2(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Seminal plasma neutral a-glycosidase,carnutine,zinc concentration of G3 was significantly higher than that of G1 and G2(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion The length of sexual abstinence can influence sperm parameters and seminal plasma biochemical indicator.

Three fresh lungs removed from three male adult dogs were injected with ABS. This material was injected into each lobe of the lung through the pulmonary artery and bronchus simultaneously. The pressure was maintained between 200～280 mmHg. The injected specimens were digested in 20～50％ HCl and peptic solutions for 7～10 days. A part of the cast replicas of the lungs was taken off and gilded with EIKO IB-3. Under SEM (HITACHIS～450) the specimens thus prepared were observed. The chief findings were as follows:Scanning electron micrographs of the injected vascular system presented a clear, three-dimensional picture of extensive capillary networks around the individual alveoli. In the septa between alveoli the capillary networks appeared to be a single layer. These networks looked like pentagonal or hexagonal rings; the meshes in between them were smaller than the vessels themselves.The capillaries observed here in the scanning stereopicture belonged to the category of the alvioli cappilary of the subpleura; the meshes of which were larger than those of other parts.Because the numerous alveoli and capillary networks surrounding the alveoli were filled with the ABS, the position and the shape of the capillary networks can be seen very clearly.The lumen of the alveoli were polyhedron in shape, various in sizes and smooth in contour. Many imprints of the alveolar type Ⅱ cell nuclei existed on the surface. The bridge formation between alveoli were really interalveolar pores; their number and diameter varied. The function of the interalveolar pores was briefly considered in this paper.