Objective:To evaluate the relationship between hippocampal receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes in postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction of aged rats with chronic knee arthritis pain.Methods:Sixty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 500-550 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table method: chronic knee arthritis pain group (group P), chronic knee arthritis pain+ operation group (group PS), RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin-1+ chronic knee arthritis pain+ operation group (group NPS), and DMSO+ chronic knee arthritis pain+ operation group (group DPS). The knee arthritis model was prepared by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) 1 mg into the left knee joint, and 12 weeks later exploratory laparotomy was performed under sevoflurane anesthesia. Necrostatin-1 6.25 mg/kg and the equal volume of DMSO were intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before operation in NPS group and DPS group, respectively. Thermal pain threshold was measured at 1 week before MIA injection and 6 and 12 weeks after MIA injection. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function at 7 days after surgery. Hippocampal tissues were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (after HE staining) and for determination of the expression of RIPK1, phosphorylated RIPK1 (p-RIPK1), NLRP3, activated cysteine-aspartic protease caspase-1 (cl-caspase-1), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) (by Western blot) and contents of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Thermal pain threshold was significantly decreased at 6 and 12 weeks after MIA injection as compared with that before injection ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in thermal pain threshold among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with P group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of RIPK1, p-RIPK1, NLRP3, cl-caspase-1 and ASC was up-regulated, and the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased ( P<0.05), and pathological changes of hippocampal neurons were marked in PS group, DPS group and NPS group. Compared with PS group and DPS group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of RIPK1, p-RIPK1, NLRP3, cl-caspase-1 and ASC was down-regulated, the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased ( P<0.05), and pathological changes of hippocampal neurons were significantly attenuated in NPS group. Conclusions:Postoperative hippocampal RIPK1 function is enhanced in aged rats with chronic knee arthritis pain, which then activates NLRP3 inflammasomes, triggering neuroinflammation, and this process may be involved in the mechanism of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction.

Objective:To investigate the role of CD8 + T cells in lethal Plasmodium yoelii 17XL ( Py 17XL) infection. Methods:BALB/c mice and C57BL/6 mice were infected with Py 17XL-infected red blood cells (1×10 6 cells/0.1 ml) through intraperitoneal injection to establish the mouse models of Py 17XL infection. Parasitemia (the percentage of erythrocytes infected with Py 17XL) and the survival rates of the mice was observed dynamically. Flow cytometry was used to detect the number of effector T cells (T EFF) and central memory T cells (T CM) of CD8 + T cell subpopulations, the expression of IFN-γ and granzyme B (GB) levels, and the expression of surface chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR6 and CX3CR1. FTY720 blocking experiment was conducted on Py 17XL-infected C57BL/6 mice to analyze the impact of CD8 + T cell migration on Py 17XL infection. Results:The parasitemia of BALB/c mice increased rapidly 5 d after infection and reached the peak on 8 d [(79.57±3.82)%]. Besides, the parasitemia was higher in BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6 mice 5-8 d after infection ( P<0.000 1). All BALB/c mice died on 9 d. The parasitemia of C57BL/6 mice reached the peak on 14 d [(48.19±3.19)%] and then decreased to 0 on 26 d. There was statistically significant difference in the survival rate between the two groups ( P<0.000 1). Flow cytometry results showed that compared with the BALB/c mice, the absolute number of CD8 + T cells in spleen and liver tissues and the number of CD8 + T EFF and CD8 + T CM cells in spleen and lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice increased significantly ( P<0.05). Compared with the BALB/c mice, the levels of GB, IFN-γ and chemokines expressed by CD8 + T cells in spleen and liver tissues of C57BL/6 mice increased significantly ( P<0.05). The FTY720 blocking experiment showed that the survival rate, the absolute number of CD8 + T cells in liver and spleen, and the number of CD8 + CXCR3 + T cells decreased significantly in the experimental group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:CD8 + T EFF and CD8 + T CM cells contribute to resistance against Py 17XL infection by secreting GB and IFN-γ. The chemokine receptor CXCR3 plays an important role in mediating the chemotaxis of CD8 + T cells to spleen and liver.

Objective:To evaluate the role of transient receptor potential melastatin2 (TRPM2) in sevoflurane anesthesia-induced necroptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.Methods:Sixty SPF-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 22 months, weighing 550-600 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group M) and sevoflurane anesthesia+ TRPM2 inhibitor group (group M+ A). M and M+ A groups inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 5 h. In group M+ A, TRPM2 inhibitor ACA 20 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before sevoflurane inhalation, and the equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide was intraperitoneally injected in group C and group M. Morris water maze test was performed at 1 day after sevoflurane anesthesia. The escape latency, times of crossing the original platform and time spent in the original platform quadrant were collected. The expression of TRPM2 and necroptosis-related proteins (mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein [MLKL], receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 [RIPK1], phosphorylated MLKL [p-MLKL], and phosphorylated RIPK1 [p-RIPK1]) was detected by Western blot. The cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration in and necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were determined by flow cytometry. Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the times of crossing the original platform were decreased and the time spent in the original platform quadrant was shortened, the expression of TRPM2, MLKL, RIPK1, p-MLKL and p-RIPK1 was up-regulated, and the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations in hippocampal neurons and necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were increased in group M and group M+ A ( P<0.05). Compared with group M, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the times of crossing the original platform were increased, and the time spent in the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the expression of TRPM2, MLKL, RIPK1, p-MLKL and p-RIPK1 was down-regulated, and the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations in hippocampal neurons and necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were decreased in group M+ A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Hippocampal TRPM2 is involved in the process of sevoflurane anesthesia-induced necroptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of necrostatin-1 (Nec-1)pre-treatment on postoperative cognitive function in aged rats with chronic pain due to knee arthritis.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 22 months, weighing 550-600 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: chronic pain due to knee arthritis group(group P), chronic pain due to knee arthritis + operation group (group PS), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + chronic pain due to knee arthritis + operation group (DMSO+ PS group), and necrostatin-1 + chronic pain due to knee arthritis + operation group (Nec-1+ PS group). The inflammation-induced knee arthritis model was developed by injecting monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the left joint cavity.The exploratory laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia was performed at 12 weeks after intra-articular MIA injection. In Nec-1+ PS group and DMSO+ PS group, necrosstatin-1 6.25 mg/kg and the equal dose of DMSO were intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before surgery, respectively. At 7 days after surgery, the Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function, the activation of microglial cells in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescent staining, and the activation rate of microglia cells was calculated, the necrosis rate of neurons was determined by flow cytometry, the expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (p-MLKL) was determined by Western blot, and the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with P group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, and the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the activation rate of microglia cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and necrosis rate of hippocampal neurons were increased, the expression of RIPK1 and p-MLKL was up-regulated, and the contents of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in hippocampus were increased in PS, DMSO+ PS and Nec-1+ PS groups ( P<0.05). Compared with PS group and DMSO+ PS group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged, and the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the activation rate of microglia cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and necrosis rate of hippocampal neurons were decreased, the expression of RIPK1 and p-MLKL was down-regulated, and the contents of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in hippocampus were decreased in Nec-1+ PS group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Necrostatin-1 pre-treatment can improve postoperative cognitive function in aged rats with chronic pain due to knee arthritis, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of necrosis in hippocampal neurons and reduction of neuroinflammation.

To investigate the effect of MMP-26 on human glioma angiogenesis and the possible mechanism.Methods The MMP-26 plasmid and empty plasmid pcDNA3.1 were stably transfected into U251 cells to establish a nude mice xenograft model,and then an in vitro human tumor tissue-based three-dimensional angiagenic model.Tissue disks were visually assessed over time to determine the percentage of wells that developed an angiogenic response(I％) and the density and length of neovessel growth were graded at intervals using a semiquantitative visual growth-rating scheme (angiogenic index,AI,0-16scale) in groups of MMP-26 transfected U251 cells (U251-MMP-26),pcDNA3.1 vector-transfected U251 cells (U251-pcDNA3.1) and non-transfected U251 cells (U251).RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of mRNA and protein of MMP-26 and VEGF in groups of U251-MMP-26,U251-pcDNA3.1 and U251.Immunohistochemical localization of CD31 was determined in the endothelial tubes invading the fibrin-thrombin clot matrix.Results Immunohistochemical endothelial cell markers CD31 was positive in the vascular tubes invading the fibrin-thrombin clot matrix,confirming their endothelial origin.The angiogenesis results showed that difference of length of micro capillaries,density of branches,and the area occupied between U251-MMP-26 groups and control groups were significant.The percentage of tumor implants that developed invasion (I％) and the angiogenic index AI in U251-MMP-26 group on day 14 were higher than those of U251-pcDNA3.1 group and U251 group (P ＜ 0.05).The trends of I％ and AI in 14 days were significant compared with those in control groups.The expression of mRNA and protein of MMP-26and VEGF in U251-MMP-26 group was significantly higher in U251-MMP-26 group than those in U251-pcDNA3.1 group and U251 group(P ＜0.01).Conclusion The effect of MMP-26 on promoting glioma angiogenesis may be related to the increased expression of VEGF,which can be used as targets for anti-tumor therapy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the antitumor effect of cadmium (Ⅱ) complex of pyrazolone derivatives 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-propionyl-5-pyrazolone salicyloyl hydrazide-cadmium (Ⅱ) (Cd-PMPP-SAL) on the murine melanoma B16 cells in vitro and in vivo and its mechanisms. METHODS B16 cells were incubated with Cd-PMPP-SAL at 1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg·L-1 for 24, 48 or 72 h. The prolifera? tion rate of B16 cel s was evaluated by MTT assay. B16 cel s were incubated with Cd-PMPP-SAL at 6.25, 12.50 and 25.00 mg·L-1 for 24 h, while cell morphology was observed by Hoechst33258 staining. Apop?tosis of B16 cells was detected by Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI staining. The activity of caspases in B16 cells was detected by caspase activity assay. C57BL/6J mice were inoculated subcutaneously with B16 cells to establish a tumor-bearing model. Five days later, Cd-PMPP-SAL at 6.25, 12.50 and 25.00 mg·kg-1 was injected into tumors of C57BL/6J mice once a day for 12 d. The body mass was recorded daily. One day after the last administration, all the mice were killed and the tumor was harvested. Tumor volume and mass were measured, and the tumor inhibitory rates were calculated. Pathological changes of the tumor, liver and lung were observed under a microscope. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in tumor tissues were detected by immuno?histochemistry. The apoptotic cells in transplanted tumor tissues were detected by TUNEL. RESULTS Cd-PMPP-SAL inhibited the proliferation of B16 cells. The IC50 was 4.946 mg · L-1, and 95% confidence interval was 4.24-5.65 mg · L-1. The apoptosis rates(12.8 ± 1.4)% and (18.4 ± 0.4)% of Cd-PMPP-SAL 12.50 and 25.00 mg · L-1 groups were significantly higher than those of control group (1.7 ± 0.1)% (P<0.01). The activity of caspase 3 and 9 of Cd-PMPP-SAL 25.00 mg · L-1 group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in caspases 3/7. The relative tumor volumes of Cd-PMPP-SAL 6.25, 12.50 and 25.00 mg · kg-1 treated groups from the 8th day of treatment were significantly decreased compared with the model group (P<0.01). The result of paraffin sections showed that the transplanted tumor tissues in Cd-PMPP-SAL 12.50 and 25.00 mg · kg- 1 groups exhibited different degrees of necrosis, but there was no significant pathological damage to the liver or lung tissues of mice. Compared with model group, expressions of VEGF and FGF2 in Cd-PMPP-SAL 12.50 and 25.00 mg · kg-1 treated groups were significantly inhibited (P<0.05), and apoptotic cell rates were significantly higher (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Cd-PMPP-SAL can inhibit growth of B16 cells in vivo and in vitro, which may be associated with induction of tumor cell apoptosis and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the expression and intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC) . Methods The expression of LN?5γ2 protein was examined in 135 ESCC cases by immunohistochemistry, and to analyze its relationship with the clinical relevance of patients. The protein expressions in different regions in the same tumor as well as different nests in the same region were compared. Results Moderate and high expression of LN?5γ2 protein was detected in 40.0% (54/135) of tumor tissues. Positive immunohistochemical staining was observed in 31.1% (23/74) of early stage (stages Ⅰ/Ⅱ) cases and 50.8% (31/61) of late stage (stage Ⅲ) cases, with a significant difference between these two groups (P=0.023). There was no statistical association of LN?5γ2 expression with age, sex of patients, PT sage, lymph node metastasis and degree of tumor differentiation ( P>0.05) . However, differential expression of LN?5γ2 protein was found at different sampling sites in the same tumor and the same sampling site in different carcinomas. Conclusion High expression of LN?5γ2 is positively correlated with tumor clinical stages and there existed intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 expression in ESCC tissues.

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the expression and intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC) . Methods The expression of LN?5γ2 protein was examined in 135 ESCC cases by immunohistochemistry, and to analyze its relationship with the clinical relevance of patients. The protein expressions in different regions in the same tumor as well as different nests in the same region were compared. Results Moderate and high expression of LN?5γ2 protein was detected in 40.0% (54/135) of tumor tissues. Positive immunohistochemical staining was observed in 31.1% (23/74) of early stage (stages Ⅰ/Ⅱ) cases and 50.8% (31/61) of late stage (stage Ⅲ) cases, with a significant difference between these two groups (P=0.023). There was no statistical association of LN?5γ2 expression with age, sex of patients, PT sage, lymph node metastasis and degree of tumor differentiation ( P>0.05) . However, differential expression of LN?5γ2 protein was found at different sampling sites in the same tumor and the same sampling site in different carcinomas. Conclusion High expression of LN?5γ2 is positively correlated with tumor clinical stages and there existed intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 expression in ESCC tissues.

INTRODUCTIONThe current metastatic category (M) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a "catch-all" classification, covering a heterogeneous group of tumors ranging from potentially curable to incurable. The aim of this study was to design an M categorization system that could be applied in planning the treatment of NPC with synchronous metastasis.

METHODSA total of 505 NPC patients diagnosed with synchronous metastasis at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2000 and 2009 were involved. The associations of clinical variables, metastatic features, and a proposed M categorization system with overall survival (OS) were determined by using Cox regression model.

RESULTSMultivariate analysis showed that Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) N category (N1-3/N0), number of metastatic lesions (multiple/single), liver involvement (yes/no), radiotherapy to primary tumor (yes/no), and cycles of chemotherapy (>4/≤4) were independent prognostic factors for OS. We defined the following subcategories based on liver involvement and the number of metastatic lesions: M1a, single lesion confined to an isolated organ or location except the liver; M1b, single lesion in the liver and/or multiple lesions in any organs or locations except the liver; and M1c, multiple lesions in the liver. Of the 505 cases, 74 (14.7%) were classified as M1a, 296 (58.6%) as M1b, 134 (26.5%) as M1c, and 1 was not specified. The three M1 subcategories showed significant difference in OS [M1b vs. M1a, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.48, P = 0.007; M1c vs. M1a, HR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.75-3.98, P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONSWe developed an M categorization system based on the independent factors related to the prognosis of patients with metastatic NPC. This system may be helpful to further optimize individualized care for NPC patients.

The application and advance of somatic sense interactive devices, such as EyeToy, Wii and Kinect, in the motor rehabilitation were introduced in this paper. The prospect of application of somatic sense interactive technology as an effective approach in rehabilitation is wide and bright.