Objective To assess the efficacy of pirfenidone combined with PD-L1 inhibitor for treatment of bladder cancer in a mouse model and its effect on tumor immune microenvironment modulation.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mouse models bearing ectopic human bladder cancer xenografts were randomized into control group,PD-L1 inhibitor group,pirfenidone group and combined treatment group(n=10).After successful modeling,PD-L1 inhibitor treatment was administered via intraperitoneal injection at 12.5 mg/kg every 3 days,and oral pirfenidone(500 mg/kg)was given on a daily basis.The survival rate of the mice and tumor growth rate were compared among the 4 groups.The expressions of CD3,CD8,CD45,E-cadherin and N-cadherin in the tumor tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry after the 21-day treatment,and bone marrow-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)were observed with immunofluorescence staining;serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(CRE)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH-L)were analyzed using an automated biochemical analyzer.Results Treatment with PD-L1 inhibitor and pirfenidone alone both significantly decreased tumor growth rate and tumor volume at 21 days(P<0.05),but the combined treatment produced an obviously stronger inhibitory effect(P<0.05).PD-L1 inhibitor and pirfenidone alone significantly increased E-cadherin expression and decreased N-cadherin expression in the tumor tissue(P<0.05).The two treatments both significantly increased the percentage of CD3+,CD8 and CD45+ T cells and decreased the percentage of Ly-6G+CD11b+MDSCs in the tumor tissue,and these changes were more obvious in the combined treatment group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found in serum ALT,AST,BUN,CRE or LDH-L levels among the 4 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combined treatment with pirfenidone and PD-L1 inhibitor significantly inhibits the progression of bladder cancer in mice possibly by regulating tumor immune microenvironment and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the tumor cells.

Objective To assess the efficacy of pirfenidone combined with PD-L1 inhibitor for treatment of bladder cancer in a mouse model and its effect on tumor immune microenvironment modulation.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mouse models bearing ectopic human bladder cancer xenografts were randomized into control group,PD-L1 inhibitor group,pirfenidone group and combined treatment group(n=10).After successful modeling,PD-L1 inhibitor treatment was administered via intraperitoneal injection at 12.5 mg/kg every 3 days,and oral pirfenidone(500 mg/kg)was given on a daily basis.The survival rate of the mice and tumor growth rate were compared among the 4 groups.The expressions of CD3,CD8,CD45,E-cadherin and N-cadherin in the tumor tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry after the 21-day treatment,and bone marrow-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)were observed with immunofluorescence staining;serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(CRE)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH-L)were analyzed using an automated biochemical analyzer.Results Treatment with PD-L1 inhibitor and pirfenidone alone both significantly decreased tumor growth rate and tumor volume at 21 days(P<0.05),but the combined treatment produced an obviously stronger inhibitory effect(P<0.05).PD-L1 inhibitor and pirfenidone alone significantly increased E-cadherin expression and decreased N-cadherin expression in the tumor tissue(P<0.05).The two treatments both significantly increased the percentage of CD3+,CD8 and CD45+ T cells and decreased the percentage of Ly-6G+CD11b+MDSCs in the tumor tissue,and these changes were more obvious in the combined treatment group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found in serum ALT,AST,BUN,CRE or LDH-L levels among the 4 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combined treatment with pirfenidone and PD-L1 inhibitor significantly inhibits the progression of bladder cancer in mice possibly by regulating tumor immune microenvironment and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the tumor cells.

Objective    To explore the potential role of tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) as a prognostic indicator of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through meta-analysis. Methods    PubMed, EMbase and Web of Science, from inception to February 2022 were searched by computer about the research of the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) of NSCLC patients with or without STAS. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of each study. Results    Totally 13 published articles were included with 4 647 patients, and 1 424 (30.6%) patients had STAS. The NOS score of all studies≥6 points. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the NSCLC patients without STAS, those with STAS had a worse prognosis of 5-year RFS, and the combined HR was 1.89 (95%CI 1.61-2.23); they had a shorter 5-year OS, and the combined HR was 2.25 (95%CI 1.79-2.84). There was no statistical heterogeneity among studies. Conclusion    The presence of STAS may be a poor prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC, and enough attention should be paid. The STAS should be recorded in the pathological report to guide the comprehensive treatment and evaluate the prognosis of patients.

Objective To explore the efficacy of pushen capsule on blood lipid and atherosclerosis in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods One hundred and twenty patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into three groups,treatment group (pushen capsule and rosuvastatin calcium),control group-1 (pushen capsule) and control group-2 (rosuvastatin calcium).There were 40 patients for each group.The course of treatment was 6 months.Data of serum total cholesterol (TC),triacylglycerol (TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),homocysteine (Hcy),high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP),nitric oxide (NO),endothelin-1 (ET-1),the number and size of carotid plaques,and changes of intima-media thickness (IMT) were detected before and after treatment in three groups.The incidences of adverse cerebrovascular events and adverse events were observed in the three groups.And the therapeutic effects for dyslipidemia were evaluated in three groups.Results The treatment indicators were obviously improved after treatment in three groups (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in treatment indicators before treatment between three groups.The levels of TG and NO increased,the level of LDL-C,the size and thickness of carotid plaques decreased after treatment in control group-2 than those of control group-1.Levels of TC,LDL-C,Hcy,hs-CRP,ET-1,IMT,and the number,size and thickness of carotid plaques were significantly lower in treatment group than those of control group-1 (P ＜ 0.05),and the level of NO was higher in treatment group than that of control group-1 (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with control group-2,levels of TG,LDL-C,hs-CRP and the number,size and thickness of carotid plaques were significantly lower,and levels of HDL-C and NO were significantly increased in treatment group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidences of adverse drug reactions and adverse cerebrovascular events between the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).The total effective rate was higher in treatment group than that of control group-1 (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in total effective rates between treatment group and control group-2,and between control group-2 and control group-1 (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Pushen capsule combined with rosuvastatin calcium can obviously improve blood lipid metabolism in patients with ischemic stroke,which shows obvious antiatherosclerosis effect and good safety.

Objective To test the immune therapeutic effects of PICKCa adjuvant rabies vaccine for the post-exposure mice and beagle dogs and immune memory effect for human.Methods For the mice and beagle dogs first to infect with rabies wild virus and then immunize with PICKCa rabies vaccine.For volunteers, first to immunize with PICKCa rabies vaccine after 2.5 years to take peripheral blood mononuclear cell and then to check cells secreted interferon-gwith flow cytometry. Results In 3 independent assays of post-explosure immunization of mice and beagle dogs PICKCa rabies vaccine were much better then commercial adjuvant-free rabies vaccines, the protective rate from 20%-30%to 70%-100%Also, in the assay of cells secreted IFN-γby peripheral blood mononuclear cells from volunteers immunized by PICKCa rabies vaccine the IFN-γcell levels were much higher than control.Conclusions Compared with commercial adjuvant-free rabies vaccines the PICKCa rabies vaccine had significant immune therapeutic effects in the mice and dogs.Also PICKCa rabies vaccine had good immune memory effect in human.

Objective To construct a RNA interference lentiviral vector aimed at human ARK5 (AMPK-related protein kinase 5) gene and explore its effect on the biologic behavior of human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells.Metho ds Targeting human ARK5 mRNA coding sequence, we designed three specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and constructed the lentiviral vector,then infected human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells with this vector.Afterwards, we used qPCR and Western blot for detecting the silencing effect on ARK5 gene,MTT colorimetric assay to measure the cell proliferation , cell scratch test for cell migration and Transwell for cell invasion, and flow cytometry analysis for apoptosis in cells treated with glucose starvation and TNF-α.Results Sequencing proved that the recombinant lentiviral vector containing ARK5-shRNA-3 was constructed successfully.Real time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay showed that the expression abundance of ARK5 gene in the normal control group, negative control group and ARK5-shRNA-3 infected group were 1.002+0.082, 1.001+0.050 and 0.140+0.003, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0 .01).Cell scratch test showed that the cell migration rate of ARK5-shRNA-3 infected group was (38.5+4.3 )%, significantly lower than that of the normal control group [(72.4+6.4)%] and negative control group [(75.1+7.1)%, P<0.01].The results of Transwell test showed that the number of penetrating cells in the normal control group, negative control group and ARK5-shRNA-3 transfection group were 257.4±12.3, 245.7±11.6, 112.5±7.8, with a significant difference (P<0.01).After glucose starvation and TNF-α-treatment for 24 h, the cell death rate of the normal control group, negative control group and ARK5-shRNA-3 group were (11.7±3.2)%, (12.3±2.6)% and (30.8±4.3)%, respectively, showing that the cell apoptosis rate of ARK5-shRNA-3 transfected group was significantly higher than that of the normal control and negative control groups (P<0.01).Conclusions We have successfully constructed a recombinant lentiviral vector which can efficiently silence ARK5 gene.Using it we can inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion of tumor cells, and promote cell apoptosis under the condition of TNF-αtreatment and glucose starvation.

Objective To construct a RNA interference lentiviral vector aimed at human ARK5 (AMPK-related protein kinase 5) gene and explore its effect on the biologic behavior of human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells.Metho ds Targeting human ARK5 mRNA coding sequence, we designed three specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and constructed the lentiviral vector,then infected human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells with this vector.Afterwards, we used qPCR and Western blot for detecting the silencing effect on ARK5 gene,MTT colorimetric assay to measure the cell proliferation , cell scratch test for cell migration and Transwell for cell invasion, and flow cytometry analysis for apoptosis in cells treated with glucose starvation and TNF-α.Results Sequencing proved that the recombinant lentiviral vector containing ARK5-shRNA-3 was constructed successfully.Real time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay showed that the expression abundance of ARK5 gene in the normal control group, negative control group and ARK5-shRNA-3 infected group were 1.002+0.082, 1.001+0.050 and 0.140+0.003, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0 .01).Cell scratch test showed that the cell migration rate of ARK5-shRNA-3 infected group was (38.5+4.3 )%, significantly lower than that of the normal control group [(72.4+6.4)%] and negative control group [(75.1+7.1)%, P<0.01].The results of Transwell test showed that the number of penetrating cells in the normal control group, negative control group and ARK5-shRNA-3 transfection group were 257.4±12.3, 245.7±11.6, 112.5±7.8, with a significant difference (P<0.01).After glucose starvation and TNF-α-treatment for 24 h, the cell death rate of the normal control group, negative control group and ARK5-shRNA-3 group were (11.7±3.2)%, (12.3±2.6)% and (30.8±4.3)%, respectively, showing that the cell apoptosis rate of ARK5-shRNA-3 transfected group was significantly higher than that of the normal control and negative control groups (P<0.01).Conclusions We have successfully constructed a recombinant lentiviral vector which can efficiently silence ARK5 gene.Using it we can inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion of tumor cells, and promote cell apoptosis under the condition of TNF-αtreatment and glucose starvation.

OBJECTIVETo inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer cells by increasing the expression level of B-cell translocation gene-2 (BTG2).

METHODSWestern blot assay was used to detect the expression level of BTG2 protein in the normal intestinal epithelial HIEC cells and three colon cancer cell lines SW620, HT-29 and LS174T. The expression of BTG2 protein in normal colonic epithelial tissue, colon adenoma and colon cancer tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The plasmid with BTG2 gene full-length sequence was transfected into colon cancer SW620 cells, and the expression of BTG2 protein was detected by Western blot. The cell growth curve was drawn by MTT test. The Ki-67-positive rate was calculated using immunofluorescence staining. The cell migration of colon cancer cells was detected by scratch test and Transwell double chamber culture system, and the pseudopodia growth of tumor cells was detected by Matrigel 3D culture system.

RESULTSWestern blot results showed that BTG2 relative expression levels were 0.83 ± 0.12, 0.18 ± 0.04, 0.20 ± 0.05 and 0.36 ± 0.07 in normal human intestinal epithelial cells HIEC, and human colon cancer cell line SW620, HT-29 and LS174T, respectively. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of BTG2 protein in normal colorectal tissue, colorectal adenoma and colorectal carcinoma tissues were 82.5% (33/40), 77.5%(31/40) and 17.5% (7/40), respectively, with a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that the positive rate of Ki-67 in the control group, empty vector group and BTG2 transfection group was (76.2 ± 8.0)%, (81.4 ± 9.7)% and (50.1 ± 7.1)%, respectively, showing a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). The scratch test results showed that in the control group, empty vector group and BTG2 transfection group, the distance of SW620 cells between two sides was (79.27 ± 11.24) µm, (80.65 ± 12.17) µm and (124.77 ± 19.63) µm, respectively, with a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). Transwell results showed that in the control group, empty plasmid group and BTG2 transfection group, the SW620 cell migration rate was (78.5 ± 13.1)%, (73.2 ± 12.9)% and (47.4 ± 9.1)%, respectively, showing a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). The number of neurospheres of BTG2 transfection group was decreased SW620, which had poor ductility.

CONCLUSIONSBTG2 gene is involved in colon cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, and effectively restores the function of BTG2 protein. Therefore, it may be expected to become a new option in gene therapy for colon cancer.

B-Lymphocytes ; physiology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Immunohistochemistry ; Plasmids ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

Objective To investigate whether serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol can predict the expan?sion of hemorrhage growth in elderly male patients with acute hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Patients (n=108) who visited our hospital with from June 2012 until May 2014 spontaneous hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage with?in 6 hours of onset which is confirmed by initial computed tomography (CT) were sent to repeated CT within 24 hours of on?set. All selected patients were divided into the LDL-C≥2.49 mmol/L group and LDL-C<2.49 mmol/L group. Clinical data of these 2 groups were compared and the relationships of hematoma growth and its risk factors were analyzed. Results Baseline blood pressure, the level of blood glucose, PT, APTT, FIB, PLT and hemorrhage volume did not differ significantly between the LDL-C≥2.49 mmol/L group and LDL-C<2.49 mmol/L group. The ratio of hemorrhage growth in LDL-C<2.49 mmol/L group was significantly higher than that in LDL-C≥2.49 mmol/L group (34.21%vs 11.43%). Multiple logistic regres?sion analysis showed that LDL-C<2.49 mmol/L was the only risk factor contribute to hemorrhage growth. Conclusion Pa?tients with LDL-C<2.49 mmol/L in acute intracerebral hemorrhage are of high risk of hemorrhage growth so early attention and appropriate procedure are needed to prevent or slow its growth.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have mainly focused on costal cartilage, articular cartilage, nasal septal cartilage, and auricular cartilage, but in vitro culture of human vertebral endplate cartilage is stil rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility of culture of vertebral endplate chondrocytes from type I neurofibromatosis associated with scoliosis patientsin vitro and to study the biological characters of the chondrocytes. METHODS: Through two-step enzymatic digestion and tissue culture, the chondrocytes from the vertebral endplate of seven type I neurofibromatosis patients isolated and cultured in monolayer and passaged to observe the changes of cel morphology under inverted phase contrast microscope. Colagen type II expression was detected by immunocytochemistry to identify whether the cels had chondrocyte characters. The growth kinetics was detected by using MTT colorimetric assay to draw the growth curve of passage 2 chondrocytes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A few chondrocytes crawled from the cartilage after 2 weeks culture and cels were passaged at 3 weeks. Along with passage going on, the phenotype of chondrocytes was changed from polygonal, round, triangle, and irregular shapes to fusiform. The colagen type II expression in passage 2 cels was positive by immunohistochemical staining. MTT test showed the growth curve of the passage 2 chondrocytes presented a transverse “S”. Cels were found logarithmic growth at days 4-7, reached platform stage at days 8-13, and decreased at day 14. It is an effective and simple procedure by two-step enzymatic digestion and tissue explant method to culture vertebral endplate chondrocytes with high purity and good viability from type I neurofibromatosis patients associated with scoliosisin vitro. Passage 2 chondrocytes from the vertebral endplate exhibit the best viability at days 4-7, which can be used as targets for research of pathogenesis of type I neurofibromatosis with atrophic scoliosis.