[Relationship between c-kit mRNA expression and prognosis in patients with rectal carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between c-kit mRNA expression and prognosis in patients with rectal carcinoma. Methods: The expression of c-kit mRNA in rectal carcinoma tissues(n=66) was detected by multiplex branched-DNA liquid chip method. According to the expression level, the patients were classified into the c-kit mRNA high expression group and the low group. We analyzed the relationship between the c-kit mRNA expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients, as well as the factors affecting patients'prognosis. Results: Of the 66 rectal carcinoma patients, 18(27.3%)cases were c-kit mRNA high expression. No significant correlation was found between the c-kit mRNA expression and gender, age, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, preoperative hemoglobin, distance to verge, lymph node metastasis, tumor thrombus, T stage, TNM stage and tumor differentiation (P>0.05). In follow-up, 34 patients died, 32 patients and 36 patients were recurrence or metastasis. The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival(OS) of c-kit mRNA high expression group were 100.0%, 77.8%, 77.8%, respectively, while those of the low one were 93.8%, 56.3%, 45.8%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant(P=0.025). Lymph node metastasis, T stage and TNM stage were also significant associated with OS(P<0.05). The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease free rate (DFS)of the c-kit mRNA high expression group were 100.0%, 77.8% and 77.8%, respectively, while those of the low one were 77.1%、43.8% and 41.7%, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P=0.044). As a reslut, c-kit mRNA expression (P=0.038) and TNM stage (P=0.039) were the independent prognostic factors affecting the OS in rectal cancer patients. Conclusions: Low expression of c-kit was associated with poor prognosis of rectal carcinoma. And the mechanism underlying this phenomenon deserves further exploration.

Ovostatin 2 knockdown significantly inhibits the growth, migration, and tumorigenicity of cutaneous malignant melanoma cells

BACKGROUND

We previously identified ovostatin 2 (OVOS2) as a new candidate gene for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in a Chinese population. In this study, we aimed to investigate the exact role of OVOS2 in cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis of melanoma A375 cells.

METHODS

The downregulation of OVOS2 expression was performed using lentiviral vectors with specific shRNA. The effects of OVOS2 expression on cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell migration, cell invasion, and potential of tumorigenesis were further investigated.

RESULTS

The downregulation of OVOS2 significantly suppressed the proliferation of A375 cells and led to a G2/M phase block. The transwell cell migration assay showed that the reduced expression of OVOS2 also significantly inhibited the transmigration of A375 cells. The western blot results showed downregulated expression of p-FAK, p-AKT, and p-ERK. This was accompanied by the upregulated epithelial phenotypes E-cadherin and β-catenin, and downregulated expression of mesenchymal phenotype N-cadherin after OVOS2 knockdown. The transplantation tumor experiment in BALB/C nude mouse showed that after an observation period of 32 days, the growth speed and weight of the transplanted tumors were significantly suppressed in the BALB/c nude mice subcutaneously injected with OVOS2 knocked-down A375 cells.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of OVOS2 had significant suppressive effects on the proliferation, motility, and migration capabilities of A375 cells, suggesting a crucial promotive role of OVOS2 in the pathogenesis and progression of CMM. The involved mechanisms are at least partly associated with the overactivation of FAK/MAPK/ERK and FAK/PI3K/AKT signals.

[Research advances in diagnostic and therapeutic application of long-chain non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma]

In recent years, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become one of the serious health-threatening malignancies worldwide, and its incidence and mortality rates continue to rise. Hepatitis B (HBV) is moderately endemic in China, with enormous numbers of HBV-related HCC cases. Although serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound are the major diagnostic methods for HCC, they have limited application for screening out early or small HCC. The current management of HCC is based on tumor size and location, not on suppressing tumorigenesis, and therefore patients are often faced with low 5-year survival and high relapse rates. Recent studies have shown that long-chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely associated with HCC tumorigenesis, which may have considerable utility as new diagnostic marker and treatment target for HCC. Here, we review the application of lncRNAs in the diagnosis, metastasis, treatment, recurrence, and prognosis of HCC.

[Chronic hepatitis C: from discovery to cure]

Chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent years, the treatment of HCV infection has undergone a revolutionary change. Chronic HCV infection has become a curable disease. This article reviews the developmental history of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C since the discovery of HCV.

An observational descriptive survey of rosacea in the Chinese population: clinical features based on the affected locations

BACKGROUND

There is currently no study that has evaluated the differences in epidemiological and clinical characteristics among rosacea patients according to different facial sites.

METHODS

Clinical and demographic data were obtained from 586 rosacea patients. The patients were divided into four groups based on the main sites involved with the rosacea lesions (full-face, cheeks, nose, or perioral involvement). Clinical signs were measured through self-reported, dermatologist-evaluated grading of symptoms, and physiological indicators of epidermal barrier function.

RESULTS

There were 471 (80.4%), 49 (8.4%), 52 (8.9%), and 14 (2.4%) cases in the full-face, cheek, nasal and perioral groups, respectively. Compared with the healthy control, the full-face group had lower water content and higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in the cheeks, and chin; the perioral group had lower water content and higher TEWL in the chin; while the nasal group had the normal water content and TEWL. Compared with the full-face group, the nasal group had more severe phymatous changes, less severe self-reported and dermatologist-evaluated grading of symptoms. All the patients in the perioral or the nasal group had their first rosacea lesions start and remain at the chin or on the nose. In the full-face group, 55.8% of patients had their lesions start with the full face, 40.1% on the cheek, and the rest (4.1%) on the nose.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in clinical features were observed among rosacea patients with lesions at four different sites. The lesion localization of each group was relatively stable and barely transferred to other locations.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor enhances melanogenesis via cAMP-protein kinase (PKA) by upregulating microphthalmia-related transcription factor-tyrosinase in melanoma

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the role and mechanism of action of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in melanogenesis.

METHODS

GPER expression was detected in the A375 human melanoma cell line and B16 mouse melanoma cell line. Cell proliferation, melanin content, tyrosinase (TYR) activity, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, and TYR and microphthalmia-related transcription factor (MITF) expression were measured. GPER activation was altered by agonist and antagonist treatment and its expression was downregulated by gene silencing. Estradiol-induced melanin synthesis and the activation of related signaling pathways were suppressed by inhibiting GPER via antagonist treatment. The relationship between GPER and TYR was evaluated in clinical chloasma samples by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Upregulation of GPER in A375 cells promoted melanogenesis, favored as indicated by increases in TYR and MITF expression and TYR activity. GPER activated melanin production via the cAMP-protein kinase (PK) A pathway, suggesting that GPER plays an important role in estrogen-induced melanin synthesis. The effect of GPER activation on cAMP-MITF-TYR signaling was also demonstrated in B16 cells. A significant association was observed between GPER and TYR expression in chloasma skin lesions relative to normal skin.

CONCLUSION

GPER enhances melanin synthesis via cAMP-PKA-MITF-TYR signaling and modulates the effects of estrogen in melanogenesis. GPER is therefore a potential drug target for chloasma treatment.

Correlation between hepatitis B virus DNA levels and diagnostic tests for HBsAg, HBeAg, and PreS1-Ag in chronic hepatitis B

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the serum markers HBsAg and HBeAg and PreS1 protein (PreS1-Ag) in quantifying the levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). One thousand CHB patients were recruited from Beijing You'an Hospital between June and December 2012. Serum HBsAg and HBeAg levels were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to determine the level of PreS1-Ag and HBV DNA, respectively. We observed a low correlation between HBsAg and HBV DNA (r = 0.172, P < 0.001) expression; however, the correlation coefficient increased gradually with the increase in HBV DNA levels, and was more significant when HBV DNA log10 > 7 (r = 0.597, P < 0.001). Additionally, HBsAg and HBV DNA showed a significant positive correlation in the HBeAg+ group (r = 0.321, P < 0.001), whereas no correlation was observed in the HBeAg- group (r = -0.016, P = 0.825). HBV DNA expression was correlated with HBeAg (χ2 = 83.07, P < 0.001) and PreS1-Ag (χ2 = 36.01, P < 0.001). HBV DNA-positive rate was higher in HBeAg/PreS1-Ag++ patients (72.26%) than that in the single-positive groups (P < 0.001). Therefore, serum HBsAg is not a good marker for the prediction of HBV replication, and co-detection of HBeAg and PreS1-Ag, which can better predict HBV DNA replication, can be used as a reliable method for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHB.

[Expression of renal PLA2R in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and its relationship with the curative effect of immunotherapy]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the expression of renal M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), and to explore the relationship between renal PLA2R and the curative effect of immunotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 56 patients who were diagnosed as IMN from January 2012 to June 2014 in the department of nephrology in First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, were included in this study. The expression of renal PLA2R was detected by immumofluorescence assay. The IMN patients were treated with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, and the relationship between renal PLA2R and the curative effect of immunotherapy was observed.

RESULTS

The ratio of PLA2R related IMN (renal PLA2R-positive) patients was 71.4%(40/56). The recovery conditions in proteinuria and serum albumin were better in the non-PLA2R related IMN group since 6 months after the treatment (P<0.05). The overall response rate in PLA2R related IMN group was 58.3%, 62.5% and 62.5% after 6, 9, 12 months, respectively. However, the overall response rate in non-PLA2R related IMN group almost reached 100% after treatment for 6 months. Compared with PLA2R related IMN group, the time which patients reached complete remission was significantly shorter in the non-PLA2R related IMN group [(5.4±3.5) vs (10.5±1.6) months, P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of renal PLA2R can be helpful to diagnose IMN. Non-PLA2R related IMN patients usually have a better curative effect of immunotherapy and a shorter time to onset of efficacy.

Long-term outcome of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without in vitro T-cell depletion based on an FBCA conditioning regimen for hematologic malignancies

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is an alternative for patients who need a transplant without having conventional donors. One hundred and five consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies who underwent G-CSF-primed peripheral blood haplo-HSCT without in vitro T-cell depletion in our single center were reported in this study. Patients were categorized into the intermediate-risk group (n=28) or high-risk group (n=77) according to the risk stratification. The conditioning regimen included fludarabine, busulfan, cyclophosphamide and anti-lymphocyte globulin. The cumulative incidence of grades II-IV acute GvHD (aGvHD) on day +100 was 21.9%, and that of grades III-IV aGvHD was 14.3%. The 2-year cumulative incidence of total chronic GvHD (cGvHD) was 24.1%, and that of extensive cGvHD was 5.6% in 83 eligible patients. The 3-year cumulative incidence rates of relapse and no relapse mortality were 21.9% and 30.5%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 35 months, the 3-year probabilities of overall and disease-free survival for the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were 63.2% and 39.8% and 61.2% and 32.2%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the outcome of survival (overall survival and disease-free survival) was associated with the risk stratification, disease status at transplant and dose of infused mononuclear cells. Our results suggest that unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cell allograft performed with fludarabine, busulfan, cyclophosphamide and anti-lymphocyte globulin conditioning regimen is feasible.

Testes-specific protease 50 promotes cell invasion and metastasis by increasing NF-kappaB-dependent matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression

The high mortality in breast cancer is often associated with metastatic progression in patients. Previously we have demonstrated that testes-specific protease 50 (TSP50), an oncogene overexpressed in breast cancer samples, could promote cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, whether TSP50 also has a key role in cell invasion and cancer metastasis, and the mechanism underlying the process are still unclear. Here we found that TSP50 overexpression greatly promoted cell migration, invasion, adhesion and formation of the stellate structures in 3D culture system in vitro as well as lung metastasis in vivo. Conversely, TSP50 knockdown caused the opposite changes. Mechanistic studies revealed that NF-κB signaling pathway was required for TSP50-induced cell migration and metastasis, and further results indicated that TSP50 overexpression enhanced expression and secretion of MMP9, a target gene of NF-κB signaling. In addition, knockdown of MMP9 resulted in inhibition of cell migration and invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Most importantly, immunohistochemical staining of human breast cancer samples strongly showed that the coexpression of TSP50 and p65 as well as TSP50 and MMP9 were correlated with increased metastasis and poor survival. Furthermore, we found that some breast cancer diagnosis-associated features such as tumor size, tumor grade, estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) levels, were correlated well with TSP50/p65 and TSP50/MMP9 expression status. Taken together, this work identified the TSP50 activation of MMP9 as a novel signaling mechanism underlying human breast cancer invasion and metastasis.

Single nucleotide polymorphism in the RECQL5 gene increased osteosarcoma susceptibility in a Chinese Han population

In this study, we investigated the association between a RECQL genetic polymorphism and osteosarcoma in a Chinese population. We selected rs820196 in the RECQL5 gene and genotyped 185 patients with osteosarcoma and 201 age- and gender-matched non-cancer controls. We found that the CC genotype was more frequent in the osteosarcoma group compared to the control group (P = 0.011). We also found that the C allele was more common in osteosarcoma patients than that in control subjects (P = 0.004). Our results suggested that the RECQL5 genetic polymorphism was associated with osteosarcoma in a Chinese population.

Expression analysis of ovostatin 2 reveals its involvement in proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of cutaneous malignant melanoma

The relationship of ovostatin 2 (OVOS2) expression with the clinicopathological features of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) was investigated to identify OVOS2 expression in cutaneous melanocytic lesions, and to reveal whether OVOS2 has a function in melanoma progression. Eight specimens of CMM and paracancerous tissue were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot for the mRNA and protein expression of OVOS2, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 52 CMM and 62 nevi, followed by clinicopathological significance analysis. The proliferative cells were visualized by staining with Ki-67 antibody. The intensity of angiogenesis was assessed by staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Real-time PCR and western blot analyses showed that OVOS2 was significantly upregulated in cutaneous melanoma than in paired normal skins. Immunohistochemistry showed that 86.5% (45/52) of malignant cases showed OVOS2 cytoplasmic expression compared with 29% (18/62) in benign nevi. OVOS2 expression was significantly higher in invasive and metastatic melanoma than in in situ melanoma (P < 0.01). Furthermore, OVOS2 expression was positively correlated with the known prognostic variables of melanoma including clinical stage, Clark level and Breslow depth. It was also significantly associated with ulcer status, Ki-67 labeling index and VEGF expression in primary melanoma. OVOS2 expression was significantly increased in CMM, which increased incrementally from benign nevi to melanoma and appeared to be involved in the progression of melanoma.

Bullous mycosis fungoides: report of a case complicated by Kaposi's varicelliform eruption

Vesiculobullous eruptions in mycosis fungoides (MF) are extremely rare. Here, we report a case of a 62-year-old woman presenting with erythematous patches and plaques of 2 years in duration, who had recently developed vesicles on erythematous MF plaques. Histopathological examination showed intra-subepidermal blisters, and infiltration of the epidermis by atypical lymphoid cells, forming Pautrier's microabscesses. Negative immunofluorescence excluded autoimmune blistering diseases. Immunohistochemistry revealed a CD4⁺ T-cell phenotype and gene rearrangement study confirmed a clonal T-cell proliferation. Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (KVE) developed in the patient 1 week after initiation of systemic corticosteroids and immunotherapy. Cluster of vesicles and erosions arising on the pre-existing plaque and a positive immunofluorescence test for Herpes simplex virus and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous herpes infection. This is the first case report on bullous MF complicated by KVE in the published work.

Arbitrary-order Hilbert spectral analysis for time series possessing scaling statistics: comparison study with detrended fluctuation analysis and wavelet leaders

In this paper we present an extended version of Hilbert-Huang transform, namely arbitrary-order Hilbert spectral analysis, to characterize the scale-invariant properties of a time series directly in an amplitude-frequency space. We first show numerically that due to a nonlinear distortion, traditional methods require high-order harmonic components to represent nonlinear processes, except for the Hilbert-based method. This will lead to an artificial energy flux from the low-frequency (large scale) to the high-frequency (small scale) part. Thus the power law, if it exists, is contaminated. We then compare the Hilbert method with structure functions (SF), detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), and wavelet leader (WL) by analyzing fractional Brownian motion and synthesized multifractal time series. For the former simulation, we find that all methods provide comparable results. For the latter simulation, we perform simulations with an intermittent parameter μ=0.15. We find that the SF underestimates scaling exponent when q>3. The Hilbert method provides a slight underestimation when q>5. However, both DFA and WL overestimate the scaling exponents when q>5. It seems that Hilbert and DFA methods provide better singularity spectra than SF and WL. We finally apply all methods to a passive scalar (temperature) data obtained from a jet experiment with a Taylor's microscale Reynolds number Re(λ)≃250. Due to the presence of strong ramp-cliff structures, the SF fails to detect the power law behavior. For the traditional method, the ramp-cliff structure causes a serious artificial energy flux from the low-frequency (large scale) to the high-frequency (small scale) part. Thus DFA and WL underestimate the scaling exponents. However, the Hilbert method provides scaling exponents ξ(θ)(q) quite close to the one for longitudinal velocity, indicating a less intermittent passive scalar field than what was believed before.

Second-order structure function in fully developed turbulence

We relate the second-order structure function of a time series with the power spectrum of the original variable, taking an assumption of statistical stationarity. With this approach, we find that the structure function is strongly influenced by the large scales. The large-scale contribution and the contribution range are, respectively, 79% and 1.4 decades for a Kolmogorov -5/3 power spectrum. We show numerically that a single scale influence range, over smaller scales is about 2 decades. We argue that the structure function is not a good method to extract the scaling exponents when the data possess large energetic scales. An alternative methodology, the arbitrary order Hilbert spectral analysis which may constrain this influence within 0.3 decade, is proposed to characterize the scaling property directly in an amplitude-frequency space. An analysis of passive scalar (temperature) turbulence time series is presented to show the influence of large-scale structures in real turbulence and the efficiency of the Hilbert-based methodology. The corresponding scaling exponents ζ(θ)(q) provided by the Hilbert-based approach indicate that the passive scalar turbulence field may be less intermittent than what was previously believed.

Impact of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project on the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in China

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) is currently the key, national, water-conservation project in China, designed to optimise the use of water resources and relieve the water shortages in the north of the country. As one of the main water intakes for the project, that of the Eastern Route Scheme (ERS), is a breeding site for Oncomelania hupensis (the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum), there is concern that the snail may be carried far to the north, in the water passing through the project. To see if they could survive and breed to the north of their current range in China, O. hupensis were collected in marshland near Nanjing City and transferred to cages, on the banks of fish ponds, in the cities of Zhenjiang (in Jiangsu province, at 32 degrees 10'N), Xuzhou (in the same province but at a latitude of 34 degrees 23'N) and Jining (in Shandong province, at 35 degrees 23'N). Except over the first 6 months in Xuzhou, the snails moved north of their natural distribution did not survive and reproduce as well as those in Zhenjiang, and all those transferred to Jining died out within 1 year. Although the snail populations in Xuzhou survived for 7-8 years and retained their infectivity to S. japonicum, histological and histochemical studies revealed abnormalities in the reproductive organs of these snails. It is concluded that, unless global warming significantly increases the minimum winter temperatures in northern China, the SNWDP is unlikely to result in the northward spread of schistosomiasis japonica.

Preparation and Properties of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/ Nano-Hydroxyapatite (NHA) Scaffolds by Thermally Induced Phase Separation and Rabbit MSCs Culture on Scaffolds

Biodegradable polymer/bioceramic composites scaffold can overcome the limitation of conventional ceramic bone substitutes such as brittleness and difficulty in shaping. To better mimic the mineral component and the microstructure of natural bone, novel nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA)/polymer composite scaffolds with high porosity and well-controlled pore architectures as well as high exposure of the bioactive ceramics to the scaffold surface is developed for efficient bone tissue engineering. In this article, regular and highly interconnected porous poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/NHA scaffolds are fabricated by thermally induced phase separation technique. The effects of solvent composition, polymer concentration, coarsening temperature, and coarsening time as well as NHA content on the micro-morphology, mechanical properties of the PLGA/NHA scaffolds are investigated. The results show that pore size of the PLGA/NHA scaffolds decrease with the increase of PLGA concentration and NHA content. The introduction of NHA greatly increase the mechanical properties and water absorption ability which greatly increase with the increase of NHA content. Mesenchymal stem cells are seeded and cultured in three-dimensional (3D) PLGA/NHA scaffolds to fabricate in vitro tissue engineering bone, which is investigated by adhesion rate, cell morphology, cell numbers, and alkaline phosphatase assay. The results display that the PLGA/NHA scaffolds exhibit significantly higher cell growth, alkaline phosphatase activity than PLGA scaffolds, especially the PLGA/NHA scaffolds with 10 wt.% NHA. The results suggest that the newly developed PLGA/NHA composite scaffolds may serve as an excellent 3D substrate for cell attachment and migration in bone tissue engineering.

[Heteroplasmy in human mtDNA control region]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the length heteroplasmy and point heteroplasmy in human mtDNA control region.

METHODS

The peripheral blood, buccal cell, and single hair shaft from 50 individuals and 16 family members, related in their maternallineage were analyzed by direct sequencing, and clones from 20 individuals whose mtDNA sequences have a T-C transition at 16189 nt were sequenced.

RESULTS

No point heteroplasmy were observed in peripheral blood, buccal cell, single hair shaft from the same individual, neither in maternally related individuals. Length heteroplasmy was observed in those individuals with a homopolymeric tract and the different clones from the same individual has different proportions of length variants, but the hair shafts from the same individual were very similar to the measurements made from blood DNA. No length heteroplasmy was observed between different tissues from the same individual.

CONCLUSION

mtDNA sequences have a characteristic of high consistency and genetic stability, mtDNA sequencing is a suitable tool for forensic applications such as individual identification.

[Application of differential wavelet in detecting QRS complexes of ECG signal]

An algorithm based on wavelet transforms (WT'S) has been developed for detecting QRS complexes of ECG signal. In this paper, we use Mallat algorithm to calculate dyadic Marr wavelet transforms, analyse the relationship between singularity of the signal (the peak of R wave) and local maximal value of WT's from the view of equivalent wavelet filter, discuss the performance distinction between quadratic differential wavelet and single differential wavelet for singularity detection. Some other tactics are also applied to improve the anti-interference performance of the algorithm and to increase the correct detection rate of QRS complexes. Verified by the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database, the correct detection rate of QRS complexes is 99.8%.

Report of the consensus conference on diagnostic criteria of ALI/ARDS at high altitudes in Western China

China is a mountainous country. The Qing-Zang plateau, Yun-Gui plateau, and Yellow Land plateau, which are known as the world's ridge, are located in the west of China. The highland area over 3,000 m in height occupies one-sixth of the land area of China and half the highland area of the world. About 60-80 million people live in the regions where the elevation ranges from 1,500 m to 4,000 m. In the latter half of the last century, the influence of complex environmental factors on the human body, such as low oxygen pressure, cold climate, strong radiation, high wind speed, and super-evaporation, were studied in an extensive and profound way and formed an important field of altitude medicine. For a long time, many researchers have carried out investigations related to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and its pathophysiological mechanism initiated by cytokines and mediators, regarding which many problems are still unclear. However, systematic research into the mechanism from SIRS to ARDS to MODS in the highlands remains blank. The diagnostic criteria of ALI/ARDS in the highlands are quite different from that in the plain, and thus was a central topic for discussion at this meeting.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its role in oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma

AIM

To establish the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma more directly.

METHODS

The expression of VEGF and its receptor kinase-domain insert containing receptor (KDR) in human gastric cancer tissue were observed by immunohistochemical staining. VEGF levels were manipulated in human gastric cancer cell using eukaryotic expression constructs designed to express the complete VEGF(165) complimentary DNA in either the sense or antisense orientation. The biological changes of the cells were observed in which VEGF was up-regulated or down-regulated.

RESULTS

VEGF-positive rate was 50%, and VEGF was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of the tumor cells, while KDR was mainly located in the membrane of vascular endothelial cells in gastric cancer tissues and peri-cancerous tissue. In 2 cases of 50 specimens, the gastric cancer cells expressed KDR, localized in both the cytoplasm and membrane. Introduction of VEGF(165) antisense into human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901, immunofluorescence intensity, 31.6%)) resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-specific messenger RNA and total and cell surface VEGF protein (immunofluorescence intensity, 8.9%) (P<0.05). Conversely, stable integration of VEGF(165) in the sense orientation resulted in an increase in cellular and cell surface VEGF (immunofluorescence intensity, 75.4%) (P<0.05). Lowered VEGF levels were associated with a marked decrease in the growth of nude mouse xenografted tumor (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 345.40 +/- 136.31 mm3)(P<0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group: 1534.40 +/- 362.88 mm3), whereas up-regulation of VEGF resulted in increased xenografted tumor size (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 2350.50 +/- 637.70 mm3) (P<0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group).

CONCLUSION

This study provides direct evidence that VEGF plays an important role in the oncogenesis of human gastric cancer.

[Prediction and evaluation of heterosis of beef cattle and their application]

The genetic structure and genetic variation of eight beef cattle cross parents populations were analyzed by six microsatellite loci, and heterosis of beef cattle was predicted. On the basis of microsatellite analysis, the effect of 18 cross combinations was estimated by the method of individual animal model BLUP. A new method of molecular quantitative genetics that select best of all cross combination was submitted. The results showed that the combinations with Hereford Limousine and Charolais as paternal parent are better than others in Fengning and Longhua regions; the combinations with Limousine Angus and Hereford as paternal parent are better than others in Zanhuang regions; the combinations with Hereford Limousine and Piemontese as paternal parent are better than others in Funing regions. Effect of three breeds cross is better than two breeds.

Identification of subdominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes encoded by autologous HIV type 1 sequences, using dendritic cell stimulation and computer-driven algorithm

Conventional analysis of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to HIV-1 may underestimate the true breadth of CTL epitopes recognized. This underestimation could be due to several reasons, including (1) the use of laboratory-adapted stains of HIV or consensus sequences, which would lead to the identification of only highly conserved epitopes, (2) the use of EBV-transformed B cells (B-LCLs) and vaccinia virus constructs in standard assays that may obscure low level CTL responses due to high EBV or vaccinia reactivity, and (3) relatively insensitive assays wherein PBMCs instead of professional APCs are used to stimulate CTL responses. To address these problems, we first identified an immunodominant HLA-B7-restricted CTL epitope, by standard cloning methods, in a long-term nonprogressor (LTNP). To determine whether the patient had CTLs specific for autologous viral sequences other than the dominant epitope, proviral DNA was cloned and sequenced. A matrix-based epitope algorithm (EpiMatrix) was used to identify the top 2% of peptides from the viral sequences with the highest likelihood of binding to HLA-B7. These 55 peptides were synthesized and tested for HLA-B7 binding in a T2/B7 cell line; 10 peptides were able to stabilize HLA-B7 on the cell surface. By using peptide-pulsed autologous dendritic cells as a more sensitive method of CTL stimulation, we found three additional subdominant CTL epitopes.

[Clinical study on modified sijunzi decoction in treating intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Modified Sijunzi decoction (MSJZD) in treating gastric pre-cancerous lesion.

METHODS

Two hundreds and two patients with chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia (IM) of gastric mucosa diagnosed by gastroscopy and pathological examination of biopsy were divided into 2 groups, 117 cases of the treatment group were treated with MSJZD and 85 cases of the control group were treated with Weimeisu. For both groups, re-examination was taken after a 3-month treatment.

RESULTS

The cure rate and total effective rate of IM in the treatment group were 55.6% and 87.2% respectively, while in the control group were 11.8% and 55.3% respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The intestinal metaplasia process of gastric mucosa is reversible and MSJZD has good effect on it. This study provided a new way of pre-cancerous lesion treatment and gastric cancer prevention.

A baculovirus vector derived from immediately early gene promoter of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus

A transfer vector was constructed in which the neomycin resistance (neo) gene was under the control of a copy of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) IE1 gene promoter at the p10 locus. After cotransfection of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells with the transfer vector and infectious AcMNPV DNA, the recombinant virus-containing neo gene was selected by serial passage of the mixed progenies from cotransfection. This was done at low MOI in the presence of G418 in growth medium and was followed by limited dilution. RNA dot hybridization showed that the neo gene was transcribed from immediately early phase to very late phase, in infected Sf9 cells. These results demonstrate that a new baculovirus vector system had been constructed in infected cells. Furthermore, a new method for selection of positive recombinant baculovirus had been developed.