[Effectiveness of bupropion and counseling for smoking cessation]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of bupropion for smoking cessation among Chinese smokers at a smoking cessation clinic.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in a hospital located in Beijing during 2008 and from 28 to 31 October 2014. A total of 287 smokers (265 men and 22 women) were assessed using data from structured questionnaires at baseline and were followed up at 1 and 6 months. Trained physician counselors provided free brief education and individual counseling sessions for all participants at the first visit. A total 131 participants were prescribed bupropion in addition to counseling. The counseling plus bupropion group was compared with the group who underwent counseling without bupropion. Outcomes were self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates at 1- and 6-month follow-up and continuous abstinence rates at 6-month follow-up. Smoking reduction rates at 1 and 6 months were also measured.

RESULTS

By intention-to-treat analysis, the 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate of the bupropion group at 1 and 6 months was higher than for the counseling-only group: at 1-month follow-up, 26.0% (34/131) vs. 15.4% (24/156), with OR (95% CI) 1.93(1.07-3.46); these rates at 6-month follow-up were 27.8% (35/131) vs. 15.4% (24/156), with OR (95% CI) 2.01(1.12-3.59). The 1-month continuous abstinence rate at 6 months was higher in the bupropion group: 26.0% (34/131) vs. 14.7% (23/156), with OR (95%CI) 2.03(1.12-3.66). Participants in the bupropion group also had a higher smoking reduction rate at 1 month than those in the counseling-only group: 55.0% (72/131) vs. 38.5% (60/156), with OR (95%CI) 1.95 (1.22-3.13).

CONCLUSION

Prescription of bupropion at this smoking cessation clinic was effective in doubling the quitting rates and smoking reduction rates among Chinese smokers.

Racial differences of endothelial function and plasma endothelin 1 level in preclinical Tibetan and Han male population

OBJECTIVE

The differences in endothelial function between Tibetan and Han nationality population have not been fully investigated. The aim of this work is to investigate the differences in endothelial function and plasma endothelin 1 (ET-1) concentration between Tibetan and Han male population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Totally 272 Tibetan male subjects aged 42.9 ± 9.4 years were enrolled in this study to stand for Tibetan population. All of them were native residents in Lhasa City. And 580 Qinghai-Tibet Railway constructors with Han nationality aged 41.8 ± 11.1 years were enrolled in this study to stand for Han nationality population. All of them were male subjects and lived in Lhasa City for at least 1 year. All subjects lived in the same high-altitude area (the altitude of Lhasa is 3658 m). Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured in the fasting state using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Computer-assisted analysis software was used to calculate brachial artery diameters. Venous blood was sampled for the measurement of total cholesterol (CH), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and HbA1c. Plasma ET-1 was quantitated using a commercially available ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Totally 272 Tibetan subjects and 580 Han nationality subjects were enrolled in this study. BMI and waist-hip ratio in Tibetan subjects were much higher than those in Han subjects (p < 0.01). LDL cholesterol level and plasma ET-1 concentration in Tibetan subjects were significantly higher than Han subjects (p < 0.01). The baseline brachial artery diameter in Tibetan group was much higher than that of Han group (p < 0.01). The absolute and percent changes in brachial artery diameter were lower in Tibetan population compared with Han population (p < 0.01). The linear regression analysis showed that LDL cholesterol, and plasma ET-1 were correlated with FMD (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial function and plasma ET-1 concentration were different between Tibetan and Han male populations.

[The prognostic significance of proportion of blasts in bone marrow on day 14 during induction chemotherapy in patients with adult Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic significance of proportion of the blasts in bone marrow on day 14 (D14) during induction chemotherapy in patients with adult Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph (-) ALL).

METHODS

Newly diagnosed Ph (-) ALL patients with bone marrow morphology analysis on day 14 during induction chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. The proportion of the D14 blasts which had an impact on achieving a CR by the first induction chemotherapy and outcomes were determined by ROC curve.

RESULTS

166 ALL patients including 94 male and 72 female were analyzed. The median age was 32 years (range, 18-64 years). The CR rate by the first induction chemotherapy was 74.7% with a total CR rate as 93.3%. By ROC analysis, 7.5% of the D14 blasts had the best sensitivity and specificity. The patients with D14 blasts ≥7.5% had lower CR rates after the first and overall induction chemotherapy compared with those with D14 blasts <7.5% (42.7% vs 85.9%, P<0.001 and 75.9% vs 95.6%, P=0.001 respectively). The probabilities of 5-year disease free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) were higher in the patients with D14 blasts<7.5% than those with D14 blasts ≥7.5% (49.8% vs 29.6%, P=0.006 and 52.4% vs 32.6%, P=0.010 respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that higher WBC or central nervous system leukemia at diagnosis, D14 blasts ≥7.5%, no CR after the first induction chemotherapy and receiving consolidation and maintenance chemotherapy rather than transplant were associated with poor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher proportion of D14 blasts in bone marrow during the first induction therapy indicated poor prognosis in adult Ph(-) ALL.

Catalpol: a potential therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons and subsequent cognitive decline. They are mainly found in older populations. Due to increasing life expectancies, the toll inflicted upon society by these disorders continues to become heavier and more prominent. Despite extensive research, however, the exact etiology of these disorders is still unknown, though the pathophysiological mechanisms have been attributed to oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic injury in the brain. Moreover, there is currently no promising therapeutic agent against these neurodegenerative changes. Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside contained richly in the roots of the small flowering plant species Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, has been shown to have antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and other neuroprotective properties and plays a role in neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic injury, AD and PD in both in vivo and in vitro models. It may therefore represent a potential therapeutical agent for the treatment of hypoxic/ischemic injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on our studies and those of others in the literature, here we comprehensively review the role of Catalpol in neuroprotection against pathological conditions, especially in neurodegenerative states and the potential mechanisms involved.

[Clinical characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia with t (16;21) (p11;q22):nine cases report and literature review]

目的

探讨t(16;21）（p11；q22）急性髓系白血病（AML）的生物学及临床特征、疗效及预后。

方法

回顾性分析2009年1月至2014年12月北京大学人民医院收治的9例初诊t(16;21）（p11；q22）AML患者临床资料，并汇总国外文献报道的42例患者，采用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析。

结果

9例t(16;21）（p11；q22) AML占同期AML患者的0.66%。9例患者中，男4例，女5例。FAB分型：M₁ 1例、M₂ 5例、M₄ 1例、M₅ 2例；其中3例在诊断时形态学可见空泡形成。免疫表型除表达髓系CD117、CD13、CD33及CD34外，均表达CD56。染色体G显带分析均可见t(16;21）（p11；q22），5例伴有复杂核型。所有患者均可检测到TLS/FUS-ERG融合基因。9例化疗后均获完全缓解（CR）。2例仅接受化疗的患者分别于诊断后5和16个月复发，并于10和27个月死亡。7例于缓解后接受异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT），中位生存21(11~46）个月。汇总文献报道的42例成人t(16;21）（p11;q22）AML患者，其中单纯化疗组27例，HSCT组15例，两组患者中位生存期分别为10(95% CI 1~17）个月及18(95% CI 2~76）个月，差异有统计学意义（P<0. 001）。

结论

t(16;21）（p11；q22) AML是一类少见的AML，其具有特殊的形态学及免疫表型特点，总体预后差，allo-HSCT治疗可改善其预后，推荐首次CR后行allo-HSCT治疗。

[Comparison of efficacy and prognostic factors in elderly acute myelogenous patients with MA or CAG induction chemotherapy regimen]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the difference of efficacy and prognostic factors between MA and CAG induction chemotherapy in elderly acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients.

METHODS

From April 2009 to September 2015, 103 consecutive hospitalized 60-plus-year-old AML patients were retrospectively analyzed. NPM1 positive FLT3-ITD negative accounted for 17 cases (16.7%). Sixty-five patients received MA regimen and thirty-eight patients received CAG regimen. MA group had higher WBC and FLT3-ITD positive mutations at diagnosis compared with CAG group (P=0.001, P=0.005; respectively). The median follow-up was 13 months for all patients and 17 months for the survivors.

RESULTS

Six patient (5.8%) died in early phase. Complete remission (CR) rate after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy was 51.5% (50/97). Overall CR rate was 70.1% (68/97). CR rate after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy and overall CR rate were indiscriminate between MA and CAG regimen. The time to neutrophil count recovery, the time to platelet count recovery and the number of platelet transfusions were indiscriminate between MA and CAG regimen. Among 68 CR patients, 23 patients relapsed at median 9 months, and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) at 3 years was (52.5±10.1)%. Median overall survival (OS) was 20 months. OS rate at 3 years was 32.2%. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 28 months. DFS rate at 3 years was 43.7%. CIR, DFS and OS at 3 years were indiscriminate between MA and CAG regimen. Multivariate analysis showed that less than 70 years of age (P=0.001), achieved CR (P<0.001), and NPM1 (+) FLT3-ITD(-) mutation (P=0.044) were the independent factors for increasing OS. NPM1(+) FLT3-ITD(-) mutation was the independent factor for increasing DFS (P=0.042). Patients were classified by three prognosis factors: <70 ages, CR, and NPM1(+)FLT3-ITD(-) mutation. Patients with no poor prognosis factors were classified as low risk (n=13), with one factor as medium risk (n=52) and with two and more factors as high risk (n=31). There were significant differences in OS rate and DFS rate at 3 years for 3 groups patients (60.5% vs 48.1% vs 0, P<0.001; 60.2% vs 39.4% vs 0, P=0.045; respectively). OS and DFS at 3 years for 3 groups' patients were indiscriminate between MA and CAG regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

There was indiscrimination of efficacy among MA and CAG induction chemotherapy in old AML patients. Less than 70 years of age, CR and NPM1(+)FLT3-ITD(-) mutation were the independent factors for better survival.

Prognostic role of microscopically positive margins for primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact and management of microscopically positive margins in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) remain unclear. The aim of this study is to estimate the prognostic value of surgical margins for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with primary GISTs. Twelve studies with 1985 GIST patients were included. The overall recurrence rate in R1 resection and R0 resection group was 0.364 (95% CI 0.299-0.429) and 0.296 (95% CI 0.161-0.430), respectively. Meta-analysis confirmed that a microscopically positive margin could significantly impact the disease-free survival (HR 1.596, 95% CI 1.128-2.258; I(2) = 37.5%, P value = 0.091), but had no influence on overall survival (HR 1.430, 95% CI 0.608-3.363; I(2) = 60.8%, P value = 0.013). Importantly, subgroup analysis revealed that adjuvant imatinib treatment could attenuate the risk of recurrence for primary GIST patients who received R1 resection. (HR 1.308, 95% CI 0.583-2.935; I(2) = 53.2%, P value = 0.074). The level of evidence achieved in this study was "moderate" for DFS and "low" for OS. In conclusion, this study revealed that a microscopically positive margin is an unfavorable prognostic factor for GIST patients with R1 resection, and adjuvant imatinib treatment is proved to be effective.

Correlation of E6 and E7 levels in high-risk HPV16 type cervical lesions with CCL20 and Langerhans cells

The human papillomavirus (HPV)16 E6 and E7 correlation with chemokine ligand (CCL)20 expression and Langerhans cells (LCs) in cervical lesions was investigated. We enrolled 43 patients with surgically treated cervical lesions from the Department of Gynecology in our hospital, and 20 controls without cervical lesions. Subjects were divided by pathology: HPV16(-) and HPV16(+) normal cervical groups (N = 10 each), and HPV16(+) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cervical invasive carcinoma (N = 15 each), and in situ carcinoma (N = 13) groups. E6, E7, the LC surface marker CD1a, and CCL20 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. E6 and E7 in HPV16-type lesions were correlated with CCL20 and LCs. The average high power field cell numbers of CD1a+ LCs in the HPV(-) and HPV(+) normal cervix groups, and the CINI-II, CINIII in situ and cervical carcinoma groups were 22.89 ± 4.84, 13.7 ± 2.26, 9.2 ± 1.68, 5.9 ± 1.59, and 5.5 ± 1.58, respectively. Significant between-group differences existed except between cervical carcinoma and CINIII groups (P < 0.05). CCL20+ rates in each group were 70, 60, 60, 15.38, and 13.33%, respectively. E6/E7-positive expression rates in each group were 20/20, 66.7/66.7, 76.9/69.2, and 86.67/73.3%, respectively. CCL20 was positively correlated with CD1a (r = 0.649), and negatively correlated with E7 (r = -0.946) and E6 (r = -0.949). CD1a was negatively correlated with E6 (r = -0.632) and E7 (r = -0.632). Downregulation of CCL20 leading to LC decline is a key factor in cervical lesions. High-risk HPV-type lesions might inhibit the chemokine CCL20 through E6 and E7 to escape the immune response.

Dose Proportionality and Pharmacokinetics of Eplerenone in Healthy Chinese Subjects

BACKGROUND

Eplerenone (CAS 107724-20-9) is the first highly selective aldosterone receptor blocker and is used worldwide for treatment of hypertension and heart failure.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the eplerenone pharmacokinetics in healthy Chinese subjects and assess the dose proportionality over the therapeutic dose range.

METHODS

A single-dose, randomized, 6-sequence, 3-treatment, 3-period crossover, open label study was conducted in 12 healthy Chinese subjects, who received 3 doses of eplerenone in random order (25, 50, 100 mg). The power model was used to evaluate the dose proportionality of eplerenone. The pharmacokinetic study of multiple-dose of eplerenone was also conducted.

RESULTS

After single-dose oral administration, the mean C max value increased from 489 to 1 641 ng/mL, and the mean AUC 0-t value increased from 3 030 to 10 893 ng/mL·h with an increase in dose from 25 to 100 mg, respectively. The mean value for terminal T 1/2 was approximate 3 h with no significant differences among different dose groups. Though dose proportionality of eplerenone was inconclusive in Chinese subjects over the dose range of 25-100 mg, the maximal proportionality dose range (ρ1) was 2.06 based on power model. Steady state could achieve within at least 4 days and no accumulation was observed after multiple-dose of eplerenone.

CONCLUSION

Dose proportionality was inconclusive in over the dose range of 25-100 mg; however, linear pharmacokinetics could be considered when dose ratio is no more than 2.06.

Research of the Dispersity of the Functional Sericite/Methylphenyl- Silicone Resin

In order to improve the homogeneity and dispersity of the sericite in methylphenyl-silicone resin, the agglomerate state of the sericites was controlled effectively. The dispersive model of the sericite in methylphenyl-silicone resin was designed also. First, the modified sericite was prepared using hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide as the intercalating agent. Then, functional sericite was incorporated into methylphenyl-silicone by terminal hydroxyl. The structure and dispersive performance of the hybrid polymers was charactered by analytical instruments. Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscope, Laser scanning confocal microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that functional sericite was dispersed homogeneously in methylphenyl-silicone resin matrix. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that the absorption peaks of the Si-OH band of methylphenyl-silicone resin were decreased and the Si-O-Si band was increased. This change evidently showed a significant role to enhance the reaction degree of the functional sericite in methylphenyl-silicone resin.

GROα expression and its prognostic implications in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The growth-regulated oncogene α (GROα) , which is also designated as CXC chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), was first identified as an autocrine growth factor in human malignant melanoma. It is involved in tumor development and invasion, and is highly expressed in various human cancers. However, little is known about the association between GROα expression and the clinical attributes of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). One-step quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays were employed to evaluate the relationship between GROα expression and LSCC clinicopathological attributes. GROα mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly greater in LSCC than in non-cancerous tumor-adjacent tissues. GROα protein expression in LSCC was also significantly associated with TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and histopathological grade. Kaplan-Meier and Cox multi-factor analyses suggested that increased GROα expression and positive lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with the poor survival of LSCC patients. These data indicate that GROα may be a novel prognostic marker of LSCC.

KEYWORDS

GROα,LSCC,qPCR,immunohistochemistry, prognosis.

Arterial spin-labeling perfusion MRI stratifies progression-free survival and correlates with epidermal growth factor receptor status in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glioblastoma is a common primary brain tumor with a poor but variable prognosis. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of MR perfusion imaging by using arterial spin-labeling for determining the prognosis of patients with glioblastoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pseudocontinuous arterial spin-labeling with 3D background-suppressed gradient and spin-echo was acquired before surgery on 53 patients subsequently diagnosed with glioblastoma. The calculated CBF color maps were visually evaluated by 3 independent readers blinded to patient history. Pathologic and survival data were correlated with CBF map findings. Arterial spin-labeling values in tumor tissue were also quantified by using manual fixed-size ROIs.

RESULTS

Two perfusion patterns were characterized by visual evaluation of CBF maps on the basis of either the presence (pattern 1) or absence (pattern 2) of substantial hyperperfused tumor tissue. Evaluation of the perfusion patterns was highly concordant among the 3 readers (κ = 0.898, P < .001). Pattern 1 (versus pattern 2) was associated with significantly shorter progression-free survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis (median progression-free survival of 182 days versus 485 days, P < .01) and trended with shorter overall survival (P = .079). There was a significant association between pattern 1 and epidermal growth factor receptor variant III expression (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative evaluation of arterial spin-labeling CBF maps can be used to stratify survival and predict epidermal growth factor receptor variant III expression in patients with glioblastoma.

Expression analysis of Gli1 and Gli2 in different tissues and muscle-derived cells of Qinchuan cattle

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates the differentiation of many kinds of cells and plays a critical role in many embryonic and postnatal developmental processes. Gli1 and Gli2 are two transcription factors of the Hh signaling pathway. In this study, we used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the relative expression of Gli1 and Gli2 in 13 tissues from three two-year-old purebred Qinchuan cattle, as well as in different cell populations derived from muscle and different stages of myogenic differentiation of myoblasts. The expression levels of Gli1 and Gli2 in muscle were the lowest of the 13 tissues (P < 0.05), and they declined predominantly from preplate (pp)1 to pp6 cells. However, the expression of Gli2 was elevated during myogenic differentiation until the 6th day. We speculated that Hh signaling was negatively activated in myocytes and quiescent myoblasts. The increased expression of Gli1 and Gli2 in the early days of myogenic differentiation suggested that Hh signaling would be activated when the quiescent bovine myoblast was stimulated to initiate myogenic differentiation.

Dual-source CT versus single-source 64-section CT angiography for coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis

AIM

To perform a meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic performance of single-source 64-section computed tomography (CT) versus dual-source CT angiography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched for relevant original papers. Inclusion criteria were (1) significant CAD defined as ≥50% reduction in luminal diameter by invasive coronary angiography as reference standard; (2) single-source 64-section CT or dual-source CT was used; (3) results were reported in absolute numbers of true-positive, false-positive, true-negative, and false-negative results or sufficiently detailed data for deriving these numbers were presented. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-one papers including 3966 patients who underwent single-source 64-section CT and 2047 patients who underwent dual-source CT at a per-patient level were pooled. The diagnostic values of single-source 64-section CT versus dual-source CT were 97% versus 97% for sensitivity (p = 0.386), 78% versus 86% for specificity (p < 0.001), 90% versus 85% for positive predictive value (PPV; p < 0.001), 93% versus 97% for negative predictive value (NPV; p = 0.001), 6.8 versus 6.5 for positive likelihood ratio (p = 0.018), 0.04 versus 0.04 for negative likelihood ratio (p = 0.625), and 191.59 versus 207.37 for diagnostic odds ratio (p = 0.043), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Dual-source CT and single-source 64-section CT have similar negative likelihood ratios and, therefore, there was no significant difference in their utility to rule out CAD in intermediate-risk patients. However, compared to single-source 64-section CT, dual-source CT has significantly higher specificity, so that CT-based decisions for subsequent coronary catheter angiography are more accurate.

Mixed linear model approach for mapping quantitative trait loci underlying crop seed traits

The crop seed is a complex organ that may be composed of the diploid embryo, the triploid endosperm and the diploid maternal tissues. According to the genetic features of seed characters, two genetic models for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of crop seed traits are proposed, with inclusion of maternal effects, embryo or endosperm effects of QTL, environmental effects and QTL-by-environment (QE) interactions. The mapping population can be generated either from double back-cross of immortalized F2 (IF2) to the two parents, from random-cross of IF2 or from selfing of IF2 population. Candidate marker intervals potentially harboring QTLs are first selected through one-dimensional scanning across the whole genome. The selected candidate marker intervals are then included in the model as cofactors to control background genetic effects on the putative QTL(s). Finally, a QTL full model is constructed and model selection is conducted to eliminate false positive QTLs. The genetic main effects of QTLs, QE interaction effects and the corresponding P-values are computed by Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for Gaussian mixed linear model via Gibbs sampling. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to investigate the reliability and efficiency of the proposed method. The simulation results showed that the proposed method had higher power to accurately detect simulated QTLs and properly estimated effect of these QTLs. To demonstrate the usefulness, the proposed method was used to identify the QTLs underlying fiber percentage in an upland cotton IF2 population. A computer software, QTLNetwork-Seed, was developed for QTL analysis of seed traits.

Design of a composite biomaterial system for tissue engineering applications

Biomaterials that regulate vascularized tissue formation have the potential to contribute to new methods of tissue replacement and reconstruction. The goal of this study was to develop a porous, degradable tissue engineering scaffold that could deliver multiple growth factors and regulate vessel assembly within the porous structure of the material. Porous hydrogels of poly(ethylene glycol)-co-(L-lactic acid) (PEG-PLLA) were prepared via salt leaching. The degradation time of the hydrogels could be controlled between 1 and 7 weeks, based on hydrogel composition. Fibrin was incorporated into the interconnected pores of the hydrogels to promote neovascularization and as a reservoir for rapid (<5 days) growth factor delivery. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were incorporated into the degradable polymeric hydrogel scaffold to allow sustained (>30 days) growth factor delivery. Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) were delivered from the system owing to their roles in the promotion of angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, respectively. Hydrogels tested in vivo with a subcutaneous implantation model were selected based on the results from in vitro degradation and growth factor release kinetics. Dual growth factor delivery promoted significantly more tissue ingrowth in the scaffold compared with blank or single growth factor delivery. The sequential delivery of FGF-1 following PDGF-BB promoted more persistent and mature blood vessels. In conclusion, a biomaterials system was developed to provide structural support for tissue regeneration, as well as delivery of growth factors that stimulate neovascularization within the structure prior to complete degradation.

MiR-874 promotes intestinal barrier dysfunction through targeting AQP3 following intestinal ischemic injury

Intestinal ischemic injury is a significant clinical problem arising from diseases or as a complication of abdominal surgery. Our previous study showed aquaporin 3 is involved in intestinal barrier impairment. Here, we revealed that intestinal ischemia induced a time-dependent increase of miR-874 expression and a time-dependent decrease of AQP3 expression, and the level of miR-874 expression was inversely related to AQP3 protein expression. In addition, miR-874 promoted the paracellular permeability in vitro through targeting 3'UTR of AQP3. Two of the tight junction proteins, Occludin and Claudin-1, were found to be involved in miR-874-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Health-related quality of life of patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia treated with allogeneic hematopoietic SCT versus imatinib

To evaluate and compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with newly diagnosed CML in the first chronic phase (CML-CP1) receiving HLA-identical sibling donor (ISD) hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) or imatinib, a cross-sectional study that was part of a prospective cohort study at the Institute of Hematology, Peking University was performed. A total of 222 patients including 126 and 96 in the imatinib and ISD HSCT groups, respectively, were enrolled. HRQOL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. The ISD HSCT group functioned significantly better on the role-physical functioning and mental health subscales, as well as the mental component summary (MCS) than the imatinib group. HRQOL was generally comparable to groups in the young population. Multivariate analysis showed that white blood cell count ≥ 30 × 10(9)/L and plts count ≥ 450 × 10(9)/L were the major adverse factors affecting HRQOL in long-term survivors. Imatinib therapy was also an adverse factor affecting the MCS (odds ratio=1.7, P=0.032). Thus, long-term CML-CP1 survivors receiving ISD HSCT can attain desirable HRQOL comparable to or better than that of patients receiving imatinib.

Prognostic implication of TIM-3 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common tumor of the kidney.in adults. The prognosis of ccRCC remains unsatisfactory. Recently, T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3), a novel transmembrane protein, has been implicated in tumor biology. Its role in ccRCC remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of TIM-3 as a prognostic marker in patients with ccRCC.TIM-3 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot from 137 ccRCC tumor samples and adjacent normal renal tissues. We performed also the cell proliferation assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol -2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell invasion assay. The effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of TIM-3 (TIM-3 siRNA) in two human ccRCC cell lines were evaluated. TIM-3 expression was higher in ccRCC tissue than in the adjacent normal renal tissue (P<0.001). High TIM-3 expression was an independent predictor of both cancer-specific survival and progression-free survival. TIM-3 protein was expressed in both ccRCC cell lines. Knockdown of TIM-3 suppressed the proliferation and invasion capacity of ccRCC cell lines.TIM-3 expression was associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC. Taken together, TIM-3 is a potential prognostic marker in ccRCC.

Transcriptome sequencing of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) and the identification of gene-associated markers

Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an ecologically and economically important species in East and South-East Asia. This project aimed to identify large numbers of gene-associated markers and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after lipopolysaccharides (LPS) challenge in A. japonicus using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. A total of 162 million high-quality reads of 174 million raw reads were obtained by deep sequencing using Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 platform. Assembly of these reads generated 94 704 unigenes, with read length ranging from 200 to 16 153 bp (average length of 810 bp). A total of 36 005 were identified as coding sequences (CDSs), 32 479 of which were successfully annotated. Based on the assembly transcriptome, we identified 142 511 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Among them, 33 775, 63 120 and 45 616 were located in sequences without predicted CDS (non-CDSs), CDSs and untranslated regions (UTRs), respectively. These putative SNPs included 82 664 transitions and 59 847 transversions. Totally, 89 375 (59.1%) were distributed in 15 473 known genes. A total of 6417 microsatellites were detected in 5970 unigenes, 3216 of which were annotated and 2481 were successfully subjected for primer design. The numbers of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) identified in non-CDSs, CDSs and UTRs were 2367, 2316 and 1734. These potential SNPs and SSRs are expected to provide abundant resources for genetic, evolutionary and ecological studies in sea cucumber. Transcriptome comparison revealed 1330, 1347 and 1291 DEGs in the coelomocytes of A. japonicus at 4 h, 24 h and 72 h after LPS challenge, respectively. Approximately 58.4% (1802) of total DEGs have been successfully annotated.

ER stress-mediated apoptosis induced by celastrol in cancer cells and important role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in the signal network

HeLa cells treated with celastrol, a natural compound with inhibitive effect on proteasome, exhibited increase in apoptotic rate and characteristics of apoptosis. To clarify the signal network activated by celastrol to induce apoptosis, both the direct target proteins and undirect target proteins of celastrol were searched in the present study. Proteasome catalytic subunit β1 was predicted by computational analysis to be a possible direct target of celastrol and confirmed by checking direct effect of celastrol on the activity of recombinant human proteasome subunit β1 in vitro. Undirect target-related proteins of celastrol were searched using proteomic studies including two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis and iTRAQ-based LC-MS analysis. Possible target-related proteins of celastrol such as endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERP29) and mitochondrial import receptor Tom22 (TOM22) were found by 2-DE analysis of total cellular protein expression profiles. Further study showed that celastrol induced ER stress and ER stress inhibitor could ameliorate cell death induced by celastrol. Celastrol induced translocation of Bax into the mitochondria, which might be related to the upregulation of BH-3-only proteins such as BIM and the increase in the expression level of TOM22. To further search possible target-related proteins of celastrol in ER and ER-related fractions, iTRAQ-based LC-MS method was use to analyze protein expression profiles of ER/microsomal vesicles-riched fraction of cells with or without celastrol treatment. Based on possible target-related proteins found in both 2-DE analysis and iTRAQ-based LC-MS analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was established using bioinformatic analysis. The important role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) in the signal cascades of celastrol was suggested. Pretreatment of LiCL, an inhibitor of GSK3β, could significantly ameliorate apoptosis induced by celastrol. On the basis of the results of the present study, possible signal network of celastrol activated by celastrol leading to apoptosis was predicted.