Vasorelaxant effects of the extracts and some flavonoids from the buds of Coreopsis tinctoria

CONTEXT

The buds of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt (Compositae) are used in the treatment of hypertension in the Uyghur folk medicine in China.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate vasorelaxant properties of extracts and some flavonoids from C. tinctoria (CT) and their underlying mechanisms in isolated rat thoracic aortic rings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Vasorelaxant effects of ethanol extracts of CT (CTA) and its flavonoids as well as water-ethanol eluates from CTA by AB-8 resins (CTAA∼CTAF) were evaluated on rat aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE, 1 µM) or high KCl (60 µM). We evaluated the effect of CTA, CTAD and CTAE on PE-induced contraction in a Ca²⁺-free medium and a dose-effect curve of Ca²⁺ in pre-contracted ring with high KCl.

RESULTS

Endothelial removal did not modify the effect of CTAD and CTAE (3.00 g/L) neither on PE-pre-contracted rings (164.78 ± 21.44 and 191.47 ± 16.75%) nor on KCl-pre-contracted rings (75.68 ± 10.76 and 125.14 ± 17.41%) compared with intact-endothelium rings pre-contracted with high KCl (100.49 ± 17.30 and 110.81 ± 16.33%). CTAD and CTAE (3.00 g/L) down-regulated the dose-effect curve of Ca²⁺ in pre-contraction with high KCl, and inhibited the pre-contraction with PE in a Ca²⁺-free medium (p < 0.05). Seven flavonoids were obtained from CTAD, of which luteolin (5) and quercetin (6) were found to be the most effective relaxation in rings precontracted with PE (EC₅₀: 0.006 and 0.039 g/L, p < 0.05) or high KCl (EC₅₀: 0.023 and 0.045 g/L, p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

These data demonstrated the vasorelaxant effect of CT, and its mechanism is likely due to an inhibitory effect on calcium movements through cell membranes.

[Clinical and prognostic analysis of 101 cases of primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

This study was purposed to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PGI-NHL). The pathological data of 101 PGI-NHL patients admitted in our hospital in the past 15 years were analyzed retrospectively. The results showed that 101 patients with PGI-NHL accounted for 14.49% of NHL in the same period, there were 64 males, 37 females, the range of ages was from 18 to 87 years old, median age was 61 years old; in disease distribution, the stomach PGI-NHL accounted for 58.42%, intestine PGI-NHL accounted for 39.60%, multiple GI involvements (MGI) accounted for 1.98%; in pathological type, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounted for 66.34%, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma accounted for 17.82%, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) accounted for 3.96%, enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma (EATL) accounted for 7.92%, extra-nodal nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma accounted for 1.98%, follicular lymphoma (FL) accounted for 0.99%, small lymphocyte lymphoma (SLL) accounted for 0.99%. Eighty-nine out of 101 patients were followed up (49 cases live, 40 cases dead), data of the 12 patients were lost; the median survival time was 29 months (1 - 173). The three-year OS and five-year OS were 58.4% and 52.6% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting OS included sex (P = 0.004), lesion site (P = 0.002), tumor size (P = 0.011), clinical Lugano staging for gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (P = 0.003), IPI score (P = 0.000), pathological cell phenotype (P = 0.001), and pathological type (P = 0.006), their differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that clinical Lugano staging for gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, IPI score, pathological type were independent prognostic risk factors affecting OS. It is concluded that clinical Lugano staging for gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, IPI score and pathological type are independent risk factors affecting OS.

Regulation of synoviocyte activity by resveratrol in rats with adjuvant arthritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of resveratrol (Res) on rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) and the mechanism(s) of action. An AA model was established by injection of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was visualized in joint specimens using immunohistochemistry. IL-1β and TNF-α production in synoviocytes was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α was observed in synoviocytes using the reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method. The synoviocytes of the AA model were stimulated by Res or treated with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine prior to stimulation. The expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was detected by western blotting. Res was able to reduce the elevated levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and inhibit the mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the synoviocytes of the AA model rats. VEGF expression in the Res-treated group was significantly lowered. The protein expression levels of p-ERK1/2 were significantly higher in the Res-treated group compared with those of the model group, while p-ERK1/2 was markedly lower in the group pretreated with chelerythrine. Res has a therapeutic effect on AA rats, which may be correlated with its immunoregulatory actions, and may activate p-ERK1/2 in synoviocytes via PKC.

[Influence of donor activating or inhibitory KIR on prognosis of unmanipulated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

This study was purposed to investigate the role of NK-alloreactivity and donor-inhibiting or activating KIR gene in predicting prognosis under unmanipulated allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation. A modified polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) method was used to typing KIR and HLA genotype of donors and recipients. The relationship between donor activating or inhibitory KIR and recipient HLA genotypes on event free survival (EFS), cumulative incidence of malignant relapse and transplant-related mortality (TRM) were investigated retrospectively in 67 patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The results showed that no effect of 'KIR/HLA mismatched' was detected on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and relapse. The EFS of KIR/HLA mismatched group was lower, especially KIR2DL1/HLA-C2 mismatched group (44.8% vs 69.2%, P = 0.043). However, EFS was better for the presence of donor-activating KIR2DS2 (81.3% vs 52.6%, P = 0.052), and the relapse rate was significantly lower for the presence of this genotype (7.7% vs 34.2%, P = 0.05). EFS was worse in patients homozygous for group 1 HLA-C (C1) when donor carries the activating KIR2DS1 (KIR2DS1 positive/HLA-C2-negative group, P = 0.028), and the incidence of aGVHD in this group was significantly higher than that in any other groups (P = 0.028). In multivariate analysis, advanced disease stage, more than two donor-activating KIR, donor KIR2DS2-negative genotype were associated with an reduced disease-free survival (HR = 3.34, 2.19, 3.18;and P = 0.005, 0.053, 0.066). Donor KIR2DS2-negative genotype were also associated with an increased risk of relapse (HR = 6.72, 9.43; and P = 0.019, 0.047). And donor KIR2DS1 positive/recipient HLA-C2 negative group was the only risk factor of TRM (HR = 3.27, 95% CI 1.78 - 9.06, P = 0.023). It is concluded that missing ligand for the donor inhibitory KIR has weak effect on the outcome of unmanipulated HSCT. The activating KIR play an important role in the EFS, relapse and TRM after HSCT. Donor KIR2DS1-positive/recipient HLA-C2-negative group and donor KIR2DS1 gene negative predict poor prognosis. Analysis of KIR genotype and its ligand is important for the selection of best donor and prognostic evaluation in unmanipulated allogeneic HSCT.

[Hematopoietic reconstitution on the prognosis of hematological malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of the time to hematopoietic reconstitution on the prognosis of hematological malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODS

173 patients with hematological malignancies treated with allo-HSCT (excluding umbilical cord blood transplantation) at Peking University first Hospital between 2003 and 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, the patients were divided into tow groups. The 5-year overall survival (OS), transplant-related mortality (TRM), relapse rate (RR) and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

The quicker neutrophil engraftment group with an estimated 5-year OS rate of 66.63%, 5-year TRM of 21.58% and 5-year RR of 18.65%. The slower neutrophil engraftment group with OS of 61.84%, TRM of 24.14% and RR of 23.57%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that no relationship was found between time to neutrophil engraftment and OS, TRM and RR (P = 0.462, P = 0.893, P = 0.545, respectively). There seems to be a trend toward increasing incidence of OS in quicker platelet engraftment group(OS were 69.44% and 54.31%, respectively), but no significant difference (P = 0.065). TRM were 19.13% and 25.45%, respectively (P = 0.424), RR were 17.36% and 24.71%, respectively (P = 0.251). Multivariate analyses showed that the time to neutrophil engraftment was not a significant risk factor for prognosis, the time to platelet engraftment was an independent risk factor for OS and TRM, but not a significant risk factor for RR. Pre-transplantation disease status was the only independent prognostic factor for RR.

CONCLUSIONS

The time to platelet engraftment was a significant predictor after allo-HSCT. Early platelet engraftment increased OS, which this may be due to decreasing TRM.

The effect of statins on the no-reflow phenomenon: an observational study in patients with hyperglycemia before primary angioplasty

BACKGROUND

An association between admission plasma glucose levels and an increased risk of no-reflow has been well documented. Although HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) therapy can reduce no-reflow, little is known about its effect on no-reflow in patients with hyperglycemia. In the present study, we investigated whether pretreatment with a statin could reduce no-reflow in patients with hyperglycemia, who underwent primary coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

A total of 259 consecutive patients who underwent primary angioplasty for a first AMI were studied. Blood glucose and creatinine kinase levels were measured on admission. All patients underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography and electrocardiographic analysis just after admission. No-reflow was defined as a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade <3. Hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level >or=10 mmol/L. Statin administration prior to admission was determined by detailed interview or information in the medical records.

RESULTS

Hyperglycemia was diagnosed in 154 patients on admission. The no-reflow phenomenon was found in 31 of the 154 patients with hyperglycemia. The incidence of no-reflow was significantly greater in patients with hyperglycemia compared with no hyperglycemia. A multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hyperglycemia on admission was an independent predictor of no-reflow. Among the 154 patients with hyperglycemia, there were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between patients who received statin pretreatment and those who did not; however, hyperlipidemia occurred in a greater number of the patients who did not receive statin pretreatment. The 40 patients with hyperglycemia who received statins before admission had a lower incidence of no-reflow than those who did not receive statin pretreatment (5% and 25.4%; p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that absence of statin pretreatment was a significant predictor of no-reflow in patients with hyperglycemia, along with ejection fraction on admission, initial TIMI 0 flow, number of Q waves, and anterior AMI.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study show that pretreatment with statins could attenuate no-reflow after AMI in patients with acute hyperglycemia.

[Changes of cell immunophenotypes after transformation from myeloproliferative disorders into acute myeloid leukemia]

Some cases of myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) could be transformed into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the cell differentiation process of MPD into AML has not yet been observed in vivo. This study was aimed to reveal this differentiation process. The flow cytometry was used to analyse the immunophenotype of differentiated cells of 2 MPD cases who developed into AML in a short time. The reports showed that the different MPD-AML subclones are presented when the MPD cells that proliferate slowly in vivo become the AML blast cells that proliferate rapidly. It is concluded that understanding the process of MPD crisis will help the MPD-AML early diagnosis and treatment.

[Quantitative monitoring of blood cytomegalovirus after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its clinical significance]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factor for cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia and its impact on the survival of patients after allogeneic hematological stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODS

Quantitative fluorescence PCR was used to examine the quantity of CMV in mononuclear cells. All patients were tested weekly after allo-HSCT within 3 months. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the risk factors of CMV viremia. Five-year overall survival rate was compared and analyzed between the patients with or without CMV viremia.

RESULTS

The incidence of CMV viremia was 72.1% (132/183). Of which, 59.1% (78/132) occurred post one month after transplantation, 40.9% (54/132) occurred within one month and 27.9% (51/183) sustained negative within three months. Two cases were clearly diagnosed as CMV disease with a incidence of 1.1%. Both univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that transplant methods and blood cyclosporine A (CsA) concentration were significantly correlated with CMV viremia. When pairwise compared the results between the different transplant methods, significant differences of CMV viremia were found between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched sibling and HLA mismatched relatives, unrelative donor or cord blood (all P values < 0.05). There was no significant difference between HLA mismatched relatives and unrelative donor or cord blood. Further analysis showed that the incidence of CMV viremia was much higher in those who had used antithymocyte globulin (ATG) then those not used ATG. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed there was no significant difference between the groups with and without CMV viremia.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CMV viremia after allo-HSCT is 72.1%. Administration of ATG during conditioning regimen and blood CsA concentration > 300 µg/L are the main risk factors for CMV viremia. There is no significant effect of CMV viremia on the cumulative overall survival, while prompt treatment of CMV viremia is a crucial way to prevent CMV disease.

Experience with adrenal schwannoma in a Chinese population of six patients

OBJECTIVES

Benign adrenal schwannoma is an extremely uncommon cause of incidentaloma. This article describes our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal schwannoma in a Chinese population of 6 patients. To our knowledge, this is the largest series of this uncommon adrenal tumor treated in a single center.

METHODS

From May 1999 to May 2009, 6 patients with incidentally discovered adrenal schwannoma were operated on at a tertiary referral hospital in Eastern China. Clinical details, radiographic features, laboratory examinations, pathological findings, and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 6 patients, 4 were females (F) and 2 were males (M), with a mean age of 40.5 yr (range: 30-47, M:F=2:1). The 6 patients were managed with open unilateral adrenalectomy; 5 patients had schwannomas on the left side, and 1 on right side. Abnormal urine catecholamine was detected in 1 patient. The mean pathological size of these tumors was 4.3 ± 1.1 cm. The diagnosis of schwannoma was based on classic histological findings, and supported by immunohistochemistry of S-100, vimentin, and ABC positivity. In the follow- up of 47.5 ± 32.3 months, no recurrence and metastasis were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there may be some clues for radiological diagnosis of adrenal schwannoma, preoperative misdiagnosis is not infrequent. Those tumors may occasionally have endocrine function. Histological examination is the key of diagnosis, and surgical resection is the treatment of choice once malignancy cannot be excluded by preoperative analyses.

[Incidence and risk factors of hemorrhagic cystitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors of hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The data of 188 transplant patients treated from July 2003 to August 2009 in Peking University First Hospital were studied. The patients were followed up to 180 days after HSCT. Clinical records of the total 188 cases and the 150 cases underwent allogeneic HSCT out of 188 cases were analyzed by using a Cox regression model respectively. The results indicated as follows: (1) 51 of 188 patients developed HC (27.12%). Univariate analysis showed that sex (male RR = 1.673, p = 0.076), allogeneic HSCT (RR = 1.848, p = 0.061) were related to HC, and allogeneic HSCT (RR = 4.508, p = 0.037) was the independent risk factor for HC by multivariate analysis. (2) HC occurred in 32.67% (49/150) patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT, with 42 cases of grade II-IV HC (28.00%). For the incidence of grade II-IV HC, univariate analysis revealed mismatched related donor/matched unrelated donor (RR 2.444, p = 0.018), CMV viruria (RR 2.059, p = 0.021) and CMV positive in serum and urine at the same time (RR 2.497, p = 0.003) were risk factors. The following factors, as conditioning with Fludarabine (Flu) (RR 0.504, p = 0.059) and TBI (RR 0.185, p = 0.095), were associated with a decreased tendency of II-IV HC at age of 26 - 40 (compared with age ≤ 25 or ≥ 41, RR 0.454, p = 0.056). Some others, as conditioning with CTX (RR2.015, p = 0.063), the application of ATG (RR 2.343, p = 0.054) and CMV viremia (RR 2.123, p = 0.088), were associated with an increased tendency of II-IV HC by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CMV positive in serum and urine at the same time (RR 2.269, p = 0.008), conditioning without Flu (RR = 2.106, p = 0.040) were the independent risk factor for grade II-IV HC. And the application of ATG (RR = 2.154, p = 0.083) was related to the tendency of higher incidence of grade II-IV HC. It is concluded that the incidence of HC is high in patients underwent allogeneic HSCT. CMV positive in serum and urine at the same time, while conditioning without Flu are the independent risk factors of grade II-IV HC. Application of ATG is related to the increased trend of grade II-IV HC.

[Quantitative monitoring of mononucleated cell Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA for predicting EBV associated lymphoproliferative disorders after stem cell transplantation.]

OBJECTIVE

To monitor blood cells EBV-DNA copies by quantitative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) polymerase chain reaction after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to evaluate its implication.

METHODS

EBV-DNA copies of peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMNCs) were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR once a week since conditioning regimen from fifty one patients received HSCT. Correlation between development of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) and EBV-DNA copies and influence factors of EBV reactivation were analyzed.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of EBV viremia was 58.8%. EBV reactivation occurred (39.6 +/- 23.5) days after HSCT, later than that of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation (25.0 +/- 15.1) days (P < 0.01). HLA mismatch (P < 0.01), use of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (P < 0.01), age less than twenty (P < 0.001) were factors for EBV reactivation, (93.3% vs 48.1%, 92.3% vs 18.7%, and 100% vs 53.1%, respectively). EBV related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV-PTLD) occurred only in 4 out of 30 (13.3%) EBV reactivation patients, whose EBV DNA load maintained over 10(6) copies/ml for at least two weeks (4 out of 13 cases). The median survival time of EBV-PTLD patients was 19.5 (11 - 75) days.

CONCLUSIONS

EBV reactivation occurs frequently after HSCT, especially in those received HLA mismatch grafts, used antithymocyte globulin or aged under twenty. Patients with EBV loads over 10(6) copies/ml, especially lasting over two weeks, appear to have an increased risk for PTLD, and pre-emptive therapy may be of clinical useful.

Incidence and risk factors of workplace violence on nursing staffs caring for chronic psychiatric patients in taiwan

This one-year follow-up study determined the incidence and risk factors of workplace violence against nursing staff in a psychiatric hospital. The cohort members had a website to report events whenever they came across violence. A total of 971 events were reported. The incidence rates of physical violence, verbal abuse, bullying/mobbing, sexual harassment, and racial harassment were 1.7, 3.7, 0.2, 0.3, and 0 per staff-year, respectively. Young age, female sex, lower education, shorter duration of employment, and high level of anxiety of staff seemed to be the determinants of violence. Pre-placement education should focus on these staff to reduce workplace violence.

Carvedilol reduces myocardial no-reflow by decreasing endothelin-1 via activation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel

It has been verified that carvedilol can attenuate myocardial no-reflow. However, the effects of carvedilol on adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are unknown. Forty mini-swines were randomized into 5 study groups: 8 control, 8 carvedilol pretreatment, 8 glibenclamide (KATP channel blocker)-treated, 8 carvedilol and glibenclamide-pre-treated and 8 sham-operated. An acute myocardial infarction(AMI) and reperfusion model was created with a three-hour occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by one-hour reperfusion. Compared with the control group, carvedilol significantly decreased the area of no-reflow (myocardial contrast echocardiography: from 78.5±4.5% to 24.9±4.1%, pathological means: from 82.3±1.9% to 25.8±4.3% of ligation area, respectively; all p < 0.01) and reduced necrosis size from 98.5±1.3% to 74.4±4.7% of ligation area, p < 0.05). It also decreased plasma ET-1 and myocardial tissue ET-1. However, glibenclamide abrogated the protective effect of carvedilol. The beneficial effect of carvedilol on myocardial no-reflow could be due to its effect on ET-1 via the activation of the KATP channel.

Intravenous adenosine reduces myocardial no-reflow by decreasing endothelin-1 via activation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel

It has been verified that adenosine can attenuate myocardial no-reflow. However, the effects of adenosine on adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are unknown.

METHODS

Forty mini-swines were randomized into 5 study groups: 8 in the control group, 8 in the adenosine pretreatment group, 8 in the glibenclamide (K(ATP) channel blocker)-treated group, 8 in the adenosine and glibenclamide-pretreated group and 8 in the sham-operated group. An acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion model was created with three-hour occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by a one-hour reperfusion.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, adenosine significantly decreased the area of no-reflow (myocardial contrast echocardiography: from 78.5 +/- 4.5% to 20.7 +/- 4.1%, pathological means: from 82.3 +/- 1.9% to 21.5 +/- 4.3% of ligation area, respectively; all P < 0.01), reduced necrosis size from 98.5 +/- 1.3% to 75 +/- 4.7% of ligation area, P < 0.05). It also decreased plasma ET-1 and myocardial tissue ET-1. However, glibenclamide abrogated the protective effect of adenosine.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effect of adenosine on myocardial no-reflow could be due to its effect on ET-1 via the activation of K(ATP) channel.

[Skeletal desmoplastic fibroma in right mandible: a case report]

Skeletal desmoplastic fibroma is an intraosseous neoplasm that is recognized as a very scare benign tumor. It has a propensity for locally aggressive behavior and local recurrence. The aim of this article is to report a case of skeletal desmoplastic fibroma in right mandible of a 4-year-old boy. The patient was found to have a large skeletal desmoplastic fibroma in right mandible, which was resected by surgical intervention. The defect was successfully restored with a titanium plate. In the report, the etiopathogenisis, pathological, radiographic features, clinical diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of skeletal desmoplastic fibroma were diccussed.

An updated meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection for gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether and how much gastric cancer patients after curative resection could benefit from chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Meta-analysis was conducted with all the qualified clinical randomized trials which compared adjuvant chemotherapy with surgery alone. The database includes MEDLINE, EMBase and CBM disc, and the censor data were up to November 2007. Primary outcomes were relative risk (RR) on death and disease-free survival (DFS); secondary outcomes include RR of adverse reactions of the two arms. Sub-group analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. All the calculations and statistical tests were done with the RevMan 4.2.8 software.

RESULTS

Finally, 23 trials which included 4919 patients (2441 in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm, 2478 in the observation arm) achieved all the criteria. Among them, 19 studies reported the survival rate at the end of follow-up, 60.6% alive among 2286 patients in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm, 53.4% alive among 2313 patients in the observation arm, with the RR on death of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.80-0.90). Eight studies reported the DFS, and the observation arm had a shorter DFS (RR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.77-0.99). Grade 3/4 of myelosuppression and GI toxicity occurred more frequently in the treatment arm. Nine studies reported the recurrence rate and suggested that the treatment arm had a lower recurrence rate (RR: 0.78, 95%CI: 0.71 approximately 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Statistically, adjuvant chemotherapy could improve the survival rate and disease-free survival rate in gastric cancer after curative resection and reduce the relapse rate. However, the clinical benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy still need to be improved. Additionally, post-operative chemotherapy could be tolerated.

An updated meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection for gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether and how much gastric cancer patients after curative resection could benefit from chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Meta-analysis was conducted with all the qualified clinical randomized trials which compared adjuvant chemotherapy with surgery alone. The database includes MEDLINE, EMBase and CBM disc, and the censor data were up to November 2007. Primary outcomes were relative risk (RR) on death and disease-free survival (DFS); secondary outcomes include RR of adverse reactions of the two arms. Sub-group analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. All the calculations and statistical tests were done with the RevMan 4.2.8 software.

RESULTS

Finally, 23 trials which included 4919 patients (2441 in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm, 2478 in the observation arm) achieved all the criteria. Among them, 19 studies reported the survival rate at the end of follow-up, 60.6% alive among 2286 patients in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm, 53.4% alive among 2313 patients in the observation arm, with the RR on death of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.80-0.90). Eight studies reported the DFS, and the observation arm had a shorter DFS (RR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.77-0.99). Grade 3/4 of myelosuppression and GI toxicity occurred more frequently in the treatment arm. Nine studies reported the recurrence rate and suggested that the treatment arm had a lower recurrence rate (RR: 0.78, 95%CI: 0.71 approximately 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Statistically, adjuvant chemotherapy could improve the survival rate and disease-free survival rate in gastric cancer after curative resection and reduce the relapse rate. However, the clinical benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy still need to be improved. Additionally, post-operative chemotherapy could be tolerated.

Identification of differentially expressed genes from the cross-subfamily cloned embryos derived from zebrafish nuclei and rare minnow enucleated eggs

Cross-species nuclear transfer (NT) has been used to retain the genetic viability of a species near extinction. However, unlike intra-species NT, most embryos produced by cross-species NT were unable to develop to later stages due to incompatible nucleo-cytoplasmic interactions between the donor nuclei and the recipient cytoplasm from different species. To study the early nucleo-cytoplasmic interaction in cross-species NT, two laboratory fish species (zebrafish and rare minnow) from different subfamilies were used to generate cross-subfamily NT embryos in the present study. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was performed to screen out differentially expressed genes from the forward and reverse subtractive cDNA libraries. After dot blot and real-time PCR analysis, 80 of 500 randomly selective sequences were proven to be differentially expressed in the cloned embryos. Among them, 45 sequences shared high homology with 28 zebrafish known genes, and 35 sequences were corresponding to 22 novel expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Based on functional clustering and literature mining analysis, up- and down-regulated genes in the cross-subfamily cloned embryos were mostly relevant to transcription and translation initiation, cell cycle regulation, protein binding, etc. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the determination of genes involved in the early development of cross-species NT embryos of fish.

[Study on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of Co6 films on Ag electrodes]

The thin films of C60 on Ag electrodes were studied by in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in acetonitrile solution and water solution respectively. The influence of C60 from bulk solution on the SERS of the adsorbed C60 was removed by pre-forming C60 films on the electrode. The results indicate that the split of some relevant Raman bands was attributed to the loss of vibrational degeneracy due to the lowering of the C60 molecular symmetry. Moreover, the surface selection rule was extended because of the influence of the surface electromagnetic field in which some forbidden modes became Raman-active. The results were similar to that of C60 molecules adsorbed on Ag electrode in the solution of C60. A weak band at about 348 and 311 cm(-1) was observed for the C60 films in acetonitrile solution and in aqueous solution respectively, which could be assigned to the interaction of C60 and Ag electrode surface.

[Cloning and the sequence analysis of the fish glutathione transferase Pi gene]

Using RT-PCR method, the glutathione transferase Pi cDNAs were cloned from Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Carassius auratus. The open reading frames (ORFs) from the 3 fishes were 627 bp long (encoding for 208 amino acids) with the initial code ATG and the terminal code TGA. The sequence similarity was 50% between fish and mammals, 33% between fish and amphibian, and 15% between fish and arthropoda, respectively. The sequence similarity was big among fishes, and the average value of the 4 cyprinids was about 85%. Phylogenetic tree was constructed for 13 species based on GST Pi amino acid sequences using MP (Maximum Parsimony) method. Two major clusters were recognized: cluster one consisted of Mammals (bootstrap 100) and cluster two consisted of fishes (bootstrap 93). Based on the sequences analyses of N/C domain of GST Pi, we proposed the detoxification mechanism of freshwater fishes that were thought to have stronger tolerance to microcystins.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism influences lipid phenotypes in Chinese families with familial combined hyperlipidemia

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism is associated with changes in the lipoprotein profile of individuals with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), but its effects on the lipoprotein profiles of members of Chinese families with FCHL remain uncertain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

43 FCHL families (n=449) and 9 normolipidemic families (n=73) were recruited to assess the influence of apoE polymorphism on plasma lipids. The relative frequency of the epsilon4 allele in affected and unaffected FCHL relatives, spouses and normolipidemic members was 13.8%, 5.3%, 9.1% and 6.8%, respectively, with a significantly higher frequency in affected FCHL relatives, compared with unaffected FCHL relatives or normolipidemic members (p=0.0002 or p=0.029). In FCHL relatives, the apoE4 subset (E4/4 and E4/3) exhibited significantly higher levels of apoB, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) than did the apoE3 (E3/3) subset, especially in women (all p<0.05), and there was significant elevation of LDL-C concentrations in men only (p<0.05). In men, the apoE2 (E3/2) subset indicated a decreased level of apoB and increased apoA1 compared with those in the apoE3 subset (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ApoE polymorphism appears to be associated with variance of the lipoprotein phenotype in Chinese families with FCHL.

Conservative treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: an analysis of 20 cases

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS: The clinical data of 20 patients with severe acute pancreatitis were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: A total of 20 patients with SAP received integrated treatment of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and inflammatory abdominal dropsy occurred in all the patients. Of the 20 patients, 6 cases were found with shock, 17 with paralytic ileus, 2 with peripancreatic infection, 3 with acute respiratory distress syndrome and 1 with renal failure. No deaths appeared.

CONCLUSION: Integrated Chinese and Western medicine is effective in the treatment of SAP.

Inflammatory intestinal obstruction early after abdominal operation in elderly patients: an analysis of 35 cases

AIM: To conclude the experiences on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the early abdominal postoperative inflammatory intestinal obstruction in elderly patients.

METHODS: The clinical data of 35 elderly patients with the early abdominal postoperative inflammatory intestinal obstruction were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: The early abdominal postoperative inflammatory intestinal obstruction of the elderly patients mostly occurred 4-12 d after abdominal operation. Besides normal symptoms and signs of the intestinal obstruction, it also had specific characteristics of its own. Of the 35 cases, 33 were cured without operation, and the mean time from the onset of symptoms to the recovery of bowel function was 8 ± 1 d (range: 4-28 d).

CONCLUSION: Non-operative treatment can gain satisfactory results for the the early abdominal postoperative inflammatory intestinal obstruction in elderly patients, and less surgical trauma and inhibition of the postoperative inflammation play a predictive role to some extent.

Assessment of life quality of patients after rectal carcinoma operation

AIM: To evaluate the changes of life quality of patients with rectal cancer before and after operation.

METHODS: The life qualities of 48 patients (Dixon: n = 25; Miles: n = 23) with rectal cancer were assessed using gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) before and 1, 6, 12 mo after operation.

RESULTS: The mean preoperative GIQLI score of all the patients was 104.21. The scores were 91.97 (P < 0.05), 105.65 (P > 0.05), and 113.95 (P < 0.05), respectively, 1, 6 and 12 mo after operation. The GIQLI score of Dixon's group was slightly lower than that of Miles' group 1 mo after operation (P > 0.05), but significantly higher than 6 and 12 months after operation (107.30 ± 10.57 vs 103.85 ± 11.03, P < 0.05; 116.35 ± 12.64 vs 111.34 ± 13.65, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The life quality of patients with rectal cancer falls in the early period after operation due to the damage of operation and complication, but it is significantly improved in the long period, which is related to the operation style.