Axial coordination reactions with nitrogenous bases and determination of equilibrium constants for zinc tetraarylporphyrins containing four β,β′-fused butano and benzo groups in nonaqueous media

The axial coordination properties of six zinc tetraarylporphyrins with seven different nitrogenous bases were examined in CH2Cl2 for derivatives containing four [Formula: see text],[Formula: see text]-fused butano or benzo groups and the equilibrium constants (log[Formula: see text] determined using spectral titration methods. The examined compounds are represented as butano(YPh)4PorZn and benzo(YPh)4PorZn, where Por is the porphyrin dianion and Y is a CH3, H or Cl substituent on the para-position of each meso-phenyl ring of the macrocycle. The initial four-coordinate butano- and benzoporphyrins will axially bind one nitrogenous base to form five-coordinate derivatives in CH2Cl2 and this leads to a 4–22 nm red-shift of the Soret and Q bands. The log[Formula: see text] values range from 1.98 to 4.69 for butano(YPh)4PorZn and from 3.42 to 5.36 for benzo(YPh)4PorZn, with the exact value depending upon the meso and [Formula: see text]-substituents of the porphyrin and the conjugate acid dissociation constants (p[Formula: see text] of the nitrogenous base.

[The characteristic of hereditary spherocytosis related gene mutation in 37 Chinese hereditary spherocytisis patients]

目的

揭示遗传性球形细胞增多症（HS）红细胞膜蛋白基因突变特征。

方法

应用二代测序技术检测2015年4月至2018年1月临床明确诊断的51例HS患者红细胞膜蛋白基因突变情况，将检出并预测为红细胞膜蛋白基因有害突变的37例患者纳入研究，分析基因突变构成、突变类型及与临床表现型的关系。

结果

37例HS患者中，ANK1突变17例（45.9%）、SPTB突变14例（37.8%）、SLC4A1突变5例（13.5%）、ANK1突变复合SPTB突变1例（2.7%），未发现SPTA1及EPB42突变。红细胞膜蛋白基因突变类型中无义突变（36.8%）和错义突变（31.6%）最常见。在检出的38个突变位点中，34个为新发突变（89.5%）。16例HS患者进行父母基因验证，6例（37.5%）为遗传获得突变，10例（62.5%）为自发突变。HS患者外周血细胞参数与红细胞膜蛋白突变基因类型无关；轻型+中间型患者SPTB突变构成比更高，重型患者ANK1突变构成比更高，但差异无统计学意义（P=0.664）。

结论

中国HS以ANK1和SPTB基因突变最常见，突变类型主要为错义突变和无义突变；不同HS相关基因突变与HS严重程度间无明显相关。

[Using target next-generation sequencing assay in diagnosing of 46 patients with suspected congenital anemias]

目的

评估靶向二代基因测序（NGS）在先天性贫血诊断中的价值。

方法

设计含217个先天性贫血相关致病基因的NGS基因组合——BDHAP-2014，对2014年8月至2017年7月连续就诊的临床怀疑诊断先天性贫血的患者进行NGS检测和亲代验证。

结果

共纳入46例患者，临床疑诊分别为范可尼贫血（FA）11例、先天性红细胞生成异常性贫血（CDA）8例、先天性铁粒幼红细胞性贫血（CSA）6例、先天性溶血性贫血（CHA）12例、先天性角化不良（DC）1例、铁剂难治性缺铁性贫血（IR-IDA）4例及未明原因的血细胞减少（Uc）4例。经靶向NGS检测，28例（60.9%）患者明确了诊断和（或）分型，累及12个基因共44种致病性突变。其中26例（56.5%）基因诊断结果与临床疑诊相符，包括FA（5/11，45.5%）、CSA（6/6，100.0%）、CDA（3/8, 37.5%）及CHA（12/12，100.0%）；2例（4.3%）患者的基因诊断结果与临床疑诊不一致，依据NGS纠正了诊断，包括1例DC和1例家族性噬血细胞性淋巴组织细胞增生症（FHL）；12例CHA依据基因检查结果进一步明确了溶血类型。18例（39.1%）患者未明确致病基因，最终未能明确诊断。

结论

NGS对临床疑诊先天性贫血患者具有重要的诊断价值，可为临床治疗选择提供依据。

Improvements in epidermal function prevent relapse of psoriasis: a self-controlled study

While therapeutic approaches for psoriasis are widely available, preventive regimens are lacking. We aimed to determine whether improvements in epidermal function could prevent psoriasis relapse. Two self-controlled cohort studies were designed, enrolling two cohorts of patients with psoriasis (n = 30 and n = 60) to be treated topically with an in-house-prepared emollient or ATOPALM^® cream applied twice daily to one forearm for 20 and 30 days, respectively, while the same sites on the contralateral arm served as the untreated control. Epidermal function on both arms was assessed prior to and at the end of the trials. Delayed relapse on the treated arm was seen in 54.5% and 71% of patients in the first and second cohort, respectively. The time of psoriatic relapse correlated with the extent of abnormalities in baseline epidermal function. These results suggest that improvements in epidermal function with topical emollients can prevent/attenuate the development of psoriasis.

Electrochemistry of zinc tetraarylporphyrins containing fused butano and benzo groups. Effect of solvent and substituents on spectra, potentials and mechanism in nonaqueous media

Two series of zinc tetraarylporphyrins containing four [Formula: see text],[Formula: see text]′-pyrrole fused butano or benzo groups were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties in nonaqueous media. The examined compounds are represented as butano(Ar)4PorZn and benzo(Ar)4PorZn, where Por is the porphyrin dianion and Ar is a [Formula: see text]-CH3Ph, Ph or [Formula: see text]-ClPh substitutent on [Formula: see text]-positions of the macrocycle. Each Zn(II) butano- and benzoporphyrin undergoes two one-electron reductions to give a [Formula: see text]-anion radical and dianion in CH2Cl2. In contrast, three reductions were observed for the benzoporphyrin derivatives in pyridine, the third of which is assigned as electron addition to a benzophlorin anion generated from the doubly reduced benzoporphyrin. Two overlapped one-electron oxidations were observed for the butanoporphyrins in CH2Cl2, a result not previously observed for any other zinc porphyrin. The electrochemically measured HOMO-LUMO gap of the benzoporphyrins ranges from 1.89 to 1.90 V in CH2Cl2 and from 1.93 to 1.95 V in pyridine. Both values are smaller than the gaps of butanoporphyrins at 2.11-2.13 V in CH2Cl2 and 2.07.2.09 V in pyridine.

[Delayed hematologic response to immunosuppressive therapy in severe aplastic anemia]

目的

分析极重型／重型再生障碍性贫血（V/SAA）患者一线免疫抑制治疗（IST）迟发血液学反应特征，探讨难治性V/SAA尽早二次治疗的合理性。

方法

回顾性分析一线接受IST的533例V/SAA患者临床资料，定义IST后6个月内获得血液学反应为应时反应，定义6~12个月获得血液学反应为迟发反应，观察迟发反应的发生率、血液学反应质量及其影响因素。

结果

533例患者中，45例（8.44%）获得迟发反应，占未获得应时反应且继续接受环孢素A治疗患者的29.03%（45/155）。至IST后12个月及随访结束时迟发反应组血液学反应质量均劣于应时反应组（χ²=62.616，P<0.001和χ²= 6.299，P=0.043）。迟发反应组VSAA患者比例高于应时反应组（57.8％对38.3%，P=0.013），外周血网织红细胞（ARC）比例、ARC计数以及ANC更低，多因素分析显示治疗前ARC<10×10⁹/L的患者获得应时反应的机会明显减少[OR=3.641(95% CI 1.1718~7.719），P=0.001]；未发现独立预测IST后6个月无效患者获得迟发血液学反应的因素。6个月未获血液学反应患者5年总生存率为76.50%（95% CI 71.6%~81.4%）、无事件生存率为29.10%（95% CI 25.2%~33.0%），均显著低于应时反应组患者的97.6%（95% CI 96.6%~98.6%）、84.0%（95% CI 81.1%~86.9%）（P值均<0.001）。

结论

V/SAA患者IST获得迟发血液学反应难以预测，比例较小，疗效质量相对较差。难治性V/SAA患者尽早进行挽救治疗是合理的。

[Treatment of transfusion-dependent nonsevere aplastic anemia with cyclosporine A plus ATG/ALG versus cyclosporine A plus androgens: a retrospective single center study]

目的

比较抗人胸腺／淋巴细胞球蛋白（ATG/ALG）联合环孢素A (CsA）与CsA联合雄激素一线治疗输血依赖非重型再生障碍性贫血（TD-NSAA）疗效。

方法

回顾性分析2007年8月至2014年9月125例TD-NSAA患者临床资料，比较一线采用ATG/ALG联合CsA与CsA联合雄激素治疗的血液学反应及生存情况。

结果

125例TD-NSAA患者中，男70例，女55例，男女比为1.27∶1；中位年龄27 (6~66）岁。其中48例一线接受ATG/ALG联合CsA治疗，77例一线接受CsA联合雄激素治疗，两组早期死亡率分别为2.1%（1/48）及0 (0/77）（P=0.384）。ATG/ALG联合CsA组患者治疗后3个月总体血液学反应率（70.8％对45.5%，P=0.006）和良好血液学反应率（27.1％对10.4%，P=0.015）均高于CsA联合雄激素组；两组治疗后6个月总体血液学反应率（75.0％对55.8%，P＝0.031）与良好血液学反应率（41.7％对22.1%，P=0.020）差异亦有统计学意义，治疗后6个月ATG/ALG联合CsA组脱离血制品输注依赖的中位时间为36.5 (0~149) d，明显短于CsA联合雄激素组的98 (14~180）d（P<0.001）。ATG/ALG联合CsA组与CsA联合雄激素组患者3年总生存率（97.9％对100.0%，P=0.227）和无事件生存率（71.2％对59.5%，P=0.227）差异无统计学意义。

结论

一线采用CsA联合雄激素治疗TD-NSAA血液学反应率和血液学反应质量均不及ATG/ALG联合CsA，两组患者短期生存率相同，应优选ATG/ALG联合CsA方案治疗TD-NSAA。

[A preliminary study on the outcome of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome by low-dose decitabine]

目的

评价小剂量地西他滨治疗较低危骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）患者的初步疗效及安全性，探讨MDS相关基因突变的临床意义。

方法

纳入浙江省4所医院收治的62例较低危MDS患者，治疗分2组，地西他滨组（地西他滨12 mg·m⁻²·d⁻¹，连续5 d）和支持治疗组，检测与MDS预后相关的15项基因突变情况。比较两组患者的总体有效率（ORR）和无进展生存（PFS）时间，分析其与基因突变的相关性。

结果

62例患者中，可评估患者51例，其中地西他滨组24例，支持治疗组27例。与支持治疗组相比，地西他滨组的ORR（66.7%对29.6%，χ²=6.996，P=0.008）和中位PFS时间显著改善（未达到对13.7个月，P=0.037）。51例患者中20例（39.2%）检测到基因突变阳性，其中4例患者单纯SF3B1阳性，均在支持治疗组。与基因突变阴性患者相比，16例基因突变阳性（除单纯SF3B1阳性）患者中位PFS时间显著缩短（9.2个月对18.5个月，P=0.008），其中地西他滨组8例患者中6例有效，支持治疗组无一例（0/8）有效。地西他滨治疗期间主要不良反应为3~4级粒细胞减少（45.8%），3~4级感染发生率为33.3%（8/24）。

结论

该研究小系列患者的初步结果表明应用小剂量地西他滨治疗较低危MDS患者可能有效，对于基因突变患者也可获益，且患者耐受，值得临床试验进一步明确其临床意义。

[Expression of Fermintin family homologous protein 2 in non-small cell lung cancer and its clinical significance]

Objective: To investigate the expression of Fermintin family homologous protein 2 (FERMT2) in non-small cell lung cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: Seventy-two patients with non-small cell lung cancer were collected at Xinxiang Central Hospital, Henan Province, from January 2015 to January 2017.There were 48 male and 24 female patients, the age ranged from 37 to 78 years (mean 58 years). The expression of FERMT2 in tumor samples and para-cancerous tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Protein and mRNA expression of FERMT2 were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively. Western blot method was also used to detect integrin-related protein expression, including integrin beta 1 (CD29), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM1), and mobile related protein-1 (MRP1). Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive rates of FERMT2 expression were 81.9%(59/72)in carcinoma tissue and 15.4%(11/72) in para-cancerous tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Positive FERMT2 expression was different in tumors at different tumor stages: 11/17 at stage Ⅰ, 16/20(80.0%)at stage Ⅱ, 17/20(85.0%)at stage Ⅲ, and 15/15 at stage Ⅳ, and there was a significant difference between each stage (P<0.01). By real-time PCR and Western blot, the expression of FERMT2 in non-small cell lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than that of para-cancerous tissue (P<0.01). The expression levels of integrin related proteins (integrin β1, VCAM1 and MRP1) in tumor tissues were significantly higher than those in para-cancerous tissues, and positively correlated with the expression of FERMT2 (r=0.531, P<0.01; r=0.483, P<0.01; r=0.612, P<0.01). Conclusions: FERMT2 is highly expressed in non-small cell lung carcinomas. Its expression is closely correlated with the tumor clinical stage. It is hypothesized that FERMT2 may promote tumor metastasis through interactions with integrin-like protein.

[The clinical and laboratory characteristics of congenital pyruvate kinase deficiency]

Clinical data of 19 patients with congenital pyruvate kinase deficiency were analyzed. Insufficient pyruvate kinase confirmed the diagnosis. Laboratory parameters of hemolysis were summarized. In cases of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and unexplained hemolytic anemia, pyruvate kinase activity and next generation sequencing test may help the early diagnosis.

[Effect of APP on prognosis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery]

Objective:To investigate interventional effect of APP on prognosis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery. Method:One hundred and forty-four chronic rhinosinusitis patients in our hospital were divided into observation group and control group randomly; observation group had 71 patients, and control group had 73 patients. The control group was treated with standard discharge instruction. In addition to standard discharge instruction, observation group was followed up and directed by using of APP. Two groups' VAS scores and Lund-Kennedy scores were compared in admission time, and 6 months after discharge. Result:There was no significant difference in the Lund-Kennedy scores and VAS scores between the two groups in admission time. However, 6 months after discharge, Lund-Kennedy scores and VAS scores in observation group were obviously lower than control group(P< 0.05). Conclusion:The use of healthy APP can significantly promote patients with chronic rhinosinusitis recovery and re-visit after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Electrochemistry of N-confused inner amino-substituted free-base tetraarylporphyrins in nonaqueous media

Four N-confused free-base tetraarylporphyrins containing an amino group on the inner carbon of the inverted pyrrole were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties in dichloromethane and N,N-dimethylformamide containing 0.1 M tetra-[Formula: see text]-butylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. The examined compounds are represented as (NH[Formula: see text](Ar)[Formula: see text]NcpH[Formula: see text], where “Ncp” is the N-confused porphyrin macrocycle and Ar is a [Formula: see text]-CH[Formula: see text]OPh, [Formula: see text]-CH[Formula: see text]Ph, Ph or [Formula: see text]-ClPh substituent on each meso-position of the macrocycle. Each porphyrin undergoes multiple irreversible reductions and oxidations. The first one-electron addition and first one-electron abstraction are located on the porphyrin [Formula: see text]-ring system to give [Formula: see text]-anion and [Formula: see text]-cation radicals with a HOMO–LUMO gap ranging from 1.21 to 1.34 V in CH[Formula: see text]Cl[Formula: see text] and 1.06 to 1.12 V in DMF. Both electrogenerated products are unstable and undergo a rapid chemical reaction to give new electroactive species which can be further reduced at more negative potentials or further oxidized at more positive potentials. The effects of the inner amino-substituent on the UV-vis spectra and electrochemical properties of the porphyrin are discussed, and comparisons made to data in the literature for both structurally related N-confused porphyrins containing an inner carbon NO[Formula: see text] group and derivatives without the inner substituent.

[Primary culture of cat intestinal epithelial cell and construction of its cDNA library]

Objective To establish the primary cat intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) culture methods and construct the cDNA library for the following yeast two-hybrid experiment, so as to screen the virulence interaction factors among the final host. Methods The primary cat IECs were cultured by the tissue cultivation and combined digestion with collagenase XI and dispase I separately. Then the cat IECs cultured was identified with the morphological observation and cyto-keratin detection, by using goat anti-cyto-keratin monoclonal antibodies. The mRNA of cat IECs was isolated and used as the template to synthesize the first strand cDNA by SMART™ technology, and then the double-strand cDNAs were acquired by LD-PCR, which were subsequently cloned into the plasmid PGADT7-Rec to construct yeast two-hybrid cDNA library in the yeast strain Y187 by homologous recombination. Matchmaker™ Insert Check PCR was used to detect the size distribution of cDNA fragments after the capacity calculation of the cDNA library. Results The comparison of the two cultivation methods indicated that the combined digestion of collagenase XI and dispase I was more effective than the tissue cultivation. The cat IECs system of continuous culture was established and the cat IECs with high purity were harvested for constructing the yeast two-hybrid cDNA library. The library contained 1.1×10⁶ independent clones. The titer was 2.8×10⁹ cfu/ml. The size of inserted fragments was among 0.5-2.0 kb. Conclusion The yeast two-hybrid cDNA library of cat IECs meets the requirements of further screen research, and this study lays the foundation of screening the Toxoplasma gondii virulence interaction factors among the cDNA libraries of its final hosts.

Validation of GPSkin Barrier® for assessing epidermal permeability barrier function and stratum corneum hydration in humans

BACKGROUND

Measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) hydration are important for assessing epidermal functions. However, the availability of reliable and user-friendly devices, which can simultaneously measure both TEWL and SC hydration and can allow health providers to remotely access data in time, is limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GPSkin Barrier^® was compared with MPA5 system in the measurements of TEWL and SC hydration on the cheek, the dorsal hand, and the forearm in 200 normal volunteers, including 126 females and 74 males, aged 1-78 years with an average age of 45.24 ± 1.04 years. Correlation of data measured with MPA5 system and GPSkin Barrier^® was determined.

RESULTS

Levels of both TEWL and SC hydration measured with the Barrie GPSkin Barrier^® were lower than that with MPA5 system on all 3 body sites except for hydration on the cheek. The levels of both TEWL and SC hydration measured with GpSkin Barrier^® were correlated well with that measured with MPA5 system on all 3 body sites CONCLUSIONS: GPSkin Barrier^® is a reliable, affordable, and versatile device for assessing epidermal permeability barrier function and SC hydration.

The effects of add-on exenatide to insulin on glycemic variability and hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of add-on exenatide to insulin on glycemic excursion and the counter-regulatory hormone in response to hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS

30 patients with T1DM were recruited and randomly assigned to exenatide + insulin-treated group (group 1, n = 15) or insulin-only-treated group (group 2, n = 15) for 4 weeks. All patients had continuous glucose monitor system (CGMS) applied at before (week-0) and after (week-4) treatment to evaluate the glycemic variability. All patients had an arginine-stimulated test at before and after treatment. Six patients from each group also had hypoglycemic clamp test to assess counter-regulatory hormone level.

RESULTS

Patients in the exenatide group had significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), total insulin dose, bolus insulin dose, fructosamine, and glycemic excursion after 4 weeks' treatment. Compared with patients in group 2, the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) and coefficient of variation (CV) of exenatide group decreased significantly. Similarly, a significant decrease of glucagon (GLC) in the arginine-stimulated test was found in group 1. No significant changes of GLC, growth hormone (GH), cortisol (COR), epinephrine (E), and norepinephrine (NE) were found in both groups during hypoglycemia clamp test. However, patients who had residual islet function in group 1 showed an upward trend of basic C-peptide (C-P) and GLC during the hypoglycemia period.

CONCLUSION

Although exenatide could inhibit glucagon secretion during euglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with T1DM, it has no effect on GLC and counter-regulatory hormones during hypoglycemia clamp in patients with no functional residual islet test.

Effects of Talaromyces marneffei infection on mortality of HIV/AIDS patients in southern China: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Talaromyces marneffei is an opportunistic infection with high morbidity among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients in Southeast Asia and southern China. Its effects on mortality in HIV/AIDS patients has not been clearly elucidated.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized HIV-infected individuals at the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Guangxi, China during 2012-2015. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to calculate the cumulative mortality. Cox proportional hazard models and 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) were used to evaluate the effects of T. marneffei infection on mortality of HIV/AIDS patients.

RESULTS

In total, 6791 HIV/AIDS patients were included, 1093 of them (16.1%) with documented T. marneffei co-infection. The mortality of T. marneffei-infected patients (25.0 per 100 person-months, 95% CI 21.5-26.7) was the highest among all AIDS-associated complications and was significantly higher than that of T. marneffei-uninfected HIV/AIDS patients (13.8 per 100 person-months, 95% CI 12.5-15.1; adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.80, 95% CI 1.48-2.16). The results using PSM were similar (AHR 4.52 95% CI 2.43-8.42). The mortality of T. marneffei-infected patients was also significantly higher than that of patients without any complications. When stratified by demographic characteristics, T. marneffei infection has higher mortality risk in all stratifications. Co-infection with T. marneffei carries a higher mortality risk in patients at any CD4⁺ T-cell count.

CONCLUSIONS

Talaromyces marneffei infection is commonly found in hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients in southern China and was associated with a higher mortality rate than most HIV-associated complications. These results highlight the need for improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infection by this neglected fungal pathogen in southern China.

Conditional reprogrammed human limbal epithelial cells represent a novel in vitro cell model for drug responses

In this study, we established human limbal epithelial cells (LECs) from normal limbal tissues by using Conditional Reprogramming (CR) technology (refer to CR-LEC cells in this study). We have successfully established CR-LEC cell strains from three human donors (3 out of 3), and normal rabbits (2 out of 2) and pig (1 out of 1) as well. CR-LEC cells sustained a continuous and stable proliferation status with a normal karyotype, normal response to DNA damage, well-defined structured spheres in matrigel 3D culture. Responses of CR-LEC cells to IFN α2b, Ganciclovir and 5-Fluorouracil were different, suggesting that these drugs had different toxicities to these cells as expected. More important, there was no significant difference of responses to drugs between early and late passages of CR-LEC cells (p>0.05), indicating CR-LEC cells can serve a stable normal human cell model for toxicity assessment. Toxicity tests with monolayer cultures of CR-LEC cells were measured by staining the F-actin and Dsg-1 expression. Toxicity of three drugs at LD50 concentration resulted in a gradually increased destruction of monolayer, which is, in accordance with the irritation grade of three drugs on human cornea epithelium. Therefore, CR-LEC cells provide a novel and reliable in vitro physiological cell model for corneal toxicity assessment.

[Incidence rates of HIV-1 epidemics among 4 high risk groups in Sichuan province during 2011-2015]

Objective: Data from the HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites was used to identify the recent HIV-1 infections and to estimate the HIV-1 incidence and epidemic trends among intravenous drug users (IDU), MSM, female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics in Sichuan province. Methods: Specimens collected from IDUs, MSM, female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics sentinel sites were confirmed as HIV-1 positive and tested with BED-CEIA. Annual HIV-1 prevalence and incidence rates were calculated and the incidence was adjusted by McNermar method. Results: A total number of 194 223 serum specimens were collected and HIV antibody tested, with 5 297 HIV-1 positive. 4 640 of the positives underwent BED-CEIA, with 749 identified as recent infections. During 2011-2015, HIV-1 incidence rates of the four types of population appeared as 5.16% (95%CI: 4.65-5.66), 0.22% (95%CI:0.16-0.28), 0.57%(95%CI: 0.45-0.69), 7.53% (95%CI: 6.06-9.01) and 0.44% (95%CI: 0.36-0.53) respectively. Significant differences were seen in the HIV-1 incidence rates. Conclusions: The HIV-1 incidence rates of IDUs from other sentinel sites in Sichuan province, female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics appeared low, showing that the AIDS prevention and control activities worked effectively. However, the HIV-1 incidence of MSM was still at high level and even rising, suggesting that HIV-1 transmission between MSM and IDUs was possible.

Cobalt Tetrabutano- and Tetrabenzotetraarylporphyrin Complexes: Effect of Substituents on the Electrochemical Properties and Catalytic Activity of Oxygen Reduction Reactions

Three series of cobalt tetraarylporphyrins were synthesized and characterized by electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry. The investigated compounds have the general formula (TpYPP)Co, butano(TpYPP)Co^II, and benzo(TpYPP)Co^II, where TpYPP represents the dianion of the meso-substituted porphyrin, Y is a CH₃, H, or Cl substituent on the para position of the four phenyl rings, and butano and benzo are respectively the β- and β'-substituted groups on the four pyrrole rings of the compound. Each porphyrin undergoes one or two reductions depending upon the meso substituent and solvent utilized. Two irreversible reductions are observed for (TpYPP)Co^II and butano(TpYPP)Co^II in CH₂Cl₂ containing 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate; the first leads to the formation of a highly reactive cobalt(I) porphyrin, which can then rapidly react with a solvent to give a Co^IIICH₂Cl as the product. Only one reversible reduction is seen for benzo(TpYPP)Co^II under the same solution conditions, and the one-electron-reduction product is assigned as a cobalt(II) porphyrin π-anion radical. Three oxidations can be observed for each examined compound in CH₂Cl₂. The first oxidation is metal-centered for the (TpYPP)Co and benzo(TpYPP)Co^II derivatives, leading to generation of a cobalt(III) porphyrin with an intact π-ring system, but this redox process is ring-centered in the case of butano(TpYPP)Co^II and gives a Co^II π-cation radical product. Each porphyrin was also examined as a catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) when adsorbed on a graphite electrode in 1.0 M HClO₄. The number of electrons transferred (n) during ORRs is 2.0 for the butano(TpYPP)Co^II derivatives, consistent with only H₂O₂ being produced as a product for the reaction with O₂. However, the reduction of O₂ using the cobalt benzoporphyrins as catalysts gave n values between 2.6 and 3.1 under the same solution conditions, thus producing a mixture of H₂O and H₂O₂ as the reduction product. This result indicates that the β and β' substituents have a significant effect on the catalytic properties of the cobalt porphyrins for ORRs in acid media.

Abstract P3-15-04: Signalling pathways targeted by the YangZheng Xiaoji extract and the therapeutic implications in human breast cancer

Background. Yangzheng Xiaoji is a formulation of Chinese medicine and has been used in the treatment of solid cancer as an adjuvant to chemotherapy by reducing the side effects to the patient. There has been evidence to show that the medicine has a direct biological role in cancer cells. In the present study, we sought to investigate the potential effects of the medicine on breast cancer cells and in particular aimed to identify the key targets and molecular pathways contributing to the anti-cancer effect of the medicine.

Methods. Human breast cancer cell lines (BT549, BT20, MDA MB-231, MCF-7 and ZR 75-1) with varying invasiveness and receptor status were used. The soluble extract of Yangzheng Xiaoji, namely DME25 was used in the study. The effects of DME25 on the growth, toxicity and cellular migration were assessed. Signalling kinase changes were screened using kinase antibody array based array technologies. Kinases were also validated using phosphorylation based protein blotting.

Results. Of the five breast cancer cell lines tested, Yangzheng Xiaoji extract DME25 showed little cytotoxicity over a broad range of concentrations. However, DME25 were able to markedly reduce the migration of the panel of breast cancer tested, without being toxic. Triple negative cells responded in a similar fashion with other cells. It was also noted that the adhesion of these cells were also inhibited by DME25. Using a protein kinase array, it was shown that a number of kinase complexes were inhibited by the medicine, notable ones including EGFR family kinases (reduced by 35%), Janus protein kinases (JAK) (by 57%), and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac1 or CDC42 GTPase) (by 49%) and Ribosomal protein S6 kinases (RSKs) (by 52%). Given the clinical significance of RSKs in human breast cancer, we further evaluated the role of RSK and RSK inhibitors in DME mediated cell functions and have demonstrated that both in triple negative breast cancer cells and receptor positive breast cancer cell lines, DME25 was able to synergistically enhance the effect of RSK2 inhibitor, SL1010-1, on the both the cellular migration and cell growth.

Conclusion. Yangzheng Xiaoji has a broad and direct effect on the migration of breast cancer, an effect unrelated to hormone receptor status and independent of cytotoxicity. The medicine appears to target kinase pathway, particularly for the RSK kinases, suggesting an important clinical implication in the treatment of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Jiang WG, Ye L, Owen S, Ruge F, Martin TA, Sanders AJ, Gao G, Wei C, Wu Y, Davies E. Signalling pathways targeted by the YangZheng Xiaoji extract and the therapeutic implications in human breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-15-04.

[The life span of red blood cell in patients with severe/very severe aplastic anemia]

Objective: To explore the life span of red blood cells (RBC) in patients with severe/very severe aplastic anemia (SAA/VSAA). Methods: Clinical data of 128 SAA/VSAA patients from November 2016 to April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and 13 healthy volunteers in the same period was used as normal control. The endogenous Breath Carbon Monoxide (CO) test was used to detect the life span of RBC in SAA/VSAA patients, and the effect of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) on the life span of RBC in these patients was explored. Results: The mean life span of RBC in 51 untreated SAA/VSAA patients was (50.69±21.43) d, which was significantly shorter than that in normal controls[(111.85±31.55) d](t=-6.611, P<0.001). The mean life span of RBC in 77 patients treated with IST was (87.14±39.28) d. The mean life span of RBC in complete responses (CR), hematologic response (HR) and non-response (NR) patients were (106.15±32.12) d, (92.00±38.60) d and (50.44±21.56) d, respectively. The life span of RBC in patients with HR was significantly longer than that in newly diagnosed and NR patients (t=7.430, P<0.001; t=4.846, P=0.002), which was similar to that in the normal controls (t=-1.743,P=0.085). There was no statistical significance between CR patients and the normal controls in the mean life span of RBC (t=-0.558, P=0.579). No factor affecting the RBC life span was found in univariate logistical regression analyses in the newly diagnosed SAA/VSAA patients. The serum levels of IL-2R and IL-6 were much lower in HR patients than NR patients[IL-2R: 4.3×105 U/L vs 6.5×105 U/L, z=-2.733, P=0.006; IL-6: 2.6 (2.0-17.7) ng/L vs 6.1 (2.0-14.4) ng/L, z=-2.968, P=0.003]. Of the 51 newly diagnosed patients, 38 received IST and their 3-month curative effect was evaluated. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive effect of RBC life span of untreated patients on the efficacy of IST before treatment. The cut-off point was 60 days with sensitivity of 37.5% and specificity of 86.4%. In 9 cases with life span of RBC>60 d before IST, 6 cases acquired HR, while in 29 cases with life span of RBC ≤ 60 d before IST, 10 cases acquired HR, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.128). Conclusion: The life span of RBC in SAA/VSAA patients was shortened, which can be improved even recovered to the normal after IST. Elevated cytokines might play a role in the pathophysiology of the shortened RBC life span in SAA/VSAA.