[Increasing sensitivity of leukemia cells to imatinib by inhibiting NHE1 and p38MAPK signaling pathway]

This study was aimed to investigate whether the inhibition of NHE1 activity and intracellular acidification can reverse resistance of leukemia cells to the imatinib and to explore downstream signal molecule networks of BCR/ABL in the cells of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) patients. The mRNA and protein expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and the drug accumulation were assayed after acidifying the primary leukemia cells of patients or K562/DOX and K562/G01 cells. The effects of intracellular acidification of primary leukemia cells on the phosphorylation level changes of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that the intracellular concentration of drugs in the advanced patients increased and the sensitivity of K562/DOX and K562/G01 cells to imatinib was enhanced after intracellular acidification or treatment with NHE1 inhibitor cariporide. With downregulation of intracellular pH, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK decreased in advanced patients and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 increased within 3 min and then decreased after 30 min. SB203580, the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, displayed a synergistic effect with the inhibitor of NHE1 to downregulate the mRNA and protein expression of Pgp. It is concluded that the inhibiton of NHE1 can significantly decrease the protein expression of Pgp in K562/DOX and K562/G01 cells, increase the accumulation of Rhodamine123 and doxorubicin in the cells of advanced patients and enhance the sensitivity of cells to imatinib in which the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathways involves.

[Characteristics of cytogenetics and molecular biology in patients with eosinophilia]

The aim of study is to explore the characteristics of cytogenetics and molecular biology in patients with eosinophilia. Bone marrow samples from 79 cases of eosinophilia (AEoC ≥ 1.5×10(9)/L) were detected for PDGFRA/B and FGFR1 gene rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Forty-four samples were detected for T cell receptor (TCR) clonal rearrangement by PCR. The results showed that among 76 cases the FIP1L1/PDGFRA (F/P) fusion gene was detected in 19 cases, the CHIC2 deletion was detected in 19 cases, the PDGFRA rearrangement was detected in 4 cases, and no FIP1L1 rearrangement was detected. According to the 2008 WHO classification, diagnosis were revised as myeloid neoplasms with PDGFRA/B rearrangement in 20 (42%) of 48 patients and 5 (83%) of 6 patients with hypereosinophilia syndrome (HES) or chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), respectively. The diagnosis in (17%) of 6 patients with CEL was revised as chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise as specified (CEL-NOS). Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 1 case of CEL-NOS and 3 cases with PDGFRB rearrangement. Karyotypic abnormalities involved in chromosome 4q12 were not detected in all of the 21 cases with PDGFRA rearrangement. The clonal TCR gene rearrangement were detected in 33% (5/15), 40% (6/15), and 36% (5/14) cases with PDGFRA/B rearrangement, HES, or secondary eosinophilia, respectively. There was no statistical difference in incidence rate among 3 subgroups. It is concluded that PDGFRA/B rearrangement can be detected in many cases of HES or CEL. Interphase FISH and PCR testing can enhance the diagnostic rate of myeloid neoplasms with PDGFRA/B rearrangement.

Isolation and characterization of new microsatellite markers in the pen shell Atrina pectinata (Pinnidae)

The pen shell, Atrina pectinata, is a commercially important bivalve species, widely consumed in the Asian Pacific region. We identified 16 new microsatellite makers for A. pectinata using a modified fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeat protocols; 27 individuals were collected from Xiamen to evaluate the degree of polymorphism. The number of polymorphic alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.050-0.913 and 0.049-0.869, respectively. The loci identified in this study could provide a useful tool for research on genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of A. pectinata populations.

[Comparison on efficacy and the safety evaluation on peripheral facial paralysis treated with electroacupuncture of different waveforms]

OBJECTIVE

To use electroacupuncture (EA) of different waveforms to treat peripheral facial paralysis and assess the clinical efficacies of 3 kinds of EA waveforms (continuous wave, disperse-dense wave and intermittent wave).

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-nine cases of Bell's palsy were randomly divided into a continuous wave group (45 cases), a disperse-dense wave group (40 cases) and an intermittent wave group (44 cases). The acupoints were Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Xiaguan (ST 7), Hegu (LI 4), etc. The House-Brackmann (H-B) scale was used in the assessment on the day of the inclusion, in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th sessions of treatment and in 1st and 3rd months of the follow-up visit after the end of treatment separately.

RESULTS

The cured rates were 68.9% (31/45), 60.0% (24/40) and 65.9% (29/44) in the continuous wave group, the disperse-dense wave group and the intermittent wave group separately. The results of the rank sum test showed that the efficacy comparison among the groups did not present the statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Electroacupuncture achieves the significant clinical efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis and there are no any significant differences in the efficacy among the different waveforms. It is suggested that the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture on the disease has nothing significant correlation with the waveforms.

Differential expression analysis of porcine MDH1, MDH2 and ME1 genes in adipose tissues

Malate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (MDH1 and MDH2), and malic enzyme 1 (ME1) play important roles in the Krebs cycle for energy metabolism. The mRNA abundance changes of MDH1, MDH2 and ME1 genes were measured across six different adipose tissues from the leaner Landrace and fatty Rongchang pig breeds using quantitative real-time PCR. The mRNA of MDH1, MDH2 and ME1 was more abundant in fatty Rongchang pigs than in leaner Landrace pigs. In both breeds, females exhibited higher adipocyte volume and mRNA abundance of MDH1, MDH2 and ME1 compared with males. These values were higher in the subcutaneous adipose tissue compared with visceral adipose tissue. Furthermore, mRNA abundance changes of MDH1, MDH2 and ME1 have the remarked significant positive correlation with adipocyte volume across the six adipose tissue types. We conclude that there are breed-, gender- and tissue-specific expression patterns of ME1, MDH1 and MDH2, which highlight their potential as candidate genes for selecting for fat volume in pigs.

A novel multi-parameter scoring system for distinguishing sarcoidosis from sputum negative tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of unknown cause, affecting multiple organs. Tuberculosis is the world's second most common cause of death from infectious diseases. Due to the similar clinical, radiological and histopathological pictures in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been considered as potential infectious factor. However, it remains difficult to distinguish sarcoidosis from tuberculosis, especially when sputum examinations for mycobacterium are negative.

METHODS

1. to establish a scoring system for differentiating sarcoidosis and tuberculosis: We collected the risk factors, laboratory data and the data of clinical, radiographic, pathological manifestations from the 117 of sarcoidosis patients and 181 of sputum negative tuberculosis patient. And we put them into the designed form. Based on the results of univariate analysis, clinical experience and the literature, we further selected 13 variables that were more supportive to distinguish the two diseases. Finally 9 variables were selected based on logistic regression to establish the scoring systems with significant differences between the two diseases. The beta-coefficient form the logistic regression were used to calculate the weight of each variable. Four types of comprehensive scoring models were established in the end (clinical-- radiographic; clinical--radiographic--radionuclide; clinical--radiographic--pathological and clinico-radiographic--radionuclide--pathological group). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to determine an optimal cutoff point for each scoring system. 2. to validate the accuracy of the established scoring system: 73 of new sarcoidosis patients and 57 of new tuberculosis patients were chosen to assess the diagnosis accuracy of the four scoring systems.

RESULTS

1. we established four types of comprehensive scoring models, included clinical--radiographic; clinical--radiographic--radionuclide; clinical--radiographic--pathological and clinico--radiographic--radionuclide--pathological scoring models, the optimal cutoff values respectively were 9, 17, 18 and 22, the sensitivity and specificity of the four scoring system to distinguish the two diseases respectively were: 93.16% (109/117) and 97.79% (177/181), 92.31% (108/117) and 98.90% (179/181); 93.16% (109/117) and 98.90% (179/181); 94.87% (111/117) and 98.90% (179/181). 2. Validation of the scoring systems with 130 new patients (73 of sarcoidosis and 57 of tuberculosis):, the sensitivity and specificity of CR, CRE, CRP, CREP were 91.78% (67/73) and 87.72% (50/57), 97.26% (69/73) and 98.25% (56/57), 94.52% (71/73) and 96.49% (55/57), 98.63% (72/73) and 98.25% (56/57) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The four scoring systems established by this study can be utilized to differentiate sarcoidosis and sputum negative tuberculosis effectively. Based on the availability of clinical-radiographical/histopathological data, any of the four diagnostic scoring systems were reliable tools for differential diagnosis, with increased information leading to better discrimination.

EUS elastography for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) elastography for the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign pancreatic masses.

METHODS: Patients with pancreatic masses were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined by EUS and EUS elastography. Elastographic pattern was scored with whole numbers from 1 to 5 based on the color of elastographic images. Scores 1 and 2 were classified as benign and scores 3 to 5 as malignant.

RESULTS: Elastography was successfully performed in all patients and there were no procedure-related complications. Nineteen patients were finally diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma, 1 with malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, 1 with benign endocrine tumor and 6 with focal pancreatitis. According to our diagnostic criteria of elastography, the overall accuracy of EUS elastography for the differential diagnosis of focal pancreatic masses was 88.89% (24/27), with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 100%, 57.14%, 86.96% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: EUS elastography has a relatively high accuracy for the differentiation of benign and malignant pancreatic lesions and may provide an alternative method when EUS-FNA reveals negative results or cannot be performed because of technical problems.

Mesoporous SnO2@carbon core-shell nanostructures with superior electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries

SnO2@carbon nanostructure composites are prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The composite exhibits unique structure, which consists of a mesoporous SnO2 core assembled of very small nanoparticles and a carbon shell with 10 nm thickness. The mesoporous SnO2@carbon core-shell nanostructures manifest superior electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The reversible specific capacity of the composite is about 908 mAh g(-1) for the first cycle and it can retain about 680 mAh g(-1) after 40 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 0.3 C. Moreover, it shows excellent rate capability even at the high rate of 4.5 C. The enhanced performance was attributed to the mesoporous structure and a suitable carbon coating.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin regulates intracellular accumulation of Rh123 in cancer cells

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major problem facing patients with cancer. Although Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is highly expressed in various cancers, the possible role of NGAL in MDR is still obscure. In this article, we evaluated the effect of NGAL on Rh123 accumulation in cancer cells. NGAL was first down-regulated by short hairpin RNA-mediated interference. In correlation with the reduced NGAL expression, intracellular Rh123 accumulation was significantly decreased. We finally observed that inhibiting both of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK could seriously down-regulate NGAL expression and also decrease the intracellular accumulation of Rh123, indicating that NGAL-mediated Rh123 accumulation is regulated by the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Pretreatment of MDA-MB-231 with NGAL recombinant protein and antibody had significant effects on the intracellular accumulation of Rh123, whereas little effect was observed in K562 cells treated with the same method, suggesting that NGAL was involved in the regulation of Rh123 accumulation in these two types of cancers, although different pathways. Here we provide new evidence that directly shows the possibility of small chemical substances Rh123 intracellular accumulation that is regulated by NGAL. These results suggest the possibility of NGAL involvement in drug transportation and cancer MDR formation, and indicate the potential of NGAL in cancer therapy.

A vacuum pressure sensor based on ZnO nanobelt film

A vacuum pressure sensor was fabricated by assembling ZnO nanobelt film on the interdigital electrodes, and the current–voltage characteristics were measured with an Agilent semiconductor parameter tester. Under different pressures of 1.0 × 10(3), 6.7 × 10(−3), 8.2 × 10(−4) and 9.5 × 10(−5) mbar, the currents are 8.71, 28.1, 46.1 and 89.6 nA, and the pressure sensitive resistances are 1150, 356, 217 and 112 MΩ, respectively. In the range of 10(−5)–10(3) mbar the smaller the pressure is, the higher the current is. The pressure sensitive resistance of the vacuum pressure sensor increases linearly with the logarithmic pressure, and the measurement range is at least one order of magnitude wider than that of the previous sensors. Under the final pressure, the vacuum pressure sensor has maximum sensitivity (9.29) and power consumption of 0.9 μW. The sensitivity is larger than that of the previous sensor based on a ZnO single nanowire at that pressure, and the power consumption is much lower than that for the sensor based on a ZnO nanowire array. The pressure sensitive mechanism is reasonably explained by using oxygen chemisorption and energy band theory.

[Clinical and cytogenetic features and their influencing factors of core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the clinical and cytogenetic features of core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and the main factors that influence the prognosis.

METHOD

Totally 130 CBF AML patients were followed up and their clinical features, immunophenotype, chromosome karyotype, treatment regimen, overall survival (OS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall complete remission (CR) rate was 96.1%, among which the CR rate after the first treatment course was 77.2%. The overall median OS was 51.64 (0.26-132.5) months, while the median RFS did not reach 1.18-96.62 months. The 3-year OS was 50% and the 5-year OS was 41%; the 3-year RFS was 59% and the 5-year RFS was 54%. Patients who were over 45 years and those with chromosome karyotype of 9q- tended to have poorer prognosis. During the consolidating chemotherapy, patients who had received two or more courses of intermediate-dose Ara-C therapy had better prognosis and longer survival. AML patients with inv (16) /t (16; 16) had a significantly higher OS than those with t (8; 21) (P = 0.046), while the RFS showed an opposite finding (P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Age, chromosomal karyotype, and consolidating chemotherapy are the main factors that influence the survival and prognosis of CBF AML patients. Two or more courses of intermediate-dose Ara-C during consolidating chemotherapy can obviously prolong the OS and RFS of CBF AML patients. AML patients with a chromosomal karyotype of inv (16) /t (16; 16) have longer OS and better prognosis than those with t (8; 21).

[Probe of classification of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the biologic features of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and reclassified our ALL patients according to the 2008 WHO classification.

METHODS

Immunophenotype and cytogenetic/molecular genetic results were obtained by flow cytometry, R-banding and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

(1) A total of 412 newly diagnosed and previously untreated adult ALL patients, were 239 males and 173 females. Among 410 patients with available immunophenotypic results, 357 were B-ALL and 53 T-ALL. Myeloid antigen (MyAg) was higher expression in B-ALL than in T-ALL, and was correlated with the expression of CD34. (2) 93 Ph + ALL patients, mainly CD10 ALL, was associated with high WBC count and MyAg and CD34 expression. MLL rearrangement was found in 12 cases, mainly pro-B ALL. (3) 299 cases could be analysed, according to the 2008 WHO classification of ALL, including 126 B-ALL with recurrent genetic abnormalities, and 120 B-ALL not otherwise specified. Among the 126 B-ALL with recurrent genetic abnormalities, 92 were Ph + ALL, 10 MLL + ALL, 11 hyperdiploid, 9 hypodiploid, 3 E2A-PBX +, and 1 TEL-AML1 +. Patients with Ph +, MLL +, hypodiploid or E2A-PBX + were associated with older age, higher WBC count, higher HGB, higher peripheral blasts and higher LDH level as compared with other patients.

CONCLUSION

Combination of immunophenotype and cytogenetic-molecular profiles can provide a further detailed classification of B-ALL.

[Reversal of multidrug resistance in HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells from umbilical cord blood by sustained intracellular acidification]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intracellular acidification on accumulation of rhodamine 123 (rh123) in non-mature cells with none or low expression of multidrug resistance MDR1. The expression of MDR1 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Confocal laser microscopy was used to determine the calibration curve of intracellular acidification (pHi). MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of intracellular acidification on HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells from umbilical cord blood. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the influence of intracellular acidification. The results indicated that the intracellular acidification had no obvious cytotoxicity on HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells. The acidification resulted in the increased rhodamine 123 accumulation in HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells without P-gp activity. Moreover, the more primitive cells, the less accumulation of intracellular Rh123 were observed. It is concluded that the intracellular acidification can reverse the MDR of HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells.

[Inhibition of NHE1 promotes hypoxia-induced differentiation of K562 leukemic cells]

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of hypoxia microenvironment on K562 leukemic cell differentiation, and characteristics of NHE1 involvement in this process. The K562 cells were treated with hypoxia-mimical agent CoCl₂ or under actual hypoxia culture, and the specific NHE1 inhibitor Cariporide was used to inhibit NHE1 activity. The fluorescent probe BCECF was used for pH(i) measurements. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. The morphological characteristics was determined by Wright's staining. Signaling pathways were detected by Western blot using phosphospecific antibodies. The results indicated that the hypoxia or mimetic hypoxia favored K562 cells differentiation with up-regulation of C/EBPα. Moreover, treatment with Cariporide under hypoxia synergistically enhanced leukemia cell differentiation. Treatment with Cariporide increased levels of phosphorylated ERK5 and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). It is concluded that the hypoxia or mimetic hypoxia can induce the differentiation of K562 cells, the inhibition of NHE1 activity can promote the hypoxia-induced K562 cell differentiation. The enhancement of hypoxia-induced K562 differentiation by Cariporide via MAPK signal pathway suggests a possible therapeutic target of NHE1 under hypoxia microenvironment in the treatment of leukemias.

[Expression of CIAPIN1 gene in BMMNC of patients with leukemia]

This study was aimed to investigate the expression level of CIAPIN1 mRNA in leukemia patients and explore its significance in leukemias. The fresh bone marrow was collected from 112 newly diagnosed leukemia patients, the total RNA was extracted by means of TRIzoL, the cDNA was synthesized, the expression of CIAPIN1 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR using β-actin as internal reference; 10 normal healthy persons were selected as controls. The results showed that the expression of CIAPIN1 mRNA was statistically higher in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients than that in normal persons (p < 0.05); but there was no statistical difference between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and normal persons (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the CIAPIN1 gene higher expresses in MNC of newly diagnosed leukemia patients, up-regulation of CIAPIN1 expression may play an important role in pathogenesis of leukemia.

Nuclear accumulation of calcineurin B homologous protein 2 (CHP2) results in enhanced proliferation of tumor cells

The interaction between calcineurin B homologous protein 2 (CHP2) and Na(+) /H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE1), two membrane proteins, is essential for protecting cells from serum deprivation-induced death. Although four putative EF-hands in CHP2 had been predicted for years, Ca²(+) -binding activities of these motifs have not been tested yet, their role in this process remain poorly understood. To identify Ca²(+) -binding motifs required for the stable formation of CHP2/NHE1 complexes, we developed a mutagenesis-based assay in PS120 cells. We found that (45) Ca²(+) bond to two EF-hand motifs (EF3 and 4) of CHP2 proteins with high affinity. Complex formation between CHP2 and the CHP2 binding domain of NHE1 resulted in a marked increase in the Ca²(+) -binding affinity of CHP2. Co-immunoprecipitation and distribution of GFP-tagged CHP2-EF3m/4m also indicated that Ca²(+) affected the membrane location of CHP2 to interact with NHE1. The C-terminal region of CHP2 contains a nuclear export sequence (NES). When the six leucines of NES were mutated to alanines, the resulting CHP2 protein was predominantly localized to the nucleus. Furthermore, mutation of the NES resulted in enhanced proliferation and oncogenic potential of HeLa cells. Together, these results show that calcium and NES control the subcellular distribution of CHP2 and then distinctively regulate cell proliferation.

[Method for expansion in vitro of CD3-CD56+CD16+NK cells highly purified from human peripheral blood]

The aim of this study was to establish an efficient method for expansion in vitro of natural killer (NK) cells highly purified from human peripheral blood. The CD3-CD56+CD16+ NK cells purified by the negative sorting method of MACS (magnetic microbeads activated cells sorting) were expanded with the different combinations of IL-2, SCF, IL-15 in SCGM (stem cell growth medium) supplemented with 10% human AB serum for 18 days. Cultures were fed with fresh medium and cytokines every 3 days. The sum of cells was counted for evaluating the efficiency of expansion. Then the purity of the CD3-CD56+CD16+ NK cells were determined by flow cytometry and the cytotoxicity to K562 targets was detected by CCK-8 assay in the end. Furthermore, the same way was used to explore the relationship between the efficiency of expansion, cytotoxicity to K562 targets of NK cells and the dose of IL-2. The results showed that after peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were purified by the negative sorting method of MACS, the purity of CD3-CD56+CD16+ NK cells increased from (12.70±2.66)% to (93.03±1.72)%. The CD3-CD56+CD16+ NK cells purified by MACS were expanded with the different combinations of IL-2, SCF, IL-15 in SCGM supplemented with 10% human AB serum for 18 days. The expanding multiple of IL-2/IL-15/SCF group was significantly higher than other groups (p<0.05). The purity of NK cells in the groups with cytokines was not significantly lower than that before expansion (p>0.05). The cytotoxicity of the groups with cytokines was significantly higher than that before expansion. Especially, the cytotoxicity (%) of NK cells in IL-2/IL-15 group and IL-2/IL-15/SCF group was more than 90%. The expanding multiples of low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group were significantly higher than that of zero-dose group (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found between themselves (p>0.05). The cytotoxicity of the groups with IL-2 was significantly higher than that before expansion. Cytotoxicity to K562 cells in high-dose group was significantly higher than that in others (p<0.05); there was no significant difference between low-dose group and medium-dose group (p>0.05). It is concluded that cytokines in the 4 groups were efficient for expansion and the cytotoxicity of highly purified NK cells in vitro. IL-2/SCF/IL-15 combination is the most efficient one among different combinations, and enhanced significantly the cytotoxicity of NK cells against K562 targets. The efficiency of expansion and the cytotoxicity in vitro of NK cells are not related with the dose of IL-2, when IL-2<1,000 U/ml. It is indicated that IL-2 of high-dose (≥1,000 U/ml) may enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells in vitro more efficiently.