Prognostic implications of alpha-fetoprotein and C-reactive protein elevation in hepatocellular carcinoma following resection (PACE): a large cohort study of 2770 patients

BACKGROUND

Routine clinical staging for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incorporates liver function, general health, and tumor morphology. Further refinement of prognostic assessments and treatment decisions may benefit from the inclusion of tumor biological marker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and systemic inflammation indicator C-reactive protein (CRP).

METHODS

Data from a multicenter cohort of 2770 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy were analyzed. We developed the PACE risk score (Prognostic implications of AFP and CRP Elevation) after initially assessing preoperative AFP and CRP's prognostic value. Subgroup analyzes were performed in BCLC cohorts A and B using multivariable Cox analysis to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the PACE risk score and its complementary utility for BCLC staging.

RESULTS

Preoperative AFP ≥ 400ng/mL and CRP ≥ 10 mg/L emerged as independent predictors of poorer prognosis in HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy, leading to the creation of the PACE risk score. PACE risk score stratified patients into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups with cumulative 5-year overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates of 59.6%/44.9%, 43.9%/38.4%, and 20.6%/18.0% respectively (all P < 0.001). Increased PACE risk scores correlated significantly with early recurrence and extrahepatic metastases frequency (all P < 0.001). The multivariable analysis identified intermediate and high-risk PACE scores as independently correlating with poor postoperative OS and RFS. Furthermore, the PACE risk score proficiently stratified the prognosis of BCLC stages A and B patients, with multivariable analyses demonstrating it as an independent prognostic determinant for both stages.

CONCLUSION

The PACE risk score serves as an effective tool for postoperative risk stratification, potentially supplementing the BCLC staging system.

[Analysis of risk factors associated with acute Stanford type B aortic dissection complicated with pleural effusion and observation of the curative effect after intracavitary repair]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of acute Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) complicated with pleural effusion (PE) and the short-term and long-term outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods: A case-control study. The clinical and imaging data of 1 083 patients with acute TBAD admitted to the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from April 2002 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 211 cases with pleural effusion and 872 cases without pleural effusion. The baseline analysis of the two groups of patients was performed. The risk factors associated with pleural effusion were analyzed by binary logistic regression, and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). According to the quantity of pleural effusion, they were simultaneously divided into small pleural effusion group and medium large pleural effusion group, to compare the short-term and long-term effects of TEVAR patients with different amounts of pleural effusion. Results: The incidence of pericardial effusion (17.5% vs. 3.8%, P<0.001), anemia (21.3% vs. 12.5%, P=0.001), aortic spiral tear (49.8% vs. 37.8%, P=0.002), dissection tear over diaphragm (57.8% vs. 48.1%, P=0.011), serum creatinine [85 (69, 111) vs. 81 (67, 100) μmol/L, P=0.011] and white blood cell levels[(11.3±4.2)×10⁹/L vs. (10.3±4.2)×10⁹/L, P=0.002] in acute TBAD pleural effusion group were significantly higher than those in non-pleural effusion group, and the hemoglobin level was significantly lower than that in non-pleural effusion group [(128±20) vs. (133±17) g/L, P<0.05]. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that pericardial effusion (OR=5.038,95%CI 2.962-8.568,P<0.001), anemia (OR=2.047,95%CI 1.361-3.079,P=0.001), spiral tear (OR=1.551,95%CI 1.030-2.336, P=0.002) and elevated white blood cell (OR=1.059,95%CI 1.011-1.102, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for TBAD complicated with pleural effusion. The incidences of all-cause death (4/19 vs. 1.5% vs. 0.9%, P<0.001), aortogenic death (4/19 vs. 0.7% vs. 0.7%, P<0.001) and aortic related adverse events (4/19 vs. 1.5% vs. 1.1%, P<0.001) in patients with large pleural effusion during TEVAR operation were significantly higher than those in patients with small pleural effusion and those without pleural effusion, and the differences were statistically significant. At 1 month follow-up after TEVAR, the incidence of all-cause death (4/16 vs. 3.3% vs. 1.6%, P<0.001), aortogenic death (4/16 vs. 0.8% vs.0.7%, P<0.001), aorta related adverse events (4/16 vs. 4.1% vs. 4.7%, P=0.013) and overall clinical adverse events (4/16 vs.9.8% vs. 6.7%, P=0.014) in the medium and large thoracic group were significantly higher than those in the small pleural effusion group and no pleural effusion group, and the differences were statistically significant. At 1 year follow-up after TEVAR, the incidence of all-cause death (4/15 vs. 4.9% vs. 3.9%, P=0.004), aortogenic death (4/15 vs.2.5% vs. 2.1%, P<0.001), aorta related adverse events (5/15 vs. 11.5% vs. 9.4%, P=0.012) and overall clinical adverse events (5/15 vs. 18.9% vs. 13.1%, P=0.029) in the medium and large thoracic group were significantly higher than those in the small pleural effusion group and no pleural effusion group, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: Single center data showed that pericardial effusion, anemia, spiral tear and elevated white blood cell were independent risk factors for acute TBAD complicated with pleural effusion; the early (1 month) and long-term (1 year) rates of all-cause death, aortic mortality, aortic adverse events and overall clinical adverse events were significantly higher in TBAD patients with moderate pleural effusion after TEVAR, and moderate and large pleural effusion was an independent risk factor for near and long-term aortic related adverse events after TEVAR surgery.

[One-year follow-up results of atrial fibrillation patients who undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation]

Objective: To investigate whether atrial fibrillation (AF) before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) will affect the prognosis of patients post TAVI. Methods: This is a single center retrospective study. A total of 115 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who were admitted to General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from May 2016 to November 2020 and successfully received TAVI treatment were included. According to absence or accompaniment of AF pre-TAVI, they were divided into AF group (21 cases) and non-AF group (94 cases). The patients were followed up for postoperative antithrombotic treatment and the occurrence of the net adverse clinical and cerebrovascular events (NACCE) at 12 months post TAVI, including cardiogenic death, readmission to hospital for heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and severe bleeding (BARC levels 3-5). Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of NACCE. Results: Among the 115 selected patients, age was (73.8±6.9) years, there were 63 males. And 21 cases (18.2%) were diagnosed as AFbefore TAVI. In terms of postoperative antithrombotic therapy, 48.9% (46/94) of the patients in the non-AF group received monotherapy and 47.9% (45/94) received dual antiplatelet therapy. In the AF group, 47.6% (10/21) received anticoagulants and 33.3% (7/21) received dual antiplatelet therapy. The proportion of patients in the AF group taking non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) was higher than that in the non-AF group (38.1% (8/21) vs. 2.1% (2/94), P<0.001). Patients in both groups were followed up to 12 months after TAVI. During the 12 months follow-up, the incidence of NACCE after TAVI was 14.3% (3/21) in the AF group, which was numerically higher than that in the non-AF group (6.4% (6/94)), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.441). The incidence of severe bleeding was significantly higher in the AF group than in the non-AF group (9.5% (2/21) vs. 0, P=0.032). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension was associated with the risk of NACCE (OR=8.308, P=0.050), while AF was not associated with the risk of NACCE (P=0.235). Conclusion: The incidence of severe bleeding after TAVI is higher in patients with AF than in patients without AF prior TAVI, and there is a trend of increased risk of NACCE post TAVI in AF patients.

[Perioperative serious complications in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a single-center experience]

Objective: To observe the incidence of perioperative severe complications in aortic stenosis (AS) patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR), and to explore the influence of the accumulated experience of the operators on the incidence of complications. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients with AS who underwent TAVR from May 2016 to November 2020 in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were included. The occurrence of severe complications during perioperative period was recorded. Severe complications included all-cause death, surgical transfer to thoracotomy, coronary artery occlusion, peripheral vascular approach complications, severe cerebrovascular events, moderate or above perivalvular leakage, valve displacement (implanted valve middle valve), pacemaker implantation, etc. In order to observe the influence of the accumulated experience of the operators on the occurrence of postoperative complications, the complications in each stage of the patients were counted and the bar chart was drawn with interval of every 30 patients. Results: A total of 119 patients were included, including 64 males and 55 females, the mean age was (73.9±6.9) years. The valve implantation was unsuccessful in 3 out of 119 patients (2.5%). There were 39 cases of severe complications during perioperative period, including 1 death (0.8%), 2 cases of thoracotomy (1.7%), 2 cases of coronary artery occlusion (1.7%), 8 cases of peripheral vascular approach complications (6.7%), and 1 case of new severe cerebrovascular event (0.8%), 3 cases of moderate or higher perivalvular leakage (2.5%), 8 cases of valve displacement leads to midvalvular implantation (6.7%), 14 cases of permanent pacemaker implantation due to new atrioventricular block (11.8%). The bar chart showed that the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation and in-valve implantation did not significantly decrease with the accumulation of experience, while the incidence of other complications showed a decreasing trend after 30 cases. Conclusions: Most serious complications occurred in the early stage of TAVR in our center. The incidence of all cause death, coronary artery occlusion and peripheral vascular approach complications in the perioperative period post TAVR could be reduced in the TAVR center in the learning stage through the accumulation of procedure-related experience, but the incidence of pacemaker placement and the implanted valve within the valve dose not significantly decrease over time.

Clinician perspectives on a culturally adapted patient decision aid concerning maintenance therapy for asthma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Patients with persistent asthma often show poor adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Shared decision-making can improve adherence rates in this population. Patient decision aids (PDAs) are tools to facilitate shared decision-making. To date, only one PDA, developed in a Canadian French-speaking population, exists for patients considering ICS maintenance therapy. This PDA has been culturally adapted in this study to contextualize to the needs of multi-ethnic Asian patients in Singapore. This study explored the views of local clinicians on the content, design and implementation of this newly-adapted PDA.

METHODS

24 clinicians, who were purposively sampled from polyclinics and a tertiary institution, were interviewed on the content, design and implementation of the PDA. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed via thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Clinicians generally accepted the design of the PDA. They suggested for the target users to be patients on Step 2 of GINA guidelines and the number of options to be reduced from four to two (do nothing or start inhaled corticosteroids). Moreover, they supported including a list of values for patients to select from given that Asian patients often do not articulate their values readily. The addition of more visual aids, the production of multilingual Asian editions and the involvement of nurses to administer the PDA was also suggested.

CONCLUSION

The PDA was culturally-adapted with local clinicians' perspectives to target multi-ethnic Asian patients with persistent asthma (Step 2 GINA guidelines). The main changes include a list of values and addition of visual aids.

[Effect on clinical symptoms and mechanism of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation treated with acupoint catgut embedding]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding for chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation.

METHODS

A total of 92 patients of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 46 cases in each one.In the observation group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), also the surrounding acupuncture was performed at facial part, once a week. In the control group, vitamin C (200 mg per time, 3 times a day) and vitamin E (100 mg per time, once a day) were prescribed for oral administration. Both of the two groups were given treatment for 12 weeks. The score of chloasma area and severity index (MASI), the serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), leuteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E₂) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups, and the clinical effect of the two groups were compared after 3 months of treatment.

RESULTS

Finally, 44 cases in the observation group and 43 cases in the control group completed the study. The effective rate in the observation group was 88.6% (39/44), which was higher than 55.8% (24/43) in the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the MASI scores after treatment were reduced in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), the MASI score in follow-up in the observation group was reduced as compared with after treatment (P<0.01), and the MASI scores after treatment and in follow-up in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the levels of FSH and LH in follow-up were reduced (P<0.01), there was no significant difference between before treatment and in follow-up in the level of E₂ in the observation group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between before treatment and in follow-up in the levels of FSH, LH and E₂ in the control group (P>0.05). In follow-up, the levels of FSH and LH in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the level of E₂ between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupoint catgut embedding can improve the clinical symptoms of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation, the mechanism may be related to regulate the serum level of sex hormone to reduce high sensitivity of melanocytes to estrogen.

Expression of gastrin in colon cancer and its effect on human colon cancer cell proliferation and P38 signal transduction pathway

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer (CC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system in China. The early diagnosis is low due to nonspecific symptoms, which leads to the loss of chance of radical surgery and a high mortality rate, greatly harming patients' life and health. Gastrin is a hormone that is mainly secreted from G cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Upon binding to gastrin receptors, it stimulates gastric acid secretion and promotes gastrointestinal mucosal growth. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a group of serine-threonine protein kinases that are activated by hormones such as gastrin and are responsible for signal transduction between the cell surface and the nucleus.

AIM

To analyze the expression of gastrin in CC patients, and to investigate the inhibitory effect of gastrin receptor antagonist on human CC cell line and the P38 signal transduction pathway.

METHODS

From January 2016 to October 2018, 30 CC specimens collected from the Department of Pathology of our hospital were divided into poorly, moderately, and highly differentiated specimens according to the criteria of the World Health Organization's malignant tumor differentiation. The immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of gastrin in these specimens. The human CC cell line SW480 was cultured in vitro, and the cells were divided into a control group (no drug treatment), a gastrin group (6.25-200.00 mg/L of gastrin was added), a proglumide group (8.00-256.00 mg/L of proglumide for treatment), and a gastrin plus proglumide group (12.5 mg/L gastrin and 8.00-256.00 mg/L proglumide for treatment). The expression of gastrin receptor/cholecystokinin-B receptor in SW480 cells was detected, and SW480 cell viability, proliferation index, and expression of P38 signal transduction pathway molecules (P38 protein, phosphorylated P38 protein, Bcl-2, and BAX) in different groups were compared.

RESULTS

The higher the degree of differentiation of CC tissues, the higher the positive rate of gastrin expression. The OD values of SW480 cells treated with gastrin at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 200.00 mg/L were significantly higher than those in control cells (P < 0.05). Gastrin at a concentration of 12.50 mg resulted in the highest OD value in SW480 cells (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in OD values of SW480 cells treated with gastrin at concentrations between 25.00 and 200.00 mg/L (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in OD values of SW480 cells treated with glutamine at concentrations of 8.00-256.00 mg/L (P > 0.05). Gastrin at 12.50 mg/L combined with 16.00 mg/L of proglumide resulted in the lowest OD value in SW480 cells, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), but this significant difference disappeared with the increase of proglumide concentration (P > 0.05). The cell proliferation index of the gastrin group (12.50 mg/L) was significantly higher than those of the proglumide group (16.00 mg/L) and the gastrin plus proglumide group (12.5 mg/L + 16.00 mg/L) (P < 0.05). The levels of P38 protein expression and phosphorylation and BAX protein expression in the gastrin group (12.50 mg/L) were significantly lower than those of the control group, proglumide group (16.00 mg/L), and gastrin plus proglumide group (12.5 mg/L + 16.00 mg/L), while Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly higher that in the control group, proglumide group (16.00 mg/L), and gastrin plus proglumide group (12.5 mg/L + 16.00 mg/L) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Gastrin can inhibit the apoptosis of human CC cell line SW480, and its expression in CC is related to the degree of tumor differentiation. The higher the degree of differentiation, the higher the expression level. Gastrin receptor antagonist can antagonize the proliferative effect of gastrin via mechanisms possibly related to up-regulation of P38 expression, phosphorylation of P38, and BAX expression and down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression.

[Signaling pathways controlling skeletal muscle mass]

The skeletal muscle mass accounts for more than 40% of the body weight of healthy adults. The skeletal muscle not only plays an important role in physical activities but also affects the function of other organs as a secretory organ secreting multiple muscle factors. Therefore, it is important to maintain the normal quantity and function of skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle mass is the basis of skeletal muscle function and is often affected by many factors such as exercise and disease. Resistance exercise training induces increased protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells, while limb disuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, cachexia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and many other pathological conditions lead to decreased protein synthesis or enhanced protein degradation of skeletal muscle cells. The process of skeletal muscle hypertrophy involves changes in multiple signaling pathways, such as IGF-1/PI3K/Akt, myostatin and G protein. On the other hand, activations of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, IGF-1/Akt/FoxO, autophagy-lysosomal pathway, NF-κB, and the glucocorticoid-mediated signaling pathways play important roles in regulating muscle atrophy. These signaling pathways regulate skeletal muscle mass and are modulated by some different conditions. This review briefly summarizes the signaling pathways of skeletal muscle mass control.

[Roles and mechanism of microRNAs in the regulation of skeletal muscle insulin resistance]

Insulin resistance is a common pathophysiological mechanism of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Skeletal muscle is one of the major target organs of insulin-mediated glucose uptake, metabolism and utilization, and it is the earliest and most important site of insulin resistance. Studies have shown that the impairments of glucose uptake, insulin signaling pathway and mitochondrial biosynthesis are closely related to skeletal muscle insulin resistance. When insulin resistance develops in skeletal muscle, multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) are up-regulated (miR-106b, miR-23a, miR-761, miR-135a, Let-7 and miR-29a) or down-regulated (miR-133a, miR-149 and miR-1). They participate in the regulation of skeletal muscle glucose uptake, insulin signaling pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis, and thus play important roles in the occurrence and development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Therefore, these miRNAs may serve as potential targets for the treatment of skeletal muscle insulin resistance or diabetes.

Asthma care based on Chronic Care Model in an aging Asian community

To cope with the higher prevalence of asthma and other non-communicable diseases without compromising on quality of care, a Singapore public primary care institution has adopted the Chronic Care Model (CCM). This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe the proportion of patients with well-controlled asthma (based on Asthma Control Test score ≥20) between 2010 and 2016 in association with their management based on the CCM (which covers the polyclinic clinical information system, self-management measures, system re-design and decision support). Data were retrieved from the Singapore National Asthma Programme (SNAP) and institutional clinical quality databases of eight local polyclinics in eastern and southern Singapore. The data were aggregated, analysed and presented in proportions against monthly polyclinic attendances for asthma. From 2010 to 2016, the total asthma attendances increased by 31% from 27,345 to 35,731, with the highest rise among patients aged ≥60 years. The proportion of patients with good asthma control rose from 71.4% to 80.9%; those who received rescue therapy for acute exacerbations fell from 15.8% to 11.7% and those referred to emergency departments after failed rescue therapy decreased from 0.7% to 0.6%. The proportion of patients with updated asthma action plans increased from 66.7% to 73.4% (proxy for self-management). The overall health and process outcomes of asthma seemed to have improved with multiplex of system-based interventions relating to the introduction of CCM in a public primary healthcare institution in Singapore.

[The expression of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer and the effects on the biological behavior of pancreatic cancer cells]

Objective: To investigate the expression of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of KLK7 protein in pancreatic cancer tissue microarray with 92 samples. Statistical analysis of the relationship between KLK7 and clinicopathological characteristics was finished. Pancreatic cancer cell lines were infected with lentiviuses in order to get cells with KLK7 stable overexpression.KLK7-siRNA was transfected into pancreatic cancer cells to knock down KLK7.Cell proliferation and chemosensitivity were detected by CCK-8 assay; Cell invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assay. At the same time, subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were established in nude mice to observe the effect of KLK7 on tumor growth in nude mice. Data were statistically analyzed by rank sum test, χ(2) test and Logistic regression analysis. Results: The expression level of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer tissues was higher than that in paired adjacent tissues (P<0.05). KLK7 expression was correlated with vascular invasion(χ(2)=7.535, P<0.05). Further univariate and multivariate analysis showed that KLK7 expression was an independent risk factor for vascular invasion of pancreatic cancer(χ(2)=7.535, P<0.05). The overexpression of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and CFPAC can increase their proliferation abilities, reduce the chemosensitivity and promote their migration and invasion behaviour; The results of in vivo experiments showed that the volume of subcutaneously transplanted tumors in the overexpressing KLK7 group was significantly larger than that in the control group (t=4.479, P<0.05). The group of overexpressing KLK7 showed greater tumor weight than the control group(t=2.831, P<0.05). Conclusions: The expression level of KLK7 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was higher than that in paired adjacent tissues and it is an independent risk factor for vascular invasion of pancreatic cancer.KLK7 can promote the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells, reduce the chemosensitivity and increase the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells.

[A prospective control study of Saccharomyces boulardii in prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the older inpatients]

Objective: To study the value of Saccharomyces boulardii for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in older inpatients. Methods: A total of 163 older patients who were treated with wide-spectrum antibiotics at least three days during January 2014 to December 2015 were randomly divided into control and study group. In study group, 81 patients were administrated with oral Saccharomyces boulardii 500 mg twice a day for 21 days. The control group was of no intervention. Morbidity rate of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, frequency and duration of diarrhea were recorded. Results: The incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in study group was significantly lower than that in control group [14.8%(12/81) vs 28.0%(23/82), P<0.05], whereas no difference was seen in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea [3.7%(3/81) vs 4.9%(4/82), P>0.05] in two groups. The frequency and duration of diarrhea in the study group were significantly lower and shorter than those in control group[(4.3±1.7) times/day vs (6.9±2.0) times/day; (3.0±1.1) days vs (5.7±1.8) days, both P<0.01]. Conclusion:Saccharomyces boulardii may reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea therefore improving the symptom of diarrhea in older inpatients.

Resolving phylogenetic relationships of Delphacini and Tropidocephalini (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Delphacinae) as inferred from four genetic loci

This paper explores the phylogeny of the delphacid subfamily Delphacinae based on nuclear ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA sequences of four genetic loci (16S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Cytochrome oxidase I and Cytochrome b). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses yield robust phylogenetic trees. The topologies support the monophyly of Delphacinae and its basal split into three tribes, and provisionally support subdividing Delphacini into three clades, including a more broadly defined Numatina. The tribe Tropidocephalini is divided into two clades. In addition, Paranectopia is transferred from Tropidocephalini to Delphacini and Harmalia syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of Opiconsiva. The genera Bambusiphaga, Megadelphax and Muirodelphax are found to be paraphyletic. The estimated time to the most recent common ancestor of Delphacinae is roughly at 90 million years ago in Late Cretaceous.

[Correlation between miR-1178 expression and clinicopathological significance in human pancreatic cancer]

Objective: To test the expression of miR-1178 in pancreatic cancer and study its clinicopathological significance and mechanism. Methods: The expression of miR-1178 in 87 paired paraffin pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma specimens and adjacent non- cancerous pancreatic tissue diagnosed by Pathology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital was detected by hybridization in situ. The relationship between the expression of miR-1178 and clinicopathological characters was analyzed.miR-1178 mimics and inhibitor were used to further detect the close relationship among miR-1178 and cancer invasion. Establish a nude mice subcutaneously transplanted tumor model, 4 weeks after vaccination for tumor volume and weight measurement.Student t-test, rank sum test, and χ(2) test was used respectively to compare the data between two groups. Cox regression was adopted to improve the single factor and multiple factors analysis. Results: The results of hybridization in situ showed the expression of miR-1178 was increased in 72 cases with pancreatic cancer compared to that in paired normal pancreatic tissues (50/72 vs. 11/72, χ(2)=43.26, P<0.05). miR-1178 expression was positively associated with tumor lymph node stage (χ(2)=4.189, P=0.041). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that miR-1178 was an independent adverse prognostic indicator for patients with pancreatic cancer (HR=2.364, 95%CI: 1.114-5.019, P=0.025). Transwell assay indicated the over-expression of miR-1178 increased the number of AsPC-1 cells that penetrated the ECM-coated membrane (177.0±19.8 vs. 119.7±15.9)(χ(2)=8.21, P<0.05). For the in vivo experiment, overexpression of miR-1178 significantly promoted tumor growth, compared with control group (tumor volume: (5 122.4±760.2)mm(3) vs. (1 976.8±601.8)mm(3), t=2.413, P<0.05; tumor weight: (1.55±0.21)g vs. (0.67±0.17)g, t=2.960, P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-1178 down-regulated the expression of Stub1 and elevated the expression of FAK/MMP-9 signal pathway(P<0.05). Conclusions: MiR-1178 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, and is effective for predicting patients' prognosis. MiR-1178 regulate Stub1/FAK/MMP-9 signal pathway and promote the invasion of AsPC-1 cells.

[The Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Keletal Muscle Regeneration]

Skeletal muscle repair after injury includes three stages which are inflammation, repair and tissue remodeling. The ability of Skeletal muscle to regenerate in response to injury is solely dependen on the activation, proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells. After skeletal muscle injury, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can regular muscle satellite cell function in the manner of autocrine, paracrine or endocrine, thus affecting the regeneration of damaged skeletal muscle. Studies about the mechanism have shown that HGF may bind to its receptor, e-met, to start the relevant signaling pathways involved in skeletal muscle satellite cell activation, proliferation, differentiation and migration, which affects skeletal muscle regeneration process.

Antioxidant activities of cold-nature Tibetan herbs are signifcantly greater than hot-nature ones and are associated with their levels of total phenolic components

Tibetan medicinal plants have been used for more than 2 000 years. In order to find their differences in antioxidant activity, total phenolics and total flavonoids between "hot-nature" and "cold-nature" herbs, we investigated the antioxidant activities of 40 Tibetan herbs from Qinghai plateau, with 20 herbs in cold-nature and 20 herbs in hot-nature. Antioxidant capacities were evaluated by the following methods: scavenging ABTS•(+) (2, 2'azinobis-(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), scavenging O2•(-), and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The effects on inhibition of mitochondrion lipid peroxidation were determined by measuring the formation of TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates). Total phenolics and flavonoids were estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu and NaNO2-Al(NO3)3-NaOH colorimetric methods. Interestingly, the cold-nature herbs displayed higher antioxidant activities than the hot-nature ones, corresponding to nearly three-fold higher total phenolic contents in the cold-nature herbs. Moreover, the antioxidant activities correlated linearly with the levels of total phenolics for both cold-nature and hot-nature herbs, but only with the levels of total flavonoids for the hot-nature herbs. The results suggested that the phenolic compounds, but not the flavonoids, play the major role in antioxidant capacities of the cold-nature herbs. These findings could shed new lights on the study the theory of Tibetan medicine.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of hydroxycinnamic acid hydrazide derivatives as inducer of caspase-3

In order to generate compounds with superior antitumor activity and reduced toxicity, twelve new hydroxycinnamic acid hydrazide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against two cancer cell lines (H1299 lung carcinoma cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells), and compared to two normal counterparts (NL-20 lung epithelial cells and H184B5F5/M10 breast cells) by MTT method. The results demonstrated that some of these compounds possessed good antiproliferative activity against the two cancer cell lines. Among them, compound 2c was active against the growth of H1299 lung carcinoma cells with IC50 values of 1.50 μM, which was more active than the positive topotecan (IC50 = 4.18 μM). Simultaneously, it showed lower cytotoxic effects on normal NL-20 lung epithelial cells (IC50 > 10 μM). Mechanism studies indicated that it induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase followed by activation of caspase-3, and consequently caused the cell death. Further studies on the structure optimization are ongoing.

Lauriana Ren & Qin, a new genus of the tribe Tropidocephalini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) from China

A new delphacid genus and species, Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin, gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Tropidocephalini) is described from Sichuan, China. Habitus photos and illustrations of male genitalia of the new species are given, and the differences between the new genus and its closely related genera are discussed.

Nomenclatural changes in the tribe Empoascini of the subfamily Typhlocybinae (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)

One genus and species are synonymized in the tribe Empoascini of the subfamily Typhlocybinae. Bhatasca Dworakowska, 1995is a junior synonym of Alebrasca Hayashi & Okada, 1994, Bhatasca rectangulata Qin & Zhang, 2011is a junior synonym of Alebrasca actinidiae Hayashi & Okada, 1994. Furthermore, Bhatasca expansa is (necessarily) transferred to the genus Alebrasca.

Expression and activation of β-adrenoceptors in the colorectal mucosa of rat and human

BACKGROUND

The functions of the distal colon are regulated by local and extrinsic neural pathways. In previous studies, we have found that dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) could evoke colonic ion transport by activating β-adrenoceptors. The present study aims to investigate the segmental differences in expression and activation of β-adrenoceptors in the distal colon in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

METHODS

Real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of β-adrenoceptors in the rat and human distal colon. Short-circuit current measurements (Isc) were used to assess the role of β-adrenoceptors in ion transport.

KEY RESULTS

DA and NE caused greater suppression of baseline Isc in distal colon adjacent to the rectum than in segments further away from the anus. These responses were inhibited by selective antagonists of β₁- and β₂-adrenoceptors, but not β₃-adrenoceptor. The expression levels of β₁- and β₂-adrenoceptors in colonic mucosa were higher in colorectum than the regions away from the anus of rats and humans. In wrap-restraint stress (2 h), DA-, NE-induced ΔIsc and the expression of β-adrenoceptors in the colorectum were significantly reduced. However, when endogenous catecholamines were depleted by 6-hydroxydopamine (75 mg kg(-1), i.p., 3 days), DA-, NE-induced ΔIsc as well as the expression of β-adrenoceptors were significantly enhanced in the rat colorectum but not in more proximal regions of the distal colon.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

β₁- and β₂-adrenoceptors are predominantly expressed in the colorectal mucosa. Perturbation of endogenous catecholamine levels influences the expression and activation of β-adrenoceptors in the colorectal region.

Activation of submucosal 5-HT(3) receptors elicits a somatostatin-dependent inhibition of ion secretion in rat colon

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a key regulator of the gastrointestinal system and we have shown that submucosal neuronal 5-HT(3) receptors exerted a novel inhibitory effect on colonic ion transport. The aim of the present study was to investigate the precise mechanism(s) underlying this inhibitory effect.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Mucosa/submucosa or mucosa-only preparations from rat distal colon were mounted in Ussing chambers for measurement of short-circuit current (I(sc)) as an indicator of ion secretion. Somatostatin release was determined with radioimmunoassay. Intracellular cAMP content was measured with enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (elisa). Immunohistochemical techniques were used to study the expression of 5-HT(3) receptors, somatostatin and somatostatin receptors in colonic tissue.

KEY RESULTS

In rat distal colonic mucosa/submucosa preparations, pretreatment with 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists enhanced 5-HT-induced increases in I(sc). However, in mucosa-only preparations without retained neural elements, pretreatment with 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists inhibited 5-HT-induced DeltaI(sc). Pretreatment with a somatostatin-2 (sst(2)) receptor antagonist in mucosa/submucosa preparations augmented 5-HT-induced DeltaI(sc). Combination of sst(2) and 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists did not cause further enhancement of 5-HT-induced DeltaI(sc). Moreover, both sst(2) and 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists enhanced 5-HT-induced increase in intracellular cAMP concentration in the mucosa/submucosa preparations. 5-HT released somatostatin from rat colonic mucosa/submucosa preparations, an effect prevented by pretreatment with 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the presence of 5-HT(3) receptors on submucosal somatostatin neurons and of sst(2) receptors on colonic mucosa.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Activation of neuronal 5-HT(3) receptors in the submucosal plexus of rat colon suppressed 5-HT-induced ion secretion by releasing somatostatin from submucosal neurons.

Expression of NKCC2 in the rat gastrointestinal tract

NKCC2, an isoform of Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransporter, is principally present in the kidney and plays a critical role in salt reabsorption. Expression of NKCC2 has been found in the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells in a number of marine fish, however, details for expression in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract are lacking. RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to study the expression and localization of NKCC2 in the rat gastrointestinal tract. We found that mRNA transcripts, protein and immunoreactivity (IR) for NKCC2 were expressed in the stomach, small and large intestine of adult rats. NKCC2 IR was localized to the base of the gastric glands, intestinal epithelia, myenteric and submucosal plexuses. NKCC2 IR was expressed strongly in the apical membranes and weakly in the basolateral membranes of intestinal epithelial cells. In the enteric nervous system, NKCC2 IR was widely distributed and localized to enteric neurons with cholinergic, calretinin and nitrergic neuronal immunochemical codes in the myenteric plexus. It was localized to non-cholinergic secretomotor neurons in the submucosal plexus. In conclusion, this study for the first time clearly detected the expression of NKCC2 in the gastrointestinal tract of a mammalian species. Expression of NKCC2 in gastrointestinal epithelial cells suggested that this cation chloride cotransporter might be involved in gastrointestinal ion transport. Expression of NKCC2 in enteric neurons might contribute to the accumulation of Cl(-) and a more depolarized E(Cl)(-) in enteric neurons.

Prooxidant activity of hydroxycinnamic acids on DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II) ions: mechanism and structure-activity relationship

The prooxidant effect of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), i.e., caffeic acid (CaA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), sinapic acid (SA), ferulic acid (FA), 3-hydroxycinnamic acid (3-HCA) and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (4-HCA) on supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA strand breakage and calf thymus DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II) ions has been studied. It was found that the compounds bearing ortho-dihydroxyl group (CaA and ChA) or bearing 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyl group (SA and FA) exhibited remarkably higher activity in the DNA damage than the ones bearing no such functionalities. The good correlation between the DNA damaging activity and the oxidative potential of the compounds indicates that the electron transfer between HCAs and Cu(II) plays a crucial role in the reaction. UV-Visible spectral changes demonstrated that CaA or ChA can chelate with Cu(II) as a bidentate ligand, hence facilitating intramolecular electron transfer between CaA or ChA and Cu(II). The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Cu(I) ions in the DNA damage were affirmed by the inhibition of DNA breakage using mannitol, glutathione (GSH), catalase and bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS). These results may have important implications regarding the proposed mechanism of apoptosis induced by phenol and endogenous metal ions.

Bioactive compounds from Paecilomyces tenuipes regulating the function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system axis in chronic unpredictable stress rats

BACKGROUND

A bioactive compound from Paecilomyces tenuipes (BCPT) has an inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) in vitro and in vivo, which indicates BCPT may be a potential antidepressant. In this study we aimed to study the antidepressant effects of BCPT in the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model in rats and explore underlying mechanisms in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

METHODS

The antidepressant effects of BCPT were studied in the chronic unpredictable stress model in rats. Animals were housed isolated, except the control group. Rats were exposed daily to different random stressors from day 1 to 21. Awarding response was detected by calculating the 24-hour consumption of sucrose water. Cortisol (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH) contents in serum and arginine vasopressin (AVP) contents in the pituitary body were detected by radio immunoassays. Total RNA of hippocampus or hypothalamus was extracted and subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the measurement of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA or mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA levels. Statistical analyses were performed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test.

RESULTS

Chronic unpredictable stress resulted in reduction of sensitivity to reward and abnormality in the HPA axis in the animal model. BCPT improved the reward reaction as measured by increasing sucrose consumption, remarkably reduced serum CORT and ACTH levels and the AVP content in the pituitary body in the CUS-treated rats, decreased the expression of CRH mRNA, enhanced the expression of hippocampus MR mRNA, GR mRNA and decreased the ratio of MR/GR.

CONCLUSIONS

BCPT has potentially antidepressant-like activity and normalized the HPA axis hyperactivity in a CUS model of depression in rats. This may be an important mechanism of its antidepressant effect.

Self-assembly and cytotoxicity study of waterwheel-like dinuclear metal complexes: The first metal complexes appended with multiple free hydroxamic acid groups

Two waterwheel-like dinuclear complexes [M(2)(PHA)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (M = Cu(II) (1), Zn(II) (2); HPHA = phthal-hydroxamic acid) appended with four free hydroxamic acid groups, namely, free hydroxamic acid metal complexes (FHAMCs) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of complex 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, which adopts the paddlewheel motif with four bidentate carboxylate ligands joining two Cu(II) ions. The relative cytotoxicities of compounds 1 and 2 against SMMC-7721 and HO-8910 cell lines are similar and more predominant than HPHA (IC(50): Cu(II)>Zn(II)>>HPHA). The synergic effect of the bound water molecules, multiple free hydroxamic acid groups and dimetal active sites with bridging carboxylate may have significant impacts on their pharmacological activity. As the prototype for a new class of hydroxamic acid derivatives, the self-assembly of FHAMCs presents a promising new strategy in designing multiple hydroxamic acids with remarkable bioactivities.

DNA damage induced by resveratrol and its synthetic analogues in the presence of Cu (II) ions: mechanism and structure-activity relationship

The prooxidant effect of resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stibene) and its synthetic analogues (ArOH), that is, 3,4,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stibene (3,4,4'-THS), 3,4,5-trihydroxy-trans-stibene (3,4,5-THS), 3,4-dihydroxy-trans-stibene (3,4-DHS), 4,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stibene (4,4'-DHS), 2,4-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (2,4-DHS), 3,5-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (3,5-DHS) and 3,5,4'-trimethoxy-trans-stibene (3,5,4'-TMS), on supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA strand breakage and calf thymus DNA damage in the presence of Cu (II) ions has been studied. It was found that the compounds bearing ortho-dihydroxyl groups (3,4-DHS, 3,4,4'-THS, and 3,4,5-THS) or bearing 4-hydroxyl groups (2,4-DHS, 4,4'-DHS, and resveratrol) exhibit remarkably higher activity in the DNA damage than the ones bearing no such functionalities. Kinetic analysis by UV-visible spectra demonstrates that the formation of ArOH-Cu (II) complexes, the stabilization of oxidative intermediate derived from ArOH and Cu (II)/Cu (I) redox cycles, might be responsible for the DNA damage. This study also reveals a good correlation between antioxidant and prooxidant activity, as well as cytotoxicity against human leukemia (HL-60 and Jurkat) cell lines. The mechanisms and implications of these observations are discussed.

Proteasome-independent down-regulation of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) in breast cancer cells treated with 4,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene

Treatment of cells with estrogens and several pure ERalpha antagonists rapidly induces down-regulation of the alpha-type estrogen receptor (ERalpha) in the nucleus by mechanisms that are sensitive to the proteasome inhibitors, MG132 and clasto-lactacystin-beta-lactone. Hence, it is believed that these ER ligands induce down-regulation of ERalpha by proteasome-dependent mechanisms, which serve to control both the amount of transcriptional activity and the level of ligand-bound ERalpha in cells. In this study, we observed that treatment of cultured MCF-7 and T47D human breast cancer cells with the low affinity ER ligand, 4,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (4,4'-DHS), inhibited the transcriptional activity of ERalpha and induced slow and gradual decrease in the amount of ERalpha protein (henceforth referred to as down-regulation of ERalpha). The 4,4'-DHS-induced down-regulation of ERalpha in MCF-7 cells involved a mechanism that was insensitive to the two most specific proteasome inhibitors, clasto-lactacystin-beta-lactone and epoxomycin, but sensitive to MG132 at concentrations exceeding that required for maximal inhibition of the proteasome in MCF-7 cells. Therefore, 4,4'-DHS appears to induce down-regulation of ERalpha by a proteasome-independent mechanism. Here, we present data to show that both 4-OH and 4'-OH are critical for the ability of 4,4'-DHS to induce down-regulation of ERalpha and suggest that 4,4'-DHS provides a useful scaffold for development of novel ERalpha antagonists.

Pharmacokinetics of perlolyrine in rats by stable isotope dilution in conjunction with GC-MS

AIM

To determine the pharmacokinetics of perlolyrine in rats.

METHODS

The plasma concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of perlolyrine were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selected ion (m/z 247 and m/z 248) and [2-(15) N] perlolyrine (m/z 248) as internal standard.

RESULTS

The concentration-time profile of perlolyrine after ig perlolyrine 2 mg.kg-1 fitted a two-compartment open model in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters were T1/2 alpha = 0.33 h, T1/2 beta = 4.52 h, T1/2 (ka) = 0.14 h, Tmax = 0.35 h, Cmax = 18.84 micrograms/L, K12 = 0.88 h-1, K21 = 0.42 h-1, K10 = 0.32 h-1, V/F = 109.22 L.kg-1, AUC = 112.68 micrograms.h.L-1.

CONCLUSION

The method was constant, sensitive, and accurate. It provides a useful method for the determination of pharmacokinetics of perlolyrine which are important for clinical use of perlolyrine.

[Study on the organization of chromatin and chromosome in mouse spermatogenic cells by scanning electron microscopy]

It remains unclear about the intermediate construction of chromosome due to its highly compact nature and the limitation in methods. The present study was designed to investigate the construction of chromatin and mitotic chromosome in situ with scanning electron microscopy. Mouse testes were selected as the material, because of in which the spermatogenic cells divide actively and successively to form the sperm. Such a feature would be able to study the structure of mammalian chromatin and chromosomes along with the change of nuclear cycle. The animal were perfused with 200 ml of 0.075 mol/L KCl hypotonic solution to remove blood and placed for 15-20 min on ice followed by 0.5% glutaraldehyde and 0.5% formaldehyde for fixing. Through treated by the routine process of fractured and freeze dried with t-butyl alcohol, the specimens were then coated with a 3 nm thick platinum and observed with Hitachi S-430 scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the hypotonic treatment with 0.075 mol/L KCl solution was suit for demonstrating the nuclear structure, when the organelles were well preserved. The chromatin fibers of 10-30 nm and 80-125 nm in diameter could be recognized in the interphase nuclei, which were arranged losely at the region of euchromatin, and folded with each other into chromatin masses at the region of heterochromatin, while the chromatin fibers with the diameter of 80-125 nm often could be viewed on the mitotic chromosomes. Since its presence in interphase nuclei and mitotic chromosomes, it was considered that the chromatin fibers with 80-125 nm in diameter might play a role in the condensation of chromosome, serve as a type of the intermediate structure.

[Effects of calcitonin and indomethacin on bone resorption mediated by interleukin-1]

The effects of calcitonin and indomethacin on bone resorption stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) were studied in cultured neonatal mouse calvariae. The results showed that calcium release from cultured calvariae was significantly increased after adding 20 ng/ml IL-1 (P < 0.01). The increase of calcium release stimulated by IL-1 was blocked by both calcitonin at the concentration of 10, 100, 1,000 ng/ml and indomethacin (10(-6), 10(-5) mol/L). The stimulation of calcium release by IL-1 was also blocked even adding 10 mol/L indomethacin 5 hours after adding IL-1 into the culture. These data showed that both calcitonin and indomethacin can inhibit bone resorption stimulated by IL-1. Thus, it is possible that calcitonin and indomethacin may be used as a therapeutic agent to block inflammatory bone resorption mediated by IL-1.

[Immunoglobulin bearing cells and complement 3 in periodontal diseases]

Frozen gingival tissue sections from marginal gingivitis (MG), juvenile periodontitis (JP), adult periodontitis (AP) patients and clinical healthy subjects (H) were immunohistochemically stained with specific antibodies to aid in identification and quantification of different Ig bearing cells in inflammatory infiltrates. IgG, IgA, IgM, K and lambda were present in all specimens studied. The numbers of Ig cells in disease groups were much greater than in H group, especially the IgG cells. The numbers of IgG cells in AP and JP were most abundant, followed by MG and H. The correlation between the number of IgG cells and the percentage of infiltrated connective tissue was obtained by linear correlation analyses (r = 0.534, P < 0.001). This means that the inflammatory infiltration became heavier as the number of IgG cells increased. It is the new finding that the number of IgA cells was smaller than the IgM cells in JP, the IgA/total heavy chains ratio was much lower than other groups. The C3 deposition was found in all of the gingival specimens. In healthy gingival tissue, C3 mainly deposited in both of the surface of inflammatory cells and vessels. In diseased status C3 located not only in these two, but also in sulcular (pocket) epithelium and oral epithelium, Igs were also observed in these areas. It is suggested that immunocomplex may deposit in gingival tissue.

Effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on bone resorption mediated by interleukin-1

We examined the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide CGRP on the bone resorption stimulated by IL-1 alpha after neonatal mouse calvaria were cultured in vitro and bone resorption was determined by measuring the release of calcium into the medium after alpha 48-hour incubation. CGRP (10(-9)-10(-8) M) blocked completely the IL1 alpha-mediated increase in bone resorption and inhibited the basal bone resorption. In accordance with the effects of calcitonin on osteoclasts, CGRP caused cessation of lamellipodia activity and gradual retraction of lamellipodia when added into the culture medium. Quantitative analysis showed that CGRP (10(-6) M) caused a gradual reduction of osteoclastic surface area and convex perineum. These data show that CGRP inhibits IL1 alpha mediated bone resorption because of its direct regulation of osteoclast activity.

[Relationship between Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and spirochetes infection]

By using Warthin-Starry spirochete special stain method and a transmission electron microscope for the first time, we detected spirochetes separately in lesions of 23 cases of MRS and 5 cases of MRS. Their shapes and distributive places were described. 11 cases were treated by high dose of penicillin, and 10 were responsive. This result provided further basis for a conjecture that the attack of MRS may be related to the infection of spirochetes.

[Langerhans cells in the gingival epithelium]

Langerhans cells (LCs) were specifically demonstrated by monoclonal antibody OKT 6. In healthy gingival tissue LCs were mainly seen in stratum spinosum of the surface epithelium. They had small nuclei and with long cell processes. The LCs of oral epithelium in marginal gingivitis and adult periodontitis tissue were more in numbers than in healthy tissue. In juvenile periodontitis tissue LCs numbers seemed to be increased obviously in comparison to the healthy tissue. The LCs were round and often located in both deep spinous and basal layers. These results demonstrate that LCs play an important role in the local immune response of the periodontal tissues.

[Pharmacokinetics of albendazole and its metabolites in human body]

High-performance liquid chromatography method was used to determine blood sulfoxide and sulfone, two metabolites of albendazole. Methanol containing 0.4% acetic acid was employed as mobile phase. Wavelength of 290 nm was chosen for uv-detector and mebendazole was used as internal standard. After a single dosage of albendazole 25 mg/kg was taken orally by healthy volunteers and neurocysticercosis patients, sulfoxide and sulfone were found in blood at 20 and 40 min respectively. The blood peak level appeared at 6 h on an average. The metabolites remained as long as 58-72 h in human blood.

[Ultrastructure of colloid bodies in oral lichen planus]

Ultrastructure of 20 cases oral lichen planus was observed. Colloid bodies were found in 4 cases. Morphologically, the colloid bodies could be divided into four types: Mass-filament shape: compound type of mass-filament shape and filament shape of low electronic density; filament shape of low electronic density and filament shape of high electronic density. Among them, the compound type was not reported until this study. Owing to discovery of the compound colloid body, the fact that there is an intermediate stage in the course of formation of the colloid body was more correctly known by the authors. And a model figure which expressed the course of formation of colloid bodies was drawn up. The authors have imagined the nature of colloid body is degeneration of epithelial cells. The result of degeneration is death of the cells.

T cells and T-cell subsets in periodontal diseases

Acetone-fixed cryostat gingival tissue sections from marginal gingivitis (MG), juvenile periodontitis (JP), adult periodontitis (AP) patients and clinically healthy subjects (H) were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies to aid in identification and quantification of T cells and T-cell subsets in the inflammatory infiltrates. T cells were present in all specimens studied. The number of T cells in the connective tissue (CT) zone of AP was much greater than in any other groups. The amounts of T cells in oral epithelium and sulcular (pocket) epithelium zones of diseased groups were larger than in the healthy group. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of T cells and the percentage of infiltrated connective tissue. While there were no significant differences between the mean ratios of T-helper/T-suppressor cells from diseased and healthy tissues, large individual variance existed in the three diseased groups. The existence of a high or low T4/T8 ratio in inflamed gingiva might be related to an abnormal immunoregulation.