[Research on knowledge status and relevant factors of breastfeeding among medical staff in China based on network platform]

From August 1(st) to 7(th), 2017, the breastfeeding knowledge of medical staff were collected from 52 medical health institutions in 29 provinces through a network system. A total of 35 243 questionnaires were included in the study to analyze the current status of breastfeeding knowledge and related factors. The qualified rate of breastfeeding knowledge questionnaires for medical staff in this study was 75.3% (26 546/35 243). Compared with those in the eastern region and those who were mothers, the qualified rate of breastfeeding knowledge of medical staff in the central region or the western region and medical staff who were fathers or expectant parents was lower, with OR (95%CI) values about 0.71 (0.67-0.75), 0.66 (0.61-0.72), 0.63 (0.55-0.72) and 0.87 (0.80-0.95), respectively. Compared with those attaining high school education or below and those with children aged<1 month, the qualified rate of breastfeeding knowledge was higher in medical staff with bachelor's degree, graduate degree or above, and with children aged 1-5, 6-23 and ≥24 months, with OR (95%CI) values about 1.92 (1.80-2.05), 2.16 (1.94-2.42), 2.28 (1.93-2.70), 2.41 (2.06-2.83) and 1.99 (1.72-2.32), respectively.

[Relevant molecular characteristics analysis on malignant transformation of interstitial cells induced by tumor stem cells in glioma microenvironment]

Objective: A variety of interstitial cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) based on glioma stem cells(GSC) have the function to promote malignant progression of tumors, but whether these interstitial cells have already undergone malignant transformation and their related molecular characteristics are still poorly understood. Methods: Human SU3-RFP glioma stem cells (GSC) stably transfected with red fluorescent protein (RFP) and interstitial cells from enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic nude mice were co-cultured in vitro. SU3-RFP cells were also inoculated in different tissues of EGFP-Balb/c nude mice. Immortal EGFP(+) cells were monocloned either from co-culture cells in vitro, or from their xenografts in vivo. These immortal EGFP(+) cells were confirmed to bear characteristics of tumor cell via chromosomal analysis and tumorigenicity assay. Related molecular phenotypes of these cells were further detected through RT-PCR, flow cytometry and immunochemistry(IHC) techniques. Results: (1) Two EGFP(+) cell lines were obtained in vitro, and 5 EGFP(+) cell lines were obtained in vivo tumorigenic experiments. Seven EGFP(+) cell lines all have characteristics of self-renewal, heteroploid of chromosomes and 100% tumorigenicity. (2) Cell surface marker analysis showed cell origin of these cell lines were macrophages (tMΦ1 and tMΦ2 ), dendritic cells (tDC1 and tDC2), fibroblasts (tFB), oligodendrocytes (tOG) and BMSC cells (tBMSC), respectively. (3)All of these seven cell lines co-expressed Sca-1 and c-myc, and have Sox-2 or Nanog expression also, which suggest that they may bear molecular characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells or pluripotent stem cells. Conclusions: (1) Tumor stromal cells in TME have undergone malignant transformation, which is related to the tissue remodeling of TME by GSCs, and not limit to the specific type of their parasitic tissues. (2) Tumor cells originated from GSC and tumor interstitial cells, respectively, are two major types of tumor cells with different origins in glioma parenchyma, can not be simply regarded as tumor heterogeneity, transformed interstitial cells of TME may have the potential to serve as new targets for target diagnosis and therapy.

[Experimental studies on correlation between nucleolus spindle-related protein 1 and the malignant progression and prognosis of human glioblastoma multiforme]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between nucleolus spindle-related protein 1 (NUSAP1) and malignant progression and prognosis of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods: RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique were applied to analyze NUSAP1 expression level in GBM surgical specimens. Correlations between NUSAP1 expression and molecular classification and survival of patients with GBM were also investigated in TCGA database. The gene silencing technique was used to silence NUSAP1 expression in U87 cells, CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation, flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle changes, and in vivo tumorigenicity was evaluated after NUSAP1 silencing in tumor-bearing mice. Results: NUSAP1 expression level in GBM was higher than that in non-tumor brain tissue. Survival curve analysis showed that the survival time of GBM patients with high NUSAP1 expression decreased significantly (P<0.01). NUSAP1 expression was relatively lower in mesenchymal and neural molecular subtypes of GBM, when compared with the other two molecular subtypes. And it was closely related with specific genetic aberrations (such as PTEN loss and IDH1 mutation). Silencing NUSAP1 inhibited G2/M cell cycle progression of GBM cells, and inhibited cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Expression of NUSAP1 is closely related to progress and prognosis of GBM, and can be a biomarker reflecting GBM prognosis and act as a therapeutic target with potential clinical application value.

[Down-regulation of miR-146b-5p promotes malignant transformation of fusion cells after co-culture of macrophages with glioma stem cells in vitro]

Objective: To observe mutual interactions between macrophages(Mφ) and glioma stem cells (GSCs)in dual-color tracing model in vitro, to identify the biological characteristics of fusion cells in multiple levels, and to analysis the relevant molecular mechanisms. Methods: Red fluorescent protein(RFP) gene was stably transfected into human GSCs cell line SU4. Mφ cells were obtained from Balb/c nude mice with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression. Then two cells were co-cultured in dual-color tracing platform. RFP/EGFP double positive cells with high proliferation ability were mono-cloned. The fusion cells were verified by Western blot, fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry and chromosome karyotype analysis.The biological characteristics of fusion cells were further analyzed, together with relevant molecular changes. Results: RFP / EGFP double positive cells were obtained through in vitro co-culture. RFP and EGFP coexpression were proved at transcriptional and translational levels in the fusion cells. They also co-expressed GSCs marker Nestin and Mφ marker CD68, and karyotype analysis showed two types of characteristic chromosomes, which confirmed that the fusion cells originated from spontaneous fusion between SU4-RFP and Mφ.Fusion cell proliferation rate and invasion ability were higher than SU4-RFP, which were relevant with down-regulation of miR-146b-5p and activation of STAT3. Fusion cells transfected with miR-146b-5p showed a higher apoptosis rate(18.83%) and lower tumor formation(4/5). Conclusion: Mφ could fuse with GSCs spontaneously in local tumor micro-environment. The proliferation and invasion abilities of fusion cells were higher than their parent cells, which were relevant with down-regulation of miR-146b-5p and activation of STAT3. It revealed the possible mechanisms of malignant progression of gliomas.

Further development of the baboon as a model for acute schistosomiasis

Baboons develop a syndrome, including eosinophilia and transient fever, after infection with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni that is consistent with the human syndrome of acute schistosomiasis. Radiotelemetry can be used to follow the course of fever in infected baboons. Individual variations in intensity of disease were noted in baboons. These symptoms and signs were more closely linked to the onset of oviposition by the newly matured worms than they were to the presence of migrating schistosomula or maturing worms. The baboon is concluded to be a suitable and useful model for human acute schistosomiasis mansoni.