Lymph node targeting strategy using a hydrogel sustained-release system to load effector memory T cells improves the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-PD-1

Communication between tumors and lymph nodes carries substantial significance for antitumor immunotherapy. Remodeling the immune microenvironment of tumor-draining lymph nodes (TdLN) plays a key role in enhancing the anti-tumor ability of immunotherapy. In this study, we constructed a biomimetic artificial lymph node structure composed of F127 hydrogel loading effector memory T (TEM) cells and PD-1 inhibitors (aPD-1). The biomimetic lymph nodes facilitate the delivery of TEM cells and aPD-1 to the TdLN and the tumor immune microenvironment, thus realizing effective and sustained anti-tumor immunotherapy. Exploiting their unique gel-forming and degradation properties, the cold tumors were speedily transformed into hot tumors via TEM cell supplementation. Meanwhile, the efficacy of aPD-1 was markedly elevated compared with conventional drug delivery methods. Our finding suggested that the development of F127@TEM@aPD-1 holds promising potential as a future novel clinical drug delivery technique. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bionic artificial lymph nodes(F127@TEM@aPD-1) show unique advantages in cancer treatment. When injected subcutaneously, the artificial lymph node can continuously supplement TEM cells and aPD-1 to tumor draining lymph nodes (TdLN) and the tumor microenvironment, not only improving the efficacy of ICB therapy through slow release, but also exhibiting dual regulatory effects on the tumor and TdLN.

Microwave-responsive gadolinium metal-organic frameworks nanosystem for MRI-guided cancer thermotherapy and synergistic immunotherapy

The clinical application of cancer immunotherapy is unsatisfied due to low response rates and systemic immune-related adverse events. Microwave hyperthermia can be used as a synergistic immunotherapy to amplify the antitumor effect. Herein, we designed a Gd-based metal-organic framework (Gd-MOF) nanosystem for MRI-guided thermotherapy and synergistic immunotherapy, which featured high performance in drug loading and tumor tissue penetration. The PD-1 inhibitor (aPD-1) was initially loaded in the porous Gd-MOF (Gd/M) nanosystem. Then, the phase change material (PCM) and the cancer cell membrane were further sequentially modified on the surface of Gd/MP to obtain Gd-MOF@aPD-1@CM (Gd/MPC). When entering the tumor microenvironment (TME), Gd/MPC induces immunogenic death of tumor cells through microwave thermal responsiveness, improves tumor suppressive immune microenvironment and further enhances anti-tumor ability of T cells by releasing aPD-1. Meanwhile, Gd/MPC can be used for contrast-enhanced MRI. Transcriptomics data revealed that the downregulation of MSK2 in cancer cells leads to the downregulation of c-fos and c-jun, and ultimately leads to the apoptosis of cancer cells after treatment. In general, Gd/MPC nanosystem not only solves the problem of system side effect, but also achieves the controlled drug release via PCM, providing a promising theranostic nanoplatform for development of cancer combination immunotherapy.

[Stem cells for the treatment of Peyronie's disease]

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder characterized as fibrotic plaque localized in the tunica albuginea (TA), and its pathomechanism remains obscure. Endeavors are being made to explore effective and minimally invasive therapeutic strategies for PD, and some experimental studies have verified the preventative and therapeutic effects of stem cells (SC), especially adipose tissue-derived SCs (ADSC), on this disease and excavated some of their action mechanisms. Some scholars attempted the integration of SCs with graft tissues, aiming at the improvement of TA grafting and reconstruction. The only publicly available clinical trial of SC therapy for PD was encouraging, and further on-coming relevant researches are expected with simultaneous optimization of the scheme. In a word, the application of SCs in the prevention and treatment of PD is a promising topic for clinical research, and there remain quite a lot of unknowns to be explored. This article summarizes the existing researches in this field.

Dynamic effect of three locking plates fixated to humeral fracture based on multibody musculoskeletal model

OBJECTIVE

This study attempts to analyse the biomechanical effect of internal fixation (plated in parallel or plated vertically) on the basis of distal humeral fractures on musculoskeletal multibody dynamics using AnyBody in Finite Element Method.

METHOD

Humeral 3D models were reconstructed by MIMICS after volunteers' CT image input in *.dicom format, and processed by Geomagic Studio for surfaces, while locking plates and screws were then designed by Pro-E. A humeral model of T-type fracture was created and assembled in Hypermesh, to integrate fixtures (e.g., MPL/PML/ML), to grid the mesh and then assign materials. A musculoskeletal model of the upper limb was established by AnyBody to simulate elbow flexion and extension. They were finally imported to Abaqus for boundary conditions and dynamic analysis.

RESULT

In terms of Von Mises stress, its maximum increased and then decreased gradually during the joint motion, but p > 0.05 in SPSS suggests no significant difference for all three fixtures. In terms of displacement, when the elbow was at 90°, each motional pattern reached its peak as follows: ML180° = 0.28 mm, MPL90° = 0.49 mm & PML90° = 0.54 mm during flexion; ML180° = 0.073 mm, MPL90° = 0.10 mm & PML90° = 0.12 mm during extension. p < 0.05 suggests a significant difference for the displacements of all three fixations. p = 0.007 < 0.01667 suggests the significant difference between the two fixations, for example, PML90° and ML180°, indicating that the peak displacement of ML180° is less than that of PML90°.

CONCLUSION

After generally analysed in musculoskeletal dynamics, the biomechanical property of the fixtures was presented as follows: the displacement of the parallel plate was less than that of the vertical, and the parallel plate may optimise the clinical reduction anatomically.

Dynamics analysis for flexion and extension of elbow joint motion based on musculoskeletal model of Anybody

PURPOSE

Little is known about how biomechanics governs the biological nature for humeral motion dynamically. Elbow motion ought to be investigated based on a musculoskeletal model and evidence the physiologic principle of upper limbs.

METHOD

A humeral model was reconstructed by MIMICS after CT images input in *.dicom format, it was processed by Geomagic Studio for Surfaces, then gridded mesh and assigned materials by Hypermesh. On the other hand, a musculoskeletal model was built by AnyBody, physical motions were then simulated to export boundary condition and myodynamia during flexion and extension. Finally, all the humeral model and boundary were imported to Abaqus for finite element analysis.

RESULT

During the simulative motion of flexion, the primary muscles are brachii biceps, brachialis anticus and teretipronator, their myodynamia increased and then decreased gradually, and reached its peak value at 30°; During extension, the main muscles are triceps brachii and brachialis anticus, their myodynamia increased and then decreased gradually too, and reached peak at 50°; In these two cases, their strain and displacement distributed at the middle of humerus.

CONCLUSION

AnyBody is a novel modelling system to simulate physical motion, for example flexion and extension. Biceps brachii and brachialis anticus are functional for flexion, and triceps brachii plays a key role in extension critically. This simulation confirms the physiologic rule for sport event, humeral fixation and postoperative healing with clinical significance that minimizing joint forces from injury onset may promote pain-free ways.

Cytotoxic jatrophane diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Euphorbia helioscopia

A phytochemical study of 80% ethanol extract from the aerial parts of Euphorbia helioscopia led to the isolation of three new jatrophane diterpenoids, euphoheliphanes A-C (1-3). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, UV, and MS). The isolated diterpenoids were tested in vitro for cytotoxic potentials against 6 renal cancer cell lines. As a result, compounds 1-3 exhibited some cytotoxic activities against all the tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values less than 50 μM.[Formula: see text].

[Impact of systolic blood pressure on outcome of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To investigate the impact of different levels of systolic blood pressure on all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Patients with AF or atrial flutter diagnosed by 12 lead electrocardiogram during physical examination of Kailuan Group employees from July 2006 to December 2017 or previously diagnosed with AF in an inpatient setting at a level 2A hospital or above were eligible for the study. Baseline clinical characteristics including age, gender, systolic blood pressure were collected. According to the level of systolic blood pressure, patients were divided into systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)group, 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group, and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg group. The time of first diagnosis with AF was defined as the start of follow-up and the final follow-up ended at December 2018. Primary endpoint was all-cause death. Related information was obtained through the social security system or inpatient medical records. The cause of death was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases disease (ICD-10) codes by professional medical stuffs. Multifactorial Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the relative risk ratios for the occurrence of death in different systolic blood pressure level groups. The relationship between systolic blood pressure levels and mortality in the patients with AF was analyzed by using natural spline function curves. Results: A total of 1 721 patients with AF were enrolled (average age=(67.0±9.0) years), patients were followed up for (6.3±3.8) years. 544 out of 1 721 patients with AF died during the follow-up period (31.61%). The cumulative incidence rate of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death was 26.13%, 25.59%, 36.96% and 14.86%, 11.87%, 19.76% respectively in the systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg, 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg groups. The cumulative incidence rate of all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death was significantly higher in the group with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg than in 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group (P<0.05). Compared with 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that the HRs (95%CI) for all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death were 1.47 (1.20 to 1.79) and 1.69 (1.27 to 2.26) for the group with systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg (P<0.05). In contrast, the HRs (95%CI) for all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death in the systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg group were 0.99 (0.73-1.35) and 1.24 (0.82-1.89), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The natural spline curve showed that there was a "U" relationship between systolic blood pressure levels and all cause death and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death in this patient cohort. Systolic blood pressure greater than or less than 123 mmHg was associated with increased risk of death of AF patients in this cohort. Conclusion: Compared with systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg group, the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death is the lowest in AF patients with 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg in this cohort.

[Giant trichilemmal carcinoma of the retroauricular: a case report]

The trichilemmal carcinoma is a rare tumor that usually occurs on sun-exposed skin, especially on the face, scalp, neck and back of hands, mainly in elderly subjects but commonly between the 4th and 9th decades of life. We report a case of giant trichilemmal carcinoma. A 65-year-old man presented with a 5-year history of a slowly developing mass arising from his right retroauricular region, with local destruction of the auricle. The lesion appeared as a 8.0 cm×6.5 cm×2.0 cm sized, with surface ulceration and erosion, subcutaneous nodule, and mild tenderness. Preoperative pathological biopsy showed: "retroauricular" trichilemmal carcinoma. The patient underwent right retroauricular tumor resection, partial auriculectomy, neck adjacent skin flap repair and auricle reconstruction. Postoperative pathological report: "retroauricular" trichilemmal carcinoma. The margin of incision was negative, and the lymph nodes in zone II were negative. Immunohistochemistry: Tumor cells were CK5/6（++）, p63（++）, p40（++）, CD10（-）, EMA（-）, Ki-67（+, about 60%）.

Temperature controllable electrochemical sensors based on horseradish peroxidase as electrocatalyst at heated Au disk electrode and its preliminary application for H2O2 detection

In this paper, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was successfully immobilized on heated Au disk electrode (HAuDE) by biotin-streptavidin specific interaction through HS-ssDNA-biotin self-assembled on HAuDE for investigation the electrocatalytic activity of HRP. With elevated electrode temperature, the significant temperature effect of the electrocatalytic activity of HRP for H₂O₂ reduction was demonstrated by using this bio-sensing platform. With an electrode temperature of 40 °C, a detection limit of 1.5 × 10^-6 mol L^-1 for H₂O₂ reduction could be obtained, which was more than one magnitude lower than that with an electrode temperature of 0 °C. Because HRP can be widely used as an enzyme label for amplification detection, this sensing platform can be broadly applied to analytical chemistry such as nucleic acid detection, and aptamer-based biosensors.

[Efficacy and safety of IA regimen containing different doses of idarubicin in de-novo acute myeloid leukemia for adult patients]

目的

探讨含不同剂量去甲氧柔红霉素（IDA 8、10、12 mg/m²）的IA方案诱导治疗成人初发急性髓系白血病（AML）（非急性早幼粒细胞白血病）的临床疗效和安全性。

方法

采用多中心、单盲、非随机、临床对照研究，纳入2011年5月至2015年3月苏州大学附属第一医院及其他36家单位收治的1 215例成人初发AML患者，根据诱导化疗方案中IDA的剂量对患者进行分组，分析不同剂量IDA联合阿糖胞苷（100 mg/m²）组成的IA方案在成人初发AML诱导治疗中的完全缓解（CR）率、血液学及非血液学不良事件。

结果

可纳入缓解率分析的AML患者共1 207例，IDA 8 mg/m²、10 mg/m²和12 mg/m²组的CR率分别为73.6%（215/292）、84.1%（662/787）和86.7%（111/128），差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）；以IDA 8 mg/m²组为参照组，在调整了年龄、骨髓原始细胞比例、FAB分型、危险度分层后，IDA 10 mg/m²和IDA 12 mg/m²为影响患者CR的有利因素[OR=0.49（95% CI 0.34~0.70），P<0.001；OR=0.36（95%CI 0.18~0.71），P=0.003]。在中、低危组中三组CR率分别为76.5%（163/213）、86.9%（506/582）和86.1%（68/79），差异有统计学意义（P=0.007）；在调整了年龄、骨髓原始细胞比例、FAB分型因素后，IDA 10 mg/m²为影响患者CR的有利因素[OR=0.47（95% CI 0.31~0.71），P<0.001]。在高危组中，三组CR率分别为50.0%（18/36）、60.6%（43/71）和81.8%（18/22），差异无统计学意义（P=0.089），但在调整了年龄、骨髓原始细胞比例、FAB分型因素后，IDA 12 mg/m²为影响患者CR的有利因素[OR=0.22（95% CI 0.06~0.80），P=0.022]。8 mg/m²、10 mg/m²和12 mg/m²组中性粒细胞≤0.5×10⁹/L的中位持续时间分别为14（11~18）、15（11~20）和18（14~22）d，差异有统计学意义（P=0.012）；三组PLT≤20×10⁹/L的中位持续时间分别为14（7~17）、15（11~20）和17（15~21）d，差异有统计学意义（P=0.001）；三组肺部感染发生率分别为9.8%、13.5%和25.2%，差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。

结论

在中国成人（18~60岁）初发AML中，建议中、低危组患者采用含IDA 10 mg/m²的IA方案进行诱导治疗；而高危组AML建议选择含IDA 12 mg/m²的IA方案进行诱导治疗。

1H-NMR spectroscopy identifies potential biomarkers in serum metabolomic signatures for early stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most prevalent types of upper gastrointestinal malignancies. Here, we used ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) to identify potential serum biomarkers in patients with early stage ESCC.

METHODS

Sixty-five serum samples from early stage ESCC patients (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 40) were analysed using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. We distinguished between different metabolites through principal component analysis, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) using SIMCA-P+ version 14.0 software. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to verify potential biomarkers.

RESULTS

Using OPLS-DA, 31 altered serum metabolites were successfully identified between the groups. Based on the area under the ROC curve (AUROC), and the biomarker panel with AUROC of 0.969, six serum metabolites (α-glucose, choline, glutamine, glutamate, valine, and dihydrothymine) were selected as potential biomarkers for early stage ESCC. Dihydrothymine particularly was selected as a new feasible biomarker associated with tumor occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

¹H-NMR spectroscopy may be a useful tumour detection approach in identifying useful metabolic ESCC biomarkers for early diagnosis and in the exploration of the molecular pathogenesis of ESCC.

[Predictive factors for clinically significant elevation of post-prostatectomy Gleason score in patients with biopsy Gleason score ≤7]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic factors for clinically significant increase in post-prostatectomy Gleason score (pGS) in patients with biopsy Gleason score (bGS) ≤7.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 170 cases of prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2017. We analyzed the clinical and pathological data on the patients, including the age, preoperative serum tPSA, fPSA, fPSA / tPSA, prostate volume, PSA density (PSAD), and positive puncture rate of the patients with clinically significant elevation of pGS, as well as the possible factors for clinically significant pGS increase in patients with bGS = 7 and those with bGS ≤ 6.

RESULTS

The pGS was found consistent with the bGS in 95 (55.9%) of the 170 patients, decreased in 11 (6.5%) and increased in 64 (37.6%). Among those with elevated pGS, 55 (32.4%) were shown with and the other 9 (5.3%) without clinical significance. Clinically significant escalation of pGS was markedly correlated with the positive puncture rate in the patients with bGS = 7 (P = 0.021) and with the age (P = 0.018) and PSAD (P = 0.033) of those with bGS ≤ 6. ROC curve analysis further showed the positive puncture rate > 0.528 in the patients with bGS = 7 and a higher risk of clinically significant pGS increase in those aged > 64.5 years with bGS ≤ 6 and PSAD > 0.267 μg/(L·g).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically significant elevation of pGS is correlated with the rate of positive punctures in prostate cancer patients with bGS = 7 and with age and PSAD in those with bGS ≤ 6.

[Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 7 inhibits the proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion of fibroblast of urethral scars]

Objective: To study the effect and its mechanism of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (rhBMP-7) on urethral keloid fibroblast. Methods: Urethral fibroblasts were extracted and cultured, and the fourth-generation fibroblasts were used for experiment. Urethral fibroblasts were treated with rhBMP-7. Proliferation rate was detected by CCK-8 method. RT-PCR was applied to test changes of mRNA in α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type Ⅰ collagen protein (COL-1) of each group. Western blot was used to measure α-SMA protein expression and the effect of rhBMP-7 on signaling pathway of urethral keloid fibroblasts. Results: With the increase of rhBMP-7 concentrations, the proliferation rate of urethral keloid fibroblast was generally decreased. Cells kept proliferating with time at the same concentration of rhBMP-7. mRNA level of COL-1 and α-SMA in rhBMP-7-treated (>20 ng/ml) urethral keloid fibroblasts was greatly reduced with statistical significance (P<0.05) and dose dependency. It was found rhBMP-7 inhibited the overexpression of p-smad2/3 and α-SMA mediated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β(1)) signaling pathway. Conclusion: rhBMP-7 could adjust TGF-β(1) signaling pathway to inhibit gene expression of COL-1 and a-SMA in urethral keloid fibroblast, which provided evidences for further animal experiments or clinical trials.

CYP3A5 ∗ 3 genetic polymorphism is associated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated the association between CYP3A5 FNx01 3 genetic polymorphism and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk in children, but have yielded controversial results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate synthetically the effect of CYP3A5 FNx01 3 polymorphism on the risk of ALL in children.

METHODS

Case-control studies investigating the relationship between CYP3A5 FNx01 3 genetic polymorphism and ALL risk in children were included. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of association between CYP3A5 FNx01 3 polymorphism and ALL risk in children. Q-statistic test was used to evaluate the heterogeneity and publication bias was assessed through funnel plot.

RESULTS

In total, five case-control studies with 1070 cases and 1125 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Based on the results of heterogeneity, fixed-effects or random-effects models were applied to estimate the pooled ORs. The pooled ORs (95% CIs) for CYP3A5 FNx01 3 heterozygous mutant, homozygous mutant, and (heterozygous + homozygous) mutant were 1.47 (0.97-2.21), 1.05 (0.62-1.79), and 1.67 (1.14-2.44) with P = 0.07, 0.86, and 0.009, respectively. In subgroup analysis, the Z values of CYP3A5 FNx01 3 (heterozygous + homozygous) mutant and children with ALL in Asian and Caucasian populations were 1.34 and 2.51 with P = 0.18 and 0.01, respectively. No significant publication bias was detected by funnel plot.

CONCLUSIONS

The current meta-analysis showed that there was association between CYP3A5 FNx01 3 polymorphism and the altered risk of ALL in children, especially in Caucasian populations.

[Clinical Curative Efficacy of Lenalidomide Combined with Chemotherapy for Acute Leukemia and Its Impact on VEGF]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of regimen consisting of lenalidomide combined with chemotherapy for acute leukemia and its impact on vascular endothilial growth factor (vEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and to analyze the relationship lenalidomide with therapeutic efficacy of leukemia.

METHODS

The patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (except M3) from October 2013 to October 2014 in our hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups: chemotherapy+placebo (CP) group and lenalidomide+chemotherapy (LC) group. In addition, healthy persons were used as healthy controls (HC). The expression of VEGF and bFGF was detected by ELISA, and the therapeutic efficacy for AML patients was analyzed.

RESULTS

The therapeutic efficacy in LC group and CP group was 87.9% and 77.2% respectively. Before treatment, the VEGF level in LC and CP groups was obviously higher than that in HC group; after treatment, the VEGF level significanthy decreased, and the decreased degree in LC group was larger than that in CP group. Before treatment, the bFGF level in LC and CP groups was higher than that in HC group; after treatment, the bFGF level decreased, and decreased degree in LC group was larger than that in CP group.

CONCLUSION

The lenalidomide combined with chemotherapy can significantly decrease the expression level of VEGF and bFGF, and enhance the remission rate of patients with AML.

[Clinical research of second resection on early stage primary bladder adenocarcinoma and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of primary bladder adenocarcinoma in the early stage.

METHODS

The clinical features, pathological results, diagnosis and treatment profiles of 7 cases of primary bladder adenocarcinoma admitted in Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2010 to July 2015 were analyzed ret rospectively.

RESULTS

All seven cases were diagnosed pathologically as primary bladder adenocarinoma.Histological staging T1 was revealed in six cases, while T2 in one case after the first resection.After four weeks, all patients received the second resection while one patient underwent immediately radical cystectomy. Multimodality therapy such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy was performed for longer postoperative survival.only one man died while another patient had been healthy for 6 years till January 2016.

CONCLUSION

Primary bladder adenocarcinoma is a highly malignant disease in bladder cancer.According to the results of the second resection, multimodality therapy for patients in early stage with no lymph node or other organs metastasis can improve the quality of life without affectiong their lives.

Acute effects of different glycemic index diets on serum motilin, orexin and neuropeptide Y concentrations in healthy individuals

AIM

To determine whether different glycemic index (GI) diets have different effects on the acute secretion of motilin, orexin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), regulators of food intake, energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism.

METHODS

Fifty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups and were fed an isocaloric breakfast (464 kcal) containing high GI (HGI; GI=90) or low GI (LGI; GI=47) components. Serum motilin, orexin, and NPY concentrations were measured before (0 h) and 2h after the meal.

RESULTS

The concentrations of motilin, orexin-A, NPY, C-peptide, and blood glucose at 0 h were similar in both groups of subjects. However, 2 h after breakfast, the serum motilin, NPY, C-peptide, and blood glucose concentrations were increased and orexin-A concentrations were decreased in both groups. The percentage changes from 0 to 2 h [(2-h value-0-h value)/baseline×100)] in motilin (27.72±2.46% vs. 20.95±2.06%, p=0.04) and orexin-A (9.15±2.06% vs. 3.49±1.67%, p=0.038) concentrations were significantly higher in the LGI group than in the HGI group. By contrast, the percentage changes in NPY (53.7±9.73% vs. 28.1±5.2%, p=0.026) and blood glucose (12.3±3.78% vs. 1.77±2.52%, p=0.025) concentrations were significantly greater in the HGI group than in the LGI group. Although C-peptide concentrations increased significantly after breakfast in both groups, the magnitude of the increase was similar (132.69±25.15% vs. 139.98±27.29%, p=0.845). Motilin and NPY concentrations were moderately positive correlated (r=0.410, p=0.042), while orexin-A and NPY concentrations were negatively correlated (r=-0.429, p=0.033) at 2h in the LGI group.

CONCLUSIONS

A breakfast with a LGI reduced the secretion of orexin-A but significantly stimulated motilin secretion, without marked effects on the secretion of NPY. Therefore, consumption of a LGI diet may help to regulate food intake and energy expenditure in healthy individuals based on the changes in these hormones.

[Expressions of ATF3 and CTGF and their regulation by estradiol in the prepuce of hypospadias patients]

OBJECTIVE

Estrogen is closely associated with hypospadias. The present study was to explore the molecular mechanism of hypospadias caused by estradiol.

METHODS

Fibroblasts obtained from the prepuce of hypospadiac and normal children were cultured in vitro and treated with 17-beta ethinyl estradiol (17-EE) at the concentrations of 1 micromol/L to 0.1 nmol/L for 2 hours, or at 0.1 micromol/L for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of 17-EE on the proliferation of the cells, and RT-PCR was employed to detect the expressions of the activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the hypospadiac tissue. The results were compared with those obtained from the nonhypospadiac tissue.

RESULTS

The expressions of ATF3 and CTGF were significantly upregulated in the hypospadiac tissue as compared with the nonhypospadiac group. At the concentration of 1 micromol/L, 17-EE significantly inhibited the proliferation of the cells. ATF3 mRNA was elevated at 1-2 hours, while CTGF mRNA showed no significant changes in 24 hours.

CONCLUSION

ATF3 and CTGF are two candidate genes involved in the etiology of hypospadias. And estradiol may induce hypospadias by upregulating the expressions of ATF3 and CTGF.

[Snodgrass technique, Duckett repair and bladder mucosa grafting for hypospadias: an analysis of 251 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To present the experience in using the Snodgrass technique, Duckett repair and bladder mucosa grafting for hypospadias.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 251 cases of middle and posterior hypospadias treated by the Snodgrass technique, Duckett repair and bladder mucosa grafting from February 1997 to December 2008.

RESULTS

The success rates of the Snodgrass technique, Duckett repair and bladder mucosa grafting were 80.3% (53/66) , 76% (19/25) and 78.9% (15/19) for middle hypospadias and 68. 3% (41/60) , 63.6% (14/22) and 88. 1% (52/59) for the posterior type without statistical significant differences (all P > 0.05). Bladder mucosa grafting showed a significantly higher success rate than the other two procedures in either one-stage or two-stage surgical repair of posterior hypospadias (P < 0.05). Duckett repair achieved a significantly higher rate of success in children under 14 years than in the older ones (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Of the three surgical options, bladder mucosa grafting is the most suitable for posterior hypospadias, and Duckett repair is recommended for children under 14 years of age.

Estrogen effects on fetal penile and urethral development in organotypic mouse genital tubercle culture

PURPOSE

We developed an organotypic genital tubercle culture system in vitro and used it to investigate the direct effects of the hyperestrogenic state on fetal mouse penile and urethral development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Genital tubercles were dissected from embryonic day 14.5 C57B/L6 male mouse fetuses and cultured using an air-liquid interface on a microporous membrane support soaked in synthetic medium. Cultures were separated into 4 groups. Groups 1 to 3 were supplied with 10 nM dihydrotestosterone, estradiol and 10 nM dihydrotestosterone plus estradiol, respectively. Group 4 was cultured in hormone-free medium. After 36 to 72-hour culture morphological, histological, proliferation, apoptosis, androgen signaling and activating transcription factor 3 analyses were done.

RESULTS

The physiological concentration of 10 nM dihydrotestosterone was essential for genital tubercle growth in vitro. Androgen induced growth and urethral development were significantly suppressed by high dose estrogen. Concurrently we observed increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in the mesenchyma. Androgen signaling was disrupted and activating transcription factor 3, a factor related to hypospadias genesis, was up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

High dose estrogen suppressed male genital tubercle development in vitro. The organotypic genital tubercle culture system in vitro consisting of urethral epithelial and mesenchymal cells can recapitulate the hormonal sensitivity of fetal penile and urethral development. This method is potentially useful for studying the effects of various factors, particularly endocrine disruptors.

[Human foreskin acellular matrix graft: a good scaffold for urethral tissue engineering]

OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence of using the human foreskin acellular matrix graft for urethral tissue engineering. METH-ODS: The human foreskin acellular matrix graft was prepared, its safety and biocompatibility as urethral material were determined by histological observation, cytotoxicity test using primary epithelial cells and experiment in vivo.

RESULTS

Intact cells were absent from the foreskin acellular matrix graft. The cytotoxicity test showed that the relative growth rate of the cells was between 75% and 99%, and the cytotoxicity of the foreskin acellular matrix graft was grade 1, consistent with the national standard. With the lengthening of time, the foreskin acellular matrix graft became perfectly compatible with the urothelial cells and the urethral multi-layer structure was restored to normal gradually.

CONCLUSION

The human foreskin acellular matrix graft, with its low antigenicity and good biocompatibility, could be a good scaffold for urethral tissue engineering.

[Modulation of lung oxidant/antioxidant status by ischemic post-conditioning during ischemia/ reperfusion injury: experiment with rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of ischemic post-conditioning (IPO) on the lung endogenous oxidant-antioxidant system and nitric oxide level during the early stage of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODS

Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: sham-operation (S) group, I/R Group, undergoing ischemia by blocking the lung hilus for 1 h and then reperfusion for 30 min, IPO Group, undergoing blocking the lung hilus for 1 h and then 3 cycles of 10 s ischemia and 10 s reperfusion. Then the rats were killed with their lungs taken out. The levels of glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XO), and endogenous antioxidant enzymes, i. e, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), and activities of gultathionine peroxidase (GPX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), a neutrophil accumulation marker, were measured respectively.

RESULTS

In IPO group, Compared with I/R group, antioxidant systems such as the levels of SOD, CAT, GPX, and GSH of IPO Group were (41.4 +/- 4.4 ) U/mg, (19.5 +/- 1.6) U/mg, (168 +/- 13) U/mg, and (1.72 +/- 0.26) U/g, all significantly higher than those of I/R Group [(19.6 +/- 2.8) U/mg, (8.4 +/- 0.8) U/mg, (72 +/- 8) U/mg, and (0.89 +/-+/- 0.07) mg/g respectively, all P < 0.05); and the levels of XO, MPO, and MDA of Group IPO were (50 +/- 6) U/g, (5.0 +/- 0.5) U/g, and (0.91 +/- 0.08) nmol/mg respectively, all significantly lower than those of I/R Group [(83 +/- 8) U/g, (7.6 +/- 0.7) U/g and (1.58 +/- 0.17) nmol/mg respectively, all P < 0.05). The endogenous NO level of IPO Group was (93 +/- 7) micromol/g, significantly higher than that of I/R Group [(22 +/- 4) micromol/g, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSION

Post-conditioning at onset of reperfusion reduces lung I/R injury. The lung protection of IPO may be mediated, in part, by inhibiting the oxidant generation and oxidizing, and may be associated with the increasing of the endogenous NO level.

Discoloration of methylene blue and wastewater from a plant by a Fe/Cu bimetallic system

Using a Fe/Cu bimetallic system (Fe/Cu system), the discoloration of both methylene blue in aqueous solution and the colored wastewater from a plant was investigated under the anaerobic condition in batch or continuous reactors. Results show that the Fe/Cu system effectively removed the color with over 88% of color removal efficiency for both methylene blue solution and the wastewater from the plant in batch test. Color removal efficiencies increased rapidly with Fe/Cu dosage and reaction time, respectively, at initial time and slowly to stable values. Optimum pH was neutral range. In addition, in continuous test it also removed the color of the wastewater from the plant with 63% of discoloring efficiency under the condition of 2 h of hydraulic retention time and neutral range of pH (7.0-8.3). High discoloring efficiencies with low chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies were found in all experiments. The reduction of chromophores in pollutants was the main mechanism of the discoloration in the Fe/Cu system.

Performance of triple ditch: effects of duration and periodic operation programs

The periodic variation of operation states in triple ditch (BIO-DENITRO process) was investigated in a pilot-scale and a full-scale triple ditch treating raw wastewater containing 70% petrochemical wastewater and 30% domestic wastewater. Mathematical models describing the periodic variation of activated sludge concentrations in each ditch were proposed based on theoretical analysis and were verified in the pilot-scale and full-scale triple ditches respectively. The existence of optimal cycle time and time arrangement of periodic operation programs were demonstrated and discussed according to the mathematical models and the experimental results of the pilot-scale triple ditch operated in four different stages. Four rulers determining the duration and operation programs are suggested.

[Study on preparation and pharmacodynamics of insulin-loaded polyester microparticles]

AIM

To investigate the possibility of using poly (epsilon-caprolactone-block-D, L-lactide) (PLCA) as a kind of materials to prepare the microparticles drug carrier.

METHODS

PCLA-MP (microparticle, MP) was prepared by double-emulsification solvent evaporation method. Its morphology was examined by scanning electron microscope. Its size diameter was examined by particle analyser. Insulin (INS), as a model drug, was then encapsulated into PCLA-MP (INS-PCLA-MP). HPLC method was established for determining INS in INS-PCLA-MP. An "antibody-capture" procedure was devised for investigating encapsulation mechanism. The in vitro release behaviour of INS-PCLA-MP was determined in phosphatic buffer solution (pH 7.4). The diabetic rat model was established and blood glucose levels were measured using glucose oxidase (GOD-PAP) method to evaluate the hypoglycaemic effects after subcutaneous administration of INS-PCLA-MP. The pharmacological bioavailability (PBA) of INS-PCLA-MP was calculated from the area above the curve (AAC) in contrast with INS-solution.

RESULTS

The mean diameter of INS-PCLA-MP was 1.9 microns, while the encapsulation ratio of INS reached to 76.46%. Only 18.25% encapsulated INS was on the surface of the microparticles, it could be measured by "antibody-capture" experiment. The in vitro release curve of INS-PCLA-MP consists of initial rapid release stage followed by slower exponential stage. In pharmacodynamic studies, after subcutaneous administration of INS-PCLA-MP 12 u.kg-1, the hypoglycaemic effect was significant. The PBA of INS-PCLA-MP was 123.08%.

CONCLUSION

PCLA might become a new drug carrier material in the future.