Pretreatment and analysis techniques development of TKIs in biological samples for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as the first-line small molecule drugs in many cancer therapies, exerting their effects by impeding aberrant cell growth and proliferation through the modulation of tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathways. However, there exists a substantial inter-individual variability in the concentrations of certain TKIs and their metabolites, which may render patients with compromised immune function susceptible to diverse infections despite receiving theoretically efficacious anticancer treatments, alongside other potential side effects or adverse reactions. Therefore, an urgent need exists for an up-to-date review concerning the biological matrices relevant to bioanalysis and the sampling methods, clinical pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic drug monitoring of different TKIs. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in pretreatment methods, such as protein precipitation (PPT), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), micro-SPE (μ-SPE), magnetic SPE (MSPE), and vortex-assisted dispersive SPE (VA-DSPE) achieved since 2017. It also highlights the latest analysis techniques such as newly developed high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods, capillary electrophoresis (CE), gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) procedures, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays as well as novel nanoprobes-based biosensing techniques. In addition, a comparison is made between the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches while presenting critical challenges and prospects in pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.

[Incidence of diabetes and influencing factors in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture]

Objective: To understand the incidence of diabetes and influencing factors, the trend of FPG change and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong). Methods: The HIV/AIDS treatment database was collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART in Dehong during 2004-2020.The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the incidence density of diabetes, the influencing factors and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART, mixed linear effects model was used to analyze the trend of FPG change and predict FPG in those with different glucose metabolic status at baseline survey. Statistical analysis was performed using software SAS 9.4. Results: A total of 8 763 HIV-infected individuals were included, in whom 8 432 (96.2%) had no diabetes, 331 had diabetes. The incidence density of diabetes was 2.31/1 000 person years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that 30- 59 years old, BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2, Efavirenz (EFV) based initial treatment regimen and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at baseline survey were significantly and positively associated with incidence of diabetes. Mixed effect model revealed that FPG was positively correlated with the duration of ART, age and baseline FPG. Suffering from diabetes was a risk factor for mortality in HIV-infected individuals both at baseline survey and during follow-up. Conclusions: The risk for diabetes increased in HIV-infected individuals who were 30-59 years old, baseline BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2, received EFV based initial treatment, and IFG in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy in Dehong, 2004-2020. It is important to pay close attention to their blood glucose, and patients with high blood glucose should receive treatment as early as possible.

The environmental sources of benzophenones: Distribution, pretreatment, analysis and removal techniques

Benzophenones (BPs) have wide practical applications in real human life due to its presence in personal care products, UV-filters, drugs, food packaging bags, etc. It enters the wastewater by daily routine activities such as showering, impacting the whole aquatic system, then posing a threat to human health. Due to this fact, the monitoring and removal of BPs in the environment is quite important. In the past decade, various novel analytical and removal techniques have been developed for the determination of BPs in environmental samples including wastewater, municipal landfill leachate, sewage sludge, and aquatic plants. This review provides a critical summary and comparison of the available cutting-edge pretreatment, determination and removal techniques of BPs in environment. It also focuses on novel materials and techniques in keeping with the concept of "green chemistry", and describes on challenges associated with the analysis of BPs, removal technologies, suggesting future development strategies.

[Isolation, culture and validation of CD34+ vascular wall-resident stem cells from mice]

Vascular wall-resident stem cells (VW-SCs) play a critical role in maintaining normal vascular function and regulating vascular repair. Understanding the basic functional characteristics of the VW-SCs will facilitate the study of their regulation and potential therapeutic applications. The aim of this study was to establish a stable method for the isolation, culture, and validation of the CD34⁺ VW-SCs from mice, and to provide abundant and reliable cell sources for further study of the mechanisms involved in proliferation, migration and differentiation of the VW-SCs under various physiological and pathological conditions. The vascular wall cells of mouse aortic adventitia and mesenteric artery were obtained by the method of tissue block attachment and purified by magnetic microbead sorting and flow cytometry to obtain the CD34⁺ VW-SCs. Cell immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the stem cell markers (CD34, Flk-1, c-kit, Sca-1), smooth muscle markers (SM22, SM MHC), endothelial marker (CD31), and intranuclear division proliferation-related protein (Ki-67). To verify the multipotency of the isolated CD34⁺ VW-SCs, endothelial differentiation medium EBM-2 and fibroblast differentiation medium FM-2 were used. After culture for 7 days and 3 days respectively, endothelial cell markers and fibroblast markers of the differentiated cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and q-PCR. Furthermore, the intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ entry signaling were evaluated by TILLvisION system in Fura-2/AM loaded cells. The results showed that: (1) High purity (more than 90%) CD34⁺ VW-SCs from aortic adventitia and mesenteric artery of mice were harvested by means of tissue block attachment method and magnetic microbead sorting; (2) CD34⁺ VW-SCs were able to differentiate into endothelial cells and fibroblasts in vitro; (3) Caffeine and ATP significantly activated intracellular Ca²⁺ release from endoplasmic reticulum of CD34⁺ VW-SCs. Store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) was activated by using thapsigargin (TG) applied in Ca²⁺-free/Ca²⁺ reintroduction protocol. This study successfully established a stable and efficient method for isolation, culture and validation of the CD34⁺ VW-SCs from mice, which provides an ideal VW-SCs sources for the further study of cardiovascular diseases.

[Tokyo Bones Find and human experiments by the army medical school in Tokyo]

More than 100 human bones, known as the Tokyo Human Bones, were found at the previous site of the Army Medical School in Tokyo, Japan, on July 22, 1989. They were located on the northern side of the previous location of the epidemic prevention research unit of the Army Medical School, with the discovery drawing a great deal of international attention. It was suggested that these bones might be from the victims of human experiments during World War II. It was found, in 1991, by Professor Sakura Shuo in Sapporo University, that the time and location of the burial of these bones was consistent with the existence of the Army Military Medical School. Most of these bones were Chinese, Korean and Mongolian races, and they were indeed closely related to the war. At the time they had not been found to be directly related to the human experiments of the Army Medical School, but the evidence left behind on the bones did not indicate gunshot or other war wounds, but evidence of medical experiments. This incident was known as the "Tokyo Bone Incident". Based on the research data on the Tokyo Human Bones internationally in the past 30 years, in particular, the testimony from the staff of the previous Army Medical School in Tokyo and members of the previous Army Medical School in Harbin (Unit 731), it can be concluded that some relationship exists between the Tokyo Human Bones and human experiments. This suggested that the nature of research related to these human bones conducted by the Army Medical School in Tokyo was consistent with those conducted at the Army Medical School in Harbin (Unit 731).

Assessment of mitochondrial dysfunction and implications in cardiovascular disorders

Mitochondria play a pivotal role in cellular function, not only acting as the powerhouse of the cell, but also regulating ATP synthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, intracellular Ca²⁺ cycling, and apoptosis. During the past decade, extensive progress has been made in the technology to assess mitochondrial functions and accumulating evidences have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction is a key pathophysiological mechanism for many diseases including cardiovascular disorders, such as ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and hemorrhagic shock. The advances in methodology have been accelerating our understanding of mitochondrial molecular structure and function, biogenesis and ROS and energy production, which facilitates new drug target identification and therapeutic strategy development for mitochondrial dysfunction-related disorders. This review will focus on the assessment of methodologies currently used for mitochondrial research and discuss their advantages, limitations and the implications of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular disorders.

[A retrospective cohort study of incidence of anemia and risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients with access to antiretroviral therapy in Dehong Jingpo and Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan province, 2004-2018]

Objective: To investigate the incidence of anemia and risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients with access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) during 2004-2018 in Dehong Jingpo and Dai Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART in Dehong during 2004-2018 based on the data extracted from the National HIV/AIDS antiretroviral therapy database. Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors associated with the incidences of anemia and moderate or severe anemia in the HIV/AIDS patients. And the piecewise linear mixed-effects model was used to depict the trajectory of hemoglobin changes over time after initiating ART according to baseline level. Results: A total of 8 044 HIV/AIDS patients were included, in whom 6 337 (78.8%) were without anemia at baseline survey and had a median follow up time of 4.43 (P₂₅, P₇₅: 1.50, 6.71) years. The median follow up time for 1 291 new anemia cases and 293 new moderate or severe anemia cases was 0.16 (P₂₅, P₇₅: 0.07, 1.99) years and 0.48 (P₂₅, P₇₅:0.09, 2.97) years, respectively. The incidence rate of anemia and moderate or severe anemia was 4.40 per 100 person-years and 0.41 per 100 person-years respectively. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, older age, being female, being in Dai and Jingpo ethnic group, baseline BMI <18.5 kg/m², baseline CD4⁺T lymphocyte cell counts (CD4) <200 cells/μl, and zidovudine (AZT) -based initial treatment regimen were factors significantly and positively associated with incidence of anemia after treatment. Factors as being female, being in Dai ethnic group, baseline BMI <18.5 kg/m², mild baseline anemia, and AZT-based initial treatment regimen were significantly and positively associated with incidence of moderate or severe anemia after treatment. Conclusion: The risk for anemia was higher in HIV/AIDS patients with specific characteristics, such as age ≥60 years , being female, being in Dai and Jingpo ethnic groups, lower BMI, CD4 <200 cells/μl, and treatment of AZT, after initiation of ART in Dehong during 2004-2018. Additional efforts are needed to strengthen the screening, prevention and treatment of anemia in this population.

[Incidence and influencing factors of AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths after receiving antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive individuals in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, 2010-2019]

Objective: To explore the changing trends and influencing factors of AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths after receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive individuals in Dehong Dai Jingpo autonomous prefecture (Dehong) from 2010 to 2019. Methods: Based on the Chinese National treatment database, HIV patients who initiated ART from 2010 to 2019 were included in the analysis. The cumulative incidence function was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of AIDS-related death and non-AIDS-related death, respectively. The Fine-Grey model was used to compare the differences between AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths and analyze its influencing factors. Results: A total of 7 068 HIV-positive individuals were included, of which 388 were AIDS-related deaths and 570 were non-AIDS-related deaths. The cumulative mortality rate at years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 after receiving ART were 2.27%, 3.46%, 4.47%, 5.03%, 5.84%, 6.61%, 7.40% for AIDS-related deaths, and 1.63%, 3.11%, 4.68%, 6.02%, 7.42%, 10.49%, 12.75% for non-AIDS-related deaths, respectively. In the Fine-Grey model, older age at ART initiation, male, unmarried, injection drug use as the transmission route, lower baseline BMI, lower baseline CD4⁺ T cell counts, baseline FIB-4 score >3.25, and baseline anemia were risk factors for AIDS-related death. In contrast, age at ART initiation ≥45 years, male, Dai, and Jingpo minority ethnicities, unmarried, injection drug use as the transmission route, lower baseline BMI, baseline FIB-4 score >3.25, baseline eGFR <60 ml·min^-1·1.73 m^-2, and baseline anemia were risk factors for non-AIDS-related deaths. Conclusions: The cumulative mortality rate was low among HIV-positive individuals after receiving ART in Dehong during 2010-2019. The mortality of non-AIDS-related deaths was higher than that of AIDS-related deaths. There were also differences in the factors influencing AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths and interventions should be intensified to target the influencing factors for non-AIDS-related deaths.

[A survey on the willingness of college students majoring in public health to work in their majors]

Objective: To understand the basic qualities, practitioners will and related influences, of undergraduate, master, and doctoral students majoring in public health (hereinafter referred to as public health students), and explore the influencing factors of practitioners will. Methods: Through the online questionnaire survey, we collected information on the basic qualities of the public health students, their practitioners will and related influencing factors, and their opinions on the current state of public health in China. χ² test and multi-factor logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of public health students' willingness to engage in public health related work, and word frequency analysis was used to conduct a descriptive analysis of public health students' views on public health in China. Results: A total of 2 081 pieces of valid information were collected, of which 86.54% (1 801/2 081) of the students in the school chose to engage in public health related work in the future. For public health students, the higher the target after-tax monthly income (OR=0.345, 95%CI: 0.158-0.751), the lower the willingness to engage in public health related work in the future; Very satisfied with school employment guidance work (OR=4.072, 95%CI: 1.234-13.436) compared with very dissatisfied, the willingness to engage in public health related work in the future is higher. Conclusion: The willingness of students in public health related majors to engage in public health related majors in China is mainly affected by three factors: payment levels, employment guidance and professional post recognition. It is recommended to appropriately raise the salaries of public health related positions. Strengthening school employment guidance training and professional identity training is conducive to enhancing the willingness of public health students to engage in relevant work in their profession.

Rapid UV-radiation synthesis of polyacrylate cryogel oil-sorbents with adaptable structure and performance

Macro-porous poly(lauryl acrylate) cryogel sheets as oil-sorbents were prepared through UV-radiation cryo-polymerizations in 1, 4-dioxane at low temperatures (-5, -2 and 0 °C) within 30 min. The influences of total monomer concentration, crosslinking monomer amount and polymerization temperature on the formation of cryogels were studied. The chemical structure and porous morphology were characterized through the techniques of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy, confirming the features of high hydrophobicity, macro-porosity and good thermal stability. As well, the comparison between conventional gels prepared at room temperature and cryogels at lower temperatures was made, showing the higher rate of cryo-polymerization than conventional polymerization under the same UV-radiation condition. The swelling investigation was carried out with several organic solvents and oils. Enhanced performance of oil absorption was observed for those cryogels considering the absorption capacity and absorption rate. Variation of initiator amount and acrylate monomers could also modulate the absorption capacity. Those cryogel oil-sorbents exhibited wide adaptability, good reusability and high-temperature tolerance. Thus, this rapid and low-cost fabrication opens out a novel pathway to prepare efficient oil-sorbents used in waste water treatment.

[Human experiment study of Unit 731, Japan: take the report "The Research Report on Epidemic Prevention of Army Medical School Ⅱ: Vol.1, No.36 " as an example]

"The Research Report on Epidemic Prevention of Army Medical School Ⅱ: Vol.1, No.36" , the report named "various symptoms and serological responses of human body after receiving ultrasonic cholera vaccine" is one of the declassified materials of Japanese biological warfare. The author is M. D. Watanabe Be. Through detailed analysis of its contents, such as institute of report, test method, test results, and so forth, conclusion is reached that Unit 731 did conduct scientific research based on human-subject experiment to launch biological warfare on human beings. The report mentioned above is one of the most important evidence of crime that Japan conducts biological warfare which violates international convention and contempt bottom line of human basic morals and ethics.

Health-related quality-of-life among patients with premature ovarian insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To systematically review studies investigating health-related quality-of-life (HrQoL) in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), to examine questionnaires used and to conduct a meta-analysis of control studies with normal ovarian function.

METHODS

Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Web of science, CNKI, and CQVIP, searched from inception until June 2018. The search strategy was a combination of medical (e.g. POI), subjective (e.g. well-being) and methodological (e.g. questionnaires) keywords. PRISMA guidelines were used to assess outcome data quality/validity by one reviewer, verified by a second reviewer. Risk of bias within studies was evaluated. A meta-analysis compared HrQoL in patients and non-patients. Due to measurement differences in the studies, the effect size was calculated as standard mean difference.

RESULTS

We identified 6869 HrQoL studies. Nineteen geographically diverse studies met inclusion criteria, dated from 2006, using 23 questionnaires. The meta-analysis included six studies with 645 POI participants (age 33.3 ± 5.47) and 492 normal-ovarian control subjects (age 32.87 ± 5.61). Medium effect sizes were found for lower overall HrQoL (pooled SMD = - 0.73, 95% CI - 0.94, - 0.51; I² = 54%) and physical function (pooled SMD = - 0.54, 95% CI - 0.69, - 0.39; I² = 55%). Heterogeneity was investigated. Effect sizes varied for sexual function depending on the measure (SMD = - 0.27 to - 0.74), overall HrQoL (SF-36) had the largest effect size (- 0.93) in one study. The effect sizes for psychological and social HrQoL were small.

CONCLUSION

POI is associated with low-to-medium effect size on HrQoL compared to normal ovarian controls. The greatest effects are found in general HrQoL and most sexual function areas. Condition-specific questionnaires and RCTs are recommended for further investigation.

Classically high-dimensional correlation: simulation of high-dimensional entanglement

Classical correlation, akin to the entanglement of quantum states, has been proven to bear a great promise in classical and quantum systems, such as enhancing measurement precision and characterizing quantum channels. Despite numerous successful applications of such correlation, it is strictly limited to two orthogonal bases and fails to further extend its dimensionality in practice. Here, we report a classically high-dimensional correlation, which is mathematically equivalent to its quantum counterparts and can be used to simulate the violations of the high-dimensional Bell inequalities. Moreover, we also show theoretically that quantum channels with high-dimensional quantum states can be characterized robustly using our scheme when a one-sided channel is perturbed by a turbulent atmosphere. This means that our results not only provide new physical insights into the notion of classical correlation, but also show potential applications in high-dimensional quantum information processing.

[Prognostic factors analysis of Ki-67, α-SMA expression in retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma]

Objective: To investigate the expression and prognostic value of alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and Ki-67 in retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. Methods: Fifty retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma patients who underwent operation in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from May 2002 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 36 females form 21 to 79 and an average age of 48. Kaplan-Meier estimations and Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: Of the 50 cases, 45 patients underwent complete resection, and others are not. The overall 1, 3, 5-year survival rates were 86.0%, 46.0% and 28.0%, respectively. Tumor size, extent of resection, pathological stage, and expression levels of Ki-67 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were closely related to the survival of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma patients (all P<0.05), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that pathological grade and degree of surgical resection were independent risk factors in the prognosis of patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The high expression of α-SMA and Ki-67 are indicators of poor prognosis in retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma, which can be used as a potential survival predictor in patients with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.

Gold Nanoparticles Grafted with PLL-b-PNIPAM: Interplay on Thermal/pH Dual-Response and Optical Properties

Narrowly distributed poly(l-lysine-b-N-isopropylacrylamide) (PLL-b-PNIPAM) was prepared through ring-opening polymerization of ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine N-carboxy-α-amino anhydride and atom transfer radical polymerization of NIPAM, followed with the removal of ε-benzyloxycarbonyl group. Then gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) grafted with PLL-b-PNIPAM (PNIPAM-PLL-AuNPs) were obtained by the reduction of chloroauric acid with sodium citrate in the presence of PLL-b-PNIPAM. PNIPAM-PLL-AuNPs and its precursors were thoroughly characterized by proton magnetic resonance spectroscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, UV-vis spectroscope, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, and circular dichroism. The obtained PNIPAM-PLL-AuNPs exhibited high colloid stability even at strong alkaline (pH = 12) and acidic (pH = 2) conditions. The thermal and pH dual-responsive behaviors of the grafting PLL-b-PNIPAM chains was observed to be affected by AuNPs, while not for the secondary structure of PLL chains. Correspondingly, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of AuNPs was found to be sensitive to both pH value and temperature. A blue shift in the SPR happened both with increasing pH value and increasing temperature. The stimuli-response was reversible in heating-cooling cycles. The gold nanoparticles with both pH and temperature response may have potential applications in biomedical areas and biosensors.

Sodium Tanshinone II-A Sulfonate (DS-201) Induces Vasorelaxation of Rat Mesenteric Arteries via Inhibition of L-Type Ca2+ Channel

Background: We previously have proved that sodium tanshinone II-A sulfonate (DS-201), a derivative of traditional Chinese medicinal herb Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), is an opener and vasodilator of BK_Ca channel in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Vascular tension is closely associated with Ca²⁺ dynamics and activation of BK_Ca channel may not be the sole mechanism for the relaxation of the vascular tension by DS-201. Therefore, we hypothesized that the vasorelaxing effect of DS-20 may be also related to Ca²⁺ channel and cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ level in the VSMCs.

Methods: Arterial tension was measured by Danish Myo Technology (DMT) myograph system in the mesentery vessels of rats, intracellular Ca²⁺ level by fluorescence imaging system in the VSMCs of rats, and L-type Ca²⁺ current by patch clamp technique in Ca²⁺ channels transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells.

Results: DS-201 relaxed the endothelium-denuded artery rings pre-constricted with PE or high K⁺ and the vasorelaxation was reversible. Blockade of K⁺ channel did not totally block the effect of DS-201 on vasorelaxation. DS-201 suppressed [Ca²⁺]_i transient induced by high K⁺ in a concentration-dependent manner in the VSMCs, including the amplitude of Ca²⁺ transient, the time for Ca²⁺ transient reaching to the [Ca²⁺]_i peak and the time to remove Ca²⁺ from the cytoplasm. DS-201 inhibited L-type Ca²⁺ channel with an EC₅₀ of 59.5 μM and at about 40% efficacy of inhibition. However, DS-201did not significantly affect the kinetics of Ca²⁺ channel. The effect of DS-201 on L-type Ca²⁺ channel was rate-independent.

Conclusion: The effect of DS-201 on vasorelaxation was not only via activating BK_Ca channel, but also blocking Ca²⁺ channel and inhibiting Ca²⁺ influx in the VSMCs of rats. The results favor the use of DS-201 and Danshen in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases clinically.

[Drug resistance and influencing factors in adult AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in Dehong, Yunnan province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of drug resistance in adult AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral treatment(ART)and influencing factors in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province during 2012-2014.

METHODS

For this cohort study, all the AIDS patients aged over 15 and receiving ART in Dehong were screened for HIV drug resistance in 2012, and 3 715 patients who had received ART for more than 6 months were enrolled for 12 months and 24 months follow up.

RESULTS

Among the 3 715 patients, 56.6% were males, 72.6% were aged 26-45 years and 76.0% were married. The main treatment regimen was nevirapine(NVP)+ lamivudine(3TC)+ zidovudine(AZT)(38.2%). A total of 3 556 patients(95.7%)received at least one viral load testing during the two years follow-up, among them 253(7.1%)patients had VL≥1 000 copies/ml, in which 211(83.4%)received drug resistance related gene mutation testing, the results indicated that the drug resistance developed in 52 and 39 patients in 2013 and 2014(1.43 per 100 person years and 0.88 per 100 person years)respectively. The overall HIV drug incidence was 1.13 per 100 person years. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age ≤25 years, to be infected through drug use, treatment regimen as D4T+ 3TC +NVP and baseline CD4(+) T cells ≤200 cells/μl were the risk factor of HIV drug resistance. Eleven HIV gene subtypes were detected in the 82 patients with newly developed drug resistance, CRF_BC was predominant(31.7%), followed by CRF01_AE(22.0%)and C(19.5%). Ten patients were infected with mixed subtypes of CRF_BC/B', CRF_BC/CRF_01B and CRF_BC/C. Most of the 82 patients were resistant to NRTIs and NNRTIs, the main mutation loci were M184V and K103N.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of drug resistance in adult AIDS patients receiving ART was relatively low in Dehong. However, it is necessary to conduct the health education in young people and drug users to improve the treatment compliance and strengthen the surveillance for HIV drug resistance.

Long-subchain Janus-dendritic copolymers from locally confined click reaction and generation-dependent micro-phase separation

Long-subchain Janus-dendritic copolymers composed of PSt and PtBA half-dendrons, up to the third generation, were prepared under alternating chemical and local confinement. All the Janus-dendritic copolymers exhibited generation-dependent microphase separation.

Different Effects of Hypertension and Age on the Function of Large Conductance Calcium- and Voltage-Activated Potassium Channels in Human Mesentery Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Background

Large‐conductance calcium‐ and voltage‐activated potassium channels (BK_Ca channels) play important roles in the maintenance of vascular tone, and their dysregulation is associated with abnormal vascular relaxation and contraction. We tested the changes in BK_Ca channel properties in patients at different ages to assess the effects of hypertension and aging on the functional changes of BK_Ca channels.

Methods and Results

Patch clamp was performed to detect the activities of BK_Ca channels in freshly isolated human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells from younger patients (aged ≤45 years) without hypertension, older patients (aged ≥65 years) without hypertension, and older patients with hypertension. The expression of mRNA and protein from BK_Ca channels was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results showed that the whole‐cell current density, spontaneous transient outward current, and Ca²⁺ sensitivity of the artery smooth muscle cells were significantly decreased in the older patients with hypertension; the decreases were insignificant in the older patients without hypertension, although a clear tendency to have spontaneous transient outward current was detected in these patients. The expression of both mRNA and protein of BK_Ca subunits α and β1 was significantly decreased in the older patients with hypertension but not in the older patients without hypertension compared with the younger patients without hypertension.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate for the first time that hypertension is an important factor for the pathological alteration of the properties of BK_Ca channels in human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells, and aging itself may also be a factor in these changes in the cells.

Comb-Type Grafted Hydrogels of PNIPAM and PDMAEMA with Reversed Network-Graft Architectures from Controlled Radical Polymerizations

Dual thermo- and pH-responsive comb-type grafted hydrogels of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with reversed network-graft architectures were synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and click chemistry. Two kinds of macro-cross-linkers with two azido groups at one chain-end and different chain length [PNIPAM⁻(N₃)₂ and PDMAEMA⁻(N₃)₂] were prepared with N,N-di(β-azidoethyl) 2-halocarboxylamide as the ATRP initiator. Through RAFT copolymerization of DMAEMA or NIPAM with propargyl acrylate (ProA) using dibenzyltrithiocarbonate as a chain transfer agent, two network precursors with different content of alkynyl side-groups [P(DMAEMA-co-ProA) and P(NIPAM-co-ProA)] were obtained. The subsequent azido-alkynyl click reaction of macro-cross-linkers and network precursors led to the formation of the network-graft hydrogels. These dual stimulus-sensitive hydrogels exhibited rapid response, high swelling ratio and reproducible swelling/de-swelling cycles under different temperatures and pH values. The influences of cross-linkage density and network-graft architecture on the properties of the hydrogels were investigated. The release of ceftriaxone sodium from these hydrogels showed both thermal- and pH-dependence, suggesting the feasibility of these hydrogels as thermo- and pH-dependent drug release devices.

Janus long-chain hyperbranched copolymers of PSt and POEGMA from a self-assembly mediated click reaction

A Janus hyperbranched POEGMA/PSt copolymer with long sub-chains was prepared through a self-assembly mediated click reaction in selective solvents.

Formation of long sub-chain hyperbranched poly(methyl methacrylate) based on inhibited self-cyclization of seesaw macromonomers

Well-defined hyperbranched PMMA almost without self-cyclization was obtained through a click reaction, facilitated by a high concentration, good solvent and disubstituted chain ends.

Differential processing of neuropeptide proprotein in human breast adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The processing of proprotein convertase (PC)-mediated neuropeptide plays a very important role in carcinogenesis and tumor proliferation.

AIM

To investigate proneuropeptide processing mechanism in tumorigenesis and tumor proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression and processing profiles of PC1, carboxypeptidase E (CPE), PC2, GHRH, or neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene and protein level were investigated between 42 human breast tumor tissues and 21 tumor-adjacent normal tissues.

RESULTS

Gene analyses indicated that the proPC1, CPE, or preproNPY gene had higher expression in the breast tumor tissues, whereas the proPC2 or preproGHRH gene showed lower expression in the tissues. Protein analyses showed that the proPC1, PC1, CPE, GHRH, and preproNPY proteins were upregulated in the tumor tissues, whereas the proPC2, PC2, preproGHRH, and NPY proteins were down-regulated in them. The tissue results were highly corroborated with the serum data from the tumor patients and healthy women.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher PC1 and CPE expressions as well as the transformation of more proGHRH into active GHRH peptide suggest stronger PC1/CPE-mediated neuropeptide processing in the tumor, whereas the lower PC2 expression as well as the transformation of less proNPY into active NPY peptide suggests a weak PC2-mediated processing in it. The alterations of the convertase expressions and processing show that there is a differential proprotein processing system in the tumor, which leads to the abnormal distributions of species, ratio, and concentration of (pro)peptide(s) in the microenvironment of cells. The latter may contribute to cancer progression.

IP3 decreases coronary artery tone via activating the BKCa channel of coronary artery smooth muscle cells in pigs

Large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BKCa) is a potential target for coronary artery-relaxing medication, but its functional regulation is largely unknown. Here, we report that inositol trisphosphate (IP3) activated BKCa channels in isolated porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells and by which decreased the coronary artery tone. Both endogenous and exogenous IP3 increased the spontaneous transient outward K(+) currents (STOC, a component pattern of BKCa currents) in perforated and regular whole-cell recordings, which was dependent on the activity of IP3 receptors. IP3 also increased the macroscopic currents (MC, another component pattern of BKCa currents) via an IP3 receptor- and sarcoplasmic Ca(2+) mobilization-independent pathway. In inside-out patch recordings, direct application of IP3 to the cytosolic side increased the open probability of single BKCa channel in an IP3 receptor-independent manner. We conclude that IP3 is an activator of BKCa channels in porcine coronary smooth muscle cells and exerts a coronary artery-relaxing effect. The activation of BKCa channels by IP3 involves the enhancement of STOCs via IP3 receptors and stimulation of MC by increasing the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the channels.

[Angiotensin II activates large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels in human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells]

The aim of present study was to explore the vasodilatation mechanism of angiotensin II (AngII) at the molecular level by investigating the effect of AngII on large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca)) in human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells. The effect of AngII on BK(Ca) was observed by using patch clamp single channel recording technique and amphotericin-perforated whole-cell recording technique. AngII type 1 receptor (AT₁R) and AngII type 2 receptor (AT₂R) mRNA expression in human mesenteric artery was detected by RT-PCR. In cell-attached patch (Vm = +40 mV), AngII (100 nmol/L) had no significant effect on BK(Ca). After pretreatment with Valsartan (a specific inhibitor of AT₁R, 10 μmol/L), 25, 100 and 250 nmol/L AngII stimulated BK(Ca) activity significantly in a dose response manner. After pretreatment of Valsartan, AngII (100 nmol/L) enhanced BK(Ca) open probability (NP(O)) from 0.010 ± 0.003 to 0.039 ± 0.015, decreased the mean close time (T(C)) of BK(Ca) markedly from (2 729.5 ± 808.6) ms to (487.7 ± 182.5) ms (n = 11, P < 0.05) , but AngII had no significant influences on the amplitude (Amp) and the mean open time (T(O)) of BK(Ca). Further PD123,319 (a specific inhibitor of AT₂R) treatment prevented the stimulatory effect of AngII: PD123,319 decreased the NP(O) of BK(Ca) from 0.016 ± 0.003 to 0.004 ± 0.001 (n = 5, P < 0.05), but had no significant influences on Amp, T(O) and T(C) of BK(Ca). In addition, after pretreatment with Valsartan and PD123,319, AngII (100 nmol/L) had no significant effect on BK(Ca). In the amphotericin-perforated whole-cell patch-clamp configuration, after pretreatment with Valsartan, the current density of BK(Ca) at the voltage of -60 - +30 mV had no significant changes before and after adding 100 nmol/L AngII, but the current density of BK(Ca) at the voltage of +40 mV, +50 mV and +60 mV increased significantly after adding 100 nmol/L AngII, from (9.03 ± 2.23) pA/pF, (12.88 ± 2.55) pA/pF and (17.26 ± 2.84) pA/pF to (12.47 ± 2.22) pA/pF, (18.71 ± 2.51) pA/pF and (27.21 ± 3.12) pA/pF (n = 6, P < 0.05), respectively. Using RT-PCR, the AT₁R mRNA and AT₂R mRNA from isolated human mesenteric artery were detected. So we can draw a conclusion, AngII can stimulate BK(Ca) activity in human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells after pretreatment with Valsartan, which is possibly mediated by AT₂R.

Function of BKCa channels is reduced in human vascular smooth muscle cells from Han Chinese patients with hypertension

Chronic hypertension is associated with an impaired vascular relaxation caused by an increased vascular tone; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood in human patients. The present study was to investigate whether large-conductance Ca(2+)- and voltage-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels are involved in dysfunctional relaxation of artery in Han Chinese patients with hypertension using the perforated patch clamp, inside-out single-channel, and macromembrane patch recording techniques to determine whole-cell current, spontaneous transient outward current, open probability, and Ca(2+) sensitivity and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis to examine the gene and protein expression of α-subunit (KCa1.1) and β1-subunit (KCNMB1) of BK(Ca) channels in isolated human vascular smooth muscle cells and mesenteric arteries from normotensive and hypertensive patients. It was found that whole-cell current density, spontaneous transient outward current, and Ca(2+) sensitivity, but not single-channel open probability and slope conductance, were significantly decreased in vascular smooth muscle cells from patients with hypertension. Interestingly, mRNA and protein levels of KCNMB1, but not KCa1.1, were reduced in the arterial tissue from patients with hypertension. These results demonstrate for the first time that whole-cell current, spontaneous transient outward current, and Ca(2+) sensitivity of BK(Ca) channels are reduced in human vascular smooth muscle cells, which resulted from downregulation of β1-subunit of the channel. This may account, at least in part, for the dysfunction of artery relaxation in Han Chinese patients with primary hypertension.

Long-distance fiber-optic point-sensing systems based on random fiber lasers

We find that the random fiber laser (RFL) without point-reflectors is a temperature-insensitive distributed lasing system for the first time. Inspired by such thermal stability, we propose the novel concept of utilizing the RFL to achieve long-distance fiber-optic remote sensing, in which the RFL offers high-fidelity and long-distance transmission for the sensing signal. Two 100 km fiber Bragg grating (FBG) point-sensing schemes based on RFLs are experimentally demonstrated using the first-order and the second-order random lasing, respectively, to verify the concept. Each sensing scheme can achieve >20 dB optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) over 100 km distance. It is found that the second-order random lasing scheme has much better OSNR than that of the first-order random lasing scheme due to enhanced lasing efficiency, by incorporating a 1455 nm FBG into the lasing cavity.

[β-estradiol activates BK(Ca) in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells of post-menopause women]

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of β-estradiol (β-E(2)) on the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The mesenteric arteries were obtained from post-menopause female patients with abdominal surgery, and the SMCs were isolated from the arteries using an enzymatic disassociation. According to the sources, the SMCs were divided into non-hypertension (NH) and essential hypertension (EH) groups. Single channel patch clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of β-E(2) and ICI 182780 (a specific blocker of estrogen receptor) on BK(Ca) in the SMCs. The results showed the opening of BK(Ca) in the SMCs was voltage and calcium dependent, and could be blocked by IbTX. β-E(2) (100 μmol/L) significantly increased open probability (Po) of BK(Ca) in both NH and EH groups. After β-E(2) treatment, NH group showed higher Po of BK(Ca) compared with EH group. ICI 182780 could inhibit the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca) in no matter NH or EH groups. These results suggest β-E(2) activates BK(Ca) in mesenteric artery SMCs from post-menopause women via estrogen receptor, but hypertension may decline the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca).

Establishing a 'Physician's Spiritual Well-being Scale' and testing its reliability and validity

The purpose of this study was to develop a Physician's Spiritual Well-Being Scale (PSpWBS). The significance of a physician's spiritual well-being was explored through in-depth interviews with and qualitative data collection from focus groups. Based on the results of qualitative analysis and related literature, the PSpWBS consisting of 25 questions was established. Reliability and validity tests were performed on 177 subjects. Four domains of the PSpWBS were devised: physician's characteristics; medical practice challenges; response to changes; and overall well-being. The explainable total variance was 65.65%. Cronbach α was 0.864 when the internal consistency of the whole scale was calculated. Factor analysis showed that the internal consistency Cronbach α value for each factor was between 0.625 and 0.794 and the split-half reliability was 0.865. The scale has satisfactory reliability and validity and could serve as the basis for assessment of the spiritual well-being of a physician.

The technique of simultaneous recording calcium transients and spontaneous transient outward currents in arterial smooth muscle cells

Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and whole-cell perforated patch-clamp techniques were combined to study simultaneously the changes of intracellular signal molecules and membrane currents. Intracellular calcium transients and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) were recorded simultaneously in freshly isolated mouse cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. The cells loaded with fluo-4/AM were scanned with the confocal line-scan mode. Triggering voltage pulses derived from an EPC-10 patch clamp amplifier triggered the confocal line scan. The results showed that STOCs and intracellular calcium transients could be simultaneously recorded in the same cell. This technique will be useful in studies of diseases caused by impairments of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and related ionic channel activities, or vice versa.

[UTP regulates spontaneous transient outward currents in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells through PLC-IP(3) signaling pathway]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-generating agonist UTP on spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs), and explore the role of intracellular Ca(2+) release in the current response mediated by IP(3) in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs). The coronary artery was excised from the fresh porcine heart and cut into small segments (2 mm × 5 mm) and then transferred to enzymatic dissociation solution for incubation. Single CASMCs were obtained by two-step enzyme digestion at 37 °C. STOCs were recorded and characterized using the perforated whole-cell patch-clamp configuration in freshly isolated porcine CASMCs. The currents were amplified and filtered by patch-clamp amplifier (Axopatch 200B), and then the digitized data were recorded by pClamp 9.0 software and further analyzed by MiniAnalysis 6.0 program. The results were as follows: (1) UTP led to conspicuous increases in STOC amplitude by (57.54±5.34)% and in frequency by (77.46±8.42)% (P<0.01, n=38). (2) The specific blocker of phospholipase C (PLC) - U73122 (5 μmol/L) remarkably reduced STOC amplitude by (31.04±7.46)% and frequency by (41.65±16.59)%, respectively (P<0.05, n=10). In the presence of U73122, UTP failed to reactivate STOCs (n=7). (3) Verapamil (20 μmol/L) and CdCl2 (200 μmol/L), two blockers of L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, had little effects on STOCs initiated by UTP (n=8). (4) 1 μmol/L bisindolylmaleimide I (BisI), a potent blocker of protein kinase C (PKC), significantly increased STOC amplitude by (65.44±24.66)% and frequency by (61.35±21.47)% (P<0.01, n=12); UTP (40 μmol/L), applied in the presence of 1 μmol/L BisI, could further increase STOC activity (P<0.05, P<0.01, n=12). Subsequent application of ryanodine (50 μmol/L) abolished STOC activity. (5) In the presence of UTP (40 μmol/L), inhibition of IP(3) receptors (IP(3)Rs) by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB, 40 μmol/L) reduced STOC amplitude by (24.08±3.97)% (P<0.05, n=8), but had little effect on STOC frequency (n=8). While application of 2-APB (80 μmol/L) significantly reduced STOC amplitude by (31.43±6.34)% and frequency by (40.59±19.01)%, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01, n=6). Subsequent application of ryanodine (50 μmol/L) completely blocked STOC activity. Pretreatment of cells with 2-APB (40 μmol/L) or ryanodine (50 μmol/L), UTP (40 μmol/L) failed to reactivate STOCs. The results suggest that UTP activates STOCs mainly via PLC and IP(3)-dependent mechanisms. Complex Ca(2+)-mobilization pathways are involved in UTP-mediated STOC activation in porcine CASMCs.

Role of calcium mobilization in the regulation of spontaneous transient outward currents in porcine coronary artery myocytes

The purpose of the present study was to further study the characteristics and regulation of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) in freshly isolated porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). STOCs were recorded using the perforated whole-cell patch-clamp configuration. STOCs were voltage-dependent and superimposed stochastically onto whole-cell Ca(2+)-activated-K(+) (BK(Ca)) currents. Charybdotoxin (ChTX, 200 nmol/L), a selective blocker of BK(Ca) channels, completely inhibited STOCs within 10 min. STOCs activity was greatly suppressed when extracellular Ca(2+) concentration decreased from 1.8 mmol/L to 200 nmol/L, further removal of Ca(2+) abolished STOCs activity. Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 (10 micromol/L) increased STOCs activity significantly. Verapamil (20 micromol/L) and CdCl(2) (200 micromol/L), two kinds of organic L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (L-VDCCs) antagonists, had little effect on STOCs. In addition, the ryanodine receptors (RyRs) agonist caffeine (5 mmol/L) significantly activated STOCs. Application of ryanodine (50 micromol/L) to block RyRs abolished STOCs, subsequent washout of ryanodine or application of caffeine failed to reproduce STOCs activity. Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3)Rs) by 2APB (40 micromol/L) greatly suppressed the activity of STOCs, application of caffeine (5 mmol/L) in the presence of 2APB caused a burst of outward currents followed by inhibition of STOCs. These results suggest that STOCs in porcine coronary ASMCs are mediated by BK(Ca) channels. Extracellular Ca(2+) is essential for STOCs activity, while Ca(2+) entry through L-VDCCs has little effect on STOCs. Intracellular Ca(2+) release induced by RyRs is responsible for the regulation of STOCs, whereas IP3Rs might also be involved.

Characteristic of spontaneous transient outward potassium currents in vascular smooth muscle cells of porcine coronary artery

Spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) play an important role in the myogenic regulation of small artery tone, such as coronary artery. In the present study, we investigated the electrophysiological properties and the regulation of STOCs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of porcine coronary artery by perforated patch-clamp technique. Our data showed that STOCs were dependent on voltage and extracellular calcium and they were highly variable in amplitudes and frequencies. STOCs superimposed stochastically onto whole-cell K(+) currents induced by step and ramp protocols. STOCs were completely abolished by ChTX [inhibitor of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channels], removal of extracellular Ca(2+), or addition of ryanodine (50 mumol/L) respectively. In contrast, CdCl2 and verapamil, inhibitors of voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channels, had little effect on STOCs. Caffeine (5 mmol/L) transiently increased STOCs (hump), followed by a temporary inhibition. Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 increased both amplitude and frequency of STOCs. Na(+) ionophore monensin increased the frequency of STOCs. STOCs were strongly inhibited by KB-R7943, a selective inhibitor of the reverse mode of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger. Based on these observations, we conclude that STOCs are mediated by BK(Ca) channels. The generation and activation of STOCs depend upon Ca(2+) influx through Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange and release of Ca(2+) from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via ryanodine receptors. This suggests that Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange determines calcium store refilling. Recycling of entering Ca(2+) from superficial SR may locally elevate Ca(2+) concentration at the plasma membrane, thereby activating BK(Ca) channels and then initiating STOCs.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of post-fusion six-helix bundle core structure from Newcastle disease virus F protein

Fusion of virus members from the Paramyxoviridae family involves two glycoproteins. They are termed attachment glycoprotein (HN, H or G) and fusion protein (F). The F protein contains two highly conserved heptad-repeat (HR) regions, HR1 and HR2. Through conformational changes in the F protein, HR1 and HR2 are believed to form a stable six-helix coiled-coil bundle during the membrane-fusion process. However, no crystal structure has yet been documented for this state in the Newcastle disease virus (NDV, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family) F protein, despite the recent success on its F(0) crystal structure (Chen et al., 2001), which was thought to represent the pre-fusion conformation of F glycoprotein. In this study, a single-chain polypeptide constructed by linking two truncated HR regions of the NDV F protein has been expressed, purified and crystallized by means of the hanging- or sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. Crystals in hexagonal and trapezoid forms with a resolution limit of 2.6 A were obtained. These crystals belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 66.4, b = 38.2, c = 102.0 A, beta = 100.2 degrees. Crystals in the rhombic form with a resolution limit of 2.5 A were also obtained. These crystals belonged to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 59.0, b = 31.9, c = 62.3 A, beta = 117.0 degrees. This will add to the repertoire of viral fusion protein post-fusion state structures and help further the understanding of the molecular mechanism of enveloped virus fusion.

[Effects of kidney reinforcing and blood circulation activating Chinese medicine on morphological structure of mammary glands in models of mammary atrophy and hyperplasia in female rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects and mechanism of Kidney reinforcing and blood circulation activating Chinese medicine (K&B) on morphologic structure of mammary glands in female rat models of mammary atrophy and mammary hyperplasia.

METHODS

The models of mammary gland atrophy and hyperplasia were established respectively by ovariectomy and diethylstilbestrol injection to observe the changes of gland's weight index, structure, estradiol receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) after treated by K&B.

RESULTS

(1) K&B could ameliorate the atrophied structure of mammary gland with significant increase of weight index (P < 0.01), raise the number of ER and PR in mammary tissue and nuclei (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), normalize the ratios of ER and PR in plasma and those in nucleus (EnR/EcR and PnR/PcR). (2) K&B could also improve or restore the proliferated structure of mammary gland and its weight index as well as the EnR/EcR and PnR/PcR ratios.

CONCLUSION

K&B has the effects in preventing and improving the mammary gland atrophy induced by hyposecretion of sexual hormone and promoting the development of mammary gland in adult rats. Although both K&B and estrogen can improve the development of mammary gland, their mechanisms are different. There is a bright future of K&B in treating underdevelopment of mammary gland.

[Effect and mechanism study of kidney tonifying and blood circulation activating Chinese drugs on development of mammary glands in female juvenile rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect and mechanism of Kidney tonifying and blood circulation activating Chinese drugs (KB) on development of mammary gland.

METHODS

Using the female juvenile rats as the experimental targets, the level of serum hormone, the amount and affinity of estradiol receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) as well as the DNA content and relative weight of the rats' mammary glands were measured to study the effect of KB at the pre-receptor, receptor and post-receptor level.

RESULTS

KB markedly enhanced the serum level of estradiol, progesterone and the growth hormone (GH) at pre-receptor level, increased the number and affinity of estradiol and progesterone receptors both in the cytoplasm and nucleus at the receptor level. While at the level of post-receptor, it increased the DNA content and the weight index of mammary glands.

CONCLUSION

The Kidney tonifying and blood circulation activating Chinese drugs are effective in promoting the growth and development of mammary glands.

Binding of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 to dopamine transporters in patients with Parkinson's disease and in healthy volunteers

[99mTc]TRODAT-1 is a radiolabeled tropane that binds dopamine transporters. The primary goal of this study was to determine whether its regional cerebral distribution could differentiate between patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy human volunteers.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 42 patients with Parkinson's disease, 23 age-matched controls, and 38 healthy adults younger than 40 y old. SPECT scans of the brain were acquired on a triple-head gamma camera 3-4 h after the intravenous injection of 740 MBq (20 mCi) [99mTc]TRODAT-1. Mean counts per pixel were measured manually in subregions of the basal ganglia and normalized to the mean background counts to give specific uptake values ([SUVs] approximately k3/k4). Patient and control groups were also compared with automated statistical parametric mapping techniques. Logistic discriminant analyses were performed to determine the optimum uptake values for differentiating patients from age-matched controls.

RESULTS

Quantitative image analysis showed that the group mean SUVs in patients were less than the mean values in controls for all regions (all Ps < 0.000001). There was overlap in the caudate as well as in the anterior-most portion of the putamen, but not in the posterior putamen, even when the asymptomatic sides of 5 patients with clinically defined hemi-Parkinson's disease were factored in.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that Parkinson's disease can be detected with [99mTc]TRODAT by simply inspecting the images for uptake in the posterior putamen. Appropriate asymmetries seem to be visible with quantification in patients with clinically defined hemi-Parkinson's disease, even though changes in the putamen contralateral to the clinically unaffected side in these patients appear to precede the development of symptoms.

Local concentration of folate binding protein GP38 in sections of human ovarian carcinoma by in vitro quantitative autoradiography

Folate binding protein (FBP) GP38 is a membrane-associated glycoprotein that mediates the intracellular transport of folates. The enhanced expression of FBP in ovarian carcinomas provided a rational basis for clinical studies with specific monoclonal antibodies and some newly synthesized antifolate drugs. Because the outcome of these clinical studies ultimately depends on the degree of FBP expression, we measured the local concentration of FBP using 125I-MOv18 monoclonal antibody and quantitative autoradiography.

METHODS

Tissue sections from 37 specimens of ovarian carcinoma and 13 nonmalignant ovaries were incubated with increasing concentrations of 125I-MOv18 with and without an excess of unlabeled antibody. Tissue-bound radioactivity was measured by quantitative autoradiography.

RESULTS

Folate binding protein was found to be overexpressed in 91% of nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas, with local concentrations ranging between 1.14 and 82.84 pmole/g. Adjacent tumor sections simultaneously studied with 125I-MOv18 and a 125I-labeled folic acid derivative showed matching and superimposable regional distributions of bound radioactivity of the two radioligands, indicating that the antigen, specifically recognized by 125I-MOv18 in nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas, is capable of binding folates. Nonmalignant ovaries did not contain measurable amounts of antigen when assayed with 125MOv18 but showed a limited and specific binding of the 125I-folic acid derivative to tissue sections. The autoradiographic findings were confirmed by testing sections from mixtures of antigen-positive and antigen-negative cells, by immunoperoxidase staining with MOv18 on tumor sections and by biochemical identification of FBP in membrane fractions from tissue samples.

CONCLUSION

Folate binding protein is overexpressed up to 80-90-fold in nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas compared with nonmalignant ovaries. Quantitation of FBP may provide a useful tool in the design of clinical studies with specific monoclonal antibodies and certain antifolate drugs that enter the cell through FBP.

Anti-HBe titre in patients infected with wild-type and e-minus variant of hepatitis B virus

Serum samples from 77 HBsAg- and anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were studied for a G to A point mutation at the 1896 nucleotide of the precore region by polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide hybridization. Patients were grouped as: A, infected only by the wild-type virus; B, infected only by e-minus variant; C, coinfected by the wild-type and e-minus variant; and D, no precore/core gene of hepatitis B virus detected. All samples were assayed for the titre of anti-HBe by ELISA and compared as grouped. A significantly higher titre was found in the coinfected group C compared to groups A (p < 0.01) and D (p < 0.05). Results indicate that a high titre of anti-HBe is required as immune selective pressure for E-minus variant to overtake the wild-type virus.

Clinical results of thermoradiotherapy for soft tissue tumours

Thirty-one unresectable and/or recurrent soft tissue tumours in 27 patients underwent hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy. Locoregional hyperthermia was administered once or twice a week for 40-60 min to a total of 2-14 sessions using RF capacitive or microwave heating equipment. Radiation therapy was given 10-20 min before hyperthermia at doses of 20.8 to 70 Gy. The mean +/- SD of the maximum, average, and minimum intratumour temperatures was 44.0 +/- 2.9 degrees C, 42.3 +/- 1.6 degrees C, 40.1 +/- 1.1 degree C respectively, and that of the percentage of the intratumour points that exceeded 41 and 43 degrees C was 66.0 +/- 33.6, and 31.0 +/- 26.1 respectively. Of the 31 tumours treated, 13 (42%) showed CR (complete regression), 10 (32%) PR (> 50 and < 100% regression) and 8 (26%) NC (< 50% regression). Since intratumour low density areas on post-treatment CT scans have been demonstrated to be a useful parameter for assessing tumour response to thermoradiotherapy, the presence of low density areas was also assessed. Low density areas were classified into the following three categories according to the percent area occupied in the maximal cross-section of the tumour: type I, < 50%, type II, 50-80%; type III, > 80%. Of 20 tumours evaluable, 6 (30%) exhibited type III change, 11 (55%) type II and 3 (15%) type I. All of the type III tumours demonstrated a marked response on follow-up or histopathological examination. The major complication associated with treatment was skin ulcer in two patients. The five-year survival of the total 27 patients and 18 patients who had no distant metastases at the start of treatment was 32 and 48% respectively. These results indicate the clinical benefit of thermoradiotherapy using RF capacitive or microwave equipment for locally advanced and/or recurrent soft tissue tumours.

[Establishment of adriamycin-resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell line and its mechanism of multidrug resistance]

A multidrug-resistant cell line (A2780/ADM) of human ovarian carcinoma which can resist 0.8 microgram.ml-1 of adriamycin (ADM) was obtained by step-wise selection exposure to increasing doses of ADM. A2780/ADM cells showed 17-fold higher resistance to ADM than A2780 cells. The doubling times were 43.8 h in A2780/ADM and 26.3 h in A2780 cells. Colony formation rates were 15%-20% in A2780/ADM and 65%-75% in A2780 cells. A2780/ADM cell line was also shown to significantly cross-resistant to vincristine (VCR) and VP-16, but no cross-resistance was found to 5-Fu, PDD or Mel. A further investigation showed that intracellular accumulation of ADM in A2780/ADM was significantly decreased. Expressions of P-glycoprotein and GST-pi were increased in A2780/ADM by means of immunohistochemical method. Verapamil (Ver) combined with ADM was found to increase the sensitivity and reverse the resistance to ADM in A2780/ADM. This study indicates that A2780 ADM has the peculiarity of multidrug resistance and there may be other mechanism of drug-resistance besides MDR related to P-170.

Enhanced immunogenicity in mice with hepatitis B vaccine complexed to human hepatitis B immunoglobulin

Purified human hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) was complexed to plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) at different concentrations and used to immunize Balb/c mice. An enhanced humoral immune response was observed when HBVac was complexed to HBIG in excess of antigen, compared to that immunized with the vaccine alone. Proliferation of splenic lymphocytes was detected when mice were immunized with HBIG complexed to HBVac (0.2-1 microgram), whereas in mice immunized only with HBVac at one microgram, no lymphocyte proliferation was observed. The enhanced immunogenicity of HBIG: HBVac is T cell dependent. The importance of using critical ratio of HBIG and HBVac is indicated, and future application of this complex for vaccination of low- or nonresponders to the present HBVac, as well as for treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients is discussed.

In vitro receptor imaging for characterization of human solid tumors

Since many of the factors involved in tumor growth and progression act through a receptor-mediated mechanism, we applied in vitro receptor imaging techniques to study the intratumoral distribution and concentration of receptor-molecules having experimental biological relevance in such processes. Here we summarize the results of a study concerning the role of urokinase receptor (uPAR) in the acquisition of an invasive phenotype by tumor cells. Independently of the system studied, we demonstrated that in vitro receptor imaging techniques can be used to define the biological characteristics of human solid tumors and can contribute to clarify the complex network of ligand/receptor interactions leading to tumor spread.

Site-specific phase I, II trials of hyperthermia at Kyoto University

Site-specific phase I, II trials of locoregional hyperthermia undertaken at Kyoto University are briefly reviewed. Thermometry analysis demonstrated the usefulness of RF (radiofrequency) capacitive heating equipment in the treatment of various subsurface or deep-seated tumours including locally advanced breast cancers, soft tissue tumours, lung cancers involving the chest wall, liver tumours, unresectable or recurrent colorectal cancers, and invasive urinary bladder cancers. The difficulty in heating whole tumour volume or hypervascular tumours to therapeutic temperatures was also shown. Non-randomized trials for locally advanced breast cancers, unresectable or recurrent colorectal cancers and invasive urinary bladder cancers demonstrated a higher response rate in thermoradiotherapy than in radiotherapy alone. The complications associated with treatment were not generally serious except for chronic bowel damages in a trial for colorectal cancers. These promising phase I, II trials encourage the future phase III trials.