[Clinical value of the implication of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome]

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) is a respiratory support technique based on extra-pulmonary gas exchange, which can effectively remove carbon dioxide generated in-vivo, reducing the requirements of respiratory support from mechanical ventilation. With improvements in extracorporeal life support technologies and increasing clinical experience, ECCO2R has potential value in clinical application with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This review article discusses the principles of ECCO2R, its relevant indications for ARDS, clinical evidence, existing issues, and future directions, aiming to provide more references for the application in ARDS.

[Analysis of short-term efficacy of perioperative fecal microbiota transplantation combined with nutritional support in patients with radiation-induced enteritis complicated by intestinal obstruction]

Objective: To explore the short-term efficacy of perioperative fecal microbiota transplantation combined with nutritional support in patients with radiation-induced enteritis complicated by intestinal obstruction. Methods: The cohort of this prospective cohort study comprised 45 patients (nine men and 36 women) with radiation-induced enteritis complicated by intestinal obstruction admitted to Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from January 2022 to October 2022. The median age was 53 (42-65) years. Thirty-five of the patients had gynecological tumors and 10 colorectal malignancies. The patients were randomly allocated to a fecal microbiota transplantation group of 20 patients who underwent fecal microbiota transplantation starting 2 weeks before surgery for 6 days, in addition to receiving conventional perioperative treatment, and a conventional treatment group of 25 patients who only received nutritional support during the perioperative period. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics (sex, age, preoperative nutritional indices, and surgical procedure) between the two groups (all P>0.05). Postoperative recovery (time to passing flatus or a bowel movement, length of stay) and complications were compared between the two groups. Postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery classified in accordance with the international Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications (I-V) were statistically analyzed. Improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, namely abdominal pain, distension, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding) and gastrointestinal quality of life scores (which include 36 problems rated 0-144 points related to physical, psychological, social activities and family life; the lower the score, the more severe the symptoms) were compared between the two groups. Nutritional recovery was assessed by body mass, body mass index, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin. Results: Compared with the conventional treatment group, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the fecal microbiota transplantation group (8.0±4.3 days vs. 11.2±5.4 days, t=2.157, P=0.037) and the time to passage of flatus or having a bowel movement was earlier (2.2±3.2 days vs. 3.9±2.3 days, t=2.072, P=0.044). There were 26 postoperative complications in the fecal microbiota transplantation group and 59 in the conventional treatment group. There were 20 and 36 Grade I to II complications and no and three Grade III to V complications in the transplantation and conventional treatment group, respectively. The overall grade of complication did not differ significantly between the two groups (P=0.544). However, the incidence of postoperative intestinal inflammatory obstruction was lower in the fecal microbiota transplantation than the conventional treatment group (10.0% [2/20] vs. 40.0% [10/25], P=0.040). One patient in the conventional treatment group died. This patient had complete intestinal obstruction complicated by severe malnutrition preoperatively, and an intestinal fistula complicated by abdominal infection postoperatively, and died despite active treatment. Nineteen and 23 patients in the transplantation and conventional treatment group, respectively, attended for follow-up 1 month after surgery; 19 and 21, respectively, attended for follow-up 3 months after surgery, and 17 and 20, respectively, attended for follow-up 6 months after surgery. There were no significant differences between the two groups in abdominal pain or rectal bleeding 1, 3, or 6 months after surgery (all P>0.05). One month after surgery, the incidence of abdominal distension and diarrhea was lower in the fecal microbiota transplantation than in the conventional treatment group (3/19 vs. 48.0% [11/23], P=0.048; 3/19 vs. 52.2% [12/23], P=0.023). However, at the 3 and 6 month follow-ups the incidence of abdominal distension and diarrhea had gradually decreased in both groups and the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05 for all). Scores for gastrointestinal quality of life improved significantly in both treatment groups compared with preoperative values (F=71.250, P<0.001; F=79.130, P<0.001, respectively). Scores for gastrointestinal quality of life were higher in the fecal microbiota transplantation than the conventional treatment group at all follow-up time points (P<0.05). One-way ANOVA showed that body mass, body mass index, and total protein, albumin and hemoglobin concentrations improved in both groups compared with preoperative values (all P<0.05). Prealbumin concentration improved significantly in the transplantation (F=5.514, P=0.002), but not in the conventional, group (F=1.535, P=0.211). The improvements in body mass, body mass index, total protein, and albumin were better in the fecal microbiota transplantation than conventional treatment group at 3 and 6 months of follow-up (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Perioperative fecal microbiota transplantation combined with nutritional support is effective in improving early postoperative nutritional status and quality of life in patients with radiation-induced enteritis complicated by intestinal obstruction.

[Clinical effects of pedicled omental flap transplantation in repairing secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation]

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of pedicled omental flap transplantation in repairing secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January to August 2021, 5 patients with secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Wound Repair Center of Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, including 3 males and 2 females, aged 56-69 years, with the wound developed at the pulse generator implantation site in the chest in 2 cases, at the connection site of the wire and electrode behind the ear in 2 cases, and at both the chest and the back of the ear in 1 case. All the wounds were repaired by pedicled omental flap transplantation. The wound area after debridement was 2-15 cm2. After operation, the wound healing and related complications (pain, infection, incisional hernia, omental flap necrosis, etc.) were observed. During follow-up, the recurrence of the wound was observed. Results: The wounds of all 5 patients healed within 2 weeks after operation, without related complications. During follow up of 12-18 months, 1 patient got a recurrence of rejection wound behind the left ear 4 months after surgery and eventually had the brain pacemaker removed; the other 4 patients had no recurrence of wounds. Conclusions: Pedicled omental flap transplantation can repair the secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation safely and effectively, with few postoperative complications.

[Clinicopathological features of patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of patients with RET fusion positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 1 089 NSCLCs were retrieved at Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from August 2018 to April 2020. In all cases, multiple gene fusion detection kits (fluorescent PCR method) were used to detect the gene status of RET, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, BRAF and HER2; and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of PD-L1 and mismatch repair related proteins. The correlation between RET-fusion and patients' age, gender, smoking history, tumor stage, grade, pathologic type, and PD-L1, mismatch repair related protein expression was analyzed. Results: There were 22 cases (2.02%) detected with RET fusion-positive in 1 089 NSCLC patients, in which 11 males and 11 females; and the median age was 63.5 years. There were 20 adenocarcinomas, including 11 acinar predominant adenocarcinoma (APA), five solid predominant adenocarcinoma (SPA) and four lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA); There were one case each of squamous cell carcinoma (non-keratinizing type) and sarcomatoid carcinoma (pleomorphic carcinoma). There were 6 and 16 patients with RET fusion-positive who were in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ respectively, and 16 cases with lymph node metastasis, 11 cases with distant metastasis. Among RET fusion-positive cases, one was detected with HER2 co-mutation. The tumor proportion score of PD-L1≥1% in patients with RET fusion positive lung cancer was 54.5% (12/22). Defects in mismatch repair protein expression were not found in patients with RET fusion positive NSCLC. Four patients with RET fusions positive (two cases of APA and two cases of SPA) received pratinib-targeted therapy, and two showed benefits from this targeted therapy. Conclusions: The histological subtypes of RET fusions positive NSCLC are more likely to be APA or SPA. RET fusion-positive NSCLC patients are associated with advanced clinical stage, lymph node metastases, and they may benefit from targeted therapy with RET-specific inhibitors.

[Effect of deep dermal tissue dislocation injury on skin fibrosis in pig]

Objective: To explore the effect of deep dermal tissue dislocation injury on skin fibrosis in pig, in order to provide some theoretical basis for burn scar treatment. Methods: The experimental research method was applied. Six 2-month-old female Duroc pigs were taken. Fifteen operative areas on the right dorsum of pigs on which medium-thick skin grafts and deep dermal tissue slices were cut and re-implanted were included into dermal in situ reimplantation group, and fifteen operative areas on the left dorsum of pigs on which medium-thick skin grafts and deep dermal tissue slices were cut and the deep dermal tissue slice was placed under the fat layer were included into the dermal dislocation group. The hair growth in the operative areas on post-injury day (PID) 7, 14, and 21 and the cross-sectional structure on PID 14 were observed in the two groups. On PID 7, 14, and 21, the skin thickness (the distance from the epidermis to the upper edge of the fat), the dermal thickness (the distance from the lower edge of the epidermis to the upper edge of the fat, excluding the fibrotic tissue thickness between the dermis and the fat), and the fibrosis tissue thickness of the dermis-fat interface (from the lower edge of the deep dermis to the upper edge of the fat in dermal in situ reimplantation group and from the lower edge of the superficial dermis to the upper edge of the fat in dermal dislocation group) in the operative areas were measured and compared between the two groups; the fibrotic tissue thickness at the dermal cutting interface (from the lower edge of the superficial dermis to the upper edge of the deep dermis) in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group was measured and compared with the fibrotic tissue thickness at the dermal-fat interface. Sirius red staining was performed to observe and compare the type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen content in the dermal-fat interface in the operative areas between the 2 groups and between the dermal cutting interface and dermal-fat interface in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the positive expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the operative areas in the two groups. The sample number was 6. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test. Results: On PID 7, 14, and 21, the hairs in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group were denser than those in dermal dislocation group. On PID 14, the skin cross section in the operative areas in dermal dislocation group showed a "sandwich"-like structure, while the skin cross section in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group had normal structure. On PID 7, 14, and 21, the skin thickness in the operative areas in dermal dislocation group was (4 234±186), (4 688±360), and (4 548±360) μm, respectively, which was close to (4 425±156), (4 714±141), and (4 310±473) μm in dermal in situ reimplantation group (P>0.05); the dermal thickness in the operative areas in dermal dislocation group was significantly thinner than that in dermal in situ reimplantation group (with t values of -9.73, -15.85, and -15.41, respectively, P<0.01); the fibrotic tissue thickness at the dermal-fat interface in the operative areas in dermal dislocation group was significantly thicker than that in dermal in situ reimplantation group (with t values of 14.48, 20.58, and 15.67, respectively, P<0.01); there was no statistically significant difference between the fibrotic tissue thickness at the dermal-fat interface and the dermal cutting interface in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group (P>0.05). On PID 7, 14, 21, the type Ⅲ collagen content in the dermal-fat interface in the operative areas in dermal dislocation group was increased significantly compared with that in dermal in situ replantation group (with t values of 2.65, 0.61, and 7.39, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas there were no statistically significant differences in the type Ⅰ collagen content at the dermal-fat interface in the operative areas between the 2 groups (P>0.05) and the type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen content between the dermal-fat interface and the dermal cutting interface in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group (P>0.05). On PID 7, 14, and 21, PCNA, TGF-β1, FGF-2, and HGF were positively expressed in the superficial dermis and adipose tissue in the operative areas in dermal dislocation group, while PCNA, TGF-β1, FGF-2, and HGF were positively expressed in the superficial dermis, deep dermis, and adipose tissue in the operative areas in dermal in situ reimplantation group. Conclusions: Inadequate intrinsic thickness of dermal tissue is the key factor causing fibrosis, and the biological purpose of fibrosis is to "compensate" the intrinsic thickness of the skin. Besides, adipose tissue may also be an important component of fibrotic skin repair.

[Research progress and clinical application value of exosomal circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Primary liver cancer (hereinafter referred to as HCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Since patients in the early stage of HCC are typically asymptomatic and there are currently no specific detection methods for the early stage of HCC, the majority of patients are diagnosed in the late stage. Exosomes carry proteins, non-coding RNAs, such as cyclic RNAs (circRNAs), and other biological molecules. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have a higher concentration of serum exosomes than healthy individuals, and the circRNAs in the exosomes can reflect the source cells and real-time disease status, suggesting it has the potential to detect liver cancer early. This paper focuses on the latest progress of exosomal circRNAs and analyzes the potential value of exosomes in the early diagnosis, treatment, and progression of HCC.

Effects of three fertilizer application patterns on wheat sowed by machinery in slope cropland of Western Hubei, China

Unscientific fertilization, unstable grain quality, and low profit are the key problems on wheat production in slope cropland of Western Hubei. To solve these problems, three optimized planting patterns (high nitrogen and potassium reduction, HNPR; medium nitrogen and potassium reductionm, MNPR; low nitrogen and potassium reduction, LNPR) were conducted during two consecutive years to assess their effects on wheat yield, quality, profit, and fertilizer use efficiency in Danjiangkou Reservoir area, a typical slope cropland region with wheat-maize rotation. The results showed that the application of chemical fertilizer significantly increased grain yield (GY) and wet gluten content (WGC) of wheat. Compared with the conventional planting pattern (CK), the partial factor productivity (PFP_K) and agricultural fertilizer use efficiency (AFUE_K) of potassium were significantly improved in the three optimized planting patterns. The dry matter amount (DMA), GY, and crude protein content (CPC) were the highest under HNPR, which increased by 9.4%, 19.4%, and 7.8% than CK, respectively. Such a result indicated that HNPR benefited wheat to exploit high yield potential. WGC and falling number (FN) were the highest under MNPR, and increased by 3.9%, and 9.3% than CK, respectively, which was suitable for high-efficiency production of medium-gluten wheat. PFP_N, AFUE_N, PFP_K, AFUE_K, and net profit were the highest under LNPR, which increased by 15.7%, 134.1%, 131.3%, 368.2%, and 37.3% than CK, respectively, while the CPC and WGC were decreased by 2.1% and 2.6% than CK, respectively, suggesting it was suitable for environment-friendly and simplified production of weak-gluten wheat production. Our results could provide a reference for wheat production in the slope cropland.

[Advice on the rationalized layout of outpatient clinics in a wound repair department]

According to a document issued by the General Office of National Health Commission, "one person, one diagnosis, and one room" is required in the process of outpatient consultation. However, the patient will need to go to another room for dressing change after the doctor checks the wound if sticking to the conventional layout of current wound repair specialist outpatient clinic in hospitals and following the regulation of "separation of diagnosis and treatment". To allow a patient walking back and forth with the exposed wounds to different clinics or going to another clinic for dressing change with the original dressing reapplied to the wound is against the regulation of nosocomial infection control and the principle of sterility. To ensure that the layout of the outpatient clinic in the wound repair outpatient department not only conforms to the principle of "one person, one diagnosis, and one room", but also meets the characteristics of the diagnosis and treatment process of chronic wounds, this paper proposes the layout of "large space and small partition" in the wound repair clinic.

Application of random sample consensus method for parameter estimation of reflectometry density profile in toroidal plasma

Microwave reflectometry diagnostics have been widely used to measure density profiles in fusion plasma. However, the high sensitivity of the diagnostics to plasma turbulence often results in large radial deviations in the edge density profile and causes difficulty in profile evaluation. To improve the performance of profile evaluation, a modified RANdom SAmple Consensus (RANSAC) method has been applied to fit the density profiles measured by reflectometry on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak. Compared with the traditional least-squares method, the modified RANSAC method is much more efficient and robust in fitting the experimental profiles. Furthermore, a combination of RANSAC and a genetic algorithm (GA-RANSAC) is used to further optimize the profile evaluation procedure. The results show that this GA-RANSAC method yields better performance and stabler convergence than the modified RANSAC alone.

[Pay attention to the exposure risk of patients with chronic wounds on the way to hospital during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic prevention and control]

Statistics show that 76.74% (4 688) of 6 109 patients with chronic wounds are over 50 years of age; the proportion of patients with underlying diseases in all age groups above 50 years ranges from 78.25% to 100.00%. Among the underlying diseases of chronic wound patients, the top four diseases are diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, and respiratory diseases. The above underlying diseases and ages of patients are the susceptibility factors of coronavirus disease 2019 released by National Health Commission of China. It is an unavoidable fact that the patients with chronic wounds have to go to the hospital for treatment prescribed by the physician. At the same time, we found that quite a few patients preferred going far afield in choosing hospital for treatment due to various reasons. During the prevention and control of coronavirus epidemic, this " go far afield" style of seeking medical treatment may increase the exposure risk during travelling. Accordingly, we convened 36 wound care clinics in different regions in Shanghai to implement the " Five Measures" encouraging the patients with chronic wounds to seek medical treatment nearby. The principle of this operation is that when seeking medical treatment, patients with chronic wounds should try their best to reduce the travel distance as much as possible to minimize the exposure risk during the epidemic period, which will in turn support the campaign of epidemic prevention and control.

RBX1 prompts degradation of EXO1 to limit the homologous recombination pathway of DNA double-strand break repair in G1 phase

End resection of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to form 3′ single-strand DNA (ssDNA) is critical to initiate the homologous recombination (HR) pathway of DSB repair. HR pathway is strictly limited in the G1-phase cells because of lack of homologous DNA as the templates. Exonuclease 1 (EXO1) is the key molecule responsible for 3′ ssDNA formation of DSB end resection. We revealed that EXO1 is inactivated in G1-phase cells via ubiquitination-mediated degradation, resulting from an elevated expression level of RING-box protein 1 (RBX1) in G1 phase. The increased RBX1 significantly prompted the neddylation of Cullin1 and contributed to the G1 phase-specific degradation of EXO1. Knockdown of RBX1 remarkedly attenuated the degradation of EXO1 and increased the end resection and HR activity in γ-irradiated G1-phase cells, as demonstrated by the increased formation of RPA32, BrdU, and RAD51 foci. And EXO1 depletion mitigated DNA repair defects due to RBX1 reduction. Moreover, increased autophosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at S2056 was found to be responsible for the higher expression level of the RBX1 in the G1 phase. Inactivation of DNA-PKcs decreased RBX1 expression, and simultaneously increased EXO1 expression and DSB end resection in G1-phase cells. This study demonstrates a new mechanism for restraining the HR pathway of DNA DSB repair in G1 phase via RBX1-prompted inactivation of EXO1.

[Preliminary evaluation and mechanism of adipose-derived stem cell transplantation from allogenic diabetic rats in the treatment of diabetic rat wounds]

Objective: To investigate whether adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from allogeneic diabetic rats can promote wound healing in diabetic rats or not and the mechanism. Methods: (1) Fifty-six male Wistar rats aged 12-16 weeks were divided into diabetic group and healthy group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), with 28 rats in each group. Rats in healthy group were not treated with any treatment. Rats in diabetic group were injected with 10 g/L streptozotocin 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally in one time to establish the diabetic model. Four rats in diabetic group and 4 rats in healthy group were selected according to the random number table, and the adipose tissue in the inguinal region was taken to culture and purify ASCs, so as to obtain healthy rat-derived ASCs (hereinafter referred to as nASCs) and diabetic rat-derived ASCs (hereinafter referred to as dASCs). The third passage of nASCs (n=3) and dASCs (n=3) were taken, and the positive expression rates of cell surface differentiation antigens CD105, CD31, CD34, and CD44 were detected with flow cytometer for defining ASCs purity. (2) The rest 24 rats in healthy group and 24 rats in diabetic group were used to make three round full-thickness skin defect wounds with a diameter of 12 mm on the back of each rat. Immediately after injury, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), nASCs of 2×10(7)/mL, and dASCs of 2×10(7)/mL each in the volume of 0.5 mL were subcutaneously injected into three wounds and their margins of each rat, respectively. On post injury day (PID) 1, 3, 7, and 12, 6 rats in each group were selected according to the random number table to calculate the wound area, and the wound tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe the histological morphology of the wound. (3) Human ASCs (hASCs) were subcultured, and the 4th to 7th passage of cells were used for the subsequent experiments. The hASCs were divided into 7 groups, with 12 samples in each group. Cells in blank control group were cultured with mesenchymal stem cell culture medium, and cells in simple advanced glycation end products (AGEs) group, simple protein group, simple high glucose group, simple high osmotic pressure group, AGEs-high glucose combination group, and protein-high osmotic pressure combination group were cultured with mesenchymal stem cell culture medium containing a final mass concentration of 100 mg/L AGEs, 100 mg/L bovine serum albumin (BSA), 28 mmol/L D-glucose, 28 mmol/L mannitol, 100 mg/L AGEs+ 28 mmol/L D-glucose, 100 mg/L BSA+ 28 mmol/L mannitol, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit 8 at post culture hour (PCH) 2 and on post culture day (PCD) 2, 4 and 6. (4) The hASCs were divided into blank control group, simple AGE group, simple high glucose group, and AGE-high glucose combination group, with 12 samples in each group, which were treated the same as corresponding groups in experiment (3). On PCD 0, 2, 4, and 6, the positive expression rates of cell surface differentiation antigens CD105, CD44, and CD45 were detected by flow cytometer to estimate their homeostasis. (5) The hASCs were divided into AGE-high glucose combination group and protein-high osmotic pressure combination group, with 9 samples in each group, which were treated the same as corresponding groups in experiment (3). On PCD 2, 4, and 6, the expression of intracellular protein was detected by cyanine 3-streptavidin double-antibody sandwich technique. Data were processed with analysis of variance for factorial design, least significant difference test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) The positive expression rates of CD44 in nASCs and dASCs were both higher than 96%, the positive expression rates of CD31 and CD34 were low, and the positive expression rates of CD105 were about 40%, which basically met the purity requirements. (2) The areas of wounds treated by three methods in rats of healthy group and diabetic group were similar on PID 1 (P>0.05). In healthy group, compared with (0.682 1±0.078 9), (0.314 3±0.113 7), and (0.064 3±0.002 1) cm(2) of the PBS-treated wounds in rats, the area of nASCs-treated wounds in rats decreased significantly on PID 3, 7, and 12 [(0.464 1±0.092 6), (0.223 9±0.072 7), and (0.034 3±0.012 5) cm(2), P<0.05], the area of dASCs-treated wounds in rats decreased significantly on PID 3 and 12 [(0.514 1±0.124 1) and (0.043 7±0.032 8) cm(2), P<0.05] but was not obviously changed on PID 7 [(0.274 2±0.062 5) cm(2), P>0.05]. Compared with those of the dASCs-treated wounds of rats within the same group, the area of the nASCs-treated wounds of rats in healthy group decreased significantly on PID 3 and 7 (P<0.05) but was not obviously changed on PID 12 (P>0.05). In diabetic group, compared with (0.853 5±0.204 8), (0.670 5±0.164 8), and (0.131 4±0.074 4) cm(2) of the PBS-treated wounds in rats, the area of nASCs-treated wounds in rats decreased significantly on PID 3, 7, and 12 [(0.633 4±0.132 5), (0.331 8±0.023 5), and (0.074 2±0.003 8) cm(2), P<0.05], the area of dASCs-treated wounds in rats decreased significantly on PID 3 [(0.773 6±0.182 2) cm(2), P<0.05] but was not obviously changed on PID 7 and 12 [(0.510 6±0.192 2) and (0.114 4±0.003 1) cm(2), P>0.05]. Compared with the dASCs-treated wounds of rats within the same group, the area of the nASCs-treated wounds of rats in diabetic group was not obviously changed on PID 3 and 7 (P>0.05) but decreased significantly on PID 12 (P<0.05). There was no obvious difference in histological morphology of the wounds treated with three methods in rats of each group on PID 1. On PID 3, a small amount of microvessels were formed in the wounds treated with nASCs and dASCs of rats in both groups, but microvessel formation was almost undetected in the PBS-treated wounds. On PID 7, more small blood vessels and fibroblasts (Fbs) were observed in the wounds treated with nASCs and dASCs of rats in both groups, but the small blood vessels and Fbs were slightly less in the PBS-treated wounds. On PID 12, the wounds treated with nASCs and dASCs of rats in the two groups were covered by epithelial tissue, the granulation tissue in the PBS-treated wounds of rats in healthy group was not obvious, and the PBS-treated wounds of rats in diabetic group were not completely epithelialized. (3) Compared with those of blank control group, the cell number of hASCs in simple AGEs group decreased significantly on PCD 2, 4, and 6 (P<0.05), which increased significantly on PCD 2 and 4 in simple high glucose group (P<0.05), and that in AGEs-high glucose combination group decreased significantly on PCD 4 and 6 (P<0.05). (4) Compared with that on PCD 4 within the same group, the positive expression rate of CD105 in hASCs decreased significantly in blank control group, simple AGEs group, and AGEs-high glucose combination group on PCD 6 (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of CD44 was higher than 95%, and that of CD45 was less than 2% in hASCs of each group at each time point. (5) Detection values of 7 proteins were located in the confidence interval. The expression levels of basic fibroblast growth factor and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in hASCs of AGEs-high glucose combination group and protein-high osmotic pressure combination group showed increasing trend with the prolongation of culture time. The expression level of human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in hASCs of AGEs-high glucose combination group showed increasing trend with the prolongation of culture time, while the expression level of growth-regulated oncogene (GRO) on PCD 6 was significantly higher than that on PCD 4 within the same group (P<0.05); the expression levels of MCP-1 and GRO in hASCs of protein-high osmotic pressure combination group showed decreasing trend with the prolongation of culture time. The expression level of follistatin in hASCs of protein-high osmotic pressure combination group decreased obviously on PCD 4, while that in hASCs of AGEs-high glucose combination group was significantly lower on PCD 6 than that on PCD 4 (P<0.05). The expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hASCs of protein-high osmotic pressure combination group decreased gradually with the prolongation of culture time, while that in hASCs of AGEs-high glucose combination group on PCD 4 decreased significantly as compared with that on PCD 2 (P<0.05). The expression level of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in hASCs of protein-high osmotic pressure combination group on PCD 6 was significantly higher than that on PCD 4 within the same group (P<0.05) and that of AGEs-high glucose combination group on PCD 6 (P<0.05). Conclusions: Both nASCs and dASCs can promote wound healing in rats with simple defect injury, but dASCs have no significant effect on wound healing in rats with diabetes mellitus, which may be related to the inhibition of ASCs proliferation and the influence of high glucose and AGEs intervention on their homeostasis and secretory function.

[Current social support and social adaptation of HIV/AIDS patients in Henan province]

Objective: To understand the status quo of social support for and social adaptation of HIV/AIDS patients in Henan province, analyze the relationship between social support and social adaptation, and provide reference for improving the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was adopted to select HIV/AIDS patients in high HIV prevalence areas (Shangcai, Shenqiu), middle epidemic areas (Queshan, Yongcheng), low prevalence areas (Jiyuan, Sanmenxia) in Henan province. A social support scale was used to investigate the three dimensions of objective support, subjective support and support utilization. A social adaptation scale was used to investigate the three dimensions of patient cognitive willingness, social interaction and role adaptation. Finally, the characteristics of the social support, social adaptation and their relationships were analyzed. Results: The overall score of 506 HIV/AIDS patients' social support was 36.30±9.34, the score of objective support was 7.48±3.01, the score of subjective support was 22.35±5.79, and the score of support utilization was 6.28±2.38, the overall score and the scores of three dimensions of social support of HIV/AIDS patients were lower than the national levels, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The overall score of patients' social adaptation was39.10±7.10, the score of cognitive willingness was 9.96±3.23, the score of social interaction was 18.57±3.25, and the score of role adaptation was 10.57±2.52. The average score of social adaptation of patients was less than 2/3 of the overall score, and the average cognitive willingness score was less than 1/2 of the overall score. The differences in social support score and social adaptation score among patients with different gender, age, marital status, occupation, transmission route, number of symptoms were statistically significant (P<0.05). For the HIV/AIDS patients, there was a correlation between the social support and the social adaptation (r=0.14, P<0.05). Conclusion: HIV/AIDS patients had a low level of social support and social adaptation, and social support might be a contributing factor to the social adaptation of HIV/AIDS patients.

[Thoughts and principles of diagnosis and treatment of chronic refractory wounds in China]

The correct thoughts and principles of diagnosis and treatment of chronic refractory wounds need to be formulated. Through the relevant domestic and international consensus and based on clinical experience, the Thoughts and principles of diagnosis and treatment of chronic refractory wounds in China is proposed. It is considered that in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic refractory wounds, in the case of fully understanding the patient's medical history, the following thoughts and principles should be complied in order. (1) Pay attention to the cleanliness of the wound after being cleaned. (2) Reasonably perform debridement to avoid being " excessive" or " not thorough". (3) Reasonably perform examination, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of pathogenic factors. (4) Treat according to etiology. (5) Find comorbidities and prevent adverse outcomes. (6) Select the correct wound treatment method reasonably and timely. When the conservative wound care treatment is considered, pay attention to embodying the concept of etiological treatment, treat the wound according to the principles of safety, phase, selectivity, and effectiveness, and make a reasonable choice of continuing conservative treatment or surgical treatment in time after completing the preparation of the wound bed. When surgical treatment is considered, pay attention to the selection of reasonable surgical method and donor site, pay attention to the healing rate of surgical wound site and the outcome of donor site, and give reasonable protection to the wound site after surgery. (7) Carry out rehabilitation treatment after wound healing and related health education.

[Research on the factors affecting the postoperative outcome of otosclerosis]

Summary Otosclerosis is not often seen in the clinic, but it can seriously affect the quality of life due to the hearing loss of patients. Currently, the treatment of otosclerosis is mainly surgery. With the development of microsurgical techniques, the treatment of surgery for otosclerosis has been highly praised and widely carried out. However, different surgical methods, assistive techniques and instruments used during surgery, selected placement of prostheses, and varying levels of experience of the surgeon can all affect postoperative outcomes. In order to provide reference for the surgical treatment of otosclerosis in the future，this paper will summarize the factors related to postoperative efficacy of stapes surgery for otosclerosis.

[Application value of endoscope in probing chronic wound with sinus tract in clinic]

Objective: To explore the application value of endoscope in probing the chronic wound with sinus tract in clinic. Methods: Twenty-eight chronic wounds with sinus tracts from 27 patients conforming to the inclusion criteria admitted to Outpatient Department of Wound Healing Center of Ruijin Hospital from December 2017 to March 2018 were investigated in a prospective and self-controlled trial. After being cleaned, the diameter of the opening of sinus tract was measured with a rule. A probe was used to measure the depth of a sinus tract according to the touch from the probe extremity in operation, and to measure the depth of a sinus tract that could be observed with naked eyes with the help of a pair of hemostatic forceps. Five minutes later, a probe was inserted deeply into the sinus tract to measure the depth under the endoscopic view combined with touch from the probe extremity in operation. Afterwards, the sinus tract was observed with endoscope, and the depth of the tract which could be observed under the endoscopic view was measured using a probe inserted deeply into the sinus tract. After completion of the above exploration, the sinus tract was infused with contrast agent Omnipaque 350 and scanned by computed tomography (CT) later to obtain its depth. The following indicators were calculated: the ratio of the depth of the sinus tract measured by CT to the diameter of the opening of the sinus tract (hereinafter referred to as the depth/diameter ratio of the sinus tract), the deviation rate comparing the depth of the sinus tract measured by conventional method (measured by probe only) and by endoscope (measured by probe under the endoscope view) with the depth of the sinus tract measured by CT (hereinafter referred to as the deviation rate of the measured depth of the sinus tract), the deviation rate comparing the depth of the sinus tract that could be observed measured by conventional method and by endoscope with the depth of the sinus tract measured by CT (hereinafter referred to as the deviation rate of the depth of the sinus tract that could be observed). Data were processed with paired t test. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between the depth/diameter ratio of the sinus tract and the deviation rate of the measured depth of the sinus tract and the deviation rate of the depth of the sinus tract that could be observed by conventional method and by endoscope. Results: The depth/diameter ratio of the sinus tract of this group of wounds was 1-32 (8±7). The deviation rate of the measured depth of the sinus tract and the deviation rate of the depth of the sinus tract that could be observed by conventional method were (19±14)% and (79±18)%, respectively, both obviously larger than (9±9)% and (25±25)% by endoscope (t=3.837, 13.626, P<0.01). Positive correlation existed between the depth/diameter ratio of the sinus tract and the deviation rate of the measured depth of the sinus tract by conventional method, and between the depth/diameter ratio of the sinus tract and the deviation rate of the depth of the sinus tract that could be observed by conventional method and by endoscope (r=0.514, 0.585, 0.651, P<0.01). However, there was no obvious correlation between the depth/diameter ratio of the sinus tract and the deviation rate of the measured depth of the sinus tract by endoscope (r=0.113, P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the conventional method, application of endoscope is able to get more accurate data of chronic wounds with sinus tracts and observe the wounds with wider range.

[Effects of denatured collagen type Ⅰ on differentiation of human fibroblasts into myofibroblasts]

Objective: To investigate the effects of denatured collagen type Ⅰ on differentiation of human fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Methods: A small amount of normal skin donated by burn patients undergoing scar surgery was collected. Human fibroblasts were obtained by method of explant culture and then sub-cultured. The fourth passage of cells were used in the following experiments. (1) Fibroblasts were divided into normal collagen group and denatured collagen group according to the random number table, with 10 wells in each group. Fibroblasts in normal collagen group were cultured on normal collagen type Ⅰ coated coverslips. Fibroblasts in denatured collagen group were cultured on denatured type Ⅰ collagen coated coverslips. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunohistochemical method, and the percentage of PCNA positive cells was calculated. (2) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (1), with 12 wells in each group. Proliferation activity of cells was determined with methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium colorimetry method. (3) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (1), and the microfilament morphology of cells was observed by rhodamine-phalloidin staining. (4) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (1). Expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) of cells was detected by immunohistochemical method, and expression of OB-cadherin of cells was detected by immunofluorescence method. (5) Another batch of fibroblasts were divided into normal collagen, denatured collagen, and common coverslips groups according to the random number table, with 6 wells in each group. Fibroblasts in normal collagen and denatured collagen groups were treated as in (1), while fibroblasts in common coverslips group were cultured on coverslips without collagen coating. Expressions of α-SMA and OB-cadherin of cells were determined with Western blotting. (6) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (5), and then the mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and α-SMA of cells were determined with real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data were processed with t test, one way analysis of variance, and least-significant difference test. Results: (1) The percentage of PCNA positive cells in denatured collagen group was (83±9)%, significantly higher than (29±9)% in normal collagen group (t=13.53, P<0.01). (2) The proliferation activity of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group was 0.32±0.06, significantly higher than 0.25±0.05 in normal collagen group (t=3.06, P<0.01). (3) The microfilament of fibroblasts in normal collagen group was arranged vertically and in parallel way, paralleling the long axis of cells. The microfilament of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group was denser and thicker. (4) Most fibroblasts in normal collagen group showed long shuttle-like shape typically. Morphology of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group changed, and cells were obviously spreading. Expressions of α-SMA and OB-cadherin of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group were stronger than those in normal collagen group. (5) Expressions of α-SMA of fibroblasts in denatured collagen, normal collagen, and common coverslips groups were respectively 1.69±0.41, 0.89±0.27, and 1.46±0.42. Expression of α-SMA of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group was significantly higher than that in normal collagen group (P<0.01). Expressions of OB-cadherin of fibroblasts in denatured collagen, normal collagen, and common coverslips groups were respectively 5.17±0.28, 2.21±0.10, and 4.01±0.56. Expression of OB-cadherin of fibroblasts in denatured group was significantly higher than that in normal collagen group (P<0.01). (6) There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of collagen type Ⅰ of fibroblasts in denatured collagen, normal collagen, and common coverslips groups (F=2.71, P>0.05). The mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅲ and α-SMA of fibroblasts in normal collagen group were significantly lower than those in denatured collagen group (P<0.01). Conclusions: Denatured collagen type Ⅰ may influence the activity of fibroblasts, thus inducing fibroblasts differentiating into myofibroblasts.

Preliminary consideration of CFETR ITER-like case diagnostic system

Chinese Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) is a new superconducting tokamak device being designed in China, which aims at bridging the gap between ITER and DEMO, where DEMO is a tokamak demonstration fusion reactor. Two diagnostic cases, ITER-like case and towards DEMO case, have been considered for CFETR early and later operating phases, respectively. In this paper, some preliminary consideration of ITER-like case will be presented. Based on ITER diagnostic system, three versions of increased complexity and coverage of the ITER-like case diagnostic system have been developed with different goals and functions. Version A aims only machine protection and basic control. Both of version B and version C are mainly for machine protection, basic and advanced control, but version C has an increased level of redundancy necessary for improved measurements capability. The performance of these versions and needed R&D work are outlined.

[Effects of severe hypoxia and low concentration of serum protein on the function of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts]

Objective: To simulate the environmental factors during the process of formation and evolution of hypertrophic scar, so as to explore the effects of moderate and severe hypoxia and low concentration of serum protein on the function of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs). Methods: Human HSFs were routinely cultured. Cells of the 3rd to the 6th passage were divided into 10.0% oxygen+ 10.0% fetal calf serum (FCS), 5.0% oxygen+ 5.0% FCS, and 0.5% oxygen+ 0.5% FCS groups according to the random number table. After being cultured with DMEM nutrient solution with no FCS for 24 h, the cells were cultured with the corresponding volume fraction of oxygen and FCS. Cell proliferation activity was determined with methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium assay (denoted as actual cell number). Content of total collagen was detected with Sirius red staining method (denoted as absorbance value). Protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β₁ (TGF-β₁), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and P53 were determined with Western blotting (denoted as ratio of gray value). Cell apoptosis rate was detected by in situ end labeling method. The sample numbers of each group in the above experiments were all 3. Data were processed with Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunnett test. Results: (1) Compared with 11 000±1 306 in 10.0% oxygen+ 10.0% FCS group, the cell proliferation activity was higher in 5.0% oxygen+ 5.0% FCS group (13 290±1 500, P<0.05), but lower in 0.5% oxygen+ 0.5% FCS group (6 999±765, P<0.05). (2) Compared with 0.039 6±0.004 2 in 10.0% oxygen+ 10.0% FCS group, the content of total collagen of cells was higher in 5.0% oxygen+ 5.0% FCS group (0.051 6±0.005 1, P<0.05), but lower in 0.5% oxygen+ 0.5% FCS group (0.015 6±0.002 4, P<0.05). (3) Compared with those in 10.0% oxygen+ 10.0% FCS group, the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, TGF-β₁, and Bcl-2 were increased (with P values below 0.05), with no obvious difference in protein expression level of P53 in 5.0% oxygen+ 5.0% FCS group (P>0.05), whereas the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, TGF-β₁, and Bcl-2 were decreased (with P values below 0.05), while the protein expression level of P53 was increased in 0.5% oxygen+ 0.5% FCS group (P<0.05). (4) Compared with (1.2±0.9)% in 10.0% oxygen+ 10.0% FCS group, the cell apoptosis rate in 5.0% oxygen+ 5.0% FCS group showed no significant difference [(2.6±0.9)%, P>0.05], while it was significantly increased in 0.5% oxygen+ 0.5% FCS group [(13.3±4.1)%, P<0.05]. Conclusions: Severe hypoxia and low concentration of serum protein can inhibit proliferation activity and production of total collagen of human HSFs and induce their apoptosis.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in liver cells induced by cobalt nanoparticles and ions

Objectives

The cytotoxicity induced by cobalt ions (Co²⁺) and cobalt nanoparticles (Co-NPs) which released following the insertion of a total hip prosthesis, has been reported. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the toxic effect of Co²⁺ and Co-NPs on liver cells, and explain further the potential mechanisms.

Methods

Co-NPs were characterised for size, shape, elemental analysis, and hydrodynamic diameter, and were assessed by Transmission Electron Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering. BRL-3A cells were used in this study. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase release assay. In order to clarify the potential mechanisms, reactive oxygen species, Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression, IL-8 mRNA expression and DNA damage were assessed on BRL-3A cells after Co²⁺ or Co-NPs treatment.

Results

Results showed cytotoxic effects of Co²⁺ and Co-NPs were dependent upon time and dosage, and the cytotoxicity of Co-NPs was greater than that of Co²⁺. In addition, Co-NPs elicited a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in cell viability with a concomitant increase in lactic dehydrogenase release, reactive oxygen species generation, IL-8 mRNA expression, Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression and DNA damage after 24 hours of exposure.

Conclusion

Co-NPs induced greater cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in BRL-3A cells than Co²⁺. Cell membrane damage, oxidative stress, immune inflammation and DNA damage may play an important role in the effects of Co-NPs on liver cells.

Cite this article: Y. K. Liu, X. X. Deng, H.L. Yang. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in liver cells induced by cobalt nanoparticles and ions. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:461–469. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2016-0016.R1.

Construction of a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line that stably expresses stathmin with a Ser25 phosphorylation site mutation

We constructed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells that stably express stathmin with a Ser25 phosphorylation site mutation (stathmin S25A). We used the polymerase chain reaction for site-directed mutagenesis, constructed a stathmin S25A plasmid, and verified the results by restriction enzyme cleavage and sequencing technology. Using the liposome transfection method, stathmin wild-type and S25A HCCLM6 cells were established, which were identified by western blotting. The sequencing report of the stathmin S25A plasmid showed that stathmin serine at position 25 had mutated into alanine. Stable cells transfected with stathmin wild-type and S25A plasmids were constructed. Using western blotting, we confirmed that the expression level of stathmin pS25 in the stathmin S25A cells was reduced than that in the stathmin wild-type and HCCLM6 control cells (P < 0.05). We constructed stathmin S25A HCCLM6 cells, which offer an experimental model for further investigation of the molecular mechanism of stathmin phosphorylation in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Wheat-specific gene, ribosomal protein l21, used as the endogenous reference gene for qualitative and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of transgenes

Wheat-specific ribosomal protein L21 (RPL21) is an endogenous reference gene suitable for genetically modified (GM) wheat identification. This taxon-specific RPL21 sequence displayed high homogeneity in different wheat varieties. Southern blots revealed 1 or 3 copies, and sequence analyses showed one amplicon in common wheat. Combined analyses with sequences from common wheat (AABBDD) and three diploid ancestral species, Triticum urartu (AA), Aegilops speltoides (BB), and Aegilops tauschii (DD), demonstrated the presence of this amplicon in the AA genome. Using conventional qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the limit of detection was 2 copies of wheat haploid genome per reaction. In the quantitative real-time PCR assay, limits of detection and quantification were about 2 and 8 haploid genome copies, respectively, the latter of which is 2.5-4-fold lower than other reported wheat endogenous reference genes. Construct-specific PCR assays were developed using RPL21 as an endogenous reference gene, and as little as 0.5% of GM wheat contents containing Arabidopsis NPR1 were properly quantified.

[Characterization and simulation of far-infrared spectroscopy for saturated monohydric alcohols]

Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) was employed to measure the far-infrared (FIR) spectra in wavenumbers of 30-300 cm(-1) for six kinds of saturated monohydric alcohols, namely: methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol and isobutanol. Further analysis of the FIR spectra for these monohydric alcohols with similar chemical structures reveals that absorption peaks are observed obviously for these alcohols in the 30-150 cm(-1) band, whereas not obvious peaks are measured in the 150-300 cm(-1) band. Moreover, it was found that the monohydric alcohols with higher hydroxy concentration possess lower average FIR transmission. In addition, the average FIR transmissions of linear chain monohydric alcohols are higher than those of the branched chain ones. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) basis set was employed to simulate the structures optimization and to calculate the responding frequencies of the methanol monomer and polymer. Simulation result indicates that no absorption peaks are found in the 30-150 cm(-1) band for the methanol monomer molecule, whereas there are obvious absorption peaks for the methanol polymers in the same band. In addition, the simulated absorption peak positions for the methanol polymers are in agreement with those experimentally measured. Both results indicate that the absorption of the methanol in Terahertz (THz) is attributed to the collective vibrations of different kinds of polymer, and that the polymer for methanol is mainly trimmer. This paper not only provides a new way to investigate the responding frequencies of organic molecule in THz band, but also is helpful for the FTIR-ATR study of other organic molecules.

Trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase is required for development, virulence and mycotoxin biosynthesis apart from trehalose biosynthesis in Fusarium graminearum

Trehalose 6-phosphate synthase (TPS1) and trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase (TPS2) are required for trehalose biosynthesis in yeast and filamentous fungi, including Fusarium graminearum. Three null mutants Δtps1, Δtps2 and Δtps1-Δtps2, each carrying either a single deletion of TPS1 or TPS2 or a double deletion of TPS1-TPS2, were generated from a toxigenic F. graminearum strain and were not able to synthesize trehalose. In contrast to its reported function in yeasts and filamentous fungi, TPS1 appeared dispensable for development and virulence. However, deletion of TPS2 abolished sporulation and sexual reproduction; it also altered cell polarity and ultrastructure of the cell wall in association with reduced chitin biosynthesis. The cell polarity alteration was exhibited as reduced apical growth and increased lateral growth and branching with increased hyphal and cell wall widths. Moreover, the TPS2-deficient strain displayed abnormal septum development and nucleus distribution in its conidia and vegetative hyphae. The Δtps2 mutant also had 62% lower mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar and 99% lower virulence on wheat compared with the wild-type. The Δtps1, Δtps2 and Δtps1-Δtps2 mutants synthesized over 3.08-, 7.09- and 2.47-fold less mycotoxins, respectively, on rice culture compared with the wild-type. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that the Δtps1, Δtps2 and Δtps1-Δtps2 mutants had 486, 1885 and 146 genotype-specific genes, respectively, with significantly changed expression profiles compared with the wild-type. Further dissection of this pathway will provide new insights into regulation of fungal development, virulence and trichothecene biosynthesis.

Antiemetic effects of combined methylprednisolone and tropisetron in mastectomy

BACKGROUND

Combined dexamethasone and tropisetron have been reported more effective than a single drug therapy in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, the safety use of dexamethasone has been questioned recently because of the risk of secondary adrenal deficiency. Therefore, we hypothesized that combined tropisetron and methylprednisolone, a short-lasting corticoid, might provide effective prophylaxis of PONV with less effect on endogenous cortisol level.

METHODS

In this study, 224 women undergoing modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups: 1) receiving 10 mg tropisetron alone (T, N.=76); 2) 10 mg tropisetron and 8 mg dexamethasone (TD, N.=73); or 3) 10 mg tropisetron and 40 mg methylprednisolone (TM, N.=75) intravenously. Serum cortisol level, episodes of PONV and the need for rescue antiemetic medication were recorded during first 3 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Serum cortisol significantly decreased in group TD (5.42±1.87 μg/dL), compared with group TM (14.38±2.01 μg/dL, P<0.01) and group T (19.52±1.53 μg/dL, P<0.001) in the first day postoperatively. In the first 24 hours, the incidence of vomiting was significantly higher in group T (15.8%), compared with group TD (5.5%, P<0.05) and group TM (5.3%, P<0.05), respectively. The overall request for a rescue antiemetic of group T was significantly higher, compared with group TD and group TM (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Methylprednisolone-tropisetron combination is more effective than tropisetron alone, and as equally effective as dexamethasone-tropisetron combination for preventing acute PONV in mastectomy.

Construction and evaluation of high-quality n-ZnO nanorod/p-diamond heterojunctions

Vertically-aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) arrays were synthesized by a low-temperature solution method on boron-doped diamond (BDD) films. The morphology, growth direction, and crystallinity of the ZnO NRs were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence. Electrical characterization of the ZnO NR/BBD heterostructures revealed characteristic p-n junction properties with an on/off ratio of about 50 at +/- 4 V and a small reverse leakage current approximately 1 microA. Moreover, the junctions showed an ideality factor around 1.0 at a low forward voltage from 0 to 0.3 V and about 2.1 for an increased voltage ranging from 1.2 to 3.0 V, being consistent with that of an ideal diode according to the Sah-Noyce-Shockley theory.

Improvement of conversion efficiency for multi-junction solar cells by incorporation of Au nanoclusters

We studied the photoluminescence (PL) and photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics of the three-junction InGaP/InGaAs/Ge solar cells by depositing Au nanoclusters on the cell surface. The increases of the PL intensity and short-circuit current after incorporation of Au nanoclusters are evident. An increase of 15.3% in energy conversion efficiency (from 19.6 to 22.6%) is obtained for the three-junction solar cells in which Au nanoclusters have been incorporated. We suggest that the increased light trapping due to radiative scattering from Au nanoclusters is responsible for improving the performance of the three-junction solar cells.

A comparative study of Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile males from two Chinese populations

PURPOSE

To compare the prevalence and type of Y-microdeletions in Hong Kong and Shanghai men with severe male-factor infertility.

METHODS

Seven Y-linked sequence tagged site (STS) primers and seven gene-specific primers were screened in 293 infertile males (139 from Hong Kong and 154 from Shanghai) and 161 fertile men (61 from Hong Kong and 100 from Shanghai). Serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were also measured in these men.

RESULTS

The incidence of Yq microdeletions in nonobstructive azoospermic men from Hong Kong (8.5%) and Shanghai (6%) was similar. Yq microdeletions were observed in severe oligospermic patients (8.5%) from Hong Kong but not from Shanghai. Among the 9 Hong Kong men with Y-microdeletions, 8 had AZFc deletion and one had AZFb deletion. In contrast, 6 of 9 men from Shanghai with Y-microdeletions had AZFb deletion. The incidence of AZFb deletion among Y-microdeleted men was statistically different between the two populations. Two of the men with AZFb deletion also had AZFa and AZFc deletions.

CONCLUSIONS

Regional variations in the type of Y-microdeletion existed between Hong Kong and Shanghai infertile males.

Metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma models in nude mice and cell line with metastatic potential

Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and interven tion of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like metastatic model of hu man HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) and a low metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D35) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metasta sis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding. Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-1 increased gradually following tumor progression in LCI-D20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level. Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesio nmolecule-1 in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including anti-angiogenesis, antisense approach, metallopro teinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establ ishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vivo and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.

Establishment of cell clones with different metastatic potential from the metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97

AIM: To establish clone cells with different metastatic potential for the study of metastasis-related mechanisms.

METHODS: Cloning procedure was performed on parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97, and biological characteristics of the target clones selected by in vivo screening were studied.

RESULTS: Two clones with high (MHCC97-H) and low (MHCC97-L) metastatic potential were isolated from the parent cell line. Compared with MHCC97-L, MHCC97-H had smaller cell size (average cell diameter 43 μm vs 50 μm) and faster in vitro and in vivo growth rate (tumor cell doubling time was 34.2 h vs 60.0 h). The main ranges of chromosomes were 55-58 in MHCC97-H and 57-62 in MHCC97-L. Boyden chamber in vitro invasion assay demonstrated that the number of penetrating cells through the artificial basement membrane was (37.5 ± 11.0) cells/field for MHCC97-H vs (17.7 ± 6.3)/field for MHCC97-L. The proportions of cells in G0-G1 phase, S phase, and G2-M phase for MHCC97-H/MHCC97-L were 0.56/0.65, 0.28/0.25 and 0.16/0.10, respectively, as measured by flow cytometry. The serum AFP levels in nude mice 5 wk after orthotopic implantation of tumor tissue were (246 ± 66) μg•L¯¹ for MHCC97-H and (91 ± 66) μg•L¯¹ for MHCC97-L. The pulmonary metastatic rate was 100% (10/10) vs 40% (4/10).

CONCLUSION: Two clones of the same genetic background but with different biological behaviors were established, which could be valuable models for investigation on HCC metastasis.

Abnormal β-catenin gene expression with invasiveness of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in China

AIM: To study the abnormal expression of β-catenin gene and its relationship with invasiveness of primary hepatocellular carcinoma among Chinese people.

METHODS: Thirty-four hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens and adjacent paracancerous tissues, 4 normal liver tissues were immunohistochemically stained to study subcellular distribution of β-catenin. Semiquantitive analysis of expression of β-catenin gene exon 3 mRNA was examined by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The relationship between expressions of both β-catenin protein, mRNA and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC was also analyzed.

RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that all normal liver tissues and para-cancerous tissues examined displayed membranous type staining for β-catenin protein, occasionally with weak expression in the cytoplasm. While 21 cases (61.8%) of HCC examined showed accumulated type in cytoplasms or nuclei. The accumuled type Labling Index (LI) of cancer tissue and para-cancarous tissue was (59.9 ± 26.3) and (18.3 ± 9.7) respectively (P < 0.01). Higher accumulated type LI was closely related with invasiveness of HCC. Results of RT-PCR showed the β-catenin gene exon 3 mRNA Expression Index (EI) of 34 HCCs was higher than that of para-cancerous tissue and normal liver tissue. Using in situ hybridization, the signal corresponding to β-catenin gene exon 3 mRNA was particularly strong in cytoplasm of HCC when compared with those of para-cancerous and normal liver tissues. Over expression of β-catenin exon 3 was also found to be correlated with high metastatic potential of HCC.

CONCLUSION: Abnormal expression of β-catenin gene may contribute importantly to the invasiveness of HCC among Chinese people.

Chromosome 8p deletion is associated with metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma when high and low metastatic models are compared

Recently, we found that chromosome 8p deletion might be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis by analyzing the differences in chromosomal alterations between primary tumors and their matched metastatic lesions of HCC with comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) (Qin et al. 1999). To further confirm this interesting finding, the genomic changes of two models bearing human HCC with different metastatic potentials (LCI-D20 and LCI-D35), and the new human HCC cell line with high metastatic potential (MHCC97) were analyzed by CGH. Gains on 1q, 6q, 7p, and 8q, and losses on 13p, 14p, 19p, 21, and 22 were detected in both LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 models. However, high copy number amplification of a minimum region at 1q12-q22 and 12q, and deletions on 1p32-pter, 3p21-pter, 8p, 9p, 10q, 14q, and 15p were detected only in the LCI-D20 model. Gains on 1p21-p32, 2p13-p21, 6p12-pter, 9p, 15q, and 16q11-q21, and losses on 2p23-pter, 4q24-qter, 7q31-qter, 12q, 17p, and 18 were detected only in the LCI-D35 model. The chromosomal aberration patterns in the MHCC97 cell line were similar to its parent LCI-D20 model, except that gains on 19q and losses on 4, 5, 10q, and 13q were found only in the cell line. These results provide some indirect clues to the metastasis-related chromosomal aberrations of HCC and further support the finding that 8p deletion is associated with HCC metastasis. 1q12-22 and 12q might harbor a novel oncogene(s) that contributes to the development and progression of HCC. Amplification on 8q and deletions on 4q and 17p may be not necessary for HCC metastasis.

Clinical and specular microscopic manifestations of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between the clinical pictures and the specular microscopic findings in patients with iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome.

METHODS

The records of 15 patients with ICE syndrome who presented at the National Taiwan University Hospital between 1993 and 1996 were examined. The medical history, clinical pictures of the cornea, iris and anterior chamber angle, intraocular pressure, specular microscopic findings, and the correlation between clinical and specular microscopic findings were assessed.

RESULTS

Endothelial changes in specular micrographs were found in all the patients, even in those patients with minimal angle involvement by peripheral anterior synechiae. Corneal decompensation resulting in corneal edema and bullae formation was the main cause of visual impairment. Neither ICE grading nor endothelial cell density correlated with corneal edema or intraocular pressure, but they correlated with the angle involvement in ICE syndrome. The intraocular pressure was difficult to control in 8 of these patients, even after treatment with anti-glaucoma agents and trabeculectomy, especially in the patients with Cogan-Reese syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Although specular microscopy provides an invaluable method for the diagnosis of ICE syndrome, it is not a reliable tool for predicting prognosis. Close follow-up of intraocular pressure and early detection of glaucoma are important steps to preserve visual functions in patients with ICE syndrome.

Inhibitory effects of synthetic beta peptide on invasion and metastasis of liver cancer

PURPOSE

To study the inhibitory effects of synthetic beta peptide on invasion and metastasis of liver cancer.

METHODS

Membrane-type intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression of SMMC-7721 cultured hepatoma cells (7721 cells) was detected by immunofluorescence cell flowmeter. The adhesion of 7721 cells to fibronectin (FN) was assayed by the MTT method. The adhesion of 7721 cells to 7721 cells, 7721 cells to endothelial cells, and 7721 cells to lymphocyte cells was detected by adhesion assay. LCI-D20 human liver cancer metastasis model in nude mice was used in this experiment. One hundred micrograms of beta peptide per mouse were injected subcutaneously after tumor was resected premetastatically or postmetastatically to observe its effect on liver cancer metastasis after hepatectomy.

RESULTS

Membrane-type ICAM-1 expression of SMMC-7721 cells treated by beta peptide was lower than that of the untreated cells. The adhesion of 7721 cells to FN, 7721 cells to 7721 cells, 7721 cells to endothelial cells, and 7721 cells to lymphocyte cells was also lower in the beta peptide group than in the untreated group.

CONCLUSIONS

beta Peptide can block the adhesion of 7721 cells to FN, 7721 cells to some host cells in vitro, and inhibit HCC metastasis of LCI-D20 model posthepatectomy in vivo, so it could potentially act as an antimetastasis drug.

Preliminary communication. MRNA expression of MT1-MMP, MMP-9, cathepsin K, and TRAP in highly enriched osteoclasts cultured on several matrix proteins and ivory surfaces

We demonstrated that the transcriptional expression of MT1-MMP, MMP-9, cathepsin K, and TRAP in highly enriched osteoclasts were regulated by different matrix proteins that bind to integrin on osteoclast, such as collagen type I (CoI), fibronectin (FN), vitronectin (VN), osteopontin (OPN), and ivory. Results suggested that the OPN-integrin alphavbeta3 binding plays a more important role than CoI-alpha2beta1 binding in the regulation of osteoclast activity.

The targeted expression of interleukin-2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

To improve the safety and efficiency of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) gene therapy, we explored the use of a liver-specific promoter and a tumor-specific enhancer to achieve regular IL-2 gene expression for treatment of HCC. The human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) enhancer [E(AFP)] and the albumin promoter [P(ALB)] were amplified from human genomic DNA. We used eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA-3 for the delivery of the IL-2 gene because this plasmid is a non-transient, fast-selection expression vector. A recombinant plasmid was constructed including the selectable marker neoR gene and the human IL-2 gene derived by the E(AFP) - P(ALB). The liver-predominant expression pattern of the IL-2 gene was observed in the medium of the transfected cells. When human HCC cell lines displaying different levels of AFP and non-hepatocyte tumor cell lines were transfected with the recombinant plasmid, IL-2 was expressed highly in AFP and albumin-positive HCC cells, but low in nonhepatocyte tumor cells. Moreover, the expression level of IL-2 gene was positively proportional to the level of AFP expression in the transfected cells.

Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus

PURPOSE

Both platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are known to promote the development of new blood vessels, which are fundamental to tumor growth and metastasis. We aimed at evaluating the gene expression of PD-ECGF and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Surgical specimens (28 HCC, 28 nontumorous liver tissues and 18 PVTT) were studied by Northern blot analysis. The levels of PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA expression were measured by densitometric scanning of the autoradiographs, and they were normalized to the level of expression of an internal control (glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase) mRNA.

RESULTS

The expression rates of PD-ECGF mRNA in PVTT, HCC and nontumorous liver tissues were 77.8% (14/18), 67.9% (19/28) and 35.7% (10/28), being 88.9% (16/18), 75.0% (21/28) and 17.9% (5/28) respectively for VEGF mRNA. The expressions of PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA were higher in HCC with PVTT than when PVTT was absent (P < 0.05). The PVTT was more often seen in patients with positive expression of both PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA in HCC than in patients who were positive for only one of these factors or negative for both (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both PD-ECGF and VEGF correlated well with the formation of PVTT of HCC.

MAGE-1 and related MAGE gene expression may be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

The possibility of tumor rejection antigen, encoded by the MAGE-1 gene, being a target for immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and the cloning of the full-length cDNA of this gene for subsequent studies were explored with the aim of discovering new immunotherapeutic strategies for HCC.

METHODS

Expression of the MAGE-1 gene in HCC specimens and HCC cell lines was examined by the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a pair of specific primers, which gave a 421-bp fragment. Another pair of primers were then used to amplify the full-length MAGE-1 cDNA by the same method. The PCR products were then digested by restriction endonucleases and inserted into the plasmid PUC19. After primary selection of the recombinants by endonuclease digestion, the sequences of the inserted gene fragments were confirmed by DNA sequence analysis.

RESULTS

In 45 HCC patients, MAGE-1 mRNA was expressed in 27 tumor tissues (60%) and 5 paratumor tissues (11.1%). All the four HCC cell lines positively expressed the MAGE-1 gene. Owing to the high homology of the MAGE gene family, we obtained three clones of different MAGE genes using the same pair of cloning primers. The three clones were confirmed to be a full-length MAGE-1 gene, a 750-bp fragment of the MAGE-3 gene and a fragment highly homologous to MAGE-6 and MAGE-12 but not identical to any known MAGE genes.

CONCLUSION

The high expression frequency of MAGE-1 gene in HCC suggests the possibility of using it as a target for immunotherapy in HCC patients. Some MAGE genes other than MAGE-1 may also be expressed in HCC together with an unknown MAGE gene that might introduce new targets for immune attacks. The three gene clones obtained in this study can be used in further investigations and especially in the development of new liver cancer vaccines.

New human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with highly metastatic potential (MHCC97) and its expressions of the factors associated with metastasis

A new human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with a highly metastatic potential was established from subcutaneous xenograft of a metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) by means of alternating cell culture in vitro and growth in nude mice. The line, designated MHCC97, has been cultivated for 18 months and subcultured for more than 90 passages. The line was showed to be of human origin by karyotype analysis. The cells were either grown as compact colonies (in clusters) or as a monolayered sheet with about 31 h of population-doubling time, exhibited typical malignant epithelial in morphology and were positive for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Flow cytometric analysis of the cell DNA content showed an aneuploid pattern, and its index was 1.5 as compared to that of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Karyotypic analyses of G- and C-banding techniques revealed that all cells presented chromosome abnormalities in number and structure. The number of cell line MHCC97 chromosome ranged from 59 to 65 with a modal number of 60 and 61. At least two common chromosome markers, i(1q) and der(4)t(4;?)(4pter-->q35::?), were present in all cells, and deletion of Y chromosome also occurred in all cells. The subcutaneous and intrahepatic xenografts were formed and metastatic lesions in lungs were found after the cells were inoculated into nude mice. The rate of metastasis to lungs was 100% using orthotopic inoculation. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction products revealed positive expressions of integrin alpha5 and beta1, urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), vascular endothelial growth factor and nm23-H1 mRNAs of cell line MHCC97. Immunostaining of c-Met, uPAR showed strongly positive in both subcutaneous xenografts and lung metastatic lesions; while positive in xenografts and negative in metastatic lesions for integrin alpha5, beta1. E-cadherin and P53 was not expressed either in xenograft or in the metastatic lesions. PCR products of HBsAg and HBxAg were both positive. The cell line MHCC97 still retained some characteristic features of original tumour. Establishment of cell line MHCC97 should be beneficial to the studies of HCC metastatic mechanisms.

The targeted expression of the human interleukin-2/interferon alpha2b fused gene in alpha-fetoprotein-expressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells

This study explores the use of a liver-specific albumin promoter and a tumor-specific alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) enhancer to achieve the regulated expression of the cytokine interleukin-2/interferon alpha2b (IL-2/IFNalpha2b) fused gene for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The human AFP enhancer (E(AFP)) and albumin promoter (P(ALB)) were amplified from human chromosome DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. A recombinant retrovirus was constructed including, as a selectable marker, the neoR gene and the IL-2/IFNalpha2b fused gene controlled by E(AFP)-P(ALB). The liver-targeted expression pattern of the IL-2/IFNalpha2b fused gene was observed when this product was tested in the culture medium of the infected cells (IL-2 activity was 850 IU/10(6) cells, IFNalpha activity was 320 IU/10(6) cells). Moreover, The growth of the IL-2/IFNalpha2b-fused-gene-infected HCC cells, SMMC7721, was clearly suppressed by the second week after innoculation of nude mice compared to the control SMMC7721 cells infected with LXSN and untreated SMMC7721 cells (0.5 +/- 0.1 cm versus 1.4 +/- 0.2 cm and 1.6 +/- 0.2 cm, P < 0.05). The results showed that the combined transcriptional regulatory sequences of E(AFP)-P(ALB) could control the targeted expression of cytokine genes in AFP-positive human HCC cells, and the expression level of the IL-2/IFNalpha2b fused gene was positively correlated to the level of AFP expression in the infected cells. The IL-2/IFNalpha2b fused protein that was expressed has the functions of both IL-2 and IFNalpha. Therefore, this study illustrates the superiority of using transcriptionally targeted recombinant retrovirus vectors in cytokine-based gene therapy.

Invasion and metastasis of liver cancer: expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1

PURPOSE

To study the relationship between intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and liver cancer metastasis and to find predicting factors that could indicate the growth and metastasis of liver cancer.

METHODS

ICAM-1 expression in fresh tissue of normal liver and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) was examined by immunoperoxidase staining. Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) from patients with a benign HCC tumor, and the expression of ICAM-1 in the orthotopically transplanted LCI-D20 tumor of a nude mouse liver cancer metastasis model, and in human hepatoma, the tumor surrounding tissue and normal liver, was analyzed semiquantitatively by the immuno-dot blot method. Tissue ICAM-1 expression (mRNA level) was detected by Northern blotting.

RESULTS

ICAM-1 expression in LD1-20 D metastatic liver cancer had a positive correlation with tumor size and the time after implantation. It increased suddenly as metastasis occurred being 3.03+/-0.51 before metastasis and 8.24+/-0.95 after metastasis, P < 0.01, then remained high, appending on the number of sites involved (monosite metastasis 5.48+/-0.49, multisite metastasis 10.05+/-1.17, P < 0.05). All six cases of normal liver samples were negative in anti-ICAM-1 immunohistochemical staining, 80.0% (36/45) of the HCC showed some ICAM-1 expression. The rate of positive cells was a little higher in large tumors, tumors with an intact capsule and tumors with metastasis, but there was no significant difference. It was noticed that two cancer emboli also had high ICAM-1 expression. The ICAM-1 concentration in HCC (13.43+/-0.09) was higher than that in tumor surrounding the liver (5.89+/-0.17, P < 0.01) and that in normal liver (4.27+/-0.21, P < 0.01). sICAM-1, like tissue ICAM-1, was higher in HCC patients than in patients (with benign liver tumor and normal controls. Both tissue ICAM-1 and sICAM-1 were higher in the metastasis group than in the group without metastasis (tissue ICAM-1 20.24+/-0.30 vs 10.23+/-0.12 P < 0.05; sICAM-1 12.18+/-0.25 vs 9.77+/-0.54 P < 0.05). Northern blot analysis revealed that ICAM-1 expression, as indicated by mRNA level, was also higher in HCC and in cancer emboli than in tumor surrounding liver and normal liver.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissue ICAM-1 and serum sICAM-1 could indicate the stage of HCC, and the potential of hepatoma cells for invasion and metastasis. They may play an important role in the metastasis cascade.

Static and dynamic bending responses of the human cervical spine

The quasi-static and dynamic bending responses of the human mid-lower cervical spine were determined using cadaver intervertebral joints fixed at the base to a six-axis load cell. Flexion bending moment was applied to the superior end of the specimen using an electrohydraulic piston. Each specimen was tested under three cycles of quasi-static load-unload and one high-speed dynamic load. A total of five specimens were included in this study. The maximum intervertebral rotation ranged from 11.0 to 15.4 deg for quasi-static tests and from 22.9 to 34.4 deg for dynamic tests. The resulting peak moments at the center of the intervertebral joint ranged from 3.8 to 6.9 Nm for quasi-static tests and from 14.0 to 31.8 Nm for dynamic tests. The quasi-static stiffness ranged from 0.80 to 1.35 Nm/deg with a mean of 1.03 Nm/deg (+/- 0.11 Nm/deg). The dynamic stiffness ranged from 1.08 to 2.00 Nm/deg with a mean of 1.50 Nm/deg (+/- 0.17 Nm/deg). The differences between the two stiffnesses were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Exponential functions were derived to describe the quasi-static and dynamic moment-rotation responses. These results provide input data for lumped-parameter models and validation data for finite element models to better investigate the biomechanics of the human cervical spine.

The abundance of NM23-H1 mRNA is related with in situ microenvironment and intrahepatic metastasis in hepato-cellular carcinoma

In HCC specimens from 25 patients, the levels of nm23-H1 and H-ras mRNA were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR). Tumor microvessel density (MDV), the essential factor of microenvironment and proliferating cell nucleus antigen (PCNA), indexes as tumor cell proliferating in its microenvironment are also analyzed by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against endothelial protein factor VIII related antigen (F8RA) and antibody PC-10. Results show that The MDV and PCNA index in the group with intrahepatic metastasis is remarkably higher than that in without one (p<0.01), but the abundance of nm23-H mRNA is opposite (p<0.01). The abundance of H-ras mRNA shows little difference (p>0.05). MDV index shows directly relationship with PCNA index (p<0.01), the abundance of nm23-H1 mRNA show an inverse one with PCNA index (p<0.05). We conclude that in HCC, tumor in situ microenvironment, especially a deteriorative one, plays an important selective role. The decline of nm23-H1 mRNA abundance implies the increase of highly potential metastatic cancer cells which adapt to their microenvironment.

The expression of the mdm2 gene may be related to the aberration of the p53 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma

The relationship between mdm2 gene expression and p53 gene mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlation with the invasiveness of the disease were investigated in this study. Either the expression level of the mdm2 gene or the mutation rate of the p53 gene was higher in HCC than in paratumor liver tissues. Studies on the relationship between mdm2 and p53 revealed that mdm2 gene expression in HCC without p53 mutation was higher than when there was p53 mutation, while the p53 mutation rate in HCC with mdm2 overexpression was significantly lower than in HCC without mdm2 overexpression. Among 23 HCC with invasion, mdm2 gene overexpression was found in 6 patients while p53 mutation was found in the other 11 patients, and only 1 patient was found to have both mdm2 overexpression and p53 mutation. These results indicated that either mdm2 overexpression or p53 mutation may be related to the invasiveness of HCC. Considering that an autoregulatory feedback loop between the mdm2 and p53 genes may exist, wild-type P53 can induce the expression of mdm2 via a p53-binding site in the mdm2 gene, while MDM2 protein functions as a negative regulator of P53 protein. These results also suggest that mdm2 may be related to the high invasiveness of HCC through inactivating the tumor-suppressor function of the p53 gene.

Osteopontin involvement in integrin-mediated cell signaling and regulation of expression of alkaline phosphatase during early differentiation of UMR cells

To clarify the function of osteopontin in osteoblast differentiation, we have examined the signal transduction pathway in an osteoblastic cell line (UMR106-6) bound to osteopontin, fibronectin, vitronectin and collagen type I surfaces. This was done by investigating the production and autophosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at the transcription level. Results suggest that osteopontin was not only responsible for the autophosphorylation of FAK but regulated the expression of ALP, which was strongly correlated with FAK activity. These results suggest that osteopontin might act as a trigger in the early differentiation of osteoblasts.

[Effect of intestinal lymph on blood pressure of rat]

The effect of intestinal lymph on blood pressure in rats was observed by the methods of lymph drainage and lymph infusion. The results obtained are as follows: (1) After 150 min of the lymph drained through the cannula of intestinal lymph duct, the blood pressure was significantly lower than that of the sham group (P < 0.05). (2) Equivalent albumin or intralipid infusion was not able to prevent the decrease in blood pressure when the lymph was lost. But in jugular-intestinal lymph duct shunt group, no significant blood pressure decrease could be seen during the drainage procedure for 4 h. (3) The blood pressure of rat with serious hemorrhagic shock could be increased significantly with a little amount of intestinal lymph infusion, and the rats survived longer than those of the control group (P < 0.05-0.01). The above results suggest that the intestinal lymph may play an important role in maintenance of blood pressure, in addition to the known function of lymphatic system by returning tissue fluid to blood and maintaining circulating blood volume.

The binding ability to matrix proteins and the inhibitory effects on cell adhesion of synthetic peptides derived from a conserved sequence of integrins

The beta peptide (113-125), derived from a conserved sequence of the beta subunit of integrins, was synthesized to investigate its adhesive properties to matrix proteins and the effects on cell adhesion to immobilized fibronectin. In this study, we observed that the biotinylated beta peptide was able to bind efficiently to immobilized fibronectin, fibrinogen, collagen Type I and vitronectin with different degrees of affinity. It was also demonstrated that biotinylated fibronectin or fibrinogen could bind to the coated beta peptide. This kind of binding, which might be non-covalent linkage, was partially blocked by coincubation with the peptide GRGDS or EDTA, but not by SDGRG. Cell adhesion experiments were performed to study the effect of the beta peptide. The data showed that the beta peptide partially inhibited both fibroblast L929 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells from adhering to immobilized fibronectin in a dosage-dependent manner. In the presence of 100 microM concentration of the beta peptide, the inhibition rate of cell adhesion was 34% for fibroblast L929 cells and 54.1% for MC 3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. This research suggests that the beta peptide might act independently as an adhesive region of the beta subunit of integrins and may occupy the cell-binding site within fibronectin.

[Modulation of lymph microcirculation by sympathetic nerve during hemorrhagic shock of rat]

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of sympathetic nerve on the changes of lymph microcirculation during hemorrhagic shock. After greater splanchnic nerve transection, changes of contractility of mesenteric micro-lymphatics (ML) in denervated rat were visualized and recorded by using a vital microscope with TV recorder during hemorrhagic shock and followed by refusion of withdrawn blood and infusion of saline. Results obtained showed that ML spontaneous contraction frequency, overall lymphatic contractile activity (Index II) and lymphatic dynamics (L. D-Index) decreased significantly after denervation. The ML spontaneous contractility decreased during hemorrhagic shock both in the denervated group and the intact group. During refusion of withdrawn blood and infusion of normal saline periods, the ML spontaneous contractility in the intact group was significantly higher than that of the pre-shock period, but in the denervated group it remained at a level, lower than that of the intact group (P < 0.01). During the post-infusion period the blood pressure was still much lower in the denervated than that of the intact group. The above results suggest that ML contractility shows decrease in hemorrhagic shock, while infusion of blood and normal saline may increase ML contractility and enhance blood pressure. The sympathetic nerve may play a modulation role to the recovery process of shock.