[Predictive value of SYNTAX-Ⅱ score on prognosis of patients with chronic total occlusion undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of SYNTAX-Ⅱ score on long term prognosis of patients diagnosed with chronic total occlusion (CTO) and received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Patients undergoing CTO-PCI in Fuwai hospital from January 2010 to December 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The SYNTAX-Ⅱ score of the patients was calculated. According to SYNTAX-Ⅱ score tertiles, patients were stratified as follows: SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤20, 20<SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤27, SYNTAX-Ⅱ>27. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACCE), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke and any revascularization. Secondary endpoints included stent thrombosis, heart failure and target lesion failure (TLF). Patients were followed up by outpatient visit or telephone call at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after PCI, and annually up to 5 years. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors of all-cause death in patients undergoing CTO-PCI. The predictive value of SYNTAX score with SYNTAX-Ⅱ score for all-cause death was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC). Results: A total of 2 391 patients with CTO and received PCI were enrolled in this study. The mean age was (57.0±10.5) years, 1 994 (83.40%) patients were male. There were 802 patients in lower tertile group (SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤20), 798 patients in intermediate group (20<SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤27) and 791 patients in upper tertile group (SYNTAX-Ⅱ>27). At the end of 5-year follow-up, the loss to follow-up rate of the three groups was 9.10%(73/802), 10.78%(86/798)and 8.85%(70/791), respectively. The rate of all-cause mortality (1.78% (13/729) vs. 3.65% (26/712) vs. 9.02% (65/721), P<0.001), cardiac death (1.37% (10/729) vs. 2.11% (15/712) vs. 4.85% (35/721), P<0.001), target vessel myocardial infarctions (4.25% (31/729) vs. 4.49% (32/712) vs. 7.07% (51/721), P=0.03), probable stent thrombosis (1.51% (11/729) vs. 2.81% (20/712) vs. 3.61% (26/721), P=0.04) and heart failure (1.78% (13/729) vs. 1.97% (14/712) vs. 5.41% (39/721), P<0.001) increased in proportion to increasing SYNTAX-Ⅱ score (all P<0.05). Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that female (HR=2.05, 95%CI 1.12-3.73, P=0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.97, 95%CI 0.95-1.00, P=0.05) and SYNTAX-Ⅱ score (HR=1.07, 95%CI 1.02-1.11,P=0.01) were independent predictors for all-cause mortality in patients undergoing CTO-PCI. The predicted value of the SYNTAX-Ⅱ score for all-cause death was significantly higher than the SYNTAX score (AUC 0.71 vs. 0.60, P=0.003). Conclusion: For CTO patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, SYNTAX-Ⅱ score is an independent predictor for 5-year all-cause death, and SYNTAX-Ⅱ serves as an important predictor for all-cause death in these patients.

[Safety and feasibility of indocyanine green injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy]

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG) injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Methods: A descriptive case series study was carried out. Clinicopathological data of 29 patients with colon cancer undergoing right hemicolectomy at Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received ICG injection through accessory incision at the beginning of operation. Results: Among 29 patients, 13 were male and 16 were female with a mean age of (60.8±7.7) years and mean body mass index of (24.3±2.8) kg/m(2); 3 were stage I, 19 were stage II, 7 were stage III. Pericolic, intermediate and main lymph nodes could be detected under near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRFI) in all the cases. No.6 lymph nodes were observed in 3 cases, while no lymph nodes around superior mesenteric vein (SMV) were found. The average number of fluorescent lymph node was 14.2±6.1. The average developing time of fluorescence was (36.2±3.7) minutes. The average number of harvested lymph nodes was 22.4±8.2. There was no extravasation of imaging agent during the operation, and there were no intraoperative complications such as allergies, massive abdominal bleeding, peripheral organ damage, etc. Operative time was (113.1±10.7) minutes, blood loss during operation was (22.4±3.9) ml, ambulatory time was (1.2±0.4) days, time to the first flatus was (1.7±0.7) days, time to the first fluid diet was (0.7±0.4) days, and postoperative hospital stay was (5.8±1.5) days. No operation-associated complications such as anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic leakage, peritoneal bleeding, peritoneal infection, incision infection occurred after operation. Conclusion: ICG injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is safe and feasible.

First-principles calculations of oxygen octahedral distortions in LaAlO3/SrTiO3(001) superlattices

The size, shape and connectivity of oxide octahedra are essential for understanding and controlling the emergent functional properties of ABO₃ perovskites. Using first-principles calculations, we systematically studied the oxygen octahedral rotation and deformation in LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃(001) superlattices. Superlattices with electron- or hole-doped interfaces, or both, are compared. The results showed that there are at least three different types of oxygen octahedral distortions in these superlattices, which is more than what had previously been reported in the literature. We demonstrate that interfacial oxygen octahedral coupling and hole-doping, in addition to epitaxial strain, are the key factors underlying the formation of multiple types of oxygen octahedral rotations in these systems. We confirm that oxygen octahedral rotations and deformations play an essential role in insulator-metal transitions. Furthermore, octahedral distortion leads to ferroelectricity like dipole formation with the polarization vector always pointing to the positively charged interfaces.

Strain-induced indirect-to-direct bandgap transition in an np-type LaAlO3/SrTiO3(110) superlattice

By applying uniaxial in-plane strains, an indirect-to-direct bandgap transition occurs in the polar LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ (110) superlattices.

[Prognosis and its risk factors in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis patients treated with initial renal replacement therapy]

Objective: To explore the prognosis and its risk factors in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) patients who needed initial renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: One hundred patients [54 females, 46 males, with a median age of 54(41, 60) years] with biopsy-proven AAGN and requiring initial RRT between January 1996 and December 2016 in Nanjing Jinling Hospital were included. Intensive immunotherapy indicated that the patients received corticosteroids in combination with cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil, or immunoadsorption (IA) or double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). The clinical and histological risk factors for renal survival were analyzed. Results: Forty-one patients were free of RRT after a median time of 1 (0.5, 2) month treatment (dialysis-independent group), and the remaining 59 patients were on maintenance dialysis (dialysis-dependent group). The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the proportion of normal glomeruli <8% (OR=5.95, P=0.002) and global sclerotic glomeruli ≥50% (OR=4.87, P=0.003), and not receiving intensive immunotherapy (OR=7.81, P=0.004) were the risk factors for the renal recovery in these patients. During a median follow-up time of 22 (10, 50) months, 15 patients(36.6%) in the dialysis-independent group progressed into maintenance dialysis, and the 1 and 3 year renal survival rate were 86% and 60%, respectively. During a median follow-up time of 6 (2, 24) months, 12 (12%) patients died, among whom four patients died of therapy. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that IA/DFPP treatment (HR=10.85, P=0.034) and low albumin level (HR=1.26, P=0.009) significantly associated with a higher risk of therapy-related death. Conclusions: The renal recovery rate in AAGN patients with initial RRT was low. The proportion of normal and global sclerotic glomeruli, receiving intensive immunotherapy or not were associated with renal outcome, and IA/DFPP treatment as well as lower albumin level were independently associated with therapy-related death.

Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration in the Treatment of Acute Severe Hyponatremia: A Report of 11 Cases

Objectives

To evaluate the treatment effect of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in patients with acute severe hyponatremia.

Methods

Eleven patients with severe acute hyponatremia, including 6 males and 5 females, aged 25–61 years (mean age 48.36), were treated with CVVH. Hyponatremia occurred 38–48 hours prior to the initiation of CVVH.

Results

All patients tolerated CVVH well, with an average treatment duration of 57.19 (45.6–86) hours. During CVVH, the serum sodium concentration increased significantly from 100.9±3.99 mmol/L at initiation of CVVH to 140.3±1.6 mmol/L after 48 hours of treatment (P<0.01). The serum osmolarity increased concurrently, from 216.7±7.4 mOsm/kgH2O to 295.0±4.2 mOsm/kgH2O (P<0.01). The Glasgow scores and APACHE II scores in these patients improved significantly during treatment.

Conclusions

CVVH is a safe and effective option for the treatment of patients with severe acute hyponatremia due to its slow and continuous nature.

Mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis with podocytopathy: a special entity of lupus nephritis

Mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis may coexist with podocytopathy, but its clinical-morphological features, treatment response and outcomes have not been compared with mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis without podocytopathy. In this study, 125 biopsies of lupus nephritis patients showing mesangial proliferation with mesangial immune deposits were collected and divided into podocytopathy group (defined as podocyte foot process effacement (FPE) >50% with nephrotic syndrome (NS)) and mesangial group (FPE ≤50%, or FPE >50% without NS). Mesangial proliferation and tubular- interstitial lesions were semi-quantitatively analyzed. We found that the incidence of renal involvement as the onset symptoms ( P < .001), nephrotic syndrome ( P < .001), acute kidney injury ( P < .001), the degree of acute tubular- interstitial lesions ( P < .001), and renal relapse (51.6% vs. 23.7%, P = .005) were significantly higher in the podocytopathy group than in the mesangial group. In contrast, the incidence of arthritis ( P < .001), fever ( P = .042), low serum C4 ( P = .008) and hematuria ( P = .033) was significantly lower in the podocytopathy group than in the mesangial group. No patients developed end stage renal disease or death during a median follow-up of 64 (interquartile range (IQR) 37-103) months in the podocytopathy group and 53 (IQR 30-83) months in the mesangial group. In conclusion, mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis with and without podocytopathy should be subdivided into two separate classes of lupus nephritis.

[Comparison of three surgical patterns for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficiencies of the three surgical patterns in the treatment of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis (CCL). Methods: A total of 157 patients with CCL, during the period from Janury 2012 to Janury 2016 at the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, were divided into three groups according to surgical patterns: LC-LCBDE Group (laparoscopic cholecystectomy+ laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, n=49), ERCP-LC Group (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography+ laparoscopic cholecystectomy, n=51) and OC-OCBDE Group (open cholecystectomy+ open common bile duct exploration, n=57). Simultaneously, the intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up results of all the patients were compared. Results: There were significantly differences among three groups in intraoperative blood loss[LC-LCBDE Group: (18.16±3.88) ml, ERCP-LC Group: (17.37±3.79) ml, and OC-OCBDE Group: (60.39±8.73) ml, P=0.000], operation time[LC-LCBDE Group: (118.27±8.89) min, ERCP-LC Group: (124.27±9.48) min, and OC-OCBDE Group: (94.25±6.39) min, P=0.000], surgical successful rate (LC-LCBDE Group 89.20%, ERCP-LC Group 86.93%, and OC-OCBDE Group 100%, P=0.02), intestine function recovery[LC-LCBDE Group (42.35±3.44) h, ERCP-LC Group (43.61±3.34) h, and OC-OCBDE Group (53.86±4.76) h, P=0.000], hospitalization cost[LC-LCBDE Group (18 600±1 300) yuan, ERCP-LC Group (33 300±2 000) yuan, and OC-OCBDE Group (13 800±1 900) yuan, P=0.000], serum amylase elevation (LC-LCBDE Group 1 case, ERCP-LC Group 14 cases, and OC-OCBDE Group 2 cases, P<0.01) and postoperative hospital stay (LC-LCBDE Group 5.20±0.77 d, ERCP-LC Group 4.85±0.51 d, and OC-OCBDE Group 8.55±0.71 d, P=0.000). There were no differences among three groups in postoperative biliary leakage (LC-LCBDE Group 2 cases, ERCP-LC Group 0 case, and OC-OCBDE Group 2 cases) and residual bile duct stone rate (LC-LCBDE Group 4.08%, ERCP-LC Group 5.88%, and OC-OCBDE Group 3.50%). Conclusion: All three types of surgical pattern are both efficacious and safe in the treatment of CCL. But no single pattern has absolute advantage over the other two. LC-LCBDE could preserve the function of Oddis sphincter, ERCP-LC could retain the integrity of common bile duct (CBD), and OC-OCBDE could serve as remedial measure for LC-LCBDE and ERCP-LC.

Genetic background of Escherichia coli isolates from peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis and uninfected control subjects

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of Gram-negative peritonitis resulting in peritoneal function deterioration as well as poor clinical outcome in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic background and genetic profile of the E. coli isolates and sought to determine the characteristics of specific bacteria associated with peritonitis. E. coli isolates from 56 episodes of peritonitis in 46 PD patient cases and rectal isolates from 57 matched PD control patient cases were compared for both phylogenetic groups and the presence of virulence factors (VFs). There were no significant differences in terms of demographic data between the peritonitis and control groups. Peritonitis isolates exhibited a significantly greater prevalence of 8 VFs. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, kpsMT II (group 2 capsule synthesis) was the strongest VF predictor of peritonitis (OR = 8.02; 95%CI = 3.18-20.25; P < 0.001), followed by traT (serum-resistance-associated outer membrane protein) (OR = 3.83; 95%CI = 1.33-11.03; P = 0.013). The pathogenic groups of E. coli contained a higher concentration of individual VFs compared to the commensal groups. The prevalence of pathogenic E. coli was much higher in peritoneal isolates than rectal isolates (64.3 vs 31.6%, P = 0.001). Our results indicate that the E. coli peritonitis and rectal isolates are different in PD patients. The specific VFs associated with peritonitis isolates may directly contribute to the pathogenesis of peritonitis.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the mitochondrial displacement loop and age-at-onset of non-small cell lung cancer

The associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the displacement loop (D-loop) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and cancer risk and disease outcome have been extensively analyzed. We investigated the association between age-at-onset and SNPs in the mitochondrial D-loop using a population-based series of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The D-loop region of mtDNA from NSCLC patients was amplified and sequenced. The age-at-onset curve of NSCLC patients was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method at each SNP site and values were compared using the log-rank test. The SNP sites of nucleotides 200G/A and 16362T/C were identified to determine their association with age-at-onset of NSCLC using the log-rank test. The nucleotide 207G/A was identified for its association with age-at-onset at a borderline significance level (P = 0.060). We found that genetic polymorphisms in the D-loop were predictive markers for age-at-onset in NSCLC patients. Accordingly, the analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial D-loop can be used to identify NSCLC patient subgroups at high risk of early onset.

Glucocorticoid with or without additional immunosuppressant therapy for patients with lupus podocytopathy: a retrospective single-center study

Lupus podocytopathy is a newly recognized class of lupus nephritis characterized by extensive glomerular foot process effacement without capillary wall immune deposits. The treatment response and relapse of glucocorticoid with or without additional immunosuppressive agents has not been well investigated. In this study, 50 patients with lupus podocytopathy were included and received glucocorticoid alone (glucocorticoid monotherapy) or glucocorticoid plus additional immunosuppressive agents (combination therapy) for their induction or maintenance treatment regimens. The treatment response and relapse rate in the two groups were respectively analyzed. We found that the induction treatment with glucocorticoid monotherapy and combination therapy led to remission in 47 patients (94.0%) at 12 weeks treatment, with complete remission (CR) occurring in 38 patients (76.0%). The CR rate compared between glucocorticoid monotherapy and combination therapy showed no difference (76.7% vs 75.0%, p = 0.9), the median time to CR was four weeks (range: 2.0-6.0 weeks) in glucocorticoid monotherapy and 8.0 weeks (range: 3.7-12.0 weeks) in combination therapy (p = 0.076). Twenty-seven of 47 patients (57.4%) relapsed during maintenance, the relapse rate was much higher in the glucocorticoid monotherapy group than in the combination therapy group (89.5% vs 35.7%, p < 0.001), regardless of the induction regimens being glucocorticoid monotherapy or combination therapy. No patient developed end stage renal disease or died during follow-up for 6-125 months (median 62 months). In conclusion, the remission of lupus podocytopathy could be induced by glucocorticoid monotherapy or glucocorticoid plus other immunosuppressive agents, while the remission should be maintained by the combination regimen.

SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, suppresses growth of JNK-inactive glioblastoma cells through cell-cycle G2/M phase arrest

SP600125 is a well studied inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Its direct biochemical effects on JNK-inactive tumor cells are usually ignored. In this study, we investigated the effects of SP600125 on JNK-inactive U251 human glioblastoma cells. Our results demonstrate that, 20 microM or more SP600125 can induce significant cell growth inhibition and cell-cycle G2/M phase arrest in U251 cells. Interestingly, we also found that SP600125 can stop the duplicated chromosomes from separating into two cells and the karyokinesis progression. Our study opened up a new perspective for further studies involved in JNK inhibitors or anti-glioma therapy.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis with thrombotic microangiopathy

We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of 33 patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (class IV LN) complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Eighty-one percent of patients had renal dysfunction (mean Scr 3.1 ± 2.0 mg/dl), among whom 42.4% needed acute hemodialysis. Nephrotic proteinuria, gross hematuria and hypertension were presented in 57.6%, 24.2% and 93.9% of the patients. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, serum anti-dsDNA and anticardiolipin antibodies were found in 60.6%, 75.8% and 33.3% of the patients. Renal biopsy showed IV-G in 75.8%, class IV with class V in 21.2%, and IV-S in 1.23% of the patients. Glomerular segmental necrosis, microthrombi, crescents and arteriolar thrombosis were found in 51.5%, 69.7%, 60.6% and 60.7% of the patients, respectively. The follow up was 1 to 101 months (median 13 months). Only 50% of patients showed response to treatment. Three patients died, 10 developed end-stage renal failure (ESRF). The 5-year patient and renal survival rate was 69.2% and 46.7%, respectively. Major risks for ESRF included: a need for acute dialysis on admission, no response to the treatment and high renal chronic index. The results showed that class IV lupus nephritis with TMA has high mortality and low renal survival.

Clinicopathological characteristics of familial SLE patients with lupus nephritis

This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of familial SLE patients with lupus nephritis (LN). A total of 136 Chinese patients with lupus nephritis diagnosed by renal biopsy, including 34 familial patients and 102 sporadic cases, were recruited. Their demographic information, age of onset, disease duration, clinical features, laboratory data and histological manifestations were compared. The first-degree relatives (17 sibling cases and eight parent-offspring cases) of familial SLE patients were primarily affected. The prevalence of fever, rash and arthritis in familial subjects was higher than that in sporadic subjects. Familial patients had lower platelet counts and higher low-density lipoprotein. In familial patients, class V lupus nephritis was less common. After adjusted with the Benjamini and Hochberg procedure, however, fever was the only feature occurring significantly and more frequently in familial patients (58.8% vs 26.5%, P = 0.001). Moreover, SLEDAI and other clinicopathological features did not differ significantly between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher prevalence of fever was an independent predictor of familial SLE. Most clinicopathological features in familial SLE patients were not significantly different from those in sporadic patients; the severity of LN in familial SLE patients was similar to that of sporadic cases. Thus, familial SLE may not be a different clinical entity.

3D-QSAR study with pharmacophore-based molecular alignment of hydroxamic acid-related phosphinates that are aminopeptidase N inhibitors

3D-QSAR models for a series of aminopeptidase N inhibitors were developed based on comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity analysis (CoMSIA).GALAHAD, a pharmacophore generation module involving a genetic algorithm, was used to generate the pharmacophore model of the series of inhibitors. Molecules both in the training set and test set were aligned to the pharmacophore model. Values for the CoMFA model were r(2) = 0.992, q(2) = 0.586, SEE = 0.111, and F (8, 10) = 191.263. Values for the CoMSIA model were r(2) = 0.990, q(2) = 0.776, SEE = 0.123, and F (7, 11) = 156.68. This model can help not only in improving current understanding of enzyme-ligand interactions but also in predicting the activity of derivatives and designing new compounds with better potency.

Treatment of lycorine on SCID mice model with human APL cells

In our previous study, lycorine, a natural alkaloid extracted from Amaryllidaceae, exhibited anti-leukemia effects in vitro. To determine whether lycorine has an anti-tumor effect in vivo, a series of experiments were carried out in this study. HL-60 cells (5 × 10⁶) were inoculated i.v. into severe combined immuno-deficiency (SCID) mice after these mice had been irradiated (total body receiving 200 cGy χ irradiation). Treatment was given once a day from day 2 to 6, and from day 14 to 18. Lycorine (5 or 10 mg/kg/day i.p.) was found to decrease the percentages of immature granular leukocytes and of monocytes among the peripheral blood cells, and the mean survival time of both lycorine-treated groups was longer than that of the control group. Compared with the asynchronous and cytosine arabinoside- (Ara-C) treated (20 mg/kg/day i.p.) group, treatment with lycorine was more effective. Lycorine was also found to alleviate the infiltration of tumor cells into the liver, bone, and marrow. When SCID mice inoculated with HL-60 cells were then treated with lycorine, no severe adverse effects were observed. This study revealed that lycorine, when tested in the human leukemia xenograft models, appears to exhibit anti-tumor activity in vivo and is a useful therapy against acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Investigation of serum protein systems in Chinese pigs

Polymorphisms of transferrin (Tf), pre-albumin (Pa), haemopexin (Hpx), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and amylase (Am) of Duroc pigs and Hunan indigenous pigs were investigated using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Allele frequencies of Durocs determined in 2004 were compared with frequencies presented in the paper by Baker L.N. (1968) Serum protein variation in Duroc and Hampshire pigs. Vox Sanguinis15, 154-8. The number of serum protein alleles decreased over time and allele frequencies aggregated across certain alleles, including TfB, PaA, Hpx3, CpB and AmB. Differences in allele frequencies, average heterozygosities and standard genetic distances between the Duroc pigs and Hunan indigenous pig populations were examined. The relationship between Durocs and Hunan indigenous pigs was found to be more distant than those among the three Hunan indigenous pig populations.

[Isolation of high-quality genomic DNA from plants]

In order to isolate high-quality genomic DNA from medicinal plant tissues enriching polyphenols and polysaccharides, a simple and rapid method based on CTAB extraction for isolating high-quality intact DNA was established by modifying several existing methods. With this technique, the absorbance ratio (A260/A280) of DNAs obtained from fresh and/or dried roots of Panax ginseng, P. Quinquefolius and P. notoginseng was 1.8 approximately. The restriction fragments of DNAs were directly digested with restriction enzyme (EcoR I/Mse I), linked up by T4 DNA ligase and amplified by nested PCR. Reproducible amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genomic DNA fingerprinting profiles were established with the isolated DNAs. The results demonstrate that the modified technique may be efficient and reliable in isolating high-quality and high-molecular-weight DNAs from fresh and/or dried medicinal plants containing a high content of polyphenols and polysaccharides. We expect that this method can also be applied to other plants.

[Synthesis and antineoplastic activity of N,N'-disubstituted phenyl-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dicarboamide derivatives]

AIM

To search for antineoplastic drugs with fewer side effects and improved activities, using tetrazine derivatives with different substituted groups in their phenyl rings.

METHODS

The title compounds have been synthesized by reacting 3,6-dimethyl-1,6-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine with substituted phenyl isocyanates in the presence of p-dimethylamino pyridine as catalyst.

RESULTS

Eighteen new N,N'-disubstituted phenyl-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dicarboamides have been synthesized. Their structures have been confirmed by IR, 1HNMR and elemental analysis. The antineoplastic activities were screened. The structure-activity relationship has also been studied.

CONCLUSION

The meta-substituted tetrazine derivatives showed marked antitumor activities against P388 and A-549 when electronic effect constants and hydrophobic constants of their substitutents are in a certain range.

[Progress in the protective medicine against [correction of aganist] rocket propellents]

To review the progress in the major assignment, the organization and implementation of protection against liquid rocket propellent. The safety detection methods of the rocket [correction of rocked] propellent in the launching field were also discussed. Three steps of the sanitation and protection of the liquid propellent, the toxicity and the toxicology of hydrazine on central nervous system, blood circulatory system, assimilation system, respiratory system, immune system, liver, kidney, eye, skin and its hereditary toxicology were described. In addition, the clinical types of poisoning, the current principle and the common ways of the prevention and treatment of hydrazine and nitrogen oxides poisoning were summarized.

Fas (APO-1/CD95)-mediated apoptosis is independent of bcl-2: a study with cell lines overexpressing bcl-2 and with bcl-2 transfected cell lines

Eight myeloma cell lines with variable expression of bcl-2 were screened for the expression of the FAS antigen and for sensitivity to anti-FAS-induced apoptosis. Anti-FAS-induced apoptosis correlated positively (R = 0.89) with the level of expression of the FAS antigen, and was independent of the expression of bcl-2. Forced expression of bcl-2 in 8226 and ARP-1 multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines expressing relatively low levels of bcl-2, resulted in 1-2 log increase in resistance to dexamethasone (DEX)-induced apoptosis. However, sensitivity to anti-FAS-induced apoptosis was unchanged in ARP-1 cells or was increased in 8226 cells, compared to the parental cell lines. The increased sensitivity to anti-FAS-induced apoptosis in 8226 cells was due to the increase in FAS expression in the bcl-2 transfected cells and was proportionate to the increase in FAS expression. Furthermore, we observed manyfold increase in the expression of Fas, CD40, CD45 and CD19 antigens, in 8226 cells, concomitant with a significant decrease in the expression of CD38 antigen. Thus, 8226 cells overexpressing bcl-2 appear to have an immature myeloma cell phenotype, have higher growth-rate and increased sensitivity to anti-FAS-induced apoptosis.

[Synthesis of carbonyl chlorides substituted with aromatic dense-ring]

Carbonyl chlorides substituted with aromatic dense-ring are chemically active and their fluorescent quantum yields are usually high and they may be used as fluorescent probes for detection of many compounds. Studies on their synthesis and structure activity relationship are very important in the micro-or supermicro-detection of drugs and toxicants containing hydroxy groups. Therefore, the probes may find wide application in the chemical engineering and pharmaceutical industry. Three new fluorescent probes: Beta-(9-anthracene) acrylonyl chloride, Beta-(9-anthracene) propionyl chloride and Beta-( 1-pyrene ) acrylonyl chloride were synthesized by the reaction between the corresponding acid and thionyl chloride. 1-Prenecarboxaldehyde synthesized by using pyrene and N-formyl-N-methylaniline with phosphorus oxychloride as catalyst, was allowed to react with malonic acid to produce Beta-(1-pyrene) acrylic acid for the last-mentioned acid chloride.

Sequence analysis of two genomic regions containing the KIT and the FMS receptor tyrosine kinase genes

The KIT and FMS tyrosine kinase receptors, which are implicated in the control of cell growth and differentiation, stem through duplications from a common ancestor. We have conducted a detailed structural analysis of the two loci containing the KIT and FMS genes. The sequence of the approximately 90-kb KIT locus reveals the position and size of the 21 introns and of the 5' regulatory region of the KIT gene. The introns and the 3'-untranslated parts of KIT and FMS have been analyzed in parallel. Comparison of the two sequences shows that, while introns of both genes have extensively diverged in size and sequence, this divergence is, at least in part, due to intron expansion through internal duplications, as suggested by the discrete extant analogies. Repetitive elements as well as exon predictions obtained using the GRAIL and GENEFINDER programs are described in detail. These programs led us to identify a novel gene, designated SMF, immediately downstream of FMS, in the opposite orientation. This finding emphasizes the gene-rich characteristic of this genomic region.

Effect of emodin on c-myc proto-oncongen expression in cultured rat mesangial cells

AIM

To explore the possible molecular mechanism of emodin on the inhibition of glomerular mesangial cells (MC).

METHODS

In rat MC culture, c-myc mRNA level was detected by dot-blotting as expressed by the dilutions of the total RNA on the visible dots.

RESULTS

Low level c-myc mRNA was found in serum-free cultured quiescent MC. Addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS 10 mg.L-1) induced a higher level expression of c-myc mRNA within 30 min, maximal expression at 2.5 h and persisted for 6 h. This over-expressing of c-myc mRNA was markedly suppressed by emodin (25 mg.L-1), the inhibition of emodin on c-myc mRNA expression was still seen at 6 h, and the greatest suppressive effect was at 2.5 h.

CONCLUSION

Emodin participating in its down-regulatory effect of c-myc mRNA over-expression contributes to its inhibitory action on MC.

The selenium analog of 6-propylthiouracil. Measurement of its inhibitory effect on type I iodothyronine deiodinase and of its antithyroid activity

6-Propylthiouracil (PTU), a widely used antithyroid drug for the treatment of Graves' disease, is also a potent inhibitor of Type I iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-1). Inhibition of ID-1 was attributed initially to the formation of a mixed disulfide between PTU and a putative cysteine residue at the active site. It has been demonstrated recently that ID-1 is a selenium-containing enzyme, with selenocysteine, rather than cysteine, at the active site. It seemed possible, therefore, that the selenium analog of PTU (PSeU) might be a more potent inhibitor of ID-1 than PTU. To test this possibility, we developed a procedure for the synthesis of PSeU, and we compared PSeU and PTU as inhibitors of ID-1 in a test system containing 125I-rT3, rat liver microsomes, and dithiothreitol. Deiodinase activity was measured by the increase in 125I-iodide. PTU and PSeU were tested at 0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 microM. Based on results of four separate experiments, the drugs were essentially equipotent as inhibitors of ID-1, although statistical analysis suggested that PSeU may be slightly more potent than PTU. PTU and PSeU were also compared for antithyroid activity in vivo and in vitro. As inhibitors of the catalytic activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the two drugs were essentially equipotent in iodination and guaiacol assays involving measurements made shortly after the addition of H2O2. However, in in vivo experiments with rats, PSeU showed no appreciable inhibition of organic iodine formation in the thyroid, whereas PTU, as expected, was a potent inhibitor. The lack of inhibition of organic iodine formation in vivo by PSeU suggests that, unlike PTU, it is not concentrated by the thyroid gland. In an iodination system in which H2O2 was generated by glucose-glucose oxidase, both PTU and PSeU, when present at 10 microM, acted as reversible inhibitors of iodination. However, when the drug concentration was raised to 50 microM, TPO was inactivated and iodination was irreversibly inhibited. These results suggest that PTU and PSeU inhibit TPO-catalyzed iodination by similar mechanisms. Under the same conditions, the selenium analog of methimazole (another widely used antithyroid drug) does not inactivate TPO. It acts primarily as a reversible inhibitor of TPO-catalyzed iodination.

Genomic organization of the human c-kit gene: evolution of the receptor tyrosine kinase subclass III

The c-kit proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor. It belongs to receptor tyrosine kinase subclass III, which also includes the colony-stimulating factor I receptor (c-fms), platelet-derived growth factor receptors A and B (PDGFRA and PDGFRB), as well as FLT1 and FLT3/FLK2. c-kit and PDGFRA, c-fms and PDGFRB, FLT1 and FLT3/FLK2 are grouped by pair in three clusters in man on chromosome 4 band q11-q13, chromosome 5 band q31-q33 and chromosome 13 band q12 respectively. Here, we report the genomic organization of the human c-kit gene, which is composed of 21 small coding exons, distributed over 80 kb. Comparison of the c-kit and c-fms oncogenes shows that they share identified exon/intron boundaries in their two kinase domains, as well as a similar exon/intron organization in the extracytoplasmic domain. Comparison with the kinase domains of tyrosine kinase genes not belonging to subclass III suggests that the exon/intron organization of c-kit and c-fms is a characteristic feature of subclass III. The genomic similarities between c-kit and c-fms, in conjunction with the location in pairs on different chromosomes of the subclass III genes, has led us to hypothesize that cis and trans duplications gave rise to this group of genes.