Circ_0003855 involvement of esophageal cancer progression through miR-622/FLOT1

To confirm the relationship between Circ_0003855 and EC,we purchased the Human esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca109 and normal human esophageal epithelial cells HEEC,and the expression levels of Circ_0003855,miR-622,and FLOT1 were detected.The results show that Circ_0003855 and FLOT1 were highly expressed in Eca109 cells,while miR-622 was lowly expressed(p<0.05).Subsequently,Circ_0003855 small interfering RNA(si-Circ_0003855)and its negative control(si-NC)were used to detect changes in cellular biological behaviors.We found that the activity of Eca109 cells was reduced after interfering with the expression of Circ_0003855,and miR-622 expression was elevated,while FLOT1 was decreased(p<0.05).Additionally,si-Circ_0003855 and miR-622 inhibitor sequence(miR-622-inhibition)were co-transfected into cells with miR-622-inhibition alone,and untreated Eca109 cells were used as a control to detect the expression of FLOT1.Co-transfection of si-Circ_0003855 and miR-622-inhibition showed no significant difference in FLOT1 expression compared to the control cells(p>0.05).Synthesizing the results of these experiments above,we believe that interfering with the expression of Circ_0003855 can inhibit the activity of EC cells,and its mechanism is related to miR-622 and FLOT1.

Current progress on the endoscopic features of colorectal sessile serrated lesions

Along with the discovery and refinement of serrated pathways,the World Health Organization amended the classification of digestive system tumors in 2019,recommending the renaming of sessile serrated adenomas/polyps to sessile serrated lesions(SSLs).Given the particularity of the endoscopic appearance of SSLs,it could easily be overlooked and missed in colonoscopy screening,which is crucial for the occurrence of interval colorectal cancer.Existing literature has found that adequate bowel preparation,reasonable withdrawal time,and awareness of colorectal SSLs have improved the quality and accuracy of detection.More particularly,with the continuous advancement and development of endoscopy technology,equipment,and accessories,a potent auxiliary tool is provided for accurate observation and immediate diagnosis of SSLs.Highdefinition white light endoscopy,chromoendoscopy,and magnifying endoscopy have distinct roles in the detection of colorectal SSLs and are valuable in identifying the size,shape,character,risk degree,and potential malignant tendency.This article delves into the relevant factors influencing the detection rate of colorectal SSLs,reviews its characteristics under various endoscopic techniques,and expects to attract the attention of colonoscopists.

Computed tomography radiomic features and clinical factors predicting the response to first transarterial chemoembolization in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:According to clinical practice guidelines,transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the standard treatment modality for patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Early prediction of treatment response can help patients choose a reasonable treatment plan.This study aimed to investigate the value of the radiomic-clinical model in predicting the efficacy of the first TACE treatment for HCC to prolong patient survival.Methods:A total of 164 patients with HCC who underwent the first TACE from January 2017 to September 2021 were analyzed.The tumor response was assessed by modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(mRECIST),and the response of the first TACE to each session and its correlation with overall survival were evaluated.The radiomic signatures associated with the treatment response were identified by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO),and four machine learning models were built with different types of regions of interest(ROIs)(tumor and corresponding tissues)and the model with the best performance was selected.The predictive performance was assessed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calibration curves.Results:Of all the models,the random forest(RF)model with peritumor(+10 mm)radiomic signatures had the best performance[area under ROC curve(AUC)=0.964 in the training cohort,AUC=0.949 in the validation cohort].The RF model was used to calculate the radiomic score(Rad-score),and the optimal cutoff value(0.34)was calculated according to the Youden’s index.Patients were then divided into a high-risk group(Rad-score>0.34)and a low-risk group(Rad-score≤0.34),and a nomogram model was successfully established to predict treatment response.The predicted treatment response also allowed for significant discrimination of Kaplan-Meier curves.Multivariate Cox regression identified six independent prognostic factors for overall survival,including male[hazard ratio(HR)=0.500,95%confidence interval(CI):0.260–0.962,P=0.038],alpha-fetoprotein(HR=1.003,95%CI:1.002–1.004,P<0.001),alanine aminotransferase(HR=1.003,95%CI:1.001–1.005,P=0.025),performance status(HR=2.400,95%CI:1.200–4.800,P=0.013),the number of TACE sessions(HR=0.870,95%CI:0.780–0.970,P=0.012)and Rad-score(HR=3.480,95%CI:1.416–8.552,P=0.007).Conclusions:The radiomic signatures and clinical factors can be well-used to predict the response of HCC patients to the first TACE and may help identify the patients most likely to benefit from TACE.

Psychological Status and Warfarin Therapy in Patients after Valve Replacement during the COVID-19 Pandemic:A Cross-sectional Study

Objective The standardization of warfarin anticoagulant therapy is the key to lifelong treatment for patients after heart valve replacement.The present study explored the possible risk factors for anxiety and depression during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and analyzed the influence of psychological state on medication safety.Methods Eligible patients received a web-based questionnaire survey via the Wenjuanxing platform during outpatient visits.Depression was evaluated by the Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS).Anxiety was evaluated by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS).Medication adherence was evaluated by the Morisky scale.Results A total of 309 patients(aged 52.2±11.4 years)were included in the present study.The SDS score of all included patients was 36.9±9.4 points,of which 11(3.6%)patients were diagnosed as having depression.The SAS score of all included patients was 43.1±9.3 points,of which 71(23%)patients were diagnosed as having anxiety.Seven patients(2.3%)had both anxiety and depression.Logistic regression analysis revealed that only monthly income was an independent influencing factor for depression.Regarding anxiety,patients who underwent repeated operations had a 2.264-fold greater risk,and patients who received combination medication had a 2.140-fold greater risk.More bleeding events and coagulation disorders could be observed in patients with anxiety,depression or both.When anxiety occurred,patients showed worse medication adherence.However,depression had no significant effect on medication adherence.Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic,the detection rate of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression was high,which seriously affected the medication safety of warfarin.Analysis of its influencing factors will provide a reference for further standardized regulation of warfarin anticoagulant therapy after valve replacement.

Verteporfin fluorescence in antineoplastic-treated pancreatic cancer cells found concentrated in mitochondria

BACKGROUND Traditional treatments for pancreatic cancer(PC)are inadequate.Photodynamic therapy(PDT)is non-invasive,and proven safe to kill cancer cells,including PC.However,the mitochondrial concentration of the photosensitizer,such as verteporfin,is key.AIM To investigate the distribution of fluorescence of verteporfin in PC cells treated with antitumor drugs,post-PDT.METHODS Workable survival rates of PC cells(AsPC-1,BxPC-3)were determined with chemotherapy[doxorubicin(DOX)and gemcitabine(GEM)]and non-chemotherapy[sirolimus(SRL)and cetuximab(CTX)]drugs in vitro,with or without verteporfin,as measured via MTT,flow cytometry,and laser confocal microscopy.Reduced cell proliferation was associated with GEM that was more enduring compared with DOX.Confocal laser microscopy allowed observation of GEM-and verteporfin-treated PC cells co-stained with 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and MitoTracker Green to differentiate living and dead cells and subcellular localization of verteporfin,respectively.RESULTS Cell survival significantly dropped upon exposure to either chemotherapy drug,but not to SRL or CTX.Both cell lines responded similarly to GEM.The intensity of fluorescence was associated with the concentration of verteporfin.Additional experiments using GEM showed that survival rates of the PC cells treated with 10μmol/L verteporfin(but not less)were significantly lower relative to nil verte-porfin.Living and dead stained cells treated with GEM were distinguishable.After GEM treatment,verteporfin was observed primarily in the mitochondria.CONCLUSION Verteporfin was observed in living cells.In GEM-treated human PC cells,verteporfin was particularly prevalent in the mitochondria.This study supports further study of PDT for the treatment of PC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Clinical epidemiology of gastric cancer in Hehuang valley of China:A 10-year epidemiological study of gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the clinical epidemiological characteristics of gastric cancer in the Hehuang valley, China, to provide a reference for treatment and prevention of regional gastric cancer.

Anti-hepatoma effect of arsenic trioxide on experimental liver cancer induced by 2-acetamidofluorene in rats

AIM： To study the anti-hepatoma efficiency of arsenic trioxide （As2O3） in the treatment of experimental rat hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） induced by 2-acetamidofluorene （2-FAA） and to elucidate the possible mechanisms. METHODS： SD rats （2 mo old） had been fed with 2-FAA for 8 wk to induce HCC, and then they were treated with As2O3 or matrine. On d 29, the rats were killed and the liver was weighed and liver tumors were counted. The histological changes of liver tissue were observed under microscope, and the cellular dynamic parameters were studied by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry （two-step method） was used to observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and micro-vessel density （MVD） on consecutive sections. The pathological parameters were also analyzed, the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, total bilirubin （TBi）, and direct bilirubin （DBi）. RESULTS： The number of liver tumors decreased significantly in groups treated with As2O3, especially in medium-dose （1 mg/kg） group （t = 2.80, P〈0.01）. As2O3 caused HCC cell death via apoptosis; necrosis was seen and apoptosis was common when the dose was 1 mg/kg. Proliferation index decreased sharply in medium-dose （1 mg/kg） group （7.87±4.11 vs24.46±6.49, t= 2087, P〈0.01）, but not in 0.2 mg/kg group. However, S-phase fraction decreased dramatically in both groups, it reached the bottom level only when the dose was i mg/kg compared with control （0.40±0.13 vs3.01±0.51, t= 2.97, P〈0.01）, and it was obviously accompanied with accumulation of cells in G0/G1 （G0/G1 restriction）. The expressions of VEGF and MVD in medium-dose （1 mg/kg） group were significantly lower than normal saline group （0.63±0.74 vs2.44±0.88, P〈0.05; 15.75±3.99 vs47.44±13.41, t= 2.80, P〈0.01）. Compared with normal saline group, mediumand low-dose groups As203 and matrine lowered the levels of ALT in serum （61.46±9.46, 63.75±20.40, 61.18±13.00 vs 108.98±29.86, t= 2.14, P〈0.05）, but had no effect onthe level of serum AST, TBi, and DBi. CONCLUSION： As203 had inhibitory effect on growth of experimental HCC in rats induced by 2-FAA, but had no obvious effect on normal hepatic cells. The mechanisms may involve decrease of cell division, accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase, apoptosis of tumor cells, and inhibitory effect on angiogenesis through blocking VEGF.

Apoptosis of human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells induced by ceramide

AIM： To investigate the effect of exogenous ceramideinduced apoptosis on human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells. METHODS： Light microscope, transmission electron microscope and fluorescence microscope were used to observe the morphology change of apoptosis in HT-29 cells. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed to detect the DNA fragment. Mitochondrial function was detected by MTT assay, mRNA expression of Bcl-2 family gene members was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） assay. RESULTS： After C2-ceramide treatment, typical characteristics of apoptosis, such as nuclear chromatin breakage, apoptotic body and DNA ladder, could be observed. After exposure to 50μmol/L C2-ceramide for 12 and 24 h, cell apoptosis was 64.1% and 81.3% respectively, which had a time-and dose-effect relationship. Mitochondrial function started to decrease from 6 h after exposure to ceramide. Meanwhile, ceramide up-regulated or down-regulated the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 family gene members. CONCLUSION： Ceramide induces apoptosis of human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells by affecting the expression of Bcl-2 family gene members and impacting the mitochondrial function.

Effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using the Viatorr stent on hepatic reserve function in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND As transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)creation alters the hemodynamic status of the portal system,whether reduced portal blood supply affects the synthetic reserve function of the liver has been the focus of clinical attention.Since the Viatorr stent entered the Chinese market in 2015,it has not yet been widely used in clinical practice.Further,unlike other countries,the main cause of liver cirrhosis in China is viral hepatitis.Therefore,use of the Viatorr stent to establish a TIPS channel in patients with liver cirrhosis with differing etiologies is of great clinical interest.AIM To investigate factors affecting changes in liver reserve function after TIPS Viatorr stent implantation.METHODS Clinical data from 200 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who received TIPS treatment from March 2016 to March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into three groups(A-C),according to their disease etiology,with post-hepatitis,autoimmune,and alcoholic cirrhosis,respectively.Preoperative and postoperative liver and renal function and coagulation data,Child-Pugh grade,and model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)scores were collected.Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test or chi-square test.The incidence and of hepatic encephalopathy and patient survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method.RESULTS The surgical success rate was 100%,with mean portal pressure gradient(mmHg)decreasing from 25.5±5.22 to 10.04±2.76(t=45.80;P<0.001).After 24 mo,the cumulative incidence of hepatic encephalopathy in group A was significantly lower than that in group B/C,while the cumulative survival rate was significantly higher in group A than in group B/C(P<0.05 for both).The Child-Pugh score for group A was 6.96±1.21,which was significantly better than those of groups B(7.42±0.99;t=-2.44;P=0.016)and C(7.52±1.12;t=-2.67;P=0.009).Further,the MELD score for group A(9.62±2.19)was significantly better than those for groups B(10.64±1.90;t=-2.92;P=0.004)and C(10.82±2.01;t=-3.29;P=0.001).CONCLUSION Insertion of 8 mm internal diameter Viatorr stent has no significant effects on liver reserve function.Changes of liver reserve function in the medium and long term may be related to the etiology and treatment of portal hypertension.

Staged management of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by co-obstruction of the inferior vena cava and main hepatic veins

BACKGROUND: Collateralized intraand extra-hepatic routes in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) were important. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of the staged management of BCS based on the degree of compensation provided by intraor extra-hepatic collateral circulations. METHODS: A total of 103 adult patients with BCS caused by co-obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and main hepatic veins (MHVs) between March 2001 and October 2009 were enrolled in this study. Based on the pathological classification and degree of hemodynamic compensation by collateral circulations, treatment priority for IVC hypertension was determined in the first-stage treatment. Patients were deemed eligible for second-stage treatment when the first-stage treatment failed to relieve. RESULTS: Imaging results revealed that most patients had collateral circulations to different extents. Based on the degree of compensation provided by these collateral circulations, 74 patients underwent single-stage treatment for IVC hypertension, i.e., radiologic intervention (RI) for 61 patients and surgical procedures (SPs) for 13. One patient was treated for portal hypertension. Twenty-nine patients underwent second-stage treatment (25 underwent RI and SP, and 4 only SP). The general morbidity and mortality after all procedures were 8.3% and 1.5%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 35 months, 4 patients underwent second-stage treatment and 7 underwent recanalization of the IVC/MHVs. Two patients died of hepatocellular carcinoma and 1 died of graft obstruction. CONCLUSION: Staged management produces excellent outcomes for patients with BCS caused by co-obstruction of the IVC and MHVs.

Negative methylation status of Vimentin predicts improved prognosis in pancreatic carcinoma

AIM: To determine the existence of a potential relationship between the methylation state of the Vimentin gene and its prognostic value in pancreatic cancer.

3.0T 31P MR spectroscopy in assessment of response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To investigate the utility of phosphorus-31 (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as a noninvasive test for assessment of response to interferon and ribavirin treatment in patients with different severities of hepatitis C virus infection.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine:A novel biomarker of gastric mucosal injury?

Nitric oxide(NO),a multifunctional endogenous gas molecule,is metabolized from L-arginine by enzymatic reaction in the presence of nitric oxide synthase.NO,an important gas signaling molecule,is a gastric mucosa protective factor that contributes significantly to maintain normal gastric mucosa integrity.NO increases gastric mucosa blood flow,regulates the secretion of mucus and bicarbonate,and inhibits the secretion of gastric juice.Asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA) has been identified as the major endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase.The function of ADMA is to decrease NO production via inhibiting nitric oxide synthase activity.Besides inhibiting NO synthesis,ADMA also directly induces oxidative stress and cell apoptosis,and participates in inflammation reaction.Its systemic accumulation was observed in conjunction with several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.ADMA also mediates gastric ulcer injury induced by ethanol,stress,helicobacter pylori and indomethacin.The mechanism of ADMA directly producing adverse effect in gastric mucosa is incompletely understood.It is widely accepted that NO bioavailability decrease is the majority reason.Promotion of apoptosis and aggravation of inflammation may be other important mechanisms of ADMA-induced gastric injury.ADMA might be a novel clinical and experimental biomarker related to gastric mucosa disorder.Although therapeutic tool targeting to ADMA is available in multiple cardiovascular diseases,it is unknown in gastrointestinal disease.The strategy to inhibit ADMA is beneficial to gastric ulcer induced by ethanol in rats.Thus,ADMA might be a candidate of therapeutic target in gastric mucosa damage.

Changes in the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer in Hehuang Valley of China–2379 cases of gastric cancer in recent 10 years

Objective： The aim of our studywas to discuss changes in the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer in Hehuang Valley of China in recent 10 years. Methods： A retrospective case-control study was performed on 2379 newly-diagnosed gastric cancer patients. All of them came from Hehuang Valley. The patients were divided into two groups [recent 5 years （R5Y） and late 5 years （L5Y）] from February 2003 to February 2013, and the clinicopathological data were surveyed retrospectively. Results： The constituent ratio of upper 1/3 gastric cancer in R5Y and L5Y was 33.5% and 20.7%, respectively, and it showed a significant difference between the two groups （X2 = 21.28, P = 0.00）, The constituent ratio of squamous carcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma was 2.7% and 1.6%, respectively, and it also showed a significant differ- ence between two groups （X2 = 50.91, P = 0.00）. The constituent ratio of moderately-poorly differentiated/poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma was 84.2% and 50.2%, respectively, and it showed statistically significant difference （X2 = 30.28, P = 0.00）. The detection rate of early gastric cancer （EGC） was 1.47% （35/2379）. The constituent ratio of the types of Borrmann II and Borrmann IV of advanced gastric cancer （AGC） among 2379 cases was 47.6% and 40.8%, respectively, and that still showed statistically significant difference （X2 = 18,80, P = 0.00）. The constituent ratio of diffuse-type of gastric cancer in R5Y and L5Y was 36.2% and 30.8%, respectively, even there was a significant difference （X2 = 7.49, P = 0.01）. Furthermore, there were also significant differences in regional lymph nodes metastasis, perineural infiltration and vascular invasion （P 〈 0.05）. The positive detection rate of HER2, ER and PR was 14.88%, 17.23% and 15.93%, respectively. The constituent ratio of HP in two groups was 43.8% and 36.2% respectively, and it also showed a significant difference （~2 = 13.51, P = 0.00）. Conclusion： The pathogenic sites in gastric cancer change to the upper stomach in Hehuang Valley in recent 10 years, and the detection rate of squamous carcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma reveals a sharp rise. Borrmann III is still one of the main types of advanced gastric cancer, but the detection rates of Borrmann II and IV are increasing. The main type of gastric cancer is the intestinal- type, but the ratio of diffuse-type is also increasing in recent 10 years. The HP detection rate is 40.65% （967/2379）, and it has a slight rise in recent 10 years. The detection rate of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma is increasing despite the fact that the moderately/moderately-poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma is the main histologic types. High detection rates of lymph nodes metastasis, perineural infiltration and vascular invasion indicate poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. There is no change in HER2 positive rate, on the contrary, there are a little increase in ER and PR expression in Hehuang Valley.

Hypoxia induced apoptosis of rat gastric mucosal cells by activating autophagy through HIF-1α/TERT/mTORC1 pathway

The pathogenesis of high altitude-related gastric mucosal injury remains poorly understood,this study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in hypoxia-induced apoptosis of rat gastric mucosal cells.Rats were randomized into four groups which were maintained at an altitude of 400 m(P)or received no treatment(H),autophagy inducer rapamycin(H+AI)or autophagy inhibitor 3-MA(H+AB)at an altitude of 4,300 m for 1,7,14 and 21 days,respectively,and the morphology,ultrastructure,autophagy,and apoptosis of gastric mucosal tissues were examined.Gastric mucosal epithelial cells CC-R039 were cultured under conditions of normoxia,2%O2(hypoxia),or 2%O2+anti-mTORC1 for 0,24,48,and 72 h,respectively,and the autophagy and apoptosis were analyzed.CC-R039 cells were transfected with siHIF-1α,siTERT,or siRNA and the autophagy was examined.The results showed that the exposure to hypoxia increased the autophagy and apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells in rats,and apoptosis was aggravated by rapamycin treatment but alleviated by 3-MA treatment.Increased duration of hypoxia from 0 to 72 h could increase the autophagy and apoptosis but decrease the proliferation of gastric mucosal cells.Inhibition of mTORC1 with rapamycin led to further increase in apoptosis and even substantial cell death,and inhibition of HIF-1αand TERT increased mTORC1 expression and reduced autophagy.Moreover,the inhibition of HIF-1αreduced TERT expression.In conclusion,hypoxia could induce apoptosis of rat gastric mucosal cells by activating autophagy through HIF-1α/TERT/mTORC1 pathway.

Retrospective Analysis of Plasma Exchange Combined with Glucocorticosteroids for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-related Acute Pancreatitis in Central China

Systemic lupus erythematosus-related acute pancreatitis（SLEAP） has a poor prognosis with a high mortality. We described the clinical features of SLEAP, and discussed the feasibility of plasma exchange（PE） combined with glucocorticosteroids（GC） in short-term prognosis and possible mechanism in reducing serum inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and removing serum lipids. A retrospective study was performed by an independent rheumatologist. Medical records of SLEAP from March 2010 to December 2014 were retrieved from Tongji Hospital information system, and patients were divided into two groups according to whether PE therapy was adopted. Sixteen patients treated with PE in combination with GC were classified as group A, and the other 10 patients who were treated with merely GC were classified as group B. Patients＇ clinical remission rate and average daily GC dosage after two-week therapy were compared between the two groups. Patients＇ serum inflammatory cytokines and lipid concentration were compared between baseline and after two-week treatment in both groups. Pearson correlation test was performed to determine association between serum cytokines and Ranson score. SLEDAI score in group A patients at baseline（14.8±3.1） showed no statistical difference from that in group B（14.1±3.3）. At baseline serum IL-6 levels had no significant difference between group A [13.14（11.12, 16.57） mg/L] and group B [14.63（11.37, 16.37） mg/L]; after two-week therapy IL-6 decreased significantly in group A [9.16（7.93, 10.75）mg/L] while it did not show decreasing trend in group B [13.62（9.29,17.63） mg/L]. Serum lipid concentration after two-week therapy in group A [（TC=5.02±0.53, TG=1.46±0.44） mmol/L] decreased significantly compared to baseline [（TC=6.11±0.50, TG=2.14±1.03） mmol/L], while similar tendency was not observed in group B. The remission rate after two-week therapy was higher in group A（70.0%） than in group B（25.0%）. Acute pancreatitis（AP） was one of the clinical manifestations of active SLE. PE combined with GC could reduce serum IL-6 level, and remove serum lipid to improve short-term prognosis. Therefore, it might be a safe and effective way in treating SLEAP and was worth continuing to explore its feasibility.

Immunoregulation Effect of Red Ginseng Aqueous Extract on Mice

[Objectives]The paper was to observe the effects of red ginseng aqueous extract on immune function of mice.[Methods]The aqueous extract of red ginseng was obtained by water extraction and concentration,and 10 mL of aqueous extract was equivalent to 2.86 g of raw materials.Total 240 mice were randomly divided into blank control group,low dose,medium dose and high dose groups of red ginseng aqueous extract,60 mice each group.Mice in low dose,medium dose and high dose groups were intragastrically administered with 0.24,0.48,1.43 g/kg red ginseng aqueous extract once a day respectively,and those in blank control group were intragastrically administered with equal volume of deionized water at the dose of 0.1 mL/10 g once a day for consecutive 30 d.The immunoregulation effects of red ginseng aqueous extract on mice were explored by organ/body weight ratio measurement,delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH)reaction,Con A-induced spleen T lymphocyte transformation test,antibody-producing cells test,half hemolytic value(HC 50)test,carbon particle clearance test,phagocytosis test of chicken red blood cells by macrophages and NK cell activity test.[Results]Compared with the blank control group,the degree of toe swelling in low dose group and medium dose group of red ginseng aqueous extract[(0.62±0.14)mm,(0.53±0.12)mm vs.(0.36±0.10)mm]significantly increased(P<0.05).The ability of T lymphocytes proliferation(0.173±0.054,0.189±0.063 vs.0.098±0.012)in low dose group and high dose group significantly increased(P<0.05).The number of haemolytic plaque(137.49×10^(3)±24.73×10^(3),148.43×10^(3)±27.53×10^(3) vs.112.96×10^(3)±26.28×10^(3))in medium dose group and high dose group significantly increased(P<0.05).The phagocytosis rate(35.67%±3.82%,49.26%±6.54%,57.92%±7.36%vs.24.34%±4.22%)and phagocytosis index(0.72±0.23,0.82±0.15,0.91±0.26 vs.0.35±0.11)of low dose,medium dose,high dose groups significantly increased(P<0.05).However,there was no statistical difference in spleen/body weight ratio,thymus/body weight ratio,half hemolytic value,carbon particle clearance and NK cell activity.[Conclusions]Red ginseng aqueous extract could enhance the immunity of mice.

The Effect of Survivin siRNA on Apoptosis, Proliferation and Invasion by a Colon Carcinoma Cell Line

OBJECTIVE To study the efficiency of silencing survivin gene expression by an anti-survivin small RNA expression plasmid and to examine its impact on apoptosis, proliferation and invasive ability of the SW480 colorec-tal cancer cell line. METHODS An expression plasmid of survivin siRNA (pRNAT/sur-siR-NA) was constructed and transduced into SW480 cells. Western blot analysis and a semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to measure the change in expression level of the survivin protein and mRNA after transduction of the expression plasmid into the SW480. Apoptosis, proliferation, and invasive ability of the SW480 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry, MTT assay and Boy-den Chamber Assay, respectively. RESULTS The expression plasmid (pRNAT/sur-siRNA) against survivin down-regulated survivin protein and mRNA expression dramatically, with a down-regulation of 85% and 80%, respectively. After transfection of the pRNAT/sur-siRNA to the SW480 cells, the apoptotic rate of the pRNAT/ sur-siRNA/SW480 cells was 16.9%, and the proliferation rate was 37.4%, significantly different compared to the controls (P<0.01). Cell invasive studies (Boyden Chamber Assay) showed that number of cells penetrating the membrane for the pRNAT/sur-siRNA/SW480, pRNAT/SW480 and the SW480 cells was 153±66, 505±65 and 578±98, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION siRNA against survivin can significantly inhibit the expression of survivin in SW480 cells, and thus promote apoptosis, inhibit proliferation and invasive ability.

An incident of chloroform poisoning on a university campus

Dear editor,University laboratory-related events include fire,explosion,chemical gas leakage,poisoning related to the loss of toxic reagents,specific pathogen infection,leakage of radioactive material,etc.[1]Chloroform is an important material used frequently in the laboratory,for organic synthesis or used as an organic glass binder and organic matter extractor.[2]As a widely used anesthetic in clinics in the 1950s and the 1960s,[3]chloroform was abandoned because of hepatorenal toxicity.We report a case of a 24-year-old suicidal female student with chloroform poisoning.

The Role of Surgery in Primary Thyroid Lymphoma: Experience in the Last 10 Years of a Specialized Unit

Primary Thyroid Lymphoma (PTL) is an uncommon disease, although its incidence is of 5%. Ultrasound and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) usually do not provide the diagnosis. Surgery is one of the treatment options because it enables histological diagnosis and can also relieve compression symptoms in patients with rapid growth cervical mass. We present 7 cases of PTL diagnosed in the last 10 years in our unit. Five were female (71.4%) and 2 were male (28.6%). The mean age was 64.2 (range: 40 - 81);4 patients (57.1%) had associated Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT). One patient (14.2%) had concomitant Graves disease. 5 cases presented with compressive symptoms and cervical mass. Ultrasound was not diagnostic in any case. FNAC was diagnostic only in one patient (14.3%). Five patients underwent total thyroidectomy (71.4%). All the cases were diagnosed with lymphoma postoperatively. Two interventions consisted of left hemithyroidectomies (28.6%). No complications appeared. 5 patients (71.4%) were classified as Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) lymphoma. We also observed 1 Follicular grade I lymphoma and 1 Burkitt case. When the extension study was done, 1 patient was at stage IIIE (14%), 2 at IIE (28.5%) and 4 at IE (57.14%). Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) and Iphosphamide, ethoposide and high dose Cytarabine (IVAC) were the treatment scheme when chemotherapy was used (in three cases). Two cases were treated only with total thyroidectomy, and 2 with total thyroidectomy and rituximab, and the latter was MALT. Complete Remission (CR) was achieved in all patients in the first year. All are still alive and in CR. In our experience, PTL diagnose can be challenging before surgery. Although surgery is not the gold standard for treatment, when it is done, it should be curative in MALT lymphomas confined to the thyroid.