Jun 2008, Volume 2 Issue 2
    

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  • Development and clinical trial of a novel bioactive bone cement
    LEONG John, LI Zhaoyang, LU William
    2008, 2(2): 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0022-1
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    Strontium (Sr) and related compounds have become more attractive in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Previously, we developed a novel bioactive bone cement which is mainly composed of strontium-containing hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) filler and bisphenol A diglycidylether dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA) resin. This bone cement is superior to conventional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement in bioactivity, biocompatibility, and osseointegration. It also has shown sufficient mechanical strength properties for its use in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and total hip replacement (THR). In this paper, we review the in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence for the effectiveness of this bioactive bone cement.
  • A belated revelation: from gastroesophageal reflux derived asthma to laryngotracheal irritation even spasm
    WANG Zhonggao
    2008, 2(2): 127-129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0023-0
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    The author has been inspired by the Global Evidence-Based Consensus for gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which put forward four extra-esophageal syndromes: reflux cough syndrome, reflux laryngitis syndrome, reflux dental erosion syndrome and the reflux asthma syndrome. The author himself happened to receive five emergency rescue treatments following apparent “bronchial asthma”, which was to be diagnosed as GER at his own insistence. PPI resulted in some relief. After being rescued again from suffocation, he had a fundaplication, which was performed at the Englewood Hospital & Medical Center, Englewood, USA in March 2006. The procedure immediately cleared up his “asthma”. A month later he brought forth a Center for GER in an army hospital in Beijing, China. Up to now, 601 patients with mainly respiratory distress (84%) were treated by Stretta Radiofrequency, 58 by surgery and more by PPI. The GER Center is now complete with a ward. GER patients with respiratory distresses turned out to fare better than those with acid regurgitation. A nozzle-shaped pharynx was found in patients with the reflux. Animal study revealed that the refluxate entered into trachea and even lungs. Gradually a hypothesis of a gastro-oesophago-laryngo-tracheal reflux took shape.Our modest effort to treat GER-derived respiratory distresses has got off to an encouraging start amid relative shortage of experience and facilities. We would like to share two thoughts with scholars and experts at home and abroad:1. The GER-derived asthma is not asthma, but GER pure and simple;2. The pathogenesis of “asthma” is not asthma, but laryngotracheal irritation/spasm and its sequence.
  • Reducing biliary complications in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft: experience of 124 cases
    YAN Lunan, WEN Tianfu, WANG Wentao, YANG Jiayin, XU Mingqing, CHEN Zheyu, WU Hong
    2008, 2(2): 130-133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0024-z
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    The aim of this paper is to summarize our experience of using right lobe liver grafts to reduce biliary complications in adult-to-adult (A-A) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). From January 2002 to October 2007, 124 adult patients underwent living donor liver transplantation using right lobe grafts at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, China. There was no death in all donors. Biliary reconstruction for 178 hepatic duct orifices from 124 donor grafts was performed which included 106 reconstructions of duct-to-duct anastomoses and 72 cholangiojejunostomy. Nine recipients had biliary complications including six bile leakages (four from the anastomotic site and two from the cut surface of the liver graft) and three biliary strictures. With the improved techniques for biliary reconstruction, we have achieved good results in 124 recipients of A-A LDLT. We ascribe our success to the introduction of microsurgical techniques and the use of fixed operators which help in decreasing the biliary complications of LDLT.
  • Diagnosis and treatment for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma: experience of 24 cases
    ZHANG Zongming, ZHU Jianping, SU Yanming, GUO Jinxing, JIANG Nan, ZHANG Zichao, XING Hailin, LIU Kai, YUAN Haiming
    2008, 2(2): 134-138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0025-y
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    The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in order to improve the resection rate and curative effect. A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 24 patients who had undergone surgical treatment for advanced hilar CCA. According to the Bismuth classification, there were four cases of type IIIa, six cases of type IIIb, and 14 cases of type IV. Based on the treatment approaches, these patients were divided into three groups: $` Radical resection group: There were five cases (one type IIIa, three type IIIb, and one type IV). The tumor visible to the naked eyes was resected thoroughly and the cut margin was free of tumor by microscopic examination. Then, Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunal anastomosis was performed to restore the bile flow. $a Palliative resection group: There were 11 cases. The bile flow was restored by Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunal anastomosis directly in five cases (two type IIIa, three type IIIb) and by internal drainage through a hepatico-jejunal bridge in the other six cases (one type IIIa, five type IV). $b Simple internal biliary drainage group: There were eight cases of type IV, including three cases with the internal drainage through hepatico-jejunal bridge by laparotomy, three cases with endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD), two cases with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The rate of radical resection was 20.8% and the overall resection rate was 66.7%. All of the 24 patients were followed-up. The cumulative surviving rates were significantly different among these three groups (Log-rank ?2 = 17.56, P = 0.0002). For advanced hilar CCA, the best choice of treatment is radical resection. If radical resection is impractical, palliative resection combined with partial hepatectomy can significantly prolong the survival time. Internal drainage through a hepatico-jejunal bridge can enhance the surgical resection rate and decrease the occurrence rate of postoperative biliary leakage.
  • Beneficial effects of preventive cholecystectomy in patients with hepatic cancer
    LIU Anzhong, LI Jun, HUA Huwei
    2008, 2(2): 139-142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0026-x
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    There is no conclusive answer to the question whether excising gall bladder is helpful to the patient with hepatic cancer. The survival rate of patients with hepatic cancer for more than two years has been increased, and the incidence of complications of cholecystitis and gall stone are relatively higher among these patients, which may seriously complicate treatment of advanced hepatic cancer and decrease quality of life. The researchers conducted a prospective clinical investigation from 2002 to 2006 to assess the clinical significance of preventive cholecystectomy in patients with hepatic cancer. One hundred and eighteen cases of postoperative patients with hepatic cancer, who survived for more than two years, were followed up. Based on whether cholecystectomy was performed, the patients were divided into two groups including 48 cases with cholecystectomy and 70 cases with cholecyst reserved. The two-year morbidity of gall stone and morbidity of pain in the right upper abdomen of cholecyst reservation group were 54.29% and 68.57%, respectively, obviously higher than 0.00% and 20.83% of cholecystectomy group. Mainly for those treated with transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization, the morbidity of gall stone was 86.67% (P < 0.01). Therefore, preventive cholecystectomy is strongly recommended during hepatectomy to decrease the incidence of chronic cholecystitis and gall stone, especially for those whose chemotherapy and embolization will be carried out through hepatic artery and portal vein.
  • Therapeutic effect of medical glue combined with the great omentum in severe tunica muscularis injury
    REN Peitu, LU Baochun, RUAN Xinxian, CHEN Zhiliang, MA Yuliang, FU Hong
    2008, 2(2): 143-146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0027-9
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    Twenty-seven patients with severe colon trauma treated in the Shaoxing People’s Hospital from 1995 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with severe tunica muscularis injury were treated by medical glue combined with the greater omentum during operations. The initial result was encouraging. All patients were cured with no anastomotic leakage or abscess. Therefore, reasonable use of medical glue combined with the greater omentum can not only improve the curative rate but also reduces postoperative complications for patients with colon injury.
  • Mechanisms of the spatial memory deficits induced by injection of okadaic acid into the Meynert nucleus basalis of rats
    TIAN Qing, LIU Bin, ZHOU Xinwen, TU Qian, LIU Rong, WANG Jianzhi
    2008, 2(2): 147-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0028-8
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    We previously reported that the injection of okadaic acid (OA) into the Meynert nucleus basalis of rats induced spatial memory deficits. The present study was designed to further explore the underlying mechanisms. We found that the level of acetylcholine (Ach) in the hippocampus significantly decreased 24 h after injection of OA into the Meynert nucleus basalis of rats. Simultaneously, spatial memory deficit, PP-2A inhibition and tau hyperphosphorylation at Ser-198/Ser-199/Ser-202 (Tau-1 epitope) and Ser-396/Ser-404 (PHF-1 epitope) were observed. With the restoration of hippocampus Ach to normal levels at 48 and 72 h after the injection, the spatial memory deficits, PP-2A inhibition and tau hyperphosphorylation were reversed. It is suggested that injection of OA into the Meynert nucleus basalis of rats may impair the hippocampus-dependent spatial memory through damaging the cholinergic projection between the Meynert nucleus basalis and the hippocampus and the selective inhibition of PP-2A and tau hyperphosphorylation may be at least part of the underlying mechanisms.
  • Paeoniflorin prevents hepatic fibrosis of by inhibiting TGF-&#946;1 production from macrophages in mice
    CHU Deyong, LI Conglei, SHEN Jilong, WU Qiang
    2008, 2(2): 154-165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0029-7
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    In order to investigate the effect of paeoniflorin (PAE) on hepatic fibrosis of mice with Schistosomiasis japonica in vivo and in vitro, a model of hepatic fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis was established in mice infected with cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum. Then, PAE was orally administered before and after praziquantel treatment and both therapeutics were given simultaneously at different time points after the infection. The concentration of serum hyaluronic acid (HA) was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Hepatic granuloma and fibrosis were evaluated via HE and Masson staining. The expression of ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA), transforming growth factor ?1 (TGF-?1) and collagen I (Col I) protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. The effect of soluble egg antigen (SEA) and PAE on the production of TGF-?1 from mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM?s) was investigated by RT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA. The effect of TGF-?1 in optimum macrophage-conditioned medium (OPMCM) on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and collagen secretion from HSCs with anti-TGF-?1 antibody was explored by MTT assay and ELISA. The results show that PAE could significantly reduce the concentration of serum HA, the size of egg granuloma, the severity of hepatic fibrosis and the expression of ?-SMA, TGF-?1 and Col I protein in the pre-treatment group. However, in sim- or post-treatment group, PAE did not have any significant therapeutic effect. TGF-?1 could be secreted from PM?s stimulated by SEA. Meanwhile, the production of TGF-?1 from PM?s could be depressed significantly by PAE in a concentration-dependent manner. TGF-?1 could promote the proliferation of HSCs and the secretion of collagens. In a word, PAE can prevent hepatic granuloma and fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis japonica through the inhibition of the secretion of TGF-?1 from PM?s, the proliferation and activation of HSCs and the secretion of collagens from HSCs.
  • Blockage of receptor-interacting protein 2 expression by small interfering RNA in murine macrophages
    LIU Hongchun, CAO Zhongwei, JIN Jianjun, WANG Jiyao
    2008, 2(2): 166-170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0030-1
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    This study aims to demonstrate that blocking the receptor-interacting protein2 (Rip2) expression can decrease inflammatory cytokine production by macrophage and protect mice from endotoxin lethality. Murine Rip2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) plasmids were constructed and transfected into macrophage and Rip2 expression was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. Cell proliferation was assayed with MTT. TNF-? concentration was assayed with ELISA and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) level with semi-quantitative western blot after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. LPS challenge was given after the plasmids were injected into mice and the survival rate was calculated. Rip2 siRNA plasmid could block the mRNA and protein expression of Rip2 and promote cell proliferation. Blocking Rip2 could attenuate LPS-induced TNF-? and HMGB1 production. The HMGB1 expression in the liver decreased to (40.21 ± 11.03) pg/g, and serum TNF-? level decreased to (300.43 ± 59.26) ng/L (P < 0.05). The survival rate of mice from endotoxemia was also improved (P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that Rip2 siRNA plasmid can block the expression of Rip2, decrease the production of TNF-? and HMGB1 and protect mice from fatal endotoxemia.
  • Analysis of the treatment outcomes of esophageal variceal bleeding patients from multiple centers in China
    WANG Zhiqiang
    2008, 2(2): 171-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0031-0
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    This study aimed to investigate the treatment outcomes of esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) in China. A total of 1087 cases were collected from 19 hospitals in 16 large and medium sized cities across China between January 1st, 2005 and January 1st, 2006. There were 313 cases (29.0%) of mild (<400 mL), 494 cases (45.8%) of moderate (400–1500 mL) and 272 cases (25.2%) of severe (>1500 mL) bleeding. Successful hemostasis was achieved in 89.8% of cases. Seven hundred and eighty-five cases were treated by medication with a hemostasis rate of 91.8%. Seventy-one cases were treated using a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with a hemostasis rate of 54.9%. Thirty-seven cases were treated with emergency endoscopic variceal ligation with a hemostasis rate of 83.8%. Seventy-seven cases were treated with endoscopic sclerotherapy with a hemostasis rate of 94.8%. Forty-three cases were treated with emergency surgical operation with a hemostasis rate of 95.3%. Sixty-six cases were treated with combined therapy with a hemostasis rate of 97.0%. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in the successful hemostasis rate between different treatments. The overall mortality was 10.1%, among which 6.6% was directly caused by bleeding. The multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that the severity of bleeding, treatment methods, liver dysfunction and activation of hepatitis were predictive factors for successful hemostasis. Most cases of EVB were mild and moderate in severity. The first-line treatment for EVB is medication. Emergency endoscopic intervention has not been widely available yet. The overall management outcome of EVB has been improved.
  • Modulatory effect on dyslipidemia and anti-atherosclerotic function of in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients
    SUN Mingxiao, WANG Yao, CHI Jiamin
    2008, 2(2): 174-177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0032-z
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    The modulatory effect of Xuezhikang on dyslipidemia and the preventive effect on atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were studied. A prospective clinical trial was conducted to test the effectiveness of Xuezhikang in selected 201 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. All patients were randomly divided into two groups: 108 with Xuezhikang therapy and 93 without Xuezhikang therapy. The mean follow-up period was 22 months. The blood glucose and blood pressure of all patients were under control. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly lowered and their decreased percentages were significantly higher in Xuezhikang therapy group (P < 0.05). The number of patients with arteria iliaca intima thickening was significantly lower in group of Xuezhikang therapy (P = 0.024). With stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, the decreased percentage of TG was significantly and independently related with the decreased number of patients with arteria iliaca intima thickening (P = 0.005). The study demonstrates that Xuezhikang therapy is effective on modulating dyslipidemia in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, and may be related with the improvement of early atherosclerosis.
  • Relationship of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with blood pressure, lipid profile and blood glucose level
    TANG Zhongzhi, LI Junyao, YANG Jianhong
    2008, 2(2): 178-181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0033-y
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    To study the relationship of the polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and blood pressure, lipid profiles and blood glucose level. By using PCR-RFLP, the eNOS Glu298Asp gene polymorphism was detected in 184 patients with essential hypertension and 196 matched healthy individuals with normal blood pressure. Taking into account eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphisms, the relationship of blood pressure with triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and blood glucose level was analyzed. The distribution of eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism had no significant difference between different blood pressure groups and gender groups, but there was a significant difference between different age groups, diastolic blood pressure groups or BMI groups (P < 0.05). Asp/Asp genotype significantly increased the risk of hypertension in individuals with serum TC above 5.4 mmol/L (P = 0.03, OR = 2.65). eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism and serum lipid could synergistically modulate the blood pressure. eNOS Asp/Asp genotype could significantly increase the risk of hypertension in individuals with serum TC over 5.4 mmol/L. eNOS Glu298Asp in combination with serum TC could be used to predict the risk of hypertension.
  • Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against lipopolysaccharide injury in hepatocytes of neonatal mice
    WANG Lin, LIU Yalan, XU Jianbo, TIAN Yuan, WU Heshui
    2008, 2(2): 182-185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0034-x
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    The present study provides supportive evidence for the effective prevention and treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatocyte injury in neonatal mice by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Hepatocytes of neonatal mice were obtained through collagenase digestion of the liver. The hepatocytes were treated either with LPS (10 ?g/mL) alone or with NAC (5 mmol/L) for 1 h before the addition of LPS (10 ?g/mL). After LPS treatment, 12 wells of the cultured hepatocytes and supernatants were harvested at 0, 6, and 12 h, respectively. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and nitric oxide (NO) in the supernatant were biochemically quantified and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA after different treatments. At 0 h following the treatment of primary cultured hepatocytes with LPS, the levels of ALT, NO and iNOS mRNA in the supernatant were (21.1 ± 4.78) u/L, (1.6 ± 0.31) ?mol/L and 0.17 ± 0.023, respectively; at 6 h, (59.8 ± 8.59) u/L, (6.6 ± 0.81) ?mol/L, and 0.71 ± 0.091; and at 12 h, (89.6 ± 15.30) u/L, (7.8 ± 1.01) ?mol/L, and 0.71 ± 0.097. The levels of ALT, NO and iNOS mRNA at 6 and 12 h increased significantly, compared to those at 0 h (P < 0.01). In contrast to LPS treatment alone, pretreatment with NAC before LPS addition significantly reduced the levels of ALT, NO and iNOS mRNA in the supernatant at 6 h to (40.8 ± 7.30) u/L, (3.2 ± 0.71) ?mol/L, and 0.41 ± 0.060; and at 12 h to (55.4 ± 5.48) u/L, (4.0 ± 0.71) ?mol/L, and 0.40 ± 0.067, respectively (P < 0.01). However, the levels of ALT, NO and iNOS mRNA at 0 h did not change significantly with both treatment approaches. NAC has protective effects in hepatocytes of neonatal mice against LPS-induced injury as shown by the reduced levels of ALT, NO and iNOS mRNA when primary hepatocytes were treated with NAC prior to LPS stimulation. We postulate that NAC exhibits its protective function by inhibiting LPS-induced transcription of iNOS, resulting in decreased levels of NO.
  • Inhibitory activity of Bifidobacterium adolescent combined with cisplatin on melanoma in mice and its mechanism
    HUANG Hongying, LIU Guangchao, QI Yijun, DU Yaowu, CHEN Jugao, MA Yuanfang
    2008, 2(2): 186-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0035-9
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    The aim of this study is to explore inhibitory activity of Bifidobacterium adolescent combined with cisplatin on the growth of melanoma (B16) in mice and the underlying mechanism. C57 mice were inoculated with B16 cancer cells to construct mouse model of melanoma and treated with bifidobacterium adolescent combined with cisplatin. Ratios of inhibitory activity on the growth of melanoma (B16) were calculated. Pathology changes of the tumor were observed by HE staining. B16 cell cycles were examined on a flow cytometer. Lymphocyte proliferation was measured with MTT assay and the T-cell subset was measured by double marked fluorescence. When bifidobacterium of 1010 cfu/L was injected, the ratio of inhibitory activity on the growth of melanoma (B16) reached 54%, which was similar to that of cisplatin group. The ratio of inhibitory activity reached 74.45% when the mice were treated by bifidobacterium combined with cisplatin. HE staining shows that bifidobacterium inhibited B16 cell proliferation and enhanced the cisplatins killing activity on B16 cells. The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that B16 cell proliferation was arrested at G1 stage after treatment with bifidobacterium. The B16 cell proliferation was arrested at S stage after treatment with cisplatin. The CD4+ percentage increased and the difference was significant compared with the normal group after treatment with bifidobacterium, indicating that T-cell immune activity was enhanced. Treatment with bifidobacterium combined with cisplatin can enhance the inhibitory activity on the growth of melanoma (B16) of cisplatin. The mechanism of the inhibitory activity on B16 cell proliferation is correlated with the enhanced immune activity in mice.
  • Autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in a patient with refractory pemphigus
    SUN Ledong, SUN Jing, ZENG Kang, MENG Fanyi, DIAO Youtao, XU Dan, HUANG Liang, ZHAO Jie, Liu Qifa
    2008, 2(2): 191-194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0036-8
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    The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in the treatment of refractory pemphigus. A 35-year-old male patient presented with a 4-year history of recurrent bullae on his trunk and extremities. The diagnosis of pemphigus was made on the basis of the clinical, histologic and immunofluorescence findings. The patient had shown resistance to conventional therapy with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive agents. Two months before admission, he complained of hip joint pain. X-ray and CT scan revealed aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. Stem-cell mobilization was achieved by treatment with cyclophosphamide, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and rituximab. Peripheral blood stem cells were collected via leukapheresis and cryopreserved for later use. Immunoablation was accomplished by using cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg; divided into 50 mg/kg on days -5, -4, -3, and -2), antithymocyte globulin (ATG; 10 mg/kg; divided into 2.5 mg/kg on days -6, -5, -4, and -3), and rituximab (1200 mg/d; divided into 600 mg/d on days 0 and 7). Autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was followed by reconstitution of the immune system which was monitored by flow cytometry. The glucocorticoid was withdrawn immediately after transplantation. The pemphigus titer turned negative 6 weeks after transplantation and remained negative. The patient was in complete drug-free remission with no evidence of residual clinical or serological activity of pemphigus during 1 year of follow-up. The patient’s response suggests that autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be a potential “cure” for refractory pemphigus. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of this approach in patients with pemphigus showing resistance to conventional therapy.
  • Chemotactic effect of urokinase-type plasminogen activator on mouse spermatozoa
    DING Xiaofang, LI Honggang, XIONG Chengliang
    2008, 2(2): 195-199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0037-7
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    The aim of this study is to investigate the chemotactic effect of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) on mouse spermatozoa. Capillary assays were applied to study the chemotactic activity of ascending and descending gradients of uPA. Firstly, the chemotactic effect of an ascending gradient of uPA on mouse spermatozoa was observed by counting the number of spermatozoa that migrated into the capillary after incubation with uPA for 5, 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively, compared with that after incubation with F10. Twenty minutes was a suitable incubation time to obtain a plateau of sperm accumulation. Meanwhile, to confirm the specific effect of uPA on mouse sperm chemotaxis, uPA inhibitor (PAI-1) and anti-uPAR rabbit IgG were added to the test solution containing 20 U/mL uPA, respectively. To exclude the possibility that PAI-1 and anti-uPAR rabbit IgG may affect sperm accumulation nonspecifically, PAI-1 and anti-uPAR rabbit IgG were added to F10, respectively. It was found that the chemotactic effect of uPA was neutralized completely by PAI-1 and anti-uPAR rabbit IgG. PAI-1 and anti-uPAR rabbit IgG had no neutralizing effect on the sperm chemotactic effect. Lastly, the sperm chemotaxis response to a descending gradient of uPA was also observed. Taken together, the results suggest that uPA can induce sperm chemotaxis in vitro by binding to its receptor on the sperm membrane and may act as a chemoattractant in precontacting sperm-egg communication thereby increasing the chance encounter of spermatozoa and eggs.
  • Expression of heat shock protein gp96 in osteosarcoma and its clinical significance
    GUO Weichun, CHEN Anmin
    2008, 2(2): 200-203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0038-6
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    This study aims to detect the expression of heat shock protein gp96 (HSPgp96) in osteosarcoma and explore its role in anti-tumor immunity. Expression of HSPgp96 in 45 cases of osteosarcoma, including 24 cases of the osteoblast type, 21 cases of chondroblast type and 5 cases of normal bone tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression rate of HSPgp96 was 100% (45/45) in osteosarcoma, compared with 20% (1/5) in normal bone tissue. The average positive cell rates were 97.23% and 0.48% in osteosarcoma and normal bone tissue, respectively, and the difference between them was significant (P < 0.01). The positive cell rates in osteoblast type and chondroblast type were 97.78% and 96.56%, respectively, and the difference had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The expression degree of HSPgp96 in osteosarcoma had a clear correlation with the pathologic degree (P < 0.05), while it had no relationship with the clinical stage (P > 0.05). The expression of HSPgp96 is high in osteosarcoma and it may be a significant index for judgment of malignancy degree and an important target site of anti-tumor immunity.
  • Effects of 3-aminobenzamide on poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expression, apoptosis and cell cycle progression of HeLa cells after X-ray irradiation
    DU Xiang, ZHAO Hongguang, GUO Wei, GONG Shouliang, WANG Wen
    2008, 2(2): 204-206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0039-5
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    The aim of this paper is to study the changes of apoptosis and cell cycle progression in HeLa cells after the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was inhibited by its inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) and the mechanisms of PARP action on HeLa cells damaged by irradiation. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to examine the PARP expression and the percentage of apoptotic cells and cell cycle progression. The percentage of HeLa cells with positive expression of PARP protein 2, 4, 8 and 12 h after administrated with 3-AB was significantly lower than that of the control (P < 0.01). The percentages of apoptotic cells in the 3-AB plus irradiation group at the time points of 2, 8, 12 and 24 h after 2 Gy irradiation were higher than that in the irradiation group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the percentage of G2 cells decreased significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). It indicates that 3-AB can rapidly inhibit PARP expression of HeLa cells, promote cell apoptosis and block G2 arrest induced by irradiation.
  • Concentrations of toxic heavy metals in ambient particulate matter in an industrial area of northeastern China
    PIAO Fengyuan, SUN Xiance, LIU Shuang, YAMAUCHI Toru
    2008, 2(2): 207-210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-008-0040-z
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    This paper investigates concentrations of various heavy metals in ambient particulate matter (PM) and provide evidence for prevention from air pollution. The concentrations of heavy metal components in the PM were determined by inductively coupled plasma/Mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) from September 2000 to August 2002 in a northeast industrial city in China. Concentrations of Cd, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cr and As in the PM were 9.3, 461.9, 588.7, 69.5, 205.7 and 57.4 ng/m3 in the industrial area, and 5.7, 245.5, 305.0, 31.4, 58.8 and 32.5 ng/m3 in the main road, respectively. Concentrations of these heavy metals except Cd were significantly higher in the industrial area and main road than those in the suburban area (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The change curves of the six heavy metal concentrations show their concentrations increased in the winter and spring, but decreased in the summer and autumn. The results indicate that concentrations of the metals in the PM are relatively high in the industrial area and main road.