血管内皮生长因子在鼻咽癌病情监测中的意义

目的:探讨鼻咽癌患者治疗前后血清血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平的变化及其临床意义。方法:ELISA法对75例鼻咽癌患者在治疗前、治疗结束后1个月和治疗后出现局部复发或远处转移者,同步检测40例慢性鼻咽炎患者及30名正常人血清VEGF水平。结果:鼻咽癌组Ⅲ～Ⅳ期患者治疗前血清VEGF水平均显著高于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期患者(P<0.01);与治疗前比较,Ⅰ～Ⅱ期、Ⅲ～Ⅳ期患者治疗后血清VEGF水平均显著下降(P<0.01);治疗后,Ⅰ～Ⅱ期与Ⅲ～Ⅳ期患者血清VEGF水平比较,差异无统计学意义;与慢性鼻咽组及正常对照组比较,鼻咽癌复发组患者治疗前、后的血清VEGF水平明显升高(P<0.01);与治疗前组比较,鼻咽癌患者治疗后的血清VEGF水平明显下降(P<0.01),而复发组治疗后明显上升(P<0.01)。结论:血清VEGF水平可作为鼻咽癌患者治疗前后病情监测一个新的检测指标。     

Immunologically Active Heterosaccharides of Carcinoembryonic Antigen of Human Digestive System

THE carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) of the human digestive system is a glycoprotein with an approximate carbohydrate/ protein ratio of 2–3/1 (refs. 1–3). Indirect evidence suggests the carbohydrate moiety is associated with the antigenic determinant site(s)^1,4. We have therefore prepared and analysed heterosaccharide fragments of CEA which are free of amino-acids but retain anti-CEA binding activity.     

Decreased Serum Wnt Antagonist Levels in Patients With Active Acromegaly

ObjectiveThe Wnt signaling pathway is an important modulator of bone metabolism. This study aims to clarify the changes in Wnt antagonists in active and biochemically controlled acromegalic patients.MethodsWe recruited 77 patients recently diagnosed with acromegaly. Of those, 41 patients with complete follow-up data were included. Thirty healthy patients matched for age, sex, and body mass index served as controls. At baseline and posttreatment, Wnt antagonists (sclerostin [SOST], dickkopf-related protein 1 [DKK-1], and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 [WIF-1]), bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide [P1NP], and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTX]) and the bone remodeling index were investigated.ResultsAcromegalic patients had higher serum osteocalcin, P1NP, and CTX and a higher bone remodeling index than controls (P < .01). Serum SOST, DKK-1, and WIF-1 levels were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls (all P < .01). Serum SOST and WIF-1 levels were negatively correlated with growth hormone levels; SOST levels were positively correlated with WIF-1. After treatment, serum bone turnover markers and the bone remodeling index decreased, while SOST and WIF-1 significantly increased (P < .05). DKK-1 levels did not change compared to baseline (P > .05). In biochemically controlled patients, SOST and WIF-1 levels and bone turnover markers were restored and did not differ from those of the control participants (all P > .05).ConclusionPatients with active acromegaly exhibited significantly decreased Wnt antagonist levels. The reduction in Wnt antagonists is a compensatory mechanism to counteract increased bone fragility in active acromegaly.     

Serum miR-128-2 Serves as a Prognostic Marker for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Circulating miRNAs are promising biomarkers for predicting the aggressiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in the serum of HCC patients with different Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, and to investigate the potential of serum miRNAs as biomarkers for patient outcomes. In the discovery stage, TaqMan Low-Density Array was used to test the difference in levels of serum miRNAs between 20 patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and 20 patients without PVTT. The detected serum miRNAs then were validated in 182 patients. Fifteen serum miRNAs showed more than two-fold higher expression in patients with PVTT, and miR-128-2 was found to be significantly up-regulated and was selected for further validation. In the validation stage, patients were divided into two groups with low or high serum miR-128-2 using the median expression level of all 182 cases as the cut-off point. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with low level of serum miR-128-2 had favorable trends of survival (log rank = 13.031, p < 0.001). The median survivals for patients with a low and high level of serum miR-128-2 were 625 (95% CI, 527–722) days and 426 (95% CI, 362–491) days, respectively. MiR-128-2 was also an independent factor of overall survival (p = 0.001, HR 2.793, 95%CI 1.550, 5.033). Serum levels of the ubiquitously expressed miR-128-2 showed no significant correlation with parameters of liver damage or liver function. In addition, expressions of miR-128-2 in HCC tissues were up-regulated in comparison with adjacent non-tumor tissues. In conclusion, serum level of miR-128-2 serves as a noninvasive biomarker for the overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.     

上皮性卵巢癌患者血清 microRNA-21 的水平及其临床意义研究

目的:检测上皮性卵巢癌患者血清中microRNA-21的表达,并探讨其作为标记物预测上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者预后的可行性。方法:采用探针型实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应检测和比较20例上皮性卵巢癌患者和10例正常人卵巢血清标本中microRNA-21的表达,并分析血清microRNA-21水平与上皮性卵巢癌患者化疗耐药及其临床病理特征的相关性。结果:正常人、上皮性卵巢癌化疗敏感和化疗耐药患者血清中micro RNA-21的相对表达量分别为0.573±0.318、2.606±1.057、26.766±26.710,上皮性卵巢癌化疗敏感和化疗耐药患者血清中miR-21的相对表达量均显著高于正常人血清中miR-21的相对表达量(P<0.05),而上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者血清中miR-21表达显著高于上皮性卵巢癌化疗敏感患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者血清miR-21表达水平与其手术-病理分期无及是否发生淋巴结转移均无明显相关性(P>0.05)。结论:上皮性卵巢癌患者血清microRNA-21水平显著升高,可能作为其化疗耐药的预测参考指标,但血清microRNA-21水平与上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者的不良预后并无显著相关性。     

Serum CXCL9 Levels Are Associated with Tumor Progression and Treatment Outcome in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objectives

The aim of this cohort study was to examine the role of the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials & Methods

Sera from 205 NPC patients and 231 healthy individuals, and 86 NPC tumor samples were enrolled. CXCL9 expression in tissue samples was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. CXCL9 serum concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

CXCL9 expression was significantly higher in tumors than in normal epithelium. CXCL9 serum concentrations were also significantly higher in NPC patients compared to those in healthy individuals (516.8±617.6 vs. 170.7±375.0 pg/mL, P<0.0001). Serum CXCL9 levels were significantly higher in NPC patients with higher tumor stages, nodal stages, and overall stages (P<0.001, P = 0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). We found a statistically significant correlation between the concentrations of CXCL9 and EBV DNA load in the NPC patients (Spearman’s correlation analysis; r = 0.473, P<0.001; 95% confidence interval, 0.346–0.582). Moreover, NPC patients with higher CXCL9 levels (>290 pg/mL, median) before treatment had worse prognoses for overall survival and disease-free survival (P = 0.045 and P = 0.008, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analyses also indicated that higher CXCL9 serum levels were an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.015).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that CXCL9 is associated with tumor burden and aggressiveness of NPC tumors and the serum level of this ligand may be useful as a prognostic indicator.     

Characteristics of Helianthus annuus Plant Cell Culture as a Producer of Immunologically Active Exopolysaccharides

The aim of this work was to determine relationships between the growth and biosynthesis of exopolysaccharides by sunflower (Helianthus annuus 1805) plant cell culture and the uptake of the main compounds from the nutrient medium through the study of their time courses. It was established that plant cell culture biosynthesized 12.8 g/L biomass and 4.3 g/L exopolysaccharides. The calculated maximum specific growth rate and doubling time were μ_max = 0.21 d^–1 and t_d = 3.31 d, respectively. The productivity of exopolysaccharides in the plant in vitro system was found to be 0.43 g/(L × d). Data regarding the physiology of Helianthus annuus 1805 plant cell culture are presented. On the basis of the achieved results it can be concluded that the plant cell suspension of Helianthus annuus 1805 is a good producer of exopolysaccharides which exhibit immunostimulating activity.     

MicroRNA-141 在上皮性卵巢癌患者组织和血清中的表达 及临床意义的探讨

目的:探讨微小RNA-141(miR-141)在卵巢癌患者组织和血清中的表达情况并初步探讨其作为肿瘤标记物早期诊断上皮性卵巢癌的可行性。方法:采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(real-time RT-PCR)检测16例上皮性卵巢癌患者和4例正常人卵巢组织及血清标本中miR-141的表达;检测4例良性卵巢肿瘤血清中miR-141的表达。结果:miR-141在卵巢癌患者组织中相对表达量分别为(72.846±76.671)显著高于正常人(2.869±3.201)(P<0.05);miR-141在卵巢癌患者血清中相对表达量(31.581±52.885)显著高于良性卵巢肿瘤患者(0.668±1.196)和正常人(1.690±1.697)(P<0.05),后两组间表达无差异(P>0.05);miR-141表达随卵巢癌临床分期的进展呈上升趋势(P<0.01),在无淋巴结转移组明显高于有淋巴结转移组(P<0.05),与组织分级和CA125的升高无关(P>0.05)。在组织中miR-141表达水平与上皮性卵巢癌临床病理特征均未见明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:miR-141可能在上皮性卵巢癌的发生发展中发挥癌基因的作用;miR-141用于检测上皮性卵巢癌敏感性和特异度较高,有望成为上皮性卵巢癌早期诊断的新指标。     

MicroRNA-141在上皮性卵巢癌患者组织和血清中的表达及临床意义的探讨

目的：探讨微小RNA-141（miR-141）在卵巢癌患者组织和血清中的表达情况并初步探讨其作为肿瘤标记物早期诊断上皮性卵巢癌的可行性。方法：采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（real-timeRT—PCR）检测16例上皮性卵巢癌患者和4例正常人卵巢组织及血清标本中miR-141的表达;检测4例良性卵巢肿瘤血清中miR-141的表达。结果：miR-141在卵巢癌患者组织中相对表达量分别为（72．846±76．671）显著高于正常人（2．869±3．201）（P〈0．05）;miR-141在卵巢癌患者血清中相对表达量（31．581±52．885）显著高于良性卵巢肿瘤患者（0．668±1．196）和正常人（1．690±1．697）（P〈0．05）,后两组间表达无差异（P〉0．05）;miR-141表达随卵巢癌临床分期的进展呈上升趋势（P〈0．01）,在无淋巴结转移组明显高于有淋巴结转移组（P〈0．05）,与组织分级和CA125的升高无关（P〉0．05）。在组织中miR-141表达水平与上皮性卵巢癌临床病理特征均未见明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论：miR-141可能在上皮性卵巢癌的发生发展中发挥癌基因的作用;miR-141用于检测上皮性卵巢癌敏感性和特异度较高,有望成为上皮性卵巢癌早期诊断的新指标。     

Interpretation of Serum Calcium in Patients with Abnormal Serum Proteins

Two hundred consecutive specimens received in this laboratory for “liver function tests” showed a wide range of abnormal protein concentrations. Calcium concentration correlated closely with albumin (r = 0·867) but less closely with total protein (r = 0·682). A simple formula for adjusting calcium concentration was derived from the regression equation of calcium on albumin. Adjusted calcium = calcium - albumin + 4·0, where calcium is in mg/100 ml and albumin in g/100 ml.Low calcium concentrations were found in 49 (24·5%) and raised concentrations in six (3%) of the 200 blood specimens taken for liver function tests. After adjustment, the 95% limits of the observed range were identical with the 95% limits of the normal range determined in this laboratory. Unlike adjustments based on total protein or specific gravity, the adjustment on albumin in 39 specimens which showed hypergammaglobulinaemia on electrophoresis gave normal calcium concentrations.     

金银花活性成分、药理作用及其应用

本文综述了中药金银花的活性成分、药理作用的研究进展及开发利用概况.说明金银花在医药、食品、轻化产品等方面具有广泛的用途.     

榕树须活性部位的成分研究

采用硅胶柱层析色谱和重结晶方法对榕树须95%乙醇提取物进行分离,得到8化合物,通过理化性质和波谱技术分别鉴定为:α-香树脂醇乙酸酯(1),羽扇豆醇乙酸酯(2),木栓酮(3),木栓醇(4),正三十五烷醇(5),白桦酯酸(6),β-谷甾醇(7)和豆甾-4-烯-6β-羟基-3-酮(8)。除化合物6外,其余化合物均为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

干扰素与中药联合应用治疗慢性乙型活动型肝炎的临床研究

本文报道181例CAH患者,分组采用干扰素(IFN)与中药联合、单一IFN、清热解毒中药及中西药综合四种方法进行治疗。治疗后肝功能复常率分别为78.5％、73.6％、54.5％、40.4％;HBeAg阴转率分别为66.6％、73.3％、15.4％、21.8％。结果表明,联合治疗组及单一IFN冶疗组的疗效较佳,其中联合治疗组比清热解毒中药组和中西药综合治疗组的疗效显著,p值分别<0.05和<0.01;IFN组仅比中西药综合治疗组疗效佳,p<0.05。结果提示联合治疗组的疗效优于中药治疗组,也优于单一的IFN治疗组。     

原发性口腔鳞癌组织及血清中内皮抑素表达的意义

目的:探讨原发性口腔鳞癌患者组织和血清中内皮抑素表达及与肿瘤分期、分级的关系。方法:采用免疫组化方法检测36例口腔鳞癌和12例正常口腔粘膜组织中内皮抑素表达情况。ELISA法检测36例口腔鳞癌患者术前血清内皮抑素水平,14例健康者血清做对照。结果:内皮抑素主要见于肿瘤组织细胞质。正常口腔粘膜中内皮抑素表达率为7.15%,口腔鳞癌组织中内皮抑素阳性率为76.44%,其中G1、G2、G3级阳性率分别为47.21%、79.17%、90.90%,病理分级间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。口腔鳞癌患者血清中内皮抑素水平(49.62±1.72)ng/mL显著高于健康对照者(5.60±0.37)ng/mL(P<0.05),TNM分期III、IV期肿瘤患者血清内皮抑素水平显著高于I和II期(P<0.05)。结论:口腔鳞癌患者组织和血清中内皮抑素表达显著升高,并与肿瘤分期、分级相关,检测内皮抑素表达有助于判断口腔鳞癌恶性程度。     

Carcinoembryonic Antigen in the Urine of Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma

Increased amounts of carcinoembryonic antigen (C.E.A.) or C.E.A.-like material are found in the urine of many patients with transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder, including those presumed to be at an early stage of development. It is suggested that measurement of urinary C.E.A. is of clinical diagnostic value in the detection and follow-up of urothelial carcinomas.     

原发性口腔鳞癌组织及血清中内皮抑素表达的意义

目的：探讨原发性口腔鳞癌患者组织和血清中内皮抑素表达及与肿瘤分期、分级的关系。方法：采用免疫组化方法检测36例口腔鳞癌和12例正常口腔粘膜组织中内皮抑素表达情况。ELISA法检测36例口腔鳞癌患者术前血清内皮抑素水平,14例健康者血清做对照。结果：内皮抑素主要见于肿瘤组织细胞质。正常口腔粘膜中内皮抑素表达率为7.15%,口腔鳞癌组织中内皮抑素阳性率为76.44%,其中G1、G2、G3级阳性率分别为47.21%、79.17%、90.90%,病理分级间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。口腔鳞癌患者血清中内皮抑素水平（49.62±1.72）ng/mL显著高于健康对照者（5.60±0.37）ng/mL（P〈0.05）,TNM分期III、IV期肿瘤患者血清内皮抑素水平显著高于I和II期（P〈0.05）。结论：口腔鳞癌患者组织和血清中内皮抑素表达显著升高,并与肿瘤分期、分级相关,检测内皮抑素表达有助于判断口腔鳞癌恶性程度。