Objective To investigate the impacts of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and on operation procedure and the significance of prognosis. Methods The expression of IGF-1R in 40 patients with breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was measured by immunohistochemistry. The diagnosis was proved by core biopsy. All the patients took the TAC chemotherapy regimen. Modified radical operation was performed after two chemotherapy cycles and the IGF-1R expression was measured again. The clinical effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed according to WHO criterion by measuring the size of tumor by physical examination and B type ultrasound. Results After neoadjuvant chemotherapy the tumor size shrank in 29 patients, there was no CR (complete response) or PD (progressed disease) to be documented. IGF-1R expression could be downregulated in 25 patients. Conclusion Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can inhibit the tumor growth by downregulation of the expression of IGF-1R.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect ofγ-ray irradiation on echinococcus protoscoleces before abdominal cavity implantation in mice. MethodsEchinococcus protoscoleces were cultured in vitro, and then divided into 5 groups, four groups receivedγ-ray irradiation with 10 Gy, 20 Gy, 40 Gy, and 80 Gy, respectively. The remaining control group was not irradiated. The protoscoleces were then implanted into the abdominal cavity of mice. Four months later, the incidence of echinococcosis was measured by detection of echinococcus antibody in the blood and then abdominal laparotomy was performed to isolate intraabdominal cysts, and the weight and structure of the echinococcus generated from the protoscoleces were measured and observed. ResultsAfter implantation of irradiated echinococcus protoscoleces in mice, the incidence of echinococcosis was 100% in the control group, 80.0% in the 10 Gy group, 33.3% in the 20 Gy group, 33.3% in the 40 Gy group, and 26.7% in the 80 Gy group. The echinococci had lower weight in the irradiated groups with 10 Gy (35.80 mg), with 20 Gy (0.00 mg), with 40 Gy (0.00 mg), and with 80 Gy (0.00 mg) as compared with the control group (157.80 mg). The echinococcus generated from the protoscoleces appeared calcification. Conclusionsγ-ray irradiation could inhibit the formation of echinococcus granulosus generated from protoscoleces, damage the structure of echinococcus generated from the protoscoleces. Irradiation might prevent echinococcosis recurrence after surgical removal of hydatid cysts.
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of the inhibition of antigen-presentation attenuators (iAPA)-based dendritic cells (DC) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)-iAPA-DC/CTL on SMMC-7721 xenograft in nude mice. MethodsUsing the human hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 on nude mice to establish a transplanted tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Twelve nude mice were divided into two groups randomly: normal saline control group (control group) and iAPA-DC/CTL group (n=6, each).After four times treatment with iAPA-DC/CTL (once a week), all mice were sacrificed.Tumor growth was calculated by measuring the long/short diameters and the tumor growth curve was delineated.The tumors were weighed and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated.In addition, the histopathological examination was conducted. ResultsThe SMMC-7721 xenograft model was successfully established in 85.71% (12/14) of all mice.The tumor volume was (3 661.48±322.59) mm3 and (2 725.36±252.65) mm3 in control group and iAPA-DC/CTL group, respectively.The tumor growth was significantly inhibited in iAPA-DC/CTL group (t=5.62, P < 0.05).The tumor weight was (1.97±0.21) g and (1.38±0.14) g in control group and iAPA-DC/CTL group, respectively.The tumor weight in iAPA-DC/CTL group was significantly reduced (t=5.73, P < 0.05), and the tumor inhibition rate was 29.95%.After immunohistochemical staining T lymphocyte counts was 0 cell/HPF and (54.24±4.31) cells/HPF in control group and iAPA-DC/CTL group, respectively.The number of T lymphocytes in iAPA-DC/CTL group was significantly increased (t=25.02, P < 0.05). ConclusioniAPA-DC/CTL could effectively inhibit the growth of subcutaneously implanted HCC.
Cell migration is defined as the directional movement of cells toward a specific chemical concentration gradient, which plays a crucial role in embryo development, wound healing and tumor metastasis. However, current research methods showed low flux and are only suitable for single-factor assessment, and it was difficult to comprehensively consider the effects of other parameters such as different concentration gradients on cell migration behavior. In this paper, a four-channel microfluidic chip was designed. Its characteristics were as follows: it relied on laminar flow and diffusion mechanisms to establish and maintain a concentration gradient; it was suitable for observation of cell migration in different concentration gradient environment under a single microscope field; four cell isolation zones (20 μm width) were integrated into the microfluidic device to calibrate the initial cell position, which ensured the accuracy of the experimental results. In particular, we used COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate the structure of the chip, which demonstrated the necessity of designing S-shaped microchannel and horizontal pressure balance channel to maintain concentration gradient. Finally, neutrophils were incubated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs, 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 μmol·L−1), which were closely related to diabetes mellitus and its complications. The migration behavior of incubated neutrophils was studied in the 100 nmol·L−1 of chemokine (N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine) concentration gradient. The results prove the reliability and practicability of the microfluidic chip.