PNAS-4 is a novel pro-apoptosis gene identified latetly. In recent years, there has been a large number of research reports on the basic studies about PNAS-4 in cancer gene therapy and gene therapy of PNAS-4 alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy manifested a good application prospect, but its molecular mechanisms to promote apoptosis is not clear yet. In this paper, recent research about PNAS-4 in cancer gene therapy is briefly reviewed, and recent hypotheses on its molecular mechanisms to promote apoptosis are especially elucidated. Based on its newly identified characteristics of structural domain, we made a point that PNAS-4 might regulate functions of some target protein related to apoptosis by deSumoylation as a new deSumoylating isopeptidase, and consequently promote apoptosis.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation is one of the most popular therapeutic measures in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). However, technical challenges and ethical concern have hindered its clinical application. Paracrine factor, as a new safe and easy handing therapeutic measure, can work comparably effective as BMSC transplantation in SAP therapy, but bio-safe risks could be greatly reduced. In this paper, we reviewed the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of paracrine factors in the treatment of SAP. The injection of paracrine factors yielded from cultured cell suspension will be a new cell therapeutic measure for SAP.
ObjectiveTo study the short-term efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in treating patients with active and resistant rheumatoid arthritis (RRA). MethodForty patients with RRA treated with tocilizumab between October 2013 and October 2014 were included in our study. The combined drug treatment was continued with the addition of tocilizumab 8 mg/kg per four weeks. The clinical responses and laboratory parameters were evaluated at the baseline, week 1, 4, 12, 16 and 24, and week 4 and 8 of tocilizumab withdrawal. ResultsTocilizumab was effective for several clinical lesions and laboratorial parameters at all time points. With the extension of treatment, the effect was better. At week 1, the visual analogue scale score of pain by patients, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), disease activity score 28 (DAS28) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) results decreased significantly (P<0.05). At week 12, the inflammatory biomarkers of all patients were normal, and 62.9% (22/35) of the patients achieved American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20, and 28.6% (10/35) of the patients achieved ACR50. At week 24, twelve patients achieved ACR50 and low activity (DAS28 score≤3.2), and the score of HAQ was minimum (3.1±1.6). The score of HAQ was significantly different between week 24 and the baseline (20.2±6.7) (P<0.01). All parameters were not significantly changed at week 4 of tocilizumab withdrawal compared with those before the withdrawal. Most parameters increased significantly at week 8 of tocilizumab withdrawal compared with week 4 of withdrawal (P<0.01) except for swollen joints, CRP, DAS28 and HAQ. The main adverse reactions were abnormal hepatic function and dyslipidemia followed by leukopenia. Only one patient stopped treatment because of adverse reaction. ConclusionsTocilizumab has rapid efficacy onset and good safety. After tocilizumab withdrawal, the efficacy can be maintained for 4 to 8 weeks.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between some clinical laboratory tests, such as levels of fasting insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MethodsA total of 146 male patients were included in this study. All the subjects were from the clinic of West China Hospital and Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2012 to July 2013. Serum FINS, TG, TC and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were tested, respectively. Prostate volume (PV) was measured by ultrasound. ResultsFINS, PAS and annual prostate growth rate increased significantly in the large PV group compared with the small PV group (P<0.01). There was no significant association of PV with body mass index and other laboratory tests like serum TC and TG. PV and annual prostate growth rate increased significantly in the group of high FINS level compared with the group of low FINS level (P<0.01). PV was positively correlated with FINS (r=0.159, P<0.05); and annual prostate growth rate was positively correlated with FINS (r=0.201, P<0.05). ConclusionHyperinsulinism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of BPA.
ObjectiveTo discuss the influence of ultracision versus electrotome on the immune function and stress reaction in patients after rectal cancer Miles operation. MethodA retrospective analysis was performed on 82 rectal cancer patients who received Miles operation between February 2007 and August 2012. Among them, 45 accepted ultracision, and 37 received electrotome operation. We compared the two groups in terms of abdominal and perineum surgery time, blood loss volume, drainage volume within 72 hours after operation, and analyzed the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio by flow cytometry before and after operation. In addition, we tested the white blood cell count, percentage of granulocyte, C-reaction protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6 three days after operation. ResultsThere was no obvious difference in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio between the two groups. However, the incidence of blood loss volume, abdominal operation time, perineum operation time, drainage volume within 72 hours after operation, white blood cell count, percentage of granulocyte, CRP, IL-6 in the ultracision group was dramatically lower compared with the electrotome group (P<0.05). ConclusionsThere is no significant difference in the influence on the immune function between the two kinds of operation methods, but ultracision can achieve faster recovery and smaller stress reaction after operation. It is worthy of clinical popularization.