Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) Predict Clinical Outcome in Patients with Stage IIB Cervical Cancer.

Introduction: Stage IIB cervical cancer (CC) is an advanced stage CC with poor prognosis. Inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the development of CC, and systemic inflammatory indexes were related to the prognosis in several cancers. The objective of the study was to determine the prognostic value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), basophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (BLR), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) as inflammatory indexes in patients with stage IIB CC.

Effect of Bugu granules in a drug-containing serum on chondrocyte apoptosis and the Trx2 signaling pathway.

Traditional Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney and promoting blood circulation is commonly prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis associated with kidney deficiency and blood stasis. However, the specific mechanisms of these medicines are still unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Bugu granules against sodium nitroprusside-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

An updated meta-analysis evaluating limb management after total knee arthroplasty-what is the optimal method?

Purpose: Postoperative knee flexion protocol has been widely recognized as a highly attractive, simple, and cost-effective tactic to improve patient's outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, optimal knee position and duration of knee flexion are still controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of different postoperative knee flexion protocols, as an aid to find out optimal limb management strategy following TKA.

Two new coumarins from the seeds of Solanum indicum.

Two new coumarins, (E)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-5-methoxy-2H-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-h]chromene-3,9-dione (indicumin E, 1) and 7-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-coumarin (2), together with two known coumarins isofraxidin (3) and fraxetin (4), were isolated from the Solanum indicum seeds. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was the rarest coumarinolignoid known to date.

Correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms in CYP4F2 and warfarin dosing in Chinese valve replacement patients.

Background: Individuals with implanted mechanical valve prostheses require lifelong anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. The narrow therapeutic index of warfarin makes it difficult to dose and maintain proper anticoagulation. A number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting vitamin K or warfarin metabolism have been shown to affect warfarin dosing.

Four new coumarinolignoids from seeds of Solanum indicum.

Activity-guided fractionation of seeds of Solanum indicum for anti-HBV activity led to the isolation of two novel coumarinolignoid alkaloids (indicumines A-B, 1-2) and two new coumarinolignoids (indicumines C-D, 3-4), together with four known coumarins (5-8). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data. The two novel coumarinolignoid alkaloids shows anti-HBV activities through specifically inhibiting the secretion of HBsAg in HepG2.

[Effect of cisplatin on apoptosis of spiral ganglion cell and expression of caspase-3 in mouse cochlea].

Objective: To establish a mice model of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, and to investigate the effect of cisplatin on apoptosis of spiral ganglion cell and expression of caspase-3 in mouse cochlea.

Methods: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling method (TUNEL) was used to monitor the apoptosis of spiral ganglion cell. Envision method of immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of caspase-3 in cochlea.

The cathepsin B death pathway contributes to TNF plus IFN-gamma-mediated human endothelial injury.

Vascular endothelial cells are primary targets of cytokine-induced cell death leading to tissue injury. We previously reported that TNF in combination with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, activates caspase-independent cell death initiated by cathepsin B (Cat B) in HUVEC. We report that TNF in the presence of IFN-gamma activates Cat B as well as a caspase death pathway in both HUVEC and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, but only activates caspase-mediated death in HeLa cells and human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells.

TRAIL induces apoptosis and inflammatory gene expression in human endothelial cells.

Human TRAIL can efficiently kill tumor cells in vitro and kill human tumor xenografts in mice with little effect on normal mouse cells or tissues. The effects of TRAIL on normal human tissues have not been described. In this study, we report that endothelial cells (EC), isolated from human umbilical veins or human dermal microvessels, express death domain-containing TRAIL-R1 and -R2.

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase sensitizes vascular endothelial cells to cytokine-initiated cathepsin-dependent apoptosis.

In the presence of cycloheximide, tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-1 initiates caspase activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi), DNA degradation, and nuclear condensation and fragmentation characteristic of apoptotic cell death in human vascular endothelial cells (EC). Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) by LY294002, but not inhibition of Akt by dominant-negative mutation, also sensitizes EC to cytokine-initiated apoptosis. Cytokine-initiated caspase activation is slower and comparatively less with LY294002 than with cycloheximide.

Interferon-gamma augments CD95(APO-1/Fas) and pro-caspase-8 expression and sensitizes human vascular endothelial cells to CD95-mediated apoptosis.

We have examined the effects of interferon (IFN)-gamma on expression and function of CD95 (APO-1/Fas) and associated proteins in cultured human umbilical vein and dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HUVEC and HDMEC, respectively). Unstimulated cells express only low levels of CD95; IFN-gamma produces a time- and concentration-dependent increase of CD95 in both cell types at the mRNA and cell surface protein levels. IFN-gamma also produces an increase in expression of pro-caspase-8 (FLICE/MACH) but does not significantly change expression of either Fas-associated death domain (FADD) protein or cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (cFLIP), other proteins associated with the CD95 death-inducing signaling complex (DISC).

Immune privilege and FasL: two ways to inactivate effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes by FasL-expressing cells.

The theory that Fas ligand (FasL)-expressing tumours are immune-privileged and can directly counterattack Fas-expressing effector T lymphocytes has recently been questioned and several alternative mechanisms have been proposed. To address this controversial issue, we analysed the impact of FasL-expressing tumours on in vivo-primed cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and the mechanisms involved. CTLs were obtained from the peritoneal cavity (PEL) after in vivo priming with syngeneic or allogeneic murine tumour cells.