BackgroundChromobox 7 (CBX7) is a Polycomb family protein that extends the lifespan of normal human cells via downregulating the expression of INK4a/ARF tumor suppressor locus. It was found that CBX7 expression was upregulated in lymphoma, but downregulated in some other human malignancies. The role of CBX7 in most types of cancer is still not clear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of CBX7 in gastric cancer.MethodsThe expression of CBX7 and its potential target protein p16(INK4a) in gastric cancer cell lines and gastric tumors was assayed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry(IHC). The correlations between CBX7 expression and p16(INK4a), clinicopathological characteristics, and prognosis were analyzed. Gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was transfected with CBX7 siRNA expressing plasmids, and the expression of various proteins was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Cellular senescence, anchorage independent growth, and cell migration assays were performed to determine the functional role of CBX7 in gastric cancer cells.ResultsCBX7 was found to be overexpressed in gastric cancer cell lines and gastric tumors. Overexpression of CBX7 in gastric cancer tissues correlated with patients' age, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis. Knockdown of CBX7 expression in gastric cancer cells led to increased cellular senescence, decreased cellular proliferation and migration ability, accompanied by upregulation of p16(INK4a).ConclusionsCBX7 acts as an oncogene in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer, and it may regulate tumorigenesis, cell migration and cancer metastasis partially via p16(INK4a) regulatory pathway.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, which is the leading cause of cancer-related death among various cancers worldwide. Flavokawain A (FKA), a chalcone found in the kava plant, exerts potent anticancer activity. However, the activity and mechanisms of FKA in inhibiting the viability of paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant lung cancer A549 (A549/T) have not been investigated. In the present study, the effect of FKA on the viability of A549/T and hepatotoxicity in normal liver epithelial cells was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Flow cytometry, western blot analysis and Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit were used to assess cell apoptosis. The effect of FKA on permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression was measured by reverse transcription-PCR and western blot analysis. The results indicated that FKA dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in PTX-resistant A549/T cells, with an IC50 value of ~21 µM, while the IC50 value of A549/T cells to PTX was 34.64 µM. FKA had no hepatic toxicity in liver epithelial cells. P-gp, which contributes to the chemoresistant phenotype, was not expressed in A549 cells but was remarkably enhanced in A549/T cells. FKA (30 µM) decreased P-gp protein expression at 24 h by 3-fold. Furthermore, FKA downregulated P-gp expression by blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway. These findings suggest FKA as a potential candidate for the treatment of PTX-resistant lung cancer.

ObjectiveThe scientific antimicrobial management strategy (AMS) was used to standardise the clinical use of antibiotics and optimise the anti-infection treatment protocol.MethodsBy formulating antibiotic use indicators and policy interventions, carrying out prescription audits and drug analysis by pharmacists, and establishing an early warning mechanism for bacterial drug resistance, we formed a long-term and scientific antimicrobial management strategy.ResultsFrom 2012 to 2017, the clinical antibiotics use indicators appeared to trend downward. The rate of antibiotic use in outpatients, the rate of antibiotic use in hospitalised patients, and the antimicrobial use density decreased by 40.36%, 20.93%, and 10.71%, respectively, and the per capita drug cost of antibiotics in outpatients and inpatients decreased. The microbiological susceptibility test rate of antibiotics in hospitalised patients increased each year, and the resistance rate of the main detected bacteria did not significantly increase in the last 6 years. In the evaluation of rational drug use, the use of antibiotics has become more reasonable and standardised, and irrational drug use has been significantly reduced, but we still need to strengthen the optimisation of treatment prescription.ConclusionsScientific management can promote the rational use of antibiotics, reduce the expense of drug use and slow the development of drug resistance, but we need to further optimise the prescription of antibiotics to improve the level of drug treatment.

The activity of haemagglutinins in plasmodia of Physanrm polycephalum was measured under different culture conditions. The activity was markedly increased when the plasmodia were incubated in a non-nutrient salt medium. During starvation, significant amounts of haemagglutinins were found in the slime layer on the surface of the plasmodia. An increase in activity was not observed in the presence of actinomycin D or cycloheximide. Under starvation conditions, plasmodia are known to differentiate into either sclerotia (spherules) or fruiting bodies. Acceleration of haemagglutinin synthesis, however, was not always observed during spherulation and fruiting-body formation. Attempts to detect endogenous glycoconjugates that bind to the haemagglutinins were unsuccessful but we found that the haemagglutinins could bind to acidic polysaccharides produced by Escherichia coli K12. The bacterial glycoconjugates were purified and partially characterized. They contained N-acetylhexosamine residues which appeared to be important for binding with the haemagglutinins. It is possible that the haemagglutinins play a physiological role in the interaction with these organisms.

Background Drug-related problems (DRPs) are common in hospitalized patients using Key Monitoring Drugs. Clinical pharmacy services could minimize drug-related harm and improve patient care.Objective The aim of this study was to standardize the clinical application of Key Monitoring Drugs, reduce the Drug-related problems (DRPs) and drug costs by clinical pharmacist interventions.Methods Clinical pharmacist formulate management measures for Key Monitoring Drugs using evidence-based medicine and analyze the DRPs of Key Monitoring Drugs over a period of 5 years from 2015 to 2019. The drug cost and DRPs of Key Monitoring Drugs within five years after interventions by clinical pharmacist.Results In 2019, the total cost of the use of Key Monitoring Drugs decreased by 10.12 million CNY, in comparison to that in 2015. The proportion of revenue from Key Monitoring Drugs decreased by 11.49% from 2015 to 2019. The per capita drug cost of Key Monitoring Drugs gradually decreased, this resulted in a saving of 580.07 CNY from 2015 to 2019. The DRPs of Key Monitoring Drugs decreased by 45.50% from 2015 to 2019. Through administrative intervention, prescription review, information management, and pharmaco-economicevaluation, a scientific management system of Key Monitoring Drugs has been established, which can standardize the use of Key Monitoring Drugs and reduce their cost. Conclusion Clinical pharmacists’ interventions assisted in early detection Drug-related problems of Key Monitoring Drugs and prevention of the consequent patient harms.