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Background and objective The absence of α-gal in humans is caused by the inactivity of α-1,3GT gene. However, humans have pre-existing and abundant anti-gal antibodies. Xenotransplantation procedures have indicated the high potential of introducing α-1,3GT gene to synthesize α-gal for cancer gene therapy by mimicking hyper-acute rejection. The aim of this study is to construct a lung cancer A549 cell line that expressed α-gal, and to observe the antitumor mechanisms mediated by human serum. Methods A549 cells were transfected with pEGFP-N1-GT plasmids constructed in a previous study. A stable transgenic cell line, A549-GT, was then selected and cultivated. The biological characteristics of A549-GT cells, including morphology and proliferation, were examined. α-1,3GT mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. Direct immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to analyze the synthesis of α-gal in A549-GT. The binding of human serum IgM and C3 with A549-GT were also detected. Results α-1,3GT mRNA was expressed in A549-GT. Direct immunofluorescence staining and FCM indicated a high and stable α-gal expression rate in A549-GT. Compared with parental A549 cells, the biological characteristics of A549-GT were unaltered. α-Gal expression was not detected in the human fetal lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5 even though A549-GT and its culture medium were cultivated with the enzyme. Immunofluorescence staining and FCM also indicated abundant binding between A549-GT treated with human serum and IgM/C3. Conclusion α-Gal expression in tumor cells by gene transduction can induce complement-dependent cytototic antitumor effects.

Objective To improve our knowledge of primary benign tracheobronchial tumors and increase the early diagnosis rate. Method The clinical and imaging features of 22 patients with benign tracheobronchial tumors were retrospectively analyzed. The lesions were surgically or pathologically confirmed as schwannomas(n=2),lipomas(n=3),hamartomas(n=3),leiomyomas(n=9),inflammatory myofibroblastoma(n=1),and pleomorphic adenomas(n=2).The early symptoms were concealed and atypical,accompanied by misdiagnoses at different time points.The tumors were located at trachea in 5 patients and at bronchus in 17 patients.All lesions manifested as intraluminal growth with mild to moderate enhancement,without thickening of the tracheobronchial wall.They had smooth margins and wide basements.The lesions were cast-shaped and occluded the lumen in 3 cases;in the remaining 19 cases,the lesions appeared as round or oval nodules. Conclusions Primary benign tracheobronchial tumors are rare.Patients with repeated cough and expectoration that respond poorly to treatment should be screened for benign tracheobronchial tumors.On CT,the benign tracheobronchial tumors are small intraluminal nodules with the smooth surface and wide basement,without thickening of the wall.

This paper reviewed the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the Yangtze River Basin in three stages, centered on the measures and achievements. It pointed out the key work of prevention and control which are infectious source control and effective surveillance at present stage. It will be beneficial to schistosomiasis control in China.