This study is to investigate the effect of compound B2 on the damage of PC12 cells induced by serum deprivation and to explore its related mechanisms. The binding characteristics of B2 to rat striatum adenosine A2A receptor was studied by radioligand 3H-MSX-2 binding assay. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. ROS formation was measured after DCFDA fluorescent staining. B2 has affinity to rat adenosine A2A receptor (K1 = 0.37 micromol x L(-1)). B2 remarkably increased PC12 cell survival rate in serum deprivation-induced PC12 cells. The percentage of serum deprivation-induced death of PC12 was 49.6%, and the treatment of B2 (0.1-100 micromol x L(-1)) increased the cell viability to 63.3%, 74.9%, 86.3% and 88.1%, respectively. Adenosine A2A receptor antagonist SCH 58261 could significantly block the protective effect of B2. The cell viability with 0.1 micromol x L(-1) SCH 58261 decreased by 16.1%, 24.0% and 19.8%, in the presence of B2 (0.1-10 micromol x L(-1)). Serum deprivation-induced ROS formation was 3.5 times more than that of control group, and treatment with B2 significantly and dose-dependently inhibited ROS over-formation. The protective effect of B2 may be related with adenosine A2A receptor. Decrease of serum-deprivation induced ROS formation may also be one of the mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) and to determine the relationship between BTG1 expression and clinicopathological features, biological behaviors in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHOD: Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to analyze BTG1 protein expression in 70 cases of laryngeal cancer and 35 cases of adjacent corresponding laryngeal mucosal tissues to illuminate the relationship between BTG1 expression and clinical factors. RESULT: The positive rate of BTG1 protein expression was 31.43% in laryngeal carcinoma tissues, significantly lower than 91.43% in the adjacent laryngeal tissues (P < 0.05). Western blot showed the relative expression of BTG1 protein between cancer lesion and adjacent tissue were 0.217 ± 0.032 and 0.918 ± 0.081, showing the difference with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The expression of protein was significantly correlated with the tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but not with sex, age and tumor location (P > 0.05) of patients with laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSION The expression of BTG1 protein was decreased in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting that BTG1 gene may be closely associated with the carcinogenesis and the degree of malignancy. Detection of BTG1 expression may be useful in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laryngeal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Objective To investigate the correlation between cornexin37 (Cx37) CI019T polymorphism and ischemic stroke and its outcome.Methods Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect the distribution of Cx37 C1019T polymorphism in a ischemic stroke group and a control group.The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the neurological outcome at 3 months after onset.Results A total of 235 patients in the control group,and 232 patients in the ischemic stroke goup were recruited.In the ischemic stroke group,210 had a good outcome (mRS ＜3) and 22 had a poor outcome (mRS≥ 3).The TT genotype (12.93％ vs.6.39％ ; x2 =10.087,P =0.006) and T allele (31.25％ vs.21.49％ ; x2 =11.466,P=0.001) frequency in the ischemic stroke group were significantly higher than those in the control group.Multivariatelogistic regression analysis showed that TT genotype (odds ratio [OR] 5.794; 95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.405-23.894; P =0.015) and T allele (OR 131.016,95％ CI 6.943 -2 472.477; P =0.001)signifkantly increased the risk of ischemic stroke.Univariate analysis showed that TT genotype (OR 0.650,95％ CI 0.144 - 2,934; P =0.575),CT genotype (OR 0.622,95％ CI 0.234 - 1.655; P =0.342),and CC genotype (OR 0.654,95％ CI 0.268 - 1.595; P =0.350) had no significant correlation with the outcome of ischemic stroke.Conclusions Cx37 1019TT genotype and T allele may increase the risk of ischemic stroke.T allele is one of genetic susceptibility factors for ischemic stroke; however,its gene polymorphism is not associated with the outcome of ischemic stroke at 3 months after onset.

Objective To investigate the association of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and methylglyoxal (MG) levels with cognitive function in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods The normal population and elderly patients with T2DM were frequency-matched by age, sex, and educational level. BDNF was detected by ELISA assay, MG by HPLC assay, and cognitive function by sets of repetitive mental state examination (RBANS) in the two groups. Results (1) Compared with control group, serum BDNF level in T2DM group was significantly decreased [ (4.97±3.05 vs 11.77±7.92)ng /ml, P<0.01]while serum MG level was elevated [(67.91 vs 43.86) nmol /L, P<0.05]. The increasing of serum MG was related to the decreasing of serum BDNF. (2) Compared with control group, the scores for standardized tests of cognitive scale, visual breadth, immediate memory, delayed memory, and attention areas in T2DM group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). After the influencing factors were adjusted by multiple regression, the associations of serum BDNF level with cognitive scale standardized score, the delay associated with memory and attention functions were still evident, and serum MG level in T2DM group was still related with the levels of delayed memory, immediate memory, total scale standardization (all P<0.05). (3) Serum BDNF level was negatively correlated with serum MG level (P=0.031). Conclusions Cognitive function of elderly patients with T2DM is related with serum MG and BDNF levels. The increased serum MG as well as the decreasd serum BDNF levels maybe involved in the pathogenesis of impaired cognitive function.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the red alga Acanthophora spicifera boergesen aiming at searching for bioactive leading compounds.

METHODCompounds were isolated by various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over normal phase silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel and reverse phase HPLC as well as recrystallization. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. MTT method was used for testing cytotoxicity of compounds against human cancer cell lines HCT-8, Bel-7402, BGC-823, A549 and HELA. Their inhibition against proliferation of dog vascular smooth muscle cells was also screened by MTT assay.

RESULTSix sterols were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the red alga Acanthophora spicifera. Their structures were identified as 6-hydroxycholest-4-ene-3-one (1), cholest-4-ene-3, 6-dione (2), cholest-5-ene-3 beta-ol (3), 5 alpha-cholestane-3, 6-dione (4), beta-sitosterol (5) and saringosterol (6).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-3 and 5 were obtained from this genus for the first time. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Methanol ; chemistry ; Rhodophyta ; chemistry ; Sterols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo summarize the results of endoscopic screening of esophageal, gastric cardiac and gastric cancers in the high-risk population, and analyze the influencing factors such as age, gender and biopsy rate on their detection and early diagnosis rates.

METHODSNine high incidence cities and counties of esophageal cancer in Henan province were included in this study. People aged 40-69 years were set to the target population. Excluding contraindications for gastroscopy, in accordance with the national technical scheme of early cancer diagnosis and treatment, gastroscopic screening and biopsy pathology for human esophageal, cardiac and gastric cancers were carried out.

RESULTSDuring the 3-year period, a total of 40 156 subjects were screened. Among them, 18 459 cases of various precancerous lesions (46.0%) were detected. The cancer detection rate was 2.3% (916 cases), including 763 cases of early cancers. The diagnosis rate of early cancers was 83.3%. Precancerous lesions were detected in 9297 cases (23.2%) for esophagus and 9162 cases (22.8%) for gastric cardia as well as stomach, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study demonstrate that endoscopic screening is feasible for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of esophageal, gastric cardia and gastric cancers among high risk population in high incidence area. Exploration analysis of relevant affecting factors may help to further improve the screening project for early diagnosis and treatment of those cancers.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Cardia ; China ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis

Objective　To investigate whether methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism is linked with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods　 Transmission/disequilibrium test(TDT), sib transmission/disequilibrium test(STDT), and sibship disequilibrium test(SDT) were used. Forty-five CHD pedigrees with at least one CHD patient in the first degree relatives of probands were recruited from Oct. 1998 to Feb. 1999. Among those recruited were 21, 2 and 22 pedigrees with the genotypes of both parents known, one parental genotype unknown and both unknown, respectively. MTHFR genotype was measured by PCR-RFLP technique. Results　 Neither the TDT for 23 nuclear families with at least one parental genotype known or the STDT and SDT for 40 sibships found significant difference between the transmitted and untransmitted MTHFR gene 677T allele distributions. Conclusion　 The above results suggest that MTHFR gene 677T allele is probably not linked with CHD in Chinese population.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of parthenolide (PTL) on human leukemia K562 cells and its leukemia stem cells (LSC).

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the proliferating activity of K562 cells, and the cellular apoptosis was assayed with Annexin V/PI double staining. Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to determine the relative proportion of LSC in K562 cells. The self-renewal and proliferating potential were examined with methylcellulose colony-forming units (CFU) assay.

RESULTBy use of MTT assay, we found PTL had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of K562 cells, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were 17.1, 8.67, 9.42 micromol x L(-1) for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. After administration with 5 micromol x L(-1) and 10 micromol x L(-1) PTL, the apoptotic rate of K562 cells was (49.56 +/- 5.11)% and (71.88 +/- 2.12)%, and (52.63 +/- 4.14)% and (57.50 +/- 4.47)% in LCS-like (CD34 + CD38-) cells in K562 cell population, respectively. A slightly increase of relative content of LSC in K562 cells was observed. There was an 15-fold increase in the higher concentration of the PTL-treated cells. The methylcellulose colony-forming units assay showed a 24.1% to 89.2% decrease in the CFU of K562 cells administrated with 0.5 micromol x L(-1) to 4.0 micromol x L(-1) PTL, and the CFU of the surviving cells increased by 5.0% to 50.0% on condition that K562 cells were pre-treated with 5 micromol x L(-1) to 15 micromol x L(-1) PTL for 48 h.

CONCLUSIONPTL eminently inhibits proliferation of K562 cells and LSC in K562 cells, and induces the cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology

Objective:To study the compliance of endoscopic screening for high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal cancer and relevant factors in urban areas of Henan Province, 2013-2017.Methods:The study participants were from the Cancer Screening Program in Urban Henan Province, China. From October 2013 to October 2017, 43 423 residents, who were evaluated as high-risk population for upper gastrointestinal cancer, were recruited from Zhengzhou, Zhumadian and Anyang. The cancer risk assessment questionnaire was used to collect basic demographic characteristics, dietary habits, living environment and habits, psychology and emotions, disease history and family history of cancer, and women's physiological and reproductive history. The data of endoscopic screening was obtained from hospitals participating in the Cancer Screening Program. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to explore potential factors related to the compliance of endoscopic screening.Results:The age of study participants was(55.49±8.15) years old, and 44.00% (19 105) were male. About 18.41% of study subjects (7 996) took the endoscopic screening. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that females, individuals aged 45-64 years old, with junior high school education or above, unmarried/divorced/widowed, previous smoking, alcohol drinking, infrequent physical exercise, history of reflux esophagitis, history of superficial gastritis, history of gastric ulcer, history of duodenal ulcer, history of gastric polyps and family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer were more likely to accept endoscopic screening.Conclusion:The overall participation rate of endoscopic screening among high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal cancer was still low in urban areas of Henan Province. Gender, age, education, marital status, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, history of upper gastrointestinal disease and family history of upper gastroin testinal cancer were associated with the compliance of endoscopic screening.

Objective:To study the compliance of endoscopic screening for high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal cancer and relevant factors in urban areas of Henan Province, 2013-2017.Methods:The study participants were from the Cancer Screening Program in Urban Henan Province, China. From October 2013 to October 2017, 43 423 residents, who were evaluated as high-risk population for upper gastrointestinal cancer, were recruited from Zhengzhou, Zhumadian and Anyang. The cancer risk assessment questionnaire was used to collect basic demographic characteristics, dietary habits, living environment and habits, psychology and emotions, disease history and family history of cancer, and women's physiological and reproductive history. The data of endoscopic screening was obtained from hospitals participating in the Cancer Screening Program. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to explore potential factors related to the compliance of endoscopic screening.Results:The age of study participants was(55.49±8.15) years old, and 44.00% (19 105) were male. About 18.41% of study subjects (7 996) took the endoscopic screening. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that females, individuals aged 45-64 years old, with junior high school education or above, unmarried/divorced/widowed, previous smoking, alcohol drinking, infrequent physical exercise, history of reflux esophagitis, history of superficial gastritis, history of gastric ulcer, history of duodenal ulcer, history of gastric polyps and family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer were more likely to accept endoscopic screening.Conclusion:The overall participation rate of endoscopic screening among high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal cancer was still low in urban areas of Henan Province. Gender, age, education, marital status, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, history of upper gastrointestinal disease and family history of upper gastroin testinal cancer were associated with the compliance of endoscopic screening.