To observe the effects of sera containing Liuwei Dihuang Pill (LDP), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and its monomer catalpol on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway in HK-2 cells.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasonography(CDUS)and molybdenum mammography for breast tumor.Methods 86 breast diseases which were diagnosed by the surgery and pathology,were prospectively analysed,40 in mammary carcinoma,and 46 in mammary benign disease.All the patients were examined with CDUS,CDFI and molybdenum mammography.Diagnosis was made in every case compared using two methods(CDUS and molybdenum mammagraphy)with any using only one method.Results There is significant difference between mammary carcinoma and mammary benign disease in CDUS.The mammary carcinoma patients'blood stream signal is abundant. The diagnostic veracity of using both CDUS and molybdenum mammography for breast tumor is obvious higher than that of the any only one method.Conclusion Combined CDUS with molybdenum mammography which is the optimal methods of the mammary image examination,can improve the diagnostic veracity of breast tumor.

This study aims to investigate the effects of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting PML-RARa mRNA on the activity of the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4. The proliferation inhibition was evaluated by MTT assay and colony-formation inhibiting test. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry after siRNA treatment. The results showed that the cell growth of siRNA treated group was inhibited, and the apoptosis of NB4 could be induced. The siRNA targeting PML-RARα mRNA might be a valid therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

AIM: To investigate the effects of Hua Yu Dao Zhi decoction (HYDZD) on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by gentamicin in rats. METHODS: 32 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (n=6), gentamicin group (n=13) and HYDZD+gentamicin group (n=13). The renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in rats was induced by gentamicin for 9 d. All rats were sacrificed on 30 d after modeling and renal tissues were stained with HE. The renal indexes were calculated and the changes of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total urinary protein in 24 h, and the level of α-SMA, Smad2, Smad7 were detected. RESULTS: Compared to control group, it was observed that there was mainly necrosis and partly degeneration in the renal tubular epithelial cells, proliferation of fibroblasts and infiltration of the inflammatory cells in the interstitial substance in gentamicin group under the light microscope. The renal indexes, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total urinary protein in 24 h, and the level of α-SMA, Smad2 were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01) and the level of Smad7 was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.01). Under the light microscope, the results of all mentioned above in HYDZD+gentamicin group were improved significantly (P<0.01), the level of α-SMA, Smad2 were significantly lower than those in gentamicin group (P<0.01). However, no significant difference of Smad7 protein expression between gentamicin group and HYDZD+gentamicin group was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: HYDZD is very effective in preventing and treating renal interstitial fibrosis caused by gentamicin with the decreased level of Smad2.

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is a common disease in elderly people, threatening their health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment or integrative treatment had advantages in improving quality of life and protecting target organs, but need to be proved by large evidence-based researches. Objective: To observe the effects of TCM treatment (Jiangya Capsule) or integrative treatment (combination of Jiangya Capsule and nimodipine) on blood pressure and vasoactive agents, and their safety in elderly ISH patients. Design, setting, participants and interventions: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was adopted. A total of 270 elderly ISH patients recruited from Xiyuan Hospital, and TCM Hospital and Community Health Service Centers of Yanqing County of Beijing were randomly divided into 3 groups: TCM group (Jiangya Capsule plus nimodipine simulation, 90 cases), integrative group (Jiangya Capsule plus nimodipine, 90 cases) and Western medicine (WM) group (nimodipine plus Jiangya Capsule simulation, 90 cases). They were all treated for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures: Before and after 4-week treatment, office blood pressure, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, serum nitric oxide (NO), and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin 1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha) were detected, and safety evaluation was conducted. Results: After 4-week treatment, 5 patients in TCM group were lost to follow-up and another 5 patients were excluded, and 80 patients finished the trial; 7 patients in integrative group were lost to follow-up and another 7 patients were excluded, and 76 patients finished the trial; 2 patients in WM group were lost to follow-up and another 3 patients were excluded, and 85 patients finished the trial. After treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased in each group (P<0.05), and integrative treatment was superior to TCM or WM treatment in decreasing SBP (P<0.05). Twenty-four hour average SBP and day average SBP decreased significantly in each group, and night average SBP decreased in integrative group, and integrative treatment was superior to TCM or WM treatment in decreasing day average SBP. Serum NO and plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha levels were elevated and plasma ET-1 and TXB(2) levels were reduced after treatment, and integrative treatment was superior to TCM or WM treatment in reducing plasma TXB(2) level. Conclusion: TCM treatment or integrative treatment has affirmative effects and safety in treating elderly ISH patients, and integrative treatment has superiority in improving some indexes, and deserves further study.

Objective To establish a patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) model and to observe the latency and rate of tumor formation, tumor size, tumor invasion and metastasis of transplanted tumors. Methods Seven patients with chest tumor in Drum Tower Hospital from April to December 2015 were chosen. There were 5 males and 2 females with age ranging from 61-71 years, including 4 patients of esophageal tumor and 3 patients of lung tumor. PDTX model was established by surgical removal of fresh tumor tissues of these patients and transplantation in NODPrkdcem26Il2rgem26Nju subcutaneous (NCG) mice. The latency and rate of tumor formation, tumor size, tumor invasion and metastasis of transplanted tumors were observed, and pathology of HE staining and immunohistochemical testing results were compared between PDTX model and the patients. Results PDTX model was successfully established in 4 patients, and the success rate was 66.7%, including 2 patients of esophageal cancer. The PDTX model retained the differentiation, morphological and structural characteristics of original tumors. Conclusion Pathology and molecular biology characteristics of PDTX model are consistent with the original tumor, which can be an “avatar” of tumor patients for clinical pharmacodynamics screening and new drug research and development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of a dual-crosslinked injectable hydrogel derived from acellular musclar matrix (AMM) for promoting myoblasts proliferation and myogenic differentiation. METHODS: Firstly, hyaluronic acid was oxidized with NaIO ₄ and methylated to prepare methacrylamidated oxidized hyaluronic acid (MOHA). Then, AMM obtained by washing enzymatically treated muscle tissue was aminolyzed to prepare aminated AMM (AAMM). MOHA hydrogel and AAMM were crosslinked using Schiff based reaction and UV radiation to prepare a dual-crosslinked MOHA/AAMM injectable hydrogel. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize MOHA, AAMM, and MOHA/AAMM hydrogels. The injectability of MOHA/AAMM hydrogel were evaluated by manual injection, and the gelation performance was assessed by UV crosslinking. The rheological properties and Young's modulus of the hydrogel were examined through mechanical tests. The degradation rate of the hydrogel was assessed by immersing it in PBS. The active components of the hydrogel were verified using immunofluorescence staining and ELISA assay kits. The promotion of cell proliferation by the hydrogel was tested using live/dead staining and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assays after co-culturing with C2C12 myoblasts for 9 days. The effect of the hydrogel on myogenic differentiation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: FTIR spectra confirmed the successful preparation of MOHA/AAMM hydrogel. The hydrogel exhibited good injectability and gelation ability. Compared to MOHA hydrogel, MOHA/AAMM hydrogel exhibited higher viscosity and Young's modulus, a reduced degradation rate, and contained a higher amount of collagen (including collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ) as well as bioactive factors (including epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor 1). The live/dead cell staining and CCK-8 assay indicated that with prolonged incubation time, there was a significant increase in viable cells and a decrease in dead cells in the C2C12 myoblasts within the MOHA/AAMM hydrogel. Compared with MOHA hydrogel, the difference was significant at each time point ( P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that the deposition of IGF-1 and expression levels of myogenic-related genes (including Myogenin, Troponin T, and myosin heavy chain) in the MOHA/AAMM group were significantly higher than those in the MOHA group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The MOHA/AAMM hydrogel prepared based on AMM can promote myoblasts proliferation and myogenic differentiation, providing a novel dual-crosslinked injectable hydrogel for muscle tissue engineering.
Hydrogels ; Hyaluronic Acid/pharmacology* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Cell Differentiation ; Myoblasts/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation