Carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)is an oncofetal antigen which has been widespraad studied.A murine stage-Specific embryonic antigen(SSEA-l)is a new oncodeveloptnental antigen which appears at 8-cell stage of mouse embryo.The expression of CEA and SSEA-1 in gastric malignant and nonmalignant tissues by using immunofluorescence technique were reported in this study. Most of gastric carcinoma stained intensively for CEA (68 of 78 cases. 87. 2%) and SSEA-l(89.0%).But CEA only expressed in 15.0% of normal gastric mucosa (3/20) and SSEA-1 in 30.0%. In non-malignant gastric tissues, CEA was expressed in 61.5% (8 of 13 cases)of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and 87.5%(7/8)of chronic superiicial gastritis (CSG)with intestinal metaplasia,but only 38.2% and 29.2% in CSG without intestinal metaplasia and peptic ulcer seperately. SSEA-1 existed in more than 80% of all kind of son-malignant gastric tissues, including CAG, CSG with or without intestinal metaplasia and peptic ulcer. These results indicated that CEA will be of more benefit for the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma or premalignant gastric lesions than that of SSEA-1.

OBJECTIVETo establish a general method of focal cerebral ischemia model in different varieties of mice.

METHODEach group of healthy adult KM and C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group (n = 10) and MCAO group (n = 10). The mice in MCAO group were applied in the preparation of the MCAO model by intraluminal occlusion using monofilament. Twenty-four hours after operation,the neurologic function was evaluated,middle cerebral artery blood flow was monitored and the infarction volume was calculated by TTC staining, to evaluate the reliability of the model.

RESULTIn the MCAO group, the base value of the cerebral blood flow down of KM and C57BL/6 mice respectively was (81.65 ± 4.59)%, (83.68 ± 6.25)%. The neurological deficit score respectively was (2.30 ± 0.82), (2.50 ± 0.80). TTC staining can clearly show the infarction area, and relatively stable, 24 hours of the survival rate of KM and C57BL/6 mice were 100% and 80% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe key link is the optimization and improvement of monofilament, temperature, anesthesia and so on. The modified intraluminal occlusion of MCAO using monofilament is a kind of reliable and simple method to establish experimental cerebral ischemia model in mice.

Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brain ; blood supply ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.

METHODWistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTBeing induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.

Animals ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nitrosamines ; adverse effects ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects

This is designed to analyze and summarize medication rules for treating senile dementia with Chinese medicine in CNKI according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inheritance auxiliary system. Collect documents in CNKI that account treating senile dementia with Chinese formula; filter and establish a formula database, and then to search for medication rules on the TCM inheritance auxiliary system. It is filtered that 104 formulas are used for treating senile dementia screening treat senile dementia, involving 147 kinds of Chinese medicine. Tonic medicine are most frequently used, followed by the medicine of activating blood circulation and resuscitating; medicine pair most used is Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort-Acorus tatarinowii, accounting for 27.9% of all formula. And then 8 core pairs and 4 new formulas are evolved. Analysis on formulas for treating senile dementia filtered form CNKI by TCM inheritance auxiliary system shows prescription is mainly tonifying, activating blood circulation and resuscitating, that reveals prescription rules, to provide a reference for clinical treatment.
Databases, Factual ; Dementia ; drug therapy ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans

BACKGROUND:Matrix metal oproteinase-13 is most active in the degradation of col agen type II in the extracel ular matrix of cartilage. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is thought to be the inducer of matrix metal oproteinases, and participates in the degradation and degeneration of articular cartilage. OBJECTIVE:To study the influence of IL-1βon microRNA-27b (miR-27b) and matrix metal oproteinase-13 expression of chondrocytes in rats. METHODS:Chondrocytes isolated from seven male Wistar rats were cultured and divided into IL-1βstimulation group and control group. No stimulus was given in the control group;10μg/L of serum free medium was used to culture rat chondrocytes in the IL-1βstimulation group. Cel growth was observed at 0, 24, and 48 hours under an inverted microscope. miR-27b and matrix metal oproteinase-13 expression in the cultured chondrocytes were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The relative expression of matrix metal oproteinase-13 in rat chondrocytes was gradual y increased when induced by IL-1βat 0, 24, and 48 hours (P<0.05). Expression of miR-27b and miR-31 in rat chondrocytes at 24 and 48 hours induced by IL-1βgradual y decreased (P<0.05);conversely, expression of MiR-26a, miR-26b, miR-23, and miR-204 gradual y increased (P<0.05). After 48 hours of IL-1βinduction, expression of miR-27b was the lowest in rat chondrocytes (P<0.05). These findings suggest that IL-1βinhibits miR-27b expression, strengthens the expression of matrix metal oproteinase-13, and damages chondrocytes, contributing to both the onset and progression of osteoarthritis.

The study was aimed to investigate the expression of midkine (MK) in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM MNC) from 65 acute myeloid leukemia patients and 15 normal controls. The method of RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of MK mRNA in BM MNC. Parts of samples were incubated for 24 hours and the gene expression of MK in the BM MNC was detected by means of Western blot. The results showed that the expression of MK of BM MNCs in 50 newly diagnosed AML patients (0.331 +/- 0.436) and 15 AML patients in relapse (0.374 +/- 0.463) were markedly higher than that in 15 CR cases (0.067 +/- 0.190), and 15 normal controls (0), respectively. The complete remission in MK positive patients (63.16%) was significantly lower than that in MK negative group (93.55%). The patients with positive MK expression had a higher relapse rate than those with negative MK expression. The positive rate of MK gene expression in drug-resistant patients and drug-sensitive patients were 57.69% and 25.64% respectively and there was positive correlation between the gene expressions of MK and bcl-2 (P < 0.01) (r = 0.0556, P < 0.001). It is concluded that MK can be secreted by AML cells and involved in drug-resistant, its positive expression may be associated with the poor prognosis in newly diagnosed AML patients. The inhibitory effect of MK on apoptosis of leukemic cells is induced by upregulating bcl-2 expression.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDType 2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-13 and its decoy receptor, IL-13 receptor (R) alpha2 appear to play a major role in tissue fibrosis of schistosomiasis and asthma. IL-13 is a key regulator of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is known to signal to cells by binding to the IL-13Ralpha1, which then heterodimerizes with IL-4Ralpha. In contrast, IL-13Ralpha2 binds IL-13 with high affinity but does not signal. IL-13Ralpha2 is known to down-regulate granulomatous inflammation and prolong host survival in Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infection, but little is known about the location and expression level of IL-13Ralpha2 in the context of S. japonicum infection.

METHODSWe established S. japonicum-infected mouse models. Kinetic serum levels of IL-13Ralpha2 were examined with ELISA. IL-13Ralpha2 mRNA and protein of liver tissues were determined by PCR and immunoblotting analysis, respectively. Detection of IL-13Ralpha2 expression and location in macrophages was performed by TaqMan PCR and fluorescent immunocytochemistry technique, respectively.

RESULTSA marked elevation of mRNA and protein expression of IL-13Ralpha2 was observed in mice during S. japonicum infection. An enhanced expression of IL-13Ralpha2 was further demonstrated in primary macrophages of murine schistosomiasis.

CONCLUSIONSIL-13Ralpha2 in macrophages may be a critical contributor to pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. The data highlight the potential importance of cell signaling and antifibrotic gene therapeutics in T helper 2 cell (Th2)-mediated diseases.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha2 Subunit ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Random Allocation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Schistosoma japonicum ; pathogenicity ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; immunology ; microbiology

In order to investigate the relationship between VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9 in acute myeloid leukemia patients, and evaluate the significance of them in extramedullary leukemic invasion, the expressions of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA, VEGF mRNA in bone marrow from 86 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as human hematopoietic cell lines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The proteolytic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the supernatants were measured by zymography. The VEGF protein in serum of all samples was detected by ELISA. All these results were analyzed for determination of the relationship between VEGF and MMP-2, MMP-9. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between expressions of MMP-2 mRNA or MMP-9 mRNA and VEGF mRNA or protein. But no such correlation was demonstrated in the AML (CR) and normal control (NC) groups. A higher expression level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the VEGF positive group was found, as compared with the negative group (P < 0.05). More extramedullary infiltration occurred in VEGF positive groups than that in VEGF negative groups of AML. The expression of bcl-2 in HL-60 cells was upregulated by VEGF. It is concluded that there are significantly positive correlations between the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 with VEGF mRNA or protein levels in AML patients. VEGF can upregulate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 in HL-60 and a part of the primary leukemic cells. VEGF and MMP-2, MMP-9 may participate in the extramedullary leukemic invasion of AML patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemic Infiltration ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pharmacokinetic effect of Sappan Lignum on hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) in Carthami Flos.

METHODConcentration of HSYA in rat plasma was detected by RP-HPLC after rats were orally administered with extracts of Carthami Flos or Carthami Flos combined with Sappan Lignum. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0 pharmacokinetic software.

RESULTIn vivo pharmacokinetic models of HSYA were two-compartment open models in both of the Carthami Flos group and the Carthami Flos combined with Sappan Lignum group. After compatibility, HSYA showed a significant lower in apparent volumes of distribution of t(1/2Ka), t(1/2alpha) and V1/F, with slight advance in T(max).

CONCLUSIONSappan Lignum can accelerate absorption, distribution and metabolic process of HSYA in vivo and reduce its accumulation in vivo.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Caesalpinia ; chemistry ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chalcone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Male ; Quinones ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Wood ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by percutaneous decompression and autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMCs) infusion.

METHODS44 hips in 28 patients with avascular necrosis at early stage were treated by percutaneous multiple holes decompression followed by autologous BMCs infusion. Autologous BMCs were concentrated from bone marrow that was taken from the posterior iliac crest of the patient. Patients were followed up at least 2 years. The results were determined by the changes in the Harris hip score and the progression in the radiograghic stages.

RESULTSNo complications were observed after the operation. Before operation, there were stage I of femoral head necrosis in 8 hips, stage II in 15 hips, stage III in 14 hips, stage IV in 7 hips, and the postoperative stages at the most recent follow-up were stage O in 1 hip, stage I in 6 hips, stage II in 13 hips, stage III in 13 hips, stage IV in 7 hips, stage V in 4 hips. The mean preoperative Harris hip score was 58 (46-89), and improved to 86 (70-94) postoperatively. All the femoral head collapsed preoperatively showed that the necrotic size was at least more than 30%.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous multiple holes decompression combined with autologous BMCs is a new way to treat avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The earlier the stage, the better the result. A randomized prospective study needed to compare with routine core decompression in the future.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome