Objective To investigate the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and relationships with c1inicopatho1ogica1 characteristics and their clinical significance. Methods The concentrations of serum VEGF and bFGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 40 patients with NSCLC before and after chemotherapy. Results The level of serum VEGF in patients with Ⅳ stage NSCLC was significantly higher than that of Ⅲ stage(P

Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medicines which possess laxative, lipid-lowering, and weight-loss activities, but the active compounds of lipid-lowering and underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet clear. This study aims to explore the effects of chrysophanol on the mRNA expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) and lipid metabolism in human liver carcinoma Huh-7 cells, which is one of the active compounds obtained from Rhubarb. A reporter gene assay was used to test the transcription of SREBP. The intracellular triglyceride and total cholesterol contents were measured by using commercially available test kits. The SREBPs target genes expressions were measured by Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Cell viability was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8. As the results shown, chrysophanol (40 μmol · L(-1), 16 h) could notably inhibited human SRE promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner and decrease intracellular cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of SREBPs target genes were significantly downregulated by chrysophanol treatment. However there are no significant differences on cell viability when compared with the control group. These results suggested that chrysophanol might improve lipid metabolism through suppressing the mRNA expressions of SREBPs target genes to attenuate intracellular lipid accumulation.
Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; analysis ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins ; pharmacology ; Triglycerides ; analysis

Objective To study the desired therapeutic effect of vaginoplasty using sigmoid colon or peritoneum for entire vaginal atre-sia.Methods From May 2015 to October 2015,8 patients with complete vaginal atresia in our hospital performed vaginoplasty using sigmoid colon or peritoneum successfully.The operation methods,prognosis and therapeutic effect and quality of sexual life of two groups were com-pared and analyzed to investigate a perfect operative method and ideal nursing.Results Laparoscopic vaginoplasty using the peritoneum compared with that using sigmoid colon has advantages of shorter time of operation,less bleeding,less trauma and quicker recovery.However, artificial vagina using sigmoid colon was much more similar to a natural vagina in morphological and physiological characteristics,merely ac-companied by excessive mucus discharge during the postoperative period.At lower risk of vaginal adhesion and stenosis,laparoscopically as-sisted vaginoplasty using sigmoid colon graft also puts high technical requirements.Two patients normally developed uterus menstruate regular-ly.Four patients without uterus and 2 patients with rudimentary uterus experienced good sexual intercourse after vaginoplasty.Conclusion Patients with complete colpatresia who have normal womb should creat a patent and functional vagina until adolescence to restore its physio-logical and reproductive function.Anatomical reconstructive treatment of vaginal agenesis for patients with absent or hypoplastic uterus can be postponed till the late teens or in the adult.Both laparoscopic sigmoid vaginoplasty and peritoneal vaginoplasty achieve a minimal-invasive, cosmetic,natural lubricous, smooth artificial vagina for patient’ s sex life satisfactory.

0.05); the levels of LL, LI, RRS in CBA group and CBA+IBT group were significantly lower than those in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo study the spatial distribution of free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells cultured on glass.

METHODSTo detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells, the images were analyzed with image software, using the laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe.

RESULTSAt 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM, the intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in the central part was greater than that in the peripheral part and in the same section the signal was not distributed evenly.

CONCLUSIONThe intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal is different among various organellae in osteoclast-like cell, which suggests the osteoclast-like cell modulate its own function through the spatial difference of free Ca2+ concentration.

Aniline Compounds ; Calcium ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Osteoclasts ; Xanthenes

To maintain cholesterol homeostasis, the processes of cholesterol metabolism are regulated at multiple levels including transcription, translation, and enzymatic activity. Recently, the regulation of protein stability of some key players in cholesterol metabolism has been characterized. More and more ubiquitin ligases have been identified including gp78, Hrd1, TRC8, TEB4, Fbw7, and inducible degrader of low density lipoprotein receptor. Their working mechanisms and physiological functions are becoming revealed. Here, we summarize the structure, substrates and function of these ubiquitin ligases. Their potential application in drug discovery is also discussed.
Cholesterol* ; Drug Discovery ; Homeostasis ; Ligases* ; Metabolism* ; Protein Stability ; Receptors, LDL ; Ubiquitin*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on the expression of rat myocardium matris metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and relationship between its expression and interstitium and the effect on left ventricular function.

METHODSTwenty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) group and ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) group. The left ventricular peak systolic pressure and its derivate (+/- dp/dt) were calculated; The amount of myocardium collagenous were determined; The vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were detected; The activity of myocardium MMP-2 was measured by Western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAs compared with I/R group, IPTC could lower the expression of MMP-2, ameliorate left ventricular function and increase the content of myocardium collagenous. In the meantime, the vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of plasma were greatly enhanced and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were reduced in IFC group.

CONCLUSIONProtective effect of IPIC on myocardium may be due to reduce free radical, lower expression of MMP-2 and protect myocardial interstitium. MMPs plays an important role in the myocardial protection provided by IPTC.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) on the changes of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) protein and mRNA levels in rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion, and explore the mechanism by which IPTC protects myocardial interstitium following ischemic/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSTwenty four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, I/R group and IPTC group. The parameters of left ventricular function including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and its derivate (±dp/dt) were measured; the amount of myocardial collagen contents was determined by hydroxyproline quantification; the plasma activity of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected; the protien levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was measured by Western blot and the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were significantly decreased in I/R group compared with those of SC group, wherease the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-2 were significantly enhanced in I/R group when compared to SC group. Compared with I/R group, the myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were increased in IPTC group, the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA level of MMP-2 were decreased in IPTC group.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that IPTC has protective effects on myocardial interstitial after the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and IPTC may exert its cardioprotectve effect via inhibiting MMP-2 and enhancing TIMP-2 expression in cardiac muscle.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Creatine Kinase ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rabies ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study effects of the modified sandblasted surface of titanium implants, developed by authors, on the bone healing process.

METHODSOsteoblasts were derived from the 5th passage of human fetal osteoblasts after primary isolation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and protein contents of cellular layers, and osteocalcin contents in culturing medium were employed as criteria to evaluate osteogenic functions and differentiation of osteoblasts. The ALP activity was assayed utilizing the kinetic method, the protein content utilizing the Coomassie's method, and the osteocalcin content utilizing the radioimmune assay (RIA) method. Values of all criteria were divided by the corresponding cell numbers of different groups at a respective time point for the purpose of standardization. Samples were assigned to three groups-the modified sandblasted surface group, the smooth surface group and the blank control group, The culture was ended at, 4 days and 13 days.

RESULTSAt 4 days of culture, the modified sandblasted surface group showed a superiority to the smooth group with respects to the ALP activity [(17.390 +/- 1.595) nmol PNP x min(-1) x 10(-6) cells vs. (10.978 +/- 1.879) nmol PNP x min(-1) x 10(-6) cells] and protein content [(152.7 +/- 16.3) micro g/10(6) cells vs. (58.0 +/- 5.9) micro g/10(6) cells] of cellular layers and the osteocalcincontent [(43.0 +/- 6.1) ng/10(6) cells vs. (24.9 +/- 6.0) ng/10(6) cells] in culturing medium. Till the 13th day of culture, no differences were detected.

CONCLUSIONSIt is cytologically proved that the modified sandblasted surface can accelerate the bone healing process of implants though the improvement of osteoblastic functions and differentiation.

Bone Regeneration ; Cells, Cultured ; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth ; Fetus ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; physiology ; Surface Properties ; Titanium