OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of Shenfu injection on the concentrations of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), activity of Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and heart tissue ultrastructure during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats and its potential mechanism.

METHODSMyocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) was produced by ligation and release of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Ischemia lasted for 30 min and reperfusion for 60 min. Twenty-four healthy male SD rats weighing 230-280 g were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8, each): Group I (Sham-operation group); Group II (I/R group); Group III (Shenfu group), in which Shenfu injection (10 ml/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before ischemia in animals with I/R. The plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA, and the heart was harvested for determination of NF-kappaB levels by Ecl-western blot analysis. Electron microscopy was used to study its ultrastructure.

RESULTSAfter reperfusion, NF-kappaB binding activity in myocardial nuclei and the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly increased in Group II, compared with Group I (P < 0.01), and they were markedly reduced in Group III, compared with Group II (P < 0.01). In addition, electron microscopic examination showed more serious injury of the myocardium ultrastructure in Group II, while in Group III the myocardial ultrastructure was similar to normal state.

CONCLUSIONSShenfu injection inhibits NF-kappaB activity in I/R myocardium and leads to down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression, which might be one of the molecular mechanisms of Shenfu injection in cardioprotection.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myofibrils ; ultrastructure ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

Objective To describe the clinical and pathological features and survival of juvenile patients with pancreatic carcinoma ( age ≤ 40 years old ) and to explore whether pancreatic carcinoma in young patients was a particular subtype. Methods As a case control study, the clinical data and follow-up data of sporadic 29 cases diagnosed as juvenile pancreatic carcinoma in Ruijin hospital from January, 2000 to December, 2007 were analyzed and compared with randomly selected 89 cases of senile eases (age≥ 61 years old) with pancreatic carcinoma. Results The percentage of juvenile pancreatic carcinoma was 3.6% (29/811 ) and the male/female ratio was 2.5: 1. The incidence rate of abdominal pain was significantly higher in the juvenile patients than in the senile patients (72.4% vs 48.3% , P < 0.05 ) ;the incidence of malnutrition was significantly lower in juvenile patients than that in senile patients ( 13.8% vs 38.0%, P <0.05 ) ;and the rate of patients with advanced stage disease ( Ⅲ～Ⅳ ) was significantly higher in juvenile patients than in senile patients (69.0% vs 55. 1%, P < 0.05). The percentage of radical operation in juvenile patients was not statistically different from that in senile patients ( 34.5% vs 30.34%, P > 0.05 ), and analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test revealed no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups ( median survival time : 7.0 vs 8.0 months, P > 0.05 ). Conclusions The age onset of the pancreatic carcinoma tended to be younger. The predominant clinical manifestations of juvenile pancreatic carcinoma were abdominal pain or back pain. Juvenile pancreatic carcinoma may be a particular subtype of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of crypotanshinone (CPT) on the proliferation and apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells as well as on the metadherin expression and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the DU145 cells.

METHODSWe treated DU145 prostate cancer cells with different concentrations of CPT for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by evaluation of the proliferation and apoptosis of the cells by MTT assay and TUNEL, respectively. We determined the expressions of metadherin protein and mRNA in the DU145 cells by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively at different time points after CPT treatment. We also detected the expressions of the proteins metadherin, AKT, p-AKT, and Bcl-2 in the CPT-treated DU145 cells at 48 hours.

RESULTSCPT significantly inhibited the proliferation of the DU145 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). After treatment with 10 µmol/L CPT for 24, 48, and 72 hours, the apoptosis rates of the DU145 cells were (29.42 ± 4.51), (55.07 ± 5.67) and (70.84 ± 4.66)%, respectively, significantly higher than (3.1 ± 2.48)% in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of metadherin was remarkably downregulated at the transcription and translation levels (P < 0.05) and the expressions of the AKT signaling pathway and the Bcl-2 protein were markedly inhibited in the DU145 cells after treated with 10 µmol/L CPT for 48 hours (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCPT can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells, which may be associated with its suppression of the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by reducing the expression of metadherin in the DU145 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and effect of fluorouracil (5-Fu) in association with anthracycline-based regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer.

METHODSFor one hundred and eleven primary breast cancer patients with 114 lesions who were to be operated, two to six cycles of 5-Fu (continuous infusion) in association with epirubicin or pirarubicin and cyclophosphamide (CEFci or CTFci regimen) were given before operation. The response rate, side effect and its relation with tumor characteristics were studied.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 87.7%, of which the complete clinical response was 39.5%, pathological complete response was 23.7%, only one patient (0.9%) showed progressive disease. The regimen containing pirarubicin was superior to epirubicin regimen in pathological complete response rate (P < 0.05). Alopecia was mild in pirarubicin regimen as compared with epirubicin regimen but neutropenia was more severe in pirarubicin regimen than that in epirubicin regimen. Hormonal receptor expressions were significantly related to treatment response, the pathological complete response rate was 33.3% in oestrogen or progestin receptor negative tumors, but it was 7.5% in the positive tumors (P < 0.005). No correlation was observed between treatment response and tumor size, as well as HER-2 expression.

CONCLUSIONCTFci/CEFci regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy is effective and safe for primary breast cancer. CTFci regimen is superior to CEFci regimen in response rate. The patients with negative hormonal receptor are more sensitive to the neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the frequency of the involvement of level III and interpectoral lymph nodes in patients with node-positive breast cancer, and discuss the necessity of completely axillary dissection in this subgroup of patients.

METHODSConsecutive 291 cases underwent completely axillary dissections (level I/II/III and interpectoral node) according to identical procedure. Level I/II, Level III and interpectoral lymph nodes were sent separately for routine pathological examination.

RESULTSEighty-seven cases (29.9%) were proved to be node-positive. Among them, metastases were detected at level III lymph nodes in 18 cases (20.7%) and at interpectoral lymph nodes in 16 cases (18.3%), respectively. Twenty-five cases involved in level III and/or interpectoral lymph nodes. In a subgroup of 52 cases with primary tumor smaller than 5 cm and involved Level I/II lymph nodes less than 4, 6 cases (11.5%) were found metastases at level III and/or interpectoral lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONSIt is reasonable to perform completely axillary nodes dissection including level III and interpectoral lymph nodes for patients with node-positive breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Axilla ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Pectoralis Muscles ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effects of breast-conserving therapy in Chinese women with early primary breast carcinoma.

METHODSNinety-five patients with stage I to II primary breast cancer were operated with wide local excision and axillary lymph node dissection. After operation, the radiation therapy was done on the whole breast.

RESULTSBreast conservation surgery was taken successfully in ninety-five patients. Six months after operation, the approval rate for their breast was 100% by themselves. Ninety-two per cent of them were very satisfactory. After a median follow-up of 17 months (range 2 - 51 months), only one patient suffered from ipsilateral breast tumor relapse. The two years local relapse rate was 1.4%. There were no cases of distant relapse and death.

CONCLUSIONSThe early results of breast-conserving therapy are satisfactory for stage I to II primary breast cancer. The long-term follow-up is needed for the final outcome.

Adenocarcinoma ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast ; pathology ; radiation effects ; surgery ; Breast Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluated the clinical results of treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)by using bone flap pedicled with gluteal muscle branch of ascending branch of the lateral femo- ral circumflex artery and transversal branch of the lateral femoral cireumflex artery.Methods Bone flap pedicled with double blood vessels was applied in 32 hips with stageⅡandⅢONFH according to the Fieat staging system.Fifteen hips were in stageⅡand 17 were in stageⅢ.All patients were followed up for a mean of 25 months(range,15-38 months)and were assessed clinically and radiologically according to Harris sco- ring.Selective digital subtraction angiography was performed in 9 cases to confirm the blood reconstruction of femoral head.Results Two cases underwent total hip replacement postoperatively.Preoperative and postop- erative Harris score were 55 and 88.6.Clinical success rate was 90.6% and radiological success rate was 87.5%.DSA demonstrated blood supply was found reconstruction in the necrotic femoral head.Conclusion Transplantation of bone flap pedicled with gluteal muscle branch of ascending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and transversal branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery appears to be a effective treat- ment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head,blood supply of bone flap and blood reconstruction of femoral head was confirmed.Early clinical results were satisfied.

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility and effects of new imaging agent, 99mTc-Rituximab, for sentinel lymph nodes biopsy (SLNB) of primary breast cancer.

METHODSSLNB were performed in eighty-five primary breast cancer patients using 99mTc-Rituximab combined with patent blue. Metastases in sentinel lymph nodes were detected with routine pathologic and immunohistochemistry method.

RESULTSThe successful rate of SLNB using combining method of 99mTc-Rituximab and patent blue was 96% (82/85). Thirty cases of SLN (37%, 30/82) were metastasis positive, including twenty-four positive cases by HE staining and six by immunohistochemistry method. SLN was the only metastasis lymph nodes in 18/30 cases. One case has false negative SLN metastasis. The sensitivity and accuracy of SLNB were 97% (30/31) and 99% (81/82). The specificity was 100% (51/51). The false negative rate was 3% (1/30) and the negative predictive value was 98% (51/52). The positive predictive value was 100% (31/31). Internal mammary sentinel lymph node lymphoscintigraphy was positive in eleven cases but all of them were confirmed metastases negative by pathologic examination.

CONCLUSIONS99mTc-Rituximab, as a new imaging agent, can keep SLN imaging durable and can make SLNB more convenient. Through primary clinical manifestation, higher sensitivity and accuracy could obtained by combining method of 99mTc-Rituximab and patent blue for SLNB of primary breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Rituximab ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; methods ; Technetium

OBJECTIVETo detect the disease-causing point mutations in the dystrophin gene of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients.

METHODSThe approach of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) coupling with sequencing was used to screen the point mutations of 79 exons and the untranslated regions of dystrophin gene without large deletions/duplications, which was in 6 unrelated DMD probands from 6 DMD families.

RESULTSFive disease-causing mutations, 697-698insGT, C616T, G1255T, C4279T, and C2302T, were ides created the new stop codons in downstream sites of mutations, respectively. In addition to the disease-causing point mutations, a point mutation T5586+61A in intron 39 was also found at patient 3, and a missense mutation A694T in exon 8 was detected at patient 5. Four point mutations, C2168+13T, 5740-13dupG, G5234A and C5280T, were also detected at patient 6 whose causative point mutation was unavailable. Seven point mutations have not been reported previously. Bi-directional PCR amplification of specific alleles (Bi-PASA) method was established to distinguish the haplotypes of heterozygote or homozygote in a single PCR reaction.

CONCLUSIONVia automated DHPLC screening or detecting the subexonic mutations in dystrophin gene is feasible to clinical laboratories, and also is a superior method in terms of sensitivity and efficiency.

Base Sequence ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; Gene Duplication ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Deletion

OBJECTIVEThe goal of the study is to investigate the feasibility of breast-conserving therapy for early primary breast carcinoma centrally located in the breast.

METHODS157 patients with stage I or II primary breast cancer located in the central part of the breast were operated with extended local excision and axillary lymph node dissection. Nipple-areola complex was excised in 18 patients. Ninety-three patients received two to six cycles neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was given postoperatively to the whole remaining breast.

RESULTSThe clinical response rate was 87.1% (81/93) and pathologic complete remission rate was 15.1% (14/93) after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast conservation surgery was performed successfully for all the patients in this series. After a median follow-up of 23 months (range 6-53 months), there was no recurrence in the ipsilateral breast. The aesthetic effect of the conserved breast was satisfactory including excellent for 88 patients and good for 48 patients representing of 86.6% of all cases.

CONCLUSIONBreast conserving surgery is suitable for the early centrally located primary breast carcinoma. Though the short-term results are satisfactory, the long-term follow-up is still needed for the final outcome.

Adult ; Aged ; Axilla ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Remission Induction ; Treatment Outcome