This article was aimed to study enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity on anti-tumor from total flavonoids and total polysaccharides in Taxus mairei compatibility with taxol. MTT assay was performed to analyze the cell proliferation and apoptosis of 4T1, A549, MCF-7 tumor cells after treatment of total flavonoids and total polysaccharides in T. mairei combined with taxol at different concentrations. Isobolograms was used to investigate the behavior of combination therapy. Therapy experiments were conducted on ICR mice bearing S180 sarcoma. The tumor weight was measured to calculate inhibition rate according to uniform design. Blood cells indicators were detected by blood cell analyzer. The results showed that total polysaccharides and total flavonoids can enhance the inhibition effect on 4T1, A549 cells by taxol. Total polysaccharides can enhance the inhibition effect of taxol to MCF-7 in vitro, and S180 sarcoma-bearing mice in vivo. It reduced the toxic effects of anti-tumor effect of taxol in vivo. It was concluded that taxol can achieve the effect of enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity through combining with total flavonoids and total polysaccharides in T. mairei.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to investigate changes of five biochemical markers of bone turnover during the formation of ovariectomized rat model. METHODS: Three-month-old female SD rats were divided randomly into ovariectomized (OVX) group, sham-operated (sham) group and control group. Five biochemical markers of bone turnover levels, including serum osteocalcin (OC), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and hydroxyproline (HYP) were measured before and at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 months after surgery. The right proximal tibias of rats were excised at the same time point for histopathological observation. RESULTS: Serum OC, ALP, BALP, TRAP and HYP levels in OVX group were significantly higher than that in sham group. As regard to the time of peak level arrived, the sequence of changes was as follows: TRAP/HYP→OC→ALP/BALP. There was a significant positive correlation between five markers. The pathological changes of trabecular bone in OVX group were only observed 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that postmenopausal osteoporosis has a high bone turnover rate. During the formation of ovariectomized rat model, changes of bone resorption markers precede changes of bone formation markers. Serum OC, ALP, BALP, TRAP and HYP are sensitive to evaluate the bone loss in the earlier stage of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and application value of retroperitoneal laparoscopic combined with resectoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma Methods From Jan.2006 to Jul.2009,fifteen upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients underwent excision of bladder cuff with resectoscope at first,and then retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy.All tumors were confirmed to be localized,stage T1-T3.Clinical outcomes of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results Mean operative time was 150 (range:120-180) minutes and blood loss volume was 200 (range:100-400)ml.The function of intestinal canal recovered after 24-48 hours,the drainage tube could be removed after 3-4 days.Catheter was kept for 7-10 days.During the follow up for 1-40 months,all the 15 patients survived with one retroperitoneal lymphatic metastasis.There were no severe complications in perioperative and postoperative period.Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic combined with resectoscopic radical nephroureterectomy may be a practical surgical procedure for upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients with less intraoperative blood loss and early recovery.

Objective To investigate the curative effect of modified tracheal catheter in acute respiratory failure caused by central airway stenosis.Methods 16 cases inpatient with acute respiratory failure caused by central airway stenosis were involved.Found out the position and range of stenosis of central airway by X-ray and CT of chest and fiberbronchoscope,chose the suitable silicon suction tube and cut it to make a tracheal catheter,then guided the catheter through the stenosis by fiberbronchoscope to construct artificial airway.Results The dyspnea of all 16 cases of acute respiratory failure caused by central airway stenosis could by relieved in short time,the PaO_2 raised from(39?12)mm Hg to(72?10)mm Hg,SaO_2 raised from(75?13)% to(93?3)%,PaCO_2 dropped from(102?21)mm Hg to(62?13)mm Hg after therapy.The effective rate is 100%.There was no other serious complication except for 2 cases of little amount of bleeding in trachea.15 cases survived and one died of serious muhisystem organ failure.Conclusions The use of modified tracheal catheter in treatment of acute respiratory failure caused by central airway stenosis can relieve the acute dyspnea in short time,it also can dilate central airway,save the cost of tracheal balloon dilatation for the follow-up therapy.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of acupuncture on the level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in adrenal gland and the content of corticosterone (CORT) in plasma in rats withchronic emotional stress anxiety, and to explore the partial action mechanism of acupuncture on anxiety disorder.

METHODSThirty-two healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, after 7 days of feeding and domestication, were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rats), a model group (11 rats) and an acupuncture group (11 rats). The rats inthe model group and acupuncture group were treated with unpredictable chronic emotional stress (CES) method toestablish the model of anxiety. Rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6)and "Shenmen" (HT 7), once every other day, 30 minutes each time. The model establishment and treatment lasted 15 days. Rats in the blank group were treated with identical immobilization but no treatment was given. Theelevated plus maze was used to test the behavioral changes of rats with anxiety; the level of CORT in plasma wasdetected by ELISA, and the expression level of CNP and ANP in adrenal cortex and medulla was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS(1) The percentage of open-arms time in total time (OT%) in elevated plus maze in the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank group (P<0. 05); the OT% in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.01). (2) The content of CORT in plasma in the model group was higher than that in the blank group (P<0. 05), while that in the acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0. 05). (3) The expression of ANP in adrenal medulla and cortex in the model group was lower than that in the blank group (P<0. 01), while the expression of CNP in adrenal medulla and cortex in the model group was higher than that in the blank group (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONThe effects of acupuncture against anxiety are likely to be related to the regulation on the expression of ANP and CNP in adrenal medulla, affecting the release of CORT and inhibition on the activity !f hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis).

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adrenal Glands ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anxiety ; blood ; psychology ; therapy ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; Corticosterone ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; blood ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Psychological

To explore the action target of praziquantel (PZQ) and its underlying mechanism of action, adult male worms of Schistosoma japonicum were collected from the hepatic vein of Kunming mice infected at least 6 or more weeks previously with single-sex cercariae of S.japonicum by perfusion method. These worms were subjected to the action of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or actin depolymerizing/stabilizing agents interfering with function of the calcium channel. The adult male worms in DMEM culture medium were co-cultivated with near-lethal dose of PZQ(14 μmol/L) overnight(16 hours).Then, the parasites were washed 3 times with sterile physiologic saline next morning after cultivation, re-suspended in new and drug-free medium and then observed under stereo-microscopy during the following 5 days. The experimental results showed that majority of adult male worms of S.japonicum were killed by the action of PZQ in a dose of 14 μmol/L in vitro under normal condition; while the worms pre-incubated with the actin depolymerizing agent cyto chalasin D (CyD) were able to survive in the condition containing 14 μmol/L of PZQ with a survival rate of 100%, and the worms pre-incubted with CCBs, such as nitrendipine and nifedipineu showed a survival rate of about 50% under the same condition. The results of this study suggest that the calcium channel of Schistosomes may be involved in the action target of PZQ and its underlying mechanism.

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) plays critical roles in cell biological functions. Here we investigated the effects of SphK1 inhibitor SKI II on hepatoma HepG2 cell cycle progression and invasion. Cell survival was determined by SRB assay, cell cycle progression was assayed by flow cytometry, the ability of cell invasion was measured by Matrigel-Transwell assay and protein expression was detected by Western blotting. The results showed that SKI II markedly inhibited HepG2 cell survival in a dose-dependent manner, induced G1 phase arrest in HepG2 cell and inhibited cell invasion. SKI II markedly decreased the expressions of G1-phase-related proteins CDK2, CDK4 and Cdc2 and the levels of cell invasion-associated proteins MMP2 and MMP9. The results showed that SKI II inhibited cell cycle progression and cell invasion, implying SphK1 as a potential target for hepatoma treatment.
CDC2 Protein Kinase ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; metabolism ; G1 Phase ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Thiazoles ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of DPC4 gene on growth of pancreatic carcinoma in vitro. Methods The human DPC4 cDNA was subcloned to the retroviral vector pLXSN and then packaged with GP+E86 and PA317 packaging cells respectively. AntiG418 clones were acquired and named as PA317/ pLXSN DPC4+ cells. The DPC4 gene was restored to the human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3 by the infection of the pLXSN/DPC4 and then had a stable expression after antiG418 selection, which was demonstrated by RT-PCR and Western blot. The inhibitory action of DPC4 gene expression on growth of these daughter cells was observed.Results DPC4/Smad4 gene integration in GP+E86、PA317/ pLXSN DPC4+ cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The BxPC-3 cells, which were null for DPC4, had stable expression of DPC4 after the infection of the pLXSN/DPC4. The expression of DPC4 gene was able to inhibit the growth of these cancer cells in vitro and downregulate the VEGF mRNA level.Conclusions This study suggested that there can be marked inhibition of growth and angiogenetic ability of pancreatic cancer cells after infection by retrovirus vector containing DPC4.

Objective To observe the effect of DPC4 gene transfection on the chemotherapy sensitivity of pancreatic carcinoma cells. Methods The human DPC4 complementary DNA was subcloned to the retroviral vector pLXSN to obtain recombinant pLXSN/DPC4 with direct inserting potential. The daughter cell BxPC-3/DPC4 which had DPC4 stable expression was acquired after the pancreatic carcinoma BxPC-3 cells had been transfected with pLXSN/DPC4. The sensitivity of the carcinoma cells for 5-Fu and gemcitabine was observed. Meanwhile, the mRNA level of Mdr-1 and Chk1was detected by semi-quantity PCR assay. Results The 50% inhibiting concentrations (IC50)of 5-Fuand gemcitabin4e for BxPC-3 (culturing for 72 h) were rather lower than those of BxPC-3/pLXSN and BxPC-3/-cells. Moreover, the semi-quantity PCR assay revealed that the mRNA level of Mdr-1 and Chk1 was down-regulated. These findings indicated that pLXSN/DPC4 vector, 5-Fu and gemcitabine could inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. The combined therapy with pLXSN/DPC4 vector and chemotherapeutic drugs could further inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Conclusion The DPC4 gene transfection could enhance the sensitivity of pancreatic cells to chemotherapy, which may be realized through the down-regulation of Mdr-1 and Chk1 gene expression.

Objective: To study the prognostic significance of the subtype of SYT-SSX fusion gene, E-cadherin, β-Catenin and clinicopathologicel parameters for the metastasis of synovial sarcomas. Methods: A total of 98 synovial sar-coma patients with complete clinical and follow-up data were reviewed. RT-PCR was used to detect the subtype of SYT-SSX fusion geneo The expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was detected by immunohistochemistry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the influence of the above factors and clinicopathological parameters on the metastasis free survival to explore the factors affecting the metastasis of synovial sarcoma. Results: Of all the pa-tients, 69.4% (68/98) had metastasis during follow-up. The median metastasis free survival was 48 months. The metastasis free 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year survival rate after surgery was 97.5%, 75.5%, 63.5%, 54.0%, and 48.5%, respectively; 31.6% (31/98) patients were found with SYT-SSX1 and 68.4% (67/98) patients with SYI-SSX2. The positive rate of E-cadherin ex-pression was 38.8% (38/98), the positive rate of β-catenin expression was 39.8% (39198) on cellular membrane and 53.1% (52/98) in cellular nucleus/cytoplasm. Univariate analysis showed that age (P=0.003), mitotic figure (P=0.002), histological grade (P=0.001), the subtype fusion gene of SYT-SSX (P=0.014), E-cadherin expression (P=0.015) and β-catenin expres-sion on cellular membrane (P=0.020) were significantly correlated with metastasis free survival of synovial sarcoma pa-tients. Sex (P=0.190), tumor location (P=0.105), tumor size (P=0.180), histological type (P=0.354), necrosis (P=0.451), β-catenin expression in cell nucleus/cytoplasm (P=0.911), radiotherapy (P=0.193), and chemotherapy (P=0.249) had no sig-nificant correlation with metastasis free survival of synovial sarcoma patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that the sub-type of SYT-SSX1 fusion gene (RR=2.505, P=0.003), negative expression of E-cadherin (RR=3.282, P=0.000), patient age (RR=2.157, P=0.004), and grade Ⅲ (RR=1.784, P=0.030) were independent risk factors for metastasis of synovial sarco-ma. Conclusion: The subtype of SYT-SSX, expression of E-cadherin, histological grade and the age of patients are impor-tant factors for evaluating the metastasis and prognosis of synovial sarcoma.