BACKGROUNDDicycloplatin is a relatively safe third generation platinum-complex anti-cancer drug. The present study focused on the effects of dicycloplatin on in vitro proliferation and apoptosis of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) and human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC).

METHODSProliferation of HASMC and HAEC, DNA content, and cellular levels of proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins were assessed using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) (MTS) assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting assays, respectively.

RESULTSDicycloplatin at 10 ng/ml significantly inhibited HASMC proliferation, however, 10 µg/ml were required to significantly inhibit HAEC proliferation. Cell cycle analysis showed that dicycloplatin was a non-specific inhibitor of the cell cycle. Although dicycloplatin significantly decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in HASMC at all concentrations tested, it did not significantly affect PCNA expression in HAEC; Bax and p53 protein expression was upregulated in dicycloplatin groups.

CONCLUSIONSDicycloplatin at nanogram concentrations significantly inhibits HASMC proliferation, although the effect is relatively weaker than that of sirolimus. In contrast, the effect of dicycloplatin on inhibition of HAEC proliferation is much less pronounced than that on HASMC. The latter characteristics point to the potential for use of dicycloplatin in drug-eluting stents.

Aorta ; cytology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Glutamates ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Sirolimus ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the metabolism-related risk factors of cholelithiasis among residents in Beijing.

METHODSThe clinical data including previous disease history, findings of physical examination, and results of cholecystosonography of 2270 patients with cholelithiasis identified in the Health Screening Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between August 2007 and August 2010 were retrospectively reviewed (the case group). Meanwhile, 4336 healthy individuals during the same period were randomly chosen as the control group.

RESULTSTotal cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure were positively correlated with the incidence of cholelithiasis (P < 0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was negatively correlated (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure showed no association with cholelithiasis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCholelithiasis is resulted from multiple factors including elevated blood lipids, blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure among residents in Beijing.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholelithiasis ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Hic-5/ARA55 on the growth of the human colorectal cancer cells (Lovo cells) and its mechanism.

METHODFlow cytometry (FCM) was used to study the cell cycle of Lovo cells (Lovo group), Lovo cells stably transfected with empty vector (Lovo-Vector group) and the Lovo cells stably transfected with vector containing Hic-5/ARA55 (Lovo-Hic-5/ARA55 group). Western blot assay was used to detect the principal cyclins in the three groups, and Luciferase assay was used to study the mechanism between Hic-5/ARA55 and the only target cyclin. The cells from the three groups were inoculated subcutaneously into 7 nude mice (Balb/c nu/nu) respectively to observe the effects of Hic-5/ARA55 on the growth of the cells in vivo. Seven weeks later, the subcutaneous tumors were harvested and weighed. Then immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect Hic-5/ARA55 and the target cyclin in the tumors.

RESULTSThe cell cycle was obviously delayed from G0/G1 to S stage in Lovo-Hic-5/ARA55 cells. A significantly higher expression of P27 was found in Lovo-Hic-5/ARA55 cells than in the other two groups. The weight of the subcutaneous tumors of Lovo-Hic-5/ARA55 cells, Lovo cells and Lovo-Vector cells were (0.33 +/- 0.23) g, (1.20 +/- 0.39) g and (1.30 +/- 0.49) g, respectively; the tumors of Lovo-Hic-5/ARA55 cells was significantly lighter than those of the other two groups (P<0.05). Hic-5/ARA55 and P27 were both over-expressed in implanted tumors of Lovo-Hic-5/ARA55 cells, while were both expressed lower or not expressed in the other two groups. And the expressions of Hic-5/ARA55 and P27 were highly positive correlated (r=0.816, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHic-5/ARA55 could inhibit the growth of Lovo cells both in vitro and in vivo by up-regulating the transcription of P27.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo study the in vitro antiviral effect of ribavirin combined with an oral preparation of traditional Chinese medicine "Hu Fei" (protecting the lung) on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

METHODSCytopathic effects (CEP) of RSV on Hep2 cells were observed after adding different concentrations of ribavirin, Hu Fei and combination of both into the culture medium.

RESULTSThe minimum concentration of ribavirin and Hu Fei for complete inhibition of CPE caused by RSV was 7.80 microg/ml and 5.00 mg/ml, respectively. When the combination of ribavirin and Hu Fei was applied, their minimum concentrations needed for complete inhibition were decreased to 0.98 ?g/ml and 0.63 mg/ml.

CONCLUSIONSBoth ribavirin and Hu Fei showed in vitro anti-RSV effect, but the inhibitory effect of combined ribavirin and Hu Fei was more potent than either of the preparation alone.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; drug effects ; Ribavirin ; pharmacology

A large amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is required for fatty acid synthesis and maintenance of the redox state in cancer cells. Malic enzyme 1(ME1)-dependent NADPH production is one of the three pathways that contribute to the formation of the cytosolic NADPH pool. ME1 is generally considered to be overexpressed in cancer cells to meet the high demand for increased de novo fatty acid synthesis. In the present study, we found that glucose induced higher ME1 activity and that repressing ME1 had a profound impact on glucose metabolism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) cells. High incorporation of glucose and an enhancement of the pentose phosphate pathway were observed in ME1-repressed cells. However, there were no obvious changes in the other two pathways for glucose metabolism: glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Interestingly, NADPH was decreased under low-glucose condition in ME1-repressed cells relative to wild-type cells, whereas no significant difference was observed under high-glucose condition. ME1-repressed cells had significantly decreased tolerance to low-glucose condition. Moreover, NADPH produced by ME1 was not only important for fatty acid synthesis but also essential for maintenance of the intracellular redox state and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, diminished migration and invasion were observed in ME1-repressed cells due to a reduced level of Snail protein. Collectively, these results suggest an essential role for ME1 in the production of cytosolic NADPH and maintenance of migratory and invasive abilities of NPC cells.
Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Malate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; NADP ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Pentose Phosphate Pathway ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEAccording to test results of the Hospital of AIDS screening laboratory in 2008, after counting analysis to assess the prevalence of AIDS, we can early detect positive cases in the future and effectively control the spread of AIDS.

METHODSAll serum samples were screened by ELISA method and we reexaminated the samples by PA. As long as one result is positive by the two methods, then we sent the positive samples to Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention by Western Blot method to confirm the result.

RESULTSA total of 21 467 samples were detected and 29 (13.5% 0) were positive screening results. We confirm there were 7 (24.1%) positive samples and 12 (41.4%) suspected samples. We researched the epidemiology of the specimens by its source and age and sex.

CONCLUSIONApplication of ELISA method for HIV screening test has a practical significance, it is accurate and fit to record the results of the screening test for AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; Hospitals ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo study the mechanism of Labbé vein injury, and its effect on traumatic cerebral infarction and prognosis in patients of craniocerebral trauma.

METHODSThe clinic imageology and data of 16 patients of craniocerebral trauma with Labbé vein injury approved intraoperatively from June 2006 to February 2009 were analyzed. To compare the effect of the intraoperative finding of Labbé vein damage and blood vessel treatment on traumatic cerebral infarction, and to analyze the traumatic cerebral infarction size and prognosis.

RESULTSAll the 16 patients had acute subdural hematoma and(or) intracerebral hematoma. And 15 of all the 16 patients with Labbé vein injury suffered from skull fractures. All patients accepted hematoma cleaning and intracranial decompression procedure by removing skull. The preoperative Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were as following: 5 patients being between 9 - 12, 7 patients being between 6 - 8 and 4 patients being between 3 - 5. Eight patients had cerebral hernia before operations on admission, and among them, 3 patients had corectasis of both sides and 5 patients had corectasis of only one side, the other 8 patients had no corectasis. Postoperatively, 14 patients suffered from traumatic cerebral infarction of different grades. After follow-ups of 24 months, 8 patients had relatively good prognosis, with 4 patients having good recoveries and 4 having middle disability; the other 8 had bad prognosis, including 3 patients being seriously disable and 5 kept vegetative state.

CONCLUSIONSImpact injury and counterblow are the main reasons to the injury of Labbé vein, which consequently leads to serious traumatic cerebral infarction and bad prognosis. Intraoperatively, it is quite important to protect Labbé vein during the surgery, which should not be easily cut or obstructed by electric coagulation, and this is an effective way to improve the prognosis of these patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; etiology ; surgery ; Cerebral Veins ; surgery ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

In order to observe the curative and side effects in malignant hematologic diseases treated with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) combined with halotype lymphocyte infusion, auto-PBSCs were mobilized, harvested and stored at -196 degrees C from patients in first CR or PR with intensive chemotherapy (Ara-C 1.0 g/m(2) x 5 days or cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg x 2 days) and G-CSF. Unpurged auto-PBSCs were infused when patients received the conditioning regimen with busulfan, total irradiation or cyclophosphamide. Halotype lymphocytes [mean 5.0 x 10(7)/kg, (4.5 - 6.5) x 10(7)/kg] irradiated with 7.5 Gy were infused to patients when WBCs were more than 1 x 10(9)/L. Hematopoietic recovery and survival of patients were observed. The results showed that in 12 cases accepted this protocol, five patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia got to durable remission, of which 2 had durable remission of more than 50 months. One of three patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma IVb reached durable remission, and two relapsed and died on 4 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. Two CML patients were also achieved durable remission. One patient with multiple myeloma relapsed on 36 months later, but he still survived disease-free with treatment of thalidomide. In a follow-up survey of 25 months, the disease-free survival was 83%. No severe side effects were observed except platelet delayed recovery after halotype lymphocyte infusion. STR-PCR analysis showed that infused donor lymphocytes disappeared in 3 recipients at 72 hours after infusion. It is concluded that auto-PBSCT combined with halotype lymphocyte infusion could decrease the relapse of malignant hematologic diseases and improve the effect of auto-PBSCT. Recovery of platelet, however, could be delayed by halotype lymphocyte infusion.
Adult ; Busulfan ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Transfusion ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Platelet Count ; Remission Induction ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase gene (MT1-MMP, MMP14) polymorphisms and osteoporosis in Zhuang men from Baise region of Guangxi.

METHODSGenotypes of 5 loci (rs1003349, rs3751488, rs2269213, rs2236303 and rs743257) of MMP14 gene in 301 Zhuang men were determined with single base extension methods, and bone mineral density (BMD) at left calcaneus was evaluated with quantitative ultrasound with measured values of broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA). The subjects were divided according to BMD into osteoporosis group, osteopenia group and normal bone density group.

RESULTSAll selected loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P> 0.05). By multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, polymorphisms of the five loci were not associated with BUA. But a significant higher risk of osteoporosis was found in individuals with MMP14 rs1003349 GT genotype (vs. GG genotype; P<0.05) and rs2236303 CC and CT genotypes (vs. TT genotype; P<0.05). Genetic linkage between rs1003349 and rs2236303 was also discovered (D'= 0.839, r(2) = 0.458, P<0.01). Compared with the normal bone density group, the frequency of a G-T haplotype of rs1003349 and rs2236303 was significantly lower in the osteoporosis group (P<0.05). And the risk of osteoporosis for individuals with G-C and T-C haplotypes was 2.556 (95% CI: 1.029-6.349, P = 0.038) and 5.111 (95% CI: 1.341-19.485, P = 0.011) compared with G-T haplotype.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms of rs1003349 and rs2236303 loci of MMP14 gene are associated with the susceptibility of osteoporosis in Zhuang men in Guangxi. G-C and T-C haplotypes for loci rs1003349 and rs2236303 may increase the disease risk.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Density ; genetics ; China ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Tongxinluo superfine (TXL) on experimental anginal model induced by Arginine Vasopressin in rats with endothelial dysfunction.

METHODFirst, the endothelial dysfunction rat model was made by methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). The thoracic aorta were excised, and acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium dependent relaxation and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced endothelium-independent relaxation were measured. Total plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations were measured with automated fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) level. Plasma nitric oxide (NO) contents were assayed by method of nitrate reductase. Then, the rat model of collaterals contraction (model group) was established by AVP intravenous injection in rats with endothelial dysfunction and the S wave change (DeltaS) and T wave depression in Lead II ECG were used as the index of angina severity. The nitric oxide (NO) contents in serum and the expression of myocardium eNOS mRNA were measured.

RESULTAch (0. 1-1000 nmol L(-1))-induced endothelium dependent relaxation (EDR) of aortic rings was significantly decreased in HHcy group. The endothelium-independent relaxation induced by SNP (0.001-10 micromol L(-1)) was not significantly different between the two groups. Plasma homocysteine concentrations and vWF levels in rats treated with methionine were higher than those of control group, while NO contents were significantly decreased in HHcy group compared with control. The results showed that L-methionine intake induced hyperhomocysteinemia in rats. Impaired EDR, increased vWF and decreased NO suggested the exist of endothelial dysfunction. DeltaS of model group increased from 1 min to 5 min and T wave of model group depressed at 2 min compared with that of control after the administration of vasopressin (0.5 U kg(-1)). The intragastric administration of TXL inhibited vasopressin-induced S wave change at 4 min and 5 min and T wave depression from 30 s to 3 min after AVP injection. The NO contents in serum and the expression of myocardium eNOS mRNA of TXL group were increased compared with model group.

CONCLUSIONExperimental angina induced by AVP injection is more severe in rats with endothelial dysfunction. Tongxinluo Superfine can protect against collaterals contraction in rats maybe by increasing the NO contents in serum and the expression of myocardium eNOS mRNA.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Electrocardiography ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; blood ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Nitroprusside ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism