OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on the STAT3 pathway and its downstream target genes of nude mice hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft, and to explore its mechanism for treating HCC.

METHODSThe subcutaneous xenograft model was established using HepG2 cells. When the subcutaneous transplanted tumor was formed, naked mice were randomly divided into two groups, the BBP group and the control group. Mice in the BBP group were administered with BBP by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks, while mice in the control group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks. The body weight and the tumor volume were measured once per week. By the end of medication, the tumor weight was weighed and the tumor inhibition ratio calculated. The apoptosis of the tumor tissue was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B cell lymphoma/eukemina-2 (Bcl-2), cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK4), cyclinD1 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression levels of signal transducers and transcription activators 3 (p-STAT3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1 were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBBP could inhibit the tumor volume and tumor weight, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Results of TUNEL showed that BBP could significantly induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Results of RT-PCR showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and down-regulate mRNA expression of Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1. Immunohistochemical results showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and inhibit the protein expression of p-STAT3, PCNA, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1.

CONCLUSIONBBP could induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells and inhibit their proliferation by regulating STAT3 pathway.

Animals ; Bile ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Ursidae ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the modulatory effect of insulin on apoptosis of skeletal myoblast (L6 cells) by serum of scalded rat and its mechanism.

METHODSL6 cells cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% FBS were divided into control (C, added with 20% normal rat serum), serum from rat with scald injury (S, added with 20% serum from scalded rat), insulin (I, added with 20% normal rat serum and 100 nmol/L insulin), and serum of scalded rat + insulin (SI, added with 20% serum of scalded rat + 100 nmol/L insulin) groups according to the random number table. After being cultured for 48 hours, apoptosis was observed with Hoechst 33258 staining and its number counted, annexin V -FITC/PI double-labeling method was used to assess apoptosis rate, the protein levels of phosphorylated (p-) Akt, p-PI3K, Bax, Bcl-2, and active caspase-3 were determined by Western blotting. Data were processed with grouped or paired t test.

RESULTS(1) The amount of apoptosis with typical morphological change in S group [(59.6 +/- 3.9) per visual field] was more than that in C, I, and SI groups [(4.9 +/- 2.6), (5.5 +/- 2.1), (19.7 +/- 2.3) per visual field, with t value respectively 28.53, 29.86, 21.53, P values all below 0.01]. (2) Apoptotic rate in S group was (18.5 +/- 1.8)%, which was markedly higher than that in C, I, and SI groups [(1.1 +/- 0.6)%, (1.5 +/- 0.3)%, (7.8 +/- 0.6)%, with t value respectively 22.41, 22.83, 13.92, P values all below 0.01]. (3) Compared with those in C group, the protein levels of Bax and active caspase-3 in S group were up-regulated (1.12 +/- 0.63 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.03, 2.15 +/- 0.51 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.03, with t value respectively 3.80, 10.69, P values all below 0.01), the protein level of p-Akt was lowered (0.20 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.07, t = -8.46, P < 0.01), and the protein levels of p-PI3K and Bcl-2 showed no statistical difference (0.19 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.26 +/- 0.09, 0.17 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.07, with t value respectively -2.73, - 1.14, P values all above 0.05). The protein levels of Bax (0.40 +/- 0.14) and active caspase-3 (0.83 +/- 0.18) in SI group were lowered (t = -3.23, P < 0.05; t = 6.66, P < 0.01) and the protein levels of p-Akt, Bcl-2, and p-PI3K in SI group were elevated (0.39 +/- 0.10, 0.78 +/- 0.03, 0.47 +/- 0.12, with t value respectively 4.07, 18.71, 5.05, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) as compared with those in S group.

CONCLUSIONSSerum from scalded rat can induce apoptosis in skeletal myoblast, and the effect can be inhibited by insulin through PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Burns ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myoblasts, Skeletal ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effects of Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization in treating ASD after lumbar spinal fusion.

METHODSTotally 40 patients (included 16 males and 24 females, aged 25 to 60 years old) with degenerative disc disease were treated with posterior interbody fusion. Among them, 20 cases (treatment group) were treated with posterior interbody fusion combined with Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization, while other 20 cases (control group) only treated with posterior interbody fusion. JOA score and VAS score were compared after inserted Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization at 1 month and 3 years, and changes of intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment and cross-sectional area of the canal were tested and compared.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 3 to 5 years with an average of 3.6 years. All injuries were healed at stage I and the pain were released after treatment. There were no significant meaning in JOA score and VAS score at 1 month after treatment between two groups (P>0.05), while had meaning at 3 years (P<0.05). There were no statistical significane in intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment and cross-sectional area of the canal at 1 month after treatment (P>0.05), while had statistical meaning at 3 years (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is no difference in immediate effects between two groups. Both of them can obtain good results for effective decompression. Medial-term effectiveness of treatment group is obviously better than control group, which depends on Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization to plays good biology effects and effective accelerate adjacent degeneration caused by lumbar fusion.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in the treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODSTwenty-one cases of obesity and 9 cases of type 2 DM received the LRYGB. Weigh changes, excess body weight lose rate (EWL%) and blood glucose level were measured after surgery and occurrence of complications was observed postoperatively.

RESULTSLRYGB procedures in all the 30 cases were successfully performed with no conversion to open surgery. Average operation time was 168 minutes (110-270 mins), volume of blood loss during the surgery was 24.0 ml (10-75 ml). Twenty-one cases of simple obesity received follow-up from 2 months to 5 years. Body weight and BMI decreased significantly in one month [(85.1+/-10.1) kg vs (97.2+/-15.0) kg, 31.2+/-2.2 vs 35.3+/-3.5, both P<0.01] and to a minimal level in 2 to 3 years [(66.8+/-9.2) kg, 24.3+/-1.1], and then maintained at this level. EWL% was correspondingly higher (all P<0.05). Nine type 2 DM patients were followed up for 3 to 8 months, fasting blood glucose and blood glucose OGTT2 hours decreased significantly [(5.9+/-1.4) mmol/L vs (12.6+/-2.6) mmol/L, (7.8+/-1.4) mmol/L vs (17.8+/-4.1) mmol/L, both P<0.05], of whom 4 patients with obesity decreased in BMI significantly (P<0.05), and 5 patients without obesity had no significant changes in BMI (P>0.05). Five cases (16.7%) had postoperative complications, including 1 case of death due to acute fulminant pancreatitis, 1 case of mesenteric hiatal hernia with obstruction in line for reoperation, and the other 3 cases of healing by conservative therapy.

CONCLUSIONSTreatment of obesity and type 2 DM by LRYGB surgery is feasible with significant short term result. Long term outcome needs further observation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Female ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Morbid ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Zanthoxylum nitidum.

METHODColumn chromatography on Silica gel and Sephadex LH - 20, and recrystallization were applied for the isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis, chemical evidences and by comparison with the data reported in literature.

RESULTFrom the CHCl3 fraction and n-butanol fraction of the EtOH extract of the roots of Z. nitidum, 10 compounds were isolated and identified as 2, 4-dihydroxypyrimidine (1), syringic acid (2) , 2, 6-dimethoxy-1, 4-benzoquinone (3) , 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), ethylparaben (5), (Z)-3-(2, 3, 4-trimethoxyphenyl) acrylic acid (6), 5, 6, 7-trimethoxycoumarin (7), stigmast-9 (11) -en-3-ol (8), daucosterol (9), beta-sitosterol (10).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-9 were isolated and identified from the roots of Z. nitidum for the first time. Furthermore, we note here the first isolation of compound 6 as a natural product.

Acrylates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Parabens ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Objective To study the first locally identifcd A/HINI secondary cases outbreak in China. Methods Interview and field investigation were integrated to describe the whole process of transmission on each case and to illustrate the relationships between the onset of the disease and the retated factors. Results Two contact persons appearanced fever and whose throat swabs were tested positive to H1N1 viral nucleic acid. The two had a history of contact in a short distance with the initial imported case without any protective measure in the poor air ventilation. The patients clinical situation was slight. The incubation was between 37 hours and 57 hours. No other new case was found after intervention as isolation and antisepsis were taken. Conclusion This event was proved to be an outbreak of local A/H1N1 secondary cases caused by the imported case. The main mode of transmission was personal contact in a short distance without protection, through air and droplet. The locus with poor air ventilation was high risk place. Contact persons should be observed seven days and tested continuously.Infectivity and pathogenicity of the A/H1N1 virus were limited and appeared weakened by generations. Patient's condition was related with persistence and frequency of contact with the infection sources. Enhancing management of contact persons, health education, early diagnose, early treatment and early insulation were effective measures of controling and prenventing the spread A/H1N1.

OBJECTIVETo compare short-term postoperative outcomes between antecolic and retrocolic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(LRYGB).

METHODSForty obesity patients were admitted into The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from March 2008 to July 2010. All patients were randomly assigned to undergo antecolic (group A, 20 cases) and retrocolic (group B, 20 cases) gastroenteric anastomosis. Short-term outcomes were compared.

RESULTSLRYGB procedures were successfully performed in all the 40 patients. There were no significant differences between the two groups in estimated blood loss during surgery, time to flatus passage, time to resumption of oral intake, or length of postoperative hospital stay. The operation time was longer in group B than that in group A [(163.4±28.1) min vs.(131.8±22.7) min, P<0.05]. There were no patients developed internal hernia or anastomotic leakage in either group. Comparison of short-term gastrointestinal symptoms after surgery showed no statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough retrocolic procedure may be closer to anatomical structure, antecolic and retrocolic anastomosis have comparable short-term outcomes after surgery. Further study is warranted to investigate long-term outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Morbid ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical approach, feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgery for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODSSeven obese patients with type 2 diabetes and 5 type 2 diabetic patients without obesity received LRYGB surgery. The changes of the body mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 h PBG), C peptide (C-P) and HbA1c% were observed postoperatively.

RESULTSLRYGB procedures were successfully performed in all the 12 patients with no conversion to open surgery. The resolution rate was 85.7% in the obese group and 80% in the non-obese diabetic group.

CONCLUSIONLRYGB surgery is feasible for treatment of type 2 diabetes with good short-term result, but the long-term outcome awaits further observation.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Female ; Gastric Bypass ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

Adult ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; therapy ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Somatostatin ; metabolism ; Somatostatinoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; therapy ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVESTo study the phosphorylation level of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF), and the expression level of cyclin D1-CDK4 protein in S-HELF and whether the expression level of cyclin D1-CDK4 protein mediated by MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway in S-HELF.

METHODSTwo kinds of treatment: (1) Cells were harvested after stimulation 2 h for the detection of cytokines. (2) Cells were stimulated by quartz for a long time (2 months) for transformation characters (S-HELF). The MAP kinase was detected by western blot. Cyclin D1 and CDK4 (cyclin dependent kinase 4) proteins was measured by immunocytochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the alternation of cell cycle.

RESULTSCrystalline quartz could cause the phosphorylation level of ERKs, p38K, and JNKs in HELF increase. However, activated levels of ERKs and p46 of JNKs increased in S-HELF, and p38K activation decreased, and no effect on activation of p54 of JNKs, as compared with those in parental HELF. Cyclin D1 and CDK4 protein expression levels increased in S-HELF as compared with parental HELF. Inhibition of ERKs activation by AG126, AP-1 by curcumin, and JNKs by SP600125 could reduced the induction of cyclin D1 and CDK4, whereas inhibition of p38K by SB203580 did not show any inhibitory effects on S-HELF.

CONCLUSIONSThe phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 increased in HELF exposed to quartz. The phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK1 increased, but the phosphorylation level of p38 decreased in S-HELF. The expression level of cyclin D1-CDK4 protein increased in S-HELF. Overexpression of cyclin D1-CDK4 is due to the activation of ERKs, JNKs/AP-1 signaling pathway in S-HELF.

Cell Line ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Quartz ; toxicity