Celastrol is a type of quinone methyl triterpene isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii, with pharmacological activities, like anti-inflammatory, immunosuppression and anti-tumor. This study focused on the effects of celastrol on adhesion, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. The migration inhibition of lung cancer cells induced by celastrol was detected by the scratch test. The invasion inhibition of lung cancer cells induced by celastrol was measured by the transwell experiment. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the effect of different concentrations of celastrol in integrin family and Akt signaling pathway in lung cancer cells. The results showed that celastrol inhibited adhesion, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells and expressions of integrins β3, β4, αv and phosphorylated Akt, GSK-3β, c-Raf, PDK1 in Akt signal pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the study implies that Celastrol could inhibit the metastasis of lung cancer cells by suppressing Akt signaling pathway and expression of integrins.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Integrins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous

Objective To study the relationship between Couagen Ⅰ,MMP-2,TIMP-2 gene expression and atrial fibrosis during heart failure(HF)in dog.Methods Fourteen dogs were used and randomized into HF induced by ventricular tachypacing and control group.Burst atrial pacing was used to induce atrial fibrillation(AF).And the mRNA and protein level of collagen Ⅰ,MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique.Tissue samples were stained with Mallory trichrome.Results Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from (67.4? 6.0)% to (29.2?7.8)%,the inducible rate of AF(7/7 vs 2/7) and sustained AF(5/7 vs 0/7) increased and duration of AF stabeatrial fibrillation(SAF) [(462.12?181.43)s vs(0.57?0.57) s] prolonged significantly in HF group.Atrial fibrous tissue content and atrial size of HF group were significantly greater than the controls dogs(268.8% in lefe atria and 190.3% in right atria).The mRNA and protein level of collagen Ⅰ(56.2% and 132.2% in lefe atria,37.4% and 78.0% in right atria)and MMP-2 (100.0% and 115.7% in lefe atria,65.7% and 96.8% in right atria) increased evidently in both lefe atria and right atria,TIMP-2 mRNA decreased 46.3% in lefe atria and had no change in right atria and that its protein had no change in both atrium,whereas the ratio of MMP-2/ TIMP-2 of mRNA and protein increased markedly in both lefe atria (285.3% and 148.8%)and right atria (106.1% and 134.7%)of HF group.SAF had a positive correlation with fibrosis and the gene level of collagen Ⅰ in lefe atria,the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 had a positive correlation with fibrosis and collagen Ⅰ gene level in lefe atria during HF.Conclusions The changes of collagen Ⅰ,MMP-2 and TIMP-2 gene expression appear to be a molecular mechanism of AF, and the molecular remodeling of collagen Ⅰ induced by regulation unbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 appears to be an important mechanism of atrial fibrosis during HF.

Objective To observe the effects of a motor relearning programme (MRP) combined with different early acupuncture interventions on muscle tension and motor function recovery after cerebral infarction.MethodsA total of 90 patients with cerebral infarction who met the inclusion criteria were divided into three groups at random:a YANGMING meridian acupuncture and MRP group ( group A),an anti-spasm acupuncture and MRP group ( group B),and an MRP group ( group C ).All of the patients in all three groups were treated with routine medication.The National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS),the composite spasticity scale (CSS),Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),the Fugl-Meyer balance scale (FM-B) and the modified Barthel index (MBI) were used to measure performance before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.Another comparison was intra-group between before and after treatment. ResultsThere were significant differences in the assessment results in all of the groups after treatment compared with those before treatment.After treatment,group B was superior to group C only in terms of NIHSS scores.There was no significant NIHSS score difference between groups A and C.The FMA,CSS and MBI results revealed significant differences among all three groups,with the scores of group A consistently the highest.The average FMA score in group B was significantly higher than in group C but there was no statistically significant difference in FM-B scores among the three groups. ConclusionMRP therapy combined with early acupuncture intervention can improve motor function and muscular tension after cerebral infarction.Anti-spasm acupuncture can improve motor function and control muscular tension effectively at the same time,making it beneficial for MRP training.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of rotational atherectomy (RA) with drug-eluting stents (DES) by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for elderly patients with heavily calcified lesions. Methods Thirteen patients aged above 70 years with heavily calcified coronary artery having underwent the treatment of RA and DES by IVUS were enrolled. The levels of troponin T, creatine kinase isozyme-MB and creatinine were detected before and after operation.The levels of minimus lumen diameter, diameter stenosis rate, effective area of the lumen before and after operation were compared. The immediate success rate was evaluated and the follow-up results were recorded. Results Thirteen patients in accordance with angiography and IVUS examination were confirmed as severe calcification. The levels of troponin T, creatine kinase isozyme-MB and creatinine detected before and after operation had no significantly differences (P>0.05). The levels of minimus lumen diameter, diameter stenosis rate and effective area of the lumen before and after operation had significant differences:(2.06 ± 0.38) mm vs. (3.98 ± 0.76) mm, (73.26 ± 7.02)%vs. (17.00 ± 3.34)%, (4.53 ± 1.50) mm2 vs. (12.54 ± 6.19) mm2, P<0.01. The rate of left anterior descending artery, circumflex artery and right coronary artery calcification was 10/13, 0 and 1/13. All patients′operation was successful. Followed up for (14.6 ± 3.4) months, no patients had angina and myocardial infarction, or required target vessel revascularization. Conclusions RA with DES by IVUS can be safely used in elderly patients with severely calcified coronary artery disease, and can improve the success rate of intervention operation.

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)gene susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)by familial studies.Methods PCR-based re- striction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)was applied to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) G261T of the ACE gene.A total of 119 patients with SLE from 119 families were recruited.In addition,316 family members of these patients were also genotyped.A family-based association study was carried out to ex- plore the association between gene polymorphism and SLE.We studied the SNP encoding non-synonymous substitution in the ACE gene with respect to genetic susceptibility to SLE.Results Among 119 SLE patients. the frequency of ACEG261TG,T alleles was 44.8%.55.2% respectively,the frequency of ACEG261T GG,GT and TT genotypes was 13.9%,62.0%,24.1% respectively,Univariate(single-marker)family-based association test(FBAT)demonstrated that variant alleles at the SNP,rs4303,exon 5 of ACE gene were significantly asso- ciated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Additive Model(Z=2.877,P=0.004),Dominant Model(Z=2.557, P=0.011).Recessive Model(Z=2.202,P=0.028).Transmission-disequilibrium test(TDT)and sib transmission -disequilibrium test(STDT)showed an excess of the allele of T from heterozygous parents to affected offspring or higher frequency of the allele of T in the patients than their normal siblings(X~2=11.66,P=0.001).Conclu- sion Our findings suggest that the ACE gene may he the susceptible gene to SLE in Chinese population,and the individuals carrying ACE-261T allele is significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE.

Objective: To study the nursing of patients with morbid obesity treated with laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (LVBG). Methods: Before operation, obese degree, obesity-related conditions and mental states were examined routinely. Monitoring of respiratory tract, observing operative complications and instructing of diets were done after operation. Results: Among 6 patients, 5 were at the third degree of obese, one was at second. In obesity-related conditions, 4 patients had hypertension and acantha derma, 1 had arthritis, and all had respiratory sleeping syndrome. The operations were all successful. The food amount food and body weight both decreased significantly 1 month after operation. The common operative complications were mild bleeding (1 case), shoulder-back pain (1 case), nausea and vomiting (5 cases). Diet principle was high protein, low energy, liquid food was the first choice. Conclusion: Observing and preventing respiratory sleeping syndrome are the main points of postoperative cares. Instructing patients to establish correct diet habit is the key to reach the best efficacy of LVBG.

This study was aimed to investigate the cytogenetic characteristics of hematopoietic cells (HC) and bone marrow mesenchymal stoma cells (BMMSC) isolated from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and healthy individuals as normal controls, and to clarify whether HC and BMMSC are simultaneously involved and participate in pathogenesis and development of MDS. Both marrows of 22 newly diagnosed patients with MDS and 7 healthy individuals were collected; BMMSC were isolated and amplified by using established culture system, as well as were identified according to morphologic features and surface antigens detected by flow cytometry; the characteristics of BMMSC from MDS patients were analyzed; the BMMSC karyotyping analysis of MDS patients was performed by banding of HC and BMMSC with pancreatin-Giemsa technique (GTG) and in accordance with ISCN (2005) requirements; the cytogenetic characteristics of HC and BMMSC were compared. The results showed that in vitro culture system for isolation and amplification was successfully established. The light microscopy and flow cytometry confirmed that BMMSC possessed characteristics showing long and thin spindle form and expressing CD29, CD73, CD90 antigens, and unexpressing CD34, CD45 antigens. In BMMSC of 14 MDS patients (64%), the cytogenetic abnormalities were found usually involving the loss of chromosomal material (92%), among which clonal loss was observed in 7 cases (50%). The detection indicated a random loss of chromosomal material in significant proportion of BMMSC. A high proportion of chromosomal material random loss may be a marker of chromosomal instability in BMMSC of MDS patients, the detection also showed that completely consistent aberration types did not exist between HC and BMMSC. The aberrations were observed in 3 cases of MDS with normal karyotype of HC, its aberration rate (33%) was obviously lower than that in MDS patients with abnormal karyotypes (92%). It is concluded that the cytogenetic abnormalities exist in BMMSC of MDS patients, the unbalanced aberration of chromosomal materials may be a genetic instability marker of BMMSC. The difference of aberration types in BMMSC from HC suggests that genetic susceptibility of BMMSC and HC is similar, but no completely identical, which indicates the potential involvement of BMMSC in pathogenesis of MDS. Studying this potential role of BMMSC can be helpful to further understanding of MDS biological characteristics and provide the new approaches for diagnosis and therapy of MDS.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; pathology ; Young Adult

To study the variation of six ester-type alkaloids and characteristic fingerprints in the process from Radix Aconite Lateralis to Heishunpian and lay a foundation for the study of the processing principle of Heishunpian, HPLC. analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile and 40 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 10 with concentrated ammonia water) as mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 235 nm. The flow rate was set at 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the injection volume was 10-20 microL. Six ester-type alkaloids were determined and characteristic fingerprints of the process were established. As the process continues, the contents of diester diterpene alkaloids were decreased step by step, while the contents varia tion of monoester diterpene alkaloids were not obvious. Each sample showed significant difference in characteristic fingerprints. With the exception of 6 known monoester diterpene alkaloids and diester diterpene alkaloids, 13 peaks were marked in the characteristic fingerprints, of which the total change rule of the other 7 unknown peaks were similar with 3 diester diterpene alkaloids. The established method is accurate, reliable and repeatable, and can provide reference for revealing change rule of index components and illuminating processing principle in the process of Heishunpian.
Aconitine ; chemistry ; Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Esters ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the psychological stress in the survivors of the May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake transferred to Guangzhou for treatment, and explore the association between the psychological stress and the physical injuries related to the earthquake to promote both the physical and psychological recoveries of the survivors.

METHODSFifty-five earthquake survivors, including 27 with 28 without physical injuries, were transferred in our hospital 1 week after the earthquake. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) were used to investigate the psychological stress in these survivors.

RESULTSThe earthquake caused serious psychological stress in these survivors, and 43.63% of the survivors had high PCL-C scores (50 or above) and 78.18% had high SRQ scores (over 7), with 41.82% having high scores for both PCL-C and SRQ. The survivors with physical injuries generally had high PCL-C and SRQ scores (49.780-/+14.503 and 12.110-/+4.619, respectively), which, however, were not statistically different from the scores of the survivors without injuries (44.460-/+13.206 and 10.460-/+5.000, respectively, P>0.05). The injured survivors showed high scores for the subscales of persistent avoidance symptoms and of anger and irritability, in which the item scores for "efforts to avoid activities or places that arouse recollections of the earthquake" and "feeling of detachment or estrangement from others" were significantly different between the survivor with physical injuries and those without (P=0.034 and 0.018, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe Wenchuan earthquake causes serious psychological stress in the survivors, and the wounded are more inclined to have persistent avoidance symptoms and enhanced irritability. In addition to the care of the physical injuries, psychological counseling and social support may help ameliorate the psychological trauma in the survivors and reduce the incidence of PTSD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Survivors ; psychology ; Wounds and Injuries ; psychology ; Young Adult