0.05).The survival area and capillary density were more favorable in the EPCs-injection sites than the controls(P

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rats with gastric cancer. Methods:Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were adaptively fed for one week. By the random number table method, 10 rats were randomly selected as a blank group, and 12 rats were randomly selected to simulate the tumor transplantation process; after transplantation, 10 rats were randomly selected as a sham operation group. The remaining 38 rats were used to prepare gastric cancer models by gastric transplantation of the Walker-256 tumor tissue; 8 rats were randomly selected to verify the successful modeling after 7 d; the remaining 30 rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and an infrared group by the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. From the first day of enrollment, the rats in the moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) (the first group) and bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) (the second group), and the two groups of acupoints were alternated every other day. The rats in the infrared group received infrared radiation on the stomach area and the area on the back between the T12-T13 spinous processes, the two areas were alternated every other day. Rats in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were treated for 20 min each time, once a day for 21 d. Rats in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the model group were simultaneously grasped and fixed, and no other treatment was performed. After 21 d of intervention, the rats in each group were fasted for 12 h, and blood was collected from the orbits. The numbers of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ was calculated. The rats were sacrificed and the thymus was dissected under sterile conditions to calculate the thymus index. Results:Compared with the blank group, the thymus index, peripheral blood CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio in the sham operation group did not change significantly (allP>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the thymus index of the model group was increased (P<0.05), the CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes were increased (bothP<0.01), and the CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the thymus index of the moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01), and CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ in peripheral blood were increased (allP<0.05). Compared with the infrared group, the thymus index of the moxibustion group was significantly increased (P<0.05), the CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were significantly increased (bothP<0.01), and the CD3+CD8+ was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion can significantly increase the thymus index of gastric cancer-bearing rats and activate CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood.

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxic mechanism of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) by studying the induction of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mRNA in liver of TCDD-treated SD rats.

METHODSThirty female SD rats were randomly divided into control group and 5 exposure groups, every group had 5 rats. The animals were treated i.p. with 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 50 microg TCDD/kg BW. AHR and CYP1A1 mRNA expression were analyzed by RT-PCR after 24 h.

RESULTSThe contents of AHR and CYP1A1 mRNA were increased in all exposure groups except the 0.01 microg TCDD/kg BW group. AHR mRNA content was significantly increased in 50 microg TCDD/kg BW group (P<0.05); CYP1A1 mRNA contents were significantly increased in all exposure groups (P<0.05) but not 0.01 microg TCDD/kg BW group. There were dose-response relationship between TCDD doses and AHR, CYP1A1 gene expression.

CONCLUSIONBoth AHR and CYP1A1 gene in liver of TCDD-treated SD rats can be induced 24 h after exposure and CYP1A1 gene is more inducible than AHR gene.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon ; genetics

Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion has been widely accepted as a useful therapeutics all over the world, but its mechanism has not been fully defined. For this purpose, a reticular framework of whole-body fascia and connective tissues has been established by means of digitized virtual human technique. The virtual acupoints represented three-dimensionally were compared with the sites for stimulation in practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy. The results showed that the fascial network constituted by the connective tissues may be the anatomical basis for acupuncture therapy. We found that the acupoints were mainly located where thick connective tissues were present. In this fascial network, sensitive nerve endings, active cells and lymphatic vessels abounded in the sites with thick connective tissue, and needling at these sites induced definite biological effects. In light of biological phylogeny and embryo development, we believe that the connective tissue network may constitute a new functional system in the human body, the Self-supervision and control system (Fasciology), which provides a theoretical base for acupuncture therapy.
Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Points ; Connective Tissue ; anatomy & histology ; Fascia ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Meridians ; Models, Anatomic ; Models, Neurological

OBJECTIVECT120B gene is a splicing variant of CT120A, which deletes 96 nucleotides and leads to an in-frame loss of 32 amino acids between the codon 136 and 167 as compared with CT120A. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of CT120B expression on lung cancer cell growth and to explore the gene expression profiles.

METHODSCT120B cDNA was transfected into the human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells, and stable cell lines overexpressing CT120B were established. CCK-8 assay and tumorigenecity in a xenograft model were performed to analyze cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The differential gene expression induced by overexpressed CT120B was investigated using Atlas cDNA expression array. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell cycle and cell apoptosis.

RESULTSOverexpression of CT120B in SPC-A-1 cells resulted in a reduced cell growth rate in vitro, and decrease of the tumorigenicity in nude mice. A total of 38 genes were identified as differential expressions with more than a 2.0-fold change by Atlas cDNA expression array analysis, including downregulated cyclin E1, cdk 2, c-kit, CXCR4 and upregulated caspase 8 gene. Overexpression of CT120B also induced G1 phase arrest, but had no effect on cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONThe G1 cell cycle arrest, but not apoptosis, underlay the growth inhibitory activities of CT120B. The down-regulation of c-kit and CXCR4 expression might also contribute to the suppressive effects on cell growth of CT120B.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; G1 Phase ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and immunophenotype of centrally necrotizing carcinoma (CNC) of breast; and to study its relationship with basal-like breast cancer.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic characteristics of 35 cases of CNC were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2, CK8/18, 34betaE12, CK5/6, CK14, CK17, smooth muscle actin, p63, vimentin and epidermal growth factor receptor was performed using EnVision method. The surival information of 10 case were obtained.

RESULTSThe age of patients with CNC ranged from 30 to 82 years (mean = 54.2 years). Macroscopically, all tumors were relatively circumscribed, with a mean diameter of 2.4 cm. Histologically, there was a prominent central, necrotic or acellular zone surrounded by a narrow rim of viable tumor cells. The central necrotic foci had the following morphologic patterns: (1) coagulative tumor necrosis associated with various degree of fibrosis or hyaline degeneration (24 cases), (2) predominance of fibrous and scar tissue, with small amount of necrotic debris (8 cases), and (3) infarction (3 cases). The peripheral zone of tumor cells showed features of grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma in 32 cases and grade 2 in 3 cases. Twenty cases of CNC were associated with ductal carcinoma in-situ. A component of invasive micropapillary carcinoma was identified in 5 cases. Peripheral lymphocytic infiltrates were seen in 17 cases. Immunohistochemical study of 31 cases showed that the expression rate of basal-like markers (83.9%, 26 cases) was higher than that of myoepithelial markers (38.7%, 12 cases). The percentage of basal-like subtype (64.5%, 20 cases) was higher than luminal-A (9.7%, 3 cases), luminal-B (9.7%, 3 cases), HER2 over-expression (12.9%, 4 cases) and null (3.2%, 1 case) subtypes. In 20 cases of basal-like carcinoma, the expression ratio of CK5/6 was highest amongst basal-like markers (18 cases), the other markers ratios of CK17, CK14 and epidermal growth factor receptor were 8/10, 14/19 and 8/16, respectively. Follow-up data were available in 10 patients. The follow-up duration ranged from 15 to 42 months (mean = 21.5 months). The median disease-free and overall survivals were 14.0 and 18.0 months, respectively. Disease progression (as defined by the presence of recurrence, metastasis or tumor-related death) occurred in 9 patients. The mean and median time to disease progression was 16.6 and 13.0 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCNC is a rare subtype of breast carcinoma and has distinctive, easily discernible morphologic features. The majority of CNC exhibits basal-like immunophenotype and carries a poor prognosis. CNC is the typical representative of basal-like breast cancer.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma in Situ ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Keratin-14 ; metabolism ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of folic acid, vitamin B(6) and B(12) on plasma homocysteine and on learning and memory functions in focal cerebral ischemia rats.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. They were sham operation group (Sham OP), middle cerebral artery occlusion model group (MCAO), MCAO + folic acid group (MCAO + FA) and MCAO + compound vitamin (folate, vitamin B(6) and B(12)) group (MCAO + CV). Plasma homocysteine was measured before and after supplementation and after ischemia.

RESULTSThe level of plasma homocysteine in MCAO + FA and MCAO + CV groups were significantly lower than those in Sham OP and MCAO groups after supplementation and ischemia (6.92 +/- 1.04) micromol/L and (5.49 +/- 1.00) micromol/L vs (9.33 +/- 1.11) micromol/L, (10.90 +/- 2.03 micromol/L), P < 0.05. While in MCAO + CV group was lower than that in MCAO + FA group (5.49 +/- 1.00) micromol/L vs (6.92 +/- 1.04) micromol/L, P < 0.05. The neurological deficit scores and shock times in Y-type maze of MCAO + FA and MCAO + CV groups were lower than those in MCAO group (1.75 +/- 0.46 and 1.38 +/- 0.52 vs 2.62 +/- 0.52; 123.50 +/- 39.77 and 86.25 +/- 21.39 vs 173.25 +/- 46.32, P < 0.05). The correct times of MCAO + CV group in Y-type maze was higher than that in MCAO group (3.75 +/- 0.42 vs 2.12 +/- 0.45, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFolic acid intake could not only reduce plasma homocysteine concentration but also promote the recovery of the learning and memory functions of rats with cerebral ischemia. The effects of folic acid combined with vitamin B(6) and vitamin B(12) on cerebral ischemia rats was better than that of single folate.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Folic Acid ; pharmacology ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; blood ; physiopathology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin B 12 ; pharmacology ; Vitamin B 6 ; pharmacology ; Vitamin B Complex ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe association between vulnerability of plaque assessed with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and plasma levels of fibrinolytic biomarkers was determined in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, few data are available on the relationship between the levels of tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and virtual histological intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) signs of plaque instability.

METHODSEighty-nine patients with ACS were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected to measure t-PA levels by liquid phase bead flow cytometry. Eighty-nine nonbifurcate lesions (identified by coronary angiography and ECG) were investigated using IVUS before catheterization. IVUS radiofrequency data obtained with a 20 MHz catheter were analyzed with IVUS virtual histological software. The areas of plaque and media were calculated and lesions were classified into two groups: VH-IVUS derived thin cap fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA) and non-VH-TCFA plaque.

RESULTSPlasma t-PA level in the patients with TCFA was significantly lower than that with non-TCFA ((1489+/-715) pg/ml vs (2163+/-1004) pg/ml). Decreased plasma levels of t-PA were associated with plaque vulnerability. Plasma levels of t-PA correlated negatively with plaque plus media and necrotic core in plaque in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONSt-PA is an independent risk factor and a powerful predictor of vulnerable plaques. Decreased levels of t-PA may reflect instability of atherosclerotic plaques and might therefore serve as noninvasive determinants of those at high risk for consequent adverse events.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; pathology ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Objective To investigate the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on GluR2 subunit in hippocampal AMPA receptor with epileptic rats by injecting kainic acid (KA).Methods The adult male SD rats with epileptic model were builded by KA.The rats were randomly divided into control,model,test A and test B groups.Control group was given 0.9％ NaCl 1 μL,intraventricular injection.Model group was given 5.5 μg · μL-1 KA 1 μL,intraventricular injection.Test A group was given 5 μg · μL-1 NPY 1 μL,intraventricular injection.Test B group was given 3 μg · μL-1 BIBP3226 1 μL,then given 5 μg · μL-1 NPY 1 μL after half hour,intraventricular injection.After 24 h,the test A and B groups received 5.5 μg · μL-1 KA 1 μL,intraventricular injection.The total protein and phosphorylation protein of GluR2 in hippocampal CA3 were measured by Western blot,and the expression of GluR2 mRNAin hippocampal CA3 were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The total protein of GluR2 in control,model,test A and test B groups were 0.63 ± 0.21,0.63 ± 0.36,0.63 ±0.28 and 0.61 ±0.22 without significant difference (all P ＞ 0.05).In control,model,test A and test B groups,the phosphorylation protein of GluR2 were 0.42 ± 0.21,1.24 ± 0.17,0.91 ± 0.07 and 1.05 ± 0.08,the GluR2 mRNA were 1.01 ± 0.14,0.42 ± 0.16,0.76 ± 0.07 and 0.60 ± 0.09.There were statistically significant differences between control group and other three groups (all P ＜ 0.05),and also between test A group and model,test B groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion NPY could inhibit the epileptic seizure of rats,which can reduce the AMPA receptor GluR2 subunit function were inhibited by epilepsy,with activating the Y1 receptor.

OBJECTIVETo clarify three-grade criteria of curative resection for primary liver cancer (PLC) and evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSCriteria of curative resection of PLC were summed up to three grades. Grade I: complete removal of all gross tumors with no residual tumor at the excision margin. Grade II: on the basis of Grade I, there was no extrahepatic metastasis, no hilar lymph node metastasis, no tumor thrombus in the main trunks and their primary tributaries of the portal vein, common hepatic duct, hepatic vein and vena cava inferior, and the tumor was not more than two in number. Grade III: in addition to the above criteria, AFP dropped to normal level (in patients with elevated AFP before surgery) within 2 months after operation, and no residual tumor upon diagnostic imaging. A total of 354 cases with PLC who had their liver resected was reviewed. Patients in each grade were divided into two portions depending on whether the treatment was curative or palliative.

RESULTSThe survival of patients receiving curative treatment was better than those receiving palliative treatment (P < 0.01). This was true for patients whose treatment belonged to anyone of the three-grade criteria. The survival was improved along with the promotion of curative criteria used. The 5-year survival rate of Grade I, II and III patients undergone curative resection was 43.2%, 51.2% and 64.4%, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION1. The three-grade criteria may be used for judging the radicality of tumor resection for PLC. 2. The more stringent the criteria used, the better the survival would be. 3. Adopting high-grade criteria to select cases, to guide operation and postoperative follow-up would improve the results of liver resection for PLC.

Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate