Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; virology ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Virus Diseases ; drug therapy

Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans

From original concept and literature of acupoint, the concept and clinical significance of ashi method is discussed, which clarifies that the essence of ashi method is to locate the acupoints by patients' sensitivity on force. The clinical application of heat-sensitive moxibustion has illustrated that positioning method of this therapy is based on the appearance of heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation. Although both types are based on patients' feeling, positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion stands on a new angle and uses a new method to locate acupoint. Therefore, it is believed that the positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion is the inheritance and development of ashi method.
Acupuncture Points ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Moxibustion ; history ; methods ; Sensation

Objective Background-study on genesis and development of tumor is mainly concentrated on gene mutation in nucleus. In recent years, however, the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in tumor genesis has been given more and more attention, which is the only extra-nucleus DNA in cells of higher animals. Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a common tumor in gynecology, but there are few reports of mtDNA mutation in this area. The focus of this study was to investigate the mtDNA mutation in tumor tissues of cervical carcinomas and their relationship to tumorigenesis and tumor development. Methods The D-loop region of 24 cervical carcinomas together with the adjacent normal tissues were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Results Among the 24 cervical carcinomas, 30 mutations in 9 patients′ specimen were identified with the mutations rate of 37.5%(9/24). There were 8 microsatellite instabilities among the mutations and 13 new polymorphisms which were not reported previously in the Genbank. Conclusions The D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA is a highly polymorphoric and mutable region and the mutation rate is relatively high in patients with cervical carcinomas.

Objective Background-study on genesis and development of tumor is mainly concentrated on gene mutation in nucleus. In recent years, however, the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in tumor genesis has been given more and more attention, which is the only extra-nucleus DNA in cells of higher animals. Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a common tumor in gynecology, but there are few reports of mtDNA mutation in this area. The focus of this study was to investigate the mtDNA mutation in tumor tissues of cervical carcinomas and their relationship to tumorigenesis and tumor development. Methods The D-loop region of 24 cervical carcinomas together with the adjacent normal tissues were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Results Among the 24 cervical carcinomas, 30 mutations in 9 patients′ specimen were identified with the mutations rate of 37.5%(9/24). There were 8 microsatellite instabilities among the mutations and 13 new polymorphisms which were not reported previously in the Genbank. Conclusions The D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA is a highly polymorphoric and mutable region and the mutation rate is relatively high in patients with cervical carcinomas.

Objective To summarize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics and clinical manifestations of brain abnormalities in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods The clinical and brain MRI data of 19 patients with NMO treated in our hospital from January, 2002 to May, 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 19 patients with NMO, 15 underwent brain MRI, and brain abnormalities were identified in 7 patients. The lesions involved the cerebral hemisphere in 3 cases, the thalamus in 2 cases, the hypothalamus in 1 case, the surrounding areas of the third ventricle and the midbrain aqueduct in 1 case, the midbrain in 1 case, the pons in 1 case, and the medulla in 2 cases. On brain MRI, the lesions appeared as spots, patches or linear changes in the brain with low signals on T1-weighted imaging and high signals on T2-weighted and FLAIR imaging. The main clinical manifestations included nausea, vomiting, hiccup, diplopia, nystagmus, facial numbness, cognition impairment, and lethargy. Conclusion NMO may cause lesions in different brain regions, typically in the surrounding areas of the ependyma and hypothalamus. Clinical manifestations may occur in some patients with brain lesions, and in a few cases, these manifestations can be the initial clinical event of NMO onset.

BACKGROUNDRNA interference (RNAi) technology is emerging as a very potent tool to generate a cellular knockdown of a desired gene. The aim of this study was to explore whether RNAi targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) could inhibit colorectal tumor lymphangiogenesis and tumor growth.

METHODSWe used vector-based RNAi to inhibit VEGF-C expression in colon cancer in vitro and in vivo. VEGF-C expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Westen blotting. To establish LoVo cell tumor xenografts in mice, we subcutaneously inoculated 1.0 x 10(6) LoVo cells in nude mice; after injection, tumors were allowed to grow for 4 weeks until the volume reached (75.8+/-55.8) mm(3). The mice were then randomly divided into two groups: (1) the VEGF-C-siRNA group (n=10) received direct injection of "therapeutic" plasmid 50 microg of LoVo-VEGF-C-siRNA into the tumor mass; (2) the control group (n=10) were injected with LoVo-control in 20 microl of sterile 0.9% NaCl solution into the tumor mass. Tumor growth, microlymphatics and microvessels were compared for mice administered either systemic VEGF-C-siRNA or control over 4 weeks.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-C in the colon tumor cell line, LoVo, stably transfected with a VEGF-C-siRNA vector, were significantly downregulated 45.3% and 35.3% respectively. In vivo, four weeks after injection, the tumor volume were significantly smaller in VEGF-C-siRNA group than in LoVo-control group ((314.8+/-54.8) mm(3) vs (553.9+/-90.1) mm(3)); the incidences of lymph node metastasis (30%) in VEGF-C-siRNA were significantly inhibited compared with LoVo-control group (70%); in VEGF-C-siRNA group, the number of microlymphatics per microscopic field was (5.3+/-0.7) and the number of microvessels per microscopic field was (24.2+/-6.5) decreased compared with LoVo-control group (12.5+/-6.9) and (42.1+/-7.4) (all P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of VEGF-C expression using siRNA-mediated gene silencing vectors reduced lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis and enhanced survival.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of fosinopril (Fos) on regulating klotho gene expression and elucidate the mechanism of Fos regulating the Angiotensin II (AngII) -induced down-expression of klotho gene.

METHODSCulture cells, NRK-52E, were incubated with media either AngII or Fos or both of all. Experimental groups incubated with Fos (10(-5) mol/L) were divided according to variant points of time for 0 (control), 3, 6, 12, 24 h. Different concentration of Fos was selected to incubated with culture cells for 0 (control), 10(-9) 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5) mol/L at the optimal time point (24 h). Five groups, which were A: control; B: AngII (10(-7) mol/L); C: Fos(10(-5) mol/L); D: AngII (10(-7) mol/L) + Fos(10(-5) mol/L) and E: Cells pretreated with Fos(10(-5) mol/L)12 h incubated with AngII (10(-7) mol/L) were divided to observe the effect of Fos on expression of klotho induced by AngII. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were applied to evaluate the klotho mRNA and protein expression, respectively.

RESULTSFos up-regulated klotho mRNA in time-dependent manner, and independent of dose-dependent manner; AngII obviously decreased the levels of kloltho mRNA and protein expression in NRK-52E as compared to the control (P < 0.05), the down-regulating effect was reversed by incubating both with AngII and Fos (P < 0.05), and Fos could inhibit the down-regulated expression of klotho gene induced by Ang II in NRK-52E.

CONCLUSIONFosinopril up-regulates klotho mRNA in time-dependent manner, and inhibits the down-regulated expression of klotho gene induced by Ang II.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fosinopril ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glucuronidase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats

Aim To investigate the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide ( LBP ) on LPS-induced ARDS in mice and the potential mechanisms. Methods Thirty-two C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control group, LPS group, LBP group and LY294002 ( Akt inhibitor) group, with eight mice in each group. The pathological changes in lung tissues were evaluated by HE staining, pulmonary edema was measured by wet/dry ratio( W/D) , and the concentra-tions of total protein and the levels of inflammatory cy-tokines in BALF were determined. MDA and SOD lev-els in lung tissues and the apoptosis of lung tissues were detected. The protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3, p-Akt and p-eNOS were determined by Western blot. Results Compared with control group, severe pathological lung injury changes were observed in LPS group, and the W/D ratio, levels of total pro-tein and inflammatory cytokines in BALF, levels of MDA in lung tissues and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 significantly increased(P<0.05), while the lung SOD activity, the p-Akt and p-eNOS expression decreased( P<0.05) . LBP could significantly attenu-ate the indexes above(P<0.05). However, the pro-tective effects of LBP on ARDS were inhibited by Akt inhibitor LY294002. Conclusions LBP protects a-gainst LPS-induced ARDS in mice by alleviating EC barrier dysfunction via the suppression of inflamma-tion, oxidative stress and apoptosis, at least partially via activation of the Akt/eNOS singaling pathway.

Objective To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rb1,the most abundant ginsenoside in ginseng root,on differentiation and lipolysis of 3T3-L1 cells and to explore its anti-diabetic mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes were induced under standard differentiation process in the presence of 0.1,1,10,100?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 for 6 days.Oil red O staining,measurement of triglyceride contents and glucose uptake assay were performed.The expressions of mRNA and protein of PPAR?2,C/EBP?,ap2,glucose transporter (Glut) 1,and Glut4 were analysed with quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot.The binding affinity of Rb_1 to PPAR?-LBD was evaluated by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).Lipolysis of adipocytes was examined by the measurement of glycerol released from adipoeytes treated with Rb_1 for 1 h.Results Ginsenoside Rb_1 facilitated differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes in a dose-depondent manner.10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased lipid accumulation by about 56%.Treatment of differentiating adipocytes with 10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased the expressions of PPAR?2 and C/EBP?mRNA and protein,as well as mRNA expression of ap2,one of their target genes.After treatment of differentiating adipoeytes with Rb_1,basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport augmented significantly accompanied by up-regulations of mRNA and protein level of Glut4,but not of Glutl.SPR showed Rb_1 could bind to PPAR?which suggested Rb_1 was a ligand of PPAR?.Ginsenoside Rb_1 inhibited basal lipolysis in adipoeytos in a dose-dependent manner.However,it did not affect isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis.Conclusion As a PPAR?ligand,ginsenoside Rb_1 promotes adipogenesis,inhibitas basal lipolysis and inereasos basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport in cultured adipoeytes.Therefore,anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing activity of ginsenosides is,at least in part,involved in the enhancing effect on PPAR?2 and C/EBP?expressions,hence promoting adipogenesis and glucose uptake,and inhibiting lipolysis in adipocytes.