Acclimatization ; physiology ; Adolescent ; Altitude ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Oxygen ; physiology ; Pulmonary Gas Exchange ; Young Adult

To explore the new method of discriminating Cistanche deserticola, Cynomorium songaricum and Orobanche pycnostachya by using PCR amplification of specific alleles. 30 samples of the different C. deserticola, 21 samples of C. songaricum and O. pycnostachya were collected. The total DNA of the samples were extracted, the ITS sequences from C. deserticola, C. songaricum and O. pycnostachya were amplified by PCR and sequenced unidirectionally. These sequences were aligned by using ClustulW. Specific primer was designed according to the ITS sequences of specific alleles, and PCR reaction system was optimized. Additionally, compare with the identification of specific PCR method and DNA sequence analysis method. The result showed that the 331 bp identification band for C. deserticola and the adulterants not amplified bands by a single PCR reaction, which showed good identification ability to the three species. PCR amplification of specific alleles can be used to identify C. deserticola, C. songaricum and O. pycnostachya successfully.
Alleles ; Cistanche ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

BACKGROUNDKeratinocyte serum-free medium (K-SFM) is a defined medium used to support the growth of primary keratinocytes and embryonic stem cell. The aim of this research was to optimize enrichment of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) using K-SFM.

METHODSA K-SFM was used to enrich CSCs from two breast cancer cell lines and a primary culture of breast cancer. RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) was used as a control. CSCs were identified with flow cytometry using CD44(+)/CD24(-) as molecular markers. The expression of a variety of CSC markers (Oct-4, ABCG2, Nanog, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin) was analyzed with real-time PCR.

RESULTSMuch higher percentage of CSCs was achieved with K-SFM: 17.3% for MCF-7 cells, 17.4% for SKBR-3, and 20.0% for primary breast cancer culture. Less than 1% CSC was achieved using RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% FCS. In comparison to the CSCs obtained with RPMI-1640, CSCs in the K-SFM expressed higher levels of Oct-4, ABCG2, Nanog and N-cadherin, and lower level of E-cadherin.

CONCLUSIONK-SFM is an optimal culture medium to maintain and to enrich breast CSCs.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99)Tc(m)-MIBI) imaging in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and prognosis in patients with operable breast cancer.

METHODSSixty five patients with breast cancer underwent (99)Tc(m)-MIBI scintimammography before NCT, and static planar images were taken at 10 min and 180 min after scintimammography. The clearance rate was calculated in each patient, correlation between the clearance rate and efficacy of NCT, and the disease free survival rate were analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean clearance rate of 65 patients was (17.4 ± 6.8)%. The efficacy of NCT was 86.2% (CR 4 cases, PR 52 cases, SD 8 cases, and PD 1 case), and the mean clearance rate of patients with good response or poor response of chemotherapy were (15.5 ± 5.0)% and (29.2 ± 3.2)%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups. The average disease free survival rate in the group with low clearance rate was (75.8%, P = 0.046), significantly higher than that in the group with high clearance rate (53.1%).

CONCLUSIONScintimammography of (99)Tc(m)-MIBI may be used to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of NCT for patients with operable breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Epirubicin ; therapeutic use ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Remission Induction ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi

Objective To describe the level of anxiety and its influencing factors in patients with myocardial infarction(MI). Methods A descriptive and correlative research design was used in this study. By convenient sampling,thirty MI patients were recruited. Anxiety was assessed by Self-rating Anxiety Scale.Demographic data,disease duration,severity of disease and treatment was surveyed by general condition questionnaire. Results The general score of anxiety in MI patients was 42.17 ± 8.47,which was statistically higher than the norm(P ＜ 0. 05). Anxiety level was found positively correlated with the severity of symptoms.Conclusions Anxiety is generally found in M1 patients,the level of which is higher than the norm. Anxiety level is positively correlated with the severity of symptoms in MI patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between the clearance rate of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) in scintimammography and multidrug-resistant proteins expression in breast cancer tissues.

METHODSSeventy-six patients with breast cancer underwent (99m)Tc-MIBI scintimammography before treatment, and static planar images were taken at 10 min and 180 min after scintimammography. The clearance rate of (99m)Tc-MIBI was calculated in each patient. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on pathological specimens of the 76 breast tumors to determine the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), glutathione S-transferase Pi (GST-pi) and topoisomerase II (Topo II).

RESULTSThe clearance rate was significantly higher in 36 patients with positive P-gp expression when compared with that in 40 patients with negative P-gp expression. There was no significant relationship between GST-pi, Topo II and the clearance rate of (99m)Tc-MIBI.

CONCLUSIONThe clearance rate of (99m)Tc-MIBI in breast imaging may be used to evaluate the P-gp level in breast cancers.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; analysis ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; chemistry ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; chemistry ; diagnostic imaging ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; analysis ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Female ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi

Background The incidence of brain metastases in patients with breast cancer is approximately 10％-16％,and survival after diagnosis of brain metastases is usually short.This study was designed to evaluate the risk factors associated with brain metastases in advanced breast cancer patients,with a view to help predict patient groups with high risk of brain metastases.Methods In total,295 patients with advanced breast cancer were evaluated.All patients were pathologically confirmed and metastatic lesions were confirmed pathologically or by imaging.All patients were examined at least once every 6 months with head CT or MRI.Patients showing symptoms underwent immediate inspection,and brain metastatic lesions were confirmed by head CT and/or MRI.Results At a median follow-up of 12 months from the occurrence of metastases,brain metastases had occurred in 49 patients (16.6％).In our univariate analysis,variables significantly related to increased risk of brain metastases were hormone receptor-negative tumors,epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive tumors,and multiple distant metastases.Patients with dominant tumor sites in soft tissue,or defined as Luminal A subtype,tended to have a lower risk of brain metastases than patients with visceral metastases,Luminal B subtype,triple-negative subtype or HER2-enriched subtype tumors.Conclusions Our results strongly suggest that factors such as Luminal B,triple-negative,and HER2-enriched subtypes are high risk factors for brain metastases.These data,therefore,provide pivotal clinical evidence towards a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors of brain metastases in advanced breast cancer patients.

Background Keratinocyte serum-free medium (K-SFM) is a defined medium used to support the growth of primary keratinocytes and embryonic stem cell. The aim of this research was to optimize enrichment of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) using K-SFM.Methods A K-SFM was used to enrich CSCs from two breast cancer cell lines and a primary culture of breast cancer.RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10％ fetal calf serum (FCS) was used as a control. CSCs were identified with flow cytometry using CD44+/CD24-as molecular markers. The expression of a variety of CSC markers (Oct-4, ABCG2, Nanog,N-cadherin, and E-cadherin) was analyzed with real-time PCR.Results Much higher percentage of CSCs was achieved with K-SFM: 17.3％ for MCF-7 cells, 17.4％ for SKBR-3, and 20.0％ for primary breast cancer culture. Less than 1％ CSC was achieved using RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10％ FCS. In comparison to the CSCs obtained with RPMI-1640, CSCs in the K-SFM expressed higher levels of Oct-4,ABCG2, Nanog and N-cadherin, and lower level of E-cadherin.Conclusion K-SFM is an optimal culture medium to maintain and to enrich breast CSCs.

AIMTo explore the influence of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning on anoxic resistance and anti-weariness at high altitude.

METHODS(1) SOD, MDA, NO, NOS, BLA and BUN of 20 youths living at 3 700 m altitude for half year were tested, then they were divided into group A (n=10, received HBO pretreatment twice) and group B (n=10, received HBO pretreatment 5 times) randomly. They were asked to pedal the EMG-bicycle-ergometer at the second and eighth day, and then the same items were tested. (2) 29 youth who would go to Astronomical Spot (5200 m) were randomly divided into group HBO (n=11, received HBO pretreatment once per day for 2 days at Yecheng (1400 m)) and comparison group (n=10). When they reached I Astronomical Spot, thematic biochemical index were investigated. (3) When 20 youth reached Thirty Milepost Barracks (3700 m) at the second day in their way to Immortal Gulf (5380 m) from Yecheng were randomly divided into group HBO (n=10, received HBO pretreatment once per day for 3 days) and comparison group (n=10). When they reached Immortal Gulf, the thematic biochemical index were investigated.

RESULTS(1) SOD, NO, NOS were increased and BLA, BUN, MDA were decrease in group A compared with that in group B until the eighth day, there was significant difference (P < 0.01). (2) SOD, NO, NOS were increased and BLA, BUN, MDA were decrease in group HBO compared with that in comparison that in group, there was significant difference between groups (P < 0.01, or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHBO could enhance the activity of anti-oxidase and the cleared ability of lactic acid, and the effect of anti-weariness could last for 8 days.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Fatigue ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP) on the testis telomerase activity in mice of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSThe SYDS model was prepared in 30 mice by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. They were randomly divided into the model group and the JSP group, 15 in each group. Another 15 normal male mice were selected as the normal group. Mice in the normal group were fed routinely, with distilled water administered intragastrically at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g. Mice in the model group were also administered intragastrically with distilled water at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g while modeling establishment. Mice in the treatment group were administered intragastrically with JSP suspension at 0.1 mL/10 g (the concentration was 0.241 g/mL). The intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Four weeks later, the testis telomerase activity was detected in the three groups by ELISA.

RESULTSThe SYDS model was replicated successfully by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. JSP could improve the signs of mice of SYDS. Compared with the normal group, the activity of testis telomerase decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the testis telomerase activity markedly increased in the treatment group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe testis telomerase activity in mice of SYDS caused by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain obviously decreased, when compared with that in mice of the normal group. JSP could recover its activity.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism