Objective To optimize prescription for double-layered Erhuang sustained-release suppository. Methods Amounts of PEG400, PEG4000, HPMC were selected as influence factors for L9(34) orthogonal experiment. A comprehensive assessment was conducted by setting the cumulative release degree at three different time points as index, and the inner and outer layers of double-layered Erhuang sustained-release suppository were optimized. Results The best prescription was the inner HPMC∶PEG4000∶PEG400=1.5∶10∶4;outer HPMC∶PEG4000∶PEG400=0.5∶10∶4. Conclusion Prescription for double-layered Erhuang sustained-release suppository has good forming property and a good sustained-release effect according to the optimized prescription, which has certain reference value for researches and development of TCM suppository.

In order to breed and spread a new cultivar of Curcuma wenyujin, the C. wenyujin germplasm resources were investigated in authentic regions. Better varieties were chosen by comparing the yield, economic characters and quality differences between different cultivars. The results showed that the character of new selected cultivar was stable, the yield of zedoary, turmeric and curcuma was reached 313.7, 177.9, 91.2 kg per 667 m2, respectively, it increased 11.6%, 10.2%, 14.2% comparing with farmer varieties. The volatile oil contents in zedoary and turmeric was 4.0%, 3.0%, respectively. The target ingredients (germacrone) content was stable. It is demonstrated that the new cultivar "Wenyujin No. 1" has value for extension at authentic regions.
Breeding ; China ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

Emerging evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular processes and are found to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors.However,the clinical role of circRNAs in bladder cancer (BC) and the molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully understood.In this study,the clinical specimens were obtained and the expression level of a circRNA BCRC4 was detected by real-time PCR in both BC tissues and cell line.The circular RNA over-expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into BC cells and related cell line.The cell cycles and apoptosis were observed using inverted microscope and flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to compare the relative protein expression of groups with different treatments.It was found that circRNA BCRC4 expression was lower in BC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.Furthermore,consequences of fomed-expression of BCRC4 promoted apoptosis and inhibited viability of T24T and UMUC3 cells,and up-regulated BCRC4-inereased miR-101 level,which suppressed EZH2 expression in both RNA and protein levels.In addition,gambogic acid (GA) is a promising natural anticancer compound for BC therapy,and GA treatment increased the BCRC4 expression in T24T and UMUC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Altogether,our findings suggest that BCRC4 functions as a tumor suppressor in BC,and mediates anticancer function,at least in part,by up-regulating the expression of miR-101.Targeting this newly identified circRNA may help us develop a novel strategy for treating human BC.

Objective To explore the possibility of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)and epidermal growth factor(EGF)combined with striatal conditioned medium promoting the directional differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs)into dopaminergie neurons.Methods 1.Separation and culture of BMMSCs:BMMSCs were harvested from healthy adult Wistar rats for serial subcultivation.2.Preparation of Striatal conditioned medium:newborn Wistar rats within 24 hours were selected,and their brain tissues were removed to prepare striatal conditioned medium.3.Induced differentiation of BMMSCs:the 5th passage BMMSCs were collected and pre-induced in low glucose-Dulbecco's modified eagle medium(L-DMEM)containing bFGF and EGF.Twenty-four hours later,pre-induction liquor was replaced with striatal conditioned medium for further induced differentiation.4.Result assessment:the morphological changes of stem cells were observed under inverted phase microscope.The expression of neuron specific enolage(NSE)and tyrosine hydmxylage(TH)were identified by immunocytochemical technique.Results The cell body of rat BMMSCs contracted into round and spindle shape after induction by bFGF and EGF combined with striatal conditioned medium.Partial neuron-like cells with prominence could be found.Immunocytochemieal detection showed that the percentages of NSE and TH positive cells were(72.70±14.81)% and(34.50±15.93)%,respectively.Conclusion BMMSCs can be induced directionally into dopaminergiC neurons by bFGF and EGF combined with striatal conditioned medium in vitro.

Objective　To investigate the molecular regulation of G1 arrest of mouse thymocytes induced by ionizing radiation. Methods　Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) following staining of cells with proidium iodide. Fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis were employed for measurement of protein expression. Results　It was demonstrated that G1 phase of mouse thymocytes increased significantly at 12h after whole body irradiation (WBI) with the doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Gy, and at 24h following 2.0Gy exposure, measured by FCM. In the time course experiment, it was found that G1 phase of thymocytes increased significantly at 4h, reached a peak level at 24h and came down toward 48h after WBI with 2.0Gy X-rays. The results also showed that after 2.0Gy exposure, the expression of proteins in mouse thymocytes increased significantlty from 1h to 8h for p53, for p21 from 4h to 48h, and for MDM2 at 4h and 8h, measured by FCM. But no change was found for GADD45 protein expression. Conclusion　These results suggest that G1 arrest could be induced by a single dose of 0.5 Gy, 1.0Gy or 2.0Gy, and its molecular control might be established through the p53-p21 pathway.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 18floro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CY(~(18)FDG PET-CT)in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis from advanced esophageal carcinoma. Methods A prospective study is perfonued here to assess whether ~(18)FDG PET-CT can improve the diagnostic accuracy in lymph node metastasis for patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.Thirty patients had undergone esophagectomy with extensive lymph node dissection.PET-CT findings were compared with that d CT with pathological finding as the final say.Results All patients were operated successfully without peri-operative complications.The pathological examination conformed metastasis in 22 patients and 49 out of 243 excised lymph nodes.In CT analysis,the sensitivity was 40.8%,specificity was 96.9%,with a diagnostic accuracy of 85.6%, The positive and negative predictive value was 76.9%,86.4% respectively;PET-CT resulted in a sensitivity of 93.9%,specificity of 91.2%,accuracy of 91.8%.The positive predictive value was 73.0% and negative predictive value was 98.3%,The difference of sensitivity(P＜0.001),accuracy(P＜0.05)and negative predictive value between the two radiological modalities was statistically significant(P＜0.001).Conclusions With a high sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis,PET-CT appears necessary in preoperative examination for advanced esophageal carcinoma in the hope that surgical treatment be guided by the results of PET-CT,especially for the elder patients with poor pulmonary function or heart or brain complications. Moreover,it could be used as the basis of the conformal radiation therapy planning for inoperable patients.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT(~(18)FDG PET-CT) for recurrence and metastasis in treated esophageal carcinoma (EC). Methods A retrospective study is done on 37 previously treated EC patients who underwent PET-CT scans to detect recurrent or metastatic lesions.The diagnostic accuracy of ~(18)FDG PET-CT was assessed with the help of pathological finding as well as clinical or follow-up data.Results Fourty-six sites of recurrence were finally confirmed in 37 patients by cytology,pathology or follow-up data.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of PET-CT in detecting recurrence of all sites were 93.5% (43/46),76.9% (20/26) and 87.5% (63/72),respectively.Two false-positive findings were found both at the anastomosis and hilar nodes,which caused the decrease in the overall specificity,especially that locally.The analysis of standard uptake value (SUV) demonstrated that patients with recurrence or who died during follow-up had higher SU- Vs compared with the control group.Condusions ~(18)FDG PET-CT is highly effective in detecting recur- rence in previously treated EC patients despite the low specificity at local sites.The analysis of stardard up- take value(SUV) provides incremental value in prognosis for this patient cohart.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of gene radiotherapy combining injection of recombinant plasmid pNEgr-mIL-12 with local X-irradiation on cancer growth and to elucidate the mechanisms of tumor inhibition.

METHODSAlkaline lysis was used to extract the plasmid and polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000) was applied for further purification of plasmids. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of IL-12 protein. C57BL/6J mice were subcutaneously inoculated with B16 melanoma cells and the plasmid was injected directly into the tumor. Gene-radiotherapy combining pNEgr-mIL-12 recombinant plasmid with X-irradiation was given three times to C57BL/6J mice bearing B16 melanoma. Changes in immunologic parameters of tumor-bearing mice were detected with relevant immunologic assays.

RESULTSResults showed a significant decrease in tumor growth rate (P<0.05-0.001) after 3 times of gene-radiotherapy with IL-12 and X-irradiation. Immunologic studies showed a significant increase in CTL and NK cytolytic activity (P<0.05-0.001) and an up-regulated secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha (P<0.01-0.001). Moreover, the expression of mIL-12 in B16 melanoma cells of the treated tumor-bearing mice was found to be higher than that of control.

CONCLUSIONpNEgr-mIL-12 plasmid combined with X-irradiation can increase tumor control and the mechanism of increased tumor inhibition is related to the enhancement of anticancer immunity in tumor-bearing mice.

Animals ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Macrophages ; immunology ; Melanoma, Experimental ; immunology ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; Spleen ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology ; X-Rays

Objective To explore the use of CA199,CEA,CA50 and ALP combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis of intrahepatic bile duct stones with early bile duct carcinoma.Methods The clinical diagnosis of 36 cases of patients with hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (HICC) and 118 cases with intrahepatic duct stone (IHDS) were analyzed retrospectively.Serum CA199,CEA,CA50,ALP and magnetic resonance (MRI,MRCP) were performed and the results were analyzed.Results Abdominal pain discomfort in Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma showed multiple symptoms.Three typical Charcot syndromes were rare.On the gender distribution,intrahepatic bile duct stones was frequently found in women,on the contrary,Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was frequently more found in men (P ＜0.05) Abdominal pain and fever in patients of Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was more than that of patients with Intrahepatic bile duct stone (P＜0.05) When alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was more than 169 U/L,significant difference was seen between two groups (P＜ 0.05) According to the diagnosis of HICC,the accuracy of CA199,CEA,CA50 combined with ALP was 88.6％,the accuracy of magnetic resonance examination alone was 90.2％,and the accuracy of multiple serological markers and magnetic resonance was 95.5％.Conclusion MRI combined with serum CA199,CEA,CA50 and ALP can effectively improve the HICC preoperative diagnosis rate.

Objective To investigate the potential application of targeting at vascular endothelial growh factor (VEGF) induced apoptosis in leukemic cell lines by combined use of Bevacizumab and chemotherapeutic drug. Methods Leukemic cells were treated with several drugs at different concentrations in culture. The effect of VEGF, Bevacizumab and co-treated with Ara-C on leukemic cells proliferation were evaluated by CCK-8 and apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Results VEGF could enhance the proliferation of leukemic cells and caused a dose-dependent manner on U937 cell. It also increased the percentage of cells in S phase, tested by, and Bevacizumab group was decreased. Apoptotic rate of cells treated with Bevacizumab or co-treated with Bevacizumab and Ara-C for 48 h were significantly higher when compared with control or Ara-C group, respectively (P<0.05), but the apoptotic rate of VEGF group or VEGF and Ara-C group was lower (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in apoptotic rate between control and combined use of VEGF, Bevacizumab and Ara-C group(P>0.05). Conclusion VEGF could enhance the proliferation of some leukemic cells, and may contribute to leukemic cells survival and a resultant resistance to chemotherapy-triggered cell death. The study also showed that leukemic cells growth was significantly inhibited by Bevacizumab through directly against VEGF, and the sensitivity of leukemic cells for chemotherapeutic drug was increased.