Animals ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; Female ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Selenium ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate plasma levels of total carnitine (TC) and free camitine (FC) in patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.Methods 200 cases of normal group came from physical examination in this hospital,all testing cases were the in-hospital patients in the department of nephropathy.TC and FC were determined by use of an enzymatic cycle assay on Hitachi 7170 automatic biochemical analyzer.Results In 200 cases of normal group,TC level was (56.52?9.61) ?mol/L,and FC was (46.60?8.23) ?mol/L.In 37 hemodialysis patients,TC and FC levels were (41.47?13.22) ?mol/L and (24.58?8.91)?mol/L before dialysis,a statistic difference was observed against the control group (P0.05).Conclusions Carnitine deficiency was seen in most patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.Furthermore,the deficiency status got worse along with the dialysis course in hemodialysis patients.Carnitine infusion can effectively improve the status of these patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of downregulation of KIAA0101 protein expression on the proliferation and invasion of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCL-1,and to explore possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effect.Methods SCL-1 cells were classified into three groups: siRNA control group transfected with the control siRNA,KIAA0101 group transfected with KIAA0101 siRNA,and untreated group remaining untreated.After additional culture,Western blot was used to detect the expression of KIAA0101 protein and proteins associated with cell proliferation and invasion,cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to evaluate cellular proliferative activity,and Boyden chamber assay to estimate invasive ability of cells.Results The relative expression level of KIAA0101 protein was 0.062 ± 0.095 in the KIAA0101 group,significantly lower than that in the untreated group (0.359 ± 0.044,P ＜0.05) and siRNA control group (0.379 ± 0.025,P ＜0.05).A significant decrease was observed in cellular proliferative activity (from 24 to 96 hours) and invasive activity (at 48 hours) in the KIAA0101 group compared with the other two groups (all P ＜0.05).Moreover,compared with the untreated group and siRNA control group,the KIAA0101 group showed a stronger expression of p21 protein (0.570 ± 0.060 vs.0.048 ± 0.018 and 0.055 ± 0.014,P ＜0.01) but a weaker expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) protein (0.051 ± 0.013 vs.0.205 ± 0.029 and 0.221 ± 0.029,P ＜0.01).Conclusion The inhibition of SCL-1 cell proliferation and invasion induced by the downregulation of KIAA0101 gene expression may be associated with the expression changes of p21 and MMP2.

Objective To study the effect of down-regulation of PTTG on the proliferation and migration of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCL-1 and its related mechanism. Methods SCL-1 cells were transfected with control siRNA or PTTG-targeting siRNA (PTTG-siRNA), or remained untransfected. After additional culture, the proliferation of SCL-1 cells as observed with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell migration with Boyden chamber. Real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and PTTG. Results The proliferation of SCL-1 cells transfected with PTTG-siRNA was markedly deccelarated in comparision with that of untransfected cells and those transfected with control siRNA (both P< 0.05). Real-time PCR and Western blot disclosed a significant decrease in the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and PTTG in PTTG-siRNA-transfected SCL-1 cells compared with the other two groups of cells. As real-time PCR showed, the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and PTTG in PTTG-siRNA-transfected SCL-1 cells were 0.8%, 23.2% and 21.3% of those in untransfected cells, respectively. Further more, the number of SCL-1 cells migrating through microporous membrane in the Boyden chamber was significantly smaller in PTTG-siRNA-transfected group than in untransfected group and control siRNA-trans-fected group (51.38 ± 4.71 vs 131.33 ± 6.12 and 127.72 ± 5.20, both P< 0.05). Conclusion The down-regulation of PTTG may deccelarate the proliferation and migration of SCL-1 cells and inhibit the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SCL-1 cells.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Notch1 gene in xenografted human cutaneous squamous cell (SCL-1) carcinoma. MethodsFifteen nude mice were divided into three groups, including untreated group(inoculated with SCL-1 cells treated with phosphate buffered saline), empty vector group (inoculated with SCL-1 cells transfected with empty vector) and Notch1 group(inoculated with SCL-1 cells transfected with Notch1 expression vector). All the mice were inoculated with SCL-1 cells(1 x 108/ml) of0.2 ml. Then, the growth of xenografted tumor was observed every other day. Fifteen days later, the mice were sacrificed, tumor tissue was dissected and subjected to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay for the detection of cell apoptosis, reverse-transcription(RT)-PCR and Western blot for the examination of mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1, bcl-2 and bax, respectively. ResultsThe proliferation of xenografted tumor in Notch1 group was obviously inhibited compared with the untreated group. The weight of xenografted tumor in Notch1 group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group and empty vector group (0.574 ± 0.219 g vs. 2.642 ± 0.404 g and 2.606 ± 0.512 g, F= 26.642, P＜ 0.01). TUNEL assay demonstrated that the number of apoptotic cells per 500 cells in tumor tissue specimens was(87 ± 9) in Notch1 group, evidently higher than that in the untreated group(8 ± 2) and empty vector group(10 ± 3) (F = 194.266, P ＜ 0.05 ). Further, RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1 and bax were significantly upregulated, but those of bcl-2 were markedly downregulated in the Notch 1 group, with significant difference among the three groups(all P ＜ 0.05). ConclusionsNotch 1 gene can inhibit the growth of xenogra ffted human cutaneous squamous cell(SCL-1) carcinoma and induce SCL-1 cell apoptosis likely by upregulating bax expression and downregulating bcl-2 expression.

Objective To compare the accuracy and feasibility among CT, MR, and CT-MR image fusion technology in the delineation of gross target volume (GTV) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Thirty-six consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent NPC were enrolled. Each pa-tient underwent both CT and MR scanning in the same treatment position. Several lead marks were made at the exactly same locations of the body surface before CT and MR scanning. The two sets of images were then transferred to the Tomcon workstation for image fusion. CT-MR image registration was performed using Land-Mark methods. GTV of each patient was contoured on CT (GTV_(CT)), MR (GTV_(MR)) and CT-MR (GTV_(CT-MR)) images. Results The mean GTV_(CT), GTV_(MR) and GTV_(CT-MR) were 27.60 cm~3, 30.99 cm~3 and 31.71 cm~3, respectively (F = 7.48, P = 0.001). Significant difference was found between GTV_(CT) and GTV_(MR) (q =2.54,P=0.016), GTV_(CT) and GTV_(CT-MR) (q =3.10,P =0.004), but not GTV_(MR) and GTV_(CT-MR) (q = 1.31 ,P = 0. 199). Significant difference among GTV_(CT), GTV_(MR) and GTV_(CT-MR) was found in patients with skull base invasion (35.65, 42.70 and 44.22 cm~3 ; F = 14. 13, P = 0. 000), but not in those without skull base invasion (20.79 cm~3, 20.46 cm~3 and 21.18 cm~3 ; F = 0.18, P = 0.832). Significant difference between GTV_(CT) and GTV_(CT-MR) was found in patients with T_3 and T_4 tumor (t = -2.17,P =0. 036), but not in those with T_1 and T_2 (t = -0.66 ,P = 0.514). Conclusions CT-MR image fusion is helpful in GTV de-lineation for NPC, particularly for patients with skull base invasion.

ObjectiveTo explore the changes of degree attribute values and its significance of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) patients with tinnitus by the brain network research method based on graph theory.Methods34 PCS patients were chosen,including 17 PCS patients with bilateral tinnitus (PCS tinnitus group) and 17 PCS patients without tinnitus (PCS non-tinnitus group).Meanwhile,17 healthy individuals with the matched age,gender and educational background were recruited as the control.Degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus were figured out with the brain network research method based on graph theory.Results(1)The degree attribute values of PCS patients without tinnitus at left orbital middle frontal gyrus (3.13±1.07),left thalamus (2.51±1.03),left superior temporal gyrus (3.67±1.31),right anterior cingulate cortex (3.13±1.25),right posterior cingulate cortex (2.13±1.08) and right supramarginal gyrus (4.46±1.35) were reduced compared with the control group (4.41±1.47,3.71±1.08,5.27±2.13,5.51±0.67,5.63±2.16 and 5.64±1.30) (P<0.05).The degree attribute values of PCS patients without tinnitus at left posterior cingulate cortex (5.87±1.06) and left gyrus lingualis (4.67±1.48) increased compared with the control group (4.41±1.46,3.21±1.27) (P<0.05).(2) The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at left posterior cingulate cortex (3.37±1.54),left parahippocampal gyrus (3.41±1.62),left amygdala (2.25±1.43),left angular gyrus (4.17±1.02),left superior temporal gyrus (3.25±1.02),right thalamus (2.35±1.34),right Heschl gyri (3.97±1.62),right superior temporal gyrus (3.26±1.22),right cuneus (3.18±1.32) and right lingular lobe (3.26±1.42) were decreased,compared with the control group (4.41±1.46,5.27±2.13,3.71±1.08,5.63±2.61,5.64±1.30,3.43±1.33,5.63±2.16,5.13±1.64,5.51±0.67,4.24±0.63) (P<0.05).The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at right posterior cingulate cortex (5.76±1.83),left MPFC (6.08±1.62) and right precuneus (6.08±1.06) were increased,compared with the control group (4.47±1.26,4.41±1.47,4.81±0.62) (P<0.05).(3)The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at left MPFC,left amygdale,left parahippocampal gyrus,right Heschl gyri,right superior temporal gyrus,right cuneus and right lingular lobe were decreased,compared with PCS patients without tinnitus (P<0.05).The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at right posterior cingulate cortex and left insular lobe increased,compared with PCS patients without tinnitus (P<0.05).ConclusionsPCS patients with tinnitus present the alteration of degree attribute in related brain network structure.The alteration in degree attribute of relevant brain zones in auditory system,limbic system and default network system may be important factors which result in tinnitus of PCS patients.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of suberselective uterine arterial embolization for uterine fibroids.Methods Uterine arterial embolization with golyvimylalcohol(PVA) particles or Iodized oil and Gelfoam or Pingyangmycin lipiodol and Gelfoam was performed in 182 patients with uterine fibroids.Results Bilateral and unilateral superselective uterine arterial embolization were performed in 173 cases and 9 cases respectively. 6～28 months (mean 11 months) after the procedure, complete disappearance of tumor(16 cases), an average shinkage of 67% in tumor volume(152 cases) and a mean 42% reduction of uterine volume were obtained in 168 followed-up cases. The clinical symptoms were relieved significantly.The main side effets were hypogastic pain(135/182).Conclusion Superselection uterine arterial embolization is an effective and microinvasive method in treating uterine fibroids.

Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications