OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) in colorectal cancer and study its role in regulating the biological behaviors of colorectal cancer LoVo cells in vitro.

METHODSReal-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of CTHRC1 in colorectal cancer tissue and paired adjacent nontumorous tissue and in 5 colorectal cancer cells. pGPU6-CTHRC1-shRNA was transfected into LoVo cells and the changes in cell proliferation was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay; the changes in cell migration and invasion were investigated using Transwell assay; plate colony forming test was used to evaluate the adhesion and colony forming activity of the cells. Western blotting was used to analyze the changes in the expressions of the related pathway markers.

RESULTSThe relative expression of CTHRC1 mRNA in the cancer tissue specimens was 0.0411∓0.054, significantly higher than that in the adjacent tissues (P=0.016); this result was consistent with that of the protein assay. SW620 and LoVo cells showed obviously higher expressions of CTHRC1 than HT29 and SW480 cells at both mRNA and protein levels. LoVo cells transfected with CTHRC1 shRNA exhibited significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and colony-forming ability (P<0.05) and lowered expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (P-ERK1/2), but the expression of total ERK1/2 showed no obvious changes. CTHRC1 inhibition caused reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition LoVo cells shown by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin, and β-catenin.

CONCLUSIONCTHRC1 is up-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues and SW620 and LoVo cells to promote the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation. CTHRC1 can enhance epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells by activating ERK1/2 to promote tumor cell metastasis and invasion.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is the most severe intraocular complication that results in total retinal destruction and loss of visual acuity in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study aimed to investigate the fundus characteristics, systemic manifestations and therapeutic outcomes of CMV retinitis associated with AIDS.

METHODSIt was a retrospective case series. CMV retinitis was present in 39 eyes (25 patients). Best corrected visual acuities, anterior segment, fundus features, fundus fluorescence angiography (FFA) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts of the patients with CMV retinitis associated with AIDS were analyzed. Intravitreal injections of ganciclovir (400 µg) were performed in 4 eyes (2 patients).

RESULTSRetinal vasculitis, dense, full-thickness, yellow-white lesions along vascular distribution with irregular granules at the border, and hemorrhage on the retinal surface were present in 28 eyes. The vitreous was clear or mildly opaque. Late stage of the retinopathy was demonstrated in 8 eyes characterized as atrophic retina, sclerotic and attenuated vessels, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy, and optic nerve atrophy. Retinal detachment was found in 3 eyes. The average CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count in peripheral blood of the patients with CMV retinitis was (30.6 ± 25.3) × 10(6)/L (range, (0 - 85) × 10(6)/L). After intravitreal injections of ganciclovir, visual acuity was improved and fundus lesions regressed.

CONCLUSIONSCMV retinitis is the most severe and the most common intraocular complication in patients with AIDS. For the patients with yellow-white retinal lesions, hemorrhage and retinal vasculitis without clear cause, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology should be performed. Routine eye examination is also indicated in HIV positive patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; immunology ; metabolism ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the quality of life (QOL) outcome in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSA prospective trial was conducted to survey the QOL status of 101 AR patients, in contrast to that of 121 healthy individuals and 97 chronic pharyngitis (CP) patients by generic questionnaire medical outcomes study short-form 36-items health survey (SF-36), and to survey the most troublesome problems of AR patients by disease-specific questionnaire rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ). The correlation between SF-36 and RQLQ had also been analyzed. All the results were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSBy the assessment of SF-36, the scores of 3 domains (x ± s, the same as follow, the scores were 78.02 ± 18.37, 56.13 ± 17.49, 78.81 ± 16.47, respectively) of AR patients were less than those (84.00 ± 18.36, 74.69 ± 14.13, 83.78 ± 14.31) of healthy individuals (P < 0.05), and the scores of 7 domains (the scores were: 91.78 ± 11.78, 79.16 ± 30.23, 78.02 ± 18.37, 56.13 ± 17.49, 78.81 ± 16.47, 67.66 ± 39.57, 68.78 ± 13.65, respectively) of AR patients were similar with those (94.12 ± 6.88, 80.67 ± 32.38, 73.57 ± 17.96, 59.73 ± 16.58, 80.41 ± 17.01, 63.58 ± 39.99, 66.43 ± 13.71) of CP patients (P > 0.05). By the assessment of RQLQ, in AR patients, both the nasal symptoms and the practical problems got the highest scores (the scores were 2.70 ± 1.29, 2.53 ± 1.37 respectively). According to the assessment of the correlation between SF-36 and RQLQ, the correlation was weak (r = -0.199 ∼ -0.526, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe QOL of AR patients decreased compared with that of healthy individuals, but similar with that of CP patients. The most troublesome problems in AR patients were nasal symptoms and the practical problems. Both SF-36 and RQLQ were suitable for assessing the health status of AR patients. SF-36 and RQLQ each covered a different part of the QOL of AR patients, and the combination of the two questionnaires could improve the QOL measurement.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct a MYH9 gene knockout model in MGC803 cell line using transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and observe its effect on cell cycle and apoptosis.

METHODSAccording to FastTALE(TM) TALEN Kit, we designed TALEN pairs and constructed the plasmids targeting to MYH9 gene. After detecting their activity in MGC803 cells by plasmid transfection, DNA sequencing, RT-PCR and western blot, we selected the monoclonal cells and studied the changes in the cell cycle and apoptosis.

RESULTSMYH9 gene could not be knocked out but knocked down in selected MGC803 monoclonal cells, which caused cell cycle arrested at G2/M phase (P<0.05) and a significant increase in the cell number with early apoptosis (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONWe successfully generated a MYH9 knockdown model in MGC803 cell lines by TALEN, which could be in favor of MYH9 function study in gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Molecular Motor Proteins ; genetics ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Plasmids ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Transfection

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxic effects and the potential mechanisms of crebanine N-oxide in SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: The cytotoxicity of crebanine N-oxide was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay and cellular morphology was observed under a microscope. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. The expression levels of apoptotic-related proteins, cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome C, p53 and Bax, and autophagy-related proteins p62, beclin1 and LC3 were detected by Western blotting assays. Results: Crebanine N-oxide treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner via induction of G