Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Fluorescence ; G1 Phase ; Resting Phase, Cell Cycle

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 To evaluate the quality of the portal images acquired by computed radiography(CR)system and conventional screen-film system,respectively.Methods imaging plates (IP)and X-ray films of a home-devised lead phantom with a leakage of 6.45% were acquired,and modulation transfer function(MTF)curves of the both images were measured using edge method.Portal images of 40 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were acquired by IP and screen-film system respectively.Two doctors with similar experience evaluated the damage degree of petrosa] bone,the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of CR images and general images were drawn according to two doctors evaluation results.Results The identification frequency of CR system and screen-film system were 1.159 and 0.806 Lp/mm respectively.For doctor one,the area under ROC curve of CR images and general images were 0.802 and 0.742 respectively.For doctor two,the area under ROC curve of CR images and general images were 0.751 and 0.600 respectively.The MTF curve and ROC curve of CR are both better than those of screen-film system.Conclusion The image quality of CR portal imaging is much better than that of screen-film system.The utility of CR in linear accelerator for portal imaging is promising in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory effects of lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) on the activation of nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor (IκB) kinase beta (IKKβ) induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).

METHODS(1) Hela cells were cultured routinely in vitro. One portion of cells were collected and divided into TNF-α group (cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 20 ng/mL TNF-α for 30 min), low-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, high-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, LaCl3 group (cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 100 µmol/L LaCl3 for 30 min), and control group (cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium for 30 min) according to the random number table. Cells in low-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, high-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group were first cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 5, 25, 100 µmol/L LaCl3 for 4 h, and then stimulated with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 20 ng/mL TNF-α for 30 min. There were 3 samples in each group. Cells were collected for detection of intracellular location of NF-κB/p65 protein by immunofluorescence staining. (2) Another portion of cells were collected and divided into TNF-α group, low-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, high-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, and control group with the same treatment as above. There were 3 samples in each group. The protein levels of NF-κB/p65 in nuclei, and the protein levels of IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα) as well as IKKβ and phosphorylated IKKβ (p-IKKβ) in cytoplasm were determined by Western blotting. The binding activity between NF-κB/p65 in the nuclear and target gene was determined by NF-κB/p65 transcription factor kit (denoted as absorption value). Data were processed with analysis of variance or LSD-t test.

RESULTS(1) High expression of NF-κB/p65 was observed in cytoplasm of control group. High expression of NF-κB/p65 was observed in nuclei of TNF-α group. The expression of NF-κB/p65 in cytoplasm of LaCl3 group was lower than that of control group. In groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α, NF-κB/p65 expression levels in nuclei and cytoplasm were decreased along with the increase in the concentration of LaCl3, which were all lower than those in TNF-α group. (2) There was certain amount of NF-κB/p65 protein expressed in nuclei of control group. The expression of NF-κB/p65 protein in nuclei of TNF-α group was higher than that of control group. In groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α, the expressions of NF-κB/p65 protein in nuclei were decreased along with an increase in the concentration of LaCl3. The level of IκBα in TNF-α group was significantly decreased but that of p-IκBα increased as compared with those in control group. Along with the increase in the concentration of LaCl3, the levels of IκBα gradually increased and the levels of p-IκBα gradually decreased in groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α. There were no statistical differences in expression levels of IKKβ among the 5 groups. The expression of p-IKKβ could be hardly observed in control group, but it was obviously increased in TNF-α group. The expression levels of p-IKKβ in groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α were gradually decreased along with the increase in the concentration of LaCl3. The absorption value in TNF-α group was 0.39 ± 0.03, which was higher than that in control group (0, t = -7.23, P<0.01). The absorption values in low-dose LaCl3 +TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, and high-dose LaCl3 +TNF-α group were respectively 0.17 ± 0.03, 0.15 ± 0.03, and 0, which were obviously lower than that in TNF-α group (with t values respectively -6.54, -5.92, -7.23, P values all below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSLaCl3 can block the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway by blocking the phosphorylation of IKKβ of Hela cells.

Culture Media ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Lanthanum ; pharmacology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of fenofibrate on the proliferation and apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). METHODS: HUVECs were cultured in vitro. The study was designated to 5 groups according to fenofibrate concentration: control group, LPC group, LPC + low-concentration fenofibrate (10 micromol/L), LPC + middle-concentration fenofibrate (50 micromol/L), and LPC + high-concentration fenofibrate (100 micromol/L). The study was designated to 6 groups according to the intervention time: control group, LPC group, LPC + fenofibrate (50 micromol/L) 6 h, LPC + fenofibrate 12 h, LPC + fenofibrate 24 h, and LPC + fenofibrate 48 h. The proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. eNOS mRNA were assayed by real time-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, LPC could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis, and downregulate eNOS mRNA expression and decrease NO production of HUVECs. Fenofibrate could increase the proliferation and decrease the apoptosis, and up-regulate eNOS mRNA expression and enhance NO production in HUVECs. CONCLUSION Fenofibrate could improve the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis, and up-regulate eNOS mRNA expression of HUVECs induced by LPC, which may be responsible for fenofibrate to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Fenofibrate ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective role of the ectogenesis zinc in the rat flap with ischemia-reperfusion injury and study the mechanism.

METHODSAn abdominal island flap was created in Wistar rats. 48 rats were randomly divided into three groups, 16 per group: the non-ischemia-reperfusion group, the ischemia-reperfusion group and the ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group treated with zinc. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured. The expression of metallothionein (MT) was observed, and the image analysis was performed. The ultrastructure changes of the skin flap with ischemia-reperfusion injury and the flap viability were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the IR group, at 1 h and 24 h of reperfusion, the level of MDA in the adding-zinc-IR group decreased 11.3% and 33.2% (P < 0.05); the activity of MPO decreased 14.2% and 22.7% (P < 0.05); the content of MT increased 41.5% and 44% ( P < 0.01) respectively. In the ischemia-reperfusion injury flaps, MT was located in the cytoplasm of many kinds of cells. The ultrastructure changes of the skin flap of the adding-zinc-IR group were slighter than those of the IR group. The flap viability in the adding-zinc-IR group increased 27.2% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMT could be induced by ectogenesis zinc in the flap of rats. The flap with ischemia-reperfusion injury was protected by MT through protecting the cells in the flap.

Animals ; Graft Survival ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Surgical Flaps ; Zinc Sulfate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo determine human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast carcinoma by the techniques of a fully automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to compare the concordance of protein expression with gene amplification and to explore the optimization in process quality control.

METHODSA prospective study of invasive breast cancer specimens excised between May 2009 and April 2011 at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was conducted by automated IHC staining with the new 4B5 rabbit monoclonal antibody and FISH. An evaluation was performed according to the ASCO/CAP guidelines (2007) and Chinese guidelines (2009). The gene amplification status of 740 cases were detected by FISH.

RESULTSA total of 2420 cases of breast invasive ductal carcinoma without pre-operation therapy were tested by automated IHC. 551 cases (22.8%) were scored as positive (3+), 664 cases (27.4%) as equivocal (2+), and 1205 cases (49.8%) as negative (1+/0). Gene amplification was detected in 98.0% (242/247) HER2 protein expression positive (3+) cases and in 13.6% (53/389) equivocal (2+) cases. One of 247 (0.4%) HER2 expression 3+ cases and 5 of 389 (1.3%) HER2 expression 2+ cases were equivocal for gene amplification. No gene amplification was detected in expression negative (1+/0) cases by FISH (0/104). The overall concordance between IHC and FISH was 98.6% [(242 + 104)/(247 + 104)].

CONCLUSIONSThere is a high concordance rate between automated IHC with 4B5 rabbit monoclonal antibody and FISH results for assessing the HER2 gene amplification status in surgically-excised breast cancer specimens, suggesting that automated IHC with 4B5 antibody can provide a reliable method to detect HER2 overexpression for eligibility of HER2 targeted therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Quality Control ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; genetics ; Young Adult

To find out a novel lead compound from heterocyclic amine Schiff bases for developing new antitumor agents, each of (4-amino-5-substituted-s-triazol-3-ylthio) -acetic acids 2a-j was condensed with anthracene-9-carbaldehyde to obtain Schiff-bases of [4-(anthracen-9-yl methylene) amino] -5-substituted-s-triazol-3-ylsulfanyl] -acetic acids 3a-j. The structures of new compounds synthesized were characterized by elemental analysis and spectral data, and in vitro antitumor activity was also evaluated against CHO, HL60 and L1210 cell lines by MTT assay.
Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anthracenes ; chemistry ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia L1210 ; pathology ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Schiff Bases ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Triazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis between acupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) and oral administration of jingfukang granules.

METHODSThree hundred cases of cervical spondylosis were divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 150 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, according to the different types of cervical spondylosis, acupuncture was applied at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), once a day. In the medication group, jingfukang granules were prescribed for oral administration, one bag each time, three times a day. The treatment of ten days made one session in the two groups and two sessions were required totally. Before and after two sessions of treatment, the clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS) was adopted to evaluate the score of subjective symptoms, clinical physical signs and adaptability as well as the total score in the patients of the two groups and the efficacy was compared.

RESULTSThe patients' symptoms and physical signs were alleviated, the adaptability was improved and the score of each item and the total score were increased in the two groups after treatment (all P<0.01). The improvements in the acupuncture group were better than those in the medication group (all P<0.01). The curative and markedly effective rate was 90.7% (136/150) in the acupuncture group, better than 66.0% (99/150) in the medication group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) achieves the significant clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis. This therapy is superior to relieving symptoms and physical signs and recovering adaptability as compared with jingfukang granules.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of the offsprings of lead exposed female rats in order to provide a theoretical basis for identifying learning and memory deficits related genes.

METHODSRNA was extracted from the hippocampus of young rats with learning and memory deficits due to maternal lead exposure. Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to identify the differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus.

RESULTSAn effective subtracted library was constructed which consisted of approximately 200 clones. Sequencing for the library identified 93 clones harboring insertion fragments which included 43 different genes and 4 unknown genes. These genes might be related to learning and memory deficits due to maternal lead exposure.

CONCLUSIONSThe up-regulated genes in the hippocampus of young rats from pregnant rats under lead exposure include some housekeeping genes and some proteins involved in cellular protein folding, signal transduction, stress response and DNA methylation. These proteins might be directly related to a significant reduction in learning and memory abilities in the young rats.

Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Library ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lead ; toxicity ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Rats