OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins, and their relationship with biological behaviors of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 proteins in 77 cases of NSCLC. The relationship was analyzed between the expression of VEGF-C, COX-2 and lymphatic vessel density (LVD), tumor size, histological type, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical recurrence and survival time of the patients.

RESULTSOut of 77 cases of NSCLC, 45 cases and 29 cases showed positive expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 proteins, respectively. The expression rates of VEGF-C and COX-2 protein were 58.4% and 37.7%, respectively. The expression of VEGF-C protein was correlated negatively with the degree of differentiation of NSCLC (P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF-C was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, LVD and tumor size (P < 0.01). The survival time of the patients was negatively correlated with the expression of VEGF-C (P < 0.01). The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with LVD (P < 0.01). The survival time of the patients was negatively correlated with the expression of COX-2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 proteins are closely correlated with the biological behaviors of NSCLC, especially VEGF-C protein. Its high expression suggests probable lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo ascertain whether other variations coexist with 1555(A--> G) mutation in the mitochondrial DNA and may aggravate the severity of hearing loss or increase the penetrance of 1555(A--> G) mutation in a large family with maternally inherited nonsyndromic deafness in Huaiyin, Jiangsu province.

METHODSPCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to screen both the nt1555 and the nt7445 of the mitochondrial DNA from 27 maternal members in the core family; and then the mitochondrial genomes from two maternal members, and the 12S rRNA genes MTRNR1 and tRNA-Ser(UCN) gene MTTS1 from the others, were amplified by PCR-RFLP and were sequenced.

RESULTS1555(A--> G) mutation in the mitochondrial DNA was reverified to be one of the major factors which cause maternally inherited nonsyndromic deafness and the cosegregation of 955-960(insC) and 1555(A--> G) was present in this family. Moreover, 7449 (insG), a novel homoplasmic mutation in the tRNA-Ser(UCN) gene, was found to co-exist with 1555(A--> G) mutation in two maternal members.

CONCLUSIONThe cosegregation of 955-960(insC) and 1555(A--> G) implies that 955-960(insC) may synergistically cause hearing loss in the presence of an 1555(A--> G) mutation, serving as an aggravating factor to enhance the sensitivity to aminoglycosides, and may sometimes increase the penetrance of 1555(A--> G) mutation.

DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Deafness ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and molecular mechanism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro induced by human recombinant TGF-β1 protein in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

METHODSEMT morphological changes of Tu686 cells were observed after sequential treatment of 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 and 20 µmol/L EGCG. Tu686 cells were collected after the treatment of 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 24 h and EGCG with different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 µmol/L) for another 24 h or 20 µmol/L EGCG treatment for different time phase (6, 12, 24 h). Then RT-PCR and Western-blot were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression level of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin, mesenchymal cell marker Vimentin and Smad7, an inhibit molecule of TGF-β1 mediated pathway in Tu686 cells.

RESULTSTGF-β1 successfully induced characterized EMT morphological and molecular changes in Tu686 cells, in which expression of E-cadherin decreased, Vimentin increased and Smad7 declined. However, EGCG could reverse the TGF-β1 mediated process of EMT by downregulating the expression of Vimentin and upregulating the expression of E-cadherin and Smad7.

CONCLUSIONEGCG significantly inhibits TGF-β1-mediated EMT inTu686 cell lines of SCCHN, which maybe associated with the upregulated-expression of Smad7, an inhibitor in TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxing effect of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on human intramammary artery (HIMA).The vasorelaxing effect of VNP on HIMA was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The effects of HS-142-1, TEA, 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) were also observed. It was found that VNP caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA which was independent of the endothelium. 8-Br-cGMP (0.1-1000 micromol/L) also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA. The vasorelaxing effect of VNP disappeared in the presence of HS-142-1 (20 micromol/L), an antagonist of the natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase (GC) receptor. MB (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of GC, not only blocked completely the relaxation of HIMA, but also enhanced the vascular contraction induced by norepinephrine. TEA (1 mmol/L), an antagonist of calcium activated potassium channels (K(Ca)), reduced but not completely blocked the vasorelaxing effect of VNP. These findings suggest that VNP can relax HIMA, which is independent of the endothelium. This effect is possibly achieved by the binding of VNP with the natriuretic peptide GC receptors in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), leading to an increase in intracellular cGMP level. Moreover, the vasorelaxing effect of VNP is associated with K(Ca).
Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mammary Arteries ; drug effects ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism ; Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled ; metabolism ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo ascertain whether connexin 26 (Cx26) gene was a nuclear modifier gene in an extensive family with matrilineal nonsyndromic deafness associated with A1555G mutation in Huaiyin, China.

METHODSFollowing PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with ApaI restriction enzyme, Cx26 genes from 26 cases, with A1555G mitochondrial mutations in this family, and 62 controls (including 2 patrilineal relatives, 10 spouse controls and 50 unrelated controls), were sequenced.

RESULTSCompared with the reference sequence of Cx26 gene, totally four kinds of nucleotide changes,79G -->A, 109G-->A, 341G-->A and 235delC, were detected in a heterozygous form. However, the former three were previously reported polymorphisms, and only the 235delC was a previously described recessive mutation associated with most autosomal nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss in Japan and China. Further study showed that the heterozygous 235delC mutation existed in both one individual with mild hearing loss and two individuals with normal hearing. Clinical characterization showed that 235delC mutation did not seem to modify the deafness phenotype due to the A1555G mutation. Moreover, this 235delC mutation was deduced to derive from a married-in control. Finally, there were no co-segregation between the phenotypes of hearing loss and the genotypes for Cx26 genes based on the four kinds of nucleotide changes.

CONCLUSIONSThe heterozygous 235delC mutation of the Cx26 gene may not modulate the severity of hearing loss associated with A1555G mutation and Cx26 gene is unlikely to be a modifier gene for hearing loss due to A1555G mitochondrial mutation in this Chinese family.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; Deafness ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis ; Young Adult

Objective To conduct metal elements analysis and risk assessment of carcinogenicity on Particulate Matter 2.5 ( PM2.5) collected from Shenzhen and Taiyuan. Methods PM2.5 samples were collected in Shenzhen and Taiyuan from 2017 to 2018. Ten heavy metal elements in PM2.5 samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Health risk assessment was conducted using the recommended United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model. Results Metal elements found in PM2.5 samples from Shenzhen included (in decreasing order of concentration) Al, Pb, Mn, Cr, Cu, V, As, Ni, Cd and Co. Their levels were 1 807.67, 31.02, 30.63, 17.37, 17.32, 11.59, 6.98, 4.76, 2.24, 2.20 ng/m3, respectively. Metal elements in PM2.5 samples from Taiyuan included Al, Mn, Pb, Cr, Cu, As, Ni, V, Cd and Co. Their levels were 2 817.64, 91.04, 63.33, 26.56, 24.69, 11.82, 10.39, 4.46, 3.42, 1.01 ng/m3, respectively. There were significant differences among Pb, Mn, As, Ni levels between Shenzhen and Taiyuan (all P<0.05), but remaining metal element levels did not show significant differences between Shenzhen and Taiyuan. Risk assessment data showed that the total risk from five carcinogenic metal elements in Taiyuan and Shenzhen were more than 1.00×10-4 and the total risk from five carcinogenic metal elements of Taiyuan(3.79×10-4) was higher than Shenzhen(2.44×10-4). Among five carcinogenic metal elements, Cr had the highest carcinogenicity risk (>1.00×10-4), then followed by As, Ni and Cd (1.00×10-6-1.00×10-4). Pb had the lowest risk (<1.00×10-6). Conclusion Some of the metal elements in PM2.5 samples collected from Shenzhen and Taiyuan have carcinogenicity risk. Further researches and measures for prevention and control should be considered.

Objective To evaluate the yield of HIV antibody testing strategy currently used on different populations, in China. Methods (1) The following samples were collected and tested according to the currently used HIV antibody testing strategy in China. 103 133 samples from the general populations (outpatients, new recruits and blood donors), 1276 people under high risk (spouses of the HIV infected individuals, intravenous drug users) and 2323 biochemical or immunological abnormal samples. (2) Retrospective analysis was done on data from the HIV testing among outpatients in General Hospital of People's Armed Police Forces, from Jan., 2002 to Dec.,2008 and in three provincial central HIV test and confirmatory laboratories. Results (1) The yields of HIV antibody screening were significantly different in different populations. The probability of screening reactive to be true positive was 50% in high risk population, significantly higher than in the general population. The probability of screening reactive to be true positive was 19.58% in the confirmatory laboratory mainly towards the general population, but significantly lower than results from the confirmatory laboratories done on the high risk population. (2) From 2002 to 2008, in the General Hospital of People's Armed Police Forces, the probability of screening reactive to be true positive in the clinical HIV test was increasing from 3.7% to 16.0%, where as the efficiency of the repeat screening testing decreased from 92.6% to 61.5%. Conclusion The predictive value of HIV antibody screening reactive was significantly greater in high risk population than in general population. The precision of HIV antibody initial screening was substantially increased with the improvement of HIV antibody test kits and of quality control in the HIV test laboratories in recent years. It is suggested that different HIV test strategies to be implemented in different populations.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of EphA2 protein in tissue specimens and cell lines of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and to further study the correlation of EphA2 protein expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in LSCC.

METHODSWestern blot was applied to assess the EphA2 protein expression in LSCC cell line Hep-2 cells and the head and neck immortalized epithelial cell line NP-69 cells. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin sections of 88 cases of LSCC specimens and 16 cases of adjcent normal tissue samples to investigate the EphA2 protein expression, and to futher elucidate its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.

RESULTSCompared with the NP-69 cells, EphA2 expression in LSCC cell line Hep-2 cells was upregulated. The positive rates of EphA2 expression in LSCC and adjcent normal tissues samples were 80.7% and 43.8%, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). EphA2 overexpresion was closely correlated with clinical stage (I + II/III + IV, P = 0.005), metastasis (P = 0.025) and recurrence (P = 0.021) in LSCC. Furthermore, patients with EphA2 overexpression had poorer tumor-free survival and 5-year overall survival compared with that in patients with low EphA2 expression (33.3% vs. 63.2%, P = 0.003; 46.7% vs. 81.6%, P = 0.002). EphA2 expression combined with clinical stage provided a better predictive value in prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that EphA2 expression is an independent prognostic factor for patients with LSCC (P = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study demonstrate that EphA2 protein expression is significantly increased in LSCC tissues and cell lines, and EphA2 protein overexpression is associated with tumor recurrence, metastasis and poorer prognosis in LSCC patients. These results suggest that EphA2 may play a critical role in the initiation and progression of LSCC, implicating EphA2 as a valuable marker for the prediction of recurrence, metastasis and prognosis in LSCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease-Free Survival ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptor, EphA2 ; metabolism ; Survival Rate

Objective To study the effect of extract of Ginkgo bilob (EGb) on learning and memory,nerve cell apoptosis and neurogenesis of juvenile rats with kindled seizure.Methods Two hundred and forty 21-d old SD rats were equally randomized into normal saline group (NS),kindled control for 7 d group (P-A7),kindled control for 14 d group (P-A14),EGb treatment for 7 d group (P-E7),EGb treatment for 14 d group (P-E14).All the rats,except rats of the NS group,were induced chronic kindling seizure by pentylenetetrazol.Morris maze test was used to detect the learning and memory abilities.Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the nerve cell apoptosis and neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus.BrdU/NeuN or BrdU/GFAP double-labeled staining was employed to observe the nerve cell differentiation.Results (1) The escape latency in Morris maze test in rats of every group was gradually shorted during 4 days of pre-treatment; the escape latency was (31.72±8.37) in P-E7 group and (31.29±4.35) in P-E14 group,which was significantly shorten than that in NS group (18.93±6.40),P-A7 group (47.86±9.14) and P-A14 group (44.79±7.72) (P＜0.05); the time in target quadrant in maze test showed gradual increase in rats of the NS,P-A7 and P-A14 groups and was significantly increased in rats of the P-E7 and P-E14 groups after EGb treatment (P＜0.05); the cross-platform times of rats in the P-A7 and P-A14 groups (4.38±1.06,4.50±0.93) in maze test were significantly shorter than those of NS rats (11.13±0.99),P-E7 rats (10.00±2.00) and P-E14 rats (10.63±0.92,P＜0.05).(2) TUNEL-positive cells in CA3 area ofhippocampus in rats of the NS group were obviously fewer than those in the other 4 groups (P＜0.05).The number of apoptotic cells in P-E7 and P-E 14 groups was (28.25±4.65) and (28.13±6.08),which was significantly reduced as compared with that in the P-A7 and P-A14 groups (P＜0.05).(3) Nestin-positive cells in the hippocampal CA1,CA3 and DG regions of rats from the NS group were fewer than those in the other 4 groups (P＜0.05); those in the P-E7 and P-E14 groups enjoyed the highest levels.(4) The number of BrdU/NeuN cells after EGb treatment was significantly larger than that before EGb treatment,and BrdU/NeuN-positive cells percentage in P-E14 group was higher than that in P-E7 group (P＜0.05),meanwhile,the co-expression ofBrdU/GFAP was about 4％-5％ after EGb treatment.Conclusion EGb can significantly improve the learning and memory abilities in young rats with kindled seizure; anti-apoptosis and promoted neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation effect of EGb might be the mechanism.

BACKGROUNDCurrent randomized trials have demonstrated the effects of short-term rosuvastatin therapy in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). However, the consistency of these effects on patients administered different volumes of contrast media is unknown.

METHODSIn the TRACK-D trial, 2998 patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD) who underwent coronary/peripheral arterial angiography with or without percutaneous intervention were randomized to short-term (2 days before and 3 days after procedure) rosuvastatin therapy or standard-of-care. This prespecified analysis compared the effects of rosuvastatin versus standard therapy in patients exposed to (moderate contrast volume [MCV], 200-300 ml, n = 712) or (high contrast volume [HCV], ≥ 300 ml, n = 220). The primary outcome was the incidence of CIAKI. The secondary outcome was a composite of death, dialysis/hemofiltration or worsened heart failure at 30 days.

RESULTSRosuvastatin treatment was associated with a significant reduction in CIAKI compared with the controls (2.1% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.050) in the overall cohort and in patients with MCV (1.7% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.029), whereas no benefit was observed in patients with HCV (3.4% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.834). The incidence of secondary outcomes was significantly lower in the rosuvastatin group compared with control group (2.7% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.049) in the overall cohort, but it was similar between the patients with MCV (2.0% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.081) or HCV (5.1% vs. 8.8%, P = 0.273).

CONCLUSIONSPeriprocedural short-term rosuvastatin treatment is effective in reducing CIAKI and adverse clinical events for patients with diabetes and CKD after their exposure to a moderate volume of contrast medium.

Acute Kidney Injury ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Female ; Fluorobenzenes ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome