Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine which has been used in treating anemia for thousands of years. It is composed of a lot of components. The main component is total saponin of panax ginseng (TSPG), which contains more than 20 ginsenosides including Rg1, Rb1 and so on. Previous studies have reported that total saponin of panax ginseng could promote hematopoiesis by stimulating proliferation of human erythroid grogenitor cells CFU-E and BFU-E, however, it had different effects on CFU-GM reported by various laboratories. In this study, CFU-GM assay was adopted to observe the ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1's effects on the proliferation of human marrow grannulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells. The results showed that Rg1 and Rb1 had obvious promotive effect on the proliferation of CFU-GM, and the increasing rates of colony formation were up to (70.6 +/- 6.8)% and (65.1 +/- 6.3)%, respectively. There was no inhibiting effect on CFU-GM in high concentrations of Rg1 and Rb1. It is suggested that Rg1 and Rb1 can stimulate the proliferation of human granulocyte-macrophage progentors. The results of TSPG's various effects on CFU-GM might be caused by different contents of ginsenosides in TSPG used in different laboratories.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of sub-chronic Aluminium-maltolate [Al(mal)3] exposure on the catabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in rats.

METHODSForty adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control group, the maltolate group (7.56 mg/kg BW), and the Al(mal)3 groups (0.27, 0.54, and 1.08 mg/kg BW, respectively). Control rats were administered with 0.9% normal saline through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Maltolate and Al(mal)3 were administered to the rats also through i.p. injections. Administration was conducted daily for two months. Rat neural behavior was examined using open field tests (OFT). And the protein expressions and their mRNAs transcription related with APP catabolism were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe expressions of APP, β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and presenilin-1 (PS1) proteins and their mRNAs transcription increased gradually with the increase of Al(mal)3 doses (P<0.05). The enzyme activity of BACE1 in the 0.54 and 1.08 mg/kg Al(mal)3 groups increased significantly (P<0.05). The expression of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) 1-40 gradually decreased while the protein expression of Aβ1-42 increased gradually with the increase of Al(mal)3 doses (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONResult from our study suggested that one of the possible mechanisms that Al(mal)3 can cause neurotoxicity is that Al(mal)3 can increase the generation of Aβ1-42 by facilitating the expressions of APP, β-, and γ-secretase.

Amyloidogenic Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Environmental Pollutants ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Organometallic Compounds ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Pyrones ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThe effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on tumor neovascularization were studied.

METHODShMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow by density gradient fractionation and adherence to plastic flasks. hMSCs-EGFP were obtained by pLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell surface antigen and the differentiation potential of hMSCs-EGFP was investigated under conditioned media. The effect of hMSCs on tumor neovascularization were observed by establishing solid tumor models in BALB/C nude mice. In addition, effect of the conditioned medium used for tumor cells and endothelial cells (EC) cultivation was collected, to detect its effect on the growth and migration rates of hMSC. hMSCs were induced to differentiate into EC in vitro and the migratory effect on HUVEC was also evaluated.

RESULTShMSCs-EGFP, like hMSC, exhibited a fibroblast-like morphological feature, and both had the similar cell surface antigens. They could be induced into osteocytes or adipocytes under the conditioned media. The results not only suggested that hMSCs contributed to tumor neovascularization, but also indicated that most of vessels were host-derived angiogenesis mediated by hMSCs. The mean vascular density (MVD) in suspension group (13.67 ± 1.53) was strikely higher than that in MCF-7 group (5.33 ± 1.42), which showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). Only very few vessels were attributed to hMSCs transdifferentiation into ECs. Tumor cells and ECs can promote hMSCs proliferation and migration through paracrine action. Furthermore, hMSCs were positive for CD31 after 2 weeks induction and HUVEC migration can be facilitated by hMSCs.

CONCLUSIONMSCs have the effect of promoting tumor neovascularization.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 (Shenyi Capsule) on the postoperative life span of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSThe prospective, randomized, controlled method was adopted. One hundred and thirty-three patients with NSCLC were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Shenyi Capsule group (43 cases), combined therapy group (Shenyi Capsule plus chemotherapy, 46 cases), and chemotherapy group (44 cases). The survival rates, immune function and the correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical effect were analyzed in the three groups.

RESULTS(1) The 1-year survival rate in the Shenyi group, the combined group and the chemotherapy group was 76.7% (33/43), 82.6% (38/46), and 79.5% (35/44), respectively; the 2-year survival rate was 67.4% (29/43), 71.7% (33/46), and 70.5% (31/44), respectively; and the 3-year survival rate was 46.5% (20/43), 54.3% (25/46), and 47.7% (21/44), respectively. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups (P>0.05). (2) NK cells were increased to different degrees and the ratio of CD4/CD8 was normal in the Shenyi Capsule group and the combined group, while the ratio of CD4/CD8 was disproportional in the chemotherapy group. (3) In the chemotherapy group, the 3-year survival rate was lower in patients with positive expression of VEGF than in patients with negative expression (37.0% vs 64.7%, chi2=17.9, P<0.01), but no signifi cant statistical difference was shown in the other two groups (53.6% vs 55.6%, P>0.05; 44.4% vs 50.0%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONShenyi Capsule, especially in combination with chemotherapy, can improve the life span of patients with NSCLC after operation. The mechanism might be correlated with improving the immune function and anti-tumor angiogenesis

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; immunology ; mortality ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT)and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) plus sequential boost conformal radiation therapy (SBCRT) in the treatment of multiple metastasis tumor of brain.Methods A total of 98 patients with multiple metastasis tumor of brain in the Radiation Oncology Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from August 2014 to July 2015 were divided into observation group (n =60) and control group (n =38) according to the treatment plan.The patients in the observation group were treated with SIB-IMRT,the whole brain planned target dose was 2 Gy every time,and the target dose of the metastatic target volume was 3 Gy every time for 20 times (5 times weekly).The patients in the control group received WBRT plus SBCRT,the WBRT dose was 3 Gy every time for 10 times(5 times weekly),then the metastatic tumor target area was treated with SBCRT,the prescribed dose was 3 Gy every time for 10 times.All patients were followed up from the end of treatment to December 2016.The effective rate,disease control rate and one-year survival rate were compared between the two groups.Results The patients in the two groups were successfully treated with radiotherapy.Ninety patients were followed up,eight patients were lost to follow-up,the follow-up rate was 91.8％ (90/98).The effective rate,disease control rate and oneyear survival rate in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (x2 =5.371,4.352,6.002;P ＜ 0.05).The median progression free survival time in the observation group was significantly longer than that in the control group (x2 =6.537,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of bone marrow suppression,digestive system reaction and nervous system damage between the two groups (x2 =1.821,2.032,3.782;P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion SIB-IMRT can improve the effective rate,disease control rate and one-year survival rate of patients with multiple metastasis tumor of brain.

OBJECTIVETo improve the recognition of Fechtner syndrome.

METHODSThe clinical and laboratory data and family survey of a patient with Fechtner's syndrom was reported.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONGiant platelets, thrombocytopenia and characteristic granulocyte inclusion bodies (Döhle-like bodies) were found in both peripheral blood and bone marrow smears of the patient. Clinically the patient had renal damage, nervous deafness, and vitreous lesions. There was a family genetic tendency on family survey the diagnosis of Fechtner syndrome is established.

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; etiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Motor Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Nephritis, Hereditary ; etiology ; genetics ; Thrombocytopenia ; etiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and possible mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on survival and quality of life (QOL) in patients with esophageal carcinoma after esophagectomy.

METHODSAdopting prospective controlled method of study, the authors had 128 post-esophagectomy patients, hospitalized from February 2001 to February 2002, randomly divided into 3 groups: the TCM group, treated with TCM drugs alone; the chemotherapy group, with chemotherapy alone applied; and the synthetic group, treated with chemotherapy combined with Chinese medicine. Their survival rate and QOL were compared.

RESULTSIn the TCM group, the chemotherapy group and the synthetic group, the respective 3-year relapse and remote metastasis rate were 71.4%, 76.7%, 53.4%, respectively (chi(2) = 6.53, P < 0.05); the 1-year survival rate 42.9%, 46.5%, 72.1%; 2-year survival rate 28.6%, 27.9%, 55.8%, and 3-year survival rate 26.2%, 23.1%, 37.2%, respectively. And the QOL improving rate was 69.0%, 37.2%, 58.1%, respectively, all showing significant difference among them (chi(2) = 6.10, all P < 0.05). Moreover, immune function was increased in the TCM and the synthetic groups.

CONCLUSIONIntegrative Chinese and Western medicinal treatment was the beneficial choice for post-operational patients with esophageal carcinoma. However, long time use of simple Chinese medicine was also advisable, especially for those in poverty.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immune System ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

The expression levels of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) are down-regulated in many malignancies. SG611-pdcd5, a recombinant conditionally replicative adenovirus carrying pdcd5 gene expression cassette, can evidently kill the leukemic cells and protect selectively the normal cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergistic killing effect of SG611-pdcd5 and low-dose etoposide (VP-16) on K562 cells. K562 cells were treated with different concentrations of VP-16 or different multiplicities of infection (MOI) of SG611-pdcd5. After 48 hours of incubation the cell viability was determined by using MTT assay. The results showed that the cell viability of SG611-pdcd5 (MOI = 40) plus VP-16 (0.5 µg/ml) group significantly decreased as compared with single SG611-pdcd5 (MOI = 40) treatment group or single VP-16(0.5 µg/ml) treatment group (42.00 ± 5.75% vs 59.45 ± 4.12%; 42.00 ± 5.75% vs 82.91 ± 3.41%, respectively, both p < 0.05). The synergistic killing effect of SG611-pdcd5 plus VP-16 was higher than that of PDCD5 protein plus VP-16 or that of non-replicating adenovirus carrying pdcd5 (Ad-pdcd5) plus VP-16 (both p < 0.05). The cell viability of VP-16 (4.0 µg/ml) plus SG611-pdcd5 (MOI = 40) group, VP-16 (4.0 µg/ml) plus proPDCD5 (40 µg/ml) group and VP-16 (4.0 µg/ml) plus Ad-pdcd5 (MOI = 80) group was 37.09 ± 1.89%, 52.36 ± 1.64% and 73.64 ± 4.33%, respectively. It is concluded that SG611-pdcd5 can promote K562 cell death induced by low-dose VP-16. The combination of SG611-pdcd5 and VP-16 can enhance the killing effect on leukemic cells.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Survival ; Etoposide ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics

The purpose of this study was to construct a recombinant conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) expressing programmed cell death 5 (pdcd5). Pdcd5 gene was inserted in the E3 region of SG600-a CRAd in which the key genes for virus replication E1a and E1b were controlled under the human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (hTERTp) and the hypoxia response element (HRE) respectively, and with a deletion of 24 nucleotides within CR2 region of E1a. The insertion and orientation of all recombined plasmids were confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The infection efficiencies of a recombined virus carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in leukemic cell lines were observed by using fluorescence microscope. The relative pdcd5 expression levels of K562 after being infected with SG611-pdcd5 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the construction of SG611-pdcd5 was completed and confirmed. Pdcd5, hTERTp, HRE, skeleton and fiber11 of recombinant adenovirus SG611-pdcd5 were successfully amplified. The infection efficiencies of SG611-EGFP were all above 70% in both leukemic K562 and MEG-01 cell lines. SG611-pdcd5 expressed pdcd5 with high efficiency in leukemic cells as compared with Ad-pdcd5 or SG611 (p < 0.001). The expression level of pdcd5 increased gradually along with the increase of MOI. It is concluded that the triple-regulated adenovirus of SG611-pdcd5 containing the pro-apopro-tic gene pdcd5 has been successfully established with high pdcd5 expression level in leukemic cells, indicating that the recombinant adenovirus, SG611-pdcd5, promises further development of targeted tumor gene therapy.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Oncolytic Viruses ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Telomerase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the mental health status of infertility patients with varicocele and its relationship with infertility.

METHODSUsing Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), we assessed the psychological status of 110 infertility patients with varicocele, identified the risk factors of anxiety and depression in these patients, and analyzed the correlation among psychological and other relevant factors. Meanwhile, we recruited 61 age-matched normal fertile men as controls for comparative analysis. We also conducted logistic regression analysis on the mental health status of the 106 infertility patients with varicocele.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of anxiety were 61.32% and 13.79%, while those of depression 37.73% and 6.90% in the infertile patients and normal fertile controls, respectively, significantly higher in the former than in the latter (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the main risk factors of anxiety and depression of the infertile patients were the number of times they sought medical care and the severity of their testis disorders.

CONCLUSIONInfertility patients with varicocele have psychological disorders, which are particularly associated with the frequency of the patients' clinic visit and the severity of their testis disorders.

Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Varicocele ; complications ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Young Adult