AIM:To investigate the effects of chronic hypoxia on the aggressiveness of MCF-7, a human breast cancer cell line , and the underlying mechanisms .METHODS: MCF-7 cells were cultured under hypoxia ( 1% O2 , 5%CO2 and 94%N2 ) or control (95%O2 and 5%CO2 ) condition.The viability, proliferation, and invasion and migration abilities of the MCF-7 cells were determined by MTT assay , CCK-8 assay, cell counting, and cell invasion and migration assays.Anchorage-independent growth and the alteration of cellular polarization of the MCF-7 cells were tested by soft agar colony formation assay and Matrigel-3D culture assay, respectively.The effects of chronic hypoxia on the growth and metas-tasis of MCF-7 cells in vivo were investigated by xenograft in nude mice .The morphological changes of the MCF-7 cells were observed under an inverted microscope .Hypoxia-induced alterations in the levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 ( HIF-1 ) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β( p-GSK-3β) as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) mol-ecules, such as E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP)-3 and MMP-9, were determined by Western blot .RESULTS:Chronic hypoxia significantly increased the viability , proliferation , and invasion and migration abilities of MCF-7 cells in vitro, enhanced the anchorage-independent growth , facilitated cellular polarization alteration in Matrigel-3D culture, and promoted cancer metastasis in vivo.Hypoxia up-regulated HIF-1, activated GSK-3β, down-regu-lated E-cadherin and increased the protein levels of N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP-3 and MMP-9.CONCLUSION:Chronic hypoxia enhances the aggressiveness of breast cancer cells probably through EMT .

The gene-expression changes related with precancerous lesion of gastric cancer (PLGC) are surveyed. Not only the regulative effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on oncogene, antioncogene and anti-apoptosis gene that are related with PLGC is analyzed, but also current research state is presented. It's showed that TCM has effects of therapy and inversion on PLGC. These effects are related with the inhibition to related oncogene expression, the regulation and activation to the deletion of antioncogene, the inhibition to the high-expression of mutant gene-protein about antioncogene, and the regulative function to anti-apoptosis gene.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oncogenes ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo study the factors influencing short-term prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 137 hospitalized children with TBM between January 2007 and February 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 30 potential factors influencing short-term prognosis of TBM were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSClinical staging showed that of the 137 children 21 cases (15.3%) were in the early stage, 67 cases (48.9%) in the medium stage and 49 cases (35.8%) in the late stage of TBM. The univariate analysis revealed 8 factors associated with a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late), coma, positive Babinski signs, cranial nerve involvements, paralysis, seizures, obvious abnormalities in brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elevated protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Factors associated with a favourable short-term prognosis for TBM included glucocorticoid steroids therapy, positive reaction of PPD skin test and an increased length of stay in hospital. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed two independent risk factors for a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late) (OR: 11.168, 95%CI: 3.521-35.426) and positive signs of meningeal irritation (OR: 4.275, 95%CI: 1.043-17.521). An increased length of stay in hospital was shown as a favorable factor (OR: 0.893, 95%CI: 0.825-0.968).

CONCLUSIONSLate-stage TBM and positive signs of meningeal irritation suggest a poor prognosis, while an appropriately longer length of stay in hospital may contribute to a favorable short-term prognosis for children with TBM.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal ; complications ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo examine the efficacy of Muscovite on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats, and to research the mechanisms of intestinal mucosal protection.

METHODUlcerative colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic injection of 2 mL of 7% acetic acid. Rats were treated with three different doses of the Muscovite and SASP at random by intracolonic injecion, the normal saline was considered as control group. The rats were sacrificed and the colons were excised and opened longitudinally. Under a dissecting microscope, gross findings were observed and scored. MPO activity was assayed by spectrophotometry in colonic mucosa.

RESULTGross finding showed that multiple ulcer with diameter more than 1 cm, surrounded with erosion, erythematous and edema in the proximal colon in ulcerative coltis. The colon from Muscovite treatment group were histopatholgically normal, with slight erosion, erythematous and edema. The colon in SASP group had small ulceration and severe erosion and edema. The score of gloss change were significant lower in Muscovite groups than that in normal saline group (P < 0.01). There were necrosis and exfoliation of mucosa, multiple cystic dilation of mucosa gland, and large number of and inflammation attenuated in Muscovite groups. There nerutrophils and vessel infiltration in ulcerative colitis. The ulceration disappeared were erosion in mucosa and inflammatory cell infiltrating into submucosa in SASP group. Compared with normal saline group, the pathological scale were significant decreased in Muscovite and SASP groups (P < 0.05). The MPO activity was significant increased in colitis tissue compared with normal group (P < 0.001). After administrating with Muscovite or SASP, the level of MPO were significant decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMuscovite has the effect of mucosal protection by attenuating the inflammation of colonic mucosa and decreasing the activity of MPO.

Acetic Acid ; Aluminum Silicates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Colon ; enzymology ; pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the application of SIEMENS Ysio DR amplification in the radiation dose reduction. Methods Totally 160 patients with similar heights and body shapes were divided equally into A,B,C and D groups,and then underwent radiological examinations with SIEMENS Ysio DR from September 2014 to May 2016.A and B groups went through right hand AP oblique examination with the same kV while different mAs, and C and D groups had chest posteroanterior examination with different kV and the same mAs. Image quality was regulated with the amplification coefficient, and then evaluated with double-blind method by two senior radiologists.Statistical analysis was executed over the values of mAs in A and B groups and those of kV in C and D groups. Results A group had the mAs value being(2.26 ±0.16)mAs, which was significantly different from that of B group [(4.05±0.19)mAs] (P<0.05);while C group had kV value being (104.79±6.39)kV, which was statistically different from that of D group [(83.48±3.67)kV] (P<0.05). Satisfactory image were obtained by regulation with amplication coefficient.There was no obvious difference between the image quality in either A and B groups or C and D groups(P>0.05).Based on the principle that low mAs resulted in low radiation dose and high kV lead to low effective dose,A group had the radiation dose lower than those of B group,and C group had the effective dose lower than those of D group. Conclusion SIEMENS Ysio DR has the photographing parameters regulated according to different sites and the amplification coefficient for enhancing image quality, which decreases X-ray radiation dose and effective dosage with the diagnosis results unaffected.

OBJECTIVETo study the pathologic change and molecular regulation in cell proliferation and apoptosis of gastric mucosa in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), and evaluate the possible mechanisms.

METHODSRats were administered with 60% alcohol or 2% salicylate sodium, 20 mmol/L deoxycholate sodium and 0.1% ammonia water to establish chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) models. The gastric specimens were prepared for microscopic view with hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and alcian blue (A-B) stain. The number of infiltrated inflammatory cells, the thickness of the mucosa gland layer (microm) and the number of gastric glands were calculated. The damage of barrier in mucosa with erosion or ulceration, and the thickness of mucin were examined by scanned electron microscope (SEM). The levels of PGE(2), EGF (epiderminal growth factor) and gastrin in the serum were measured with radioimmunoassay or ELISA method. The immunohistochemistry method was used to observe the number of G cells, the expression of protein of EGFR (EGF receptor), C-erbB-2, p53, p16 and bcl-2 in gastric tissue.

RESULTSUnder SEM observation, the gastric mucosa was diffused erosion or ulceration and the thickness of mucin was decreased. Compared with normal rats, the grade of inflammatory cell infiltration in CAG rats was elevated, whereas the thickness and number of gastric gland were significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with normal level of (0.61+/-0.28) microg/L, EGF in CAG (2.24+/-0.83) microg/L was significantly higher (P<0.05). The levels of PGE(2) and gastrin in serum were significantly lower in CAG rats than that in normal rats (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry detection showed that the number of G cell in antrum was lower in CAG group (P<0.05). Immuno-stain showed EGFR protein expression in the basal and bilateral membrane, and the cytoplasma in atrophic gastric gland, while negative expression was observed in normal gastric epithelial cells. Positive staining of p53 and p16 protein was localized in the nucleus of epithelial cells. The former was higher positively expressed in atrophic gland, while the later was higher positively stained in normal gastric tissue. bcl-2 protein was positively stained in the cytoplasma in atrophic gastric gland, while very weakly stained in normal gastric tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe pathological findings in gastric gland accorded with the Houston diagnostic criteria of antrum-predominant CAG. CAG in rats was related with the damage of barrier in gastric mucosa and the misbalance of cell proliferation and apoptosis. There was high protein expression of oncogene, while inhibitor of suppressor gene in CAG rats indicated high trend of carcinogenesis.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; pathology ; Gastrins ; blood ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the role of the synchronized springy lengthening apparatus for the tibia and calcaneal tendon designed by the author in preventing the clubfoot of secondary to the Ilizarov tibia lengthening.

METHODSBased on the Ilizarov tibia lengthening apparatus, a special synchronized springy lengthening apparatus for the tibia and calcaneal tendon was designed. The tibial was made of distal and proximal 2 rings respectively and 4 threaded rods, and the calcaneal was made of a half ring, 2 hinges and a threaded rod with spring. The half ring was fixed to the calcaneus by 2 crossed wires. The fracture tibia and fibula, ankle joint, talocalcaneal joint were attached to the apparatus. At the same time of tibia lengthening, the soft tissue was simultaneously stretched, the ankle joint could move, and the leg could bear weight. If the clubfoot angle was larger, the percutaneous fasciotomy of calcaneal tendon was performed; if the angle was less than 20 degrees, the pes deformities were corrected only by the stretch of calcaneal tendon.

RESULTSSeventy-seven patients' tibia were lengthened averagely 4.6 cm, with an average speed of 0.7 mm/d. The healing made tibia lengthened, and the index was 1.35 months/cm. There were not the secondary varus and valgus deformities and clubfoot in all the patients. The clubfoot with 100-400 angle of the 16 patients were corrected after tibia lengthening.

CONCLUSIONSThe new apparatus coincides with the biomechanical principle and can effectively prevent the secondary deformities of foot such as clubfoot, talipes varus and valgus after tibia lengthening procedure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Lengthening ; instrumentation ; methods ; Child ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Leg Length Inequality ; surgery ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Danlong Oral Liquid (DOL) combined Western medicine (WM) in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

METHODSTotally 480 mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio 3:1, the treatment group (360 cases) and the control group (120 cases). All patients received basic WM treatment. Patients in the treatment group took DOL, 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total, while those in the control group took Kechuanning Oral Liquid (KOL) , 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total. Efficacy for asthma symptoms, lung functions and scores of TCM syndrome and/or main symptoms were evaluated.

RESULTSThe percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of asthma symptoms in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (77.36% vs 56.07%, P < 0.01). The percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of lung functions in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (74.28% vs 50.00%, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of TCM syndrome was significantly superior in the treatment group than in the control group (-11.26 ± 4.70 vs -9.21 ± 5.09, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of main symptoms was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (-6.58 ± 3.08 vs -5.16 ± 3.45, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [1.73% (6/346 cases) vs 10.17% (12/118 cases) , P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONDOL combined WM was superior to KOL in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lung ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Respiratory Sounds ; Syndrome

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies from Europe and North America have provided a wealth of information regarding the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Caucasians. Previous studies in mainland China have been limited by small patient numbers or by lack of detailed information about clinical subgroups of the disease. This study was carried out to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of IBD in Chinese patients.

METHODSIn the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between 1994 and 2003, 379 patients were diagnosed as IBD. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analysed.

RESULTSOf 379 patients, 317 had ulcerative colitis (UC) (83.6%, 168 male, 149 female, male-female ratio 1.13:1, age range at diagnosis 14-79 years, mean age 44 years) and 62 had Crohn's disease (CD) (16.4%, 39 male and 23 female, male-female ratio 1.70:1, age range at diagnosis 13-70 years, mean age 33 years). In UC, 11.4% of patients had proctitis, 25.2% had proctosigmoiditis, 18.6% were diseased to the splenic flexure and 44.8% had extensive colitis. Nine patients with UC (2.8%) had arthritis, three patients (0.9%) had iritis or conjunctivitis. Of the 62 CD patients, 16 (25.8%) had diseases restricted to the terminal ileum; 15 (24.2%) had colonic diseases; 20 (32.3%) had ileocolonic disease and 11 (17.7%) had disease involving the upper gastrointestinal tract.

CONCLUSIONSThis study shows similar characteristics of IBD to that in the West but there are some differences with respect to severity and extraintestinal manifestations. The ethnic and geographic differences may give important clues to the aetiology of IBD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; complications ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

This study is to investigate the protective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. While PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, cell survival rate was reduced and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased. In parallel, corticosterone caused significant elevations of DNA fragmentation, [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity. However, when the PC12 cells were incubated with longistyline A (4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 micromol x L(-1)) in the presence of 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, the effects were evidently alleviated, but dose-dependent manner was not obvious. In summary, longistyline A could generate a neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells possibly by decreasing [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity.
Animals ; Cajanus ; chemistry ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Corticosterone ; toxicity ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Phenols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats