Ascites ; etiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Liver Function Tests ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Rats ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of human angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 in nude mice.

METHODSRecombinant human Ang1 sense or antisense eukaryotic expression vectors were constructed, and transfected by lipofectin into human gastric cancer line SGC7901. Stable transfectants were obtained respectively, namely 7Ang1+ for sense, 7Ang1- for antisense, and 7901P for empty vector transfected cells. Semiquantitative PCR and Western blot were employed to testify the transfection efficiency. Cell growth curve and cell cycle were observed by MTT assays or flow cytometry. In in vivo study, growth of SGC7901 xeno-transplant was observed in BALB/c nude mice. Microvessel density (MVD) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for Factor VIII staining.

RESULTSStably transfected cell lines were established and decreased expression of Ang1 protein and mRNA in the antisense transfected SGC7901 cells was achieved. Tumorigenesis of 7Ang1- cells on day 30 days was significantly inhibited with decreased MVD as compared to that in 7901P and 7Ang1+ cells (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAngiopoietin-1 plays an important role in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of gastric cancer which can be partially abrogated by antisense technique.

Angiopoietin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microcirculation ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Venous Pressure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of anticoagulation protein defect in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

METHODSFifty-seven patients with a history of unexplained abortion were enrolled as the investigation group for tests of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III (AT-III), as well as activated protein C resistance (APC-R). The control group consisted of fifty healthy women with a history of normal pregnancy and delivery. Blood samples were obtained for, measuring serum activity of protein C, protein S, AT-III, and APC-R. Patients with positive APC-R were tested for factor V (FV) Leiden gene mutation by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTSOf the 57 patients, 12 (21.1%), 1 (1.8%), and 5 (8.8%) cases were found with protein S, protein C, and AT-III deficiency respectively, and 13 (22.8%) cases with positive results of APC-R. Of the control group, no protein C or AT-III deficiency was ever found, whereas 2 (4.0%) volunteers were presented with protein S deficiency and 3 (6.0%) with positive results of APC-R. No FV Leiden gene mutation was identified in all the patients with positive APC-R results. Late spontaneous abortion cases had higher incidence of anticoagulation protein defect than the early cases.

CONCLUSIONAnticoagulation protein defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of fetal loss, especially for those occurring in late stage of pregnancy.

Abortion, Habitual ; blood ; etiology ; Activated Protein C Resistance ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Adult ; Antithrombin III ; metabolism ; Antithrombin III Deficiency ; blood ; complications ; Factor V ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Point Mutation ; Protein C ; metabolism ; Protein C Deficiency ; blood ; complications ; Protein S ; metabolism ; Protein S Deficiency ; blood ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between expression of the osteopontin (OPN) and invasion and metastases in gastric cancer.

METHODSThe expression of OPN, NF-kappaB p65 and matrix metallo-proteinase 9 (MMP-9) was detected by immunohistochemistry in non-cancer gastric tissue (n = 12 cases) and gastric cancer tissue (n = 72 cases).

RESULTS(1) OPN, NF-kappaB p65 and MMP-9 were not expressed in 12 non-cancer gastric tissue samples(group A). Their expression rates were 43.3%, 40.0% and 46.7% respectively in 30 gastric cancer samples without lymph nodes metastasis (group B), but they increased to 76.9%, 73.1% and 80.8% in 26 gastric cancer samples with lymph nodes metastases (group C), and 87.5%, 81.3% and 93.8% respectively in 16 gastric cancer samples with lymph node and distant metastases (group D). (2) There were statistically significant differences in their expressions between group D and group B (P(a) = 0.004, P(c) = 0.007, P(e) = 0.002), and between group C and group B (P(b) = 0.011, P(d) = 0.013, P(f) = 0.009). (3) Despite some differences in positive expression rates, correlations existed between OPN and NF-kappaB p65, and between NF-kappaB p65 and MMP-9 (P(1) = 0.042, P(2) = 0.013; r(1)= 0.67, r(2)= 0.72).

CONCLUSIONOsteopondin espression is closely related to the invasion and metastases of gastric cancer. It may upregulate the expression of metastasis-related molecule MMP-9 by activating NF-kappaB pathway.

Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteopontin ; Sialoglycoproteins ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between metabolic enzymes polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer(CRC).

METHODSMethods of detection used were based on polymerase chain reaction(PCR) including PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), allele specific-PCR (AS-PCR) and multiple-PCR to identify the polymorphisms of CYP1A1 6235T/C, CYP1A2 734C/A, CYP2E1 -1259G/C, CYP2E1 -1019C/T, GSTM1 and T1 null type, NAT1 and NAT2 alleles among 140 cases and 343 cancer-free controls.

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of CYP1A1 6235C, CYP1A2 734A, CYP2E1 -1259C, CYP2E1 -1019T, GSTM1 and T1 null type, NAT1* 10 and NAT2 Mx (x = 1,2,3) alleles were 31.65%, 63.77%, 23.02%, 32.61%, 57.25%, 17.39%, 26.45% and 39.21% in the case group and 39.85%, 66.62%, 20.27%, 28.61%, 55.46%, 20.35%, 25.22% and 39.36% in control group, respectively. The frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Data on single genetic polymorphism and stratification analysis of multi-genetic polymorphisms indicated that CYP1A1 6235CC homozygote was associated with the significant reduction of CRC risk (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63-0.99) and in individuals with CYP1A2 734A allele. CYP1A1 62345C allele had the same effect (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.83). However, individuals with GSTT1 null genotype, GSTM1 null genotype could significantly increase the risk (OR = 4.41, 95% CI: 1.21-16.10).

CONCLUSIONCYP1A1 6235C allele might play an important role in fighting against colorectal carcinogenesis. However, GSTM1 and T1 null genotype might serve as risk factors genetically. Larger scale population-based studies were needed to confirm the current findings.

Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

To explore the effect of ligustrazine on the expression of adherent molecule VCAM-1/VLA-4 of bone marrow cells in syngenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) mice, the mice were divided into 3 groups: normal group (which received no treatment), BMT control group and ligustrazine-treated groups. BMT mouse models were established. The BMT control group and the ligustrazine-treated group were orally administered 0.2 ml saline per mouse and 2 mg ligustrazine per mouse, respectively, twice a day. On the day 7, 14, 21, 28 after BMT, mice were respectively killed. Bone marrow nucleated cells were detected, and then the expression of VCAM-1/VLA-4 was assayed by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The results showed that in ligustrazine-treated group, the accounts of bone marrow nucleated cells on the day 7, 14, 21, 28 after BMT were all higher than that in BMT control group. The expression level in the ligustrazine-treated group was significantly higher than that in the BMT control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). It is concluded that ligustrazine can enhance VCAM-1/VLA-4 expression in bone marrow after syngenic bone marrow transplantation in mice, which may be related to the mechanisms underlying the ligustrazine accelerating hematopoietic reconstitution in allogenic bone marrow transplantation.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Integrin alpha4beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transplantation, Isogeneic ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis and treatment of non-specific granulomatous prostatitis (NSGP).

METHODSThirty-two cases of NSGP were diagnosed by puncture biopsy under transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and treated with antibiotics and other medicines from September, 2000 to May, 2006.

RESULTSPathomorphologically, NSGP was basically characterized by granuloma with vessels or grand alveoli in the center. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Urination irritation and obstruction were improved. Q(max) was increased to 15.0-24.0 ml/s, and in 3 cases of urinary retention, to 12.0, 14.5 and 16.5 ml/s, respectively. Digital rectal examination (DRE) indicated a reduced size and softened texture of the prostate induration. PSA was decreased to 1.3-11.5 microg/L. Four cases experienced relapse but were cured after retreated. No prostate cancer was observed.

CONCLUSIONNSGP can be definitely diagnosed by puncture biopsy under TRUS and effectively relieved by antibiotics with the alpha-receptor blocker. In case of serious obstruction complicated by urinary retention, transurethral electrotomy can be considered.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Rectum ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish rhesus haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation model by nonmyeloablative conditioning, and examine the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in haploidentical transplantation.

METHODSThe recipient haploidentical rhesus monkeys were conditioned with a nonmyeloablative regimen consisted of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, 200 cGy total body irradiation, and rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin. Cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil and anti CD25 antibody were used for graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Rhesus monkeys in one group were given hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) only, while in the other group HSC combined with MSC. The differences in hematopoiesis recovery, chimerism level, and GVHD between the two groups were evaluated.

RESULTSStable chimerism could be achieved in recipient monkeys. Hematopoiesis recovery was mainly related with chimerism level. MSC seemed capable of facilitating HSC engraftment, as there were more mixed chimerism and less GVHD occurrence in the HSC combined with MSC recipient group.

CONCLUSIONA rhesus haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation model is successfully established by nonmyeloablative conditioning. MSC was of great benefit to haploidentical transplantation.

Animals ; Chimerism ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Haploidy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Macaca mulatta ; genetics ; surgery ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Models, Animal ; Transplantation Conditioning