Objective To compare the cervical intervertebral movements produced by posteroanterior cervical mobilization and posteroanterior cervical mobilization combined with cervical traction by using the radiographic measurement.Methods The study recruited 12 normal volunteers (6 men,6 women),aged 18 to 25 years (22.9±4.7 years),heighted (164± 7)cm and weighed (54.7 ± 7.6)kg.All the subjects were administered with posteroanterior cervical mobilization followed by posteroanterior cervical mobilization while having cervical traction,or vice versa,with an interval of 2 days in between.The X-ray films were collected before and after the treatment,using 4 static cervical lateral views.The axial displacement of posterior and anterior intervertebral separation (IVS),and the shear displacement of vertebral body as well as the rotation and displacement rate of the motion segments in the sagittal plane before and after the treatment were measured on the radiographic images and compared.Results It was shown that the posteroanterior cervical mobilization produced greater C2-C7 rotation range of motion in the sagittal plane,as compared to that by the posteroanterior mobilization while having cervical traction (P ＜ 0.05).The posteroanterior mobilization produced a significantly greater increase of anterior IVS of the C5 segment and the summation of C2-C7 posterior IVS than those by posteroanterior mobilization while having cervical traction (P ＜ 0.05).However,the posterior IVS and the posterior zygapophysial joints separation of C2-C7 produced by the posteroanterior mobilization during traction were more prominent (P ＜ 0.05).There was no statistical difference between anteroposterior displacements of the vertebral body produced by the two interventions.Comparing with the baseline,the posteroanterior mobilization caused posterior movement of the vertebral bodies of C5 to C2,while the posteroanterior cervical mobilization during traction produced posterior movement of C5 to C2 vertebral bodies and anterior movement of C6 body.Conclusion The cervical posteroanterior mobilization significantly increased the lordosis from C3 to C7,and reduced posterior IVS and zygapophysial joints separation.However,the posteroanterior mobilization during traction changed the intervertebral movements.

A series of novel sorafenib analogues were designed and synthesized. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were tested in four tumor cell lines. Some of the compounds showed potent antiproliferative activity against the tested cell lines with IC50 = 4-20 micromol x L(-1). Some compounds demonstrated competitive antiproliferative activities to sorafenib against tested cancer cell lines. Among them, compound 7c demonstrated significant inhibitory activities on ACHN, HCT116 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC50 values of 9.01, 4.97, 6.61 micromol x L(-1), respectively.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Molecular Structure ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phenylurea Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Fucoidan is one of the main bioactive components of polysaccharides. The current study was focused on the anti-tumor effects of fucoidan on human heptoma cell line HepG2 and the possible mechanisms. Fucoidan treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. The results of flow cytometric analysis revealed that fucoidan induced G2/M arrest in the cell cycle progression. Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V/PI staining results showed that the apoptotic cell number was increased, which was associated with a dose-dependent up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and p-Stat3. In parallel, the up-regulation of p53 and the increase in reactive oxygen species were also observed, which may play important roles in the inhibition of HepG2 growth by fucoidan. In the meantime, Cyclin B1 and CDK1 were down-regulated by fucoidan treatment. Down-regulation of p-Stat3 by fucoidan resulted in apoptosis and an increase in ROS in response to fucoidan exposure. We therefore concluded that fucoidan induces apoptosis through the down-regulation of p-Stat3. These results suggest that fucoidan may be used as a novel anti-cancer agent for hepatocarcinoma.

A series of 2-(3-butynoicamidophenyl)benzothiazole derivatives were synthesized starting from 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid. Structures of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR and HR-MS. Their antitumor activities against human tumor cells lines (HCT116, Mia-PaCa2, U87-MG, A549, NCI-H1975) were evaluated by MTT assay. The results revealed that most of the synthesized compounds showed potent activities against HCT116, Mia-PaCa2, U87-MG tumor cells lines. Particularly, compounds 14c and 14h exhibited better activity with IC50 values of 1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1) against U87-MG and HCT116 respectively. The structure-activity relationship of compounds was also discussed preliminarily.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Benzothiazoles ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Humans ; Nitrobenzoates ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Objective To study the value of DSA for hepatic vascular anatomy,and to evaluate the efficacy of portal vein occlusion in rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor.Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with 10 in each group,including test group A and positive control group B of ham operation.For the test group A,portal branch ligation(PBL)was performed for the left external branch after 3 weeks of the tumor implantation to the left external lobe.Two weeks later,the DSA of hepatic artery and portal vein were performed in all of the rabbits.Results The total displaying effectiveness of the branches of hepatic artery by DSA was better than that by vascular perfusion.There was hypovascular blood supply to hepatic artery implantation of the tumor in the test group A,comparing with that of the group B.Conclusion DSA can clearly display spacial details of the hepatic vascular anatomy in rabbits,and play an important role in post-procedual evaluation of the portal vein occlusion in rabbits.

OBJECTIVETo observe the regulatory effect of Chinese herbal compound for detoxifying and activating blood circulation on expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in aorta of apolipoprotein E gene knocked-out (ApoE (-/-)) mice.

METHODSApoE (-/-) mice of 13-week old were divided into two groups and fed with normal diet (Group A) and hyperlipidemic diet (Group B) respectively, the latter was subdivided into 7 groups as Group B1 - 7. Besides, a normal control group was set up with C57BL/6J mice. The drugs used for intervention were polydatin (PD, with 26.6 mg/kg as one dose) for detoxifying and Xiongshao Capsule (XC, with 110 mg/kg as one dose) for activating blood circulation respectively. The intervention was started 19 weeks later by treated Group B1 with PD one dose daily, Group B2 with XC one dose daily, Group B3 with PD and XC each 2 doses daily, Group B4 with PD and XC each one dose daily, Group B5 with PD and XC each half dose daily, Group B6 with lovastatin. To the Group B 7 (as a hyperlipidemia model group) as well as Group A and the normal control group, normal saline was given. After 17 weeks of intervention, the expressions of NF-kappaB and MMP-9 in aorta of mice were determined with immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSExpressions of NF-kappaB and MMP-9 in aorta and sclerotic plaque were higher in group B7 than those in the normal control group, which were lowered in group B1 - 6 (P < 0.01), and the optimal effect was shown in group B3 (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONCombined use of Chinese herbal medicine for detoxifying and activating blood circulation could reduce expression of NF-kappaB and MMP-9 in aorta of ApoE (-/-) mice, and the effect of the combination of the two was superior to that of use either of them.

Animals ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; pharmacology ; Aorta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Blood Flow Velocity ; drug effects ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lovastatin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; blood supply ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis

Natural killer T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) is a malignant neoplasm which usually involves the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, while an orbit origin is extremely rare. Here we report the clinical, radiological and histopathologic features of a patient with NKTL originating from the orbit. We analyzed the clinical and radiologic records in the whole course of the disease. We also reviewed the morphology and immunohistochemistry of the neoplasm biopsy, including the presence of CD56, CD3 and cytotoxic molecules. This case demonstrated that nasal-type NKTL with a poor prognosis can originate from the orbit.
Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; etiology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Orbital Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (tadalafil) on the testis following testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSEighty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham operation), B (testicular torsion + low-dose tadalafil), C (testicular torsion + high-dose tadalafil), and D (testicular torsion + placebo). Models were established in the latter three groups by 7200 torsion of the right testis for 2 hours. The animals in groups A and B were treated by gavage with tadalafil at the dose of 0. 5 mg per kg per day, those in group C at 2 mg per kg per day, and those in group D with saline at the same dose. After 3, 7, and 14 days of treatment, the torsioned testes were harvested for evaluation of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the testis tissue. The pathological changes in the testis were observed under the light microscope.

RESULTSAt 3, 7, and 14 days, the SOD activity was (254.46 +/- 7.43), (278.49 +/- 8.33), and (317.99 +/- 3.31) nU/mg prot in group B, and (277.12 +/- 8.80), (309.40 +/- 2.14), and (320.39 +/- 4.72) nU/mg prot in group C, all obviously higher than in D ([223.21 +/- 4.65], [231.45 +/- 4.16] and [248.28 +/- 5.74] nU/mg prot), while the MDA content was lower in the former two groups than in the latter. At 3 and 7 days, the SOD activity was significantly higher and the MDA level significantly lower in group C than in B (both P < 0.01) , while at 14 days, neither showed any remarkable differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious histopathological change was observed in the testis tissue of group A. At 3 and 7 days, pathological examination of the testis tissue revealed significant differences in the number of seminiferous epithelial layers, testicular histological score, and seminiferous tubule diameter in group B (P < 0.01), but the three indexes at 14 days in group B and at 7 days in group C exhibited no remarkable differences from those at 14 days in group A.

CONCLUSIONTadalafil can alleviate testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Seminiferous Tubules ; pathology ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; complications ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tadalafil ; Testis ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the CT axial manifestations of iliolumbar ligament(ILL) and discusses its clinical effects on locating lumbosacral vertebral segments.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to March 2010, 706 adult patients diagnosed lumbar disc disease were performed with axial scans by single slice helical CT. Among the patients, 436 patients were male and 270 patients were female, ranging in age from 25 to 82 years, the median age was 44 years, 78 cases with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) were verified by X-radiography or fluoroscopy. The morphology, origin and insertion, courses of ILL and the relationship of ligament and spinal segments on axial plane images were used to study. The location method of spinal segments by ILL was compared with the other four location methods on CT.

RESULTSOf the 628 cases with normal lumbosacral segmentations sides of ligament, the main part of ILL originated from L5 transverse processes and terminated at the iliac crest, the morphological characters were divided into two types: double band (71.8%, 451/628) and single band (28.2%, 177/628). The tiny branches from posterior and outside edge of L4, lumbar disc were seen simultaneity in 3 cases. The ILL of 78 cases with LSTV all also originated from L5 transverse processes. Using ILL as a marker of the L5 vertebral level, 78 cases with LSTV were correctly numbered, the accuracy rate was higher than the other location methods, there was statistical significance between the location method by ILL and the location method by iliac crest (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe main part of ILL originates from L5 transverse processes, the anatomic location is relatively steady and can be clearly displayed on axial CT, which can be used as a measure in the idenlification of LSTV in clinical practice, it is worthy to be applied widely in basic-level hospitals.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Ilium ; diagnostic imaging ; Ligaments ; diagnostic imaging ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The purpose of this study is to investigate the activity and mechanism of a new anti-tumor agent T03. MTT and colony formation assay were performed to determine anti-proliferation activity of T03 in vitro. Antitumor activity was observed by Renca xenograft model in vivo. The effect of T03 on cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by FCM analysis. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression level of proteins in HepG2 cell lines treated with T03. T03 had anti-tumor activity by inhibiting tumor cell growth and colony formation in vitro, especially on hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC). At the concentration of 10 micromol x L(-1), T03 induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HCC. Moreover, it proved that T03 reduced the tumor weight with the rate of 42.30% without any obviously side effect in Renca xenograft model. At the concentration of 2.0 micromol x L(-1), T03 was able to reduce the level of p-c-Raf (Ser259), and thus blocked Raf/MEK/ERK and AKT signaling in HepG2 cell lines. The result suggested that T03 has the potential to inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, particularly active against HCC, indicating T03 and its analogues may serve as a new anti-cancer drug against hepatocellular carcinoma.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays