Background and purpose:The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly overexpressed in a variety of solid tumors, and has important roles in cancer pathogenesis and progression. EGFR thus provides a rational target for cancer therapy. We studied siRNA-mediated inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor expression and its biologic effects in different human cancer cell lines (A431, HeLa and SPC-A-1). Methods:Cells were transfected with chemically synthesized siRNA-EGFR. EGFR mRNA was quantified by real-time PCR and was detected by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. The biologic effects on cell growth were assessed by colony-formation assay.Results:siRNA-EGFR significantly decreased mRNA level of EGFR by 73.9 %, 44.6 % and 57.7 %, protein expression of EGFR by 77.0 %, 61.3 % and 65.2 %, and reduced colony number by 27.2 %, 53.9 % and 59.1 % in A431, HeLa and SPC-A-1, respectively.Conclusions:Our data suggested that RNA interference could downregulate EGFR and inhibit colony forming ability and EGFR expression at mRNA/protein levels in human cancer cell lines with different pathological types. siRNA could be one of the promising strategies in future targeted cancer therapy.

This study was designed to investigate inhibitory effects and possible mechanisms of snake venom tripeptide (pENW) on platelet adhesion in order to promote the development of a novel anti-platelet therapy. To study the inhibitory effects of pENW on platelet adhesion, washed platelets pre-incubated with pENW (116.5-466.2 μmol x L(-1)) were used to test the ability of platelet adhesion to fibrinogen. Effect of pENW on fibrin clot retraction was also tested. Effect of pENW on platelets viability was tested by MTT assay. Effect of pENW on reactive-oxygen species (ROS) levels of platelet was studied by flow cytometry assay. Calcium mobilization in Fura-2/AM-loaded platelets was monitored with a spectrofluorimeter. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), thromboxane A2 (determined as its metabolite thromboxane B2) were measured using enzyme immunoassay kits. Akt, ERK and p38 phosphorylation were tested by Western blot. The results showed that pENW inhibited platelet adhesion and fibrin clot retraction in a concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Intracellular cGMP and cAMP in both resting and thrombin-activated platelets were increased by pENW. In addition, pENW attenuated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and TXA2 production in platelets stimulated by thrombin. As shown by Western blot assay, Akt, ERK and p38 phosphorylation in thrombin-induced platelet were attenuated by pENW. However, inhibitory effects of pENW had nothing to do with ROS. Thus, pENW exhibited a significant inhibition on platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, which means pENW could block the first step of thrombosis as while as retard the more stable clot formation. The mechanisms of pENW on inhibition platelet adhesion might be related to instant regulations, such as protein kinases.
Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Phosphorylation ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Snake Venoms ; chemistry ; Thromboxane A2 ; metabolism ; Thromboxane B2 ; metabolism

Colon ; pathology ; Colonic Polyps ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To study the diagnostic value of multi-direction adjusted multiplanar reconstruction (MPR)by 64-slice CT myelography (CTM)in diagnosing cervical nerve injury,and the possibility of the MPR to replace conventional myelography and CT direct-scanning axial images.Methods Twenty-six patients with cervical nerve root injury were examined by conventional myelograpby and 64-slice CT using isotropic parameters.Then multi-direction MPR were performed to display nerve roots on coronal and sagittal planes besides axial images.Twenty-six patients were performed surgical operations and diagnosis were obtained.The coincident diagnosing rate with surgical operations results were compared statistically among multi-direction MPR,direct-scanning axial CT images,conventional myelography.The numbers of images were also compared between axial MPR and direct scanning axial CT images.Results Direct sign of nerve root avulsion was the loss of normal nerve root defect seen in the Isovist filled thecal sac in 6d-slice CT,which was found in 31 nerve roots.Indirect signs included:(1)Traumatic pseudomeningocele: 29 nerve roots showed the leak of Isovist into nerve root sheath,and extended into foramina;(2)Arachnoid cyst: 26 nerve roots clearly displays cystic distension in nerve root,which has low- density fine clew form septation from subarachnoid cavity and no nerve root in the cyst ;(3)Deformity of the subarachnoid space : deformity of thecal sac,partially lack of Isovist into arachnoid space,which was found in 17 nerve roots.The coincident diagnosing rate of cervical nerve root injury by multi-direction adjusted coronal MPR imaging was 92.6% (50/54),which was higher than by axial CT (77.8%,42/54)and conventional myelography (68.5%,37/54),There was significant difference between the conventional myelography, direct-scanning axial CT,multi-direction MPR images (Kappa = 0.686,0.772,0.920, respectively,P

Objective To investigate the role of acid and bile reflux in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to evaluate the significance of detecting acid and bile reflux in diagnosing GERD in children.Methods Using ambulatory 24 h pH mo-(nitoring) and bilirubin monitoring technique, we simultaneously assessed the changes of intraesophageal pH and bile reflux in 23 subjects (including 11 healthy controls and 12 patients with GERD).Results The time of esophageal acid exposure (pH

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics,diagnoses,treatments and prognoses of vaginal leiomyosarcoma (LMS).Methods The clinical and pathological recordings of 9 patients suffering from vaginal leiomyosarcoma from January 1973 to May 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.Results The study group constituted 2.7％ (9/330) of all the malignant vaginal tumor admitted to our hospital in the same period.The major clinical manifestations were asymptomatic vaginal mass (3/9),bellyache and vaginal bleeding (2/9),vaginal pain (2/9),and difficulty in defecation (1/9) and micturition (1/9).Preoperative diagnosis was highly unreliable.Based on the sample chose,the diagnosis were made in 3 cases by preliminary biopsy before undertaking surgery,while 6 cases were confirmed shortly after simple tumor excision or unexpected recurrence.All the patients were pathologically confirmed diagnosis by tumor resection specimen or biopsy,5 cases of them were also confirmed by virtue of immunohistochemistry staining.All 9 patients,8 cases received initial surgery,four of them patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy,the remaining 1 patients received initial chemotherapy and radiotherapy.Follow-up was performed for all the 9 patients,of which 3 cases were lost,the median follow-up time was 50 months (range 7-134).Four patients underwent local recurrence and adjacent organ metastases within two years,with 5 years survival rate 4/9.Conclusions Primary vaginal leiomyosarcoma is a rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively tumor.In this regard,It is strongly recommend preoperative biopsy for definitive diagnosis and perform surgery as the principal approach,in conjunction with radiotherapy or chemotherapy when needed to improve survival.

Objective To explore the clinical-pathologic characteristics, treatment modalities and prognosis of patients with vaginal intracpithelial neoplasia ( VAIN ). Methods The clinical, pathologic and follow-up data of 20 cases with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia treated primarily in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2007, were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Results There were not any of symptoms on diagnosis in all patients, and most of them ( 17 cases, 85% ) were frequently detected VAIN for the abnormal pap smears or pelvic examination from cervical carcinoma patients and under the colposcopy as well as colposcopic biopsies. There were 3 cases (15%) with cervical cancer were diagnosed as VAIN during the postoperative follow up, while 17 cases (85%) of patients were accompanied with cervical cancer( 12 eases) or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN, 5 cases ) concomitantly or antecedently. Ninety percent of patients were diagnosed as VAIN Ⅲ,17 cases (85%) were mainly localized in the upper third of vagina, and 13 cases (65%) affected to the multiple vaginal walls. Thirteen cases were performed surgery, and 7 cases were treated by irradiation. The local control rate was achieved to 100% in all of patients. Three cases ( included 1 post-irradiated and 2 post-operative) were relapsed after treatment, but still be controlled completely by radiotherapy or surgery. Conclusions VAIN was difficult to be diagnosed independently, which was frequently accompanied by cervical cancer or CIN, significantly localized in the upper third of vagina involving the multiple walls of vagina, and treated synchronously with cervical carcinoma and CIN accompanying. Surgery and radiotherapy was equally effective to control VAIN, and then follow-up post-treatment should be closely to detect, diagnose and treat recurrent VAIN as soon as possible after treatment.

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of gender and age on shoulder and hip range of motion (ROM) and to determine the differences of ROM of normal side shoulder and hip joints between the data we collected and the published standards (Guideline of Examination for Body Impairment in Clinical Forensic Medicine SF/ZJD0103003-2011) in China. Methods We collected cases with unilateral injury of shoulder or hip from clinical forensic medicine. The differences of ROM of normal side joint between the data we collected and the published standards were studied. Descriptive statistics was calculated between male and female subjects in ifve age groups including 0~25, 26~40, 41~50, 51~60 and >60 years, and the ROM changes with age were also studied. Results The data collected in this study was signiifcantly different from the published standard. With age growth, the ROM of shoulder and hip were decreased and a significant difference between genders in partial activity direction of shoulder and hip was found in the individuals who were over 50 years. Conclusion Gender and age appear to be inlfuential factors to determine the normal ROM of the shoulder and hip joint, and there is signiifcantly difference of ROM of normal side shoulder and hip joints between the data we collected and the published standards (Guideline of Examination for Body Impairment in Clinical Forensic Medicine SF/ZJD0103003-2011).

Objective To observe glucose metabolism in C57 mice treated with different doses of fluoride.Methods Forty male C57 mice (body weight 20-24 g) were divided into four groups which were exposed to 0,50,100 and 150 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) by random number table according to body weight,each group had 10 mice.At 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks after fluoride exposure,body weight was measured,blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were detected by blood glucose meter and glycosylated hemoglobin meter,serum insulin and glucagon were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results At 10 and 12 weeks after fluoride exposure,the differences of fasting glucose between groups of C57 mice were statistically significant (F =35.12,21.92,all P ＜ 0.05),the fasting glucose of 100,150 mg/L fluoride groups [(7.7 ± 0.2),(7.3 ± 0.3),(8.6 ± 0.5),(9.1 ± 0.7)mmol/L] were higher than those of the control group [(5.4 ± 0.3),(5.0 ± 0.3)mmol/L,all P ＜ 0.01].The differences of glycosylated hemoglobin,glucagons between groups were statistically significant (F =3.85,8.74,all P ＜ 0.05).The glycosylated hemoglobin of 100,150 mg/L fluoride groups [(7.73 ± 0.76),(7.80 ± 1.15) mmo]/L] were higher than those of the control group [(5.43 ± 1.27) mmol/L,all P ＜ 0.05]; serum glucagon levels of 50,100,150 mg/L fluoride groups [(19.15 ± 11.84),(26.55 ± 15.97),(20.05 ± 7.29)ng/L] were lower than that of the control group [(48.35 ± 2.79)ng/L,all P ＜ 0.01].Conclusion Long term excess fluoride intake can reduce the function of sugar metabolism in C57 mice.

Objective:This study analyzes the clinicopathological characteristics, pathological diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ovarian small cell carcinoma (SCCO). Methods:The medical records of SCCO patients in the Cancer Hospital of Peking Union Medical College between 2005 and 2012 were reviewed. Results:The mean age of patients was 43. 75 years old (ranging from 17 to 57), two cases were postmenopausal, and one case was less than 30 years old. Twenty-one patients had FIGO stageⅠ, whereas three cases had stageⅢto Ⅳ. Three cases were classified as pulmonary type. Forty-three patients received cytoreductive surgery, and one underwent fertili ty-conserving surgery. All patients were postoperatively treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, whereas three cases received Paclitaxel plus Carboplatin. No patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. One patient died nine months after the initial diagnosis, and one died 12 months after the initial diagnosis. The other two cases remain alive with no evidence of recurrence after follow up at 7 and 30 months after diagnosis. Conclusion:SCCO is a rare ovarian tumor with high malignancy potential and thus has poor prognosis. The clinical manifestations of SCCO resemble those of epithelial ovarian cancer. Immunohistochemistry can be used for differential diagnosis. The standard SCCO treatments are cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. The optimal chemotherapy regimen requires further research.