Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Flavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gynostemma ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum

The cyanuric chloride linkers have been used for cyclizing polypeptide, but not used for α-conotoxin, the peptides with rich disulfide bonds and more amino acid residues. In this study, cyclic peptides c[A10L]PnIA-1-4 were synthesized efficiently by lysine assisted cyanuric chloride linkers with 28.92%-52.00% yields. The activity evaluation showed that the IC₅₀ values of c[A10L]PnIA-1 against α7 and α3β2 nAChR subtypes were 5 and 7 times higher than [A10L]PnIA respectively, and the subtype selectivity was maintained. The results of circular dichroism show that this cyclization method had no significant effect on its secondary structure. Compared with the commonly used head-to-tail cyclization in conotoxin cyclization, this method has the advantages of rapid reaction and high yield, which is expected to be further applied to the cyclization study of various α-conotoxins.

OBJECTIVETo explore if vasculogenic mimicry (VM) exists in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explain the clinical significance of VM.

METHODSNinety-nine HCC resection specimens with complete clinical and prognostic data were collected. Immunohistochemical staining of CD31 and CD105, hepatocyte and PAS staining of the histological preparations were conducted to explore if VM exists in those HCC.

RESULTS12.12% (12 specimens) of the 99 specimens exhibited evidence of VM. One of 40 HCC specimens (2.5%) which belong to Edmondson pathologic grade I-II exhibited VM; 11 of 59 HCC specimens which belong to Edmondson pathologic grade III-VI (18.64%) exhibited VM, the low differentiated HCC (grade III-VI) exhibited more VM specimens than the high differentiated HCC (grade I-II) (chi2=4.416, P < 0.05). The biological behavior of VM was assessed and the stages of the cancers, using the TNM (tumor, node, metastases) classification criteria, were analyzed. These parameters of the VM and non-VM groups were compared. The mean TNM stage of the VM group was not more advanced than that of the non-VM group. The hematogenous metastases ( lung, bone, peritoneum et al) between the 2 groups were compared, and in the VM group the hematogenous metastasis rate was higher (chi2=8.873, P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier actuarial survival curves were used to compare the VM group (n = 12) with the non-VM group (n = 87). Median survival time of the VM group was 9 months and that of the non-VM group was 31 months. The VM group had a lower survival rate than the non-VM group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONVM exists in HCC, and the higher invasive HCCs exhibit more VM than the less invasive HCCs. The HCC patients in the VM group had a higher rate of hematogenous metastases, a lower survival rate, and a poorer prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of oxaliplatin on human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI-8226 and its mechanism. The proliferation inhibitory rate of RPMI8226 cells was assayed by MTT, the morphological changes of RPMI-8226 cells were observed by inverted fluorescent microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the apoptosis rate and the cell cycle distribution of RPMI-8226 cells were detected by flow cytometry, The effects of oxaliplatin on the expression of Bcl-2, caspase-8, caspase-3 mRNA were tested by RT-PCR, Bcl-2 protein expression of RPMI-8226 cells was analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that oxaliplatin could inhibit the proliferation of RPMI-8226 cells in time and dose-dependent manners. Cell number in oxaliplatin group was significantly less than that in control group under light microscope, and the growth arrangement was irregular, apoptotic cells could be seen. Under electron microscope, typical apoptotic morphological and ultrastructural changes could be observed. Flow cytometry results showed that oxaliplatin could induce apoptosis of RPMI-8226 cells, the difference have statistical significance (P < 0.05). Oxaliplatin mainly arrested RPMI-8226 cells in the S phase (P < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA did not have apparent change, while the expression of caspase-8, caspase-3 mRNA increased (P < 0.05). Western blot results suggested that the expression of Bcl-2 protein had no obvious change. It is concluded that the oxaliplatin can induce apoptosis of RPMI-8226 cells, activating the death receptor pathway and arresting cell cycle may be two of the related mechanisms, Bcl-2 gene has unobservable effects in the process of oxaliplatin-induced cell apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of docetaxel on proliferation and apoptosis of multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 and its mechanism. The inhibitory rate of multiple myeloma cells was detected by MTT, the morphological and ultrastructural changes of RPMI8226 cells were observed by using inverted fluorescent microscope and transmission electron microscope, the apoptosis-inducing effect of docetaxel on RPMI-8226 cells was determined by flow cytometry with Annexin-V FITC/PI staining, the cell distribution in cell cycle of RPMI-8226 cells was assayed using flow cytometry with PI staining; the effect of docetaxel on expression of BCL-2, caspase-8, caspase-3 mRNA was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR, the expression changes of BCL-2 protein in RPMI-8226 cells before and after treatment with docetaxel were measured by using Western blot. The results indicated that 0.25 - 8.0 µg/ml docetaxel obviously inhibited the proliferation of RPMI-8226 cells in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Cell number of docetaxel-treated group was significantly less than control group under inverted fluorescent microscope, and the cell arrangement was irregular, necrotic cells could be seen occasionally. By transmission electron microscope, the morphological and ultrastructural changes of cell typical apoptosis could be observed, a few necrotic cells could be captured, too. Compared with control group, docetaxel induced the apoptosis of RPMI-8226 cell line (P < 0.01). Docetaxel mainly arrested RPMI-8226 cells in the G(2)/M phase (P < 0.01). The expression of BCL-2 mRNA decreased (P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3 increased (P < 0.05). Western blot indicated that BCL-2 protein expression also decreased (P < 0.05). It is concluded that docetaxel can inhibit the proliferation of RPMI-8226 cells by inducing cell apoptosis. Activation of the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways of apoptosis may be involved in the docetaxel-induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest may also play an important role in the apoptosis mechanism.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Taxoids ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of embolization combined with endovascular stenting in the for treatment of intracranial pseudoaneurysms.

METHODSSeventeen patients with intracranial pseudoaneurysms received endovascular treatment with coil placement, NBCA glue embolization and endovascular stenting, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the findings in immediate postoperative and follow-up angiography.

RESULTSFatal aneurysm rupture occurred in 1 case during embolization, and the surgical procedures were carried out smoothly in the remaining 16 cases. The aneurysm cavity dense coil packing ratio was 50% in coil embolization group and 42.9% in stent-assisted coil embolization group. In the follow-up for 3 months to 2 years, 2 patients in coil embolization group experienced pseudoaneurysm recurrence and were managed successfully with additional embolization with coils and stent. Aneurysms were not found postoperatively in stent-assisted coil embolization group.

CONCLUSIONEmbolization combined with endovascular stenting is a safe and effective treatment of intracranial pseudoaneurysms with minimized risk of recurrence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aneurysm, False ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the relationship between chromosomal anomalies and the pathogenesis, development and prognosis of ovarian carcinoma.

METHODSThirty-six specimens of ovarian carcinoma (n=12), ovarian benign tumor (n=12), and normal ovary (n=12) were examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

RESULTSTwelve cases of mutations, including trisomy 8, monosomy 8 or tetraploid 8 chromosomal anomalies, were found in the group of ovarian carcinoma, making up 100% (12/12). Three cases of trisomy 8 chromosomal anomalies were found in the group of ovarian benign tumor, accounting for 25% (3/12). No anomaly was found in the normal group. There were significant differences between the three groups, P<0.001.

CONCLUSIONThe above anomalies of chromosome 8 are significantly associated with the pathogenesis and development of ovarian carcinoma. The anomalies may occur in the early stage of the carcinoma, and may be significantly associated with the pathological differentiation and clinical stage of the case.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aneuploidy ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Monosomy ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; Trisomy

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Lung ; immunology ; virology ; Mice ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Ribavirin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology