Objective To investigate the effect of elemene on the radiosensitivity of A549 cells and its possible molecular mechanism.Methods The effect of radiosensitivity was detected by colony forming assay.The protein expressions of DNA-PKcs,Bcl-2 and P53 were detected with Western blot.The correlation between the protein expression of DNA-PKcs and Bcl-2,DNA-PKcs and P53 was analyzed.Results Elemene had radiosensitizing effect on A549 cells,with the SERDo and SERDq 1.54 ± 0.20 and 1.43±0.15,respectively for 10 μg/ml elemene,and 1.63 ±0.32 and 1.75 ±0.19,respectively for 20 μg/ml elemene.Compared with irradiation group,the expression of DNA-PKcs was reduced significantly in 10,20 μg/ml elemene combined with radiation group ( t =7.52,8.33,P ＜ 0.05 ),so was for Bcl-2(t =10.74,11.33,P ＜0.05).The expression of P53 protein increased significantly (t =-9.25,7.66,P ＜0.05).There was a remarkable negative correlation between the expression of DNA-PKcs and P53(r =-0.569,P ＜0.05),and a remarkable positive correlation between DNA-PKcs and Bcl-2 (r =0.755,P ＜0.05 ).Conclusions Elemene has radiosensitizing effect on A549 cells,which might be related to down-regulation of DNA-PKcs gene expression,up-regulation of P53 and down-regulation of Bcl-2.

Objective To screen radiosensitizing-related genes mediated by elemene in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by using gene chip. Methods MTT test was used to calculate the IC50 of elemene. ①The effect of radiosensitivity was detected by colony forming assay. A549 cells were divided into 2 groups: radiation group and radiation + elemene group. Oligonucleotide chip was used to screen the gene expression changes of A549 cells from these 2 groups. The up-regulated gene Egr-1 and the down-regulated gene CyclinDl were selected to undergo RT-PCR so as to confirm the reliability of the result. Results MTT test showed the elemene inhibited the proliferation of the A549 cells dose-dependently. The IC50 value of elemene on the A549 cells was 120 mg/L. ②10 mg/L elemene had radiosensiting effect on A549 cells.The values of SERDO and SERDq obtained from the survival curve were (1.54±0. 20) and (1.43±0. 15 )respectively. Gene chip screened 122 differentially-expressed genes, including 89 up-regulated genes and33 down-regulated genes. ③These altered genes could be related to cell structure, substance metabolism,cell proliferation, cell differentiation, signal transduction, material transport, DNA repair, apoptosis,immune response and so forth. The RT-PCR results of Egr-1 and Cyclin D1 were consistent with the genenchip analysis.Conclusions The mechanism of elemene enhancing the radiosensitivity of lung adenoearcinoma A549 cells is the result of participation and collaboration of multiple genes. Further study of the newly-discovered differentially-expressed gene helps find out new radiosensitizational targets of elemene.

Objective To evaluate the recent effects of concurrent versus sequential chemo-radio-therapy in treatment for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The clinical data of 39 patients with locally advanced NSCLC were analyzed retrospectively. The sequential therapy was 23 (sequential group) ,and the concurrent therapy (concurrent group)was 16. The total radiation dose was 60 ～ 65 Gy by conventional fractionation radiotherapy. In sequential group,the patients received induction chemotherapy for two cycles followed by conventional radiation therapy. In concurrent group,the patients re-ceived radiation therapy,at the same time the docetaxe was given every week. Results The recent efficien-cy(62.5%) of concurrent therapy was higher than that(43.5% )of sequential therapy. The clinical remission rate of the two groups was similar. Conclusion Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC can increase the recent effect. The concurrent treatment method of docetaxel + three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy is advocated.

Objective: To study the effect of β-elemene combined with radiotherapy on the expression of KU70 mRNA and apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549. Methods: A549 cells were divided into the control group (c), irridation group (IR), β-elemene group (0.1×IC50 and 0.2×IC50 I.e. 10 μg/mL and 20pg/mL β-elemene) and β-elemene combined with irridation group (0.1×IC50 + IR and 0.2×IC50 + IR). IC50 was obtained through MTT method and cell survival rate was analyzed by colony formation test. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry. The expression level of KU70 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Results: MTT assay showed that IC50 value of A549 cells was 120 μg/mL. The number of cell clones and survival rate of β-elemene groups were declined significantly. The radiosensitivity of A549 cells can be enhanced by β-elemene. The flow cytometry confirmed that the ratio of G_2/M and apoptosis were significantly in-creased under the effect of β-elemene, statistically different from those in the control group (P <0.05). The expression level of KU70 mRNA in β-elemene with radiotherapy group was declined significantly, statistically different from those in the con-trol group (P<0.05). Cendusion: The rediosensitization effect of β-elemene on A549 cells is associated with induction of cell apoptosis and down-regulation of KU70 mRNA expression.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of trolamine cream in the prevention and treatment of acute radioactive dermatitis in patients with breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy.Methods 80 breast cancer patients who received postmastectomy chest-wall irradiation by 6-MeV electron beam were included.40 cases in the treatment group were given trolamine cream combined with the conventional nursing care during radiotherapy,while another 40 cases in the control group were treated with the conventional nursing care.Results In the treatment group,the rates of radiation dermatitis of grade 1,2 and 3 were 70.0 ％ (28/40),22.5 ％(9/40),and 7.5 ％ (3/40),respectively,while they were 52.5 ％ (21/40),32.5 ％ (13/40) and 15.0 ％ (6/40),respectively,in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Grade 1,2 and 3 radiation dermatitis appeared in treatment group when the radiation doses were (21.91±4.39) Gy,(37.43±6.50) Gy and (46.14±6.50)Gy,respectively,while in the control group,it was (12.67±2.16) Gy,(22.61±3.51) Gy,(42.71±8.11) Gy (P ＜ 0.05),respectively.With cumulative doses of 10 Gy and 25 Gy,the rates of radiation dermatitis in the treatment group were 22.5 ％ (9/40) and 47.5 ％ (19/40),respectively,while they were 40.0 ％ (16/40) and 62.5 ％ (25/40),respectively,in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Trolamine cream effectively alleviates radiation skin damage in breast cancer patients after modified mastectomy,thus it is suitable for use in patients with postoperative chest wall radiotherapy.

Objective To study if β-elemene can increase radiation-induced deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and decrease the damage repair.Methods Exponentially growing human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were exposed to 10 or 20 μg/ml β-elemene for 24 h before irradiation.The effect of β-elemene on the in vitro radiosensitivity of A549 cells was evaluated using clonogenic assay.DNA damage and repair were evaluated using comet assay.Results Exposure to β-elemene before irradiation increased the radiosensitivity of A549 cells.The SERD0 for 10 μg/ml and 20 μg/ml β-elemene was 1.55 and 1.64, respectively.The SERDq for 10 μg/ml and 20 μg/ml β-elemene was 1.43 and 1.75, respectively.Combined treatment, comparing to irradiation or β-elemene treatment alone, induced higher levels of DNA damage and slower rate of damage repair.A549 cells exposed to 20 μg/ml β-elemene followed by irradiation showed a higher levels of tail moment (TM) than those exposed to irradiation or β-elemene alone at 0 h,2 h,6 h and 24 h after irradiation.The TM of the three groups at 0 h,2 h,6 h and 24 h after irradiation was 7.16±2.61,0.95±0.65 and 1.81±1.23(F=231.24,P<0.01), 3.65±2.06,0.11±0.07 and 1.58±1.40(F=90.22,P<0.01), 2.09±0.83,0.1±0.05 and 0.45±0.25(F=238.44,P<0.01), 1.45±1.37,0.11±0.08 and 0.60±0.40(F=38.94,P<0.01), respectively. Conclusions β-elemene can enhance the radiosensitivity of A549 cells through the enhancement of DNA damage and the inhibition of DNA damage repair.

nges in standard square field.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors of distant metastasis in patients with advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods A total of 118 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO, 2009 version) stageⅡb-Ⅳa cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with CCRT between 2006 and 2010 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University were analyzed. Their median age was 48 years (range, 23-70 years). FIGO stages were as follows:Ⅱb stage 56 cases,Ⅲa stage 6 cases,Ⅲb stage 52 cases, andⅣa stage 4 cases. Of the all patients, 55 cases showed bulkly tumor (tumor size>4 cm) and 35 cases were pelvic lymph node positive. Forty patients had pretreatment hemoglobin (Hb) levels no greater than 110 g/L. Patients with elevated squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) >1.5 μg/L before CCRT and at one month after CCRT were 91 cases and 34 cases, respectively. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival. For the analysis of prognostic factors affecting distant metastasis, log-rank test was used for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis. Results Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with recurrence, 19 cases of whom developed distant metastasis, 13 cases developed loco-regional recurrence and 5 cases had both distant and loco-regional recurrence. The 5-year overall survival rates and distant disease-free survival of all patients were 64.0% and 78.8%, respectively. Two patients had grade 3 acute gastrointestinal toxicity (mainly diarrhea) and 20 cases had grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity. Seven patients experienced grade 3 to 4 late toxicity, 5 cases of them were gastrointestinal and 2 cases were genitourinary toxicity. Univariate analysis showed that FIGO stages, SCC-Ag level at one month after treatment, pretreatment hemoglobin level, and pelvic lymph node metastasis were significantly correlated with distant metastasis (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that FIGO stage, SCC-Ag level at one month after treatment, and pelvic lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for distant metastasis (all P<0.05). Conclusions For stageⅡb-Ⅳa cervical squamous cell carcinoma, the regimen of CCRT was efficacious and safe. The predictive factors for distant metastasis in patients withⅡb-Ⅳa stage squamous cell carcinoma of cervix treated with CCRT included FIGO stage, SCC-Ag level at one month after treatment, and pelvic lymph node metastasis. New treatment strategies should be considered to control distant metastasis for these patients.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Sarcoma ; pathology

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of "J"-shaped uterine incision for caesarean section for patients diagnosed with placenta previa. A total of 55 consecutive cases of placenta previa treated in Union Hospital were retrospectively analyzed over a period of two years and 10 months. The subjects were divided into two groups with respect to the uterine incision. Twenty-four pregnant women with placenta previa who were indicated for caesarean section underwent the procedure using a new "J"-shaped uterine incision and 31 pregnant women with placenta previa received caesarean section that used the traditional transverse incision. The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, estimated blood loss, infant expulsion time, exhaust time and postoperative recovery. Meanwhile, comparison was also made in neonatal clinical data between the two groups. Compared with the "J"-shaped incision group, the traditional incision group had a lower Apgar scores (P<0.05). However, there existed no statistically significant differences in the overall time of operation and postoperative period of breaking wind (P>0.05). It is concluded that, with caesarean section for placenta previa patients, the "J"-shaped uterine incision significantly decreases intraoperative blood loss and facilitates the fetal delivery.