Objective: To determine whether the canonical Wnt signalling pathway is abnormally activated in NHL (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), and to explore its association with pathogenesis of NHL. Methods: The expression levels of β-catenin, GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β) and its inactive form p-GSK-3β (Ser9) (phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 residue) in NHL cell lines including SUDHL-4, Raji and Namalwa were detected by Western blotting, and the normal human lymphocytes were served as the controls. The mRNA levels of CTNNB 1 gene (encoding β-catenin), canonical Wnt signaling pathwayrelevant gene LRP 5 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5) and target gene c -Myc were detected by real-time fluorogenic quantitative PCR. Results: The expressions of total cellular proteins and β-catenin protein in cell nuclei were significantly up-regulated in three NHL cell lines as compared with in those normal human lymphocytes. The elevated expression levels of p-GSK-3β (Ser9) were observed in lymphoma cell lines, but the expression level of GSK-3β was not significantly different between the lymphoma cell lines and the normal human lymphocytes. The mRNA expression levels of CTNNB1, LRP5 and c-Myc were significantly higher in lymphoma cell lines than those in the normal human lymphocytes. Conclusion: Given the important role of β-catenin as an activation marker in canonical Wnt signaling pathway, the evidence of up-regulated expression of β-catenin and the changes of other relevant molecules in canonical Wnt signaling pathway suggests that the constitutional activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of NHL. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.

Wnt signaling pathway is an important pathway for regulating the development of embryo and organs. It has been shown to play a key role in proliferation, differentiation, polarity, adhesion and motility of cells. The constitutive activation of canonical Wnt pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of many carcinomas. In recent years, accumulating studies have suggested its association with the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas. This review summarizes the latest progress in research on canonical Wnt pathway and its role in lymphocyte development and the occurrence of malignant lymphomas, in order to provide the new clues of mechanism for pathogenesis of lymphomas and then disclose new potential therapeutic targets which are based on this pathway. Copyright © 2012 by TUMOR.

Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods

Objective To detect the MRI manifestations and discrimination of tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis with atypical features in early stage. Methods Six patients with pathologically proved tuberculous spondylitis and 7 patients of pyogenic spondylitis with atypical clinical features and were included. MRI features of the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, paraspinal soft tissues and their enhancement patterns were analyzed. Chi-Square test was used to compare the MRI features of two diseases. Results Patients with pyogenic spondylitis had a significantly higher incidence of disk space narrowing (8 intervertebral bodies), abnormal signal in superior/inferior of vertebral body (12 intervertebral bodies) and endplate with high signal (13 intervertebral bodies), which were not seen in the patients with tuberculosis spondylitis (P<0.05).Patients with tuberculous spondylitis had a significantly higher incidence of local abnormal signal in anterior of vertebral body (4 intervertebral bodies) and paraspinal abscess spanning vertebral body (5 intervertebral bodies), while none of them was found in patients with pyogenic spondylitis (P<0.05). Conclusion MRI is accurate for the differentiation of tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis with atypical feature in early stage.

Dopamine(DA) modulates diverse wake-related behaviors including movement,reward, and cognition.Dopaminergic neurons are located in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area.There are five distinct DA receptors(R):D_1R,D_2R(D_(2S)R and D_(2L)R), D_3R,D_4R and D_5R in the central nervous system, in which D_1R and D_2R are majorly expressed. The affinity of D_2R for endogenous DA is significantly higher than that of D_1R.Re- cently,studies by pharmacological and gene knock-out animals revealed that dopamine D_2R is essential inmaintaining wakefulness.Here,we review the progress on roles of D_2R in sleep-wake regulation.

Comet Assay

Objective To investigate the relation between endothelial repairing function and in-stent restenosis in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral arterial (MCA) stenosis after stent implantation.Method Sixty-six patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis underwent percutaneous stent implantation.Cranial CTA revealed that 23 patients had MCA restenosis (restenosis group) 1 year after stenting,including 14 cases with ＞50％ stenosis and 1 case with MCA occlusion,and 43 patients had no restenosis (non-restenosis group).The number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) was examined by flow cytometry,the adhesion function of EPC was tested by adhesion assay,the migration ability of EPC was tested by Transwell method and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured by ELISA.The relationship of endothelial repairing function with restenosis was analyzed.Results The MCA stent implantations were successfully performed in all patients.The EPC number (33.7 ± 4.6 vs.61.6 ± 6.4),adhesion activities (26.1 ± 7.5 vs.56.3-± 9.6),migration activities (12.0 ± 3.9 vs.21.4 ± 6.5) and serum VEGF level [(56.7 ± 14.6) vs.(89.6 ± 17.32) ng/L] in restenosis group were significantly lower than those in non-restenosis group (t =18.48,13.09,6.34 and 7.73,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion For patients with MCA stenosis after percutaneous stent implantation the increased risk of in-stent restenosis is associated with low level of EPCs and their migration ability,and low serum VEGF level.

Objective To discuss the application of C-arm CT scanning technology in performing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatic cancer.Methods Seventy-seven patients of hepatic cancer were treated with selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE),which was followed by C-arm CT scanning to observe the embolization effect.C-arm CT scanning was also performed before TACE in 13 cases.Three-dimension reconstruction of the images was carried out on Integris 3D-RA workstation.The therapeutic results were evaluated.Results The embolization state of both the peripheral margin and the body of the tumor could be clearly displayed on CT scans in all 77 patients.Some tiny liver lesions were also detected in 3cases.Conclusion C-arm CT scanning technology is a newly-developed high-tech examination.This examination is very helpful for making the proper operation scheme and for evaluating the curative effect of intravascular intervention.Compared to the traditional CT scanning,C-arm CT scanning can provide more accurate information and stereoscopic image of the lesions,therefore,the whole course of the interventional procedure can be entirely under the operator's control and the curative effect can be evaluated at any time during the operation.C-arm CT scanning can be effectively employed in interventional therapy for multisystemic disorders.

Objective To study changes of cisplatin sensitivity by RNA interfering the excision repair cross-complementing (ERCC) 1 gene in ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods The small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting ERCC1 gene was designed and synthesized by transcription in vitro, and transfected to ovarian cancer cell line ES-2. The mRNA and protein of ERCC1 were evaluated by means of RT-PCR, western blot and immunocytochemistry. The changes of cisplatin sensitivity after interference were examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results In ES-2 cell, the mRNA and protein levels of ERCC1 were dramatically decreased 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection. The sensitivity to cisplatin of ES-2 cell line was increased by 53.88 times after disturbing the ERCC1 gene. Conclusion The sensitivity to cisplatin of ovarian cancer cell lines ES-2 could be enhanced by RNA interfering ERCC1 gene.

AIM:To study the protective effects of extract from Tribulus terrestris L on adriamycin-induced damage to myocardial mitochondria in rats. METHODS: Rats were given intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin (ADR) to induce the damage to myocardial mitochondria. After continuous ig of extract from Tribulus terrestris L, the every experimental group was observed myocardial ultrastructure with electron microscope, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) ill myocardial mitochondria were determined. RESULTS: ADR of 20 mg/kg was given to rats intermittently induced severe damage to myocardial mitochondria in rats, decreased MMP and the activity of GSH-Px. Extract from Tribulus terrestris L middle- and high-dosage groups (30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg) could reduce cardiotoxicity of ADR at the ultrastructure level, and increase MMP and the activity of GSH-Px. CONCLUSION: Extract from Tribulus terrestris L may decreased the damage to myocardial mitochondria induced by adriamycin, and has a protective effect on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity.