Transforming growth factor-β is an important cytokine with various bioactivities, including embryonic development, wound healing, chemotaxis and cell cycle regulation. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main pathway of tumor cell to obtain the ability of invasion and metastasis. The TGF-β is the key factor known to induce EMT in cancer cells and plays an important role in the process. In recent years, some progress has been obtained. Some TGF-β inhibitors have approved in the market or in clinical trials. TGF-β inhibitors can play an important role on the treatment of tumors, glaucoma, liver and kidney fibrosis disease and scar repair. Novel TGF-β inhibitors reported in recent years were reviewed in this article.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Wound Healing

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on the expression of miRNA-21 (miR-21) mediated by transcription factor ETS-1 in human normal hepatocytes (L-02).Methods Dose-effect study:The L-02 cells were treated with different doses of NaAsO2 [0.0 (control),2.5,5.0,10.0,20.0,40.0 μmol/L] for 24 h.Time-effect study:L-02 cells were exposed to 0 (control) and 20 μmol/L NaAsO2 for 12,24,36 and 48 h (n =6).ETS-1 and miR-21 were treated with ETS-1 shRNA and miR-21 inhibitor,respectively.The cells treated with ETS-1 shRNA (100 nmol/L) were divided into 4 groups:①ETS-1 shRNA NC treatment alone (control group);②ETS-1 shRNA NC combined with NaAsO2 (20 μ,mol/L) treatment group;③ETS-1 shRNA treatment alone group;④Treatment with ETS-1 shRNA and NaAsO2 (20 μmol/L) group.The MiR-21 inhibitor (100 nmol/L) treated cells were also divided into 4 groups:① miR-21 inhibitor NC treatment (control group);② miR-21 inhibitor NC combined with NaAsO2 (20 μmol/L);③miR-21 inhibitor group;④miR-21 inhibitor combined with NaAsO2 (20 μ mol/L) treatment group.The expression of ETS-1 mRNA and miR-21 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR);the protein expression of ETS-1 was detected by Western blotting.Results Dose-effect study:The expression of ETS-1 mRNA in the groups of 0.0 (control),2.5,5.0,10.0,20.0 and 40.0 μmol/L was 1.008 ± 0.028,1.552 ± 0.029,1.697 ± 0.050,1.842 ± 0.077,2.233 ± 0.096 and 2.235 ± 0.092;miR-21 expression was 1.025 ± 0.094,1.552 ± 0.072,1.683 ± 0.066,1.915 ± 0.171,2.337 ± 0.195 and 2.592 ± 0.177;the expression of ETS-1 protein was 1.060 ± 0.045,1.267 ± 0.160,1.386 ± 0.087,1.723 ± 0.196,2.208 ± 0.122 and 2.284 ± 0.224,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant (F =47.797,8.959,65.748,all P ＜ 0.05),the NaAsO2 dose groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P ＜ 0.05),and there was a dose-effect relationship.Time-effect study:The expression of ETS-1 mRNA in L-02 cells was 1.253 ± 0.175,1.623 ± 0.220,1.771 ± 0.324 and 1.913 ± 0.251,respectively at 12,24,36 and 48 h;the expression of miR-21 was 1.502 ± 0.111,1.716 ± 0.113,1.979 ± 0.186 and 2.452 ± 0.304;the expression of ETS-1 protein was 1.196 ± 0.105,1.502 ± 0.076,1.651 ± 0.074 and 1.839 ± 0.139,respectively,there were significant differences between the groups (F =14.936,39.180,39.441,all P ＜ 0.05).The expression of various time points of exposure to NaAsO2 was significantly higher than those in the control group (1.044 ± 0.115,1.044 ± 0.124,1.108 ± 0.088,1.053 ± 0.061;1.092 ± 0.061,1.096 ± 0.169,1.024 ± 0.111,1.057 ± 0.146;1.020 ± 0.017,1.049 ± 0.121,1.024 ± 0.089,1.031 ± 0.124,all P＜ 0.05),and there was a time-effect relationship.ETS-1 shRNA and miR-21 inhibitor treatment:compared with ETS-1 shRNA NC combined with NaAsO2 (20 μmol/L),ETS-1 shRNA and NaAsO2 (20 μmol/L) could significantly inhibit the expression of ETS-1 (0.912 ± 0.238 vs 1.641 ± 0.225,P ＜ 0.05),and down-regulated the expression of miR-21 (1.313 ± 0.334 vs 2.363 ± 0.252,P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference of ETS-1 mRNA expression between miR-21 inhibitor and NaAsO2 (20.μmol/L) group (1.580 ± 0.077 vs 1.576 ± 0.065,P ＞ 0.05) compared with miR-21 inhibitor NC and NaAsO2 (20 μmol/L).Conclusions The expression of ETS-1 and miR-21 in L-02 cells is significantly higher than those in control.The high expression of ETS-1 mediates NaAsO2-induced miR-21 overexpression,which may be an important molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced expression dysregulation of human hepatic miRNAs and liver damage.

Objective:To explore the resource of rice bran by comparing antioxidative activities and growth promotion of Bacillus bifidus between supernatant of formented rice bran(RBF) by Bacillus natto and water extract of rice bran(RBW) . Method:The reducing capacity the?OH and ??O 2 scavenging capacity and the inhibitory effect to oxidize lard were determined in vitro. The growth promotion for Bacillus bifidus by photodensity with simulated condition was investigated in vivo. Results:RBF and RBW had antioxidant activity in vitro. The IC50 of scavenging?OH and ??O 250 of RBF was 3.55 mg/ml and 23.5 mg/ml,0.3 and 10 folds higher than that of RBW respectively. In inhibiting oxidation of lard,RBF had a little higher antioxidative activities than RBW,near VE. RBF and RBW could promot growth of Bacillus bifidus by 65.2% and 17.8% respectively. By enzymatic digestion,the promotive rate of RBF was still 51.6%. Conclusion:RBF had higher antioxidant activity and growth promotion to Bacillus bifidus.

Objective: To assay the contents of the five heavy metals in 10 different kinds of herbal pieces. Methods: With reference to 《The Professional Import and Export Stands for Medicinal Herbs and Preparations》, and 《Handbook of Chinese Hygienic and Physiochemical Assaying for Food》 (1997), plumbum and cadmium with the help of graphitic furnace atomic absorption spectometry; niccolum with atomic absorption apparatus; hydragyrum with apparatus for determination of mercury and arsenium with the arsenic stain were measured, respectively. Results: It is showed that 18 of 35 Samples did not come up to standard of the heavy metals; 7 of 10 different kinds of herbal pieces did not come up to standard of the heavy metals according to the issued standards.

Objective: To learn anxiety, depression, sleep quality and quality of life among patients with primary pruritus ani, and to analyze their correlation with anal itching symptom, so as to provide insights into the prevention and treatment of primary pruritus ani. Methods: Patients with primary pruritus ani were selected from anorectal department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. The Visual Analogue Scale, pruritus frequency score, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index (Chinese version) were used in the survey. Spearman rank correlation analysis was employed to analyze the correlation between the degree and frequency of pruritus ani with, anxiety, depression, sleep quality and quality of life. Results: Sixty patients with primary pruritus ani were investigated, including of 7 males and 53 females, with an average age of (34.37±10.30) years. The patients with mild, moderate and severe pruritus accounted for 28.33%, 48.33% and 23.34%, respectively. The patients with pruritus frequency of grade 1, 2 and 3 accounted for 51.67%, 38.33% and 10.00%, respectively. The patients with anxiety, depression, and coexistence of anxiety and depression accounted for 18.33%, 13.33% and 10.00%, respectively. The patients with very good, good, average and poor sleep quality accounted for 15.00%, 46.66%, 30.00% and 8.34%, respectively. No, mild, moderate and severe impacts on quality of life among the patients accounted for 10.00%, 46.66%, 33.34% and 10.00%, respectively. The degree of pruritus was positively correlated with anxiety (rs=0.405, P=0.001), depression (rs=0.343, P=0.007), sleep quality (rs=0.293, P=0.037) and quality of life (rs=0.338, P=0.008). However, there was no significant correlation between the frequency of pruritus with the above factors (all P>0.05). Conclusion The degree of pruritus in patients with primary pruritus ani is related to anxiety, depression, sleep quality and quality of life.

Tumor combined therapeutic system, a kind of medical instrument to restrain and kill tumor, is based on radio frequency heating technique and biological heating effect theory. It can be used solely or in combination with chemotherapy and actinotherapy for tumor hyperthermia. Combined with hardware measurement and adjustment, as well as application of the improved PID algorithm to the system of temperature control, the required accurate temperature control which directly influences the curative effect is realized. The experimental results presented in this paper demonstrated that the equipment works stably and reliably, and it is of good usefulness.
Algorithms ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; instrumentation ; methods ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Temperature

Radio frequency ablation has become a valuable method in treating cancers or tumors for its wide adaptability, better efficacy, convenience and safety. This paper introduces the research and development of a multipolar RF tumor therapy system based on the technology of destroying hypoxic cell. This is an intellectualized tumor curing system.
Animals ; Catheter Ablation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Electrodes ; Equipment Design ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; therapy ; Software Design

OBJECTIVETo investigate the comprehensive treatment of stage-IIIb testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) based on the chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (BEP) and nerve-sparing laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (nsLRPLND).

METHODSWe reported a case of stage-IIIb testicular NSGCT, analyzed the clinical data and treatment methods and reviewed the relevant literature.

RESULTSThe patient underwent chemotherapy with etoposide (0. 18 g/d for the first 3 days), cisplatin (30 mg/d for the first 5 days), and bleomycin (30 mg/d on day 2, 9 and 16) for 3 cycles, followed by nsLRPLND. Both chemotherapy and surgery were successfully performed. The operation time was 175 min, with intraoperative blood loss of 50 ml, but no severe perioperative complications. No recurrence and distant metastasis were found during the 6-month follow-up after surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe comprehensive treatment based on BEP chemotherapy and nsRPLND can be used as an option for stage-IIIb testicular NSGCT.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Testicular Neoplasms ; therapy

The formation of osteolytic bone lesions is a key process for osteolytic cancer to metastasize to the bone and is under the control of a set of transcription factors. Recently, the inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) has been linked with angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, metastasis and bone formation. However, the function of Id1 during the process of bone destruction caused by cancer in vivo has not yet been elucidated. We, therefore, examined whether and how Id1 affects the ability of cancer to form osteolytic lesion in vivo. The study used a lentiviral vector overexpressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Id1 gene. PC3 cells, a prostate cancer cell line, were transduced with Id1 shRNA or negative control (NC) shRNA before implantation in BALB/c mice. Cells were implanted in a tibial injection model. Tumor formation in bone was monitored by X-ray. The relationship between parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), an osteolytic factor, and Id1 was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry in tissue sections from osteolytic lesion of the BALB/c mice. Our results showed that Id1 shRNA delivery to PC3 cells by lentivirus caused efficient and stable Id1 gene silencing. In the intratibial model, PC3 cells produced primarily osteolytic lesions in the bone. Eleven of 14 mice in Id1 shRNA group but only 4 of 14 mice in the NC shRNA group developed osteolytic lesions with cortical destruction at 4th week. Mice treated with Id1 shRNA had larger tumor volume in the bone and larger cortical destruction. The expression of PTHrP protein in PC3 cells was not affected by Id1 knockdown in vivo. These results indicate that Id1 may down-regulate the ability of PC3 cells to form osteolytic lesions in vivo and the signal pathway needs to be further investigated.

Objective To evaluate the role and significance of Treg/Th17 cells imbalance in pathogenesis and recurrence mechanism of condyloma acuminatum (CA).Methods 52 patients with CA were selected as study group (CA group,27 with initial occurrence of CA,25 with recurrence of CA),30 healthy persons were as control group,flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Treg cells and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood,the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA and RORyt mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results The proportion of Treg cells and the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood in CA group was higher than that in control group,recurrence CA group was higher than initial occurrence CA group,difference was significant(both P＜0.05);the proportion of Th17 cells and expression level of RORyt mRNA in CA group was significantly lower than that in control group,proportion of Th17 cells in recurrence CA group was lower than initial occurrence CA group,there was significant difference (both P＜0.05).The proporation of Treg/Th17 in CA group was higher than that in healthy controls(4.60[3.20,8.68] vs 1.39[1.05,2.05],P＜0.05),recurrence CA group was higher than initial occurrence CA group (8.19[4.21,10.81] vs 3.52 [2.47,4.85],P＜0.05).Conclusion There is an imbalance between Treg cells and Th17 cells in patients with CA,especially in patients with reccurrence of CA,the imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis and recurrence mechanism of CA.