Objective To investigate the impact of oral contrast agent for assisting in outlining the small bowel on pelvic volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) dose in patients with cervical cancer.Methods Nine cervical cancer patients for postoperative radiotherapy underwent CT scans,and the target volumes and organs at risk including the small bowel were contoured.The VMAT plan was designed for each case.Then another plan was generated by re-calculating the radiation dose after changing the electron density of the small bowel.The first plan (plan A) was the conventional VMAT plan,and the second one (plan B) specified the electron density of the small bowel.Paired t-test was used to compare the dose distribution between the two plans.Results The Dg8,D5o,conformity index,and homogeneity index of plans A and B were 4 989.1 vs.5 000.1 cGy (P =0.026),5 208.6 vs.5 191.6 cGy (P =0.005),0.766 vs.0.765 (P =0.920),and 0.081 vs.0.074(P =0.055),respectively.The volumes of the small bowel receiving at least 30 Gy for plans A and B were 309.3 vs.314.3 cm3(P =0.207),while bladder V45 of the two plans was 52.4％ vs.51.1％ (P =0.168).To achieve the same prescribed dose,plan A and plan B needed 893.3 MU and 865.8 MU (P =0.093).Conclusions The contrast agent filling the small bowel does not lead to a significant increase in the pelvic VMAT dose in patients with cervical cancer after surgery.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel transplantation for myocardial infarction becomes popularized in recent years, but transplanted cels cannot survive and proliferate under early inflammatory reaction or local ischemia/hypoxia microenvironment, eventualy hampering the therapeutic outcomes.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of PTEN-silenced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels on acute myocardial infarction.
METHODS:(1) Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels from Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive no treatment, NCsiRNA transfection using Lipofectamin2000orPTEN siRNA transfection using Lipofectamin2000. Cel growth curves were described using MTT method to detect cel cycle using flow cytometry. (2) Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were selected to prepare myocardial infarction models that were randomized into three groups (n=10 per group): blank control, negative control and RNAi group. Six hours after modeling, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels transfected with nothing, NCsiRNA and PTEN siRNA were respectively injected into the infarcted center of the left ventricular anterior wal in these three rat groups. After 4 weeks, al rats were subjected to cardiac function detection using echocardiography, and the survival and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in the rats were observed by fluorescence microscopy.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the other two groups, a significant increase in the absorbance values at different culture time, the proportion of cels in S+G2phase, and the number ofbone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in the myocardial tissue was found in the RNAi group (alP< 0.05). Additionaly, the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular shortening fraction were significantly reduced in the RNAi group than the blank control and negative control groups at 4 weeks after cel transplantation (P< 0.05). Bothin vivoandin vitroexperimental findings showed that PTEN silencing could effectively improve cel survival and proliferation in the infarcted myocardium. Moreover, in thein vivoexperiment, an overt improvement in rat’s cardiac function was achieved.

Objective To evaluate the in vitro effect of ferulic acid on the proliferation of,as well as melanin synthesis,tyrosinase activity and expressions of c-kit and ERK proteins in cultured normal human epidermal melanocytes.Methods Cultured normal human epidermal melanocytes were treated with various concentrations of ferulic acid for different durations,and those remaining untreated served as the control.Then,3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt (MTS) assay was performed to estimate cell proliferative activity at 24,48 and 72 hours,sodium hydroxide solubilization method to quantify melanin content in melanocytes at 72 hours,dopa oxidation assay to evaluate tyrosinase activity at 72 hours,Western blot to measure the expressions of c-kit and ERK1/2 proteins at 72 hours.Results Cellular proliferative activity was significantly inhibited in melanocytes treated with ferulic acid of 0.01,0.1 and 1 mg/ml for 24,48 and 72 hours compared with untreated melanocytes (all P ＜ 0.05),and the 72-hour treatment with ferulic acid of 1 mg/ml showed the strongest inhibitory effect.Ferulic acid at 0.01,0.1 and 1 mg/ml all markedly suppressed melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity,decreased the expressions of c-kit and ERK1/2 proteins in melanocytes,with significant differences in these parameters between ferulic acid-treated and untreated melanocytes (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Ferulic acid could downregulate the proliferation of,as well as melanin synthesis,tyrosinase activity,and expressions of c-kit and ERK proteins in cultured human epidermal melanocytes.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of advanced glycation end products(AGEs) on apoptosis of cultured mouse spiral ganglion cells(SGCs) and expression of receptor of AGEs(RAGE). To explore the pathway of AGEs in promoting apoptosis of SGCs. And to explore the possible mechanism of neural presbycusis. METHODS The effect of AGEs on apoptosis of SGCs was studied by Tunel technique and fluorescence microscope. The expression of RAGE mRNA was assayed by Real time RT-PCR. RESULTS AGEs induced apoptosis of cultured SGCs. The effects were dose-dependent and time-dependent. Meanwhile RAGE mRNA expression was enhanced in apoptosis cells. CONCLUSION AGEs induced apoptosis in SGCs,which may be mediated by RAGE. And this may be one of the mechanisms of neural presbycusis.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexamethasone combined with oridonin on proliferation and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells U266 and the related molecular mechanism. Methods Exponential phase of growth U266 cells were treated with different concentrations of oridonin combined with dexamethasone or alone. U266 cells treated by DMSO were taken as control group. The proliferation inhibitory ratios were measured by CCK-8 assay followed by 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Apoptosis induction was assessed by using Annexin V-FITC kit. Real time PCR was used to examine the mRNA changes of Notch1, NF-κB/p65 and bcl-2. Western blot assay was applied to detect the protein expression of Notch1, cleaved Notch1, NF-κB/p65 and bcl-2. Results Compared with that in control group, proliferation in all the experimental groups was inhibited (P<0.05), and the apoptosis was promoted (P<0.05); especially the combination of dexamethasone and oridonin had a synergistic effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of U266 cells (P<0.05). The results of PCR and Western blot showed that after treatment of U266 cells with dexamethasone, the mRNA as well as their protein levels of NF-κB/p65 and bcl-2 were decreased compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of Notch1, cleaved Notch1, NF-κB/p65 and bcl-2 was obviously down-regulated in oridonin group and the combination group (P<0.05). Conclusion Combination of dexamethasone and oridonin can significantly increase the anti-tumor effect by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of U266 cells, which may be related to the inhibition of the Notch1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Reading disorder is the main obstacle in children, but its etiology and pathogenesis are still uncovered.OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between brain blood flow (BBF)and scores for children reading skill detecting test (CRSDT), in order to provide theoretical references for earlier intervention and functional monitoring for children with reading disorder(RD).DESIGN: Comparative observation study with RD children as subjects and normal children as controlSETTING: Nuclear medicine and psychological-health institute of a university.PARTICIPANTS: This study was carried out in Nuclear Medicine and Psychological-health Institute of Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Between August 1998 and August 1999, 25 children with RD were screened out from the students from grade 3 to grade 6 in two Changsha civic elementary schools, including 15 males and 10 females aged(10±1)teacher lasted for more than one year and began from the earlier stage of school age(before grade three), with their achievement ranked last or often failed in examinations, even stay in the same grade due to learning disorder;and teacher or investigation of their homework accorded to the ICD-10 didiseases. Meanwhile 20 healthy children with normal intelligence were randomly selected as control group from the same class of RD children,including 12 males and 8 females with age of (10 ± 1 )years.METHODS: Non blood sampling-SPECT images was used for detecting cerebral blood flow(CBF), as well as right and left CBF and regional CBF (rCBF) of both RD children and normal controls. Rough scores for CRSDT were obtained for analyzing the relationship between it and CBF.group .RESULTS: CBF was(388.7 ± 37.7) μL/g per minute in RD group obviously lower than(436.5 ± 26.4) μL/g per minute in control gruop( t = 2. 820, P ＜ 0.01 ) ;The distribution frequency of regions with obviously decreased rCBF ranked as follows: frontal lobe, occipital lobe ＞ parietal-occipital boundary ＞ temporal lobe ＞ parietal lobe ＞ thalamus ＞ other regions(cerebellum,brain stem and basal ganglion) in RD children; moreover rough scores for reading skill was found positively correlated with CBF in RD group( r = 0.651,P ＜0.05).CONCLUSION: CBF was proved decreased in children with RD, and CBF obtained by SPECT image and CRSDT can be used for reflecting the severity of disease and brain function, expecting to improve their long-term life quality of RD children by earlier intervention.

This study explored the possibility that the components in melanoma cytoplasm induce murine BMSCs transformation and expression of Melan-A by morphologically observing the changes of BMSCs and immunocytochemically detecting Melan-A in the cells after culturing BMSCs in medium containing melanoma cytoplasm components (MCC). MCC of B16 melanoma cells was prepared and BMSCs were cultured and induced by adding the MCC into culture medium. The cells were morphologically observed and Melan-A was immunohistochemically detected to confirm BMSCs transformation. MCC-induced BMSCs underwent morphological changes. A number of melanin granules appeared in the cytoplasm of the cells and some were released into surrounding areas. Several cells that might come from one cell formed a cluster, and their granules, together with those secreted by other induced BMSCs, formed a so-called "sphere-formed structure". The induced BMSCs expressed Melan-A. We are led to conclude that there might be some factors in the cytoplasm of melanoma cells that might induce BMSCs transformation toward melanogenic cell, or even melanoma.

This paper aimed at investigating the effects of Xinfukang Oral Liquid on mitochondrial proteomic alterations in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction and exploring its possible mechanisms. Heart failure models were established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of SD rats. Rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, Xinfukang group. 8 weeks after drug intervention, the mitochondrial proteomic alterations of myocardial tissue were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) . Furthermore, expression levels of part of the differently expressed proteins were verified by western blot. Compared with model group, 20 differentially expressed protein spots were detected in Xinfukang group, 13 of which showed increased protein expression and 7 decreased; 13 differentially expressed protein spots were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these differential proteins were mainly associated with energy metabolism, stress reaction, oxidative damage, cyto-skeleton, cell differentiation and proliferation. Western blot results showed that the expression of Stress-70 protein and Nucleophosmin increased and the expression of ATP-αdecreased in model group. The expression of Stress-70 protein and Nucleophosmin decreased and the expression of ATP-αincreased in Xinfukang group, which shows the same results in proteomics. Xinfukang Oral Liquid can partly adjust proteomic alterations of myocardial mitochondrial in HF rats, and its intervention mechanism may involve improving energy metabolism, reliving stress reaction and oxidative damage, as well as regulating cell differentiation and proliferation. The results of comparative proteomic analysis performed by using2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS are acurate, stable and reliable.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Trimetazidine on mitochondrial proteomic alterations in heart failure rats with qi- deficiency and blood- stasis syndrome after myocardial infarction. Methods: Heart failure models were established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of SD rats. Rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, Trimetazidine group. 8 weeks after drug intervention, the mitochondrial proteomic alterations of myocardial tissue were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time- of- flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- TOF- MS). Furthermore, expression levels of part of the differentially expressed proteins were verified by western blot. Results: Compared with model group, 18 differentially expressed protein spots were detected in Trimetazidine group, 10 of which were successfully identified by MALDI-TOFMS. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these differential proteins were mainly associated with energy metabolism, stress reaction, oxidative damage, cyto-skeleton, cell differentiation and proliferation. Western blot results showed that the expression of Stress-70 protein and Nucleophosmin increased and the expression of ATP-αdecreased in model group. The expression of Stress- 70 protein and Nucleophosmin decreased and the expression of ATP- αincreased in Trimetazidine group, which showed the same results in proteomics. Conclusion: Trimetazidine can partly adjust proteomic alterations of myocardial mitochondrial in HF rats with qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome, and its intervention mechanism may involve improving energy metabolism, relieving stress reaction and oxidative damage, as well as regulating cell differentiation and proliferation. The results of comparative proteomic analysis performed by using 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS are accurate, stable and reliable.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between plasma tissue factor (TF) and serum angiotensin II(AngII) and the effect of different dosages of fosinopril on chronic heart failure(CHF). METHODS: Thirty healthy controls and 35 CHF patients were recruited to observe AngII,TF, left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF) and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) at baseline and 10 weeks after the treatment. The 35 patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: A routine dosage fosinopril group received 10 mg once daily and a middle dosage group received 10 mg twice a day for 10 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, AngII,TF,and LVESVI significantly increased (P<0.01) and LVEF significantly decreased (P<0.01) in CHF patients. The TF was positively correlated with AngII(r=0.2491, P<0.01) in the patients. After the 10-week treatment with different dosages of fosinopril, AngII,TF,and LVESVI obviously decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) and LVEF significantly increased in the 2 groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The middle dosage group changed more than the routine dosage group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION TF is positively correlated with AngII in CHF patients. Fosinopril can greatly improve cardiac function and antagonize prethrobotic state,and the therapeutic effect improves with the dosage increase.
Aged ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Fosinopril ; administration & dosage ; Heart Failure ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism