Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly malignant tumor which originates from bile duct epithelial cells, and its invasion and metastasis is an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients and the main causes of the high mortality.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a reversible biological process of transition from epithelial phenotype to stromal cell phenotype, which is closely related to tumor invasion and metastasis.The microRNA is an endogenous non-coding RNA with a sequence of 20~25 nucleotides, which participates in the occurrence and development of tumor, especially in the progress of tumor invasion and metastasis by complementary base pairing with the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the target gene at the post-transcriptional level.Herein, we present the mechanism of microRNA regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its effect on the invasion and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective To study the expression of BRG1 gene in colon cancer and its relationship with histological grade and clinicopathological stages characteristics.Methods The expression of BRG1 -positive cancer cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in 100 cases of colon cancer,and the relationship with histological grade and clinicopathological stages characteristics was analyzed.Results Of the 100 colon cancer specimens analyzed,the positive expression rate was 82.0%.The expression of BRG1 in colon cancer tissue with histological grade and TNM staging was significantly different (χ2 =23.509,P =0.024;χ2 =25.659,P =0.002).The higher the histological grade,the stronger the BRG1 expression in colon cancer tissue.BRG1 expression in advanced colon cancer tissue was significantly enhanced in the early stage.Conclusion The appearance of BRG1 -positive cancer cells is associated with histological grade and clinicopathological stages characteristics.BRG1 might play an important role in the development of colon cancer.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 patients who were diagnosed as AHF were assigned to the acupuncture group and the control group, 30 in each group. Those in the control group received inotropic agents, preload and afterload reducing therapy, anti-infection and so on. Besides, those in the acupuncture group received needling at relative points, once daily for 5 consecutive days. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SI), left ventricle working index (LCWI) were monitored by thermodilution pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) technique. Changes of the aforesaid data were compared between before and after treatment. The ICU length of stay, readmission rate,and the 28-day mortality were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 5 days of the treatment, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously (P < 0.01), HR and MAP decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Of them, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).There was no obvious difference in HR or MAP between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the first day of admission in the same group, CI, SI, and LCWI obviously increased in the acupuncture group from the second day (P < 0.05). HR started to decrease since the fourth day (P < 0.05), and MAP began to decrease until the fifth day (P < 0.05). CI, SI, and LCWI started to increase in the control group from the third day (P < 0.05); HR and MAP both began to decrease since the fifth day (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the ICU length of stay was obviously shortened in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The readmission rate and the 28-day mortality rate were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of acupuncture and Western medical therapy might strengthen acute heart failure patients' heart functions, elevate the therapeutic effect, and improve the prognosis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of sepsis patients.

METHODSNinety sepsis patients were assigned to the control group, the thymosin a1 group, and the acupuncture treatment group according to random digit table, 30 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated according to the guideline of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Patients in the control group received routine treatment. Those in the thymosin alpha1 group additionally received subdermal injection of thymosin alpha1 (1.6 mg), once per day for 6 successive days. Needling at related points such as Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Neiguan (PC6), Guanyuan (RN4), and so on, was performed in patients of the acupuncture treatment group, once per day for 6 successive days. T cell subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ /CD8+) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) were detected. The length of ICU hospital stay, hospital readmission rate, and 28-day mortality were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter six days of treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of three groups were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Of them, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, and IgM increased more significantly in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the ICU hospitalization length was significantly shortened, the hospital readmission rate and the 28-day mortality were lower in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index between the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could adjust the immune function of sepsis patients, improve their immunological indicators and prognoses.

Acupuncture Therapy ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Prognosis ; Sepsis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives

Objective To analyze the ultrasonic features of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) and the causes of misdiagnosis. Methods The ultrasonic features including shape, margin, echogenecity, microcalcification, vascularity and lymphadenopathy were analyzed retrospectively in 26 pathologically-proven TMC patients. Results In 26 cases, 11 cases were diagnosed correctly before operation (11/26, 42.31%), 12 cases were misdiagnosed (12/26, 46.15%) as adenoma or benign nodule, and 3 cases were missed diagnosed (3/26, 11.54%). Among the 23 cases detected on ultrasound, 21 cases were solid and hypoechoic (21/23, 91.30%);19 cases were ill-defined (19/23, 82.61%);12 cases were taller than wide in shape (12/23, 52.17%); 14 cases had microcalcification (14/23, 60.87%); 7 cases showed central or peripheral blood flow signals (7/23,30.43%) with arterial resistance index>0.70 in 3 lesions and<0.70 in 4 lesions. Conclusions Several ultrasonographic features are helpful in identiifcation of TMC, including hypo/iso-echogenecity, ill-deifned margin, taller-than-wide shape, microcalciifcation, arterial signals with high resistance index, and abnormal lymphadenopathy. Moreover, for cases with multiple lesions, to the potential co-existence of benign and malignant lesions should be considered.

To explore the effect of estrogen on pathogenesis of osteoporosis in women with maintenance hemodialysis. One hundred and twenty women aged 18-45 years had been undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for ≥ 3 months were included. Of them ,60 women without osteoporosis served as control group and the other 60 women with osteoporosis as observation group. Serum concentrations of estradiol, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcium were determined, meanwhile bone mineral density (BMD)was measured by quantitative computed tomography. Serum estradiol levels in the observation group were lower while TNF-α level were higher than those in control group (all P<0. 05). PTH and calcium levels were not significantly different (P= 0.567 and P = 0. 588). In the observation group, linear correlation analysis revealed positive correlation (r = 0. 865 ,P<0. 01)between estradioi and BMD,while multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum estradiol and calcium levels were positively correlated with BMD, and the concentrations of TNF-α and PTH were negatively correlated with BMD (F= 140.32 ,P<0.01). Estradiol levels were found to have greater effect on BMD(t=5. 386, P<0. 01). Lowered serum concentration of estradiol in women with maintenance hemedialysis seems to be a major factor related to osteoporosis,it accelerates the pathogenesis of osteoporosis by modulating TNF-α.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with intestinal immune imbalance and inflammatory response. Because dehydrolovastatin (DLVT), a derivative of lovastatin, has been recently shown to inhibit inflammation and relieve immune arthritis induced by chemical stimuli, we studied its effect and possible mechanism on UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium. The BALB/c mice were classified into six groups: normal control group, model group, DLVT high dose group, DLVT low dose group, salazosulfapyridine (SASP) group and lovastatin (LVT) group. The disease activity indices of UC and pathological changes were investigated. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in colon tissue and inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α in the serum were analyzed by ELISA, while the expression of NF-κB p65 protein in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. DLVT relieved the disease activity indices and pathological damage of the UC mice. Furthermore, DLVT significantly decreased MPO activity and improved the imbalance of inflammatory cytokines through inhibiting the expression of NF-κB p65. Meanwhile, the positive drug of SASP has a similar effect to DLVT, but the effect of DLVT in both decreasing IL-17, TNF-α, and increasing IL-10 was significantly stronger than that of SASP. These results suggest that DLVT may ameliorates the symptoms of UC.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with intestinal immune imbalance and inflammatory response. Because dehydrolovastatin (DLVT), a derivative of lovastatin, has been recently shown to inhibit inflammation and relieve immune arthritis induced by chemical stimuli, we studied its effect and possible mechanism on UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium. The BALB/c mice were classified into six groups: normal control group, model group, DLVT high dose group, DLVT low dose group, salazosulfapyridine (SASP) group and lovastatin (LVT) group. The disease activity indices of UC and pathological changes were investigated. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in colon tissue and inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α in the serum were analyzed by ELISA, while the expression of NF-κB p65 protein in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. DLVT relieved the disease activity indices and pathological damage of the UC mice. Furthermore, DLVT significantly decreased MPO activity and improved the imbalance of inflammatory cytokines through inhibiting the expression of NF-κB p65. Meanwhile, the positive drug of SASP has a similar effect to DLVT, but the effect of DLVT in both decreasing IL-17, TNF-α, and increasing IL-10 was significantly stronger than that of SASP. These results suggest that DLVT may ameliorates the symptoms of UC.

OBJECTIVETo review the central role of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in drug resistance and metastasis, aiming to provide key insights into leukemogenic pathology and developing novel therapeutic strategies against the relapse of leukemia.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were obtained mainly from the studies reported in PubMed using the key terms "tumor-initiating cells", "leukemia stem cells", "drug resistance" and "metastasis".

STUDY SELECTIONRelevant articles on studies of leukemia stem cells were selected.

RESULTSIncreasing numbers of studies have suggested the importance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the initiation and maintenance of cancer, especially in leukemia. This review has summarized the origin, characteristics, isolation and identification of LSCs. It highlights the crucial role of LSCs in drug resistance and metastasis of leukemia by illustrating possible mechanisms and aims to provide novel therapeutic strategies for LSCs-targeted treatment.

CONCLUSIONLSCs play a crucial role in drug resistance and metastasis of leukemia and new promising LSCs-targeted therapies warrant investigation in both experimental models and clinical practice.

Animals ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; physiology ; Humans ; Leukemia ; pathology ; Models, Biological ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiology

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying pruritus by comparing the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor(EGFRI)-erlotinib mouse model with the substance P(SP)-induced pruritus mouse model. Methods Two randomized groups of mice were treated with erlotinib or SP to induce pruritus. Behavioral and skin manifestations were observed. Pathological images and neurokinin 1 receptor(NK-1R)expression of the skin were determined. Concentration of interleukin(IL)-31, IL-33, histamine, leukotriene B4, and SP was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nitric oxide was analyzed by colorimetry. Results Transient pruritus induced by erlotinib appeared 2 to 5 days after treatment. In contrast, continuous pruritus was observed during the first hour, but was then gradually relieved. These two shared similar scratching behavior. Concentration of neurotransmitters showed similar trends in changes among the erlotinib group and SP group. Immunohistochemical expression was also consistent between the erlotinib group and SP group. Conclusions Erlotinib-associated pruritus is related to release of signaling factors through the SP/NK-1R signaling pathway.