Apoptosis is a physiologically essential mechanism of cell and plays an important role in reducing the development and progression of tumors. The appealing strategy for cancer therapy is to target the lesions that induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Survivin, the smallest member of the mammalian inhibitors of the apoptosis protein family, is upregulated in various malignancies to protect cells from apoptosis. Survivin knockdown could induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor-angiogenesis. Survivin expression would be silenced by microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNA interference. However, noninvasive and tissue-specific gene delivery techniques remain absent recently and the utilizations of miRNA expression vectors have been limited by inefficient delivery technique, especially in vivo. On the other hand, safe and promising technologies of gene transfection would be valuable in clinical gene therapy. Successful treatment of gene transfer method would lead to a new and readily available approach in the anticancer research. Sonoporation is an alternative technique of gene delivery that uses ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction to create pores in the cell membrane. Based on our previous studies, in this article, we postulated that the transfection of miRNA could be mediated by the combination of sonoporation and polyethylenimine (PEI) which was one of the most effective poly-cationic gene vectors and enhance the endocytosis of plasmids DNA and hypothesized that the gene silencing and apoptosis induction with miRNA targeting human Survivin would be improved by this novel technique. In our opinion, this novel combination of sonoporation and PEI could enhance targeted gene delivery effectively and might be a feasible, novel candidate for gene therapy.
Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Polyethyleneimine ; chemistry ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Compound Shenhua Tablet (, SHT) on the sodium-potassium- exchanging adenosinetriphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) in the renal tubular epithelial cells of rats with acute ischemic reperfusion and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of SHT on renal ischemic reperfusion injury (RIRI).

METHODSFifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham surgery group, model group, astragaloside group [150 mg/(kg·d)], SHT low-dose group [1.5 g/(kg·d)] and SHT high-dose group [3.0 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. After 1 week of continuous intragastric drug administration, surgery was performed to establish the model. At either 24 or 72 h after the surgery, 5 rats in each group were sacrificed, blood biochemistry, renal pathology, immunoblot and immunohistochemical examinations were performed, and double immunofluorescence staining was observed under a laser confocal microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the sham surgery group, the serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were significantly increased, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase protein level was decreased, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) protein level was increased in the model group after the surgery (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the SCr, BUN, pathological scores, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and the KIM-1 protein level of the three treatment groups were significantly improved at 72 h after the surgery (P<0.05 or P<0.01). And the SCr, BUN of the SHT low- and high-dose groups, and the pathological scores of the SHT high-dose group were significantly lower than those of the astragaloside group (P<0.05). The localizations of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and megalin of the model group were disrupted, with the distribution areas overlapping with each other and alternately arranged. The severity of the disruption was slightly milder in three treatment groups compared with that of the model group. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the SHT high-dose group had a superior effect as compared with the astragaloside group and the SHT low-dose group.

CONCLUSIONSThe SHT effectively alleviated RIRI caused by ischemic reperfusion, promoted the recovery of the polarity of renal tubular epithelial cells, and protected the renal tubules. The therapeutic effects of SHT were superior to those of astragaloside as a single agent.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Immunoblotting ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Tubules ; blood supply ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Saponins ; analysis ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence and predictors of acute stress disorder (ASD) in the victims affected by Wenchuan earthquake in China.

METHODSA random clustered sampling method was used. Of 891 victims enrolled in the study, 874 were completely assessed with the ASD constructive questionnaire and diagnosed with DSM-IV criteria. Sociodemographic variables were obtained. Also, the major symptoms of ASD (i.e., general symptoms to a traumatic event; dissociative symptoms; re-experiencing symptoms; hyper-arousal symptoms; avoidance symptoms) were recorded.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of ASD was 12.59% (110/874). The incidence rates of ASD for female and male were 15.16% (72/475) and 9.52% (38/399) respectively. There was a significant difference between female and male on the incidence rate of ASD (chi(2) = 6.26, P = 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that the ASD diagnosis was predicted by gender (beta = 0.58, P = 0.01, OR = 1.79), the condition of casualties of family members (beta = 0.60, P = 0.01, OR = 1.82), and the condition of sharp properties loss (beta = 1.02, P = 0.01, OR = 2.76).

CONCLUSIONThe major earthquake should have great influence on mental health of victims. The efforts to reduce casualties and property loss might help to prevent ASD. Further research is needed on gender difference among traumatic events.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo discuss the pattern of central lymph node metastasis of cN0 single thyroid papillary carcinoma and provide clinical evidence-supported proof for central lymph node dissection.

METHODSThe performed thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection for 150 patients with cN0 single papillary thyroid carcinoma. The bilateral central lymph nodes were divided into 4 parts: the cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae region of ipsilateral central area, the lower part of ipsilateral central area, the cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae region of contralateral central area, the lower part of contralateral central area on the baseline of 1 cm below the cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae. We analyzed the differences and influencing factors of lymph node metastasis in these 4 parts.

RESULTSThe lymph node metastasis rate in lower part of ipsilateral central area was the highest (56.7%), followed by the lower part of contralateral central area (28.0%), the cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae region of ipsilateral central area (17.3%), and the cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae region of contralateral central area (0). In the logistic analysis of multiple factors, invaded thyroid capsule was an independent factor for lymph node metastasis in both the cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae region of ipsilateral central area (β = 0.1835, χ(2) = 0.3102, P < 0.05) and lower part of contralateral area (β = 0.3166, χ(2) = 1.4640, P < 0.05). The patients' age ≥ 45 years (β = 0.5737, χ(2) = 6.5923) and invaded thyroid capsule (β = 0.4258, χ(2) = 3.4735) were independent factors for lower part of ipsilateral central area (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cornu inferius cartilaginis thyroideae region of contralateral central area of cN0 single PTC patients could not be cleared routinely.

Adult ; Carcinoma ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy