Roscovitine is a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) cdc2/cyclin B, cdk2/cyclin A, cdk2/cyclin E and cdk5/p35. The studies on the enzyme inhibitory properties and cellular effects of roscovitine revealed that it arrests cells in G(2)/M and G(1)/S phase, inhibits the proliferation of mammalian cells and induces cell death. However, the characteristics of cell death and exact mechanism by which this cdk inhibitor kills transformed cells are unknown. We previously investigated that the roscovitine induces apoptotic death of mitotic PC12 cells. The present study was to identify whether the roscovitine-induced death is related with the specific elements of caspases in pathway of apoptosis. The morphological data of caspase-3 immunofluorocytochemistry double staining with hoechst 33342 indicated that apoptotic nuclei were identified as nuclei with chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, and that caspase-3 active p17 subunit co-existed in PC12 cells treated with roscovitine 50 micromol/L for 4 h. The number of the caspase-3 positive cells increased significantly to about 42%, as compared with the normal control (P<0.001). The data of MTT assay showed that the number of viable cells treated by roscovitine (50 micromol/L) alone for 12 h was 29.03%, of the untreated controls. Both a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (50 mumol/L) and a specific caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK (100 micromol/L) increased viable PC12 cells to 45.16%, (Z-DEVD-FMK) and 58.06%, (Z-VAD-FMK), respectively, in the presence of roscovitine. Non-erythroid a-spectrin is a cytoskeleted protein that is a substrate of caspase-3 cysteine proteases. To confirm the activity of caspase-3 that produced in roscovitine (50 micromol/L for 12 h)-induced PC12 cell death, activated caspase-3 specific 120 kDa spectrin breakdown products (SBDP) were detected by Western bloting using the mouse anti-non-erythroid a-spectrin monoclonal antibody. The mean relative density of bands corresponding to caspase-3 specific SBDP levels were significantly increased in the cytosolic fractions treated with roscovitine, as compared to the normal control (P<0.001). These results indicate that caspase signals, especially caspase-3 signal are necessary for the progression of proliferating PC12 cell apoptotic death evoked by roscovintine.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Caspase 3 ; physiology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; PC12 Cells ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Purines ; pharmacology ; Rats

AIMTo investigate the vasodilating effect and its mechanism of ethanol on isolated rat thoracic aorta at different resting tension.

METHODSThe tension of the isolated Sprague-Dawley rat thoracic aorta rings perfused with different concentrations of ethanol was measured using organ bath technique.

RESULTSAt different resting tension (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 g), ethanol (0.1-7.0 per thousand) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation on endothelium-denuded aortic rings precontracted with KCl (6 x 10(-2)mol/L) or phenylephrine (PE, 10(-6) mol/L), and the vasodilating effect was the most potent when the aortic rings were at the resting tension of 3 g. Ethanol had much less vasodilating effect on endothelium-intact aortic rings. Ethanol at 3 per thousand (the maximum-effect concentration) inhibited the CaCl2 induced contraction and downward shifted concentration-response curve of endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted with KCI or PE at the resting tension of 3 g. Incubation of aorta with ruthenium red (10(-5) mol/L) or heparin (50 mg/L) decreased the vasodilating effect of ethanol (3.0 per thousand) on endothelium-denuded aorta precontracted with PE at the resting tension of 3 g.

CONCLUSIONEthanol induces endothelium-independent relaxation on rat thoracic aorta, which is concerned with the resting tension. This effect of ethanol may be mediated by the inhibition of voltage-dependent and receptor-operated Ca2+ channels in the vascular smooth muscle cells. The inhibition of the ryanodine receptor and trisphosphate inositol (IP3) pathway may also contribute to this effect.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; drug effects ; Vasodilation ; drug effects

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) belongs to autoimmun diseases, which is particularly closely related to the liver, spleen and kidney. Using these three organs as the theoretical foundation, the root of the disease can be grasped. Using syndrome differentiation, deficiency is the basic pattern and excess is the syndrome. The main reason for TAO is liver, spleen and kidney deficiency, while dampness, phlegm-blood stagnation in the eyes are pathogen. The rules of treatments are nourishing yin and clearing liver, supplementing and nourishing liver and kidney, removing dampness and phlegm, eliminating blood stasis and promoting circulation. By combining overall symptoms with ocular region changes, together with dynamic differentiation and flexible treatment, satisfactory results have been obtained in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the brain oxidative stress injury induced by nano-alumina particles in ICR mice.

METHODSSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, solvent control group, 100 mg/kg micro-alumina particles group, 3 groups exposed to nano-alumina particles at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The mice were exposed by nasal drip for 30 days. Then levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissues of mice were detected.

RESULTSThere was no difference of SOD activity in mouse brain between control group [(17.32 +/- 6.23)U/gHb] and 50 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group [(17.89 +/- 1.82) U/gHb]. The SOD activity [(4.93 +/- 2.30)U/gHb] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The MDA levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.76 +/- 0.13), (1.00 +/- 0.30) and (1.16 +/- 0.39)nmol/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [( 0.24 +/- 0.09)nmol/ml] in control group (P < 0.05). The GSH levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.72 +/- 0.08), (0.55 +/- 0.19) and (0.61 +/- 0.20)mg/gpro, respectively, which were significantly lower than that [(1.55 +/- 0.34)mg/gpro]] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity in 50 and 100 mg/kg nano-alumina particles groups were (10.40 +/- 3.84) and (10.40 +/- 2.00)U/mgpro, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [(5.79 +/- 0.96) U/mgpro] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity [(3.25 +/- 1.04)U/mgpro] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONNano-alumina particles can induce the oxidative stress damage in brain tissues of mice.

Aluminum Oxide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nanoparticles ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo characterize the profile of chromosomal imbalances of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Linzhou, the high prevalence area of Henan province.

METHODSComparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to examine 52 cases of primary SCC of esophagus.

RESULTSGains in part or in whole of chromosome 3q, 8q, 5p, 1q, 6q, 18p, 20q and losses of 3p, 1p, 9q, 19p, 4p, 8p were detected frequently in SCC (> 20%). Gain of 3q, 5p, 1q, 11q13-14 and loss of 4pq, 13q were all significantly correlated with pathologic staging (P < 0.05). Gains of 8q, loss of 4p were linked to nodal metastasis (P < 0.05). Gains of 2p and loss of 4pq, 11q14-qter were associated with distant organ metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggest that 3q, 8q, 5p, 1q, 6q, 18p, and 20q may contain SCC-related oncogenes; 3p, 1p, 9q, 19p, 4p and 8p may contain SCC-related tumor suppressor genes. It is likely that gain of 3q, 5p, 1q, 11q13-14 and loss of 4pq, 13q are the genetic aberrations critical for the development of esophageal carcinoma, whereas gains of 8q, 2p and loss of 4pq, 11q14-qter are considered later events associated with tumor progression and are thought to confer metastatic potential to esophageal carcinoma. Furthermore, nodal and distant organ metastases involve different genes.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization

BACKGROUNDThe sensitization and elicitation phases are involved in the immunopathogenesis of contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Langerhans cells (LCs) are believed to play pivotal roles in the sensitization stage of CHS. Local hyperthermia on skin induces the migration as well as maturation of epidermal LCs. Although fever-range whole body hyperthermia and local hyperthermia at 43°C prior to sensitization were reported to suppress CHS, the effects of different temperatures and the timing sequence of local hyperthermia on CHS have not been tackled.

METHODSLocal hyperthermia was applied to murine dorsal skin 3 days prior to, concurrent with, or 2 days post sensitization with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) in BALB/c mice. Local hyperthermia temperatures at 37°C, 39°C, 41°C and 43°C were applied to mouse dorsal skin and the severity of CHS was calculated by measuring the swelling response of the challenged ears.

RESULTSLocal hyperthermia at 39°C, 41°C and 43°C prior to sensitization reduced the severity of CHS, as compared with that at 37°C. The suppression of CHS was temperature dependent in that higher temperature had a stronger effect. On the contrary, the hyperthermia treatments, either concurrent with or post-sensitization, resulted in an enhanced temperature-dependent ear swelling response.

CONCLUSIONSThe severity of murine CHS could be influenced by local hyperthermia at the sensitization stage in a temperature dependent manner. The temporal effect of local hyperthermia suggested a novel factor in interpreting the severity of allergic contact dermatitis.

Animals ; Dermatitis, Contact ; therapy ; Female ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Langerhans Cells ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the basic principles and important rules of forensic identification of adverse drug events and to accumulate basic data and to provide references for forensic identification of similar cases. METHODS: Thirty-three cases of adverse drug events in our forensic identification files were retrospectively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. RESULTS: There were 27 live and 6 dead victims included in this study. Our study showed a gradually increasing numbers of adverse drug cases in forensic identification year by year with a slight female predominance (20/33 cases, 60.6%). Of the 33 victims, nearly two-thirds (21/33, 63.6%) were due to hospital errors including only one case of drug overdose (1/21, 4.8%), whereas the rest were not related to the hospital errors. Eight cases (8/33, 24.2%) were caused by illegal medical practitioners due to improper use of medication. CONCLUSION Investigators need to pay more attention to the characteristics and complexities of adverse drug events on a case by case basis encountered in increasing numbers of more and more such forensic identification.
Adult ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Expert Testimony ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Health Services Administration/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Humans ; Male ; Malpractice/statistics & numerical data* ; Medical Errors/prevention & control* ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult

Objective To understand the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses in influenza-like illness in children during March 2017 to March 2018 in Qingdao. Methods A random selection of influenza surveillance cases (influenza-like illness, ILI) among children in Qingdao area was selected as the research object, and 359 cases were detected. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for multiple-fluorescence real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid detection to screen 9 kinds of respiratory viruses. Results Among the 359 Cases, 200 cases were positive for at least 1 kinds of viruses, and the positive rate was 55.71%(200/359). Among these 200 cases, the most positive numbers were influenza B Yamagata (IVB Yamagata) 29.50%(59/200), followed by enterovirus 15.00%(30/200), respiratory adenovirus (AdV) 13.50%(27/200), respiratory syncytial virus A (RSVA) 12.5%(25/200), influenza A H1N1(IVA H1N1) 10.00%(20/200), etc. 2 cases were 3 kinds of mixed viruses infected and 1 case was 4 kinds of mixed viruses infected. Conclusions Nine kinds of respiratory viruses are prevalent in Qingdao during March 2017 -March 2018. The main prevalence viruses contain influenza B Yamagata, enterovirus, respiratory adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus A, influenza A H1N1. There is obvious seasonal distribution of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, enterovirus, metapneumovirus. A mixed infection exists between 9 kinds of respiratory viruses, and mixed infection occurs in the month of the virus epidemic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of polymorphisms of CDT1 and GMNN gene, two important genes participating in DNA replication, with the risk of sporadic breast cancer.

METHODSUsing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR - RFLP) and the primer-introduced restriction analysis (PIRA)-PCR assay to genotype the CDT1 838G/A and GMNN 387C/A polymorphisms in a case-control study of 427 breast cancer cases and 477 cancer-free controls in a Chinese population.

RESULTSNo significant association of the CDT1 838G/A and GMNN 387C/A polymorphisms with the risk of breast cancer was found (adjusted OR:1.16, 95% CI:0.88-1.54 for CDT1 GA+AA genotypes and adjusted OR:0.90, 95% CI:0.67-1.21 for GMNN CA+AA genotypes). However, in the stratified analyses, a significant association of CDT1 GA+AA genotypes with breast cancer risk among subjects with family history of cancer was found (adjusted OR:2.21, 95% CI:1.20-4.09).

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that the CDT1 838G/A and GMNN 387C/A polymorphisms may not play a major role in the etiology of breast cancer, but CDT1 variant may have a potential role only in genetically susceptible women.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Geminin ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

ObjectiveTo investigate inhibitory effect of extracts from Veronica peregrina （EVP） on the osteoclastic bone metastasis induced by breast cancer cells. MethodBone metastasis model was established by injection of MDA-MB-231 cells， a human breast cancer cell line， into the left ventricle of BALB/c nude mice. The expression of human cytokeratin-19 （Ck-19） gene in mouse bone marrow was determined by nested polymerase chain reaction（PCR） to assess the bone metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. To assess the effects of EVP on the activation of bone marrow macrophages （BMMs）， we counted the multinuclear cells and measured the secretion of Cathepsin K. Western blot was adopted to assess the effects of EVP on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB （RANK）， Runt-related transcription factor 2 （ Runx2 ）， phosphorylated Runx2 （p-Runx2）， and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） in BMMs. Gelatin zymography was employed to determine the activities of matrix metalloproteinases （MMPs）. ResultCompared with that in the blank group， Ck-19 expression was down-regulated in EVP groups （P<0.05）. The multinucleated cells increased when the BMMs were induced by soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （sRANKL）， which was inhibited by EVP （P<0.05）. The level of cathepsin K in the supernatant of sRANKL group increased compared with that of the blank group， while EVP groups had lower cathepsin K levels than sRANKL group （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the sRANKL group showed up-regulated RANK expression， Runx2 phosphorylation， and MMP-9 expression （P<0.05）， while the expression levels of RANK， p-Runx2， and MMP-9 were down-regulated when the cells were incubated with EVP （P<0.05）. Furthermore， exposure of BMMs to sRANKL resulted in an increase in gelatin hydrolyzation compared with the blank group （P<0.01）， which， however， was reversed in EVP groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionEVP significantly inhibits bone marrow metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells， which may be associated with the suppression of osteoclast activation by inhibiting Runx2 phosphorylation.