OBJECTIVETo study the effect of beta-hydroxyisovaleryl shikonin (beta-HIVS) combined cisplatin on activities of ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 in vivo and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSCells were divided into the blank control group and six beta-HIVS groups (2 - 30 micromol/L). Effect of beta-HIVS at different concentrations on the activities of ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 was detected using MTT assay. SKOV3 cells were treated with cisplatin (10, 20, and 40 micromol/L) and beta-HIVS (0.25, 1, and 2.5 micromol/L) combined cisplatin. Effect of beta-HIVS combined cisplatin on the activities of ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 was determined by MTT assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax after treated by different concentrations of beta-HIVS was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe activities of SKOV3 were inhibited by different concentrations of beta-HIVS dose-dependently. The 50% inhibition rate (IC50) was 7.37 micromol/L. There was statistical difference in IC50 between each concentration beta-HIVS group and the blank control group (P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in IC50 between the beta-HIVS (1 and 2.5 micromol/L) combined cisplatin groups and the cisplatin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The synergistic effect on beta-HIVS showed dose-dependent manner. Results of Western blot showed beta-HIVS at different concentrations (5, 7.5, and 10 micromol/L) could obviously up-regulate the expression level of Bax protein and inhibit the expression level of Bcl-2 protein, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS; HIVS could obviously inhibit in vitro growth of SKOV3 in a dose-dependent manner. With the range of concentration, beta-HIVS showed synergetic effect with cisplatin. Besides, along with increasing beta-HIVS concentrations, the synergetic effect was more significant. The synergetic effect might accelerate the apoptosis of SKOV3 through up-regulating Bax expression and inhibiting Bcl-2 expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Naphthoquinones ; pharmacology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shuizhongcao Granule (SZCG) on cellular immune function in animal model of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

METHODSExperimental animal model of RAS were established by immunological method. The modeled animals were randomized into 4 groups, Group A was the model control group, Group B was treated by Levamisole (2.5 mg/mL), Group C and D was treated with high-dose (0.5 g/mL) and low-dose (0.24 g/mL) SZCG respectively. The medication was administered via gastric perfusion, starting from the 7th week of the experiment, and continued for 28 days. Meanwhile, a normal control group was set up. Percentage of T-lymphocyte subsets, CD3, CD4 and CD8, and serum levels of interleukin 10 and 12 (IL-10 and IL-12) in peripheral blood were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTSPercentages of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio in the model control group were 40.50 +/- 7.46%, 30.80 +/- 5.33% and 79.56 +/- 8.32 respectively, all lower than those in the normal control group (P<0.05); level of serum IL-10 was higher (8.02 +/- 0.53 ng/L) and that of IL-12 was lower (15.51 +/- 1.35 ng/L) in the model animal than those in normal control (P<0.05). After treatment, levels of CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 and IL-12 in Group B were 55.30 +/- 6.33%, 43.50 +/- 5.33%, 99.29 +/- 13.84 and 17.72 +/- 1.70 ng/L, those in Group C were 61.50 +/- 4.32%, 47.20 +/- 4.37%, 103.30 +/- 7.42 and 18.18 +/- 1.54 ng/L, and in Group D were 58.50 +/- 6.03%, 42.80 +/- 3.17%, 110.27 +/- 12.85 and 17.74 +/- 1.96 ng/L, respectively, all were higher than those in Group A, but levels of IL-10 in the three treatment groups were lower than that in Goup A (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe immune function of RAS model animals is in the suppressed condition; SZCG can improve the immune suppression to achieve its therapeutic effect on the disease.

Animals ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; Phytotherapy ; Rabbits ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; drug therapy ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of surgical hepatic resection ( HR ) and radiofrequency ablation ( RFA ) in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter.Methods: The databases PubMed, CBMdisc, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched for controlled clinical trials on evaluating the efficacy between RFA and HR in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter published from January 1990 to February 2014.Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the studies included.Then the meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan5.0 software.Results:Eleven controlled clinical trials were included, including one randomized controlled trial and 10 non-randomized controlled trials.A total of 811 patients were involved:404 patients were treated with RFA as the initial treatment and 407 patients with surgical resection.Meta-analysis showed that for a single lesion with diameter of 3-5 cm of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 3-, 5-year disease-free survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than those in RFA group ( all P<0.05) .There were no significant difference in the 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates and 1-year disease-free survival rate between RFA group and HR group ( P>0.05 ) .For 1-2 nodules with diameters of 3-5 cm of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 3-, 5-year disease-free survival rates and 5-year overall survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than those in RFA group ( all P<0.05 ) .No significant difference in 1-, 3-year overall survival rates and 1-year disease-free survival rate was found between RFA group and HR group ( P>0.05 ) . For maximum nodule of 3-5 cm of multiple primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 5-year overall survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than that in RFA group ( all P<0.05 ) .No significant difference in 1-, 5-year overall survival rates was noted between RFA group and HR group ( P >0.05 ) . Conclusion: For primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter, HR is better than RFA.For the limitation of quality and quantity of included studies, this conclusion needs to be confirmed by more high quality studies.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility, indication and method of oocyte vitrification during the IVF - ET procedure, so as to increase the utilization of oocytes and reduce oocyte waste.

METHODSThis study included the patients whose husbands failed to provide sperm samples at the time of oocyte pickup or from whom more than 25 oocytes were obtained. With the patients' consent, some of their oocytes were subjected to cryopreservation by vitrification, and used for IVF - ET after thawed.

RESULTSTotally, 53 oocytes from 7 patients were thawed, and 44 (83.02%) survived, of which 41 M II oocytes were subjected to ICSI and 32 (72.73%) were fertilized. Thirty embryos were formed, with a cleavage rate of 93.75%. Sixteen embryos were transferred in 9 cycles, with achievement of 2 clinical pregnancies and delivery of 3 healthy babies. The implantation rate was 18.75% and the live birth rate 22.22%. Seven of the embryos were still cryopreserved.

CONCLUSIONCryopreservation of oocytes by vitrification effects satisfactory rates of survival and fertilization, and that of surplus oocytes can increase oocyte utilization and adds to the alternatives for IVF - ET.

Adult ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Vitrification

Professor WU Liang-cun is good at the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma. He views that the main pathogenesis of primary hepatic carcinoma is liver and kidney deficiency. Therefore, treatment should be based on enriching water to nourish wood, with soothing the liver and regulating qi, clearing the gallbladder and removing dampness, promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis, detoxicating and resolving masses.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Jiedu Sangen Decoction (JSD, consisting of Polygonum cuspidatum, Geum Japonicum Thumnb, Radix Actinidiae Chinensis) on the migration capability of colon cancer CT-26 cells were observed, and on expressions of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) such as transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA).

METHODSThe BALB/C mice were subcutaneously inoculated with colon cancer CT-26 cells (1.2 x 10(6)mL) and then randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the JSD treated group. The effects of three different serums on the migration ability of colon cancer CT-26 cells were observed using Transwell. The expression quantities of TGF-beta1 and MMP-9 in the supernatant of CAFs were detected using ELISA. The mRNA expression quantities of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in CAFs were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe number of semi-permeable film cells in the JSD treated group significantly decreased, when compared with the model group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-beta1 and MMP-9 in the supernatant of CAFs decreased in the JSD treated group at 24 and 48 h, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in the JSD treated group obviously decreased, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONJSD could decrease expressions of TGF-beta1 and MMP-9 in the supernatant of CAFs, lower mRNA expressions of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1, which might be possible mechanisms for inhibiting the migration and invasion of tumor cells.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects of surgical hepatic resection (HR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter.

METHODSThe databases PubMed, CBMdisc, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched for controlled clinical trials on evaluating the efficacy between RFA and HR in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter published from January 1990 to February 2014. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the studies included. Then the meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan5.0 software.

RESULTSEleven controlled clinical trials were included, including one randomized controlled trial and 10 non-randomized controlled trials. A total of 811 patients were involved: 404 patients were treated with RFA as the initial treatment and 407 patients with surgical resection. Meta-analysis showed that for a single lesion with diameter of 3-5 cm of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 3-， 5-year disease-free survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than those in RFA group (all P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the 1-， 3-， 5-year overall survival rates and 1-year disease-free survival rate between RFA group and HR group (P>0.05). For 1-2 nodules with diameters of 3-5 cm of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 3-， 5-year disease-free survival rates and 5-year overall survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than those in RFA group (all P<0.05). No significant difference in 1-， 3-year overall survival rates and 1-year disease-free survival rate was found between RFA group and HR group (P>0.05). For maximum nodule of 3-5 cm of multiple primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 5-year overall survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than that in RFA group (all P<0.05). No significant difference in 1-， 5-year overall survival rates was noted between RFA group and HR group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter, HR is better than RFA. For the limitation of quality and quantity of included studies, this conclusion needs to be confirmed by more high quality studies.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Notch1 on the membrane of bone marrow CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells in the patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and explore the importance of Notch signaling pathway in the formation and progression of MM.

METHODSThirty three MM patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The expression of Notch1 on the membrane of bone marrow CD38(+)CD138(+) and CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The clinical data of MM patients were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe ratio of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients was (60.21 ± 25.06)% which was significantly higher than those of CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells of MM patients (39.84 ± 18.94)% (P = 0.000) and controls (38.34 ± 19.39)% (P = 0.004). There was no statistical difference between the two latter groups (P > 0.05). The expression of Notch1 on CD38(+)CD138(+)plasma cells from 24 newly diagnosed MM patients was correlated to the level of malignant plasma cells in there bone marrow (r = 0.914, P = 0.000), serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r = 0.754, P = 0.007), and β(2)-MG(r = 0.716, P = 0.013). The ratio of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients who had renal dysfunction was correlated to their abnormal serum creatinine levels. The expression of Notch1 on CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells from 17 MM patients who received VD (bortezamib and dexamethasone) chemotherapy was correlated to the ratio of plasma cell reduction after the first VD chemotherapy (r = 0.842, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients was significantly higher than those of CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells of MM patients and controls. Notch1 overexpressed plasma cells were sensitive to the early VD therapy, and correlated to the progression and long term outcome of MM.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; immunology ; metabolism ; Plasma Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Syndecan-1 ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of post-discharge formula (PDF) for preterm infants, breast milk (BM) and term infant formula (TF) on increase rates of body weight, length and head circumference in preterm and low-birth-weight infants (PLBWIs) from discharge to 3 months after birth, and to provide a reference for the choice of feeding pattern for PLBWIs.

METHODSA total of 407 PLBWIs discharged from the newborn departments of ten hospitals in Guangzhou City and Foshan City in Guangdong Province, China were chosen for this study. According to feeding pattern, they were assigned to three groups: PDF-fed (n=258), BM-fed (n=58) and TF-fed (n=91). Their body weight, length and head circumference were measured at 3 months after birth, and the increase rates of growth indices relative to baseline values (at birth) were calculated and compared.

RESULTSAt 3 months after birth, the PDF-fed group had significantly greater body weight, length and head circumference than the BM-fed and TF-fed groups (P<0.05). The increase rates of body weight and length were significantly higher in the PDF-fed group than in the BM-fed and TF-fed groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with those fed with BM and TF after discharge, the PDF-fed PLBWIs have higher increase rates of body weight and length and show greater body weight and length at 3 months after birth. However, further study is needed to investigate the long-term effects.

Body Height ; Body Weight ; Breast Feeding ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore a good way of the reconstruction of severe tibial shaft fractures by using different flaps and external fixators.

METHODSEighty-five patients of Type IIIC tibial shaft fractures with average age of 42.5 years were treated in our hospital from 1990 to 2005. Injuries were caused by motorcycle accidents in 66 patients, by machine accidents in 16 patients, and by stone bruise in 3 patients. The management procedures consisted of administration of antibiotics, serial debridment, bone grafting if needed, application of different flaps, such as free thoracoumbilical flaps, fasciocutaneous flaps, saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flaps, sural neurocutaneous vascular flaps and gastrocnemius muscular flaps, and different external fixations, for instance, half-ring fixators, unilateral axial dynamic fixators, AO fixators, Weifang fixators, and Hybrid fixators. The average follow up was 6.3 years.

RESULTSAll flaps survived. Eighty-three cases had bone healed. The average bone healing time of different external fixations was 5.5 months in 47 cases with half-ring fixators, 9.2 months in 4 cases treated with unilateral axial dynamic fixators, 8.5 months in 6 cases with AO fixators, 10.7 months in 16 cases with Weifang fixators, and 7.8 months in 10 cases with assembly fixators. Except half-ring fixation, other fixations all needed necessary bone graft. Two cases treated with unilateral axial dynamic fixators had nonunion of bone and developed osteomyelitis. The wounds healed after the removal of the fixators and immobilization by plaster. The last follow up examination showed ankle and knee motion was normal and no pain was noted.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of half-ring external fixators with various flaps provides good results for Type IIIC tibial shaft fractures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Debridement ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome