Objective To investigate the effect of valsartan,an angiotensinⅡtype 1 receptor (AT1 R)blocker,on radiosensitivity,invasive potential and proliferation activity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells(CNE-2)in vitro. Methods Radiosensitization of valsartan on CNE-2 cells in vitro was investigated by colony forming assay.Effect of ATl R blocker combined with radiation on invasive potential of CNE-2 cells was evaluated using 24-well Matrigel invasion chambers(Transwell).Apoptosis-inducing effect of valsartan combined with radiation on apoptosis of CNE-2 was identified by flowcytometry(FCM). Resuits When valsartan was given at 10-9.10-8 and 10-7 mol/L combined with radiation,sensitivity enhancement ratios (SER)were 1.10,1.20 and 1.36.and the invasive inhibition rates were 8.11%,16.49%and 16.77%,respectively.The SER of valsartan on CNE-2 distinctly increased when the exposure time was increased.After 24 h exposure to 10-8 mol/L valsartan combined witIl radiation.the apoptosis rate was 1.89%±0.09%,which was higher than 1.62%±0.06%in radiation alone group(t=4.79.P＜0.05). Conclusions AT1 R blocker valsartan combined with radiation can significantly inhibit the proliferation activity of nasophar,cngeal carcinoma cells in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner.Valsartan combined with radiation can potently inhibit the invasive potential of CNE-2.which may be involved in the mechanism of valsartan treatment in vivo.

The clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity was systemically analyzed to provide reference and assistance for its clinical treatment and research. By searching in the CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Pubmed, Springer and Medline databases, clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity published from Jan, 2009 to July, 2013 were collected while Revman 5. 2 software was applied to perform the Meta-analysis. Totally 19 articles were acquired with 1 658 cases involved. The effective rate was selected as primary outcome measure in 19 articles. The Meta-analysis was performed among homogeneous researches. The results indicated that compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.45 with 95% CI [1.81, 3.32]; in the test for overall effect, Z = 5.81, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01). In subgroups analysis, in the event of treatment session with more than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.61 with 95% CI [1.53, 4.46]; in test for overall effect, Z = 3.51, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01); in the event of treatment session with less than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.38 with 95% CI [1.65, 3.44]; in test for overall effect, Z = 4.46, implying in the treatment of simple obesity the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant (P < 0.01). Compared with electroacupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.79, 95% CI [1.08, 2.95] (P = 0.02). Compared with acupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.89, 95% CI [1.16, 3.09] (P = 0.01), which explained that compared with electroacupuncture and acupuncture, the efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding was significantly different. In a word, the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding is superior to other therapies in the treatment of simple obesity.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Catgut ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Obesity ; therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Purpose To investigate the expression pattern and c1inicopatho1ogica1 significance of D2-40 in craniopharyngioma( CP). Methods Immunohistochemica1 method was used to assess D2-40 expression in 126 cases of craniopharyngioma. Statistic software was used to ana1yze the corre1ation between D2-40 expression and c1inicopatho1ogica1 features. Results The overa11 positive rate of D2-40 expression in 126 craniopharyngioma was 87. 30%. The rate of +, and  were 44. 44%( 56/126 ),37. 30%( 47/126 )and 5. 56%(7/126)respective1y. In adamantinomatous CPs,D2-40 expression was observed in epithe1ia1 components corresponding to the stratum intermedium,whi1e in papi11ary CPs,it was immuno-positive in basa1 ce11s. With the increasing of the existence of inf1amma-tion in tumor,D2-40 expression was up-regu1ated. Tumor ce11s were over-expressed for D2-40 in basa1 ce11s and stratum intermedium ce11s of the invasive frontier. D2-40 expression was higher in the invasive craniopharyngioma than in the non-invasive craniopharyngio-ma. In addition,D2-40 expression was higher in the recurrent craniopharyngioma than in the non-recurrent craniopharyngioma. There were no significant re1ationship between D2-40 expression and gender,and histo1ogica1 c1assification of tumors. Conclusions D2-40 expression is associated with the deve1opment of craniopharyngioma,which can 1ead to enhance the tumor ce11 invasion,and may be re-1ated to inf1ammation-re1ated mechanisms. D2-40 expression may be one of the recurrence factors in patients with craniopharyngioma.

· AIM: To examine the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 mRNA during choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a murine model and to investigate the role of them in the development of CNV. · METHODS: CNV was induced in C57BL/6J mice by intensive diode laser (810nm) photocoagulation (120mW, 75μm, 0. 1s) of the fundus whereafter eyes were enucleated at 1, 3days, 1, 2, and 4 weeks. The MMP-9 and TIMP-3 mRNA expression were analyzed using in situ hybridization and image analysis system. · RESULTS: Both expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 mRNA had dynamic changes. For MMP-9, the expression was 1, 2, 4 wk > 3d > 1d (P < 0.05), whereas TIMP-3 mRNA, 3d, 1, 2, 4 wk>1d (P<0.05). · CONCLUSION: The imbalance between the changes of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 may accelerate the degrading of extracelluar matrix, and then be involved in the pathogenesis of CNV.

OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of aponeurotic system penetration needling on peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and ten cases of peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a Jingjin group (n=68) and a control group (n=42). The therapeutic effects of acute stage, resting stage and sequela stage, and the relation between the facial nerve lesion degree and the therapeutic effect were investigated.

RESULTSThe effective rates of the two needling methods were respectively 98.5% and 90.5%, the Jing1in group being better than the control group (P < 0.05); at the acute stage, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture was obvious, and the therapeutic effect at the sequela stage and for the patient of nerve faulty type in the Jingjin group were better than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion has definite therapeutic effect on facial paralysis at the acute stage and in the patient of nerve active type, and aponeurotic system penetration needling can be used for the patient of facial paralysis at the sequela stage or with nerve faulty type.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion

·AIM: To analyze the clinical manifestation of Alport syndrome, especially the ocular features.·METHODS: The physical, ophthalmologic and audiologic examination results of thirty two patients with Alport syndrome were analyzed retrospectively.·RESULTS: Thirty (93.7%) patients had some family history. All patients had renal disease: eighteen(56.3%) patients with chronic renal failure, four(12.5%) patients with renal insufficiency, and the other ten(31.3%) patients with hematuria. Twenty (62.5%) patients had sensorineural deafness. Thirteen (40.6%) patients had ocular deformity, five(15.6%) patients had typical ocular changes: three patients with anterior lenticonus, and two patients with macular flecks.·CONCLUSION: Ocular anomalies are not requisite for the diagnosis of Alport syndrome. But its typical ocular features should be recognized by the ophthalmologists which supports the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Pinggan Qianyang Recipe (PQR) on inhibiting angiotensin II (Ang II) induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and changes of DNA methylation.

METHODSVSMCs were cultured using tissue explant method, and PQR containing serum was prepared. Primarily cultured VSMCs were divided into four groups, the normal group, the model group, the folate group (folic acid intervention) , and the PQR group. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was duplicated by Ang II. After 24-h Ang II induced culture, 40 microg/mL folic acid was added to the folate group for 48 h, while 5% PQR containing serum was added to the PQR group for 48 h. The cell growth curve of VSMCs was drawn by using Cell Counting Kit (CCK-8). The proliferative activity of VSMC was determined by MTT assay. The migration of VSMCs was measured by Millicell chamber. The general level of cytosine methylation in cell nucleus was detected via 5-mC antibodies immunofluorescence, and mRNA expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were measured by Real-time q-polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR).

RESULTSVSMCs were promoted by Ang II at 10(-6) mol/L for 24 h. Compared with the normal group, the proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously increased, and DNA methylation level obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell growth, proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously decreased and the general DNA methylation level increased in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression of DNMT1 decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA expression of DNMT1 in Ang II induced VSMCs was obviously enhanced in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPQR could inhibit Ang II induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and cause high genomic DNA methylation level. Changes of DNA methylation might be associated with DNMT1 expression.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects

Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanism of dermal damage in heat shock-induced skin aging by observing the expressions of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) in retinoic acid-treated cultured human fibroblasts with heat shock.

METHODSCultured human fibroblasts were treated with tazarotene or all-trans-retinioic acid (at-RA) after heat shock for 30 min in 43 degrees celsius; water bath. Twenty-four hours later, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 contents in the supernatant of the cell culture medium were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSBoth tazarotene and at-RA dose-dependently reduced the expression of MMP-1 and increased the expression of TIMP-1 in cultured human fibroblasts exposed to heat shock, and tazarotene produced stronger effect than at-RA.

CONCLUSIONRetinoic acid can reduce the expression of MMP-1 and increase the expression of TIMP-1 in cultured human fibroblasts, suggesting its therapeutic potential for heat shock-induced skin aging.

Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Response ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nicotinic Acids ; pharmacology ; Skin Aging ; radiation effects ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

UNLABELLEDTo investigate the expressions of fibrillin-1, elastin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9 (MMP-1, 9) in chronic actinic dermatitis in elderly patients and explore the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODSTwenty-three patients with chronic actinic dermatitis were examined for the expressions of fibrillin-1, elastin, MMP-1, and MMP-9 with immunohistochemistry in the skin lesions. Image analysis was carried out to measure MMP-1 and MMP-9 expressions semi-quantitatively.

RESULTSIn the skin lesions of patients with chronic actinic dermatitis, elastin expression was obviously reduced or absent in the papillary dermis. The elastic fibers were disorderly arranged in the reticular dermis with local aggregation in some regions. Obvious fibrillin-1 deposition was found in the reticular dermis. Increased expressions of MMP-1, but not that of MMP-9, was found in the skin lesions of the patients.

CONCLUSIONElastin and fibrillin-1 deposition can be found in the skin lesions in patients with chronic actinic dermatitis, suggesting the association of increased MMP-1 expression with the elastic tissue degeneration in the lesions. MMP-9 does not exhibit an obvious association with the pathogenesis of chronic actinic dermatitis in elderly patients.

Aged ; Elastin ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Fibrillin-1 ; Fibrillins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; Microfilament Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Photosensitivity Disorders ; etiology ; metabolism ; Sunlight ; adverse effects