OBJECTIVETo study p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (BIM) of the BH3-only protein family expression in colorectal cancer tissues and its relationship with colorectal cancer invasion, metastasis and prognosis.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining (EnVision) was used to detect PUMA/BIM expression in 30 cases of normal mucosa, 30 cases of colorectal adenoma and 142 cases of colorectal cancer tissues.

RESULTSPUMA in colorectal cancer tissues was positive expressed (82.4%), which was significantly lower than in the normal mucosa colorectal adenomas (96.7%) and normal mucosa tissues (96.7%) (both χ(2) = 3.93, P < 0.05). Positive expression rate of BIM in colorectal cancer tissues (62.7%) was significantly lower than that in colorectal adenomas and normal mucosa (96.7% and 90.0%) (χ(2) = 8.42 and 13.29, P < 0.01). PUMA and BIM in colorectal cancer tissues were positively correlated (r = 0.747, P = 0.000). PUMA expression was related to tumor differentiation (χ(2) = 11.87), invasion depth (χ(2) = 11.59), lymph node metastasis (χ(2) = 12.82), TNM stage (χ(2) = 33.47) and P-gp expression (χ(2) = 18.30), all P < 0.05, but not related to the patients' age, gender, tumor size, tumor histological type and GST-π expression (P > 0.05). BIM expression was related to tumor differentiation (χ(2) = 16.19), lymph node metastasis (χ(2) = 14.95), TNM stage (χ(2) = 52.66) and P-gp expression (χ(2) = 10.60) (P < 0.05), but not related to patients' age, sex, tumor size, tumor histological type, invasion depth and GST-π expression (P > 0.05). 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the positive expression of PUMA/BIM in patients with colorectal cancer were significantly higher than that of PUMA/BIM in patients with negative expression (χ(2) = 6.10 and 27.6, P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (RR = 0.238), TNM stage (RR = 7.895), PUMA (RR = 1.691) and BIM (RR = 0.440) could be used as independent prognostic indicators (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPUMA and BIM expressions in colorectal cancer are related to the tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis. Low expressions of PUMA and BIM were related to the late period and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11 ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo in vestigate the constituents in root of Gentiana macrophylla.

METHODVarious column chromatographic techniques were used for isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1H-, 13C-NMR etc.) and identified by comparing with standard substance.

RESULTEight compounds were identified. Four compounds isolated from the chloroform fraction are: 5-carboxyl-3,4-dihydrogen-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one (1), erythrocentauric acid (2), roburic acid (3), oleanolic acid (4). Water fraction gave four known secoiridoid glucosides. They were: gentiopicroside (5), swertiamarine (6), sweroside (7), 6'-O-beta-D-glucosylgentiopicroside (8).

CONCLUSION1 is a novel compound. It was named as erythrocentauric acid. 2 was isolated from genus Gentiana and 8 was isolated from G. macrophylla for the first time.

Gentiana ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Isocoumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the scene-trait coping style of military rescuers in Wenchuan earthquake in an effort to provide scientific evidences for mental intervention program for Chinese military personnel.

METHODSBy cluster sampling, a total of 151 military rescuers and 331 control servicemen were administered the military personnel scene-trait coping style scale (MPSTCSS).

RESULTSAll active coping factor scores, and passive coping factor scores of affection, health and economy in the rescuer group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The 21-above age subgroup, the 3-year plus service subgroup, and the officer subgroup had significantly higher active coping factor scores on military tasks, military experience and personal development than those of the 21-below age subgroup, 3-year minus service subgroup and the soldier subgroup, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake relief servicemen can cope with stressful situations better than control group by taking active coping style. The officers, servicemen older than 21 years, and servicemen with more service duration than 3 years could usually take active coping style.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological

A comprehensively comparison of the chemical profiles between sun-drying BJ (NBJ) and sulfur-fumigated BJ (SBJ) was conducted by HPLC analysis and the discrepant peaks were identified or tentatively assigned by HPLC-ESI-MSn. A total of 32 chemical components were used for qualitative comparison. Meanwhile, a quantitative comparison of BJwere conducted by HPLC analysis and determining seven compounds from 3 NBJ and 3 SBJ samples dramatic chemical changes were found. After sulfur fumigation, the contents of flavonoids glycosides and phenolic acids were remarkably reduced, but the contents of flavonoids aglycones were significantly increased. Multivariate statistics, including principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) were used to investigate the potential damaging effect of sulfur-fumigating process. The PCA score plots showed six samples were clearly classified into the sun-drying and sulfur-fumigating groups. And according to VIP >1, the most important chemical markers were apigenin, luteolin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquninic acid which could be used to distinguish NBJ and SBJ samples. Combining the results of qualitative and quantitative analysis, it showed that the sulfur fumigation has a significant effect on BJ.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; Fumigation ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Principal Component Analysis ; Sulfur

To identify the regulatory region that are responsible for the expression of mPC-1, we have isolated and characterized the mPC-1 gene promoter. Sequence analysis of the mPC-1 5' -flanking region and a series of truncated constructs were performed, which were transiently transfected into the prostate cancer cell lines and non-prostate cancer cell lines and analyzed through Dual-luciferase reporter assay system. The relative activity of mPC-1 gene promoter was by far higher than pGL3-control containing SV40 promoter and enhancer and p61-PSA containing hPSA 6 kb promoter in AR (androgen receptor, AR ) -positive prostate cancer cell lines. The region from 599 bp to 449 bp of mPC-1 promoter might contain a negative regulatory element. The expression of mPC-1 1.1 kb fragment is mainly restricted into prostate cancer cell lines. The relative activity of mPC-1 1.1 kb 5'-flanking region was regulated by androgen. The results demonstrated that the 1.1 kb fragment of mPC-1 5' -flanking region was relatively strong and prostate cancer cell specific promoter region.The 1.1 kb promoter of mPC-1 gene might be well suited to prostate cancer gene therapy if the promoter was properly modified.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of BH3-only gene in oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis of human colon cancer cell line, and to explore the associated mechanisms.

METHODSTwo strains of human colon cancer cell line SW480 and HT29 were selected, and treated respectively with different concentrations of oxaliplatin (0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg/L). Cell growth and inhibition were detected by MTT method. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Bim and PUMA expressions were examined by fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTSAfter treatment of different oxaliplatin concentrations in human colon carcinoma cells SW480 line, the cell growth was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, while Bim and PUMA expressions were significantly up-regulated. While HT29 cell lines received the same treatment, no obvious inhibition of cell growth and up-regulation of Bim and PUMA expression were found. When SW480 cells were exposed to 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L of oxaliplatin for 24 h, the early apoptotic rates were (4.87±0.55)% and (12.10±1.04)%; for 48 h, the early apoptotic rates were (11.47±0.85)% and (30.07±2.01)%; for 72 h, the early apoptotic rates were (28.99±2.12)% and (38.32±3.15)% respectively, which were all significantly higher than those in control group [(0.30±0.10)%, (0.40±0.10)% and (0.50±0.20)%, all P<0.01]. In HT29 cells, the differences of apoptotic rates between oxaliplatin treatment group and control group were not statistically significant (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOxaliplatin can inhibit colon cancer cell line SW480 growth and induce apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis of colon cancer cells by oxaliplatin may be associated with the up-regulation of BH3-only proteins, Bim and PUMA.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11 ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore changes of Clara cell protein (CC16) and surfactant protein-D (SP-D) in the serum of patients with silicosis.

METHODThe concentrations of CC16 and SP-D were measured in the serum by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The subjects consisted of 30 healthy volunteers and 90 silica-exposed workers including silica-exposed group, the silicosis of suspects group (0(+)) and the silicosis phase I group, 30 subjects each groups.

RESULTSThe concentrations of CC16 in the serum was significantly decreased in silica-exposed workers compared to controls (P < 0.01); The concentrations of CC16 in the serum were higher in lifelong nonsmokers than the current smokers in control subjects (P < 0.05), but they were no differences between lifelong nonsmokers and current smokers of 90 silica-exposed workers. Compared with control subjects, the levels of SP-D in the serum of silicosis suspects (0(+)) and silicosis phase I groups were significantly elevated (P < 0.01, respectively), which were also higher than silica-exposed group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), Discriminant equations set by CC16 and SP-D were used in diagnosis of silicosis, and the rate of accuracy in healthy volunteers, the silica-exposed group and the silicosis phase I group were 86.7%, 86.7% and 76.7%, respectively, The total rate of correct classification hit 84.2%.

CONCLUSIONThe serum CC16 of long-term silica-exposed workers is decreased, and SP-D is increased gradually.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D ; blood ; Silicosis ; blood ; Uteroglobin ; blood

Objective To evaluate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)targeting survivin gene on the expression of survivin and proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion of a human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431 in vitro.Methods A survivin-specific siRNA was designed and synthesized.Cultured A431 cells were divided into 3 groups to be transfected with 50.0 nmol/L liposome complexes containing survivin-specific siRNA (survivin siRNA group),50.0 nmol/L liposome complexes containing unrelated siRNA (negative control group) and 50.0 nmol/L prepared vesicles (blank control group).Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of survivin in A431 cells,respectively.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was conducted to evaluate cellular proliferative activity,flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining to detect cell apoptosis,Transwell assay to estimate migratory and invasive activities of A431 cells,and flow cytometry to detect cell cycle changes.Results At 48 hours after transfection,the mRNA and protein expression of survivin both significantly differed among the survivin siRNA group,negative control group and blank control group (mRNA:0.56 ± 0.15,0.88 ± 0.37,0.90 ± 0.43,F =276.67,P ＜ 0.001;protein:0.59 ± 0.04,0.86 ± 0.05,0.91 ± 0.07,F =243.61,P ＜ 0.001),the survivin siRNA group showed significantly lower mRNA and protein expression of survivin compared with the negative control group and blank control group (all P ＜ 0.05),and there were no significant differences between the negative control group and blank control group (both P ＞ 0.05).Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the transfection with survivin siRNA could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A431 cells (F =13.19,P =0.004),the proliferation inhibition rate was significantly higher in the survivin siRNA group than in the negative control group and blank control group (both P ＜ 0.05),and no significant difference was observed between the negative control group and blank control group (P ＞ 0.05).At 24 hours after transfection,the apoptosis rate significantly differed among the 3 groups (F =83.97,P =0.002).The survivin siRNA group showed a significantly higher apoptosis rate compared with the negative control group and blank control group (both P ＜ 0.05),and there was no significant difference between the negative control group and blank control group (P ＞ 0.05).At 48 hours after transfection,the survivin siRNA group showed a significantly higher proportion of cells at G2/M phase,but lower number of migratory cells and invasive cells compared with the negative control group and blank control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Survivin-specific siRNA can inhibit the expression of survivin gene and the proliferation of A431 cells,promote cell apoptosis,and suppress cell migration and invasion,indicating that survivin may serve as a genetic target for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective To evaluate effects of antisense oligonucleotides against microRNA-155 (miRNA-155) on the proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion of a human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431.Methods A431 cells were divided into 3 groups:nonsense oligonucleotide group transfected with nonsense control oligonucleotides using liposomes,antisense oligonucleotide group transfected with antisense oligonucleotides against microRNA-155 using liposomes,and blank control group treated with Dulbecco's minimum essential medium (DMEM) containing Lipofectamine 2000.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)was performed to determine the expression of miRNA-155 in A431 cells:Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was conducted to estimate cellular proliferative activity at 24,36,72,96 and 120 hours after transfection,flow cytometry to detect apoptosis and cell cycle changes,and Transwell assay to evaluate the migration and invasion of A431 cells.Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intergroup comparisons and by least significant difference (LSD)-t test for multiple comparisons.Results After transfection,there were significant differences in the expression of miRNA-155 among the nonsense oligonucleotide group,antisense oligonucleotide group and blank control group (0.98 ± 0.02,0.28 ± 0.18,1.00 ± 0.01 respectively,F =634.57,P ＜ 0.001),and the expression of miRNA-155 was significantly lower in the antisense oligonucleotide group than in the blank control group and nonsense oligonucleotide group (both P ＜ 0.05).At 72,96 and 120 hours,there were significant differences in the survival rate of A431 cells among the 3 groups (all P ＜ 0.05),and the antisense oligonucleotide group showed a significantly lower survival rate of A431 cells compared with the blank control group and nonsense oligonucleotide group (all P ＜ 0.05).Additionally,the proportions of cells at G0/G1 phase and at S phase,and the cellular proliferative index all significantly differed among the 3 groups (F =23.46,36.81,19.35,respectively,P ＜ 0.01).The antisense oligonucleotide group showed significantly higher proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase (74.63％ ± 2.13％),but lower proportion of cells at S phase (9.88％ ± 1.83％) and cellular proliferative index (25.36 ± 2.13) compared with the blank control group(62.92％ ± 2.56％,18.86％ ± 2.78％,37.08 ± 2.56,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05) and nonsense oligonucleotide group (63.75％ ± 3.06％,18.33％ ± 3.72％,36.25 ± 3.06,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Additionally,the antisense oligonucleotide group showed significantly lower numbers of migratory cells and invasive cells compared with the blank control group and nonsense oligonucleotide group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Transfection of A431 squamous cell carcinoma cells with antisense miRNA-155 oligonucleotides can decrease the expression of miRNA-155,effectively inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of A431 cells,and promote cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo verify the effect of bloodletting therapy at Jing-well points and semen coicis on patients with traumatic cerebral infarction.

METHODSNinety patients were randomized into a bloodletting therapy at Jing-well points group (bloodletting group), a semen coicis group and a comprehensive therapy group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional basic medication was applied in all of the three groups. In the bloodletting group, the bloodletting therapy was done at twelve Jing-well points with three-edged needle, 3 drops of blood required at each one, three times a day. In the semen coicis group, the semen coicis preparation was applied via nasal feeding or oral administration, 90 g each day, three times a day. In the comprehensive therapy group, the bloodletting therapy at twelve Jing-well points and semen coicis preparation were used in combination and the methods were same as the above two groups. After 4 weeks of treatment, the efficacy was assessed with nerve function defectscale (NDS). Fugl-Meyer scale of the upper and lower limb function was used to evaluate the motor function of the affected limbs of the patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe scores of Fugl-Meyer scale of the upper and lower limb function were increased apparently after treatment in the patients of every group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The score increase was much more obvious in the bloodletting group and the comprehensive therapy group as compared with the semen coicis group (all P < 0.01). The result in the comprehensive therapy group was superior to the bloodletting group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rates of NDS in the comprehensive therapy group, bloodletting group and semen coicis group were 96.7% (29/30), 83.3% (25/30) and 76.7% (23/30) separately. The result in the comprehensive therapy group was higher apparently than those in the bloodletting group and semen coicis group separately (both P < 0.05). The result in the bloodletting group was better than that in the semen coicis group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe bloodletting therapy at Jing-well points and semen coicis alleviate apparently nerve function defect, improve the motor function of the affected limbs and achieve the better efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Bloodletting ; Brain ; drug effects ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Coix ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult