Background and purpose: Checkpoint kinase 1 and 2 have been proposed to be potential therapeutic targets to sensitize cancers to radio- or chemo-therapeutics. However, little is known about whether Chk1/2 is also a suitable target for sensitizing cancers to curcumin. In the present study, we investigated effects of Chk1/2 siRNA on curcumin-induced apopotosis in hepatoma cell line Huh7 and evaluated the effectiveness of Chkl/2as a therapeutic target to potentiate human hepatoma to curcumin. Methods: Effect of curcumin on the cell cycle checkpoint-associated proteins was detected by Westem blot. The knockdown efficacy of Chk1/2 siRNA was measured by RT-PCR and Westem blot. Effect of Chk1/2 siRNA on curcumin-induced apoptosis in Huh7 cells was evaluated by DAPI staining. Effect of Chk1/2 siRNA on cell cycle distribution in curcumin-treated Huh7 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Curcumin significantly inhibited phosphorylation of cell cycle checkpoint-associtaed proteins Chk1(S317), Cdc25C(S216) and Cdk1(Y15). Chk1 siRNA decreased Chk1 mRNA and protein by 95% and 92% and Chk2 siRNA decreased Chk2 mRNA and protein by 60% and 55% respectively as compared with negative control siRNA (P<0.01). Inhibition of Chk1, but not Chk2, increased apoptotic rate from (21.3±1.8)% to (29.5±2.6)% (P<0.05). Neither Chk1 nor Cbk2 siRNA had any impact on cell cycle distribution in Huh7 cells induced by curcumin. Conclusion: Chk1 siRNA sensitized Huh7 cells to curcumin-induced apoptosis, suggesting that Chk1 is a potential therapeutic target to sensitize human hepatoma to curcumin.

The present study is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying Gleevec-induced apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells in vitro. The apoptotic cell death and cell cycle distribution after Gleevec treatment and the effect of PDCD4 siRNA on Gleevec-induced apoptosis of K562 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The effect of Gleevec on p-Crkl, caspase-3, PARP and PDCD4 protein levels, and the knockdown efficacy of PDCD4 siRNA were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that Gleevec dramatically suppressed the phosphorylation level of Crkl in a dose-dependent manner and induced significant apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of K562 cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. In addition, Gleevec activated caspase-3 and its downstream substrates PARP, and the caspase pan inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (50 micromol x L(-1)) markedly reduced Gleevec-induced apoptosis from 47.97% +/- 10.56% to 31.05% +/- 9.206% (P < 0.05). Moreover, Gleevec significantly increased the protein expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4). PDCD4 knockdown by siRNA reduced Gleevec-induced apoptosis from 46.97% +/- 14.32% to 42.8% +/- 11.43%. In summary, Gleevec induced apoptosis in K562 cells via caspase-3 activation.

This paper summarized the assessment model reform practiced in the postgraduate cell biology course for several years and successfully obtain a new testing method based on research papers re-porting and questioning. Before the assessment, each student searched and selected one required research paper to read and make a PowerPoint reporting document. During assessment , some students were ex-tracted to speak and comprehensive score, which was regarded as student's final examination results was made by teaching group. The rest of the students listened to speeches , questioned and filled the questions on the record sheet.Teaching group reported a score , which was regarded as part of student's final exami-nation result based on questioning record sheets and printed PowerPoint documents.This method can well evaluate students' scientific thinking and strengthen the training of scientific thinking of postgraduates.

Background and purpose:Checkpoint kinase 1 and 2 have been proposed to be potential therapeutic targets to sensitize cancers to radioor chemo-therapeutics. However, little is known about whether Chk1/2 is also a suitable target for sensitizing cancers to curcumin. In the present study, we investigated effects of Chk1/2 siRNA on curcumin-induced apopotosis in hepatoma cell line Huh7 and evaluated the effectiveness of Chk1/2 as a therapeutic target to potentiate human hepatoma to curcumin. Methods:Effect of curcumin on the cell cycle checkpoint-associated proteins was detected by Western blot. The knockdown efficacy of Chk1/2 siRNA was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot. Effect of Chk1/2 siRNA on curcumin-induced apoptosis in Huh7 cells was evaluated by DAPI staining. Effect of Chk1/2 siRNA on cell cycle distribution in curcumin-treated Huh7 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results:Curcumin significantly inhibited phosphorylation of cell cycle checkpoint-associtaed proteins Chk1(S317), Cdc25C(S216) and Cdk1(Y15). Chk1 siRNA decreased Chk1 mRNA and protein by 95% and 92% and Chk2 siRNA decreased Chk2 mRNA and protein by 60% and 55% respectively as compared with negative control siRNA (P

OBJECTIVE:To prepare ofloxacin hollow suppository(OHS) and to observe its in vitro dissolubility.METHODS:OHS was prepared with PEG 6000,PEG 400 and Carbopol-940 as wase material and wax as retardant.The content of ofloxacin in OHS was determined with the first order derivative UV-spectrophotometry.RESULTS:The wax,as a retardant,could retard the release of drug.The in vitro dissolution of OHS revealed the first order dissolution pattern:K0～1=27.81/h,indicating a speedy effect,K2～6=5.94/h,indicating sustained-release effect.CONCLUSION:This preparation is feasible in technology and controllabe in quality.The preparation of OHS extends the kinds of dose-form of ofloxacin

Objective To elucidate the correlation between the dose of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation and apoptotic phase of keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Methods Cultured immortalized human ker-atinocyte cell line, HaCaT cells, was irradiated with ultraviolet B (UVB) in doses of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 mJ/cm2. Cellular viability, cell cycles and apoptosis were simultaneously detected at 2, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after irradiation. The caspase-mediated apoptosis was detected by FITC-labelled VAD-FMK, which could irreversibly bind to activated caspases. FITC-Annexin V and PI double staining detected cell membrane-mediated apoptosis. Cell nucleus-mediated apoptosis was detected by DNA ladder electrophoresis. Results Cell cycle analysis revealed that UVB treated HaCaT cells were blocked predominantly in G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with UVB decreased the viability of HaCaT cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. The rates of apoptosis were increased with increasing dose and prolongation of time after UVB irradiation. The apoptosis of UVB-treated HaCaT presented in an obvious time-dependent manner, in which caspase- and cell membrane-mediated apoptosis was predominantly in early phase and cell nucleus-mediated apoptosis predominantly in late phase. Conclusions The apoptosis of UVB treated HaCaT cells appears in dose- and time-dependent manners, which warrants further detection with multiple parameters and at different phases.

Objective To investigate the setup errors of head and neck tumor patients with head mask-ing by TomoTherapy with megavoltage CT (MVCT),and to measure the CTV -PTV margins.Methods There were 34 patients with head and neck tumor .All patients had received MVCT scanning before radiation was deliv-ered.The MVCT images were registered with the kilovoltage CT (kVCT)images,the setup errors of the left -right (x),anterior-posterior(y),superior-inferior(z)and transverse profile rotation(Roll)were obtained by matc-hing MVCT with kVCT,followed by calculating the reasonable CTV -PTV margins with the formula M=2.5∑+0.7σ.Results Six hundred and forty MVCT images in total were received for the patients ,the systemic ±random errors in x,y,z and Roll directions were ( -0.15 ±0.55) mm,(0.30 ±0.56) mm,(0.35 ±0.71) mm and (-0.07 ±0.52)°,the CTV-PTV margin in x,y and z directions were 3.31 mm,5.32 mm and 3.35 mm.Con-clusion we demonstrate a theoretic foundation for our CTV -PTV margins in head and neck tumor patients by analyzing the setup errors ,and it also can provide necessary quality assurance for precise radiation .

Objective To study the GPⅡb/Ⅲa gene mutations of eight glanzmann thrombasthenia(GT) pedigrees. Methods Responses of eight probands to different agonists were observed by platelet aggregation test and the amount of αⅡb and β3 was determined by flow cytometry. All the exons of Ⅱb and Ⅲ a genes were amplified by PCR followed by sequencing for mutational screening. Further analysis of the normal population excluded the possibility of mutational sites as a polymorphism. Results Eight probands showed normal PLT counts, dispersion of the platelet particles without aggregation, prolonged bleeding time and severely reduced platelet aggregation in response to the physiological agonists- ADP, epinephrine, and collagen, but relatively normal aggregation of PLT in response to ristocetin. Flow cytometry showed that all probande were Ⅰ type GT, except that proband 2 was Ⅲ type GT and proband 6 was Ⅱ type GT. The sequencing results showed that twelve different types mutations were present in eight probands, including GIOA, Gl412T, GII99A, 1525deiC, G2223T, C2671T, 2930delG, IVSI5 (-1) delG, A2334C, C1750T, 69-79del and CA70A. We were not able to detected any mutations in GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa gone on proband 3. Conclusions GT is mainly caused by GPⅡb/Ⅲa gene mutations. G10A, 69-79del, C470A,G1412T, G2223T, C2671T and 1525delC were the novel mutations causing GT.

Objective To identify the gene mutations of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ⅱ b,Ⅲa(GPⅡb/Ⅲa)in three Chinese pedigrees with Glanzmann thrombastIlenia.Methods All exons and exonintron boundaries of GP Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a gene were amplified by PCR analysis followed by DNA sequencing.DNA sequencing was used to exclude gene polymorphisms.Results The probands in the three pedigrees had a normal platelet count,coagulation profiles,scattered platelets on the blood film,a prolonged cutaneous bleeding time,and impaired or minimal ex vivo platelet aggregation in response to ADP,thrombin,collagen,adrenaline and arachidonic acid,but normal platelet aggregation in response to ristoeetin.Both FACS and Western blotting demonstrated trace content of αⅡb in the platelets from proband 1 and proband 3,who were classified as type Ⅰ GT,and a small amount of αⅡb in the platelets from proband 2,who was classified as type Ⅱ GT.Compound heterozygous mutations,T2255G(Leu721Arg)and C2671T(Gln860Stop)were identified in proband 1.The proband 2 had homozygous A2334C(Gln747Pro)missense mutation.Nonsense mutations C1750T (Arg584Stop)and 69-79 deletion mutation were identified in proband 3. Conclusions Compound heterozygous mutations T2255G and C2671T of αⅡb gene lead to type Ⅰ Glanzmann thrombasthenia for proband 1. Homozygous mutation A2334C of αⅡb gene leads to type Ⅱ Glanzmann thrombasthenia for proband 2. Compound heterozygous mutations C1750T and 69-79del αⅡb gene lead to type Ⅰ Glanzmann thrombasthenia for proband 3. T2255G,C1671T and 69-79del aye novel mutations for αⅡb gene.

Tomotherapy plans were produced using a combination of field widths (1 cm, 2.5 cm and 5 cm) and pitches (0.15, 0.30, and 0.45) for seven patients with brain metastases from lung cancer, the plans were compared with dosimetric parameters, protection of organs at risk (OAR) dose and treatment times. All plans were defined that CTV with 30Gy and GTV 50 Gy by ten fraction synchronously. The results showed that the mean dose and CI for GTV was statistical difference (P = 0.002 1, P = 0.012 8), OARs were within the normal range, the treatment time increased inversely proportional to the jaw width, but had lesser impact on the pitch. This study showed plans produced with 5 cm jaw was an effective method for patients with brain metastases from lung cancer.
Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Tomography, Spiral Computed