Transforming growth factor-β is an important cytokine with various bioactivities, including embryonic development, wound healing, chemotaxis and cell cycle regulation. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main pathway of tumor cell to obtain the ability of invasion and metastasis. The TGF-β is the key factor known to induce EMT in cancer cells and plays an important role in the process. In recent years, some progress has been obtained. Some TGF-β inhibitors have approved in the market or in clinical trials. TGF-β inhibitors can play an important role on the treatment of tumors, glaucoma, liver and kidney fibrosis disease and scar repair. Novel TGF-β inhibitors reported in recent years were reviewed in this article.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Wound Healing

Objective To investigate the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) on the chemotherapy sensibility of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in colorectal cancer cell line Lovo, and to explore the possible mechanisms.Methods According to the treatment methods, the cells were divided into control group, 5-Fu group, TSA group, TSA preconditioning group and combination group (TSA+5-Fu).MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after drugs treatment.Transwell assay was used to test cell invasion after 24 h drugs treatment.Flow cytometer was applied to observe the apoptosis after 24 h drugs treatment.The expressions of thymidylate synthase (TS) were detected by Western blot after 24 h drugs treatment.Results Compared with control group, the 5-Fu group, TSA preconditioning group and combination group had a growth inhibition to Lovo cell at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h (P ＜ 0.05), and compared with 5-Fu group, the growth inhibition of TSA preconditioning group and combination group were distinctive at 48 h and 72 h (P ＜ 0.05).However, the inhibition between TSA preconditioning group and combination group were no significant (P ＞ 0.05).Interfered after 24 h, the number of cells penetrating the matrigel in control group, 5-Fu group, TSA group,TSA preconditioning group and combination group were (25.0±4.2), (16.8±2.8), (19.6± 2.5), (8.2±3.2) and (6.5±2.6), respectively (P ＜ 0.05), and the apoptosis rates were (4.26±1.36) ％, (11.66± 3.18) ％, (8.57±2.69) ％, (39.79±8.53) ％ and (45.18±10.07) ％, respectively (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with control group, the number of cells penetrating the matrigel in the experimental groups was significantly decreased, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with 5-Fu group, the numbers of cells penetrating the matrigel in TSA preconditioning group and combination group were markedly decreased, and the apoptosis rates were markedly increased (P ＜ 0.05), but the number of cells penetrating the matrigel and the apoptosis rate between TSA preconditioning group and combination group were not different (P ＞ 0.05).The difference of TS expression between control group and 5-Fu group was not significant (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with that in control group and 5-Fu group, TS expressions in TSA group, TSA preconditioning group and combination group were markedly decreased (P ＜ 0.05), but TS expressions among the last three groups were not different (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion TSA can increase the chemotherapy sensibility of 5-Fu in Lovo cells, which may be dependent on reducing the TS expression.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) on infantile malnutrition.

METHODSMulticentral, randomized, controlled and single blind test was adopted. 222 infants of malnutrition were divided into an acupuncture group (n=110) and a medicine group (n=112). The acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral Sifeng (EX-UE 10), once each week, for 4 times; and the medicine group were treated with oral administration of Yiqi Jianpi Oral Liquid, twice each day, one ample each time, for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by improvement of symptoms and signs in the syndrome cumulative score scale, and changes of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), pre-albumin (PA), hemoglobin and red-cell count.

RESULTSTwo hundred and twenty-two cases were enrolled in the 4 centers and 212 cases completed the test. The acupuncture group in improvement of appetite, body weight, subcutaneous fat thickness of the abdomen, etc. were superior to the medicine group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in improvement of the body height. There was no significant increase of serum IGF-I level in the two groups, and the acupuncture group in increase of PA was superior to the medicine group (P < 0.05). After treatment, hemoglobin and red-cell count increased significantly in the treatment group (P < 0.01), and hemoglobin increased significantly in the medicine group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) has obvious therapeutic effect on infantile malnutrition.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Appetite ; Humans ; Infant Nutrition Disorders ; Single-Blind Method ; Treatment Outcome

It is held by some of the researches that the "16 collaterals" is composed of the "15 collaterals" and "the major collateral of stomach". And it is included into the textbook that Xuli, the major collateral of stomach, is the pulsation point at the cardiac region. Xuli is often explained as the empty portion of the human body by many researches. Through analysis and summarization of the related theory of the major collateral of stomach, the above mentioned opinion is discussed. And the understanding on the major collateral of stomach is deepened. As a result, it is concluded that count the major collateral of stomach into the 16 collaterals together with the 15 collaterals is inadvisable. The real pulsation point at the cardiac region locates under the left breast. And the real meaning of Xuli is "extending in all directions".
Acupuncture ; history ; China ; Collateral Circulation ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians ; Stomach ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of inducing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HuMSCs) to differentiate into Leydig cells through conditioned medium derived from Leydig cells.

METHODSHuMSCs and Leydig cells were obtained by tissue blocks culture attachment and enzymatic digestion respectively. HuMSCs were induced by conditioned medium of Leydig cells as an experiment group while those before induction were cultured as a control group. The expressions of LHR, 3β-HSD and StAR in the induced HuMSCs were determined by RT-PCR after 3, 7 and 10 days of culture; those of CYP11A1, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD measured by immunofluorescence staining after 2 weeks; and that of 3β-HSD detected by Western blot after 4 weeks.

RESULTSThe experimental group showed positively expressed LHR, 3β-HSD and StAR at 3, 7 and 10 days, CYP11A1, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD at 2 weeks, and 3β-HSD at 4 weeks, while the control group revealed negative expressions at all the time points.

CONCLUSIONInduced with conditioned culture medium derived from Leydig cells, HuMSCs are likely to differentiate into steroidogenic cells and eventually into Leydig cells.

Cell Differentiation ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

Objective To compare the bronchial blocker and double-lumen tube for one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing esophageal cancer resection.Methods Forty ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 42-63 yr,scheduled for elective esophageal cancer resection,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each):double-lumen endotracheal tube group (group DLT) and bronchial blocker group (group BB).After induction of anesthesia,the patients were intubated with a left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube and correct positioning was verified by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in group DLT.After induction of anesthesia,the patients were intubated with a conventional single-lumen endotracheal tube,and then the bronchial blocker was inserted under the guidance of fiberoptic bronchoscope in group BB.The intubation time,one-lung ventilation time,time to achieve lung collapse,operation time,extubation time,tube malposition and hypoxemia were recorded.The lung collapse was scored at the end of operation.Hoarseness and throat sore within 2 days after extubation and pulmonary infections within 7 days after operation were recorded.Results Compared with group DLT,intubation time and time to achieve lung collapse were significantly prolonged,and the incidence of hoarseness and throat sore within 2 days after extubation was decreased in group BB (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the one-lung ventilation time,operation time,extubation time,lung collapse score,incidence of tube malposition,hypoxemia and pulmonary infections within 7 days after operation between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of bronchial blocker is similar to that of double-lumen tube when used for one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing esophageal cancer resection.

Assessing dry weight accurately is crucial in providing effective and safe haemodialysis. Biases towards dry weight assessment may bring a series of dialysis complications. This study introduces an online detection technique of relative blood volume (RBV) based on ultrasound, which analyzes the correlation between changes in blood density and sound speed. By measuring the attenuation in sound velocity, this method was employed to calculate RBV, and then to evaluate the dry weight of patients on dialysis. TDC-GP2 time measurement chip and MSP430 Single-chip Microcontroller (SCM) were used in the system to measure the ultrasonic travel time. In the clinical trials, RBV values range between 71.3% and 108.1%, showing consistent result with Fresenius 4008S blood volume monitor (BVM). This detection method possesses several advantages, such as real time, convenient, reproducible, non-invasive, and etc.
Blood Volume ; Body Weight ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Renal Dialysis ; Ultrasonics

ObjectiveTo observe protective effects of agmatine (AGM) on inflammatory response and spleen immune function in mice with trauma.Methods Forty-eight adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (n= 16 each), including control group, model group (bilateral femoral fracture and removal of 35% of the total blood volume), and AGM group (trauma/hemorrhage & AGM 200 mg/kg). Eight mice in each group were sacrificed at 3 hours and 24 hours, respectively, after modeling, and blood samples and tissue homogenate of spleen and liver were collected. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) in serum and liver tissue were determined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined with automatic biochemistry analyzer. Spleen proliferation response stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) was evaluated with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colourimetry (MTT).γ-interferon (IFN-γ) and IL-2 releases were determined with ELISA.Results Compared with control group, 3 hours after trauma/hemorrhage, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in model group were significantly elevated [TNF-α (ng/L): 145.38±31.50 vs. 23.06±11.14, IL-6 (ng/L): 496.94±50.76 vs. 47.13±17.47, IL-1β (ng/L): 321.31±43.02 vs. 29.25±16.24,allP< 0.01]. It was found that AGM treatment could alleviate the increase in serum pro-inflammatory mediators induced by trauma/hemorrhage, such as TNF-α (ng/L:111.56±25.47 vs. 145.38±31.50), IL-6 (ng/L: 412.56±44.33 vs. 496.94±50.76), IL-1β (ng/L: 273.38±45.25 vs. 321.31±43.02,P< 0.05 orP< 0.01). Twenty-four hours after trauma/hemorrhage, serum pro-inflammatory mediators were recovered to the levels in control group. There was no significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 levels at 3 hours after trauma/hemorrhage among groups. Compared with control group, the expressions of liver TNF-α and IL-6 in model group were increased at 24 hours following trauma [TNF-α (ng/mg): 32.93±4.90 vs. 26.58±2.33, IL-6 (ng/mg): 11.20±1.66 vs. 8.38±0.89,bothP< 0.01]. However, AGM inhibited the level of TNF-α (ng/mg:28.92±3.16 vs. 32.93±4.90) and IL-6 (ng/mg: 9.03±1.28 vs. 11.20±1.66) in the liver as induced by trauma/hemorrhage (P< 0.05 andP< 0.01). At 24 hours after modeling, model group and AGM group had distinctly higher serum AST, ALT, LDH levels than those of control group [AST (U/L): 405.9±31.2, 245.7±22.1 vs. 128.2±15.9; ALT (U/L): 92.1±6.3, 51.6±5.0 vs. 30.1±3.2; LDH (U/L): 606.7±36.3, 478.7±25.3 vs. 384.0±16.6, allP< 0.01]. Nevertheless,the increase in serum AST, ALT and LDH was alleviated in AGM group (allP< 0.01). Meantime, trauma/hemorrhage produced a noticeable depression of proliferation of splenic cells and IFN-γ and IL-2 release stimulated with ConA compared with control group [proliferation rate: (40.97±4.13)% vs. (89.99±7.76)%, IFN-γ(ng/L): 91.6±12.3 vs. 353.2±21.5,IL-2 (ng/L): 53.4±6.4 vs. 91.0±12.2,allP< 0.01]. In contrast, AGM notably restored the capacity of proliferation response of splenic cells [proliferation rate: (74.86±5.75)% vs. (40.97±4.13)%, P< 0.01],enhanced the release of IFN-γ and IL-2 stimulated with ConA [IFN-γ (ng/L): 327.8±23.6 vs. 91.6±12.3, IL-2 (ng/L): 74.8±10.4 vs. 53.4±6.4, bothP< 0.01].Conclusion AGM can dramatically alleviate spleen immunosuppression, excessive inflammation and organ damage induced by trauma/hemorrhage.

Objective To study the polymorphisms of short tandem repeat (STR) loci in intron 1, 24, 13 and 22 (STR 1,24, 13, 22) of factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) gene in Chinese population, and establish single tube multiple fluorescent PCR method for rapid diagnosis of haemophilina A(HA). Methods Four STRs from genomie DNA of 220 females without blood relationship were amplified in a single tube using quadri-fluorescence PCR. Capillary electrophoresis was analyzed in ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer. DNA sequencing was used to assay the number of dinueleotide repeats. Gene diagnosis were performed in 96 HA families. Results It was observed that 7, 9, 10 and 7 different alleles were found in STR1, 24, 13 and 22, respectively. The PIC (polymorphism information contents) were 0. 3789, 0. 4055, 0. 5239 and 0. 4713 in STR1,24, 13 and 22, respectively, and the HR (heterozygesity rate) were 34. 55% (76/220), 38. 18% (84/220), 49. 55% (109/220) and 43.64% (96/220). In 96 HA families, the diagnosis rate of STR1, 24, 13 and 22 were 38. 54% (37/96), 38. 54% (37/96), 54. 17% (52/96), 42. 71% (41/96), respectively. Whereas it achieved 79. 17% (76/96) when combining the four STR markers. Conciusion The single tube multiple fluorescent PCR of four STR loci is an effective, simple, quick method for linkage analysis and gene diagnosis of haemophilia A.

Objective To evaluate the differential expression of lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPAR) in breast cancer (BC), and its relationship with clinicopathological features of BC patients. Methods The qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the LPAR expression in 37 normal tissues, 55 benign disease tissues and 82 BC tissues, besides, the correlation of LPAR expression with clinicopathological data was also analyzed. Results The expression levels of LPAR2 and LPAR3 mRNA and protein in BC tissues were higher than those in normal benign tissues (all P<0.05). LPAR1 mRNA expression had no difference in three tissues (χ2 =1.908, P >0.05). LPAR1 expression was not associated with clinicopathological features in BC tissues (P>0.05). LPAR2 expression in postmenopausal patients was higher than that in premenopausal patients (χ2=4.821, P<0.05). LPAR3 expression was significantly associated with nodal metastasis, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in BC tissues (all P<0.05). Conclusion LPAR in BC tissues has differential expression, which is associated with nodal metastasis, ER, PR and HER2.