Metformin is the most commonly prescibed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is inexpensive, safe, and efficient in ameliorating hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that diabetic population is not only at increased risk of cardiovascular complications, but also at substantially higher risk of many forms of malignancies. Meanwhile, epidemiological and clinical observation studies have shown that metformin use reduces risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and improves prognosis and survival rate of the cancer patients. Furthermore, metformin has been used for cancer therapy in clinical trials. Thus, metformin is emerging as a new cancer therapy or adjuvant anticancer drugs. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of metformin use and its molecular mechanism.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Objective To observe the effects of progesterone on the mRNA and protein expressions of nerve growth factor(NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the focal cerebral ischemia-reperfused rats,and to explore its mechanism of brain protection. Methods Totally 96 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group,ischemic reperfusion group,vehicle-treated group and progesterone-treated group (n=24 for each).The model of focal brain ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).After 2 h temporary MCAO,rats were subjected to reperfusion for 3 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h,respectively.The mRNA and protein expressions of NGF and BDNF were analyzed by real time-PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results In the injured cortex,the mRNA and protein expressions of NGF and BDNF in ischemic reperfusion group came to the peak at 6 h after reperfusion,and then gradually declined to the level of sham operation group at 24 h after reperfusion.In progesterone treatment group,BDNF and NGF mRNA and protein expressions reach the peak at 12 h after reperfusion,and were still higher at 24 h after reperfusion than in ischemic reperfusion group(P＜0.05). Conclusions Progesterone plays a protective role in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by increasing the expressions of BDNF and NGF in rats.

score, prostate volume and peak urinary flow rate, correlate with BPH, but not with nocturia. Keeping a detailed urinary diary for the patients is beneficial for elucidating their urinary function and in decision-making of their treatment regimen.

Bronchogenic Cyst ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; pathology ; Young Adult

Although children with differentiated thyroid cancer ( DTC) are in a high proportion of cure, due to the absence of the standard management of the evaluation, treatment and follow-up of children with thyroid neoplasia, the aggressive therapy including total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine ( RAI) ablation with iodine-131 ( 131 I) could not be ignored. For the majority of children, total or near-total thyroidectomy is recommended. Central neck dissection is recommended for children with malignant cytology and clinical evidence of gross extrathyroidal invasion and/or loco-regional metastasis on pre-operative. Selective use of 131 I in children with DTC was based on pre-and post-operative staging. Multi-disciplinary collaborative management is needed to improve their outcomes and to minimize adverse effects as far as possible.

Chemical investigation of fruits of Mours alba L. lead to the isolation of fifteen compounds by various chromatographies such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, RP-C18 column chromatography. Their structures were determined to be: 1-[5-(2-formlfuryl) methyl] dihydrogen 2-hydroxypropane-1, 2, 3-tricarboxylate 2, 3-diethyl ester (1), 1-[2-(furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl] pyrrolidin-2-one (2), divaricataester A (3), methyl 1-[2-(furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (4), 1-[2-(furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (5), L-pyroglutamic acid (6), L-pyroglutamic acid ethyl ester (7), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (8), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid ethyl ester (9), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (10), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid ethyl ester (11), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (12), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (13), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (14), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (15), respectively, based on the spectral analysis such as NMR, MS etc. Compounds 1-14 were isolated from this genus for the first time, among which 1 was a new compound.

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of sevoflurane on adhesion and expression of CD 44 in human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 .Methods The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups :control group and 3 sevoflurane groups exposed to 1 .7% ,3 .4% and 5 .1% sevollurane for 2 ,4 and 6 h respectively .Cell adhesion rate was detected by adhesion test and the expression of CD44 mRNA and protein was determined by qRT‐PCR .Results in Treat 1 ,2 ,3 ,the adhesion rate at 2 ,4 ,6 h were lower than that before treat ,mRNA expression of CD44 reduced (P<0 .05);the adhesion rate of Treat 2 and Treat 3 at 4 and 6 h were lower than that of 2 h ,and the mRNA expression of CD44 reduced (P<0 .05);the adhesion rate of Treat 2 and Treat 3 at 6 h were lower than that of 4 h ,and the mRNA expression of CD44 reduced (P<0 .05);compared with Control group ,the adhesion rate of Treat 1 ,2 and 3 at 2 ,4 ,6 h were all lower ,mRNA expression of CD44 reduced (P<0 .05);the differences between each group were statisyicaly significant(P<0 .05) .Conclusion Sevoflurane can inhibit cell adhesion in a concentration and duration of exposure dependent manner ,and its mechanism could be related with the down regulation of CD44 expression .

Objective Protein N-SRCR derived from salivary agglutinin (SAG) inhibits HIV-1 infection.An N-SRCR monoclonal antibody was prepared for the study of the interaction between N-SRCR and HIV-1 envelop glycoprotein (gp120).Methods The purified recombinant N-SRCR expressed by 293 cells was used to immunize four weeks old BALB/c mice.After the final boost,the mouse spleen cells were isolated and fused with mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0-Ag-14,and the resulting hybridomas were screened for the production of N-SRCR-specific antibodies by ELISA assay.The monoclonal antibody against N-SRCR was purified by HiTrap Protein G kit,the purity determined by SDS-PAGE and the antibody titers by ELISA.The antibody specificity.was charqacterized by western blotting.Results A strain of hybridoma cell clones stably secreting N-SRCR antibody,named 1D6,was obtained.The high purity of the IgG was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE,and the ELISA titers of 1D6 was more than 100?25.Conclusion A monoclonal antibody against N-SRCR was successfully prepared,which laid the ground for further studies on the biological function of N-SRCR and the interactions between SRCR domains and HIV-1 Env gp120.

Objective To observe the effect of balance training on cerebral cortex and balance function of mouse.Methods Forty-five C57BL/6J female mice were randomly divided into the control group, two-week training group and four-week training group with 15 animals in each group. An new model of balance function training was copied. The balance function, brain index, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the mouse cerebral cortex were tested after training.Results The total time passing balance beam of the four-week training group significantly shorten compared with the control group and two-week training group ( P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the brain index of two-week training group increased ( P<0.05), and four-week training group also increased significantly ( P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the SOD activity of cerebral cortex significantly increased (P<0.01), and MDA decreased ( P<0.05) in the four-week training group.Conclusion This new balance training can improve balance function, increase the brain index and decrease lipid peroxidation level in the cerebral cortex of the mice.