OBJECTIVETo observe the differences in the clinical efficacy on depression in comparison among the alliance of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, simple herbal medicine and flupentixol and melitracen tablets.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty-seven cases were randomized into a Chinese medicine group(75 cases), an acupuncture + medication group(78 cases) and a western medicine group(74 cases). In the Chinese medicine group, Shugan Jianwei Anshen Decoction was prescribed, in which Radix Bupleuri and Radix Paeoniae Alba were the monarch herbs, one dose a day. In the acupuncture + medication group, on the basic treatment of Chinese medicine, acupuncture was combined every day at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Lingdao (HT 4), Daling (PC 7), Laogong (PC 8), Yongquan (KI 1), etc. In the western medicine group, deanxit was taken orally, 1 tablet after getting up in the morning and after lunch respectively. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks in the three groups. The change of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score and clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn 8 weeks of treatment, in the acupuncture + medication group, 19 cases were cured, 35 cases were markedly effective, 14 cases were effective and 10 cases failed, the effective rate was 87.2%; in the western medicine group, 11 cases were cured, 32 cases were markedly effective, 18 cases were effective and 13 cases failed, the effective rate was 82.4%; in the Chinese medicine group, 5 cases were cured, 14 cases were markedly effective, 35 cases were effective and 21 cases failed, the effective rate was 72.0%. HAMD assessment was done in 8 weeks of treatment, which was (5.71 +/- 4.32) scores in the acupuncture + medication group, (6.09 +/- 3.78) scores in the western medicine group and (9.24 +/- 3.49) in the Chinese medicine group, the differences were significant in the Chinese medicine group compared with the western medicine group and the acupuncture + medication group (both P < 0.05). The differences in the scores after treatment were not significant statistically between the acupuncture + medication group and the western medicine group (both P > 0.05), but the cured and markedly effective rate in the acupuncture + medication group was superior to that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe alliance of acupuncture and medication achieves the definite efficacy on depression, characterized as less adverse reactions and better safety.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cooperative Behavior ; Depression ; drug therapy ; psychology ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) is one type of epigenetic modification which was firstly discovered in plant. RdDM can directly cause DNA modifications of the genome through RNA-DNA interactions. In plant, both of RdDM and mRNA degradation induced by siRNA can silence sequence specific genes through RNA. They play very significant roles in chromosome rearrangement, defence of virus invasion, regulation of gene expression and many processes of plant development. However, the mechanisms of RdDM are still unclear. In this paper the basic characteristics of RdDM were briefly summarized and advances in studies on mechanisms of RdDM were reviewed. These include the kinds of DNA methyltransferases and their functional mechanisms in RdDM, the relationships between DNA methylation and chromatin modification, and important proteins involved in the RdDM process. In plants, RdDM may occur at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptionnal levels, both of which induce gene silencing. Methylation of the target gene promoter correlates with transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) whereas methylation of the coding sequence is associated with post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). RdDM and RNAi all depend on the similar siRNA and enzymes, such as DCL3, RdR2, SDE4 and AGO4. There are at least three kinds of DNA methyltransferases, DRM1/2, MET1 and CMT3, in pants. They can interact with and modifies all cytidines within the DNA regions homologous to RNA sequence. Furthermore, methylation of lysine 9 in Histone H3 can affect the methylation of cytidines.
DNA Methylation ; DNA Modification Methylases ; metabolism ; Gene Silencing ; Plants ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; RNA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tpo and/or IL-11 gene modified stromal cells on the expansion of CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in cord blood.

METHODSRetroviral vectors containing Tpo or IL-11 gene were constructed and used to transfect the stromal cell line HFCL. Tpo and/or IL-11 mRNA was assayed by Northern blot. Non-modified stromal cells were used, CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood were expanded on gene-modified stromal cells for 7 days. The phenotype of CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) primitive progenitors was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSHFCL expressed Tpo and/or IL-11 mRNA after transfected by the retroviral vectors. The percentages of CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) primitive progenitors in the cultures of Tpo, IL-11 and Tpo + IL-11 modified HFCL were (1.8 +/- 0.24)%, (1.62 +/- 0.23)%, and (2.45 +/- 0.28)%, respectively, which were higher than that in the control [(0.8 +/- 0.23)%].

CONCLUSIONThe stromal cells modified by Tpo and/or IL-11 gene were able to enhance ex vivo expansion of CD(34)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; analysis ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-11 ; genetics ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Thrombopoietin ; genetics

This study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of bortezomib combined with autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoPBSCT) for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). 5 patients underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Bortezomib treatment was supplied for patients before autoPBSCT and in the conditioning of transplantation, it was also used in maintaining treatment. Patients with transplantation adopted bortezomib plus melphalan conditioning regimen. The number of infused MNC and number of CD34(+) cells were 4.06×10(8) (4.09×10(8) - 4.37×10(8))/kg and 3.98×10(6) (2.49×10(6) - 8.2×10(6))/kg respectively. The results showed that hematopoiesis was reconstituted in 5 patients, with a neutrophil cell count more than 0.5×10(9)/L at day 14 (13 - 25 days) after transplantation and platelet count more than 50×10(9)/L at day 28 (21 - 41 days) after transplantation. Transplantation-associated death was not observed. 5 patients were disease-free survival. In conclusion, treatment of bortezomib combined with autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective method for patients with multiple myeloma. Use of bortezomib after transplantation might still be favourable to MM patients, for survival prolongation and life quality improvement.
Adult ; Boronic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Bortezomib ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Transplantation Conditioning ; methods

BACKGROUNDThe role of the G alpha q/11-mediated signal transduction pathway in angiotensin II (AngII) induced cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. This study was to investigate the role of the G alpha q/11 signal transduction pathway in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in 2K1C hypertensive rats and in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) and to elucidate the effects of the pathway on AngII induced cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODSRenal hypertension was induced in 2K1C hypertensive rats by placing a silver clip around the left renal artery. At 8 weeks after operation, the systolic blood pressure, the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (LV/BW), and the concentration of AngII in the heart were measured. The protein levels of G alpha q/11 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were assayed by Western blot analysis, and the activity of phospholipase C (PLC) in the myocardium was detected using [(3)H]-PIP2 as a substrate. Changes in [(3)H]-leucine incorporation and in the protein levels of the signal molecules G alpha q/11, PLC beta 3, and ERK1/2 were measured after NRVMs were stimulated with 10(-7) mol/L AngII.

RESULTSThe protein levels of G alpha q/11 and ERK1/2 in the hearts of 2K1C rats increased by 35.8% and 31.9%, respectively, compared with the sham group. The PLC activity in the 2K1C group was also significantly increased (P < 0.05). The levels of G alpha q/11, PLC beta 3, and ERK1/2 increased significantly after NRVMs were stimulated by AngII. The upregulation of G alpha q/11, PLC beta 3 and ERK1/2 in NRVMs occurred prior to [(3)H]-leucine incorporation increases, and could be inhibited with losartan.

CONCLUSIONAngII can initiate cardiac hypertrophy and upregulate signal molecules in the G alpha q/11-mediated signal transduction pathway, such as G alpha q/11, PLC beta 3 and ERK1/2, at both tissue and cellular levels.

Angiotensin II ; physiology ; Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; etiology ; Cells, Cultured ; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 ; physiology ; Hypertension ; complications ; Isoenzymes ; physiology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; physiology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Phospholipase C beta ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Type C Phospholipases ; physiology ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of the family with sequence similarity 135 member B (FAM135B) and K(lysine) acetyltransferase 5 (KAT5) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Uygur patients.

METHODSThe expression of FAM135B and KAT5 in ESCC tissues and paired adjacent tissues from 40 Uygur patients were detected using Roche Benchmark XT. The correlation of FAM135B and KAT5 and their correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of FAM135B and KAT5 in ESCC tissues were 92.50% (37/40) and 15.00%(6/40) in these patients, respectively. The ESCC tissues showed a significantly higher rate of strong FAM135B expression than the adjacent tissues [45.00% (18/40) vs 22.50% (9/40); Χ=4.528, P=0.033], but the rates of negative KAT5 expression was similar between ESCC and adjacent tissues [85.00% (34/40) vs 87.50% (35/40); Χ=0.105, P=0.745]. Strong expressions of FAM135B in ESCC tissues and the paired adjacent tissues were well correlated (Kendall's coefficient = 0.707, P<0.001). In ESCC tissues, a strong expression of FAM135B showed a significant negative correlation with KAT5 expression (Kendall's coefficient=-0.946, P<0.001). Neither FAM135B nor KAT5 expression was associated with the patients' gender, age, tumor site, tumor differentiation, invasion, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONA strong expression of FAM135B may be an important molecular basis for the occurrence of ESCC in Uygur patients and plays its role by negatively regulating the expression of KAT5.

OBJECTIVETo compare the bidirectional effect of rhubarb total anthraquinone (TA) and total tannins (TT) on rats' liver.

METHODSOne hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, i.e., the blank group, the model group, the blank + high dose TA group, the blank +low dose TA group, the blank + high dose TT group, the blank + low dose TT group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TA group, the model +high dose TT group, and the model + low dose TT group, 10 in each group. The carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) was used to prepare the acute liver injury rat model. TA and TT of rhubarb (at 5.40 g crude drugs/kg and 14.69 g crude drugs/kg) were intragastrically administrated to rats in all groups except the blank group and the model group, once daily for 6 successive days.The general state of rats, biochemical indices such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), as well pathological results of rat liver tissues. Finally the protection laws of TA and TT for rats' liver were analyzed using factor analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, all biochemical indices increased in the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). HA also increased in the blank + high dose TA group; AST, ALT, and HA also increased in the blank +high dose TT group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, AST, ALT, ALP, HA, and TGF-beta1 significantly decreased in the model + low dose TA group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Serum AST, ALT, and ALP also decreased in the model + high dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Pathological results showed that mild swollen liver cells in the model + high dose TA group. Fatty degeneration and fragmental necrosis around the central veins occurred in the blank + high dose TA group. The pathological injury was inproved in the model +low dose TA group. Two common factors, liver fibrosis and liver cell injury, were extracted by using factor analysis. TA showed stronger improvement of the two common factors than TT.

CONCLUSIONSRhubarb TA and TT showed protective and harmful effects on rats' liver. At an equivalent dosage, TA had better liver protection than TT. High dose TT played a role in liver injury to some extent.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Tannins ; adverse effects ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo find a new method of treating hepatocellular carcinoma with melittin by way of using the melittin gene.

METHODSThe recombinant adenoviruses carrying the melittin gene and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter (Ad-rAFP-Mel) were constructed through a bacterial homologous recombinant system. The efficiency of the adenovirus mediated gene transfer and the inhibition effect of Ad-rAFP-Mel on the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells were determined by X-gal staining and MTT assay respectively. The tumorigenicity of hepatocarcinoma cells transfected by Ad-rAFP-Mel and the antitumor effect of Ad-rAFP-Mel on the transplanted tumors in nude mice were detected in vivo.

RESULTSThe mRNA of the melittin gene was transcripted in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells transducted by Ad-rAFP-Mel. The efficiency of adenovirus mediated gene transfered to BEL-7402 hepatocarcinoma cells was 100% when the multiplicities of infection (MOI) of Ad-rAFP-Mel was 10 in vitro and was high in vivo as well. The inhibitive rates of Ad-rAFP-Mel and Ad-rAFP for BEL7402 cells were 66.2%+/-2.7% and 2.9%+/-2.3% (t = 30.83) by MTT assay. The inhibitive rates of Ad-CMV-Mel for BEL7402, SMMC7721 and L02 cells were 58.9%+/-9.6%, 65.9%+/-3.8%, 31.7%+/-1.2%, respectively, and those of the Ad-rAFP-Mel were 6.2%+/-2.7%, 16.1%+/-6.6%, 7.5%+/-3.3%, respectively (t = 1.27; t = 11.31, and t = 12.12, vs. Ad-CMV-Mel group in same cells). The tumorigenicity rates of hepatocarcinoma cells transfected by Ad-rAFP-Mel were decreased. A significant antineoplastic effect was detectd on transplanted tumor in nude mice by intratumoral injection of Ad-rAFP-Mel.

CONCLUSIONAd-rAFP-Mel can inhibit specifically the proliferation of AFP-producing human hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. It suggests that animal toxin gene can be used as an interesting antitumor gene.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Melitten ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of radioresistant genes survivin and HO-1 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Human bone marrow MSC were isolated and enriched by Fircoll density gradient centrifugation, then identified by flow cytometry. MSC were induced with dexamethasone, insulin, 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) and indomethacin to differentiate into adipocytes. Then the expression of survivin and HO-1 in MSC was detected by RT-PCR. The results indicated that the expressions of surface antigen CD34 and HLA-DR in MSC in vitro were negative while the expressions of CD44 and CD71 were positive. MSC could be differentiated into adipocytes by inductor. RT-PCR showed the expression of radioresistant genes survivin and HO-1 in MSC. It is concluded that MSC have lower sensitivity to radiation, which may associate with the expression of radioresistant genes survivin and HO-1 in MSC.
Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of matrine on Fas, VEGF, and activities of telomerase of MCF-7 cells.

METHODSIn vitro cultured human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The matrine solution was added in cells of the experimental group. Equal volume of culture medium was added in cells of the control group or the negative control group. Zedoary Turmeric Oil, the telomerase inhibitor was added in cells of the positive control group. Morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope. The telomerase activity was detected by TRAP-ELISA. Expressions of Fas and VEGF protein were detected by immunocytochemical assay.

RESULTSMatrine obviously inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were treated by matrine of different concentrations at 24, 48, and 72 h, the telomerase activity gradually decreased along with increased matrine concentration and prolonged action time, showing dose-effect and time-effect positive relations. Matrine could up-regulate Fas protein expression and downregulate VEGF protein expression of MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSIONMatrine showed obvious effect in inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells and promoting the apoptosis, which might be achieved by up-regulating the expression of Fas protein, inhibiting telomerase activity induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells, down-regulating the expression of VEGF protein, and inhibiting the tumor vascular formation.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; drug effects ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism