Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of microwave ablation combined with dendritic cell (DC) tumor vaccine on a murine breast cancer model and to explore its immunological mechanism.Methods Forty-eight Balb/c mice were used to establish models of mouse mammary carcinoma,and then randomly divided into a sham-operation group,a microwave ablation treated group,a DC tumor vaccinated group and a microwave ablation plus DC tumor vaccinated group.Microwave ablation was conducted with the microwave ablation group on day 14 after establishing the model.DC tumor vaccination was performed on day 7 in the vaccinated group.In the microwave ablation plus DC tumor vaccinated group,DC tumor vaccination and microwave ablation were consecutively performed on days 7 and 14,respectively.Tumor growth,lung metastasis and survival were observed.The proportion of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in splenocytes were analyzed by fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) on the 14th day after microwave ablation.Serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were also detected using ELISA.Results The survival time (56.4 ± 4.3 days),tumor size (67.3 ± 6.1 mm2) and lung metastasis index (0.6 ± 0.4) in the microwave ablation plus DC tumor vaccinated group were all significantly lower than the corresponding averages in the microwave ablation and DC tumor vaccinated group.The proportions of splenic CD3 + T cells (27.8 ±10.3 ％) and CD4+ T cells (16.7 ± 8.3 ％) in the microwave ablation plus DC tumor vaccinated group were significantly larger than in the control group.Average serum levels of IFN-γ (41.8 ± 22.9 pg/ml) in the microwave ablation plus DC tumor vaccinated group were also significantly larger than in the control group,while the average serum level of IL-4 (15.4± 6.4 pg/ml) was significantly lower.Conclusions Microwave ablation and DC tumor vaccination together could have synergistic effects in treating experimental breast cancer,which might be closely related to the enhanced immune response.

Traditional medicine (herb medicine) began to prevail again over last two decades, and it is about 70% of the world population taking herb medicine as supplement or alternative medicine according to a recent survey. The consumption of herb medicine increased exponentially in Canada, Australia and Europe during last 10 years. Since concomitant administration of herbal and western medicine has become a trend, it requires paying close attention to the problem. Herb-drug interactions have been extensively investigated worldwide, and there is an increasing concern about the clinical herb-drug interaction. In this review we introduced the current progress in the herb-drug interactions including evidence-based clinical studies and establishment of levels of evidence for herb-drug interaction; and in the related mechanisms including the induction and inhibition of metabolic enzymes, inhibition and induction of transport and efflux proteins, alteration of gastrointestinal functions, and alteration in renal elimination. We also analyzed both the achievements and the challenges faced in the concomitant administration of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; drug effects ; Herb-Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pharmacokinetics ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To clne huma PAIl gene and prepare its monoclonal antibodies(McAbs) for determination of its expression in breast cancer cells.Methods Human PAI1 gene eDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from human breast cancer cell line MDA231 and inserted into the prokaryotic expression vector, which expressed fusion protein of MS2-PAI1 in E.coli.Fusion protein of MS2-PAI1 was purified and used for immunizing BALB/C mouse.Traditional hybridoma technology was used to produce hybridoma cells for preparation of monoclonal antibodies.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect PAI1 expression in breast cancer.Results The 1209 bp full PAI1 gene was cloned.The two hybridoma cell lines that secreted specific monoclonal antibodies against human PAI1 were identified by ELISA.The immunoglobulin subclasses of the McAbs were IgG1.The McAbs can specifically recognize PAI1 but not other proteins.Western blot showed that the McAbs against PAI1 can specifically react with MS2-PAI1 fusion protein and endogenous proteins in cells.The positive reaction was found in breast cancer cell line MDA231 and breast cancer tissues by immunochemical staining.Conclusions The McAbs against human PAI1 are successfully prepared by hybridoma technology with MS2-PAI1 fusion protein expressed in E.coll.It has been shown that PAI1 can be expressed in MDA231 and breast cancer tissues.The McAbs against PAI1 could be a useful tool for the further study of the human PAI1 functions and detection of clinical tumor samples.

To study the anti-tumor metastatic constituents in Rhodiola wallichiana (HK) S H Fu var Cholaensis (Praeg) S H Fu, chemical constituents were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and preparative HPLC). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The anti-tumor metastasis assay was applied to evaluate the activities of the isolated compounds. Ten compounds (1-10) were isolated and their structures were identified by comparison of their spectral data with literature as follows: syringic acid (1), salidroside (2), tyrosol (3), scaphopetalone (4), berchemol (5), 2,6-dimethoxyacetophenone (6), rhobupcyanoside A (7), miyaginin (8), chavicol-4-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), eugenyol-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10). Compounds 4-6 and 8-10, were isolated from this genus for the first time, while compound 7 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 2, 6-8 showed positive anti-tumor metastatic activities, and compounds 2 and 8 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Rhodiola ; chemistry

In order to investigate whether cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells can induce apoptosis of bcr-abl(+) K562 cells, apoptosis of K562 cells and CEM cells induced by CIK cells, etoposide or camptothecin was detected with flow cytometry DNA assay. RT-PCR showed that K562 cells expressed the bcr-abl fusion gene, K 562 cells, K562 cells/etoposide or K562 cells/camptothecin groups showed no sub-G(1) peak. K562 cells/CIK cells group showed sub-G(1) peak (38.1%). CEM cells showed no sub-G(1) peak. CEM cells/camptothecin or CEM cells/etoposide groups showed sub-G(1) peak (23.5% or 32.3% respectively). CEM cells/CIK cells group showed sub-G(1) peak (45.4%). Etoposide or camptothecin did not induce apoptosis of K562 cells. CIK cells induce apoptosis of K562 cells. Bcr-abl fusion gene prevented apoptosis induced by etoposide or camptothecin, but did not prevent apoptosis induced by CIK cells. This property may support the observed adoptive immunologic effect of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and donor lymphocyte transfusions of CML case relapsing after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; immunology ; Camptothecin ; pharmacology ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Etoposide ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated ; cytology ; immunology

Bias ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Epidemiologic Methods ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo determine an optimal insemination technique for patients suspected of high risk of fertilization failure and undergoing assisted reproduction treatment.

METHODSNinety-nine couples were treated by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in one cycle (half-ICSI) by dividing the sibling oocytes in halves. The clinical and laboratory data were analyzed, and the rates of fertilization, cleavage, good embryos and clinical pregnancy were compared between different fertilization methods.

RESULTSIn the half-ICSI group, the fertilization rate of ICSI (80.5%) was significantly higher than that of IVF (42.9%) (P < 0.01), and so were the rates of complete fertilization failure (21.2%) and low fertilization (16.2%) of IVF than those of ICSI (0 and 3.0%). No significant differences were observed in the rates of cleavage and good-quality embryos between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONICSI can help to avoid complete fertilization failure, achieve more high quality embryos for transfer and improve the rate of pregnancy for patients with high risk of fertilization failure.

Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Oocytes ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods

AIMTo study compounds isolated from Picria fel-terrae.

METHODSThe chemical constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel and MCI. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral data (IR, UV, MS, ID NMR and 2D NMR).

RESULTSA new cucurbitacin, along with a known one, were obtained from the 60% EtOH extract of the whole plant.

CONCLUSIONThe new compound was identified as 11, 24-dioxo-5, 21-diene-cucurbit-3alpha-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-16alpha-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (dehydrobryogenin glycoside). The known one, hexanorcucurbitacin F, was obtained for the first time from Picria fel-terrae.

Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Scrophulariaceae ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of the manipulation reduction combined with small splint fixation for the treatment of fresh closed fracture of radius for shorten hospital stays and reduce medical cost.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to December 2009, 200 patients (ranged the age from 40 to 80 years) with distal radius comminute fracture were treated and divided into CP group (including 21 males and 79 females, with a mean age of (62.98 +/- 0.85) years), and control group (including 20 males and 80 females, with a mean age of (63.19 +/- 0.88) years). All patients were treated manipulation reduction combined with small-splint fixation, control group removed small-splint 30 days after treatment, CP group removed 25 days after treatment. Two groups were checked by X-ray and took traditional chinese medicine (taking Yuanhu tablets, Chuangshangning tablets on the early stage; Guixiangzhenggu pill was taken on the middle stage; Shuanglongjie gu pill on the late stage), functional exercise was guided after removing of small splint. The condition of reduction and position of bone were evaluated and Gartland-Werlley scale was used to evaluate the function of wrist joint.

RESULTSTreatment time in CP group was decreased from (30.08 +/- 3.06) to (25.06 +/- 1.07) days; treatment cost in CP group was decreased from (2 100.00 +/- 332.12) to (1 644.00 +/- 125.20) Yuan. There was no significant difference in reduction and function recover of wrist joint between two groups. The results showed the effects of TCM clinic can be promised.

CONCLUSIONClinical pathway for outpatient can promote standardization of outpatient, short treatment time less medical economic burden, and worth widely used.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Closed ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius ; surgery ; Radius Fractures ; surgery ; Splints

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis in primary astrocytoma.

METHODSThirty-seven primary astrocytomas and 4 astrocytic hyperplasia samples were collected and divided into three groups according to histological grade. The expression of eNOS, VEGF and factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIRAg) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Microvascular density was assessed by FVIIIRAg immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunoreactivity was graded according to the percentage of positive tumor cells.

RESULTSNo eNOS and VEGF were expressed in the astrocytes and vascular endothelium in astrocytic hyperplasia. The expression of eNOS or VEGF was light in low-grade astrocytoma and strong in glioblastoma. eNOS expression in astrocytoma was very positively correlated with VEGF. eNOS and VEGF expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was median in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Lower microvascular density was found in low grade astrocytoma than that in higher grade malignant ones. The expressions of eNOS and VEGF were correlated with microvascular density and tumor malignancy.

CONCLUSIONThis finding suggests that eNOS and VEGF may have cooperative effect in tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary astrocytoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism