Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the proliferation and migration of human ovarian cancer cells (CAOV-3) after knocking down COX-2 gene by RNA interference.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid of pGenesil-1-siRNA-COX-2 was constructed and transfected into CAOV-3 cells. The transcription of COX-2 gene was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein expression of COX-2 was determined by Western blotting . MTT assay was used to investigate the proliferation of the transfected CAOV-3 cells, and the cell migration was evaluated using a transwell migration assay.

RESULTSCOX-2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced after pGenesil-1-siRNA-COX-2 transfection into CAOV-3 cells, which showed obvious reduction in the cell proliferation and migration.

CONCLUSIONRNA interference allows obvious COX-2 gene knocking down in human ovarian cancer cells to result in lowered cell growth rate and migration ability. COX-2 gene may become a new therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

This paper is to report the study of the pharmacokinetics of a fusion protein TAT-haFGF(14-154) for human acidic fibroblast growth factor and transcriptional activator protein in rat plasma, and the investigation of their penetration across blood-brain barrier in mice and rats, in order to provide a basis for clinical development and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine concentration of TAT-haFGF(14-154) in rat plasma and in mouse brain homogenate; and immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the distribution in brain. The concentration-time curve fitted two-compartment open model which was linear kinetics elimination after a single intravenous injection of TAT-haFGF(14-154) in rat at the dose of 300 microg x kg(-1). The half life time was 0.049 +/- 0.03 h for distribution phase and 0.55 +/- 0.05 h for elimination phase, and the weight was 1/C2. The result showed that TAT-haFGF(14-154) could be detected in the brain by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, the elimination of TAT-haFGF(14-154) in rat was swift, and TAT-haFGF(14-154) could penetrate across the blood-brain barrier, distribute in pallium and hippocampus and locate in the nucleus.
Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Gene Products, tat ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

Objective:To explore the relationship among psychological distress,adult attachment,and social support in primary caregivers of cancer patients.Methods:A total of 208 primary caregivers of cancer patients in one third grade hospital in Anhui Province were recruited.The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10),Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory(ECR) and Social Support Questionnaire(SSQ) were used to explore psychological distress,adult attachment,and social support status.Results:The average K10 score was (21.5 ± 7.5).Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that caregiver gender,pressure on patient care,and attachment anxiety had positive prediction on psychological distress (β =2.30,3.02,0.13),while residence had negative prediction on psychological distress (β =-3.22).Conclusion:It suggests that the psychological distress is related to attachment anxiety and social support among the primary caregivers.

Adolescent ; Heart Ventricles ; injuries ; Humans ; Male ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications ; Ultrasonography ; Ventricular Septal Rupture ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; complications

Effect of strophanthidin (Str) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was investigated on isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig. Single ventricular myocytes were obtained by enzymatic dissociation technique. Fluorescent signal of [Ca2+]i was detected with confocal microscopy after incubation of cardiomycytes in Tyrode' s solution with Fluo3-AM. The result showed that Str increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The ventricular myocytes began to round-up into a contracture state once the peak level of [Ca2+]i was achieved in the presence of Str (10 micromol L(- 1)), but remained no change in the presence of Str (1 and 100 nmol L(-1)). Tetrodotoxin (TTX), nisodipine, and high concentration of extracellular Ca2+ changed the response of cardiomycytes to Str (1 and 100 nmol L(-1)) , but had no obvious effects on the action of Str (10 micromol L(-1)). The elevation of [Ca2+]i caused by Str at all of the detected concentrations was partially antagonized by rynodine (10 micromol L(-1)) or the removal of Ca2+ from Tyrode's solution. In Na+, K+ -free Tyrode' s solution, the response of cardiomycytes in [Ca2+]i elevation to Str (10 micromol L(-1)) was attenuated, while remained no change to Str (1 and 100 nmol L(-1)). TTX, nisodipine, and high concentration of extracellular Ca2+ changed the response of cardiomycytes to Str at all of the detected concentrations in Na+, K+ -free Tyrode's solution. The study suggests that the elevation of [Ca2+]i by Str at the low (nomomolar) concentrations is partially mediated by the extracellular calcium influx through Ca2+ channel or a "slip mode conductance" of TTX sensitive Na+ channel. While the effect of Str at high (micromolar) concentrations was mainly due to the inhibition of Na+, K+ -ATPase. Directly triggering the release of intracellular Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by Str may be also involved in the mechanism of [Ca2+]i elevation.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; pharmacology ; Aequorin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Fura-2 ; pharmacology ; supply & distribution ; Guinea Pigs ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Nifedipine ; pharmacology ; Ryanodine ; pharmacology ; Sarcolemma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Strophanthidin ; pharmacology ; Tetrodotoxin ; pharmacology ; Thapsigargin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo validate the value of the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy in predicting the renal outcome in Chinese population.

METHODSRetrospective study was done in patients with IgA nephropathy. All slides were re-assessed according to the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy. The primary end point is doubling serum creatinine, or a 50% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), or end-stage renal disease. Pathologic predictors for the progression to the end point were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression.

RESULTSTotally 533 patients were enrolled in the study. During the follow-up (median: 39 months; range: 12-263 months), 5.07% of the patients reached the end point. While tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis and arterial/ arteriolar lesion were associated with the endpoint in univariate analysis, only the T score was predictive of the renal outcome in multivariate Cox regression. Combination of the patho- logic lesions had no impact on renal outcome.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy, the degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the only feature independently predictive of renal outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; classification ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on hypoxic human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs).

METHODSHPMECs were cultured in vitro, and the hypoxic model was established by the physical method. Cells were divided into 4 groups: the control group, the hypoxic group, HGF group, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) group. The 7(th) generation of HPMECs was evaluated by the method of immunocytochemistry. The persistence rate of HPMECs was measured by MTT assay and the adhesive cells were counted by the microscopy. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein was determined by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSThe adherence percentage of cells significantly decreased after hypoxia, whereas the expression of the ICAM-1 protein was significantly higher in the hypoxia group than in control group (P<0.01). Compared with the hypoxia group, the persistence and adherence percentage of cells in the HGF group significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas the expression of the ICAM-1 protein significantly dropped (P<0.01). In the PHA group, the persistence and adhesion rate were significantly different from those in the hypoxia group and HGF group (P<0.01), and the expression of the ICAM-1 protein increased significantly (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHGF could inhibit the hypoxic damage of HPMECs by decreasing the persistence and the adhesive capacity of these cells and inducing the expression of ICAM-1.

Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lung ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Bauhinia aurea.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by column chromatography over silica gel, reversed-phase RP-18, and Sephadex LH -20. MS and NMR spectroscopic methods were used to determine structures of purified compounds.

RESULTEight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract and their structures were elucidated as isoengeletin (1), astilbin (2), neoastilbin (3), isoastilbin (4), neoisoastilbin (5), (+)-catechin (6), (-)-epicatechin (7) and (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (8).

CONCLUSIONFive compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time except for 2, 6 and 8.

Bauhinia ; chemistry ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Gel ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) in the patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Forty-five patients with AA were enrolled into this study, and were divided into mild aplastic anemia (MAA) group (n = 25) and severe aplastic anemia group (SAA) (n = 20), blood cell count was recorded. 15 healthy donors were enrolled as control. Proportions of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α, as well as their concentrations in culture supernatant of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) -stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were measured by ELISA. The results showed that the proportions of blood Th17 cells and concentration of blood serum IL-17 and IFN-γ increased in patients with SAA, compared with MAA and normal controls, but CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells obviously decreased in patients with SAA. The concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-γ significantly increased in culture supernatant of SAA group. Hemoglobin level in the patients with AA negatively correlated with the population of Th17 cells and serum IL-17 level, whereas positively correlated with the expression of CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg cells. It is concluded that the increased response of Th17 cells and deficiency of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells present in severe aplastic anemia. The severity of anemia may be related with the imbalance between Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg cell response.
Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism ; Th17 Cells ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult