Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) on the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism indicators of rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming, and to explore the differences between moxibustion at different points in the effects on anti-exercise fatigue. Methods: Forty-eight male SPF rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a non-meridian and non-acupoint group, a Shenshu (BL 23) group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, and a Shenque (CV 8) group using random number table method, with eight rats in each group. Except for the blank group, rats in the other groups were subjected to replicating the one-time exhaustive model using the weight-bearing swimming experiment. Except for the model group, the other model rats received mild moxibustion immediately after swimming. Rats in the non-meridian and non-acupoint group received mild moxibustion at bilateral subcostal non-meridian and non-acupoint points, those in the Shenshu (BL 23) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), those in the Zusanli (ST 36) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), and those in the Shenque (CV 8) group received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min. Four hours after the exhaustive swimming, femoral artery blood was collected to detect blood lactate (BLA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels, and calculate the T/C ratio. Results: Compared with the blank group, rat's serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group were increased, and serum levels of CRE and T, and T/C ratios were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05); compared with the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group, the serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the Shenshu (BL 23) group, Zusanli (ST 36) group and Shenque (CV 8) group were decreased, and the serum CRE and T levels, and the T/C ratios were increased (all P<0.01); compared with the Shenshu (BL 23) group, the serum CK level was decreased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01), the serum levels of T and C were decreased in the Zusanli (ST 36) group and Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the T/C ratio was increased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01); compared with the Zusanli (ST 36) group, the serum CK and BUN levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the T/C ratio was increased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) shows different anti-fatigue effects by regulating the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism in rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming. Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) is better in promoting energy synthesis. Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) is more effective in regulating synthesis and decomposition of the skeletal muscle proteins.

OBJECTIVETo construct a mouse that specifically expresses Cre recombinase in hepatocyte.

METHODSA hepatocyte specific transgenic construct containing mouse albumin promoter, the Cre recombinase gene and the poly (A) of human growth factor gene was generated. The linearized constructs were introduced into the fertilized eggs by microinjection to obtain the transgenic mice. The transcriptional specificity of Cre recombinase was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression and function of Cre recombinase were detected by PCR and Southern Blot after crossing the Alb-Cre transgenic mice with the Smad4 conditional knockout mice.

RESULTSThe linearized constructs were microinjected into 837 fertilized eggs, and then the 797 effective eggs of microinjected eggs were implanted into the oviducts of 27 pseudo pregnant mice. In the 53 offspring, there were 6 mice carrying the transgene identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern Blot. Cre recombinase transcripts were detected in the livers and testis of the Alb-Cre transgenic mice using RT-PCR. The Cre recombinase was expressed in the livers of the double heterozygous for Alb-Cre and Smad4 floxed allele, and the exon 8 floxed by loxP site was deleted.

CONCLUSIONA hepatocyte-specific Cre transgenic mouse was generated successfully. The Cre recombinase expressed specifically in liver and could mediate the recombination between loxP sites in vivo.

Animals ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Integrases ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and β-catenin proteins and to evaluate their relationship with the clinical pathological characteristics in epithelial tumors of the ovary.

METHODSThe expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β, and β-catenin was detected with immunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) in 10 cases of benign epithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of borderline epithelial neoplasia and 70 cases of ovarian carcinoma. The relationship of the expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin with the clinical pathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were 67.1% (47/70), 60.0% (42/70) and 71.4% (50/70), respectively. Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of the three proteins in carcinoma of the ovary was significantly different (all P < 0.05).Positive correlation was found between p-AKT and p-GSK3β, p-GSK3β and β-catenin, and p-AKT and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (r = 0.546, 0.581, 0.500, respectively; all P < 0.05). Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of p-AKT protein in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was significantly different (all P < 0.05). The expression of p-AKT was correlated with the differentiation of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (P < 0.05), but no relationship was found between its expression and histological classification and FIGO staging (P > 0.05). The expression of p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were both higher than that in benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia (P < 0.05), and correlated with tumor differentiation and FIGO staging (P < 0.05), but no relationship were found between their expression with histological classification (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPositive correlations are found between p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The activation of β-catenin is possibly correlated with inactivation of p-GSK3β that binds to p-AKT.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological significance of chromosome 17 polysomy in breast cancer.

METHODSRetrospective study of 200 cases of breast cancer including 106 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma and 94 cases of in-situ carcinoma was performed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) to explore the relationship between chromosome 17 polysomy and age, nuclear atypia, lymphatic metastasis, HER2 gene amplification and HER2 protein expression.

RESULTSTwenty-six percent (52/200) of chromosome 17 polysomy was detected in 200 cases of breast ductal carcinoma, all of which were invasive ductal carcinoma. Overall 52. 8% (52/180) of invasive ductal carcinoma cases showed chromosome 17 polysomy, which was correlated to HER2 gene amplification (P = 0.000) and HER-2 protein expression (P=0.000), and to HER2 expression combined with HER2 gene amplification (P=0.001). Chromosome 17 polysomy with or without HER2 gene amplification was also associated with high-grade nuclear atypia (P = 0.012 or P = 0.010) and lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.002 or P = 0.009 ). However, chromosome 17 polysomy with or without HER2 gene amplification was not correlative with the age of patients (P = 1. 000 or P = 0. 415).

CONCLUSIONChromosome 17 polysomy may be related to the nuclear atypia, metastasis, HER2 gene amplification of invasive ductal carcinoma and thus a worse prognosis of the patients.

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; genetics ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Genes, erbB-2 ; genetics ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the time trends of cancer mortality among residents in Kaifeng county, Henan province.

METHODSData on cancer mortality from the vital registration system in Kaifeng county from 1988 to 2005 was analyzed. A total of 9543 death records (5974 males and 3567 females) due to malignant tumors were studied. A two-year-period age-specified standardized mortality rates were directly adjusted by the world standard population, and the annual percentage change (APC) of mortality were estimated by a linear logarithm regression.

RESULTSThe crude cancer death rate for male was 95.09/100,000 and its age-standardized death rate was 117.41/100,000. While, the crude cancer death rate for female was 59.13/100,000 and the age-standardized death rate was 57.15/100,000. There was a significant growth tread for lung cancer (APC: 6.54%), liver cancer (5.07%) in males and breast cancer (7.04%) in females in the groups aged over 18. On the contrary, the decreasing treads for esophageal cancer in both of sexes (-7.09%, -13.53%) were also observed in this study. Meanwhile, there was no other significant changes in the trend, either in the tumor sites or mortality, was observed.

CONCLUSIONIn the past two decades, there has been a significant increasing trend for cancer mortality in Kaifeng county, of Henan Province. Hence, it is necessary to enhance epidemiological survey to identify risk factors at the earlier stages.

China ; epidemiology ; Death Certificates ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; trends ; Neoplasms ; mortality ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between KRAS gene mutations and clinicopathological parameters in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

METHODSPCR-based direct sequencing was used to detect the mutations of KRAS gene and to correlate between clinicopathological characteristics and the presence of various KRAS mutations in 244 cases of CRC.

RESULTSKRAS mutations were identified in 92 cases (37.7%) of CRC. Five types of mutation were detected at codon 12, including G12D (40 cases, 16.4%), G12V (16 cases, 6.6%), G12A (7 cases, 2.9%), G12S (5 cases, 2.0%) and G12C (4 cases, 1.6%). Two types of mutation were detected at codon 13, including G13D (17 cases, 7.0%) and G13C (2 cases, 0.8%). One type of mutation was detected in codon 61, i.e. Q61K (1 case, 0.4%). KRAS mutation rate was higher in females (45.6%, 36/79) than in males (32.1%, 53/165; P < 0.05), but not related to another clinicopathological characteristics.

CONCLUSIONSFemale CRC patients have a higher KRAS mutation rate than the male patients. KRAS mutation has no significant correlation with patient's age, tumor site, tumor gross appearance, degree of differentiation, depth of invasion, TNM stages, lymphatic invasion, abdominal or distant metastases and prognosis in this study.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Codon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult ; ras Proteins ; genetics

AIM:To analyze the imageological changes of acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by 2 types of optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed, inclu-ding data of 60 eyes from 56 patients with CSC diagnosed by conventional eye examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), which were divided into acute group (28 eyes of 28 patients) and chronic group (32 eyes of 28 patients) according to imageological examinations and duration (6 months). Optical coher-ence tomography angiography (OCTA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography ( SD-OCT) were performed to study the vessel density of the chorioretinal leyers and the integrity of the outer retinal structure. RESULTS:In the pa-tients with chronic CSC, OCTA in 4 eyes ( 12.50% ) revealed the presence of a distinct choroidal neovascularization (CNV), while no evidence of CNV in ICGA was observed. However, no sign of CNV in acute CSC group both on OCTA and ICGA was found. The occurrence of 'dark areas' in chronic CSC was much higher than that in acute CSC ( P <0.01). In addition, the integrity of the outer retinal structure (defined as tissue between external limiting membrane and retinal pigment epithelium) in acute group was significantly better than that in chronic group ( P <0.01). CONCLU-SION:Our study demonstrates the existing secondary CNV that is not demonstrated by ICGA in the chronic CSC patients, and the different characteristics of retinochoroid structures between acute and chronic CSC in OCTA and SD-OCT are ob- served. Chronic CSC has more severe structural changes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti atherosclerosis effect and related mechanisms of total flavone of radix puerariae (TFRP) on atherosclerotic plaques in apoE gene deficiency (apoE-/-) mice.

METHODSapoE-/- mice were treated with saline, TFRP 15 mg . kg(-1). d(-1) or TFRP 85 mg . kg-1. d-1 (n = 8 each group) respectively per gavage for 12 weeks. The apoptotic cells in atherosclerotic plaques were then detected by TUNEL analysis, transmission electron microscope (TEM). The expression of CD-68, SMA and Caspase-3 were determined by immunochemical methods.

RESULTSEarly macrophage apoptosis signs were observed under TEM, TUNEL-positive and CD-68 positive cells were found in lipid cores of atherosclerotic plaques. TFRP significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner [(0.38 +/- 0.17)%, (1.95 +/- 1.02)%, (10.50 +/- 5.89)%, respectively, P < 0.01] in atherosclerotic plaques. TFRP treatment also significantly reduced the immune expression of Caspase-3 protein in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONTFRP significantly attenuated the development of advanced atherosclerotic plaques in a dose-dependent manner which might related to down-regulated expression of Caspase-3 protein and reduced macrophage apoptotic cells in atherosclerotic plaques post TFRP treatment.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Pueraria ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of glutathione (GSH) and sodium selenite on the metabolism of arsenic in the liver, kidney and blood of mice exposed to iAsIII through drinking water.

METHODSThe mice were randomly divided into control, arsenic, GSH and sodium selenite group, respectively. And each group had eight mice and the mice were exposed to 50 mg/L arsenite by drinking water for 4 weeks. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSH (600 mg/kg) and sodium selenite (1 mg/kg) for seven days from the beginning of the fourth week. At the end of the fourth week, liver, kidney and blood were sampled to assess the concentrations of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (MMA), dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) by hydride generation trapping by ultra-hypothermia coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry.

RESULTSThe liver DMA (233.76 +/- 60.63 ng/g) concentration in GSH group was significantly higher than the arsenic group (218.36 +/- 42.71 ng/g). The concentration of DMA (88.52 +/- 30.86 ng/g) and total arsenic (TAs) (162.32 +/- 49.45 ng/g) in blood of GSH group was significantly higher than those [(45.32 +/- 12.19 ng/g), (108.51 +/- 18.00 ng/g), respectively] of arsenic groups(q values were 3.06, 6.40, 10.72 respectively, P < 0.05). The primary methylated index (PMI) (0.65 +/- 0.050) and secondary methylated index (SMI) (0.55 +/- 0.050) in liver sample of GSH group were significantly higher than those (0.58 +/- 0.056, 0.44 +/- 0. 093) in arsenic group. In blood samples, the PMI (0.85 +/- 0.066) in GSH group was significantly higher than that (0.54 +/- 0.113) in arsenic group (q values were 3.75, 5.26, 4.21 respectively, P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was identified between sodium selenite and arsenic groups in liver, kidney or blood samples. And no significant difference was detected in kidney samples among all arsenic exposing groups.

CONCLUSIONExogenous GSH could promote the methylated metabolism of iAsIII, but sodium selenite showed no significant effects.

Animals ; Arsenic ; analysis ; metabolism ; Arsenic Poisoning ; metabolism ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Glutathione ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Sodium Selenite ; pharmacology ; Water Supply