Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Medicinal values and their chemical bases of Paris (Trilliaceae) are reviewed. Paris plants include 40 species and varieties. Among them, 18 ones are medicinal plants with similarity in traditional uses. Fourteen species have been studied phytochemically, which led to isolation of 207 compounds including 121 steroidal saponins. These saponins are major active constituents from Paris plants, which can explain the traditional uses of the plants to treat cancer, malignant boil, bleeding, gastritis, and so on. The similarity in medicinal uses and chemical constituents of Paris plants implies the possibility of resource substitution among these species. It is worth to further investigate Paris plants in chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, biological property, and toxicology.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of overexpression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)on the migration in vitro of the murine mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and its possible mechanism. METHODS The migration ability of normal mouse MSC (C3) ,empty vector-transfected MSC(C3+N) and VCAM-1 transfected MSC(C3+VCAM-1)was assessed by Transwell culture system in vitro after incubation for 8 and 12 h,respectively. The fetal bovine serum (FBS) was used as the chemotactic agent to induce MSC migration. The transmigrated cells were detected with methylosaniliam chloride(crystal violet)as well as DAPI staining.Furthermore,the specific chemical inhibitors of mitogen-activation protein kinase (MAPK) pathway ( SB203580,PD98059 and JNK inhibitorⅡ)were added to the Transwell system for 12 h and the alteration of the MSC migration ability was evaluated. RESULTS After incubation with FBS for 8 and 12 h,the absolute migrated cell number(7467 ± 485 and 8795 ± 255)and migration rate〔(14.9 ± 1.0)% and(17.6 ± 0.5)%〕of MSC in C3+VCAM-1 group were significantly increased compared with C3 group〔2731±562 and 4779±224, (5.5 ± 1.1)%and(9.6 ± 0.4)%〕and C3+N group〔2539 ± 321 and 5645 ± 1080,(5.1 ± 0.6)%and(11.3 ± 1.1)%〕(P<0.05,P<0.01),but there was no significant difference between C3 and C3+N groups. Moreover,the MSC migration ability of C3+VCAM-1 group was partially suppressed by addition of JNK inhibitorⅡ. The transmigrated cell number(4843 ± 167)and migration rate〔(9.7 ± 0.3)%〕were decreased compared with those of C3+VCAM-1 group without JNK inhibitorⅡ(P<0.01). SB203580 and PD98059,as specific chemical inhibitors of MAPK pathway,had no effect on MSC migration. CONCLUSION VCAM-1 can enhance mouse MSC migration in vitro and th4e mechanism may be related to JNK/MAPK pathway activation.

Animals ; Athletic Performance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Morinda ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal

A new eremophilane derivative, (3aR,4R,5S,7S,7aS)-2-acetyl-7,7a-dihydroxy-3a,4-dimethyl-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-3H-inden-5-yl acetate (1) and three known compounds, 10beta-hydroxy-eremophil-7 (11)-en-12,8alpha-olide(2), beta-sitosterol (3) and beta-daucosterol(4) have been isolated from Ligularia intermedia. The compounds were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20,and identified on the basis of spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR).
Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Naphthalenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sesquiterpenes

Objective To study the combined effect of interleukin-21 gene transfer and ionizing radiation on the growth of cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.Methods Previously constructed Ad-IL-21 gene was amplified by infecting 293A cells and the titer was measured by TCID50 method. HeLa cells were transfected with Ad-1L-21 and then irradiated with 6 Gy 137Cs γ-rays.The cells were divided into 5 groups,including blank control,Ad-LaeZ group,Ad-IL-21 group,radiation group and Ad-IL-21 combined with radiation group (combination group).The cell growth,cell cycle,apoptosis,and the expressions of IL-21 gene and protein in HeLa cells were detected.Results Ad-IL-21 was successfully amplified and the titer of Ad-11.-21 was 9 × 1010 pfu/ml.Compared with Ad-IL-21 group and radiation group,the cell growth of combination group was significantly inhibited at 96 h after transfection ( F =85.26,72.98,P ＜ 0.05 ).The cells in combination group were arrested in G1 phase and decreased at S phase( F =36.69,34.83,P ＜ 0.05),while the cellular apoptosis increased markedly ( F =28.23,25.57,P ＜ O.05 ). The gene expression of 1L-21 in the combination group was 1.54- and 2.43-fold of Ad-IL-21 group and blank control group,respectively (F=22.31,36.65, P ＜ 0.05 ), while the protein expression of IL-21 in the combination group was 1.62-fold and 2.31-fold of Ad-IL-21 group and blank control group,respectively ( F =27.36,35.86,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Ad-IL-21 gene transfection combined with radiation has synergic effect on the inhibition of cervical carcinoma cell growth.

OBJECTIVETo establish a stable rat experimental model of concealed penis for studying the effect of buried penis on the structure and function of the corpus cavernosum.

METHODSNinety male SD rats, aged 2 weeks, were randomly divided into 3 groups (A, B and C) of equal number. Groups A and B underwent surgery with intra-purse suture of the penile root and folding suture of the prepuce, respectively, to bury the penis, while Group C were included as sham operation controls.

RESULTSIn Group A, death resulted in 4 cases from acute post-operative urine retention, failure in burying the penis occurred in 5 cases because of soft tissue ulceration around the urethral orifice and in another 3 due to loose concealment. In Group B, 1 died from deep anesthesia and 2 from acute post-operative urine retention. With the penile development and erection, 7 in Group A and 10 in Group B protruded the penis in different stages. In Group C, 1 died from deep anesthesia. The operations succeeded in all the other rats in Groups A and B, with the success rates of 36.7% and 56.7%, respectively. And the concealment could be relieved any time during the experiment.

CONCLUSIONThe experimental rat model of concealed penis can be successfully established by both intra-purse suture of the penile root and folding suture of the prepuce, which is stable and similar to the natural course of this disorder in human.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urogenital Abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and summarize the possibility and experience of reconstructive vascular operation for kinking of internal carotid artery.

METHODSReconstructive vascular operation was performed on 5 patients with symptomatic kinking of internal carotid artery between July 2008 and June 2009. There were 2 male and 3 female patients, age ranged from 53 to 68 years (mean 62 years). Cutting the internal carotid artery at the bifurcation, mobilizing and stretching the internal carotid artery, then anastomosing the internal and common carotid artery. Two of them underwent endarterectomy simultaneously.

RESULTSFor the 5 patients, postoperative recovery went smoothly and symptoms were well improved. Except that mild high perfusion syndrome happened in 1 patient, no other obvious complications. Kinking of internal carotid artery had been stretched in the postoperative CT angiography. In the 5-16-month follow-up, no transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarction happened, and no restenosis appeared.

CONCLUSIONSReconstructive vascular operation is an effective surgical approach to kinking and coiling of the internal carotid artery. For some risk exists, all-round evaluation should be performed before operation, and operative indication should be strictly controlled.

Aged ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of buried penis on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of the corpus cavernosum in rats.

METHODSThe experimental model of concealed penis was established by intra-pocket-suture of the root of the penis. Two hundred and forty rats were equally randomized into a 2, a 4 and a 6 months group, each further divided into a buried (n = 50), a sham operation (n = 15) and a normal subgroup (n = 15). The development of the corpus cavernosum was surveyed by measuring its weight and the ratio to the body weight, followed by determination of NOS activity in the corpus cavernosum by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in the corpus cavernosum weight, the body weight and their ratio among the buried, sham operation and normal groups in any experimental stage (P > 0.05). Buried penis decreased NOS activity in the 4- and 6-month groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) compared with the normal group, but effected no significant change in the 2-month group.

CONCLUSIONBuried penis decreases the NOS activity of the corpus cavernosum in a positively time-related manner, but with no significant influence on its appearance and weight.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erectile Dysfunction ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penis ; abnormalities ; enzymology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrophotometry

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of PI3K in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe expression of PI3K proteins was detected by immunohistochemical SP staining in 91 ESCC tissues and normal mucosa of 10 cases. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of PI3K mRNA in 30 ESCC tissues and adjacent normal mucosa. The relation between PI3K expression and the clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rate of expression of PI3K protein in ESCC was 86.8%, significantly higher than that in normal esophageal mucosa (10.0%, P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between P13K expression and the degrees of differentiation, invasion depth, and clinical stage. No positive correlation was found between the expression of PI3K protein and age, gender and lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). The poorer is the differentiation of ESCC, the stronger is expression of PI3K protein (r = 0.351, P<0.05); the deeper is the invasion depth of ESCC, the stronger is expression of PI3K protein (r = 0.210, P<0.05); and the higher is the clinical stage of ESCC, the stronger expression of PI3 K protein (r = 0.240, P<0.05). RT-PCR results demonstrated that the level of PI3K mRNA expression in ESCC was 0.675 +/- 0.029, significantly higher than that in the adjacent normal mucosa (0.349 +/- 0.073, P<0.05). The high expression of PI3K mRNA was correlated with poor differentiation, deep invasion and clinical stage of ESCC (P<0.05). The result was consistent with SP staining immunohistochemistry. By Kaplan-Meier analyses, following factors were observed to be significantly associated with prognosis: PI3K expression, the degrees of differentiation, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, tumor embolus and stump invaded (all P<0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage (P<0.05), invasion depth (P<0.05) and stump invaded (P<0.05) were significantly correlated with the prognosis. The multivariate analysis of Cox model showed that PI3K was not an independent prognostic indicator of prognosis (chi2 = 1.235, P = 0.266).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression levels of PI3K protein and mRNA in ESCC tissues are significantly increased and PI3K plays a role in the carcinogenesis and development of ESCC. The enhanced PI3K expression may serve as a reference index indicating a poor prognosis in ESCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism