Objective: To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a major active component in Chinese medicine Ligusticum chuanxiong, on metastasis of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435S in vitro, and its possible mechanism. Methods: MDA-MB-435S cells were cultured under hypoxic condition, which could trigger malignant metastatic potential of tumor cells in vitro. Thus, the concentration of TMP which could not affect the proliferaion of hypoxic MDA-MB-435S cells was determined by MTT assay. The morphology of MDA-MB-435S cells treated with TMP under hypoxic condition was observed by immunofluorescence. The capacities of invasion and migration of hypoxic MDA-MB-435S cells were determined by Transwell chamber and Wound healing assays, respectively. The expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-mediated metastasis-related proteins, such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VECF-A), lysyl oxidase-1 (LOX-1), Snail and Slug, were detected by Western blotting. Results: TMP could significantly change the morphology and inhibit the metastasis of MDA-MB-435S cells cultured under hypoxic condition, improve the morphology of the cells, reduce the number of stress fibers of F-actin, and inhibit the capacities of invasion and migration of the cells in vitro. Moreover, TMP reduced the expression levels of HIF-1α-mediated metastasis-related target proteins VECF-A, LOX-l, Snail and Slug proteins through decreasing the expression of HIF-lα under hypoxic condition, which resulted in the inhibition of metastasis of MDA-MB-435S cells. Conclusion: These findings indicate that TMP can inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer MDA-MB-435S cells by reducing the expressions of HIF-la and the metastasis-related target proteins in vitro. Therefore, TMP may be an effective agent to prevent hypoxia-induced metastasis of breast cancer.

Gymnastics ; physiology ; Humans ; Workload

Australia ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Occupational Health ; Safety Management ; methods ; organization & administration

Adult ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To investigate the epidemiological condition of the sub-health status of the young and middle-aged persons in urban and rural areas of Hubei province, and to explore the relationships among personality, quality of sleep and sub-health status. Methods Purposive sampling method and Personal Health Status Questionnaire developed by Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were used to investigate the sub-healthy status of 3187 subjects aged 18-55 and evaluate the relationships among sub-health status, personality and the quality of sleep with structural equation model. Results Gender, education, marriage, age and occupation were factors influencing the status of sub-health. Among all of the subjects, sub-health status of females were more serious than that of males (P＜0.0001 of all). The divorced, separated and widowed ones were more likely to experience sub-health than other status of marriage (P= 0.0006, P=0.0102). The sub-health status of the subjects aged 30-55 in the urban (P=0.0197)and low-literacy residents in rural (P=0.0003)were among the worst. The condition of the sub-health in migrant workers and professional were worse compared to other occupational groups (P=0.0043). Structural equation model analysis revealed that sub-health status associated with the quality of sleep and the type of characteristics (P＜0.01 ). Conclusion Sub-health status did exist among the young and middle-aged persons and was influenced by the quality of sleep and personality. However, it could be adjusted by improving the quality of sleep and personality to prevent sub-health.

Arabidopsis ; genetics ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Gossypium ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Hyphae ; growth & development ; pathogenicity ; Plant Diseases ; genetics ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; Spores, Fungal ; growth & development ; pathogenicity ; Verticillium ; growth & development ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenesis of ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) in post-liver transplant patients and the possible therapeutic mechanisms of sirolimus.

METHODSThe clinic data of 32 post-liver transplant patients with ITBLs from May 2004 to December 2010 was analyzed. There were including 25 male and 7 female patients with a median age of 46 years (ranging from 19 to 61 years). Patients were divided into those who received sirolimus (sirolimus group) and those who did not (control group). The expression of IL-2, FoxP3, and IL-10 in the portal area, liver function indexes, and bile duct injury score were assessed pre-ITBL, when ITBLs were identified, and after 6 months of sirolimus treatment.

RESULTSCompared with pre-ITBL optical density (OD) values, there was a significantly increase in IL-2 OD(0.138 ± 0.050 in control group and 0.141 ± 0.052 in sirolimus group), but not FoxP3 and IL-10 OD in both groups at the time ITBLs were diagnosed. After 6 months of treatment, the IL-2, FoxP3, and IL-10 OD values in the control group were not different from those when ITBLs were diagnosed. There was a significant reduction in post-therapy IL-2 OD(0.107 ± 0.043, t = 2.087, P = 0.044), and a significant elevation in FoxP3(0.213 ± 0.039) and IL-10 OD(0.187 ± 0.048) in sirolimus group as compared with those when ITBLs were diagnosed(t = -3.822 and -4.350, both P < 0.01). There was a significant increase in serum levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and ALP at the time ITBLs were diagnosed compared with pre-ITBL levels in both groups. After 6 months of treatment, the above indexes had not changed in the control group, but significantly improved in the sirolimus group, and the bile duct injury score in the sirolimus group had significantly decreased(4.4 ± 2.4, Z = -2.568, P = 0.010). The 1-year and 3-year graft survival rates in the control group were 6/13 and 5/13, respectively, and 17/19 and 13/19, respectively, in the sirolimus group (χ(2) = 7.166, P = 0.007; χ(2) = 5.398, P = 0.020, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSSirolimus can downregulate IL-2 expression and upregulate FoxP3 and IL-10 expression, thereby stimulating FoxP3+ Treg cells, suppressing immunopathological damage, and promoting epithelial repair in bile ducts.

Adult ; Bile Duct Diseases ; drug therapy ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; diet therapy ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo prepare and identify monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Helicobacter pylori (Hp).

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with the supernatant and precipitation of cultured Hp after ultrasonication and mAbs were obtained by means of hybridoma technique. The resultant mAbs was evaluated for subtype, titer, affinity, and further identified with Lpp20, HspA, urease A, CagA, urease B, and catalase prepared by recombinant expression.

RESULTSTotally 34 hybridoma cell lines were established which secreted specific mAbs, including 31 against the supernatant and 3 against the precipitation of Hp, and the prepared mAbs showed specific reaction against Lpp20 (3 strains), HspA (2 strains), urease A (4 strains), CagA (1 strain), urease B (5 strains), and catalase (2 strains) antigens, respectively. The mAbs was all identified as immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and theirs titer in the culture supernatant and ascites was 1:16 to 1:32 and 1:32000 to 1:64000 respectively with affinity constants (K(aff)) ranging from 1 x 10(-10) to 5.2 x 10(-12) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe mAbs specially against Hp have been obtained, which may facilitate further study of detection and vaccine development of Hp.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Female ; Helicobacter pylori ; immunology ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVETo make multi-central clinical evaluation for three-part massage therapy for treatment of insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-six cases were randomly divided into a test group (n = 84) and a control group (n = 82). Multi-central, randomized and controlled methods were adopted. The test group were treated by the three-part massage therapy, i. e. acupoints at the head, abdomen and back were massaged, once each day; and the control group by oral administration of Guipi Pills [symbol: see text], 8 pills each time, thrice daily. The treatment was given for 15 consecutive days and then the therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSSixty-seven cases were cured, 11 markedly effective, 3 effective, and 3 ineffective in the test group, and the corresponding figures were 10, 21, 29 and 22 in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.001). The test group was superior to the control group in improvement for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleepless Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Sleepless Depression Scale (SDS) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe three-part massage therapy has definite therapeutic effect on insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen with safety.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the characterization of time distribution of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) using Holter monitoring and ICD follow-up.

METHODSPatients with BrS [all male, mean age (41.07 +/- 11.49) years], were divided into ventricular fibrillation (VF) group (n = 7) and no ventricular fibrillation (N-VF) group (n = 7). Premature ventricular capture (PVC) and VF episodes were detected by Holter monitoring and ICD recording.

RESULTSThe 24 hours total number of PVCs ranged from 0 to 74 (mean 9.61 +/- 17.23) in most of the patients and were similar between VF group and N-VF group. The percentage of PVC episodes in VF group was significantly higher than that in N-VF group from nocturnal time to early morning (22:00 to 7:00, 98.67% vs. 44.14%, P < 0.01). There were total 75 VF episodes during (23.18 +/- 17.96) months' follow-up in 5 patients with BrS, 93.3% of which occurred from nocturnal time to early morning (22:00 to 7:00).

CONCLUSIONSThe episodes of PVC were enriched from nocturnal time to early morning in BrS patients, this time distribution could be a new noninvasive risk stratification factor for BrS. The episodes of VF in BrS patients were also enriched from nocturnal time to early morning and this time characteristic of episodes of VF could be used to guide drug therapy.

Adult ; Brugada Syndrome ; complications ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Time ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; etiology