Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnosis* ; Death, Sudden/etiology*

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of exogenous ER beta on the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells under different treatment.

METHODSAn eukaryotic expression vector containing 1.6 kb of human entire coding sequence of ER beta (pCDNA3-ER beta) was transfected into human breast cancer MCF-7 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The biological activity of ER beta was detected with the luciferase reporter containing estrogen responsive element (ERE) and the expression of ER beta protein by Western blot. The growth properties of MCF-7, pCDNA 3-transfected MCF-7 and pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells under different treatment, including E2 (17beta-estradiol) and 4-OHT (4-hydroxytamoxifen), were observed.

RESULTSA stronger activation of the reporter by ER beta in the presence of E2 was observed in the pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells than in the pCDNA 3-transfected MCF-7 and in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the protein level of ER beta in the pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells was markedly increased. Exogenous ER beta expression did not change the growth properties and the morphology of MCF-7 cells under normal condition. The pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells proliferated at the same rate as naive cells in the presence of 4-OHT, whereas a strong inhibition of the proliferation of the pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells in the presence of E2 was observed.

CONCLUSIONExogenous ER beta expression does not increase the resistance to 4-OHT, and a strong inhibition of the proliferation may occur in the presence of E2.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Tamoxifen ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Transfection

Objective To study the effect of essential oil from Angelica sinensis(EOAS) on neuronal apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods The high differentiated PC12 cells were divided into blank group,model group,control group (10 μmol · L-1 edaravone)and large-,medium-and small-dose expreimental groups(EOAS 25.00,12.50,6.25 μg · mL-1).Except blank group,the remaining groups were treated with sugar-free medium containing 10 mmol · L-1sodium dithionite (Na2S204) for 1 h,reoxygenation for 48 h.The cell proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay.The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by kit.The apotosis rate and the morphological apoptotic characteristics of cells were observed by flow cytometry and acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) double staining respectively.The relative activity of caspase-3 were examined with colorimetric assay.The expression of p-ERK1/2 proteins was measured by Western-blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the cell viability in the model group was (67.4 ±0.10)％ with significantly(P ＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the cell viability in the large-dose experimental group and control group were (86.2 ± 0.10)％,(94.5 ± 0.05)％ with significantly (P＜0.05,P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the blank group,the LDH and MDA content in the model group were (912.53±16.71)U · L-1and(9.05 ±0.25)μmol · L-1while SOD level was (12.53 ±0.29)U · mL-1with significantly(all P ＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the LDH and SOD level in the large-dose experimental group were (565.61 ± 11.72) U · L-1 and (12.53 ± 0.29) U · mL-1 with significantly (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01) while MDA content in the large-,medium-dose experimental groups were (3.32 ± 0.68),(5.79 ± 0.68) μmol · L-1 with significantly(all P ＜0.01).The absorbance(A) in model group and large-,medium-and small-dose expreimental groups were 0.75 ± 0.06 and 0.10 ± 0.02,0.16 ± 0.03,0.49 ± 0.04.Compared with the model group,the difference had significantly(P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01).Compared with the blank group,the apoptosis rate in the model group was (31.17 ± 2.44)％ with significantly(P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis rate in the large-,medium-dose experimental groups were (4.57 ± 0.32) ％,(5.93 ± 0.81) ％ with significantly (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the model group,p-ERK1/2 proteins of large-dose experimental group were up-regulated significantly (P ＜0.01).Conclusion The EOAS could inhibit the apoptosis of neurons after ischemia-reperfusion by activating ERK signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the performance characteristics of the second trimester double-marker test for the detection of fetal Down's syndrome in mainland China. Methods This prospective national multi-centered study used alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin( free β-hCG)as the serum markers. From May 2004 to September 2006, 11 centers participated in the collection and analysis of maternal serum AFP and free β-hCG between 14 and 20+6 weeks of pregnancy. The screening results were calculated using the standard algorithm based on the standard database provided with the analytic software. Patients with an increased risk of Down's syndrome pregnancy (≥1/270) were offered genetic anmiocentesis. Outcomes of all pregnancies were obtained.Results A total of 66 132 singleton pregnancies were included in the study. The median maternal age was 27 years. At a cut-eft of 1 in 270, the detection rate (DR) based on a Caucasian database was 72% corresponding to a false positive rate (FPR) of 5%, and the DR based on the Chinese database was raised to 76% corresponding to an FPR of 5%. Conclusion The double-marker test using AFP and free β-hCG is an effective screen strategy for second-trimester detection of fetal Down's syndrome in mainland China. Ethnic variance exists between the Caucasian and Chinese populations. The accuracy of screening is increased by the use of race-specific medians.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of surgical manipulation on the dissemination of cancer cells into blood circulation in patients with gastric cancer and to analyze its risk factors.

METHODSThis study included 45 consecutive patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative resection and 13 control cases (10 healthy persons and 3 patients with peptic ulcer receiving gastrectomy). Peripheral blood was obtained preoperatively and just after surgical manipulation. The mRNA levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) from the blood samples were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTSCEA mRNA was negative in all control cases. Of the 45 gastric cancer patients, the preoperative positive rate of CEA mRNA was 8.9%, while the postoperative positive rate was 48.9%, which was significantly higher than that of preoperation (P=0.000). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that operative duration (P=0.014) and tumor depth (P=0.010) were independent risk factors for cancer cell dissemination. Furthermore, the operative duration in patients with positive postoperative CEA mRNA was markedly longer than that in patients with negative postoperative CEA mRNA (P=0.000), and positive rate of postoperative CEA mRNA in advanced gastric cancer was higher compared with that in early gastric cancer (P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONSSurgical manipulation of curative gastrectomy can provoke dissemination of cancer cells into blood circulation, and the operative duration and tumor invasion depth may be 2 of the risk factors for cancer cell dissemination.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To explore the application value and forensic significance of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in pericardial fluid to diagnose sudden cardiac death.Methods IMA level in pericardial fluid was detected in acute ischemic heart disease group (n=36),acute myocardial infarction group (n=6),cardiomyopathy group (n=4) and control group (n=15) by albumin cobalt binding method.The levels of IMA were compared among these groups.The best cut-off IMA value was estimated and the sensitivity and specificity of acute myocardial ischemia group was distinguished from control group by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.Results The IMA level in acute ischemic heart disease group was significantly higher than that of control group (P＜0.05).Compared with acute myocardial infarction group and cardiomyopathy group,the IMA level in acute ischemic heart disease group had no significant difference (P＜0.05).The cut-off value for the identification of acute myocardial ischemia which obtained by ROC analysis was 40.65U/mL.And the sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing acute ischemia cardiac disease was 60.0％ and 80.5％,respectively.Conclusion The IMA value in pericardial fluid can be a reference marker for the diagnosis of acute myocardial ischemia,which also can provide objective basis for the forensic identification of sudden cardiac death.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Skp2 gene (s-phase kinase associated protein 2) in the pathological scars and its relationship with p27kip1 level and to investigate its role and its probable mechanism in the pathogenesis of abnormal scars.

METHODSImmunohistochemical technique was performed to detect the expression and distribution of Skp2 and p27kip1 protein in hypertrophic scar (42 cases), keloid (18 cases), normal scar (40 cases) and normal skin (50 cases), statistics was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe positive rate of Skp2 and p27kip1 protein expression was not statistically different between the hypertrophic scar and keloid (P > 0.05), while they were all remarkably significant in comparison between normal scar and abnormal scar (P < 0.05). In pathological scar the protein of Skp2 and p27kip1 showed a strong inverse correlation (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe result indicated that the expression of Skp2 was increased and it may lead to decrease p27kip1 level in the hypertrophic scar and keloid, Skp2 overexpression might play an important role in the proliferation of fibroblasts and in the pathogenesis of pathological scar by adjusting the regulation of cyclins such as p27kip1.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Background:The role of local treatment in oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is gaining interest with the oligometastases hypothesis proposed and the improvement of various surgical methods and techniques.This study aimed to compare the short-term therapeutic outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) for oligometastatic prostate cancer (OPC) vs.localized PCa using propensity score matching.Methods:Totally 508 consecutive patients underwent RALP as a first-line treatment.The patients were divided into two groups according to oligometastatic state:the OPC group (n =41) or the localized PCa group (n =467).Oligometastatic disease was defined as the presence of two or fewer suspicious lesions.The association between the oligometastatic state and therapeutic outcomes of RALP was evaluated,including biochemical recurrence (BCR) and overall survival (OS).A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the possible risk factors for BCR.Results:Totally 41 pairs of patients were matched.The median operative time,the median blood loss,the overall positive surgical margin rate,the median post-operative hospital stays,and the post-operative urinary continence recovery rate between the two groups showed no statistical significance.The 4-year BCR survival rates of the OPC group and localized PCa group were 56.7％ and 60.8％,respectively,without a significant difference (P=0.804).The 5-year OS rates were 96.3％ and 100％,respectively (P =0.326).Additionally,the results of Cox regression showed that oligometastatic state was not an independent risk factor for BCR (P =0.682).Conclusions:Our findings supported the safety and effectiveness of RALP in OPC.Additionally,oligometastatic state and sites did not have an adverse effect on BCR independently.

Most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer have a good prognosis after radioiodine-131 therapy,but a small number of patients are insensitive to radioiodine-131 therapy and even continue to develop disease.At present,some targeted drugs can improve progression-free survival in patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC),such as sorafenib and levatinib,have been approved for the treatment of RAIR-DTC.However,due to the presence of primary and acquired drug resistance,drug efficacy in these patients is unsatisfactory.This review introduces the acquired drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib in the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)pathways and proposes related treatment strategies,in order to provide a reference for similar drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib and effective treatment of RAIR-DTC.