Animals ; Genes, BRCA2 ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Genes, erbB-2 ; Genes, p16 ; Genes, p53 ; Genes, ras ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; pathology

Objective To explore a method for isolation and culture of human epidermal stem cells. Methods Epidermis was obtained by digesting human foreskin with Dispase Ⅱ and Trypsin-EDTA.After suspension on the epidermal stem cell medium (ESCM), these single epidermis cells were inoculated onto human collagen Ⅳ-coated flasks and cultured at 37 ℃ in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO_2 for 10 min. The nonadherent cells were rinsed off 10 min after inoculation, and the adherent cells continued to be cultured after enriching and abstraction by type Ⅳ collagen. The cell growth was observed through inverted microscope, and the cell cloning efficiency and time of clone sustain were also detected. Immunocytochemistry was used to observe the expression of ?_1-integrin and keratin 19(K19). Keratinocytes were served as controls. Results It was revealed by histological observation that colonies were formed 24 hours after inoculation. The isolated and cultured cell cloning efficiency was higher and the time of clone sustain was longer than that of the control group. Positive expression of ?_1-integrin and K19 of cultured cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. Conclusion Adult epidermal stem cells could be successfully isolated and cultured by adhension with type Ⅳ collagen and culture with ESCM.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in prostate carcinoma tissues and its significance.

METHODSRT-PCR method was used to examine the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in normal and carcinomatous prostate tissues.

RESULTSThe relative content of TGF-beta1 mRNA of normal prostate tissues was (0.74 +/- 0.11), while those of carcinomatous prostate tissues at T1-T2 and T3-T4 stages were (0.69 +/- 0.10) and (0.44 +/- 0.08) respectively, with significant difference between T1-T2 and T3-T4 (P < 0.05). And the relative contents of TGF-beta1 mRNA of carcinomatous prostate tissues with Gleason score < or = 5, 6-8 and > or = 9 were (0.70 +/- 0.12), (0.54 +/- 0.11) and (0.42 +/- 0.09) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was negatively correlated with the clinical stage and Gleason score of prostate carcinoma.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the clinical features and the strategy for the diagnosis and treat- ment of bilateral testicular tumor.Methods The clinical data (including the signs and symptoms,imaging studies,tumor markers,treatment modalities and histopatbologic diagnoses) of 10 cases of bilateral testicular tumor from January 1980 to December 2004 were reviewed.Their age ranged from 19 to 58 years(mean,34 years).Of the 10 cases,8 with metachronous and 2 with synchronous testicular tumors were identified.The clinical stages at the primary and secondary tumor diagnosis were:5 cases of stageⅠ,3 of stageⅡ;and 6 cases of stageⅠ,1 of stageⅡ,and 1 of stageⅢ,respectively,in 8 metachronous tumor patients.Two syn- chronous tumor patients were both identified as stageⅠdisease.Histological examination showed the primary tumor (seminoma) in 4 cases and the secondary contralateral tumor (seminoma) in 3.Results Two syn- chronous tumor patients underwent bilateral radical orchiectomy simultaneously,and 8 underwent orchiectomy successively.Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed in 3 cases.Postoperatively,hypogonadism occurred in 10 patients,and 7 of them received androgen replacement therapy.Follow-up ranged from 9 month to 23 years with a mean of 10.5 years.Two patients died of the disease;2 had metastasis (1 of them was alive with metastasis);2 had recurrences and underwent local resection.Conclusions Metachronous bilateral testicular cancers are more common than synchronous bilateral testicular cancers.Seminoma was the most common histopathologic type.Testis-sparing surgery can be performed in selected cases.

Objective To investigate the reversal effect of MDR1 and MDR3 gene silencing on resistance of A2780/taxol cells to paclitaxel.Methods shRNA plasmid vector specifically targeting MDR1 and MDR3 genes was transfected into A2780/taxol cells.The early stage cell apoptosis and the effect of intracellular rhodamine 123(Rh123)accumulation were detected by flow cytometry(FCM).The late stage cell apoptosis rate was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP)nick end labeling(TUNEL).The 50% inhibition concentration(IC_(50))of paclitaxel on A2780/taxol cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.MDR1 and MDR3 mRNA were assessed by RT-PCR,and caspase-3 protein was detected by western blot.Results After treatment with MDR1 and MDR3 shRNA plasmid vector,early apoptosis rate of A2780/taxol cells was (20.21?0.56)% and(10.87?1.24)%,respectively.MDR1 and MDR3 shRNA could increase cellular Rh123 accumulation(116.6?8.1 and 98.4?3.8,respectively).The late stage apoptosis rates detected by TUNEL displayed the same tendency as FCM results did.The IC_(50)for paclitaxel of A2780/taxol cells was decreased significantly.The mRNA levels of MDR1 and MDR3 in A2780/taxol cells were decreased by (73.3?0.8)% and(51.6?0.4)% of control,and the reduction of MDR1 and MDR3 mRNA was in a time-dependent manner.The expression of caspase-3 protein of MDR1 and MDR3 shRNA vector transfected group in A2780/taxol cells was significantly increased [(80.8?2.6)% and(72.0?4.7)%, respectively ].Conclusion MDR1 and MDR3 gene silencing could recover sensitivity of A2780/taxol cells to paclitaxel and induce cell apoptosis,thus reversing cell resistance to paclitaxel.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the experience on diagnosis and treatment of multiple adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA).

METHODSEighteen cases of multiple adrenal APA were analyzed retrospectively, which were admitted from October 1992 to April 2006.

RESULTSAdrenalectomy was performed for 4 cases of unilateral synchronous multiple APA, which were discovered with three adenomas by 3D-CT; bilateral tumor resection was performed for 6 cases of bilateral synchronous multiple APA. There were 8 cases of bilateral metachronous multiple APA, including 2 cases of ipsilateral recurrent adrenal APA after adrenal tumor removal, which underwent tumor resection. Another 6 cases were contralateral APA following adrenalectomy due to adrenal APA, and underwent tumor resection. After operation, the adrenal function seemed to be normal, and no recurrence had been found on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSUnilateral multiple synchronous APA require adrenalectomy. Tumor resection should be performed for bilateral or asynchronous APA, and it is very important to preserve healthy adrenal tissue as much as possible. 3D-CT has much value on diagnosis of small APA, unilateral multiple synchronous APA and ipsilateral recurrent adrenal APA.

Adenoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) activated natural killer cells (rhIL-2-NK) on angiogenesis and cardiac function of rats with myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSNatural killer cells (NKs) were isolated and activated by rhIL-2 in vitro. Untreated NKs were used as the control, the killing capacity of rhIL-2-NK were evaluated with cytotoxicity assay. Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were cocultured with rhIL-2-NK. One hour after MI, rats were randomly divided into rhIL-2-NK group, NK group and blank control group and NK, rhIL-2-NK and PBS were injected directly in the infracted myocardium. At the 0, 1(st), 3(rd), 5(th), 7(th) and 20(th)th day after MI, the mRNA expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were was detected by q-PCR essay. At the end of the therapy, the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated through immunohistochemical assay, and the cardiac function observed with echocardiography, homodynamic measurements.

RESULTSThe NKs were isolated successfully and the CMEC were proliferated remarkably by coculturing with rhIL-2-NK (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of MCP-1, TNF-α, CD31 and rhIL-2, VEGF were significantly upregulated in rhIL-2-NK group than in the PBS control group (P < 0.01). Four weeks after operation, LVEF was significantly higher in rhIL-2-NK group than in the PBS control group [(77.56 ± 15.67)% vs. (41.47 ± 12.21)%, P < 0.05)] and histomorphology assay revealed that the density of microvascular endothelial (MVD) of rhIL-2-NK group was significantly higher than that of PBS control group (17.35 ± 1.82 vs. 4.76 ± 0.92, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMyocardial injection of rhIL-2-NK could promote angiogenesis and improve cardiac function in MI rats.

Animals ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; physiology ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Suyu capsule on behavior, injury of hippocampal neurons and Ca2+ ion in hippocampal synaptic in the depression model mice.

METHODSixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, the control group, the model group and three Suyu capsule groups (the doses were 22.8, 11.4, 5.7 g x kg(-1) respectively). The model was established by separation and chronic unpredictable mild stimulation. The increased weight and crossing score, rearing score were measured by open-field and sweet water consumption of mice. Cone cell and configuration of neuron in CA1, CA3 region of hippocampus were observed by Nissl. The concentration of hippocampal synaptic Ca2+ ion was detected by fluorimetry.

RESULTComparing with the mice of control, the increased weight was slowered ( P < 0.01), the scores of rearing and crossing were decreased (P < 0.01), sweet water consumption were decreased too (P < 0.01), numbers of cone cell in CA3 region of hippocampus were decreased obviously (P < 0.01), and Ca2+ ion in hippocampal synaptic was increased obviously. Comparing with the mice of model, Suyu capsule (22.8 g kg(-1)) could increase the increased weight on the 14th and 21 st day obviously (P < 0.05); Suyu capsule (22.8 g x kg(-1)) could increase the scores of crossing obviously (P < 0.05), Suyu capsule (22.8, 11.4 g x kg(-1)) could increase the scores of rearing obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); Suyu capsule (22.8, 11.4, 5.8 g x kg(-1)) could increase sweet water consumption obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05; Suyu capsule (22.8, 11.4, 5.8 g x kg(-1)) could increase numbers of cone cell in CA3 region of hippocampus obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05); Suyu capsule (22.8, 11.4, 5.8 g x kg(-1)) decreased Ca2+ ion in hippocampal synaptic with dose-effect relationship (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSuyu capsule can improve all the symptoms of the depression model mice and protect injury of hippocampal neurons in the depression model mice. The possible mechanism of action is to restrict Ca2+ ion overfreight.

Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Capsules ; Depression ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Synapses ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish a stable high red fluorescent protein (RFP)-expressing orthotopic transplantation nude mice spontaneous metastasis model of pancreatic cancer.

METHODSStable high RFP-expressing cells SW1990-RFP were injected subcutaneously into mice to establish subcutaneous implantation model. Fluorescent tumor piece from subcutaneous was transplanted into the body of the pancreas to establish surgical orthotopic implantation model. The growth of primary tumor, metastasis and micrometastasis were assessed by whole-body fluorescence imaging system.

RESULTSTwelve RFP orthotopic transplantation nude mice metastasis models of pancreatic cancer were established successfully, the percentage of success rate was 100%. RFP-labeled pancreatic cancer growth could be monitored in real time way. The micrometastasis of primary lesions were detected in early stage with whole-body fluorescence imaging system.

CONCLUSIONSThe RFP orthotopic transplantation nude mice metastasis model of pancreatic cancer is stable and reliable, and can be observed dynamically in vitro in a noninvasive way, with much higher sensitivity and specificity.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Luminescent Proteins ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo improve computer-assisted imaging analysis for quantitatively measuring brain slice volume of rats and mice in comparison with conventional measuring methods,and to evaluate its usefulness in assessment of focal cerebral ischemia.

METHODSThe accurate volumes of rat and mouse brain slices were measured by weight and special gravity measuring. The areas of brain slices were measured by imaging analysis, then the slice volumes of right and left hemispheres were calculated by multiplying the adjusted thickness of the slices. In addition, the brain slice volumes of right and left hemispheres from focal cerebral ischemic mice were compared to assess ischemic injury using the imaging analysis.

RESULTArea measurement by computer-assisted imaging analysis was linear with different accurate areas (r=1.000). Slice volumes measured by imaging analysis correlated well with the accurate volumes measured by special gravity method, r=0.809 (n=45, P<0.001) in rats, and r=0.844 (n=74, P<0.001) in mice. The brain volumes in ischemic hemispheres were larger than in non-ischemic hemispheres in ischemic mice.

CONCLUSIONComputer-assisted imaging analysis can measure the brain slice volumes accurately and compare right and left hemisphere volumes quantitatively.

Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley