Objective To observe the efficacy and adverse reaction of NP and GX regimens in the treatment of the anthracycline-and-taxane-resistant advanced breast cancer.Methods Totally 75 patients with advanced breast cancer were divided into two groups,and received NP or GX regimen.NP group (n =40):NVB 25 mg/m2,day 1,day 8,iv.drip; DDP 25 mg/m2,day 1-3,iv.drip.GX group (n =35):GEM 1000 mg/m2 day 1,day 8,iv.drip; XEL 2500 mg/m2,day 1-14,bid po.Every 21 days was a cycle.The efficacy and adverse reaction were evaluated after two cycles.Results The overall response rates in the NP and GX group were 42.5 ％ (17/40) and 40.0 ％ (14/35).The median TTP of two group were 7 and 6.5 months.The MST was 15.8 and 15.0 months in the NP and GX group.The 1-and 2-year survival rates were 60.0 ％,32.5 ％ and 57.1％,31.4 ％.The increase ratio of Karnofsky were 50.0 ％ and 42.9 ％.There were not significant difference between the two groups in terms of their treatment response (P ＞ 0.05).The main adverse reactions in the two group were myelosuppression,gastrointestinal reaction and phlebitis.Hand-foot syndrome in GX was significantly higher than that in NP group,Gastrointestinal reactions in NP was significantly higher than that in GX group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion NP and GX regimens are effective for patients with metastatic breast cancer,their adverse reactions are tolerable,so they can be regarded as a ltermate regimens for anthracyclines and taxanes resistant patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Objective To partially purify the toxic factor secreted by A. corymbifera and to analyze the mechanism of A. corymbifera-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) apoptosis. Methods Glycoprotein secreted by A. corymbifera was purified by Con A Lectin chromatography. The influence of different protein fractions on HUVEC apoptosis was determined by flow eytometer. Both denaturing and nondenaturing deglycosylation of purified glycoprotein was performed and the ability of the protein moiety and carbohydrate moiety to induce HUVEC apoptosis was evaluated respectively. Activation of related caspases during A. corymbifera-induced apoptosis was analyzed by Western blot. The role of caspase-8 and -9 in HUVEC apoptosis was investigated using caspase inhibitors. Caspase inhibitors were used to stop the suppression of HUVEC viability by XTT assay. Results Flow cytometric analysis shows the total protein as well as the glycoprotein fraction of A. corymbifera may induce HUVEC apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, similar activity was not observed in the non-glycoprotein fraction. Neither deglycosylated protein nor carbohydrate moiety is able to induce HUVEC apoptosis alone. In the apoptotic signaling pathway, caspase9, caspase-3 and cytochrome C were activated significantly, except caspase-8. Moreover, caspase-9 inhibitor, instead of caspase-8 inhibitor, completely abrogates A. corymbifera-induced HUVEC apoptosis. Caspase9 and caspase-3 inhibitors completely waived the suppression of HUVEC viability by A. corymbifera. Conclusion Glycoprotein secreted by A. corymbifera is associated with HUVEC apoptosis. Intact glycoprotein is essential for the apoptotic progress. Intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway mediates A. corymbifera-induced HUVEC apoptosis.

Objective To analyze the influence of Absidia corymbifera on cell activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as well as the related mechanism. Methods Time course analy sis of the influence of A. corymbifera on cell viability of HUVEC was determined by cell counting after Trypan blue staining. Apoptosis of HUVEC induced by A. corymbifera was observed under fluorescence microscope after treatment with apoptosis detection kit. Time course analysis of HUVEC apoptosis induced by A. corymbifera was detected by flow cytometry quantitatively. Effect of caspase-3 inhibitor on A. corymbifera associated apoptosis was also evaluated at the same time. Activation of caspase-3 inside HUVEC was detected by Western blot. Results A. corymbifera inhibited cell viability of HUVEC in a time-dependent manner by Trypan blue staining. After 12 hours' co-culture, A. corymbifera began to show suppression on cell viability (P =0. 001 ). Fluorescence microscope observation revealed A. corymbifera induced apoptosis of HUVEC instead of necrosis. Flow cytometry analysis showed A. corymbifera induced apoptosis of HUVEC in a time-dependent manner. A. corymbifera began to show obvious effect on apoptosis after 12 h co-culture (P =0.0036). Moreover, A. corymbifera-associated apoptosis was almost abrogated completely by caspase-3 inhibitor. Western blot analysis demonstrated that A. corymbifera triggered the activation of caspase-3 inside HUVEC in a timedependent fashion. Conclusion A. corymbifera induces apoptosis of HUVEC in vitro. Such apoptotic signal is transmitted through caspase cascade reaction.

Objective To measure the expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase(IDO)in condy-loma acuminatum (CA) lesions, and to evaluate its ability to locally metabolize tryptophan. Methods Immunohistochemical study was performed to observe the protein expression of IDO in skin lesions of patients with CA, and count the number of IDO-positive cells. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to estimate the relationship between IDO-positive cells and dendritic cells. Epidermal cells and keratinocytes were isolated from warts of 30 patients with CA and prepuces of 11 healthy controls respectively, and both in vitro incubated with tryptophan solution for 4 hours. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)was performed to detect the level of tryptophan metabolite, kynurenine, in the culture supernatant of the above cells, which could reflect the ability of epidermal cells to metabolize tryptophan. Results Rare IDO-positive cells were found in the normal skin, but a lot of IDO-positive cells gathered in the epidermis of the wart tissues. The IDO-positive cell/total cell ratio was significantly higher in the wart tissues than in the normal skin(48.3%± 15.4%vs. 5.2%± 2.4%, P<0.05). The fluorescence signals of IDO-positive cells and CD1a-positive Langerhans cells were not overlapped with each other, suggesting that IDO-positive cells were derived from epidermal cells of the wart tissues. Compared with the keratinocytes from the healthy skin, the epidermal cells from warts had a stronger ability to metabolize tryptophan in vitro. Conclusion A large number of IDO-positive cells exist in CA warts, and may be involved in occurrence of CA.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of PEG stress on baicalin, baicalein accumulation induced by an increased concentration of PEG solution and the related genes' expression in suspension of Scutellaria baicalensis.

METHODThe content of baicalin, baicalein in suspension of S. baicalensis was determined by HPLC. The related genes' expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR.

RESULTThe content of proline in suspension of S. baicalensis was promoted by PEG treatment. Ten percent PEG treatment promoted the expression of PAL and the content of baicalein in experimental material via a drought stress. 20% PEG solution treatment promoted the expression of UBGAT. At the same time, the increased activity of APX inhibited the progress of eliminating reactive oxygen by baicalein, which induced the transformation from baicalein to baicalin.

CONCLUSIONActive ingredient in suspension of S. baicalensis was promoted significantly via a stress of light concentration of PEG solution.

Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Suspensions

Objective To investigate the risk factors for acute ischemic stroke in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis (LEA).Methods The consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to hospital within 7 d after onset were enrolled retrospectively.Color Doppler flow imaging was used to detect LEA.The demographic characteristics,vascular risk factors,and laboratory parameters were identified and analyzed.Results A total of 156 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled,including 138 with LEA.Univariate analysis showed that age (69.5± 11.8 years vs.60.4± 11.5 years;t =3.063,P =0.003) and the proportion of patients with hypertension (81.1％ vs,55.6％;x2 =2.467,P =0.014) in the LEA group were significantly higher than those in the non-LEA group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounders such as gender,baseline systolic blood pressure,diabetes mellitus,and ischemic heart disease,age (odds ratio [OR] 1.059,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.016-1.105;P=0.007),and hypertension (OR 3.128,95％ CI 1.084-9.026,P =0.035) were the independent risk factors for acute ischemic stroke complicated with LEA.Conclusions Age and hypertension are associated with acute ischemic stroke complicated with LEA.