Objective To evaluate the blood supply features and effectiveness of arterial chemoembolization for pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Angiography and chemoembolization via supplying blood arteries of tumor were performed in five patients with pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma.Interventional procedure was carried out with tumor vascular infusion of 350 mg hot elemene emulsion and tumor embolization by cisplantin-lipidol emulsion(cisplantin 60-80 mg+lipidol 8-15 ml)and glutin.Results Ten interventional procedures(TACE)were undertaken in 5 patients.Angiography showed that tumor blood supply mainly coming from collateral circulation adjacent to the tumors,but partially from hepatic artery.Tumor sizes decreased from 30% to 50% in 5 cases,and AFP declined in 4 cases after the treatment. Conclusion Pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma possessing different blood supply features from intrahepatocellular carcinomas.But transarterial ehemoembolization is still an effective method of choice for this treatment.

Macrolactins are 24-membered macrolides produced by unidentified marine bacterium, Actinomadura sp. and Bacillus sp., which exhibit both antibacterial and antitumor activities in vitro. The environmental strain X-2 which was isolated from the sediment of the East China Sea produce Macrolatin A, B and O. In this study, a set of degenerate oligonucleotide primers, designed for amplification ketosynthase(KS) domains, had been employed to identify KS gene fragments of the X-2 DNA samples. One 645 bp KS fragment(GenBank accession no. EF486351)had been cloned and used as a probe to screen the genome DNA fosmid library of X-2. Three positive clones were selected and sequenced, Homologous analysis and the function prediction of the obtained PKS gene fragments suggested that macrolactin is the Polyketide Biosynthesis Product of the gene cluster obtained in the environmental strain X-2.

OBJECTIVETo prepare highly specific anti-ouabain polyclonal antibody for detecting endogenous ouabain in tissues.

METHODSOuabain-BSA compound was used to immunize hens, and the eggs were collected one week after the first immunization. The IgY antibodies in the egg yolk were separated and purified by PEG-6000 Method, and analyzed by 12% SDS-PAGE and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for titration. The IgY antibodies obtained were applied subsequently in ELISA and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe IgY titer increased rapidly after the second immunization, with the highest titer of 1:10240 that lasted for at least 4 weeks. Competitive ELISA for IgY detection showed an average intraassay coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.03% and an inter-assay CV of 2.34%. Immunohistochemistry visualized the location of the endogenous ouabain mainly in the cytoplasm of the zona reticularis of rat adrenal cortex.

CONCLUSIONImmunization of hens allows efficient preparation of IgY antibody which can be used in routine immunoassays.

Animals ; Calibration ; Cattle ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunization ; methods ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ouabain ; analysis ; immunology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo gain insight into the mechanism by which sex-determining region of Y chromosome (SRY)-related high-mobility-group box 2 (SOX2) involved in carcinogenesis and cancer stem cells (CSCs).

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were mainly published in English from 2000 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "SOX2," "cancer," "tumor" or "CSCs."

STUDY SELECTIONArticles studying the mitochondria-related pathologic mechanism and treatment of glaucoma were selected and reviewed.

RESULTSSOX2, a transcription factor that is the key in maintaining pluripotent properties of stem cells, is a member of SRY-related high-mobility group domain proteins. SOX2 participates in many biological processes, such as modulation of cell proliferation, regulation of cell death signaling, cell apoptosis, and most importantly, tumor formation and development. Although SOX2 has been implicated in the biology of various tumors and CSCs, the findings are highly controversial, and information regarding the underlying mechanism remains limited. Moreover, the mechanism by which SOX2 involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression is rather unclear yet.

CONCLUSIONSHere, we review the important biological functions of SOX2 in different tumors and CSCs, and the function of SOX2 signaling in the pathobiology of neoplasia, such as Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, Survivin signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and so on. Targeting towards SOX2 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy.

Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is one of the main causes of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). No established link is available between pathological scores of CAA and its outcome. This study aimed to identify the correlations between pathological severity and poor postoperative outcome in the Chinese population.

METHODSBetween May 2006 and April 2011, 367 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for CAA-related ICH in 71 hospitals throughout the mainland of China were enrolled in this study. Twelve months after surgery, we evaluated these patients' outcomes according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and statistically correlated risk factors (demographics, medical history, pathological results, and surgical details) that are associated with a favorable (mRS < 3) and poor (mRS ≥ 3) outcome groups.

RESULTSRisk factors for poor postoperative outcome in 367 patients with CAA-related ICH included advanced age (OR 1.034, 95%CI 1.001 - 1.067, P = 0.042), CAA pathology severity (OR 2.074, 95%CI 7.140 - 16.25, P < 0.001), lobar hematoma (OR 0.225, 95%CI 0.104 - 0.486, P < 0.001), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 0.478, 95%CI 0.229 - 1.001, P = 0.050), and/or subarachnoid hemorrhage (OR 2.629, 95%CI, 1.051 - 6.577, P = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONSPoor postoperative outcome of patients with CAA-related ICH was more related to the severe pathological manifestation instead of other factors. Prior ischemia may present an early stage of CAA.

Aged ; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

Objective To assess the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and osteoporosis. Methods 2202 women aged 50-73 years were included in this cross-sectional study from the communities in Guangzhou, from July 2008 to January 2010. Cardiovascular risk factors including age, years since menopause, physical activity, anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, fasting serum lipids, glucose and uric acid, intima-media thickness(IMT) of carotid artery were assessed. Ultrasonic bone density (speed of sound) at the radius and tibia were determined. Osteoporosis was defined as T-score≤-2.5. Common factors for the cardiovascular risk factors were extracted using the factor analysis method. Results Eight common factors representing obesity, lean mass, blood triglycerides and uric acid, cholesterol, age, blood pressure, IMT and physical activity were extracted. Data from the Multivariate logistic regression showed a dose-dependent association of greater scores of age and IMT factors and lower score of lean mass factor with the increased risk of osteoporosis at the radius and tibia. As compared with the bottom quartile, the OR (95%CI) of radius and tibia osteoporosis were 0.62 (0.44-0.88) and 0.62 (0.48-0.80) for lean mass factor, 4.02 (2.72-5.94) and 3.68(2.81-4.82) for age factor, 1.41 (1.00-2.00) and 1.54 (1.19-2.00) for IMT factors, respectively. Moreover, greater blood pressure score was associated with higher risk of radius osteoporosis while the higher obese score, was correlated with the increased risk of tibia osteoporosis. Conclusion The cardiovascular-related risk factors of greater IMT, obesity, blood pressure and lower lean mass scores were associated with increased osteoporosis risks while called for more concern among the Chinese women.

AIMTo improve specificity and accuracy of endogenous ouabain measurement assay.

METHODSAnti-ouabain polyclonal antibody egg yolk (IgY) and anti-ouabain rabbit antibody (IgG) were prepared respectively. In the presence of two kinds of antibody, then the specificity and accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were compared.

RESULTSThe ELISA, in the presence of IgY, provided a sensitivity of the average intraassay coefficient of variation(CV) was 2.03%, and the inter-assay CV was 2.34% respectively. In contrast, IgG were 2.83% and 3.29%. No significant interferences were observed with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. There was 3.45% vs. 5.95%, 3.20% vs. 5.20% of crossreaction with cedilanid and digoxin.

CONCLUSIONThe specificity and accuracy of ELISA, in which IgY was used, were more better than IgG.

Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Chickens ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Egg Yolk ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Male ; Ouabain ; analysis ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo assess the binding activity of polypeptide containing human Na+, K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit M1-M2 extracellular segment (HES1 derivative).

METHODSHES1 derivative was synthesized by Fmoc method and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and its binding activity was identified by radioligand binding assay.

RESULTS3H-ouabain and synthetic HES1 derivative showed some binding activity with the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 24.58 nmol/L, with the the receptor density of 492.43 fmol x mg(-1) pro. and IC50 of 3.078 x 10(-7) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONHES1 derivative can bind to ouabain and has the potential of becoming an effective therapeutic agent.

Binding Sites ; drug effects ; Extracellular Space ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ouabain ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Peptides ; chemistry ; Protein Binding ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of co-blockage of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (KDR) on growth of bladder carcinoma T24 cells and nude mice xenograft.

METHODST24 cell line co-transfected with VEGF siRNA and sKDR expression plasmids was developed and its proliferation was assayed by MTT and apoptosis by FCM. The nude mice model bearing bladder carcinoma xenograft was established. The tumor cell VEGF expression, stroma microvessel density (MVD) and tumor cell topoisomerase II alpha (Topo II alpha) expression were detected by immunohistochemistry. Cell apoptosis was estimated by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSMTT assay showed that cell proliferation in VEGF siRNA, sKDR and combination groups was 56.3% +/- 8.3%, 42.6% +/- 13.8% and 32.5% +/- 4.3%, respectively, significantly lower than that in the scramble control (97.3% +/- 11.6%, P < 0.0001). FCM showed there were sub-diploid apoptotic peaks before G1 phase in VEGF siRNA, sKDR and combination groups, and apoptosis ratio was 5.1% +/- 0.9%, 4.2% +/- 0.5% and 8.8% +/- 0.7%, respectively, all of which were higher than that in the scramble control (0.9% +/- 0.4%, P < 0.05), and the combination group had even more higher apoptosis than the two singlely treated groups (P < 0.01). In vivo test showed that tumor growth was inhibited in VEGF siRNA, sKDR and combination groups, and from day 16 the tumor volume in combination group was significantly smaller than that in scramble control (P < 0.05), and from day 28 the tumor almost lost the ability to further growth. Immunohistochemistry revealed VEGF expression in combination group was 54.37 +/- 5.28, significantly lower than that in the scramble control (141.66 +/- 8.59, P < 0.0001). MVD number was only 8.22 +/- 3.79, much less compared with that in the scramble control (61.76 +/- 5.28, P < 0.0001) or sKDR group (19.46 +/- 4.16, P = 0.0089). Tumor cell proliferation index in the combination group (1.5% +/- 0.7%) was significantly decreased compared with that in the scramble control (11.8% +/- 5.2%, P < 0.0001), and apoptosis index (67.2% +/- 8.5%) was much higher than that in the scramble control (8.7% +/- 2.7%, P < 0.0001), VEGF siRNA group (54.3% +/- 4.8%, P = 0.0492) or sKDR group (52.3% +/- 6.4%, P = 0.0293).

CONCLUSIONVEGF siRNA or sKDR alone can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis, but co-blockage of VEGF and KDR by their combination shows more significant therapeutic efficacy.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays