ObjectiveTo determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2),cysteine rich protein 61 (Cyr61) and CD25 in esophageal carcinoma and investigate their clinical significance.MethodThe expression of MMP-2, Cyr61 and CD25 in 68 cases of esophageal tumor tissues (esophageal carcinoma group ) and part-cancer( para-cancer group ) and 68 cases of reflux esophagitis (control group ) was detected by immunohistochemical method and the results were statistically analysed. ResultsThe positive expression rates of MMP-2,Cyr61 and CD25 were 82.35％(56/68), 73.53％(50/68) and 89.71％(61/68)respectively in esophageal carcinoma group,there were significant differences compared with those in paracancer group and control group(P ＜ 0.05) ; while there was no significantdifference between para-cancer group and control group (P ＞ 0.05 ). The positive expression rates of MMP-2, Cyr61 and CD25 in esophageal carcinoma group in different T stage, N stage and M stage all had statisticall differences (P ＜ 0.05),while there was no significant difference in different degree of differentiation (P ＞ 0.05 ). ConclusionMMP-2,Cyr61 and CD25 is highly expressed in esophageal carcinoma,there is some significance for understanding the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal carcinoma.

The samples of sulfur-fumigated Paeoniae Alba Radix acquired both by random spot check from domestic market and self-production by the research group in the laboratory were used to evaluate the effects of sulphur fumigation on the quality of Paeoniae Alba Radix by comparing sulfur-fumigated degree and character, the content of paeoniflorin and paeoniflorin sulfurous acid ester, and changes of the fingerprint. We used methods in Chinese Pharmacopeia to evaluate the character of sulfur-fumigated Paeoniae Alba Radix and determinate the content of aulfur-fumigated paeoniflorin. LC-MS method was used to analyze paeoniflorin-converted products. HPLC fingerprint methods were established to evaluate the differences on quality by similarity. Results showed that fumigated Paeoniae Alba Radix became white and its unique fragrance disappeared, along with the production of pungent sour gas. It also had a significant effect on paeoniflorin content. As sulfur smoked degree aggravated, paeoniflorin content decreased subsequently, some of which turned into paeoniflorin sulfurous acid ester, and this change was not reversible. Fingerprint also showed obvious changes. Obviously, sulfur fumigation had severe influence on the quality of Paeoniae Alba Radix, but we can control the quality of the Paeoniae Alba Radix by testing the paeoniflorin sulfurous acid ester content.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fumigation ; methods ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Sulfur ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of MRI for assessment of re-distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells injected intramyocardially in main organs (heart, liver, spleen and kidney) under different heart status (beating or arresting) in a porcine model. Methods Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from the male swine and labeled with iron oxide during culture. Acute myocardial infarction was created in female swine, one week later, the survivors were randomly divided into 4 groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass was set up to arrest the heart, and then labeled cells (1×108) were intramyocardially injected into the border of the infracted myocardium in group 1 (n=6). The same volume of cells was grafted into the beating heart in group 2 (n=6). In group 3 and 4, saline was injected into either the arresting or beating myocardium. Three days later, re-distribution of stem cells and cardiac function were assessed by T2*WI and cine MRI, respectively. All animals were sacrificed for histology and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of sex-determining region on Y-chromosome (SRY) investigation.The ANOVA and t test was used for statistics. Results The left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (56.8±5.3),(54.8±6.8),(57.4±4.3)and(56.8±2.8) ml, and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (65.2±5.2),(63.2±3.7),(60.2±4.7)and(62.2±4.4) ml. The left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (33.5±7.6),(32.3±5.3),(33.5±3.6)and(32.7±4.6) ml,and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (37.3±5.6),(36.3±6.9),(34.3±5.4)and(36.3±8.1) ml. The left ventricular EF values (LVEF) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (42.3±7.2)%,(41.7±6.8)%,(41.8±8.6)% and(42.7±7.7)%,and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (44.5±8.7)%,(43.1±7.4)%,(42.8±5.6)% and(43.3±8.4)%. The myocardial infarction area (MI) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (6.5±2.1),(6.4±1.9),(6.5±2.5)and(6.4±2.6) cm2,and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (6.4±2.3),(6.2±2.6),(6.3±2.5)and(6.4±2.8) cm2 . There were no statistical differences before and after transplantation in these 4 groups[P values of before and after transplantation for LVEDV, LVESV, LVEF,MI were >0.05 (F= 0.277, 0.066,0.066, 0.003); and >0.05 (F= 1.137,0.182,0.021,0.008),respectively]. The T2 value of the infracted myocardium in group 1 decreased more obviously than that in group 2[(-22.3 ± 2.2) vs (-17.0 ± 0.8) ms, t=-5.489, P＜0.01], while the T2 value of the spleen decreased more significantly in group 2 than that in group 1[(-7.7 ± 0.7) vs (-13.3 ± 1.1) ms,t=9.055, P＜0.01]. The T2 values of the liver and kidney were no significant differences in group 1 and 2 (liver, t=-0.532,P>0.05 and kidney, t=-0.113,P>0.05). The results of RT-PCR in group 1 and 2 showed significant differences in heart[(150±62) vs (72±4) U/L ,P<0.05, t=3.109], spleen[(131±1) vs (233±17) U/L, P＜0.01, t=- 13.286]and liver[(17±1) vs (9±5) U/L ,P<0.01,t= 3.492]. Pathological examination demonstrated that the transplanted stem cells were positive for Prussian blue staining, which had a good correlation with MRI results. Conclusion MRI can serve as a convenient and efficient imaging method to track the migration of stem cells with SPIO labeled in early stage and evaluate its early re-distribution in vivo. Injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the arresting heart could favor retaining more cells in the myocardium.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the antibacterial activity of aloe and its contents of anthaquinone compounds, measure and compale antibacterial activities of aloin and aloe-emodin, and analyse the effect of glycoside on the antibacterial activity of aloin.

METHODThe antibacterial activities of the extracts from the outer leaf of Aloe saponaria Haw, aloin and aloe-emodin against three Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacteria were investigated with the method of agar diffusion. The antibacterial effect of aloin on E. coli was further studied with scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTThe antibacterial activities of aloe showed to be dependent on the dose of anthraquinone, aloin (1 g x L(-1)) exhibited higher antibacterial activity [inhibition diameter > (7. 1 +/- 0.15) mm] than Aloe-emodin (inhibition diameter < 5.0 mm), and aloin changed the morphology of E. coli and damaged the outer cell structrue.

CONCLUSIONAnthraquinone compounds are the active antibacterial components in aloe and aloin is the main active compound. The glycoside makes it easy for aloin to invade cells and enhances its activity.

Aloe ; chemistry ; Anthraquinones ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bacillus subtilis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Emodin ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteus vulgaris ; drug effects ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of a new collagen-hydroxyapatite (COL-HA) composite membrane on bone regeneration of SD rat cranial defects.

METHODSFour defects were produced in the calvaria of 24 SD rats. The animals were divided into four groups: Empty defects without membrane (group 1); defects covered by COL-HA single-layer dense membranes (group 2); defects covered by COL-HA double-layer membranes (group 3); defects covered by Bio-Gide membranes (group 4). At 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, 6 rats were sacrificed and the following parameters were analyzed: Macroscopic observation, X-ray examination, descriptive histology, regenerate bone quantitative histology. Statistical analysis consisted of generalized linear models/factorial design analysis of variance and LSD-t test was performed.

RESULTSSince two weeks after surgery, there were a small amount of bone regenerated in three groups except group 1. At 12 weeks after surgery, the opaque sclerous tissues filled with the defects in three groups, and residual membrane fragments still could be found. X-ray pictures showed the density of regenerate bone in group 3 and group 4 was closed to the original bone and greater than that of group 2. Quantitative analysis of regenerate bone showed that in initial stage, group 4 had more bone regeneration than the other groups (P < 0.05), and at 12 weeks after surgery the differences between group 4 and group 2/group 3 had no statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONThe COL-HA composite membranes can guide bone regeneration of rat cranial defects. The efficacy of bone regeneration of COL-HA double-layer membrane is superior to COL-HA single-layer dense membrane, because its property is more propitious to the adherence and proliferation of osteoblasts.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone and Bones ; Collagen ; Durapatite ; Osteoblasts ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skull

To further evaluate the effect of miR-217 in the proliferation of mouse adult pancreatic stem cells, we firstly transfected adult pancreatic stem cells with miR-217 mimics and studied the effect of miR-217 on proliferation through Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results showed that during the proliferation of adult pancreatic stem cells, miR-217 inhibited the protein expression of Ki-67 and Cyclin D1, which are related to cell propagation. As well as that, to investigate the target genes of miR-217 and their conserved sites bound by the seed region of miR-217, we used bioinformatic algorithms to find a potential target of miR-217 and verified by dual-luciferase activity assay. Surprisingly, dual-luciferase activity assay revealed that miR-217 could decrease PMIR-REPORT-Sirt1-3′UTR luciferase activity and Sirt1 is a direct target of miR-217. Finally, we verified the function of Sirt1 in the proliferation of pancreatic stem cells. Overexpression of miR-217 in pancreatic stem cells inhibited the level of Sirt1 in protein level but not in mRNA level. Furthermore, activator of Sirt1 played positive effect on colony formation ability and cell proliferation and inhibitor of Sirt1 showed the opposite function. In conclusion, miR-217 inhibits the proliferation of mouse adult pancreatic stem cells through Sirt1 and decreased expression of miR-217 to contribute to the pancreatic stem cells development.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of lymphocyte G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 (GRK2) expression of the very elderly with chronic heart failure (HF) and heart ejection fraction (EF).

METHODS16 elderly patients with chronic heart failure were divided into 2 groups as following: EF < 45% (n=7), EF > or = 45% (n=9); and health elderly as control (n=8). Lymphocytes were obtained from blood, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to measure GRK2 mRNA levels.

RESULTSLymphocyte GRK2 mRNA levels of EF < 45% group were higher than that of EF > 45% group, which were greater than that of control.

CONCLUSIONElevation of lymphocyte GRK2 levels in HF is associated with heart EF, lymphocytes may provide a surrogate for monitoring cardiac GRK2 in human HF.

Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stroke Volume ; physiology

BACKGROUNDFamitinib is a novel and potent multitargeting receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The phase I clinical study showed that famitinib was well tolerated and had a broad anti-tumor spectrum. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of famitinib for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

METHODSThe data of famitinib in treating patients with mRCC from the single-center phases I and II clinical trials were analyzed. Famitinib was administered orally at the dose of 13-30 mg once daily until tumor progression, occurrence of intolerable adverse reactions or withdrawal of the informed consent.

RESULTSA total of 24 patients with mRCC were treated including 17 patients at a dose of 25 mg once daily, 4 patients at a dose of 27 mg and 1 patient each at a dose of 13 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg, respectively. Twelve (50.0%) patients achieved partial response (PR) and 9 patients achieved stable disease (SD). Progressive disease was found in 3 (12.5%) patients. The disease control rate was 87.5%. The median follow-up time was 17.6 months; the median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.7 (95% CI 7.0-14.4) months; and the estimated median overall survival (OS) time was 33.0 (95% CI 8.7-57.3) months. The adverse drug reactions mainly included hypertension (54.1%), hand-foot skin reactions (45.8%), diarrhea (33.3%), mucositis (29.2%), neutropenia (45.8%), thrombocytopenia (29.2%), hyperlipidemia (41.7%) and proteinuria (41.7%). The incidence rate of grades 3 and 4 adverse events was low, mainly including hypertension 12.5%, hand-foot skin reactions 4.2%, neutropenia 4.2%, thrombocytopenia 4.2%, hyperlipidemia 4.2% and proteinuria 12.5%.

CONCLUSIONSFamitinib has significant anti-tumor activity in mRCC. The common adverse reactions are generally manageable.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Indoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Pyrroles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at Baihui(GV20)and Siguan(Hegu/LI4 and Taichong/LR3)of affected side on expression of Tax1-binding protein 1(TAX1BP1)in cerebral cortex in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats,so as to in-vestigate its protective mechanism in inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway and promoting neurobehavioral recovery. Methods A total of 105 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into sham group,model group and EA group.Each group was ran-domly assigned into reperfusion six hours,twelve hours,24 hours,48 hours,72 hours groups after two hours of ischemia.The model was es-tablished by right middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion.EA group received electroacupuncture at Baihui and left Siguan(Hegu and Taichong)acupoints.Neurobehavioral evaluation,TAX1BP1 protein expression,TAX1BP1 positive cell count,zink finger protein A20 expression, and nuclear NF-κB p65 protein expression were tested in each group. Results There was no neurological deficit in the sham group. Compared with the model group, the neurological scores at 48 hours, 72 hours after reperfusion decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group,the TAX1BP1 expression at twelve hours,24 hours and 48 hours after reperfusion increased in the model group(P<0.05),and further increased at twelve hours,24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion in EA group(P<0.05),and peaked at 24 hours after reperfusion.Compared with the sham group,the expression of A20 and NF-κB p65,and the number of TAX1BP1 positive cells increased in the model group(P<0.05),and the expression of A20 and the number of TAX1BP1 positive cells further increased,(P<0.05)and the expression of NF-κB p65 decreased in EA group(P<0.05)at 24 hours after reperfusion.Immunofluorescence labeling indicat-ed that TAX1BP1 protein primarily expressed in the cytoplasm,TAX1BP1 protein and A20 protein co-expressed in the cytoplasm.Immuno-histochemistry showed indicated that NF-κB p65 mainly expressed in the nucleus in the model groupr,and mainly expressed in the cyto-plasm in the EA group.Conclusion Electroacupuncture could significantly inhibit neuronal NF-κB signaling pathway and promote neurobe-havioral recovery in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,which may related with up-regulating TAX1BP1 protein expression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child suspected for hypokalemic periodic paralysis. METHODS: Clinical data of the patient was collected, and venous blood samples were taken from the patient and his parents for the extraction of genomic DNA. Next generation sequencing (NGS) with target capture was carried out to detect potential variants. Suspected variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The child developed fatigue without obvious reason at the age of 15. Laboratory test revealed hypokalemia but normal serum magnesium. Genetic testing discovered that he has carried two variants in the SLC12A3 gene, namely c.179C>T and c.539C>A. The patient was diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome. CONCLUSION For children with hypokalemia, genetic testing should be considered for the differential diagnosis of Gitelman syndrome from hypokalemia due to other causes.