PURPOSE: The microRNA-34 (miR-34) family is important in tumor regulation. This study aimed to investigate the association of circulating miR-34 family proteins with clinicopathological features and their prognostic value in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 173 TNBC patients admitted to First People's Hospital of Shunde from May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2013 were enrolled. Meanwhile, 75 age-matched healthy women volunteers were identified as healthy controls (HCs). We examined the expression of miR-34 family (miR-34a/b/c) proteins in plasma collected from TNBC patients before any treatment was performed and from age-matched HCs using qPCR methods. RESULTS: The expressions of miR-34a/34b/34c were significantly lower in TNBC patients than in HC (p<0.001, p=0.027, p<0.001, respectively). miR-34a was correlated with tumor grade (p=0.038), lymph node positive (p=0.027), distant metastasis (p=0.004), and surgery (p=0.023); miR-34b was correlated with lymph node positivity (p=0.027); and miR-34c was correlated with tumor grade (p=0.017) and distant metastasis (p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis displayed low expression of miR-34a as associated with worse overall survival (OS) (p=0.011), as well as miR-34c low expression (p=0.002). In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was performed, and low expression of miR-34c (p=0.011) was found to be an independent risk factor for OS, as well as tumor grade (p=0.013), lymph node positive (p=0.050), and distant metastasis (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study demonstrated reduced miR-34a/c expression is highly associated with tumor progression and indicated worse prognosis. Also, miR-34c was an independent risk factor for OS in TNBC patients.
Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Plasma ; Prognosis* ; Risk Factors ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* ; Volunteers

Objective To study the role of autophagy in the curcumin (Cur) enhancing the chemosensitivity of the colorectal cancer LoVo cells to irinotecan (CPT-11). Methods The LoVo cells were separated into 4 groups:the control group,the Cur group,the CPT-11 group and the Mix group.Western blot assay was applied to determine the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3-Ⅱ and P62. LC3-Ⅱ was detected by immunofluorescence method. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect the autophagosome. CCK-8 assay was applied to detect the cell growth inhibitory rate of LoVo cells ,which were pre-treated with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA before 24-h treatment of Cur and/or CPT-11. Western blot assay was applied to detect the expression of LC3- Ⅱ and P62. Results The mixed treatment significantly increased the expression of LC3-Ⅱwhile decreased P62 expression,compared with the Cur and CPT-11 treatments. The autophagosomes in cells of Mix group were significantly more than those in cells of the Cur and Cpt group. Pre-treatment of 3-MA significantly reduced cell growth rate in the Cur group,the Cpt group and the Mix group. Pre-treatment of 3-MA significantly decreased the expression of LC3-Ⅱ,while increased P62 expression,compared with the Mix group. Conclution Combinations of curcumin and CPT-11 could enhance the chemosensitivity of LoVo cells to CPT-11,which might be related to the activation of autophagy.

OBJECTIVE:To establish the HPLC fingerprints for Huobahuagen tablets intermediate. METHODS:HPLC was per-formed on Inertsil ODS-4 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid (gradient elution) at the flow rate of 0.75 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 220 nm,and column temperature was 30 ℃. The sample size was 10 μL. Using wilforgine as reference,HPLC chromatograms of 10 batches of samples were determined. Common peak identification and similarity evaluation were performed by using Similarity Evaluation System for TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint (2004 A edi-tion). RESULTS:There were 25 common peaks in HPLC chromatograms of 10 batches of samples,and similarity degrees were higher than 0.9. After validated,HPLC chromatograms of 10 batches of samples were in good agreement with control fingerprints. CONCLUSIONS:The established fingerprint can provide reference for identification and quality evaluation of Huobahuagen tab-lets intermediate.

This study was aimed to verify the chemical component cantharidin from Chinese blister beetle by LC-MS/MS. Components were first processed by HPLC to choose the appropriate separation conditions before LC/MS/MS analysis. Through the positive and negative ions pre-scan, positive ions scanning way was selected in the scanning of each separate component. The scanned maps were obtained and the relative molecular mass was deduced. The results showed that 8 types of cantharidin compounds were identified, including three isomers. It was concluded that LC-MS/MS was able to determine the chemical component cantharidin from Chinese blister beetle rapidly and accurately, which was existed in the body by the form of combined amino acid.

This article was aimed to study the latest research progress of Tripterygium hypoglaucum, in order to pro-vide references for further research on T. hypoglaucum. CNKI Chinese Journal Full-text Database was used as data source. Bibliometric analysis was conducted on T. hypoglaucum research articles issued from 1915~2013. Bibliometric method was used in the analysis on the change trend among years, research institutes, publication dates, research per-sonnels and research topics of the articles with the built-in analysis tools and network analysis tools. The results indi-cated that T. hypoglaucum research was still in the development stage. And there is still plenty of room for growth in aspects including resources, material basis, manufacturing pharmacy and so on.

OBJECTIVETo study the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of pur derivative nanopaticles 4ac in mice.

METHODAfter intravenous administration of 15 mg x kg(-1) of pur derivative 4ac, the plasma and tissue concentration was detected by HPLC. The pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated by the method of 3p97.

RESULTThe concentration time curves were conformed to two compartment model. The Re of 4ac nanopaticles was 21.18 times higher than suspension.

CONCLUSIONOur present study demonstrates that, compared to nanopaticles and suspension, nanopaticles significantly alter the pharmacokinetics in plasma and tissues targeting. Biodistribution of pur derivative 4ac nanopaticles in heart of mice was better than 4ac suspension. It will become a new drug for cardiovascular disease therapy.

Animals ; Female ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo study the release mechanism of Huperzine-A swelling sustained-release tablets (HA-ST) and the factors influencing the release rate.

METHODThe HA-ST were prepared by using Polyoxyethylene (PEO) as the matrix material, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the expandable reagent and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as the filling reagent. The effect of the amount of PEO, PVA and MCC on the drug release from the tablets was evaluated using the release index n value of the Ritger-Peppas equation.

RESULTThe addition of PEO and PVA speeded up the rate of drug release from the tablets, while MCC did not affect the release rate. The release profiles of HA-ST conformed to the Higuchi model and the release mechanism was non-Fick release that coupled diffusion and erosion.

CONCLUSIONThe release of HA-ST is influenced by the amount of PEO and PVA but not the MCC. The release process can be depicted by the Ritger-Peppas equation and release mechanism was is non-Fick release.

Alkaloids ; Cellulose ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Diffusion ; Models, Biological ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Tablets ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of swelling hydrogel instead of polyethylene oxide as swelling polymer in push-layer of push-pull osmotically controlled-release tablets.

METHODThe swelling patterns of tablets made of pure polymers were studied by immerging the tablets into purified water and testing their size at different time points. The push-pull osmotic-pump tablets were prepared and their release patterns in vitro were studied and compared by their similar factor (f2).

RESULTTablets with different swelling materials all showed satisfying release pattern in vitro and their release ratio at 12 h were all above 80%.

CONCLUSIONWith its release rate and cumulative release percentage at 12 h, the mixture of HPMC K15M and CMCNa in ratio of 1:1 is the best choice instead of polyethylene oxide as swelling polymer in push-layer.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Osmosis ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Tablets ; Water ; chemistry

BACKGROUND: Whether choosing a suitable biological scaffold compounding with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can construct an ideal tissue-engineering cartilage or not should be researched further.OBJ ECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of constructing artificial cartilage by using amplified rabbit MSCs which were inoculated on poly-glycolic acid (PGA).DESIGN: Single sample observation.SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Luzhou Medical College.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Luzhou Medical College from October 2004 to October 2005. A total of 8 Japanese large ear rabbits, of both genders, clean grade, aged from 2 to 3 months, weighing 1.5-2.0 kg, were fed in normal temperature and humidity. Poly-glycolic acid was provided by Albany Company, USA.METHODS: Rabbit MSCs were separated, obtained and amplified. In addition, poly-glycolic acid was sheared into pieces with the size of 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm and embedded with poly-L-lysine. Amplified MSCs were inoculated on the surface of poly-glycolic acid, and then, they were averagely grown on pre-wet scaffold of poly-glycolic acid according to 4 mL/cm3multi-points spreading style and cultured in vitro for 3 weeks. After the operations mentioned above, samples were regarded as the experimental group. Scaffolds of poly-glycolic acid without MSCs were considered as the control group.Samples in both experimental group and control group were transplanted into abdominal cavity of 4 rabbits, respectively,cultured in vivo for 6-12 weeks, taken out and observed generally. Meanwhile, the samples were fixed with 100 g/L neutrality formaldehyde, cut into sections with the thickness of 5 μm, stained with haematine-eosin (HE) and observed their histomorphological characteristics. Moreover, the samples were stained with alcian blue for observation of glycosaminoglycans formation, with toluidine blue for observation of metachromasia matrix formation, and with immunohistochemical staining for detection of type- Ⅱ collagen expression.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Generally observational results of two kinds ofscaffolds at 6 and 12 weeks after transplanting into experimental rabbits, various staining results and expression of type- Ⅱ collagen.RESULTS: A total of 8 experimental rabbits were involved in the final analysis. ① Generally observational results of two kinds of scaffolds at 6 and 12 weeks after transplanting into experimental rabbits: At 6 weeks after transplanting scaffold into abdominal cavity of rabbits, samples in the experimental group were still coated with greater omentum of abdominal cavity. After clearing greater omentum, three samples were light yellow, smooth and moderate quality; meanwhile, their appearances were coincidence with those before transplantation. However, one sample was gray black and soft quality;meanwhile, it was not able to take shape. Twelve weeks later, appearances of samples in the experimental group were still coincidence with those before transplantation. They were gray white, smooth but hard quality. However, samples in the control group were mostly absorbed at 6 and 12 weeks after transplantation, especially, samples were remarkably absorbed at 12 weeks after transplantation. Any tissue like cartilage did not form in both two durations. ② Various staining results and expression of type- Ⅱ collagen at 6 and 12 weeks after transplanting scaffolds into experimental rabbits: Results of HE staining showed that, at 6 weeks after transplantation, structure of cartilage lacuna-like was started form, and PGA scaffold began to be degraded. In contrast, at 12 weeks postoperatively, some cartilage-like tissue were observed in compound, cartilage lacuna-like structure formed obviously; cells arrayed regularly and geminately existed In cartilage lacuna-like atructure; the smaller cell sizes observed at borders and the bigger ones observed at the center;PGA degraded completely. Results of alcian blue staining showed that, at 6 weeks after transplantation, a partial of regions in tissue were light blue; meanwhile, at 12 weeks after transplantation, matrixes in tissue were mostly blue. This suggested that a lot of glycosaminoglycans were formed. Results of toluidine blue staining suggested that, at 6 weeks after transplantation, blue metachromasia matrixes were observed in tissue; meanwhile, at 12 weeks after transplantation, blue metachromasia matrixes were stronger and stronger in tissue. Results of immunohistochemical staining indicated that, at 6 weeks after transplantation, buffy positive granules were observed in plasma and a few of type-Ⅱ collagen expressed in matrix; meanwhile, at 12 weeks after transplantation, powerfully positive expressions were observed in both plasma and matrix. Expression of type- Ⅱ collage showed that, at 6 weeks after transplantation, dark buffy positive granules were observed in plasma and a few of type- Ⅱ collagen mRNA expressed in matrix; meanwhile, at 12 weeks after transplantation, powerfully positive expressions were observed in both plasma and matrix. Samples in the control group were completely absorbed and any tissue-engineering samples did not form.CONCLUSION: Affecting by osteogenic inducer, rabbit MSCs can generate tissue-engineering cartilage after culture in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The pain and the unstability of the knee joint are the main clinical manifestation of knee osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE: To verify the efficacy of ultrasonic drug penetration combiued with quadriceps exercise in treating senile knee osteoarthritis.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Rehabilitation Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College.PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six in-patient and out-patient cases of the knee osteoarthritis, 28 males and 48 females and total 109 knees, were chosen in the Orthopaedic Department and Rehabilitation Department in the Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College in theperiod between August,2001 and August, 2004. The cases were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group with 38 cases each.therapy apparatus made in Mianyang was adopted and the diameter of the handpiece was 3 cm. 10 g/L dichloride sodium emulsion (made by Beijing Nuohua Pharmaceutical co.,Ltd) was taken as the coupling agent to smear around the knee joint about 0.75 -1.25 W/cm2, once a day, and 8-10 minutes per time. Meanwhile the static isometric contraction exercise of the knee joint in the extension position was done. Using the quardriceps isometric exercise apparatus, the Delorme progressive resisThe same ultrasonic therapy was done as the therapy group. The nonthermal and microthermal ultrasonic wave was adopted on the suffered location 10 -15 minutes per time, and the tolerance dose of the mid-frequency current was given 20 minutes per time and once a day using the CM-efficacy was assessed in the two groups 4 weeks after the therapy. During the therapy period the anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs were not patient's knee joint activities of daily life (0 score signifies no pain, 10 scores severe pain, the pain relief better than 40% that before the therapy means the effectiveness). The lower limb activity of daily life was chosen to evaluate the patient's knee joint activities of daily life (5 items,total 10 scores, high score means good, low score means poor). The maximal loading dose in the extension position of the knee joint was measured on the quadriceps isometric exercise apparatus using the suspension weight method.The maximal loading dose in the extension position of the knee joint in the two groups.result of the walking pain scale in the two groups before and after the therapy: The score of pain evaluation after therapy was significantly lower than that before the therapy (P ＜ 0.01), and there was no significant differs knee joint activities of daily life in the two groups before and after the therapy: the result after the therapy was siguifieantly better than that before the therapy, and the efficacy after the therapy was significantly higher than that before the therapy, the efficacy of the experiment group was better than that of the control group (9.61±1.82, 8.77±2.28), while there was tion results of the maximal loading dose in the extension position of the knee joint in the two groups: the result of the experimental group after the therapy was significantly better than that of the experimental group before the therapy and the control group [ (10.05±2.41) kg vs (7.86±1.98) kg and (8.76±1.65) kg, P ＜ 0.01 ].CONCLUSION: The ultrasonic wave using the dichloride sodium emulsion as the ultrasonic coupling agent in combination with quadriceps strengthening exercise in treating the senile knee osteoarthritis is efficacious in relieving pain and improving the ADL ability of the knee joint, increasing the maximal loading dose in the extension position of the knee joint and the stability of the knee joint. The efficacy of the combination therapy is better than the single ultrasonic therapy.