In order to provide a sensitive cell line model for investigating the mechanisms underlying the lymphatic metastasis of tumors and the effect of medicine against cells, a new murine ascites hepatocarcinoma cell line with high lymphatic metastatic potential (Hca-P/L6) was established and the effect of curcumin on biological behavior of Hca-P/L6 was observed. Murine ascites hepatocarcinoma cell strain with low lymphatic metastatic potential (Hca-P) was subcutaneously inoculated into the medioventral line of a mouse 615 and the first generation of metastatic tumor cells of inguinal lymph node (Hca-P/L1) was obtained. Then, Hca-P/L1 was screened by the route of mouse foot pad subcutaneously → lymph node → scale-up culture
Our previous studies showed that there were close relationships between connexin 43 (Cx43) and acupoints and meridians. In order to further investigate the effect of Cx43 in acupuncture treatment, RNA interference technique was used to construct small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vectors targeting Cx43 and identify the efficiency of RNA interference in NIH/3T3 cell lines for further use
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of resistin on insulin signaling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were incubated with recombinant human resistin (0-100 ng/mL) for 24 h. Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation levels of endothelial cells under basal or insulin stimulated conditions were measured by Western blot. Nitric oxide (NO) production of HUVECs was also detected. The results showed that resistin could significantly inhibit Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in endothelial cells under insulin stimulated conditions (
Rab proteins and their effectors facilitate vesicular transport by tethering donor vesicles to their respective target membranes. Rab9 mediates late endosome-to-
To investigate the regulation of tumor suppressor XAF1 gene expression in digestive system cancers, we studied XAF1 gene promoter transcription activity and mRNA level in digestive system cancer cell lines (human hepatoma cell line HepG2, human colon cancer cell line LoVo, and human gastric cancer cell line AGS) and nontumor cell lines (human embryonic liver cell line L02 (L02 cells) and human embryonic kidney 293 cells [HEK293 cells]) as controls. 1395-bp-promoter fragment of XAF1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into pGL3-basic vector and pEGFP-1 vector to assay its promoter transcription activity. The plasmids were transfected into a variety of cell lines by lipofectamine 2000. The promoter transcription activity was determined by dual-luciferase report assay, and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-positive cells were detected by fluorescence microscope. The expression of XAF1 mRNA in HEK293 and L02 were significantly higher than that in any of the three digestive system cancer cell lines. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that the promoter transcription activity in digestive system tumor cell lines transfected with pGL3-XAF1p promoter was apparently lower than that of both HEK293 and L02 cells. Expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of XAF1 promoter in the three digestive system cancer cell lines was lower than that of both HEK293 and L02 cells. The activities of pGL3-XAF1p in the three digestive system cancer cell lines after treatment with heat stress were significantly lower than those in the unstressed cells. The results suggested that remarkably down-regulated XAF1 mRNA expression in digestive system cancer cell lines may be due to loss of transcription activity of XAF1 promoter.
To clarify the effect of DNA methylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors on the expression of the E-cadherin gene and the invasiveness of the QBC939 cells, the QBC939 cells were separately treated with hydralazine, valproate, or combination of the two drugs. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin was examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the protein of the gene with Western blotting. The methylation status of the promoter region of the gene was detected with methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The invasiveness of QBC939 cells was detected with transwell assay. It was found that the promoter region of the E-cadherin gene of QBC939 cells was hypermethylated. Valproate alone could not contribute to demethylation of the gene, whereas hydralazine could make them to be partly demethylated. However, the methylation status of the gene could be thoroughly reversed by using valproate and hydralazine in combination. What’s more, it was confirmed that the E-cadherin gene of QBC939 cells could not be transcriptionally reactivated by Valproate alone, whereas hydralazine alone could induce moderate reexpression of the gene. However, using valproate and hydralazine in combination could result in robust reexpression of the E-cadherin gene (
The regulatory effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)
The invasion and metastasis of breast cancer are supposed to involve several stages in which epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regarded as the mechanistic basis for the behavior of cancer cells. A series of factors related to EMT are apparently involved in such process. The current study aimed to investigate the contributions of EMT and related factors in lymph node metastasis of breast cancer. The expressions of E-cadherin (E-Cad), N-cadherin (N-Cad), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and CD34 were examined in 74 cases of breast cancer, including 39 cases with lymph node metastasis and 35 cases without lymph node metastasis by immunohistochemistry. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the patients’ prognosis. The expressions of N-Cad, VEGF, MMP-9, and COX-2 in cases with lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those without lymph node metastasis (
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been widely used in the clinical treatment of growth hormone deficiency. To simplify the injection process and increase drug compliance, application of the GH injection has become a new treatment plan in recent years. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhGH injection for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children in China. In a nationwide, noncomparative, prospective, randomized, open trial, 31 children with confirmed complete GHD received subcutaneous injection of rhGH at 0.25 mg/kg·wk (0.107 IU/kg·d). The injection was given daily and the total weekly amount was separated into 6-7 injections. The patients were followed up at 3-month intervals and the treatment duration was 12 months. The height (HT), annual growth velocity (GV), mean height standard deviation score (HT SDS), blood serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and bone maturity before and after treatment were compared, and the safety of the treatment was analyzed. The mean HT, GV, and HT SDS were increased from 109.0±14 cm, 2.7±0.9 cm/yr, and -4.62±1.46 at baseline to 121.8±13.4 cm, 12.9±3.3 cm/yr, and -2.47±1.86 after 12 months of treatment, respectively (
To evaluate the mechanism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the prevention of restenosis after angioplasty, the recombinant adenovirus vector containing hVEGF165 cDNA was constructed and transfected into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC)
The purpose of our research was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerance, and safety of oxcarbazepine (OXC) as monotherapy and add-on therapy for partial epilepsy. We carried out a prospective clinical follow-up trial at the Epilepsy Center of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Sixty-seven patients with partial epilepsy received OXC therapy. The patients were randomly divided into a monotherapy group and an add-on therapy group. We observed the efficacy and safety in the first three months and the following three months respectively, and compared them with each other. There was a significant difference in the decrease of seizure frequency between the two groups (
The study aimed to detect the expression of the Th1-specific cell surface protein T cell Ig and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from asthmatic patients and to examine the correlation among Tim-3 mRNA, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level, and FEV1/FVC (force expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity) to explore the role of Tim-3 in the development and progression of asthmatic inflammation. Tim-3 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation among Tim-3 mRNA, IL-4, IFN-γ level, and pulmonary ventilatory capacity was analyzed. The expression of Tim-3 mRNA in patients with acute asthma exacerbation was 0.39±0.06, significantly higher than that in patients at the remission stage and controls (0.18±0.05 and 0.07±0.03,
This retrospective study was performed to compare the outcome of thoracoabdominal incision
The mRNA and protein expression of phosphatase of regenerating liver 1 (PRL-1) and phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL-3) in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder (BTCC) and normal epithelia of bladder was investigated, and the relationship between the BTCC and pathological changes was clarified. The expression of PRL-1 and PRL-3 mRNA was detected by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 30 cases of BTCC and 10 cases of normal bladder, and the expression of PRL-1 and PRL-3 protein was checked by using immunohistochemistry in 30 cases of BTCC and 15 cases of normal bladder. The expression levels of PRL-1 and PRL-3 mRNA and protein were higher in BTCC than those in normal bladder epithelia (
To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of adenovirus-mediated antisense ERK2 (Adanti-ERK2) gene therapy upon chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) of rats, male Lewis (LEW, RT11) rats received male Fisher (F344, RT11v1) renal allografts. The recipients were divided into three groups: (1) empty control group; (2) vector control group; (3) gene therapy group. All recipients were sacrificed for the grafts and serum analysis at the 24th week after transplantation. Morphometric analysis was used to determine the fibrosis of grafts. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of E-Cadherin, Vimentin, TβR I and the infiltration of CD4+ T lymphocyte, CD8+ T lymphocyte and ED-1+ monocytes. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect TGF-β1 in serum. The grafts in the control group and vector control group showed CAN. There was less E-Cadherin in renal tubular epithelial cells in the empty control group but more Vimentin and TβR I. In the gene therapy group, the fibrosis was ameliorated and fewer T lymphocytes and ED-1+ monocytes infiltrated in the interstitium. There was no significant difference in the expression of E-Cadherin between the gene therapy group and normal rats. Compared with the empty control group, the expression of TGF-β1 in the gene therapy group was down-regulated. Adanti-ERK2 gene therapy protects the renal allograft and attenuates graft fibrosis, which may be correlated with a decreased renal tubular epithelial mesenchymal transition, a decreased infiltration of CD4+ T lymphocyte, CD8+ T lymphocytes and ED-1+ monocytes in renal interstitium, and the down-regulated TGF-β1 expression.
To gain a broader appreciation of the clinical presentation, operative treatment, and outcome of fibrous dysplasia involving the calvarium in children, we retrospectively reviewed a series of cases of fibrous dysplasia involving the calvarium (4 males and 2 females) with patients’ age ranging from 5 to 12 years old. The clinical manifestation, radiographic findings, surgical treatment, outcome and follow-up were evaluated on the basis of medical records. Fibrous dysplasia in the series was monostotic, involving frontal bone (2 cases), temporal bone (1 case), parietal bone (2 cases) and occipital bone (1 case). The patients most commonly presented with enlarging mass and cosmetic complaints. The treatment given, depending on clinical presentation, was simple biopsy with conservative follow-up (2 cases) to cranial resection (4 cases). All the cases were histopathologically confirmed as fibrous dysplasia. It was demonstrated thatfibrous dysplasia involving the calvarium is a typically benign but slowly progressive disorder of bone. Modern imaging modalities and histopathologic analysis have made diagnosis relatively straightforward. Surgery should be reserved for patients with functional impairment or cosmetic deformity. Because of the benign nature of the condition, the surgery itself should be contemplated with great caution in children.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in trophoblasts and deciduas in early medical abortion, and study the relationship of medical abortion through mifepristone and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in early pregnancy. Expression of iNOS in trophoblasts and deciduas was detected by both
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated ovarian stimulation (OS) on the ovarian follicular population and morphology in female mice and its influence on the embryo’s developmental ability, and the profile of the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). A total of 75 mice were enrolled in this experiment and randomly assigned into three groups: repeated ovarian stimulated group [
In order to improve the quality of routine cervical smears, we investigated the new Thinprep cytologic test (TCT) for cervical cells. In this study, 100 women who were enrolled were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, the TCT for cervical cells was applied (TCT group), and in the other group routine cervical smear was used. In addition, the cells in the TCT group were screened by double sifters, and centrifuged using a separation medium so as to eliminate mucus, inflammatory cells and blood cells. According to the cell distribution and the thickness of the smear, the results were assigned to three groups, including satisfactory smears, less satisfactory smears and unsatisfactory smears. The TCT had a higher satisfactory rate (98%) compared to the routine cervical smear (32%) (
We implemented a new protocol — multiphase dynamic helical scan to acquire CT angiography (CTA) and whole brain CT perfusion (CTP) images simultaneously with single scan on 16 multidetector CT (MDCT). A total of 90 patients who were randomly assigned into 3 groups were included in our study. Each group underwent CT scan by using the new protocol, traditional CTA and CTP protocol, respectively. The image quality of CTA, the CTP parameter values and the X-ray doses were measured and compared between the new protocol and the traditional protocols. There was no statistically significant difference in the CTA image quality between the above methods (
This study aimed to investigate the expression of protease-activated receptors (PARs) on platelets in healthy individuals and preliminarily elucidate physiological functions of PARs. Thirty healthy volunteers, who did not take any anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents within 10 days before the examination, were recruited. Fasting venous blood (5 mL) was taken from the medial cubital vein in each individual and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was prepared. The expression of PAR1 mRNA and PAR4 mRNA in PRP was determined by RT-PCR analysis. The results showed that the average levels of PAR1 mRNA and PAR4 mRNA on platelets in healthy individuals were 0.1601 ± 0.0269 and 0.1073 ± 0.0194 respectively. In combination with literature analysis, it was concluded that the thrombin signaling pathway plays a vital role in the development of hemostasis and thrombosis, and the selective PARs antagonist has the potential for extensive application in clinical practice.
Severe diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the lower limb is rarely seen among young people and sometimes can be a fatal challenge for operation. We reported a case of diffuse cavernous hemangioma involving both skin and muscles of the left lower limb and perineal region in an adolescent patient. The patient who had previously undergone a local hemangioma resection of the foot ultimately ended in superficial femoral artery ligation and supergenual thigh amputation of the left upper leg because of uncontrollable massive bleeding of anastomotic stoma.
