Penicilazaphilone C, a new azaphilone, induces apoptosis by blocking the Notch signalling pathway in gastric cancer

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activities of penicilazaphilone C against gastric cancer. Methods: In vitro effects of penicilazaphilone C on cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT, BrdU, MTS, colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, and flow cytometry. Related proteins were examined by Western blotting assays. The expression of Notch receptor was analyzed using real-time PCR. In vivo antitumor activities of penicilazaphilone C were observed in nude mice. Results: Compared to the controls, penicilazaphilone C suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in MGC-803 and SGC-7901 cells. The Notch/PTEN/AKT axis was involved in the activating penicilazaphilone C-induced apoptosis. Penicilazaphilone C decreased levels of Notch, NICD, phospho-PTEN and phospho- AKT compared to controls. The penicilazaphilone C-induced inhibition of Notch-related protein expression levels and the resulting apoptosis could be reversed by overexpression of Notch1 or/and Notch2. Moreover, penicilazaphilone C inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing tumours derived from MGC-803 and SGC-7901 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Penicilazaphilone C can induce the apoptosis by suppressing the activation of the proteolytic cleavage of the Notch receptor and subsequently blocking the PTEN/AKT signaling axis in gastric cancer cells. Thus, penicilazaphilone C is a potential alternative agent for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Imaging characteristics of lung adenocarcinomas appearing as pure ground-glass nodules on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To compare the 18F-FDG PET metabolic characteristics and VHRCT morphological characteristics between invasive and non-invasive adenocarcinoma presenting as pure ground-glass nodules(pGGN).Methods Fifty-one patients with pGGN from October 2010 to June 2016 were retrospectively enrolled in this study.There were totally 52 lesions with sizes of no more than 30 mm and were grouped depending on pathological and follow-up diagnosis (31 lesions in the invasive adenocarcinoma group and 21 lesions in the non-invasive group).Clinical and imaging features were analyzed including age,gender,lesion location,size,density,SUVmax T/N,spiculation,lobulation,pleural indentation,vascular connection signs,vacuole sign and the air bronchogram.T test or x2-test was used in the comparison of different manifestations between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis on clinical parameters was applied.The ROC curve was used to find the cutoff of T/N.Results In the invasive adenocarcinoma group,T/N,SUV density and size were 1.97±0.71,1.16±0.54,-(431±104)HU,(18.48±5.65)mm,respectively.In the non-invasive group,T/N,SUVmax density,size were 1.20±0.28,0.64±0.20,-(533± 109)HU,(12.05±5.04)mm,respectively.The differences of T/N,SUVmax density and size had statistical significance between the two groups (t=-5.40,-4.87,-3.39,-4.21,P＜0.05).Lobulation and vascular connection signs in the invasive adenocarcinoma group were found in 21 and 13 cases respectively,while in the non-invasive group,they were present in 2 and 1 case,respectively,which showed significant differences between the two groups(x2=17.85,7.01,P＜0.05).T/N,lobulation,and vascular connection signs were the independent factors for the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions.The ORs were 52.547,8.375,72.206,respectively.When T/N=l.62,the area under the ROC curve was 0.885.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 77.42％,90.48％,82.69％,respectively.Conclusions Pulmonary pGGNwith T/N no less than 1.62,lobulation and vascular connection sign indicates an invasive adenocarcinoma.

Clinical studies of U8 similar bioelectricity stimulation therapy of infertility with gracile endometrium / 重庆医学

Objective Observe the effect of of U8 similar bioelectricity stimulant therapy of infertility with gracile endometrium on endometrium reception .Methods 80 cases of patients in 252 natrual period with infertility caused by poor endometrial develop-ment for unknown reasons were randomly divided into two groups .The treatment group was intervened by U8 similar bioelectricity stimulant other day from the eighth day of menstruation until the day to inject HCG .After ovulation ,patients were sustained by progestin with a dose of 20 mg per day .The control group was given estradiol valerate with a dose of 2mg per day from the eighth day of menstruation until the day to inject HCG .After ovulation ,patients were sustained by progestin with a dose of 20mg per day as well .To compare the generral conditions on HCG injection day of the two groups anterior-posterior :both groupsal thickness and types ,parameters of intramembrane and submucosal uterine blood flow ,biochemical pregnancy rates and clinical pregnancy rates . Results The endometrial thickness and types on HCG injection day in treatment group were improved significantly (P<0 .05) . The parameters of intramembrane and submucosal uterine blood flow were better than the control ,there was a significant difference ( P<0 .05) .And the clinical pregnancy rate of treatment group was higher than that of control group there was a significant differ-ence(P<0 .05) .Conclusion U8 similar bioelectricity stimulation can promote the grow th of endometrium ,improve the endometrial receptivity and the clinical pregnancy rate .

Effects of buried penis on the structure and function of corpus cavernosum in a rat model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>While the abnormal appearance of the concealed penis has been well recognized, the effect of buried penis on the structure and function of corpus cavernosum has not been well studied. To explore this issue, we established a rat model and evaluated the effect of buried penis on cavernosum weight, contents and ultrastructure of tissue, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and ten rats were randomly divided into 3 equal cohorts for 2, 4 and 6 months study (groups A, B and C). Each group was randomly divided into buried group (n = 40), control group (n = 15), and normal group (n = 15), respectively. Intra-purse-string suture of the root of the penis was used to establish the model. Macroscopic development was judged by measuring the weight of the corpus cavernosum. Masson's trichrome staining was performed for observing microstructure while a transmission electron microscope was used for observing ultrastructure. The NOS activity was detected by a NOS activity assay kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Buried penis had no significant influence on the appearance and weight of the corpus cavernosum. Buried penis resulted in decreased smooth muscle content (P > 0.05 in group A, and P < 0.05 in groups B and C) and increased fibrous connective tissue content (P > 0.05 in groups A and B, and P < 0.05 in group C) compared with the normal and control groups. Ultrastructural abnormalities of corpus cavernosum were observed in the 6-month buried group. Moreover, there was decrease of NOS activity in groups B and C (P < 0.05 in group B and P < 0.01 in group C) when compared with the normal and control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Buried penis affects the structure and function of corpus cavernosum in rats and the effect is positively correlated with the buried time, but there is no significant effect on the macroscopic development.</p>

Buried penis decreases nitric oxide synthase of the corpus cavernosum / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influence of buried penis on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of the corpus cavernosum in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The experimental model of concealed penis was established by intra-pocket-suture of the root of the penis. Two hundred and forty rats were equally randomized into a 2, a 4 and a 6 months group, each further divided into a buried (n = 50), a sham operation (n = 15) and a normal subgroup (n = 15). The development of the corpus cavernosum was surveyed by measuring its weight and the ratio to the body weight, followed by determination of NOS activity in the corpus cavernosum by spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant differences were found in the corpus cavernosum weight, the body weight and their ratio among the buried, sham operation and normal groups in any experimental stage (P > 0.05). Buried penis decreased NOS activity in the 4- and 6-month groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) compared with the normal group, but effected no significant change in the 2-month group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Buried penis decreases the NOS activity of the corpus cavernosum in a positively time-related manner, but with no significant influence on its appearance and weight.</p>

Two ways of constructing concealed penis model in rats: a comparative and analytical study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a stable rat experimental model of concealed penis for studying the effect of buried penis on the structure and function of the corpus cavernosum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety male SD rats, aged 2 weeks, were randomly divided into 3 groups (A, B and C) of equal number. Groups A and B underwent surgery with intra-purse suture of the penile root and folding suture of the prepuce, respectively, to bury the penis, while Group C were included as sham operation controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Group A, death resulted in 4 cases from acute post-operative urine retention, failure in burying the penis occurred in 5 cases because of soft tissue ulceration around the urethral orifice and in another 3 due to loose concealment. In Group B, 1 died from deep anesthesia and 2 from acute post-operative urine retention. With the penile development and erection, 7 in Group A and 10 in Group B protruded the penis in different stages. In Group C, 1 died from deep anesthesia. The operations succeeded in all the other rats in Groups A and B, with the success rates of 36.7% and 56.7%, respectively. And the concealment could be relieved any time during the experiment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The experimental rat model of concealed penis can be successfully established by both intra-purse suture of the penile root and folding suture of the prepuce, which is stable and similar to the natural course of this disorder in human.</p>

Study on ingredients of essential oils of Curcuma wenyujin extracted by supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction and steam distillation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the ingredients of essential oils of Curcuma wenyujin extracted by supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction and by steam distillation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>GC-MS was applied in this experiment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The ingredients and physical and chemical properties of essential oils of C. wenyujin extracted by supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction and by steam distillation are similar.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction is better than steam distillation in extraction time, power consumption, recovery and purity.</p>

Effects of rapid decompression on serum level of cytokines in mice / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effects of rapid decompression on serum level of IL-1?,IL- 6 and IL-10 in mice and investigate the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of decompression sickness. Methods Twenty-one mice were randomly divided into rapid decompression group (14 mice) and normal control group (7 mice). Mice in the rapid decompression group were exposed to 600kPa compressed air for 60 minute,which was then rapidly decompressed to normal pressure in one minute. The serum level of IL-1?,IL- 6 and IL-10 was measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay in mice in rapid decompression group after decompression and in normal control group. Results There were no significant changes in the serum level of IL-1?,IL- 6 at the 1st hour after decompression in the rapid decompression group when compared to that of and the normal control group. The serum level of IL-1?,IL- 6 in rapid decompression group at the 3rd hour after decompression was significantly higher than that of the normal control group(P

Study of platelet membrane glycoprotein expression in mice with decompression sickness / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of expression of platelet membrane glycoprotein CD31, CD61 and CD62p in the pathogenesis of decompression sickness.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were randomly divided into decompression sickness group and normal control group. The animals in decompression sickness group were exposed to 600 kPa compressed air for 60 minute, then they were rapidly decompressed to normal pressure in one minute. At 60th minute after reducing to normal pressure, the expression of CD31, CD61 and CD62p on platelet membrane in mice was measured by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean fluorescence intensity of CD31, CD61 and positive percentage of CD62p on platelet membrane [(18.64 +/- 1.01), (271.06 +/- 24.25), (4.48% +/- 0.43%) respectively] in decompression sickness group were significantly increased compared with normal control group [(16.89 +/- 1.69), (234.09 +/- 15.96), (3.00% +/- 0.66%) respectively] (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inadequately rapid decompression may induce up regulation of platelet membrane glycoprotein CD31, CD61 and CD62p expression in mice, which may lead to thrombosis.</p>

Study of ultrastructure and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in placenta in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective The cytotoxic effect of bile acids on trophoblast and fetal development in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP) were studied through the observation of ultrastructure changes and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) of placenta. Methods Twenty two ICP (7 with FGR and 15 without FGR) and 15 normal late pregnancies were selected. The placental ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscope. The expression of EGFR in placenta was determined by immunohistological method and the related quantity of EGFR mRNA was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results The morphological changes found in syncytiotrophoblast were the following: decrease in the number of superficial microvilli, dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, tumefation or myelination of the mitochondria and abnormal distribution of chromatin. These changes of syncytiotrophoblast were more obvious in ICP with FGR. In addition, decrease in the number of capillaries and proliferation of degenerated collagenous fibrils in villi interstitium were also observed. Compared with the normal pregnancies, the expression of EGFR in placenta from ICP decreased significantly and there was no significant difference of EGFR expression in ICP with and without FGR. Conclusion Bile acids cause distinct injuries on trophoblast in a dose dependent manner and that maybe account for the decreased expression of placental EGFR in ICP.

The Advance in Research of Banana Bunchy Top Virus / 微生物学通报

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is the pathogen of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD); it seriously disserves the banana production. This paper reviewed the separation and purification methods, classifying and taxonomy status of BBTV; the genome structure and function of each encode protein of the virus; and the present problems that should be further clarified.