ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether paraquat (PQ) induced rat alveolar type Ⅱ cells (RLE-6TN) epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods RLE-6TN cells were treated by 20 μmol/L PQ for 24 hours,the morphology was observed by invert microscope.RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression level of β-catenin,EMT related markers E-cadherin and vimentin.Then we performed the Transwell invasion assays to detect the ability of cell invasion.Results The results demonstrated that PQ was able to induce the transition of RLE-6TN cells from epithelial morphology to fibroblast-like morphology,associated with the acquisition of migratory properties.Furthermore,knockdown of β-catenin by using specific siRNA could reverse PQ triggered EMT process and attenuated cell migration ability.Conclusion PQ promotes RLE-6TN epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating the expression of Wnt/β-catenin.
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Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognoses of patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) and to summarize the clinical treatment experience. Methods The epidemiologic history, symptoms, signs, treatment, and prognoses of 5 confirmed EVD cases were summarized. And the relationship between clinical features and clinical outcomes was analyzed. Results The 5 patients, 2 men and 3 women, ranged in age from 32-58 years old, with a median age of 46. Three were severe cases when they were admitted while the others were relatively mild. All the patients admitted the exposure history within 21 days before onset of the symptoms, with two patients (one medical staff) from the same transmission chain. The main symptoms included fever, weakness or fatigue, lack of appetite, diarrhea and red eyes, with one patient having gastrointestinal bleeding. The first test of PCR Ebola virus (EBOV) RNA was positive in all the peases. They were promptly isolated and treated with antipyretic and fluid replacement therapy. Meanwhile, prevention of Cplications and treatment of basic diseases were also conducted. Three patients survived at last and the other two died. Conclusion Prompt isolation of the infection source and tracing the contacts can effectively prevent the transmission of EVD-VpCR assay is an effective, rapid and simple method to diagnose EVD. Early supporting treatment-centered multimodality therapy can improve the treatment outcome of EVD.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of primary liver cancer (PLC) treated by hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and investigate the prognostic factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between April 1999 and August 2003, 128 PLC patients received hypofractionated 3DCRT. According to UICC/AJCC staging system, there were 83 T3 patients, 45 T4, with none of them having lymph node metastasis. The mean value of gross tumor volume (GTV) was (458.92 +/- 429.8) cm(3) (6.2-2097 cm(3)). Thirty-four patients had portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). 108 patients had Child-Pugh Grade A liver cirrhosis and 20 Child-Pugh Grade B liver cirrhosis. All patients received a total dose of (53.6 +/- 6.6) Gy/4-8 Gy per fraction/3 fractions per week. Forty-eight of these patients received 3DCRT combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven patients died within 3 months after the treatment were dismissed from the series. The response rate (CR + PR) was 55% (67/121). The overall 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rate was 65.0%, 43.3%, and 33.1%, respectively. T stage (P = 0.001), GTV (P = 0.0001), PVTT (P = 0.0001) and Child-Pugh Grade (P = 0.0001) had significant impact on the overall survival. However, only GTV and Child-Pugh Grade were independent significant prognostic factors by Cox-regression analysis, (P = 0.044 and P = 0.015).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>T stage, GTV, PVTT and Child-Pugh Grade have significant impact on the overall survival in primary liver cancer patients treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. But only GTV and Child-Pugh Grade are independent prognostic factors.</p>