Stable transfection of estrogen receptor-alpha suppresses expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-C in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells are more aggressive than ER-positive cells. Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression have been detected in cultured human breast cancer cells and are associated with negative hormone receptor status. In this study, we created ERalpha stable transfectants in MDA-MB-231 cells to explore the effect of ERalpha on cell growth and COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-ERalpha plasmids were stably transfected into ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. The proliferation and migration of untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells, ERalpha-transfected MDA-MB-231 cells and ER-positive MCF-7 cells were determined. The expression of COX-2, and the levels of VEGF-C mRNA and the VEGF-C secretion concentration were assayed in these cell lines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferation and migration capacities of ERalpha-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The expression of COX-2 was significantly lower in ERalpha-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untranfected MDA-MB-231 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF-C were lower in ERalpha-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ERalpha stable transfection inhibits proliferation and migration capacities of MDA-MB-231 cells and decreases expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C. The decreases of proliferation and migration capacities may be related to suppression of COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.</p>

Construction of an expression vector carrying short hairpin RNA targeting hTERT gene and its effects on breast cancer cell telomerase activity and proliferation in vivo / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a RNA interference expression vector targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) gene and investigate its effects on telomerase activity and proliferation in breast cancer cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The shRNA sequences targeting hTERT gene were designed and recombined into pSuper-retro-puro vector. The breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 were transfected with the recombined vector, and the telomerase activity of the cells was tested by telomerase repeat sequence amplification-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA). The proliferation of the transfected cells was assessed using MTT and soft-agar clone formation assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant plasmids pSuper-retro-puro-TERT RNAi#1 and #2 were successfully constructed as confirmed by enzymatic digestion and DNA sequencing. The telomerase activity in the transfected breast cancer cells were down-regulated significantly as compared with that in negative control cells (Plt;0.005). The transfection resulted in significant inhibition of the proliferation of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells as detected by MTT assay (Plt;0.05) and soft agar clone formation assay (Plt;0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transfection with the recombinant plasmid containing the shRNA targeting hTERT gene can down-regulate telomerase activity and inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro, suggesting the potential of gene therapy targeting telomerase in the treatment of breast cancer.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of 34 cases of blunt duodenal injuries / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience on diagnosis and treatment of blunt duodenal injuries, and thus to improve the therapeutic skills.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 34 cases of blunt duodenal injuries admitted to our hospital from 1990 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among them, 28 cases were cured, 20 cases presented with complications, and 6 cases died. The causes of death were: duodenal or pancreatic fistula in 2 cases, intra-and retroperitoneal infection complicating septicopyemia in 2, disseminated intravascular coagulation in 1 and multiple organ failure in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis predispose to happen for blunt duodenal injuries. Early recognition and surgical intervention are critical to a successful rescue.</p>

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and metastin in colorectal carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and metastin in colorectal carcinoma and their association with the clinicopathological features of the malignancy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VEGF and metastin expressions were examined immunohistochemically with SP method in 70 specimens of human colorectal carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VEGF protein overexpression was detected in 48.6% (34/70)of the colorectal carcinoma tissues but in none of the adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01), and for metastin, the overexpression rate was 28.6% (20/70) in the colorectal carcinoma tissues and 70.0% (49/70) in the normal tissues (P<0.01). The expression of both VEGF and metastin was related to the histological grades, infiltration depth, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of the tumor (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immunohistochemical detection of VEGF and metastin can be of value in assessment of the malignancy and in prognostic evaluation of colorectal carcinoma.</p>

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of abdominal visceral injury complicated by craniocerebral injury / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the cure rate of patients with abdominal visceral injury complicated by craniocerebral injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 176 cases of abdominal visceral injury complicated by craniocerebral injury were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this series, 44 cases died and the mortality was 25.0. The main cause of death is abdominal visceral injury combined with shock and severe craniocerebral injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is essential to improve the cure rate by accurate diagnosis at early stage. Abdominal paracentesis and CT should be performed promptly and dynamically. Priority should be given to the treatment of life-threatening injuries.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic trauma / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy for pancreatic trauma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 71 cases of pancreatic injuries received in our department from 1987 to 2004. Different surgical procedures were performed according to different patterns of pancreatic injuries. Among them, 31 cases were defined as Grade I or II injury according to the pancreatic organ injury score developed by American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and were performed pancreas debridement and drainage; 26 cases belonged to Grade III injury and were performed distal pancreatectomy plus external drainage; 10 cases of Grade IV injury in whom 8 were performed distal Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy and 2 were performed Whipple operation; 4 cases of Grade V injury in whom 1 was performed restoration of duodenal damage, suture of proximal pancreatic laceration and distal Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy, and 3 were performed Whipple operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-six cases were cured, of whom 14 had postoperative complications, and 5 cases died. The causes of death were of pancreatic fistula in 2 cases, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 1 case, ARDS in 1 case, and serious abdominal infection in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative diagnosis for pancreatic trauma is rather challenging. Prompt explorative laparotomy is still a reliable diagnostic method for pancreatic trauma. In order to improve curative rate, different surgical procedures should be undertaken according to different sites and grades of pancreatic traumas.</p>

Management of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm due to addictive drug injection / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study surgical management for patients with femoral pseudoaneurysm resulting from addictive drug injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 34 patients with femoral pseudoaneurysm resulting from addictive drug injection were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen patients underwent bypass graft (end to side) of external iliac artery and superficial femoral artery using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Three patients who had an autogenous saphenous vein graft in situs, one of whom was then performed an ePTFE graft when rupture and bleeding occurred at the anastomotic site. Color Doppler image showed patent grafted blood vessels in all the patients after operation. Eighteen patients had their femoral arteries ligated. Limbs of all the 34 patients were saved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ligating femoral artery is an effective way to treat femoral artery pseudoaneurysm if autogenous saphenous vein graft or artificial vessel graft is not applicable.</p>