Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Modulates MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma CNE2 Cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has exhibited antitumor properties in several types of cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but the molecular mechanisms underlying this function remain incompletely understood. The aim of the present study was to characterize the global impact of EGCG on the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in NPC cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using microarray analysis, the alterations of miRNA expression profiles were investigated in EGCG-treated CNE2 cells. Furthermore, the target genes and signaling pathways regulated by EGCG-specific miRNAs were identified using target prediction program and gene ontology analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 14 miRNAs exhibited >2-fold expression changes in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L EGCG. Totally 43, 49, and 52 target genes from these differentially expressed miRNAs were associated with the apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and cell proliferation, respectively. A total of 66 signaling pathways, primarily involved in cancer development and lipid and glucose metabolism, were shown to be regulated by EGCG-specific miRNAs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGCG induces considerable alterations of miRNA expression profiles in CNE2 cells, which provides mechanistic insights into cellular responses and antitumor activity mediated by EGCG.</p>

Efficacy observation on osteoarthritis of the knee treated with the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy on osteoarthritis of the knee between the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points and the conventional acupuncture-moxibustion therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly devided into an ultrastructural acupotomy therapy group (group A) and a conventional acupuncture-moxibustion group (group B), 30 cases in each one. In the group A, the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy was applied to the counter-Ashi points in which pain was alleviated or disappeared on pressure. The treatment was given once a week, lasting for 1 month. In the group B, the acupuncture-moxibustion therapy was applied to Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given once daily, lasting for 1 month. Before and after treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Lysholm knee joint scale and the affected knee joint flexion angle were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of VAS, Lysholm knee joint scale and the affected knee joint flexion angle were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment in either group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The results of them in the group A were superior apparently to those in the group B (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate in the group A was superior to that in the group B [80.0% (24/30) vs 60.0% (18/30), P < 0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points achieves the superior clinical efficacy on osteoarthritis of the knee as compared with the conventional acupuncture therapy. It relieves pain and improves the motion range of knee joint effectively. It is simple in operation and less in treatment frequency.</p>

Correlation of Skp2 overexpression to prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma from South China / 癌症

S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), which plays a role in cell cycle regulation, is commonly overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and associated with poor prognosis. However, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not well understood. In this study, we examined the clinical significance of Skp2, with a particular emphasis on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), in NPC cases in South China, where NPC is an epidemic. Additionally, we explored the function of Skp2 in maintaining a cancer stem cell-like phenotype in NPC cell lines. Skp2 expression was assessed for 127 NPC patients using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry and analyzed together with clinicopathologic features, OS, and DFS. Skp2 expression was detectable, or positive, in 75.6% of patients. Although there was no correlation between Skp2 and any clinicopathologic factor, Skp2 expression significantly portended inferior OS (P = 0.013) and DFS (P = 0.012). In the multivariate model, Skp2 expression remained significantly predictive of poor OS [P = 0.009, risk ratio (RR) = 4.06] and DFS (P = 0.008, RR = 3.56), and this was also true for clinical stage (P = 0.012 and RR=3.201 for OS; P = 0.002 and RR=1.94 for DFS) and sex (P = 0.016 and RR=0.31 for OS; P = 0.006 and RR = 0.27 for DFS). After Skp2 knockdown, a colony formation assay was used to evaluate the self-renewal property of stem-like cells in the NPC cell lines CNE-1 and CNE-2. The colony formation efficiency in CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells was decreased. In Skp2-transfected CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells, side population (SP) proportion was increased as detected by flow cytometry. Skp2 is an independent prognostic marker for OS and DFS in NPC. Skp2 may play a role in maintaining the cancer stem cell-like phenotype of NPC cell lines.

Study on the effects of calcium alginate column scaffold combination with calcium alginate gel for repairing articular cartilage defects of rabbit's knee joint / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To repair cartilage defects at non-weight-bearing area of the femoral condyle in rabbits with invitro amplified cartilage cell using calcium alginate column scaffold combined with calcium alginate gel injection, and to study repair effects of combination with different form of the same material.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups randomly. The wounds of rabbits in the Group 1 were repaired with injection of calcium alginate gel; the wounds of rabbits in the Group 2 were repaired with in planting of calcium alginate column scaffold; the wounds of rabbits in the Group 3 were repaired with in planting of calcium alginate column supporter firstly, and then injection of calcium alginate gel at the surrounding; and Group 4 is control group, the rabbits in the group were repair and without any support. The repair effects were demonstrated with Xij, and the effects of all animals were studied with statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Xij scores of each rabbits were calculated, and the scores in four groups were compared. The statistical results showed that combination therapy was better than other methods (F = 69.0, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The calcium alginate with column shape has better shaping effects and certain mechanical strength. The calcium alginate gel has better stick nature and can be used to integrate artifical material with normal structure. They can be used together, which meeting the desire of repair and integration in cartilaginous tissue engineering.</p>