Regulatory effects of glabridin and quercetin on energy metabolism of breast cancer cells / 中国中药杂志

It is reported that energy metabolism is the core feature of tumor cells. This study is aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of two flavonoids( glabridin and quercetin) on energy supply and glycolysis of breast cancer cells,and provide reference for developing some anticancer herbal drugs with the function of regulating tumor energy metabolism. Based on the characteristics of each pathway during energy metabolism,in the present study,the triple negative breast cancer tumor cells( MDA-MB-231) were selected to investigate the effects of glabridin and quercetin on the energy metabolism of breast cancer cells and discuss the possible mechanisms from the following five potential targets: glucose uptake,protein expression of glucose transporter 1( GLUT1),adenosine triphosphate( ATP) level,lactate dehydrogenase( LDH) activity,and lactic acid( LD) concentration. The results showed that both quercetin and glabridin could decrease the glucose uptake capacity of breast cancer cells by down-regulating the protein expression of GLUT1. Quercetin had no significant effect on LDH activity and LD concentration; it did not affect the glycolysis process,but increased the intracellular ATP level. Glabridin decreased the activity of LDH and reduced LD concentration,thereby inhibiting the glycolysis metabolism of breast cancer cells. Therefore,both quercetin and glabridin can regulate the energy metabolism of breast cancer cells and can be used as potential anticancer agents or anti-cancer adjuvants.

Relating physicochemical properties of alginate-HMP complexes to their performance as drug delivery systems.

This study aims to analyze the effect of physicochemical properties of alginate-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) complexes on their performance as drug delivery systems. Rheology, textural properties and swelling behavior of alginate-HMP complexes were determined. HMP alone showed weak gelling ability. As ratio of alginate increased, gel capability, hardness and adhesiveness of gels increased, but swelling rate decreased. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model drug and entrapped in the alginate-HMP beads. Morphology of beads was correlated with adhesiveness. Drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency were related to electrostatic interactions between BSA and alginate-HMP complexes. Drug release profiles were correlated with both texture and swelling properties of alginate-HMP complexes and morphology of beads in simulated gastric fluids, while release in simulated intestinal fluids was affected by drug loading content. This study gives enlightenment that pre-selection of encapsulation materials may be achieved prior to encapsulation based on physicochemical properties of materials.

Magnetic Resonance Three-dimensional Cube Technique in the Measurement of Piglet Femoral Anteversion.

BACKGROUND: The accurate measurement of the femoral anteversion (FA) angle is always a topic of much debate in the orthopedic surgery and radiology research. We aimed to explore a new FA measurement method to acquire accurate results without radiation damage using piglet model. METHODS: A total of thirty piglets were assigned to two groups based on the age. Bilateral femora were imaged with 3.0-T magnetic resonance (MR) and 64-slice computed tomography (CT) examinations on all piglets. FA was measured on MR-three-dimensional (3D) postprocessing software with a four-step method: initial validation of the femoral condylar axis, validation of the condylar plane, validation of the femoral neck axis, and line-plane angle measurement of FA. After MR and CT examinations, all piglets were sacrificed and their degree of FA was measured using their excised, dried femora. MR, CT, and dried-femur measurement results were analyzed statistically; MR and CT measurements were compared for accuracy against each other and against the gold standard dried femur measurement. RESULTS: In both groups, the mean FA value measured by MR was lower than that measured by CT. A statistically significant difference was observed between CT- and dried-femur measurements but not between MR- and dried-femur measurements. A higher correlation (0.783 vs. 0.408) and a higher consistency (0.863 vs. 0.578) with dried-femur measurement results were seen for MR measurements than CT measurements in the 1-week age group. However, in the 8-week age group, similar correlations (0.707 vs. 0.669) and consistencies (0.864 vs. 0.821) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive MR-3D-Cube reconstruction was able to accurately measure FA in piglets. Particularly in the 1-week age group with a larger proportion of cartilaginous structures, the correlation and consistency between MR- and dried-femur measurement results were higher than those between CT- and dried-femur measurements, suggesting that MR may be a new useful examination tool for FA-related diseases in children.

MiR-340 suppresses cell migration and invasion by targeting MYO10 in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among females, and can seriously affect the physical and mental health and even threaten the lives of women. Recently, research has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs), as a new method of regulation, have been shown to have oncogenic and tumor­suppressive functions in human breast cancer. Detection of their expression may lead to the identification of novel markers for breast cancer. In the present study, we firstly detected miR­340 expression and found lower expression of miR­340 in 6 human breast cancer cell lines by using RT­qPCR. Then by using wound healing assay and Transwell migration and invasion experiments, we focused on the role of miR-340 in the regulation of tumor cell migration and invasion, exploring the relationship between them. The results revealed that induction of miR­340 expression was able to suppress tumor cell migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of miR­340 expression promoted breast cancer cell migration and invasion. At the gene level, MYO10 (myosin X), as a direct miR­340 target gene, mediated the cell migration and invasion. Finally, we verified our research further at the tissue specimen level and in animal experiments. In brief, miR­340 plays an important role in breast cancer progression. Thus, miR­340 may be further explored as a novel biomarker for breast cancer metastasis and prognosis, and potentially a therapeutic target.

Relation Between Cellular Senescence and Liver Diseases / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Cellular senescence refers to a process that cellular proliferation and differentiation modulated by the multiple stimulating factors gradually decline. Aging cells present the irreversible stop of proliferation and differentiation and change in secretory function because the cell cycle of aging cells is steadily blocked at some point. It has have been shown that cellular senescence plays an important role in the occurrence and development of liver diseases. In this paper, we review the advances in relations between cellular senescence and liver diseases.

Effect of the Haoqinqingdan decoction on damp-heat syndrome in rats with influenza viral pneumonia

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of Chinese medicine prescription-Haoqinqingdan decoction on damp-heat syndrome in rats with influenza viral pneumonia and its influence on the immune function.@*METHODS@#A total of 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the damp-heat syndrome model group, the Haoqinqingdan decoction group (high, medium and low dose group) and the ribavirin group. The body temperature and weight of rats in each group were recorded after modeling. After treatment for 6 d, the concentration of T lymphocyte subgroup (CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+)) was determined by flow cytometry. The OD value of IFN-γ/IL-4 was detected by double-antibody sandwich ELISA method, and its concentration was acquired through conversion.@*RESULTS@#After modeling, the temperature and weight of rats in each modeling group showed the increasing trend (P<0.01). From the second day of treatment, there was significant difference in the body mass between groups, and the rat weight of the control group was higher than in the modeling group (P<0.05 or 0.01). With the advances of treatment, only the temperature in the medium and high dose Haoqinqingdan decoction groups declined significantly (P<0.05). After treatment, the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio of the damp-heat syndrome model group decreased more significantly compared with the control group. Elevated CD3(+) CD8(+) percentages and declined CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratios can be observed in the low dose group and ribavirin group (P<0.05). Moreover, the CD3(+) CD4(+) percentage of ribavirin group was lower than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the IFN-γ and IFN-γ/ IL-4 levels in the peripheral blood of rats in the damp-heat syndrome group were obviously higher than in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compared with ribavirin, the high dose Haoqinqingdan decoction can improve the ratio of T lymphocyte subgroup and Th1/Th2 cell balance more effectively.

Clinical evaluation of oral Fructus bruceae oil combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of esophageal cancer / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and side effects of oral Fructus bruceae oil combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 80 patients with esophageal cancer were equally and randomly divided into two groups. The patients in Group A were treated with radiotherapy (60-65 Gy, 6-7 weeks) and oral Fructus bruceae oil (20 mL, 3 times per day for 12 weeks), while the patients in Group B were treated with radiotherapy alone. The short-term effect was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and quality of life (QOL) was evaluated by the Karnofsky scoring (KFS). The outcome measures included complete remission (CR) rate, partial remission (PR) rate, effective rate as CR+PR, patients' QOL and adverse effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12-week treatment, the CR and CR+PR were significantly higher in Group A than those in Group B (P <0.05). There was an improvement in esophageal obstruction of 87.5% and 60.0%, respectively, and in KFS of 84.6% and 43.9%, respectively, in Groups A and B.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral medication with oral Fructus bruceae oil could effectively improve the efficacy of radiotherapy in esophageal cancer, including a reduction in esophageal obstruction, and also reduce the side effects of radiotherapy; thus it would be very promising for clinical application.</p>

[Clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer with basal-like immunophenotype].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of basal-like immunophenotype breast cancer (BLBC). METHODS: 458 cases of female infiltrative breast cancer were studied using immunohistochemical staining with an antibody panel of ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, CK5/6, CK14 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and were classified basing on the immunophenotypes. The clinicopathologic characteristics were compared with other immunophenotypes of breast cancer. 228 of 458 cases of breast cancer were followed up. RESULTS: 46 cases of BLBC were screened out among the 458 breast cancers. And histological features of BLBC were analysed including the larger diameter of cancer foci (average 3.3 cm), appearance of squeezing phenomenon of neighboring cell borders (58.7%, 27/46), geography-like distribution of necrosis (52.2%, 24/46), central zone fibrosis (30.4%, 14/46) and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration at the margin and stroma (63.0%, 29/46). There were nuclear pleomorphism with numerous mitoses. The cancer cells were closely arranged, forming irregular solid architectures. There was a high expression (> 25%) of Ki-67 (43.5%, 20/46). CK5/6, CK14 and EGFR were positive in 58.7% (27/46), 43.5% (20/46) and 65.2% (30/46) respectively. 3-year survival rate of BLBC was 66.9%, lower than the luminal A breast cancer and similar to HER2 over-expression breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of BLBC in the group of breast cancers is 10%. BLBC has its distinct histological and cytological features. Currently, it is still necessary to depend on immunophenotyping in making a BLBC diagnosis. BLBC is the one of breast cancer subtypes with the poorest prognosis.

[A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture treatment of acute ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of acupuncture on ability of daily living (ALD) and the incidence rate of disability and mortality of the patient of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Forty patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group and a control group, 20 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with acupuncture for 3-4 weeks, 5 times each week, and routine therapy. The control group were treated with routine therapy alone. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between the two groups in the score of neurological defection, and the incidence rate of disability and mortality at following survey of 3 and 6 months were found. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is safe and feasible for stroke at early stage.

Set-up uncertainties with radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective This study is to investigate the set-up accuracy of thermoplastic mask used for immobilization of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients being treated by Intensity Modulated Radia- tion Therapy (IMRT).Methods Nineteen patients with early stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (T1- T2N0M0),treated by fractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy,underwent repeated CTs during their 6-week treatment course.We evaluated their anatomic landmark coordinates in a total of 85 repeated CT data sets and respective x,y and z shifts relative to their position in the 19 treatment-planning reference CTs.Results The translation in x,y,and z-axes with their mean value derived from both positive and negative set-up errors was-0.84 mm(x-axis),+0.65 mm(y-axis) and +0.01 mm(z-axis).Mean target isocenter translation was (0.89?0.69) mm,(0.82?0.79) mm,(0.95?1.24) mm in x,y and z-direc- tions,respectively.The mean total magnitude vector and 95% CI of isocenter motion were 1.87 mm and 4.65 mm.The data measured over the 6-week fractionated course of treatment revealed a slight deterioration of isocenter accuracy.The 95% CI,considered by us to be a valuable parameter for characterizing the sys- tem,of 4.17 mm for measurement within the first 3 weeks increased to 5.12 mm in the last 3 weeks of treat- ment.Conclusions The sequential CT scanning is a pronounced valuable method of evaluating the quality of departmental specific patient positioning procedures.The thermoplastic mask is eyed as well suited tool for immobilization and repositioning of NPC patients receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

[Changes of relative variables about prethrombosis state and its clinical significance in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of the hemorrheology coagulation and fibrinolytic system in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: To examine the platelet alphagranule membrane protein (GMP-140), Von-Willebrand factor (vWF), antithrombin III activity (AT-III), plasminogen activity (PLG), the activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in 30 non-pregnancy women, 30 normal late pregnancy women and 50 pregnancy induced hypertension women. RESULTS: In PIH group vWF [(156 +/- 23)%], GMP-140 [(23.9 +/- 3.6) microg/L], Fbg [(15.5 +/- 0.8) g/L], PLG [(141 +/- 9)%], D-Dimer [(1.42 +/- 0.32) mg/L], PAI [(9.2 +/- 0.8) kU/L] were obviously higher than those of control group. AT-III, ProC in PIH group were lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). t-PA has no significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prethrombotic state was shown in normal late pregnancy women. Obvious prethrombotic state was shown in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension women.

Value of postmastectomy radiotherapy to chest wall in breast cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

0.05).The 2 -year and 3-year survival rates were 91.7 %,89.2 % and 85.8%,86.1% in all patients for either gr oup. The 2 -year and 3-year survival rates were 84.2%,81.8% and 72.9%,77.1% in p atients with positive axillary lymph nodes for the two groups, with the differen ces insignificant (Logrank test P=0.663, P=0.9 19).There were no differences in the 2-year and 3-year survivals for patients with stage Ⅲ and over receiving ch est wall irradiation or not and patients who received different doses of chest w all irradiation (Logrank test P=0.449, P=0.764 ). Conclusions Locoregional recu rrence is not reduced and survival rate is not improved by chest wall irradiatio n in this study. The prognostic impact of chest wall irradiation and the optimal target of radiotherapy remains to be substantiated by more randomized trials.