[Retracted] Arnebin­1 promotes angiogenesis by inducing eNOS, VEGF and HIF­1α expression through the PI3K­dependent pathway.

Following the publication of the above paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the α­tubulin protein bands shown in Fig. 2A on p. 689 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in the following paper: Tian R, Li Y and Gao M: Shikonin causes cell­cycle arrest and induces apoptosis by regulating the EGFR­NF­κB signalling pathway in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Biosci Rep 35: e00189, 2015. Moreover, there were a pair of overlapping data panels shown in the cell invasion and migration assay data in Fig. 5B on p. 692, one identified instance of western blot data being shared between Figs. 3D and 4F, and a pair of overlapping data panels in Fig. 5D, such that all these data, which were intended to have shown the results from differently performed experiments, may have been derived from a smaller number of original sources. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication prior to its submission to International Journal of Molecular Medicine and an overall lack of confidence in the presented data, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a satisfactory reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 36: 685­697, 2015; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2292].

Reflective temperature sensor based on a fiber Bragg grating combined with a fiber loop ringdown technique.

In this paper, a reflective fiber sensing system combined with a fiber loop ringdown technique for temperature detection is proposed. A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with an initial center wavelength of 1543.33 nm was set as the sensor head. The experimental results showed that the average sensitivity of temperature was 1.003 µs/°C in the temperature range of 30-38°C, and the resolution was 0.007°C, which is 14 times better than the current FBG sensing demodulator. In addition, the system has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, and insensitivity to optical power fluctuation.

Adjuvant effects of fermented red ginseng extract on advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the adjuvant therapeutic effects of fermented red ginseng (FRG) extract on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with advanced NSCLC were divided into two groups using a random number table, i.e., the gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) chemotherapy alone group (26 patients) and the FRG + GP chemotherapy group (34 patients), for 60-day treatment. Patients were then assessed according to the Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Chinese medicine symptoms score, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung. In addition, chemotherapy toxicity and tumor biomarkers were measured. RESULTS: For NSCLC patients after chemotherapy, FRG extract significantly improved the FSI score, CM symptoms score, psychological status, physical conditions, and quality of life and reduced chemotherapy toxicity, but the expression levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin-19 fragments, and neuron-specific enolase were not significantly different between the chemotherapy alone and the FRG + chemotherapy groups or between pre- and post-treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that FRG extract had an adjuvant effect on advanced NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. Further studies with a larger sample size will verify the current findings.

Arnebin-1 promotes angiogenesis by inducing eNOS, VEGF and HIF-1α expression through the PI3K-dependent pathway.

Arnebin-1, a naphthoquinone derivative, plays a crucial role in the wound healing properties of Zicao (a traditional wound healing herbal medicine). It has been noted that Arnebin-1, in conjunction with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), exerts a synergistic pro-angiogenic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and accelerates the healing process of diabetic wounds. However, the mechanisms responsible for the pro-angiogenic effect of arnebin­1 on HUVECs and its healing effect on diabetic wounds have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, in an aim to elucidate these mechanisms of action of arnebin­1, we investigated the effects of arnebin­1 on the VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)­dependent signaling pathways in HUVECs treated with VEGF by western blot analysis. The pro­angiogenic effects of arnebin­1 on HUVECs, including its effects on proliferation and migration, were evaluated by MTT assay, Transwell assay and tube formation assay in vitro. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)­1α, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and VEGF were determined by western blot analysis in the HUVECs and wound tissues obtained from non­diabetic and diabetic rats. CD31 expression in the rat wounds was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. We found that the activation of the VEGFR2 signaling pathway induced by VEGF was enhanced by arnebin­1. Arnebin­1 promoted endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation through the PI3K­dependent pathway. Moreover, Arnebin­1 significantly increased the eNOS, VEGF and HIF­1α expression levels in the HUVECs and accelerated the healing of diabetic wounds through the PI3K­dependent signaling pathway. CD31 expression was markedly enhanced in the wounds of diabetic rats treated with arnebin­1 compared to the wounds of untreated diabetic rats. Therefore, the findings of the present study indicate that arnebin-1 promotes the wound healing process in diabetic rats by eliciting a pro-angiogenic response.

[Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of advanced schistosomiasis in Hu-nan province, 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of patients with advanced schistosomiasis in Hunan Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the advanced schistosomiasis prevention strategies and measures. METHODS: The data of advanced schistosomiasis patients were collected and analyzed retrospectively with the cross section research method and description method in Hunan Province, 2012. RESULTS: There were 5 722 advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province, and among them, 4 112 patients were male (71.86%), and 1610 were female (28.14%). Totally 5311 patients came from the schistosomiasis endemic areas (92.82%) and 411 patients from non-schistosomiasis endemic areas (7.18%). The prevalence rate of advanced schistosomiasis was 8.46/10,000. The mean age of advanced schistosomiasis patients was 60.30 +/- 11.63 years, and the youngest was 17 years old and the oldest 92 years old. In the age composition of advanced schistosomiasis patients, the greatest number of cases was in the 60-70 years age group (32.72%). There were 3 595 cases of ascites type (62.83%), 2107 cases of splenomegaly type (36.82%), 11 cases of dwarf type (0.16%), and 11 cases of colon proliferation type (0.35%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of advanced schistosomiasis is relatively stable in Hunan Province, and the age of the patients showed an old aging trend. The salvation of advanced schistosomiasis patients in non-endemic areas should be strengthened.

Translocation of protein kinase C δ contributes to the moderately high glucose-, but not hypoxia-induced proliferation in primary cultured human retinal endothelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes and affects ~75% of them within 15 years of the onset of the disease. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is a key feature of diabetes mellitus and may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The present study aimed to examine the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, which are triggered by high an moderately high glucose levels as well as hypoxic conditions. The underlying cell mechanisms of PKC translocation in primary cultured human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were also investigated. The expression levels of PKC isoforms were assessed using western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay and DNA synthesis was assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Translocation of PKC isoforms was examined by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The expression of PKC α, ßI, ßII, δ and ε was detected, while PKC ζ was not detected in HRECs. The results of the present study were consistent with the findings of a previous study by our group, reporting that moderately high glucose levels and hypoxia, but not high glucose levels, significantly increased cell proliferation. It was demonstrated that the PKC δ isoform was translocated from the cytosol to the membrane only under moderately high glucose conditions, while PKC α and ε isoforms were translocated from the cytosol to the membrane at high glucose conditions. In addition, PKC ßI was translocated under all three conditions. Translocation of PKC ßII was comparable among all groups. Furthermore, rottlerin, an inhibitor of PKC δ, blocked cell proliferation, which was induced by moderately high glucose levels, but not by hypoxia. Ro32-0432, an inhibitor of PKC α, ßI and ε, did not significantly affect proliferation of HRECs in all treatment groups. In conclusion, the present study suggested that PKC α, ßI, ßII, δ and ε were expressed in primary cultured HRECs, whereas PKC ζ was not. Cell proliferation induced by moderately high glucose concentrations was associated with translocation of the PKC δ isoform; however, hypoxic conditions did not induce translocation.

Health access livelihood framework reveals potential barriers in the control of schistosomiasis in the Dongting Lake area of Hunan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Access to health care is a major requirement in improving health and fostering socioeconomic development. In the People's Republic of China (P.R. China), considerable changes have occurred in the social, economic, and health systems with a shift from a centrally planned to a socialist market economy. This brought about great benefits and new challenges, particularly for vertical disease control programs, including schistosomiasis. We explored systemic barriers in access to equitable and effective control of schistosomiasis. METHODOLOGY: Between August 2002 and February 2003, 66 interviews with staff from anti-schistosomiasis control stations and six focus group discussions with health personnel were conducted in the Dongting Lake area, Hunan Province. Additionally, 79 patients with advanced schistosomiasis japonica were interviewed. The health access livelihood framework was utilized to examine availability, accessibility, affordability, adequacy, and acceptability of schistosomiasis-related health care. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found sufficient availability of infrastructure and human resources at most control stations. Many patients with advanced schistosomiasis resided in non-endemic or moderately endemic areas, however, with poor accessibility to disease-specific knowledge and specialized health services. Moreover, none of the patients interviewed had any form of health insurance, resulting in high out-of-pocket expenditure or unaffordable care. Reports on the adequacy and acceptability of care were mixed. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: There is a need to strengthen health awareness and schistosomiasis surveillance in post-transmission control settings, as well as to reduce diagnostic and treatment costs. Further studies are needed to gain a multi-layered, in-depth understanding of remaining barriers, so that the ultimate goal of schistosomiasis elimination in P.R. China can be reached.

[Investigation and treatment of newly discovered advanced schistosomiasis cases in Hunan Province in 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological characteristics and current status of newly confirmed advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province in 2011. METHODS: The cases previously diagnosed or suspected as advanced schistosomiasis in Hunan Province were the subjects of this investigation. Questionnairing (demographical information, disease history, etc.), clinical examination (ascites syndrome, abdominal palpation), laboratory examination, and abdominal ultrasonography were used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment was given to the patients. RESULTS: In 2011, there were 620 newly discovered advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province, mainly distributed in Yueyang (300 cases, 48.4%), Changde (193 cases, 31.1%) and Yiyang (123 cases, 19.8%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1. The average age of the patients was 60.4 +/- 12.4. 69.7% (432/620) of the patients were illiterate or with primary school education. 90.3% (560/620) of them were farmers. 162 (26.1%) cases were labour incapacity and 442 cases (71.3%) were with a weak labor ability before receiving medical treatment. The average time from discovery of schistosome infection to diagnosis of advanced schistosomiasis was (24.9 +/- 14.3) years. Among the 620 patients, 418 cases were with ascites (67.4%), 201 cases with splenomegaly (32.4%), and 1 case with multiple granuloma in the colon (0.2%). 172 cases (27.7%) were with visible abdominal vein, 144 cases (23.2%) with a hard liver texture, and 3.4% (21/620) cases with a hard spleen texture. Abdominal ultrasonography showed that 59.4% (368/620) of the patients were with grade III hepatic fibrosis. 577 cases (93.1%) received medical treatments and 43 cases (6.9%) received surgical treatment. After the treatment, the clinical symptoms and signs of 410 cases (66.1%) were improved and 210 cases (33.9%) needed further treatment. CONCLUSION: Newly confirmed advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province are mostly distributed in historically endemic areas, mainly middle-aged and older farmers, and generally in poor health when diagnosed.

[In-depth interviews on late stage schistosomiasis patients about factors related to prevention and treatment in the rural areas].

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors related to current prevention and treatment of Advanced cases on schistosomiasis. METHODS: In-depth interviews were introduced to the qualitative study on 61 Advenced cases of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake regions. Sampling was accidentally and judgmentally performed. RESULTS: Related factors on prevention and treatment of Advenced cases of schistosomiasis would include: higher degree of social support for patients (61/61), excessive dependence on the past pattern of schistosomiasis control, lack of the idea that one should be responsible for his/her own health, lack of knowledge about prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis (28/61), older age (57.40 +/- 10.80), lower education (4.70 years), less family income, lack of effective medical insurance system and efficient close-to-client system. CONCLUSION: Active participation from patients, medical institutions and society was needed to control Late Stage Schistosomiasis. Health education campaign should be intensified to improve the health awareness for schistosomiasis among residents in the heavy endemic areas. Medical insurance system should be set up in epidemic areas, while public health and cure systems for important diseases should be intensified in rural areas. The ability of public health system to be responsive and the accessibility of residents to health service system should be improved in rural areas as well.