Jagged2 promotes cancer stem cell properties of triple negative breast cancer cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Jagged2 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Breast cancer tissues of patients diagnosed with TNBC in Fujian Medical University Affiliated MinDong Hospital from January 2015 to September 2017 were selected. TNBC patients were divided into the paclitaxel-resistant group (n=34) and non-resistance group (n=11). Jagged2 expression in paclitaxel-resistant group and non-resistance group before and after treatment was detected by quantitative Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. After Jagged2 knockdown in paclitaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA-MB-231/TXR), expression of CD44+CD24-ESA+ subset was detected by flow cytometry. MicroRNA-200 expression was detected after Jagged2 knockdown in MDA-MB-231/TXR cells. RESULTS: Jagged2 was highly expressed in paclitaxel-resistant TNBC tissues and cells. Jagged2 expression was found to be associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties of TNBC cells. Knockdown of Jagged2 inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance, whereas upregulated microRNA-200 expression. The inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance induced by Jagged2 knockdown were reversed by microRNA-200 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS: Jagged2 maintains CSC properties of TNBC cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200.

Acceptable warm ischemia time of tracheal grafts from non-heart-beating donors in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Warm ischemia (WI)-induced airway complications are common in clinical lung transplantation. However, the acceptable WI time of tracheal grafts from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptable WI time by observing tracheal epithelial regeneration among NHBD. METHOD: Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into four groups (each with 12 rats): WI-0 minutes (group A), WI-30 minutes (group B), WI-45 minutes (group C), and WI-60 minutes (group D). In each group, the tracheas from 6 rats were imbedded in the greater omentum of 6 other rats. Fourteen days later, the transplanted trachea was obtained from the recipient to evaluate epithelial thickness and regeneration. Six tracheas were obtained from living donors as a control group. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in tracheal transplantation time (mean, 17.66±1.21 minutes). There were no significant differences in epithelial thickness and regeneration between the controls and groups A, B, and C (P<.05). Group D showed no normal epithelial structure of the trachea only with monolayer cells. CONCLUSIONS: The time limits of tolerance to WI of tracheal grafts from NHBDs may be 45 minutes.

[Determination of flavonoids in Ginkgo biloba L. leaves from different producing areas].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the contents of flavonoids in the leaves of Ginkgo biloba gathered from 35 producing areas. METHODS: Separating and determining 3 flavonoid aglycones, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, by high performance liquid chromatography, and there by calculating the total contents of flavonoids. RESULTS: The contents of flavonoids in the leaves of G. biloba gathered from different producing areas are different, but in those gathered from Pizhou, Zheng'an Xing'an, Anlu, etc. appear higher.

[Impairment of the digestive system in high altitude erythrocythemia].

Among 203 patients with high altitude erythrocythemia (HAE), 89% had various kinds of alimentary canal symptoms, while these were present only in 31% of a control group (P less than 0.01). 49% of the HAE group had stomach, while only 8% of the control group had it. Endoscopic examination revealed 44% of the HAE group had peptic ulcer, being much higher than 6% of the control group. The ratio of gastric to duodenal ulcer in the HAE group was 2 to 1. The HAE patients had higher values of ALT, total bilirubin, LDH activity, LDH1 and LDHs, but lower values of AKP, LDH2, LDH4 and gamma-GT than the controls. The difference was, however, of no statistical significance. B mode ultrasonography showed that the incidence of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly was 24% and 11% respectively in the HAE group, while it was only 4% and 2% in the control group. HAE patients usually had symptoms of digestive system two years after the onset and the incidence at that time was 67%. With the extended course of the disease, the incidence gradually came down. The mechanism of digestive system impairment in HAE was probed and it was shown that treatment of digestive system impairment would promote the healing of HAE.

[Analysis of the etiology and clinical characteristics of Tibetan cirrhosis in Tibet].

The authors collected 41 cases of cirrhosis in native Tibetans with pathological verification. It is found that 60.98% of the cases were alcoholic cirrhosis, with an incidence significantly higher than that of 7.6% reported in the inland (P less than 0.01). 74.19% and 20% of the cirrhosis in male and female patients respectively were alcoholic, while 50% of the cirrhosis in the female were due to malnutrition. Among the Tibetan cirrhotics 12.2% was due to hepatitis and 4.88% each to hydatid disease and tuberculosis. The average age of these cirrhotics was 47.05. The frequent occurring age was between 41-50 (about 41.46%). The Tibetan cirrhosis in peasants and herdsmen were 51.28%. At the first admission, 84.49% got jaundice and 90.2% got ascites. These percentages were higher respectively than 43.2% and 50.5% from the Lanzou report (P less than 0.01). Ascites was serious, portal vein expanded, but splenomegaly were merely 17.07% (normal were 82.93%). These spleens expanded just a little, macrosplenopathy was not found.