HOXD9 transcriptionally induced UXT facilitate breast cancer progression via epigenetic modification of RND3.

BACKGROUND: Ubiquitously expressed transcript (UXT) is a prefoldin-like protein. It was reported that UXT played vital role in several cancer types. However, functional role of UXT in breast cancer need further investigation. METHODS: mRNA level or protein level of were determined by qRT-PCR or western blots. Proliferation of breast cancer cells was evaluated by CCK-8 assay and EdU assay. Migrative and invasive ability of cells were determined by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Transcriptional activation of UXT was determined by dual luciferase activity. The enrichment of H3K27me3 and EZH2 on the promoter of RND3 was evaluated by ChIP assay. The methylation of RND3 promoter was determined by MSP assay. In vivo function of UXT was evaluated by xenograft model. RESULTS: Our results indicated that UXT was elevated in breast cancer and associated with poor prognosis. HOXD9 elevated expression of UXT via transcriptional activation. UXT knockdown impaired the proliferation, migration and invasion. Rescue experiments suggested that UXT promoted malignant phenotypes of breast cancer cells via epigenetically repressing RND3. Moreover, UXT promoted tumorigeneses and metastasis of breast cancer cell in vivo. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of UXT impaired proliferation and metastasis of cancer cell via promoting RND3. Moreover, UXT epigenetically repressed the expression of RND3 via recruiting EZH2 in the promoter of RND3.

Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of a Novel Yellow-White Emitting NaLa(MoO4)2: Dy3+, Li+ Phosphor.

Intense yellow-white NaLa(MoO4)2: Dy3+ phosphors co-doped with Li+ ions have been successfully synthesized via facile sol-gel combustion approach. The dependence of the crystal structure and crystallinity, particle morphology, photoluminescence property, fluorescent lifetime and absolute quantum efficiency of the as-prepared phosphors has been investigated. Stable yellow-white emission from 440 nm to 600 nm and higher absolute quantum efficiency were studied on Dy3+ doped NaLa(MoO4)2, Dy3+ and Li+ co-doped NaLa(MoO4)2, respectively. Surprisingly, only a small amount of Li+ can lead to a remarkable increase of the PL intensity and the quantum efficiency. Especially, along with 0.75 mol% Li+ ions induced in the NaLa(MoO4)2: Dy3+ phosphors, the absolute quantum efficiency increased from 13.8% to 22%, and the possible mechanism has been deeply discussed. Outstanding luminescence properties have certified that NaLa(MoO4)2: Dy3+, Li+ phosphors are promising candidates as new yellow-white components for optical devices.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary closure of choledochotomy after failed endoscopic sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary closure of choledochotomy for the patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) who failed in endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). METHODS: Between January 2007 and June 2012, a total of 78 patients who subjected to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and EST, but failed in endoscopic stone extraction, were referred to us. The following day, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and primary closure of choledochotomy were performed in all patients. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were experienced in the patients. 6 patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy due to impacted stones. The mean operative time was 145 min. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6d. All the patients achieved successful stone clearance. 13 cases had slight bile leaks, which resolved spontaneously. None of the patients experienced biliary peritonitis, biliary fistula, pancreatitis, or cholangitis. CONCLUSION: If it is performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, primary closure following immediate laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is safe and feasible for patients with CBDS who fail in endoscopic stone extraction.

[Effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy on human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on human gastric cancer xenografts in vivo and to explore its potential tumoricidal mechanism. METHODS: Cultured MGC-803 human gastric cancer cells were injected below the skins of the nude mice to develop the tumor model. The tumor-bearing nude mice were examined under the Leica LT-9 MACIMSYSPULS to detect the fluorescence. The tumor volume of day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 after treatment were measured, and its histological changes were also studied. The tissues of the tumors in nude mice of the control group, light group, 5-ALA group and PDT group were examined with the electron microscope and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. RESULTS: The tumor model was successfully developed. The tumor in the nude mice emitted the red fluorescence under the Leica LT-9 MACIMSYSPULS. The tumor volumes were (0.189+/-0.010) cm(3), (0.183+/-0.011) cm(3), (0.185+/-0.019)cm(3), (0.182+/-0.015)cm(3) for the control group, light group, 5-ALA group, PDT group, respectively at day 1 after treatment, while at day 3, (0.294+/-0.010) cm(3), (0.280+/-0.013) cm(3), (0.278+/-0.016) cm(3), (0.183+/-0.014) cm(3); at day 7, (0.409+/-0.016) cm(3), (0.411+/-0.009) cm(3), (0.407+/-0.015) cm(3), (0.221+/-0.008) cm(3); at day 14, (0.970+/-0.055) cm(3), (0.976+/-0.054) cm(3), (0.981+/-0.032)cm(3), (0.318+/-0.005) cm(3); at day 21, (1.495+/-0.059) cm(3), (1.513+/-0.057) cm(3), (1.524+/-0.063) cm(3), (0.446+/-0.042) cm(3) (F=1003.086, P=0.000). The histology demonstrated that most tumor blood vessels were congested and necrosis developed after PDT while not in the control group, light group and 5-ALA group. Necrosis and apoptosis were observed in the cells of the tumors of the PDT group examined by TUNEL and electron microscope while not in the cells of the tumors of the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) can induce injury to human gastric cancer xenografts and inhibit the tumor growth while light only and 5-ALA only can not. 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (ALA- PDT) appears to be a promising therapy for human gastric cancer, whose mechanism involves in the destruction of the tumors partly by apoptosis other than necrosis.

[Phase IIa clinical trail of hemocoagulase acutus for injection].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hemocoagulase acutus for injection and determine its curative dose. METHODS: Forty-five patients on abdominal surgeries were randomly allocated into 2 study groups and 1 control group. Thirty minutes before the operation, the patients in the study groups received intravenous hemocoagulase acutus at 1 U and 2 U, respectively, and control group had no treatment. The hemostatic time, hemorrhagic volume, and hemoagglutination were observed in all the groups. RESULTS: The average hemorrhagic volume and hemorrhagic volume per square were significantly lower in the two study groups than in the control group (P<0.05), and the average hemorrhagic volume per square were significantly lower in study group 2 U than in the 1 U group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in adverse effects between the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Hemocoagulase acutus for injection has good hemostatic effect for controlling capillary hemorrhage at the abdominal incisions and can be safely used in the surgical patients.

[In vitro killing effect of adenovirus-mediated fusion gene system driven by KDR promoter on gastric cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the killing effect of adenovirus(Ad)-mediated double suicide gene driven by kinase domain-containing receptor (KDR) promoter on gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. METHODS: The 293 packaging cells were transfected by the plasmids pAdEasy-KDR-CDglyTK to generate infectious viruses. The gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were infected by the Ad followed by treatment with 5-FC and/or ganciclovir at different concentrations. The cell-killing effects were evaluated and the bystander effects analyzed after coculture of the cells without AdKDR-CDglyTK infection with the infected cells at different ratios. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry and the pathological changes of the cells were observed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: The infection rate of the resultant recombinant Ad in the cells increased gradually with increment of the multiplicity of infection (MOI) of the Ads. The killing effect of CD/TK fusion gene on the MGC-803 cells was much stronger than that of either of the single suicide gene (P<0.001), and considerable bystander effect was observed. The Ad infection caused MGC-803 cell growth arrest at G(1) phase with onset of apoptotic and necrotic morphologies of the cells as seen under electron microscope. CONCLUSION: The CD/TK fusion gene system driven by the KDR promoter possesses effective killing effect on the KDR-expressing gastric cancer MGC-803 cells.

Effect of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid on human gastric cancer cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on MGC-803 human gastric cancer cells in vitro. METHODS: MGC-803 human gastric cancer cells were treated with 5-ALA at various concentrations followed by laser irradiation. The cells were also treated with 5-ALA at the same concentration before laser exposure at various doses. PDT-induced phototoxicity of the cells was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS: After laser exposure of the cells at the same dose (25.0 J/cm(2)), the cell survival rates decreased significantly with incubation of the cells with 5-ALA at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mmol/L, respectively (F=266.39, P<0.001), but 2.0 and 4.0 mmol/L ALA showed no significant difference in lowering the cell survival rates (P>0.05). Following treatment with the same 5-ALA concentration (1 mmol/L), the cell survival rates decreased in response to increased laser doses (at 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, 50.0, and 100 J/cm(2), respectively, F=226.31, P<0.0001). Without laser exposure, the survival rate of the cells did not significantly change for different 5-ALA concentrations (F=0.79, P=0.5383), nor did it undergo obvious variation in response to different laser doses without 5-ALA incubation (F=0.61, P=0.6551). CONCLUSIONS: The damage of MGC-803 cells by PDT increases with 5-ALA concentration within a relative lower range and is proportional to the laser doses delivered. Without 5-ALA treatment, the laser at the chosen dose cannot produce photodynamic effect and ALA itself is nontoxic. ALA-mediated PDT appears to be a promising therapy for gastric cancer.

[Specific killing effects of adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene driven by KDR promoter on venous endothelial cells and gastric cancer cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the specific killing effect of adenovirus(Ad)-mediated double suicide gene under regulation by KDR promoter on gastric cancer cells and venous endothelial cells in vitro. METHODS: KDR-expressing MGC803 and ECV304 cells and non-KDR-expressing LS174T cells were infected by the two Ads (AdEasy-KDR-CDglyTK and AdEasy-CMV- CDglyTK), and expression of CDglyTK was detected by reverse transcriptional (RT) PCR. After treatment with 5-FC and GCV, the killing effects of the double suicide genes on various cells were evaluated. RESULTS: The infection rate of the two resultant recombinant Ads did not differ significantly in the cells. RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of CDglyTK gene product in all the cells infected by Ad-CMV-CDglyTK and all but SL147T cells infected by Ad-KDR-CDglyTK. All the cells infected by Ad-CMV-CDglyTK and ECV304 and MGC803 cells infected Ad-KDR-CDglyTK were highly sensitive to the prodrugs. In contrast, LS174T cells infected by Ad-KDR-CDglyTK did not appear sensitive to the two prodrugs (P<0.001). In addition, the effect of the double suicide gene was much stronger than that of either of the single suicide gene (P<0.001), showing also considerable bystander effect. CONCLUSIONS: The double suicide gene driven by KDR promoter has specific killing effect on KDR-expressing gastric tumor cells and venous endothelial cells in vitro.

Structure evaluation and highly enhanced luminescence of Dy3+ -doped ZnO nanocrystals by Li+ doping via combustion method.

In this paper, Dy3+ -doped ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized via a simple combustion method. The as-prepared cuboid-like ZnO nanocrystals appear to be single hexagonal crystalline phase with an average diameter of 20 nm. The characteristic luminescence of doped Dy3+ ions has been evaluated, and the highly enhanced photoluminescence of Dy3+ ions can be obtained by Li+ doping.