Whole mitochondrial genome sequence of a rat pancreatic adenocarcinoma CRL-2389 LTPA cell line.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the world. We sequenced a complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a rat pancreatic tumor CRL-2389 LTPA cell line for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,314 bp and coding 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes. This mitochondrial genome sequence will provide new genetic resource into pancreatic tumor disease.

In vitro evidence of baicalein's inhibition of the metabolism of zidovudine (AZT).

BACKGROUND: Herb-drug interaction (HDI) has been regarded as a key factor limiting the clinical application of herbs and drugs. AIMS: Potential baicalein-zidovudine (AZT) interaction was predicted in the present study. METHODS: In vitro evaluation of baicalein's inhibition towards human liver microsomes (HLMs)-catalyzed metabolism of zidovudine (AZT) was performed. Dixon and Lineweaver-Burk plots were used to determine the inhibition kinetic type, and second plot with the slopes from Lineweaver-Burk plot versus the concentrations of baicalein was employed to calculate the inhibition parameter (Ki). In combination with the in vivo concentration of baicalein, in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) was carried out to predict in vivo baicalein-AZT interaction. RESULTS: Competitive inhibition of baicalein towards AZT metabolism was demonstrated, and the Ki value was calculated to be 101.2 µM. The value of AUCi/AUC was calculated to be 2. CONCLUSION: Potential baicalein-AZT interaction was indicated in the present study, indicating the need for monitoring when AZT is co-administrated with baicalein or baicalein-containing herbs.

[Observation on the efficacy of acupuncture and fire needle therapy for hand osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the clinical efficacy of shu-stream point acupuncture combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis. METHODS: Eighty cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (shu-stream point acupuncture combined with fire needle therapy) and a medication group(votalin emulgel). For the 42 cases in the acupuncture group, acupuncture at shu-stream points on the three yang meridians of the hand including Sanjian (LI 3), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Houxi (SI 3) and fire needle at Ashi points were applied, the treatments were given once every other day, 15 times as a treatment course. For the 38 cases in the medication group, votalin emulgel was prescribed for local embrocation, twice a day, 30 days as a treatment course. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of arthralgia, joint function score and the duration of morning stiffness, joint tenderness, swelling were observed before and after treatment in both groups. RESULTS: After two courses of clinical treatment, the VAS score of arthralgia, joint function score and the duration of morning stiffness, joint tenderness, swelling were statistically significant differences as compared with before treatment (all P < 0.01 ), the efficacy in the acupuncture group was superior to that in the medication group (all P < 0.01 ). The cured-markedly effective rate and total effective rate were 61.9% (26/42) and 95.2% (40/42) in the acupuncture group, and 36.8% (14/38) and 76.3% (29/38) in the medication group respectively, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Shu-stream point acupuncture combined with fire needle therapy achieves a significant efficacy in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis.