Ambient air pollution exposure and telomere length: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide evidence of the associations between pre- and post-birth and adulthood air pollution exposure with telomere length. STUDY DESIGN: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to June 1st, 2022 in order to include relevant observational studies and perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The random-effects meta-analysis was grouped by air pollutant and exposure window (pre- and post-birth and adulthood) to evaluate the summary effect estimate. Cochran's Q and I2 statistics were used to evaluate the heterogeneity among the included studies. The quality of individual studies was evaluated using the national toxicology program/office of health assessment and translation risk of bias rating tool. RESULTS: We identified 18 studies, covering 8506 children and 2263 adults from multiple countries. We found moderate evidence that particulate matter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) exposure during the entire pregnancy (-0.043, 95% CI: -0.067, -0.018), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure during the first trimester (-0.016, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.027, -0.005), long-term adulthood PM2.5 exposure were associated with shortening telomere length. Mild to high between-study heterogeneity was observed for the most tested air pollutant-telomere length combinations in different exposure windows. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the evidence which strongly supports that prenatal PM2.5 and NO2 exposures were related to reduced telomere length, while prenatal sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) exposures, childhood PM2.5, particulate matter less than 10 µm (PM10), NO2 exposures and short-term adulthood PM2.5 and PM10 exposures were not associated with telomere length. Further high-quality studies are needed to elaborate our suggestive associations.

MiR-424 Inhibits neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral infarction through regulating TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

It has been reported that micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-424 is an important molecule in cerebral ischemia. However, the precise mechanism of action and biological effects of miR-424 remain to be further explored. miR-424 mimic and miR-424 inhibitor were injected via the caudal vein in rats, and the effect of miR-424 expression on brain tissue damage induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was detected. The miR-424 mimic-induced changes in genomic levels were detected via the gene chip assay, and the signaling pathways regulated by miR-424 and its potential targets were explored combined with target prediction. Then the effect of miR-424 mimic on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was determined using Annexin V/PI assay. Finally, drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein 7 (Smad7) was overexpressed to further verify the mechanism of action of miR-424 mimic. Compared with that in the sham group, the expression of miR-424 in brain tissues significantly declined in the model group. The results of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed that the miR-424 mimic obviously reduced the cerebral infarction area and apoptosis level of brain tissues, while the miR-424 inhibitor obviously increased the cerebral infarction area and apoptosis level of brain tissues. It was found, using bioinformatics and KEGG enrichment analysis, that differentially expressed genes induced by miR-424 were significantly enriched in the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling pathway. According to the results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting, the miR-424 mimic could evidently lower the expression of Smad7, thus activating the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Overexpression of Smad7 could weaken the protective effect of miR-424 mimic on ischemic-hypoxic cells. Increasing the expression of miR-424 can inhibit Smad7 to activate the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby exerting a protective effect against the brain tissue damage induced by MCAO.

[Texture analysis of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to identify atypically enhanced small hepatocellular carcinoma and dysplastic nodules under the background of cirrhosis].

Objective: To investigate the value of texture analysis based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of atypically enhanced small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) and dysplastic nodules (DNs) in liver cirrhosis. Methods: Data of 59 cases with atypical enhancement and solitary cirrhotic nodule (≤2 cm) confirmed by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI and surgical pathology specimen were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 37 cases were of atypically enhanced sHCC and 22 cases of DNS. The DWI signal characteristics of the lesions were analyzed to measure the average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the lesions, and the ADC ratio of the lesion to the liver parenchyma. MaZda software was used to manually draw the region of interest to extract the texture parameters of DWI lesions. The three sets (combination of Fisher coefficient, classification of error probability combined with average correlation coefficient and interactive information) were used to select the thirty optimal texture parameters. Raw data analysis (RDA), principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and non-linear discriminant analysis (NDA) were performed for texture classification. The difference of ADC value and ADC ratio between sHCC and DNS group was compared by independent sample t-test, and χ2 test was used to compare the count data (or rate). ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI high-signal in the identification of atypically enhanced sHCC and DNs were 94.6% (35/37), 68.2% (15/22), and 84.7% (50/59), respectively. The ADC ratio of atypically enhanced sHCC was significantly lower than DNs, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 2.99, P = 0.002). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of atypically enhanced sHCC were 73.0% (27/37), 72.7% (16/22) and 72.9% (43/59), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI texture analysis in diagnosing atypically enhanced sHCC were 94.6% (35/37), 95.5% (21/22) and 94.9% (56/59).The diagnostic efficiency of DWI texture analysis (AUC = 0.94) was significantly higher than DWI high-signal (AUC = 0.81) and ADC ratio (AUC = 0.72). Conclusion: The texture analysis based on DWI can identify atypically enhanced sHCC and dysplastic nodules under the background of cirrhosis, and its efficacy is better than qualitative and quantitative DWI.

Downregulation of hsa_circ_0000285 serves as a prognostic biomarker for bladder cancer and is involved in cisplatin resistance.

Bladder cancer remains a very challenging disease to treat with the high rates of recurrence and progression associated with current therapies. Although the association between bladder cancer pathology and circRNAs remains undetermined, circRNAs signatures may be useful as prognostic and predictive factors and clinical tools for assessing disease state, treatment response and outcome. This study investigates if these circRNAs can be used as biomarkers for bladder cancer diagnosis and predicting treatment response. Herein, qPCR measured the expression of hsa_circRNA_100783, hsa_circ_0000285 and hsa_circRNA_100782 in bladder cancer tissues. It was established that sa_circ_0000285, but not hsa_circRNA_100782 and hsa_circRNA_10078, are significantly reduced in bladder cancer tissues and serum compared to adjacent tissues and healthy controls. Moreover, hsa_circ_0000285 expression was lower in cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer patients than in those who were cisplatin-sensitive. Here, hsa_circ_0000285 was associated with tumor size (p<0.001), differentiation (p<0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.038), distant metastasis (p=0.004) and TNM stage (p=0.013). Further analysis showed that hsa_circ_0000285 would be an independent prognostic factor for bladder cancer patient outcome. In conclusion, our study indicates hsa_circ_0000285 may be a novel biomarker for bladder cancer because of its involvement in bladder cancer chemo-sensitivity.

Analysis of metabolic changes in Trichoderma asperellum TJ01 at different fermentation time-points by LC-QQQ-MS.

Trichoderma spp. are among the most widely recognized biocontrol fungi used to inhibit pathogens and promote plant growth. These functions are related to primary and secondary metabolites. This study investigated the different metabolites in Trichoderma asperellum TJ01 cultured for 24 and 72 h using liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Compared to the 24 h culture of T. asperellum TJ01, the 72 h culture with amino acid metabolism tended to decrease while sugar and lipid metabolisms tended to increase. Furthermore, the 72 h culture had a higher proportion of upregulated flavonoids, in combination with a higher proportion of downregulated alkaloids, and equal proportions of upregulated and downregulated polyphenols and hormones. This study also identified a few valuable medicinal substances such as trigonelline and 5-hydroxytryptophan in T. asperellum TJ01 fermentation cultures.

Molecular characterizations of natalisin and its roles in modulating mating in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).

Initially, natalisin (NTL) was identified from three holometabolous insect species, Drosophila melanogaster, Tribolium castaneum and Bombyx mori, and was documented to regulate reproductive behaviours in D. melanogaster and T. castaneum. In this study, we report the sequences of the NTL precursor and its receptor (NTLR) from an important agricultural pest, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). NTLR is a typical G-protein coupled receptor and phylogenetic analysis showed that B. dorsalis NTLR was closely related to insect natalisin receptors from other species. A functional assay of NTLR transiently expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that it was activated by putative natalisin mature peptides in a concentration-dependent manner, with 50% effective concentrations (EC50 ) at nanomolar or micromolar levels. As indicated by quantitative real-time PCR, both NTL and NTLR had the highest expression in the central nervous system of B. dorsalis compared with the other tested tissues. Three pairs of adult brain neurones of B. dorsalis were identified with immunohistochemical antibody staining against D. melanogaster NTL4, and in situ hybridization with specific DNA probes. Moreover, RNA interference mediated by double-stranded RNA injection in adults provided evidence for the important roles of NTL in regulating both male and female mating frequencies in this fly.

Expression of estrogen receptor α and growth factors in human prolactinoma and its correlation with clinical features and gender.

BACKGROUND: Many studies demonstrate that growth factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of prolactinoma induced by estrogen. The effects of estrogen are mainly mediated through its nuclear receptor (ERα); however, expression of ERα and growth factors in prolactinoma and healthy pituitary and their relationship remain obscure. AIM: To obtain new insights regarding the expression differences of these factors and their relationship and to investigate the correlation between gender and clinical features in patients with prolactinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 human prolactinomas and 6 healthy human pituitaries were examined for mRNA expression of ERα, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor α (TGFα), TGFß1, TGFß3, and TGFß receptor type II (TGFßRII) by means of real-time PCR. Patient clinical data was also analyzed. RESULTS: Both PRL level and tumor volume of the male patient group were higher than that of the female patient group. There was a significant correlation between PRL level and tumor volume in the total patient group. Expression of ERα, bFGF, TGFα, and TGFß3 mRNA levels of the patient group were significantly different from that of the control group. A significant correlation between ERα mRNA levels and PRL levels, tumor volume, TGFß1 mRNA levels in the total patient group were found. CONCLUSIONS: PRL level and tumor volume have a significant difference between genders in prolactinoma patients. ERα and some growth factors may be involved in the tumorigenesis of prolactinoma. ERα could potentially be an effective therapy target for treating prolactinoma.

Analysis of differential gene expression by bead-based fiber-optic array in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.

Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are relatively common, accounting for 30% of all pituitary adenomas; however, their pathogenesis remains enigmatic. To explore the possible pathogenesis of NFPAs, we used fiber-optic BeadArray to examine gene expression in 5 NFPAs compared with 3 normal pituitaries. 4 differentially expressed genes were chosen randomly for validation by reverse transcriptase-real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We then analyzed the differentially expressed gene profile with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The array analysis indentified significant increases in the expression of 1,402 genes and 383 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and decreases in 1,697 genes and 113 ESTs in the NFPAs. Bioinformatic and pathway analysis showed that the genes HIGD1B, FAM5C, PMAIP1 and the pathway cell-cycle regulation may play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression of NFPAs. Our data suggest fiber-optic BeadArray combined with pathway analysis of differential gene expression profile appears to be a valid approach for investigating the pathogenesis of tumors.

MRI Signal Intensity and Electron Ultrastructure Classification Predict the Long-Term Outcome of Skull Base Chordomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging is a useful and widely used evaluation for chordomas. Prior studies have classified chordomas into cell-dense type and matrix-rich type according to the ultrastructural features. However, the relationship between the MR imaging signal intensity and ultrastructural classification is unknown. We hypothesized that MR imaging signal intensity may predict both tumor ultrastructural classification and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with skull base chordomas who underwent 95 operations were included in this retrospective single-center series. Preoperative tumor-to-pons MR imaging signal intensity ratios were calculated and designated as ratio on T1 FLAIR sequence (RT1), ratio on T2 sequence (RT2), and ratio on enhanced T1 FLAIR sequence (REN), respectively. We assessed the relationships among signal intensity ratios, ultrastructural classification, and survival. RESULTS: Compared with the matrix-rich type group, the cell-dense type chordomas showed lower RT2 (cell-dense type: 1.90 ± 0.38; matrix-rich type: 2.61 ± 0.60 P < .001). The model of predicting cell-dense type based on RT2 had an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.92). In patients without radiation therapy, both progression-free survival (P = .003) and overall survival (P = .002) were longer in the matrix-rich type group than in the cell-dense type group. REN was a risk factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 10.24; 95% CI, 1.73-60.79); RT2 was a protective factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.87); and REN was a risk factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 4.76; 95% CI, 1.51-15.01). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in MR imaging signal intensity in chordomas can be explained by electron microscopic features. Both signal intensity ratios and electron microscopic features may be prognostic factors.

Preparation and evaluation of a microemulsion for oral delivery of berberine.

The principal aim of this study was to develop an oral microemulsion formulation of berberine in order to improve its bioavailability. The Microemulsion was prepared with pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients such as oleic acid, Tween 80 and PEG400. Phase diagrams were drawn to elucidate the phase behavior of systems, which were composed of Tween 80 as surfactant and PEG400 as cosurfactant. A single isotropic region, considered to be a bicontinuous microemulsion, was detected in the pseudo ternary phase diagrams. The berberine-loaded microemulsion was characterized by viscosity, refractive index, electrical conductivity and particle size. In vivo pharmacokinetic profile and oral bioavailability were also investigated in rats. The optimized formulation was as follows: 15 wt.% oleic acid, 17 wt.% Tween-80, 17 wt.% PEG400, and 51 wt.% water. The formulated microemulsion was found to be relatively uniform in size (24.0 nm). The in vivo study indicated that the bioavailability of the oral berberine-loaded microemulsion formulation was 6.47 times greater than that of the berberine tablet suspensions. The results suggest that the microemulsion is a promising oral drug delivery system for berberine.

Acupuncture point injection treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea: a randomised, double blind, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if injection of vitamin K3 in an acupuncture point is optimal for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea, when compared with 2 other injection treatments. SETTING: A Menstrual Disorder Centre at a public hospital in Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS: Chinese women aged 14-25 years with severe primary dysmenorrhoea for at least 6 months not relieved by any other treatment were recruited. Exclusion criteria were the use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices or anticoagulant drugs, pregnancy, history of abdominal surgery, participation in other therapies for pain and diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhoea. Eighty patients with primary dysmenorrhoea, as defined on a 4-grade scale, completed the study. Two patients withdrew after randomisation. INTERVENTIONS: A double-blind, double-dummy, randomised controlled trial compared vitamin K3 acupuncture point injection to saline acupuncture point injection and vitamin K3 deep muscle injection. Patients in each group received 3 injections at a single treatment visit. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the difference in subjective perception of pain as measured by an 11 unit Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary measurements were Cox Pain Intensity and Duration scales and the consumption of analgesic tablets before and after treatment and during 6 following cycles. RESULTS: Patients in all 3 groups experienced pain relief from the injection treatments. Differences in NRS measured mean pain scores between the 2 active control groups were less than 1 unit (-0.71, CI -1.37 to -0.05) and not significant, but the differences in average scores between the treatment hypothesised to be optimal and both active control groups (1.11, CI 0.45 to 1.78) and (1.82, CI 1.45 to 2.49) were statistically significant in adjusted mixed-effects models. Menstrual distress and use of analgesics were diminished for 6 months post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture point injection of vitamin K3 relieves menstrual pain rapidly and is a useful treatment in an urban outpatient clinic. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00104546; Results.

Paragonimiasis in Yongjia County, Zhejiang Province, China: clinical, parasitological and karyotypic studies on Paragonimus westermani.

Paragonimiasis in Yongjia County, Zhejiang Province, China, has been of such public health concern that a specialized Institute for Paragonimiasis Control has been established there. The study reported here involved both parasitological research on Paragonimus westermani in the endemic areas and a clinical analysis of 94 cases of paragonimiasis. Eggs were found in sputum, feces and brain tissue in 45 cases. Twenty patients, 19 of whom where children under 10 years of age, showed hepatic injury. Treatment with praziquantel or bithionol had satisfactory results in all cases. Dimensions of the parasite eggs, metacercariae from freshwater crabs and adult flukes suggested that the form of P. westermani in Yongjia is the 'small type': a suggestion supported by karyotypic studies on gonad cells from adult flukes collected from experimentally infected animals as all were found to be diploid. In conclusion, the 'small type' or diploid form of P. westermani is the cause of paragonimiasis pulmonary symptoms in Yongjia.

[A diagnostic kit for rapid microenzyme linked immunosorbent assay of paragonimiasis].

With a diagnostic kit for paragonimiasis we recently developed, 112 active paragonimiasis cases were examined and 111 (99.1%) of them showed positive reaction. Sera of 100 healthy persons all showed negative reaction, while 2.3% (3/130) of the patients with other parasitic diseases showed a week cross reaction. Sera of 40 cases with non-parasitic pulmonary diseases also showed negative reaction. The reciprocal titre of cases of paragonimiasis in terms of geometrical mean (GMRT) versus that of normal person was 1396 to 21 (P less than 0.0001). The reproduction and stability of this kit was satisfactory and no significant changes were noted when being kept in room temperature for 12 weeks or being treated with heat (37 degrees C 30', 56 degrees C 30', 64 degrees C 30', 100 degrees C 1', 2', 3', in water bath). When the antigen was treated in 100 degrees C water bath for 30', the OD value obtained with positive control serum showed a slight decrease, but OD value of the positive specimen was still 2.1 times higher than that of negative specimen. There was no significant difference whether the antigen was lyophilized or not. When the antigen was purified by sephadex G 100 gel column, the G100-1 portion showed higher antigenic activity and specificity, but it was not as sensitive as the crude antigen.

[Follicular development patterns in infertile women with biphasic basal body temperature].

Seventy-one cases of infertile women with both normal menstrual cycle and biphasic BBT were studied with ultrasonography, laparoscopy, hormonal assay and endometrial histology. Signs for follicular development and ovulation were divided into four types: (1) normal ovulation in 12 cases; (2) ovulation of small follicle in 21 cases; (3) luteinized unruptured follicle in 15 cases; (4) small luteinized follicle in 23 cases. Mean serum progesterone levels in the luteal phase were within normal limits in all cases. Secretory endometrium accounted for 77.46%. Proliferative or hyperplastic endometrium accounted for 22.54%. The Authors conclude that the criteria of biphasic BBT, P levels and endometrial histology are not reliable enough for determine the cause of female infertility women. In this study the rate of salpingitis: and the rate of aberration of follicular development and chronic anovulation was 7.04%, 83.10% respectively. The latter played an important role in causing female infertility.

[Effect of kidney replenishing Chinese herbs on insulin-like growth factor-1 and its receptor in androgen induced sterile rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Kidney replenishing Chinese herbs (KRCH) on insulin-like growth factor-1 and its receptor (IGF-1/IGF-1R) in androgen induced sterile rats (ASR). METHODS: ASR model was set up and screened by vaginal smear. The level of serum IGF-1 was detected by radioimmunoassay, and IGF-1R by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: (1) Serum IGF-1 level in model rats group > model rats treated with KRCH group > normal control group, but no statistical difference was found among them. KRCH could lower the level of serum IGF-1. (2) Level of IGF-1R in pancreas, liver, ovary and adrenal gland showed an opposite sequence to that of serum IGF-1. CONCLUSION: ASR shows a high IGF-1 level in serum and low IGF-1R level in main target organs, and KRCH could adjust the levels in certain degree. From this, it is inferred that the ovulation effect of KRCH on ASR may come true partly by adjusting the level of IGF-1/IGF-1R.

[Effect of kidney yin-yang replenishing Chinese herbs on the binding character of insulin receptor on hepatocyte membrane in androgen-induced sterility rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Kidney Yin-Yang replenishing Chinese herbs on the binding character of insulin receptor (IR) on hepatocyte membrane from androgen-induced sterility rats (ASR). METHODS: The number and affinity of IR on hepatocyte membrane of ASR were determined with radioligand binding assay. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of the number or affinity for both high and low affinity sites of IR between normal and ASR. CONCLUSION: The treatment with Kidney Yin-Yang replenishing Chinese herbs had no effect on insulin binding although a relatively high rate of ovulation induction on ASR was observed.

[Experimental study of effect on tonifying kidney herbs in pituitary ovary adrenal gland of androgen sterilized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of tonifying Kidney herbs (TKH) in pituitary, ovary, adrenal gland of androgen sterilized rats(ASR). METHODS: ASR model was established by injecting testosterone propionate subcutaneously to SD female rats of 9 days age. Morphological and hormonal change of pituitary, ovary and adrenal gland in rats of 100-107 days old before and after feeding TKH extract were observed by light and electron microscope, cell culture immunohistochemical studies and radioimmuno-assay. RESULTS: In the ASR groups, there were intracytopiasmic lipid drops, autophagy, vacuole, granulolysis of pituitary gland. There were anovulation apparently and increased the amount of lipid drops in cytoplasm of interstitial glandular cell of ovary. The fatty drops of the reticular zone of adrenal gland decreased, the numbers of AGNOR (P < 0.01) and PCNA (P < 0.01) increased significantly. The levels of FSH, LH (P < 0.05-0.005) lowered, but the levels of DHA, T (P < 0.01, 0.05, 0.001) were raised significantly. Morphological and hormonal change of all RSA returned to normal range after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The hyperandrogenemia were disturbed by the function of sex gland axis and adrenal in female rats of 9 days old and played an important role in pathogenesis of ASR, the TKH reduced the levels of androgen and induced ovulation through sex gland axis and adrenal level and multi-organ regulation.

[Effect of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on levels of blocking antibody, beta-hCG, progesterone and estradiol in spontaneous abortion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on abnormal maternal-fetal immune and endocrine in 24 cases of threatened abortion (TA) and 68 cases of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). METHODS: The levels of blocking effect (BE), antiidiotype antibody (AIA), cytotoxin antibody (CTA), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2) were measured in all 92 patients. RESULTS: Incidence rates of the lack of BE, AIA and CTA in 92 cases were 60.87%, 57.61% and 72.83% respectively. The lower levels of BE, AIA and CTA were elevated significantly (P < 0.05-0.01), and the serial levels of beta-hCG, P and E2 were markedly increasing (P < 0.01) in all successful pregnant patients. The rate of the successful pregnancy of 92 cases was 89.13% (to TA 91.67%, to RSA 88.24% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It suggests that the lack of blocking antibody (BA) and endocrine hormone deficiency may result in spontaneous abortion during early pregnancy. The therapeutic mechanism of those herbs in treating spontaneous abortion was associated with the growing levels of BA and hormone by regulating the maternal-fetal immunity and endocrine.

Melatonin inhibits cell growth and migration, but promotes apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line, SGC7901.

The pineal hormone, melatonin (MLT), has been shown to have therapeutic effects in patients with gastric cancer; however, the mechanisms for the anti-cancer effects are unknown. We investigated the effects of melatonin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, colony formation and cell migration in the gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, SGC7901, using MTT assay, Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, western blot, caspase-3 activity assay, soft agar colony formation assay, and scratch-wound assay. Our results showed that melatonin could inhibit cell proliferation, colony formation and migration efficiency, and it promoted apoptosis of SGC7901 cells. Our findings suggest that the anti-cancer effects of melatonin may be due to both inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and reduction of the metastatic potential of tumor cells.

Expression and distribution of endocan in human tissues.

Endocan is a novel human endothelial cell specific molecule. Its expression is regulated by cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The distribution of endocan in normal human tissues, however, remains unclear. We examined the expression of endocan in normal human tissue using immunohistochemical stains. Endocan was expressed in actively proliferative or neogeneic tissues and cells such as glandular tissues, endothelium of neovasculature, bronchial epithelium, germinal centers of lymph nodes etc. Endocan was not present in silent or resting tissues or cells such as endothelium of great arteries and spleen etc. Our findings suggest that endocan may act as a marker for angiogenesis or oncogenesis and could be regarded as a candidate gene for inflammatory tissue, neoplasia, tumor development and metastasis. The expression level of endocan may assist early diagnosis and prognosis of some tumors.