[Clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer with basal-like immunophenotype].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of basal-like immunophenotype breast cancer (BLBC). METHODS: 458 cases of female infiltrative breast cancer were studied using immunohistochemical staining with an antibody panel of ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, CK5/6, CK14 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and were classified basing on the immunophenotypes. The clinicopathologic characteristics were compared with other immunophenotypes of breast cancer. 228 of 458 cases of breast cancer were followed up. RESULTS: 46 cases of BLBC were screened out among the 458 breast cancers. And histological features of BLBC were analysed including the larger diameter of cancer foci (average 3.3 cm), appearance of squeezing phenomenon of neighboring cell borders (58.7%, 27/46), geography-like distribution of necrosis (52.2%, 24/46), central zone fibrosis (30.4%, 14/46) and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration at the margin and stroma (63.0%, 29/46). There were nuclear pleomorphism with numerous mitoses. The cancer cells were closely arranged, forming irregular solid architectures. There was a high expression (> 25%) of Ki-67 (43.5%, 20/46). CK5/6, CK14 and EGFR were positive in 58.7% (27/46), 43.5% (20/46) and 65.2% (30/46) respectively. 3-year survival rate of BLBC was 66.9%, lower than the luminal A breast cancer and similar to HER2 over-expression breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of BLBC in the group of breast cancers is 10%. BLBC has its distinct histological and cytological features. Currently, it is still necessary to depend on immunophenotyping in making a BLBC diagnosis. BLBC is the one of breast cancer subtypes with the poorest prognosis.

Relating physicochemical properties of alginate-HMP complexes to their performance as drug delivery systems.

This study aims to analyze the effect of physicochemical properties of alginate-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) complexes on their performance as drug delivery systems. Rheology, textural properties and swelling behavior of alginate-HMP complexes were determined. HMP alone showed weak gelling ability. As ratio of alginate increased, gel capability, hardness and adhesiveness of gels increased, but swelling rate decreased. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model drug and entrapped in the alginate-HMP beads. Morphology of beads was correlated with adhesiveness. Drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency were related to electrostatic interactions between BSA and alginate-HMP complexes. Drug release profiles were correlated with both texture and swelling properties of alginate-HMP complexes and morphology of beads in simulated gastric fluids, while release in simulated intestinal fluids was affected by drug loading content. This study gives enlightenment that pre-selection of encapsulation materials may be achieved prior to encapsulation based on physicochemical properties of materials.

Magnetic Resonance Three-dimensional Cube Technique in the Measurement of Piglet Femoral Anteversion.

BACKGROUND: The accurate measurement of the femoral anteversion (FA) angle is always a topic of much debate in the orthopedic surgery and radiology research. We aimed to explore a new FA measurement method to acquire accurate results without radiation damage using piglet model. METHODS: A total of thirty piglets were assigned to two groups based on the age. Bilateral femora were imaged with 3.0-T magnetic resonance (MR) and 64-slice computed tomography (CT) examinations on all piglets. FA was measured on MR-three-dimensional (3D) postprocessing software with a four-step method: initial validation of the femoral condylar axis, validation of the condylar plane, validation of the femoral neck axis, and line-plane angle measurement of FA. After MR and CT examinations, all piglets were sacrificed and their degree of FA was measured using their excised, dried femora. MR, CT, and dried-femur measurement results were analyzed statistically; MR and CT measurements were compared for accuracy against each other and against the gold standard dried femur measurement. RESULTS: In both groups, the mean FA value measured by MR was lower than that measured by CT. A statistically significant difference was observed between CT- and dried-femur measurements but not between MR- and dried-femur measurements. A higher correlation (0.783 vs. 0.408) and a higher consistency (0.863 vs. 0.578) with dried-femur measurement results were seen for MR measurements than CT measurements in the 1-week age group. However, in the 8-week age group, similar correlations (0.707 vs. 0.669) and consistencies (0.864 vs. 0.821) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive MR-3D-Cube reconstruction was able to accurately measure FA in piglets. Particularly in the 1-week age group with a larger proportion of cartilaginous structures, the correlation and consistency between MR- and dried-femur measurement results were higher than those between CT- and dried-femur measurements, suggesting that MR may be a new useful examination tool for FA-related diseases in children.

MiR-340 suppresses cell migration and invasion by targeting MYO10 in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among females, and can seriously affect the physical and mental health and even threaten the lives of women. Recently, research has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs), as a new method of regulation, have been shown to have oncogenic and tumor­suppressive functions in human breast cancer. Detection of their expression may lead to the identification of novel markers for breast cancer. In the present study, we firstly detected miR­340 expression and found lower expression of miR­340 in 6 human breast cancer cell lines by using RT­qPCR. Then by using wound healing assay and Transwell migration and invasion experiments, we focused on the role of miR-340 in the regulation of tumor cell migration and invasion, exploring the relationship between them. The results revealed that induction of miR­340 expression was able to suppress tumor cell migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of miR­340 expression promoted breast cancer cell migration and invasion. At the gene level, MYO10 (myosin X), as a direct miR­340 target gene, mediated the cell migration and invasion. Finally, we verified our research further at the tissue specimen level and in animal experiments. In brief, miR­340 plays an important role in breast cancer progression. Thus, miR­340 may be further explored as a novel biomarker for breast cancer metastasis and prognosis, and potentially a therapeutic target.

[Changes of relative variables about prethrombosis state and its clinical significance in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of the hemorrheology coagulation and fibrinolytic system in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: To examine the platelet alphagranule membrane protein (GMP-140), Von-Willebrand factor (vWF), antithrombin III activity (AT-III), plasminogen activity (PLG), the activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in 30 non-pregnancy women, 30 normal late pregnancy women and 50 pregnancy induced hypertension women. RESULTS: In PIH group vWF [(156 +/- 23)%], GMP-140 [(23.9 +/- 3.6) microg/L], Fbg [(15.5 +/- 0.8) g/L], PLG [(141 +/- 9)%], D-Dimer [(1.42 +/- 0.32) mg/L], PAI [(9.2 +/- 0.8) kU/L] were obviously higher than those of control group. AT-III, ProC in PIH group were lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). t-PA has no significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prethrombotic state was shown in normal late pregnancy women. Obvious prethrombotic state was shown in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension women.

[A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture treatment of acute ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of acupuncture on ability of daily living (ALD) and the incidence rate of disability and mortality of the patient of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Forty patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group and a control group, 20 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with acupuncture for 3-4 weeks, 5 times each week, and routine therapy. The control group were treated with routine therapy alone. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between the two groups in the score of neurological defection, and the incidence rate of disability and mortality at following survey of 3 and 6 months were found. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is safe and feasible for stroke at early stage.