The Effect of Salvianolic Acid A on Tumor-Associated Macrophage Polarization and Its Mechanisms in the Tumor Microenvironment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, with a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been identified as significant contributors to the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the secretion of various growth factors and chemokines. Salvianolic acid A (SAA) has been shown to have anti-cancer activities. However, the potential activity of SAA on re-polarized TAMs remains unclear. As there is a correlation between the TAMs and TNBC, this study investigates the effect of SAA on TAMs in the TNBC microenvironment. For that purpose, M2 TAM polarization was induced by two kinds of TNBC-conditioned medium (TNBC-TCM) in the absence or presence of SAA. The gene and protein expression of TAM markers were analyzed by qPCR, FCM, IF, ELISA, and Western blot. The protein expression levels of ERK and p-ERK in M2-like TAMs were analyzed by Western blot. The migration and invasion properties of M2-like TAMs were analyzed by Transwell assays. Here, we demonstrated that SAA increased the expression levels of CD86, IL-1ß, and iNOS in M2-like TAMs and, conversely, decreased the expression levels of Arg-1 and CD206. Moreover, SAA inhibited the migration and invasion properties of M2-like TAMs effectively and decreased the protein expression of TGF-ß1 and p-ERK in a concentration-dependent manner, as well as TGF-ß1 gene expression and secretion. Our current findings for the first time demonstrated that SAA inhibits macrophage polarization to M2-like TAMs by inhibiting the ERK pathway and promotes M2-like TAM re-polarization to the M1 TAMs, which may exert its anti-tumor effect by regulating M1/M2 TAM polarization. These findings highlight SAA as a potential regulator of M2 TAMs and the possibility of utilizing SAA to reprogram M2 TAMs offers promising insights for the clinical management of TNBC.

[Correlation of nutritional status with clinical characteristics and lung function in children with cystic fibrosis]. / å›Šæ€§çº¤ç»´åŒ–å„¿ç«¥è¥å »çŠ¶å†µä¸Žä¸´åºŠç‰¹å¾å’Œè‚ºåŠŸèƒ½çš„ç›¸å ³æ€§åˆ†æž.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the nutritional status of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and understand the correlation between malnutrition and clinical characteristics as well as lung function. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of CF children admitted from January 2016 to June 2023. Clinical characteristics of CF children with different nutritional statuses were compared, and the correlation between malnutrition and lung function was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 52 CF children were included, comprising 25 boys (48%) and 27 girls (52%), aged between 7 months and 17 years. Respiratory symptoms were the predominant clinical manifestations (96%, 50/52). The prevalence of malnutrition was 65% (34/52), with moderate/severe malnutrition being the most common (65%, 22/34). The malnutrition group had a longer duration of illness, higher proportion of digestive system symptoms, and lower levels of serum albumin (P<0.05). Pulmonary function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of the predicted value, ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity, forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity exhaled, forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity exhaled, forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity exhaled, and maximum mid-expiratory flow as a percentage of the predicted value, were lower in the malnutrition group compared to the normal nutrition group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed body mass index Z-score was positively correlated with the above six pulmonary function parameters (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in CF children and is associated with decreased lung function. CF children with higher body mass index have better lung function. Therefore, screening and evaluation of nutritional status as well as appropriate nutritional intervention should be emphasized in CF children.

Zonular instability-associated morphologic features in eyes with primary angle closure disease using the swept-source anterior segment - optical coherence tomography system.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the morphologic features of the crystalline lens in Primary Angle Closure Disease (PACD) patients with zonular instability during cataract surgery using the swept-source CASIA 2 Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) system. METHODS: A total of 398 eyes (125 PACD eyes with zonular instability, 133 PACD eyes with zonular stability, and 140 cataract patient controls) of 398 patients who underwent cataract surgery combined or not glaucoma surgery between January 2021 and January 2023 were enrolled. The crystalline lens parameters were measured by CASIA2 AS-OCT. Then, logistic regression was performed to evaluate the risk factors associated with zonular instability. RESULTS: The results revealed that PACD eyes had a more anterior lens equator position, a steeper anterior curvature of lens, shorter Axial Length (AL), shallower Anterior Chamber Distance (ACD), higher Lens Vault (LV) and thicker Lens Thickness (LT), when compared to eyes in the cataract control group. Furthermore, PACD eyes in the zonular instability group had steeper front R, front Rs and Front Rf, flatter back Rf, thicker lens anterior part thickness, higher lens anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratios, shallower ACD, and greater LV, when compared to PACD eyes with zonular stability. The logistic regression analysis, which was adjusted for age and gender, revealed that zonular instability was positively correlated with anterior part thickness, lens anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratio, and LV, but was negatively correlated with lens anterior radius and ACD. CONCLUSION: Steeper anterior curvature, increased lens anterior part thickness, higher anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratio, shallower ACD, and greater LV are the anatomic features of PACD eyes associated with zonular instability.

Comparison of total corneal power measurements obtained with different devices after myopic keratorefractive surgery.

AIM: To analyze the differences, agreements, and correlation among total corneal power parameters generated by different instruments after myopic keratorefractive surgery. METHODS: The prospective cross-sectional study included patients who underwent myopic keratorefractive surgery and received measurements of corneal power 3mo after surgery. Automated keratometer was used for the measurement of simulated keratometry (SimK), swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) based biometer for total keratometry (TK), anterior segment-OCT for real keratometry (RK), and Scheimpflug keratometer for the true net power (TNP), the total corneal refractive power (TCRP) and equivalent K-readings (EKR). The differences among these parameters were analyzed, and the agreements and correlation between SimK and other total corneal power parameters were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 70 eyes of 70 patients after myopic keratorefractive surgery were included. The evaluated corneal power parameters were as follows: SimK 38.32±1.93 D, TK 37.54±2.12 D, RK 36.64±2.09 D, TNP 36.56±1.97 D, TCRP 36.70±2.01 D, and EKR 37.55±2.00 D. Pairwise comparison showed that there were significant differences (P<0.001) among all parameters except for between TK and EKR, RK and TNP, RK and TCRP (P=1.000, 1.000, 1.000, respectively). The limits of agreement between SimK and TK, RK, TNP, TCPR, and EKR were 1.08, 1.08, 1.43, 1.48, and 1.73 D, respectively. All parameters showed good correlation with SimK, and the correlation coefficients were 0.995, 0.994, 0.983, 0.982, and 0.975. CONCLUSION: Among the corneal power parameters after myopic keratorefractive surgery, the value of SimK is the largest, followed by TK and EKR, with TCRP, RK, and TNP being the smallest. The differences among the parameters may be attributable to the different calculation principles. Correct understanding and evaluation of corneal power parameters can provide a theoretical basis for taking advantage of the total corneal power to improve the accuracy of intraocular lens calculation after keratorefractive surgery.

[Effect of down-regulation of sex determining region Y-box 9 on epithelial mesenchymal transition and cloning of oral squamous carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cloning of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: siRNA control, SOX9 siRNA were transfected into BcaCD885 cells in OSCC. Simultaneously, cells that did not undergo transfection were used as the control. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to select SOX9 siRNA1 with enhanced interference effect. A cell cloning assay was used to determine the cell's clone formation ability. E-cadherin and Vimentin expressions were detected by immunofluorescence. The expressions of E-cadherin, matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP-2), Vimentin and matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) were detected by Western blot. Cell invasion and migration were detected in the Transwell compartment. RESULTS: The levels of SOX9 mRNA and protein in SOX9 siRNA cells were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05). An increase in the number of SOX9 siRNA1 cell clonesled to the considerable decrease of the number of cell invasion and migration. In addition, levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in cells decreased significantly compared with the control (P<0.05). The level of Vimentin expression in SOX9 siRNA1 cells decreased, and expression level of E-cadherin was elevated. Cell EMT was inhibited compared with the control, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of SOX9 inhibited EMT, clonogenic formation, cell invasion and OSCC migration.

Mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) have been reported to have a wide range of beneficial effects including neuroprotection, anti-aging and anticancer. However, the anti-inflammation mechanism of LBP on primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/RP) is incompletely understood. We investigate the neuroprotective effects of LBP on neonatal rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons injured by OGD/RP with different approaches: MTT assay was used to detect cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase leakage was used to detect neuronal damage, formation of reactive oxygen species was determined by using fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. Hoechst 33,342 staining and TUNEL staining were used to determine the cell apoptosis. JC-1 was used to evaluate loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The fluorescence intensity of [Ca2+]i in hippocampal neurons was determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The expression of various apoptotic markers such as TLR4, IκB, IL-6 and NF-κB were investigated by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Results from each approach demonstrated that LBP increased the cell abilities and decreased the cell morphologic impairment. Furthermore, LBP increased MMP but inhibited [Ca2+]i elevation and significantly suppressed overexpression of NF-κB, IL-6 TLR4 and increased IκB expression.

Protective effect of gentiopicroside against dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis in mice.

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the pure compound gentiopicroside (Gent) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model and to explore the possible related mechanisms. Experimental colitis was induced in ICR mice by dissolving 5% DSS in their drinking water for 7days. Gent (200, 100, and 50mg/kg) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, 100mg/kg) were oral administrated once a day for 7days. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by comparing extend of colonic mucosal injury assessed by disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histopathological examination, and biochemical test. The possible mechanisms of Gent activities were explored by evaluating expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6 using real-time fluorogenic PCR and expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) using Western blotting. The results showed that oral administration of Gent significantly attenuated DSS-induced loss of body weight, diarrhea, shortening of colon length and histological changes, associated with the decrease in the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the colon. In addition, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and the overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS proteins in the colon were down-regulated by Gent treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that Gent treatment can exert anti-inflammatory effects on experimental acute colitis through attenuating the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2, and it may present the therapeutic potential in the treatment of colitis.

Clinical and histopathological features of adenomas of the ciliary pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE: Adenomas of the ciliary pigment epithelium (CPE) are rare benign tumours which have mainly to be differentiated from malignant ciliary body melanomas. Here we report on a consecutive series of patients with CPE adenomas and describe their characteristics. METHODS: The retrospective hospital-based case series study included all patients who were consecutively operated for CPE adenomas. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients treated for ciliary body tumours, five patients (4.5%) had a CPE adenoma. Mean age was 59.0 ± 9.9 years (range: 46-72 years). Mean tumour apical thickness was 6.6 ± 1.7 mm. Tumour colour was mostly homogenously brown to black, and the tumour surface was smooth. The tumour masses pushed the iris tissue forward without infiltrating iris or anterior chamber angle. Sonography revealed an irregular echogram with sharp lesion borders and signs of blood flow in Color Doppler flow imaging. Ultrasonographic biomicroscopy demonstrated medium-low internal reflectivity and acoustic attenuation. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumours as compared to brain were hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images. Tumour tissue consisted of cords and nests of pigment epithelium cells separated by septa of vascularized fibrous connective tissue, leading to a pseudo-glandular appearance. The melanin granules in the cytoplasm were large and mostly spherical in shape. In four patients, the tumours were hyperpigmented. Tumour cells were large with round or oval nuclei and clearly detectable nucleoli. CONCLUSIONS: These clinical characteristics of CPE adenomas, such as homogenous dark brown colour, smooth surface, iris dislocation and anterior chamber angle narrowing but no iris infiltration, segmental cataract, pigment dispersion, and, as compared to brain tissue, hypointensity and, as compared to extraocular muscles or lacrimal gland, hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI images, may be helpful for the differentiation from ciliary body malignant melanomas.

Vigilin is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and is required for HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth.

Vigilin contains multiple KH domains and is an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein from yeast to the human. Its reported roles in human carcinogenesis are controversial in different types of human cancers. To obtain the specific expression profiles of vigilin in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), we examined vigilin protein levels in normal human liver, liver cirrhosis, adjacent non-tumor liver and HCC tumor tissues as well as in several HCC cell lines. We discovered that vigilin expression increased progressively from the liver cirrhosis tissue to adjacent non-tumor liver tissue and then to HCC tumor cells. Vigilin protein was also overexpressed in all three HCC cell lines examined, HepG2, BEL7402 and SMMC7721, when compared with the vigilin expression level in the L-02 human embryonic hepatocyte cell line. We further investigated the impact of vigilin knockdown on HCC cell proliferation, survival, motility, tumor growth and sensitivity to chemotherapy. We found that knockdown of vigilin in the BEL7402 HCC cells significantly inhibited their proliferation, colony formation and migration, but largely enhanced the cisplatin treatment-induced growth inhibition of these cells in culture. We also found that vigilin knockdown effectively inhibited the growth of BEL7402 cell-derived xenograft tumors in nude mice by decreasing the proliferation and increasing the apoptosis of the BEL7402 HCC cells. Taken together, these results suggest that progressively upregulated vigilin may serve as a molecular risk marker for HCC development, and targeting vigilin may help to inhibit HCC cell growth, survival and migration.

CTCF-mediated reduction of vigilin binding affects the binding of HP1α to the satellite 2 locus.

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) has been implicated in numerous aspects of chromosome biology, and vigilin, a multi-KH-domain protein, participates in heterochromatin formation and chromosome segregation. We previously showed that CTCF interacts with vigilin. Here, we show that human vigilin, but not CTCF, colocalizes with HP1α on heterochromatic satellite 2 and ß-satellite repeats. CTCF up-regulates the transcription of satellite 2, while vigilin down-regulates it. Vigilin depletion or CTCF overexpression reduces the binding of HP1α on the satellite 2 locus. Furthermore, overexpression of CTCF resists the loading of vigilin onto the satellite 2 locus. Thus CTCF may regulate vigilin behavior and thus indirectly influence the binding of HP1α to the satellite 2 locus.

[Characteristics of choroidal melanoma in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of choroidal melanoma in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. METHODS: Case-control study.From October 2007 to December 2008, 21 choroidal melanoma patients (21 eyes) were treated in Beijing Tongren Hospital,including 13 males and 8 females with average age at 57 years (ranged from 18 to 76 years).Fourteen cases (14 eyes) of choroidal hemangioma treated during the same period, including 9 males and 5 females, with average age at 51 years(ranged from 24 to 71 years) were selected for the comparison.All patients were examined with contrast-enhance ultrasound, the contrast agent (sulfur hexafluoride) was injected into elbow vein,continuous recording of contrast agent in the lesions was conducted from filling to subside stages. Sonoliver software was used to analyze the imaging process.Logistic regression was used to compare the data collected from choroidal melanoma and hemangioma to develop a differential diagnosis equation for the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. RESULTS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in choroidal melanoma showed the following characteristics: the lesions were completely filled with the contrast reagent,the typical filling process began from the peripheral area to the center,filling defects were found in some cases,filling time in the melanoma was later than that in the normal tissues and faded early than that in the normal tissues. Quantitative analysis in choroidal melanoma lesions showed that the time to peak of contrast material [(22.80 ± 9.85)s] was less than that in the control group [(29.57 ± 24.76)s], maximum intensity [(191.31 ± 146.90)%] was greater than that in the control group [(100.00 ± 0.00)%]; rising time [(18.52 ± 7.09)s] was less than that in the control group [(26.45 ± 21.83)s] and mean transit time [(63.56 ± 26.04)s] was less than that in the control group [(149.87 ± 182.68)s]. The differences of maximum intensity and mean transit time between the melanoma and the controls were statistically significant (t = -2.848,2.197; P < 0.01). Logistic regression equation using the maximum intensity and mean transit time parameters could distinguish choroidal melanoma and hemangioma with a sensitivity at 90.5% (19/21) and specificity at 12/14. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is a new method for the diagnosis of malignant tumors in the eye. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography combining with quantitative analysis can be helpful for the diagnosis and different diagnosis of choroidal melanoma.

Penile rehabilitation with a vacuum erectile device in an animal model is related to an antihypoxic mechanism: blood gas evidence.

Our previous study showed that vacuum erectile device (VED) therapy has improved erectile function in rats with bilateral cavernous nerve crush (BCNC) injuries. This study was designed to explore the mechanism of VED in penile rehabilitation by analyzing cavernous oxygen saturation (SO2) and to examine the effect of VED therapy on preventing penile shrinkage after BCNC. Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: group 1, sham surgery; group 2, BCNC; and group 3, BCNC+VED. Penile length and diameter were measured on a weekly basis. After 4 weeks of therapy, the penile blood was extracted by three methods for blood gas analysis (BGA): method 1, cavernous blood was aspirated at the flaccid state; method 2, cavernous blood was aspirated at the traction state; and method 3, cavernous blood was aspirated immediately after applying VED. SO2 values were tested by the blood gas analyzer. The results showed that VED therapy is effective in preventing penile shrinkage induced by BCNC (Penile shortening: BCNC group 1.9±1.1 mm; VED group 0.3±1.0 mm; P<0.01. Penile diameter reduction: BCNC group 0.28±0.14 mm; VED group 0.04±0.14 mm; P<0.01). The mean SO2±s.d. values were increased by VED application (88.25%±4.94%) compared to the flaccid (76.53%±4.16%) or traction groups (78.93%±2.56%) (P<0.05). The calculated blood constructs in the corpus cavernosum right after VED application were 62% arterial and 38% venous blood. These findings suggest that VED therapy can effectively preserve penile size in rats with BCNC injury. The beneficial effect of VED therapy is related to antihypoxia by increasing cavernous blood SO2.

Quantitative parameter character of choroidal melanoma in contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Choroidal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignant tumor in adults. It threatens not only the visual function but also the patient's life. Therefore, it is important to find a non-traumatic, quantitative and repetitive diagnostic method. This study investigated the value of quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. METHODS: CEUS were performed in 51 cases of choroidal melanoma, which were diagnosed either pathologically or clinically and in 14 cases of choroidal hemangioma. The characteristics of the time-intensity curve of the contrast agent were analyzed. For the quantitative analysis, the following parameters of the contrast agent in the lesion were included: rising time (RT), time to peak (TTP), maximum intensity (MI) and the mean transit time (MTT). RESULTS: Choroidal melanoma had the following characteristics on CEUS: Choroidal lesions were completely filled with contrast agent. The typical filling pattern was centripetal, with the peripheral of the choroidal lesion filled with the contrast agent first and then the center of the lesion. In some cases, areas with contrast agent filling defect were observed in the lesions. The contrast agent filled the lesion slower than the normal eye and orbital tissue but faded faster in the lesion. Quantitative analysis showed that in choroidal melanoma, MI of contrast agent (191.31% ± 146.90%) was significantly more than that of the normal tissue (100.00% ± 0.00%) (P < 0.05) and MTT ((63.56 ± 26.04) seconds) was significantly less than that of the normal tissue ((149.87 ± 182.68) seconds) (P < 0.05). TTP (22.80 ± 9.85) was less than that of the normal tissue ((29.57 ± 24.76) seconds) and RT ((18.52 ± 7.09) seconds) was less than that of the normal tissue ((26.45 ± 21.83) seconds). Both the differences of TTP and RT were not statistically significant though. Logistic regression showed that to predict choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma with MI and MTT, the sensitivity was 90.5% and the specific degrees was 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is a new method to diagnose tumors in the eye. Choroidal melanoma may be diagnosed objectively and accurately by combining the graphic characteristics on CEUS and the time-intensity curve quantitative analysis.

[Application of transvitreal choroidal biopsies in diagnosis of choroidal tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical results of transvitreal choroidal biopsies in the diagnosis of choroidal tumors. METHODS: It was a retrospective case series study. Slitlamp, indirect ophthalmoscopy, B scan, CDI, MRI, OCT, FFA and ICGA were performed in all 16 cases. The choroidal biopsy was obtained via an internal approach with a three-port pars plana vitrectomy. Vitreous samples were obtained in patients with vitreous hemorrhage. In choroidal tumor located at or in front of the equator, local excision of tumor were performed. The vitreous specimens, choroidal biopsies and excised tumor specimens were analyzed by the histopathologic studies. Statistical analysis was performed using a commercially available statistical software package (SPSS for Windows, version 13.0, SPSS, Chicago, IL). RESULTS: In 4 cases of vitreous hemorrhage, histopathologic studies showed hemorrhage in 2 cases and choroidal melanoma cells in another two cases. In 16 choroidal biopsies, 2 cases had a negative results, 11 cases showed choroidal melanoma, 1 case was melanocytoma and 2 cases were hemorrhage only. The diagnostic rate was 87.5%. In 12 cases that underwent local excision, 9 cases were choroidal melanoma, 1 case was melanocytoma and 2 cases were Schwannoma. High concordance was present between choroidal biopsy and local excision (Kappa = 1, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from transvitreal choroidal biopsies were consistent with that from local excision. This procedure can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of choroidal tumors.

[Expression of vigilin in cell lines and human hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression status of Vigilin (high density lipoprotein binding protein) in various cell lines and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. METHODS: The expression of Vigilin was measured semiquantitatively with western blot in hepatic cancer, cervical cancer and normal cell lines. The samples of 59 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, 59 adjacent liver tissues and 33 distant non-tumor liver tissues were collected, Vigilin expression in the above samples was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Vigilin expressed in all cell lines, but no expression was found in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The expression levels of Vigilin in tumor cell lines were higher than those in normal cell lines (P < 0.05). Most of the hepatic cells expressed Vigilin, but the expression levels were different (tumor tissues: 0.2226 +/- 0.054, adjacent tissues: 0.2060 +/- 0.056, distant tissues: 0.1820 +/- 0.038, P < 0.001). Highly expression of Vigilin was observed in 54% of tumor tissues, 35% adjacement tissues, and 6% of distant non-tumor tissues, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vigilin may have relationship with HCC progression and proliferation.

[Analysis of changes of ultrasonic image and hemodynamics of retrobulbar blood vessels in Coats disease].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the changes of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and hemodynamics of retrobulbar blood vessels in Coats disease. METHODS: It was a prospective and self-comparative study in which 18 cases (18 eyes) were included. Axial eye length was measured with A scan. Routine CDFI was performed in all cases. We examined ophthalmic arteries (OA), central retinal arteries (CRA) and posterior ciliary arteries (PCA) by CDFI, and recorded the peak systolic velocities (PSV), end diastolic velocities (EDV), time averaged maximum velocities (TAMX), pulsatility indexes (PI) and resistance indexes (RI) in all cases. Each hemodynamic parameter in the affected eye (21.36 ± 1.19) mm was compared with those in the contralateral normal eye (controls). T-test was used for the estimation of significance of the difference between the diseased and normal eyes. RESULTS: The axial length in diseased eyes was significantly shorter than that of the controls (22.92 ± 1.09) mm (t = 3.617, P < 0.05). The changes of CDFI in diseased eyes included retinal detachment, retinal cyst, subretinal organization, etc. Vitreoretinal traction, intraocular ossification and calcification were uncommon. The PSV (6.96 ± 1.21) cm/s and EDV (1.99 ± 0.36) cm/s in the diseased eyes were significantly lower than the PSV (8.30 ± 1.46) cm/s and EDV (2.48 ± 0.47) cm/s in the control eyes (t = 2.995, 3.476;P < 0.05). No significance difference was present in other hemodynamic parameters between diseased and normal eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Coats disease is a congenital disease that may influence the development of the eye. The ultrasonography is helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis in Coats disease. Low perfusion of the central optic artery might exist in Coats disease. The hemodynamics changes in Coats disease require further studies.

[Traditional medicine CDP and promoter demethylation in breast cancer cell lines].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the demethylation effect of CDP on P16 and E-CADHERIN genes. METHODS: Breast cancer cell lines T47D and MDA-MB-435 were treated with CDP and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-aza-C). The methylation of P16 and E-CADHERIN gene promoters were measured by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The RNA transcription was determined by reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR). RESULTS: 1) The methylation-specific fragments of P16 gene promoter existed in T47D cells after 25, 50 and 75 micromol/L of CDP treatment for 6 days. An absolute demethylation on P16 gene occurred after treatment with 100 micromol/L of CDP. The unmethylation-specific fragments appeared in T47D cells after being treated with 25, 50, 75 and 100 micromol/L of CDP for 6 days. The RNA expression of P16 was detected after treatment with 75 and 100 micromol/L of CDP. 2) After being treated with 50 micromol/L of CDP, the methylation-specific fragments of CpG island in P16 gene promoter still existed in T47D cells. The unmethylation-specific fragments in T47D cells started to appear after 24 hours of treatment and lasted until 144 hour of treatment. The RNA expression was detected after 144 hours of treatment. 3) The demethylation on E-CADHERIN gene and genomic DNA or RNA transcription were not detected in MDA-MB-435 cells. CONCLUSION: CDP has concentration- and time-dependent demethylation effect on P16 gene in T47D cells, but not on E-CADHERIN gene in MDA-MB-435 cells, which indicates that CDP has substantial diversity in molecular activities.

Association of ERCC1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The normal function of excision repair cross complementing group 1 (ERCC1) is essential for maintaining genomic integrity and preventing cellular neoplastic transformation, and multiple studies have reported an association between ERCC1 polymorphisms and increased risk of cancers. To test whether the genetic variants of ERCC1 gene modify the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), we compared the 8092 C > A and 19007 C > T single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the haplotypes of ERCC1 between 267 patients with NPC and 304 healthy controls. Linkage disequilibrium was observed between the two SNPs loci (D' = 0.861). Significant differences of allele frequencies were found for ERCC1 8092C > A between the cases and controls. Individuals with 8092 C allele showed 1.411-fold (OR = 1.411, 95% CI, 1.076-1.850, P = 0.014) increased risk of developing NPC, and the CC haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of NPC (OR = 1.712; 95% CI, 1.211-2.421; P = 0.013). No interactions were found between 8092C > A polymorphism and genders, smoking status and alcohol consumption. These results suggested that the polymorphism of ERCC1 8092 C > A might be a contributing factor in the development of NPC in Chinese population.