Proliferative and apoptotic effects of andrographolide on the BGC-823 human gastric cancer cell line / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Andrographolide has been shown to have anticancer activity on diverse cancer cell lines representing different types of human cancers. The aim of this research was to investigate the anticancer and apoptotic effects of andrographolide on the BGC-823 human gastric cancer cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell proliferation and IC50 were evaluated using MTT assay, cell-cycle analysis with flow cytometry apoptotic effects with Annexin-V/propidium iodide double-staining assay, and morphologic structure with transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry and reverse-transcription PCR was used to analyze Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 expressions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Andrographolide showed a time- and concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on BGC-823 cell growth. Compared to controls, the number of cells in the G0-G1-phase increased significantly, S and G2-M-phase cells decreased after 48 hours of treatment with andrographolide, and both early and late apoptotic rates increased significantly compared to the controls, all in a concentration-dependent manner. Bax and caspase-3 expressions were markedly increased, and Bcl-2 expression was decreased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Andrographolide inhibits BGC-823 cell growth and induces BGC-823 cell apoptosis by up-regulating Bax and caspase-3 expressions and down-regulating Bcl-2 expression. Andrographolide may be useful as a potent and selective agent in the treatment of human gastric cancers.</p>

Epidemiologic characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010 / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemiologic characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The epidemiologic characteristics of HFMD were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods based on the data from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 27383 cases of HFMD were recorded in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010. The incidence of HFMD increased from 66.4439/100000 in 2008 to 163.9276/100000 in 2009 and 471.5515/100000 in 2010 (P<0.01). The mortality rate was 0.1026/100000 in 2010, which was significantly lower than in 2009 (0.2821/100000) (P<0.05). HFMD occurrence showed seasonality and reached a peak between April and June. HFMD cases were commonly noted in children under 5 years old, and especially in children under 3 years old. The main detected pathogen was human enterovirus 71 (EV17) in 2009. Whereas in 2010 the disease was mainly caused by CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of HFMD in Guiyang increased year by year from 2008 to 2010, but the mortality rate decreased year by year. HFMD occurrence showed an obvious seasonality. HFMD was common in children under the age of five. The main pathogens of this disease included EV17, CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.</p>