MiR-105 inhibits gastric cancer cells metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting SOX9.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancy, which is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. MicroRNA-105 (miR-105) was downregulated and acts as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms of miR-105 and sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) in gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Western blot was performed to display the protein level of E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin and SOX9. Transwell assay was utilized to measure the capacity of migration and invasion. We employed the Luciferase reporter assay to determine miR-105 targeting to SOX9 in gastric cancer. RESULTS: MiR-105 was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells; it suppressed gastric cancer cell migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer. SOX9 was upregulated in gastric cancer cells and had a negative correlation with miR-105. Moreover, the knockdown of SOX9 could inhibit gastric cancer cell migration, invasion and EMT. Furthermore, SOX9 was a target gene of miR-105 and mediated by miR-105. SOX9 could reverse the partial function of miR-105 on cell migration and invasion. In addition, miR-105 downregulation or SOX9 upregulation predicted a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that miR-105 was downregulated and inhibited cell migration, invasion and EMT in gastric cancer by binding to SOX9. In addition, we demonstrated that miR-105 downregulation or SOX9 upregulation predicted a poor prognosis. The newly discoverable miR-105/SOX9 axis provides novel insight into gastric cancer treatment.

Variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism of platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha in Chinese people and CC genotype with aspirin sensitivity in patients with cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib alpha in a Chinese Han population and to determine the relationship between VNTR polymorphisms and aspirin resistance. METHODS: Three hundred healthy individuals and 110 patients with cerebral infarction volunteered to participate in this study. The genotype status of all participants was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Platelet aggregation in patients with cerebral infarction receiving aspirin (100 mg/day) for at least 7 days, was measured by optical transmission aggregometry. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Only three alleles of GP Ib alpha, namely, B, C and D, were found. Type A was not found in the Chinese Han participants. Aspirin-sensitive patients were significantly more often of CC genotype than aspirin-semi-responders. CONCLUSIONS: Only three types of alleles B, C and D were detected in the north-eastern region of China. The CC genotype of the VTNR polymorphism in GPIb appears to be more sensitive to the inhibitory action of low-dose aspirin.

The olfactory bulb: a critical site of action for oxytocin in the induction of maternal behaviour in the rat.

Expanding on research showing that oxytocin originating in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus acts to decrease olfactory processing at the level of the olfactory bulb, we explored the importance of oxytocin acting on the olfactory bulb for the onset of maternal behaviour in Wistar rats. Experiment I was designed to test whether spontaneous maternal behaviour following natural delivery is blocked by bilateral infusions of a low dose (5 fmol) of the oxytocin antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]ornithine-vasotocin into the olfactory bulb immediately after the delivery of the first pup and again just before a test for maternal behaviour. Intrabulbar infusions of the antagonist markedly delayed the occurrence of all components (retrieval, licking, nest building, crouching) of maternal behaviour, whereas intracerebroventricular infusions of the antagonist were without effect on any component as compared with intrabulbar infusions of saline. Experiment 2 was undertaken to determine whether infusions of oxytocin into the bulb induce a rapid onset of maternal behaviour in virgin rats. Forty-eight hours before pup presentation virgins were ovariectomized and treated with oestradiol benzoate. Immediately before pup presentation a low dose (20 pmol) of oxytocin or saline was infused bilaterally into the bulb or lateral ventricle. Intrabulbar infusions of oxytocin induced full maternal behaviour in half of the animals tested within 2 h of pup exposure, in contrast to the ineffectiveness of intracerebroventricular infusions of oxytocin and intrabulbar infusions of saline. These results suggest that the olfactory bulb is a critical site where oxytocin acts to induce a rapid onset of maternal behaviour.

The action of oxytocin originating in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus on mitral and granule cells in the rat main olfactory bulb.

The effects of electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus on the spontaneous firing of mitral and granule cells in the main olfactory bulb were examined in ovariectomized female rats under urethane anaesthesia. High-frequency stimulation (0.5-1.0 mA, 10-20 pulses at 100 Hz) of the paraventricular nucleus produced inhibitory responses in 80% of mitral cells tested and excitatory responses in 74% of granule cells tested, with latencies ranging from 2 to 150 s. Both responses were blocked by infusions into the olfactory bulb of [d(CH2)5, Tyr(Me)2]ornithine-vasotocin (10 pmol), an oxytocin antagonist, and mimicked by intracerebroventricular infusions (0.2 or 0.4 nmol) or microiontophoretic applications of oxytocin but not by intracerebroventricular infusions of vasopressin (1 or 2 nmol). Infusions of 0.5% lignocaine, a local anaesthetic, into either the medial olfactory tract or the medial forebrain bundle failed to block the responses of mitral and granule cells to the stimulation. Unilateral transections at various levels between the bulb and the paraventricular nucleus also failed to block the responses. There were cases in which significant responses of mitral and granule cells to the stimulation required 60 or more pulses after the lignocaine infusions or transections, however. These results suggest that oxytocin originating in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus reaches the olfactory bulb following its release partly into the cerebrospinal fluid and acts to decrease olfactory processing.

[Bone metastases from cancer of the cervix].

130 cases treated for cervical cancer developed bone metastases from 1958 through 1991, it was 0.87% of the total number of cervical carcinoma admitted to our hospital. (130/14,827). The rate of metastasis in each clinical stage was 0.85% (4/468) in stage I, 0.67% (41/6,064) in stage II, 0.97% (79/8,077) in stage III, 2.75% (6/218) in stage IV, respectively. Roentgenograms were diagnostic in all but 7 of the patients. The most common site of bone metastases was lumbar vertebrae, accounting for 44.69% of all bone metastases from cervix cancer. Metastases to pelvic bones ranked next. More than a half of the patients were diagnosed within 3 years after treatment. 86.92% of the patients died within 12 months, By now all patients were dead. Local radiation therapy was useful for pain relief but did not affect the prognosis.

Heterogeneous characteristics of mitral cells in the rat olfactory bulb.

The spontaneous firing activity of olfactory bulb mitral cells and their response to intrabulbar infusion of GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline were studied in ovariectomized, urethane-anesthetized female rats. Mitral cells recorded in the absence of specific stimuli and nasal airflow displayed three distinct patterns of spontaneous firing: high-frequency bursts with relatively long silent periods; high-frequency bursts without accurately defined silent periods; continuous. Infusion of bicuculline (0.2 nmol) into the bulb yielded inconsistent results on spontaneous firing and its inhibition evoked by electrical stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract. Of 32 cells tested, the spontaneous firing rate increased for 24, decreased for 6, and was not altered for 2. Likewise, of 18 cells tested, the poststimulus inhibitory period shortened for 12, lengthened for 4, and not altered for 2. An increased dose (0.4 nmol) of bicuculline produced dose-response relationships simply without any reversal effect. These results suggest that the heterogeneity of mitral cells exists in the context of local interneuronal circuitry in the bulb.

Pre-operative factors and treatment outcome following carpal tunnel release.

The outcome of carpal tunnel release was evaluated retrospectively in 60 hands of 53 patients followed for six to 33 months (median ten months). Outcome was considered good in 27% (pain, weakness, and numbness were essentially resolved); fair in 42% (most of the symptoms improved); and poor in 32% (symptoms persisted or worsened). Patients whose pre-operative work activity was considered physically strenuous were associated with a slightly but significantly poorer outcome (60% good or fair) compared to those in light work or with no employment (89% good or fair). Proportionately fewer patients returned to their original work when they previously engaged in strenuous activity, ranging from 27% for those using air guns to 80% in light work. It appears that the highest chance of a poor outcome from carpal tunnel release occurs in patients who have either associated symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome or physically strenuous work activities.

[Protective effect of verapamil against alloxan-induced damage on pancreatic islet beta-cells in rats].

An experimental diabetes model was produced by intravenous injection of alloxan. Verapamil (40 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes prior to alloxan was able to decrease serum glucose from 22.93 +/- 1.37 mmol/L to 8.79 +/- 0.83 mmol/L after 48 hours of injection of alloxan. Histological findings showed that the number of secretory granules in beta cells of the pancreatic islet of rats pretreated with verapamil was markedly increased as compared to rats treated with alloxan alone.

Influence of the electrical stimulation of the medial amygdala on adrenocortical sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophin in hypophysectomized rats.

The effects of electrical stimulation of medial amygdala on the adrenocortical sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) were investigated in hypophysectomized rats. The intravenous injection of ACTH increased the rates of 14C transfer from 14C-l-acetate into corticosterone and cortisol in the adrenal slices of hypophysectomized rats. The electrical stimulation of the medial amygdala produced a further increase in the rates of 14C transfer from 14C-l-acetate into corticosterone and cortisol. From these results, it might be suggested that the medial amygdala was capable of enhancing the adrenocortical steroidogenesis in response to ACTH.

Recent advances in microlymphatic surgery in China.

Development and advances in clinical and research work on limb lymphedema in China has progressed rapidly in recent years. The authors first performed successful lymphaticovenous anastomosis using the operating microscope for limb lymphedema in China in May, 1979. By 1983, surgery on 48 lymphedematous limbs in the authors' clinic had given good results in one-third of the cases. By the same year, 185 limbs with lymphedema were treated by lymphaticovenous anastomosis throughout China with excellent results achieved in 72.9% of the cases. Lymphology was investigated using animal models, intraluminal pressure, and venous graft substitution of lymphatics.

[192Ir afterloading machine for intracavitary radiotherapy--first unit installed in China].

This paper presents the source, applicators and treatment results of the first 192Ir afterloading machine manufactured at home. The intrauterine source can effect pendulous displacements in linear or non-linear patterns without preparatory dilatation. The vagina source can assume palisade and erect position. Satisfactory dose distributions are possible by various arrangements of the vaginal applicators as required clinically. From Oct. 1984 to Dec. 1985, 82 patients with cervical malignancies were treated by this machine. The tumor mass in all patients disappeared before the conclusion of treatment. There was no local recurrence with the longest follow-up of one year as compared to the tumor inhibition rate of 91.9% by the traditional method during the same period. These results suggest that this facility be satisfactory and that the traditional intracavitary treatment could be replaced.

Experimental observation of transplantation of vein graft to lymphatics.

We attempted to transplant a vein graft to normal lymphatics (LVL) to investigate whether it could survive and remain joined to the lymphatics as the environment changed. A total of 152 rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was an LVL saline-irrigated group (n = 40), with a patency rate of 52.5%. Group 2 was an LVL nonirrigated group (n = 34), with a patency rate of 29.4%. Group 3 was an LV group (n = 78), with a patency rate of 32%. All specimens were examined under either light microscope or scanning electron microscope. The data indicated that an LVL anastomosis is practical and that preanastomotic irrigation can improve the patency rate. In both the LVL and the LV groups, endothelial regeneration, originating from the adjacent endothelium, commenced within 1 week after the anastomosis, with complete healing within 3 to 4 weeks. The vein graft tended to become "lymphaticized." Thrombosis was the main cause of obstruction. The patency rate can be increased by irrigation of the ends with saline before performing the anastomosis. The graft intima must be kept intact, the nutritive blood vessels of the lymphatics must be preserved, and the flow must be artificially increased soon after the anastomosis.