[Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma combination inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer HT-29 cells by regulating EMT].

This study aims to investigate the effect of Astragali Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma(AC) combination on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer HT-29 cells based on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT). HT-29 cells were respectively treated with 0, 3, 6 and 12 g·kg~(-1) AC-containing serum for 48 h. The survival and growth of cells were measured by thiazole blue(MTT) colorimetry, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU) test and Transwell assay. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. The BALB/c nude mouse model of subcutaneous colon cancer xenograft was established, and then model mice were classified into blank control group, 6 g·kg~(-1) AC group, and 12 g·kg~(-1) AC group. The tumor weight and volume of mice were recorded, and the histopathological morphology of the tumor was observed based on hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The expression of apoptosis-associated proteins B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein(Bax), cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3(caspase-3), and cleaved caspase-3, and EMT-associated proteins E-cadherin, MMP9, MMP2 and vimentin in HT-29 cells and mouse tumor tissues after the treatment of AC was determined by Western blot. The results showed that cell survival rate and the number of cells at proliferation stage decreased compared with those in the blank control group. The number of migrating and invading cells reduced and the number of apoptotic cells increased in the administration groups compared with those in the blank control group. As for the in vivo experiment, compared with the blank control group, the administration groups had small tumors with low mass and shrinkage of cells and karyopycnosis in the tumor tissue, indicating that the AC combination may improve EMT. In addition, the expression of Bcl2 and E-cadherin increased and the expression of Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, MMP9, MMP2, and vimentin decreased in HT-29 cells and tumor tissues in each administration group. In summary, the AC combination can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT of HT-29 cells in vivo and in vitro and promote the apoptosis of colon cancer cells.

Intestinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma presenting as a pancreatic head space-occupying lesion: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and its occurrence is closely related to Epstein-Barr virus infection. In addition, the clinical symptoms of NKTCL are not obvious, and the specific pathogenesis is still uncertain. While NKTCL may occur in any segment of the intestinal tract, its distinct location in the periampullary region, which leads clinicians to consider mimics of a pancreatic head mass, should also be addressed. Therefore, there remain huge challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal NKTCL. CASE SUMMARY: In this case, we introduce a male who presented to the clinic with edema of both lower limbs, accompanied by diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) showed well-defined homogeneous hypoechoic lesions with abundant blood flow signals and compression signs in the head of the pancreas. Under the guidance of EUS- fine needle biopsy (FNB) with 19 gauge or 22 gauge needles, combined with multicolor flow cytometry immunophenotyping (MFCI) helped us diagnose NKTCL. During treatments, the patient was prescribed the steroid (dexamethasone), methotrexate, ifosfamide, L-asparaginase, and etoposide chemotherapy regimen. Unfortunately, he died of leukopenia and severe septic shock in a local hospital. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should enhance their understanding of NKTCL. Some key factors, including EUS characteristics, the right choice of FNB needle, and combination with MFCI, are crucial for improving the diagnostic rate and reducing the misdiagnosis rate.

Spontaneous expulsion of a duodenal lipoma after endoscopic biopsy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) lipomas are benign submucosal tumors of mature adipocytes that arise mainly in the colon and stomach, sometimes in the ileum and jejunum, and rarely in the duodenum. Patients with symptomatic lipomas require endoscopic or surgical treatment. Spontaneous expulsion of lipomas after biopsy is a rare condition that has limited case reports. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent postprandial epigastric fullness. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed a 10-mm soft yellowish submucosal lesion with the "pillow sign," located in the second portion of duodenum. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) using a 12-MHz catheter probe showed a hyperechoic, homogenous, and round solid lesion (OLYMPUS EUS EU-ME2, UM-DP12-25R, 12-MHz radial miniprobe, Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Deep biopsy was performed using the bite-on-bite technique with forceps. Histological examination was compatible with submucosal lipoma. The lesion spontaneously expelled 12 d after the biopsy. Follow-up EUS performed after 2 mo confirmed this condition. CONCLUSION: Deep biopsy could lead to spontaneous GI lipoma expulsion. This might be the first step in lipoma diagnosis and treatment.

Erythropoietin, as a biological macromolecule in modification of tissue engineered constructs: A review.

In recent years, tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach to address limitations of organ transplantation. The ultimate goal of tissue engineering is to provide scaffolds that closely mimic the physicochemical and biological cues of native tissues' extracellular matrix. In this endeavor, new generation of scaffolds have been designed that utilize the incorporation of signaling molecules in order to improve cell recruitment, enhance angiogenesis, exert healing activities, and increase the engraftment of the scaffolds. Among different signaling molecules, the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in regenerative medicine is increasingly being appreciated. It is a biological macromolecule which can prevent programed cell death, modulate inflammation, induce cell proliferation, and provide tissue protection in different disease models. In this review, we have outlined and critically analyzed different techniques of scaffolds' modification with EPO or EPO-loaded nanoparticles. We have also explored different strategies for the incorporation of EPO into scaffolds. Non-hematopoietic functions of EPO have also been discussed. Finalizing with detailed discussion surrounding the applications, challenges, and future perspectives of EPO-modified scaffolds in regenerative medicine.

Combination of Paris and Vienna classifications may optimize follow-up of gastric epithelial neoplasia patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the combination of Paris and Vienna classifications in a follow-up study of gastric epithelial neoplasia (GEN) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted between January 2003 and September 2010, during which 170 biopsy-proven GEN patients were followed up by gastroenterologists and pathologists according to our follow-up regimen (modified Vienna classification). RESULTS: In total, 161 patients with low-grade neoplasia (LGN) and 9 patients with high-grade neoplasia (HGN) were randomly enrolled in our study. Eighteen patients with depressed appearance were observed, of which 9 patients had HGN and 9 patients had low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Three patients with type 0-IIa were observed with low-grade adenoma (LGA), and type 0-I was observed in 2 patients with LGN. Endoscopic or surgical treatments were performed to avoid potential malignancy or bleeding. Two patients with ulcer lesions, 2 patients with non-depressed type 0 appearance, and 3 patients without visible lesions were shown to have higher-grade lesions during follow-up. The misdiagnosis rate of forceps biopsy - 62.07% - was determined by comparing pre- and post-resection diagnoses of 29 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the Paris and Vienna classifications for GEN may optimize the follow-up routines for patients with suspicious precancerous lesions and may significantly improve the detection of early gastric cancer (EGC) while helping gastroenterologists select the best therapy option.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-negative Castleman's disease.

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare non-neoplastic lymphoproliferative disorder with ambiguous etiology. This study aimed to evaluate the potential association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and CD and to characterize the HBV-positive CD patients in China, an endemic area for HBV infection. We compared the prevalence of HBV infection in 35 consecutive CD patients initially diagnosed in our hospitals over a 10-year period with an age- and sex-matched healthy control, a national population-based control, and a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) control. We found that the prevalence of HBV infection in CD was 17.1% (6/35), which was as high as the NHL control (19.9%, P = 0.693), but significantly higher than the age- and sex-matched healthy control (6.9%, P = 0.033) and the national population-based control (7.2%, P = 0.037). Next, we compared the clinicopathological characteristics between HBV-positive and HBV-negative CD patients. We found that HBV-positive CD patients had a significantly higher NHL malignant transformation rate (33.3% vs. 0%, P = 0.025), higher splenomegaly rate (83.3% vs. 27.6%, P = 0.019), and much poorer prognosis (estimated mean overall survival time (50.83 vs. 64.34 months, P = 0.016). In conclusion, our findings suggest an association between HBV infection and development of CD. CD patients with HBV infection have their own distinguished features.

Association between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a member of the runt-domain family of transcription factors and has been reported to be a candidate tumor suppressor in gastric cancer. However, the association between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer remains unclear. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies of RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer published in English or Chinese from January 2000 to January 2011, and quantified the association between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer using meta-analysis methods. RESULTS: A total of 1740 samples in 974 participants from seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis. A significant association was observed between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer, with an aggregated odds ratio (OR) of 5.63 (95%CI 3.15, 10.07). There was obvious heterogeneity among studies. Subgroup analyses (including by tissue origin, country and age), meta-regression were performed to determine the source of the heterogeneity. Meta-regression showed that the trend in ORs was inversely correlated with age. No publication bias was detected. The ORs for RUNX3 methylation in well-differentiated vs undifferentiated gastric cancers, and in intestinal-type vs diffuse-type carcinomas were 0.59 (95%CI: 0.30, 1.16) and 2.62 (95%CI: 1.33, 5.14), respectively. There were no significant differences in RUNX3 methylation in cancer tissues in relation to age, gender, TNM stage, invasion of tumors into blood vessel or lymphatic ducts, or tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis identified a strong association between methylation of the RUNX3 promoter and gastric cancer, confirming the role of RUNX3 as a tumor suppressor gene.

[Effect and mechanism of puerarin on high glucose-induced hypo-responses in vascular contraction].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of puerarin on high glucose-induced decrease in contraction of isolated rat aortic rings, and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings with or without endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system. Isometric contractions of aortic rings were measured. The activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was also measured. RESULTS: (1) After incubation with 44 mmol/L of glucose (high glucose) for 4 h, the vascular contraction responses to phenylephrine (PE) decreased in an endothelium-dependent manner, when compared with the control group (containing 11 mmol/L of glucose). (2) After coincubation with puerarin ( 10(-10) - 10(-8) mol/L) and high glucose, the decrease in contraction responses to PE of arteries was partly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. (3) After incubation with puerarin for 4 h, the HO-1 activity of thoracic aorta increased; ZnPP, an inhibitor of HO-1, abrogated the protection effect of puerarin. CONCLUSION: Puerarin could prevent the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE in intact aortic rings. The mechanism might be involved in the activation of HO-1.