[Effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae on the ultrastructure of alveolar epithelial cells type â ¡ in the lung tissues of mice and children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible mechanisms of lung necrosis by examining the effects of Streptoccus pneumoniae (S.p) on the ultrastructure of alveolar epithelial cells type Ⅱ(AEC-Ⅱ) in the lung tissues of mice and children. METHODS: The suspended solutions of S.p strains cultured from the blood of a child with pneumococcal necrotizing pneumonia (PNP) (0.3 mL, CFU: 1×108/L) were instilled into the trachea of pathogen-free mice to prepare PNP model. The same amount of normal saline was given for the control group (10 mice). The samples (1 mm3) from the lower lobe of right lung of the mice were obtained 92 hrs later and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde. Normal and abnormal lung tissues (1 mm3) were obtained while operation for the left lower lobe pulmonary cavity excision in the child with PNP. The specimens were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and stored at 4℃. A transmission electron microscope was employed for the examination of the ultrastructure of AEC-Ⅱ in the lung tissues. RESULTS: Quantitative reduction and exfoliation of microvilli in S.p-infected AEC-Ⅱ were observed in both mice and this child compared with the control. Enlarged size, enhanced evacuation and reduced density of the lamellar bodies were also presented. The number of mitochondria was obviously reduced. The nucleolus chromatin concentrated and showed an inhomogeneous distribution. CONCLUSIONS: S.p infection results in comparable damage to the ultrastructure of AEC-Ⅱ in mice and children that may represent one of the primary causes responsible for S.p-induced lung tissue necrosis.

Magnolol suppresses the proliferation and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Magnolol has shown the potential anticancer properties against a variety of cancers. However, the role of magnolol in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells is unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of magnolol on the CCA cells. METHODS: CCA cells were treated with magnolol in the absence or presence of TNFα, the activator for NF-κB. After co-incubation with magnolol, cell proliferation and growth were examined by MTT, colony formation and xenograft tumors; cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry; cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays; the expression of PCNA, Ki67, CyclinD1, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 and NF-κB pathway were evaluated by using Western blot. RESULTS: Magnolol inhibited the abilities of CCA cell growth, migration and invasion accompanying with a decreased expression of PCNA, Ki67, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 (all P<0.05). TREATMENT: with magnolol induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase with a downregulation of cell cycle protein CyclinD1 (all P<0.05). In addition, magnolol suppressed the expression of p-IκBα and p-P65 and the effect of magnolol on CCA cells could be inhibited by TNFα. CONCLUSIONS: Magnolol could inhibit the growth, migration and invasion of CCA cells through regulation of NF-κB pathway, and these data indicate that magnolol is a potential candidate for treating of CCA.

[Auricular point sticking and the combined therapy of auricular point sticking and body acupuncture for weight gain in 100 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy difference in weight gain between auricular point sticking and the combined therapy of auricular point sticking and body acupuncture, as well as the efficacy difference among various body constitutions. METHODS: One hundred cases of weight gain were randomized into two groups, auricular point sticking group (group A) and the combined therapy of auricular point sticking and body acupuncture group (group B), 50 cases in each one. In group A, semen vaccariae was fixed with plaster on the spleen, stomach, endocrine, small intestine, buttocks, tibia, forearm, etc. in the ear. Each point was pressed 3 times daily, for 5 mm each time. The ear-points on two sides were alternated every two days. In group B, the auricular point sticking and body acupuncture were applied. The ear points and manipulation were same as the previous. Body points were Zhongwan (CV 12), (Juanyuan (CV 4), Tiansho (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. Acupuncture was applied with filiform needle, once every two days. The changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI) were observed after 20 treatments. RESULTS: (1) The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in group A and was 98.0% (49/50) in group B, without statistical significant difference (P > 0.05). The comparison of mean body weight and mean BMI after intervention did not show statistical significance between two groups (both P > 0.05), indicating that the simple auricular point sticking could achieve the same effect as the combined therapy. (2) There was no statistical significant difference in the total effective rate between the thin persons with spleen and stomach deficiency constitution and those with normal constitution among 100 cases (P > 0.05). But, the remarkable effective rates were different significantly in statistics (P < 0.05). For the thin persons with spleen and stomach deficiency constitution, after treatment, the body weight increased in big amplitude, but those with normal constitution increased in small amplitude or had no change. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the simple auricular point sticking on weight gain is same as the combined therapy of auricular point sticking and body acupuncture, and is much better for the cases with spleen and stomach deficiency constitution.