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Malignant tumor treatment remains a big challenge till now, and expanding literature indicated that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) is promising in tumor treatment with the advantage of safety and being economical, but it is still controversial on whether PEMF could affect the tumor cell viability. Therefore, we conducted the meta-analysis to evaluate effects of PEMF on tumor cell viability. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published up to February 2021. Studies on the direct effects of PEMF on tumor cell viability, determined using colorimetric analysis, were included. Two authors extracted the data and completed the quality assessment. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate the absorbance values and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models. Seven studies, including 32 randomized controlled experiments, were analyzed. Compared with the control group, tumor cell viability in the PEMF exposure group was obviously lower (SMD, -0.67; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.22). The subgroup meta-analysis results showed that PEMF significantly reduced epithelial cancer cell viability (SMD, -0.58; 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.23) but had no influence on stromal tumor cell viability (SMD, -0.93; 95% CI: -0.21 to 0.15). Our study demonstrated that PEMF could inhibit tumor cell proliferation to some extent, but the risk of bias and high heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) weakened the strength of the conclusions drawn from the analysis.

Metformin, a first-line oral drug for type II diabetes mellitus, not only reduces blood glucose levels, but also has many other biological effects. Recent studies have been conducted to determine the protective effect of metformin in irradiation injuries. However, the results are controversial and mainly focus on the time of metformin administration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of metformin in BALB/c mice exposed to 6 Gy or 8 Gy of a 60Co source of γ-rays for total body irradiation (TBI). Survival outcomes were assessed following exposure to 8 Gy or 6 Gy TBI, and hematopoietic damage and intestinal injury were assessed after exposure to 6 Gy TBI. Metformin prolonged the survival of mice exposed to 8 Gy TBI and improved the survival rate of mice exposed to 6 Gy TBI only when administered before exposure to irradiation. Moreover, pretreatment with metformin reduced the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in the bone marrow of mice exposed to 6 Gy TBI. Pretreatment of metformin also protected the intestinal morphology of mice, reduced inflammatory response and decreased the number of apoptotic cells in intestine. In conclusion, we demonstrated that pretreatment with metformin could alleviate irradiation injury.

Background Hypoxia has crucial functions in cervical cancer development and metastasis by inducing the level of numerous genes, including microRNA genes. But we know little about how the hypoxia factors and microRNAs orchestrate to regulate hallmarks of cervical cancer cells. Methods We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing experiments (ChIP-seq) to investigate the targets of HIF-3α or miR-630. ChIP-qPCR and RT-qPCR were used to validate the sequencing results of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq. Cellular, molecular and radiation experiments were used to explore the functions of miR-630.Results Here, we show that hypoxia-induced overexpression HIF-3α increased the expression of dozens of miRNAs, including miR-630. Further experiment showed the activation of miR-630 was induced by hypoxia treatment. We showed that hypoxia induces expression of HIF-3α to activate miR-630 expression by directly binding to its promoter. Meanwhile, miR-630 positively regulates HIF-1α expression, but represses HIF-1α. Stable overexpression of miR-630 in HeLa cells promotes cancer hallmarks, including radioresistance, inhibition of apoptosis, increased migration and invasion, and EMT-mediated metastasis. Stable inhibition of miR-630 showed opposite features. Conclusion Taken together, our findings implicate a novel hypoxia-induced HIF3a-miR-630 regulatory feedback loop contributing to metastasis and progression of cervical cancer cells, and suggest HIF3a and miR630 might be applied as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

Objective To build a vomit-free ward of scientific and standardized management mode, and to evaluate its clinical effects on preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods A total of 200 patients suffering from nausea and vomiting were randomly selected from the registration system, from which 120 cases were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These subjects were divided into control group and observation group (60 patients in each). Both of the two groups received routine nursing care, while the treatment group subjects lived in the vomit-free wards where extra nursing interventions were applied to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), with constant observation of the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting. The outcomes of the subjects from both the groups as well as nurses’ cognition level of CINV were compared after four chemotherapy cycles. Results The difference in the scoring for the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting in two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The scores of nurses’ cognition level of CINV were compared between before and after the interventions, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion The management mode aiming to build vomit-free wards could decrease the incidence of CINV in patients during chemotherapy, and at the same time increased the cognitive level of nursing staff toward CINV, which is of great value in clinical practice and is worthy of further application.

Background and objective Propofol, an intravenous anesthetic agent, has been found to inhibit growth of breast cancer cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the antitumor are not known. A recent report has found that propofol could significantly downregulate miR-24 expression in the human malignant cancers. In breast cancer cells, overexpression of miR-24 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis by downregulation of p27. The miR-24 has been reported to be overexpressed in breast cancer and breast cancer cell lines. In the present study, we hypothesized that propofol induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells by miR-24/p27 signal pathway. Methods Breast cancer MDA-MB-435 cells were exposed to propofol (10 μM) for 6 hr and cell death was assessed using TUNEL staining, Flow cytometry and cleaved caspase-3 expression. microRNA-24 (miR-24) expression was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). miR-24 was overexpressed using a miR-24 mimic. P27 was knocked down using a small interfering RNA. p27 and cleaved caspase-3 expression was assessed by Western blot. Results MDA-MB-435 exposed to propofol showed a significant increase in apoptotic cells, followed by the downregulation of miR-24, upregulation of p27 expression and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Targeting p27 inhibits propofol-induced cell apoptosis; miR-24 overexpression decreased propofol-induced cell apoptosis, cleaved caspase-3 and p27 expression. Conclusions Propofol inducescell death in MDA-MB-435 cells via inactivation of miR-24/p27 signal pathway.

Public concern is growing about the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and its effect on male reproductive health. Detrimental effect of EMF exposure on sex hormones, reproductive performance and sex-ratio was reported. The present study was designed to clarify whether paternal exposure to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) affects offspring sex ratio in mice. 50 male BALB/c mice aged 5-6 weeks were exposed to EMP daily for 2 weeks before mated with non-exposed females at 0d, 7d, 14d, 21d and 28d after exposure. Sex hormones including total testosterone, LH, FSH, and GnRH were detected using radioimmunoassay. The sex ratio was examined by PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results of D0, D21 and D28 showed significant increases compared with sham-exposed groups. The serum testosterone increased significantly in D0, D14, D21, and D28 compared with sham-exposed groups (p

Objectives. Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Dietary cholesterol and alcohol consumption are important risk factors for the progression of FLD, but whether and how alcohol induces more severe FLD with cholesterol ingestion remain unclear. Herein, we mainly used the Lieber-DeCarli diet to establish the FLD mouse model to investigate the synergistic effects of alcohol and cholesterol metabolism on liver damage. The indices of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and total cholesterol (TC) levels, inflammation foci, and pathogenesis by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining revealed that alcohol induces more severe liver damage by influencing cholesterol metabolism, which might be primarily related to the influence of cholesterol absorption, synthesis, and excretion on the liver or small intestine. Moreover, inhibition of absorption of intestinal cholesterol, but not of fat, sucrose, and alcohol, absorption into the body’s metabolism by Ezetimibe, significantly improved FLD in rats fed with the high fat-cholesterol-sucrose and alcohol diet. These results showed that alcohol plays an important role in cholesterol metabolism in FLD.

Many studies indicate that parental exposure to an electromagnetic field (EMF) can cause long-term toxicity to the health of the offspring. While concerns have been focused on maternal influence, much less is known regarding the effects of paternal factors. Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a special and widely used type of EMF. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of paternal EMP exposure on the reproductive endocrine function of the male rat offspring. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly exposed to EMP at 200 kV m(–1) for 0, 100 or 400 pulses before mating. The adult male offspring were sacrificed and the structural changes of testes, levels of serum steroid hormones, sperm characteristics, reproductive behaviors, content of the reproductive endocrine-related neurotransmitter GABA and expression of the GABA(A) receptor were analyzed. The results showed that paternal exposure induced a decrease of testosterone (T), sperm quantity and acrosin activity in the male offspring (p < 0.05). It did not show significant changes in the structure of testes, sperm deformity frequency and reproductive behaviors compared with the sham-exposed group. The content of GABA and the protein and mRNA expression of the hypothalamic GABA(A) receptor protein increased in the EMP exposure group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study shows that under these experimental conditions EMP had a certain degree of influence on the reproductive endocrine function of the male rat offspring, and the hypothalamic GABA(A) receptor may be involved in the reproductive toxicity of the male offspring.

Networked 21st century society, globalization, and communications technologies are paralleled by the rise of electromagnetic energy intensity in our environments and the growing pressure of the environtome on human biology and health. The latter is the entire complement of environmental factors, including the electromagnetic energy and the technologies that generate them, enacting on the digital citizen in the new century. Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) irradiation might have serious damaging effects not only on electronic equipment but also in the whole organism and reproductive health, through nonthermal effects and oxidative stress. We sought to determine whether EMP exposure (1) induces biological damage on reproductive health and (2) the extent to which selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi (daily coadministration) offer protection on the testicles and spermatozoa. In a preclinical randomized study, 3-week-old male BALB/c mice were repeatedly exposed to EMP (peak intensity 200 kV/m, pulse edge 3.5 ns, pulse width 15 ns, 0.1 Hz, and 400 pulses/day) 5 days per week for four consecutive weeks, with or without coadministration of daily selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi (100 mg/kg). Testicular index and spermatozoa formation were measured at baseline and 1, 7, 14, 28, and 60 day time points after EMP exposure. The group without Cordyceps cotreatment displayed decreased spermatozoa formation, shrunk seminiferous tubule diameters, and diminished antioxidative capacity at 28 and 60 days after exposure (p 0.05). The Cordyceps daily cotreatment alleviated the testicular damage by EMP exposure, increased spermatozoa formation, and reduced apoptotic spermatogenic cells. These observations warrant further preclinical and clinical studies as an innovative approach for potential protection against electromagnetic radiation in the current age of networked society and digital citizenship.

There is an increasing public concern regarding potential health impacts from electromagnetic radiation exposure. Embryonic development is sensitive to the external environment, and limb development is vital for life quality. To determine the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on polydactyly of mouse fetuses, pregnant mice were sham-exposed or exposed to EMP (400 kV/m with 400 pulses) from Days 7 to 10 of pregnancy (Day 0 = day of detection of vaginal plug). As a positive control, mice were treated with 5-bromodeoxyuridine on Days 9 and 10. On Days 11 or 18, the fetuses were isolated. Compared with the sham-exposed group, the group exposed to EMP had increased rates of polydactyly fetuses (5.1% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.05) and abnormal gene expression (22.2% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.05). Ectopic expression of Fgf4 was detected in the apical ectodermal ridge, whereas overexpression and ectopic expression of Shh were detected in the zone of polarizing activity of limbs in the EMP-exposed group and in the positive control group. However, expression of Gli3 decreased in mesenchyme cells in those two groups. The percentages of programmed cell death of limbs in EMP-exposed and positive control group were decreased (3.57% and 2.94%, respectively, P < 0.05, compared with 7.76% in sham-exposed group). In conclusion, polydactyly induced by EMP was accompanied by abnormal expression of the above-mentioned genes and decreased percentage of programmed cell death during limb development.

Upregulation of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) has been reported in a variety of malignant tumors. However, the impact of TCTP in glioma remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and prognostic value of TCTP in glioma patients. Western blot analysis was used to characterize the expression patterns of TCTP in 45 glioma and 22 normal brain tissues. Immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing 127 cases of glioma was performed to analyze the association between TCTP expression and clinicopathological features. Compared with normal brain tissues, TCTP expression was significantly higher in glioma tissues (p

To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) exposure on the bioactivity of insulin and a preliminary mechanism for these effects.A tapered parallel plate Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell with a flared rectangular coaxial transmission line was used to expose the insulin solution to EMP. Concurrent sham-exposed insulin solutions were used as a control. The effect of EMP-exposed insulin on fasting blood glucose levels of type I diabetes model mice, the effect of EMP on binding affinity between insulin and its receptor and the effect of EMP on insulin's fluorescence intensity were detected, respectively.(i) After EMP exposure, compared with sham-exposed insulin, the bioactivity of insulin in decreasing fasting blood glucose levels in type I diabetes model mice was reduced significantly (p = 0.023). (ii) Compared with sham-exposed insulin group, the percentage fluorescein isothiocyannate (FITC) labelling of HL-7702 cells was significantly reduced in the EMP-exposed insulin group (22.7-13.8%, respectively). (iii) Compared with sham-exposed insulin, the fluorescence intensity was significantly reduced in EMP-exposed insulin (p0.001).EMP exposure significantly decreased the bioactivity of insulin to reduce the blood glucose levels in type I diabetic mice. This could be due to a decreased binding affinity between insulin and its receptor. This mechanism could involve an alteration of insulin's' conformation caused by EMP exposure.

Objective: To investigate the allocation and management of large medical equipment (LME) in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, in order to make the best use of LME to meet the medical needs of local people. Methods: The research collected data from all hospitals that have LME in Xuzhou using questionnaire; 38 (97.4%) hospitals returned the questionnaire. Results: In Xuzhou, there are a total of 71 pieces of LME, each serving 126 600 people in an area of 163 km2. Sixty-two percent of them are allocated in urban areas, with Gini coefficient at 0.52, indicating imbalance and biased allocation of LME. Conclusion: The allocation of LME in Xuzhou is out of control and unfairly allocated.

Previously, we found that electromagnetic pulses (EMP) induced an increase in blood brain barrier permeability and the leakage of albumin from blood into brain tissue. Albumin is known to activate microglia cells. Thus, we hypothesised that microglia activation could occur in the brain after EMP exposure. To test this hypothesis, the morphology and secretory function of microglia cells, including the expression of OX-42 (a marker of microglia activation), and levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, and NO were determined in the rat cerebral cortex after EMP exposure. In addition, to examine the signalling pathway of EMP-induced microglia activation, protein and phosphorylated protein levels of p38, JNK and ERK were determined. It was found that the expression of OX-42increased significantly at 1, 6 and 12h (p

Summary Objectives To evaluate the clinical response and adverse effects of Photofrin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with relapse nasal pharyngeal cancer. Methods Thirty patients with relapse nasal pharyngeal cancer were randomly divided into PDT group and chemotherapy group. In PDT group, patients received intravenous administration of Photofrin (2 mg/kg b.w.) and 48 h later light (200–300 J/cm) was delivered by a 630 nm diode laser through a cylinder diffuser under endoscopic assistance. Two days after PDT the necrotic tissues were removed and newly identified sites were subject to another round of light irradiation. In chemotherapy group, the routine cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (DDP/5-FU) remedy was used. Endoscopic and radiological examinations were performed during 6 months follow-up. The Karnofsy Score was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results The local response and nasal cavity obstruction remission rate in PDT group were better than that in chemotherapy group. The Karnofsy Score was also improved in PDT group. Conclusion This pilot study suggests that Photofrin PDT is effective and safe in treatment of advanced nasal pharyngeal cancer and management of nasal obstruction.

Objective: To discuss the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with respect to design and methodology and provide suggestions for further improvement in future clinical trials. Methods; A search of the Cochrane Library was conducted to identify RCTs of CHM on line in July 2005. Quality of the RCTs was assessed using a 11-item checklist modified from the revised CONSORT statement, with 2 items specific to CHM (i.e. herb preparation form and quality control of herbs). Results; The search yielded 167 RCTs that were selected for assessment. All trials included statements about the interventions, objectives, primary outcome design statistical methods, and herb preparation form. Although 163 (97.6%) trials reported inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria were only reported in 26 (15.6%) trials. Fewer than 10% of trials clearly stated the random allocation sequence generation methods, and only 2.4% mentioned allocation concealment. The vast majority (86.8%) of trials were open-label. while only 13.2% used blinding. Almost half (45.5%) administered the CHM intervention as a tea or decoction. Only one trial (0.6%) reported a sample size calculation, and a single trial (0.6%) discussed quality control of the CHM intervention. Conclusion: The overall methodologic quality of RCTs in CHM was poor. It is essential to improve the design of future RCTs in this clinical area. Recommendations: (1) Investigator conducting RCTs should have formal training about clinical trial design; (2) A flow chart is recommended to ensure that all essential steps of clinical trial design are included. (3) Conducting pilot studies prior to RCTs may help improve their design; (4) Registration of clinical trials and publishing their protocols prior to enrolment may reduce publication bias and solicit peer reviews of the proposed design; (5) Collaboration between CHM investigators and traditional medicine academic research centers interested in integrative medicine may lead to quality improvement of RCTs of CHM.

Objective: To discuss the types of control groups in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), and to provide suggestions for improving the design of control group in future clinical studies in this therapeutic area. Methods: A search of the Cochrane Library was conducted in July 2005 to identify RCTs of CHM. and 66 RCTs with CHM for type 2 diabetes mellitus were obtained as the basis for further analysis. Results: Of 66 RCTs with OHM for type 2 diabetes mellitus, 61 (92.4%) trials had both a treatment group and a control group. Twenty-seven (40.9%) RCTs compared CHM plus conventional drug vs conventional drug, 24 (36.4%) compared CHM vs conventional drug 5 (7.6%) compared CHM vs placebo. 3 (4.5%) compared CHM plus conventional drug vs conventional drug plus placebo. 3 (4.5%) compared CHM plus conventional drug vs other CHM, 1 (1.5%) compared CHM vs no treatment. 1 (1.5%) compared CHM plus placebo vs conventional drug plus placebo. 1 (1.5%) compared CHM vs CHM plus conventional drug vs conventional drug vs placebo. and 1 (1.5%) compared CHM vs conventional drug vs CHM plus conventional drug. Conclusion: A variety of control groups were used in RCTs of CHM for type 2 diabetes mellitus, including placebo, active, and no treatment control groups. Justification for selecting particular types of control groups were not provided in the trials reviewed in this study. Different control groups may be appropriate according to the study objectives, and several factors should be considered prior to selecting control groups in future RCTs of CHM. Recommendations: (1) Investigators of CHM who design clinical trials should understand the rationale for selecting different types of control groups; (2) Control groups for RCTs should be selected according to study objectives; (3) Active control groups should select interventions for comparisons that have the strongest evidence of efficacy and prescribe them as recommended; (4) Placebo control groups should select a placebo that mimics the physical characteristics of test intervention as closely as possible and is completely inert; (5) No treatment control groups should only be used when withholding treatment is ethical and objectives outcomes will not be subject to bias due to absent blinding; (6) Crossover control groups may be appropriate in chronic and stable conditions.

2', 3', 5'-Tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxyphenyl) adenosine (also known as WS070117) is a new adenosine analog that displays anti-hyperlipidemic activity both in vitro and in vivo experiments as shown in many preliminary studies. Due to its new structure, little is known about the metabolism of WS070117. Hence, the in vivo metabolites of WS070117 in rat urine following oral administration were investigated. Identification of the metabolites was conducted using the combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD), ion trap electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and off-line microprobe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Seven metabolites were obtained as pure compounds at the sub-milligram to milligram levels. Results of structure elucidation unambiguously revealed that the phase I metabolite, N6-(3-hydroxyphenyl) adenosine (M8), was a hydrolysate of WS070117 by hydrolysis on the three ester groups. N6-(3-hydr-oxyphenyl) adenine (M7), also one of the phase I metabolites, was the derivative of M8 by the loss of ribofuranose. In addition to two phase I metabolites, there were five phase II metabolites of WS070117 found in rat urine. 8-hydroxy-N6-(3-hydroxy-phenyl) adenosine (M6) was the product of M7 by hydrolysis at position 8. The other four were elucidated to be N6-(3-O-β-D-glucuronyphenyl) adenine (M2), N8-hydroxy-N6-(3-O-sulfophenyl) adenine (M3), N6-(3-O-β-D-glucuronyphenyl) adenosine (M4), and N6-(3-O- sulfophenyl) adenosine (M5). Phase II metabolic pathways were proven to consist of hydroxylation, glucuronidation and sulfation. This study provides new and valuable information on the metabolism of WS070117, and also demonstrates the HPLC/MS/off-line microprobe NMR approach as a robust means for rapid identification of metabolites.

Power-line frequency electromagnetic field (PF-EMF) was reported as a human carcinogen by some epidemiological research, but the conclusion is lack of robust experiment evidence. To identify the effects of long-term PF-EMF exposure on cell behavior, Balb/c 3T3 cells in exponential growth phase were exposed or sham-exposed to 50 Hertz (Hz) PF-EMF at 2.3 mT for 2 hours (h) one day, 5 days every week. After 11 weeks exposure, cells were collected instantly. Cell morphology was observed under invert microscope and Giemsa staining, cell viability was detected by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell cycle and apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry, the protein level of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and CyclinD1 was detected by western blot, cell transformation was examined by soft agar clone assay and plate clone forming test, and cell migration ability was observed by scratch adhesion test. It was found that after PF-EMF exposure, cell morphology, apoptosis, cell migration ability and cell transformation didn’t change. However, compared with sham group, cell viability obviously decreased and cell cycle distribution also changed after 11 weeks PF-EMF exposure. Meanwhile, the protein level of PCNA and CyclinD1 significantly decreased after PF-EMF exposure. These data suggested that although long-term 50Hz PF-EMF exposure under this experimental condition had no effects on apoptosis, cell migration ability and cell transformation, it could affect cell proliferation and cell cycle by down-regulation the expression of PCNA and CyclinD1 protein.

MAGEC2 is a member of melanoma antigen (MAGE) family of cancer-testis antigens and associated with tumor relapse and metastasis. Here, we investigated the expression of MAGEC2 in patients with breast cancer and its clinical effects with underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of MAGEC2 were compared between 420 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and 120 ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Correlations between MAGEC2 expression and clinico-pathologic factors or survival of patients with IDC were analyzed. In addition, MAGEC2 expression levels in tumor tissues dissected from the primary focus and matched tumor-invaded axillary lymph nodes were analyzed in 8 breast cancer patients. The functional effects of MAGEC2 overexpression were assessed in vitro using scratch assay and transwell chamber assay. MAGEC2 expression was increased in metastatic breast cancer in comparison to the non-metastatic. MAGEC2 expression was significantly associated with ER negative expression (P = 0.037), high tumor grade (P = 0.014) and stage (P = 0.002), high incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis (P = 0.013), and distant metastasis (P = 0.004). Patients with tumor with MAGEC2 positive expression have a worse prognosis and a shorter metastasis free interval. Multivariate analyses showed that MAGEC2 expression was an independent risk factor for patient overall survival and metastasis-free survival. Breast cancer cells that overexpressed MAGEC2 had stronger migratory and invasive potential than control-treated cells. Epithelial markers (E-cadherin and cytokeratin) were down-regulated in MAGEC2-overexpressing cells compared to controls, whereas mesenchymal markers (vimentin and fibronectin) were upregulated. Our results indicate that MAGEC2 has a role in breast cancer metastasis through inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, MAGEC2 is a novel independent poor prognostic factor in patients with IDC. Thus, targeting MAGEC2 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a childhood malignancy caused by inactivation of the RB gene, with neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels considered as its diagnostic marker. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proven to play a significant role in multiple physiological and pathological processes and several miRNAs were identified as tumor biomarkers in recent studies. In the present study, 65 plasma samples were collected from RB patients and 65 samples from healthy individuals to serve as controls. The miRNA levels were measured via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and their association with RB was assessed by statistical data analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. Plasma miRNA (miR)-320, miR-let-7e and miR-21 levels were downregulated in the patient samples, the areas under the curves (AUCs) were 0.548–0.660, whereas the AUCs of combined classifiers were ≥0.990. The plasma miRNA levels, particularly of miR-320, were found to be of value in RB diagnosis and may be considered as novel diagnostic biomarkers.

Background The mechanisms responsible for cervical cancer radioresistance are still largely unexplored. The present study aimed to identify miRNAs associated with radioresistance of cervical cancer cells. Methods The radioresistant cervical cancer cell variants were established by repeated selection with irradiation. The miRNA profiles of radioresistant cells and their corresponding controls were analyzed and compared using microarray. Differentially expressed miRNAs were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Cervical cancer cells were transfected with miRNA-specific mimics or inhibitors. Radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells were determined using colony-forming assay. Results Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, 20 miRNAs showed the similar pattern of alteration (14 miRNAs were overexpressed whilst 6 were suppressed) in all three radioresistant cervical cancer cell variants compared to their controls. A miRNA signature consisting of 4 miRNAs (miR-630, miR-1246, miR-1290 and miR-3138) exhibited more than 5 folds of increase in radioresistant cells. Subsequent analysis revealed that these four miRNAs could be up-regulated in cervical cancer cells by radiation treatment in both time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. Ectopic expression of each of these 4 miRNAs can dramatically increase the survival fraction of irradiated cervical cancer cells. Moreover, inhibition of miR-630, one miRNA of the specific signature, could reverse radioresistance of cervical cancer cells. Conclusions The present study indicated that miRNA is involved in radioresistance of human cervical cancer cells and that a specific miRNA signature consisting of miR-630, miR-1246, miR-1290 and miR-3138 could promote radioresistance of cervical cancer cells.

The hamster has been previously found to be a suitable model to study the changes associated with diet-induced hyperlipidemia in humans. Traditionally, studies of hyperlipidemia utilize serum- or plasma-based biochemical assays and histopathological evaluation. However, unbiased metabonomic technologies have the potential to identify novel biomarkers of disease. Thus, to obtain a better understanding of the progression of hyperlipidemia and discover potential biomarkers, we have used a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-NMR)-based metabonomics approach to study the metabolic changes occurring in the plasma, urine and liver extracts of hamsters fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet. Samples were collected at different time points during the progression of hyperlipidemia, and individual proton NMR spectra were visually and statistically assessed using two multivariate analyses (MVA): principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Using the commercial software package Chenomx NMR suite, 40 endogenous metabolites in the plasma, 80 in the urine and 60 in the water-soluble fraction of liver extracts were quantified. NMR analysis of all samples showed a time-dependent transition from a physiological to a pathophysiological state during the progression of hyperlipidemia. Analysis of the identified biomarkers of hyperlipidemia suggests that significant perturbations of lipid and amino acid metabolism, as well as inflammation, oxidative stress and changes in gut microbiota metabolites, occurred following cholesterol overloading. The results of this study substantially broaden the metabonomic coverage of hyperlipidemia, enhance our understanding of the mechanism of hyperlipidemia and demonstrate the effectiveness of the NMR-based metabonomics approach to study a complex disease.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases responsible for degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM) and remodeling tissue in both physiological and pathological processes. MMP2 and membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) have been associated with tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis; therefore, a molecular imaging strategy assessing their activity may help to predict the malignancy of tumors. Here, we established a novel method of specifically tagging the surface of MMP2- and MT1-MMP-positive cells, and applied it to the development of an optical imaging probe. We constructed a protein-based probe. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the probe was cleaved and specifically remained in tumor xenografts in a MMP-dependent manner.

Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to EMP irradiation of 100 kV/m peak-to-peak e-field intensity and different numbers of pulses. Rat sperm samples were prepared for analysis of sperm qualities; Testes were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and serum hormone concentrations were examined by radioimmunoassay; Enzymatic activities of Total-superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) and manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), the mRNA levels of MnSOD and cuprozinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), and the density of malondialdehyde (MDA) were also determined. EMP irradiation did not affect spermatozoon morphology, micronucleus formation rate, sperm number or viability, but the acrosin reaction rate decreased at 24 h and 48 h and recovered by 72 h after irradiation as compared to the controls. The ultrastructure of rat testis displayed more serious damage at 24 h than at other time points (6 h, 12 h, 48 h). Serum levels of luteotrophic hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were elevated in irradiated rats as compared to controls. After irradiation, enzymatic activities of T-SOD and MnSOD were reduced by 24 h, consistent with the changes observed in MnSOD mRNA expression; MDA content increased at 6 h in turn. These studies have quantified the morphological damage and dysfunction in the rat reproductive system induced by EMP. The mechanism of EMP induced damage may be associated with the inhibition of MnSOD expression.

This article aim to investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) on the changes of myocardial enzyme spectrumin in the canis familiaris. To activitives of creatine kinase(CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-mb), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) and α-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) in the blood serum of canis familiaris were examined by Half Routine Blood Biochemical Analyses at the 1 day, 3 day, 5 day after EMP exposure ( 100, 1000, 10000 pulses). The results showed that myocardial enzyme spectrum disturbance occurred after EMP irradiation. Compared with the control, the activitives of CK, CK-mb and LDH were increased, but a-HBDH was decreased. In conclusions EMP exposure can markedly changed on myocardial enzyme activities in the blood serum of canis familiaris.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) exposure on insulin's bioactivity and their preliminary mechanism. Materials and methods: A EMP generator was used to expose the insulin solution. Concurrent sham-exposed insulin solution was used as control. The effects of EMP-exposed insulin on fasting blood glucose of type I diabetes model mice, the effects of EMP on binding affinity between insulin and its receptor, and the effects of EMP on insulin's fluorescence intensity were detected respectively. Results: (①After EM P exposure, compared with sham-exposed insulin, the insulin's bioactivity of decreasing fasting blood glucose in type I diabetes model mice reduced significantly (P=0.023) (②Compared with sham-exposed insulin group, the percentage fluorescein isothiocyannate labeling of HL-7702 cells was significantly reduced in EMP-exposed insulin group (22.7% to 13.8%, respectively)③)Compared with sham-exposed insulin, the fluorescence intensity was significantly reduced in EMP-exposed insulin (P≪0.001). Conclusions: EMP exposure could significantly decrease the bioactivity of insulin by reducing the blood glucose levels in type I diabetic mice. This could be due to decreased binding affinity between insulin and its receptor. The mechanism could involve an alteration of insulin‘s’ conformation caused by EMP exposure.

AIM To discuss the effects of EMP on bonding ability of insulin and itpsilas receptor. METHODS HL-7702[L-02]GNHu6 cells (5times105 ldr mL-1) were divided into 2 groups: anti-insulin-fluorescent labeling group (including cell-irrad + insulin-irrad group, cell-irrad + normal insulin group, normal cell + insulin-irrad group, normal cell + normal insulin group, total 4 sub-groups) and anti-insulin receptor-fluorescent labeling group (including cell-irrad group, normal cell group, total 2 sub-groups). Some 0.5 mgmiddotmL-1 insulin solution and the groups which need to be irradiated were irradiated by 400 kVmiddotm-1 EMP. After the irradiation, the indirect immuno fluorescent experiment was done, immediately. And then, all the samples were detected by FCM. After EMPpsilas irradiation, the percentage of the L-02 cells which were fluorescent-labelled by FITC on cell membranepsilas insulin receptor increased. After EMPpsilas irradiation, the percentage of the L-02 cells which were fluorescent-labelled by FITC on cell membranepsilas insulin increased than un-irradiated, no matter whether the insulin which was put into the L-02 cells was irradiated or not. Compared with the un-irradiated insulin, no matter the irradiated insulin was put into un-irradiated or irradiated L-02 cells, the percentage of the L-02 cells which were fluorescent-labelled by FITC on cell membranepsilas insulin decreased. CONCLUSION 400 k V ldr m-1 EMP irradiation may probably change insulinpsilas spatial structure, decrease the bonding ability between insulin and its receptor, and show some excitatory effect on L-02 cells.

OBJECTIVE To discuss the quality of reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), and to provide suggestions for improving the reporting of future clinical studies in this therapeutic area. METHODS A search of the Cochrane Library was conducted to identify RCTs of CHM. A revised CONSORT checklist designed for CHM clinical studies was implemented. The revised CONSORT checklist contained 63 items, including the following new items added specifically for CHM: (1) "syndrome of disease" based on Chinese medicine theories; (2) rationale of CHM formula; (3) formula composition; (4) preparation form of CHM; (5) quality control of CHM. RESULTS The overall reporting quality of the RCTs as assessed with the revised CONSORT checklist varied between 19% and 44%, with a median score of 32% (standard deviation 8%). CONCLUSION The overall quality of reporting of RCTs of CHM evaluated with a revised CONSORT checklist was poor, reflecting the need for improvements in reporting future clinical trials in this area. RECOMMENDATIONS To improve the quality of reporting of RCTs of CHM, we recommend adopting a revised CONSORT checklist that includes items specific to CHM. We also recommend that editors of CHM journals require authors to use a structured approach to presenting their trials as a condition of publication.