Cyclopeptide RA-V inhibits angiogenesis by down-regulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation in HUVEC and HMEC-1 endothelial cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anti-angiogenic agents have recently become one of the major adjuvants for cancer therapy. A cyclopeptide, RA-V, has been shown to have anti-tumour activities. Its in vitro anti-angiogenic activities were evaluated in the present study, and the underlying mechanisms were also assessed.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Two endothelial cell lines, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), were used. The effects of RA-V on the proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, migration, tube formation and adhesion were assessed. Western blots and real-time PCR were employed to examine the protein and mRNA expression of relevant molecules.

KEY RESULTS

RA-V inhibited HUVEC and HMEC-1 proliferation dose-dependently with IC₅₀ values of 1.42 and 4.0 nM respectively. RA-V inhibited migration and tube formation of endothelial cells as well as adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. RA-V treatment down-regulated the protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Regarding intracellular signal transduction, RA-V interfered with the activation of ERK1/2 in both cell lines. Furthermore, RA-V significantly decreased the phosphorylation of JNK in HUVEC whereas, in HMEC-1, p38 MAPK was decreased.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

RA-V exhibited anti-angiogenic activities in HUVEC and HMEC-1 cell lines with changes in function of these endothelial cells. The underlying mechanisms of action involved the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. However, RA-V may regulate different signalling pathways in different endothelial cells. These findings suggest that RA-V has the potential to be further developed as an anti-angiogenic agent.     

Immunomodulatory and anti-SARS activities of Houttuynia cordata

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening form of pneumonia caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). From late 2002 to mid 2003, it infected more than 8000 people worldwide, of which a majority of cases were found in China. Owing to the absence of definitive therapeutic Western medicines, Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae)(HC) was shortlisted by Chinese scientists to tackle SARS problem as it is conventionally used to treat pneumonia. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to explore the SARS-preventing mechanisms of HC in the immunological and anti-viral aspects. RESULTS: Results showed that HC water extract could stimulate the proliferation of mouse splenic lymphocytes significantly and dose-dependently. By flow cytometry, it was revealed that HC increased the proportion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Moreover, it caused a significant increase in the secretion of IL-2 and IL-10 by mouse splenic lymphocytes. In the anti-viral aspect, HC exhibited significant inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV 3C-like protease (3CL(pro)) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). On the other hand, oral acute toxicity test demonstrated that HC was non-toxic to laboratory animals following oral administration at 16 g/kg. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provided scientific data to support the efficient and safe use of HC to combat SARS.     

Expectation and knowledge of pregnant women undergoing first and second trimester ultrasound examination in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate expectation and knowledge on obstetric ultrasound examination in the first and second trimester in a Chinese population. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a university obstetric clinic in Hong Kong. Chinese pregnant women who underwent the first trimester early scan sessions, or the second trimester anomaly scan sessions were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire, which contained items on their knowledge, expectation, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: In all 276 eligible pregnant women (117 in the first trimester and 159 in the second trimester) were recruited. Although 249 women (90.2%) claimed they understood the indication of the ultrasound examination, only 93 of them were correct (33.7%). The median perceived overall-detection rate for structural abnormalities was 66.5%. Living in Hong Kong for more than 7 years was significantly associated with higher knowledge level and expectation from ultrasound examination. Attaining tertiary education level was also significantly associated with higher knowledge level. Over 90% of the pregnant women studied wished to know the fetal gender from the anomaly scan examination. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of Chinese pregnant women on ultrasound was generally unsatisfactory. Understanding their limitation of knowledge and expectations helps to devise appropriate education in the local setting.     

Cervicovaginal fistula secondary to embedded fetal bones: a case report

BACKGROUND: Embedded fetal bone after surgical termination of midtrimester pregnancy is a recognized complication. Most cases occur in the uterine cavity; however, this case demonstrates that a cervicovaginal fistula can be caused by embedment of bone in the cervical canal. CASE: A 19-year-old girl presented with persistent smelly vaginal discharge 4 years after surgical pregnancy termination. On examination she had a cervicovaginal fistula with embedded fetal bone that was subsequently removed surgically. CONCLUSION: Cervicovaginal fistula can be a complication of surgical termination of midtrimester pregnancy as fetal bones can become embedded in the cervical canal during removal.     

N-Acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in hydatidiform mole.

The N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in hydatidiform mole is two-fold higher than that in full-term placenta. Qualitatively, the enzymes from the two tissues are similar with respect to KM values and pH optima. Both enzymes also contain a new isoenzyme form detectable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. However, the molar enzyme is more susceptible to heat denaturation, presumably due to the presence of a higher level of the heat-labile isoenzyme form A in this tissue. Data are also presented incicating that the placenta is not the source of the N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in maternal serum.     

肝移植后胆道并发症的诊断和处理

目的 研究肝移植后胆道并发症的诊断和处理及分析相关因素。方法 回顾性研究Pittsburgh移植中心96例肝移植病人。结果 94例（97次移植）存活2d以上的病人，92例为端端＋T管的胆道吻合，随访时间为5.8个月（0.3-10.2个月）。分析发现92例病人中8例有胆道并发症（8.51%）；T管拔除时胆漏2例，术后早期胆漏2例，狭窄2例。75％胆道并发症有诱因，诱因：肝动脉狭窄2例，其中1例合并严重排斥反应；肝动脉血栓3例；供一受体胆管直径不匹配1例。冷缺血时间无显著性差异。5例有肝动脉血栓和（或）狭窄＞50％行再移植，另3例无肝动脉血栓和（或）狭窄＜50％经皮穿刺和内窥镜＋支架或行气囊扩张，所有病人均获得良好疗效。结论 肝移植术后胆道并发症发生率为8.51％（胆－胆端端吻合＋T管），胆道狭窄晚于胆漏，肝动脉检塞和（或狭窄是最重要的相关因素；无肝动脉栓塞和（或）狭窄，则无需手术治疗，若有肝动脉栓塞和（或）狭窄＞50％，应尽早做再次肝移植。     

再次肝移植--挽救肝移植失败受体生命唯一的手段(附774例报告)

目的 评估肝移植，尤其是再次肝移植的长期随访结果及影响结果的因素。方法 对1981年2月至1998年4月期间进行的、存活时间大于2年的4000例肝移植进行随访，其中再次肝移植774例。根据首次肝移植的时间，分为A、B、C三期。结果 774例（19．4％）接受第2次肝移植，148例（3．7％）接受第3次肝移植，20例（0．5％）接受第4次肝移植，5例（0．13％）接受第5次及5次以上肝移植。第1次再移植原因主要为移植肝原发性无功能、肝动脉栓塞和排斥反应。C期再次肝移植率（13．4％）明显低于A期（33．4％）和B期（23．7％），P＝0．001。结论 掌握适当的再移植指征、再次手术时机、受体的选择和手术技巧，再次肝移植的长期生存率明显改善。