Correlation between maximum heart distance and thoracic diameter changes and diaphragmatic descent in left-sided breast cancer patients during deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH).

Background: Cardioprotection is valued in radiotherapy for patients with left-sided breast cancer. Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique can achieve cardioprotection well. However, during DIBH, the extent to which the heart enters the radiation field is affected by the movement of the thorax and diaphragm.

Effect of laminin tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine peptide on the growth of human prostate cancer (PC-3) cells in vitro.

The laminin tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine (YIGSR) peptide, corresponding to the 929-933 sequence of beta1 chain, is known to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. In the present study, we observed that YIGSR not only inhibited the growth and migration of prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner but also decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited ATP synthesis and increased caspase-9 activity. Investigation into the interaction of YIGSR with 67LR, the receptor for laminin and polyphenol (-) epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) employing MVD (Molegro Virtual Docker, an integrated platform for predicting protein ligand interactions), revealed that the binding site of YIGSR was the same as that of EGCG that explains as to why YIGSR is able to inhibit the cytotoxicity of EGCG against PC-3 cells.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate affects the growth of LNCaP cells via membrane fluidity and distribution of cellular zinc.

Objective: To evaluate effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the viability, membrane properties, and zinc distribution, with and without the presence of Zn(2+), in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells.

Methods: We examined changes in cellular morphology and membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells, distribution of cellular zinc, and the incorporated portion of EGCG after treatments with EGCG, Zn(2+), and EGCG+Zn(2+).

Results: We observed an alteration in cellular morphology and a decrease in membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells after treatment with EGCG or Zn(2+).

The G314S KCNQ1 mutation exerts a dominant-negative effect on expression of KCNQ1 channels in oocytes.

Congenital long QT syndrome is a cardiac disorder characterized by prolongation of QT interval on the surface ECG associated with syncopal attacks and a high risk of sudden death. Mutations in the voltage-gated potassium channel subunit KCNQ1 induce the most common form of long QT syndrome (LQT1). We previously identified a hot spot mutation G314S located within the pore region of the KCNQ1 ion channel in a Chinese family with long QT syndrome.

Congenital long QT syndrome caused by the F275S KCNQ1 mutation: mechanism of impaired channel function.

Congenital long QT syndrome is characterized by a prolongation of ventricular repolarization and recurrent episodes of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias, often leading to sudden death. We previously identified a missense mutation F275S located within the S5 transmembrane domain of the KCNQ1 ion channel in a Chinese family with long QT syndrome. We used oocyte expression of the KCNQ1 polypeptide to study the effects of the F275S mutation on channel properties.

[Growth inhibition of prostate cancer cells by epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the presence of Zn2+ in vitro].

In this paper, the cytotoxicity of EGCG against PC-3 prostate cancer cells and its molecular mechanism in the presence and absence of Zn2+ in vitro were investigated. The results showed that both EGCG and Zn2+ suppressed clonegenecity of PC-3 cells, and the suppression effect was enhanced in the coexist system of EGCG and Zn2+. MMP-9 is thought to play a significant role in cancer cell migration and invasion.

[Gene mutation in secundum atrial septal defect: analysis of a Chinese family with 3 patients].

Objective: To study the gene mutations of homeobox transcription factor (CSX/NKX(2.5)) associated with a Chinese family with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD).

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to check all the members in the family with ASD, including 3 ASD patients and 10 non-patients, with the proband from Hunan province; and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis was used to check 126 normal control people for detecting the mutations of CSX/NKX(2.

Investigations of the cytotoxicity of epigallocatechin-3-gallate against PC-3 cells in the presence of Cd2+ in vitro.

The epidemiological studies and recent data have provided convinced evidence that green tea and its major constituent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) might have the potential to lower the risk of cancers in humans. Metal ions, such as zinc and cadmium, which are necessary to our health, are important factors inducing many diseases including prostate cancer in the condition of absence or excess. EGCG can satisfactorily exhibit complex chemistry with metal ions because of multiple hydroxyl states, which in turn changes their bioactivities and metabolism pathways.

[Gene (SCN5A) mutation analysis of a Chinese family with Brugada syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the gene mutations on the cardiac sodium channel gene SCN5A in a Chinese family with Brugada syndrome.

Method: Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to screen gene mutations on the cardiac sodium channel gene SCN5A in all family members of a Chinese pedigree with Brugada syndrome, single strand conformation polymorphism analysis were performed in 136 normal controls to detect the mutations of SCN5A gene.

Result: Two heterozygosis mutations, which include a missense mutation (Y1494N) and a same sense mutation (A29A), were identified on SCN5A gene in the proband with Brugada syndrome and these mutations were not detected in other family members with Brugada syndrome and in controls.

Free Zn(2+) enhances inhibitory effects of EGCG on the growth of PC-3 cells.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, has both preventive and therapeutic beneficial actions in prostate cancer. In the present study, we compared the growth inhibitory effects and the antioxidant and ability to modify cell membrane permeation of zinc-EGCG complex and Zn2+/EGCG mixture on androgen-insensitive prostate cancer (PC-3) cells. It was noted that free Zn2+ enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of EGCG on PC-3 cells at 160 micromol/L concentration,whereas zinc-EGCG complex was ineffective.

Comparison of effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on hypoxia injury to human umbilical vein, RF/6A, and ECV304 cells induced by Na(2)S(2)O(4).

Hypoxia is related to the etiology of numerous pathological disease states, such as the formation of tumors or diverse retinopathies. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent polyphenolic antioxidant and antiangiogenic compound found in green tea, has been shown to suppress the growth of blood vessels necessary for the growth of tumors and the induction of retinopathies. However, only a few studies have been carried focusing on the protective effects of EGCG on hypoxia-induced injury of cultured endothelial cells.

[Study on novel mutations of MEF2A gene in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease].

Objective: To explore the mutations of MEF2A gene in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).

Methods: With polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA direct sequencing, the mutation analysis of exon 11 of MEF2A gene was performed to 156 patients with CAD and 93 normal controls.

Results: By DNA sequence analyzing the samples of abnormal mobility shift of SSCP, the MEF2A gene mutations were found in three patients with CAD.

Inhibitory effect of rhynchophylline on human ether-a-go-go related gene channel.

We studied the effects of Chinese traditional medicine rhynchophylline (Rhy) on human ether-a-go-go related gene (HERG) channel and characterized the electrophysiological properties of Rhy's pharmacological effect on HERG channel using Xenopus oocytes. Xenopus oocytes were injected with either 23 nl (5.75 ng) HERG cRNA or 23 nl distilled water.

[Relationship between congenital long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome gene mutation].

Objective: To investigate the molecular pathology in families with long QT syndrome (LQTS) including Jervell-Longe-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) and Romano-ward syndrome (RWS) and Brugada syndrome (BS) in Chinese population.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to screen for KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, and SCN5A mutation.

Results: We identified a novel mutation N1774S in the SCN5A gene of the BS family, a novel mutation G314S in a RWS family which had also been found in Europe, North America, and Japan, and a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) G643S in the KCNQ1 of the JLNS family.

[Mutation analysis of a Chinese family with inherited long QT syndrome].

Objective: To identify the mutation of a Chinese family with inherited long QT syndrome(LQTS).

Methods: The disease-causing gene was tentatively determined in light of the clinical manifestations and electrophysiological properties, and then polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used for screening and identifying mutation.

Results: A missense mutation G940A(G314S) in the KCNQ1 gene was identified, which was the 'hot spot' of long QT syndrome mutation.

[PCR site-directed mutagenesis of long QT syndrome KCNQ1 gene in vitro].

To study PCR site-directed mutagenesis of long QT syndrome KCNQ1 gene in vitro. The site-directed mutagenesis of LQTS gene KCNQ1 was made by PCR. Two sets of primers were designed according to the sequence of KCNQ1 cDNA, and mismatch was introduced into primers.