Acetone extract of Angelica sinensis inhibits proliferation of human cancer cells via inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely prescribed in treatment of gynecological diseases. Bio-based assays for extracts of Angelica sinensis showed that the acetone extract (AE-AS) had dose-dependently antiproliferative effect on A549, HT29, DBTRG-05MG and J5 human cancer cells.

Genotype and phylogenetic characterization of hepatitis B virus among multi-ethnic cohort in Hawaii.

Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes in carriers from Hawaii have not been evaluated previously. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of HBV genotypes and their clinical relevance in Hawaii.

Methods: Genotyping of HBV among 61 multi-ethnic carriers in Hawaii was performed by genetic methods.

Predictive factors and long-term outcome of respiratory failure after Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Objective: To analyze predictive factors and long-term recovery in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) who are in need of mechanical ventilation.

Methods: In this 15-year retrospective study, 77 adult patients were identified with GBS. A comparison was made between the clinical data from patients who required mechanical ventilation and those who did not.

Practical management of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a complex disease. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in new knowledge regarding its virology, epidemiology, and natural history. In addition, more sensitive molecular diagnostic tests and relatively effective therapies for many individuals with chronic HBV infection have been developed and are available to practicing physicians.

Infection of cerebrospinal fluid shunts: causative pathogens, clinical features, and outcomes.

This retrospective chart review describes the clinical features, pathogens, and outcomes of 46 patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections collected over 16 years. The overall CSF shunt infection rate was 2.1%, broken down into 1.

Liver transplant for hepatocellular cancer: a treatment for the select few.

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is increasing in incidence and liver transplant (LT) is likely the best treatment for long-term survival and decreased recurrence in those with localized disease. Optimal treatment for HCC is limited by advanced stage at presentation and available donors. We retrospectively reviewed 232 cases of HCC from 1993 to 2002 referred to our medical center, which also has the only transplant program in the state.

Neuroprotective effect of (-)Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced retinal neurotoxicity: involvement of peroxynitrite.

In glaucoma, the increased release of glutamate is the major cause of retinal ganglion cell death. Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to protect neuron cultures from glutamate-induced death. In this study, we test the hypothesis that glutamate causes apoptosis of retinal neurons via the excessive formation of peroxynitrite, and that the neuroprotective effect of the psychotropic Delta9-tetrahydroxycannabinol (THC) or nonpsychotropic cannabidiol (CBD) is via the attenuation of this formation.

Effects of muscle fatigue on 3-dimensional scapular kinematics.

Objective: To determine the effects of fatigue during an external rotation task on 3-dimensional scapular kinematics.

Design: A single-group, pretest-posttest measurement design.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Hyperoxia induces retinal vascular endothelial cell apoptosis through formation of peroxynitrite.

Hyperoxia exposure induces capillary endothelial cell apoptosis in the developing retina, leading to vaso-obliteration followed by proliferative retinopathy. Previous in vivo studies have shown that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) and peroxynitrite are important mediators of the vaso-obliteration. Now we have investigated the relationship between hyperoxia, NOS3, peroxynitrite, and endothelial cell apoptosis by in vitro experiments using bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC).

Anti-tumor immunoglobulin M increases lung metastasis in an experimental model of malignant melanoma.

Cancer metastasis involves distinct steps that depend on complicated tumor-host interactions. The hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells may be facilitated by factors that promote the arrest and adherence of cancer cells in capillaries. We examined whether anti-tumor monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies promoted the hematogenous dissemination of B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic mice.

VEGF-induced paracellular permeability in cultured endothelial cells involves urokinase and its receptor.

Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF) has been implicated in blood/tissue barrier dysfunctions associated with pathological angiogenesis, but the mechanisms of VEGF-induced permeability increase are poorly understood. Here, the role of VEGF-induced extracellular proteolytic activities on the endothelial cell permeability increase is evaluated. Confluent monolayers of bovine retinal microvascular endothelial (BRE) cells grown on porous membrane were treated with VEGF or urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and permeability changes were analyzed.

MAP kinase and beta-catenin signaling in HGF induced RPE migration.

Purpose: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been implicated in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell proliferation and migration that occurs in proliferative retinal diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The aim of this study is to investigate HGF induced signaling pathways that lead to RPE cell migration.

Methods: Localization of beta-catenin was determined by immunofluorescence.

Vitamin C and E intake is associated with increased paraoxonase activity.

Objective: Paraoxonase (PON1), an esterase physically associated with high density lipoprotein, has been shown to inhibit atherogenic low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein oxidation. PON1 activity appears to be primarily under genetic control with some environmental modification and is a predictor of vascular disease. Vitamins C and E, dietary antioxidants, scavenge free-oxygen radical products that may depress PON1 activity.

Bacterial brain abscess: microbiological features, epidemiological trends and therapeutic outcomes.

Background: Despite the advent of modern neurosurgical techniques, new antibiotics, and powerful imaging technologies, brain abscess remains a potentially fatal central nervous system infection.

Aim: To determine the epidemiological trends, prognostic factors, and outcomes of bacterial brain abscess, to improve the therapeutic strategy for this disease.

Design: Retrospective hospital-based epidemiology study.

Multiple rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA in unfertilized human oocytes.

Objective: To determine the rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in unfertilized human oocytes and compromised embryos to evaluate the fertilization capacity of oocytes.

Design: Prospective laboratory research.

Setting: IVF laboratory in a university hospital.

Telomerase activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma: parallel correlation with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA isoform expression but not with cell cycle modulators or c-Myc expression.

Background: To explore the possible regulatory mechanisms of telomerase, we examined the telomerase activity (TA), expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA isoforms and cell cycle modulators in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (J5, J7) and a normal human immortalized hepatic epithelial cell line (Chang-liver).

Methods: The cell lines were chemically synchronized in either G1, G1/S, G2/M or M phases. TA was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based telomerase repeat amplification protocol assay.

Microsatellite alteration at chromosome 11 in primary human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the common cancers in Taiwan but is rare in western countries. The development of NPC involves multiple genetic changes in tumorigenesis and progression of the disease. To better understand genetic alterations in chromosome 11 which occur in human (NPC), we examined tumor specimens and corresponding non-cancerous tissue from 30 cases of NPC, using five microsatellite polymorphic markers whose location has previously been defined.

Polymorphism of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor in COPD in Chinese subjects.

Study Objectives: To assess the frequencies of three polymorphisms at amino acid positions 16, 27, and 164 of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)-AR) gene and their effects on COPD patients.

Design: Prospective, case-control study

Patients: Sixty-five patients with COPD and 41 healthy subjects were included.

Measurements: Polymorphisms of the beta(2)-AR coding block were delineated using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach.

Sensitive measurement of polyethylene glycol-modified proteins.

An IgM monoclonal antibody (AGP3) against polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to assay PEG-modified proteins by ELISA. PEG-modified beta-glucuronidase could be measured at concentrations as low as 15 ng/mL, corresponding to 750 pg (1.8 fmol) of conjugate.

Fatal hepatorenal failure associated with hydrazine sulfate.

Background: The Internet has revolutionized the manner in which patients obtain information about health care. This technology has also allowed patients to obtain directly both prescription and nonprescription therapies.

Objective: To report a case of fulminant hepatorenal failure associated with the use of hydrazine sulfate, an unregulated alternative remedy for cancer marketed on the Internet.

Vascular endothelial growth factor activates STAT proteins in aortic endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) intracellular signaling in endothelial cells is initiated by the activation of distinct tyrosine kinase receptors, VEGFR1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR2 (Flk-1/KDR). Because the tyrosine kinase-dependent transcription factors known as STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) proteins are important modulators of cell growth responses induced by other growth factor receptors, we have determined the effects VEGF of on STAT activation in BAEC (bovine aortic endothelial cells). Here, we show that VEGF induces tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT6.

Microsatellite alterations on human chromosome 11 in in situ and invasive breast cancer: a microdissection microsatellite analysis and correlation with p53, ER (estrogen receptor), and PR (progesterone receptor) protein immunoreactivity.

Background And Objectives: Microsatellite instability (MSI) has been documented in a subset of sporadic tumors. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 11 loci in breast cancer is a frequent event. The purpose of the present study is to examine the incidence of microsatellite alterations in in situ and invasive human breast carcinoma and to clarify their significance in regulating the dynamics of cancer progression.

Detection of choroidal calcium by computed tomography scan quantitative computerized tomography: a clinically useful diagnostic tool.

Objective: Quantitative computerized tomography (QCT), a scanning method routinely used to classify tissues based on their radio density, was used to detect choroidal calcification.

Design: Case reports.

Participants: Two patients with known or suspected choroidal calcium-choroidal osteoma (CO) and pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) and five normal control subjects were assessed.