MiR-200c is a cMyc-activated miRNA that promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating PTEN.

The c-Myc transcription factor regulates a complex transcriptional program that leads to cellular transformation by targeting a large number of protein-encoding genes and non-coding RNAs. In this study, we show that a microRNA, miR-200c, is a novel c-Myc target that promotes cellular transformation and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MiR-200c achieves this oncogenic effect, at least in part, by targeting and inhibiting the tumor suppressor gene PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), which is a key inhibitor of the AKT kinase signaling that promotes tumorigenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

[Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide on mice with experimental viral myocarditis and its mechanism].

Objective: To explore the protective effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on viral myocarditis (VMC) mice and its mechanism.

Methods: Seventy BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group (n=10), myocarditis group (n=20), DL-propargylglycine (PAG) group (n=20) and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group (n=20). Mice in the latter three groups were inoculated with 0.

Study on interaction between plasmid DNA and berberine derivatives with aliphatic chain by fluorescence analysis.

In this study, the fluorescence analysis was used to reveal the interaction between berberine derivatives and plasmid DNA. The results showed that berberine (C0) and its 8-alkyl derivatives can enhance the fluorescent intensity of plasmid DNA. Compared with 8-dodecyl- (C12) and 8-hexadecyl- (C16) berberine, 8-alkylberberine with shorter alkyl group, such as 8-ethyl (C2), 8-butyl (C4), 8-hexyl (C6), and 8-octyl (C8) berberine derivatives showed higher fluorescence increasing effect.

[Protective effect and mechanism of IL-17 monoclonal antibody on mice with viral myocarditis].

Objective: To explore the protective effects of interleukin-17 monoclonal antibody (IL-17 mAb) on viral myocarditis (VMC) mice and its possible molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Ninety BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group (n=15), model group (n=25), isotype control group (n=25) and IL-17 mAb group (n=25). Mice in model, isotype control and IL-17 mAb groups were inoculated with 0.

Association between change of health care providers and pregnancy exposure to FDA category C, D and X drugs.

Background: Changing health care providers frequently breaks the continuity of care, which is associated with many health care problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between a change of health care providers and pregnancy exposure to FDA category C, D and X drugs.

Methods: A 50% random sample of women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2000 were chosen for this study.

Synergy effects of herb extracts: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic basis.

Herbal medicine, especially traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine have played and still play an important role in fighting against various diseases. Emerging clinical studies regarding traditional Chinese medicine have provided convincing evidence for the first time to gain credibility and reputation outside China. Although synergistic therapeutic actions of herbal ingredients have been frequently reported, few reports have offered clear underlying mechanisms.

[Expression and significance of thrombonspondin-1 in oxygen-induced retinopathy in mice].

Objective: To examine the expression and function of thrombonspondin-1 (TSP-1) in oxygeninduced retinopathy in new-born mice, and to investigate its role in retinal neovascularization.

Methods: A total of 40 C57BL / 6J newborn mice were divided equally into a model group (n=20) and a normal control group (n=20). Mice in the model group were exposed to 75% oxygen to establish the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model.

Apelin and its receptor APJ in cardiovascular diseases.

Apelin is an adipokine that has been identified as an endogenous ligand for the orphan receptor APJ. Apelin and APJ are expressed in a diverse range of tissues with particular preponderance for the heart and vasculature. Apelin has powerful positive inotropic actions and causes endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatation.

Novel hemagglutinin-based influenza virus inhibitors.

Influenza virus has caused seasonal epidemics and worldwide pandemics, which caused tremendous loss of human lives and socioeconomics. Nowadays, only two classes of anti-influenza drugs, M2 ion channel inhibitors and neuraminidase inhibitors respectively, are used for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza virus infection. Unfortunately, influenza virus strains resistant to one or all of those drugs emerge frequently.

Occurrence and predictors of vacuum and forceps used sequentially for vaginal birth.

Background: Sequential use of vacuum and obstetric forceps for vaginal delivery is associated with increased risks of adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate the frequency of sequential use of vacuum and forceps for planned vaginal delivery and to identify predictors, using data collected in Ontario between 2004 and 2007. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of predictors of sequential use of vacuum and forceps.

[Study on the infrared fingerprint of Evodia rutaecarpa based on the methods of sequential analysis of dual-indexes].

Objective: To establish a method to identify the different origins of herba Evodia rutaecarpa by IR and provide a new technique for their identification and quality evaluation.

Methods: The herba materials were extracted by chloroform and absolute alcohol, the powder and the extracts of Evodia rutaecarpa were mixed and pelleted with KBr. The slides were detected within 4000 - 400 cm(-1) by FIR spectrophotometry.

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide mediates the cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning in the early reperfusion phase.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), produced by cystanthionine-γ-lysase (CSE) in the cardiovascular system, has been suggested to be the third gasotransmitter in addition to nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). The present study aimed to investigate the role of H(2)S in ischemic postconditioning (IPO) during the early period of reperfusion. IPO with 6 episodes of 10 sec reperfusion followed by 6 episodes of 10 sec ischemia (IPO 2') was administered when reperfusion was initiated.

[Clinical investigation of a Chinese family with hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp and mutational analysis of CDSN gene].

Objective: To analyze clinical symptoms and disease-causing mutations of corneodesmosin (CDSN) gene in a Chinese family affected with hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp and to establish a method for prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: Family survey and clinical examinations were carried out to determine the inheritance pattern. Three patients and 7 unaffected relatives from the family, in addition with 100 unrelated healthy controls were recruited.

Cr(VI) induces the decrease of ATP level and the increase of apoptosis rate mediated by ROS or VDAC1 in L-02 hepatocytes.

The present study explored the ability of the voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) mRNA and ROS levels to modulate the effects of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) on the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level and the rate of apoptotic cell death. Cultured L-02 cells were pretreated with 20mM N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) for 24h or transiently transfected with small interfering RNAs targeting VDAC1 (siVDAC1) for 48h; cells that were not pretreated were used as the control. The cells were subsequently treated with 0, 2, 8, or 32μM Cr(VI) for 24h.

[Deviation index of eye and mouth on peripheral facial paralysis].

Differences of some points, levels and angles of the healthy and affected sides of patients with peripheral facial paralysis were picked out according to photographs. Through analysis of the index between the healthy and affected side of the patients and the difference between healthy people and patients, it is approved that those special points, levels and angles, which are called as deviation index of eye and mouth, can evaluate peripheral facial paralysis objectively and judge the degree of deviation. Therefore, it provides references for the diagnosis of facial paralysis and its degree judgement.

Effect of 8-alkylberberine homologues on erythrocyte membrane.

8-alkylberberine homologues (Ber-C8-n, where n indicates carbon atom number of gaseous normal alkyl at 8 position, n = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 16) were synthesized and their effects on the hemolysis of rabbit erythrocyte, the fluidity of membrane and the fluorescence of membrane protein were investigated by fluorescence analysis technique. Ber-C8-n with mediate length alkyl (4 < n < 10) exhibited obvious hemolysis effect on rabbit erythrocyte when their concentration exceed 1.25 x10(-4) mol/L, and Ber-C8-8 displayed the highest hemolysis effect among all tested homologues.

Maternal transdermal nitroglycerin use and early childhood development.

Objective: Our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of transdermal nitroglycerin (GTN) for preterm labour demonstrated a significant reduction in neonatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate developmental performance in the children born to women who participated in the GTN trial after one year and two years of follow-up.

Methods: The Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were used for the assessments, and five domains of child development (communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal social skills) were evaluated.

[Discussion on herbal textual research of Flos Lonicerae].

Discussed the former herbal investigation of Flos Lonicerae by herbal investigation and field survey. Descripted and illustrated the Caprifoliaceae or Flos Lonicerae in known ancient Chinese medical books that varied with current Lonicera japonica. At last, conformational description of Caprifoliaceae or Flos Lonicerae in Sushenliangfang was reported.

[Effects of resveratrol on nuclear factor-kappaB and pro-inflammatory factors from lipopolysaccharide activated murine peritoneal macrophages].

Objective: To investigate activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-induced murine peritoneal macrophages stimulated with resveratrol (Res).

Methods: Peritoneal macrophages cultured in vitro were given with 1 mg/L LPS or 25 mmol/L Res + 1 mg/L LPS. The NF-kappaB activity of peritoneal macrophages was tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

Review of work-related stress in mainland Chinese nurses.

The aim of this review was to identify the specific work-related stressors of mainland Chinese nurses and to present the current state of stress research in order to discuss directions for further research. A literature search from January 2000 to June 2007 was conducted among three electronic databases. The specific stressors among Chinese nurses were effort-reward imbalance, the poor image of nursing in the community, and managerial issues.

[Association of the XRCC1 and hOGG1 polymorphisms with the risk of laryngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the association between the polymorphisms of X-ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase I (hOGG1) gene and the risk for laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods: This is a case-control study comprised of two groups: 72 patients with laryngeal squamous carcinoma, and 72 controls without laryngeal carcinoma. The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to analyze the XRCC1-Arg399Gln, hOGG1-Ser326Cys polymorphisms.