The effect of beta-elemene on alpha-tubulin polymerization in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Objective： To investigate the impact of beta-elemene injection on the growth and alpha-tubule of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods： Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry （FCM）. The mRNA expression of alpha-tubulin was measured by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression of alpha-tubulin and the polymerization of tubulin. Results： Beta-elemene injection inhibited HepG2 cells proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner; FCM analysis indicated beta-elemene injection induced cell cycle arrested at S phase. RT-PCR and western- blot analysis showed that beta-elemene injection down-regulated alpha-tublin at both mRNA and protein levels, presenting a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, beta-elemene injection reduced the polymerization of microtubules in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions： Beta-elemene injection can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma HepG2 cells and induce cell apoptosis, the mechanism might be partly related to the down-regulation of alpha-tubulin and inhibition of microtubular polymerization.

Methods of computed tomography screening and management of lung cancer in Tianjin: design of a population-based cohort study

Objective: European lung cancer screening studies using computed tomography(CT) have shown that a management protocol based on measuring lung nodule volume and volume doubling time(VDT) is more specific for early lung cancer detection than a diameter-based protocol. However, whether this also applies to a Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of a volume-based protocol with a diameter-based protocol for lung cancer detection and optimize the nodule management criteria for a Chinese population.Methods: This study has a population-based, prospective cohort design and includes 4000 participants from the Hexi district of Tianjin, China. Participants will undergo low-dose chest CT at baseline and after 1 year. Initially, detected lung nodules will be evaluated for diameter and managed according to a routine diameter-based protocol(Clinical Practice Guideline in Oncology for Lung Cancer Screening, Version 2.2018). Subsequently, lung nodules will be evaluated for volume and management will be simulated according to a volume-based protocol and VDT(a European lung nodule management protocol). Participants will be followed up for 4 years to evaluate lung cancer incidence and mortality. The primary outcome is the diagnostic performance of the European volume-based protocol compared to diameter-based management regarding lung nodules detected using low-dose CT.Results: The diagnostic performance of volume-and diameter-based management for lung nodules in a Chinese population will be estimated and compared.Conclusions: Through the study, we expect to improve the management of lung nodules and early detection of lung cancer in Chinese populations.

Clinical characteristics and work-up of small to intermediate-sized pulmonary nodules in a Chinese dedicated cancer hospital

Objectives:To evaluate the characteristics and work-up of small to intermediate-sized pulmonary nodules in a Chinese dedicated cancer hospital.Methods:Patients with pulmonary nodules 4–25 mm in diameter detected via computed tomography(CT)in 2013 were consecutively included.The analysis was restricted to patients with a histological nodule diagnosis or a 2-year follow-up period without nodule growth confirming benign disease.Patient information was collected from hospital records.Results:Among the 314 nodules examined in 299 patients,212(67.5%)nodules in 206(68.9%)patients were malignant.Compared to benign nodules,malignant nodules were larger(18.0 mm vs.12.5 mm,P<0.001),more often partly solid(16.0%vs.4.7%,P<0.001)and more often spiculated(72.2%vs.41.2%,P<0.001),with higher density in contrast-enhanced CT(67.0 HU vs.57.5 HU,P=0.015).Final diagnosis was based on surgery in 232 out of 314(73.9%)nodules,166 of which were identified as malignant[30(18.1%)stage III or IV]and 66 as benign.In 36 nodules(11.5%),diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy and the remainder verified based on stability of nodule size at follow-up imaging(n=46,14.6%).Among 65 nodules subjected to gene(EGFR)mutation analyses,28(43.1%)cases(EGFR19 n=13;EGFR21 n=15)were identified as EGFR mutant and 37(56.9%)as EGFR wild-type.Prior to surgery,the majority of patients[n=194(83.6%)]received a contrast-enhanced CT scan for staging of both malignant[n=140(84.3%)]and benign[n=54(81.8%)]nodules.Usage of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT was relatively uncommon[n=38(16.4%)].Conclusions:CT-derived nodule assessment assists in diagnosis of small to intermediate-sized malignant pulmonary nodules.Currently,contrast-enhanced CT is commonly used as the sole diagnostic confirmation technique for pre-surgical staging,often resulting in surgery for late-stage disease and unnecessary surgery in cases of benign nodules.

Distribution, modes of occurrence, and main factors influencing lead enrichment in Chinese coals

Lead is a potentially harmful element that has caused serious environmental pollution during its mining and use along with serious human health problems.This study assessed lead in Chinese coals based on published literature,with a particular focus on data reported since 2004.The analysis included 9447 individual samples from 103 coalfields or mines in 28 provinces in China.The arithmetic mean content of lead in the studied coals was 15.0μg/g.Considering the coal reserves,the weighted-average lead concentration in Chinese coals was calculated to be 19.6μg/g.Lead was significantly enriched in the coals from Henan Province and enriched in the coals from the Tibet Autonomous Region.The coals from Tibet–Western Yunnan and the southern areas of China had elevated lead concentrations.Sulfides are the primary hosts of lead in Chinese coals,although other hosts include silicates,organic matter,carbonates,and other minerals.Source rocks in the sediment-source region and marine environments may be the most significant factors contributing to lead enrichment in Chinese coals.Hydrothermal fluids and peat-forming plants also contribute to lead enrichment in some Chinese coals.

The impact of Cinobufacini injection on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG-2 cells

Objective： The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of Cinobufacini injection on the proliferat（on and apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma HepG-2 cells. Methods： Cells proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, cells morphologic was observed by the inverted microscopy, Annexin V/PI stain was used to detect the apoptosis and necrosis of the tumor ceils. The expression of TOPOI mRNA and TOPO Ⅱ mRNAwere examined by RT-PCR. Results： Cinobufacini injection significantly inhibited HepG-2 cells proliferation in dose- and time-dependent ways. After Cinobufacini injection intervention, HepG-2 cells showed typical morphological changes： cells changed from polygon into round, chromatin looseness and karyolysis were observed. The percentages of apoptosis were 88.49%, 76.02%, 61.73% corresponding to the 48 h interference of 0.42 μg/mL, 0.21 μg/mL, 0.105 μg/mL Cinobufacini injection, perspectively. RT-PCR assay showed that Cinobufacini injection down-regulated TOPOI and TOPO Ⅱ expression at mRNA level. Conclusion： Cinobufacini can inhibit human hepatocarcinoma HepG-2 cells growth and induce tumor cells apoptosis, the mechanism of which might partly relate to the down-regulation of TOPOI mRNA and TOPO Ⅰ mRNA induced by Cinobufacini injection.

The impact of beta-elemene on beta-tubulin of human hepatoma hepg2 cells

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of beta-elemene injection on the growth and beta-tubulin of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods: Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry(FCM). The mRNA expression of beta-tubulin was measured by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression of beta-tubulin and the polymerization of beta-tubulin. Results: Beta-elemene injection inhibited HepG2 cells proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner; FCM analysis indicated beta-elemene injection induced cell cycle arrested at S phase. RT-PCR and western-blot analysis showed that beta-elemene injection down-regulated beta-tubulin expression at both mRNA and protein levels, presenting a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, beta-elemene injection reduced the polymerization of microtubules in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Beta-elemene injection can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma HepG2 cells, the mechanism might be partly related to the down-regulation of beta-tubulin and inhibition of microtubular polymerization.