The Proliferation and Migration Effects of Huangqi on RSC96 Schwann Cells

[[abstract]]This study evaluated the proliferation effects of huangqi on neuron regeneration. We investigated the molecular mechanisms, which include: (1) cyclin D1, A, E-cell cycle factors and MAPK signaling proliferation (2) FGF-2-UPA-MMPs migration signaling. After treatment with various Huanqi concentrations (1.25, 12.5, 125, 250 and 500 mu g/ml,), we observed that Huanqi can increase Rsc 96 cell proliferation at 12.5 mu g/ml (p < 0.01) concentration determined by the MTT and wound healing tests. Examination by RT-PCR and Western blotting assay showed that Huangqi is able to stimulate the mRNA and protein expressions of cyclin D1, A, E, cell cycle controlling proteins and excite ERK and P38 MAPK signaling pathways to promote cell proliferation. Huangqi stimulates the FGF-2-UPA-MMP9 migration pathway and enhances RSC 96 Schwann cells migration. Using MAPK chemical inhibitors, U0126, SB203580 and SP600125, the proliferative effects of Huangqi oil RSC 96 cells were ERK and P38 signaling-dependent. Based oil these results, applying an appropriate dose of Huangqi with biomedical materials would be a potential approach to enhancing neuron regeneration

Insights into Chinese perspectives on do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders from an examination of DNR order form completeness for cancer patients

PURPOSE: Discussing end-of-life care with patients is often considered taboo, and signing a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is difficult for most patients, especially in Chinese culture. This study investigated distributions and details related to the signing of DNR orders, as well as the completeness of various DNR order forms. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews were performed. We screened all charts from a teaching hospital in Taiwan for patients who died of cancer during the period from January 2010 to December 2011. A total of 829 patient records were included in the analysis. The details of the DNR order forms were recorded. RESULTS: The DNR order signing rate was 99.8 %. The percentage of DNR orders signed by patients themselves (DNR-P) was 22.6 %, while the percentage of orders signed by surrogates (DNR-S) was 77.2 %. The percentage of signed DNR forms that were completely filled out was 78.4 %. The percentage of DNR-S forms that were completed was 81.7 %, while the percentage of DNR-P forms that were completely filled out was only 67.6 %. CONCLUSION: Almost all the cancer patients had a signed DNR order, but for the majority of them, the order was signed by a surrogate. Negative attitudes of discussing death from medical professionals and/or the family members of patients may account for the higher number of signed DNR-S orders than DNR-P orders. Moreover, early obtainment of signed DNR orders should be sought, as getting the orders earlier could promote the quality of end-of-life care, especially in non-oncology wards

Schwann Cell Migration Induced by Earthworm Extract via Activation of PAs and MMP2/9 Mediated through ERK1/2 and p38

The earthworm, which has stasis removal and wound-healing functions, is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine in China. Schwann cell migration is critical for the regeneration of injured nerves. Schwann cells provide an essentially supportive activity for neuron regeneration. However, the molecular migration mechanisms induced by earthworms in Schwann cells remain unclear. Here, we investigate the roles of MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK and p38) pathways for earthworm-induced matrix-degrading proteolytic enzyme (PAs and MMP2/9) production in Schwann cells. Moreover, earthworm induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, but not JNK, activate the downstream signaling expression of PAs and MMPs in a time-dependent manner. Earthworm-stimulated ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation was attenuated by pretreatment with U0126 and SB203580, resulting in migration and uPA-related signal pathway inhibition. The results were confirmed using small interfering ERK1/2 and p38 RNA. These results demonstrated that earthworms can stimulate Schwann cell migration and up-regulate PAs and MMP2/9 expression mediated through the MAPK pathways, ERK1/2 and p38. Taken together, our data suggests the MAPKs (ERK1/2, p38)-, PAs (uPA, tPA)-, MMP (MMP2, MMP9) signaling pathway of Schwann cells regulated by earthworms might play a major role in Schwann cell migration and nerve regeneration

The Proliferate and Migrate Effects of Huangqi On RSC96 Schwann Cells

[[abstract]]This study evaluated the proliferation effects of huangqi on neuron regeneration. We investigated the molecular mechanisms, which include: (1) cyclin D1, A, E-cell cycle factors and MAPK signaling proliferation (2) FGF-2-UPA-MMPs migration signaling. After treatment with various Huanqi concentrations (1.25, 12.5, 125, 250 and 500 microg/ml,), we observed that Huanqi can increase Rsc 96 cell proliferation at 12.5 microg/ml (p < 0.01) concentration determined by the MTT and wound healing tests. Examination by RT-PCR and Western blotting assay showed that Huangqi is able to stimulate the mRNA and protein expressions of cyclin D1, A, E, cell cycle controlling proteins and excite ERK and P38 MAPK signaling pathways to promote cell proliferation. Huangqi stimulates the FGF-2-UPA-MMP 9 migration pathway and enhances RSC 96 Schwann cells migration. Using MAPK chemical inhibitors, U0126, SB203580 and SP600125, the proliferative effects of Huangqi on RSC 96 cells were ERK and P38 signaling-dependent. Based on these results, applying an appropriate dose of Huangqi with biomedical materials would be a potential approach to enhancing neuron regeneration

Brain metastasis from renal urothelial carcinoma successfully treated by metastasectomy

Upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) arises from the urothelial lining of the urinary tract. UTUC spreads in several different ways including direct invasion, lymphatic spread, and hematogeneous metastases. Regional lymph nodes are commonly the initial site of metastasis, followed by the liver, lung, and bone. Brain metastasis is uncommon in patients with urothelial carcinoma. Here, we report an uncommon case of kidney urothelial carcinoma with brain metastasis in a 55-year-old woman presenting with dysarthria with right side limb weakness. The patient recovered well after resection of the brain lesion without any sequelae after 1 year of follow-up

Post-traumatic Osteomyelitis with Spinal Epidural Abscess of Cervical Spine in a Young Man with No Predisposing Factor

Spinal osteomyelitis with epidural abscess is a rare disease. Most patients have 1 or more predisposing factors, such as impaired immune system secondary to diabetes mellitus, chemotherapy for cancer, immunological compromised disease, and chronic renal or hepatic impairment. We present a case of a physically steady young man without any predisposing risk factor who suffered from cervical osteomyelitis with epidural abscess after neck blunt injury. This patient recovered well after one-stage anterior surgical debridement with implant instrumentation and proper antibiotics treatment. The initial accurate diagnosis rate of spinal epidural abscess is low, even in patients with predisposing factor(s). We present this case to raise the attention of medical staff to this disease in patients with or without any predisposing factor(s) in order to establish early diagnosis and treatment. Our case report also indicates that with adequate debridement and antibiotic coverage, one-stage surgery is a safe and efficacious method to treat patients with cervical spinal epidural abscess