Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) triggered by inflammatory stimuli and oxidative stress contributes importantly to atherogenesis. The association of green tea consumption with cardiovascular protection has been well documented in epidemiological observations, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the most active green tea catechin derivative, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), focusing particularly on the role of a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We found that pretreatment of EGCG dose- and time-dependently induced HO-1 protein levels in HASMCs. EGCG inhibited interleukin- (IL-)1β-induced HASMC proliferation and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. The HO-1 inducer CoPPIX decreased IL-1β-induced cell proliferation, whereas the HO-1 enzyme inhibitor ZnPPIX significantly reversed EGCG-caused growth inhibition in IL-1β-treated HASMCs. At the molecular level, EGCG treatment significantly activated nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) transcription activities. These results suggest that EGCG might serve as a complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of these pathologies by inducing HO-1 expression and subsequently decreasing VSMC proliferation.

Background: The objective of this retrospective study is to investigate laryngeal preservation and long-term treatment results in hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with chemotherapy. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma (stage II-IV) were enrolled and underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The chemotherapy regimens were monthly cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for six patients and weekly cisplatin for 19 patients. All patients were treated with IMRT with simultaneous integrated boost technique. Acute and late toxicities were recorded based on CTCAE 3.0 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). Results: The median follow-up time for survivors was 53.0 months (range 36-82 months). The initial complete response rate was 85.2%, with a laryngeal preservation rate of 63.0%. The 5-year functional laryngeal, local-regional control, disease-free and overall survival rates were 59.7%, 63.3%, 51.0% and 34.8%, respectively. The most common greater than or equal to grade 3 acute and late effects were dysphagia (63.0%, 17 of 27 patients) and laryngeal stricture (18.5%, 5 of 27 patients), respectively. Patients belonging to the high risk group showed significantly higher risk of tracheostomy compared to the low risk group (p = 0.014). Conclusions: After long-term follow-up, our results confirmed that patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with IMRT concurrent with platinum-based chemotherapy attain high functional laryngeal and local-regional control survival rates. However, the late effect of laryngeal stricture remains a problem, particularly for high risk group patients.

The inflammation and oxidative stress of bone marrow‐derived proangiogenic cells (PACs), also named endothelial progenitor cells, triggered by hyperglycemia contributes significantly to vascular dysfunction. There is supporting evidence that the consumption of red yeast rice (RYR; Monascus purpureus‐fermented rice) reduces the vascular complications of diabetes; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of RYR extract in PACs, focusing particularly on the role of a potent antioxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). We found that treatment with RYR extract induced nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor nuclear translocation and HO‐1 mRNA and protein levels in PACs. RYR extract inhibited high‐glucose‐induced (30 mM) PAC senescence and the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose‐dependent manner. The HO‐1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin IX also decreased high‐glucose‐induced cell senescence and oxidative stress, whereas the HO‐1 enzyme inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX and HO‐1 small interfering RNA significantly reversed RYR extract‐caused inhibition of senescence and reduction of oxidative stress in high‐glucose‐treated PACs. These results suggest that RYR extract serves as alternative and complementary medicine in the treatment of these diseases, by inducing HO‐1, thereby decreasing the vascular complications of diabetes.

Spinal interbody fusion is the most common surgery for treatment of disc degeneration, but the increased stress and compensatory range of motion at adjacent level have been noted. The dynamic cage design becomes an alternative strategy for dealing with problem of disc degeneration while the bony fusion is eventually required. Concept from a commercial cervical cage product with a ‘Z’-shaped dynamic feature has been evaluated and compared with intact cervical spine and conventional cage design by finite element method. Physiological loadings have been applied for evaluating the effect of cage design on biomechanical performances including adjacent disc stress and segmental range of motion. Results revealed that dynamic characteristic of the dynamic cage design shall effectively reduce the stress and range of motion at the adjacent disc, compared with conventional solid cage design, by providing sufficient mobility by itself. Torsional mobility was constrained due to its geometrical restriction. The dynamic function of cervical cage design may protect the disc adjacent to treat level from over-stressed and excessive mobility in early stage after fusion surgery. Further clinical investigation is required to determine the efficacy of cervical fusion by certain cervical cage with ‘Z’-shaped dynamic feature.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with TSC between 2009 and 2015 completed a questionnaire interview and underwent a systematic evaluation, including a medical review of their epilepsy history and neurobehavioral disorder assessment. Results: Of the 61 patients, 50 patients (82.0%) had a positive seizure history. The active (n = 34) and seizure remission (n = 16) groups showed significant differences in age, neurobehavioral disorder, history of refractory epilepsy, and onset age (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). The remission rates were 33.3% and 38.5% for those aged 6–18 years and over 18 years, respectively (p for trend = 0.01). Conclusion: Seizure remission can occur in adulthood. It shows a high correlation with patient age, minor refractory epilepsy, and neurobehavioral disorders....