[Relationship between expression of RBM38 and distant metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of RNA-binding protein 38 (RBM38) and distant metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer. Methods: A total of 161 cases of breast cancer tissues were selected, and the expression of RBM38 was detected by immunohistochemical SP method. The relationship between the expression of RBM38 and the distant metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer patients were analyzed. Cox regression model was applied to analyze the influence factors of distant metastasis of breast cancer. Results: Among the 161 breast cancer patients, high expression of RBM38 was observed in 85 cases and low expression was observed in 76 cases. Log rank test showed that the distant metastasis rate of RBM38 highly expressed group was significantly lower than that of RBM38 lowly expressed group (P=0.010), while the survival rate was significantly higher (P=0.009). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the pathological stage (P=0.001), axillary lymph node positive (P=0.001), and the expression of RBM38 (P=0.015) were dramatically related to the distant metastasis of breast cancer patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that positive axillary lymph node was an independent risk factor (RR=4.222, 95% CI: 1.235-14.432), and high expression of RBM38 was an independent protective factor (RR=0.328, 95% CI: 0.128-0.839) of distant metastasis of breast cancer patients. Conclusion: High expression of RBM38 is positively related with low distant metastasis rate and good prognosis of breast cancer patients. Hence, high expression of RBM38 is an independent protective factor of distant metastasis.

Microwave ablation combined with doxorubicin enhances cell death via promoting reactive oxygen species generation in breast cancer cells

PURPOSE

To evaluate the mechanism for enhancing cell death induced by microwave ablation (MWA) combined with doxorubicin treatment in breast cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different temperatures of heat treatment were used to mimic the tumor affected by sublethal heat during MWA in vitro. Breast cancer cells were treated at 43°C and 45°C, with or without doxorubicin. Cell viability, apoptosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-1315 cells. Nude mice breast cancer models were randomly divided into control, MWA, doxorubicin, and combined treatment groups. Tumor apoptosis and DNA damage were evaluated in these groups.

RESULTS

The combined group had lower cell viability than the heat or doxorubicin group (all P<0.05), and enhanced apoptosis rate was observed in the combined group compared to others (all P<0.01) in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-1315. Increased capase3 (all P<0.01) and decreased Bcl-Xl (all P<0.01) were detected after combined therapy compared to single treated group in vitro. The raisedCaspase3 and DNA damage marker histone H2A.X induced by combined treatment were also approved in the nude mice models. Combined treatment promoted ROS generation compared to doxorubicin or MWA treatment (all P < 0.01). NF-κB expression in the combined group was higher than that of the single treatment group (all P<0.05). N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, partly restrained the combined treatment induced cell proliferation inhibition, Caspase3 and NF-κB compared to doxorubicin treatment (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

MWA combined with doxorubicin promote cell death via ROS induced cell apoptosis and DNA damage. Increasing ROS has potential for improving the efficiency of combined treatment.

[The loss of interproximal contact between posterior fixed implant prostheses and adjacent teeth: a retrospective study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the interproximal contact(IC) loss rate and the associated risk factors of IC loss between posterior fixed implant prostheses and the adjacent teeth.

METHODS

Ninety-seven posterior fixed implant prostheses including 165 IC in 78 patients(34 men, 44 women) between 23 and 76 years of age were investigated. The period after restoration ranged from 1 to 44 months. The IC between implant prostheses and adjacent teeth was evaluated using a 30-μm-thick contact gauge and dental floss, and the IC was regarded as lost when the gauge or dental floss was inserted into an IC without any resistance at follow-up visits. The state of IC, region of implant prostheses, the condition of opposing dentition, the vitality of the adjacent teeth and the time interval of tooth loss were also confirmed for correlation analysis.

RESULTS

All 78 patients finished follow-up examination. Forty-eight of 165 IC(29%) were regarded as lost. The IC loss rate at the mesial aspect[75%(36/48)] was significantly greater than that at the distal aspect[25%(12/48)](χ(2)=7.344,P=0.007). The difference between IC loss rate in the maxilla[46% (22/48)] and that in the mandible[54%(26/48)] was not significant(χ(2)=2.992,P=0.084). Free-end[hazard ratio (HR)=2.870], and the time interval of tooth loss(HR=0.919) affected the loss of IC significantly(P<0.05, Cox regression analysis).

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of IC between posterior fixed implant prostheses and adjacent teeth was one of biological complications, which was observed frequently at follow-up visits. Patients who have the free-end fixed implant prostheses, or undergo short time interval of tooth loss before restoration may have high risk of the IC loss.

Antioxidant Properties of Novel Dimers Derived from Natural β-Elemene through Inhibiting H2O2-Induced Apoptosis

A series of novel β-elemene dimer derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antioxidant activities. The results indicated that most of the target compounds showed more potent cytoprotective effects than positive control vitamin E. In particular, dimer D5 exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, which was significantly superior to the active compound D1 obtained in our previous study. Besides, D5 did not produce obvious cytotoxicity in normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and increased the viability of HUVECs injured by H₂O₂ in a concentration-dependent manner. Further studies suggested that the cytoprotective action of D5 might be mediated, at least in part, by increasing the intracellular superoxide dismutase activity and nitric oxide secretion as well as decreasing the intracellular malonyldialdehyde content and lactate dehydrogenase release. Furthermore, D5 observably inhibited ROS generation and prevented H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in HUVECs possibly via inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Gleason sum upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy in Chinese population: Updated nomograms

INTRODUCTION

To assess the risk factors of Gleason sum upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) and update the nomogram for the prediction of Gleason sum upgrading.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 237 Chinese prostate adenocarcinoma patients who underwent 10-core prostate biopsy and subsequently received RP in Huashan Hospital from February 2011 to May 2015. The main outcome of our study was Gleason sum upgrading between biopsy and RP pathology. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to explore the potential predictors, and ultimately to build the nomograms. The prediction model was further evaluated for its ability to predict significant upgrading in patients with biopsy Gleason sum<8.

RESULTS

In the main cohort of all the patients, Gleason sum upgrading was observed in 62 (26.16%) patients. The pre-operative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, biopsy Gleason sum, and digital rectal examination were used in building the nomogram, which was validated internally with a bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.787. In the sub-cohort of 115 patients with standardized biopsy details, Gleason sum upgrading was observed in 31 (26.96%) patients. The pre-operative PSA level, biopsy Gleason sum, and number of positive cores were used in the nomogram, which was also validated internally with a bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.833. These two nomograms both demonstrated satisfactory statistical performance for predicting significant upgrading.

CONCLUSIONS

Updated nomograms to predict Gleason sum upgrading in Chinese population between biopsy and RP were developed, demonstrating good statistical performance upon internal validation.

[The influence of depression degree on regulatory T cells in patients with non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the influence of depression levels on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: A total of 63 patients with primarily diagnostic non-M3 AML and 25 healthy controls were enrolled, and the levels of depression by using HADM score and the percentages of Tregs by flow cytometry were evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment, respectively. Results: After every course of chemotherapy, the percentages of Tregs of PBMNC in AML showed the higher level of (6.48±1.81)% than those of (4.99±1.29)% in control (P= 0.001). There was no difference among different levels of depression groups after the first cycle. However, the percentages of Tregs increased with the worse of depression after the second and third cycles. Partial correlation analysis after adjusting age indicated that the percentages of Tregs showed no correlation with the levels of depression after the first cycle (correlation coefficient, 0.120, P=0.345), and showed the positive correlation with depression levels after the second and third cycles (correlation coefficient, 0.619 and 0.614, all P values <0.05). Conclusion: The depression levels showed an association with the percentages of Tregs in patients with non-M3 AML, which could be observed only after the second cycles of chemotherapy.

Oroxylin A reverses the drug resistance of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells to imatinib through CXCL12/CXCR7 axis in bone marrow microenvironment

Imatinib (IM), a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, is used in treatment of multiple cancers, most notably Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph⁺ ) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, the majority of patients continue to present with minimal residual disease occurred in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. One of the key factors that contribute to leukemia cell drug resistance is chemokine CXCL12. In the current study, co-culturing CML cell K562 and KU812 with BM stromal cell M2-10B4 attenuated IM-induced apoptosis. CXCL12/CXCR7 pathway was activated in co-culture models, which was further proved to be related to drug resistance by silencing CXCR7. ERK phosphorylation and downstream apoptosis related proteins' activation were also observed in co-culture group after the activation of CXCR7. Moreover, oroxylin A, a bioactive flavonoid isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, was found to be effective in reversing BM stroma induced CML resistance to IM. After cells were treated with weakly toxic concentration of oroxylin A, cell apoptosis induced by IM in co-culture model was enhanced. And the activated CXCL12/CXCR7 pathway, the expression of p-ERK and downstream apoptosis related proteins were suppressed. The in vivo study also showed that oroxylin A increased apoptosis of CML cells with low systemic toxicity, and the mechanism was consistent with the in vitro study. In conclusion, oroxylin A improved sensitivity of CML cells to IM treatment in BM microenvironment through regulating CXCL12/CXCR7 pathway. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Characteristics of meso-particles formed in coagulation process causing irreversible membrane fouling in the coagulation-microfiltration water treatment

In coagulation-membrane filtration water treatment processes, it is still difficult to determine the optimal coagulation condition to minimize irreversible membrane fouling. In microfiltration (MF), meso-particles (i.e., 20 nm-0.5 μm) are thought to play an important role in irreversible membrane fouling, especially their characteristics of particle number (PN) and zeta potential (ZP). In this study, a new nanoparticle tracker combined a high-output violet laser with a microscope was developed to identify the physicochemical characteristics of these microscopic and widely dispersed meso-particles. The effects of pH and coagulant dose on ZP and PN of micro-particles (i.e., >0.5 μm) and meso-particles were investigated, and then coagulation-MF tests were conducted. As the result, irreversible membrane fouling was best controlled for both types of membranes, while meso-particle ZP approached zero at around pH 5.5 for both types of natural water. Since PN was greatest under these conditions, ZP is more important in determining the extent of irreversible membrane fouling than PN. However, the acidic condition to neutralize meso-particles is not suitable for actual operation, as considering residual aluminum concentration, pipe corrosion, and chlorination efficiency. It is therefore necessary to investigate coagulants or other methods for the appropriate modification of meso-particle characteristics.

[RNPC1 induces sensitivity of HER-2-positive breast cancer BT474 cells to trastuzumab through upregulation of HER2]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the sensitivity of HER-2-positive BT474 breast cancer cells to trastuzumab after knockdown or overexpression of RNA binding protein 38 (RNPC1).

METHODS

The expressions of RNPC1 and HER-2 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expressions of RNPC1, HER-2 and PI3K/AKT proteins were detected by Western blot after transfected with RNPC1 lentiviral vector, respectively. The experimental groups were treated with different concentration of trastuzumab, and cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by 7-AAD/APC double staining flow cytometry, and cell growth inhibition rate was tested by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot assay.

RESULTS

The results of qRT-PCR showed that overexpression of RNPC1 increased the expressions of RNPC1 and HER-2 mRNA, and the expressions of RNPC1 and HER-2 were decreased after RNPC1 knockdown. The knockdown of RNPC1 decreased the expressions of RNPC1 and HER-2. Moreover, overexpression of RNPC1 decreased and knockdown of RNPC1 increased the levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT while the total protein expressions of both were marginally changed.The results of analysis using a cell counting CCK-8 kit showed that the RNPC1 overexpressed group had a higher growth inhibition rate [(20.33±1.25)%, (35.38±2.05)%, (50.43±2.12)%, (65.35±2.08)% and(76.00±2.16)%, respectively] than that of the control group [(13.67±1.24)%, (27.86±2.05)%, (39.72±1.69)%, (53.33±1.70)% and(62.68±2.07)% ] when treated with different concentrations of trastuzumab (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 μg/ml). The cell apoptosis rates in the RNPC1-overexpressed group [(19.46±1.06)%, (30.87±0.98)%, (50.45±1.13)%, respectively] were also increased compared with that in the control group [(14.38±0.64)%, (21.65±1.24)%, (38.03±0.85)%] when treated with different concentrations of trastuzumab (0, 10, 20 and 30 μg/ml)(P<0.05 for all). Reverse results were observed in the RNPC1 knockdown experiments [experimental groups: (9.67±1.18)%, (21.67±1.23)%, (30.33±1.25)%, (40.33±1.69)%, and (53.00±1.63)%] compared with those of control groups: [(14.00±0.82)%, (27.67±1.25)%, (39.67±1.79)%, (53.67±1.50)%, and (63.33±1.52)%]; and experimental groups: [(11.64±0.68)%, (16.60±1.01)%, and (25.14±3.12)%] compared with those of the control groups: [(14.71±0.61)%, (22.65±0.96)%, and (39.03±0.85)%]. The overexpression of RNPC1 increased the expression levels of Bim and Bad and decreased the level of Bcl-xl, and reverse result was observed after knockdown of RNPC1.

CONCLUSION

RNPC1 may promote the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to trastuzumab through the increased expression of HER-2 in the BT474 breast cancer cells.

Secreted adenosine triphosphate from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans triggers chemokine response

Extracellular ATP (eATP) is an important intercellular signaling molecule secreted by activated immune cells or released by damaged cells. In mammalian cells, a rapid increase of ATP concentration in the extracellular space sends a danger signal, which alerts the immune system of an impending danger, resulting in recruitment and priming of phagocytes. Recent studies show that bacteria also release ATP into the extracellular milieu, suggesting a potential role for eATP in host-microbe interactions. It is currently unknown if any oral bacteria release eATP. As eATP triggers and amplifies innate immunity and inflammation, we hypothesized that eATP secreted from periodontal bacteria may contribute to inflammation in periodontitis. The aims of this study were to determine if periodontal bacteria secrete ATP, and to determine the function of bacterially derived eATP as an inducer of inflammation. Our results showed that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, but not Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, or Fusobacterium nucleatum, secreted ATP into the culture supernatant. Exposure of periodontal fibroblasts to filter sterilized culture supernatant of A. actinomycetemcomitans induced chemokine expression in an eATP-dependent manner. This occurred independently of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and phospholipase C, suggesting that ionotrophic P2X receptor is involved in sensing of bacterial eATP. Silencing of P2X7 receptor in periodontal fibroblasts led to a significant reduction in bacterial eATP-induced chemokine response. Furthermore, bacterial eATP served as a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils and monocytes. Collectively, our findings provide evidence for secreted ATP of A. actinomycetemcomitans as a novel virulence factor contributing to inflammation during periodontal disease.

Smoking attenuated the association between IκBα rs696 polymorphism and defective spermatogenesis in humans

Defective spermatogenesis is prevalent in infertile men, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its aetiology are largely unknown. In this study, a proposed association between IκBα SNPs, smoking-related ROS and sperm quality was investigated. Two polymorphisms in the IκBα gene, rs2233406 and rs696 were genotyped in 342 controls and 338 patients with defective spermatogenesis from a southern Chinese population. The results showed the rs696 AA genotype to be significantly more common (21.60% versus 14.33%, P = 0.013) and the rs696 GG genotype to be significantly rarer (28.99% versus 37.13%, P = 0.024) in the cases than in the controls. After subjects were stratified into smokers and nonsmokers, these differences were only observed in nonsmokers. Further analysis showed the rs696 AA genotype to be significantly closely associated with defective spermatogenesis in all subjects (P = 0.014, OR = 1.647) and in nonsmokers (P = 0.036, OR = 1.889). In a TM3 cell model, exposure to cigarette smoke condensate was found to activate NF-κB luciferase activity and altered transcriptional level of NF-κB pathway genes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates an association between functional polymorphisms of the IκBα rs696 and cigarette smoking with the risk of defective spermatogenesis, suggesting some interaction between the NF-κB signalling pathway and smoking-related ROS in human spermatogenesis.

Ho:YAG Laser Endopyelotomy is effective for primary and secondary UPJOs

PURPOSE

To assess efficacy of laser endopyelotomy in both primary and secondary ureteropelvic junction obstructions (UPJOs) PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary category consisted of 10 patients of congenital UPJOs. Secondary category was comprised of UPJOs in 12 status post pyeloplasty, 10 status post lithotomy, 5 status post shock wave lithotripsy, and 10 status post ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Ho:YAG laser endopyelotomy was performed in all subjects. Exclusion criteria included obstructions longer than 2 cm, ipsilateral upper urinary calculi and crossing vasculature.

RESULTS

Mean operation time was 44 min. Average inpatient duration was 1.87 days. No major complication occurred. Follow-ups were at least 12 months. Success rate for single endopyelotomy was 82.5%, leaving 7 patients for a secondary endopyelotomy. Secondary UPJO due to failed pyeloplasty had a predilection of restenosis after endopyelotomy (P = 0.0005) compared to other aetiologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Ho:YAG laser endopyelotomy is a safe and effective approach effective in both primary and secondary UPJO treatments.

Inhibitory effects of a dendritic cell vaccine loaded with radiation-induced apoptotic tumor cells on tumor cell antigens in mouse bladder cancer

Herein, the preparation of a dendritic cell (DC) vaccine with radiation-induced apoptotic tumor cells and its immunological effects on bladder cancer in C57BL/6 mice was investigated. We used radiation to obtain a MB49 cell antigen that was sensitive to bone marrow-derived DCs to prepare a DC vaccine. An animal model of tumor-bearing mice was established with the MB49 mouse bladder cancer cell line. Animals were randomly allocated to an experimental group or control group. DC vaccine or phosphate-buffered saline was given 7 days before inoculation with tumor cells. Each group consisted of 2 subgroups in which tumor volume and the survival of tumor-bearing mice were recorded. Tumor volumes and average tumor masses of mice administered DC vaccine loaded with radiation-induced apoptotic cells were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Survival in the experimental group was also longer than that in the control group, and 2 mice survived without tumor formation. In the DC vaccine group, 2 mice were alive without tumor growth after 30 days, and no tumor was observed at 30 days after subcutaneous inoculation of MB49 cells. The DC vaccine loaded with radiation-induced apoptotic tumor cells had an anti-tumor effect and was associated with increased survival in a bladder cancer model in mice.

Risk factors associated with inhibitor development in Chinese patients with haemophilia B

INTRODUCTION

Inhibitor development is a severe complication of factor IX substitution treatment for haemophilia B (HB). Current research examined the association between inhibitor development and F9 genotypes and polymorphisms in immune response genes in Chinese HB patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

11 inhibitor-positive HB patients and 41 inhibitor-negative HB patients were enrolled. Direct sequencing, copy number variation (CNV) detection and fragment length analysis were applied to identify F9 genotypes and 15 polymorphisms in immune response genes.

RESULTS

7 patients developed high titer inhibitors, with 5 of them having histories of consecutive exposure to FIX products on demand for at least 5 days. Allergic reactions/anaphylaxis to prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) occurred in 3 patients before inhibitors were detected. Five nonsense mutations (E54X, R75X, Q185X, R298X and R379X), two large deletions (E1~6del and E1~8del) and one missense mutation (S411G) were identified in patients with inhibitors. Missense mutations had a low odds ratio for FIX inhibitors development (IOR) of 0.078 (P = 0.02), while nonsense mutation presented a high IOR of 8.500 (P = 0.0044). The frequency of allele T in CD44(95102) (A/T) was significantly higher in inhibitor-negative patients, with OR of 0.324 (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Nonsense mutations conferred a higher risk for while allele T in CD44(95102) (A/T) might play a protective role against inhibitor development in Chinese HB patients.

Insulin-Like growth factor 1 related pathways and high-fat diet promotion of transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) cancer progression

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the role of IGF-1 related pathway in high-fat diet (HFD) promotion of TRAMP mouse PCa progression.

METHODS

TRAMP mice were randomly divided into two groups: HFD group and normal diet group. TRAMP mice of both groups were sacrificed and sampled on the 20th, 24th and 28th week respectively. Serum levels of insulin, IGF-1 and IGF-2 were tested by ELISA. Prostate tissue of TRAMP mice was used for both HE staining and immunohistochemical staining of IGF-1 related pathway proteins, including IGF-1Rα, IGF -1Rβ, IGFBPs and AKT.

RESULTS

The mortality of TRAMP mice from HFD group was significantly higher than that of normal diet group (23.81% and 7.14%, p=.035). The tumor incidence of HFD TRAMP mice at 20(th) week was significantly higher than normal diet group (78.57% and 35.71%, p=.022). Serum IGF-1 level of HFD TRAMP mice was significantly higher than that of normal diet TRAMP mice. Serum IGF-1 level tended to increase with HFD TRAMP mice's age. HFD TRAMP mice had higher positive staining rate of IGF-1Rα, IGF-1Rβ, IGFBP3 and Akt than normal diet TRAMP mice.

CONCLUSIONS

IGF-1 related pathway played an important role in high-fat diet promotion of TRAMP mouse PCa development and progression.

The Role of Geographic Factors in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake Among Adolescent Girls in the United States

There has been limited research examining the role of geographic factors in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake among adolescent girls. This study is one of the first to investigate and identify community-level geographic factors that may be associated with HPV vaccine uptake in the United States. We analyzed data from the 2011 and 2012 National Immunization Survey-Teen to examine associations of HPV vaccine initiation (receipt of at least one dose based on healthcare provider records) among female adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (N = 20,565) with ZIP code level geographic factors that were linked to the survey. Analyses were conducted using weighted logistic regression that included state-random effects. HPV vaccine initiation was approximately 53% in both 2011 and 2012. Racial composition and urban/rural residence were both independently associated with vaccine initiation (P = &lt; 0.05). Initiation was higher among girls living in communities where the majority (&gt;50%) of the population was Hispanic compared to communities where the majority of the population was non-Hispanic white (69.0% vs 49.9%; Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.55, 95% CI, 1.33–1.80). Girls living in high population density areas (urban) had higher HPV vaccine initiation compared to those living in low population density areas (rural) (56% vs 44.6%; AOR 1.37, 95% CI, 1.13–1.65). Initiation was also higher among girls living in the most impoverished communities compared to girls living in the least impoverished communities (61% vs 50.4%), but community-level poverty was not significant in the adjusted analysis. Higher HPV vaccination coverage in poor urban communities with a high proportion of racial/ethnic minorities may be partly attributable to targeted interventions and the continued effectiveness of the Vaccines for Children program (VFC), which provides recommended vaccines at no cost to eligible children. Learning more about factors that influence higher HPV vaccination initiation rates among certain groups might inform intervention strategies for groups with lower initiation rates.

Large-Scale and Selective Synthesis of Carbon Nanofiber Bundles, Curved Carbon Nanofibers and Helical Carbon Nanofibers

Through the pyrolysis of acetylene at 250 °C, large quantities of carbon nanofiber bundles (CNFBs), curved carbon nanofibers (CCNFs) and helical carbon nanofibers (HCNFs) can be synthesized selectively by controlling the Fe:Cu molar ratio of Fe-Cu nanoparticles. In this study, the systematic experimental results indicated that the Cu content in the Fe-Cu nanoparticles and pyrolysis temperature had great impact on the yield and structure of the final samples. Moreover, the transmission electron microscopic observation indicated that the catalyst nanoparticles were enwrapped tightly by graphite layers, and the obtained HCNFs show good magnetic property. Compared to the methods reported in the literature, the approach described herein has the advantages of being simple, low-cost, and environment-friendly. It is suitable for the controllable and mass production of CNFBs, CCNFs and HCNFs.