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This paper describes the synthesis and the antiproliferative activities of compounds 9a-r, 3-aryl analogs of flavone-8-acetic acid that bear diverse substituents on the benzene rings at the 2- and 3-positions of the flavone nucleus. Their direct and indirect cytotoxicities were evaluated against HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (HPBMCs). The results indicate that most of the compounds bearing electron-withdrawing substituents (9b-m) exhibited moderate direct cytotoxicities. And compounds 9e and 9i showed comparable indirect cytotoxicities with 5, 6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), and low direct cytotoxicities toward HPBMCs. Interestingly, the compounds 9n-r bearing methoxy groups at the 2- or 3-position of the flavone nucleus exhibited higher indirect cytotoxicities against A549 cell lines than DMXAA, and lower cytotoxicities against HPBMCs. In addition, compounds 9p-r were found to be able to induce tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production in HPBMCs., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.) more...

A phytochemical investigation on the 70% EtOH extract from the dry fronds of Diplopterygium rufopilosum afforded two new labdane-type diterpene glycosides, (3β,13S)-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-13-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-labda-8(17),14-diene (1) and (3β,13S)-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-13-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-labda-8(17),14-diene (2). Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical method and spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and HR-ESI-MS analyses. more...

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) is a rare entity, most patients experience tumor recurrence even after curative resection and the prognosis remains dismal. This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological risk factors for recurrence and poor outcome after surgical treatment of HCC with BDTT.Clinicopathological data of 37 patients with HCC and BDTT who underwent surgical treatment from July 2005 to June 2012 at the authors' hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Prognostic factors and potential risk factors for recurrence were assessed by Cox proportional hazard model and binary logistic regression model, respectively.Among the 37 patients, anatomical and nonanatomical liver resection was performed in 26 and 11 patients, respectively. The resection was considered curative in 19 patients and palliative in 18 patients. Also, 21 cases had tumor recurrence after operation and 7 cases of them were reoperated. Multivariate binary logistic regression model revealed that surgical curability was the only independent risk factor associated with postoperative tumor recurrence (P = 0.034). In addition, postoperative overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 64.2%, 38.9%, and 24.3%, respectively. Cox multivariate analysis indicated that surgical curability and tumor recurrence were independent prognostic factors for both overall survival and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.05).Although patients with HCC and BDTT had a relatively high rate of early recurrence after surgery, relatively favorable long-term outcome after curative hepatic resection could be achieved. Therefore, extensive and curative surgical treatment should be recommended when complete resection can be achieved and liver functional reserve is satisfactory. more...

As the leading cause of disease-related deaths, cancer is a major public health threat worldwide. Surgical resection is still the first-line therapy for patients with early-stage cancers. However, postoperative relapse and metastasis remain the cause of 90% of deaths of patients with solid organ malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With the rapid development of molecular biology techniques in recent years, molecularly targeted therapies using monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, and vaccines have become a milestone in cancer therapeutic by significantly improving the survival of cancer patients, and have opened a window of hope for patients with advanced cancer. Hypervascularization is a major characteristic of HCC. It has been reported that anti-angiogenic treatments, which inhibit blood vessel formation, are highly effective for treating HCC. However, the efficacy and safety of anti-angiogenesis therapies remain controversial. Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor with anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects and is the first molecular target drug approved for the treatment of advanced HCC. While sorafenib has shown promising therapeutic effects, substantial evidence of primary and acquired resistance to sorafenib has been reported. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate a large number of molecularly targeted drugs for treating HCC, but most drugs exhibited less efficacy and/or higher toxicity compared to sorafenib. Therefore, understanding the mechanism(s) underlying sorafenib resistance of cancer cells is highlighted for efficiently treating HCC. This concise review aims to provide an overview of anti-angiogenesis therapy in the management of HCC and to discuss the common mechanisms of resistance to anti-angiogenesis therapies. more...

High temperature stress (HTS) is one of the major limiting factors that affect the quality of intensively cultured seedlings in protected facilitates during hot season. Increasing the cross adaptive response of plant induced by temperature stress is an effective way to improve plant stress resistance. In order to explore the alleviating effect of cold-shock intensity on tomato seedlings under HTS, tomato seedlings were subjected to cold-shock treatments every day with 5 °C, 10 °C, and 15 °C for 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min, respectively, in an artificial climate chamber. The effect of single appropriate cold-shock on the gene expression of small heat shock proteins LeHSP 23.8 and CaHSP18 was investigated. The results showed that hypocotyl elongation and plant height of tomato seedlings were restrained by cold-shock treatment before HTS was met. The alleviating effect of tomato seedlings under HTS by cold-shock varied greatly with levels and durations of temperature. The membrane lipids in the leaf of tomato seedlings were subjected to peroxidation injury in the cold-shock treatment at 5 °C, in which the penetration of cell membrane was increased and the activities of antioxidant enzyme was inhibited. The alleviating effect to HTS by cold-shock was decreased with the increasing cold-shock duration at 10 °C, however, a reverse change was found at 15 °C. The results indicated that cross adaptive response of tomato seedling could be induced with a moderate cold-shock temperature for a proper duration before HTS was met. The optimum cold-shock treatment was at 10 °C for 10 min per day, under which, the dry mass, healthy index, activities of protective enzymes (including SOD, POD and CAT) in leaves of tomato seedlings were significantly increased, the contents of proline and soluble protein were enhanced, relative conductivity and malondialdehyde concentration were significantly decreased, and the expression levels of Le-HSP23.8 and CaHSP18 were increased compared with that under normal temperature condition. more...

Background and Aims: According to recent findings, some tumor cells function as endothelial progenitor cells to initiate tumor vasculogenesis, known as "vasculogenic mimicry" (VM). Notch1, the key regulator of vasculogenesis and embryonic differentiation, has shown a correlation with a poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We attempted to elucidate the relationship between Notch1 and the vascularization of HCC., Materials and Methods: HCC cell lines were assayed for tube formation and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) absorption. The translation level of targets of interest was verified using western blot. Notch1 was silenced in HepG2, BEL-7402 and HCCLM6 using lentivirus shRNA. A hypoxic culture was conducted in an anaerobic culture chamber to induce VM in HepG2. Samples from 53 patients with HCC, i.e., 5 with metastasis and 48 without were tested for Notch1(+) cells and CD34 negative plus Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) positive structures, respectively., Results: BEL-7402 and HCCLM6 were capable of tube formation and LDL absorption in vitro, while HepG2 was negative for both. Notch1 down-regulation suppressed endothelial marker expression and greatly impaired tube formation. After hypoxic culture, the tube formation capacity of HepG2 was significantly enhanced, along with an increase in Notch1 expression. Notch1 was strongly and profusely expressed in all 5 cases of distant metastasis, while 19 of the 48 cases without metastasis were sparsely positive (P < 0.05). Notch1 positivity was mainly seen in the cytoplasm and nuclei. VM structures were only found in 2 cases from the metastasis group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: HCC is capable of VM. Notch1 might serve as a potential target for VM development in HCC. more...

Background: Three major processes, constrictive vessel remodeling, intimal hyperplasia (IH), and retarded re-endothelialization, contribute to restenosis after vascular reconstructions. Clinically used drugs inhibit IH but delay re-endothelialization and also cause constrictive remodeling. Here we have examined halofuginone, an herbal derivative, for its beneficial effects on vessel remodeling and differential inhibition of IH versus re-endothelialization., Methods and Results: Two weeks after perivascular application to balloon-injured rat common carotid arteries, halofuginone versus vehicle (n=6 animals) enlarged luminal area 2.14-fold by increasing vessel size (adaptive remodeling; 123%), reducing IH (74.3%) without inhibiting re-endothelialization. Consistent with its positive effect on vessel expansion, halofuginone reduced collagen type 1 (but not type 3) production in injured arteries as well as that from adventitial fibroblasts in vitro. In support of its differential effects on IH versus re-endothelialization, halofuginone produced greater inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell versus endothelial cell proliferation at concentrations ≈50 nmol/L. Furthermore, halofuginone at 50 nmol/L effectively blocked Smad3 phosphorylation in smooth muscle cells, which is known to promote smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and IH, but halofuginone had no effect on phospho-Smad3 in endothelial cells., Conclusions: Periadventitial delivery of halofuginone dramatically increased lumen patency via adaptive remodeling and selective inhibition of IH without affecting endothelium recovery. Halofuginone is the first reported small molecule that has favorable effects on all 3 major processes involved in restenosis., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.) more...

The Notch signaling pathway has been reported to play crucial roles in inhibiting hepatocyte differentiation and allowing formation of intrahepatic bile ducts. However, little is known about its significance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Notch1 expression in ICC tissues and cells. The expression of Notch1 was examined in paraffin-embedded sections of ICC (n=44) by immunohistochemistry. Notch1 was knocked down by RNA interference (RNAi) in cultured ICC cells (RBE and HCCC-9810). The proliferation, invasiveness and sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assays, Transwell assays and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression levels of several multidrug resistance (MDR)-related genes, MDR1-P-glycoprotein (ABCB‑1), breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG‑2) and the multidrug resistance protein isoform 1 (MRP‑1), were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Notch1 was overexpressed in cell membranes and cytoplasm of ICC compared with the adjacent liver tissue (35/44, 79.5%) and this was more common in cases with tumor size≥5 cm (p=0.021) and HBs-Ag positive (p=0.018). By silencing Notch1, the proliferation and invasiveness of ICC cells were inhibited and the inhibition rate of 5-FU was markedly increased. In addition, IC50 values of 5-FU in RBE cells were decreased from 148.74±0.72 to 5.37±0.28 µg/ml and the corresponding values for HCCC-9810 cells were 326.92±0.87 to 42.60±0.35 µg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, Notch1 silencing clearly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells treated by 5-FU compared with the control. Notch1 knockdown led to diminished expression levels of ABCB‑1 and MRP‑1. Therefore, Notch may play important roles in the development of ICC. Silencing Notch1 can inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of ICC cells and increase their sensitivity to 5-FU in vitro. more...

Notch signaling has been reported to be activated to promote biliary epithelial cell differentiation and tubulogenesis during bile duct development. In this study, clinicopathological significance of aberrant expression of Notch receptors in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) was investigated. Thus, forty-one ICC specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry using anti-Notch1-4 antibodies, respectively. Expression of Notch receptors was scored by percentage of positive tumor cells and intensity of immunostaining. Clinicopathological parameters and survival data were compared with the expression of Notch receptors, respectively. Expression of Notch receptors was identified in cancer cells, as well as in non-neoplastic cells. Compared with adjacent non-tumor liver tissues, Notch1 and 4 were up regulated, and Notch2 and 3 were relatively weaker. Positive immunostaining of Notch1 in ICC cells was detected in 34 cases (82.9%), Notch2 in 23 (56.1%), Notch3 in 16 (39.0%) and Notch4 in 14 (34.1%). Notch1 was overexpressed in cases with tumor size > 5 cm (P = 0.036). Expression of Notch2 was correlated inversely with histological grade (P = 0.016). Overexpression of Notch4 was more common in cases with serum CA125 > 35 U/ml than cases with CA125 ≤ 35 U/ml (P = 0.048). Expression of Notch3 was not correlated with any other clinicopathological parameters. Moreover, Notch4 was related to poor survival (P < 0.001). To conclude, this study reveals that aberrant expression of Notch receptors 1 and 4 might play important roles during ICC progression. more...

Phytochemical investigation of the 70% ethanol extract from Viburnum ternatum resulted in the isolation of three new compounds, vibsanol-9'-al (1), 4-methoxy-vibsanol (2), and 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone(8 → 3')-5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (4), together with a known compound vibsanol (3). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and HR-ESI-MS analyses. more...

Background: Fanconi anemia is a severe congenital disorder associated with mutations in a cluster of genes responsible for DNA repair. Arriving at an accurate and timely diagnosis can be difficult in cases of Fanconi anemia with atypical clinical features. It is very important to increase the rate of accurate diagnosis for such cases in a clinical setting. The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical diagnosis of Fanconi anemia in children with atypical clinical features., Methods: Six cases of Fanconi anemia with atypical clinical features were enrolled in the study, and their clinical features were recorded, their FANCA gene transcription was assessed by RT-PCR, and FANCA mutations and the ubiquitination of FANCD2 protein were analyzed using DNA sequencing and western blotting respectively., Results: All six cases showed atypical clinical features including no apparent deformities, lack of response to immune therapy, and progressively increasing bone marrow failure. They also have significantly increased fetal hemoglobin, negative mitomycin-induced fracture test results, and carry a FANCA gene missense mutation. Single protein ubiquitination of FANCD2 was not observed in those patients., Conclusion: The combination of clinical features, FANCA pathogenic gene mutation genotype and the absence of FANCD2 protein ubiquitination are helpful in the accurate and timely diagnosis of Fanconi anemia in children. more...

Background: Pulmonary tuberculoma is a special form of secondary pulmonary tuberculosis, with a poor response to drug treatment. We used the method of drug administration via percutaneous lung puncture "holing" to treat pulmonary tuberculoma and observe its short- and long-term efficacy, summing up our 10-year clinical experience., Methods: A total of 54 patients with pulmonary tuberculoma were included in this study. They themselves were taken as the control group. Three to six months of conventional anti-tuberculosis treatment was conducted firstly. Then those patients with no changes of sizes in tuberculoma were recommended to receive drug administration via percutaneous lung puncture. Isoniazid (INH, 0.1 g) and amikacin (AMK, 0.2 g) were injected into tuberculoma (once or twice per week, 10 times as a course of treatment)., Results: After two months of drug treatment by lung puncture, the sputum smear test showed the negative conversion rate of tubercle bacillus was 87% (13/15), and the positive conversion rate was 8% (3/39). The tuberculosis bacillus culture indicated that the negative conversion rate was 100% (7/7). The reexamination after one year showed the negative conversion rate of tubercle bacillus in the sputum smear test was 80% (4/5). About 58% (31/54) of tuberculoma disappeared or significantly reduced, in which, 40% (21/54) of tuberculoma disappeared. The tuberculoma diameter reduced from 3.6 cm × 2.8 cm to 1.7 cm × 1.1 cm on average. Side-effects included postoperative pneumothorax 9% (5/54), hemoptysis 7% (4/54) and fever 11% (6/54). A total of 34 patients were followed up for five years, and the disappearance rate of tuberculoma was up to 47% (16/34), with no recurrence., Conclusions: The drug administration via percutaneous lung puncture-"holing" in pulmonary tuberculoma takes a significant effect obviously, good short- and long-term effects and less side effects. more...

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are widely used for postoperative pain control in clinical practice. However, it is unknown whether spinal sensitization is involved in the analgesic effects of COX-2 inhibitors on surgical pain. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the spinal cord is implicated in various types of pain, including surgical pain. The present study investigated the role of spinal ERK signaling in the analgesic effect of the COX-2 inhibitor parecoxib on surgical pain. Surgical pain was produced in rats by surgical incision of the hind paw. Phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Pain hypersensitivity was evaluated by measuring the paw withdrawal threshold using the von Frey test. The selective COX-2 inhibitor parecoxib was delivered 20 min before or 20 min after the incision by intraperitoneal injection. Pretreatment with parecoxib markedly attenuated the pain hypersensitivity induced by incision. However, post-treatment with parecoxib produced minimal analgesic effects. Parecoxib inhibited the increase in spinal p-ERK expression following surgical incision. The present study thus suggests that the COX-2 inhibitor parecoxib exerts its analgesic effect on surgical pain through the inhibition of neuronal ERK activation in the spinal cord. COX-2 inhibitor delivery prior to surgery has more potent analgesic effects, suggesting the advantage of preventive analgesia for post-operative pain control. more...

Different genotypes wheat cultivars (spring wheat Yangmai 18, semi-spring wheat Zhengmai 9023, and semi-winter wheat Yannong 19) were chosen to study their photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at tillering and stem elongation stages under low temperature stress. After treated with low temperature (-10 degrees C at night) at tillering stage for 2 days, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomata conductance (g(s)), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching (q(P)), non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), and acyclic photosynthetic electron transfer rate of PSII (ETR) of Yannong 19 were significantly higher than those of Yangmai 18 and Zhengmai 9023, the g(s), Fv/Fm, qP, and NPQ of Zhengmai 9023 were significantly higher than those of Yangmai 18, while the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of Yannong 19 was significantly lower than that of Zhengmai 9023 and Yangmai 18. In addition, the minimal fluorescence (Fo) of Yangmai 18 was significantly higher than that of Zhengmai 9023 and Yannong 19. Similarly, after treated with low temperature (0 degrees C at night) at stem elongation stage for 3 days, the Pn, g(s), qP, and Fv/Fm of Yannong 19 were significantly higher than those of Yangmai 18 and Zhengmai 9023, and the NPQ and ETR of Yannong 19 were significantly higher than those of Yangmai 18. In addition, the Pn, g(s), Fv/Fm, and qP of Zhengmai 9023 were significantly higher than those of Yangmai 18, the Fo of Zhengmai 9023 was significantly higher than that of Yannong 19, and the Ci and Fo of Yangmai 18 were significantly higher than those of Zhengmai 9023 and Yannong 19. It was suggested that under low temperature stress at tillering and stem elongation stages, semi-winter wheat Yannong 19 had the highest photosynthetic activity and the best self-protection mechanism, followed by semi-spring wheat Zhengmai 9023, and spring wheat Yangmai 18. more...

Extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in the spinal cord has been implicated in the development of neuropathic pain and inflammatory pain. However, a limited number of studies have investigated the role of spinal ERK in incisional pain. The present study aimed to determine the role of ERK in the spinal cord in incisional pain. Incisional pain was established in rats by a unilateral hind paw incision. ERK1/2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Hypersensitivity to pain was evaluated by measuring the paw withdrawal threshold using the von Frey test. The mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, U0126, was administered 20 min prior to or 10 min following the incision by intrathecal or intraperitoneal injection. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 in the ipsilateral L4‑5 spinal superficial dorsal horn was activated 1 min following the incision, reached its peak level at 5 min and then returned to the basal level 20 min following the incision. Pretreatment, but not post‑treatment with U0126 markedly attenuated the pain hypersensitivity induced by the incision. Therefore, the present study indicates that the transient activation of spinal ERK1/2 contributes to the initiation of pain hypersensitivity following surgical incision. more...

Restenosis, or arterial lumen re-narrowing, occurs in 30-50% of the patients undergoing angioplasty. Adaptive remodeling is the compensatory enlargement of the vessel size, and has been reported to prevent the deleterious effects of restenosis. Our previous studies have shown that elevated transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and its signaling protein Smad3 in the media layer induce adaptive remodeling of angioplastied rat carotid artery accompanying an increase of total collagen in the adventitia. In order to gain insights into a possible role of collagen in Smad3-induced adaptive remodeling, here we have investigated a mechanism of cell-cell communication between medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and adventitial fibroblasts in regulating the secretion of two major collagen subtypes. We have identified a preferential collagen-3 versus collagen-1 secretion by adventitial fibroblasts following stimulation by the conditioned medium from the TGF-β1-treated/Smad3-expressing medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which contained higher levels of CTGF and IGF2 as compared to control medium. Treating the TGF-β/Smad3-stimulated SMCs with an siRNA to either CTGF or IGF2 reversed the effect of conditioned media on preferential collagen-3 secretion from fibroblasts. Moreover, recombinant CTGF and IGF2 together stimulated adventitial fibroblasts to preferentially secrete collagen-3 versus collagen-1. This is the first study to identify a preferential secretion of collagen-3 versus collagen-1 from adventitial fibroblasts as a result of TGF-β/Smad3 stimulation of medial SMCs, and that CTGF and IGF2 function together to mediate this signaling communication between the two cell types., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Objective: To study the prevalence rate of tuberous sclerosis complex in autistic disorder., Methods: We studied one cohort of children followed up since 2005 until 2009, with autistic disorder, to determine the incidence of tuberous sclerosis complex. We established an autistic disorder registry in 2005 at China Rehabilitation Research Center. During the 4-year period (2005-2009), we collected a database of 429 children (390 boys and 39 girls; male to female ratio 10:1) with autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorders. We routinely examined all children with autistic disorder for any features of tuberous sclerosis complex by looking for neurocutaneous markers such as depigmented spots. In those with infantile spasm or epilepsy, the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex were monitored regularly during follow-up., Findings: Of these, five had tuberous sclerosis complex. Thus, the prevalence rate of tuberous sclerosis complex in autistic disorder is 1.17%. All of these children were mentally retarded with moderate to severe grades. Their IQ or developmental quotient was less than 70., Conclusion: The prevalence rate of tuberous sclerosis complex in autistic disorder was 1.17% in our region; autism spectrum disorder is a condition that might be associated with development of tuberous sclerosis complex. more...

Objective: To investigate the treatment efficiency and mechanism of recombinant adenoviral vector carrying LRIG1 gene driven by Survivin promoter for bladder cancer., Methods: Human bladder cancer cell line BIU87 and immortalized human bladder epithelial cells SV-HUC-1 were infected with Ad-Surp-LRIG1 and Ad-LRIG, respectively. The selective infection efficiency of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 and Ad-LRIG were evaluated by checking the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The MTT method was used to test cell growth inhibition ratio of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 and Ad-LRIG. Heterotransplanted models of human bladder cancer cell line BIU87 cells in nude mice were established. The mice were randomly divided into 3 groups during the experiment: Ad-Surp-LRIG1 group received viral supernatant solution of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 by tail vein injection; Ad-LRIG group received viral supernatant solution of Ad-LRIG by tail vein injection; and PBS group received phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The growth of tumors were observed and the growth curve was mapped. The expression of LRIG1 and EGFR were examined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR)., Results: When Multiplicity of infection was 25, the transfection efficiency of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 was 74.56% in BIU87 cells and 0 in SV-HUC-1 cells (χ² = 58.640, P = 0.000), while the transfection efficiency of Ad-LRIG was 68.27% in BIU87 cells and 72.52% in SV-HUC-1 cells (χ² = 0.075, P = 0.784). The transfection efficiency difference of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 and Ad-LRIG in BIU87 cells was not statistically significant (χ² = 0.016, P = 0.898). Compared with PBS, Ad-Surp-LRIG1 and Ad-LRIG1 could inhibit BIU87 cell growth, the difference was significant in 4 days after transfection (F = 15.960, P = 0.000). There was not significant difference in cell growth rate of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 group and Ad-LRIG1 group. The tumor growth rate in Ad-Surp-LRIG1 group was slower than that in the other 2 groups. The tumor quality in Ad-Surp-LRIG1 was lighter than that in the other two groups, the differences were statistically significant (F = 97.860, P = 0.000), the quality difference in Ad-LRIG1 group and PBS group was not statistically significant difference (t = 1.73, P = 0.06). Compared with Ad-LRIG1 group and PBS group, the mRNA expression of LRIG1 was obviously up-regulated and that of EGFR was down-regulated in Ad-Surp-LRIG1 group (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: The recombinant adenoviral vector of Ad-Surp-LRIG1 could selectively transfected BIU87 cells, which could inhibit significantly the growth of bladder cancer in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism may be partly LRIG1 can downgrade the expression of EGFR. more...

Objective: To investigate the attitudes of Chinese parents regarding the storage of dried blood spots collected for newborn screening (NBS) and their use in research., Methods: We conducted a hospital-based survey of parents and examined parental attitudes regarding (a) allowing NBS sample storage, (b) permitting use of children's NBS samples for research with parental permission, and (c) permitting use of children's NBS samples for research without parental permission., Results: The response rate was 52 percent. Of parents surveyed, 68 percent would permit their infant's NBS sample to be stored for at least some length of time. If permission is obtained, 69 percent of parents "strongly agreed" or "agreed" to permit use of the NBS sample for research. If permission is not obtained, only 14 percent of parents "strongly agreed" or "agreed." There was no significant association between permitting use of NBS samples for research and parental gender, education, household income, number of children, or site of residence., Conclusions: This is the first survey of Chinese parents regarding the use of NBS samples for different types of research, with results indicating that most parents would permit their infant's sample to be stored and would support the use of NBS dried blood spots for research purposes. more...

Objective: To explore the influence of T lymphocyte activation on HIV-1 susceptibility of Han Chinese., Methods: In 2008, 37 HIV-1 highly exposed persistently seronegative individuals (ESNs) and 101 healthy controls were screened from Shenzhen. Flow cytometer was used to assay the expression difference of HIV-1 infection related co-receptor, the difference between the two groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U statistics methods., Results: T cell HLA-DR(+) CD4 T cells and HLA-DR(+) expression of ESNs (12.64 (5.94 - 21.90), 21.12 (10.74 - 30.21)) were all significantly lower than that of healthy controls (22.52 (7.91 - 58.60), 32.28 (14.72 - 67.82)) (P values all < 0.05). T cell CD45RA-RO(+), CCR5(+)CD4 expression of ESNs (58.68 (49.06 - 72.44), 21.93 (15.84 - 25.89)) were all significantly higher than that of healthy controls (53.17 (42.63 - 63.21), 16.14 (11.94 - 21.98)) (P values all < 0.05). T cell CXCR4(+)CD4 T cells expression of ESNs (93.67 (92.17 - 94.96)) was significantly lower than that of healthy controls (95.16 (92.99 - 96.77)) (P values all < 0.05). Healthy controls and ESNs could be divided into low expression group and high expression group according to HLA-DR(+)CD8 T cells bimodal distribution. A total of 89.2% (33/37) ESNs fell into HLA-DR + CD8 low expression group, and 58.4% (59/101) of the healthy controls located in low expression group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: To Han Chinese, the low activation status of T lymphocyte has significant correlation with HIV-1 low susceptibility. more...

Objective: The adventitia is increasingly recognized as an important player during the development of intimal hyperplasia. However, the mechanism of adventitial cell recruitment to the subintimal space remains largely undefined. We have shown previously that gene transfer of protein kinase C-delta (PKCδ) increases apoptosis of smooth muscle cells following balloon injury. In the current study, we investigated a potential role of PKCδ in regulating the recruitment of adventitial cells., Methods and Results: Conditioned media from PKCδ-overexpressing smooth muscle cells stimulated migration and CCR2 expression of adventitial fibroblasts through a MCP-1 dependent mechanism. Following balloon injury of rat carotid arteries, overexpression of PKCδ in smooth muscle cells significantly increased MCP-1 and CCR2 expression and the number of adventitia-originated cells detected in the neointima. Administration of an anti-MCP-1 antibody markedly diminished the recruitment of adventitial cells. Combined PKCδ overexpression and anti-MCP-1 inhibited intimal hyperplasia more effectively than either approach alone., Conclusions: Our data suggest that PKCδ regulates recruitment of adventitial cells to the neointima via a mechanism involving upregulation of the MCP-1/CCR2 signaling axis in injured arteries. Blockage of MCP-1 while enhancing apoptosis may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to attenuate intimal hyperplasia. more...

Tuberculous meningitis leads to a devastating outcome, and early diagnosis and rapid chemotherapy are vital to reduce morbidity and mortality. Since Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a kind of cytozoic pathogen and its numbers are very few in cerebrospinal fluid, detecting M. tuberculosis in cerebrospinal fluid from tuberculous meningitis patients is still a challenge for clinicians. Ziehl-Neelsen stain, the current feasible microbiological method for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, often needs a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid specimen but shows a low detection rate of M. tuberculosis. Here, we developed a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, involving cytospin slides with Triton processing, in which only 0.5 ml of cerebrospinal fluid specimens was required. This method not only improved the detection rate of extracellular M. tuberculosis significantly but also identified intracellular M. tuberculosis in the neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes clearly. Thus, our modified method is more effective and sensitive than the conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain, providing clinicians a convenient yet powerful tool for rapidly diagnosing tuberculous meningitis. more...

Two new rhamnopyranosides of neolignans, (7S,8R)-4,9,5',9'-tetrahydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1) and (7S,8R)-4,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), together with a known compound (7S,8R)-4,7,9,9'-tetrahydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan (3), were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis including 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS, and chemical method. more...

Phytochemical investigation of 70% EtOH extract of the dry fronds of Microlepia pilosissima has resulted in isolation of three new amides, (7E)-N-(3'-hydroxyl-4'-methoxy)-phenylethyl-4-hydroxyl-cinnamamide (1), (7E)-N-(3',4',5'-trihydroxyl)-phenylethyl-4-hydroxyl-cinnamamide (2), and (7E)-N-(3',4',5'-trihydroxyl)-phenylethyl-4-methoxy-cinnamamide (3). Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and chemical method, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS. more...

One of the most significant evolutionary changes underlying the highly developed cognitive abilities of humans is the greatly enlarged brain volume. In addition to being far greater than in most other species, the volume of the human brain exhibits extensive variation and distinct sexual dimorphism in the general population. However, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying normal variation as well as the observed sex difference in human brain volume. Here we show that interleukin-3 (IL3) is strongly associated with brain volume variation in four genetically divergent populations. We identified a sequence polymorphism (rs31480) in the IL3 promoter which alters the expression of IL3 by affecting the binding affinity of transcription factor SP1. Further analysis indicated that IL3 and its receptors are continuously expressed in the developing mouse brain, reaching highest levels at postnatal day 1-4. Furthermore, we found IL3 receptor alpha (IL3RA) was mainly expressed in neural progenitors and neurons, and IL3 could promote proliferation and survival of the neural progenitors. The expression level of IL3 thus played pivotal roles in the expansion and maintenance of the neural progenitor pool and the number of surviving neurons. Moreover, we found that IL3 activated both estrogen receptors, but estrogen didn't directly regulate the expression of IL3. Our results demonstrate that genetic variation in the IL3 promoter regulates human brain volume and reveals novel roles of IL3 in regulating brain development. more...

Background: Increasing evidence suggests an association between elevated serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders (metabolic syndrome, hyperlipemia and diabetes mellitus). However, the significance of relatively low levels of aminotransferases in relation to metabolic disorders has not been fully investigated in the general population. We investigated the association between serum amiontransferase levels and metabolic disorders using data from a survey in Jilin province, China., Methods: In 2007, a survey was conducted throughout Jilin, China, covering both urban and rural areas. A total of 3835 people, 18 to 79 years old including 1761 men and 2074 women, underwent real-time ultrasonography, blood tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and had interviews with a structured questionnaire., Results: Serum aminotransferase levels within the normal range were associated with metabolic syndrome independent of age, occupation, cultural and educational level, income, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol intake. Compared with the lowest level (<20 IU/L), the adjusted odds ratios for ALT levels of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and >50 IU/L were 1.92, 2.50, 2.97, and 3.52 in men, and 1.38, 1.54, 3.06, and 2.62 in women, respectively. Near-normal serum aminotransferase levels associated with hyperlipemia, NAFLD, DM were also found in the study., Conclusions: Normal to near-normal serum aminotransferase levels are associated with metabolic disorders. Serum ALT levels of 21-25 IU/L for men, and 17-22 IU/L for women are suggested as cutoff levels that detect metabolic disorders affecting the liver. more...

Objectives: As more families participate expanded newborn screening for metabolic disorders in China, the overall number of false positives increases. Our goal was to assess the potential impact on parental stress, perceptions of the child's health, and family relationships., Methods: Parents of 49 infants with false-positive screening results for metabolic disorders in the expanded newborn screening panel were compared with parents of 42 children with normal screening results. Parents first completed structured interview using likert scales, closed and open questions. Parents also completed the parenting stress index., Results: A total of 88 mothers and 41 fathers were interviewed. More mothers in the false-positive group reported that their children required extra parental care (21%), compared with 5% of mothers in the normal-screened group (P<0.001). 39% of mothers in the false-positive group reported that they worry about their child's future development, compared with 10% of mothers in the normal-screened group (P<0.001). Fathers in the false-positive group did not differ from fathers in the normal-screened group in reporting worry about their child's extra care requirements, and their child's future development. Children with false-positive results compared with children with normal results were triple as likely to experience hospitalization (27%vs 9%, respectively; P<0.001)., Conclusions: The results showing false-positive screening results may affect parental stress and the parent-child relationship. Parental stress and anxiety can be reduced with improved education and communication to parents about false-positive results. more...

Objective: To analysis the clinic and genotype in two Chinese patients with Dyskeratosis congenita (DC)., Methods: The two patients were characterized by mucocutaneous abnormalities (abnormal nails, lacey reticular pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia), bone marrow failure. They were diagnosed with DC. DC genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including DKC1, TERT, TERC, TINF2, NOP10, NHP2, then DNA sequencing was performed for abnormal exons., Results: An abnormal peak was found in exon 6 of TINF2 gene of the two patients. DNA sequencing showed a 845G→A transition in TINF2 gene in the two patients., Conclusion: We should think about DC if the young patients with mucocutaneous abnormalities and marrow failure. TINF2 c.845G→A(R282H) does exist in the two patients. It is reported in China for the first time. more...

Objective: To report the clinical characteristics and treatment of 3 patients with juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG)., Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 3 patients with JXG., Results: JXG was characterized by solitary or multiple yellowish cutaneous nodules, or eye involvement . It could also affect pituitary. JXG was easily misdiagnosed as Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Treatment for JXG was surgical excision of a solitary skin lesion and some cases might be, spontaneous regression. In cases with multisystem involvement, chemotherapy regimens used to treat LCH may be effective., Conclusions: JXG is one of the more common non-Langerhans histiocytic proliferations and is frequently seen in infants and children. LCH-like chemotherapy is effective for patients with symptomatic multisystem JXG. more...

Background: Chronic liver diseases are a major burden in China. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) can be used as an indicator of hepatocyte damage. In this study, we determined the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population in Jilin, China., Methods: A total of 4072 individuals aged between 18 and 79 years were first interviewed, and then underwent ultrasonography and blood tests., Results: The prevalence of elevated ALT was 17.53%. The most noticeable risk factor for ALT elevation was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (accounting for 10.79%), metabolic syndrome (16.25%), or both (20.31%). The development of NAFLD occurred mostly in female peasants and small businessmen with increased income, age, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, triglyceridemia, and low-density lipoprotein and decreased education level, high-density lipoprotein. Elevated ALT frequently occurred in low education level, male peasants and small businessmen with increased income, body mass index and triglyceride who had NAFLD and/or metabolic syndrome. However, elevated ALT with infection of hepatitis B or C virus was not associated with metabolic disorders, but rather with gender, occupation and increased age., Conclusion: The results from the current study demonstrate that elevated ALT is fairly high in the Northeast population (17.53%) and that the cause of its elevation is mostly due to NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. more...

The development of the theory of lower He-sea points is analyzed, and the indication law of acupoints as well as its significance on understanding of meridians are discussed in this article. It is concluded that the application experiences of Zusanli (ST 36) has great significance to the recognition of major points for diseases of fu organs. However, it is held that the relationship between the major indications of Xiajuxu (ST 39) and the relation between Weiyang (BL 39) and Sanjiao are not the complete embodiment of application experiences. There is a precedence relationship between the formation consequence of the five-shu points and the lower He-sea points, which concerning the formation of the concept that He-sea points can treat diseases of their corresponding fu organs and the incomplete theory of the lower He-sea points. The formation of the theory of lower He-sea points also indicates the change of recognition of the relation between yang meridians and internal organs. Therefore, it is held that the relation between meridians and internal organs as well as the indication law of acupoints can be studied on the base of the above theory. more...

Background: Fenvalerate (FEN) has been demonstrated to be a reproductive toxicant in humans and rodents. However, little is known about whether short-term exposure to low-dose FEN produces reproductive toxicity., Methods: We administered FEN (0.009 375, 0.1875, 3.750, or 45.00 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) by gavage for 30 days) to male ICR mice and compared reproductive toxicity parameters between groups receiving different concentrations of FEN. Reproductive toxicity was evaluated by computer-assisted semen quality analysis (CASA), chlortetracycline (CTC) assay, and histopathology., Results: The sperm morphology and testis histology of FEN-exposed mice (all doses) were similar to that in controlling mice. Exposure to FEN at a concentration of 0.1875 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) decreased sperm path straightness (STR) and linearity (LIN) (both P < 0.05), but had no significant impact on average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), lateral amplitude (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), or progressive motility (MOT). FEN reduced the rate of mouse sperm capacitation in a dose-dependent manner., Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that exposure to low-dose FEN for 30 days reduces semen quality and sperm capacitation in adult mice. more...

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in the genesis and development of Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to investigate the effect of Curcumin on the expression of GSK-3β, β-catenin and CyclinD1 in vitro, which are tightly correlated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and also to explore the mechanisms, which will provide a novel therapeutic intervention for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Plasmid APPswe and BACE1-mychis were transiently co-transfected into SHSY5Y cells by Liposfectamin™2000. The cells were treated with Curcumin at 0, 1.25, 5.0, 20.0 μmol/L for 24 h, or with Curcumin at 5.0 μmol/L for 0, and 12, 24 and 48 h for time course assay. Cell lysates were collected for RT-PCR, Western blot assay and immunofluorescent staining were carried out for detecting the effect of Curcumin on the expression of GSK-3β, β-catenin and CyclinD1. RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that the expression of GSK-3β mRNA and protein significantly decreased in the transfected cells treated with Curcumin, and that the changes were in a dose and time-dependent manner (P<0.05); however, the protein expression of GSK-3β-Ser9 was increased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expressions of β-catenin and transcriptional factors CyclinD1 mRNA and protein increased and the changes were also in a dose and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). Immunofluorescent staining results not only confirmed the above changes, but also showed that β-catenin had translocated into the nucleus gradually with the increased dosage of Curcumin. Therefore, GSK-3β is a potential target for treatment of AD. Curcumin could activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through inhibiting the expression of GSK-3β and inducing the expression of β-catenin and CyclinD1, which will provide a new theory for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by Curcumin., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Objective: To study the type and corresponding clinical characteristics of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated immune gene mutations in the refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes., Methods: From December 2009 to July 2010, the patients with refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes were screened for the primary HLH associated immune genes mutations by DNA sequence analysis, including PRF1, UNC13D, STX11, STXBP2, SH2D1A and XIAP. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were followed up., Results: Totally 25 patients with refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes were investigated for the 6 genes and 13 cases were found carrying gene mutations, composing of 6 of PRF1 mutation, 3 of UNC13D, and each one of STX11, XIAP, SH2D1A and STXBP2, respectively. Among the 13 cases with gene mutations, 5 suffered from Epstein-Barr virus associated HLH (EBV-HLH), 1 human herpes virus 7 associated HLH (HHV7-HLH), 1 HLH without causes, 4 chronic activated EB virus infection (CAEBV) with 1 progressing to Hodgkin's lymphoma carrying abnormal chromosome of t(15;17) (q22;q25) and hyperdiploid, 2 EBV associated lymphoma. Among the other 12 patients without gene mutation, 4 suffered from EBV-HLH with 1 progressing to peripheral T lymphoma, 8 suffered from CAEBV., Conclusions: Primary HLH associated immune gene mutations are critical causes of refractory virus infection of unknown causes, most patients manifest as HLH, some cases appear in CAEBV and EBV associated lymphoma. DNA sequence analysis is helpful to early diagnosis and correct decision-making for treatment. more...

Background: Serum biochemical liver tests (LTs) (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyltransferase) and platelet counts are often used to screen for chronic liver disease. We determined the prevalence and etiologies of abnormal LTs in an adult population in Jilin, China., Methods: A total of 3791 individuals between the ages of 18 and 79 years were interviewed and then underwent ultrasonography and blood tests., Results: The prevalence of abnormal LTs was 14.77% (560 out of 3791 subjects). The risk factors for abnormal LTs were non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) alone, which accounted for 11.61%, metabolic syndrome alone for 25%, or both for 22.14%. Abnormal LTs were more common in male than in female subjects. The development of abnormal LTs was correlated with older age males, increased daily alcohol intake, poor quality of sleep, smoking, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, triglyceridemia, and low-density lipoprotein. Abnormal LTs in patients with metabolic syndrome and NAFLD were associated with high fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, body mass index, low density lipoprotein, male, young age, poor sleep quality, smoking, and alcohol intake. However, abnormal LTs in patients with hepatitis B virus were associated with gender and increased age., Conclusions: The results from the current study demonstrated that the prevalence of abnormal LTs is high in the population (14.77%). Metabolic syndrome, NAFLD, and alcohol intake appear to be potentially important causes of the observed abnormal LTs. more...

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors in the Northeastern Chinese city of Dehui., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving random sampling methods generated 3598 completed questionnaires by permanent residents of Dehui. Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that were significantly associated with obesity., Results: Based on the 2000 WHO diagnostic criterion regarding populations in the Asia-Pacific region, the prevalence of obesity was 37.71% (34.77% of females; 41.11% of males). Elevated body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD)-associated conditions (P<0.05), and increased prevalence of abnormally high transaminase levels (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated the following variables were associated with obesity: increased age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-1.02), high total cholesterol (TC) (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03-1.54), high triglycerides (TG) (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.16-1.64), hypertension (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.39-1.90), fatty liver (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 2.41-3.49), living in an urban setting (OR: 2.84, 95% CI: 2.39-3.38), and advanced education (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.40)., Conclusions: Obesity is prevalent among the adult population in Northeastern China and is significantly associated with CVD risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, as well as transaminase abnormalities., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.) more...

Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental disorders with a worldwide incidence of 1%. Previous studies suggested that the brain volumes of the schizophrenia patients were much smaller than the healthy individuals and many schizophrenia susceptible genetic variants have been shown associated with structural brain abnormalities in patients, which is consistent with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of the etiology of schizophrenia. Recently, the DKK4 gene involved in the Wnt signaling was found to be significantly associated with schizophrenia. To test whether DKK4 is associated with neurodevelopment, we genotyped one DKK4 SNP in 961 healthy Chinese individuals and measured their brain volumes. We found that the SNP was significantly associated with brain volume under both additive and dominant genetic models, providing evidence that schizophrenia susceptible genes could influence brain volume. Our findings support the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of the etiology of schizophrenia. more...

China had taken strict measures for pandemic 2009 H1N1 infection with enhanced surveillance and hospital isolation since April 2009. In Shenzhen, over 1200 confirmed cases of H1N1 infection were identified. Three young patients died of severe pneumonia. Among them, two boys developed neurological complications. Cytokine storm seemed an important cause., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

The six points on the foot yang channels with the main indications of disorders of six fu organs are named as he points in ancient time, while as Xiahe points in modern times. Both of the names share the Chinese character of He, which confounded with He (sea) point of the five shu points. The related ancient literatures, modern compiled textbooks and dictionaries are studied, and the original meaning and paraphrase of the name are analyzed so as to make clear the concept of the so-called Xiahe points and standardized its name. And it is held that the terminology of Xiahe points is inappropriate with the definition unclear and the concept indistinct. In the Internal classic, Xiahe points is also named as he points following the He (sea) points of the five shu points, and there was no proper name for the points at that time. The meaning of "he" in Xiahe points are different from the meaning of "He" in He (sea) points. And the article proposes that Xiahe points should be replaced as Liu fu Xiashu (lower shu points of six fu organs) or redefined with other names. more...

Objective: To evaluate the impact of specific siRNA on survivin gene in transfected leukemia cells., Method: The small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted survivin mRNA was synthesized in vitro and was transfected into K562 cell by Hiperfect into human leukemia cell line K562, which has high survivin expression level. The level of survivin mRNA expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with SYBR GREEN I. The apoptosis index of cytotrophoblasts were determined and analyzed by FCM (Annexin V-FITC/PI staining methods). The cell proliferation was examined by MTT at 48 h and 72 h after transfection., Result: The level of mRNA expression was significantly inhibited by the siRNA 48 h and 72 h after transfection, the suppression rate of survivin mRNA separately reached 85.21%, 94.35% mensurated by quantitative RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I, cell proliferation was inhibited significantly by 45.02% and 50.88%, respectively, the apoptotic rate detected by Annexin V-FITC assay reached 12.28%and 21.55%, respectively., Conclusion: The chemosynthesized siRNA targeting survivin could significantly down-regulate survivin mRNA. Survivin siRNA was able to inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cell line K562. Survivin may become a new target for leukemia gene therapy. more...

Objective: To determine the feasibility of preservation of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) in breast cancer., Methods: During June 2004 to June 2006, 99 patients with operable breast cancer receiving an axillary lymph node dissection at our department were analyzed. The extirpated ICBN and ambient tissues were tested by HE staining to observe the pathological changes., Results: In 96 (96.97%) cases with ICBN sacrificing, the nerves were not violated microscopically and the nerve cells remained intact. Of 28 patients with axillary lymphadenectasis, only 3 cases (10.71%) were found to have tumor emboli in the peri-neural vessels., Conclusion: The preservation of ICBN is a feasible and safe technique. The operative approach should be advocated. If at all possible, a surgeon should identify ICBN and preserve it. more...

Objective: To understand the rule of vpr gene variance of HIV-1 strains., Methods: RT-PCR was used to amplify vpr gene of HIV-1 strains in Shenzhen. PCR products were sequenced and used for gene phylogenetic analysis and the 32 - 46 amino acids of Vpr protein were compared. The difference of 77 amino acid polymorphism distribution between domestic region and foreign region was analyzed., Results: 01&#95;AE was the major HIV-1 subtype in Shenzhen. The gene distance among subtype B was larger than in other subtypes. 77-amino acid of Vpr protein had three polymorphism forms as Arginin, Glutamine and Histidine, with Glutamine as the wild form. There were no significant differences in the three amino acid distributions between HIV-1 strains from domestic region and foreign region., Conclusion: vpr genes of different HIV-1 strains belonged to 01&#95;AE subtype. There was polymorphism seen in the vpr gene which was consistent with both domestic and international HIV-1 strains. more...

In this paper, a new controlled release system of superoxide dismutase was developed by electrospun composite fibers. Highly loading efficacy of sod from 85.6 to 98.0% was achieved. The superoxide dismutase can be released from the system for 234 h, and obvious initial burst release of superoxide dismutase in vitro was not observed. In vitro release rate of superoxide dismutase in the first 66 h basically is faster than the corresponding rate at a later stage. Antioxidant activity of the released superoxide dismutase was still high, and it remained stable during the preparation by electrospinning and release experiment. We hope this composite system be used as an implanted form, in the treatment for several disease involved with the superoxide radical in the future. more...

Objective: To investigate the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the oxidative stress damage of intestinal mucosa barrier disruption in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ)., Methods: Fifteen jaundiced patients with malignant biliary obstruction undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) examination or treatment were enrolled. The control group was comprised of 10 healthy subjects with gastroscopy and 10 patients with non-jaundiced biliary obstruction. Patients were subjected to duodenal biopsy to assess the intestinal oxidative stress as estimated by lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Apoptosis of epithelial cell was examined by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were employed to examine the distribution and expression of HO-1 proteins in intestinal mucosa., Results: MOJ jaundiced patients presented high levels of intestinal oxidative stress with a significantly increased level of lipid peroxidation [(1.79 +/- 0.24) vs (1.09 +/- 0.28) vs (1.18 +/- 0.32) nmol x mg(-1) x prot(-1), P = 0.041] and a decreased SOD activity [(303 +/- 10) vs (398 +/- 11) vs (406 +/- 11) nmol x mg(-1) x prot(-1), P = 0.017]. The apoptotic rate of intestinal epithelial cells was significantly higher in jaundiced group than in non-jaundiced control group. Apoptotic index was (69.1 +/- 5.9)%, (28.6 +/- 3.5)% and (10.2 +/- 2.5)% respectively (P < 0.01). The staining of HO-1 was predominantly localized in cytoplasm. In jaundiced patients, HO-1 was obviously elevated than those in the control group (HO-1 optical density 0.28 +/- 0.04 vs 0.20 +/- 0.04 vs 0.13 +/- 0.05) (P < 0.01). Similar outcomes were obtained by quantitative analysis of Western blotting images [HO-1/GAPDH (10.7 +/- 0.7)% vs (7.6 +/- 0.5)% vs (3.9 +/- 0.4)%, P < 0.01]., Conclusion: MOJ induces intestinal oxidative stress and it may be a key contributing factor to intestinal barrier failure in the patient population. HO-1 protein level is rising with the progression of obstruction. Perhaps HO-1 has a protective effect upon MOJ through anti-oxidative damage. more...

In the present paper the authors explore the differences in both theoretical and clinical significance between centripetal mode and cyclical mode which are the two modes of channel theories presented successively, from the following factors: (1) The centripetal mode focus on the regularity in the distant effects of acupoints on four limbs and embodies the primary meaning of hand-foot meridians, the cyclical mode explains qi-blood circulation mode and reflects the TCM knowledge of the principle of the coordination from structure and function of the whole body; (2) Most formation of channels and acupoints is based on the centripetal mode in stead of the cyclical mode; (3) The key reasons resulted in the major academic mistake in current research on channel knowledge are unknown or confusion of the different channel mode, under illusion about the cyclical mode is the subject or representative of channel theory and explaining or research on channels and acupoints within the framework of the cyclical mode of channels theory. more...

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and gene mutation of a patient with dyskeratosis congenita, who was admitted in our hospital for thrombocytopenia., Method: The clinical and laboratory data of a 4 years and 10 months old boy were summarized. DKC1 gene was analyzed using PCR amplification and DNA sequencing., Result: The age of onset of the boy was 1 year. He presented with abnormal cutaneous pigmentation, nail dystrophy and mucosal leukoplakia accompanied by multi-system abnormalities. DKC1 (1058C-T, A353V) was detected in the patient., Conclusion: The patient presented with classical features of dyskeratosis congenita and DKC1 (1058C-T, A353V) did exist in this patient. X-linked recessive dyskeratosis congenita was confirmed. more...

Objective: To study the prevalent status of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) subtypes in IDU (injecting drug users) population in Shenzhen and to study their source of infection in order to predict the epidemic trend and evolution., Methods: 166 HIV-1 positive plasma from the IDUs was collected from 1996 to 2008. HIV-1 env genes were amplified by nested-PCR from RNA. The C2-V3 regions (450 bp) of HIV-1 env were sequenced for analyses. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on the nucleotide sequence data., Results: Among 166 samples, there were 6 HIV-1 strains including CRF01&#95;AE, CRF08&#95;BC, CRF07&#95;BC 3 circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) and B', C, A1 3 subtypes. Data from the genotype analyses showed that 65.06% (108/166) were CRF01&#95;AE, 19.88% (33/166) were CRF07&#95;BC, 6.02% (10/166) were CRF08&#95;BC, 7.23% (9/166) were subtype B', 0.60% (1/166) were subtype C and 1.20% (2/166) were subtype A1. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that some of HIV-1 clusters defined in CRF01&#95;AE, CRF07&#95;BC and subtype B' in different time groups. Significant increase of gene distance in CRF01&#95;AE and CRF07&#95;BC strains in the three different periods., Conclusion: CRF01&#95;AE and CRF07&#95;BC were the major epidemic CRF strains among the IDU population in Shenzhen while the subtype B', C, A1 and CRF08&#95;BC were also circulating in IDU population in this region. The variation of all different subtypes was increasing through these years. more...