No abstract available.
Down-Regulation ; Dyspepsia ; Helicobacter

PURPOSE: We evaluated the HPV type 16, 18 infection and p53 expression and MHC class Iantigen expression, and analyzed he relationship between HPV infection and p53 expression and MHC class I expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and ten cases of laryngeal nodules were analyzed for detection of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization and the detection of p53 and MHC class I antigen by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 10(26%), and p53 expression was detected in 19(49%) out of 39 cases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. HPV positive cases showed 50% of p53 expression whereas HPV negative cases showed 48% expression. MHC class I down-regulation (heterogenous and negative expression) in HPV positive lesions was higher than HPV negative lesions, but there was no statistically significance. The expression of MHC class I was related to cellular differentiation regardless of T-stage and nodal involvement. CONCLUSION: There was no reiationship between HPV infection and p53 expression and MHC class I expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Also these results suggest that MHC class I expression can make it possible to presume indirectly the malignant potentiality of the tumor.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; DNA ; Down-Regulation ; In Situ Hybridization

No abstract available.
Down-Regulation ; Mast Cells ; Sialic Acid Binding Immunoglobulin-like Lectins

PURPOSE: The biallelic expression of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2) and H19 has been reported to be associated with the progression of several tumors. Here, the promoter usage and expression levels of IGF2 and H19 are reported to be altered in cervical and endometrial cancers showing loss of imprinting (LOI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imprinting status of IGF2 and H19 was examined in 32 cervical carcinomas, their matched normal tissues, 13 endometrial cancer and 33 normal endometrial tissues. RESULTS: The LOI of IGF2 was observed in 7 of 18 (39%) and 1 of 13 (8.3%) informative cervical carcinomas and informative endometrial cancers, respectively. The LOI of the H19 gene was detected in 5 of 14 (36%) and in all 11 (100%) informative cervical carcinoma cases and informative endometrial cancer cases, respectively. The use of promoter P1 was observed in the LOI tumors of IGF2, but not in the tumors showing maintenance of IGF2 imprinting (MOI), or in cervical and endometrial cancers. Unlike MOI tumors, some LOI tumors revealed a lack of IGF2 transcription from the promoter P3. The LOI tumors of IGF2 showed increased expression of the IGF2 level, but a down-regulation of the H19, relative to normal tissues, whereas the MOI tumors revealed no significant alterations. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the promoter P1 could be involved in the biallelic expression of IGF2, and that the altered expression of the IGF2 and H19 levels might be associated with the progression of cervical and endometrial cancers that exhibit biallelic IGF2 expression.
Down-Regulation ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

In the present study, we investigated effects of estrogen on cell death induced by ceramide in human neuroblastoma SK -N -SH. Estrogen, attenuated ceramide -induced cell death. To determine the molecular mechanism of protective effect of estrogen, we investigated the effect of estrogen on the increase of Bax by ceramide. Estrogen decreased Bax expression. Moreover, estrogen showed the inhibitory effect on the caspase activation by ceramide. These results suggest that estrogen attenuate ceramide -induced neuronal cell death by downregulation of Bax and subsequent inhibition of caspase activation.
Cell Death* ; Down-Regulation ; Estrogens* ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; Neurons*

Chalcone, (2E)-1,3-Diphenylprop-2-en-1-one, and its synthetic derivatives are known to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we prepared a novel synthetic chalcone compound, (E)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one name (YJI-7), and investigated its inhibitory effects on endotoxin-stimulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of inflammatory mediators in macrophages. We demonstrated that treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with YJI-7 significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ROS production. We also found that YJI-7 substantially decreased NADPH oxidase activity stimulated by LPS, indicating that YJI-7 regulates ROS production via modulation of NADPH oxidase in macrophages. Furthermore, YJI-7 strongly inhibited the expression of a number of inflammatory mediators in a gene-selective manner, suggesting that YJI-7 possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, as well as anti-oxidative activity. In continuing experiments to investigate the mechanisms that could underlie such biological effects, we revealed that YJI-7 suppressed phosphorylation of p38MAPK and JNK stimulated by LPS, whereas no significant effect on ERK was observed. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated production of ROS, activation of NADPH oxidase and expression of inflammatory mediators were markedly suppressed by treatment with selective inhibitor of p38MAPK (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125). Taken together, these results demonstrated that YJI-7, a novel synthetic chalcone derivative, suppressed LPS-stimulated ROS production via modulation of NADPH oxidase and diminished expression of inflammatory mediators, at least in part, via down-regulation of p38MAPK and JNK signaling in macrophages.
Chalcone ; Down-Regulation ; Macrophages* ; NADPH Oxidase ; Phosphorylation ; Reactive Oxygen Species

The hyperosmotic stimulus is regarded as a mechanical factor for bone remodeling. However, whether the hyperosmotic stimulus affects 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25(OH)2D3)-induced osteoclastogenesis is not clear. In the present study, the effect of the hyperosmotic stimulus on 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclastogenesis was investigated in an osteoblast-preosteoclast co-culture system. Serial doses of sucrose were applied as a mechanical force. These hyperosmotic stimuli significantly evoked a reduced number of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced bone-resorbing pit area in a co-culture system. In osteoblastic cells, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and Runx2 expressions were down-regulated in response to 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. Knockdown of Runx2 inhibited 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced RANKL expression in osteoblastic cells. Finally, the hyperosmotic stimulus induced the overexpression of TonEBP in osteoblastic cells. These results suggest that hyperosmolarity leads to the down-regulation of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclastogenesis, suppressing Runx2 and RANKL expression due to the TonEBP overexpression in osteoblastic cells.
Bone Remodeling ; Coculture Techniques ; Down-Regulation ; Osteoblasts ; RANK Ligand ; Sucrose

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD). METHODS: A total of 84 patients with DSWPD were randomized into an observation group (42 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (42 cases, 3 cases dropped off). On the basis of sleep hygiene education, acupuncture was applied at Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the observation group, while placebo acupuncture was applied at the same acupoints in the control group. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks, once every other day, 3 times a week in the 1st to 4th weeks; once every 3 days, 2 times a week in the 5th to 8th weeks. Before and after treatment, the actigraphy (ACT) indexes of objective sleep (total time of stay in bed, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, the number of awakenings and the wake time after falling asleep) and plasma cortisol (CORT) level were observed; before and after treatment and in follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment, the scores of morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), insomnia severity index (ISI), fatigue severity scale (FSS) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the total sleep time was prolonged, the sleep efficiency was improved, the number of awakenings was reduced, and the wake time after falling asleep was shortened after treatment in the observation group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and those in the observation group after treatment were superior to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MEQ scores after treatment in both groups and in the follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment in the observation group were increased (P<0.01), and the MEQ score of each time point after treatment in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.01). The scores of ISI, FSS and ESS after treatment, and the scores of ISI、ESS in follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and in the observation group, the scores of ISI, FSS and ESS of each time point after treatment were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, the plasma CORT level in the observation group was decreased compared with that before treatment and that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture can improve the sleep and wake phase of patients with DSWPD, improve sleep quality and daytime function, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of plasma CORT level.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Sleep ; Acupuncture Points ; Down-Regulation ; Sleep Duration

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and genetic analysis of an infant with Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS). METHODS: An infant suspected for SYS at the Hunan Provincial Children's Hospital on June 10, 2022 was subjected to trio-whole exome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the candidate variant. Structure of the wild-type and mutant proteins was constructed to analyze the potential hazard. RESULTS: The infant was found to harbor a heterozygous frameshifting variant of c.1908delG (p.R637Gfs*65) of the MAGEL2 gene, which was found in neither of his parents. The variant has not been recorded by the public databases, and no relevant literature was retrieved. As the result of the variant, the MAGEL2 protein only retained part of its proline domain, which may lead to destruction and/or down-regulation of its function. CONCLUSION The c.1908delG (p.R637Gfs*65) variant of the MAGEL2 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis in this child. Combined with his clinical characteristics, the child was diagnosed with SYS. Above finding has also enriched the mutational spectrum of the MAGEL2 gene.
Humans ; Infant ; Down-Regulation ; Heterozygote ; Mutation ; Parents ; Proteins

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the mechanism of RECK gene (a novel MMP inhibitor) in human osteosarcoma and evaluation of RECK as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteosarcoma cell lines were established from tumor samples of 23 patients who had been treated from March 2003 to April 2004 and 4 standard cell lines (HOS, MG-63, SaOS-2, U-2OS). We isolated the RNA from 27 cell lines and evaluated the expression level of RECK gene using quantitative real time-PCR method. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression were evaluated by gelatin zymography. Five cell lines were selected which had a statistical significance between RECK gene up-regulation and MMP expression (p=0.01). Then 5 cell lines and 3 standard cell lines were transfected by RECK gene. We compared RECK gene expression with MMP down-regulation between transfected cell lines and non-transfected cell lines. Invasion of transfected cell lines were evaluated by invasion assay using matrigel. RESULTS: RECK genes were expressed in all cell lines and 1 cell line showed especially high expression. In zymography, pro-MMP-2 was expressed in almost cell lines whereas pro-MMP-9 was rarely expressed. RECK gene expressions were increasingly high and MMP expressions were low in transfected cell lines via zymography. Transfected HOS cells decreased invasiveness in matrigel invasion assay and showed small number of migrated cells. It had a statistical significance (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: It is expected that down-regulation of MMP by RECK gene expression can be used as a biologic marker. It can be a new therapeutic strategies and valuable prognostic factors in treating osteosarcoma.
Biomarkers ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Gelatin ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma* ; RNA ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation