Objective To investigate the expression of survivin (an apoptosis inhibitor) in thyroid carcinoma and its relationship with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Methods Sixty-eight cases of thyroid carcinoma, 12 cases of thyroid adenoma and 10 cases of normal thyroid tissue were involved. Immunohistochemistry (SABC method) was used to detect the expression of survivin, caspase-3 and VEGF, and then their relationship with the major clinicalpathologicalparametersofthyroidcarcinoma was analysed. Results No survivin was expressedinnormalthyroidtissue,butsurvivinwasweakly expressed in thyroid adenoma (16.7%) and strongly expressed in thyroid carcinoma (57.4%); caspase-3 was obviously expressed in three kinds of tissue (70.0%, 75.0%, 69.1%), and VEGF was expressed in 75.0% of thyroid carcinoma and 41.7% of thyroid adenoma. In thyroid carcinoma, survivin expression had no correlation with caspase-3 expression, but significant positive correlation existed between surviving and VEGF (r=0.302,P

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and its mechanisms of improving therapeutic effect by antisense gene therapy combined with chemotherapy in osteosarcoma. METHODS: The human osteosarcoma implanted tumor model in the nude mice was established. By intratumoral injection and abdominal cavity administration, the tumor bearing mice were treated with survivin ASODN in combination with diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) for a week. Comparison with each single - agent therapy and control group was performed in aspects such as tumor growth condition, pathological changes of tumor tissues; survivin protein expression in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry, survivin mRNA expression levels by RT -PCR method and tumor apoptosis by Tdt -mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: All nude mice survived the therapy. As compared with the control group, the antisense gene therapy group presented synchronous decrease in survivin mRNA and protein expression; all therapy group displayed tumor growth inhibition and cell apoptosis with different extent; while in contrast to single - agent therapy group, the combined therapy group showed stronger inhibition of tumor growth and abundant tumor cell apoptosis with the highest apoptotic rate. CONCLUSION: Synergistic effect was achieved by combination of DDP with ASODN that may overcome drug resistant of DDP and the combined strategy may shed new light on the cancer therapy.

Objective The aim of this study was to generate human cholesteryl ester transfer protein ( CETP) transgenic rabbits and analyze their biological properties.Methods We generated human CETP transgenic rabbits by DNA microinjection, and detected the expression of human CETP by real-time PCR and Western blot assay.The activity of CETP was measured using an activity assay kit.Results Human CETP transgenic rabbits were successfully generated by DNA microinjection.Compared with wide type rabbits, the expression of human CETP was dramatically increased in the liver of the human CETP transgenic rabbits.The plasma CETP activity was also much higher in the liver of human CETP transgenic rabbits than that of control rabbits.Conclusions The model of human CETP transgenic rabbits is successfully established by DNA microinjection.It will provide a useful tool for the studies of CETP biological function and its involvement in the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND:Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate is an effective method for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, with significant effect and less adverse reactions, but the mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE:Through testing the malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels in the synovial fluid of knee osteoarthritis before and after injection of sodium hyaluronate, to evaluate the clinical efficacy of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:Thirty-seven patients with knee osteoarthritis (40 knees) were enroled and divided into mild (n=10, 10 knees), moderate (n=17, 18 knees), and severe (n=10, 12 knees) groups according to the Japan's knee osteoarthritis indications. Patients were subjected to intra-articular injection of 25 mg sodium hyaluronate, once a week for 5 weeks. The levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in the synovial fluid before and 4 weeks after treatment were detected, and then clinical effects were evaluated based on the clinical scores according to the Japan’s knee osteoarthritis indications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The indication rating results of the mild and moderate groups were decreased significantly 4 weeks after injection (P < 0.05), but there were no significant difference in the severe group before and after treatment. The malondialdehyde level in the synovial fluid was decreased obviously in the three groups at 4 weeks after injection (P < 0.05), while the level of superoxide dismutase was increased remarkably (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that sodium hyaluronate can treat knee osteoarthritis by reducing the malondialdehyde level and increasing superoxide dismutase level in the synovial fluid, but this method is more suitable for treatment of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.

AIM:To investigate the effect of quercetin on the biological functions of rat bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and its potential mechanisms.METHODS:The bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells of Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated by density gradient centrifugation.The differentiated EPCs were cultured specially and stained with DiI-Ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-1.CD133+ and FLK-1+ were detected on the cell surfaces.After 14 d, the EPCs were incubated with a PI3K inhibitor BYL719 (3 μmol/L) and an ERK inhibitor FR180204 (15 μmol/L).After incubation of the inhibitors for 2 h, the cells were treated with quercetin at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 μmol/L).MTT assay and Transwell assay were used to detect cell viability and the number of migratory cells.The protein levels of AKT, eNOS, ERK and their phosphorylated status were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Quercetin enhanced the viability and migration of the EPCs at a dose-dependent manner.However, the PI3K inhibitor BYL719 suppressed the QUE-induced cell viability and migration.Moreover, ERK inhibitor FR180204 exerted the similar inhibitory effect on the cell viability but had no effect on cell migration.Quercetin activated the phosphorylation of AKT, eNOS and ERK.On the other hand, BYL719 was observed to inhibit the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK.FR180204, however, was showed to inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK only.On the contrast, the stimulatory effects that quercetin exerted on the expression of eNOS and its phosphorylation were suppressed by BYL719 and FR180204.CONCLUSION:Quercetin stimulates the viability and migration of EPCs via PI3K/AKT/eNOS and ERK/eNOS signaling pathway, which would be beneficial for cardiovascular health.

AIM: Osteosarcoma OS-732 cell line was used to investigate the effect of antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) on survivin expression and its inducible effect on tumor cells apoptosis. METHODS: ASODN of specific target survivin was designed, synthesized and then transfer to OS-732 cell line with different concentrations and time points. At the same time blank control group, sense oligonucleotide (SOND) group were set up for comparison. Reverse tanscriptionase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of survivin mRNA and protein in each OS-732 cell line group. Acridine orange /ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptosis level and morphologic change. Mononuclear cell direct cytotoxicity assay (MTT) was used to estimate cell growth suppression. Kinase activity assay method was used to estimate the activity of caspase-3 in the cells. RESULTS: Compared with control group and SOND group, in ASODN groups, the expression of survivin mRNA and protein were obviously weaken, apoptosis rate and caspase-3 activity apparently increased, cells growth was inhibited. In each ASODN group, the effect above-mentioned has time- and concentration-dependent manner. There was no obviously difference of each index in each SODN and blank control groups. CONCLUSION: ASODN down-regulated the expression of survivin gene in OS-732 cell line specifically, and activated apoptosis effectively. It plays an important role in inducing tumor apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human infections with avian influenza A (H7N9) in China and to provide scientific evidence for the adjustment of preventive strategy and control measures.

METHODSDemographic and epidemiologic information on human cases were collected from both reported data of field epidemiological investigation and the reporting system for infectious diseases.

RESULTSA total of 433 cases including 163 deaths were reported in mainland China before June 4, 2014. Two obvious epidemic peaks were noticed, in March to April, 2013 and January to February, 2014. Confirmed cases emerged in 14 areas of China. Five provinces, including Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Hunan, reported about 85% of the total cases. Median age of the confirmed cases was 58 years (range, 1-91), with 70% as males. Of the 418 cases with available data, 87% had ever exposed to live poultry or contaminated environments. 14 clusters were identified but human to human transmission could not be ruled out in 9 clusters.

CONCLUSIONHuman infections with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus showed the characteristics of obvious seasonal distribution, with certain regional clusters. The majority of confirmed cases were among the elderly, with more males seen than the females. Data showed that main source of infection was live poultry and the live poultry market had played a significant role in the transmission of the virus.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Aged ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Demography ; Environmental Pollution ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Male ; Meat ; Poultry ; Research Design