OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and normal laryngeal mucosa (NLM), and to analysize the relationship between the expression and the clinicopathologic parameters of LSCC. METHOD: Immunohistochemical technique (Envision) was used to detect the expression of DNA-PK in 64 cases of LSCC and 15 cases of NLM. To investigate an investigation was conducted on the relationship between the expression and clinico-pathological features of LSCC. RESULT: DNA-PK was lowly expressed in NLM and highly expressed in LSCC,the positive rate of DNA-PK expression was 26.67% (4/15), 78.13% (50/64), respectively, and there was significant different difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Its expression was correlated with the level of histodifferentiation (P < 0.05), but not with TNM stages and neck lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION DNA-PK may be involved in disease development of LSCC.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; DNA-Activated Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Mucosa ; enzymology ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Larynx ; enzymology ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

AIM: To identify the differences of gene expression between human age-related cataract and clear lenses. METHODS: The RNA were extracted from human age related cataract and clear lens epithelial cells, labeled with cy3/cy5 as probes, then were hybridized to cDNA chip containing 8 064 genes. The differential expressions of the genes were screened. Furthermore, a primary classification of these genes function was given. The expression levels of the identified genes were further evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: 286 genes expression were observed to increase and 438 genes expression were observed to decrease in cataractous lens epithelial cells as compared with normal lens. According to functional analysis, the changed genes in cataract lens are associated with lens structural components, cytoskeleton, cell cycle, apoptosis and stress responses. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that there are differences in gene expression between cataract and clear human lens epithelial cells. The majority of genes changed in cataract exhibited decreased expression. Processes associated with the down-regulated genes may reflect the inability of the lens to maintain its homeostasis and transparency.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level in tear fluid within 12 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

METHODSTwenty-two myopic patients undergoing uneventful LASIK were enrolled in this study. Tear fluid samples were collected from the patients for measurements of MMP-9 level using Western blotting preoperatively, at 7 and 14 days, and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery.

RESULTSMMP-9 concentrations in the tear fluid of post-LASIK patients showed a time-dependent variation pattern. MMP-9 reached its peak level in the tear fluid at 14 days postoperatively, which was 2.70 times the preoperative level; it gradually decreased thereafter but was still 1.38 times the preoperative level at 12 months after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONSMMP-9 concentrations in the tear fluid of post-LASIK patients show a time-dependent variation pattern and remains higher than the preoperative level even at 12 months after the surgery, suggesting that corneal wound healing after LASIK lasts for more than 12 months.

Cornea ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; chemistry ; Myopia ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Tears ; chemistry ; Wound Healing

Objective:To explore the effect of the enriched environment(EE)on pyroptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI).Methods:45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham surgery(Sham)group, a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(CIR)group and an enriched environment(EE)group, with 15 rats in each group.Except for the Sham group, the right middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established in the other two groups.After surgery, the EE group was fed in EE, and the other two groups were fed in standard environment.All the rats were assessed using the modified neurological severity score(mNSS)before modeling and on the 1st day, 7th day and 14th day following surgery.On the 14th day after surgery, 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining was used to evaluate the infarct volume, hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to examine pathomorphological changes of the hippocampal CA1 region on the ischemic side of the rats in each group, immunohistochemical assay was used to detect the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1)proteins in the CA1 region, and ultrastructural changes in neurons in the CA1 region were observed under transmission electron microscopy.Results:Compared with the Sham group, the mNSS scores of the CIR group and the EE group were significantly higher on the 1st day and 7th day after surgery( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the CIR and EE groups( P>0.05). On the 14th day after surgery, compared with the CIR group, the EE group showed a decrease in the mNSS score and the cerebral infarct volume( P<0.05), alleviated pathomorphological changes, decreased expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 proteins( P<0.05), and alleviated pathological changes of pyroptosis in the ultrastructure of neurons. Conclusions:EE can reduce the damage of neurological function, reduce the cerebral infarct volume, and play a protective role for the brain in CIRI rats.The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 proteins related to the classical pyroptosis pathway, leading to the inhibition of pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the mutation type of non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene and investigate the clinical features of a pedigree affected with MYH9 gene-related disease. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of the proband and his family members were collected. Routine blood tests were performed, which included platelet counting and Wright's staining to observe the granulocyte inclusions and giant platelets. PCR was used to amplify exons 2, 17, 27, 31, 39 and 41 of the MYH9 gene, and the mutation site was determined by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: All patients from the pedigree presented a typical triad of thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, and inclusion bodies in leukocytes. In addition, two patients had nephritis and cataract. All affected members carried a heterozygous missense mutation of c.5521G>A (p.glu1841Lys) in exon 39 of the MYH9 gene. The same mutation was not found among healthy members of the pedigree and the controls. CONCLUSION The c.5521G>A (p.Glu1841Lys) mutation in the MYH9 gene probably underlies the MYH9-related disease in this pedigree.
Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Motor Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Thrombocytopenia