AIM:To investigate myosin heavy chain(MHC)gene expression and the effects of captopril and betaloc at an early stage of hypertension. METHODS:Model of hypertension was made by partly narrowing two bilateral renal arteries(2K2C). The rats were divided into four groups at random. (1) control group; (2)2K2C group;(3)captopril group;(4)betaloc group.Levels of ?-MHC and ?-MHC mRNA were determined by dot-blot. RESULTS:?-MHC mRNA expression were gradual1y reduced in 2K2C group,while ?-MHC mRNA expression were increased,and the marked changes were observed at 72h postoperation. Captopril could inhibit the changes in MHC gene expression; but betaloc could not. CONCLUSION: The expression of MHC gene has changed at an early stage of renal hypertensive rat,and renin-angiotensin system may play an important role in this change.

Objective To evaluate the expression of cytoplasmic CD_ 79a(CyCD_ 79a)on different acute leukemia(AL)cells and to explore its significance.Methods CyCD_ 79aexpression on the leukemic cells from 221 acute leukemia patients diagnosed from January 2003 to April 2004 was retrospectively analyzed by three-color cytometry with CD_ 45/SSC gating strategy.Results CyCD_ 79awas positive in 100%(57/57)of B cell-acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL)cases,which was higher than that of other B cell-associated antigens(CD_ 10,CD_ 19,CD_ 20and cytoplasmic CD_ 22)in B-ALL.Only 0.7%(1/134)of acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cases and 13.3%(2/15)of T cell-acute leukemia(T-ALL)cases expressed CyCD_ 79a,respectively.Conclusion CyCD_ 79ais sensitive and specific for B-ALL.CyCD_ 79amay be used as a reliable immunophenotyping marker for the diagnosis of B-ALL and be used to distinguish B-ALL from T-ALL and AML.

Objective To discuss clinical,electroencephalogram(EEG) and PRRT2 gene mutation by reporting a febrile seizure (FS) with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) family.Methods Detailed clinical data of the family were collected.The proband (Ⅳ1) and another 4 patients (Ⅲ1,Ⅲ4,Ⅳ2,Ⅳ3)were studied through clinical examinations.Clinical symptoms of Ⅳ2 were not typical,who was diagnosed as a suspected case.Mutation analysis of PRRT2 gene was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA direct sequencing in 5 patients (Ⅳ1,Ⅲ1,Ⅲ4,Ⅳ2,Ⅳ3) and 4 unaffected family members (Ⅱ2,Ⅲ2,Ⅲ5,Ⅳ4).Results PKD patients had brief involuntary movements in the limbs or trunk induced by sudden voluntary movement when patients were in the stationary state since the teenagers.Two cases (Ⅲ,Ⅲ4) were accompanied by FS.Three cases(Ⅳ1,Ⅲ1 and Ⅲ4)had abnormal EEG records.The PRRT2 gene mutation (c.649dupC mutation) was identified in a healthy member (Ⅳ4) and 4 patients (Ⅳ1,Ⅲ1,Ⅲ4,Ⅳ3).Conclusions FS with PKD family has a PRRT2 gene mutation.The diagnosis is mainly based on family history,typical clinical manifestations and genetic test.This kind of disease may have pre-symptomatic patients.

Objective To study the potential and value of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) conjugated by mesothelin antibody as MRI targeting contrast agent for diagnosis of implanted human pancreatic carcinomas in nude mouse.Methods Nude mouse tumor models bearing multiple human pancreatic carcinomas at different time points was established and they were randomized into two groups,and USPIO or MSLN-USPIO were used as contrast enhanced agents in the 3.0T MRI scan,respectively,then the positive detection rates for smallest tumors,and the signal intensity of tumors in T2 mapping images of both unenhanced and contrast enhanced scanning and the negative enhancement rate were measured,then Prussian blue staining was performed in alI the tumor specimens to observe the difference of Fe3 + ion deposition.Results There was no statistical significance between USPIO group and MSLN-USPIO group in the positive detection rates for smallest tumors.In USPIO group,the negative enhancement rate of left or right axilla tumors was (12.29 ±7.45)％ and (11.06 ±5.91)％,and they were (33.88 ±6.09)％ and (43.29 ± 11.64)％ in MSLN-USPIO group.There was statistical significance in the difference of signal intensity between unenhanced and contrast enhanced in left or right axilla tumors (P ＜ 0.05),and the negative enhancement rate in MSLN-USPIO group was significantly higher than that in USPIO group (P ＜0.05).The Fe3+ ion deposition in tumors' tissue in MSLN-USPIO group was significantly more than that in USPIO group.Conclusions The enhanced effect of MSLN-USPIO is superior to USOPIO,and it can be a tumor targeted MR contrast enhanced agent for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma in nude mouse.

Objective To compare the mesothelin expressions in 3 human pancreatic cancer cell lines between in vitro and in vivo and the developing speed among the subcutaneous tumors implanted with the 3 human pancreatic cancer cell lines in nude mice.Methods The human pancreatic cancer cell lines ( SW1990,BxPC3 and PANC1 ) were cultured and then were implanted subcutaneously into left axillas of nude mice.The volumes of these subcutaneous tumors were recorded every week to estimate their developing speed.The mice implanted with SW1990 and BxPC3 cells were observed for three weeks,while the mice implanted with PANC1 cell were observed for five weeks.The Western blot method was used to measure the expressions of mesothelin in the 3 kinds of cells and subcutaneous tumors,while immunohistochemical staining was applied to determine the expressions of mesothelin in 3 kinds of subcutaneous tumors.Results The sequence of quantities of expressions of mesothelin in these cell lines in vitro were BxPC3 ＞ PANC1 ＞ SW1990,and the sequence of quantities of expressions in vivo were SW1990 ＞ BxPC3 ＞ PANC1.One handrued percent of the tumors grew out successfully,and the sequence of speeds of their growth was SW1990 ＞ BxPC3 ＞ PANC1.Conclusions The mesothelin expressions among 3 kinds of pancreatic cancer cell line are different.The developing speeds of tumors originated from different subcutaneous tumors in nude mice are also different,and there is no association between them.

AIM: To study the roles and mechanisms of ERKs and intracellular free calcium in cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response induced by endothelin-1(ET-1). METHODS: (1) Neonatal rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response was assayed by measuring cell surface area and protein content; (2) ERKs activity was determined by Whatman Paper Filter method; (3) Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i) was measured using Fura-2/AM as a fluorescent indicator. RESULTS: (1) ET-1 could increase total protein production, surface area, ERKs activity and [Ca 2+ ]i in cultured cardiomyocyte in dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 10 -9 to 10 -7 mol/L. And this effect could be abolished by BQ123, an antagonist of ET A receptor, partly inhibited by PTX, but not by BQ788, an antagonist of ET B receptor.(2)The activation of ERKs and the increase of [Ca 2+ ]i induced by ET-1 were obviously inhibited by PD98059, a selective ERKs kinase inhibitor, and nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, respectively. Both antagonists partially inhibited ET-1-stimulated cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response. (3) Staurosporine, a selective PKC inhibitor, could inhibit ET-1-stimulated cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response and increase of [Ca 2+ ]i, but not affect the activation of ERKs. CONCLUSION: Cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response induced by ET-1 is mediated by ET A receptor coupled to PTX-sensitive G-protein, which involves at least two signalling pathways: PKC-mediated increase of [Ca 2+ ]i , and PKC-independent activation of ERKs. [

AIM: To investigate the expression of B lymphocyte stimulator(BLyS) and CD38 molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). METHODS: Twenty-two patients with SLE and fourteen healthy subjects entered the study. Isolated peripheral blood lymphocyte were stained for the lymphocyte surface markers BLyS, CD19, and CD38, and then was measured by flow cytometry(FACS). RESULTS: BLyS + lymphocytes, CD19 + lymphocytes, and CD19 +CD38 + lymphocytes were increased significantly in patients with SLE( P

[Objective] To investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptosis effect induced by Honokiol (HNK) on human myeloid leukemia cell line U937 cells in vitro.[Methods] After treated with different concentration of HNK,Hoechst33342 fluorescent staining was used to detect cell apoptosis;the growth inhibition ration of U937 cells and PBMCs were analyzed by MTT assay;the apoptosis ration was detected by flow cytometry;mitochondrial membrane potential was explored by rhodamine 123 stain;Caspase3/7 protein activity kit was used to test the Caspase3/7 activity;the Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 mRNA levels were detected by real-time fluorescent relative-quantification reverse transcriptional PCR (FQ-PCR).[Results] Honokiol could significantly inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in terms of the indexes of IC50/U937 11.8 μg/mL and IC50/PBMCs 40.3 μg/mL,and the anti-proliferative effect was in a time and concentration dependent manner;Flow cytometry analysis manifested that Honokiol could induce U937cells apoptosis by Annexin V/PI double Annexin V/PI fluorescein stain;Honokiol significantly inhibited the mitochondrial membrane potential of U937 cells and enhanced the ability of Caspase3/7 and the mRNA expression levels,but not the PBMCs.[Conclusion] HNK can inhibit U937 cells proliferation and induce cells apoptosis via activating Caspase 3/7.

Objective To study early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover for prodicting the bone mineral density(BMD) response to alendronate therapy in Chinese men with osteoporosis. Methods Seventy-eight men aged 60 to 82 years with osteoporosis [mean age (69.8 ±11.8) years]were treated with alendronate sodium 70 mg/week for 12 months. Serum bone gla-protein (BGP) and serum pyridinoline-eross-linked earboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) level were measured by chemiluminescence (equipment is Roche E170). Serum BGP, ICTP and BSALP levels were measured before and 3 months and 12 months after treatment. BMD in lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (GE PRODIGY Inc. ) at L1-4 and at the left hip(total hip,trochanter,Ward's area and femoral neck)before and 12 months after treatment. Results After 3-months and 12-months treatment, the percent reductions of serum ICTP levels were 45.8% and 51.6%, serum BGP level 32.0% and 37.5%, serum BSALP level 35. 3% and 39.9% ,respectively. After 12-months treatment, the percent increase of lumbar BMD was 11.8%, femoral neck BMD 11.4 %. The percent reductions of serum ICTP level at months 3 and 12 after treatment were positively correlated to the percent increase of lumbar BMD (r=0.28, 0.295,P <0.05 and P<0.01)and of fermoral neck BMD at 12 months after treatment(r=0.262, 0.333, P＜0.05 and P<0.01)respectively. The percent reductions of serum BGP level at months 3 and 12 after treatment were positively correlated to the percent increase of lumbar BMD (r=0. 322, 0.401,all P<0.01) and of fermoral neck BMD at 12 months after treatment (r=0.277,0.284, all P＜0.05)respectively. The percent reductions of serum BSALP level at months 3 and 12 after treatment were positively correlated to the percent increase of lumbar BMD (r=0.133,0.231,all P＜0.05) and of fermoral neck BMD at 12 months after treatment(r=0.248, 0.317, all P＜0.01)respectively.Conclusions Early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover rates can predict BMD response to alendronate in Chinese men with osteoporosis.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of liver metastasis from gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data of 225 patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer who had been admitted to our hospital from January 1996 to December 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Synchronous liver metastasis was observed in 123 patients and metachronous liver metastasis in 102 patients. The risk factors of liver metastasis from gastric cancer were evaluated. Results The gender of patients, location and size of gastric cancer foci, differentiation and invasion depth of gastric cancer, Lanren classification, lymph node metastasis and lymph node metastasis in region Ⅷ, vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, ascites and peritoneal metastasis were the significant factors associated with liver metastasis from gastric cancer (X2 = 43.560-263. 907, P<0.05). All the factors except the size of gastric cancer foci, extrahepatic metastasis and ascites were found to be the significant factors associated with different types of liver metastasis from gastric cancer (X2 = 6.673-26. 555, P < 0.05 ). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the gender of patients, lymph node metastasis and peritoneal metastasis were the factors that determined the types of liver metastasis from gastric cancer. Conclusion The gender of patients, lymph node metastasis and peritoneal metastasis are the important factors to evaluate the occurrence of different types of liver metastasis from gastric cancer.