Objective To examine the expression of protein kinase C (PKC), connexin43(Cx43) and non-phosphorylated Cx43 in ovarian cancer, and discuss the role of phosphorylated of Cx43 in chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Methods We examined the expression of Cx43, non-phosphorylated Cx43 and PKC in ovarian cancer tissue by immunohistochemistry, and compared their expression in chemosensitivity group and ehemoresistance group. Cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP cells were treated by staurosporine (a kind of PKC inhibitors). Then expression of Cx43, non-phosphorylated Cx43 and PKC were tested. Meanwhile, we tested chemosensitivity of SKOV3/DDP cells by ATP bioluminescence tumor chemosensifivity assay (ATP-TCA). Results (1) Immunohistochemically,the rates of positive expression of Cx43 and non-phospharylated Cx43 were 54%, 14% respectively in the chemoresistance group, which were 83%, 59% in the chemosensitivity group respectively (P<0.05). The rate of positive expression of PKC in 28 chemoresistance ovarian cancer cases (64%) was higher than that in 29 chemosensitivity cases (31% ,P<0.05). Both of them were significantly lower in ehemoresistanee group than in chemosensitivity group (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of PKC was negatively correlated with the expression of Cx43 and non-phosphorylated Cx43. The correlation coefficients were -0. 626 and -0. 714, respectively (P<0.05). (2) Immunohistochemically, PKC was down regulated, and Cx43 and non-phosphorylated Cx43 were up regulated in SKOV3/DDP cells after staurosporine treatment. The longer the staurosporine worked, the more expression of Cx43 was. (3) By ATP-TCA, SKOV3/DDP cells were resistant to paclitaxel and cisplatin. The tumor growth inhibition was higher in the group of paclitaxel or cisplatin combined staurosporine than in the group of paclitaxel or cisplatin alone. The sensitivity was intermediate in the group combined with low concentration staurosporine (1×10-8 moL/L), and the sensitivity was high in the group combined with high concentration staurosporine (1×10-7 mol/L). Conclusions Phosphorylation of Cx43 caused by PKC leads to decrease in the expression of Cx43. This effect makes ovarian cancer cells less chemosensitive. Phosphorylation of Cx43 caused by PKC can be inhibited by staurosporine.

Objective:To study the functional differences between the two progestrone receptor isoforms(PR-A and PR-B) in human endometrial cancer,using antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(AS-ODN) to downregulate isoform B of progestrone receptor in endometrial carcinoma cell lines, After transfection of the oligodeoxynucleotide, several kinds of hormones were added in the cells to observe the different response,whereh to study the functional differences between the two isoforms. Methods: The well-differentiated endometrial cancer cell line Ishikawa and moderate-differentiated endometrial cancer cell line Hec-1B were cultrued in vitro. The cells were transfected with antisense, sense, and scramble-ODN. After 48 hours, the expressions of two progesterone receptor isoforms were detected by Western blot using specific antibody. Then the cells were planted in 96-well plates, transfected with antisense, sense, scramble-ODN and added in several hormones to search for the response in distinct hormones and oligodeoxynucleotides. Results: After transfecting antisense-ODN, two cell lines were down-regulated in progesterone receptor isoform B,but progesterone receptor isoform A was not down-regulated,and the progesterone receptor isoform B of cells transfected with sense and scramble-ODN was not changed. When stimulated by 17?-estradiol(E2)for 72 hours,the growth of Ishikawa cells was significantly higher than that of the control, Hec-1B cells only grew higher than control,but it was to significant in statistics.R5020 inhibited Ishikawa cells significantly after stimulating for 72 hours.There was the same effect in Hec-1B cells after stimulating for 96 hours.On the bases of E2 and R5020, we added mifepristone(RU486) .The cells developed after 96 hours in Ishikawa cells and developed after 48 hours in Hec-1B cells. When PR-B was down-regulated,the stimulating effect of E2 was enhanced, but the inhibitory effect of R5020 was de-creased, RU486 antagonized R5020 weaklier than the control. Conclusion: AS-ODN directed against the human PR-B can inhibit the expression of PR-B effectively,through which the PR-A expresses predominantly. E2 can cause endometrial carcinoma cell growth, PR-B is associated with the stimulating effect of E2 in endometrial carcinoma cells. Progestin (R5020) inhibits the hyperplasia induced by E2,PR-B is involved in the inhibitory effect of R5020. RU486 antagonizes the effect of R5020,inhibiting cell growth, PR-B is involved in the antagonizing effect of RU486.

Objective: To study the effects of estrogen, progestogen and mifepristone on endometrial carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Methods: The well-differentiated endometrial cancer cell line Ishikawa and moderate-differentiated endometrial cancer cell line Hec-1B were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into four groups:control, estrogen , estrogen and progestogen , estrogen and progestogen and mifepristone, then we implanted cells in 96-well plates to search the response in distinct hormones. Results: When stimulated by estrogen for 72 hours, the growth of Ishikawa cells was significantly higher than the control, Hec-1B cells only grew higher than the control, but it was no significance in statistics. Progestogen inhibited Ishikawa cells significantly after being stimulating for 72 hours, there was the same effect on Hec-1B cells after being stimulating for 96 hours. On the base of estrogen and progestogen, we added mifepristone,cells developed after 96 hours in Ishikawa cells and cells developed after 48 hours in Hec-1B cells. Conclusion: Estrogen can cause endometrial carcinoma cell growth; progestogen inhibits the hyperplasia induced by estrogen; mifepristone antagonizes the effect of progestogen on cell growth.

Objective To identify a myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)in Oncomelania hupensis,and characterize the role of MyD88 against Schistosoma japonicum infection. Methods The complete cDNA of MyD88 in O. hupensis was ob-tained by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends(RACE),and homologues sequences and conserved domains were aligned and the structure of MyD88 was predicted either. A phylogenetic tree of MyD88 was further constructed with other species. In ad-dition,the mRNA expression level of O. hupensis MyD88 before and after S. japonicum infection was investigated by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). Results The cDNA of O. hupensis MyD88 consisted of 1406 bp open reading frame(ORF),en-coding 468 amino acid residues,which contained death domain and Toll/interlrukin-1 receptor(TIR)domain,the typical fea-tures of MyD88 family proteins. The predicted amino acid sequence of O. hupensis MyD88 shared 38%-52%identity with other mollusc. O. hupensis MyD88 was phylogenetically closeted to Biomphalaria glabrata MyD88. The O. hupensis MyD88 existed in all selected tissues and expressed highly in hemocyte,up-regulated after S. japonicum infection in all selected tissues except cephalopodium,especially higher in whole snail and hemocyte. Conclusion MyD88-dependent signaling pathway is present in O. hupensis and plays an important role in innate immune response against S. japonicum infection.

Objective To explore an efficient way to modulate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) ? and ?, and to build up a model of endometrial cancer cell expressing predominantly one isoform of ER and to verify the roles of ER ? and ? in the tumorigenesis of endometrial cancer associated with estrogen and tamoxifen (TAM). Methods A series of oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) against ? or ? regions of ER ? or ? were synthesized and tested in human endometrial cancer cell lines (Ishikawa) that express functional ER ? and ?. The expressions of two ER isoforms were detected by western blot using specific antibodies. Then we studied the change of Ishikawa proliferation in response to 17?-estradiol and TAM under the influence of antisense ODN. Results (1) Transfection with antisense ODN directed against the ER? and ER? could significantly inhibit target protein production. (2) 17?-estradiol could increase the proliferation of Ishikawa cells, but they lost the ability to proliferate in response to 17?-estradiol after transfected with ER? antisense ODN especially at hours 24, 48 and 72 ( P

Objective To investigate the expressions of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) subtypes in human endometrial carcinoma tissues. Methods Thirty samples of normal endometrial tissue and 66 endometrial carcinomas were investigated using western blot assays and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results (1)Both ER? and ER? mRNA were significantly increased in endometrial carcinoma compared with that in normal endometrium tissues. The relative value of ER? and ER? mRNA in endometrial carcinoma was 8.00?7.77, 3.84?2.57 and that in normal endometrium tissues was 4.15?3.55, 0.41?0.29, respectively. (2) Decreased levels of PR, PRA, PRB protein and PR mRNA were associated with endometrium carcinogenesis (P

Objective: To investigate the expression of PDCD5 in tissues of normal cervix, CIN Ⅰ-Ⅲ,cervical cancer and explore the relationship between PDCD5 and cervical cancer.Methods: After we defined the most fitful condition, tissues from 18 cases of normal cervix, 19 of CIN Ⅰ, 18 of CIN Ⅱ, 20 of CIN Ⅲ and 18 of cervical cancer were defined by indirect immunohistochemical technique. Positive expression rates and intensity of PDCD5 protein were investigated by observing under microscope and analyzing with computer imaging technique. The results were analyzed with one way anova. Results: The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the percentage of strong positive cells in normal cervical tissue and CIN Ⅰ were significant higher than those of CIN Ⅱ, CIN Ⅲ and cervical cancer. On the whole of the condition of immunohistochemical staining, the expressions of PDCD5 were downregulated along the progression of cervical atypical epithelia, but that in CIN Ⅰ was upregulated.The ODs of normal cervix,CIN Ⅰ-Ⅲ,cervical cancer were 0.322,0.366,0.287,0.252,and 0.206 respectively.The intensity of each group showed obvious differences.Conclusion: We found that the expression of PDCD5 was upregulated in CIN Ⅰ and downregulated in CIN Ⅱ, CIN Ⅲ and cervical cancer. It suggests that PDCD5 is an important apoptosis regulating factor in the occurrence of cervical cancer.

0.05). The incidence of restenosis and major adverse cardiovascular events were significantly less in the hyperbaric oxygen group than that in the control group (6.67% vs 22.58% for restenosis, and 8.82% vs 38.24% for major adverse cardiovascular events; P0.05). No severe adverse effect was found during hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the hyperbaric oxygen group. Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective and safe in preventing restenosis after intracoronary stenting.

Objective To understand the immigrants' recognition of schistosomiasis and their relevant behaviors in the South-North Water-Diversion Middle-line Project areas in Hubei Province.Methods The investigation objects were selected by the method of stratified sampling among immigrants in the project areas and were surveyed through oral interview and questionnaire.Results A total of 1 010 immigrants were investigated and 1 005 questionnaires were indentified as effective ones.The awareness rates of schistosomiasis and the correct rates of related behaviors among the immigrants were still not satisfying.Conclusions The immigrants' recognition of schistosomiasis and their relevant behaviors in South-North Water-Diversion Middle-line Project areas in Hubei Province still need to be improved through health education and other measures.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment in the treatment of eczema.Methods A multi-center,randomized,double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted.A total of 246 patients with eczema were randomly assigned with a ratio of 2∶1 to the treatment group and control group to topically apply Qingpeng ointment and placebo respectively twice daily for 3 weeks.Total symptom scores were calculated for the patients at the baseline,on week 1,2 and 3 during the treatment according to the individual scores for pruritus,lesions including erythema,papules,papulovesicles or vesicles,desquamation,crusting,infiltration and lichenification.The occurrence of adverse events was recorded.Results Totally,228 patients completed the trial,including 154 patients in the treatment group and 74 patients in the control group.After 3 weeks of treatment,a statistical difference was observed in the response rate (85.71％ vs.41.89％,Z=47.16,P＜ 0.01) and cure rate (31.82％ vs.12.16％,Z=12.30,P＜ 0.01) between the treatment and control group.There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (2.48％ vs.2.56％,x2 =0,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Qingpeng ointment displays a promising efficacy for the treatment of mild to moderate eczema with a rapid onset and high safety.