Objective To establish matched-pairs of DNA samples with copy-number controlled differential target genes, and to compare the detection sensitivity of typical Representational Difference Analysis (RDA) method and Subtractive Hybridization Difference Display (SHDD) method in isolating differential genes.Methods Two gene fragments (376 bp and 869 bp in length respectively) cloned by PCR using Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA as template were used as differential target genes, and mixed with human genome DNA. Five matched, pairs of human genome DNA samples with gradually increased difference in copy numbers of target genes were established and RDA and SHDD methods were performed to clone differential target genes and compared their detection sensitivity. Results By using RDA method, 376 bp fragment with 6-fold difference and 869 bp fragment with 8-fold difference were cloned.However, both of these two target fragments with 4-fold difference were isolated using SHDD method.Conclusion The SHDD method adopts balanced bi-directional subtractive hybridization between two sample difference products and avoids loss of differential target genes caused by unbalanced subtractive hybridization of RDA method, and thus outweighs RDA method in isolating target genes, especially long-length target fragments, with small difference.

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) are group of cells exhibiting self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation potentials. These cells have an important role in the occurrence, development, metastasis, and recurrence of breast cancer. In normal circumstances, the ability of mammary stem cells to differentiate and undergo self-renewal is governed by related signaling pathways. After this mechanism is destroyed, breast stem cells undergo abnormal differentiation, forming breast cancer stem cells that unlimitedly proliferate to develop into breast cancer. As research on BCSC increasingly deepens, regulation of BCSC by notch signaling and its crosstalk with several signaling pathways have drawn a great deal of attention in this field. This paper reports the signaling pathways of breast cancer stem cells and latest studies on this field to better understand the essential role of notch signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of breast cancer and corresponding clinical targeted therapy.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) is a family of multifunctional nuclear RNA-binding proteins that regulate the alternative splicing of pre-mRNA and the transport, translation, and stability of mRNA. The most abundant and best charac-terized proteins of this group are hnRNP A1 and hnRNP A2, which share a high degree of sequence homology and functional similarity. HnRNP A1 and hnRNP A2 are upregulated in multiple human tumors and modulate the alternative splicing and mRNA stability of vari-ous tumor-related genes critical to tumor cell growth, apoptosis, inflammatory and immune reactions, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Therefore, hnRNP A1 and hnRNP A2 have potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic values.

Objective To study the expressions and correlation of nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-B) p65 and trefoil factor family-3(TFF3) in gastric cancer,in order to evaluate the roles of NF-Bp65 and TFF3 in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer,and their correlation with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.Methods The expressions of NF-Bp65 and TFF3 were detected by immunohistochemistey in 30 normal gastric mucosa specimens ,32 dysplasia specimens and 70 gastric cancer specimens .At the same time,the infection of Hp was detected .Results In normal gastric mucosa ,dysplasia and gastric cancer ,the expression of NF-Bp65 had a increasing tendency ( compared with the normal gastric mucosa group ,χ2 =18.632,44.291,all P<0.01).The expression of NF-Bp65 in gastric cancer group was higher than that in dysplasia group (χ2 =5.205,P<0.05).The expression of TFF3 in three groups also had a increasing tendency (compared with the normal gastric mucosa group ,χ2 =16.944,22.917,all P <0.01).The expression of TFF3 in gastric cancer group was higher than dysplasia group ,but there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ2 =0.162,P>0.05).In dysplasia group,the expressions of TFF3 and NF-κBp65 in Hp positive patients were significantly higher than those in Hp negative patients (P<0.01 or P<0.05).There was significantly positive correlation between expression of NF-Bp65 and TFF3 in gastric cancer group ( r=0.350,P=0.003).Conclusion High expressions of NF-Bp65 and TFF3 may be involved in an early event of gastric cancer . NF-Bp65 expression is positively correlated with the abnormal expression of TFF 3,both of which may be involved in the development and progression of gastric cancer .

Burns ; therapy ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Shock ; therapy

Objective To compare several histopathological staining methods in demonstrating Cryptococcus neoforman.Methods Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) method,periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) method,Alcian blue method and Grocott-Gomori's methenamine silver method were carried out in the lung and brain tissue samples from 7 autoptical cases identified with Cryptococcus neoforman infection.Results All these methods demonstrated Cryptococcus neoforman infection,HE method showed unclear pink cell body which were difficult to be found.Alcian blue method displayed blue picture,and PAS method showed violet-red body,and Grocott-Gomori's methenamine silver method presented clear dark black picture which was easy to be distinguished from other components.Conclusion Grocott-Gomori's methenamine silver method is the best method in staining Cryptococcus neoforman.

Objective To detect the distributions and expressions of Toll-like receptor-2(TLR-2)and TLR-4 in different kinds of periodontitis and different extent of the inflammation of gingival tissues and to discuss the roles of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in the progress of periodontal inflammation.Methods Gingival biopsies were divided into 5 groups:control group(n=10),chronic periodontitis group(n=10),chronic periodontitis clinically healthy group(n=10),aggressive periodontitis group(n=10),and aggressive periodontitis clinically healthy group(n=10).The distributions and expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressed in all layers of gingival connective tissues.TLR-4 was also observed in gingival epithelium.Compared to control group,expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 were significantly higher than those in the other 4 groups(P

Objective: To investigate the effect of Levocarnitine on lipid metabolism and nutritional status of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and possible mechanism. Methods: A total of 40 MHD patients [mean age (53.5 ± 7.1) years] who underwent normal hemodialysis more than 6 months were randomly classified into two groups, Levocarnitine supplemented group (LS-G) (n = 20; Levocarnitine supplementation after each normal hemodialysis session, at a dose of 1.0 g/day by intravenous administration) and control group (C-G) (n = 20; normal hemodialysis). Before treatment, one month and three months after treatment we respectively measured or observed the following items, the tolerance to hemodialysis, carnitine level in plasma, C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α, percentage of neutrophil, and some relevant nutritional parameters, such as lipid profile, transferrin, total protein, albumin and prealbumin levels. Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups. Results: In LS-G three months after treatment, the levels of carnitine, hemoglobin, and prealbumin in plasma were significantly increased (P<0.05), but C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in contrast to those in C-G and before treatment. Transferrin, total protein, and albumin were elevated in LS-G, with no statistical significance. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement of lipid metabolism and nutritional status for the long-term maintenance hemodialysis patients with Levocarnitine supplementation. And this improvement is related to the decrease of inflammatory factors.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Levocarnitine on lipid metabolism and nutritional status of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and possible mechanism. Methods: A total of 40 MHD patients [mean age (53.5 ± 7.1) years] who underwent normal hemodialysis more than 6 months were randomly classified into two groups, Levocarnitine supplemented group (LS-G) (n = 20; Levocarnitine supplementation after each normal hemodialysis session, at a dose of 1.0 g/day by intravenous administration) and control group (C-G) (n = 20; normal hemodialysis). Before treatment, one month and three months after treatment we respectively measured or observed the following items, the tolerance to hemodialysis, carnitine level in plasma, C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α, percentage of neutrophil, and some relevant nutritional parameters, such as lipid profile, transferrin, total protein, albumin and prealbumin levels. Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups. Results: In LS-G three months after treatment, the levels of carnitine, hemoglobin, and prealbumin in plasma were significantly increased (P<0.05), but C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in contrast to those in C-G and before treatment. Transferrin, total protein, and albumin were elevated in LS-G, with no statistical significance. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement of lipid metabolism and nutritional status for the long-term maintenance hemodialysis patients with Levocarnitine supplementation. And this improvement is related to the decrease of inflammatory factors.

Blood-Brain Barrier ; radiation effects ; Capillary Permeability ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Humans