BACKGROUND:Tropomyosin 4 level has been found to be an increase in the spinal cord based on the 2-DE/MALDI-TOF/MS method. However, there is little report about the relationship between tropomyosin 4 and pathogenesis and progress of spinal cord injuries.
METHODS/DESIGN:Randomized control ed trial:rat models of complete spinal cord transection were made and expression levels of tropomyosin 4 at 3-28 days after modeling were determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis, animo acid serie analysis, quantitative PCR and western blot. Experiment for exporing the genetic mechanism:effects of tropomyosin 4 scilencing by lentivirus recomnination technology on the dendrite length of spinal cord neurons in vitro were observed, and its effects on the neurological function of rats after complete spinal cord transaction were assessed through Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scoring.
DISCUSSION:This study wil be powered to provide a novel and effective treatment strategy for neurological function recovery after spinal cord transection based on the lentivirus recomnination carrying tropomyosin 4, as wel as optimistic future for clinical gene treatment of complete spinal cord transaction through figuring out the underlying mechanism.
ETHICAL APPROVAL:This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kunming Medical University, China. The surgical operation and postoperative care of rats were in line with the rules of Chinese Experimental Animal Protection and Ethics Committee, and the guideline of the National Institutes of Health

Objective:To prepare the vaccine of DC derived from human peripheral blood and transfected with HPV16E6 antigen gene, and to detect its morphological character,surface marker and immunological effect.Methods:DC-enriched populations were prepared from human peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) with the combination of rhGM-CSF,rhIL-4 and rhTNF-?. The plasmid containing HPV16E6 gene was transfected into DC with lipofectamine. The morphology of DC was observed dynamically, and the expression of surface markers of DC vaccine could be detected using immuno-cytochemical staining and flow cytometry. MTT assay was applied to detect the activity of CTL in vitro.Results:The transfected DC had typical morphologic and phenotypic characteristics, and expressed E6 protein 47.3%, CD80 82.5%, CD86 79.8% and CD83 85.7%. The killing activities of CTL to Caski cells induced by transfected DC were higher evidently than that of control groups(P

Objective To explore how to control schistosomiasis at the presence of snails in lake marshland. Methods From March 1st to October 31st every year, 2000-2002- the measure of "marshland isolation and farming prohibition" was carried out. Local residents and cattle were examined and treated for schistosomiasis. Results The infections rate of schistosomiasis in surveillance spots decreased from 2.66% (1999) to 1.66% (2002). The infections rate was 0.57% (5/ 871 ) in the township. There were no acute schislosomiasis cases and new patients. The rate of schistosomiasis of cattle decreased from 4. 90% (1999) to 0. 14% . and there was no new calf under two years of age infected. The rale of infected snails decreased from 1. 450% to 0. 005% , and the density of positive snails from 0. 014 8 snail /0. 1 m2 to 0. 000 11 snail/0. 1 m2. Conclusion The measure, mainly including "marshland isolation and farming prohibition", can control schistosomiasis prevalence even at the presence of snails in lake marshland.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the AP-1 signal transduction pathway inhibited by JIP in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. METHODS: AP-1 activity was triggered by Dox-induced LMP1 expression in Tet-on-LMP1-HNE 2 cells (L7). The retention of phospho-JNK in the cytoplasm caused by JIP was examined with immunofluroscence assay. RESULTS: 24 h after transfection of L7 cells with the JIP expression plasmid, the translocation of activated JNK was inhibited, which resulted in the retention of phospho-JNK in the cytoplasm and down-regulation of the AP-1 activity. CONCLUSION: JIP down-regulates the activity of AP-1 through the inhibition of the translocation of JNK.

OBJECTIVETo clarify if Epstein-Barr virus encoded LMP1 induces matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression via NF-kappa B or AP-1 signaling pathway, which gives evidence to the elucidation of the mechanism of LMP1- mediated carcinogenesis.

METHODSTo determine whether LMP1 or its mutants contribute to MMP9 production via NF-kappa B or AP-1 transcription factor, MMP9-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT), NF-kappa B mut 9-CAT, AP-1 mut MMP9-CAT were transfected into human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells stably expressing LMP1 (HNE2-LMP1) or its mutants, [HNE2-LMP1 (1-185), HNE2-LMP1 (1-231), HNE2-LMP1 delta 187-351] by electroporation technic. The difference of MMP9 reporter activity among those cell lines was detected by CAT assay and expression of MMP9 was determined in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells stably expressing LMP1 or its mutants by zymographic analysis. In the meantime, efforts were made to demonstrate if LMP1 regulates NF-kappa B or AP-1 activation using reporter gene analysis.

RESULTSIn contrast with vector-transfected cells, MMP9 CAT activity in HNE2-LMP1, HNE2-LMP1 (1-185), HNE2-LMP1(1-231), HNE2-LMP1 delta 187-351 increased 7.2, 1.3, 3.3, 4.0 times respectively. Zymographic analysis demonstrated that the 92 kDa MMP9 expression was induced in HNE2-LMP1, HNE2-LMP1(1-231) and HNE2-LMP1 delta 187-351 cells, whereas it was negative in HNE2-pSG5 and HNE2-LMP1 (1-185) cells. As compared to the HNE2 cells, NF-kappa B or AP-1 reporter activity in HNE2-LMP1 cells were increased 13.8, 8.4 fold respectively. Moreover, In contrast with MMP9 CAT-transfected cells, MMP9 CAT activity in NF-kappa B mut MMP9-CAT or AP-1 mut MMP9-CAT transfected HNE2-LMP1, HNE2-LMP1 (1-185), HNE2-LMP1(1-231) and HNE2-LMP1 delta 187-351 cells were significantly decreased by 18.1% or 16.3%, 35.0% or 33.3%, 29.1% or 26.1% from the original level. However, there was no difference in NF-kappa B mut MMP9-CAT or AP-1 mut MMP9-CAT transfected HNE2-pSG5, HNE2-LMP1 (1-185) cells.

CONCLUSIONIn nasophargyngeal carcinoma, Epstein-Barr virus-encoded LMP1 induces MMP9 transcription and enzymatic activity via an NF-kappa B or AP-1 signaling pathway, which may contribute to invasiveness and metastasis.

Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; chemistry ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; pharmacology

Objective: To explore the functional connectivity between the visual brain regions and whole brain in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at resting state, and to further analyze the correlation with their clinical manifestations. Methods: The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of 34 boys with ASD enrolled from ASD designated rehabilitation institutions and 29 healthy boys enrolled from several kindergartens in Heilongjiang were collected. Based on the resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fc MRI) analysis, the BA17 of the primary visual brain region and the BA18/19 of the higher visual brain region were taken as the regions of interest (ROI) to calculate the functional connectivity level between the visual brain regions and whole brain, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Multiple developmental scales were used to evaluate the behavior of ASD children, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between functional connection strength and autistic behavior. Results: The ASD group had decreased positive connectivity between BA17 and the right fusiform gyrus (FFG), and was negatively correlated with social interaction of ADI-R and the total scores of CARS (r=-0.41, -0.48, P<0.05); ASD group had decreased positive connectivity between BA17 and the left FFG, there was a negative correlation with social motivation of SRS (r=-0.43, P<0.05); ASD group had decreased positive connectivity between BA17 and the left posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG). Children with ASD had decreased positive connectivity between BA18/19 and left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex (CAL), which was positively correlated with attention conversion of AQ, total scores of CARS (r=0.43, 0.40, P<0.05), and the children with ASD had deceased positive connectivity between BA18/19 and right precuneus (PCUN). Conclusion In resting state, the functional connectivity of primary and higher visual brain regions and whole brain of ASD children is different from that in healthy children, and there is a significant correlation between abnormal level and autistic behaviors.

OBJECTIVETo develop novel polyetheretherketone (PEEK) based nanocomposites which possess the favorable antibacterial property, and to investigate the oral microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on the surfaces of PEEK, nano-fluorohydroxyapatite (n-FHA)-PEEK and nano-hydroxyaptite (n-HA)-PEEK.

METHODSThe bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on the surfaces of n-FHA-PEEK, n-HA-PEEK were investigated via microbial viability assay kit and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), respectively, with pure PEEK as control group.

RESULTSNo significantly statistical difference were found in the bacterial adhesion amounts on the surfaces of n-FHA-PEEK, n-HA-PEEK and PEEK at 1 h and 4 h. However, the number of bacteria on the n-FHA-PEEK surface decreased dramatically at 2 h (0.496 ± 0.008) compared with n-HA-PEEK groups (0.543 ± 0.015, P < 0.01). Although the biofilms formation on surfaces observed by LSCM had similar morphology and thickness at 3, 7, 14 d, that on the n-FHA-PEEK surface showed the highest dead-to-live bacteria ratio among the three materials at 14 d.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of n-HA, especially for the n-FHA could inhibit the bacteria adhesion and accelerate the bacterial death, eventually may have an influence on the structure of biofilms and reduce the risk of peri-implantitis. Therefore, n-FHA-PEEK nanocomposites presented a good prospect for clinical applications as dental implant materials.

Bacterial Adhesion ; physiology ; Bacterial Load ; Biofilms ; Dental Implants ; microbiology ; Hydroxyapatites ; Ketones ; Nanocomposites ; microbiology ; Polyethylene Glycols

OBJECTIVESTo identify whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) can induce tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) expression and promote its anti-apoptosis activity via the NF-kappaB signaling pathway, and assess that LMP1 suppresses apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSA stable transfected cell line HNE2-LMP1 was established by introducing LMP1 cDNA into HNE2 cells. Transactivation of TRAF1 was determined by luciferase reporter assay, while expression of TRAF1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and expression of TRAF1 protein and caspase 3 by Western blot analysis. Apoptosis activity was observed through fluorescence staining.

RESULTSLMP1 induced TRAF1 expression in NPC cells and caused a decrease in apoptosis. This induction could be blocked by antisense LMP1. Moreover, LMP1-mediated induction of a TRAF1 promoter-driven reporter gene was significantly impaired when the kappaB site kappaB1 or kappaB5 was disrupted, whereas mutation of kappaB3 had only a minor effect on LMP1 dependent up-regulation of the reporter gene.

CONCLUSIONLMP1 induces TRAF1 expression and promotes its anti-apoptosis activity via the NF-kappaB signaling pathway, which may be one of the mechanisms that LMP1 uses to suppress apoptosis in NPC cells.

Apoptosis ; physiology ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1 ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the regulation of the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by the EB virus encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line.

METHODSThe levels of EGFR expression and phosphorylation in pTet-on LMP1 HNE2 cell, a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line, in the dynamic expression of LMP1 induced by different concentrations of doxycycline (Dox) were observed. The EGFR dominant negative mutant and LMP1 antisense expression plasmid were transiently transfected into pTet-on LMP1 HNE2 cells by lipofectamine, and the changes in EGFR phosphorylation were observed by immunocoprecitation and Western blot. The changes in EGFR phosphorylation were observed after EGF treatment.

RESULTSIn pTet-on LMP1 HNE2 cells, Dox-induced LMP1 upregulated EGFR expression and phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. After EGFR dominant negative mutant was transfected into pTet-on LMP1 HNE2 cells, the increase of EGFR phosphorylation was inhibited completely. When LMP1 antisense expression plasmid was transfected into pTet-on LMP1 HNE2 cells, the levels of EGFR phosphorylation were also inhibited significantly. Meanwhile, after EGF had been added into pTet-on LMP1 HNE2 cells, increase of EGFR phosphorylation was induced, but it was completely blocked by EGFR dominant negative mutant and the introduction of LMP1 antisense.

CONCLUSIONEB virus encoded LMP1 not only induces the dose-dependent expression of EGFR, but also the dose-dependent phosphorylation of EGFR. The phosporylation of EGFR may play a vital role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Blotting, Western ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; Phosphorylation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the material basis and antitumor mechanism of Marsdenia tenacissima (MT) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by bioinformatics, network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods Active ingredients of MT were collected by literature search and screened by Swiss ADME website, which targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. The chip data of HCC (GSE147888) were downloaded from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes were screened by R software. HCC-related targets were collected from the Genecards and OMIM databases. The Venny online tool was used to obtain the intersection of the herbal medicine targets and the disease targets. Subsequently, drug-target network and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed by Cytoscape software and String platform. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed to analysis the functions and pathways enriched by key genes. The expression of key genes in HCC and its effect on survival were analyzed by the GEPIA database. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) was used to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of key genes in HCC. Finally, molecular docking was carried out to investigate interactions between the top five targets and their related active compounds. Results A total of 50 active components were screened and 12 common targets were identified related to MT and HCC. Scutellarein-4-Methylether, Tenasogenin, Sinapic Acid, Dresgenin and Kaempferol were considered as the critical components. JUN, MMP9 and PTGS2 were recognized as key therapeutic targets. The GO analyses demonstrated that key targets mainly involved in the process of gene silencing and inflammatory response. KEGG analysis suggested that key targets were enriched in TNF signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway. Survival analysis by the GEPIA showed significant differences in the expression of ESR1, MMP1, MMP9, JUN, and PPARG between high and low risk groups. Immunohistochemical results showed that ESR1 and MMP9 were differentially expressed in normal and hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. The molecular docking results verified that the drug active ingredient could be stably bound to the target protein. Conclusion This study reflected the multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics of the MT in the treatment of HCC, which could provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of MT in HCC.