Objective To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relation with the prognosis of patient. Methods MMP 1,MMP 2,MMP 9 and TIMP 2 in human HCC tissue and HCC cell line were measured and quantified with immunohistochemistry, Northern blot hybridization and image analysis. Results MMP 1,MMP 2 and MMP 9 were localized in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The 5 years survival rate were markedly higher in the cases of MMP 1 negative, MMP 9 negative, both MMP 1 and MMP 2 negative or both MMP 1 and MMP 9 negative staining than that of the positive cases ( P

Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Liver ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; enzymology ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on the expression and activity regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC).

METHODSThe expression of MMP-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and membrane type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP) in cultured rat HSC under hypoxic or hyperoxic conditions were detected with immunocytochemistry (LSAB method), the contents of MMP-2, TIMP-2 in culture supernatant with ELISA and the activity of MMP-2 in supernatant with zymography.

RESULTS(1) In the situation of hypoxia for 12 h, the expression of MMP-2 increased (hypoxia group positive indexes: 5.7 +/- 2.0; control: 3.2 +/- 1.0; P < 0.01), while TIMP-2 decreased (hypoxia group positive indexes: 2.5 +/- 0.7; control: 3.6 +/- 1.0; P < 0.05) in HSC, and the activity of MMP-2 in supernatant declined obviously (hypoxia group: 7.334 +/- 1.922; control: 17.277 +/- 7.424; P < 0.01). At the different time courses of hypoxia, the change of expression and activity of MMP-2 was most notable at 6 h. (2) In the situation of hyperoxia for 12 h, the protein contents of MMP-2, TIMP-2 in supernatant were both higher than those of the control, especially the TIMP-2 (hyperoxia group A(450): 0.050 +/- 0.014; control: 0.022 +/- 0.010; P < 0.01), and so was the activity of MMP-2 (hyperoxia group total A: 5.252 +/- 0.771; control: 4.304 +/- 1.083; P < 0.05). The expression of MT1-MMP was also increased.

CONCLUSIONSThe HSC is sensitive to the oxygen. Hypoxia accelerates the expression of MMP-2 and the effect is more marked at the early stage. Hyperoxia increases the activity of MMP-2.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; physiology ; Hyperoxia ; enzymology ; Liver ; cytology ; enzymology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; analysis

Objective To investigate the psychological status of organ donation coordinators. Methods The anxiety, depression, sleep quality and personality characteristics of 40 organ donation coordinators were assessed by self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depressive scale (SDS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ), respectively. Results The SAS and SDS scores of the organ donation coordinators were significantly higher than those of the norm group (t=23.372, 9.743; both P<0.05). The component scores of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication and daytime function, and the total score of PSQI of the organ donation coordinators were significantly higher than those in the norm group (t=8.054, 7.274, 6.634, 10.613, 8.376, 19.166, 8.496, 17.372; all P<0.05). In terms of EPQ score, the N dimension score of male organ donation coordinators were considerably higher than that of the norm group (P<0.05). No statistical significance was identified in the N dimension score between the female organ donation coordinators and the norm group (P>0.05). The P,E and L dimension scores of the male and female organ donation coordinators did not significantly differ from those of the norm group (all P>0.05). Conclusions Organ donation coordinators present with varying degree of anxiety, depression and poor sleep quality, which deserves sufficient attention. Positive measures should be taken to mitigate these symptoms.