Recent studies indicate that the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting proliferation and adhesion of HCC cells,degradation of extracellular matrix and angiogenesis.Therefore,the mechanisms that PPARγsignaling pathway inhibits the invasion and metastasis of HCC may provide help for the clinical treatment,and is expected to improve the survival rate of HCC patient.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic stem cells can be differentiated into endocrine functioning cells under a suitable cultivation condition, suggesting that pancreatic stem cells can be used as a new source of islet in treating diabetes mellitus.OBJECTIVE: To discuss the expression of stem cell in different purities of pancreatic islets.DESING: A controlled observation based on cells.SETTING: Third People's Hospital of Mianyang City.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Center Laboratory (Key Laboratory of Chongqing City), the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2005 to March 2006. Thirty healthy male SD rats, of clean grade, aged 50 days were used in this study. During the experiment, the disposal of animals corresponded to Animal Ethical Standard. Cytokeratin (CK)-19 and β-actin were designed by Shanghai Invitrogen Biological Co., Ltd.Brdu reagent, mouse anti-rat Brdu monoclonal antibody, rabbit anti-mouse (RAM) CK-19 polyclonal antibody and Brdu immunohistochemical kit were from Boster Co., Ltd. (Wuhan); HistostainTM -DS double immunohistochemical staining kit was purchased from Beijing Zhongshan Company.METHODS: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with Brdu for labeling, and subjected to perfusion with Ⅴ-type collagenase via pancreatic ducts, with pancreas being excised, ripped, beaten up, digested and centrifuged to obtain pancreatic islet sediments. After being precipitated, the sediments were divided into 3 groups. Group A: The isolated sediments of islets were not purified; Group B: The sediments were added slowly with 25% Ficoll-400 and Hanks solution for purification; Group C: The sediments were slowly added with 25% Ficoll-400, 11% Ficoll-400 for purification in order.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expressions of Brdu and CK-19-positive cells in the islet samples were detected by immunohistochemical method, and mRNA expression of CK-19 in the different purities of islets was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: ① The purity of islets in the group A was the lowest. The purity of islets obtained by different purification techniques showed significances among the three groups (F =89.42, P ＜ 0.05). ②Positive expressions of Brdu and CK-19 in the group A were significantly higher than those in the group B and group C (F =18.64, 22.12, 38.61. P ＜0.01). ③Expression of CK-19 mRNA in the group A was significantly higher than that in other groups, with group C showing the lowest.CONCLUSION: Expressions of Brdu and CK-19-positive cells exist in different purities of islets, suggesting the existence of more stem cells in the low purify of islets.

Two fragments G1 and G2 of the glycoprotein G gene of bovine respiratory syncytial virus(BRSV) were selected for expression in Escherichia coli based on the analysis of glycoprotein G by DNA Star software.Then the two fragments of glycoprotein G were amplified by PCR with synthesized G gene of BRSV as the template.The amplified fragments G1 and G2 are 570bp and 308bp in length,respectively.The PCR products were cloned into pET30a vector and expressed in soluble form in E.coli after induction of cultured E.coli with IPTG.Both of the recombinant proteins G1 and G2 were purified by immobilized Ni ion affinity chromatography under native conditions.Then the purified proteins were analysed by Western blotting.The results showed that the purified recombinant protein G1 retained good antigenicity and specificity.But the purified recombinant protein G2 didn't possess biological activity.Antibodies against BRSV were detected in suspected bovine serum samples in China by using indirect ELISA and Western blotting with the purified recombinant protein G1.The purified recombinant protein G1 might be used as antigen for establishing serological methods for diagnosis of BRSV infection.And the purified recombinant protein G1 might also be used for preparing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for research on biological functions of glycoprotein G of BRSV.

Ethanol tolerance of self-flocculating yeast SPSC01 was studied in a 3-L bioreactor under fed-batch culture. Yeast floc populations with the average sizes around 100, 200, 300, and 400 microm were obtained by adjusting the mechanical stirring rates of the fermentation system. When subjected to 20% (V/V) ethanol shock for 6 h at 30 degrees C, the remained cell viability was 3.5%, 26.7%, 48.8% and 37.6% for the aforementioned four floc populations, respectively. The highest ethanol yield 85.5% was achieved for the 300 microm flocs, 7.2% higher than that of the 100 microm flocs. The amounts of trehalose and ergosterol (including free ergosterol and total ergosterol) were positively correlated with the average size distributions from 100 to 300 microm. However, in the 400 microm flocs, the content of trehalose and ergosterol decreased, which coincided with its reduced ethanol tolerance compared to that of the 300 microm flocs. Furthermore, when subjected to 15% (V/V) ethanol shock at 30 degrees C, the equilibrium nucleotide concentration and plasma membrane permeability coefficient(P') of the 300 microm flocs accounted for only 43% and 52% respectively of those of the 100 microm and 200 microm populations. The effect of floc size distribution on the ethanol tolerance of the self-flocculating yeast strain SPSC01 was closely related to plasma membrane permeability. An optimal floc size distribution with the highest ethanol tolerance and ethanol production level could be obtained by controlling mechanical stirring speed of the bioreactor, which provides basis for the process optimization of fuel ethanol production using this self-flocculating strain.
Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Drug Tolerance ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Ethanol ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Fermentation ; Flocculation ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; Particle Size ; Trehalose ; biosynthesis ; Yeasts ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism

AIM:To investigate the effect of microRNA(miR)-381-3p on neuronal injury in the hippocampus of depressive rats and the possible regulatory mechanism.METHODS:The rat model of depression was established by sub-cutaneous injection of corticosterone and the model rats received fluoxetine treatment.The body weight,open field test and biochemical indexes were measured for judging the therapeutic effect of fluoxetine.The expression of miR-381-3p,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BNDF),Bcl-2 and Bax in the hippocampus was determined.The cultured neonatal rat hipp-ocampal neurons were pre-transfected with miR-381-3p inhibitor and then incubated with corticosterone.The cell viability, and the expression of miR-381-3p, BNDF, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected.The targeted regulatory role of miR-381-3p in BDNF was verified by luciferase reporter assay.RESULTS:Compared with depression group,fluoxetine increased the body weight,the number of cross-field activities and the content of norepinephrine,inhibited the expression of miR-381-3p and promoted the expression of BNDF in the hippocampus.miR-381-3p silencing reversed the effect of corticosterone,resulting in the increase in the survival rate of hippocampal neurons, upregulation of BDNF and Bcl-2, and downregulation of Bax expression.miR-381-3p targeted the regulation of BNDF expression.CONCLUSION: Silencing miR-381-3p protects rat hippocampal neurons from corticosterone injury,and its mechanism may be related to the upregulation of BNDF expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology and clinical characteristics of pertussis-like syndrome. METHODS: Thenasopharyngeal secretionscollectedfrompatientswithpertussis-likesymptominChildren's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from February 2016 to December 2017 were detected for pertussis DNA using PCR assays and other microbiological assessment. RESULTS: A total of 197 children were enrolled in the study,of whom 119(60.4%)patients were positive for Bordetella pertussis,and 37 cases(37.8%)were positive for other pathogens,including 14 cases(37.8%)of rhinovirus,14 cases(37.8%)of Mycoplasma pneumoniae,4 cases(10.8%)of human bocavirus,3 cases(8.1%)of parainfluenza virus and1 case(2.7%)of respiratory syncytial virus,and 1 case(2.7%)of Haemophilus influenzae. There were no significant differences in mean age,paroxysmal cough,inspiratory whoop,posttussive vomiting,paroxysmal cyanosis,or pulmonary signs between pertussis group and pertussis-like syndrome group(P>0.05). The proportion of male in pertussis group(57.1% vs. 35.3%),white blood cell counts[(18.83±11.54)×10~9/L vs.(12.46±6.01)×10~9/L)],lymphocyte counts[(10.62±8.48)×10~9/L vs.(6.54±5.13)×10~9/L)]were significantly higher than those in pertussis-like syndrome group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rhinovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are the main pathogens of pertussis-like syndrome. Leukocyte and lymphocyte counts can be used as an index to differentiate pertussis from pertussis-like syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo explore the neuropsychological characteristics of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODSNeuropsychological tests, including visual working memory, Stroop test, digits inverse reciting, vocabulary fluency, Wisconsin card sort test (WCST), and Temporal discounting were used to evaluate the capacity of response inhibition, phonological working memory, visual working memory executive function and delayed satisfying capacity of subjects.

RESULTS1. The ADHD children spent longer time [ADHD-I (84(20), ADHD-C: 98 (31), normal: 70 (28)] to accomplish color naming and made more errors [ADHD-I: 3 (3), ADHD-C: 6 (19), normal: 2 (5)] than the normal control when the color was inconsistent with the word meaning in Stroop test (P < 0.01). 2. The scores of digits reciting [ADHD-I: 3 (3), ADHD-C: 3 (4), normal 4 (4)] inverse was lower in ADHD than in normal control (P < 0.01). 3. The representation of ADHD was poorer than normal control in visual working memory [ADHD-I: 21 (3), ADHD-C: 20 (5), Normal: 20 (3)], and in delayed visual memory [ADHD-I: 19 (5), ADHD-C: 19 (5), Normal: 20 (5)] (P < 0.01). 4. The scores of vocabulary fluency [ADHD-I: 1 (1), ADHD-C: 2 (1), normal: 0 (0)] was lower in ADHD than in normal control (P < 0.01). 5. In WCST, the ADHD children made more errors [ADHD-I :15 (17), ADHD-C: 15 (15), normal: 13 (13)] and less classification [ADHD-I: 5 (4), ADHD-C: 5 (4), normal: 5 (3)] than normal control (P < 0.01). 6. In Temporal discounting, the ADHD children showed significantly more impairments than normal control did (P < 0.01). 7. There was significant difference between the two subtype groups on some tests (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSObvious cognitive impairments were found in children with ADHD, involving poor response inhibition, impaired working memory, dysfunction of planning and set-shifting, and there was no significant difference between the two subtype groups.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; classification ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Child ; Cognition Disorders ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Humans ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; immunology ; psychology ; Memory, Short-Term ; physiology ; Neuropsychological Tests

OBJECTIVETo determine weather or not the mtDNA(4568) deletions in guinea-pig contribute to the development of presbycusis.

METHODSForty-four guinea-pigs were divided into 2 groups: group A (young control group, normal hearing, 22 guineas) and group B (aged group). The group B was subdivided into group B(1) (old normal hearing, 6 guineas) and group B(2) (old hearing loss, 16 guineas). First the guineas were tested by auditory brainstem response (ABR), and then the Cortis's tissues, auditory nerve tissues, brain and blood were harvested and the total DNA was extracted. The mtDNA(4568) deletion was analyzed by PCR.

RESULTSHearing loss was occurred with age. The mtDNA(4568) deletion incidence of aged group in all tissues was significant higher than that of young control group (P< 0.05). The incidence of mtDNA deletion in Cortis's and auditory nerve with presbycusis (B(2) group) were significant higher than that of aged normal hearing group (B(1) group) (P< 0.05). The incidence of mtDNA deletion in brain and blood was not significantly different between presbycusis and aged normal hearing group (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONmtDNA(4568) deletion of guinea-pig possibly contributes to aging and mtDNA(4568) deletion in Cortis's and auditory nerve tissues of guinea-pig may be associated with presbycusis. There is no enough evidence to prove that the mtDNA(4568) deletions in brain and blood are related with presbycusis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cochlear Nerve ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Guinea Pigs ; Organ of Corti ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Presbycusis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Sequence Deletion

OBJECTIVETo investigate the viral pathogens of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in hospitalized children from East Guangdong Province of China and the relationship of the pathogens with age and seasons.

METHODSThe nasopharyngeal aspirates samples obtained from 345 hospitalized children with ALRTI were investigated for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), influenza virus types A and B, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3 and adenovirus by PCR.

RESULTSViral pathogens were detected in 178 patients (51.6%). RSV was the most frequent (19.3%). Novel viruses hMPV (3.2%) and HBoV (3.2%) were found. A highest detection rate (61.9%) of virus was found between January to March. The infants aged 1 to 6 months showed a higher detection rate (71.3%) of virus than the other age groups. The detection rate of viral pathogens was 72.6% in children with bronchiolitis, followed by asthmatic bronchitis (70.0%) and bronchial pneumonia (44.6%).

CONCLUSIONSRSV remained the leading viral pathogens in children with ALRTI in East Guangdong of China. Novel viruses HBoV and hMPV were also important pathogens. The detection rate of viral pathogens was associated with seasonal changes and age. Different respiratory infectious diseases had different viral detection rates, with highest detection rate in bronchiolitis cases.

Acute Disease ; Adenoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Orthomyxoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Rhinovirus ; isolation & purification ; Seasons

AIM:To evaluate the effect of α2-macroglobulin(α2M) against X-ray induced obstacle on osteo-genic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMMSCs). METHODS:hBMMSCs were cultured in vitro. The 4th generation of hBMMSCs was irradiated with 8 Gy X-ray,then induced osteogenic differentiation and trea-ted with different concentrations of α2M(0.5 and 1.0 g/L). The alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity and the mRNA ex-pression of runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2) were detected on day 7 after osteogenic induction. The protein ex-pression of osteoglycin (OGN) was evaluated by Western blot on day 14 after osteogenic induction. The formation of calci-um nodules was detected by alizarin red staining on day 21 after osteogenic induction. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the protein expression of MnSOD of irradiated hBMMSCs with 8 Gy X-ray were determined at 24 h after α2M treatment. RESULTS:Compared with 8 Gy X-ray group,the activity of ALP,the mRNA expression of RUNX2,the pro-tein expression of OGN and MnSOD,as well as SOD activity were higher than those in the hBMMSCs treated with α2M at 0.5 and 1.0 g/L after 8 Gy X-ray irradiation,and the calcium nodules were also increased. CONCLUSION:α2M signifi-cantly improves the osteogenic differentiation ability,the SOD activity and MnSOD protein expression of hBMMSCs after ra-diation injury.