Genetic mutations are important molecular biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and surveillance.Therefore,the development of methods for mutation detection characterized with straightforward,highly specific and sensitive to low-level mutations within various sequence contexts is extremely needed.Although some of the currently available methods have shown very encouraging results,their discrimination efficiency is still very low.Herein,we demonstrate a fluorescent probe coupled with blocker and property of melting temperature discrimination,which is able to identify the presence of known or unknown single-base variations at abundances down to 0.1％ within 20 min.The discrimination factors between the perfect-match target and single-base mismatched target are determined to be 10.15-38.48.The method is sequence independent,which assures a wide range of application.The new method would be an ideal choice for high-throughput in vitro diagnosis and precise clinical treatment.

Based on the principle of molecular hybridization, fifteen compounds were designed and synthesized through the combination of aminothiazoloxime and phosphonate fragment. The results showed that these compounds had better inhibitory effects on the tested bacteria. In particular, the activities of compounds Ⅲf and Ⅲi against S. aureus, E. coli, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli (FREC) were the most significant, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ⅲf was 1, 8, 4, 16 μg·mL^-1 respectively, and the MIC of Ⅲi was 4, 4, 16, 8 μg·mL^-1 respectively, which were slightly lower than that of the control drug oxacillin, and their anti-E. coli, MRSA and FREC activities were superior to that of the control drug oxacillin. Their activities to S. aureus were close to that of oxacillin, and to E. coli, MRSA and FREC were superior to that of oxacillin, which is worthy of further study.

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of DNA polymerase beta (polbeta) gene silencing by small interfering RNA on biological behavior of human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823.

METHODSThe siRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting polbeta gene were constructed and transfected into BGC-823 cells by liposome. Stable cell lines were screened with G418. The expression levels of polbeta mRNA and protein were detected by real time PCR and Western blot in the cells of each group. The proliferation of each group was detected by flow cytometry and tumorigenicity was determined in nude mice.

RESULTSThe siRNA expression vector targeting polbeta gene was successfully constructed. The expression levels of polbeta mRNA and protein were significantly reduced in the experimental group transfected with siRNA expression vectors targeting polbeta, and the silencing effect of pRNAT-U6.1-sipolbeta2 (suppression degree was 83%) was stronger than that of pRNAT-U6.1-sipolbeta1 (depression degree is 56%). Compared with irrelevant siRNA control group, empty vector control group and untransfected group, the ratio of G0/G1 cells was increased, proportion of S phase cells and cell proliferation were decreased in the experimental group 1 cells transfected with pRNAT-U6.1-sipolbeta1 (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the ratio of G1/G0 was decreased, proportion of S phase cells and cell proliferation was increased in the experimental group 2 cells transfected with pRNAT-U6.1-sipolbeta2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA expression vectors targeting DNA polymerase beta gene can significantly inhibit the expression of polbeta mRNA. Neither high nor extremely low expression of polbeta is beneficial to maintain the cellular physiological functions. The expression of polbeta silenced to a proper level by siRNA may play an important role in inhibiting tumorigenesis.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Polymerase beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Random Allocation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of CEA gene regulation on the anti-tumor activity of oncolytic adenovirus H101 to esophageal carcinoma, and to explore the intrinsic factors influencing H101 sensitivity.

METHODSStable human esophageal cancer cell line EC9706 cells with lower (EC9706-SCEA) and higher CEA expression (EC9706-CEA) were chosen, thawed and cultured, and then to analyse the influence of CEA expressed at different levels on cell growth. The cytotoxic effect of H101 was assayed by in vitro and nude mouse in vivo.

RESULTSThe cell growth experiment showed that the population doubling time of EC9706-SCEA, EC9706-CEA and EC9706 cells were (30.9 ± 2.0) h, (31.1 ± 2.5) h and (29.1 ± 2.6) h, respectively, showing no significant difference among them (P > 0.05). The cytotoxic activity of H101 was higher on EC9706-SCEA than on other four groups, when MOI was ≥ 0.01 PFU (P < 0.05). The mouse experiment showed that H101 inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors in all experimental groups. Its effect on CEA-silenced tumors (inhibition rate was 61.5% to 74.5%) was significantly higher than that on CEA-overexpression tumors (32.3% to 38.5%) and control EC9706 transplanted tumors (35.5% to 44.8%). There was a significant difference between them (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results in vitro and in vivo experiments show that H101 can enhance the cytotoxic effect on EC9706 cells with lower CEA expression. To silence the expression of CEA may provide a novel strategy for target gene therapy of esophageal carcinoma.

Adenoviridae ; physiology ; Animals ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oncolytic Virotherapy ; Oncolytic Viruses ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo construct an expression vector of siRNA targeting human MTA1 gene and observe its gene-silencing effect in esophageal carcinoma cells.

METHODSThe siRNA sequences targeting MTA1 gene were designed and synthesized with two complementary oligonucleotide strands. The oligonucleotide strands were annealed and recombined into pRNAT-U6.2 vector, which was identified by sequencing following transformation and amplification. The siRNA expression vector pRNAT-U6.2-MTA1 was transfected into human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells via liposome. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect expression levels of MTA1 mRNA and protein in the transfected EC9706 cells, respectively.

RESULTSThe double-stranded oligonucleotide fragments of the siRNA targeting MTA1 gene were cloned into pRNAT-U6.2 vector, which was validated by sequence analysis. RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that MTA1 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly decreased in the transfected cells, especially in those transfected with the siRNA targeting the sequence of GACCCTGCTGGCAGATAAA (481-499), which induced almost complete silencing of MTA1 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA expression vector pRNAT-U6.2-MTA1 for silencing MTA1 gene expression in the esophageal carcinoma cells has been successfully constructed, which may facilitate further study for decreasing the invasive and metastatic potentials of malignant tumors by MTA1 gene silencing.

Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Histone Deacetylases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the T13254C polymorphism frequency in GPVI gene among Chinese Han population and its relevance to the arterial thrombotic diseases.

METHODSThe enrolled population in this study consisted of 314 healthy subjects and 274 patients with myocardial or cerebral infarctions. GPVI T13254C genotypes were determined by PCR amplification of a 355 bp fragment encompassing exon 5 of GPVI gene, followed by Msp I digestion of the product. The digested products were analyzed in 15% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

RESULTSThe frequencies of the T allele and C allele in the T13254C polymorphism were 0.9809 and 0.0191, respectively, with a frequency of heterozygous of 0.0319, which were significantly different from those reported in western population (P < 0.01). As compared with controls, no significant difference in T13254C genotype distribution was found in the arterial thrombotic diseases group.

CONCLUSIONThe GPVI T13254C polymorphism appears in a low frequency in Chinese Han population. No relationship is found between T13254C polymorphism and the risk for thrombotic diseases.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Brain Infarction ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Myocardial Infarction ; ethnology ; genetics ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Obstructive nephropathy ultimately leads to end-stage renal failure. Renovascular lesions are involved in various nephropathies, and most renal diseases have an ischemic component that underlies the resulting renal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether morphological changes occur in the renal vasculature in hydronephrosis and the possible mechanisms involved. A model of complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (CUUO) was used. Experimental animals were divided into five groups: a normal control group (N) and groups of animals at 1st week (O1), 2nd week (O2), 4th week (O4) and 8th week (O8) after CUUO. Blood pressure was measured, renal arterial trees and glomeruli were assessed quantitatively, and renovascular three-dimensional reconstruction was performed on all groups. Glomerular ultrastructural changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in the obstructed groups (O1, O2, O4 and O8). Three-dimensional reconstruction showed sparse arterial trees in the O8 group, and a tortuous and sometimes ruptured glomerular basement membrane was found in the O4 and O8 groups. Furthermore, epithelial media thickness and media/lumen ratio were increased, lumen diameters were decreased, and the cross-sectional area of the media was unaltered in the segmental renal artery, interlobar artery and afferent arterioles, respectively. In conclusion, renal arterial trees and glomeruli were dramatically altered following CUUO and the changes may be partially ascribed to vascular remodeling. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of renovascular morphological alterations will enable the development of potential therapeutic approaches for hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVETo construct a lentiviral expression vector of human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and identify its expression in dendritic cells (DCs).

METHODSHuman CEA-encoding sequence was amplified, purified, ligated with lentiviral vector plasmid pLentiGFP and verified by sequencing. The verified recombinant vector plasmid (pLentiGFP-CEA), the packaging plasmid p 8.2 and pVSV-G were transfected into 293T cells by Lipofectamine(TM) 2000 reagent. The supernatant of the cultured 293T cells was collected to infect the DCs. The expression of CEA in the transfected DCs was assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSCEA lentiviral vector was highly expressed in the transfected DCs as observed using fluorescence microscope 48 h after the the transfection. The human CEA gene was successfully amplified by RT-PCR with a length of about 2100 bp. Western blotting also showed CEA expression in the transfected DCs.

CONCLUSIONThe human CEA lentiviral expression vector has been successfully constructed and the functional CEA protein can be expression in the transfected DCs. This facilitates further studies of the function of CEA at the molecular level.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells(Treg cells) on mouse gastric cancer.

METHODSTreg cell in mouse spleen bearing gastric tumor was tested in different time points. Magic cell sorting(MACS) method was used to purify mouse Treg cells and the Treg cells were injected into mouse bearing gastric tumor with different dosage. After 3 weeks, the tumor size and tumor cell apoptosis rate were measured.

RESULTSTreg existed in normal mouse spleen with a rate of (3.86+/-0.07)%. In tumor model this percentage increased gradually and was (4.12+/-0.13)% after 3 weeks, which was significantly higher than that in control. When Treg cell applied in mouse reached 2.0 x 10(5), the tumor size enlarged significantly(P=0.013) and tumor cell apoptosis rate decreased significantly (P=0.012).

CONCLUSIONSTreg cell is associated with gastric cancer progress in mouse tumor model. Treg cell can promote gastric cancer growth and decrease tumor apoptosis. The anti- Treg GITR can improve anti- tumor effects.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spleen ; cytology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the normal subjects with postural sway test and discuss the value of postural sway test in the diagnosis of dizzy patients.

METHODSTotally 112 normal subjects, 72 patients with peripheral vertigo, and 30 patients with central vertigo were examined using a stabilometer (EAB-100, Anima Co., Japan). Items include patterns, length of locus, envelope area, deflection average center displacement, and romberg rate were recorded and compared.

RESULTSThe postural sway was classified into the following five patterns: centripetal, forward and backward, right and left, diffuse, and multicentric. Centripetal pattern was the most prominent figure pattern in the normal subjects, while diffuse pattern was the most prominent figure pattern in the patients with central vertigo. When the normal subjects closed their eyes, age was linearly correlated with the length of locus, envelope area, rectangel area, and unit area path length (P < 0.05). Sex was not correlated to all of these parameters. The length of locus and envelope area in the patient groups were significantly increased when compared with the normal subjects (P < 0.0167). Romberg rate was not significantly different between the patients and the normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONSThe pattern of postural sway is useful for the diagnosis of vertigo. Age is an important factor that affects the balance function. Sex seems has no influence. Visual input plays an important role in maintaining postural balance. Stabilometer is a useful tool for evaluating balance function, and postural sway test may be a valuable assistant examination.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Case-Control Studies ; Dizziness ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postural Balance