·AIM:To investigate the effect of β1-integrin overexpression on the adhesion and migration of rabbit corneal epithelial (RCE) cells.·METHODS:Eukaryotic expression vector encoding β1-integrin-GFP fusion DNA was transfected into RCE cells,and the β1-integrin-GFP fusion gene was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot.The adhesion to Matrigel and the migration of the transfected cells were determined by adhesion and mobility assays.The phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was examined by Western blot.·RESULTS:The overexpression of β1-integrin-GFP fusion gene by RCE cells was successfully established.β1-integrin transfection significantly promoted the adhesion of RCE cells to Matrigel ( P < 0.05 ).β1-integrin overexpression also promoted the migration ability of RCE cells and induced FAK phosphorylation in them (P < 0.05).·CONCLUSION:These data suggest that overexpression of β1-integrin promotes the adhesion and migration of RCE cells and that the FAK pathway may play an important role in this process.

PURPOSE: In the diagnosis of pediatric urinary tract infection(UTI), the use of invasive methods, such as voiding cystourethrography(VCUG), is controversial. A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the necessity for VCUG in assessing pediatric UTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2000 and March 2002, 70 children (60 boys, 10 girls) with symptomatic UTI were evaluated. All patients were evaluated with renal ultrasonography(RUS), 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy(DMSA renal scan) and VCUG. The results of the VCUG were compared with RUS and similar comparisons made between the results of the VCUG and DMSA renal scans. Patients with both normal a RUS and DMSA renal scan were then evaluated for the frequency and grade of vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) on the VCUG. RESULTS: The mean age at the initial evaluation was 7.95 months, ranging from 1 to 52 months. RUS and DMSA scan abnormalities were found in 38(54.3%) and 26(37.1%) children, respectively. Of the 22 patients with VUR confirmed by VCUG, 11(50.0%) had an abnormal RUS, and 12 (54.5%) patients had abnormal DMSA renal scans. Of the 19 patients with both a normal RUS and DMSA scan, 4(21.2%, 6 kidney-ureter unit) were found to have VUR on VCUG. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated that a considerable number of patients may have significant VUR, despite normal renal ultrasonography and DMSA scans. Therefore, VCUG remains important in assessing pediatric UTI.
Child* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Succimer ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Designing of natural product-like compounds using natural products as template structures is an important strategy for the discovery of new drugs. Gambogic acid (GA), which is a Garcinia natural product with a unique caged xanthone scaffold, inhibits potent antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. This review summarized the researches on the identification of the antitumor pharmacophore of GA, and the design, structural optimization and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of natural product-like caged xanthones based on it.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Biological Products ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Garcinia ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Xanthones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis*

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare tumor that affects young females with low malignant potential and good prognosis with more than 90% survival at 5 years. Metastasis is very rare. We report the case of a 74-year-old female who had pancreatic solid-pseudopapillary tumor and synchronous hepatic metastasis.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Prognosis

AIMIn order to find a way to prognosticate the region-selectivity in the O-methylation reaction of erythromycin and its derivatives, conformation search model of Hyperchem Pro 6.0 used in personal computer was used to establish it.

METHODSThe results of O-methylation reaction of compound 1, 2 and 3 showed the difference between 6-OH and 11-OH. Using the conformational search model of hyperchem, 1,000 conformations of compound 4, 5 and 6 were found with the parameter of dihedral angle. The 14-membered lactone ring was defined as a "plane". The position of carbonyl of 1- or 9- and hydroxyl of 6- or 11- is different, either "up-plane" or "down-plane". A statistic analysis of low-energy conformation clusters was used to sort these clusters by the parameter of the dihedral angle. The data is in accord with the results of the experiments.

RESULTSConformation numbers, energy minimum, energy average and position of the active groups of compounds 4, 5 and 6, the simplified structures of compound 1, 2 and 3, were given in Table 1. by sorting the dihedral angle.

CONCLUSIONThe interaction of the hydroxyl and carbonyl were analysed and found that O-methylation reactions of erythromycin and its derivatives were impacted by the space factor. The clusters of energy minimum, maximum number and "outside" were discussed. The selectivity of the O-methylation reaction of erythromycin and its derivatives can be prognosticated by analysing the parameter of the dihedral angle.

During past 50 years,has achieved a great progress and derived some profound lessons worthy of learning and studying for our country.This article introduces the deinstitutionalization processes of mental health institutions,reinstitutionalization and the inspiration for Chinese mental health reform.Introduced the paper are the reform of deinstitutionalization of mental health institutions in USA and some other countries,and the concept of such a reform,pointing out inspirations of such a reform for mental health reform in China.

The goals of hip arthroplasty have been to eliminate pain, decrease deformity, increase morbility and obtain stabiIity. Currently total hip replacement is the best avaliable procedure to accomplish these goals. A prospective study of total hip arthroplasty was begun at the orthopedic dept of Kyung Hee Medical College in 1974. Between May, 1974 and June, 1977. 69 total hip replacements of the Charnley type, the Trapesoidal-28 type and the Muller type were peformed by the authors. Of the 60 Patients involved in this study, 9 had bilateral operations. The Charnley type Prosthetic device was used in 56 cases, the Trapesoidal-28 type in 7 cases and the Muller type in 6 cases. Complications included wire breakage, dislocation, loosening, femur shaft perforation, nonunion of greater-trochanter, acetabular protrusion, transient femoral nerve palsy, femur shaft fracture, infection, socket lateralization, ectopic bone formation and death. In 59 patients of the 60 patients, 53 patients felt that they were definitely improved, 5 patients felt their condition was unchanged and 1 patient felt her condition was worse.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Clinical Study ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations ; Femoral Nerve ; Femur ; Hip Prosthesis ; Hip ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Osteogenesis ; Paralysis ; Prospective Studies

· AIM: To investigate the effect of β1-integrin overexpression on the apoptosis of rabbit corneal epithelial cells and the related mechanism. · METHODS: The plasmid expressing β1-integrin-GFP fusion protein was constructed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and this plasmid (β1 group) or the empty vector (mock group) was transfected into rabbit corneal epithelial cells, respectively. The expression of β1-integrin-GFP fusion gene was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The adhesion of transfected cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins was determined by adhesion assay. The apoptosis of rabbit corneal epithelial cells was assayed by Hoechst 33342 staining and DNA ladder. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase was examined by Western blot. · RESULTS: Rabbit corneal epithelial cells overexpressing β1 -integrin-GFP fusion gene were successfully established. Compared with mock group, β1-integrin transfection significantly promoted the adhesive of rabbit corneal epithelial cells to ECM proteins such as laminin, fibronectin, collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅳ. Β1-integrin overexpression inhibited apoptosis and induced MAP kinase phosphorylation in rabbit corneal epithelial cells (P<0.05).· CONCLUSION: These data suggest that overexpression of β1-integrin confers resistance to apoptosis in rabbit corneal epithelial cells, and MAP kinase pathway may play an important role in this process.

Aim To discuss the influence of endosome/ lysosome transport proteins SNX10 on macrophage, providing new potential targets for the treatment of variety of related immune diseases . Methods The genotype of mice was identified by PCR. The role of SNX10 in phagocytosis of bacterial components and sterilization by macrophages were assessed. The levels of TNF-α、IL-12 / 23 p40 and IL-6 were measured by q-PCR and ELISA assay. Finally, the NF-κB signaling pathway was evaluated by Western blot and immuno-fluorescence staining. Results Ex vivo experiments showed that SNX10 knockout could enhance bactericid-al ability and inhibit the expression and production of TNF-α, IL-12 / 23 p40 and IL-6 of macrophages.These effects might attribute to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Conclusion SNX10 knockout could enhance bactericidal ability and inhibit the inflammatory response of macrophages, and its mechanism may be achieved through the NF-κB signa-ling pathway.