High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the principal cause of various cancers including cervical cancer, anal cancer, vulvar cancer, and some head and neck cancers. In the viral life cycle, by interacting with both viral and host DNA and proteins, the HPV E2 protein plays a pivotal role in viral transcriptional regulation and DNA replication, and it is also associated with modification of various cellular processes, including host gene transcription, RNA processing, apoptosis, ubiquitination, and intracellular trafficking, to create a convenient environment for a replicative cycle of the virus and contribute to the HPV pathogenesis. Elucidating the roles of E2 protein throughout the viral life cycle will improve our understanding of the viral life cycle and pathogenesis and help us identify novel antiviral agents with therapeutic potential. This article reviews the research progress in the structure, roles, and activity of high-risk HPV E2 protein, particularly that of HPV-16.
Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Papillomavirus Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology

Objective: To observe the effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion on the growth of colon tumors in rats with colitis-associated colon cancer (CACC), and explore the mechanism of moxibustion intervening CACC through the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2X7R)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Methods: A total of 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected. According to the random number table method, 6 rats were selected as the normal group. The remaining 20 rats were injected intraperitoneally with azoxymethane (AOM) combined with oral dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to prepare the CACC model. After the model was successfully established, 2 rats were randomly selected for model identification. The remaining 18 rats which were successfully modeled were randomly divided into a model group, a herb-partitioned moxibustion group and a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group, with 6 rats in each group. Moxibustion intervention was performed in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group at Qihai (CV 6) and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). Moxibustion was performed twice at each point each time, once a day, at a 1-day interval after 6 consecutive interventions, for a total of 30 interventions. After intervention, the colon tumor load, pathological change and histopathological score were observed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of VEGF, P2X7R, phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3), and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) proteins in rat colon tissue. Western blot was used to detect the levels of p-STAT3 and NF-κB p65 proteins in rat colon tissue. Results: Compared with the normal group, the colon tumor load and histopathological score in the model group were significantly increased (both P<0.001), and different grades of dysplasia were observed in colon tissue from the model group, reaching the degree of adenocarcinoma; the expression level of P2X7R protein in colon tissue was significantly decreased (P<0.001), and the expression levels of p-STAT3, NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins were significantly increased (all P<0.001) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the colon tumor load, colon histopathological score and the levels of p-STAT3, NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins in colon tissue were significantly decreased (all P<0.05) in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group while the expression levels of P2X7R protein in colon tissue were significantly increased (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Both herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion can reduce the colon tumor load in CACC rats and delay the progression of colon adenomas. The mechanism may be mediated by the P2X7R/STAT3 pathway to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation, thereby reducing VEGF protein expression.

Qumazi is a commonly used Tibetan medicine. With a long history, it can be found in the Four Medical Tantras written by gYu-thog rNying-ma Yon-tan mGon-po since the 8th century AD. Qumazi grows in mudflats and fields, including species growing in highlands, lowlands, mountains and farmlands. According to records in Crystal Beads Materia Medica, it features green sword-shaped leaves, thin stems with red veins, inserted panicles, white chicken-like flowers and copper needle row-like roots. However, there are many inconsistent morphological descriptions for Qumazi plants in many Chinese versions of Tibetan medicine books. In this article, after studying ancient and modern Tibetan medicine books, consulting experts and conducting surveys, the authors confirmed that Qumazi belongs to Rheum of Polygonaceae, including Rheum nobile Hook. f. et. Thoms, R. globulosum Gage, R. alexandrae Hook. f. et. Thoms, R. pumilum Maxim and R. delavayi Franch. In some regions, Qumazi is substituted by R. spiciforme Royle and R. przewalskyi Losinsk. After the Chinese version of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Drug Illustrations was published in 1972, Qumazi has been miswritten as P. sibiricum Laxm in many Chinese versions of Tibetan medicine books, perhaps because P. sibiricum Laxm has many similar features with Qumazi as described in Crystal Beads Materia Medica and then is mistranslated from Tibetan to Chinese versions. According to records, Qumazi can reduce edema and is mainly applied to treat the minamata disease in clinic.
China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Polygonaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Reference Books, Medical

To determine heat-shock protein (Hsp)90 expression is connected with cellular apoptotic response to heat stress and its mechanism, chicken (Gallus gallus) primary myocardial cells were treated with the Hsp90 promoter, aspirin, and its inhibitor, geldanamycin (GA), before heat stress. Cellular viability, heat-stressed apoptosis and reactive oxygen species level under different treatments were measured, and the expression of key proteins of the signaling pathway related to Hsp90 and their colocalization with Hsp90 were detected. The results showed that aspirin treatment increased the expression of protein kinase B (Akt), the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 and p-IKKα/β and the colocalization of Akt and STAT-3 with Hsp90 during heat stress, which was accompanied by improved viability and low apoptosis. GA significantly inhibited Akt expression and p-IKKα/β level, but not STAT-3 quantity, while the colocalization of Akt and STAT-3 with Hsp90 was weakened, followed by lower cell viability and higher apoptosis. Aspirin after GA treatment partially improved the stress response and apoptosis rate of tested cells caused by the recovery of Akt expression and colocalization, rather than the level of STAT-3 (including its co-localization with Hsp90) and p-IKKα/β. Therefore, Hsp90 expression has a positive effect on cellular capacity to resist heat-stressed injury and apoptosis. Moreover, inhibition of Hsp90 before stress partially attenuated its positive effects.
Apoptosis* ; Aspirin ; Cell Survival ; Chickens* ; Heat Stress Disorders ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Hot Temperature* ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Transducers

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether moxibustion regulates tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), and TNFR2 in the intestinal mucosa and to explore whether moxibustion could be used by means of this mechanism, to repair the intestinal epithelium barrier disruption in Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODSThe CD rat models were established by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBs), randomly divided into a model control (MC) group, an herb-partition moxibustion (HPM) group, a mild-warm moxibustion (MWM) group, and a salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) group, and all were compared with a normal control (NC) group. The HPM and MWM groups were treated by moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Qihai (RN6) for 14 days, and the SASP group obtained the SASP solution orally for the same period of time. The intestinal epithelium morphology and TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 contents were observed by the transmission electron microscopy and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe severity of morphological changes in CD intestinal epithelium was obviously improved, and the levels of TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 in the intestinal mucosa all significantly decreased in the HPM and MWM groups. However, there were no significant differences between the HPM and MWM groups.

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion therapies (HPM and MWM) could reduce intestinal inflammation and restore intestinal epithelium barrier disruption in CD, which might be due to down-regulating TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 in intestinal mucosa and improving intestinal epithelium morphology.

Animals ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; physiology ; Crohn Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiology ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. Method:Subjects were 12 638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening,and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. Result; Ten thouand eight hundred and forty-five of 12 638(85. 8%) were screened including 9 963(91. 9%) normal newborns and 882(8. 1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thouand four hundred and fifty (68. 7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3 395 (31. 3%) people failed. One thouand seven hundred and ninty-three (14. 2%) infants were refused to be screened.Only 2 536 (74. 7%) were re-screened on time, and 859(25. 3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65. 8%)of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6(7.6%)ca-ses were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9(11. 4%)cases were found to be severe hearing loss(7 in both ears and 2 in single ear) , 11(13. 9%)cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32. 9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss(in binaural and monaural) of 0. 5%(52/10845)and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0. 3%(29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0. 2% (22/9 963) in well infants and 3. 4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8(61. 5%)cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7. 7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. Conclusion:It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.

AIMTo observe mRNA expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in spinal cord and brainstem in morphine dependent or withdrawal rats.

METHODSThe mRNA expression level of m1, m2, m3, m4 and m5 were determined by RT-PCR, the beta-actin mRNA expression was used as internal control.

RESULTSThe mRNA level of m1, m2, m3, m4 and m5 in spinal cord and m1 and m2 in brainstem were increased significantly during morphine dependence, and the levels of m1, m2, m3 and m4 in spinal cord and m1 in brainstem were decreased 1 h after the injection of naloxone (4 mg.kg-1, i.p.) in morphine dependent rats. Either scopolamine (0.5 mg.kg-1) or pirenzepine (10 mg.kg-1) was shown to significantly decrease the morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats. The levels of m1, m2, m3 and m5 in spinal cord were increased by pretreatment with pirenzepine and the levels of m2, m3 and m4 in spinal cord were increased by pretreatment with scopolamine.

CONCLUSIONThe adaptive expression of muscarinic receptors at spinal and supraspinal levels play important role in mediating morphine dependence and withdrawal in rats.

Animals ; Brain Stem ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Male ; Morphine ; toxicity ; Morphine Dependence ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; biosynthesis ; classification ; genetics ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe expression of therapeutic gene and its anti-tumor effects will be augmented and a synergism of oncolytic virus with the therapeutic gene is speculated. This study was undertaken to assess the anti-tumor effects of a novel gene-viral therapeutic system CNHK300-mEndostatin (CNHK300-mE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSA novel gene-viral therapeutic system named CNHK300-mE was constructed using the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter to drive the expression of the adenovirus E1A gene and cloning the therapeutic gene mouse endostatin into the adenovirus genome. By the tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50) method and cytoviability assay, the replicative and cytolytic capabilities of CNHK300-mE in two HCC lines (HepGII and Hep3B) and one normal cell line (MRC-5) were analyzed, and the transgene expressions of mouse endostatin in vitro and in vivo were detected by Western blotting and ELISA assay. Tumor growth suppression and anti-angiogenesis effects in vivo were investigated using nude mice xenografts model derived from SMMC-7721 HCC cells.

RESULTSThe 3296-fold replicating capacity of CNHK300-mE in HCC cell lines versus in the normal cell line at 96 hours post infection and the 25-fold effective dose for killing 50% cells (ED50) in the normal cell line versus HCC cell lines, which were both superior to ONYX-015, were observed. Tumor growth suppression of CNHK300-mE superior to either Ad-mE or ONYX-015 was demonstrated (P < 0.01) and the anti-angiogenic effects in vivo superior to Ad-mE were also observed with immunohistochemical staining of von Willebrand factor. In comparison with non-replicative adenovirus Ad-mE, the transgene expression of mE mediated by CNHK300-mE was significantly higher in vitro (P < 0.005) and in vivo (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBeing capable of replicating in and lysing the telomerase-positive HCC cells and mediating effective expression of the therapeutic gene in vitro and in vivo, the novel gene-viral therapeutic system CNHK300-mE is potentially effective in the treatment of HCC.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adenovirus E1A Proteins ; genetics ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-virus effects of andrographolide (AD) on the retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) signaling pathway when immunological cells were infected with H1N1.

METHODSLeukomonocyte was obtained from umbilical cord blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and immunological cells were harvested after cytokines stimulation. Virus infected cell model was established by H1N1 co-cultured with normal human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE). The optimal concentration of AD was defined by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. After the virus infected cell model was established, AD was added into the medium as a treatment intervention. After 24-h co-culture, cell supernatant was collected for interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection while immunological cells for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe optimal concentration of AD for anti-virus effect was 250 μg/mL. IL-4 and IFN-γ in the supernatant and mRNA levels in RLRs pathway increased when cells was infected by virus, RIG-I, IFN-β promoter stimulator-1 (IPS-1), interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-7, IRF-3 and nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) mRNA levels increased significantly (P<0.05). When AD was added into co-culture medium, the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were lower than those in the non-interference groups and the mRNA expression levels decreased, RIG-I, IPS-1, IRF-7, IRF-3 and NF-κB decreased significantly in each group with significant statistic differences (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe RLRs mediated viral recognition provided a potential molecular target for acute viral infections and andrographolide could ameliorate H1N1 virus-induced cell mortality. And the antiviral effects might be related to its inhibition of viral-induced activation of the RLRs signaling pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; DEAD Box Protein 58 ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; virology ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Interferon-beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; immunology ; virology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; virology ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; drug effects ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. METHOD: Subjects were 12,638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening, and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. RESULT: Ten thousand eight hundred and forty-five of 12,638 (85.8%) were screened including 9,963 (91.9%) normal newborns and 882 (8.1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thousand four hundred and fifty (68.7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3,395 (31.3%) people failed. One thousand seven hundred and ninety-three (14.2%) infants were refused to be screened. Only 2,536 (74.7%) were re-screened on time, and 859 (25.3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65.8%) of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6 (7.6%) cases were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9 (11.4%) cases were found to be severe hearing loss (7 in both ears and 2 in single ear), 11 (13.9%) cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32.9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss (in binaural and monaural) of 0.5% (52/10845) and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0.3% (29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0.2% (22/9,963) in well infants and 3.4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8 (61.5%) cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7.7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. CONCLUSION It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.
China ; epidemiology ; Feasibility Studies ; Hearing Loss ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Prevalence ; Rural Population