Connexin43,the base of electrical and intercellular chemical signal communication in the myocardial cell,can promote the growth and development of the heart.The decreasing of the number of connexin 43 and its' distribution changes may lead to the changing of the conduction velocity and direction,meanwhile,increase the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias.Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation and drug therapy can improve the levels and distribution of connexin43 in ill myocardium,and can reduce the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias.

Objective To analyze the value of two-dimensional ultrasound diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma.Methods The two-dimensional ultrasonographic manifestations of 18 nodules in 13 medullary thyroid carcinoma patients pathologically confirmed were analyzed retrospectively.Results In 18 nodules of medullary thyroid carcinoma,18 nodules were hypoechoic,13 nodules were irregular shaped,14 nodules had unclear boundaries,15 nodules with an aspect ratio less than 1,13 nodules had calcifications and 9 patients had neck lymphatic enlargement.Conclusion Medullary thyroid carcinoma has some two-dimensional ultrasonographic manifestations:hypoechoic nodules,no obvious envelope with coarse calcification and widely distributed,and tiny calcified nodules of hypoechoic,round,non-calcified with an aspect ratio greater than 1 and the diameter less than 10 mm should be wary of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Congresses as Topic ; Laryngeal Diseases ; Otolaryngology ; Pediatrics ; Pharyngeal Diseases

Objective To investigate the effects of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on the expressions of iron metabolism-related genes and their products in K562 cells and the possible relationship. Methods (1) The characteristics of K562 leukemic cell differentiation induced by ATRA was evaluated by Benzidine, Wright's, NSE and NBT staining.(2) The expression levels of cellular surface antigens (CD71 and CD 13) in K562 cells cultured with ATRA were measured by flow cytometry. (3) IRP/IRE binding activity was assessed by RNA/protein band-shift assay.(4) Ferritin was determined by radioimmunoassay.(5) The mRNA expression levels of H-Fn, TfR and IRP2 in K562 cells cultured with different concentrations of ATRA were delineated by RT-PCR method, confirmed by sequencing of RT-PCR products. Results K562 cells could be induced to differentiate into neutrophils by ATRA, confirmed by cytochemical staining. The expression of CD71 decreased while CD13 increased. The mRNA expression levels of TfR and IRP2 were decreased while mRNA expression level of H-Fn was increased in K562 cells cultured with ATRA, compared to that in control cells. Concomitantly,IRP binding activity was significantly decreased but the level of ferritin was significantly increased in K562 cells cultured with ATRA. Conclusions During the course of K562 cells induction and differentiation to myelocytes by ATRA, the expression level of iron metabolism-related genes and products were changed but the upstream-regulation mechanism still remains unclear.

Objective:To study the effect of Bcl-2 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in enhancing methotrexate (MTX)-induced apoptosis of Raji cells. Methods:Expression plasmid containing Bcl-2 shRNA was transfected into Raji cells by lipofectmine 2000 and then the transfected cells were treated with MTX. The expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were evaluated by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence method at 48 h of transfection. MTT assay was used to analyze cell proliferation at 24, 48 and 72 h. Apoptosis was detected by Giemsa staining and flow cytomertric cell cycle analysis. Results:After transfection with Bcl-2 shRNA, the expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in Raji cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Bcl-2 shRNA transfection plus MTX treatment induced marked apoptosis, decreased in cell proliferation activity, and increased in apoptotic rate. The difference was significant compared with MTX group, negative shRNA plus MTX group, Bcl-2 shRNA group, and empty plasmid plus MTX group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Bcl-2 shRNA could enhance MTX-induced apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation in Raji cells.

Objective To determine the expression of human protection of telomeres 1 (hPOT1) and its relationship with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in gastric carcinoma.Methods The expressions of hPOT1 protein and hPOT mRNA were detected in 53 gastric carcinoma specimens (observed group) and 20 normal gastric mucosa tissues (control group) by SP immunohistochemical method and in situ hybridization (ISH), respectively.HP infection was examined by Warthin-Starry method in observed group.Results The positive expression rate of hPOT1 protein was 84.91％ (45/53) in observed group, higher than that in control group [30.00 ％ (6/20)] (P ＜ 0.01).The positive expression rate of hPOT1 mRNA was 58.49 ％ (31/53) in observed group, higher than that in control group [10.00 ％ (2/20)] (P ＜ 0.05).The positive co-expression rate of hPOT1 protein and mRNA was 56.60 ％ (30/53), both had positive relationship in gastric carcinoma (r =0.394, P ＜ 0.05).The rate of HP infection in 53 cases of gastric carcinoma was 52.83 ％ (28/53).The positive expression rates of hPOTI protein and mRNA in observed group with HP infection were significantly higher than those in observed group without HP infection[protein: 96.43 ％ (27/28) vs 72.00 ％ (18/25), P ＜0.05;mRNA: 85.75 ％ (24/28) vs 28.00 ％ (7/25), P ＜ 0.01].Conclusions hPOT1 may be associated with occurrence of gastric carcinoma.Combined detection of hPOT1 protein and mRNA can be used for the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma.HP infection may be associated with abnormal expression of hPOT1 in occurrence of gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND:The gut microbiota in our intestine performs numerous useful functions and has a major impact on the host’s health. Recently some studies have revealed that the gut microbiota cannot only control intestinal activity but also affect bone metabolism by regulating the immune system. OBJECTIVE:To review the new research development in the effects of gut microbiota on bone metabolism. METHODS: We retrieved the PubMed database using “gut microbiota, immune system, bone metabolism, osteoporosis” as keywords. A total of 46 articles were included which were related to gut microbiota, immune system and bone metabolism. For the articles in the same field, those published recently or in authorized journals were selected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Gut microbiota-osteoporosis research wil bridge the gaps between bone physiology, gastroenterology, immunology, and microbiology.In vivo experiments in the germ-free mice and human body have found that the gut microbiota has important effects on bone metabolism, and the intervention of antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotics has further confirmed the effects of gut microbiota on bone mass. The gut microbiota has more obvious effects on bone mass in the adolescent and post-menopause periods.

Lysins are efficient bacteria cell wall digesting enzymes encoded by DNA bacteriophage. Gram-positive bacteriophage lysins feature similar domain structure, high lytic efficiency, synergic antibacterial effect with antibiotics, rare neutralization by antibodies, less chance of developing drug-resistant strains, et al. The past decade has seen a considerable amount of research worldwidely focused on lysin, and lysins have been used successfully in a variety of animal models to control pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria found on mucosal surfaces and infected tissues. The great potential of lysins as an anti-infective agent prompted this review.

Objective To observe the effect of Radix astragali (RA) on myocardial connexin-43 in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods The dilated cardiomyopathy model in rat was established through intraperitoneal injection with adriamycin. The rats in the model group were randomly divided into RA group and the model control group according to different methods of administration. Rats in RA group were gavaged with Astragalus particles and double-distilled water, and rats in model control group and normal control group were gavaged with an equal amount of double-distilled water daily for four weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured with echocardiogram. The Cx43 mRNA level was tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical method was used to observe myocardial Cx43 expression and distribution. Results Compared with the model control group, the Cx43 mRNA and protein expressions and LVEF were increased signiifcantly in RA group (P<0.05). The disorders in distribution of myocardial Cx43 improved in RA group in contrast to the model control group. Conclusions Radix astragali can improve myocardial Cx43 expression and distribution in DCM rats, and can further improve the cardiac function.

To achieve higher level expression of Interferon α2b (IFN-α2b) in methylotrophic yeast (Pichia pastoris), a cDNA fragment coding for the mature IFN-α2b was designed and synthesized based on the synonymous codon bias of P. pastoris and optimized G+C content. The synthetic IFN-α2b was inserted into the secreted expression vector pPICZαA, and then integrated into P. pastoris GS115 genome by electroporation. Multi-copy integrants in the Mut+ recombinant P. pastoris strain were screened by high concentrations of Zeocin. 120 hours culturing allowed expression of the IFN-α2b transformant up to 810 mg/L as detected by SDS-PAGE and quantitative methods. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant proteins had immunogenicity. The significant antiviral activity of the recombinant IFN-α2b protein was verified by WISH/ VSV system, which was 3.3×105 IU/mL.