Objective To study the expression changes of placental insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ and Ⅱ (IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅰ) between pregnancies following the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and those conceived spontaneously.Methods The placenta were collected from 49 cases of pregnancies after IVF-ET(case group) and 49 cases of pregnancies who were normal (control group).The expressions of IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ mRNA in placenta were detected by reverse transcription-polymeras chain reaction (RT-PCR).The levels of IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ protein were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results The mRNA levels of the placental IGF-Ⅰ and IGF Ⅱ were 0.30 ±0.13 and 0.28 ±0.04 in the IVF-ET group,and 0.65 ±0.10 and 0.91 ±0.26 in the control group.The protein levels of the placental IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ were 0.26 ±0.04 and 0.29 ± 0.05 in the IVF-ET group,and 0.32 ± 0.07 and 0.34 ± 0.04 in the control group.The mRNA and protein expressions of IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ in human placenta were significantly decreased in IVF-ET group compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05).The incidence rate of low birth weight infant in IVF-ET group was significantly higher than control(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Expressions of placental IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ in the IVF-ET group did not affect fetal growth and development.

BACKGROUND: Insulin like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is an important embryonic mitosis growth promoting factor, whichplays a critical role in the process of maintaining normal cell growth. The gene expression of IGF2 is under epigeneticregulation in the way of genomic imprinting. Imprinting loss of IGF2 is likely to be associated with the abnormaldevelopment of the individual and tumorigenesis.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of imprinting loss of IGF2 gene on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stemcells into islet-like cells.METHODS: Two kinds of mouse embryonic stem cells (SF1-G and SF1-1) were induced to differentiate into islet-likecells in vitro. The expression of Insulin gene was detected by real-time PCR and cell immunofluorescence. Theexpression of IGF2 was detected by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in the cellsbefore and after induced differentiation. The level of insulin released at terminal differentiation stage was tested by insulinrelease assay in vitro.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There was no change in the imprinting state of the two kinds of mouse embryonicstem cells with normal and imprinted IGF-2 gene before and after differentiation. (2) In the induced cells, the expressionlevel of insulin in the SF1-1 group was higher than that in the SF1-G group, although there was no significant differencein the insulin release between the two kinds of cells. (3)The imprinting loss of IGF-2 gene may be related to theup-regulation of insulin mRNA expression in terminal cells during induced differentiation.

AIDS is a serious threat to the human health. Although highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has obviously prohibited the progress of AIDS, a yearly increasing problems of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance have arousing more attention, affecting the clinical efficacy of HAART, and even resulting in treatment failure. We are lack of exchangeable medicines, while the therapeutic course of AIDS treatment is longer. It is not feasible to monitor and detect the drug resistance of medicine takers by taking the exchangeable medicines as the outcome. Better indications have been obtained by combining the experiences for Chinese medicine and pharmacy (CMP) intervention and CMP's intervening HIV drug resistance by clinical trails. Based on retrospective studies on the HIV biological features, reasons for HIV drug resistance, the occurrence, the predisposing population, and the mutation sites, the authors addressed it is a good opportunity for CMP in intervening HIV drug resistance at present situation in China. Meanwhile, the authors also raised too much difficulties and challenges. We hope CMP's intervention can minimize and delay the generation of drug resistance to the utmost, solve key problems in HIV/AIDS prevention and control in China.
Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; HIV ; drug effects ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between DNA degradation and postmortem interval of corrupt corpse. METHODS: By determining the marrow DNA content with histochemical technique and image analysis. RESULTS: The content of marrow DNA decreased gradually with prolongation of postmortem interval, and it evencould be detected till 14 days after death. CONCLUSION There was a linear relationship between the degradation rate of the nuclear DNA and postmortem interval.
Adult ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Cadaver ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism* ; DNA/metabolism* ; Female ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Postmortem Changes ; Regression Analysis ; Staining and Labeling ; Sternum/cytology* ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND:Increasing autologous stem cellmobilization is conceived to achieve effectively repair of cardiac ischemic injury. Therefore, it is important to seek a specific and effective mobilization agent. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cellmobilization in myocardial infarction. METHODS:Left anterior descending artery was ligated to establish a rat model of acute myocardial infarction in 90 outbreeding Sprague-Dawley rats, and then the models were randomly divided into three groups. In HIF-1α-antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) group, HIF-1α-ASODN was infused into the tail vein to restrain the expression of HIF-1αin infarcted ischemic tissue. In HIF-1α-missense oligonucleotide (MSODN) group or control group, an equal volume of HIF-1α-MSODN or saline was injected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 30 hours and 7 days of modeling, the number of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the peripheral blood of the control group were similar to the HIF-1α-MSODN group, but significantly higher than the HIF-1α-ASODN group. After 7 days of modeling, the expressions of HIF-1αprotein, vascular endothelial growth factor protein and mRNA in the ischemic myocardial tissues of the control group were similar to the HIF-1α-MSODN group, but significantly higher than the HIF-1α-ASODN group. After 7, 14 and 28 days of modeling, the capil ary density in the ischemic myocardial tissues of the control group was similar to the HIF-1α-MSODN group, but significantly higher than the HIF-1α-ASODN group. These findings indicate that after acute myocardial infarction, high expression of HIF-1αexhibits a causal relationship with mobilization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, initiating a series of self-healing process of myocardial tissues.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of infections with imipenem- resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) is increasing worldwide, and recent molecular studies indicate that the prevalence of carbapenemases is increasing in various parts of the world. However, few long-term longitudinal studies have assessed the prevalence of IRAB- and IRPA-derived carbapenemases and integrases in a hospital setting in Korea. METHODS: The carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-58, blaIMP-1, blaVIM-2, blaSIM-1, blaSPM-1) and integrase genes (intI1, intI2, intI3) produced by 46 IRAB strains and 51 IRPA strains collected at Chosun University Hospital between 2003 and 2006 were determined by PCR. RESULTS: The IRAB strains produced class 1 integrases more often than did the IRPA strains. However, the incidence increased steadily in both strains, reaching 100% in 2006. Carbapenemases of blaIMP-1 and blaVIM-2 types were found in 57% and 64% of the IRAB strains, respectively, in 2003. However, only one strain with blaVIM-2 was found in 2004 and another one with blaIMP-1 in 2005. The prevalence of carbapenemases was very low in the IRPA strains, just one strain with blaVIM-2 in 2005 and another one with blaoxa-23 in 2006. No other types of carbapenemase genes were detected in both strains. Rep-PCR of IRAB strains in 2003 showed different patterns. CONCLUSION: The incidence of carbapenemase varied by year but was generally low, except in 2003. The prevalence of class 1 integrases was consistently high and increased every year. The reason for the high prevalence of carbapenemases in 2003 is still unknown, but we assumed that it was not from the spread of a clone containing either blaIMP-1 or blaVIM-2 because the strains exhibited different rep-PCR patterns.
Acinetobacter baumannii* ; Acinetobacter* ; Clone Cells ; Imipenem ; Incidence ; Integrases* ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ; Pseudomonas*

BACKGROUNDIt is well known that dehydration can impair bodily functions. To evaluate the impact of hydration status under ambient environmental temperature on the immune system, 25 male collegiate wrestlers were recruited to undergo an experimental dehydration program.

METHODSThirteen subjects had controlled diets with individual energy requirements to prevent body mass loss and restricted water intake to cause 4.52% dehydration; they formed the dehydrated group (DE). These subjects developed a urine specific gravity of about 1.030 in 84 hours. Twelve other subjects had no water restriction and maintained their total body weight comprised the euhydrated group (EU). Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMNC) were isolated after dehydration to perform immune response testing by being incubated with a polysaccharide fraction from fu-ling, Poria cocos (polysaccharide fraction from Poria cocos, PCPS, 1 - 30 £g/L), to prepare a conditioned medium termed conditioned medium of PBMNC stimulated by PCPS (PCPS-MNC-CM). More PCPS (25 µg/L) was needed in the DE group to prepare the PCPS-MNC-CM, which was assayed with a growth inhibitory curve for treated U973 cells.

RESULTSThe treated U937 cells, incubated together with PCPS-MNC-CM from the DE group, exhibited a much lower nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) positive value of (63.7 ± 4.7)%. The concentration of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in PCPS-MNC-CM from subjects after dehydration was much lower than in the CM from the EU group.

CONCLUSIONThe immune response to PCPS in the DE group was lower than in normally hydrated subjects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dehydration ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; U937 Cells ; Universities ; Wolfiporia ; Wrestling ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: We noticed an abrupt increase in the isolation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens collected at Chosun University Hospital. We performed surveillance cultures in order to identify the source of what appeared to be a pseudo-outbreak. METHODS: To investigate a possible nosocomial outbreak of S. maltophilia, we performed culture of 11 environmental specimens obtained from a bronchoscopy room and two bronchoscopes. Pulsedfield gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to examine the genetic relatedness among the strains of S. maltophilia recovered from BAL specimens of 3 patients and 1 environmental sample, as well as 9 unrelated strains of S. maltophilia as a control. RESULTS: During a 7 day-period in March 2006, S. maltophilia was isolated from the BAL specimens of 7 of 13 (54%) patients, compared to only 5 of 188 (2.6%) patients during the 6-month period prior to that period. S. maltophilia was isolated from 1 of the 11 environmental samples, which was obtained from a fiberoptic bronchoscope suction channel. All 7 patient isolates and one environmental isolate exhibited similar antibiotic susceptibility patterns. PFGE analysis of the genomic DNA from epidemic strains demonstrated an identical banding pattern, whereas each of epidemiologically unrelated strains showed a unique electrophoretic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Apparently one of the hospital bronchoscopes became contaminated with S. maltophilia during a bronchoscopic procedure. It is likely that subsequent specimen contamination occurred because the bronchoscope had been inadequately cleaned and disinfected. The pseudo-outbreak was controlled successfully by removing the source of infection.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology ; Bronchoscopes/*microbiology ; *Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; *Equipment Contamination ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology/transmission ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia/*genetics/isolation & purification

Major depressive disorder is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with few treatment options. Non-targeted antidepressants have low efficacy and can induce series of side effects. While a neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), is known to exhibit regulator of affective state, no study to date has assessed the anti-depressive effects of MCH in a stress-induced depression model. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of intranasal administration of MCH on depression-related behavior in stressed rats and mice. Using a number of behavioral tests, we found that MCH treatment significantly decreased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors induced by stress. Notably, the effects of MCH were equivalent to those of fluoxetine. MCH treatment also restored the activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and normalized the levels of synaptic proteins, including postsynaptic density 95, glutamate receptor 1, and synapsin 1, which were all downregulated by stress. Interestingly, the protective effects of MCH were blocked by the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin. These results suggest that MCH exhibits antidepressant properties by modulating the mTOR pathway. Altogether, this study provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the antidepressant-like effects of MCH, thereby paving the way for the future clinical application of MCH.

Objective: To explore the possible neuroprotective activities of Humulus japonicus extract against Parkinson's disease (PD) in a cellular model. Methods: PD was modeled in PC12 cells using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The cell activity, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects, and other related indicators and related signaling pathways were evaluated to elucidate the neuroprotective effects of Humulus japonicus extract. Results: Humulus japonicus extract exhibited anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects in 6-OHDA-stimulated PC12 cells. It also reduced oxidative stress-induced ROS accumulation; upregulated antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione, catalase, heme oxidase-1, and 8-oxguanine glycosylase 1; promoted cell survival by decreasing BAX and increasing Bcl-2 and sirtuin 1 expression via the MAPK and/or Nrf2 signaling pathways. Conclusions: Humulus japonicus extract has antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects and could be developed as a promising candidate for preventing and treating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.