Objective To investigate the expressions of miR-16,miR-106b,miR-449a,miR-34a and let-7g in peripheral blood plasma of the residents surrounding hot springs with radon in Hebei province.Methods A total of 41 randomly selected residents surrounding hot springs with radon were considered as the radon group,and 46 residents with same living habit but without contact with hot springs were considered as control.The miRNAs in the peripheral blood plasma of these two groups were detected with qRT-PCR.Results The levels of miR-16,miR-106b,miR-449a and let-7g in the radon group were significantly higher than those in control group (Z=-2.278,-3.835,-2.719,-2.721,P＜0.05).Alterations of these miRNAs were associated with radon exposure (t =2.154,3.711,2.319,2.015,P ＜ 0.05) but had no relationship with age,sex,smoking and drinking factors.No significant difference was observed in the plasma levels of miR-34a between the two groups.Conclusions miR-16,miR-106b,miR-449a and let-7g could be applied as potential biomarkers for radon exposure.

To explore the relationship between the drug-seeking behavior, motivation of conditioned place preference (CPP) rats and the frontal association cortex (FrA) electroencephalogram (EEG) sample entropy, we in this paper present our studies on the FrA EEG sample entropy of control group rats and CPP group rats, respectively. We invested different behavior in four situations of the rat activities, i. e. rats were staying in black chamber of videoed boxes, those staying in white chamber of videoed boxes, those shuttling between black-white chambers and those shuttling between white-black chambers. The experimental results showed that, compared with the control group rats, the FrA EEG sample entropy of CPP rats staying in black chamber of video box and shuttling between white-black chambers had no significant difference. However, sample entropy is significantly smaller (P < 0.01) when heroin-induced group rats stayed in white chamber of video box and shuttled between black-white chambers. Consequently, the drug-seeking behavior and motivation of CPP rats correlated closely with the EEG sample entropy changes.
Animals ; Conditioning (Psychology) ; drug effects ; Drug-Seeking Behavior ; Electroencephalography ; Entropy ; Frontal Lobe ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heroin ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the effects of high background radiation on the expressions of miR-16, miR-106b, miR-449a, miR-34a and let-7g in peripheral blood plasma of the residents .Methods Totally 110 healthy female long-term local residents aged over 50 years were randomly selected from the high background radiation area and the control area , while their age, body mass index(BMI) and other indicators were surveyed .The relative expression levels of miRNAs in peripheral blood plasma of these women were quantitatively detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR ( RT-PCR) .Then t-test was used to analyze the cumulative dose , age and BMI between the high background and control group .Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis of miRNA expression levels between two groups , and the multiple regression analysis was used finally .Results Compared with the control group , the cumulative dose of individuals in the high background group was about four times higher (t=42.803, P<0.05), and the levels of miR-16 and miR-106b in plasma of high background group were down-regulated, while the level of miR-449a was up-regulated ( Z =4.180, 2.422, 2.794, P <0.05 ).After controlling of confounding factors such as age and BMI , the expression levels of miR-16 and miR-106b were negatively correlated with the cumulative dose of individuals (P<0.05).On the contrary, no significant correlation was observed between the levels of miR-449a, miR-34a, let-7g and the individual cumulative dose (P>0.05).Conclusions miR-16 and miR-106b may serve as biomarkers for the early stage of low dose radiation health effects .

Objective To optimize several key factors in preparing protein microarray,and establish microarrays to detect autoantibodies.Methods Four factors,including incubation time of the microarray after spotting,the blocking reagent,the length of blocking time,the length of time conjugating with the second-an- tibody,were selected to carry out orthogonal optimization,then we determined the optimal spotting concentra- tion of antigen and the best dilution of serum with the optimized conditions obtained from the above.On the basis of the optimized conditions,we prepared microarray to detect six autoantibodies simultaneously,which were compared with IIF and ELISA.Results The best conditions we determined from the experiment were: incubating the spot microarray for 120 min,PBST containing 1% BSA and 2.5% saccharose as the blocking reagent and blocking for 30 min,reacting with the second-antibody for 30 min,the appropriate spotting con- centrations of six antigens differed from 100?g/ml to 300?g/ml and the best serum dilution was 1:2.Com- pared with IIF for ANA detection,the sensitivity of the microarray was 88.6%,the specificity was 83.3%,and compared with ELISA in detecting the other five autoantibodies,the sensitivity of the microarray was between 80.0% and 88.2%,and the specificity was between 90.2% and 98.6%.Conclusion The optimization condi- tions we obtained are suitable for preparing protein microarray,and the detection sensitivity and specificity of autoantibodies by microarray are consistent with the conventional methods in general.The microarray for de- tecting autoantibodies is applicable in the clinical diagnosis of autoimmune disease.

Objective To observe the effect of APA-BCC(alginate-polylysine-alginate microencapsulated bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells)microcapsules transplantation into the subarachnoid space of cancer pain patients on endogenous opioid peptides and catecholamine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF).Methods The different doses of APA-BCC microcapsules were transplanted into the spinal subarachnoid space of cancer patients with moderate or serious pain.The concentrations of Leu-enkephalin(L-EK),β-endorphin(β-EP),dynorphin A(DynA),noradrenaline(NA)and adrenaline(AD)in CSF were tested.Results L-EK concentration in CSF increased remarkably after transplantation,and the increase was most remarkable when transplantation doses were 1.0×107and 1.25×107;there were no remarkable changes of β-EP,DynA,NA and AD after transplantation.Conclusion The analgetic effects of APA-BCC microcapsules tranplantation may correlate with the increase of L-EK in CSF of cancer pain patients;the dose of 1.0×107 and 1.25×107cells may be the most effective dose.

ObjectiveTo explore the methods of low temperature preservation for alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules.MethodsAPA microcapsules were prepared with static electricity, and underwent hypothermal treatment respectively through methods of program control, gradient by icebox and put in liquid nitrogen directly, finally preserved in liquid nitrogen. The form and permeability of APA microcapsules were checked after rewarming.ResultsThe rates of integrity, crenation and damage were (91.2±1.57)%, (3.1±0.81)% and (5.7± 2.62 )% in the program control group; (85.3±1.42)%, (5.2±0.74)% and (9.5± 3.81 )% in the gradient by icebox group; (14.5±1.57)%, (84.1±3.47)% and (1.4±2.62)% in the directly put in liquid nitrogen group. The membrane permeability of full APA microcapsules after frozen and reworming was not changed obviously.ConclusionThe program control method can preferably preserve APA microcapsules at low temperature and keep them having normal form and permeability.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of C5L2 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods The data of 175 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection at Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from Oct.,2012 to Sep.,2013 were analyzed retrospectively.The correlation between C5L2 and clinicopathologic characteristics were explored.COX regression model was used to determine the influence of clinical parameters on predicting recurrence,and the prognostic value of combined application of C5L2 and AFP were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method.In vitro,the expression of C5L2 were tested in 5 HCC cell lines,and Hep3B and Huh7 were chosen for down-regulation and up-regulation of C5L2,respectively,the abilities of invasion and migration were examined by transwell and the potential mechanism was explored.Results The C5L2 expression was correlated to gender,tumor size and recurrence,and the recurrence rate of low C5L2 expression group was higher.Also,the multivariate analysis showed that C5L2 low expression was an independent risk factor for recurrence.Moreover,the combined application of C5L2 and AFP could estimate prognosis more effectively.Knockdown of C5L2 in Hep3B promoted the invasiveness and motility,and increased the level of β-catenin and MMP2;conversely,overexpression of C5L2 in Huh7 inhibited the invasiveness and motility,and decreased the level of β catenin and MMP2.Conclusions C5L2 could be regarded as an auxiliary indicator for prognosis of HCC,thereby the evaluation of C5L2 could help with making effective and comprehensive management for HCC patients.

Objective To investigate the relationship between peripheral inflammatory cytokines and anxiety symptoms in patients with the first?episode generalized anxiety disorder. Methods 48 patients diagnosed with the first?episode generalized anxiety disorder according to ICD?10 criteria and 48 healthy sub?jects were recruited. Peripheral levels of IL?1, IL?2, IL?4, IL?5, IL?6, IL?8, IL?10, IL?12p70, GM?CSF and IFN?γ of both groups were evaluated by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) ,and CRP was evalua?ted by immunoturbidimetric method. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale( GAD?7) and State?Trait Anxiety Inventory ( STAI ) were used to assess the levels of overall anxiety, state anxiety and trait anxiety. Results The levels of CRP ( ( 1. 19 ± 0. 80 ) mg/L vs ( 0. 68 ± 0. 70 ) mg/L, t=3. 31 ) , IL?1α( ( 70. 34 ± 3.60)pg/ml vs (16.94±3.42)pg/ml, t=74.50),IL?2((7.25±3.42)pg/ml vs (4.95±2.31)pg/ml, t=3.85), IL?4((102.02±73.14)pg/ml vs (75.55±32.78)pg/ml, t=2.29),IL?6((12.55±2.37)pg/ml vs (2.71±1.35) pg/ml, t=14.79),IL?8((44.64±16.21)pg/ml vs (35.69±11.70)pg/ml, t=3.10),IL?12((18.16±24.17) pg/ml vs (10.82±4.72)pg/ml, t=2.06),IFN?γ((23.32±15.52)pg/ml vs (16.48±6.80)pg/ml, t=2.79), GM?CSF((19.07±11.12)pg/ml vs (13.40±8.54)pg/ml, t=2.80) in patients with the first?episode general?ized anxiety disorder were significantly higher than normal controls(P<0.05) . Both SAI and TAI had signifi? cantly positive correlation with the levels of IL?1α, IL?2, IL?6, IL?8, IL?12, IFN?γ and GM?CSF ( r=0.24?0.76, P<0.05) . Conclusion The levels of some peripheral inflammatory cytokines in patients with the first?episode generalized anxiety disorder are significantly increased,and they have positive correlation with gener?al anxiety,state anxiety and trait anxiety,which may suggest some immune system defects in the patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the temporal modification of transcription factor Mef2c by histone acetylases (HATs) P300, PCAF, and SRC1 during cardiogenesis and to provide a basis for investigating the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease.

METHODSThe normal heart tissues from embryonic mice (embryonic days 14.5 and 16.5) and neonatal mice (postnatal days 0.5 and 7) were collected. The binding of P300, PCAF, and SRC1 to Mef2c gene and level of histone H3 acetylation in the promoter region of Mef2c were evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Meanwhile, real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of Mef2c.

RESULTSP300, PCAF, SRC1 were involved in histone acetylation in the promoter region of Mef2c during cardiogenesis in mice, and binding of P300, PCAF, and SRC1 to the promoter of Mef2c varied significantly in different stages of cardiogenesis (P<0.01). The level of histone H3 acetylation and mRNA expression of Mef2c in the promoter region of Mef2c also varied significantly in different stages of cardiac development (P<0.01). The levels of acetylated H3, Mef2c mRNA, and HATs (P300, PCAF, SRC1) changed over time. They were highest on embryonic day 14.5 (P<0.01), decreased gradually with cardiac development, and were maintained at low levels after birth.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA expression of Mef2c varies during cardiogenesis in mice, which indicates that Mef2c plays an important role in the process of cardiac development. Meanwhile, histone acetylation in the promoter region of Mef2c is regulated temporally by HATs P300, PCAF, and SRC1.

Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Heart ; embryology ; Histone Acetyltransferases ; physiology ; MEF2 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis