AIM:To investigate whether cigarette smoke(CS)promotes the expression of endoplasmic reticu-lum-associated apoptosis protein CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP)in rat lung tissues. METHODS:Adult male Wistar rats(n=40)were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group: control group,CS-2 group(exposed to CS for 2 months),CS-4 group(exposed to CS for 4 months)and ex-smoking(Ex-S)group (exposed to CS for 4 months and then quit smoking for 1 month).The percentage of forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second to forced vital capacity(FEV0.3/FVC)and peak expiratory flow(PEF)were measured.TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptotic cells.In situ hybridization and RT-PCR were used to determine the mRNA expression of CHOP.The methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to determine the protein expression of CHOP.Western blot was also used to determine the protein levels of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,eukaryotic initiation factor(eIF)2αand p-eIF2α.RESULTS:The pulmonary function greatly decreased in the rats exposed to CS for 2 months in comparison with control group(P<0.05),markedly decreased in the rats exposed to CS for 4 months as com-pared with the rats after exposure to CS for 2 months(P<0.05),and was improved little in ex-smoking rats(P>0.05). The structural destruction of the lung was observed in the rats exposed to CS for 2 months,and more obvious changes were found in the rats exposed to CS for 4 months.However,the structural destruction of the lung remained obvious in ex-smok-ing rats.The apoptotic cells were markedly increased in the rats exposed to CS for 2 months and were even more in the rats exposed to CS for 4 months.The apoptotic cells were alveolar epithelial cell I(ACE I),ACE II,vascular endothelial cells and bronchial epithelial cells.The protein levels of p-PERK,p-eIF2αand CHOP were remarkably increased in the rats af-ter exposure to CS for 2 months compared with the control rats(P<0.05),significantly elevated in the rats exposed to CS for 4 months compared with the rats exposed to CS for 2 months(P<0.05),and slightly decreased in ex-smoking rats in comparison with the rats after exposure to CS for 4 months(P>0.05).The total protein levels of PERK and eIF2αdid not change between the control rats and those exposed to CS.CONCLUSION: CS promotes the development of chronic ob-structive pulmonary disease(COPD)by inducing the expression of endoplasmic reticulum-associated apoptosis protein CHOP via PERK/eIF2α/CHOP signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of using iron oxide nanoparticles as gene vector and the effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection.

METHODSIron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by alkaline precipitation of divalent and trivalent iron chloride. The surface of iron oxide nanoparticles was modified by self-assembled poly-L-lysine to form particle complexes (IONP-PLL). Transfection was determined by delivering reporter gene, PGL2-control encoding luciferase, to different cell lines using IONP-PLL as vector. The effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection was determined using Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet.

RESULTSForeign gene could be delivered to various cell lines by IONP-PLL and expressed with high efficiency, but the transfection efficiency and time course varied in the different cell lines studied. Magnetic field could enhance the efficiency of transfection by 5 - 10 fold.

CONCLUSIONIONP-PLL can be used as a novel non-viral gene vector in vitro, which offers a basis for gene delivery in vivo.

Animals ; COS Cells ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Genetic Vectors ; Magnetics ; Polylysine ; administration & dosage ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo determine the predictive value of sperm morphology based on the criteria of the 5th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (WHO5) on the outcomes and neonatal status following IVF-ET.

METHODSAccording to the strict criteria of WHO5, we obtained semen samples from 789 subjects and allocated them to a normal group (morphologically normal sperm > or = 4%, 754 cycles) and a teratozoospermia group (morphologically normal sperm < 4%, 35 cycles). We made comparisons between the two groups in the rates of normal fertilization, cleavage, quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage as well as the status of the neonates.

RESULTSNo significant differences were observed in the couples' age, mean number of oocytes, and mean stature and body mass index of the women between the two groups (P > 0.05). The teratozoospermia group showed slightly lower rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryo, embryo cryopreservation, implantation and pregnancy, but a higher rate of miscarriage than the normal group (P > 0.05). Apart from 141 on-going pregnancies (140 in the normal and 1 in the teratozoospermia group), 228 healthy infants were born following 789 transfer cycles, 213 (141 singletons and 36 twins) in the former and 15 (9 singletons and 3 twins) in the latter group. Congenital defects were found in none of the neonates, and there were no significant differences in the gestation period, premature birth rate and low body weight between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSperm morphology according to the criteria of WHO5 has but a limited value in predicting the outcomes and neonatal status following IVF-ET.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Male ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Reference Standards ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatozoa ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic aberrations of ocular extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type occurring in patients from southern China.

METHODSFifty seven paraffin-embedded ocular MALT lymphoma specimens from patients in southern China were studied by interphase fluorescence-in-situ hybridization (FISH) for genetic aberrations including t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, t(1;14)(p22;q32)/IgH-bcl-10, t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 and bcl-6/FOXP1 gene translocations.

RESULTSAmongst the 57 cases studied, 9 cases (15.8%) showed chromosome translocations, including 4 cases (7.0%) of t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of bcl-6 gene-related chromosome translocation and 3 cases (5.3%) of IgH-unknown translocation partner. FISH revealed 17 cases (29.8%) with 3 copies of bcl-6 gene, 21 cases (36.8%) with 3 copies of MALT1 gene and 12 cases (21.1%) with 3 copies of both genes.

CONCLUSIONSThe MALT lymphoma-associated chromosome translocations t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1 and t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 are demonstrated in ocular MALT lymphomas of southern Chinese patients. The prevalence is significantly different from that reported in northern Chinese and northern American patients, indicating a geographic heterogeneity in the MALT lymphoma-associated genetic aberrations. The presence of 3 copies of bcl-6 and MALT1 genes is the commonest genetic abnormalities observed in ocular MALT lymphomas, suggesting a possible role in MALT lymphomagenesis.

Caspases ; genetics ; metabolism ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Eye Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Translocation, Genetic ; Trisomy

Objective:To summarize the patient profiles and therapeutic efficacies of ABO-incompatible living-related kidney transplantations at 19 domestic transplant centers and provide rationales for clinical application of ABOi-KT.Methods:Clinical cases of ABO-incompatible/compatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT/ABOc-KT) from December 2006 to December 2009 were collected. Then, statistical analyses were conducted from the aspects of tissue matching, perioperative managements, complications and survival rates of renal allograft or recipients.Results:Clinical data of 342 ABOi-KT and 779 ABOc-KT indicated that (1) no inter-group differences existed in age, body mass index (BMI), donor-recipient relationship or waiting time of pre-operative dialysis; (2) ABO blood type: blood type O recipients had the longest waiting list and transplantations from blood type A to blood type O accounted for the largest proportion; (3) HLA matching: no statistical significance existed in mismatch rate or positive rate of PRA I/II between two types of surgery; (4) CD20 should be properly used on the basis of different phrases; (5) hemorrhage was a common complication during an early postoperative period and microthrombosis appeared later; (6) no difference existed in postoperative incidence of complications or survival rate of renal allograft and recipients at 1/3/5/10 years between ABOi-KT and ABOc-KT. The acute rejection rate and serum creatinine levels of ABOi-KT recipients were comparable to those of ABOc-KT recipients within 1 year.Conclusions:ABOi-KT is both safe and effective so that it may be applied at all transplant centers as needed.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the inhibitory effect of the extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge flower against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: MTT assay was used to examine the effect of the extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge flower on proliferation of benign prostatic hyperplasia cells (BPH-1), and cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes following the treatment were analyzed using annexin V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, PI3K and AKT in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. A rat model of BPH established by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate was treated with the flower extract for 28 days, and pathological changes in the prostate tissue were observed with HE staining. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3 and PI3K/AKT in the prostate tissue were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: Within the concentration range of 125-1000 µg/mL, the flower extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge significantly inhibited the proliferation of BPH-1 cells and caused obvious cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase; the apoptotic rate of the cells was positively correlated with the concentration of the flower extract (P < 0.05). Bcl-2, p-PI3K and p-AKT expression levels were significantly down-regulated and Bax and caspase-3 expression levels were significantly increased in the cells after treatment with the flowers extract (P < 0.05). In the rat models of BPH, the rats treated with the flowers extract at moderate and high doses showed obviously decreased expressions of p-AKT and Bcl-2 and an increased expression of Bax in the prostate tissue; a significantly lowered p-AKT expression was observed in the prostate tissue of rats receiving the low-dose treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The flower extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge has a inhibitory effect on BPH both in vitro and in rats, suggesting its potential value in the development of medicinal plant preparations for treatment of BPH.
Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/drug therapy* ; Caspase 3 ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Flowers/metabolism* ; Sapindaceae/metabolism*

Aim To investigate the effect of TRPC5 gene on the inflammation of cliabetie cardiomyopathy.Methods The biological functions of TRPC5 and the correlation between TRPC5 gene and other genes were analyzed by bioinformatics.Studies were performed in TRPC5 knockout ( TRPC5 ) and C57 mice.Mice were randomly divided into blank control and T2DM model groups, and the model was established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (n = 10).The myocardial injury was detected by HE and Masson staining.Hie level of serum IL-1(3, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-7 and creatine kinase was examined by ELISA.Gene and protein expressions of IL-1(3, IL-2, IL-6 and TRPC5 were analysed by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.Results By constructing the PPI network and analyses.the TRPC5 gene was identified to internet with a variety inflammatory genes and involved in immunity.The result of pathologieal section showed less myocardial damage and infiltrated immune cells in TRPC5 mice than in C57BL/6J mice.RT-PCR and serum results showed a lower expression of inflammatory factors in myocardium and serum obtained from TRPC5 model mice than in those obtained from C57BL/6J model mice.Conclusions TRPC5 participates in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy by regulating cardio- myocyte inflammation.

With continuous discovery of tumor immune targets and continuous changes in antibody research and development technology, antibody drugs are becoming more and more widely used in clinical practice. However, some targets are not only expressed on tumor cells, but also on red blood cells. Therefore, the clinical application of antibodies against the corresponding targets may interfere with the detection of blood transfusion compatibility, resulting in difficulty in blood matching or delay of blood transfusion. This consensus summarizes the current solutions for the interference of CD38 monoclonal antibody (CD38 mAb) in transfusion compatibility testing. After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of different methods, polybrene and sulfhydryl reducing agents [dithiothreitol (DTT) or 2-mercaptoethanol (2-Me)], as a solution for CD38 mAb interference in blood compatibility testing, are recommended for Chinese patients, so as to eliminate blood transfusion interference produce by CD38 mAb and further provide a pre-transfusion workflow for clinicians and technicians in Department of Blood Transfusion.