Objective To investigate Glypican-3 gene expression and mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Glypican-3 gene expression and mutation in tumor,para-c.ancer and normal tissue of 48 HCCs were detected by RT-PCR and single-strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP),respectively.Results There was no Glypican-3 mRNA expression in para-cancer and normal tissue.Expression rate of Glypican-3 mRNA was 77.1% in tumor tissue,which was correlated with clinical staging and cell differentiation(P

Virtual experiment is the application of virtual reality technology in experiment sciences.In the physiology teaching, virtual reality modules are made up of experiment theory module,experiment process module,virtual reality module,review mod- ule and experiment report module.We set up a virtual physiology experiment system by author ware and other software.

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (NED) caused by pelvic floor surgeries/radiation therapies and associated with Parkinsons disease and diabetes remains a challenging healthcare issue. To facilitate NED research we have developed in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The in vitro model comprises the isolation, culture and treatment of rat major pelvic ganglia (MPG), which then produce outgrowing neurites whose length and molecular composition are indicative of the neurotrophic effect of the treatment agent. Through this approach we have confirmed that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes nerve regeneration by activating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. This has been further established by our in vivo model, which involves the transection or cruch of cavernous nerves and treatment with BDNF.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erectile Dysfunction ; physiopathology ; Ganglia ; physiopathology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; Pelvis ; innervation ; Penis ; innervation ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo identify the expression characteristics of the 1700001022RIK (RIKEN cDNA 1700001022) gene in mice and explore its function by bioinformatic analysis.

METHODSUsing the expression profile of gene microarray, we detected the expression of a new testis-specific gene, 1700001022RIK, in mice. We analyzed its expression characteristics in the testis tissue and their changes in different developmental stages of the testis by RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We performed bioinformatic analysis using a bioinformatic software.

RESULTSThe 1700001022RIK gene was specifically expressed in the mouse testis in an age-dependent manner, most highly in the adult mice. The 1700001022RIK protein was mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of the adult mice. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the 1700001022RIK protein amino acid sequence had a high similarity in human and mice, which indicated that this gene was highly conserved in mammals.

CONCLUSION1700001022RIK is a testis-specific gene mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of seminiferous tubules, which might be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Genomics ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; Testis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression characteristics of the gene of coiled-coil domain-containing protein 70 (Ccdc70) in the mouse testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.

METHODSUsing expression profile microarray, we screened the mouse testis-specific gene Ccdc70, studied its expression characteristics in the mouse testis by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the Ccdc70 protein.

RESULTSThe Ccdc70 gene was expressed highly in the testis but lowly in the epididymis of the mice. The Ccdc70 protein was expressed mainly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Bioinformatic analysis showed a structural domain in the Ccdc70 protein, which was highly conserved in mammalian evolution.

CONCLUSIONThe Ccdc70 gene is highly expressed in the mouse testis and mainly in the spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal epithelial cells, which indicates that it is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mice ; Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in evaluating the stage of hepatic fibrosis and early stage cirrhosis.

METHODSSixty-six patients with viral hepatitis underwent liver biopsy and 33 normal subjects (S0) were selected to accept ARFI,the shear wave velocity of hepatic segments s5, s6, s7, s8 and size of liver were measured. The results of liver and spleen size and portal vein's diameter were also measured.

RESULTSThe 66 patients were divided into 3 groups: S1, S2-S3, S4. ARFI for 66 patients and 33 normal subjects showed good image quality. There were statistically significant differences between S4 group and S0 group, S1 group, S2-S3 group for the shear wave velocity of hepatic segments s5, s6, s7, s8 (P < 0.05). Between S2-S3 group and SO group S1 group, the shear wave velocity of hepatic segments s5, s6, s7, s8 also have statistically significant differences (P < 0.05), other parameters showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Spleen size and the portal vein's diameter of S4 group were larger than those in other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe invasive acoustic radiation force impulse could evaluate the stage of hepatic fibrosis and early stage cirrhosis in patients suffering from viral hepatitis. The measurement was feasible. It was suitable for clinical use.

Acoustics ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Spleen ; pathology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of caveolin-1 in the inhibition of endothelin-1 induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by 17beta-estradiol. In the cultured rat thoracic aortic VSMCs, proliferation of VSMCs was determined by using [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation and the expression of caveolin-1 protein was measured by immunofluorescence assays and Western blotting. The measurement demonstate VSMCs exposed to various concentrations of endothelin-1 (1-100 nmol/L) for 24 h induced an increase in [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. Pretreament with various concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (0.1-10 nmol/L) for 24 h inhibited the proliferation effect of endothelin-1. Immunofluorescence assays showed that after 24 h treatment of VSMCs with endothelin-1 (100 nmol/L), the expression of caveolin-1 in VSMCs was significantly increased, whereas pretreament with 17beta-estradiol (10 nmol/L) for 24 h inhibited the effect. Western blotting results further proved that endothelin-1 inhibited and 17beta-estradiol increased the expression of caveolin-1 in VSMCs. These results demonstrate that 17beta-estradiol inhibits the VSMCs proliferation induced by endothelin-1, and that the effect of estradiol is probably mediated by caveolin-1.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Caveolin 1 ; physiology ; Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To analyze the genetic characteristics of echovirus 6 (E6) isolated from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province, China, we collected cerebrospinal fluid samples from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province from 2007 to 2012 for virus isolation. Viral RNAs were extracted from positive isolates, and complete VP1 coding regions were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Homology comparison and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Six isolates were identified as E6 by microneutralization assay and molecular typing. The homology analysis showed that the six isolates had 78. 6%-99. 8% nucleotide and 95. 5%-100. 0% amino acid identities with each other, as well as 76. 9%-78. 4% nucleotide and 92. 3%-95. 1% amino acid identities with the prototype strain (D' Amori). The phylogenetic analysis based on the integrated VP1 sequences indicated that all Shandong E6 isolates could be separated into four clusters, designated as A, B, C, and D. The six E6 isolates belonged to clusters A, B, and D. Our study reveals high genetic differences between Shandong E6 isolates and suggests different transmission lineages of E6 co-circulated in Shandong Province.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Echovirus 6, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Meningitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of branch chain amino acid (BCAA) enriched formula on nutritional status and postoperative fatigue for digestive surgery patients.

METHODSForty patients who underwent digestive surgery were randomly received parenteral nutrition with either BCAA enriched (study group, n=20) or routine amino acid (control group, n=20) for seven consecutive days. Nitrogen balance,serum total protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, retinol binding protein and postoperative fatigue score were monitored during the postoperative period.

RESULTSThe cumulative postoperative fatigue scores were lower in BCAA group than that in the control group at the 4th, 5th and 7th day after operation (P< 0.05). Patients achieved positive nitrogen balance 2 days earlier in the study group than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference in cumulative nitrogen balance between the two groups. There was no significant difference in elevation of serum total protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin at the 7th day after operation between the two groups (P > 0.05), compared with those at the first day after operation. The serum level of retinol binding protein was higher in BCAA-enriched group than that in the control group (P=0.004).

CONCLUSIONTPN with BCAA enriched formula can reduce postoperative fatigue score and improve the nutritional status for digestive surgery patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain ; therapeutic use ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Fatigue ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Postoperative Period

Objective To investigate the effects of dominant-negative truncation mutant?NTCF4, lacking the N-terminal form of TCF4 gene,on biological characteristics of renal cancer cell line GRC-I and explore the molecular mechanisms.Methods GRC-I cell was transfected with pCDNA3-?NTCF4 eukary- otie expression plasmid,pCDNA3 empty vector to construct the stable cell line GRC-I/?NTCF4 and GRC-I/ Mock respectively.The morphological changes of stable cells were observed and the cells growth curve was detected through light microscope.The cellular proliferation activities were determined using the MTT assay. The protein expression of Wnt pathway downstream target gene C-Myc and Cox-2 was evaluated by immuno- cytoehemieal method and Western Blot analysis.Results After the dominant-negative?NTCF4 gene was permanently expressed,the GRC-I/?NTCF4 stable cells morphologically showed that appearance changed from circular to long-spindle shape,growth rate decreased with less karyosehisis found,malignant pheno- types reversed to normal renal tubular cells.MTT assay revealed that the proliferation activities of GRC-1/?NTCF4 cells were inhibited by 11.2%-35.5% compared with GRC-I cells (P＜0.05),while the GRC- I/Mock cells have no difference with the control cells.Immunocytochemical analysis and Western Blot showed that the C-Myc and Cox-2 protein expression level of GRC-I/?ANTCF4 cells were significantly sup- pressed in comparison with that of GRC-I/Mock and GRC-I cells.Conclusions The dominant-negative truncation mutant?NTCF4 could partially inhibit the growth of renal cancer cells and down-regulate the pro- tein expression of Wnt pathway target gene C-Myc and Cox-2.These findings provide a experimental founda- tion for applying cell signal therapy to renal cell cancer by blocking the Wnt signaling pathway.