Background Previous studies showed that after herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection of the cornea,matrix metallo proteinase-2 (MMP-2) (produced by corneal cells and corneal epithelial cells) plays an important role in the development of HSK.Focal adhesion kinase (FAK)plays an important role on the expression,release and activation of MMPs.This study explored the expressions of MMP-2 and FAK,which induced by HSV-1 infected human corneal epithelial cells.Objective To investigate MMP-2 and FAK expression in HSV-1 infected human corneal epithelial cells.Methods Human corneal epithelial cells were infected with HSV-1 in vitro to establish cell model of viral infection.The expression of MMP-2 and FAK were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR),Western blot,immunohistochemical method and immunofluorescence method at 2 hours,20 hours and 40 hours after infection.Results At 2 hours,20 hours and 40 hours after infection,the expressionis of MMP-2 mRNA and FAK mRNA were significantly increased in comparison with uninfected cells (MMP-2 mRNA:Ftime =0.968,P=0.436 ; Fgroup =47.649,P =0.000 ; Fi ion =0.757,P =0.536.FAK mRNA:Ftime =0.658,P =0.631 ; Fgroup =35.182,P=0.000;Finteraction =1.386,P=0.137).Western blot assays showed that there were no significant differences in p-FAK,FAK or MMP-2 expressions between infected cells and control cells after 2 hours (P＞0.05),but the expression levels of infected cells were significantly increased at 20 hours and 40 hours (both at P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemistry results showed that longer infection time was associated with an increased number of cells staining for MMP-2,FAK and p-FAK.Conclusions At the initial stage of HSV-1 infected,p-FAK plays an important role in the process of virus invading and MMP-2 activation.

500 pmol/L were greater than those in any group.Conclusion Serum MMP-2 can be involved in left ventricular remodeling of HF,and measuring its concentration is helpful to judge the severity and prognosis of HF.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Panax notoginseng (PN) on pathological features in chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) rabbits and its mechanisms.

METHODSA stable pathological animal model similar to CSDH in humans could be established using subdural injections of small number of blood through a subdural pre-catheter in rabbits. After successful modeling, 18 rabbits were randomly divided into the model group, the low dose PN group (0.125 g/kg), and the high dose PN group (0.250 g/kg), 6 in each group. Normal saline was given to rabbits in the model group, while PN power was given to those in the PN groups by gastrogavage for 6 successive days. Pathologic features of the hematoma outer membrane were observed by HE staining. The activity of SOD and the content of MDA in the hematoma outer membrane were examined by the colorimetric method. Expressions of CD31, CD34, and VEGF in the hematoma outer membrane were observed by immunohistochemical assay. Expressions of VEGF in the peripheral blood and the subdural hematoma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in the hematoma outer membrane were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the inflammatory reaction was comparatively lessen and the proliferation of the fibrous tissue was relatively mature in the low and high dose PN groups. The activity of SOD increased (P < 0.05); expressions of CD31 and CD34 were reduced (P < 0.01); VEGF expression in the residual hematoma fluid decreased (P < 0.05) in the high dose PN group. Expressions of VEGF and VEGFR-2 were all reduced in the high and low dose PN groups (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01). Compared with the low dose PN group, expressions of CD31 and CD34 were reduced (P < 0.01), and the VEGFR-2 expression was also reduced (P < 0.05) in the high dose PN group.

CONCLUSIONSPN could promote the fibrous repairing of subdural hematoma in CSDH rabbits. It also lessened inflammation and oxidative injury of the hematoma outer membrane and reduced expressions of VEGF. The pathological angiogenesis could be reduced through influencing VEGFR-2 receptor pathways, which might be an important mechanism.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including gamma-linolenic acid are valuable products because of their involvement in several aspects of human health care. GLA has been claimed to play a crucial role in development and prevention of some skin diseases, diabetes, reproductive disorder and others. At present, market demand for most gamma-linolenic acid is growing continually and current sources are inadequate for satisfying this demand due to the significant problems of low productivity, complex and expensive downstream process and unstable quality. Therefore, seeking for alternative sources are demanding. delta6-fatty acid desaturase is the rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of PUFAs, which catalyses the conversion of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid to gamma-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid respectively. Unfortunately, the structure information on membrane desaturases is scarce because of the technical limitations in obtaining quantities of purified protein and the intrinsic difficulties in obtaining crystals from membrane proteins. With the isolation of the genes coding for delta6-fatty acid desaturase from various organisms, its characteristics will be elucidated gradually. Here we concisely reviewed the recent progress on studies of molecular biology including the cloning of delta6-fatty acid desaturase gene, structure and function, phylogeny and prospects of gene engineering application.
Cloning, Molecular ; Fatty Acid Desaturases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; biosynthesis ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Phylogeny ; gamma-Linolenic Acid ; biosynthesis

BACKGROUNDAcute gout is an intensely painful, inflammatory arthritis. Although the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for this condition, the efficacy is based on only a few studies, particularly in China. We tried to assess the safety and efficacy of etoricoxib in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis in China.

METHODSA randomized, double-blind, active comparator study was conducted at 10 sites in China. Patients (n = 178; ≥ 18 years of age) with acute gouty attack (< 48 hours) were treated for 5 days with etoricoxib (120 mg/d; n = 89) or indometacin (75 mg twice daily; n = 89). The primary efficacy end point was self-assessed pain in the affected joint (0-4 point Likert scale) from days 2 - 5. Secondary end points included investigator assessments of tenderness and swelling, patient/ investigator global assessments of response to therapy, and patients discontinuing treatment. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs).

RESULTSEtoricoxib and indometacin had comparable primary and secondary end points. Mean change difference from baseline from days 2 - 5 was 0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.19 to 0.25; P = 0.6364), which fell within the prespecified comparative bounds of -0.5 to 0.5. No severe AEs were associated with etoricoxib use. Non-severe AEs were mainly digestive and general, and most (73.7%) were mild, although they caused withdrawal of two subjects in the etoricoxib group, due to bilateral renal calculi and uronephrosis of the left kidney (unrelated to etoricoxib) and fever and chills (potentially etoricoxib-related). Overall, AEs were similar, although the absolute number of AEs in the etoricoxib group (n = 31) was less than the indometacin group (n = 34).

CONCLUSIONSEtoricoxib (120 mg once daily) is effective in treating acute gout, is generally safe and well-tolerated, and is comparable in efficacy to indometacin (75 mg twice daily).

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Gouty ; drug therapy ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyridines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sulfones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVESTo observe the change of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients of hypogonadism who received androgen replacement treatment and explore the mechanism of androgen-induced increase of red blood cells and haemoglobin.

METHODSEight patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, divided into two groups, received TU intramuscular injections of 500 mg or 1000 mg dose, respectively. After three months, seven patients received the second injection of crossover dose. Testosterone levels in serum were measured with RIA before and after the injections treatment. RBC count, impacted volume of blood cells and haemoglobin concentration were measured before treatment and 4, 8 weeks after treatment. At the same interval, EPO levels were measured with ELISA method.

RESULTSDevelopment of the secondary sex characters was improved in all patients after the TU injection. Serum testosterone levels raised significantly and reached the peak one week after the injections. Effective level of testosterone lasted for over 6 weeks. RBC count, impacted volume of blood cells and haemoglobin increased at different degrees after TU injections, but these changes were not significant in statistic(P < 0.05). The increased levels remained for 8 weeks. EPO levels were elevated significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.05) after the TU injection(Pbat > 0.05). The second injection could still make the EPO level go up.

CONCLUSIONSAndrogen replacement treatment can increase the EPO levels in patients of hypogonadism, which is one of the mechanism of RBC production increase.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; Humans ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; therapeutic use

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; enzymology ; genetics ; beta-Lactamases ; chemistry ; genetics

Objectives To explore the type and subtype distribution of influenza viruses in influenza-like patients and the hemagglutinin(HA)genetic variation of influenza A viruses in Shang- hai and Wuxi during the influenza prevalent season from 2004 to 2006.Methods Throat swabs were collected from the influenza-like patients in the sentinel hospitals and during the outbreaks,and then inoculated into MDCK cells to isolate influenza viruses,which were subsequently identified by direct immunofluorescence(DIF)and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).HA seg- ments of influenza A viruses were sequenced to analyze the genetic variation of HA.Results One hundred and twenty-six strains of influenza viruses,including 53 H3N2,43 H1N1 and 30 influenza B viruses were isolated from August 2004 to September 2006,and 7 outbreaks.All these outbreaks oc- curred in February or March The pathogens were identified as H1N1 in one outbreak,H3N2 in two outbreaks,B in two outbreaks and mix infections in two outbreaks(1 H1N1 and B,1 H3N2 and B, respectively).By sequencing the HA segment,the H3 and H1 segments were all homologous to the isolates from different countries in the same period.Conclusion H3N2 and H1N1 are the major strains prevalent in Shanghai and Wuxi,which reach the peak from January to March No HA and NA recom- binant strains and new HA and NA subtypes are found in these areas.The variations of H1 and H3 are similar to those found in other countries.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Survivin mRNA in lung cancer tissue microarray (TMA) by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method, and determine the role and significance of it in lung cancer genesis and progress.

METHODSThe expression of Survivin mRNA was detected by FISH method and TMA technology. Fifty-four cases of lung cancer and 10 cases of normal lung tissue were examined.

RESULTSSurvivin mRNA was expressed in 66.7% (36/54) of lung cancer; the positive ratio of lung cancer was significantly higher than that of normal lung tissue (0/10; chi2 = 15.238, P < 0.05). The positive ratio of Survivin mRNA was significantly higher in poor differentiated cancer (20/24, 83.3%) than moderate and well differentiated cancer (16/30, 53.3%; chi2 = 5.40, P < 0.05). The positive ratio of Survivin mRNA was significantly higher in group with lymph node metastasis (27/32, 84.4%) than without lymph node metastasis (9/22, 40.9%; chi2 = 11.084, P < 0.05). The positive ratio of Survivin mRNA was significantly higher in stage III-IV(12/13, 92.3%) than stage I - II (24/41, 58.5%; chi2 = 5.066, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSurvivin mRNA highly expresses in lung cancer, which is related to the progress and malignant behavior. Survivin may play a promoting role in lung cancer genesis and progress and provide a basis for estimating prognosis and treatment.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Array Analysis

Purpose To investigate the consistency and clinicopathologic correlation of BRAFV600E protein expression and gene mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods BRAFV600E protein expression and genn mutation was detected respectively by immunohistochemistry of SP and real time-PCR, then the consistency between the both methods was analyzed by Kappa-test, the correlation between BRAFV600E and clinicopatho-logic parameters was analyzed by Chi-square test in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Results The gene mutation and protein expression rates of BRAFV600E were 89.3％ and 88.3％, respec-tively, the differences were not significant, the concordance rate of the both methods was 97.0％, Kappa value was 0.847, the consistence was higher, meanwhile the mutation rates between age ＜45 and ≥45 were respectively 96.8％ and 85.9％, there were significant differences, the positive rates of the both detec-tion methods were higher in thyroid capsule invaded group than non-invaded group, the differences were significant. Conclusion The both methods have higher consistency, the immunohisto-chemistry can be used as an initial screening tool for detecting gene mutation, the gene mutation of BRAFV600E is significantly associated with age and capsule invasion, the relationship is not found between BRAFV600E mutation and the other clinicopatholog-ic parameters.