The known members of inhibitor of growth (ING) gene family are considered as candidate tumor suppressor genes. ING4, a novel member of ING family, is recently reported to regulate brain tumour angiogenesis through transcriptional repression of NF-?B-responsive genes, induce G2/M arrest by the increased p21 expression in a p53-dependent manner, suppress the loss of contact inhibition and represses activation of the hypoxia inducible factor, which plays an important role in the progression of tumorigenesis. However, seldom studies about ING4 inducing tumor cells apoptosis were reported.The C6 cells (mouse glioma cells) were infected respectively with the blank adenovirus carrying GFP (Ad) and the recombinated Ad-hING4-His, then RT-PCR assay was used to detect the transcriptions of hING4, as well Western-blotting assay was ued to detect the expressions of hING4. The effects of hING4 expression upon C6 cells were observed, and the growth curve was drawed and tumor control rates were calculated. The C6 cells, which were affected by blank Ad and Ad-hING4-His, were respectively observed by LSCM (laser scan confocal microscope) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), detected by flow cytometry; and the genomic DNA of both groups were extracted and electrophoresised in agarose gel to examinate the DNA fragments. The results showed hING4 can significantly inhibit the growth of C6 cells by promoting the cell’s apoptosis, which probably is the first one to prove this property of ING4.The experimental and theoretical foundation for gene therapy for gliomas with ING4 in the future was established.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by androgen deficiency.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into six groups: 2-week control (A), 4-week control (B), 2-week castration (C), 4-week castration (D), 2-week castration + androgen replacement (E), and 4-week castration + androgen replacement (F), those in groups E and F subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP) at the physiological dose of 3 mg/kg per day after castration, while those in the other groups with isodose oil instead. At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, we determined the level of serum testosterone (T) , intracavernous pressure (ICP) , mean carotid arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats, measured the concentration of H2S in the plasma and corpus cavernosum tissue, and detected the expressions of cystathionine-P3-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly lower in group C ([0.63 +/- 0.15] nmol/L) than in A ( [ 16.55 +/- 4.17] nmol/L) and E ( [ 18.99 +/- 4.62] nmol/L) (P <0.05), as well as in group D ([0.70 +/-0.22] nmol/L) than in B ([15.44 +/-5.18] nmol/L) and F ([20.99 +/-6.41] nmol/L) (P <0. 05) , and so were ICP/MAP after 5 and 7 V electrical stimulation of the pelvic ganglia (P <0. 05) , H2 S concentration (P <0.05), and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P <0.05). The expressions of CBS and CSE proteins were also significantly decreased in group C as compared with D (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reduced expressions of CBS and CSE may inhibit the H2 S signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying androgen deficiency-induced ED in rats.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Erectile Dysfunction ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; microbiology ; Male ; Methicillin Resistance ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of Yuyin Ruangan Decoction(YRD, traditional Chinese medicine) on experimental hepatic injury in mice.

METHODSThe mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and YRD low, middle and high dose group(n = 11). By ip injection of D-GalN, CCk or thioacetamide (TAA), three models of hepatic injury mice were established to investigate the effects of YRD through detecting the indexes of liver function in serum and, the content of antioxidant system in the hepatic tissue.

RESULTSYRD could decrease the content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and that of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the hepatic tissue, upregulate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hepatic tissue. Furthermore, the above effects were dosedependent in a certain degree. CoNCLUSION: YRD has some protection effects on the model of experimental hepatic injury in mouse.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To study the enhancing effect of ultrasound plus microbubble on small interference RNA(siRNA)transfection in vitro and in vivo.Methods Human vascular epithelial growth factor(VEGF)siRNA with 2'deoxy modification(VEGF 2'-eoxy siRNA,VdsR)was used.The human CNE cells(fromnasopharyngeal carcinoma)line was used for in vitro cell-based experiments and in vivo mouse xenograft model.Two different microbubble agents.BR14 and Levovist.were used together with the RNA transfection reagent RNA-mate.ELISA and RT-PCR assays were used to assess VEGF gene expression.Immunohistochemical staining (IHC)was performed to assess CD31 expression in xenograft tumors.Results VdsR transfection in CNE cells abolished VEGF expression as determined by ELISA experiments.In the first mouse xenograft experiment,ultrasound exposure dramatically enhanced VdsR-mediated tumor inhibition.In the second mouse xenograft experiment,when VdsR was mixed with the microbubble reagents and then injected into xenografts,ultrasoundexposure significantly reduced tumor growth in BR14-mixed VdsR group but not in the Levovist-mixed VdsR group compared to the control.RT-PCR experiments demonstrated that VEGF expression in ultrasound-exposed tumors was significantly lower than that in the control.Meanwhile,VEGF expression in the tumor tissue treated by BRl4-mixed VdsR declined as compared with the controls.Tumor vascular density as measured by CD31 immunostaining was significantly decreased in ultrasound-exposed tumors compared to the control.Conclusions Ultrasound exposure and/or microbubble can significantly enhance delivery and the efficiency of VdsR-mediated anti-tumor effects,and should be a location-specific enhancement approach for siRNA-based anti-cancer therapy.

Background Sirius system,a new Scheimpflug camera combined with Placido topography,improved the capability of imaging the anterior eye segment significantly.However,the study of assessing the repeatability and agreement between Sirius and Pentacam is still lack up to now.Objective This study was to evaluate the repeatability and agreement of the anterior ocular segment measuring parameters by Sirius and Pentacam in myopia received laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).Methods Thirty-five myopic eyes of 35 patients received LASIK were included in School of Optometry and Ophthalmology Eye Hospital from 2010 May through 2010 July.Corneal power flat keratometry (Kf),step keratometry (Ks),mean keratometry (Km),thinnest corneal thickness(TCT),the location of TCT,anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber volume (ACV) were measured by Sirius and Pentacam in all the eyes,respectively.The repeatability of the measuring results were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cronbach's coefficient alpha (CoA),and the agreement of measuring parameters between Sirius and Pentacam was analyzed using Bland-Altman plot.Results Both Sirius and Pentacam demonstrated high intraobserver repeatability,with all ICC and CoA more than 0.90.No significant differences were found in Kf values and Ks values between the two methods (t =-1.533,-1.750,P＞0.05).Km value was (39.14 ± 1.95) D by Sirius measurement,which was sígnificantly higher than (39.05 ± 1.91) D by Pentacam measurement (t =3.572,P =0.001).The TCT was (457.6 ± 40.9) μm by Sirius method,showing a significant reduce in comparison with (465.4±37.5) μm of Pentacam method (t =-6.689,P＜0.001).A positive correlation was seen in the TCT between the two methods (r=0.988,P＜0.001).The Bland-Alrman plots showed the 95％ CI-21 μm to 6 pm in the TCT value between the two devices.Pairwise comparison of the location of TCT measurements showed significant differences between the two devices (t =-4.132,-5.696,P＜0.001),with a good correlation (r=0.751,0.775) and the 95％ CI (-0.36-0.17 mm,-0.35-0.12 mm).A very good agreement was seen in ACD between the two devices (-0.02-0.12 mm),but the agreement result was not very well in the ACV between the two devices with the 95％ CI (-27.70-6.20 mm3).Conclusions Sirius and Pentacam measurements for anterior ocular segment parameters have a very good repeatability in post-LASIK eyes.In addition,good agreement results are exhibited in corneal power,TCT and ACD between Sirius and Pentacam with an acceptable maximal different value between them.Sirius and Pentacam can be used interchangeably in clinical examination.However,the two devices can not interchangeably for ACV measurement and TCT location.

Background and Objectives: Stroke is the most common neurological disease in China and regulation of lipid levels is important for secondary prevention. This study aimed to investigate the practice of lipid lowering agents immediately after and one month following ischemic stroke in China, and to determine the factors affecting the practice. Methods: A total of 857 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from 11 hospitals in the Qingdao area, Northern China. Data pertaining to the patients’ demographic, clinical data, and treatment before and after the stroke were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with the treatment at two time points: at the acute stage and at one month follow-up. Results: The frequency of lipid lowering therapy was 50.3% (431/857) at acute stage and 41.5% (306/738) at one month. Lipid lowering therapy at acute stage was independently and positively associated with a history of hyperlipidemia((P=0.002, OR (95%CI): 3.784 (1.610-8.898)) and excess alcohol consumption (P=0.005, OR (95%CI): 1.928 (1.214-3.062)), partial anterior circulation infarct classifi cation (P=0.000, OR (95%CI): 1.974 (1.370-2.767)), and low-density lipoprotein levels ((P=0.000, OR (95%CI): 1.426 (1.170-1.739)). Lipid lowering therapy at one month follow-up was independently and positively associated with lipid lowering therapy at acute stage ((P=0.000, OR (95%CI): 18.275 (11.476- 29.101)), and negatively with the Modifi ed Rankin Scale ≥4 at follow-up ((P=0.030, OR (95%CI): 0.568 (0.341-0.948)). Conclusions: Lipid lowering therapy was found to be used in about half of patients during acute and early secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in the Qingdao area of Northern China. There should be more education efforts to the health care professionals and public to increase its use.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)in patients with autoimmune diseases.Methods The data from 12 patients with autoimmune diseases who were hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital because of developing PCP were retrospectively reviewed.Clinical characteristics and T cell subsets in the peripheral blood were analyzed.Results The main clinical manifestations of these 12 patients were fever(12/12),cough(9/ 12),expectoration(9/12)and obvious dyspnea(12/12),which were progressive.Blood gas analysis presented with typeⅠrespiratory failure.Bilateral interstitial and alveolar infiltrates were observed in chest X-ray film.The counts of peripheral blood lymphocytes(0.44?0.31)?10~9/L,CD4~+ T-lymphocytes (0.120?0.079)?10~9/L and CD8~+ T-lymphocytes were(0.248?0.252)?10~9/L decreased significantly and the CD4/CD8 ratio reversed,which were significantly different from those of healthy person(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of recombinant adenovirus Ad-ING4 on K562 cells.

METHODSHuman ING4 recombinant transfer vector pAdTrack-CMV-ING4 was constructed by enzyme digest and ligation of human ING4 gene which was obtained through site specific point mutation of mouse ING4. The vector was co-transduced into BJ5183 E. coli with pAdEasy-1. The new recombinant adenovirus vector pAdEasy-1-pAdTrack-CMV-hING4 was transfected into QBI-293A cells. To obtain the ING4 recombined adenovirus (Ad-ING4). Ad-ING4 was used to infect K562 cells. The effect on K562 cells of ING4 was tested by LSCM FCM and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSHuman ING4 recombinant adenovirus vector was constructed successfully, and high titre ING4 recombinant adenovirus (Ad-ING4) was obtained. ING4 can down-regulate the expression of bcl-2 and up-regulate expression of bax. The apoptosis of K562 cells induced by ING4 was proved by LSCM FCM and immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis rate was 19.7% (after 72h), which displayed significant difference compared with that of control groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAd-ING4 can inhibit the growth of K562 cells and induce the cells apoptosis. The human ING4 recombinant adenoviral vector constructed might provide an approach to the target therapy of tumors.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transfection ; Transformation, Bacterial ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

BACKGROUNDAcute renal failure following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Approximately half of all patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) subsequently develop acute renal failure (ARF). The purpose of the study was to compare early transient changes in renal function within the first post-operative week following CABG in patients that were either off-pump or on-pump.

METHODSEight hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients with isolated CABG in a single institution between January 1990 and August 2006 were retrospectively analyzed, including 518 off-pump and 331 on-pump patients. A multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed to identify risk factors for the development of AKI.

RESULTSSixty-one off-pump patients and 63 on-pump patients developed AKI. Risk factors for the development of post-operative AKI included an ejection fraction > or =50% or < or =30%, a pulse pressure > or =60 mmHg, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, emergent procedure, triple-vessel disease, body mass index, peri-operative and post-operative. intra-aortic balloon pumping, NYHA class III and IV, and cardiopulmonary bypass. An ejection fraction > or =50% and peri-operative and post-operative intra-aortic balloon pumping were protective (OR <1). Peak serum creatinine for post-operative AKI was noted 12 hours and 24 hours in the off-pump and on-pump patients, respectively. Serum creatinine kinetics revealed rapid recovery in the 24th to 48th hour (off-pump) and the 48th to 72nd hour (on-pump).

CONCLUSIONRenal protection strategies are indicated from general anesthesia induction until 48 and 72 hours post-operatively in off-pump and on-pump patients, respectively.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; adverse effects ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies