Objective: To examine the effect of SiO2 exposure on the airway surface microenvironment and NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in rats. Methods: Twenty-four specific pathogen-free male rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the control group and the model group, of 12 rats in each group. Rats in the model group were given SiO2 suspensions through disposable tracheal intubation perfusion to model silicosis in rats, while rats in the control group was perfused with the same amount of physiological saline. The pH value and glucose level were measured in the rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 14 and 28 days after modeling. Lung tissues were stained with HE and Masson and the distribution of inflammatory cells and the deposition of pulmonary interstitial collagens were observed in lung tissues under a light microscope. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type Ⅰ(ColⅠ), collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, N-terminal domain of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT), caspase-1, and NEK7 was quantified in lung specimens using immunohistochemistry. Results: Lower pH values were measured in rat BALF in the model group than in the control group 14 [(6.38±0.05) vs. (6.68±0.08), P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(6.63±0.14) vs. (6.86±0.05), P<0.05], while higher glucose levels were seen in the model group than in the control group 14 [(0.39±0.06) vs. (0.31±0.04) mg/dL, P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(0.39±0.08) vs. (0.31±0.06) mg/dL, P<0.05]. HE and Masson staining showed mild to moderate alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in rats 14 days post-exposure to SiO2, and showed moderate to severe alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis 28 days post-exposure. Immunohistochemistry detected higher TGF-β1, ColⅠ, Col Ⅲ, IL-1β, NLRP3, GSDMD-NT, caspase-1 and NEK7 expression in rat lung tissues in the model group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions SiO2 exposure may cause changes in rat airway surface microenvironment, including BALF acidification and elevated glucose. Pyroptosis induced by activation of NEK7-associated NLRP3 inflammasome may be an important mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis caused by silicosis.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; immunology ; ultrastructure ; Meningioma ; immunology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Paraganglioma ; physiopathology

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-GalNAc : polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransfemse (ppGalNAcT) catalyzes the initial step in mucin type O-glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. Here generation and characterization of a polyclonal antibody to human ppGalNAcT2 were described. The subcellular location of ppGalNAeT2 in SGC7901 cell line was investigated using Western blot analysis of fractionated cell extracts and confocal microscopy with this antibody and two Golgi markers: Golgi SNARE (soluble N-ethylmalemide-sensifive factor attachment protein receptor) of 28 ku (GS28) and trans-Golgi network (TGN) 38, markers for the c/s- and trans-Golgi apparatus, respectively. Morphometric analyses indicated that ～60% of the ppGalNAcT2 signal colocalized with the GS28, while～36% of the c/s-Golgi marker colocalized with the ppGalNAeT2. Approximately 34% of the ppGalNAcT2 signal colocalized with the TGN38, whereas 38% of the trans-Golgi marker colocalized with the ppGalNAcT2. The results provide unequivocal evidence for the location ofppGalNAcT2 within the Golgi apparatus, and further highlight the importance of this organelle in the initiation of O-linked glycosylation.

Objective To evaluate the expression of molecular markers in prostate cancer and to clarify the significance of these markers as prognostic indicators for androgen deprivation therapy. Methods A series of 116 prostate cancer patients under androgen deprivation therapy as a single treatment was reviewed. Expression levels of 7 proteins, including androgen receptor(AR),E-cadherin, Chromogranin A(CgA) , Ki-67, Survivin, EZH2 and hepsin, were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Results Of the 7 molecules. Ki67,EZH2 and Survivin expression were significantly associated with several conventional prognostic factors. Univariate analysis identified clinical stage, Glea-son scores,pretreatment serum PSA level, Ki-67 and Survivin expression as significant predictors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression after endocrine therapy. Of these significant factors, Survivin expression, clinical stage and Gleason scores appeared to be independently related to PSA progression after endocrine therapy by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, there were significant differences in PSA progression-free survival according to positive numbers of these three independent risk factors. Conclusion Survivin could be a useful independent prognostic factor in prostate cancer with endocrine therapy, besides clinical stage and Gleason score.

The optimum culture conditions for Acetobacter xylinum NUST4 which produces bacterial cellulose(BC) were obtained by uniform design method.BC production was dependent on MgSO_(4)?7H_(2)O,FeSO_(4)?7H_(2)O and cosubstrates such as p-aminobenzoic acid,nicotinamide,d-Biotin and ethanol.The optimal medium contained glucose 24g,sucrose 22g,peptone 16g,HAc 2.4mL,Na_(2)HPO_(4)?12H_(2)O 3.5 g,KH_(2)PO_(4)?H_(2)O 1 g,MgSO_(4)?7H_(2)O 6 g,FeSO_(4)?7H_(2)O 0.015g,nicotinamide 0.003 g,d-Biotin 0.02g and ethanol 20mL in 1L culture medium.BC yield reached 9.87g(the dried weight) in stationary culture for 7 days,which was 12-fold higher than that in the S-H medium.

Objective To investigate the relationship between Lys198Asn and Taq Ⅰ polymorphisms of endothelin-1 gene and essential hypertension in Chongqing residents.Methods Polymorphisms of Lys198Asn and TaqⅠ were detected in the blood samples from 86 patients with essential hypertension(HT) and 138 normotensive controls(NT) by sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction(SSP-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).Results In the BMI

0.05). There were significant differences among 3- or 6- or 9- or 12-hour groups and 24- or 36-hour groups in 6, 13 ℃ and 28 ℃ respectively (P

Objective To explore the rela ti onship between the environmental temperature and the oxygen demand of [WT5” BX]Oncomelania snails, and the relationship between the hiber nation or aestivation and the oxygen demand of snails.Me thods The oxygen demand of Oncomelaniasnails between 0 ℃ and 40 ℃ was determined by increasing the temperature gradually in lab, the relationship between the environmental tempera ture and the oxygen demand, and the correlative relationship between the oxygen demand and the percentage of snails in hibernation or aestivation were analysed. Results The oxygen demand increased as the tem perature rose between 1 ℃ and 36 ℃, and the regression equation between the oxygen demand and the variation of environmental temperature was [WT5”BX ]=6.6?10 -5-3?10 -6x+4.4?10 -6x2-8?10 -8x 3(R2=0.998,F=2775,P

Background: Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) plays an important role in the development of liver,and studies demonstrate that it is correlated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).However,the regulatory effect of HNF4α on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human HCC cell lines and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) is not yet clear.Aims: To investigate the effect of HNF4α on expression of VEGF in human HCC cell lines and tube formation of HUVEC.Methods: Lentiviral vector overexpressed HNF4α was constructed,and then transfected into HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells (experimental group),cells transfected with lentiviral blank vector and cells without transfection were served as negative control group and blank control group,respectively.The mRNA and protein expressions of HNF4α,VEGF were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The conditioned media of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were co-cultured with HUVEC,and number of HUVEC tube formation was measured.Results: HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells with stable overexpression of HNF4α were successfully established.Compared with negative control group and blank control group,mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF in experimental group were significantly decreased (P＜0.05),and number of HUVEC tube formation was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).Conclusions: HNF4α can significantly inhibit the expression of VEGF in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells and tube formation of HUVEC.

To analyze features of the rabies epidemic in China between 2007 and 2011,identify factors influencing the epidemic and to provide a scientific basis for further control and prevention of rabies,Descriptive epidemiological methods and statistical analysis was used on data collected from the National Disease Reporting Information System between 2007 to 2011 and the National Active Surveillance System between 2007 and 2010.Our analysis shows that while the number of human rabies cases decreased year by year,the number of districts reporting cases did not show significant change.The situations in Guangdong,Guangxi,Guizhou and Hunan provinces clearly improved over the period but they remain provinces with high-incidence,and consequently influence the epidemic situation of surrounding provinces and possibly the whole country.Summer and autumn were high-incidence seasons.Farmers,students and pre-school children represent the high-risk populations,and rates of cases in farmers increased,those for students decreased,and pre-school children remained unchanged.Provinces with active surveillance programs reported a total of 2346 individual cases,of which 88.53％ were associated with canines.Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) of rabies cases was not significantly improved,whereas PEP in post-exposure population was good.In rural regions of China,canine density was reduced somewhat,and the immunization rate increased slightly.Finally we show that while the epidemic decreased 2007 to 2011 in China,cases continued to be diffused in certain regions.Lack of standardization of PEP on rabies cases was the main reason of morbidity.The high density and low immunization of dog in rural areas and the defective situation of PEP are still continuous occurrences in China and remain a cause for concern.