Objectives The ferredoxins are iron-sulfur proteins, which function in electron transfer reactions in a variety of systems and participate in the activation of the antimicrobial agent metronidazole. The aim of this study is to clone and characterize ferredoxin genes of Trichomonas vaginalis. Methods A cDNA expression library was constructed with T. Vaginalis total RNA. Hundreds of cDNA clones were isolated and sequenced. Sequence analysis was performed using BLAST programs, ClustalW program, etc. Results One of the cDNA clones, which has homology with T.vaginalis ferredoxin, was further analyzed. This cDNA clone has an open reading frame of 312 base pairs. The deduced precursor protein contains 103 amino acid residues with a hydrogenosome targeting sequence (MLSQCSPLRF) at the N-terminal end. The primary sequence analysis revealed that this new ferredoxin (TvFd2) has a high homology (69% identity) to the previous reported T.vaginalis ferredoxin(TvFd). Interestingly, TvFd2 is homologous to both the two subclasses of (2Fe-2S) ferredoxins, the oxidase ferredoxins and the photosynthetic ferredoxins,but with low similarity. The conserved four-cysteine residues, which are predicted to form the iron-sulfur cluster,are arranged in a typical pattern of (2Fe-2S)ferredoxins(-C-X5-C-X2-C-Xn-C-). Conclusion These data show that TvFd2 is a putative new (2Fe-2S) ferredoxin of T.vaginalis. Its biological function remains to be studied.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Hovenia dulcis extract on mRNA expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 mRNA in hepatic tissue in experimental rats.

METHOD48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal group (16) and model group (32), hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl4 for 6 weeks in rats, 8 rats were sacrificed at the end of the 6th week from every group respectively, HE staining of hepatic tissue was performed; In the model group, rats randomly subdivided into 3 groups: spontaneous recovery group, control group and medication administration group, 8 rats were sacrificed at the end of the 12th week from every group respectively, the mRNA levels of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in hepatic tissue were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTThe mRNA expression of MMP-13 among the 4 groups were not statistically significant, but the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 among the 4 groups were statiscally significant. The levels of TIMP-1 mRNA were significantly increased in control group and medication administration group compared, with those in the model group (P < 0.05), and reverse effects of medication administration groups were significantly high than those of control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 may be the mechanism of reversing hepatic fibrosis H. dulcis, for thus collogen degradation system was recoveried gradually.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhamnaceae ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To observe the stability of intraocular lens (IOL) in primary angle-closure glaucoma by ultra-long scan depth spectral domain optical coherence tomography (UL-OCT) after the phacoemulsification.Methods Totally 42 patients (42 eyes) with primary closed-angle glaucoma (PACG) and age-,gender-matched 40 patients (40 eyes) with age-related cataract were included in the study.All of patients underwent phacoemulsification combined with softec HD IOL implantation.Images were obtained by UL-OCT in 1 week,1 month and 3 months after the surgery for the calculation and analysis of the IOL decentration,tilt and the space between IOL and posterior capsule (IOL-PC space).And finally the intergroup differences at the different time-points were compared with the independent sample t test.Results The IOL decentration after 1 week,1 month and 3 months was (0.182 ± 0.054) mm,(0.232 ±0.081)mm,(0.183 ±0.089) mm in the PACG group,and (0.342 ± 0.141)mm,(0.288 ±0.110)mm,(0.249 ± 0.132)mm in the ARC group.There was statistically significant difference in IOL decentration 1 week after surgery between the two groups (P =0.006),but the differences in this variable at the other two time-points between the two groups were not statistically significant (both P ＞ 0.05).The tilt on the vertical axis at 1 week,1 month and 3 months after surgery was (3.670 ± 6.610) °,(-0.940 ± 4.730) °,(0.540±9.510)° in the PACG group,and (-4.090±7.610)°,(-5.100±5.530)°,(-1.430 ± 8.800) ° in the ARC group.The tilt on the vertical axis of the PACG group was less than that of the ARC group at 1 week after surgery,with statistical difference (P =0.025),but there was no significant difference in this variable at the other two time-points (both P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,the tilt on the horizontal axis showed no statistically significant differences (all P ＞ 0.05).The IOL-PC space on horizontal axis at 1 week,1 month and 3 months after surgery was (0.111 ±0.091)mm2,(0.044 ±0.066)mm2,(0.055 ±0.055) mm2 in the PACG group,and (0 176 ±0.213) mm2,(0.255 ±0.303) mm2,(0.059 ± 0.066) mm2 in the ARC group.The IOL-PC space on horizontal axis of the PACG group was less than that of the ARC group at 1 month after surgery,with statistical difference (P =0.045),but there was no significant difference in this variable at the other two time-points (both P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,the IOL-PC space on vertical axis showed no statistically significantdifferences (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The stability of Softec IOL in the PACG group is better than that in ARC group in 3 months after phacoemulsification.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARgamma) in extrahepatic cholangioadenocarcinoma (EHCAC) and to elucidate its correlation with clinicopathological factors and their significance in prognosis.

METHODSThe expressions of PPARgamma and VEGF-C were detected by immunohistochemistry in 69 cases of EHCAC, 12 cases of non-tumor bile duct epithelium, and their relationship to clinicopathological parameters and follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rate of PPARgamma expression in 69 cases of EHCAC was 59.4%, significantly higher than that in 12 cases of non-tumor bile duct epithelium (0%), (P < 0.01). The positive rate of VEGF-C in 69 cases of EHCAC was 84.1%, also significantly higher than 16.7% in 12 cases of benign bile duct epithelium (P < 0.05). PPARgamma expression was associated with clinical TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. VEGF-C expression was associated with lymph node metastasis. Cox analysis results showed that portal vein and/or hepatic artery invasion, lymph node metastasis and VEGF-C expression were independent prognostic factors of EHCAC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPPARgamma expression may play an important role during tumorigenesis of extrahepatic cholangioadenocarcinoma. The expressions of PPARgamma and VEGF-C are significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics and biological behavior of EHCAC. Expression of VEGF-C is an independent prognosis factors in EHCAC. The detection of PPARgamma and VEGF-C is valuable for evaluation of prognosis of EHCAC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at sensitized acupoints on choline acetyltransferase positive (ChAT METHODS: A total of 79 male SD rats were randomized into five groups, i.e. a normal group (20 rats), a normal plus sensitized acupoint group (5 rats), a model group (34 rats), an EA RESULTS: The EB extravasating areas were distributed in the segments from T CONCLUSION The segmental dominance (acupoints) from T
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cholinergic Neurons ; Colon ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley