OBJECTIVESChemokines play an important role in the infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues. Anti-tumor immune response has been elicited in many tumor models by chemokine gene transfection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of inducing anti-hepatocellular carcinoma active immune response by transfection of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells MM45T.Li with chemokine FK gene.

METHODSMouse FK gene was transduced into mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells MM45T.Li using of liposome.G418-resistant clones were selected and the FK mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. In vivo experiments were performed to observe the tumorigenicity of wild type MM45T.Li and FK gene modified tumor cells. The immune cell infiltration in tumor tissues was detected histopathologically. The level of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood were detected by FACS.

RESULTSRT-PCR detection showed that FK was expressed in FK gene transfected G418-resistant clones (MM45T.Li-FK), but not in the wild type MM45T.Li. In vivo experiments the tumorigenicity of MM45T.Li-FK had decreased compared to the wild type MM45T.Li. In the tumor tissues from MM45T.Li-FK, many infiltrated immune cells were found, but few immune cells infiltrated into the tumor tissues from the controls. The level of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells had obviously increased in MM45T.Li-FK compared to the controls (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTransfection with chemokine FK gene can induce anti-hepatocellular carcinoma active immune response.

Animals ; Chemokine CX3CL1 ; Chemokines, CX3C ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; therapy ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo explore the quality of life and related social support among people living with HIV/AIDS with related factors.

METHODS331 people living with HIV/AIDS and 148 of their family members were selected using a typical sampling method. Questionnaires on general conditions, tables on history of infection, generic quality of life inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) and social support scale (SSS) were used.

RESULTSData from one-way analysis suggested that people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members with the different sexs, different villages and different cultural backgrounds had differences in GQOLI-74 scores (P < 0.05) while people living with HIV/AIDS with the different villages had differences in SSS scores (P < 0.05). Results from Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that being elderly and negative life events were negatively associated with social support (P < 0.05), while factors as more advanced educational background, harmonious neighborhood relationship and having bother pouring nature were the predictive factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMany factors might affect dimensions of quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members in rural areas of northern Anhui. Community care and social support of HIV/AIDS should still be greatly enhanced in the countryside of China. A community care mode based on family and neighborhood was expected to be developed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; ethnology ; psychology ; China ; Cultural Characteristics ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Social Support

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the cure effect of tumor antigen specific CTL on a model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice LCI-D20.

METHODSDendritic cells (DCs) were induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy people in vitro by using recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (rhIL-4) and were pulsed with tumor antigen from hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97H. Then tumor antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were induced. By intraperitoneal injection of tumour antigen specific CTLs into the LCI-D20, the preventive and therapeutic effects of these CTLs to HCC in the LCI-D20 model were assessed. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and phosphate buffer solution were used as controls at the same time.

RESULTSThe weights of tumors in the tumor antigen specific CTL group, in the CIK cell group and in the blank group were (1.11+/-0.63), (1.12+/-0.36) and (2.68+/-0.53) grams respectively (t = 5.18, t = 6.06, P < 0.01). The amount of blood alpha fetal protein in the tumor antigen specific CTL and CIK groups were (52.1+/-9.7) microg/L and (48.6+/-5.2) microg/L, and was (82.2+/-7.2) microg/L in the blank group (t = 17.26, t = 22.07, P < 0.01 respectively). The metastasis rates in livers were 16.7%, 16.7% and 58.3% in the tumor antigen specific CTL, CIK cell and blank control groups respectively (chi2= 4.44, P < 0.01). The survival time of the mice in the tumor antigen specific CTL group was (79.0+/-5.02) days, (73.3+/-7.0) days in the CIK group, and (52.3+/-5.2) days in the blank group (t = 14.56, t = 17.54, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTumor antigen specific CTLs may prevent metastasis in the LCI-D20 model and prolong the survival time.

Animals ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Recombinant Proteins ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of forkhead box proteinO3a activates Fas ligand on renal tubular epithelial cell ( RTC ) apoptosis induced by renal ischemia /reperfusion ( I/R ) . Methods The model by clamping renal pedicles for 45 minutes follow-ing reperfusion was established.The protein expression of forkhead box proteinO3a and Fas ligand were examined by western blotting.Apoptosis of RTC was assessed by TdT -mediated dUTP nick -end Labeling (TUNEL) method and transmission electron microscopic (TEM).Renal function was assessed by biochemical automatic analyzer .Results The protein expression level of forkhead box proteinO 3a and Fas ligand was increased significantly following renal I /R at 1 h.RTC nucleus was shrinking, crushing followed renal I /R, and a significant increase in the number of TUNEL -positive cells following renal I /R was displayed com-pared with the sham group.The level of blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum creatinine ( Scr) was increased significantly compared with the sham group (P <0.05,P <0.01).Conclusion FoxO3a could be acti-vated during renal I /R, and then up -regulated FasL protein expression , facilitated renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis , in turn, aggravated renal I /R injury in rats.

OBJECTIVESTo study the cellular immune response to HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex in HBV transgenic mice.

METHODHSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex was reconstituted in vitro, then it was injected into HBV transgenic mice to observe the cellular immune response. At the same time, we investigated whether HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex could generate antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in spleen cells.

RESULTSOur results demonstrated that HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex increased levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleens and peripheral blood of HBV transgenic mice, and the complex also activated dendritic and natural killer cells.

CONCLUSIONHSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex has an immunological antigenicity in raising the immunoresponse to chronic HBV infection in HBV transgenic mice. HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex might be considered as a candidate for further studies on its role as a therapeutic vaccine against chronic HBV infection in humans.

Animals ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Spleen ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFRA) gene mutation features and the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST).

METHODSClinicopathological, genetic testing and follow-up informations of patients admitted to the Shanxi Tumor Hospital from June 2000 to January 2009 were collected. The survival was calculated and univariate analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was conducted by the Cox regression method.

RESULTSThe 5-year disease-free survival rate was 61.5% and the 5-year overall survival rate was 67.4%. The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients without disease among those with c-kit exon 11 mutation (n=77), c-kit exon 9 mutation(n=4), and PDGFRA exon 18 mutation (n=2) were 63.4%, 14.3% and 100%, and the 5-year overall survival rates were 70.8%, 50.0% and 100%, respectively. In the patients with c-kit exon 11 mutation, the 5-year disease-free survival rates among those with point mutations(n=26), deletion mutations(n=44), and duplication mutations(n=7) were 87.1%, 44.9% and 80.0%, and the 5-year overall survival rates were 88.1%, 57.0% and 100%, respectively. There were significant differences in overall survival among different factors. Multivariate analysis showed that gene mutation was not the independent factor of prognosis(P=0.492).

CONCLUSIONSIn GIST patients undergoing surgery without imatinib treatment, mutated genotype is better than wild type in terms of prognosis. Gene mutation is not the independent factor of prognosis in GIST patients.

DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; genetics ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ERK on 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in rats after vascular injury. Common carotid artery balloon-injury (Inj) model was established in ovariectomized rats (OVX). Female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: OVX, E(2)+OVX, OVX+Inj, and E(2)+OVX+Inj groups. The thickness of the vessels, the plasma content of NO, and the expression of ERK, phosphorylated ERK as well as eNOS protein were measured. The results showed that compared with OVX, the vessel wall was significantly thickened and the plasma content of NO was significantly decreased in OVX+Inj group. E(2) significantly decreased the vessel thickness but increased the plasma NO content after balloon injury. E(2) inhibited the expression of ERK, phosphorylated ERK and induced the eNOS expression. There is a positive correlation between plasma NO content and eNOS protein expression, while there is a negative correlation between plasma NO content and the thickness of vessel. The plasma NO content and the expression of ERK protein were negatively correlated. These results suggest that E(2) increases the vascular eNOS protein expression and NO release, leading to the inhibition of VSMC proliferation after balloon injury by inhibiting the ERK and phosphorylated ERK protein expression.
Animals ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; physiology ; Female ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Phosphorylation ; Rats

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the method of large-scale screening for genes differentially expressed in nonfunctional pituitary tumor and normal pituitary. Methods： cDNA libraries of nonfunctional pituitary tumor (NFPT) and human normal pituitary were constructed. Large-scale sequencing, bioinformatics and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used. Significant difference of known genes expression in 2 tissues were analyzed by statistical software offered by Audic S and Claverie JM (http： //igs-server.cnrs-mrs.fr/). Results： A total of 1253 and 7222 ESTs with good quality were obtained from the tissues of NFPT and normal pituitary, respectively. Two hundred known genes were found in NFPT. Among them, 38 genes creditability of significant difference expression in the 2 tissues were over 0.99, and 130 were over 0.95. Out of the 130 differentially expressed genes in the 2 tissues, 17 genes were associated with cell differentiation and development (G2). 6 differentially expressed G2 category genes were selected and the liability of the expression significant difference in the 2 tissues was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Out of them, 4 were confirmed differentially expressed in the 2 tissues. Conclusion： MEIS2, SMT3C, C1D, and BUB3 genes associated with cell differentiation and development (G2) were expressed more in nonfunctional pituitary tumor than in normal pituitary. They may play a role in the pathogenesis of nonfunctional pituitary carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To optimize low copy number (LCN) DNA analysis methods for forensic STR genotyping. METHODS: Two groups of DNA sample, extracted using either Magnetic bead method or Chelex-100 methods, were previously amplified with a Identifiler PCR Amplification kit, but no genotype was detected. The DNA samples were concentrated using either a drying method or the Microcon-100 method, then amplified using an miniFiler PCR Amplification kit and genotyped. RESULTS: Among the 127 DNA samples, 47 samples, previously extracted using the Magnetic bead method, were genotyped with 36% success rate. Eighty samples, previously extracted using the Chelex-100 method, were genotyped with 30% success rate. CONCLUSION The application of sample concentration methods and miniFiler kit can improve the success rate of LCN STR analysis.
Blood Stains ; DNA/analysis* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; DNA Primers ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotyping Techniques/methods* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Saliva/chemistry* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Templates, Genetic

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of age distribution of measles and related policies on measles vaccines (live; MV) in infants through analyzing the antibody levels of comparison in maternal-infant pairs. Transition of immunity in infants was also studied to provide theoretic basis for measles immunization strategy and to reduce the incidence of month-old infants. Methods In cities of Ningbo, Harbin, and Jinan from Zhejiang, Heilongiiang and Shandong provinces, data was collected from 2004 to 2007 and analyzed regarding the epidemic situation of measles. Studies on maternal-transferred measles antibody were carried our sero-epidemiologically. Results Most of the measles cases were found among babies younger than 12 months,and the incidence of < 1 year olds had been increasing.The distribution was dominated by 5-8 month olds in infant measles cases. The positive rate and GRMT of measles antibody in newborns were 89.3 percent and 738.93. The positive rate of the measles antibody and GMRT of the 6-month infant were 6.9 % and 6.89, while 6.7 % and 3.69 in 8-month infant. There wasa declining trend of the positive rate of the measles antibody during the newborns to 8-month infant. The positive rate and GRMT of measles antibody in mothers were 84.3 percent and 516.94. Mother's measles antibodies mainly to be at low and moderate level, which accounted for 50.4 percent and 30.3 percent respectively, the correlation coefficient between mother and infant was 0. 840. Conclusion Maternal-transferred measles antibody decreased as the growth of infants. The positive rates of measles antibody were quite low in 6-month and 8-month olds which were the age range that needs most attention.