Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; drug therapy ; prevention & control

Short tandem repeats (STRs) have been widely used in forensic sciences such as stain analysis and paternity testing. Although most of STR typing could give the reliable and clear results, some unusual typing have been observed in forensic practice. The anomalous typing could result from a lot of causes, including DNA genetic variation, poor quality or quantity of DNA template, different typing system or method, nonspecific reaction in PCR or anomalous electrophoresis migration. The unusual results may disturb the right interpretation of STR typing.
DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To detect the Coxsackie virus B3(CVB3) gene in myocardium and spleen tissues in viral myocarditis(VMC) with sudden death and to explore the diagnostic method for VMC by means of seeking pathogene. METHODS: By in situ RT-PCR, the detection of CVB3 gene in myocardium and spleen sections were performed in sudden death group caused by VMC and non-cardiac death group. RESULTS: In VMC group, CVB3 gene-positive signals were seen in myocardium sections(3 out of total 8 cases, No. 1, 4, 7 cases) and spleen sections(4 out of total 8 cases, No. 2, 4, 6, 7 cases). In non-cardiac death group, no positive signals were detected in both myocardium and spleen tissues. CONCLUSION Positive detection of CVB3 gene in both myocardium and spleen maybe an important character of VMC and can improve the detecting pathogene in diagnosing VMC.
Death, Sudden ; Enterovirus B, Human/genetics* ; Heart/virology* ; Humans ; Myocarditis/virology* ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spleen/virology*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ARNT2 on invasion and migration of HCCLM6 cells.

METHODSFour short hairpin oligos targeting to ARNT2 were s cloned into the pLVTHM vector. Lentiviral vectors shRNA-ARNT2i, pCMV-dR8.74 and pMD2G were cotransfected into 293T cells using Lipofectamine 2000. HCCLM6 was infected with virus supernatant. ARNT2 mRNA and protein expressions were detected using quantitative Real time-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The invasion and migration of HCCLM6 cells were evaluated using wound healing assay and cell invasion assay in vitro. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 16.0.

RESULTSThe relative mRNA levels of ARNT2 were 0.154+/-0.024, 0.860+/-0.145, 1.004+/-0.009 in shRNA-ARNT2i virus infected HCCLM6 cells, mock-infected cells and control vector virus infected cells (F = 113.14, P more than 0.01). The expression of ARNT2 at protein level was 16.45+/-1.6, 44.56+/-2.07 in the HCCLM6 cells infected with shRNA-ARNT2i virus and negative control vector virus, respectively (t = 18.58, P less than 0.01). The scrape wound of HCCLM6 cells infected with shRNA-ARNT2i virus healed faster than cells infected with control vector virus or mock-infected cells. The number of cells invading through Matrigel was higher in the HCCLM6 cells infected with shRNA-ARNT2i virus (13.25+/-1.04) than that in mock-infected HCCLM6 cells and the HCCLM6 cells infected with negative control vector virus (6.50+/-2.56, 6.75+/-2.05) (F = 29.645, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of ARNT2 gene promotes the invasion and migration of HCCLM6 cells.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator ; genetics ; metabolism ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

AIMTo investigate the relationship between glutathione S-transferases gene polymorphism and susceptibility response to hypoxia.

METHODSIn the case-control study, the gene polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases were tested in Tibetan mountaineers and sea-level Han Chinese by multiple-PCR and PCR-RELP.

RESULTSThe frequency of GSTT1 null genotype was significant different between Tibetan mountaineers and sea-level Han Chinese (P < 0.05), OR = 1.86 (95% CI = 1.01-3.39), and also for GSTP(1-105) mutant genotype in two groups (P < 0.01), OR = 2.19 (95% CI = 1.16-4.13). There was significant difference between A allele and G allele of GSTP(1-105) groups (P < 0.01). There was no difference for GSTM1 null genotype between two groups (P > 0.05), OR = 0.78 (95% CI = 0.43 - 1.42).

CONCLUSIONGSTT1 and GSTP(1-105) genotype may be associated with susceptibility response to altitude hypoxia.

Adult ; Alleles ; China ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; genetics ; Male ; Mountaineering ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the pattern of the alterations of blood glucose, insulin and insulin sensitivity after traumatic brain injury in rats, and verify the occurrence of insulin resistance after the injury.

METHODSBased on Feeney's model of brain injury, the blood glucose and insulin concentration of the dogs measured 30 min before and at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 120 h after injury. BG60-120, GIR60-120, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) reflecting the insulin sensitivity were measured at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours following severe traumatic brain injury using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp.

RESULTSBoth the blood glucose and insulin concentration increased markedly in rats following moderate and severe brain injury. BG60-120 increased markedly, and GIR60-120 and ISI decreased significantly 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after severe brain trauma as compared with those of the sham operation group. Blood glucose concentration of rats following severe injury was positively correlated with insulin concentration and BG60-120 at the corresponding time points, but negatively with GIR60-120 and ISI.

CONCLUSIONBoth the blood glucose and insulin concentration increase markedly in rats following severe brain injury. Increased blood glucose even in the presence of high-level insulin is due to acute insulin resistance occurring after traumatic brain injury.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; blood ; complications ; physiopathology ; Hyperglycemia ; etiology ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of specific peptide (AWYPLPP peptide) binding to high metastatic potential human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells on the invasion and metastasis of liver cancer.

METHODSThe effects of AWYPLPP peptide on the invasion, migration, proliferation and adhesion of high metastatic potential human HCC cell line (HCCLM3) were evaluated in vitro by Matrigel invasion assay, migration assay, MTT assay and adhesion assay. The effect of AWYPLPP peptide on lung metastasis of HCC in vivo was evaluated in male nude mice with subcutaneously implanted HCCLM3 cells.

RESULTSIncubation with the AWYPLPP peptide, but not the control peptide, resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of invasion ability in HCCLM3 cells at the concentration of 0.1 to 100 micromol/L. At any concentration used for the invasion assay, the peptide had no effect on cell migration, proliferation and adhesion. After 30 days of transplantation, eight of nine (88.9%) mice in the AWYPLPP peptide group showed obvious lung metastasis. The metastatic rate of lung metastasis was significantly increased in the AWYPLPP peptide group compared with that in the control group. There was no significant difference among the weights of primary tumor in the PBS, control peptide and AWYPLPP peptide groups.

CONCLUSIONAWYPLPP peptide can promote in vitro invasion and in vivo lung metastasis of high metastatic potential human HCC cells. Identification of the receptor for AWYPLPP peptide binding may provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying HCC invasion and metastasis as well as new targets for intervention.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligopeptides ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation

BACKGROUNDMycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) can cause a variety of human infections, involving the lung, skin and soft tissues, and is generally believed to be acquired from environmental sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of M. abscessus isolates as the basis for strategies to improve control and management of infection.

METHODSSeventy M. abscessus isolates from patients attending the Guangzhou Thoracic Hospital were identified from 2003 to 2005 by biochemical tests, gas chromatography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction analysis (PRA) of heat shock protein gene hsp65, and sequencing of the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA. Susceptibilities to six antibiotics were determined by micro-broth dilution. Isolates were genotyped using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.

RESULTSMost isolates (63/70; 90%) were susceptible to amikacin but rates of susceptibility to other antibiotics varied from moderate, clarithromycin (60%) and imipenem (43%), to low for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (3%), and 87% of isolates had intermediate susceptibility to cefoxitin. RAPD analysis showed that the 70 clinical isolates displayed 69 unique RAPD patterns.

CONCLUSIONSThe high genetic diversity of isolates suggests that they are not transmitted from person to person but, presumably, are acquired independently from environmental sources. M. abscessus isolates displayed variable levels of susceptibility to all antibiotics tested, other than amikacin, indicating a need for routine susceptibility testing to guide treatment.

Amikacin ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Cefoxitin ; pharmacology ; China ; Chromatography, Gas ; Ciprofloxacin ; pharmacology ; Clarithromycin ; pharmacology ; Imipenem ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the roles of JAK/STATs signal pathway on anti-proliferative effects induced by IFN-alpha in MHCC97.

METHODSAn IRF9 expression vector was transfected into MHCC97 with Dosper. The expression of IRF9, cycle regulating proteins and the forming of ISGF3 complex were detected using Western blot and EMSA, respectively. Cell proliferation and distribution were monitored using MTT and flow cytometry.

RESULTSHigh expression of IRF9 restored the anti-proliferative response of MHCC97 on IFN-alpha treatment and delayed the cell transition from S phase to G2 phase induced by IFN-alpha.

CONCLUSIONThe integrity and functions of JAK/STATs signal pathway played an important role in mediating the anti-proliferative effects of IFN-alpha in MHCC97.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3, gamma Subunit ; genetics ; Interferon-alpha ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Janus Kinases ; genetics ; physiology ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; STAT Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection