Objective To investigate the effect of Santong electroacupuncture (EA) on mRNA and protein expression of p75 neurotroph-in receptor (p75NTR) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods A total of 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group (group A, n=8) and model group (n=64). In the model group, Allen's method was used to make SCI rats model, in which 48 survived model rats were further subdivided into model control group (group B, n=12), EA group (group C, n=12), inhibitor Nogo extra cellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) group (group D, n=12) and EA+inhibitor NEP1-40 group (group E, n=12) according to de-sign proposal. The treatment groups were electroacupunctured on Dazhui (GV14) and Yaoyangguan (GV3), bilateral Ciliao (BL32) and Zu-sanli (ST36) with loose-tight wave, for 20 minutes every day. After 7 and 14 days of treatment, injured spinal cord tissue was extracted for detecting. The mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and Western blotting respectively. The hind limb motor function was assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. Results The BBB score increased in the treatment groups compared with group B, and was higher in group E than in groups C and D (P<0.05), as well as on the 14th day than on the 7th day in all the treatment groups (t>2.623, P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in spinal cord tissues decreased in the treatment groups compared with group B (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found among the treatment groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Santong elerctroacupuncture treatment could improve the hind limb motor function, which may associate with inhibition of the mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in rats after SCI.

Computer Graphics ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Pathology ; education ; Pathology, Clinical ; Specimen Handling ; methods

Objective To explore the effect of vitamin D hormone(VDH)on autophagy and apoptosis in hippocampus of rats with traumatic brain injury(TBI). Methods A total of 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control group(n=15),model group(n=15)and VDH group(n=15).The TBI model was established in the model group and VDH group.VDH group was injected with VDH 1 μg/kg 30 minutes,24 hours and 48 hours after modeling,respectively.The expression of microtubule as-sociated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)and p62 was detected with Western blotting,and the number of apoptotic cells were detected with TUNEL three days after modeling.All groups were tested with Morris water maze on the fifth,sixth and seventh days. Results The number of TUNEL positive cells in hippocampus was more in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05),and was lower in VDH group than in the model group(P<0.05),as well as the expression of LC3II/LC3I and p62(P<0.05).The escape latency was longer in the model group than in the control group(P<0.05),and was shorter in VDH group than in the model group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the swimming velocity on the fifth,sixth,and seventh days among three groups(F=0.530,P>0.05). Conclusion VDH has potential neuroprotective effects on TBI,which might be associated with its anti-apoptosis effect on the expression of LC3 and p62 proteins in hippocampus after TBI.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprints of Rheum species and their anti-HIV 1 activities.

METHODTwenty two samples of 16 species belonging to genus Rheum from various sources were collected and analyzed in this study. Firstly they were assayed for the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity. Secondly the fingerprints were established by an optimized UPLC method. Sample was analyzed by UPLC-TOF-MS/MS to identify major peaks. The possible relationship between UPLC fingerprints and anti-HIV 1 activities of Rheum species were deduced by mathematical statistics method.

RESULTSamples of R. austral, R. austral, R. hotaoense exhibited good anti-HIV 1 activities with IC50 < or = 0.2 mg x L(-1). The correlation of anti-HIV 1 activities and fingerprints showed that three compounds were the main bioactive components, and their retention times were 4.74, 7.99, 21.18 min, respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds in Rheum species with possible anti-HIV 1 activities were deduced by spectrum-effect relationship study. This study supported for study of medicinal plants in Rheum.

Anti-HIV Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase ; metabolism ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Ribonuclease H, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship

AIM:To study the influence of bone marrow mesenchymol stem cell-drived exosomes(BMSC-exo-somes)on hindlimb activity,and the numbers of reactive astrocytes and residual neurons in spinal cord injury(SCI)rats. METHODS:BMSCs were cultured using the whole bone marrow adherent culture method and surface markers CD 90 and CD34 were verified by flow cytometry.Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation and the morphology of exosomes was observed under transmission electron microscope.The protein markers CD63 and CD9 were verified by Western blot.After exosomes were applied to SCI rats,the Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale score,the Nissl staining of the lesion site,and the numbers of reactive astrocytes and residual neurons were assessed at various time points.RESULTS:Transmission electron microscopic observation revealed the presence of saucer -shaped vesicles.BMSC-exosomes were found to express high levels of CD63 and CD9.Compared with injury group,significant improvement of hindlimb activity scores from day 14 after injury in treatment group was observed(P<0.05),and less reactive astrocytes and more residual neu-rons from day 7 after injury were also observed(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:BMSC-exosomes inhibit reactive astrocytes and death of neurons,and improve hindlimb activity in the rats after SCI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the DNA methylation status of the promoter region within the coding gene hsa-miR-124a in human gastric cancer tissue, and examine its association with the expression of Rb and CDK6 protein and clinicopathological factors.

METHODSMethylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) was used to detect the DNA methylation status of hsa-miR-124a in gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 30 patients. The expression of Rb and CDK6 protein within these tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe overall methylation rate of gastric cancer tissues was 73.3%, which was significantly higher than that in the adjacent tissues(10.0%, P<0.05). The overall positive rates of Rb and CDK6 protein in gastric cancer tissues were 86.7% and 80.0%, respectively. DNA methylation of hsa-miR-124a was positively correlated with the expression of Rb and CDK6 proteins. Significant associations were found between hypermethylation of hsa-miR-124a and tumor size, differentiation, lymphatic metastasis, and invasion depth(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHypermethylation of hsa-miR-124a is present in gastric cancer, and is associated with increased expression of CDK6 and Rb protein. These may be related to the proliferation and development of malignancy in the stomach.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

The incidence of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection is rapidly increasing in China, which reached 44.7% among the HIV-positive patients in 2007. With a view to the reduction of HIV transmission and improvement of reproductive health in the Chinese population, this paper introduces the latest evidence obtained from the international epidemiological studies and randomized controlled clinical trials on the preventive effect of male circumcision (MC) on HIV transmission, and elucidates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of HIV transmission through the foreskin. Four studies published during 1997-2007 demonstrated that the mean prevalences of redundant prepuce and phimosis in 15,109 Chinese males aged 3-23 years in 4 areas of China were 43.90 and 11.55% , respectively, while the rate of MC was only 2.66%. As MC is a simple, inexpensive and highly effective technique in HIV prevention, we appeal to the policy-makers in China to conduct a practical program for promoting MC and enhancing male productive health in combination with other approaches to the prevention of HIV infection. MC for neonates, children, adolescents and adults should be included in the health insurance program, and free and timely MC should be performed for the male adults with the high risk of HIV infection and the normal ones whose wives are HIV-positive. Further investigations should be carried out on the epidemiology of redundant prepuce and phimosis, the acceptance and socio-cultural context of MC and the development of simpler and safer methods for MC.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Circumcision, Male ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Reproductive Health Services ; statistics & numerical data

This study was aimed to investigate the relation of glutathione S-transferase pI (GSTP1) and cytochrome P450 enzyme 2E1 (CYP2E1) gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to acute leukemia (AL) in Chinese population. The GSFP1 and CTP2E1 gene polymorphisms in 150 patients with AL and 150 patients with non-hematological diseases or non-tumor as controls were detected by means of case-control paired 1:1 method and ligase detection reaction (LDR) techniques. The results indicated that the frequently of G allele and Ile/Val + Val/Val of GSTP1 gene (26.7%and 44% respectively) in AL group were higher than those in control group (10% and 16% respectively); the AL risk for persons with Ile/Val + Val/Val was 3.260-fold (95%CI = 1.527 - 5.236) of persons with Ile/Ile. The further stratified analysis showed the frequency of Ile/Val + Val/Val in AML group was higher than that in control group (55% vs 16%, p < 0.05); the AML risk for persons with Ile/Val + Val/Val was 2.214-fold (95% CI = 1.009-3.260) as persons with Ile/Ile. The frequencies of C2 allele (16.7%) and C1C2/C2C2 of CYP2E1 gene (30%) in AL group seemed higher than those in control groups (13.9% and 26%), but the difference between them was not statistical significant (p > 0.05). The further stratified analysis showed that C1C2/C2C2 of CYP2E1 gene occurred more frequently in AML group (36%) than that in control group (32%), but there was no statistical difference between them (p > 0.05). Combined genotype analysis showed that the AML risk for persons in combination of lle/Val + Val/Val of GSTP1 gene with C1C2 + C2C2 of CYP2E1 gene increased by 3.208-fold. It is concluded that the GSTP1 gene is related with susceptibility to AML, the AL risk for persons with lle/Val + Val/Val of GSTP1 gene decreased, while CYP2E1 gene is not related with susceptibility to AL, the AML risk for persons in combination of GSTP1 wildtype with CYP2E1 hybrid and mutant genotype can be further decreased.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the gene polymorphisms of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and NAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) with the susceptibility to acute leukemia (AL) in Chinese Gansu population. A 1:1 paired case-control study of 150 patients with acute leukemia and 150 cancer-free inpatients as a control was conducted to detect the polymorphisms of MPO and NQO1 by LDR techniques. The results showed that the MPO-463A genotype frequency in patient group was lower than that in control group, and there was significant difference of MPO (G-463A) genotype between patient group and control group (χ(2) = 11.828, P < 0.05, OR = 0.368, 95%CI = 0.205 - 0.610). The NQO1-609T genotype frequency in patient group was higher than that in control group, and there was significant difference of NQO1 (C-609T) genotype between patient group and control group (χ(2) = 17.931, P < 0.05, OR = 1.428, 95%CI = 1.237 - 3.339). The combined gene analysis showed that the AML risk in patients carrying the wild genotypes of MPO and NQO1 was dropped to 33.6%. It is concluded that the MPO and NQO1 gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to AL. The AL risk may decrease in patients carrying MPO (G-463A) mutant gene (GA/AA), while the AL risk may increase in patients carrying NQO1 (C-609T) mutant gene (TC/TT). The combined effect of MPO and NQO1 wild genotypes may further decrease AL risk.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Peroxidase ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of flow cytometric monitoring minimal residual diseases (MRD) in patients with acute leukemia (AL) after allogeneic hemapoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODSFrom January 2007 and January 2008 MRD were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) in 402 bone marrow (BM) in 102 AL patients without leukemic gene and chromosomal changes at first diagnosis after HSCT (1, 2, 3, 6,12 months after HSCT; adding detection frequency in part of high risk patients), The relationship between the MRD results and clinical prognosis were observed. Patients with significantly higher MRD were treated and the effectiveness was monitored by FCM (MRD > 0.01% considered as positive).

RESULTS(1) 71 cases were persistently negative for MRD after HSCT and all them were in hematologic complete remission (CR). Only 3 cases had extramedullary relapse. The disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 66.2% and 90.1%, respectively. (2) Of 27 MRD(+) cases 11 converted to MRD negativity after chemotherapy plus donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), CIK, NK cells. The DFS and OS were 63.6% and 72.7%, respectively. Other 16 cases had hematologic relapse. The DFS and OS were 11.1% and 25.0%, respectively. The median time from MRD increasing to hematologic relapse was 48 days (7-69 day). (3) Four cases had hematologic relapse after HSCT and died in the end.

CONCLUSIONS(1) The DFS and the OS in MRD(-) cases are significantly higher than those of MRD(+) cases. (2)MRD(+) patients after HSCT coveted to MRD(-) after intervention. Therapy, whose DFS and the OS are still significantly higher than those of MRD(+) cases. (3) Patients with hematologic relapse after HSCT have the worst prognosis and the DFS and OS are significantly low. FCM monitoring of MRD in patients after HSCT is a sensitive, specific, quick and simple method. It can indicate recurrent state in time, facilitates early intervention, reduces the hematologic relapse risk and improves DFS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukemia ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult