Objective: To quantitatively detect the serum circulating DNA in patients with breast cancer and evaluate its potential applications. Methods: The copy number of GAPDH gene in serum circulating DNA was measured by real-time quantitative PCR from 100 healthy female volunteers, 100 patients with benign breast lesions, and 200 patients with breast cancer. The copy number of GAPDH gene was used as an indicator for circulating DNA content. Results: With a cut-off value of ≥1×103 copies, the results of serum circulating DNA detection in 93% of healthy females and 95% of patients with benign breast lesions were negative, and 84.5% of patients with breast cancer were positive. The positive rate of serum circulating DNA in patients with I-II stage breast cancer was 84%. The DNA content was significantly different among healthy females, patients with benign breast lesions and the patients with breast cancer (P<0.005). Conclusion: There is a certain amount of tumor-derived circulating DNA in patients with early stage breast cancer. These genetic materials may serve as a type of specific biomarkers. Copyright© 2011 by TUMOR.

Objective To study the relationship between renal morphology and renal function,and to assess the value of CT as a criterion to grade renal function.Methods Enhancement CT were performed in 89 patients with no local renal disease whose split renal glomerular filtration rates(GFR)were measured by renal dynamic imaging with ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA.The 178 kidneys were divided into normal renal function,mild and severe renal impairment groups according to renal function.Differences between three groups respect to the mean thickness of renal cortex and parenchyma were assessed by ANOVA.Using Pearson's correlation test,the correlation between the renal cortex,parenchyma thicknesses and renal GFR were examined.The value of CT in predicting renal function was assessed by using ROC analysis.Results The renal cortex thicknesses of normal renal function,mild and severe renal impairment groups were(5.9?1.1),(4.6? 1.1),and(3.3?1.0)mm respectively,and the renal parenchyma thicknesses were(26.3?4.2), (21.3?4.6),(16.2?4.6)mm.There were significant differences of renal cortex,parenchyma thicknesses between 3 groups(cortex F=54.78,P

Objective To express,purify and identify recombinant hepatitis E virus(HEV) pb166-GST fusion protein using GST gene fusion system and investigate its potential role in researching Hepatitis E diagnostic antigen field.Methods The recombinant E.coli BL21 performed by our own laboratory was used to induce the HEV pb166-GST expression with IPTG.The products were purified by BD Biosience GST purifying system.The specific expression was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.The experiment conditions and results were described and analysed.Results The resolved HEV pb166-GST fusion protein on SDS-PAGE showed a major band at position of 43 kD.The expressed proteins had a single expected band after purify and the protein was recognized by anti-GST antibody on PVDF membrane.Conclusion The recombinant HEV pb166-GST fusion protein is expressed in recombinant E.coli BL21 efficiently in this way,and might be used as a candidate for diagnostic antigen of HEV.

Objective To investigate whether mesenchymal stem cells can promote the recovery of acute renal tubular damage induced by mercuric chloride and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods Acute renal failure rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of mercuric chloride.SD rats were randomly divided into three groups which were MSCs injection group, saline infusion group and normal control group.Seven days later,the changes of rat weight,survival,renal function and pathology were observed;PCNA,ED-1 and GFP were detected by immunohistochemistry; The expression of cytokines in kidney and the distribution of GFP plasmid-transfected MSCs in kidney were examined by RT-PCR.Results MSCs infusion ameliorated the decline of rat weight,survival, renal function,and pathological changes.PCNA and ED-1 positive cells in MSCs group were fewer than those in saline group.Expression of growth factors EGF,PDGF,HGF were obviously up- regulated and pre-inflammatory cytokines TNF-?was significantly reduced in MSCs-treated kidneys. GFP-labelled MSCs occurred occasionally in renal interstitium of MSCs-treated rats,but not in renal tubules.Conclusions Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can promote the recovery of acute renal tubular epithelial cells damage caused by mercuric chloride.The mechanism may partly depend on regulating the excretion of cytokines in renal microenvironment rather than completely depend on their differentiation to tubular cells.

Accidents, Occupational ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Arsenic Poisoning ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Water Pollution, Chemical

OBJECTIVETo study the storage technique on artificial seeds of Pinellia ternata.

METHODMicrotubers were used as experiment materials. By using orthogonal experiment, the sodium alginate, added with GA3 badistan, chitosan and sodium benzoate, was used as seed vessel. The artificial seeds were stored respectively under 25 degrees C and 4 degrees C for 30 days, then, calculated the germination rate.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe sodium alginate(3%) added with GA3(0.1 mg x L(-1)), sodium benzoate(0.2%), badistan(1.0%), ClO2(0.1%) and chitosan(0.2%), were used as artificial seed vessel. Stored under (25 +/- 1) degrees C for 30 days, and the germination rate was over 65%. The sodium alginate(3%), added with GA3(0.1 mg x L(-1)), sodium benzoate(0.2%), badistan(1.0%), ClO2(0.2%) and chitosan(0.1%), were used as artificial seed vessel. Stored under 4 degrees C for 30 days, and the germination rate was over 80%.

Alginates ; Chitosan ; Drug Storage ; methods ; Germination ; physiology ; Gibberellins ; Glucuronic Acid ; Hexuronic Acids ; Pinellia ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Sodium Benzoate ; Temperature

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), mediated by plasmids, can hydrolyze and cause resistance to penicillins, broad spectrum-cephalosporins, and monobactams. Most ESBLs are derived from the widespread broad-spectrum beta-lactamases TEM-1 and SHV-1. There are also other families of ESBLs, including CTX-M and OXA-type enzymes as well as novel unrelated beta-lactamases. This article reviews recent advances in the classification, characteristics, and other molecular biological aspects of ESBLs.
Molecular Biology ; beta-Lactamases ; classification ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the ultrasound (US) features of the encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinoma (EPTC). Methods From January 2005 to October 2009, ultrasonographic retrospective analysis was done on 33 cases of EPTC in Shanxi Province Tumor Hospital. Based on ultrasonographic features including shape, size, border, echogenicity, hypoechoic halo and microcalcification, 33 cases of EPTC were classified into two groups: 21 cases in irregular shape group and 12 cases in spherical or oval shape group. Results EPTC in the irregular shape group showed some ultrasonographic features including jagged border, irregular tumor shape and marked hypoechogenicity, while the ultrasonographic features of EPTC in the spherical or oval shape group included smooth border, regular shape, isoechogenicity and hypoechoic halo. Hypoechoic halo and isoechogenicity were found more frequently in EPTC of spherical or oval shape group than those in EPTC of irregular shape group. The size of EPTC in the spherical or oval group was commonly larger than that of EPTC in the irregular shape group. Conclusions The findings indicate that EPTC have some ultrasonographic features similar to benign follicular thyroid tumors.

A BBB co-culture cell model consisting of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) and astrocytes (AS) was established to study the effect of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the transport behavior of puerarin across blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro and in vivo. The barrier function of this model was evaluated by measuring the transendothelial resistance, phenol red permeability and BBB related protein expression. The permeability assay and western blot methods were performed to study the effects of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the BBB permeability and the expression of BBB related protein. The animal experiment protocols in this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Animal Ethics No.: 2021-1329). The results showed that the established BMEC/AS co-culture model could be used to evaluate drug transport across BBB in vitro. After combined with Angelica dahurica coumarins, the transport capacity of puerarin was significantly increased in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Angelica dahurica coumarins enhanced BBB permeability and inhibited the protein expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Angelica dahurica coumarins might increase BBB permeability by inhibiting the expression of P-gp and tight junction protein, thereby increasing the content of puerarin in brain tissue.