Objective To determine the effect of cheA gene of Helicobacter pylori in the bacterial chemotaxis in vitro and colonization in vivo. Methods The entire cheA and cheY genes were amplified and cloned from genomic DNA of H. pylori NCTC11637 strain. Subsequently, the prokaryotic expression systems of cheA and cheY genes were generated and the target recombinant proteins rCheA and rCheY were extracted by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Rabbits were immunized with either rCheA or rCheY for obtaining antisera, and rCheA-IgG and rCheY-IgG in the antisera were prepared using ammonium sulfate precipitation plus DEAE-52 column chromatography. A suicide plasmid of cheA gene was constructed and then a cheA gene knock-out mutant ( cheA - ) was generated based on homologous recombinant exchange using the suicide plasmid. The cheA- mutant was identified using PCR and sequencing. The phosphorylation levels of CheA and CheY molecules of cheA - and wild-type strain were determined by using rCheA-IgG and rCheY-IgG anchoring the target proteins and protein phosphorylation detection kit. The differences of chemotaxis in vitro and colonization in vivo between cheA- mutant and wild-type strain were compared using chemotactic model and BALB/c infection model of H. pylori. Results The cheA gene knock-out in genome of cheA- mutant was confirmed by the results of PCR and sequencing. After treated with 0. 001-0. 1 mol/L HCI for 10 min, the phosphorylation levels of CheA and CheY molecules of wild-type strain were rapidly descended from ( 59.6 ±11.5) μmol and (55.5 ± 10.2) μmol to ( 10.8 ± 2.6) and (5. 5 ± 1.2) μmol (P ＜ 0.05 ), while the phosphorylation of CheY molecule of cheA - mutant was no markedly changed with a persistent lower level ( P ＞0.05). The diameters [(10-20) ± (2-3) mm] of chemotactic aggregative rings of cheA- mutant were significantly less than those [(16-24) ± (2-3)mm] of wild-type strain (P ＜0.05). The positive isolation rate (90%) of H. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens of mice that infected with wild-type strain was remarkably higher than that (40%) of mice that infected with cheA- mutant (P ＜0.05). The result of fluorescence quantitative was also showed that the numbers (6.3 × 103 ±2.1 × 103 copies/mg) of H. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens of wild-type strain infected mice were significantly larger than those (8.3 × 101 ±3. 1 × 101 copies/mg) in gastric biopsy specimens ofcheA- mutant infected mice (P＜0.05). Conclusion The cheA gene of H. pylori has an important role in the bacterial chemotaxis in vitro and colonization in vivo.

A fast technique for implementing Holter cardio real time data reduction based on pointer and dual data buffers is presented in this paper, and an example of its application is also given here.
Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; Computer Systems ; Data Compression ; methods ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software

Alcoholism ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Learning ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; physiology ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; genetics ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the roles and significances of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis by repeated renal biopsy.Methods Seventeen patients diagnosed by renal biopsy as WHO typeⅣlupus nephritis were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9. Double staining for MMP-2 and MT1-MMP,MMP-9 and CD68 were also performed.Patients had repeated renal biopsy after followed up for 2.5 years.The relationship between expressions of gelatinases and pathological activity index and clinical data were studied.Results MMP-2 immunoreactivity was detected in normal controls and was increased in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis.MMP-9 staining,which was almost negative in normal giomeruli,was increased much more significantly in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. The immunoreactivity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was positive in MT1-MMP staining and CD68-positive macrophages, respectively.The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was reduced by 70% and 62% in 10 patients whose clinical condition was partially alleviated,while the expressions in 7 patients whose clinical condition was not alleviated,were only reduced by 27% and 32%.The staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 were correlated with activity index of lupus nephritis and proteinuria.Conclusion Up-regulation of gelatinases expression in diffuse proliferate lupus nephritis is correlated to activity index of the disease.

Fucoidan is one of the main bioactive components of polysaccharides. The current study was focused on the anti-tumor effects of fucoidan on human heptoma cell line HepG2 and the possible mechanisms. Fucoidan treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. The results of flow cytometric analysis revealed that fucoidan induced G2/M arrest in the cell cycle progression. Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V/PI staining results showed that the apoptotic cell number was increased, which was associated with a dose-dependent up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and p-Stat3. In parallel, the up-regulation of p53 and the increase in reactive oxygen species were also observed, which may play important roles in the inhibition of HepG2 growth by fucoidan. In the meantime, Cyclin B1 and CDK1 were down-regulated by fucoidan treatment. Down-regulation of p-Stat3 by fucoidan resulted in apoptosis and an increase in ROS in response to fucoidan exposure. We therefore concluded that fucoidan induces apoptosis through the down-regulation of p-Stat3. These results suggest that fucoidan may be used as a novel anti-cancer agent for hepatocarcinoma.

Icaritin, a prenylflavonoid derivative from Epimedium Genus, has been shown to exhibit many pharmacological and biological activities. However, the function and the underlying mechanisms of icaritin in human non-small cell lung cancer have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of icaritin on A549 cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. The cell viability after icaritin treatment was tested by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the genes involved in proliferation and apoptosis were respectively detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results demonstrated that icaritin induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, and down-regulated the expression levels of S regulatory proteins such as Cyclin A and CDK2. Icaritin also induced cell apoptosis characterized by positive Hoechst 33258 staining, accumulation of the Annexin V-positive cells, increased ROS level and alteration in Bcl-2 family proteins expression. Moreover, icaritin induced sustained phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPK. These findings suggested that icaritin might be a new potent inhibitor by inducing S phase arrest and apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 cells.

PARP [poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase] represents a novel potential target in cancer therapy. It is involved in a DNA repair process by catalyzing the transfer of ADP-ribose units from NAD to a number of its substrate proteins. In this work, a series of novel azaindole derivatives was designed and synthesized. Moreover, 16 target molecules were screened and 8 compounds displayed inhibitory activity against PARP-1. It has been demonstrated that these azaindoles bearing cycloamine substituents at 2-position were active to both PARP-1 and PARP-2.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Aza Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the difference of carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) among different glucose tolerance status and to investigate the association of IMT with different glucose levels of 4 time points during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the lipid metabolic indices in non-diabetic subjects. Methods Eleven normal control subjects, 69 subjects with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) newly diagnosed by OGTT (including 28 patients with non-elevated OGTT 30 min and 60 min glucose values (

y screen and prevent CAD in these people before diabetes sets in.

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a patient with 17β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) 3 deficiency, regarding its pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed in a pedigree of 17β-HSD3 deficiency. Blood samples from the patient and his parents were collected. HSD17B3 gene was screened for mutations by PCR and subclone sequencing. Results The patient presented with pubertal virilization and gynecomastia. The physical examination showed female external genitalia and testes in inguinal canals. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY. Serum FSH, LH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and 17-OH-progesterone levels were raised, whereas plasma testosterone was lowered. Sequencing analysis revealed 4 nucleotide deletion (172-175del) of HSD17B3 gene. Conclusion Virilization and gynecomastia in puberty suggest the probability of 17β-HSD deficiency. It may be verified clinically by hCG-stimulating test and confirmed by gene diagnosis.