Aim To explore the effects of Shp2 on cig-arette smoke extract (CSE)-induced epithelial-mesen-chymal transition (EMT). Methods The effects of CSE on TGF-β1 levels in epithelial cells were meas-ured by Q-PCR and ELISA. Immunofluorescent stai-ning was used to assess the expressions of CSE-induced EMT-related markers. The activation of CSE-induced Shp2,Smad2 was investigated by Western blot. Re-sults CSE induced Shp2 phosphorylation in a concen-tration-dependent manner in A549 cells. PHPS1 inhib-ited the increase in mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 induced by CSE. PHPS1 regulated the expres-sions of CSE-induced EMT markers (down-regulation of E-cadherin,up-regulation expression of Vimentin and α-SMA). The inhibition of either Shp2 inhibitor or Shp2 siRNA decreased Smad2 phosphorylation induced by CSE. Conclusions CSE initiates EMT through the Shp2 / Smad2 signaling pathway,which is activated by CSE through TGF-β1 generation. It is suggested that Shp2 might be a possible new target for COPD and lung cancer therapy.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of fluvas-tatin formulation on the pharmacokinetics-genetic polymorphis relationship. METHODS We compared the difference between the pharmacokinetics of fluvastatin as an extended-release (ER) 80 mg tablet and an immediate-release(IR)40 mg capsule in terms of drug metabolism enzyme and transporter ge-netic polymorphisms. In this open-label, randomized, two-period, two-treatment, crossover study, ef-fects of BCRP, SLCO1B1, MDR1, CYP2C9, and CYP3A5 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of fluvastatin were analyzed in 24 healthy individuals.Each treatment duration was 7 days with a washout period of 7 days between the crossover.Serum concentration of fluvastatin was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS The SLCO1B1 T521C genotype had no statistically significant effect on IR 40 mg capsule of fluvastatinafter single or repeated doses.However,for the ER 80 mg tablet,the SLCO1B1 T521C genotype correlated with the AUC0-24of repeat doses (P=0.01). The CYP2C9*3 genotype correlated with the AUC0- 24after the first dose IR 40 mg capsule (P<0.05); however, the difference between CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C9*1/*3 was not statistically significant after repeated doses. CONCLUSION The effect of SLCO1B1 T521C on fluvas-tatin exposure was observed and was more profound in ER and repeated dose administration than in IR and single dose administration.We recommend that formulation should be incorporated into future pharmacogenomics studies and clinical implication guidelines.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effect of long-term exposure to paint or hair dye on chromosomal aberration of early embryos.

METHODSWe analyzed 2 cases of fetal or infantile chromosome aberration in which the parents experienced long-term exposure to paint and hair dye.

RESULTThe chromosomal mutations were detected in one 3-month-old infant and one 21-week-old fetus, and the karyotypes were 46,XX,del(2)(pter'q31) and 46,XX, t(4;12;15), respectively. Their parents worked with long-term exposure to paint and hair dye and developed such symptoms as dizziness, headache, and insomnia. The chromosomes of the parents remained normal, but the micronuclei of the lymphocytes and plasma lead level were increased with decreased WBC, platelet, and HGB.

CONCLUSIONLong exposure to paint or hair dye can cause poison and affect the normal growth of early embryos, leading eventually to gene and chromosomal mutation of the embryos.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; drug effects ; Female ; Hair Dyes ; toxicity ; Humans ; Infant ; Karyotyping ; Paint ; toxicity

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to develop a new perimembranous VSD occluder and to evaluate it.

METHODSThe shape of VSD occluder was designed as fabric frame "I" shape that comprised two types: symmetric and asymmetric. The safety, efficacy, feasibility and complication were tested in 22 animal models and in 58 VSD patients in clinical trial. The device were compared with Amplatzer occluder in this study.

RESULTSThe new perimembranous VSD occluder was passed the national material test. In animal study, artificial VSD were all occluded by using the new devices with no complication in follow up except one pig expresented wound infection. In clinical trial, all 58 VSD cases were healing with the new device. One patient suffered with atria-ventricular block 5 days after procedure and was free from AV block with medicine therapy. Compared with Amplatzer perimembranous VSD occluder, the new devices had lower frequency of residual shunt.

CONCLUSIONThe new perimembranous VSD occluder is a safe and effective perimembranous VSD interventional apparatus, and the effect of the new occluders seems not worse than that of the Amplatzer ones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Balloon Occlusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Swine ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The antisense approach and RT-PCR were used to study the effects of muscarinic receptors on the scores of morphine-withdrawal syndrome and the expression of NMDA receptor subtypes (NR(1A) and NR(2A)) mRNA in rat spinal cord and brainstem. The concentrations of glutamate in periaqueductal grey (PAG) of morphine-withdrawal rats were determined by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The data showed that the NR(1A) and NR(2A) mRNA levels were increased significantly in the spinal cord and brainstem 1 h after the injection of naloxone (4 mg/kg, i.p.) in morphine-dependent rats. Moreover, in morphine-dependent rats pretreated (i.p.) with scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg), or pirenzepine (10 mg/kg), MK801 (0.125 mg/kg), L-N-nitroarginine methylester (10 mg/kg) 30 min before naloxone injection, the NR(1A) and NR(2A) mRNA levels were significantly lower than those of 1 h morphine-withdrawal rats. Intrathecal injection of NR(1A) or M(2) receptor antisense oligonucleotides (A-oligo, 4 microg/per rat) 24 h prior to naloxone challenge could block the morphine withdrawal symptoms including wet dog shaking, irritability, salivation, diarrhea, chewing and weight loss. Meanwhile, in morphine-dependent rats the NR(1A) mRNA levels in the spinal cord and brainstem were down-regulated by intrathecal injection of M(2) receptor A-oligo. The glutamate concentrations in PAG microdialysis were increased to a maximal level 15 min after naloxone injection. The glutamate response was inhibited by pretreatment with M(2) receptor A-oligo but not by M(1) A-oligo. The results suggest that the expression of NMDA receptors and the release of glutamate in brainstem are involved in the processes of morphine withdrawal and that the NMDA receptor expression is possibly regulated by the muscarinic receptors during morphine withdrawal.
Animals ; Brain Stem ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Morphine ; adverse effects ; Periaqueductal Gray ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; physiology ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; genetics ; metabolism

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo describe the case fatality rate of SARS in Beijing.

METHODSData of SARS cases notified from Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC) and supplemented by other channels were collected. The data were analyzed by rate calculation.

RESULTSThe case fatality rate of SARS in Beijing was 7.66%, and had an ascending trend while the age of cases was getting older, and a descending trend while the epidemic development. The case fatality rate in Beijing was lower than that in other main epidemic countries or regions.

CONCLUSIONSThe risk of death increases with the increment of age of SARS patients. Beijing is successful in controlling and treating SARS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; mortality

AIMTo observe mRNA expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in spinal cord and brainstem in morphine dependent or withdrawal rats.

METHODSThe mRNA expression level of m1, m2, m3, m4 and m5 were determined by RT-PCR, the beta-actin mRNA expression was used as internal control.

RESULTSThe mRNA level of m1, m2, m3, m4 and m5 in spinal cord and m1 and m2 in brainstem were increased significantly during morphine dependence, and the levels of m1, m2, m3 and m4 in spinal cord and m1 in brainstem were decreased 1 h after the injection of naloxone (4 mg.kg-1, i.p.) in morphine dependent rats. Either scopolamine (0.5 mg.kg-1) or pirenzepine (10 mg.kg-1) was shown to significantly decrease the morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats. The levels of m1, m2, m3 and m5 in spinal cord were increased by pretreatment with pirenzepine and the levels of m2, m3 and m4 in spinal cord were increased by pretreatment with scopolamine.

CONCLUSIONThe adaptive expression of muscarinic receptors at spinal and supraspinal levels play important role in mediating morphine dependence and withdrawal in rats.

Animals ; Brain Stem ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Male ; Morphine ; toxicity ; Morphine Dependence ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; biosynthesis ; classification ; genetics ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDActivation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is essentially involved in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. The most potent growth factor for HSC is platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor beta subunit (PDGFR-beta) is the predominant signal transduction pathway of PDGF which is overexpressed in activated HSC. This study investigated the cleavage activity of hammerhead ribozyme targeting PDGFR-beta mRNA in HSC and the effect on biological characteristics of HSC.

METHODSExpression vector of anti-PDGFR-beta ribozyme was constructed and transfected into rat activated HSC with lipofectamin. The positive cell clones were gained by G418 selection. The expression of PDGFR-beta, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and typeI and type III collagen were detected by using Northern blot, Western blot and immunocytochemical staining, respectively. The cell proliferation was determined with MTT colorimetric assay. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by using flow cytometry, acridine orange fluorescence vital staining and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe expression of PDGFR-beta at mRNA and protein level was markedly reduced in ribozyme-transfected HSC by 49% - 57% (P < 0.05 - 0.01). The proliferation and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression of ribozyme-transfected HSC were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 - 0.01), and the type I and type III collagen synthesis were also reduced (P < 0.01). In addition, the proliferative response of ribozyme-transfected HSC to PDGF BB was significantly inhibited. Otherwise, the apoptotic cells were significantly increased in ribozyme-transfected HSC (P < 0.01), and typical apoptotic cells could be found under transmission electron microscopy.

CONCLUSIONSThe anti-PDGFR-beta ribozyme effectively cleaved the target RNA and significantly inhibited its expression, which blocked the signal transduction of PDGF at receptor level, inhibited HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis, and induced HSC apoptosis. These results suggest that inhibiting PDGFR-beta expression of HSC may be a new target for the therapy of liver fibrogenesis, and ribozyme may be a useful tool for inhibiting PDGFR-beta expression.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Liver ; cytology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; RNA, Catalytic ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; genetics