OBJECTIVETo verify the existence and significance of calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase/inhibitors of differentiation 1 (CASK/Id1) pathway in fibroblasts of human keloid.

METHODSImmunofluorescence laser was used to confirm CASK and Id1 protein expression and localization in fibroblasts of the keloid and normal skin. RT-PCR and Western-blot were adopted to analysis the CASK and Id1 expression and differences between keloid and normal skin fibroblasts. The natural combination of CASK and Id1 protein of keloid fibroblasts was tested by immunoprecipitation.

RESULTSCASK and Id1 protein expression were both found in fibroblast cells of keloid and normal skin under normal circumstances. Most of CASK and Id1 were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of fibroblasts. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of CASK mRNA in the keloid group was 0.658 +/- 0.024, which was lower than that in the normal control group (1.076 +/- 0.008, t = 11.159, P < 0.05). The expression of Id1 mRNA was 0.497 +/- 0.014, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.307 +/- 0.017, t = 15.148, P < 0.05). The results of Western-blot showed that the expression level for CASK protein in the keloid group was 0.057 +/- 0.006, which was lower than that in the normal control group (0.168 +/- 0.012, t = 13.524, P < 0.05); the expression of Id1 protein was 0.812 +/- 0.035, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.368 +/- 0.031, t = 16.356, P < 0.05). The results of immunoprecipitation showed that Id1 could be detected in the CASK precipitate, while CASK also could be detected in the Id1 precipitate. There was a natural binding of CASK and Id1 in keloid fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONCASK/Id1 signal pathway may be existed and involved in the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts, which is related with the occurrence of keloid.

Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Based on variation of Pinus massoniana families, heritablility and correlation analysis, the contents of shikimic acid and procyanidine (heritability 0.90, 0.70), dry weight of single branch (heritability 0.60) and and leaf length (heritability 0.46) were screened out as quality, yield and harvest cost traits of Folium Pini, respectively. For the different medicinal application of Folium Pini, varied methods were chosen to estimate weight and construct index equation. Weight adjustment based.on equal emphasis were used as economic weight determining method to select the best families, and the index (accuracy 0. 936 4 and heritability 0. 881 6) obtained was a little better than that obtained by equal emphasis, and much better than that by restricted index. The superior families selected with adjustment weight and equal emphasis were No. 46, 43 and 28. Partial regression were used as economic weight determining method to select the best families,and the index obtained had the highest accuracy (0.941 5) , index heritability (0. 889 9) and the genetic gain of shikimic acid content. The superior families selected with this method were No. 46, 27 and 47. No. 46 was the best families with maximal economic benefit. Our study indicated that suitable method for estimate weight and construct index equation can be applied for better accuracy of superior families selection of P. massoniana.
Breeding ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Pinus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development

Medical metal materials is widely used in medical field due to its excellent properties; the nickel ions leaching from stainless steel because of corrosion have the harmfulness of malformation and cancerization besides allergenicity in human body. Potential harmfulness of nickel in medical metal materials and new trend on research and development are reviewed in this paper, and both the advantage and the long term potential development of nickel-free medical stainless steels are also described on the basis of our own research work.
Corrosion ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Nickel ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Stainless Steel ; chemistry ; Titanium ; adverse effects ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of adiponectin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and the potential mechanisms in rats.

METHODSThirty-two male rats aged 8 weeks were randomly assigned to sham operation (sham), myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIR), diltiazem treatment (diltiazem) or adiponectin administration (APN) groups (n = 8 each). MIR rats underwent left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion for 30 min followed by 60 min reperfusion. Diltiazem (7 microg/g) and APN (120 ng/g) were given by caudal intravenous injection at the end of 30 min ischemia and the beginning of reperfusion for rats in diltiazem or APN groups. Animals were sacrificed after 60 min reperfusion for determining the myocardial nitric oxide (NO), Caspase 3, activity of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) and concentration of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). Apoptotic cells were stained by Caspase 3 Activity Assay Kit and mitochondria in myocardial cells were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM).

RESULTSThe myocardial Caspase 3 level was significantly increased [(168.50 +/- 30.08) micromol/L vs. (53.25 +/- 11.41) micromol/L, P < 0.01], AMPK activity, PPARgamma and NO concentrations were significantly reduced in MIR group compared with those in sham group (all P < 0.05) [(0.74 +/- 0.59) IU/ml vs. (25.63 +/- 4.61) IU/ml, P < 0.01; 0.1894 vs. 0.7949, P < 0.01; (6.359 +/- 1.355) micromol/L vs. (10.396 +/- 1.901) micromol/L, P < 0.01], these effects could be significantly reversed by APN. In comparison with MIR group, the levels of Caspase 3 in cardiac muscles were significantly lowered in Adiponectin group [(88.75 +/- 6.92) micromol/L vs. (168.50 +/- 30.08) micromol/L, P < 0.01], whereas the level of AMPK and PPARgamma, NO concentration in the cardiac muscle was remarkably increased [(27.22 +/- 4.76) IU/ml vs. (0.74 +/- 0.59) IU/ml, P < 0.01; 0.8613 vs. 0.1894, P < 0.01; (15.755 +/- 1.045) micromol/L vs. (6.359 +/- 1.355) micromol/L, P < 0.01]. APN also preserved the function and structure of mitochondria in rats post ischemia/reperfusion injury. The protective pharmacologic actions of APN were superior to that of diltiazem.

CONCLUSIONAdiponectin could protect myocardial tissues from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, possibly by upregulating myocardial AMPK and PPARgamma expressions and preventing myocardial cells from apoptosis.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Adiponectin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Diltiazem ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To analyze variations of hepatic vein in healthy people with 64-slice spiral CT.Methods Seventy-five healthy subjects underwent multi-slice spiral computed(MSCT)hepatic venography.The anatomy of the junction of the hepatic veins with the inferior vena cava and the intrahepatic drainage territory of the hepatic veins and tributaries were evaluated.The hepatic veins were classified according to three anatomic classification(Nakamura's,Marcos's and Kawasaki's classification)methods respectively.Results There was a common trunk of the middle and left hepatic veins before joining the IVC in 86.7%(65/75)of the cases.In 13.3%(10/75)of the cases,the three main hepatic veins joined the IVC separately.The ratios of Nakamura's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 49.4% (37/75),37.3%(28/75),and 13.3%(10/75)respectively.The ratios of Marcos's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 56.0%(42/75),24.0%(18/75),and 20.0%(15/75)respectively. The ratios of Kawasaki's classification type Ⅰ,Ⅱ of hepatic vein were 40.0%(30/75)and 60.0% (45/75).Conclusion Multi-slice spiral CT hepatic venography can provide visualization of peripheral hepatic venous branches in details.

Previous methods used for nuclear transplantation were further investigated to develop a method that was both easy to carryout and did not require any special apparatus, such as Piezoimpact or Spindle-View. Following the puncture of zona pellucida with two holes by injection pipette that contained donor nuclei or cells, the injection pipette was pulled back to the perivitelline space while the negative pressure was increased in the holding pipette until the polar body and karyoplasm were wiped off completely. Then a reconstructed embryo was completed by the direct injection of the donor nucleus or cell without pulling out the injection pipette. 200 oocytes were manipulated using this method and it cost about 40 seconds with nucleus injection and about 30 seconds with cell injection to complete a reconstructed embryo. The success rates were 62.6% and 86. 0%, respectively, and enucleation rate was about 73.3% validated by Hoechst 33342. Using this method, the nucleus was completely eliminated and another was injected using the microscope and micromanipulator. Moreover, the efficiency of nuclear transplantation and survival rate of reconstructed embryos were greatly improved. Furthermore, it is very easy to manipulate and popularize in practice.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Organism ; methods ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; metabolism ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Oocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Zona Pellucida ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the pathogen of opium poppy downy mildew and its biological characteristic for further research on the disease.

METHODDevelopment of the disease was observed systematically in the field. Germination rate of sporangium in different temperature, pH and nutrition was examined with suspending-drop method. Slide-germination method was used to observe its germination in different humidity maintained by different concentration of H2SO4.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe disease manifests itself in two forms: severely infected plants (systematic infection) and leaf spots (nonsystematic infection). Sporangia of the pathogen are oval or globular, thin walled, smooth, hyaline, with 7.74-16.34 microns diameter in base 1 and 8.34-15.05 microns in base 2.0 ospores are light yellow with 33.87-70.54 microns x 19.34-62.64 microns in base 1 and 36.85-49.68 microns x 42.08-55.76 microns in base 2. Conidiophores are stout, erect, whose branching times and length are different between those in base 1 and those in base 2. Sporangia sprot directly in two hours. Film of water is necessary for sporangium to sprot. The optimum temperature range of sporangium sprot is 12-21 degrees C, the best being 16 degrees C, the pH range is 4.53-9.18 the best optimum at pH 7.38, and the extract of leaf of 1:5 is good for its germination.

Humidity ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Oomycetes ; growth & development ; ultrastructure ; Papaver ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Spores, Fungal ; growth & development ; ultrastructure ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo screen effectual fungicides for field control because of the seriousness of opium poppy mildew and importance of chemical control on plant diseases.

METHODSeven fungicides were screened in Lab experiment and field test during 1996-1997.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAll of them and their different dosages were effective to control conidia of Peronospora arborescens. Among them, 72.2% propamocarb of 1203 and 902.5 ppm were the most effective both in Lab experiment and field test with efficacy 79.91% and 79.33% respectively in field test, and the efficacy of other fungicides was over 50%. Seven fungicides tested can be used to control nonsystematic symptom of opium poppy mildew.

Carbamates ; pharmacology ; Fungicides, Industrial ; pharmacology ; Oomycetes ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Papaver ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; microbiology

BACKGROUNDFrequent premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs) are associated with left ventricular dysfunction. This study adopted two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to evaluate global and regional left ventricular myocardial function in patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs.

METHODSThis study included 30 patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs and 30 healthy subjects. Aortic systolic velocity-time integral (AoVTI) and myocardium strain in circumferential (CS), radial (RS) and longitudinal (LS) directions were evaluated by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging. All values of patients with RVOT-PVCs were recorded during sinus (PVC-S) and PVC beats (PVC-V).

RESULTSSignificant differences were demonstrated in global CS, RS and LS between the control subjects and the PVC-V (CS: (17.46 ± 2.48)% vs. (11.52 ± 3.28)%, RS: (48.26 ± 10.20)% vs. (20.92 ± 9.78)%, LS: (19.89 ± 2.62)% vs. (11.79 ± 3.66)%, P < 0.01), and in segmental RS and LS of nearly all the left ventricular segments. Statistical differences in segmental CS between the PVC-V and the control subjects were only observed in anterior, anteroseptal and septal segments (only seen in anteroseptal and septal segments at apex). Furthermore, V/S AoVTI (AoVTI during the PVC beat divided by AoVTI during the sinus beat, then multiplied by 100%) correlated with coupling interval (r = 0.67, P < 0.001) and global strain (CS: r = 0.48, P = 0.007; RS: r = 0.65, P < 0.001; LS: r = 0.65, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSFrequent RVOT-PVCs can induce global and regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The reduction of hemodynamic parameters relates to the coupling interval and the global systolic function.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Premature Complexes ; physiopathology

BACKGROUNDChina is one of the countries with the highest incidence of H. pylori and more than 9090 isolates possessed the cagA gene. This study was to evaluate the biological activity of the H. pylori virulence factor cagA isolated from Chinese patients.

METHODScagA DNA fragments were amplified from the genomic DNA and subsequently cloned into the mammalian expression vector for cell transfection and DNA sequencing. cagA protein, phosphorylated-tyrosine cagA and the complex of cagA precipitated with SHP-2 were identified respectively by western blot in the crude cell lysate from conditionally immortalized gastric epithelial cells at 48 hours after transfection with cagA DNA. In addition, the ability of induction of scattering phenotype was examined after transient expression of cagA in AGS cells.

RESULTSThe C-terminal half of cagA contained only one repeated sequence and three tandem five-amino-acid motifs glutamic acid-proline-isoleucine-tyrosine-alanine (EPIYA). Moreover, the amino acid sequence of D2 region in repeated sequence was aspartic acid-phenylanaline-aspartic acid (D-F-D) which was significantly distinguished from the three repeated sequences and aspartic acid-aspartic adid-leucine (D-D-L) in the western standard strain NCTC11637. Western blot revealed that cagA became phosphorylated in tyrosine site and bound with SHP-2 after transient expression of cagA DNA in gastric epithelial cells. Transient expression of cagA in AGS cells showed that cagA was able to induce the elongation phenotype although to a lesser extent than western strains.

CONCLUSIONScagA perturbs cell signaling pathways by binding with SHP-2. However, significant difference exists in amino acid sequence and biological function of cagA in Chinese compared with those of western countries.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Antigens, Bacterial ; chemistry ; physiology ; Bacterial Proteins ; chemistry ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Gastric Mucosa ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phenotype ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11 ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; metabolism ; Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid ; Signal Transduction