Objective To investigate the effects of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the oxidative stress induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2) in the rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).Methods Rat PASMCs were treated with 200 μ mol/L CoCl2 to mimic the hypoxia insult.Endogenous SO2 generating enzyme aspartate aminotransferase 1 (AAT1) expression was upregulated or downregulated (AAT1 sh) by transfection with lentivirus.Rat PASMCs were randomly divided into 8 groups:vehicle group,vehicle + CoCl2 group,AAT1 group,AAT1 + CoCl2 group,scramble group,scramble + SO2 group,AAT1 sh group and AAT1 sh + SO2 group.SO2 donor Na2 SO3/NaHSO3 at concentration of 100 μ mol/L were added in scramble + SO2 group and AAT1sh + SO2 group.The expressions of AAT1,superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and SOD2 in PASMCs were detected by Western blot method.In situ SO2 content in PASMCs was detected by fluorescent probe.The superoxide anions in PASMCs were labeled by dihydroethidium (DHE) probe under fluorescent microscope.Results Compared with the vehicle group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of AAT1 (0.221 ± 0.002 vs.0.446 ± 0.004),SOD1 (0.076 ± 0.028 vs.0.171 ± 0.019) and SOD2 (0.080 ± 0.031 vs.0.196 ± 0.018) significantly decreased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion increased in rat PASMCs of vehicle + CoCl2 group.Meanwhile,compared with vehicle + CoCl2 group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of AAT1 (0.839 ± 0.056 vs.0.221 ± 0.002),SOD1 (0.177 ± 0.020 vs.0.076 ± 0.028) and SOD2 (0.195 ±0.018 vs.0.080-± 0.031) markedly increased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion decreased in rat PASMCs of AAT1 + CoCl2 group.On the contrary,compared with the scramble group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of AAT1 (0.062 ±0.017 vs.0.354 ±0.034),SOD1 (0.054 ±0.029 vs.0.157 ±0.023) and SOD2(0.180 ±0.100 vs.0.586 ± 0.176)significantly decreased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion increased in rat PASMCs of AAT1sh group.Furthermore,compared with the AAT1 sh group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of SOD1 (0.155 ± 0.022vs.0.054 ± 0.029) and SOD2 (0.578 ± 0.200 vs.0.180 ± 0.100) significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion decreased in rats PASMCs of AAT1sh + SO2 group.Conclusion Endogenous SO2/AAT1 inhibits CoCl2-induced oxidative stress in rat PASMCs.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with cognitive dysfunction.Methods:Ten wild type mice and 20 MRL/lpr mice were applied for the research.MRL/lpr mice were randomly assigned to a MRL/lpr group and a MRL/lpr + dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) group.Interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in serum and hippocampus were detected.The protein phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P-PI3K),protein kinase B (P-Akt),NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (P-IκBa) and nuclear transcription factor kappa-B p65 (P-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blot,the level of P-NF-κB p65 also was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Treatment with dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) alleviated the cognitive dysfunction and decreased the levels of IL-6,IL-1 β and TNF-α in serum and hippocampus,and reduced the levels of P-PI3K,P-Akt,P-IκBa and P-NF-κB p65 in hippocampus in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion:Dexamethasone may play a protective role in the cognitive function by decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1 β in the hippocampus of MRL/lpr lupus mice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mutation characteristics of ATM gene in Chinese patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT).

METHODSMutation of ATM gene was screened by polymerase chain reaction, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with DNA direct sequencing in two Chinese AT patients.

RESULTSA missense mutation of 1346(G>C) in exon 11, which was a homozygotic mutation, was identified in one patient; a nonsense mutation of 610 (G>T) in exon 6 combined with a missense mutation of 6679 (C>T) in exon 47, which was a compound heterozygotic mutation, were identified in the other patient. They were co-segregated with the disease and were localized within the functional domain of ATM gene.

CONCLUSIONTotally three novel ATM gene mutations were identified in two Chinese AT patients.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; Base Sequence ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; China ; Codon, Nonsense ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spinocerebellar Ataxias ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

Objective To study the PINK1 aggresome formation and it's features in response to proteasomal inhibition.Methods Full-length PINK1 cDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)from fetus brain cDNA library and subcloned into the EcoR I and BamH I sites of the vector pEGFP- N1.The integrity of the constructs was confirmed by sequencing.COS-7 cells were transiently transfected with PINK1-pEGFP-N1 using Lipofectamine 2000.Cells were treated by MG-132 in order to test the effect of proteasome inhibition on aggregation formation.The protein level of wild-type PINK1 with or without MG-132 treatment was confirmed by Western blot analysis.The formation of PINK1 aggregates was tested by fluorescence and the presence of ubiquitin,and ?-synuclein in PINK1 aggregates was examined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.Results The expression level of PINK1 was significant increased into the form of aggregate in cells treated with MG-132;immunostaining for endogenous ubiquitin and ?-synuclein revealed a co-localization of both proteins in PINK1-positive aggregates.Conclusions In the presence of MG-132,overexpressed PINK1 forms into aggregates,whose components are ubiquitin and ?-synuclein.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of STI571(imatinib mesylate) on advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

METHODSClinical data of 5 cases with advanced GISTs were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe expression of c- kit (CD117) was detected by immunohistochemical method in five patients with advanced GISTs . All patients failed to systematic chemotherapy or radiofrequency and operation because of extensive and multiple metastases (4 cases underwent 1 to 3 times of exploratory surgery). Tumor size was markedly decreased one to six months after STI571 given without serious drug- related side effects.

CONCLUSIONSSTI571 is an effective chemotherapy for advanced unresectable or metastatic GISTs. Inhibitor of the Kit signal- transduction pathway is a promising regimen that is different from conventional chemotherapy for advanced GISTs.

Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Benzamides ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To assess the frequency of different subtype of spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) in Chinese Han population. Methods The nueleotide repeat mutations of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3/ MJD, SCA6, SCAT, SCA8, SCA10, SCA12, SCA17 and dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Southern blot, recombinant DNA technology by T-vector cloning and direct sequencing technique in a cohort of 559 Mainland Chinese patients affected by spinocerebellar ataxia, including 363 families with autosomal dominant SCA (AD-SCA) and 196 sporadic cases. Results Among the 363 AD-SCA families, 15 families (4. 13%) were positive for SCA1, 26 (7. 16%) for SCA2, 187 (51.52%) for SCA3/MJD, 6 (1.65%) for SCA6, 7 (1.93%) for SCA7, 1 (0. 28%) for SCA12 and 1 (0. 28%) positive for SCA17; 120(33. 06%) were negative for all the tested SCAs. There were 2 (1.02%) SCAI, 3 (1.53%) SCA2, 15 (7. 65%) SCA3/MJD, 3 (1.53%) SCA6 and 173 (88.27%) not identified in the 196 sporadic SCA patients. None of the SCA8, SCA10 and DRPLA mutation was found. Conclusions SCA3/MJD is a substantially common subtype of AD-SCAs and sporadic SCA in Chinese Han patients with SCAs, subsequently followed by SCA2, SCA1, SCAT and SCA6; SCA12 and SCA17 are uncommon subtypes, while SCA8, SCA10, and DRPLA are rare, if not absent. SCA17 subtype was initially identified in mailand China. Some other genes might be causative in those unidentified AD-SCA pedigrees, and other etiological factors besides genetic cause might contribute for those sporadic cases.

Objective To investigate the spectrum and features of parkin gene mutations in Chinese patients with sporadic early-onset Parkinsonism (EOP) in southern China.Methods All 156 Han Chinese patients with sporadic EOP were screened for mutations in parkin gene using SYBR Green Ⅰ Real-time PGR combined with sequencing of the entire coding region of the gene.Results Nineteen cases carried parkin mutations, including 2 homozygous, 2 compound heterozygous and 15 heterozygous mutations.Seventeen parkin gene rearrangement mutations ( 12 exon deletions and 5 exon duplications) and three small sequence mutations (ⅣS9 + 18C ＞ T,c.202-203delAG and c.813delT) were identified.The c.813delT is a novel mutation.The segment between exon 1 and 7 are mutational hot spot.Cases with parkin mutations showed no difference in initial symptoms, cardinal symptoms and disease severity, compared with cases without parkin mutations.But patients with parkin mutations showed significant earlier onset age ( ( 40.9 ± 6.8 ) years vs (35.5 ± 10.0) years, Z = -2.271, P ＜0.05) and longer disease duration ( (4.4 ±3.6) years vs (7.6 ±4.0) years,Z = - 3.680, P ＜ 0.05 ) than those without parkin mutation.Conclusions The frequency of parkin gene mutation was 12.18% in Han Chinese patients with sporadic EOP.Rearrangement mutation may be the predominant type of mutations.The exon deletion is a main mutation style.The sequence fragment between exon 1 and 7 of the parkin gene are mutational hot spots.There were no significant differences in clinical features between cases with parkin mutation and those without.However, our patient with parkin mutations showed a significantly earlier onset age, longer disease duration and slower progression than those without parkin mutation.

OBJECTIVEThe study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic therapy for early postoperative anastomotic hemorrhage.

METHODSFourteen patients experienced an episode of early postoperative anastomotic hemorrhage and were treated endoscopically from January 2005 to June 2010. The clinical data was analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSFourteen patients(9 males and 5 females, median age 57.5 years, range 26-74 years) were diagnosed with postoperative hemorrhage between 6 hours to 14 days after surgery. The blood loss ranged from 500 to 1500 ml. Sclerosing agent injection, electrocoagulation, and hemoclips were attempted to control the bleeding. Endoscopic approach to control early postoperative anastomotic hemorrhage was successful in all the patients. No recurrent bleeding was observed during the follow-up. No complications associated with endoscopic therapy.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic approach for the management of early postoperative anastomotic hemorrhage is feasible with high success rate and associated with no complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Stomas ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Hangzhou area.

METHODSMale subjects (n=375) aged 18-70 years, attending the STD clinic were recruited. Urethral swabs were assessed for HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the consensus primers MY09/11. HPV genotypes of positive PCR products were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphisms and direct sequence analysis.

RESULTSOf the 375 swabs collected, 305 (81.3%) yielded sufficient DNA for the subsequent HPV analysis. Among the 305 subjects, the prevalence of HPV was 13.8%. Nononcogenic HPV types were found in 8.5% (26/305) of subjects, oncogenic types in 4.3% (13/305), and multiple types in 1.0% (3/305). The prevalence of HPV infection was higher in subjects from urban area than in those from rural area (P < 0.05). The prevalence was also higher in those who received fewer years of education (P < 0.05) and those who had more sex partners (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHPV infection among men at high risk is not uncommon. The detection rate of HPV DNA is significantly related to some sociodemographic factors, such as residence, educational level and the number of sex partners.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; prevention & control

Objective To undertake an updated genetic spectrum analysis in patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) in mainland China. Methods SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17 and dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) nucleotide repeat mutations were detected in 430 families with autosomal dominant SCA (ADCA) and 237 patients with sporadic ataxias by PCR and DNA sequencing. Subsequently, point and Indel (Insertion/deletion) mutation analyses of SCA5, SCA11, SCA13, SCA14, SCA15/16/29, SCA27, SCA31 and SCA35 were detected in 91 families with ADCA and 196 patients with sporadic ataxias excluded from SCA1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17 and DRPLA genotypes via PCR and Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (PCR-DHPLC), Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and DNA direct sequencing analysis. Results Among the 430 ADCA families, there were 25 SCA1 (5.81%), 27 SCA2 (6.28%), 267 SCA3/MJD (62.09%), 8 SCA6 (1.86%), 8 SCA7 (1.86%), 1 SCA12 (0.23%), 1 SCA17 (0.23%) and 2 SCA35 (0.47%), and the remaining 91 families (21.16%) were genetically unidentified. Among the 237 sporadic SCA patients, there were 6 SCA1 (2.53%), 9 SCA2 (3.80%), 23 SCA3/MJD (9.70%) and 3 SCA6 (1.27%), and the remaining 196 (82.7%) were genetically unidentified. No pathogenic point mutation causing SCA5, SCA11, SCA13, SCA14, SCA27 or SCA31 subtypes was found. Conclusion SCA3/MJD is substantially the most common subtype in patients with ADCA and sporadic forms in mainland China, followed by SCA2, SCA1, SCA6 and SCA7. While SCA12, SCA17 and SCA35 are seldom found, SCA5, SCA8, SCA10, SCA11, SCA13, SCA27, SCA31 and DRPLA are very rare. The high proportion of genetically unidentified cases further verify that SCAs are of highly genetic heterogeneity, suggesting that other disease-causing genes might be involved in the negative ADCA pedigrees, and other etiological factors may involve in those sporadic cases other than genetics.