PcoI-PcoR is a quorum-sensing (QS) system influencing the biofilm formation and rhizosphere colonization in Pseudomonas fluorescens 2P24. The expression of the pcoI, a N-acyl-homoserne lactone (AHL) biosynthase gene, is under the regulation of a number of chromosomal factors, such as the GacS-GacA two-component system. In this paper, we investigated the upstream regulators that influence the transcription of pcoI gene using a chromosomal pcoI-lacZ fusion reporter strain PM203. Cosmids containing genomic DNA of the wild-type strain 2P24 were introduced into the reporter strain PM203 (gacA—, pcoI-lacZ) to screen positive transcriptional regulators of pcoI gene. One of them named pP32-24, which contained a 5-kb Pst I functional fragment was selected. Further analysis identified that the pcoI was the gene responsible for the increase of the pcoI-lacZ expression. The expression of pcoI-lacZ reporter was alsoimproved in both PM101 (pcoI-lacZ) and its gacAmutant PM203 after addition of exogenous AHL, indicating that the expression of pcoI is positively regulated by AHL (autoinduction) in strain 2P24. In addition, deletion mutagenesis and complementation experiments demonstrated that the transcriptional regulator PcoR positively controlled the expression of pcoI and the formation of biofilm. These results suggest that, in strain 2P24, the expression of PcoI-PcoR QS system is auto-inducted, and the transcriptional factor PcoR is involved in the regulation of pcoI transcription and the biofilm formation.

Objective:To explore the pathologic mechanism of blood-stasis syndrome in cardiopathy(BSSC) and its different syndrome types from the activity of fi brinolytic system.Methods:72 cases with BSSC,20 cases with non-blood-stasis syndrome in cardiopathy(NBSSC) were observed at random,20 healthy cases as control.The levels of tissue-plasminogen activator(t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) in blood plasma were detected by ELISA.Results:①The level of t-PA in the group of BSSC was signifi cantly lower than that in the groups of healthy control and NBSSC(P

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mastitis ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the effects of the comprehensive psychological intervention on anxiety and depression of the patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy ,and to explore the influence of depression and anxiety before and after chemother-apy on the cellular immune function .Methods A total of 81 married female patients with breast cancer were surveyed and assessed with self-designed questionnaire ,the Herth Hope Scale ,the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) .64 cases of breast cancer with depression and anxiety according with the included standards (HAMD scores ≥8 and HA-MA scores ≥7) were randomly divided into the intervention group(n=32) and the control group(n=32) .The levels of T lympho-cyte subsets(CD3+ ,CD4+ ,CD8+ ,CD4+ /CD8+ ) and the natural killing(NK) cells in peripheral venous blood were determined by the flow cytometry(FCM) .Results The Herth scores after chemotherapy in the intervention group were increased by 37 .19% than that of the control group ,while the HAMD scores were decreased by 36 .01% compared with the control group ,the differences be-tween them showing statistical significance (P<0 .01) .In the comparison between before and after chemotherapy ,the Herth scores in the intervention group were increased by 12 .57 ± 4 .57 ,while the HAMD and HAMA scores were declined by 9 .32 ± 1 .86 and 4 .35 ± 1 .15 respectively ,the differences showed the statistical significance (P< 0 .01) .Compared with the control group ,CD3+ , CD4+ ,CD4+ /CD8+ ratio and NK cells before and after chemotherapy in the intervention group were increased by 2 .10 ± 1 .63 , 1 .51 ± 1 .02 ,0 .05 ± 0 .02 and 0 .78 ± 0 .52 correspondingly ,the differences among them had statistical significance(P<0 .001) .The HAMD scores were negatively correlated with the CD4+ /CD8+ ratio(r= -0 .554) .Conclusion The cellular immune hypofunction in the patients with breast cancer is probably related with anxiety and degree of depression .The comprehensive psychological inter-vention model can improve the anxiety and depression mood during chemotherapy .

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether insulin resistance exists in patients with colorectal cancer and its clinical significance.

METHODSA total of 135 patients with colorectal cancer were included as the study group, and 120 healthy subjects were included as the control group. Height, weight, and blood pressure were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and insulin were measured. Insulin resistance index(lnHOMA-IR) was calculated.

RESULTSThe lnHOMA-IR was 0.84±0.38 in the study group and 0.42±0.08 in the control group(P<0.05). The incidence of metabolic syndrome was 34.1%(46/135) in the study group and 22.5%(27/120) in the control group(P<0.05). Insulin resistance index did not differ between the groups according to metabolic syndrome(0.98±0.41 vs. 0.74±0.22, P>0.05). There were no significant associations between insulin resistance index and tumor differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM staging(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONInsulin resistance exists in colorectal cancer patients, and it is possibly associated with metabolic syndrome and the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo find new serum tumor markers for ovarian epithelial cancers by 2-DE DIGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF proteomic methods, in order to improve the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

METHODSSerum samples from 103 cases of ovarian epithelial cancers, 60 cases of healthy women, 63 cases of benign ovarian tumors and 63 cases of benign pelvic diseases were collected. Sera of 20 cases of ovarian epithelial cancers (A), 20 cases of ovarian benign tumors (B), 20 cases of pelvic benign diseases (C) and 20 cases of health control (D) were matched by age and pooled, respectively. After depletion of high abundance serum albumin and IgG, the samples were assayed by 2-DE DIGE. The test was repeated three times. Analysis with DeCyder software revealed significant differential protein spots which were identified by MAIDI-TOF/TOF. Western blot and ELISA were used to validate the candidate serum markers.

RESULTS1) There were 41 proteins having significant differences between the groups. MAIDI-TOF/TOF successfully identified 28 proteins. Haptoglobin (Hp) was the most significantly up-regulated protein, and transferrin (Tf) was the most significantly down-regulated protein. 2) Western blot and ELISA proved that there were significant differences in Hp and Tf between ovarian epithelial cancers and normal controls (P = 0.000), between ovarian epithelial cancers and ovarian benign tumors (P = 0.000), between ovarian epithelial cancers and benign pelvic disease sera (P = 0.000). 3) CA125 + Hp + Tf combined detection of ovarian cancer had higher sensitivity and specificity than CA125, Hp or Tf detection alone.

CONCLUSIONHp and Tf are differently expressed in the sera of patients with ovarian epitheliual cancers. They can be used as serum biomarkers for ovarian epithelial cancers. CA125 + Hp + Tf combined detection may improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of ovarian epithelial cancers.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; blood ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; blood ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Endometriosis ; blood ; Female ; Haptoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; blood ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; blood ; Proteins ; analysis ; Proteomics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Teratoma ; blood ; Transferrin ; analysis

Objective To explore the protective effect of Anchanling serum on PCI2 cell injury induced by lactacystin and the possible mechanism.Methods The sem were obmined from rats with intragastric administration of Anchanling at small,medium and high doses.Lactacystin was used to induce proteasomal dysfunction in PCI2 cells,and the cell viability was evaluated with MTT assay.The PC 12 cells in exponential growth were divided into normal control,lactacystin injury and Anchanling-treated groups with corresponding treatments,and theexpressions of alpha-synuclein and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)were assayed using immunohistochemical staining.Results The serum of rats with medium-dose Anchanling treatment group resulted in the highest viability of the PC 12 cells among the 3 dose groups(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,lactacystin exposure significantly increased the number of alpha-synuclein-positive cells but decreased the TH-positive cells (P＜0.05);treatments with the drug-containing sera significantly lowered alpha-synuclein-positive cells and increased TH-positive cells in the PC 12 cells with lactacystin exposure(P＜0.05).Conclusion Anchanling can improve the function of the ubiquitin-proteasome system,reduce the intracellular aggregation of alpha-synuclein,and upregulate TH expression in the PC 12 cells to promote the cell survival and offer neuronal protection effects.

BACKGROUNDPretreatment with chemical agents could alter the surface chemistry of the silicone gel, which makes it suitable for epithelial migration onto its surface and thus enhances the cytobiocompatibility. This study aimed to evaluate the biological response of the corneal stroma to porous silicone gel pretreated with different chemical agents in vivo.

METHODSThe porous silicone gels were treated with a mixed acid solution containing 23.2% H2SO4 and 0.8% K2Cr2O7 for 10 or 15 minutes or with 30% H2O2 for 15 minutes. Discs (4 mm in diameter) were inserted into interlamellar stromal pockets of New Zealand white rabbits and followed up for a period of 3 months. Clinical evaluations such as corneal infiltration, edema and neovascularization were performed daily. At 3 months, the fibroplasias and collagen deposition were examined under light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSPretreatment of the discs obviously decreased conjunctival congestion, discharge, cornea edema, and the extent of neovascularization. More fibroblasts migrated into the pretreated discs than into the control, and collagen was deposited, indicating that the biocompatibility of the corneal replacements was enhanced by the chemical pretreatments. From immunohistochemical analysis, Type I collagen deposition in the pretreated silicone discs was greater than in the control.

CONCLUSIONSChemical treatment of silicone gel is effective in decreasing rabbit corneal inflammation, encouraging fibroblast in-growth, and enhancing tissue compatibility. Pretreated gels show good biological stability when used as a skirt material in Keratoprosthesis (Kpros).

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Cornea ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Corneal Edema ; etiology ; Corneal Stroma ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Porosity ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rabbits ; Silicone Gels ; adverse effects ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents in leaves of Ilex centrochinensis and their antitumor bioactivity.

METHODVarious chromatography techniques such as column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC were used to isolate and purify the compounds and their structures were identified by spectral data and physicochemical properties. Their antitumor effect was tested by MTT method.

RESULTTen compounds were isolated and identified as 1,4-benzenediol (1), (2S)-5,4'-dihydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyflavan(2), (2S)-5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavan (3), kaempferol (4), quercetin (5), naringenin (6), ursolic acid (7), uvaol (8), oleanolic acid (9) and beta-sitosterols (10).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-5, 7, 8 were isolated from the species for the first time, among which compounds 1-3 were isolated from the Ilex genus for the first time. Compounds 2 and 3 showed strong cytotoxic activity against Huh7 cell lines with IC50 values of 8.98, 13.04 mg x L(-1), respectively. Compounds 7-9 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against Caco-2 cell lines with IC50 values of 28.52, 38.28, 33.04 mg x L(-1), respectively.

Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Ilex ; chemistry ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of P57(kip2) and Maspin in the pathological scar and their possible role in the pathogenesis of abnormal scars.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry integrated image analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-RCR) were performed to detect the expression of P57(kip2) and Maspin in hypertrophic scar, keloid, mature scar and normal skin. Statistics was used to analyze the datas.

RESULTSThe expression of P57(kip2) protein was fixed to fibroblast intranuclear in abnormal scar, and the expression of P57(kip2) protein and P57(kip2) mRNA decreased (P < 0.05). The expression of Maspin protein was fixed to fibroblast cytoplasm and intranuclear in abnormal scar, and the expression of Maspin protein and Maspin mRNA decrease, compared with that in normal group (P < 0.05). There was positive correlation between P57(kip2) protein and Maspin protein expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe decreased expression of P57(kip2) and Maspin in abnormal scar shows that they are cicatrix-related genes. There is a positive relationship between the two genes. It may be one of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of abnormal scar. It makes effect through fibroblasts.

Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Humans ; Serpins ; metabolism