Objective To investigate the expressions of miR-16,miR-106b,miR-449a,miR-34a and let-7g in peripheral blood plasma of the residents surrounding hot springs with radon in Hebei province.Methods A total of 41 randomly selected residents surrounding hot springs with radon were considered as the radon group,and 46 residents with same living habit but without contact with hot springs were considered as control.The miRNAs in the peripheral blood plasma of these two groups were detected with qRT-PCR.Results The levels of miR-16,miR-106b,miR-449a and let-7g in the radon group were significantly higher than those in control group (Z=-2.278,-3.835,-2.719,-2.721,P＜0.05).Alterations of these miRNAs were associated with radon exposure (t =2.154,3.711,2.319,2.015,P ＜ 0.05) but had no relationship with age,sex,smoking and drinking factors.No significant difference was observed in the plasma levels of miR-34a between the two groups.Conclusions miR-16,miR-106b,miR-449a and let-7g could be applied as potential biomarkers for radon exposure.

Objective CXCR4-overexpressing bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CXCR4-BMSC) were constructed and co-cultured with hypoxia/re-oxygenation pretreated renal tubular epithelial cells (HR-RTEC).Repair of HR-RTEC was detected and the possible mechanism was also discussed.Methods CXCR4-BMSC (CXCR4-BMSC/eGFP,eGFP as the tracer gene) and null-BMSC (BMSC/eGFP) were obtained by gene transfection technique,and the level of CXCR4 in the transfected cells was detected.RTEC was cultured under hypoxia/re-oxygenation condition for 12 h,respectively,to obtain HR-RTEC,which was used to simulate AKI in vitro.BMSC and HR-RTEC were co-cultured for 12 h,and the proportion of apoptotic cells among the HR-RTEC was assayed by immunofluorescence technique.Western blot was used to test the protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bcl-2.The number of migrating BMSC was also assayed.After culturing with the HR-RTEC culture supernatant,the expression of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) in BMSC was tested by immunofluorescence staining.Cytokines including bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7),hepatic growth factor (HGF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the BMSC culture supernatant were detected by ELISA method.Results Expression of CXCR4 was enhanced in CXCR4-BMSC.Proportions of the apoptotic cells among HR-RTEC after being co-cultured with BMSC,CXCR4-BMSC and null-BMSC were all decreased,especially in the C/H group.The decreased cleaved Caspase-3 and enhanced Bcl-2 were also observed in HR-RTEC.The number of migrating CXCR4-BMSC was the highest.Proportions of CK18+ cells in BMSC,CXCR4-BMSC and null-BMSC were all low and showed no difference.However,CXCR4 overexpression in BMSC stimulated secretions of BMP-7,HGF and IL-10.Conclusions CXCR4-overexpressing BMSC has more repair effect on the co-cultured HR-RTEC,the enhanced migration ability and secretion ability of CXCR4-BMSC are the possible mechanisms.

Objective To investigate the expressions of lung cancer related genes and miRNA in peripheral blood of the residents surrounding the extremely high radon hot springs in Ruoergai County,Sichuan Province. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from the local residents.Expressions of lung cancer related genes (p53,k-ras) and miRNA (let-7a,miR-34a/b) were detected by real-time PCR and the protein expressions of p53 and k-ras were detected by Western blot.Results The expressions of p53 and k-ras mRNA of the residents in high radon area were 0.97 and 1.33 times of the control respectively (t =0.13,-1.12,P ＞0.05),and the p53 and k-ras protein levels were 0.70 and 1.23 times of the control respectively (t =0.72,0.46,P ＞ 0.05).The let-7a of the residents in high radon area was lower (t =1.63,P ＞ 0.05 ) while the miR-34a and miR-34b were significantly higher than those of the controls (t =- 3.20,- 3.32,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Based on the expressions of p53 and k-ras gene and miRNA,it can be concluded that the residents surrounding the high radon hot springs received radiation damage.

Objective To explore the effect of radon and its progeny on the expression and mutations of p53 in lung tissue of mouse model. Methods Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidy transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling. The expression of p53 gene was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and realtime-PCR. PCR-SSCP was used to detect the mutation of p53 in lung tissues. Results Compared with those in the control group, the apoptotic index were increased significantly in 30 WLM and 60 WLM groups( t = 18.11, -10.30,P ＜ 0.05 ). The p53 protein was increased significantly ( t = -11.08, P ＜ 0.05; t = - 7.00, P ＜ 0.0 ) ) in 30 WLM and 60 WLM groups. The mutation of p53 gene was not detected in lungs of radon-exposure mice. Conclusions Lung and bronchus might be the targets of radon and its progeny, and p53 gene plays an important role in the progression of radon-induced lung injury.

The correlation between pulmonary endothelin receptors and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-aDO2) in rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome was investigated. Animals were divided into 2 groups: Sham-operated (Sham) group and common bile duct ligation (CBDL) group. Arterial blood gas was evaluated by a blood gas analyzer. The concentrations of ET-1 in blood and lung tissue sample were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. The distribution and expression of two kinds of subtype receptor of ET-1, ETRA and ETRB were examined by in situ hybridization. The results showed that the level of A-aDO2 was higher in CBDL group than that in Sham group (P < 0.05). The levels of plasma and pulmonary ET-1 in CBDL group were both higher than in Sham group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in average A of ETRA between two groups by imaging analysis (0.21 +/- 0.06 vs 0.22 +/- 0.08, P > 0.05), while that of ETRB was higher in CBDL group than in Sham group (0.58 +/- 0.16 vs 0.28 +/- 0.07, P < 0.05). The expression of ETRB in lung was positively correlated with A-aDO2 (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the widened A-aDO2 may be related with enhancement of the expression of ETRB in lung.
Endothelin-1/metabolism ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome/*metabolism ; Lung/*metabolism ; Oxygen/*metabolism ; Pulmonary Alveoli/*metabolism ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Endothelin A/metabolism ; Receptor, Endothelin B/*metabolism

Clinical characteristics were retrospectively analyzed in a patient with parathyroid crisis as the main symptoms of parathyroid adenoma and asymptomatic pheochromocytoma.This analysis was aimed to implement specific diagnosis and treatment and to accumulate experience in managing these diseases.

Objective To investigate 60Co γ-ray induced damage in lymphocytes and the relationship between doses of 60Co γ-ray irradiation and the levels of phosphorylated H2AX and ATM.Methods Cells were irradiated with 60Co γ-rays in the range of 0-8 Gy.The levels of phosphorylated H2AX and ATM were detected by Western blot and FACScan,respectively.The micronucleus(MN)was analyzed by CB method to evaluate DNA damage.Results FACScan results showed the dose-effect relationship of γ-H2AX expression were linear.square at 0.5 h post-irradiation to different doses,and the fitting curve was shown as Y=3.96+11.29D-0.45D2.The level of phosphorylated ATM(p-ATM)was not changed significantly by using the same method.Western blot showed that p-ATM protein expression was significandy increased after irradiation compared with sham.irradiated group.The MN assay which represented DNA damage was sensitive to different doses.Conclusions γ-ray irradiation could induce the phosphorylation of H2AX and ATM,which may play an important role in indicating DNA damage.Both of H2AX and ATM have the potential as sensitive biomarker and biodosimeter for radiation damage.

Objective To investigate the effects of 60Co γ-ray partial radiation on chromosome aberration in human peripheral blood in vitro.Methods The samples of heparinized peripheral whole blood from 3 healthy persons were exposed to 60Co γ-rays at the doses between 0 and 8 Gy with the dose rate of 0.35 Gy/min at the temperature of 37 ℃ ,and then mixed with the unirradiated blood samples of the Microscopy was used to observe the chromosome aberration double ( centromere + centromere) and the biological dose was estimated thereby.ResultsThe amounts of double centromere + centromere were increased along with the dose of irradiation in all groups.The estimated biological dose was higher than the 1/3 of the irradiation dose when the dose was between 0.5 to 2 Gy,and was close to the 1/3 of the irradiation dose when the dose was between 4 to 8 Gy.Conclusion Chromosome aberration can be used as a biomarker in estimation of uneven irradiation.

Objective To analyze the chromosome aberrations induced by partial radiation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.Methods Heparinized whole blood samples were exposed to 2 Gy ~(60)Co 7-rays at 37℃ ,and then mixed with non-irradiated blood by different ratio.The slides were prepared after culturing and the unstable aberrations were analyzed.Results The chromosome aberrations had a good relationship with the ratio of irradiated blood.The chromosome aberrations in partial irradiated group were higher than that in the irradiated group.The estimated dose was 1.27 Gy when the ratio was 1 : 1 ,greater than the dose of 1 Gy.The estimated dose was 0.93 Gy when the ratio was 0.5＝1,also greater than 0.5 Gy.But when the ratio was 1:0,the radiation dose was accordant with the estimated dose.Conclusions Chromosome aberrations could be a biomarker for estimating the uneven irradiation.

Objective To identify the differentially expressed microRNAs in the early transformed cells,the late transformed cells and their parental BEP2D cells.Methods The differentially expressed microRNAs in the above cells were identified by microRNAs microarray assay.Results There were 38differentially expressed microRNAs in R15H20 cells versus BEP2D cells,with 18 upregulated and 20downregulated microRNAs.R15H20 and RHT35 cells shared 25 differentially expressed microRNAs compared with BEP2D cells,with 15 down-regulated and 10 up-regulated microRNAs.There were 87differentially expressed microRNAs in RHT35 cells versus BEP2D cells,with 47 upregulated and 40 downregulated microRNAs.There were 38 differentially expressed microRNAs in RHT35 cells versus R15H20 cells with 20 upregulated and 18 downregulated microRNAs.Conclusions microRNAs are differentially expressed in the different stages of carcinogenesis of BEP2D cells induced by α particles,which suggests that microRNAs may play an important role in α particle-induced malignant transformation of BEP2D cells.