Anoikis is a form of apoptosis induced upon cell detachment from extracellular matrix.It has been determined that acquisition of resistance to anoikis is a critical step for tumor cell metastasis.MiR-21,the most prominent oncomiR,plays an important role in tumor progression.In this study,we revealed that up-regulation of miR-21 in human esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor survival rate.Because of the established anti-apoptosis effect of miR-21,it is tempting to speculate that miR-21 might contribute to tumor metastasis by regulating anoikis,qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that miR-21 expression in OE33/AR cells (subpopulation of human EA OE33 cells that acquired resistance to anoikis) was significantly increased.Also,transfection of miR-21 mimics provided OE33 cells resisting to anoikis.By luciferase assays,we verified that PDCD4 and PTEN were the functional targets of miR-21.In mouse model,via tail vein injection experiment,we showed that the metastasis formation of OE33 cells in vivo could be mediated by changing the miR-21 expression pattern.Taken together,our findings suggested that miR-21 was involved in the regulation of anoikis in human EA cells.Targeting miR-21 may provide a novel strategy to prevent metastasis.

Objective To investigate the changes of Th1/Th2 cells and related cytokine levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) fibrosis.Methods Forty-six patients with CHB fibrosis underwent liver biopsy during March and October,2011.According to the stage of fibrosis,the patients were divided into S0-1 group (n =15),S2-3 group (n =20) and S4 group (n =11).Ten healthy subjects served as controls.The frequencies of circulating Th1,Th2 cells were detected by flow cytometry.The expressions of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.The serum IFN-γand IL-4 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Intrahepatic expressions of IFN-γ and IL-4 were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Differences between groups were analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test,followed by Mann-Whitney U test for multiple comparisons.Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.Results With the degree of liver fibrosis exacerbations,the peripheral Th1/Th2 cells frequencies ratio,IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA ratio in PBMCs,serum IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio and intrahepatic IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were declined (x2 =36.259,40.822,26.321 and 31.852,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Serum and intrahepatic IFNγ/IL-4 ratio were negatively associated with the stage of liver fibrosis (r =-0.616 and-0.531,P ＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that AST,PT and the serum IFNγ/IL-4 ratio were the risk factors for significant liver fibrosis (S2-4) (OR =5.933,95％ CI:1.324-26.586,P =0.02; OR =12.866,95％CI:1.746-94.788,P =0.01; OR=4.755,95％CI:1.034-21.862,P =0.04).Conclusions The CHB patients has imbalanced Th1/Th2 ratio.With the degree of liver fibrosis exacerbations,Th1/Th2 cytokines drift into Th2 lymphocyte sub-cluster,which suggests that Th1/Th2 imbalance may be involved in the pathogenesis of CHB fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of recombinant cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) produced by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa).

METHODSCDT encoding gene cdtABC was amplified by PCR. Through TA clone and restriction endonuclease digestion, gene cdtABC and vector pQE60 were ligated to form pQE60-cdtABC expression system which transformed into competent cells. Protein expression was induced by IPTG and examined by SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting.

RESULTSRandom colony PCR of pQE60-cdtABC transformed cells demonstrated that all strains contained cdtABC gene. The DNA sequence was blast with cdtABC gene from GenBank and 99% homology was obtained. SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting confirmed that recombinant CDT was obtained.

CONCLUSIONSCDT protein expression system was reconstructed and recombinant protein was obtained. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans;

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention and mechanism of Qushi Huayu Recipe (QHR) on gene expression profiles in high lipid diet induced fatty liver rats.

METHODSFatty liver model was prepared in 20 male SD rats using single high fat diet (88% common forage +2% cholesterol +10% lard). Four weeks after modeling they were divided into the model group and the QHR group according to random digit table, 10 in each group. QHR (at 0. 93 g crude drug/100 g body weight) and distilled water was respectively to rats in the QHR group and the model group by gastrogavage while modeling, once per day. Meanwhile, 10 SD male rats were recruited in a normal group, administered with equal volume of distilled water by gastrogavage. At the end of week 8 all rats were sacrificed, and blood and livers were collected for subsequent analysis. Contents of liver triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) , activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected using biochemical assay. Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed using H&E and oil red O stain. Liver gene expressions were detected by Affymetrix gene expression profiles. Differentially expressed genes were compared between the QHR group and the model group, functions of differentially expressed genes and signal pathways involved analyzed. Ten differentially expressed genes involved in glycolipid metabolism with fold change more than 2 were selected for verification by real-time PCR.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the normal group, contents of liver TG and FFA, and serum activities of ALT and AST obviously increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, contents of liver TG and FFA, and activities of ALT and AST obviously decreased in the QHR group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). QHR could reduce high fat induced fatty degeneration of liver cells , alleviate inflammation, and improve pathological changes of liver tissue. (2) Compared with the model group, there were 80 differentially expressed genes (with fold change > 2, P < 0.05) with clear functions and appointed gene names, including 44 up-regulated and 36 down-regulated genes. Eighty genes were involved in 27 signal pathways with statistical difference, including glycerolipid metabolism, adipocytokine signaling pathway, insulin signal pathway, drug metabolism signal pathway, etc (P < 0.05). (3) RT-PCR results of 10 glycolipids metabolism regulating genes such as Gk, Scd1, Gpat2, G6pc, Irs1, and so on showed that all RT-PCR genes were completely coincide with up-regulated or down-regulated tendency in results of gene chips. 80% genes had approximate fold change.

CONCLUSIONQHR could regulate gene expressions related to fat metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, anti-lipid peroxidation, and drug metabolism in high fat diet induced fatty liver rats, and its comprehensive pharmacological actions could be manifested.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcriptome ; drug effects ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo improve the blood circulation of myocutaneous platysma flap and its survival rate.

METHODSThere were seventeen oral cancer patients in this group. After the tumor excision, the oral defect was reconstructed with myocutaneous platysma flap which had submandibular pedicle and contained external jugular vein.

RESULTSThere was no any circulation compromise in this group. The survival rate of the flap was 100% . Two cases encountered oral-facial fistula but were cured by dressing change.

CONCLUSIONSPreserving and containing the external jugular vein in the flap is helpful for improving the blood circulation of the myocutaneous platysma flap and making its survival rate higher.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; surgery ; Neck Muscles ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo compare the number of the Tannerella forsythensis (T. forsythensis), total bacteria, and proportion of T. forsythensis in subgingival specimens in diseased sites of chronic periodontitis patients and in healthy sites of periodontally healthy subjects, and clarify the relationship between bacterial load and periodontal status.

METHODSSubgingival plaque samples from 61 chronic periodontitis patients and 12 healthy controls (positive for T. forsythensis by conventional PCR) were analyzed with TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for T. forsythensis and total bacteria. Quantification was performed with species-specific primer/probe, universal primer/ probe and serial dilution of plasmid standards.

RESULTSNumbers of T. forsythensis and total bacteria(P<0.001) , the proportion of T. forsythensis in subgingival specimens (P<0.05) were significant higher in diseased sites of chronic periodontitis patients than in healthy sites of healthy subjects. In addition, a significant correlation was found between the number of bacteria and various probing depth (P<0.001). There was no significantly difference between the proportion of T. forsythensis in subgingival plaque and probing depth.

CONCLUSIONNumber of T. forsythensis are closely associated with periodontal status, and demonstrate the broad potential of real-time polymerase chain reaction application on periodontology.

Adult ; Bacteroides ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dental Plaque ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyromonas gingivalis

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious and catastrophic complication after hip or knee arthroplasty. With aging population increasing, more patients will undergo hip or knee arthroplasty. Studies have shown that the risk for PJI following arthroplasty is different in different populations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for PJI after hip or knee arthroplasty in Mainland of China through a meta-analysis, thereby providing reference for the prevention and control of postoperative PJI. METHODS: A computer-based search of WanFang, CNKI, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase and Medline databases was performed and the literatures concerning the risk factors for PJI after hip or knee arthroplasty in Mainland of China published before September 2016 were collected by manual retrieval and retrospective approach. All the literatures were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by data extraction and analyzed on RESULTS AND CONLUSION: (1) Finally 14 literatures were included, including 417 patients with PJI. (2) The results of the meta-analysis showed that the risk factors for PJI after hip or knee arthroplasty including the complication of diabetic mellitus, long-term use of steroids, long operation time (> 90 minutes), age (> 65 years), and history of hip or knee Stata 12.0 software. surgery. (3) To conclude, PJI after hip or knee arthroplasty is related to multiple factors, so physicians should pay attention to these factors to reduce the incidence of PJI.

Objective To prepare the 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA)and investigate its value as a gene imaging agent in tumor bearing mice and early diagnosis in tumor.Methods Survivin mRNA antisense PNA and mismatch PNA were synthesized.Four amino acids (Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly) and Aba (4-aminobutyric acid) were linked to the 5' end of PNA.Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly served as a chelating moiety for strong chelation of 99Tcm and Aba acted as a spacer to minimize the steric hindrance.PNAs were labeled with 99Tcm by the ligand-exchange method.The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were measured by HPLC and ITLC methods.There were five BALB/c nude mice bearing human lung carcinoma ( A549 ) in each of antisense PNA and mismatch PNA groups.Gene imaging of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense and mismatch PNAs were performed at 1,2 and 4 h post the injection,respectively,and the T/NT ratio was measured by the method of ROI.The statistical comparisons of average values were performed with the two-group t-test for independent sample by SPSS 13.0.Results The product kept stable in vitro.The labeling efficiency of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was (95.48 ±1.92)％ and more than 85％ after the incubation for24 h in serum.The radiochemical purity was ＞ 95％.The labeling efficiency of mismatch PNA was similar to the antisense PNA.99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was especially uptaken by tumor lesion,and its accumulation reached the top at 4 h post the injection.T/NT ratios at 1,2,and 4 h were 2.70 ± 0.28,3.44 ± 0.35,4.21 ± 0.63,respectively.In the comparison,the T/NT ratio of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA mismatch PNA at 4 h (3.12 ±0.50) was significantly lower (t =2.918,P =0.019).Conclusions 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA has high labeling efficiency,good stability and no need of purification.Its characteristic of especial uptake by tumor lesion provides the potential value in early diagnosis of tumor.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the types of disc position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and their relationship with age and gender in asymptomatic volunteers by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODSA total of 100 asymptomatic volunteers were divided into 5 groups (11-, 21-, 31-, 41-, 51 - 60 years old), 10 male and 10 female were included in each group. A total of 200 TMJs were scanned with Siemens Trio Tim 3.0T MRI system oblique-sagittally at closed- and open-mouth positions. Visual evaluation of MR images were performed on 3 neighbour slices of each TMJ (lateral, central, medial).

RESULTSThere was a normal disc-condyle relationship in 59 of the 100 asymptomatic subjects. The normal disc position, anterior disc displacement and insidious anterior disc displacement (IADD) were observed in 140 (70.0%), 14(7.0%) and 46(23.0%)joints respectively, which showed no significant differences among different age groups or between genders (P > 0.05). The maximum mouth opening of the 100 asymptomatic volunteers was (46.3 +/- 5.5) mm, with no significant difference among the various types of disc position (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDisc displacement does exist in the asymptomatic volunteers, however, its occurrence is not associated with age and gender. IADD is the main type of the disc displacement in asymptomatic volunteers. There is no close relationship between the imaging manifestation of the disc displacement and clinical symptoms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Temporomandibular Joint ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) on monocytes chemotaxis ability in vitro.

METHODSTranswell chemotaxis assay was used to evaluate the changes of chemotactic ability of THP-1 monocytes in each group treated with CRP in different concentration.

RESULTSCRP increased the number of attracted monocytes in response to MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). When treated with CRP concentration at 2 microg x mL(-1), the number of chemotactic monocytes increased (P < 0.05). The number of attracted monocytes increased as CRP concentration was elevated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCRP can increase chemotactic ability of THP-1 monocytes in concentration dependent manner.

C-Reactive Protein ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Chemotaxis ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Monocytes