Cell Line, Tumor ; Choriocarcinoma ; metabolism ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases ; metabolism

In this study, ITS2 barcode was used to identify Bupleurum chinense and B. longiradiatum. The ITS2 regions of 48 samples were amplified and sequenced. The sequences obtained above were aligned and the K2P distances were calculated. We used three methods, BLAST1, nearest distance and phylogenetic tree (NJ-tree), to test the identification ability. The results showed that the maximum intraspecific genetic distance of B. chinense was 0.013, and the minimum interspecific genetic distance between B. chinense and B. longiradiatum was 0.049. The NJ-tree can easily identify B. chinense and B. longiradiatum. Therefore, the ITS2 barcode is suitable to identify B. chinense and B. longiradiatum.
Bupleurum ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

AIM　To investigate effect of urotensin Ⅱ (UⅡ)on proliferation of aort a smooth muscle cells （ASMC）of rat and study the signal transduction pathway o f it. METHODS　In cultured ASMC of rat, UⅡ was used to stimulate proliferation of these cells and levels of ［3H］-TdR incorporation were used to evaluate the speed of DNA synthesis, and different inhibitors were used to s tudy the action of different signal transduction pathway of mitogenic effect of UⅡ on VSMC. RESULTS　1×10-9～1×10-7 mol*L- 1 UⅡ caused marked concentration-dependent increasing of ［3H］-TdR i ncor poration of ASMC. ［3H］-TdR incorporation of 1×10-9,1×10-8 and 1×10-7 mol*L-1 UⅡ were 22%（P<0.05）, 57%（P<0.01）and 65%（P<0.01）higher than control. Nicardipine, H7, W7 and PD98059 , which are inhibitors of calcium channel, PKC, CaM-PK and MAPK respectively, inhibited the effects of UⅡ obviously, with the inhibitory rate by 55%（P< 0.01）, 27%（P<0.01）,18%（P<0.05）and 16%（P<0.05）respectively . CONCLUSION　UⅡ is a strong mitogen for VSMC and the mitogenic e ffect of UⅡ is probably mediated by Ca2+, PKC, CaM-PK and MAPK signal tr ansduction pathway.

Objective To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), and to provide evidence for the prevention of ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 198 patients with ischemic stroke were chosen and divided into two groups:with AF (71 patients)/and without AF (127 patients) groups. Clinical data and biochemical markers were collected and compared in two groups. CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score systems were used to determine the risk levels in patients with AF. Finally, related risk factors of ischemic stroke with AF were determined and analyzed. Results The values of age, length of hospital stay, the hypertention history, heart rate and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) were significantly higher in the with-AF group than those in the without-AF group ( P <0.05). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were sig?nificantly lower in the with-AF group than those of the without-AF group (P<0.05). CHA2DS2-VASc scores reached to the moderate-to-high risk level in the with-AF group. Multiple-factor logistic regression analysis showed that age and heart rate were the independent risk factors of the ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular AF. ROC analysis indicated that age (AUC=0.761, cut-off point=72.50 years old) and heart rate (AUC=0.612, cut-off point=76.50 bit/min) had predictive and di?agnostic value for the ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular AF. The age of these patients had the best sensitivity (70.4%) and specifity (71.1%), and the cut-off point of which was 72.50 years old. Conclusion The characteristics of isch?emic stroke in patients with non-valvular AF includes older age, faster heart rate, higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores and higher Hcy level.

AIM To investigate effect of urotensin Ⅱ (U Ⅱ )on proliferation of aorta smooth muscle cells (ASMC) of rat and study the signal transduction pathway of it. MEfHODS in cultured ASMC of rat, U Ⅱ was used to stimulate proliferation of these cells and levels of [3H]-TdR incorporation were used to evaluate the sped of DNA synthesis, and different inhibitors were ed to study the action of different signal transduction pathway of mitogenic effect of UⅡ on VSMC. RESULTS. 1 ? 10-9~l ? 10-7 mol. L-l U Ⅱ caused marked concentration-de pendent increasing of [3H]-TdR incorporation of ASMC [3H]-TdR incorporation of 1 ? 10-9, 1 ? 10-8 and １ ? 10-7 mol. L－l U Ⅱ were 22%'(P

Objective To investigate the renal expression changes of microRNA-215(miR-215) and its role in diabetic nephmpathy of type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Methods Fourweek-old diabetic db/db mice and norml control group non-diabetic db/m mice were selected.Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative level of miR-215 at the age of 8,12 and 16 weeks.Catenin beta interacting protein 1 (CTNNBIP1) mRNA and protein level were measured by realtime PCR,WesteRN blotting and immunohistochemisty.A lueiferase reporter assay was used to determine whether CTNNBIP1 was a direct target of miR-215. Results (1)With the growth of db/db mice,the major pathological characteristics of kidney included glomerular hypertrophy,segmental mesangial cells proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion.(2)Compared with the db/m mice,the db/db mice of 8,12 and 16 weeks showed obvious increase in body weight(BW),blood glucose (Glu) and 24 hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) (P＜0.05,respectively).(3)Compared with the db/m mice,special miR-215 was highly expressed in the kidney of db/db mice and was up-regulated significantly according to the development of DN (P＜0.05).(4)The mRNA and protein expression of CTNNBIPl of kidney were consistently down-regulated in db/db mice than those in controls (P＜0.05,respectively). (5)By luciferase reporter,miR-215 could negatively regulate CTNNBIP1 gene by targeting its 3'-UTR sequence (P＜0.01). Conclusion High expression level of miR-215 plays a potential role in the initiation and progression of DN by down-regulating the expression of CTNNBIPl.

OBJECTIVETo study the function of F10 gene, a novel hydaditiform mole-related gene.

METHODSA549 cell line was transfected with the F10 gene of forward or reverse sequence or with the empty vector, respectively. The cellular mRNA was extracted after 24 h of transfection to screen for the differentially expressed genes among the 3 transfected and the control cells using differential display-polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR).

RESULTSThe bands representing differentially expressed genes were amplified from the cells, and the products were linked to T-Vector for sequence analysis. Several genes were screened by Blasting and their expressions were confirmed by fluorescent quantitative PCR.

CONCLUSIONF10 gene is functionally related to cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole ; genetics ; Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Oncogenes ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Transfection ; Uterine Neoplasms ; genetics

AIM AND METHODSTo observe the effect of myocardial mitochondrial L-arginine (L-Arg)/nitric oxide (NO) system on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport by using purified rat mitochondria and incubation of them in vitro.

RESULTSCompared with control group, incubation of mitochondria with L-Arg (10(-4) mol/L, NO substrate) or sodium nitroprusside (5 x 10(-7) mol/L, the donor of exogenous NO, SNP) increased significantly mitochondrial NO2- (66% and 89%, P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased the Ca2+ content (40% and 54%, P < 0.01). After L-Arg or SNP treatment, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake were decreased by 67% and 85%, respectively (P < 0.01), vs control. The rate of mitochondrial Ca2+ release decreased by 11% and 8%, respectively (P < 0.01). When L-NAME (NO synthase inhibitor) was incubated with mitochondria and the L-Arg together, it inhibited the effects of L-Arg, NO2 on the mitochondrial NO2 formation, Ca2+ content descending, and decrease of Ca2+ uptake and release.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that myocardial mitochondrial L-Arg /NO systems take part in the regulation of cardiomyocytes Ca2+ transportation.

Animals ; Arginine ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study gene expression profiling in human type I and II endometrial carcinoma.

METHODSSix Affymetrix human genome genechips were utilized to investigate the differences in gene expression profiles between type I and II endometrial carcinoma with bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTSMany genes were highly expressed in estrogen-dependent endometrial carcinoma, and some of them were involved in the metabolism and conversion of estrogen, while some others in estrogen regulation. CYP2C9, for instance, was involved in the conversion of estrogen sulfate to 16-hydroxy sulfate metabolite, DDC in estrogen-dependent pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma possibly by DDC interaction with AR to enhance steroid receptor transcription.

CONCLUSIONHigh expression of these genes in estrogen-dependent endometrial carcinoma may provide insights into their roles in the pathogenesis and prognosis of this malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological features of diabetic microangiopathy in liver and diabetic hepatosclerosis (DHS) of elderly male with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty autopsy cases with T2DM (diabetic group) and contemporary 48 cases, non-diabetic and glucose tolerance abnormal, matched by gender and age (control group) were selected in the study. Cases with the cirrhosis and fibrosis of liver caused by other foregone etiological factors were excluded. The histopathological changes of microangiopathy in liver, hepatic portal areas and hepatic sinusoid were investigated by HE staining, histochemical and immunohistochemical stain methods. The clinical data of diagnostic DHS cases were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) Microangiopathy was observed in 54.2% (65/120) cases of diabetic group. Histological features: microangiopathy was found in interlobular arteries (especially in arteriole, the lumen diameter < 100 µm), which included endothelial denudation, eosinophilic material deposition in the tunica intima of artery, and eccentric intimal thickening. The smooth muscle fibers of tunica media were hyperplastic or atrophy. Fibroplasia and collagen deposition were found in the tunica adventitia of artery. Arterial lumina showed stenosis and occlusion. Microangiopathy was seen in 16.7% (8/48) cases of the control group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ(2) = 19.622, P < 0.01). (2) The fibrosis and sclerosis of portal areas were detected in 55.8% (67/120) cases of T2DM group. Hyaline collagen fiber tissues was deposited around interlobular arteries, interlobular veins and interlobular bile ducts, resulting in enlargement of the portal area and the secondary atrophy and disappearance of portal triad. The fibrosis and sclerosis of portal areas were detected in 22.9% (11/48) cases of the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ(2) = 14.936, P < 0.01). (3) The pathological features of 14.2% (17/120) cases were consistent with the diagnosis of DHS. The fibrous tissue extended from fibrosis or sclerosis of portal areas, or eosinophilic material deposition in the hepatic sinusoid in non-zonal pattern. The results of histochemical staining showed collagen fiber deposition in hepatic sinusoid. Stainings for Collagen IV, SMA, CD34 were found in the hepatic sinusoid. The sclerosis of hepatic sinusoid was not detected in any case in the control group.Overall, 13/17 and 11/17 DHS cases had liver microangiopathy and portal areas sclerosis respectively. Diabetic nephropathy was seen in 10 of 17 DHS cases. Among the 17 cases, 7 cases showed ALP elevation, of which there were 3 cases with ALT and AST mild elevation.

CONCLUSIONSDiabetic microangiopathy is common in the liver of elderly men with T2DM. And DHS is associated with diabetic microangiopathy. Fibrosis and sclerosis of portal areas may be the early or concomitant changes of DHS on histological ground. DHS is one of the complications of T2DM.

Actins ; metabolism ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; blood ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sclerosis