pcDNA3.1/Hygro(-)+pCMV?. Conclusions Transactivation competence of genotype B HBx was higher than that of genotype C HBx, while the antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of genotype B HBx was lower than of genotype C HBx. B and C genotype-specific functional differences of HBx may closely co-related with the pathogenicity of HBV.

Objective To assess the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV) large envelope protein (LHB) on the apoptosis of HepG2 cells and explore the possible mechanism by proteomic approaches.Methods LHB gene was cloned into pShuttle-IRES-hrGFP-1,and the recombinant adenovirus either barboring LHB(Ad-LHB) or empty vector(Ad-GFP) were separately generated.Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit,JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit and propidium iodide(PI) staining kit were employed combined with flow cytometry to detect the apoptotic cells infected with Ad-LHB or control of Ad-GFP.The cellular proteins were collected after infection of HepG2 cells by Ad-LHBs or Ad-GFP,and a total of 600 μg proteins were submitted to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE) and stained with R350.The gel images were captured by ImageScanner Ⅱ Imaging System,the differentially expressed proteins were identified by ImageMaster 2D Platinum analysis software and picked up by Ettan Spot Picker.After enzyme digestion,the protein samples were analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF MS.Results HepG2 cells infected with Ad-LHB were much more prone to apoptosis.There were thirty nine differentially expressed proteins were determined by 2-DE between HepG2 cells infected with Ad-LHB and Ad-GFP,and they were identified ultimately and categorized into thirty three kinds of proteins by MALDI-TOF-TOF MS.Among these proteins,nine were found to be closely related to cell apoptosis,in which CAPN2,eIF3K and PPP2CB were higher expressed in Ad-LHB infected HepG2 cells,and SERPINH1,LASP1,PRDX1,DHRS2,LDHA and PS-MA4 were lower expressed in Ad-LHB infected HepG2 cells.Conclusion LHB could induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells,and several apoptosis-related proteins participated in this process.

Objective To screen the liver cell proteins interacting with the novel protein encoded by the 2.2 kb singly spliced variant of hepatitis B virus genome. Methods The splicing-specific gene TPss generated by the 2.2 kb singly spliced variant of HBV genome was amplified by PCR and cloned into the bait vector pGBKT7. After exclusion of self-activatian capacities of TPss protein, a two-hybrid library screening was performed using a pre-transformed human liver cDNA library to screen the liver cell proteins interacting with TPss. Mammalian two-hybrid assay was also done to further confirm the interactions between the bait and prey proteins in Huh7 and HepG2 hepatacytes. Results TPss gene with the size of 336 bp was successfully amplified and cloned, and the TPss protein expressed well in AHI09 yeast cells. Four liver cell proteins interacting with TPss, i. e. , cathepsin B, epoxide hydrolase 1, cathepsin D and fibrinogen gamma chain, were screened by yeast two-hybrid assay and further confirmed by mammalian two-hybrid assay. Conclusion TPss could interact with liver cell proteins.

Objective To investigate the relationships between the expression of VEGF,its receptor KDR/flk-1,cNOS mRNA and angiogenesis,cell proliferation,metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methods Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against VEGF and its kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) was carried out.cNOS mRNA expression in HCC,liver cirrhosis and normal liver tissue was observed by in situ hybridization.CD34 immunostaining was used to measure the microvascular density(MVD)and proliferative index was evaluated by Ki-67 immunostaining. Results The expressions of VEGF and KDR of HCC were significantly related to MVD,proliferation and metastasis of HCC(P

Objective To obtain protein of the major surface antigen P30 of Toxoplasma gondii by molecularcloning. Methods The gene of P30 (containing the whole P30 gene sequence, without the gene encoding signalpeptide) was obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer designed according to the DNA sequence ofP30. The recombinant plasmid was constructed using EcoR Ⅰ, Xho Ⅰ and was then transformed into E. coli Top10. Thepositive clones were identified by restriction enzymes and DNA sequence analysis. The fusion protein was induced by IPTGand purified by affinity chromatography using ProBond~(TM) Resin (a kind of nickel-charged sepharose resin) and was identi-fied by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Results The products of PCR, cleavage and link reaction were same as ex-pected and the sequence of inserted fragment in the recombinant plasmid was same as reported except one synonymy muta-tion. A 58 kDa fusion protein was induced by IPTG and was purified by chromatography. Conclusion Fusion proteincontaining Toxoplasma gondii P30 was achieved and was provided as experiment material for further research.

Objective To investigate the signaling role of arachidonic acid in the invasion of RAW264.7 macrophage by Toxoplasma gondii . Methods Rate of infection was calculated by both light microscope and flow cytometer. Fluorescent emission spectra were recorded using a microspectrofluometer for the concentration of cytoplasmic free calcium. Results Calcium concentration in macrophages and rate of infection increased with a higher concentration of exogenous arachidonic acid in a dose-dependent manner. The invasion was dependent on the mobilization of calcium from the extracellular medium and from intracellular stores and followed the influx of calcium into the parasitized cell. Conclusion Arachidonic acid may enhance the rate of infection via calcium transduction pathway.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of total mesorectal excision(TME) for low rectal cancer.Methods One hundred nineteen patients with rectal cancer,located on an average within 8 cm of the anal verge,were included in the study.Fifty-four patients underwent traditional operation,and sixty-five patients underwent total mesorectal excision.Operation time,loss of blood at operation and local recurrence rates were compared between the two groups.Results The average operation time and blood loss were 118 minutes,and 100mL respectively in TME group,and they were 182 minutes,and 340 ml respectively in traditional operation group.There were significant differences between them(all P0.05).Conclusions In TME group,operation time was shorter,operative blood loss was less,and local recurrence rate was lower.TME should be applicated for patients with low rectal cancer.

Objective To study the expression of clock genes in Parkinson's disease(PD) and also the molecular clock machinery of PD.Methods Seventeen PD patients(nine men,eight women)and sixteen agematched controls(nine men,seven women) were investigated in this study.Bload samples were collected over a 12h span at 21:00,00:00,06:00 and 09:00.Using a real-time PCR assay,the peripheral molecular clock was examined by measuring Bmall and Bmal2 expression in total leukocytes during the dark span(from 21:00 to 09:00)in PD patients and age-matched healthy controls.Results At PD,the relative abundance of Bmall was significantly lower at 21:00,00:00 and 06:00(21:00:(22.17±4.09)vs(51.14±8.31),P=0.003,00:00:(30.30±5.45)vs(100.00±24.71),P=0.008,06:00:(19.02±3.33)vs(65.61±14.11),P=0.002).The relative Bmal2 levels in PD patients were significantly less abundant than controls at 21:00 and 00:00(21:00:(48.09±7.40)vs(84.96±9.34),P=0.005;00:00:((65.85±7.88)vs(100.00±11.78),P=0.025).Conclusion These results suggest that a peripheral molecular clock is altered in PD patients.In addition,the relative abundance of Bmall and Bmal2 was significantly lower in PD patients versus control subjects,which can provide a molecular basis to help monitor disease progression and response to investigational drugs.

Objective To investigate the anti-IFN-α effects of the novel protein TSR'r' encodedby the 458 nt-1308 nt spliced variant of hepatitis B virus genome,and to determine its functional domaias.Methods the TSR'r' gene(originated from open reading frame of HBV DNA polymerase,T represents terminal protein region,S represents the Spacer region,R'represents the truncated reverse transcriptase region,and r'represents the truncated RNaseH region)of the 458 nt-1308 nt spliced variant of HBV genome and its deletants were amplified by PCR and were cloned into the pcDNA3.1/HisC vector.The recombinant vector was transfected into Huh7 hepatocytes individually by FuGENE6 transfection reagent,and the expression of the fusion protein was detected by Western blot.Huh7 hepatocytes were co-transfected with p6 16CAT and the recombinant vector harboring either TSR'r'or the related deletant,and treated with IFN-α 2a 48 h post transfection.After 24 h stimulating.the cells were lysed and the intracellular CAT value was calculated.All data were processed with One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA).Resuits Recombinant vectors harboring either the TSR'r'gene or related deletant were constructed successfully,and the fusion proteins were expressed well in Huh7 cells.When Huh7 hepatocytes were co-transfected with p6-16CAT and TSR'r' recombinant.the intracellular CAT values reduced gradually as paralleled with the increasing amount of TSR'r'recombinant.Furthermore,as compared with the empty vector,intracellular CAT values also decreased significantly when the Huh7 cells co-transfected with recombinant harboring TP plus Spacer regions,while any of the other deletants(harboring either TP or Spacer region or neither)showed no significant difference.Conclusion The novel protein encoded by the 458 nt-1308 nt spliced variant of hepatitis B virns genome suppressed the response of Huh7 hepatocytes to IFN-α.and the N-terminal TP plus Spacer region was the functional domain of the protein for anti-IFN-α effects.

Objective To elucidate the genome organization of small deletion mutants of hepatitis B virus(HBV).Methods Amplified the HBV genomes by polymerase chain reaction from the serum of the patients with chronic hepatitis B and cloned the small HBV DNA less than 1 kb,then sequenced and analyzed the gene organization of these small deletion mutants of HBV.Results Totally one hundred and twenty-four small deletion mutants of HBV genomes categorized to sixty-four types were obtained and classified into three groups according to the criteria of the characteristics of gene organization,for example,spliced variants,regular deletion mutants and the deletion mutants with an internal poly (dA).All of these isolated mutants shared some common features as the deletion in coding regions and regulatory elements,66% of the mutants retained the cis elements crucial for the viral replication and encapsidation,while 48% retained the X region.Conclusions Small deletion mutants of HBV are commonly detected in the serum from chronic hepatitis B patients,the characteristic structure of such mutants implies that they might be closely co-related with the pathogenicity of HBV.The exact mechanisms need further study yet.