The netrin family represented by netrin-1 is currently one of the most concerned axon guidance factors. Netrin-1 plays guidance roles for axon growth and cell migration by the dual mechanisms of attracting/excluding during the embryonic development. At the same time, netrin-1 also widely expresses in the adult nervous system and involves in the reconstruction of the structure and function after the achft nervous system injury. This article reviews the roles of netrin-1 in ischemic brain injury.

Objective To examine the expression of inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and in-vestigate their potential effects on neural plasticity in the peri-infarct cortex and ipsilateral thalamus after focal cerebral infarction in hypertensive rats. Methods Twenty-four adult renovascular hypertensive Sprague-Dawley rats per group were subjected to permanent right middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) or sham operation. Twelve rats which were se-lected randomly from per group at each time point were decapitated and their brains were removed and cut into coronal sections at 7 and 14 days post MCAO. The expression of CSPGs, NG2 and Neurocan was examined using immunostaining and western blot. Results All rats displayed neurological deficits to varying degrees and the expression of CSPGs, NG2 and full length Neurocan was increased in the peri-infarct cortex and ipsilateral thalamus at 7 and 14 days (P<0.05). However, there were no significant difference in either expression of CSPGs, NG2 and full-length Neurocan between 7 and 14 days or the expression of C-terminal fragment Neurocan at 7 and 14 days (all P>0.05). Conclusions CSPGs may play a negative role in neural plasticity through induction of inhibitory environment in the peri-infarct cortex and ipsilat-eral thalamus following focal cerebral infarction in hypertensive rats.

Objective To investigate the dynamic levels of autophagy after intimal injury of carotid artery. Meth-ods In this study ,40 male SD rats were randomly assigned to operated(n=20)and control groups(n=20). Balloon inju-ry was induced in the left carotid artery in operated groups .Rats in control groups just received carotid artery exposure without injury. Western blot was used to detect the levels of Beclin-1, LC3 and p62 at the third and seventh days. Immu-nofluorescence was used to examine the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 at the third and seventh days. Results The ex-pression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 were increased while the levels of P62 were decreased at the third and seventh days after carotid balloon injury. Beclin-1 and LC3 were present in neointima and medintima. The numbers of both Beclin-1 positive cells and LC3 positive cells were increased at the third and seventh days after carotid injury. The numbers of Be-clin-1 positive cells were 18.60 ± 1.34 in neointima and 6.40 ± 0.55 in medintima at third day, (27.6 ± 2.19 in neointima and 6.40±0.55 in medinitima at the seventh day,(all P=0.000,n=5). The numbers of LC3 positive cells were 10.60±1.52 in neointima and 3.00 ± 0.71 in medintima at third day, (P=0.000,n=5;at the seventh day 21.20 ± 2.49;3.00 ± 0.71,P=0.000,n=5). Conclusions This study domenstrates that autophagy was activated after carotid injury and the chang is dy-namic, which may contribute to neointima formation.

Objective To study Caveolin-1,EGFR expression in bladder transitional call carcinoma and their prognostic value. Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect Caveolin-1,EGFR in 89 cases.of bladder transitional call carcinoma.Results In 89 cases,the percentage of abnormal Caveolin-1 and EGFR expression were 37.1% and 50.6 % respectively.Significant change was observed in different grade case,P

OBJECTIVETo report the postmortem findings of a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus occurring in human beings.

METHODSPostmortem examination was carried out in a deceased caused by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. Detailed light microscopy of major organs, including heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and brain, was performed. The lung tissue was further investigated by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.

RESULTSMajor histopathologic changes in lungs secondary to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus included diffuse alveolar damage, hyaline membrane formation and focal hemorrhage. Some of the alveolar spaces contained lightly eosinophilic liquid, lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells and small number of neutrophils. Congested capillaries were commonly seen in the alveolar septa which were focally rimmed by hyaline membrane. Immunohistochemical study showed that the lymphocytes were mainly of T lineage and macrophages were also demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONSHighly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus causes pathologic changes mostly in lungs, including diffuse alveolar damage and acute exudative changes (involving mainly T lymphocytes and macrophages). The resulting parenchymal destruction, consolidation, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage eventually lead to respiratory distress and death.

Adult ; Autopsy ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; analysis ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; virology ; Microscopy, Electron

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesangial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics

OBJECTIVEVasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuro-peptide that can modulate immunity. Previous studies indicated that VIP can attenuate the deleterious consequences of severe sepsis and septic shock by regulating production of inflammatory cytokines in immune activated cells. The signaling induced by bacterial components occurs primarily through Toll like receptors (TLRs). TLRs have been recognized to play a key role in pathogen recognition and innate immunity. It was convincingly demonstrated that lung is one of early suffered disaster organ and may trigger multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in sepsis. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of VIP on TLR2/4 mRNA expressions on acute lung injury of endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat.

METHODForty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e., LPS shock group (n = 16), LPS + VIP group (n = 16), and control group (n = 8). LPS shock model was established by LPS (E. coli O(55)B(5) 10 mg/kg) with tail intravenous injection. The rats in LPS + VIP group were given a bolus of 5 nmol VIP intravenous injection follow by LPS. The rats in control group were given normal saline. The rats were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h after being injected. The lung tissues were collected. The TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expressions were detected by RT-PCR from the lung tissues. Pathological changes of the lungs were observed by light microscope and electron microscope 24 h after LPS injection.

RESULT(1) Lung histopathology: the alveolar space was full with leukocyte, necrotic cells, segmental hemorrhage and protein effusion. Partial alveolar space was enlarged, lung interstitial edema were observed in LPS shock group. However, pathological changes of LPS + VIP group were milder than those in LPS shock group. (2) The expressions of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA were significantly higher in LPS shock group compared with those of the control group (F = 16.638, P = 0.000; t = 5.876, P = 0.000), TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expression on 24 h was down-regulated in LPS + VIP shock subgroup than those in LPS shock subgroup (F = 16.676, P = 0.000; t = 3.946, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONExpressions of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA were up-regulated on LPS induced lung injury in rats. VIP mitigated lung injury induced by LPS, which may be related to TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA down-regulation of expression. The effect of VIP may suggest a protective mechanism in sepsis. VIP may play a potential protective role in severe infection.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; pharmacology

Objecfive To study the molecular epidemioiogical characteristics of Norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in Zhejiang.Methods During January 2006 and December 2007.fecal specimens of patients collected from outbreaks of acute viml gastroenteritis were tcsted for Norovirus.Epidemiological data were also collected.Noroviruses were detected by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PeR)and Real.time RT-PCR.Some positive samples were randomly selected and Rrr-PCR products were sequenced.Comparing to the nucleotide sequences of norovirus genotype Ⅰ,Ⅱ reference strains from GenBank,sequence analysis was undertaken based on partial sequence of RNA dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp)and capsid protein(VPI)gene.Results 5 Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis caused bv Norovirus were reported.A total of 63 stools were obtained from cases with acute gastroenteritis.Noroviruses alone were detected in 45 cases and the illness appeared in autumn.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Norovirus belonged to G Ⅱ/G Ⅱ 4 type.The strains isolated from Zhejiang were almost identical on G Ⅱ/4 variants that causing epidemics in Beijing and in the Netherlands with the homology of 99.7%and 98.5%-99.O%respectively.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates were located at the same branch as the norovirus G Ⅱ/4 variants found in Beijing and Netherlands.Conclusion Norovirus iS a major cause of outbreaks of viral gastroenterifis in Zhejiang province.GenogroupⅡ/4 variants viruses were the prevalent strains.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distributions of six short-tandem repeat (STR) loci, namely D7S820, D13S317, D16S539, HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX and HUMTH01, in Miao minority group at Rongshui county in Guangxi province and construct the relevant genetic database.

METHODSSodium-citrated blood specimens were collected from 208 healthy unrelated Miao individuals in Rongshui county. The DNAs from the specimens were extracted with phenol-chloroform method; AmplFSTR Identifier PCR Amplification Kit was used to amplify the extracted DNAs, and 3100 Genetic Analyzer was used to analyze and screen the amplified products.

RESULTSIn this study, 7, 8, 6, 7, 5, 7 alleles were observed at the 6 STR loci respectively. The expected distribution of genotype accorded with Hardy-Weinbery equilibrium. The total discrimination power, cumulative paternity exclusion power and total polymorphism information were 0.999995, 0.9959 and 0.9987 respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that these 6 STR loci are of high polymorphism and hereditary stability and are in accord with Mendel's law. The data obtained are valuable in population genetics research, forensic application, and individual identifications.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the gene characterization of enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus strains isolated from clinical specimens of children with hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in Zhejiang province.

METHODSVirus were isolated from clinical samples including stool, throat swab and vesicle from patients with HFMD. The EV71 isolates were identified by microneutralization assay and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) with specific primer pair for VP1 genes of EV71. Complete VP1 gene sequences (891 nucleotides) for recent 6 EV71 isolates were determined and compared with that of A, B, C genotype reference EV71 strains and 11 EV71 China isolates available from GeneBank by homogeneity and phylogenetic tree analyses.

RESULTS9 strains of EV were isolated from 14 clinical specimens. Data from microneutralization and RT-PCR results indicated that all the strains belong to EV71. The nucleotide and amino acid homogeneity of these 6 Zhejiang strains with the representative isolates of A and B genotypes were 82.9%-85.5% and 94.9%-98.0% respectively; with the representative isolates of C were 89.2%-94.1% and 97.0%-99.0% respectively. There were 91.0%-92.2%, 90.2%-90.3%, 89.2%-89.5%, 96.7%-96.9% nucleotide, homology with representative strains of C1, C2, C3,C4 subgenotypes of EV71. The nucleotide homogeneity of these 6 EV71 isolated strains with 9 previously isolated Chinese strains appeared to be 93.8%-97.1%. These 6 EV71 isolated strains were within genotype C subgenogroup C4 in the phylogenetic tree.

CONCLUSIONThe recently identified EV71 isolates in Zhejiang province belonged to subgenogroup C4.

Child ; China ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genes, Viral ; Genotype ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid