Objective To analyze the association of polymorphisms of estrogen receptor (ER) α and β genes with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Chinese Han cohort of Yunnan Province.Methods XbaⅠ and Pvu Ⅱ of ERα gene,Rsa Ⅰ and Alu Ⅰ of ERβ gene were typed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 697 SLE patients and 638 healthy controls.The frequency distribution of the alleles and genotypes were analyzed by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test and x2 test.Results ① For ERα gene,the frequency of minor allele of Pvu Ⅱ C in SLE patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (x2=15.427,P=0.001);the allele frequencies of XbaⅠ in SLE patients showed no significant difference compared with healthy controls (P＞0.05).The frequency of minor genotype of Pvu Ⅱ CC in SLE patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (x2=17.371,P=0.011).The frequency of two locus haplotype AATT in SLE patients was significantly lower than healthy controls (x2=6.333,P=0.012);the frequency of the two locus haplotype AACC in SLE patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (x2=7.771,P=0.038).② For ERβ gene,the frequency of minor allele RsaⅠ A in SLE patients was significantly lower than healthy controls (x2=12.595,P=0.013);the allele frequencies of Alu Ⅰ in SLE patients showed no significant differences compared with the healthy controls (P＞0.05).The frequency of minor genotype AA of Rsa Ⅰ in SLE patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (x2=41.456,P=0.000).The frequency of two locus haplotype AAGG in SLE patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (x2=37.063,P=0.000).The frequency of the two locus haplotype AAGA in SLE patients was significantly lower than healthy controls(x2=21.086,P=0.001).③ Pvu Ⅱ C was related with splenomegaly (x2=4.212,P＜0.05).The two locus haplotype AGTC of Xba Ⅰ and Pvu Ⅱ was related with edema (x2=7.898,P＜0.05).Conclusion There are associations between the polymorphisms of ERα and ERβ genes and SLE.The ERα and ERβ genes may be the susceptible genes for SLE in Yunnan Han Chinese Cohort.

【Objective】To study the effect of the specific p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 on apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons induced by low potassium.【Methods】Apoptosis was induced by switching the cultured cerebellar granule neurons from a culture medium containing K+ 25 mmol*L-1 to a medium containing K+ 5 mmol*L-1 (cLK).Fragmentation of DNA was analyzed using agarose gel eletrophoresis.SAPK/JNK activity was measured by SAPK/JNK assay kit.【Results】Low potassium resulted in apoptosis as characterized by morphological and biochemical features,but the specific p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 improved the survival of cerebellar granule neurons cultured in cLK medium by blocking apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner.The expression and phosphorylation of c-Jun increased and the activity of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) elevated when cerebellar granule neurons were cultured in cLK medium.But when the cerebellar granule neurons cultured in cLK medium were exposed to 25 μmol*L-1 SB203580,the expression and phosphorylation of c-Jun and the activity of JNK were both decreased evidently.【Conclusions】These results indicate that SB203580 inhibits the activation of JNK and phosphorylation of c-Jun,and therefore protects granule neurons from apoptosis induced by low potassium.

OBJECTIVETo investigate phase I and phase II enzyme activities in drug metabolism with tissue-like cultures of rat hepatocytes.

METHODSThe gel entrapment and spheroid culture of hepatocytes were used as tissue-like cultures and the monolayer culture was used as a control. The metabolism of phenacetin and 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) was evaluated as the activities of phase I and phase II enzymes after incubated in medium for a period of time. The metabolites were assayed by HPLC. The hepatocytes were exposed to beta-naphthoflavone (BNF, 50 micromol x L(-1)) before the phase I and phase II enzyme activities were analyzed.

RESULTIn monolayer culture, phase I parameters decreased quickly and did not detected at d 5, and the phase II enzyme activities were not detected at d 7. In other two models of tissue-like cultures, the activities of phase I and phase II enzyme maintained at 32%-50% of the initial value at d 7. Paracetamol formation rates in spheroid culture maintained at 96% of that at d 1. The phase I enzyme activities of the spheroid culture were maintained from d 1 to d 3 at a level of 2.7-3.9-fold higher than the monolayer culture. After exposure to BNF the activities on phase I enzyme increased by about 2.5-fold (P <0.05) in all three culture models, while the increase in phase II enzyme was not significant.

CONCLUSIONThe gel entrapment culture and spheroid culture are superior to the monolayer culture in maintenance of drug metabolic enzyme activities.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Phenacetin ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Umbelliferones ; metabolism ; beta-Naphthoflavone ; pharmacology

Objective To study the effects of Androsace umbellata extract on bone wound healing in rats.Methods A total of 32 rats were selected,and the rat femur bone trauma model was established.The Androsace umbellata was administrated to rats in treatment groups (including high-dose Androsace umbellata group and low-dose Androsace umbellata group,8 rats in each group)continuously for 10 days,while rats in the fake operation control group (8 rats)and bone trauma model group (8 rats) were treated with corresponding volume of solvent by body weight.The growth of body weight and wound healing of rats were recorded.The serum levels of calcium and phosphorus,activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP),bone density and bone biomechanics were examined.The X-ray photograph was carried out to observe the effects of Androsace umbellata on bone wound healing,Results Compared with the bone trauma model group,serum levels of calcium and phosphorus,calcium-phosphorus product and activity of ALP were significantly increased in treatment groups,there were statistically significant differences (P＜0.05).Compared with the bone trauma model group,bone density of trauma place in the high-dose Androsace umbellata group was significantly decreased (P＜0.05),bending energy in the low-dose Androsace umbellata group was increased (P＜0.05),while no statistically significant difference was found in the other skeletal biomechanical properties (P＞0.05).The results of X-ray films indicated that the treatment groups shown better effects on bone wound healing compared with the bone trauma model group.Conclusion Androsace umbellata extract could effectively promote bone wound healing in rats.

Objective To evaluate the feasibilities and advantages of different concentrations of sodium alginate (SA) solutions as a submucosal injection solution for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods In vitro study, different concentrations of sodium alginate solutions and normal saline were injected into submucosal of resected porcine esophagus and stomach respectively, then observe and measure the heights of each injection induced mucosal elevations, and their changes over time. In vivo study, the mimic ESD were conducted in healthy pigs to evaluate the mucosal elevation effect and other assistant effects of sodium alginate as a submucosal injection solution. Results The elevation heights of the experiment groups injected with SA solutions were much higher than the control group injected with normal saline. Specially, the elevation created by 1 % SA in porcine esophagus was significantly higher than that of normal saline (P < 0.01) and the elevation created by 3 % SA was significantly higher than that of normal saline in porcine stomach (P < 0.001). In the mimic ESD experiment, mucosal elevation with clear margin occurred immediately after injection with SA solution. And the durable submucosal fluid cushion created by SA protected deeper tissues while facilitating ESD procedure. Conclusion The elevation heights created by SA solutions were greater and more durable than that created by normal saline, which were crucial for ESD. The viscosity property enabled SA to form a stable protective cushion and prevent bleeding by squeezing tissue around the wound, which may decrease perforation and bleeding rate during ESD procedure. Therefore, sodium alginate can be an ideal clinical submucosal injection solution.

The potential of hypothermia in reducing neuronal damage has been demonstrated in several animal models of focal cerebral ischemia. The feasibility and safety of this technique for acute stroke has been only examined in one study, describing a total of 25 patients. We analyzed the data from 50 consecutive patients with acute stroke treated with moderate hypothermia in neurocritical care units of 4 university clinics to evaluate the feasibility and safety of moderate hypothermia.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the morphologic features of bone marrow (BM) between the prefibrotic-early primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET).

METHODSeven cases of prefibrotic-early PMF were selected and analyzed. Based on the diagnostic standard of prefibrotic-early PMF by WHO, BM aspirate smears, trephine biopsy sections and imprints of 156 uncertain ET cases conducted simultaneously were recruited into this study, the BM morphologic features between the prefibrotic-early PMF and ET groups were analyzed. The morphological difference in 22 cases of prefibrotic-early PMF and 27 ET were compared between the JAK2V617F mutation positive and negative groups.

RESULTSOf the 156 uncertain ET cases, it was reclassified 61 prefibrotic-early PMF (34 MF-0, 27 MF-1), 12 PMF and 83 ET. The platelet count and LDH level in MF-1 group were obviously higher than that of ET group (P < 0.05). The blast percentage of BM smear in MF-1 group was also higher than that of ET group (P < 0.05). As to BM section, cases with increased nucleated cells (granulocyte), compact megakaryocytic cluster, megakaryocyte near bone trabecula, cloud-like megakaryocyte, small bare nucleus of megakaryocyte and large ball-like megakaryocyte in MF-0 and MF-1 group were significantly higher than that of ET group (all P < 0.05), cases with megakaryocytic cluster of various size in MF-1 group were significantly higher than that of MF-0 and ET groups (P < 0.05). The JAK2V617F mutation rate in prefibrotic-early PMF and ET groups were 54.5% and 48.1%, respectively. Hb level in JAK2V617F mutation positive group was obviously higher than the negative group (P < 0.05), no special change with megakaryocytic morphology was found between the positive and negative groups.

CONCLUSIONMorphology of BM section, especially megakaryocytic morphologic characteristics are the main basis in distinguishing prefibrotic-early PMF from ET. The importance of morphologic index were megakaryocytic cluster with various size, cloud-like megakaryocyte, large ball-like megakaryocyte, increased nucleated cells (granulocyte), small bare nucleus, megakaryocyte near bone trabecula and compact megakaryocytic cluster in order. JAK2V617F mutation provides no specific effect on the megakaryocytic morphology.

Aged ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Female ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Megakaryocytes ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; genetics ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the killing effects of VP(3) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2. METHODS: Plasmid expression vector pcDNA3.1(-) CMV.VP(3)-His was constructed and identified by Kpn I/EcoR I endonuclease analysis, and then sequenced to verify successful insertion in the sense direction of VP(3) gene. pcDNA3.1(-) CMV.VP(3)-His and pcDNA3.1(-)-His expression plasmid was transiently transfected into nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2 . VP(3) protein expression was detected by Western blotting. MTT assay was used to determine the killing effects of VP(3) gene on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2. RESULTS: Endonuclease analysis and sequencing confirmed the recombinant plasmid contained the complete VP(3) CDS sequence. Western blotting detected a 14.03 kD protein expression from the transfected cells, which was the expecting band of VP(3) gene. The growth of CNE-2 cells that expressed VP(3) gene was inhibited,while the growth of CNE-2 cells that did not express VP(3) gene was not inhibited. CONCLUSION VP(3) gene can kill nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell CNE-2.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Base Sequence ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Transfection

Adult ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Azacitidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the transcription level and protein expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in SW480 cell line and colorectal adenocarcinoma, and to determine whether HIF-1alpha plays a role in angiogenesis through its regulation of VEGF.

METHODSHIF-1alpha mRNA expression was analyzed by in situ hybridization. HIF-1alpha and VEGF protein expressions were determined by immunochemical streptavidin/peroxidase (SP) in SW480 cells and colorectal carcinoma tissue samples and Western blot, using proteins extracted from SW480 cells. Tumor tissue microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD34 immunostaining of colorectal carcinomas.

RESULTSThe levels of HIF-1alpha mRNA changed significantly in response to different oxygen concentrations and an addition of genistein in SW480 cells. Immunocytochemistry revealed that the levels of HIF-1alpha, VEGF protein expression in SW480 cells were significantly higher under hypoxia than those in nomoxia (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 respectively). However, addition of genistein, an inhibitor of HIF-1alpha, suppressed such responses to hypoxia. Western blot analysis showed that SW480 cells exposed to hypoxia expressed a high level of HIF-1alpha protein, compared to a weak expression in nomoxia. The addition of genistein in hypoxia suppressed the over-expression of HIF-1alpha. The positive rates of HIF-1alpha mRNA by in situ hybridization in colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas were 38.9% (7/18) and 67.7% (42/62), respectively. The percentage of HIF-1alpha mRNA positive cells varied significantly from colorectal adenomas to adenocarcinomas at different Duke stages (P < 0.05), and HIF-1alpha mRNA was higher in adenocarcinomas than in adenomas (P < 0.01). The positive rates of HIF-1alpha and VEGF protein expression in adenocarcinomas were 43.5% (27/62) and 37.1% (23/62), respectively. The expression of VEGF elevated as the Duke tumor staging increased. The conformation rate of HIF-1alpha and VEGF was 74.2% (46/62). MVD was significantly higher in HIF-1alpha and/or VEGF positive tumors than those without (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). Among the four groups, i.e. HIF-1alpha+/VEGF+, HIF-1alpha+/VEGF-, HIF-1alpha+/VEGF- and HIF-1alpha-/VEGF-, the difference of MVD was highly significant (P < 0.01). HIF-1alpha expression was correlated significantly with VEGF expression and microvessel density.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest hypoxia induces the expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in colorectal adenocarcinoma. HIF-1alpha may play an important role in angiogenesis and tumor progression by regulating the expression of VEGF in human colorectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Microcirculation ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics