BACKGROUNDAdrenocorticotrophin (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenomas account for approximately 7% - 14% of all pituitary adenomas, but its pathogenesis is still enigmatic. This study aimed to explore mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

METHODSWe used fiber-optic beadarray to examine gene expression in three ACTH-secreting adenomas compared with three normal pituitaries. Four differentially expressed genes from the three ACTH-secreting adenomas and three normal pituitaries were chosen randomly for validation by reverse transcriptase-real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We then analyzed the differentially expressed gene profile with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway.

RESULTSFiber-optic beadarray analysis showed that the expression of 28 genes and 8 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were significantly increased and the expression of 412 genes and 31 ESTs were significantly decreased. Bioinformatic and pathway analysis showed that the genes HIGD1B, EPS8, HPGD, DAPK2, and IGFBP3 and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway may play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that numerous aberrantly expressed genes and several pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Fiber-optic beadarray combined with pathway analysis of differential gene expression appears to be a valid method of investigating tumour pathogenesis.

ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Adenoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Adult ; Disease Progression ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; physiology ; Female ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms distribution of genes related with mental diseases, such as proline dehydrogenase gene (PRODH) and serotonin 2A(5-HT(2A)) receptor gene, among Korean-Chinese and Han nationality in Chinese Yanbian area.

METHODSBy utilizing techniques of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), the polymorphisms for -1945 region of the PRODH gene and -1438 region of the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene were analyzed.

RESULTSThe PRODH genotype frequencies of MM, Mm and mm in Korean-Chinese population were 61.4%,34.4%,4.2% respectively, the allele frequencies were 0.786 for M and 0.214 for m respectively, and those in Han population were 55.2%,38.5%,6.3%, 0.745 and 0.255 respectively. The 5-HT(2A) receptor gene genotype frequencies of AA, AG and GG in Korean-Chinese population were 15.6%,67.7%,16.7% respectively, the allele frequencies were 0.495 for A and 0.505 for G respectively, and those in Han population were 11.5%,65.6%,22.9%, 0.443 for A and 0.557 for G.

CONCLUSIONAll of the genotype distribution of both loci in Chinese Korean and Han nationality in Yanbian area meet Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and show stronger ability in human identity. The data obtained can be used in human identity, paternity testing and Chinese Korean ethnic group study.

Adult ; Animals ; China ; Electrophoresis ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; ethnology ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; genetics ; Mice ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Proline Oxidase ; genetics ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of three different spinal rotation manipulations for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom September 2011 to April 2013,180 patients diagnosed as lumbar disc herniation were randomly divided into seat fixed rotation group (A), lateral position rotation group (B) and supine position rotation group (C) by using a digital table. Finally 10 patients were excluded and dropped, 170 patients were included in the study. There were 57 patients in group A, 57 patients in group B and 56 patients in group C. Baseline demographic characteristics of patients, clinical findings and indexes of health status had no statistically differences among three groups (P > 0.05). The manipulation was performed every other day, and the treatment duration for all patients was 3 weeks. Body pain (BP), Physical function (PF) in SF-36, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and adverse reactions were observed statistically 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, one year and two years after finishing treatment.

RESULTSBP, PF scores in 3 groups were significantly improved and ODI scores were significantly lower than those before treatment and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); However, there was no significant difference among three groups in the BP, PF and ODI scores (P > 0.05). There were no obvious and serious adverse reactions among these groups.

CONCLUSIONBased on the theory of dislocation of bone joints in TCM, three kinds of spinal rotation manipulations can be used safely for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, and the efficacy was similar.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rotation ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To summarize and compare the characteristics of oral microbiota in women during the preconception period and the third trimester.Methods:This retrospective cohort study involved 55 women who were recruited in the Preconceptional Offspring Trajectory Study (PLOTS) conducted by Fudan University and followed up to the third trimester in the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Jiading District of Shanghai from September 2016 to December 2019. A total of 110 unstimulated saliva samples were collected in the preconception period ( n=55) and the third trimester ( n=55). Features of oral microbiota in the samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. Moreover, the related factors were also analyzed. Paired t test or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test were used to analyze the differences in α-diversity during preconception and the third trimester; t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test for comparison between groups with different characteristics and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PerMANOVA) for β-diversity were used; Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe 1.0) was used to identify the iconic oral flora. Results:(1) The Ace index of oral microbiota was significantly lower in the third trimester than that in the preconception period [661.14(578.15-752.85) vs 730.64 (632.40-911.00), T=1 077.00, P=0.010]. There was also a significance difference in β-diversity ( F=12.539, R2=0.104, P=0.001). Some species such as Saccharibacteria_TM7_G3, Prevotella_7, Absconditabacteria_SR1_G1, Porphyromonas, Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014, Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella_2, Alloprevotella, Parvimonas, Solobacterium and Eubacterium_nodatum_group in saliva were statistically more abundant in the third trimester than those in the preconception period (all P<0.05). (2) The third-trimester Shannon index was lower among those with lower income [5.44 (5.08-5.77) vs 5.75 (5.44-6.12), U=219.00, P=0.029] and those with gargle habit after meal or dessert [5.36 (4.91-5.48) vs 5.72 (5.44-6.05), U=374.00, P=0.046]. Conclusions:The features of oral microbiota vary in women during the preconception period and the third trimester. There is a significant increase in the abundance of oral pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria in the third trimester.

To develop a more efficient antithrombotic way after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the anticoagulant effects were compared of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) gene transfection and aspirin oral administration (traditional method) on vein grafts. An eukaryotic expression plasmid pCMV-(Kozak) TFPI was prepared. Animal model of carotid artery bypass grafting was constructed. In operation, endothelial cells of vein grafts in TFPI group and empty plasmid control group were transfected with pCMV-(Kozak) TFPI and empty plasmid pCMV respectively, while no transfection was conducted in aspirin control group. After operation, aspirin (2 mg.kg(-1).(-1)) was administered (i.g.) in aspirin control group. Three days later, grafts (n=10) were harvested for RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses of exogenous gene expression and for pathological, scanning electron microscopic observation of thrombus. Thirty days later, the patency rates of remnant grafts (n=10) were recorded by vessel Doppler ultrasonography. Human TFPI gene products were detected in gene transferred vein grafts. Three days later, thrombi were found in 7 animals of aspirin control group and in 8 animals of empty plasmid control group, but in only 1 of TFPI group (P<0.01). Thirty days later, 5 grafts were occluded in empty plasmid control group, but none of grafts was occluded in the other groups (P<0.05). The endothelial surfaces of grafts in both of the control groups were covered with aggregated erythrocytes and platelets, and it were not seen in TFPI group. It was suggested that the anticoagulant effects on vein grafts of human TFPI gene transfection are better than those of aspirin.
Administration, Oral ; Anticoagulants/*metabolism ; Aspirin/*administration & dosage ; Aspirin/metabolism ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipoproteins/*metabolism ; Plasmids/metabolism ; Tissue Transplantation/*methods ; Transfection ; Ultrasonography, Doppler/methods ; Veins/*transplantation ; Venous Thrombosis/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of P53 protein and its clinical significance in prostatic carcinoma.

METHODSFormalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 45 cases of prostatic carcinoma (PCa) and 10 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were analyzed retrospectively with immunohistochemical Elivision staining method. The relationship of P53 expression with prostate cancer stage, grade, PSA, endocrine therapeutic effect and prognosis was evaluated.

RESULTSThe positive staining rates of p53 protein expression were 51.1% and 10.0% respectively in patients with PCa and BPH (P < 0.05); 70.0% and 25.0% in PCa patients at pathological stage D and stages A approximately C respectively (P < 0.05); 14.3% and 56.7% in those with Gleason score < or = 7 and > 7 (P < 0.05); 20.0% and 60.0% in those with PSA < or = 10 microg/L and PSA > 10 micro/L (P > 0.05 ); 25.0% and 72.3% in those who responded to endocrine therapy and those who failed to respectively (P < 0.05). Log Rank analyses showed that the survival time of the PCa patients with negative P53 expression was obviously longer than those with the positive (P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONThere were correlations between P53 expression and tumor grade, tumor stage and survival time, so the expression of P53 could be regarded as a prognostic molecular marker and a predictor of endocrine therapeutic effect for prostate cancer.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis

microRNAs (miRNAs) are 20-24 nucleotide (nt) RNAs that regulate eukaryotic gene expression post-transcriptionally by the degradation or translational inhibition of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). To identify miRNA target genes will help a lot by understanding their biological functions. Sophisticated computational approaches for miRNA target prediction, and effective biological techniques for validating these targets now play a central role in elucidating their functions. Owing to the imperfect complementarity of animal miRNAs with their targets, it is difficult to judge the accuracy of the prediction. Complexity of regulation by miRNA-mediated targets at protein and mRNAs levels has made it more challenging to identify the targets. To date, only a few miRNAs targets are confirmed. In this article, we review the methods of miRNA target prediction and the experimental validation for their corresponding mRNA targets in animals.
Animals ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Validation Studies as Topic

Objective To study the mutation characteristics in phenylalanine hydroxylase gene of Xinjiang minority nationality phenylketonuria (PKU) patients and provide a scientific basis for PKU prevention and cure strategy.Methods Mutations in phenylalanine hydroxylase gene were detected by Dolymerase chain reaction-single strand comformation polymorphism (PCR/SSCP) and gene sequencing in 12 minoritv nationality patients.Results Thirteen different mutations,including 8 missense mutations,1 nonsense mutation and 3 splice mutations were found in 24 alleles.The moat common mutations were EX696A＞G and P281 L.which were respectively prevalent in Asia and Europe populations.The common mutations were R243Q,R111X,R176X and F161S.The mutation frequency of R243Q was the highest and R111X was the third highest in Northern China.R176X and F161S were two rare mutations world wide.Especially.F161S was a Chinese-specific mutation because it was for the second time that it was found in China.The mutations detected in this study were first reported in these 3 minority nationality populations,which showed a distinct ethical characteristic.Condusions There is not only a consanguineous relation but also a distinct difference in PAH gene distribution between Xinjiang minority nationality population and yellow race and Latin-American.The results suggest that Xinjiang could probably be a special PAH gene distribution region.

OBJECTIVETo describe the clinical manifestations and lung imaging characteristics of the human transmissible highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.

METHODSThe clinical manifestations and lung imaging characteristics of human transmissible highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in one patient were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe patient had the clear history of occupational exposure. The fever and symptoms of influenza were prominent at onset and associated with the symptoms of the digestive tract. The laboratory findings comprised the significant decrease of the white blood cell count and the lymphocyte number and the impairment of the liver function and the myocardial enzymes. The disease progressed rapidly and multiple organs including lung, heart, liver and kidneys were involved. It was ineffective to administer anti-fungal, anti-virus and anti-inflammation medicines. It was in vain to use mechanical ventilation and pneumothorax intubation and closed drainage as well as the support therapy. In the X-ray film, the lesions progressed quickly and changed diversely with absorption and development at the same time. The nasal and throat swabs and the gargle specimen were detected with RT-PCR and real time PCR by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The results showed that both the specific HA and NA genes of the avian influenza virus H5N1 subtype were positive and in the same time a strain of avian influenza virus A/jiangxi/1/2005H5N1) was separated and obtained from the nasal and throat swabs. The autopsy showed that diffuse injury of alveolus in lungs, DIC and multiple organ injury.

CONCLUSIONThe human transmissible highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza is a lethal disease. The disease progresses rapidly with the absorption and development at the same time in the lungs and unfortunately there are no effective therapeutic measures. The prevention of the contagious disease for the occupationally exposed population should be emphasized.

Adult ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

To acquire epidemiological data on the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and identify cattle persistently infected (PI) with this virus, 4,327 samples from Holstein dairy cows were screened over a four-year period in Beijing, China. Eighteen BVD viruses were isolated, 12 from PI cattle. Based on genetic analysis of their 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR), the 18 isolates were assigned to subgenotype BVDV-1m, 1a, 1d, 1q, and 1b. To investigate the innate immune responses in the peripheral-blood mononuclear cells of PI cattle, the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), IFN-beta, myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance 1 (MX1), and interferon stimulatory gene 15 (ISG15) was assessed by qPCR. When compared with healthy cattle, the expression of TLR-7, IFN-alpha, and IFN-beta mRNA was downregulated, but the expression of MX1 and ISG-15 mRNA was upregulated in PI cattle. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that the expression of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) and IRF-7 was lower in PI cattle than in healthy cattle. Thus, BVDV-1m and 1a are the predominant subgenotypes in the Beijing region, and the strains are highly divergent. Our findings also suggest that the TLR-7/IRF-7 signaling pathway plays a role in evasion of host restriction by BVDV.
Animals ; Cattle* ; China* ; Diarrhea* ; Immunity, Innate* ; Immunoblotting ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons ; Orthomyxoviridae ; RNA, Messenger ; Toll-Like Receptors