OBJECTIVEIntravenous administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is effective to reduce the volume of cerebral infract due to ischemia. This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanism, especially the signal transduction pathways, involved in this protective role of bFGF.

METHODSAnoxia-reoxygenation treated astrocytes were used to study the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MAPK/ERK kinase, MEK)-ERK signaling pathway after exogenous bFGF administration by Western blot. Electrophoretic mobile shift assay was used to detect the binding activity of early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1), an important transcription factor for endogenous bFGF.

RESULTSbFGF could protect some signal transduction proteins from the oxygen-derived free radicals induced degradation. ERK1/2 was activated and involved in Egr-1 binding activity enhancement induced by exogenous bFGF.

CONCLUSIONMEK-ERK MAPK cascade may be an important signal transduction pathway contributed to bFGF induced enhancement of Egr-1 binding activity in anoxia-reoxygenation injured astrocytes.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Astrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; methods ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the polymorphism of human cytomegalovirus（HCMV）UL146 gene in clinical strains,and to evaluate its clinical diagnostic and therapeutic value of gene.Methods The UL146 gene of clinical strains was examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Q-PCR）or general polymerase chain reaction（PCR）.Positive samples of PCR amplification were sequenced and analyzed.Results High variability of UL146 gene was found among 28 HCMV strains.According to phylogenetic analysis,all sequences of UL146 in clinical strains could be divided into three types and four subtypes.Chemokine ELRCXC region was highly conserved in all sequences.Conclusion HCMV-UL146 genes showed a high degree of polymorphism,and its encoded chemokine ELRCXC region was highly con-served.The relationship between HCMV-UL146 gene′s polymorphism and different clinical symptoms of HCMV infection was unclear.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of rearing patterns on diet and temperament traits among infants in urban areas.

METHODSA total of 480 25-30-month-old infants were randomly selected from the birth cohort in Hefei Maternal and Child Health Care Center in 2008. A household survey was conducted using China Toddler Temperament Scale (CTTS), Dietary Characteristics Questionnaire and Family Environment Questionnaire.

RESULTSOf the 430 surveyed households, there were three main rearing patterns including parents rearing pattern (Group A), grandparents rearing pattern (Group B) and joint rearing pattern (Group C), accounting for 33.0%, 21.2% and 45.8%, respectively. Infants in Group A tended to adopt processed food pattern, with poor rhythmicity and adaptability; infants in Group B tended to adopt fruit, vegetable, and cereals-based food pattern, with relatively poor rhythmicity; infants in Group C tended to adopt aquatic products and fruit/vegetable-based food pattern, with good rhythmicity and adaptability. Linear regression model showed that infants who consumed more aquatic products, high-protein food, and fruits/vegetables had more positive temperamental traits, whereas infants who consumed more processed foods had more negative temperamental traits.

CONCLUSIONSA joint rearing pattern may be a favorable rearing style for infants aged 25-30 months in urban areas in terms of diet and temperament traits.

Child Rearing ; Child, Preschool ; Diet ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Temperament

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impacts of maternal weight gain during pregnancy on offspring weight and obesity from birth to 24 months of age.

METHODSThe information on maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain and demographic characteristics were collected from 317 pregnant women. The information on offspring weight, BMI and breastfeeding data was obtained from various follow-up examinations from 0 to 24 months of age.

RESULTSThe logistic regression analysis showed that excessive gestational weight gain resulted in an increased risk of obesity in children at age of 6 months (adjusted RR=3.56, 95% CI:1.31-8.35) and 9 months (adjusted RR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.04-3.28) after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The linear regression model showed that there were significant correlations between gestational weight gain and Z score of weight in offsprings at birth (β=0.032, 95% CI: 0.008-0.057), 3 months (β=0.037, 95% CI: 0.013-0.062), 6 months (β=0.043, 95% CI: 0.017-0.068), 9 months (β=0.038, 95% CI: 0.013-0.063) and 12 months (β=0.034, 95% CI: 0.009-0.059), but not at 18 months and 24 months.

CONCLUSIONSExcessive gestational weight gain may affect offspring weight and increase the risk of obesity in children from birth to 12 months of age. During their second year of life, this effect will temporarily disappear.

Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; etiology ; Pregnancy ; Weight Gain

OBJECTIVETo study the gap junction mechanisms for synergistic effects of liuwei di-huang pill (LDP) containing serum on HSV-tk/GCV suicide gene therapy of mouse malignant melanoma B16 cells.

METHODSThe LDP containing serum (2.5% LDP serum group, 5.0% LDP serum group, and 10.0% LDP serum group) and the control serum group were set up. The effects of LDP on mRNA expressions of Cx26 and Cx43 in mouse malignant melanoma B16 cells were detected by RT-PCR assay. The effects of LDP on protein expressions of Cx26 and Cx43 in B16 cells were detected using Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The interference efficiencies of Cx26-309, Cx26-337, Cx26-367, Cx26-2098 SiRNA on Cx26 gene in B16 cells were detected using RT-RCR technique. Cx26-2098 SiRNA, due to the optimal interference efficiency, was chosen to interfere Cx26 gene, and the bystander effect of LDP + HSV-tk/GCV was observed. The effects of the gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) inhibitor glycyrrhetinic acid on the killing of LDP + HSV-tk/GCV system to B16 cells were detected by MTT assay. In this experiment, the control serum group, 2.5% LDP serum group, 5. 0% LDP serum group, 10.0% LDP serum group, the control serum combined GCV group, 2.5% LDP serum combined GCV group, 5.0% LDP serum combined GCV group, 10.0% LDP serum combined GCV group, 2.5% LDP serum combined GCV + glycyrrhetinic acid group, 5.0% LDP serum combined GCV + glycyrrhetinic acid group, 10.0% LDP serum combined GCV + glycyrrhetinic acid group were set up. The final concentration of GCV was 20 micromol/L. The final concentration of glycyrrhetinic acid was 50 micromol/L.

RESULTSLDP containing serum could increase the protein and mRNA expressions of Cx43 in B16 cell in a dose-dependent manner. It had bi-directional regulation on the Cx26 protein and mRNA expressions. The low dose LDP had inhibition while high dose LDP could up-regulate its expression. After SiRNA interfered Cx26 gene, there was no obvious change in the bystander effect of LDP combined suicide gene therapy between before and after interference. There was significant reduction in the inhibition rate between before (48.75%, 59.39%, and 69.28%) and after blockage (29.14%, 38.71%, and 58.13%) of glycyrrhetinic acid in the 2. 5%, 5.0%, 10.0% LDP serum combined GCV groups (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe synergistic effects of LDP containing serum on HSV-tk/GCV suicide gene therapy in mouse malignant melanoma B16 cells were correlated with the gap junction mechanisms, which might be achieved through increasing the expressions of Cx26 and Cx43.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Connexin 26 ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Connexins ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gap Junctions ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Male ; Melanoma ; therapy ; Mice ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir on Oncomelania snail habitats of Poyang Lake.

METHODSFour counties with schistosomiasis endemic around the Poyang Lake, naming as Xingzi, Duchang, Jinxian and Xinjian, were selected as study areas. The average daily water level of four major hydrological stations near the above 4 counties from 1997 to 2008 were collected, as well as the elevation of 215 marshlands with snails in those 4 counties, the data of schistosomiasis endemic situation and snail survey of 4 counties in the year before the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir (2002) and the 6th year after the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir (2008). The fluctuations of water levels of Poyang Lake, flooding day of marshland with snails as well as the changes of the indicators in snail survey and prevention and control measures before and after the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir were compared.

RESULTSBefore the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir, the fluctuations of average water level of the four hydrological stations around Poyang Lake was 6.91-12.93 m; which reduced to 5.72 - 10.75 m after the impoundment. The D-value of the fluctuations of average water level was (1.06 ± 0.47) m. The date of the annual maximum water level delayed by an average of 12 d; while the date of annual minimum water level arrived an average of 12 d earlier than the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir. The average flooding days of marshland with snails were separately (100.04 ± 42.06) d before the impoundment and (64.13 ± 22.30) d after the impoundment. The difference was statistically significant (t = 3.70, P < 0.05). The density of snails in the 4 counties around Poyang Lake was 0.8437/0.1 m(2) after the impoundment; declining by 31.04% from the snail density (1.2234/0.1 m(2)) before the impoundment. The density of infectious snails was 0.0014/0.1 m(2) after the impoundment; dropping by 67.34% from it (0.0042/0.1 m(2)) before the impoundment; the infection rate of snails was separately 0.34% after the impoundment and 0.16% before the impoundment. The difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 53.25, P < 0.05). The coverage rate of chemotherapy increased from 4.45% (35 558/798 200) in 2002 to 9.80% (79 457/810 400) in 2008; the difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 17 336.63, P < 0.05). The coverage rate of snail killing increased from 1.35% (389.04/28 824.66) in 2002 to 7.49% (2260.90/30 166.22) in 2008; the difference was also statistically significant (χ(2) = 28 824.66, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe impact of the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir shortened the flooding days of marshland with snails and helped the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Poyang Lake regions as the environment went against the breeding of the snails.

Animals ; Disease Reservoirs ; Ecosystem ; Environmental Monitoring ; Lakes ; Snails ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the anticoagulant and antineoplastic activities of chemically modified low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH).

METHODSLMWH obtained by splitting unfractionated heparin (UFH) with sodium periodate oxidation and sodium borohydride reduction was subjected to acetylation catalyzed by DCC and DMAP to produce acetylated LMWH (ALMWH). The anticoagulant activity of ALMWH was determined in mice, and its antiproliferative and anti-invasion activities was assessed in human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and MFC-7.

RESULTSThe anticoagulant activity of LMWH was decreased significantly after acetylation. The concentrations of commercial LMWH* and ALMWH for doubling the coagulation time (CT) were 33.04 µmol/L and 223.56 µmol/L, respectively, and the IC(50) of ALMWH for doubling CT was 6 times of that of LMWH*. ALMWH and LMWH at 0.1, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 and 8.1 mmol/L both significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but ALMWH produced stronger inhibitory effects. The IC(50) of LMWH and ALMWH for inhibiting cell proliferation was 3168.4 µmol/L and 152.6 µmol/L in MCF-7 cells, and 12299.6 µmol/L and 22.2 µmol/L in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. ALMWH and LMWH all markedly suppressed the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells with comparable effects.

CONCLUSIONChemical modification of structure can endow LMWH with a low anticoagulant and high antiproliferative activities.

Animals ; Anticoagulants ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Blood Coagulation ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Heparin ; chemistry ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice

OBJECTIVETo study the histopathological effect of hepatic arterial infusion of lipiodol on transplanted hepatoma in rats.

METHODSFourty-one rats bearing Walker-256 transplanted hepatoma were randomly divided into embolization group (n = 35, divided in 5 subgroups, with 7 rats in each) and control group (n = 6). Lipiodol (0.5 ml/kg)emulsified with 0.2 - 0.3 ml of 76% urografin (v:v = 1:1) was infused via gastroduodenal artery into hepatic artery in embolization group. Rats in the control group were given via the same route urografin only. Histopathological changes of the treated tumors were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSIn the control rats treated with urografin alone, the average tumor size increased 2.8 fold on day 3, while that in the lipiodol treated rats increased 1.7 fold (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, on day 3, 5, 10 after embolization treatment, tumor necrosis was more extensive (P < 0.01). In one of the treated rats, the tumor was completely necrotic on day 10. Inflammatory reaction was marked in the early post-embolic period, but it was replaced by fibrous tissue encapsulation. From day 1 on, in 17 of the 18 treated rats, apoptotic cells, identified by typical morphology under light and electronic microscopes, were observed, mainly in the tumor periphery.

CONCLUSIONIn addition to cellular necrosis, apoptosis may be another important mechanism leading to cell death in hepatoma treated with transarterial embolization.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma 256, Walker ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Iodized Oil ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVESelecting variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) loci for different serogroups of Shigella spp to explore and establish multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) method, in order to study the molecular characteristic of the isolated strains.

METHODSOf the Shigella strains found by dysentery surveillance in Beijing from 2001 to 2009, 180 strains were selected for this study, according to the number and serotypes of the surveillant strains, at the ratio of 15%; including 50 strains of Shigella sonnei and 130 strains of Shigella flexneri. After screening the polymorphism of the 18 VNTR loci, 10 VNTR loci (sh1-sh10) were retained and constructed three groups of multi-PCR methods to detect all he 180 strains and analyze MLVA molecular subtypes using capillary segments.

RESULTSA range of 2 to 11 alleles were found on the 10 VNTR loci among the 180 Shigella strains, with a diversity index value between 0.158 and 0.766. The 10 loci showed diversity in different serogroups, such as only one allele found in sh6 of Shigella flexneri, sh2 and sh3 of Shigella sonnei individually. The isolated 180 strains were divided into 84 MLVA subtypes, with a resolution ratio D value at 0.967 (95%CI: 0.956 - 0.978). The 130 strains of Shigella flexneri were divided into 63 subtypes, named as TF001-TF063; among which TF001, TF002 and TF 005 were the dominant subtypes, accounting to 17, 16 and 15 strains respectively. The 50 strains of Shigella sonnei were divided into 21 subtypes, named as TS001-TS021; among which TS002 (14 strains) and TS001 (7 strains) were the dominant subtypes.

CONCLUSIONMLVA subtyping method including 10 VNTR loci was preliminarily developed. The MLVA cluster analysis revealed that the subtypes of Shigella strains isolated in Beijing were diverse, and suggested the possibility of multiple-clone source.

Alleles ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; methods ; China ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genotype ; Minisatellite Repeats ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Shigella ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Poverty Areas ; Young Adult