Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

Objective To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Profile of Fatigue Scale (PROF)among the patients with Sjogren′s syndrome. Methods The English version of PROF was translated into Chinese according to Brislin Translation Model. 107 patients with Sjogren′s syndrome were investigated to test its reliability and validity. Results The Cronbachαcoefficient , Guttman split-half coefficient, test-retest reliability and content validity of Chinese version of PROF were 0.976, 0.953, 0.872 and 0.875. Two factors were extracted by factor analysis and the cumulated variance was 80.75%. The structure of PROF was in line with the original scale. The criterion-related validity was 0.621 measured by comparing with visual analog scale of fatigue, and was -0.707 measured by comparing with vitality domain in the MOS item Short From Health Survey (SF-36). Conclusions The Chinese version of PROF has been proved to be reliable and valid. It can be used to measure the fatigue in Chinese patients with Sjogren′s syndrome.

This study was aimed to construct miRNA sponge targeting miR-20a and to establish a stable cell line Jurkat-S, paving the way for further research on function of miR-20a and application of RNAi in gene therapy. One pair of two-repeated oligonucleotide sequences containing bulged sites that are mispaired opposite miR-20a positions 9-12 was designed and synthesized with enzyme cutting sites. The annealed oligonucleotide fragments were subcloned into pCDNA3.0-L expressing vector. After double-enzyme cutting, the vector was ligated to the annealed oligonucleotide fragments again. Enzyme cutting and luciferase activity assay were performed for identification after four repeats. Then the ligated fragment was subcloned to lentivirus expressing vector. Virus particles were collected after the control or sponge vectors were co-transfected with the psPAX2 packaging plasmid and the envelope plasmid pMD2.G into HEK-293T cells using Lipofectamine 2000. The Jurkat cells were transfused with recombinant lentivirus-transfusing units plus 6 µg/ml of Polybrene. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of P21 and E2F1 after lentivirus transfusion respectively. As a result, luciferase activity assay demonstrated that the sponge targeting miR-20a was constructed successfully and the virus was packaged in 293T. The titer of virus was 5×10(7) TU/ml. Stable transfected Jurkat-S cell line was established. As was expected, the mRNA and protein level of P21 and E2F1 was upregulated significantly in Jurkat-S cells. It is concluded that the miR-20a sponge is constructed successfully, and Jurkat-S stable cell line is established, in which the expression of miR-20a is inhibited stably.
Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

This study was aimed to construct lentivirus-mediated shRNA expression vector targeting Bmi-1 and establish a stable cell line U266-li, so as to pave the way for further research on function of Bmi-1 and application of shRNA to gene therapy. One pair of oligonucleotide sequences targeted at human Bmi-1 mRNA were designed and synthesized. The annealed oligonucleotide fragments were subcloned into pLVTHM vector. Virus particles were collected after the control or shRNA vectors were co-transfected with the psPAX2 packaging plasmid and the plasmid pMD2.G was enveloped into HEK-293T cells by using Lipofectamine2000. The U266 cells were transduced with 5 × 10(6) recombinant lentivirus-transducing units plus 6 µg/ml of polybrene. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used respectively to detect the expression of Bmi-1 and P14 after lentivirus transduction. DNA sequencing demonstrated that the lentivirus RNAi vector of Bmi-1 was constructed successfully and the virus was packaged in 293T cells. The titer of virus was 5 × 10(7) TU/ml. Stable transfected U266 cell line was established. As was expected, the mRNA and protein levels of Bmi-1 was reduced significantly in U266 cells after lentivirus transduction, whereas the mRNA and protein levels of P14 was upregulated. It is concluded that the lentiviral RNAi vector of Bmi-1 is constructed, and U266 stable cell line is established.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of overexpression of S3 ribosomal protein (S3rp) gene on the resistance of leukemia cell to antitumor drugs.

METHODSBoth sense and antisense cDNA recombinants of S3rp gene were constructed with pcDNA3.1 expression vector. Subsequently, the sense S3rp cDNA recombinant was transfected into K562 cells while the antisense one into K562/DOX cells (a multidrug resistant cell line). In addition, empty pcDNA3.1 vector was transfected into the corresponding cells as negative controls. The chemosensitivity of cells was evaluated by MTT assay.

RESULTSSense S3rp cDNA transfected K562 cells were 5.8 times more resistant to doxorubicin than control cells did, whereas antisense S3rp cDNA transfected K562/DOX cells were 3.2 times less resistant to doxorubicin than control cells did.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of S3rp gene plays an important role in the development of drug resistance in K562/DOX cells.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; genetics ; pathology ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Ribosomal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To analyze and evaluate the characteristics of enzyme kinetics of CTX-M-14 type extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL) with Pro167 residue substitution. Methods By molecular cloning and PCR techniques, CTX-M-14 gene was directionally cloned into plasmid pET28a( + ) from a clinical E. coli isolate and formed an expression vector to transform competent E. coli BL21 (DE3 ). Prol67 residue substitutions of P167G, P167Q, P167S and P167T were introduced to CTX-M-14 by site-directed muta-genesis based on overlap extension PCR with the former recombinant plasmid as PCR template, respectively.The wild-type CTX-M-14, recombinant CTX-M-14 protein and its variants were expressed and purified, then their steady-state kinetic parameters (Kcat, Km and Kcat/Km ) against β-lactam antibiotics were determined.Results The kinetic parameters of wild-type and recombinant CTX-M-14 had no statistically significant differences (P>0.1). The 1/Km, Kcat and Kcat/Km values of P167S variant against ceftazidime were 16-fold, 2.87-fold and 43.6-fold higher than those of recombinant CTX-M-14, respectively, and the Kcat/Km value of P167S variant against penicillin, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime decreased( < 0.05). Compared with the kinetic parameters of recombinant CTX-M-14, the kinetic parameters of P167T variant against ceftazidime had no significant change, but the Kcat values of P167Q and P167G variants decreased dramatically(P<0.01). Conclusion There was no difference between the enzyme activities of wild-type and recombinant CTX-M-14. P167S variant could not only promote the enzyme affinity of CTX-M-14 to ceftazidime but also improve the conversion rate of enzyme-substrate complex in the ceftazidime hydrolysis. The comparison of the kinetic parameters of CTX-M-14 and its variants with Pro167 residue substitution showed that the increased activity of CTX-M ESBL variants against ceftazidime could not be simply explained with the enlarged cavity in active site that may be caused by the replacement of Pro167 residue by smaller amino acids.

Drug reservation wag investigated in 2077 community residents.We found that most drugs were obtained from the hospitals(83.78%),kept at a relatively lower place(69.23%),packed in box(75.25%),and did not meet the storage requirement(72.60%).Half of the overdue drugs(median time,12 months)were used for internal treatment.This study suggests that there might be unsafe drug storage in communities.

Prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHDs) family is one of the most important regulatory factors in hypoxic stress. PHD2 plays a critical role in cells and tissues adaptation to the low oxygen environment. Its hydroxylation activity regulates the stability and transcriptional activity of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which is the key factor in response to hypoxic stress. Subsequently, PHD2 acts as an important factor in oxygen homeostasis. Studies have shown that PHD2, through its regulation on HIF-1, plays an important role in the post-ischemic neovascularization. Furthermore, under hypoxic condition, PHD2 also regulates other pathways that positively regulate angiogenesis factors HIF-1 independently. Moreover, recently, several evidences have also shown that PHD2 also affects tumor growth and metastasis in a tumor microenvironment. Based on these facts, PHD2 have been considered as a potential therapeutic target both in treating ischemic diseases and tumors. Here, we review the molecular regulation mechanism of PHD2 and its physiological and pathological functions. We focus on the role of PHD2 in both therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic disease and tumor angiogenesis, and the current progress in utilizing PHD2 as a therapeutic target.
Animals ; Humans ; Hydroxylation ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Vascular Diseases ; pathology ; therapy

LPS stimulation of macrophages production of IFN-beta plays a key role in innate immunity defending the microbial invasion. In this study, the effect of S632A3 promoting LPS-induced IFN-beta production and the underlying mechanism were investigated, mRNA level was measured by real-time PCR, cytokine production was determined by ELISA, GSK-3beta activity was investigated by kinase assay, protein phosphorylation and expression were evaluated by Western blotting. The results revealed that S632A3 significantly augmented IFN-beta production by LPS-stimulated macrophages. S632A3 inhibition of the activation of GSK-3beta, reduced the threonine 239 phosphorylation of transcription factor c-Jun but increased the total level of c-Jun in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of c-Jun level abrogated the ability of S632A3 to augment IFN-beta. The study thus demonstrates S632A3 being a new anti-inflammation lead compound and provides a molecular mechanism by which S632A3 promoted LPS-induced IFN-beta production in macrophages through inhibiting the activation of GSK-3beta.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of pulse wave velocity(PWV)and heart rate variability (HRV)and evaluate their feasibility in grading the cardiovascular risk in patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).Methods Eighty-nine ISH patients and systolic-diastolic hypertension patients(DH,n=98)admitted in our hospital were submitted carotid-radial PWV(crPWV),carotid femoral PWV(cfPWV)and HRV,ISH patients were categorized depending on their risk grade as:low risk group(n=3),moderate risk group(n=17),high risk group(n=35)and very high risk group(n=34).Results The cfPWV in ISH patients is significantly higher than that of sys-diastolic hypertension group(ISH: 399.6?48.2 vs sys diastolic hypertension:374.3?39.7 cm/s,P0.05).The LF in ISH group are markedly higher than those in DH(ISH:4.35?1.07 log ms~2 vs 3.78?0.82 log ms~2,P 0.05).LF are markedly positive correlated with the degree of the total cardiovascular risk(rs=0.438,P