OBJECTIVEOvarian fibrosis is characterized by excessive proliferation of ovarian fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and it is one of the principal reasons for ovarian dysfunction. This review aimed to investigate the pathogenetic mechanism of ovarian fibrosis and to clarify the relationship between ovarian diseases and fibrosis.

DATA SOURCESWe searched PubMed for English language articles published up to November 2016. The search terms included ovarian fibrosis OR fibrosis, ovarian chocolate cyst OR ovarian endometrioma, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, ECM, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and combinations of these terms.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles were obtained and reviewed to analyze the pathogenic mechanism of ovarian fibrosis and related ovarian diseases.

RESULTSMany cytokines, such as MMPs, TIMPs, TGF-β1, CTGF, PPAR-γ, VEGF, and ET-1, are involved in ovarian fibrogenesis. Ovarian fibrogenesis is associated with various ovarian diseases, including ovarian chocolate cyst, PCOS, and premature ovarian failure. One finding of particular interest is that fibrogenesis in peripheral tissues around an ovarian chocolate cyst commonly causes ovarian function diminution, and therefore, this medical problem should arouse widespread concern in clinicians worldwide.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with ovarian fibrosis are susceptible to infertility and tend to have decreased responses to assisted fertility treatment. Thus, protection of ovarian function should be a priority for women who wish to reproduce when making therapeutic decisions about ovarian fibrosis-related diseases.

Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; Ovary ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analysis clinical characteristics of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by acute paraquat poisoning (APP).

METHODClinical data of 68 APP cases from Jan 2006 to Jun 2009, including age, gender, poisoning time and dosage, and MODS time, were compared in two groups, i.e. the death (37 cases) and survived (31cases) groups. It was less than 24 hours from poisoning to rescue in all cases.

RESULTSAmong the 68 cases, the incident rate of ARDS was 51.47% (35 cases). The rate of acute lung injure was 97.1% (66 cases). The mortality was 54.4% (37 cases). There was no significant difference in age and gender between both groups (P > 0.05). The dosages and times from poisoning to rescue were significant different between two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the death group, proportion of amounts (> 3) of organs related with MODS was 70.29%, which was significantly higher than that (38.71%) in survived group (P < 0.01). MODS and ALI/ARDS occurred in death group earlier than those in survival group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, cardiac, hepatic and renal damage occurred earlier than the lung injure.

CONCLUSIONMODS in APP patients occurred earlier, were more sever, and caused higher mortality. The poisoning dosage and time were important prognostic factors.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the down-regulated TRAF6 gene expression and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cells.

METHODSDetection of TRAF6 expression were conducted by RT-PCR and Western blot in MM cell lines of KM3, U266, RPMI8226 and primary cells from patients. RPMI8226 cell lines were transfected with siRNA of TRAF6. The efficiency of transfection was identified by using of fluorescence microscope, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The levels of proliferation were analyzed by CCK-8 method under the different concentrations of siRNA. Apoptosis rate were detected with Hoechst33258/PI double staining by flow cytometry. Apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2, BAX, and NF-κB signal pathway were observed before and after siRNA transfection by Western blot.

RESULTSThe levels of TRAF6 mRNA and protein in MM cell lines, especially in primary myeloma cells, were significantly higher than those in controls. After transfected with 50 nmol/L siRNA in RPMI8226 cells, the relative level of TRAF6 mRNA (0.49±0.24) was significantly lower than that in non-transfected group (1.87±0.23) and idling group (1.74±0.35). The proliferation rate of siRNA transfected cells decreased with dose dependence (P<0.01). The apoptosis rates increased from 11.20% (before transfection) to 51.82% (after transfection), accompanied by down-regulated Bcl-2 protein, NF-κB signal pathway (p-p65 and p52), and up-regulated BAX protein.

CONCLUSIONTRAF6 expression was high in myeloma cells. TRAF6 siRNA could inhibit proliferation of myeloma cells and induce apoptosis mediated by NF-κB classical and alternative pathway in myeloma cells.

Case-Control Studies ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To study the doses and methods of F1 antigen(F1Ag) to immune Balb/c mice during the establishment of hybridoma cell strains. Secreting McAbs against F1Ag of Yersinia pestis. Methods Balb/c mice of seven to nine weeks old were randomly divided into six groups. The first four groups were 150, 100, 50 and 25 μg F1Ag inoculated group, having multipoint hypodermic inoculation of F1Ag of 150, 100, 50 and 25 μg followed by multipoint hypodermic inoculation of F1Ag of 100 μg for a second time and then intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg. Next, hypodermically inoculated group received F1Ag of 100 μg for three times in multiple points. Finally, the intraperitoneal injection group was intraperitoneally inoculated with F1Ag of 100 μg for three times. Emulsification liquid of F1Ag + Complete Frednd's adjuvant(CFA) of equivalence was used in the first inoculation, emulsification liquid of F1Ag + Incomplete Frednd's adjuvant(IFA) balanced mix in the second, F1Ag liquid in the third. One week afterwards, tail blood of the mice was collected to test antibody titers of anti-F1Ag by double antigens sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAgS-ELISA) and trace indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA). Results The levels of antibody of anti-F1Ag in 150,100,50 and 25 μg groups had statistics difference (DAgS-ELISA method: G = 12 173.87,13 440.37,15 024.19 and 4466.72, F= 3.11, P< 0.05;IHA: G = 19 972.32,18 089.40,23 170.47 and 4871.08, F = 4.11, P < 0.05). Immune effect of the 3 groups of 150, 100 and 50 μg was almost the same (P> 0.05), and excelled as compared with that in 25 μg group with statistics difference(DAgS-ELISA method: t = 2.18,2.39,2.73, P < 0.05;IHA: t = 2.54,2.73,3.13, P< 0.05). The titer of F1 antibody had an increasing trend from the 100 μg group to hypodermic group and intraperitoneal injection groups, but without statistics difference (DAgS-ELISA method: G = 8933.44, 9986.16, 13 440.37;IHA: G = 13 777.25,16 384.00, 18 089.40, F = 0.66,0.25, all P > 0.05). Conclusions Hyodermical inoculation of F1Ag with the first dose of 50 μg in multiple points for mouse is appropriate, and a strengthening dose of 100 μg in an intraperitoneal injection may shorten the immune period.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of forkhead box P3 gene (FOXP3) and endometriosis in Chinese Han women from central China.

METHODSMassARRAY IPLEX and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technique was used to determine the genotypes of FOXP3 gene in 314 patients with endometriosis and 358 healthy controls.

RESULTSGenotypes of C/T polymorphism for the rs2280883 locus, A/C for the rs3761548 locus, and C/T for the rs3761549 locus were determined. No significant difference was detected in distribution of genotypes CC, CT and TT (P=0.770, OR=0.960; P=0.923, OR=1.013) and frequencies of C and T alleles (P=0.772, OR=0.960; P=0.925, OR=1.013) for rs2280883 and rs3761549 between the two groups. And no significant difference was detected in distribution of genotypes AA, AC and CC (P=0.762, OR=0.958) and frequencies of A and C alleles (P=0.715, OR=0.950) for rs3761548 was detected between the two groups. Based on r-AFS classification, the patients were divided into two groups (respectively with I-II stage and III-IV stage endometriosis). Again, no significant difference was detected in distribution of genotypes CC, CT and TT (P=0.454, OR=1.198, P=0.526, OR=0.909; P=0.220, OR=0.750, P=0.548, OR=1.094) and frequencies of C and T alleles (P=0.473, OR=1.215, P=0.532, OR=0.912; P=0.204, OR=0.737, P=0.558, OR=1.089) for rs22080883 and rs3761549 loci between the two patient groups. No association was found between distribution of genotypes AA, AC and CC (P=0.431, OR=1.211; P=0.508, OR=0.905) and frequencies of A and C alleles (P=0.417, OR=1.226; P=0.516, OR=0.908) for rs3761548 locus between the two patient groups.

CONCLUSIONOur study has failed to found any association between FOXP3 gene polymorphisms rs2280883, rs3761548 and rs3761549 with endometriosis in Chinese Han patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Endometriosis ; genetics ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the metabolic pathways of ginsenoside Rd in rats.

METHODSUrine samples were collected before and after 24 h of single oral administration of 150 mg and intravenous administration of 60 mg of ginsenoside Rd to six rats, separately. The samples were purified by SPE column and then were analyzed by liquid chromatography-ESI-mass spectrometry for putative metabolites.

RESULTSParent drug and its seven metabolites were identified in rat urine based on comparing total ion chromatograms of the blank with the metalolic urine as well as mass spectra. Its main metabolic pathways and possible structures are elucidated.

CONCLUSIONOxidation, combination and deglucosylation were found to be the major metabolic pathway of ginsenoside Rd in rats.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ginsenosides ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; urine ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) and poliovirus receptor-related 1 exon3 (PVRL1exon3) polymorphisms in Han People of Jiangzhe area.

METHODSPVRL1exon3 was examined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique in the 50 patients with NSCL/P and 85 healthy parents.

RESULTSNo W185X mutation was found in the PVRL1exon 3.

CONCLUSIONIt indicates that there is no relationship between NSCL/P and PVRL1exon3 in Han People in Jiangzhe area.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Lip ; genetics ; Cleft Palate ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nectins ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Virus ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo screen and clone the genes encoding hepatocellular carcinoma associated tumor antigens.

METHODSA hepatocellular carcinoma cDNA express library was constructed with ZAP vector and analyzed by serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression library (SEREX) with sera from autologous and allogenous patients. Monoclonalized positive phage clones were converted into pBK-CMV phagemid forms by in vivo excision. The cDNA inserts were determined by restriction endonuclease digestion with EcoR I and Xho I. The cDNA inserts were sequenced and analyzed with bioinformatics. LIMS1 insert was cut from the clone HCL5-70 and constructed into pQE 31 express vector. The recombinant LIMS1 was expressed in M15 and analyzed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot.

RESULTSFourteen genes were cloned from autologous screening and eleven genes were obtained with allogeneous analysis. One gene, kinectin, was identified in both autologous and allogeneous screening. Eight of the total twenty-four genes were unknown for their functions; the other sixteen genes can be classified into eight groups according to their established or putative function. Recombinant LIMS1 was expressed in M15.

CONCLUSIONThe identification of hepatocellular carcinoma associated tumor antigens provides potential targets for immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and will help in the understanding of the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; immunology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVEThis study was sought to compare the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of (1) dual isotope simultaneous acquisition single-photon emission computed tomography (DISA SPECT) myocardial image with (99m)Tc-sestamibi/(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((99m)Tc-MIBI/(18)FDG); (2) low dose dobutamine alone and combined with Isosorbide Dinitrate (ISDN: Isoket) stress two dimensional echocardiography (2DE) to predict regional movement recovery after revascularization (CRV) in patients with old myocardial infarction (OMI) and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

METHODSTwenty-six patients (mean age 51 +/- 8 years, male 25, female 1) with OMI and severe left ventricular dysfunction (mean left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF (38.6% +/- 4.9%) underwent low dose dobutamine 10 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) (Dob10 microg) and ISDN (286 +/- 31 microg/min) combined with Dob5 microg (ISDN-Dob 5 microg) 2DE and DISA SPECT within one week. In echocardiogram and DISA SPECT images: the left ventricle (LV) was divided into 16 segments. The semi-quantitative scoring system was used for both images. Myocardial viability was defined as an improvement of at least >or= 1 grade in at least two contiguous segments at rest 2DE after CRV. The viable segments detecting rate with stress 2DE and DISA SPECT were compared. Compared with the results of post-CRV, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of detecting viable segments of two methods were calculated.

RESULTSAmong 272 abnormal segments in 26 patients, 156 (57.4%) segments showed contractile improvement after CRV. The viable segments detecting rate with DISA SPECT was 72.4% (134/254), which was significantly higher than the contractile improved rate after CRV (P < 0.001). During Dob10 microg 2DE and ISDN-Dob5 microg 2DE, the detecting rates were 65.5% (163/249) and 65.7% (176/268), respectively, which were both comparable to the improved rate after CRV (both P > 0.05). With DISA SPECT, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 93.7%, 55% and 76.8%, respectively. Compared with DISA SPECT, Dob10 microg 2DE showed similar sensitivity (88.6%), specificity (64.2%) and the accuracy (77.9%). When ISDN combined with Dob5 microg, the sensitivity (91.4%), specificity (68.1%) and accuracy (81.4%)were comparable to those of Dob10 microg 2DE and DISA SPECT (all P > 0.05), while the specificity was even higher than DISA SPECT (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn identifying myocardial viability in patients with OMI and severe left ventricular dysfunction, DISA SPECT has higher sensitivity, lower specificity and better accuracy. Dob10 microg and ISDN-Dob5 microg 2DE are both equivalent to DISA SPECT in sensitivities, specificities and accuracies, and even higher in specificity in ISDN-Dob5 microg 2DE.

Adult ; Dobutamine ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Isosorbide Dinitrate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; Myocardium ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; diagnostic imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods