OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of catenin p120 (p120ctn) translocation on the malignant features of hepatocellular carcinoma and its interrelation with beta-catenin in E-cadherin-mediated cell signaling.

METHODSExpression and translocation of p120ctn, tyrosine phosphorylation, and its binding capacity to E-cadherin were detected by DNA transfection, immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Cellular localization of p120ctn and beta-catenin was detected by immunofluorescent microscopy. Cell adhesion, cell migration and cell proliferation were also studied.

RESULTSExpression of p120ctn increased after cells transfected with p120ctn isoform 3A, and it was located mainly at cell-cell contact region. Its binding to E-cadherin was enhanced. After EGF stimulation, tyrosine phosphorylation of p120ctn was increased, membrane expression of p120ctn and beta-catenin was decreased while cytosol expression was increased. It was translocated into the nucleus, cell adhesiveness was increased but mobility decreased. With over-expression of p120ctn, beta-catenin was recruited by nucleus export. Cell proliferation was reduced but it was increased after EGF treatment.

CONCLUSIONp120tn plays an important role in cell adhesion, migration and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma, and its tyrosine phosphorylation might contribute to this mechanism. There might be a competitive relationship between p120ctn and beta-catenin.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Catenins ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; metabolism ; Cytosol ; metabolism ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Transport ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Tyrosine ; metabolism ; beta Catenin

OBJECTIVETo explore the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cytochrome P450 (aromatase) in the testis of sexually mature male SD rats and their significance.

METHODSEighteen male SD rats, 6 five-week, 6 seven-week and 6 ten-week old, were selected for this study. Paraffin sections of the left testis were made and the expressions of eNOS and P450 observed by the immunohistochemical ABC method.

RESULTSPositive expressions of eNOS and P450 were found to be + + +, + and + + in the Leydig cells of the five-week, seven-week and ten-week old rats, respectively, and they were also observed in a few spermatocytes, though with no regularity.

CONCLUSIONIn the Leydig cells of sexually mature male SD rats, eNOS and P450 are differently expressed in different stages of sexual maturation, and they are correlated as well.

Animals ; Aromatase ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation ; Testis ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate diagnosis and preoperative management of cases with interrupted aortic arch(IAA)in infancy.Methods Fifty-three infants who were admitted to our hospital from Jan.2001 to Nov.2007 were involved.Clinical data,findings of echocardiogram(Echo),spiral CT,MRI,angiocardiography,preoperative management,surgical repair and postoperative outcome were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 38 boys and 15 girls,weighted 2.18-10.0(4.32?1.60)kg,aged 1 day to 12(3.05?3.53)months,of which 50.94% were neonates.Symptoms at presentation were 90.57% with tachypnea and 83.02% with difficulty in feeding.Eighty three point zero two percentage cases had different degree of congestive heart failure,37.74% of which were in grade Ⅲ heart function.All cases had weakened femoral pulse.All cases were performed Echo,38 cases of them diagnosed as IAA,6 cases as IAA or severe coarctation of aorta(CoA);they were diagnosed as IAA by CT,and 9 as severe CoA who were diagnosed as IAA via CT or operation.Thirty-three cases were performed CT,of which 15 underwent surgical repair,cardiovascular abnormalities revealed by CT were the same as those in surgical findings.Three cases were taken MRI,and 7 cases were performed angiocardiography.According to the results of Echo,CT,MRI,angiocardiography and surgical findings,35 cases were type A,15 cases were type B and 3 cases were type C.Preoperative treatment included maintaining patent ductus areriosis,management of heart failure and supportive treatment.After proper preoperative management of medication,most cases with congestive heart failure were improved.Twenty-six cases underwent surgical repair,16 survived,10 died du-ring perioperative stage.Main cause of death was severe low cardiac output.Conclusions Value of Echo in diagnosis of IAA is limi-ted.Combination of Echo with CT or MRI is a convenient and safe way to diagnose IAA,it can replace the traditional method of Echo combined with angiocardiography.Proper preoperative management is helpful to patients with IAA to pass to surgical repair,and makes for successful operation.