Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) in glioma. Methods:12-LOX expression in 40 glioma cases and 10 normal human-brain tissues was assayed by immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological data were analyzed to reveal the association between 12-LOX expression and prognosis of glioma patients. Results:12-LOX was weak-ly expressed in the normal human brain tissues, whereas 12-LOX was strongly expressed (72.5%) in glioma tissues (P<0.05). The strong 12-LOX expression was correlated with the histopathological grading of glioma (P=0.012), whereas 12-LOX expression was not correlated with factors such as patient gender and age, tumor size, and Karnofsky Performance Score. Median survival time was longer in the group with low 12-LOX expression (25.6 months) than in the group with high 12-LOX expression (13.2 months) (P<0.05). Con-clusion:Abnormal 12-LOX expression is implicated in glioma. 12-LOX expression was correlated with the histopathological grading of glioma and was closely associated with patient prognosis.

To examine the effects of heterologous expression of ZrGPD1 (encoding glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase ) cloned from osmotolerant yeast Zygosacharomyces rouxii on glycerol production in wild Pichia farinosa,the URA3 gene was amplified from P. farinosa as the homology integrative region. A recombinant plasmid (pUR-ZG) was constructed then transformed into P. farinosa by electroporation. The transformant pfa-gu was obtained by the selectable marker Zeocin TM . Primary results showed that the biomass of pfa-gu was higher than the wild type in the flask and after 72h fermentation the concentration of glycerol of pfa-gu was 37g/L enhanced 30% in comparison with the wild type. It is concluded that heterologous expression of ZrGPD1 is useful for increasing glycerol production and the ability of osmoregulation in P. farinosa.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of recombinant human N-terminal lipopolysaccharide binding protein in mice challenged with LPS.

METHODSSeventy male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e. LPS challenge (Injection of LPS into abdominal cavity, n = 21); tLBP protection (Injection of LPS and tLBP into abdominal cavity, n = 21) and control (Injection of normal saline into abdominal cavity, n = 8) groups. The blood samples and tissue samples of the liver and lungs were harvested on 15 and 30 minutes and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the injection. The serum contents of ALT and TNF-alpha were determined by biochemical velocity analysis and RIA method, respectively. The pathomorphological changes in the liver and pulmonary tissue were examined under light microscope (LM). The mortality rate of ten mice each was observed within 24 hours after the injection of tLBP + 400 ng LPS or 400ng LPS.

RESULTSThe ALT content of tLBP group reached the peak level at 12 post-injection hour (PIH) (41.00 +/- 4.58), but it was significantly lower than that in LPS group in which it peaked at 6PIH (99.50 +/- 62.63) (P < 0.01). The TNF-alpha content in tLBP and LPS group was lower than that in LPS group, and both reached the peak level at 3 PIH (35.96 +/- 7.33). Compared with those in LPS, injury to hepatocytes in tLBP group was obviously milder without scattered necrosis. The pulmonary congestion in tLBP group was abated, and the inflammatory exudation in the alveoli was evidently less than that in LPS group. There were 9 out of 10 mice died in the LPS challenge group, while only 3 out of 10 mice died during 24 hours after LPS injection in tLBP protection group.

CONCLUSIONPreliminary results indicated that recombinant human tLBP might possess biological activity with a potential protection effect in LPS challenged mice.

Acute-Phase Proteins ; Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Mice ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the susceptibility gene of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through a novel strategy.

METHODSFirstly, the common feature of the putative susceptibility genes in the reported susceptibility loci was searched by using NCBI BLAST, and a functional L1 retrotransposon in the loci was found. Secondly, the mRNA expression level of the functional L1 retrotransposon in 25 Han T2DM patients and 22 normal controls was investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and statistical analysis was implemented in statistical package SPSS10.0. Thirdly, L1 retrotransponson genome mutation screening was performed via sequencing.

RESULTSScreening the human genome for the retrotransposon genome via alignment with the L1 genome using NCBI BLAST showed the functional L1 retrotransposons distribute on most chromosomes except for chromosomes 19, 21 and Y on which rare type 2 diabetes susceptibility loci were reported to reside, and their distribution sites are consistent with the locations of the reported candidate type 2 diabetes susceptibility loci. The mRNA expression level of the functional L1 retrotransposon in the T2DM patients was significantly lower than that in normal subjects (P<0.001). Nonsense mutations including deletion and/or point mutations were observed in all of the 6 T2DM patients tested, but no mutation was observed in all of the 4 normal controls tested.

CONCLUSIONThe functional L1 retrotransposon may be a candidate susceptibility gene of type 2 diabetes or a key regulator of the susceptibility genes, and it may be an ideal candidate biomarker for screening type 2 diabetes.

Adult ; Chromosomes, Human ; genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genome, Human ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retroelements ; genetics

OBJECTIVEFor heart functional parameters, we commonly used normal range. The reference values and predict formulas of heart functional parameters and their relationships with individual characteristics are still lack.

METHODSLeft ventricular (LV) volumes (end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO) were measured by cardiac CT angiography (CAT) in 1 200 healthy Caucasian volunteers, men 807 and women 393, and age 20-90yr. The results are analyzed by high-accuracy three-dimensional imaging technology, and then measured the dynamic changes of the volumes of each atriam and ventricule during their contractions and relaxations. The gender, age, height and weight were analyzed by multiple linear regression to predict LV functional parameters.

RESULTSExcept the LVEF was lower in man than in women (P < 0.001), all other LV functional parameters of EDV, ESV, SV, FE and CO were higher in man (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, gender, height and weight are all independent factors of EDV, ESV and SV (P < 0.001). CO could be significantly predicted by age, gender and weight (P < 0.001), but not height (P > 0.05). The predict equation for CO (L x min(-1)) = 6.963+0.446 (Male) -0.037 x age (yr) +0.013 x weight (kg).

CONCLUSIONAge, gender, height and weight are predictors of heart functions. The reference values and predict equations are important for noninvasive and accurate evaluation of cardiovascular disease and individualized treatment.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Cardiac Output ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult

In order to study phylogeography, population dynamics and molecular evolution of rabies viruses (RABVs) isolates from China, especially spatio-temporal dynamics, the timescale of RABVs evolution and its pattern of migration, we performed an extensive comparative analysis of RABV N gene sequence data, representing 167 isolates sampled from 20 provinces in a 78-year period (from 1931 through 2009). The available Chinese isolates could be divided into two distinct clades:Phylogroup clades I comprised Chinese group 1-4; Phylogroup clades II contained Chinese group 5-8. We found no evidence for positive selection (dN/dS>1) acting at any codon and found strong selective constraints for N gene. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis suggested that the Chinese rabies viruses originated within the last 2000 years and the mean rates of nucleotide substitution for the N gene were approximately 4 x 10(-4) substitutions per site per year. The analyses of the spatial and spatio-temporal evolution indicated that RABV isolates from China migrated among different Provinces.
China ; Evolution, Molecular ; Monte Carlo Method ; Phylogeography ; Rabies virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

AIM: To observe the anti-oxidative activity and adverse laxative effect of raw, traditional processed and fermented products of Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR), and furthermore, to evaluate the fermentation method used in the processing procedure of PMR. METHODS: In vitro ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was carried out to evaluate the anti-oxidative activity. Modulation of normal defecation and effect on gastrointestinal motility in mice were carried out to investigate their adverse laxative effect. RESULTS: Fermented PMR induced less severe laxative adverse effect than Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP). PMR fermented with Rhizopus sp. (FB) could modulate the defecation significantly. The gastrointestinal motility was inhibited by PMRP and PMR fermented with Rhizopus oryzae (FA). FA and FB showed better antioxidant activity than PMRP in 50% and 95% ethanol group. Contents of 2, 3, 5, 4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) were reduced significantly after traditional processing but maintained after fermentation. Emodin and physcion were increased after traditional processing and fermented with Rhizopus oryzae. CONCLUSION All processing procedure, including fermentation, might reduce its anti-oxidative activity. However, most of the processed products could lessen the adverse effect on gastrointestinal tract compared to PMR. Fermentation with Rhizopus oryzae was considered as a promising processing method of PMR.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Defecation ; drug effects ; Emodin ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fermentation ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; drug effects ; Laxatives ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Rhizopus

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of TFPI-2 gene in pancreatic carcinoma, and to evaluate its prognostic significance in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TFPI-2 mRNA and protein in the pancreatic carcinoma tissue samples from 41 patients. The correlation of its expression with clinicopathological features and its prognostic significance were analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression of TFPI-2 mRNA and protein in moderately or poorly differentiated pancreatic carcinoma tissues, or in cases with nerve-involvement, lymph node and blood vessel invasion was significantly lower than that in the highly differentiated one, or without nerve involvement, or neither lymphatic nor blood vessel invasion (P < 0.05). The median survival time of patients with high expression of TFPI-2 (12.0 months) was significantly longer than that with low expression of TFPI-2 (5.1 months, P < 0.05). The Cox model analysis showed that the expression of TFPI-2 was an independent marker for prognosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TFPI-2 is correlated with clinical stage and differentiation of pancreatic carcinoma, and can be used as a prognostic marker for pancreatic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of polyglycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW) in preventing postoperative recurrence of Crohn disease(CD).

METHODSThirty-nine post-operative CD patients in whom all of the diseased gut had been removed from January 2005 to December 2006 were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The patients took GTW(21 cases) or SASP(18 cases) in two weeks after operation. Crohn disease activity index(CDAI), ESR and CRP were collected at week 0, 13, 26, 52 or at the onset of symptoms. Ileocolonoscopy was performed at the end of the trial or at the onset of symptoms.

RESULTSOne patient in GTW group and 2 patients in SASP group were lost and 2 patients in GTW were excluded from the trial for non-compliance. Clinical recurrence was ascertained in one patient (5.6%) received GTW and in four (25.0%) received SASP. Four of eighteen patients in GTW(22.2%) had endoscopic recurrence compared with nine of sixteen(56.2%) in SASP. There were significant differences between the two groups(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTripterygium wilfordii showed good efficacy in preventing recurrence of postoperative CD which can maintain remission and prevent recurrence.

Adult ; Crohn Disease ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glycosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Period ; Secondary Prevention ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium