ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the common variant rs1512268 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) of NKX3.1 gene and the risk of prostate cancer,and to explore its interaction with related risk factors.MethodsTotally 122 patients with prostate cancer and 105 age matched male people (prostatic specific antigen ＜ 4 μg/L,without family history of prostate cancer) as control group were enrolled.Polymerase chain reaction - high resolution melting curve(PCR - HRM) combined with gene sequencing methods were used to determine the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of the rs1512268 SNP.ResultsThe distributions of GG,AG,AA genotypes were 42 cases(33.4％),66 cases(54.1％),14 cases(11.5％) in patients with prostate cancer,and 45 cases(42.9％),51 cases(48.6％),9 cases(8.6％) in healthy control,respectively.There were no significant differences in the distribution of genotype(x2 =1.70,0.69,0.52) and allele frequency (x2 =1.575) between the two groups(P＞ 0.05).The different genotypes of rs1512268 of NKX3.1 gene were not associated with age,Gleason score,PSA levels and clinical stage of prostate cancer (P＞0.05). Conclusions rs1512268 SNP of NKX3.1 gene is not obviously associated with prostate cancer and may be not the genetic risk factor in Chinese.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of short-term application of atorvastatin combined with ezetimibe on efficacy and related indicators of patients with primary nephrotic syndrome with hyperlipidemia. METHODS:Data of 50 patients with prima-ry nephrotic syndrome with hyperlipidemia were retrospectively collected and divided into combination group and control group ac-cording different treatment,25 cases in each group. All patients received low-salt,low-fat ,high-quality protein,giving prednisone 1 mg/(kg·d),po,qd,combined with anticoagulation,diuretic,anti-infection,taking cytotoxic drugs if necessary. Based on it, control group received Atorvastatin calcium tablet 20 mg before going to bed,qd;combination group received Atorvastatin calcium tablet(the same dosage and usage with control group)+Ezetimibe tablet 10 mg,qd. They were treated for 2 weeks. Lipid-lowering efficacy and low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),triglyceride(TG),cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),24 h uri-nary protein (M-TP),serum albumin,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen before and after treatment in 2 groups were observed and the incidence of adverse reaction was recorded. RE-SULTS:There was no significant differences in the total effective rate of Lipid-lowering in 2 groups(P>0.05). After treatment, LDL-C,TC and HDL-C in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,Alb in combination group and ALT in 2 groups were sig-nificantly higher than before,with statistical significance(P<0.05),while there were no significant difference in 2 groups(P>0.05). And there was no significant difference in the TG,M-TP,AST,serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen before and after treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Atorvastatin combined with ezetimibe can improve the blood lipid of patients with primary nephrotic syndrome with hyperlipidemia,while showing similar efficacy and safety with atorvastatin alone in a short term.

The total RNA was extracted from ginseng leaves of Panax ginseng. The Cu/Zn-SOD gene was amplified via RT-PCR and the pET-28(a)-Cu/Zn-SOD expression vector was constructed. The pET-28 (a)-Cu/Zn-SOD recombinant plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells and was induced by IPTG in order to select optimal induction of expression conditions. The target protein was purified by the nickel ions (Ni ) affinity chromatography and the target protein enzyme activity was determinated by the xanthine oxidase method. The similarity of the Cu/Zn-SOD gene sequences and the Cu/Zn-SOD gene sequences of Korean ginseng in NCBI was 99. 00%. The target protein expression level was about 44.42%, and the molecular weight was 16.30 kDa after the pET-28(a)-Cu/Zn-SOD recombinants were induced by IPTG. The purified Cu/Zn-SOD protease activity reached 10,596.69 U x mg(-1). The P. ginseng pET-28(a)-Cu/Zn-SOD prokaryotic expression vector was built by the method of molecular biology, which provided the foundation for studying the Cu/Zn-SOD biology function.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Panax ; enzymology ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

Objective:To explore that if the weak central coherence cognitive characteristic exist in metaphor semantic integration and how does it change through the familiarity of metaphor in the adults with high functioning autism (HFA).Methods:Totally 20 adults with HFA from a service institution of autistic disorder and their 20 typically developing (TD) peers from ordinary schools were recruited into present study who were matched on intelligence quotient (IQ).Priming task was used in present study,in which were set two groups of metaphor sentences (novel-metaphor sentences,conventional-metaphor sentences) as priming sentences and four groups of word (metaphor-relationship-explaining word,vehicle-relevance word,irrelevant word,pseudo words) as target words.A recognition task was used to support the results of priming task.Results:HFA adults showed the highest processing efficiency of vehicle-relevance word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor priming conditions,the reaction time were (960.7 ±9.7) ms and (747.5 ± 12.8) ms,and the accuracies were 94.8％ and 98.4％.TD adults showed the highest processing efficiency of metaphor-relationship-explaining word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor priming conditions,the reaction time were (817.4 ± 9.0) ms and (619.5 ± 9.9) ms,and the accuracies were 93.3％ and 98.2％.In recognition tasks,HFA adults showed the highest recognition efficiency of vehicle-relevance word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor conditions,the reaction time were (732.2 ±11.9) ms and (788.8 ± 11.7) ms,and the accuracies were 78.9％ and 81.8％.TD adults showed the highest recognition efficiency of metaphor-relationship-explaining word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor conditions,the reaction time were (694.0 ± 10.8) ms and 696.1 ± 11.2)ms,and the accuracies were 76.7％ and 84.2％.Conclusion:It suggests that HFA adults have weak central coherence cognitive processing characteristic on the deep semantic processing level such as metaphor,and this kind of characteristic would get more obvious from conventional-metaphor to novel-metaphor.

OBJECTIVE: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of the neurotrophic factor family and plays a vital role in the physiological processes of organisms, especially in the nervous system. Many recent studies have reported that NGF is also involved in the regulation of tumourigenesis by either promoting or suppressing tumor growth, which depends on the location and type of tumor. However, little is known regarding the effect of NGF on interspinal schwannoma (IS). In the present study, we aimed to explored whether mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF), which is widely used in the clinic, can influence the growth of interspinal schwannoma cells (ISCs) isolated from IS in vitro.METHODS: ISCs were isolated, cultured and identified by S-100 with immunofluorescence analysis. S-100-positive cells were divided into five groups, and separately cultured with various concentrations of mNGF (0 [phosphate buffered saline, PBS], 40, 80, 160, and 320 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Western blot and quantantive real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were applied to detect tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) in each group. Crystal violet staining was selected to assess the effect of mNGF (160 ng/mL) on ISCs growth.RESULTS: ISCs growth was enhanced by mNGF in a dose-dependent manner. The result of crystal violet staining revealed that it was significantly strengthened the cells growth kinetics when cultured with 160 ng/mL mNGF compared to PBS group. Western blot and quantantive real time PCR discovered that TrkA receptor and mRNA expression were both up-regualated under the condition of mNGF, expecially in 160 ng/mL, while the exoression of p75(NTR) demonstrated no difference among groups.CONCLUSION: From these data, we conclude that exogenous mNGF can facilitate ISC growth by activating both TrkA receptor and p75(NTR). In addition, patients who are suffering from IS should not be administered mNGF in the clinic.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gentian Violet ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kinetics ; Mice ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nervous System ; Neurilemmoma ; Physiological Processes ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; Receptor, trkA ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVETo observe whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) reduces endotoxin-induced hepatic injury in rats and to explore the mechanism.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, a endotoxin group, an EA group, a normal group and a non-acupoint group. Hepatic injury rat model was prepared by injection of endotoxin (5 mg/kg) into the caudal vein, the normal group received the injection of the equal amount of saline; for the EA group, EA (2-100 Hz, 2 mA, 1.5 h) was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) half an hour after modeling, and for the non-acupoint group, acupuncture was given at the point 5 mm lateral to and 5 mm below "Zusanli" (ST 36), and other treatments were as same as those in the EA group.

RESULTSInjection of endotoxin into the caudal vein could significantly increase TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity (P<0.01), which were decreased by EA (P<0.01) and were not significantly changed in the non-acupoint group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal increases of TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity induced by endotoxin can be decreased by EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36), protecting the organ, and the mechanism is possibly related with the decrease of TNF-alpha content in the liver.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Endotoxins ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of RNA interference by targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in the larynx cancer cell line, Hep-2.

METHODSThe primary structures of hTERT cDNA were found in GenBank. Then the structure analysis were done according to RNAi strategy which determined the specific base sequences to design shRNA plasmid. Two types of plasmid, pshRNA1 and pshRNA2, involved in fluorescein gene were synthesized based on the specific base sequences. Control pshRNA3, a random sequence, and control pshRNA4, without additional specific sequence were also constructed. Cells were treated daily with pshRNA1-4 or normal culture medium respectively. The pshRNA1-3 was identified by electrophoresis. After administration of pshRNA1-4, fluorescence expression was detected by confocal microscopy, the expression of hTERT of the transfected cells was determined by Western blotting, telomerase activity was measured by TRAP-PCR ELISA, cell viability was determined by MTT assay, morphological changes and apoptosis were examined by inverted microscope and TUNEL respectively.

RESULTSThere was a 400 bp balteum in pshRNA1-3 after cut by SalI, which was identical with the size of the objective gene. Many cells presented green fluorescence after being treated by pshRNA1-4, but there are much more dead green fluorescent cells in the pshRNA1 and pshRNA2 group. hTERT protein and telomerase activity was significantly decreased after treated by pshRNA1 or pshRNA2. It was observed that treatment with pshRNA1 or pshRNA2 in the presence of a valid transfection reagent could reduce cell viability of Hep-2 cells within 96 h (P < 0.01). Under the same culture conditions, cells grew more sparsely and the number of apoptotic cell increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONSshRNA plasmid directed against human telomerase reverse transcriptase can effectively transfect Hep-2 cells. shRNA targeted hTERT gene can significantly inhibit the growth and proliferation of Hep-2 cells, which results in apoptotic cell death. RNA interference may be a promising strategy for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo research the treatment effect of complex prescription of Chinese crude drug in BALB/c athymic mice with human liver cancer, which were built by Bel-7402.

METHOD48 male BALB/c athymic mouse models were built by Bel-7402 with an indirect method. After 24 hours of postoperation, the 48 athymic mice were distributed randomly into 4 groups which were treated by intragastric administration with complex prescription of Chinese crude drug that had been deliquated into 3 groups by the different density as the low, middle, and high and FT207 (Tegafur) for 4 weeks. At last, athymic mice were put to death and PTEN was detected in hepatic tissue, latero-cancer tissue and cancer tissue by immunohistochemistry (PowerVision Two-Step Histostaining Reagent).

RESULTAll of the 48 athymic mice survived 12 to 28 days (Ms 24 days) and every mouse with liver cancer demonstrated by dissection. The result of immunohistochemistry represents that the intensity of PTEN in latero-cancer tissue is the highest, and then the hepatic tissue, the lowest is cancer tissue, P < 0.01. It also represents that the intensity of PTEN in treatment groups (A, B, C) is more higher than the control group (D), P < 0.05 or P < 0.01, and group B is the highest in the treatment groups, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. However, there is no significant statistic difference between group A and group C.

CONCLUSIONThe higher expression of PTEN in the laterocancer tissue can represent the protective reaction of stress of the organism. And anticancer effect of this complex prescription of Chinese crude drug relates to an eligible density of it. Mechanisms of this complex prescription of Chinese crude drug healing HCC may partially be explained by enhancing the expression of PTEN in liver.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo investigate the late results of using posterior restoration and three-column fixation to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-four patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were collected from March 1999 to May 2007, they were treated by posterior restoration and fixation with single nail-grooved tail steel plate and fixed with cage (WDFC). Among these cases, 87 cases were fixed with one WDFC, 97 cases were used two WDFCs.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 69 months(averaged 23 months). According to Nakai standard, the results was excellent in 142 cases, good in 34, fair in 8, the excellent and good rates were 95.6%. Seventy-nine vertebraes with I degree spondylolisthesis were reduced after surgery. Eighty-seven vertebraes with II degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 9 with I degree spondylolisthesis left. Twenty-one with III degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 5 with I degree spondylolisthesis left; In 2 with IV degree spondylolisthesis, one with I degree spondylolisthesis left and the other with II degree spondylolisthesis left. The follow-up results showed that there was no statistical significance in the height of intervertebral space between preoperation and post-operation, and no recurrence was observed and no single nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC were loose or crashed.

CONCLUSIONPosterior restoration and three-column fixation is a positive modus operandi to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis,which can reduce excellently,keep the height of intervertebral space and stabilization of segment, obtain high rate of fusion, and cut down complication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery

Objective To explore the correlation between ITGA6 gene (rs12621278, G), MSMB gene (rs10993994, T), chromosome 8q24 (rs10086908, T) and prostate cancer (PCa) in Beijing residents, and to explore the correlation between genotype and phenotype in PCa patients. Methods PCa patient phenotypes were collected including clinical, genetic, dietary habits, hobbies and blood samples. ITGA6 gene (rs12621278, G), chromosome 8q24 (rs10086908, T) and MSMB gene (rs10993994, T) compared the allele distribution between 112 PCa and 91 healthy control age matched patients. The genotype and phenotype analysis was conducted in the 2 groups. Results Between the case and control groups, only rs10993994, T of MSMB gene (case 56.4%,control 46.2%) was significantly different (P=0.001; OR=1.97, 95%CI:1.28-3.04). The rs10086908, T of 8q24 (case 83.5%, control 79.2%) and rs12621278, G of ITGA6 gene (case 27.2%, control 27.0%) were not significantly associated with PCa in the study sample (P>0.05). Quantitative trait analysis showed that the disease duration of ITGA6 risk genotypes (G/G,1.40±0.55 years) in PCa patients was significantly shorter (P=0.003) than the other genotype carriers (A/G, 4.38±3.10 years; A/A, 2.37±1.84 years). Conclusion The genetic variation in MSMB is possibly associated with PCa susceptibility, suggesting that MSMB genes might be associated with PCa in a Chinese population.