OBJECTIVETo study the molecular genetics characteristics of Jk(a-b-) phenotype of blood donors from Chengdu.

METHODSExons 4-11 of the JK genes and their flanking intronic regions for 8 Jk(a-b-) samples were analyzed with PCR-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSAll samples had AA genotype at position 838 of exon 9 predicting a null Jk(b)-like alleles. Sequence analysis has revealed 4 mutant alleles, which included: (1) IVS5-1G>A, A to G at position 588 (Pro196Pro) of exon 7; (2) G to A at position 896 (Gly299Glu) of exon 9, A to G at position 588 (Pro196Pro) of exon 7; (3) IVS5-1G>A, C>A at position 222 (Asn74Lys) of exon 5, A to G at position 499 (Met167Val) of exon 7, A to G at position 588 (Pro196Pro) of exon 7; and (4) IVS5-1G>A, G to A at position 896 (Gly299Glu) of exon 9, A to G at position 588 (Pro196Pro) of exon 7.

CONCLUSIONIVS5-1G>A, C to A at position 222 (Asn74Lys) of exon 5 and G to A at position 896 (Gly299Glu) of exon 9 might have been the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying Jk(a-b-) phenotype of the selected blood donors.

Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Blood Donors ; China ; Exons ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Kidd Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Mutation ; Phenotype

The purpose of this study was to find the rare individual JK(a-b-) phenotype of proband family and explore its molecular mechanism and the genetic background, in order to provide base for searching compatible donor to blood transfusion of the individuals with rare JK(a-b-) phenotype. Urea lysis test was used to screen the JK(a-b-) phenotype and results were confirmed with serological method. The genotypes were detected with PCR-SSP. The 4-11 exons and their flanking intron regions of JK gene were amplified and sequenced. The results showed that her elder brother has a same phenotype JK(a-b-) and genotypes JK(a)/JK(b) with proband. The phenotype and genotypes of their parent is JK (a+b-) and JK(a)/JK(b), respectively; and the younger sister's is JK (a+b-) and JK(a)/JK(a). Acceptor site of intron 5 3' g > a mutation was detected in proband and her elder brother, which may cause the JK(a-b-) phenotype of proband and her elder brother. There is g/a and a at this site in their parent and younger sister, respectively. Additionally, the SNP (ncbi:rs8090908) a > g at nt-99 in intron 3 was found in proband and her elder brother, it needs to be explored whether the SNP is related to JK(a-b-) phenotype. This SNP was not found in their parent and younger sister. This JK(a-b-) phenotype abides by the rule of dominant inheritance in the family, suggesting that there is higher probability to find homology phenotype and genotype by investigating in their family, especially in their siblings.
Adult ; Alleles ; Exons ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Kidd Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Male ; Pedigree ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of natural type ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) and its stereoisomers [20 (R)-Rg2 and 20 (S)-Rg2] at different concentrations on oxygen-glucose deprivation/ reperfusion (OGD/R) induced cortical neuronal injury model in vitro, and to explore the mechanism, and compare their differences of action.

METHODSCortical neurons after 7-day culture were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the control group, the model group, the Rg2 group, 20 (R) -Rg2 group, and 20 (S) - Rg2 group. Cortical neurons in the Rg2 group, 20 (R)-Rg2 group, and 20(S)-Rg2 group were pretreated with 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2, 20 (R) -Rg2, and 20 (S) -Rg2 for 24 h to prepare OGD/R model. The cell survival rate, the activity of Caspase-3, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected 24 h later.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, cell survival rates and activities of SOD obviously decreased, the activity of Caspase-3, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value, and contents of MDA significantly increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, cell survival rates and activities of SOD obviously increased, the activity of Caspase-3, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value, and contents of MDA significantly decreased in 20 μmol/L Rg2 group, 40 μmol/L 20 (R) -Rg2 group, and 80 μmol/L 20 (S) -Rg2 group (P < 0.05). Compared with 20(S)-Rg2 group, cell survival rates increased and contents of MDA significantly decreased in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2 and 20 (R)-Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). The activity of Caspase-3 decreased and contents of SOD increased in 80 μmol/L 20 (R)-Rg2 group, and 40, 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value decreased in 40, 80 μmol/L Rg2 and 20 (R)-Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with 20 (R)-Rg2 group, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value decreased in 80 μmol/L Rg2 group (P < 0.05); contents of SOD increased in 40 and 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05); contents of MDA decreased in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRg2 and its stereoisomers could improve cell vitality of cortical neurons against OGD/R induced injury. This might be related to improving anti-apoptotic capacities and antioxidant abilities, and reducing Ca2+ inflow. Besides, the neuroprotective effect of 20 (R) -Rg2 was better than that of 20 (S) -Rg2, but inferior to that of Rg2.

Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; Stereoisomerism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

This study was purposed to identify endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA in human RBCs during storage and to investigate the relationship of its changing profile and preservation time at 4°C. RT-PCR and gene sequencing were applied to identify eNOS-mRNA in banked RBC. Real time PCR was used to study the relationship of eNOS-mRNA expression and preservation time. The results showed that eNOS mRNA was detected in RBC. Compared with fresh RBC, the content of eNOS mRNA in RBC was 0.868 ± 0.119 stored for 1 week, which was 0.379 ± 0.289, 0.108 ± 0.134, 0.141 ± 0.141, 0.125 ± 0.12 stored for 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks respectively. It is concluded that eNOS mRNA exists in human RBC and its content is decreasing gradually along with the prolongation of storage time in banked RBC. Stored for 3 weeks, the content of eNOS-mRNA remains to be at lower level of concentration in human RBC.
Blood Donors ; Blood Preservation ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A gene (MICA) polymorphism and serum soluble MICA level were associated with the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.

METHODSDNA samples from 117 colorectal cancer patients and 113 healthy individuals from Yangzhou in Jiangsu province were genotyped by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence-specific primer (SSP) method and PCR based sequencing. In addition, polymorphism at position 129 was also analyzed by PCR-SSP. Serum levels of soluble MICA were measured by a sandwich ELISA method.

RESULTSNeither the extracellular nor the transmembrane region polymorphisms of MICA gene were associated with the occurrence and the different stages of colorectal cancer. In contrast, the frequency of the methionine residue at position 129 was significantly decreased in the patient group. Soluble MICA levels in sera were increased in the late stages of colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONAlthough there was no genetic susceptibility attributed to MICA gene polymorphism with regard to development of colorectal cancer, serum levels of soluble MICA may be a diagnostic marker of advanced stages.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genotype ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; blood ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

Design space approach is applied in this study to enhance the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen) by optimizing parameters. Total flavonoid recovery, dry matter removal, and pigment removal were defined as the process critical quality attributes (CQAs). Plackett-Burman designed experiments were carried out to find the critical process parameters (CPPs). Dry matter content of concentrated extract (DMCE), mass ratio of ethanol to concentrated extract (E/C ratio) and concentration of ethanol (CEA) were identified as the CPPs. Box-Behnken designed experiments were performed to establish the quantitative models between CPPs and CQAs. Probability based design space was obtained and verified using Monte-Carlo simulation method. According to the verification results, the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Dangshen can be guaranteed by operating within the design space parameters. Recommended normal operation space are as follows: dry matter content of concentrated extract of 45.0% - 48.0%, E/C ratio of 2.48-2.80 g x g(-1), and the concentration of ethanol of 92.0% - 92.7%.
Chemical Precipitation ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

This study examined the effect of Notch-1 signaling on malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs were enriched by using serum-free medium and knocked out of Notch-1 by using a lentiviral vector. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the Notch-1 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines and BCSCs, and flow cytometry to detect the proportion of BCSCs in BCSC spheres. The BCSC self-renewal, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined by the tumor microsphere-forming assay and transwell assay and after xenotransplantation. The results showed that the Notch-1 silencing reduced the number of BCSC spheres, the proportion of BCSCs, and the number of cells penetrating through the transwell membrane. It also decreased the size of tumors that were implanted in the nude mice. These results suggest that Notch-1 signaling is intimately linked to the behaviors of BCSCs. Blocking Notch-1 signaling can inhibit the malignant behaviors of BCSCs, which may provide a promising therapeutical approach for breast cancer.

This study was aimed to establish the real-time multiple-PCR with melting curve analysis for Duffy blood group Fy-a/b genotyping. According to the sequence of mRNA coding for β-actin and Fy-a/b, the primers of β-actin and Fy-a/b were synthesized. The real-time multiple-PCR with melting curve analysis for Fy-a/b genotyping was established. The Fy-a/b genotyping of 198 blood donors in Chinese Chengdu area has been investigated by melting curve analysis and PCR-SSP. The results showed that the results of Fy-a/b genotype by melting curve analysis were consistent with PCR-SSP. In all of 198 donors in Chinese Chengdu, 178 were Fy(a) (+) (89.9%), 19 were Fy(a) (+) Fy(b) (+) (9.6%), and 1 was Fy(b) (+) (0.5%). The gene frequency of Fy(a) was 0.947, while that of Fy(b) was 0.053. It is concluded that the genotyping method of Duffy blood group with melting curve analysis is established, which can be used as a high-throughput screening tool for Duffy blood group genotyping; and the Fy(a) genotype is the major of Duffy blood group of donors in Chinese Chengdu area.
Alleles ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; methods ; Duffy Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Freezing ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To explore the application of event-related potentials (ERP) by positive, negative, and neutral face expression images in the evaluation of mood disorders in brain traumatic patients.Methods ERP was tested by face expression images in 24 patients mainly with anxiety and depression symptoms (depression group) and 19 patients mainly with hostile and suspicion symptoms (hostile group), respectively.The findings were compared with those of the control group.Results There were no significant differences, between the depression group and the hostile group, on latencies and amplitudes of late positive potential (LPP) induced by the three types of face expression images, except the amplitude induced by negative face expression image.Compared with the control group, the latencies were extended and the amplitudes were lower in both depression and hostile groups.Within each group, the difference of latencies induced by the three images was not significant.The amplitudes induced by negative face expression image was higher than those induced by positive and neutral face expression images, with significant differences in the hostile group and the control group (P＜0.05) but not in the depression group.Conclusion Changes in latencies and amplitudes of LPP could be an objective indicator in the evaluation of mood disorders of brain traumatic patients.The LPP induced by negative face expression images could be more meaningful for patients mainly with anxiety and depression symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of Lugua polypeptide on active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSFifty patients with active RA were selected for the study and were randomly divided into study group and control group. Patients in study group were treated with Lugua polypeptide intravenously at a dose of 16 mg per day and those in control group were given Celecoxib 200 mg twice a day for successive 2 weeks. Two groups were given the same basic treatment. Tenderness and swelling of joints, morning stiffness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein,rheumatoid factor and so on were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe above index on joints in study group was significantly improved compared with that in control group and the level before treament. No apparent side effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONLugua polypeptide is effective and safe on active RA. It is a promising agent in the treatment of RA.

Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptides ; administration & dosage