Regulation of gene expression is one of the most importa nt responses of cells to DNA damage induced by radiation. A novel expressed seq u ence tag (EST) fragment had been cloned from human embryo lung cells induced by 50cGy radiation and named RIG1. To clone the full-length cDNA of RIG1, a non-c loned cDNA library of human embryo lung cells induced by low dose irradiation ha d been established. This library was used as template in enchanced nest RACE PCR and biotin-labeled probe was used for further purification. The 3′ flanking s equence of this EST was cloned and sequenced with this set of technology. It was illuminated by homology analysis that this 3′ flanking sequence and the origin al EST are well aligned with a BAC clone of 20th chromosome and the predic ted exons sequence of this chromosome is well consisten ce with the real EST. Thus the RIG1 can be roughly located in 20th chromos ome. By use of the exons sequence predicted from chromosome sequence by GENSCA N, full-length of RIG1 gene has been cloned. Chromosome location of RIG1 gene i s further determined by this successful verification of Bioinformatics predictio n by experiment. By the same step, genome sequence of RIG1 has been determined. Therefore,by the combined use of Bioinformatics analysis，the full-length cDNA sequence and genome sequence of RIG1 gene are obtained and the predicted protei n sequence is determined.

Objective To investigate the effect of RNA interference plasmids of cysteine-rich 61(Cyr61) on hyperplasia of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) in rats.Methods The plasmids containing the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of Cyr61 were constructed.Expression of Cyr61 mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.The hyperplasia of VSMC was assessed by MTT.DNA synthesis was measured by incorporating ~3H-TDR.Plasmid construction was confirmed by DNA sequencing.Results PCyr61-shRNA transfection significantly decreased the level of mRNA and protein of Cyr61 in VSMC.The cell number,optical density and concentration of DNA in pCyr61-shRNA group were significant decreased(P

The innate immune system plays a crucial role in the rapid recognition and elimination of invading microbes. Detection of microbes relies on germ-line encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize essential bacterial molecules, so-called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). A subset of PRRs, belonging to the nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) families, detects viral and bacterial pathogens in the cytosol of host cells and induces the assembly of a multi-protein signaling platform called the inflammasome. The inflammasome serves as an activation platform for the cysteine protease Caspase-1, a central mediator of innate immunity. Caspase-1 initiates a novel form of cell death called pyroptosis. Inflammasome activation by pathogen-associated signatures results in the autocatalytic cleavage of Caspase-1 and ultimately leads to the processing and thus secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, most importantly interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Here, we review the recent advancements of negative regulatory functions and mechanisms leading to the activation of NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasomes.
Apoptosis ; Carrier Proteins ; Caspase 1 ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-18 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To study effects of early non-invasive ventilation (NIV) application in treating elderly patients with acute left ventricular failure induced respiratory failure. Method Totally 32 elderly patients with acute left ventrieular failure induced respiratory failure, admitted from August 1997 to February 2007, received NIV treatment, and were retrospectively studied. There were 22 male and 10 female, aged (81.5?8.6) yearsdd. The changes of rahs, respiration rate, heart rate, arterial blood gas, cardiac function before and after NIV application were compared. According to the application time of NIV, 32 patients were divided into two groups: group A (early NIV application group, n=17) and group B (non-early NIV application group, n= 15). The time to improve the symptoms, the application time of NIV, cure rates, tracheal intubation rates and mortality were compared between the two groups. Results Thirty of the 32 patients survived, cardiac function was improved from New York classⅣtoⅠ～Ⅱ, respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure significantly decreased, PaO_2 and SaO_2 significantly increased and PaCO_2 significantly decreased. The tracheal intubation was performed in 4 patients. The time needed to improve the symptoms and the application time of NIV were significantly different between group A and group B (P

The closed palate and obturator prostheses with bar clasp and attachment retention were designed and modeled for repairing the unilateral defect maxillary, and then they were analyzed using finite element method. Under simulated muscle restriction and masticating force boundary, the strength of four maxillary prostheses, the attachment, base plate, bar clasp, denture, obturator et cetera, were considered, and the stress dimension and tendency of the rest living teeth and prostheses were studied. According to the studies on stress, the optimized structure and biomechanical evaluation have a role in the repairs to maxillary defect. The results of analysis are as follows: The stresses of each part of the prostheses were all in the strength range of the materials. The stress distribution on the rest living teeth and alveolar bone was reasonable; the biting force was effectively transferred by the prostheses. As to the obturator prostheses, the materials properties were similar to those of alveolar bone or a bit lower than those, and the obturator structure filled in the cavum of maxillary bone to increase the touch area in the structure was more reasonable than the palate closed structure. The stress and displacement results of living teeth showed that the attachment retention and obturator prostheses could avoid the stress concentration on living teeth and could benefit the retention and power support.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Humans ; Maxilla ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Palatal Obturators

BACKGROUNDLeptin is a protein mainly secreted by adipocytes, and the major function of leptin was its role in body weight regulation. It is suggested that increased levels of circulating leptin may contribute to anorexia in pathologic conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent studies have provided evidence for a link between leptin and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). This study aimed to explore the role of serum leptin in the malnutrition of COPD patients, and to observe the changes of serum leptin levels during acute exacerbation, also to investigate relationship between leptin and TNF-alpha.

METHODSSeventy-two COPD patients and 34 control subjects participated in this study. Seventy-two COPD patients were divided into 3 groups: group COPD IA (patients without malnutrition during acute exacerbation, n = 25), group COPD IB (patients without malnutrition during stable disease, n = 29), group COPD II (patients with malnutrition during stable disease, n = 18). To eliminate the effect of sex differences, all patients and controls were male. Body mass index (BMI), percent ideal body weight (IBW%), triceps skin-fold thickness (TSF), mid-upper arm circumference (MAC), mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), serum leptin and TNF-alpha levels, serum prealbumin (PA), serum transferrin (TF), serum albumin (Alb), total lymphocytes count (TLC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), maximal inspiration pressure (MIP) and maximal expiration pressure (MEP) were measured in all participants. Leptin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. TNF-alpha levels were measured by ELISA. The between group difference and correlation of these parameters were analyzed.

RESULTSSerum leptin levels were significantly lower in group COPD II [(4.07 +/- 3.42) ng/ml] than in group COPD IB [(9.72 +/- 6.67) ng/ml] and controls [(8.21 +/- 5.41) ng/ml] (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in serum leptin levels between group COPD IA [(10.82 +/- 6.40) ng/ml], group COPD IB [(9.72 +/- 6.67) ng/ml] and controls [(8.21 +/- 5.41) ng/ml]. There was no statistically significant difference in serum TNF-alpha levels between group COPD II [(8.03 +/- 3.37) pg/ml], group COPD IA [(8.90 +/- 1.60) pg/ml], and group COPD IB [(7.25 +/- 2.08) pg/ml]. There was no significant correlation between leptin and TNF-alpha in any group.

CONCLUSIONSLeptin was not involved in anorexia and weight loss of COPD patients. There was no statistically significant difference in serum leptin levels between COPD patients during stable stage and acute exacerbation, and there was no significant correlation between TNF-alpha and leptin during the regulation of the energy balance in COPD patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Anorexia ; etiology ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Malnutrition ; blood ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; blood ; complications ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; Weight Loss

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Airway Resistance ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Oscillometry ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; enzymology ; Lung Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; blood ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; genetics ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship among oxygen concentration, quorum sensing system, type secretion system, and biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

METHODSA total of 23 clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were cultured at different levels of environmental oxygen for three days. Then biofilm mass and alginate were quantified. The expression levels of LasI and RhlI were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The secretion of exoenzyme S was examined by Western blot.

RESULTSBoth the biofilm mass (R=0.455, P=0.000) and alginate (R=0.367, P=0.000) were positively correlated with oxygen concentration. Real time PCR showed that the expression levels of LasI and RhlI were not significantly correlated with oxygen concentration (R=0.025, P=0.794; R=-0.044, P=0.653), the production of biofilm (R=0.001, P=0.990; R=0.011, P=0.909), or alginate(R=0.029, P=0.770; R=0.193, P=0.064). Western blot showed that the optimal oxygen concentration range for exoenzyme S secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranged 10% to 30%.

CONCLUSIONSHyperoxia can promote the production of biofilm and alginate by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las/Rhl system may not participate in biofilm production at the early stage due to the low bacteria amount. The increased production of biofilm may inhibit the expression of Type Secretion system and thus inhibit bacterial virulence.

Alginates ; metabolism ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; metabolism ; physiology ; Quorum Sensing ; drug effects ; physiology

Objective To understand the status and influential factors of those neglect of left-behind children in rural area,and to provide bases for the development of intervention measures.Methods 2917 students were selected as the study subjects from Changfeng county of Anhui province with cluster sampling method and were evaluated by a Parents-Child Conflict Tactics Scales and questionnaire on influential factors.Results 1694 left-behind children,accounted for 58.1％ of the total students,were surveyed in this investigation.The prevalence rates of neglect,among total children,left-behind children,non-left-behind children were 67.4％,70.2％,63.5％,respectively.The prevalence of neglect among left-behind children was higher than that among non-left-behind children (x2=14.322,P＜0.000).There were no significant associations with the neglect rate of left-behind children regarding gender or age differences.Result from multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the neglect among the left-behind children were associated with family dysfunction(OR values of moderate and serious family dysfunctions compared to good family function were 1.628 and 2.341,respectively)and the rate of keeping in touch with parents(OR values of sometimes and seldom keeping in touch compared to regular in touch were 1.299 and 1.844,respectively).The starting age of being left-behind(OR values of starting age that being left-behind from 6 to 10 and ≤5 years relative to starting age of left-behind ≥11 years were 0.703 and 0.630,respectively)appeared to be the protection factor to the neglect of those left-behind children.Conclusion Our findings indicated that the status of neglect among the left-behind children was serious.Prevention programs on the issue should target on a number of factors,including the characteristics of the chldren them-selves,as well as on the family of the children.