OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 subunit (CHRNA7) gene and schizophrenia.

METHODSThe three polymorphisms rs2337980, rs1909884, rs883473 in CHRNA7 gene were detected based on PCR and polyacrylamide gel microarray in 129 schizophrenic trios. The results of genotyping were analyzed by haplotype relative risk analysis based on haplotype(HHRR), transmission disequilibrium test(TDT) and hyplotype analysis.

RESULTS(1)The HHRR analysis suggested that there was significant differences in rs2337980 allele frequencies between schizophrenia group and dummy control group(P= 0.017); (2)In TDT test, there may be transmission disequilibrium between rs2337980 and schizophrenia, the heterozygous parents excessively transferred the C allele to patients (P= 0.021); (3)The haplotype between rs2337980 and rs1909884 as well as the hyplotype among rs2337980, rs1909884 and rs883473 may have significant association with schizophrenia (global P= 0.034; global P= 0.027), the T-C and T-C-T hyplotype may have transmission disequilibrium with schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONThere may be association between CHRNA7 gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia, the variant allele T in rs2337980 may have a protective effect to schizophrenia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Young Adult ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the frequency and nature of E-cadherin gene (CDH1) germline mutations in familial gastric cancer kindreds of china.

METHODSFive familial gastric cancer kindreds of Chinese origin were screened for germline CDH1 mutations, all of them meeting the clinical criteria for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), by PCR-DHPLC and direct sequencing.

RESULTSA new truncating mutation in exon 10 in B family was identified, producing a stop codon at position 503 (Q503X), resulting in a truncated protein. The proband of this family had metachronous development of lobular breast and diffuse type gastric carcinoma. No protein expression was detected in the lobular breast carcinoma, indicating complete inactivation of the gene.

CONCLUSIONSA Chinese gastric cancer family with CDH1 germline truncating mutation is described for the first time, and our findings suggest that lobular breast carcinoma might be part of the tumor spectrum of HDGC.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; genetics ; Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of Poly I:C in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells.

METHODSSMMC-7721 cells were treated with different doses of Poly I:C for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the cell growth inhibition rate was analyzed with CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle and the apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry with Annexin-V and PI staining, and quantitative RT-PCR analysis were used to detect the expression of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta mRNA in cells.

RESULTSIn the cells exposed to Poly I:C at low, moderate, and high doses, the inhibitory rates was the highest in high-dose Poly I:C group, and at a given Poly I:C dose, prolonged exposure resulted in significantly increased cell growth inhibition rate (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that Poly I:C induced cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly increased the percentage of G1-phase cells as compared with that in the control group. The mRNA level of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta were also increased following Poly I:C treatment in comparison with the control group.

CONCLUSIONPoly I:C can induce significant growth inhibition and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner possibly by causing cell cycle arrest and TLR3 signaling pathway activation that leads to IFN-beta production and cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between pathological characteristics of target organs and excess evil syndrome in IgA nephropathy.

METHODSData were collected in multicenter cooperation. Totally 266 IgA nephropathy patients were typed into exogenous wind-heat affection syndrome (49 cases), lower energizer damp-heat syndrome (100 cases), damp-phlegm syndrome (43 cases), and blood stasis syndrome (74 cases). Meanwhile, percutaneous renal biopsy was performed in all patients for Hass classification, Oxford classification, Katafuchi integral, and Jiang's classification methods. The correlation between excess evil syndrome and pathological index was analyzed.

RESULTSFour syndrome types were correlated with their Hass levels (r = 0. 341, P <0. 01). Affection of exogenous wind-heat syndrome was correlated with segmental proliferation of endothelial cells and damaged active lesions of segmental capillary loops. Lower-energizer damp-heat syndrome was associated with Hass III level, destroying active lesions of capillary loops, segmental proliferation of endothelial cells, glomerular segmental lesions, focal interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, focal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Blood stasis syndrome was associated with Hass IV level, glomerular sclerosis, segmental glomerulosclerosis (S)/adhesion, mesangial hypercellularity (M), angiohyalinosis, multi-foci interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, multi-foci interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Phlegm-damp syndrome had higher proportions of Hass I and III levels, but with no association with other pathological parameters.

CONCLUSIONSExcess evil syndrome was associated with partial pathological characteristics of IgA nephropathy. It could reflect pathological damage degree of target organs, activities, chronic lesions, and prognosis of IgA nephropathy to certain extent. Correlated pathological characteristics and its evolution could indicate excess evil syndrome types and their evolution rules.

Capillaries ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; pathology ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans ; Kidney Glomerulus ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prognosis ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)differentiating into neurons.Methods The third generation of ADSCs were divided into three groups.Neural induction medium was used in induction group and DDK-1 was added into neural induction medium in inhibition group.Normal culture medium was used in control group.Ten days after culture,Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of NSE,β-catenin and GSK-3βin each group.Results The expressions of NSE and β-catenin were high but the expression of GSK-3 was low in induction group.The expression ofβ-catenin was lower but GSK-3 was higher in inhibition group;the expression of NSE was much lower than that in induction group,but higher than control group.Conclusion The differentiation of ADSCs into neurons is related to activation of Wnt signaling pathway,but Wnt signal pathway is not the only pathway to regulate ADSCs differentiation which may be controlled by different signaling pathways.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between after-school schedule and bone mineral density in middle-school students in Shanghai, to provide a reference for taking targeted measures. Methods: From November 2017 to April 2018，eighteen classes of six middle schools in Shanghai (from urban districts, urban-suburb combined districts and suburban districts, respectively) were selected based on cluster random sampling. In each school, 2-4 classes were further randomly chosen in the 6th grade. Questionnaires were completed by 518 students and their parents, as well as physical examination and bone mineral density assessment. Results: The average time spent on after-school academic learning during weekends was 4.0 (IQR: 2.0, 6.0) h. The Z-score of bone density was 0.3 (IQR: -0.7, 1.0). The smooth curve fit model showed a non-linear relationship between after-school academic learning time during weekends and the Z-scores of bone mineral densities. A two-stage multiple linear regression analysis was further applied according to the fit results, and the results showed that when total afterschool academic learning time <4.5 hours during weekends, the learning time was inversely correlated with the bone density Z-scores (β=-0.11,P=0.01), and when the learning time ≥4.5 hours, there was no significant correlation between the learning time and bone density Z-scores (β=0.02, P=0.65). Parent and student questionnaires showed that there was a non-linear relationship between students’ daily time spent on outdoor sports-related activities and bone density Z-scores. When time spent on the outdoor activities ≥45 minutes per day, outdoor activities were positively correlated with bone density Z-scores (P<0.05). However, when the time spent on outdoor activities <45 minutes per day, there was no significant relationship between outdoor activities and bone density Z-scores (P>0.05). Conclusion Too much time on after-school academic learning during weekends or limited time on outdoor activities are both related to impaired bone mineral densities. Therefore, a reasonable after-school schedule for middle-school students is important for physical development, especially during weekends.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; Microbubbles ; Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods ; Ultrasonics

BACKGROUNDStudies have shown that abnormal activation of the sonic hedgehog pathway is closely related to tumorigenesis in central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate the role of the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in the occurrence of brainstem and supratentorial glioma.

METHODSReal-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of sonic hedgehog-related components in 5 specimens of normal brain tissue, 10 of grade II brainstem glioma, and 10 of grade II supratentorial glioma. The significance of differences between two groups was determined using the Mann-Whitney U test or the two-sample test according to the results of normality distribution tests.

RESULTSThe mRNA expression levels of sonic hedgehog-related genes were higher in brainstem astrocytomas than in supratentorial astrocytomas and normal brain tissue. The level of protein patched homolog 1 (PTCH1) was significantly higher in brainstem astrocytomas than in supratentorial astrocytomas and normal brain tissue (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry semi-quantitative analysis was consistent with the qRT-PCR result that PTCH1 expression was increased significantly in brainstem astrocytomas at the protein level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEnhanced PTCH1 expression and activation of the sonic hedgehog pathway are involved in brainstem glioma. This may be related to the difference in malignant biological behavior between brainstem and hemispheric glioma, and could be an ideal therapeutic target in brainstem glioma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Stem Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hedgehog Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patched Receptors ; Patched-1 Receptor ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology ; Supratentorial Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of the electron bronchoscopy in diagnosis of carcinothoracic fluid in the case of replacing medical thoracoscopy and combining narrow-band imaging (NBI). Methods 89 cases of suspected cancerous pleural effusion patients, used electronic bronchoscope Olympus BF-1T 260 in place of medical thoracoscopy to enter pleural cavity in the usual way. First observed by white light bronchoscopy (WLB), then by narrow-band imaging (NBI) and take 5 pieces of tissue out respectively on the pleura of the lesion for pathological examination. Then compare the sensitivity and specificity of WLB and NBI methods, and the bleeding after biopsy. Result Among 89 cases of suspected cancerous pleural effusion patients, 85 cases found positive by white light bronchoscopy (WLB) , negative in 4 cases, 6 cases bleeding after biopsy (6.70%). Compared with the pathological results, WLB sensitivity 97.50%, specificity 22.22%. 68 cases found positive by NBI, negative 21 cases, no active bleeding after biopsy. Compared with the pathological results, the sensitivity of the NBI 86.67%, specificity 78.57%. Compared WLB with NBI, the former's sensitivity is superior to the latter, the latter's specificity is superior to the former. Both comparisons about sensitivity diagnosis of the and specificity are statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Electronic bronchial in place of medical thoracoscopy has high diagnostic rate in the carcinothoracic fluid, and the combination of NBI can improve the accuracy and security of the biopsy.

Aim To study the apoptosis-inducing effect of rosmarinic acid derivative RAD-9 on gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods MTT assay was taken to detect the survival of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells effected by RAD-9.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The apoptotic morphology of MGC-803 cells was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3,Akt,p-Akt,p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot.Results The results of MTT assay showed that RAD-9 inhibited the viability of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.Flow cytometry showed that RAD-9 significantly promoted apoptotic cell percentage in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells (P ＜ 0.01).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the nucleus of MGC-803 cells could be observed with typical apoptotic morphological changes after RAD-9 administration.Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Akt,p-Akt were significantly down-regulated (P ＜ 0.01),while those of Bax,caspase-3,p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK were significantly up-regulated (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion RAD-9 can inhibit the growth and further induce apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells,which may involve inhibiting PI3K/Akt and activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway.