Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To examine the expression of Toll-like receptor(TLR)4 protein and the transcription of TLR4 mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)from patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and explore the relationship between TLR4 and chronic HBV infec- tion.Methods The expression level and transcription level of TLR4 were determined by flow cytometre and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction respectively in PBMC from 37 chronic hepatitis patients,28 liver cirrhosis patients,31 severe hepatitis patients and 27 healthy controls. Meanwhile,liver function,as well as blood routine test,prothrombin test activity(PTA)and HBV DNA was measured.Results The expression level and transcription level of TLR4 in patients were higher than those in healthy controls(P

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the pollution of paralytic shellfish poisons (PSP) in shellfish sold in Hainan Province from 2018 to 2021. Methods　From 2018 to 2021, the content of 10 paralytic shellfish poisons including saxitoxin (STX), neosaxitoxin (neoSTX), gonyautoxins 1 (GTX1), gonyautoxins 2 (GTX2), gonyautoxins 3 (GTX3), gonyautoxins 4 (GTX4), gonyautoxins 5 (GTX5), decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX), decarbamoylgonyau toxins 2 (dcGTX2) and decarbamoylgonyau toxins 3 (dcGTX3) in 7 kinds of shellfish commonly sold in 13 cities and counties in Hainan province was analyzed. Results　The detection rate of PSP in 360 shellfish samples was 10.3%. Among them, the highest detection rate of STX was 5.83%, followed by GTX2 detection rate of 4.17%; the detection rate of neoSTX and GTX3 were both 1.67%; the detection rate of GTX1 was 1.39%. None of the five PSP, GTX4, GTX5, dcSTX, dcGTX2 and dcGTX3, were detected. Four types of PSP were detected in fanscallops, two were detected in oysters, mussels and Scapharca subcrenata, only one was detected in scallops, and no toxin contamination was detected in clams and razor clams. A single sample of fanscallops detected a maximum of 4 PSP, and a single sample of oysters, scallops, mussels and Scapharca subcrenata detected a maximum of 1 PSP. The equivalence of PSP in all samples was ND-155.6 μg/kg.The annual detection rate of PSP from high to low was: 20.0% in 2020, 15.6% in 2019, 5.3% in 2018, and 2.0% in 2021, and none of the samples tested exceeded the standard. Continuously detectable STX in 2018-2020, all PSP that could be detected in 2018 were STX. In 2019, in addition to STX detected in scallops and Scapharca subcrenata, neoSTX was also detected in oysters, mussels and Scapharca subcrenata. In 2020, PSP was only detected from scallops, and GTX2 could be detected in all positive specimens, while 5 STX, 5 GTX1 and 6 GTX3 were detected. Only GTX2 detected from scallops in 2021. STX was detected in shellfish sold in 12 cities and counties, GTX2 can be detected in 10 cities and counties, neoSTX can be detected in 5 cities and counties, GTX1 and GTX2 were detected in 4 cities and counties respectively. Shellfish sold in Wenchang and Lingshui markets can detect 5 types of PSP. Conclusion　Some types of shellfish on the market in Hainan are contaminated with some kind of PSP pollution risks, and it is necessary to strengthen the supervision of PSP in marketed shellfish.

Human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of ligands which has been reported in 1995. The TRAIL protein induces apoptosis of certain types of target cells, such as transformed cells that include but are not limited to cancer cells and virus-infected cells but the normal cells. It is a type II transmembrane protein and the extracellular domain of TRAIL is the functional domain in induction of cell apoptosis. A gene fragment encoding for the active domain of TRAIL was modified with oligo-nucleotide directed mutagenesis according to the characters of Pichia pastoris expressing vector. Arginine at the position of 149 corresponding to the amino acid residue 531 which might be a potential Kex2 protease processing sites was substituted with Lysine to prevent the expressed protein from the digestion by the protease. After proved with DNA sequencing. the modified gene fragment coding soluble TRAIL domain was inserted into the Pichia pastoris expression vector pPIC9K in the same reading frame with alpha-factor secreting signal peptide. The recombinant plasmid pPIC9K - TRAIL was transferred into P. pastoris cell by spheroplast transformation. The recombinant yeasts were identified by antibiotic G418 and Southern dot blot. The transformants (His+ Mut(s)) containing multi-copy gene fragment of TRAIL were selected with increasing concentration of G418 and induced with 0.5% methanol in shaking flask to expression the active domain of TRAIL. After inducing for 3 - 4 days, the proteins in the culture supernatant was assayed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Two expressed protein bands whose appearant molecular weight were 19kD and 38kD, respectively, could be specifically recognized by polyclonal antibodies against human TRAIL. The 38kD protein might be a dimers of TRAIL in the culture supernatant. The amount of expressed foreign protein made up to 36% of the total proteins in the culture suprenatant. Biological activity assay, in vitro, indicated that the expressed protein could induce tumor cells apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; genetics ; physiology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology

AIMTo observe the effects of Ca2+ -activated K+ channel of primary cultured fetal SD rat cortex neurons in the veratridine triggered neuronal damage.

METHODSThe patch clamp technique of cell-attach and inside-out mode for these two kinds of single channel recordings were used.

RESULTSExtracellular veratridine activated the Kca. In Ca2+ bath solution of cell-attach mode, Vp + 30 mV, when the concentration (micromol/L) of veratridine were 15,25,50 and 75, the open probabilities of the channel were 0.014 +/- 0.003, 0.085 +/- 0.010, 0.132 +/- 0.016 and 0.059 +/- 0.006 (P < 0.01) respectively. It appeared concentration-dependent within 50 micromol/L veratridine. In Ca2+ free bath solution of cell-attach mode, Vp = +50 mV, when the concentration (micromol/L) of veratridine were 15, 40,60 and 100, the open probabilities of the channel were 0.014 +/- 0.010, 0.113 +/- 0.006, 0.141 +/- 0.004 and 0.295 +/- 0.009 (P < 0.05) respectively. In the 6 cases of inside-out mode patch clamp, Vp = +40 mV, when the concentration of veratridine were 0, 25 micromol/L and 50 micromol/L, the open probabilities of the channel were 0.011 +/- 0.008, 0.010 +/- 0.010 and 0.012 +/- 0.007 (P > 0.05) respectively. There were no significant difference on open probabilities, average open/close times and amplitudes at different intracellular veratridine concentration.

CONCLUSIONVeratridine can affect the activation of the Kca channel through regulating the concentration of cytoplasmic free Ca2+. The opening of Kca activated by increase of intracellular Ca2+ during the early stage of anoxia may be a protection reaction of ischemic neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Veratridine ; pharmacology

Objective To compare the difference of the protein about the patient of hepatitis B who received adefovir dipivoxil(ADV)therapy,and seek the useful biomarker of effective therapy.Methods We used the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technology to examine HBV infected serum samples aiming at searching protein's alteration after ADV therapy.Results After 1 year's treatment,haptoglobin, haptoglobin 2-alpha raised and alpha-l-antitrypsin precursor,Factor B,Chain B,transthyretin,glutathione peroxidase,alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein,retina]binding protein,retinol-binding protein precursor, apolipoprotein,apolipoprotein A-I precursor fell in viral response patients.Transthyretin raised and leucine- rich alpha-2-glyeoprotein,haptoglobin,alpha-2-actin,apolipoprotein A-I precursor fell in none viral response patients.To compare two groups:apolipoprotein A-I have the same change and haptoglobin, transthyretin have the opposite change.Conclusion Proteomics study can find the alteration of protein during the ADV treatment,and is helpful to searching the predictable biomarker to ADV.

Aged ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the action of pingxiao capsules (PXC) and its significance in the treatment of late stage mammary cancer (LSMC).

METHODSOne hundred and forty-two LSMC patients were randomized into four groups: the two single treated groups treated by endocrinotherapy (ET) alone (n = 27) and by chemotherapy alone (n=44) respectively, and the two PXC combined treated groups treated with PXC plus endocrinotherapy (n=27) or chemotherapy (n=44). The remission rate and progression time (TTP) of disease, the survival time and quality of life (QOL) of patients, and the adverse reaction were compared between the single treated groups and the combined treated groups.

RESULTSThe median progression time was obviously prolonged, and QOL improved in the combined treated groups than those in the single treated groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the remission rate or adverse reaction between them.

CONCLUSIONPXC can improve QOL, prolong the progression time in patients of LSMC, and with less adverse reaction. It is worth spreading combination of PXC with chemo- or endocrino-therapy in clinical application for treatment of LSMC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Phytotherapy ; Sepharose ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Tamoxifen ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of lead exposure in rats during the developmental stage on the expression of leptin in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and hippocampus, as well as investigating whether leptin is associated with the mechanism of cognitive impairment induced by lead exposure.

METHODSThe rat model of cognitive impairment after chronic lead exposure was established by adding lead acetate into drinking water. According to the concentration of lead acetate in drinking water, the rats were divided into control (0 ppm), low-lead (50 ppm), medium-lead (200 ppm), and high-lead groups (1 000 ppm), with 16 rats in each group. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the content of lead in the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and hippocampus. ELISA was used to measure the level of leptin in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the distribution of leptin protein in the hippocampus. Western blot was used for relative quantification of leptin proteins in the hippocampus.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the lead exposure groups showed significant increases in the content of lead in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and hippocampus (P<0.01), as well as significant reductions in the levels of leptin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that leptin was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA region. The results of Western blot showed that compared with the control group, the three lead exposure groups showed a slight increase in the protein expression of leptin in the hippocampus (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLead exposure can reduce the levels of leptin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in rats, which may be associated with the mechanism of cognitive impairment induced by lead exposure.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Female ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lead ; blood ; toxicity ; Leptin ; analysis ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo assess whether there is a short negative psychological influence on adolescent patients at the beginning of the fixed orthodontic treatment.

METHODS150 patients (average 14.8 years old) were selected. All the patients accepted the fixed appliance treatment. They completed a questionnaire regarding anxiety and depression at the first day when they came to the hospital (T1) and 7 days after fixed appliance insertion (T2). 129 effective questionnaires were received. The scales of anxiety and depression of subjects were assessed according to the questionnaires.

RESULTSComparing the scales of questionnaires before treatment (T1) and 7 days after placement of fixed appliance (T2), there was a significant increase in anxiety and depression scales in female patients, extraction cases and patients who were unwilling to see an orthodontist.

CONCLUSIONThere is a certain extent of negative psychological influence on adolescent patients during fixed orthodontic treatment. At the first week after the placement of fixed appliance, three kinds of subjects, female patients, extraction cases and patients who were unwilling to see an orthodontist would suffer from anxiety and depression in emotional reflection.

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Surveys and Questionnaires