Objective To investigate the relationship between the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptor gene C(-1019)G polymorphism and geriatric depression and Alzheimer′s disease (AD) with depressive symptoms in Han Chinese. Methods The case control study was used in the study among 106 patients with geriatric depression, 72 AD patients with depressive symptoms and 150 healthy old individuals in China. The C(-1019)G polymorphism of 5-HT1A was analyzed with the technique of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results The frequencies of 5-HT1A genotype C/G (39.6%), G/G(24.5%) and allele G (44.3%) in the patients with geriatric depression were significantly higher than those in the controls (respectively 35.3%, 13.3%, 31.0%, P < 0.05). The frequencies of 5-HT1A G allele in the AD patients with depressive symptoms (41.0%) were significantly higher than those in the controls (31.0%,X2=4.2879, P<0.05). No significant difference in distribution of (5-HT)1A C (-1019) G polymorphism between the patients with geriatric depression and the AD patients with depressive symptoms was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusion The 5-HT1A gene C (-1019)G polymorphism may be associated with geriatric depression and AD with depressive symptoms and (-1019)G allele may be a risk factor for them.

OBJECTIVETo explore the signal transduction pathway in the differentiation and apoptosis of leukemia cells induced by heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor 17-Allyl amide-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG).

METHODSKasumi-1 cells were treated with increasing concentrations or exposure time of 17AAG. The total kit protein (CD117), phosphorylated kit protein and its downstream signaling molecules were measured by Western blot analysis. Mutated kit protein from control and 17AAG-treated Kasumi-1 cells was immunoprecipitated and immunoblotted for associated chaperones.

RESULTSTotal kit protein and kit activity were decreased in 17AAG treated cells, but c-kit mRNA level was not. Total AKT protein and phospho-AKT, as well as phospho-STAT3 were rapidly down-regulated in Kasumi-1 cell after treatment with 17AAG. There was no change in total STAT3 protein. Immunoprecipitation showed that 1 microM 17AAG treatment for 1 hour caused kit associated HSP90 decrease and HSP70 increase.

CONCLUSION17AAG-induced apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells is associated with a decline in Asn822Lys mutated kit protein level and phosphorylated kit, and with a downregulation in its downstream activated signaling molecules involved in proliferation. AKT is a client protein of HSP90. The changes of kit associated HSP90 and HSP70 satisfy the circulation mode of molecular chaperone complex.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzoquinones ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic ; pharmacology ; Leukemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic outcome of cyclophosphamide(CTX) and cyclosporine A (CsA) in the treatment of steroid-resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in children. METHODS: Thirty-seven children with SRNS were analysed in a retrospective study from Jan 2001 to Dec. 2006. There was initial renal histology of minimal change (MCD) in 28 children, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 7 and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) in the other 2. These patients were divided into 2 groups: one group received the induction therapy consisting of intravenous CTX and prednisolone, and the another group were treated with CsA [initial dose 3-5mg/(kg d)] and prednisolone. RESULTS: (1) Thirty children received CTX, while 21 received CsA, and the total efficacy was 40.0% and 85.7% respectively after the 12 month follow-up. Children with MCD receiving CsA had a better response than those treated with CTX (93.8% vs 36.3%, P<0.05). Children with FSGS receiving CsA did not show a significant difference compared with those treated with CTX (75.0% vs 50.0%, P>0.05). (2) There were no significant associations between age, pathology, clinic type and therapeutic outcome in the 2 groups(P>0.05). (3)The rate of liver functional impairment, leukocytopenia, vomiting and nausea was 10%, 16.7% and 33.3%, respectively in children receiving CTX. The rate of hypertrichosis, gingival hyperplasia and hypertension was 71.4%, 23.8% and 9.5% respectively in children receiving CsA. Two children had central adverse effect. Two patients with FSGS progressed into end-stage renal failure. CONCLUSION For children with MCD, CsA combining prednisolone could result in a higher remission rate than intravenous CTX combining prednisolone.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; congenital ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the in vitro inhibitory effect of expolysaccharides from Streptomyces, polysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum and rice bran on six-alpha-helix bundle formation of HIV gp41 protein.

METHODSThe amount of six-alpha-helix bundle formed in the presence of N36 and C34 was tested by ELISA in response to treatments with different doses of polysaccharides.

RESULTSExpolysaccharides from Streptomyces potentially inhibited six-alpha-helix bundle formation with the effective concentration (IC(50)) of 145.48-/+7.25 mg /L. Polysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum and rice bran showed no effect on the six-alpha-helix bundle formation.

CONCLUSIONExpolysaccharides from Streptomyces can inhibit the six-alpha-helix bundle formation of HIV gp41, whereas polysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum and rice bran do not exhibit such activity.

HIV Envelope Protein gp41 ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Oryza ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; drug effects ; Reishi ; chemistry ; Streptomyces ; chemistry

The present study was to investigate the effects of exogenous insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-453 and its possible mechanism. By means of MTT method in vitro, the results showed exogenous IGFBP7 inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-453 cells (IC50 of IGFBP7 = 8.49 μg/mL) in time- and concentration-dependent manner. SB203580, p38(MAPK) inhibitor, blocked the anti-proliferative effect of exogenous IGFBP7. The flow cytometry assay showed that exogenous IGFBP7 remarkably induced G0/G1 arrest in MDA-MB-453 cells. The Western blot showed that exogenous IGFBP7 promoted phosphorylation of p38(MAPK), up-regulated expression of p21(CIP1/WAF1), and inhibited phosphorylation of Rb. SB203580 restrained exogenous IGFBP7-induced regulation of p21(CIP1/WAF1) and p-Rb in MDA-MB-453 cells. In conclusion, the present study suggests that exogenous IGFBP7 could activate the p38(MAPK) signaling pathway, upregulate p21(CIP1/WAF1) expression, inhibit phosphorylation of Rb, and finally induce G0/G1 arrest in MDA-MB-453 cells.
Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Somatomedins ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEMicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. 1, 3, 4-tri-O-galloyl-6-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranose (BJA32515) is a new natural ellagitannin compound extracted from Balanophora Japonica MAKINO. The effect of BJA32515 on the expression of miRNAs in cancer cells has not yet been explored. Objective The present study was carried out to examine the changes in miRNA expression profiles in human HepG(2) hepatocarcinoma cells following BJA32515 exposure.

METHODSThe proliferation of BJA32515-exposed HepG(2) cells was assessed using a colorimetric assay (cell counting kit-8). The miRNA expression profile of the cancer cells was analyzed using a miRNA array and quantitative real-time PCR. Apoptosis was assessed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining.

RESULTSBJA32515 inhibited the cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in HepG(2) cancer cells. The exposure to BJA32515 also caused alterations in the miRNA expression profile in the cells, with 33 miRNAs upregulated and 59 down-regulated. The up-regulation of let-7a and miR-29a and the down-regulation of miR-373 and miR-197 were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. CONCLSION: BJA32515-modifed miRNA expression may mediate the antiproliferative effect of this compound in HepG(2) cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Balanophoraceae ; chemistry ; Caffeic Acids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glucosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polyphenols

Objective To compare the compressed sensing (CS)and parallel imaging (PI)techniques applied to contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI)scanning of liver and to determine their clinical applicability.Methods Thirty patients with liver mass who underwent the CE-MRI scanning with both CS and PI techniques were recruited in the current study.The SNR of the liver,acquisition time and subjective image quality scores were compared between CS (CE-MRI with CS)and PI (CE-MRI with PI)groups respectively.Results The SNR values of pre-enhancement T1 WI in CS group were lower than those in PI group (1 97.82±32.5 3 vs 204.94±35.28,P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in the SNR values of images in equilibrium phase between the two groups (CS vs PI:392.38±72.93 vs 405.03±82.09,P＞0.05).The acquisition time in CS group was significantly shorter than that in PI group [(11.71±0.23)s vs (17.85±0.42)s, P＜0.01].Significantly higher subjective image quality scores were found in CS group than those in PI group (3.54±0.57 vs 2.91±0.80,P＜0.01). Conclusion CS technique may benefit the patients who cannot hold breath well and improve the CE-MRI image quality.

BACKGROUND: Proteomics is a well studied research method, but its application in the non-surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP) is little reported. OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed proteins in patients with LIDP but without blood stasis before and after non-surgical treatment by proteomics. METHODS: Sixty patients with LIDP but without blood stasis were selected, and treated with non-surgical treatment for 4 weeks. The differentially expressed proteins were screened and identified by iTRAQ combined with LC-MS/MS. The bioinformatics analysis of the identified proteins was carried out, and the curative effectiveness was investigated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with those before treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly (P ＜ 0.05), the Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were significantly increased decreased (P ＜ 0.05), and the excellent and good rate reached 95.0% post-treatment. A total of 300 differentially expressed proteins were screened and 25 significantly expressed proteins were identified (P ＜0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that nine of the significantly expressed proteins were enriched to 15 KEGG signaling pathways. These results suggest that the use of Western medicine non-surgical treatment for the LIDP without blood stasis can achieve satisfactory results. Besides, complement C1qA, cDNA protein (FLJ60724), complement C4B frameshift mutation, cDNA protein (FLJ53025), mannose binding protein C, apolipoprotein B, hemoglobin α-1 globin chain variant, hemoglobin β subunit and cDNA protein (FLJ76254) may be the potential serum markers of the non-surgical treatment for the LIDP without non-blood stasis.

Objective:To explore the impacts of workload and expected income index on the salary satisfaction of medical staff at public hospitals.Methods:From October 15th to November 10th, 2020, the salary system reform monitoring questionnaire for medical staff in public hospitals formulated by development center for medical science & technology National Health Commission was adopted to evaluate the workload, actual income, expected income and salary satisfaction of 120 pilot public hospitals for salary reforms in 21 cities (prefectures) in Sichuan province. The questionnaire survey was conducted among 8 651 medical staff of these hospitals. Descriptive analysis was carried out on the results of the questionnaire; the ratio of expected income to actual income, namely the expected income index, was used to reflect the relative difference between expected income and actual income; χ2 test and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of salary satisfaction. Results:8 133 valid questionnaires were recovered. The average working time per week of the survey subjects was 48.17 hours, and the average longest continuous working time was 15.30 hours; 85.63% (6 964) of the medical staff had expected income index greater than 1. The average score of salary satisfaction was 58.22 points and 57.72% (4 694) of the medical staff were dissatisfied. The longer the continuous working time (16-72 h versus 8-9 h, OR=0.755), the greater the expected income index (>1 versus =1, OR=0.522), and the lower the salary satisfaction. Conclusions:The workload of medical staff was heavy, the salary failed to meet the expected level, the sense of satisfaction was low. It is suggested to monitor in real time and dynamically adjust the workload of medical staff in combination with the actual situation, formulate the salary level in line with the technical labor value of different medical staff, and establish a comprehensive performance appraisal mechanism.

Objective To investigate the oncolytic effect of E1B mutant adenovirus (d11520) on human malignant gliomas. Methods Ad-βgal vector was used to investigate the infectibility of dl1520.U251,Hep3B (positive control) and T24 (negative control) cell lines were infected with dl1520respectively at 50,5,0.5,0.005 and 0 pfu of multiplicity of infection (MOI).The replication efficiency of d11520 in host cells was assessed by plaque assay.The cytopathic effect (CPE) was assessed by crystal violet staining in a panel of tumor cells. Results Crystal violet staining showed the Hep3B cell line was the most sensitive to dl1520 and had the fastest CPE,followed by the U251 cell line,while the T24cell line had no CEP.The replication and infection rates ofdl1520 in the U251 cell line were lower than in the Hep3B cell line but significantly higher than in the T24 cell line (P＜0.05). Conclusion The E1B mutant adenovirus (dl1520) has a significant oncolytic effect on human malignant gliomas.