Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of calreticulin ( CRT) transcription induced by HBV and its viral proteins. Methods The human hepatocellular cell line, HepG2, was trans-fected with pHBV1. 3 and eukaryotic expression plasmids of HBV viral proteins, respectively. The expres-sion of CRT was measured after transfection. A reporter plasmid of CRT promoter was constructed to analyze the induction of CRT promoter by pHBV1. 3 and HBV viral proteins. Furthermore, two truncated and one C/EBPα site deficient mutants were constructed to evaluate the regulatory effects of HBx on CRT promoter. Fi-nally, HepG2 cells were transfected with HBx expression plasmids and the cellular localization of C/EBPαwas analyzed. Results In this study, pHBV1. 3 could significantly up-regulate the expression of CRT at mRNA and protein levels as well as enhancing the activity of CRT promoter. Among the seven HBV viral proteins, HBx could enhance the activity of CRT promoter and the expression of CRT at mRNA and protein levels. HBx could not induce the transcription of CRT when the C/EBPα binding site was deleted from the CRT promoter. The expression of HBx could promote the nuclear translocation of C/EBPα. Conclusion HBV and its viral protein HBx could up-regulate the CRT expression at transcriptional level. The transcrip-tional factor C/EBPα played a critical role in HBx-induced transcriptional activation of CRT.

Objectives To explore the clinical features and diagnosis of LMNA-associated congenital muscular dystrophy. Methods The clinical data from a case of muscular dystrophy caused by LMNA gene mutation were retrospectively analyzed. The related literatures were reviewed. Results A 8-month-old female infant suffered from weakness of raising head, eyelid droop, and motor development retardtion. LMNA gene was sequenced for the infant, her parents and the older sister. Heterozygous mutation of c. 94_96 del AAG (p. K 32 del) was found in the infant leading to the diagnosis of LMNA- associated congenital muscular dystrophy. No mutation was found in the infant’s parents and her older sister. The literature review showed that all ofLMNA- associated congenital muscular dystrophy patients had LMNA gene mutation, more than 80% patients mainly presented with weakness of raising head and may accompany with weakness of proximal limb, motor development retardation, and weakness of axial muscle. Conclusions Mutation analysis of LMNA gene is conducive to the diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy.

Tumor brings great threat to human public health. In recent years, incidence rate and mortality of tumor were rapidly increased in the world. Anti-tumor therapies have undergone the development of cytotoxic therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Among them, tumor immunotherapy is rapidly developed and becomes an important anti-tumor therapy in recent years, although it also brings some related side effects. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of immune cells, vascular vessels, fibroblasts, the extracellular matrix, etc. TME significantly affects the efficacy of immunotherapy. Macrophages in the TME are named as tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). Recently, increasing studies have shown that TAMs play an important role in the regulation of tumor immunity, especially in tumor immune surveillance and immune escape. Currently, more and more anti-tumor immunotherapy strategies targeting TAMs are at the development stage. Based on the important role of TAMs in the TME and their potential as therapeutic targets in tumor immunotherapy, we first reviewed the subtypes and functions of TAMs, as well as the roles of TAMs in tumors. Furthermore, we summarized the research progress on anti-tumor strategies targeting TAMs and the current status of drug targeting TAMs. The current review will provide new ideas and novel insights for tumor immunotherapy.

Global Health ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H2N2 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; history ; mortality ; virology

BACKGROUNDTo isolate and identify pathogen of atypical pneumonia in Guangdong.

METHODSPathogens were isolated from variety of samples collected from atypical pneumonia patient by using MDCK cells, and identified with serological and molecular methods.

RESULTSA novel coronavirus was isolated from patients with atypical pneumonia, from which an RNA fragment of 279 nt was amplified by nested RT-PCR. And sequence assay showed that only 39-65 percent of sequence of the virus was homogenous to known coronavirus, but almost 100% homogenous (with one base exception, 12a to t) to SARS-associated coronavirus isolated from patients outside Guangdong, such as in Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Italy and so on. Indirect immunofluorescence test showed a specific antigen-antibody reactivity between the coronavirus and convalescent-phase sera of SARS patients.

CONCLUSIONThe pathogen of the atypical pneumonia in Guangdong province was a novel type of coronavirus, which could be isolated by using MDCK cells.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; China ; Dogs ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Pneumonia, Viral ; virology ; SARS Virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; virology

OBJECTIVETo examine the association between polymorphism of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)1498 C/T,936 C/T and colorectal adenoma genetic susceptibility.

METHODSA case-control study of 224 colorectal adenomas and 200 controls was conducted and VEGF genotypes were determined based on TaqMan-probe assay. The epidemiological factors were collected through questionnaire. Accordingly, the clinicopathological data of each sample were also investigated.

RESULTSThe carriage of 936 CT and CT+TT genotypes had significantly higher risk of colorectal adenoma (CT vs. CC, OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.23-3.25, P=0.006; CT+TT vs. CC, OR=2.04, 95% CI:1.28-3.26, P=0.003). 936-T allele carriage had increased risk of colorectal adenoma (OR=1.91, 95% CI:1.25-2.91, P=0.003). The genotypes of 1498 C/T and the frequency of C/T allele showed no differences between healthy persons and patients (P>0.05). In patients with 936 CT+TT and 936-T allele implied a tendency of villous adenoma category (CT+TT vs. CC, OR=2.54, 95% CI:1.12-5.75, P=0.040; T allele vs. C allele, OR=3.08, 95% CI, 1.64-5.80, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONVEGF 936 C/T polymorphism can influence susceptibility to colorectal adenoma.

Adenoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

To construct the cDNA expression library from human U937 cell, total RNA and purified mRNA in myeloid leukemia cell line U937 were extracted. The first and second strand of cDNA were synthesized through reverse transcription. After blunting the cDNA termini, the cDNA fragments were connected with EcoR I adapters, and the end of EcoR I adapters was phosphorylated. Then the cDNAs were digested by Xho I, and the fragments smaller than 400 bp were removed by Sephacryl-S400 spin column, the fragments longer than 400 bp were ligated with lambdaZAP vector. The recombinants were packaged in vitro, and a small portion of packaged phage was used to infect E coli XL1-Blue-MRF' for titration. The recombinants were examined by color selection. In order to evaluate the size of cDNA inserts and the diversity of library, the pBK-CMV phagemid was excised from the ZAP expression vector by using ExAssist helper phage with XLOLR strain, and then the pBK-CMV phagemid was digested by Xho I and EcoR I. The results showed that the U937 cell line cDNA library consisting of 2.87 x 10(6) recombinant bacteriophages was constructed. The average size of exogenous insert in the recombinants was about 1.7 kb. It is concluded that the constructed cDNA library can be used to screen target clones.
Gene Library ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; U937 Cells ; metabolism

Wearable devices are used in the new design of the maternal health care system to detect electrocardiogram and oxygen saturation signal while smart terminals are used to achieve assessments and input maternal clinical information. All the results combined with biochemical analysis from hospital are uploaded to cloud server by mobile Internet. Machine learning algorithms are used for data mining of all information of subjects. This system can achieve the assessment and care of maternal physical health as well as mental health. Moreover, the system can send the results and health guidance to smart terminals.
Algorithms ; Clothing ; Electrocardiography ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Internet ; Machine Learning ; Maternal Health ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Telemedicine ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and clinical significance of P-gp, GST-pi and Topo II alpha in gastric and colorectal cancers.

METHODSThe expression of P-gp, GST-pi and Topo II alpha in 83 cases with gastric or colorectal cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry S-P.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of P-gp, GST-pi, Topo II alpha in normal tissue and gastric and colorectal cancers were 69.9%, 65.1%, 50.6% and 83.1%, 85.5%, 45.8%, respectively. The positive rates of P-gp and GST-pi in gastric and colorectal cancer were significantly higher than those in normal gastric and colorectal tissue (P < 0.05). The expression of Topo II alpha in poorly differentiated cancers was significantly higher than that in well-and moderately differentiated cancers. There was no correlation between other items and clinicopathological parameters (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONP-gp, GST-pi and Topo II alpha play important role in multidrug resistance. Their mechanisms of drug resistance were different. The detection of expression of P-gp, GST-pi and Topo II alpha has an important guiding significance in chemotherapy for gastric and colorectal cancers.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism

Objective To create and evaluate the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based on hsp65 gene as a method for rapid identification of Mycobacteria to the species level. Methods hsp65 gene was amplified from the DNA of mycobacterial reference strains and the PCR products were subjected to digestion by two restriction endonucleases Hae Ⅲ and Bstp Ⅰ, then loaded onto a 4% MetaPhor agorose. The size of the restricted fragments of each species (strains) was determined according to the position of the fragments on the gel, by which the differential DNA fingerprint was confirmed. Results A total of 40 Mycobacterium species (strains) was analyzed, in which six reference strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex had two different electrophoresis patterns, and thirty-four reference species of non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria had unique pattern. Conclusion PCR-RFLP Based upon hsp65 gene can be used for identification of Mycobacterium species, and the method is more rapid and simple and easy-to-use for mycobacterial species identification.