Objective To study the sonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) associated with cervical lymph nodes metastasis for early diagnosis and prediction of the invaded cervical lymph nodes. Methods The sonographic features of 170 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC in First Afifliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 2011 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 59 cases with neck lymph nodes metastases and 111 cases without neck lymph nodes metastases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was aaplied to analyze the cut-off values of resistance index (RI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) for judging the presence or absence of cercical lymph node metastasis. The Chi-square test and rank sum test were used to compare the different sonographic features between each group. The Logistic regression analysis was used to obtain the relevant factors of PTCs with cervical lymph node metastasis. Results ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off values of RI and PSV were 0.735,13.95 cm/s. The primary tumor diameter, the existence of halo, the involvement of thyroid upper pole, the microcalciifcation, the blood suply classiifcation and the RI, PSV were statistically signiifcantly different between PTCs with and without cervical lymph node metastasis, whereas no statistical signiifcance was detected between the primary tumor echo pattern, boundary and the longitudinal/transveral ratio between the metastatic and nonmetastatic group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the PTC primary tumor diameter and PSV were independent factors coorelated with cervical lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Some sonographic features of PTC are closely correlated with lymph nodes metastasis, which are valuable in predicting the cervical lymph nodes metastasis in patients with PTC pre-operatively.

AIM:To investigate the roles of ClC-3 chloride channels in the regulation of cell cycle and the re-lationship between ClC-3 chloride channels and the cell cycle regulators , such as cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4, CDK6, P21 and P27 in the HeLa cells.METHODS:ClC-3 genes were silenced by the siRNA technique in the HeLa cells.The transfection efficiency of ClC-3 siRNA was detected by real-time PCR.The cell cycle distribution was ana-lyzed by the flow cytometry .The protein expression of ClC-3, P21, P27, CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot .RESULTS:ClC-3 was knocked down by ClC-3 siRNA in the HeLa cells .Transfection of the cells with ClC-3 siRNA arrested the cells at G0/G1 phases, decreased the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6, and increased the expression of P21 and P27.CONCLUSION:ClC-3 plays an important role in the cell cycle of HeLa cells through the G 1-S transition point.ClC-3 may regulate the cell cycle progression by up-regulation of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6 expression and/or by down-regulation of P21 and P27 expression.

Objective To investigate the deficit of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation in the different age of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like animal model and the protective effect of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside(TSG), which is the main component of Polygonum multiflorum, on ERK activation. Methods A generally accepted animal model of AD - PDAPPV717I transgenic (Tg) mouse was observed from 4 to 16 months old. Tg mice were randomly divided into 3 model groups(4, 10 and 16 months old mice)and TSG treated (at doses 120 and 240 μmol/kg/d) groups. TSG was administered to some Tg mice with an age range 4-10 months. In untreated 10 months old Tg mice, the TSG was administrated to those falling in the age range 10-16 months. For the control group we adopted the same age and background C57BL/6J mice. The ERK1/2 expression and phosphorylation were detected by Western blotting.Results In the 4-month-old PDAPPV717I Tg mice, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 decreased significantly in hippocampus and cortex compared with age matched control. In the 10-month-old Tg mice, decrease of ERK1/2 activation was aggravated in cortex but was less in hippocampus. The treatment of TSG at the doses of 120 and 240 μmol/kg for 6 months (from the age of 4 to 10 months) significantly up-regulated ERK1/2 activation in Tg mice. In the 16-month-old Tg mice, over-activation of ERK1/2 occurred in both hippocampus and cortex. The transgenic mice treated by TSG for 6 months (from the age of 10 months to 16 months) showed significant inhibition of over-activation of ERK1/2. Expression of total ERK1/2 showed no difference among control, Tg model and TSG treated groups.Conclusion PDAPPV717I transgenic mice with an age range from 4 to 16 months revealed the time-dependent deficit of ERK1/2 activation. TSG can bring the down or over activation of ERK1/2 into normal. Because ERK1/2 activation plays the crucial role in cellular signal transduction and learning-memory ability, TSG may have beneficial potential to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

Aim The effect of tetrandrine on TGF-?1 mRNA expression in glomerulosclerosis rat was observed. Methods The rats were randomly divided into four groups, such as the normal control group (sham operative rat), glomerulosclerosis model group,tetrandrine group and amlodipine group. The expression of TGF-?1 mRNA was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. Results The expressions of TGF-?1 mRNA in two treating groups were much lower than untreated model group. There were no difference between these two treating groups. Conclusion Tetrandrine can decrease the expression of TGF-?1 mRNA in glomerulosclerosis rat induced by unilateral renctomy plus adriamycin.

Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD28 Antigens ; blood ; metabolism ; CD4 Antigens ; blood ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neprilysin ; blood ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; blood ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; blood ; metabolism

Objective To assess the new edition of WHO Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Surveillance Standards (WHO Standards) based on syndrome surveillance data and to provide field evidence regarding the standards. Methods Based on syndrome surveillance data, acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) case was categorized, according to the WHO Standards. A cohort study was applied to estimate the AES definition set in the Standard and relative risk was computed to estimate the existence and intensity of statistical correlation between AES and JE cases. Percentage of attributable risk was counted to describe the coverage of AES for JE cases in the studied population. Sensitivity,specificity, Youden index and positive predictive value of AES components were calculated for the purpose of identifying the clinical values under the screening program. Results 1424 suspected cases were evaluated in the surveillance program and 1396 cases with ELISA result, of which 109 positive cases were detected. According to the "standardized" classification, a total of 706 cases in line with AES case deftuition, were categorized into 83 cases of JE, 425 cases of AES unknown and 198 cases of AES other agent. In the cohort study,a relative risk of 4.62 (95% CI:2.80-7.63 ) and the percentage of attributable risk as 78.35% (95% CI: 64.25% -86.89% ) were observed. Conclusion The AES definition for JE was significantly effecting on the screening programs and a strong correlation strength was observed in the study. AES syndrome could cover most of the JE cases. "Convulsions",with appreciative screening value, was recommended to be involved into the new version of the WHO Standards.

A FAST (fluorescence of advanced Maillard products and Soluble Tryptophan) method for identification of reconstituted milk made from skim milk powder in the fresh milk was developed. Considering milk and skim milk powders variations from different seasons and countries, milk was collected from different dairy farms in different seasons and skim milk powders were collected from different countries to measure the Tryptophan (Trp), advanced Maillard products (AMP) fluorescence values. The results showed that there were differences (P<0.01) between raw and reconstituted milk. The plot of values in each mixed level of raw and reconstituted milk had a correlation coefficient >0.97. The FAST method is a simple, rapid, low-cost and sensitive method enabling the detection of 5% reconstituted milk in fresh milk. The measurement of the Trp, AMP fluorescence values and calculation of the FAST index is a suitable method for large-scale monitoring of fresh milk samples.
Animals ; Cattle ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Food Contamination ; prevention & control ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; analysis ; Maillard Reaction ; Milk ; chemistry ; classification ; Powders ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods ; Tryptophan ; analysis

Objective To screen serum biomarkers in patients with hepatocelhlar carcinoma by using surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(SELDI-TOF-MS)technique and to evaluate its clinical implication in the patients whose alpha-fetoprotein were negative in the sera. Methods Proteomic spectra were generated by mass spectroscopy in 112 cases, including 57 cases AFP-negative hepatocellular carcinoma,and 55 cases of healthy control. The consequence was analyzed and the characteristic preteomic peaks was selected by using Biomarker Wizard. Results Seven low expressed potential biomarker were indentified with the mass-to-charge ratio of 4.2×103, 4.1×103, 6.7×103, 5.7×103, 6.5×103, 6.9×103, 5.8×103. The sensitivity for diagnosing hepatic cancer were 88.23 % and specificity was 92.31%. These peaks were not correlated with age, sex, tumor mass size, pathology grading and cirrhosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion SELDI-TOF-MS offers a unique platform for the proteomic detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.It also offers an auxiliary diagnosis method to the patients whose alpha-fetoprotein are negative in the serum.

Objective To investigate clinically and in laboratory a genealogical tree with hemoglobin H disease Combining Hemoglobin Q-Thailand and Hemoglobin E Disease.Methods Genealogical laboratory studies were carried out with the following methods:hemoglobin electrophoresis, various biochemical determinations,and DNA analysis.Results Father's genotype of ?-THAL:??/?~Q ?~(4.2); genotype of ?-THAL:?E/N;phenotype:minor ?-THAL carrier combining Hb Q and Hb E multiple heterozygote;mother' s genotype of ct-THAL:--~(SEA)/??;genotype of ?-THAL:?n/?n.According to comprehensive analysis,mother's phenotype:minor ?-THAL,complex minor ?-THAL carrier combining Hb F ? Initial sign of ?-THAL genotype:--~(SEA)/?~Q ?~(4.2);phenotype:deletion type Hb H genotype disease;?- THAL genotype:?E/?E;phenotype:? E homozygote.According to comprehensive analysis:deletion type Hb H combining HbE multiple heterozygote.Youger brother's ?-THAL genotype:--~(SEA)/?~Q ?~(4.2);?-THAL genotype:?n/?n;phenotype:deletion type Hb H disease.Both mother and her youngest son have G6PD deficiency.Conclusions Guangdong Province is an area with high morbidity of ?-THAL and ?-THAL,Hb E and Hb Q as well as G6PD deficiency.There may be some correlation between Hb E and Fib Q in term's of the high morbidity of regional Hb,but the two types of Hb combining Hb H disease are rare in China and the world in point of nonhomologous chromosome.Attention should be paid to the problems of double heterozygote of ?-THAL complex ?-THAL,and THAL complex G6PD deficiency.Data from the study have enriched the scientific information of molecular genetics of erythroeyte thalassemia and of molecular pathology with important significance in genetics guidance and clinical treatment for patients.

Cystatin, which widely distributed in both tissues and body fluids of animal and plant, was a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors. It could form activity-inhibitor complexes with cysteine proteinases to inhibit the hydrolytic activity of proteinases. Cystatin played important roles not only in the inhibition of the proteolytic degradation of fish muscle, but also in biological defense systems against invaders. To explore the functions of fish cystatin and the potential values in fish disease prevention and cure, as well as seafood processing, the recombinant yeast strains which could express Chinese sturgeon cystatin were constructed. First, the cystatin cDNA of Chinese sturgeon, which had been PCR modified, was subcloned into yeast integrated vector pPICZaA. After extracted and purified, the recombinant plasmids were linearized by Sac I. The yeast Pichia pastoris GS115 strain was transformed by use of the Lithium Chloride transformation method, and the recombinant cystatin yeast strains got. After 0.5% methanol induction, SDS-PAGE analysis of the culture supernatant indicated that the yield of recombinant cystatin was about 215mg x L(-1) with the percentage about 73.6%. The recombinant cystatin was purified through Q-Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography, and the purity reached about 94.2%. The inhibitory activity of recombinant cystatin was measured by inhibiting the proteinase activity of papain. The results showed that about 1 microg recombinant cystatin could inhibit the activity of 15 microg papain. Heat stability assay results showed that there was a decrease in inhibitory activity of cystatin with the increasing of temperature. When solution of recombinant cystatin was kept at 70 degrees C for 5min, the inhibitory activity reduced fast. While the recombinant cystatin was heated to 90 degrees C for 5min, the inhibitory activity of recombinant cystatin was undetected. The inhibitory activity for recombinant Chinese sturgeon cystatin was higher than that of CPI (cysteine proteinase inhibitor) from seeds of corn, that about 1 microg purified CIP could inhibited the activity of 0.278 microg papain. But the heat stability of recombinant cystatin is lower than that of the corn CPI. The expression level and the activity of recombinant cystatin from yeast Pichia pastoris were higher than those from E. coli. Moreover, recombinant cystatin from Pichia pastoris was easier to separate and purify. This paper reported that recombinant fish cystatin was produced in a highly efficient expression system based on the methylotrophic yeast, further work will focus on the function of recombinant Chinese sturgeon cystatin to resist fish disease and explore the value of cystatin as a food additive to inhibit cysteine proteinases during surimi processing.
Animals ; Cystatins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Fish Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Stability ; Temperature