Purpose:To investigate the relationship between cell apoptosis and dephosphorylated RB protein in human breast cancer. Methods:In our work,human breast cell lines (MCF-7/S,the chemosensitive cell line and MCF-7/ADR,the chemoresistent cell line)were evaluated. Chemosensitivity of two cell lines was evaluated by the MTT colorimetric assay;the expressive levels of dephosphorylated RB protein were detected with immunocytochemistry. Apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry(FCM). Results:ADR inhibited proliferation of chemosensitive cell line MCF-7/S ,the 50% inhibition concentration (IC 50 ) was 0.128 ?g/ml;And IC 50 of MCF-7/ADR was 10.89 ?g/ml. The chemotherapeutic sensitivity of MCF-7/S was more than that of MCF-7/ADR by 86 times . Before treatment with ADR,phosphorylated RB protein was positive in two cell lines,but dephosphorylated RB protein was negative;After treatment of different concentration ADR,when the concentration of ADR was increased,expression of dephosphorylated RB protein elevated accordingly in MCF-7/S,but no significant change in MCF-7/ADR. Apoptosis and cell cycle was detected by FCM assays shows ADR induced apoptosis of MCF-7/S more than MCF-7/ADR(P0.05).

Jojoba (the plant belonging to Simmondsiaceae) seeds are not only a kind of global special oil resources but also a type of good folk medicines because they are riched in jojoba oil and simmondsin and have many pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory effect, food inhibitor and promoting-antibiosis. The paper reviews the studies on jojoba chemical compositim,extraction and purification,detection and analysis methods, pharmacological activity and dosage development, in order to provide reference for further research and application.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of PLCεin regulating the invasion and migration of human bladder cancer cells in vitro.Methods After cells treated with recombinant adenovirus , the migratory/in-vasive abilities of T24 cells were explored by wound healing and Transwell chamber cell migration and invasion as -say;RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of PLCε;The protein levels of PLCε,PKCα,PKCβ, TBX3 and E-cadherin were determined by Western blot;QRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of TBX3 and E-cad-herin.Results It was confirmed by digesting and sequencing that the recombinant adenovirus had been constructed successfully .The expression of PLCε mRNA and PLCε protein were both decreased after the infection of Ad-shPLCε.Wound healing and Transwell chamber cell migration/invasion assay showed that Ad-shPLCε treatment could inhibit the migratory and invasive activity of bladder cancer cells(P<0.05).The results of Western blot indicated that the expression of PKCα/βin membrane decreased ( P<0.05 ) , and phosphorylation level of PKCαand PKCβwas reduced .QRT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression level of TBX 3 de-creased , but the expression level of E-cadherin increased .Conclusions PLCε shRNA can inhibit migratory and invasive ability of bladder cancer cells through PKCα/β/TBX3/E-cadherin pathway .

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of baseline serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level for central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls.

METHODSA total of 279 girls with precocious puberty were subjected to assessment of growth and development, bone age determination, baseline LH test, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test, gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, and other related examinations. Of the 279 patients, 175 were diagnosed with CPP and 104 with premature thelarche (PT). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of baseline LH and FSH levels and their peak levels for CPP, and the correlation between the baseline LH level and the peak LH level was analyzed.

RESULTSThe CPP group had significantly higher bone age, baseline LH and FSH levels, peak LH and FSH levels, and ratio of peak LH level to peak FSH level than the PT group (P<0.01). The ROC curve proved that baseline LH level and peak LH level had good diagnostic values for CPP. Among the three bone age subgroups in the CPP group (7.0-9.0 years, 9.0-11.0 years, and >11.0 years), baseline LH level showed the best diagnostic value in the >11.0 years subgroup, with the largest area under the ROC curve. At a baseline LH level of 0.45 IU/L, the Youden index reached the peak value, and the sensitivity and specificity were 66.7% and 80% respectively, for the diagnosis of CPP. At a peak LH level of 9.935 IU/L, the Youden index reached the peak value, and the sensitivity and specificity were 74.8% and 100% respectively, for the diagnosis of CPP. The baseline LH level was positively correlated with the peak LH level (r=0.440, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBaseline LH level can be used as an primary screening index for the diagnosis of CPP. It has a certain diagnostic value for CPP at different bone ages, and may be used as a monitoring index during the treatment and follow-uP.

Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; Child ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the bioactive artificial vertebrae of a nano- hydroapatite crystals and polyamide 66 composite(n-HA/PA66)to restore the height and architecture of thoracolumbar burst fracture.Methods From December 2003 to February 2006,38 patients(29 males and 9 females)with a mean age of 35.6 years(17-63 years)were treated surgically through anterior ap- proach for decompression and implanted with the bioactive artificial vertebrae of n-HA/PA66 composite to reconstruct the structure of the thoracolumbar burst fractured vertebra.Results All the patients were successfuly followed-up for an average of 8 months,ranging from 6 to 21 months.The bioaetive artificial vertebrac of n-HA/PA66 composite were fused with the receptor bone 3-4 months after operation.The neu- rological function of the patients was restored partially or completely.The thoracolumbar spine was stable during physical examination and the height of thoraeolumbar burst fractured vertebrae that had been restored did not changa during the follow-up.Conclusions Our results show the bioaetive artificial vertebrae of n-HA/PA66 can restore the height and structure of thoracolumbar burst fractured vertebrae and reconstruct the structure of the tboraeolumbar vertebrae effectively,indicating that the bioaetive artificial vertebrae of n- HA/PA66 can be used extensively in clinical spinal surgery.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the viral pathogens of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in hospitalized children from East Guangdong Province of China and the relationship of the pathogens with age and seasons.

METHODSThe nasopharyngeal aspirates samples obtained from 345 hospitalized children with ALRTI were investigated for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), influenza virus types A and B, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3 and adenovirus by PCR.

RESULTSViral pathogens were detected in 178 patients (51.6%). RSV was the most frequent (19.3%). Novel viruses hMPV (3.2%) and HBoV (3.2%) were found. A highest detection rate (61.9%) of virus was found between January to March. The infants aged 1 to 6 months showed a higher detection rate (71.3%) of virus than the other age groups. The detection rate of viral pathogens was 72.6% in children with bronchiolitis, followed by asthmatic bronchitis (70.0%) and bronchial pneumonia (44.6%).

CONCLUSIONSRSV remained the leading viral pathogens in children with ALRTI in East Guangdong of China. Novel viruses HBoV and hMPV were also important pathogens. The detection rate of viral pathogens was associated with seasonal changes and age. Different respiratory infectious diseases had different viral detection rates, with highest detection rate in bronchiolitis cases.

Acute Disease ; Adenoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Orthomyxoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Rhinovirus ; isolation & purification ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo clone the full-length Rcet3 gene, a novel gene related to family 2 cystatins, from mouse testis or other tissues.

METHODSRcet3 gene was cloned using digital differential display (DDD) and RT-PCR was performed for cloning the full-length Rcet3 gene from adult mouse testis cDNA library with sequence analysis.

RESULTSRcet3 cDNA was 610 bp in length, consisting of 4 exons to encode a protein with 140 amino acid residues. The encoded protein contained a potential signal peptide and a cystatin domain, but lacked critical consensus site important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics could be seen in the Cres subgroup related to the family 2 cystatins. Rcet3 was specifically expressed in adult mouse testis, epididymis and the cerebrum, but at higher levels in the testis than in the epididymis and cerebrum.

CONCLUSIONRcet3 may be a new member of Cres subgroup of family 2 cystatins.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cystatins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Testis ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B on angiogenesis in chronic inflammation and the possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model was used to observe the anti-angiogenesis effect of ginkgolide B. The vascular index was determined by colorimetry of carminic acid, and angiogenesis was observed by histology method. The interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) levels in mice serum and in supernatants of U937 cell culture stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in mice serum and in supernatant of U937 cell culture were measured by cytotoxicity bioassay. The mRNA expression of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha of U937 cell culture was investigated by RT-PCR.

RESULTSOral administration of ginkgolide B 25 and 100 mg x kg(-1) was shown to significantly inhibit the vascular index of murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model with the inhibitory rate of 22.52% and 25.29%, respectively. This result was supported by histological observation. Concomitantly, the IL-1beta levels in mice serums were also significantly decreased with the inhibitory rate of 50.61% and 58.66%; so were the TNF-alpha levels with the inhibitory rate of 28.91% and 52.41%. Ginkgolide B at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1) could also reduce both the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha contents in the supernatants of U937 cell culture stimulated by PMA, but the scopes of changes were much different. For IL-1beta the IC50 was 1.93 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), while ginkgolide B at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) only decreased the release of TNF-alpha by 25.99%. Furthermore, ginkgolide B at concentrations of 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) was shown to significantly inhibit TNF-alpha mRNA expression of U937 cells; and at concentrations of 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) could inhibit IL-1beta mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONGinkgolide B was shown to significantly inhibit angiogenesis of the murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model, reduce the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in mice serums, and significantly inhibit IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA expression and protein secretion in supernatants of U937 cell culture. It was suggested that reduction of proangiogenic cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha secretion may contribute to the anti-angiogenesis effect of ginkgolide B in the murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ginkgolides ; Granuloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Platelet Activating Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; U937 Cells ; metabolism

Aim To investigate the effect of liver X receptor (LXR) activation on the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells in global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mice,and its mechanisms.Methods A total of 75 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups,namely the sham operation group,the cerebral I/R group and the cerebral I/R with TO901317 treatment (I/R + TO90) group.The I/R mouse model was induced via the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion.HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region.Immunohistochemistry was executed to detect hippocampus DCX + cells.Immunofluorescence of BrdU was implemented to detect the proliferation neural stem cell.Morris water maze test was used to assess spatial learning and memory in mice.Western blot was used to detect the expression of hippocampus LXRα,LXRβ,ABCA1,p-ERK1/2,t-ERK1/2,p-CREB,t-CREB,BDNF.Results LXR activation improved cognitive recovery(P ＜0.01),and induced the proliferation of neural stem cells (P ＜ 0.01) in I/R mice.The expressions of hippocampal ABCA1,p-ERK1/2,p-CREB,BDNF in I/R + TO90 group mice also increased (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions LXR activation can induce the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells and facilitate cognitive recovery following global cerebral I/R in mice,which may be related to the activation of hippocampal ERK1/2-CREB-BDNF pathway and then promoting endogenous neurogenesis in the hippocampus DG region of I/R mice.