Background Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.Peroxiredoxin 6(Prx6) is a doubly-functional protein.and its ability to eliminate phospholipid hydroperoxides is essential. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic expression of Prx6 in the retina of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetes and explore its correlation with the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Methods Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)in 48 clean Wistar rats.The rats were sacrificed at 1,2,and 4 months after the injection of STZ,and expressions of Prx6 protein and Prx6 mRNA in the retina was determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Another 12 matched normal Wistar rats were used as the control group. Results The resuh of immunohistochemistry showed that Prx6 protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of the outer nuclear layer(ONL)and inner nuclear layer(INL)in normal rats,and low expression of Prx6 protein was observed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL).In the first month,Prx6 protein was strongly expressed in the INL and the ONL of diabetic rats.However.two and three months after STZ administration,the expression of Prx6 protein was absent in the retina,showing a considerable difference among different course groups(F=22 967.63,P＜0.05).Furthermore,the expression trend of Prx6 mRNA in the retina was similar to that of the Prx6 protein with a significant difference among different course groups(F=942.84,P＜0.05). Conclusion It is conceivable that normal maintenance of Prx6 expression may be important to the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.We hypothesize that oxidative impairments in the retina that develop over time may partly contribute towards the development of retinal dysfunction,which eventually leads to retinal degeneration during the progressive phase of STZ-induced diabetes in adult rats.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence shows that at least 155 genetic polymorphisms are associated with aerobic performance and elite endurance athlete status. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of α-actin 3 (ACTN3) gene, nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2), β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene and peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) polymorphic loci with aerobic performance of rowing athletes and their interaction effect, thereby providing basis for understanding the mechanism of genetic polymorphisms acting on endurance athlete status. METHODS: A case-control experiment was designed to analyze the distribution characteristics of four gene polymorphism loci in 15 excellent rowing athletes and 50 common college freshmen. The association of four polymorphic loci with the aerobic performance-related indexes was analyzed using total genotype scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The preponderant polymorphism locus distributions of ACTN3, PPARGC1A and NRF2 in the athletes group were higher than those in the control group, and the NRF2 gene loci showed significant difference between two groups. In the athletes group, the mean values of VO2 maxwas significantly different among three genotypes. That is to say, these three genetic polymorphisms may be the biomarkers to predict the elite endurance athlete status, but the mechanism needs to be studied in depth.

AIMTo demonstrate the specific killing of folate receptor (FR)-positive tumor cells can be achieved by folate-targeted penicillin-G amidase (PGA) combined with its prodrug substrate N-(phenylacetyl) doxorubicin (DOXP).

METHODSFolic acid was covalently linked to PGA and folate content value was determined by quantitative UV spectrophotometry. The ability of folate conjugated PGA to hydrolyze DOXP was measured by RP-HPLC. Visual demonstration of uptake by FR (+) HeLa and SKOV3 cells was detected by using FITC labeled folate-PGA and a fluorescence microscopy. The cytotoxicity of DOXP towards the cells in the presence or absence of folate-PGA was assayed by using MTT method.

RESULTSThe folate-PGA has a specific activity of 29. 8 U x mg(-1) (protein). FR selectivity was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The combination of DOXP prodrug with folate-PGA generated higher cytotoxicity towards the FR (+) cells than free doxorubicin. The IC50 was 0.72 micromol x L(-1) for HeLa cells and 0.75 micromol x L(-1) for SKOV3 cells, respectively. Further, the enhanced cytotoxicity reduced greatly with the addition of free folic acid.

CONCLUSIONFolate conjugated PGA did not significantly compromise PGA catalytic activity and enabled binding prodrug-activating enzyme PGA to folate receptor expressing cells, and increased the sensitivity of the cells to doxorubicin followed by administration of its prodrug substrate.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxorubicin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored ; Folic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; pathology ; Penicillin Amidase ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Prodrugs ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism

Cell Line ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe different effects of moxibustion on extracellular potassium ion in acupoint under physiological and pathological status and provide experimental evidence for exploring action mechanism of moxibustion on acupoint local.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a blank-moxibustion group, a model group and a model-moxibustion group, 10 cases in each one. The complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) was adopted to establish model of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the model group and model-moxibustion group. No treatment was given in the blank group and model group while moxibustion was applied at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) for 30 min in the blank-moxibustion group and model-moxibustion group. The tissue fluid in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was collected with microdialysis and real-time analyzed by electrolytic analyzer. The change of concentration of potassium ion in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was observed.

RESULTS(1) Under physiological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank group was not changed within 150 min (P > 0.05); before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank-moxibustion group was (1.21 +/- 0.31) mmol/L, and after treatment it was gradually increased and reached its peak at (2.38 +/- 0.42) mmol/L after 60 min (P < 0.05), then it was reduced. 150 min after the treatment, concentration of potassium ion was slightly higher than that before moxibustion as well as that in the blank group. The concentration in the blank-moxibustion group at 60 min was statistically significant compared with that in the blank group (P < 0.05). (2) Under pathological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the model group was not changed within 150 min, differences of which at each time point was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion was (1.09 +/- 0.12) mmol/L in the model-moxibustion group, and it was immediately increased to (1.96 +/- 0.18) mmol/L after moxibustion. 60 min and 90 min after the moxibustion, it still maintained a higher level, which was (1.87 +/- 0.29) mmol/L and (1.59 +/- 0.16) mmol/L respectively (both P < 0.05). The differences of each time point after moxibustion in the model-moxibustion group were statistically significant compared with those in the model group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion could increase the concentration of potassium ion in rat's acupoint local under physiological status but time of effect is short; with moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) under pathological status, the concentration of local potassium ion is obviously increased and maintains for a long time.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the EV71 Chinese strain SHZH98 and analyze its genetic evolution using 3c gene as index.

METHODSThe 3C gene cDNA of EV71 Chinese strain SHZH98 was amplified by PCR, the PCR product was sequenced.

RESULTSThe EV71 Chinese mainland strain SHZH98 3C segment was 549 bps in length. Comparison of nucleotide sequences from other enteroviruses which have been published, revealed a higher homology to strain MS, 78.7% at nucleotide level and 93.45% at deduced amino acid level. The homology to strain BrCr was 76.7% at nucleotide level and 89.1% at deduced amino acid level. Taiwan strains POLY,NCKU,TW2086,TW2272 shared a lower homology with Chinese mainland strain SHZH98, 74.0%, 73.8%, 71.9%, 69.8% at nucleotide level and 90.7%, 90.2%, 84.2%, 82.5% at deduced amino acid level. The genetic progress analysis revealed that EV71 Chinese mainland strain SHZH98 3C segment shares more homology with European and American strains than Taiwan strains.

CONCLUSIONThe non-structural protein of EV71 Chinese strains may have different evolutionary process from Taiwan strains.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genes, Viral ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Purpose To investgate the expression and clinical significance of GFRα3 in esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods Expression of GFRα3 in 114 esophagus squamous cell carcinoma,17 cases of high grade intraepithelial neoplasia and Tis,25 cases nomal tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Expression of GFRα3 in 12 paired flesh tissues had also been determined by Western-blot.Results The positive expression of GFRα3 in nomal esophageal tissues,high grade intraepithelial tissues and Tis was 0,29.4％,76.3％ respectively by immunohistochemistry.Expression of GFRα3 in carcinomatous tissues was higher than that of adjacent tissues (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the expression of GFRα3 was significantly associated with depth of invasion,higher clinical stage and survival outcome of patients with ESCC.Conclusion The expression of GFRα3 maybe a useful predictor of disease depth of invasion,progression and outcome in ESCC.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between human multidrug resistancel gene (MDR1) polymorphisms and the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSBlood samples were collected from 59 NPC patients, who were devided into radiosensitive or radioresistant groups according to their responses to radiation therapy. The genotypes for MDR1 polymorphisms (G2677T in exon 21 and C3435T in exon 26) and their haplotypes were determined by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The results were further confirmed by sequencing.

RESULTSThe 3435CC genotype was associated with a significantly better response to radiotherapy than combined 3435 CT and TT genotype (P=0.026). The 2677GG genotype was also associated with a better response in comparison with combined 2677 GT and TT genotype, but this relation was not statistically significant. Patients with 2677G-3435C haplotype had a significant better response to radiotherapy than those with the other haplotypes (P=0.017).

CONCLUSIONThe MDR1 G2677T and C3435T polymorphisms may help predict the response to radiotherapy in NPC patients.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Adult ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; radiotherapy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Radiation Tolerance ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo reconfirm the association of KPNB3 with schizophrenia in Chinese population.

METHODSTwo single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs2588014 and rs626716 at the KPNB3 locus, were genotyped in 304 Chinese Han family trios consisting of fathers, mothers, and affected offsprings with schizophrenia. These 2 SNPs were detected by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for genotypic distributions was estimated by the goodness-of-fit test. The UNPHASED program was used to perform transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), haplotype analysis, and pair-wise measure of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between these 2 SNPs.

RESULTSThe genotypic distributions of both rs2588014 and rs626716 were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). The TDT revealed allelic association with rs626716 (chi2 = 9.31, P = 0.0023) but not with rs2588014 (chi2 = 3.44, P = 0.064). The global P-value was 0.0099 for 100 permutations. The haplotype analysis also showed a disease association (chi2 = 25.97, df = 3, P = 0.0000097).

CONCLUSIONThe present study provides further evidence in support of the KPNB3 association with schizophrenia in Chinese population.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Schizophrenia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta Karyopherins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of modified pull-through operation (Badenoch operation) on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture.

METHODSFrom September 2001 to December 2010 traditional pull-through operation was Modified for two times in our center. A total of 129 patients with posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture resulting from pelvic fracture injury underwent the modified urethral pull-through operation. Stricture length was 1.5 to 5.3 cm (mean 2.9 cm). Of the patients 43 had undergone at least 1 previous failed management for stricture. In phase 1 (from September 2001 to January 2008), the improving items include: (1) The distal urethral end was stitched and tied to the catheter. (2) As catheter was inserted into bladder and 20 ml water was injected into catheter balloon, the distal urethral end was fixed in the proximal urethra and an overlaying of 1.5 cm was formed between the two ends. (3) Three weeks later, it was tried to insert the catheter to bladder. After the urethral stump necrosis and the catheter separating from the urethra, the catheter was removed. In phase 2 (from February 2008 to December 2010), based on the above, irrigating catheter was used. After the surgery, urethra was irrigated with 0.02% furacillin solution through the catheter 3 times a day. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. If patients had no conscious dysuria and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) > 15 ml/s, the treatment was considered successful. All complications were recorded.

RESULTSIn phase 1, the 96 patients (101 times) underwent the procedure. The treatment was successful in 88 patients (success rate 92%). Within 1 to 13 days after removal of the catheter, urethral stricture was recurred in 8 patients. They had to undergo cystostomy once more for 3 to 11 months before reoperation (the 3 patients' reoperation was in phase 2). The 8 cases were treated successfully. In phase 2, 33 patients (total 36 times) underwent the procedure. One patient was failed (success rate 97%). The actual follow-up time is 7 to 93 months (An average of 37.6 months). Qmax is (22 ± 5) ml/s. No complications such as urinary incontinence, erectile pain, urinary shortening happened.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified urethral pull-through operation is effective for the surgical treatment of posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture. It has a high success rate with durable long-term results. Complications are few. The procedure is simple, less demanding and especially suitable in patients who had previously undergone failed surgical treatments.

Adult ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery ; Young Adult