Objective To explore the changes of genes associated with the nuclear factor of kappa B(NF-?B) signaling pathway in neonatal rats with early hypoxic-ischemic reperfusion brain damage(HIRBD).Methods Twenty-four SD rats at age of 7 days,with male to female of 1212,were randomized into normal control group(group A,n=8),hypoxic-ischemia reperfusion for 2 h(group B,n=8) and hypoxic-ischemia reperfusion for 4 h(group C,n=8).The tissues of hippocampus were taken for complete RNA extraction.Gene chip inspection and biological signal analysis technique were used to detect the expression of 113 involved signal molecules of NF-?B pathway.Results Compared with group A,the up-regulated expression was found in Chemokine(C-C motif) ligand 2,Dual specificity phosphatase 1,FBJ osteosarcoma oncogene(Fos) and Toll-like receptor 9.Whereas the expressions of Caspase-1,8,Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6,Mitogen activated protein kinase 3 and Ras homolog gene family member a from Ras-gene famimly was found down-regulated in group B.The up-regulated expression was in Fos,IL-1? and Toll-like receptor 6,but that of down-regulation was found in Caspase-1,Extracellular matrix protein 1,Lysophosphatidic Acid G-protein-coupled receptor 2,Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation gene 1,Inhibitor of kappa B kinase epsilon and Ras homolog gene family member c.Conclusions At the early stage of HIRBD,the Toll-like receptors may induce NF-?B activation,leading to the coordinated induction of multiple genes,which is involved in inflammatory,apoptosis and cell proliferation.Genes induced by NF-?B are responsible for the physiopathological process of early brain damage in neonatal rats with HIRBD.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Brain Stem ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Gene Library ; Motion Sickness ; genetics ; Rats

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Motion Sickness ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AlM: To silent hypoxia inducible factor-1α ( HlF-1α) gene in malignant melanoma of the choroid cell by small interference RNA ( siRNA ) and investigate its effect on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 ( MMP-2 ) in the choroid cell line human uveal melanoma cell (OCM-1) in hypoxia environment.METHODS:OCM-1 cells cultured on culture flask were divided into normal group and hypoxia group. Hypoxia group were divided into five groups: simple hypoxic group, and interference group, and negative control group, and positive control group, and liposome group. Normal group cells were cultured on DMEM culture flask with 10% FBS, 100U/mL penicillin, 100μg/mL streptomycin as well as high concentration of glucose. The cells were maintained at 37℃ in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator. Cells in good condition were selected for experiment. For hypoxia group, chemical hypoxia inducer CoCl2 was added into nutrient medium at the concentration of 100μmol/L to simulate hypoxia microenvironment. We designed and synthesised siRNA ( siRNA + negative control+positive control ) , the target sequences of the HlF-1α to transfect hypoxic malignant melanoma of the choroid cell. SiRNA including HlF-1α siRNA, β-actin siRNA and negative control group synthesized in vitro transfected hypoxic OCM - 1 cell through Lipofectamine2000. The expression of HlF-1α, MMP-2 gene and the protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the expression of HlF-1α mRNA was not obviously changed (P>0. 05), but the expression of HlF-1α protein and MMP- 2 mRNA protein was significantly higher ( P<0. 05) . Compared with the other hypoxia groups,β-actin mRNA expression of positive control group decreased ( P< 0. 05 ) , which proved successful transfection. The expression of HlF-1α mRNA and the expression of its protein and both MMP-2 mRNA and its protein was significantly lower ( P < 0. 05 ). The negative control group, liposome control group had no significant difference in the detection of factors (P>0. 05).CONCLUSlON: Hypoxia status may upregulate the HlF-1α in OCM-1 cells by increasing the expression of protein. Hypoxia can also inactivate MMP-2, resulting in upregulation of MMP-2 RNA and the expression of its protein. The expression of HlF-1α and MMP-2 mRNA can be down-upregulated by transfecting OCM-1 with HlF-1α siRNA.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of occupational stress on hypertension.

METHODS498 workers whose accumulative length of service was more than two years were investigated with questionnaire by method of cluster sampling from a thermal power plant in Henan province in China; 446 respondents returned qualified questionnaire including 281 male and 165 female Han People. After the patients with secondary hypertension, diabetes patients, and patients with liver or kidney disease were excluded, 84 workers (58 males and 26 females) were diagnosed as hypertension. The occupational stressors, personalities, buffering factors and occupational strain were measured by using the Job Demand-control Model, the Effort-reward Imbalance Model questionnaires and Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Main risk factors for the development of hypertension such as heredity, body mass index, high salt diet, alcohol use, smoking habit and lack of physical activity were investigated. 498 whole blood samples were collected from workers in field epidemiologic survey. All of the samples were detected TG, CHO and FPG by common biochemistry methods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between occupational stressors and prevalence rate of hypertension. The difference of morbidity of hypertension between different stress level subjects was analyzed by chi2 test.

RESULTS(1) Logistic regression analysis of the hypertension by all occupational stressors and risk factors of hypertension indicated that not only some common factors such as parents' hypertensive history, BMI, alcohol use and TG, but also responsibility for person, work locus of control and social support were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. (2) Logistic regression analysis of the hypertension by main dimensions of effort-reward imbalance model and risk factors of hypertension indicated that parents' hypertensive history, BMI, alcohol use, TG, and effort were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. Logistic regression analysis indicated the risk of hypertension had an effect on the FRI and effort (OR was 1.71 and 2.43 respectively). (3) For the job strain model, results indicated that parents' hypertensive history, UMI, alcohol use, TG, work locus of control and social support were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. But the main dimensions of job strain model (job demands and decision latitude) didn't enter regression equation. (4) The difference of prevalence of hypertension between high- and low stress level groups in male was statistically significant (OR = 3.13, P < 0.01), but the case was not the same in female (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOccupational stress might be risk factor of hypertension; The predictive power of effort-reward imbalance model for the development of hypertension would be larger than that of job strain model.

Adult ; Burnout, Professional ; complications ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the region in PRL-3 gene promoter where the transcriptional factor Snail can bind.

METHODSPRL-3 promoter and the possible binding sites of the transcription factors were analyzed by bioinformatical methods. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and PCR were performed using the antibody specific for Snail to verify the binding of Snail to PRL-3 promoter.

RESULTSAccording to the prediction by TRED, a promoter prediction software, PRL-3 gene promoter was located between -700 bp to 299 bp of PRL-3 gene. Many possible transcription factor binding sites such as for Snail, n-MYC, ARNT, E74A, NF-kappaB, NRF-2 and AML-1 were predicted by Consite, a promoter analysis web system. Interestingly, a 5'-CACCTG-3' core sequence and other related sequences of Snail binding sites were found in the promoter region of PRL-3 genes by Consite software. Two regions in PRL-3 promoter were validated to allow binding of Snail by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of SW480 cells.

CONCLUSIONSSnail regulates the activity of PRL-3 gene by binding to the promoter of PRL-3 gene in SW480 cells.

Base Sequence ; Binding Sites ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Computational Biology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; metabolism ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Software ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and pathological features of drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

METHODSLiver specimens were obtained through needle biopsies from 100 patients with DILI. The histological preparations of the specimens were stained with haematoxylin eosin, several histochemistry methods, and immunohistochemistry stains. The pathological changes of the livers were analyzed together with the patients's clinical data. The patients were divided into two groups, an acute DILI group (n=39) and a chronic DILI group (n=61), based on their clinical courses and histological changes in their livers. In the chronic DILI group, the clinical courses were longer than 6 months and/or fibrosis or cirrhosis occurred in their liver tissues.

RESULTSAmong our cases the leading cause of DILI was Chinese herb medicine, accounting for 21% of the 100 cases; steroids induced cases were 11% of the total. 78% of the patients presented elevated serum transaminases and/or jaundice. The degree of transaminases elevation and the frequency of jaundice happening in the acute group were significantly higher than those in the chronic group (P less than 0.05). The histopathological liver changes in these DILI cases included: (1) necrosis commonly occurred in acinar zone 3, (2) abundant neutrophil and/or eosinophil infiltrations, (3) hepatocytic and/or canalicular cholestasis with little or no inflammation, (4) microvesicular steatosis mixed with macrovesicular steatosis, and (5) presentation of epitheloid cell granuloma. There were no significant differences in liver histopathology between the acute and the chronic DILI groups, except that the fibrosis and the ductular proliferation were different.

CONCLUSIONDILI has become a notable liver disease in mainland China, and the use of Chinese herbal medicine must be improved, standardized and regulated more closely.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) on the transdifferentiation of cultured human tubular epithelial cell (HKC) induced by TGF-beta1 and to elucidate its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe cultured HKC cells were divided into 5 groups: serum-free group (negative control); single TGF-beta1 treated group (positive control); single BMP-7 treated group; combined TGF-beta1 and BMP-7 treated group; and BMP-7 pre-treated group. Expression of keratin of HKC cells was assessed by indirect enzyme immunohistochemistry (IEI), expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and E-cadherin by immunohistological method, percentage of alpha-SMA positive HKC cells by flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, and TGF-beta type II receptor by reverse transcription PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of alpha-SMA and the percentage of alpha-SMA positive HKC cells markedly increased after having been treated by TGF-beta1 while the expression of E-cadherin and keratin decreased. In the group pre-treated with BMP-7 (50 ng/ml) and then added with TGF-beta1 (8 ng/ml), expression of alpha-SMA was significantly lower than in the positive control group, while expression of E-cadherin and keratin significantly higher than in the positive control group. Measurement of the percentage of alpha-SMA positive HKC found significant deference between the combined TGF-beta1 and BMP-7 treated group and the positive control group (9.7% vs 19.8%; 5.8% vs 19.8%; P < 0.05). Significant difference existed between the BMP-7 (50 ng/ml) pre-treated group and the positive control group (8.7% vs 19.8%, P < 0.05). mRNA expression of alpha-SMA was measured by RT-PCR and the results showed that it significantly decreased in the group treated or pre-treated with BMP-7 (50 ng/ml) (15% and 12% of the results in the positive control group, respectively). The mRNA expression levels of both TGF-beta1 and its type II receptor significantly decreased (28% and 19%; 47% and 36%, compared with the positive control group, respectively).

CONCLUSIONTransdifferentiation of cultured renal epithelial cell induced by TGF-beta1 can be inhibittd by certain levels of BMP-7, cultured together with TGF-beta1 or pretreated. BMP-7 can prevent and inhibit the mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 and its type II receptor, which may be an important mechanism by which BMP-7 inhibit the transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cell.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Using cDNA from Rehmannia glutinosa leaf as template, a 972 bp fragment of expansin gene which containing a 762 bp ORF that encoded 253 amino acids, was cloned, named RgEXPA10, which GenBank accession number for this gene is KF011918. A 1 207 bp genomic sequence of RgEXPA10 was amplified by PCR with leaf DNA as template, sequencing analysis revealed that three exons and two introns in RgEXPA10 genomic sequence, and which GenBank accession number is KF011919. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses indicated that RgEXPA10 protein have DPBB_1 and Pollen_allerg_1 domain, also including a 26 aa nuclear localization signal and a 19 aa transmembrane region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RgEXPA10 showed the highest homology with AtEXPA8 among the 26 α-expansins in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the RgEXPA10 indicated the highest homology with the expansin from Solanum lycopersicum among 22 plant species. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that RgEXPA10 mainly expressed in unfolded leaf, followed by the tuberous root at stage of expanding period, and rarely expressed in senescing leaf. And RgEXPA10 showed higher expression level in tuberous root at 60 and 90 days after emergence. The transcription level of RgEXPA10 significantly reduced under all the three stresses including continuous cropping conditions, salinity and waterlogging. This study will lay foundations for molecular function in development and regulation of different stresses for R. glutinosa.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plant Roots ; Rehmannia ; genetics

BACKGROUNDCervical arthroplasty is indicated to preserve cervical motion and prevent accelerated adjacent segment degeneration. Whether accelerated adjacent segment degeneration is prevented in the long term is unclear. This trial compared adjacent segment degeneration in Bryan disc arthroplasty with that in anterior cervical decompression and fusion five years after the surgery.

METHODSWe studied patients with single level degenerative cervical disc disease. The extent of adjacent segment degeneration was estimated from lateral X-rays.

RESULTSTwenty-six patients underwent single level Bryan disc arthroplasty and twenty-four patients underwent single level anterior cervical decompression and fusion. All patients were followed up for an average of sixty months. In the Bryan arthroplasty group, nine (17.6%) segments developed adjacent segment degeneration, which was significantly lower than that (60.4%) in the anterior cervical decompression and fusion group. Eleven segments in the Bryan arthroplasty group developed heterotopic ossification according to McAfee's classification and two segments had range of motion less than 2°. In the heterotopic ossification group, four (19.5%) segments developed adjacent segment degeneration, similar to the number in the non-heterotopic ossification group (16.7%). Adjacent segment degeneration rate was 50% in grade IV group but 11.8% in grade II to III.

CONCLUSIONSAdjacent segment degeneration was accelerated after anterior cervical decompression and fusion. However, Bryan disc arthroplasty avoided accelerated adjacent segment degeneration by preserving motion. Patients with grade IV heterotopic ossification lost motion, and the rate of adjacent segment degeneration was higher than that in patients without heterotopic ossification.

Adult ; Arthroplasty ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Young Adult