Objective: Proto-oncogene Zbtb7A has been characterized as a molecular switch in the process of cancer initiation and development.Our goal is to obtain the POZ domain of the Zbtb7A protein and prepare its polyclonal antibodies.Methods: We optimized the coding sequence of the POZ domain according to the codon bias of E.coli and synthesized the sequence with two-step PCR,which was then introduced into the pET-26b(+) vector to express the protein.The recombinant protein was analyzed by 15% SDS-PAGE and the corresponding band was cut out from gel.The minced gel slice that contained the POZ domain protein was injected to immunize rabbits.The collected rabbit antiserum was purified using the saturated ammonium sulfate method in combination with protein G antibody purification,and the purified polyclonal antibodies was evaluated by Western blot.Results: The optimized sequence of the POZ domain was correctly obtained and successfully constructed into the pET-26b(+) vector.After induction,an expected protein band about 14 KD was detected on 15% SDS-PAGE,and highly purified polyclonal antibodies were obtained,which were specifically bound to human Zbtb7A.Conclusion: The obtained recombinant protein of the POZ domain and its polyclonal antibodies can be used for further studies of Zbtb7A.

Objective:Mesenchymal stem cells( MSCs) have self-renewal capacity and potential to differentiate into the cells.It was reported that the expression of miR-30a changed in some immune diseases.But it remains unclear the effect of miR-30a on the im-munoregulatory functions of MSCs.Here we studied the impact of miR-30a on the phenotype,cell viability,apoptosis,cell cycle and im-munoregulatory functions of MSCs.Methods: The mixed enzyme methods were used for the isolation of human umbilical cord MSCs.Flow cytometry(FCM)was used to investigate the effect of overexpressed miR-30a on the phenotype of MSCs.CCK-8 was used to examine the cell viability of miR-30a-overexpressed MSCs.Annexin V/PI was used for the detection of apoptosis of MSCs.Q-PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the effect of miR-30a on the expression of Cyclin E2( CCNE2).CCNE2 was one putative target of miR-30a predicted by Targetscan database.The effects of miR-30a-overexpressed MSCs on the maturation of dendritic cells(DCs)were determined.Results:Overexpression of miR-30a blocked the cell cycle of MSCs in the G0/G1 phase by inhibiting the expression of CCNE2,but did not affect the phenotype, cell viability and apoptosis of MSCs.When co-cultured with DCs, although MSCs down-regulated the expression of CD40 and CD86 on DCs,overexpression of miR-30a more significantly enhanced the suppressive impact of MSCs on the maturation of DCs.Conclusion: miR-30a affects the cell cycle of MSCs and enhances its immunosuppressive effect on DCs.

It is the intent of this study to estimate the progression or regression of edema at the bedside continuously. Based on the theoretic model, the Adaptive Genetic Algorithm (AGA) has been applied in the calculation of conductivity reconstruction. Dynamic crossover and mutation operators which are based on Haiming Distance are brought forward in this paper to maintain generation's diversity. Then, both AGA and Standard GA (SGA) have been applied in the conductivity reconstruction of edema in human brain. It is shown that AGA not only has attained a higher degree of efficiency but also has enhanced the capability to converge to the best answer.
Algorithms ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; pathology ; Computer Simulation ; Edema ; pathology ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Models, Biological

It is the intent of this paper to locate the activation point in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) efficiently. The schemes of coil array in torus shape is presented to get the electromagnetic field distribution with ideal focusing capability. Then an improved adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) is applied to the optimization of both value and phase of the current infused in each coil. Based on the calculated results of the optimized current configurations, ideal focusing capability is drawn as contour lines and 3-D mesh charts of magnitude of both magnetic and electric field within the calculation area. It is shown that the coil array has good capability to establish focused shape of electromagnetic distribution. In addition, it is also demonstrated that the coil array has the capability to focus on two or more targets simultaneously.
Algorithms ; Brain ; physiology ; Electric Stimulation ; instrumentation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Equipment Design ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; physiology ; Humans ; Neurons ; physiology ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Objective To evaluate the role of thioredoxin?interacting protein(TXNIP)∕oligomer?ization domain?like receptor family pyrin domain?containing 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway in renal ische?mia?reperfusion(I∕R)injury in diabetic rats. Methods Pathogen?free healthy male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 8-12 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were used in the study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intrap?eritoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin 65 mg∕kg and confirmed by blood glucose≥16.7 mmol∕L 3 days lat?er. Twenty?four diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups(n=8 each)using a random number table: sham operation group(group S), renal I∕R group(group I∕R)and resveratrol(TXNIP inhibitor)group (group R). Resveratrol 10 mg∕kg was intraperitoneally injected every day for 7 consecutive days starting from 3rd week after successful establishment of the model in group R. At 4th week after successful establish?ment of the model, renal I∕R was produced by occlusion of bilateral renal pedicles for 25 min followed by reperfusion in anesthetized rats in group R. The animals were sacrificed at 48 h of reperfusion, and renal specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of pathologic changes and for measurement of malondi?aldehyde(MDA)content, superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and superoxide anion scavenging capa?bility(using colorimetric method), interleukin?1beta(IL?1β)and IL?18 contents(by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay), cell apoptosis(using TUNEL)and expression of TXNIP, NLRP3 and caspase?1 in renal tissues(using Western blot). Blood samples were obtained from the left ventricle for determination of serum urea nitrogen(BUN)and creatinine(Cr)concentrations. Results Compared with group S, the serum Cr concentration and apoptosis index were significantly increased, superoxide anion scavenging capability in renal tissues was decreased, and the expression of TXNIP, NLRP3 and caspase?1 was up?reg?ulated in I∕R and R groups, and the serum BUN concentration and contents of MDA, IL?1β and IL?18 in renal tissues were increased, the SOD activity was decreased(P<0.05), and the pathological changes of renal tissues were aggravated in group I∕R. Compared with group I∕R, the serum BUN and Cr concentra?tions were significantly decreased, the contents of MDA, IL?1β and IL?18 and apoptosis index were de?creased, the SOD activity and superoxide anion scavenging capability were increased, the expression of TXNIP, NLRP3 and caspase?1 was down?regulated(P<0.05), and the pathological changes of renal tis?sues were significantly attenuated in group R. Conclusion The pathophysiological mechanism of renal I∕R injury is associated with the activation of TXNIP∕NLRP3 signaling pathway in diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether propofol could attenuate hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis and autophagy in human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2) by inhibiting JNK activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HK-2 cells were treated with or without propofol or JNK inhibitor SP600125 for 1 hour and then subjected to 15 hours of hypoxia and 2 hours of reoxygenation (H/R). Cell viability and LDH release were measured with commercial kits. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. The expressions of p-JNK, cleaved-caspase-3, Bcl-2, and autophagy markers LC3 and p62 were measured by Western blot or immunofluorescence. RESULTS: HK-2 cells exposed to H/R insult showed higher cell injury (detected by increased LDH release and decreased cell viability), increased cell apoptosis index and expression of cleaved-caspase-3, a decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 accompanied by increased expression of p-JNK and LC3II, and a decrease in expression of p62. All of these alterations were attenuated by propofol treatment. Similar effects were provoked upon treatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125. Moreover, the protective effects were more obvious with the combination of propofol and SP600125. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that propofol could attenuate hypoxia/reoxygenation induced apoptosis and autophagy in HK-2 cells, probably through inhibiting JNK activation.
Anoxia ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Propofol