Objective To investigate the expressions of Dapper1 in gastric carcinoma and elucidate its relationship with survivin and its role in tumor cell apoptosis. Methods Dapper1 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR using specimens from 30 cases of gastric carcinoma and the corresponding normal gastric mucosa.The pcDNA3.1-Dpr1 plasmid was transfected into SGC-7901 cells with LipofectamineTM 2000.The effect of upregulation of Dpr1 on SGC7901 cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.The downregulation of survivin、Dvl-2 and β-catenin protein expression were detected by Western blot analysis.Results Downregulation of Dpr1 gene expression was observed in 17(57%)of 30 human gastric cancer and the downregulation was significantly correlated with the depth of invasion and the degree of differentiation (P＜0.05).Also,upregulation of Dpr1 mRNA and downregulation of survivin mRNA were detected after transfecting pcDNA3.1-Dpr1 plasmid in SGC7901 cells,which led to downregulation of survivin、Dvl-2、β-catenin protein and increase of the SGC7901 cell apoptosis rate from 2.89%to 13.96%.Conclusion Downregulation of Dp1l gene expression is common in human gastric carcinoma,and upregulation of Dpr1 results in significant inhibition of survivin expression which can induce apoptosis of SGC7901 cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and accuracy of length measurement of in vivo teeth by using cone beam CT (CBCT).

METHODSBefore orthodontic extraction, 109 vital premolars from 40 participants were scanned by using CBCT and reconstructed by using InVivoDental software. Buccal-lingual sectional images along the long axis of teeth were then acquired, and the crown, root, and tooth length were measured separately. After careful extraction and fixation, the corresponding length of the same tooth was measured by using a digital caliper. CBCT measurement accuracy was then verified by using physical measurements as reference.

RESULTSCBCT and the physical method did not obtain significantly different measurements of the root, crown, and tooth length of experimental teeth (P=0.790, P=0.621, P=0.657, respectively), and the measurements were found to be consistent. The 95% limits of agreement of root, crown, and tooth length were -1.10 mm to 1.13 mm, -1.00 mm to 0.96 mm, and -1.00 mm to 1.05 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe difference between CBCT and the physical method was not significant, and good consistency was shown. CBCT could be applied in noninvasive measurement of in vivo teeth.

Bicuspid ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Tooth ; Tooth Root

Objective To investigate the influence of preoperative diabetes mellitus (DM) on postoperative morbidity of pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 302 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy from January 1,2005 to August 31,2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Results 113 patients (37.4％)had preoperative DM among the total 302 patients.The percentage of the major complication including pancreatic fistulas,delayed gastric emptying,infections,acute kidney injury and mortality accounted for 19.9％,12.9％,25.9％,36.0％,3.2％ and 3.5％ respectively.In the DM group,firm pancreatic texture was more common than that in non-DM group (x2 =15.175,P ＜ 0.01).While pancreatic fistula in the DM group developed less frequently(x2 =7.811,P =0.005) than that in non-DM group.Delayed gastric emptying,infections,acute kidney injury,hemorrhage,pulmonary,cardiovascular and neurologic complications,as well as length of stay in hospital and mortality were in similar frequency in the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed DM(OR =0.358,P =0.035) and firm pancreatic texture(OR =0.395,P =0.032) were protective factors against pancreatic fistula while preoperative jaundice(OR =3.819,P =0.010) and intraoperative blood transfusion (OR =1.268,P =0.001) were predisposing factors for pancreatic fistula.Conclusions With good control of perioperative glucose level,DM does not increase operation risk in pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Objective To clone,express and characterize a tegument protein gene of Schistosoma japonicum(Sj29),and investigate the immune protection of the recombinant protein against S.japonicum in mice.Methods The gene coding for Sj29 protein was amplified by PCR,and the sequence was analyzed by bioinformatics tools.Partial fragment of Sj29 gene was subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28c(+).The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) and induced the recombinant with IPTG.The recombinant protein(rSj29) was purified by His-binding-resin affinity chromatography and characterized by Western blotting.Three groups each with 10 BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously three times(two weeks interval) respectively with 100 ?l recombinant rSj29(0.1 mg/ml),adjuvant or PBS.At the 15th day after the final inoculation,each mouse was challenged by 40 ?2 cercariae of S.japonicum.At the 53th day after infection,the mice were sacrificed to obtain the number of adult worms,number of eggs in liver and feces.Serum samples were collected at pre-immunization and certain time after immuniza-tion,and were analyzed for IgG by ELISA.The localization of rSj29 in worms of different developmental stages was demonstrated by immunofluorescent technique.mRNA expression level of Sj29 gene in worms of different developmental stages and three groups after infection was detected by quantitative real-time PCR.Results A 576 bp Sj29 gene fragment was obtained.The recombinant protein rSj29 with Mr 22 900 was expressed in the form of inclusion body.The recombinant rSj29 can be recognized by sera of mice immunized with rSj29 and sera of infected mice.The number of adult worms(15.4?5.9),number of hepatic eggs(40 143.3?2 995.9) and number of fecal eggs(3 803.9?110.9) in re-combinant protein group were significantly higher than those of PBS control group(20?3.4,49 318.1?6 648.3,5 238.1? 303.5,respectively)(P

Objective To evaluate complete mesocolic excision in laparoscopy-assisted right hemicolon carcinoma radical resection. Methods Laparoscopy-assisted right hemicolon carcinoma radical resection with complete right-side mesocolic excision was performed in 36 cases between June 2010 and July 2011 at Zhongshan Hospital,Xiamen University. Results The operations were completed successfully without conversion to open surgery.The mean operative time was (134 ±22) min.The blood loss was (95 ±53 ) ml.The median number of total lymph nodes removed was 15.7.The average time for passage of flatus was (3.1 ± 1.2) d.The postoperative complications were observed in 6 of 36 cases (17％) including lymphatic fistulas in 4 patients,pulmonary infection in 1 patient and postoperative bleeding in 1 case.Conclusions Laparoscopy-assisted complete right-side mesocohc excision can be successfully performed for right hemicolon carcinoma,and the lymphoid tissue could be eliminated maximally.The long-term results need further evaluation.

Objective: To observe the controlled hypotension effects of nicardipine in 2 different ways for spinal tumor operalion. Methods: Twenty-four adult patients, scheduled for selective spinal tumor operation, were randomly divided into 2 groups. In groupⅠ(n=12), the nicardipine was infused at a rate of 10 μg*kg-1*min-1 and the infusion continued until MAP was at the level of 7.33-8.66 kPa, and then the rate was decreased to 1 μg*kg-1*min-1. In Group Ⅱ(n=12), nicardipine was given 0.01-0.02 mg/kg as the load dose, then infused at 1-2 μg*kg-1*min-1. Results: During the period of controlled hypotension, cardiac index(CI) increased significantly, other hemodynamic variables were stable and no hypertension rebound occurred in both groups. Reaching time of target blood pressure in groupⅡ was shorter than that in groupⅠ（P＜0.05）. The dose required to obtain target blood pressure in group Ⅱwas less than that in group Ⅰ（P＜0.05）. BP recovery time from discontinuing nicardipine infusion to pre-hypotension level,bleeding volume and transfusion volume were similar between 2 groups（P＞0.05）.During mass bleeding,　serious arrhythmia and oliguria did not occur in any case. Conclusion: Controlled hypotension with nicardipine is rapid, stable and easily controlled without hypertension rebound. Nicardipine has considerable protective effects on heart and kidney during mass bleeding. The method of bolus injection followed with intravenous infusion is more suitable to clinical application.

Artemisinin, a new and a very potent antimalarial drug, is produced by the Chinese medicinal herb Artemisia annua L. It is a sesquiterpene lactone with an endoperoxide bridge and is active against chloroquine resistant forms of Plasmodium falciparum. The relatively low yield (0.01% - 0.6%) of artemisinin in A. annua is a serious limitation to the commercialization of the drug. Therefore, a through understanding of the biosynthetic pathway and the characterization of the involved enzymes are important for the biology production of artemisinin. This review is focused on the recent progress in the molecular regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis from the following aspects: the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin, the key enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis, and the molecular regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis. The biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin belongs to the isoprenoid metabolite pathway, the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of artemisinin include: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS), and amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase, of which amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase catalyzes the cyclisation of the ubiquitous precursor farnesyl diphosphate to the highly specific olefinic sesquiter-pene skeletons and has been postulated as the regulatory step in the biosynthesis of artemisinin. Recently the gene encoding of the amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase has been cloned and the functional expressions have been studied by several research teams, therefore, the breakthroughs in production of artemisinin could hopefully be achieved by metabolic engineering of the plant, in particular, by over-expressing enzyme(s) catalyzing the rate limiting step(s) of artemisinin biosynthesis or by inhibiting the enzyme(s) of other pathway competing for its precursors. Besides, the effects of the heterogenesis isoprenoid pathway related genes on artemisinin biosynthesis of the transformed plants were also discussed.
Alkyl and Aryl Transferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antimalarials ; metabolism ; Artemisia annua ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Artemisinins ; metabolism ; Biotechnology ; methods ; Models, Biological ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo identify the antithrombin (AT) phenotype and gene mutation of a kindred with hereditary antithrombin deficiency.

METHODSPlasma AT activity and AT antigen level of the propositus and his kindred members were determined with chromogenic substrate method and immunoassay, respectively. All the seven exons and intron-exon boundaries of antithrombin gene were analyzed by PCR and direct sequencing of amplified PCR products from the propositus.

RESULTSThe propositus AT antigen level was normal but his AT activity was only 65% of normal value suggesting that he had type II AT deficiency. A heterozygous G13830A mutation in exon 6 resulting in Arg393His missense mutation in his AT polypeptide was identified in the propositus. The same phenotype and gene mutation were found in other 3 kindred members.

CONCLUSIONThe type II AT deficiency found in this kindred is caused by heterozygous G13830A mutation in AT gene.

Adult ; Antithrombin III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antithrombin III Deficiency ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo observe calf thymus DNA damage induced by potassium dichromate in combination with glutathione (GSH).

METHODSAtomic force microscope and ultraviolet spectrum (UV) were used to observe the alterations of the DNA ultrastructure and absorption spectrum.

RESULTSAtomic force microscopy revealed no breaks of the DNA strand in response to treatment with potassium dichromate alone, but when coupled with GSH at proper concentrations, potassium dichromate induced alterations in the DNA structure and DNA fragmentation. UV examination also confirmed these findings by showing increased absorption intensity of the maximum UV peak following combined treatment of the DNA with potassium dichromate and GSH.

CONCLUSIONThese morphological and spectrographic evidences verified the important role of GSH in mediating the generation of various tumor-inducing intermediate products of potassium dichromate.

Animals ; Cattle ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Glutathione ; toxicity ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; drug effects ; Potassium Dichromate ; toxicity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

OBJECTIVETo compare the masticatory efficiency and the character of mandibular movement trace of the patients with complete denture (CD), complete overdenture (COD) and implant-supported overdenture (IOD).

METHODSA total of 42 subjects were rehabilitated with CD, COD and IOD respectively and wore the dentures at least half a year. Each study group was composed of 14 subjects. The masticatory function of patients were investigated by means of masticatory efficiency and mandibular movement trace. The characters of mandibular movement trace were evaluated from four aspects: the regulation of chewing cycle, centralization of end traces, the type of the contact slides and the type of the trace on the frontal plane.

RESULTSThe average chewing efficiency of almond and jujube in the IOD patients was higher than that in the CD group (P < 0.01), and the chewing efficiency of almond in COD group was higher than that in the CD group (P < 0.01). In the IOD group, there were more patients with regular chewing cycle (P < 0.05) and centralized end traces (P < 0.01) in mandibular movement than those in the CD group and COD group.

CONCLUSIONSIOD and COD benefit the fully or partially edentulous patients with a relatively good masticatory function. The patients with IOD have more regular mandibular movement than those with CD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Denture, Complete ; Denture, Overlay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; physiology ; Mastication ; physiology ; Middle Aged