OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between microRNA and drug resistance in leukemia treatment by screening and identifying the microRNAs which differentially express in K562 cell line and its adriamycin resistant cells-K562/A02 cell line.

METHODSThe drug resistance potency of K562/A02 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. P-gp expression of K562 and K562/A02 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The differentially expressed microRNAs in K562 and K562/A02 cells were analyzed by microarray technique and Real Time RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe resistance to adriamycin (ADM) of K562/A02 cells was 180 fold greater than that of K562 cells. P-gp expression rate of K562 and K562/A02 cells was 0.2% and 86%, respectively. Twenty-two microRNAs expressed differentially in K562 and K562/A02 cells (P < 0.01). As compared to K562 cells, expressions of miR-221, miR-155 and miR-451 were up-regulated by more than two fold, while expression of miR-98, miR-181a, let-7f, let-7g, miR-424 and miR-563 down-regulated by more than two fold in K562/A02 cells. The results of real time RT-PCR were consistent with that of microarray. Of note, differential expressions of miR-451, miR-155, miR-221, let-7f and miR-424 were remarkable.

CONCLUSIONK562/A02 cells show a different microRNA expression profile as compared to its parental K562 cells, suggesting microRNAs including miR-221, miR-155, miR-451, let-7f and miR-424 may be involved in the mechanism of drug resistance in leukemia. These differentially expressed microRNAs provide potential novel targets for overcoming drug-resistance.

Doxorubicin ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; MicroRNAs ; genetics

Five structural important residues of rice nonspecific lipid transfer protein LTP110 were mutated by site-directed mutagenesis. Sequence results showed that they were all mutated successfully. After trying various E. coli expression systems, thioredoxin fusion expression system was found to be a proper system to express wild type and mutant LTP110. cDNA sequences encoding wild type LTP110 and the mutants Y17A, P72L, R46A, D43A, C50A were cloned into two kinds of thioredoxin fusion expression vectors. The expression results were compared. In pTrxFus/GI724 expression system, wild type LTP110 and the mutants Y17A, P72L, R46A could be expressed at low level while D43A and C50A could not be expressed normally; in pET32a(+)/BL21 (DE3) trxB- expression system, wild type LTP110 and all mutant proteins could be expressed very well and the levels were higher than that in pTrxFus/GI724 system. LTP110 fusion protein expressed in pET32a(+) vector was purified and its activity was checked by fluorescence labeled fatty acid. Results indicated that the recombinant LTP110 fusion protein has lipid binding activity. This work provides good basis for the further study.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Engineering ; Genetic Vectors ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Oryza ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Thioredoxins ; genetics

Objective To investigate the effects of standardized tertiary rehabilitation (STR) on limb motor function (LMF) after stroke.Methods Eighty-two patients were divided into a primary cerebral infarction group (PCI group) and a primary cerebral hemorrhage group (PCH group),and then randomly further divided into experi- mental and control sub-groups.All patients received routine internal medicine treatment,supplemented with stand- ardized tertiary" rehabilitation in the experimental groups.All patients were assessed with the simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (S-FMMFA) at enrollment,and 1,3 and 6 months after their stroke.Results The scores of the experimental groups were higher than those of the controls.The experimental groups scores were 26.10% of normal at the time of the enrollment,and improved to 42.52%,65.62% and 83.71% by the end of the 1st,3rd and 6th month,respectively.The control groups started at 18.51%,and progressed to 24.85% ,37.24% and 45.84% over the same interval.Conclusion STR was associated with improved LMF scores of stroke pa- tients.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation Disorders ; complications ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the pathology, diagnostic and therapeutic method of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD).

METHODSThe data of 5 cases of PPNAD were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 5 cases, 2 were male and 3 were female. The range of age was from 12 to 53 years. All the 5 cases had symptoms of Cushing syndrome. The diagnose depended on the results of endocrine exams, ultrasound, CT, MR and pathological reports. All patients received operation of unilateral adrenalectomy. The therapeutic effects were determined by post-operative results, which concluded clinical symptoms and endocrine exams.

RESULTSThe follow-up time was from 4 months to 3 years. All patients' symptoms of Cushing syndrome were relieved in 6 months after operation. The endocrine exam was normal in one case and obvious improved in the other four cases. Up to now, one patient drop out of the follow-up, the other 4 cases had no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONPPNAD is a rare type of Cushing syndrome. Diagnose depends on endocrine exams and pathological results. Operation is the effective method for the disease.

Adolescent ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Child ; Cushing Syndrome ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent that has been proposed to improve cognitive performance at the preclinical and clinical levels. Since there is insufficient evidence for modafinil to be regarded as a cognitive enhancer, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic modafinil administration on behavioral learning in healthy adult rats. METHODS: Y-maze training was used to assess learning performance, and the whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to assess synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region of rats. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of modafinil at 200 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg significantly improved learning performance. Furthermore, perfusion with 1mM modafinil enhanced the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous postsynaptic currents and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices. However, the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons were inhibited by treatment with 1mM modafinil. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that modafinil improves learning and memory in rats possibly by enhancing glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission and inhibiting GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic) inhibitory synaptic transmission.
Adult ; Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; Humans ; Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials ; Learning* ; Memory ; Neurons ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; Synaptic Potentials ; Synaptic Transmission*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors regarding the recovery of postoperative blood pressure of aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) patients.

METHODSSixty-eight patients with APA were recruited and their data including retinal blood vessel by Doppler sonography, urinary trace albumin, pathological changes of renal biopsy and the adrenal tissues around the adenoma were analyzed in order to determine the correlation between these data and postoperative durative hypertension.

RESULTSPostoperative durative hypertension occurred in 14 cases (41.2%) with increased resistance of unilateral or bilateral central artery of retina, in 16 cases (66.7%) with increased level of urinary trace albumin. Fifteen cases underwent renal biopsy and all of them showed different pathological alterations, 11 cases (73.3%) of which presented with postoperative durative hypertension. The pathological changes of the adrenal tissues around the adenoma is either atrophy or non-atrophy (normal or hyperplasia), 8 cases (40%) and 10 cases (22.2%) of which showed postoperative durative hypertension, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe renal pathological changes and increased resistance of retinal blood vessel are the main reasons leading to postoperative hypertension in patients with APA.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Adrenal Glands ; pathology ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Retinal Artery ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Resistance ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the reasons for the complications of polyacrylamide hydrogel injection.

METHODS39 patients were included in this study, who had complications after polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in the breasts, nose, temproal area or depressed locus. The clinical manifestations of the complications were analyzed.

RESULTSPostoperative infection occurred in 5 cases, induration in 23, pain in 25, ulceration of the puncture points in 9, displacement in 6, galactostasis in 1, skin necrosis in 1, breast deformation in 3, bilateral asymmetry in 4, aseptic inflammation in 10, and skin-acne-like changes on the face in 4.

CONCLUSIONSome complications were caused mainly by incorrect manipulation and others were relative to the injected material. The applications of polyacrylamide hydrogel as a clinical implant material need further investigations. Polyacrylamide hydrogel injection should be cautiously used.

Acrylic Resins ; adverse effects ; Adult ; Bacterial Infections ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgery, Plastic ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between frequency of fruit and vegetable intake and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSIn 2007, 48 974 Chinese residents aged 15 - 69 years were selected as study participants by multistage stratified proportionate to size random sampling from the 161 sites of Disease Surveillance Points System. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect relevant information to compare the risk for self-reported physician diagnosed COPD between different frequency groups for fruit (< 2, 2 - 4, 5 - 7 d/week) and vegetable (< 4, 4 - 5, 6 - 7 d/week) intake.

RESULTSThe proportion of vegetable intake was 89.9% (44 019/48 974) and 4.6% (2262/48 974) for individuals with frequency of 6-7 and < 4 d/week respectively. The proportion of fruit intake was 30.8% (15 072/48 974) and 31.5% (15 432/48 974) for individuals with frequency of 5 - 7 and < 2 d/week respectively. The prevalence of self-reported COPD was 2.9% (1412/48 974). After adjusting for age, sex, urban/rural areas, passive smoking exposure and family history, the risk of COPD decreased among those with high frequency (5 - 7 d/week) of fruit intake (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.66 - 0.98 for never smokers; OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.64 - 0.99 for ever smokers), compared to subjects with low frequency of fruit intake (< 2 d/week). Among never smokers, those with high frequency of vegetable intake (6 - 7 d/w) had a low risk of developing COPD (OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.48 - 0.89).

CONCLUSIONThere were beneficial effects of fruit and vegetable intake on COPD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diet ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vegetables ; Young Adult