Objective To investigate the effect of exogenous semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) on apoptosis in primary cultured rat cortical neurons and the roles of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt) pathway in apoptosis induced by Sema3A.Methods Newborn Sprague-Dawley rat cortical neurons were cultured in vitro and they were identified by microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP-2) staining The cultured cortical neurons were treated with various concentrations of Sema3A (0,500,1 000,and 2 000 μg/ml) for 48hours.Neuronal survival rate was detected with CCK8 assay.Neuronal apoptosis was detected with Hoechst33342 staining and TUNEL staining.The expressions of P-Akt,Akt and Bcl-2 in cortical neurons were determined with Western blotting.Results The purity of cortical neurons culture was more than 95％.CCK8 assay showed that the survival rates of cortical neurons in the groups of 500,1 000and 2 000 μg/ml Sema3A were 80.9％ ± 5.3％,67.5％ ± 3.9％ and 50.2％ ± 4.4％ of the control group,respectively (F =165.042,P =0.000).Hoechst33342 staining showed that the apoptosis rate in the normal control group and the groups of 500,1 000and 2 000 μg/ml Sema3A were 22.4％ ± 1.2％,34.0％ ± 1.2％,39.3％ ± 1.4％ and 47.3％ ±2.3％,respectively (F =103.237,P =0.000).TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis rate in the normal control group and the groups of 500,1 000and 2 000 μg/ml Sema3A were 23.9％ ± 1.1％,31.9％ ± 1.0％,40.1％ ± 1.5％ and 51.4％ ± 3.4％,respectively (F =103.118,P =0.000).Western blotting showed that the expressions of P-Akt (F =15.959,P =0.001) and Bcl-2 (F=18.776,P =0.001) decreased gradually,while the expression of Akt had no significant changes (F =0.590,P =0.639).Conclusions Sema3A can decrease the survival rate of the cultured cortical neurons,mainly by inducing apoptosis,and the mechanism of which might be related to the down-regulation of expressions of P-Akt and Bcl-2.

Objective To explore the effects of disease adaptation intervention in young and middle-aged patients undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis.Methods Using convenience sampling method,a total of 88 patients undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis were assigned into the experimental group and the control group from the inpatient ward of Nephrology Department of a tertiary hospital in Zhengzhou City.The experimental group received the comprehensive adaptation intervention and routine care,and the control group only received routine care.Before and after the intervention,the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale(PAIS-SR) and Short Form of 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) were used to assess the disease adaptability and quality of life of two groups,and the degree of edema and serum albumin index of two groups were recorded.Results Before and after the intervention,there were significant differences in the scores of psychosocial adaptation and each dimension,the scores of physical health and mental health in the experimental group,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜ 0.05);there were significant differences in the scores of psychosocial adaptation and each dimension in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05),but the differences of the scores of physical health and mental health were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).After the intervention,there were significant differences in the scores of psychosocial adaptation and each dimension,the scores of physical health and mental health between the two groups(P＜0.05);but the differences of serum albumin and edema index of two groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Comprehensive adaptation intervention can improve the ability of disease adaptation and the quality of life in young and middle-aged patients undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis.

We have previously established a culture method to isolate and cultivate neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from the rat embryonic brain and spinal cord. In the present study, we demonstrate that the spinal cord-derived NSCs can be induced to differentiate into oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) with a combined treatment composed of (1) conditioned medium collected from B104 neuroblastoma cells (B104CM) and (2) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, 10 ng/ml). After induction, over 95% of the cells displayed bipolar or tri-polar morphology and expressed A2B5 and platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFR-alpha), markers that are specific for OPCs. Among PDGFR-alpha positive OPCs, only a few cells expressed glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and none expressed beta-tubulin III. In the presence of B104CM and bFGF, OPCs proliferated rapidly, formed spheres, expanded for multiple passages, and maintained their phenotypic properties. Upon withdrawal of B104CM and bFGF, these cells differentiated into either O4/GlaC-positive oligodendrocytes (OLs) or GFAP- and A2B5-positive type-2 astrocytes. Our results indicate that NSCs can be induced to differentiate into OPCs that possess properties of self-renewal and differentiation into oligodendrocytes and type-2 astrocytes, a property similar to that of O-2A progenitor cells. The OPCs can be maintained in an undifferentiated state over multiple divisions as long as both B104CM and bFGF are present in the medium. Thus, large quantity of OPCs can be obtained through this method for potential therapeutical interventions for various neurological degenerative diseases.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; physiology ; Hexanones ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Neuroblastoma ; pathology ; Oligodendroglia ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

In order to establish K562 line with stable expressions of hermap and hermap-siRNA, amplified hermap and hermap-siRNA were cloned into pEGFP-c1 and pRNAT to acquire hermap-pEGFP-c1 and hermap-siRNA-pRNAT, respectively. These two plasmids were electrotransferred into K562 cells, then were followed by culturing with G418. The result showed that the transfer rate of hermap-pEGFP-c1-K562 and hermap-siRNA-pRNAT-K562 plasmids were 10.0% and 9.3%, respectively. After selective culture by G418, these two cell lines were still able to express GFP. It is concluded that the eukaryotic expression plasmids containing hermap and hermap-siRNA have been successfully constructed, and the cell lines of hermap-K562 and hermap-siRNA-K562 are established, definitely contributing to further functional investigation on HERMAP and its interaction with other proteins.
Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of trsatuzumab (Herceptin) combined with FOLFIRI regimen (irinotecan plus 5-FU/LV) in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.

METHODST Thirty-four patients with pathologically confirmed advanced gastric cancer, all positive for the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as identified by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, were randomized into the test group and control group to for treatment with the combined regimen and the FOLFIRI regimen alone, respectively. FOLFIRI regimen was administered every 2 weeks for 2 to 4 cycles. Trsatuzumab was given intravenously on a weekly basis with an initial dose of 4 mg/kg and a subsequent dose of 2 mg/kg. All the patients were assessed for efficacy and toxicity of the treatments.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 58.8% in the test group and 35.3% in the control group, with disease control rates of 88.2% and 64.7%, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The most frequent grade I/II treatment-related adverse events included diarrhea, nausea/vomiting and neutropenia.

CONCLUSIONTrsatuzumab combined with FOLFIRI regimen is effective, safe and well tolerated for treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Trastuzumab

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging ( PW-DTI) in evaluating left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Mitral annular velocities (MAV) were measured by PW-DTI in 35 patients with CHF and 25 healthy subjects. Traditional indices for evaluating the global left ventricular function by conventional echocardiography were also studied as a comparison. RESULTS: Peak systolic, peak early diastolic, peak late diastolic mitral annular velocities ( Sa, Ea, Aa), and Ea/Aa ratio progressively decreased in CHF patients compared with the healthy subjects (P <0.01 ). Sa of the mitral annulus correlated linearly with the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (r =0.890, P < 0.01). Compared with the healthy subjects, Ea in all 3 subgroups of diastolic dysfunction in the CHF group significantly decreased (P <0.01). Aa in 2 subgroups (pseudonormal filling and restrictive filling) decreased (P < 0.01 ) and the decreased Ea/Aa was found in the delayed relaxation and pseudonormal filling subgroups compared with the healthy subjects (P<0.001). CONCLUSION MAV measured by PW-DTI can be used for assessing the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in CHF patients.
Diastole ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Systole ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

In order to investigate the potential role of human ERMAP gene in erythropoiesis, the ERMAP-dsDNA was designed, ERMAP-shRNA expressing plasmids was constructed, and ERMAP-shRNA/K562 cell was established. Cell morphology, biphenylamine staining, expression of cell surface antigens as well as quantitative level of human ERMAP gene were observed during K562 cells differentiating toward erythroid lineage induced by Ara-C. The results showed that at 72 hours after Ara-C treatment, ERMAP-shRNA/K562 cell size became large with increasing cytoplasm content. The percentage of biphenylamine positive cells increased from 1.17% to 2.04% (p < 0.05), but still lower than that in group K562 + Ara-C. The percentage of CD36(-)/CD235a(+) increased from 8.83% to 11.28%, CD36(+)/CD235a(+) increased from 1.23% to 2.64%, and CD36(+)/CD235a(-) increased from 0.59% to 1.47% respectively, which were all lower than that in group K562 + Ara-C at either time point. At the same time, the level of ERMAP expression increased slowly from 2.52 x 10(-3) to 4.53 x 10(-3), which was also significantly lower than that of group K562 + Ara-C. It is concluded that the ERMAP-shRNA inhibits the Ara-C-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, which further suggests that there is relationship between hERMAP and erythroid differentiation and development.
Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; Butyrophilins ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cytarabine ; pharmacology ; Erythropoiesis ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology

Objective To compare the difference of cutpoint and clinical significance of HbA1C for the diagnosis of abnormal glucose metabolism in two population groups with different ages.Methods According to oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT),the cutpoint and clinical significance of HbA1C for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose regulation(IGR)were investigated in the two population groups.Results The mean HbA1C of 1 064 young subjects in an academy and 1 671 aged subjects in a community were 5.31% ±0.41% and 5.79% ±0.71%,respectively.The cutpoints of HbA1C for diagnosis of diabetes were 5.7%(specificity 86.7%,sensitivity 66.7%)and 5.9%(specificity 73.8%,sensitivity 80.1%)in the two population groups,and 5.6% for diagnosis of IGR (specificity 82.8%,sensitivity 55.8%)and 5.7%(specificity 60.9%,sensitivity 64.3%),respectively.87.8%,78.7%,and 38.5% were diagnosed diabetes by current OGTT criteria at HbA1C levels of ≥5.7%,≥5.9%,and≥6.5%,IGR being 61.6%,39.6%,and 4.1%,and normal glucose tolerance being 24.4%,10.0%,and 0.4%.Conclusion The cutpoints of HbA1C for diagnosis of diabetes and IGR are different in populations with different ages and HbA1C levels.As one of diagnostic criteria for diabetes,HbA1C 6.5% with relatively higher specificity and lower sensitivity must be combined with fasting blood glucose,random blood glucose,and OGTT.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the alterations of serum proteomic pattern in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by SELDI-TOF-MS, to establish a diagnostic model of ESCC screening in high incidence area and investigate its clinical value.

METHODSSELDI-TOF-MS and CM10 proteinChip were used to detect the serum proteomic patterns of 36 cases of ESCC and 38 healthy control subjects in high incidence area. The data were analyzed and a diagnostic model was established by using support vector machine (SVM). The diagnostic model was evaluated by leave-one-out cross validation.

RESULTSAt the molecular weight range of 2000 to 20,000, 31 protein peaks were significantly different between ESCC and controls (P < 0.01). A diagnostic model consisting of 4 protein peaks could do the best in diagnosis of ESCC and controls. The accuracy was 85.1%, sensitivity was 86.1%, specificity was 84.2%, and positive value was 83.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic model formed by 4 protein peaks, established in this study, can well distinguish ESCC from healthy subjects. It provides a new approach for ESCC screening in high incidence area.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Mapping ; Protein Array Analysis ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo provide the fittest model for forecasting schistosomiasis prevalence in Haokou village of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for waterstore" in Dongting Lake areas by comparing the results of Moving Average, Exponential Smoothing, Autoregressive Model and Autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA model) from 1990 to 2002.

METHODSError sum of square of four statistical methods was compared and the fittest model was chosen.

RESULTSError sum of square of predicted schistosomiasis prevalence rates in Haokou village from 1994 to 2002 were 39.40, 39.86, 26.63, 22.54 respectively.

CONCLUSIONARIMA model seemed to be the fittest one in the prediction of schistosomiasis prevalence in Haokou village of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for waterstore" in Dongting Lake from 1990 to 2002.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemiologic Methods ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Models, Statistical ; Prevalence ; Risk Assessment ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; Time Factors