Transcription is a multi-stage process that coordinates several steps during the transcription cycle including pre-initiation,initiation and elongation.Recent advances by genome-wide study suggest that control of transcription elongation is a critical step for precise regulation of gene expression across species from Drosophila to mammals.Here we review the molecular mechanisms of how transcription elongation of RNA polymeraseⅡ(PolⅡ) is modulated by the major pausing factors-NELF,DSIF and the positive elongation factor P-TEFb,which is the key player in pause release.We also discuss the potential implications of regulation of transcription elongation in pathogenesis of cancer,inflammation and virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term efficacy of autogenous bone pate and Palva graft for obliterating huge remnant mastoid cavity in canal wall down approach. METHOD: Retrospective analysis clinical data of twenty-one cholesteatomatous cases operated by one surgeon from 2004 to 2007. In twelve cases, simultaneous III type tympanoplasty (Sheehy, P. O. P) was performed. Other 9 cases had undergone mastoidectomy elsewhere before the admission. Six of them were still draining with huge remnant mastoid cavity, and the rest three patients had relapsed cholesteatomas with intermittent draining and huge mastoid cavity. Normal saline solution perfusion was used to measure the volume of remnant mastoid cavity. The criterion of huge remnant mastoid cavity is more than 8 ml. RESULT: Of twelve primary cases with III type tympanoplasty, 11 patients maintained a small, dry, and healthy mastoid cavity after twenty-seven days. The average increase of hearing level of them was 17.5dB, and the air-bone gap is less than 20 dB. Of one patient, bone pate was infected and was discharged. A dry mastoid cavity was achieved until fifty-five days after surgery. The patient is keeping a big air-bone gap caused by displacement of ossicle chain prosthesis. Just eighteen days later, other nine cases of revision mastoidectomy achieved a small, dry, and healthy mastoid cavity, with lightly improved hearing level. CONCLUSION Obliteration of a canal wall down huge mastoid cavity by Palva graft with autologous bone pate is a reliable and effective technique that results in a small, dry, low-maintenance mastoid cavity. The short-term efficacy of simultaneous III tympanoplasty is satisfactory if patient selection is suitable.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cholesteatoma ; surgery ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Tympanoplasty ; methods ; Young Adult

The Notch signaling pathway is conserved from Drosophila to mammals and is critically involved in developmental processes. In the immune system, it has been established that Notch signaling regulates multiple steps of T and B cell development in both central and peripheral lymphoid organs. Relative to the well documented role of Notch signaling in lymphocyte development, less is known about its role in regulating myeloid lineage development and function, especially in the context of acute and chronic inflammation. In this review article, we will describe the evidence accumulated during the recent years to support a key regulatory role of the Notch pathway in innate immune and inflammatory responses and discuss the potential implications of such regulation for pathogenesis and therapy of inflammatory disorders.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; immunology ; pathology ; Receptors, Notch ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; pathology

Model informed precision dosing for warfarin is to provide individualized dosing by integrating information related to patient characteristics, disease status and pharmacokinetics /pharmacodynamics of warfarin, through mathematical modeling and simulation techniques based on the quantitative pharmacology. Compared with empirical dosing, it can improve the safety, effectiveness, economy, and adherence of pharmacotherapy of warfarin. This consensus report describes the commonly used modeling and simulation techniques for warfarin, their application in developing and adjusting dosing regimens, medication adherence and economy. Moreover, this consensus also elaborates the detailed procedures for the implementation in the warfarin pharmacy service pathway to facilitate the development and application of model informed precision dosing for warfarin.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of 7 antipsychotic drugs on the life quality of schizophrenia patients including chlorpromazine, sulpiride, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole. METHODS: A total of 1,227 stable schizophrenic patients within 5 years onset who took 1 of the 7 study medications as maintenance treatment were followed up for 1 year at 10 China sites. Patients were evaluated by the short form-36 health survey (SF-36) at the baseline and at the end of 1 year. RESULTS: The life quality was improved obviously at the end of the follow-up. There was significant difference in body pain, vitality, and mental health (P<0.05) among these antipsychotic drugs. CONCLUSION All 7 antipsychotic drugs can improve the life quality of schizophrenia patients. Atypical antipsychotic drugs, especially olazapine and quetiapine, are superior to typical antipsychotic drugs in improving life quality.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antipsychotic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzodiazepines ; therapeutic use ; Dibenzothiazepines ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olanzapine ; Quality of Life ; Quetiapine Fumarate ; Schizophrenia ; drug therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Development of alternatively activated (M2) macrophage phenotypes is a complex process that is coordinately regulated by a plethora of pathways and factors. Here, we report that RBP-J, a DNA-binding protein that integrates signals from multiple pathways including the Notch pathway, is critically involved in polarization of M2 macrophages. Mice deficient in RBP-J in the myeloid compartment exhibited impaired M2 phenotypes in vivo in a chitin-induced model of M2 polarization. Consistent with the in vivo findings, M2 polarization was partially compromised in vitro in Rbpj-deficient macrophages as demonstrated by reduced expression of a subset of M2 effector molecules including arginase 1. Functionally, myeloid Rbpj deficiency impaired M2 effector functions including recruitment of eosinophils and suppression of T cell proliferation. Collectively, we have identified RBP-J as an essential regulator of differentiation and function of alternatively activated macrophages.
Animals ; Cell Polarity ; drug effects ; genetics ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Chitin ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; cytology ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein ; genetics ; immunology ; Macrophage Activation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Macrophages ; cytology ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

To obtain specific antibodies against nsp4 protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), nsp4 gene was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pET-28a(+) vector, designated pET28a-nsp4. pET28a-nsp4 was transformed into Escherichia coli Trasseta (DE3) cells and expressed after induction of IPTG. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the recombinant protein was expressed in soluble form with the molecular weight of 26 kDa. The soluble fusion protein in the supernatant was purified using Ni+-NTA affinity chromatography. New Zealand rabbits were immunized by the purified nsp4 and anti-sera against nsp4 were obtained. The titer of polyclonal antibodies was about 106 and showed good specificity and sensitivity in the immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting analysis. The polyclonal antibodies also recognized native nsp4 form PRRSV infected Marc-145 cells, providing a useful tool in PRRSV replication mechanism study.