A 16-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with abdominal pain and oliguria, after one month of hospital treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed the calcification of bilateral superior segmental ureteral wall. Computed tomography urography revealed stenosis of bilateral ureters. This calcification may be associated with lupus-induced inflammatory reaction of ureteral endomembrane. By receiving the ureteral catheters, her abdominal pain and oliguria had been completely resolved. After discharge, she underwent the surgery of cutaneous ureterostomy in the local hospital. During two years follow-up, her condition is stable without any symptom of the urinary system.
Adolescent ; Calcinosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; Ureter ; pathology

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Mycophenolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; drug therapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect changes of Foxp3 expression in the decidua in patients with preeclampsia and investigate the correlation of Foxp3-924 (rs2232365) polymorphisms with preeclampsia.

METHODSFrom October 2011 to December 2012, 252 normal pregnant women and 156 preeclampsia patients of Han nationality from the same geographic region were tested for Foxp3-924 genotypes by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). Sixty-eight of the patients with preeclampsia (33 with mild and 35 with severe preeclampsia) and 30 of the normal pregnant women were also examined for Foxp3 expression in the decidua using immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSFoxp3 positive expression rates in the decidua was 51.52% in mild preeclampsia and 28.57% in severe preeclampsia cases, significantly lower than that in the control group (86.67%, P<0.05). In preeclampsia patients, the frequencies of Foxp3-924G/G, G/A, and A/A genotypes were 0.1346, 0.4615 and 0.4038, respectively, and the frequencies of Foxp3-924A and Foxp3-924 G were 0.6346 and 0.3654, respectively. The genotype frequencies of Foxp3-924G/G, G/A and A/A in the control group were 0.1508, 0.4087 and 0.4405, respectively, and the frequencies of Foxp3-924 A and Foxp3-924 G were 0.6448 and 0.3552, respectively. No significant differences were found in the gene frequencies of Foxp3-924G/A between preeclampsia patients and the control group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of Foxp3 in the placental tissue of preeclampsia patients is significantly lower than that in normal pregnant women, suggesting that lowered Foxp3 expression decreases the immunosuppressive function and causes imbalance of immune tolerance between maternal-fetal to induce preeclampsia. Foxp3-924 polymorphisms is not significantly correlated with the occurrence of preeclampsia.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pre-Eclampsia ; genetics ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo study the role of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (hMGMT) in the development of human lung cancer.

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was applied to measure hMGMT mRNA expression in 150 lung cancer specimens, 40 normal lung tissues, and in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 50 lung cancer cases and 50 normal controls. The protein expressions of p53, C-MYC and K-RAS were assessed by immuno-histochemistry. The effects of some exposure factors on the expression of hMGMT gene were analyzed. The relationships between hMGMT gene and cancer related genes p53, C-MYC and K-RAS were investigated.

RESULTSThe mRNA of hMGMT was low or absent in 49 of 150 (32.7%) lung cancer specimens, whereas 2 of 40 (5%) normal lung tissues had reduced the levels of hMGMT mRNA. The low expression of hMGMT seemed to be a risk factor of lung cancer, with a OR of 9.22 (2.05-57.65). Reduced expression levels of hMGMT mRNA were observed in 10 of 50 (20%) lung cancer patients' peripheral mononuclear blood cells, and 2 of 50 (4%) blood cells among normal controls. When investigating the exposure factors which affecting the expression of hMGMT gene, we noticed that smoking was suppressing the expression of hMGMT gene. Interestingly, over-expression of K-RAS oncogene was significantly correlated with low expression of hMGMT (P < 0.05). However, the expressions of p53 and C-myc were not correlated with the status of hMGMT gene.

CONCLUSIONhMGMT might play an important role in the development of human lung cancer. Low expression of hMGMT gene seemed to be a risk factor for lung cancer which could be used as a valuable biomarker on susceptibility of human lung cancers.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; ras Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of protein kinase B (PKB) in human-squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of lung (ADC) and in benign lung tissues (BD, lung tissues adjacent to cancer or from patients with benign lung diseases), and its association to clinicopathological characteristics.

METHODSThe PKB expression in 41 specimens from patients with SCC (26 cases) and ADC (15 cases) and in 12 specimens from patients with benign lung diseases (BD) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSPKB in benign lung tissues was usually weakly stained and scattered in distribution. It was remarkably increased in lung cancer compared to benign lung tissue. The positive rates of PKB in SCC and ADC were 50% (13/26), 60% (9/15), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them. PKB expression was significantly stronger in lung cancer patients in advanced stages (stage III or IV) or with poor differentiation, than those in early stages (stage I or II) or with moderate or well differentiation. The expression was stronger in patients with local lymph node metastasis than those without (P = 0.0391).

CONCLUSIONPKB protein is over-expressed in human squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological value of the expression and amplification of P21-activated kinase 1 gene (PAK1) in colorectal carcinoma(CRC).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL) methods were used to examine the protein expression, amplification of PAK1 and cell apoptosis in 80 cases of CRC and 30 cases of colorectal adenoma by tissue microarray.

RESULTSIHC showed an overexpression of PAK1 protein in 26% of colorectal adenomas and 62% of CRCs. Significant association was found between expression of PAK1 and tumor histological grade as well as tumor clinical stage(P<0.05). In poor-differentiated(G(3)) CRCs, PAK1 expression in 90% carcinoma was up-regulated, which was significantly higher than that in tumors of G(1/2)(51%). Overexpression of PAK1 was detected in 78% of CRCs in later clinical stages (Dukes C, D), which was significantly higher than that in early clinical stages (Dukes A,B, 53%). In addition, negative correlation between PAK1 overexpression and cell apoptosis was observed in these CRC cohorts(P<0.05). FISH revealed that amplification of PAK1 gene was examined in only 3% CRCs.

CONCLUSIONSOverexpression of PAK1 protein may play an important role in development and progression of colorectal neoplasms and it is closely associated with the malignant histological and invasive phenotype of CRCs. The expression of PAK1 in CRC may be used as one of the new molecular markers in predicting tumors malignant potential and progression.

Apoptosis ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; p21-Activated Kinases ; genetics

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a mitogenic and anti-apoptotic factor. Serum IGF-I concentration is related to some cancer risk and tumor progression. The aim of this research was to study the association of preoperative serum IGF-I concentration with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preoperative serum IGF-I concentration was measured in 80 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent radical lung cancer resection, and 45 patients with benign pulmonary lesion (BPL) by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the serum IGF-I concentration was elevated and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients. Serum IGF-I concentration was significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than in those with BPL. The IGF-I concentrations were significantly higher in NSCLC patients with ≥T2, N1-3, and in IIIA-IV but not in those with Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; diagnosis ; surgery ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Preoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on potency of Sabin inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV).

METHODSSabin IPV samples containing 5 mg or 7 mg 2-phenoxyethanol each dosage respectively were placed separately at 4 degrees C, 37 degrees C for 2 days and 7 days. D-antigen contents were tested with ELISA method. Then neutralizing antibodies in mice and guinea pigs were detected. The safety experiment was performed according to unusual toxicity test of China requirement for biological product.

RESULTSAfter addition of 2-phenoxyethanol, the I, II, and III D-antigen contents of Sabin IPV did not change. The antibody levels in mice and guinea pigs were not different between experimental group and control group. Animals were safe during observation period.

CONCLUSION2-Phenoxyethanol had no effect on potency and safety of Sabin IPV. It can be used as antiseptic for Sabin IPV.

Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Antigens, Viral ; analysis ; immunology ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Drug Stability ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Ethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Guinea Pigs ; Mice ; Neutralization Tests ; Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; toxicity ; Vero Cells

BACKGROUNDTo study preparation of polyvalent DNA vaccine and the control of multiple gene expression.

METHODSA bicistronic vector pcDNA3.0BA was constructed from pcDNA3.0. HCV PC154 gene and HBV preS2S gene were inserted into this vector to form bicistronic expression construct pcDNA3.0BAPC154S2S and monocistronic expression construct pcDNA3.0BAPC154 or pcDNA3.0BAS2S. These plasmids were transiently expressed in COS-7 cells and injected into muscles of BALB/c mice.

RESULTSpcDNA3.0BA contains two cistronic units, which can co-express two kinds of genes, with the first immunogen gene and the second gene serving as additional immunogen or as modulator for the immune responses. HBV surface Ag and HCV core Ag were coexpressed in vitro. The antibody responses and lymphoproliferation to antigens were similar between bicistronic and monocistronic expression construct in mice.

CONCLUSIONpcDNA3.0BA is a novel vector, which can coexpress two proteins and elicit polyvalent immune responses.

Animals ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; DNA, Recombinant ; immunology ; Gene Expression ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis C Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunization ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology

Replication of duck plague virus(DPV) in artificially infected ducks were detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) which employed a 37bp oligonucleotide as probe designed according to DPV DNA sequence in GenBank. The results indicated that DPV DNA was detected in liver, intestine and bursa Fabricius at 4 h, in spleen and esophagus at 6h, in thymus at 12h post infection; DPV DNA in lung and kidney was detected only in dead ducks and no positive signal was detected in muscle, heart, cerebrum and pancreas. DPV DNA was distributed in cell nucleus and cytoplasm. Hepatocytes, sinus endodermal cells and Kuffer's cells were the mainly infected cell types in liver. DPV DNA was mainly detected in epithelium of villi, in lamina propria of intestinal villi of duodenum, in stratum spinosum of esophagus, and in epithelium, cortex, medulla of bursa Fabricius. The positive signals were mainly detected in medulla of thymus, lymphocytes and macrophages of spleen. The research suggests that ISH is a direct and specific method in detecting DPV DNA in paraffin sections and it's also a good method for virus diagnosis and DNA location of DPV.
Animals ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Ducks ; virology ; In Situ Hybridization ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Virus Replication