Objective: Our aim was to investigate the alteration of p16 gene in human pancreatic carcinoma. Methods: A total of 66 human pancreatic tissue specimens, comprising 51 with pancreatic carcinomas and 15 normal pancreatic tissue specimens, were examined for homozygous deletion and mutation of p16 gene by using PCR-SSCP method. Results: No mutation and deletion was detected in 15 normal pancreatic tissue samples. Of 51 pancreatic carcinoma specimens, only one was found mutation for p16 gene in PCR-SSCP assay, and the deletion of the p16 gene in 23 samples were confirmed by using PCR, with a 45% p16 gene deletion rate. Conclusion: These data suggest that p16 gene alterations may play a role in the progression of human pancreatic carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the specific immune therapeutic effect of the T cell fusion peptide vaccine from group II allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(Der p2). Methods Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely a negative control group(a PBS group),positive control group(an asthma group)and protein Der p2 T cell fusion epit?ope for specific immunotherapy(SIT)group(a Der p2 T group). The extract of house dust mites(HDM)was used to establish the asthmatic models in BALB/c mice,and the PBS group was always used with PBS buffer. Thirty minutes before spray inhala?tion from 25 to 27 days,the mice of the Der p2 T group were respectively injected subcutaneously with the therapeutic proteins for SIT,then the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were collected. ELISA was used to assay the levels of IFN?γ, IL?4,and IL?13 in BALF,as well as serum levels of specific IgE and IgG2a. The lung tissue sections were stained with haematox?ylin and eosin(H&E)for pathological examinations. Results The ELISA detection revealed that the number of eosinophil in BALF of the asthmatic mice was(5.57 ± 0.64)× 105/ml,which was significantly higher than that in the PBS group[(0.50 ± 0.30)× 105/ml,P < 0.01],the number of eosinophil in the Der p2 T immunotherapy group decreased significantly[(3.45 ± 0.36)×105/ml,P<0.01]. The content of IFN?γin the PBS group,asthma group and Der p2 T group were(267.00 ± 21.98), (155.80 ± 20.53)pg/ml and(234.40 ± 24.46)pg/ml respectively. Compared with the asthma group,the mice with Der p2 T vac?cine specific immune treatment produced a high level of IFN?γ(P<0.01). The content of IL?4 in the PBS group,asthma group and Der p2 T group were(23.40 ± 5.96),(53.28 ± 8.26)pg/ml and(30.00 ± 5.50)pg/ml respectively. Compared with the asth?ma group,the content of IL?4 in the mice of the Der p2 T treatment group was significantly lower(P<0.01). Compared with the asthma group[(308.10 ± 28.32)pg/ml],the content of IL?13 in BALF of the mice in the Der p2 T treatment group was signifi?cantly decreased,which was[(174.50 ± 25.99)pg/ml,P<0.01]. The content of IL?13 in the PBS group was(95.99 ± 31.14) pg/ml. The lung tissue sections showed that the lung inflammation in the p2 T Der group was significantly less than that in the asthma group,and the inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly decreased,and airway epithelial construction remodeled. Conclusion The Der p2 T cell fusion epitope,which is as vaccines for specific immunotherapy with asthma models,can allevi?ate effectively allergic inflammation of airway and lung in the mice,and it may be used as a candidate vaccine for asthma.

Objective To observe the external morphology of Histiostoma feroniarum hypopus under a light microscope. Methods The samples were collected in a mushroom cultivation base,and the H. feroniarum hypopus was isolated and puri?fied. The slide samples were prepared and observed under an optical microscope. Results The back body of the H. feroniarum hypopus was flat with tiny bristles,the epidermis was of significant ossification,the ventral had four pairs of slender feet stretched,the sucker plate was prosperous in the end of the body,and the sucker plate had eight suckers. The gnathosoma was thin,long and highly specialized. Conclusion The light microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of H. feroniarum hypopus,providing the basis for identifying and life cycle study.

The sequences of ITS, matK, rbcL and psbA-trnH of 9 Gynostemma species or variety including 38 samples were compared and analyzed by molecular phylogeny method. Hemsleya macrosperma was designated as outgroup. The MP and NJ phylogenetic tree of Gynostemma was built based on ITS sequence, the results of PAUP phylogenetic analysis showed the following results: (1) The eight individuals of G. pentaphyllum var. pentaphyllum were not supported as monophyletic in the strict consensus trees and NJ trees. (2) It is suspected whether G. longipes and G. laxum should be classified as the independent species. (3)The classification of subgenus units of Gynostemma plants is supported.
Gynostemma ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granuloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Keratins ; immunology ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a serious impact on global public health and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 infiltrates host cells via its surface spike protein, which binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 on the host cell membrane. As a result, small molecules targeting spike protein have emerged as a hotspot in anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug research. Activity screening is an important step in seeking small molecule drugs. Therefore, this article aims to review the biological activity evaluation methods of small molecule inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with the goal of laying the foundation for the discovery of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing yin removing fire Chinese herbs (NYRF-CH) on the gene expression of hypothalamic growth hormone secretion peptide (Ghrelin) and its receptor growth hormone secretion peptide receptor 1alpha (GHSR1-alpha) at the puberty onset of danazol induced female precocious rats.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group (N), the model group (M), the normal saline intervention group (NS), and the NYRFCH intervention group (NI), 10 in each group. 300 microg danazol was subcutaneously injected to all rats except those in the N group to prepare precocious rat model. NYRFCH and normal saline was respectively administered to rats in the NI and the NS group from the 15th day old for 7-10 days. No treatment was given to rats in the N group. Time of rats' vulva opening was recorded. Ovary index and uterus index were calculated. Peripheral blood levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamic contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as the gene expression of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha were determined. Results Compared with the N group, the vulva opening time was advanced in the model group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index, hypothalamic contents of GnRH increased; peripheral blood FSH levels and mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the M group and the NS group, the vulva opening time was not advanced in the NI group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index and hypothalamic contents of GnRH obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha increased (all P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the hypothalamic contents of Ghrelin, or the number and activity of GHSR1-alpha (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNYRFCH had regulatory effect on regulating hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha at gene transcription levels.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Ovary ; Puberty, Precocious ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus

Objective Serum miRNA has been regarded as a potential biomarker for diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation and prognostic prediction in cancer patients. This study aims to explore the clinical significance of the expression level of metastasis- related microRNA (miR- 18b) in the serum in AFP- negative (≤ 20 ng/ml) hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods A total of 131 HCC patients with negative serum AFP, who were encountered during the period from January 2007 to January 2011 at authors’ hospital, were enrolled in this study. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lesions was carried out in all patients. Serum samples were collected before RFA. Forty - three healthy individuals were selected for control. The expression level of serum miR - 18b was deternmined by using quantitative real- time PCR method in all the patients and the healthy individuals. The correlations of the expression level of serum miR - 18b with clinico - pathological factors, postoperative recurrence, overall cirrhosis (P = 0.035), tumor diameter (P < 0.01) and tumor differentiation (P = 0.020). During the follow-up period, 79 patients (60.3%) developed recurrent tumors, and the expression level of serum miR- 18b in them was dramatically higher than that in the patients showing no recurrence (3.26 ± 1.28 vs. 2.42 ± 0.86, P <0.01). The incidence of recurrence after RFA, especially distant intrahepatic metastasis, in patients with higher expression level of serum miR- 18b was strikingly higher than that in patients with lower expression level of serum miR- 18b (72.3% vs. 48.5%, P = 0.005). Kaplan- Meier survival analysis indicated that both overall survival rate and recurrence- free survival rate of patients with higher expression level of serum miR-18b were significantly lower than those of patients with lower expression level of serum miR- 18b. Conclusion The expression level of serum miR - 18b is significantly elevated in AFP - negative HCC patients. The expression level of serum miR- 18b might be used as an ideal biomarker for monitoring tumor recurrence as well as for predicting prognosis after RFA.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ) and creatinine kinase MB(CK-MB) in early diagnosis of myocardial injury(MCI) in neonatal asphyxia.Methods The serum cTnⅠ and CK-MB in neonates [34 with asphyxia and MCI,38 with asphyxia but no MCI(NMCI)],and 30 cases of normal control(NC) were measured with direct immunoassay chemiluminometric technology and immunoinhibition enzymes-activated assay.Results The cTnⅠ level in NC group had no changes within 10 days after birth,MCI group were significantly higher than those in NMCI and NC groups(all P0.05).The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of cTnⅠ for neonates with MCI were 91%,88% and 89%,respectively;and of CK-MB were 85%,68% and 74%,respectively.Conclusions cTnⅠ and CK-MB can be taken as early diagnostic markers of MCI in neonates with asphyxia,(cTnⅠ) is better than CK-MB.

Objective To study the effect of the extract of Chrysanthemum Indicum(CI)on the expression of tumor necro-sis factor-α (TNF-α) and neutrophil function in chronic bronchitis (CB)rats and to explore the therapeutic mechanism for chronic bronchitis. Methods The extract of CI was prepared. Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, Chuanxiling group, and low-, middle-and high-dose CI extract groups. Rat model of CB was established by intratracheal injection with low-dose lipopolysaccharide. After drug intervention, the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was detected by ELISA method. Phagocytic function of the neu-trophil and respiratory burst of the rats were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Results Compared with the blank con-trol group, the phagocytic function of the neutrophil, respiratory burst of the rats, and the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the model group were increased significantly. CI extract significantly decreased the abnormal rising of the above indexes. Conclusion Down-Regulation of TNF-α expression, and decrease of the neutrophil phagocytic function and rat respiratory burst may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of Chrysanthemum In-dicum extract for the treatment of CB.