Objective To reverse P-glycoprotein-mediated muhiple drug resistance using RNA interference(RNAi)in cultured rat astrocytes.Methods Astroeytes overexpressing P-glyeoprotein induced by coriaria lactone were transfected with the short-hairpin RNA expression vector-p-SIREN shuttle designed to target Mdrl mRNA.The mRNA level of Mdrl gene was evaluated by real-time PCR;the P-glycoprotein was examined by immunocytochemistry and image analysis,meanwhile the rhodamine efflux was assessed by flow cytometry.Results The astrocyte model overexpressing P-glycoprotein were established and successfully transfected with the short-hairpin RNA expression vector-p-SIREN shuttle.The mRNA level of Mdrl gene was knocked down by 67.70%(P

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

0.05).Conclusion CSNK1G1 gene may not be a susceptibility gene for sFS in the northern Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND:The laparoscopy is superior to open surgery for being less invasive, inducing mild stress reaction and allowing quick recovery after operation, however the effects of laparoscopy on perioperative serum cytokine levels are controversial, and only a few studies discuss these effects among pediatric patients.OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in perioperative cytokine levels and their clinical significance in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopy and open surgery.DESrGN: Non-randomized concurrent controlled observation.SETTTNG: Department of Urology in Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.PARTICT PANTS: From May 2004 to December 2006, 135 pediatric patients for elective operation were recruited from Department of Urology in Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. Sixty-five patients were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery while the remaining 70 patients for open surgery.METHODS: Serum levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured at 24 hours before operation, and 3, 24, 48 hours after operation respectively. Duration of hospitalization time of all the children was also recorded.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α of all the patients were measured 24 hours preoperatively, and 3, 24, 48 hours postoperatively.RESULTS: All the 135 cases were included for statistical analysis. ①There were no significant perioperative changes in cytokine levels after laparoscopic surgery (P ＞ 0.05). In the open surgery group, IL-1β and IL-6 levels increased significantly at 3 and 24 hours after operation (P ＜ 0.05), and normalized within 48 hours postoperatively. No significant perioperative differences were found in IL-10 and TNF-α levels (P ＞ 0.05). The levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly higher in the open surgery group than in the laparoscopic surgery group (P ＜ 0.05). ②Duration of hospitalization was shorter in the laparoscopic surgery group than in the open surgery group [(3.5±1.0), (7.5+1.5) days, P＜ 0.05].CONCLUSTON: Pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery had less perioperative changes in cytokine levels and quicker recovery.

The effects of the feed attractants on Whitmania pigra were studied. The average weight of Wh. pigra were 5.0 g. Arginine was selected as feed attractants, xanthan gum was selected as feed substrate. The times of Wh. pigra going into the inducing room were recorded. The water temperature was 22-25 degrees C during the whole experiment. Arginine that had better inducing effect was chosen to carry on in the gradient experiment. The results showed that the best inducing effect was found when the added amount of arginine was 0.3%, which was close to the arginine content of the natural body fluid of Wh. Pigra and Bellamya purificata, 2.97 mg x g(-1).
Animal Feed ; analysis ; Animals ; Arginine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Feeding Behavior ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology

Objective: To summarize the distributing rule of TCM syndrome elements of common diseases by analyzing the literature of Depression,Chronic Hepatitis B,Chronic Renal Failure,Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,Menopausal Syndrome.Methods: We selected eligible literatures,then established database with EpiData 3.0 software and computed the frequency of TCM syndrome elements with SPSS 12.0 software.Results: ①Liver,heart,spleen,lung and kidney are common TCM syndrome elements of location of disease.②Yin deficiency,yang deficiency,heat,qi stasis,qi deficiency,blood stasis,damp and phlegm are common TCM syndrome elements of nature of disease.③There are TCM syndrome types between 62 and 148,but the sum of frequency of leading syndrome types which includes disease information is mostly no more than 50%.There are TCM syndrome elements between 19 and 47,but the sum of frequency of leading syndrome elements which includes disease information is mostly above 80%.Conclusion: It is convenient to study TCM syndrome from the aspect of TCM syndrome elements,so we should thoroughly keep on studying TCM syndrome elements.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 in the carcinogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression of OLP and compare with that of NOM.

RESULTSThe expression of these proteinases significantly increased from NOM, non-atrophic OLP, to atrophic OLP and OSCC. The expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP in atrophic OLP was significantly higher than in non-atrophic OLP. Furthermore, the expression of TIMP-2 consequently increased with the increasing of the MMP, but the increase of TIMP-2 was less than that of MMP.

CONCLUSIONSMMP may be useful marker to judge the possibility of malignant change of OLP.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lichen Planus, Oral ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Mouth Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect protein expression of MMPs and TIMPs in various salivary gland neoplasms and to investigate their roles in invasion and metastasis of the malignant salivary gland tumors.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry and Gelatin zymography analyses for MMP-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were performed in 26 malignant and 28 benign salivary gland tumors.

RESULTSThe expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly higher in carcinomas than in adenomas (P < 0.05). The MMP-2/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 was also significantly higher in carcinomas than in adenomas (P < 0.05). There was a cooperated effect among MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2. The expression of active MMP-2, proMMP-9 and active MMP-9 was significantly higher in malignant tumors than in benign tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMMP-2 and MMP-9 may play important roles in invasion of malignant salivary gland tumors. A disturbed balance between MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in malignant salivary gland tumors was detected. It was the absolute increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 to induce the unbalance.

Enzyme Precursors ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Salivary Glands ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and risk factors of cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

METHODSEighty-nine compensated and decompensated HCV cirrhosis patients were analyzed and followed-up. The main clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed as incidence factors of HCC with univariate analysis and multivariate analysis regression models.

RESULTSThe patients were followed-up for 86 months. Thirty-five of the 89 patients had HCC during the 86 months follow-up. Their five and ten-year cumulative incidences were 16.9% and 40.4% respectively. Of the 35 HCC patients, 4 had a family history of hepatitis C, 12 had a familial history of HCC, and 7 had a history of alcohol ingestion. Five and ten-year cumulative incidences of HCC in patients with hepatic steatosis were 24.6% and 51.0% respectively. Five-year and ten-year cumulative incidences of HCC in patients with non-hepatic steatosis were 8.7% and 26.2% respectively, and the difference in the cumulative incidences between them was significant (P < 0.05). Hepatic steatosis severity was associated with the severity of the cirrhosis. ALT and TBil levels were higher in the HCC group than in the non-HCC group, ALB was lower in the HCC group than in the non-HCC group, and the differences between them were significant (P < 0.05). Child-Pugh score and the severity of the hepatic steatosis during follow-up were independently correlated with HCC.

CONCLUSIONHCC is the most important and frequent outcome of chronic hepatitis C cirrhosis. Child-Pugh score and the severity of the hepatic steatosis are related to the risk factors. History of alcohol ingestion and family history of hepatitis C are also related to liver cancer.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; etiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Neoplasms ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland and to investigate the relationship between the expression and the biological behaviour of the tumor.

METHODSTwenty-three cases of pleomorphic adenoma were divided into active type and common type according to their biological behavior. Immunohistochemistry for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and gelatin zymography analysis were performed in these 23 cases and in 6 malignant and 6 benign salivary gland tumors.

RESULTSThe immunoreactivity of MMP-2 protein and MMP-2/TIMP-1, 2 ratio were significantly higher in active pleomorphic adenoma than in common pleomorphic adenoma (P = 0.028, P = 0.009, P = 0.045). The expression of active MMP-2, proMMP-9 and active MMP-9 were significantly higher in active pleomorphic adenoma than in common pleomorphic adenoma (P = 0.034, P = 0.021, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 between the salivary malignant tumor and active pleomorphic adenoma, also between the salivary benign tumor and common pleomorphic adenoma.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of MMPs and TIMPs in active pleomorphic adenoma is similar to that in salivary carcinomas, and the expression in common pleomorphic adenoma also resembled to that in salivary adenoma. The expression of MMP-2, 9 and TIMP-1, 2 is related to the biological behavior of pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism