OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation of blood concentrations of tamoxifen (TAM) and its metabolites with endometrial hyperplasia in estrogen receptor(ER)-positive breast cancer patients. METHODS:A total of 69 patients with ER-posi-tive breast cancer selected from our hospital during Mar. 2015-Apr. 2016 received TAM (twice a day,one tablet each time) for more than 6 months. According to endometrial thickness,they were divided into abnormal hyperplasia group(40 cases)and normal group(29 cases). The steady state concentrations of TAM and its metabolites [4-OH-tamoxifen(OHT),N-demethylation tamoxifen (DMT),Endoxifen] were determined by HPLC-FLU. The correlation of blood concentration and other factors with endometrial thickness were investigated by Pearson test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS:The medication time and Endoxifen steady state concentration in abnormal hyperplasia group were both significantly longer or higher than normal group,with statistical signifi-cance (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in age,BMI,complication and steady state concentrations of TAM,OHT and DMT between 2 groups(P>0.05). The endometrial thickness was positively correlated with Endoxifen steady state concentra-tion and medication time(r=0.447,0.460,P<0.05). Using endometrial thickness(y)as dependent variable,medication time(x1) and Endoxifen steady state concentration(x2)as independent variable,multiple regression analysis was conducted. Multiple regres-sion equation was calculated as follows:y=2.436+0.123x1+0.082x2(F=12.610,r=0.526,P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Medication time and Endoxifen steady state concentration may be related to endometrial hyperplasia,which can provide reference for predicting TAM induced endometrial abnormal hyperplasia in ER-positive breast cancer patients.

AIM: To construct a high-level expression system of recombinant human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (hnNOS) full-length enzyme in Escherichia coli. METHODS: The coding sequence of hnNOS full-length was firstly amplified by PCR, and then ligated into the expression vector pCWori+. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 for high-level expression. After having been checked with Western blot, the enzyme was used for large-scale culture and purification. Finally, the property of the enzyme was determined by spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: The constructed expression system could give a yielding of 3 mg/L initial culture. CONCLUSION: The expression system constructed is fully sufficient to express the active human neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and normal laryngeal mucosa (NLM), and to analysize the relationship between the expression and the clinicopathologic parameters of LSCC. METHOD: Immunohistochemical technique (Envision) was used to detect the expression of DNA-PK in 64 cases of LSCC and 15 cases of NLM. To investigate an investigation was conducted on the relationship between the expression and clinico-pathological features of LSCC. RESULT: DNA-PK was lowly expressed in NLM and highly expressed in LSCC,the positive rate of DNA-PK expression was 26.67% (4/15), 78.13% (50/64), respectively, and there was significant different difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Its expression was correlated with the level of histodifferentiation (P < 0.05), but not with TNM stages and neck lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION DNA-PK may be involved in disease development of LSCC.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; DNA-Activated Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Mucosa ; enzymology ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Larynx ; enzymology ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

BACKGROUND: At present, the basic molecular etiological mechanism and core regulatory network of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remains uncertain, and there is not an ideal measure for early diagnosis of DVT. OBJECTIVE: To study the underlying impact of cathepsin L/G in DVT rat model. METHODS: DVT rat models (n = 50) were established by clamping both femoral vein in three different positions within 3 seconds with mosquito forceps and fixing with cast. According to different observation phases and biological situations of the femoral vein thrombosis, model rats were divided into thrombogenesis group, pre-thrombogenesis group and non-thrombogenesis group. An additional 10 normal rats served as control group. Femoral vein was obtained at corresponding time points to exact total RNA. After a gene chip-based screening, the data of gene expression were further dissected by real-time PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSUON: Gene chip hybridization analysis results demonstrated that differential expression of cathepsin L/G gene was significant among groups, and the expression was greatest in the thrombogenesis group, followed by pre-thrombogenesis and non-thrombogenesis groups, which was significantly greater than the control group (P < 0.05). Real-time PCR analysis results were consistent with gene chip hybridization analysis results. These indicate that DVT is associated with an increase in expression of cathepsin L/G in local venous vascular wall, and they may be candidate molecular markers for early diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND:There is lack of an effective measuring means to diagnose deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in clinic.KLF2 and KLF4 are down-expressed at prethrombotic state,which may be served as predictive molecular markers to diagnose DVT.OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility of KLF2 and KLF4 as molecular markers to prediagnose DVT in rats.METHODS:Totally 90 rats were obtained from 100 rats to establish traumatic DVT models and divided into the prethrombotic,thrombosis crest-time and non-thrombosis groups.The remained 10 rats served as control group.Rat blood was collected at each time point,and the expressions of KLF2 and KLF4 were detected by real-time PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The KLF2 and KLF4 mRNA expressions in the prethrombotic group and thrombosis crest-time group were lower than that of the control group.However,the KLF2 and KLF4 mRNA expressions in the non-thrombosis group was higher than that of the control group.Therefore,KLF2 and KLF4 may be candidate molecular markers for prediagnosis of DVT in rats.

BACKGROUND: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) always occurs after orthopedic surgery. At present, clinical diagnosis of DVT has been lack of an effective measuring means for a long time. Cathepsin may be an effective biological marker of DVT. OBJECTIVE: To study the expression change of cathepsin B and cathepsin C in the rat blood cells before and after DVT and to investigate the feasibility of cathepsin B and cathepsin C as candidate molecular markers for early diagnosis of DVT. METHODS: Totally 100 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and model group (n=90). Rat traumatic deep vein thrombosis models were established by clamping the femoral vein and fixing the bilateral hind limbs. According to observation time points and the different situations of thrombosis, rat models were assigned to three subgroups: pre-thrombosis, intra-thrombosis, and non-thrombosis. Blood RNA of each group was extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA. The expression of cathepsin B and cathepsin C in blood cells was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSUON: Expression of cathepsin B and cathepsin C in the blood cells was obviously expressed in the intra-thrombosis subgroup. There was no significant difference in cathepsin B and cathepsin C expression between pre-thrombosis, non-thrombosis groups and normal control group. These findings suggest that cathepsin B and cathepsin C are closely related to DVP and they can be used as the candidate molecular markers for early diagnosis of DVT.

BACKGROUND:The molecular mechanism of traumatic deep vein thrombosis is complex.Numerous studies focus on clinical observation and epidemiology,but its molecular mechanism has not been a new breakthrough.OBJECTIVE:By use of gene array technology,this study was aimed to study the expression changes of matrix metalloproteinases in rat models of traumatic deep vein thrombosis,and to explore the roles of matrix metalloproteinases in traumatic deep venous thrombosis.METHODS:A total of 150 SD rats,SPF grade,of 8-12 weeks old,body weight of 250-300 g,were divided at random into normal control group (n=10) and model group (n=140).Rat traumatic deep venous thrombosis models were set up by clamping the femoral vein and fixing the bilateral hind limbs,and the fixation of hip spica with plaster bandage was conducted in each group.Then rats were divided into 7 subgroups:post-traumatic 0.5 hours,post-traumatic 2.5 hours (initial period of thrombosis),post-traumatic 25 hours (thrombogenesis at thrombotic crest-time),post-traumatic 25 hours non-thrombogenesis at the thrombotic crest-time),post-traumatic 72 hours (thrombus resolution),post-traumatic 72 hours thrombus insolution) and post-traumatic 168 hours (nonthrombosis).At the corresponding phasess,the femoral vein tissues were incised,and total RNA of femoral vein was extracted using Trizol one-step method.Applying Genechip Rat Genome 430 2.0 genechips,the gene expressions in femoral vein were detected in different groups.The rate of traumatic deep venous thrombogenesis and non-thrombogenesis,the rate of thrombi solution and insolution were observed;the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases at different time phases was detected by gene array data analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Three model rats died and the remaining 147 rats were involved in the final analysis.At the post-traumatic 25 hours,the rate of thrombogenesis was 50.5% and nonthrombogenesis was 49.5%.To the post-traumatic 168 hours,the rate of thrombus solution was 56.7% and thrombus insolution was 43.3%.Both matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases exhibited differential expressions in the course of traumatic deep venous thrombosis.Under the thrombus insolution state,matrix metalloproteinases continued to show a high expression,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase expression was down-regulated in the thrombus formation,was significantly inhibited in the thrombus insoluUon process.In the process of traumatic deep vein thrombosis and insolution,matrix metalloproteinase was closely related to traumatic deep vein thrombosis,the matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases are likely to affect the biological state of thrombosis.

Objective To analyze the clinical information of a family with one patient who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Fabry disease,as well as the enzymatic activity and gene mutation in these family members.Methods Clinical characteristics were collected from the proband and her family members.Peripheral blood samples from three members of this family were collected and the enzymatic activity was measured by fluorimetrie substrate assay.Genomic DNA was extracted from one male member with significantly decreased enzyme activity,the 7 exons and their flanking introns of GLA gene were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced.Results The enzyme activity of two family members was significantly decreased,the genetic analysis of the male member revealed a missense mutation in exon 2:c.334C＞T (CGC＞TGC)( p.R112C ).Family members except the proband had no definite evidence to support the presence of SLE.Conclusion The coexistence of SLE and Fabry disease is extremely rare.Immunological test,enzymatic activity and gene mutation analysis seem to be helpful for the differential diagnosis.

BACKGROUND:Studies in recent years have demonstrated that arginase Ⅰ contribute to the process of numerous cardiovascular diseases,however,most of studies focus on arteries,few regarding venous diseases.OBJECTIVE:To explore the changes of arginase Ⅰ expression in rat traumatic deep venous thrombosis models,and to analyze the possible function of arginase Ⅰ in deep venous thrombosis formation.METHODS:Totally 100 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control and model groups.Traumatic deep venous thrombosis models were established by clamping the femoral vein and immobilizing the bilateral hind limbs (hip spica cast fixation),and assigned into initial thrombosis,peak thrombosis and non-thrombosis groups according to different observing time points and pathophysiological situations of thrombosis.Whole blood RNA of each group was extracted,and the change of arginase I expression in blood cells of each group was detected by real-time PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSUON:Expression of arginase Ⅰ in the peak thrombosis group was significantly increased compared with other 3 groups (P < 0.01).There were no significances among control,initial thrombosis and non-thrombosis groups (P > 0.05).The finding demonstrated that arginase Ⅰ is closely related to deep vein thrombosis formation.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that in China, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem ceils are mostly harvested from adults. Studies on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in children are few.OBJECTIVE: To isolate and expand bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from children, and to analyze the biological characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and their potential of differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes and neural like cells.DESIGN: Observational comparative study.SETTING: Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: Experiments were performed at the Laboratory of Department of Orthopaedics of Wuhan Tongji Hospital from March to September 2006. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were collected from one boy patient and two girl patients aged 5-8 years, who received pelvis osteotomy for dysplasia of the hip joint. The experimental procedures were approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee and family members of all children patients singed the informed consent.Dexamethasone, vitamin C, β-sodium glycerophosphate, 3-1sobutyl-1-methylxanthine, insulin, indometacin and butylated hydroxyanisole were bought from Sigma Company. Dimethyl sulphoxide was purchased from Amersco Company.METHODS: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured from mononuclear cells isolated over a Percoll gradient.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells could differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and neural like cells with osteoblast inductor (β-sodium glycerophosphate, dexamethasone, vitamin C), lipoblast inductor (dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine,bovine insulin, indometacin) and serum-free medium inductor (dimethyl sulphoxide, butylated hydroxyanisole) respectively.Osteoblast marker (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin mRNA, calcium node), adipocyte marker (lipid droplet, PPAR γ-2mRNA) and neural ceil-like marker (nissl body, neuron specific enolase, neurofilament protein) were respectively determined by the immunohistochemical method, polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Appearance and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem ceils from children,and ②determination results of osteoblast, adipocyte and neural cell markers.RESULTS: ①Children bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells could easily adhere to the wall, appeared fusiform, had high reproductive activity and arranged vortically after fusing. ②Appearance of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells changed after receiving inductor. Osteoblast marker, adipocyte marker and neural cell-like marker were positive after chemical staining, polumerase chain reaction and immunocyte staining.CONCLUSION: Children bone marrow mesenchymai stem cells show stable proliferation, passage and multi-direction differentiation towards osteoblasts, adipocytes and neural like cells.