Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; metabolism

AIM: To investigate the expression of MAT1 protein in pancreatic cancers and the relationship between MAT1 and clinicopathological features of pancreatic cancers. METHODS: 94 surgical specimens, including 70 pancreatic cancers, 10 pancreatic benign tumors, 14 chronic pancreatitis and 10 autopsy normal pancreas tissues, were analyzed immunohistochemically, and then MAT1 expression and clinicopathological features were compared. RESULTS: MAT1 was expressed mainly in the cancer cells,and also in the fibroblasts, where it was localized within the cytoplasm and nuclear envelope. MAT1 expression was found in 75.7% (53/70) of the cancers, but not detected or weakly expressed in control tissues. There was a significant difference in expression of MAT1 among the above four tissues (P

Objective To explore the predictive value of serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) levels in preeclampsia at second trimester. Methods Serum sFlt-1,VEGF concentrations were determined in 172 initial normal pregnant women at 26-28 gestation week.The outcomes of pregnancies were followed.In a cohort of 172 pregnant women, 16 cases of preeclampsia were developed (preeclampsia group),and 156 cases were with no complication (control group).Results The serum levels of sFlt-1 in preeclampsia group (11.4?6.2)?g/L were significantly higher than that in control group(4.5?2.1)?g/L(P＜0.01).The serum levels of sFlt-1 in precelampsia women with the onset before 32 gestation week and fetal growth retardation,(14.0?6.8)?g/L,(14.4?6.7)?g/L were significantly higher than that in women with the onset after 32 gestation week and with no fetal growth retardation (9.0?4.1)?g/L,(8.9?4.0)?g/L,respectively (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of VEGF between preeclampsia group and control group.A sFlt-1 cutoff value of 8.75?g/L at 26-28 gestation week yielded a sensitivity of 87.5%,specificity of 97.4%,positive predictive value of 80.0%,negative predictive value of 88.5%,respectively,for subsequent onset of preeclampsia.Conclusion Maternal serum sFlt-1 concentration at second trimester can be used as an early predictive marker of preeclampsia.

High resolution melting (HRM), an important technology for genotyping and mutation scanning, has broad prospects in the authentification of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper selected universal trnH-psbA primers and used HRM to establish a new methods for identification of Akebia herbs. PCR was conduct at the annealing temperature of 58 degrees C and 35 cycles. The range of the DNA template concentration, the primer concentration and the Mg2+ ion concentration were further analyzed. The results showed the Tm values of Caulis Akebiae was (81.84 ± 0.16), (85.28 ± 0.16) degrees C and Caulis Clematidis Armandii was (83.22 ± 0.19) degrees C and Caulis Aristolochiae manshuriensis was (81.67 ± 0.14) degrees C, (84.24 ± 0.10) degrees C with 5-125 mg - L-' DNA template, 0.4 μmol x L(-1) primer, 2.0 mmol x L(-1) Mg2+. This method can achieve the authentification of Akebia herbs and is simple, fast, high-throughput, visual.
Chemistry Techniques, Analytical ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; Genotype ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Transition Temperature

Objective To explore the relationship between apoptosis promoting effector molecules TFAR19,Apaf-1 and lubar intervertebral disc protrusion.Methods 99 of operation patients with lubar intervertebral disc protrusion in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Department of Spine and Osteoputhy were recruited.Among them,single segment of lubar intervertebral disc protrusion were 70 (Group A),more than one segments of lubar intervertebral disc protrusion were 29 (Group B).In addition,40 unrelated healthy people from physical examination center were enrolled as controls (Group C).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine serum TFAR19,Apaf-1 levels in lubar intervertebral disc protrusion patients.Results The level of TFAR19 in Group A,Group B and Group C respectively were 1.85±0.14,2.33±0.25 and 1.30±0.09 ng/ml.The TFAR19 activity in each group was statistically significant difference (F=7.979,P＜0.01).Compared with Group C,the TFAR19 activity in Group B (q=5.59,P＜0.01),Group A (q=3.60,P=0.012) was statistically significant difference.The TFAR19 activity in lubar intervertebral disc protrusion patients subgroups (Group A,Group B) was statistically significant difference (q =2.93,P =0.012).The level of Apaf-1 in Group A,Group B and Group C respectively were 159.22±11.87,203.20±20.21 and 107.52±11.58 pg/ml.The Apaf-1 activity in each group was statistically significant difference (F=8.828,P＜0.01).Compared with Group C,the Apaf-1 activity in Group B (q=5.86,P＜0.01),Group A (q=3.89,P=0.007) was statistically significant difference.The Apaf-1 activity in lubar intervertebral disc protrusion patients subgroups (Group A,Group B) was statistically significant difference (q =2.97,P=0.037).Male/female ratio between each groups was not statistically significant difference (x2=0.229,P =0.892).Age between each groups was not statistically significant difference (F=0.091,P =0.91).Conclusion The augment of TFAR19 and Apaf-1 promotes apoptosis of lubar intervertebral disc protrusion.It is connected with quantity of protrusive segments.The more segments of protrusion,the higher TFAR19 and Apaf-1 level of examination will be.

Objective:To screen antigen of Helicobacter pylori outer membrane proteins by murine infection model.Methods:Parallel two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D) of outer membrane proteins extracted from Helicobacter pylori strain SS1 was performed.Western blot of a duplicate 2D gel hybridized with serum from H.pylori-infected murine was employed.Immunogenic H.pylori proteins identified in this way were digested in gel by trypsin and the mass of generated peptides were measured by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).The data obtained from peptide mass finger-printing (PMF) were searched using the internet available database.Results:32 proteins were identified and they are in good agreement with typical protective antigens which reacted with serum from H.pylori-infected patients.Conclusion:The results suggest that murine model of H.pylori may be valid to screen antigens for human vaccination and the proteins identified in this paper are valuable for the selection of H.pylori protective antigens as well.

Objective To determine whether prenatal ultrasonography (US) score is more effective than renal pelvic anterior posterior diameter (PAPD) for the prognostic evaluation of fetal hydronephrosis.Methods Fetuses with hydronephrosis (PAPD≥ 10 mm) were examined by prenatal US in the third trimester.PAPD,renal parenchyma thickness (RPT) and pelvicaliceal morphology (PM) were measured and graded from 0 to 3 score on the basis of severity of hydronephrosis,then the total US score of each kidney was obtained.According to the follow-up results after birth,all the cases were divided into two groups:physiological and pathological hydronephrosis.Via Z test,paired comparison was made to analyze area under the curve (AUC) of US score and each of the other three factors.Results Confirmed by postnatal US and other clinical examinations,of 198 kidneys (158 cases ) with hydronephrosis,139 (70.20％ ) were physiological hydronephrosis and 59 (29.80％ ) were pathological hydronephrosis.AUC of PAPD,RPT,PM,US score was 0.897 (minimum),0.957,0.944 and 0.982 (maximum) respectively,and there was significant difference between AUC of US score and each of the other three ( P ＜0.05).US score was the best approach for differential diagnosis of fetal hydronephrosis.Conclusions Prenatal US score is more effective and accurate than the single factor (PAPD,RPT,PM) to differentiate fetal physiological and pathological hydronephrosis.It was a new quantitative method to evaluate the prognosis of fetal hydronephrosis,and should be disseminated and applied clinically.

OBJECTIVETo detect the differentially expressed genes in oral lichen planus(OLP) by cDNA microarray.

METHODSThe PCR products of 4000 genes were spotted on chemical material coated glass plates in array. The total RNAs were isolated from OLP and normal oral mucosa tissue and were purified to mRNA. Both the mRNA were reversely transcribed to cDNA with the incorporations of fluorescent dUTP, for preparing the hybridization probes. The mixed probes were then hybridized to the cDNA microarray. Microarray was scanned for the fluorescent signals and showed the differences between the two samples.

RESULTSThe expressions of 122 genes were up regulated while the expressions of 91 genes were down regulated in OLP among the 4000 target genes. The up-regulated genes were mainly the ones of immunity related genes, metabolize related genes, oncogene, cytokine and cell signal transduction protein. The down-regulated genes were mainly the ones of DNA binding and transcription factors, cell signal transduction protein, immunity related genes, metabolize related genes, and cytokine.

CONCLUSIONTwo hundred and thirteen differentially expressed genes with different functions were revealed in OLP, which may play some roles in the progression of OLP.

Objective To investigate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the transition and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 . Methods The expression of CTGF mRNA and protein of HK-2 cells were measured by real time RT-PCR and Western blot respectively . The effect of PTH on the phenotypic transformation of HK-2 cells was examined by light microscopy . The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in HK-2 cells was detected by immunofluorescence . Results Basal level of CTGF mRNA and the protein expression were detected in HK-2 ceils . PTH upregulated the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein with the maximal response at the concentration of 10-10 mol/L and the best stimulating time was at 72 h . After exposure to PTH (10-10tool/L) for 12 hours, the highest level of luciferase activity was 1 .96 fold as compared to control (1 .888±0 .078 vs 0 .989±0 .030, P＜0 .01 ) . Untreated cells showed negligible expression of ±-SMA,whereas ±-SMA expression was significantly increased in cells treated with PTH . Conclusion PTH up-regulates CTGF expression and induces transition of HK-2 cells .

Objective To investigate the effect and mechnism of preptin on connect tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human osteoblasts. Methods Recombinant human preptin was used to treat primary human osteoblasts, and Western blot was used to detect CTGF protein level. Mitogen-activated protein kinase p38(p38MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), c-jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), and their phosphorylation levels were also detected by Western blot. MAPK inhibitors (PD98059, SP600125, or SB203580)were used to elucidate the mechnism of preptin induced expression of CTGF in human osteoblasts. Results Treatment of human osteoblasts with preptin caused a time and dose-dependent increase in CTGF secretion. Preptin induced activation of ERK, but not p38MAPK or JNK in human osteoblasts. Furhermore, pretreatment of human osteoblasts with the ERK inhibitor PD98059 abolished the preptin-induced CTGF secretion. Conclusion Preptin induces CTGF expression in human osteoblasts by means of ERK/MAPK pathway.