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

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 mechanisms of action of adiponectin on receptor activator of NF-Kb ligand(Rankl) and osteoprotegerin (OPG)expressions in human osteoblasts.Methods Real-time PCR was used to detect the expressions of RANKL and OPG mRNA in cultured human osteoblasts. The phosphorylations of JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) , ERK1/2 were assayed by Western blot. RNA interference for adiponectin receptor, MAPK inhibitors SB203580 and SP600125 were used for elucidating the mechanism of the action of adiponectin in regulating OPG and RANKL expressions. Results Suppression of adiponectin receptor-1 (AdR1) expression with siRNA abolished the adiponectin-regulated expressions of OPG and RANKL mRNA in human osteoblasts. Furthermore, pretreatment of osteoblasts with MAPK inhibitor SB203580 abolished the expressions of adiponectin-regulated RANKL and OPG mRNA, but SP600125 did not show the effect. Conclusion Adiponectin induces the expression of RANKL and inhibits the expression of OPG in human osteoblasts through AdR1/p38 MAPK pathways.

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.

Objective To investigate the effect of preptin on proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts. Methods After human osteoblasts were incubated with 10-10, 10-9, 10-8 , 10-7 mol/L preptin for 24 h,the proliferation of osteoblasts was determined by[3H]thymidine incorporation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)activity was assayed by spectrophotometric measurement. The phosphorylation levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase ( MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 were assayed by Western blot. ERK inhibitor PD98059, p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580, and JNK inhibitor SP600125were used for investigating the signal pathway of preptin-stimulated osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.Results Preptin dose-dependently increased human proliferation of osteoblasts and ALP activity with the maximum effect at the concentration of l0-9 mol/L (both P<0.01 ). Preptin stimulated ERK phosphorylation in human osteoblasts, but not p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation. PD98059 blocked preptin-sitmulated human osteoblasts proliferation and ALP activity (both P<0.05 ), while SB203580 and SP600125 had no effect. Conclusions Preptin promotes the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts through ERK pathway.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of atorvastatin on hyperphosphate-induced rat vascular smooth muscle ceils (RVSMCs) calcification and to discuss the mechanism. Methods RVSMCs were placed in various culture media, including normal phosphate medium, high phosphate medium, ZVAD-FMK medium and atorvastatin medium.Calcium content and cell protein content were quantified by the o-cresolphthalein complexone method and BCA protein assay respectively. Calcification was visualized by yon Kossa staining. And cell apoptosis was quantified by ELISA. Results (1)At day 3, 6, 9, RVSMCs calcification occurred more frequently in high phosphate medium than that in normal phosphate medium (P<0.05). (2)At day 6, RVSMCs calcification was significantly inhibited in 1.0 μmol/L and 2.0 μmol/LZVAD-FMK medium (P<0.05). And in 10 nmol/L and I00 nmol/L statin medium, RVSMCscalcium deposition significantly decreased (P<0.05). (3)RVSMCs apoptosis and calcification occurredfrequently in high phosphate medium. And atorvastatin significantly inhibited RVSMCs apoptosisboth in long-term and short-term (P<0.05). Conclusions Hyperphosphate can induce the calcium deposition of RVSMCs in vitro. Atorvastatin protects RVSMCs from phosphate-induced calcification by inhibiting apoptosis.