Objective To study the correlation between serum homocysteine ( Hcy ) level and C677T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene C677T polymorphism ( rs1801133) in patients with cerebral infarction, and feature of rs1801133 polymorphism and serum Hcy level in cerebral infarction patients with or without diabetes mellitus.Methods Case-control study.Five hundred and fifty six patients with cerebral infarction admitted to China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2014 to January 2015 were included as the case group while 275 subjects from medical examination center without cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus matched with the case group.MTHFR C677T polymorphism was determined by pyrosequencing and serum Hcy was determined by circulating enzymatic.Chi-square test was used to analyze the distribution of genotype in different group; ANVOA was used to analyze the Hcy level with different genotype in patients with cerebral infarction, and LSD-t was used to pairwise comparison.Results Among the 556 patients with cerebral infarction ,TT genotype were 202 cases (36.33%), CT genotype were 257 cases(46.22%), CC genotype were 97 cases(17.45%).The T allele 44%, higher than the control group T allele frequencies 46.91%(χ2 =23.385,P<0.001).The level of TT genotype serum Hcy level (21.31 ±17.31) μmol/L were higher than CT genotype (14.88 ±7.71) μmol/L(P<0.001)and CC genotype(14.48 ±7.78) μmol/L(P<0.001).There is no significant statistics different in TT genotype frequency between Cerebral infarction patients with diabetes mellitus(36.77%) and without diabetes mellitus(36.44%) (χ2 =0.031,P>0.05), while the level of serum Hcy in Cerebral infarction patients with diabetes mellitus ( 18.16 ±12.90 )μmol/L is lower than Cerebral infarction patients without diabetes mellitus(23.47 ±19.53) μmol/L in TT genotype( F=4.652, P<0.05).Conclusions MTHFR TT genotype was related to serum hyperhomocysteine, and maybe save as the risk of cerebral infarction.The Hcy level in TT genotype cerebral infarction patients with DM is lower than the same genotype patients without DM.(Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39:205-209 )

Human gut microbiota plays a key role in the development of obesity. Intestinal flora can regulate energy absorption and nutrition metabolism, increasing the energy harvesting from diet. Alteration of gut flora produces excessive lipopolysaccharide, which, when absorbed into the blood, can induce inflammatory reactions and promote the high-fat diet-associated obesity and metabolic syndrome. Intestinal flora increase visceral fat deposition by lowering the expression of Fiaf in intestinal mucosa. Different immune status also affects the intestinal flora.The gut microbiota is hypothesized to be an environmental factor that contributes to obesity; by interacting with factors such as host and diet, it adjusts the energy metabolism. Antibiotics or probiotics may alter the composition of intestinal microflora and improve the metabolic syndrome, and thus provides new treatment options.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; microbiology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; etiology ; Mice ; Obesity ; microbiology ; therapy ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use

Abstract: Our previous work revealed berberine can significantly enhance the susceptibility of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, which suggested that berberine has synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. Preliminary SAR of berberine needs to be studied for the possibility of investigating its target and SAR, improving its drug-likeness, and exploring new scaffold. In this work, 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives and N-benzyl isoquinoline analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and MS. Their synergetic activity with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. The 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives 1a-1e exhibited comparable activity to berberine, which suggested that the introduction of functional groups to C-13 can maintain its activity. The N-benzyl isoquinolines, which were designed as analogues of berberine with its D ring opened, exhibited lower activity than berberine. However, compound 2b, 2c, and 4b showed moderate activity, which indicated that berberine may be deconstructed to new scaffold with synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. The results of our research may be helpful to the SAR studies on its other biological activities.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between nurse job burnout and salivary lysozyme activity.

METHODSThe saliva samples of 131 subjects were collected at four time points for two consecutive days with saliva collection tubes. The acquisition time points were 8:00 (baseline concentration), 10:00 (morning), 15:30 (afternoon), and 17:30 (recovery period). At the same time every subjects completed the job burnout questionnaire to investigate their general demographic characteristics and job burnout level. The salivary lysozyme concentration was measured with ELISA. The data were analyzed by partial correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in the salivary lysozyme activity between subjects with different ages, working years, and education levels. The work period vitality and the average energy of ≤ 30 age group were higher than other two groups and the recovery energy was higher than >35 age group. Working period vitality, the average energy of group >15 years were less than ≤ 10 years group. The work period energy and the average energy of university (college) and above group were lower than high school (secondary) and the following group. Job burnout and its three dimensions had a significant negative correlation with salivary lysozyme concentration (P < 0.01). Depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were the negative impact factors for salivary lysozyme activity at baseline. Emotional exhaustion and personal fulfillment were the negative impact factors for salivary lysozyme activity during the working period. Personal fulfillment was the negative factor for salivary lysozyme activity during the recovery period and the average salivary lysozyme activity.

CONCLUSIONSalivary lysozyme activity is sensitive for nurse job burnout, so it can be used as an objective evaluation index of job burnout.

Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Emotions ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Muramidase ; analysis ; Nurses ; psychology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Regression Analysis ; Salivary Proteins and Peptides ; analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo construct eukaryotic expression plasmids containing green fluorescent protein gene and CYP19 wild-type or its variants (W39R, R264C, W39R-R264C) and to observe its expression in MCF-7 and Bcap-37 cells.

METHODSThe aromatase WT cDNA sequence was obtained by RT-PCR amplification and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+). pcDNA3.1(+)-CYP19-GFP plasmid was then used as the template for site-directed mutation to create variant constructs (W39R, R264C, W39R-R264C). pcDNA3.1(+)-CYP19-GFP was transfected and expressed in MCF-7 and Bcap-37 cells.

RESULTThe construction of pcDNA3.1(+)-CYP19-GFP plasmid was confirmed by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. pcDNA3.1(+)-CYP19(W39R)-GFP, pcDNA3.1(+)-CYP19(R264C)-GFP, pcDNA3.1(+)- CYP19(W39R-R264C)-GFP plasmids were confirmed by DNA sequencing. The MCF-7 and Bcap-37 cells transfected with the pcDNA3.1(+)-CYP19-GFP plasmid expressed reporter gene of GFP.

CONCLUSIONThe eukaryotic expression plasmids have been constructed and expressed in MCF-7 and Bcap-37 cells successfully, which lays the foundation for the research of biological activities of CYP19 variant allozymes.

Aromatase ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; Transfection

Thyroid cancer is the one of the most common endocrine tumors. The biological behaviors and prognoses of the thyroid cancer of different histological types remarkably differ. The highly invasive thyroid cancer responds poorly to traditional therapies. Recent research advances in the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer have revealed the roles of many genetic and epigenetic variations such as gene mutation, abnormal gene amplification, and abnormal gene methylation in the development of thyroid cancer, which provides new insights in the molecular diagnosis, prognosis, and target therapy of the thyroid cancer.
Carcinoma ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Signal Transduction ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics

Abstract: Our previous work revealed berberine can significantly enhance the susceptibility of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, which suggested that berberine has synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. Preliminary SAR of berberine needs to be studied for the possibility of investigating its target and SAR, improving its drug-likeness, and exploring new scaffold. In this work, 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives and N-benzyl isoquinoline analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and MS. Their synergetic activity with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. The 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives 1a-1e exhibited comparable activity to berberine, which suggested that the introduction of functional groups to C-13 can maintain its activity. The N-benzyl isoquinolines, which were designed as analogues of berberine with its D ring opened, exhibited lower activity than berberine. However, compound 2b, 2c, and 4b showed moderate activity, which indicated that berberine may be deconstructed to new scaffold with synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. The results of our research may be helpful to the SAR studies on its other biological activities.
Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Drug Synergism ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Ovarian cancer(OC)is an aggressive and fatal cancer. A growing number of studies have shown that the tumor mi-croenvironment(TME)is involved in the promotion and development of ovarian cancer,immunosuppression and inflammatory response through various mechanisms. TME includes tumor blood vessels and lymphatic vessels,as well as cancer cells,mesenchymal cells,im-mune cells,and extracellular matrix(ECM). Based on recent literature reports,this paper reviews the commonly used three-dimen-sional(3D)cell culture model of ovarian tumor microenvironment,and summarizes many 3D models that do not contain primitive stro-mal cells,aiming to find new approaches for ovarian cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the pathomorphology of the sciatic nerve and the role of P2X3 receptors in EA analgesia.

METHODSThe chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was adopted in this study. A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham CCI, CCI, CCI plus contralateral EA (CCI + conEA) and CCI plus ipsilateral EA (CCI + ipsEA). Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured. EA began at day 7 after the CCI operation and was applied to the Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan acupoints (GB 34). At day 14, the pathomorphologic changes of the operated sciatic nerve were demonstrated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons isolated from rats were examined by electrophysiological recording to determine if the P2X3 receptor agonists, adenosine 5'-triphosphate disodium (ATP) and α,β-methylen-ATP (α,β-meATP) evoked inward currents.

RESULTSPain thresholds in the CCI group were obviously decreased post CCI surgery (P<0.01). In the EA groups, thermal and mechanical threshold values were increased after the last EA treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in light microscopic examination among the four groups (P>0.05). Current amplitude after application of ATP and α,β-meATP in DRG neurons were much larger in the CCI group compared to those obtained in sham CCI (P<0.05). ATP and α, β-meATP invoked amplitudes in the CCI + EA groups were reduced. There was no signififi cant difference between the CCI + conEA group and the CCI + ipsEA group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA analgesia may be mediated by decreasing the response of P2X3 receptors to the agonists ATP and α,β-meATP in the DRG of rats with CCI. No pathological changes of the sciatic nerve of rats were observed after EA treatment.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Electroacupuncture ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hyperalgesia ; pathology ; Ion Channel Gating ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X3 ; metabolism ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling

OBJECTIVEThis case-control study was aimed to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in JWA promoter region, to assess the effect of SNP on transcriptional activity, and to probe the relationship between SNP and the risk of bladder cancer.

METHODSThe design of one control per case was adopted. The JWA gene promoter region in 155 patients with bladder cancer and in 155 cancer-free controls was amplified by PCR-SSCP technique, and the SNP were confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. The recombinant plasmids of JWA promoter fragment which contain the SNP were constructed as CAT reporter gene and were transfected transiently into NIH 3T3 cells for disclosing whether SNP changes the transcriptional activity of the promoter.

RESULTSA novel SNP -76 G-->C at promoter region of JWA gene was found. The frequencies of the C allele and GC genotype at JWA promoter -76G-->C in bladder cancer group (10.00% and 20.00% respectively) were significantly higher than those in control group (5.16% and 10.32% respectively) (P < 0.05). The transcriptional activity of -76GC allele genotype was significantly down-regulated as compared with that of -76GG allele genotype (P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that JWA polymorphism at promoter -76G-->C is an independent novel risk factor for bladder cancer.

CONCLUSIONThe JWA -76G-->C variant genotype may play an important role in transcription regulation of JWA gene and in the susceptibility to bladder cancer.

Aged ; Animals ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Middle Aged ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Transfection ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics