BACKGROUNDAdrenocorticotrophin (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenomas account for approximately 7% - 14% of all pituitary adenomas, but its pathogenesis is still enigmatic. This study aimed to explore mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

METHODSWe used fiber-optic beadarray to examine gene expression in three ACTH-secreting adenomas compared with three normal pituitaries. Four differentially expressed genes from the three ACTH-secreting adenomas and three normal pituitaries were chosen randomly for validation by reverse transcriptase-real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We then analyzed the differentially expressed gene profile with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway.

RESULTSFiber-optic beadarray analysis showed that the expression of 28 genes and 8 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were significantly increased and the expression of 412 genes and 31 ESTs were significantly decreased. Bioinformatic and pathway analysis showed that the genes HIGD1B, EPS8, HPGD, DAPK2, and IGFBP3 and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway may play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that numerous aberrantly expressed genes and several pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Fiber-optic beadarray combined with pathway analysis of differential gene expression appears to be a valid method of investigating tumour pathogenesis.

ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Adenoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Adult ; Disease Progression ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; physiology ; Female ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the Pim-1 gene in the LNCaP cells of the animal model of orthotopically implanted prostate cancer by surgical castration simulating androgen-deprivation therapy.

METHODSWe equally allocated 32 male BALBc-nu mice into 4 groups, androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC), androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) , castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and blank control, and established the models of orthotopically implanted tumor using human prostate cancer LNCaP cells. We detected and ,compared the expressions of Pim-1, PSA, and androgen receptor (AR) in the tumor tissues of different groups by RT-PCR. qRT-PCR, ELSIA and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe relative gray scales in the ADPC and CRPC groups were 0.59 ± 0.01 and 1.14 ± 0.02, with statistically significant differences from 0.62 ± 0.03 in the ADT group (P < 0.05), and the Δ Ct values of Pim-1 were 6.15 ± 0.34 and 4.56 ± 0.23 in the former two groups, also with significant differences from 5.11 ± 0.21 in the latter (P < 0.05). The results of 2-ΔΔ Ct relative quantification analysis showed that the amplification products of Pim-1 in the ADT and CRPC groups increased 2.05 and 3.01 times respectively that of the ADPC group. The concentration of PSA was significantly higher in the ADPC ([480 ± 25] pg/ml) and CRPC ([870 ± 23] pg/ml) than in the ADT ([170 ± 32] pg/ml) and blank control groups (0 µg/L) (P < 0.01). The mean optical densities of Pim-1 and AR proteins were 0.017 ± 0.002 and 0.032 ± 0.009 in the ADPC group and 0.024 ± 0.002 and 0.040 ± 0.011 in the CRPC group, both with significant differences from those in the ADT group (0.018 ± 0.001 and 0.019 ± 0.006) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPim-1 is highly expressed in nude mice with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy and plays an important role in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer.

Androgen Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Disease Progression ; Gene Expression ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent ; metabolism ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-pim-1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism

By inquiring the medical students under the background of grouping teaching between the mainland students and the oversea Chinese students,we have got something about their attitude toward the credit system.The result will help us to improve the teaching renovation in medical education.The questionnaire including implementing of credit system,standard credit system, grouping teaching,curriculum,tutor system of the undergraduates,the administration of education,and so on.Then we analyze and get the result.

Objective To study the influence of fluoride on the expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) mRNA and protein in suckling rat osteoblasts. Methods Osteoblasts obtained from calvarial of suckling Wistar rats were cultured in vitro in the media supplemented with NaF at a series of doses[O(control), 1,2 and 4 mg/L groups], and OPG mRNA expression and protein were evaluated by RT-PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. Results OPG mRNA expression in suckling rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro significantly increased after exposure to NaF for 48 h and 72 h(F=333.48,808.34,P<0.05). OPG mRNA expression in suckling rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro after exposure to NaF for 48 h at different doses(0.810±0.003, 0.819±0.031 and 0.870±0.044 for 1,2 and 4 mg/L groups, respectively) compared with that of control (0.800±0.040, all P<0.05). OPG mRNA expression further increased for 72 h exposure to NaF(0.933±0.047,1.031±0.051,1.240±0.062 for 1,2 and 4 mg/L, respectively), significantly higher than that of the control (0.805±0.020,all P<0.05) and corresponding groups at 48 h. NaF doses and time exposure exhibited a significant synergistic effect on OPG mRNA expression(F=2004.16, P<0.05). NaF also enhanced OPG protein expression in suckling rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro. Significant differences were observed only in 4 mg/L group(0.228±0.014,0.277±0.048) and control(0.205±0.012,0.229±0.010) at 48 h and 72 h (P<0.05). In addition, OPG protein expression at 72 h post-exposure was higher than that at 48 h,but there was no synergistic effect between concentration and time(F=1.21,P>0.05). Conclusions The results suggested that NaF could increase OPG mRNA and protein expression in suckling rat osteoblasts with a synergistic effect between the doses and exposure time.

The infection status of anisakid larvae was examined in 290 marine fish of 25 species and in 108 cephalopods of 3 species purchased in Bayuquan region, Yingko city nearby the coast of the Bohai Sea from may to August 1992. A total of 7,327 larvae were collected from 156 fish of 19 species and 8 squids of one species. The 3rd-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex were collected from 121 fish (63.4%) of 15 species (N = 191) and from 8 squids (14.8%) of one species (N = 54), and they were total, 5,992 (81.8%). Out of remaining 1,335 larvae, 154 (2.1%) were classified as Thynnascaris type B from 23 fish of 4 species, 1,013 (13.8%) as Thynnascaris type C from 79 fish of 13 species. 164 (2.2%) as Hysterothylacium China type V from 20 fish of 4 species, 3 (0.04%) as Raphidascaris from 3 fish of 2 species and one was Pseudoterranova decipiens larva.
Animal ; Anisakiasis/veterinary* ; Anisakiasis/parasitology ; Anisakiasis/epidemiology ; Anisakis/isolation & purification ; Anisakis/classification* ; China ; Fish Diseases/parasitology* ; Fish Diseases/epidemiology ; Fishes ; Larva ; Seawater ; Squid/parasitology*

Objective To investigate the effect of rosuvastatin on myocardial reperfusion and the recent clinical efficacy of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with/without the chronic pre-treatment of statins.Methods A total of 170 STEMI patients after primary PCI were enrolled.According to the history with the pre-treatment of statins,the patients were divided into long-term intervention group (pre-treatment of statins more than 3 months,n =45) and no long-term treatment group (without pre-treatment of statins or with less than 3 months pre-treatment of statins,n =125) patients.The no long-term treatment group was then randomly divided into the high dose group(n =64) and conventional dose group(n =61).The patients in high dose group were orally given treated with rosuvastatin 20 mg orally before PCI,and treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg qn after PCI,while the patients in the other two groups were treated with 10 mg rosuvastatin orally before PCI,and given rosuvastatin 10 mg qn after PCI.The three groups were treated for 40 d.All patients were orally given aspirin 300 mg + clopidogrel 600 mg before PCI,and treated with aspirin 100 mg qd + clopidogrel 75 mg qd after PCI for at least 12 months.Myocardial reperfusion,left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD),fractional shortening (FS) and Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs) and adverse drug reactions were compared among the three groups.Results In the high dose group,long-term intervention group and the conventional dose group,the rates of TIMI 3 grade were 93.75％,95.56％ and 85.25％ respectively,while the rates of STR were 93.75％,95.56％ and 86.89％,and the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmia was 60.94％,57.78％ and 36.07％.Significant differences were found in all the parameters above among all groups (P ＜ 0.05).Forty days after PCI,in the three groups LVEDD were (52.80 ± 4.82),(51.88 ± 4.79) and (52.85 ± 4.72) mm,FS were (39.65 ± 2.89) ％,(40.05 ± 2.25) ％ and (34.05 ± 2.89) ％,and LVEF were (53.78 ± 6.92)％,(54.08 ± 6.22)％ and(47.05 ± 6.10)％,the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05) when compared with the parameters measured 7 days after PCI.MACEs in the group with pre-treatment of statins were recurrent angina pectoris(1 case),cardiogenic shock (3 cases),heart failure (1 case) and severe ventricular arrhythmia(2 cases),and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse event was 15.56％ (7/45 cases).In high-dose group,MACEs were recurrent angina (3 cases),cardiogenic shock (1 case),heart failure (4 cases),severe ventricular arrhythmia (3 cases),death (1 case);the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events was 18.75％ (12/64 cases),and statistically significant differences were found when compared with the conventional dose group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Conventional dose pre-treatment of rosuvastatin was able to further alleviate the ischemic myocardial reperfusion and improve the recent clinical efficacy for STEMI patients with long-term pre-treatment of statins after primary PCI.

OBJECTIVEBone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) of rabbits transferred with mammalian hBMP-4 expression plasmid were used to construct tissue-engineered bone. Gene therapy combined with tissue-engineering technique was explored to further improve osteogenesis.

METHODSpEGFP-hBMP-4 plasmid was constructed by subcloning technique. bMSCs were then transferred with either pEGFP-hBMP-4, pEGFP plasmid by lipofectamine or left uninfected in vitro. The cells from the 3 groups were combined with natural non-organic bone (NNB) to construct tissue-engineered bones, which were subcutaneously implanted into nude mice (6 implants per group) for 4 weeks. Specimens were evaluated through histological and computerized new bone formation analysis.

RESULTSpEGFP-hBMP-4 plasmid was successfully constructed. bMSCs could attach and proliferate on the surface on NNB. In vivo experiment showed that new bone formation in pEGFP-hBMP-4 group was higher than those of the control groups.

CONCLUSIONSTissue-engineered bone using hBMP-4 gene modified bMSCs might be an ideal alternative for the repair of bone.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Osteogenesis ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering

In order to observe the proliferative and apoptotic situation of megakaryocytes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). CD41 immunoenzyme labeling (alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase APAAP)/DNA in situ end labelling (ISEL) double stained techniques was used onto plastic cold embedded bone marrow sections in 29 MDS patients to analyse the proliferative and apoptostic characterization of megakaryocytic line with 14 cases of iron deficient diseases (IDA) as control. The results showed that the mean CD41 positive cell number in MDS group was (26.23 +/- 8.18) /mm(2) with a count of (15.64 +/- 7.11) /mm(2) in control group (p < 0.05). The small-micro megakaryocytes in MDS is much higher than that in IDA group (P<0.01). There was a positive co-relation between total megakaryocytes and small-micro megakaryocytes count in MDS (r = 0.702, p<0.01). Some megakaryocytes distributed abnormally around trabecula and formed small or large clusters. Apoptotic megakaryocytes in MDS occupied 4.40% and 9.32% of all CD14 positive cells and all apoptotic cells respectively (p > 0.5 comparing with control). Apoptosis in megakargocytic line occurred only in small-micro megakaryocytes and showed positive co-relation to the number of micro-megakaryocytes. Some apoptotic cell with morphologic characters of megakaryocytes expressed no CD41. It is concluded that overproliferation of megakaryocytes exists in MDS. Apoptosis occurring in micro-megakaryocytes may be a kind of physiological response to abnormal megakaryopoicsis in MDS. No obvious increased apoptosis of megakaryocytes in MDS was found perhaps due to lack of surface antigens CD41 in some later stages of apoptotic cell.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis ; Cell Division ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Megakaryocytes ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of dynamin-1 and phosphor-dynamin-1 in the hippocampus of children and rats with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and to investigate the roles of dynamin-1 and phosphor-dynamin-1 in the development of MTLE.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 25 days) were randomly divided into acute control (AC), acute seizure (AS), latent control (LC), latent seizure (LS), chronic control (CC) and chronic spontaneous seizure (CS) groups. Lithium chloride-pilocarpine was used to induce a rat model of MTLE. The hippocampus samples of 5 children with a pathologically confirmed hippocampal sclerosis who received surgical operation were collected as a human model (HM) group, and the hippocampus samples of 4 dead children (without organic lesion of the hippocampus) were collected by autopsy as a human control (HC) group. The expression of dynamin-1 and phosphor-dynamin-1 in the hippocampus of children and rats with MTLE was measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe Western blot showed that the expression of phosphor-dynamin-1 was significantly lower in the AS and CS groups than in the corresponding control groups (AC and CC groups) (P<0.05). The expression of phosphor-dynamin-1 was significantly lower in the HM group than in the HC group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the expression of dynamin-1 among the AS, LS and CS groups and between the HM and HC groups (P>0.05). The immunohistochemical results showed that phosphor-dynamin-1 was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of hippocampal neurons of AC, CC and HC groups, but its expression was significantly reduced in the AS, CS and HM groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of phosphor-dynamin-1, not dynamin-1, is downregulated in the hippocampus of children and rats with MTLE during seizures, which suggests that the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of dynamin-1 may be involved in the development of MTLE.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Child ; Dynamin I ; analysis ; metabolism ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; metabolism ; Female ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To compare the effects of inoculated or non-inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the steroidal saponin component in root of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. By pot experiments, steroid saponin component in root of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was determined and compared by HPLC. The results showed there was difference in the effects of different AM fungal on the secondary metabolite steroid saponin in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. After elicitors treatment, AM fungal did not change the chemical backgrounds of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, but can improve partly the content of chemical compositions in roots. In conclusion, there was selectivity between AM fungal and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Glomus intraradices was the most appropriate strain for inoculation P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.
Liliaceae ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Mycorrhizae ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Saponins ; metabolism