BACKGROUND:As the regulators of cytokines, suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) play an important role in the inflammation reaction. Some studies found that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 were involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease. But the expressions of SOCS in coronary heart disease have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD).METHODS:Myocardial autopsy specimens were collected from 24 patients at the Forensic Medicine Department of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China between 2005 and 2006. Of them, 9 patients had autopsy findings consistent with coronary atherosclerosis (non-myocardial infarction) leading to SCD (non-MI group), 7 died of acute myocardial infaction (MI group), and 8 died from traffic accidents and trauma (control group). The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the myocardium of the non-MI, MI and control groups were detected using RT-PCR. The levels of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13.0 software and the data were analyzed by ANOVA.RESULTS:The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the control group[(0.788±0.101), (0.741±0.111) vs. (0.436±0.044), (P<0.01); (0.841±0.092), (0.776±0.070) vs. (0.454±0.076), (P<0.01)] respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-1 protein in the myocardium of the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the myocardium of the control group[(320.00±48.48), (347.14±70.88) vs. (42.50±10.35), (P<0.01)] respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-3 protein in the myocardium of the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the myocardium of the control group[(381.11±59.25) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P<0.01)] and[(332.86±111.91) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P=0.001)].CONCLUSION:The expressions of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with SCD from coronary heart disease are significantly increased and contribute to the pathogenesis of SCD.

Human glutamate decarboxylase 65(hGAD65) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transformation of L-glutamic acid into ?-aminobutyric acid.It has been found that Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)is an autoimmune disease,in which pancreatic islet ?-cells are destroyed due to immune response mediated by autoantigen.hGAD65 is considered as a key autoantigen of the autoimmune response,so anti-hGAD65 antibody(hGAD65-Ab) is the most effective and specific immune marker for T1DM diagnosis,and hGAD65 can be used to detect hGAD65-Ab in serum of T1DM patients.The hGAD65 gene was cloned into pET32a(+),then the recombinant plasmid with hGAD65 was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) and expressed by IPTG induction.The fusion protein containing thioredox,hexahistidine and hGAD65(Trx-hGAD65) was mostly insoluble,but the band of soluble Trx-hGAD65 could also be detected by SDS-PAGE,and it was a great improvement compared with the results reported.Trx-hGAD65 was isolated from lysate and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography(IMAC).After enterokinase digestion and IMAC purification,hGAD65 with high purity was obtained.Detection of thin-layer chromatography(TLC) showed that both Trx-hGAD65 and hGAD65 had enzymatic activity,whereas Trx-hGAD65 had better stability.Furthermore,it was confirmed that Trx-hGAD65 was able to conjugate with hGAD65-Ab in the serum of T1DM patients by ELISA assay.In conclusion,Trx-hGAD65 instead of hGAD65 can be used for T1DM diagnosis,and its application in prophylaxis and therapy of T1DM is expectable.

AIMTo investigate whether early apoptotic changes in spermatozoa can be significant markers for sperm quality.

METHODSTwo early apoptotic changes in the semen of 56 men were assessed using Annexin V (AN)/propidium iodide (PI) staining for phosphatidylserine externalization and JC-1 staining for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results were compared with conventional semen parameters and DNA fragmentation identified using the TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe different labeling patterns in the bivariate Annexin V/PI analysis identified four distinctive spermatozoa populations. The percentage of AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa positively correlated with conventional semen parameters and MMP, but negatively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa. As for the AN(-)/PI(+) fraction, we found an opposite result in comparison to AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa. The level of early apoptotic AN(+)/PI(+) spermatozoa negatively correlated with MMP and sperm motility. The level of late apoptotic AN+/PI+ spermatozoa negatively correlated with conventional semen parameters and MMP, and positively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa. MMP positively correlated with conventional semen parameters, but negatively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa.

CONCLUSIONAlthough early apoptotic AN+/PI(-) spermatozoa only negatively correlates with sperm motility, the differences in proportion of each subpopulation of spermatozoa (especially, the percentage of AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa), and decreased MMP might be significant markers for diagnosing male infertility. They possibly bring additional information to predict the outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; DNA ; physiology ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo screen for potential mutations in an ethnic Han Chinese family from Shanxi with hereditary multiple exostoses.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to screen potential mutations in EXT1 and EXT2 genes.

RESULTSFor EXT1 gene, two synonymous mutations (P477P and E587E), three intronic mutations (c.1537 -48A>G, c.1721 +203A>G and c.1722 -103C>G) were detected. For EXT2 gene, five intronic mutations (c.-29 -148A>T, c.1080 -18T>A, c.1336 -93C>T, c.1526 -166C>T, and c.1526 -195C>T) were identified. Among these, EXT1 P477P, EXT1 E587E and EXT2 c.1080 -18T>A are polymorphisms listed by Multiple Osteochondroma Mutation Database, whilst the other 7 sites have not been reported.

CONCLUSIONNo mutations have been found among all exons of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes in this family. Linkage analysis is necessary for identifying the cause of this disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Exons ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases ; genetics ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in vitro effect of bortezomib (BTZ) alone and in combination with pirarubicin (THP) on the growth inhibition of human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell line Hut-78.

METHODSHut-78 cells were cultured with different concentrations of BTZ or THP alone and the two drugs combination for 48 h. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated. The cell cycle inhibitor P21 was determined by Western blot.

RESULTSBTZ or THP alone significantly inhibited the growth of Hut-78 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In the combination groups, the inhibitory effect of BTZ followed by THP was the highest (P < 0.01). When the inhibition rate was more than 50%, the combination index analysis showed significant synergistic if treated with BTZ followed by THP or the two at the same time, but antagonistic if treated with THP followed by BTZ. With the inhibition rate increasing, only the synergistic effect of BTZ followed by THP was further increased. The apoptosis rate of BTZ followed by THP was higher than that of single agent each (P < 0.01). BTZ alone significantly increased the proportion of cells in G(2)/M phase (P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression level of P21. Sequential THP notably enhanced BTZ-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSBTZ alone effectively induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of Hut-78 cells in vitro. BTZ followed by THP can synergistically enhance this cytotoxic effect. The mechanism may be that THP enhances BTZ-induced G(2)/M arrest and P21 up-regulation.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; pathology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sex chromosomes and the expression of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) on activated human unfertilized oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) with calcium ionophore A23187 and puromycin.

METHODSAll 95 discarded oocyes that showed no evidence of fertilization at 16-18 h after in vitro maturation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (IVM-ICSI)/conventional ICSI were exposed to calcium ionophore A23187 (5 micromol/L) for 5 min and then were incubated with puromycin (10 microg/mL) for 4 h. After activation, the oocytes were cultured in vitro for 3-5 days. The sex chromosome analysis was performed by dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of IGF-II on the activated embryos, normal embryos, and parthenotes was examined.

RESULTSThe combination of calcium ionophore A23187 with puromycin could activate the unfertilized oocytes 22 h after ICSI. The activated rate, cleavage rate, and quality of activated embryos of the IVM-ICSI group were similar to those of ICSI group, respectively. Sex chromosome analysis indicated that 8 male and 5 female embryos had been derived from two pronucleus and a second polar body. The expression of IGF-II on activated embryos and normal embryos was high and similar, which was much stronger than that of parthenotes.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of calcium ionophore A23187 with puromycin could effectively activate unfertilized oocytes 22 h after ICSI. Moreover, the unfertilized oocytes activated by calcium ionophore A23187 and puromycin had normal sex chromosomes and expression of IGF-II like the normal embryos. These suggest that oocyte activation may be considered as a remedial measure in the presence of total or nearly total fertilization failure in ICSI.

Calcimycin ; pharmacology ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; metabolism ; Ionophores ; pharmacology ; Oocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Puromycin ; pharmacology ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods

Objective Lipid metabolism disorders caused by cell foam plays an important role in atherosclerosis,but wheth-er it is involved in the development and progression of silicosis has not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of free silica(SiO2) in inducing foam cell formation of NR8383 alveolar macrophages in rats. Methods NR8383 cells were cultured in vitro by the routine method (the control group) or in 50 μg/mL SiO2 (the SiO2group), 50 μg/mL ox-LDL (the ox-LDL group), or 50 μg/ml SiO2and ox-LDL (the model group), all for 36 hours. The survival rate of the cells was calculated with the cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assay (MTS),the lipid deposition observed by oil red O staining,the levels of total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC) and cholesterol esters(CE) measured by ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ and CD36 in the cells determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results Compared with the control group,the cells treated with ox-LDL showed a significantly increased survival rate, which reached the peak at 50 μg/mL ([1.501±0.201]%) (P<0.05). Foam cells were observed in the SiO2,ox-LDL and model groups,but most significantly in the model group. In comparison with the ox-LDL group,the model group exhibited remarkable increases in TC([14.195±2.260] vs[35.764±4. 226] μg/mg,P<0.05),FC([7.722±0.690] vs[10.049±0.698] μg/mg,P<0.05),CE([6.473±1.707] vs[25.715±4.243] μg/mg,P<0.05),and CE/TC (45.057% vs 71.642%, P<0.05). Conclusion Free SiO2promotes the lipid metabolism disorder in macrophages and enhances the foaming of the cells,in which PPARγ and CD36 may play an important role of regulation.

Objective:To review and summarize our experience of surgical approach and reconstructive strategy for locally advanced breast cancer(LABC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of 252 patients who underwent LABC treatment in our department from March 2006 to August 2017.Totally 197 of them were primary tumor and 55 were secondary.All the patients were received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Surgical technology and clinical outcomes were compared and statistical analyzed.Results:The average hospital stay time of these patients was(12.9 ± 3.4)d(9-45 d),and the follow-up period after surgery was(18.7 ± 9.6)months(5-72 months).The size of tumor ranged 30 cm×25 cm to 5 cm×13 cm.71 of these cases had the whole chest wall defect,which 41 of them reconstructed with titanium mesh to establish the stability of chest.The sizes of flaps for reconstructing soft tissue defects ranged 14 cm×6 cm-29 cm×30 cm.Different flaps were selected for covering the chest wall defect,which local flaps for 16 case(6.3%);pectoralis major myocutaneous combined with breast flaps for 31 cases(12.3%);lateral thoracic flaps for 34 cases(13.5%);latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps with pedicle for 98 cases(38.9%);rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps for 56 cases(22.2%)and deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps(DIEP flaps)for 17 cases(6.7%).All the patients recovered well,and the function and appearance of chest wall were satisfactory(P< 0.05).Conclusions:Plastic technology for reconstruction provides a useful strategy and method for LABC treatment,and is able to improve the life quality and prognosis of the patients.

Aim To investigate the effect and role of neuronal restriction silencing factor(REST/NRSF)in epilepsy disorder.Methods Immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence,Western blot and qPCR tech-niques were used to detect REST/NRSF expression levels in hippocampal tissues of mice induced by kainic acid and human brain tissue.Viral injections,EEG re-cordings and behavioral methods were used to test the effects on epileptic mice after knockdown and overex-pression of REST/NRSF in the hippocampal CA1 re-gion,respectively.Results The positive rate of REST/NRSF in the lesions of epileptic patients was significantly higher compared with that in the control group.The levels of REST/NRSF protein and mRNA in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of mice in the KA model group were significantly higher.Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 potassium channel mRNA expression levels were significantly down-regulated.Significant up-regu-lation of REST/NRSF expression levels was observed in mouse hippocampus after NMDA injection.Knock-down of REST/NRSF in the CA1 region of hippocam-pus significantly elevated the expression levels of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 potassium channel mRNAs.The fre-quency of EEG spiking and sharp-wave issuance and epileptic seizure grade were significantly lower.Over-expression of REST/NRSF in the CA1 region of hippo-campus significantly reduced the mRNA expression lev-els of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 potassium channels.The fre-quency of EEG spiking and sharp-wave issuance was significantly higher and epileptic symptoms were exac-erbated.Conclusion REST/NRSF in mouse hipp-ocampal brain regions is involved in epileptic disease development through transcriptional regulation of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 potassium channels.