Aneurysm, Dissecting ; genetics ; Aortic Aneurysm ; genetics ; Diseases in Twins ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Medicine ; standards

Objective：This study was designed to explore the mechanism of inhibition of proliferation induced by arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and homoharringtonine in neuroblastoma. Method：Methy thiazoloyl tetrazolium (MTT) methods and analysis of apoptosis were used to evaluate the effect of As2O3 and homoharringtonine on the proliferation of NB cell lines and their mechanisms. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry techniques were used in NB cell lines treated with As2O3 and HHT to determine N-myc mRNA and protein expression. Results：Both As2O3 and HHT can significantly inhibit the proliferation of neuroblastoma cell lines and induce apoptosis of SJ-N-SH and IMR-32 cells. In As2O3 treated cell line, at transcription and protein level, N-myc expression is up-regulated at first and then down-regulated to a lower level. HHT can down-regulate N-myc protein. Conclusion：N-myc may play some roles in apoptosis induced by As2O3 and HHT, but the mechanisms initiating N-myc gene may be different.

AIMTo study the effect of antiparallel phosphorothioate triplex-forming oligonucleotide (apsTFO) matching with the shear stress response element (SSRE) of tissue factor (TF) gene promoter region on the expression of TF in endothelial cells (ECs) of rat common carotid artery stenosis.

METHODSThe model of common carotid artery middle segment stenosis was established by silica gel pipe loop ligation in SD rats. The mRNA expression and protein synthesis of TF, early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and specificity protein 1 (Sp1) were measured by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique. GT21-apsTFO, GT20-apsTFO, GT20-psTFO and FITC-labeled apsTFO, matching with the SSRE of TF gene promoter region, were designed, and intravenously injected into rats at 0.5 h before operation. TFO was detected 4 h after the operation, and the mRNA expression and protein synthesis of TF, Egr-1 and Sp1 were detected 6 h after the operation.

RESULTSThere were much fluorescence in vascular tissue, especially in the nuclear of ECs 4.5 h after the injection of apsTFO. The mRNA expression and protein synthesis of TF reduced by 22% - 23% with injection of GT20-apsTFO 6.5 h after stenosis (P < 0.01) and by 10% - 11% with GT21-apsTFO at the same time (P < 0.05). The inhibition by GT20-apsTFO was stronger than that of the GT21-apsTFO (P < 0.05). The expression of TF was not inhibited by the GT20-psTFO (P > 0.05). The mRNA expression and protein synthesis of Egr-1 and Sp1 did not change in the rat treated with GT20-apsTFO, GT20-psTFO and GT21-apsTFO (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONapsTFO could mero-inhibit the expression of TF gene but could not change the expression of Egr-1 and Sp1 protein.

Animals ; Carotid Stenosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Oligonucleotides ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shear Strength ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stress, Mechanical ; Thromboplastin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis is a study on some ABO subgroup samples which show discordant results of serological and molecular blood typing, the aim is to clarify their true ABO type by means of nucleotide analysis on exons 6 and 7 of their ABO gene.

METHODSAbsorb-elution test and family investigation were conducted to study 7 samples which were involved in ABO grouping discrepancies. Duplex polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) method was used to identify their ABO genotypes. PCR products of exons 6 and 7 were cloned and sequenced.

RESULTSAll the 7 ABO subgroup samples with the discordant results of serological and molecular blood typing were found to have the normal O gene. Four out of them were typed as ABsub by serology, they were all of the A*102/O genotype. Sequencing analysis found all their A gene having the nt467 (C-->T) and nt803 (G-->C) mutation by comparison with the A*101 allele, i.e. their real type should be CisAB/O. Three out of 7 were typed as AsubB by serology and as BO by genotype; and point mutation was detected in all of their B gene. One of them had the nt700 (C-->G) mutation, the other 2 unrelated individuals had the novel nt640 (A-->G) mutation in their B alleles.

CONCLUSIONThrough nucleotide analysis, 7 samples have been typed as AB subgroup in serology with the normal O gene, their real ABO type being CisAB in 4 cases and B(A) in 3 cases. At the same time, a kind of novel B (A)640 allele has been uncovered in this study.

ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; China ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo improve the level of clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant prostate lesions.

METHODSOne hundred and nine cases of prostate cancer and prostate hyperplasia were evaluated by the expression of high molecular weight cytokeratin (CK34BE12), prostate specific antigen (PSA) and protein P53 gene using the immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTSThe basal-cells in all of the benign lesions were stained with the CK34BE12 and PSA, while it had not immunoreactivity with P53. In contrast, the prostate carcinoma were not stained or partly stained with the CK34BE12 and PSA, but P53 show significant immunoreactivity with the tissue.

CONCLUSIONBased on the routine histological studies with the expression of CK34BE12 and PSA together, they can indicate the existence of basal-cell distinctly and show indirectly whether the basal-cell is integrated. Combining the expression of P53 to determine the existence of cancer gene, it can help to distinguish benign and malignant prostate lesions.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

To research the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of glycinamide-bearing compounds that used as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), P32/98 and compound A were chosen as the leading compounds, heterocycles containing nitrogen atom were introduced to form amide, and different residues on a-position of carbonyl were designed. The nineteen designed compounds were synthesized by a simple route and were evaluated as inhibitors of DPP-IV. All of the structures were characterized by 1H NMR and HRMS. The preliminary SAR result was obtained.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ; metabolism ; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drug Design ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Piperazines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new animal model of grading skeletal muscle contusions that could be controllable and repetitive. METHODS: The rats' gastrocnemius was injured by a new weight-dropping device designed. The force acting on gastrocnemius with a comparatively constant duration and inducing elastic deformation of the gastrocnemius was expressed with velocity (v) and deformation (DF). Instant velocity was changed to create gastrocnemius contusions. Pathological changes of gastrocnemius were graded by the gross and histological examinations of 39 rats. RESULTS: At low level of impact (v: 2 m/s, DF: 5.5 mm), mild injuries were detected in epimysium and superficial layer of gastrocnemius. At moderate level of impact (v: 2.5 m/s, DF: 6.5 mm), the injuries were observed in epimysium and whole gastrocnemius. At high level of impact (v: 3 m/s, DF: 7.5 mm), severe injuries were seen deeper to soleus with more extensive skeletal muscle damage. CONCLUSION Grading of skeletal muscle blunt force contusion is created by parameter of velocity and muscle deformation. The model could be used for further research on skeletal muscle contusions.
Animals ; Contusions/classification* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Forensic Pathology ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal/injuries* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of phospho-JNK (p-JNK) during the incised wound healing of the skin in mice and to explore the rule of the time-dependent change of p-JNK in wound age determination. METHODS: The changes of p-JNK expression in incised skin wound were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: There was a minimal baseline staining of p-JNK in control mouse skin. Changes of p-JNK expression were mainly detectable in neutrophils in the wound specimens from 3 hours to 12 hours after injury. Afterwards, the p-JNK positive cells were mostly mononuclear cells and fibroblasts between post-injury day 1 and day 5, whereas the p-JNK positive cells were mostly fibroblasts between post-injury day 7 and day 14. Morphometrically, the ratio of the p-JNK positive cells to the total increased gradually in the wound specimens from 3 hours to day 1, and maximized at day 1 with a slight decrease from post-injury day 3 to day 5. The ratio showed a second peak in the specimens of day 7, and then decreased gradually from post-injury day 10 to day 14. The changes of p-JNK expression were observed throughout the wound healing stages by Western blot as well, with a peak expression occurring between 12 hour and day 3 after injury. CONCLUSION p-JNK may play a pivotal role in inducing apoptosis of neutrophils, mononuclear cells, and fibroblasts during skin wound healing and meanwhile, p-JNK may be a potentially useful marker for wound age determination.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Random Allocation ; Skin/injuries* ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing ; Wounds, Penetrating/enzymology*