OBJECTIVETo study the possible relationship between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-238G/A gene polymorphism and the susceptibility to intrauterine HBV infection.

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty-six children, including 130 infants born to HBsAg positive mothers were divided into two groups: forty-five children with intrauterine HBV infection (group I) and 85 children without intrauterine HBV infection (group II), with a control group of 126. TNF-alpha-238G/A gene polymorphism was examined in all 256 children, by means of real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR.

RESULTSA significant difference of TNF-alpha-238A allele frequency was found between group I and group II (x2=6.797, P=0.009), and between group I and the controls group (x2=0.047, P=0.002), but there was no significant difference between group II and the control groups (x2=0.047, p=0.828).

CONCLUSIONThis study found that genetic polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-a was associated with intrauterine HBV infection

Adult ; Child ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Tumor Necrosis Factors ; genetics

Arteriovenous Fistula ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Spinal Cord ; blood supply ; Thoracic Vertebrae

Adult ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; therapy ; Balloon Occlusion ; adverse effects ; Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula ; therapy ; Cavernous Sinus ; abnormalities ; Dura Mater ; blood supply ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Arteries ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible relationship between cytokines (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10), which were expressed abnormal quantity in the peripheral blood to intrauterine HBV infectious children, gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and susceptibility to HBV intrauterine infection.

METHODSA cross sectional study on molecular epidemiology was carried out. The subjects were selected from outpatients of the hepatitis B vaccine special clinics of our hospital. According to intrant criteria, children under high risk of HBV intrauterine infection were divided into immuno-failure group (group I) and immuno-effective group (group II) while children without high risk were included in the control group. Four gene SNP sites of TNF-alpha-238, IFN-gamma + 874, IL-4-590 and IL-10-1082 region were determined by real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR.

RESULTSSignificant differences of TNF-alpha-238 A allele frequency were found between group I and group II (chi(2) = 6.797, P < 0.05) as well as between group I and control group (chi(2) = 9.513, P < 0.05). No evident difference of TNF-alpha-238 A was found between group II and control group (chi(2) = 0.047, P > 0.05). Significant differences of IFN-gamma + 874 A allele frequency were found between group I and group II (chi(2) = 7.238, P < 0.05), and between group I and the controls (chi(2) = 5.199, P < 0.05) but no significant difference was found between group II and control group (chi(2) = 0.602, P > 0.05). Significant differences of IL-4-590 C/T allele frequency were not found between group I and group II (chi(2) = 0.632, P > 0.05), group I and control group (chi(2) = 0.584, P > 0.05), or between group II and control group (chi(2) = 0.004, P > 0.05) respectively. Significant differences of IL-10-1082 G allele frequency were found between group II and group I (chi(2) = 10.359, P < 0.001), and between group II and the controls (chi(2) = 35.418, P < 0.001), but not found between group I and control group (chi(2) = 1.759, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study suggested the possibility that TNF-alpha-238 A allele and IFN-gamma + 874 A allele were associated with HBV intrauterine infection. There was no evident relationship between IL-4-590 C/T allele SNP and susceptibility to HBV intrauterine infection, but the IL-10-1082 G allele seemed to be associated with preventive efficacy to HBV intrauterine infection.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

AIMTo identify specifically expressed genes in the adult and fetal testes.

METHODSA human testis cDNA microarray was established. Then the mRNA of adult and fetal testis was purified and probes were prepared by a reverse transcription reaction with the testis mRNA as template. The microarray was hybridized with probes of adult and fetal testes. The nucleic sequences of differentially expressed genes were determined and homologies were searched in the databases of the GenBank.

RESULTSWhen hybridized with adult or fetal testis probes, the positive clones were 96.8 % and 95.4 %, respectively. Among these genes, one was a new testis-specific gene, which was named TSP1. TSP1 was highly expressed in human adult testis. The cDNA of TSP1 was 1,484 bp in length. The cDNA sequence of this clone was deposited in the Genbank (AF333098). TSP1 was also determined as Interim Gen Symbol (Unigene, No. Hs.98266). Protein analysis showed that TSP1 contained two functional domains: an N-terminal basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and a C-terminal leucine zipper (Zip). Homologous analysis showed that the 430 amino acid sequences deduced from the 1293 bp open reading frame (ORF) had a homology with the human gene FLJ2509 (AK098575). TSP1 had also a sequence homology with Spz 1 protein of mouse. Expression profiles showed that TSP1 was specifically and strongly expressed in the testis.

CONCLUSIONTSP1 is a gene highly expressed in adult testis. It may play an important role in spermatogenesis in the humans.

Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; genetics ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Testis ; embryology ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe influences of genomic background are confirmed in more diseases. Immunologic tolerance after intrauterine infection of hepatitis B virus is considered to occur in T cells. Cytokines work effectively in eliminating virus by immune system after hepatitis B virus infection. To explore the relationship between cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10), which expressed abnormal quantity in the peripheral blood to intrauterine hepatitis B virus infectious children, gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and susceptibility to hepatitis B virus intrauterine infection.

METHODSThis is a cross sectional study of molecular clinical epidemiology. The subjects in this study were selected from outpatients of hepatitis B vaccine follow-up special clinics of our hospital in the period. According to intrant criteria, the high risk children of hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine infection were divided into immune failure group (group I); and immune effective group (group II) and non high risk children belonged to the control group. Four gene SNP sites of TNF-alpha -238, IFN-gamma +874, IL-4 -590 and IL-10 -1082 were determined by real-time quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSThe significant differences of TNF-alpha -238 A allele frequency were found between group I and group II (chi(2) = 6.797, P < 0.05) and between group I and the control group (chi(2) = 9.513, P < 0.05). No evident differences of TNF-alpha -238 A were found between group II and control group (chi(2) = 0.047, P > 0.05); the significant differences of IFN-gamma +874 A allele frequency were found between group I and group II (chi(2) = 7.238, P < 0.05), and between group I and the control group (chi(2) = 5.199, P < 0.05). No evident differences were found between group II and the control group (chi(2) = 0.602, P > 0.05); the significant differences of IL-4 -590 C/T allele frequency were not found between group I and group II (chi(2) = 0.632, P > 0.05), also group I and the control group (chi(2) = 0.584, P > 0.05), and the group II and the control group (chi(2) = 0.004, P > 0.05) respectively; The significant differences of IL-10 -1082 G allele frequency were found between group II and group I (chi(2) = 10.359, P < 0.001), and between group II and the controls (chi(2) = 35.418, P < 0.001), but the significant differences were not found between group I and the control group (chi(2) = 1.759, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThis study suggested the possibility that the TNF-alpha -238 A allele and IFN-gamma +874 A allele were associated with HBV intrauterine infection. There was no evident relationship between IL-4 -590 C/T allele SNP and susceptibility to HBV intrauterine infection, but the IL-10 -1082 G allele was associated with preventive efficacy to HBV intrauterine infection.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cytokines ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mutant exogenous P27(kip1) gene on chemosensitivity of human cholangiocarcinoma cell line.

METHODSThe recombinant vector was constructed and the mutant P27(kip1) gene was transfected into human cholangiocarcinoma cell line (QBC(939)). RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of target genes. The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), mitomycin C (MMC) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) on the transfected cells were detected by assaying the apoptotic rate and growth inhibition by methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay and flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSThe mutant exogenous P27(kip1) gene was expressed effectively in the cells, and the expression enhanced the apoptosis and growth inhibition of QBC(939) inducted by 5-FU, MMC and CTX. The ratio of growth inhibiting increased significantly from 41.89% (5-FU), 45.59% (MMC), 38.91% (CTX) to 56.15% (5-FU), 55.65% (MMC), 51.69% (CTX), and apoptosis index from 13.76% +/- 3.03% (5-FU), 11.76% +/- 3.99% (MMC), 10.46% +/- 2.10% (CTX) to 41.39% +/- 4.32% (5-FU), 35.94% +/- 2.71% (MMC), 34.46% +/- 2.32% (CTX) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe exogenous P27(kip1) gene transfer can remarkably increase the drug sensibility of the cholangiocarcinoma cells. The strategy targeted to control the cell cycle may be more effective in cancer treatment by combination of P27(kip1) gene therapy.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; pathology ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDThe nevus of Ota, is a common benign pigmentary dermatosis, mainly involve innervation area of first and second branch of trigeminal nerve. The classification of nevus of Ota was proposed by Tanino, based on 26 cases of nevus of Ota from 1937 to 1940. Studies about its classification are rarely seen in last 70 years, while it is still practical today.

METHODSBased on the clinical photographs, 1079 consecutive patients with nevus of Ota were verified and reclassified according to the innervation areas of the trigeminal nerve branches.

RESULTSIn these 1079 cases, 866 patients were in line with Tanino's classification (80.26%), and 213 patients were not (19.74%). We put forward a new clinical classification (Peking Union Medical College Hospital classification, PUMCH classification) of nevus of Ota based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, composed of 5 types and 14 subtypes. The 5 types were as follows: Type I - pigmentation maculeses involving the innervation area of one of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 424 cases (39.3%), comprising 6 subtypes; Type II - pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of two branches of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 221 cases (20.48%), comprising 4 subtypes; Type III - pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of all three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 361 cases (33.45%), comprising 2 subtypes; Type IV - bilateral type, in which the pigmentation macules involves the bilateral cheek, of which there were 63 cases (5.84%), comprising 2 subtypes; and Type V - complications occurred in the patient, of which there were 10 cases (0.93%).

CONCLUSIONThe new classification of nevus of Ota is based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, and it covers all types of Tanino's classifications; on that basis, some new types and subtypes are brought in and cover almost every clinical condition.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nevus of Ota ; classification ; diagnosis ; Trigeminal Nerve ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the longitudinal layer-specific strain of patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) before and 1 day after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI),and then to explore the clinical value of PCI for patients with CTO. Methods A total of 30 patients diagnosed with CTO through coronary angiography and successfully taken the PCI procedure were enrolled in this study.Twenty-nine healthy volunteers were set as the control group.All patients were assigned to take echocardiography 1 day before and 1 day after PCI. The apical four-chamber (4CH),apical two-chamber (2CH) and the apical long-axis ( APLAX) echocardiographic images of all subjects were acquired.Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-systolic volume (LVESV),ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume (LVSV) were measured.The mitral annular lateral S′,septal S′and average S′by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were also measured.The longitudinal layer-specific strain was analysed by 2D-STI.Results Compared to the control group,CTO group showed a decreased endocardial,midcardial and epicardial longitudinal strain of 4CH,2CH and APLAX ( P < 0.05). The global endocardial,midcardial and epicardial longitudinal strain were also decreased ( P <0.05).On the first day after PCI,these measures were increased compared to those on the first day before PCI (P<0.05) but the endocardial longitudinal strain of APLAX,2CH and GLS were still decreased compared to those of the control group ( P <0.05).The mitral annular lateral S′,septal S′and average S′of CTO group were decreased compared to those of the control group ( P <0.05).On the first day after PCI,the mitral annular lateral S′,septal S′and average S′were increased ( P <0.05) but showed no significant difference compared to the control group ( P > 0.05).All the other measures showed no significant difference among the three groups ( P >0.05).Conclusions The longitudinal strain of patients with CTO is decreased compared to that of healthy people and increased after PCI.

Objective To study the serological characterization of indeterminate Western blot(WB)results of HIV antibody and to find a new way to verify the HIV antibody indeterminate results and provide references for editing"National Guideline for Detection of HIV/AIDS".Methods All of the 42 subjects who were confirmed as indeterminate HIV antibody in People'Libaretion Amry HIV Confirmation Laboratory from 2005 to 2006,were collected.Line immunoassay.HIV viral load test and HIV-1 p24 were tested and followed up for 3-6 months'to compare the changes of WB bands patterns.Results (1)For the 42 individuals with indeterminate HIV antibody.a total of 8 different patterns of bands were found in WB test including 45.2% of them were p24 monoband,30.9% were gp160 monoband,11.9% were gp160 with p24,2.4%(only one case)were gp160gp120 ±,gp41p24,p24p17,gp41 or gp120respectively.It was noticed that the most patterns of common bands with indeterminate results were p24 monoband.gpl60 monoband and gpl60 with p24.which composed 88.0% of the whole indeterminate WB band patterns.(2)Twenty three cases had been followed up for more than 3 months with 22 giving no WB band image change and were confirmed as HIV sero-negative.The other one with case gp160 and p24 had developed to more bands in the period of 77 days follow-up with more bands,including gpl60,gp120,p66,p31,p24 and p17,showed up and was confirmed as HIV primary infection.(3)Line immunoassay was applied to all of those 23 cases who had been followed up and the results showed that only one serological change was found and the case was confirmed to be HIV-positive.Among the other 22 cases without serological changes.16 cases were proved to be HIV-negative,6 cases were still indeterminate.The specificitv was 72.7%.P24 antigen test showed negative in all the 23 cases,including the case which later was confirmed as HIV-positive.Of all the 23 originally indeterminate cases,viral loads were tested in 7 eases.Positive result was found in the case which was proved later to be HIV-positive.No viral loads were detected in the other 6 cases(＜LDL).Conclusion The most common band patterns of indeterminate HIV antibody were mainly p24 monoband,gp160 monoband or with p24.Most of them (95.6%)were not infected by HIV,the bands showed up in WB test and demonstrated as non-specific reactions.Line immunoassay could determine about 70% of the indeterminate reactions.Results from viral load test also suggested that it was an efficient method to discriminate indeterminate results.With these two techniques,HIV serology could be diagnosed without 3 months'follow-up in primary infection which gave indeterminate WB results.