Gene expression profile analysis of tobacco leaf trichomes.

Background: Leaf trichomes of Nicotiana tabacum are distinguished by their large size, high density, and superior secretion ability. They contribute to plant defense response against biotic and abiotic stress, and also influence leaf aroma and smoke flavor. However, there is limited genomic information about trichomes of this non-model plant species.

Different amplification patterns of the human telomerase RNA gene in invasive cervical carcinomas and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III.

The aim of this study was to compare the amplification patterns of the human telomerase RNA gene (hTERC) in invasive cervical carcinomas (ICC) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III) and to define their potential clinical implications. Cervical liquid-based cytological (LBC) specimens were collected from 53 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 14 CIN III, and 20 normal controls. Copy numbers of the hTERC gene were measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a dual-color probe containing the hTERC probe and the control, chromosome 3 centromere-specific probe (CSP3).

[Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy: a retrospective study].

Objective: To compare Piver radical hysterectomy (RH) with nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) for cervical cancer patients in terms of postoperative physiology of pelvic autonomic nerve and perioperative complications.

Methods: Ninety-three consecutive patients with invasive cervical cancer underwent RH (69 cases) or NSRH (24 cases) from March 2005 to March 2006 at Fudan University Cancer Hospital. The postoperative function of bladder, bowel and sexual function and perioperative morbidity were assessed.

Involvement of hydrogen peroxide in the manganese-induced myocytes mitochondrial membrane potential loss.

Isolated rat ventricular myocytes were incubated in different manganese concentrations and after that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi m) were investigated by a flow cytometer (FACScan) as well as laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Results showed that, although the total ROS in the cell were increased after manganese treatment, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was the main elevated species while superoxide anion (O(2).(-)) was nearly unchanged.

Shotgun proteomic analysis of the fat body during metamorphosis of domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori).

Protein expression profiles in the fat bodies of larval, pupal, and moth stages of silkworm were determined using shotgun proteomics and MS sequencing. We identified 138, 217, and 86 proteins from the larval, pupal and moth stages, respectively, of which 12 were shared by the 3 stages. There were 92, 150, and 45 specific proteins identified in the larval, pupal and moth stages, respectively, of which 17, 68, and 9 had functional annotations.

Role of Neurotrophin 3 in spinal neuroplasticity in rats subjected to cord transection.

That neuroplasticity occurs in mammalian spinal cord is well known, though the underlying mechanism still awaits elucidation. This study evaluated the role of endogenous Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the spinal neuroplasticity. Following cord transection at the junction between T9 and T10, the hindlimb locomotor functions of rats showed gradual but significant improvement from 7 to 28 days post-operation.

Proteomic and bioinformatic analysis on endocrine organs of domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori L. for a comprehensive understanding of their roles and relations.

Three organs of silkworm larva endocrine system, including brain (Br), subesophageal ganglion (SG) and prothoracic glands (PG), were studied employing shotgun LC-MS/MS combined with bioinformatic analysis to comprehensively understand their roles and relations. Totally, 3430, 2683, and 3395 proteins were identified including 1885 common and 652, 253, and 790 organ-specific ones in Br, SG, and PG, respectively. Identified common-expressed proteins indicated the existence of intrinsic complex interactions among these parts of endocrine system.

Comparative proteomic analysis between the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) reared on fresh mulberry leaves and on artificial diet.

To gain an insight into the effects of different diets on growth and development of the domesticated silkworm at protein level, we employed comparative proteomic approach to investigate the proteomic differences of midgut, hemolymph, fat body and posterior silk gland of the silkworms reared on fresh mulberry leaves and on artificial diet. Seventy-six differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI TOF/TOF MS, and among them, 41 proteins were up-regulated, and 35 proteins were downregulated. Database searches, combined with GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that some hemolymph proteins such as Nuecin, Gloverin-like proteins, PGRP, P50 and beta/-N-acetylglucosamidase were related to innate immunity of the silkworm, and some proteins identified in silkworm midgut including Myosin 1 light chain, Tropomyosin 1, Profilin, Serpin-2 and GSH-Px were involved in digestion and nutrition absorption.

Transgenic breeding of anti-Bombyx mori L. nuclear polyhedrosis virus silkworm Bombyx mori.

Silkworm strains resistant to Bombyx mori L. nuclear polyhedrosis virus were obtained through transgenic experiments. piggyBac transposon with an A3 promoter were randomly inserted into the silkworm, driving the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene into the silkworm genome.

From genome to proteome: great progress in the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori L.).

As the only truly domesticated insect, the silkworm not only has great economic value, but it also has value as a model for genetics and molecular biology research. Genomics and proteomics have recently shown vast potential to be essential tools in domesticated silkworm research, especially after the completion of the Bombyx mori genome sequence. This paper reviews the progress of the domesticated silkworm genome, particularly focusing on its genetic map, physical map and functional genome.

Temporal changes in the expression of TGF-beta 1 and EGF in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and associated precentral gyrus in adult Rhesus monkeys subjected to cord hemisection.

It is well known that some growth factors can not only rescue neurons from death, but also improve motor functions following spinal cord injury. However, their cellular distribution in situ and temporal expressions following spinal cord injury have not been determined, especially in primates. This study investigated the temporal changes in the expression of two growth factors--epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) in the injured motoneurons of the spinal cord and the associated precentral gyrus in adult Rhesus monkeys subjected to spinal cord hemisection.

Changes in Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the rostral and caudal stumps of the transected adult rat spinal cord.

Limited information is available regarding the role of endogenous Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the spinal cord following transection injury. The present study investigated the possible role of GDNF in injured spinal cords following transection injury (T(9)-T(10)) in adult rats. The locomotor function recovery of animals by the BBB (Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan) scale score showed that hindlimb support and stepping function increased gradually from 7 days post operation (dpo) to 21 dpo.

Hepatitis B virus precore protein augments genetic immunizations of the truncated hepatitis C virus core in BALB/c mice.

Unlabelled: DNA immunization has been used to induce either humoral or cellular immune responses against many antigens, including hepatitis C virus (HCV). In addition, DNA immunizations can be enhanced or modulated at the nucleotide level. Genetic immunizations were examined in BALB/c mice through the use of plasmids and chimeric DNA constructs encoding HCV core proteins and hepatitis B virus (HBV) precore (preC) regions.

Poly[mu2-(N-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxamidine)-mu2-nitrato-silver(I)].

In the title complex, [Ag(NO3)(C6H7N3O)]n or [Ag(NO3)(pyaoxH2)] (pyaoxH2 is N-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxamidine), the Ag+ ion is bridged by the pyaoxH2 ligands and nitrate anions, giving rise to a two-dimensional molecular structure. Each pyaoxH2 ligand coordinates to two Ag+ ions using its pyridyl and carboxamidine N atoms, and the OH and the NH2 groups are uncoordinated. Each nitrate anion uses two O atoms to coordinate to two Ag+ ions.

Manganese-induced apoptosis in rat myocytes.

Manganese can be toxic to the heart, causing dysfunction following long exposure. In our experiments, we examined the cytotoxicity of manganese in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) by MTT assays in vitro. Results showed that after incubation in the different concentrations of manganese for 24 h, apparent cytotoxicity was observed.

Advanced measurement and quantitative appraise of anisodamine on calcium triggered in cardiac myocyte.

Both patch clamp and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was applied to appraise the Anisodamine's cardioprotective effects quantitatively and its mechanism were studied. MTT measurement was observed cell viability and Fluo-3/AM was utilized for real-time free calcium with LSCM; ICa,Lexposed to Anisodamine was measured by whole-cell patch clamp recording technique. Our study observed that KCL-triggered calcium elevation could be decreased by Anisodamine at dose of 0.

Differential DNA methylation profiles in gynecological cancers and correlation with clinico-pathological data.

Background: Epigenetic gene silencing is one of the major causes of carcinogenesis. Its widespread occurrence in cancer genome could inactivate many cellular pathways including DNA repair, cell cycle control, apoptosis, cell adherence, and detoxification. The abnormal promoter methylation might be a potential molecular marker for cancer management.

Decreasing expression of alpha1C calcium L-type channel subunit mRNA in rat ventricular myocytes upon manganese exposure.

Manganese is an essential trace element found in many enzymes. As it is the case of many essential trace elements, excessive level of manganese is toxic. It has been proven that excessive manganese could cause heart problems.

[Study on the maternal mortality ratio from 1995 to 2004 among residential and migrant women in Beijing].

Objective: To analyze the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of residential and migrant women in Beijing.

Methods: A retrospective study from 1995 to 2004 was performed to analyze data from the maternal death cases.

Results: The MMR of resident and migrant of Beijing from 1995 to 2004 were 17.

Comparison of human papillomavirus DNA levels in gynecological cancers: implication for cancer development.

We have previously demonstrated the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in several gynecological cancers using conventional PCR. In the present study, to further understand the role of HPV in malignant transformation of these cancers, the infection rates and viral loads of HPV 16 and 18 in gynecological cancers were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). HPV 16 DNA was detected in 61.

Spatially heterogeneous expression of aromatase P450 through promoter II is closely correlated with the level of steroidogenic factor-1 transcript in endometrioma tissues.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease of women of reproductive age. Recent studies demonstrate that endometriosis per se express high levels of estrogen synthetase (aromatase P450). The resulting estrogen synthesized in situ may play a role in the development and exacerbation of the disease.