[Analysis of nonenzymic source of superoxide anion in pathogenic Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae].

With electron spin resonance and chemical assay, the production of superoxide anion in the Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae strain OS-14 suspension is extracellularly localized. It was found that superoxide anion produced in the filtrate.

[Evaluation of strand displacement amplification in the diagnosis of tuberculosis].

Objective: To study the clinical significance and reliability of strand displacement amplification (SDA) in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Methods: SDA and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) were employed to detect samples from 453 cases of tuberculosis, including 332 sputum samples, 78 samples of pleural effusion, and 43 samples of cerebrospinal fluid.

Results: In the 332 sputum samples, 131 were culture-positive, of which 110 samples (88 smear-positive) were Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and 21 samples (20 smear-positive) were nontuberculous Mycobacteria.

Inter- and intraspecific genomic variability of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer regions (ISR) in representatives of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

The complete sequences of 32 intergenic spacer regions (ISR) from Acidithiobacillus strains, including 29 field strains isolated from coal, copper, molybdenum mine wastes or sediment of different geoclimatic regions in China, reference strain ATCC19859 and the type strains of the two species were determined. These data, together with other sequences available in the GenBank database, were used to carry out the first detailed assessment of the inter- and intraspecific genomic variability of the ISR sequences and to infer phylogenetic relationships within the genus. The total length of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strains ranged from 451 to 490 bp, and from 434 to 456 bp, respectively.

[Relationship between VEGF-C expression and nasopharyngeal carcinoma proliferation and metastasis].

Objective: To detect the expression of VEGF-C in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and explore its relationship with proliferation and metastasis of NPC.

Methods: Biopsy specimens of 62 NPC patients were divided into 2 equal portions, one for immunohistochemical staining with VEGF-C polyclonal antibody by streptavidin peroxidase method, another for flow cytometry with Ki67 antibody to analyze the proliferation of tumors. The patients were followed up periodically, and then their 3-year survival and the cause of death were statistically analyzed.

[Exogenous PTEN enhances apoptosis in pancreas cancer cell line ASPC-1 induced by hypoxia].

Objective: To investigate the effect of exogenous phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) on cell cycle, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) proteins, and cellular proliferation ability in human pancreas cancer cell line (ASPC-1) exposed to normal oxygen or hypoxia 1% for 24 h were determined.

Methods: ASPC-1 cells were transfected in vitro with an eukaryotic expression plasmid (pEAK8) containing PTEN or not by lipofectin. Positive cell clones were selected, amplified and named ASPC-1-pEAK8-PTEN or ASPC-1-pEAK8 cells.

[Study on immobilization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans using PVA-Ca(NO3)2 method].

A new cell immobilization technique utilizing the complex of PVA solution and sodium alginate solution as entrapment medium is reported. The mixture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans suspension and the entrapment complex were extruded into the solution of Ca(NO3)2 (1% - 5%) to form beads, then the beads were frozen at -20 degrees C for 1d and thawed at room temperature. This method can simultaneously eliminate the agglomeration of PVA beads and the biological toxicity of H3 BO31.

[Short hairpin RNA silences Pin1 and affects proliferation and apoptosis in HeLa cell line].

Objective: To study the effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on the expression of Pin1 mRNA and protein and its influence on the proliferation and apoptosis in HeLa cell lines.

Methods: The recombinant plasmid pSIREN-Pin1 expressing Pin1-targeted shRNA was constructed and then transfected into cervical cancer cell lines by lipofectamine (HeLa/p-shRNA), the control vector pSIREN-Con (HeLa/p-Con) and culture media (HeLa) as control, respectively. The Pin1 mRNA and protein expression were detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting.

[Expression and function of AOX1 gene family during the greening of etiolated rice seedlings].

Under constant light, increases in V(t) (total respiration rate), V(alt) (capacity of alternative pathway), and V(alt)/V(t) ration values (Figs.1-3) in fully etiolated rice seedlings leaves were founded. Northern hybridization with special probes for rice AOX1a, AOX1b and AOX1c revealed that the AOX1c mRNA was mainly present under constant light (Fig.

[Effects of drought stress on cyanide-resistant respiration and metabolism of reactive oxygen in wheat seedling].

The changes in cyanide-resistant respiration and metabolism of active oxygen species in drought-sensitive and drought-resistant wheat seedlings under water stress were studied. In general, drought stress decreased the level of cyanide-resistant respiration and AOX1 mRNA content in wheat seedling leaves. But the drought-resistant cultivars, which had much higher level of cyanide-resistant respiration and AOX1 mRNA content than the drought-sensitive ones, presented an ability to adapt to mild drought stress.

Dihydropyrrolopyrazole transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor kinase domain inhibitors: a novel benzimidazole series with selectivity versus transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor kinase and mixed lineage kinase-7.

Novel dihydropyrrolopyrazole-substituted benzimidazoles were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as inhibitors of transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor (TGF-beta RI), TGF-beta RII, and mixed lineage kinase-7 (MLK-7). These compounds were found to be potent TGF-beta RI inhibitors and selective versus TGF-beta RII and MLK-7 kinases. Benzimidazole derivative 8b was active in an in vivo target (TGF-beta RI) inhibition assay.

[Expression and clinical significance of Pin1 and Cyclin D1 in cervical cancer cell lines and cervical epithelial tissues].

Background & Objective: Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 is prevalently overexpressed in human cancers. Up-regulation of Pin1 elevates the expression of Cyclin D1, and plays an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. This study was to investigate the expression and clinical significance of Pin1 and Cyclin D1 in cervical cancer cell lines and cervical epithelial tissues.

New tumor-associated antigen SC6 in pancreatic cancer.

Aim: To examine the concentration of a new antigen SC6 (SC6-Ag) recognized by monoclonal antibody (MAb) in patients with pancreatic cancer and other malignant or benign diseases and to understand whether SC6-Ag has any clinical significance in distinguishing pancreatic cancer from other gastrointestinal diseases.

Methods: Six hundred and ninety-five serum specimens obtained from 115 patients with pancreatic cancer, 154 patients with digestive cancer and 95 patients with non-digestive cancer were used and classified in this study. Serum specimens obtained from 140 patients with benign digestive disease and 89 patients with non-benign digestive disease served as controls.

[Production and releasing sites of superoxide anion in phytopathogenic bacteria].

Many phytopathogenic bacteria were founded to release the superoxide anion (O2-) by themselves from different sites and the production of O2- was related to the pathogenicity of strains. The presences of O2- in cytomembrane, cell wall and filtrate were confirmed by chemical method and electron spin resonance (ESR). The results show that filtrate may be the primary site of O2- production due to its higher O2- generating activity either in the presence or the absence of DDC.

[Optimization of T-dNA insertional mutagenesis and analysis of mutants of Magnaporthe grisea].

The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea causes one of the most destructive diseases of rice around the world. Significant progresses have been made recently in genomics studies of the fungus, opening new era of the functional genomics which requires to generate a large scale of gene knockout mutants. It has been demonstrated that T-DNA insertional mutagenesis is a powerful tool of functional genomics not only for plants but also for fungi.

[O2-* burst of tobacco leaves triggered by Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora inoculation].

O(-.)(2) production based on chemical method by Ecc-treated intact tobacco leaves was observed. It showed a long-lasting one-phase course beginning 1 h and ending 14 h after Erwinia carotovora subsp.

KAI1 inhibits anchorage-dependent and -independent pancreatic cancer cell growth.

Decreased expression of the tumor suppressor gene, KAI1, is associated with metastasis formation in pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether KAI1 influences pancreatic cancer cell growth and colony formation. A full-length KAI1 cDNA expression vector was stably transfected into Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell lines.

[Effects of in vitro PTEN transfection on proliferation of human pancreatic cancer ASPC-1 cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of phosphatase and ensinhomology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) on the human pancreatic cancer cell line without or low PTEN expression.

Methods: We selected the lowest PTEN gene expressive pancreatic cancer cell line among the four pancreatic cancer cell lines (Miapaca I, Miapaca II, JF305 and ASPC-1) through RT-PCR assay method, and transfected plasmid (Peak8) inserting PTEN or not in vitro into it by lipofectin. The effect of PTEN transfection on the lowest PTEN gene expressive pancreatic cancer cell line was carried out by flow cytometry, immunohistochemical staining, cloning survival assay, as well as tumorigenicity in nude mice.

[The mechanism of KAI1 gene in inhibition of metastasis of primary pancreatic cancer].

Objective: To study the effect on invasive and motor ability of MiaPaCa II pancreatic cancer cell transfected by recombinant plasmid pCMV-KAI1, alteration of KAI1 in the transfecting cancer cells, and the metastatic mechanism in the malignancy.

Methods: MiaPaCa II pancreatic cancer cell was transfected with pCMV-KAI1 by liposome, the invasive and gelatinase ability of two pancreatic cancer cell lines were analyzed with transwell culture cell and polyacrylamided gel electrophoresis (PAGE) before and after KAI1 cDNA transfection.

Results: After KAI1 cDNA transfected into MiaPaCa II, the migrative ability of passing through the membrane filter decreased evidently (P < 0.

Novel and potent transforming growth factor beta type I receptor kinase domain inhibitor: 7-amino 4-(2-pyridin-2-yl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazol-3-yl)-quinolines.

A novel series of 7-amino 4-(2-pyridin-2-yl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazol-3-yl)-quinolines was synthesized and their TbetaR-1 inhibitory, p38 MAPK inhibitory, and TbetaR-1-dependent cellular activity were evaluated. Compound 5a was found to be a highly potent in the enzyme assay and TbetaR-1-dependent cellular assays. In addition, dimer (4g), with a urea linker, shows a similar enzyme and cellular activity despite a bulky substitution.

Synthesis and activity of new aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazole inhibitors of the transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor kinase domain.

We have expanded our previously reported series of pyrazole-based inhibitors of the TGF-beta type I receptor kinase domain (TbetaR-I) to now include new 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazole analogues. Limited examination of the SAR of this new series in both enzyme and cell based in vitro assays has revealed selectivity differences with respect to p38 MAP kinase (p38 MAPK) depending on the nature of the 'warhead' group on the dihydropyrrolopyrazole ring. As with our original pyrazole series, phenyl substituents tended to show greater selectivity against p38 MAPK than those comprised of the quinoline-4-yl moiety.

Study of bacterial translocation from gut after paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury in rats.

Study Design: Normal rats and paraplegic rats with and injured spinal cord were used to study bacterial translocation from gut.

Objective: To investigate whether bacterial translocation from gut occurs after spinal cord injury.

Summary Of Background Data: It has been demonstrated that trauma and operation can lead to gastrointestinal paralysis; disturbance of gastrointestinal motility following trauma may cause bacterial overgrowth in gastrointestinal tract and increase the incidence of bacterial translocation.

Effect of bax, bcl-2 and bcl-xL on regulating apoptosis in tissues of normal liver and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the expression of bax, bcl-2 and bcl-xL mRNA in the tissues of normal liver and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyze the relationship between the expression of bax, bcl-2 and bcl-xL mRNA and clinical parameters of HCC patients.

Methods: The expression of bax, bcl-2 and bcl-xL mRNA of normal liver and HCC was measured by Northern blot. Statistical analyses were made by t test and correlation analysis.

Aprikalim reduces the Na+-Ca2+ exchange outward current enhanced by hyperkalemia in rat ventricular myocytes.

Background: [corrected] Aprikalim, an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channel opener, attenuates the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and improves the contractile functions after hyperkalemic and hypothermic cardioplegia. There is evidence that cardioplegia increases the Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity without affecting Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels or Ca2+ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the intracellular Ca2+ store.

Methods: We measured the Na+-Ca2+ exchange outward current with the patch-clamp technique in single rat ventricular myocytes exposed to hyperkalemia and hypothermia in the presence of aprikalim.

Role of protein kinase C-epsilon in the development of kappa-opioid receptor tolerance to U50,488H in rat ventricular myocytes.

The role of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKC-epsilon) in the development of kappa-opioid receptor (kappa-OR) tolerance to the effects of trans-(+/-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-[1-pyrrolidinyl]cyclohexyl) (U50,488H), the selective agonist of kappa-OR, was determined in rat ventricular myocytes. Incubation of ventricular myocytes with 1 microM U50,488H for 24 h significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of 30 microM U50,488H on the electrically-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, indicating the development of tolerance to the kappa-OR agonist. Chronic treatment of ventricular myocytes with U50,488H also induced translocation of PKC-epsilon to the particulate fraction.