Induction of COX-2 by feline calicivirus via activation of the MEK1-ERK1/2 pathway, and attenuation of feline lung inflammation and injury by MEK1 inhibitor AZD6244 (selumetinib).

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important and highly prevalent pathogen of cats that causes acute infectious respiratory disease. Here it is shown in vitro that FCV induces the production of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) through the MEK1-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Screening of FCV proteins revealed that FCV non-structural protein VPg enhanced COX-2 mRNA expression and protein production in CRFK cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

An enhanced anti-tumor effect of apoptin-cecropin B on human hepatoma cells by using bacterial magnetic particle gene delivery system.

The gene therapy of cancer, due to the limit of its efficiency and safety, has not been widely used in clinical. Recently, bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs), which are membrane-bound nanocrystals found in magnetotactic bacteria, have been exploited as a new gene delivery system. However, its application on gene therapy remains to be explored.

Combination of specific single chain antibody variable fragment and siRNA has a synergistic inhibitory effect on the propagation of avian influenza virus H5N1 in chicken cells.

Background: The avian influenza virus (AIV) causes frequent disease with high morbidity and mortality. RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to provide an effective antiviral defense in animals, and several studies have focused on harnessing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to inhibit viral infections. In addition, single chain variable fragments (scFvs) contain the complete antigen binding site, and specific scFvs can bind to and neutralize viruses.

In vitro induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by inactivated NDV and IAV.

We examined how Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and influenza A virus (IAV) inactivated by 5% formaldehyde, used either alone or in combination, can induce apoptosis in both HeLa and SP2/0 cells. Inactive NDV and IAV demonstrated enhanced rates of lysis in apoptotic tumor cells and greater antitumor effects when combined. Our study supports the argument that viral replication does not cause virally induced apoptosis.

Efficient generation of transgenic mice by direct intraovarian injection of plasmid DNA.

We established a rapid procedure for obtaining transgenic mice by directly injecting an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing plasmid (pIRES-EGFP) into the ovaries of fertile mice. The frequency of transgenic mouse production was determined by pair-mating, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis of DNA taken from the tails of the offspring. The mice that received the EGFP gene transmitted it to their offspring (F(1)).

Distribution and expression of phosphorylated histone H3 during porcine oocyte maturation.

Phosphorylation modification of core histones is correlated well with diverse chromatin-based cell activities. However, its distribution pattern and primary roles during mammalian oocyte meiosis are still in dispute. In this study, by performing immunofluorescence and Western blotting, spatial distribution and temporal expression of phosphorylated serine 10 or 28 on histone H3 during porcine oocyte meiotic maturation were examined and distinct subcellular distribution patterns between them were presented.

[Cloning and characterization of the promoter region of Musca domestica yolk protein-1 gene].

A partial Musca domestica genomic library was constructed. It was consisted of 1.2 x 10(5) recombinants with insert length ranging from 10 kb to 23 kb(15 kb average).

[Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase detection in Enterobacteriaceae and antibiotic susceptibility analysis].

Objective: To detect the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in family Enterobacteriaceae and analyze the antibiotic susceptibility of those ESBLs-producing strains.

Methods: ESBLs were determined by the double-disk confirmatory test and 8 antibiotic susceptibilities were tested with the disk disffusion method in those strains producing ESBLs.

Results: Forty-seven ESBLs-producing strains comprised of 25 of E.

[Electrophoresis and the traditional method for the measurement of lipoprotein cholesterol in serum].

Objective: To compare the advantages and disadvantages of electrophoresis with the traditional method in measuring lipoprotein cholesterol in serum.

Methods: Four lipoprotein cholesterols were determined by the Helena electrophoretic system. Quantification of high density lipoprotein-choleterol(HDL-C) was performed by phosphotungstate-magnesium precipitation or direct HDL-C assay.