DNA methylation in repetitive elements and post-traumatic stress disorder: a case-control study of US military service members.

Aim: We investigated serum DNA methylation patterns in genomic repetitive elements, LINE-1 and Alu, for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases and controls who were US military service members recently deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq.

Methods: Cases (n = 75) had a postdeployment diagnosis of PTSD. Controls (n = 75) were randomly selected service members with no postdeployment PTSD diagnosis.

The role of cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor, on oocyte maturation and subsequent pregnancy in mice.

It is important to identify effective contraceptive drugs that cause minimal disruption to physiological processes. Phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitors suppress meiosis in oocytes by decreasing the level of cAMP and blocking the extrusion of the first polar body. In this study, we tested the PDE3 inhibitor, cilostazol, as a potential contraceptive agent.

[Study in safety of total thyroidectomy].

Objective: To study the complications in total thyroidectomies and the safety of total thyroidectomy.

Method: Retrospective analyses 351 cases underwent total thyroidectomy in our department. Preoperative and postoperative electronic laryngoscopy were used to assess the vocal cord function.

[Inhibitory effect of silencing hTERT gene on growth of human squamous cell carcinoma xenograft in nude mice].

Objective: This study is to explore the inhibitory effect of silencing hTERT gene by short-hairpin RNA on growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft in nude mice with RNAi technique.

Method: Construction and expression of hTERT cDNA sequence according to the specific hTERT mRNA, including fluorescein eukaryotic expression vector, packaged into a lentivirus. qPCR and Western blot analyzed hTER.

In vitro maturation of cumulus-partially enclosed immature human oocytes by priming with gonadotropin.

Objective: To investigate the effect(s) of exogenous gonadotropin on the cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of cumulus-partially enclosed immature human oocytes in vitro derived from ovarian stimulation cycles.

Design: Experimental human study.

Setting: University-based laboratory.

Effect of curettage and copper wire on rabbit endometrium: a novel rabbit model of endometrial mechanical injury.

Background: It remains almost a helpless situation for the recurrent implantation failure and pregnancy loss caused by endometrial injury at present. The purpose of this study was to develop a rabbit model of endometrial mechanical injury that could provide a research platform for this difficult clinical predicament.

Methods: Three experiments were conducted.

ER-α36, a novel variant of estrogen receptor α, is involved in EGFR-related carcinogenesis in endometrial cancer.

Objective: To explore the role of estrogen receptor-α36 (ER-α36) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related carcinogenesis in endometrial cancer.

Study Design: The expression of ER-α36, EGFR, and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase was analyzed using immunohistochemistry in endometrial cancer samples. The cellular localization of ER-α36 and EGFR was determined using immunofluorescence in the endometrial cancer Hec1A cells.

Renal kallikrein excretion and epigenetics in human acute kidney injury: expression, mechanisms and consequences.

Background: Renal kallikrein (KLK1) synthesis and urinary excretion are reportedly diminished during AKI (acute kidney injury) in animal models, and provision of kallikrein abrogates renal injury in this setting, but data in human AKI is limited. Therefore we first examined KLK1 renal excretion in human AKI, and then probed potential endocrine and epigenetic mechanisms for its alterations.

Methods: KLK1 enzymatic activity excretion was evaluated in urine from patients with established or incipient AKI, versus healthy/non-hospital as well as ICU controls.

Association of TRB3 Q84R polymorphism with polycystic ovary syndrome in Chinese women.

Background: Tribbles 3 (TRB3) affects insulin signalling by inhibiting insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and subsequent activation. A single nucleotide polymorphism located in the second extron of the human TRB3 gene is thought to be associated with insulin resistance. The latter is a core abnormality in PCOS independent of obesity.

Gonadotrophin-induced paracrine regulation of human oocyte maturation by BDNF and GDNF secreted by granulosa cells.

Background: In mammalian ovaries, diverse paracrine factors have been identified to mediate or modulate LH-induced changes during ovulation. Due to the difficulty in obtaining non-stimulated granulosa cells during IVF, little is known about the LH-induced paracrine factors in the human ovary. Based on earlier studies using murine ovarian cells showing the paracrine roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in promoting oocyte maturation, we investigated the expression of these ligands in human granulosa cells and their regulation of human oocyte development.

NRAS mutations are rare in colorectal cancer.

Activating mutations in members of the RAS oncogene family (KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS) have been found in a variety of human malignancies, suggesting a dominant role in carcinogenesis. In colon cancers, KRAS mutations are common and clearly contribute to malignant progression. The frequency of NRAS mutations and their relationship with clinical, pathologic, and molecular features remains uncertain.

Effects of oocyte vitrification on histone modifications.

Vitrification has been widely used as an assisted reproductive technology in animals and humans, yet the impact of oocyte vitrification and warming on survival and histone modifications has to be evaluated. In the present study, the survival of mouse MII oocytes was assessed after freezing, as were changes in histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation, histone 4 lysine 5 (H4K5) acetylation and histone 3 lysine 14 (H3K14) acetylation. The results show that, in oocytes subjected to vitrification, H3K9 methylation and H4K5 acetylation were increased.

[Inheritance of parthenocarpy in monoecious cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under different eco-environments].

By using the mixed major gene plus polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits, a joint analysis of four-generations obtained after cross between two monoecious inbred lines was made to study the inheritance of parthenocarpy in monoecious cucumber in Jiangning (Nanjing) and Changli (Hebei). The interactions between genotype and environment were detected, and the inheritance of parthenocarpy in the monoecious cucumber was fitted in E-1-1 model and controlled by two additive-dominant-epistatic major genes and additive-dominant polygene under different eco-environments. The F1 tendency and genetic parameters of the parthenocarpy were different, and the major gene heritability of F2 ranged from 42.

ER-alpha36, a variant of ER-alpha, promotes tamoxifen agonist action in endometrial cancer cells via the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways.

Background: Recently, a novel variant of ER-alpha, ER-alpha36 was identified and cloned. ER-alpha36 lacks intrinsic transcription activity and mainly mediates nongenomic estrogen signaling. Here, we studied the role of nongenomic estrogen signaling pathways mediated by ER-alpha36 in tamoxifen resistance and agonist action.

[Inhibitory effect of lentiviral vectors expressing small interfering RNA targeting survivin gene on Hep-2 cell growth in vitro and in nude mice].

Objective: To observe the effect of the lentiviral vectors expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) for survivin gene knockdown in inhibiting Hep-2 cell growth in vitro and its tumorigenicity in nude mice.

Methods: The tumorigenicity of Hep-2 cells transfected with the siRNA mediated by the lentiviral vectors was tested in nude mice. The expression of survivin gene of the transfected cells at the mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and the cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Comparison of bisulfite sequencing PCR with pyrosequencing for measuring differences in DNA methylation.

DNA methylation strongly affects chromatin structure and the regulation of gene expression. For many years, bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) has served as the "gold standard" for measuring DNA methylation. However, with the evolution of pyrosequencing as a tool to evaluate DNA methylation, the need arises to compare the relative efficiencies of the two techniques in measuring DNA methylation.

A novel variant of ER-alpha, ER-alpha36 mediates testosterone-stimulated ERK and Akt activation in endometrial cancer Hec1A cells.

Background: Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies and its incidence has recently increased. Experimental and epidemiological data support that testosterone plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully understood. Recently, we identified and cloned a variant of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, ER-alpha36.

CpG methylation analysis--current status of clinical assays and potential applications in molecular diagnostics: a report of the Association for Molecular Pathology.

Methylation of CpG islands in gene promoter regions is a major molecular mechanism of gene silencing and underlies both cancer development and progression. In molecular oncology, testing for the CpG methylation of tissue DNA has emerged as a clinically useful tool for tumor detection, outcome prediction, and treatment selection, as well as for assessing the efficacy of treatment with the use of demethylating agents and monitoring for tumor recurrence. In addition, because CpG methylation occurs early in pre-neoplastic tissues, methylation tests may be useful as markers of cancer risk in patients with either infectious or inflammatory conditions.

[Reversal effect of resveratrol on chemotherapy resistance in KBv200 cell line and underlying mechanisms].

Objective: To explore the reversal effect and potential mechanism of resveratrol on multidrug resistance of human oral epidermoid carcinoma KBv200 cells.

Methods: MTT assay was used to investigate reversal index of resveratrol to vincristine, adriamycin and paclitaxel. Cell apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.

Biological and molecular characterization of a crucifer Tobamovirus infecting oilseed rape.

In China, the tobamovirus that infects oilseed rape has been misdiagnosed as Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) based on its morphological similarity and serological relatedness. Recently, a tobamovirus has been isolated from oilseed rape in China, which we named Youcai mosaic virus Br (YoMV-Br), according to its biological and molecular characteristics. It had strong infectivity to Cruciferae but less to Solanaceae, Leguminosae, and Cucurbitaceae, and its virion morphology was consistent with that of the tobamoviruses.

Changes in histone methylation during human oocyte maturation and IVF- or ICSI-derived embryo development.

Objective: To characterize the histone methylation pattern during human oocyte maturation and embryo development after conventional IVF and ICSI.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Reproductive center of hospital.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on porcine oocyte meiosis progression, spindle organization, and chromosome alignment.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on porcine oocyte maturation, spindle dynamics, and chromosome alignment.

Design: Controlled, prospective study.

Setting: University hospital and IVF research laboratory.

[Clinical analysis of 43 cases with carcinomas in maxillary sinus by sequent combination therapy].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects and life quality of 43 cases with carcinomas in maxillary sinus by sequent combination therapy.

Method: All the patients were subjected sequent and combination therapy, which included inductive chemotherapy through superficial temporal artery, operation and radical radiation therapy, and of these, 18 patients were added consolidation chemotherapy after combination therapy. Three year survival rate, 5- year survival rate and life quality were observed in a 5 years follow up.

Selective impairment in glycogen synthase kinase-3 and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation: comparisons with the hyperandrogenic and the hyperinsulinemic rats.

Objective: To characterize and compare the effect of DHEA and insulin plus hCG on ovarian morphology, estrous cycle, hormonal levels, insulin sensitivity, and the regulation of insulin signaling in rats.

Design: Animal model study.

Setting: University laboratory.