Expression profiling of long noncoding RNAs and the dynamic changes of lncRNA-NR024118 and Cdkn1c in angiotensin II-treated cardiac fibroblasts.

A growing body of evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in multiple human diseases than previously realized. However, no information is available now about lncRNAs in cardiac fibroblasts. The expression profile of lncRNAs was analyzed in Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts using lncRNAs arrays.

[A family-based association study of the EGR3 gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia].

Previous studies showed that EGR3 gene located in chromosome 8p21.3 was involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. However, the finding failed to be replicated in several case-control studies.

[Construction and expression of recombinant adenovirus containing human catalase gene in vitro].

Objective: To construct the adenovirus vector containing recombinant human catalase (CAT) and to express the recombinant gene in vitro.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from human leukocytes and full-length human CAT cDNA was obtained with RT-PCR method. The CAT gene was cloned into pcDNA3.

[Expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract in rats with chronic renal failure].

Objective: To investigate the expression of ghrelin and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore their relationship with the disorder of gastrointestinal tract motility.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n=8) and CRF group (n=16), and in the latter group, the rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy to induce CRF. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the distribution of mRNA and protein of ghrelin and GHS-R in the gastric fundus, duodenum, and hypothalamus.

Analysis of correlation between blood biochemical indicators and bone mineral density of post-menopausal women.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the skeletal system, and its major complication is fracture that severely influences the living quality of the middle-aged and the aged. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of sex hormones and some biochemical indicators related to bone metabolism in the genesis and development of osteoporosis. The plasma samples were collected from 244 post-menopausal women of Xi'an urban area, and their plasma contents of testosterone, estradiol, calcitonin, osteocalcin and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen were detected by ELISA.

[Expression of protein arginine N-methyltransferases in E3 rat models of acute asthma].

Objective: To observe the expression of protein arginine N-methyltransferase (PRMT) genes in the lung and spleen of E3 rats with acute asthma.

Methods: E3 rats with ovalbumin-induced pulmonary inflammation were divided into two groups (n=10), and the validity of the acute asthma model was evaluated by histological observation with HE and PAS staining and by measurement of NO production. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was employed to detect the expressions of PRMT1-PRMT6 genes in the lung and spleen tissues of the rats.

[Identification of differentially expressed genes in rat asthma model by suppression subtractive hybridization technology].

Objective: To identify differentially expressed genes related to asthma by using a rat model.

Methods: Total RNA extracted from the asthmatic rats was taken as the tester and the total RNA from the control rats as the driver. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to isolate the cDNA fragments of differentially expressed genes.

Evidence for transmission disequilibrium at the DAOA gene locus in a schizophrenia family sample.

Recently, the DAOA gene locus on chromosome 13q32-q34 has been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia. We genotyped three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs778294, rs779293 and rs3918342) in this region in 126 Chinese family trios. In this study, we have identified statistically significant transmission disequilibrium in two markers rs778293 (P=0.

[KCNE2 protein S98 phosphorylation in heart of old SHR rats detected by point mutagenesis].

Objective: To investigate the phosphorylation of KCNE2 protein in heart of old SHR rats.

Methods: The membrane proteins from ventricular myocardium of old SHR were extracted, treated with or without alkaline phosphatase and tested binding with Ab2 (an anti-KCNE2 polyclonal antibody) by Western blot. A KCNE2 fusion protein with c-myc was obtained from in vitro translation system and treated with or without alkaline phosphatase.