Altered microRNA expression profiles in a rat model of spina bifida.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are dynamically regulated during neurodevelopment, yet few reports have examined their role in spina bifida. In this study, we used an established fetal rat model of spina bifida induced by intragastrically administering olive oil-containing all-trans retinoic acid to dams on day 10 of pregnancy. Dams that received intragastric administration of all-trans retinoic acid-free olive oil served as controls.

Preliminary investigation of methylation status of microRNA-124a in spinal cords of rat fetuses with congenital spina bifida.

Objective: We investigated the expression of microRNA-124a and its methylation status in the spinal cords of rats with congenital spina bifida versus rats with normal fetuses.

Methods: Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to compare the expression of microRNA-124a in the spinal cords of 42 rats with all-trans retinoic acid induced congenital spina bifida and 42 rats with normal fetuses. The DNA methylation status in the promoter region of miRNA-124a was detected using methylation specific-PCR.

Role of growth hormone in maturation and activation of dendritic cells via miR-200a and the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Objectives: Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that participate in the immune response; recently, it has been reported that growth hormone (GH) promotes their maturation. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms by which GH acts on DC maturation and activation.

Materials And Methods: Human peripheral blood monocytes (HPBMs) were induced to become immature DCs and treated with GH to obtain mature DCs.

Surgical management of intrahepatic vessels in children with stage III/IV hepatoblastoma.

Background: Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare childhood tumor. We investigated the effect of intraoperative management of the intrahepatic major vessels in children with HB.

Methods: Between April 2005 and August 2012, surgical resection was performed on 50 children with hepatoblastoma.

[MicroRNA differential expression profile in nephroblastoma cell line versus normal embryonic kidney cell line].

Objective: To explore the microRNA (miRNA) differential expression profile between nephroblastoma cell line G401 and normal embryonic kidney cell line CCC-HEK-1 so as to provide rationales for the role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of nephroblastoma.

Methods: Three samples from G401 cell line and another 3 samples from CCC-HEK-1 cell line were chosen as the experimental group and the control group respectively. miRNA profiles in these samples were analyzed by microarray.

Effect of growth hormone on the immune function of dendritic cells.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the most important antigen presenting cells in the human body, and DCs at various stages of maturation possess different or even opposite functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of growth hormones on the functional status of cord blood-derived DCs encompassing immunophenotype, ability to excrete interleukin (IL)-12 and provoke autologous leukomonocyte.

Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh cord blood, with IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) used to induce and stimulate the mononuclear cells.

Effect of insulin on functional status of cord blood-derived dendritic cells and on dendritic cell-induced CTL cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the human body, and DCs with different mature status possess different or even opposite functions. This study was designed to explore the influence of insulin on the functional status of cord blood-derived DCs and on DC-induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh cord blood.

[Detection and identification of specific serum biomarkers in papillary thyroid cancer].

Objective: To detect and identify the potential specific serum biomarkers for diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer.

Methods: Samples of 35 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 40 patients with benign thyroid nodule and 34 healthy individuals were analyzed using the SELDI-TOF ProteinChip System and bioinfomation technology to find the differential peaks which were separated by HPLC and then further analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The protein sequences were analyzed by SEQUEST software and searched in Bioworks database.

[Screening and identification analysis of serum protein biomarkers in nephroblastoma].

Objective: To screen and characterize the serum protein biomarkers in nephroblastoma so as to establish the proteins as the specific serum biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis monitoring.

Methods: The differential protein peaks were located by detecting serum samples of preoperative and postoperative patients and normal children using the SELDI-TOF MS technology. After purification, the differential proteins were further analyzed by LC-MS/MS and the protein sequences searched in database.

[Growth hormone influence on functional status of cord blood-derived dendritic cells].

Objective: To detect the effect of functional status and immunophenotype of dendritic cell modified with growth hormone (GH) from by cord blood.

Methods: Monocyte was isolated from cord blood, DCs were induced with IL-4 & GM-CSF and modified with different concentration of GH. The morphology, count and growth status of DC were observed appearance.

Detection and significance of serum protein marker of Hirschsprung disease.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify a specific fingerprint chromatogram model of serum proteins for early screening and diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease.

Methods: To detect the protein mass spectrograms of 78 serum specimens (42 specimens of Hirschsprung disease, 16 specimens of adhesive ileus including appendicitis and Meckel diverticulum after operation and inflammatory bowel disease, and 20 specimens of normal control subjects), we used surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry technology, combined with bioinformatics methods (support vector machine) to develop and compare protein mass spectrograms from serum samples.

Results: We identified 3 protein markers, the mass-to-charge ratio of which is positioned at 3221.

[Detecting biomarkers from serum in nephroblastoma patients with support vector machine].

Objective: To find new biomarkers and to establish serum protein fingerprint models for early detection and diagnosis of nephroblastoma by SELDI-TOF-MS and bioinformatics tools.

Methods: Seventy five serum samples from 35 nephroblastoma patients, 30 children's abdominal solid tumor patients, and 20 healthy children were bound to WCX2 protein chip and tested by surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). The data of spectra were analyzed by support vector machine(SVM).

Application of serum protein fingerprint in diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

To find new biomarkers and establish serum protein fingerprint models for early diagnosis and preoperative staging of papillary thyroid carcinoma, we employed SELDI-TOF-MS and bioinformatics tools. A total of 116 samples were analyzed in this study. The first 80 samples were analyzed by SELDI-TOF-MS and two biomarker patterns were identified.

Effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes on hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 induced by different subsets of dendritic cells in vitro.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with complex antigen are always used to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) which have a specific anti-tumor activity. However, CTLs can assault autologous cells induced by DCs loaded with autologous antigen. This study aimed to explore how to weaken the autoimmune reaction induced by DC vaccine by combining mature DC (mDC) activating immunity and immature DC (imDC) leading to immune tolerance to make hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vaccine in vitro.

[Detection of methylation of hMSH2 gene promoter region of esophageal cancer].

Objective: To detect methylation in promoter region of hMSH2 gene in esophageal cancer.

Methods: Specimens of cancer and normal tissues freshly removed from 32 cases of esophageal cancer patients without previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatment were preserved at -80 degrees C within 30 min. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect methylation of mismatch repair gene (MMR) hMSH2 in promoter region in esophageal cancer and normal esophageal tissues.

[Clinical study of multiple zonal aganglionosis in long segment Hirschsprung's disease].

Objective: To discuss pathogeny and diagnosis and management of multiple zonal aganglionosis in Hirschsprung's disease.

Methods: Records of 3 children, aging 5 days, 29 days and 18 months, 3 boys, with multiple zonal aganglionosis in long segment Hirschsprung's disease between 1987-2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Total colectomy and Soave's operations were performed.

[Expression of hMSH2 gene in esophageal cancer].

Objective: To observe the expression of DNA mismatch repair gene hMSH2 mRNA in esophageal cancer tissues.

Methods: This study included 32 esophageal cancer patients who received no previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatments. Within 30 min following surgical removal of the tumor tissues, specimens of the tumor, the tissue adjacent to the tumor and normal tissue at the esophageal stump (1 cmx1 cmx1 cm in size for each specimen) were obtained for examining hMSH2 expression with hMSH2 ISH detection kit.