Effects of the augmenter of liver regeneration on the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To take advantage of the small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) targeting the human augmenter of liver regeneration (hALR) and anti-hALR monoclonal antibody (McAb) to inhibit the function of hALR, and to demonstrate whether the growth of hepatoma is influenced by siRNA targeting hALR and anti-hALR McAb through inhibiting expression of hALR.

Methods: This study was conducted in the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Chongqing Medical University, China, between January 2005 and May 2007. We transfected siRNA plasmid pSIALR-A, which targeted the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) of hALR and the unrelated control plasmid pSIALR-B into human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) cells.

The common biological basis for common complex diseases: evidence from lipoprotein lipase gene.

The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene encodes a rate-limiting enzyme protein that has a key role in the hydrolysis of triglycerides. Hypertriglyceridemia, one widely prevalent syndrome of LPL deficiency and dysfunction, may be a risk factor in the development of dyslipidemia, type II diabetes (T2D), essential hypertension (EH), coronary heart disease (CHD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Findings from earlier studies indicate that LPL may have a role in the pathology of these diseases and therefore is a common or shared biological basis for these common complex diseases.

Inhibitory effect of wild-type p53 gene on excessive replication of centrosomes in leukemia cell line K562.

Background And Objective: Mutation and deletion of the p53 gene in tumor cells is one of the major reasons for aneuploid development and genomic instability. Abnormal centrosomes exist in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients at different stages; furthermore, the degree of abnormality is associated with the clinical stage and more severe in the blast crisis stage. This study was to establish the leukemia cell line K562 with the exogenous wild-type p53 (wt-p53) gene, and to explore the effect of the p53 gene on centrosomes in K562 cells.

A new strategy for constructing in vitro replication-competent 1.3 copies of hepatitis B virus genome.

In the absence of a robust infectable cell culture system, assays related to replication of clinical HBV isolates are based on the transfection of replication-competent HBV DNA into hepatoma cell lines that are able to replicate and secrete HBV virions. Current methods for constructing HBV 1.1 genomes work well for drug susceptibility assays, but are not very suitable for research on HBV replication capacity or regulation since a heterogeneous promoter is required to drive pgRNA transcription.

Comparison of S100B and NSE between cardiac surgery and interventional therapy for children.

This study aimed to compare the release of S100B and NSE between cardiac surgery and interventional therapy for children and to investigate whether S100B serum concentration correlates with cardiopulmonary bypass in children. For this study, 40 children with congenital heart disease were selected and assigned to two groups: group A (20 children undergoing surgical therapy) and group B (20 children undergoing interventional therapy). In group A, blood samples were drawn 10 min after the induction of anesthesia, immediately after aortic cross-clamping, immediately at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), immediately at the end of the operation, then 6 and 24 h after the operation.

[Study on pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of sinomenine in beagle dogs].

Objective: To study pharmacokinetic parameters and absolute bioavailability for oral use of sinomenine tablet in beagle dogs.

Method: Applying to double cycle self crossover design, a single oral or intravenous dose of 10 mg x kg(-1) sinomenine was given to 10 beagle dogs. Drug concentrations in plasma were determined by HPLC.

[Effects of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on the testis and testicular gubernaculum of fetal KM mice].

Objective: To explore the effects of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the testis and testicular gubernaculum of fetal KM mice in vivo and to investigate the mechanism of DEHP-induced cryptorchidism.

Methods: Thirty healthy pregnant KM mice were randomly and equally divided into a blank control group, a corn oil control group and a DEHP group. The pregnant mice in the latter group were exposed to DEHP by gavage at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight per day from gestation day 12 (GD12) through gestation day 19 (GD19).

Level of CD14+-endothelial progenitor cells is not associated with coronary artery disease or cardiovascular risk factors.

There is evidence for two subpopulations among circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), i.e., CD34(+)-EPCs and CD14(+)-EPCs.

The effects of PDTC plus leflunomide and cyclosporine on the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in mouse-to-rat cardiac xenografts.

In this study, the effects of pirrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) plus leflunomide (Lef) and cyclosporine (CsA) on the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in mouse-to-rat cardiac xeno-transplantation models were investigated. NIH mice and Wistar rats served as donors and recipients respectively. Mouse-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation was performed.

Triggering receptor in myeloid cells (TREM-1) specific expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of sepsis patients with acute cholangitis.

To determine its relationship with acute cholangitis (AC), we sought to quantify expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of sepsis patients with AC. Peripheral blood samples of 42 AC patients and 48 patients with AC of severe type (ACST) were collected from January to September, 2008 and tested for TREM-1 mRNA by RT-PCR and protein expression by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. ELISA and immunoturbidimetry were employed to detect the changes of TNF-alpha or C-reactive protein in the serum respectively.

[Dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B treated with telbivudine].

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B treated with telbivudine (LDT).

Methods: The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF alpha, IFN gamma in the blood cells of HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks after LDT treatment by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), the levels and dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in groups of complete response, partial response, non-response, virologic breakthrough were compared.

Results: The levels of Th1 type cytokines in complete response group were higher than those in groups of partial response, non-response and virologic breakthrough, however, the levels of Th2 type cytokines showed an opposite trend compared with Th1 type cytokines.

[Psychological conditions and the influence factors of the Sichuan Three Gorges immigrations].

Objective: To learn and analyze the psychological conditions and the influence factors of Sichuan immigrations so as to provide the science basis for the government.

Methods: Take residents generally questionnaire, symptom checklist (SCL90), psychosocial stress survey for groups(PSSG) and social support rating scale (SSRS) four questionnaires to collect and analyze the mental conditions and influences of Sichuan immigrations and local residents by cluster stratified random sampling.

Results: There is no difference in the sex, age, marriage, culture, occupation, economy and character between immigrations and local residents.

A double-injection model of intracerebral hemorrhage in rabbits.

We aimed to develop a double-injection model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rabbits and to evaluate it as a tool for investigating post-ICH brain injury. Rabbits were injected with 300microL fresh autologous whole blood into the right basal ganglia. Behavioral changes were rated, brain water content (BWC) was measured and brain tissue morphology was also examined.

Effect of allopurinol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats after myocardial infarction.

Aims: This study was designed to explore the effect of the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor allopurinol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis after myocardial infarction (MI) in a rat model.

Methods And Results: MI was induced in rats by ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery. Survivors were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, MI group, and allopurinol group (50 mg kg(-1) day(-1)).

[Expression of cytokines in murine BMDCs induced by recombinant E.coli LLO/OVA via TLR4 and NOD1 receptors].

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the activation of pattern recognition receptors and the cytokines expression of dendritic cells.

Methods: After bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were pulsed by E.coli LLO/OVA, the mRNA expression of pattern recognition receptors and the downstream NF-kappaB signal pathway associated molecules were detected by microarray hybridization and RT-PCR; the expression of costimulatory molecules, MHC class II and cytokines were determined by flow cytometry and ELISA.

Feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging-guided high intensity focused ultrasound therapy for ablating uterine fibroids in patients with bowel lies anterior to uterus.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapeutic ablation of uterine fibroids in patients with bowel lies anterior to uterus.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one patients with 23 uterine fibroids underwent MR imaging-guided high intensity focused ultrasound treatment, with a mean age of 39.4+/-6.

[Effects of farnesoid X receptor on lipid metabolism in L02 cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) on lipid metabolism in human hepatic L02 cells.

Methods: A steatosis model and an intervention model were established by treating human hepatocyte line L02 cells with sodium oleate or sodium oleate and sodium chenodeoxycholate (a natural agonist of FXR) respectively. Non-treated L02 cells served as controls.

[Inhibition effect of MIF antibody on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2 in vitro].

Objectives: To investigate the inhibitory effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antibody on the proliferation of HepG-2 cells and its mechanism.

Methods: HepG-2 cells were stimulated by different concentrations of MIF antibody (50, 100, 200 and 400 microg/L). The cell survival rates were evaluated by MTT assay.

[Renin-angiotensin system blocking agents reverse the myocardial hypertrophy in experimental hyperthyroid cardiomyopathy via altering intracellular calcium handling].

Objective: To explore the mechanisms of myocardial hypertrophy induced by Levothyroxine (L-Thy).

Methods: A rabbit model of hyperthyroidism was established by daily intraperitoneal injections of L-Thy (45 microg/kg per day) for 28 days. New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): control group, L-Thy group (L-Thy alone), imidapril group (L-Thy + 0.

[Nasal immune tolerance to passively transferred myasthenia gravis in young mice].

Objective: Young C57BL/6 (B6) mice were treated with a specific tolerogen-dual analogue (Lys262-Ala207) intranasally to observe its effect on the invasion process of mice model and the clinical symptoms, to assess its clinical effects, and to explore the underlying mechanisms and feasibility of nasal mucosal tolerance explored.

Methods: Passively transferred myasthenia gravis (PTMG) was induced by mAb35 on B6 young female mice. Sixty mice were divided equally into three groups: tolerance group, model group and control group.

[Study on the mechanism of insulin resistance in rats born with intrauterine growth retardation].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of the insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of the livers of the male adult rats born with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR),and to find out the relationship between IUGR and insulin resistance in their adult life.

Methods: The foods were available ad libitum throughout the pregnancy to the control group and the rats in the experimental group were fed 50% of the control group to build the IUGR animal model. Liver samples were collected when the male offspring grew up to 12 weeks old.

Characterization of human metapneumoviruses isolated in Chongqing, China.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has recently been recognized as a notable respiratory pathogen in children. However, no isolation processes and only a limited understanding of hMPV epidemiology present in Chinese children are documented by far.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 86 hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections from December 2004 to July 2005 were inoculated onto Vero-E6 cells for hMPV isolation.

[Determine and parallel analysis of three kinds of PAEs in serum for obese children].

Objective: To study the serum contents of the PAEs of obese children at the ages of 10 to 12 years, in order to estimate the harm of PAEs on obese children.

Methods: The contents of three kinds PAEs(DEP, DBP and DEHP) in the serum for two groups of children, including 36 obese children and 36 normal weight children, were determined by the reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method And the average measure value of three kind PAEs between two groups of children were analysed.

Results: The median serum levels of PAEs were 0.