[Transfection of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-7 expressing plasmid into cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells attenuates the extracellular matrix accumulation induced by transforming growth factor-beta].

Objective: To investigate the effects of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 on the extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.

Methods: Mouse full length BMP-7 cDNA was ligated into a eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1.

Suppression of human ovarian carcinoma metastasis by the metastasis-suppressor gene, BRMS1.

Metastasis-suppressor genes, by definition, suppress metastasis without affecting tumorigenicity and, hence, present attractive targets as prognostic or therapeutic markers. BRMS1 (breast cancer metastasis suppressor) has recently been identified as a metastasis-suppressor gene for human breast cancer and melanoma. Expression of BRMS1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in multitissue including normal prostate, ovarian, testis, and colon has been detected by northern blot analysis.

[The biological characteristics of dermal fibroblasts of the diabetic rats with deep-partial thickness scald].

Objective: To investigate the biological characteristics of dermal fibroblasts of the diabetic rats with deep partial thickness scald, and to explore its relationship with delayed wound healing due to diabetes.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 g were randomly divided into control (NM, n=40) and STZ-induced diabetic (DM, n=50) groups, and then deep partial thickness scald involving 10% TBSA were reproduced in the two groups. Skin samples were harvested from the wounds on 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 post scald day (PSD) for the determination of certain histological characteristics.

[Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on neural expression of stomach and spinal cord: an experiment with mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection on neural expression in stomach and spinal cord, and to investigate the mechanism of functional dyspepsia after Hp infection.

Methods: Thirty-five female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (acute infection group, undergoing intragastric gavage of Hp suspension every other day for 3 times and then observed for 2 weeks, 15 mice), Group B (chronic infection group, undergoing intragastric gavage of Hp suspension every other day for 3 times and then observed for 2 weeks, 15 mice) and control group (undergoing intragastric gavage of normal saline every other day for 3 times and then observed for 2 weeks, 5 mice). After the observation the mice were killed and their stomachs were taken out to undergo gastric histology and bacterial colonization by HE staining and Warthin-Starry staining respectively.

Repair of tendon defect with dermal fibroblast engineered tendon in a porcine model.

Harvesting autologous tenocytes for tendon engineering may cause secondary tendon defect at the donor site. Dermal fibroblasts are an easily accessible cell source and do not cause major donor site defect. This study aims to explore the possibility of tendon engineering using dermal fibroblasts.

Experimental study on denitrification using coated electrode of immobilized denitrifying bacteria.

Objective: To develop a coated electrode of immobilized denitrificants and to evaluate the performance of a bioelectrochemical reactor to enhance and control denitrification.

Methods: Denitrifying bacteria were developed by batch incubation and immobilized with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the surface of activated carbon fiber (ACF) to make a coated electrode. Then the coated electrode (cathode) and graphite electrode (anode) were transferred to the reactor to reduce nitrate.

Inhibition of connective tissue growth factor by siRNA prevents liver fibrosis in rats.

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a highly profibrogenic molecule implicated in hepatic fibrogenesis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an effective tool to silence gene expression post-transcriptionally. Therefore, we conducted an investigation to determine if intraportal vein siRNA injection targeting CTGF inhibits CTGF expression on rat liver in vivo and furthermore whether it protects the liver from liver fibrosis.

Interaction between body mass index and alcohol intake in relation to blood pressure in HAN and SHE Chinese.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) increases with body mass index (BMI) and excessive alcohol intake. Few epidemiologic studies explored the interaction between BMI and alcohol intake in relation to BP.

Methods: We randomly selected 10 villages with a mixed population of HAN and SHE Chinese in the JingNing County in Southeast China.

Treatment of surgically induced acute liver failure by transplantation of HNF4-overexpressing embryonic stem cells.

Objective: Tissue-specific stem cells from differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells are both pluripotent and genetically flexible. Recent observations indicate that ES cells can differentiate into hepatocytes. Therefore, cell-based therapy can potentially be a therapeutic alternative to liver transplantation.

Analysis of gene expression profile in colon cancer using the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project and RNA interference.

Objective: To investigate the changes in the gene expression profile in colon cancer to further identify gene markers that may be useful in the management of this disease.

Methods: Data from serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) collected by the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project (CGAP) were used to detect the difference in gene expression between normal tissue and colon cancer, and were further confirmed in a sample of 20 patients using RT-PCR. To identify the functions of differential genes in regulating the cell growth of colon cancer, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to block one of these genes in the colon cancer cell line HCT-116.

[Perinatal management and pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension complicating cardiac disease].

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcome of women with pulmonary hypertension complicating cardiac disease.

Methods: Clinical data of 61 cases of pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension from Jan 1996 to Aug 2004 were analyzed and they were divided into three groups: 32 cases of slight group [pulmonary hypertension from 30 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to 49 mm Hg], 23 cases of moderate group (pulmonary hypertension from 50 mm Hg to 79 mm Hg) and 6 cases of severe group (pulmonary hypertension equal to or higher than 80 mm Hg).

[Clinical degree of the superior mesenteric vein involvement with the surgery in the pancreas uncinate process carcinoma].

Objective: To create the clinical degree of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) involvement in pancreas uncinate process carcinoma (PUPC) and its clinical significance to be discussed.

Methods: According to the contiguous relationship between the SMV and the PUPC, the clinical degree of SMV involvement in PUPC are as followings four grades, 1 grade, the grade of clear boundary. 2 grade, the grade of fuzzy boundary.

[Mitotic arrest of gastric cancer cells induced by silencing of STK15 gene].

Objective: To investigate the role of STK15 in regulating mitosis of gastric cancer cells (MKN45) by gene silencing through RNA interference mechanism.

Methods: RNA interference technique was used to inhibit STK15 expression in MKN45 cells. The expression levels of STK15 mRNA and protein were measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot respectively and cell morphological changes were investigated by reverse microscopy.

Oval cells in hepatitis B virus-positive and hepatitis C virus-positive liver cirrhosis: histological and ultrastructural study.

Aims: It is still not clear whether oval cells demonstrate diverse morphology, immunophenotype or quantity in different human liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate these differences in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive human liver cirrhosis (HLC).

Methods And Results: Thirty-eight cases of HBV+ HLC and 32 cases of HCV+ HLC were investigated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry for Hepatocyte, CK19, stem cell factor (SCF) and CD34.

Role and mechanism of rosiglitazone on the impairment of insulin secretion induced by free fatty acids on isolated rat islets.

Background: Prolonged exposure of pancreatic beta-cells to fatty acids increases basal insulin secretion but inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Rosiglitazone is a new antidiabetic agent of the thiazolidinediones. However, the relationship between thiazolidinediones and insulin secretion is highly controversial.

Blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion in relation to the A-1984G adrenomedullin polymorphism in a Chinese population.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a vasodilator and inhibits salt appetite. An A-to-G substitution at position -1984 in the promoter region of the ADM gene likely increases transcription. We therefore investigated this polymorphism in relation to blood pressure and urinary sodium in a Chinese population.

[Screening for Y chromosomal microdeletions in AZF region with modified multiplex PCR].

Objective: Screening for Y chromosomal microdeletions in azoospermia factor (AZF) region with modified multiplex PCR.

Methods: 160 cases with spermatogenetic failure were recruited in the experimental group, while 90 cases of donors in controls. According to the laboratory guidelines supported by European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN), Y chromosomal microdeletions in AZFa, b, c regions were screened with multiplex PCR.

[Expression of the transcription factor PAX5 in childhood acute leukemic cells].

To investigate transcription factor PAX5 expression characteristics in childhood acute leukemic cells, expression levels of PAX5 and CD19 mRNA in 6 hematological tumor cell lines and bone marrow cells of 6 normal children, 58 de novo patients and 4 relapse acute leukemic children, including 39 cases of B-ALL, 10 cases of T-ALL and 13 cases of AML, were detected by a real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that PAX5 and CD19 mRNA expression levels were 2.35% and 2.

Tissue-engineered bone repair of goat-femur defects with osteogenically induced bone marrow stromal cells.

Tissue engineering can generate bone tissue and has been shown to provide a better means of repairing weight-bearing bone defect. Previous studies, however, have heretofore been limited to the use of nonosteogenically induced bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) or the application of slow-degradation scaffolds. In this study, weight-bearing bone was engineered using osteogenically induced BMSCs.

[Clinical study on keloid treatment with intralesional injection of low concentration 5-fluorouracil].

Objective: To explore the effect of intralesional injection of low concentration 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on inhibition of angiogenesis of keloid.

Methods: 35 patients with 51 keloids were treated with intralesional injection of 5-FU (2-5 mg/ml) biweekly. After 3-6 times of injection, the keloids were treated with intralesional injection of corticosteroid.

[Restore hand's function after electric injuries at the wrist by a free composite flap].

Objective: To introduce a new free composite flap for the treatment of electric injuries of hands, which can repair the skin, blood vessels, tendons and nerves injuries in just one operation. It may improve the prognosis of electric hand injuries.

Methods: 5 patients with electric injuries at wrist were treated by the free composite flap.

Could 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase isoforms be biomarkers to differentiate between disease flare and infection in lupus patients? A pilot study.

2'5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) was shown to be related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 20 years ago, and was rediscovered to be involved in type I interferon pathway in SLE by several microarray gene expression studies recently. The goal of this study was to investigate OAS isoform expressions in lupus patients, to evaluate whether they could become biomarkers to differentiate between disease flare and infection. Fifty-four SLE patients presented with fever or systemic inflammatory syndrome, or both, were enrolled.