AIM: Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are a family of transcription factors activated in response to cytokines and growth factors. Constitutive activation of Stat3 has been observed in a grow...AIM: Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are a family of transcription factors activated in response to cytokines and growth factors. Constitutive activation of Stat3 has been observed in a growing number of tumor-derived cell lines, as well as tumor specimens from human cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of p-Stat3, activated form of Stat3, and its downstream mediators including cyclin D1 and Bcl-XL in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and to explore the possible mechanism of Stat3 signaling pathway in the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Tissue samples from 45 patients of primary colorectal carcinoma were selected for studying Stat3 signaling pathway protein expression. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of p-Stat3, cyclin D1, and Bcl-xu proteins in colorectal carcinomas. Furthermore, the expression patterns of these proteins were analyzed for their distribution at the cellular level by immunohistochemical staining of the tissues. RESULTS: Protein levels of p-Stat3, cyclin D1, and Bcl-XL were increased in colorectal carcinomas compared with adjacent normal mucosae (P<0.05). Elevated levels of pStat3 were correlated with the nodal metastasis and the stage (P<0.05). Overexpression of cyclin D1 was associated with the nodal metastasis (P<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the expressions of p-Stat3 and cyclin D1 (r=0.382, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Constitutive activation of Stat3 may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinoma, and the detailed mechanism of Stat3 signaling pathway in CRC deserves further investigation.展开更多
Background Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors can be used for cancer therapy as direct cytotoxic agents, inducers of anti-tumor immune responses, and as expressers of anti-cancer genes. In this study, the ef...Background Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors can be used for cancer therapy as direct cytotoxic agents, inducers of anti-tumor immune responses, and as expressers of anti-cancer genes. In this study, the efficacy of HSV vectors, G47Delta and NV1023 were examined for the treatment of the human breast cancer. Methods Human breast cancer MDA-MB-435 cells were cultured or implanted subcutaneously in BALB/c nude mice. The cells or tumors were inoculated with G47Delta or NV1023, and cell killing or inhibition of tumor growth determined. Both viruses contained the LacZ gene and expression in infected cells was detected with X-gal histochemistry. Results G47Delta and NV1023 were highly cytotoxic to MDA-MB-435 cells in vitro at very low multiplicities of infection. X-gal staining of infected tumor cells in vitro and in vivo illustrated the replication and spread of both viruses. G47Delta and NV1023 inoculation inhibited tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival. Both vectors behaved similarly. Conclusions Oncolytic HSV vectors, G47Delta and NV1023, were extremely effective at killing human breast cancer cells in vitro and in tumor xenografts in vivo. This novel form of cancer therapy warrants further investigation and consideration of clinical application.展开更多
Objective To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human CatSper gene, themouse homologous gene product, which plays a crucial role in mouse male sterility.Methods We demonstrated a systematic screening o...Objective To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human CatSper gene, themouse homologous gene product, which plays a crucial role in mouse male sterility.Methods We demonstrated a systematic screening of SNPs in coding regions and flankingintronic regions of human CatSper gene in a sample subset from a total 210 male individuals byDNA sequencing. Then we used PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analy-sis to determine the allele frequencies of the possible SNPs among the whole 210 Chinese Hanmale individuals.Results Three SNPs, including two novels, were identified and their allele frequencies weredetermined in the 210 Chinese Han male individuals. These SNPs were assembled into largeSNP database that promises to enable the dissection of the genetic basis of disease.展开更多
We presented a 20-year-old patient with Crohn's disease (CD).Colonoscopy revealed longitudinal ulceration in the terminal ileum and rectal aphtoid ulcers.After treatment with mesalamine and total parenteral nutrit...We presented a 20-year-old patient with Crohn's disease (CD).Colonoscopy revealed longitudinal ulceration in the terminal ileum and rectal aphtoid ulcers.After treatment with mesalamine and total parenteral nutrition,repeat colonoscopy revealed a granular elevated area in the terminal ileum,which appeared as an irregular dome-like elevation with irregularly arranged villi on magnifying endoscopy.Biopsy specimens taken from the region showed microgranulomas and lymphoid hyperplasia,Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of M cells,confirming that the area corresponded to Peyer's patches.Peyer's patches by magnifying endoscopy and electron microscopy may provide insights into the pathogenesis of CD.展开更多
Following extensive bowel resection, the intestinal tract undergoes a variety of adaptive responses to enhance bowel function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glutamine-supplemented parenteral...Following extensive bowel resection, the intestinal tract undergoes a variety of adaptive responses to enhance bowel function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition on mucosal cellularity and gut function. In addition, enterocyte gene expression of two relevant systems was also characterized and related to the structural and functional changes that occurred. Male Wistar rats underwent a 60% small bowel resection and jugular vein catheterization and were randomized into two groups. The control group (n = 10) received a standard intravenous nutritional solution and the study group (n = 10) received a similar solution but enriched with alanylglutamine dipeptide. After 7 days blood was taken for amino acid analysis, and bowel was harvested to determine mucosal morphology and expression of mucosal cell glutaminase and IGF-I mRNA. Mesentery lymphnodes were cultured to determine the presence of bacteria and thus access bacteria translocation. Serum glutamine concentration and mucosal architecture were maintained in the study group compared to the controls. Seventy percent of lymphnodes were cultured positive in control vs. only 20% in the study group (P展开更多
Impedance during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation procedures is dependent on a variety of parameters related to the catheter, cabling, reference patch, body size, and temperature. To examine the influence of body...Impedance during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation procedures is dependent on a variety of parameters related to the catheter, cabling, reference patch, body size, and temperature. To examine the influence of body size, impedance was measured during clinical ablation procedures in 93 patients (Group I) with a wide range of body sizes. In 14 other patients (Group II), impedance was measured during variations in catheter tip size (5, 6 and 7 Fr), reference patch size (120 and 60 cm2), patch location (chest vs. thigh), and catheter tip tissue contact. The average impedance was also compared to average tip temperature in Group II patients. Impedance decreased with increasing catheter tip size, reference patch size and proximity of the patch to the heart. However, the effects of body geometry were complex. For example, using a chest patch, impedance increased with body surface area, but using a thigh patch it decreased, suggesting that lung volume may increase impedance, but body width may actually decrease it. An increase in tip tissue contact, relative to blood contact, increased the impedance, suggesting that impedance may be a useful measure of tip tissue contact. Finally impedance decreased with increasing tip temperature, suggesting that impedance may be useful as a real time measure of tissue and blood heating. The results are interpreted in terms of an electrical analog which suggests further that despite the lower total power when the same voltage is applied to a higher impedance, less voltage should be applied to achieve the same tissue effect when the measured impedance is higher.展开更多
Cell-cell recognition is the key for multicellular organisms to survive. This recognition critically depends on protein-protein interactions from opposing cell surfaces. Recent structural investigations reveal unique ...Cell-cell recognition is the key for multicellular organisms to survive. This recognition critically depends on protein-protein interactions from opposing cell surfaces. Recent structural investigations reveal unique features of these cell surface receptors and how they interact. These interactions are specific, but usually relatively weak, with more hydrophilic forces involved in binding. The receptors appear to have specialized ways to present their key interacting elements for ligand-binding from the cell surface. Cell-cell contacts are multivalent. A large group of cell surface molecules are engaged in interactions. Characteristic weak interactions make possible for each individual molecule pair within the group to constantly associate-dissociate-reassociate, such that the cell-cell recognition becomes a dynamic process. The immunological synapse is a good example for immune receptors to be orchestrated in performing immunological function in a collective fashion.展开更多
Transplant rejection,like tolerance,is a T cell-dependent event.There is compelling evidence to suggest that induction of transplant tolerance is an actively learned process in which T cells need to engage with the al...Transplant rejection,like tolerance,is a T cell-dependent event.There is compelling evidence to suggest that induction of transplant tolerance is an actively learned process in which T cells need to engage with the alloantigens in order to learn to tolerate the ailograft.A family of cytokines whose receptors use the same IL-2 receptor γc chain(also called the common γc)plays an important role in regulating multiple aspects of the aliograft response(i.e.rejection vs.tolerance).It is undeniable that γc cytokines can drive clonal expansion and effector maturation of alloreactive T cells,and therefore,targeting such cytokines or their receptor components remains an attractive way of blocking transplant rejection.However,we just started to appreciate that γc cytokines also regulate the acquisition of transplant tolerance via programming activated T cells for apoptotic cell death and via guiding the evolution of regulatory T cells.Thus,understanding precisely the role of γc cytokines in regulating T cell homeostasis and T cell regulation is critically important in the induction of transplant tolerance.Cellular & Molecular Immunology.2004;1(3):167-172.展开更多
Aim: To identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human CatSper gene, the mouse homologous gene product. Methods: A systematic screening of SNPs in coding regions and flanking intronic regions of human Ca...Aim: To identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human CatSper gene, the mouse homologous gene product. Methods: A systematic screening of SNPs in coding regions and flanking intronic regions of human CatSper gene in a sample subset from 210 Chinese Han males by DNA sequencing was demonstrated. PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to determine the allele frequencies of the possible SNPs. Results: Three SNPs, including two novels, were identified and their allele frequencies determined in 210 males. These SNPs were assembled into large SNP database that permits the analysis of the genetic basis of different diseases.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30271269
文摘AIM: Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are a family of transcription factors activated in response to cytokines and growth factors. Constitutive activation of Stat3 has been observed in a growing number of tumor-derived cell lines, as well as tumor specimens from human cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of p-Stat3, activated form of Stat3, and its downstream mediators including cyclin D1 and Bcl-XL in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and to explore the possible mechanism of Stat3 signaling pathway in the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Tissue samples from 45 patients of primary colorectal carcinoma were selected for studying Stat3 signaling pathway protein expression. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of p-Stat3, cyclin D1, and Bcl-xu proteins in colorectal carcinomas. Furthermore, the expression patterns of these proteins were analyzed for their distribution at the cellular level by immunohistochemical staining of the tissues. RESULTS: Protein levels of p-Stat3, cyclin D1, and Bcl-XL were increased in colorectal carcinomas compared with adjacent normal mucosae (P<0.05). Elevated levels of pStat3 were correlated with the nodal metastasis and the stage (P<0.05). Overexpression of cyclin D1 was associated with the nodal metastasis (P<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the expressions of p-Stat3 and cyclin D1 (r=0.382, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Constitutive activation of Stat3 may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinoma, and the detailed mechanism of Stat3 signaling pathway in CRC deserves further investigation.
基金ThisstudywassupportedinpartbyagrantfromtheU S ArmyMedicalResearchMaterielCommand(DAMD17 99 1 9202)
文摘Background Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors can be used for cancer therapy as direct cytotoxic agents, inducers of anti-tumor immune responses, and as expressers of anti-cancer genes. In this study, the efficacy of HSV vectors, G47Delta and NV1023 were examined for the treatment of the human breast cancer. Methods Human breast cancer MDA-MB-435 cells were cultured or implanted subcutaneously in BALB/c nude mice. The cells or tumors were inoculated with G47Delta or NV1023, and cell killing or inhibition of tumor growth determined. Both viruses contained the LacZ gene and expression in infected cells was detected with X-gal histochemistry. Results G47Delta and NV1023 were highly cytotoxic to MDA-MB-435 cells in vitro at very low multiplicities of infection. X-gal staining of infected tumor cells in vitro and in vivo illustrated the replication and spread of both viruses. G47Delta and NV1023 inoculation inhibited tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival. Both vectors behaved similarly. Conclusions Oncolytic HSV vectors, G47Delta and NV1023, were extremely effective at killing human breast cancer cells in vitro and in tumor xenografts in vivo. This novel form of cancer therapy warrants further investigation and consideration of clinical application.
文摘Objective To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human CatSper gene, themouse homologous gene product, which plays a crucial role in mouse male sterility.Methods We demonstrated a systematic screening of SNPs in coding regions and flankingintronic regions of human CatSper gene in a sample subset from a total 210 male individuals byDNA sequencing. Then we used PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analy-sis to determine the allele frequencies of the possible SNPs among the whole 210 Chinese Hanmale individuals.Results Three SNPs, including two novels, were identified and their allele frequencies weredetermined in the 210 Chinese Han male individuals. These SNPs were assembled into largeSNP database that promises to enable the dissection of the genetic basis of disease.
文摘We presented a 20-year-old patient with Crohn's disease (CD).Colonoscopy revealed longitudinal ulceration in the terminal ileum and rectal aphtoid ulcers.After treatment with mesalamine and total parenteral nutrition,repeat colonoscopy revealed a granular elevated area in the terminal ileum,which appeared as an irregular dome-like elevation with irregularly arranged villi on magnifying endoscopy.Biopsy specimens taken from the region showed microgranulomas and lymphoid hyperplasia,Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of M cells,confirming that the area corresponded to Peyer's patches.Peyer's patches by magnifying endoscopy and electron microscopy may provide insights into the pathogenesis of CD.
文摘Following extensive bowel resection, the intestinal tract undergoes a variety of adaptive responses to enhance bowel function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition on mucosal cellularity and gut function. In addition, enterocyte gene expression of two relevant systems was also characterized and related to the structural and functional changes that occurred. Male Wistar rats underwent a 60% small bowel resection and jugular vein catheterization and were randomized into two groups. The control group (n = 10) received a standard intravenous nutritional solution and the study group (n = 10) received a similar solution but enriched with alanylglutamine dipeptide. After 7 days blood was taken for amino acid analysis, and bowel was harvested to determine mucosal morphology and expression of mucosal cell glutaminase and IGF-I mRNA. Mesentery lymphnodes were cultured to determine the presence of bacteria and thus access bacteria translocation. Serum glutamine concentration and mucosal architecture were maintained in the study group compared to the controls. Seventy percent of lymphnodes were cultured positive in control vs. only 20% in the study group (P
文摘Impedance during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation procedures is dependent on a variety of parameters related to the catheter, cabling, reference patch, body size, and temperature. To examine the influence of body size, impedance was measured during clinical ablation procedures in 93 patients (Group I) with a wide range of body sizes. In 14 other patients (Group II), impedance was measured during variations in catheter tip size (5, 6 and 7 Fr), reference patch size (120 and 60 cm2), patch location (chest vs. thigh), and catheter tip tissue contact. The average impedance was also compared to average tip temperature in Group II patients. Impedance decreased with increasing catheter tip size, reference patch size and proximity of the patch to the heart. However, the effects of body geometry were complex. For example, using a chest patch, impedance increased with body surface area, but using a thigh patch it decreased, suggesting that lung volume may increase impedance, but body width may actually decrease it. An increase in tip tissue contact, relative to blood contact, increased the impedance, suggesting that impedance may be a useful measure of tip tissue contact. Finally impedance decreased with increasing tip temperature, suggesting that impedance may be useful as a real time measure of tissue and blood heating. The results are interpreted in terms of an electrical analog which suggests further that despite the lower total power when the same voltage is applied to a higher impedance, less voltage should be applied to achieve the same tissue effect when the measured impedance is higher.
文摘Cell-cell recognition is the key for multicellular organisms to survive. This recognition critically depends on protein-protein interactions from opposing cell surfaces. Recent structural investigations reveal unique features of these cell surface receptors and how they interact. These interactions are specific, but usually relatively weak, with more hydrophilic forces involved in binding. The receptors appear to have specialized ways to present their key interacting elements for ligand-binding from the cell surface. Cell-cell contacts are multivalent. A large group of cell surface molecules are engaged in interactions. Characteristic weak interactions make possible for each individual molecule pair within the group to constantly associate-dissociate-reassociate, such that the cell-cell recognition becomes a dynamic process. The immunological synapse is a good example for immune receptors to be orchestrated in performing immunological function in a collective fashion.
文摘Transplant rejection,like tolerance,is a T cell-dependent event.There is compelling evidence to suggest that induction of transplant tolerance is an actively learned process in which T cells need to engage with the alloantigens in order to learn to tolerate the ailograft.A family of cytokines whose receptors use the same IL-2 receptor γc chain(also called the common γc)plays an important role in regulating multiple aspects of the aliograft response(i.e.rejection vs.tolerance).It is undeniable that γc cytokines can drive clonal expansion and effector maturation of alloreactive T cells,and therefore,targeting such cytokines or their receptor components remains an attractive way of blocking transplant rejection.However,we just started to appreciate that γc cytokines also regulate the acquisition of transplant tolerance via programming activated T cells for apoptotic cell death and via guiding the evolution of regulatory T cells.Thus,understanding precisely the role of γc cytokines in regulating T cell homeostasis and T cell regulation is critically important in the induction of transplant tolerance.Cellular & Molecular Immunology.2004;1(3):167-172.
文摘Aim: To identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human CatSper gene, the mouse homologous gene product. Methods: A systematic screening of SNPs in coding regions and flanking intronic regions of human CatSper gene in a sample subset from 210 Chinese Han males by DNA sequencing was demonstrated. PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to determine the allele frequencies of the possible SNPs. Results: Three SNPs, including two novels, were identified and their allele frequencies determined in 210 males. These SNPs were assembled into large SNP database that permits the analysis of the genetic basis of different diseases.