Differential expression of genes during aflatoxin B_1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in tree shrews

AIM:Through exploring the regulation of gene expression during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1),to find out the responsible genes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to further understand the underlying molecular mechanism.METHODS:Tree shrews ( Tupaia belangeri chinensis)were treated with or without AFB1 for about 90 weeks. Liver biopsies were performed regularly during the animal experiment. Eight shares of total RNA were respectively isolated from 2 HCC tissues, 2 HCC-surrounding noncancerous liver tissues, 2 biopsied tissues at the early stage(30^th week) of the experiment from the same animals as above, 1 mixed sample of three liver tissues biopsied at the beginning (0^th week) of the experiment, and another i mixed sample of two liver tissues from the untreated control animals biopsied at the 90^th week of the experiment. The samples were then tested with the method of Atlas^TM cDNA microarray assay. The levels of gene expression in these tissues taken at different time points during hepatocarcinogenesis were compared.RESULTS:The profiles of differently expressed genes were quite different in different ways of comparison.At the same period of hepatocarcinogenesis, the genes in the same function group usually had the same tendency for up-or down-regulation. Among the checked 588 genes that were known to be related to human cancer, 89 genes (15.1%) were recognized as “important genes” because they showed frequent changes in different ways of comparison. The differentially expressed genes during hepatocarcinogenesis could be classified into four categories: genes up-regulated in HCC tissue, genes with similar expressing levels in both HCC and HCC-surrounding liver tissues which were higher than that in the tissues prior to the development of HCC,genes down-regulated in HCC tissue, and genes up-regulated prior to the development of HCC but down-regulated after the development of HCC.CONCLUSION: A considerable number of genes could change their expressing levels both in HCC and in HCC-surrounding non-cancerous liver tissues. A few modular genes were up-regulated only in HCC but not in surrounding liver tissues, while some apoptosis-related genes were down-regulated in HCC and up-regulated in surrounding liver tissues. To compare gene-expressing levels among the liver tissues taken at different time points during hepatocarcinogenesis may be helpful to locate the responsible gene (s) and understand the mechanism for AFB1 induced liver cancer.

21IC十年纪念

在中国人的习俗中,＂整数＂是特别受青睐的,讨价还价时最常说的就是＂凑个整吧＂。＂十＂是整数中的整数,纪念、庆典什么的逢十最为隆重,孔老夫子说＂三十而立、四十不惑、

Effect of renewed SS-cream on spinal somatosensory evokedpotential in rabbits

Aim: The effect of a renewed SS-cream (RSSC) on the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) was evaluated and compared with the original SS-cream (OSSC). Methods: Sixty male white New Zealand rabbits, weighing 2.5kg-3.0 kg, were divided at random into 3 groups: the RSSC, OSSC and placebo groups. The spinal somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) elicited by electric stimulation of the glans penis with disk electrode was investigated with an electrophysiograph (Poseidomn, Shanghai, China) before and 10, 30 and 60 min after drug or placebo application on the glans. The Onset and the N1 latencies and the amplitude of SSEP were recorded and analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean Onset and Nl latency of SSEP among the 3 groups before drug application. Compared with the pre-application value, the mean Onset and Nl latencies in the RSSC and OSSC groups were significantly prolonged at 10, 30 and 60 min after treatment (P<0.05), while they were not significantly changed (P>0.05) in the placebo group. The mean Onset latency of RSSC at 10 and 30 min and that of OSSC at 30 min were significantly delayed (P<0.05) compared with the placebo group. The mean Nl latency of RSSC at 30 and 60 min and that of OSSC group at 30 min were also significantly delayed (P<0.05). Conclusion: RSSC delays the latencies of SSEP, suggesting a local desensitizing effect on the sensory receptor of the glans penis dorsal nerve, which provides the potential for PE treatment. The desensitizing effect of RSSC is higher than that of OSSC.

Polyurethane Molecular Stamps for the in situ Synthesis of DNA Microarray

Fabrication of polyurethane molecular stamps (PU stamps) based on polypropylene glycol (PPG) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI), using 3, 3-dichloro-4, 4-methylenedianiline (MOCA) as the crosslinker, is reported. It was shown from the contact angle measurement that PU stamps surface has good affinity with acetonitrile, guaranteeing the well distribution of DNA monomers on patterned stamps. Laser confocal fluorescence microscopy images of oligonucleotide arrays after hybridization confirmed polyurethane is an excellent material for molecular stamps when transferring polar chemicals and conducting reactions on interfaces by stamping.