Quantification of Porcine Follicle-stimulating Hormone Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid by Reverse Transcription competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction

An easy and reliable method was developed for construction and quantification of competitive templates, which shared the same sequence as the amplified target DNA except for a 20 bp insertion in the middle by recombinant polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the advantages of competitive PCR is that any predictable or unpredictable variable that affects amplification has the same effect on both target and competitor species and that the final ratio of amplified products reflects exactly the initial targets. The utilization of a thermostable reverse transcriptase in the RT step was proposed to overcome the problem of the efficiency of target cDNA synthesis. In addition, to obtain reliable measurements, it was recommended to perform four PCR with amounts of competitive template flanking the concentration of the target mRNA.

Identifying the stability of housekeeping genes to be used for the quantitative real-time PCR normalization in retinal tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AIM:To investigate the stability of the seven housekeeping genes:beta-actin(ActB),glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),18s ribosomal unit 5(18s),cyclophilin A(CycA),hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase(HPRT),ribosomal protein large P0(36B4)and terminal uridylyl transferase 1(U6)in the diabetic retinal tissue of rat model.METHODS:The expression of these seven genes in rat retinal tissues was determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)in two groups;normal control rats and streptozotocininduced diabetic rats.The stability analysis of gene expression was investigated using geNorm,NormFinder,BestKeeper,and comparative delta-Ct(ΔCt)algorithms.RESULTS:The 36B4 gene was stably expressed in the retinal tissues of normal control animals;however,it was less stable in diabetic retinas.The 18s gene was expressed consistently in both normal control and diabetic rats’retinal tissue.That this gene was the best reference for data normalisation in RT-qPCR studies that used the retinal tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Furthermore,there was no ideal gene stably expressed for use in all experimental settings.CONCLUSION:Identifying relevant genes is a need for achieving RT-qPCR validity and reliability and must be appropriately achieved based on a specific experimental setting.

Correlation of serum SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG serology and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients:Experience from a tertiary care centre

BACKGROUND The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)virus has become a pandemic for the last 2 years.Inflammatory response to the virus leads to organ dysfunction and death.Predicting the severity of inflammatory response helps in managing critical patients using serology tests IgG and IgM.AIM To investigate the correlation of the serology(IgM and IgG)with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)status,disease severity[mild to critical],intensive care unit(ICU)admission,septic shock,acute kidney injury,and in-hospital mortality.METHODS We conducted a longitudinal study to correlate serum SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M(IgM)and immunoglobulin G(IgG)serology with clinical outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.We analyzed patient data from March to December 2020 for those who were admitted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh.Clinical and laboratory data of these patients were collected from the e-hospital portal and analyzed.A correlation was seen with clinical outcomes and was assessed using MS Excel 2010 and SPSS software.RESULTS Out of 494 patients,the mean age of patients was 48.95±16.40 years and there were more male patients in the study(66.0%).The patients were classified as mild-moderate 328(67.1%),severe 131(26.8%),and critical 30(6.1%).The mean duration from symptom onset to serology testing was 19.87±30.53 d.In-hospital mortality was observed in 25.1%of patients.The seropositivity rate(i.e.,either IgG or IgM>10 AU)was 50%.IgM levels(AU/mL)(W=33428.000,P≤0.001)and IgG levels(AU/mL)(W=39256.500,P≤0.001),with the median IgM/IgG levels(AU/mL),were highest in the RT-PCR-Positive group compared to RT-PCR-Negative clinical COVID-19.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of all other clinical outcomes(disease severity,septic shock,ICU admission,mechanical ventilation,and mortality).CONCLUSION The study showed that serology levels are high in RT-PCR positive group compared to clinical COVID-19.However,serology cannot be useful for the prediction of disease outcomes.The study also highlights the importance of doing serology at a particular time as antibody titers vary with the duration of the disease.In week intervals there was a significant correlation between clinical outcomes and serology on week 3.

Exploring the regulatory mechanism of tRNA-derived fragments 36 in acute pancreatitis based on small RNA sequencing and experiments

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a disease featuring acute inflammation of the pancreas and histological destruction of acinar cells.Approximately 20%of AP patients progress to moderately severe or severe pancreatitis,with a case fatality rate of up to 30%.However,a single indicator that can serve as the gold standard for prognostic prediction has not been discovered.Therefore,gaining deeper insights into the underlying mechanism of AP progression and the evolution of the disease and exploring effective biomarkers are important for early diagnosis,progression evaluation,and precise treatment of AP.AIM To determine the regulatory mechanisms of tRNA-derived fragments(tRFs)in AP based on small RNA sequencing and experiments.METHODS Small RNA sequencing and functional enrichment analyses were performed to identify key tRFs and the potential mechanisms in AP.Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was conducted to determine tRF expression.AP cell and mouse models were created to investigate the role of tRF36 in AP progression.Lipase,amylase,and cytokine levels were assayed to examine AP progression.Ferritin expression,reactive oxygen species,malondialdehyde,and ferric ion levels were assayed to evaluate cellular ferroptosis.RNA pull down assays and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms.RESULTS RT-qPCR results showed that tRF36 was significantly upregulated in the serum of AP patients,compared to healthy controls.Functional enrichment analysis indicated that target genes of tRF36 were involved in ferroptosisrelated pathways,including the Hippo signaling pathway and ion transport.Moreover,the occurrence of pancreatic cell ferroptosis was detected in AP cells and mouse models.The results of interference experiments and AP cell models suggested that tRF-36 could promote AP progression through the regulation of ferroptosis.Furthermore,ferroptosis gene microarray,database prediction,and immunoprecipitation suggested that tRF-36 accelerated the progression of AP by recruiting insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3(IGF2BP3)to the p53 mRNA m6A modification site by binding to IGF2BP3,which enhanced p53 mRNA stability and promoted the ferroptosis of pancreatic follicle cells.CONCLUSION In conclusion,regulation of nuclear pre-mRNA domain-containing protein 1B promoted AP development by regulating the ferroptosis of pancreatic cells,thereby acting as a prospective therapeutic target for AP.In addition,this study provided a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of tRFs in AP.

Effect of nitric oxide on the expression of apelin receptor mRNA in rat caudate nucleus

Objective To investigate the effect of nitric oxide （NO） on the expression of apelin receptor mRNA, as well as their correlation, in the caudate nucleus of rat. Methods L-Arginine （L-Arg）, N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester （L-NAME） and normal saline （NS） was separately microinjected into rat caudate nucleus. Expressions of neuronal NO synthase （nNOS） mRNA and apelin receptor mRNA were detected by RT-PCR at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after microinjection, and their correlation was determined. Results The expressions of nNOS mRNA and apelin receptor mRNA were both significantly increased after microinjection of L-Arg, but significantly decreased after microinjection of L-NAME compared with the NS control group. The nNOS mRNA had a positive correlation with the expression of apelin receptor mRNA after microinjection of L-Arg and L-NAME. Conclusion The activity of NOS in the central nervous system, especially in the caudate nucleus, is one of the key factors for NO to exert many kinds of biological actions, such as modulation of central pain, as a neurotransmitter. The neurobiological action of NO in rat caudate nucleus may be associated with apelin receptors.

Expression of E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with lymph node micrometastasis

AIM: To examine the expression of E-cadherin in the primary tumor and to evaluate its relationship with lymph node micrometastasis (LNM).METHODS: The authors studied 850 lymph nodes resected from 30 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in addition to H&E staining. Cytokeratin-20 (CK-20)gene marker was used in this assay. The level of E-cadherin expression in the primary tumor was examined by immunochemical technique (EliVisionTM plus).RESULTS: LNM was detected in 77 (12.5%) lymph nodes of 14 patients (46.7%) with gastric carcinoma. The incidence of LNM was significantly higher in the diffuse type (12 of 19 cases, 63.2%) than in the intestinal type of gastric carcinoma (2 of 11 cases, 18.2%, P = 0.026). The incidence of LNM also increased in accordance with the depth of tumor invasion. The loss of expression of E cadherin in primary tumors was found in 14 (46.7) of 30 tumors. The absence of E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with the Lauren classification (P = 0.026), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.011), the grade of differentiation (P = 0.004) and the lymphatic invasion (P = 0.001). Expression of E-cadherin was negative in 10 (71.4%) of the 14 patients with LNM, and in 4 (25%) of the 16 patients without LNM (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The current results indicate that the RT PCR assay is useful for the detection of LNM and can significantly increase the detection rate of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric carcinoma. The Laurenclassification and depth of tumor invasion are significantlyassociated with lymph node micrometastases. Our findings also indicate that E-cadherin may play an important role in determining the growth type and differentiation of gastric carcinoma. The loss of E-cadherin expression may contribute to LNM.

Multiplex RT-PCR-based detections of CEA, CK20 and EGFR in colorectal cancer patients

AIM: To develop a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method detecting cir-culating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 88 CRC patients and 40 healthy individuals from the blood donors' clinic and subsequently analyzed by multiplex RT-RCR for the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA. The analysis involved determining the detection rates of CEA, CK20 and EGFR transcripts vs disease stage and overall survival. Median follow-up period was 19 mo (range 8-28 mo). RESULTS: Rates of CEA, CK20 and EGFR detection in CRC patients were 95.5%, 78.4% and 19.3%, respectively. CEA transcripts were detected in 3 healthy volunteer samples (7.5%), whereas all control samples were tested negative for CK20 and EGFR transcripts. The increasing number of positive detections for CEA, CK20 and EGFR transcripts in each blood sample was positively correlated with Astler-Coller disease stage (P< 0.001) and preoperative serum levels of CEA (P=0.029) in CRC patients. Data analysis using Kaplan-Meier estimator documented signif icant differences in the overall survival of the different CRC patient groups as formed according to the increasing number of positivity for CEA, CK20 and EGFR transcripts. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that multiplex RTPCR assay can provide useful information concerning disease stage and overall survival of CRC patients.

Identification of Sheep Endogenous Beta-Retroviruses with Uterus-Specific Expression in the Pregnant Mongolian Ewe

The sheep genome harbours approximately 20 copies of endogenous beta-retroviruses （enJSRVs）, and circumstantial evidence suggests that enJSRVs might play a role in mammalian reproduction, particularly placental morphogenesis. This study was aimed to assess the expression of mRNAs of an enJSRV and its receptor, HYAL2, in the uterus and conceptuses of Mongolian ewes throughout gestation, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization analysis. The results showed that enJSRV and HYAL2 mRNAs were found to be expressed throughout gestation in the endometrium, chorion, placenta, and conceptus. The enJSRV mRNA was most abundant in the placenta on day 90 of pregnancy, in the endometrium on day 30 and 50, and in the chorion on day 70 and 110. However, HYAL2 mRNA was most abundant in the endometrium on day 30. These differences were all significantly different from each other （P〈0.01）. In situ hybridization showed that enJSRV and HYAL2 mRNAs were specifically expressed in endometrial luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium, trophoblastic giant binucleated cells （BNCs）, endometrial caruncles, placental cotyledons, stroma, trophectoderm, as well as multinucleated syncytia of the placenta and blood vessel endothelial cells. Collectively, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which trophoblastic differentiation and multinucleated syncytia formation are regulated by enJSRVs. However, the temporal and spatial distributions of enJSRV expression in the uterus and conceptus indicate that differentiation of BNCs and the formation of a multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast involve enJSRV and possibly its cellular receptor, HYAL2. Therefore, enJSRV and HYAL2 appear to play important roles in the female reproductive physiology in this breed of sheep.

Viral kinetics of Enterovirus 71 in human habdomyosarcoma cells

AIM:To characterise the viral kinetics of enterovirus 71 (EV71).METHODS:In this study,human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were infected with EV71 at different multiplicity of infection (MOI).After infection,the cytopathic effect (CPE) was monitored and recorded using a phase contrast microscope associated with a CCD camera at different time points post viral infection (0,6,12,24 h post infection).Cell growth and viability were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in both EV71 infected and mock infected cells at each time point.EV71 replication kinet-ics in RD cells was determined by measuring the total intracellular viral RNA with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Also,the intracellular and extracellular virion RNA was isolated and quantified at different time points to analyze the viral package and secretion.The expression of viral protein was determined by analyze the levels of viral structure protein VP1 with Western blotting.RESULTS:EV71 infection induced a significant CPE as early as 6 h post infection (p.i.) in both RD cells infected with high ratio of virus (MOI 10) and low ratio of virus (MOI 1).In EV71 infected cells,the cell growth was inhibited and the number of viable cells was rapidly decreased in the later phase of infection.EV71 virions were uncoated immediately after entry.The intracellular viral RNA began to increase at as early as 3 h p.i.and the exponential increase was found between 3 h to 6 h p.i.in both infected groups.For viral structure protein synthesis,results from western-blot showed that intracellular viral protein VP1 could not be detected until 6 h p.i.in the cells infected at either MOI 1 or MOI 10;and reached the peak at 9 h p.i.in the cells infected with EV71 at both MOI 1 and MOI 10.Simultaneously,the viral package and secretion were also actively processed as the virus underwent rapid replication.The viral package kinetics was comparable for both MOI 1 and MOI 10 infected groups.It was observed that at 3 h p.i,the intracellular virions obviously decreased,thereafter,the intracellular virions began to increase and enter into the exponential phase until 12 h p.i.The total amounts of intracellular virons were decreased from 12 to 24 h p.i.Consistent with this result,the increase of virus secretion occurred during 6 to 12 h p.i.CONCLUSION:The viral kinetics of EV71 were established by analyzing viral replication,package and secretion in RD cells.

The Relationship between 67KD Laminin Receptor Expression and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The 67KD laminin receptor (LN-R ) that binds laminin (LN) is involved in the metastasis cascade. Using immunohistochemical technique, in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we studied LN-R protein and RNA levels in 30 cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to further understand its role in the metastasis of HCC. In our 14 cases of HCC with metastasis, its positive rates were 71. 4 %, 57. 1%, 85.7% respectively, whereas its positive expression in 16 cases without metastasis were 31.3 %, 18. 8 %, 50. 0 % respectively. The significant difference was found between these two groups. The results suggest that the 67KD LN-R expression plays a very important role in the metastasis of HCC.

Expression of pituitary homeobox 1 gene in human gastric carcinogenesis and its clinicopathological significance

AIM： To investigate the effect of pituitary homeobox 1 （PITX1） expression in cases of human gastric cancer on cancer differentiation and progression, and carcinogenesis. METHODS： Using polyclonal PITX1 antibodies, we studied the expression of PITX1 in normal gastric mucosa, atypical hyperplasia, intestinal metaplasia, and cancer tissue samples from 83 gastric cancer patients by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, semi-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （semi-RT-PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA level of PITX1 in three gastric cancer cell lines and a normal gastric epithelial cell line. Subsequently, somatic mutations of the PITX1 gene in 71 gastric cancer patients were analyzed by a combination of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography （DHPLC） and DNA sequencing. RESULTS： Immunohistochemistry showed that PITXl was strongly or moderately expressed in the parietal cells of normal gastric mucosa （100%）, while 55 （66.3%） out of 83 samples of gastric cancers showed decreased PITXl expression. Moreover, PITXl expression was reduced in 20 out of 28 cases （71.5%） of intestinal metaplasia, but in only 1 out of 9 cases （11%） of atypical hyperplasia. More importantly, PITXl expression was significantly associated with the differentiation, position and invasion depth of gastric cancers （r = -0.316, P 〈 0.01; r = 0.213, P 〈 0.05; r = -0.259, P 〈 0.05, respectively）. Similarly, levels of PITXl mRNA were significantly decreased in 2 gastric cancer cell lines, BGC-823 and SGC-7901, compared with the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 （0.306 ± 0.060 vs 0.722 ± 0.102, P 〈 0.05; 0.356 ± 0.081 vs 0.722 ± 0.102, P 〈 0.05, respectively）. Nevertheless, no somatic mutation of PITX1 gene was found in 71 samples of gastric cancer by DHPLC analysis followed by sequencing. CONCLUSION： Down-regulation of PITX1 may be a frequent molecular event in gastric carcinogenesis. Aberrant levels of PITXl expression may be closely correlated with the progression and differentiation of gastric cancer,

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit expression in rat spiral ganglion neurons

BACKGROUND： Gamma-aminobutyric acid A （GABAA） and N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptors are significant receptors in the central nervous system. An understanding of GABAA and NMDA receptor expression in spiral ganglion neurons （SGN） provides information for the functional role of these receptors in the auditory system. OBJECTIVE： To investigate mRNA expression of GABAA receptor （GABAAR） and NMDA receptor （NMDAR） subunits in the rat SGN. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This in vitro, molecular biological study was performed at the Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Medical University, China from July 2007 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Reverse Transcriptase Kit and Taq DNA polymerase were purchased from Fermentas Burlington, ON, Canada; GABAAR and NMDAR primers were purchased from Shanghai Sangon, Shanghai, China. METHODS： SGN from 3-5 day postnatal Wistar rats was collected for primary cultures, mRNA expression of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits in the SGN was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression levels of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits were determined by quantitative analysis. RESULTS： GABAAR subunits （αl 6, β1 3, and y1 3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were detected in the SGN. In α subunit genes of GABAAR, α1 and α3 expression was similar （P 〉 0.05） and greater than the other subunits. Of the β subunit genes, β1 subunit mRNA levels were greater than β2 and β3. Of the y subunit genes, y2 subunit mRNA levels were greater than y1 and y3. NR1 mRNA expression was the greatest of NMDAR subunits. CONCLUSION： GABAAR subunits （α1 6, β1-3, and y1-3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were expressed in the rat SGN. Through comparison of GABAAR and NMDAR subunit expression, possible GABAAR combinations, as well as highly expressed subunit combinations, were estimated, which provided information for pharmacological and electrophysiological characteristics of GABAAR in the auditory system.

The detection of micrometastases in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer for hSBEM mRNA and CD44V6 mRNA

Objective： Successful treatment of breast cancer greatly depends on the early detection of its metastasis, therefore a sensitive and specific biomarker for detecting dissemination of the cancer cells will help to achieve this goal. This study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of human small breast epithelial mucin （hSBEM） and CD44V6 in breast cancer. Methods： The expressions of hSBEM mRNA and CD44V6 mRNA were detected with nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （nested RT-PCR） in 67 samples of breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissue, 16 samples of breast benign lesions tissue, and 67 specimens of peripheral blood from patients with breast cancer, 16 specimens of benign breast lesions, 20 specimens of healthy volunteers, and 25 （each five cases） other carcinomas tissue samples, including those of gastric carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, esophageal carcinoma, lung carcinoma, and ovary carcinoma, were analyzed for hSBEM mRNA expression by nested RT-PCR. Results： hSBEM mRNA expression was observed in 62/67 （92.54%） of breast cancer, 14/16 （87.50%） of breast benign lesions and 59/67 （88.05%） of normal breast tissue, with no significant differences between them （P 〉 0.05）. None of the samples from other cancer tissues were positive. In peripheral blood the expression of hSBEM mRNA was detected in 34/67 （50.75%） from patients with breast cancer, with significant increasing （P 〈 0.05） in the cases of metastatic disease （stage Ⅳ） and those with lymph node metastasis compared with localized disease （stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ） and without lymph node metastasis, but its expression was not found in peripheral blood of patients with benign breast lesions or healthy volunteers. Although CD44V6 mRNA was significantly higher in breast cancer than in benign breast lesions tissue and normal breast tissue, its expression in peripheral blood show no significant difference （P 〉 0.05） in the patients with breast cancer （82.09%）, benign breast lesion （75.00%）, or healthy volunteers （70.00%）. The expressions of hSBEM mRNA and CD44V6 mRNA had no correlation with the age of the patients, size of primary tumor, histological type and estrogen or progestin receptor status （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： hSBEM mRNA, as assessed by nested RT-PCR, shows a mammary-specific and mammary-sensitive expression, and is a sensitive indicator of hematogeneous spread of breast cancer cell, while CD44V6 shows low sensitivity and specificity in detecting dissemination of breast cancer cell in peripheral blood, hSBEM mRNA is a promising molecular biomarker for detecting breast cancer micrometastases.

Expression of Cytokines IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α in Mice with Herpes Simplex Viral Encephalitis

The expression of the cytokines IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α and their roles in mice with herpes simplex viral encephalitis （HSE） were studied. By using semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, the expressions of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α mRNA in control group, HSE group and acyclovir （ACV）-treated group were detected and the pathological changes of brain were observed. It was found that after HSV1 infection, the cerebral lesions of haemorrhage and necrosis in mice were observed under the microscopy, and the levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α were increased remarkably. After treatment with ACV after HSV1 infection, the cerebral lesions in mice were improved, the level of IL-2 maintained stable, IL-10 was increased consistently, and TNF-α was decreased significantly as compared with those in HSE group. In acute HSE, many cytokines are upregulated, including IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α to eliminate virus and TH1 type response is dominant. In convalescence, there is a shift in the cytokine expression profile from TH1 profile to TH2 profile and the shift can inhibit the overexpression of immune response in animals. ACV has remarkable effects in the treatment of HSE.

Polypeptide Daintain as a New Biomarker for Detecting Breast Tumor

Daintain, a novel bioactive peptide produced and secreted by macrophages, was expressed in breast tumor tissues. The spatial distributions of daintain in 66 breast tumor specimens were investigated with immuno-histochemistry method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and in situ hybridization inspection system were also used to detect daintain in 45 cases of malignant breast tumors. The final results show that 93% high positive responses to daintain on breast cancer tumors. RT-PCR demonstrated that, no smear of daintain transcripted in benign tissues was found, and light smear in peri-cancer tissue was observed. Distribution of daintain was distinguishable among benign tissues, hyperplasia tissues, immature hyperplasia and invasive breast cancer, which can be used to mark the progression of the malignant lesion development. We conclude that the expression of daintain is up-regulated in breast cancers, which indicates that the peptide is closely associated with the disease progression. So daintain could be used as the biomarker for detecting breast cancer.

The diagnostic significance of the detection of cytokeratin 19 mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR in benign and malignant pleural effusions

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of detecting cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in benign and malignant pleural effusions. Methods: CK19 mRNA was examined by quantitative RT-PCR and CK19 was detected by Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in 32 patients with malignant pleural effusions and 35 patients with benign pleural effusions. Results: On the threshold of 200 copies/μl, the positive rate of CK19 mRNA in patients with malignant pleural effusions was 62.5%. The positive rates of CK19 mRNA and CK19 in the malignant pleural effusions were significantly higher than those in the benign group (P<0.01). Furthermore, the positive rate of CK19 mRNA was higher than that of CK19 in the malignant group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Detection of CK19 mRNA can be a promising diagnostic marker in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusions.

The gene expression patterns of BMPR2,EP300,TGFβ2,and TNFAIP3 in B-Lymphoma cells

Objective: The results of a previous study showed that a clear dysregulation was evident in the global gene expression of the BCL11A-suppressed B-lymphoma cells. In this study, the bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type II(BMPR2), E1 A binding protein p300(EP300), transforming growth factor-β2(TGFβ2), and tumor necrosis factor, and alpha-induced protein 3(TNFAIP3) gene expression patterns in B-cell malignancies were studied. Methods: The relative expression levels of BMPR2, EP300, TGFβ2, and TNFAIP3 mRNA in B-lymphoma cell lines, myeloid cell lines, as well as in cells from healthy volunteers, were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptpolymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) with SYBR Green Dye. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH) was used as reference. Results: The expression level of TGFβ2 mRNA in B-lymphoma cell lines was significantly higher than those in the cells from the healthy control(P<0.05). However, the expression level of TNFAIP3 mRNA in B-malignant cells was significantly lower than that of the healthy control(P<0.05). The expression levels of BMPR2 and EP300 mRNA showed no significant difference between B-malignant cell lines and the healthy group(P>0.05). In B-lymphoma cell lines, correlation analyses revealed that the expression of BMPR2 and TNFAIP3(r=0.882, P=0.04) had significant positive relation. The expression levels of BMPR2, EP300, and TNFAIP3 mRNA in cell lines from myeloid leukemia were significantly lower than those in the cells from the healthy control(P<0.05). The expression levels of TGFβ2 mRNA showed no significant difference between myeloid leukemia cell lines and the healthy control or B-malignant cell lines(P>0.05). The expression levels of BMPR2, EP300, and TNFAIP3 mRNA in B-lymphoma cells were significantly higher than those of the myeloid leukemia cells(P<0.05).Conclusion: Different expression patterns of BMPR2, EP300, TGFβ2, and TNFAIP3 genes in B-lymphoma cells exist.

Role of serological rapid antibody test in the management of possible COVID-19 cases

Although the detection of viral particles by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)is the gold standard diagnostic test for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),the false-negative results constitute a big challenge.AIM To examine a group of patients diagnosed and treated as possible COVID-19 pneumonia whose multiple nasopharyngeal swab samples were negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)by RT-PCR but then serological immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G(IgM/IgG)antibody against SARS-CoV-2 were detected by rapid antibody test.METHODS Eighty possible COVID-19 patients who had at least two negative consecutive COVID-19 RT-PCR test and were subjected to serological rapid antibody test were evaluated in this study.RESULTS The specific serological total IgM/IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2 was detected in twenty-two patients.The mean age of this patient group was 63.2±13.1-yearsold with a male/female ratio of 11/11.Cough was the most common symptom(90.9%).The most common presenting chest computed tomography findings were bilateral ground glass opacities(77.2%)and alveolar consolidations(50.1%).The mean duration of time from appearance of first symptoms to hospital admission,to hospital admission,to treatment duration and to serological positivity were 8.6 d,11.2 d,7.9 d,and 24 d,respectively.Compared with reference laboratory values,serologically positive patients have shown increased levels of acute phase reactants,such as C-reactive protein,ferritin,and procalcitonin and higher inflammatory markers,such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate,lactate dehydrogenase enzyme,and fibrin end-products,such as D-dimer.A left shift on white blood cell differential was observed with increased neutrophil counts and decreased lymphocytes.CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated the feasibility of a COVID-19 diagnosis based on rapid antibody test in the cases of patients whose RT-PCR samples were negative.Detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with rapid antibody test should be included in the diagnostic algorithm in patients with possible COVID-19 pneumonia.

Human dental pulp stem cells express many pluripotency regulators and differentiate into neuronal cells

Stem cells were isolated from human dental pulp using an optimized method, in which pulp pieces were digested by enzymes and immobilized to enhance cell outgrowth. Stem cell marker expression was detected by reverse transcription-PCR （RT-PCR）, and differentiation markers were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Results showed that dental pulp stem cells actively expressed nanog, oct4, nucleostemin slain-l, jmjdla, jmjd2c, and cyclin DI. When stem cells were induced to differentiate into neurons, nucleostemin, nanog, and cyclin D1 expression significantly decreased, whereas expression of neuronal markers, such as microtubule associated protein-2 and neurofilament-heavy, significantly increased. These results suggested that stem cells exited a pluripotent state and entered a neuronal differentiation pathway. In addition, results demonstrated that human dental pulp serves as a reservoir of stem cells that express defined stem cell markers; these cells were easily isolated and were induced to differentiate towards a desired cell lineage.

Expression of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand receptor in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND： Receptors for tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL） include death receptor 4, death receptor 5, decoy receptor 1, and decoy receptor 2. Activation of death receptor 4 and 5 selectively kills tumor cells. OBJECTIVE： To detect TRAIL receptor expression in glioblastoma by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and to compare this expression to that in normal brain tissue. DESIGN： Observational analysis. SETTING： Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University; Henan Tumor Pathology Key Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS： Twenty-five patients （17 males and 8 females） who received glioblastoma resection were selected from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, between September 2003 to June 2004. All glioblastoma samples were diagnosed pathologically. Twenty patients （12 males and 8 females） with craniocerebral injury who received normal brain tissue resection were selected in the same time period. There were no significant differences in sex and age between glioblastoma patients or between craniocerebral injury patients （P 〉 0.05）. All patients and appropriate relatives provided informed consent, and this study was approved by the local research ethics committee. METHODS： Polyclonal antibody against TRAIL receptors and an immunohistochemical kit （batch number： 200502） were purchased from Boster Company, Wuhan. Immunohistochemistry： Expression of death receptor 4, death receptor 5, decoy receptor l, and decoy receptor 2 were observed in both glioblastoma and normal brain tissue. The experiment was performed according to the kit instructions, and positive staining was brown-yellow. Assessment： There were no positive signals （-）; weakly positive signals, positive cells 〈 25% （＋）; weakly positive signals, positive cells 25%-50% （＋＋）; strongly positive signals, positive cells 50%-75% （＋＋＋）; strongly positive signals, positive cells 〉 75% （＋＋＋＋）. Evaluation： Expression levels of TRAIL receptors were estimated in both normal brain tissue and glioblastoma. Expression of decoy receptor 1 and decoy receptor 2 mRNA in glioblastoma were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and expression of decoy receptor in glioblastoma was estimated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Comparison of death receptor and decoy receptor protein expression between glioblastoma and normal brain tissue; decoy receptor mRNA expression in glioblastoma. RESULTS： Death receptor protein expression was strongly positive （＋＋＋） in glioblastoma, while it was weakly positive （＋, ＋＋） in normal brain tissue. Therefore, expression rate of death receptor protein in the glioblastoma was significantly higher than that in the normal brain tissue （.~ 2 = 18.48, 23.03, P 〈 0.01）. Decoy receptor protein expression in the glioblastoma was significantly lower than that in the normal brain tissue （ x2 = 6.65, 18.76, P 〈 0.01）. The level of decoy receptor mRNA expression in glioblastoma was significantly higher than those of protein expression （ x 2 = 9.82, 10.09, P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： High expression of death receptor and low expression of decoy receptor are frequently observed in glioblastoma, suggesting that TRAIL receptor genes show an anti-tumor and expressive response during the initiation and development of the tumor. There are significant differences in decoy receptor expression between normal brain tissue and glioblastoma, suggesting that the restricted expression of decoy receptor in glioblastoma is regulated at the post-transcriptional level.