Transplantation of human hepatocytes into tolerized genetically immunocompetent rats

AIM: To determine whether normal genetically immunocompetent rodent hosts could be manipulated to accept human hepatocyte transplants with long term survival without immunosuppression. METHODS: Tolerance towards human hepatocytes was established by injection of primary human hepatocytes or Huh7 human hepatoma cells into the peritoneal cavities of fetal rats. Corresponding cells were subsequently transplanted into newborn rats via intrasplenic injection within 24h after birth. RESULTS: Mixed lymphocyte assays showed that spleen cells from non-tolerized rats were stimulated to proliferate when exposed to human hepatocytes, while cells from tolerized rats were not. Injections made between 15 d and 17 d of gestation produced optimal tolerization. Transplanted human hepatocytes in rat livers were visualized by immunohistochemical staining of human albumin. By dot blotting of genomic DNA in livers of tolerized rats 16 weeks after hepatocyte transplantation, it was found that approximately 2.5 X 10(5) human hepatocytes survived per rat liver. Human albumin mRNA was detected in rat livers by RT-PCR for 15 wk, and human albumin protein was also detectable in rat serum. CONCLUSION: Tolerization of an immuno-competent rat can permit transplantation, and survival of functional human hepatocytes.

The involvement of p38 MAPK in transforming growth factor β1-induced apoptosis in murine hepatocytes

We reported in this manuscript that TGF-beta1 induces apoptosis in AML12 murine hepatocytes, which is associated with the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway. SB202190, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, strongly inhibited the TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis and PAI-1 promoter activity. Treatment of cells with TGF-beta1 activates p38. Furthermore, over-expression of dominant negative mutant p38 also reduced the TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis. The data indicate that the activation of p38 is involved in TGF-beta1-mediated gene expression and apoptosis.

Changes of NF-kB,p53,Bcl-2 and caspase in apoptosis induced by JTE-522 in human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS cells:role of reactive oxygen species

AIM: To identify whether JTE-522 can induce apoptosis in AGS cells and ROS also involved in the process, and to investigate the changes in NF-kB, p53, bcl-2 and caspase in the apoptosis process. METHODS: Cell culture, MTT, Electromicroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, lucigenin, Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analysis were employed to investigate the effect of JTE-522 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in AGS cells and related molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: JTE-522 inhibited the growth of AGS cells and induced the apoptosis. Lucigenin assay showed the generation of ROS in cells under incubation with JTE-522. The increased ROS generation might contribute to the induction of AGS cells to apoptosis. EMSA and Western blot revealed that NF-kB activity was almost completely inhibited by preventing the degradation of IkBalpha. Additionally, by using Western blot we confirmed that the level of bcl-2 was decreased, whereas p53 showed a great increase following JTE-522 treatment. Their changes were in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that reactive oxygen species, NF-kB, p53, bcl-2 and caspase-3 may play an important role in the induction of apoptosis in AGS cells after treatment with JTE-522.

Polysurfacic Tori or Kideas Inspired by the Möbius Strip Topology

Polysurfacic tori or kideas are three-dimensional objects formed by rotating a regular polygon around a central axis. These toric shapes are referred to as “polysurfacic” because their characteristics, such as the number of sides or surfaces separated by edges, can vary in a non-trivial manner depending on the degree of twisting during the revolution. We use the term “Kideas” to specifically denote these polysurfacic tori, and we represent the number of sides (referred to as “facets”) of the original polygon followed by a point, while the number of facets from which the torus is twisted during its revolution is indicated. We then explore the use of concave regular polygons to generate Kideas. We finally give acceleration for the algorithm for calculating the set of prime numbers.

AMPK-associated signaling to bridge the gap between fuel metabolism and hepatocyte viability

The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 pathway may serve as a key signaling flow that regulates energy metabolism; thus, this pathway becomes an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases that result from metabolic derangements. In addition, AMPK emerges as a kinase that controls the redox-state and mitochondrial function, whose activity may be modulated by antioxidants. A close link exists between fuel metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. The relationship between fuel metabolism and cell survival strongly implies the existence of a shared signaling network, by which hepatocytes respond to challenges of external stimuli. The AMPK pathway may belong to this network. A series of drugs and therapeutic candidates enable hepatocytes to protect mitochondria from radical stress and increase cell viability, which may be associated with the activation of AMPK, liver kinase B1, and other molecules or components. Consequently, the components downstream of AMPK may contribute to stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential for hepatocyte survival. In this review, we discuss the role of the AMPK pathway in hepatic energy metabolism and hepatocyte viability. This information may help identify ways to prevent and/or treat hepatic diseases caused by the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, clinical drugs and experimental therapeutic candidates that directly or indirectly modulate the AMPK pathway in distinct manners are discussed here with particular emphasis on their effects on fuel metabolism and mitochondrial function.

Neutron-induced apoptosis of HR8348 cells in vitro

INTRODUCTIONTo date ,the major therapy for rectal carcinoma is extensive abdomino-perineal resection[1]. Unfortunately ,after resection of rectal carcinoma ,many patients still die of blood-borne metastases ,usually in the liver or lungs ,or local prlvic recurrence[2,3],which is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rectal carcinoma .Pre-or postoperative radiotherapy can reduce the incidence of local rdcurrence[4-7].

Effect of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine on the P16 tumor suppressor gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2

INTRODUCTIONHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the mostcommon human malignancies worldwide[1,2], and isclosely associated with infection of HBV and HCVand contamination of aflatoxin B1[3-6]. Althoughthe molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesisremain poorly understood, an increasing number ofgenetic abnormalities have been recognized[7-10],for example, the p16 gene[11,12] the p53gene[13-18], the E-cadherin gene[19], and the c-mycgene[20].

血清淀粉样蛋白酶P(SAP)在3种常见结缔组织病患者中的表达及其意义

目的:研究血清淀粉样蛋白P(SAP)在3种常见结缔组织病患者血清中含量,探讨其在结缔组织病发生发展中的作用及意义。方法:用ELISA方法测定正常人、系统性红斑狼疮活动期和缓解期、类风湿关节炎活动期和缓解期、初治干燥综合征等风湿性疾病血清中血清淀粉样蛋白P(SAP)含量。统计各型患者血清中血清淀粉样蛋白P(SAP)的表达水平及其意义。结果:SAP在系统性红斑狼疮患者活动期血清中高表达,且其表达水平显著高于缓解期和正常人,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:血清淀粉样蛋白P(SAP)在系统性红斑狼疮活动期高表达,可以作为系统性红斑狼疮患者活动期的诊断指标之一。

Determination of Inorganic Elements in Paris daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and Paris dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap by ICP-OES

[Objectives] To determine 29 kinds of inorganic elements in samples of Paris daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and P. dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap produced in different regions, and to measure the content of 10 key inorganic elements: chromium(Cr), manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), copper(Cu), mercury(Hg), zinc(Zn), arsenic(As), antimony(Sr), cadmium(Cd) and lead(Pb). [Methods] The wet digestion and technique of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES) were employed. [Results] Under the experimental conditions, elements were not related to each other, and many kinds of elements could be measured at the same time; toxic and heavy metals in samples of P. daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and P. dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap did not exceed the limit; Hg was not detected in all samples. [Conclusions] This method is simple, easy to operate and reproducible. It can be used for the detection of inorganic elements in P. daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and P. dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap; the heavy metals and Hg of the rhizome meet the requirements of the limit of medicinal materials.

The miR-9-5p/CXCL11 pathway is a key target of hydrogen sulfide-mediated inhibition of neuroinflammation in hypoxic ischemic brain injury

We previously showed that hydrogen sulfide(H2S)has a neuroprotective effect in the context of hypoxic ischemic brain injury in neonatal mice.However,the precise mechanism underlying the role of H2S in this situation remains unclear.In this study,we used a neonatal mouse model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury and a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 cell model and found that treatment with L-cysteine,a H2S precursor,attenuated the cerebral infarction and cerebral atrophy induced by hypoxia and ischemia and increased the expression of miR-9-5p and cystathionineβsynthase(a major H2S synthetase in the brain)in the prefrontal cortex.We also found that an miR-9-5p inhibitor blocked the expression of cystathionineβsynthase in the prefrontal cortex in mice with brain injury caused by hypoxia and ischemia.Furthermore,miR-9-5p overexpression increased cystathionine-β-synthase and H2S expression in the injured prefrontal cortex of mice with hypoxic ischemic brain injury.L-cysteine decreased the expression of CXCL11,an miR-9-5p target gene,in the prefrontal cortex of the mouse model and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 cells and increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines BNIP3,FSTL1,SOCS2 and SOCS5,while treatment with an miR-9-5p inhibitor reversed these changes.These findings suggest that H2S can reduce neuroinflammation in a neonatal mouse model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury through regulating the miR-9-5p/CXCL11 axis and restoringβ-synthase expression,thereby playing a role in reducing neuroinflammation in hypoxic ischemic brain injury.

Molecular signal transduction in vascular cell apoptosis

Apoptosis is a form of genetically programmed cell death, which plays a key role in regulation of cellularity in a variety of tissue and cell types including the cardiovascular tissues. Under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions, various biophysiological and biochemical factors, including mechanical forces, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, cytokines, growth factors, oxidized lipoproteins, etc., may influence apoptosis of vascular cells. The Fas/Fas ligand/caspase death-signaling pathway, Bcl-2 protein family/mitochondria, the tumor suppressive gene p53, and the proto-oncogene c-myc may be activated in atherosclerotic lesions, and mediates vascular apoptosis during the development of atherosclerosis. Abnormal expression and dysfunction of these apoptosis-regulating genes may attenuate or accelerate vascular cell apoptosis and affect the integrity and stability of atherosclerotic plaques. Clarification of the molecular mechanism that regulates apoptosis may help design a new strategy for treatment of atherosclerosis and its major complication, the acute vascular syndromes.

Apoptosis,proliferation and p53 gene expression of H.pylori associated gastric epithelial lesions

AIM: To study the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastric carcinoma and its possible pathogenesis by H. pylori. METHODS: DNEL technique and immunohistochemical technique were used to study the state of apoptosis, proliferation and p53 gene expression. A total of 100 gastric mucosal biopsy specimens, including 20 normal mucosa, 30 H. pylori-negative and 30 H. pylori-positive gastric precancerous lesions along with 20 gastric carcinomas were studied. RESULTS: There were several apoptotic cells in the superficial epithelium and a few proliferative cells within the neck of gastric glands, and no p53 protein expression in normal mucosa. In gastric carcinoma, there were few apoptotic cells, while there were a large number of proliferative cells, and expression of p53 protein significantly was increased. In the phase of metaplasia, the apoptotic index (AI, 4.36%+/-1.95%), proliferative index (PI, 19.11%+/-6.79%) and positivity of p53 expression (46.7%) in H. pylori-positive group were higher than those in normal mucosa (P【0.01). AI in H. pylori-positive group was higher than that in H. pylori-negative group (3.81%+/-1.76%), PI in H. pylori-positive group was higher than that in H. pylori-negative group (12.25%+/-5.63%, P【0.01). In the phase of dysplasia, AI (2.31%+/-1.10%) in H. pylori-positive group was lower (3.05%+/-1.29%) than that in H. pylori-negative group, but PI (33.89%+/-11.65%) was significantly higher (22.09+/-8018%, P【0.01). In phases of metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric cancer in the H. pylori-positive group, AIs had an evidently graduall decreasing trend (P【0.01), while PIs had an evidently gradual increasing trend (P【0.05 or P【0.01), and there was also a trend of gradual increase in the expression of p53 gene. CONCLUSION: In the course of the formation of gastric carcinoma, proliferation of gastric mucosa can be greatly increased by H. pylori, and H. pylori can induce apoptosis in the phase of metaplasia, but in the phase of dysplasia H. pylori can inhibit cellular apoptosis. And H. pylori infection can strengthen the expression of mutated p53 gene.

P53 immunohistochemical scoring:an independent prognostic marker for patients after hepatocellular carcinoma resection

AIM: To confirm if p53 mutation could be a routine predictive marker for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: Two hundreds and forty-four formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples of the patients with HCC receiving liver resection were detected for nuclear accumulation of p53. The percent of P53 immunoreactive tumor cells was scored as 0 to 3+ in P53 positive region (【10% -, 10-30% +, 31-50% ++, 】50% +++). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and some clinicopathological characteristics, including patients' sex, preoperative serum AFP level, tumor size, capsule, vascular invasion (both visual and microscopic), and Edmondson grade were also evaluated. RESULTS: In univariate COX harzard regression model analysis, tumor size, capsule status, vascular invasion, and p53 expression were independent factors that were closely related to the overall survival (OS) rates of HCC patients. The survival rates of patients with 3+ for P53 expression were much lower than those with 2+ or + for P53 expression. Only vascular invasion (P【0.05) and capsule (P【0.01) were closely related to the disease-free survival (DFS) of HCC patients. In multivariate analysis, p53 overexpression (RI 0.5456, P【0.01) was the most significant factor associated with the OS rates of patients after HCC resection, while tumor size (RI 0.5209, P【0.01), vascular invasion (RI 0.5271, P【0.01) and capsule (RI-0.8691, P【0.01) were also related to the OS. However, only tumor capsular status was an independent predictive factor (P【0.05) for the DFS. No significant prognostic value was found in PCNA-LI, Edmondson's grade, patients' sex and preoperative serum AFP level. CONCLUSION: Accumulation of p53 expression, as well as tumor size, capsule and vascular invasion, could be valuable markers for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients after resection. The quantitative immunohistochemical scoring for P53 nuclear accumulation might be more valuable for predicting prognosis of patients after HCC resection than the common qualitative analysis.

采用酵母双杂交法筛选PSRPK相关蛋白基因

本课题组在前期研究中,从多头绒泡菌中分离到一个SR蛋白激酶基因psrpk,并将其编码蛋白命名为PSRPK(SR protein kinase ofPhysarum Polycephalum).为分离PSRPK相关蛋白基因以了解PSRPK的功能,构建了转化率为2×106转化子/3μg pGADT7-Rec、密度为5.35×108cells/mL、滴度为2.34×109cfu/mL的多头绒泡菌酵母双杂交AD库.以PSRPK为饵蛋白筛选该文库得到接合率为41.18%的杂交酵母,在SD/-Leu/-Trp/-Ade/-H is培养板上筛选获得1476个杂交克隆,其中,X-gal滤纸显色呈强蓝色的克隆有342个.对大于500 bp的67个克隆测序获得35个cDNA片段,其中编码Plasm in C、branched-chain am inoacid am inotransferase(BCAT)类似蛋白、MSF1类似蛋白、m ixed-linked glucanase precursor类似蛋白、FCY1p类似蛋白和40S ribosomal protein S2类似蛋白等7个cDNA片段在阳性杂交酵母克隆中出现多次,其余仅出现一次.在35个cDNA片段的编码序列中有15个具有同源蛋白,31个编码序列的丝氨酸含量大于或等于6%,符合激酶底物的组成特征.

No basalt accumulation and segregation atop the 660-km discontinuity beneath the Sea of Okhotsk

Recent seismic evidence shows that basalt accumulation is widespread in the mantle transition zone(MTZ),yet its ubiquity or sporadic nature remains uncertain.To investigate this phenomenon further,we characterized the velocity structure across the 660-km discontinuity that separates the upper mantle from the lower mantle beneath the Sea of Okhotsk by modeling the waveform of the S660P phase,a downgoing S wave converting into a P wave at the 660-km interface.These waves were excited by two regional>410-km-deep events and were recorded by stations in central Asia.Our findings showed no need to introduce velocity anomalies at the base of the MTZ to explain the S660P waveforms because the IASP91 model adequately reproduced the waveforms.This finding indicates that the basalt accumulation has not affected the bottom of the MTZ in the study area.Instead,this discontinuity is primarily controlled by temperature or water content variations,or both.Thus,we argue that the basalt accumulation at the base of the MTZ is sporadic,not ubiquitous,reflecting its heterogeneous distribution.

高压管汇材料疲劳性能测试及P-S-N模型曲线的拟合

高压管汇作为压裂设备中的主要易损件之一,其失效危害较大。它的失效原因主要是疲劳、冲蚀、腐蚀或者材料缺陷引起的刺漏和爆裂,其中尤以疲劳失效最不可预估。目前,对于高压管汇材料的疲劳性能研究不够深入,为解决高压管汇材料疲劳寿命的准确描述问题,以某国产高压管汇材料为例,进行了一系列疲劳试验,并基于试验数据,采用多种分布模型和不同S-N模型进行拟合分析,得出综合评价拟合能力最强的P-S-N模型。结果表明,该材料在中长疲劳寿命区,Weibull三参数模型在7级应力水平下综合评价能力最好;在存活率分别为50%、90%、99%、99.9%时,指数S-N模型的拟合系数均大于0.98,拟合能力最好。得出的P-S-N模型曲线可以为高压管汇的疲劳寿命以及安全设计提供依据。

采用非稳相偏振滤波的DAS-VSP数据P/S波分离方法及其应用

分布式光纤声学传感(DAS)因成本低、易布设以及高密度采样等优势正成为重要的地震观测技术,尤其是越来越多地与垂直地震剖面(VSP)结合,用于主动地震勘探或被动地震监测.DAS传感器通过感知弹性波场产生的轴向应变或应变速率来观测地震波场振动.然而,目前单分量DAS-VSP数据未完整地记录地下弹性波场的三维矢量振动信号,因此如何从中分离出P波或S波用于后续地震成像与参数反演是重要且很有挑战的课题.以弹性波传播理论为基础,本文根据P波和S波的频散关系估算接收点处各自的偏振方向,通过随频率和空间位置变化的偏振滤波实现DAS-VSP数据的P/S波分离.理论模型合成数据与东海实际DAS-VSP数据实验结果表明,该方法能有效地将P波和S波信号从单分量DAS-VSP数据中分离出来,可为后续纵横波速度反演、PP与PS波成像提供关键的数据预条件处理.

SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路促进肌生成:运动改善骨骼肌健康的新视角

背景:近年来,运动改善骨骼肌的健康已成为学者们关注的一个重要研究内容,适宜的运动对骨骼肌具有积极的作用,其中在运动激活鞘氨醇激酶1(sphingosine kinase1,SphK1)/鞘氨醇-1-磷酸(sphingosine-1-phosphate,S1P)/鞘氨醇-1-磷酸受体2(sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor2,S1PR2)信号通路如何改善骨骼肌的健康,正受到科研人员的重视。目的:研究运动经SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路如何改善骨骼肌的健康,探索治疗相关肌肉疾病的新方法,以改善人的骨骼肌健康。方法:检索Web of Science、PubMed、中国知网、万方和维普数据库从建库至今与文章主题相关的文献,以“signaling pathway,SphK1,S1P,S1PR2,skeletal muscle,satellite cell,myogenesis,exercise”为英文检索词,以“信号通路,SphK1,S1P,S1PR2,骨骼肌,卫星细胞,肌生成,运动”为中文检索词,最终纳入69篇文献进行分析。结果与结论:①SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路是一个复杂的调控网络,通过SphK1催化产生的S1P,与S1PR2等受体的相互作用,触发下游信号转导过程,进而调控细胞、组织、器官和系统的多种生物学功能。②SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路能调控卫星细胞增殖和成肌细胞分化,改善肌生成。③文章通过文献资料调研法分析了SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路的生理基础以及运动对其影响的可能性。急性有氧运动可提高骨骼肌中SphK1的表达,人体和动物研究中已证实急性和长期运动均可提高骨骼肌中S1P水平,另外研究表明长期抗阻运动可提高S1PR2在骨骼肌中的表达,部分实验结果表明急性和长期运动对肌肉或者血液中S1P水平无显著影响,出现不同结果的原因可能是选择的研究对象、方式、强度及频率不同,而具体机制尚不明确。④研究认为,运动能够促进SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路在骨骼肌中的表达,调控下游相关信号通路,并且针对这一信号通路的研究可能为骨骼肌疾病的治疗提供新的策略和方法,从而改善骨骼肌健康。⑤未来应深化对SphK1/S1P/S1PR2信号通路与骨骼肌健康关联的研究,进一步揭示其与卫星细胞、成肌细胞的调控关系及与上下游通路的相互作用,挖掘其临床应用价值,制定康复方案时考虑该通路变化,探索不同运动对该通路的影响机制,并将其作为潜在治疗靶点,结合人体肌肉模型提升研究深度和准确性。

Comparison of the S-, N- or P-Deprivations’ Impacts on Stomatal Conductance, Transpiration and Photosynthetic Rate of Young Maize Leaves

Seven-day-old maize (Zea mays) plants were grown hydroponically for ten days in deprived nutrient solutions against the corresponding control grown under full nutrition;the effects of S-, N- or P-deprivation on laminas’ mean stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and photosynthetic rate (A) were monitored, along with the impact on the laminas’ total dry mass (DM), water amount (W), length and surface area (Sa). Furthermore, a time series analysis of each parameter’s response ratios (Rr), i.e. the treatment’s value divided by the corresponding control’s one, was performed. Under S-deprivation, the Rr of laminas’ mean gs, E, and A presented oscillations within a ±15% fluctuation zone, notably the “control” zone, whilst those of laminas’ total DM, water amount, surface area, and length included oscillation during the first days and deviation later on, presenting deviation during d10. Under the N-deprivation conditions all Rr time courses except the A one, included early deviations from the control zone without recovering. The deviation from the control zone appeared at d4. Under P-deprivation, all Rr time courses represented oscillations within the control zone. P-deprivation’s patterns resembled those of S-deprivation. Compared to the one of the S-deprivation, the P-one’s oscillations took place within a broader zone. Linear relationships among the various Rr patterns were found between gs-E, gs-A, E-A, DM-W and DM-Sa. In conclusion, the impact of P-deprivation appeared in an early stage and included an alleviation action, the one of N-deprivation appeared early with no alleviation action, whilst that of S-deprivation appeared later, being rather weaker when compared to the impact of the P-deprivation’s impact.

Function of apoptosis and expression of the proteins Bcl-2,p53 and C-myc in the development of gastric cancer

INTRODUCTIONIn China ,the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer rank the second among all cancers. Recent development of cancer [1-20].The aim of this study was investigat the insight of apoptosis and bcl-2, p53 and C-myc protein expression in the development of gastric cancer .