Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread ...Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2ct normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxJn selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference 13-111 tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.展开更多
Objective: To detect circulating hepatocellular carcino-ma by demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma cells orhepatocyte-associated mRNA in the nuclear cell com-ponent of peripheral blood (PBL).Methods: Peripheral bloo...Objective: To detect circulating hepatocellular carcino-ma by demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma cells orhepatocyte-associated mRNA in the nuclear cell com-ponent of peripheral blood (PBL).Methods: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were ob-tained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cir-rhosis after hepatitis B,14 with chronic hepatitis B,10with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells inperipheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetopro-tein (AFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA ex-tracted from whole blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results: AFPmRNA was detected in 50 blood samplesfrom the HCC patients (50/93, 53.8%). In contrast,there were no clinical control patients whose samplesshowed detectable AFPmRNA in PBL. The presence ofAFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with thestage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFPvalue, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis,portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distantmetastasis. In addition, AFPmRNA was detected in theblood of 21 patients with metastasis at extrahepaticorgans (100%) in contrast to 29 (40.3%)of 72 pa-tients without metastasis.Conclusion: The presence of AFPmRNA in peripheralblood may be an indicator of malignant hepatocytes,which might predict hematogenous spreading metasta-sis of tumor cells in patients with HCC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread around the globe.On February 28,2020,the World Health Organization adjusted the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 to“very high”at the global level.Studies ...BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread around the globe.On February 28,2020,the World Health Organization adjusted the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 to“very high”at the global level.Studies have mainly focused on the etiology,epidemiology,and treatment of COVID-19 to limit further spread and the negative impact of the disease,while less attention has been devoted to the follow-up and reexamination of patients who recovered from COVID-19 or were released from quarantine.CASE SUMMARY This study reports two cases where patients who had negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)test results and met the criteria for discharge subsequently had positive RT-PCR test results.The clinical manifestations and computed tomography(CT)findings of these patients were examined.The conversion of RT-PCR test results in these two patients may be related to false-negative and false-positive outcomes of the test.CT images helped track improvement of pulmonary lesions.CONCLUSION The timing of discharge of COVID-19 patients should be determined by comprehensive analysis of CT images and RT-PCR test results.展开更多
In order to detect circulating cells of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the peripheral blood with reverse transcripition polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP ) mRNA was tested in the blood samp...In order to detect circulating cells of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the peripheral blood with reverse transcripition polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP ) mRNA was tested in the blood samples of 113 cases of HCC and 69 controls (including 30 cases of liver cirrhosis, 9 cases of metastatic liver cancer and 30 normal subjects). 20/43 (46. 5% ) cases of HCC and 2/30 (6. 7% ) cases of liver cirrhosis are positive and the cases of nletastatic liver cancer and normal controls were negative for human AFP(hAFP) rnRNA. The presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral blood seems to be correlated with intrahepatic and distant nletastasls of HCC and portal vein thrombosis. It is concluded that the presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral hloocl is an indicator of circulating HCC cells and can be used to diagnose the rnetastasisof HCC through henlatogenous route and RT-PCR amplification of hAFP mRNA is a sensitive and specificprocedure for detecting circulating cells of HCC.展开更多
There is a lack of systematic research on the expression of internal control genes used for gene expression normalization in real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in spinal cord injury research.In ...There is a lack of systematic research on the expression of internal control genes used for gene expression normalization in real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in spinal cord injury research.In this study,we used rat models of spinal cord hemisection to analyze the expression stability of 13 commonly applied reference genes:Actb,Ankrd27,CypA,Gapdh,Hprt1,Mrpl10,Pgk1,Rictor,Rn18s,Tbp,Ubc,Ubxn11,and Ywhaz.Our results show that the expression of Ankrd27,Ubc,and Tbp were stable after spinal cord injury,while Actb was the most unstable internal control gene.Ankrd27,Ubc,Tbp,and Actb were consequently used to investigate the effects of internal control genes with differing stabilities on the normalization of target gene expression.Target gene expression levels and changes over time were similar when Ankrd27,Ubc,and Tbp were used as internal controls but different when Actb was used as an internal control.We recommend that Ankrd27,Ubc,and Tbp are used as internal control genes for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in spinal cord injury research.This study was approved by the Administration Committee of Experimental Animals,Jiangsu Province,China(approval No.20180304-008)on March 4,2018.展开更多
Objective:Optimal reference genes are critical for accurate normalization and reliable interpretation of gene expression quantification data.Recently,several strategies have been utilized for validating reference gene...Objective:Optimal reference genes are critical for accurate normalization and reliable interpretation of gene expression quantification data.Recently,several strategies have been utilized for validating reference genes in different human tissues.However,no universal reference genes have been described that accurately summarize transcriptional activity in human spermatozoa.Methods:Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),we evaluated ten commonly used candidate reference genes between two groups of human cryopreserved donor sperm with different pregnancy rates.We assessed the stability of reference genes using three different algorithms,namely geNorm,NormFinder,and BestKeeper.We then identified the most stable reference genes.Results:Male-enhanced antigen 1(MEA1)was identified as the most stably expressed reference gene,followed by testis-enhanced gene transcript(TEGT).Conclusions:We comprehensively identified MEA1 and TEGT as the most stably expressed reference genes for the normalization of gene expression data in human spermatozoa.展开更多
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of West Nile virus(WNV)is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia,flavivirus cross-reactivity,and long immunoglobulin M(IgM)persistence.AIM To evaluate different methods for WNV de...BACKGROUND The diagnosis of West Nile virus(WNV)is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia,flavivirus cross-reactivity,and long immunoglobulin M(IgM)persistence.AIM To evaluate different methods for WNV detection[reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),IgM/IgG antibodies,IgG avidity]in serum,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),and urine samples of patients with confirmed WNV infection.METHODS The study included patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive infection(n=62),asymptomatic WNV seropositive individuals(n=22),and individuals with false-positive WNV IgM antibodies(n=30).WNV RNA was detected using RT-PCR.A commercial ELISA was used to detect WNV IgM/IgG antibodies with confirmation of cross-reactive samples using a virus neutralization test(VNT).IgG-positive samples were tested for IgG avidity.RESULTS The WNV-RNA detection rates were significantly higher in the urine(54.5%)/serum(46.4%)than in CSF(32.2%).According to the sampling time,the WNV-RNA detection rates in urine collected within 7 days/8-14/≥15 days were 29.4/66.6/62.5%(P=0.042).However,these differences were not observed in the CSF.The median RT-PCR cycle threshold values were significantly lower in urine(32.5,IQR=28-34)than in CSF(34.5,IQR=33-36).The frequency of positive WNV IgM and IgG significantly differed according to the sampling time in serum but not in CSF.Positive IgM/IgG antibodies were detected in 84.3/9.3%of serum samples collected within 7 days,100/71.1%of samples collected 8-14,and 100%samples collected after≥15 days.Recent WNV infection was confirmed by low/borderline avidity index(AI)in 13.6%of asymptomatic individuals.A correlation between ELISA and AI was strong negative for IgM and strong positive for IgG.No significant correlation between ELISA IgG and VNT was found.CONCLUSION The frequency of WNV RNA and antibody detection depends on the sampling time and type of clinical samples.IgG avidity could differentiate recent WNV infections from long-persisting IgM antibodies.展开更多
Objective Angiogenesis is known to be essential for the survival,growth,invasion,and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is an important factor regulating angiogenesis of non-smal...Objective Angiogenesis is known to be essential for the survival,growth,invasion,and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is an important factor regulating angiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC); however,its pathologic features and significance are unclear. In this study,the tissue VEGF expression levels and its gene transcriptional status,as well as circulating VEGF levels,were investigated in patients with lung disease. Methods VEGF protein and m RNA expression levels in 38 lung tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),respectively. Circulating VEGF levels were detected quantitatively by an enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. Results The level of VEGF expression was significantly higher in lung cancer tissue than in the corresponding paracancerous or non-cancerous tissues. The average level of VEGF-positive staining was 76% in tissue samples from NSCLC patients; the levels were 89% in tissue samples from stage III patients and 92% in stage IV patients. High VEGF expression was also evident in cases with lymph node metastasis(84%),distant metastasis(90%),and lower differentiation degree(89%). VEGF m RNA in cancerous tissues was represented predominantly by the VEGF121 and VEGF165 isoforms. Circulating VEGF levels were significantly higher in NSCLC patients [(840 ± 324) pg/m L] than in patients with benign lung diseases [(308 ± 96) pg/m L] or in healthy individuals serving as controls [(252 ± 108) pg/m L]. Conclusion The over-expression of lung VEGF and its gene transcription status should be useful molecular indicators for NSCLC diagnosis.展开更多
Although gastric cancer(GC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death,major therapeutic advances have not been made,and patients with GC still face poor outcomes.The prognosis of GC also remains poor because...Although gastric cancer(GC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death,major therapeutic advances have not been made,and patients with GC still face poor outcomes.The prognosis of GC also remains poor because the molecular mechanisms of GC progression are incompletely understood.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are noncoding RNAs that are associated with gastric carcinogenesis.Studies investigating the regulation of gene expression by miRNAs have made considerable progress in recent years,and abnormalities in miRNA expression have been shown to be associated with the occurrence and progression of GC.miRNAs contribute to gastric carcinogenesis by altering the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors,affecting cell proliferation,apoptosis,motility,and invasion.Moreover,a number of miRNAs have been shown to be associated with tumor type,tumor stage,and patient survival and therefore may be developed as novel diagnostic or prognostic markers.In this review,we discuss the involvement of miRNAs in GC and the mechanisms through which they regulate gene expression and biological functions.Then,we review recent research on the involvement of miRNAs in GC prognosis,their potential use in chemotherapy,and their effects on Helicobacter pylori infections in GC.A greater understanding of the roles of miRNAs in gastric carcinogenesis could provide insights into the mechanisms of tumor development and could help to identify novel therapeutic targets.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the correlation between expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall,and explore their role in the mechanism of the occurrence,growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms...Objective:To investigate the correlation between expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall,and explore their role in the mechanism of the occurrence,growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms.Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and NF-κB mRNA of 30 cases of intracranial aneurysm tissue and 10 cases of normal intracranial arterial tissue:Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and NF-κB protein.Results:the semi-quantitative analysis of MMP-2 and NF-κB in aneurysms tissues and normal tissues were statistically significant different from each other(P【0 05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed NF-κB was expressed in different layers.The expression of them were positive in intimal and medial,and the expression sites were located in the nucleus.MMP-2 were expressed in different layers of the aneurysm wall,and the expressions were positive in media and extima.The MMP-2 and NF-κB-positive expression of aneurysm wall were significantly higher than in normal cerebral arteries(P【0.05).MMP-2 and NF-κB mRNA expression showed positive correlation in the aneurysm wall tissue(r = 0.689,P = 0.005). Conclusions:The expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall tissue were significantly higher than in the normal intracranial arterial tissues.They have a synergistic effect on the formation of intracranial aneurysms.展开更多
AIM: To elucidate the role of overexpressed polo-like kinasel (PLK1)in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We prospectively collected clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative reverse t...AIM: To elucidate the role of overexpressed polo-like kinasel (PLK1)in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We prospectively collected clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) data from 135 HCC patients undergoing successful hepatectomy. The correlations between PLK1 mRNA expression and clinicopathologic variables were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed overexpression of PLK1 was mainly found in tumor tissues compared with tumor-free tissue. A similar mRNA result was obtained by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A total of 111 samples were positive for PLK1 mRNA expression. The positive expression was correlated with venous invasion, tumor nodules and Edmondson grade. Furthermore, 1, 3, 5-year survival rates in the positive expression group were significantly lower than the negative control group. Multivariate analysis showed that positive PLK1 expression was an independent risk factor for HCC. CONCLUSION: PLK1 could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and therapy for HCC.展开更多
Objective: To detect the expression of survivin in subtypes of lymphoma and its value in classifying subtypes of lymphoma. Methods: Paraffin-embedded samples collected from 219 cases of lymphoma and 13 cases of lymp...Objective: To detect the expression of survivin in subtypes of lymphoma and its value in classifying subtypes of lymphoma. Methods: Paraffin-embedded samples collected from 219 cases of lymphoma and 13 cases of lymph node reactive proliferation from affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University during 2001-2003 were examined for the expression of survivin by using immunohistochemical staining. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of survivin in K562, HL60, Raji, and Jurkat cell lines. Semi-quantitative assay was used to evaluate the quantity of survivin protein and mRNA expression in subtypes of lymphoma. Results: Protein expression of survivin was high and strong in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) (88.6%, 70/79), Burkitt lymphoma (BL) (100%, 2/2), and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) (92.3%, 12/13), while their expression was always lower and weaker in follicular lymphoma (FL) (18.2%), extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) (40.9%) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) (33.3%). There was a significant difference between the higher expression group (DLBL, BL and LBL) and lower one (FL, MZL, and MALT) in the expression of survivin (Chi-square test, X^2=24.77, P〈0.01). Almost all of Reed-Sternberg cells (R-S cells) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) strongly expressed survivin. The protein expression of survivin was positively correlated with mRNA (r=0.6270, P〈0.01). Conclusion: The expression level of survivin mRNA and protein shows significant difference in subtypes of lymphoma. The expression of survivin mRNA might act as a biomarker to classify the subtypes of lymphoma.展开更多
Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) causes high mortality in marine fish, especially in the grouper, worldwide and in China. Since there is no effective vaccine or drug to deal with VNN, early detection and prevention is i...Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) causes high mortality in marine fish, especially in the grouper, worldwide and in China. Since there is no effective vaccine or drug to deal with VNN, early detection and prevention is important to block its outbreak. In this study, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed for the rapid, convenient, and sensitive detection of the VNN pathogen, nervous necro- sis virus (NNV), in the grouper. The whole process was completed within 3.5 h from the RNA extraction to PCR product visualization. The detection limit of this method was 200 copies of NNV RNA standard, which corresponded to 200 copies of virus particles. This RT-PCR method was specific to the NNV detection with no cross-reactivity to other fish viral disease pathogens, such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV), and large yellow croaker iridovirus (LYC1V). With this method, the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) fry from hatcheries with or without incidence of the VN- N epidemic in Fujian Province were detected. The results showed that all or 93% of the fry from the two hatcheries with incidence of the epidemic were diagnosed as positive, while 40% or 25% of fry from the t- wo hatcheries without the VNN epidemic were also detected as NNV positive, indicating that this RT-PCR method can be used for rapid, sensitive detection of NNV infection and applied in the VNN epidemic alert.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like gene(PDGFRL)in the anti-cancer therapy for colorectal cancers(CRC).METHODS:PDGFRL mRNA and protein levels were measured by reverse transcript...AIM:To investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like gene(PDGFRL)in the anti-cancer therapy for colorectal cancers(CRC).METHODS:PDGFRL mRNA and protein levels were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and immunohistochemistry in CRC and colorectal normal tissues.PDGFRL prokaryotic expression vector was carried out in Escherichia coli(E.coli),and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography.The effect of PDGFRL protein on CRC HCT-116 cells was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT),clone counting,cell cycle,and wound healing assay.RESULTS:Both RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of PDGFRL in colorectal normal tissues was higher than in cancer tissues.Recombinant pET22b-PDGFRL prokaryotic expression vector was successfully expressed in E.coli,and the target protein was expressed in the form of inclusion bodies.After purification and refolding,recombinant human PDGFRL(rhPDGFRL)could efficiently inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CRC HCT-116 cells detected by MTT,clone counting and wound healing assay.Moreover,rhPDGFRL arrested HCT-116 cell cycling at the G0/G1 phase.CONCLUSION:PDGFRL is a potential gene for application in the anti-cancer therapy for CRC.展开更多
AIM:To detect the expression of huCdc7 in colorectal cancer.METHODS:The mRNA and protein expression of huCdc7 in 39 colorectal cancer tissue specimens and matched tumor-adjacent normal colorectal tissue specimens was ...AIM:To detect the expression of huCdc7 in colorectal cancer.METHODS:The mRNA and protein expression of huCdc7 in 39 colorectal cancer tissue specimens and matched tumor-adjacent normal colorectal tissue specimens was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry,respectively.RESULTS:The relative expression level of huCdc7 mRNA in colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in tumor-adjacent normal colorectal tissues(0.03675 ± 1.00 vs 0.01199 ± 0.44,P < 0.05).huCdc7-positive cells displayed brown granules in the nucleus.Tumor tissues contained many huCdc7-positive cells,whereas normal colorectal tissues contained very few positive cells.CONCLUSION:huCdc7 may play an important role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer.展开更多
Positive peritoneal cytology in gastric cancer is classified as M1 disease by the 7thEdition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system.With the introduction of laparoscopy and peritoneal washing cytology in...Positive peritoneal cytology in gastric cancer is classified as M1 disease by the 7thEdition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system.With the introduction of laparoscopy and peritoneal washing cytology in the staging of gastric cancer a new category of patients has been identified.These are patients with no macroscopic peritoneal metastases but with peritoneal cytology positive(P0C1).Prognosis and treatment of such patientsrepresent a controversial issue.We evaluate the state of the art of staging system in gastric cancer and discusss tandardisation in staging and treatment procedures.There is still a lack of uniformity in the use of laparoscopy with peritoneal cytology in clinical decision making and in the surgical treatment for gastric cancer.Survival of this patient subset remains poor.Multimodal therapies and new therapeutic strategies are required to improve the survival of these patients.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the significance of combined detection of LunX mRNA,carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),neuron-specific enolase (NSE),and cytokeratin 21-1 fragment (CYFRA21-1) in clinical diagnosis of lung car...Objective:To evaluate the significance of combined detection of LunX mRNA,carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),neuron-specific enolase (NSE),and cytokeratin 21-1 fragment (CYFRA21-1) in clinical diagnosis of lung carcinoma.Methods:Based on the quantitative RT-PCR and chemiluminescence immunoassay,the expression levels of LunX mRNA,CEA,NSE,and CYFRA21-1 in 113 patients with lung carcinoma (case group) and 30 healthy participants (control group) were detected.Meantime,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the combination detection were also explored.Results:The positive rates of LunX mRNA in peripheral blood and CEA,NSE,and CYFRA21-1 in serum were significandy higher in case group than those in control group (x2=17.295,16.825,19.148,and 17.450; P<0.05).There was no statistical significance when positive rate of LunX mRNA was evaluated among different pathological types (x2=0.047,P>0.05).The positive rate of LunX mRNA in stage Ⅰ + Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ had a significandy increasing tendency (x2=10.565,32.462,P<0.05).The positive rate of CYFRA21-1 was highest in squamous carcinoma (78.5%),the positive rate of NSE was highest in small cell carcinoma (86.7%),and the positive rate of CEA wag highest in lung adenocarcinoma (80.4%).The sensitivity and accuracy of the combination detection were 91.1% and 88.1%,respectively.Conclusions:The combined detection of LunX mRNA and tumor markers (TMs) including CEA,NSE,and CYFRA21-1 in peripheral blood is helpful to increase the diagnostic accuracy of lmg cancer.Also,it can inform the pathological typing of lung carcinoma.展开更多
基金This project was supported by the Washington State University Start-up Funds, George W. Bagby Research Fund
文摘Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2ct normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxJn selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference 13-111 tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.
文摘Objective: To detect circulating hepatocellular carcino-ma by demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma cells orhepatocyte-associated mRNA in the nuclear cell com-ponent of peripheral blood (PBL).Methods: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were ob-tained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cir-rhosis after hepatitis B,14 with chronic hepatitis B,10with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells inperipheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetopro-tein (AFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA ex-tracted from whole blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results: AFPmRNA was detected in 50 blood samplesfrom the HCC patients (50/93, 53.8%). In contrast,there were no clinical control patients whose samplesshowed detectable AFPmRNA in PBL. The presence ofAFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with thestage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFPvalue, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis,portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distantmetastasis. In addition, AFPmRNA was detected in theblood of 21 patients with metastasis at extrahepaticorgans (100%) in contrast to 29 (40.3%)of 72 pa-tients without metastasis.Conclusion: The presence of AFPmRNA in peripheralblood may be an indicator of malignant hepatocytes,which might predict hematogenous spreading metasta-sis of tumor cells in patients with HCC.
文摘BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread around the globe.On February 28,2020,the World Health Organization adjusted the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 to“very high”at the global level.Studies have mainly focused on the etiology,epidemiology,and treatment of COVID-19 to limit further spread and the negative impact of the disease,while less attention has been devoted to the follow-up and reexamination of patients who recovered from COVID-19 or were released from quarantine.CASE SUMMARY This study reports two cases where patients who had negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)test results and met the criteria for discharge subsequently had positive RT-PCR test results.The clinical manifestations and computed tomography(CT)findings of these patients were examined.The conversion of RT-PCR test results in these two patients may be related to false-negative and false-positive outcomes of the test.CT images helped track improvement of pulmonary lesions.CONCLUSION The timing of discharge of COVID-19 patients should be determined by comprehensive analysis of CT images and RT-PCR test results.
文摘In order to detect circulating cells of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the peripheral blood with reverse transcripition polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP ) mRNA was tested in the blood samples of 113 cases of HCC and 69 controls (including 30 cases of liver cirrhosis, 9 cases of metastatic liver cancer and 30 normal subjects). 20/43 (46. 5% ) cases of HCC and 2/30 (6. 7% ) cases of liver cirrhosis are positive and the cases of nletastatic liver cancer and normal controls were negative for human AFP(hAFP) rnRNA. The presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral blood seems to be correlated with intrahepatic and distant nletastasls of HCC and portal vein thrombosis. It is concluded that the presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral hloocl is an indicator of circulating HCC cells and can be used to diagnose the rnetastasisof HCC through henlatogenous route and RT-PCR amplification of hAFP mRNA is a sensitive and specificprocedure for detecting circulating cells of HCC.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81901257(to YXW)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China,No.BK20180951(to YXW)+1 种基金Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province of China,No.KYCX20_2818(to WL)and Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD,to Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education).
文摘There is a lack of systematic research on the expression of internal control genes used for gene expression normalization in real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in spinal cord injury research.In this study,we used rat models of spinal cord hemisection to analyze the expression stability of 13 commonly applied reference genes:Actb,Ankrd27,CypA,Gapdh,Hprt1,Mrpl10,Pgk1,Rictor,Rn18s,Tbp,Ubc,Ubxn11,and Ywhaz.Our results show that the expression of Ankrd27,Ubc,and Tbp were stable after spinal cord injury,while Actb was the most unstable internal control gene.Ankrd27,Ubc,Tbp,and Actb were consequently used to investigate the effects of internal control genes with differing stabilities on the normalization of target gene expression.Target gene expression levels and changes over time were similar when Ankrd27,Ubc,and Tbp were used as internal controls but different when Actb was used as an internal control.We recommend that Ankrd27,Ubc,and Tbp are used as internal control genes for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in spinal cord injury research.This study was approved by the Administration Committee of Experimental Animals,Jiangsu Province,China(approval No.20180304-008)on March 4,2018.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFC1003500)Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province of China(A2017531)。
文摘Objective:Optimal reference genes are critical for accurate normalization and reliable interpretation of gene expression quantification data.Recently,several strategies have been utilized for validating reference genes in different human tissues.However,no universal reference genes have been described that accurately summarize transcriptional activity in human spermatozoa.Methods:Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),we evaluated ten commonly used candidate reference genes between two groups of human cryopreserved donor sperm with different pregnancy rates.We assessed the stability of reference genes using three different algorithms,namely geNorm,NormFinder,and BestKeeper.We then identified the most stable reference genes.Results:Male-enhanced antigen 1(MEA1)was identified as the most stably expressed reference gene,followed by testis-enhanced gene transcript(TEGT).Conclusions:We comprehensively identified MEA1 and TEGT as the most stably expressed reference genes for the normalization of gene expression data in human spermatozoa.
基金Supported by the Croatian Science Foundation,No.IP-2016-06-7456:CRONEUROARBOthe European Union Next Generation EU project supported by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia,No.NPOO 1 of Croatian Veterinary Institute:FLAVIR.
文摘BACKGROUND The diagnosis of West Nile virus(WNV)is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia,flavivirus cross-reactivity,and long immunoglobulin M(IgM)persistence.AIM To evaluate different methods for WNV detection[reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),IgM/IgG antibodies,IgG avidity]in serum,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),and urine samples of patients with confirmed WNV infection.METHODS The study included patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive infection(n=62),asymptomatic WNV seropositive individuals(n=22),and individuals with false-positive WNV IgM antibodies(n=30).WNV RNA was detected using RT-PCR.A commercial ELISA was used to detect WNV IgM/IgG antibodies with confirmation of cross-reactive samples using a virus neutralization test(VNT).IgG-positive samples were tested for IgG avidity.RESULTS The WNV-RNA detection rates were significantly higher in the urine(54.5%)/serum(46.4%)than in CSF(32.2%).According to the sampling time,the WNV-RNA detection rates in urine collected within 7 days/8-14/≥15 days were 29.4/66.6/62.5%(P=0.042).However,these differences were not observed in the CSF.The median RT-PCR cycle threshold values were significantly lower in urine(32.5,IQR=28-34)than in CSF(34.5,IQR=33-36).The frequency of positive WNV IgM and IgG significantly differed according to the sampling time in serum but not in CSF.Positive IgM/IgG antibodies were detected in 84.3/9.3%of serum samples collected within 7 days,100/71.1%of samples collected 8-14,and 100%samples collected after≥15 days.Recent WNV infection was confirmed by low/borderline avidity index(AI)in 13.6%of asymptomatic individuals.A correlation between ELISA and AI was strong negative for IgM and strong positive for IgG.No significant correlation between ELISA IgG and VNT was found.CONCLUSION The frequency of WNV RNA and antibody detection depends on the sampling time and type of clinical samples.IgG avidity could differentiate recent WNV infections from long-persisting IgM antibodies.
基金Supported in part by a grant from the Project of Health Department of Jiangsu ProvinceChina(No.H201454)
文摘Objective Angiogenesis is known to be essential for the survival,growth,invasion,and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is an important factor regulating angiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC); however,its pathologic features and significance are unclear. In this study,the tissue VEGF expression levels and its gene transcriptional status,as well as circulating VEGF levels,were investigated in patients with lung disease. Methods VEGF protein and m RNA expression levels in 38 lung tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),respectively. Circulating VEGF levels were detected quantitatively by an enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. Results The level of VEGF expression was significantly higher in lung cancer tissue than in the corresponding paracancerous or non-cancerous tissues. The average level of VEGF-positive staining was 76% in tissue samples from NSCLC patients; the levels were 89% in tissue samples from stage III patients and 92% in stage IV patients. High VEGF expression was also evident in cases with lymph node metastasis(84%),distant metastasis(90%),and lower differentiation degree(89%). VEGF m RNA in cancerous tissues was represented predominantly by the VEGF121 and VEGF165 isoforms. Circulating VEGF levels were significantly higher in NSCLC patients [(840 ± 324) pg/m L] than in patients with benign lung diseases [(308 ± 96) pg/m L] or in healthy individuals serving as controls [(252 ± 108) pg/m L]. Conclusion The over-expression of lung VEGF and its gene transcription status should be useful molecular indicators for NSCLC diagnosis.
文摘Although gastric cancer(GC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death,major therapeutic advances have not been made,and patients with GC still face poor outcomes.The prognosis of GC also remains poor because the molecular mechanisms of GC progression are incompletely understood.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are noncoding RNAs that are associated with gastric carcinogenesis.Studies investigating the regulation of gene expression by miRNAs have made considerable progress in recent years,and abnormalities in miRNA expression have been shown to be associated with the occurrence and progression of GC.miRNAs contribute to gastric carcinogenesis by altering the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors,affecting cell proliferation,apoptosis,motility,and invasion.Moreover,a number of miRNAs have been shown to be associated with tumor type,tumor stage,and patient survival and therefore may be developed as novel diagnostic or prognostic markers.In this review,we discuss the involvement of miRNAs in GC and the mechanisms through which they regulate gene expression and biological functions.Then,we review recent research on the involvement of miRNAs in GC prognosis,their potential use in chemotherapy,and their effects on Helicobacter pylori infections in GC.A greater understanding of the roles of miRNAs in gastric carcinogenesis could provide insights into the mechanisms of tumor development and could help to identify novel therapeutic targets.
文摘Objective:To investigate the correlation between expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall,and explore their role in the mechanism of the occurrence,growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms.Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and NF-κB mRNA of 30 cases of intracranial aneurysm tissue and 10 cases of normal intracranial arterial tissue:Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and NF-κB protein.Results:the semi-quantitative analysis of MMP-2 and NF-κB in aneurysms tissues and normal tissues were statistically significant different from each other(P【0 05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed NF-κB was expressed in different layers.The expression of them were positive in intimal and medial,and the expression sites were located in the nucleus.MMP-2 were expressed in different layers of the aneurysm wall,and the expressions were positive in media and extima.The MMP-2 and NF-κB-positive expression of aneurysm wall were significantly higher than in normal cerebral arteries(P【0.05).MMP-2 and NF-κB mRNA expression showed positive correlation in the aneurysm wall tissue(r = 0.689,P = 0.005). Conclusions:The expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall tissue were significantly higher than in the normal intracranial arterial tissues.They have a synergistic effect on the formation of intracranial aneurysms.
文摘AIM: To elucidate the role of overexpressed polo-like kinasel (PLK1)in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We prospectively collected clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) data from 135 HCC patients undergoing successful hepatectomy. The correlations between PLK1 mRNA expression and clinicopathologic variables were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed overexpression of PLK1 was mainly found in tumor tissues compared with tumor-free tissue. A similar mRNA result was obtained by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A total of 111 samples were positive for PLK1 mRNA expression. The positive expression was correlated with venous invasion, tumor nodules and Edmondson grade. Furthermore, 1, 3, 5-year survival rates in the positive expression group were significantly lower than the negative control group. Multivariate analysis showed that positive PLK1 expression was an independent risk factor for HCC. CONCLUSION: PLK1 could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and therapy for HCC.
文摘Objective: To detect the expression of survivin in subtypes of lymphoma and its value in classifying subtypes of lymphoma. Methods: Paraffin-embedded samples collected from 219 cases of lymphoma and 13 cases of lymph node reactive proliferation from affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University during 2001-2003 were examined for the expression of survivin by using immunohistochemical staining. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of survivin in K562, HL60, Raji, and Jurkat cell lines. Semi-quantitative assay was used to evaluate the quantity of survivin protein and mRNA expression in subtypes of lymphoma. Results: Protein expression of survivin was high and strong in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) (88.6%, 70/79), Burkitt lymphoma (BL) (100%, 2/2), and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) (92.3%, 12/13), while their expression was always lower and weaker in follicular lymphoma (FL) (18.2%), extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) (40.9%) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) (33.3%). There was a significant difference between the higher expression group (DLBL, BL and LBL) and lower one (FL, MZL, and MALT) in the expression of survivin (Chi-square test, X^2=24.77, P〈0.01). Almost all of Reed-Sternberg cells (R-S cells) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) strongly expressed survivin. The protein expression of survivin was positively correlated with mRNA (r=0.6270, P〈0.01). Conclusion: The expression level of survivin mRNA and protein shows significant difference in subtypes of lymphoma. The expression of survivin mRNA might act as a biomarker to classify the subtypes of lymphoma.
基金The National Basic Research Program under contract No.2012CB114402the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) under contract No.2012AA092202Scientific Research Project of Marine Public Welfare Industry of China under contract No.200905020-07
文摘Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) causes high mortality in marine fish, especially in the grouper, worldwide and in China. Since there is no effective vaccine or drug to deal with VNN, early detection and prevention is important to block its outbreak. In this study, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed for the rapid, convenient, and sensitive detection of the VNN pathogen, nervous necro- sis virus (NNV), in the grouper. The whole process was completed within 3.5 h from the RNA extraction to PCR product visualization. The detection limit of this method was 200 copies of NNV RNA standard, which corresponded to 200 copies of virus particles. This RT-PCR method was specific to the NNV detection with no cross-reactivity to other fish viral disease pathogens, such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV), and large yellow croaker iridovirus (LYC1V). With this method, the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) fry from hatcheries with or without incidence of the VN- N epidemic in Fujian Province were detected. The results showed that all or 93% of the fry from the two hatcheries with incidence of the epidemic were diagnosed as positive, while 40% or 25% of fry from the t- wo hatcheries without the VNN epidemic were also detected as NNV positive, indicating that this RT-PCR method can be used for rapid, sensitive detection of NNV infection and applied in the VNN epidemic alert.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30672352
文摘AIM:To investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like gene(PDGFRL)in the anti-cancer therapy for colorectal cancers(CRC).METHODS:PDGFRL mRNA and protein levels were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and immunohistochemistry in CRC and colorectal normal tissues.PDGFRL prokaryotic expression vector was carried out in Escherichia coli(E.coli),and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography.The effect of PDGFRL protein on CRC HCT-116 cells was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT),clone counting,cell cycle,and wound healing assay.RESULTS:Both RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of PDGFRL in colorectal normal tissues was higher than in cancer tissues.Recombinant pET22b-PDGFRL prokaryotic expression vector was successfully expressed in E.coli,and the target protein was expressed in the form of inclusion bodies.After purification and refolding,recombinant human PDGFRL(rhPDGFRL)could efficiently inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CRC HCT-116 cells detected by MTT,clone counting and wound healing assay.Moreover,rhPDGFRL arrested HCT-116 cell cycling at the G0/G1 phase.CONCLUSION:PDGFRL is a potential gene for application in the anti-cancer therapy for CRC.
文摘AIM:To detect the expression of huCdc7 in colorectal cancer.METHODS:The mRNA and protein expression of huCdc7 in 39 colorectal cancer tissue specimens and matched tumor-adjacent normal colorectal tissue specimens was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry,respectively.RESULTS:The relative expression level of huCdc7 mRNA in colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in tumor-adjacent normal colorectal tissues(0.03675 ± 1.00 vs 0.01199 ± 0.44,P < 0.05).huCdc7-positive cells displayed brown granules in the nucleus.Tumor tissues contained many huCdc7-positive cells,whereas normal colorectal tissues contained very few positive cells.CONCLUSION:huCdc7 may play an important role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer.
文摘Positive peritoneal cytology in gastric cancer is classified as M1 disease by the 7thEdition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system.With the introduction of laparoscopy and peritoneal washing cytology in the staging of gastric cancer a new category of patients has been identified.These are patients with no macroscopic peritoneal metastases but with peritoneal cytology positive(P0C1).Prognosis and treatment of such patientsrepresent a controversial issue.We evaluate the state of the art of staging system in gastric cancer and discusss tandardisation in staging and treatment procedures.There is still a lack of uniformity in the use of laparoscopy with peritoneal cytology in clinical decision making and in the surgical treatment for gastric cancer.Survival of this patient subset remains poor.Multimodal therapies and new therapeutic strategies are required to improve the survival of these patients.
基金supported by the Guangdong Medical Science and Technology Research Fund (A2009217)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities+2 种基金the grant from Youth Training Plan of Sun Yat-Sen University(No.10ykpy38)the Research Award Fund for Outstanding Young Researchers in Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center (Nos.3030451720 06 and 3030 45172005)the Science&Technology Pillar Program of Guangdong Province(No.2011B031800220,2012B031800371)
文摘Objective:To evaluate the significance of combined detection of LunX mRNA,carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),neuron-specific enolase (NSE),and cytokeratin 21-1 fragment (CYFRA21-1) in clinical diagnosis of lung carcinoma.Methods:Based on the quantitative RT-PCR and chemiluminescence immunoassay,the expression levels of LunX mRNA,CEA,NSE,and CYFRA21-1 in 113 patients with lung carcinoma (case group) and 30 healthy participants (control group) were detected.Meantime,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the combination detection were also explored.Results:The positive rates of LunX mRNA in peripheral blood and CEA,NSE,and CYFRA21-1 in serum were significandy higher in case group than those in control group (x2=17.295,16.825,19.148,and 17.450; P<0.05).There was no statistical significance when positive rate of LunX mRNA was evaluated among different pathological types (x2=0.047,P>0.05).The positive rate of LunX mRNA in stage Ⅰ + Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ had a significandy increasing tendency (x2=10.565,32.462,P<0.05).The positive rate of CYFRA21-1 was highest in squamous carcinoma (78.5%),the positive rate of NSE was highest in small cell carcinoma (86.7%),and the positive rate of CEA wag highest in lung adenocarcinoma (80.4%).The sensitivity and accuracy of the combination detection were 91.1% and 88.1%,respectively.Conclusions:The combined detection of LunX mRNA and tumor markers (TMs) including CEA,NSE,and CYFRA21-1 in peripheral blood is helpful to increase the diagnostic accuracy of lmg cancer.Also,it can inform the pathological typing of lung carcinoma.