The Effects of Tetrandrine (TT) and Polyvinylpyridine-N-Oxide (PVNO) on Gene Expression of Type Ⅰand Type ⅢCollagens during Experimental Silicosis

In the screening tests of drugs for silicosis in our laboratory, we found that TT, a type of alkaloid isolated from Stephania tetrandra, could inhibit the development of experimental silicosis of rats and the synthesis of collagen in rat lung. Chest X-rays of silicotic patients treaied with TT for 1-3 years showed obvious changes. The silicotic nodules became smallel and shadows became clearer. PVNO was proved to have anti-silicotic effect on animal and clinically. This presentation reports the effect of them on collagen mRNA.Dot blot results showed that 1 (Ⅰ) and 1 (Ⅲ) mRNA levels increased significantly at 60 and 120 days after the rats were exposed to silica dust. The mRNA levels went down at 1 and 3 months after treated by TT and PVNO. In situ hybridization observation revealed that the silver grains of Type Ⅰand Type Ⅲ collagen were scattered within the fibroblasts in cellular nodules and in thickened interstitium of silicosis tissue. The amounts of mRNA silver grains decreased in the lung tissue treated by TT and PVNO. It was suggested that TT and PVNO may inhibil the gene expression of collagen during silicosis

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 geneE670G polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations

Background The association of E670G polymorphism in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene and serum lipid profiles is inconsistent in dif- ferent ethnic groups.Bai Ku Yao is a special subgroup of the Yao minority in China.The present study was undertaken association of PCSK9 E670G polymorphism and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.Methods A total of 649 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 646 participants of Han Chinese were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples.Genotyping of the PCSK9 E670G polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis,and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Results The levels of serum total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and apolipoprotein(Apo) AI were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han(P【0.01 for all).The frequency of A and G alleles was 98.00%and 2.00%in Bai Ku Yao,and 95.20%and 4.80%in Han(P【0.01);respectively. The frequency of AA,AG and GG genotypes was 95.99%,4.01%and 0%in Bai Ku Yao,and 91.02%, 8.36%and 0.62%in Han(P【0.01);respectively.There were also significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between n and the ratio of ApoAI to ApoB in Han Chinese but not in Bai Ku Yao were different between the AA and AG/GG genotypes(P【0.05 for all).The G allele carriers had higher serum HDL-C and higher ApoAI to ApoB ratio than the G allele noncarriers.When serum lipid parameters in Han were analyzed according to sex,the G allele carriers had higher serum HDL and ApoAI levels in males (P【0.05),and lower ApoB level and higher ApoAI to ApoB ratio in females(P【0.05 for all).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum HDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in both ethnic groups(P【0.05 each).Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with sex,age,body massindex,alcohol consumption,cigarette smoking,and blood pressure in both ethnic groups(P【0.05-0.001).Conclusions These results suggest that the PCSK9 E670G polymorphism is mainly associated with some serum lipid parameters in the Han population,both gender show different relations to different serum lipid parameters.The G allele carriers might have higher serum lipid profiles than the G allele noncarriers. ormal LDL-C(≤3.20 mmol/L) and high LDL-C subgroups (】 3.20 mmol/L,P【0.01;respectively) in Bai Ku Yao, and between normal ApoB(≤1.14 g/L) and high ApoB subgroups(】 1.14 g/L,P 【 0.01;respectively) in Han.

Is type Ⅰ alpha 2 collagen gene responsible for intracranial aneurysm in Northeast China?

In this study, we investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism （rs42524 G 〉 C） in the type I alpha 2 collagen gene was associated with sporadic ruptured intracranial aneurysm or its clinical characteristics in patients from Northeast China. Genotyping of the rs42524 G 〉 C polymorphism was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The data showed that the frequency of the rs42524 GC ＋ CC genotype was significantly higher than the GG genotype among intracranial aneurysm patients whose Hunt and Hess grading scale was 〉 3. In addition, the rs42524 G 〉 C genotype was found to have a statistically significant association with intracranial aneurysm risk. These findings indicate that the type I alpha 2 collagen gene gene may be involved in a predisposition to intracranial aneurysm in the Northeast Chinese population. Crucially, the rs42524 C allele may be an important risk factor for increased severity of the condition in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Selection of Homozygous Cotton Lines Transformed with Two Insect-Resistant Genes

A plant expression vector containing a chimeric Bt29K gene coding for the activated Cry1Ac protein and the arrowhead proteinase inhibitior gene API B were introduced into the cotton cultivar Jihe321 mediated by Agrobactertium tumefaciens. Based on the results of kanamycin resistant testing, PCR detection for both foreign genes and insect bioassay using Heliethis armigera , nine transgenic homozygous cotton lines with insect resistance of more than 90% and better agronomic traits were bred through six generations from the original transgenic plants. Results from insect bioassay and sequence analysis of the PCR products of plants from some homozygous lines indicated that the chimeric Bt29K gene was stably inherited in these transgenic cotton lines. The main agronomic characters of these homozygous cotton lines, such as boll productivity and fibre strength, were better than that of the original cotton cv. Jihe321.

Expression pattern and function analyses of the MADS thranscription factor genes in wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) under phosphorusstarvation condition

supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （31201674 and 31371618）;the National Transgenic Major Program, China （2011ZX08008）

No association between a polymorphism of the adenylate cyclase type IX gene and major depressive disorder in the Chinese Han population

Previous studies have demonstrated that a missense single-nucleotide polymorphism variant （2316A〉G;rs2230739）of the adenylate cyclase type IX gene was associated with bipolar disorder and affective disorder.We determined genotype and allele frequencies using a ligase detection reaction method in 315 patients with major depressive disorder and 278 unrelated, sex-matched healthy control subjects.We did not detect any statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between patients and healthy control subjects.Furthermore,we found no significant difference between genders in major depressive disorder,nor between patients and controls in the same gender.These results suggest that 2316A〉G（rs2230739）may not be a risk factor for increasing susceptibility to major depressive disorder in the Chinese Han population.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of a Cys2/His2 Type Zinc Finger Protein Gene in Upland Cotton

The zinc finger proteins belong to the largest family of transcription factors.But there is little research of Cys2/His2 type zinc finger proteins in cotton,and there is no submission of correlating

The Frequency of rs1799889 in Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type-1 Gene in Sudanese Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Gezira State, Sudan, 2020-2021

Background and Objectives: The cornerstone of the regulation fibrinolytic system is plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1. The 4G/5G polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene is a key genetic predictor of increased plasma levels which is the most polymorphism associated with cardiovascular complications. The 4G carriers have six times higher PAI-1 levels than 5G carriers leading to an increase in the level of plasma inhibitor by about 25% more than 5G allele (wide type). Type 2 diabetes presents symptoms of hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolytic system that lead to contribute in the atherothrombosis and then the myocardial infarction (MI). These findings supported the hypothesis that there is a link between diabetes patients and this SNP. There is no data about the prevalence of this allele in Sudanese diabetic patients with type 2 and the allele differs in prevalence according to ethnicity, for these reasons, the aim of this study was to determine the allele and genotype frequency of the rs1799889 among Sudanese T2DM patients. Methods: A case-control study was conducted using 70 diagnosed diabetes type 2 patients and 50 healthy individuals as the control group. AS-PCR technique was used to genotype the rs1799889, and the allelic frequency was calculated according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Allelic frequencies were assessed using gene counting (SNP-STAT software V. Release 3.13), and genotypes were scored. Results: The result showed that 4G allele frequency was 28% among Sudanese diabetic patients without statistical difference when compared with control group (P-value = 0.998) but, high when compared with other studies in African population 13% and very low when compared with white and Indian populations studies. Conclusion: By this study, the allele frequency was higher in Sudanese diabetic patients with type 2, and also we need another study to evaluate the effect of this polymorphism in thrombophilic complications in Sudanese diabetic patients with type 2.

Drug-resistant gene based genotyping for Acinetobacter baumannii in tracing epidemiological events and for clinical treatment within nosocomial settings

Background Acinetobacter baumannfi has emerged as an important pathogen related to serious infections and nosocomial outbreaks around the world. However, of the frequently used methods, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） and amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） in Acinetobacter baumannfi genotyping lack the direct molecular proof of drug resistance. This study was conducted to establish a typing method based on drug resistant gene identification in contrast to traditional PFGE and AFLP in the period of nosocomial epidemic or outbreak. Methods From January 2005 to October 2005, twenty-seven strains of Acinetobacter species from Intensive Care Units, the Second Affiliated Hospital in Ningbo were isolated, including both epidemic and sporadic events. Susceptibility test, PFGE, AFLP and drug resistance gene typing （DRGT） were carried out to confirm the drug resistance and analyze the genotyping, respectively. PFGE was used as a reference to evaluate the typeability of DRGT and AFLP. Results Twenty-seven strains of Acinetobacter displayed multiple antibiotic resistance and drug resistant genes, and β-1actamase genes were detected in 85.2% strains. The result of DRGT was comparable to PFGE in Acinetobacter strains with different drug resistance though a little difference existed, and even suggested a molecular evolution course of different drug-resistant strains. AFLP showed great polymorphism between strains and had weak ability in distinguishing the drug resistance. Conclusion Compared to AFLP and PFGE, DRGT is useful to analyze localized molecular epidemiology of nosocomial infections and outbreaks, which would benefit clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Role of ethanol in the regulation of hepatic stellate cell function

Evidence has accumulated to suggest an important role of ethanol and/or its metabolites in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related liver disease. In this review, the fibrogenic effects of ethanol and its metabolites on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are discussed. In brief, ethanol interferes with retinoid metabolism and its signaling, induces the release of fibrogenic cytokines such as transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1) from HSCs, up-regulates the gene expression of collagen I and enhances type I collagen protein production by HSCs. Ethanol further perpetuates an activated HSC phenotype through extracellular matrix remodeling. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms by which ethanol exerts these pro-fibrogenic effects on HSCs are reviewed.

Helicobacter heilmannii sensu stricto-related gastric ulcers:A case report

A spiral bacterium (SH9), morphologically different from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), was found in a 62-year-old woman’s gastric mucosa. Gastroscopic examination revealed multiple gastric ulcers near the pyloric ring; mapping gastric biopsy showed mild mononuclear infiltration with large lymphoid follicles in the antrum, without corpus atrophy. Urea breath test and H. pylori culture were negative, but Giemsa staining of biopsies revealed tightly coiled bacteria that immunostained with anti-H. pylori antibody. Sequencing of SH9 16S rRNA and the partial urease A and B subunit genes showed that the former sequence had highest similarity (99%; 1302/1315 bp) to Helicobacter heilmannii (H. heilmannii) sensu stricto (H. heilmannii s.s.) BC1 obtained from a bobcat, while the latter sequence confirmed highest similarity (98.3%; 1467/1493 bp) to H. heilmannii s.s. HU2 obtained from a human. The patient was diagnosed with multiple gastric ulcers associated with H. heilmannii s.s. infection. After triple therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole) with regimen for eradicating H. pylori, gastroscopy showed ulcer improvement and no H. heilmannii s.s. upon biopsy.

HPV16E7-HSP70 Hybrid DNA Vaccine Induces E7-Specific Cytotoxic T Cells and Antitumor Immunity

Using human papillomavirus type 16 （HPV16） E7 as an antigen and Heat Shock Protein 70 as adjuvant, we constructed a DNA vaccine by linking HSP70 gene to E7^C91G; gene. Mice, after being immunized with E7^C91G;-HSP70, E7^C91G/HSP70, E7^C91G, and wild E7 DNA vaccines respectively, produced E7 specific CD8^＋ T-cell precursor frequencies of 280.33±2.52, 144.34±4.04, 164.34±5.13 and 82.33±3.51 respectively within every 1 × 10^5 mouse splenocytes. This proves that E7^C91G-HSP70 fusion vaccine can significantly enhance the E7 specific cellular immunity within the mice body（p〈0. 01）. After being immunized with E7^C91G-HSP70 fusion vaccine, tumor-bearing mice of the group being treated have significantly longer latency and survival periods, comparing with other three categories of E7 vaccines. Experiment shows that this vaccine has a significant effect on enhancing E7 positive tumor-treatment within mice body. After being immunized with E7^C91G-HSP70 vaccine, there were no pathological changes found in livers, kidneys and spleens of the mice, which proves that the vaccine is quite safe. After all, E7^C91G-HSP70 fusion vaccine has a much stronger tumor- treatment effect than thai of wild type E7 DNA vaccine.

Entry of hepatitis C virus into the cell: A therapeutic target

Several receptors have been identified as implicated on viral entry into the hepatocyte; and, this interaction between the virus and potential receptors could modulate infection, spontaneous viral clearance, persistence of the infection and the widespread of the virus as outbreak. Nevertheless, the playing role of each of them remains controversial. The NiemannPick type C1 like 1 gene (NPC1L1) receptor has been recently implicated on hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into the cell and ezetimibe, an anti-cholesterol drug seems to block that, emerging the idea to control hepatitis C outbreak modulating lipid-related receptors. Hepatitis C infection seems to modulate lipid metabolism according to host genetic background. Indeed, it circulates like a lipoviroparticle. The main aim of this field of vision would be to discuss the role of hepatocyte receptors implicated on virus entry, especially NPC1L1 and the therapeutic options derived from the better knowledge about HCV-lipidsreceptors interaction.

Gene typing and antibiotic resistance of methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lower respiratory tract at two hospitals in Shanghai

Objective To study the genotyping characteristics and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)isolated from lower respiratory tract at 2 different level hospitals in Shanghai.Methods The subjects included 155 patients at Ruijin Hospital and Tongren Hospital between January 2013 and June 2014,including 108 males and 47 females,with a mean age

The association between PPP1R3 gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To detect the relationship between the polymorphism of the glycogen-targeting regulatory subunit of the skeletal muscle glycogen-associated protein phosphatase 1 (PPP1R3) gene and type 2 diabetes by case-control study. Methods We genotyped the PPP1R3 gene Asp905Tyr polymorphism and a common 3'-untranslated region AT (AU)-rich element (ARE) polymorphism in 101 type 2 diabetic patients and 101controls by oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) and polyacrylamide gel elecrophoresis, respectively. Results Subjects with Tyr/Tyr genotypes whose body mass index (BMI)<25 were used as the reference group. Those whose BMI25 with Asp905 had a 3.66-fold increase (95% CI: 1.48-9.06, P=0.005) in type 2 diabetes risk. No association was found between 3'UTR ARE polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR=1.15; 95% CI: 0.62-2.14, P=0.65). Conclusion A joint effect between the Asp905 and BMI increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, and Asp905Tyr and ARE polymorphism of PPP1R3 gene are not the major diabetogenic gene variants in Chinese population.

An ectopic study of tissue-engineered bone with Nell-1 gene modified rat bone marrow stromal cells in nude mice

Background Tissue engineering techniques combined with gene therapy have been recently used to improve osteogenesis. NEL-like molecule-1 （Nell-1）, a novel growth factor, has been reported to have specificity for osteochondral lineage. The study assessed the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells （bMSCs） after Nell-1 gene modification and examined its ectopic bone formation ability in a nude mice model with tissue engineering technique. Methods bMSCs obtained from Fischer 344 rats were transduced with either AdNell-1 （Nell-1 group） or Ad-β-galactosidase （AdLacZ, LacZ group） or left untransduced （untransduced group）. The expression of Nell-1 protein was determined by Western blotting and transfer efficiency was assessed, mRNA expressions of osteopontin （OP）, bone sialoprotein （BSP） and osteocalcin （OC） were assessed by real-time PCR 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after gene transfer. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured and von Kossa test was also conducted. Finally, with a tissue engineering technique, gene transduced bMSCs, combining with β-tricalcium phosphate （β-TCP） at a concentration of 2×10^7 cells/ml, were implanted at subcutaneous sites on the back of nude mice. Four weeks after surgery, the implants were evaluated with histological staining and computerized analysis of new bone formation. Results Under current transduction conditions, gene transfer efficiency reached （57.9±6.8）%. Nell-1 protein was detected in Nell-1 group but not in untransduced group and LacZ group. Induced by Nell-1, BSP and OP expression were increased at intermediate stage and OC expression was increased at later stage. ALP activity and the number of calcium nodules were highest in Nell-1 group. Four weeks after implanted into nude mice subcutaneously, the percentage of new bone area in Nell-1 group was （18.1±5.0）%, significantly higher than those of untransduced group （11.3±3.2）% and LacZ group （12.3±3.1）% （P〈0.05）. Conclusions This study has demonstrated the ability of Nell-1 to induce osteogenic differentiation of rat bMSCs in vitro and to enhance bone formation with a tissue engineering technique. The results suggest that Nell-1 may be a potential osteogenic gene to be used in bone tissue engineering.

Inhibition of allergic responsiveness in a murine asthma model via IFN-γ transgene expression

To investigate adenoviral vector mediated exogenous gene expression in mouse lungs and the effect of mIFN γ transgene expression on allergen induced pulmonary eosinophil infiltration in a murine asthmatic model Methods LacZ marker gene was transduced into CD 1 mouse airway epithelial cells by installation of a replication deficient adenovirus with LacZ gene (AdCMVLacZ) 5×10 9 plaque forming unit (pfu) in the intratrachea or nostril C57 mice were sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged by aerosol with ovalbumin (OVA) to produce an asthmatic model AdCMVmIFNγ 5×10 9 pfu was administered via nostril in asthmatic mice 48 h before OVA challenge Sera, bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) and lungs were recovered 48 h after OVA challenge Results After administration with AdCMVLacZ by intratracheal installation or nose drop, the lungs revealed a high level of widespread LacZ transduction with X gal staining, mainly along airways IFN γ via adenoviral vector transduction could be overexpressed both in vitro and in vivo (1624 7±1321 5 pg/ml in BAL 96 h after AdCMVIFNγ infection) In AdCMVIFNγ treated asthmatic models, histological evaluation revealed marked suppression of eosinophil peribronchial and perivascular infiltration; the recoverable percentage of eosinophils in BAL was an average of 9 00%±4 58%, which was a statistically significant decrease versus that of the positive control group (75 13%±6 85%) ( P 【0 001) The total cell number in BAL ((145±55 6)×10 3 cells/ml) in AdCMVmIFNγ treated mice also was tremendously reduced compared to the positive control group ((216 6±71 1)×10 3 cells/ml) Conclusions Adenoviral vector was able to overexpress exogenous gene in murine lungs IFN γ overexpression via adenoviral vector in pulmonary epithelia in vivo can abrogate allergen induced eosinophilic infiltration in lungs in an asthmatic model, which may suggest a new preventively therapeutic method for cytokine immunogenetic transfer in allergic asthma

Association of GYS1 and β_3-AR gene with postprandial hyperglycemia and serum uric acid in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To determine the relationships of Met416Val and XbaI polymorphism of muscle glycogen synthase (GYS1) gene and Trg64Arg variant of the β 3 adrenergic receptor (β 3 AR) gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its intermediate phenotypes in the Chinese population Methods Polymerase chain reaction oligonucleotide ligation assay and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay were used to evaluate the GYS1 and β 3 AR gene polymorphisms in 102 pairs of case control Chinese spouses Results Subjects with Met416Val variant had a significantly higher 2 hour post glucose level than subjects without this variant had in diabetic group ( P =0 032) The Met416Val polymorphism of GYS1 gene was not significantly associated with the risk of type 2 DM (adjusted OR=1 67; 95% CI: 0 73-3 81, P =0 223) Subjects with Trp64Arg variant had a significantly higher serum uric acid level than subjects without this variant had in diabetic group ( P =0 034) The combination of BMI and Arg64 allele carrier of the β 3 AR gene increased the diabetic risk over four fold (adjusted OR=4 00; 95%CI: 1 53-10 45, P =0 005) Conclusions In the Chinese population, Met416Val polymorphism is identified in a subgroup of diabetic subjects with high 2 hour post glucose It will explain why some diabetic patients appear to be genetically predisposed to developing high postpradial glucose level The presence of the Arg64 allele in the β 3 AR gene may predispose patients to higher serum uric acid level

A novel mutation in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 gene leads to familial hypercholesterolemia in a Chinese family

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia （FH） is an autosomal disorder associated with elevated plasma low density lipoprotein （LDL） levels leading to premature coronary heart disease （CHD）. As a result of long-term hyperlipemia, FH patients will present endarterium thickening and atherosclerosis. In the present study we scanned the related gene of a clinically diagnosed autosomal genetic hypercholesterolemia family for the possible mutations and established eukaryotic expression vector of mutation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 （PCSK9） gene with gene recombination technique to investigate the contributions of the variation on low density lipoprotein receptor （LDL-R） metabolism and function alternation.Methods Mutation detection was conducted for LDL-R, apolipoprotein B100 （apoB100） and PCSK9 gene with nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese FH family. The full-length cDNA of wild type PCSK9 gene （WT-PCSK9） was obtained from Bel-7402. Site mutagenesis was used to establish the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector carrying pathogenic type of PCSK9 gene and the inserted fragment was sequenced. With the blank vector as control, liposome transfection method was used to transfect the Bel-7402 cells with recombinant plasmid. The expression of LDL-R mRNA was examined by RT-PCR. PCSK9 and the expression of LDL-R protein were determined by Western blotting. Results The G→T mutation at the 918 nucleotide of PCSK9 gene resulted in the substitution of the arginine by a serine at the codon 306 of exon 6. After sequencing, it was confirmed that the inserted fragment of established expression vector had correct size and sequence and the mutant was highly expressed in Bel-7402 cells. There was no significant variation in the levels of LDL-R mRNA. LDL-R mature protein was decreased by 57% after the cells were transfected by WT-PCSK9 plasmid. Mature LDL-R was significantly decreased by 12% after the cells were transfected by R306S mutant as evidenced by gray scale scanning, suggesting that the new mutant R306S can significantly decrease the expression of mature LDL-R protein.Conclusions A novel missense mutation of PCSK9 gene, R306S, was found and the eukaryotic expression vectors of mutant and wild-type of PCSK9 gene were established. There was no significant variation in the levels of LDL-R mRNA. The R306S mutation could significantly lead to the decrease of LDL-R mature protein expression, which might be the pathogenic gene of the FH family.