Identification of hub genes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus:A pilot bioinformatics study

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is related to various extragastric diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,the possible mechanisms connecting H.pylori infection and T2DM remain unknown.AIM To explore potential molecular connections between H.pylori infection and T2DM.METHODS We extracted gene expression arrays from three online datasets(GSE60427,GSE27411 and GSE115601).Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)commonly present in patients with H.pylori infection and T2DM were identified.Hub genes were validated using human gastric biopsy samples.Correlations between hub genes and immune cell infiltration,miRNAs,and transcription factors(TFs)were further analyzed.RESULTS A total of 67 DEGs were commonly presented in patients with H.pylori infection and T2DM.Five significantly upregulated hub genes,including TLR4,ITGAM,C5AR1,FCER1G,and FCGR2A,were finally identified,all of which are closely related to immune cell infiltration.The gene-miRNA analysis detected 13 miRNAs with at least two gene cross-links.TF-gene interaction networks showed that TLR4 was coregulated by 26 TFs,the largest number of TFs among the 5 hub genes.CONCLUSION We identified five hub genes that may have molecular connections between H.pylori infection and T2DM.This study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of H.pylori-induced onset of T2DM.

Regulatory potential of soil available carbon,nitrogen,and functional genes on N_(2)O emissions in two upland plantation systems

Dynamic nitrification and denitrification processes are affected by changes in soil redox conditions,and they play a vital role in regulating soil N_(2)O emissions in rice-based cultivation.It is imperative to understand the influences of different upland crop planting systems on soil N_(2)O emissions.In this study,we focused on two representative rotation systems in Central China:rapeseed–rice(RR)and wheat–rice(WR).We examined the biotic and abiotic processes underlying the impacts of these upland plantings on soil N_(2)O emissions.The results revealed that during the rapeseed-cultivated seasons in the RR rotation system,the average N_(2)O emissions were 1.24±0.20 and 0.81±0.11 kg N ha^(–1)for the first and second seasons,respectively.These values were comparable to the N_(2)O emissions observed during the first and second wheat-cultivated seasons in the WR rotation system(0.98±0.25 and 0.70±0.04 kg N ha^(–1),respectively).This suggests that upland cultivation has minimal impacts on soil N_(2)O emissions in the two rotation systems.Strong positive correlations were found between N_(2)O fluxes and soil ammonium(NH_(4)^(+)),nitrate(NO_(3)^(–)),microbial biomass nitrogen(MBN),and the ratio of soil dissolved organic carbon(DOC)to NO_(3)^(–)in both RR and WR rotation systems.Moreover,the presence of the AOA-amoA and nirK genes were positively associated with soil N_(2)O fluxes in the RR and WR systems,respectively.This implies that these genes may have different potential roles in facilitating microbial N_(2)O production in various upland plantation models.By using a structural equation model,we found that soil moisture,mineral N,MBN,and the AOA-amoA gene accounted for over 50%of the effects on N_(2)O emissions in the RR rotation system.In the WR rotation system,soil moisture,mineral N,MBN,and the AOA-amoA and nirK genes had a combined impact of over 70%on N_(2)O emissions.These findings demonstrate the interactive effects of functional genes and soil factors,including soil physical characteristics,available carbon and nitrogen,and their ratio,on soil N_(2)O emissions during upland cultivation seasons under rice-upland rotations.

Pathogenesis of chronic enteropathy associated with the SLCO2A1 gene:Hypotheses and conundrums

Chronic enteropathy associated with the SLCO2A1 gene(CEAS)is a complex gastroenterological condition characterized by multiple ulcers in the small intestine with chronic bleeding and protein loss.This review explores the potential mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CEAS,focusing on the role of SLCO2A1-encoded prostaglandin transporter OATP2A1 and its impact on prostaglandin E2(PGE2)levels.Studies have suggested that elevated PGE2 levels contribute to mucosal damage,inflammation,and disruption of the intestinal barrier.The effects of PGE2 on macrophage activation and Maxi-Cl channel functionality,as well as its interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play crucial roles in the progression of CEAS.Understanding the balance between its protective and pro-inflammatory effects and the complex interactions within the gastrointestinal tract can shed light on potential therapeutic targets for CEAS and guide the development of novel,targeted therapies.

Investigating the effect of rubiadin cytotoxicity and expression of BAX and BCL2 genes on HepG2 liver cancer cell line

Background:Rubiadin is a type of anthraquinone compound that can be found in Rubiaceae plants,such as Ronas.Nonetheless,only limited research has been done to explore the potential anticancer properties of rubiadin on liver cancer cells.Thus,the objective of the present study is to examine how rubiadin affects the viability of liver cancer cells as well as normal cells.Methods:HepG2 and AGO cell lines were assigned into controls(not exposed to rubiadin)and groups with exposure to rubiadin with 12.5,6.25,3.125,1.56,0.78,and 0.39μg/mL concentrations.3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to measure cell viability,and one-way analysis of variance was used for data analysis.Results:The viability of liver cancer cells was significantly reduced when exposed to 12.5,6.25,3.125,and 1.56μg/mL concentrations(P<0.01).An IC50 of 44.73μg/mL was reported.Furthermore,the BAX gene’s relative expression(P<0.05)was significantly increased and the BCL2 gene expression(P<0.05)was significantly reduced.The average ratio of BAX gene expression to BCL2 increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion:This research showed that rubiadin decreases cell viability by increasing the ratio of BAX gene expression to BCL2.In addition rubiadin has no cytotoxic effect on normal cells.

Trifunctional Cu-Mesh/Cu_(2)O@FeO Nanoarrays for Highly Efficient Degradation of Antibiotic, Inactivation of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, and Damage of Antibiotics Resistance Genes

Trifunctional Cu-mesh/Cu_(2)O@FeO nanoarrays heterostructure is designed and fabricated by integrating CuCu_(2)O@FeO nanoarrays onto Cu-mesh(CM)via an in situ growth and phase transformation process.It is successfully applied to efficiently mitigate the antibiotic pollution,including degradation of antibiotics,inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria(ARB),and damage of antibiotics resistance genes(ARGs).Under visible-light irradiation,CM/CuCu_(2)O@FeO nanoarrays exhibit a superior degradation efficiency on antibiotics(e.g.,up to 99%in 25 min for tetracycline hydrochloride,TC),due to the generated reactive oxygen species(ROS),especially the dominant·O^(2−).It can fully inactivate E.coli(HB101)with initial number of~108 CFU mL^(−1) in 10 min,which is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of 1D nanostructure,dissolved metal ions,and generated ROS.Meanwhile,it is able to damage ARGs after 180 min of photodegradation,including tetA(vs TC)of 3.3 log 10,aphA(vs kanamycin sulfate,KAN)of 3.4 log 10,and tnpA(vs ampicillin,AMP)of 4.4 log 10,respectively.This work explores a green way for treating antibiotic pollution under visible light.

The Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes Bcl-2 and Bax Protein and Apoptosis Positivity in Cervical Carcinoma during Irradiation

To evaluate the apoptosis positivity, the expression of Bcl-2, bax proteinsin 30 patients with squamous cell cervix carcinoma before and after radiotherapy. Methods: By usingimmuno-histochemical and TDT-dUTP nick end labelling techniques, 30 cases of squamous cell cervicalcarcinoma were analyzed. Results: The apoptosis positivity before and after irradiation was 76.7%and 100% respectively, with the difference being significant (P 【 0.05); The positive rates of Bcl-2protein before and after irradiation were 73.3% and 46.7% respectively, with the difference beingsignificant (P 【 0.05); The positive rates of bax protein before and after irradiation were 86% and100% respectively, with the difference being significant (P 【 0.05). Conclusion: bax and Bcl-2protein play an important role in apoptosis induced by fractionated radiation therapy. Apoptosisinduced by irradiation is contributed to upregulation of bax protein or downregulation of Bcl-2protein.

Difference in Expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl Genes in Cisplatin-sensitive and Cisplatin-resistant Human in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

To investigate the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl gene in sensitive (A2780) and drug-resistance (AD6) human ovarian cancer cell lines and explore the molecular mechanism of multidrug resistance, A2780 and AD6 were detected by using DNA gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Our results showed that (1)'DNA ladder ' was observed in A2780 and AD6 after cisplatin treatment; (2) after 3.0, 6.0, 9.9 μg/ml of cisplatin treatment, a significant difference was noted in the rate of apoptosis between in A2780 and AD6 (P<0.05); (3) Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl genes were overexpressed in AD6. After cisplatin treatment, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl genes was down-regulated in A2780 and AD6. It is concluded that cisplatin could induce the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, and the over-expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl genes may contribute to apoptotic inhibition and the development of multidrug-resistance of human ovarian cancer.

Protective Effect of Isoflurane and Sevoflurane on Ischemic Neurons and Expression of Bcl-2 and ICE Genes in Rat Brain

Objective To study the protective effect of volatile anesthetics, isoflurane and sevoflurane, on ischemic neurons after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods Rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was developed by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery （MCA） and bilateral common carotid arteries （CCAs） 1 h after reperfusion. Using flow cytometry （FCM） and Northern blot hybridization, we calculated the number of apoptotic bodies and detected the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and interleukin-113 converting enzyme （ICE） mRNA. Results The apoptotic bodies in hippocampus analyzed by FCM peaked at appeared 24 h after reperfusion, and decreased about 54% and 40%, respectively, after treatment with isoflurane and sevoflurane, as compared with ischemic group. There was no significant difference in the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and ICE mRNA between the inhaled anesthetic groups and ischemic group in hippocampus 24 h after MCA/CCAs occlusion. Conclusion Isoflurane and sevoflurane partially inhibit apoptosis but have no significant effect on the expression of bcl-2 and ICE genes.

Study of the expressions of p53 and bcl-2 genes, the telomerase activity and apoptosis in GIST patients

AIM： To explore the relationship between clinicobiological behavior and the expression levels of telomerase activity, apoptosis, p53 gene and bcl-2 gene in gastrointestinal stromal tumors （GISTs）. METHODS： The intensity of telomerase activity, apoptosis, p53 and bcl-2 expression in GISTs were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol, in situ end-labeling technique, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS： The positive rates of telomerase activity of malignant GIST, potential malignant GIST and benign GIST were 85% （17/20）, 22.8% （2/9） and 0 （0/9）, respectively. The apoptosis indices of malignant GIST, potential malignant GIST, and benign GIST were 11.7±5.4, 30.2±5.6 and 45.2 ±7.2, respectively. The intensity of telomerase activity and apoptosis were related to the biological characteristics of GISTs （85% vs 22.8%, 0, 0; P 〈 0.01 or 11.7±5.4 vs 30.2±5.6, 45.2±7.2, 72.1±9.3; P 〈 0.05）. The intensity of telomerase activity was negatively correlated with cellular apoptosis （22.9±8.4 vs 9.5±5.7, P 〈 0.01）. The intensity of telomerase activity was positively correlated with/753, bcl-2 expression （40.0% vs 78.9%, 40.0% vs 84.2%; P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The detection of telomerase activity, apoptosis and its control genes in GIST will be helpful for the discrimination of the malignant and benign GIST and evaluation of the prognosis.

THE OVEREXPRESSION OF APOPTOSIS-RELATED GENES OF P_53 AND BCL-2 IN CERVICAL CARCINOMA

Objective To investigate the significance of overexpression of p5s and bcl-2 protein in carcinogene- sis of cervix. Methods 10 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasis(CIN) and 57 cases of invasive cancer were in- vestigated with immunohistochemistry technique. Results The overexpresion or P53 protein ir CIN and cervical can- cer was significantly higher than that or control, respectively (P<0.01). But there was no significant difference be- tween CIN and cervical cancer(P>0.05). The immunoreactivity of bcl-2 in CIN was much more higher than that of control (P<0.05). The positive rate and immunoreactivity of bcl-2 in cervical carcinoma were both remarkably high- er than those of control (P<0.0l),but there was no significant difference between CIN and cervical carcinoma (P> 0.05). It was also found that there was a remarkably positive correlation between the overexpression of bcl-2 and P53 (P<0.01). Conclusion Because of the loss of wtP53 function,the expression of bcl-2 can not be down-reguated, which is associated with the pathogenesis and development of cervical carcinoma.

Differential expression of bcl-2 and bax genes during the E.coli-induced apoptosis of human U937 cells

To explore the role of bcl-2 and bax genes in the apoptosis of human U937 cells induced by E.coli, flow cytometry assay with annexinⅤ-FITC/PI double staining was used to determine the condition of apoptosis, and the expressions of mRNA of bcl-2 and bax genes were assayed with RT-PCR. It was found that the apoptosis of human U937 cells could be induced by E.coli at various concentration ratios between cells and bacteria for 30 min in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic rates at cell/bacteria ratios of 0, 1∶5, 1∶10, 1∶20, 1∶50 and 1∶100 were 3.16%±0.90%, 9.46%±0.84%, 17.90%±1.41%, 35.59%±3.76%, 38.35%±7.12% and 55.07%±5.82% respectively. Also, there was a tendency of alterations in the expression levels of bcl-2 and bax genes with an increased expression level of bax gene and a reduced expression level of bcl-2 gene. It is concluded that E.coli can induce apoptosis in human U937 cells with a down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and an up-regulated expression of Bax, and this might be related to the induction of apoptosis of the infected cell.

Sequence Analysis of HA Genes from Three H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses

[ Objective] The study aimed to understand the genetic characters of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated in Belling area. [ Method] HA genes of three H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses A/Chicken/Beijing/xu/00, A/Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/ liu/00 were amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced. [ Result] The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that A/Chicken/Beijing/xu/00, A/ Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/liu/00 shared the nucleotide homologies of 84.8% （ Dk/HK/Y439/97 ） -98.0% （ Ck/GX17/00 ）, 85.1% （Dk/HK/Y439/97） - 99.1% （ Ck/GXl 7/00）, 90.7% （ Ck/BJ/3/01 ） - 99.1% （Ck/GX17/00） with the isolates from Hongkong and other are- as of Chinese Mainland respectively. At the same time, the analysis of amino acid indicated that the three isolates belonged to low pathogenic H9N2 isolates of avian origin. The 226^th amino acid of them were L （ Leu）, suggesting their high binding affinity to human cells. There were seven glyco- sylation sites in HA protein, five from HA1 and two from HA2. [ Cenclusien] By analysis at molecular level, it could be concluded that A/Chicken/ Beijing/xu/00, A/Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/liu/00 were low pathogenic H9N2 isolates of avian origin.

The Role of Predominant Expression of Th2 Type Cytokines Gene in the Genesis and Development of Human Gliomas

Objective: To explore the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines gene in human gliomas and its role in the genesis and development of human gliomas.Methods: Using IL-2 and IFNγ as Th1 type cytokines, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 as Th2 type cytokines, the biological activity of cytokines in the supernatant of glioma cell lines was assayed by ELISA method, and the gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in human glioma cells, glioma infiltrating lymphocytes and glioma cell lines were detected by RT-PCR.Results: There was predominant expression of Th2 type cytokines in human glioma cells, glioma infiltrating lymphocytes and glioma cell lines, but there was no such expression in normal brain tissues.Conclusion: It suggested that there is a relationship between the Th2 type cytokines expression in human gliomas and the immunosupressive status of human glioma patients. The predominant expression of Th2 type cytokines may play an important role in the genesis and development of human gliomas. Key words glioma - Th1/Th2 - gene expression - RT-PCR This project was supported by a grant from National Natural Sciences foundation of China (No. 30271335).

The relationship of Imp2 and DR3 genes with susceptibility to type Ⅰ diabetes mellitus in south China Han population

AIN To study the relationship of Imp2 and DR3genes with type Ⅰ diabetes mellitus.NETHODS Imp2 genotypes and DR3 wereidentified in 68 patients with type Ⅰ diabetesmellitus(Ⅰ-DM)and 71 healthy controls.Then,Ⅰ-DM patients and controls were respectivelyallocated into DR3-positive and DR3-negativegroups.The frequencies of Imp2 and DR3 genein random subjects,and Imp2 genotypes in DR3-matched subjects were compared between Ⅰ-DMpatients and controls.At the same time,Ⅰ-DMpatients were divided into 3 groups based on theonset age of diabetics:group A≤14 years,group B 15-30 years and group C≥31 years.RESULTS The frequency of DR3 in Ⅰ-DMpatients was significantly higher than that incontrols(47% vs 21%,P【0.005),and it wassignificantly higher in group A than that in groupB+C(70% vs 36%,x^2=7.07,P【0.01).Therewas a significant difference among groups withdifferent onset age of diabetics(x^2=8.19,rp=0.33,P【0.05).In random subjects,thefrequency of Imp2.R/R in Ⅰ-DM patients waslower(43% vs 61%,P【0.05)and Imp2.R/Hhigher(53% vs 28%,P【0.05)than that incontrols,and there was no significant differenceamong groups with different onset age ofdiabetics.In DR3-positive subjects,thefrequency of Imp2.R/R in Ⅰ-DM patients waslower(47% vs 87%,P【0.05)and Imp2-R/H higher(47% vs 13%,P【0.05)than that incontrols.In DR3-negative subjects,thefrequency of Imp2.R/H in Ⅰ-DM patients washigher than that in controls(58% vs 32%,P【0.01),but the frequency of Imp2-R/R and Imp2H/H was not significantly different betweenthese two groups.CONCLUSION DR3 gene may be one of thesusceptible genes of Ⅰ-DM,and significantlyrelated to the onset age of diabetics,and thepersons with DR3 may have an younger onsetage of diabeteS.The Imp2-R/R may be theprotective genotype of Ⅰ-DM,and Imp2-R/H thesusceptible genotype.These were not affectedby DR3 gene.Imp-2 genotypes were not relatedwith the onset age of diabetics.

Detections of mefA, ermB, and mphA Macrolides Resistant Genes in Bacteria Isolated from Covid-19 Patients from Selected Health Facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: COVID-19 is a disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological data indicated that bacterial complications in COVID-19 would decrease clearance rate of the infecting agent and increase mortality rate. Macrolides such as Azithromycin are usually administered to COVID-19 patients as palliative treatments. Currently, a considerable number of bacterial strains have developed resistance to various antibiotics, especially macrolides. Resistance is reported to be due to possession of mefA, ermB, and mphA genes by Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Therefore, this study determined antibiotic resistance patterns and identify mefA, ermB and mphA macrolide-resistant genes in bacterial pathogens isolated from COVID-19 cases in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: 400 Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from symptomatic cases before antibiotic medication;structured questionnaires were administered to collect socio-demographic data of participants. Samples were cultured on Blood, Chocolate, MacConkey and Mannitol salt agar at 37°C for 48 hrs. Bacterial identification was performed using VITEK 2.0 ID cards and API 20E for Gram positive and negative bacteria respectively. Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing was performed using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion methods and VITEK 2.0 AST card kits. DNA of multidrug resistant bacterial isolates was extracted;resistant genes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction with specific primers. Amplified genes were detected using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: 240 (60%) had bacterial growth and 97 (22.2%) yielded no growth. From the 240 bacterial isolates, 38 (15.83%) were multi-drug resistant including resistance to macrolides (Azithromycin) 20 (52.63%) of which were positive for either mefA or ermB, and none (0.0%) possess mphA gene;14 (36.8%) isolates had mefA gene, 10 (26.3%) isolates carried ermB gene. Conclusion: Multi-drug bacterial resistance including macrolides and quinolones was detected. Only mefA and ermB genes were detected in the bacterial isolates, especially in Gram positive organisms. The detection of mefA and ermB genes in the MDR bacterial isolates raised concern on the use of azithromycin as palliative treatment for COVID-19 symptomatic patients.

Identification of key genes and biological pathways in lung adenocarcinoma by integrated bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to identify hub genes and biological pathways involved in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)via bioinformatics analysis,and investigate potential therapeutic targets.AIM To determine reliable prognostic biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment of LUAD.METHODS To identify potential therapeutic targets for LUAD,two microarray datasets derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database were analyzed,GSE3116959 and GSE118370.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in LUAD and normal tissues were identified using the GEO2R tool.The Hiplot database was then used to generate a volcanic map of the DEGs.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was conducted to cluster the genes in GSE116959 and GSE-118370 into different modules,and identify immune genes shared between them.A protein-protein interaction network was established using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database,then the CytoNCA and CytoHubba components of Cytoscape software were used to visualize the genes.Hub genes with high scores and co-expression were identified,and the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery was used to perform enrichment analysis of these genes.The diagnostic and prognostic values of the hub genes were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,and gene-set enrichment analysis was conducted.The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis portal was used to analyze relationships between the hub genes and normal specimens,as well as their expression during tumor progression.Lastly,validation of protein expression was conducted on the identified hub genes via the Human Protein Atlas database.RESULTS Three hub genes with high connectivity were identified;cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2(CRABP2),matrix metallopeptidase 12(MMP12),and DNA topoisomerase II alpha(TOP2A).High expression of these genes was associated with a poor LUAD prognosis,and the genes exhibited high diagnostic value.CONCLUSION Expression levels of CRABP2,MMP12,and TOP2A in LUAD were higher than those in normal lung tissue.This observation has diagnostic value,and is linked to poor LUAD prognosis.These genes may be biomarkers and therapeutic targets in LUAD,but further research is warranted to investigate their usefulness in these respects.

Sequence Analysis of Type III Effector tccP and tccP2 Genes in Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Chinese Water-chestnut

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the type III effector tccP and tccP2 genes in Escherichia coli O157：H7 from Chinese water-chestnut. [Method] Gene-specific and locus-specific primers were utilized to amplify tccP/tccP2 and their flanking regions for sequence analysis. [Result] E. coli O157：H7 CWN11 harbored intact tccP and tccP2 genes, however, the number of proline-rich repeats in tccP gene was only one that probably resulted in biological incapability, whereas, the tccP2 gene consisted of five and half proline-rich repeats and could encode functional protein. [Conclusion] Here, we reported the first sequence of tccP gene that consisted of only one proline-rich repeat and tccP2 was assumed to play a crucial role in colonization and subsequent signaling cascades.

Cloning and Phylogenetic Analysis of NS1 Genes from Different Isolates of H9N2 Subtype Duck Influenza Virus

[ Objective] The study aimed to lay a foundation for the further studies on function mechanism of NS1 protein in the interspecies transmission of waterfowl influenza virus. [Method] Using the serologic assay and the specific RT-PCR method, some strains of H9 subtype waterfowl influenza virus were isolated from the 12 to 20 day-old muscovy duck flocks without any clinical symptoms in different areas of Guangdong Province. Four of these strains, including A/duck/ZQ/303/2007（H9N2） （A3 for short）, A/Duck/FJ/301/2007 （H9N2） （C1 for short）, A/Duck/NH/306/2007（H9N2） （ D6 for short）, A/duck/SS/402/2007（H9N2） （ E2 for short）, and a strain named A/duck/ZC/2007（H9N2） （L1 for short） from a muscovy duck died of avian influenza virus （AIV）, were used for NSl gene cloning and sequencing. Subsequently, the obtained NSl gene sequences were compared with other NS1 sequences registered in GenBank, and the phylogenetic analysis was also conducted. [Result] When compared with the H9N2 AIV NS1 sequences in GenBank, the NSl genes of the four AIV strains A3, C1, 136 and E2 displayed homologies ranging from 99% to 100% at nucleotide level, and 95% to 100% at amino acid level; while the NSl gene of L1 strain displayed homology ranging from 94% to 97% at nucleotide level, and 93% to 98% at amino acid level. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that A3, C1, D6 and E2 were highly resemblant, and L1 was closest to AY66473 （chicken, 2003）. By comparison with the NS1 gene sequences of L1, AF523514 （duck）, AY664743 （chicken） and EF155262.1 （quail） using DNAstar, A3, C1, D6 and E.2 presented nucleotide variations at site 21 （ R→Q）, 70, 71 （ KE→EG）, 86 （ A→S）, 124 （V→M） and 225 （ S→N）, and amino acid variations at site 21,70, 71 and 86 in dsRNA- dependent protein kinase （PKR） binding domain of NSl gene, which induced the evident variations of antigenic determinant and surface proba- bility plot of NS1 protein. [ Conclusion] This study suggested that the amino acid sequence variation in PKR binding domain of NS1 protein had something to do with the virus pathogenicity.

THE EXPRESSIONS OF HBV X GENE AND ets-2, IGF-Ⅰ, c-myc AND N-ras ONCOGENES IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND TUMOR-ADJACENT TISSUES

The expressions of HBV X gene and ets-2, IGF-I, c-myc and N-ras were studied in 7 pairs of human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) and tumor-adjacent tissues, using RNA hybridization and im-munoblot methods. The results showed that specific 17 and 28 kD HBV X gene products (HBxAg) were existed in a portion of PHC and tumor-adjacent tissues. The 17 kD HBxAg was detected in the sera of 3 patients who also had 17 kD HBxAg in their liver tissues. Multiple expressions of oncogenes such as ets-2, c-myc and N-ras were observed in PHC and tumor-adjacent tissues that had HBxAg expressed, indicating HBxAg might function as a transactivator in the course of intracellular proto-oncogene activation. It is also observed that in some tumor-adjacnet tissues the expressions of ets-2, c-myc and N-ras were higher than those in corresponding PHC. The relationship of HBxAg to the expression of est-2, IGF-Ⅱ, c-myc and their possible roles in the carcinogenesis of PHC are discussed.

Expression of Genes Associated with Nickel Resistance in White Spruce (<i>Picea glauca</i>) under Nickel Stress: Analysis of AT2G16800 and <i>NRAMP</i>Genes

Heavy metals such nickel (Ni) can cause toxicity by 1) displacing essential components in the biomolecules, 2) blocking the functional group of molecules, or 3) modifying enzymes, proteins, the plasma membrane, and membrane transporters. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of nickel (Ni) on gene expression of nitrate on gene expression with a focus on the genes coding for the high affinity Ni transporter family protein AT2G16800, and natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP). Ni toxicity was assessed by treating seedlings with an aqueous solution of nickel nitrate salt [Ni(NO3)2] at the concentrations of 150 mg, 800 mg, and 1600 mg of nickel per 1 kg of dry soil. RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of AT2G16800, and NRAMP genes in samples treated with nickel nitrates and controls. The results revealed that P. glauca is resistant to Ni based on lack of plant damage at all nickel concentrations. Ni has no effect on the expression of the AT2G16800 gene in needles or roots. However, it induced an upregulation of the NRAMP genes in roots at all the doses tested (150 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, and 1600 mg/kg). On the other hand, Ni has no effect on the expression of the NRAMP gene in needle but the lowest dose of potassium (150 mg/kg) upregulated this gene in needle tissues.