Expression and Clinical Pathological Significance of EBER, PTEN and VEGF in Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and clinical pathological significance of EB virus (Epstein-Barr virus, EBV), PTEN and VEGF in angioimmunoblastic T -cell lymphoma (AITL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The EBV -encoded small RNA (EBER) expression in 21 cases of AITL was detected by in situ hybridization. The expressions of PTEN and VEGF were detected in 21 cases of AITL and 20 cases of lymph node reactive hyperplasia by immunohistochemical EnVision two-steps method. The expression and clinicopathological significance of EBV, PTEN and VEGF in AITL were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of EBER in 21 cases of AITL was 61.9%; the expressions of PTEN and VEGF in AITL and lymph node reactive hyperplasia were significantly different (P<0.05). The expressions of EBER and PTEN negatively correlated (P<0.05). The EBER positive expression rates of male patients in AITL group and the progressed group was 80% and 78.6% respectively, which were significantly higher than that in female patients and patients in non- advanced group (P<0.05); the PTEN expression rates in the AITL group accompanying B symptoms and progressed group were 31.3% and 21.4%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in patients without B symptoms and non-progressed group (P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that the PTEN expression negatively correlated with the overall survival rate of patients (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EBV infection and low expression of PTEN may indicate the deterioration of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Whether the EBV involved in the ocurring of T-cell angioimmunoblastic lymphoma by down-regulating PTEN expression is unclear, further research is needed.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) on inflammatory cytokines in a rat model of smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Improvement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.</p>

Tissue distribution of sialic acid-linked influenza virus receptors in beagle dogs

Reports of influenza A virus infections in dogs has received considerable attention from veterinarians, virologists, and epidemiologists. Interaction between influenza viral hemagglutinin and cell oligosaccharides containing sialic acid residues results in infection. Sialic acids have an alpha-2,3-linkage to the penultimate galactose in the avian influenza virus receptor and an alpha-2,6-linkage in the human receptor. To date, there are no detailed data on the tissue distribution or histological features of either type of sialic acid-linked influenza virus receptors in beagle dogs, which are common laboratory animals and pets. We conducted the current study to visualize the in situ tissue distribution of both sialic acid-linked influenza virus receptors in various organs of beagle dogs using Maackia amurensis lectin II and Sambucus nigra agglutinin. Both alpha-2,3- and alpha-2,6-sialic acid-linked receptors were detected in the endothelial cells of the respiratory tract and other organs. Endothelial cells of most gastrointestinal organs were negative for alpha-2,3-sialic acid-linked receptors in the dogs. Our results suggested that these canine organs may be affected by influenza virus infection. The findings from our study will also help evaluate the occurrence and development of influenza virus infections in dogs.

Isolation and characteristics of virus culture of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus LJB/03 / 病毒学报

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) LJB/03 strain was isolated from the feces of piglets suspected to be suffering from a severe diarrhea in Heilongjiang Province, and was identified by immunofluorescence test, immunelectronmicroscopy, RT-PCR and indirect ELISA assay. Characteristics of the virus culture and the methods of improvement of virus titer were explored. The results showed that the virus had the typical appearance of the coronavirus. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of RT-PCR products revealed 98% homology with the reference strains. Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed a significant presence of green fluorescence, and an average P/N ratio of 7.6 by indirect ELISA assay. Taken together, these tests showed positive isolation of PEDV. Using the virus plaque purification cloning methods established in the test, the purified PEDV large plaque and small plaque were obtained, and the large plaque and small plaque titers were measured with significant difference. These results provide potential for the application of PEDV on the basis of the biological features of isolated virus.

Effects of CRF receptor antagonist on rem sleep in neonatal rat / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the role of NB127914, a CRF R1 receptor antagonist, in the regulation of neonatal sleep/wake cycle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat pups were surgically implanted with electrodes at postnatal day(PN) 13. At PN 14, 6 hours polysomnographic recording data were continuously collected before and after administration of various doses of NBI 27914, atropine and the same amount of saline.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with baseline, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was significantly reduced and was replaced primarily by non-REM (NREM) sleep in all groups treated with NBI, but not with dimethyl sulfoxide/saline. Atropine suppressed REM sleep significantly and increased wakefulness simultaneously.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Blockage of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) R1 receptors deprives neonatal rat REM sleep.</p>

Study of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-(A, C, D) genes and its effect on prognosis of breast cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study mRNA expression of VEGF-(A, C, D) genes in breast carcinoma and its effect on prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mRNA expression of VEGF-(A, C, D) genes in 61 cases of primary breast carcinoma and 29 cases of benign mammary lesions was detected by TaqMan real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) technology. The correlation between mRNA expression and various clinicopathologic parameters and survival data was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of mRNA expression of VEGF-(A, C) genes was significantly higher in primary breast carcinomas (2.79 +/- 1.31 and 3.33 +/- 0.88 respectively) than in benign mammary lesions (1.59 +/- 1.35 and 2.76 +/- 0.55 respectively, P = 0.000 and 0.002 respectively). The percentage of VEGF-D mRNA expression was 73.77% in breast carcinomas, as compared to 51.72% in benign mammary lesions (P = 0.038). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of VEGF-D gene between primary breast carcinomas and benign mammary lesions (P = 0.683). On the other hand, the ratio of VEGF-D mRNA expression to VEGF-C mRNA expression was lower in lymph node-positive than in lymph node-negative cases. This also correlated with the occurrence of nodal metastasis by uni- and multivariate analysis (P(uni) = 0.046 and P(mult) = 0.062). High mRNA expression of VEGF-(A, C) genes was associated with poor disease-free survival (P = 0.030 and 0.044 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of VEGF-(A, C, D) genes may play a role in the disease progression of breast carcinoma. The ratio of VEGF-D mRNA expression to VEGF-C mRNA expression correlates with the occurrence of lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma. The mRNA expression of VEGF-(A, C) genes may serve as a useful prognostic indicator in breast cancer.</p>

Comparision of HER2/neu oncogene detected by chromogenic in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in breast cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Through comparison of HER2/neu oncogene detected by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in breast cancer, to explore the effect of CISH on detecting gene amplification of HER2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Selected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast samples whose pathological types were infiltrating ductal carcinomas (255 retrospective samples, 271 prospective samples), and these samples were detected by IHC and CISH.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In the retrospective study, CISH identified gene amplification in 91.6% of IHC score 3+ tumors (120/131) and in 56.5% of IHC score 2+ tumors (39/69), thus the concordant ratio between IHC and CISH was 81.2% (207/255). The two results showed significant correlation (P<0.01). (2) In the prospective study, the ratio of HER2 protein over expression detected by IHC was 31.7%, the ratio of HER2 gene amplification detected by CISH was 27.3%. CISH identified gene amplification in 91.4% of IHC score 3+ tumors (53/58) and in 46.4% of IHC score 2+ tumors (13/28), Concordant ratio between IHC and CISH was 89.7% (243/271). Two results showed significant correlation (P<0.01). (3) Paired CISH/FISH results were concordant in 14 of 15 cases. The remaining case was detected by FISH, but showed no HER2 gene amplification by CISH. (4) The gene amplification by CISH had a significantly reverse correlation with ER and PR expression (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of HER2 gene amplification detected by CISH have high concordance with the results detectd by IHC and FISH. CISH is a novel technique for detecting HER2 gene amplification.</p>

Study of HOXA5 gene expression in breast carcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study mRNA and protein expression of HOXA5 gene in breast carcinoma, to correlate the expression of HOXA5 gene with clinicopathologic parameters and to explore the possible role of HOXA5 gene in carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of breast carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TaqMan real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied on 60 cases of primary breast carcinoma and 24 cases of benign mammary lesions in order to detect mRNA expression of HOXA5 gene. Immunohistochemical study using polyclonal antibody against HOXA5 was also performed. Statistical analysis was carried out to analyze the correlation between HOXA5 gene expression and various clinical parameters in these breast cancer patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The relative expression level of HOXA5 mRNA ranged from 0.73 to 193.07 (average = 20.85) in primary breast carcinoma, in contrast to 5.42 to 81.91 (average = 30.94) in benign mammary lesions. Compared with benign mammary lesions, a significant reduction in expression of HOXA5 mRNA was noted in primary breast carcinoma (P < 0.01). (2) There was a decreased or completely diminished HOXA5 protein expression in breast carcinoma. (3) HOXA5 mRNA expression was significantly lower in lymph node-positive cases, when compared with that in lymph node-negative cases (P < 0.05). A significant difference of HOXA5 protein expression was also observed in both groups (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining of HOXA5 was either negative or weakly positive in lymph node-positive cases. On the other hand, moderately or strongly positive HOXA5 staining was noted in lymph node-negative cases. (4) Neither mRNA nor protein expression of HOXA5 gene correlated with clinicopathologic parameters such as age of patients, size of tumor, clinical stage, pathologic subtype or histologic grade (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Disordered expression of HOXA5 gene may play a role in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer. Reduced expression of HOXA5 gene may be related to the metastatic potential of breast carcinoma cells.</p>