MHC-DRB1 exon 2 polymorphism and its association with mycoplasma ovipneumonia resistance or susceptibility genotypes in sheep.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphisms are associated with animal and human diseases. However, only a few studies have reported an association between MHC polymorphisms and mycoplasma ovipneumonia (MO). In the present study, three resistance/susceptibility genotypes associated with MO were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping, assessing the clinical and pathological features, and examining the immune factors. The current results showed that MvaI bb and HaeIII ee were dominant genotypes in the susceptible Hu population, while MO-resistant populations, Dorper and D 9 H hybrids, were dominated by the MvaI cc and HaeIII dd genotypes, suggesting that MvaI cc and HaeIII dd genotypes might be associated with the trait of MO resistance. Further, the clinical symptoms and pathological morphology in the susceptibility group infected with MO were more severe than those in the resistant groups infected similarly. The data on the changes in the immune factor responses were utilized to deduce the molecular mechanism underlying the MO resistance/susceptibility. The results showed that the susceptible genotypes promote the inflammatory responses by inducing a high expression of TNFa, IFNc, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-1b, while the resistant genotypes inhibit the inflammatory response by increasing the expression of IL-2 and IL-10 significantly. This finding would provide the theoretical guidance for propagating sheep breeds that are highly resistant to MO.

Combination of Cinobufacini and Doxorubicin Increases Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through the Fas- and Mitochondria-Mediated Pathways.

Cinobufacini, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used widely for cancer treatment, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sarcoma, and leukemia. Previous studies done by our lab indicated that cinobufacini could suppress HCC cells through mitochondria-mediated and Fas-mediated apoptotic pathways. Here, we use a combination of cinobufacini and doxorubicin to inhibit the growth of HCC cells. The combination group induced more significant apoptosis by affecting proteins and RNA of apoptosis-related elements, such as Bcl-2, Bax, Bid, and cytochrome c. Furthermore, cinobufacini, as a mixture of a number of components, had stronger apoptosis-inducing activity than particular individual components or a simple mixture of a few components. Overall, these results suggested that the combination of cinobufacini and doxorubicin may provide a new strategy for inhibiting the proliferation of HCC cells.

Protective effect of silymarin against rapamycin-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in endothelial progenitor cells.

For this study, peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers. Mononuclear cells (MNC) were separated by density centrifugation and were induced to differentiate into endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in vitro. Different concentrations of rapamycin and silymarin were introduced to the EPCs over 24 hours and then EPCs were analyzed for proliferation, migration, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Compared with the control group, rapamycin (1, 10, 100 ng/mL) inhibited the proliferation and migration of EPCs in a concentration dependent manner (P<0.05). Silymarin (50, 100 µg/mL) enhanced the proliferation and migration of EPCs and inhibited apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner (P<0.05). By adding rapamycin (1 ng/mL) and silymarin (25, 50, 100 µg/mL) over 24 hours, silymarin inhibited the pro-apoptotic effect of rapamycin on EPCs, and reversed the inhibition of proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs by rapamycin (P<0.05).

Anti-tumor effects and cellular mechanisms of resveratrol.

Resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin contained in a variety of plants, such as grapes, berries and especially in the dried roots of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. It has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation activity, and to reverse the effects of aging. Its ability to suppress cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and suppress the metastasis and invasion in a number of cell lines has prompted a large interest from people for its use as an anti-tumor component. In this review, evidence of resveratrol's anti-tumor effects and molecular mechanisms are recapitulated. First, we present the anti-apoptosis, anti-invasion/metastasis and anti-inflammation effect of resveratrol; second, the main signaling pathways involved in these activities are described and summarized with the studies of different tumors involved. Resveratrol not only induces apoptosis of tumor cells through intrinsic/extrinsic pathways and cell cycle arrest, but also inhibits the invasion and metastasis abilities of tumors via modulating collagen degradation-related molecular targets. Altogether, the present findings suggest the anti-tumor potential of resveratrol against various types of cancers.

MHC-DRB1/DQB1 Gene Polymorphism and Its Association with Resistance/Susceptibility to Cystic Echinococcosis in Chinese Merino Sheep.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between polymorphism of the MHC-DRB1/DQB1 gene and its resistance to Cystic Echinococcosis (C.E), as well as to screen out the molecular genetic marker of antiechinococcosis in Chinese Merino sheep. The MHCII-DRB1/DQB1 exon 2 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from DNA samples of healthy and hydatidosis sheep. PCR products were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Five restriction enzymes (Mval, HaeIII, SacI, SacII, and Hin1I) were employed to cut DRB1, while seven restriction enzymes (MroxI, ScaI, SacII, NciI, TaqI, Mval, and HaeIII) were employed to cut DQB1.Results showed that frequencies of patterns Mvalbb (P < 0.01), SacIab in DRB1 exon 2 (P < 0.05), and TaqIaa, HaeIIInn (P < 0.01) in DQB1 exon 2 were significantly higher in the healthy group compared with the C.E individuals, which implied that there was a strong association between these genotypes and hydatidosis resistance or susceptibility. Chi-square test showed that individuals with the genic haplotype DRB1-SacIab/DRB1-Mvalbb/DQB1-TaqIaa/DQB1-HaeIIInn (P < 0.01) were relatively resistant to C.E, while individuals with the genic haplotypes DRB1-Mvalbc/DQB1-Mvalyy/DQB1-TaqIab/DQB1-HaeIIImn (P < 0.01) and DRB1-Mvalbb/DQB1-Mvalcc/DQB1-TaqIab/DQB1-HaeIIImn (P < 0.01) were more susceptible to C.E. In addition, to confirm these results, a fielding experiment was performed with Chinese Merino sheep which were artificially infected with E.g. The result was in accordance with the results of the first study. In conclusion, MHC-DRB1/DQB1 exon 2 plays an important role as resistant to C.E in Chinese Merino sheep. In addition, the molecular genetic marker of antiechinococcosis (DRB1-SacIab/DRB1-Mvalbb/DQB1-TaqIaa/DQB1-HaeIIInn) was screened out in Chinese Merino sheep.

[Repair of femoral neck fracture with vascular pedicled periosteum flap transfer in young and middle-aged].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate clinical effect of spin iliac deep vascular pedicled periosteum flap in repairing traumatic femoral neck of theca inside fracture in young and middle-aged. METHODS: From April 1993 to September 2001, 12 cases of traumatic femoral neck fracture were given diaplastic operation with fixation of 3 centre hollow pressed bolt and were conducted under os traction bed and "C" arm X-ray machine. Spin iliac deep vascular pedicled periosteum flap was stripped off, and transferred to the front of femoral neck fundus, then transplanted to the narrow inside of fracture through outer open door of articular capsule. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 1-7 years. All fracture healed without femoral head necrosis, but mild arthritis appeared in 7 cases. CONCLUSION: Vascular pedicled periosteum flap transfer of young and middle-aged femoral neck fracture, by decompression of femoral neck and reconstruction of blood circulation, can promote the fracture healing and decrease the wound and blood circulation destroy.