Gay mobile apps and the evolving virtual risk environment: a cross-sectional online survey among men who have sex with men in China.

OBJECTIVES: The expansion of gay sex-seeking application (gay app) use among men who have sex with men (MSM) may create new virtual risk environments that facilitate STI transmission. The goals of this study were to compare sexual behaviours between gay app users and non-users, and to describe sexual behaviours among gay app users in China. METHODS: In October 2014, we recruited MSM from three Chinese gay websites. Data on sociodemographics, sexual behaviours and gay app use were collected. Logistic regressions were used to compare gay app users with non-app users and to identify factors associated with condomless sex among gay app users. RESULTS: Of the 1424 participants, most were <30 years old (77.5%), single (83.8%) and self-identified as gay (72.9%). Overall, 824 (57.9%) had used gay apps for partner-seeking in the last 6 months. Among gay app users, 36.4% met their last partner within 24 hours of first message exchange through gay apps, and 59.0% negotiated condom use before in-person meeting. Compared with non-users, gay app users reported engaging in more condomless sex in the last 6 months (adjusted OR (aOR) =1.52, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.94) and more group sex (aOR =1.49, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.18). Negotiating condom use before in-person meeting was positively associated with condom use with partners met through gay apps (aOR =1.83, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.60). CONCLUSIONS: Gay apps are linked to risky sexual behaviours and may foster a virtual risk environment for STI transmission among Chinese MSM. App-based interventions could target young gay man and facilitate condom negotiation.

Organizational characteristics of HIV/syphilis testing services for men who have sex with men in South China: a social entrepreneurship analysis and implications for creating sustainable service models.

BACKGROUND: UNAIDS has called for greater HIV/syphilis testing worldwide just as local HIV/syphilis testing programs are cut or altered. New models are needed to make HIV/syphilis testing services sustainable while retaining their essential public health function. Social entrepreneurship, using business principles to promote a social cause, provides a framework to pilot programs that sustainably expand testing. Drawing on fieldwork in two South Chinese cities, we examined organizational and financial characteristics of current HIV/syphilis testing systems for men who have sex with men (MSM) in addition to new pilot programs focused on revenue-generation for sustainability. METHODS: We undertook a qualitative study to explore organizational and financial characteristics of HIV/syphilis testing for MSM. Data were collected from men who have sex with men and policy stakeholders in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Framework analysis was used to identify themes and then code the data. RESULTS: Our qualitative research study included MSM and policy stakeholders (n = 84). HIV/syphilis testing services were implemented at a wide range of organizations which we grouped broadly as independent community-based organizations (CBOs), independent clinics, and hybrid CBO-clinic sites. From an organizational perspective, hybrid CBO-clinic sites offered the inclusive environment of an MSM CBO linked to the technical capacity and trained staff of a clinic. From a financial perspective, stakeholders expressed concern about the sustainability and effectiveness of sexual health services reliant on external funding. We identified four hybrid CBO-clinic organizations that launched pilot testing programs in order to generate revenue while expanding HIV testing. CONCLUSION: Many MSM CBOs are searching for new organizational models to account for decreased external support. Hybrid CBO-clinic organizations create a strong foundation to increase HIV/syphilis testing using social entrepreneurship models in China.

Puerarin attenuates cerebral damage by improving cerebral microcirculation in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen in Chinese) is the dried root of Pueraria lobata, a semiwoody, perennial, and leguminous vine native to China. Puerarin is one of the effective components of isoflavones isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata. Previous studies showed that extracts derived from the root of Pueraria lobata possessed antihypertensive effect. Our study is to investigate whether puerarin contributes to prevention of stroke by improving cerebral microcirculation in rats. Materials and Methods. Video microscopy and laser Doppler perfusion imaging on the pia mater were used to measure the diameter of microvessel and blood perfusion in 12-week old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and age-matched normotensive WKY rats. Histological alterations were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and microvessel density in cerebral tissue was measured by immunohistochemical analysis with anti-Factor VIII antibody. Cell proliferation was detected by [(3)H]-TdR incorporation, and activities of p42/44 mitogen activated protein kinases (p42/44 MAPKs) were detected by western blot analysis in cultured cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (MECs). Results. Intravenous injection of puerarin relaxed arterioles and increased the blood flow perfusion in the pia mater in SHRs. Puerarin treatment for 14 days reduced the blood pressure to a normal level in SHRs (P < 0.05) and increased the arteriole diameter in the pia mater significantly as compared with vehicle treatment. Arteriole remodeling, edema, and ischemia in cerebral tissue were attenuated in puerarin-treated SHRs. Microvessel density in cerebral tissue was greater with puerarin than with vehicle treatment. Puerarin-treated MECs showed greater proliferation and p42/44 MAPKs activities than vehicle treatment. Conclusions. Puerarin possesses effects of antihypertension and stroke prevention by improved microcirculation in SHRs, which results from the increase in cerebral blood perfusion both by arteriole relaxation and p42/44 MAPKs-mediated angiogenesis.

Syphilis screening among 27,150 pregnant women in South Chinese rural areas using point-of-care tests.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of syphilis among pregnant women in rural areas of South China. METHODS: Point-of-care syphilis testing was provided at 71 health facilities in less developed, rural areas of Guangdong Province. Positive samples were confirmed at a local referral center by toluidine red unheated serum tests (TRUST) and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) tests. RESULTS: Altogether 27,150 pregnant women in rural Guangdong were screened for syphilis. 106 (0.39%) syphilis cases were diagnosed, of which 78 (73.6%) received treatment for syphilis. Multivariate analysis revealed that older pregnant women (31-35 years old, aOR 2.7, 95% CI 0.99-7.32; older than 35 years old, aOR 5.9, 95% CI 2.13-16.34) and those with a history of adverse pregnant outcomes (aOR 3.64, 95% CI 2.30-5.76) were more likely to be infected with syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of syphilis exists among pregnant women living in rural areas of South China. Enhanced integration of syphilis screening with other routine women's health services (OB GYN, family planning) may be useful for controlling China's syphilis epidemic.

[Relationships between psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in coal miners].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the associations of psychosocial factors with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), providing scientific evidence for targeted strategies for the prevention of WMSDs in Chinese coal miners. METHODS: A total of 500 coal miners were consecutively enrolled to this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of WMSDs was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between psychosocial factors and WMSDs. RESULTS: Among coal miners, of 277 coal miners, 61% self-reported WMSDs in a 12-month period. Especially, back pain was the most frequent musculoskeletal symptom. WMSDs were statistically correlated with high job demands (OR = 1.3, 95%CI: 1.3 ∼ 3.5), low job control (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0 ∼ 2.4), low level of interpersonal relations (OR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.2 ∼ 3.0) and low job satisfaction (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0 ∼ 2.4). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate psychosocial factors were associated with WMSDs among coal miners, and psychosocial factors be considered for the prevention of WMSDs.

[Musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors of workers in a coal mine].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence characteristics and influence factors related to occupation and individuals for musculoskeletal disorders of workers in Chinese mines. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 1900 coal miners from a coal mine, the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess the musculoskeletal disorders, and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the occupational factor and he musculoskeletal disorders. RESULTS: During the past year, 1205 miners of 1537 miners (78.4%) complained of the musculoskeletal disorders. The morbidity of lumbago was 59.5%. The morbidity of the musculoskeletal disorders in different body sites of the miners increased significantly with age (P < 0.05). The morbidity of the musculoskeletal disorders in the underground workers was significantly higher than that in the ground workers. According to logistic regression analysis, the repetitive operation and awkward posture were the risk factors for the musculoskeletal disorders in neck, shoulder and upper limbs; the repetitive operation, moving heavy substance and stooping posture were related significantly to lumbago; the musculoskeletal disorders in lower limbs were associated with the long standing and awkward posture. CONCLUSION: There is significant correlation between the occupational factors and the musculoskeletal disorders for coal miners.

Calcineurin mediates the protective effect of postconditioning on skeletal muscle.

We aimed to investigate whether ischemic postconditioning (I-postC) protects skeletal muscle against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through the calcineurin (CaN) pathway. Male Wistar rats underwent 4 h of right-hind-limb ischemia induced by clamping the femoral artery, then reperfusion for 2 h (I/R-2 h), 12 h (I/R-12 h), or 24 h (I/R-24 h) with or without I-postC. Ischemic postconditioning was induced by three cycles of 1-min reperfusion and 1-min ischemia at the onset of reperfusion after prolonged ischemia. The I-postC-24 h group was treated with or without cyclosporine A (a CaN inhibitor) 10 mg/kg per day for 3 days before artery occlusion. Cultured skeletal muscle cells (SMCs) from neonatal rats were exposed to 2-h hypoxia then 24-h reoxygenation (H/R), then postconditioned with two cycles of 10-min reoxygenation and 10-min hypoxia after prolonged hypoxia (hypoxia postconditioning [H-postC]) in the presence or absence of cyclosporine A. We observed the effects of activated CaN overexpression on apoptosis and viability of SMCs under H-postC. Ischemic postconditioning attenuated the increase in the level of malondialdehyde in skeletal muscle induced by I/R-2 h and I/R-24 h (P < 0.05) and lactate dehydrogenase in plasma induced by I/R-12 h and I/R-24 h (P < 0.05). Cyclosporine A abolished the protective role of I-postC in malondialdehyde level and lactate dehydrogenase leakage (P < 0.05, vs. I-postC group). Hypoxia postconditioning suppressed SMC apoptosis induced by H/R (P < 0.05, vs. H/R), which was accompanied by increased CaN expression. Cyclosporine A abolished the antiapoptotic effect of H-postC on SMCs (P < 0.05, vs. H-postC group). Overexpression of activated CaN strengthened the cytoprotection of H-postC (P < 0.05, vs. H-postC group). Ischemic postconditioning may protect skeletal muscle against I/R injury through the CaN pathway.

c-Myc influences olaquindox-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma G2 cells.

Olaquindox, a synthetic antimicrobial compound, was banned as feed additives in the U.S. and the EU. In China, the use of olaquindox is banned in poultry and aquaculture feed, restricted in livestock feed for growth promotion. Olaquindox's safety is the object of increasing attention. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether and how olaquindox elevates expression of c-Myc, which influences olaquindox-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. For a better understanding of c-Myc's role in susceptibility of human hepatoma G2 cells to olaquindox-induced apoptosis, two vectors (the pSilencer-cmyc(Si-cmyc) and the control vector) were transfected to HepG2 cells. The cells were pretreated with Si-cmyc, which expressed only 35-65% c-Myc protein levels compared to those of the parental cells and the control cells. We examined effects of olaquindox on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in these c-Myc low-expressing cells, and on apoptosis. Our data revealed that ROS production induced by olaquindox treatment was partially blocked by Si-cmyc transfection and partly inhibited olaquindox-induced apoptosis through decreased ROS generation. Further data showed that olaquindox induced decreased ROS by Si-cmyc transfection through decreased cytochrome c release to cytosol, which inhibited apoptosis of the cells. These results suggest that c-Myc might be important during olaquindox-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma G2 cells.

[Electroantennogram responses of Maruca testulalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to plant volatiles and sex pheromone].

By using cis-3-hexenyl acetate as standard chemical, the electroantennogram (EAG) responses of Maruca testulalis (Lepidoptera, Pyralididae) to plant volatiles and sex pheromone were investigated. Both the males and the females of M. testulalis showed strong EAG responses to the volatiles, but no significant difference was observed under most test concentrations. Among the test nine plant volatiles, the males and females had greater difference in the shape of EAG response to trans-2-hexenal, and their maximum EAG relative response to high concentration trans-2-hexenal was 250% and 260%, respectively. No obvious EAG responses were observed to the cedrene and cedrol from cowpea Vigna unguiculata floral. Both the male and the female moths showed clear EAG responses to sex pheromone, and significant difference was detected between males and females. The maximum EAG relative response of the males to (E10, E12)-16 CHO, a main component of sex pheromone, was 250%, while that of the females was only 53%. The difference in the EAG responses between the males and females reflected the difference in the structure, function and behavior of the males and females olfactory system.

[Effect of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum-laparoscopic surgery on tumor seeding and metastases in endometrial cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum-laparoscopic surgery on tumor cell seeding and metastases in endometrial cancer. METHODS: Twenty patients with endometrial cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery and 10 patients with endometrial cancer who underwent laparotomic surgery were enrolled. Each patient was in preoperative clinical StageIand the uterus size in each patient was less than 12 weeks of pregnancy. Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum was established and maintained with CO2 insufflation at 4 approximately 6 L/min and intraperitoneal pressure of 13 mmHg with an automatic pneumoperitoneum machine. Cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid(at the beginning and end of the operation), CO2 filtrated gas and the lavage fluid of instruments during the laparoscopic surgery were performed. The protein expressions of E-cadherin,beta-catenin,P-selectin,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),and CD44v6 in tumor tissues before and after the operation were detected by DAKO Envision. RESULTS: There were no case of positive washing cytology in the peritoneal fluid,CO2 filtrated gas, and the lavage fluid of instruments during the laparoscopic surgery. The expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin proteins were obviously abnormal in endometrial cancer. The abnormal expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin protein between the pre- and post-operations were not significantly different in both the laparoscopic group and the laparotomic group(P>0.05).The changes of abnormal expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin protein were no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05). The positive protein expressions of P-selectin,MMP-2,VEGF,and CD44v6 were not significantly different between the pre- and post-operations both in the laparoscopic group and the laparotomic group(P>0.05),and there was also no significant difference between the laparoscopic group and the laparotomic group(P>0.05).The follow-up period in the laparoscopic group was 7 approximately 19 (14.25+/-3.65) months and 7 approximately 19 (13.10+/-4.23) months in the laparotomic group. One patient got infection in the urinary system in the laparoscopic group and one patient had lower extremity venous thrombosis in the laparoscopic group.No recurrence was detected in both groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer has no effect on protein expressions of E-cadherin,beta-catenin,P-selectin,MMP-2,VEGF,and CD44v6 in tumor tissues. No evidence has been found that CO2 pneumoperitoneum-laparoscopic surgery may favor endometrial cancer cell seeding and metastases.

[Calreticulin is involved in ischemic postconditioning-induced attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat skeletal muscle].

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning (I-postC) on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and whether calreticulin (CRT) is involved in its intracellular signal transduction both in vivo and in cultured skeletal muscle cells. I/R injury in the right hind limb of healthy male Wistar rats was induced by clamping the right femoral artery, and the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16): I/R group (4-hour ischemia/12- or 24-hour reperfusion), ischemic preconditioning (IPC) group (3 cycles of 1-minute ischemia/1-minute reperfusion) and I-postC group (3 cycles of 5-minute reperfusion/5-minute ischemia). The left hind limb was used as control. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in blood plasma, wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and ultramicrostructure of skeletal muscle were detected 12 h or 24 h after reperfusion. Cultured skeletal muscle cells from neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat were divided into 6 groups: hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) group, hypoxic postconditioning (H-postC) group, hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) group, cyclosporine A (CsA) + H-postC group, CsA + H/R group and control group. H/R was produced by 2-hour hypoxia/24-hour reoxygenation. The survival rate and apoptotic rate of skeletal muscle cells in each group were measured. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of CRT and calcineurin (CaN). The results were as follows: (1) During in vivo experiment, compared with I/R, I-postC significantly decreased LDH activity and W/D, attenuated the ultramicrostructure injury of skeletal muscle and the apoptosis of nucleolus. 12 h and 24 h after reperfusion, compared with that in I/R group, the expression of CRT in I-postC group increased by 439% and 102%, respectively (P<0.05), and the expression of CaN increased by 196% and 63%, respectively (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between CRT and CaN expressions (r=0.865, P<0.01). (2) In cultured skeletal muscle cells, H-postC attenuated cell injury induced by H/R. Compared with those in H/R group, CRT and CaN expressions in H-postC increased by 31.8% (P<0.05) and 6.02%, respectively. The protection of H-postC and CaN up-regulation were eliminated when CsA, the inhibitor of CaN, was added before H-postC. Both in vivo and in vitro results indicate that I-postC, similar as IPC, can protect the skeletal muscle against I/R injury, and its effects may be mediated by CRT and CaN up-regulation. The inhibition of CaN expression may also attenuate the protective effects of I-postC.

[Perlecan participates in the protection of ischemic myocardium induced by basic fibroblast growth factor: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if perlecan (PN) is involved in the myocardial protection of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups: myocardial infarction group (MI group, n = 8, undergoing ligation of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery), bFGF + MI group (n = 10, injected with bFGF into the border myocardium between the infracted and non- infracted areas immediately after the ligation of the descending anterior branch), and sham operation group (n = 6, undergoing sham operation and injection of normal saline). 24 h, 14 days, and 28 days after the operation the hemodynamic parameters, infarct size, and microvessel density (MVD) were observed. The hearts were taken out, RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of PN, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. RESULTS: In the bFGF + MI group, the +dp/dt and -dp/dt were improved markedly, the infarct size was significantly smaller, the MVD value was higher than those of the MI group on day 14 and day 28; the perlecan mRNA expression was higher in the infarct marginal area and interior zone; and the expression of FAK and the p38MAPK phosphorylation were up-regulated in the marginal zone of the bFGF group. CONCLUSION: bFGF is useful in promoting ischemic myocardial angiogenesis; reducing the size of infracted myocardium, and improving the ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction. Perlecan participates in the cardiac protection induced by bFGF. The relevant pathway is related to up-regulation of FAK and p38MAPK.

Autoantibodies highly increased in patients with thyroid dysfunction.

To evaluate the significance of antithyroid antibodie levels, five hundred and twenty-six patients with thyroid diseases and 292 health subjects from Yuci District, Shanxi Province, China, were studied. Serum levels were determined for thyroid hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), microsomal antibody (TMAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb). Among patients, the percentages for nodular goiter and thyroid adenoma, Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are 44.1%, 19.6% and 17.7%, respectively. The ratios of female to male were 2.0 to 15.6. Antibody-positive patients for TMAb, TGAb and TRAb were detectable as 94.6%, 76.3% and 20.4% for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and 40.0%, 30.0% and 90.3% for Graves's disease. In conclusion, the high levels of the TRAb in Graves' disease, and those of the TGAb/TMAb in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and idiopathic hypothyroidism are meaningful for characterizing the epidemiological basis of the diseases and for using as prognostic indicators for the relapse in individual patients.

Upregulated expression of postsynaptic density-93 and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors subunits 2B mRNA in temporal lobe tissue of epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of PSD-93 mRNA and NR2B mRNA in the brain tissue from the patients with epilepsy so as to explore the possible mechanisms of the pathogenesis of the epilepsy. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with epilepsy were divided into intractable epilepsy (IE) and non-intractable epilepsy (NIE) groups. cDNA microarrays prepared from the brain tissues obtained from these two groups were scanned and comparison to those from the non-epileptogenic control (C) was made. Expression level of PSD-93mRNA and NR2BmRNA were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (GAPDH gene, internal control). Expression ratio (target gene/GAPDH) was used to evaluate each gene relative expression level. RESULTS: The cDNA microarray analysis showed that the expression of PSD-93 mRNA related to the function of NMDAR-NO signal transduction pathway was significantly higher in epilepsy patients than those in the controlled group. The results of RT-PCR were consistent with those of the cDNA microarrays. The relative expression ratio of PSD-93 in patients with non-epileptogenic control, NIE, and IE was 0.159, 0.368, and 0.341, respectively. Correspondingly, that of NR2B was 0.198, 0.738, and 0.903, respectively. The expressions of PSD-93 and NR2B in the NIE and IE were significantly higher than those of control, respectively (P<0.05). However, there was no significantly difference the expression of PSD-93 between NIE and IE. (P>0.05), neither do that of NR2B (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The upregulated expressions of PSD-93 mRNA and NR2BmRNA may be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.

[Calreticulin expression increases during delayed cardioprotection induced by hypoxic preconditioning].

Both in vivo and cultured cardiomyocyte experiments were performed to investigate the alteration of expression of calreticulin (CRT) during the delayed cardioprotection induced by hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) and the intracellular signal transduction mechanisms of the alteration. (1) Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (Sham), myocardial infarction (MI) group induced by left coronary artery ligation and HPC+MI group (4-hour HPC 24 h before MI). Twenty-four hours, 14 d and 28 d after left coronary artery ligation, myocardial function, infarction size and the area at risk were measured. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CRT, the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK). (2) Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat were divided into six groups: hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), HPC, HPC+H/R, p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580+HPC+H/R (SB+HPC+H/R), SAPK inhibitor SP600125+HPC+H/R (SP+HPC+H/R) and control. Survival rate and apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes 6 h after H/R and activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture medium in each group were measured. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CRT and activities of p38 MAPK and SAPK. The results are as follows: (1) During in vivo experiment, compared with MI group, HPC significantly improved +dp/dt(max) and -dp/dt(max), reduced infarction size and the area at risk. HPC dramatically changed the expression of CRT. CRT expression in HPC+MI group was 206% of that in MI group (P<0.05) 24 h after infarction, especially in the area at risk. However, 28 d after operation, the expression of CRT decreased by 57%. Correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between CRT expression and myocardial function (r=0.9867, P<0.05), and negative correlation between CRT expression and infarction size (r=-0.9709, P<0.05). (2) In cultured cardiomyocytes, HPC attenuated cell injury induced by H/R. CRT expression increased moderately to 222% of control (P<0.05) during HPC, but increased dramatically to 503% of control (P<0.05) after H/R. HPC reduced H/R-induced CRT up-regulation to 56% of that in H/R group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that CRT expression induced by HPC had a positive correlation with p38 MAPK activity (r=0.9021, P<0.05), but a negative correlation with SAPK activity (r=-0.8211, P<0.05). Both in vivo and in vitro results indicate that HPC protects myocardium from ischemia or H/R injury. p38 MAPK is possibly involved in the up-regulation of CRT induced by HPC, while SAPK has a negative influence.

Decreased expression of thyroid receptor-associated protein 220 in temporal lobe tissue of patients with refractory epilepsy.

PURPOSE: TRAP220 (thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein) functions as a coactivator for nuclear receptors and stimulates transcription by recruiting the TRAP mediator complex to hormone responsive promoter regions. Thus, TRAP220 enhances the function of thyroid/steroid hormone receptors such as thyroid hormone and oestrogen receptors. This study investigated the expression of TRAP220 mRNA and protein level in epileptic brains comparing with human control. METHODS: We examined the expression of TRAP220 mRNA and protein levels in temporal lobes from patients with chronic pharmacoresistant epilepsy who have undergone surgery. RESULTS: Expression of TRAP220 mRNA and protein was shown to be decreased significantly in the temporal cortex of the patients with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Our work showed that a decrease in TRAP220 mRNA and protein levels may be involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy and may be associated with impairment of the brain caused by frequent seizures.

[Inhibitory effects of human papilloma virus 18 E6 gene in HeLa cell transfected with shRNA].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibition of HPV18E6 gene in HeLa cell transfected with plasmid expressing human papilloma virus 18 E6 (HPV18E6) short hairpin RNA (shRNA). METHODS: We synthesized two HPV18E6 shRNA frames and sub-cloned them into pSUPER which can express shRNA in mammalian cells to construct pE6-1shRNA and pE6-2shRNA which were mutant in E6 shRNA frame. The pE6-1shRNA, pE6-2shRNA and pcDNA3.1 were co-transfected into HeLa cells by cationic liposome respectively and the positive transfectants were selected by G418. The HPV18E6 mRNA and protein expression level was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated method (SP) to assay the inhibitory effects of pE6shRNA. RESULTS: We successfully constructed several new HeLa cell lines transfected with pE6-1shRNA and pE6-2shRNA. In the HeLa cells without transfection and the HeLa cells transfected with pE6-1shRNA plasmid, the HPV18E6 mRNA levels were 1.14 +/- 0.45, 0.76 +/- 0.28 respectively, and the difference of HPV18E6 mRNA levels was significant (P < 0.05). The inhibition efficiency of HPV18E6 gene mRNA was 33.3% and the HPV18E6 protein levels were declined after transfection with pE6-1shRNA. In the HeLa cells transfected with pE6-2shRNA and pSUPER plasmids, HPV18E6 mRNA and protein expression levels were not different from those in wild HeLa cells. CONCLUSIONS: The pE6-1shRNA plasmid can inhibit HPV18E6 expression in HeLa cells, which is persistent, specific and heritable.

[Quantities of human papillomavirus 16 E6 mRNA and its relationship with expression of survivin in cervical cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quantities of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6 gene and to study its relationship with the expression of survivin in cervical carcinoma. METHODS: In 148 patients including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cervical carcinoma and chronic cervicitis, the quantities of HPV 16 E6 gene were detected by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and the expressions of survivin were measured by immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase (SP) assay. RESULTS: The quantities of HPV 16 E6 gene were 0.3 +/- 0.4, 0.6 +/- 0.4, 1.8 +/- 0.6 and 2.4 +/- 0.6, and expression rates of survivin were 7%, 31%, 63% and 84% respectively in chronic cervicitis, CIN I, CIN II-III and cervical cancer tissues. The quantities of HPV 16 E6 gene and the expressions of survivin tended to increase along with the tumor progression (P < 0.05). The quantities of HPV16 E6 gene and the expressions of survivin of CIN I, II-III or cervical cancer were significantly higher than that of chronic cervicitis or CIN I (P < 0.01). Positive rank correlation between the quantities of HPV16 E6 gene and the expression of survivin was observed in cervical carcinoma (gamma(s) = 0.62, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The quantities of HPV16 E6 gene appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Survivin overexpression might play an important role in the process of cervical carcinoma.

[Effect of simvastatin on the proliferation of human omental preadipocytes and caspase-3 expression].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of simvastatin on the cell cycle and caspase-3 expression in human omental preadipocytes. METHODS: The preadipocytes were randomly divided into a blank group, a 10(-5) mol/L simvastatin group, and a 10(-4) mol/L simvastatin group. Each group was incubated with different concentrations of simvastatin for 48 hours. MTT method was used to analyze the effect of simvastatin on the proliferation. Distribution of the cell cycle was measured by flow cytometric. Caspase-3 expression was examined by cyto- immunochemistry. RESULTS: After being induced to differentiate for 16 days the human omental preadipocytes developed to mature adipocyte penotypes with lipid droplet. Simvastatin 10(-4) mol/L had significant anti-proliferation effect. Flow cytometric analysis showed the cell cycle was blocked in G0/G1 phase and caspase-3 positive cells increased dramatically. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin may block the cells in G0/G1 phase, and induce caspase-3 expression, which may trigger apoptosis.

[Antitumor immune response to cervix carcinoma in mice induced by HPV16 E6 DNA vaccines].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of HPV16E6 DNA vaccines on inducing the antitumor immune response to cervix carcinoma in vivo. METHODS: We prepared pCB/HPV16E6 DNA vaccines to prevent and treat 615 modle mice transplanted E6 + U14 in vivo respectively. Survival and tumor sizes of all mice were recorded and their lymphnodes and lung's metastases were detected by microscopic observation. The cytotoxicity of the spleen T cells of those mice immuned with HPV E6 DNA vaccines against the E6 U14 and U14 was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS: HPV16 E6 DNA vaccines prevented the transplanted tumor growth effectively in inbred strain mice and cured some tumor-bearing mice (P < 0. 001). Pathological results showed that the number of lymphodes with metastases foci decreased in the preventing group (P < 0.05). HPV16 E6 DNA vaccines induced special and higher cytotoxicity T lymphocytes against the E6 + U14 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HPV16 E6 DNA vaccines can induce antitumor immune protection of the mice against E6 + U14 cells, suggesting that the vaccines may be effective in preventing and treating cervix cancer after an operation.