Interleukin-1ß regulates odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein gene transcription in human gingival epithelial cells.

Junction epithelium (JE) is located apical to the bottom of the gingival sulcus and binds enamel to hemidesmosomes to protect the periodontal tissue from bacterial infection. Function of odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) is suggested by its expression sites (JE and maturation stage ameloblasts) to be involved in the adhesion between the JE and enamel, and odontogenesis. To analyze the changes in ODAM gene and protein expressions in inflamed gingiva, Ca9-22 gingival epithelial cells were stimulated with 1 ng/ml interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) for 3-24 h, and ODAM mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Luciferase (LUC) constructs were made ligating various lengths of human ODAM gene promoters and performed LUC analyses in Ca9-22 cells. Gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed. IL-1ß induced ODAM mRNA and protein levels at 6-24 h. IL-1ß increased LUC activities of the ODAM gene promoter constructs from - 85 to - 950. These activities were blocked by protein kinase A, tyrosine kinase, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors. Gel shift and ChIP assays showed that IL-1ß induced CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) ß and Yin Yang1 (YY1) binding to C/EBP1, 2, 3, and YY1 elements. These data indicate that IL-1ß stimulates ODAM gene transcription mediated through C/EBP1, C/EBP2, C/EBP3, and YY1 elements in the human ODAM gene promoter.

Single-cell analysis method for twitching motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 生物工程学报

Twitching motility is very important for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the adaptation of surface environment and in the 3-D structure formation of mature biofilm. To quantitatively characterize twitching motility in situ, we developed a method by combining high-throughput data acquisition, automatic image processing and database establishment. This method is based on single cell analysis and big data visualization. A periodic relaxation of 0.9 second was resolved during slingshot motility analysis. Twitching motilities of bacteria under addition of two quorum sensing signaling molecules were studied, cells moved faster after signal addition. This method may help understand the molecular mechanism and regulatory circuits of twitching motility.

Clinical application of Da Vinci surgical system in China / 中国医疗器械杂志

Da Vinci robotic surgical system leads the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques. By using Da Vinci surgical robot for minimally invasive surgery, it brings a lot of advantages to the surgeons. Since 2008, Da Vinci surgeries have been performed in 14 hospitals in domestic cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Until the end of 2012, 3 551 cases of Da Vinci robotic surgery have been performed, covering various procedures of various surgical departments including the department of general surgery, urology, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecology, and etc. Robotic surgical technique has made remarkable achievements.