Association of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genetic polymorphisms with treatment outcome of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in a Chinese population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of GSTM1 null/present, GSTT1 null/present, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphisms with the chemotherapy response and overall survival of advanced NSCLC. Two hundred and sixty-two patients with histologically confirmed advanced NSCLC (inoperable TNM stages IIIA, IIIB, and IV) were enrolled to this hospital-based study between May 2009 and May 2012. The GSTM1 null/present, GSTT1 null/present, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. A logistic regression analysis revealed a correlation between the null genotype of GSTM1 and improved response to chemotherapy [odds ratio = 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-3.14]. Analyses with the Cox proportional hazards model also indicated that the null genotype of GSTM1 was associated with lower risk of death (hazard ratio = 0.40; 95%CI = 0.23-0.69). In conclusion, the null genotype of GSTM1 was found to be correlated with improved response to chemotherapy and lower risk of death in advanced NSCLC patients.

Correlation among RKIP expression, NF-κB p65 levels, and T-lymphocyte subsets in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to characterize variations in Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) expression and related signaling molecules in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. Cancerous and precancerous tissues were collected from patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma and normal tissue was collected from healthy controls. RKIP expression was detected in these tissues and the serum levels of NF-κB p65 and T-lymphocyte subsets were measured. Positive RKIP expression was higher in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma tissues than in precancerous tissues. The serum level of total NF-κB p65 was higher in patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma than in healthy controls. Levels of NF-κB p65 did not correlate with positive and negative expression of RKIP, but were higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without it. The cellular immune function of the gastric cardia adenocarcinoma group was lower than in normal controls, particularly in cases with negative RKIP expression. RKIP is downregulated in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma tissues, which is related to the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of tumors. The possible mechanism for this may be the inhibition of NF-κB activity and cellular immune function, which allows for the escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance.

Characterization and expression analysis of the prophenoloxidase activating factor from the mud crab Scylla paramamosain.

Prophenoloxidase activating factors (PPAFs) are a group of clip domain serine proteinases that can convert prophenoloxidase (pro-PO) to the active form of phenoloxidase (PO), causing melanization of pathogens. Here, two full-length PPAF cDNAs from Scylla paramamosain (SpPPAF1 and SpPPAF2) were cloned and characterized. The full-length SpPPAF1 cDNA was 1677 bp in length, including a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 52 bp, an open reading frame (ORF) of 1131 bp coding for a polypeptide of 376 amino acids, and a 3'-UTR of 494 bp. The full-length SpPPAF2 cDNA was 1808 bp in length, including a 5'-UTR of 88 bp, an ORF of 1125 bp coding for a polypeptide of 374 amino acids, and a 3'-UTR of 595 bp. The estimated molecular weight of SpPPAF1 and SpPPAF2 was 38.43 and 38.56 kDa with an isoelectric point of 7.54 and 7.14, respectively. Both SpPPAF1 and SpPPAF2 proteins consisted of a signal peptide, a characteristic structure of clip domain, and a carboxyl-terminal trypsin-like serine protease domain. Expression analysis by qRT-PCR showed that SpPPAF1 mRNA was mainly expressed in the gill, testis, and hemocytes, and SpPPAF2 mRNA was mainly expressed in hemocytes. In addition, SpPPAF1 and SpPPAF2 mRNA was expressed in a time-dependent manner after Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge. The results showed that expression of both SpPPAF1 and SpPPAF2 was related to the bacterial challenge but the expression patterns differed. These findings suggest that SpPPAF is a serine proteinase and may be involved in the pro-PO activation pathway of the crab innate immune system.

Rapid sedation induced by fentanyl combined with propofol via an intrathecal chemotherapy injection for leukemia in children.

This study explored the sedative and analgesic effects of fentanyl combined with propofol via an intrathecal chemotherapy injection for acute leukemia (acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute myelocytic leukemia) among children, to relieve pain and difficulty during intrathecal injection, improve treatment compliance, increase the success rate of single puncture, and reduce procedure failure, with the aim of developing a painless procedure for children with acute leukemia. Fifty person-times received fentanyl combined with propofol via an intrathecal chemotherapy injection among the hospitalized children with leukemia. The patients' cooperation with the procedure, response to the medication, dosages of fentanyl and propofol, reaction to the procedures, wake-up time, and changes in oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), respiration, and blood pressure (BP) before, during, and after the procedures were observed. The doctors who performed the procedures assessed the quality of sedation and analgesia. In the treatment group, the patients were quiet during the lumbar puncture and intrathecal injection, showing good sedation and analgesia. HR and respiration decreased slightly. There were no changes in SpO2 and BP. No obvious respiratory depression occurred with proper dosages. Only a few patients showed stertorous respiration, which stopped soon after the procedures. In the control group, the patients were agitated, crying, and not cooperative before and during the procedures, which made the procedures very difficult. During intrathecal injection, pain obviously reduced and the success rate of single lumbar puncture increased. It is safe and effective to apply fentanyl combined with propofol for sedation and analgesia.

Association of MHC class-III gene polymorphisms with ER-positive breast cancer in Chinese Han population.

Polymorphisms of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been linked to many diseases, especially autoimmune disorders. Previous studies have shown that genetic variants in MHC class III are associated with breast cancer. To determine if there is an association between MHC class III and breast cancer risk in the Chinese Han population, we carried out a hospital-based case-control study in Guangdong and Jiangsu Provinces, including 216 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients and 216 healthy controls. Nine SNP markers distributed in the class III-coding region were detected using the Sequenom MassARRAY(®) iPLEX System. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed for seven SNPs. There was no significant association between these seven SNP variants and breast cancer in these Chinese women (unconditional logistic regression analysis). However, chr6_31697494 at BAT2, one of the seven SNPs, was found to be significantly associated with both ER- and PR-positive breast cancer. In addition, both chr6_31911109 at C6orf48 and chr6_31975605 at ZBTB12, another two of the seven SNPs, show relevance with ER-positive breast cancer. In conclusion, this is the first evidence that genetic polymorphisms in the MHC class III region are significantly associated with ER-positive breast cancer in the Han Chinese population.

Meta-analysis demonstrates association between Arg72Pro polymorphism in the P53 gene and susceptibility to keloids in the Chinese population.

Although there is evidence suggesting genetic susceptibility for keloids, studies investigating the association between Arg72Pro polymorphism in the P53 gene and tendency to form keloids have given variable results. We made a meta-analysis of the effects of P53 Arg72Pro polymorphism on keloid risk in the Chinese population by conducting searches of the published literature in Pubmed, Embase, CBMdisc, and CNKI databases up to June 2011. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 359 keloid cases and 493 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results, respectively in the PCR-reverse dot blot and PCR-RFLP subgroups, showed significant associations between P53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and susceptibility to keloid in the comparisons of Pro allele vs Arg allele (odds ratio (OR) = 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45-3.60; OR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.56-0.98); Pro/Pro vs Pro/Arg + Arg/Arg (OR = 2.91, 95%CI = 1.88-4.53; OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.32-0.92); Pro/Pro vs Arg/Arg (OR = 2.79, 95%CI = 1.54-5.06; OR = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.28-0.92); Pro/Pro vs Pro/Arg (OR = 2.85, 95%CI = 1.75-4.63; OR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.32-0.99). We conclude that the Pro allele of P53 Arg72Pro polymorphism is a risk factor for keloids in the Chinese population.

Fertilization rates and in vitro embryo production using sexed or non-sexed semen selected with a silane-coated silica colloid or Percoll.

The aim of this study was to evaluate sperm fertilization rates and in vitro embryo development rates for sexed and non-sexed semen selected using a silane-coated silica colloid method (Isolate) or Percoll. Frozen/thawed, sexed and unsexed semen samples from four Holstein bulls were randomly allocated to one of two different density gradient selection methods. Sperm quality (motility, concentration, morphology and membrane integrity) were evaluated and compared before and after sperm selection. Sperm motility and morphology improved (P < 0.005) after the sperm selection process with no differences between the two methods. For non-sexed semen, Percoll gradient increased the mean (± SEM) percentage of sperm recovered (57.3 ± 2.8) compared to Isolate (46.0 ± 1.8; P < 0.01). However, membrane integrity was higher after Isolate than Percoll (sexed semen: 41.0 ± 0.6 vs. 38.8 ± 0.8 and non-sexed semen 60.8 ± 1.6 vs. 58.8 ± 0.5; P < 0.05). The percentage of blastocysts produced was higher when either sexed or non-sexed semen was selected by Isolate (14.0 ± 1.0; 22.0 ± 1.1) than by Percoll (10.5 ± 1.5; 17.0 ± 2.1, respectively; P < 0.05). In summary, Isolate was a more effective method for the recovery of high quality sperm for in vitro fertilization embryo production.

Analysis of glutathione peroxidase 1 gene polymorphism and Keshan disease in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Keshan disease (KD) is an endemic cardiomyopathy associated with selenium deficiency. Recent studies indicate that glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) mutation decreases GPx activity in myocardial cells and increases the risk of KD. To further clarify the correlation between GPx1 polymorphism and KD, we analyzed GPx1 polymorphism, blood selenium levels and GPx activity in KD patients and healthy controls in Heilongjiang Province. Four and 24 new mutation loci in the promoter and the exon region, respectively, of the GPx1 gene were found in the subjects, in contrast with the previously reported loci. There were no significant differences in the mutation frequency of these loci between the KD group and controls (chi-square test; P > 0.05). However, the mutation frequency of exon 474 was higher in the KD group (7/36) than in controls (2/41), and GPx activity was lower in the mutation group (90.475 ± 23.757 U/L) than in the non-mutation group (93.947 ± 17.463 U/L). Further investigation is necessary to clarify a possible causality between GPx1 exon 474 mutation and KD.

Effects of the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on mouse oocyte activation and development

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors acting as trophic suppliers, but little is known regarding the effects of conditioned medium (CM) of MSCs isolated from femurs and tibias of mouse on the artificial activation of mouse oocytes and on the developmental competence of the parthenotes. In the current study, we investigated the effect of CM on the events of mouse oocyte activation, namely oscillations of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²+]i), meiosis resumption, pronucleus formation, and parthenogenetic development. The surface markers of MSCs were identified with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The dynamic changes of the spindle and formation of pronuclei were examined by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Exposure of cumulus-oocyte complexes to CM for 40 min was optimal for inducing oocyte parthenogenetic activation and evoking [Ca²+]i oscillations similar to those evoked by sperm (95 vs 100 percent; P > 0.05). Parthenogenetically activated oocytes immediately treated with 7.5 µg/mL cytochalasin B (CB), which inhibited spindle rotation and second polar body extrusion, were mostly diploid (93 vs 6 percent, P < 0.01) while CB-untreated oocytes were mostly haploid (5 vs 83 percent, P < 0.01). Consequently, the blastocyst rate was higher in the CB-treated than in the CB-untreated oocytes. There was no significant difference in developmental rate between oocytes activated with CM and 7 percent ethanol (62 vs 62 percent, P > 0.05), but the developmental competence of the fertilized oocytes was superior to that of the parthenotes (88 vs 62 percent, P < 0.05). The present results demonstrate that CM can effectively activate mouse oocytes, as judged by the generation of [Ca²+]i oscillations, completion of meiosis and parthenogenetic development.

Effects of the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on mouse oocyte activation and development.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors acting as trophic suppliers, but little is known regarding the effects of conditioned medium (CM) of MSCs isolated from femurs and tibias of mouse on the artificial activation of mouse oocytes and on the developmental competence of the parthenotes. In the current study, we investigated the effect of CM on the events of mouse oocyte activation, namely oscillations of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2)+]i), meiosis resumption, pronucleus formation, and parthenogenetic development. The surface markers of MSCs were identified with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The dynamic changes of the spindle and formation of pronuclei were examined by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Exposure of cumulus-oocyte complexes to CM for 40 min was optimal for inducing oocyte parthenogenetic activation and evoking [Ca(2)+]i oscillations similar to those evoked by sperm (95 vs 100%; P > 0.05). Parthenogenetically activated oocytes immediately treated with 7.5 microg/mL cytochalasin B (CB), which inhibited spindle rotation and second polar body extrusion, were mostly diploid (93 vs 6%, P < 0.01) while CB-untreated oocytes were mostly haploid (5 vs 83%, P < 0.01). Consequently, the blastocyst rate was higher in the CB-treated than in the CB-untreated oocytes. There was no significant difference in developmental rate between oocytes activated with CM and 7% ethanol (62 vs 62%, P > 0.05), but the developmental competence of the fertilized oocytes was superior to that of the parthenotes (88 vs 62%, P < 0.05). The present results demonstrate that CM can effectively activate mouse oocytes, as judged by the generation of [Ca(2)+]i oscillations, completion of meiosis and parthenogenetic development.

Effect of conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on the in vitro maturation and subsequent development of mouse oocyte.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors in addition to self-renewal and multiple forms of differentiation. Some of these secreted bioactive factors could improve meiotic maturation in vitro and subsequent embryo developmental potential. The aim of the present study was to determine whether in vitro maturation (IVM) of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus cells could be improved by contact with conditioned medium (CM) of MSCs as well as the efficiency of CM to support follicular growth and oocyte maturation in the ovarian organ of mice cultured on soft agar. The developmental potential of matured oocyte was assessed by blastocyst formation after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Germinal vesicle stage oocytes with or without cumulus cells were subjected to IVM in either CM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), alpha-minimum essential medium (alpha-MEM) or human tubal fluid (HTF). Approximately 120 oocytes were studied for each medium. CM produced a higher maturation rate (91.2%) than DMEM (54.7%), alpha-MEM (63.5%) and HTF (27.1%). Moreover, CM improved embryo development to blastocyst stage significantly more than DMEM and HTF (85 vs 7% and 41.7%, respectively) but there was no significant difference compared with alpha-MEM (85 vs 80.3%). The behavior of cortical granules of IVM oocytes cultured in CM revealed cytoplasmic maturation. Moreover, CM also supported preantral follicles growth well in organotypic culture on soft agar resulting in the maturation of 60% of them to developmentally competent oocytes. The production of estrogen progressively increased approximately 1-fold every other day during organ culture, while a dramatic 10-fold increase in progesterone was observed 17 h after human chorionic gonadotropin stimulus at the end of culture. Thus, CM is an effective medium for preantral follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and sequential embryo development.

Effect of conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on the in vitro maturation and subsequent development of mouse oocyte

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors in addition to self-renewal and multiple forms of differentiation. Some of these secreted bioactive factors could improve meiotic maturation in vitro and subsequent embryo developmental potential. The aim of the present study was to determine whether in vitro maturation (IVM) of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus cells could be improved by contact with conditioned medium (CM) of MSCs as well as the efficiency of CM to support follicular growth and oocyte maturation in the ovarian organ of mice cultured on soft agar. The developmental potential of matured oocyte was assessed by blastocyst formation after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Germinal vesicle stage oocytes with or without cumulus cells were subjected to IVM in either CM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), alpha-minimum essential medium (alpha-MEM) or human tubal fluid (HTF). Approximately 120 oocytes were studied for each medium. CM produced a higher maturation rate (91.2%) than DMEM (54.7%), alpha-MEM (63.5%) and HTF (27.1%). Moreover, CM improved embryo development to blastocyst stage significantly more than DMEM and HTF (85 vs 7% and 41.7%, respectively) but there was no significant difference compared with alpha-MEM (85 vs 80.3%). The behavior of cortical granules of IVM oocytes cultured in CM revealed cytoplasmic maturation. Moreover, CM also supported preantral follicles growth well in organotypic culture on soft agar resulting in the maturation of 60% of them to developmentally competent oocytes. The production of estrogen progressively increased approximately 1-fold every other day during organ culture, while a dramatic 10-fold increase in progesterone was observed 17 h after human chorionic gonadotropin stimulus at the end of culture. Thus, CM is an effective medium for preantral follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and sequential embryo development.