Concentrations of bisphenols, benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters, triclosan, and triclocarban in the paired urine and blood samples from young adults: Partitioning between urine and blood.

Bisphenols (BPs), benzophenone-type UV filters (BP-type UV filters), triclosan (TCS), and triclocarban (TCC) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and commonly used in consumer and personal care products. In the present study, seven BPs, eight BP-type UV filters, TCS, and TCC were quantified in 196 paired urine and blood samples collected from young adults in South China. Benzophenone-7 and benzophenone-9 were not detected in all samples, while other target compounds were widely detected in 39%-96% of the urine and 14%-96% of the blood samples, and the median concentrations ranged from <0.02 (specific gravity adjusted: < 0.02) to 2.33 (2.05) ng/mL and <0.01-2.66 ng/mL in the urine and blood samples, respectively. Females had higher levels of most target analytes, and gender-related differences (p < 0.05) were found in the blood levels of benzophenone-2 (females vs. males: 0.84 vs. <0.01 ng/mL), ΣBP (sum of BP-type UV filters; 1.61 vs. 0.98 ng/mL), TCS (3.89 vs. 1.69 ng/mL), and ΣTC (sum of TCS and TCC; 5.77 vs. 3.02 ng/mL). We calculated the portioning of the target compounds between blood and urine (B/U ratios). The B/U ratios of bisphenol F, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-6, 4-hydroxy benzophenone, TCS, and TCC were higher than 1, showing that these analytes have higher enrichment capacities in human blood. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to simultaneously analyze the concentrations of BPs, BP-type UV filters, TCS, and TCC in the paired urine and blood samples of young adults in South China.

Atypical Response in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: Radiographic Patterns and Clinical Value of Local Therapy.

PURPOSE: To explore the clinical characteristics, management, and survival outcomes of advanced NSCLC patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors who presented with an atypical response (AR). METHODS: A total of 926 PD-1/PD-L1-inhibitor-treated patients with metastatic NSCLC from three academic centers were retrospectively reviewed. All measurable lesions were evaluated by RECIST version 1.1. RESULTS: Fifty-six (6.1%) patients developed AR. The median time to the occurrence of AR was 2.0 months. Patients with no fewer than 3 metastatic organs at baseline were more prone to develop AR in advanced NSCLC (p = 0.038). The common sites of progressive lesions were lymph nodes (33.8%) and lungs (29.7%). The majority (78.2%) of patients with AR had only 1-2 progressive tumor lesions, and most (89.1%) of the progressive lesions developed from originally existing tumor sites. There was no significance in terms of survival between patients with AR and those with typical response (TR). Local therapy was an independent predictor for PFS of patients with AR (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: AR was not an uncommon event in patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and it had a comparable prognosis to those with TR. Proper local therapy targeting progressive lesions without discontinuing original PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may improve patient survival.

Functionalized Selenium Nanotherapeutics Synergizes With Zoledronic Acid to Suppress Prostate Cancer Cell Growth Through Induction of Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis and Cell Cycle S Phase Arrest.

The use of established drugs in new therapeutic applications has great potential for the treatment of cancers. Nanomedicine has the advantages of efficient cellular uptake and specific cell targeting. In this study, we investigate using lentinan-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (LET-SeNPs) for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). We used assays to demonstrate that a combination of LET-SeNPs and zoledronic acid (ZOL) can reduce PCa cell viability in vitro. Stability and hemocompatibility assays were used to determine the safety of the combination of LET-SeNPs and ZOL. The localization of LET-SeNPs was confirmed using fluorescence microscopy. JC-1 was used to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential, while the cellular uptake, cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Finally, cell migration and invasion assays were used to evaluate the effects of the combination treatment on cell migration and invasion. Under optimized conditions, we found that LET-SeNPs has good stability. The combination of LET-SeNPs and ZOL can effectively inhibit metastatic PCa cells in a concentration-dependent manner, as evidenced by cytotoxicity testing, flow cytometric analysis, and mitochondria functional test. The enhanced anti-cancer effect of LET-SeNPs and ZOL may be related to the regulation of BCL2 family proteins that could result in the release of cytochrome C from the inner membranes of mitochondria into the cytosol, accompanied by induction of cell cycle arrest at the S phase, leading to irreversible DNA damage and killing of PCa cells. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that the combination of SeNPs and ZOL can successfully inhibit the growth of PCa cells.

Retracted Article: Structural characterization of centipede oligopeptides and capability detection in human small cell lung carcinoma: inducing apoptosis.

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer deaths in the world, and smoking is considered as one of the major causes. Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) represents a highly malignant and particularly aggressive form, with properties of widespread metastases and poor prognosis. Herein, twenty-five Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch Oligopeptides (SSMOs) were isolated and their structures were identified, and the anti-proliferative activity against lung cancer cell lines was evaluated. Results showed that SSMO-5 induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) markedly in NCI-H446 cells. Furthermore, SSMO-5 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and enhanced the mitochondria-related apoptosis. These results demonstrate that in NCI-H446 cells, the apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of SSMO-5 are mediated by the intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, which in turn causes the activation of caspases and increases Bax expression, while decreases Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expressions and regulates the interaction of p53/MDM2. In conclusion, a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway plays an important role in the process of SSMO-5-induced apoptosis against SCLC.

Activation of autophagy in periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells promotes angiogenesis in periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis alteration in tooth support tissue plays an essential role in periodontitis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can affect vessel formation by endothelial cells (ECs) through paracrine function. Autophagy is reported to be closely related to cell secretion. Here we investigated the angiogenesis-promoting ability of MSCs that reside in the periodontal ligament (known as periodontal ligament stem cells, PDLSCs) under inflammatory conditions in order to explore the mechanism of angiogenesis alteration in periodontitis. METHODS: PDLSCs were isolated from healthy and inflamed human periodontal ligament tissues (HPDLSCs and PPDLSCs, respectively). HPDLSCs were subjected to an inflammatory environment (IPDLSCs) in vitro using inflammatory cytokines. Angiogenesis-promoting cytokine expression and autophagy were evaluated in PDLSCs by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western-blot analysis before co-culturing them with ECs. The angiogenesis ability of ECs in the co-culture system was examined by a matrigel tube formation test. Rapamycin and pcDNA for Beclin-1 (cDNA-Beclin-1) were used to promote autophagy in PDLSCs and siRNA Beclin-1 (siBeclin-1) was used to repress it. RESULTS: The inflammatory environment increased autophagy and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and angiogenin (Ang) in PDLSCs. More tube formation was observed in ECs from the co-culture system which was pretreated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß. PDLSCs treated with rapamycin or transfected with cDNA-Beclin-1 showed higher expression levels of bFGF and Ang that promoted tube formation by the co-cultured ECs. PDLSCs transfected with siBeclin-1 resulted in the opposite results. CONCLUSION: Autophagy modulates angiogenesis-promoting ability of PDLSCs, which could be increased by an inflammatory environment.

Large-scale transcriptome comparison of sunflower genes responsive to Verticillium dahliae.

BACKGROUND: Sunflower Verticillium wilt (SVW) is a vascular disease caused by root infection with Verticillium dahliae (V. dahlia). It is a serious threat to the yield and quality of sunflower. However, chemical and agronomic measures for controlling this disease are not effective. The selection of more resistant genotypes is a desirable strategy to reduce contamination. A deeper knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and genetic basis underlying sunflower Verticillium wilt is necessary to accelerate breeding progress. RESULTS: An RNA-Seq approach was used to perform global transcriptome profiling on the roots of resistant (S18) and susceptible (P77) sunflower genotypes infected with V. dahlia. Different pairwise transcriptome comparisons were examined over a time course (6, 12 and 24 h, and 2, 3, 5 and 10 d post inoculation). In RD, SD and D datasets, 1231 genes were associated with SVW resistance in a genotype-common transcriptional pattern. Moreover, 759 and 511 genes were directly related to SVW resistance in the resistant and susceptible genotypes, respectively, in a genotype-specific transcriptional pattern. Most of the genes were demonstrated to participate in plant defense responses; these genes included peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase, aquaporin PIP, chitinase, L-ascorbate oxidase, and LRR receptors. For the up-regulated genotype-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the resistant genotype, higher average fold-changes were observed in the resistant genotype compared to those in the susceptible genotype. An inverse effect was observed in the down-regulated genotype-specific DEGs in the resistant genotype. KEGG analyses showed that 98, 112 and 52 genes were classified into plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction and flavonoid biosynthesis categories, respectively. Many of these genes, such as CNGC, RBOH, FLS2, JAZ, MYC2 NPR1 and TGA, regulate crucial points in defense-related pathway and may contribute to V. dahliae resistance in sunflower. CONCLUSIONS: The transcriptome profiling results provided a clearer understanding of the transcripts associated with the crosstalk between sunflower and V. dahliae. The results identified several differentially expressed unigenes involved in the hyper sensitive response (HR) and the salicylic acid (SA)/jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated signal transduction pathway for resistance against V. dahliae. These results are useful for screening resistant sunflower genotypes.

Suppression of EZH2 Prevents the Shift of Osteoporotic MSC Fate to Adipocyte and Enhances Bone Formation During Osteoporosis.

During osteoporosis, the shift of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) lineage commitment to adipocyte leads to the imbalance between bone mass and fat, which increases the risk of fracture. The Enhancer of Zeste homology 2 (EZH2), which methylates histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3), controls MSC cell lineage commitment. However, whether EZH2 is related to osteoporosis remains elusive. In our study, we found EZH2 expression was significantly increased in osteoporotic MSCs. EZH2 directly increased H3K27me3 levels on promoters of Wnt1, Wnt6, and Wnt10a to silence Wnt gene transcription. The inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling shifted MSC cell lineage commitment to adipocyte. Knockdown of EZH2 by lentivirus-expressing shRNA rescued the abnormal fate of osteoporotic MSC. By employing the H3K27me3 inhibitor DZNep, we effectively derepressed Wnt signaling and improved osteogenic differentiation of osteoporotic MSCs in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo administration of DZNep successfully increased bone formation and repressed excessive bone marrow fat formation in osteoporotic mice. Noteworthy, DZNep treatment persistently enhanced osteogenic differentiation of endogenous MSCs. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that redundant EZH2 shifted MSC cell lineage commitment to adipocyte, which contributed to the development of osteoporosis. We also provided EZH2 as a novel therapeutic target for improving bone formation during osteoporosis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the citrus long-horned beetle, Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of Anoplophora chinensis is sequenced and reported for the first time. The mitochondrial genome is a circular molecule of 15 805 bp, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 control region. Nine protein-coding genes and 14 tRNA genes are encoded on the H strand, and the other four protein-coding genes and eight tRNA genes are encoded on the L strand. The arrangement of genes is identical to all know long-horn beetles mitochondrial genomes. The nucleotide composition of the A. chinensis mitogenome is strongly biased toward A + T nucleotides (77.65%). Finally, the phylogenetic relationships of 12 Lamiinae species were reconstructed based on nucleotide sequences of COI using the Bayesian inference method. These molecular-based phylogenies support the traditional morphologically based view of relationships within the Lamiinae.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the Asian longhorn beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Anoplophora glabripennis has been investigated and analyzed. The genome is a circular molecule of 15,774 bp, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and an A + T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of the A.glabripennis mitogenome is strongly biased toward A + T nucleotides (78.30%). Nine protein-coding genes and 14 tRNA genes are encoded on the H strand, and the other 4 protein-coding genes and 8 tRNA genes are encoded on the L strand. The arrangement of genes is identical to all know longhorn beetles mitochondrial genomes.

Nestin Positive Bone Marrow Derived Cells Responded to Injury Mobilize into Peripheral Circulation and Participate in Skin Defect Healing.

Exogenously infused mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are thought to migrate to injury site through peripheral blood stream and participate in tissue repair. However, whether and how endogenous bone marrow MSCs mobilized to circulating and targeted to tissue injury has raised some controversy, and related studies were restricted by the difficulty of MSCs identifying in vivo. Nestin, a kind of intermediate filament protein initially identified in neuroepithelial stem cells, was recently reported as a credible criteria for MSCs in bone marrow. In this study, we used a green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled bone marrow replacement model to trace the nestin positive bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs) of skin defected-mice. We found that after skin injured, numbers of nestin+ cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow both increased. A remarkable concentration of nestin+ BMDCs around skin wound was detected, while few of these cells could be observed in uninjured skin or other organs. This recruitment effect could not be promoted by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), suggests a different mobilization mechanism from ones G-CSF takes effect on hematopoietic cells. Our results proposed nestin+ BMDCs as mobilized candidates in skin injury repair, which provide a new insight of endogenous MSCs therapy.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell aggregate: an optimal cell therapy for full-layer cutaneous wound vascularization and regeneration.

Cutaneous wounds are among the most common soft tissue injuries. Wounds involving dermis suffer more from outside influence and higher risk of chronic inflammation. Therefore the appearance and function restoration has become an imperative in tissue engineering research. In this study, cell-aggregates constructed with green fluorescent protein-expressing (GFP(+)) rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were applied to rat acute full-layer cutaneous wound model to confirm its pro-regeneration ability and compare its regenerative efficacy with the currently thriving subcutaneous and intravenous stem cell administration strategy, with a view to sensing the advantages, disadvantages and the mechanism behind. According to results, cell-aggregates cultured in vitro enjoyed higher expression of several pro-healing genes than adherent cultured cells. Animal experiments showed better vascularization along with more regular dermal collagen deposition for cell-aggregate transplanted models. Immunofluorescence staining on inflammatory cells indicated a shorter inflammatory phase for cell-aggregate group, which was backed up by further RT-PCR. The in situ immunofluorescence staining manifested a higher GFP(+)-cell engraftment for cell-aggregate transplanted models versus cell administered ones. Thus it is safe to say the BMMSCs aggregate could bring superior cutaneous regeneration for full layer cutaneous wound to BMMSCs administration, both intravenous and subcutaneous.

RNA interference-mediated NOTCH3 knockdown induces phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Notch3 plays an important role in differentiation, migration and signal transduction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In this study, we used RNA interference (RNAi) technique to investigate the effect of knocking down the expression of the NOTCH3 gene in VSMCs on the phenotype determination under pathologic status. Real-time PCR and Western Blot experiments verified the expression levels of Notch3 mRNA and protein were reduced more than 40% and 50% in the NOTCH3 siRNA group. When the expression of Notch3 was decreased, the proliferation, apoptosis and immigration of VSMCs were enhanced compared to control groups (P < 0.01). NOTCH3 siRNA VSMCs observed using confocal microscopy showed abnormal nuclear configuration, a disorganized actin filament system, polygonal cell shapes, and decreasing cell sizes. Additionally, knocking down the expression of NOTCH3 may evoke the CASR and FAK expression. In Conclusion, interfering with the expression of NOTCH3 causes VSMCs to exhibit an intermediate phenotype. CaSR and FAK may be involved in the Notch3 signaling pathway.

Effects of androgen on immunohistochemical localization of androgen receptor and Connexin 43 in mouse ovary.

Androgens have essential roles in the regulation of follicular development and female fertility. Androgen excess is the leading defect in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and involved in the ovarian dysfunction. The aim of this study was to elucidate the regarding regulatory role of androgen in the follicular development of female mouse. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analyses were performed to detect androgen receptor (AR) and Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in ovaries from both control and testosterone-treated group mice. In this study, localizations of AR and Cx43 were dramatically altered in testosterone-treated mouse ovaries. In addition, AR expression was significantly increased, whereas Cx43 expression was markedly decreased after testosterone treatment. Alterations of AR and Cx43 expression by testosterone with concomitant reduction of MII oocytes. Overall, these results suggest the involvement of androgen in the regulation of AR and Cx43 localizations in mouse ovary. Alterations of AR and Cx43 expression by testosterone may affect normal folliculogenesis. Together these findings will enable us to begin understanding the important roles of AR and Cx43 actions in the regulation of follicular development, as well as providing insights into the role of AR and Cx43 actions in the androgen-associated reproductive diseases such as PCOS.

Relation between the testicular sperm assay and sex hormone level in patients with azoospermia induced by mumps.

This study aimed to investigate the relation between the testicular sperm assay (TESA) and sex hormone level or testicular volume in patients with azoospermia induced by mumps. Samples from 52 patients with mumps-induced azoospermia were subjected to TESA, and then the sperm activity was observed microscopically. The sex hormone level was detected with an electrochemical assay, and ultrasound was used to calculate the testicular volume. Of the 52 azoospermia patients, 38 were found to have active sperms through testicular sperm extraction from the opened testis; furthermore, the serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone levels were obviously higher in the non-sperm group than in the sperm group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the testicular volume was smaller in the non-sperm group than in the sperm group; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). With the FSH value as a standard, the quantity of sperms was found to be within two times of, or more than two-fold of the normal range. With the testicular volume as a standard, sperms were found in testes with a volume of > 6 mL or < 6 mL. The FSH value and the testicular volume were indicators of the ability of the TESA to obtain sperms. To allow the performance of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, all patients need to undergo TESA.

[Regulative effects of vessel active drugs on extremital skin temperature of experimental animals exposed to cold].

OBJECTIVE: Using an experimental model of animals exposed to cold to evaluate the regulative effects of prazosin hydrochloride (Pra) and racanisodamine (Ani) on extremital skin temperature of rats and mice. METHODS: Eighty animals were randomly divided into eight groups according to the drug dosage. After been administered with drugs by intragastric at room temperature for 60 min, the animals were moved into specified temperature (5 degrees C,18 degrees C) environment and the skin temperatures at the 1/3 site at the proximal end of tail were measured by infrared camera on 180 min and 300 min. Effects of drug were evaluated by changes in tail skin temperatures. RESULTS: Pra and Ani combination raised the extremital skin temperature of experimental animals significantly in a dose-dependent manner, while single use of Pra was not potent to rats and less potent to mice, and single use of Ani could not raise extremital skin temperature of both rats and mice. Change of rectal temperature in mice showed that Pra and Ani combination did not affect core temperature. CONCLUSION: Pra and Ani combination could significantly raise extremital skin temperature of rats and mice exposed to cold, and would not affect their core (rectal) temperature.

DNA barcodes and molecular diagnostics for distinguishing introduced Xyleborus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) species in China.

Members of the large and complex genus Xyleborus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) are the most commonly intercepted beetles associated with solid wood-packing materials at ports of entry in China. The accurate identification of species is critical in preventing the invasion of exotic insects. Considering the difficulties in morphological identification, genetic divergences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes have been used in insect species identification. In this study, 32 Xyleborus and 2 outgroup species were collected from Jiangsu ports and selected to evaluate the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for Xyleborus species. The results showed that the mean interspecific divergence values (23.6%) were 15-fold higher than the observed intraspecific divergence (1.6%), except Xyleborus affinis. The results supported the inference that the barcode variation within species of insects is somewhat higher than interspecific ones. Thus, this study validated the effectiveness of barcoding for the identification of Xyleborus species.

[Effects of low temperature exposure on dermal microvascular endothelial cells function].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the damage effects and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exposed with different low-temperatures on rat dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMVECs). METHODS: Primary DMVECs were obtained by discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. The DMVECs were identified by phase contrast microscope and immunofluorescence studies for CD31 antigen. Applied 28 degrees C, 12 degrees C and 0 degrees C to interfere with rat DMVECs as cold-exposure model. The changes of cells morphology were observed under invert microscope. The membrane integrity was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in cells. RESULTS: The monolayer of cultured PMVECs displayed the shape of pavingstone. CD31 antigen and binding BSI results by fluorescence microscope identified the cultured cells were DMVECs. After 24 h cold exposure, the cell morphology of 0 degrees C group was shrunken, the other groups were "Fibroblast-like". The LDH activity (U/L) in the medium of 28 degrees C, 12 degrees C and 0 degrees C groups was 54.17 +/- 3.02, 64.66 +/- 3.03, 82.13 +/- 10.91 respectively, which was significantly higher than that of 37 degrees C group (12.23 +/- 3.0, P < 0.01). The VEGF mRNA expression level was up-regulated in 28 degrees C group and 12 degrees C group versus control group (P < 0.05), but unchanged in 0 degrees C group. CONCLUSION: The rat DMVECs injury severity are deteriorated with temperature decreasing, and VEGF might be involved in the regulation of membrane permeability in this period.

[The damage effects of hypothermia combined with hypoxia on rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the synergistic effects of hypothermia and hypoxia on the damage of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) in rat. METHODS: Primary PMVECs were obtained by complex phosphoesterasum digesting from isolated lung tissues of Wistar rats, the PMVECs were identified by phase contrast microscope and immunofluorescence studies for CD31 antigen and bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin (BSI) binding test. Factorial design was adopted in trial according to hypothermia and hypoxia existing or not. Using corresponding kit measured the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in cell medium. Level of nitric oxide (NO) concentration was measured by Griess Assay. RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA in PMVECs. RESULTS: The monolayer of cultured PMVECs displayed the shape of pavingstone. CD31 antigen and binding BSI results by fluorescence microscope identified the cultured cells were PMVECs. Compared to the control group, LDH activity and VEGF, ET-1 expression levels were significantly increased in hypothermia group, hypoxia group and hypoxia combined with hypothermia group. And the levels of NO concentration were reduced in these three groups. The results of One-way ANOVA showed that there was a synergistic effect between hypothermia and hypoxia. CONCLUSION: Hypothermia and hypoxia both have an effect on PMVECs whether in altering the cell permeability or in releasing of vasoactive substances including NO and ET-1. In addition, there is a synergistic effect between hypothermia and hypoxia.

[Relationship between reduced expression of surfactant protein B and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in twenty Han ethnic group neonates in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible relationship between expression of surfactant protein B (SP-B) gene product and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) in Han ethnic group. METHOD: Unrelated 20 cases with NRDS of Han ethnic group were selected as NRDS group while unrelated 20 diseases cases of Han ethnic group with diseases were selected as control group. The cases in the control group had congenital heart disease or bronchopulmonary dysplasia or persistent pulmonary hypertension. Blood sample was taken from every case. Lung tissues were taken from the patients who died half an hour after death in the two groups. Expression of SP-B in lung tissue was determined with immunohistochemical tecnique. Genetic deficiency variant of SP-B intron IV was screened with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Two cases at gestational age 26 weeks and one case at gestational age 34 weeks and two cases at gestational age 42 weeks of NRDS groups had lower level expression of SP-B in lung tissue than those at the same age of NRDS. Expression of SP-B in lung tissue of control group increased with gestational age, but no such phenomenon was found in NRDS group. Further, two cases at gestational age 42 weeks of NRDS group had genetic deficiency variant of SP-B intron IV with gene analysis of five cases who had lower expression of SP-B. Clinical data suggest that patients at 42 weeks of gestational age had severe illness. CONCLUSIONS: Decrease of SP-B expression may participate in occurrence of NRDS, genetic deficiency variant of SP-B intron IV exists in the NRDS cases of Han ethnic group of China.