MicroRNA-181 Functions as an Antioncogene and Mediates NF-κB Pathway by Targeting RTKN2 in Ovarian Cancers.

MicroRNA (miR)-181 has been reported to participate in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in several malignant cancers, but its expression and biological functions in ovarian cancer have remained largely unclarified. Here, we first measured miR-181 expression in clinical ovarian cancers and found the expression levels of miR-181 were significantly lower in ovarian cancer tissues than that in adjacent tissues. Next, we screened and identified a direct miR-181 target, Rhotekin2 (RTKN2). A correlation between miR-181 and RTKN2 expression was also confirmed in clinical samples of ovarian cancers. Upregulation of miR-181 would specifically and markedly suppress RTKN2 expression. The miR-181-overexpressing subclones showed significant cell growth inhibition by cell apoptosis induction and significant impairment of cell invasiveness in SKOV3 and HO8910 ovarian cancer cells. To identify the mechanisms, we investigated the NF-κB pathway and found that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were suppressed, whereas IκBα was promoted in miR-181-overexpressing cells. These findings indicate that miR-181 functions as a tumor suppressor and plays a substantial role in inhibiting the tumorigenesis and reversing the metastasis of ovarian cancer through RTKN2-NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro. Taken together, we believe that miR-181 may be a promising therapeutic target for treating malignant ovarian cancers.

Cannabidiol administration reduces sublesional cancellous bone loss in rats with severe spinal cord injury.

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) undergo severe loss of bone mineral below the level of lesion, and data on available treatment options after SCI is scarce. The aim of this work was to investigate the therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabis, on sublesional bone loss in a rat model of SCI. The adult male rats were exposed to surgical transection of the cord and treated with CBD for consecutive 14 days. It was found that CBD treatment elevated the serum levels of osteocalcin, reduced the serum levels of collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide, and enhanced bone mineral density of tibiae and femurs. Treatment of SCI rats with CBD enhanced bone volume, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number, and reduced trabecular separation in proximal tibiae, and increased ultimate compressive load, stiffness, and energy to max force of femoral diaphysis. Treatment of SCI rats with CBD upregulated mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteoprotegerin and downregulated mRNA expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in femurs. Furthermore, treatment of SCI rats with CBD enhanced mRNA expression of wnt3a, Lrp5 and ctnnb1 in femurs. In conclusion, CBD administration attenuated SCI-induced sublesional cancellous bone loss.

Development of a conjugate vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease based on capsular polysaccharides coupled with PspA/family 1 protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The efforts were focused on exploring alternative pneumococcal vaccine strategies, aimed at addressing the shortcomings of existing formulations, without compromising efficacy. Our strategy involved the use of the carrier protein, pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), conjugated with capsular polysaccharides (CPS), to provide effective and non-serotype-dependent protection. In this study, we generated a stable Escherichia coli construct expressing functional PspA from a capsular serotype 6B strain and confirmed it belonging to family 1, which was conjugated with CPS. The distribution of anti-CPS antibody response was almost completely of IgG2a subclass followed by IgG3 and low level of IgG1 subclass, but that of anti-PspA IgG subclass antibodies was almost equal IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses. Though PspA was less conspicuous on the surface of pneumococci than the capsule, the antibodies induced with CPS-rPspA conjugate possessed more accessibility to the surface of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6B and 19F (the same family 1 PspA). By survival experiment, the result suggested that the level of cross-protection after immunized with the conjugate was more measurable within the same family 1. The CPS-rPspA conjugate not only induced CPS-specific protection but also provided PspA specific cross-protection.

Establishment and performance assessment of preparation technology of internal quality control products for blood transfusion compatibility testing.

The aim of this study was to establish and to optimize the preparation technology of whole blood internal quality control (IQC) products for blood transfusion compatibility testing. Several B-type RhD-negative blood samples collected from healthy donors were mixed. Two groups of whole blood IQC products, namely, the preservative solution group (PS group) and the saline group, were prepared. The agglutination intensity of IQC sample red cells and anti-B antibody, IgM anti-A antibody and reverse-typing A cell, IgG anti-D and O-type RhD-positive red cells, as well as free hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant of the two groups were detected. The erythrocytes in both groups were damaged to a certain extent during storage, but no evident (above moderate) hemolysis was observed in the stored sample within 42 days. The red cells remained structurally complete and the reaction activity of IgG anti-D reagent remained generally unchanged (P>0.05). Although the reaction activity oscillation of IgM anti-A reagent was observed, the agglutination intensity varied within an acceptable range of 1+. No difference was observed between the preparation methods of the samples, i.e., between the erythrocyte washed with saline and the one washed with red cell preservative solution (P>0.05). The long shelf life, low variance between tubes and stable antigen-antibody reaction activity of the whole blood IQC products prepared using the proposed method can meet the requirements of blood transfusion compatibility testing.

[Inside quality control for whole blood preservation performed at blood transfusion compatibility testing laboratory].

This study was aimed to establish the technique for preparation and storage of internal quality control pro-ducts by using existing blood sample resources of blood transfusion compatibility testing laboratory. 24 healthy blood donors with group A and RhD-positive were randomly selected, and 4 ml venous blood from these donors were collected, respectively. Based on the use of anticoagulant type, whether to add red blood cell preservation solution and the samples stored at room temperature for 1 or 2 hours daily, 24 specimens were randomly divided into 8 groups by using factorial design methodology. All samples in tube with cap were stored at 4 degrees C, and placed at room temperature for 1 or 2 hours daily. ABO, RhD blood group (recorded on the agglutination strength of the forward and reverse typing), IgM anti-B antibody titer, and free hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant for all samples were detected at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 days of products preservation. The results indicated that the red blood cell damage from the group used anticoagulants ACD-B and added the MAP red blood cell preservation solution and placed at room temperature 1 hour daily (recorded as A2B2C1 group) was kept minimal, and FHb concentration and FHb increments at each time point were the lowest (p < 0.01), the FHb concentration on 35th day was only (24.5 +/- 84.5) mg/L. There was no significant change of A antigen, D antigen and IgM anti-B antibody response activity and stability in A2B2C1 group during storage for 35 days (p > 0.05). In conclusion, blood transfusion compatibility testing laboratory can use A2B2C1 program established by this study to prepare relatively stable modified whole blood internal quality control products in the existing conditions, which can be effectively preserved and meet the requirements of internal quality control for blood transfusion compatibility testing.

Bisphenol A in combination with TNF-alpha selectively induces Th2 cell-promoting dendritic cells in vitro with an estrogen-like activity.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in manufacturing a wide range of chemical products, including epoxy resins and polycarbonate. BPA, an important endocrine disrupting chemical that exerts estrogen-like activities, is detectable at nanomolar levels in human serum worldwide. The pregnancy associated doses of 17beta-estradiol (E2) plus tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce distorted maturation of human dendritic cells (DCs) that result in an increased capacity to induce T helper (Th) 2 responses. The current study demonstrated that the presence of BPA during DC maturation influences the function of human DCs, thereby polarizing the subsequent Th response. In the presence of TNF-alpha, BPA treatment enhanced the expression of CC chemokine ligand 1 (CCL1) in DCs. In addition, DCs exposed to BPA/TNF-alpha produced higher levels of IL-10 relative to those of IL-12p70 on CD40 ligation, and preferentially induced Th2 deviation. BPA exerts the same effect with E2 at the same dose (0.01-0.1 microM) with regard to DC-mediated Th2 polarization. These findings imply that DCs exposed to BPA will provide one of the initial signals driving the development and perpetuation of Th2-dominated immune response in allergic reactions.

Preparation and immunogenicity of capsular polysaccharide-surface adhesin A (PsaA) conjugate of Streptococcuspneumoniae.

The efforts were focused on exploring alternative pneumococcal vaccine strategies, aimed at addressing the shortcomings of existing formulations, without compromising efficacy. We generated a stable Escherichia coli construct expressing functional recombinant PsaA and prepared CPS-rPsaA conjugate. The distribution of anti-CPS antibody response was almost completely of IgG2a subclass followed by IgG3 and low level of IgG1 subclass, which was opposite to the distribution of anti-PsaA IgG subclass antibodies. Though rPsaA was not detectable on the surface of the pneumococcal strain, the CPS-rPsaA conjugate possessed more accessibility to the surface of the strain. Mice immunized with conjugate exhibited rapid bacterial clearance from blood for the first 23h and afterward provided the best protection against challenge with pneumococcal 23F strain.

[Establishment of genotyping method for fetal ABO group from pregnant maternal peripheral blood].

This study was aimed to establish a genotyping method to detect ABO group gene of fetus from peripheral blood of pregnant women for prenatal diagnosis of hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN) resulting from ABO blood group incompatibility. 4 pairs of primers were designed according to ABO blood group gene DNA and mRNA sequences. 20 plasma DNA samples from healthy donors were extracted and amplified to explore the best conditions for plasma DNA extraction and PCR amplification. The O group plasma DNA was mixed with A group or B group plasmas by the ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, 100:1 to simulate the status of mixed ABO gene from pregnant maternal blood and to establish the mixed blood group ABO genotyping technology. The pregnant maternal blood samples with more than 30 weeks of gestation were selected for detecting the fetal ABO blood group genotype. The blood samples should be taken as possible as after birth for identification of ABO blood group and evaluation of sensitivity and accuracy of fetal ABO blood group genotyping technology through peripheral blood of pregnant women. The results indicated that the minimal amount of template DNA from single blood plasma for accuracy identification was at least about 0.625 ng, the DNA amount extracted from 500 microl of plasma could meet the requirement for PCR amplification. When the proportion of O group plasma DNA in mixed plasma DNA was

[The effect of leukocyte depletion by filtration on the quality of apheresis platelets].

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of leukocyte depletion by filtration on the quality of apheresis platelets. 20 units of donor apheresis platelets were randomly selected and were preserved with agitation at 20 - 24 degrees C for 24 - 96 hours, then were filtered on polyester flatbed filters. The platelet concentration, mean platelet volume (MPV), volume of apheresis platelets, leukocyte count, pH value, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, K(+) concentration and CD62p expression level on surface of platelet membrane, were detected before and after filtration, as well as the rate of leukocyte depletion and platelet loss were calculated. The results showed that the leukocyte count after filtration was remarkably lower than that before filtration (p < 0.001), and the rate of leukocyte depletion was 99.97%. Platelet loss was approximately 8%, and obviously lower than that of the national standard (p < 0.001). MPV, pH value, K(+) and LDH concentration were not significantly different before and after filtration. Compared with platelets before filtration, CD62p expression level after filtration slightly decreased (p > 0.05). CD62p expression on surface of platelet membrane in perfusion fluid obtained from filter plate was obviously higher than that before filtration (p < 0.05). MA of platelet after filtration slightly decreased (p > 0.05). It is concluded that leukocyte and partial activated platelets can be removed efficiently by using polyester flatbed filters, and platelet loss is very low. Filtration does not adversely affect coagulation activity of the platelets in vitro. Apheresis platelets after filtration can fulfil quality requirements to prevent infection of cytomegalovirus and HLA alloimmunization.

[Application of thrombelastography in evaluation of platelet function during storage].

This study was aimed to explore changes of platelet function in vitro during storage by thrombelastography (TEG). 12 units plateletpheresis were randomly selected and stored at 20 to 24 degrees C with agitation. Thrombelastography variable parameters R, K values and maximal amplitude (MA) were measured on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days of platelet storage. Platelet concentration, mean platelet volume (MPV), hypotonic shock response (HSR), CD62p expression and CD62p reexpression on platelet surface were detected at the same time. Changes of platelet function in virto were systematically evaluated by above-mentioned indexes. The results showed that MPV augmented slightly with prolongation of preserved time (p > 0.05), and CD62p expression on platelet surface increased remarkably (p < 0.01), while CD62p reexpression decreased gradually (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in HSR level of platelets during storage (p > 0.05). R value increased with prolongation of preserved time (p < 0.01). There were no obvious changes on K value and alpha Angle during storage (p > 0.05). There were no obvious changes in MA from 1 to 4 days, and MA decreased slightly on day 5 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that there was no significant change in MA and HSR which reflects comprehensive coagulation of platelets during storage. Platelets on the end of storage have excellent function of hemostasis; Thrombelastography parameter MA value can be used as a valuable indicator for evaluation of platelet function in vitro during storage.

[Slide platelet aggregation test used as a monitor for patient treated with anti-pletelet drugs].

The aim was to verify the effectiveness of slide platelet aggregation test (SPAT) to monitor the inhibition effect of anti-platelet drugs. A group of eight healthy volunteers was examined for SPAT value and T(50) (time necessary for reaching 50% of total aggregation) induced by ADP, arachidonic acid (AA) and cationic propyl gallate (c-PG) respectively before and after administration of ASA in dose of 100 mg/day for 3 days. The group of 41 inpatients at the Department of Cardiovascular Disease treated with anti-platelet drugs and the group of 327 healthy blood donors were also examined for SPAT. The SPAT value of healthy volunteer samples stored at room temperature were measured hourly for four hours. The results showed that: (1) no significant difference was detected between the T(50) before and after ASA administration in health volunteer group when ADP was used as inducer, but a significant difference was detected in this group when AA or c-PG was used as inducer. There was significant linear correlation between SPAT value and T(50) induced by c-PG in health volunteer group before and after administration of ASA (r = 0.998, P = 0.000); (2) there was no significant difference between the SPAT value of health volunteer group before administration of ASA and the SPAT value of health blood donors group (P = 0.853), but there was a significant difference between the SPAT values before and after administration of ASA in health volunteer group (P = 0.000). There was significant difference when the SPAT value of the inpatients treated with anti-platelet drugs was compared with that of healthy blood donor group and with that of health volunteer group before and after administration of ASA (P = 0.000). The cut-off value of SPAT in health blood donor group was 44.6 +/- 11.7 seconds, reference value was from 21.1 seconds to 68.0 seconds; (3) there was no significant difference between SPAT values when platelets samples stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 3, 4 hours (P = 0.815). In conclusion, SPAT can rapidly monitor the inhibition effect of anti-platelet drugs and SPAT may have the similar clinic value with T(50) induced by c-PG.

[Comparison of platelet activators used in slide platelet aggregation test].

The study was purposed to explore the suitable platelet activators to be used in slide platelet aggregation test. Experiments were as follows: (1) to detect the intensity and time in 15 healthy donors' platelet aggregation tests induced by cationic propyl gallate (c-PG) and the usual platelet activators: ADP, collagen, epinephrine, arachidonic acid and ristocentin, respectively; (2) to detect the time in platelet aggregation tests of 15 healthy donors induced by c-PG and the above usual platelet activators respectively after addition of PGI2, cAMP or EDTA; (3) to detect the time in 15 healthy donors' platelet aggregation tests induced by c-PG after addition of heparin; (4) to detect the intensity and time of platelet aggregation induced by c-PG at the platelet count of (240-15) x 10(9)/L, (5) to detect the time of platelet aggregation induced by c-PG in eight patients each of whom had taken 100 mg aspirin per day for five days. The results showed that (1) c-PG reduced the strongest intensity of platelet aggregation and the time taken was appropriate, (2) c-PG was the most effective activator to reveal the inhibitive effect on platelet by PGI2, cAMP or EDTA, (3) 0.5 - 3 U/ml heparin did not significantly change the platelet aggregation induced by c-PG, (4) 15 healthy donors' platelet aggregation induced by c-PG displayed clearly on the slide until the platelet count below 30 x 10(9)/L, (5) The platelet aggregation time induced by c-PG was significantly prolonged in eight patients who had taken aspirin. In conclusion, compared to the usual platelet activators, c-PG has remarkable potential advantages when used in slide platelet aggregation test.

[Effects of leukocyte elimination before storage on quality of red blood cell concentration].

The objective of this study was to explore the possible effects of leukocyte elimination by filteration before storage on the quality of red blood cell concentrations (RCC) that prepared through two procedures. Eight units of red blood cell concentrations derived from whole blood after plasma separated (RCC1) and eight units of red blood cell concentrations derived from whole blood after platelet-rich plasma separated (RCC2) were divided randomly into filtered group and control group respectively. The RCC of filtered group were filtered by leukocyte deplete filter before storage. The control group didn't have any other treatments. These two groups were stored for five weeks at 4 degrees C according to AABB standard. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and plasma concentration of K(+) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), free hemoglobin (FHb), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) of red blood cell of all RCC were evaluated weekly, and bacteria contamination of all RCC was also detected after five weeks of storage. The results showed that there was no difference of MCV, MCH and MCHC and ATP level of red blood cell in all RCC of two groups, the ATP of red blood cell was lower than the control group on week 4 and 5. The average concentration of K(+) of the filtered group was less than the control group. The differences are significant except that of RCC1 stored till the third week. The plasma LDH concentration of filtered group was less than the control group, and the differences were exacerbate during the storing time prolonged. FHb release in the filtered group of RCC2 was significant less than that of control, but no significant difference was found between the two groups of RCC1. It was concluded that leukocyte elimination by filter before storage could be benefit to RCC preservation.