Neural function of Bmal1: an overview.

Bmal1 (Brain and muscle arnt-like, or Arntl) is a bHLH/PAS domain transcription factor central to the transcription/translation feedback loop of the biologic clock. Although Bmal1 is well-established as a major regulator of circadian rhythm, a growing number of studies in recent years have shown that dysfunction of Bmal1 underlies a variety of psychiatric, neurodegenerative-like, and endocrine metabolism-related disorders, as well as potential oncogenic roles. In this review, we systematically summarized Bmal1 expression in different brain regions, its neurological functions related or not to circadian rhythm and biological clock, and pathological phenotypes arising from Bmal1 knockout. This review also discusses oscillation and rhythmicity, especially in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and provides perspective on future progress in Bmal1 research.

Age scope of high-risk population for esophageal cancer in Ci county.

AIM: To define the age scope of high-risk population for esophageal cancer (EC) in Ci county. METHODS: The results of endoscopic examination of 2 013 subjects, cytological screening of 16 763 persons and records of 9 265 patients with EC were analyzed by Ridit methods, the standard age group was 45-49 year group. RESULTS: The average age of patients with moderate esophageal epithelium dysplasia by endoscopic examination was 53.5 years, of severe esophageal epithelium dysplasia, 51.4 years, early EC, 55.6 years. The average age of stage one severe epithelium dysplasia (SEEDI) by cytological screening was 51.2 years, of stage two severe epithelium esophageal dysplasia (SEED II) 51.6 years, of advanced EC 61.7 years. In the group of 40-year olds, the value of Ridit by pathological diagnosis was 0.46, 95% CI, 0.45-0.47, that by cytological diagnosis was 0.45, 95% CI, 0.43-0.47. As the age increased at five-year intervals, the value of Ridit increased significantly. CONCLUSION: In Ci county of a high incidence area of EC, the age definition of high-risk population should be above 45 years.

Field population-based blocking treatment of esophageal epithelia dysplasia.

AIM: To confirm the value of blocking treatment by zenshengping (ZSP), a Chinese herb composite, and Riboflavin for esophageal epithelia dysplasia cases screened out in high risk area in northern china by exfoliative balloon cytology (EBC), so to reduce the incidence rate of esophageal cancer(EC). METHODS: Esophageal epithelium dysplasia cases including mind esophageal epithelium dysplasia (MEED), stage one severe esophageal epithelium dysplasia (SEED I), and stage two severe esophageal epithelium dysplasia (SEED II) were screened out from people aged 40 years and older in the high risk area of Chixian. These cases were randomly divided into a treatment and control group. Subjects in the treatment and control groups took ZSP, riboflavin, and placebo daily for three years. EC cases registered by cancer registry and identified by EBC re-screening in the treatment and control groups were used to calculate incidence and blocking rates to demonstrate the effects of blocking medication. RESULTS: It was found that 31.92% and 24.15% of people aged 40 years and older in Cixian could been diagnosed as MEED and SEED cases. The severity of dysplasia increased with age. ZSP had blocked EC occurrence by 47.79% after 3 year medication among the SEED cases. CONCLUSION: ZSP can block the development from SEED I and SEED II to EC by 47.79%. Efforts should be made to screen and treat dysplasia cases in people aged 40 years and older in high risk areas to reduce the mortality figures.

[Preparation and characterization of a polyclonal antibody against mouse NH2;-terminal domain of polycystin-1].

OBJECTIVE: To produce a rabbit polyclonal antibody, mPkd1-Np, against the extracellular portions of polycystin-1 (PC1) in order to explore the functional roles of the PC1 NH2;-terminus. METHODS: Based on hydrophobic/hydrophilic analyses, we chose a cDNA fragment that encodes amino acids 474E-640L on PC1 and amplified it via RT-PCR. The PCR product was then cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-GST. After IPTG induction, the antigen mPkd1-N was produced and further purified. A rabbit was immunized with this antigen and its antiserum was collected. The mPkd1-Np antibody was validated to be specific for PC1 protein through Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence methods. RESULTS: The prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-mPkd1-N was successfully constructed and mPkd1-N antigen was induced to express in E.coli Rossetta cells. Using this antigen, the polyclonal antibody mPkd1-Np was produced and its specificity for PC1 was proved through biochemistry and cellular assays. CONCLUSION: We successfully produced an anti-PC1 NH2;-terminal polyclonal antibody named mPkd1-Np. The polyclonal antibody provides a platform for further research into PC1 NH2;-terminal function, specifically renal tubulogenesis and its maintenance.

[Preparation and characterization of a polyclonal antibody against human Fibrocystin-L].

AIM: PKHDL1 (the gene for Polycystic Kidney and Hepatic Disease Like-1) had been recently identified, but characteristics of the gene product, Fibrocystin-L (FPC-L), still remain unknown. We therefore produced a rabbit polyclonal antibody hFL-Np to explore the cellular characteristics of this novel protein. METHODS: Based on the hydrophobic/hydrophilic analyses, chose a cDNA fragment which encodes 633L-768K amino acids of the FPC-L and amplified it by RT-PCR. The PCR product was then cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-GST. With IPTG induction, the antigen hFL-N was produced and further purified. A rabbit was immunized with the antigen and its antiserum was collected. Applied Western blot with the polyclonal antiserum hFL-Np and validated the antibody specific for FPC-L protein. In addition, also used immunofluorescence staining with hFL-Np to detect the subcellular distribution in cultured HEK293 cells. RESULTS: The prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-hFL-N was successfully constructed and a hFL-N antigen was produced in E.coli Rossetta cells. Using the antigen, a polyclonal antibody hFL-Np was produced and the specificity for FPC-L was also proved by biochemistry and cellular assays. Using the antibody, the cellular staining reveals that FPC-L was a cytosolic protein. CONCLUSION: We produced an anti-FPC-L polyclonal antibody hFL-Np. By biochemistry and cellular characterization, proved that the polyclonal antibody hFL-Np is specific for FPC-L and demonstrated FPC-L is a cytosolic protein. The finding provides a platform for further dissecting FPC-L functions in mammalian development.