Search

Abstract [Objective] The study aims to identify the NAC transcription factor genes CsNAC79 and Cs- NAC9 in tea plants and analyze their expression patterns under drought, salt, high temperature, and low temperature stresses as well as ABA and GA3 treatments in order to provide references for functional analysis of CsNAC79 and CsNAC9. [Methods] CsNAC79 and CsNAC9 were amplified by RT-PCR from tea plant ‘Longjing 43’ and analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression of CsNAC79 and CsNAC9 under abiotic stresses in tea plants was analyzed by qRT-PCR. [Results] (1) CsNAC79 and CsNAC9 encoded 409 and 282 amino acids, respectively, and contain the conserved NAM domain of the NAC family at 15-150 amino acids and 11-134 amino acids, respectively. (2) CsNAC79 protein was closely related to Actinidia chinensis, Diospyros kaki, and Cynara scolymus, while CsNAC9 protein was closely related to Amygdalus persica, Litchi chinensis, and Durio zibethinus. Both of the NAC transcription factors were hydrophilic proteins without signal peptides and transmembrane structures. The promoter regions of CsNAC79 and CsNAC9 contained abiotic stress- responsive elements. Protein structure analysis showed that Cs- NAC79 and CsNAC9 proteins were mainly composed of random coils and α-helixes. (3) Expression analysis showed that CsNAC79 and CsNAC9 genes were up-regulated under different abiotic stresses. [Conclusion] The CsNAC79 and CsNAC9 genes in tea plants responded to various abiotic stresses.

In higher plant, ERF subfamily transcription factor involved in growth and development, signal transduction,and regulated the expression of related genes in order to improve the resistance to the abiotic stresses, such as high temperature, low temperature, drought and salt damage. Here, the molecular characterization, tissue expression and abiotic stresses response of the AP2/ ERF-B3 group transcription factor in different tea varieties were investigated. The results will contribute to understanding the roles of AP2/ ERF-B3 transcription factor in tea plant(Camellia sinensis). The CsERF-B3 genes,which encode to the AP2/ ERF-B3 transcription factor,were cloned by RT-PCR method using cDNA as template, from two tea plant cultivars' Anjibaicha' and 'Yingshuang', respectively. Then, cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence, phylogenetic tree, physical and chemical characterization, hydrophilicity/ hydrophobicity, molecular modeling and disordered residues were analyzed by related software. The expression profiles of the CsERF-B3 gene in the tissues of tea plants(roots, stems, leaves and flowers)were detected. The leaves, which were respectively treated with 2 h under 4 kinds of abiotic stresses(4 °C low temperature, 38 °C high temperature,200 g·L-1 PEG and 200 mmol·L-1 NaCl), were also detected by the quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Then,the multiple comparisons and plotting were finished by using Excel program. The results of sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis showed that lengths of CsERF-B3 genes from the two tea plant cultivars were 639 bp, encoding 212 amino acids, respectively. The transcription factor of CsERF-B3 between 110-145 amino acid sites contained the AP2 DNA binding domain where both contained a conservative WLG and YRG element. The CsERF-B3 of tea plants was a typical AP2/ ERF family transcription factors in plants. Homologous phylogenetic tree showed that this ERF transcription factor was the closest relatives to AtERF1(AT4G17500.1)and AtERF2(AT5G47220.1)in Arabidopsis, they all belong to group B3,one group of the ERF subfamily transcription factors. The CsERF-B3 was hydrophilic protein and chemical properties were similar among related species. The CsERF-B3 and AtERF1 had similar three-dimension structure and disordered residues feature. The homologies of ABERF and YSERF were 92.1% and 93.7% compared with the DNA binding domain of crystal structure PDB ID:1gcc,respectively. The highest expression levels of the CsERF-B3 genes were found in the root of tea plant. The CsERF-B3 gene could respond quickly to high temperature(38 °C), low temperature (4 °C) and high-salinity(200 mmol·L-1 NaCl) treatments, respectively. The expression of CsERF-B3 gene was induced by abiotic stresses in tea plant, indicating that the transcription factor of AP2/ ERF-B3 plays an important role in the regulation of abiotic stress in tea plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the relationship between the testosterone (T) levels in serum and follicular fluid and the outcomes of stimulation in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle. Methods: Data was collected from 43 patients who received IVFX intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) treatment between May and August in 2011 at our center. T levels in serum and follicular fluid were detected by chemiluminiscence ELISA. ➀43 patients were divided into 3 groups by the number of harvested oocytes: group 6 (1-5 oocytes), group M (6-15 oocytes) and group H (>15 oocytes). T levels, the fertilization rate and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared among three groups. ➀43 patients were divided into the pregnant group and the non-pregnant group. T levels were then compared. Results: ➀ There were not significant differences in the follicular fluid T levels and the basal serum T level among three groups (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the serum T levels on the day of hCG administration among three groups (P < 0.05). T level on the day of hCG administration in the H group was significantly higher than that in the M group (P=0.010) and the L group (P= 0.001). However, there were not significant differences in the serum T levels at other time points of COH among three groups (P>0.05). ➁There were not significant differences in the fertilization rate and the rate of high quality embryo among three groups (P>0.05), however there was significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rate (P<0.05). ➂The serum T level on the day of ovum pick-up in the pregnant group was significantly higher than that in the non-pregnant group (P<0.05); however there was not significant difference in the T level of follicular fluid (P>0.05). Conclusions: During the IVF-ET treatment, the basal level of serum T can not predict ovarian response and pregnancy outcome; however the T level on the day of hCG administration could be a parameter, to predict ovarian response. The serum T level on the day of ovum pick -up is associated with pregnancy outcome; however, the T in the follicular fluid is not associated with pregnancy outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the knockdown of the outer dense fiber protein 2 (ODF2) gene on the sperm motility and fertility of male mice., Methods: We constructed three knockdown vectors with the target gene ODF2 and one control vector without the target gene. After infecting ICR mice, we determined the vector with the best knockdown effect by RT-PCR and Western blot and reinfected the mice with it. Then we obtained and analyzed the sperm motility parameters, pathological changes of the testis issue, and the litter size of the mice with gene knockdown., Results: Compared with the normal controls, the mice infected with the vector with the best knockdown effect showed significantly decreased sperm motility parameters, pathomorphological abnormalities of the testis, and a reduced litter size (10.86 ± 1.28 vs 12.72 ± 2.05, P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Decreased expression of the ODF2 gene deceases sperm motility parameters, impairs the morphology of the testis and affects the fertility of male mice.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping and acupuncture combined with conventional cupping for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, and to seek a better solution for KOA., Methods: A total of 78 patients of KOA with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 39 cases in each group (3 cases in the observation group and 2 cases in the control group lost contact). Both groups were treated with acupuncture at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Heding (EX-LE 2), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB 39). Based on the acupuncture treatment, the control group was treated with conventional cupping. The No. 4 cupping glass was used for Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Fengshi (GB 31), while the No. 3 cupping glass was used for Yinlingquan (SP 9), while the cupping with appropriate size was used for ashi points; the cupping glass was retained for 5 min. Based on the acupuncture treatment, the observation group was treated with cinesiotherapy cupping. The selection of acupoint and cupping glass was identical as the control group. The patients were instructed to perform knee flexion-extension, hip abduction-adduction, weight-bearing and other active exercise while cupping; the treatment was given once a day, 10 times as a course of treatment; totally three courses were given with an interval of 2 days between the courses. The patient's symptom scores, pain scores and knee function scores were recorded before and after treatment. The amount of joint effusion was measured by ultrasound; the level of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in joint effusion were measured by ELISA., Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 94.4% (34/36), which was significantly higher than 86.5% (32/37) in the control group ( P <0.05). Compared before treatment, the symptom scores, pain scores, amount of joint effusion and the levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α in joint fluid in both groups all were decreased after treatment, whereas the knee function scores were increased ( P <0.05). Compared with the control group, the symptom scores, pain scores, and the levels of IL-1, TNF-α and the amount of joint effusion all were significantly decreased, whereas the knee function scores were increased in the observation group ( P <0.05). The level of IL-6 in joint effusion was not significantly different between the observation group and the control group ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: The acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping could alleviate pain, improve joint function and reduce joint effusion, which is superior to acupuncture combined with conventional cupping.

Objective: To investigate whether desferrioxamine (DFO) can enhance the homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and improve neovascularization in random flaps of rats., Methods: BMSCs and fibroblasts (FB) of luciferase transgenic Lewis rats were isolated and cultured. Forty 4-week-old Lewis male rats were used to form a 10 cm×3 cm rectangular flap on their back. The experimental animals were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group: in group A, 200 μL PBS were injected through retrobulbar venous plexus; in group B, 200 μL FB with a concentration of 1×10 6 cells/mL were injected; in group C, 200 μL BMSCs with a concentration of 1×10 6 cells/mL were injected; in group D, cells transplantation was the same as that in group C, after cells transplantation, DFO [100 mg/(kg·d)] were injected intraperitoneally for 7 days. On the 7th day after operation, the survival rate of flaps in each group was observed and calculated; the blood perfusion was observed by laser speckle imaging. Bioluminescence imaging was used to detect the distribution of transplanted cells in rats at 30 minutes and 1, 4, 7, and 14 days after operation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed at 7 days after operation to observe CD31 staining and count capillary density under 200-fold visual field and to detect the expressions of stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and Ki67. Transplanted BMSCs were labeled with luciferase antibody and observed by immunofluorescence staining whether they participated in the repair of injured tissues., Results: The necrosis boundary of ischemic flaps in each group was clear at 7 days after operation. The survival rate of flaps in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C ( P <0.05). Laser speckle imaging showed that the blood perfusion units of flaps in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C ( P <0.05). Bioluminescence imaging showed that BMSCs gradually migrated to the ischemia and hypoxia area and eventually distributed to the ischemic tissues. The photon signal of group D was significantly stronger than that of other groups at 14 days after operation ( P <0.05). CD31 immunofluorescence staining showed that capillary density in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C ( P <0.05). The expressions of SDF-1, EGF, FGF, and Ki67 in groups C and D were significantly stronger than those in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C. Luciferase-labeled BMSCs were expressed in the elastic layer of arteries, capillaries, and hair follicles at 7 days after transplantation., Conclusion: DFO can enhance the migration and homing of BMSCs to the hypoxic area of random flap, accelerate the differentiation of BMSCs in ischemic tissue, and improve the neovascularization of ischemic tissue.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) combined with glucocorticoid in treatment of severe newly diagnosed primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)., Methods: From June 2009 to December 2012, 24 male patients and 38 female patients with the diagnosis of severe primary ITP in our hospital were randomized into trial group (31 cases) or control group (31 cases), the median age was 50 years (range: 21-84 years). Trial group was treated with rhTPO combined with glucocorticoid, and control group was treated with glucocorticoid only., Results: At the day 3, 7 and 14 from the beginning of treatment, the average platelet count (APC) in trial group[(35.5±24.9)×10⁹/L, (135.2±94.9)×10⁹/L and (192.0±109.1)×10⁹/L]were significantly higher than that in control group[(24.5±15.6)×10⁹/L, (78.2±121.9)×10⁹/L and (95.8±60.5)×10⁹/L, P=0.022, 0.009 and 0.001, respectively]. There was no significant difference in APC between the two groups at day 28 and 90 after treatment[(147.8±59.1)×10⁹/L vs (105.1±56.9)×10⁹/L, P=0.243; (137.4±52.3)×10⁹/L vs (104.3±59.8)×10⁹/L, P=0.568, respectively]. At the day 7, 14 and 28, the complete response rates in trial group were 61.3%, 87.1% and 80.6%, which were also significantly higher than that in control group (16.1%, 29.0% and 48.3%, P=0.000, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). The median time to response in trial group was 3 days while in the control group was 5 days; the median duration of complete response in trial group was 76 days while in the control group was 54 days. In trial group, there were 4 cases treated with platelet transfusion, while in control group there were 11 cases, respectively., Conclusion: For patients with severe primary ITP, rhTPO combined with glucocorticoid could rapidly increase the platelet count, significantly improve the complete response rate and prolonged the effect with a low incidence of tolerable adverse events compared to single use of glucocorticoid. rhTPO combined with glucocorticoid could be a new therapeutic choice to those patients.

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma., Methods: Clinical data of 39 patients with colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma from Jan 1995 to Jan 2010 were analyzed retrospectively and the related literatures were reviewed., Results: There were 27 males and 12 females. No patients presented endocrinal dysfunction symptoms. Fourteen patients were diagnosed as neuroendocrine cancer by preoperative pathological examination. All the patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy including cis-platinum and etoposide. Twenty-two patients underwent curative resection, while 14 underwent palliative resection and 3 underwent biopsy alone. Of the 36 surgical resection specimens, vascular invasion was found in 27 patients (75.0%) and regional lymph node metastasis was found in 29 patients (80.6%). Length of follow-up ranged from 4 to 67 months. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 48.2%, 16.5% and 6.8%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in survival were observed and associated with tumor staging, vascular invasion and surgery type (P<0.05), but not related to gender, age, tumor location, or diameter (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Clinical symptoms and signs of colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma are nonspecific with poor prognosis. Tumor staging, vascular invasion and surgical type have potential impact on survival.

The present paper is aimed to investigate the correlation between the fat mass and the bone mass, and to investigate the effect of leptin on bone metabolism in female ovariectomic rats. Forty Wistar female rats, 6-month-old, were randomly divided into the sham surgical (Sham) group and ovariectomic (OVX) group. The body weight, the fat mass inside the abdominal cavity, the bone mineral density (BMD) were determined by DEXA method, and the concentration of leptin was measured by ELISA after operation. The Rats' body mass in ovariectomized group increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the fat mass in abdominal cavity was not increased obviously in ovariectomized group (P = 0.499). The concentration of leptin was no difference between the two groups (P = 0.166). Bone mineral content (BMC)/weight in ovariectomized group was decreased significantly than the sham group (P = 0. 003). The weight at 8th week post-operation was negative correlation with BMC/weight in Sham group and was positive with BMD in OVX group. The fat mass and the leptin concentration were negative correlation with BMC/ weight in Sham group. It was concluded that the fat mass and the leptin were raleted to the BMC/weight.

Background: Conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) treatment, a hormone replacement therapy, is restricted for use in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women because of security issues. Consequently, traditional Chinese herbal medicine has become an alternative choice for the patients with contraindications to hormone replacement therapy., Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kuntai Capsule and CEE in treating cognitive function disorder and mental symptoms of early postmenopausal women., Design, Setting, Participants and Interventions: A total of 57 cases of early postmenopausal women from Outpatient Department of West China Women and Children's Hospital were included. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Kuntai group with 28 cases and CEE group with 29 cases. The patients in Kuntai group received 6 g Kuntai capsules three times a day. The patients in CEE group received CEE 0.3 mg and 0.6 mg alternately once a day (average dose of 0.45 mg/d). The patients with intact uterus in CEE group were treated with 2 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate daily., Main Outcome Measures: In one-year treatment course, the recognition function and mental symptoms of each patient were investigated by questionnaires of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Kupperman, and quality of life (QOL) every three months. Both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol set (PPS) analyses were done., Results: The MMSE, Kupperman index and QOL scores at each time point were improved as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), however there were no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The MMSE scores showed a tendency to escalate while mental symptoms investigated by Kupperman index and QOL scale showed a downtrend. No severe adverse effects occurred in the study phase and no statistical difference in incidence of side effects between the two groups was found except for vaginal bleeding. The incidence rates of vaginal bleeding in CEE and Kuntai groups were 39.3% and 11.1% respectively (P=0.029)., Conclusion: Both Kuntai Capsule and CEE may contribute to maintain the cognitive function and ameliorate mental symptoms of early postmenopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Premarin and Kuntai capsule (a traditional Chinese patent medicine) on the quality of life (QOL) and their cost-utility in early postmenopausal women., Methods: Fifty-seven women with menopausal syndrome in the early postmenopausal stage were randomly allocated into Premarin group (0.3 mg/day and 0.6 mg/day alternately, n=29) and Kuntai group (4 g/day, n=28). The therapies lasted for one year and the patients were followed up every 3 months. The QOL of the patients was evaluated and the utility scores were obtained from rating scale to conduct a cost-utility analysis (CUA)., Results: At each follow-up examination, no significant difference was found in the QOL between the two groups (P>0.05). The QOL obviously increased after the 1-year-long therapy in both the groups, and Kuntai required longer treatment time than Premarin to take effect. The cost-utility ratio of Premarin and Kuntai were 13581.45 yuan/QALY (quality adjusted life year) and 25105.12 yuan/QALY, respectively. Both incremental cost analysis and sensitivity analysis showed that Kuntai was more costly than Premarin. The result of per-protocol analysis was consistent with that of intention-to-treat analysis., Conclusion: At early stage of menopause, the QOL of women with menopausal syndrome can be significantly improved by low-dose Premarin and Kuntai capsule, but the latter is more costly.

A total of 112 Fusarium isolates were obtained from 36 soil samples collected from the greenhouse melon fields of Liaoning Province, among which, 11 species were identified by traditional morphological classification and rDNA sequence analysis. Universally Primed PCR (UP-PCR) was conducted to analyze the 25 strains of test Fusarium isolates and 3 strains of positive control Fusarium isolates. The results indicated that a total of 73 bands appeared after amplification by using 6 primers, and 66 bands (90.4%) were polymorphic. The isolates were clustered into eight groups at the similarity of 0.736 by cluster analysis, among which, 14 isolates were clustered into one group. It was concluded that UP-PCR could present the genetic relationship and difference among Fusarium strains, being able to be used as an assistant method for Fusarium classification.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of weight on bone mineral density in ovariectomic rats., Methods: Forty 6-month-old Wistar female rats were randomly divided into the sham surgical group and the ovariectomic group. The weights of the rats and the bone mineral densities and bone mineral contents of the femurs of the rats were measured eight weeks after the operations., Results: The body weights of the ovariectomic rats increased significantly. The vaginal cytology of the ovariectomic rats showed no estrous cycle. The areas of the uterus transverse section of the ovariectomic rats deceased significantly. The depth of endometrium and its epithelia, and the area percentage of endometric gland of the ovariectomic rats were smaller than those of the sham surgical controls. There were no statistically differences in the BMD and BMC between the ovariectomic rats and the sham surgical controls. However, the BMC/weight ratio of the ovariectomic rats decreased significantly. The linear stepwise regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between BMC and body weight and a negative correlation between BMC and the weight differences pre- and post operations. The BMC/weight ratio also had a negative correlation with the weight differences., Conclusion: The osteoporotic animal model after ovariectomy has been successfully established. The certain increased body weight after ovariectomy may slow the lose of bone mass. But the over increasing in body mass lead to BMC/weight decling, caused by osteoporosis.

AP2/ERF is a large family of transcription factors in plant. Genes in the AP2/ERF family encode transcriptional regulators with a variety of functions involved in the developmental and physiological processes in plants. Two AP2/ERF family transcriptional regulators (BnaERFB3-1 and BnaERFB3-2) were isolated from B. napus by in silico cloning method using the conserved domain amino acid sequence of A. thaliana AP2/ERF-B3 subfamily as probe. Based on the sequences of BnaERFB3-1 and BnaERFB3-2, we isolated the BnaERFB3-1-Hy15 gene and BnaERFB3-2-Hy15 gene from winter and spring type B. napus L. cv Huyou15 by RT-PCR and PCR using cDNA and DNA as template. DNA sequencing and analyzing indicated that there was only one amino acid residue difference between BnaERFB3-1 and BnaERFB3-1-Hy15, BnaERFB3-2 and BnaERFB3-2-Hy15, respectively. No intron localized on the two genes from Huyou15. Then, deduced amino acid sequence, composition, hydrophobicty and hydrophilicity, physical and chemical characterization, phylogenetic tree, conserved domain sequences, function domain, molecular modeling, and folding state were predicted and analyzed. BnaERFB3-1-Hy15 and BnaERFB3-2-Hy15 were hydrophilic protein. The two proteins and AtERF5 have similar three-dimension structure. The disordered residues of protein BnaERFB3-1-Hy15 and BnaERFB3-2-Hy15 were higher than that of AtERF5. BnaERFB3-1 was mainly expressed in seed, while BnaERFB3-2 was mainly expressed in root. Moreover, those genes were successfully constructed into the recombinant plasmids of plant expression vector and yeast expression vector, which established a base for transformation of oilseed and studies of those genes function in abiotic stresses of B. napus.

Directed evolution is a powerful means in academic study and industrial application to modified and functionally improved proteins. There have been significant and impressive advances using the artificial method. Rational Evolutionary Design utilizes structural and sequence alignment information to create new genes and proteins. Rational Evolutionary Design has recently emerged as an attractive approach for studying function of proteins. The review mainly introduced four aspects: preferred codon usage, structural and sequence alignment, key domain analysis, site-directed recombination.

Purpose: This study was to discuss the influence of preparation height on retention of complete crown., Methods: In this study we measured the retention of complete crown with the preparation height 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm and 5 mm. All crowns had no preparation taper and no bonding agent was used. The retention of crowns was measured and the data was statistically analyzed by t test., Results: The preparation height was directly proportional to the retention of complete crown. And the crown with the height of 2 mm had enough retention when the crown had no preparation taper., Conclusion: In order to get enough retention of short height molar, we should induce the preparation taper.

Background & Objective: There is no effective non-invasive monitoring method for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary tract(TCCU). It was recently reported that nuclear matrix protein 22(NMP22) could be used to diagnose TCCU. This study was designed to evaluate the significance of NMP22 in TCCU as a new urinary tumor marker and its influence factors., Methods: The authors detected 87 patients with urinary system disease(including 29 cases with TCCU) with ELISA-NMP agent box. The patients with urinary infection were excluded., Results: The positive value was set at more than 10 u/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of NMP22 on TCCU were 86.2% and 94.3%, respectively (benign diseases of urinary system used as control), with significant advantages over voided-urine cytology (86.2% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001). The main factors that caused false-positive results were urinary infection, the other malignant tumors of urinary system, bowel interposition, and nephrolith., Conclusion: Urinary NMP22 is a good tumor marker and could be used an alternation of voided-urine cytology for monitoring and diagnosis of TCCU.

Background & Objective: Molecular biological studies indicated that abnormal expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), and nm23 correlate with the development of gastric cancer, but the relationship between abnormal expression of above gene proteins and the biological behavior of gastric cancer was not yet clear. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between expressions of COX-2, p53, PCNA, and nm23 and the clinicopathological behavior in gastric cancer., Methods: The expressions of COX-2, p53, PCNA, and nm23 were detected by using immunohistochemical(SP) method., Results: (1) The overexpression rate of COX-2 in gastric cancer was 70.4% (50/71), and the overexpression of COX-2 was correlated to tumor size, gross morphology, histological type, lymph node metastases, and clinicopathological stage of gastric cancer (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01). (2) The overexpression rates of p53 and PCNA in 71 surgically removed specimens from the patients with gastric cancer were 74.6% and 78.9%, respectively. And the expressions of p53 (86.7%) and PCNA (88.8%) in gastric cancer patients with lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those in patients without lymph node metastasis (53.8% and 61.5%) (both, P < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, expressions of p53(52.2%) and PCNA(60.9%) in stage I + II patients were lower than those(85.4% and 87.5%) in stage III + IV (both, P < 0.05). (3) The low-expression of nm23 in gastric cancer was 71.8%, and its low-expression rate of nm23 in patients without lymph node metastasis(88.5%) and in stage I + II (91.3%) were much higher than those in the patients with lymph node metastasis (62.2%) and in stage III + IV (62.5%) (respectively, P < 0.05). (4) The differences of histological types, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage were significantly different(P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), between the patients with two or more genes expression of COX-2, p53, PCNA, and nm23 and those with less one gene expression., Conclusion: Our results suggest that abnormal expressions of COX-2, p53, PCNA, and nm23 associate with malignant potential, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage, and they might therefore play a role in development of gastric cancer.