Objective Through smdying the distribution of the Sappan acetic ether extract in transplanted heart of rats,to discuss selectivity of sappan in donor's hearts.Methods Improved Ono model was used to replicate the heart transplantation model of rats.Successfully operated rats were separated into 2 groups:a model group and a sappan group.Distributions of sappan in transplanted heart were observed by HPLC-FPC.Results One kind of original substance.of sappan was detected in transplanted heart sample,but not in un-transplanted hearts.Conclusion The substance of sappan may have selectivity in transplanted heart.

Objective To evaluate the effects of propofol anesthesia on hippocampal protein kinase A (PKA)-cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in neonatal rats.Methods One hundred and seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 7 days,weighing 8-15 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =35 each) using a random number table:control group (C group) and propofol 25,50,100 and 200 mg/kg groups (P~ groups).Groups P1 and P2 received intraperitoneal propofol 25 and 50 mg/kg,respectively.Groups P3 and P4 received intraperitoneal propofol 100 and 200 mg/kg,respectively,and after righting reflex completely recovered,an increment of propofol 50 mg/kg was given until the total amount was finished.Five animals in each group were chosen and arterial blood samples were obtained immediately after the animals were fully awake for blood gas analysis.Five animals in each group were chosen at 2 h after fully awake and the age of 9 weeks,the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons and for determination of PKA mRNA,CREB mRNA,PKA protein and pCREB protein in hippocampus (using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis).Results There was no significant difference in the indexes of blood gas analysis anong the five groups (P ＞ 0.05).Nuclear swelling and fragmentation,chromatin condensation,apoptotic bodies,decreased number of synapses and widened synaptic space were observed in P2,P3 and P4 groups.Compared with group C,the expression of PKA mRNA,CREB mRNA,PKA protein and pCREB protein was significantly down-regulated at 2 h after fully awake and the age of 9 weeks in P1,P2,P3 and P4 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which propofol anesthesia induces neurotoxicity in neonatal rats may be related to inhibition of the activity of PKA-CREB signaling pathway.

Objective:To screen antigen of Helicobacter pylori outer membrane proteins by murine infection model.Methods:Parallel two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D) of outer membrane proteins extracted from Helicobacter pylori strain SS1 was performed.Western blot of a duplicate 2D gel hybridized with serum from H.pylori-infected murine was employed.Immunogenic H.pylori proteins identified in this way were digested in gel by trypsin and the mass of generated peptides were measured by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).The data obtained from peptide mass finger-printing (PMF) were searched using the internet available database.Results:32 proteins were identified and they are in good agreement with typical protective antigens which reacted with serum from H.pylori-infected patients.Conclusion:The results suggest that murine model of H.pylori may be valid to screen antigens for human vaccination and the proteins identified in this paper are valuable for the selection of H.pylori protective antigens as well.

Objective:Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to chemotherapy. Our study aimed to investigate the stem cell-like proper-ties of doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cell line 143B and its correlation with Notch signaling. Methods:We generated doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cells by treating them with 2μm doxorubicin. Stem cell-like properties such as morphology change, Stro-1/CD117 double positive ratio, stem cell-related gene expression, sphere formation efficiency, and EMT character were assessed on day 5 after doxorubicin withdrawal. Notch receptor and its target genes were examined using qPCR and Western blot analysis. The stem cell-like properties of doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cells were assessed when pretreated with Notch inhibitor or vehicle. The an-ti-tumor effect of Notch inhibitor was tested using a xenograft model. Results:Doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cells were enriched in Stro-1+/CD117+cells, which showed obvious increased expression of stem cell-related genes, and exhibited enhanced spheroid for-mation and evident mesenchymal characteristics unlike doxorubicin-sensitive cells. qPCR and Western blot assays showed that Notch intracellular domain 1 (NICD1) and target genes Hes1 and Hey1 were upregulated in doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma stem cells compared with those in vehicle cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) to prevent Notch signaling en-hanced chemo-sensitivity and inhibited doxorubicin-enriched osteosarcoma stem cell activity in vitro. Finally, the Notch inhibitor pre-vented tumor growth in mice xenograft models. Conclusion: Doxorubicin induced the enrichment of osteosarcoma stem-like cells through Notch signaling, and inactivation of Notch could be useful for overcoming drug resistance and eliminating osteosarcoma.

Objective:To explore the cooperation and clinical significance of HIF-1α,ALDH1 and Hedgehog signaling pathway in the activation of cancer stem cell(CSC) in triple negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods: ALDH1+(Aldehyde dehydrogenase1)breast cancer stem cells and ALDH1-breast cancer cells were selected from MDA-MB-231 cells by magnetic activated cell sorting system(MACS),qRT-PCR method was employed to analyze the expression differences of HIF-1α and Hedgehog signaling molecules Sonic hedgehog(SHH),patched1(PTCH1),Smoothened(SMO) and Glioma-associated oncogene homoglog1(GLI1) in ALDH1+ breast cancer stem cells and ALDH1-breast cancer cells.Immunohistochemical method was applied to study the expressions of HIF-1α and ALDH1 and the relationships among HIF-1α,ALDH1 and Hedgehog signaling molecules in TNBC.Results: The expressions of HIF-1α mRNA,SMO mRNA and GLI1 mRNA in ALDH1+ breast cancer stem cell were higher than those in ALDH1-breast cancer cell(P all<0.05).The positive expression rates of HIF-1α were 90.0% and 70.0%,and the positive rates of ALDH1 were 93.3 % and 66.7 % in TNBC and non-TNBC,respectively(P all<0.05).Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the expression of HIF-1α was positively related with that of ALDH1 in TNBC(r=0.53,P<0.01).HIF-1α expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P all<0.05),ALDH1 expression was correlated with histological grade and TNM stage(P all<0.05).In addition,the expression of HIF-1α was positively related with that of Hedgehog signaling molecules SHH(r=0.584,P<0.01),SMO(r=0.467,P<0.01) and GLI1(r=0.439,P<0.05),the expression of ALDH1 was positively related with that of SHH(r=0.426,P<0.05) and GLI1(r=0.394,P<0.05).Conclusion: HIF-1α and Hedgehog signaling pathway were activated in ALDH1+ breast cancer stem cell.HIF-1α,ALDH1 and Hedgehog molecules may cooperate with each other to activate breast CSC to promote the malignant progression of TNBC.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of stress imposed on adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), therefore to clarify the molecular basis and mechanism of ACC's malignant phenotype under the elevated tumor interstitial fluid pressure.

METHODSACC cells were cultured under pressure (103.74 kPa), and were divided into four groups (3 h group, 6 h group, 12 h group, 24 h group) according the pressure time. Untreated ACC2 was as negative control group, untreated ACCM was as positive control group. The level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was detected by semiquantitative analysis of immunochemistry. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and EGFR mRNA expression were assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. EGFR, phosphorylation epidermal growth factor receptor (P-EGFR), MMP9, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and phosphorylation extracellular signal-regulated kinase (P-ERK) protein expressions were assessed by Western blot.

RESULTSAs the extension of pressure time, the expression of EGFR, P-EGFR, MMP9, KGF, P-ERK in ACC2 gradually increased, which were positive correlation with pressure time, and were higher than that of negative control group.

CONCLUSIONUnder the stimulation of pressure, the mRNA and protein levels of adhesion molecules and metastatic relative molecules in ACC2 were sharply elevated.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for promoting the inherirance and development of TCM powder decoction piec-es. METHODS:By retrieving literature,the inheritance,overview of modernization development,and key points in industrial de-velopment of TCM powder decoction pieces were analyzed,and development suggestion was put forward. RESULTS & CONCLU-SIONS:Aiming at inheritance of TCM powder decoction pieces,suggestions were put forward as explaining scientific connotation of TCM powder decoction pieces,mining the essence of preparation technology,and cultivating comprehensive decoction pieces talents with basic knowledge of powder science. According to the particle size of powder,TCM powder decoction pieces can be di-vided into TCM common powder,TCM ultrafine particle powder,and TCM nano powder. Aiming at the key points of TCM pow-der decoction pieces,such as application scope,particle size and its correlation with the performance of TCM,grinding technology and equipment and quality standards,the developing strategies were put forward as adjusting the suitable application scope,select-ing appropriate particle size,strengthening its performance research,standardizing and innovating the preparation,improving the packaging and sterilization technologies,establishing and implementing the quality standard with characteristics.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize extraction technology of protein from Cryptotympana pustulata and investigate its in vitro antioxidant activity,so as to provide reference for further research of protein from C. pustulata. METHODS:Using extraction amount of protein as response value,based on single factor test,Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the ratio of liquid to material,ultraonic time and extraction times.Validation test was conducted. Using Vitamin C(VC)as positive control, in vitro antioxidant activity of protein from C. pustulata was evaluated by using scavenging rate of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS)free radical as index. RESULTS:The optimal extraction condition of protein from C.pustulata was as follows as the ratio of liquid to material 28:1(mL/g), ultrasonic time of 65 min,extracting for twice. In validation test,average extraction amount of protein from C. pustulata was 65.45 mg/g(RSD=1.68%,n=3),relative error of which to predicted value was 5.48%. The protein from C. pustulata showed strong scavenging effect on ABTS and DPPH free radicals. When the concentration of protein from C. slough was 0.2 mg/mL,and the scavenging rate of it to ABTS free radicals was 97%,the effect of which was similar to VC.The protein from C. pustulata showed weak scavenging ability to DPPH free radical,IC50was 0.96 mg/mL,the effect of which was not as good as VC. CONCLUSIONS:The extraction technology of protein from C. pustulata optimized by Box-Behnken response surface methodology shows high accuracy and good reliability.The protein from C.pustulata shows certain antioxidant activity in vitro.

Thrombin-like enzymes (TLEs) are studied widely because of their therapeutic potential in myocardial infarction and thrombotic diseases. We synthesized the DNA fragment encoding thrombin-like enzyme calobin from Agkistrodon caliginosus (Korean Viper) venom by fusion PCR and expressed it in Pichia pastoris. After induction by 0.5% methanol for 48 h, the expression level of recombinant calobin reached 3.5 g/L in medium. The recombinant calobin was purified by Q-Sepharose Fast Flow ion-exchange chromatography and Sephacryl-S-100 gel filtration chromatography. Purified sample had a molecular weight of 32 kD shown in SDS-PAGE. It hydrolyzed fibrinogen and formed a light white hydrolysis circle in fibrinogen plate. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that recombinant calobin cleaved Aalpha-chain of fibrinogen specifically, and produced an appropriately 40 kD new band. However, we failed to find its fibrin-clot formation activity.
Agkistrodon ; Animals ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Serine Endopeptidases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Thrombin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Viper Venoms ; enzymology

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of 980 nm diode laser therapy for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods Data of 170 patients with BPH treated with 980nm diode laser system were reviewed. The mean operative time, blood loss, surgical complications, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), bladder residual urine volume and flow rate changes were collected and analyzed. Results One hundred and seventy cases were safe during the perioperative period. The average operation time was (74 ± 11) min, surgical removal of prostate tissue mass of (54±12) g, blood loss (72±11) ml. There was no TUR syndrome occurred. 170 patients were followed up 2 to 24 months. The IPSS decreased from preoperative 25.0±5.5 to 9.0±2.5. The maximum flow rate increased from preoperative (6.2±2.3)ml/s to post-operative (17.4±3.5) ml/s. The residual urine volume decreased from preoperative (210.0±25.6) ml to postoperative (25.2±4.6) ml. All the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusion Transurethral vaporization of 980 nm diode laser could be a safe and effective treatment modality for BPH.