AIM: To determine multifocal visual evoked potential (mVEP) in the prediction of postoperative visual acuity in cataract. METHODS: We examined 30 normal eyes as control and 60 eyes of 52 cataract patients, senile cataract in 27 cases 30 eyes, cataract with glaucoma in 25 cases 30 eyes by mVEP examination. All patients underwent phacoemulsifi-cation (Phaco) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. After surgery,best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was examined at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months respectively.RESULTS: The mean amplitude and latency in mVEP responses between normal control group were 183±11nV, 95±8ms, and in senile cataract group were 177±10nV, 96± 8ms respectively, there were no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). The mean amplitude and latency of cataract with glaucoma 138±7nV, 99±6ms were significantly different comparing to both control and senile cataract group (P<0.05). After surgery, the am-plitude and latency were 276±11nV and 93±8ms respec-tively, which did not change significantly comparing to the normal eyes (P<0.05), their visual function got no obvious damage and visual recovery were better (BCVA≥0.8). While those with central amplitude 221±6nV and latency 105±7ms that were significantly deviated from control group (P<0.05), and their visual function were seriously damaged and visual recovery were much poorer (BCVA<0.3).CONCLUSION: mVEP waveform might enable us to evaluate objective visual function detection before cataract surgery. A subject with visual function damage, their mVEP responses to stimulation were severely changed when it compared to controls.

Aim To investigate the effect of aloe-emodin on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in RAW264.7 cells.Methods RAW264.7 macrophage line in mice was induced by LPS to set up the inflammatory model.Nitric oxide(NO)production was examined by Griess reaction;the expression of iNOS mRNA was detected by RT-PCR analysis;NO radical generation was tested by sodium nitroprusside method.Results Aloe-emodin at the dose of 0.69～2.5 mg·L~(-1) exhibited the inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner;aloe-emodin at the dose of 0.63～5.00 mg·L~(-1) suppressed LPS-induced iNOS mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 cells.However,aloe-emodin had no scavenging effect on sodium nitroprusside-triggered NO production,and didn't affect iNOS enzyme activity.Conclusion Aloe-emodin inhibited signifi-cantly LPS-induced NO production through suppressing inducible NO synthase(iNOS)expression at mRNA level in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner,but failed to affect sodium nitroprusside-triggered NO production and iNOS enzyme activity.

Objective To study the effect of Cistanche deserticola Y C Ma (CDPS) on lymphocyte proliferation in mice. Methods The lymphocyte proliferation with or without mitogen was assessed by MTT assay in vitro. The immunosuppressed mice were induced by cyclophosphamide,and the spleen and thymus were weighted to determine the immune organ indexes in the normal or immunosuppressed mice. Thymocyte proliferation was employed to assess the activity of IL-2. Results CDPS significantly promoted both non-activated splenic lymphocytes and lymphocytes activated by ConA or LPS,and CDPS increased the secretion of IL-2 by splenic lymphocytes. CDPS (ip) remarkably increased indexes of spleen in normal or immunosuppressed mice,and also improved the indexes of immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide. Conclusion CDPS can significantly promote the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes,and it may be related with promotion of secretion of IL-2 by splenocytes.

Aim To develop the in vitro and in vivo models induced by shrimp tropomyosin( ST) and mono-clonal tropomyosin-specific murine IgE antibody ( anti-ST-IgE mAb) . Methods ST was purified from Metap-enaeusensis by an isoelectric precipitation method. The anti-ST-IgE mAb was obtained from hybridomas. After RBL-2 H3 cells were sensitized with anti-ST-IgE mAb and challenged with ST,β-hexosaminidase release was determined. Passive systemic anaphylaxis ( PSA ) was induced in mice and the rectal temperature was recor-ded after ST challenge within 30 min by a thermal probe. Results A significant increase ofβ-hexosamin-idase was observed in sensitized cells after ST chal-lenge. The average temperature drop after ST challenge was 1. 44℃ in PSA mice within 30 min. Conclusion The in vitro and in vivo models induced by ST and anti-ST-IgE mAb are established as an improvement of pres-ent models of type Ⅰ allergy.

Objective:To develop murine models of Th2 response induced by shrimp tropomyosin (ST). Methods:Mice were sensitized with ST for 6 weeks. The serum antigen-special IgE (sIgE),total IgE and sIgG level,Th1/Th2 cytokines production were measured by ELISA. The basophil activation in mice was measured by flow cytometry. Results:The intraperitoneal sensitization with ST for 6 weeks induced significant increase of serum sIgE,total IgE and sIgG (sIgG1,sIgG2a and sIgG2b) level in mice. Th2 cell response was induced and cytokines (IL-4,IL-5,IL-10 and IL-13) production increased in splenocytes stimulated by ST,while Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ) production decreased. As the markers of basophil activation,CD200R and CD41 expression also increased in response to ST. Conclusion:The Th2 response is dominant in ST-induced anaphylaxis in mice.

Objective To investigate the effect of different doses valsartan on atherosclerosis in rabbits. Methods 53 white rabbits were randomly divided into control group,cholesterol group,and valsartan group of high-,middle-,and low-dose.The positive expression of pro-oncogene c-myc and c-fos mRNA was studied with in situ reverse transcription-PCR)ISRT-PCR).The histoppathological changes of aorta were observed.Results)1) Positive expression rate of pro-oncogene c-myc and c-fos mRNA was significantly higher in cholesterol than that in the qontrol group.The rate of positive expression was remarkably lower in the high-dose valsartan group than that in the cholesterol group)P

AIMTo evaluate the characteristics, the hypoglycemic efficacy and the pharmacokinetics of the insulin-liposomes double-coated by chitosan (CH) and chitosan-EDTA conjugates (CEC).

METHODSInsulin-liposomes were prepared by reversed-phase evaporation. The protection of insulin against peptic and tryptic digestion was studied with HPLC. The hypoglycemic effects of insulin-liposomes were investigated using the glucose oxidase method after oral administration to rats. Serum insulin concentration in rats were determined by radio-immunoassay, and were assessed by Pkanalyst computer program.

RESULTSThe insulin-liposomes double-coated by CH and CEC was shown to protect insulin against digestion of pepsin, trypsin and gastrointestinal contents. In glucose tolerance test in normal rats, as compared with phosphate buffer solution control group, the insulin-liposomes coated by CH and CEC could reduce the glucose-induced peak of hyperglycemia. The reduction of the insulin-liposomes double-coated by CH and CEC was superior to that of other insulin-liposomes. When administered intragastrically to normal rats, the insulin-liposomes coated by CH and CEC could reduce glycemia measured after an overnight fast. The hypoglycemic effect the insulin-liposomes double-coated by CH and CEC was superior to that of other insulin-liposomes, and the dosage of 50 mu x kg(-1) decreased by 45.98% of initial blood glucose level at 1 h. As compared with subcutaneous injection, the relative pharmacological bioavailability was 17.02% calculated by area under the curve of glucose level versus time profile after oral administration of the insulin-liposomes double-coated by CH and CEC to rats. The serum insulin concentration-time curves were found to best fit the one-compartment open model. As compared with subcutaneous injection, the relative bioavailability was 8.91% calculated by the area under the curve of serum insulin concentration versus time profile after oral administration of the insulin-liposomes double-coated by CH and CEC to rats.

CONCLUSIONThe stability and absorption of insulin-liposomes double-coated by CH and CEC was superior to that of the insulin-liposomes coated either by CH, or by CEC respectively.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Edetic Acid ; chemistry ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Liposomes ; Male ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bortezomib alone or combined with harringtonine (HT) or arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on the proliferation capacity and apoptosis of HL-60/ADM cell line and fresh cells from refractory/relapse acute leukemia patients.

METHODSHL-60/ADM cells or refractory/relapse leukemia cells were incubated with bortezomib at different doses alone and in combination with HT or As2O3. The proliferation capacity was observed by MTT assay, cell apoptosis by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Intracellular concentration of daunorubicin (DNR) was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn bortezomib-treated HL-60/ADM cells, the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptotic cells increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. 40 nmol/L bortezomib could maximally inhibit the proliferation of HL-60/ADM cells at 48 hours. 15 micromol/L As2O3 or 752 nmol/L HT combined with different doses of bortezomib could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HL-60/ADM cells. The As2O3 plus bortezomib or HT plus bortezomib showed a greater anticancer efficacy than either of the drugs alone (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Bortezomib (10 nmol/L) could markedly enhance the intracellular accumulation of DNR in HL-60/ADM cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBortezomib can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HL-60/ADM cells and fresh refractory/relapse acute leukemia cells, especially combined with HT or As2O3.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Child ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; HL-60 Cells ; Harringtonines ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to purify and characterize a keratinase produced by a new isolated Bacillus subtilis KD-N2 strain. The keratinase produced by the isolate was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation, Sephadex G-75 and DEAE (diethylaminoethyl)-Sepharose chromatographic techniques. The purified enzyme was shown to have a molecular mass of 30.5 kDa, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. The optimum pH at 50 degrees C was 8.5 and the optimum temperature at pH 8.5 was 55 degrees C. The keratinase was partially inactivated by some metal ions, organic solvents and serine protease inhibitor phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) had positive effect on the keratinase activity. Reducing agents including dithiothreitol (DTT), mercaptoethanol, L-cysteine, sodium sulphite, as well as chemicals of SDS, ammonium sulfamate and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) stimulated the enzyme activity upon a feather meal substrate. Besides feather keratin, the enzyme is active upon the soluble proteins ovalbumin, bovine serum albumin (BSA), casein and insoluble ones as sheep wool and human hair. Calf hair, silk and collagen could not be hydrolyzed by the keratinase.
Bacillus subtilis ; classification ; enzymology ; Enzyme Activation ; Enzyme Stability ; Peptide Hydrolases ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Species Specificity ; Substrate Specificity

OBJECTIVETo assess the antitumor efficacy and adverse effects of bortezomib either used alone or in combination with arsenic trioxide for transplanted tumor in nude mice.

METHODSNude mice bearing HL-60 cell xenografts were randomized into 4 groups to receive treatment with normal saline, bortezomib, arsenic trioxide, bortezomib plus arsenic trioxide. The tumor growth inhibition and general condition of the nude mice were observed, and in situ TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry were performed on the transplanted tumors.

RESULTSBortezomib alone and in combination with arsenic trioxide could both inhibit the growth of the transplanted tumors, prolong the survival of the nude mice, and induce cell apoptosis and growth inhibition of the HL-60 cells in vivo, and the combined administration exhibited even better effects. The administration was well tolerated with causing manifest vital organ damages in the mice.

CONCLUSIONBortezomib in combination with arsenic trioxide has significant antitumor effect in nude mice bearing HL-60 cell xenografts possibly by inducing HL-60 cell apoptosis and growth inhibition without producing no significant adverse effects.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Models, Animal ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays