Objectives To observe the pre and post-operational changes of the expressions of survivin, caspase-3 and CD44V6 in patients with colorectal cancer after intra-abdominal implantation of sustained releasing fluorouracil. Meth-ods Sixty-four patients with colorectal cancer (Dukes’stage of B and C) were divided into treatment group and control group, 32 patients in each group. The standard radical surgery was performed in two groups of patients. The fluorouracil im-plants were implanted intra-abdominally in treatment group. The peripheral blood levels of surviving and caspase-3 were de-tected by RT-PCR. The level of CD44V6 was detected by flow cytometry in two groups of patients. Results There were no significant differences in levels of survivin, caspase-3 and CD44V6 before surgery between two groups (P>0.05). The level of survivin (0.362 ± 0.183) was significantly lower at 14 days after operation in treatment group than that of control group (0.585±0.207), but the level of caspase-3 (2.001±0.146) was significantly higher than that of control group (1.654±0.111). The levels of CD44V6 were significantly lower in treatment group (1.857±0.535) and control group (3.471±0.496) after opera-tion than those before operation (9.557±1.170 and 9.729±0.943, P＜0.05), and the level of CD44V6 was significantly lower in treatment group than that of control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion The implant for the sustained release of fluorouracil showed a positive impact on micrometastases and prognosis of colorectal cancer, while improved the long-term efficacy of postoperative colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE:To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Puerarin solid self-microemulsion capsules in rats in vi-vo. METHODS:The rats were randomly divided into two groups with 18 rats in each group. They were given Puerarin solid self-mi-croemulsion capsules(S-SMEDDS capsules)and commercially available Yufeng ningxin tablet,with the dose of 158.15 mg/kg puer-arin. The 0.2 ml blood samples were collected from tail vein 0,5,10,20,40,60,90,120,180,240,360,480,600 min after medication,respectively. The blood concentration of puerarin was determined by HPLC,and pharmacokinetic parameters and rela-tive bioavailability were calculated by using 3p87 software. RESULTS:The metabolism of puerarin was one-compartment model in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of S-SMEDDS capsules and Yufeng ningxin tablet were as follows as cmax of (1.032 0 ± 0.020 6) and(0.587 3±0.011 7)μg/ml,t1/2ke of(116.431 4±2.166 0)and(88.222 6±1.752 4)min,AUC0-t of(261.532 2±1.464 0)and (102.835 5±1.957 4)μg·min/ml. Relative bioavailability was 238.77%. CONCLUSIONS:Compared with Yufeng ningxin tablet, S-SMEDDS capsules are absorbed more completely and removed faster.

Objective To investigate the effects of low dose radiation on dendritic growth of newborn neurons in the hippocampus of young rat.Methods One month-old male rats were randomized into radiation group aind sham control group.Radiation group received whole brain irradiation at a single dose of 2 Gy.Retrovirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to label newborn neurons in the hippocampus through stereotaxic intracranial infusion.Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect dendritic architecture alterations induced by irradiation at different time points.Results Compared with control group,the lengths of total dendrite and the longest dendrite significantly decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after irradiation (t =3.10,2.07,2.94,4.02,P ＜ 0.05).The branching points of new born neurons were also decreased significantly at 2 weeks post irradiation (t =2.23,P ＜ 0.05).The number of new born neurons reduced at 4 weeks post irradiation (t =8.43,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Low dose radiation could inhibit newborn neuron growth in the hippocampus of young rat,which may be one of the most important mechanisms involved in radiation-induced cognitive impairment.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) and hypersensitive-cross-reactive protein(hs-CRP) after acute spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats at different time points and study their roles in secondary spinal cord injury. Methods Ninety healthy adult female SD rats were randomly assigned into 3 even groups.Improved Allen method was used to create models of complete SCI (group A) and models of incomplete SCI (group B).In group C only laminectomy was performed without SCI.The serum was collected at 12 hours,24 hours,3 days,7 days,and 14 days after operation through femoral vein to detect levels of β-APP and hs-CRP by ELISA. ResultsThe serum level of β-APP reached the peak value 24 hours after acute SCI,and the serum level of hs-CRP reached the peak 3 days after acute SCI.There were significant differences between groups A and C in β-APP and hs-CRP levels at all time points( P ＜ 0.05).There were also significant differences between groups B and C in β-APP and hs-CRP levels at all time points (P ＜0.05) except at 14 days (P＞ 0.05). Conclusions The serum levels of β-APP and hs-CRP are positively associated with the severity of traumatic SCI.β-APP may be a more sensitive indicator than hs-CRP in a certain time.The dynamic changes of serum β-APP and hs-CRP suggest involvement of the 2 proteins in the secondary spinal cord injury.

Objective:To investigate the effect on the expression of Slug for the trasfection of miR-200c combined with the research on the ability of migration of breast cancer cell BT549.Methods:Chemically synthesized miR-200c mimic was trasfected into BT549 cells,which have high metastatic potential.The effect on the ability of migration of breast cancer cell BT549 for the transfection of miR-200c was analyzed by Transwell migration assay and Wound healing assay.The expression of Slug and E-cadherin mRNA was detected by Real-time PCR.The expression of Slug protein was detected by Western blot.Results:Transfection with miR-200c mimic significantly down-regulated the expression of Slug as compared with the control group (P<0.05).BT549 cell tranfected with miR-200c mimic had lower levels of migration capacity than cells in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion:miR-200c inhibits Epithelial-mes-enchymal transition by suppressing Slug leading to down-regulation of migration capacity of breast cancer cell BT549.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate toxic reaction of Compound zedoary turmeric oil cream in experimental rats with long-term consecutive transdermal administration,and to provide reference for safe use of it in the clinic. METHODS:60 SD rats were randomly divided into blank control (cream matrix) group,Compound zedoary turmeric oil cream intact skin and damaged skin low-dose and high-dose(5%,10%)groups,with 12 rats in each group,half male and half female. All of them were given relevant medicine twice a day. 92 d consecutive medication later,general situation of rats were observed,and body weight,blood routine(WBC,RBC,HGB,LYMPH,etc.)and blood biochemical indicators(AST,ALT,PA,etc.)were all detected;systemati-cal observation of organs,organ coefficient calculation and histopathology examination were carried out. RESULTS:There was no statistical significance in those indicators between Compound zedoary turmeric oil cream groups and blank control group (P>0.05),except hemoglobin decreased in intact skin low-dose group,while hemoglobin decreased,LYMPH and PA increased in dam-aged skin high-dose group(P<0.05). Pathology results showed that Compound zedoary turmeric oil cream had no significant toxici-ty for the main organs. CONCLUSIONS:Compound zedoary turmeric oil cream has no long-term toxicity to experimental rats.

Objective To determine the incidence of breast cancer?related lymphedema ( BCRL) in China and to analyze the associated risk factors. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data and the incidence of BCRL in 281 patients who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and received surgery. The incidence of BCRL was evaluated using arm circumference measurement and Norman questionnaire. The risk factors for lymphedema were analyzed using chi?square test and logistic regression model. Results In all patients,the incidence rates of BCRL determined by arm circumference measurement and Norman questionnaire were 31?7% and 27?0%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that postoperative radiotherapy,a preoperative body mass index no less than 24 kg/m2 ,a large axillary lymph node dissection area,and a large number of positive axillary lymph nodes significantly increased the risk of BCRL (HR=2?87,P=0?042;HR=2?54,P=0?011;HR=1?97,P=0?037;HR=1?06,P=0?023). Moreover, patients with breast cancer and hypertension had 1?74?fold higher risk of BCRL than those with normal blood pressure. Conclusions The incidence of BCRL is still very high. However,most of patients only have mild edema. Postoperative radiotherapy, a large axillary lymph node dissection area, a large number of positive axillary lymph nodes,a high preoperative body mass index,and hypertension are risk factors for BCRL.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare zedoary turmeric oil compound liposomes (ZTOC-LPS) and evaluate its quality.METHODS: The preparation method of liposome, the addition amount of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), ratio of SPC to cholesterol (CH) in lipid, drug-lipid ratio of zedoary turmeric oil (ZTO), drug-lipid ratio of tretinoin in formulation, and water bath temperature were screened using encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading amount of ZTO (represented by germacrone) and tretinoin as investigation indexes. Quality evaluation and primary stability investigation were conducted for liposomes prepared by optimal preparation technology. RESULTS: The optimal preparation method was ethanol injection method; The optimal preparation technology were SPC 4 mg in 1 mL lipid, the mass ratio of SPC to CH 3:1, the ratio of ZTO to lipid 1:9, the ratio of tretinoin to lipid 1:70, water bath temperature of 55 ℃. Encapsulation efficiencies of ZTO and tretinoin were (64. 63 ± 1. 00)％ and (90. 33 土 0. 72)％ in 3 batches of ZTOC-LPS, respectively. Drug-loading amount of ZTO and tretinoin were (9. 09 ± 0. 14)％ and (1. 43 ± 0. 02)％, respectively. Particle size was (257. 41 ± 7. 58) nm, Zeta potential was (-38. 77 ± 0. 81) mV,PDI was 0. 10 ± 0. 04; the results of centrifugal acceleration test showed that the liposomes had good physical stability. No obvious change was found in each investigation index of ZTOC-LPS that stored at (4 ± 2) ℃ for 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Established preparation technology is simple and feasible, the quality of the prepared ZTOC-LPS conforms to the requirements, and it can provide reference for the following research of ZTOC-LPS.

The Coronaviridae family is characterized by a nucleocapsid that is composed of the genome RNA molecule in combination with the nucleoprotein (N protein) within a virion. The most striking physiochemical feature of the N protein of SARS-CoV is that it is a typical basic protein with a high predicted pI and high hydrophilicity, which is consistent with its function of binding to the ribophosphate backbone of the RNA molecule. The predicted high extent of phosphorylation of the N protein on multiple candidate phosphorylation sites demonstrates that it would be related to important functions, such as RNA-binding and localization to the nucleolus of host cells. Subsequent study shows that there is an SR-rich region in the N protein and this region might be involved in the protein-protein interaction. The abundant antigenic sites predicted in the N protein, as well as experimental evidence with synthesized polypeptides, indicate that the N protein is one of the major antigens of the SARS-CoV. Compared with other viral structural proteins, the low variation rate of the N protein with regards to its size suggests its importance to the survival of the virus.
Amino Acid Motifs ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Base Composition ; Base Sequence ; Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology ; DNA Primers ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genetic Variation ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

We studied structural and immunological properties of the SARS-CoV M (membrane) protein, based on comparative analyses of sequence features, phylogenetic investigation, and experimental results. The M protein is predicted to contain a triple-spanning transmembrane (TM) region, a single N-glycosylation site near its N-terminus that is in the exterior of the virion, and a long C-terminal region in the interior. The M protein harbors a higher substitution rate (0.6% correlated to its size) among viral open reading frames (ORFs) from published data. The four substitutions detected in the M protein, which cause non-synonymous changes, can be classified into three types. One of them results in changes of pI (isoelectric point) and charge, affecting antigenicity. The second changes hydrophobicity of the TM region, and the third one relates to hydrophilicity of the interior structure. Phylogenetic tree building based on the variations of the M protein appears to support the non-human origin of SARS-CoV. To investigate its immunogenicity, we synthesized eight oligopeptides covering 69.2% of the entire ORF and screened them by using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) with sera from SARS patients. The results confirmed our predictions on antigenic sites.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cluster Analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoassay ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; genetics ; Oligopeptides ; Phylogeny ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology