Objective: To establish the yeast expression system for oncostatin M (OSM). Methods:The cDNA encoding human OSM was inserted into pPIC9K vector and transformed into Pichia pastoris. The correct phenotype of recombinants was screened through MD and MM auxotrophic culture medium. The OSM mRNA transcription in the P.pastoris and molecular weight were identified with Northern blot and Western blot. MTT method was used to test the activity of OSM in inhibiting the growth of human melanoma cells. Results: Established P.pastoris system could accomplish human OSM secreting expression. The recombinant OSM with a 30 000 molecular weight amounted to 70% of the total protein in medium supernatant. The OSM showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of A375 cells in vitro. Conclusions：The P.pastoris system of OSM was proved effective with a high expressing level. The secreted recombinant OSM present in supernatant of culture medium would be easy to be purified. It may lay the foundation for the large-scale preparation of OSM in future.

Objective To investigate the role of depression and C-reaction protein (CRP)in the early development of vascular disease in the elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Totally 396 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited in the study,including 196 cases with depression and 200 cases without depression.Depression was evaluated by Hamilton depression scale (HAMD),and CRP was measured using rate nephelometry.The related parameters of wave intensity (WI) such as accelerating wave intensity (W1),decelerating wave intensity (W2),arterial stiffness β,pressure-strain elasticity modulus (Ep),arterial compliance (AC),pulse wave velocity -wave intensity(PWVWI),pulse wave velocity (PWV) and argumentation index (AI) were detected and compared between the groups. Results The levels of CRP [(8.1±2.8)mg/L vs. (3.9±3.2) mg/L,t=6.411,P=0.000],W2 [(4.82±1.33) mm Hg· m-1 · s-3 vs.(2.27±1.28)mm Hg · m-1 · s-3,t=4.256,P=0.021],arterial stiffness β(12.58±3.23 vs.8.96±2.24,t=4.634,P=0.019),Ep (157.90±52.64 vs.118.24±53.08,t=5.512,P=0.007),PWVβ(7.53± 1.41 vs.6.68±1.56,t=3.982,P=0.024),AI(19.26± 13.21 vs.15.34±10.23,t=3.213,P=0.037)and PWV-WI (7.59±1.67vs.6.63± 1.45,t =2.613,P =0.046) in cases with depression were higher than the cases without depression,while the AC value was reduced (0.70±0.19 vs.0.78±0.21,t=4.676,P =0.017).There was no difference in W1 value between the groups.The CRP level and HAMD score were positively associated with W2 (r=0.470,P=0.000),stiffness β (r=0.582,P=0.000),Ep (r=0.352,P=0.004),PWV-WI (r=0.233,P=0.019),PWVβ (r=0.340,P=0.007) and AI (r=0.265,P=0.015),but negatively related with AC(r=-0.457,P=0.000).HAMD score was positively correlated with CRP level(r=0.328,P=0.003). Conclusions The carotid artery wave intensity W2,blood vessel elasticity parameter β,Ep,AC,PWV-WI,PWVβ and AI determination can evaluate the risk of cardiovascular diseases in elderly diabetes,and higher CRP level and HAMD score may deteriorate its process.

Objective To study the histocompatibility of domestic new type nitinol alloy ventricular septal defect(VSD) occluder in order to test the feasibility for clinical application.Methods The domestic new type nitinol alloy VSD occluder was inserted into 20 healthy dogs with intravenous balanced anesthesia and tracheal intubation,assisted by animal breathing machine respiration.The dogs were given oral antibiotic and would be killed in several months after operation.According to different slaughter time(1,2,3,6 months),they were divided into 4 sections and including 5 dogs in each section.The occluder sites,the intimal coverage and the change of inflammatory cells were observed through gross anatomy,with the help of the light microscope and electron microscope.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The thickness of the endocardial enhanced with the time(P

Objective To study the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of solute carrier family 22 member 4 (SLC22A4) and SLC22A5 genes with Crhon's disease (CD) in Chinese Han nationality. Methods SNPs in the entire coding region of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 genes were screened by direct DNA sequencing in 80 CD patients and 80 healthy subjects, and statistical in Han population. Five SNPs were found in entire coding region (2 in SLC22A4 gene and 3 in distribution of the alleles and genotypes of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 polymorphisms between CD patients and healthy controls. Conclusion There is no correlation of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 with CD in Chinese Han nationality.

Advance on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Stellera plants have been conducted. The chemical constituents include terpenes, coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, volatile oils, and other compounds. Pharmacological studies showed that diterpenoids and biflavones showed strong activities, such as antitumor, anti-HIV, and immune regulations. This review hopes to provide a scientific basis for further research and explorations of the medicinal values of the genus.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Structure ; Thymelaeaceae ; chemistry ; classification

Objective To observe the influence of nandrolone phenylpropionate(NP) on the ultrastructure of aorta in rats with or without movement training,and investigate the side effects of NP on the cardiovascular system. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into sedentary control group,sedentary+medicine group,exercise control group and exercise+medicine group.For the groups with medical treatment,NP of 10 mg/kg one time every three days was injected into the rats via gluteus for eight weeks.For the exercise groups,rats were trained to run on treadmill five days per week for eight weeks.The aortae were sampled and specimens were obtained for transmission electron microscopy. Results The ultrastructure of aorta was normal in sedentary control group.For sedentary+medicine group,mitochondrial swelling,vacuolated cytoplasm and lysis of endothelial cells were observed,disruption of intercellular conjunctions,widening of subendothelial spaces and furcation and breakage of internal elastic lamina were found,and smooth muscle cells changed into synthesis type.For exercise control group,no obvious morphologic change was observed,except that part of the internal elastic lamina disrupted.In exercise+medicine group,breakage and lysis of endothelial cells were observed,widening of subendothelial spaces and lysis of internal elastic lamina were found,and autophagosome and myelinoid body were seen in smooth muscle cells. Conclusion NP may lead to the impairment of endothelial cells and the change of smooth muscle cells into synthesis type.Exercise with NP administration may result in more severe impairment in vessel wall.

AIMTo study the effect of hyaluronic acid chitosan-based microemulsion (HAC-ME) on the permeability of blood brain barrier( BBB) by using Evans blue (EB) as the indicator.

METHODSA formamide extraction-ultraviolet spectrophotometry method was employed to determine the concentrations of EB in each of the tissues. The in vivo distribution of HAC-ME groups containing EB in mice and the fluorescence intensity and diffusion domain of brain slices were all studied.

RESULTSContrasting to the common microemulsion (ME), HAC-ME at the lower concentration of HAC (<5 mg x mL(-1)) could further improve the transporting of EB across the BBB while EB concentration in other tissues decreased, and Tmax was delayed about 30 min.

CONCLUSIONHAC-ME could facilitate the transporting of EB across the BBB and it was concentration dependent. While the brain targeting absorptive capability of HAC-ME was enhanced.

Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Emulsions ; Evans Blue ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Hyaluronic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Particle Size ; Tissue Distribution

Based on the ecological and economic problems in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) of Chinese material medica, we introduced the origin, concept, features and operative technology of eco-agriculture worldwide, emphasizing its modes on different biological levels of landscape, ecosystem, community, population, individual and gene in China. And on this basis, we analyzed the background and current situation of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica, and proposed its development ideas and key tasks, including: (1) Analysis and planning of the production pattern of Chinese material medica national wide. (2) Typical features extraction of regional agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (3) Investigation of the interaction and its mechanism between typical Chinese materia medica in each region and the micro-ecology of rhizosphere soil. (4) Study on technology of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (5) Extraction and solidification of eco-agriculture modes of Chinese materia medica. (6) Study on the theory of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. Also we pointed out that GAP and eco-agriculture of Chinese material medica are both different and relative, but they are not contradictory with their own features. It is an irresistible trend to promote eco-agriculture in the GAP of Chinese material medica and coordinate ecological and economic development.
Agriculture ; methods ; standards ; trends ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Ecosystem ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new drug,human urinary kallidinogenase,against acute brain infarction.Method A 15-center,randomized,double-blinded and 3:1 placebo-controlled study was carried out.Acute brain infarction within 48 hours of onset in the territory of the middle cerebral artery were indicated as subjects;kallidinogenase or placebo which was dissolved in 50 ml saline,was slowly injected intraveousely within 30 minutes daily for 3 weeks.The European Stroke Scale and Barthel Index were used to evaluate the neurological deficit and the activities of daily living(ADL),followed by a follow-up at the end of the third month.Results 446 patients were enrolled,who completed ITT analysis,including 330 in kallidinogenase group and 116 in placebo group,meanwhile 421 proceeded with PP analysis(311 and 110 respectively).There were no significant differences of the baseline data between the 2 groups.At the end of treatment,the ESS scores increased by 55.1%?33.0% and 44.7%?32.8% respectively in kallidinogenase group(KG)and placebo group(PG,P=0.0022),the difference being significant.PP analysis had similar results.As for ADL,follow-up 90 days after the treatment showed 374 cases followed,280 in KG and 94 in PG;1 died in PG,while none in KG.In KG,the cases whose BI≥50 were significantly more than those in PG(P=0.0228).Adverse events possibly or definitely attributable to the drug were observed in 27 cases(7.74%),mostly were mild,such as palpitation,flush,dizziness, nausea etc,without special management needed.Only 2 died which was confirmed not correlated to kallidinogenase,and another 2 cases of sudden blood pressure drop were observed.The blood pressure drop, quickly restoring soon after the withdrawal of kallidinogenase and use of hemopiesic drugs,was considered to be caused by the combination use of anti-hypertensive drug ACEI and quick infusion speed.Conclusion Kallidinogenase is efficacious for acute brain infarction in improving the neurological deficits,which is safe in clinical use.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of normotensive pheochromocytomas ( NP) . Methods This retrospective study included 97 patients with a pathological diagnosis of pheochromocytoma at the Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School during January 2004 to December 2013. All available clinical, biochemical, and radiological records were reviewed in these patients who were then categorized into hypertensive pheochromocytomas (HP) (n=64) and NP (n=33) groups. 97 cases of Adrenal Gland Scale Score of pheochromocytoma were examined, including tissue microscopic pathology assessment, ki67 and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase ( PNMT ) immunohistochemistry and catecholamine type. Biochemical examinations of 95 subjects with primary hypertension ( PH) were recorded for comparative study. Results The patients with NP showed lower proportion of clinical triad than HP, inapparent metabolic disorders, and lower urinary catecholamine levels than HP, but showed higher results than primary hypertension. The weight of tumor was positively correlated with 24 hour urinary norepinephrine level in patients with HP(Y=1. 376+0. 653X,R2=0. 118, P=0. 028), but not in patients with NP;and the size or diameter of the tumor was negatively correlated with PNMT immunohistochemistry in patients with NP(Y=0. 940-0. 356X, R2=0. 494, P=0. 005), but not in patients with HP, indicating that NP may be misdiagnosed clinically. Conclusion Patients with NP have distinct clinical, biochemical, and pathological phenotypes; the phenotypic changes are closely related with the expression levels of catecholamine pathway products during the occurrence and development of the tumors.