Adult ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; pathology ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; pathology ; Female ; Granuloma ; pathology ; Humans ; Mastoid ; pathology

Objective To observe changes of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T) in umbilical vein blood between male and female neonates, and assess the effect of serum LH, FSH and T on fetal growth.Methods Umbilical vein blood was obtained from 130 neonates (64 females and 66 males) in the second hospital of changshu city. According to birth weight, 130 neonates were divided into 3 groups: macrosomia (n=28), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (n=31) and normal neonates (n=71). The serum levels of LH, FSH and T were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results 1.The levels of LH, FSH and T in umbilical vein blood were significantly higher in male neonates than those in females (P

Animals ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Vitamin E ; blood

AIMTo investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor gene transfected MSCs transplantation on cardiac function and fibrosis in rats heart failure model induced by adriamycin.

METHODSMSCs were isolated from SD rats by density gradient centrifugation, purified, and transfected with Ad-hHGF. ELISA were used to detect the protein expression of hHGF in these MSCs. Forty SD rats underwent intraperitoneal injection with adriamycin to induce heart failure model. 8 healthy rats served as control, 24 survival rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): Rats in Ad-hHGF transfected MSCs group were injected with Ad-hHGF transfected MSCs 2 weeks after the establishment of the model, rats in MSC group injected with suspension of MSCs only, and model group was injected with cold culture fluid. Heart function was evaluated by a physiological recorder 4 weeks after cell transplantation. Myocardial cell morphology and interstitial collagen were studied by electron microscope and were stained by Sirus red. TGF-beta1 was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS(1) MSCs could be transfected efficiently by Ad-hHGF, manifested by a higher level of expression in vitro, persisting 14 days at least. (2) Four weeks after the cells transplantion, cardiac necrosis in MSC-hHGF rats was improved when compared with those in the MSCs (P < 0.05) and Model group (P < 0.01). The heart function of the MSC-hHGF rats was greatly improved with an significant increase in LVSP and + dp/dt(max), although LVEDP still highter than that of normal rats. (3) MSC-Ad-hHGF decreased Myocardial collagen content and the level of TGFbeta1 compaired with MSCs transplanted rats (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTransplantation of HGF gene transfected MSCs improved heart function, decreased myocardial collagen and the level of TGFbeta1.

Animals ; Doxorubicin ; Fibrosis ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Heart Failure ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transfection

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Zygophyllumfabago, by phytochemical methods. The compounds were isolated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with the literature. As a result, thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 1-hydroxyhinesol(1), hinesol(2), atractylenolactam(3), beta-eudesmol (4), 5alpha-hydroperoxy-beta-eudesmol(5), 12-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one(6), pubinernoid A(7), (6S,7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione(8), 3-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-beta-ionone (9), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E)-3, 5, 6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(10), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one(11), (S)-3-hydroxy-beta-ionone(12), and blumenol A(13). Compounds 1-7 were sesquiterpenoids and 8-13 were megastigmane type norsesquiterpenoids. All the compounds were obtained from Z. fabago for the first time, and compound 1 was a new natural product.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Zygophyllum ; chemistry

An enzyme-displaying yeast as a whole-cell biocatalyst seemed an alternative to immobilized enzyme, due to its low-cost preparation and simple recycle course. Here, we tried to use a recombinant Pichia pastoris displaying Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) to catalyze the synthesis of short chain flavor esters in n-heptane. We studied some major influential factors of esterification reactions, such as carbon chain length of the substrates, alcohol structure, enzyme concentration, substrates concentration, molar ratio of the substrates. The acid conversions were determined by titration and gas chromatography analysis. About ten kinds of esters were synthesized successfully, and the acid conversions of eight esters reached as high as 90% after reaction for 6 h. The result also indicated that ethanol and hexanoic acid were the most suitable substrates for this whole-cell catalyst. Under the optimal reaction conditions (the amount of lipase 20 g/L (306.0 U/g-dry cell), hexanoic acid concentration 0.8 mol/L, the molar ratio of hexanoic acid to ethanol 1:1.1), hexanoic acid conversion reached 97.3% after reaction for 1.5 h. To our knowledge, the CALB-displaying P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst showed good tolerance for high substrates concentration and exhibited high reaction rate on esterification of short chain flavor esters among the present enzyme/cell reported. Thus, CALB-displaying P pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst was promising in commercial application for flavor esters synthesis in non-aqueous phase.
Biocatalysis ; Candida ; enzymology ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; Esters ; metabolism ; Fungal Proteins ; Lipase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and progression-free survival of erlotinib after progression of disease to gefitinib in patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma who previously obtained a disease control with gefitinib.

METHODIn this retrospective study, 12 patients with advanced or metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma,who were previously obtained a partial response or a stable disease with gefitinib,were treated with erlotinib after gefitinib failure. Erlotinib efficiency, progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed.

RESULTSNice (75%)achieved stable disease and three (25%) achieved progression disease with erlotinib treatment after gefitinib failure. No complete response or partial response was observed. The disease control rate was 75%. The median progression-free survival and overall survival of erlotinib were 180 days and 831 days.

CONCLUSIONErlotinib seems to be an optional treatment after gefitinib failure for advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients,who previously responded to gefitinib.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Tolerance ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to investigate how Zuogui pills from the Kidney-tonifying and Nourishing Yin formula, in combination with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix, affected the ovarian local oxidative stress response in decreasing ovarian reserve (DOR) mice. All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the guidelines and standards established by Jinan University's Experimental Animal Management Committee. Cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated DOR mice were given Zuogui pills, cetrorelix, or a combination of the two drugs intragastrically. After treatment, there were changes in the estrous cycle, serum sex hormone levels, oxidative stress-related indexes, growth biochemical factor levels, and SIRT1/P53/P21 expression. In comparison to the model group, the Zuogui pills and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had significantly prolonged estrous periods and shortened interestrous periods, and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had a significantly shortened cycle length. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased and estradiol (E₂) increased in all treatment groups compared to the model group, oxidative stress indexes nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased, growth biochemical factors brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) concentrations increased significantly, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) showed no significant change. SIRT1/P53/P21 immunohistochemical results revealed that, when compared to the model group, the expression of SIRT1 increased while the expression of P53 and P21 proteins decreased in all treatment groups, with the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group having the largest decrease, with significant differences in all indicators. We conclude that cetrorelix combined with Zuogui pills for kidney nourishing and Yin recipe improved the oxidative stress response in the follicle by regulating the SIRT1/P53/P21 pathway, reducing peroxide product production, protecting ovarian function, and regulating ovarian hormone secretion, and its efficacy is superior to that of cetrorelix or Zuogui pills alone.

An enzyme-displaying yeast as a whole-cell biocatalyst is an alternative to immobilized enzyme, due to its low-cost preparation and simple recycle course. Here, lipase-displaying Pichia pastoris whole-cell was used as a biocatalyst to synthesize diisooctyl adipate in the non-aqueous system. The maximum productivity of diisooctyl adipate was obtained as 85.0% in a 10 mL reaction system. The yield could be reached as high as 97.8% when the reaction system was scaled up to 200 mL. The purity obtained is 98.2% after vacuum distillation. Thus, the lipase-displaying P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst was promising in commercial application for diisooctyl adipate synthesis in non-aqueous phase.
Adipates ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; Lipase ; metabolism ; Pichia ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDGalectin-3 is the most recently identified advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) binding protein. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AGEs and rosiglitazone on the expression and secretion of galectin-3 in cultured human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs).

METHODSHRMCs were incubated with different concentrations of AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA) (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L) for different time (0, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours), and exposed to AGE-BSA in the presence of different concentrations of rosiglitazone (1, 10, and 100 micromol/L). The mRNA and protein expression of galectin-3 in HRMCs were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The culture medium of HRMCs was collected and concentrated, and the content of galectin-3 in the medium was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSBoth RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that AGE-BSA up-regulated the expression of galectin-3 in HRMCs in a concentration- (P < 0.05) and time-dependent (P < 0.05) manner compared with the control. Compared with the control, AGE-BSA elevated the content of galectin-3 in the culture medium of HRMCs time- and concentration-dependently (P < 0.05, respectively). Both protein and mRNA expression of galectin-3, and its content in the medium of HRMCs exposed to different concentrations of rosiglitazone in the presence of AGE-BSA were increased compared with those of cells exposed to AGE-BSA alone (P < 0.05). Rosiglitazone increased the expression and secretion of galectin-3 in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAGEs up-regulates the expression and secretion of galectin-3 in HRMCs. Rosiglitazone further enhances the upregulation of galectin-3 in HRMCs induced by AGEs, which suggests that rosiglitazone may play a role of reno-protection via up-regulation of galectin-3.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; secretion ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; pharmacology ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology