Opioid receptors have drawn highly attention to scientists since they were founded in the 1990s.As a member of G protein-coupled receptor family,opioid peptides are the endogenous ligands.It is well known to us that the basic structure consists of extracellular amino residues,seven transmembrane region and the hydroxyl residues of the cell.In recent years,the progress of science laid the foundation for further studies on the function of delta receptor.Aberrant expression of delta opioid receptor in a variety of tumors,and it plays an important role of the occurrence and development of tumors.This review describes the recent research advances on delta opioid receptor and its association with hepatocellular carcinoma.

A complete aniline dioxygenase gene cluster cloned from an Acinetobacter sp. strain, which could utilize aniline as the sole carbon, nitrogen and energy, was sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the gene cluster had six intact ORFs, and the whole sequence had high similarity with that of Acinetobacter sp. YAA at amino acid level. A recombinant strain was formed with the gene cluster ligated to vector pLAFR6 and transferred to E.coli. After optimizing the fermentation conditions of this strain for producing catechol, LB was confirmed as the final medium, pH7.0, aniline concentration 0.5mg/ml, E.coli DH5?as the host, incubation temperature 37℃, amount of inoculum 3%. Under above conditions, the yield of catechol could get to 0.546mg/ml, and the converting rate of substrate at molecule level could get to 92.4%.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the perioperative complications of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.

METHODSFrom June 2009 to December 2011, 63 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture underwent PKP, there were 18 males and 45 females with an average age of 75.3 years ( ranged, 62 to 91). All patients with severe back pain and without neurological symptoms and signs, which were confirmed by X-ray and MRI. Among them,there were 63 cases with severe osteoporosis, 37 cases with hypertension, 10 with coronary artery disease, 29 with anemia, 26 with diabetes, 11 with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and 8 with gastritis and peptic ulcer. The common perioperative complications were retropectively reviewed.

RESULTSPreoperative complications occured in 9 cases (14.3%), including hypostatic pneumonia (1 case), electrolyte disturbances (2 cases), urinary tract infection (2 cases), moderate anemia(2 cases),electrolyte disturbances combined with moderate anemia (1 case), hypostatic pneumonia combined with delirium (1 case). Intraoperative and postoperative. complications occurred in 17 cases (26.9%), there were bone cement correlated complications in 9 cases (14.3%), in which 2 cases of toxic reaction of bone cement and 7 cases of leakage (2 cases had clinical symptoms); there were non-bone cement correlated complications in 3 cases (4.8%), in which 1 case of focal hematoma caused by paracentesis, 1 case of transient nerve injury, 1 case of left intercostal neuralgia;there were transient hyperpathia in 5 cases after operation. All complications result in no severe consequence after treatment.

CONCLUSIONPerioperative complications of percutaneous kyphoplasty are not uncommon,however,these complications may not cause serious consequence after active treatment,so prevention and treatment are important for it.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; surgery ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; etiology ; Kyphoplasty ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies

The discovery of drug targets plays a crucial role in drug research. Accurate information of small molecule drug-protein interaction can be provided by label-free target discovery technology without any structural modification at the small molecule. So, the label-free drug target discovery technology had become the powerful tool to discover the targets of drugs. Due to the “multi-component and multi-target” characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the research on its targets and mechanism had been restricted. Based on potential of the label-free target discovery technology in the research of TCMs, this paper summarized the label-free target discovery technology and its application in TCMs research. It will provide a reference for the discovery of targets of TCMs and a new view for promoting the modernization of TCMs.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different frequencies on the expression levels of substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the colon of rats with slow transit constipation (STC).Methods:One hundred healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a low-frequency EA group,a high-frequency EA group and a variable-frequency EA group,with 20 rats in each group.The rats in the normal group were fed with normal diet.The rats in the other groups were fed with phenethylpiperidine in the diet at a dose of 8 mg/(kg·bw) per day,for 120 d,to establish the STC model.Rats in the normal group and the model group did not receive any treatment;rats in the low-frequency EA group were treated with 2 Hz continuous wave EA,rats in the high-frequency EA group were treated with 100 Hz continuous wave EA,and rats in the variable-frequency EA group were treated with 2 Hz/100 Hz sparse-dense EA.The current intensity of the EA was determined by the slight vibration of the rat limbs without painful screaming.The intervention was performed once a day,15 min/time for continuous 15 d.After treatment,the intestinal transit function and the expression levels of SP and VIP in the colon of the rats in each group were determined.Results:After treatment,the defecation duration of the first dark stool in the model group was significantly longer than that in the normal group (P＜0.05);the defecation durations of the first dark stool in the low-frequency EA group,high-frequency EA group and variable-frequency EA group were significantly shorter than the duration in the model group (all P＜0.05);compared with the low-frequency EA group,the first dark stool defecation duration of rats in the variable-frequency EA group was significantly shorter (P＜0.05);compared with the normal group,the SP and VIP expression levels in the colon of the model group were significantly decreased (both P＜0.01);the SP and VIP expression levels in the colon of the low-frequency EA group,the high-frequency EA group and the variable-frequency EA group were significantly higher than those in the model group (all P＜0.05);compared with the high-frequency EA group,the SP expression levels in the colon in the low-frequency EA group and the variable-frequency EA group were significantly increased (both P＜0.05);compared with the low-frequency EA group,the VIP expression levels in the colon in the high-frequency EA group and the variable-frequency EA group were significantly increased (both P＜0.05).Conclusion:EA improves the intestinal function of STC model rats by regulating the expression levels of SP and VIP in rat colon.The EA stimulation with 100 Hz continuous wave,2 Hz/100 Hz sparse-dense wave shows a better improvement in the colonic transit function in STC rats,followed by 2 Hz continuous wave.

This study is to investigate the mechanism of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells proliferation induced by alteronol in vitro. Human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of alteronol. Inhibition rate was detected by SRB assay. Cellular morphological changes were observed by Hoechst and AO/EB (acridine orange/ethidium bromide dye) staining. The apoptosis rate was determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Western blotting analysis was carried out to determine the cell cycle related proteins. The proliferation of HL-60 cells treated with alteronol was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on cell viability assay, observation on cell morphology and apoptosis rate, it confirmed that alteronol played an obvious role in proliferation inhibition of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells, but it did not induce apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells in different concentrations groups. Alteronol could effectively inhibit the proliferation of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells inducing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, as well as, alteration expression of cell cycle proteins level of CyclinD1 and pRb.
Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Naphthoquinones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clone and identify the proteins involved in regulating the transcription of hTERT and study the role of genes in both hTERT transcription and telomerase activity.

METHODSThe full cDNA of COUP-TFII was cloned from HeLa cDNA library by hTERT promoter-based yeast one-hybrid assay and then in-frame inserted into His-tag fusion expression vector pEK318. The His-tag COUP-TFII fusion proteins were purified by Ni-NTA chromatography. The interaction of COUP-TFII with hTERT promoter in vitro was identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Footprint. The role of COUP-TFII in both hTERT transcription and telomerase activity were probed through Luciferase reporter assay, Northern blot, and TRAP-PCR ELISA.

RESULTSCOUP-TFII could firmly bind to the downstream E-box and the other two binding sites in hTERT promoter. Luciferase reporter assay indicated COUP-TFII could suppress hTERT promoter activity and stable introduction of COUP-TFII into HeLa cells also decreased both endogenous hTERT transcription and telomerase activity.

CONCLUSIONThe human COUP-TFII can firmly bind to hTERT promoter, and inhibit telomerase activity through decreasing hTERT transcription. It will greatly facilitate understanding of telomerase regulation in normal and cancer cells.

COUP Transcription Factor II ; COUP Transcription Factors ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; E-Box Elements ; genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Steroid ; genetics ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Yeasts ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible roles of adenosine and the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) in rats.

METHODSForty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups A (ABP), B (ABP + theophylline intervention), C (sham) and D (blank control). ABP models were established by injecting Escherichia coli 0157 into the prostate, and those in group B were treated by intraperitoneal injection of theophylline immediately after modeling. At 4 and 14 days, the prostate tissues of the rats were collected for detection of the expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-10 by immunohistochemistry and the concentration of adenosine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSAt 4 and 14 days, the concentrations of adenosine were significantly higher in group A ([48.38 +/- 17.27] and [26.54 +/- 11.22] microg/g) than in C ([0.45 +/- 0.25] and [0.46 +/- 0.29] microg/g) and D ([0.41 +/- 0.23] and [0.43 +/- 0.27] microg/g) (P < 0.05), and so were the expressions of TNF-alpha in A (0.23 +/- 0.08 and 0.21 +/- 0.03) than in C (0.07 +/- 0.03 and 0.07 +/- 0.01) and D (0.07 +/- 0.06 and 0.07 +/- 0.06) (P < 0.05), and those of IL-10 in A (0.13 +/- 0.03 and 0.25 +/- 0.01) than in C (0.07 +/- 0.03 and 0.07 +/- 0.03) and D (0.07 +/- 0.01 and 0.07 +/- 0.02) (P < 0.05). Compared with group A, the rats in group B showed significant increases at 4 and 14 days in the severity of inflammation, concentration of adenosine ([86.64 +/- 32.87] and [51.17 +/- 22.96] microg/g, P < 0.05) and expression of TNF-alpha (0.37 +/- 0.08 and 0.32 +/- 0.06, P < 0.05), but exhibited no remarkable difference in the expression of IL-10 (0.12 +/- 0.06 and 0.15 +/- 0.06, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdenosine may affect the progression of inflammation by regulating the expressions of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-10 in ABP rats through the adenosine receptor signaling pathway.

Adenosine ; physiology ; Animals ; Escherichia coli O157 ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Male ; Prostate ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Theophylline ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To establish a noninvasive prenatal testing(NIPT) method based on the chromosome specific site sequencing instead of the conventional whole genome sequencing.Methods Blood plasma samples from 200 pregnant women with known fetus karyotypes were collected.First,the specific loci on chromosome 13,18 and 21 were selected by the database filter.Then,these specific loci were captured by probes,and were performed sequencing.Finally,chromosome aneuploidy was identified by the Z-score.ResultsSeven fetuses with 21-trisomy syndrome,3 with 18-trisomy syndrome and 1 with 13-trisomy syndrome were detected by the chromosome specific site sequencing,and the results were accordant with those of the whole genome sequencing method.Conclusion The NIPT method based on the chromosome specific site sequencing has the advantages of low cost and high throughput,which may replace the NIPT method based on the whole genome sequencing.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different frequencies on transmission function, electromyography, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) content and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) expression of colon in rat models with slow transit constipation (STC). Methods: Of the 50 healthy male Wistar rats, 10 were randomly selected as a normal group and fed with ordinary diet, and the remaining 40 rats were fed with the diet added with the compound diphenoxylate at a dose of 8 mg/(kg·bw) each day for continuous 120 d. The 40 successfully established STC rat models were randomly divided into a model group, a low-frequency EA group (2 Hz), a high-frequency EA group (100 Hz), and a variable-frequency EA group (2 Hz/100 Hz), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and the model groups were not given any treatment; the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups were given EA at Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhigou (TE 6) with continuous wave at the designated frequency, and the variable-frequency EA group received sparse-dense wave (2 Hz/100 Hz) EA at the same acupoints, once a day for a total of 15 d. After treatment, the colonic transmission function, electromyography, NOS content and ICC expression (calculated by the difference in the area of the C-kit positive cells) of the rats in each group were measured. Results: For the colonic transmission function, compared with the normal group, the first black stool excretion durations of rats in the other groups were significantly prolonged (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the first black stool excretion durations of rats in the three EA groups were significantly shortened (all P<0.05), which was significantly shorter in the variable-frequency EA group than in the low-frequency EA and high-frequency EA groups (both P<0.05). For the colonic electromyography, compared with the normal group, the amplitude was significantly increased and the frequency was accelerated in rats of the other groups (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the amplitude was significantly reduced and the frequency was slowed down in the three EA groups (both P<0.05); compared with the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups, the amplitude was reduced and the frequency was significantly reduced in rats of the variable-frequency EA group (both P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the colonic NOS contents were significantly increased in the other groups (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the NOS contents were significantly reduced in the three EA groups (all P<0.05); compared with the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups, the content was significantly reduced in the variable-frequency EA group (all P<0.05). For the area of rat colonic C-kit-positive cells, compared with the normal group, the areas were significantly reduced in rats of other groups (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the areas were increased significantly in the three EA groups (all P<0.05); compared with the low-frequency EA group, the area was increased significantly in the variable-frequency EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion: EA, especially EA at the 2 Hz/100 Hz variable-frequency, has a positive treatment effect on the STC model rats. It may improve rats' colonic function by regulating the electromyography, NOS content and ICC expression of colon.