Flammulin, an anti-tumor protein, was purified from the aqueous extract of basidiomes of Flammulina Velutipes. Purified flammulin emulsified with Freund's adjuvant was injected subcutaneously into New Zealand white rabbits. After several immune enhancements, these animals were bled and sera were separated. Antiserum against flammulin in Western blots were applied to determine if flammulin be present in the liquid state culture or fruiting body. The result showed that anti-flammulin serum could recognize the aqueous extract of fruiting body in SDS-PAGE gels under the reducing conditions, no flammulin was detected in mycelia of Flammulina Velutipes.

Objective To explore the effects of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) on the withdrawal syndrome and conditioned place preference(CPP) of morphine dependent rats. Methods ( 1 ) Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups with one of 8 rats:morphine dependent group (MOR group) ,naloxone precipitated withdrawal group ( NAL group) ,PHC treatment groups ( PHC1,2,3 ) ,normal saline control group ( NS group). Subcutaneous injection of morphine in gradually increasing doses for 5 days (from 10 to 50 mg/kg ,two times daily) to establish the model of morphine physical dependent rats. The withdrawal syndrome was precipitated by naloxone (5 mg/kg,sc) and treated with PHC in various doses (0.5,1.0,1.5 mg/kg ,ip ) 30 min before haloxone-precipitated withdrawal. The body weight loss and withdrawal syndrome were observed respectively in 20 minutes. (2) 40 male SD rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups with one of 8 rats: morphine dependent group (MOR group) ,PHC treatment groups (PHC1 ,2,3 ) ,normal saline control group (NS group). The morphine conditioned place preference was induced by alternate subcutaneous injection of morphine for 7 days in rats ( 10mg/kg,once daily,8:00 AM) and saline( 16:00 PM). At d8,the rats were received the CPP test. The rats of PHC groups were treated with PHC (0.5,1.0,1.5 mg/kg , ip) prior to the CPP test, whereas the rats were treated with saline in MOR and NS group. Results (1) Theweight loss((8.53 ±l.20)g,(7.36±l.06)g,(5.40±1.79 ) g vs ( 12.63 ± 2.22 ) g, F = 83.16, P ＜ 0.01 ) and score precipitated withdrawal symptoms ( 25.36 ± 3.11,21.38±3.50,17.06±1.78 vs 31.69 ±2.76, F=256.56, P＜0.01)of morphine withdrawal rats was obviously alleviated by ip PHC in dose-related manner before naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. (2) There were significant differences in the times spent in the drug-paired side (gray area) between MOR and PHC groups( (529 ± 83 )s,(460 ± 107 ) s, (418 ± 97 ) s vs ( 643 ± 111 ) s, F = 13.22, P ＜ 0.01 ), and also in dose-related manner. Conclusion PHC could significantly inhibit the withdrawal syndrome and the expression of CPP on morphine dependent rats in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective:To investigate the roles and regulation mechanism of miR-31 in human cutaneous squamous cell carcino-ma (cSCC) growth. Methods:cSCC cells were transfected with the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) of miR-31, and the cSCC growth was tested by colony formation and in vivo tumor formation assays. The target gene of miR-31 was validated by Western blot and green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter assay. The cells were then transfected with the siRNA of the target gene, and the effect of the target gene on cell growth was preformed by colony formation assay. Finally, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used for analy-sis of the expression of miR-31 and its target gene. Results:miR-31 ASO resulted in a low number of cell colonies and small tumor vol-ume (P<0.05). Western blot showed that the cells with miR-31 ASO had a higher protein level of large tumor suppressor homolog 2 (LATS2) than the control. The 3' UTR of LATS2 had a binding site with miR-31, and miR-31 ASO increased the GFP intensity con-trolled by LATS2 3' UTR, whereas no effect was observed on the mutant LATS2 3' UTR. Western blot showed that LATS2 siRNA inhib-ited the expression of LATS2 protein by about 80%. Knocking down of LATS2 increased the colony number by about 70%or 1.3-fold in cSCC cells. Real-time PCR showed that miR-31 was overexpressed in most cSCC tissues, compared with normal tissues. An inverse relationship existed between miR-31 and LATS2 expression levels. Immunohistochemistry validated that LATS2 was downregulated in cSCC tissues. Conclusion:miR-31, which functions as an oncogene, promotes cSCC growth by suppressing LATS2 expression. Our da-ta suggest that miR-31 is a potential miRNA-based therapeutic target for cSCC growth.

Objective To investigate the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHCD) on tramadol dependence and c-fos,△ FosB and M5 receptor expression in relevant brain regions in rats.Methods Thirty male adult SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n =10 each):control group (group C),tramadol dependence group (group T) and PHCD group (group P).Tramadol dependence was induced by subcutaneous 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 consecutive days in groups T and P.PHCD 1.5 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally on day 8 in group P,while in groups C and T the equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally instead of PHCD.The rats underwent conditioned place perference test at 30 min after intraperitoneal injection.The time spent in drug-paired side (gray area) was recorded.The rats were sacrificed after the conditioned place perference testand the brain was removed.The relevant brain regions (ventral tegmental area,prefrontal cortex,nucleus accumbens )were separated for determination of c-fos,△ FosB expression by Western blot and M5 receptor mRNA expression by RT-PCR.Results Compared with group C,the time spent in the drug-paired side (gray area) was significantly prolonged,and c-fos,△FosB and M5 receptor mRNA expressions were up-regulated in group T,△FosB and Ms receptor mRNA expressions were down-regulated in group P ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ).There was no significant difference in time spent in the drug-paired side (gray area) and c-fos expression between groups C and P( P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group T,the time spent in the drug-paired side (gray area) was significantly shortened,and c-fos,△ FosB and M5 receptor mRNA expressions were down-regulated in group P (P ＜0.01).Conclusion PHCD can significantly inhibit tramadol dependence by down-regulating c-fos,△FosB and M5 receptor expression in relevant brain regions.

Objective To evaluate the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in mechanical ventilationinduced increase in pulmonary capillary permeability in diabetic mice.Methods Two types of mice,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were used in this study:free wild type mice (C3H/HeN) and TLR4 gene mutation type (C3H/HeJ).Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin 150 mg/kg (in citric acid buffer solution 0.1 mol/L) and confirmed by blood glucose level ＞ 16 mmol/L.Each type of diabetic mice was randomly divided into 2 groups (n =14 each):group diabetes + sham operation (group DS) and group diabetes + mechanical ventilation (group DM).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine,midazolam and atropine.Tracheal intubation was performed and the animals kept spontaneous breathing in group DS.The animals were mechanically ventilated (FiO2 50％,RR 70 bpm,VT 15 ml/kg,PEEP 2 cmH2O) for 4 h in group DM.Arterial blood samples were obtained at 4 h of ventilation for blood gas analysis,PaO2 and PaCO2 were recorded,and NO concentration in the serum was measured.Then the animals were sacrificed and the lungs were removed for determination of W/D lung weight ratio (W/D ratio),content of evans blue (EB),and expression of caveolin-1,endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phosphor-eNOS (p-eNOS) (by Western blot).The ratio of p-eNOS/eNOS was calculated.Results Compared with group DS,PaO2,PaCO2 and p-eNOS/eNOS ratio were significantly decreased,and W/D ratio,EB content and caveolin-1 expression were increased in group DM (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with C3H/HeN mice,W/D ratio,caveolin-1 expression and EB content were significantly decreased,peNOS/eNOS ratio and serum NO concentrations were increased (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes in PaO2 and PaCO2 were found in C3H/HeJ mice in group DM (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion TLR4 increases the pulmonary capillary permeability after mechanical ventilation in diabetic mice through effectively combining with caveolin-1 and reducing NO bioavailability.

Objective To evaluate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in inflammatory responses in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury using gene knockout.Methods Twenty-four male C578L/6J wild type mice and 24 male B6.129P2-Nos3tm1Unc/NJU (eNOS gene knockout) mice,aged 10-12 months,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S) and mechanical ventilation group (group MV).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 1％ pentobarbital sodium 70 mg/kg,and mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation.The animals were mechanically ventilated for 4 h (oxygen flow rate 0.5 L/min,FiO2 50％,VT 15 ml/kg,RR 70 bpm,PEEP 2 cmH2O).After 4 h of ventilation,blood samples were obtained from the internal carotid artery for detection of PaO2.The animals were then sacrificed and the lungs were removed for determination of wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio,myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity,contents of malondialdehyde (MDA),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),and pulmonary microvascular permeability,and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of lung (with electron microscope).Results Compared with group S of wild type mice,PaO2 was significantly decreased,while W/D ratio,MPO activity,contents of MDA,IL-6,TNF-oα and NO,and pulmonary microvascular permeability were increased in MV groups of wild type and gene knockout mice,and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group S of gene knockout mice.Compared with group MV of wild type mice,PaO2 was significantly increased,while W/D ratio,MPO activity,contents of MDA,IL-6,TNF-α and NO and pulmonary microvascular permeability were decreased in group MV of gene knockout mice.The pathological changes of lung were significantly attenuated in group MV of gene knockout mice as compared with group MV of wild type mice.Conclusion eNOS is involved in inflammatory responses in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury.

Objective To evaluate the effect of mechanical ventilation on synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 region of mice.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =18 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and mechanical ventilation group (group M).After anesthesia,endotracheal intubation was carried out,and open reduction and internal fixation was performed after tibial fracture was induced in mice.In C group,the endotracheal tube was removed after operation,and then the mice were exposed to 1.5％ isoflurane for 6 h in a chamber.In M group,the mice were mechanically ventilated continuously for 6 h,and 1.5％ isoflurane was inhaled to maintain the level of anesthesia.At 2 h and 1 and 3 days after the end of ventilation,6 mice were chosen from each group,and fear conditioning test was performed,and the percentage of freezing time was recorded.Six mice were chosen from each group on 1 day after the end of ventilation,and novel object recognition task was carried out.The preference index was calculated at 5-min,2-h and 1-day intervals on 4 days after the end of ventilation.Three mice were chosen from each group on 1 day after the end of ventilation and sacrificed,and the hippocampi were isolated for examination of hippocampal ultrastructure (with electron microscope) and for calculation of the number of synapses.Three mice were chosen from each group on 1 day after the end of ventilation and sacrificed,and the whole brain was removed for measurement of dendritic spine density in brain tissues.Results Compared with group C,the percentage of freezing time was significantly decreased at 2 h and 1 day after operation,the preference index at different intervals was decreased,the number of synapses in hippocampal CA1 region was reduced,and the apical and basal dendritic spine densities were decreased in group M.Conclusion Mechanical ventilation can change synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 region of mice.

Objective To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in attenuation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury by penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC).Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were provided by Medical Research Center,Wuhan University,cultured and seeded in 96-well plate (100 μl/hole) or 24-well plate (3 nl/hole) with density of 1 × 104/ml or in culture flasks (5 ml/flask) with density of 1 × 106/ml.The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =23 each):group control (group C) ; group LPS; group PHC (group P) and group PHC + LPS (group PL).The cells were exposed to LPS 1 μg/ml in groups L and PL or/and PHC 2 μg/ml in groups P and PL.LPS was added at 1 h after PHC in group PL.The cells were collected at 24 h exposure to LPS for determination of the expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) and p38 MAPK.The ratio between p-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK was calculated.Cell viability,NO content and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were also determined.Results LPS significantly decreased cell viability,increased NO content,iNOS expression,p-p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratio in group L as compared with group C.In group PL pretreatment with PHC significantly attenuated LPS-induced cell injury.Conclusion p38 MAPK pathway is involved in attenuation of LPS-induced endothelial cell injury by PHC.

Objective To investigate the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHCD) on the reinstatement of conditioned place preference (CPP) in morphine dependent rats. Methods Forty male adult SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8 each): group control (group C); group morphine (group M) and 3 PHCD groups (group P1-3 ). Morphine 10 mg/kg was injected subcutaneously once a day for 8 days to induce morphine CPP. The rats were then subjected to extinction of CPP for 10 days with normal saline (NS) instead of morphine. After the extinction, the rats were put into the drug-paired side of the box. A single priming dose of morphine 4 mg/kg was injected to reinstate the morphine CPP. In group P1-3 the rats received PHCD 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally 30 min prior to priming dose of morphine, whereas in group C and M the rats received NS. The second day the rats underwent CPP test. Results Compared with group M, the time spent in the drug-paired side (grey area) was significantly shortened in group P1-3 (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ).Compared with group P1 ,no significant change in the time spent in the drug-paired side (grey area) was found in group P2(P ＞ 0.05), but the time spent in the drug-paired side (grey area) was significantly shortened in group P3 ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion PHCD could significantly inhibit the reinstatement of CPP induced by priming dose of morphine in morphine dependent rats and it is related to the dose.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on NF-κB activity in ventilator-induced lung injury in dogs.Methods Thirty healthy 5-year-old Beagles,weighing 10-12 kg,were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),mechanical ventilation (MV) group and 3 different concentrations of dexmedetomidine groups (groups DEX1-3).The animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium,ketamine and atropine.The rats were tracheostomized and spontaneous breathing was maintained in group C,while the rats were tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated for 4 h in MV and DEX1-3 groups.Tracheal intubation was performed in all the groups.The concentration of O2 inhaled was set at 50％,respiratory rate at 15 bpm,tidal volume at 20 ml/kg,and positive end-expiratory pressure at 2 cm H2 O.A loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 μg/kg was infused over 20 min before intubation,followed by continuous infusion (lasting for4 h) at a rate of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0μg·kg-1 ·h-1 in DEX1-3 groups,respectively.Blood samples were taken from the femoral artery at baseline state,and 1,2 and 4 h of MV for detection of PaO2.The animals were sacrificed after 4 h of MV.The lungs were removed for determination of W/D lung weight ratio (W/ D ratio),myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity,NF-κB p65 expression (by Western blot) and TNF-α mRNA expression (by RT-PCR) in lung tissues.Results Compared with group C,W/D ratio,MPO activity,and expression of NFκB p65 and TNF-α mRNA were significantly increased in group MV (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group MV,MPO activity,and expression of NF-κB p65 and TNF-α mRNA were significantly decreased,and no significant change was found in W/D ratio in DEX2 and DEX3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can inhibit NF-κB activity and reduce inflammatory responses,thus improving ventilator-induced lung injury in dogs.