Bufonis Venenum, as a precious Chinese materia medica, has complex chemical constituents and has been widely used in clinical treatment with significant effects. The chemical constituents in Bufonis Venenum mainly included bufadienolides, indole alkaloids, and steroids, etc. Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated its antitumor, cardiac, anti-inflammatory, and narcotic analgesic, etc. This paper reviewed the chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, and artificial synthesis of Bufonis Venenum, providing theoretical reference for material basic research, pharmacodynamic mechanism interpretation, development, and utilization.

Objective To investigate the effects of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)gene in the apoptosis of human trophoblastic cells.Methods The siRNA specific-targeting SHBG gene was transfected into human trophoblastic cells and they were divided into six groups:trophoblasts without transfection in normal control groups(group Ⅰ);transfect liposome in blank control groups(group Ⅱ);transfect nonspecific siRNA in negative control groups(group Ⅲ);transfect SHBG siRNA-Ⅰ,SHBG siRNA-Ⅱ,SHBG siRNA-Ⅲ respectively in trans-fection group(group Ⅳ,Ⅴ,Ⅵ).Hoechst 33258 dying method was used to detect cell apoptosis.SHBG and Caspase-3 mRNA profiling and the level of SHBG and caspase-3 protein were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.Results There was no statistical significant difference in the gene expression and protein level of SHBG and caspase-3 in group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ (P >0.05).In Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅵ group,there was no statistical significant difference in the expression level of SHBG and caspase 3 (P >0.05).Compared with group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,the a-mount of SHBG gene expression decreased obviously,the caspase-3 mRNA and protein level increased obviously and the trophoblast cell ap-optosis increased markedly (P <0.05).Conclusion Through siRNA interference technology can reduce SHBG gene expression in human trophoblastic cells,and it can lead to excessive apoptosis of human trophoblasts cells.

Objective:To generate sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) conditional knockout mice model.In order to investigate the physiological function of SHBG in vivo and to provide experimental means for the study of the relationship between SHBG and gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods:The mouse genomic DNA sequence of SHBG was verified through bioinformatic analysis.According to the SHBG genomic DNA sequence,the gene targeting and knockout vector were constructed.Transfection of the vectors to ES cells by electroporation was performed according to common protocol.Positive ES cells were screened and identified by PCR.Therefore,the dual selected ES cells were microinjected into blastula,then blastula transplantations into the host mice.The chimeric mice were mated with C57BL/6J mice,and the Flox mice were obtained after screening.The Flox mice were hybridized with EIIA-Cre transgenic mice,and the progeny of the SHBG gene knockout (SHBG-/-) mice were obtained by autocopuation for several times.Results:Several Flox homozygous mice and SHBG gene knockout mice were successfully obtained.Compared with control mice,homozygous mice of SHBG gene knockout were well developed and had reproductive ability.The growth and development of SHBG knockout mice were not significantly different from that of wild type mice.Conclusion:Homozygous mice model of SHBG gene knockout was successfully established,which laid the foundation for further study of the role of SHBG in the gestational diabetes.The SHBG gene knockout mouse model was successfully established and the preliminary phenotypic analysis was performed,which laid the foundation for further study on the role of SHBG in gestational diabetes mellitus.SHBG gene knockout mice were normal in appearance.Due to the limited number of samples and many unknown biological characteristics of gene knockout mice,it needs further study.

BACKGROUND:Currently, morphological observations of brain cavity after traumatic brain injury (TBI) via cadavers or animal specimen are difficult to obtain dynamic changes.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the application effect of MRI-based three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction for evaluating the prognosis of TBI.
METHODS:Five male Sprague-Dawley rats were enrol ed to establish TBI models by Electronic Cortical Contusion Injury (eCCI), and scanned by 3.0T MRI with Rat-coil to obtain the DICOM date of brain at 1 day, 1, 2 and 3 months after modeling. Brain cavities were 3-dimensional y reconstructed by Mimics16.0 software, and analyzed in the Meshmixer software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The outline of reconstruction model image was clear, and could be observed and measured from different sides and perspectives. (2) The cavity volume and surface area at different time points after TBI showed significant differences between each other except that at 2 and 3 months (P<0.05). (3) The results of cavity change suggested that the cavity tended to be regular after 3 months of TBI. (4) In conclusion, 3D reconstruction software Mimics combining with model analysis software Meshmixer can conveniently and quickly obtain the cavity model, and provide an intuitive way for evaluating the dynamic variations of the brain cavity after TBI.

Objeetive To discuss a reasonable postoperative management of breast augmentation by polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG) injection.Methods The retrospective study was used to analyze 157 cases which received breast augmentation by PAHG injection.MRI was used in all of cases preoperatively.Among these patients,23 were located by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction,the content of mono acrylamide in the serum of 71 cases were examined in the hydrogel of 23 cases and in the tissue around the hydrogel of 12 cases,respectively.The silicone gel implants were planted after the removal of PAHG in 7 cases.Results MRI-3D could show the injectants location,scope,layer and integrality more intuitional and more detailed.The momo acrylamide was found in the serum with 7 cases,in the hydrogel with 5 cases,in the tissue around the hydrogel with 3 cases.131 cases gained satisfactory results.All the cases received 3 to 6 months follow-up.The scleroma was not found after the palpation of breast.In the 7 cases that were planted with the silicone gel implants immediately,the shape and texture of the breast were both great.Conclusions The preoperative MRI examination is a first-choice,and if possible,3D reconstruction is better.With the detecting methods so far,there is no strong evidence to support the possibility of PAHG resolving into poisonous acrylamide inside the human body.During the operation,the injectant,the integument around the hydrogel and degenerative tissue should be orthoptically cleared-up as much as possible.Sucking the injectant blindly is not commended.The silicon gel prosthesis is planted to reconstruct the shape of breast immediately,but the prerequisite is that the patients have this demand and that the muscle is intact without inflammation.

A novel genomic island (GI) in Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2) was identified, which resided in the highly virulent strains but not in the hypo-virulent strains or avirulent strains of SS2 of the Chinese isolates. This newly discovered GI strain was designated as SSGI4 and its whole length of genome was 11 269 bps, sharing the typical properties of pathogenicity islands, such as the distinct G+C content, a mosaic architecture characteristics and the specificity for virulent isolates. There were 11 genes within SSGI4, in which some genes were putative cell surface protein genes and others were amino acid-binding protein genes. Our finding sheds light on the investigation of horizontal gene transfer in SS2 and their influence on pathogenicity.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) on the expression of apoptosis related proteins after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and the protective effects of BCAA on ischemic brain injury in rats.Methods 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal diet group (n =20) and branched chain amino acid (BCAA) group (n=20) according to the random number table,and each group was randomly divided into control group (n=6),sham operation group (n=6) and model group (n =8) which used suture method to make ischemia reperfusion model.After modeling,modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) was used to access the neurological impairment degree of 2,6,24,48 and 72 h in each group.The expression of apoptosis related proteins (Cleaved,Bax/Bcl-2) after 72 h was detected by the method of immune protein imprinting (Caspase3) and compared between normal diet group and BCAA group.Results Compared with the normal diet rats,the mNSS of BCAA diet rats after modeling at 2,6,24,48,72 h decreased (11.35±2.78 vs.7.15±2.41,P=0.019;9.35±1.75 vs.5.82±1.17,P=0.002;6.11±1.16vs.4.39±1.46,P=0.048;5.87±1.32vs.3.55±1.94,P=0.036;4.98±2.24vs.2.09±1.33,P=0.022).The expression of cleaved caspase3 protein and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 decreased in BCAA group.Conclusion BCAA can alleviate the apoptosis of rats after ischemia and reperfusion,reduce the damage of nerve function,and has a positive protective effect on ischemic brain injury.

Immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescent labeling techniques combined with confocal laser scanning microscope analysis were used to investigate the characteristic spatial induction profile of nestin following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in adult rat brain. The results showed that nestin was induced in ischemic core at 1 day after reperfusion. In addition to ischemic core, the expression of nestin increased in peri-ischemic I, II and III regions at 3 days and 1 week, then it decreased and narrowed along the rim of ischemic core 2 weeks after reperfusion. Double immunofluorescent labeling showed that nestin positive cells were mostly co-stained with GFAP,a astrocyte marker, in peri-ischemic I region 3 days after reperfusion. At 2 weeks, however nestin cells showed a long process and the cells double stained with nestin and NSE,a neuonal specific marker,increased in the ischemic brain. The results suggest that cerebral ischemia induces nestin expression in damaged neurons which might favor the neuroprotection against ischemic damage.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nestin ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVESTo observe the vaporesection efficiency of the 2 micron laser to the prostatic gland in benign prostatic hyperplasia, and investigate the method of estimating the amount of the vaporesected prostatic tissues during transurethral vaporesection of the prostate using the 2 micron laser system in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODSTotal 9 fresh prostatic gland specimens were obtained from patients with BPH under open surgical procedures, and vaporesected under a simulated transurethral environment with the 2 micron laser system immediately after weighted. Energies and time consumptions were noted, collections of vaporesected tissue specimens and the remnants of the prostatic glands were weighted after the procedures. The ratios of the vaporized tissues and the collected tissues to the whole vaporesected tissues were calculated respectively. The vaporesection efficiency of the 2 micron laser to the prostatic tissues was also calculated.

RESULTSAmong the total lost tissues, about (65.6 +/- 1.5) percent of which were that of vaporized, and nearly (34.5 +/- 1.5) percent were resected. Linear correlation between the weight of collected prostatic tissue(x) and the weight of prostatic gland specimens(y) could be defined as a formula of [y = 3.245x - 6.475 (t = 15.097, P = 0.000)].

CONCLUSIONThe amounts of the whole prostatic tissues removed by the 2 micron laser could be calculated from the collected resected prostatic specimens under a simulated transurethral surgical procedure.

Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Laser Therapy ; methods ; Lasers ; Male ; Prostate ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods

Objective: To observe the effects of laurocapram and borneol as transdermal penetration enhancers applied to herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver lipids, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase in hyperlipidemia rabbits.Methods: Forty New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups using the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Rabbits in the blank group were fed routinely with a normal diet; rabbits in the other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. Rabbits in the blank and the model groups were not given any intervention. After the model was prepared successfully, rabbits in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion without transdermal penetration enhancers; rabbits in the laurocapram group and the borneol group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with laurocapram or borneol respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, the serum was isolated and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for the detection of HSL and HMG-CoA reductase. The liver tissues were isolated, and total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured by enzymatic methods. One-step method was applied for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) detection, and transmission turbidimetry was for apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) detection. Results: The serum concentrations of the drugs in the laurocapram and the borneol groups were significantly higher than those in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group (both P<0.05); all drug penetrations in the borneol group were significantly higher than those in the laurocapram group (both P<0.05), except for tanshinone ⅡA. Compared with the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group, the HSL was significantly increased while the HMG-CoA reductase was significantly decreased in the laurocapram and the borneol groups (both P<0.05); between groups, the HSL in the borneol group was significantly higher than that in the laurocapram group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the levels of LDL-C, TG, TC and Apo-B in rabbit liver were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the levels of LDL-C, TG, TC and Apo-B in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer, the laurocapram, and the borneol groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05); between groups, the TG and TC in the laurocapram group and the LDL-C, TG, TC and Apo-B in the borneol group were significantly lower than those in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group (all P<0.05), and the TG, LDL-C and Apo-B in the borneol group were significantly lower than those in the laurocapram group (all P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the HDL-C and Apo-A1 were significantly decreased in the model group (both P<0.05), while compared with the model group, the HDL-C and Apo-A1 were significantly increased in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer, the laurocapram, and the borneol groups (all P<0.05). Between groups, the Apo-A1 in the laurocapram group, the HDL-C and Apo-A1 in the borneol group were significantly higher than those in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group (all P<0.05).Conclusion: The application of laurocapram and borneol, as transdermal penetration enhancers, in herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can promote the penetration of the drugs in the herbal cake, increase the levels of HDL-C and Apo-A1, improve the metabolism of HSL and HMG-CoA reductase, and also simultaneously reduce the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and Apo-B in the liver. The transdermal penetration enhancement effect of borneol is slightly better than or equivalent to that of laurocapram.