Background The extraocular muscles (EOMs) Pulley is considered as the functional origins of the recti EOMs,it is determinants of ocular motility.Objective The structure of the connective tissue around EOMs in cat was studied,and the role of EOMs Pulley to ocular movement was investigated.Methods Five adult cats were involved.The gross anatomy of an orbit in each cat was observed.The other orbit was processed with paraffin imbedding and coronal serial sections.A murine monocolonal antibody to α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was used to show smooth muscle,while Masson trichrome stain was used to show muscle and collagen,and Weigert stain to show elastin.Results An encircling ring of collagen circled EOM was thin and connected to the orbital layer of muscle fiber loosely.Less elastin fibers and little smooth muscle cells were embedded in the collagen ring and connective band.Collagen ring around medial rectus and the connective band between medial rectus and inferior rectus was not more significantly developed than other bands.Conclusions The connective tissue around EOMs in cat may be related to its function of ocular movement,which is not developed.

Objective To observe the expression of STEAP4 gene(a novel obesity-related gene) during the period of human preadipocyte differentiation and to explore the relationship between the STEAP4 gene expression and adipocytes differentiation,adipogenesis.Methods Human preadipocytes were cultured and differentiated into the matured adipocytes in vitro.Adipocytes morphology and lipid accumulation were observed during this process.Total RNA was extracted from adipocytes at various time points (preadipocyte,Day 0,Day 4,Day 6,Day 8,Day 11,Day 14,and Day 17) and the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression was measured by fluorescent real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polyme-rase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The level of STEAP4 mRNA expression remained high in preadipocytes.In the presence of differentiation medium (Day 4),there was a transient upregulation in the expression of STEAP4 gene.After that,with the human preadipocytes being differentiated into matured adipocytes,the expression of STEAP4 mRNA was downregulated and reached the lowest level in fully differentiated adipocytes.There was a significant difference between any 2 detected phases in the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression (Pa

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Ki-67 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; physiopathology ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (P. ginseng) has been used as traditional medicine in Asian countries for more than 2,000 years. P. ginseng contains many active components such as ginsenosides, peptides, essential oil and polysaccharides, among which, P. ginseng polysaccharides were reported to have immunomodulating, anti-cancer, anti-adhesive and antioxidant activities. For better understanding of the structures and biological activities of all the ginseng polysaccharides, here the recent research achievements were reviewed. This review would be helpful for the relevant researchers to get useful information.
Antineoplastic Agents ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Traditional ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is an important liver-specific uptake transporter, which mediates transport of numerous endogenous substances and drugs from blood into hepatocytes. To identify and investigate potential modulators of OATP1B1 from natural products, the effect of 21 frequently used natural compounds and extracts on OATP1B1-mediated fluorescein methotrexate transport was studied by using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing OATP1B1 (CHO-OATP1B1) in 96-well plates. This method could be used for the screening of large compound libraries. Our studies showed that some flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, chrysanthemum flavonoids and mulberrin) and triterpenoids (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizic acid) were inhibitors of OATP1B1 with IC50 values less than 16 µmol · L(-1). The IC50 value of glycyrrhetinic acid on OATP1B1 was comparable to its blood concentration in clinics, indicating an OATPlB1-mediated drug-drug interaction could occur. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that flavonoids had much higher inhibitory activity than their glycosides. Furthermore, the type and length of saccharides had a significant effect on their activity. In addition, we used OATP1B1 substrates fluvastatin and rosuvastatin as probe drugs to investigate the substrate-dependent effect of several natural compounds on the function of OATP1B1 in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the effect of these natural products on the function of OATPlB1 was substrate-dependent. In summary, this study would be conducive to predicting and avoiding potential OATP1B1-mediated drug-drug and drug-food interactions and thus provide the experimental basis and guidance for rational drug use.
Animals ; Biological Products ; CHO Cells ; Cricetulus ; Drug Interactions ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Organic Anion Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; utilization

Objective To study the lysozyme activity in Oncomelania hupensis and observe its inhibitory effect on bacterial growth.Methods Soft tissues of Oncomelania hupensis were initially homogenized and immersed in Tris-HCl-TritonX-114 buffer solution for 24 hours then the supernatant was collected after centrifugation at 10 000 × g for 10 minutes.The supernatant was incubated in a 37 ℃ water bath for 15 minutes and centrifuged again at 2000 × g for 10 minutes.The precipitate was put into ultrafiltration tube (relative retention molecular mass =3000) and centrifuged at 4 ℃,5 000 × g for 30 minute to obtain concentrated enzyme.The protein content,lysozyme activity and the antibacterial effect on Micrococcus lysodeikticus,Shigella dysenteriae,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were measured with bicinchonininc acid(BCA) method,turbidimetric method and agar diffusion (K-B) method,respectively.Results The antibacterial protein lysozyme was identified in gastropod protein concentration of the concentrated enzyme was 3.428 g/L.Average activity,total activity,and specific activity were (760 ± 120) × 103 U/L,(1520 ± 240) × 103 U/L and (221.70 ± 35.00)U/mg,respectively.The enzyme had produced exclusive inhibitory effects on growth of Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Shigella dysenteriae.Average inhibitory diameters were 10-12 and 12-15 mm,respectively.No inhibition zone was observed in saline control,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.Conclusions Lysozyme can be extracted from soft tissues of Oncomelania hupensis with Tris-HCl-TritonX-114 buffer solution,and the enzyme has inhibitory effect on growth of Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Shigella dysenteriae but has no antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

Objective To study the structure of class 1 integrons in 90 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated during two periods of 1992-1996 and 2003-2005,and to get information about the structure changing of class 1 integrons by comparing their structures in two different periods.Methods Routine PCR and long PCR were performed to amplify the class 1 integrons and the gene cassettes they carried, followed with sequencing and blast via GenBank.Results Thirteen out of 41 strians ioslated during the period of 1992-1996 were positive on class 1 intergrons.Long PCR showed that the class 1 integron was 1868 bp in length and contained 2 resistance genes averagely.Six types of resistance genes of qacEA1 (n=6), sull (n=14),aadA1 (n=2),aadB (n=1),PSE-1 (n=2) and tetA (n=1) were found in these integrons, which consisted of 5 patterns of resistance cassette arrangements.Nineteen strains were proved to carry class 1 integrons in 49 isolates from 2003-2005.The mean DNA sequence length of them was 3383 bp with 3.6 resistant genes in averagely,10 types of resistance genes,qacEA1 (n=18),sull (n=25),aadA1 (n=6), aadB (n=7),aacA4 (n=2),PSE-1 (n=3),VEB-1 (n=4),OXA10 (n=1),cm1 A (n=1) and tetA (n =2),were identified in these integrons,which were composed of 9 patterns of resistance cassette arrangements.Conclusion In terms of produce length and resistance cassettes carried in the integrons, greater complexity is found in the structure of class 1 integrons in strains isolated during 2003-2005 than those during 1992-1996.

The specific fragment of Pneumococcal surface protein A(PspA)and Pneumococcal Surface Adhesin A(PsaA)gene was amplified by PCR from Streptococcus pneumonia 5 and Streptococcus pneumonia 19.The amplified fragnent of PspA and PsaA gene was ligated into pET-27b(+)vector and transformed into BL 21 E.coli for expression and obtain the expressive production of PspA and PsaA.Induced by IPTG,the expression level was as high as 75 % of the total disolube protein.The result showed that the recombinant plasmid could express a specific 75 kDa and 37 kDa fusion protein in E.coli BL 21,which showed the good immunogenicity and a broadly cross reactivity with the other serotypes.

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics of relapsing polychondritis(RP)and to improve early recognition for it.Methods Clinical and laboratory data of 56 patients with RP were analyzed retrospectively.Results Ratio of number of male patients to female ones was 1.2.Age at onset was(46?11)years(ranging from 27 to 71)and average interval between onset and diagnosis was(21? 35)months,(8?6),(16?31)and(29?37)months for patients initial onset with auricle,respiratory tract and joints involved,respectively.Site involved included airway in 40 patients(71.4%),auricle in 32 (57.1%),joints in 32(57.1%),eyes in 27(48.2%),nasal chondritis in 25(44.6%)and inner ear in 13(23.2%).At initial stage of the course,17 patients were misdiagnosed as respiratory infection (30.4%),nine as perichondritis(16.1%),six as pulmonary tuberculosis(10.7%),five as rheumatoid arthritis(8.9%).Seven of 40 patients with airway involvement received metallic stents for their tracheobronchial stenosis.Four patients whose condition never improved after regular therapy all had respiratory involvement.Conclusions Patients of RP with initial onset at non-auricle,non-nasal sites tended to be misdiagnosed.Prevalence of airway involvement was not so low with a poor prognosis in patients of RP.