AIM: To investigate the protective effects of ulinastatin on the rats with paraquat-induced acute lung injury and its mechanisms .METHODS:The Wistar rats ( n=108 ) were randomly divided into control group , pa-raquat group and ulinastatin group .The rats in paraquat group and ulinastatin group were given paraquat by gavage , while the rats in control group were given sterile saline by gavage .The rats in ulinastatin group were also given ulinastatin treat-ment.The serum levels of MDA, SOD, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-αwere measured after 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d and 28 d. The expression levels of p 38 MAPK, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in the lung were also measured .RESULTS:The levels of SOD in 1 d, 3 d and 7 d in paraquat group and ulinastatin group were significantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.01).The level of SOD in ulinastatin group was significantly higher than that in paraquat group (P<0.05).The levels of MDA, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-αin 1 d, 3 d and 7 d in paraquat group and ulinastatin group increased compared with con-trol group (P<0.01), and those in ulinastatin group were significantly lower than those in paraquat group (P<0.05). The levels of p38 MAPK and TIMP-1 in 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d and 28 d in paraquat group and ulinastatin group were higher than those in control group (P<0.01), and those in ulinastatin group was significantly lower than those in paraquat group ( P<0.05) .The level of MMP-2 in 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d in paraquat group and ulinastatin group increased compared with control group (P<0.01), and that in ulinastatin group was significantly lower than that in paraquat group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Ulinastatin protects the lung tissues of rats from paraquat-induced acute lung injury by in-hibiting p38 MAPK signaling pathway and ameliorating inflammatory and oxidative responses .

The genus Fritillaria is a botanical source for various pharmaceutically active components, which have been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Increasing interest in Fritillaria medicinal resources has led to additional discoveries of steroidal alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides and many other compounds in various Fritillaria species, and to investigations on their chemotaxonomy, molecular phylogeny and pharmacology. In continuation of studies on Fritillaria pharmacophylogeny, the phytochemistry, chemotaxonomy, molecular biology and phylogeny of Fritillaria and their relevance to drug efficacy is reviewed. Literature searching is used to characterize the global scientific effort in the flexible technologies being applied. The interrelationship within Chinese Bei Mu species and between Chinese species, and species distributed outside of China, is clarified by the molecular phylogenetic inferences based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences. The incongruence between chemotaxonomy and molecular phylogeny is revealed and discussed. It is essential to study more species for both the sustainable utilization of Fritillaria medicinal resources and for finding novel compounds with potential clinical utility. Systems biology and omics technologies will play an increasingly important role in future pharmaceutical research involving the bioactive compounds of Fritillaria.
Animals ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fritillaria ; chemistry ; classification ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification

OBJECTIVETo assess suppression effects of vector-based small interfering RNA (siRNA) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (Tca8113) in vitro.

METHODSTwo siRNA targeting VEGF constructed in eukaryotic expression vector (Pu-VEGF-siRNA1, Pu-VEGF-siRNA2), eukaryotic expression vector as the experiment control, all of which were transfected into Tca8113 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. Non-transfection cell was used as negative control. VEGF mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

RESULTSCompared to the experimental and negative controls, the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the Pu-VEGF-siRNA1 group and Pu-VEGF-siRNA2 group. But there were no significant differences between two controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVector-based siRNAs targeting VEGF are efficient in down-regulating VEGF expression in Tca8113 cells.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Tongue Neoplasms ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVETo investigate one-stage repairing upper lip defects with an island flap based on the inferior labial arterial arch.

METHODSAn island flap pedicled with the inferior labial arterial arch was used to repair upper lip defects. The size of the wedge-shaped flap ranged from 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 1.5 cm x 2.0 cm. Since 1993, fifteen patients with upper lip defects have been treated with this method.

RESULTSAll the flaps survived with satisfactory function and appearance.

CONCLUSIONSThe island flap of the inferior labial arterial arch is effective and applicable in repairing severe secondary deformities of congenital bilateral cleft lips.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteries ; transplantation ; Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; abnormalities ; blood supply ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine the antiangiogenic and antitumor effects of vector-based small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on human tongue squamous cell carcinoma xenografts in vivo.

METHODSTca8113 human tongue cancer nude mice xenograft model was established, and subsequently divided into four groups randomly (5/group). Two siRNA targeting VEGF constructed in eukaryotic expression vector (PU-VEGF-siRNA1, PU-VEGF-siRNA2) were injected intratumor and peritumor with lipofectamine 2000, respectively. No siRNA vector injected and non-injected tumors were used as experimented and negative controlled, respectively. Animals were injected one time every 3 days for a total of 10 times. Three days after the last injection, the weigh and volume of tumors, and intratumor microvessel density (MVD) were measured. The expression of VEGF in xenograft tumors was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The cell apoptosis and cell cycle analysis of tumors were detected by Tunel and Flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSCompared to the experimental and negative controls, the percentage of cells in the G(1) phase increased (P < 0.05), the expression of VEGF on both mRNA and protein level, the tumor weigh and volume, and MVD decreased in the PU-VEGF-siRNA2 group (P < 0.05), and more apoptosis was induced (P < 0.01). But significant differences were not noted between PU-VEGF-siRNA1 group and two controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVEGF-siRNA can reduce VEGF expression, inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis, and induce apoptosis in Tca8113 cell carcinoma in vivo. Different VEGF-siRNA may have different effect in vivo.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood supply ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Tongue Neoplasms ; blood supply ; genetics ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) represent one of the promising cell sources for myocardial regeneration due to their easy accessibility and efficacy in the improvement of cardiac function following myocardial infarction. However, previously reported studies on the underlying mechanism of ADSCs-mediated cardioprotective effect mainly focused on the ADSCs cultured at room air. OBJECTIVE: To test the paracrine actions and anti-apoptotic effect of ADSCs under hypoxic conditions. METHODS: After isolation and culture, neonatal rat myocardial cells were injured by hydrogen peroxide and co-cultured with rat ADSCs under normoxia and hypoxia (10% O2) conditions. Ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in the cell pellet and levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were tested by ELISA. Expression of apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: GSH/GSSG, VEGF, IGF-1, and bFGF were decreased in neonatal rat myocardial cells injured by hydrogen peroxide. ADSCs significantly attenuated hydrogen peroxide-induced myocardial apoptosis by increasing the ratio of GSH/GSSG and the secretion of VEGF, IGF-1 and bFGF. ADSCs also down-regulated Bax expression and up-regulated Bcl-2 expression. To conclude, hypoxic conditions can enhance the anti-apoptosis and cardioprotective effects of ADSCs through the paracrine mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationshion between the angiogenesis of different kinds of scar and expression of HO-1. METHODS: The expression of heme oxygenase-1 and vessel counted by CD34 of biopsies from different kinds of scars such as hypertrophic scar, keloid, surgical scar and normal skin of 24 cases was valued by immunochemical method, and the relationship was compared between them. RESULTS: The vessel count of hypertrophic scar, keloid was significantly abundant compared with surgical scar or normal skin (P < 0.01). While the expression of HO-1 of hypertrophic scar, keloid was obviously higher than that in surgical scar or normal skin (P < 0.01), decreased from hypertrophic scar, keloid, surgical scar to normal skin. There existed a positive correlation between vessel count and the expression of HO-1 (r = 0. 761, P < 0.01) as well as the number of fibroblastic cells (r = 0. 731, P < 0.01) in the study groups. CONCLUSION HO-1 might play a important role in the angiogenesis of scar formation. The cause of these changes may be local. Over angiogenesis is one symbol of pathological scar.
Adult ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Skin ; blood supply

Acetyl-N-glucosaminyltransferase gene (nodC) was successfully cloned to Escherichia coli from Mesorhizobium loti. The recombinant E. coli harboring nodC gene was able to synthesize chitooligosaccharides (COs) in MMYNG medium. In optimized condition, a yield of 526 mg/L was obtained after 26 h cultivation in 10 L bioreactor. COs concentration reached up to 4.5% of the cell dry weight. The COs products were purified by charcoal adsorption and Bio-gel P4 chromatography, penta-N-acetylchitopentaose (m/z, 1034[M + H]+) and tetra-N-acetylchitopentaose (m/z, 831 [M + H]+) were identified as the dominating COs product using the method of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS).
Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chitosan ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Gel ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligosaccharides ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVEBy means of the detection of the numbers of CD34(+) cells and eosinophils (EOS), and the level of IL-5 in peripheral blood from normal controls and patients with allergic rhinitis pre- or post-treatment, the role of EOS-stem cells paths for treatment effect in allergic rhinitis (AR) was studied so as to find the convenient and quick indicators which could be used to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect and adjust the methods of the hormone therapy.

METHODSThere were 2 groups. (1) experimental group: 44 patients, including 24 males and 20 females with a age range of 7 to 68 years old. The patients received the treatment of fluticasone spurt for four weeks. (2) CONTROL GROUP: 30 cases, from normal health examination. The EOS numbers, CD4(+) cell numbers and the IL-5 level were examined in control group as well as before and after therapy in experimental group.

RESULTSThe IL-5 level and CD numbers before therapy in experimental group were (88.25 +/- 33.47) ng/L, (9.24 +/- 2.15)/10(5), significantly higher than that after therapy and experimental group which were (44.34 +/- 16.32) ng/L, (6.31 +/- 1.83)/10(5) and (31.24 +/- 8.43) ng/L, (3.47 +/- 1.32)/10(5) respectively. The IL-5 level was positively correlated with the CD34(+) number pre-and post treatment in experimental group (r = 0.64, P <0.01; (r = 0.61, P <0.01). The EOS number was positively correlated with the level of IL-5 (r = 0.64, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIL-5 and CD34(+) cells can be regarded as indicators to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The EOS, CD34(+) cells and the level of IL-5 in the peripheral blood are correlated with the pathogenesis of AR, suggesting that there is a related path between the local nasal tissue of AR patients and the marrow.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Androstadienes ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Female ; Fluticasone ; Humans ; Interleukin-5 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; drug therapy ; Stem Cells ; Young Adult

Objective:To explore the clinical therapeutic effect and safety of noncompliant balloon post-dilatation(PD)during emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in patients with acute ST-segment elevation my-ocardial infarction(STEMI)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)with low thrombus burden.Methods:A total of 122 STEMI±T2DM patients,who underwent emergency PCI in our hospital from Jan 2016 to Dec 2021,were con-secutively enrolled.According to PD therapy after PCI or not,they were divided into PD group(n=78)and non-PD group(n=44).Clinical data,PCI condition,postoperative TIMI blood flow,ST-segment elevation index res-olution(∑STIR),incidence rate of the major adverse cardiac events(MACE)during hospital and LVEF,incidence rates of in-stent restenosis and MACE within one year after PCI were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with non-PD group,there were significant reductions in incidence rate of MACE during hospital(15.9％vs.3.8％),incidence rates of in-stent restenosis(14.3％vs.2.6％)and MACE within one year after PCI(21.4％vs.2.6％)in PD group(P＜0.05 or＜0.01),there were significant rise in LVEF within one year after PCI[58.50(52.75,65.25)％vs.64.00(58.25,67.50)％]in PD group(P=0.005).Conclusion:It's safe and feasible to apply noncompliant balloon PD during emergency PCI in STEMI+T2DM patients with low thrombus bur-den.It can reduce incidence rate of MACE during hospital,in-stent restenosis and MACE within one year after PCI,and improve left heart function of patients,and provide clinical reference for the use of PD therapy in emer-gency PCI for these patients.