Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of 2-(8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-oxo-1-H-2-benzopyran-3-Y1) propionic acid (NM-3) on lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer using orthotopic implantated tumor models of BALB/C nude mice. Methods A BALB/C nude mouse model of transplanted in situ human gastric cancer was established. Twenty-eight nude mice were divided into four groups with 7 each: control group, NM-3 treated group, carboplatin (10 mg/kg) treated group,and NM-3 combiantion group injected with normal saline, 5 mg/kg of NM-3, 10 mg/kg of carboplatin or 5 mg/kg of NM-3, + 10 mg/kg carboplatin, respectively, twice a week for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, all mice were sacrificed for detection of lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD),lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluranic acid receptor 1 (LYVE-1), podoplanin and Prox-1 byimmunohistochemistry with staining. Results In comparison with control group, the LYVE-1 level in other three groups was decreased with no significant difference (P＞ 0.05). The concentrations of podoplanin and Prox-1 in NM-3 group and combination group decreased significantly than those in control group and carboplatin group (P ＜ 0.05). The number of LMVD in NM-3 group and combination group was 4.72±0.50 and 4.78± 0.38, respectively, which was significantly lower than that in control group (7.35±0.55)and carboplatin group (6.98i0.35, P＜0.05). Conclusion The NM-3 can inhibit the growth of gastric cancer by interfering lymphangiogenesis of gastric cancer.

The morphological indexes of the Scuophularia ningpoensis seedlings including the longth, diameter and weight were measured, clustering analysis was used to set up the standard quality grading of seedlings of S. Ningpoensis by SPSS. Field experiment was carried out to measure the indicators of plants growth and development, the yield and the quality. The results showed that the growth and yield of class I seedlings were better than those of class II and III. The content of main active ingredients was affected barely by seedlings classification. To ensure the quality, class II seedlings or above should be used for plantation. The established quality classification standard of S. ningpoensis seedlings was scientific and feasible, and provides the basis for the standardized cultivation of S. ningpoensis.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; standards ; Quality Control ; Scrophularia ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; growth & development

Trypanosoma is a human parasite severely affecting poor tropical areas.However,current frontline drugs for Trypanosoma treatment have severe side-effects with decreased effectiveness.Based on the fact that aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is a bonafide drug target for several microorganisms,including bacteria and fungi,it is plausible that it may also be effective target of Trypanosoma.The Trypanosoma brucei leucyl-tRNA synthetase(tbLeuRS)was cloned,expressed and purified to develop an in vitro enzymatic assay system.The assay conditions were further optimized for the effective screening of tbLeuRS inhibitors thus establishing an anti-Trypanosoma drug screening system targeting tbLeuRS.The results indicated that this system can be employed for the effective screening of anti-Trypanosoma drugs with satisfactory specificity.In addition,this system can also be used for compound optimization,as well as IC50 testing.Using this system a series of compounds are identified that are effective Trypanosoma inhibitors without toxicity to human cells.Therefore,targeting tbLeuRS may represent a new venue for the development of anti-Trypanosoma drugs.

To reveal the genetic diversity and genetic structure in Artemisia annua varieties (strains) populations, we detected the genetic polymorphism within and among eight varieties (strains) populations (192 individuals) by the approach of Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT). The associated genetic parameters were calculated by POPGENE1.31 and the relationship was constructed based on UPGMA method. The results showed that, using 20 screened primers, a total of 145 bands were produced, of which 122 were polymorphic loci. At species level, there was a high level of genetic diversity among eight varieties (strains) populations (PPB = 84.1% ,H = 0.217 3 and H(sp) = 0.341 9). However, at the variety (strains) population level, genetic diversity was lower, the average of genetic parameters was PPB = 41.9%, H = 0.121 5, H(pop) = 0.186 8. The Nei's genetic differentiation coefficient was 0.441 0, indicate that most of the genetic variation in this species existed within the variety populations. The gene flow (N(m) = 0.633 9) was less among populations, indicating that the degree of genetic differentiation was higher. Genetic similarity coefficient were changed from 0.755 1 to 0.985 7. By clustering analysis, eight varieties (strains) were clustered into two major categories and it was also showed the same or similar genetic background varieties (strains) have a tendency to gather in the same group. Results suggest that, in variety breeding, breeders should strengthen the exchange of bred germplasm and increase mutual penetration of excellent genes, which would broaden the genetic base of A. annua.
Artemisia annua ; classification ; genetics ; Codon, Initiator ; genetics ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Genetic Structures ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; methods ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Species Specificity

To investigate the genetic diversity among wild Dipsacus asperoides in China, 66 germplasmic resources of D. asperoides were analyzed by Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) molecular markers. Genetic distance was calculated by TREECONW software and the systematic diagram of genetic relationship was clustered by UPGMA method. The results showed that the totals of 181 bands were detected using 20 primers , among which 109 were polymorphic bands. The average percentage of polymorphic bands was 60.13%. Genetic distance changed from 0.030 6 to 0.181 4. The clustering results showed that there was no significant correlation between the classification of the wild D. asperoides and their geographical origin. The relatively high genetic diversity of D. asperoides provides the basis for breeding new varieties.
China ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Dipsacaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To decrease the incidence of acute rejection in renal allograft recipients by monitoring of cyclosporine A (CsA) concentration at 2-hour after dosing(C2). Methods The CsA C2 and CsA trough concentration(C0) were assayed in renal allograft recipients.All patients were followed up for at least 1 year.The correlation of C0 and C2 monitoring with clinical outcomes was analyzed. Results At 1 week and 1 month post-transplantation,the incidence of acute rejection in patients with C2 in target level was 4.41% and 10.29%, respectively,but the incidence of acute rejection in patients with C2 in lower level was 42.37% and 36.20%,respectively. ConclusionBy reflecting the drug exposure of CsA more accurately,C2 monitoring is beneficial for decreasing the incidence of acute rejection after renal allograft transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on inflammatory responses during transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 5-6 yr,weighing 180-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =15 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),group I/R and hydrogen-rich saline group (group H).The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10％ chloral hydrate 0.3 ml/100 g.Transient cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion with hypotension for 15 min,followed by reperfusion.Five rats were randomly chosen from each group,and Morris water maze was used to assess the cognitive function starting from 5 days before establishment of the model.Place navigation test lasted for 5 consecutive days.The escape latency,swimming speed and swimming distance were recorded.Spatial probe test was carried out on 1 and 3 days after establishment of the model.The time of staying at the target platform quadrant,frequency of crossing the original platform and swimming speed were recorded.The rats were sacrificed after the end of spatial probe test on 3 days after the model was established,and hippocampi were removed to examine the morphology of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region with light microscope.Five rats randomly chosen from each group were sacrificed on 1 day after the model was established,and hippocampi were removed to detect the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).The rest 5 rats in each group were sacrificed,and hippocampi were removed for determination of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity (by immuno-histochemistry).Results In place navigation test before the model was established,the escape latency and swimming distance were gradually shortened with the prolonging training time,and no significant change was found in the swimming speed with the prolonging training time in the three groups.Compared with group S,the time of staying at the target platform quadrant was significantly shortened,and the frequency of crossing the original platform was reduced on 1 and 3 days after establishment of the model,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β and NF-κB activity were increased on 1 day after establishment of the model in group I/R.Compared with group I/R,the time of staying at the target platform quadrant was significantly prolonged,and the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased on 1 and 3 days after establishment of the model,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β and NF-κB activity were decreased on 1 day after establishment of the model in group H.There was no significant change in the swimming speed during spatial probe test on 1 and 3 days after establishment of the model.Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen-rich saline reduces transient cerebral I/R injury may be related to inhibition of inflammatory responses in rats.

The author detected the genetic diversity and genetic relationship within and among eight medicinal species of Dipsacus by the approach of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). The associated genetic parameters were calculated by POPGENE 1.31. The Genetic distance was calculated by TREECONW and the systematic diagrams of genetic relationship were clustered by UPG-MA. The results showed that, using 26 primers, a total of 558 bands were produced, of which 539 were polymorphic loci. There was a high level of genetic diversity among species (PPB = 96.59%, Na = 1.9659, Na = 1.3375, H = 0.2143, I = 0.3423). However, genetic diversity was lower within species, the average of genetic parameters was PPB = 6.97%, Na = 1.0697, Na = 1.0311, H = 0.0187, I = 0.0291. The Nei's genetic differentiation coefficient was 0.9126, indicated that most of the genetic variation existed among species. By clustering analysis, different individuals gathered in the same group and the classified result of SRAP marker between traditional modal characters was almost same. The results confirmed that SRAP marker can be used as one of the effective methods to reveal the genetic diversity and relationship among medicinal species of Dipsacus.
China ; Dipsacaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Genetic Variation ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Plant samples were collected and investigated periodically. According to the growth of different parts and the characteristics of dry substance accumulation of Scrophularia ningpoensis, the development of S. ningpoensis could be divided into four stages: seeding stage, stem and leaf growth stage, expanding period of root tubers, and dry substance accumulation stage of root tuber. Leaf numbers of S. ningpoensis grew gradually from one at first to 370 at the final stage, main stem leaf were 50 pieces. Leaf size increasesed with the fastest growth at the stem and leaf growth stage, average daily increase amount was 225 cm2. By the middle of August, leaf size reached to 16,270 cm2. Leaf area indexrose sharply in the seeding stage, and remained above 8 among stem and leaf growth stage and expanding period of root tubers, and rapidly reduced to zero in the stage of dry substance accumulation of root tuber. Leaf area ratio has a tendency of obvious dropping. The net assimilation rate had a small change ranges, two small peak were seeding stage and dry substance accumulation of root tuber. The value of specific leaf area was higher in seeding stage, and in the earlier stage of dry substance accumulation of root tuber. Relative growth rate changed with large ranges, higher in seeding stage, rapid decrease in stem and leaf growth stage, rose in expanding period of root tubers, and declined again in the stage of dry substance accumulation of root tuber. Crop growth rate was higher in the first and last stages, and smaller in interim stage. The growth parameters of S. ningpoensis such as relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, crop growth rate changed along with the growth. The rule of dry matter accumulation was as follows: the dry matter increased slowly during the seeding stage and speeded up in the middle and late stages, and in dry substance accumulation of root tuber increased slower, the growth of dry matter all appeared an "S" curve, and accorded with logistic equation. Cultivation technologies of S. ningpoensis and the relevant management methods could be established according to the growth of different parts of S. ningpoensis and the characteristics of dry substance accumulation in different stage.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Plant Leaves ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; growth & development ; Scrophularia ; growth & development

Objective To investigate the relationship between cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods CYP1A2 gene polymorphisms in 100 COPD cases and 100 healthy controls were tested with polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR- RELP). Results Genotype frequencies of 4 SNPs in both the COPD and control groups were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). There was significant difference between the COPD and control groups in genotype and allele frequencies of 1D and 1F (P<0.05), but not of 1C and 1E (P>0.05). Conclusion CYP1A2*1D and CYP1A2*1F polymorphisms may play an important role in the development of COPD.