To determine the optimal condition of pollen germination. The pollen of Prunella vulgaris was cultured in vitro. Pollen germination rates were recorded using 10% H3BO4, 30% Ca(NO3)2, 20% MgSO4 and 10% KNO3 as the basic mineral medium with PEG of different molecular weight, sucrose of various density and multiple pH value. The rates were also measured under different cultivation temperature and pollen acquisition time. The optimal condition of pollen germination is 10% H3 BO4, 30% Ca(NO3)2, 20% MgSO4, 10% KNO3, and 25% PEG-4000 as the medium, with pH about 6. 5 and pollen acquired at the beginning of blossom.
Flowers ; physiology ; Pollen ; physiology ; Prunella ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shengdi injection on rat model of lung inflammation.

METHODThe rat model was established by intratrachea instillation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The total and different white blood cell counts in bronchoalvoelar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed and the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), superoxide anion radical (O2-) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured, as well as pathologic change of pulmonary tissue was tested.

RESULTShengdi injection could depress the increasing of the amount of total white blood cells and neutrophils and inhibit the increasing of TNF-alpha, O2-, MPO caused by LPS, as well as relieve the pathologic change including Neutrophils infiltrating and mucous edema in tracheae after intravenous administration. While it did not show the effect on monocyte, and histological lesion of the lung tissue.

CONCLUSIONShengdi injection shows some anti-inflammatory effect in rat lung induced by LPS and it can be concluded tentatively that anti-inflammatory, inhibiting the release of cytokine and inflammatory medium, and antioxidation are some of the mechanism of its effect on COPD.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intravenous ; Leukocyte Count ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; pathology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pneumonia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Superoxides ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the curative effect of YU Yun pulse-feeling-based acupuncture therapy for the treatment of middle-late liver cancer. Methods A total of 60 middle-late liver cancer patients were divided into control group and treatment group by stratified randomization method,30 cases in each group. The control group was given integrated Chinese and western medicine therapy according to the clinical pathway, including anti-cancer treatment such as vascular interrention,molecular targeted therapy,chemotherapy,radio therapy, and focal ablation therapy,as well as chinese medicine treatment based on disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation. And the treatment group was given YU Yun pulse-feeling-based acupuncture therapy on the basis of treatment for the control group. The two groups received 12-week treatment, and then their curative effects were compared. Results The treatment group had better effect on increasing the survival rate, prolonging survival time, improving the scores of clinical symptoms, stabilizing tumor size, and increasing the scores of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)than the control group,the difference being significant (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusion YU Yun pulse-feeling-based acupuncture therapy exerts certain curative effect for the treatment of middle-late liver cancer.

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

OBJECTIVETo compare efficacy of different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients.

METHODSAssociated literatures were searched through electronic databases and hand-searching. Prospective randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing adjuvant chemotherapy after D2 gastrectomy with surgery alone were included in the study. Overall survival and disease-free survival were chosen as the endpoints. Relative hazard was analyzed by Bucher adjusted indirect comparison.

RESULTSTwo RCTs were selected, including comparison between S-1 versus surgery alone and comparison between XELOX versus surgery alone. There was no statistical difference in overall survival between the two regimens (HR=0.94, 95%CI:0.62-1.44, P=0.79). The recurrence risk of S-1 was slightly higher as compared to XELOX, but no statistical difference was found (HR=1.11, 95%CI:0.80-1.53, P=0.54).

CONCLUSIONThe adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is similar to XELOX for stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Postoperative Care ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of two core binding factors alpha 1 (Cbfa1) isfroms (Cbfa1/P56 and Cbfa1/P57) on the apoptosis of mesenchymal cell line MBA-1. METHODS: The two Cbfal isfroms were transiently transfected into MBA-1 cells, then the changes of apoptosis rate were observed by flow cytometer. The protein expressions of Cbfa1, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9, cytochrome-C and TNF-alpha were determined by Western immunoblot. RESULTS: After the transient transfection with the two isforms of Cbfa1, MBA-1, the cells apoptotic rates increased, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, the expressions of cytochrome-C, caspase-3, caspase-9, and TNF-alpha were significantly increased. CONCLUSION Cbfa1 can promote the apoptosis in mesenchymal cell line MBA-1. Bax/Bcl-2, cytochrome-C, caspase-9, caspase-3, and TNF-alpha are also involved in the apoptosis pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits ; pharmacology ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Protein Isoforms ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To construct two types of Wnt-inducible secreted protein 3(WISP3) gene's mutants(1000T/C,840delT) found in spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda with progressive anthopathy (SEDT-PA) patients, and to observe their expression in COS-7 cells. METHODS: Full-length cDNA of wild type WISP3 gene(WT-WISP3) was amplified from human chondrocytes by RT-PCR, and site-directed mutagenesis was used to obtain full-length cDNAs of the mutated WISP3 genes(MUT1000T/C and MUT840delT). The recombined plasmids WT-WISP3/pcDNA3.1(+), MUT1000T/C/pcDNA3.1(+) and MUT840delT/pcDNA3.1(+) were transfected transiently into COS-7 cells by liposome-mediated method, and pcDNA3.1(+) vector was used as a control. The total RNA and protein of the transfected COS-7 cells were extracted after 48 hours of transfection. The expression of WISP3 gene in the transfected COS-7 cells was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: By restriction endonuclease analysis and sequencing, the sequence of MUT1000T/C and MUT840delT were consistent with that mutated in SEDT-PA, and the open reading frames matched with the vector sequence. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the recombined plasmids were highly expressed in COS-7 cells. CONCLUSION WISP3 gene's mutants of SEDT-PA are successfully constructed by genetic recombination, and expressed in COS-7 cells, which lays the foundation for the further study on its molecular functions in SEDT-PA.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins ; COS Cells ; metabolism ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Mutation ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of diisopropylamine dichloroacetate in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD).

METHODSA randomized, double-blind, dose-paralleled control trial was carried out with NAFLD patients. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups treated with either a high dosage (120 mg/d) or a low dosage (60 mg/d) of diisopropylamine dichloroacetate for 8 weeks and the efficacy and safety of the drug were examined.

RESULTS127 cases were recruited for the trial, 63 in the high dosage group, and 64 in the low dosage group. No case dropped out in the trial but four cases were eliminated (4/127, 3.1%). The final number in this trial was 123, with 61 in the high dosage group and 62 in the low dosage group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the overall improvement of clinical symptoms in the high dosage and in the low dosage group was 87.8% and 79.6%, respectively. ALT normalization was found in 55.7% and 69.4% of the cases in the two groups, serum lipids were lowered in 67.2% and 67.7% and ultrasound grading of the liver alteration severity was lowered in 51.7% and 43.5% in the two groups. The differences found between the two groups were of no statistical significance. One case from each group was found having an adverse drug reaction of dryness of the mouth (1.6%). No severe adverse drug reactions were found.

CONCLUSIONDiisopropylamine dichloroacetate could be used as a safe and effective drug in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Adult ; Double-Blind Method ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopy assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer.

METHODFrom March 2000 to November 2003,67 patients with rectal cancer received laparoscopy assisted TME,in whom 45 cases received anterior resection (AR),and 22 cases received abdominal perineal resection (APR).

RESULTSThe operation was performed according to the rules of TME. The operative bleeding volume ranged from 10 to 50 ml. The operative time ranged from 2.5 to 5 hours without operative related death. Gastrointestinal decompression time ranged from 8 to 24 hours after operation. The time of intaking fluid food ranged from 24 to 48 hours after operation; the time of taking general activity ranged from 1 to 3 days after operation,and the defecating time ranged from 1 to 5 days after operation. The time of the hospital stay ranged from 7 to 10 days. All patients were followed up from 3 to 43 months except 3 patients. Two patients had local recurrence, including 1 patient died of local recurrence; 2 patients had liver metastases including 1 patient died of tumor metastasis but another was still alive. No metastasis and recurrence was found in 19 patients within follow - up time of one year.

CONCLUSIONThe laparoscopy assisted TME is a feasible approach for rectal cancer if surgeons have experience in open operation of laparoscopy assisted TME and good managing skills.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mesentery ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectum ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the categories of drugs causing hepatotoxicity and analyze the clinical and histological features of the corresponding drug-induced liver injury (DILI), in order to gain insights into potential diagnostic factors for DILI.

METHODSA total of 138 DILI patients treated at our hospital from April 2008 to April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The responsible drug for each DILI case was recorded. The Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) had been used to diagnose DILI. Only cases that had scored as highly probable or probable (more than or equal to 6 points by RUCAM) were included in this study. The patients' general condition, clinical manifestations, and serum biochemical and immunological parameters were assessed. Sixty-six of the patients underwent liver biopsy, and were assessed for liver pathological changes. Clinical and laboratory test data were collected and used to classify the total 138 cases as hepatocellular injury, cholestatic, or mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic types.

RESULTSWithin our patient population, the leading cause of DILI was Chinese herb medicine, accounting for 53.62% of cases. Antibiotics were implicated in 7.97% of cases, and dietary supplement in 6.52% of cases. Correlation between the clinical features and histological injury pattern was stronger at the time of biopsy (more than or equal to 3 days after laboratory results) (kappa = 0.63, P less than 0.05) than at the onset of DILI (kappa = 0.25, P less than 0.05). All modified hepatic activity index (HAI) necroinflammatory scores and fibrosis scores were more severe in the cholestatic and mixed injury types than in the hepatocellular injury type (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal medicine, dietary supplements and antibiotics were the main causes of DILI in our patient population. The clinical and histological features correlated well, especially at later stages of DILI. The degree of inflammation and fibrosis was significantly higher in cholestatic and mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic injury types than in the hepatocellular injury type. Assessment of both clinical and pathological features may represent a more accurate diagnostic method for DILI.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; Anti-Infective Agents ; adverse effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult