Objective To study the effects of environmental exposure to rare earth elements REEs on intelligence of children. Methods Intelligence quotient IQ were examined with Drawing a Man Test in 464 children aged 7-10 years living in RE ore containing area and the control area in Xunwu country Jiangxi province China. Fifteen kinds of REEs in 112 blood samples 69 samples from RE ore area and 43 samples from the control area  were detected by inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry ICP-MS. Results All 15 kinds of REEs were detected in each sample the content of blood REEs of the children in the rare earth area 2.18?1.08 ng/g was 1.73 times of that of the children in the control area 1.26?0.35 ng/g the difference was significant P

OBJECTIVETo study the serum proteomics in hypertension patients with Gan-Dan damp-heat syndrome (GDDH) for tentatively find special proteins associated with the syndrome.

METHODSStudy was performed in 60 hypertensive patients and 39 healthy persons as control. In the patients enrolled, 40 were differentiated as GDDH syndrome and the other 20 as non-GDDH syndrome. Their serum proteins were captured by weak cation nano-magnetic beads, and proteomic fingerprint was made by matrix assistant laser demodulation ionizing time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) through mapping with protein chip reader type PBS II-C. After all the proteomic fingerprints being analyzed by Biomarker Wizard 3.1, the special expressed proteins for GDDH syndrome were identified by Biomarker Patterns Software 5.0 to create the syndrome decision model.

RESULTSTotally, 182 difference protein peaks between patients of GDDH and healthy persons (P<0.05); and 132 difference protein peaks between patients of GDDH and non-GDDH were detected (P<0.05). A decision model consisted 5 screened out protein peaks with mass-to-charge ratio of 2761.555, 6624.362, 2487.192, 2461.610 and 2744.318 was created, which could well differentiate the GDDH syndrome, with the sensitivity of 96.55%, specificity of 90%, false positive rate of 10% and false negative rate of 3.45%. Further blind test for prospective check showed its sensitivity being 81.82%, specificity 89.66%, false positive rate 10.34% and false negative rate 18.18%.

CONCLUSIONThe differently expressed protein is the material foundation of GDDH syndrome; molecular biological decision model established on the basis of this foundation can offer a tool for making Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation more objectively and accurately.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Proteome ; analysis ; Proteomics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Young Adult

A series of isoindoline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their double inhibitory activities. All of them were new compounds, and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and HR-MS. Preliminary in vitro pharmacological tests showed that all compounds exhibited 5-HT or NE reuptake inhibition activity. Among the tested compounds, compound I-3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against 5-HT and NE reuptake in vitro, and exhibited potent antidepressant activity in vivo. These compounds designed can be further optimized for finding more potent 5-HT/NE dual reuptake inhibitors and antidepressant candidates as well.
Antidepressive Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Biological Transport ; Drug Design ; Isoindoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

The method of multiplex PCR was set up to identify two or three transgenes in one reaction such as uidA and bar; uidA and IDx5 or uidA, bar and 1Dx5 genes. Three sets of primer pairs which was specific to each of these three genes respectively were designed and synthesized. Recombinant plasmids pAHC25 and p1Dx5 harboring uidA + bar and 1Dx5 gene separately were used as template DNA in the process of optimizing an multiplex PCR reaction. The optimal annealing temperature for uidA and bar MPCR is range from 57. 1℃-62. 3℃ , for uidA and 1Dx5 is range from 60℃ to 60. 6℃ , and for uidA、bar and 1Dx5 range from 57. 0℃-58. 4℃. The amount of template for MPCR is twice as much as that for simplex PCR, while the concentration of primers is the same with simplex one. Less than 50bp MPCR products can be separated clearly by 10% non-denaturalized polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis. Fourteen transgenic wheat lines were tested by multiplex and simplex PCR respectively, which shows the same results and hence presents that MPCR is the reliable, rapid and high-effective approach to detect foreign genes from transgenic plant.

Background The tissue-engineered cornea is becoming the hot spot in the ophthalmologic field,while the research of corneal substitute is in the ascendant,because it is more similar to the corneal morpha and easy to survive in vivo.Objective This study was to investigate the biocompatibility of recombinant human type-Ⅲ collagen/poly9 ( 3-( methacryloylamino ) propyl dimethyl ( 3-sulfopropyl ) ammonium hydroxide ) ( PMPDSAH ) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) (RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN) hydrogel as a tissue-engineered cornea in rabbit eye and its feasibility as the corneal substitute.Methods One hundred and eight rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group( 90 rabbits) and normal control group ( 3 rabbits),and 15 rabbits ( 30 eyes ) used as the donor corneas.RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN,NGF PMPDSAH IPN and corneal grafts were lamellarly transplanted into the right eyes in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN group,NGF PMPDSAH IPN group and allograft group respectively.The corneal transparency and neovascularization were examined and scored under the slim lamp and compared among three groups using Kraskal-Wallis H test.The corneal epithelization time was observed and compared among these three groups using one way analysis of variance and LSD-t test.The histological examination of corneas was performed at the 3rd day,1st and 2nd week,1 st,3rd and 6th month after the surgery.The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of K3 in cornea at the 6th month.Results The grafts were well attached in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN group,NGF PMPDSAH IPN group and allograft group,and no rejection reaction was found throughout 6-month following up.Compared with normal control group,no significant differences were found in the scores of corneal opacification and neovescularization in these three groups (x2 =4.34,P =0.23 ;x2 =2.60,P =0.46 ) at the 6th month.NGF PMPDSAH IPN group achieved reepithelialization in (4.97±0.63) days and was obviously shorted than that in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN group and allograft group ( t =11.97,P =0.00; t =5.80,P =0.00).The re-epithelialization time in RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN was (6.86±0.71) days,and that of allograft group was (5.87±0.43 ) days,showing a significant difference ( t =6.32,P =0.00).Hematoxylin-eosin staining results demonstrated that implanted materials integrated into the host corneal tissue well and support corneal epithelialization.Part of the material degraded at the 2nd week and degraded completely 1 month later.Regular alignment and distribution of collagen fibers were seen in the regenerated cornea and were similar to those of the normal stroma in 6 months.Immunohistochemistry showed the positive expression of keratin-3 in corneal epithelial cells.Conclusions RHC-Ⅲ/PMPDSAH IPN has a good biocompatibility without toxicity to corneal tissue.Furthermore,NGF can promote the corneal wound-healing and re-epithelialization.The material can be used as safe and reliable corneal substitute after improving the mechanical strength.

Objective: To observe the effect of acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation on deglutition function and surface electromyography (SEMG) of deglutition muscle groups. Methods: A total of 60 patients with deglutition disorder after stroke were selected and divided into an electrical stimulation group, a massage group and an integrated group according to the random number table method, with 20 cases in each group. Patients in these three groups were given the same routine rehabilitation training for deglutition. In addition, patients in the electrical stimulation group were given extra Vitalstim electrical stimulation, patients in the massage group were given extra acupoint massage on the head, face and neck, and patients in the integrated group were given extra acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation. Fujishima Ichiro food intake level scale (FILS) was scored before and after treatment. The swallowing duration and maximal amplitude of masseter muscle in SEMG were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the FILS score and the maximal amplitude of recruitment potential generated by muscular contraction of masseter muscle group in the three groups were higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the swallowing duration of masseter muscle group was shortened compared with that in the same group before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, the FILS score in the integrated group was higher than that in the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (both P<0.05). The swallowing duration of masseter muscle group measured by SEMG was lower than that in the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (both P<0.05), while the maximal amplitude was higher than that of the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (P<0.05). After treatment, there were no significant differences in the FILS score, swallowing duration and maximal amplitude of masseter muscle group between the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Both acupoint massage and electrical stimulation can improve the deglutition function in patients with deglutition disorder after stroke, and improve the coordination and flexibility of masseter muscle. The integration of the two is more effective.

Understanding the research methods for drug protein targets is crucial for the development of new drugs, clinical applications of drugs, drug mechanisms, and the pathogenesis of diseases. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), a target research method without modification, has been widely used since its development. Now, there are various CETSA-based technology combinations, such as mass spectrometry-based cellular thermal shift assay (MS-CETSA), isothermal dose response-cellular thermal shift assay (ITDR-CETSA), amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay-cellular thermal shift assay (Alpha-CETSA), etc., which combine their respective advantages and further expand the application scope of CETSA. These technologies are suitable for the entire drug development chain, from drug screening to monitoring the target binding and off-target toxicity of drugs in patients. Based on the author's research experience, this paper reviews the principles of CETSA and related binding technologies, their application in target discovery, and the progress of data processing and analysis in recent years, aiming to provide reference and reference for the further application of CETSA.

A rapid, sensitive and simple liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of clevidipine butyrate and its primary metabolite clevidipine acid in dog blood. After one-step protein precipitation with methanol, the chromatographic separation was carried out on an Ecosil C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and 5 mmol · L(-1) ammonium formate. A chromatographic total run time of 13.0 min was achieved. The quantitation analysis was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) at the specific ion transitions of m/z 454.1 [M-H]- --> m/z 234.1 for clevidipine butyrate, m/z 354.0 [M-H]- --> m/z 208.0 for clevidipine acid and m/z 256.1 [M-H]- --> m/z 227.1 for elofesalamide (internal standard, IS) in the negative ion mode with electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The linear calibration curves for clevidipine butyrate and clevidipine acid were obtained in the concentration ranges of 0.5-100 ng · mL and 1-200 ng · mL(-1), separately. The lower limit of quantification of clevidipine butyrate and clevidipine acid were 0.5 ng · mL(-1) and 1 ng · mL(-1). The intra and inter-assay precisions were all below 12.9%, the accuracies were all in standard ranges. Stability testing indicated that clevidipine butyrate and clevidipine acid in dog blood with the addition of denaturant methanol was stable under various processing and/or handling conditions. The validated method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of clevidipine butyrate injection to 8 healthy Beagle dogs following intravenous infusion at a flow rate of 5 mg · h(-1) for 0.5 h.
Animals ; Butyrates ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Calibration ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dogs ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Pyridines ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Fucoidan is one of the main bioactive components of polysaccharides. The current study was focused on the anti-tumor effects of fucoidan on human heptoma cell line HepG2 and the possible mechanisms. Fucoidan treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. The results of flow cytometric analysis revealed that fucoidan induced G2/M arrest in the cell cycle progression. Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V/PI staining results showed that the apoptotic cell number was increased, which was associated with a dose-dependent up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and p-Stat3. In parallel, the up-regulation of p53 and the increase in reactive oxygen species were also observed, which may play important roles in the inhibition of HepG2 growth by fucoidan. In the meantime, Cyclin B1 and CDK1 were down-regulated by fucoidan treatment. Down-regulation of p-Stat3 by fucoidan resulted in apoptosis and an increase in ROS in response to fucoidan exposure. We therefore concluded that fucoidan induces apoptosis through the down-regulation of p-Stat3. These results suggest that fucoidan may be used as a novel anti-cancer agent for hepatocarcinoma.

Icaritin, a prenylflavonoid derivative from Epimedium Genus, has been shown to exhibit many pharmacological and biological activities. However, the function and the underlying mechanisms of icaritin in human non-small cell lung cancer have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of icaritin on A549 cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. The cell viability after icaritin treatment was tested by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the genes involved in proliferation and apoptosis were respectively detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results demonstrated that icaritin induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, and down-regulated the expression levels of S regulatory proteins such as Cyclin A and CDK2. Icaritin also induced cell apoptosis characterized by positive Hoechst 33258 staining, accumulation of the Annexin V-positive cells, increased ROS level and alteration in Bcl-2 family proteins expression. Moreover, icaritin induced sustained phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPK. These findings suggested that icaritin might be a new potent inhibitor by inducing S phase arrest and apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 cells.