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.

Objective To investigate the role of plasma tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-1 (TFPI-1) level and to observe the effect of extrinsic TFPI-1 on no-reflow (NR) in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion. Methods Rabbits were randomized into four groups (n = 10 each): ischemic- reperfusion group (IR, subjected to 120 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion); ischemic- reperfusion TFPI-1 group (100 ng/kg bolus and 1 ng · kg~(-1) · min~(-1) infusion during reperfusion) ; ischemic group (subjected to 180 minutes of coronary artery occlusion) and sham group. The NR area and ischemic area were determined by thioflavin S and Evan's blue staining in vivo. Plasma TF and TFPI-1 levels were measured before operation, before and at 120 minutes post coronary artery ligation, 10 and 60 minutes after reperfusion by ELISA. Results Plasma TF and TFPI-1 levels before and at 120 minutes post coronary artery ligation were similar among the four groups (all P > 0.05). At 10 and 60 minutes after reperfusion, the plasma TF levels in the IR group was significantly higher than those in ischemic group and sham group [10 minutes: (20.7 ±4. 1) pg/ml vs. (13.9 ±2. 2)pg/ml(P <0. 001), (20.7±4. l)pg/ml vs. (13.2±2.6) pg/ml(P<0. 001); 60 minutes; (15.8±2.6) pg/ml vs. (13.5± 1.6) pg/ml(P<0.05), (15.8 ±2.6) pg/ml vs. (12.1 ±0.7) pg/ml (P < 0. 001)] while the plasma TFPI-1 levels were similar among IR, ischemic and sham groups at 10 minutes after reperfusion and at 60 minutes after reperfusion (all P >0. 05). TFPI-1 level [(9.7 ± 1. 6) ng/ml] was significantly lower in the IR group than in the ischemic group [(11.6 ±1.6) ng/ml, P < 0. 05] and sham group [( 10. 1 ±1.3) ng/ml, P < 0. 01] . TF mRNA expression in the NR area in IR group was significantly up-regulated compared to the ischemic group (P<0. 05) and sham group (P <0. 001 ) while TFPI-1 mRNA expression was similar between IR group and ischemic group ( P > 0. 05 ) . NR severity in the ischemic-reperfusion TFPI-1 group was significantly attenuated compared to IR group (0. 39 ±0. 11 vs. 0.54±0.06, P<0.01). Conclusion Upregulated TF mRNA expression in the NR area and increased plasma TF level during reperfusion period, reduced plasma TFPI-1 level during reperfusion period as well as attenuated NR severity by extrinsic application of human rTFPI-1 in this model suggested an important role in the pathogenesis of the NR phenomenon.

OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA on cultured rat mesangial cells (MsC) and in human diseased glomeruli, and to explore their significance in the development of glomerulosclerosis.

METHODSThe expressions of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and Col IV mRNA on cultured rat MsC stimulated by IL-1 or/and TGF-beta1 were investigated through Northern blot analysis. The levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expressions and immunoreactivity of PCNA and Col IV in human diseased glomeruli from renal biopsies of lupus nephritis (LN) patients were examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTSThe levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and Col IV mRNA expressions were markedly increased on cultured rat MsC stimulated by IL-1 or/and TGF-beta1. Meanwhile, upregulation of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expressions was confirmed in diseased glomeruli from patients with various subtypes of LN, and was closely related to the positive cell number of PCNA presentation and deposition of Col IV in glomeruli.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the over-expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA on glomerular cells might play a critical role in the development of glomerulosclerosis.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type IV ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Glomerular Mesangium ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; Lupus Nephritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the onset time of sudden deafness and blood rheology using a large-scale retrospective study.

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-eight patients of sudden deafness were examined with blood rheology and compared with 60 healthy people. Thirty patients were as subjects to study the circadian of blood rheology in order to search whether the blood rheology of morning was the highest. By divided 24 hours into twelve groups, each group contained two hours. Then the 198 patients were separated into twelve groups according to the time of onset. The blood rheology of each group was analyzed and compared with each other to observe which group was the highest.

RESULTSMost blood rheology index of the patients were higher than that of the healthy people. The onset time in most of the patients was during 4 am-8 am, but 45 patients during 4 am-6 am and 40 patients during 6 am-8 am. By analyzing and comparing the blood rheology of each group, the results showed that the blood rheology index in the group of 4 am-8 am was highest. And the blood rheology index of sudden deafness was highest in the morning.

CONCLUSIONSThere was a close relation between blood rheology and sudden deafness. The peak time of onset was 4 am-8 am, and the patients whose blood rheology were the highest should be more predisposed to sudden deafness than the other patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Circadian Rhythm ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; blood ; physiopathology ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

In order to obtain the fungicides with minimal impact on efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis, the effect of five fungicides including polyoxins, jinggangmycins, thiophanate methylate, chlorothalonil and carbendazim on the growth of medicinal plant and efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis were studied. Pot cultured Glycyrrhiza uralensis was treated with different fungicides with the concentration that commonly used in the field. 60 d after treated with fungicides, infection rate, infection density, biomass indexes, photosyn- thetic index and the content of active component were measured. Experimental results showed that carbendazim had the strongest inhibition on mycorrhizal symbiosis effect. Carbendazim significantly inhibited the mycorrhizal infection rate, significantly suppressed the actual photosynthetic efficiency of G. uralensis and the most indicators of biomass. Polyoxins showed the lowest inhibiting affection. Polyoxins had no significant effect on mycorrhizal infection rate, the actual photosynthetic efficiency of G. uralensis and the most indicators of biomass. The other three fungicides also had an inhibitory effect on efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis, and the inhibition degrees were all between polyoxins's and carbendazim's. The author considered that fungicide's inhibition degree on mycorrhizal effect might be related with the species of fungicides, so the author suggested that the farmer should try to choose bio-fungicides like polyoxins.
Fungi ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Fungicides, Industrial ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; microbiology ; physiology ; Mycorrhizae ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Symbiosis ; drug effects

In this study the chemical constituents of the higher polar sustances from Desmodium caudatum were investigated.The compounds were isolated by using column chromatographies over silicagel, polyamide, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were identified on the basis of NMR and MS spectra. Thirteen compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as vanillin(1), loliolide(2), indole-3-carboxaldehyde(3), salicylic acid(4), swertisin(5), saccharumoside C(6), isosinensin (7), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8), isovitexin (9), vitexin (10), nothofagin(11), resveratroloside (12), and 2"-α-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-methylvitexin (13). Except for compound 5, the remaining compounds were isolated from D. caudatum for the first time. Compounds 2, 3, 6-8, 11-13 were separated from the genus Desmodium for the first time.
Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biomechanics of treatment for lumbar spondlolisthesis using nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC (Wendeng Fusion Cage) implant.

METHODSThere were nine permanent waist-sacrum wet bone (L3-S3) in 1 to 2 clay-cold hours including 6 men and 3 women. They were seldom separated into 3 groups, which were fixed by nail-grooved fail plus WDFC. The model was separate into two kinds for single and across. With electrometry, deal experiment date with Graftool software. Each piece should be tested twice respectively.

RESULTSThe single and across segment non-destructive compression experiment. No-mid-compression from 0 to 750 N,the related coefficient and curves had no obvious change on inclined rate. In the single segment curvedly serial experiment, the stress at all point measured by two sides steel plate-was mostly linear growth. In the across segment curvedly serial experiment, the inclined rate become big and appear anisomerous.

CONCLUSIONIt's proved by biomechanics that the steel plates with single furrow and cylinder wing plus WDFC has a good stability to cure lumbar vertebra slips.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; physiopathology ; surgery

To investigate the suitable site environment for Atractylodes lancea, field trials in different niches was carried out, and the seedling growth, biomass and volatile oil components in different microhabitas was studied. The study found that the survival rate, plant height, volatile oil content of those which growing under the bamboo were significantly higher than those exposed in the open field. The survival rate understory was (76 ± 15.1) %, plant height understory was (77 ± 14. 8) cm and the summation of the four kinds of volatile oil content understory reached up to 4.09%; The same evaluation values of these indicators of the four faces in the open field respectively: survival rate is 30%, plant height was (77 ± 14.8) cm and the summation of the four kinds of volatile oil content was 2.24%. But, the yield of the understory (41 ± 22.3) g was significantly lower than those four faces in the open field (104.5 g) on the contrary. For the four open field towards, the yield of the east facing, which organic matter and other nutritional conditions were better than others, was significantly higher than those in the other facings. A. lancea was found to be an anti-poor and shading-like or growing in east facing slope herb through the correlation analysis of light, temperature, soil and leaf nutrients with seedling growth, biomass and volatile oil components. It also reminds us that the understory herb with high survival rate, low incidence, low management costs, and high medicinal ingredients, although it's production is not so high, but it can be improved by increased organic fertilizer. So the ecological planting patterns which can intercropping herbs with the forest was proposed.
Atractylodes ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Soil ; chemistry ; Temperature

A capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector for high performance liquid chromatography was developed. The detector was consisted of a signal generator, a signal amplifier, and a pair of tubular electrodes. A plastic connecting tube following the separation column was threaded through the two tubular electrodes. When the separated components passed the region between two tubular electrodes, they would be sensed. The instrumental parameters of this detector were investigated, including the internal diameter of connecting tube,the frequency and voltage of excitation signal, electrodes length, and the gap between two electrodes. The 0.5 mm of internal diameter of connecting tube, 70 kHz of excitation frequency, 60 V of excitation voltage,10 mm of electrodes length and 1.5 mm of gap between two electrodes were finally found to be the best working conditions for the detector. This HPLC-C4D(capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector) was applied to the analysis of oleic and linoleic acids in Brucea javanica oil. The chromatographic peak area was linear with concentration for oleic and linoleic acids in 5-1000 μg/mL, and the limit of detection reached 2.5 μg/mL and 1.0 μg/mL,respectively. The results demonstrate that the present method is sensitive and accurate, proving this homemade contactless conductivity detector has a great application potential for pharmaceutical analysis in future development.

Objective To evaluate the effects d community-based nursing intervention in people with prehypertention. Methods A total of 120 residents with prehypertension were randomly divided into intervention group (60 cases) and control group (60 cases). The intervention group received 1-month commuity-based nursing intervention including group education, individual living manner intervention and exercise guiding. No special measures were given to the control group. Behavior improvement scores, blood pressure and bodyweight index were measured before and after the intervention. Results The score of the intervention group was significantly lower than before intervention,and was significantly lower than that of the control group as well (T=18.01,1g 89,21.60,9.44;t =21.05,20. 48,10. 50,5. 57;P ＜0. 01). Behavior improvement scores,blood pressure and bodyweight index in the intervention group were significantly lower than those before intervention and those of the control group (T=4. 18,4.11,1.88;t =4.20,5.08,2. 15;P＜0. 01 or P＜0.05).Conclusions Community-based nursing intervention can lower blood pressure of people with prehypertension. It also has a great significance in preventing high blood pressure.