Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; blood ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male

OBJECTIVETo verify the regulatory effects of acupuncture on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase.

METHODSThirty cases of COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group (16 cases) and a placebo group (14 cases). Based on specified aerobic exercise, acupuncture was applied in the treatment group and placebo acupuncture was used in the placebo group. The acupoints included Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25) and so on. The needle did not penetrate into the skin for the placebo group. The treatment was required for 2 to 3 times per week for totally 5 weeks. The indices of exercise tolerance, including 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), exercise time, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum ventilatory volume (MVV), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) were observed in two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) Exercise tolerance: the differences of 6-MWD and exercise time were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (both P<0.01); the VO2max was significantly increased after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05). (2) Pulmonary ventilation function: the differences of FEV1%, FEV1/FVC and MVV% were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (3) SGRQ: the SGRQ was significantly improved after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture could improve the exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stable phase, and shorten the onset time of aerobic exercise. Besides, acupuncture combined with aerobic exercise could effectively improve the pulmonary function.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; therapy

Objective:To investigate the effects of musk-1, a glucoprotein component isolated from the water extract of musk, on some functions of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes activated by IL-8 in vitro.Method：An in vitro incubation system was used. Superoxide anion production was determined by cytochrome C reduction. β-glucuronidase and lysozyme release was quantitated by enzyme reactions in which phenolphthaleinglucuronic acid and Micrococcus Lysodeikticus were as the substrates, respectively.Results:In comparison with control, musk-1 at concentration 1～100 μg*ml-1 can increase superoxide anion production by 91.7%～291%, and decrease β-glucuronidase and lysozyme release by 2.2%～58.1% and 3.9%～39.8%, respectively.Conclusion:Inhibition of lysosomel enzyme release might be considered as one of mechanisms of antiinflammatory action of musk.

AIMTo explore possible signal transmission way through which ginsenoside Rg1 protect cells from MPP(+)-induced apoptosis.

METHODSThe apoptosis of SHSY5Y induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) was observed by AO-EB staining. Flow cytometry was used to quantitate the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western Blotting was used to detect the c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activity in SHSY5Y cells. Immunocytochemistry staining was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3 positive cells.

RESULTSMPP+ was shown to induce apoptosis in SHSY5Y cells. The percentage of apoptotic SHSY5Y cells induced by MPP+ was obviously lower in those groups pretreated with 10 mumol.L-1 Rg1 or 2.5 mmol.L-1 N-acetylcysyteine (NAC). It showed more ROS in MPP+ groups than in control. JNK activity increased with time within 72 hours in 1 mmol.L-1 MPP+ group. Simultaneously, it showed decrease of ROS, less activity of JNK and lower expression of cleaved Caspase-3 in 10 mumol.L-1 Rg1 and 2.5 mmol.L-1 NAC pretreated groups compared with groups treated with MPP+ only.

CONCLUSIONRg1 protects against MPP(+)-induced apoptosis in SHSY5Y cells and the effect might be attributed to its removal of ROS, inhibition of the activity of JNK and expression of cleaved Caspase-3.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Neuroblastoma ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVEStudying the gene expression profiling of different stage hairy root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, in order to find functional genes.

METHODThe contents of second metabolites were determined by HPLC and gene expression profiling was detected by cDNA microarray. cDNA labeled with a fluorescent dye (Cy5 and Cy3-dCTP) was produced by Eberwine's linear RNA amplification method and subsequent enzymatic reaction. The microarrays were scanned with a ScanArray Express scanner using ScanArray 2.0 software and quantified by signal intensities of individual spots from the 16-bit TIFF images using GenePix Pro 4.0. The linear normalization method was used for data analyze. Northern blot was used to test the gene expression results obtained by microarray. Different expressed genes were sequenced and analyzed by gap4 software, and then they were analyzed with BLASTX, BLASTN, GO and KEGG.

RESULTGrowth rate and second metabolites analysis indicated that the stage from 30 d to 45 d was the growth stage, while the stage from 45 d to 60 d was the second metabolites accumulation stage. Accordingly 30 d hairy root was chosen as a reference, which was hybridized with 45 d and 60 d hairy root separately. Total 203 different expressed genes were obtained. Northern blot showed that the result was identical with the microarray result. After sequenced, there were 172 genes clustered into 114 clusters (Unigenes). Among them, 62 unigenes had known functions, 34 unigenes were hypothetical protein, 9 unigenes were homologues with no similarity and 9 unigenes were unidentified protein with low similarity. Total 67 genes were classified into cellular component ontology, molecular function ontology and biological process ontology based on GO analysis. Total 26 genes, which represented 29 metabolic-related enzymes, were located in metabolic maps based on KEGG pathway classification.

CONCLUSIONSeveral important functional genes related to second metabolite synthesis were cloned such as P450 and copalyl diphosphate synthase genes. cDNA microarray was a useful tool for functional genomics of traditional Chinese medicine.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genomics ; methods ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) mediated gene directed enzyme prodrug targeting anti-tumor therapy (GDEPT).

METHODSCYP1A2 gene was cloned from human hepatocytes by RT-PCR, and the eukaryote expression vector was constructed and transferred into Raji cells and human BMSCs via liposome. The targeted anti-tumor effect of BMSC-CYP1A2 cooperated with dacarbazine (DTIC) was measured. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of CYP1A2. Migration assay was detected with Transwell Plates. MTT was used to evaluate the growth inhibitory effect. Cell apoptosis was determined with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining by flow cytometry(FCM).

RESULTSThe results of FCM and differentiation induction were in line with the characteristics of BMSC. The expression of CYP1A2 was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Growth inhibition of Raji-CYP1A2 cells was increased with DTIC concentration in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50) was 1.67 mmol/L). However, BMSC was less sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of DTIC (IC(50) of 9.26 mmol/L and 7.53 mmol/L for BMSC-pcDNA3.1 and BMSC-CYP1A2 cells, respectively) than Raji cells did (IC(50) of 5.62 mmol/L and 1.67 mmol/L for Raji-pcDNA3.1 and Raji-CYP1A2 cells, respectively). BMSC migrated toward Raji cells in Transwell plate. BMSC-CYP1A2 cells mediated a bystander killing effect for CYP1A2-negative Raji cells when they were co-cultured with BMSC-CYP1A2 cells.

CONCLUSIONDTIC can be catalyzed by CYP1A2 in vitro. BMSC-based enzyme prodrug system of CYP1A2 and DTIC can induce lymphoma cell apoptosis targetedly via bystander killing effect.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; genetics ; Dacarbazine ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; pathology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of retrovirus mediated heme oxygenase (HO)-1 gene on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) resistance cell apoptosis induced by nilotinib (AMN107).

METHODSHigh titer viral particles of pQCXIP-EGFP-HO-1 were prepared, and K562/A02 cells stably transfected with HO-1 gene was established. The expression of HO-1 in K562/A02 cells was detected by RT-PCR. After treated with AMN107 for 24 h, HO-1 mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively; Cell proliferation by MTT assay; bcr-abl fusion gene by RQ-PCR, and the apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry.

RESULTSRecombinant retrovirus vector was constructed successfully and K562/A02/HO-1 cells were successfully set up. The expression of HO-1 in K562/A02 cells was expressed clearly. After three groups cells treated with AMN107 for 24 h, the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein was significantly higher in gene-transfected group than in either empty vector or no-transfected group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cell proliferation ofs was inhibited, but the cell viability was significantly higher in gene-transfected group than in other two groups. The difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05); After treated with 10 µmol/L AMN107 for 24 h, the CT values of bcr-abl fusion gene were (18.15 ± 0.18) in K562/A02/HO-1 group, being significantly higher than that in K562/A02/LXSN (20.32 ± 0.20) and K562/A02 (20.51 ± 0.21) group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rate were (17.26 ± 0.23)%, (39.47 ± 0.17)%, and (41.84 ± 0.09)%, respectively in three groups, and were (3.74 ± 0.03)%, (5.91 ± 0.08)% in K563/A02/HO-1 untreated with drug and K562/A02 untreated with drug group. The number of G(0)/G(1) phase and S phase cells markedly decreased. The cells were arrested in G(2)/M phase. But cell cycle in gene-transfected group did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONAMN107 inhibits proliferation of CML resistance cells and induces cell apoptosis. HO-1 gene can protect CML resistance cells to apoptosis. There was a relationship between HO-1 gene and the growth of CML resistance cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

Nine compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of the roots of K. roxburghii by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, MCI gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed-phase HPLC. On the basis of physical-chemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis, their structures were identified as munjistin (1), 1-methoxy-3,6-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), 1,2,3-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), arjunolic acid (4), hyptatic acid-A (5), hyptatic acid-B (6), 2α,3β,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), and daucosterol (9). Compounds 1-9 were obtained from this genus for the first time.
Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 1p and 19q with the expression of MGMT, p53 and Ki-67 proteins in gliomas.

METHODSOne hundred and forty six cases of gliomas (45 oligodendrogliomas, 42 oligodendroastrocytomas, and 59 astrocytomas) were included in this study. Their tissue and blood samples were retrospectively analyzed by PCR-denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for 1p and 19q status and by immunohistochemistry for MGMT, p53 and Ki-67 expression patterns. The correlation among them and with clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed by chi-square test and t-test.

RESULTSIn the oligodendrogliomas, the positive rate of 1p LOH was 59.8%, significantly higher than 33.9% in astrocytomas (P = 0.002), and 1p and 19q LOH was 42.5%, significantly higher than 16.9% in astrocytomas (P = 0.001). Combined with LOH on 1p and 19q, low MGMT expression (65.5%), and high Ki-67 expression (54%) were more frequent in oligodendrogliomas, whereas high p53 expression was more frequent in astrocytomas and mixed tumors (75.2%). 1p LOH (72.5%) and low MGMT (87.5%) expressions were more frequent in grade II oligodendrogliomas, whereas high expressions of p53 (83.0%) and Ki-67 (76.6%) were more frequent in grade III oligodendrogliomas. In addition, high Ki-67 expression was more frequent in grade III astrocytomas. LOH on 1p and 19q LOH was more frequent in nontemporal oligodendrogliomas (55.6%) than that in temporal ones (22.2%, P = 0.002). Non-random associations were found between LOH 1p and 19q LOH, MGMT and p53 protein expressions, and MGMT and Ki-67 protein expressions (all P < 0.05), whereas mutual exclusions were found between LOH on 1p and 19q and p53 expression, and LOH 1p and Ki-67 expression.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a significant interrelationship of the investigated molecular markers and clinicopathological features of gliomas, which support a promising role of molecular markers in guiding diagnostic assessment and clinical management of gliomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; genetics ; Female ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; metabolism ; Oligodendroglioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the growth status of children under 7 years in Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China and its influential factors, and to provide a basis for related intervention measures.

METHODSChildren under 7 years were selected from two county-level districts in Wuzhong by stratified cluster sampling, and their growth status were evaluated by the Z score method.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of growth retardation, underweight, and wasting were 12.58%, 5.71%, and 5.55% respectively. The height-for-age Z score, weight-for-age Z score, and weight-for-height Z scores were -0.26±2.50, 0.29±4.54. and 0.65±3.02 respectively. There were significant differences in the prevalence rate of wasting among children of different ethnic groups (P<0.05); also, there were significant differences in the prevalence rates of growth retardation and underweight among children from different regions and with different age (P<0.05). The main influential factors for growth retardation were region (OR=0.369, P<0.001), ethnic groups (OR=1.694, P=0.027), and age (OR=1.143, P=0.002). The main influential factors for underweight were region (OR=0.453, P=0.001) and age (OR=1.204，P=0.002). The main influential factor for wasting was nation (OR=1.735, P=0.024).

CONCLUSIONSIn Wuzhong, children under 7 years have poor growth status, which are related to ethnic groups, region, and age.

Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male