The genetic analysis of herpesviruses has been a constant challenge, due to the large, complex genomes of herpesviruses and mutagenesis of viral genes by conventional recombination methods in cell culture. Recently, a completely new approach for full-length infectious clones of herpesviruses based on bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) has been developed. This technique allows the maintenance, propagation and genetic modification of the viral genome as a BAC plasmid in E.coli, thus making the procedures fast, safe and effective in prokaryotic cells. This technique also makes it possible for the reconstitution of viral progeny or mutants by transfection of the BAC plasmid into eukaryotic cells, thereby facilitating the analysis of viral gene functions in the context of genome. In this presentation, Epstein-Barr virus was used as an example to describe the principle, establishment of the technique and mutation introduction into the BAC plasmid, and to discuss the perspective in the use of BAC-cloned herpesviruses.

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect and mechanism of total flavones of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB) on IgA1 induced injury of venous endothelial cells in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) children patients. METHODS Human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) were taken as subject. They were intervened by normal IgA1 and HSP children patients' serum IgA1, and added with different concentrations TFB at the same time. Then they were divided into the blank control group, the normal control group, the HSP IgA1 group, and HSP IgA1 plus TFB (1.0, 0.5, 0.25 mg/mL) groups. Levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in supernate were detected by ELISA. The NO level was detected by nitrate reductase method. mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in HUVECs were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group and the blank control group, levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO all significantly increased in the HSP group (P < 0.05). Compared with the HSP group, levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO significantly decreased after intervention of TFB (1.0 and 0.5 mg/mL; P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Results of fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot showed, as compared with the blank control group and the normal control group, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in HSP children patients' serum IgA1 induced venous endothelial cells significantly increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the HSP group, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-KB and ICAM-1 were obviously down-regulated after intervention of TFB (1.0, 0.5, 0.25 mg/mL), with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTFB could protect vascular damage by inhibiting in vivo high expression of NF-κB, reducing the production of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO in vascular endothelial cells of HSP children patients.

Bidens ; chemistry ; Child ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; pharmacology ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective Using the third high sensitive cardiac troponin I assay to establish the reference intervals of serum cardiac marker high sensitivity cardiac troponin I ( hs-cTnI ) in apparently healthy subjects of Beijing area, and to explore the relationship between cTnI and other parameters.Methods Using random selection method, a total of 440 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy subjects of Beijing area.Among them, 217 cases were male, average age was (50.0 ±14.3) years old;223 cases were female, average age was ( 49.0 ±14.0 ) years old.All of these serum samples were detected hs-cTnI using i2000 Abott biochemical analyzer and ARCHITECT STAT Abbott assay kit.And the 99th percentile upper reference limit was used as the reference interval.Non-parametric tests were used to compare the different groups, the U Mann-Whitney test was used between two groups, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used in many groups, and the correlation analysis was used Spearman method.Results The 99th percentiles of hs-cTnI in 440 apparently healthy subjects is 9.66 ng/L.While the male group is 9.66 ng/L, and the female group is 8.25 ng/L.The serum hs-cTnI level of male is higher than female ( 9.95 ng/L vs 8.25 ng/L, P<0.05 ).According to the spearman correlation analysis, the serum hs-cTnI level appears positive correlation with age, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate transaminase ( AST) ,gamma-glutamyl transferase ( GGT) ,total bilirubin ( TBIL) ,serum creatinine ( SCR) , hemoglobin (HGB)(P<0.05,R>0),and appears negative correlation with platelet (PLT)(P<0.05,R<0).Conclusion The serum hs-cTnI level apparently differents with gender, so it is necessary to establish reference intervals among different gender group of Beijing area.

Caused by Helminthosporium carposaprum, tomato brown lea f spot was a serious disease in green house in Henan Province. The condition for promoting sporulation of fungi were tested in this paper. The results showed th at the number of sporulation were different on the different medium,the fungi c ould sporulate a lot on the PDA+tomato leaf and Czapek medium, but V8、PSA and t omato juice restrained sporulation.The best carbon source and nitrogen source f or the fungi promoting sporulation were fructose and ammonium chloride respectiv ely,mannitol and Peptone ammonium sulfate restrained sporulation. Light and ult raviolet radiation were in favor of sporulation , ultraviolet radiation irradiat ing for 60～80min promoted sporulation. The fungi were promoted sporulation on the condition of lower or higher temperature and alkalescence,which 15℃o r 30℃,pH 8～9.

Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex is the dry bark of Cleistocalyx operculatus. It is the raw material of Compound Hibiscuse which is external sterilization antipruritic drugs. The quality standard of Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex in Guangdong Province "standard for the traditional Chinese medicine" (second volumes) only contains TLC identification. It is unable to effectively monitor and control the quality of Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex. A reversed-phase HPLC method was established for the determination of 3, 3'-O-dimethylellagic acid from Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex and the content was calculated by external standard method for the first time. Under the selected chromatographic conditions, the target components between peaks to achieve effective separation. 3,3'-O- dimethylellagic acid standard solution at the concentration of 1.00 - 25.0 mg x L(-1) showed a good linear relationship. The standard curve was Y = 77.33X + 7.904, r = 0.999 5. The average recovery was 101.0%, RSD was 1.3%. The HPLC method for the determination of 3,3'-O-dimethylellagic acid in Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex is accurate and reliable. It can provide a strong technical support for monitoring the quality of Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Syzygium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Polygonatum sibiricum on Yin deficiency model rats induced by long-term overload swimming.

METHODExcept for the normal group, all of the remaining rats performed the long-term overload swimming for eight weeks, with five days every week and once every day, to establish the Yin deficiency model. The daily swimming time increased from 10 min to 180 min at the end of the 7th week, with the water depth of 60 cm and the water temperature at 30 degrees C. After the success of the modeling, the rats were orally administered with different doses of aqueous extracts from P. sibiricum (2.5, 10 g x kg(-1)) for eight weeks. After the final administration, their blood were collected from orbits to measure immunoglobulin A, G and M (IgA, IgG, IgM), interleukin 2 and 6 (IL-2, IL-6) and cAMP, cGMP contents in plasma General behavioral indicators (weight, facial temperature, pain threshold and holding power) of rats were observed during the drug administration.

RESULTCompared with the model control group, aqueous extracts from P. sibiricum was given for eight weeks to significantly increase the rat weight and holding power of Yin deficiency model rats, decrease the facial temperature and the sensitivity of pain threshold, and increase IgA, IgG, IgM and IL-6 content and IgG content in serum, but without statistical difference. Aqueous extracts from P. sibiricum (10 g x kg(-1)) could also increase IL-2 content in serum, and decrease cAMP content and cAMP/cGMP ratio.

CONCLUSIONP. sibiricum could improve the general behavioral indicators (weight, holding power, pain threshold and facial temperature), immunologic functions (IgA, IgG, IgM) and cyclic nucleotide (cAMP, cAMP/cGMP), so as to ameliorate such Yin deficiency symptoms as dysphoria in chestpalms-soles, weight loss, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, immunologic dysfunction and cyclic nucleotide system disorders.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polygonatum ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Swimming ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

In order to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of triptolide (TP) on 4T1 mice breast cancer cell line in vitro and in mouse model, as well as the possible mechanisms, we detected the effect of TP on cell proliferation by MTT assay or Crystal Violet Staining in our research. Flowcytometry combined with FITC-Annexin V/PI staining were used for detecting TP induced 4T1 cell apoptosis. The protein expression of ERalpha, p-ERalpha, ERbeta, p-ERbeta, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38, SAPK/JNK, and p-SAPK/JNK was tested by western blotting. We also compare TP with chemotherapy drug doxorubicin in 4T1 tumor bearing BLAB/c mice model, the Xenogen bioluminescence imaging, H&E, and IHC result indicated that TP exhibits an anticancer proliferation activity. As a result, TP in 100, 10, 1, 0.1 micromol x L(-1), all inhibited the proliferation of 4T1 cells by MTT assay and Crystal Violet Staining. TP which concentrations is 10, 1, 0.1 micromol x L(-1) could induce the apoptosis of 4T1 cells and reduce the cell proliferation. TP in 200 microg x kg(-1) could inhibit the tumor growth in vivo. The anticancer proliferation of TP was involved in its effect on reducing expression of ERalpha, p-ERalpha, ERbeta, and p-ERbeta, but nothing to do with the activation of MAPK signaling pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the endothelioid differentiation effect of Epimedin C on murine embryonic mesenchymal stem cells (C3H/10T1/2).

METHODSC3H/10T1/2 cells were cultivated in vitro. The cytotoxicity of Epimedin C at different concentrations was determined by MTT assay and crystal violet assay. Morphological changes were observed under microscope after treated with Epimendin C. The effect of Epimendin C on the cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. mRNA expression levels of endothelial markers, such as CD31, CD34, vascular endothelial zinc finger 1 (Vezf1), angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), and angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) were detected by semi-quantitative PCR. Protein expression levels of platelet endothelial adhesive molecule 1 (CD31), ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73), endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), and integrin β5 were determined by immunocytochemical (IHC) staining.

RESULTSEpimedin C could not affect the survival rate of C3H/10T1/2 cells at 1-30 μmol/L. Its cell cycle distribution was not significantly changed after treated by 30 μmol/L Epimedin C for 24 h. C3H/10T1/2 cells were differentiated to vascular endothelial cells by Epimedin C treatment, with significant morphological changes (whirlpool-like structure). PCR results indicated that mRNA levels of classic endothelial mark- ers, namely CD34, Vezf1, Ang1, and Ang2 were significantly increased in C3H/10T1/2 cells after treated with Epimedin C for 5 days (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Protein expression levels of CD31, CD73, and ESM-1 were also positively expressed after treated with Epimedin C for 5 days, showing statistical difference when compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEpimendin C could induce C3H/10T1/2 cells to differentiate into endothelioid cells.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with important human diseases, including infectious mononucleosis syndrome, malignant lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The mechanism of EBV entry into host cells remains a subject of intensive research. After decades of study, researchers have identified several key proteins and different patterns of EBV intrusion into host cells. The viral surface glycoproteins, gp350/220, gp42, gB, gH, and gL, are involved in interactions with the CR2 receptor on the surface of B lymphocytes during viral entry. However, the majority of epithelial cells lack CR2 receptor expression, which makes viral invasion much more complex than in B lymphocytes. Three different models have been proposed to explain how EBV enters epithelial cells: (1) "transfer of infection", mediated by B lymphocytes or Langerhans cells; (2) EBV utilizes its own proteins during the process of fusion with the cell membrane; and (3) progeny virions arising from EBV-infected epithelial cells cross lateral membranes into adjacent epithelial cells. This review will discuss the relevant mechanism of viral entry into B lymphocytes and epithelial cells during EBV infection.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; virology ; Epithelial Cells ; virology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; virology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virus Internalization