Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy

Objective A foundation for one of the biological components,Spirulina,to be applied in Controlled Ecological Life Support System(CELSS)would be laid with exploring effects of ionization radiation on the growth of Spirulina.Methods By using the ?-rays of ~(60)Co,Spirulina were irradiated.The dose of the ionization radiation covered 0,0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0 kGy.After irradiated,these Spirulina were cultured under the same conditions.The growth state,shape change,photodensity change,photosynthetic efficiency(O2 produced),and trophic physiological indexes of Spirulina or its solution,were observed,measured and analyzed.Its anti-irradiation ability was investigated.Results After irradiared with ~(60)Co ray,the growth rate,photosynthetic O2 produced efficiency,length of fila and other trophic physiological indexes were all affected in certain degree,but as compared to the higher plants,Spirulina have stronger radiation proof and self-rehabilitation capacity.Even if under high radiation condition(3.0 kGy),there was no complete death of cells,and the dose resulted in 50% death of the Spirulina was 2.0 kGy.Conclusion Spirulina has stronger ionization radiation proof and self-rehabilitation capacity,it can be considered as one of the key biological components in CELSS for future long-term space missions.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paint ; poisoning ; Solvents ; poisoning ; Young Adult

In order to study the analgesic effect of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction, this paper discussed material basis and mechanism from the perspective of macromolecules in traditional Chinese medicine. Inspired by the phenomenon of turbidity after boiling Chinese medicine, this experiment took Shaoyao Gancao Decoction as the research object to study the formation process of precipitation during boiling. The results showed that aggregates with a certain shape were formed in the solvent during the boiling process, and the precipitate was obtained by standing and centrifuging. Analysis found that the precipitation was mainly composed of small molecules such as paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, isoliquiritin and gallic acid, and macromolecules such as protein and polysaccharide. The composition of precipitate was consistent with that of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction, but the analgesic effect of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction after removing the precipitate was significantly reduced. Based on these results, we isolated small molecular compounds, polysaccharides and protein from Shaoyao Gancao Decoction and their contents are 60.4, 700.7 and 207.2 mg·g^-1 respectively. We get the ratio, polysaccharide: small molecule = 11.6∶1, protein: small molecule = 3.4∶1, the precipitate is prepared in the state of boiling. The characterization results showed that the particle size of the precipitate will change significantly after co-heating, and the content determination results showed that the content of the six small molecular compounds which was free in solvent was significantly reduced after the formation of the precipitate. The acetic acid writhing experiment proved that the precipitate has a good analgesic effect, and effectively reduced the levels of inflammatory factors prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide, and increased the level of anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10. These results proved that the precipitate in Shaoyao Gancao Decoction is an important material basis for analgesic effect, and macromolecules such as protein and polysaccharide are the main components of the precipitate. The study of macromolecules in the precipitate of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction not only provides new ideas and methods for elucidating the pharmacodynamic material basis of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction, but also provides a reference for analyzing the scientificity of traditional decoction.

BACKGROUND:We have designed and manufactured a novel artificial cervical vertebra and intervertebral complex (ACVC) which combines the cervical titanium cage with the artificial cervical disc, and also developed the ACVC with a hydroxyapatite biocoating (ACVC-HA). OBJECTIVE:To evaluate biomechanical properties of the joint system, and the role of HA coating in promoting osseointegration and long-term stability. METHODS:Twenty-four goats were randomly divided into three groups and underwent the anterior C2/3 and C3/4 discectomy, and C3 subtotal corpectomy, fol owed by ACVC implantation (group 1) and ACVC-HA implantation (group 2), and given no intervention (black control group), respectively. group. At 12 weeks after surgery, C1-5 samples were col ected to undergo biomechanical tests and histological staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Prior to the fatigue test, compared with the blank control group, the range of motion and neural zone of groups 1 and 2 in the directions of flexion-extension and lateral bending showed no significant differences, but the above indicators were significantly increased in the direction of rotation (P<0.05). Additional y, the stiffness in al three directions was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the range of motion and neural zone in al directions between groups 1 and 2. Similar results were found after the fatigue test. The histological staining showed that both two implants had good biocompatibility and abradability, but more new bone formed on the ACVC-HA. These results suggest that ACVC can effectively reconstruct the motor function of the cervical spine after decompression. Furthermore, HA coating can markedly improve bone-implant interface to promote osseointegration.

OBJECTIVETo explore the tumor growth inhibition of gamma secretase inhibitor MRK003 on human multiple myeloma xenograft mice by inhibition of AKT and Notch1 expression.

METHODSNOD/SCID mice were injected with human multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI8226 to establish a xenograft mouse model. Mice were randomized into two groups：the experimental group were injected with MRK003 at a dose of 5 mg× kg⁻¹×d⁻¹ for 14 days; the inhibitor was replaced by an equal saline in the control group. Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the next day after the last injection and tumor tissue was removed to detect the expression of Notch1 and AKT by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSAfter subcutaneous injection with RPMI8226, mice had tumor formation in 5-7 days and the largest tumor block in 10-12 days. Before RPMI8226 injection, the mean sizes of tumor block in the experimental and the control groups were 509.2 mm³, 511.2 mm³(P>0.05). 9 days after injection, the mean sizes of tumor tissue in the experimental and the control groups were 636.6 mm³, 691.2 mm³(P<0.01). On the next day after the last injection, the tumor sizes of the experimental and the control groups were 683.5 mm³ and 1798.7 mm³(P<0.01). The size of tumor block in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that of the control group(P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the positive expression rates of Notch1(11.1%, P<0.01) and AKT(13.3%, P<0.01) in experimental group were significantly decreased compared with the control group(Notch1: 95.6%; AKT: 93.3%). Western blot results showed that Notch1 and AKT protein in experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONMRK003 could inhibit the tumor growth of human multiple myeloma xenograft mice by downregulated expression of Notch1 signaling pathway.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclic S-Oxides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Thiadiazoles ; pharmacology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Modified Dachengqi Decoction (MDD) as whole course therapy on mediators of inflammation in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) model rats, and to compare interventional advantages over intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) of SAP rats between whole course therapy of MDD and early stage therapy of MDD.

METHODSTotally 190 SD rats were divided into five groups according to random digit table, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the octreotide (OT) group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the whole course MDD treatment group, 38 in each group. SAP models were established with retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct. Three hours after modeling normal saline (NS) was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group by gastrogavage, once per 12 h.1.35 µg/100 g OT was subcutaneously injected to rats in the OT group, once every 8 h. 0.4 mL/100 g MDD was administered to rats in the early stage MDD treatment group, and 6 h later changed to NS (once per 12 h).0.4 mL/100 g MDD was administered to rats in the whole course MDD treatment group, once every 12 h. The accumulative survival rate and morphological manifestations of pancreas and small intestine were observed under microscope 48 h after modeling. Pathologic scores of the pancreas and small intestine were conducted at 4, 6, 24, and 48 h after modeling. Contents of serum amylase (AMY), alanine transaminase (ALT), and TNF-α were also detected. The expression of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in the small intestine tissue was also detected by Western blot. The positive rate of bacterial translocation in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) was observed within 48 h. Correlations between serum TNF-α or HMGB1 in small intestinal tissue and pathological scores of the pancreas or the small intestine were analyzed.

RESULTSThe accumulative survival rate was 100. 0% in the sham-operation group, 79. 2% in the whole course MDD treatment group, 70. 8% in the OT group, 45. 8% in the early stage MDD treatment group, and 37.5% in the model group. At 6 h after modeling, pathological scores decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). At 24 and 48 h after modeling, pathological scores of the pancreas and the small intestine decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group (P <0. 05). At 6, 24, and 48 h after modeling, serum contents of AMY and ALT both decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). At 48 h after modeling serum contents of AMY and ALT both decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group (P < 0.05). At 6 h after modeling serum TNF-α levels decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). At 6, 24, and 48 h after modeling the level of HMGB1 in the small intestinal tissue decreased more in the whole course MDD treatment group, the early stage MDD treatment group, the OT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). Of them, HMGB1 levels at 24 and 48 h were lower in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group (P < 0.05). The number of MLNs bacterial translocation at 48 h after modeling was lower in the whole course MDD treatment group and the OT group than in the early stage MDD treatment group and the model group (P < 0.05). Serum TNF-α contents within 6 h were positively correlated with pathological scores of pancreas (r = 0.579, P < 0.01). ROC curve showed that serum TNF-α contents could predict the severity of SAP (ROC = 0.990, 95% Cl: 0.971 to 1.000). HMGB1 in the small intestine was positively correlated with pathological scores of the small intestine (r = 0.620, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEarly stage use of MDD could effectively reduce the release of TNF-α, while whole course use of MDD could effectively inhibit the expression of HMGB1. The latter could preferably attenuate injuries of the pancreas and the small intestine, lower MLNs bacterial translocation, and elevate the survival rate.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; HMGB1 Protein ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Octreotide ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Taurocholic Acid ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The present study is to establish Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells and investigate the transport capability of PLGA nanoparticles with different surface chemical properties across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells. PLGA-NPs, mPEG-PLGA-NPs and chitosan coated PLGA-NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as carrier material with surface modified by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan. The particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured by dynamic light scattering. Coumarin 6 was used as a fluorescent marker in the transport of nanoparticles investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The transport of furanodiene (FDE) loaded nanoparticles was quantitively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Colchicine and nocodazole were used in the transport study to explore the involved endocytosis mechanisms of nanoparticles. Distribution of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 was also analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles dispersed uniformly. The zeta potential of PLGA-NPs was negative, the mPEG-PLGA-NPs was close to neutral and the CS-PLGA-NPs was positive. The entrapment efficiency of FDE in all nanoparticles was higher than 75%. The transport capability of mPEG-PLGA-NPs across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells was higher than that of PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. Colchicine and nocodazole could significantly decrease the transport amount of nanoparticles. mPEG-PLGA-NPs could obviously reduce the distribution of ZO-1 protein than PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. The transport mechanism of PLGA-NPs and mPEG-PLGA-NPs were indicated to be a combination of endocytosis and paracellular way, while CS-PLGA-NPs mainly relied on the endocytosis way. PEG coating could shield the surface charge and enhance the hydrophilicity of PLGA nanoparticles, which leads mPEG-PLGA-NPs to possess higher anti-adhesion activity. As a result, mPEG-PLGA-NPs could penetrate the mucus layer rapidly and transport across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells.
Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Carriers ; Furans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; HT29 Cells ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

After 28 foreign species of AM fungi were inoculated in sterilized soil, the effects of the AM mycorrhizal colonization and the medicine quality of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis were observed by combination of inoculation test in pot at room temperature and instrumental analysis. The results showed that, compared with control group (CK), the inoculation of foreign AM fungi in the soil influenced the spore density, mycorrhizal infection rate, and colonization intensity of AM fungi in root system of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. The inoculation of foreign AM fungi enhanced the mycorrhiza viability of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis by increasing the activity of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in intraradical hyphae. The content of single steroid saponin in rhizome of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis showed variation after P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was inoculated by different foreign species of AM fungi, which was beneficial for increasing the medicine quality; however, the kinds of steroid saponin showed no difference. In a degree, there was a selectivity of symbiosis between P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and foreign AM fungi. And we found that the Claroideoglomus claroideum and Racocetra coralloidea were best foreign AM fungi species for cultivating P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis under field condition.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fungi ; classification ; growth & development ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Mycorrhizae ; classification ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Quality Control

Objective To compare the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS ) in patients with gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD)and healthy controls.Methods The distribution and relative protein amount of two NOS subtypes (nNOS and iNOS)were determined with immunohistological method,and their mRNA levels were measured with real-time PCR method.Results The nNOS and iNOS were mostly distributed in the cytoplasm in epithelia of esophageal mucosa.The nNOS and iNOS in reflux esophagitis (RE)were significantly higher than in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)patients and healthy controls (P <0.05 ).The mRNA levels of nNOS and iNOS were also significantly higher in RE patients than in NERD patients and healthy controls (P <0.05).Conclusion The expressions of nNOS and iNOS were increased in the esophagus of RE patients,which may be related to the effects of NO on the onset of GERD.