In the study, the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on alveolar epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix degradation were observed in a type of human alveolar epithelial cell, A549 cells, stimulated by TGF-beta1. Firstly, MTT method was applied to evaluation of cellular proliferation and found that PNS from 12.5 mg x L(-1) to 200 mg x L(-1) dosage could not inhibit significantly cellular proliferation. Then, cells were divided into five groups, normal group, TGF-beta1 group, TGF-beta1 + 50 mg x L(-1) PNS group, TGF-beta1 + 100 mg x L(-1) PNS group and TGF-beta1 + 200 mg x L(-1) PNS group. Normal cells were not stimulatec by TGF-beta1; TGF-beta1 cells were only stimulated by TGF-beta1 and the other cells were stimulated by TGF-beta1 with different doses of PNS, respectively. After stimulation, cells and supernatants were collected for assays. Cellular roundness was applied to quantitative evaluation of morphological change. Immunocytochemistry was applied to examine E-cadherion, a-SMA and FN proteins expression in the cells. Enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay was applied to MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels. The results showed that EMT of A549 cells was induced by TGF-beta1, showing significant change of roundness, E-cadherion, alpha-SMA and FN (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared to TGF-beta1, PNS significantly inhibited the changes of roundness (P < 0.05), FN and alpha-SMA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and not significantly inhibited the change of E-cadherion. Furthermore, MMP-9 levels were significantly increased by TGFbeta1 stimulation (P < 0.05), without significant change of TIMP-1. Compared with TGF-beta1, PNS could significantly increase MMP-9 level (P < 0.05) and decrease TIMP-1 levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In conclusion, PNS could inhibit alveolar epithelial cell EMT induced by TGF-beta1, with increase of extracellular matrix degradation ability, which showed anti-fibrosis of lung ability.
Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of OMT on TGF-β1-induced CFBs proliferation, and then explore the mechanism.

METHODThe experiment was randomly divided into 6 groups as following: control group (serum free DMEM), model group (20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT low dose group (1.89 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT medium dose group (3.78 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT high dose group (7.56 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), SB203580 group (p38MAPK blocking agent, 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1). Vimentin of CFBs was identified by immunocytochemical methods, α-SMA of myFBs as well. Inhibitory effects of OMT on CFBs proliferation was detected by the MTT assay. Picric acid Sirius red staining was analyzed collagen type I and collagen type III deposition. Western blot was determined the expression of p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK, collagen type I and collagen type III.

RESULTMTT results showed that OMT significantly inhibited CFBs proliferation induced by TGF-β1 (P < 0.01) α-SMA immunocytochemical experiments suggested that OMT could protect against the CFBs proliferation. OMT could significantly decrease the deposition of collagen type I and collagen type III by Western bloting and picric acid Sirius red staining. Western blot results showed that TGF-β1 enhanced p38MAPK phosphorylation, however OMT attenuated the phosphorylation of p38MAPK induced by TGF-β1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOMT can inhibit the CFBs proliferation induced by TGF-β1, and its mechanism may be involved in inhibiting p38MAPK phosphorylation.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Standardized Manipulation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Part 8: Intradermal Needle was compiled with the following principles. The compiling standard, technical features and clinic manipulations of intradermal needle were taken as the basic principle for compiling. Literature research, expert survey and clinic practice verification were applied as the drafting methods. The key issues were focused on the relationship between standardization and individualization, normalization and effectiveness, qualification and quantification. And the postural selection, reinforcing and reducing manipulations, fixing materials and embedding duration involved in intradermal needling were emphasized particularly. At the same time, details and the future way of thinking of intradermal needle were expounded in this article as well.
Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; standards ; China ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; standards ; Needles ; standards ; Reference Standards

It has been demonstrated that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is critical for the induction and maintenance of long term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated the changes in NCAM mRNA expression and NCAM protein level after the induction of LTP in vitro using the techniques of in situ hybridization and Western blot. The results showed that the number of NCAM mRNA positive labelled neurons significantly increased (76.6+/-11.5 neurons) 10 min after tetanus when the slope of fEPSP markedly increased. The level of NCAM protein also increased significantly (7.190+/-0.64 arbitrary unit/50 microg protein) 10 min after tetanus. The number of NCAM mRNA positive labelled neurons no longer changed (73.3+/-14.0) 1 h after tetanus, however, the NCAM protein level (9.031+/-0.71) at 1 h after tetanus was higher than that at 10 min after tetanus. Moreover, the NMDA receptor inhibitor AP-5, which blocked LTP, prevented the increase in NCAM mRNA expression and NCAM protein level. The results demonstrate that NCAM mRNA expression maintains a high level, whereas NCAM protein changes from a low level to a high level during induction and maintenance of LTP.
Animals ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; physiology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The present study examined the changes in 26S proteasome activity and the signal molecule mechanism regulating 26S proteasome activity in long term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices. The results are as follows: 26S proteasome activity was 190+/-14.3 cpm/(100 microg.2 h) before tetanus, a significant increase in 26S proteasome activity (273+/-18.3 cpm/(100 microg.2 h) was found 10 min after tetanus, when the slope of fEPSP was markedly increased. Interestingly, 26S proteasome activity returned to baseline level (210+/-12.8 cpm/(100 microg.2 h) 60 min after tetanus. Moreover, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor AP-5, which blocked LTP, prevented the increase in the 26S proteasome activity. The results suggest that NMDA receptors contribute to the transient increase in 26S proteasome activity during induction of LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region.
Animals ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; physiology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Peptide Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histological features of oral leukoplakia which underwent malignant transformation and its correlation with the clinical manifestation.

METHODSA total of 1832 cases of oral leukoplakia were reviewed and the clinicopathological characteristics of malignant transformation were analyzed.

RESULTSMalignant transformation occurred in 85 cases (4.6%) of the 1832 cases. Thirty cases (2.1%) of 1404 cases with simple epithelial hyperplasia had malignant transformation. Fifty-five cases (12.9%) in 428 cases with epithelial dysplasia were transformed to malignancy, especially in the cases with moderate or severe dysplasia, in which the ratio of malignant transformation was higher than in the cases with simple epithelial hyperplasia (P < 0.005). Clinical parameters associated with an increased risk of malignant transformation were female gender and epithelial dysplasia was more often seen in non-homogenous leukoplakias than in homogenous (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSNon-dysplastic leukoplakia may become malignant. Epithelial dysplasia was associated with an increased risk of malignant transformation. Leukoplakia in female may be at a higher risk for malignant transformation.

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Leukoplakia, Oral ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Mouth Neoplasms ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors

Objective To detect EIA factor expression in human rectal cancer and normal tissue and to determine whether it is correlated with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer. Methods Real- time RT-PCR was used to detect E1AF expression in matched rectal cancers and normal tissues from g6 in- patients.Results Among the 86 rectal cancer samples tested,55 cases E1AF mRNA overexpression was ob- served. The mRNA expression of E1AF in the sample group was remarkably different from that in the control group.In carcinomas,E1AF mRNA expression correlated significantly with histological type,depth of inva- sion,lymph node and distant metastasis and advanced Duke stage.Conclusion E1AF is correlated signifi- cantly with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer and may be an important factor in the invasion and metastasis.

Human parathyroid hormone peptide1-34(hPTH1-34) was highly expressed in Escherichia coli by inserting the synthesized hPTH1-34 cDNA into pThioHis, the prokaryotic expression vector. The expressed hPTH1-34 was purified by chelating sepharose immobilized metal ion affinity, reverse and filter chromatographic steps. Its purity was verified above 95% by HPLC. The quality was identified by N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. In vitro analysis showed the adenylate cyclase of ROS 17/2.8 cells was activated by hPTH1-34.

A pairs of primers were designed according to the fusion protein(F)gene sequences of canine distemper virus(CDV)in GenBank.A 369 bp fragment aimed signal peptide fragment of F gene was amplified.The PCR products from viscera samples,blood,urine of fur animals including foxes,minks and raccoon dogs,which collected in the years 2005-2007,were cloned to pMD18-T Vector and sequenced.We obtained 13 positive signal peptide fragments from wild-type strains.The results indicated there was obviously genetic diversity between the wild-type strains and CDV3 and other vaccine strains.The homology with CDV3 is 80.7%-83.2%in nucleotide,and 64.8%-71.3%in amino acid.The analysis for the hydrophobic regions indicated the function of signal peptide fragment may be changed.This study can offer aca- demic data to research of CDV genetic variation and epidemiology.

Objective Critical hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD)progresses from severe type to critical type very fast with high mortality rate.The article was to explore the significance of pediatric early warning score and common inflammatory markers in early diagnosis of critical HFMD cases. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 236 HFMD cases in Hainan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016. According to HFMD diagnosis and treatment guidelines(2010 Edition)formulated by the Ministry of Health,the selected cases were divided into the general group(n=88),the severe group(n=128)and the critical group(n=20). The white blood cells(WBC),neutrophils(PMN), serum C reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT)and other la-boratory parameters were collected at admission,along with Pediatric Early Warning score(PEWS)and Pediatric Critical Illness Score(PCIS). The data of each group were compared by ROC curve analysis. Results The median number of WBC and PMN in the criti-cal group was 15.36×109/L and 10.09×109/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of severe group(P<0.05). However,no significant difference was found between general group and severe group(P>0.05). The serum levels of CRP and PCT in general group were higher than those in severe group and critical group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The PEWS[(6.1±2.42)vs(0.99±0.77)]and PCIS[(78.7±13.6)vs(99.03±2.12)]in critical group were significantly higher than those in severe group,which were of statistically significance(P<0.05). According to the ROC analysis,the area under the ROC curve of PEWS early warning score for children was(0.962~1.000),(P<0.05)and the best diagnosis limit PEWS was 3.5. The PEWS and PCIS correlation analysis showed the Pearson correlation coefficient was -0.885(P<0.05). Conclusion Common clini-cal inflammatory markers can not be taken as quantitative indicators for the early diagnosis of critical HFMD. The PEWS is an ideal quantitative index for early diagnosis of critical HFMD.