Objective: To enhance the transformation rate of brucine and strychnine in Strychnos nux-vomica and establish a high efficient microbial transformation system by Cunninghamella blakesleeana. Methods: Based on the growth and metabolic rule of C. blakesleeana, through single-factor experiments, by using brucine sulphate and strychnine nitrate as substrates and the transformation rate of each substrate as index, several influential factors were investigated. Results: The optimal transformation condition was inoculation amount at 4%, fermentation time at 2.5 d, substrate concentration at 20 mg/L, transformation time at 3 d, culture temperature at 28°C, initial pH of medium at 6.5, and shaking speed at 150 r/min. Under the above condition, the average transformation rates of brucine sulphate and strychnine nitrate were approximate 77.75% and 77.10%, respectively. Conclusion: The average transformation rates of brucine sulphate and strychnine nitrate are increased by about 17% and 22%, respectively by C. blakesleeana, and this microbial transformation system could meet the need of the study on "toxicity attenuation and efficacy reservation" of S. nux-vomica.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pterygium ; therapy ; Yin Deficiency ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Ganoderma lipsiense extract (GLE) on the growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231-HM in a mouse model.

METHODSThe mouse model of TNBC was established by subcutaneous injection of 1.5 x 10(6) of MDA-MB-231-HM cells into BALB/c-nu mouse. Twenty successfully modeled mice were divided into the GLE group and the negative control group according to random digit table, 10 in each group. GLE (0.2 mL 100 mg/mL) was peritoneally injected to mice in the GLE group, while equal dose of normal saline was peritoneally injected to mice in the negative control group. The medication was administered once per 3 days and discontinued after 45 days. The CD34 expression was detected using immunohistochemical assay for counting microvessels. Meanwhile, expressions of thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) and cyclin D1 were detected using immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSThe average weight was obviously lower in the GLE group than in the negative control group [(0.33 ± 0.16) g vs (0.68 ± 0.37)g, P < 0.05]. The tumor inhibition rate was 51.4% in the GLE group. The volume of transplanted tumor was obviously lesser in the GLE group than in the negative control group (P < 0.05). Results of immunohistochemical staining showed, the microvessel density (MVD) under every field was (20.7 ± 2.1), TSP-1 positive cell count was (66.2 ± 9.2), cyclin D1 positive cell count was (33.8 ± 16.4) in the GLE group, and they were 34.0 ± 2.0, 24.0 ± 6.6, and 168.2 ± 32.6, respectively in the negative control group. There was statistical difference in all indices between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGLE could inhibit malignant proliferation of tumor cells by suppressing angiogenesis of blood vessels in tumor tissues and regulating cell cycles, thereby inhibiting TNBC.

Animals ; Biological Products ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ganoderma ; chemistry ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Thrombospondin 1 ; metabolism ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Objective:To investigate the structural alterations of mitochondria and its role in neutrophil death induced by ONO-AE-248.Methods:Human neutrophils were cultured in vitro with ONO-AE-248(5?10-5 mol/L)and medium alone. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to detect the structural alterations of mitochondria and the level of mitochondria membrane potential by flow cytometry using mitocapture dying.Results:ONO-AE-248 resulted in extremely swollen mitochondria within 6 hours. Meanwhile, a rapid loss of mitochondrial membrane potential of neutrophils occurred, especially in 3 hours and 6 hours. There were obviously differences between spontaneous apoptosis and non-apoptosis programmed cell death induced by ONO-AE-248.Conclusion:The experiment results suggest that changes of mitochondrial structure and function be typically morphological, physiological and biochemical features in this unique form of neutrophil death, and that the mitochondrial pathway might play a more important role in ONO-AE-248-induced death of neutrophils.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Shenfu qiangxin(SFQX)pills on the expression of autophagy-associated pro-tein LC3b and pro apoptotic gene Bax in myocardial cells of rats with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). METHODS:Rats were ran-domly divided into sham operation group(water),model group(water),positive control group(Captopril tablets 2.3 mg/kg)and SFQX pills high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose groups [13.2,6.6,3.3 g(crude drug)/kg],with 10 rats in each group. CRS mod-el was induced in those groups by abdominal-aortae-constriction+acute renal ischemia reperfusion injury except for sham operation group;and they were given relevant medicine intragastrically 8 week after operation,once a day,for consecutive 4 weeks. Plasma contents of Cr and ALD,the protein expression of LC3b and Bax in myocardial tissue of rats were detected 24 h after last medica-tion;ventricular index was calculated,and morphological change of myocardial tissue was observed. RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group,the plasma contents of Cr and ALD,ventricular index and the protein expression of LC3b in myocardial tis-sue increased significantly in model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01);and myocardial cell suffered from endochylema red deletion, myocardial cross striation disorder,intercellular space fibrosis aggravation and so on. Compared with model group,the plasma con-tents of Cr and ALD(except for positive control group)and the protein expression of LC3b and Bax in myocardial tissue decreased significantly in positive control group and SFQX pills high-dose group(P<0.05 or P<0.01);myocardial pathological change was improved;the ventricular index decreased significantly in SFQX pills low-dose and medium-dose groups (P<0.05). CONCLU-SIONS:SFQX pills can decrease the plasma contents of Cr and ALD,inhibit myocardial cell autophagy and apoptosis in CRS rats.

The culture conditions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae sp.strain by 1.1 b were optimized for the production of D-(-)-mandelate dehydrogenase which is useful for the asymmetric bioreduction of benzoylformate to form D-(-)-mandelate.The optimum medium(per liter)consistes of 60 g peptone,30 g maltose, 0.5 g MgSO_4,0.01 g ZnSO_4,1.0 g KCl.After optimization of the culture medium,the enzyme production in shake flasks is enhanced from 2.56 to 20.21 U/L.The optimum fermentation conditions were determined as follows:medium volume 100 mL(i.e.,40%for a 250-mL shake flask),pH 6.5,inoculum size 10%,temperature 30℃,and cultivation time 25 h.

Objective Establish rabbit VX2 soft tissue tumor model,and treat it with percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI)under the guidance of magnetic resonance imaging.Make ready for the therapeutic evaluation with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Methods Fifteen healthy New Zealand white rabbits were included in this study.0.2 mL tumor tissue suspensions were injected into the rabbits’posterior limb.14 days later,all rabbits were underwent conventional MRI examination.PET were performed to all the tumors under the guidance of MRI in the next day of the examination.T2 WI was used as guidance and monitoring means.MR com-patible puncture needle with lateral hole was stabed into the lesion center,and inj ected anhydrous ethanol according to the volume of tumors’diameter (1 mL/cm )slowly.the tumors signal characteristics,morphological feature and pathological feature were ob-served pre and post-operation.Results All of the 1 5 rabbits were established soft tissue tumor model successfully;the success rate is 100%.The tumors were oval or round,3-4 cm in diam.MRI scanning showed low signal on T1 WI and high signal on T2 WI be-fore PEI.PEI was performed to all the tumors under the guidance of MR successfully with 3.5 mL ethanol injected into the tumors in average.T2 WI could monitor the ethanol in dispersion and distribution within the tumors clearly.Histologically,tumors were composed of large,uniform,oval/round cells arranged in solid nests which was intensive in the periphery of tumors.Necrosis tissue was apparent in the center of the tumors.10 days after operation,most tissue in the periphery of tumors was coagulative necrosis , only a few tumor cells left.Ranges of necrosis in the tumors center were obviously increased compared with pre-operation.Conclusion Rabbit VX2 tumor of soft tissue model is suitable for the therapeutic evaluation of tumor .It is an animal model which has the characteristic of simple to operate and high rate of suc-cessful.MR T2 WI can monitor the ethanol in dispersion and distribution within the tumors clearly.It is a good guidance and monitoring imaging method of tumor ablation.

This study was aimed to explore the effect of total flavonoids and saponins from Huang-Qi Ge-Gen (HQGG) decoction on blood glucose (BG), serum lipid, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) of liver in diabetes mellitus (DM) rats, in order to investigate their interactions in regulating DM processes. A total of 66 SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, which were the normal group, model group (A1B1), control group, total flavonoids group (A2B1), total saponins group (A1B2), and total flavonoids and saponins group (A2B2), with 11 rats in each group. Except the normal group, other groups were intraperitoneal injected with streptozotocin (STZ). And the experiment was according to 2×2 factorial design experiment scheme. The BG was determined before STZ injection and 7 days after the STZ injection. After 30 days, BG, serum lipid, IL-12 and IL-15 of liver were tested. Related indexes were calculated to the weighted composite score. Main and interactive effect of total flavonoids and saponins were studied according to the factorial design experiment scheme. The results showed that compared with the normal group, all indexes of model group showed statistical differences (P<0.05). Total flavonoids and saponins from HQGG decoction can effectively reduce BG, without any interactions between them. Both the total flavonoids and total saponins can reduce serum cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), liver IL-12 and IL-15. And there were interactive effects. The single use of herb achieved better effects than the combination. It was concluded that total flavonoids and saponins from HQGG decoction can reduce BG, CHO, TG, and liver IL-12 and IL-15 levels in rats. However, the regulation of total flavonoids and saponins on indexes mentioned above showed no additive effect.

OBJECTIVETo observe mainfestations of syndrome and biochemical indices of hypertensive model rats with excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome (EAPDS), and to explore its possible pathological mechanism.

METHODSEAPDS rat model was prepared in 50 Wistar rats by feeding with high fat forage. Meanwhile, a normal control group consisting of 10 Wistar rats was set up by feeding with normal forage. After 25-week continuous feeding, 22 rats with body weight (BW) and blood pressure (BP) exceeding 25% those of the control group were selected as a model group. BW, BP, blood lipids, and related serological indicators were detected in all rats. Morphological changes of target organs were observed. mRNA expression levels of leptin receptor (LepR), Janus kinase2 (Jak2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (Socs3), angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1), angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (P13K), serine threonine kinase (Akt), nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κBp65), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α (IKKα), NF-kappa-B inhibitor β (lKKβ), NF-kappa-B inhibitor α (IKBα), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Expression levels of AT1 and LepR in aorta were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, BW, BP, and blood lipids increased; serum levels of leptin (Lep) , Ang II, Hcy, ET-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and p2-MG increased, but NO decreased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Aortal endothelial injury and smooth muscle cell proliferation occurred in the model group, accompanied with heart and renal injury. Compared with the control group, mRNA expression levels of LepR, Jak2, Stat3, Socs3, AT1 , PI3K, Akt, NF-κB p65, IKKβ, IKBα, and AMPK in aorta were up-regulated significantly (P < 0.05), while the expression of IKKa decreased (P < 0.05). Immunohistochem- ical staining showed, brownish yellow deposit of AT1 and LepR was obviously increased, with more extensively positive distribution. Western blot results showed, as compared with the control group, protein expression levels of AT1 and LepR obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSModel rats exhibited typical syndromes of EAPDS. They put up weight with fat abdomen, gloomy hair, poor appetite, hypersomnia, lowered activities , reduced food intake, loose stool, dark red tongue, white tongue with white, thick, greasy fur. Lep could be taken as one of objective indicators for evaluating hypertension rat model with EAPDS.

Animals ; Aorta ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; I-kappa B Proteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Leptin ; blood ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; Transcription Factor RelA ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can improve the clinical outcomes of the male patients with 100% teratozoospermia.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 152 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), including 75 cycles of IVF and 77 cycles of ICSI. We compared the rates of normal fertilization, high-quality embryos, transferrable embryos, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and abortion between the two groups.

RESULTSIn the 100% teratozoospermia patients the number of transferrable embryos was significantly lower in the IVF than in the ICSI group (78.91% vs 84.92%, P < 0.05), while the rates of normal fertilization and implantation were higher in the former than in the latter (60.26% vs 57.87% and 48.00% vs 39.55%, both P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the female age, Gn days, Gn dose, BMI, infertility duration, endometrial thickness, and basal serum FSH and E2.

CONCLUSIONICSI cannot improve the clinical outcomes of the male patients with 100% teratozoospermia.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Azoospermia ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; statistics & numerical data