0.05).The duration of pupil contraction in experimental group(54.78?4.52 hours)was longer than that in control group(21.33?2.28 hours)(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibition of the expression of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) in the LNCap cell line through RNA interference (RNAi) and the effect of the silenced SRC-1 gene on LNCap cells.

METHODSThe experiment included four groups: siRNA transfection, siRNA negative control, bland vehicle (with Lipofectamine 2000 but no siRNA), and blank control (with neither Lipofectamine 2000 nor siRNA). LNCap cells were transfected with designed siRNA using the liposomes method, the expressions of SRC-1 determined by Q-PCR and Western blot, and the proliferation of the LNCap cells detected by the CCK-8 method.

RESULTSThe expression of SRC-1 mRNA in the transfected LNCap cells was decreased by 35% at 24 hours and 77% at 48 hours, with statistically significant differences from the blank control group (P < 0.05). The SRC-1 protein expression of the transfected group was 0.359 +/- 0.034 at 24 hours and 0.257 +/- 0.065 at 48 hours, markedly decreased as compared with that of the negative control (0.782 +/- 0.078 and 0.766 +/- 0.043) , bland vehicle (0.840 +/- 0.013 and 0.786 +/- 0.051), and blank control group (0.816 +/- 0.065 and 0.805 +/- 0.107) (P < 0.05). The LNCap cell growth inhibition rates were 25%, 52%, 55% and 60% at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of SRC-1 is correlated with the growth of LNCap cells; its high expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells may be involved in the progression to androgen-independence. Inhibiting the expression of SRC-1 may be an option for the treatment of androgen-dependent prostate cancer.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Male ; Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1 ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

ITS2 sequence was used as a barcode to identify herbal tea ingredient Plumeria rubra and its adulterants. Genomic DNAs from forty eight samples were extracted, the ITS2 sequences were amplified and sequenced bi-direstionlly, and then assembled and obtained using CodonCode Aligner. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW, the genetic distances were computed by kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model and the Neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA5.0. Results showed that the length of ITS2 sequence of P. rubra were 244 bp. The intra-specific genetic distances (0-0. 016 6) were much smaller than inter-specific ones between P. rubra and its adulterants(0.320 8-0.650 4). The NJ tree indicated that P. rubra and its adulterants could be distinguished clearly. Therefore, Using ITS2 barcode can accurately andeffectively distinguish herbal tea ingredient P. rubra from its adulterants, which providesa new molecular method to identify P. rubra and ensure its safety in use.
Apocynaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Flowers ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the brain functional laterality in motor areas during motor execution systematically.

METHODSFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed combined with right hand sequential finger movement task to investigate brain activation pattern and laterality in 8 right-handed subjects. 3dDeconvolve program of AFNI was used to estimate the hemodynamic response function and to generate activation maps. Then the laterality index (LI) was calculated and tested statistically.

RESULTAll motor areas including the areas which were previously considered to be engage in movement preparation only were activated in movement execution. In the activation map, it appeared left lateralization in cerebra and right lateralization in cerebella. After further statistical test, it was found that in primary motor area (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC), there were left lateralization. While in premotor cortex (PMC), cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia (BG), the lateralization tendency was not obvious. The activation in cerebella is characterized with right lateralization.

CONCLUSIONThough there are tiny differences among subjects, most of the motor areas appear lateralized activation. Past studies only observed laterality in several motor areas. It may be due to the difficulty of the task or the experimental design.

Adult ; Brain ; physiology ; Female ; Functional Laterality ; physiology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Motor Cortex ; physiology

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 (HIF-2α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with radiographic severity in primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Expression of these two factors in cartilage samples from OA knee joints was examined at mRNA and protein levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Knee joints were examined using plain radiographs, and OA severity was assessed using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading system. Specimens were collected from 29 patients (31 knees) who underwent total knee replacement because of severe medial OA of the knee (KL grades 3 and 4), 16 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy (KL grade 2), and 5 patients with traumatic knees (KL grade 0). HIF-2α and VEGF expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RESULTS: Cartilage degeneration correlated with the radiographic severity grade. OA severity, determined using the Mankin scale, correlated positively with the KL grade (r=0.8790, p<0.01), and HIF-2α and VEGF levels with the radiographic severity of knee OA (r=0.7001, p<0.05; r=0.6647, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In OA cartilage, HIF-2α and VEGF mRNA and protein levels were significantly and positively correlated. The expression of both factors correlated positively with the KL grade. HIF-2α and VEGF, therefore, may serve as biochemical markers as well as potential therapeutic targets in knee OA.
Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Arthroscopy ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/*metabolism ; Biomarkers/*blood ; Cartilage/*metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint/*diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*blood/diagnostic imaging/physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; Radiography ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the early use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhu-EPO) on neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.

METHODSForty-four preterm infants (30 males and 14 females) were randomly divided into two groups: Rhu-EPO treatment and untreated control (n=22 each). From postnatal day 7, the Rhu-EPO treatment group received intravenous rhu-EPO (250 IU/kg3 times weekly) for 4 weeks. A Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) was performed at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age. A Gesell Development Schedule was used to evaluate neurological development 6 and 12 months after birth.

RESULTSThe NBNA score in the rhu-EPO treatment group (36.20+/-0.75) was significantly higher than that in the control group (34.40+/-1.05) at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age (P<0.05). The developmental quotient of fine motor in the rhu-EPO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group 6 months after birth (P<0.05). By 12 months after birth, the developmental quotient of gross motor, fine motor and language in the rhu-EPO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly use of Rhu-EPO can promote neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.

Anemia ; prevention & control ; Brain ; drug effects ; physiology ; Child Development ; drug effects ; Erythropoietin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant Behavior ; drug effects ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; prevention & control ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins

Objective To observe the effects of Xingbi Wenmin Gel on serum levels of IL-4, TGF-β1 and nasal mucosa eosinophils (EOS) in allergic rhinitis (AR) rats; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Intraperitoneal injection of egg albumin and aluminum hydroxide based sensitized to ovalbumin challenge 2％ local AR model was established successfully. The experimental rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group, and Xingbi Gel low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups. Each medication group was given relevant medicine for intervention. The rat symptom scores in each group were compared, and serum IL-4, TGF-β1, and nasal mucosa EOS counts were detected. Results Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-β1 in model group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the nasal mucosa EOS counts increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-β1 in Xingbi Gel medium-dosage group and positive control group decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the nasal mucosa EOS counts decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Xingbi Wenmin Gel may be effective through down-regulation of IL-4, TGF-β1 levels of inflammatory factors, and reduction of EOS infiltration in nasal mucosa.

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences in brain activation between musicians and non-musicians by use of functional MRI.

METHODSTwelve right-handed musicians and twelve right-handed non-musicians were recruited in the study. During a listening task, they were scanned on the Sigma 1.5T scanner (GE) while they were passively listening to several segments of music of "the Butterfly Love" and the white noise with same physical energy.

RESULTBoth musicians and non-musicians demonstrated bilateral transverse gyrus weak activated while listening to the white noise. But when listening to music, they showed bilateral temporal areas strongly activated including superior temporal gyrus, transverse gyrus and some middle temporal areas. Moreover, musicians showed relative left dominance (10/12), whereas non-musicians demonstrated right dominance(11/12). Furthermore,besides bilateral temporal areas, more and stronger activated areas were found in musicians such as cuneus, precuneus,medial frontal and left middle occipital gyrus.

CONCLUSIONThere are different neuro-patterns between musicians and non-musicians.

Adult ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Music ; Temporal Lobe ; physiology

Objective:To comprehensively investigate the environmental factors influencing maternal and neonatal telomere length at birth,and to provide evidences for exploring the role of telomere in pathogenesis and development of diseases.Methods:From March 2015 to February 2016,444 newborns and their mothers in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were enrolled.Questionnaire surveys,physical examinations and clinical assessments were conducted in pregnant women,and the maternal peripheral blood samples as well as their matching umbilical venous blood samples were collected.The relative telomere length was measured by quantitative PCR method.The maternal telomere length and neonatal telomere length were compared by paired t test.The telomere length between different subgroups was compared by variance analysis and t test.The correlation between maternal telomere length and neonatal telomere length as well as the correlations of telomere length with other continuous variables were analyzed by using general linear model.Results:The overall telomere length of cord blood was significantly longer than that of maternal blood (0.358 vs 0.309,P＜0.001),but there was no significant correlation between telomere length of maternal blood and telomere length of cord blood (r2 =0.004,P=0.174).There was a significant positive correlation between maternal education level and the telomere length of cord blood (P =0.022).There were no obvious correlations of maternal and neonatal telomere length with gestational age,delivery mode,newborn sex and birth weight.The more dairy intake during pregnancy,the shorter maternal telomere length (P=0.048).There were no significant differences of maternal and neonatal telomere length among different subgroups intaking fruits,vegetables,meat,animal offal,fish,shrimp,bean products,baked and preserved food,folic acid and vitamins.Coffee drinking during pregnancy was significantly associated with shorter neonatal telomere length (P=0.011).Second hand smoke exposure,alcohol consumption and tea drinking during pregnancy were not significantly associated with maternal and neonatal telomere lengths.Longer maternal telomere length was observed in those taking physical exercise during pregnancy (P=0.01),but no significant difference was observed in neonatal telomere length (P=0.187).Conclusions:Various environment exposures such as education level,intake of dairy products,coffee drinking and physical exercise during pregnancy have significant effects on maternal and neonatal telomere length.This study provides valuable clues for further revealing the role of telomere in diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) among infants through a multicenter clinical study. METHODS: A total of 1 829 infants, aged 1-12 months, who attended the outpatient service of the pediatric department in six hospitals in Shenzhen, China from June 2016 to May 2017 were enrolled as subjects. A questionnaire survey was performed to screen out suspected cases of CMPA. Food avoidance and oral food challenge tests were used to make a confirmed diagnosis of CMPA CMPA. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for CMPA. RESULTS: Among the 1 829 infants, 82 (4.48%) were diagnosed with CMPA. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that maternal food allergy (OR=4.91, 95%CI: 2.24-10.76, P<0.05), antibiotic exposure during pregnancy (OR=3.18, 95%CI: 1.32-7.65, P<0.05), and the introduction of complementary food at an age of <4 months (OR=3.55, 95%CI: 1.52-8.27, P<0.05) were risk factors for CMPA, while exclusive breastfeeding (OR=0.21, 95%CI: 0.08-0.58, P<0.05) and the introduction of complementary food at an age of >6 months (OR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.17-0.86, P<0.05) were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of complementary food at an age of <4 months, maternal food allergy, and antibiotic exposure during pregnancy are risk factors for CMPA in infants.
Animals ; Cattle ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; Milk Proteins ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires