OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention of baicalin on signal transduction and activating transcription factor expression of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

METHODSRecruited were UC patients at Outpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Inpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Center for Digestive Endoscopy of College City Branch, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southern Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University from June 2010 to January 2011. They were assigned to the UC group (33 cases) and the diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) group (30 cases). Another 30 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were taken from UC patients. IL23R gene expressions in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were detected using Q-PCR. Expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) , STAT6, phosphorylated-STAT4 (p-STAT4), and p-STAT6 were detected using Western blot. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Effects of different concentrations baicalin on expressions of PBMCs, and levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 of UC patients were also detected.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, 40 µmol baicalin obviously decreased IL23R gene expression of UC patients (P <0. 01). Compared with the healthy control group and the IBS-D group, p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios increased, p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios decreased, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 all increased in the US group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the negative control, 5 and 10 µmol baicalin groups, 20 and 40 moL baicalin obviously decreased p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously increased p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously lowered levels of IFN-γ and IL-4, and elevated IL-10 levels (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSION40 µmoL baicalin could in vitro inhibit p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios, adjust p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios and related cytokines, thereby balancing the immunity and relieving inflammatory reactions of UC.

Activating Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phosphorylation ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology

Objective To explore the effects of valsartan and MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 on atrial fibrosis and connexin40 (Cx40) remodeling in rats treated with isopreterenol (ISO).Methods 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (A),ISO (5 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for7 days) + DMSO group (B),ISO + U0126 (0.5 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for 28 days) group (C,U0126 was dissolved in DMSO),ISO +valsartan (30 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for 28 days) + DMSO group (D).Rats were sacrificed after 28 days.The AngⅡ content in myocardial tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay,P-MEK1/2,P-ERK1/2 and Cx40 was detected by immunohistochemistry,atrial fibrosis was determined on HE and Masson stained heart sections.Results The content of Ang Ⅱ was significantly higher in group B,C and D compared with group A [ (368.243 ±6.283 ) ng/L,( 357.175 ± 5.944 ) ng/L,( 359.908 ± 2.496 ) ng/L vs ( 250.380 ± 4.261 )ng/L,P ＜0.01 ] ; the degree of atrial fibrosis was significantly lower in group C and D compared with group B [CVF(10.260 ±0.525)％,(10.238 ±0.524)％ vs (78.710 ± 1.587)％,P＜0.01 ] while there was no atrial fibrosis in group A [ CVF(9.025 ± 0.456)％ ] ; the expression of P-MEK1/2 and P-ERK1/2 was significantly upregulated in group B compared with group A ( P-MEK1/2:0.311 ± 0.007 vs 0.203 ± 0.009,P ＜0.01 ; P-ERK1/2:0.259 ±0.003 vs 0.173 ±0.006,P ＜0.01 ) and significantly lower in group C and D compared with group B (P-MEK1/2:0.212 ± 0.004,0.213 ± 0.005 vs 0.311 ± 0.007,P ＜0.01,P-ERK1/2:0.178 ±0.004,0.175 ±0.007 vs 0.259 ±0.003,P ＜0.01 ).The content of Cx40 was obviously reduced and the distribution of Cx40 was disordered in group B compared with A (0.199 ±0.007 vs 0.241 ±0.004,P＜0.01) which could be partly reversed in group C and D ( 0.239 ±0.037,0.235 ±0.006 vs 0.199 ± 0.007,P ＜ 0.01 ).All parameters in group C and D were similar ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion The chronically elevated Ang Ⅱ content in myocardium may be related to atrial fibrosis and Cx40 remodeling in this model,valsartan and U0126 were equivalent on attenuating atrial fibrosis and Cx40 remodeling by inhibiting ERK pathways at different levels.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method which processes RHCE genotyping with PCR. METHODS: Using PCR-SSP to detect RHCE genotype in 200 cases of Han population in north of China and Li population in south of China and detecting 5 samples of parentage testing at the same time. RESULTS: The results of RHCE genotyping in individuals of two populations are completely accorded with the results of serology typing. And the distribution of RH genotypic frequency in Han population in north China is: RHCCEE 1, RHCCEe 3, RHCCee 88, RHCcEE 4, RHCcEe 20, RHCcee 54, RHccEE 1, RHccEe 22, RHccee; The distribution of RH genotypic frequency in Li populatin in south China is RHCCEE 2, RHCCEe 2, RHCCee 106, RHCcEE 7, RHCcEe 62, RHCcee 10, RHccEE 3, RHccEe 8. The results of RHCE genotype detecting of parentage testing samples are accorded with the results of associated identification of 13 STR loci. CONCLUSION PCR-SSP technology can exactly detect RHCE genotype in individuals of Han population in north China and Li population in south China.
Alleles ; Asian People/genetics* ; China/ethnology* ; DNA/blood* ; DNA Primers ; Gene Frequency ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/genetics*

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

In order to increase the SNR of the prostate image, we have designed a RF endorectal coil. Its properties have been evaluated using a network analyzer. Moreover the images got with a special phantom show that the coil has much higher SNR at the region of interest (ROI).
Algorithms ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Prostate ; anatomy & histology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To investigate the absorption kinetics of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs in rat different intestinal segments and compared with the absorption of Cu B suspension. The in vitro everted gut sacs model was established to study the absorption characteristics of Cu B-SDC/ PLC-MMs in rat duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon, and the content of cucurbitacin B was detected by HPLC method, and the effects of concentrations on intestinal absorption were evaluated as well. The results showed that the absorption of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs was linearity at different intestine segment and different concentrations (R2 > 0.9), which was consistent with zero order rate process. The Ka of different intestine segments showed a concentration-dependent increasing along with the raised concentration of Cu B-SDC/ PLC-MMs, indicating that it was likely to be a mechanism of passive absorption. The best absorption site of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs was ileum, and its absorptions in different intestinal segments were superior to cucurbitacin B suspension. SDC/PLC-MMs could significantly enhance the intestinal absorption of cucurbitacin B, and the study of intestinal absorption kinetics of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs had gave a support to its further reasonable solidfication.
Animals ; Deoxycholic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Intestinal Absorption ; Kinetics ; Male ; Micelles ; Nanoparticles ; Phospholipids ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the histopathologic characteristics of 2 micron continuous wave laser transurethral partial cystectomy for the treatment of bladder tumor.

METHODSA total of 54 patients with 65 bladder tumors underwent 2 micron laser via transurethral by caudal or surface anesthesia from October 2007 to December 2008. It included 41 male and 13 female cases, and the age ranged from 27 to 81 years old with a mean of (66.2 +/- 12.4) years old. The operation evaporated and exsected the wall of urinary bladder, including tumor, submucosa and all muscular layers. Specimens were sent for pathology examination. The histomorphologic changes of raw surfaces were observed 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperation by cystoscopic and pathologic examinations.

RESULTSAll the patients tolerated in the operation. Clinical stages of the tumor: T1 for 42 cases, T2 for 12 cases. All cases were followed-up for 1 to 14 months, with a mean of 8.5 months. Tumor recurrences were found in 2 cases, no one had recurrence in situ. The tumor, submucosa and all muscular layers can be resected completely by 2 micron continuous wave laser transurethral partial cystectomy. Pathologic staging can be judged correctly. The umbilication raw surface were infiltrated by fibrous connective tissue and chronic inflammatory cells 1 week postoperation. The umbilication changed shallow and transitional epithelial cells began to cover it 1 month postoperation. The umbilication disappeared and transitional epithelial cells cover the raw surface 3 months postoperation. There was no difference between the raw surface and normal bladder mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS2 micron continuous wave laser for the treatment of bladder tumor can get the same clinical result as partial cystectomy. The pathologic staging can be judged correctly by the specimens.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To analyze the epidemiological features,spectrum and case fatality of malignant tumor patients in Shenzhen city,to provide evidence for the development of prevention and treatment strategies on malignant tumor in Shenzhen.Methods All the hospitalized malignant tumor patients including deaths,were monitored from 1995 to 2014 in Shenzhen,and data was analyzed by SPSS 20.0 software.Results There were 160 988 inpatients of malignant tumors between 1995 and 2014 in Shenzhen.The top three hospitalized tumors were lung (13.64％),liver (11.13％) and breast (7.86％) cancers.Numbers of the malignant tumor inpatients had been rapidly increasing during the past 20 years,12.3 times in 2014 higher than in 1995.The total number of deaths due to malignant tumors was 19 460.Deaths of the top three malignant tumors were lung (24.40％),liver (19.84％) and colorectal (8.63％) cancers and the number of deaths was increasing,12.5 times higher in 2014 than in 1995.The overall case fatality rate was 12.09％.The annual percent change (APC) of malignant tumors case fatality rate was 9.7％(95％CI:2.0％-18.0％),during 1995-2003,with an increasing trend (t=2.72,P＜0.05).The APC of case fatality rate during 2003-2014 was-3.4％(95％CI:-7.6％-1.1％),but the decreasing trend (t=-1.63,P＞0.05) was not statistically significant.The top three major malignant tumors related to case fatality rate were lung cancer (21.62％),liver cancer (21.39％),and esophageal cancer (16.50％).The case fatality rates of leukemia and liver cancer had decreased during the past 20 years.The case fatality rates of cancers in lung,esophagus,stomach,breast,colorectal and nasopharyngeal,had all increased.The number of male patients was significantly exceeding the females (x2=41.691,P＜0.01),with sex ratio as 1.65:1.From age 35 and on,the number of deaths due to malignant tumors increased significantly,with the peak after 60 years of age.Conclusions The number of malignant tumor inpatients had an annual increase as well as the case fatality rate.Cancers in lung,liver appeared the leading causes of death among the malignant tumor patients,with elderly in particular.Strategies related to the prevention and treatment of cancers in lung,liver should be strengthened.

Objective: To develop a high efficient expression, purification system of recombinant arginine deiminase(ADI).Methods: cDNA fragment encoding for mycoplasma ADI was obtained by artificial synthesis and was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector(pBV220). The recombinant ADI was generated by the transformation of the recombinant vector into the host strain DH5?. Anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography was carried out for purification of the recombinant ADI. The biological activity of final product was detected by the assay of agrinine degradation in vitro. Results: A prokaryotic expression plasmid pBV220-ADI was generated successfully, and was identified by DNA sequencing; the recombinant protein was highly expressed in DH5?, the proportion of the recombinant protein is exceeded 35% of the whole protein. The inclusion bodies were solubilized with 6mol/L guanidine hydrochloride under reducing conditions in order to avoid incorrect disulfide-bond formation of the recombinant ADI molecules. Dilution and dialysis at lower degrees temperature were the optimum renaturation methods. After gel filtration, the purity and specific activity of rADI reached 95% and 80 IU/mg respectively. Conclusions: A set of protocols for high efficient rADI expression and purification has been established, which is simple, efficient and applicable.