Objective: To investigate the effects of early exposure of new born rats to octylphenol (OP) on breast cancer incidence and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) expression. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (Con) group, model (Mod) group, OP 20, OP 40, OP 80 groups. OP was subcutaneously injected into rats from d 21 to d 27. The rats were given dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) intragastrically on d 42 and were sacrificed on 180 d. The incidence of breast cancer, the changes in serum levels of estradiol and progesterone, the alteration of estrogen receptor (ER) expression and BRCA1 mRNA and protein expression in breast cancer tissues were observed. Results: No breast cancer occurred in Con group. The incidence rate of breast cancer in the Mod group, OP 20 group, OP 40 group, and OP 80 group were 70% (14/20), 60% (12/20), 25% (5/20), and 50% (10/20), respectively. The fluorescence intensities of BRCA1 expression were 31.54 ± 6.15, 36.27 ± 7.57, 61.69 ± 9.96 and 47.38 ± 10.45, respectively; the logarithm value of BRCA1 mRNA expressions were 3.46 ± 6.52, 4.12 ± 0.86, 5.53 ± 0.75, and 4.35 ± 0.58, respectively. The ER expression in breast cancer tissues decreased after the rats were exposed to OP. Conclusion: OP decreased the occurrence of DMBA-induced breast cancers, which may be related with up-regulation of BRCA1 expression and down-regulation of ER expression in breast cancers.

Triptolide (TPT), an active compound extracted from Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii , has been used in therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, after synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis (RASFs) were treated with TPT, we investigated its effect on the differentiation of Th17 cells. Firstly, the mRNA level of cyclooxygenase (COX) wad detected by qRT-PCR and the protein level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was tested by ELISA in RASFs treated with different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 nmol L-1 ) of TPT. Then after TPT pre-treated RASFs and RA CD4 + T cells wer e co-cultured for 3 days in the presence or absence of PGE2, IL-17 and IFN-gamma production in CD4 T cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed TPT decreased the mRNA experssion of COX2 and the secretion of PGE2 in RASFs in a dose-dependent manner(P <0. 05). We further found that differentiation of Thl7 cells was downregulated in a dose-dependent manner, and exogenous PGE2 could reverse the inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation(P <0. 05). Taken together, our results demonstrated that TPT inhibited the mRNA level of COX2 and the secretion of PGE2 in RASFs, which partly led to impaired Th17 cell differentiation in vitro.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Synovial Fluid ; drug effects ; Th17 Cells ; drug effects ; pathology

Objective To investigate the CT features of pulmonary sarcoidosis.Methods Ninety patients with histologically proved pulmonary sarcoidosis were retrospectively studied by using CT scans and clinical recording.Results The main CT findings of pulmonary sarcoidosis were nodules which were seen in 69 cases(76.7%),and the nodules mostly distributed around the bronchovascular bundle(n=37, 41.1%).Other abnormalities included consolidation(n=31,34.4%),ground-grass(n=39,43.3 %), thickening of bronchovascular bundle(n=30,33.3%),interlobular septal lines(n=58,64.4%), fibrosis(n=17,18.9%)including bronchial distortion(n=8,8.9%),linear shadow(n=5,5.6%), and honeycombing shadow(n=4,4.4%),air-trapping(n=3,5.3%),bronchial straitness(n=8, 8.9%),pleural thickening(n=42,46.7%),and hilar and mediastinal adenopathy(n=76,84.4%). Two or more abnormal findings co-existed in 83 cases.The pulmonary lesions co-existed with hilar and mediastinal adenopathy in 76 cases.The nodules(n=25),consolidation(n=9),ground-grass(n=11), thickening of bronehovascular bundle(n=10)were improved after therapy.Ten cases of the interlobular septal(10/22),0 of bronchial distortion(0/4),1 case of diffuse linear(1/3),and 0 case of honeycombing(0/2)were improved.Conclusion CT manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis are varied, but has some specific radiographic features.A correct diagnosis can be made.combined with hilar and mediastinal adenopathy.

OBJECTIVETo optimize the method in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for determining Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

METHODTanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B were selected as the index in optimization of the sample preparation method of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Orthogonal test was used to optimize the extraction process of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and concentration of contents were detected by high performance liquid chromatography method. A detection of using methanol-water (85: 15) at wavelength of 270 nm was employed for tanshinone II(A) and a detection of using methanol-acetonitrile-formic acid-water (30:10:1: 59) at wavelength of 286 nm was employed for salvianolic acid B.

RESULTThe optimized extraction process of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B was: extracted by 90% methanol and reflux twice (0.5 h each time) at 75 degrees C, extracted by 70% methanol and reflux twice (1.5 h each time) at 75 degrees C, respectively.

CONCLUSIONOptimized extraction and determination methods could be used to reflect the content of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma more accurately and efficiently.

Benzofurans ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Temperature

AIM:To remark the effect of Qingguang'an Ⅱ on expression of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA of rats with chronic high intraocular pressure.METHODS:Totally 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, that was:A:blank group, B:model group, C:Qingguang'an Ⅱ low dose group, D:Qingguang'an Ⅱ moderate dose group, E:Qingguang'an Ⅱ high dose group, F:Yimaikang disket group.B, C, D, E, F groups of experimental rats were established the model of chronic high intraocular pressure (IOP) by cauterizing of superficial scleral vein.Animal model was established successfully by using monitoring IOP consistently keep above 25mmHg for 8wk as cut-off criterion.Tissues of Eyes were obtained after intragastric administration for 2wk and 4wk.The expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA were investigated by Real-time PCR.RESULTS:At the time-point of 2wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group B were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with other groups (P<0.05).Moreover, at the time-point of 4wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C, D and E were statistically expressed in higher level comparing with group F (P<0.05).Besides, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with group E (P<0.05).PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were expressed in similar level(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:In summar, Qingguang'an Ⅱ and Yimaikang disket can remarkably increase the expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2, which suggest protecting the optic nerve of rats caused by chronic high IOP.What's more, this study indicated that, in the protection of optic nerve of rats with chronic high IOP, the high dose of Qingguang'an Ⅱ at the time-point of 4wk was the better choice.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; complications ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; pathology ; Edema ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; etiology ; pathology

For the establishment of chemical library of protoberberines provided for the bio-activity screening, the target compounds were synthesized by thermal degradation and nucleophilic substitution reactions with the bio-active alkaloid, palmatine (1), as the raw material, and their structures were identified and conformed by 1H-NMR and MS spectra. Among them, 13 compounds were new.
Berberine Alkaloids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure

Congenital cataract is a highly heterogeneous disorder at both the genetic and the clinical-phenotypic levels. A unique cataract was observed in a 4-generation Chinese family, which was characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and late-onset. Mutations in the 13 known genes (CRYAA, CRYAB, CRYBB1, CRYBB2, CRYGC, CRYBA1/A3, CRYGD, Connexin50, Connexin46, intrinsic membrane protein LIM2, cytoskeletal protein BFSP2, the major intrinsic protein-MIP and the heat shock factor HSF4) have previously been demonstrated to be the frequent reason for isolated congenital cataracts, but the exact molecular basis and underlying mechanisms of congenital cataract still remain unclear. This study was designed to find whether these 13 genes developed any mutation in the family members and to identify the disease-causing gene. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequence analysis were carried out to detect the 13 genes. The results showed that no mutation causing amino acid alternations was found in these potential candidate genes among all patients in the family, and only several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. A transitional mutation in the fourth intron of CRYBB2 and some silent mutations in the first exon of BFSP2 and CRYGD were found in the cataract family, but further study showed that these mutations could also be found in normal controls. It was concluded that some unidentified genes may underlie the occurrence of late-onset cataract in this family. A genome-wide screening will be carried out in the next study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution and drug resistance status to pathogens from urinary tract and offer scientific evidence for reasonable usage of antibiotics.METHODS Totally 389 isolates derived from infected urinary tract in mountain area of western Hubei Province from 2002 to 2005 were identified and antibiotic susceptibility test was performed.RESULTS Escherichia coli accounted for 66.1% ranking the first.The isolates were all susceptible to imipenem and vancomycin.The ratio of ESBLs in E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 23.7% and 25.9%,respectively.CONCLUSIONS The drug resistance rate in isolates derived from infected urinary tract of patients in mountain area was lower than in plain region of Hubei Province.

Objective To establish serum NGAL reference range of healthy populations in Xi'an Area.Methods 2 665 cases (aged 6 to 95 years old,male 1 370,female 1 295) of health-check people were collected from March 2014 to October 2016 in Medical Examination Center of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital,and 682 cases (aged 0 to 6 years old,male 356,female 326) were collected from preschool children of prevention.Serum NGAL concentration of them were analysed by immunoturbidimetry method with the Automatic Biochemical Analysis Assembly Line of Beckman-AU5800,and the detection data for statistical analysis.Then established the reference range of serum NGAL population of different age and different sex in Xi'an.Results The serum NGAL levels in healthy subjects showed a skewed distribution,which were preschool children under 6 years of age 37.66±23.12 ng/ml,6～15 years 39.25±25.34 ng/ml,16～49 years 46.68±27.06 ng/ml,and 50～ 69 years 57.82±29.13 ng/ml.Compared the first two with the latter,there was a significant difference (t=0.589,P＜ 0.05).The serum NGAL levels of over 70 years were 61.87 ± 32.64 ng/ml,and there was a significant difference between the ages of 15 and 49 and over 70 years (t=8.529,P＜0.01).At the same time,the serum NGAL was closely correlated with age (r=0.298,P＜0.01).But there was no significant difference in serum NGAL level between male and female (t=0.263～0.542,all P＞0.05).87ng/ml was the upper limit of the reference value for the age of 50 years.Conclusion The level of serum NGAL was related to age and increased with age,but not with gender.