There is a close relationship between the Wnt signaling and neurogenesis/angiogenesis, which is significant in the regulation of the brain plasticity. Investigations on the mechanism of Wnt signaling in neurogenesis and angiogenesis are under way, and these investigations contribute to the recognition of the restoration and regeneration after the brain injury.

Objective To explore the effects of morroniside on Ca2++ in the condition of platelet aggregation in rabbits induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Methods The mobilization of cytosolic-free calcium after platelet aggregation induced by ADP was detected by Ca2++-sensitive fluorescent indicator, Fura-2 AM and time scan measurement. Results Compared with the controls, morroniside significantly inhibited the increase of Ca2++ induced by ADP (P<0.001). Conclusion Morroniside acts as an effective platelet aggregative antagonist by inhibiting the increase of platelet Ca2++.

Objective To study the effects of morroniside on thromboxane B2 in the condition of platelet aggregation in rabbits inducedby adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Methods The level of TXB2 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the controls, morroniside significantly inhibited the increase of TXB2 induced by ADP (P<0.001). Conclusion Morronisidecan inhibit the level of TXB2 by inhibiting the platelet aggregation in rabbits induced by ADP.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells and lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during consensus interferon (CIFN) treatment.

METHODSTwenty-three patients with CHB were treated with CIFN for 24 weeks and followed up for another 24 weeks. Peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells and lymphocyte subsets were measured throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.

RESULTSAfter CIFN treatment, 43.5% of the patients had virological and biochemical responses. The percentage and absolute number of peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells decreased significantly (P less than 0.05), the number of CD3+ cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells decreased also (P less than 0.05), but the number of CD8+ T cells and NK cells increased (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSConsistent virological and biochemical responses can be seen in some patients with CHB virus infection after CIFN treatment, and the percentage and number of their peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells greatly decreased, but the number of CD8+ T cells and NK cells increased.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Young Adult

Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Leg Bones ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

This study was aimed to explore if the intracellular transportation direction of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13, vWF-CP) after synthesis is determined by the carboxyl terminal TSP2-8CUB1+2 domains of ADAMTS13 and to decipher the relationship between the structure and function of ADAMTS13. The recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.1-ADAMTS13 and pcDNA3.1-delTSP2-8CUB1+2 ADAMTS13 were introduced into Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) by lipofectamine-mediated DNA transfection. Positive cell clones gained after antibiotic-screening were grown on 6-well transwell filter units with a zeolite membrane in the middle layer. The conditioned culture media in both apical and basolateral wells were collected when cells reached confluency and the tight cell monolayer formed. ADAMTS13 proteases in the conditioned media were determined by Western blot, and the direction of ADAMTS13 secretion in polarized cells was comparatively analyzed. The results showed that Madin-Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing wild-type ADAMTS13 were grown on 6-well transwell filter units, then ADAMTS13 protease was only determined in the apical area of the transwell filter units by Western blot, but the recombinant ADAMTS13 protease was determined both in the apical and basolateral area of cells in the group of expressing TSP2-8CUB-1+2 domain-deleted ADAMTS13. It is concluded that the metalloprotease ADAMTS13 is sorted apically in polarized cells, and the carboxyl-terminal TSP2-8 and CUB1+2 domains of ADAMTS13 are important for the direction of ADAMTS13 protease transportation in the cells after being synthesized.
ADAM Proteins ; biosynthesis ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Animals ; Dogs ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Plasmids ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; Protein Transport ; genetics ; Transfection ; von Willebrand Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; secretion

Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia ; therapy ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To describe the trend of overall mortality and major causes of death in Shandong population from 1970 to 2005,and to quantitatively estimate the influential factors.Methods Trends of overall mortality and major causes of death were described using indicators such as mortality rates and age-adjusted death rates by comparing three large-scale mortality surveys in Shandong province.Difference decomposing method was applied to estimate the contribution of demographic and nondemographic factors for the change of mortality.Results The total mortality had had a slight change since 1970s,but had increased since 1990s.However,both the mortality rates of age-adjusted and age-specific decreased significantly.The mortality of Group Ⅰ diseases including infectious diseases as well maternal and perinatal diseases decreased drastically.By contrast,the mortality of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs)including cardiovascular diseases(CVDs),cancer and injuries increased.The sustentation of recent overall mortality was caused by the interaction of demographic and non-demographic factors which worked oppositely.Non-demographic factors were responsible for the decrease of Group Ⅰ disease and the increase of injuries.With respect to the increase of NCDs as a whole.demographic factors might take the full responsibility and the non-demographic factors were the opposite force to reduce the mortality.Nevertheless,for the increase of some leading NCD diseases as CVDs and cancer,the increase was mainly due to non-demographic rather than demographic factors.Conclusion Through the interaction of the aggravation of ageing population and the enhancement of non-demographic effect,the overall mortality in Shandong would maintain a balance or slightly rise in the coming years.Group Ⅰ diseases in Shandong had been effectively under control.Strategies focusing on disease control and prevention should be transferred to chronic diseases,especially leading NCDs,such as CVDs and cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of commercial low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitutes on blood pressure in the rural community-based population in China.Methods We conducted a quasi-experiment on 411 adults, who were 30 to 60 years of age, in 2 rural communities from Laiwu city in Shandong province of China on data from blood pressure screening.The subjects were divided into 2 groups: high blood pressure (HBP) and non-HBP (NHBP). Both groups and their family members took a low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitute for 3 months to replace the normal salt in their bodies. Blood pressure (BP) and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium were measured regularly in the 2 groups. Results There was a continuously decreasing trend for BP at the end of the first month. Three months later, the mean BP decreased by 7.4 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa, t=10.096, P=0.000) for SBP and 3.8 mm Hg (t=8.017, P=0.000) for DBP in the HBP group,when compared to a 1.2 mm Hg(t=2.507,P=0.007) decrease on SBP and 1.0 nun Hg(t=2.987, P=0.002) on DBP in the NHBP group. The mean urinary sodium had a decrease of 15.5 mmol/24 h (t=1.803,P=0.037) ,but the urinary potassium increased by 4.2 mmol/24 h (t' =2.132, P=0.018). The result of urinary sodium appepared to be as follows:potassium ratio (Na+/K+ ) decreased by 1.2 (t=2.786,P=0.003) in the HBP group. However,in NHBP group,the mean urinary sodium decreased by 1.7 mmol/24 h (t=0.211, P=0.417) and urinary potassium increased by 3.7 mmol/24 h (t' =2.207,P=0.015) ,together with the decrease ofNa+/K+ by 0.7 (t=1.818, P=0.036). Conclusion Results from our study clearly demonstrated that the intake of low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitute could effectively reduce the BP with good compliance among adults in the rural community-based population in China. This was an effective but non-medical method to prevent and control the high blood pressure.

Human beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) is the light chain of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule. High-yield production of this protein is a prerequisite to the preparation of MHC class I tetramer. The present study was aimed to obtain recombinant human beta(2)m expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) for preparing MHC class I tetramers. For cloning of human beta(2)m gene, a pair of specific primers was designed based on the published sequence of this gene. A 300 bp specific DNA fragment corresponding to the encoding region of beta(2)m lack of the signal peptide sequence was obtained by RT-PCR from the total RNA of human leukocytes. The amplified cDNA was inserted into the IPTG-inducible expression plasmid pET-17b by Nde I and Bam H I sites and its sequence was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. The recombinant plasmid pET-beta(2)m was transformed to the competent cells of E. coli BL21 (DE3). The results showed that beta(2)m was expressed in the form of inclusion body and amounted to over 32% of total cell proteins after IPTG induction. After washing with triton X-100 and urea, the inclusion body was dissolved with 4 mol/L urea and then purified with Sephacryl S-200 HR, and the final purity reached above 95%. The denatured protein was renatured by dilution method. Western blot assay indicated that the monoclonal antibody against human native beta(2)m could react specifically with the recombinant protein. In conclusion, the human beta(2)m gene was cloned successfully and expressed efficiently in E. coli BL21 (DE3). This work establishes a convenient approach for renaturation and purification of large quantity of recombinant beta(2)m. This provides the basis for the preparation of MHC tetramers.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; biosynthesis ; genetics