To analyze and compare the protective effects of active components in different ethyl acetate extracts (EAEEPs) from Eclipta prostrate, in order to study the comparison of materials bases protecting normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. The MTT assay was taken to compare the protective effect of different EAEEPs on cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) -induced NHBE cells. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was applied to analyze the content of phenolic acid, coumaric grass ether and flavonoid in EAEEPs. According to the results, all of the eight EAEEPs (0-200 mg x L(-1)) showed certain protective effect on NHBE cells, with statistical difference. Specifically, the total mass of EAEEP VII (89.15 mg x L(-1)) and EAEEP VIII (57.44 mg x L(-1)), which showed the strongest activity, was not the highest, while EAEEP III (132.25 mg x L(-1)) displayed the highest total mass. In the combination with the "component structure" theory, the analysis showed a significant difference in the mass structure among phenolic acid, coumaric grass ether and flavonoid in EAEEP VIII and EAEEP VIII, which were 1.0: 1. 0: 0.5 and 1.0: 1.9: 0.8, respectively. The results suggested a specific optimal "component structure" relationship may exist in EAEEP, which could provide reference for the material base study and quality control.
Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Eclipta ; chemistry ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Protective Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the contribution of latent membrane protein (LMP)1 to nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pHA2-LMP1 was constructed; immunofluorescence staining, Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay, Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were used to study the effect of LMP1 on the transcriptional activity and expression of β-catenin.

RESULTS(1) Abnormal expression of β-catenin was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75), LMP1 expression was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75). There was significantly positive correlation between LMP1 expression and abnormal expression of β-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue (P = 0.008). (2) The expression of β-catenin in nuclei of NPC cell line CNE1 and CNE2 transfected with pHA2-LMP1 plasmid dramatically increased, and the expression was remarkable in poorly-differentiated NPC cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated CNE1 cells. (3) LMP1 expression dramatically increased the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in CNE1 and CNE2 cells transfected with pHA2-LMP1 and was in a time-dependent. The transcriptional activity of β-catenin was higher in poorly-defferentiated cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated NPC cell line CNE1. (4) LMP1 expression did not affect the total protein expression level of β-catenin in both CNE1 and CNE2 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONEB virus-encoded LMP1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPC via β-catenin signal pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To develop an early-warning indicator system of brucellosis outbreak. Methods The methods of literature review and expert discussion were used to formulate the initiatory framework and indicators, and then Delphi method was used to filter indicators, discuss the boundary of indicators and determine the weighting coefficient. Results The average length of service provided by experts who engaged in prevention and control of brucellosis was (25.10 ± 8.80) years and the positive coefficient of the consultant experts of the two-round results were 95% and 68%, respectively. Kendall coefficients were 0.35, 0.54 and X2R value were 81.31 and 285.27, respectively and P value was all less than 0.01. Five first-level indicators(the host animal, high-risk groups,social environment, index case and the level of previous disease) and 13 secondary indicators were selected to develop the early-warning indicator system of brucellosis outbreak. The weight coefficients of the five first-level indicators were 0.21, 0.22, 0.17, 0.21 and 0.19, respectively. Conclusions The early-waming indicator system of brucellosis outbreak is initially established. We propose to develop the early-warning programs according to local conditions and the indicator system.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the time interval from the end of semen processing to artificial intrauterine in semination with husband's sperm (AIH-IUI) on the rate of clinical pregnancy.

METHODSThis study involved 191 AIH-IUI cycles with the same ovulation induction protocol. After Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we divided the sperm into four groups based on the incubation time: 0-19, 20-39, 40-59, and 60-80 min, and again into another four groups according to the total progressively motile sperm count (TPMC): (0-9), (10-20), (21-30), and > 30 x 10(6). We analyzed the correlation of the clinical pregnancy rate with the time interval from the end of sperm processing to AIH-IUI and with other influencing factors, such as maternal age, infertility duration, and semen quality.

RESULTSThe rate of clinical pregnancy was significantly higher in the 20-39 min group (18.3%) than in the 0-19, 40-59, and 60-80 min groups (12.7, 11.4 and 9.1%) (all P < 0.05). The (10-20) x 10(6) group achieved a remarkably higher pregnancy rate (16.7%) than the (0-9), (21-30), and > 30 x 10(6) groups (0, 11.4, and 8.3%) (all P < 0.05). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the rate of clinical pregnancy was decreased with the increased age of the women (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.94) but significantly elevated in the 20-39 min group (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.34-3.13) and of (10-20) x 10(6) group (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.32-3.46).

CONCLUSIONThe time interval from the end of sperm processing to AIH-IUI is a most significant factor influencing the rate of clinical pregnancy of AIH-IUI.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; therapy ; Insemination, Artificial, Homologous ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; Time Factors

Adult ; Femur Head Necrosis ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the value of Multi-detector CT in spinal cord angiography. Methods Ten patients with initial MR and clinical findings suggestive of spinal cord vessel disease were performed CT spinal cord angiography.Among these,7 patients were performed DSA later within 1 week, and 4 patients were therapy by operation.CT protocol:Toshiba Aquilion 64 slice CT scanner,0.5 mm thickness,0.5/r,120 kV,350 mA,choose aortic arch level as inspection position,and use"surestart" technique with CT threshold 180 HU.Contrast medium was Iohexol(370 mg I/ml),with injection velocity of 6 ml/s.The total volume was 80 ml.The CT spinal cord angiography images were analyzed according to disease model,disease range,feeding artery,fistula,draining veins,and were compared with DSA and operation results.Results All CT spinal cord angiography images displayed spinal vessel malformation. Among these,3 patients were inner-medullary arteriovenous malformation;2 patients were peri-medullary arteriovenous fistula;5 patients were spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.All cases showed disease range,and draining veins clearly,one patient had two vessels that were false positive,and all the other cases showed feeding arteries clearly,which were confirmed by DSA.Conclusion There are great values for CT spinal angiography in diagnosing spinal vessel disease,it can be a screening exam before DSA.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of occupational exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke oven workers.

METHODSSamples were collected individually and PAHs concentration in the ambient air were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were introduced to assess the carcinogenic potency.

RESULTSThe levels of PAHs occupational exposure in oven workers at topside was higher than at side oven and bottom oven (P < 0.05). Non-carcinogenic PAHs were more than 70% of total PAHs and benzo[a]pyrene accounted for 65.5% approximately 72.4% of total benzo[a]pyrene equivalents. Total occupational exposure level of PAHs in coke oven workers was positively related to the content of benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene, respectively (r(2) = 0.84, r(2) = 0.94, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCoke oven workers were exposed to a high level of PAHs which possessed some extent of carcinogenic potency, and benzo[a]pyrene is the chief carcinogenic substance.

Benzo(a)pyrene ; analysis ; toxicity ; Carcinogens ; analysis ; toxicity ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coke ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Polycyclic Compounds ; analysis ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphism of DYS287 among 28 ethnic populations in 9 provinces of China.

METHODYAP element was detected by Touchdown PCR amplification and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSYAP+ frequencies in these ethnic populations were as follows: Zang 36.7%, Tu 23.8%, Yi 18.4%, Pumi 11.3%, Tajik 7.4%, Bai 6.7%, Jino 5.1%, Shandong Han 4%, Mulao 2.7%, and Maonan 1.3%. The rest ethnic populations in our study, including Gansu Han, Yunnan Han, Zhuangzu, Daizu, Lizu, Nuzu, Lisu, Naxi, Lahu, Dulong, Hani, Shezu, Weiwuer, Sala, Kerkizi, Dongxiang, Vazu, and Korea didn't carry YAP + element.

CONCLUSIONSZangzu, Tuzu, Yizu, Pumi, Jino, and Baizu, which belong to Sino-Tibetan language family, carry a high YAP + frequency. Sala, Tuzu, and Tajik, regarded as Central Asia by origin in history and linguistics, also have a high YAP + frequency. Mulao and Maonan, which origin from "Baiyue" ancient ethnic groups, also have a considerable YAP + frequency.

Alu Elements ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of phase II metabolic enzymes in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived liver tissue.

METHODSMature hepatocytes were differentiated from embryonic stem cells in cultured mouse embryoid bodies (EB) at d18. Western blot was used to detect the expression of uridine 5'-diphosphate glucronosyl transferase (UGT1a1,UGT1a6) and microsomal glutathione S-transferases 1(mGST1) during the differentiation course.The derived liver tissue was incubated with UDPGA and 7-HFC,the formation of 7-HFC glucuronide was detected by HPLC to examine the total activities of UGT1a1 and UGT1a6. Furthermore, the microsomes were incubated with CDNB and GSH,and the mGST1 activity was measured by spectrometry.

RESULTSAn increase tendency of UGT1a1 expression was noticed during the differentiation course. UGT1a6 and mGST1 were not detected in the earlier stage until d18 of differentiation. The metabolic activity of mGST1 in the derived hepatocytes was 7.65 nmol/min/mg on d18.

CONCLUSIONThe ES cell-derived liver tissue possesses partial metabolic function of phase II enzymes on d18 of differentiation,which might be used as a model for in vitro research on hepatic pathophysiology and phase II drug metabolism.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Embryoid Bodies ; cytology ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; physiology ; Glutathione Transferase ; physiology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; enzymology ; Mice

OBJECTIVETo improve the biological properties of decellularized aortic valves by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated covalent incorporation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODSPEG crosslinking of decellularized aortic valves were completed via a Michael-type addition reaction, followed by covalent incorporation of VEGF through another Michael-type addition reaction between the unsaturated propylene acyl of PEG and the thiol groups on cysteine residues of VEGF. The effect of VEGF incorporation was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immune fluorescence assay. The endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were seeded on decellularized aortic valves with or without these modifications, and after 10 days of culture, the valves were examined for DNA content and by hematoxylin-eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSImmune fluorescence and ELISA showed that the maximal VEGF incorporation on the decellularized aortic valve reached 908.94∓0.27 pg. Compared with the unmodified valves and the valves with PEG crosslinking, decellularized aortic valves with covalent incorporation of VEGF significantly promoted the adhesion and proliferation of EPCs, which formed a confluent cell monolayer on the valve surface.

CONCLUSIONSPEG-mediated covalent incorporation of VEGF in the decellularized aortic valves improves the adhesion and proliferation of the seeded EPCs to facilitate the construction of tissue-engineered heart valves.

Animals ; Aortic Valve ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology