Hepatic tumor-specific magnetic resonance (MR) enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA can detect and distinguish small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with greater sensitivity than conventional magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.Hepatic tumor-specific MR enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA is more sensitive in detecting focal HCC,and more reliable in detecting lesions with a diameter smaller than 2cm.Gd-EOB-DTPA is excreted through the kidneys and biliary tract,and thus may provide more information about anatomic structures,demonstrate non-obstruction of the intra- and extrahepatic bile duct system,and provide information about hepatic function.

Objective To develop a nylon membrane chip for rapid and systematic detection of the diabetes-associated 45 mutant loci in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA).Methods The mutant-and wild-type probes were designed for detection of 45 mutant loci in mtDNA with Primer Premier 5.0 and NCBI BLAST softwares and the 90 probes with 8 poly T were immobilized on the Hybond N~+ nylon membranes which were treated with 5?SSC Buffer by UV-crosslinking;Then asymmetric PCR was employed to obtain the target single strand DNA(ssDNA).The PCR products were labeled with biotin after purification.NBT/BCIP was used as substrate that yields a very intense purple signal followed by AP-avidin,and the signals were observed in 24 samples with known sequences to evaluate the chips,each sample was repeatedly measured three times.Results The specific target fragments of 45 loci can be amplified under the same condition with nine sets of primers.The annealing temperatures of the wild-type [(59.01?1.42)℃] and mutant-type [(59.34?1.29)℃ ] probes are so close(t=1.046,P =0.301)that hybridization can be performed at the same temperature.The spots on the membrane chip are distinct,regular and well-distributed.The results of positive-and negative-control are perfect.The signals of negative probes and the background are similar.The results of chip were nearly concordant with that of DNA sequences(?~2=113.132,Kappa value =0.888,P = 0.000)except for T16189C mutant.Conclusions We have successfully developed a nylon membrane chip for rapid and systematic detection of the diabetes-associated 44 mutant loci in mtDNA.It could be used for screening for diabetic patients and high-risk people.

With medical literature in local chronicles before 1949 as the research object,this paper introduces the existing research results and existing problems from two aspects of books and papers.Then it summarizes the compiling standard of all kinds of medical literature in local chronicles,and points out that the literature can be arranged by bibliography collection,database construction,information analysis,so as to support and complement the content of existing TCM classics,and provide new clues and basis for scientific research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Three butylphthalide derivatives were isolated from the Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong using a series of isolation and purification approaches including macroporous resin, ODS-A column, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. These structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and NMR) and identified as (3Z,3aE)-(6R,7R,2'S)-6-hydroxy-7-(2-carboxyl-2-hydroxyethylthio)-3-(2-hydroxybutylidene)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-phthalide (1), (3Z,3aZ)-3-butylidene-6,7-dihydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-phthalide 7-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fructo-furanoside (2) and 3-(3-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-butylidene)-7-hydroxy-phthalide (3).

To study the effect of pulchinenoside (PULC) on the Frizzled (FZD) expression of adjuvant arthritis ( AA) rats. AA rats were prepared through the toe injection with complete Freund's adjuvant to culture fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). The effect of the oral administration with PULC on the FZD8 expression was detected by the real time qPCR. The effect of FZD8 knockout on the expressions of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 were detected by MTT and ELISA. The role of miR-375 in the abnomal expression of FZD8 was detected by the real time qPCR. The results showed signfiicant decrease in the FZD8 expression among AA rats, FLS proliferation ater FZD8 knockout and IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 expressions and notable increase in miR-375 expression after the oral administration with PULC. The up-regulated miR-375 expression can inhibit the FZD8 expression. PULC may inhibit the FZD8 expression by up-regulating the miR-375 expression.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saponins ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant plasmid pIRES-GM-CSF-IL-21, and to investigate its antitumor effect on tumors in the mice.

METHODSFifty Bal b/c mice were included in this study. Cultured hepatoma H22 cells were inoculated in the left lobe of the liver to develop orthotopically transplanted liver tumor models. The mice with orthotopically transplanted liver tumor were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10): (1) Each mouse received injection of recombinant plasmid pIRES-GM-CSF-IL-21; (2) Received injection of plasmid pIRES-GM-CSF; (3) pIRES-IL-21; (4) Received injection of ampty plasmid pIRES (H22/neo group); (5) Received injection of PBS (H22 group) via the tail vein, respectively. Therefore, the anti-tumor effect was induced by both GM-CSF and IL-21, or by either of them alone. The serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 were detected by ELISA, and the cytotoxicity of spleen NK and CTL cells were tested by MTT colorimetry.

RESULTSComparing with the H22 and H22/Neo groups, the tumor weight in the mice of H22/GM-CSF group was (0.603 ± 0.223) g, H22/IL21-treated group (0.583 ± 0.290) g and H22/GM-CSF-IL21-treated group (0.303 ± 0.323) g, significantly lower than that in the H22 group [(1.591 ± 0.280) g] and H22/Neo group [(1.489 ± 0.155) g]. Among them the tumor growth was most significantly inhibited in the H22/GM-CSF-IL-21 group (0.303 ± 0.323) g, compared with that of H22 and H22/neo groups (P < 0.01). But there was no significant difference between the tumor weights of the H22/GM-CSF group and H22/IL-21 group, and between the tumor weights of the H22 and H22/Neo groups (P > 0.05). The levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 in peripheral blood of mouse models treated with H22/GM-CSF-IL-21 were significantly increased than that in the H22/GM-CSF group and H22/IL-21 group (all P < 0.01), but significantly decreased in the H22group and H22/Neo group (P < 0.01). The anti-tumor activity of splenic NK cells and CTLs in the H22/GM-CSF-IL21 group was significantly enhanced (P < 0.01), compared with the significantly decreased in the H22 and H22/Neo groups.

CONCLUSIONSOur results demonstrate apparent antitumor effect of the plasmid pIRES-GM-CSF-IL-21 on the orthotopically transplanted liver tumor in mice. The combination of both pIRES-GM-CSF and IL-21 is more effective than that of pIRES/IL21 or pIRES/GM-CSF treatment alone. In addition, the plasmid pIRES-GM-CSF-IL-21 can also promote the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 in vivo, and enhance the cytotoxic activity of splenic NK and CTLs against the transplanted liver tumor.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; genetics ; Immunotherapy ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plasmids ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Tumor Burden

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE : To study the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of bear bile powder (BBP) in Shexiang Tongxin Dripping Pill (STDP) , and to provide scientific evidence for treating atherosclerosis (AS) by its therapeutic characteristics of cool resuscitation.

METHODSAS model was duplicated using ApoE-/- gene knocked mice fed with high-fat diet. Thirty ApoE-/- deficient male mice were divided into four groups according to body weight using random digit table, i.e., the model group (A, n =9), the STDP group (B, n=E7), the STDP without BBP group (C, n =7), and the BBP group (D, n =9). Besides, another 9 C57BL/6J male mice of the same age were recruited as a normal control group (E). All mice in Group B, C, and D were respectively administered with corresponding drugs (30, 30, and 0. 33 mg/kg) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in Group A and E. All medication lasted for 8 successive weeks. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α), interferon y (IFNγ), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined using biochemical assay. Contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aortic root was detected by dihydroethidum (DHE) fluorescent probe. Expression levels of microRNAs (such as miR-20, miR-21, miR-126, and miR-155) were detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe fluorescence intensity of the aorta was obviously enhanced in Group A. But it was obviously attenuated in Group B, C, and D, and the attenuation was the most in Group B. Compared with Group E, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, oxLDL, and MDA all increased (P <0. 01), GSH contents and SOD activities decreased (P <0. 01), expression levels of miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 in aorta increased (P <0. 01), and the expression level of miR-20 decreased in Group A (P<0. 01). Compared with Group A, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, oxLDL, and MDA were all down-regulated (P <0. 01), GSH contents and SOD activities were up-regulated (P <0. 01), expression levels of miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 in aorta were down-regulated in Group B, C, and D (P <0. 01). The expression level of miR20 was up-regulated in Group B and D (P <0. 01). Compared with Group B, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ increased (P <0.01); GSH contents and SOD activities decreased, levels of MDA and oxLDL increased (P <0. 01) in Group C and D. Expression levels of miR-20 and miR-155 were down-regulated in Group C and D (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONSSTDP played roles in significantly regulating inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors. Its mechanism might be possibly associated with regulating expressions of miR-126, miR-21, miR-155, and miR-20 in aorta. BBP played significant roles in STDP.

Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins E ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; Bile ; Cytokines ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Ursidae

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (tadalafil) on the testis following testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSEighty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham operation), B (testicular torsion + low-dose tadalafil), C (testicular torsion + high-dose tadalafil), and D (testicular torsion + placebo). Models were established in the latter three groups by 7200 torsion of the right testis for 2 hours. The animals in groups A and B were treated by gavage with tadalafil at the dose of 0. 5 mg per kg per day, those in group C at 2 mg per kg per day, and those in group D with saline at the same dose. After 3, 7, and 14 days of treatment, the torsioned testes were harvested for evaluation of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the testis tissue. The pathological changes in the testis were observed under the light microscope.

RESULTSAt 3, 7, and 14 days, the SOD activity was (254.46 +/- 7.43), (278.49 +/- 8.33), and (317.99 +/- 3.31) nU/mg prot in group B, and (277.12 +/- 8.80), (309.40 +/- 2.14), and (320.39 +/- 4.72) nU/mg prot in group C, all obviously higher than in D ([223.21 +/- 4.65], [231.45 +/- 4.16] and [248.28 +/- 5.74] nU/mg prot), while the MDA content was lower in the former two groups than in the latter. At 3 and 7 days, the SOD activity was significantly higher and the MDA level significantly lower in group C than in B (both P < 0.01) , while at 14 days, neither showed any remarkable differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious histopathological change was observed in the testis tissue of group A. At 3 and 7 days, pathological examination of the testis tissue revealed significant differences in the number of seminiferous epithelial layers, testicular histological score, and seminiferous tubule diameter in group B (P < 0.01), but the three indexes at 14 days in group B and at 7 days in group C exhibited no remarkable differences from those at 14 days in group A.

CONCLUSIONTadalafil can alleviate testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Seminiferous Tubules ; pathology ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; complications ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tadalafil ; Testis ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of meisoindigo on bcr-abl signaling pathway and to explore the mechanism of meisoindigo inducing apoptosis in K562 cells.

METHODSApoptosis and mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated by flow cytometry. In K562 cells, the expression level of Bcl-2 family members, cleaved caspase members, bcr-abl, STAT5 and CRKL were determined by Western blot and bcr-abl mRNA expression level was measured by RT-PCR before and after meisoindigo treatment. The DNA binding potential of STAT3 and STAT5 was checked by electronic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

RESULTSDown-regulation of total and phosphorylated bcr-abl protein level in K562 cells was observed when treated with 20 micromol/L meisoindigo, but its mRNA level was not changed. The expression level of phosphorylated STAT5 and CRKL was decreased and the DNA binding potential of STAT3 and STAT5 were inhibited in K562 cell after exposure to meisoindigo. Exposure to 5 - 20 micromol/L meisoindigo induced apoptosis accompanied with activating of caspase 3, 8, 9 and decreasing of MMP in K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis was blocked by 50 micromol/L z-DEVD-fmk, z-IETD-cho, z-LETD-fmk, the specific inhibitors of caspase 3, 8, 9, respectively. No change in Bcl-2, Bax and Bid protein expression levels were observed before and after meisoindigo inducing apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONMeisoindigo can inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells by affecting the bcr-abl signaling transduction pathway. Meisoindigo induces K562 cell apoptosis through a novel caspase dependent pathway in addition to the contribution of mitochondria. The Bcl-2 family members are not involved in the apoptosis induction by meisoindigo in K562 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Dust ; analysis ; Humans ; Magnoliopsida ; Pneumoconiosis ; epidemiology ; Prevalence