OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulation trend of Jinxin Oral Liquid (JXOL) on the expression of negative regulatory factor of TLR3 signaling pathway SOCS1 in the lung tissue of RSV infected BALB/c mice at different time points.

METHODSTotally 75 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the ribavirin group, the high dose JXOL group, and the equivalent dose JXOL group, 15 in each group. Each group had 3 intervention ways (I, II, and III) with 5 mice treated in each group. BALB/c mice were nasally infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and treated by different intervention ways. After intervention, mice were killed and their lung tissues were sampled, mRNA expression levels of RSV-M, SOCS1, and IFN-β were detected by Real time PCR. The expression of SOCSl at the protein level was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression level of SOCS1 and IFN-β, and the protein expression level of SOCS1 increased significantly in the model group intervened by intervention I and II (all P < 0.01), but the mRNA expression level of IFN-β decreased significantly in model group intervened by intervention III (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression level of RSV-M all significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of SOCS1 significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and III and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of IFN-β significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and II and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I (all P < 0.01), while it significantly increased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention III and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention III (all P < 0.01). The protein expression level of SOCS1 significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01), while it significantly increased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention III (all P < 0.01). Compared with the high dose JXOL group, the mRNA expression level of RSV-M decreased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and II (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of SOCS1 and IFN-β decreased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I (P < 0.01), but the mRNA expression level of IFN-β increased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention II and III (all P < 0.01). The protein expression level of SOCS1 decreased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSJXOL could inhibit the expression of SOCS1 in the lung tissue of RSV infected BALB/c mice at different time points. Its regulatory effect might be associated with promoting the expression of interferon type I and further fighting against RSV.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lung ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Messenger ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Ribavirin ; Signal Transduction ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rats with adjuvant arthritis and to explore the mechanism of neovasculization in rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODSThirty rats were randomly divided into normal control group and model control group. The model control group were established the model of adjuvant arthritis using Freund's complete adjuvant. At 19 days after modeling, the expression of microvascular density (MVD), HIF-1α, VEGF were detected by ELISA assay and PTEN, PI3K, AKT were detected by Werstern Blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, paw swelling, arthritic index were increased, and the expression of MVD, VEGF, HIF-1α of serum, PI3K, AKT of synovial tissue were significantly increased, PTEN was significantly decreased in model control group. PI3K, HIF-1α were positively correlated with MVD; VEGF, AKT were positively correlated with paw swelling; PTEN was negatively correlated with the arthritis index; HIF-1α was positively correlated with VEGF; PI3K was positively correlated with AKT, PTEN was negatively correlated with PI3K, AKT, VEGF.

CONCLUSIONImbalance of PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway in rats with adjuvant arthritis is one of the mechanisms of synovial neovasculization.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; physiology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; physiology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEIn patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving potentially curative minimally invasive therapy, autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells were used to reduce recurrence. In this study we observed the changes in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) after the treatment with CIK cells to explore if AFP could serve as a marker for predicting immunotherapeutic clinical outcome.

METHODSA total of 122 patients with HCC and elevated AFP (>25 ng/mL) received a curative treatment of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Of these patients, 83 patients without residual tumor or extrahepatic metastasis and with AFP level less than 1.5 times the normal range (AFP<37.5 ng/mL) were randomly assigned to the study group (n=42) and the control group (n=41). In the study group, CIK cells were transfused intravenously or via common hepatic arteries every week for at least 4 times, and the T-lymphocyte subset data before and after CIK cell infusions was examined by flow cytometry. All the two groups of patients were screened by tomography every 2 months to observe tumor recurrence. Serum AFP was collected at baseline and at different time points after treatment in parallel with radiologic response and clinical outcome.

RESULTSTwo patients in the control group were lost to follow-up after treatment. After CIK cell infusions, the downtrend of the AFP level was observed in the study group and not in the control group. There was a significant difference in the level of AFP between different time points after CIK infusions in both groups. The 1-year recurrence rate was 7.14% for the study group and 23.1% for the control group (P=0.044). In subgroup analysis, for patients with a slightly high level of AFP (25 ng/mL

CONCLUSIONSCIK cells transfusion may reduce the level of serum AFP and anti-HBV and decrease the 1-year recurrence rate of patients with HCC after curative TACE plus RFA. Serum AFP decrease after CIK cell treatment may serve as a useful marker for predicting immunotherapy clinical outcome in patients with HCC undergone curative minimally invasive therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; transplantation ; DNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo detect whether there is an expression of human augmenter of liver regeneration (hALR) in HepG2 cells. To develop a kind of RNAi that specifically targets human augmenter of liver regeneration by synthesizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vivo, and to assess the inhibitory effect of this siRNA on hALR expression.

METHODSThe expression of hALR in HepG2 cells was observed with immunocytochemistry. The RNAi plasmid pSIALR-A and the unrelated control plasmid pSIALR-B were transfected into HepG2 cells. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the protein level of hALR was measured with immunocytochemistry; meanwhile, the reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of hALR mRNA.

RESULTShALR was expressed by HepG2 cells. siRNA plasmid pSIALR-A, which targets the cDNA of hALR and the unrelated control plasmid pSIALR-B, was successfully constructed. Both immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR showed that pSIALR-A inhibited the expression of hALR in HepG2 cells significantly, compared with that of pSIALR-B.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that the small interfering RNA targeting hALR suppresses the expression of hALR in a sequence-specific manner

Base Sequence ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo compare the safety and efficiency of pacing at right ventricular outflow versus right ventricular apex.

METHODPatients were divided into two groups: pacing at ventricular cardiac apex (common pacing group, n = 22) and pacing at right ventricular outflow tract (uncommon pacing group, n = 18).

RESULTSImpedance and amplitude of R-wave were similar during implantation between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The pacing threshold and electric current were significant higher in uncommon group than those in common pacing group (all P < 0.05), however, these differences disappeared at 1 month post pacemaker implantation (all P > 0.05). The mean QRS duration tended to be shorter in uncommon pacing group compared to that in common pacing group (P > 0.05). There was no pacemaker associated adverse effect in both groups.

CONCLUSIONThe safety and efficiency of pacing at right ventricular outflow was similar as those of pacing at right ventricular apex.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Function, Right

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of C-type natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-C) and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca)) in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) induced porcine coronary artery dilation.

METHODSPorcine coronary artery rings were obtained and treated with BNP (10(-6) mol/L), BNP + NPR-C antagonist cANF4-28 (10(-6) mol/L) and BNP + BK(Ca) blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mmol/L). The vascular tone experiments were observed on 10 vessel segments. BK(Ca) current density was measured by the whole-cell patch clamp technique.

RESULTSThe maximum diastolic rate was similar between BNP group (68.51% ± 11.50%) and cANF4-28 + BNP group (65.67% ± 11.90%, P > 0.05) while significantly reduced in TEA + BNP group (28.87% ± 4.55%, all P < 0.05). When the holding potential was set at +60 mV, the BK(Ca) current density of BNP group was (78.48 ± 5.86) pA/pF, which was significantly higher than control group [(53.84 ± 4.55) pA/pF, P < 0.05], which was equally reduced in the TEA group and TEA + BNP group [(28.80 ± 2.76) pA/pF and (30.60 ± 3.88) pA/pF respectively, all P < 0.05 vs. control group].

CONCLUSIONBNP could relax the porcine coronary arterial smooth muscles by increasing BK(Ca) current, and this effect is not mediated by NPR-C.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; drug effects ; physiology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; pharmacology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; physiology ; Swine

OBJECTIVESTo screen the hALR-interacting protein by phage-displayed technique and identify its biological activities.

METHODSThe specific phage clones that interacted with target protein hALR from a cDNA library of hepatocarcinoma cells were selected using the T7 phage-displayed technique. The acquired cDNA inserts were sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatic tools. The biological activities of the phage-displayed peptide affecting QGY hepatocarcinoma cells were studied using 3H-TdR method.

RESULTSThe cDNA inserts with 212 bp were acquired after 4 rounds of biopanning. They showed 100% homology with citron kinase. The phage-displayed peptide and the peptide combined with hALR affected QGY cells proliferation.

CONCLUSIONShALR-interacting peptide can be specifically screened by phage-displayed technique. Citron kinase that interacted with hALR potentially plays an important role in the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Regeneration ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To investigate selcnium(Se) levels of environment and human body in Gaomi City and Zichuan District of Shandong. Methods Lijiaying Township in Gaomi City of Weifang City, Zhaili Township and Longquan Township in Zichuan District of Zibo City were selected. Two farming soil samples at different spot, local wheat and corn, residents nail samples from 3 to 4 families were collected in each natural village in the investigated towns. The contents of Se were detected by 2,3-diamino naphthalene fluorescence method. Results Se level of the soil, wheat, corn, and nails in Lijiaying [(0.054 ± 0.019), (0.022 ± 0.009), (0.018 ± 0.007), (0.365 ± 0.108)mg/kg] was significantly lower than that in Zhaili [(0.425 ± 0.080), (0.130 ± 0.043), (0.098 ± 0.026), (0.751 ± 0.134)mg/kg] and Longquan[(0.487 ± 0.153), (0.112 ± 0.030), (0.097 ± 0.029), (0.735 ± 0.145)mg/kg;P < 0.01]. In Lijiaying, Se was deficient in soil, wheat, corn(< 0.200, < 0.025 mg/kg), above Se deficiency diagnosis and below Se-adequate level in the nail, while in Zhaili and Longquan, the Se level in the soil (0.425, 0.487 mg/kg), wheat(0.130, 0.112 mg/kg), corn (0.098, 0.097 mg/kg), nails (0.751, 0.735 mg/kg) was adequate (≥0.400 mg/kg). Conclusions The external environment is Se-deficient in Lijiaying, Se-adequate in Longquan and Zhaili. The selenium level in human body is consistent with the external environment.

Objective To evaluate the imaging methods,characteristics,diagnostic value of multi- slice CT urography(MSCTU)in congenital abnormities of urinary system.Methods To collect 33 urinary congenital abnormities cases in three years and to analyses these MSCTU images.All examinations were performed with a multi-slice spiral CT scanner.The patients were intravenously injected with 90 ml of Iohexol 300 with a power injector at the rate of 3 ml/s.Nephrographic-phase images were obtained at 75 s after initiation of the injection of contrast material,the appropriate delay time is according to Kidney's enhancement extent and nephrohydrosis degree.Excretory-phase images were obtained through the abdomen and pelvis from 10 min.to 23 h after initiation of the injection of contrast material without abdominal compression.Excretory-phase images were transferred to the workstation and performed maximun intensity projection(MIP),multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),volume rendering(VR),and virtual cystoscopy (VC).Results The urinary congenital abnormities diagnosed by MSCTU in 33 cases,including 1 ectopic kidney,1 horseshoe kidney,1 renal malrotaion,2 supernumerary kidneys,2 ureteral valves,2 retrocaval ureters,4 congenital megaureters,6 ureteropelvic junction stenosis,9 pelviureteric duplication malformations and 5 bladder diverticula.The displaying rate of ureter was 91%(61/66).The scanning time of excretory-phase was less than 20 seconds in All cases.The average CT value of contrast media in displayed ureter lumens was 520 HU.The postprocessing images had clear,dimensional feature and It was satisfy the diagnosis.Conclusion MSCTU has clear,dimensional feature and has strong ability of displaying total anatomy shape and tiny pathology change of congenital abnormities in the urinary system.It is a very useful method for detecting the congenital abnormities in the urinary system.

Plasma obestatin level was determined in patients with impaired glucose regulation and type 2 diabetes mellitus.The plasma obestatin levels in patients of both groups were significantly decreased as compared with that in controls.Plasma obestatin level was negatively correlated with body mass index,HbA_(1C),waist-to-hip ratio,plasma insulin and HOMA-IR.Obestatin level seems to be related with metabolic disorder.