Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Risk ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Streptococcus suis ; classification ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pathogenicity ; Virulence Factors ; metabolism

The real sanghuang is a new species belonging to the Inonotus, which is commonly used for cancer treatment and human immune system improvement. This review summarized the progress on the studies of Phellinus Quel in recent years, including its taxonomy status, bioactive components, pharmacodynamics, separation and purification technologies. In addition, some related problems and perspectives were also discussed.
Animals ; Basidiomycota ; chemistry ; classification ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

The active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine, silybin (SBN), can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and enhance the anticancer effect of doxorubicin (DOX). However, due to non-targeting and short half-life of SBN and DOX, as well as different administration routes and pharmacokinetic processes, this combination drug cannot act on the tumor in the set order, seriously eliminating the synergistic effect between them and limiting the effect in vivo. Therefore, we intended to construct a nano-delivery system based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), modified by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sialic acid (SA), and co-loaded with SBN and DOX. The system induced the release of combined drugs under the dual-stimulation of pH and near infra-red (NIR), increased the free concentration of intracellular drugs, so as to achieve the synergistic effect between them. The animal welfare and experimental procedures were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MoS₂-PEG-SA-SBN/DOX circulated in vivo, and effectively accumulated at tumor sites through enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) and SA-mediated active targeting. Under near infrared light irradiation, MoS₂-PEG-SA-SBN/DOX realized the combination of synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy for tumor, thus achieving excellent anti-tumor effect in vivo. This study can provide a new idea and strategy for the clinical treatment of lung cancer. Taken together, MoS₂-PEG-SA-SBN/DOX can offer a new idea and strategy for the clinical treatment of lung cancer.

Long-term excessive iodine intake resulted in an increased TT_4 level and a decreased TT_3 level in maternal serum,meanwhile,hepatic and renal type 1 deiodinase activity decreased dose-dependently.A significant reduction in type 2 deiodinase ( D2 ) activity of 12.5 d placenta was found in 3.0 mg/L or above groups.For 19.5 d uterus,D2 activity decreased and type 3 deiodinase activity increased.The results suggest that excessive iodine has an effect on the embryonic development by regulating maternal-fetal thyroid hormone metabolism.

An efficient system of genetic transformation and plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis was established in crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) by infecting the segments of cotyledons and hypocotyls of 15d-old seedlings with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834. Hairy roots were produced directly from the wounded surface of the explants or via calluses on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium after infection by A. rhizogenes. Transformed roots grew rapidly either on solid or liquid MS medium, and exhibited typical hairy root phenotypes. The highest transformation frequency (87.4%) was achieved by preculturing cotyledons for 2d and pre-treating the A. rhizogenes with suitable concentration of acetosyringone at logarithmic phase (OD600 = 0.8). The embryogenic calluses with 100% induction frequency were induced from hairy roots on MS medium containing 0.2mg/L 2,4-D, 0.5mg/L NAA and 0.5mg/L KT. Globular-, heart-, torpedo-, and cotyledon shaped somatic embryos were produced orderly and developed into plantlets when transferred the embryogenic calluses on MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/L KT, 0.2mg/L IBA and 300mg/L proline. The transformed plants did not show differences in morphology except abundant lateral root branches compared to the non-transformed plants. However, the contents of 3-nitropropanic acid in hairy roots and leaves of one of 5 transformed clones were 57.68% and 58.17% in roots and leaves of untransformed plants, respectively. Opine paper electrophoresis revealed the integration and expression of TR-DNA. PCR analysis confirmed that the TL-DNA including 654 bp rol B sequence was inserted into the genome of transformed hairy roots and their regenerated plants.
Fabaceae ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; growth & development ; Regeneration ; Rhizobium ; genetics ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Transformation, Genetic

BACKGROUNDSnake venom contains a number of components with different pharmacological and biological activities, especially in cancer therapy, and has increasingly become a research focus. This study was designed to isolate and purify a novel anti-clotting protein component from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus, and to explore its physico-chemical properties and biological activity.

METHODSThe venom of Agkistrodon was isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose Fast Flow, molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G75, SP-Sepharose Fast Flow and molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G50. We detected the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the eluant to select the anti-clotting protein component of interest. The molecular weight was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamid gel electrphoresis (SDS-PAGE) and liquid chromatography. Its protein content was detected by bicinchoninic acid (BCA).

RESULTSSDS-PAGE vertical gel electrophoresis showed that the anticoagulant factor is a tripolymer composed of three proteins whose molecular weights are 25 KDa, 30 KDa and 50 KDa. The factor contains about 65% percent protein.

CONCLUSIONSA novel anti-clotting protein component was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve filtration from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus and was found to be composed of three kinds of proteins.

Agkistrodon ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anticoagulants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Crotalid Venoms ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effects of Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization in treating ASD after lumbar spinal fusion.

METHODSTotally 40 patients (included 16 males and 24 females, aged 25 to 60 years old) with degenerative disc disease were treated with posterior interbody fusion. Among them, 20 cases (treatment group) were treated with posterior interbody fusion combined with Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization, while other 20 cases (control group) only treated with posterior interbody fusion. JOA score and VAS score were compared after inserted Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization at 1 month and 3 years, and changes of intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment and cross-sectional area of the canal were tested and compared.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 3 to 5 years with an average of 3.6 years. All injuries were healed at stage I and the pain were released after treatment. There were no significant meaning in JOA score and VAS score at 1 month after treatment between two groups (P>0.05), while had meaning at 3 years (P<0.05). There were no statistical significane in intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment and cross-sectional area of the canal at 1 month after treatment (P>0.05), while had statistical meaning at 3 years (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is no difference in immediate effects between two groups. Both of them can obtain good results for effective decompression. Medial-term effectiveness of treatment group is obviously better than control group, which depends on Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization to plays good biology effects and effective accelerate adjacent degeneration caused by lumbar fusion.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo develop simple but reliable intracellular labelling method for high-resolution visualization of the fine structure of single neurons in brain slice with thickness of 500 microm.

METHODSBiocytin was introduced into neurons in 500 microm-thickness brain slices while blind whole cell recording. Following processed for histochemistry using the avidin-biotin-complex method, stained slices were mounted in glycerol on special glass slides. Labelled cells were digital photomicrographed every 30 microm and reconstructed with Adobe Photoshop software.

RESULTSAfter histochemistry, limited background staining was produced. The resolution was so high that fine structure, including branching, termination of individual axons and even spines of neurons could be identified in exquisite detail with optic microscope. With the help of software, the neurons of interest could be reconstructed from a stack of photomicrographs.

CONCLUSIONThe modified method provides an easy and reliable approach to revealing the detailed morphological properties of single neurons in 500 microm-thickness brain slice. Without requisition of special equipment, it is suited to be broadly applied.

Animals ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Neurons ; cytology ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Software ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the protective effects of affiliating portasystemic shunt on small-for-size graft in liver transplantation.

METHODSFifteen Chinese Bama miniature pigs were divided into three groups: group A (small-for-size liver transplantation), group B (distal splenorenal shunt + small-for-size liver transplantation), and group C (mesocaval H-shape shunt + small-for-size liver transplantation). Animals were followed up for 7 days with survival, dynamical liver function biochemical parameters, liver biopsies, portal venous pressure (PVP) and portal blood flow (PBF).

RESULTSAnimal survivals were as follows: group A, 1/5, group B, 3/5 and group C, 5/5.Group A resulted in abnormal liver function parameters that were significantly ameliorated in group B and C. The histological examination of graft in group A displayed severe pathologic changes including hepatocyte vacuolar change or necrosis, sinusoidal congestion, parenchymal hemorrhage. Affiliating portasystemic shunt significantly alleviated graft injuries in group B and C. PVP rose and peaked up to 28.6 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), PBF fluctuated after reperfusion in group A, but group B and C with affiliating portasystemic shunt showed significantly lower PVP and maintained rather stable PBF after reperfusion. There were also statistical differences in PVP or PBF between group B and C.

CONCLUSIONSAffiliating portasystemic shunt effectively might protect small-for-size graft from injuries after reperfusion.

Animals ; Female ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Portal Pressure ; Portal Vein ; physiology ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Random Allocation ; Regional Blood Flow ; Survival Rate ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature