Objective To investigate the current status of the indoor air pollution in urban area in Beijing and find the influence factors for the concentrations of formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides (NOx) indoors. Methods 463 persons were chosen randomly from Xicheng district of Beijing to complete the questionnaires about their indoor environment condition. The levels of formaldehyde and NOx were monitored in the bedrooms and the kitchens of 91 households. And we used the multi-regression model to find out some influence factors that related to formaldehyde and NOx concentration. Results The average daily concentration of formaldehyde in the bedrooms was about 0.049 mg/m3 and the rate of excess standard was 13%. The formaldehyde pollution in the decorated rooms (0.058 mg/m3) was more serious than that in the control rooms (0.034 mg/m3) and there was statistically significant difference between them (P

The quality control method and standard were established to control the quality of Pteris multifida in this paper. The tests of water content, total ash, acid-unsoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of P. multifida were carried out according to the methods recorded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1) . The TLC method was established by using rhoifolin as references, and a mixture of CHCl3 -MeOH-HAc (6: 1: 1) as the developing solvent system on GF254 thin layer plate. The contents of rhoifolin was determined by HPLC on a Diamonsil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) column, using acetonitrile-water (containing 0.15% formic acid) (16: 84) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 30 degrees C and the detection wave-length was 350 nm. As a result, pterosin C 3-O-β-D-glucosidede and the other constituents were well separated on TLC detected under the UV light at 254 nm . The methodology validation for the assay of rhoifolin presented that it was in good linear correlation in the ranges of 0.025 5-5.1 μg with the regression equations of Y = 1 092.4X + 9.503 5 (r = 0.999 8), and the average recoveries were 100.3% (RSD 1.3%). The content range of rhoifolin from 16 different batches of Pteris multifida was 0.08-5.06 mg x g(-1). The water content, total ash, acid-unsoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of 16 samples varied in the ranges of 7.35% - 12.96%, 6.90% - 16.33%, 2.07% -11.38% and 13.29% -23.87%, respectively. The suggesting limes in the quality standard for water content, total ash, acid-unsoluble ash, ethanol-soluble extractives and rhoifolin content were ≤ 12% , ≤ 15% , ≤ 8.5% , ≥ 14% and ≥ 0.040%, respectively. The result proved that the established quality of control method was specific and accurate, which can be used for the quality control of P. multifida.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Pteris ; chemistry ; Quality Control

BACKGROUND: Human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) is a kind of cytokine which can stimulate the differentiation and proliferation of haematopoictic precursor cells and plays an important role in the process of immunoloregulation. Escherichia coli (E.coli) expression system has advantages,such as low cost and high output, over other systems.Therefore, E.coli is still the most commonly used exogenous gene expression system.OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of hGM-CSF in the E.coli swain DH5α.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The present observational experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Biotechnology Research,China Three Gorges University between February and June 2007. MATERIALS: Plasmid pBR322hGM-CSF was purchased from American Type Culture Collection, USA.hGM-CSF antibody was sourced from Sigma Company, USA.IPTG, X-gal,and vector pMGT-18 were purchased from Shanghai Bioengineering Technology Company, China. METHODS: Primer was designed according to hGM-CSF gene. Taking cloning vector plasmid pBR322-hGM-CSF as template, hGM-CSF gene was acquired and recombined into prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1. Recombinant plasmid confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing was transformed into E.coli strain DH5α and induced by isopropy-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). Expression product was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis (SDS-PAGE) and detected by Western blotting assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: hGM-CSF expression in the E.coli strain DH5α. RESULTS: SDS-PAGE results revealed that the recombinant hGM-CSF protein with relative molecular weight of 40 500 was produced up to approximately 17.9% of total protein. Western blotting detection results indicated that there was a 40 500 bp brand. CONCLUSION: The present study reconstructed prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-hGM-CSF, induced its expression in the E.coli strain DH5α, and obtained hGM-CSF fusion protein.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a re-emerging disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes and has become a major public health problem in southern China. Currently, no antiviral drug or effective vaccine exist to control this disease. The chimeric DENV structural protein vaccine cannot elicit balanced levels of protective immunity to each of the four viral serotypes; therefore, non-structural protein components may be required to construct an effective DENV vaccine. The Dengue virus non-structural 1 (DENV NS1) protein plays a critical role in viral pathogenesis and protective immunity. Therefore, immunity to Dengue 1-4 NS1 subtypes may be crucial for the prevention of severe disease. This review attempts to provide an overview about the structure and function of DENV NS1.
Animals ; Dengue ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Dengue Vaccines ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Dengue Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology

Objective: To acquire recombinant nematode anticoagulant peptide ( NAP) with high anticoagulant activity. Methods: Pichia pastoris GS115 strain was transformed with recombinant yeast expression vector pPICS. 5K-rNAP. Expression of rNAP was induced with methanol after the identification of positive strains. NAP expressed in the collected yeast culture supernatant was confirmed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The biological activity of the products was validated with PT (prothrombin time) , INR (international normalized ratio) and APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) , respectively. Results: The yeast strains expressing NAP were identified. The rNAP was secreted into culture supernatant with a molecular weight of about 10 kDa due to glycosylation, which is a little bigger than that predicted (8.7kDa). The anticoagulant efficiency of rNAP was confirmed with the in vitro assays. Conclusion: The recombinant nematode anticoagulant peptide with high biological activity was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris and can be used in the future development of novel anticoagulant agent.

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) modified liposome as a vehicle for ophthalmic administration. Liposome loaded with 5-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) was prepared by lipid film hydration method. WGA was thiolated and then conjugated to the surface of the liposome via polyethylene glycol linker to constitute the WGA-modified and FAM-loaded liposome (WGA-LS/FAM). The amount of thiol groups on each WGA molecule was determined, and the bioactivity of WGA was estimated after it was modified to the surface of liposome. The physical and chemical features of the WGA-modified liposome were characterized and the ocular bioadhesive performance was evaluated in rats. The result showed that each thiolated WGA molecule was conjugated with 1.32 thiol groups. WGA-LS/FAM had a mean size of (97.40 +/- 1.39) nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.23 +/- 0.01. The entrapment efficacy of FAM was about (2.95 +/- 0.21)%, and only 4% of FAM leaked out of the liposome in 24 h. Erythrocyte agglutination test indicated that after modification WGA preserved the binding activity to glycoprotein. The in vivo ocular elimination of WGA-LS/FAM fitted first-order kinetics, and the elimination rate was significantly slower than that of the unmodified liposome, demonstrating WGA-modified liposome is bioadhesive and suitable for ophthalmic administration.
Absorption, Physicochemical ; Adhesiveness ; Administration, Ophthalmic ; Animals ; Drug Carriers ; Eye ; metabolism ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wheat Germ Agglutinins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To investigate the imaging findings of pelvic lipomatosis in 4 cases with clinical correlation.Methods The imaging data of 4 cases with pelvic lipomatosis proved clinically and pathologically were retrospectively analyzed.CT scan,intravenous urography(IVU)or cystography were performed in all cases.MRI was done in one case,barium enema in one case and urinary cystoscopy in 3 cases.Results Hyperlucent areas in the pelvis("transparent pelvis"sign)were demonstrated on plain X-ray film,CT,IVU and barium enema studies.IVU showed bilateral hydronephrosis,stenosis of lower segment of ureter and dilatation of proximal ureter.The bladder was elevated,simulating an inverted pear. Barium enema study revealed that the rectum and the sigmoid colon were pushed laterally and upwards. Three cases had associated with cystitis cystica by pathology.Conclusion The imaging findings of pelvic lipomatosis,together with clinical information,are helpful to establish the diagnosis.

Objective:To determine the law of dose variation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with helical tomotherapy by observing the difference between the actual and planned doses of targets and at-risk organs in these patients. Methods:Ten naso-pharyngeal carcinoma patients were treated with helical tomotherapy. Each single dose distribution and the corresponding computed tomography (CT) images were transmitted to the commercial software MIMvista 6.50, which was used to perform deformable image registration on the CT images. The sum of the actual dose was then obtained by accumulating the single doses. The image-guided actu-al dose was denoted as Plan 2, and the initial plan was called Plan 1. The dose-volume histogram of the dose distribution of targets and at-risk organs in Plans 1 and 2 were compared. Results:The D98 and D95 doses of the planning gross target volume (PGTV) in Plan 2 were significantly lower than those in Plan 1. Compared with Plan 1, the Dmean and D50 doses of double parotids in Plan 2 were higher by 42.23%and 63.82%(P<0.001, P=0.001) on average, respectively, for the left parotid, as well as by 38.64%and 66.76%(P=0.002, 0.004), respectively, for the right parotid. The D2 dose of spinal cord in Plan 2 was significantly higher than that in Plan 1. The doses were higher by 16.49%on average (P=0.026). Conclusion:To achieve precise and individually adaptive radiotherapy, correcting the error between anatomy and placement during tomotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients is necessary.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of SIRT6/NF-κB signal axis in delaying hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell senescence with ginsenoside Rg1, in order to provide theatrical and experimental basis for looking for methods for delaying HSC senescence.

METHODSca-1 + HSC/HPC was isolated by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and divided into five groups: the normal control group, the aging group, the positive control group, the Rg1 anti-senescence group, and the Rg1-treated group. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, cell cycle analysis and hemopoietic progenitor cell mix (CFU-Mix) were adopted to determine the effect Rg1 in delaying or treating Sca-1 + HSC/HPC senescence biology. The mRNA and protein of senescence regulation molecules SIRT6 and NF-KB were examined by realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) and western blotting.

RESULTCompared with the senescence group, the Rg1 anti-senescence group and the Rg1-treated group showed lower percentage in SA-β-Gal-stained positive cells, decreased cell proportion in G1 phase, increased number of CFU-Mix, up-regulated in SIRT6 mRNA and protein expression, down-regulation in NF-KB mRNA and protein expression. The Rg1 anti-senescence group showed more evident changes in indexes than the Rg1-treated group.

CONCLUSIONRg, may inhibit Sca-1 + HSC/HPC senescence induced by t-BHP by regulating SIRT6/NF-KB signal path.

Animals ; Antigens, Ly ; analysis ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Sirtuins ; physiology

Objective To observe the protective effects of roscovitine on the podocyte injury induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) caused by tunicamycin. Methods The differentiated podocytes cultured at 37℃were randomly di-vided into:(1) Control group, DMSO group and tunicamycin group (TM, 1.0μmol/L). The treatment was given for 3, 6 and 12 hours in three groups. (2) For control group, tunicamycin group, tunicamycin+roscovitine group (20, 40μmol/L, TM+ROS), the treatment was given for 12 hours. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL method. The ex-pressions of Cdk5, GRP78, Caspase-12 and CHOP were detected by Western blot assay. Results (1) Compared with con-trol group and DMSO group, the podocyte apoptosis was increased significantly in a time dependent manner after tunicamy-cin treatment in TM group;the protein expressions of Cdk5, GRP78, Caspase-12 and CHOP were also up-regulated signifi-cantly in TM group (P<0.05). (2) Flow cytometry and TUNEL analysis showed that tunicamycin induced apoptosis in podo-cytes, which was significantly inhibited by roscovitine in a concentration dependent manner in TM+ROS group as compared to that of TM group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of GRP78, Caspase-12 and CHOP were also significantly decreased in a concentration dependent manner in TM+ROS group compared to those of TM group (P<0.05). Conclusion Roscovi-tine, the inhibitor of Cdk5, can reduce the podocyte apoptosis induced by tunicamycin. The protective effects of roscovitine on podocytes can be a novel approach of treating diabetic nephropathy.