This study was aimed to observe the changes of dendritic spine density in different regions of brain among spleen-yindeficiency dementia (SYDD) model rats, in order to investigate the effects ofZi-Bu Pi-Yin Recipe (ZBPYR) on dendritic spines. Spleen-yindeficiency (SYD) rats were modeled by classical method. And incubatedβ-Amyloid 1-40 (Aβ1-40) was injected into the hippocampus of each rat to make SYDD model, which received the administration of ZBPYR. Golgi staining was used to stain dendritic spine in different regions of brain in rat model for the observation of the amount and shape. The results showed that dendritic spine density in different regions of hippocampus and cortex in SYDD group was reduced than that of the SYD group. Compared with the dementia group and the SYDD group, the dendritic spine density in different regions of hippocampus and cortex of the SYDD + ZBPYR group was increased. Compared with the blank control group, the dendritic spine density in different regions of hippocampus and cortex in rats from the dementia group was reduced. It was concluded that there were different degrees of reducing in the dendritic spine density of different brain regions in SYDD group. ZBPYR improved the learning and memory impairment, which might be related to the maintenance of dendritic spine density in different brain regions.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction (XSD) combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion.

METHODSFifty-one patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to two groups. The treated group (26 patients) received oral administration of XSD combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin, and the control group (25 patients) was only treated with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin. The effects of the short-term efficacy, quality of life scores and clinical symptom scores of malignant pleural effusion were evaluated.

RESULTSThe short-term efficacy in the treated group and the control group was 72.0% and 58.3%, respectively, and no significant difference was found (P>0.05). In contrast, the quality of life in the treated group was significantly improved compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), and so was the symptom remission (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combined therapy of XSD and intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin did not show obvious improvement in short-term efficacy, but the therapy remarkably alleviated the symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; Pleural Cavity ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

This study aims to analyze and compare the effect of cell wall-broken decoction pieces, conventional decoction pieces and conventional powder of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma on the intestinal flora of normal mice. The conventional bacterial culture and PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) were adopted for the mice after the oral administration for 14 days. According to the bacterial culture results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group showed fewer Enterococcus and Escherichia coli bacillus but more Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than the conventional decoction pieces group and the traditional powder group (P <0.05). Meanwhile, on the basis of the PCR-DGGE results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group revealed the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H) and species richness (S) among the seven groups, with extremely significant differences compared with the normal group (P <0.01), significant differences compared with the conventional decoction pieces group and the conventional powder group (P <0.05) and a high intra-group similarity. In conclusion, the long-term intake of 1/8 dose Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma cell wall-broken decoction pieces showed a certain effect in regulating intestinal tract by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, the intestinal flora community will become more stable.
Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Cell Wall ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizome ; Rhodiola

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase induced (EMMPRIN) in the interface tissue, and explore the role of EMMPRIN in the aseptic loosening of prostheses.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was performed to characterize the EMMPRIN-expressing cells at sites of interface tissue around aseptic loosened hip prostheses in 16 cases. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to study the existence of EMMPRIN mRNA in interface tissue samples. And it was followed up by computer assisted image analysis in order to detect the A values of their expression. Synovium of hip joint of 8 femoral neck fracture were in control group.

RESULTSStrong immunostaining of EMMPRIN was found in the macrophages and fibroblasts of lining-like layers and vascular endothelium of synovial membrane-like interface tissue around loosened prostheses. Expression of EMMPRIN was significantly higher in interface tissue than the control synovium (z=-3.252, P=0.001). RT-PCR of interface tissue samples disclosed the presence of EMMPRIN mRNA of 14 cases. In interface tissue, the A value of EMMPRIN increased significantly compared to control synovium (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONOver-expression of EMMPRIN up-regulates the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) in the interface tissue. And it can promote the bone destruction around prostheses. Thereby it may be one of methods to prevent and treat aseptic loosening of prostheses by repression the biology activity of EMMPRIN.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Basigin ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Osteolysis ; physiopathology ; Prosthesis Failure ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Synovial Membrane ; metabolism

AIMThe clinical manifestation of chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is polycythemia, pulmonary hypertension and mionectic blood. However, the pathogenesis of it is not identified now. So it is necessary to investigate the effects of the angiogenic growth factors on the pathophysiologic development of CMS.

METHODSThe serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 13 healthy Tibetan natives (Native), 17 healthy people in Xining (control group) and 35 CMS patients were determined by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Meanwhile, the levels of Hb, Hct and SaO2 were determined.

RESULTSThe serum levels of bFGF (107.26 +/- 7.86) ng/L, PDGF (630.18 +/- 9.89) ng/L and VEGF (543.74 +/- 6.76) ng/L in CMS were significantly higher than those in Natives (37.01 +/- 9.16; 292.16 +/- 6.88; 125.51 +/- 7.26) ng/L, and in control group (40.58 +/- 5.34; 287.68 +/- 8.33; 76.26 +/- 4.60) ng/L, respectively (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the natives and the control group in bFGF and PDGF (P > 0.05), while there was predominant difference between the Natives and the control group in VEGF (P < 0.01). There was a predominant positive correlation between the serum levels of bFGF, PDGF or VEGF and hemoglobin concentrations in CMS respectively (P < 0.01). And there were positive relations between angiogenic growth factors each other.

CONCLUSIONThe serum levels of bFGF, PDGF and VEGF in patients with CMS significantly increase, these angiogenic growth factors may play important role on the pathophysiologic development of CMS; the VEGF level likely contributes to the adaptation to plateau hypoxia in healthy Tibetan natives; the elevated bFGF, PDGF and VEGF levels are likely associated with excessive erythropoiesis in CMS.

Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics and the pattern of precore and core promoter mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotypes Ba, C1 and C2.

METHODSA cohort of 151 patients with chronic HBV infection in Guangdong province of China was enrolled in this study. HBV subgenotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Precore and core promoter mutations were analysed using nucleotide sequencing.

RESULTSOf the 151 patients, 80, 51 and 20 were infected with subgenotypes Ba, C1 and C2 respectively. No significant differences were found in HBeAg positivity and liver functional indexes among these three subgenotypes when age and sex were matched. Virologically, HBV/Ba showed the highest frequency of A1896 mutation but the lowest frequency of T1762/A1764 mutation. HBV/C1 was associated with the highest tendency to develop T1762/A1764 mutation, but the lowest prevalence of A1896 mutation. HBV/C2 was associated with an intermediate tendency to develop A1896 and T1762/A1764 mutations.

CONCLUSIONDifferent mutation patterns in precore and core promoter regions are responsible for HBeAg-negative HBV infections among different subgenotypes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; classification ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Protein Isoforms ; Young Adult

To synthesize salbutamol immunogen and develop an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), a new salbutamol immunogen was synthesized using 4-aminobenzoic acid as a linker to connect hapten with carrier protein. An enzyme immunoassay based on the antibody prepared was developed and applied to detect salbutamol residue spiked in swine liver. An unusual coating antigen, clenbuterol-ovalbumin (OVA) conjugate instead of salbutamol-OVA conjugate, was used in the immunoassay and the results were discussed based on the structures of related compounds. The antibodies showed high sensitivity in the heterologous assay when using clenbuterol-OVA as a coating antigen, with an IC50 value of 8.97 ng mL(-1) toward salbutamol. The antibodies prepared showed high cross-reactivity with clenbuterol (107%) and were promising for the simultaneous determination of salbutamol and clenbuterol residues in food and food products. Recovery rates from the salbutamol-spiked swine liver samples were in the range of 70%-99%, while the intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were <13.3% and <14.3%, respectively. In summary, the antibodies of salbutamol have been successfully prepared. Sensitive and stable analysis for the detection of salbutamol residues in swine liver was obtained based on the competitive ELISA methods developed in this study.
4-Aminobenzoic Acid ; chemistry ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; analysis ; immunology ; Albuterol ; analysis ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Clenbuterol ; analysis ; immunology ; Drug Residues ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Food Contamination ; Haptens ; immunology ; Immunization ; Liver ; chemistry ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; chemistry ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; chemistry ; immunology ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo establish a human laryngeal carcinoma cell line unassociated with human papillomavirus (HPV).

METHODSViable tissue of a well-differentiated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was obtained and tested negative for the presence of HPV by polymerase chain reaction. Minced tissue fragments were then transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice. After two successive passages, the tumor tissue was seeded into culture flasks and incubated in a medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, insulin and epidermal growth factor. Tumor cell phenotype and molecular features were determined by various methods.

RESULTSA stable cell line, designated as Lscc-02, was successfully established after 86 culture passages. The cells grew as a monolayer with epithelioid features. The cell doubling time was approximately 39.1 hours. The human origin of the tumor cells was confirmed by karyotype analysis. The squamous epithelial phenotype was demonstrated by the immunopositivity of anti-cytokeratin antibodies and ultrastructural presence of tonofilaments and desmosomes. The malignant nature of the cells was documented by their clonal formation in soft-agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice. Lscc-02 cells expressed carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and were negative for HPV DNA.

CONCLUSIONThis newly established Lscc-02 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line may be a useful model for investigating laryngeal carcinoma unrelated to HPV infection, and the role of HPV in the progression of human laryngeal carcinoma.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; virology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Papillomaviridae

BACKGROUNDNF-kappaB p65 was shown to inhibit transcription of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a rate-limiting enzyme in gluconeogenesis in the liver. To understand the mechanism of action of NF-kappaB p65, we investigated the nuclear receptor corepressor in the regulation of PEPCK transcription.

METHODSRat H4IIE cells, human hepatoma HepG2 cells and human embryo kidney (HEK) 293 cells were used in this study. The transcriptional activity of a rat PEPCK gene promoter (-490/+100) was analyzed in HepG2 cells, a HepG2 super suppressor IkBalpha (ssIkBalpha) stable cell line, and HEK 293 cells. The effects of p65 and ssIkBalpha on a rat PEPCK gene promoter were observed using the PEPCK luciferase reporter system. The interaction of the cAMP-response- element-binding (CREB) protein, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and silencing mediator for retinoic and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) with the PEPCK gene promoter were investigated using the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. p65 cotransfection and RNAi-mediated gene knockdown were used to determine the corepressor involved in the inhibition of PEPCK by NF-kappaB p65 and the transcriptional regulation of CREB by NF-kappaB p65.

RESULTSNF-kappaB p65 inhibited PEPCK expression and the inhibition was blocked by ssIkBalpha. The inhibitory effect of p65 was completely blocked in a HepG2 stable cell line in which ssIkBalpha was expressed. HDAC3 or SMRT knockdown led to a significant up-regulation of PEPCK reporter activity in the presence of p65 cotransfection. In the ChIP assay the interaction of HDAC3 and SMRT with the PEPCK gene promoter was induced by p65 activation, but the CREB signal was reduced. Transcriptional activity of CREB was inhibited by NF-kappaB p65 cotransfection. The inhibitory effect of NF-kappaB p65 was blocked by HDAC3 RNAi or SMRT RNAi.

CONCLUSIONSThe study showed that the inhibition of PEPCK by NF-kappaB p65 was dependent on HDAC3 and SMRT, which form a nuclear corepressor complex for transcriptional inhibition. The transcription factors NF-kappaB p65 and CREB share the same corepressor HDAC3-SMRT, and the corepressor exchange leads to inhibition of PEPCK gene transcription by NF-kappaB p65.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Histone Deacetylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Protein Binding ; genetics ; physiology ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and the mechanism of Xuesaitong drop pills (total saponins in Radix Notoginseng; XDP) on experimental thrombosis, thrombolysis and blood theology.

METHODFirst, the rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, XDP (90, 30, 10 mg x kg(-1)), Xuesaitong tablet (XP) 30 mg x kg(-1). Then the effect of the drugs on thrombus and thrombosis was studied after the ratsthrombosis was induced by the arteriovenous shunt. Second, the rats were randomly divided into seven groups: model, XDP (90, 30, 10 mg x kg(-1)), XT (90, 30 mg x kg(-1)), lumbrukinase capsule. Then the effect of the drugs on thrombus and thrombosis was studied after the rats'thrombosis was induced by the electrical stimulation of common carotid artery. Third, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, model, XDP (80, 40 mg x kg(-1)), XT (40, 20 mg x kg(-1)). Then the effect of the drugs on blood circulation promoting was observed after the rats'acute blood stasis induced by adrenalin and icy water.

RESULTXDP 90, 30 mg x kg(-1) could notably lighten the wet-weight and dry-weight of thrombus in the arteriovenous shunt model in rats in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). XDP 90 mg x kg(-1) with intragastric administration for 3 days had the satisfactory effect on thrombolysis after the rat's thrombosis was induced by the electrical stimulation of common carotid artery (P < 0.01). XDP 80, 40 , 20 mg x kg(-1) reduced significantly erythrocyte aggregation (P < 0.01) and decreased the whole blood viscosity at low shear rate (P < 0.05). XDP 80, 40 mg x kg(-1) reduced the whole blood viscosity at high shear rate and plasma viscosity (P < 0.05). XDP 80 mg x kg(-1) decreased the whole blood viscosity at high shear rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXDP can significantly inhibit the thrombosis and has the satisfactory effect on thrombolysis. One kind of the mechanism is related to the effect on blood rheology.

Animals ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Carotid Artery Thrombosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Erythrocyte Aggregation ; drug effects ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; drug effects ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Thrombolytic Therapy