Objective To determine the estrogenic activity of dibutyl phthalate DBP. Methods The tested compound was dibutyl phthalate. Human estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum FBS. Five days before the addition of the tested compounds the cells were rinsed by phosphate balanced solution PBS and the medium was substituted with a phenol red-free RPMI 1640 medium containing 5% dextral charcoal-stripped FBS. The respective tested compound was added in fresh medium and the control cells received only the vehicle ethanol. The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was analyzed by the MTT assay growth curves mitotic index and coloning efficiency. Results Compared with the control the proliferation of tested cells treated with DBP like estradiol was markedly enhanced and the activity of the cell proliferation reached the maximum at 10-5 mol/L DBP. During log phase the mitotic index of the test cells treated with DBP and estradiol was significantly increased. The cell coloning efficiency was enhanced which was treated by 10-5 mol/L DBP only for 48 hours. The results showed the time-dependent and dose-dependent model. Conclusion Dibutyl phthalate may enhance the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro that demonstrates an estrogenic activity of dibutyl phthalate.

Objective To study the bone turnover and its related molecular mechanism in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods Of 30 male SD rats studied, 15 were induced diabetics by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg)and fed for 8 weeks. After the sacrifice of both the diabetic and control groups, serum Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin were determined, and 24 h urinary Ca and urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (NTx)and creatinine (Cr)ratio were also determined. The left tibia was dissected for bone histomorphometry analysis. Right femur and lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4) were reserved for bone mineral density (BMD) determination. The right tibia was separated for the study of bone tissue RANKL/osteoprotegerin, Core binding factor 1 (Cbfa1) ,osterix and osteocalcin mRNA level which was performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. Results No significant difference was found in serum Ca, P, and ALP levels between 2 groups of rats. ST-Z-induced diabetic rats were characterized by extreme hyperglycemia, marked weight loss, polyuria, and hypercalciuria. A low-turnover osteopenia was evidenced in diabetic rats by decreased BMD in both femur [(0. 099±0.013) vs (0. 139 ± 0.013 g/cm~3) , P < 0.01] and lumbar vertebrae [(0. 107±0.011)vs (0. 149±0.009) g/cm~3, P<0.01] , reduced serum osteoealcin level [a marker of formation, (3.03±0.52) vs (6. 18±0.71) ng/ml ,P<0. 01]) ,decreased urine NTx/Cr ratio [(5. 67±0.86) vs (5.23±0.98) nmol/g Cr, P<0. 05], decreased trabeeular volume and thickness, and reduced bone label surface and bone formation rate [(0. 44±0. 11) vs (0. 78±0. 14) μm/d,P<0. 01] by bone dynamic study. The RANKL/ osteoprotegerin [(0.57±0.11)vs (0.89±0.13) ,P<0.01] ,osterix [(1.93×10~(-4)±0.65×10(~-4))vs (4.19×10~(-4)± 0.71×10~(-4)) ,P<0.01] ,Cbfa1 [(26.68×10~(-4)±6.53×10~(-4))vs (37.21×10~(-4)±7.14×10~(-4)) ,P<0.01] ,and osteocalcin [(2.25×10~(-4)±1.19×10~(-4))vs (3.43×10~(-4)±1.63×10~(-4)) ,P<0.01] mRNA expressions were declined in the bone tissue of the tibia in the ST-Z-induced diabetic rats, as compared with the control. Conclusion A low-turnover osteopenia is evidenced in STZ-induced diabetic rats by significant decrease of both osteoclastic marker(RANKL/ osteoprotegerin)and osteoblastic marker (osterix ,Cbfa1 ,osteocalcin)mRNA levels in tibia.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease and its involvement area in colon is influenced by a complex network of gene interactions.We analyzed the weighted gene co-expression networks in microarray dataset from colonic mucosa of patients with UC and identified one gene co-expression module that was highly associated with the progression of involved area in UC colon (Pearson coefficient=0.81,P＜0.0001).In total,523 hub genes in this module were found to be involved in immune system process after enrichment analysis in Gene Ontology.By the STRING and Cytoscape analysis,we observed that interleukin-8 (IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were centered in the network of hub genes.We then detected the expression of IL-8 and MMP-9 in mucosa from left-sided colon of patients using quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence assay respectively.Both quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence assay revealed the expression levels of IL-8 and MMP-9 were significantly different among the healthy controls,left-sided colitis group and pancolitis group (P＜0.05).IL-8 and MMP-9 were detected with an enhanced expression in pancolitis as compared with left-sided colitis and healthy controls,respectively (P＜0.05).This study demonstrates that immune system process is indispensable in the progression of disease in colon,and identifies that IL-8 and MMP-9 play potential critical roles for the progression.

Aim To study relative bioavailablity of cefaclor effervescent tablets in healthy volunteers. Methods According to the crossover design, A volunteers were each orally given a single does of the 0.75 g cefaclor effervescent tablets and cefaclor capsules with an interval of 5 days between the two formulations.The plasma concentrations of the drug were determined by RP-HPLC.Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by ATPK programe,and calculated on the basis of open single compartment model.Results After a single oral dose, the peak levels in plasma averaged Cmax(31.27?5.81)?g?ml-1 and(30.56?5.25) ?g?ml-1 at (0.58?0.12)h and(0.73?0.17)h and AUC0～4(35.48?4.65) ?g?h?ml-1 and (35.89?2.90) ?g?h?ml-1 for tablet and capsule,respectively. Conclusion The result shows that two formulations are bioequivalence.

Objective To summarize the experiences in using Bio-Gide and Bio-Oss for guided bone regener- ation in dental implantation.Methods In 28 cases of bone deficiency,Bio-Gide membranes were applied to cover alveolar defects filled with the Bio-Oss bone powder.In postoperative periodic follow-.up,the bone regeneration effect was observed by successive clinical and X-ray examination.Results 38 implants were inserted in the 28 patients and Bio-Gide membranes were used in the sites of the 38 implants.Alveolar bone defects were filled with new bone in 27 patients,1 implant loosed because of inflammation.37 implants had ideal osseointegration at stageⅡsurgery and were prosthetic rcconstructed successfully.No implant loosed during the observed period of 15 months to 4 years. Conclusion Bio-Gide and Bio-Oss have ideal effect of guided bone regeneration in dental implantation.

To study the influence of stir-baked with sand on active ingredients, diarrhea and hepatoprotection of Herpetospermum caudigerum, the contents of herperione and herpetin in H. caudigerum before and after stir-baking with sand were analyzed by HPLC. The effect of stir-baked with sand on diarrhea of H. caudigerum TL was evaluated using the mean stool rate (MSR) and mean diarrheal index ( MDI) and the influence of stir-baked with sand on hepatoprotective effect of H. caudigerum TL was examined using a mouse model of CCl4-induced liver injury based on the analysis of serum ALT and AST activities. The results of HPLC analysis showed the content of herperione in H. caudigerum after stir-baking with sand decreased by 40.9% (P < 0.01) and the content of herpetin had no change. Pharmacodynamic results showed that the MSR and MDI of high-dose and middle-dose group of H. caudigerum TL after stir-baking with sand were significantly lower than that of high-dose and middle-dose group of H. caudigerum TL without stir-baking with sand; The high-dose and middle-dose of H. caudigerum TL with/without stir-baking with sand significantly alleviated liver injury as indicated by the decreased levels of serum ALT and AST, but the ALT and AST levels of high-dose and middle-dose group of H. caudigerum TL after stir-baking with sand were higher than that of H. caudigerum TL without stir-baking with sand. The results revealed that the stir-baking with sand could effectively relieve diarrhea effect of H. caudigerum TL, while it also reduces the hepatoprotection of H. caudigerum TL.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cooking ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo assess the expression of HER-2 and leptin in gastric cancer and evaluate their relationship with VEGF expression and clinicopathological features, and their prognostic value for gastric cancer patients.

METHODSOne hundred and ten gastric cancer specimens and the corresponding metastatic lymph nodes were detected for HER-2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). All primary cancer tissues were detected for leptin, OB-Rb and VEGF. Ninty-six specimens of normal gastric mucosa served as the control.

RESULTSThe expression level of HER-2, leptin and OB-Rb in gastric cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues (19.1% vs. 8.0%, 49.1% vs. 34.0%, and 60.9% vs. 46.0%, P < 0.05). HER-2 overexpression was moderately homogenous in primary gastric cancer and matastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.607, Kappa = 0.581). There was a correlation between the expression of HER-2 and leptin, both of which were significantly correlated with tumor invasion depth, metastatic lymph nodes ratio (NR), distal metastasis, TNM stage and VEGF expression. However, there was no significant correlation between OB-Rb expression and the clinicopathological features evaluated. Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that tumor size, histological grade, NR, stage, chemotherapy and HER-2 expression were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSHER-2 is stably expressed in primary gastric cancer and metastatic lymph nodes. HER-2 and leptin play an important role in the progression and angiogenesis of gastric cancer. High expression of HER-2 is a prognostic factor for poor outcome.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Leptin ; metabolism ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Leptin ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Homo sapiens longevity assurance homologue 2 (LASS2) is a novel gene isolated from a human liver cDNA library by our laboratory, and it is a human homologue of the yeast longevity assurance gene LAG1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae longevity assurance gene). According to our previous results, LASS2 could interact with subunit c of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase), and the overexpression of LASS2 could inhibit the cell growth of a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, SMMC-7721. In order to understand the role of the interaction between LASS2 and V-ATPase in HCC cell growth, we transiently transfected plasmid pCMV-HA2-LASS2 into HCCLM3, a HCC cell line without the significant expression of endogenous LASS2. The pH-sensitive fluorescence probes, BCECF and BCECF-AM, were used to measure the intracellular and extracellular H(+) concentrations of HCCLM3 cells respectively. The effect of LASS2 gene on apoptosis was evaluated with Annexin-V/FITC and propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect cytochrome c (Cyt c) in the cytosol and mitochondria, as well as pro-caspase-3 in cytosol. The results showed that the cell growth of LASS2-transfected HCCLM3 cells was significantly inhibited compared with that of the mock control. LASS2 transfection increased intracellular H(+) concentration of HCCLM3 cells, while decreased extracellular H(+) concentration. Moreover, LASS2 transfection significantly enhanced the apoptosis of HCCLM3 cells. In LASS2-transfected cells, the amounts of Cyt c increased in the cytosol, while decreased in the mitochondria. Meanwhile, the expression of pro-caspase-3 in the cytosolic extracts was decreased. These results implicate that LASS2 gene might increase intracellular H(+) of HCC cells via the interaction with V-ATPase, thereby inducing cell apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases ; metabolism

To solve the issues of costly planting of facility cultivation method and inferior efficacy than wild herbs of Dendrobium officinale, the cliff epiphytic cultivation method was studied. To research the growth, agronomic traits, yield, polysaccharide and alcohol-soluble extract contents were measured on the D. officinale from different water regulation and cliff slope gradients treatments. The results showed that D. officinale epiphytic at 85 degrees-90 degrees cliff and sprayed water 1-2 h x d(-1) at the growing season can get better growth and obtain high yield, and the morphology has no different from wild cliff D. officinale, even in the environments without shade. The contents of polysaccharide and alcohol-soluble extract are closely related to the physiological ages, but significantly higher than the facility cultivation. It is possible that environmental stresses benefit the accumulation of polysaccharides, alcohol-soluble extract and other efficient ingredients.
Agriculture ; methods ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Water ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo know the molecular characteristic of Shigella flexneri 4c isolates from patients in two food-poisoning outbreaks and one sporadic diarrhea case in Hangzhou, China.

METHODSS. flexneri isolates from patients in two food-poisoning outbreaks (outbreak 1 and outbreak 2, n = 13 and n = 12, respectively) and one sporadic diarrhea patient (n = 1) in Hangzhou during 2003 and 2005 were serotyped. Antibiotic resistances of these isolates were measured by the Kirby-Bauer method. Invasive plasmid antigen gene ipaH was examined by PCR. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed for molecular typing.

RESULTSIn outbreak 1, all 13 isolates were S. flexneri 4c, of them 6 isolates tested were quite different in PFGE patterns with dice coefficient from 0.78 to 0.92. In outbreak 2, 10 isolates were S. flexneri 4c and 2 isolates were S. flexneri X, however their PFGE patterns were almost identical (dice coefficient > 0.8). Compared to the two outbreaks isolates, the sporadic isolate was demonstrated with a distinct PFGE pattern (dice coefficient < 0.8). The antibiotic resistance patterns with 14 kinds of antibiotics had a little difference among the isolates from outbreak 1, outbreak 2 and sporadic diarrhea patient, but the same pattern was found among 10 isolates of S. flexneri 4c and 2 isolates of S. flexneri X from outbreak 2.

CONCLUSIONSPFGE might distinguish the isolates from these two outbreaks and the sporadic diarrhea patient. Some differences in PFGE patterns, serotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns might occur among S. flexneri 4c isolates during an outbreak.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; methods ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Foodborne Diseases ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Shigella flexneri ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification