Isocitrate lyase (ICL) which plays a pivotal role in the glyoxylate cycle of mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) could be a potential target against mycobacterium tuberculosis.Deoxyribozyme(DRz) is a small single-strand,enzymatic DNA molecule.Assistant by sketch of secondary structure,appropriate and not appropriate target sequences of MTB ICL mRNA were predicted.Two DRzs were designed targeting above sequences respectively.To affirm feasibility of this kind of prediction,in vitro cleavage of MTB ICL mRNA segment by DRz-ICLcf and DRz-ICLcj were performed.The results showed that sketch of secondary structure could indeed predict potential target of DRz.This research will provide basis for developing DRz as a novel antimicrobial agent against MTB.

Tripterygium wilfordii has complex chemical components. To study and summarize the advance in studies on the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities and toxicology of known monomers of T. wilfordii, the pertinent literatures related to the studies on the pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of T. wilfordii over past 30 years were searched. According to the findings, more than ten anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory monomers were found in T. wilfordii. The pharmacology and toxicology of wilforidine, triptolidenol, triptonide, demethylzeylasteral shall be further studied.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the gene carrying rate,gene type and composition ratio of thalassemia among pre-pregnant population in Chongqing area.Methods A total of 1054 people were enrolled in the hospital from April 2014 to March 2016 for thalassemia screening.The content of screening included mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and hemoglobin electrophoresis.Thalassemia gene was examined in people with any abnormal term of screening result.Results In 10854 cases,1117 cases showed positive in thalassemia primary screening,and the positive rate was 10.29％.458 cases were tested positive of thalassemia gene,the carrying rate of thalassemia was 4.21％.In which,253 cases of pure a-thalassemia were tested.The carrying rate of α-thalassemia was 2.33％.The most common kind in α-thalassemia was--SEA whose constituent ratio were 52.17 ％.197 cases of pure β-thalassemia were tested,the carrying rate of β-thalassemia was 1.81％.The most common kind in β-thalassemia was CD17 (A→T),whose constituent ratio were 31.47 ％.11 cases were diagnosed with αβ-thalassemia.Conclusion Chongqing is high-prevalence area of thalassemia.It is important to conduct thalassemia genetic screen before pregnancy which plays a vital role in improving population quality and achieving prepotency.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) on high-glucose mediated permeability,proliferation and migration in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs).Methods HRMECs were divided into 4 groups:normal group (5 mmol · L-1 glucose),high glucose group (25 mmol · L-1 glucose),NC (Negative control for siRNA) + high glucose group and siADAM17 (ADAM17 siRNA) + high glucose group.The expression of ADAM17 was detected using real time PCR and Western blot.Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) was used to detect the permeability of HRMECs.Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8)and BrdU were used to evaluate cell proliferation.Cell migration was determined using Transwell assay.In addition,the expression of p-EGFR,p-ERK and MMP9 was assayed using Western blot.Results Compared with normal group,the mRNA and protein levels of ADAM17 were increased in high glucose group (P ＜ 0.01).ADAM17 expression of siADAM17 + high glucose group was markedly reduced compared with NC + high glucose group.High glucose increased the permeability of HRP comparison to normal group,whereas in siADAM17 + high glucose group the permeability of HRP was reduced compared with NC + high glucose group.The optical density of HRMECs was decreased in siADAM17 + high glucose group 1.53 ± 0.29 in comparison with NC + high glucose group 2.43 ± 0.25,as well as the content of BrdU-incorporation(P ＜ 0.05).The number of migrated cells in high glucose group,NC + high glucose group,siADAM17 + high glucose group and normal group were 157.00 ± 7.93,169.00 ± 10.12,121.00 ± 9.28,110.00 ±8.25,respectively.Moreover,the expression of p-EGFR,p-ERK and MMP9 in siADAM17 +high glucose group was decreased compared with NC + high glucose group (all P ＜0.01).Conclusion SiADAM17 can reduce the cell permeability,suppressed and migration induced by high glucose via EGFR/ERK/MMP9 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo compare components in volatile oils of nutmeg and prepared nutmeg.

METHODVolatile oil from nutmeg and prepared nutmeg were extracted by vapor distillation. The chemical components in two kinds of volatile oils were determined and indentified by GC-MS.

RESULTThe change in quantity and quality of components in volatile oils were observed after processing. 13 new components occurred and 4 components disappeared in volatile oils after processing. The contents of methyleugenol and methylisoeugenol that are active ingredients were increased. The contents of myristicin and safrol that are toxic ingredients in volatile oils were decreased.

CONCLUSIONThe processing method of nutmeg by soaking with water and roasting with bran is scientific.

Anisoles ; analysis ; Benzyl Compounds ; analysis ; Dioxolanes ; analysis ; Eugenol ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hot Temperature ; Myristica fragrans ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyrogallol ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Safrole ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective:To investigate the efficiency of maternal serum triple screening for the genetic abnormality in second-trimester and the morbidity of adverse pregnancy outcome in false positive results of the test. Methods: A total of 4 680 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies assigned in Obs & Gyn Hospital, Fudan University, underwent triple screening test (alpha fetoprotein, AFP; human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG and unconjugated estriol, uE3) by fluorescence enzyme immunoassay between 2003 and 2005. The valid MoM (Multiples of Median) value of mid-trimester serum AFP, uE3, and hCG and risk assessments was provided by Beckman Coulter Co. When applied in the prenatal Down syndrome screening service. The study compares the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities with Down syndrome in screen positive women and compares to the MoM value established in the literature. The risks of having a fetus with congenital abnormalities or of developing obstetric complications in the screen positive women with their matched controls.Results:The MoM values for the triple tests of our study are similar to established values of literature. Only 51.01% women with pregnancies agree to receive screening. Amniocentesis utilization rate was 55.12% in the screen-positive pregnancies. The false positive rate was 6.89% and the median of maternal age of the women was 28.13 (range 19 to 49) years old. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 21 pregnancies, including 9 cases of trisomy 21.The detection rate was 77.77%. Pregnancies with positive screening results had a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes than those with negative results (P< 0.05). Whereas there was no difference in the incidences of fetal congenital appearance or skeleton abnormality. Conclusion: Adjusting MoM values of local unaffected populations is limited to increasing the detection rate. Because chromosomal defects have variable exhibitions, amniocentesis utilization is still a choice for screen-positive pregnancies. Screen-positive pregnancies had increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a DNA virus and serious opportunistic pathogen for both newborn and immunocompromised individuals.To research technique for gene silence and antiviral agents, ribozyme M1GS-T6 was constructed from external guide sequences(EGSs)that consist of a sequence complementary to HCMV UL54 gene RNA and M1 RNA, the catalytic RNA subunit of RNase P from Escherichia coli. The results showed that M1GS can efficiently cleave the mRNA sequence encoding UL54 protein in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of ischemic postconditioning on phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) in rats after hepatic ischemia reperfusion in rats and investigate the mechanism of ischemic postcoditioning of the liver.

METHODSThree cycles of 1 min-off-1 min-on ischemic postconditioning regime were used in a rat model of 70% hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. The changes in the liver function, hepatocyte apoptosis, phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 were assessed in rats treated with sham operation, LY294002+sham operation (LY+S), PD98059+sham operation (PD+S), ischemia reperfusion (IR), ischemic postconditioning (IPO), LY294002+ ischemic postconditioning (LY+IPO), or PD98059+ischemic postconditioning (PD+IPO).

RESULTSIschemic postconditioning significantly alleviated hepatic ischemia-reperfusion-induced liver function injury and hepatocyte apoptosis and increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. LY294002 and PD98059 antagonized the effects of ischemic postconditioning in the liver.

CONCLUSIONActivation of PI3K and ERK1/2 may mediate the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning against hepatic ischemia- reperfusion injury in rats.

Animals ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Liver ; blood supply ; Male ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of composite factors, like long-term high-salt & fat diet and alcohol abuse on blood viscosity and blood pressure in rats, and compare with a model induced by high molecular dextran, in order to build a chronic hyperviscosity aminal model which is similar to human hyperviscosity in clinic and lay a foundation for efficacy evaluation on traditional Chinese medicines.

METHODMale SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the high molecular dextran (HMD) group and the high salt & fat and alcohol (HSFA) group. The HMD group was given normal diet and water for 23 day and then 10% HMD through tail vein for 5 days. The HSFA group was fed with high salt and high fat diets every day and alcohol for 20 h x d(-1) for 13 weeks. After the modeling, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were measured in the 5th, 8th and 11th week. Blood pressure was measured in the 5d, 7h, and 10th week. Red cell count (RBC) and hematocrit (HCT) were measured in the 11th week. PAgT, Fb, ET-1, NO, PGI, TXA2 contents of the normal group and the HSFA group were measured in the 13th week, and IECa21 content was measured with flow cytometry. Result: After the modeling, the HMD group was in good conditions with glossy hairs and active behaviors. The HSFA group was depressed with withered hairs and less activities. During the 5th-11th weeks, the HMD group and the HSFA group showed higher values in high and low shear whole blood viscosity (WBV) than the normal control group. The plasma viscosity (PV) of HMD rats was significantly increased only in the 5th week, and that of HSFA rats significantly increased in the 8"' and 11th week, particularly in the 11'h week. In the 111h week, the HSFA group showed significant increases in RBC and HCT. After the modeling, the blood pressure of HMD rats showed no significant changes, but the blood pressure of HSFA rats significantly increased during 7' and 101h weeks, particularly in the 10"' week. In the 13th week, PAgT, IECa2+, Fb, ET-1 of HSFA rats significantly increased, but with decreases in NO and PGI2.

CONCLUSIONLong-term high salt & fat and alcohol diets can cause abnormal blood viscosity in rats. WBV significantly increased since the 5th week in rats, and PV increased since the 8th week. The mechanism for increasing BV may be: (1) increases in RBC, HCT, and IECa2+, (2) PAgT increase, (3) Fb content increase, or (4) TXA2/PGI2, ET-1/NO imbalance. Although the modeling time with the method is longer than that with the HMD method, the model is more stable and moderate, and could lead to abnormal increases in WBV and PV; Whereas the HMD method only induced transient increase in plasma viscosity and abnormal increase in SBP. The model is more similar to traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and pathogenesis, with higher value for studies on efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines.

Alcoholism ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Viscosity ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; adverse effects ; metabolism

Objective To detect the effect of ox‐LDL on self‐renewal and Oct‐4 express of MSCs in vitro .Methods MSCs cul‐tured in vitro were divided into 4 groups :blank control(no reagents in culture system ) ,ox‐LDL (1 ,5 ,10 ,20 μg/mL ox‐LDL were added into culture system) ,ox‐LDL+NAC(corresponding ox‐LDL were added into culture system after NAC treatment ) ,negative control(corresponding nLDL were added into culture system ) .Growth curve were drawn at different time ,Oct‐4 ,a stem cell special marker ,were detected by real‐time PCR ,the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species ,ROS) in culture system were measured with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy .Results proliferation of MSCs was inhibited by ox‐LDL ,when concentration of ox‐LDL was more than 5μg/mL ;apoptosis of MSCs appeared as well as attenuated expression of Bcl‐2 ,ox‐LDL generated a signifi‐cant amount of ROS in the culture system ,which was completely prevented by NAC .Conclusion The proliferation and Oct‐4 ex‐pression of MSCs were inhibited by ox‐LDL ,which may be related to increase of ROS in culture system .