Objective To construct pSUPER-ARPC2 vector and to obtain its expression in eukaryotic cell, in order to down-regulate the expression of ARPC2. Methods Oligonucleotide sequences specific for ARPC2 were designed for RNAi, and cloned into pSUPER.basic vector after annealing by restriction enzyme digestion and ligation. After identification by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing, the plasmid of positive clones was transfected into HEK 293 cells for three times. The expression of ARPC2 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results It was found that the expression of ARPC2 was definitely knocked down by transfection with pSUPER-ARPC2. Conclusions The RNAi expression vector of ARPC2 was constructed successfully, which was showed to possess the ability to knockdown the expression of ARPC2 by different methods. So, pSUPER-ARPC2 should be a powerful tool in the study of function of ARPC2.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (LFPMF) on neuron following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into irradiation group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion models of rats were produced by modified Pulsineli method. Rats in irradiation group were exposed to 20 mT intensity LFPMF of 10 Hz for 45 minutes per day for 4 days. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded by powerlab system. Nissl staining was used to perform quantitative analysis of neuron number and immunohistochemistry staining provided the information of the distribution of positive cells to caspase-3.Results Compared with the control group, the amplitude of EEG was significantly higher in irradiation group [(10.27?1.12)?V versus (8.95?1.04)?V] (P

Objective To investigate the effect of high glucose and losartan on cell proliferation and cyelooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression in normal human mesangial cells (NHMCs), and to examine the effect of losartan on COX2 and transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-β1) expression in a model of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods NHMCs were cultured in vitro in high glucose media with or without losartan. NHMCs proliferation and COX2 expression were determined by WST-1, Western blot,and RT-PCR. The rat model of DN was produced by injections of streptozocin (STZ). After the treatment with losartan for 4 weeks, glomerular hypertrophy, urinary thromboxane B2(TXB2) and 24 h urinary pro-tein counts were measured,and COX2 and TGF-β1 expressions were investigated using immunohistochem-ical techniques and RT-PCR. Results Losartan dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of NHMCs in response to high glucose. Losartan also decreased COX2 expression in NHMCs at high or low glucose concentrations. In vivo experiments found kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW), urinary TXB2 and 24 hurinary protein counts increased significantly in the DN group. Losartan reduced KW/BW, urinary TXB2,and 24 h urinary protein counts and significantly suppressed the over-expression of COX2 and TGF-β1.Conclusion Losartan reduces COX2 expression in NHMCs, especially at high glucose concentrations.Losartan could suppress the expression of COX2 and TGF-β1 in the kidney of DN rats and attenuate the renal lesions caused by DN.

Systems biology, which includes genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics, is an integration of system theory and biology. It studies the life phenomena with thinking method of systems theory. And it provides an important methodological basis and technical conditions for recognizing syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mechanism of therapeutic effect from multiple disciplines and perspectives. Systems biology is similar to the core idea of TCM system and holism concept. Therefore, systems biology can be used as a platform and pivot of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in modern TCM study. Systems biology will accelerate the modernization research of TCM in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. It will also provide new ideas and methods for TCM study on NAFLD.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone injections combined with prednisone in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods A total of 71 patients diagnosed with sudden hearing loss were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injections plus prednisone (B group) or prednisone alone (A group). Hearing was evaluated by pure tone audiogram performed before initial treatment and at 4 weeks following the final treatment. Results The total recovery rate after the treatment was 81.8% in the B group and 55.3% in the A group. The diflference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study suggests that sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients treated with intratympanic dexamethasone combined with prednisone have a higher likelihood of hearing recovery than those treated with prednisone alone.

ObjectiveTo study the assistant therapic effect of the Botulinum toxin A (BTA) on tiptoe after cerebral palsy(CP).MethodsMulti point injection of BAT into the musculus gastrocnemius combined with the rehabilitate therapy was used on 35 children(39 feet)with tiptoe after CP.The therapeutic effect was evaluated after a month.ResultsThe efficiency rate is 25.6%,the slight efficiency rate is 71.8%,the ineffective rate is 2.6%.There is no toxic or side effect was observed.Conclusions The BTA can relieve spasm of musculature and redress abnormality from convulsing of musculature.

AIM: To observe the effect of partial liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon on gas exchange, hemodynamics and lung histological change in the piglets with surfactant depletion-induced acute lung injury. METHODS: 12 piglets were treated by lung lavage to a partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO 2) below 100 mmHg for one hour and randomly divided into gas ventilation group (control group) and partial liquid ventilation (PLV) group, in PLV group, piglets received PFC (FC3280) intratracheally at doses of 15 mL/kg. The parameters of gas exchange and hemodynamics were measured before lung lavage, after lung lavage when the acute lung injury (ALI) was established, and 1 hour, 2 hours after ALI. Animals underwent euthanasia at the end of the study, lung histologic analysis followed. RESULTS: Surfactant depletion by lung lavage induced a stable acute lung injury.Gas exchange increased markedly in the animals that underwent PLV, less hemodynamic damage was observed in PLV group compared with the animals in GV group. Lung histologic analysis demonstrated a less lung damage, including atelectasis, neutrophil excudation, intra-alveolar hemorrhage and interstitial edema in PLV group compared with control group. CONCLUSION: In piglets with surfactant depletion-induced acute lung injury, partial liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon can improve the gas exchange with less adverse hemodynamic effect and less lung injury compared with conventional gas ventilation.

BACKGROUND:With unique structure and physicochemical property, carbon nanotubes have promising application prospects in the fields of drug delivery, biosensor and biomaterials. However, carbon nanotubes are highly hydrophobic and trend to aggregate, and thus carbon nanotubes are hard to be dispersed in solution. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes induce blood coagulation and have cytotoxicity, which greatly limit the application of carbon nanotubes. OBJECTIVE:To prepare heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes and to study the effects of heparin-immobilization on the water solubility, stability as wel as biocompatibility of carbon nanotubes. METHODS:By the method of covalent grafting, heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was fabricated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and carbazole assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the dispersing performance and suspension stability of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution. Anti-Xa activity and activated partial thromboplastin time assays were used to measure the anticoagulation activity of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytocompatibility of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Heparin was covalently linked to the surface of single-wal ed carbon nanotubes successful y. The amount of heparin on single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was measured to be 257.53 mg/g. Heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes were wel dispersed and stable in an aqueous solution without aggregation. The anti-Xa activity of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was measured to be 36.53 U/mg, suggesting a significant anticoagulant activity. Further study of activated partial thromboplastin time assay found that the anticoagulant effect of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes could be prolonged. MTT assay revealed that heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes had no cytotoxicity and showed good cytocompatibility. Taken together, the immobilization of heparin on single-wal ed carbon nanotubes wil not only improve its solubility and stability in water, but also endow it with excellent biocompatibility.

To investigate the herbal medicines which play a main role in Chinese herbal formula Jianpi Huoxue Decoction for improving intestinal permeability and protect alcohol-induced liver injury and intestine damage, and to explore the analysis method for the material base of pharmacological effects of the Chinese herbal compound.