Photochemical reactions of poly(3-butoxythiophene-2,5-diyl) with chloroform under irradiation with light were studied. The reactions were separately carried out under air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The obtained results showed that this reaction belongs to the pseudo-first-order reaction with a rate constant k(obs) of 1.4 x 10(-5) s(-1) at room temperature. The presence or absence of air, oxygen, and nitrogen did not have obvious effects on the reaction rate under irradiation with light.
Air ; Chloroform ; analysis ; chemistry ; radiation effects ; Kinetics ; Light ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; Oxygen ; chemistry ; Photochemistry ; methods ; Thiophenes ; analysis ; chemistry ; radiation effects

(1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR assignments of 12-oleanene-3,11-dione (compound 1) were completely described for the first time through conventional 1D NMR and 2D shift-correlated NMR experiments using (1)H-(1)HCOSY, HMQC, HMBC techniques. Based on its NMR data, the assignments of 28-hydroxyolean-12-ene-3,11-dione (compound 2) were partially revised.
Euonymus ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Conformation ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; analysis ; chemistry

The relation between the critical radius and the particle size distribution for generalized Ostwald type ripening processes whereby the mass transfer coefficient is modelled by a power law was derived. The critical radius is determined by the growth rate, the mass transfer coefficient and the mass balance, and is independent of whether the limiting stationary growth regime has been obtained.
Computer Simulation ; Crystallization ; methods ; Macromolecular Substances ; analysis ; chemistry ; Models, Chemical ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Conformation ; Particle Size

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) on promoting cell proliferation, regulating levels of cellular nitric oxide (NO) and mRNA transcriptions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) in mouse osteoblast-like cells.

<b>METHODSb>Mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 was selected as the effective cell of IGF-II. After the cells were treated with IGF-II at different concentrations for different time duration, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay was used to examine cell proliferation, and nitrate reductase method was applied to detect NO concentrations in cell culture supernatants and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to determine transcription levels of cellular iNOS and eNOS mRNAs.

<b>RESULTSb>After the MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with IGF-II at concentration of 1 ng/ml for 72 h, 10 and 100 ng/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h respectively, all the MTT values increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01) with obvious dosage-time dependent pattern. NO levels of the MC3T3-E1 cells treated with 100 ng/ml IGF-II for 48 h, and with 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml IGF-II for 72 h were remarkably lower than that of the normal control, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After the cells were treated with 100 ng/ml IGF-II for 48 h cellular iNOS mRNA levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). But the levels of eNOS mRNA in the cells treated with each of the used IGF-II dosages for different time duration did not show any differences compared with the normal control (P>0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>IGF-II at different concentrations could promote proliferation of mouse MC3T3-E1 cell. This cell proliferation promotion was associated with the low NO levels maintained by IGF-II. Higher concentration of IGF-II could down-regulate iNOS gene expression at the level of transcription but not affect transcription of eNOS mRNA, which might be one of the mechanisms for IGF-II maintenance of the low NO levels in MC3T3-E1 cells.

3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; physiology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; administration & dosage ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the relationship between the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis in primary astrocytoma.

<b>METHODSb>Thirty-seven primary astrocytomas and 4 astrocytic hyperplasia samples were collected and divided into three groups according to histological grade. The expression of eNOS, VEGF and factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIRAg) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Microvascular density was assessed by FVIIIRAg immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunoreactivity was graded according to the percentage of positive tumor cells.

<b>RESULTSb>No eNOS and VEGF were expressed in the astrocytes and vascular endothelium in astrocytic hyperplasia. The expression of eNOS or VEGF was light in low-grade astrocytoma and strong in glioblastoma. eNOS expression in astrocytoma was very positively correlated with VEGF. eNOS and VEGF expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was median in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Lower microvascular density was found in low grade astrocytoma than that in higher grade malignant ones. The expressions of eNOS and VEGF were correlated with microvascular density and tumor malignancy.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>This finding suggests that eNOS and VEGF may have cooperative effect in tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary astrocytoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate effects of developmental lead exposure on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in different brain regions and on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor mRNA expression in the hippocampus of rats. On the basis of these observations, we explored possible mechanisms by which lead exposure leads to impaired learning and memorizing abilities in children.

<b>METHODSb>A series of rat animal models exposed to low levels of lead during the developing period was established (drinking water containing 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.075% lead acetate). NOS activities in the hippocampus, the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum and the brain stem were determined with fluorescence measurement and levels of mRNA expression of the NMDA receptor 2A (NR2A) subunit and NMDA receptor 2B (NR2B) subunit in the rat hippocampus were measured with Retro-translation (RT-PCR).

<b>RESULTSb>There were no differences in the body weight of rat pups between any of the groups at any given time (P>0.05). The blood lead level of Pb-exposed rat pups showed a systematic pattern of change: at 14 d of age, it was lower than that at 7 d of age, then rising to the peak level at 21 d and finally falling to lower levels at 28 d. The hippocampal NOS activities of lead-exposed groups were all lower than that of the control group on the 21st and 28th day (P<0.01). NOS activities in the cerebellum of lead-exposed groups were all lower than that of the control group on the 21st and 28th day (P<0.001) and the NOS activity of the 0.025% group was significantly lower than that of the 0.05% and 0.075% groups on the 28th day (P<0.05). NOS activity in the cerebral cortex of the 0.075% group was significantly lower than that of the control, 0.025% and 0.05% groups on the four day spans (P<0.001). There was no significant difference of NOS activity in the brain stem between any lead-exposed group and the control group on the four day spans. In the 0.05% and the 0.075% groups, the level of NR2A mRNA expression was higher than that in the control group at 7 d and 14 d of age (P<0.05). In the 0.025% group, the level of NR2A was found to be higher than that in the control group at 7 d of age only (P<0.05). No significant differences were found for the levels of NR2B mRNA expression between any of the groups at any given time.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>NOS activity in the hippocampus, the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum are inhibited by lead exposure. The degree of the inhibitory effect depends on the time span of exposure and the lead concentration. Developmental low-level lead exposure was found to raise the level of NR2A mRNA expression in the hippocampus of rats. Developmental low-level lead exposure does not affect the level of NR2B mRNA expression in the hippocampus.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Female ; Lead ; toxicity ; Male ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To explore better therapy and reduce the rate of re-relapse of primary nephritic syndrome in children who had been treated with corticosteroids but relapsed.

<b>METHODSb>Eighty relapsers were enrolled from Jan. 1994 to Apr. 2000, who were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n=39) had been treated with tripterysium glucosides for three months, with the control group (n=41) members were treated with cyclophosphmide (CTX) by intermission intravenous pulse, with total dose of CTX not being more than 150 mg/kg. Prednisone, meanwhile, was given to both groups. The total treatment period of prednisone was prolonged by 12-18 months.

<b>RESULTSb>After following up for 3-7 years, the re-relapse rates of both groups were observed. The re-relapse rate of the treatment group was 28.2% to 29.3% in the CTX-controlled group. The re-relapse rates between two groups were almost similar, and with no observed significant difference (P>0.05). The side effect of tripterysium glucosides was less than that of CTX.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>For the treatment of relapsing nephritic syndrome in children, the combination of tripterysium glucosides and prolonged corticosteroid therapy is as effective as the regimen of CTX plus prolonged use of prednisone.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Secondary Prevention ; Treatment Outcome

<b>OBJECTIVEb>This study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the quality of life in patients who underwent laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystolithiasis.

<b>METHODSb>The study included 25 patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group) and 26 with open cholecystectomy (OC group). The quality of life was measured with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GLQI) preoperatively, thereafter regularly at 2, 5, 10 and 16 weeks after the operation.

<b>RESULTSb>The mean preoperative overall GLQI scores were 112.5 and 110.3 in LC and OC group respectively (P>0.05). In the LC group, the mean overall GLQI score reduced slightly to 110.0 two weeks after the operation (P>0.05). The LC group showed significant improvement in overall score and in the aspects of symptomatology, emotional and physiological status from 5 to 16 weeks postoperatively. In the OC group, the GLQI score reduced to 102.0 two weeks after surgery (P<0.05). Significant reductions were shown in the aspects of symptomatology, physiological and social status. The GLQI scores returned to the preoperative level of 115.6 ten weeks after the operation (P>0.05). The patients experienced significant improvements of GLQI sixteen weeks after OC operation (P<0.01~0.05). Within the 10 postoperative weeks, the LC group had significantly higher GLQI scores than the OC group (P<0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>LC can improve the quality of life postoperatively better and more rapidly than OC. The assessment of quality of life assessment is a valid method for measuring the effects of surgical treatment.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholecystectomy ; statistics & numerical data ; Cholecystolithiasis ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; epidemiology ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postcholecystectomy Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Quality Assurance, Health Care ; methods ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To study the therapeutic potential of Fas inhibition in different diseases, a Fas-targeting siRNA (small interfering)-expressing plasmid was constructed.

<b>METHODSb>The U6 promoter cassette and siFas (small interfering RNA that inhibit Fas expression) template sequence were obtained by PCR method. They were cloned into modified pcDNA3.1. The resultant plasmid pU6-siFas was transfected into P815 cells with lipofectin2000 and selected under G-418-containing culture medium. Fas inhibition in stably transfected cells was detected by immunocytochemistry.

<b>RESULTSb>The plasmid pU6-siFas efficiently reduced the expression of Fas and conferred G-418 resistance in P815 cells.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>The successful construction of the siRNA expressing plasmid will facilitate the application of RNA interference technique and lay the foundation for further study of Fas inhibition in the treatment of different diseases such as aplastic anemia and acute liver failure.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Gene Targeting ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Mastocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Plasmids ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

In our previous work we reported that HIV Tat and 6 cysteine rich peptides of Tat induce tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL) in human monocytes (Yang et al., 2003). Here our results showed that HIV Tat and Tat cysteine rich peptide increase CCR5 expression in human monocytes, and this activity is inhibited by rabbit anti-Tat. Boiled Tat does not increase CCR5 expression in monocytes. These results provide insight into a new mechanism by which HIV Tat plays a key role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Cysteine ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Extracellular Fluid ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Gene Products, tat ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptides ; chemistry