Objective To investigate the effect of 1, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1, 25 (OH)2D3) on adipocyte differen-tiation and the underlying mechanism. Methods The mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 was randomly divided into 6 groups including control group, differentiation group and 4 different doses of 1, 25(OH)2D3 groups. The control group was treated with vehicle. The differentiation group was supplemented with adipocyte differentiation reagent. And the 1,25(OH)2D3 groups were treated with adipocyte differentiation reagents and 10-9, 10-8, 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L of 25(OH)2D3. After culturing for 5 days, the cells were stained with oil red O, and the expression levels of adipocyte-specific transcription factors and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes were examined by RT-PCR or Western blot methods. Results 1,25(OH)2D3 sig-nificantly reduced the number of differentiated adipocytes and blocked the mRNA levels of adipocyte specific transcription factor PPARγ(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma), C/EBPα(CCAAT enhancer binding proteinα) and adipo-cyte characterization factor aP2 (fatty acid binding protein 4). These were paralleled by the decreased mRNA expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor sFRP1 (Secreted frizzled-related protein 1) and the increased level ofβ-catenin protein. Conclusion 1, 25(OH)2D3 inhibits adipocyte differentiation, which may be related to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and the mechanisms of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQ) on Spleen-Qi deficiency rat's model using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis methods. The rat Spleen-Qi deficiency model was established as follows: oral administration of Radix Rhei extract, loaded swimming and starvation for 24 h. The body weight and motor behavior of the rats were measured and recorded once a week. BZYQ could significantly improve body weight and behavioral of Spleen-Qi deficiency model rats compared with the model group (P < 0.05, 0.01). After drug administration, the changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in the spleen including decreasing lactate, taurine and hypoxanthine, increasing glutamate and scyllo-inositol compared with the model group. The metabolomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the pharmacologic mechanism of BZYQ and it is helpful to further research.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolomics ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Qi ; Rats ; Spleen

Objective To explore the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI)in quantitative evaluation of Lauren classification of gastric cancer.Methods Fifty-two patients with gastric cancer confirmed by gastroscopy underwent contrast-enhanced spectral CT imaging preoperatively.The monoergic and iodine-based images were obtained by GSI Viewer software,CT value and iodine concentration (IC)of the lesions were measured,and normalized iodine concentration (NIC)was calculated.With the reference of postoperative pathology,data were analyzed by LSD method of one-way analysis of variance.Results The IC,NIC,spectrum curve slope of 40-70 keV,40-140 keV and 70-140 keV energy range of intestinal type,mixed type and diffuse type carcinoma in the arterial phase were 12.86±6.80 (100 μg/mL),0.13±0.06 ,2.50±1.26 ,0.99±0.51 ,0.34±0.20 ,18.54±6.49 (100 μg/mL),0.19±0.07, 3.56±1.24,1.42±0.50,0.50±0.18 and 24.52±9.68 (100 μg/mL),0.24±0.09,4.73±1.76,1.90±0.73,0.68±0.29,respectively. The values of intestinal type were all significantly lower than those of diffuse type (P <0.05).Comparison between intestinal-mixed type and mixed-diffuse type,the other parameters were no significant differences except IC between intestinal-mixed type (P=0.037).Conclusion The slope of spectrum curve,iodine concentration,and normalized iodine concentration could be helpful for preoperative evaluation of Lauren classification of gastric cancer.

Objective To evaluate the colonoscopy surveillance in colorectal cancer patients after surgical removal of the tumor.Methods From June 1986 to June 2007,2762 asymptomatic patients who had underwent operation for colorectal cancer were put into colonoscopy surveillance.They had the first examination 3-6 months after the operation,and were re-examined once a year thereafter for 3 years.The follow-up findings were compared with those from the 218 symptomatic patients who had colorectal cancer surgery from September 1981 to May 1986.Results In 2762 asymptomatic patients,48 cases of multiple primary cancer were detected,in which 39 cases(1.4%) were found at one examination and 9 cases(0.3%)at different examination.The TNM staging of these lesions included stage Ⅰ in 6,stage Ⅱ in 31 and stage Ⅲ in 11.During the surveillance,583 cases(21.1%) of adenoma were detected and endoscopically resected,in which 17(3.2%) were invasive early cancer and 58(9.9%) were high grade dysplasia.In 218 patients with symptoms,29 cases(13.3%) of adenoma and 27 cases( 12.4%) of cancer were detected,including 4 cases of stage Ⅰ cancer,6 of stage Ⅱ and 16 of stage Ⅲ.Conclusion Colonoscopy surveillance in colorectal cancer patients after surgery is important in finding precancerous lesion and early stage cancer,and is recommended in all patients.

Bacillus anthracis collagen-like protein(BclA) is a structural component of the exosporium filaments,as well as the immunodominant antigen on the spore surface.The genes encoding BclA proteins were cloned and sequenced from three Bacillus anthracis strains separated from China.It was founded that the BclA proteins of strain A16R and 40048,containing 388 and 322 amino acids,72 and 50 copies of GXX repeat,5 and 3 copies of 21-amino-acid sequence(GPT)_(5)GDTGTT(BclA repeat) respectively,are different from those reported by foreign scholars;while the BclA protein of strain 40022,containing 370 amino acids,66 copies of GXX repeat,and 5 copies of BclA repeat,is identical with that of strain 53169 reported by others.The results are helpful for the molecular typing of B.anthracis strains,and provide a basis for the elucidation of the pathogenesis and immunogenicity of B.anthracis spore.

Background The pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) and high myopia are very complex.To construct the regulatory network of virulence genes and relevant genes that involved in pathogenicity are helpful for reveal of the pathogenesis.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate myocilin(Myoc),a gene that contributes to POAG and high myopia in eyes of BXD Recombinant Inbred(BXD RI)mice and construct the regulatory network of Myoc.Methods The affymetrix microarray system was used to detect the differential expression of Myoc in the eyes of C57BL/6J(B6),DBA/2J(D2) and BXD RI mice.Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping was performed to construct the regulatory network of Myoc gene.Results The average expression level of the Myoc gene in the BXD strains was 10.83,and the gene exhibited expression levels ranging from 8.39 in BXD55 mice tol 1.43 in B6 mice.The eQTL mapping for the Myoc gene showed a significant likelihood ratio statistic (LRS) of 21.78.The QTL was mapped in chromosome 2,and Myoc was located on chromosome 1,indicating that the Myoc gene was a trans-acting QTL.Olfml2a was identified to be a candidate upstream gene of Myoc by analysis of bioinformatics.Genetic regulatory network analysis demonstrated that a series of genes associated with Myoc probably played roles in the pathogenesis and development of POAG and high myopia.Conclusions The genetical genomics approach provides a powerful tool for constructing pathways that contribute to complex traits,such as POAG and high myopia.

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a technology for fast qualitation, quantitative analysis and separation of single cells or other biological particles. The method is rapid, sensitive and accurate, and its objective and direct result can be analyzed with multi-parameters simultaneously. The morphological, biochemical and molecular changes during apoptosis include cellular shrinkage, permeability transition of plasma membrane, caspases activation, dissipation of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, phosphatidylserine redistribution, calcium flux and DNA fragmentation and content. The review outlined the methods to characterize, identify and quantify apoptoUc cells by flow cytometry to further determine cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term clinical outcome between unilateral fixation fusion (ULF) and minimally invasive spine transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

METHODSThe clinical data of 39 patients with LDH were retrospectively analyzed from June 2008 to March 2013. There was 22 males and 17 females, aged from 45 to 75 years old with an average of 56.9 years. Therer were 3 cases in L3,4, 15 cases in L4,5, 21 cases in L5S1. Among them, 21 patients underwent unilateral fixation fusion (ULF group) and 18 underwent minimally invasive spine transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF group). Operation time, blood loss, the times of radiographic exposure and hospital stay were noted and compared between two groups. Radiograph informations were regularily accessed and VAS, ODI scores were recorded at 3 days and 3, 6, 12 months after operation, respectively. According to modified Macnab criteria, the clinical effects were evaluated at final follow-up.

RESULTSAll operations were successful without severe complications. The averaged operative time and the times of radiographic exposure in ULF group [(95 ± 25) min and (4.2 ± 0.4) times] were less than that of MIS-TLIF group [(120 ± 35) min and (10.1 ± 3.9) times] (P < 0.05). But, the mean blood loss and hospital stay in MIS-TLIF group [(75 ± 45) ml and (7.2 ± 2.2)d ]were less than that of ULF group [(165 ± 60) ml and (11.0 ± 3.7) d] (P < 0.01). All patients were followed up from 12 to 45 months with an average of 29.5 months. The VAS and ODI score had significantly improved during the follow-up and no significant differences were found between two groups at the same time point (P > 0.05). The postoperative radiographs showed internal fixation position was good. And all patients obtained bone fusion by CT scan at 1 year after operation. There was no significant differences in modified Macnab criteria between two groups at the latest follow-up (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFavorable short-term clinical effects can be achieved in suitable LDH patients with ULF or MIS-TLIF surgical procedures.

Aged ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the protection of high intensity microwave radiation on hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) activity and hippocampal CA1 structure in rats and the protectiveeffect of Qindan Granule (QG) on radiation injured rats.

METHODSTotally 48 Wistar rats were randomlydivided into 8 groups, i.e., the normal control group, post-radiation day 1, 7, and 10 groups, 7 and 10days prevention groups, day 7 and 10 treatment groups, 6 in each group. Rats in prevention groups wererespectively administered with QG liquid (1 mL/100 g, 4. 75 g crude drugs) for 7 days and 10 days bygastrogavage and then microwave radiation. Then preventive effect for radiation injury was statisticallycalculated with the normal control group and the post-radiation day 1 group. Rats in treatment groupswere firstly irradiated, and then administered with QG liquid (1 mL/100 g, 4.75 g crude drugs). Finally preventive effect for radiation injury was statistically calculated with the normal control group, post-radiation day 7 and 10 groups. Contents of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), beta endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were detected. Morphological changes and structure of hippocampal CA1 region were observed under light microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, contents of CRH and beta-EP significantly decreased in each radiation group. Serum contents of ACTH and beta-EP significantly increased in post-radiation day 1 and 7 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with radiation groups, beta-EP content in serum and pituitary significantly increased, and serum ACTH content significantly decreased in prevention groups (P < 0.05). Pituitary contents of CRH and beta-EP significantly increased in prevention groups. Serum contents of ACTH, beta-EP, and HSP70 were significantly lower in day 7 treatment group than post-radiation day 7 group (P < 0.05). Morphological results showed that pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region arranged in disorder, with swollen cells, shrunken and condensed nucleus, dark dyeing cytoplasm, unclear structure. Vessels in partial regions were dilated with static blood; tissues were swollen and sparse. In prevention and treatment groups pathological damage of hippocampal CA1 region was obviously attenuated; neurons were arranged more regularly; swollen, pycnotic, or deleted neuron number were decreased; vascular dilatation and congestion was lessened.

CONCLUSIONQG could affect HPAA function and activity of high intensity microwave radiated rats, showing certain preventive and therapeutic effects of microwave radiated rats by adjusting synthesis and release of partial bioactive peptides and hormones in HPAA, improving pathological injury in hippocampal CA1 region.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; blood ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; beta-Endorphin ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression and clinical implication of receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) in mononuclear cells and coronary atherosclerotic plaques from patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODSmRNA and protein expressions of RACK1 were detected in mononuclear cells from 29 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), 41 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 30 healthy volunteers. RACK1 protein expression was also detected by immunohistochemistry in 17 coronary atherosclerotic plaques and 6 normal autopsy coronary samples.

RESULTS(1) mRNA expression of RACK1 was significantly upregulated in mononuclear cells from patients with ACS compared with those from patients with SAP (18.71 ± 5.45 vs. 12.18 ± 4.14, P < 0.05), and the latter was also significantly higher than in healthy controls (12.18 ± 4.14 vs. 3.65 ± 1.57, P < 0.05). (2) Similar changes were observed for protein expression of RACK1 for the three groups. (3) Increased expression of RACK1 was found in atherosclerotic plaques, especially in unstable plaques, positive RACK1 stain was evidenced in foam cells, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of RACK1 is significantly upregulated in mononuclear cells from patients with coronary artery disease, especially in patients with ACS, and in coronary atherosclerotic plaques, especially in unstable plaques. Our results thus suggest that RACK1 might play an important role in the development and progression of coronary artery disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors for Activated C Kinase ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism