Semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D), also known as CD100, is a protein that belongs to class IV semaphorin. Its physiologic role in the nervous system has been extensively explored. However, the roles of SEMA4D have extended beyond the traditionally studied territories. Collective data proved that SEMA4D has an important role in the regulation of immune system, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis, among others. Specifically, SEMA4D enhanced the angiogenesis in malignant diseases. This review summarized the latest progression in the research on SEMA4D, including the structure, receptors, mechanism, and biological functions in tumor angiogenesis and progression.

OBJECTIVETo establish the qualitative and quantitative methods of gallic acid in pomegranate rind.

METHODThe thin layer chromatographic method was used for identitication, and the high performance liquid chromatographic method was used for assay. Extracts were separated on a Diamonsil C18 column eluted with the mobile phase of a mixture of acetonitrile containing 0.2% methanol and water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid and 0.1% TEA (3:97). The detection wavelength was set at 216 nm, and colum temperature was 40 degrees C.

RESULTThe calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.085-0.768 microg (r = 0.9996). The average recovery was 96.7% (RSD 0.8%, n = 5). 20 batches of the crude drug were identified and assayed, with the methods.

CONCLUSIONThe methods were sensitive and reliable, and can be used for quality control of the pomegranate rind.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Punicaceae ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo investigate the species distribution of the common inhaled allergens among the primary and middle school students in Beijing.METHODSA total of 1280 students who were randomly selected underwent 20 kinds of common allergen skin prick test. Skin prick test were positive in 495 students.RESULTS49.3% of the Beijing primary and secondary school students were positive for more than four kinds of allergens. The dust mites and fall pollen allergens were positive at the same time in 37.4% of the allergen positive students. The commonest three allergens were D. farina, D. pteronginus and Large seed fleabane pollen in urban area, and were dermatophagoides farinae, willow tree pollen and Large seed fleabane pollen in suburban area. The positive rate of skin prick test decreased with age.CONCLUSIONThe dust mites and fall pollen are the most important allergens in primary and middle school students in Beijing.

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Beijing primary and middle school students.METHODSStratified cluster sampling was conducted with the school as a unit. The investigated subjects included the 7 to 15 years old students from the primary and middle school in Beijing Dongcheng District and Changping District. The epidemiological investigation was carried out using the designed allergic rhinitis questionnaire. Allergen skin prick test was performed in students randomly selected from those who participated the questionnaire survey. The results were statistically analyzed.RESULTS1. The self-reported prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 49.68% in Beijing primary and middle school students. 2. Self-reported prevalence increased with age going up. 3. City center self-reported prevalence was higher than that in suburb areas. 4. The confirmed prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Beijing primary and middle school students was 21.09%, in which, the male prevalence rate was 24.83% and the female prevalence rate was 14.11%. 5. The 5.14% of the students with allergic rhinitis were combined with asthma.CONCLUSIONThe self-reported and confirmed prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Beijing primary and middle school students was 49.68% and 21.09% respectively.

Objective To study inflammatory cytokines changes in brain tissue of neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).Method A total of 80 neonatal SD rats (P3) were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups,sham-operated group and PVL group.Rats in each group were further assigned into four subgroups (12,24,48,72 h),with 10 rats in each subgroup.The hypoxic-ischemic PVL modal were established following the procedure:first,isolation and ligation of left common carotid artery,and then exposed to 8％ O2 and 92％ N2 for 2.5 h.The sham-operated rats were processed with isolation of left common carotid artery only.Rats of the four subgroups were sacrificed at 12,24,48 h and 72 h respectively,then the brains were rapidly removed in corresponding time.Pathological changes of brain tissues were observed using HE stain.The mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and inter leukin-1β (IL-1β) were assessed using real-time quantitative PCR assays,the protein levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method.Result The brains tissues of rats in PVL group showed remarkably hyperemia and edema,with left ventricle enlargement.Periventricular white matter structure was disintegrated comparing with sham-operated group.The expression of TNF-α and IL-1 β mRNA in PVL group increased significantly,reaching peak by 24 h and then gradually decreased 72 h after the procedure.The mRNA levels of TNF-c and IL-1 β were significantly different between each two time points of 12,24 h and 48 h in PVL group (P ＜0.05).However,there was no differences between 72 h and 48 h within PVL and sham-operated group group(P ＞0.05).In PVL group,the protein expression trends of TNF-α and IL-1 β were similar to mRNA expression trends.Moreover,the protein levels were significantly different between each two time points of TNF-α and IL-1 β,respectively (P ＜ 0.01).The protein expression levels of TNF-α were different at each time point between PVL group and sham-operated group[(189.2 ± 20.4) pg/ml vs.(131.4 ±5.2) pg/ml at 12 h,(213.8 ± 16.7) pg/ml vs.(127.7 ±7.4) pg/ml at 24 h,(181.7 ± 15.0) pg/ml vs.(126.3 ± 6.0) pg/ml at 48 h,(159.6 ± 25.3) pg/ml vs.(131.4 ± 6.0) pg/ml at 72 h;P ＜0.01].The protein levels of IL-1β were different between the two groups only at 24 h and 48 h.[(121.8 ±30.0) pg/ml vs.(67.4 ± 13.7) pg/ml,(83.3 ± 15.7) pg/ml vs.(65.3 ± 14.9) pg/ml;P ＜0.05].In sham-operated group,no differences of TNF-α and IL-1 β protein levels were found between any different time points (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β are involved in ischemic-hypoxia induced PVL.Dynamic detection of inflammatory factors is expected to be an important method of early diagnosis,assessment of treatment efficacy and prognosis of PVL.

Background and purpose:More and s’more evidence has demonstrated that DNMT1 was expressed at high levels in many different kinds of human tumor tissues or cells,suggesting that high expression of DNMT1 was closely associated with occurrence and development of tumors.In this study,effect of down-regulation of DNMT1 on cell proliferation and migration ability of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) cell line EC9706 cells was studied and its related mechanism was explored.Methods:Cell proliferation assay was investigated using CCK-8 Kit,cell migration ability was analyzed using Boyden chamber and the expressions of DNMT1 and MMP-2 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting methods.Results:The result of cell proliferation experiment showed that down-regulation of DNMT1 could markedly inhibit cell proliferation in EC9706 cells.After transfection with DNMT1 siRNA,invasiveness and metastasis ability of EC9706 cells displayed an obvious decrease(P

Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Hypopharynx ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue

In order to test the equilibrium solubility of puerarin in different solvents and solubilizer,cilia toxicity and irritation of these excipient, the balance method, toad in the ciliary body toxicity and rat nasal mucosa irritation were used respectively. Results showed that puerarin solubility was 56.44 g x L(-1) in combined solvent of 30% PEG200 and 10% Kolliphor HS 15. With normal saline solution as negative control and sodium deoxycholate as positive control, the effects of 30% PEG200, 30% PEG 400, 10% Kolliphor HS 15 and combination of 30% of PEG200 and 10% Kolliphor HS 15 on toad palate cilium were observed and cilia movement duration was recorded. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in cilia movement duration among 30% PEG200, 10% Kolliphor HS 15 and normal saline group. The rats long-term nasal mucous membrane irritation of 30% PEG 400, 10% Kolliphor HS 15, which had no cilia toxicity, was studied, with normal saline solution as negative control. There were no significant difference revealed on rat nasal mucosa epithelial thickness among 30% PEG 400, 10% Kolliphor HS 15 and normal saline. Above researches showed 30% PEG 400, 10% Kolliphor HS 15 was ideal for solubility of puerarin nasal drops and showed a lower cilia toxicity and irritation, and can be used as the solvent and solubilizer of puerarin nasal drops.
Administration, Intranasal ; methods ; Animals ; Anura ; Cilia ; chemistry ; Female ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility ; Solvents ; chemistry

Objective To study the receptors for the axon guidance factor Netrin-4 and whether the known Netrin-1 receptors, DCC and UNC5H1, are coreceptors for Netrin-4. Methods The receptor for Netrin-4 was detected by affinitycytochemistry and in situ staining with the alkaline phosphatase (AP) tagged Netrin-4 fusion protein. The dynamic character of the binding between Netrin-4 and its receptor was evaluated through ligand-receptor binding assay and competitive binding assay. Results In situ staining of AP4-Netrin-4 protein bound to COS7 cells transiently transfected with eukaryotic expression coding DCC and UNC5H1 showed that the Netrin-4 could bind to the transfected cells. Competitive binding assays showed that Netrin-1 could compete with Netrin-4 for the same receptors. Conclusion DCC and UNC5H1 are coreceptors for Netrin-4. However, because the binding affinity of Netrin-4 with its receptor was lower than that of Netrin-1,it could be inferred that there should exist unique receptor(s) for Netrin-4 other than DCC and UNC5H1.

Using sustained release tablets of gardenia extract as model drug and DPPH radical scavenging capacity as antioxidant index, the feasibility of using pharmacodynamics index was explored to evaluate sustained release tablets. Applying the established quantifiable method of DPPH radical scavenging to the dissolved liquid of model drug, release profiles and biological effects profiles were drawn, and their correlation was discussed. A good correlation was observed by linear regression and f2 actor, suggesting that the indicator could be used to evaluate sustained release tabletsofextracts of gardenia in which iridoids were mainly involved.
Antioxidants ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Linear Models ; Oxidation-Reduction ; drug effects ; Picrates ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Tablets