Objective To further investigate the accuracy of the real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE) in evaluating right ventricular(RV) systolic function.Methods RT-3DE,MRI and SPECT were used to study a total 30 patients including 10 with coronary artery disease,7 with hypertension,5 with cardiomyopathy,5 with atrial septal defect,and 3 with pulmonary hypertension.The RV end-diastolic volume(RVEDV),RV end-systolic volume(RVESV),RV stroke volume(RVSV) and RV ejection fraction(RVEF) were measured.The correlation and the difference between different modalities were compared.Results RT-3DE had a good correlation with MRI in RVEDV,RVESV,RVSV and RVEF (rEDV =0.811,rESV =0.837,rSV =0.818,and rEF =0.701).Also RT-3DE had a correlation with SPECT in RVEDV,RVESV,and RVSV(rEDV =0.526,rESV =0.493,rSV =0.514),but there was no correlation between RT-3DE and SPECT in RVEF (rEF =0.235).Conclusions RT-3DE can assess RV systolic function accurately.

AIMTo study the antitumor mechanism of 3-bromopropionylamino benzoylurea (JIMB01) on leukemia and lymphoma.

METHODSThe antitumor effects of JIMB01 in cell culture was detected by MTT staining. JIMB01-induced apoptosis in leukemia and lymphoma cells was tested by Giemsa staining, fluorescent Hoechst33258 staining, as well as DNA gel electrophoresis. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. JIMB01-induced Bcl-2 phosphorylation in CEM cell lines was detected by Western blot methods. The activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were determined by colorimetric protease assay and that of caspase-9 was determined by fluorescent intensity.

RESULTSThis compound showed antiproliferative activities in a panel of nine human leukemia and lymphoma cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.25 micromol x L(-10 to 0. 51 micromol x L(-1). Morphological observation and cell cycle analysis indicated that CEM cells were blocked at mitosis phase by JIMB01. The fluorescent Hoechst33258 staining showed apoptotic nuclear degradation dispersed in the cytoplasm of CEM cells exposed to JIMB01 at 0. 80 micromol x L(-1) for 24 h. DNA degradation in the form of a multiple-unit DNA ladder was clearly demonstrated in CEM leukemia cells treated with JIMB01 at 0.15 micromol x L(-1) or higher for 24 h using agarose gel electrophoresis. Bcl-2 phosphorylation became visible, in Western blot, within 6 h in CEM cells treated with JIMB01 at 0.15 micromol x L(-1) or higher for 24 h. JIMB01 increased the activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 in CEM cells; DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, inhibited the cytotoxicity of JIMB01 in CEM leukemia cells.

CONCLUSIONThe antitumor mechanism of JIMB01 is that JIMB01 may induce tumor cell apoptosis through Bcl-2 phosphorylation and then caspase passway.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 8 ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA Fragmentation ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, T-Cell ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; U937 Cells ; Urea ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to investigate the expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and survivin gene in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and to explore their relationship. The expression of hTERT mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) of 56 patients with MDS and 27 patients with iron deficiency anemia were detected by RT-PCR, the expressions of survivin gene in BMMNCs of 55 patients with MDS and 12 patients with iron deficiency anemia were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of hTERT significantly elevated in RA and RAEB patients, as compared with controls (p<0.005). With the disease alleviated, the expression of hTERT decreased and had no significant difference from the controls (p>0.25). There was no significant difference in expression of hTERT between low+int-1 risk group and int-2+high-risk group by IPSS (p>0.50). The expression of survivin gene significantly increased in RA and RAEB patients, as compared with controls (p<0.02, p<0.05). The expression of survivin gene in low+int-1 risk group by IPSS was significantly higher than that in the controls (p<0.02), and there was no significant difference in expression of survivin gene between int-2+high-risk group patients and the controls (p>0.10). It is concluded that the expressions of hTERT and survivin may play a critical role in escaping malignant clone of MDS from apoptosis and acquiring the ability to divide unlimitedly.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; enzymology ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the biological characteristics of osteoblasts from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and their supportive capacity for hematopoiesis in vitro. A two-dimensional culture system was constructed by using osteoblasts derived from human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC); MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of MDS patients and normal individuals and were cultured; the third passage of MSCs were induced into osteoblasts which were treated with mitomycin C and confluenced into a feeder layer. Ficolled bone marrow mononuclear cells were obtained from normal individuals and seeded into the two-dimensional culture system to culture in vitro without exogenous cytokines. By using colony-forming assay, the ability of the two-dimensional system to culture HPCs was observed. The cytokine expression of osteoblasts from MDS patient bone marrows in mRNA level was detected by RT-PCR and was compared with human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19. The results showed that the osteoblasts from MDS patients could support short-term survival of GM-CFC in condition without exogenous cytokines, that is, osteoblasts played a crucial role in regulation of HPC growth. The results of RT-PCR clearly demonstrated that the osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 expressed SCF, IL-6, SDF-1alpha, G-CSF and GM-CSF. The same expression patterns of above cytokines were also seen in osteoblasts derived from BM-MSCs of MDS patients and normal individuals, but these cells did not express GM-CSF. It is concluded that the biological characteristics of osteoblasts from bone marrow of MDS patients are generally not different from those of osteoblasts from normal bone marrow. Both of them can support GM -CFC to form colonies in vitro, it may be associated with expressing important related cytokines by osteoblasts.
Cytokines ; metabolism ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Progenitor Cells ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoblasts ; metabolism ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Stem Cell Factor ; metabolism

Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression vector of human BRE1B labeled with pCMV-Tag-2B and detect its biological activity in melanoma cells preliminarily.Methods Ocular B16 melanoma cells were randomly divided into the experimental group,in which the cells were transfected with pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B and the control group,which was transfected with pCMV plasmid.The CDS coding region of human BRE1B gene was amplified by PCR using human mammary gland cDNA as a template for construction of the recombinant plasmid pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B.After transfected with pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B and pCMV plasmid in the experimental and control group,respectively,Western blot was applied to detect the expression of BRE1B protein,while cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and colony assays were used to analyze the effects of recombinant plasmid pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B on the growth of B16 melanoma cells.Results The CDS coding sequence of human BRE1B gene was amplified by PCR successfully,which was equal to the expected size.Compared with the control group,the sequence from bacteria PCR was identified as positive,with the length of 4000 bp and 3050 bp by double enzyme digestion respectively.Moreover,the coding sequence of the human BRE1B gene was exactly the same as the inserted DNA sequence.Western blot results showed that the expression of recombinant plasmid pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B was successfully expressed in the experimental group,but there was no specific fragments in the control group.And cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and colony assays showed that pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B recombinant plasmid could inhibit the growth of B16 melanoma cells.Conclusion The eukaryotic expression vector of pCMV-Tag-2B-BRE1B labeled with pCMV-Tag-2B is constructed successfully,and it has inhibitory effects on the growth of ocular B16 melanoma cells.

Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression vector of pyruvate kinase M1 (PKM1) gene labeled with pXJ-40-myc and detect its biological activity in ocular B16 melanoma cells.Methods Ocular B16 melanoma ceils were randomly divided into experimental and control group,and the experimental group was transfected with pXJ-40-myc-PKM1 plasmid and the control group was transfected with pXJ-40-myc plasmid.Then PKM1 gene was amplified by PCR with human liver cDNA library as the template.The recombinant plasmid pXJ-40-myc-PKM1 was identified by bacteria PCR and double enzyme digestion,followed by transfection of pXJ40-myc-PKM1 and pXJ-40-myc plasmid into B16 melanoma cells,and finally,the expression of PKM1 protein was verified by the Western blot,while wound healing assay was used to detect the effects of PKM1 on the migration of ocular melanoma ceils.Results The length of PKM1 gene was 1800bp,which was consistent with the expected size.Compared with the control group,the result of bacteria PCR was positive.The length of double enzyme digestion was 4000 bp and 1800 bp respectively.Western blot results showed that recombinant plasmld pXJ-40-myc-PKM1 was successfully expressed in ocular B16 melanoma cells.Compared with the control group,wound healing assay showed that recombinant plasmid could inhibit the migration of ocular B16 melanoma cells.Conclusion The eukaryotic expression vector of pXJ-40-myc-PKM1 is successfully constructed,which can suppress the migration of ocular B16 melanoma cells.

Objective The contents of 11 nucleosides and base components in 10 batches of samples from 5 provinces(cities)including Chongqing,Yunnan and Shaanxi were determined,and the differences in nucleosides and base components in Fritillaria taipaiensis were compared by chemometric analysis,and the quality was comprehensively evaluated,so as to provide a reference for the cultivation of excellent varieties and the selection of medicinal materials.Methods Nucleoside and base components were extracted from Fritillaria taipaiensis by ultrasonication in aqueous solutions,and the content of each component was determined by HPLC-DAD method.The origin was classified by principal component analysis(PCA)and hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA).Partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA)was used to determine the differentiated index components in Fritillaria taipaiensis.Then the differences in the contents of the index components among samples from different origins were compared.Results It was found that 11 nucleoside and base components differed significantly among different origins of Fritillaria taipaiensis.Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that all samples could be clustered into 4 categories.Five characteristic components,including uracil,cytosine,uridine,inosine,and adenosine,were identified by PLS-DA.The nucleosides and bases in samples from Chongqing and Hubei were relatively high,and the quality of the samples was comparatively superior.Conclusion This method is simple,reproducible,accurate and reliable.It has screened out the index nucleoside and base components in the identification of Fritillaria taipaiensis of different origins,which can be used to initially elucidate the differences of samples between different origins.Additionally,it can better reflect the quality of Fritillaria taipaiensis,and can provide reference for the selection of procurement origin and the quality control for Fritillaria taipaiensis.

In this study a reduction-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) was prepared for the co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and siRNA and then evaluated as a lung cancer targeting delivery system in vitro. The amphiphilic polymer of poly-L-lysine-lipoic acid (PLA) based on poly-L-lysine (PLL) with lipoic acid (LA) was synthesized via amidation reaction and characterized by ¹H NMR. The DOX loaded PLA NPs were prepared via dialysis method, and siRNA was loaded via electrostatic attraction to prepare the co-delivery NPs system (PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs). Then PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs were coated with HA to obtain HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs. The tumor microenvironment-responsive properties under different pH or reduction condition of HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs were evaluated by investigating the particle size and zeta potential. Cellular uptake of HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA^FAM-NPs by A549 cells and endosomal escape of siRNA were studied using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). ¹H NMR spectrum demonstrated that PLA was successfully synthesized with LA grafting rate of 25.1%. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL) of HA-PLA/DOX-NPs was (86.93±8.91)% and (4.17±0.68)%, respectively, and siRNA was loaded at an N/P of 6:1 in carrier. HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs exhibited a suitable size of (167.3±9.9) nm and negative charge of (-15.5±1.4) mV with the optimal ratio of PLA and HA of 1:3. Additionally, the zeta potential of HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs significantly increased with charge reversal from negative to positive after the treatment with HAase, and the particle size of HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA-NPs changed significantly under the condition of 10 mmol·L^-1 glutathione (GSH). The release profiles in vitro demonstrated that HA-PLA/DOX-NPs exhibited a maintained release behavior at pH 7.4 and the adding of GSH (10 mmol·L^-1) led to rapid release of DOX from NPs. In vitro cellular uptake and subcellular distribution study demonstrated that themodification of HA enhanced the affinity of NPs to A549 cells and targeting ability, and the cellular uptake of HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA^FAM-NPs significantly increased after the treatment with HAase. It was observed that HA-PLA/DOX-siRNA^FAM-NPs could escape from endo-lysosomes followed by sharp payloads release to their relative targets. All these results demonstrated that the co-loaded NPs have a high entrapment efficiency of DOX and siRNA. And they also exhibited an active tumor targeting efficiency and tumor microenvironment-responsive properties, which were beneficial to cellular uptake and intracellular release of DOX and siRNA. In conclusion, these reduction-responsive NPs modified with HA have great potential as co-delivery systems for antitumor agents and siRNA.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Hongjingtian (Gadol) injection on cardiac hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen consumption for analyzing its underlying mechanism in the treatment of coronary heart disease.

METHODA total of 20 dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg x kg(-1), i.v.) were evenly randomized into control group, low-dose Gadol (LDG) group, high-dose Gadol (HDG) group and Herbesser Injection group. The blood flow volume (BFV) of the left coronary artery and cardiac output (CO), left ventricular pressure (LVP), maximum ascending rate (dp/dtmax) of LVP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the femoral artery, oxygen contents of the coronary artery and coronary vein (venous sinus), oxygen consumption index (OCI), cardiac index (CI), coronary artery resistance (CAR) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) as well as oxygen utilization rate (OUR) were detected respectively.

RESULTAfter venous injection of Gadol, CAR, MAP, TPR, OCI, myocardial oxygen consumption and heart rate lowered significantly (P < 0.05-0.01), while BFV and blood oxygen content of the venous sinus increased considerably (P < 0.05-0.01) in comparison with pre-injection. No significant differences were found in LVP and myocardial contractivity between control group and LDG, and between control and HDG groups respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt showed dilation of the coronary artery and reduction of the cardiac afterload after injection of Gadol. Besides, CO and stroke volume increased considerably and the cardiac effective work was raised without any significant simultaneous increase of both myocardial contractility and LVP. A decrease in the myocardial oxygen consumption and reduction of OCI indicates an improvement of the oxygen supply of the myocardium, and a favorable regulation of the compliance of the cardiac vessels. As a result, the cardiovascular performance was ameliorated. The abovementioned improvement of these indexes may contribute to the therapeutic effect of Gadol in the treatment of coronary heart disease in clinic.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Cardiac Output ; drug effects ; Dogs ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rhodiola ; chemistry ; Vascular Resistance ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of resveratrol on constrictions of isolated human intrapulmonary arteries and its mechanisms.

METHODSIntrapulmonary arteries (1-1.5 mm in diameter) were dissected and cut into rings (1.8-2.0 mm in length) under microscope, and were then mounted in a Multi Myograph system. The rings were stimulated with 100 nmol/L U46619, 30 nmol/L endothelin-1, or 60 mmol/L KCl to produce sustained contraction of the intrapulmonary arteries, after which resveratrol was applied cumulatively. Endothelium denudation, L-NAME and indomethecin were used to investigate the effect of resveratrol on constrictions of the isolated arteries, suing DMSO as the control.

RESULTSResveratrol induced concentration-dependent relaxations in endothelium-intact rings that contracted in response to stimulations with U46619, ET-1 and KCl, with pD2 of 3.82±0.20, 3.84±0.57, and 3.68±0.27, Emax of (99.58±0.83)%, 100%, and (99.65±0.98)%, respectively. Treatment of the arterial rings with the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, but not with indomethecin or endothelium denudation, obviously affected the relaxant effects of resveratrol.

CONCLUSIONResveratrol can concentration-dependently produce relaxant effect on human intrapulmonary arteries independent of the endothelium possibly by promoting synthesis and release of NO.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; pharmacology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects