AIM: To investigate the effect of platycodin D on Candida albicans infection in oral epithelial cells.METHODS:The viability of the oral squamous carcinoma KB cells was detected by MTT assay after treated with different concentrations of platycodin D .The KB cells were infected with Candida albicans, and then were incubated with platycodin D at different concentrations .Adherent numbers of the Candida albicans were counted by Gram staining , and the bacterial activity and conversion were measured by Trypan blue staining .Furthermore , the protein levels of IL-18 and hu-man β-defensin 2 ( HBD-2) were analyzed by ELISA , and the expression of HBD-2 at mRNA and protein levels was deter-mined by RT-qPCR and Western blot , respectively .RESULTS:The viability of the KB cells was not affected by platycod-in D at the concentrations used .The adherent numbers , bacterial activity and conversion were decreased by treatment with platycodin D in a dose-dependent manner .In addition, the protein level of IL-18 in the culture supernatant and the mRNA expression of HBD-2 in the KB cells were also reduced after platycodin D treatment .CONCLUSION:Platycodin D has a bacteriostasis effect and prevents oral epithelial cells from Candida albicans infection.

Objective To observe the clinical effects of Bufei Yishen treatment on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable period. Methods Sixty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (32 cases) received Atrovent metered dose inhaling and Mucosolvan po. The treatment group (32 cases) received the fluid extract of Bufei Yishen besides the routine treatment. Both groups were treated for three months. The changes of scores of TCM syndrome and cardinal symptom, quality of life (QOL), lung function were observed before and after the treatment. Results The scores of TCM syndrome and cardinal symptom, quality of life of the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group (P0.05). Conclusion Bufei Yishen treatment has significantly effect on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable period.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Shenshuning Recipe (SSNR) on gene expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in renal tissues in rats with glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Glomerulosclerosis was induced in 42 rats by unilateral nephrectomy and intravenous injection of doxorubicin. Then these 42 rats were randomly divided into three groups: untreated group, SSNR-treated group and benazepril-treated group. Another eight rats were included into sham-operation group. The rats in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were fed SSNR or benazepril respectively for 8 weeks. The levels of 24 h urine protein (Upr), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of rats in each group were examined. The renal morphological changes were observed under microscope, and the diameter of glomerular capillary, mesangial matrix and glomerulosclerosis index were analyzed by image analysis software. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the gene expression of HGF in the renal tissues. RESULTS: The levels of 24 h Upr, serum Cr and BUN in the untreated group were remarkably increased than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.01). The pathological morphological changes in the untreated group showed that the glomerulosclerosis was diffused around the renal tissue and the capillaries were shrunk. The expression level of mesangial matrix was up-regulated and the glomerulosclerosis index was 3.32+/-0.35. The expression level of HGF mRNA in the untreated group was obviously lower than that in the sham-operation group (P<0.05). The levels of 24 h Upr, serum Cr and BUN in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were remarkably decreased as compared with those in the untreated group, while the expression levels of HGF mRNA were both obviously higher than that in the untreated group (P<0.01). The pathological morphological changes in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were both alleviated. There was no significant difference in therapeutic effect between the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group. CONCLUSION: Shenshuning Recipe can up-regulate the expression of HGF mRNA, decrease the mesangial matrix, and improve the renal function, so that it may retard the development of glomerulosclerosis.

Objective To isolate and purify a lectin from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus.Methods The protein was purified using a combination of 20%—60% ammonium sulfate fraction and ConA-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography.Results The purified protein appeared as a single band with molecular mass of 3.15?104 on SDS-PAGE and the relative molecular mass was estimated by gel filtration on a calibrated Superdex 75 column with apparent molecular weight of 3.35?104.This lectin was a glycoprotein with a neutral carbohydrate content of 10.7%.Conclusion A lectin is isolated and purified from the roots of A.membranaceus for the first time.It is a monomer glycoprotein and its specific activity is 391.9 U/mg.

Objective:To observe the effect of Radix Paeoniae Rubra on intimal proliferation,activating of angiotensin Ⅱ(AgⅡ) and expression of Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1(MKP-1) after carotid artery balloon injury in cholesterol-fed rabbits.Methods: Male rabbits were randomly divided into Radix Paeoniae Rubra(PPR) groups: high dose group(75、50、25g.kg-1.d-1;n=8),middle dose group(2g.kg-1.d-1),low dose group(1g.kg-1.d-1;n=8) and control group.Both groups received high fat forage(2% cholesterol + 5% lard).Balloon injury of carotid artery was performed.Carotid artery were harvested at the end of 10 weeks.Expression level of AgⅡwas measured by radioimmunoassay.MKP-1 expression was determined by RT-PCR.Immunohistochemical staining and morphological detection were adopted.Results: Compare with control group,expression of AgⅡ decreased obviously(P

Aim To investigate the effects of Astragalus Mongholicus Bunge Lectin (AMML) on tumor cells proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis by using human leukemia cell line (K562 cells).Methods The antiproliferation effect of AMML on K562 cells was detected by the colorimetric MTT assay.The apoptosis induced by AMML on K562 cells was explored by means of cell morphological and flow cytometry.Results AMML showed strong inhibiton of the growth of K562 cells in a time-and concentration-dependence. After incubation of K562 cells with AMML at a concentration of 60 mg?L-1 for 72 h,the inhibition ratio was 89%.Morphological observation showed that AMML-treated K562 cells displayed outstanding apoptosis characteristics,such as nuclear fragmentation,chromatin condensation. AMML induced significant cell cycle arrest at S phase in K562 cells,and the apoptosis of K562 cells was confirmed by flow cytometry.Conclusion AMML can inhibit the growth of K562 cells through S arrest and induce the apoptosis of K562 cells. Thus,AMML may be valuable for the treatment of cancer.

Objective L-selectin is an important adhesion molecule,which is the lymph cell's homing receptor specifically expressed on leukocytes.A non-lymphoma cell line-HCa-F has the high potential ability of metastasis to peripheral lymph nodes,whose character is similar to lymphoma's.We want to explore whether the HCa-F cell's metastasis mechanism is also similar to lymphoma's,that is to say,whether HCa-F cell can also express L-selectin and the expression of L-selectin bring about the lymph node metastasis character. Methods First,?-fetoprotein,CD3 and CD20's monoclonal antibodies were used to identify the origin of HCa-F cell;then we analysed whether the HCa-F cell can express L-selectin by means of flow cytometry analysis,RT-PCR,and Western blotting;finally,Stamper-Woodruff method was used to examine the L-selectin's function. Results Immunostaining showed that the HCa-F cell was ?-fetoprotein positive,CD3 and CD20 negative cell line,which suggests that it is a liver cell line.And results of flow cytometry,RT-PCR,and Western blotting showd that HCa-F cell can express L-selectin.Additionally,anti-L-selectin's antibody can inhibit the adhesion between HCa-F cells and frozen section of mouse lymph node.Conclusion L-selectin expressed on HCa-F cells is a functional molecule which can facilitate HCa-F cell's metastasis to lymph nodes.

Objective To investigate the expression and relationship of Jab1 and P27kip1 in ovarian cancer cell HO-8910. Methods Cells were treated with serum starvation and release.The expression and distribution of Jab1 and P27kip1 were detected by western blot and subcellular fractionation.HO-8910 cells were transfected in vitro with pcDNA3.1-MYC-Jab1.Western blot as well as subcellular fractionation was used to detect the expression and localization of P27kip1.Results The growth of HO-8910 cells was blocked by serum starvation.P27kip1 increased while Jab1 decreased.The reverse changes were found after serum release.P27kip1 and Jab1 could form compound in HO-8910 cells detected by immunoprecipitation.48h after transfected by pcDNA3.1-MYC-Jab1,the expression of P27kip1 decreased and the distribution of P27kip1 translocated from nucleus into cytoplasma in HO-8910.Conclusion Jab1 may control the location and expression of P27kip1 through integrating with P27kip1,and participate in regulating the growth of ovarian cancer cells through interfering with the function of P27kip1.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance ( PMQR ) determinants [ qnr,aac ( 6' ) -Ib-cr and qepA ]and mutations in quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA and parC and their association with fluoroquinolone susceptibility in clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens in Anhui.Methods The minimum inhibition concentration ( MIC ) of 104 strains of S.rnarcescens collected from various clinical specimens from 34 hospitals during 2005 to 2010 were determined by agar dilution method.The qnr,aac (6')-Ib,qepA,gyrA and parC genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 31 strains resistant to ciprofloxacin,and positive results were subsequently confirmed by sequencing.The conjugation experiments were performed for qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr positive strains.The MIC of S.marcescens isolates,recipient strains and conjugants were tested by agar dilution method for quinolones and other antimicrobial agents.Results Six strains of the 31 S.marcescens isolates harboured qnr and/or aac(6')-Ib-cr genes.Among those 6 strains,2 strains harboured a qnrB6 gene,1 harboured a qnrS2 gene,and 4 harboured aac( 6' ) -Ib-cr,whereas no qnrA-,qnrC- or qnrD-positive isolate was detected.None of the 31 isolates carried the qepA gene.Mutations in the QRDR of gyrA and parC genes were detected in 9 and 7 isolates,respectively.The conjugation experiments were successfully carried out in 5 isolates of 6 PMQR determinants-postive strains.The MIC of conjugants for quinolones were increased evidently compared to recipient strains.Conclusions Chromosome and plasmid-mediated resistance determinants play an important role in quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of S.marcescens.And more important is that the PMQR determinants can be horizontal transmitted.It is necessary to continuously survey and watch for the spread of PMQR in S.marcescens in public health control program.

ObjectiveTo investigate the variations and distributions of the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in clinical isolates of Shigella and their resistance to antimicrobial agents. Methodsqnr, aac(6')-Ib-cr and qepA genes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 137 clinical isolates of Shigella.DNA sequencing of gene-positive strains were analyzed and the conjugation experiment was performed. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Shigella isolates, recipient strains and transconjugants were tested by agar dilution method for quinolones and other antimicrobial agents. The genotype of transconjugants were determined by PCR and sequencing. ResultsFour (2.9％) strains of the 137 Shigella isolates were qnr gene positive, including 3 qnrS2 positive and 1 qnrB4 positive (GenBank accession numbers of the complete sequence were JF261185 and HQ917003, respectively).Furthermore,five (3.6％) aac ( 6')-Ib-cr gene-positive strains (GenBank accession number JF261186 ) and one (0.7％) qepA gene-positive strain were identified in all isolates. The conjugation experiments were successfully carried out in six out of ten PCR-positive isolates. The MIC of transconjugants against quinolones and other antimicrobial agents increased differently compared to recipient strains. Conclusions The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes are lowly prevalent in clinical isolates of Shigella. However, these resistance genes have the characteristic of horizontal transfer, which indicates that more attention should be paid to this phenomenon.