Interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is a newly discovered IFN of type I. It was originally found for its role as a pregnancy recognition hormone in ruminant animals such as sheep and cows. Like the other type I IFNs, IFN-tau have the same biological activities including antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. In order to clearly identify the function of IFN-tau, the coding sequence of IFN-tau was amplified by PCR from IFN-tau cDNA, this fragment digested by EcoR I and BamH I and was inserted into pBV220 to form the recombinant plasmid pBV220/IFN-tau which was then transformed into E.coli BL21. It was found that pBV220/IFN-tau was highly expressed as inclusion body in BL21. Next, the expressed protein was purified on S-100 High Resolution and the purified product was confirmed by amino acid sequence analysis. Moreover, the standard antiviral activity test indicated that the activity of IFN-tau was about 2.09?106IU/ml.

BACKGROUND: Salvia miltiorrhiza is widely used to treat angina cordis, ischemic stroke and other ischemic cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on ovariectomized rats remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on the body mass, food intake, and levels of blood lipids and malondialdehyde (MDA) in ovariectomized rats.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Institute of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in the Key Laboratory of Pre-clinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province and the laboratory of Institute of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University from November 2005 to December 2006. Twenty-four healthy female SD rats of 3 months old and (220±2) g were selected. Salvia miltiorrhiza water decoction (equal to 1 g/mL crude drug) was identified and extracted by Drug Control Institute of Gansu Province; MDA kit was purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Institute of Bioengineering.METHODS: ①The rats were randomly divided into three groups with 8 rats in each group: sham-operated group,ovariectomized group and Salvia miltiorrhiza group. The rats were underwent a bilateral ovariectomy except those in the sham-operated group, which were subjected to a removal of bilateral fat as much as ovariectomized group with the ovaries remained. Rats in sham-operated group and ovariectomized group freely drank water; rats in Salvia miltiorrhiza group freely took 1% water extracts from Salvia miltiorrhiza postoperatively, and the concentration of Salvia miltiorrhiza gradually increased to 12% on the eighth day, which was lasted until the end of the experiment (55 days). ②The food intake of rats in each group was monitored daily, and the body mass was measured every five days. At the end of the experiment, femoral artery blood samples of rats were collected to determine the levels of blood lipids. At the same time,MDA was measured according to the kit.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The body mass, food intake, levels of blood lipids and malondialdehyde in each group.RESULTS: Twenty-four rats all entered the result analysis. ①The body mass of rats in 3 groups was nearly the same before operation (P ＞ 0.05). While the body mass in ovariectomized group on the postoperatively 10th, 20th, 25th, and 55th days was significantly higher than those in sham-operated group (P ＜ 0.01). The body mass in Salvia miltiorrhiza group on the postoperatively 20th, 25th, and 55th days was significantly lower than those in ovariectomized group (P ＜0.05-0.01). ②The food intake in ovariectomized group on the postoperatively 15th, 40th, and 55th days was significantly higher than those in sham-operated group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), and that in Salvia miltiorrhiza group was significantly lower than those in ovariectomized group at those 3 time points (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ③At the end of the experiment, the levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride in ovariectomized group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). The levels of triglyceride and MDA in Salvia miltiorrhiza group were significantly lower than those in ovariectomized group (P＜0.01, 0.05).CONCLUSION: Salvia miltiorrhiza can significantly reduce the body mass and levels of triglyceride and MDA in ovariectomized rats.

Objective To investigate the tissue stimulation of copper ions to the smooth muscle of murine terminal rectum.Methods In this study copper needle used for electrochemical therapeutic equipment was punctured into submucosal smooth muscle tissue of terminal rectum above the dentate line in 65 male rats.Rats were then divided into 5 groups (10 rats in each group) at random and sacrificed at 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 weeks after respectively, samples were sent for observation of macroscopic and microscopic tissue reaction.Results Rats had no abnormal histological change in the puncture points grossly. Undor microscope, mild edema was detected in the submucosal layer in 1 week group. Remarkable infiltration of inflammatory cells and lymphocytes subsided 3 weeks after, and disappeared five weeks after.Smooth muscle was normal microscopically in all groups.In contrast, platinum and steel needles caused infiltration of plasma cells and neutrophils, ulcers and small abscess formation in around puncture points.Conclusion Inflammatory reaction was induced after puncturing of copper needle into the tissues and the tissue reaction disappeared after 5 Ws.In contrast with platinum and steel needles, copper needle was non-traumatic to the smooth muscle tissue.

Objective To study the effects of recombinant ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF) on expression of growth related proteins in related neurons after sciatic nerve repair in rats. Methods After a segment of the sciatic nerve of the rat was removed, the distal and proximal ends were sutured into a recombinant CNTF-containing silicone tube. Growth associated protein 43 ( GAP-43 ) and somatostatin (SOM) in the L4 spinal cord, L4 or L5 spinal ganglia were examined and measured by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization using computerized image processing system. Results An increase in the GAP-43 immunoreactivity in the large, medium neurons of spinal anterolateral nucleus was more significant in the CNTF-treated group compared with those in the 0.9% saline (SAL) -treated group, while a decrease in SOM mRNA hybridization signals in those neurons were more significant in the CNTF-treated group. There were no significant differences in the aforementioned immunoreactivity and hybridization signals of spinal ganglia between the CNTF-treated group and the SAL-treated group. Conclusion The results suggest that recombinant CNTF administration up-regulate GAP-43 expression and down-regulate SOM mRNA expression in the related motor neurons, but not sensory neurons, after reconnection of transected sciatic nerve.

Tardive tremor is an infrequently form of tardive syndrome that is developed from prolonged treatment with dopamine receptor blocking agents. This condition presents as a prominent tremor that may cause significant distress but currently lacks effective treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been applied to treat tardive syndrome. In this study, we report a 74-year-old female patient with major depressive disorder, whose tardive tremor and depressive symptoms showed remarkable improvement after receiving 10 sessions of ECT treatment.

Objective To study the dynamic changes of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?),interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-8 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of asphyxia neonates,and to analyze the relationship between cytokines levels and severity of brain damage and neurological outcome. Methods The concentrations of TNF-?,IL-6,IL-8 in serum and CSF were measured by radioimmunoassay in 63 asphyxia neonates. Neurological development was evaluated at 12 months by children′s developmental scale of china.Results The serum concentrations of TNF-?, IL-6,IL-8 were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates than those in the controls,and they were correlated with the degree of encephalopathy. The level of serum TNF-? was hig-(hest) at the first day and IL-6 was highest at the third day. There was no marked dynamic changes within 5 days in serum IL-8 level. The concentrations of TNF-?,IL-8 in CSF were higher at the first and the third day.The dynamic changes of IL-6 in CSF were similar in serum and they were positively correlated. The serum concentration of IL-6 in severe brain injury group was much higher than those of normal and mild group.The CSF concentration of IL-6 in severe brain injury group was much higher than that of normal group. The CSF concentration of IL-8 in severe brain injury group was much higher than those of the normal and mild group. Conclusions The concentrations of TNF-?,IL-6 and IL-8 are increased both in serum and CSF in asphyxiated neonates which are correlated with severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Cytokine-mediated inflammatory reactions may participate in the mechanism of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury after asphyxiaion.The concentration of IL-6 in serum and IL-6, IL-8 in CSF are correlated with the neurological outcome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of crypotanshinone (CPT) on the proliferation and apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells as well as on the metadherin expression and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the DU145 cells.

METHODSWe treated DU145 prostate cancer cells with different concentrations of CPT for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by evaluation of the proliferation and apoptosis of the cells by MTT assay and TUNEL, respectively. We determined the expressions of metadherin protein and mRNA in the DU145 cells by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively at different time points after CPT treatment. We also detected the expressions of the proteins metadherin, AKT, p-AKT, and Bcl-2 in the CPT-treated DU145 cells at 48 hours.

RESULTSCPT significantly inhibited the proliferation of the DU145 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). After treatment with 10 µmol/L CPT for 24, 48, and 72 hours, the apoptosis rates of the DU145 cells were (29.42 ± 4.51), (55.07 ± 5.67) and (70.84 ± 4.66)%, respectively, significantly higher than (3.1 ± 2.48)% in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of metadherin was remarkably downregulated at the transcription and translation levels (P < 0.05) and the expressions of the AKT signaling pathway and the Bcl-2 protein were markedly inhibited in the DU145 cells after treated with 10 µmol/L CPT for 48 hours (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCPT can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells, which may be associated with its suppression of the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by reducing the expression of metadherin in the DU145 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Time Factors

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; biosynthesis ; Hepacivirus ; pathogenicity ; Hepcidins ; Iron ; metabolism ; Liver ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods From 2007 Aug.to 2009 Nov.,22 patients( 10 males,12 females) with sarcoidosis,confirmed by pathological study and clinical follow-up,underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging.The imaging patterns of intrathoracic and extrathoracic lesions were analyzed.The patterns were classified as the typical or atypical ( symmetrical or asymmetrical FDG accumulation and enlargement of hilar lymph nodes) based on PET and CT separately.Nonparametric McNemar test,independent t-test and Fisher exact test were applied for statistical analysis.Results For typical pattern vs atypical pattem identification,PET was significantly different from CT ( 18 and 4 vs 12 and 10,P =0.031 ).In those with atypical pattern demonstrated by CT alone at hilar region,PET showed either symmetrical or asymmetrical accumulation of FDG.Except for mediastinal lymph nodes involvement,lung parenchyma was the second common site ( 19/22,86.4％ ),followed by lymph nodes at abdomen and (or) pelvis ( 12/22,54.5％ ).Conclusion The imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT may be helpful for the diagnosis of atypical sarcoidosis on CT image alone.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shuangling Fuzheng anti-tumor preparation (SLAP) five groups on proliferation and c-myc gene expression of SGC-7901 cells in vitro.

METHODThe inhibitory effect of single SLAP (40 -640 microg x mL(-1)) and combined therapy with adriamycin (0.4, 4.0 microg x mL(-1) or cisplatin (0.1,1.0 microg x mL(-1) on human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells proliferation were observed by MTT colorimetric analysis method. Technique of flow cytometry in vitro was used to measure the rate of positive sign of SLAP (80 - 320 microg x mL(-1)) on c-myc gene protein of SGC-7901 cells.

RESULTSGC-7901 cells proliferation were inhibited by single SLAP in dose of 40 - 640 microg x mL(-1) 24 h. Its inhibitory rate was increased with increase of dose. The inhibitory rate on SGC-7901 cells could be increased by SLAP in dose of 40 - 640 microg x mL(-1) plus adriamycin in dose of 0.4 and 4.0 microg x mL(-1) or plus cisplatin in dose of 0.1 and 1.0 microg x mL(-1). At the same time, SLAP (80 - 320 microg x mL(-1)) also could inhibite the expression of c-myc gene of SGC -7901 cells.

CONCLUSIONSingle SLAP had inhibiting effect on human gastric carcinoma cells proliferation with a dose-effect relationship and synergic effect while combined with adriamycin or cisplatin. To inhibit the expression of c-myc gene of human gastric carcinoma cells might be one of action mechanisms of SLAP, which inhibited tumor cells proliferation.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology