This study aims to analyze and compare the effect of cell wall-broken decoction pieces, conventional decoction pieces and conventional powder of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma on the intestinal flora of normal mice. The conventional bacterial culture and PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) were adopted for the mice after the oral administration for 14 days. According to the bacterial culture results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group showed fewer Enterococcus and Escherichia coli bacillus but more Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than the conventional decoction pieces group and the traditional powder group (P <0.05). Meanwhile, on the basis of the PCR-DGGE results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group revealed the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H) and species richness (S) among the seven groups, with extremely significant differences compared with the normal group (P <0.01), significant differences compared with the conventional decoction pieces group and the conventional powder group (P <0.05) and a high intra-group similarity. In conclusion, the long-term intake of 1/8 dose Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma cell wall-broken decoction pieces showed a certain effect in regulating intestinal tract by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, the intestinal flora community will become more stable.
Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Cell Wall ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizome ; Rhodiola

According to the transcriptome dataset of Panax notoginseng, the key geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase gene (GGPPS) in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was selected to be cloned. Using specific primer pairs combining with RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique, the full-length cDNA sequence with 1 203 bp, which containing a 1 035 bp open reading frame, was cloned and named as PnGGPPS. The corresponding full-length DNA sequence contained 2 370 bp, consisted of 1 intron and 2 exons. The deduced protein PnGGPPS contained 344 amino acids and shared more than 73% identity with GGPPS from Ricinus communis and Salvia miltiorrhiza. PnGGPPS also had specific Aspartic acid enrichment regions and other conserved domains, which belonged to the Isoprenoid-Biosyn-C1 superfamily. The quantitative real-time PCR showed that PnGGPPS expressed in different tissues of 1, 2, 3 years old root, stem, leaf and 3 years old flower, and the expression level in 3 years old leaf was significant higher than that in other organs, which suggested that it might not only be involved in the regulation of the growth and development, but also be associated with the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoids, the development of chloroplast, the shade habit and the quality formation of P. notoginseng.
Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; Geranylgeranyl-Diphosphate Geranylgeranyltransferase ; genetics ; Panax notoginseng ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Alleles ; Amelogenin/genetics* ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Humans ; Male ; Sex Determination Analysis

To study the effect of pulchinenoside (PULC) on the Frizzled (FZD) expression of adjuvant arthritis ( AA) rats. AA rats were prepared through the toe injection with complete Freund's adjuvant to culture fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). The effect of the oral administration with PULC on the FZD8 expression was detected by the real time qPCR. The effect of FZD8 knockout on the expressions of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 were detected by MTT and ELISA. The role of miR-375 in the abnomal expression of FZD8 was detected by the real time qPCR. The results showed signfiicant decrease in the FZD8 expression among AA rats, FLS proliferation ater FZD8 knockout and IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 expressions and notable increase in miR-375 expression after the oral administration with PULC. The up-regulated miR-375 expression can inhibit the FZD8 expression. PULC may inhibit the FZD8 expression by up-regulating the miR-375 expression.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saponins ; administration & dosage

The role of pulchinenoside (PULC) in the regulation of MeCP2 expression was investigated in RA model rats. Adjuvant arthritis rats were used as RA model rats, and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from the RA model rats were cultured. The effect of 100 mg x kg(-1) PULC gavage treatment on the MeCP2 expression and the effect of MeCP2 siRNA on the expression of SFRP2 and β-catenin were detected by real time qPCR and Western blotting. The role of PULC in the FLS proliferation was detected by MTT. The results showed that the MeCP2 expression was down-regulated, the SFRP2 expression was up-regulated and the FLS proliferation was inhibited in FLS after therapy. MeCP2 siRNA significantly inhibited the MeCP2 expression, up-regulated the SFRP2 expression and inhibited the β-catenin expression in FLS from RA model rats. PULC may increase the SFRP2 expression, inhibit the Wnt signaling and inhibit the FLS proliferation in FLS from the RA model rats by inhibiting the MeCP2 expression.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

Orthodenticlehomeobox 1 (OTX1) overexpression had previously been associated with the progression of several tumors. The present study aimed to determine the expression and role of OTX1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression level of OTX1 was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in 10 samples of HCC and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis in 128 HCC samples and matched controls. The relationship between OTX1 expression and the clinicopathological features werealso analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of OTX1 knockdown on cell proliferation and migration were determined in HCC cell lines. Axenograft mouse model was also established to investigate the role of OTX1 in HCC tumor growth. TheqRT-PCR and IHC analyses revealed that OTX1 was significantly elevated in HCC tissues compared with the paired non-cancerous controls. Expression of OTX1 was positively correlated with nodal metastasis status (P = 0.009) and TNM staging (P = 0.001) in HCC tissues. In addition, knockdown of OTX1 by shRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration, and induced cell cycle arrest in S phase in vitro. Tumor growth was markedly inhibited by OTX1 silencing in the xenograft. Moreover, OTX1 silencing was causable for the decreased phosphorylation level of ERK/MAPK signaling. In conclusion, OTX1 contributes to HCC progression possibly by regulation of ERK/MAPK pathway. OTX1 may be a novel target for molecular therapy towards HCC.
Aged ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/*pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver/metabolism/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/*pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Otx Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/*metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; RNA Interference ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; S Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the hematopoietic pathophysiology of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at stem/progenitor cell level by analyzing the gene expression profiles associated with hematopoiesis.

METHODSThe differentially expressed genes which were involved in the hematopoiesis were screened by microarray using CD34(+) cells from MDS patients firstly. RQ-PCR was then applied to validate the screened genes using CD34(+) cells from MDS-RA patients who had normal karyotype. The linkages with hematopoiesis among these validated genes were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the differentially expressed genes in CD34(+) cells of MDS-RA patients, Rap1GAP was up-regulated significantly (P < 0.01). Cadherins, which can interplay with Rap1, including N-cadherin and E-cadherin, were down-regulated significantly (P < 0.01). β-catenin, a downstream effector of cadherins, was highly expressed in MDS-RA patients (P < 0.01). c-myc binding protein was down-regulated (P < 0.01), and c-myc promoter binding protein was up-regulated (P < 0.01). Rac1, Rac2 and Cdc42, which belong to RhoGTPases family and are associated with the cell morphology and hematopoiesis, were all expressed highly in MDS-RA patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal expression of cadherin, β-catenin and c-myc associated genes were closely related to the dysplastic hematopoiesis of MDS. The down regulation of cadherin was associated with the positive feedback mechanism between Rap1 and cadherin. The aberrant expression of Rac1, Rac2 and Cdc42 may contribute to the morphological dysplasia of MDS.

Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immuno-effects of hepatitis B (HB) vaccination in adults.

METHODSFive groups were sampled by means of cluster sampling, and serum HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were tested in every group at people aged from 18 to 50. Recombinant HB vaccine was injected to the ones that HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were all negative. Concentration of anti-HBs in serum was tested after one year and three years of vaccination. Immuno-effects of recombinant HB vaccination in adults at different ages and between sexes, were then calculated.

RESULTSGood immuno-effects of recombinant HB vaccination in adults were noticed. After one year and three years of vaccination with 5 micro g recombinant HB vaccine, the anti-HBs positive rates were 82.76%, 70.77% while the serum concentrations of anti-HBs were 55.91 mIU/ml and 35.41 mIU/ml respectively. When 10 micro g was used, the concentrations were 83.74%, 72.22%, 56.89 mIU/ml and 30.29 mIU/ml respectively. The effects did not show significant differences between different doses on 10 micro g and of 5 micro g. Concentration of anti-HBs reduced when time went by. The factors such as age and sex influenced the effects of immunity on recombinant HB vaccination.

CONCLUSIONGood immunity could be obtained when recombinant hepatitis B was vaccinated in vulnerable population aged 18 to 50.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

To investigate the Fe2+ effects on root tips in rice plant, experiments were carried out using border cells in vitro. The border cells were pre-planted in aeroponic culture and detached from root tips. Most border cells have a long elliptical shape. The number and the viability of border cells in situ reached the maxima of 1600 and 97.5%, respectively, at 20-25 mm root length. This mortality was more pronounced at the first 1-12 h exposure to 250 mg/L Fe2+ than at the last 12-36 h. After 36 h, the cell viability exposed to 250 mg/L Fe2+ decreased to nought, whereas it was 46.5% at 0 mg/L Fe2+. Increased Fe2+ dosage stimulated the death of detached border cells from rice cultivars. After 4 h Fe2+ treatment, the cell viabilities were > or =80% at 0 and 50 mg/L Fe2+ treatment and were <62% at 150, 250 and 350 mg/L Fe2+ treatment; The viability of border cells decreased by 10% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. After 24 h Fe2+ treatment, the viabilities of border cells at all the Fe2+ levels were <65%; The viability of border cells decreased by 20% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. The decreased viabilities of border cells indicated that Fe2+ dosage and treatment time would cause deadly effect on the border cells. The increased cell death could protect the root tips from toxic harm. Therefore, it may protect root from the damage caused by harmful iron toxicity.
Iron ; toxicity ; Oryza ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo explore the factors which influencing the intelligence in elderly in a community, so as to provide reference on primary prevention of dementia.

METHODSA door to door survey was conducted. A total number of 830 elderly were assessed using WAIS-RC, H-NTLA and data collected through questionnaires on lifestyles, family and social activity were analysed, using the factor analysis, stepwise regression and canonical correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe main variables related to the verbal were eggs diet, blood pressure, fruit, visit their children, alcohol intake (standard coefficients of regression are -0.118, -0.079, -0.060, -0.036, -0.117, respectively). The main variables related to cognition were recreation, sports and hereditary history of mental disorders (standard coefficients of regression were 0.035, -0.127, respectively). The main variables related to memory were contact to chemical materials, age of their parents during delivery, alcohol intake and the relationship between husband and wife (standard coefficients of regression were -0.063, 0.055, -0.030, -0.037, respectively). The variables related to canonical variable V(1) would include education and occupation (canonical correlation = 0.5993, P = 0.0001) while V(2) would include cerebrovascular accident (canonical correlation = 0.3925, P = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONIntelligent work, family harmony, prevention of cerebrovascular diseases were the main areas to prevent intellectual disability in the elderly.

Aged ; China ; Community Health Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Dementia ; prevention & control ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Health Services for the Aged ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Intelligence ; physiology ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Regression Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires