Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Craniotomy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangiosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skull ; pathology ; surgery ; Skull Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the correlation between nuclear factor(NF)-?B and inflammation of cell in adriamycin-induced nephritic rats,and the intervention of antisense oligonucleotide targeting NF-?B to adriamycin-induced nephritic rats by measuring the expression of NF-?B p65 in renal cortex and the secretions of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)in serum.Methods Thirty male SD rats were divided into 5 groups(6 rats in each group):group A(sham operation),group B(glomerulosclerosis),group C(sense oligonucleotide),group D(non-sense oligonucleotide),group E(antisense oligonucleotide).Glomerulosclerosis models were made for SD rats by unilateral nephrectomy and being injected with adriamycin into caudal vein.In the 8th week,various medicine applys to correspon-ding group for intervention.At the 4th day and 8th day after intervention,the excretion amounts of 24 hours urine protein were determined.Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the renal pathological changes.Using image analysis system to calculate glomerulosclerosis index(GI).The expression of NF-?B p65 in renal cortex was measured by immunohistochemistry staining,the secretions of IL-6,TNF-? in serum were performed by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay,respectively.Results At different time points,the expressions of active-NF-?B p65,IL-6,TNF-? in group E were significantly lower than those in group B.The intervention effects of antisense oligonucleotides at the 8th day were stronger than that at the 4th day.Conclusions NF-?B is significantly correlated with glomerulosclerosis and inflammations of glomerular intrinsic cells.Using NF-?B antisense oligonucleotide to be injected into renal artery can block directly the translation of NF-?B gene,delay inflammations of glomerular intrinsic cells and the progressions of glomerulosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the mRNA expression of chemokine receptors in human villi and trophoblasts of first trimester gestation . Methods: The authors first obtained villous tissues from fifteen women who had undergone selective termination at 5 - 10 weeks of normal gestation. Total RNA was then extracted, using the TRIzol reagent, from villous tissues or Percoll-gradient purified trophoblasts. Consequently, the expressions of chemokine receptors in villous tissues and trophoblasts were investigated by way of semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.Results: The chemokine receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR6, were highly expressed in each villous tissue, while the CCR6, CCR7, XCR1 and CX3CR1 were moderately expressed in villi. The chemokine receptors, CCR1- CCR5, CCR8 - CCR10, CXCR1 -CXCR3, were expressed only in some villous samples, while no CXCR5 mRNA was found in any villous tissue. The authors also found that the freshly isolated and Percoll-purified trophoblasts expressed CCR1, CCR3 - CCR5, CCR8 - CCR9, CXCR1 - CXCR4, CXCR6, XCR1 and CX3CR1 mRNA. Conclusion: A variety of chemokine receptors were expressed in villous tissues and trophoblasts of human first trimester gestation, hence, these receptors may play an important biological role at the materno-fetal interface in normal human pregnancy.

Background Studies determined that rapamycin has not only the antibiosis but also suppressing the auto-immunology.The treating effect of rapamycin on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is still concerned.Objective This work was to investigate the therapeutic effect of rapamycin on EAU and study the effect on the expression of inflammatory cytokines which were secreted by T lymphocyte subgroup in EAU.Methods EAU was induced in 20 SPF male Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide emulsified in adjuvant.The rats were randomized into model control group and rapamycin injection group and 10 rats for each group.The rapamycin of 0.2 mg/( kg · d) 0.4 ml was intraperitoneally injected for the consecutive 7 days immediately after modeling,and the equal volume of normal saline solution was used at the same fashion in the model control group and 5 normal matched rats( normal control group).The ocular manifestation of the rats were examined under the slit lamp regularly.The retinal sections of the rats were prepared in the 14 days after modeling for the histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining.The ocular signs of inflammation and histopathological severity were scored based on the criteria of Caspi.Expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in rat retinas were detected by immunohistochemistry.This experiment followed the Regulation for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by Tianjin Municipal Government.Results The scores of ocular signs elevated gradually from 6 through 12 days after modeling and slowly declined after that in the model control group.A same tendency was seen in the rapamycin injection group.The significant differences were seen in the scores of ocular signs between the two groups from 6 to 14 days( P＜0.01 ).The disorder of retinal structure and infiltration of inflammatory cells were seen in the model control group,but the retina layers were normal in the rapamycin injection group.The pathological score was evidently declined in the rapamycin injection group ( 0.90 ± 0.45 ) in comparison with model control group( 3.30±0.48 ) ( t =16.541,P＜0.01 ).The expressions of the IFN-γ and IL-17 in retina located in the outer nuclear layer,inner nuclear layer,internal plexiform layer and retinal ganglion cell layer with the weakened levels(A values) in rapamycin injection group compared with model control group,showing a considerably difference between them ( IFN-γ:21.16±4.23 vs 62.14 ±7.32; IL-17:49.86±6.59 vs 124.85 ±6.33 )(q=33.334,q=56.923,P＜0.01 ).Conclusions Rapamycin down-regulates the expressions of IFN-γ and IL-17 in retina and further eliminates the inflammatory response in the rat with EAU by the suppression of Th1 and Th17 cells function in EAU.

BackgroundStudies determined that Th17 cells are important inflammatory cell group in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis ( EAU ).Interleukin-17 ( IL-17 ),as a marker of Th17,is involved in the occurrence and development of EAU.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an immunomodulatory role,mainly by inhibiting the expression of Th17 in a variety of self-autoimmune disease.This is one of the current research focuses.ObjectiveThe present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of MSCs in EAU and their impact on IL-17 expression in the retina.MethodsMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of the femurs from 10 SPF Wistar rats and cultured and passaged.The third to fifth generations of cells were used in this experiment.EAU models were induced in 48 6-8 week-old SPF Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide emulsified in adjuvant.EAU rats were randomly assigned to the model control group and the MSCs group.MSCs suspension (5×106) of 1 ml was injected via the rat tail vein once a day for 3 consecutive days after immunization,and the same amount of PBS was injected in the model control group in the same manner.Six matched normal Lewis rats were used as the normal control group.The inflammatory response was clinically examined under the slit lamp biomicroscope daily,and the histopathological changes of the retina were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining on days 9,12,15 and 20.The clinical and histopathological scoring was performed according to the Caspi criteria.Expression of the IL-17 protein in the retina was detected by immunohistochemistry on 9,12,15 and 20days following molding.The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by Tianjin Municipality Science and Technology Commission.Results MSCs showed the fusiform in shape and vortex-like growth.Flow cytometry verified that presented the positive expression for CD29 and CD44 but absent expression for CD45 and CD34.The scores of the anterior segment were significantly lower ( U=2.815,P =0.005 ; U =2.768,P =0.006 ; U =2.900,P =0.004 ; U =2.855,P =0.004 ),and the retinal inflammation scores were lower in the MSCs group than the model control group at various time points ( U =2.345,P =0.019 ; U =2.559,P =0.011 ; U =2.166,P =0.030 ; U =2.373,P =0.018 ).Im mnunochemistry showed that the expressions levels of the IL-17 protein (A value) in the rat retina were 26.47±5.68,77.78± 9.65,47.02±6.68 and 26.59±5.94 in the MSCs group on days 9,12,15 and 20,and those in the control group were 45.34±4.63,105.95± 10.74,64.11 ±9.76 and 37.02±6.51,showing a significant reduction ( t =6.305,P =0.000 ; t =4.799,P =0.001 ; t=3.540,P=0.005;t=2.900,P=0.016). ConclusionsMSCs can inhibit the aggravation of EAU and suppress the expression of IL-17 in ocular tissue.

The zinc-regulated transporters (ZRT), iron-regulated transporter (IRT)-like protein (ZIP) plays an important role in the growth and development of plant. In this study, a full length cDNA of ZIP encoding gene, designed as DoZIP1 (GenBank accession KJ946203), was identified from Dendrobium officinale using RT-PCR and RACE. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DoZIP1 consisted of a 1,056 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoded a 351-aa protein with a molecular weight of 37.57 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.09. The deduced DoZIP1 protein contained the conserved ZIP domain, and its secondary structure was composed of 50.71% alpha helix, 11.11% extended strand, 36.18% random coil, and beta turn 1.99%. DoZIP1 protein exhibited a signal peptide and eight transmembrane domains, presumably locating in cell membrane. The amino acid sequence had high homology with ZIP proteins from Arabidopsis, alfalfa and rice. A phylogenetic tree analysis demonstrated that DoZIP1 was closely related to AtZIP10 and OsZIP3, and they were clustered into one clade. Real time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that the transcription level of DoZIP1 in D. officinale roots was the highest (4.19 fold higher than that of stems), followed by that of leaves (1.12 fold). Molecular characters of DoZIP1 will be useful for further functional determination of the gene involving in the growth and development of D. officinale.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Iron ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Zinc ; metabolism

The goal of the study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Artemisia argyi ethanol extract on chemotherapeutic vancomycin (VAN)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).The acute kidney injury model of male ICR mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection (ip) of VAN.Thirty mice were divided into the blank group, model group, high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group, which were given medicine by gastric perfusion (ig).Serum levels of cystain C (Cys C), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were measured, which could reflect renal function of mice.Serum oxidative stress and inflammation indices were also determined, including muscular dystrophy association (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and high-sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP).In addition, hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was employed for measuring the damage of renal tissues and the content of apoptosis b-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 assaciated X protein (Bax) and caspase-3 were measured too.All results showed that Artemisia argyi extract exhibits protective effect on chemotherapeutic VAN-induced AKI, whose mechanism could be related to the oxidative stress, inflammatory reaction and apoptosis.

In order to look for lower toxic and strongly active compounds, the structure of sesquiterpene lactones from Elephantopus scaber was modified. Deoxyelephantopin and scabertopin were isolated from the whole plant of Elephantopus scaber and hydrogenated and epoxidated. Five sesquiterpenoide derivatives were prepared and their structures were identified by IR, NMR and MS spectra analysis. Four sesquiterpenoides are new compounds. Part of the compounds show definite antitumor activity.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogenation ; Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo review the mechanisms of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its role in the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were obtained mainly from the studies of EMT reported from 2000-2006.

STUDY SELECTIONRelevant articles on studies of EMT in tubulointerstitial fibrosis were selected. Data were mainly extracted from the 45 articles listed in the reference section of this review.

RESULTSThe process of EMT has gained wide recognition as candidate mechanism in progression of chronic fibrotic disorders. New markers were identified and facilitate the observation of EMT. EMT is regulated by many factors through activation of kinase-dependent signaling cascades. Recent findings suggest that EMT is a reversible process, which can be controlled by factors for their epithelial inducing activities.

CONCLUSIONRemarkable progresses of EMT research have been made recently. Preventing or reversing EMT is a promising strategy against renal fibrosis.

Animals ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Disease Progression ; Epithelium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; metabolism ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Mesoderm ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo elucidate whether the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) correlated with severity of the diseases and whether NT-proBNP is a reliable biochemical marker correctly indicates the severity of ACS.

METHODSEighty-nine subjects came from CCU of Cardiology Department of People's Hospital Beijing University from October 2003 to June 2004 and aged 34-85 y (66.89 +/- 11.12 y). In this study the spectrum of ACS only included unstable angina pectoris (UA) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Patients with UA were separated into 3 groups by Braunwald classes and those with AMI were separated into 4 groups by Killip classes when their venous blood samples were collected. Plasma concentration of NT-proBNP was measured by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay. Data was estimated by SPSS.

RESULTSThe concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with ACS was dramatically correlative with the severity of the diseases: with the upgrading of Braunwald classes, the concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with UA increased gradually; in patients with AMI it also raised gradually with the upgrading of killip classes; furthermore, the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with AIM increased much more than that in patients with UA when they are at the similar NYHA functional class.

CONCLUSIONPlasma concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with ACS might be a reliable biochemical marker which can objectively indicate the degree of this diseases.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood