BACKGROUND:Different sources of stem cells have different molecular characteristics and growth characteristics;therefore, there are some differences in therapeutic mechanisms and effects. OBJECTIVE:To compare mesenchymal stem cells growth characteristics form two sources. METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord and the embryonic liver were isolated and cultured. Passage 5 cells were used to observe the cellmorphology, calculate the doubling time of cellpopulation-doubling time, identify surface markers and determine the differentiation capacity. Mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord were subcultured to passages 10 and 15, and cellcurves were drawn and population doubling time was calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mesenchymal stem cells from these two sources in logarithmic phase were fusiform and grew spiral y with osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic capacities. The growth curves of cells were both S-shaped. At passage 5, the doubling time was (34.37±0.31) hours for embryonic liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells and (35.63±0.38) hours for umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05). However, the population doubling time of passages 10 and 15 umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells was (52.6±0.53) and (53.27±0.92) hours, respectively, which was significantly difference from that of passage 5 cells (P<0.05). The cellmorphology and growth curve from two sources are basical y the same. Embryonic liver-derived stem cells are smal er and proliferate faster than umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, but no statistical difference is found between the two types.

Acute Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Stroke ; drug therapy

UNLABELLEDTo study the infected root of Panax quinquefolium on the contents of ginsenosides.

METHODThe contents of three major ginsenosides Rg1, Re and Rb1 were determined by HPLC compared quantitatively between the different degree infected roots and normal root in the phloem and xylem.

RESULTRg1 in phloem and xylem of varying degrees infected root showed no significant difference, but Rb1 decreased 26.3% and 28.3% respectively in medium and serious infected roots comparing to normal root. Re in phloem of seriously infected roots decreased in xylem significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that the variation of ginsenosides in different degrees infected roots exists and the proportion of Rg1, Re and Rb1 in the total ginsenosides changes.

Ginsenosides ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; microbiology

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the distribution characteristics of HCV genotypes and subtypes in patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, HIV)/HCV co-infection in Kunming based on the nucleocapsid protein gene sequence of HCV (hepatitis C virus). Methods　Serum was collected from HIV/HCV co-infected patients with household registration in 14 county-level cities, districts and counties under the jurisdiction of Kunming, who admitted to Yunnan Provincial Infectious Disease Hospital from March to August 2019. The viral RNA was extracted from the serum, reverse transcribed to synthesize cDNA, and the HCV nucleocapsid protein gene-specific primers were used for nested PCR amplification. The positive amplification products were sequenced, bioinformatics software such as DNAstar and MEGAX were used for sequence analysis. Results　A total of 64 samples from co-infected patients with clinical diagnosis of suspected HIV/HCV were collected and amplified by HCV nucleocapsid protein gene-specific primers, of which 17 samples were amplified positively. The results of sequence analysis showed that the sequences of 9 cases were located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 3b subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 93.3%-95.2%; the sequences of 5 cases were located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 1b subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 96.8%-97.6%; the sequence of one case and the subtype sequence of HCV 3a gene were located in the same evolutionary branch, and the nucleotide homology was 95.2%; the sequence of one case and HCV 6n gene subtype sequence were located in the same evolutionary branch, and the nucleotide homology was 97.9%; One case was located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 6u gene subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 98.4%. Conclusions　HCV 1b, HCV 3a, HCV 3b, HCV 6n and HCV 6u genotypes or subtypes of HCV are prevalent in Kunming, and HCV 3b is the most prevalent genotype.

This study is purposed to investigate the effects of praeruptorin A (PA) and praeruptorin C (PC) on UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells through hCAR pathway. PA and PC were incubated with HepG2 cells for 24 h and 48 h, mRNA and protein expressions of UGT1A1 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting assays. Additionally, effects of PA and PC on UGT1A1 mRNA and protein expressions were also measured after transient transfection of a specific CAR siRNA for 72 h in HepG2 cells. UGT1A1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased by PA and PC after incubation for 48 h. Moreover, the mRNA and protein up-regulations of UGT1A1 were attenuated by transient transfection of a specific CAR siRNA, suggesting the induction was mediated by CAR. The results suggest that PA and PC can significantly up-regulate UGT1A1 expression partially via the CAR-mediated pathway.
Apiaceae ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDp53 is a tumor suppressor and plays a key role in regulating cell hyperplasia, repairing DNA and inducing apoptosis. This study was to investigate p53 expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and its effect on CD4(+) T lymphocytes from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSHuman FLS were transfected with p53 siRNA and cocultured with CD4(+) T lymphocytes from patients with active RA. The expressions of osteoprotegerin and interleukin (IL)-6 were detected in p53 siRNA and scramble siRNA-transfected FLS. In addition, protein levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-17, IL-4 and CD25 as well as mRNAs of IFN-γ, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-γt, IL-17 and Foxp3 in cocultured CD4(+) T lymphocytes were also measured.

RESULTSIL-6 decreased in p53-knockdown FLS while osteoprotegerin expression was not altered. FLS with p53 deletion significantly increased the production of IL-17 and IFN-γ by CD4(+) T cells and upregulated Foxp3 mRNA expression without effects on the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(high) T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONp53 in FLS might regulate Th1 and Th17 functions in patients with RA and participate in the pathogenesis of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression features of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), glutathione S transferase-pi (GST-pi) and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins like p53, survivin and bcl-2 in lymph node metastases of gastrointestinal carcinomas.

METHODSThe expression of P-gp, GST-pi, p53, survivin and bcl-2 were determined by using immunohistochemistry technique in surgical specimens of primary tumor (PT) and lymph node metastases (LNMs) from 54 gastrointestinal cancer patients with metastasis of lymph nodes. The expression difference of 5 multi-drug resistance (MDR)-related factors between LNMs and PT were compared.

RESULTSSignificant difference was found in the expression of P-gp and GST-pi between the two groups (both P < 0.05), and expression of p53 and bcl-2 showed positive correlation between LNMs and PT (r = 0.7248, 0.5524; both P < 0.05), respectively. In LNMs, P-gp expression was positively correlated with GST-pi (r = 0.4062, P < 0.05) and survivin (r = 0.6169, P < 0.05), and also GST-pi expression was related positively with survivin (r = 0.4027, P < 0.05). Statistically positive correlations were noted between bcl-2 and P-gp (r = 0.3986, P < 0.05), bcl-2 and survivin (r = 0.2937, P < 0.05), as well as GST-pi and survivin (r = 0.4481, P < 0.01) in PT. Only a positive correlation between GST-pi and survivin expression was simultaneously shown in both LNMs and PT.

CONCLUSIONSThere is significant heterogeneity of MDR-related factors expression in LNMs of gastrointestinal carcinomas. Effective adjuvant chemotherapy after operation should target on the metastatic loci of the disease.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate dermoscopic features of onychomycosis and nail psoriasis.Methods From March 2017 to March 2018,128 patients with onychomycosis and 128 with nail psoriasis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology,Xiangyang Central Hospital.Dermoscopic images of the lesional nails were compared.Enumeration data were analyzed by chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.Results There were 7 kinds of dermoscopic patterns in onychomycosis,including jagged edge (69/128,53.91％),longitudinal striae (72/128,56.25％),cone-shaped keratosis (30/128,23.44％),nail plate thickening (21/128,16.41％),black dots (5/128,3.91％),onycholysis (26/128,20.31％),and nail discoloration (23/128,17.97％).The jagged edge and longitudinal striae occurred more frequently in distal/ lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO) than in the other 3 clinical subtypes of onychomycosis (all P ＜ 0.001),and cone-shaped keratosis occurred more frequently in total dystrophic onychomycosis (TDO) than in the other 3 clinical subtypes of onychomycosis (x2 =42.020,P ＜ 0.001).There were no significant differences in the prevalance of nail plate thickening,black dots,onycholysis and nail discoloration among the 4 clinical subtypes of onychomycosis (all P ＞ 0.05).There were 7 kinds of dermoscopic patterns in nail psoriasis,including pitting corrosion (61/128,47.66％),oil drop sign (41/128,32.03％),splinter hemorrhage (41/128,32.03％),dilated hyponychial capillaries (23/128,17.97％),nail plate thickening (20/128,15.63％),onycholysis (20/128,15.63％),and nail discoloration (13/128,10.16％).The oil drop sign occurred more frequently in psoriasis vulgaris and psoriasis arthropathica than in the other 2 clinical subtypes of psoriasis (P =0.019).The dilated hyponychial capillaries occurred more frequently in pustular psoriasis than in the other 3 clinical subtypes of psoriasis (P =0.047).There were no significant differences in the prevalance of pitting corrosion,splinter haemorrhage,nail plate thickening and nail discoloration among the 4 clinical subtypes of psoriasis (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The dermoscopic features of onychomycosis include jagged edge,longitudinal striae,cone-shaped keratosis and black dots,and the dermoscopic features of nail psoriasis include pitting corrosion,oil drop sign,splinter haemorrhage and dilated hyponychial capillaries.Their common dermoscopic features include nail plate thickening,onycholysis and nail discoloration.

Objective To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of 38 HIV-1 positive seroconcordant couples in Yunnan Province. Methods The samples of HIV-1 antibody screened initially and positive confirmed in the Laboratory of Yunnan Provincial Infectious Diseases Specialist Hospital from 2014 to 2016 and laboratory data were collected. 41 samples from HIV-1 positive seroconcordant couples were selected and sequenced by RT-nested-PCR amplification. After the sequences were aligned and spliced, the qualified pol gene region sequence was used to construct phylogenetic tree and analyze subtypes, and the gene distance differences between each positive couple were calculated. Results A total of 76 pol gene regions from 38 HIV-1 positive seroconcordant couples were obtained. The major gene subtypes included CRF08_BC (45,59.2%), CRF07_BC (18,23.7%) and CRF01_AE (7,9.2%), there were also C (4, 5.3%) and B (2, 2.6%). Phylogenetic tree analysis and gene distance calculation clearly showed that HIV transmission between relationship partners occurred in 9 HIV-1 positive seroconcordant couples. Conclusions As the proportion of sexual transmission of HIV has risen year by year, the transmission between husband and wife should be the focus of our attention. Late diagnosis of HIV infection is the main factor that causes the transmission between husband and wife. For special populations, monitoring and testing should be strengthened as soon as possible, so as to reduce the occurrence of transmission between AIDS couples.

Based on the literature study,the thoughts and possible therapeutic mechanism in treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora were explored.Disturbance of intestinal flora is one of the important factors leading to the development of male infertility,and the spleen and kidney have certain similarities to intestinal flora in the physiological function and pathological changes.Moreover,tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen can regulate the intestinal flora by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria,inhibiting the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria,and protecting the barrier of the intestinal mucosa.Therefore,the possible therapeutic mechanisms in treating male infertility with the prescriptions for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen to regulate intestinal flora are as follows:inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors to reduce the inflammatory reaction of testicular tissues;improving the antioxidant capacity to alleviate the damage of spermatozoa caused by oxidative stress,and improving the bad mood to alleviate the impact of psychological stress on the reproductive system.The exploration of the thoughts for treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora may provide a new entry point for modern Chinese medicine clinical treatment of male infertility.