Objective:To investigate the effects of Shanxian granule on proliferation of Lewis lung cancer cells and anti-tumor immunity and immune microenvironment of Lewis lung cancer-bearing mice in order to explore the molecular mechanism of anti-tumor of Shanxian Granule and improve the anti-tumor immunity of the body, and provide further theoretical basis for its clinical application. Methods:Lewis lung cancer cells was transplanted to axillary skin to establish mouse tumor model. The mice divided into blank group,model group,chemotherapy group and Shanxian granule group. The tumor tissue of Lewis lung cancer tumor bearing mice was weighed and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CD and CD8 in spleen tissue. The effect of lymphocytes on the proliferation of Lewis lung cancer cells was detected by CCK-8 method. The level of IFN-γ,TNF-βand IL-10 in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA. Results:①The tumor inhibition rate of Lewis lung cancer was 45. 99% in Shanxian Granule group,which was significantly higher than that of chemotherapy group (P<0. 05).②The lymphocytes of mouse can inhibit the proliferation of Lewis lung cancer cells and have a positive correlation with lymphocyte concentration and duration of action. Moreover,CD4+ T cells,CD4+/CD8+ratio and lymphocyte inhibition rate of Lewis lung cancer cells in model group and chem-otherapy group were significantly lower than those in blank group (P<0. 05). Shanxian granule group was significantly higher than the model group and chemotherapy group ( P<0. 05 ) . However, there was no significant difference between Shanxian granule group and blank group(P>0. 05).③The levels of IFN-γand TNF-βin peripheral blood of model group and chemotherapy group were significantly lower than those in blank group,while IL-10 was significantly higher than that in blank group (P<0. 05). The levels of IFN-γand TNF-βin peripheral blood of mice in Shanxian granule group were significantly higher than those in model group and chemotherapy group, while IL-10 was significantly lower than that in model group and chemotherapy group (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in IFN-γ,TNF-β and IL-10 in peripheral blood of mice between Shanxian granule group and blank group. Conclusion:Shanxian granule can significantly inhibit the growth of tumor tissue of Lewis lung cancer tumor bearing mice,increase the spleen index of mice,enhance the activity of T lymphocytes,upregulate IFN-γ and TNF-β in peripheral blood and decrease IL-I. These suggested that the anti-tumor effect of Shanxian granule may be achieved by regulating the content of CD4+ T lymphocyte,the ration of CD4+/CD8+ and Th1/Th2 ratio,in order to restore the immune steady function of tumor patients,improve the immune system and enhance the immune surveillance function.

Bio-active components from Carthamus tinctorius were separated on the basis of antioxidant capacities in vitro. The antioxidant capacity was investigated on the basis of the ability to scavenge DPPH radical, ABTS radical and reduce Fe3+ of different polar fractions. Furthermore, the chemical compounds were isolated from bio-active fraction, and were evaluated for the antioxidative effects. Five major components were isolated and identified from water extract as 6-hydroxykaempferol 3,6,7-tri-O-β-D-glucoside(1), 6-hydroxykaempferol 3-O-β-rutinoside-6-O-β-D-glucoside (2), 6-hydroxykaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (3), hydroxysafflor yellow A (4) and anhydrosafflor yellow B (5). By evaluating and comparing the antioxidative effects of different fractions and obtained compounds, the results showed that water extract displayed significantly high antioxidative activities and 6-hydroxykaempferol glycosides and quinochalcone C-glycosides were found as main contribution for antioxidant property.
Antioxidants ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Benzothiazoles ; metabolism ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Ferric Compounds ; metabolism ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Kaempferols ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Oxidation-Reduction ; drug effects ; Picrates ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quinones ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Sulfonic Acids ; metabolism ; Water ; chemistry

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an immune complex-mediated disease predominantly characterized by the deposition of circulating immune complexes containing immunoglobulin A (IgA) on the walls of small vessels. Although the pathogenesis of HSP is not yet fully understood, some researchers proposed that B-cell activation might play a critical role in the development of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum levels of visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor), B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), and CXCL13, and to analyze their association with disease severity. METHODS: The serum levels of visfatin, BAFF, and CXCL13 were measured by using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 43 patients with HSP and 45 controls. The serum levels of IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were detected by using a double-antigen sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Levels of visfatin but not BAFF and CXCL13 were significantly elevated in the sera of patients with HSP in the acute stage, and restored to normal levels in the convalescent stage. Furthermore, serum levels of visfatin were significantly higher in patients with HSP having renal involvement than in those without renal involvement. Serum levels of visfatin were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentration of ACA-IgA. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that the serum levels of visfatin are abnormally elevated in patients with HSP. Visfatin may be associated with the pathogenesis of HSP.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; B-Lymphocytes ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch*

OBJECTIVETo investigate therapeutic effect of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for early management of ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (ABO-HDN).

METHODSA total of 121 cases with ABO-HDN were randomly divided into treatment group (n=61) and control group (n=60). In addition to the routine treatment of the control group, IVIG were given at a daily dose of 400 mg/kg to the cases in the treatment group for 2-3 times, and therapeutic effects were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe serum total billirubin concentration on the third day after treatment (153.42-/+45.21 micromol/L) and mean daily serum total billirubin concentration reduction (56.49-/+24.05 micromol/L) in treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The jaundice resolution time (23.51-/+11.19 h) and the phototherapy time (3.01-/+0.89 h) for billirubinemia treatment in treatment group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.01). The patients in the the treatment group had higher hemoglobin level after treatment (15.59-/+2.01 g/L) than those of the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHigh-dose IVIG can effectively arrest the progression of hemolytic disease, quickly reduce serum total billirubin concentration and shorten phototherapy time for early treatment of ABO-HDN.

ABO Blood-Group System ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Erythroblastosis, Fetal ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; drug therapy ; Male ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Correlated firings among neurons have been extensively investigated; however, previous studies on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) population activities were mainly based on analyzing the correlated activities between the entire spike trains. In the present study, the correlation properties were explored based on burst-like activities and solitary spikes separately. The results indicate that: (1) burst-like activities were more correlated with other neurons' activities; (2) burst-like spikes correlated with their neighboring neurons represented a smaller receptive field than that of correlated solitary spikes. These results suggest that correlated burst-like spikes should be more efficient in signal transmission, and could encode more detailed spatial information.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Computer Simulation ; Darkness ; Electrophysiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Light ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Postsynaptic Potential Summation ; Rana catesbeiana ; physiology ; surgery ; Retina ; physiology ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; physiology ; Retinal Neurons ; physiology ; Signal Transduction

Objective To evaluate the advantage of homemade negative pressure device combined with nano-silver dressing for promoting the healing of infected incision in rats,and explore its clinical curative effect.Methods In-fected incision model rats were randomly divided into conventional treatment group,and simple pressure suction group,pressure suction combined with silver ion dressing group.The healing time and healing area of rats in each group after treatment were evaluated,immunohistochemical and fluorescent quantitative analysis of inflammatory factors in incisional wound tissue were performed.Three methods were applied to patients with surgical site infec-tion(SSI),granulation coverage time,granulation recovery time,and incision healing time of three groups of pa-tients were compared.Results Immunohistochemistry and its IOD value,the relative mRNA expression levels of TNF-α,IL-2,and IL-8 in rat wound tissue treated with pressure suction combined with silver ion dressing were all inferior to conventional treatment group and simple negative pressure suction group,difference was statistically sig-nificant (P < 0.05);in clinical application,wound healing time,postoperative C-reactive protein level,and pain as-sessment scores in patients treated with pressure suction combined with silver ion dressing were all superior to con-ventional treatment group and simple negative pressure suction group,difference were all statistically significant (all P < 0.05).Conclusion Compared with conventional treatment method,pressure suction with silver ions dressing treatment can more effectively control SSI,reduce local inflammation of incision,and promote incision healing.

In vertebrate visual system, retina is the first stage for visual information processing. Retinal ganglion cells are the only output neurons of the retina, and their firing activities are dependent on visual stimuli. Retinal ganglion cells can effectively encode visual information via various manners, such as firing rate, temporal structure of spike trains, and concerted activity, etc. Adaptation is one of the basic characteristics of the nervous system, which enables retinal neurons to encode stimuli under a wide variety of natural conditions with limited range in their output. This article reviews the recent studies focused on the coding properties and adaptation of retinal ganglion cells. Relevant issues about dynamical adjustment of coding strategies of retinal ganglion cells in response to different visual stimulation, as well as physiological property and function of adaptation are discussed.
Photic Stimulation ; Retina ; Retinal Ganglion Cells

OBJECTIVETrace and toxic elements have great influences on the fetus growth during the pregnancy. The status of Pb, As, Cd, Mn and Zn in maternal and umbilical cord blood and influence factors were analyzed.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to April 2007, 130 pairs of maternal blood and cord blood in total were collected at the time of spontaneous delivery or cesarean section. At the same time, the development of newborn was measured immediately. The concentrations of elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the relationship of these elements between maternal and cord blood were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe median (microg/L) concentration of blood Pb, As, Cd, Mn and Zn in maternal blood were 64.32, 3.81, 0.84, 54.26 and 6312.50. And the median (microg/L) of those elements in cord blood were 35.72, 2.84, 0.32, 78.99 and 2250. The levels of Cd (r=0.341, P=0.000) and As (r=0.552, P=0.000) in maternal blood were positively correlated with the elements in the cord blood. From the questionnaire we conclude that the occupational hazardous factors and room decorated were the risk factors for the blood As and Zn levels. After multilinear regression analysis we also found mother weight, occupational hazardous factors and mother systolic pressure might affect the levels of blood Mn, Zn, As and Cd.

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of these elements were affected by environmental and maternal factors. In this study, although the levels of all heavy metals in pregnant women were below those considered hazardous, however, they were still higher than those in the developed countries. The effects of heavy metals of maternal exposure on developing fetuses should deserve attention further.

Adult ; Arsenic ; blood ; Cadmium ; blood ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lead ; blood ; Male ; Manganese ; blood ; Maternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Zinc ; blood

Aged ; Creatinine ; blood ; Crystallization ; Embolism, Cholesterol ; blood ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male

Objective To study the effect of aqueous extract from Araliae Echinocaulis Radicis et Cortex (AEAE) on expression of TGF-β/BMPs signaling pathway in osteoblasts.Methods The fracture model of rat was established and randomly divided into model group,AEAE low,middle and high dose (3.6,1.8,0.9 g/kg) group.After ig administration for 7 d,the blood was taken from abdominal aorta and the serum was separated.The rats primary osteoblasts were cultured and qualified after alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.The osteoblasts were cultured continuously for 48 h in animal serum of the corresponding group.The contents of BMP-2,TGF-β,Smad-1 and Smad-2 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting method.Results Compared with model group,the mRNA level ofBMP-2,TGF-β and Smad-1 in AEAE low,middle and high dose group,Smad-2 mRNA level in middle and high dose group,and the protein level of BMP-2,TGF-β,Smad-1 and Smad-2 in low,middle and high dose groupwere significantly higher than those in model group (P＜0.05 and 0.01).Conclusion AEAE can promote the proliferation ofosteoblasts by up-regulating the expression of BMP-2,TGF-β,Smad-1 and Smad-2 in TGF-β/BMPs signaling pathway.