Leukemia is a polygenic malignant proliferative disease in the hematopoietic system.Its possible causative genes and gene therapy are one hotspot of the current researches.Sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility-group box transcription factor 4(SOX4) is a member of the group C subfamily of the SOX transcription factors,playing a critical role in the occurrence and development of many tumors such as lung cancer,breast cancer,hepatic carcinoma,gastric cancer and medulloblastoma.Recently,researches have found that SOX4 is significant in the occurrence,treatment and prognosis evaluation of leukemia.This paper reviews the structure and functions of SOX4,its expression and mechanism in leukemia,and its influence on leukemia treatment and prognosis.

Objective To investigate the intracellular delivery of siRNAs through the applications of ultrasound targeted microbubbles destruction(UTMD)and biodegradable nanoparticles carriers.Methods Preparation of nanoparticles with and without RGD sequences,parameters optimization via L16(45)orthogonal design,control experiments in groups of optimization,RGD targeted nanoparticles,non-RGD nanoparticles and blank control, and determinations by inverted fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry were performed.Results The uptake and fluorescence intensity of PC-3 cells in group of RGD targeted nanoparticle was (93.49±1.37)% and 34.28±2.06 respectively,and that in group of optimization was (88.33±1.24)% and 30.59±3.93 respectively(P＞0.05).Whereas the uptake and fluorescence intensity of PC-3 cells in group of non-RGD nanoparticles was(71.24±2.80)% and 18.39±0.90 respectively,and that in group of optimization was (84.78±2.13)% and 27.18±0.91 respectively(P＜0.05).ConclusionsThe applications of UTMD with RGD targted nanoparticles cannot increase the intracellular delivery of siRNAs.

Objective To prepare VP1 protein vaccine of Coxsackievirus A16(CA16) and evalu-ate immunngenicity the subunit vaccines of Coxsackievirus (VP1), and to establish foundation for studying CA16 vaccine. Methods CA16 VP1 was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pFastBac HT A plasmid, recombinated with Bacmid DNA by transposition reaction and then transfected Sf9 cell, mixed with adjuvant AI(OH)_3. After immunization BALB/c mice, evaluating immune effectiveness after booster injections 2 weeks. Results The expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, mice immunized with CA16 (VP1) both induced specific IgG antibody and neutralization antibody. The best immunization antigen was 20 μg, IgG antibody was 1: 1600, neutralization antibody was 1:250, typical Th1/Th2 immune response was determined by lymphocyte proliferation assay and cytokine analysis. Conclusion The CA16 VP1 gene was cloned successfully and expressed in Sf9 insect cells, CA16 VP1 protein vaccine induced both humoral and cellular immune response, to lay solid foundation for further study on CA16 vaccine.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

Objective: To investigate the drug resistance of kaempferol reversed adriamycin (ADM)-resistant K562/ADM cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and its related mechanism. Methods: Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to detect the toxicity of ADM on K562 and K562/ADM cells for 24 h. The half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of ADM and the drug resistance multiple for 24 h were calculated. MTT method was used to detect the toxicity of kaempferol on K562/ADM cells for 24 h. The 5% inhibitory concentration (IC₅) and 10% inhibitory concentration (IC₁₀) of kaempferol for 24 h were calculated to determine the concentration of kaempferol in the subsequent experiments. And the cells untreated by the kaempferol were selected as the control group. The cell inhibition after the treatment of ADM for 24 h of the blank control group and kaempferol intervention group was detected by using MTT method. And then the cell inhibition for 24 h and ADM IC₅₀ for 24 h in the above groups were calculated. The ratio of IC₅₀ in the blank control group and kaempferol group was the reversal drug resistance multiple of kaempferol. The fluorescence intensity of ADM in K562/ADM cells treated by kaempferol was detected by using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), and total p38 (t-p38) protein in K562/ADM cells after the treatment of kaempferol, the specific inhibitor of p38-MAPK signaling pathway SB202190, and the combination of kaempferol and SB202190. Results: After the treatment of ADM for 24 h, the IC₅₀ value of K562 and K562/ADM cells was (0.9±0.6), (28.1 ±3.5) μg/ml, respectively. The drug resistance multiple of K562/ADM cells on the treatment of ADM for 24 h was 31.16 compared with the K562 cells. MTT method showed that kaempferol inhibited the proliferation of K562/ADM cells in a dose-dependent manner. According to the IC₅ and IC₁₀, 0.5 μmol/L and 1.0 μmol/L kaempferol were determined to do the subsequent experiments. After the combined interaction of kaempferol and ADM for 24 h, the ADM IC₅₀ of K562/ADM cells in the blank control group, 0.5 μmol/L kaempferol group and 1.0 μmol/L kaempferol group was (33.7±5.7), (21.4±0.6), (15.9±1.8) μg/ml, respectively (F = 30.85, P < 0.05), and there was a statistical difference of pairwise comparison (both P < 0.05). The reversal drug resistance multiple of K562/ADM cells for 24 h in 0.5 μmol/L kaempferol group and 1.0 μmol/L kaempferol group was 1.58 and 2.12, respectively. Flow cytometry results showed that the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of ADM in the blank control group, 0.5 μmol/L kaempferol group and 1.0 μmol/L kaempferol group was 138.4±8.9, 154.3±2.2, 165.7±4.8, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F = 161.48, P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, after treatment of K562/ADM cells with 0.5 μmol/L and 1.0 μmol/L kaempferol for 24 h, the relative expressions of P-gp, MRP1 and p-p38 protein were decreased in K562/ADM cells (all P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the expression of t-p38 protein (P > 0.05); SB202190 could reduce the relative expressions of P-gp, MRP1 and p-p38 protein (all P < 0.05); after the treatment of SB202190 combined with different concentration of kaempferol, the relative expressions of P-gp, MRP1 and p-p38 protein in K562/ADM cells did not decrease (P > 0.05). Conclusions Kaempferol can decrease the relative expressions of P-gp and MRP1 in K562/ADM cells by inhibiting p38-MAPK pathway, so as to increase the concentrations of ADM and to reverse the drug resistance of K562/ADM cells.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Tibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan against osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats through the classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MethodForty-eight 3-month-old SD female rats were randomized into model group （equivalent volume of normal saline）， sham operation group （equivalent volume of normal saline）， estradiol group （0.1 mg·kg^-1 estradiol valerate）， and high-， medium-， low-dose Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan groups （800， 400， 200 mg·kg^-1， respectively）. For the modeling， some adipose tissue near the ovaries was removed in the sham operation group， and ovaries were excised in other groups. Administration （ig， once a day） started two weeks after the operation and lasted 12 weeks. After sampling， based on hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， the morphological changes of the right femur and lumbar spine of the rats were observed. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the serum levels of rat tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b （TRAP5b）， collagen type Ⅰ C-terminal peptide （CTX-Ⅰ）， bone alkaline phosphatase （BALP）， amino-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen （PINP）， and bone Gla-protein （BGP）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to examine the mRNA expression of β-catenin and Runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） in femur， and Western blot to detect the protein expression of β-catenin， Runx2， and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-5 （Lrp-5）. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed disordered and sparse bone trabecula with fewer connections， decrease in serum levels of BALP， BGP， and PINP （P<0.01）， increase in levels of CTX-Ⅰ and TRAP5b （P<0.01）， reduction in mRNA expression of β-catenin and Runx2 in femoral tissue （P<0.01） and protein expression of Lrp-5， β-catenin， and Runx2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， estradiol and each dose of Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan increased the volume of bone trabecula， made thebone trabecula closely arranged， reduced the loss of the trabecular meshwork， raised the serum levels of BALP and BGP （P<0.01）， and lowered TRAP5b level （P<0.01）. PINP level was significantly increased in the high-dose Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan group and estradiol group （P<0.01） and CTX-Ⅰ level was significantly decreased in the high-dose Erwenwuwei Guijiuwan group and the estradiol group （P<0.01） compared with those in the model group. The mRNA expression of β-catenin in femoral tissue and protein expression of Lrp-5 and β-catenin in estradiol group and three Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan groups were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of Runx2 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in the high-dose Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan group and the estradiol group （P<0.01） compared with those in the model group. ConclusionTibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Guijiuwan is effective for the osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats， which may be related to the classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It affects bone metabolism by up-regulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in the signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Ershiwuwei Guijiu pill in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis （PMOP） by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway and inhibiting excessive autophagy. MethodFemale SD rats were ovariectomized and randomly divided into the sham operation group （Sham）， the operation group （OVX）， the Ershiwuwei Guijiu pill （GJ） group， and the raloxifene hydrochloride （RLX） group， with 10 rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and colorimetric methods were used to detect the levels of estrogen， bone metabolism markers in serum， and total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in tibial tissue. Flow cytometry was used to detect reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Masson staining was used to observe pathological changes in the proximal tibia， and micro-computed tomography （Micro-CT） was used to observe changes in tibial microstructural parameters. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1， microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 （LC3）， autophagy-related 5 （Atg5）， as well as PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in tibial tissue. ResultCompared with the Sham group， the OVX group showed a significant decrease in serum levels of estradiol （E₂） and calcium ion （Ca²⁺）， and T-SOD， GSH-Px， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR mRNA levels in bone tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly reduced bone mineral density （BMD）， bone surface/bone volume （BS/BV）， trabecular thickness （Tb.Th）， trabecular number （Tb.N）， and trabecular connectivity （Con） in the tibia （P<0.05， P<0.01）， thinner epiphyseal growth plate， and the bone marrow cavity filled with fat vacuoles. Moreover， the levels of phosphorus （P）， MDA， ROS， and mRNA and protein expression of Beclin1， LC3， and Atg5， as well as trabecular separation （Tb.Sp） were significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the OVX group， the GJ and RLX groups showed significant increases in serum E₂ and Ca²⁺， and bone tissue levels of SOD， GSH-Px， and the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly increased BMD， BS/BV， Tb.Th， Tb.N， and Con in the tibia， thickened epiphyseal growth plate， and significantly reduced fat vacuoles in the bone marrow cavity （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， the levels of P， MDA， ROS， Beclin1， LC3， Atg5 mRNA and proteins， and Tb.Sp were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR， which were significantly reduced in the OVX group （P<0.01）， were significantly increased in the GJ and RLX groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Ershiwuwei Guijiu pill reduces oxidative stress and inhibits autophagy， thereby preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Its mechanism may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway， which inhibits autophagy.

OBJECTIVE：To study the protective effects of butein on oxidative stress injury of PC12 cell and its effects on mitochondrial function. METHODS：Rats PC12 cells were divided into normal control group，model group，solvent control group（1 ‰ dimethyl sulfoxide），butein high，medium and low concentration groups（2，1，0.5 μmol/L）. The latter 4 groups were given relevant reagent/medicine for intervention；24 h later，other groups were given 100 mU/mL glucose oxidase to induce oxidant stress model except for normal control group. After 4 h culture，cell survival rate，apoptosis rate，the levels or activities of ROS，MDA，SOD，CAT，GSH-Px，ATP，IL-1β and TNF-α as well as the change of MMP were detected. RESULTS：Compared with normal control group，cell survival rate，the levels or activities of SOD，CAT，GSH-Px and ATP were all decreased significantly，and apoptotic rate，the content of ROS，the levels of MDA，IL-1β and TNF-α were all increased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while the MMP was decreased significantly. Compared with model group，above indexes of solvent control group had no significant change （P＞0.05），cell survival rates，the levels or activities of SOD （except for medium and low concentration groups），CAT，GSH-Px（except for medium and low concentration groups），ATP（except for low concentration group）were increased significantly in butein high，medium and low concentration groups，while apoptotic rates，the content of ROS，the levels of MDA，IL-1 β and TNF-α were decreased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while the MMP were increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS：Butein can increase the antioxidant enzyme activity， stabilize mitochondrial function， inhibit oxidative stress and inflammationthus， increase energy generation inhibiting neuronal cell apoptosis ultimately exerting a neuroprotective effect.

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of local acupuncture therapy on post-stroke pseudo-bulbar palsy and the clinical advantageous protocol of local acupuncture therapy.

METHODSEighty patients of post-stroke pseudo-bulbar palsy were randomized into a quick needle insertion group and a routine acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one. The western medicine, such as thrombolysis, lipid regulation, antiplatelet aggregation, antihypertension and hypoglycemic therapy method was all used in the two groups. On the basis of the treatment of western medicine, in the quick needle insertion group, the perpendicular needle insertion was used atpoint, about 8 to 12 mm in depth. When the emptiness feeling presented under the needle, the needle went slowly for 2 mm more depth till cough occurred, and removed afterward. The treatment was given once every day, and totally 20 treatments were required. In the routine acupuncture group, Lianquan (CV 23) was stimulated. The needle was inserted toward the tongue root, about 40 mm in depth. The needle was rotated till the patient felt soreness and distention at the tongue root, and then retained for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day, and totally 20 treatments were required. The water swallow test score and clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe curative rate was 80.0% (32/40) in the quick needle insertion group, better than 55.0% (22/40) in the routine acupuncture group (<0.05). The total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in the quick needle insertion group and was 90.0% (36/40) in the routine acupuncture group, indicating no significant difference in comparison (>0.05). The water swallow test scores decreased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both<0.01), and the water swallow test scores after treatment of the two groups had no significant difference (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture at local point is effective for post-stroke pseudo-bulbar palsy.The curative rate of quick needle insertion atpoint is better than routine acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23).