Danhong injection is a compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius, and has been widely applied in treating coronary heart diseases and ischemic encephalopathy in clinic. Despite the complexity of its chemical compounds and the diversity of targets, especially in system biology, there have not a report for its action mechanism as a whole regulatory biological network. In this study, protein data of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius were searched in TCMGeneDIT database and agilent literature search (ALS) system to establish the multi-component protein network of S. miltiorrhiza, C. tinctorius and Danhong injection. Besides, the protein interaction network was built based on the protein-protein interaction in Genecards, BIND, BioGRID, IntAct, MINT and other databases. According to the findings, 10 compounds of S. miltiorrhiza and 14 compounds of C. tinctorius were correlated with proteins. The 24 common compounds had interactions with 81 proteins, and formed a protein interaction network with 60 none-isolated nodes. The Cluster ONE module was applied to make an enrichment analysis on the protein interaction network and extract one sub-network with significant difference P <0.05. The sub-network contains 23 key proteins, which involved five signaling pathways, namely Nod-like receptor signaling pathway, epithelial cell signaling in helicobacter pylori infection, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway and neurotrophin signaling pathway through KEGG signaling pathway mapping. In this study, the computational system biology approach was adopted to preliminarily explain the molecular mechanism of main compounds of Danhong injection in preventing and treating diseases and provide reference for systematic studies on traditional Chinese medicine compounds.
Computational Biology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Injections ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Signal Transduction

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Methods Clinical data was analyzed in 9 children who had been diagnosed as MAS in our hospital from Jan, 2003 to Aug, 2006. Results Seven children were boys, 2 children were girls, aged 5 months to 12 years. Clinical manifestations included long-term fever, hemophagocytic cell in bone marrow, anemia, arthritis, enlargement of lymph nodes, enlargement of liver and spleen, liver dysfunction, abnormal fat metabolism. Two cases had acute respiratory, distress syndrome(ARDS), 2 cases were complicated with multi- pie organ failure(MOF), two patients died. Glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressive therapy were effective, HP(Plasma Exchange)was applied in one severe case and was shown to he effective. Conclusion MAS is a serious complication of JIA, especially in systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is very im- portant to recognize and treat MAS earlier.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the power of Identifiler System for paternity testing. METHODS: A total of 3 277 paternity testing cases were studied using Identifiler System. The exclusion power and mutation rates of the Identifiler System were analysed in the paternity testing. RESULTS: The cumulated power of exclusion was 0.999 998 827, and the cumulated discriminating power was 0.999 999 999 999 999 98, respectively. Of the 3 277 cases, paternity was confirmed in 2 863, but excluded in 347. Among this paternity testing, mutations involving a single STR locus were observed in 65 cases, while mutations involving 2 STR loci were observed in 2 cases. CONCLUSION The Identifiler System is powerful and reliable for paternity testing.
Alleles ; China ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Mutation ; Paternity ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Probability ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

This study aimed to examine the functional role of microRNA-20 (miR-20) and its potential target,Kir6.1,in ischemic myocardiocytes.The expression of miR-20 was detected by real-time PCR.Myocardiocytes were stained with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) reagent for apoptosis evaluation.Western blotting was used to detect the Kit6.1 protein in ischemic myocardiocytes transfected with miR-20 mimics or inhibitors.Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the targeting effect of miR-20 on KCNJ8.The results showed that miR-20 was remarkably down-regulated,while the KATP subunit Kir6.1 was significantly up-regulated,during myocardial ischemia.The miR-20 overexpression promoted the apoptosis of ischemic myocardiocytes,but showed no such effect on normal cells.Under ischemic condition,myocardiocytes transfected with miR-20 mimics expressed less Kir6.1.On the contrary,inhibiting miR-20 increased the expression of Kir6.1 in the cells.Co-transfection of miR-20 mimics with the KCNJ8 3’-UTR plasmid into HEK293 cells consistently produced less luciferase activity than transfection of the plasmid alone.It was concluded that miR-20 may regulate myocardiac ischemia by targeting KATP subunit Kir6.1 to accelerate the cell apoptosis.Therefore miR-20 may serve as a therapeutic target for myocardial ischemic disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of plasmic L-plastin level in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to March 2009, plasma samples were collected from 40 patients and 40 healthy controls. Plasmic L-plastin level was measured by ELISA kit and was compared to TIMP-1.

RESULTSPlasmic L-plastin level in patients with colorectal cancer was higher than that in healthy adults (1.662±0.386 vs. 0.485±0.085 μg/L, P<0.01). The sensitivity of L-plastin in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer was 67.5%, and the specificity was 80.6%. The Youden index was 0.481 and AUC was 0.772 (P<0.01). Plasmic L-plastin levels were associated with the tumor size (P=0.006), serosal penetration (F=4.687, P<0.05) and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.01). Compared to plasmic TIMP-1 level, L-plastin showed the same capability in indicating the depth of tumor. The specificity of L-plastin was better in indicating lymphatic metastasis (86% vs. 58%, χ2=4.2, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPlasmic L-plastin level may serve as a potential marker in colorectal cancer.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; blood ; Microfilament Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood

Background: and Purpose Mutations in the FIG4 gene have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type 11 in Caucasian populations. The purpose of this study was to identify FIG4 variants in a cohort of 15 familial ALS (FALS) indexes and 275 sporadic ALS (SALS) patients of Han Chinese origin. Methods: All 23 exons of FIG4 were sequenced using targeted next-generation sequencing.An extensive literature review was performed to detect genotype-phenotype associations of FIG4 mutations. Results: No FIG4 variants were identified in the FALS patients. One novel heterozygous missense variant (c.352G>T [p.D118Y]) and one novel heterozygous nonsense variant (c.2158G>T [p.E720X]) in FIG4 were identified in two SALS patients. The p.E720X variant is interpreted as likely pathogenic while the p.D118Y variant is a variant of uncertain significance. The patient carrying the p.E720X mutation developed lower-limb-onset slowly progressive ALS, and survived for 11.5 years. The patient harboring the FIG4 p.D118Y variant also presented with progressive ALS, with the score on the ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised (ALSFRS-R) decreasing by 0.4 per month. The rate of decrease in the ALSFRS-R scores from symptom onset to diagnosis seemed to be lower in the patients carrying FIG4 variants than the no-FIG4-mutation ALS patients in this study. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ALS patients carrying FIG4 mutations are not common in the Chinese population and are more likely to exhibit slow progression.

OBJECTIVE: Research of the hair damage due to perming, combing and stretching can be of important value for forensic hair individual identification. METHODS: The normal human hairs were treated with perming combing and stretching, and the keratins of the damage hair were analysed by using SDS-PAGGE and laser densimeter. RESULTS: Perming, combing and stretching brought about hair damage; The keratins of the damage hair were obviously reduced at the rang of molecular weight of 67,000-43,000 dalton. CONCLUSION The loss of the damage hair keratins were increased with the degree of the hair damage.
Adult ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Hair/physiopathology* ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Keratins/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo obtain the full-length cDNA of a novel gene (named yp05) associated with citrinin production-related genes in Monascus aurantiacus.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from mycelium, 3' and 5' cDNA end of yp05 gene was amplified using smart trace cDNA amplification kit, and the full-length cDNA of a novel gene (named yp05) was obtained from the electronic assembly of 3'-RACE and 5'-RACE products.

RESULTSThis yp05 gene was 787 bp including a 597 bp open reading frame (ORF) and encoded a deduced protein with 199 amino acid residues, and the amino acid sequence of this protein was found similar with the sequences of many fungal manganese-superoxide dismutases in the GenBank with the aid of BLASTp. The transcription of yp05 gene in Monascus strains was analyzed with the aid of Northern blotting. The transcription of yp05 gene was only detected in Monascus strains, provided that citrinin was produced.

CONCLUSIONThe transcription of yp05 gene belongs to differential expression genes of citrinin yielded from Monascus and has no correlation with the biosynthesis pathway of red pigments.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; Citrinin ; biosynthesis ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; Fungal Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Gene Library ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Monascus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mycelium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pigments, Biological ; biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To study the epidemic tendency of emerging influenza A (H1N1) in mainland China, and to explore the different patterns of spread on the disease under the following contexts: (1) To stop the temperature screening program at the border areas of the country; (2)To stop measures of prevention and control on those identified cases and their close contacts; (3) To strengthen programs for the foreign immigrants on 'home quarantine'. Methods Under relevant parameters and information on the transmission link from different reference data, the patterns of influenza spread were simulated by Monte Carlo method. Results The temperature screening on border could inhibit the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) to some extent, so that after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by 21.5% (1718 cases) and transmission speed of influenza A (H1N1) in mainland China will be delayed by about 4 days. Furthermore, taking positive measures of prevention and control could efficiently slow down the epidemic, so that after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by 93.4%(about 90 thousand cases) and it would be delayed by about 15 days if influenza A (H1N1) spreads to the whole country. In addition, if the immigrants were able to practise quarantine measures consciously by themselves at home the effect of prevention and control against influenza A(H1N1) would be more significant. If 30%, 60% and 90% of immigrants would take quarantine measures home consciously, after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by about 15% (about 940 cases), 34% (about 2230 cases) and 64% (about 4180 cases), respectively. Also, influenza A (H1N1) spreads to the whole country will be delayed by about 4 days, 10 days and 25 days, respectively. It is difficult to curb fully the development of the epidemic by taking existing control measures, and influenza A (H1N1) may spread to almost all provinces after about 3 months. Conclusion The effects of existing prevention and control measures were objectively assessed and the results showed the necessity and effectiveness of these measures against the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) , in the mainland of China.

OBJECTIVETo construct a tag expression library of Monascus aurantiacus that could produce citrinin maximally on the thirteenth (0.966 mg/mL) day in the submerged culture.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from the mycelium, cDNA was synthesized using the SuperScript choice system, and then, a SAGE library was successfully constructed according to the MicroSAGE method.

RESULTSFive hundred and ninety eight clones were obtained in SAGE library, and 120 clones were picked out randomly for identification and sequencing purpose. Eighty nine clones had positive inserts, 26 clones had no inserts and the remaining 5 clones had no site of NlaIII enzyme in inserts. There were seven repeated clones.

CONCLUSIONWith the aid of SAGE2000 software, 901 tags were obtained from 89 clones, representing 686 unique transcripts. Six unique tags of them belong to highly expressed genes (Number of tags > or = 10) and 143 unique tags to moderately expressed genes (repeat tags > or = 2).

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; biosynthesis ; Citrinin ; biosynthesis ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Library ; Monascus ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Fungal ; genetics ; isolation & purification