Artemisia lactiflora is an important medicinal plant in China. The antitumor and antioxidant activities of the extracts of 54 endophytic fungi from the plant were screened via MTT assay and DPPH scavenging radical assay, respectively. The bioactive strains were identified based on similarity of 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The results showed that extracts from ten (18.5%) isolates exhibited antitumor activity, and which from two (3.7%) isolates exhibited antioxidant activity. The Alternaria sp. GYBH47 strain was simultaneously having antagonistic activity against HL-60 leukemia, MCF-7 breast and COLO205 colon cell lines, and Phomopsis sp. GYBH42 strain having cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. The results indicated that endophytic fungi from Artemisia lactiflora are potential resources to find valuable bioactive components.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; microbiology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; classification ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; classification ; physiology ; Humans ; Picrates ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis study is to examine the secretion effects of beta-galactosidase in Lactococcus lactis.

METHODSThe usp45 and beta-galactosidase genes were cloned and inserted into plasmid pMG36e to obtain the recombinant plasmid pMG36e-usp-lacZ. This recombinant plasmid was transformed into both Escherichia coli DH5alpha and L. lactis MG1363. The enzyme activity, gene sequencing, SDS-PAGE and hereditary stability were assessed and studied.

RESULTSThe lacZ gene inserted into plasmids pMG36e-usp-lacZ was 99.37% similar to the GenBank sequence, and SDS-PAGE revealed an evident idio-strap at 116 KDa between L. lactis MG1363/pMG36e-usp-lacZ in both supernatant and cell samples. Beta-Galactosidase activity measured 0.225 U/mL in L. lactis pMG36e-usp-lacZ transformants, and its secretion rate was 10%. The plasmid pMG36e-usp-lacZ appeared more stable in MG1363.

CONCLUSIONThe authors concluded that these new recombinant bacteria well expressed and secreted beta-galactosidase, indicating that the beta-galactosidase expression system was successfully constructed, and this might provide a new solution for management of lactose intolerance specifically and promote the use of gene-modified organisms as part of the food-grade plasmid in general.

Base Sequence ; DNA Primers ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Lactobacillus ; genetics ; Plasmids ; beta-Galactosidase ; genetics

Objective： To investigate the effect of c ytokines (IFN-γ，TNF and IL-1) on the expression of CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD4 0L) in monocytes/macrophages. Methods： The mRNA expression of C D40 and CD40L was measured by RT-PCR and the CD40，CD40L expression on the mono cytes/macrophages were detected by flow cytometric analysis. Results： IFN-γ，TNF and IL-1 could not only significantly up-regulate the mRNA levels of CD40 and CD40L in cultured monocytes/macrophages, but also increase t he expression of CD40 and CD40L. Antioxidant VitE could reduce the expression o f CD40 and CD40L induced by IFN-γ，TNF and IL-1. Conclusion： IFN-γ，TNF and IL-1 can stimulate high expression of CD40 and CD40L . Antio xidant VitE can partially inhibit the expression of CD40 and CD40L induced by cy tokines in cultured monocytes/macrophages.

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-tumor effects of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain D817 on human colon carcinoma model in nude mice.

METHODSThe nude mouse model of human colon carcinoma was established by subcutaneous inoculation of human colon cancer LOVO cells. The tumor-bearing mice were given PBS, 5-Fu, high-dose NDV D817, moderate-dose NDV D817 or low-dose NDV D817 via caudal vein injection. The tumor size and weight of mice were measured. The liver damages were examined by histopathology. Apoptosis and necrosis of tumor cells were detected by flow cytometry. The endotumoral content of TNF-alpha was detected using a mouse TNF-alpha ELISA kit. The live virus was detected by hemagglutination (HA) test.

RESULTSThe moderate-dose NDV D817 inhibited the tumor growth more apparently than 5-Fu. The tumor growth inhibition rate reached to 48.1%. The liver damage and the weight change caused by NDV were less severe. NDV D817 made an increased apoptosis index and induced production of TNF-alpha. Live virus was not detected in important organs except in the tumor of nude mice by HA test.

CONCLUSIONIn the anti-tumor process in nude mice bearing xenografts of human colon carcinoma, a suitable dose of NDV D817 is more safe and effective.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Newcastle disease virus ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective To summarize the follow-up outcomes of Draf Ⅱ b frontal sinusotomy and it's modified procedures,and to discuss the surgical indications and prognostic factors.Methods Thirty-two patients treated between 2004 and 2010 were enrolled in this study.There were 15 patients for recurrent frontal inverted papilloma ( IP),6 for mucocele,4 for recurrent frontal sinusitis,3 for osteoma,2 for meningoeneephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea,1 for meningoencephalocele alone and 1 for acute frontal sinusitis.All patients underwent preoperative paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans.Patients with tumor accepted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).The patients with meningoencephalocele and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea recieved magnetic resonance cistemography (MRC).The Draf Ⅱ b frontal sinusotomy and it's modified Draf Ⅱ b-1 -3 procedures were applied endoscopically under general anesthesia mainly by high speed bur and power system.The postoperative CT scan was obtained as a base line for follow-up 1 week after the operation.Postoperative follow-up was performed under endoscope.Results Among 19 cases of Draf Ⅱ b,12 were recurrent IP of frontal sinus,4 were mucocele,2 were recurrent frontal sinusitis and 1 were osteoma.Five cases received Draf Ⅱ b-1,2 for each recurrent IP of frontal sinus and recurrent frontal sinusitis and 1 for osteoma. Six cases received Draf Ⅱ b-2, 3 for meningoencephalocele,1 for each IP,acute frontal sinusitis and osteoma.Two cases received Draf Ⅱ b-3 were mucocele.The follow-up ranged from 8 to 73 months.Twenty-two cases of the frontal neoostium were widely opened,7 were stenosis and 3 were closed.Revision surgery was seen in 2 cases with IP.All of them had no complications.Conclusions The Draf Ⅱ b frontal sinusotomy and it's modified procedures are suitable for complex frontal sinus disease,which can be selected according to pathological and anatomical features,and have a good prospect for clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo report 2 cases of prostatic abscess and review the current characteristics of prostatic abscess in China.

METHODSTwo cases of prostatic abscess were reported, and a meta-analysis was made of the literature from the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database and Wanfang Data in recent 10 years.

RESULTSBoth the cases had a high glucose level, and one of them had received instrumental examination of the lower urinary tract prior to the problem, both with difficult defecation, severe perineal pain and high fever, with normal peripheral white blood cell count and negative urine routine. One case of abscess was confirmed by MRI, ruptured into urethra and cured by antibiotics. The other case was confirmed by transrectal ultrasound and CT and cured by transrectal ultrasound guided needle aspiration. Meta-analysis showed that the predisposed factors were diabetes mellitus, the indwelling catheter and instrumentation of the lower urinary tract. Major pathogens were staphylococci aureus and Escherichia coli. For most patients, the diagnosis was mainly established by ultrasonography and the treatment included needle aspiration or surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical symptoms of prostatic abscess are not typically presented and the differential diagnosis may be difficult. Imaging investigation is helpful, and transrectal ultrasonography can be used for both diagnosis and treatment.

Abscess ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Diseases ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Kaixin Powder (, KXP) on melatonin receptor (MR) expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model.

METHODSSeventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group (HKXP), medium-dosage group (MKXP) and low-dosage group (LKXP). To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/(kg•d) was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/(kg•d)] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin (MT). Mel1a (MT1) and Mel1b (MT2) expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and (125)I-Mel.

RESULTSThe results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group (P<0.05). The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 (P<0.05); however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences (P>0.05). The maximum binding capacity (B(max)) for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of each group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSKXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three B(max) of MR to achieve the desired antidepressant effect.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Depression ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drinking Behavior ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Indenes ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; Male ; Melatonin ; blood ; metabolism ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Melatonin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Weight Gain ; drug effects

Objective To explore a new outpatient mode for pregnancy nutrition to adapt to digital hospital.Methods The outpatient management mode and methods were analyzed for pregnancy nutrition.A new outpatient mode combining the technologies of mobile internet and remote monitoring was developed with consideration on standardization,and the effect of the new mode was discussed on pregnancy nutrition outpatient.Results Mobile internet technology and remote monitoring technology contributed to enhancing the efficiency of pregnancy nutrition outpatient,and facilitated the nutrition service of common pregnant women as well as the precision and individualized nutrition management of high-risk ones such as those with gestational diabetes mellitus.Conclusion The new outpatient mode enhances the doctor's efficiency and pregnancy care,and thus is worthy promoting practically.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of α-enolase (ENO1) in regulating glucose metabolism and cell growth in human glioma cells.

METHODSGlucose uptake and lactate generation were assessed to evaluate the changes in glucose metabolism in human glioma U251 cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated ENO1 knockdown. MTT assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining were used to examine the cell growth and cell cycle changes following siRNA transfection of the cells.

RESULTSTransfection of U251 cells with siRNA-ENO1 markedly reduced glucose uptake (P=0.023) and lactate generation (P=0.007) in the cells and resulted in significant suppression of cell proliferation (*P<0.05) since the second day following the transfection. Transfection with siRNA-ENO1 also obviously suppressed cell cycle G1/S transition in the cells (P=0.0425). The expressions of HK2 and LDHA, the marker genes for glucose metabolism, were significantly down-regulated in the cells with siRNA-mediated ENO1 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONENO1 as a potential oncogene promotes glioma cell growth by positively modulating glucose metabolism.

BACKGROUNDCurrently, migration has become one of the risk factors of high burden of tuberculosis in China. This study was to explore the influence of mass migration on the dynamics of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis in Beijing, the capital and an urban area of China.

METHODSThree hundred and thirty-six M. tuberculosis strains from the Changping district, where the problem of urban migrants was more pronounced than in other Beijing regions, were genotyped by Spoligotyping, large sequence polymorphisms (LSPs 105 and 181), and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) typing. Based on the genotype data, the phylogeny of the isolates was studied.

RESULTSIn Changping district, the proportion of Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis isolates amounted to 89.0% (299/336), among which 86.6 % (252) belonged to the modern lineage. The frequency of modern Beijing lineage strains is so high (around 75% (252/336)) that associated risk factors affecting the tuberculosis epidemic cannot be determined. The time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of the Beijing lineage strains was estimated to be 5073 (95% CI: 4000-6200) years. There was no significant difference in the genetic variation of Beijing isolates from urban migrants and local residents.

CONCLUSIONSThe clone of modern Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis, which is dominant in the Beijing area, most likely started to expand with the five thousand-year-old Chinese civilization. In the future, with the urbanization in the whole of China, modern Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis may gain the larger geographical spread.

China ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Transients and Migrants