Objective: To identify the pathogen of Menispermum dauricum target spot (a new plant disease in China) and study its biological characteristics and susceptibility to fungicides. Methods: Tissue isolation method was used to obtain the isolates from diseased-leaf. The pathoginicity of the isolates was fulfilled according to Koch's postulate. The identification of the pathogen was carried out according to the morphological and cultural characteristics and rDNA-ITS sequence analysis. The effects of culture medium, temperature, pH value, carbon and nitrogen sources, and light on mycelium growth and sclerotia production of the pathogen were studied. The mycelium growth rate was used to test the susceptibility of pathogen for 14 fungicides. Results: The M. dauricum target spot was caused by Streptobotrys caulophylli. The optimal medium for mycelium growth was PDA; PDA and PSA media were suitable for the sclerotium production. The optimal temperature ranges for mycelium growth and spore production were 20-28℃ and 10-30℃ and were suitable for sclerotium production. The suitable pH values for mycelium growth and sclerotium production were 4-9 and 5-11, respectively. Sucrose and L-glutamine were the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for mycelium growth. Synanthrin and sucrose were the optimal carbon source and sodium nitrate was nitrogen source for sclerotium production. The total light could promote mycelium growth, while the darkness could promote sclerotium production. The pathogen was sensitive to procymidone, cyprodinil, iprodione, fludioxonil, metalaxyl•mancozeb, and pyraclostrobin•metiram with EC50 < 1.0 mg/L and EC90 < 5.0 mg/L. Conclusion: It is the first report on M. dauricum target spot caused by S. caulophylli in China. The suitable conditions (culture medium, temperature, pH value, carbon and nitrogen sources, and light) for mycilium growth and sclerotium production are determined. The above six fungicides are screened as further field trial agents for disease control.

Agroinfiltration is a newly developed plant transient gene expression technique, which is simple, rapid and reproducible. It has been widely used in analyses of foreign gene expression, hypersensitive reaction, gene silencing, promoter activity and identification of new disease-resistance genes. In this paper, we describe the principle and the operation procedure of Agroinfiltration and its application in diverse aspects of plant molecular biology research. Our experiences in modification of the Agroinfiltration technique are also provided.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Plants ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Research Design

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured dermal papilla cells (DPC), and their possible effect on biological behaviour of DPC.

METHODSThe expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC was detected by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTThe expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC was stronger, but became negative in late passages (>6 passages). The stronger the expression of ET-1 and SCF in DPC, the higher ability of DPC to induce hair follicle regeneration.

CONCLUSIONThe expression strength of ET-1 and SCF is related to the ability of DPC inducing hair follicle regeneration.

Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Hair Follicle ; chemistry ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Stem Cell Factor ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe goals of this work was to analyse the cost of Shenqi Fuzheng injection-an extraction of a Chinese traditional herbs on reducing adverse effects in lung cancer patients during chemotherapy.

METHODSIn a randomized cross-over trial, each patient completed two identical cisplatin-based chemotherapy cycles, one with Shenqi Fuzheng injection, another without Shenqi Fuzheng injection. Adverse effects and change scores of quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy were compared in tow cycles. The direct cost dealing with adverse effect and cost-effectiveness analysis were taken.

RESULTSOne hundred and thirty were enrolled with 123 of whom were evaluable. The patient characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. The chemotherapy cycles with Shenqi Fuzheng injection spent 220.5 more Chinese yuan, but the adverse effect of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and vomiting were slight different and the change of score of several QOL domains showed significant better as compared to those in another cycle.

CONCLUSIONShenqi Fuzheng injection could reduce the severity of toxicity related to chemotherapy and improve the QOL of patients and had some benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Cross-Over Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; economics ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells on collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture.

METHODSThe hair follicle organotypic culture was prepared with different concentrations of rat tail collagen, different number of dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells in DMEM medium, after cultured for 10 days the diameter of collagen gel was measured.

RESULTThe concentration of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells significantly influenced on collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture (P<0.01). The contraction of collagen gel was negatively related to the concentration of rat tail collagen, while the concentration of dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells was positively related to the contraction of collagen gel.

CONCLUSIONThe key factor influencing collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture is the concentration of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells.

Animals ; Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; physiology ; Gels ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; Rats

Objective To explore the plague epidemical trend of nearly a 10 years data in Qinghai province to provide basis for making the prevention and control measures. Method The regional distribution and time distribution of animal and human plague, monitoring and plague foci of survey data in Qinghai from 2001 to 2010 were analyzed with Excel software 2003. Results In Qinghai province, a total of 167 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from infected animals and insects in 10 years. Yersinia pestis was mainly distributed in Wulan,Delinha, Geermu, and Tianjun, along the Qinghai-Xizang railway. Human plague was occurred every year from 2001 to 2010 except 2002, 2007, 2008, and 2010. In the 10 years, there were 37 plague cases and 16 of these cases died, the mortality was 43.24％. The plague cases were mainly distributed in Nangqian, Qumalai, Chenduo,Zhiduo, Xinghai, Tongde, Tianjun, Wulan and Qilian. And these cases were found mostly in the period from May to October, especially in the period from August to October. Major clinical type of the plague cases was lung-type (62.16％,23/37). Conclusions The plague epidemic situation in Qinghai province is still severe, animal plague occurred year after year, and human plague outbreaks occasionally. Monitoring and early warning in the key areas should be strengthened, and the comprehensive measures of plague prevention and control should be carried out to reduce the incidence and prevalence of plague.

Objective　To investigate the actions of extra cellular medium in growth and differentiation of hair follicle and to look for growth adjusting factors for dermal papilla cells (DPC). Methods　Dermal papilla cells were isolated and cultivated with two steps method and the cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for actin. Influence was examined on the adhesion and growth of dermal papilla cells by chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C and heparin sulfate. Results　Two steps method of enzyme digestion for isolating and cultivating dermal papilla cells was an efficient method and large amount of dermal papilla of high purity were harvested with this method. The method is very simple and easy to manege with. Increased adhesion and growth of dermal papilla cells were observed in specimen treated with chondroitin A and heparin sulfate. No significant effects was observed in the cells treated with chondroit in sulfate C. Conclusion　Some extra cellular medium can regulate the adhesion and growth of dermal papilla cells and therefore influence the growth and development of hair follicle.

OBJECTIVEEndocardial fibroelastosis (EFE), a common pediatric cardiovascular disease, often results in chronic heart failure (CHF) and death. Clinical trials have shown that the regimen of combining beta-adrenoreceptor blocker with traditional medicines against CHF can improve left ventricular function and prevent the ventricle from remodeling in patients with CHF. The present study aimed to observe the effect of carvedilol on concentration of plasma brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and safety in children with EFE.

METHODSTwenty-one children with EFE were randomly divided into two groups: (1) treated with traditional regimen (digoxin, prednisone and/or diuretics) (n = 10); (2) treated with carvedilol plus traditional regimen (n = 11). Measurement of plasma concentration of BNP by ELISA, cardiac function by ultrasound were performed before and after 6 months of treatment. The changes in clinical symptom, heart rate, heart function, side effect and maximal tolerance dose after treatment with carvedilol were observed.

RESULTSPlasma concentration of BNP was much higher in the group of patients with EFE [(865 +/- 702) ng/L] than that of control group [(154 +/- 78) ng/L] (P < 0.01), and there was a positive correlation between plasma concentration of BNP and cardiac function classification, and cardiac function grades II, III, and IV corresponded to plasma concentration of BNP (286 +/- 125) ng/L, (437 +/- 386) ng/L, (1673 +/- 859) ng/L respectively in children with EFE. Compared with the group treated with traditional medicines, plasma concentration of BNP [(403 +/- 216) ng/L vs. (219 +/- 87) ng/L] significantly decreased, the clinical symptom was significantly improved, cardio-thoracic ratio (CTR) (0.60 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.06) (P < 0.05) and heart rate [(115 +/- 20) bpm vs. (90 +/- 14) bpm] (P < 0.01) decreased, ejection fraction (EF) (46.6% +/- 13.4% vs. 54.5% +/- 12.9%), fractional shortening (21.6% +/- 8.1% vs. 24.1% +/- 7.5%), mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening [(0.8 +/- 0.5) cir/s vs. (0.9 +/- 0.4) cir/s] were significantly increased (P < 0.01), left ventricular end-systolic dimension [(34.0 +/- 8.6) mm vs. (32.2 +/- 9.1) mm] (P < 0.05), left ventricular mass [(65.9 +/- 34.1) g vs. (65.9 +/- 34.1) g], interventricular septal thickness at end-systole [(6.0 +/- 1.0) mm vs (5.5 +/- 1.1) mm] were notably decreased (P < 0.01) after treatment with carvedilol.

CONCLUSIONThese data indicated that plasma concentration of BNP significantly increased in children with EFE, carvedilol can decrease plasma concentration of BNP, inhibit the remodeling of ventricle, significantly improve the cardiac function in children with EFE. Carvedilol is effective and safe in treatment of children with EFE.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Carbazoles ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endocardial Fibroelastosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Propanolamines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

To study the molecular mechanism of the effect of fibroblastoid stromal cells (HFCL) from human bone marrow on the proliferation and differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells, the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM); the cell differentiation was determined by morphology NBT test and flow cytometric detection for expression of CD11b, CD14, CD13 and CD33; the genes differently expressed between HL-60 cells and HL-60 cells directly cocultured with HFCL were detected by using Affymetric oligo microarray technique. The changes of expression in some key genes were confirmed by using RT-PCR and Northern blot. The results showed that the percentage of G(1) phase cells in AML cells cocultured with HFCL cells was higher than that without HFCL cells, and the percentage of S phase cells was lower. The NBT positive cells and the expression of CD11b and CD14 increased. It was found that after direct contact of HL-60 cells with HFCL cells for 96 hours, the expression levels of 582 genes were up-regulated, 1 323 genes down-regulated. It is concluded that many genes may take part in the influence of HFCL cells on HL-60 cells, which may give important insights into the important molecules and pathways or cross-talk involved in the interaction between the AML cells and stromal cells.
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Coculture Techniques ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; physiology ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology

This study was purposed to investigate the changes of bcl-6 expression in K562 cells and the mechanism inducing differentiation into different myelocyte lineages. Models of K562 cells inducing differentiation to lineages of megakaryocyte, erythrocyte and macrophagocyte were established with inducers TPA (tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate), Hu (hydroxyurea) and HMBA (hexamethylene bisacetamide) respectively. Western blot assay was applied to detect the expression of bcl-6 in K562 cells before and after the induction. Meanwhile, PCR, cloning and direct DNA sequencing were used to identify mutations in the 5' regulatory region of bcl-6 in K562 cells before and after induction with TPA. The results indicated that up-regulation of bcl-6 expression was found only in K562 cells being induced differentiating into megakaryocyte-lineage, while mutation of 5' regulatory region of bcl-6 gene was not found. It is concluded that expression of bcl-6 increases only when K562 cells differentiate into megakaryocyte lineage and bcl-6 expression may play an important role in K562 cells induced differentiation into megakaryocyte lineage. The up-regulation of bcl-6 expression may not be related with the mutation of 5' regulatory regions of the gene.
Cell Differentiation ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Up-Regulation