Pluronic modified polyamidoamine (PAMAM) conjugate (PF127-PAMAM) was prepared and the inhibiting effect of MDR against MCF-7/ADR was investigated with doxorubicin (DOX) as model drug. 1H NMR and FTIR spectra showed that the conjugate was synthesized successfully. Element analysis accurately measured that 27.63% amino of per PAMAM was modified by pluronic (PAMAM : PF127, 1 : 35.37 mole ratio). PF127-PAMAM showed an increased size and a reduced zeta potential compared to PAMAM. PF127-PAMAM had lower hemolytic toxicity and cytotoxicity due to the reduced zeta potential and the protection of PF127. Each PF127-PAMAM molecular could load 19.58 DOX molecules, and the complex exhibited sustained and pH-sensitive release behavior. PF127-PAMAM/DOX exhibited weaker cytotoxicity than free DOX in MCF-7 cells; while the complex showed much stronger reverse effect of drug resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells, and resistance reversion index (RRI) was as high as 33.15.
Dendrimers ; pharmacology ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; drug effects ; Poloxamer ; pharmacology

Animals ; Barbiturates ; Coloring Agents ; Fallopian Tubes ; cytology ; embryology ; physiology ; Female ; Isoxazoles ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

Objective and Method: To study the influence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides (ACEIP) on the expression of eNOS, iNOS, ET-1 mRNA in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) method and then investigate its mechanism. Results: Campared with the control, the expression of ET-1 and iNOS was lower and the expression of eNOS was higer in different ACEIP groups. Conclusion: The antihyertensive function of ACEIP partly depended on the its effect to lessen the expression of ET-1,iNOS and induce the expression of eNOS in cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells.

The present study aimed to clarify the smoking cessation motivations,challenges and coping strategies among pregnant couples.A qualitative design using a grounded theory approach was applied.Data were collected by individual semi-structured interviews with 39 married individuals (21 non-smoking pregnant women and 18 smoking or ever-smoking men with a pregnant wife) and 3 imams in an ethnically diverse region of far westem China.The most common theme for smoking cessation motivation was "embryo quality" (i.e.,a healthier baby),followed by family's health.Most interviewees reported that husband's withdrawal symptoms were the greatest challenge to smoking cessation,followed by the Chinese tobacco culture.Coping strategies given by the pregnant women typically involved combining emotional,behavioral and social interventions.Social interventions showed advantages in helping to quit smoking.Pregnancy appears to be a positive stimulus for pregnant couples' smoking cessation.Our results suggest that pregnancy,a highly important life event,may help to reduce barriers to smoking cessation at the social level (e.g.,limiting access to cigarettes,avoiding temptation to smoke),but does little to help with the withdrawal symptoms.Professional guidance for smoking cessation is still necessary.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the astrocytes and neurons in the epileptiform discharge region of the hippocampus in children with intractable epilepsy.

METHODSAcutely dissociated cells from the epileptiform discharge region of the hippocampus were exposed to blank control group and NGF treatment groups (NGF concentrations: 12.5, 50 and 100 ng/mL). Astrocytes and neurons were identified by bisbenzimide staining combined with the specific makers such as GFAP and MAP2. The total number of neural cells was counted under an inversion fluorescence microscope. The percentage of immunostaining positive cells was calculated.

RESULTSAfter 4 hrs of culture, the percentages of GFAP+ astrocytes and MAP2+ neurons in the NGF treatment groups were higher than those in the blank control group, and increased with increasing NGF concentration (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNGF may have protective effects on GFAP+ astrocytes and MAP2+ neurons in the injured hippocampus of children with epilepsy.

Adolescent ; Child ; Cytoprotection ; Epilepsy ; pathology ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Nerve Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; chemistry ; drug effects

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To approach the clinical significance of Clara cell secretary protein(CCSP) in bronchial asthmatic children. Methods Serum were collected from 50 cases during asthmatic attacks, 22 asthmatic children who were in stable conditions, and 20 healthy children. Serum CCSP concentrations were measured by a human CCSP enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Asthmatic children had significantly lower levels of CCSP in serum during asthmatic attacks(P

Objective To explore the role of Clara cell secretory protein(CCSP) in asthmatic children and compare the levels of CCSP in sera and induced sputum.Methods Thirty-four children with asthma who were in remission and 25 healthy controls were enrolled.Sera and hypertonic saline-induced sputum were obtained in asthmatic children,and sera alone were obtained in control subjects.The le-(vels) of CCSP were measured in sera and induced sputum by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results Asthmatic children,compared with controls,had significantly lower concentration of CCSP in sera(P

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Pinelliae Rhizoma with different matching proportions and doses on their analgic, anti-inflammatory, phlegm eliminating and cough relieving efficacies in mice.

METHODThe two-factor, seven-level uniform design method was adopted to observe the effect of the oral administration with the combined decoction on the analgic, anti-inflammatory, phlegm eliminating and cough relieving efficacies, with frequency of body torsions induced by acetum, ear swelling degree induced by dimethylbenzene, secretion of phenol red in tracheas and frequency of coughs induced by aqueous ammonia as indexes. Significant matching proportions and doses were collected for verification.

RESULT(1) The effect on the frequency of body torsions and ear swelling degree. The combined decoction could effectively reduce the frequency of body torsions and ear swelling degree. According to a regression analysis, Aconiti Radix Cocta and Pinelliae Rhizoma had the antagonism, which was maximized at the ratio of 10: 1, and minimized at the ratio of less than or equal to 1: 1. The frequency of body torsions and ear swelling degree increased first and then decreased along with the rise in the total dose; and a higher proportion of Aconiti Radix Cocta resulted in a faster speed in decrease or increase. (2) The effect on the secretion of phenol red in tracheas and frequency of coughs. The combined decoction could effectively increase the secretion of phenol red in tracheas and decrease the frequency of coughs. According to a regression analysis, Pinelliae Rhizoma and Aconiti Radix Cocta had the synergistic effect in the secretion of phenol red in tracheas, which was maximized with a total dose of more than 5 g x kg(-1) and a ratio of 1: 1.

CONCLUSIONThe compatible application of Pinelliae Rhizoma and Aconiti Radix Cocta can decrease the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Aconiti Radix Cocta and promote the cough-relieving effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma, which vary according to different matching ratio and dose. This study provides experimental basis for indepth studies on the combined effect of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Pinelliae Rhizoma--two of eighteen incompatible pairs.

Aconitum ; Animals ; Cough ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pinellia ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Research Design