OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of injury of cortical nerve cell in the newborn with hypoxia/ischemia brain damage (HIBD), and the neuroprotective effect of Radix Astragali (RA).

METHODSNeonatal HIBD model rats were established and divided into the sham group, the model group and the RA group. Brain of rats obtained at different time points after HIBD to conduct histopathological examination, neuron death rate count, as well as determination of caspase-3 (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3) protein mRNA expression in cerebral cortex by immunohistochemistry, semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively.

RESULTSIn the model group, caspase-3 mRNA and protein showed an increase at 6 hrs, reached the peak at 24 hrs, and decreased at 48 hrs after HIBD, on the 5th and 7th day restored to baseline level. After being treated by RA, the neuron death rate of ligated side was obviously reduced, caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression peak value decreased by 45% (mRNA) and 40% - 43% (protein).

CONCLUSIONRA shows markedly neuron protection in immature brain cortex after HIBD, which is related with the inhibition on caspase-3 expression.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Survival ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The microarrays have revolutionised biomedical experimentation and diagnostics, enabling ordered high throughput analysis. During the past decade, classic solid phase substrates, such as microlitre plates, membrane filters and microscopic slides, were turn into high-density, chip-like structure. The concept of the arrayed library was central to this development which now extends from DNA to protein. The availability of such protein microarrays would facilitate the simultaneous analysis of thousands of interactions within a single experiment. They can be utilized for massively parallel testing of protein function or recognized their target polypeptide in complex biological solution. This article will focus on the current strategies used to generate protein microarray and their applications in biological research, medicine and diagnostics.
Biomedical Research ; Proteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study neuroprotective effects of astragulus membraneaceus on a neonatal rat hippocampus of hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD).

METHODThe neonatal hypoxia-ischemia model was established with 7-day-old rat pups. Brain injury was examined by neuron death rate in the hippocampal CA1 area. Caspase-3 (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase) mRNA expression in ipsilateral hippocampal was measured by half-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerization chain reaction (RT-PCR). 90-day-old rats were used in tri-equal-arm maze to observe discrimination learning ability. Sham, model and astragulus-membraneaceus treated groups were set up.

RESULTIn model group, caspase-3 mRNA showed an increase at 6h, with maximum arrivimg at 24 h - 48 h after HI. In astragulus-membraneaceus treated group, neurons death rate and caspase-3 mRNA were significantly reduced by astragulus membraneaceus, and discrimination learning ability of developed rats were improved obviously.

CONCLUSIONAstragulus membraneaceus has a strong protective effect on neuronal damage in the immature rat hippocampus, which is ralated reducing caspase-3 expression.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Discrimination Learning ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; pathology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect of alternative half body irradiation (AHBI) in the treatment of hematological malignancies.

METHODSSeventeen patients with hematological malignancies in complete remission received a high-dose chemotherapy, followed by a two-step AHBI on day 14 (12 approximately 22), upper (UHBI) and lower half body irradiation (LHBI) were sequentially given with each a single dose of 6 approximately 9 Gy at an interval of 23 (7 approximately 34) days. Fourteen received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) during the same period were chosen as control.

RESULTSHematopoiesis recovery was observed in all the AHBI patients. The 3-year disease free survival (DFS) rate and the AHBI-related mortality were (52.38 +/- 13.47)% and 0, respectively. The longest survival time was 1446 days with a median follow-up period of 927 (428 approximately 1446) days. The 3-year DFS for the 11 acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients was (47.73 +/- 17.55)%. By contrast, the 3-year DFS and the AHSCT-related mortality for the 14 ALL patients in the control AHSCT group were (53.88 +/- 14.08)% and 14%, respectively. There was no significant difference in 3-year DFS between AHBI and AHSCT ALL patients.

CONCLUSIONSAHBI provides a feasible approach for hematological malignancy patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Hemibody Irradiation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome.

METHODS19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method.

RESULTSIn the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG is less than or equal to 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline ≥ 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONCombination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; analysis ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tectochrysin on prostate cancer cell line 22Rv.1 and reveal its molecular mechanism. METHODS: Tectochrysin at the concentrations of 0～20 μg/ml was applied to 22Rv.1 cells and normal prostate cell RWPE-1. The proliferation activity of the cells was detected by MTS assay. Flow cytometry and hoechst 33342 staining were used to analyze the effects of drugs on cell apoptosis, death, cell cycle and nuclear type changes. LDH release test was used to analyze the cytotoxicity of the drug to 22Rv.1 cells. QPCR and Western blot were used to analyze the effects of the drug on the expressions of genes in 22Rv.1 cells. Finally, the tumor inhibited effect of the drug on the bearing tumor BALB/c mice were confirmed though anti-tumor experiment. RESULTS: Tectochrysin could significantly inhibit the proliferation activity of 22Rv.1 cells and induced their apoptosis, and promoted the expressions of genes dr4, dr5, trail, p53, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, bid, bax and foxo3, inhibited the expressions of anti-apoptotic genes akt, pi3k and bcl-2. CONCLUSION Tectochrysin can induce prostate cancer cells apoptosis through affecting TRAIL and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and has anti-prostate cancer effect.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Birinapant on hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells QGY-7701 were treated with 0, 1, 5, 25 and 125 nmol/L Birinapant for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively, each experiment 3 wells.The proliferation activity of cells, the apoptosis levels, the cells nuclear type, the mitochondrial membrane potential, the transcription and expression levels of genes and the cytotoxicity of Birinapant were analyzed.At the same time, 4-week-old male BALB/C mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 20 mice in each group.The mice were inguinal injected with QGY-7701 cells, and then subcutaneous injected with Birinapant (concentrations ranging from 0, 1, 5, 25, 125 μg/kg) in each group after two days, once every other day.On 18 day since first Birinapant injection, 10 mice were killed in each group to weigh tumor tissue and survival time was recorded from the remaining 10 mice.The effects of Birinapant on the growth of the tumor and the survival time of tumor-bearing mice were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the negative control (NC) group, the proliferation activity of QGY-7701 was inhibited significantly after Birinapant treatment and the apoptosis levels were increased significantly (<0.01).The cell mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased and the karyotype was changed (<0.01).At the same time, the transcription and expression levels of genes cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1(cIAP-1), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2(cIAP-2), ras, raf, mek and erk were significantly decreased (<0.01), while the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes were up-regulated (<0.01).Compared with the model group (MG), the growth of the tumor was inhibited significantly and the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice was prolonged after Birinapant treatment (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Birinapant can inhibit the expression of cIAP-1, cIAP-2 and the proteins of Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signal pathways, so as to activate the mitochondria mediated endogenous apoptosis pathway.Birinapant shows a certain inhibitory effect on liver cancer.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dipeptides ; Humans ; Indoles ; Liver Neoplasms ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitochondrial Proteins

This paper systematically reviews the latest and relevant literatures and policy documents on the in-tegrated health services in Canada in recent years. Therefore, it summarizes the practice and mode of integrated serv-ice delivery in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec wherein the integration among health organization, health service team, and a series of health services are included. The contributing factors and impeding factors ( the barriers) of organiza-tional integration and specific integration strategy were summarized. Finally, according to the actual practical situa-tion, it is proposed that China should adhere to the government-led approach in promoting the integration of health services, and give a full play to the positive role of the market mechanism. Through strengthening the network man-agement and group service of primary health services, emphasis will be put on health services of population groups and specific diseases. Therefore, integration will be regarded as a strategic priority, increasing incentives and boos-ting promotion of nursing personnel on the process of Integrated Service Delivery, building the health information sys-tem that is conducive to integration in order to continuously advance Hierarchical Diagnosis and bridge the fragmented service system. This will help in providing residents with personalized, convenient, comprehensive, and continuous health services.

Prematurity is a common complication in the field of obstetrics. The incidence of prematurity increased yearly. Premature birth occurred in advance trend. Early preterm birth refers to the delivery occurred at 28-31+6 week of gestational age. For unavoidable early preterm birth, the prognoses of mothers and infants have become the focus of perinatal medicine. It is particularly significant to ameliorate the prognoses of mothers and infants. Therefore, this paper mainly reviewed mental and psychological problems, organic complications of mothers with early preterm deliveries，and physical growth, cognition，behaviors，quality of life in early preterm infants at home and abroad, in order to provide a reference for further optimization of their prognosis.

Nineteen compounds, including kihadanin D (1), obacunone (2), kihadanin A (3), kihadanin B (4), kihadanin C (5), limonin (6), evodol (7), fraxinellone (8), furo[2,3-b]quinolin-4-ol (9), preskimmianine (10), ifflaiamine (11), dictamnol (12), naringenin (13), diosmetin (14), wogonin (15), scopoletin (16), cleomiscosin A (17), apocynin (18), and methyl pyroglutamate (19), were isolated from the methanol extract of the root barks of Dictamnus dasycarpus by using various column chromatographies. Their chemical structures were extensively determined on basis of UV, IR, NMR, MS, and CD spectroscopic data analyses. Among them, 1 is a new limonoid, 9 was isolated from plant kingdom for the first time, 11, 13-14 and 17-19 were obtained from the genus Dictamnnus for the first time. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1-18 were tested, and the results indicated that 1 exhibited cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, A549 and HT29 with IC₅₈ values of 16.22, 21.72 and 31.06 μmol·L⁻¹, respectively.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Dictamnus ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Bark ; Plant Extracts ; Plant Roots