Objective:To optimize the extraction technology of radix scutellariae. Methods: The extraction of radix scutellariae was scanned by ultraviolet spectrophotometry from 200 to 400nm. The content of baicalin was determined by HPLC. The ultraviolet ab-sorption, baicalin content and extraction rate were used as the indices, and the optimal extraction conditions were investigated by single factor experiments and orthogonal design tests. Results: The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: the ethanol concentration was 60%, the solid-liquid ratio was 1∶40, ultrasound extraction time and temperature was 40 min and 60℃, respectively. Conclusion:The extraction of radix scutellariae has good sunscreen with promising ultraviolet absorption in UVB. Ultrasound extraction has high ex-traction yield with short time, which can be used to extract sun-screening constituents from radix scutellariae.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Sut melanocytes growth inhibition in response to xCT -deficiency. Methods TTotal proteins were extracted from xCT-deficient Sut melanocytes and wild melanocytes, respectively, and were separated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Altered expression profile of proteins of Sut melanocytes was analyzed by PDQuest software and compared with that of wild melanocytes.Proteins with significant change were chosen to be identified by mass spectrometry and database query.Results Twenty proteins in Sut melanocytes altered significantly compared with wild melanocytes. Ten of the proteins were up-regulated, while the other tens were down-regulated. Four proteins from both up-regulated and down-regulated were identified respectively: up-regulated proteins were Tubulin alpha-1b, S100-A6,Nucleoside, S-formylglutathione, and down-regulated proteins were Calumenin,NDRG1 ,DPYSL2, 14kDa unknown protein. Conclusion The identification of the xCT-deficiency related proteins may provide supporting evidence for the mechanism research of Sut melanocytes' growth inhibition caused by xCT-deficiency.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum cardiac troponin I(cTnI)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)in heart failure of children with pneumonia and their relationship with heart function.Methods Thirty healthy children aged from 5 months to 3 years old were randomly selected with 17 male and 13 female(healthy group).Thirty children with severe heart failure aged from 3 months to 2 years old were selected at the same time with 21 male and 9 female(heart failure group).Thirty children with ordinary pneumonia aged from 3 months to 3 years old were also sampled with 16 male and 14 female(ordinary pneumonia group).The peripheral bloods of 2-3 mL of all children were taken.The BNP level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the cTnI level was determined by micro-particle enzyme immunoluminescent.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shor-tening(LVFS)were detected by echocardiography.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The levels of cTnI [(0.389?0.030) ?g/L] and BNP [(0.572?0.090) ?g/L] of heart failure group increased significantly compared with healthy and ordinary pneumonia group,while their LVEF and LVFS decreased significantly(Pa

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have suggested that the risks for coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression and in-stent restenosis are increased in patients with coronary heart disease combined with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE:To explore the predictive factors for in-stent late loss and non-culprit coronary lesion progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mel itus. METHODS:A total of 399 stenting patients were enrol ed, including 179 diabetic patients and 220 non-diabetic patients. The clinical materials, angiography parameters and biochemical markers were col ected. The difference between the two groups was compared, and also we conducted subgroup analysis in the diabetic patients. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were detected at days 3, 120, 210 and 360 after stenting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with non-diabetic patients, the stent length (P=0.18) was longer and the stent diameter (P=0.002) was smal er in the diabetic patients. The minimal lumen diameters of post-procedure and fol ow-up angiography in the diabetic group were significantly decreased (P=0.001, P=0), and the diabetic patients also showed severe coronary artery stenosis instantly and within the fol ow-up after stenting (P=0.038, P=0.004). The fol ow-up angiography showed that the diabetic patients had more late loss and restenosis (P=0, P=0.097). Furthermore, in the subgroup analysis of diabetic patients, the levels of hemoglobin A1c, fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly increased in the patients with restenosis and non-culprit lesion progression. These findings indicate that diabetic patients appear to have the higher incidence of restenosis and non-culprit lesion progression. Moreover, hemoglobin A1c, fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are effective predictors for in-stent late loss and non-culprit coronary lesion progression.

Objective To study the effect of endotoxin tolerance (ETT) on chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) in the liver tissue of rats with acute liver failure (ALF).Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,ALF group and ETT group.The rats in the ETT group and ALF group were injected with lipopolysacharide (LPS) 0.1 mg/kg or saline respectively,one time / day for 5 days.At 24 hours after the 5th-day injection,all rats were injected with D-GalN 800 mg/kg and LPS 8μg/rat.Blood sample and liver tissue were collected on 2,6,12,24 and 48 hours after injection.The gene expressions of CXCR7 in the liver were measured by RT-PCR,and the protein expressions of CXCR7 were determined by Western Blot.The data analysis was performed by LSD,Dunnett's t test.Results The histological damage in the liver tissue was significantly mider in ETT group compared to ALF group.The gene expressions of CXCR7 were significantly milder in ETT group compared to ALF group (2 h:F =29.222,6 h:F=166.892,12 h:F=38.975,24h:F=34.603,48 h:F=18.929,allP＜0.01),but still severer than that of normal group.The CXCR7 protein expression in ALF group and ETT group peaked at 24 hours,but the expression of CXCR7 in ETT group was lower compared with that in in ALF group (2h:F=11.155,6 h:F=42.553,12h:F=17.082,all P＜0.01; 24 h:F=7.242,P＜0.05).Conclusions During the process of endotoxin tolerance,LPS pretreatment and D-GalN can decrease the liver injury,down-regulate the expressions of CXCR7mRNA and CXCR7.This suggests that CXCR7 may play an important role in the ETT.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of endotoxin tolerance (ETT) through observing the expression of OX40 in liver tissues of ETT rats.Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group (n=6),acute liver failure (ALF) group (n=24) and ETT group (n=24).Lipopolysacharide (LPS) 0.1 mg/kg (ETT groups) or 0.9 ％NaC1 (ALF groups) was administered by five consecutive intraperitoneal injections at 24 h intervals,and at the sixth day,all animals were treated with intraperitoneal injections of D-galactosamine (D-GalN) 800 mg/kg and LPS 8 μg/rat.Blood and liver tissue were collected at 6,12,24 and 48 hours after the injection of D-GalN/LPS.The gene expression of OX40 in the liver was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The protein expression of OX40 was estimated by Western blot.The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The data analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA,lease significant difference (LSD) and Dunnett's T3 test.Results The expressions of TNF α and IL-6 were both significantly lower in ETT group compared to ALF group,but still higher than that of control group.The gene expressions of OX40 peaked at 12 hours and decreased gradually in ALF group.The gene expressions of OX40 were significantly lower in ETT group compared to ALF group (6 h:F=5.027,24 h:F=5.539,48 h:F=5.011,all P＜0.05; 12 h:F=36.688; P＜0.01),but still higher than that of normal group.The tendency of OX40 protein expression in ALF group was peaked at 12 hours and decreased at 24 hours.In ETT group,the expression of OX40 was lower,and the difference between ETT group and ALF group had statistical significance (6 h:F=8.658,P＜0.05; 12 h:F=34.611,24 h:F=28.176,48 h:F=16.747; all P＜0.01).Conclusions The level of OX40 is increased in ALF group,while the expressions of OX40,TNF-α and IL-6 are lower in ETT group,which suggested that OX40 may play an important role in the process of ETT.

To investigate the changes of serum ghrelin levels and their relationship with body mass index (BMI) ,waist-to-hip ratio(WHR) ,thyroid function, blood glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance parameters in different thyroid functional status. The fasting serum ghrelin, insulin, glucose, and thyroid hormone levels were determined, BMI, WHR, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated in 50 hyperthyroid and 30 hypothyroid patients at diagnosis and after normalization of thyroid function. 30 euthyroid subjects served as control. The ghrelin levels in hyperthyroid patients before treatment were lower than that in control group [(63.2±9.6) ng/L vs (80.9±13.9) ng/L,P<0.01]. Multiple regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR was an independent factor related to fasting ghrelin levels (r = -0.314, P = 0. 027). The ghrelin levels were similar in hypothyroid patients and the controls before and after the treatment. It suggests that insulin resistance might be an important factor in regulating serum ghrelin levels in different thyroid functional status.

Objective To observe the consistency of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes mutation in lymphocytes in rats after irradiation in vivo and in vitro.Methods A total of 48 female rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups.Peripheral blood samples from them were collected to separate the lymphocytes and then irradiated to X-ray irradiation with the dose rate of 200 cGy/min at the doses of 0,0.5,0.75,1.0,2.0,and 3.0 Gy,respectively.Then all the lymphocyte samples were cultured for 7 days.Flow cytometry with direct immunofluorescence was used to detect the TCR gene mutation.The levels of TCR gene mutant frequency (TCRMF) of different groups were calculated.Results The TCRMF levels of different groups after irradiation in vivo and in vitro all displayed a dose-dependent manner and there were no significant differences in the TCRMF between different dose irradiation groups(t = -1.1-0.3 ,P ＞0.05).Conclusions A consistency of TCRMF after irradiation in vivo and in vitro is proven.The results of TCRMF of peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated in vitro by flow cytometry can precisely reflect the TCR genes mutation after whole-body irradiation.

Along with the increase in fungal infections, Candida albicans prevention and control become the focus of anti-fungal infection at present. This study aims to discuss the effect monomer andrographolide (AG) on C. albicans biofilm dispersion. In the experiment, micro-well plates and medical catheter pieces were used to establish the C. albicans biofilm model. It was discovered by XTT assay and flat band method that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could impact the activity of C. albicans biofilm dispersion cells. The morphological structures of residual biofilms on catheter pieces were observed with scanning electron microscopy, which showed that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, and the dispersed cells were dominated by the yeast phase. According to the real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) test, AG could up-regulate HSP90 expression and down-regulate UME6 and PES1 expressions. This study demonstrates that AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion to some extent.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; genetics ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

The effect of water temperature, stocking density and feeding cycle on the growth of Poecilobdella manillensis juvenile was conducted P. manillensis was conducted respectively under different conditions: water temperatures(18, 22, 26, 30,34, 38 degrees C and CT), stocking density (75, 125, 200, 275, 350 individual/L) and feeding cycle(2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 d). After 30 days, survival rate, weight gain rate, specific growth rate were measured. There was a significant correlation between water temperature and specific growth rate (γ = -0.066x2 + 3.543 1x -38.09, R2 = 0.837 9). Based on the regression equation, the specific growth rate of P. manillensis achieved the maximum (9.461 4) at 26.84 degrees C. And the most optimal water temperature was 26-30 degrees C. Meanwhile, the survival rates of P. manillensis was 0 at 38 degrees C in 3 d. There was significant negative correlation between density and specific growth rate (γ = -0.005 7x + 9.197 3, R2 = 0.998 3) and between feeding cycle and specific growth rate (γ = -0.468 2x + 10.574, R2 = 0.998 8).
Animals ; Annelida ; growth & development ; physiology ; Body Size ; Feeding Behavior ; Temperature ; Water ; chemistry