Objective:To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Astragalus Saponin on macrophages and explore the mechanisms of its immunomodulation.Methods:By adding different concentrations of AS into cultured mice peritoneal macrophages,the influence of AS on synthesis of nitro oxide(NO)was observed by NO Kit(enzymic method).MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of macrophages induced by AS.The morphological changes of the macrophages were identified by Transmission Electron Microscope.LSCM and specificity fluorescent probe Fluo-3/AM were applied to observe the change of Ca2+ in the macrophages induced by AS.Results:AS could significantly increase NO synthesis,enhance the capacity of mice peritoneal macrophages for cytotoxicity to carcinoma cells.The surface projections of the macrophages were exhibited multiplicating,thickening and extenting via Transmission Electron Microscope.Augmented intracellular Ca2+ in the macrophage was observed by LSCM.Conclusion:AS can enhance the immune functions of macrophages,the increase of intracellular Ca2+ be one of the mechanisms of its immunomodulatory effects.

Objective To study the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of polycystic liver disease (PLD)complicated with portal hypertension (PHT).Methods The clinical data of one patient with PLD and PHT was retrospectively analyzed,and relevant literature was reviewed.Results The patient presented fatigue,dyspepsia, abdominal distension and lower limb edema.Laboratory examination showed mild liver dysfunction(Alkaline phospha-tase 291.2U/L,gamma glutamyl transpeptidase 168.1U/L,59.9g/L,total protein,albumin 32.2g/L,21.0μmol /L, total bilirubin,direct bilirubin 11.5μmol /L).Abdominal ultrasound (US)and computerized tomography (CT) showed multiple noncommunicating cysts of varying size in both liver and kidney.Antioxidant supplements and diuretic were introduced,and the therapy was approved to be effective.Conclusion The case in this report illustrates that PLD could occasionally present with PHT.Physician should be alert to prevent misdiagnosis.

matK is one of the core DNA barcode markers for plant DNA barcode identification and its universality using single makers has been in controversy. However, the universalities of different matK primer pairs in same seed plant group (order) and same matK primer pairs in different seed plant groups (order) are lack of systematic research. In this study, we collected 14563 full-length matK sequences of 11429 species of 3292 genera in 239 families belonging to 36 orders in seed plants. The universalities of 13 matK primer pairs and its 78 primer com-binations have been assessed using bioinformatics methods. The results indicated that xf/5r, 1F/8R, 390F/1326R and 3F_KIM/1R_KIM were the four most universality primer pairs. The four markers' universalities were 91.18%, 84.65%, 79.81% and 80.94% respectively in all 11429 seed plants. The most universality primer pairs in different orders were different. For each order, the primer pair with maximum universality was different. the xf/5r was the basal primer pair for primer combination and 1F/8R, 1F/1R, M3/M4 and 3F_KIM/1R_KIM could be the complementary primer pairs. This study could be a valuable resource for the primer selection of the research DNA barcoding identification in seed plants.

Objective To observe the clinical curative effect of Depmas double blood purification system for acute severe organophosphorus pesticide poisoning.Methods Retrospectively study was carried out on 147 patients of acute severe organophosphorus pesticide poisoning.Patients were divided into four groups,the conventional treatment group treated with drug therapy,hemoperfusion group given HA230 hemoperfusion in addition to conventional treatment,plasma exchange combined with hemoperfusion group given HA230 hemoperfusion and plasma exchange therapy in addition to conventional treatment,and Depmas group treated with plasma separation by Baxter blood fiber and then given series HA230 and BS330 hemoperfusion treatment on the separated plasma in addition to conventional treatment.Survival rate,mean survival time of death patients,the concentration changes of cholinesterase and bilirubin in peripheral blood were observed.Results Compared to the conventional treatment group,survival rates of hemoperfusion group,hemoperfusion combined with plasma exchange group and Depmas group were higher,the mean survival time was longer,the cholinesterase concentration in peripheral blood was higher and the elevated bilirubin concentration was decreased with the differences statistically significant (P＜0.01).Compared to hemoperfusion group,the survival rates of hemoperfusion combined with plasma exchange group and Depmas group were higher,the mean survival time was longer,the cholinesterase concentration in peripheral blood were higher and the elevated bilirubin concentration was decreased with the differences statistically significant (P＜0.05).Besides,there were no significant differences between the survival rate,mean survival time,peripheral blood cholinesterase and bilirubin concentration of hemoperfusion combined with plasma exchange group and that of Depmas group (P＞0.05).Conclusions Depmas dual blood purification system has remarkable curative effect for the treatment of acute severe organophosphorus poisoning.

Objective To observethe clinical efficacy of comprehensive acupuncture treatment in treating primary open-angle glaucoma, and to objectively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.Method Twenty-eight patients (53 eyes) who received acupuncture treatment were recruited. By adopting a self-control design, the changes of intraocular tension, mean defect (MD) of vision field, mean sensitivity (MS), vision, and score of Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Visual Impairment (QLSPVI) were observed after 3-month acupuncture treatment.ResultThe intraocular tension of the 28 patients declined obviously after the treatment (P<0.01); MD, MS and vision didn't show significant improvements after the treatment (P>0.05); the QLSPVI score dropped significantly after the treatment (P<0.01);the total effective rate was 86.8%; the therapeutic efficacy wasn't correlated with age, disease duration, and treatment duration (P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture treatment can effectively reduce the intraocular tension, control the deterioration of MD and MS, maintain the level of vision, and enhance the quality of life of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma; with the same disease duration, the longer the treatment, the better the therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the necessity of low-intensity anticoagulation standard in patients after heart valve replacement and the rationality of INR in our hospital.Methods 681 eligible candidates were anticoagulated under the current guidelines for postoperative anticoagulation therapy in our hospital(AVR 1.5-2.0,MVR 2.0-2.5,DVR 2.0-2.5,TVR 2.5-3.0).We monitored the patient 's PT regularly and analyzed the occurrence of anticoagulation-related complications,such as bleeding,thrombosis and embolism.Results 602 cases completed the follow-up.During the period of follow-up,66 patients had bleeding tendencies,the incidence of bleeding complications was 10.96％ (66/602).1 1 patients had embolism complications,the incidence of thrombotic complications was 1.83 ％ (11/602).The average of INR was 2.24± 0.68,the mean oral Warfarin dose was(3.12± 1.14) mg/d.Conclusion Our study suggest that the effect of low-intensity anticoagulation after heart valve replacement is reliable.Further more,the current anticoagulation standards of our hospital meet the requirements of postoperative clinical anticoagulant after heart valve replacement in our region.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor 1 antagonist (SC-19220) on proliferation,prostaglandin synthase and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signal pathway induced by transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) in glomerular mesangial cells.Methods Mouse glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) were divided into 5 groups:control group,TGF-β1 (10 μg/L) group,TGF-β1 (10 μg/L) plus SC-19220 group (0.1,0.5,1.0 μmol/L).The proliferation of GMCs was measured by CCK-8.The PGE2 in supernatant was measured by ELISA.The expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF),laminin (LN),cyclooxygenase 2(COX2),membrane-bound prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES1) protein and mRNA was examined by Westem blotting and real-time quantitative PCR,ERK1/2 or phospho-ERK1/2 was measured by Western blotting as well.Results TGF-β1 induced the proliferation of GMCs and increased the secretion of PGE2.Besides,TGF-β1 significantly up-regulated the expression of CTGF,LN,COX2 and mPGES1 mRNA and protein (P ＜ 0.05),and increased the expression of phospho-ERK1/2 protein (P ＜ 0.05).However,SC-19220 significantly attenuated the changes of above-mentioned parameters and their activities (P ＜ 0.05).All the effects of SC-19220 were in dose-dependent manner.Conclusions SC19220 may reduce TGF-β1-induced cell damage by suppressing the activity of ERK1/2,and feedback inhibition of COX2,mPGES1 and PGE2,thus decreases the expression of LN and CTGF.

AIM:To investigate the effects of microRNA-29a and 133a expression in the atrium on atrial fibril-lation (AF) and fibrosis.METHODS:Chronic rapid atrial pacing was used to establish the persistent AF dog model , and the sham group was also set up .The cardiac ultrasound measurement was used for determining the cardiac structure size . The Masson 3 color staining were used to evaluate the stage of fibrosis .The expression of microRNA-29a and 133a in the left atrium ( LA) was detected by real-time transcriptase polymerase chain reaction .RESULTS: Compared with before modeling , no statistical difference of atrial dilatation and decreased ejection fraction in the model dogs with persistent AF was observed (P>0.05).Compared with sham group, the degree of fibrosis and collagen volume fraction (CVF) in per-sistent AF model group were increased obviously (P<0.05).The expression of microRNA-29a and 133a were decreased obviously (P<0.01, P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Structural remodeling of the atrium and atrial fibrosis are the essential for development and maintenance of atrial fibrillation .Down-regulation of microRNA-29a and 133a expression may be very important molecular mechanism for atrial structural remodeling in the persistent AF model dogs .

Objective To explore ultrastructure and cytoskeleton characteristics of bone marrow-deftved mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 2 SLE patients and 2 healthy controls.Their ultrastrnctures were examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM).The expression pattern of actin and vinculin was assessed by laser confocal microscopy (LCM).Results MSCs in patients with SLE presented with signs of ageing and lots of autophagosome could be found in most of the cells.F-actin was aggregated and condensed at the:border of cytoplasm.Vinculin was arranged disorderly and condensed in the cytoplasm.Conclusion The change of uhrastructure and cytoskeleton patterns of bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells of SLE patients may play an important role in the abnormal proliferation of these cells in vitro.

Microbial metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are important disciplines of microbial technology nowadays. Microbial cells are fast growing, easy to be cultivated in large scale, clear in genetic background and convenient in genetic modification. They play an important role in many domains. Microbial cell factory means an artificial microbial metabolic system that can be used in chemical production. The construction of a microbial cell factory needs transferring of multiple genes or a whole metabolic pathway, which may cause some problems such as metabolism imbalance and accumulation of mesostates. This review focuses on the regulation strategies of different levels involving simultaneous engagement of multiple genes. Future perspectives on the development of this domain were also discussed.
Bacteria ; genetics ; Fungi ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; genetics ; Genetic Engineering ; Industrial Microbiology ; Metabolic Engineering ; methods ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; genetics