Phyllosphere and epiphytes have attracted significant interest of more and more researchers by their unique biological characteristics. Progress of research on phyllosphere and epiphytes was summarized in this paper, and the special emphasis was put on the characteristic of phyllosphere, microbial communities, invasion and the location of bacteria on leaf surfaces. Some ideas for further studies on phyllosphere microbes were also proposed.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; Eye Foreign Bodies ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly changed the pattern and natural history of ocular diseases of HIV-infected patients, resulting from the immune recovery and reduction of opportunistic infections. However, ophthalmic complica-tion continues to be concern in AIDS even in the HAART era, especially in developing areas, where absolute majority of HIV-positive patients live. Lack of test facilities and experience, poor conditions of hygiene, different microbiological environment, absence of effective treatment etc., characterize the ophthalmic manifestation of HIV-infected patients in developing countries from that in developed regions and thus pose a great challenge to the ophthalmic treatment in developing area. Not only varied from region to region, ocular complications are distinctive between adults and children. At the same time, the side effects due to the application of HAART pose their own risks of ocular complication and should, therefore, be given more research attention.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of PSF1 (partner of Sld five 1) in colon cancer specimens, and to explore the effect of RNA interference targeting PSF1 on the proliferation of colon cancer cells and its mechanism.

METHODSExpression level of PSF1 protein in colon cancer specimens was detected by Western blot in 40 patients with colon cancer from May 2004 to December 2006. The short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid targeting PSF1 was transfected into LOVO, HT-29 and HCT116 cells with liposome, then the expression level of PSF1 protein was measured by Western blot, the effect of PSF1 shRNA plasmid transfection on cell proliferation by MTT assay, anchorage-independent growth by soft agar colomy-formation assay, and PSF2, PSF3 and SLD5 mRNA expression by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe relative expression level of PSF1 protein in colon cancer tissues was 0.485±0.113, which was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal mucosa tissues (0.056±0.014, P<0.01). Western blot showed that the expression level of PSF1 protein was significantly decreased in colon cancer cells transfected with PSF1 shRNA plasmid. After PSF1 shRNA plasmid transfection, cell proliferation was significantly suppressed, the soft agar colony-forming rates of LOVO, HT-29 and HCT116 cells were significantly lower than those in control groups (P<0.05), meanwhile the expression levels of PSF2, PSF3 and SLD5 mRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPSF1 is significantly up-regulated in colon cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal mucosa tissues. ShRNA plasmid targeting PSF1 can inhibit the expression of PSF1 gene, suppress the proliferation of colon cancer cells, suggesting that it may be a new therapeutic target for colon cancer.

ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused outbreaks of SARS-like disease with 35% case-fatality rate, mainly in the Middle East. A more severe outbreak of MERS occurred recently in the Republic of Korea, where 186 people contracted the infections, causing great concern worldwide. So far, there has been no clinically available drug for the treatment of MERS-CoV infection. The potential drugs against MERS-CoV mainly consist of monoclonal antibodies, peptides and small molecular agents. Small molecular agents have an advantage of easier synthesis, lower cost in production and relatively higher stability. There is better chance for those candidates to gain a quick development. This article reviews the progress of developing small molecular MERS-CoV agents.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Drug Design ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; drug effects

In 2012, a new SARS-like coronavirus emerged in the Middle East, namely the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It has caused outbreaks with high mortality. During infection of target cell, MERS-CoV S protein S1 subunit binds to the cellular receptor (DPP4), and its S2 subunit HR1 and HR2 regions intact with each other to form a stable six-helix bundle to mediate the fusion between virus and target cell membranes. Hence, blocking the process of six-helix bundle formation can effectively inhibit MERS-CoV entry into the target cells. This review focuses on the recent advance in the development of peptidic entry inhibitors targeting the MERS-CoV S2 subunit.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ; metabolism ; Drug Design ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus ; metabolism ; Virus Internalization ; drug effects

The chemical consitituents from cytotoxic fraction of the Callicarpa nudiflora extract were isolated and purified by a combination of HP-20 macroporous resin, silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. The structures were elucidated on the basis of the spectroscopic data and comparison of their spectroscopic data with reported data. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT assay. The 50% and 70% EtOH elutions of EtOH-extract showed significant cytotoxic activities, leading to the isolation of twelve compounds, which were identified as luteoloside(1), lutedin-4'-O-β-D-glucoside(2), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-β-glucoside(3), lutedin-7-O-neohesperidoside(4), rhoifolin (5), luteolin-7, 4'-di-O-glucoside (6), forsythoside B (7), acteoside (8), alyssonoside (9), catalpol(10), nudifloside(11), and leonuride(12). Compounds 3-6, 10 and 12 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compound 9 was isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that flavonoids 1-6, in various concentrations, showed monolithic proliferation inhibitory activities against Hela, A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. Compounds 3, 5 and iridoid glycoside 11 possessed higher cytotoxicacivities. In short, flavonoids are the main components of cytotoxic extract from C. nudiflora, while phenylethanoid glycosides are the predominant ingredient but inactive to cancer cell lines. In addition, the minor iridoid glycoside expressed weak cytotoxic activity.
Callicarpa ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytotoxins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Molecular Structure

ObjectiveTo investigate the state of rehabilitation professionals in knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods60 rehabilitation professionals had received a 3-hour education delivered by four pulmonary rehabilitation experts. The trainees were assessed by Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) after the course.ResultsThe score of BCKQ was from 42 to 80 while the average score was (60.00±9.33).ConclusionThe rehabilitation professionals' knowledge about COPD was poor.

objective From April 1994 to April 1997, the authors anatomized and studied 40 cadaveric Livers, Which included the character, Length and diameter of the vessels and bile ducts of the first, second and third hepatic portis. This article put the emphasis on the anatomic structures and its clinical applilation. The results of the 40 cadaveric liver anatomy will play important roles on the resection and transplantation of the liver, especially the Piggy back Liver transplantation.