Ginkgo biloba mainly contains many kinds of special flavonoids and terpenlactones in its leaves. The preparation of Ginkgo biloba extract is very good for curing patients suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In order to get more Ginkgo biloba leaves rich in flavonoids and terpenlactones, the rules are set to seek fine varieties including higher contents of flavonoids and terpenlactones, higher leaves yield than ordinary ones. Many fine varieties were selected according to these standards and applied in Ginkgo cultivation for leaf use. Factors affecting the contents of active ingredients and the amount of leaves covered Ginkgo varieties, sex, age, origin, environment, and harvest time, location in tree's canopy and branches, branch types and so on. The suitable application of fertilizer, trimming, pruning, and planting density will improve the yields of leaves and medicinal components. Future works should focus on two aspects, one is the germplasm resources collection, conservation, studying, and selection, another is directionally cultivation of leaf-used Ginkgo using improved varieties and standardized cultivation.

Objective To compare the effects of antenatal ambroxol and 3-day dexamethasone and 1-day dexamethasone on rats′ fetal lung morphogenesis.Methods Twelve pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups randomly:3-day ambroxol group,3-day dexamethasone group,1-day dexamethasone group and control group,every group had 3 rats.On gestational day 19,cesareans were carried out and the histologic structures of 6 fetal rats lungs of each pregnant rats were observed with light microscope,electronic microscope and image analysis.Results 1.Under the light microscope,compared with control group,fetal rats lung in three treatment groups had more alveolar numbers,larger alveolar space,and thinner alveolar septum(Pa

Objective To study the effect of different concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] on cell proliferation,differentiation and the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in mouse MC3T3E1 osteoblast.Methods Osteoblast were cultured in medium with different concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3.Incubated for 48 h,cell proliferation of osteoblast were examined by MTT reduction assay (mono-nuclear cell direc cytotoxicity assay),the osteocalcin (OC) levels in cell medium were detected by ELISA,and the expression of VDR mRNA and protein were examined by using SYBR Green real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results 1.After incubation with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 48 h,the number of MC3T3E1 osteoblast was significantly less than that in control group(P0.05).3.SYBR Green real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that the expression of VDR mRNA as well as VDR protein of osteoblast in 10-8,10-9 mol/L experimental groups were significantly higher than those in control group (Pa0.05).Conclusions Cell proliferation of mouse osteoblast can be inhibited,while the cell differentiation was promoted by 1,25(OH)2D3.1,25(OH)2D3 up-regulated the expression of VDR in mouse osteoblast,which suggested that the VDR signal pathway may play some role in proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

METHODSWe transfected the lentivirus vector STIM1-pGCSIL-GFP carrying STIM shRNA into human hormone-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells, and 3 days later observed the transfection efficiency by fluorescence microscopy. At 7 days after transfection, we determined the expression of STIM1 in the PC-3 cells by RT-PCR and Western blot and those of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, survivin and activated Caspase-3 by Western blot.

RESULTSAt 3 days, inverted microscopy revealed a transfection efficiency of > 80%. At 7 days, the STIM1 expression was significantly inhibited at both mRNA and protein levels. The Bcl-2/Bax rate was remarkably decreased as compared with that of the control group (0. 31 vs 1.24 ) , and the survivin expression was markedly reduced, 0. 14 times that of the relative expression in the control. However, the Caspase-3 cleavage was significantly activated, 1.52 times that of the control (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTIM1 can be regarded as an oncogene in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Inhibition of its expression can induce PC-3 cell apoptosis by reducing the Bcl-2/Bax rate, decreasing the survivin expression, and activating the Caspase-3 pathway.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTSSystolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.

Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prehypertension ; therapy ; Wind

Objective To study the expressions of foliate binding protein 1(Folbp1),Wnt and ?-catenin genes on the heart of offspring during the development of embryo,whose mother was deficient of folic acid.Methods Control group involving 18 rats and study group involving 18 rats were choosen from the total 36 adult female SD rats randomly copulate with the male normal rats after feeding different fodder for 2 weeks.The heart of the 13.5,17.5 days embryos and the newborns were obtained.The expressions of Folbp1,Wnt and ?-catenin genes mRNA at the 3 periods were evaluated by RT-PCR.Results The expressions of Folbp1,Wnt and ?-catenin genes mRNA of the study group were significantly weaker than those of the control group in heart of the 13.5,17.5 days embryos and the newborns(all P

OBJECTIVE: To study the relevance of the high stimulus rate auditory brainstem response(auditory brainstem response, ABR) test in recurrent vertigo, investigate the cause of recurrent vertigo, and provide important help for the clinical treatment. METHOD: One hundred and one cases with recurrent vertigo were retrospectively analyzed, and high stimulus rate ABR were tested and compared in attack episodes and intermittent episodes. RESULT: The abnormal difference between ABR I and V latency was selected as parameters. The abnormal rate of high stimulation ABR was 56.4% in patients with recurrent episodes of vertigo many times (2 and above), of which the highest rate was 71.9% in MV patients, and the second one was BPPV. The abnormal rate of high stimulation ABR was 14.9% in patients during medication or intermittent episodes. The abnormal rate in all groups decreased obviously as compared to attack episodes. CONCLUSION Abnormal rate of high stimulus rate ABR correlates well with recurrent vertigo significantly. The inner ear microcirculation may result in the attack of recurrent vertigo.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo ; etiology ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to explore the expression of MIP-1alpha, MCP-1 and their receptors CCR-1, CCR-2 in bcr/abl fusion gene positive CML cells, and to study the effects of P210(bcr/abl) fusion protein tyrosine kinase on expression of MIP-1alpha, MCP-1 and their receptors CCR-1, CCR-2 mRNAs in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. The expression levels of MIP-1alpha, MCP-1 and their receptors CCR-1, CCR-2 mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in bcr/abl negative cells, bcr/abl positive cells, and P210(bcr/abl)-Rb-C-Box positive cells. The results showed that MIP-1alpha and CCR-1 mRNAs were expressed in bcr/abl negative cells, but not in positive cells. Both MCP-1 and CCR-2 mRNA cannot be detected in both bcr/abl positive and negative cells. After inhibiting P210(bcr/abl) tyrosine kinase activity by Rb-C-Box, expressions of MIP-1alpha and CCR-1 mRNAs were restored to normal (similar to P210(bcr/abl) negative cells). It is concluded that P210(bcr/abl) fusion protein inhibits the expression of MIP-1alpha and CCR-1 in chronic myeloid leukemia cells, but does not inhibit MCP-1 and CCR-2 mRNA expressions in these leukemia cells.
Chemokine CCL2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL3 ; Chemokine CCL4 ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; metabolism ; Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, CCR1 ; Receptors, CCR2 ; Receptors, Chemokine ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of resistin overexpression on 3T3-L1 adipocyte lipid and glucose metabolism.

METHODSExpression vector for rat resistin gene was constructed and transfected into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cell differentiation and lipid accumulation was determined by Oil Red O staining. Differentiation marker genes (pref-1, C/EBPalpha, FAS) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) gene mRNA expressions were evaluated by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFAs) in adipocytes were measured by colorimetric kit.

RESULTS(1) In resistin-overexpressed adipocytes, the lipid droplets presented at the second day which was earlier than the control cells. (2) The expression of C/EBPalpha and FAS genes in resistin-overexpressed adipocytes were up-regulated and the pref-1 was down-regulated compared with that of the control cells. (3) In resistin-overexpressed adipocytes, cellular TG and FFAs levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). (4) There was no difference in the expression of GLUT4 gene between 3T3-L1 adipocytes and resistin-overexpressed adipocytes (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of resistin can affect 3T3-L1 adipocyte lipid metabolism and thereby result in obesity and insulin resistance, but have no effect on GLUT4 gene expression.

3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; genetics ; Lipid Metabolism ; genetics ; Mice ; Rats ; Resistin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo explore the effects of p210 bcr/abl fusion gene on expression of beta1 integrin and L-selectin mRNAs in mouse chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells.

METHODSComparisons of beta1 integrin and L-selectin mRNA levels among p210 bcr/abl negative, p210 bcr/abl positive, and p210 bcr/abl-Rb-C-Box positive cells were undertaken by quantity RT-PCR.

RESULTSIn p210 bcr/abl positive cells, L-selectin mRNA level was decreased, but beta1 integrin mRNA expression had no change as compared to those in p210 bcr/abl negative cells. When inhibition of bcr-abl tyrosine kinase activity by Rb-C-Box, the L-selectin mRNA expression restored to normal (similar to p210 bcr/abl negative cells).

CONCLUSIONp210 bcr/abl oncoprotein inhibits expression of L-selectin mRNA, but not of beta1 integrin mRNA.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Genes, Retinoblastoma ; genetics ; Integrin beta1 ; genetics ; L-Selectin ; genetics ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection