To investigate the effects of gensenoside Rg1 on expressions of phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and tau protein in Alzheimer's disease-like tau phosphorylation rat brain slices, and to explore the mechanisms of gensenoside Rg1 in inhibiting tau phosphorylation.

Objective To explore the value of prenatal diagnosis and sonographic features of Joubert syndrome and related disease (JSRD). Methods From April 2013 to August 2013, a fetal suspected hydrocephaly and the child of the same family were studied in Southern Medical University Afifliated Shenzhen Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital. The fetal underwent ultrasonographic imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, genetic test and autopsy. The propositus underwent magnetic resonance imaging, genetic test and clinical test. The magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonographic imaging features of the JSRD were analysed. Results (1) Ultrasound results:′cleft sign′was detected because of the fetus cerebellar vermis dysplasia. The width of left ventricle was 2.3 cm. (2) MRI results:Both the fetal and the propositus showed′molar tooth sign′and′cleft sign′. (3) Genetic test results:Both of them had the mutations of CC2D2A gene at chromosome 4p15.32. (4) Fetal autopsy results:fetal cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and cerebellar hemispheres moved closer to the midline. (5) Clinical test result:the propositus had poor audio-visual reaction, looked instability, poor head-eye coordination, upper eyelid lifting fatigue, mental retardation and ataxia. His mouth crooked when he was crying. (6) The electroencephalogram results:the EEG with abnormal 3-4 Hz coming from occipital cortex showed poor sleep background. Frontal area launched sharp wave frequently. It was more obvious on the right area. Conclusions It is easy to diagnose JSRD according to the′molar tooth sign′,′cleft sign′,′bat wing sign′and the clinical features. The′molar tooth sign′on prenatal MRI may prompt JSRD risk, but it is not speciifc. Prenatal ultrasonographic features of cerebellar vermis hypogenesis provide some clues for the diagnosis.

Maize seedlings were cultured in nickel or cadmium contaminated sand treated with α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA). The effects of NAA on nickel and cadmium uptake in roots, shoots, and subcellular fractions (cell wall, nuclei and remained parts of seedling cells) were determined. The data showed growth promotion when NAA was applied at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. Uptake of nickel and cadmium content increased concurrently in roots and shoots. In the subcellular fraction, nickel and cadmium was greatest in the cell wall. The changes in growth had greatest correlation with nickel and cadmium content in the subcellular fraction.

Objective To examine the effects of exogenously administered intermedin (IMD,adrenomedullin-2) on arterial blood pressure,cardiac function and the cardiovascular IMD receptor system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as well as to investigate the associated mechanisms.Methods Thirteen week-old male rats were divided in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) group (n =12),SHR group (n =12),IMD group (SHRs infused with IMD 1-47 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12),and ADM group (SHRs infused with adrenomedullin 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12).Results A two-week continuous administration of low dose IMD 1-47 via mini-osmotic pumps markedly reduced blood pressure,the maximal rates of increase and decrease of left-ventricle pressure development (LV ± dp/dtmax),left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate in SHRs.Furthermore,IMD also inhibited protein over-expression of cardiovascular IMD receptors,myocardial Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins (RAMP1 and RAMP2),aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3,and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR);suppressed up-regulation of aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3 and CRLR gene expression; and markedly elevated the mRNA abundance of myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocardial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).Additionally,IMD 1-47 administration in SHRs increased aortic cAMP concentration and reduced myocardial cAMP concentration.Conclusion These findings support the speculation that IMD,as a cardiovascular active peptide,is involved in blood pressure reduction and cardiac function amelioration during hypertension.The mechanism underlying this effect may involve IMD binding of a receptor complex formed by RAMPs and CRLR,and consequential regulation of cAMP levels and other cardiovascular active factors,such as ANP and BNP.

Reduction capacity ( RC ) is an important index to evaluate the redox ability of dissolved organic matter. In order to determine the RC, hydrophilic organic fractions ( HyI ) isolated from dissolved organic matter extracted from the uncomposted and composted samples were used as electron donators and mediators, and three kinds of irons were chosen as electron acceptors. The results showed that, the RC values from the composted sample were 15. 88, 13. 41 and 51. 45 mmol e -/mol C for the electron acceptors Fe2(SO4)3, Fe(NO3)3 and FeCit, respectively, which were higher than the corresponding values (13. 45, 11. 77 and 43. 16 mmol e-/mol C) from the uncomposted sample. The electron acceptor type shows a dramatic influence on the RC value of HyI. The RC value determined by FeCit was obviously higher than that measured using Fe2( SO4 ) 3 and Fe( NO3 ) 3 , and the microbial reducing capacity of the HyI was lower than the corresponding native reducing capacity. By analyzing the special absorbencies ( SUVA254 and SUVA280 ) , absorbance ratios ( A2/A3 and A4/A6 ) and integrated area from UV-vis spectra, it can be found that the RC was affected by aromatic degree, unsaturated conjugated structure, and molecular weight. Excitation-emission matrix spectra coupled with regional integration analysis showed that the relative content of humic-like substances ( humic-like acids and fulvic-like acids) was the main factor influencing the RC value of HyI. The results obtained can be used to characterize the redox properties of HyI, and reveal its role in the transformation and degradation of pollutants during composting.

The aim was to investigate the effect of particle size on transfection efficiency of chitosan (CS)-based nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were synthesized through complex coacervation CS with plasmid DNA (pDNA). Three kinds of pDNA/CS nanoparticles with different sizes (250, 580 and 1300 nm) were prepared by altering the adding rate and the vortexing time. The particle size, zeta potential and the stability in cultural medium were evaluated by zetasizer. The association efficiency was determined by spectrofluorophotometer. The combination of chitosan with pDNA as well as the ability to protect pDNA from nuclease degradation was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. The transfection efficiency of pDNA/CS nanoparticles in HEK293 cells was investigated by flow cytometry. Using CS grafted fluorescein isothiocyanate as a fluorescent marker, the adsorption features of the nanoparticles were visualized by fluorescence microscopy and the cellular uptake percent was quantitated by flow cytometry. The internalization process of the nanoparticles was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) using nanoparticles of the size of 250 nm. Results showed that the three kinds of pDNA/CS nanoparticles had no differences in zeta potential, association efficiency, protection ability, stability and transfection efficiency in HEK293. The nanoparticles were all adsorbed on cell surface in the form of aggregates, and similar cellular uptake percent as well as quantities were observed 4 h post-incubation with HeLa cells. CLSM images showed that the aggregates below 2 microm could be internalized by endocytosis. These results suggest that the transfection efficiency of pDNA/CS nanoparticles does not depend on particle size in the range from 250 nm to 1300 nm.
Chitosan ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; DNA ; administration & dosage ; Endocytosis ; Genetic Vectors ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Plasmids ; Transfection

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nickel ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the epidemiology and relevant risk factors of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in hospital old patients for non-respiratory tract. Methods Seventy-eight patients of IFI in non-respiratory tract were enrolled in this investigation. The incidence and risk factors of IFI were analyzed by prospective case-control study. Results In 78 old patients, 84 strains were isolated from different parts, and the most was Candida spp 82 strains (97.62%,82/84), followed by Candida albicans 55 strains (67.07%,55/82), Candida glabrata 13 strains ( 15.85%, 13/82), Candida krusei 6 strains (7.32%, 6/82), Candida tropicalis 4 strains (4.88% ,4/82), Candida parapsilosis 3 strains (3.66% ,3/82), Candida lusitaniae 1 strain ( 1.22%, 1/82). Aspergillus 2 strains (2.38%,2/84). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, pathogen detection time, underlaying disease,glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants were the risk factors for IFI in non-respiratory tract. Conclusions Candida albicans is the main pathogens of Candida infections in old patients. To efficiently control the risk factors should be emphasized in old patients, including early diagnosis and treatment underlying diseases, appropriate use drugs, right to shorten hospital stay.

Objective: To investigate the role of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in supporting hematopoiesis and the expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro. Methods: According to the fact that HUVEC supernatant has colony stimulating activity shown by methylcellulose colony-forming assay and HUVEC can maintain the survival of mononuclear cells for at least four weeks in vitro, CD34+ cells from umbilical cord blood were seeded with (HUVEC group) or without (control group) HUVEC monolayer. Every week cells were collected and counted, the frequency of CFU-GM was measured by using methylcellulose colony-forming assay, and the percentage of CD34+ and CD41a+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. Results: In control group，all the CD34+ cells died in two weeks. However, in HUVEC group,most nucleated cells and CD34+ cells were expanded by 68.1±14.8 fold and 6.6±1.4 fold，respectively at the third week while CFU-GM expansion reached its peak (5.7±2.1 fold) at the week 2. Moreover, the percentage of CD41a+ cells was enhanced significantly, reaching a maximum (15.6%) at the week 3. Conclusions:HUVEC can support hematopoiesis in vitro and expand the hematopoietic progenitor cells and CD41a+ cells in direct contact coculture.

Background Researches showed that wild-type p53(wtp53)and Rb94 genes inhibit the growth of retinoblastoma(RB),and these genes are involved in signal pathway in the induction and maintenance of cellular senescence.Thus the combination of two genes to inhibit growth of RB is concerned.Objective This study was to observe the inhibitory effect of the co-transfection of Rb94 and wtp53 gcnc into subretina on RB with ultrasound microbubble.Methods HXO-Rb44 suspension was subretinally injected to establish the RB model in 40 SPF female Balb/c nude mice.The RB models were randomized into model control group,wtp53 group,Rb94 group and wtp53+Rb94 group,and 0.1 ml relevant gene microvesicle suspension was injected via caudal vein in the different groups,but no any gene was used in the model control group.Seven days after modeling,followed by 0.5 W/cm2ultrasonic wave irradiated the eyeballs immediately for 4 seconds ×2 times and interrupted for 24 seconds.Eyeballs were extracted 7 days after gene transfection,and the expressions of wtp53 mRNA and Rb94 mRNA in tumor tissuc were detected by RT-PCR,and wtp53 and Rb94 protein in tumor tissue were assayed using Western blot.Immunochemistry was used to exam the VEGF expression,and TUNEL was used to evaluate the apoptosis of the tumor cells.Results The model successful rate after HXO-Rb44 suspension was 80％ (32/40)and obvious malformation cells were seen under the light microscope.In 7 days after gene transfection,no response band for wtp53 mRNA and Rb94 mRNA were found.The relative expression valuc of wtp53 mRNA was 0.65±0.07 in the wtp53 group,and that in wtp53+Rb94 group was 0.32±0.02,showing a significant difference between them (t =11.743,P =0.000).Rb94mRNA relative value was 0.42 ±0.03 in Rb94 group,and that in the wtp53 + Rb94 group was 0.23 ± 0.03,with a significant difference(t=5.041,P=0.001).The response bands of wtp53 and Rb94 proteins were seen in wtp53group,Rb94 group and wtp53+Rb94 group.Immunochemistry showed that the positive reactive intensity for VEGF in tumor tissue was obviously weaker in wtp53+Rb94 group than that in the wtp53 group,Rb94 group and model control group.Apoptotic index(Al) was 37.35±2.14 in the wtp53+Rb94 group,showing a significant increase in comparison with model control group (0.46 ± 0.05),wtp53 group (5.05 ± 0.80) and Rb94 group (6.43 ± 1.02) (t =-34.395,-28.206,-26.006,P＜0.01).Conclusions Ultrasound microvesicle enable double gene transfecting into RB tumor tissue,and Rb94 gene cooperation with wtp53 gene enhance the inhibitory effect on RB by promoting the apoptosis of RB cells.