Objective: To observe the effect of Liuwei Dihuang decoction on brain development of intrauterine growth retardation rats,and to demonstrate the relationship between brain and kidney in TCM.Methods: Animals were divided into 4 groups at random: normal group,model group,Huangqi(HQ) and Liuwei Dihuang(LD) treated groups.The IUGR model was established by passive smoking.On the 19th day of pregnancy,all rats were killed;the total numbers of embryos,the lively,dead and absorbed embryos were counted.The body and brain weight of lively embryos were scaled respectively,then microstructure and apoptosis in brain were observed.Results: Passive smoking can result in the number of dead and absorbed embryos increases.Compared with normal group,the number of apoptotic cells of model group increased.Compared with model group,in Huangqi and Liuwei Dihuang treated groups,the number of dead and absorbed embryos decreased apparently,body and brain weight increased obviously,the number of apoptotic cells reduced significantly(P

Objective To study the conventional MRI and dittusion weighted imaging(DWI) features of Japanese encephalitis(JE)in children.Methods Sixteen patients with JE were included. Conventional MRI and DWI sequences were performed in all patients.Seven patients received MRI within 10 days of onset and 9 after 10 days.The appearances on DWI and T_2 WI were recorded.The ADC values of lesions were calculated,and then were correlated with the corresponding time interval between onset of neurological symptoms and MRI scanning.Results The lesions of JE mainly showed long T_1 and long T_2 signal intensity on MRI.The thalami were the most frequently involved areas,and 15 out of 16 showed thalamic involvement and 6 patients only showed thalamic abnormalities without other lesions.Seven patients within 10 days of onset showed lesions with high signal intensity on both DWI and T_2WI,but whole or partial lesions showed clearer on DWI than on T_2WI,and 2 patients showed extra lesions that were invisible on T_2WI.As for the other 9 patients after 10 days of onset,the lesions showed clearer on T_2WI than on DWI. There was a direct correlations between thalamic ADC values and the disease duration (r=0.84,P

To explore the mechanisms of suppression growth and induction apoptosis of curcumin on human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226, the suppressive effect of curcumin on RPMI8226 was examined by MTT assay; the induction apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of curcumin on RPMI8226 were determined by flow cytometry (FCM); the changes of survivin, Bcl-2, Bax mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that curcumin obviously suppressed the proliferation of RPMI8226 in both time- and dose-dependent manners, and the IC(50) were 12.15 micromol/L, 4.9 micromol/L for 24 and 48 hours respectively. FCM indicated that the apoptosis ratio rose from 10.6% of untreated cells up to 36.9% of treated cells (p < 0.05), and curcumin arrested cell cycle of RPMI8226 at G(2)/M phase. RT-PCR showed that RPMI8226 cells expressed survivin, Bcl-2 strongly and Bax slightly; while RPMI8226 cells were treated with curcumin 10 micromol/L for 24 hours, the expressions of survivin, Bcl-2 mRNA were apparently down-regulated, and the expression of Bax mRNA was markedly up-regulated. It is concluded that curcumin can suppress the proliferation of human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226, and induce their apoptosis. The mechanism of antitumous effect of curcumin may be related to down-regulation of survivin, Bcl-2 mRNA and up-regulation of Bax mRNA.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tpo and/or IL-11 gene modified stromal cells on the expansion of CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in cord blood.

METHODSRetroviral vectors containing Tpo or IL-11 gene were constructed and used to transfect the stromal cell line HFCL. Tpo and/or IL-11 mRNA was assayed by Northern blot. Non-modified stromal cells were used, CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood were expanded on gene-modified stromal cells for 7 days. The phenotype of CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) primitive progenitors was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSHFCL expressed Tpo and/or IL-11 mRNA after transfected by the retroviral vectors. The percentages of CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) primitive progenitors in the cultures of Tpo, IL-11 and Tpo + IL-11 modified HFCL were (1.8 +/- 0.24)%, (1.62 +/- 0.23)%, and (2.45 +/- 0.28)%, respectively, which were higher than that in the control [(0.8 +/- 0.23)%].

CONCLUSIONThe stromal cells modified by Tpo and/or IL-11 gene were able to enhance ex vivo expansion of CD(34)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; analysis ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-11 ; genetics ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Thrombopoietin ; genetics

This study was aimed to detect the gene expression profile changes between human acute leukemia cell line HL-60 and VCR-resistance HL-60, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of MDR by using genechip technology. In experiments, mRNA were harvested using TrizoL reagent from these two cell lines, through RT-PCR, the biotinylated nucleotide were incorporated into the cRNA during the in vitro transcription reaction. The high quality RNA was hybridized to the gene expression array--human genome U133A developed by Affymetrix. It was scanned by G2500A GeneArray Scanner and the acquired image was analysed by a series of softwares. The results showed that 5,507 genes were differentially expressed between human acute leukemia cell line HL-60 and VCR-resistant HL-60. Compared with HL-60, 3,100 genes were up-regulated and 2,407 genes were down-regulated in VCR-resistant cell line. These genes were involved in different cell activities such as growth regulation and signal transduction. Among the genes with remarkable differential expression between the two cell lines, 435 were up-regulated and 605 were down-regulated. It is concluded that many different kinds of genes are involved in the mechanism of MDR and there is an intricate molecular network that controls the sensitivity of leukemia cells to the chemotherapeutic agents. Genechip is an efficient tool for parallel gene expression analysis.
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genome, Human ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Vincristine ; pharmacology

AIMTo investigate the chemical constituents of Cyanotis arachnoidea.

METHODSBy using chromatographic methods for separation and combination with spectral analysis, their chemical structures were determined.

RESULTSSix compounds were identified as ajugasterone C-20, 22-acetonide (1), 20-hydroxyecdysone-20, 22-acetonide (2), 22-oxo-ajugasterone C (3), 22-oxo-20-hydroxyecdysone (4), beta-sitosterol (5), daucosterol (6).

CONCLUSIONCompound 3 is a new compound, 4 was a new natural compound.

Commelinaceae ; chemistry ; Ecdysone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ecdysterone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (, BYHWD) on estradiol (E2) and estradiol receptor (ER) in serum and brain in ovariectomized rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

METHODSAdult female rats were ovariectomized and focal cerebral ischemic was induced by MCAO. Rats were randomly divided into normal, ovariectomy (OVX), MCAO, OVX+MCAO, OVX+MCAO+E2, and OVX+MCAO+BYHWD group. Rats were administered BYHWD 5 g/kg daily, estradiol valerate 500 μg/kg per day or distilled water for 7 consecutive days. Neuronal function and infarct volume were measured on day 7 after artery occlusion, and E2 and ER concentration in serum and brain were checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSBYHWD significantly improved the neurological behavior, reduced the infarction volume, increased E2 concentration in serum and brain, and increased ER concentration in the brain in ovariectomized rats after MCAO.

CONCLUSIONThe neuroprotective effects of BYHWD are associated with estrogen and its receptor.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Cerebral Infarction ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Estradiol ; blood

Objective To explore the siRNA as a new antiviral therapy,evaluate the inhibition effect of siRNA based on vector on the HBV of HepG2.2.15 cell,and observe the side effect and toxicity of siRNA vector on cells and the off-target effect of siRNA.Methods Three pairs of siRNA duplexes targeting HBV C gene were designed as double strands,and the duplex were annealed and ligated into the p-Silencer-Cmv 4.1-hygro vector.The ligation products were used to transform JM109 cells.The clones with shRNA were obtained,and the vectors were purified.After the initial identification of the vector with agarose gel and the size of the inserted sequence got examined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,furthermore the sequencing was further carried out.The recombinant plasmids were purified with ultrapure Midipreps DNA Purification System.Then HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with the plasmid mixed with siPort XP-1.The expression of HBsAg and HBeAg were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot,and the HBV RNA was investigated by RT-PCR.Furthermore the real-time quantitive PCR was carried out to detect the changes of HBV DNA.In order to evaluate the toxicity of the shRNA,MTT was used to examine the growth rate and curve of cells.The ELISA was performed to detect the changes of interferon-? (IFN-?).Results The Western blot showed that the HBsAg and HBeAg protein were suppressed with (81.15?0.69)%,(88.12?0.92)% respectively by vector p-C2 on the third day of post-transfection.It had the similar result indicated by immunofluorescence.And the RT-PCR showed that the specific siRNA targeting HBV C gene could markedly suppress the expression of HBV mRNA and the HBV C gene mRNA was inhibited with 96.9%.The real-time quantitive PCR showed that the specific functional siRNA could markedly suppress HBV DNA copy with two orders of magnitude,while the siRNA vector had no effect on the growth of cell showed by MTT detection.Compared with the non-transfected group and p-NC group,the IFN-? level was almost the same with siRNA p-C1,p-C2,p-C3 groups.Conclusions The siRNA based on the expression vector can suppress the expression and replication of HBV in HepG2.2.15 cell.The inhibition effect was specific and had a certain dependency on siRNA concentration.No toxicity effect was found in the study.And the drug resistance wouldn′t happen because the silence was based on the split of gene.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of standard or reduced doses of bortezomib combined with adriamycin and dexamethasone (PAD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSEighty-two newly diagnosed or refractory/relapsed patients received bortezomib [either 1.2-1.3 mg/m(2) (standard dose) or 1.0-1.1 mg/m(2) (reduced dose) on day 1, 4, 8 and 11], and adriamycin (10 mg/m(2)) plus dexamethasone (40 mg/m(2)) on day 1-4 at 3-week intervals for 1 to 6 courses. The International Myeloma Working Group Criteria were used to evaluate the response. Adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (Version 3.0).

RESULTSTwo courses of standard dose of PAD resulted in a similar response rate of partial and very good partial complete remissions (PR) compared with reduced dose (80.0% vs 80.8%, P=0.728). Grade III- Ⅳ neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were higher with standard dose than that with reduced doses of PAD (21.1% vs11.1%, P=0.270; 10.5% vs 6.3%, P=0.619, respectively). Grade III-Ⅳ bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy, herpes zoster, fatigue or abdominal distention were significantly higher with standard dose than that with reduced dose of PAD (15.8% vs 1.6%, P=0.037; 26.3% vs 6.3%, P=0.028; 36.8% vs 14.3%, P=0.046; 15.8% vs 1.6%, P=0.037, respectively).

CONCLUSIONReduced dose of PAD appears to result in a similar overall response rate, but a better tolerance and safety compared with standard dose.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Boronic Acids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bortezomib ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of nano-TiO(2) intratracheal instillation on the progression of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice.

METHODSThe nano-TiO(2) was ultrasound with phosphate-buffered saline solutions (PBS) into its suspension for exposure. A total of 46 specific pathogen free (SPF) level of 11-week-old male apolipoprotein E-knockout mice were randomly divided into groups by their body weights: non-treatment group (8 mice), PBS control group (9 mice), high dose group (1.0 mg/ml, 10 mice), medium dose group (0.5 mg/ml, 10 mice), and low dose group (0.1 mg/ml, 9 mice). Except the non-treatment group, mice from other groups were intratracheally instilled with 0.05 ml each time, twice a week. After exposure of 6 weeks, viscera index, blood TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and organic lipid ratio were assessed as biomarkers. Artery and aortic root issues were assessed by histopathology.

RESULTSAfter 5 weeks exposure, mice body weights in high dose group ((29.7 ± 1.9) g) started to drop, compared to PBS control ((31.3 ± 1.9) g, t = -1.58, P < 0.05) and low dose group ((31.4 ± 1.4) g, t = -1.17, P < 0.05); after 6 weeks, high dose group ((28.8 ± 1.5) g) was lower than PBS control ((30.4 ± 1.9) g, t = -1.60, P < 0.05), non-treatment group ((30.2 ± 1.3) g, t = -1.43, P < 0.05) and low dose group ((30.6 ± 1.0) g, t = -1.83, P < 0.05). TC levels of non-treatment, PBS control, high dose group, medium dose group and low dose group were (2.92 ± 1.18), (3.12 ± 0.73), (4.19 ± 1.86), (3.46 ± 0.72) and (2.57 ± 0.64) mmol/L, respectively; TG levels were (0.39 ± 0.13), (0.39 ± 0.08), (0.60 ± 0.21), (0.55 ± 0.19) and (0.41 ± 0.11) mmol/L, respectively; HDL-C levels were (1.67 ± 0.45), (1.54 ± 0.67), (0.93 ± 0.50), (1.02 ± 0.48) and (1.31 ± 0.64) mmol/L; TG levels of high dose group were higher than that of non-treatment group (t = 1.27, P = 0.03) and low dose group (t = 1.62, P = 0.01); TG levels of medium dose group was higher than PBS control (t = 0.16, P = 0.04), and TC levels of high dose group were higher than PBS control (t = 0.22, P = 0.01), non-treatment group (t = 0.22, P = 0.04) and low dose group (t = 0.20, P = 0.03), and HDL-C levels of high dose group were lower than PBS control (t = -0.61, P = 0.04) and non-treatment group (t = -0.74, P = 0.04); organic lipid ratio of each group were (2.27 ± 0.51)%, (2.06 ± 0.53)%, (2.90 ± 0.50)%, (2.60 ± 0.23)%, (2.24 ± 0.45)%; high dose group were higher than PBS control (t = 0.85, P = 0.00), non-treatment group (t = 0.64, P = 0.03) and low dose group (t = 0.67, P = 0.01); medium dose group was higher than PBS control (t = 0.54, P = 0.02). The plaque lipid content and calcium content which showed the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture were elevated in medium and high dose groups.

CONCLUSIONIntratracheal instillation of nano-TiO(2) can induce dyslipidemia and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture in ApoE-/-mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; Dyslipidemias ; blood ; chemically induced ; Instillation, Drug ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Nanoparticles ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Titanium ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology