Objective To explore the biological activities and the MR imaging signal intensities (SIs) characteristics of differentiations of neural-like cells induced by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)
and green fluorescent protein (GFP) double-labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. Methods GFP-BMSCs were labeled with different concentrations of SPIO in vitro (the concentration of the A, B, C and D group was 25, 50, 75 and 100 ug/ml, respectively;the E group without labels of SPIO served as the control group). The Prussian blue stainings were used to detect the labeling rates of SPIO. The iron contents of cells were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer. The CCK8 experiments were used to detect the cell proliferation rates. The cell cycles were detect by PCR. Each of the A-E groups had a test tube with 1 × 108 cells. All test tubes underwent T2* weighted imaging (T2*WI) and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in a MR imaging scanner. The optimal group was defined by comparing the measurements of SIs between T2*WI and SWI. The optimal group and the E group together induced the differentiations of osteogenesis and neural-like cells. The stainings of alizarin red, osteocalcin and Nissl, NeuN, and NF-200 were performed at 72 hours. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of RNA in tub3, nestin, NSE, MAP-2 and Syt1. The positive staining rates and the expression levels of RNA were compared between the two groups. Finally, SWI was used to analyse the changes of SIs. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to the multi-group comparison. Using least significant difference (LSD) test to analyse the comparisons between the multi-groups. Results The labeling rates of the A-D groups were 100%. The iron contents of cells in the A-E groups were (14.36 ± 7.61), (21.73±3.42), (30.54±8.73), (33.65±9.62), and (2.31±0.32) pg/cell, respectively. The iron contents of cells in the A-D groups were significantly higher than those in the E group ( F=3.852, P=0.003). There was no significant difference between the C and D groups (P=0.267). In all groups, the D group had the lowest OD value in the CCK-8 experiments (3.18 ± 0.46). In the A-E groups, the changes of SIs in SWI were significantly lower than those in T*2 WI. There was no significant difference in SIs of SWI between the C group (145.89±14.31) and the D group (127.37±12.21). Except the comparison between the group C and D, the comparisons between all the groups had significant differences (P<0.001). The percentages of SI attenuations in SWI and T*2 WI were 48.15% and 69.34%, respectively. The proportions of non-neurons cells and the positive rates of Nissl's stainings in group C and E had no significant differences (P>0.05). The expression levels of tub3, nestin and NSE were significantly higher before than after induced differentiations (P<0.01). SIs of SWI had no significant difference between before and after induced differentiations in the C group (t=1.26, P=0.236). Conclusions SPIO and GFP double-labeled BMSCs can induce neural-like cells without influencing biologic activities. MR SIs are decreased by the increase of SPIO concentrations in cells. SWI was the most sensitive sequence. The SIs of SWI has no differnce between before and after induced differentiations.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kanli Granule (KG) on myocardial mechanics in pressure overload induced diastolic heart failure (DHF) rats.

METHODSTotally 60 male Wistar rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the KG group, and the Valsartan group according to random digit table, 15 in each group. The pressure overload induced DHF model was established in all groups except the sham-operation group using abdominal aortic constriction surgery. Totally 7 rats died after modeling (with the mortality of 10. 67%) , and the rest 53 finished the following test. Rats in the KG group were administered with KG extract (calculated as 6. 75 g crude drug/kg) by gastrogavage. Rats in the Valsartan group were administered with Valsartan (7.2 µg/g) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of double distilled water was administered to rats in the model group and the sham-operation group by gastrogavage. All rats were intervened for 32 weeks. The response of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus to isoprenaline (ISO) and adenylate cyclase (Forskolin) was respectively observed. The enhancement phenomenon after resting development force (DF) of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus, and changes of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were observed.

RESULTS(1) In the ISO response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF, ±df/dt, -df/dt were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously lowered in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of ±df/dt was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.01). (2) In the Forskolin response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously reduced in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of DF was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05). (3) In post-resting DF enhancement test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplification of DF showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the model group, and they were obviously lowered at all time points (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplification of DF was gradually increasing along with prolonged resting time in the KG group. The amplification of DF at post-resting 240 s was obviously larger in the KG group than in the model group (P < 0.05). The amplification of post-resting DF still showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the Valsartan group, with increased amplifications of DF at post-resting 60 s and 120 s (P < 0. 05) (4) The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF were significantly elevated in different Ca²⁺ concentrations (1.75, 3.5, 7.0 mmol/L ) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in amplification of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations in the KG group (P > 0.05). The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ISO response and the Forskolin response were enhanced in isolated heart papillary muscle tonus of pressure overload induced DHF rats; enhanced post-resting DF was reduced; DF in different supra-physiologic levels of Ca²⁺ was still enhanced. KG could significantly improve excessive enhancement of pressure overload induced DHF rats in ISO response and Forskolin response, and improve enhancement of post-resting myocardium.

Animals ; Colforsin ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heart Failure, Diastolic ; drug therapy ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of ethanol extracts from Sedum sarmentosum (ESB) on STAT-3 signaling and its probable molecular mechanism in inducing apoptosis.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the impact of ESB on HepG2 cell proliferation. FITC-Annexin V-FITC /PI double-labeling were used to investigate the impact on hepatoma carcinoma cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to test the expression levels of cell apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, Caspase-9, PARP, P-STAT-3 (Tyr705) , STAT-3, Bcl-2, Mcl-1.

RESULTESB could notably inhibit proliferation of HepG2 cells, and induce HepG2 cell apoptosis, with the dose-dependent inhibitory effect. In addition, ESB could inhibit STAT-3 signaling, down-regulate Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 expressions, and induce degradation/activation of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 and PARP degradation in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONESB inhibits HepG2 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting STAT-3 signaling and Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 expressions.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Flow Cytometry ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Sedum ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate the role of miR-143, miR-145 in the development of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Methods The expression levels of miR-143 and miR-145 in 21 cases of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor and the matched non-tumor adjacent tissue specimens were examined by stem-loop real-time RT-PCR, and its correlation with clinicopathologic features of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor were analyzed. Results Expression level of miR-145 were significantly higher in tumor than adjacent normal tissues (P＜0.01 ) and that with mitotic count ≥ 5/50HPF cases was significantly lower than that with mitotic count ＜5/50HPF cases (P=0.02). miR-145 expression in huge tumor (＞10 cm)was significantly lower than that in the large tumor (5～10 cm) and small tumor (2～5 cm) (P=0.048).By Fletcher risk stratification system, miR-145 expression in high-risk cases was significantly lower than that in the intermediate-risk and low-risk cases (P=0.048). While the expression of miR-145 in low-risk group was significantly different compared to that in intermediate-risk group and high-risk group (P=0.01).There was no difference between the expressions of miR-143 in tumor and that in normal tissue(P=0.06).Conclusion In gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor, MiR-145 expression is significantly higher in tumor than adjacent normal tissues. miR-145 is closely associated with tumor size. mitotic counts and Fletcher risk stratification system.

Aim To explore the effect of pharmacolog-ical activation of serotonin 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2C R) on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-de-pendent mice. Method EthoVision Noldus video tracking system was used to record the effect of 5-HT2C R agonist WAY on locomotor activities and behavioral performances in mice.Results Selective 5-HT2C R ag-onist WAY (0.5,0.75 or 1 .0 mg·kg -1 ,i.p.)a-lone did not alter the locomotor activities as determined by distance traveled and velocity (all P values >0.05).Chronic morphine treatment induced depend-ence in mice as demonstrated by increases in distance traveled,velocity and jumping behavior.WAY (0.5, 0.75 or 1 .0 mg·kg -1 ,i.p.)and clonidine (0.2 mg ·kg -1 ,i.p.)significantly ameliorated naloxone-pre-cipitated withdrawal symptoms,including burrowing, jumping,body grooming,rearing,“wet dog”shakes, head shakes,face grooming,penile grooming,scratch (all P values <0.05).Conclusion Pharmacological activation of 5-HT2C R ameliorates naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent mice.5-HT2C R may be a novel target to develop therapeutic ap-proach against morphine physical dependence,craving and relapsing.

Objective Obtaining chemical constituents of Angelica apaensis collected in Qiaojia County of Yunnan Province and detecting their anti-tumor activities in vitro. Methods The MeOH extract of was repeatedly subjected to column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and/or RP-18 and semipreparative HPLC. Their anti-tumor activities in vitro were measured by MTT colorimetric assay. Results Eight compounds were isolated from the roots of this plant. Conclusion The major type of chemical constituents of in Yunnan is furocoumarin. These separated compounds showed weak anti-tumor activity in vitro.

ObjectiveToinvestigatetheplasmidgenechangesinquinolone‐sensitivePseudomonasaeruginosa.Methods 31iso‐lates from January 2011 to December 2013 from various qualified clinical samples in the hospital were collected .In the 31 isolateds , 16 isolates proved sensitive to quinolones by using K‐B method were used as research objects in the study .The isolates growing ou‐side the sensitive ring of ciprofloxacin paper were selected to continuously transferred into other culture dishes until the resistance to quinolones were acquired .Plasmid transformation and extraction were performed on those isolates to confirm the existence of drug‐resistanceplasmidsacquired,andthroughPCRandgenesequenceanalysistodeterminethetypeofplasmids.Results 2iso‐lates of quinolone‐sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquired drug‐resistance plasmids qnrS and were resistant quinolones induced by continuous transferring for 9 times .Conclusion If antibiotics of inhibitory concentration were often used for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection ,drug‐resistance plasmids were acquired easily .

Objective To study the feature of MRI in ureter transitional cell carcinoma,to evaluate the diagnostic value in transitional cell carcinoma of ureter with MRI.Methods Heavily T_2-weighted fast spin echo pulse sequence,fat suppression pulse and MR urography(MRU)were performed.The MRI finding of the ureter transitional cell carcinoma were anlysed in 32 cases and were discssed with the review of literature.Results Fifteen lesions were located at the upper portionof the ureter,7 at mid portion and 10 at lower portion.Each case presented urinary obstruction,distention and uretal hydrocele.21 retrograde urleropyelogrhpy of nodular shaperal irregular,11 irregular the ureteral wall,10 dilate the ureter in 21 cases,11 infitrative lesion to grow in location,9 lymphanode to enlarge in surrounding of major arterial of abdominal and renal out in 11 cases.17—72 mm length the lesion,39 mm average,6—50 mm width the leion,17 mm average.Hypointense on T_1 WI and hyperintense on T_2 WI image in 23 cases,hyperintense on both T_1 WI and T_2 WI image in 5 cases,hypointense on T_1 WI and isointense on T_2 WI image in 2 case, slightly hypointense on both T_1 WI and T_2 WI images in 2 case.Ninteen homogeneous and 13 non homogeneous of signal in lesion,22 reliable and 5 suspicious diagnosis and 5 misdiagnosis in MRI. Conclusion The location,the shape,the spectrum of the tumor and change of surrounding tiessue were clear cuted in MRI,but further research in confirmation of the diagnosis.

G,the noval insertion mutation of c.2298_2299insC is identified in Chinese patients.

WRKY transcription factor is one of the Zinc finger proteins which contains a highly conserved WRKY domain and is a family of the plant-specific transcription factor. The plasmid pET28a-SmWRKY1 harboring Salvia miltiorrhiza WRKY1 (SmWRKY1) gene was successfully transformed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The conditions on protein expression of SmWRKY1 in E. coli, including induction duration, temperature, IPTG concentration and the E. coli concentration were optimized. The results showed that the highest protein expression of SmWRKY1 was obtained at 24 hours after the E. coli was cultured in the presence of 0.2 mol x L(-1) IPTG at 20 degrees C with A600 values of 1.0-1.5. This recombinant histidine-tagged protein was expressed at 2.454 g x L(-1) as inclusion body, which was first extracted using urea, and then purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography and identified by SDS-PAGE. The expression of SmWRKY1 in E. coli was further confirmed by western blotting analysis.
Blotting, Western ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics