Objective To investigate the correlation between the formation of pigmented biliary calculus and biliary H.pylori infection.Methods Bile from 35 patients with pigmented biliary calculus and 10 healthy controls was cultured for aerobic,anaerobic and H.pylori.The expression of H.pylori- DNA in bile,bile duct mucosa and pigmented calculus were determined by PCR.The expression of H. pylori associated protein in bile duct mucosa was determined by Western-blot and Warthin-Starry staining.Results H.pylori culture was negative in all bile samples.In 35 patients with biliary pigmen- ted calculus,H.pylori was detected by PCR in the center of calculus,bile and bile duct mucosa of 14.29%,31.43% and 56.67% patients,respectively.Among H.pylori-DNA positive bile samples,7 contained anti-CagA antibodies,and 6 contained Vac A.in addition to Vacuolating cytotoxin(35000), glycoprotein(30000),Urase Band Urase A.Bacteria resembling H.pylori by Warthin-Starry stainning were found in 7 of 30(23.33%)bile duct mueosal samples from patients with biliary pigmented calculus. H.pylori-DNA and its associated protein were not detected in all bile and bile duct mucosae samples from the healthy controls.Conclusions The evidence of H.pylori-DNA and its associated protein in biliary system might indicate the role of H.pylori in the formation of biliary pigmented calculus.

Penaeidin-2 (Pen-2) is an important antimicrobial peptide derived from the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, and possesses both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Recent studies suggest that recombinant penaeidins show similar activities to the native Pen-2 protein. Previous researches have shown that some antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. To date, there have been no studies on the antitumor effects of Pen-2. This study evaluated the potential of recombinant pen-2 (rPen-2) in the selective killing of kidney cancer cell lines ACHN and A498, and its action mechanism. MTT assays found the maximal growth inhibition of HK-2, ACHN and A498 cells treated with 100 μg/mL rPen-2 at 48 h was 13.2%, 62.4%, and 70.4%, respectively. DNA-specific fluorescent dye staining showed a high percentage of apoptosis on cancer cells. Flow cytometry revealed that the apoptosis rate of HK-2, ACHN and A498 cells was 15.2%, 55.2%, and 61.5% at 48 h respectively, suggesting that rPen-2 induced higher apoptosis rate in cancer cells than in HK-2 cells. Laser confocal scanning microscopy demonstrated that the plasma membrane was the key site where rPen-2 interacted with and destroyed tumor cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed the morphologic changes of the cell membranes of kidney cancer cells treated with rPen-2. These results suggest that rPen-2 is a novel potential therapeutic agent that may be useful in treating kidney cancers.

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma were widely used in strengthening spleen under different disease conditions, and were easily and often misused each other. Therefore, DNA barcode was used to distinguish Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma from their adulterants to ensure the safe use. The sequence lengths of ITS2 of Atractylodes macrocephala, Atractylodis Rhizoma (A. lancea, A. japonica and A. coreana) were both 229 bp. Among the ITS2 sequences of A. macrocephala, only one G/C transversion was detected at site 98, and the average GC content was 69.42%. No variable site was detected in the ITS2 sequences of A. lancea. The maximum K2P intraspecific genetic distances of both A. japonica and A. coreana were 0.013. The maximum K2P intraspecific genetic distances of A. macrocephala, A. lancea, A. japonica and A. coreana were less than the minimum interspecific genetic distance of adulterants. The ITS2 sequences in each of these polytypic species were separated into pairs of divergent clusters in the NJ tree. DNA barcoding could be used as a fast and accurate identification method to distinguish Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Atractylodis Rhizoma, from their adulterants to ensure its safe use.
Atractylodes ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

Background Ginkgolide B (GB) has been proved to have neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects and can effectively inhibit apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells.But the high hydrophobic feature and low bioavailability of GB limit its clinical application.Self microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) can effectively improve the infusibility drug dissolution and bioavailability in the retina.Objective This study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and drug-time change of GB-loaded SMEDDS in retina.Methods Eighty SD rats were randomized into 2 groups,2.5％ GB(40 mg/kg) of SMEDDS or GB suspension(0.1％ DMSO dissolve) were gastrically given respectively in two groups.The rats were sacrificed and retinas were isolated 15,30,45 minutes and 1 hour,2,4,8,12 hours to prepare the retinal suspension.The content of GB in retina was assayed with high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-(1) (1)ss spectrum (HPLC-ESI-MS) and contrasted with standard curve.Practical drug dynamics program 3p87 was used to detect the pharmacokinetics parameters.The maximal content(Cmax,mg/g),time to peak (Tmax,h),clearance ratio (Ke/h),high-life period (t1/2) and area under the concentration-time curve(AUC0-∞,mg/(g · h)) of GB in various time points in retina after a single oral dose were calculated and compared between two groups.Results The standard curve was obtained over the concentration range of 1-32 mg/L with a linear regression equation,Y =0.0732X + 0.056 (r =0.992).A similar content-time curve was seen between GB suspension group and GB-SMEDDS group.The GB content was higher in GB-SMEDDS group than that in GB suspension group from 30 minutes through 12 hours after administration of drugs.The Cmax of GB-SMEDDS group and GB suspension group were(15.83±1.84) mg/g and(2.65±0.10) mg/g,the AUC0-∞ were(15.30±0.11)mg/(g· h)and(6.42±0.19)mg/(g · h).Conclusions HPLC-ESI-MS is proved to be a rapid,accurate,sensitive and suitable method for pharmocokinetic study of GB.SMEDDS can raise the concent of GB in retina,and it probably improve the bioavailability of GB.

· AIM: To investigate the expression and the possible implication of CD40/CD40L costimulatory molecules in erythema nodosum of patients with Beh(c)et's disease.· METHODS: Sampling was done from erythema nodosum of 5 patients with Beh(c)et's disease and normal skin of 2 healthy individuals. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of CD4, CD8, CD19, CD68, HLA-DR,CD40 and CD40L molecules in the obtained tissues.· RESULTS: Approximately 90% of epidermic cells in erythema nodosum expressed CD40 molecule. In the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, a significantly increased number of CD4+Tcells, CD8+Tcells, CD19+cells, CD68+cells, HLA-DR+cells,CD40L+cells, and CD40+cells were observed in the erythema nodosum as compared with that in normal skin. Double staining showed that CD40L molecules were expressed on 45% of CD4+T cells. CD40 molecules were expressed on 100% CD68+ cells and 59.2% of HLA-DR+cells respectively.· CONCLUSION: A number of CD40/CD40L costimulatory molecules are upreguiated in the erythema nodosum of patients with Behcet's disease.

Objective:To express and purify the TRIM5? chimaera[TRIM5? H(R328-332)] protein and to explore the interaction between the TRIM5? H(R328-332)and HIV-1gag. Methods:The plasmid pET28aTRIM5? H(R328-332) was transformed to E.coli BL21 (DE3) strain ,and the expression of TRIM5? H(R328-332) protein was induced by IPTG,purified with Ni2+ chromatography.The expression and purification of TRIM5? H(R328-332) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot,and the interaction between TRIM5? H(R328-332) and HIV-1gag was detected by co-immunoprecipitation,His pull-down and ELISA. Results:The recombinant plasmid pET28aTRIM5? H(R328-332) was successfully expressed in E.coli. The results showed that the purified full length TRIM5? H(R328-332) interacted with HIV-1gag protein. Conclusion:The human TRIM5? chimaera was expressed successfully in vitro,and the study demonstrates that the human TRIM5? chimaera interacts with HIV-1 gag in vitro.

Abdominal Pain/etiology* ; Acute Disease ; Appendicitis/diagnosis* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis/diagnosis* ; Diagnostic Errors/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Insulin

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alcoholism ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; pathology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; etiology ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of light irradiation intensity on bond durability of dual-cured resin luting agents to silanized ceramics.

METHODSLinkmax HV (LMHV), Nexus 2 (NX2), Variolink II HV (VL II HV) as dual-cured resin luting agents were bonded to silanized GN-I glass ceramics, and irradiated by 800, 310 and 80 mW x cm(-2) light intensity to form micro-shear test specimens. After 1, 90 d water storage, micro-shear bond strength of silanized resin/ceramic luting agent were measured. Data of each resin luting agent were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS90 d water storage decreased significantly the bond strength of all test groups, and the weak of irradiation intensity did not deteriorate this reduction of bond strength of luting resin/cermaic, oppositely in which LMHV irradiated by 310 mW x cm(-2) light intensity and NX2 irradiated by 80 mW x cm(-2) showed the higher bond strength than that irradiated by 800 mW x cm(-2).

CONCLUSIONThe weak of irradiation intensity does not affect the bond durability of dual-cured resin luting agents to silanized ceramics.