OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of high dose glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f (GTW) on the fertility of young rats.

METHODSFifty female SD young rats and 50 male SD young rats were randomly divided into the blank group and the GTW group, 25 in each. GTW was given at the daily dose of 9 mg/kg. After 12 weeks of medication, the male rats were caged together with healthy adult female rats in the ratio of 1:1. The female rats were caged together with healthy adult male rats in the ratio of 2:1. The cage process lasted for two weeks, totally for three times. The pregnant rate of female rats and the survival rate of baby rats were then observed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the pregnant rate or the survival rate of baby rats in the GTW group.

CONCLUSIONHigh dose GTW showed no obvious effects on the fertility of adult rats or the growth and development of new born rats.

Animals ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Glycosides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tripterygium

Objective To investigate homografting vascular endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)for preventing restenosis formation of carotid artery in New Zealand white rabbit models.Methods EPCs of New Zealand white rabbits were isolated,confirmed and expanded though the injured carotid arterial endothelium of rabbit model induced by dilatation with a 2.5 F balloon;and then EPCs were transplanted into the injured endothelium of the cells transplantation group(n=13,3 of them were transplanted with fluorencently-labeled- EPCs),while equal volume of saline without EPCs was injected into the injured endothelium in the control group(n=8).Histopathology was performed at 4 days after transplantation for the 2 rabbits,with fluorencently-labeled-EPCs.All of the rest remained rabbits were killed 4 weeks later for histological examinations.Results The histopathological slides showed that the fluorescence-positive expression existed in the injured endothelium 4 days after transplantation.At 4 weeks after the EPCs transplantation,there were less restenosis and less vascular wall thickening in the rabbits of cells transplantation group than those of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The local interventional homografting heterogeneous endothelial progenitor cells can prevent restenosis after the carotid artery angioplasty in New Zealand White rabbit model. (J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:95-98)

Objective To explore the method of repairing segmental ear helix defect.Methods Twenty-one patients with segmental ear helix defect were repaired with post-auricular skin flap.In the first stage operation,ear helix defect was assessed,including the anterior and posterior area defect.According to the defect,post-auricular skin flap was designed and transplanted to repair the defect.Six weeks later,the pedicle of the post-auricular skin flap was cut off,elevated,and folded to form the helix.The secondary defect was directly sutured or repaired with skin graft.Results Twenty-one patients were treated with this method.In two to 12 months follow-up,all flaps survived and reconstructed ear helices were in good shape.The reconstructed ears were in symmetry to the healthy ones.Conclusion The method is safe and effective for the correction of segmental ear helix defect.

Gene therapy offers the promise of curing the HIV-infected patients. Specific, potent, and sustained short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing is crucial for the successful application of RNA interference technology to therapeutic interventions. To reduce the probability of viral escape mutants, in this study, we constructed lentiviral vector containing vpr and tat shRNA, respectively, furthermore the bispecific lentiviral vector harboring vpr and tat shRNA expression cassettes from U6 promotor and H1 promotor was cotransfected with recombinant plasmid expressing the vpr and tat gene. The result showed that the bispecific lentiviral vector plvx-vpr-tatshRNA could inhibit the vpr and tat effectively,with ratios of 89.20% and 62.00% respectively. When cotransfected with pNL4-3 in 293T cell, plvx-vpr-tatshRNA showed higher efficacy in down regulating the HIV NL4-3 packaging production than the plvx-vprshRNA or plvx-tatshRNA individually. MT4 cell clones transduced with recombinant lentiviral vectors were screened and challenged with HIV NL4-3. P24 ELISA test showed that MT4 transduced with the combinational lentiviral vector could inhibit virus replication efficiently.
Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; HIV Infections ; therapy ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; metabolism

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding regulatory RNAs whose aberrant expression may be observed in many malignancies. However, few data are yet available on human primary medulloblastomas. This work aimed to identify that whether miRNAs would be aberrantly expressed in tumor tissues compared with non-tumorous cerebellum tissues from same patients, and to explore a possible role during carcinogenesis.

METHODSA high throughput microRNA microarray was performed in human primary medulloblastoma specimens to investigate differentially expressed miRNAs, and some miRNAs were validated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR method. In addition, the predicted target genes for the most significantly down- or up-regulated miRNAs were analyzed by using a newly modified ensemble algorithm.

RESULTSNine miRNA species were differentially expressed in medulloblastoma specimens versus normal non-tumorous cerebellum tissues. Of these, 4 were over expressed and 5 were under expressed. The changes ranged from 0.02-fold to 6.61-fold. These findings were confirmed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR for most significant deregulated miRNAs (miR-17, miR-100, miR-106b, and miR-218) which are novel and have not been previously published. Interestingly, most of the predicted target genes for these miRNAs were involved in medulloblastoma carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSIONSMiRNAs are differentially expressed between human medulloblastoma and non-tumorous cerebellum tissue. MiRNAs may play a role in the tumorigenesis of medulloblastoma and maybe serve as potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies in future.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo perform in vitro magnetic resonance imaging on magnetic iron oxide (Fe(2)O(3)-PLL) labeled rabbit peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).

METHODSFe(2)O(3) was incubated with PLL for 2 hours to form Fe(2)O(3)-PLL. Rabbit peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated and EPCs were selected by adherence method, expanded and incubated with Fe(2)O(3)-PLL. Intracellular iron was detected by Prussian blue stain and under electron microscope. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell survival and proliferation of Fe(2)O(3)-PLL labeled EPCs. Flow cytometry was used to analysis cell cycle and apoptosis. The cells underwent in vitro MR imaging with various sequences.

RESULTSIron-containing intracytoplasmatic vesicles could be observed clearly with Prussian blue staining and electron microscope observation. Survival, life cycle and apoptosis values obtained by MTT and flow cytometry analysis were similar among unlabelled EPCs and EPCs labeled with various concentrations Fe(2)O(3)-PLL. The signal intensity on MRI was significantly decreased in labeled cells compared with that in unlabeled cells. The percentage change in signal intensity (DeltaSI) was most significant on T(2)*WI and DeltaSI was significantly lower in cells labeled for 7 days than that labeled for 1 day.

CONCLUSIONSThe rabbit peripheral blood EPCs can be labeled with Fe(2)O(3)-PLL without significant change in viability and proliferation. The labeled EPCs can be imaged with standard 1.5 T MR equipment. The degree of MR signal decreasing may indirectly reflect the cells count, growth state and division.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; Blood Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Ferric Compounds ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Purpose To evaluate the expression of Arginine-1 (Arg-1) and Glypican-3 (GPC-3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-hepatocellular carcinoma,as well as to summarize the related researches.Methods 156 cases of HCC,5 cases of cholangiocarcinoma,20 cases of metastatic adenocarcinoma and 18 cases of other types of tumors were studied.Immunohistochemical study for Arg-1 and GPC-3 was performed on the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor tissues.Results The positive expression rates of Arg-1 in HCC and non-hepatocellular carcinoma were 93.6％ (146/156) and 0 (0/43),respectively,meanwhile the expression rate decreased with decreasing of differentiation (r =-0.264,P =0.001).GPC-3 expression was observed in 141 of 156 cases of HCC (90.4％) and 6 of 43 cases of non-hepatocellular carcinoma (14％),and the expression rate increased with decreasing of differentiation (r =0.179,P =0.026).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Arg-1 and GPC-3 in distinguishing HCC from non-hepatocellular carcinoma were 93.6％,100％,100％,81.1％ and 90.4％,86％,96.0％,71.2％,respectively.Conclusion Arg-1 is a sensitive and specific marker of hepatocytes.The application of Arg-1 and GPC-3 is of great significance in diagnosis of HCC and liver metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Protopanaxadiol (PPD) has inhibitory effects on many tumors and receives much attention. However,it has poor water solubility and low utilization, which limits its clinical application. Considering these issues,in this study,we used hollow gold nanoparticles as transport carriers of PPD and synthesized PPD hollow gold nanoparticles (HAuNs). We conducted a number of experiments to investigate the in vitro anti-laryngeal cancer Hep-2 effect of a PPD HAuNs carrier. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to detect the sustained release effect of PPD HAuNs. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of PPD HAuNs on the proliferation of Hep-2 cells. Effect of PPD HAuNs on Hep-2 cell apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry. The results of in vitro release showed that PPD HAuNs had sustained release effect. Compared with blank control group,HAuNs group and PPD group,the survival rate of Hep-2 cells in HAuNs-PEG-PPD group decreased more significantly and the apoptosis rate increased more significantly (p<0.01). PPD HAuNs could significantly enhance anti-laryngeal cancer effect of PPD in vitro and promote the apoptosis of tumor cells. It promotes tumor cell apoptosis, and is expected to be a new PPD drug delivery system, further promoting the application of PPD in clinical anti-laryngeal cancer.

Objective To evaluate the effects of small interfering RNA(siRNA)against Ki67 gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of human renal carcinoma cell line 786-0 cells.Methods The human renal carcinoma 786-0 cells were treated with Ki67-siRNA(100 nmol/L).The mRNA expression of Ki67 was detected by RT-PCR.The protein expression of Ki67 was detected by Western blot and immunohisto- chemical technique,respectively.The proliferation of 786-0 cells was detected by MTT assay.The apoptosis of 786-0 cells was detected by TUNEL assay.Results RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the Ki67 mRNA and Ki67 protein expression levels of the 786-0 cells treated with Ki67-siRNA were(37.6?1.9)% and(46.4?0.9)% ,respectively,which were significantly lower than those of controls [(97.3?0.9)% and(95.3?0.9)%,P＜0.01],The Ki67 positive expression rate of 786-0 cells treated with Ki67-siRNA by immunohistochemical technique was 52.5?2.3,which was significantly lower than that of controls(114.5?4.9 ,P＜0.01).The proliferation-inhibiting rate and apoptosis rate of the 786-0 cells trea- ted with Ki67-siRNA were( 63.6?1.6)% and(41.7?0.6)% ,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of controls [(2.8?0.2)% and(10.3?1.4)%,P＜0.01].Conclusions siRNA against Ki67 gene can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis by blocking Ki67 expression of hu- man renal carcinoma 786-0 cells.The inhibition of Ki67 expression by siRNA may be a promising approach in gene therapy for renal cancer.