ObjectiveTo establish the human periodontal ligament fibroblasts(HPDLFs)that express BMP2 and observe their biologicl characterization. MethodsA phagemid expression vector for BMP2 (pBK-B2) was transfected into HPDLFs by using LipofectAMINE. The BMP2 expression was determined by the immunohistochemical ABC method. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OC) production and capacity of mineralization were measured in the transfected cells. ResultsBMP2 protein was expressed in HPDLFs after gene transfection. The BMP2 gene transfected cells showed prominently elevated ALP activity, OC production and increase in mineralized nodules. ConclusionThe results indicate that BMP2 is expressed in HPDLFs and is involved in inducing differ- entiation of HPDLFs into osteoblast-like cells.

Child ; Fructose ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Status Epilepticus ; drug therapy

S100A4, a member of S100 superfamily of Ca~(2+)-binding proteins, is a polypeptide containing 101 amino acids. S100A4, which is overexpressed in most tumor cells, plays pivotal roles in growth, invasion and migration of tumor by regulating cell cycle progression, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of cells. This article reviews S100A4′s structure, function and potential application as the new target in the therapy of tumors.

Objective To unveil the current situation and bends of Keshan disease in Pingliang city of Gansu province, to evaluate the outcome of related prevention and control measures, and to provide scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods According to the "the central allowance local public health special funds endemic disease prevention programs grams mountain monitoring programme" and "the diagnostic criteria for Keshan disease" (GB 17021-1997), between 2007 and 2009, local residents from nine monitoring points in Pingliang city of Gansu province were clinically examined, and electrocardiography(ECG) tracings and Xray were taken of suspected cases. Corn, wheat samples and hair samples of children, adults and women were collected, and selenium content of these samples was determined by 2.3-2-amino-naphthalene fluorescence method. Results A total of 5846 residents were surveyed in 3 years, 247 cases of Keshan patients were detected, with a detection rate of 4.23%(247/5846), of which potential cases of Keshan disease 214, the detection rate was 3.66% (214/5846); chronic Keshan disease 33 cases, the detection rate was 0.56% (33/5846); no acute type and subacute Keshan disease detected. A total of 764 abnormal ECG cases were detected, and abnormal detection rate was 13.07%(764/5846). Two hundred and seven cases of suspected patients were examined by chest X-ray, 80 cardiac enlargement cases were detected, the detection rate was 38.6% (80/207). The 262 hair samples of children, adults and women were analyzed, hair selenium was (0.279 ± 0.098)mg/kg. Of the 9 corn and 31 wheat samples collected, corn selenium was (0.0079 ± 0.0029)mg/kg; wheat selenium was (0.0104 ± 0.0078)mg/kg. Conclusions Overall Keshan disease is in a stable and subsided trend in Pingliang city of Gansu province, but there are still a number of potential chronic types, sporadic new cases, suggesting that the disease monitoring, comprehensive prevention and treatment of the patients are the focus.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Liuweidihuang Pills in relieving cellphone electromagnetic radiation-induced histomorphological abnormality, oxidative injury, and cell apoptosis in the rat testis.

METHODSThirty adult male SD rats were equally randomized into a normal, a radiated, and a Liuweidihuang group, the animals in the latter two groups exposed to electromagnetic radiation of 900 MHz cellphone frequency 4 hours a day for 18 days. Meanwhile, the rats in the Liuweidihuang group were treated with the suspension of Liuweidihuang Pills at 1 ml/100 g body weight and the other rats intragastrically with the equal volume of purified water. Then all the rats were killed for observation of testicular histomorphology by routine HE staining, measurement of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels by colorimetry, and determination of the expressions of bax and bcl-2 proteins in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with the normal controls, the radiated rats showed obviously loose structure, reduced layers of spermatocytes, and cavitation in the seminiferous tubules. Significant increases were observed in the MDA level (P < 0.01) and bax expression (P < 0.01) but decreases in the GSH level (P < 0.01) and bcl-2 expression (P < 0.01) in the testis issue of the radiated rats. In comparison with the radiated rats, those of the Liuweidihuang group exhibited nearly normal testicular structure, significantly lower MDA level (P < 0.05), bax expression (P < 0.01), and bcl-2 expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLiuweidihuang Pills can improve cellphone electromagnetic radiation-induced histomorphological abnormality of the testis tissue and reduce its oxidative damage and cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Staining and Labeling ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiation effects

Due to substantial morbidity and high complications, diabetes mellitus is considered as the third "killer" in the world. Medicinal fungal polysaccharides, as water-soluble macromolecular substances with low toxicity, exhibit diversified pharmacological actions such as immune regulation, anti-tumor, antivirus, antioxidant, anti-aging, hypoglycemic effect and improving liver and kidney function. In recent year, a number of investigators reported medicinal fungal polysaccharides showed good anti-diabetes and hypoglycemic activity, and their acting mechanisms involved in glycometabolism and β cell function, e. g. promoting glycogen synthesis, promoting glycolysis, inhibiting the activity of α-glucosidase, promoting insulin secretion, increasing insulin sensitivity, enhancing antioxidation. Therefore, the hypoglycemic activity and its mechanisms of action of medicinal fungal polysaccharides showed characteristics of multiple effects, multi-target, and multi-pathway regulation. These finding suggest that medicinal fungal polysaccharides are a promising source for the development of discovery of anti-diabetic agent.
Animals ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; drug effects ; Fungal Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Young Adult

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diplopia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of chronic hypoxia on left and right ventricular function and the expression of cardiac transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels in rats.

METHODSForty eight SD male rats were randomly divided into control group (CON) and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension model group (CH) (n = 24). In CH group, rats were exposed in chronic hypoxia environment (10% +/- 0.2% O2) to induce myocardial hypertrophy. After 3 weeks, mean systemic arterial pressure (mSAP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of rise (LV/RV + dp/dt(max)), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of descent (LV/RV-dp/dt(max)), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy index (LVMI) were measured. Left and right ventricular myocardium tissue sections were stained by HE and observed under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of TRPC subfamily.

RESULTSRVSP, RVMI, RV + dp/dt(max) and RV-dp/dt(max) were markedly elevated in CH group (P < 0.01) in comparison to CON group. LVMI was markedly reduced in CH group in comparison to CON group (P < 0.01). LVSP, LV + dp/dt(max) and LV- dp/dt(max) had no significant changes in CH group in comparison to CON group. Right ventricular myocardial cells of CH group became thick, the nuclei stained deeply, the shape of nuclei became not regularity. Left ventricular myocardial fibers did not change significantly. There was significant difference in the levels of mRNA and protein of TRPC1 between CON and CH groups.

CONCLUSIONFor three weeks exposed to chronic hypoxia induced right ventricular hypertrophy specifically, raised the mRNA and protein expression of TRPC1 on right ventricular myocardial cells . TRPC1 might be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transient Receptor Potential Channels ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Right ; physiology

Objective To study the effect of intratracheal anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody(TNF-αAb)on ultra-structure of lung after cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).Method 28 healthy rabbits were selected and randomly evenly divided into four groups:I group only received open chest operation;Ⅱ-Ⅳ groups underwent CPB.In the IV group,rabbit TNF-α Ab (2400 ps/kg)Was dropped into the intracheal tube before operation and just after releasing the aortic clamp.Saline was given to the Ⅲ group by the same way.Water volume,TNF-α mRNA,TNF-α protein,apoptosis and pathomorphological changes were measured in the lung tissues.Results TNF-α Ab can re-duce releasing of TNF-α.It could also reduce the occurrence of apeptosis and attenuate pathomorphological changes in the lung tissue.Conclusion Intratracheal TNF-α Ab markedly lessenes the injury of nltrastructure of lung after CPB.