To study photosynthetic characteristics and its influencing factors in leaves of medicinal plant Mirabilis himalaica, and provide an evidence for guiding artificial planting and improving the quantity. The light-response and diurnal photosynthesis course of leaves at the booting stages of 1-3 year old M. himalaica were measured with LI-6400 system. The Results showed that the light response curves were fitted well by non rectangle hyperbola equation (R2 > or = 0.98). The values of the maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and light use efficiency of three-year old M. himalaica leaves were higher than those of 1-2 year old individuals. The diurnal variation of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and stomatal conductance (Gs) of 2-3 year old M. himalaica were typical double-peak curves determinately regulated by stomatal conductance. However, transpiration rate (Tr) of 1-3 year old plants leaves were single-peak curve, which was self-protection of harm reduction caused by the higher temperature at noontime. Correlation analysis showed that the changes between photosynthetic active radiation (PFD), air temperature (T ) and Pn, were significant positive related. Therefore, M. himalaica is a typical sun plant, which should be planted under the sufficient sunshine field and prolong the growing ages suitably in order to improve the yield.
Breeding ; Mirabilis ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Photosynthesis ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Calcium ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Homeostasis ; Humans

Radiotracer techniques were employed to characterize 65Zn adsorption and desorption in root-cell-wall of hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) and non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) species of Sedum alfredii Hance. The results indicated that at the end ofa 30 min short time radioisotope loading period, comparable amounts of 65Zn were accumulated in the roots of the two ecotypes Sedum alfredii, whereas 2.1-fold more 65Zn remains in NHE root after 45-min desorption. At the end of 60 min uptake period, no difference of 65Zn accumulation was observed in undesorbed root-cell-wall of Sedum alfredii. However, 3.0-fold more 65Zn accumulated in desorbed root-cell-wall ofNHE. Zn2+ binding in root-cell-wall preparations of NHE was greater than that in HE under high Zn2+ concentration. All these results suggested that root-cell-wall of the two ecotypes Sedum alfredii had the same ability to adsorb Zn2+, whereas the desorption characteristics were different, and with most of 65Zn binding on root of HE being available for loading into the xylem, as a result, more 65Zn was translocated to the shoot.

OBJECTIVETo investigate effect of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs in the treatment of autoimmune myositis (EAM) in mice and explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODSMouse models of EAM were divided randomly into model group and treatment group, and the latter received infusion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs separated from normal mouse spleen by magnetic activated cell sorting. The changes of muscle pathology was observed, and the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in spleen CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs was analyzed using flow cytometry; peripheral blood IL-10 and TGF-β levels were tested using double antibody sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSCompare with the model group, the mice in the treatment group showed significantly reduced muscular inflammatory cell infiltration, increased blood levels of IL-10 and TGF-β (P<0.05), and increased expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in spleen CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs reinfusion produces therapeutic effect in mice with EAM by increasing peripheral blood IL-10 and TGF-β levels and PD-1 and CTLA-4 expressions in spleen CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; immunology ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Separation ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Mice ; Myositis ; immunology ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; metabolism ; Spleen ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade E member 2(SerpinE2),a member of serine peptidase inhibitor super family,regulates multiple serine proteases.Extracellular matrix(ECM)plays an important role in stem cell differen-tiation,signal transduction,tumor metastasis,osteoarthritis physiological and pathological processes and so on.SerpinE2 regulates the protein of extracellular matrix by serine protease system and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)system.In this paper,we elaborate the effect of SerpinE2 on metabolism of extracellular matrix,and it will provide new ideas to find new therapeutic targets.

The detailed operating methods and the clinical application of the unique acupuncture therapy established by professor XIE Qiang and applied specially in otorhinolaryngologic department are introduced, ie. acupuncture and moxibustion methods for regulating channels and contacting qi, transferring focus of excitation, needling movement and needling ying combined with minimally invasive needle scalpel. Meanwhile, the position of the experience acupoints named Kaiyin 1 (ease-up the voice 1) and Kaiyin 2 (ease-up the voice 2) and their manipulation are recommended, and the clinical application of these acupuncture methods and acupoints for inflammation and pain in otorhinolaryngologic department are explained.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases ; therapy ; Pain Management ; Young Adult

Radiotracer techniques were employed to characterize (65)Zn adsorption and desorption in root-cell-wall of hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) and non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) species of Sedum alfredii Hance. The results indicated that at the end of a 30 min short time radioisotope loading period, comparable amounts of (65)Zn were accumulated in the roots of the two ecotypes Sedum alfredii, whereas 2.1-fold more (65)Zn remains in NHE root after 45-min desorption. At the end of 60 min uptake period, no difference of (65)Zn accumulation was observed in undesorbed root-cell-wall of Sedum alfredii. However, 3.0-fold more (65)Zn accumulated in desorbed root-cell-wall of NHE. Zn(2+) binding in root-cell-wall preparations of NHE was greater than that in HE under high Zn(2+) concentration. All these results suggested that root-cell-wall of the two ecotypes Sedum alfredii had the same ability to adsorb Zn(2+), whereas the desorption characteristics were different, and with most of (65)Zn binding on root of HE being available for loading into the xylem, as a result, more (65)Zn was translocated to the shoot.
Adsorption ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Cells, Cultured ; Kinetics ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Plant Roots ; cytology ; metabolism ; Sedum ; cytology ; metabolism ; Zinc ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of E2F-1 gene silencing on the chemosensitivity of human gastric cancer SGC-7901/DDP cells to cisplatin and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODSGastric cancer SGC-7901/DDP cells were transfected with the recombinant lentivirirus vector Lv-shRNA-E2F-1 for E2F-1 gene silencing, with cells transfected with the control recombinant lentivirirus vector Lv-shRNA-NC as the negative control. MTT assay was used to evaluate cisplatin chemosensitivity of the cells, and the cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle distribution were detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of E2F-1 and apoptosis-related genes (survivin and Bcl-2) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSMTT assay showed that the IC50 of cisplatin was significantly lowered in Lv-shRNA-E2F-1-transfected cells compared with the negative and blank control cells (P<0.05). Lv-shRNA-E2F-1 transfection caused significant cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and induced obvious cell apoptosis. Compared with Lv-shRNA-NC group and the blank control group, Lv-shRNA-E2F-1 group showed significantly lowered expressions of E2F-1 mRNA by 45.0% and 41.3% and E2F-1 protein by 66.7% and 70.5%, survivin mRNA by 30.3% and 28.7% and survivin protein by 56.5% and 53.6%, and Bcl-2 mRNA by 76.6% and 76.8% and Bcl-2 protein by 74.6% and 79.9%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the measurements between Lv-shRNA-NC group and the blank control group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONE2F-1 gene silencing can enhance cisplatin chemosensitivity of gastric cancer SGC-7901/DDP cells possibly by down-regulating survivin and Bcl-2 expressions, suggesting the value of E2F-1 as a new chemotherapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; E2F1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection

Effects of cadmium (Cd) on microbial biomass, activity and community diversity were assessed in a representative variable charge soil (Typic Aquult) using an incubation study. Cadmium was added as Cd(NO3)(2) to reach a concentration range of 0-16 mg Cd/kg soil. Soil extractable Cd generally increased with Cd loading rate, but decreased with incubation time. Soil microbial biomass was enhanced at low Cd levels (0.5-1 mg/kg), but was inhibited consistently with increasing Cd rate. The ratio of microbial biomass C/N varied with Cd treatment levels, decreasing at low Cd rate (<0.7 mg/kg available Cd), but increasing progressively with Cd loading. Soil respiration was restrained at low Cd loading (<1 mg/kg), and enhanced at higher Cd levels. Soil microbial metabolic quotient (MMQ) was generally greater at high Cd loading (1-16 mg/kg). However, the MMQ is also affected by other factors. Cd contamination reduces species diversity of soil microbial communities and their ability to metabolize different C substrates. Soils with higher levels of Cd contamination showed decreases in indicator phospholipids fatty acids (PLFAs) for Gram-negative bacteria and actinomycetes, while the indicator PLFAs for Gram-positive bacteria and fungi increased with increasing levels of Cd contamination.
Biomass ; Cadmium ; pharmacology ; Carbon ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Microbial Viability ; drug effects ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Phospholipids ; metabolism ; Soil Microbiology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of mir-106b in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue and analyze its correlation with the clinicopathologic features of ESCC.

METHODSA total of 200 fresh surgical specimens of ESCC and adjacent tissues collected between 2001 and 2007 were examined for expressions of mir-106b using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Northern blot analysis for mir-106b was performed in 4 pairs of samples to confirm the RT-PCR results. The relationship between mir-106b expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSMir-106b was expressed at significantly higher levels in ESCC tissues than in the paired adjacent tissues. Overexpression of mir-106b was associated with lymph node metastasis, stage of TNM classification and smoking (P<0.05). The survival rate of patients with low mir-106b expression was higher than that of patients with high mir-106b expression (60 vs 37 months, P=0.024). Cox regression analysis indicated that the expression of mir-106b, lymph node metastasis and smoking were independent prognostic factors for ESCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMir-106b is overexpressed in ESCC tumors, and its overexpression is strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and a poor prognosis. Mir-106b expression is an independent prognostic factor for ESCC and can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of ESCC.