OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Xinlikang (XLK) on angiotensin II (Ang II) induced hypertrophic cultured neonatal rat's cardiomyocyte (CMC).

METHODSPrimary cultured neonatal rat's CMCs with the purity certified by immunohistochemical technique, were divided into three groups. Rats in the normal control group were untreated; those in the model group were established into hypertrophic models but underwent no treatment; and those in the XLK group were established to hypertrophic models and treated with XLK containing serum obtained from rats with aorta coarctation after 8 days of feeding with XLK. MTT and phase-contrast microscope were used to evaluate the effect of XLK on cell activity, pulsating rhythm and surface area; Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) expression was determined by radioimmunoassay; Protein content was determined by Bradford method; and DNA synthesis was detected by flow cytometric assay.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry results showed that more than 90% of the cells were alpha-sarcometin actin stained positive cells. No significant effect of XLK on normal CMC was found. Ang II could significantly induce hypertrophy in CMCs, and XLK could significantly decrease the increased surface area and the accelerated pulsating rate in them. ANP expression was 780 +/- 38 microg/L in the model group, and 430 +/- 23 microg/L in the control group, and the elevated expression of ANP in model rats was significantly decreased in the XLK group; The DNA content in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases was significantly enhanced and at the same time it was accompanied with increase of total protein content in the model rats after being stimulated by Ang II for 24 h, showing that serum-containing XLK could also significantly suppress total protein synthesis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXLK could improve Ang II mediated pathological growth of CMCs without influencing the growth of normal CMCs, suggesting that XLK is probably an effective drug for treatment of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Cell Size ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hypertrophy ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo construct a lentiviral-vector-mediated CyPA small interference RNA (siRNA) and study its function in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSFirst, four target sequences were selected according to CyPA mRNA sequence, the complementary DNA contained both sense and antisense oligonucleotides were designed, synthesized and cloned into the pGCL-GFP vector, which contained U6 promoter and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The resulting lentiviral vector containing CyPA shRNA was named Lv-shCyPA, and it was confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Next, it was cotransfected by Lipofectamine 2000 along with pHelper1.0 and pHelper 2.0 into 293T cells to package lentivirus particles. At the same time, the packed virus infected non-small cell lung cancer cell (A549), the level of CyPA protein at 5 d after infection was detected by Western Blot to screen the target of CyPA. A549 were infected with Lv-shCyPA and grown as xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by FCM.

RESULTSIt was confirmed by PCR and DNA sequencing that lentiviral-vector-mediated CyPA siRNA (Lv-shCyPA) producing CyPA shRNA was constructed successfully. The titer of concentrated virus were 1 x 10(7) TU/ml. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated G2-M phase (11.40% +/- 0.68%) was decreased relatively in A549/LvshCyPA compared with control groups (14.52% +/- 1.19%) (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of A549/Lv-shCyPA (5.01% +/- 0.5%) was higher than control groups (0.35% +/- 0.17%) (P<0.05). Visible tumors were only detectable at 6th day after inoculated by A549/Lv-shCyPA. The xenograft tumors of A549/Lv-shCyPA remarkably delayed tumor growth and remained at a similarly small average size at 38th days after inoculation compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLentiviral-vector-mediated siRNA technique effectively inhibits the expression of CyPA, induces the NSCLC cell apoptosis, inhibits the tumor growth. Elucidation of the precise role of CypA in these pathways may lead to new targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclophilin A ; genetics ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Mice ; RNA, Small Interfering

To explore the growth and development and analyze the quality of the parthenocarpy fruit induced by exogenous hormones of Siraitia grosvenorii. the horizontal and vertical diameter, volume of the fruit were respectively measured by morphological and the content of endogenous hormones were determined by ELISA. The size and seed and content of mogrosides of mature fruit were determined. The results showed that the fruit of parthenocarpy was seedless and its growth and development is similar to the diploid fruit by hand pollination and triploid fruit by hand pollination or hormones. But the absolute value of horizontal and vertical diameter, volume of parthenocarpy fruit was less than those of fruit by hand pollination, while triploid was opposite. The content of IAA, ABA and ratio of ABA/GA was obviously wavy. At 0-30 d the content of IAA and ABA of parthenocarpy fruit first reduced then increased, content of IAA and GA parthenocarpy fruit was higher than that of fruit by hand pollination. Mogrosides of parthenocarpy fruit was close to pollination fruit. Hormones can induce S. grosvenorii parthenocarpy to get seedless fruit and the fruit shape and size and quality is close to normal diploid fruit by hand pollination and better than triploid fruit by hormone or hand pollination.
Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Diploidy ; Fruit ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology

The present study evaluated the effect of non-thermal plasma on skin wound healing in BalB/c mice. Two 6-mm wounds along the both sides of the spine were created on the back of each mouse (n=80) by using a punch biopsy. The mice were assigned randomly into two groups, with 40 animals in each group: a non-thermal plasma group in which the mice were treated with the non-thermal plasma; a control group in which the mice were left to heal naturally. Wound healing was evaluated on postoperative days (POD) 4, 7, 10 and 14 (n=5 per group in each POD) by percentage of wound closure. The mice was euthanized on POD 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35 (n=1 in each POD). The wounds were removed, routinely fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned and HE-stained. A modified scoring system was used to evaluate the wounds. The results showed that acute inflammation peaked on POD 4 in non-thermal plasma group, earlier than in control group in which acute inflammation reached a peak on POD 7, and the acute inflammation scores were much lower in non-thermal group than in control group on POD 7 (P<0.05). The amount of granular tissue was greater on POD 4 and 7 in non-thermal group than in control group (P<0.05). The re-epithelialization score and the neovasularization score were increased significantly in non-thermal group when compared with control group on POD 7 and 10 (P<0.05 for all). The count of bacterial colonies was 10(3) CFU/mL on POD 4 and <20 CFU/mL on POD 7, significantly lower than that in control group (10(9) CFU/mL on POD 4 and >10(12) CFU/mL on the POD 7) (P<0.05). It was suggested that the non-thermal plasma facilitates the wound healing by suppressing bacterial colonization.

A 20-year-old male patient presented with myalgia of upper limbs and myasthenia of extremities for more than 1 month. Physical examination showed diffuse erythema on the cheeks, upper eyelids, upper chest, neck and dorsa of the hands. The myodynamia of the proximal and distal muscles of upper and lower extremities was grade Ⅳ, Ⅴ, Ⅲ and Ⅴ respectively. Laboratory examinations revealed that the serum levels of creatine kinase, CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase were 2103 U/L, 83 U/L and 489 U/L respectively, which were all above the normal range. Electromyogram revealed myopathic abnormality and normal nerve conduction velocity. Histopathology of gastrocnemius muscle showed hypertrophy and swelling of muscle fibers, disappearance or fuzziness of transverse striation, and intermuscular lymphoid cell infiltration. A biopsy of the skin lesion from the upper chest showed liquefaction degeneration of and colloid bodies in basal cell layer, perivascular lymphoid cell infiltration in the dermis. A diagnosis of dermatomyositis was established based on the clinical and laboratory findings. After management with intravenous prednisolone 80 mg once daily and symptomatic treatment for 4 weeks, the myodynamia of upper limbs was improved, serum levels of creatine kinase,CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase reached the normal ranges. However, the myodynamia of lower limbs progressively deteriorated with the emergence of paresthesia. Enhanced MRI scan showed a tumor in the vertebral canal at the level of thoracic vertebra 11 to 12. A spherical encapsulated tumor measuring 3 cm in diameter was surgically removed. The tumor was diagnosed as paraganglioma in vertebral canal according to pathological and immunohistochemical findings. The patient was finally diagnosed with paraganglioma in vertebral canal superimposed on dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the scene-trait coping style of military rescuers in Wenchuan earthquake in an effort to provide scientific evidences for mental intervention program for Chinese military personnel.

METHODSBy cluster sampling, a total of 151 military rescuers and 331 control servicemen were administered the military personnel scene-trait coping style scale (MPSTCSS).

RESULTSAll active coping factor scores, and passive coping factor scores of affection, health and economy in the rescuer group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The 21-above age subgroup, the 3-year plus service subgroup, and the officer subgroup had significantly higher active coping factor scores on military tasks, military experience and personal development than those of the 21-below age subgroup, 3-year minus service subgroup and the soldier subgroup, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake relief servicemen can cope with stressful situations better than control group by taking active coping style. The officers, servicemen older than 21 years, and servicemen with more service duration than 3 years could usually take active coping style.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly of high-risk HPV in biopsy tissue specimens of esophageal carcinomas in Linzhou city.

METHODSGeneral nested primer sets were used to detected the whole HPV genotypes, following by HPV16 and 18 type specific PCR for the HPV16 and 18 detection respectively.

RESULTSAll 18 biopsy samples were HPV positive, and HPV 16 was detected in 13 of the 18 samples, HPV 18 was detected in 4 of the 18 samples.

CONCLUSIONThe high rate of HPV in the esophageal carcinoma samples suggested that HPV infection may be an important etiologic factor in the development of esophageal cancer in Linzhou city.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; China ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; etiology ; virology ; Esophagus ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Genotype ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; isolation & purification ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo obtain allele and genotype frequencies and related forensic data of CF1PO, TPOX and TH01 loci in Chinese Xinjiang Sibo population.

METHODSGenomic DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of normal Chinese Xinjing Sibo population was used as template, and CSF1PO, TPOX and TH01 fragments were amplified by PCR. The PCR products were analyzed by 4% denaturing PAGE and detected using silver stain detection.

RESULTSNine alleles were found at CSF1PO locus, eight alleles at TPOX locus and eight alleles at TH01 locus in Chinese Sibo population. All the 3 loci complied with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The heterozygosities were 0.9426, 0.8361 and 0.8853, and the polymorphism information contents were 0.8298, 0.7213 and 0.7626 for CSF1PO, TPOX and TH01, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe data on the alleles frequency of these 3 STR loci might be used for individual identification and paternity identification and for genetic researches in Chinese Sibo population.

Alleles ; China ; DNA ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of echinacoside (ECH) on cholinergic neurotransmitter extracellular of hippocampus and striatum and its possible mechanisms of neuro-protective effect against vascular dementia rats. In this study brain microdialysis technique combined with HPLC-IMER-ECD (high-performance liquid chromatography-immobilized enzyme reactor-electrochemical detector) was used. The bilateral common carotid arteries occluded in two times operation at 72 h interval for vascular dementia model rats were used and the successful vascular dementia model rats were examined by Morris water maze. The content of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) of microdialysate extracellular of hippocampus and striatum was determined by HPLC-IMER-ECD and the AChE activity in the hippocampus was measured. The results showed that the success rate of vascular dementia model was 83.08% after six weeks; the results also showed that echinacoside and galantamine could increase the content of ACh and reduce the content of Ch extracellular of hippocampus and striatum significantly and the AChE activity increased significantly compared with that of the model group. The results suggested that echinacoside could promote the recovery of cholinergic neurotransmitter levels in vascular dementia rats' brain, which may be one of the mechanisms of neuro-protection.
Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Choline ; metabolism ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Dementia, Vascular ; metabolism ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo establish a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line with stable EIF4G1 gene silencing induced by small interfering RNA (siRNA).

METHODSThe EIF4G1 mRNA levels in 8 NPC cell lines including 5-8F, 6-10B, C666-1, CNE1, CNE2, HNE1, HONE1, and SUNE1 were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR). The recombinant lentivirus shRNA expression plasmid targeting EIF4G1 gene was packaged into mature lentivirus by 293FT cells and used to infect 5-8F cells. After blasticidin selection of NPC cells with constant expression of the EIF4G1-siRNA, the efficiency of EIF4G1 mRNA expression interference was determined using QRT-PCR.

RESULTSThe 8 NPC cell lines showed differential expression of EIF4G1 mRNA, among which 5-8F cells had the highest EIF4G1 expression. The recombinant lentivirus plasmid pLenti6/BLOCK-iT-DEST/EIF4G1-shRNA was successfully constructed and verified by PCR and sequencing. The EIF4G1 mRNA level of 5-8F cells infected with shRNA-EIF4G1 lentivirus was significantly reduced as compared with the negative control and the blank control cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant lentivirus vector pLenti6/BLOCK- iT-DEST/EIF4G1-shRNA we constructed results in marked downregulation of EIF4G1 mRNA expression and constant expression of EIF4G1-siRNA after infection of 5-8F cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection