Bipolar disorder(BD)is a serious mood disorder with high prevalence,morbidity and mortality rates. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β) is a multifunctional serine/threonine protein kinase that is generally located in eukaryotic cells with such functions as the adjustment of the synthe?sis of glycogen metabolism,cell proliferation and differentiation and gene expression. It is involved in multiple signaling pathways and regulates cell signaling proteins,structural proteins and transcription factors through phosphorylation,affecting the survival of the neurons and plasticity. According to gene poly?morphism and clinical studies,GSK-3β may be associated with BD. As a GSK-3β inhibitor,lithium is an effective BD therapeutic drug,and the small molecule inhibitor targeting GSK-3βis also a hotspot of BD treatment. GSK-3βmay be a potential target in the treatment of BD.

AIM: To research the development of the content of total saponin in Platycodon grandifloeum(Jacq.) A.DC.and Platycodon grandifloeum(Jacq.) A.DC.var.Hort so that the best harvest time was found. METHODS: Using the methods of cluster analysis and according to the examination method ruled in the 2005 version 〈The People's Republic of China Prarmacopoeia〉,the content of total saponin in Platycodon grandiflorum in different harvest time was compared. RESULTS: Platycodon grandifloeum(Jacq.) A.DC and Platycodongrandifloeum(Jacq.) A.DC.var.Hort respectively on September 20,September 30 are the largest yield and the largest content of total saponin in root,that time is the best harvest time. CONCLUSION: The method is simple,accurate and reliable.

Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; Male ; Molecular Chaperones ; metabolism ; Pressure Ulcer ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory role of JAK2/STAT3/vimentin signaling pathway on the proliferation and migration of human colon cancer cells.

METHODSThe human colon cancer cell Lovo was treated with Janus kinase inhibitor AG490. The proliferation of Lovo cells was quantified by MTT assay. The migration of Lovo cells was measured with scratch assay. The intracellular phosphorylation STAT3 (P-STAT3) and vimentin protein was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

RESULTSAfter AG490 treatment, the proliferative ability of Lovo cells decreased as compared with control group (P<0.05). This suppression was dose-independent and time-independent. At 24 hrs after scratching, scratch width in the AG490 group recovered to 20%, lower than that in the control group (60%, P<0.05). After AG490 treatment, the expression of P-STAT3 and vimentin in Lovo cells decreased significantly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONJAK2/STAT3/vimentin signaling pathway participates in regulating the proliferation and migration of human colon cancer cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the forces of rotational wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor on small tissue pieces or microcarrier particles and to determine the tracks of microcarrier particles in RWV bioreactor.

METHODSThe motion of the microcarrier in the rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor with both the inner and outer cylinders rotating was modeled by numerical simulation.

RESULTSThe continuous trajectory of microcarrier particles, including the possible collision with the wall was obtained. An expression between the minimum rotational speed difference of the inner and outer cylinders and the microcarrier particle or aggregate radius could avoid collisions with either wall. The range of microcarrier radius or tissue size, which could be safely cultured in the RWV bioreactor, in terms of shear stress level, was determined.

CONCLUSIONThe model works well in describing the trajectory of a heavier microcarrier particle in rotating wall vessel.

Bioreactors ; Computer Simulation ; Microspheres ; Motion ; Porosity ; Rheology ; Rotation ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

OBJECTIVETo construct T vectors based on Xcm I recognition site and optimize the PCR fragments for its ligation.

METHODSWe firstly cloned the human histone H4 cDNA containing one Xcm I recognition site at both its 5' and 3' end into pCDNA 3.0 vector and then generated T vector with pCDNA 3.0 backbone by cutting the recombinant plasmid with Xcm I. To increase the ligation efficiency, the primers were firstly phosphorylated before DNA fragments amplification and then the PCR products were treated with Taq DNA polymerase and dATP after PCR amplification. Two DNA fragments with the length of 312 bp and 1 329 bp were ligated to it and the ligation mixture was transformed into E. coli DH5α competent cells and the positive rates of the transformants were evaluated by PCR and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSOur results showed that the T vector produced by our method could ligate to the target DNA fragments with high efficiency. Besides, the phosphorylation state of the primers used for PCR amplification is also an important factor determining the cloning efficiency. What's more, as for longer DNA fragments, retreatment with Taq DNA polymerase and dATP after PCR amplification and purification could improve the ligation efficiency significantly.

CONCLUSIONOur protocol may overcome the dependence on blue/white screening to get positive clones and provide a potent way to generate T vectors and ligate them to the target PCR fragment.

Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Histones ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) on autoimmune prostatitis in rat models.

METHODSSixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: blank control, low-concentration purified prostate protein (low-conc PPP), low-conc PPP + CXC treatment, high-concentration PPP (hi-con PPP), and hi-conc PPP + CXC treatment. Autoimmune prostatitis models were established by intragastric administration of PPP solution at 15 mg/ml (low concentration) and 80 mg/ml, respectively. At 30 days after modeling, the rats in the blank control and low-conc and hi-conc PPP model groups were treated with normal saline, and those in the other two groups with CXC at a daily dose of 0.068 g/ml. At 30, 45, and 60 days, all the animals were sacrificed for observation of pathological changes in the prostate tissue and determination of the levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in the serum.

RESULTSCompared with the PPP models, the hi-conc PPP + CXC group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the serum at 45 days ([148.54 +/- 17.23] and [62.14 +/- 5.59] pg/ml vs [100.77 +/- 11.08] and [32.63 +/- 2.91] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([143.69 +/- 17.28] and [59.38 +/- 5.50] pg/mlvs [95.77 +/-10.53] and [29.63 +/- 2.66] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so did the low-cone PPP + CXC group at 45 days ([128.47 +/- 12.21] and [40.43 +/- 3.64] pg/ml vs [111.76 +/- 10.07] and [35.44 +/- 3.17] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([131.07 +/- 10.93] and [43.34 +/- 3.91] pg/ml vs [97.46 +/- 8.75] and [30.44 +/- 2.75] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-10 was remarkably elevated in the hi-cone PPP + CXC group as compared with that of the PPP models at 45 and 60 days ([189.14 +/- 16.78] and [184.14 +/- 15.89] pg/ml vs [230.48 +/- 29.96] and [248.48 +/- 31.03] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was it in low-cone PPP + CXC group ([223.14 +/- 17.87] and [224.14 +/- 17.93] pg/ml vs [231.42 +/- 23.18] and [249.42 +/- 24.97] pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed morphological damages to the prostate tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model rats, but no obvious changes in the normal controls. At 15 days of treatment, the rats in the PPP + CXC group showed enlarged prostate glandular cavity, mild proliferation of epithelial cells, no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue, and a few visible fibrous tissues under the light microscope.

CONCLUSIONCompound Xuanju Capsule is efficacious on autoimmune prostatis in rats by reducing inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue and improving the expression of inflammatory factors.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Capsules ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; Prostatitis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo establish a rat model of autoimmune prostatitis using purified prostatic proteins (PPP).

METHODSThirty-six male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups of equal number to receive intramuscular injection of normal saline (normal control group) and PPP at 15 mg/ml (low-concentration group) and 80 mg/ml (high-concentration group). At 4 weeks after modeling, the rats were sacrificed for HE staining of the prostate tissue and examination of the inflammatory factors IL-8 and IL-10 in the serum, immunoglobulins IgA and IgM, and regulatory T cells Th1/Th2.

RESULTSThree rats died in the high-concentration PPP group but none in the low-concentration PPP and normal control groups. Gross observation of the prostate showed increased volume and hard texture of the prostate in the two PPP groups, but no significant change in the normal controls. Pathological examination exhibited morphological damage to the prostatic tissue and inflammatory cellular infiltration in the experimental rats. The serum level of IL-8 was significantly higher in the low- and high-concentration PPP groups ([129.07 +/- 11.48] and [147.58 +/- 17.70] pg/ml) than in the control ([94.12 +/- 7.04] pg/ml) (P < 0.05), while that of IL-10 was remarkably lower in the former two groups ([227.14 +/- 18.19] and [187.14 +/- 16.32] pg/ml) than in the latter ([252.48 +/- 21.72] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IgA was markedly elevated in the low- and high-concentration PPP groups as compared with that in the control ([0.25 +/- 0.37] and [0.31 +/- 0.42] vs [0.19 +/- 0.14] mg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was that of IgM ([0.23 +/- 0.41] and [0.34 +/- 0.58 ] vs [0.17 +/- 0.33] mg/ml, P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the levels of regulatory T cells Th1/Th2.

CONCLUSIONBoth low and high concentrations of purified prostatic proteins can be used for the construction of autoimmune prostatitis models in rats, while low concentration is preferable for its advantages of lower mortality of the rats and inducement of more consistent manifestations of autoimmune prostatitis.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Prostatitis ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of three Chinese medical formulae (Zhifei Mixture I , Zhfei Mixture II, and Zhifei Mixture II) on main and secondary symptoms and signs of children with Totally 70 mycoplasma pneumonia in treating three types of children mycoplasma pneumonia.

METHODSchildren with mycoplasma pneumonia were assigned to the control group (38 cases) and the treatment group (32 case). All patients were intravenously injected with Azithromycin and took Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Clenbuterol Hydrochloride Oral Solution. Those in the treatment group additionally took Zhifei Mixture I , Zhfei Mixture II, and Zhifei Mixture Ill by syndrome typing. Their main and secondary symptoms and signs were observed before and after treatment (main symptoms and signs covered fever, cough, abundant sputum, short breath, and anoxia; secondary symptoms and signs covered aversion to cold, heart rate, facial complexion, spirit, appetite, and sweating).

RESULTSSeven patients were lost in this study. Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores for main and secondary symptoms and signs decreased in the treatment group (P <0.01). The therapeutic effect on fever and cough was obviously better in the control group (P <0.01). The main and secondary symptoms and signs were more obviously improved in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0.01). Commpared with the control group, scores for main and secondary symptoms and signs decreased more in the treatment group (P <0.01). Patients' main and secondary symptoms and signs were more obviously improved (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSZhifei Mixture combined Western drugs could significantly improve main and secondary symptoms and signs of mycoplasma pneumonia children patients. Its efficacy was superior to that of using Western medicine alone.

Ambroxol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Azithromycin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bronchodilator Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Clenbuterol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Expectorants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Fever ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; drug therapy ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of Qingfei Quyu Decoction (QQD) in preventing radiation pneumonitis in esophageal carcinoma patients by concurrent using it with chemoradiotherapy.

METHODSA total of 120 patients with mid-late stage esophageal carcinoma were randomly assigned to the treatment group (60 cases) and the control group (60 cases). All patients received concurrent radiochemotherapy. Patients in the treatment group additionally took QQD, one dose per day for 8 successive weeks. The incidence of radiation pneunonitis was compared between the two groups. The improvement rates of short-term benefit rate, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS), and body weight (BW) improvement rate were calculated between the two groups. The 1-and 2-year overall survival rates were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe incidence of radiation pneunonitis was 8.93% (15/56) in the treatment group and 18.64% (11/59) in the control group (P < 0.05). The short-term benefit rate was 92.86% (52/56) in the treatment group and 69.49% (41/59) in the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the KPS and BW improvement rate were higher in the treatment group [89.29% (50/56) and 83.05% (49/59) ] than in the control group [80.36% (45/56) and 66.10% (39/59)] (P < 0.05). The 1-and 2-year overall survival rate were 66.07% and 35.71% in the treatment group, higher than those of the control group (61.02% and 30.51%; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONConcurrent using QQD with chemoradiotherapy for treating esophageal carcinoma patients could lower the incidence of radiation pneumonitis, attenuate the degree of radiation induced lung injury, improve clinical benefit rate, and elevate their QOL.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemoradiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; prevention & control ; Survival Rate