Objective To explore the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the expression of human leukocyte antigen-G ( HLA-G) in placental trophoblasts in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.Methods Forty pregnant women,delivered through cesarean section in the Department of Obstetrics of and Gynecology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from October 2008 to October 2009,were enrolled,including 20 women with pre-eclampsia and 20 healthy gravidas (control group).Colorimetry and western blot were applied,respectively,to determine the level of H2O2 and the expression of HLA-G protein in placental tissues and the correlation between them were analyzed.After 24 hours of seeding,JEG-3 cells (the HLA-G positive cell line of choriocarcinoma) were divided into two groups:intervention group (exposure to 175 μmol/L H2O2) and control group (without H2O2).Immunofluorescence and western blot were used to investigate the expression of HLA-G protein in JEG-3 cells at 24 hours and 48 hours after incubation.Results (1 )The level of H2O2 in placenta in the pre-eclampsia group was significantly higher than that in control group[(105 ±13) nmol·mg-1·prot-1 vs (62 ± 18) nmol·mg-1 ·prot-1,P < 0.05].(2) The expression of HLA-G protein in placenta of the pre-eclampsia group was reduced by88%compared with that of the control (0.20 ± 0.08 vs 1.67 ± 0.65,P < 0.05).( 3) Negative correlation was found between HLA-G level and H2O2 expression in the placenta in both groups(r =-0.895,P =0.000).(4) Compared with the control group,the expression of HLA-G protein in JEG-3 cells,after 24 hours and 48 hours exposure to H2O2,reduced by 39% and 80%,respectively,(3.21 ±0.33 vs 1.95 ±0.25 and 0.65 ±0.08,P <0.05,respectively) and 67% reduction was detected from 24 hours to 48 hours of H2O2 exposure (P <0.05).Fluorescence microscope observed reduced expression of HLA-G in JEG-E cells in the intervention group at 48 hours compared to the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion High level of H2O2 could down-regulate HLA-G expression in the placental trophoblasts in pre-eclampsia which may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Animals ; Benzodiazepines ; pharmacology ; Ducks ; physiology ; Growth Hormone ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Serum ; metabolism ; Weight Gain ; drug effects

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the imported malaria cases in 20 counties at the bor?der region of Yunnan Province from 2012 to 2014,so as to provide the evidence?based proof for adjusting the strategies in the elimination stage. Methods The malaria epidemic data of the 20 border counties in Yunnan Province from 2012 to 2014 were collected and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results From 2012 to 2014,a total of 1 558 malaria cases were report?ed in the 20 border counties in Yunnan Province,among which,1 336 were imported cases,accounting for 85.75%(1 336/1 558),and 222 were indigenous cases,accounting for 14.25%(222/1 558). The number of the imported cases in the above years took up 80.00%(544/680),89.10%(425/477)and 91.52%(367/401)of the total reported cases in the whole year,re?spectively. Among all the 1 336 imported cases,1 045(78.22%)were infected with Plasmodium vivax,284(21.26%)were in?fected with P. falciparum,3 were infected with P. malariae,3 were mixed infection and 1 was an unclassified case;2 patients died. And 95.58%of the cases were mainly infected in Myanmar(1 277 cases). Young and middle?aged adult of 20-40 years who worked overseas were the predominant(802 cases,60.03%)and most of the cases occurred from April to June of the year (679 cases,50.82%). Those cases mainly distributed in Tengchong(459 cases),Ruili(366 cases),Yingjiang(191 cases)and Mangshi(78 cases). Conclusions The epidemic situation of imported malaria is serious in the border region of Yunnan Prov?ince. Therefore,the surveillance system of malaria control needs to be well planned and managed to ensure timely case detection and prompt response at the elimination and post?elimination stage.

This study was purposed to confirm the practical efficacy of reducing indicating germs suspended in plasma by riboflavin and photosensitized inactivation and to evaluate its influence on activation of apheresis platelet concentrates. The synergistic effects of riboflavin combined with ultraviolet irradiation on inactivation of germs were investigated by using Escherichia Coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus) as Gram⁻ and Gram(+) indicating germs, respectively. The activation status of apheresis-platelet concentrates treated with riboflavin combined with ultraviolet irradiation was detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that when 50 μmol/L of riboflavin was combined with 6.2 J/ml of ultraviolet irradiation, the T/E ratios reached 1.42 for E. coli and 1.68 for S. Aureus, and reduction of E. Coli and S. Aureus were 3.87 Logs and 3.82 Logs respectively; the CD62p expression level on germ-inactivated platelets stored at 22 degrees C for 0 and 5 days were 4.92% and 36.18% respectively, which slightly increased as compared with controls (3.94% and 32.03)% (p < 0.05). It is concluded that combination of riboflavin with ultraviolet irradiation displays well synergistic effects which can reduce E. Coli and S. Aureus counts, but no significantly influence on platelets. The partial activation of liquid platelets mainly presents metabolism damage during storage, which is found at an acceptable level.
Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Drug Carriers ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Humans ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Photosensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Platelet Count ; Plateletpheresis ; methods ; Riboflavin ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays

The aim of this paper is to compare the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of three kinds of poly(b-benzyl-L-amino) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PXA-PEG-NPs) using Calu-3 cells, and select one as a nasal drug delivery vector for curcumin (Cur). Poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLG-PEG-NPs), poly(gamma-benzyl-L-lysine) block-poly(ethyleneglycol) nanoparticles (PZLL-PEG-NPs) and poly(gamma-benzyl-L-aspartate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLA-PEG-NPs) were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. MTT assays were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PXA-PEG-NPs against Calu-3 cells. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles was visualized by an inverted fluorescence microscope and quantified by a flow cytometer. The results indicated that even at high concentration of 2 mg x mL(-1) the three nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity on Calu-3 cells. Compared to the curcumin solution, the three curcumin-loaded PXA-PEG-NPs showed significantly higher cellular uptake efficiency on Calu-3 cells (at equal concentration of curcumin with 5 microg x mL(-1) Cur solution), PBLG-PEG-NPs group was the highest. The cellular uptake increased with incubation time, and has positive correlation with nanoparticle concentration. In brief, PXA-PEG-NPs are conducive to delivery Cur into cells, and PBLG-PEG-NPs might be provided as a good nasal drug delivery carrier.

The new intein-mediated PHB purify protein system is a high expression, automatic cutting, for purification, low-cost protein purification system,it is conducive to large-scale protein purification.Choose human antibacterial peptide LL-37 as the purification objects,which is poison to prokaryotic cell.We construct intein-mediated PHB purified human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 system through genetic engineering technology and use this system to purify LL-37. The results show that this system can highly express LL-37 fusion protein and purifiy the product as same size with expectations.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is defined as the electron reduction product of oxygen with high reactivity which can maintain normal physiological functions and redox homeostasis. The tumor microenvironment is in a state of oxidative stress. ROS can affect multiple processes of tumor immune response by modulating the phenotype and functions of tumor cells and immune cells. With the rapid development of immunology, ROS-based tumor immunomodulation has been widely concerned and studied. In this review, the mechanism of ROS participating in tumor immune response is elaborated. Meanwhile, the research process and application of ROS in tumor immunomodulation in recent years are reviewed and analyzed.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus oral administration ofZeling Guanjie Xiaozhong Heji in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to liver-kidney yin deficiency.Method Totally 126 patients with active RA due to liver-kidney yin deficiency were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 63 cases in each group. The control group was prescribed with orally taking Methotrexate tablets and Leflunomide tablets, while the treatment group was intervened by electroacupuncture plus oral administration ofZeling Guanjie Xiaozhong Heji in addition to the medications given to the control group. The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) was evaluated before and after intervention, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatoid (ACR) and syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).Result The ACR total effective rate was 87.3% in the treatment group versus 65.1% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The total effective rate based on TCM syndrome was 87.3% in the treatment group versus 73.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the DAS28 score between the two groups after intervention (P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus oral administration of Chinese medication and western medication is an effective approach in treating RA due to liver-kidney yin deficiency, and it can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy based on ACR20 and TCM syndrome.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of B7-H4, a negative costimulatory molecule, in mediating the immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells C3H10T1/2 (C3H10) on T cell polarization. Methods The lentiviral vectors that carried the shRNA targeting mouse B7-H4 were transfected into mouse mesenchymal stem cells (C3H10-B7-H4). The cells were co-cultured with PHA-acti-vated mice spleen lymphocytes before and after the transfection. ELISA was performed to detect the concen-trations of cytokines in supernatants of cell culture in order to elucidate the effects of B7-H4 expressed by C3H10 on T cell polarization. A mouse model of experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE) was established. Fifty C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups including control group, EAE group, C3H10 group (injec-ting EAE mice with C3H10 cells), C3H10-NC group ( injecting EAE mice with C3H10-NC cells) and C3H10-B7-H4 group (injecting EAE mice with C3H10-B7-H4 cells). ELISA was performed to detect the soluble form of IL-2, IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-4 in plasma samples. Results Knocking down the B7-H4 gene with shRNA significantly decreased the expression of B7-H4 on C3H10 cells, which weakened the inhibitory effects of C3H10 cells on the secretion of IL-2, IL-17 and IFN-γ by spleen lymphocytes. The therapeutic effects of C3H10-B7-H4 cells on mice with EAE were weakened after silencing the B7-H4 gene expression, which was manifested as higher nerve function score and earlier onset and bring forwarded peak time of EAE than those of the C3H10 group. Treating EAE mice with C3H10-B7-H4 cells was less efficient in inhibiting the expression of IL-2, IL-17 and IFN-γin plasma. However, knocking down the B7-H4 gene had no signif-icant effect on the expression of IL-4 in terms of treating EAE with C3H10 cells. Conclusion The co-inhib-itor molecule B7-H4 expressed on C3H10 cells mediated the treatment of EAE with C3H10 cells by regula-ting Th1 and Th17 effector T cells.

Objective To elucidate whether metformin could regulate the mRNA expression level of estrogen synthetase and ER in human uterine leiomyoma tissues. Methods (1) Seventeen pairs of uterine leiomyoma tissues and adjacent myometrium (>2 cm) were collected from patients underwent hysterectomy in Peking University First Hospital between December 2016 and January 2017. Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression level of estrogen synthetase [including cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17 α-hydroxylase (P450c17), 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (3β-HSD-2), 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD-1) and aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom)] and ER (including ERα and ERβ) in the uterine leiomyoma tissues and adjacent myometrium. (2) Uterine leiomyoma cells derived from uterine leiomyoma tissues were identified by immunocytochemistry method and cultured to the third generation. The treatment groups were cultured with different concentrations of metformin (10, 50 and 100 μmol/L) for 48 hours, and the control group was cultured with deionized water for 48 hours. The mRNA expression level of estrogen synthetase and estrogen receptor subtypes were measured by real-time PCR. Results (1) P450scc, P450c17, 3β-HSD-2, 17β-HSD-1, P450arom mRNA median expression levels were 112, 4, 13, 42 and 194 in the uterine leiomyoma tissues, and were respectively 114, 5, 11, 32 and 6 in the myometrium. Compared to those of the myometrium, 3β-HSD-2 and P450arom mRNA expression levels in the uterine leiomyoma tissue were significantly higher (P<0.05), while there were no significant change of mRNA expression levels among P450scc, P450c17 and 17β-HSD-1 (P>0.05). ERα and ERβ mRNA median expression levels were 208 and 116 in the uterine leiomyoma tissues, and were 24 and 95 in the myometrium. Compared to that of the myometrium, ERα mRNA level in the uterine leiomyoma tissue was significantly higher (P=0.001), while there were no significant change of ERβ mRNA level (P=0.193). (2) After cultured with different concentrations of metformin (10, 50 and 100 μmol/L), the P450arom mRNA levels in the uterine leiomyoma tissues were 9 ± 4, 8 ± 5 and 8 ± 3 respectively in the treatment groups and was 16 ± 5 in the control group. Compared to that of the control group, P450arom mRNA expression levels in the treatment groups were significantly declined (P<0.05). There were no significant different change of mRNA expression levels among 3β-HSD-2, ERα and ERβ between the treatment groups and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusions Metformin could down-regulate the mRNA expression level of aromatase in the uterine leiomyoma cells. These results indicate that metformin may inhibit the local estrogen synthesis and therefore suppress the development of uterine leiomyoma.