"Omics" and bioinformatics have brought new ideas to the study of traditional Chinese medicine. This study used metabonomics and network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacodynamic basis and regulation of Qishen Yiqi dropping pill (QDP) improving cardiac energy metabolism in rats with heart failure (HF). ¹H NMR metabonomics analysis showed that eight metabolites, including carnitine, glutamine, creatine, proline, homocitrulline, lactic acid, taurine and alanine appeared significant callback after QDP treatment for HF. The results indicate that QDP regulates the metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid, ATP and protein. The animal experiment was conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Ethics Committee for Experimental Animal Management and Animal Welfare of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. A "drug-component-target-disease" network was established using network pharmacology, and the "component-target" sub-network related to the above energy metabolism processes was extracted by combining metabonomics results. Results revealed 79 chemical compounds and 47 potential targets of QDP involved in the regulation of energy metabolism, and identified key chemical components including ursolic acid, notoginsenoside G, ginsenoside-Rh1, and core targets such as INS, PPARG, and AKT1. The results also demonstrated the complex multi-target and multi-component relationship between QDP and HF from the perspective of energy metabolism. The molecular docking technique verified a strong interaction between some targets and chemical compounds, with affinities less than -5 kcal·mol^-1. The results of this study provide useful information for the clinical application, development, and utilization of QDP.

BACKGROUND:Under the in vitro conditions of cell harvesting, culture, and transplantation, whether bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) can be effectively applied in local gene therapy remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid carrying human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (hBMP-7) gene, and to expect to enhance osteoinductive properties of rabbit BMSCs transfected.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell-genomics in vitro observation was performed at the Laboratory of Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between July 2006 and July 2007.MATERIALS: Human healthy fresh placental tissue was provided by the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Written informed consent was obtained from the women. One healthy male New Zealand rabbit was provided by the Laboratory Animal Center, Harbin Medical University.METHODS: hBMP-7 gene was cloned from human placental tissue to construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid carrying hBMP-7 gene by conjugating with eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1. BMSCs were isolated from rabbit bone marrow and cultured in vitro. Then they were divided into 3 groups: pcDNA3.1-hBMP-7-transfected, pcDNA3.1 -transfected, and untransfected. 5×106 BMSCs were inoculated into a 60 mm3 flask containing antibiotic-free medium 1 day prior to transfection.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect hBMP-7 expression in BMSCs, alkaline phosphatase activity, hydroxypreline content, and osteocalcin production in each group. RESULTS: After 72-hour transfection, a 1.3 kb fragment was seen in the pcDNA3.1-hBMP-7-transfected group, showing brown granules in the endochylema, but not seen in the pcDNA3.14ransfected and untransfected groups. ALP activity in the pcDNA3.1-hBMP-7-transfected group significantly increased at 2 days after transfection, peeked at 8 days, and still increased at 10 days. At each time point, alkaline phosphatase activity, hydroxyproline content, and osteocalcin production were significantly higher in the pcDNA3.1-hBMP-7-transfected group than in the pcDNA3.1 -transfected and untransfected groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1- BMP-7 was constructed successfully. Results indicated that hBMP-7 was expressed in BMSCs sufficiently and was involved in inducing differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts. The method would provide substantial basement for hBMP-7 gene therapy.

Objective To clarify the MUM1/IRF4 expression in follicular lymphoma (FL) and its clinical and pathological significance. Methods Ninety-six cases FL were immunostained with MUM1,CD10,bcl-2,bcl-6 and Ki-67 antibodies. The results were compared with their clinical and pathological features. Results The overall MUM1 expression rate in FL was 59.2 % (58/96),including 36.2 % (19/51) grade 1 or 2 and 86.4 %(39/45) grade 3 cases (x2 =24.406,P <0.001). 68.9 % cases with diffuse area were MUM1 positive (x2 =8.161,P =0.004). MUM 1 and CD10 expression had inverse correlation,83.3 % CD10 negative cases were MUM1 positive (x2= 12.649,P<0.001). The mitosis rate and Ki-67 label index were statistically higher in MUM1 positive cases than in negative cases (t = -3.852 & -4.610,respectively,P <0.001). Conclusion MUM1 can be used as a biomarker to divide FL into different malignancies. The MUM1 positive FL may be the feature of high grade non germinal center B cell malignant lymphoma.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of BIOMED-2 system in detecting IGH gene clonal rearrangement and application in diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Methods Forty-five cases were collected, including 36 MALT lymphomas from different organs, 3 extranodal lymphoid tissue proliferative lesions and 6 severe gastritis associated with H pylori. DNA was extracted from the formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of these cases and the quality of DNA was assessed using the BIOMED-2 specimen mixed control primers. IGH gene clonal rearrangement was detected using IGH VH-JH primers. The sensitivity and specificity of BIOMED-2 PCR were analyzed.Results Adequate DNA (≥ 300 bp) was obtained in 31 of 45 samples (including 22 MALT lymphomas, 3 lymphoid tissue proliferative lesions and 6 severe gastritis), and the DNA from the other 14 samples was degraded seriously. 16 of 22 MALT lymphomas were positive of IGH clonal rearrangement with the sensitivity of 72.7 ％.In contrast,none of 6 severe gastritis was positive with the specificity of 100 ％ IGH and clonal rearrangement were detected in one of 3 lymphoid tissue proliferative lesions. Conclusion BIOMED-2 assay is an effient and reliable method for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of MALT lymphoma which is important for clinical practical value.

Objective To investigate the effects of hydrocortisone (HC) on proliferation and killing activity of NK cells against pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells in vitro.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy people were isolated and cultured with NK cells medium containing IL-1S.When the purity of NK cells reached above 70％,different concentrations of HC (10-6,10-5,10-4,10-3 μmol/L) were added and co-cultured with NK cells for 7 days.And NK cells without HC were used as control.CD3-CD56 + NK cell numbers of each group were countered by trypan blue staining.Perforin,granzyme B and IFN-γ expression of CD3-CD56+ + NK cells were verified by flow cytometry.NK cells and SW1990 cells were co-cultured with a 20∶1effector to target ratio,then the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against SW1990 cells were analyzed by CCK-8 kit.Results After treatment with different concentration of HC for 7 days,NK cells purity of each group reached 70.72％ ～ 76.39％,and it was not significantly different with that in control group [(72.61 ± 3.76) ％].The proliferation folds of NK cells treated with 10-6,10-5,10-4,10-3 μmol/L HC were (9.13 ± 0.94),(9.67 ±1.51),(10.33±1.07),(8.40±1.47) times,respectively,while it was (4.23 ±0.82) times in control group (all P ＜0.01).The killing effects of NK cells on SW1990 cells were (58.58 ± 4.89) ％,(62.27 ± 5.63) ％,(64.02 ± 5.79) ％,(63.88 ± 3.61) ％,which were higher than that in control group [(57.46 ± 5.11) ％],moreover,the difference between NK cells of 10-4 μmol/L HC treatment group and control group was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of perforins of 10-4,10-3 μmol/L HC treatment group were (96.71 ± 3.04) ％,(97.56 ± 2.18) ％,which were significantly higher than that in control group [(92.40 ±3.53)％,P ＜0.05 or 0.01].The expression of granzyme B in 10-5 μmol/L HC treatment group was (78.23 ±2.94)％,which were significantly higher than that in control group [(73.68 ±3.52) ％,P ＜0.05].The expressions of IFN-γ in 10-5,10-4,10-3 μmol/L HC treatment group were (96.61 ±2.04)％,(97.58 ± 2.17)％,(98.00 ± 1.77)％,which were significantly higher than that in control group [(92.44 ± 2.74)％,P＜0.01].Conclusions HC can promote IL-15 activated NK cells proliferation and enhance NK cells mediated killing activity against SW1990 cells with proper concentration,and up-regulation of perforin,granzyme B and IFN-γ expression may be the main mechanisms.

BACKGROUNDAppropriate planning and staffing for medical services at large-scale athletic events is essential to provide for a safe and successful competition. There are few well-documented accounts describing the demand for such services. The present study provided the data from the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, with a view to provide the guidance for planning future events.

METHODSA total of 22 029 and 8046 patients, who received medical care from a physician at an Olympic or Paralympic medical station, were included. The patient proportion among different personnel, various disease proportions at different kinds of venues, and the disease spectrum at specified venues at the Olympics and Paralympics were analyzed.

RESULTSAt both games, the patient proportion varied by accreditation status. The staff accounted for the largest number of visits at the Olympics (44.83%) and Paralympics (36.95%), with respiratory diseases the most common. Various disease spectrums were discovered at the different kinds of venues. Surgical diseases were the most frequently listed reason for visits, both at competition and non-competition venues, especially during the Paralympics. The sport-related injuries accounted for a majority of the surgical cases during both games. At training venues, ear nose and throat diseases accounted for the greatest number of visits during both games.

CONCLUSIONSDuring both games, people contracted different diseases at different venues. Adequate surgeons should be designated to offer assistance mostly in trauma situations. Appropriate numbers of physicians in respiratory diseases and otorhinolaryngology is of great importance.

Anniversaries and Special Events ; China ; Emergency Medical Services ; utilization ; Humans ; Population Surveillance ; Public Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Sports

OBJECTIVETo construct a eukaryotic expression vector for expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant NS5B-EGFP fusion protein and obtain a stable transfected HepG2 cell line.

METHODSThe coding region of NS5B gene of HCV was amplified by PCR and was digested by Xho I/Kpn I. This fragment was inserted into pEGFPN3 with T4 ligase and transformed E. coli TG1. The positive recombinant plasmid was selected, then the recombinant plasmid was transfected into HepG2 cell by Lipofectin AMINE 2000. Cells containing stable transformants were selected by the ability of resistance to G418 and isolated with a limited dilution. The stable transfected cell line expressing high level NS5B-EGFP fusion protein was obtained.

RESULTSThe eukaryotic expression vector named pEGFPN3-ns5b was successfully constructed and the stable transfected HepG2 cell line expressing NS5B-EGFP fusion protein was obtained.

CONCLUSIONThe stable transfected HepG2 cell line could express NS5B-EGFP fusion protein, could be used for anti-HCV infection with ns5b gene as the target.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Studies have found that metformin is not only the preferred drug for lowering blood sugar, but also shows lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. The purpose of this study was to use a hyperlipidemia hamster model to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of metformin and its effect on important metabolic pathways in lipid metabolism disorders. Fifty golden hamsters were divided into a control group, a model group, metformin high- and low-dose groups, and a simvastatin group. A high-fat diet was fed for 1 week to create the model, and then drug was administered for 11 weeks with the high-fat diet. Serum was taken for measurement of blood lipid and blood glucose at 2, 6, and 9 weeks after administration, and at weeks 3, 5, and 9 feces and urine were collected for ¹H NMR metabolomics tests. After 11 weeks of intravenous injection of [U-¹³C₆] glucose, serum was collected for a ¹³C NMR metabolic flux test. The results showed that the administration of metformin can significantly reduce blood lipids and glucose levels and can significantly affect metabolic pathways such as sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, ketone metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and intestinal flora metabolism. The results of the metabolic flux analysis showed that the high-fat diet reduced the metabolism of tricarboxylic acids by 37.48%. After administration of low and high doses of metformin the metabolism of tricarboxylic acid increased by 98.14% and 143.10%, respectively. After administration of simvastatin tricarboxylic acid metabolism increased by 33.18%. The results indicate that metformin has a significant effect on promoting energy metabolism. This study used a combination of metabolomics and metabolic flow to explore the effect of metformin on lipid metabolism disorders and quantifies changes in the key pathway of energy metabolism-the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study provides useful information for the study of the efficacy and mechanism of metformin, as well as a practical technical method for the screening of lipid-lowering drugs based on a hamster model.

This study was purposed to establish the method of quantifying RhD antigen on red blood cells (RBC) by flow cytometry (FCM) and to explore the expression of D antigen on RBC of different RhD serotype. RhD(+) RBCs and RhD(-) RBCs were mixed in 1:1 ratio. Cells were stained by the indirect method (IgG anti-D as the first antibody, FITC-anti-IgG F(ab')2 as the second antibody), and the ratio of RhD(+) on RBCs was quantified by FCM. The optimal dosage of IgG anti-D was defined. Expression of RhD antigen on RBC of RhD(+), weak D, RhDel and RhD(-) type were detected by FCM. The results showed that optimal dilution of IgG anti-D monoclonal antibody was 1:4, 1x10(6) cells/50 microl. The percentage of D(+) RBC of RhD(+), weak D, RhDel and RhD(-) type were 96.8+/-2.97%, 79.5+/-9.88%, 47.8+/-11.43%, 3.7+/-2.96%, respectively. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of RhD antigen expression of RhD(+), weak D, RhDel and RhD(-) type were 33.3+/-6.21 Dal, 18.6+/-5.39 Dal, 7.10+/-1.17 Dal, 0.79+/-0.55 Dal, respectively. In conclusion, there are significant differences of RhD antigen expressions among RBC of different RhD serotypes. The level of antigen on RhD(+) RBC is the highest and then weak D the next, while the level of antigen on RhDel RBC is the lowest level.
Blood Donors ; Erythrocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of computer-assisted imaging system in the detection of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion and quality-assurance.

METHODSManual PAP screening (n = 140 580) and image-assisted screening (n = 32 885) were compared for the detection rates of squamous cell abnormalities, the atypical squamous cells (ASC) to squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) ratio, the positive rates of high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) test in the case of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and the correlation between cytopathology and histopathology.

RESULTSCompared with manual screening, computer-assisted imaging system showed increased overall positive detection by 0.32%, decreased detection of ASC by 0.21%, increased detection of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) by 0.22%, increased detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (HSIL) by 0.31%, and decreased ASC to SIL ratio from 2.59 to 1.60. Computer-assisted imaging system did not change the HR-HPV positive rate of the patients who were ASC-US, or the coincidence rate between cytopathology and histopathology. Moreover, the productivity of the laboratory operation increased 58.33%.

CONCLUSIONComputer-assisted imaging system significantly increases the overall positive detection rate of cervical SIL, improves accuracy and work efficiency of screening, decreases the ASC/SIL rate, and strengths the quality-assurance of laboratory testing.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; Vaginal Smears ; methods