Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Chinese drugs for invigorating qi and tonifying Shen (IQTS) on expression of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in spleen and maternal-fetal interface of abortion-prone mice during pregnancy.

METHODSCBA female mice were mated with DBA/2 male mice to establish abortion-prone models, which were randomly divided into 4 groups, the negative control group (fed with normal saline), the positive control group (treated with CsA), the Chinese medicine group (treated with IQTS), and the Chinese and Western medicine group (treated with IQTS+CsA). Mice were sacrificed in batches on the 9th and the 14th day of gestation, their splenic and decidual tissues were taken out to analyse CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell expression by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, the expression of splenic CD4+CD25+ regulatory T all significantly increased on the 9th day of gestation (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in intergroup comparison of the three treatment groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the expression of splenic CD4+CD25+ regulatory T all significantly increased on the 14th day of gestation (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Of them, its expression was the highest in the Chinese and Western medicine group, showing significant difference from that in the Chinese medicine group and the positive group (P < 0.01). The difference between the Chinese medicine group and the positive group was insignificant (P > 0.05). On day 9 of gestation, compared with the negative control group, the expressions of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T in maternal-fetal interface increased in the three treated groups, showing no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Its expression was ordered from high to low in sequence as the Chinese and Western medicine group, the positive control group, the Chinese medicine group, and the negative control group. On day 14 its expression was obviously enhanced in the Chinese and Western medicine group, showing statistical difference from that in the negative control group (P < 0.05). But its expression was obviously enhanced in the Chinese medicine group and the positive group, showing insignificant difference from that in the negative group. The same sequence was found in the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells in CD4+ T cells.

CONCLUSIONSChinese drugs for IQTS could up-regulate the expression of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T in spleen of abortion-prone mice in the early and late pregnancy stages. When combined with CsA, it also could up-regulate its expression in maternal-fetal interface in the mid and late pregnancy stages, suggesting that Chinese drugs for IQTS are facilitate to maintain the immune tolerance state in mice during pregnancy.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred CBA ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; Spleen ; cytology ; drug effects ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 6-gingerol, the main active component of ginger, on hair shaft elongation in vitro and hair growth in vivo.

METHODSFirstly, Hair follicles were co-cultured with 3 different concentration of 6-gingerol for 5 days and hair elongation in three groups was measured. Secondly, The proliferative effect of 6-gingerol on DPCs was measured using MTT assay. Thirdly, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in DPCs were measured using Western blotting. In vivo study, the influence of 6-gingerol on hair growth in C57BL/6 rats was measured through topical application of 6-gingerol on the dorsal skin of each animal.

RESULTSThe length of hair shaft in 20 microg/ml 6-Gingerol group (0.50 +/- 0.08 mm) is less than 0 microg/ml (0.66 +/- 0.19) mm and 10 microg/ml (0.64 +/- 0.03) mm 6-Gingerol group (P < 0.05). In cell culture, compared to 0 microg/ml and 5 microg/ml 6-Gingerol, 10 microg/ml 6-Gingerol can significantly inhibited the proliferation of DPCs (P < 0.05). Along with the growth inhibition of DPCs by 6-gingerol, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased obviously. In vivo study, the hair length and density decreased a lot after using 1 mg/ml 6-gingerol.

CONCLUSIONS6-Gingerol can suppress human hair shaft elongation because it has pro-apoptotic effects on DPCs via increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. It might inhibit hair growth by prolonging the telogen stage in vivo.

Animals ; Catechols ; pharmacology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Hair ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Hair Follicle ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Inflammation has been implicated as a secondary mechanism underlying neuronal injury induced by ischemia. A variety of experimental models, including thromboembolic stroke, focal and global ischemia, have been used to evaluate contributions of inflammation to neuronal damage. The vasculature endothelium promotes inflammation through upregulation of adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), E-selectin, and P-selectin that bind to circulating leukocytes and facilitate migration of leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS). Once being in the CNS, leukocytes produce cytotoxic molecules that promote cell death. The response of macrophages and microglia to injury may either be beneficial by scavenging necrotic debris or be detrimental by facilitating cell death of neurons that would otherwise recover. While many studies have tested these hypotheses, the significance of inflammation in stroke models is inconclusive. This review summarizes data regarding roles of cell adhesion molecules, astrocytes, microglia and leukocytes in stroke.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the correlation between BDNF and MM angiogenesis.

METHODSThe expressions of BDNF mRNA transcripts and protein in MM cell lines (RPMI 8226, KM3) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, BDNF levels in culture supernatant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) mixed with MM culture medium at different concentrations was examined by MTT assay. The effects of MM culture medium on HUVEC migration and tube formation were studied by modified Boyden chamber assay and tube formation assay, respectively.

RESULTSBDNF was expressed in and secreted by MM cell lines RPMI 8226 and KM3. BDNF concentrations in culture supernatants were within the range of its biological activity. MM culture medium induced a concentration-dependent proliferation of HUVEC. The number of HUVEC at a concentration of 50% KM3 culture medium and at full KM3 culture medium were (1.85 +/- 0.23)-fold and (2.16 +/- 0.29) -fold increase, respectively (P <0.05), compared with that of control. The proliferative activity of HUVEC was reduced on the addition of BDNF antibody to the culture medium. MM culture medium also stimulated the migration and differentiation of HUVEC in vitro, the chemotactic index of HUVEC at a concentration of 50% KM3 culture medium and at full KM3 culture medium were 1.85 +/- 0.23 and 2.16 +/- 0.29, respectively (P < 0.05). Full KM3 culture medium also stimulated capillary-like tube formation in HUVEC (P <0.01), and addition of anti-human BDNF antibody neutralized these effects significantly.

CONCLUSIONMM cell lines expressed and secreted biologically active BDNF, which may be involved, at least in part, in MM angiogenesis.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of multiple myeloma cells on normal endothelial cells in co-culture system.

METHODSHuman multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 was co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs cultured alone were used as control. The expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its specific acceptor TrkB mRNA and protein in HUVECs were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, BDNF levels in culture supernatant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After transferring the co-culture, the effects RPMI8226 on HUVECs angiogenesis were studied by modified transwell migration assay and net-like formation assay.

RESULTSThe median BDNF concentration in culture supernatant was increased in co-cultured HUVECs compared with that in HUVECs cultured alone [(31.6 +/- 7.2) ng/ml vs (12.4 +/- 5.1) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. The expression of BDNF transcript demonstrated by RT-PCR did the same in the two culture systems (1.7 fold increase, P < 0.05). TrkB mRNA was hardly detected in culture of HUVECs alone but was increased in co-cultured HUVECs (4.4- fold increase, P < 0.05). The BDNF and TrkB protein expressions determined by Western blot were similar to that of their mRNAs. On the other hand, the RPMI8226 activated HUVECs showed enhanced migration and net-like formation, being increased by 99% and 72% , respectively. Addition of anti-human BDNF antibody to the culture medium partly reduced these effects.

CONCLUSIONMultiple myeloma cells activated BDNF/TrkB autocrine loops in co-cultured endothelial cells and resulted in endothelial self-activating angiogenesis.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor, trkB ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the quality of life in pregnant women with hepatitis B positive and to explore its influencing factors. Methods Eighty pregnant women with positive hepatitis B were randomly selected from Jan. to Apr. 2018 in Jianyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital as the case group, and 323 normal pregnant women were selected as the control group. A face-to-face survey was conducted using the Concise Health Survey Scale SF-36. t test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results The scores of PF and RP in the case group were lower than those in the control group, and the scores of GH in the case group were higher than those in the control group. Analysis of the factors affecting the quality of life of the case group found that the more severe the early pregnancy reaction, the lower the quality of life score. Conclusions The PF and RP of pregnant women with hepatitis B positive in Jianyang City are worse than those of normal pregnant women. Comprehensive measures should be taken to improve their quality of life.

Objective To study the distribution of sleep duration in mid－pregnancy women and examine its association with prehypertension ( PHT) ． Methods In the baseline survey of a prospective cohort study，943 women in mid－pregnancy were recruited in Guangzhou，China in 2017－2018． A standardized questionnaire was used to assess demographic characteristics，sleep duration and other lifestyles． We obtained maternal blood pressure values，weights，heights，and medical histories from medical records． Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between sleep duration and PHT． Ｒesults The average daily sleep duration of women in mid －pregnancy was ( 10. 41 ± 1. 67 ) hours，and it was negatively related to age and educational level． Overall，98. 33% of pregnant women had a daily sleep duration ≥ 7 h and the distribution was related to passive smoking． The average night time sleep duration was ( 9. 48±1. 21 ) hours，and it was negatively related to age and educational level． The daytime sleep duration was ( 0. 93 ± 0. 69 ) hours，and it was positively associated with physical activity． The average bedtime was( 22 ∶ 42 ± 1．24) ，and it was positively associated with passive smoking． The prevalence of PHT was 9. 61%． We did not observe any significant association between sleep duration and PHT． Conclusions The mid－pregnancy women in Guangzhou had relatively long sleep duration， and it differed by maternal age，educational level，physical activity，and passive smoking． There was no significant association between sleep duration and PHT．

In order to investigate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in multiple myeloma patients and the in vitro and in vivo proangiogenic effects of BDNF, the plasma concentrations of BDNF and VEGF in MM patients and control group were determined by ELISA, the effect of BDNF on the in vitro proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was examined by MTT assay; the effects of BDNF on HUVEC migration and tube formation were studied by modified Boyden chamber assay and tube formation assay, respectively. Matrigel plug assay and chorioallantoic membrane assay were used to evaluate the effect of BDNF on angiogenesis in vivo. The results demonstrated that the concentration of BDNF was (4.22 +/- 0.64) ng/ml and (2.03 +/- 0.38) ng/ml in MM group and control group, respectively, (P = 0.01). There was also a significant difference between VEGF levels of two groups [(79.35 +/- 13.25) pg/ml vs (34.41 +/- 1.78) pg/ml, P = 0.006]. The levels of BDNF and VEGF correlated significantly (r = 0.430, P = 0.025). BDNF stimulated the migration and tube formation in vitro significantly, although it had no effect on the proliferation of HUVEC. BDNF also stimulated angiogenesis both in matrigel plug of mouse model and in chick chorioallantoic membrane. It is concluded that the concentrations of BDNF and VEGF in MM patients' peripheral blood are at high level; BDNF can stimulate the angiogenesis markedly in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, BDNF may act as an important regulator in angiogenesis of MM.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; blood ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; blood ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; drug effects ; embryology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for the determination of dimethylformamide (DMF) and investigate dermal contamination and absorption among workers occupationally exposed to DMF.

METHOD37 workers exposed to DMF were divided randomly into two groups. DMF was washed down by isopropyl alcohol in A group (16 workers) and water in B group(21 workers).Gas chromatography was used for the quantification of dermal contamination and N-methylformamide(NMF) in urine, correlative study was done between them.

RESULTSDMF could be detected in all samples in A group, but could not be detected in B group. The miscellaneous peaks could be completely separated from the DMF peak in the sample spectrum, without manual inference. The highest degree of total dermal contamination was observed in wet spinning workshop [(2.84 +/- 1.31) mg], postprocessing workshop [(2.50 +/- 0.95) mg] and dry spinning workshop [(1.95 +/- 0.61) mg] were lower. The respiratory cumulative exposure dosages were 351.3, 201.3 and 135.2 mg respectively. The average DMP concentration in air of the third printing processing workshop, the dry spinning workshop and the wet spinning workshop was 60.2, 89.6, 156.4 mg/m3 respectively, and the respiratory tract contamination in the workers of the three workshops were 135.2, 201.3 and 351.3 mg respectively. There was statistical independence between the quantification of total dermal contamination and NMF in urine (r = 0.176, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIsopropyl alcohol is the effective washing solvent.When the concentration of DMF in workplace air is above the occupational exposure limit, respiratory tract absorption is the principal pathway of DMF absorption,but dermal contamination of DMF should not be ignored.

2-Propanol ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Dimethylformamide ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Random Allocation ; Skin ; Solvents ; Water ; Young Adult