OBJECTIVEIn order to improve the irrigation for Panax notginseng growing seedlings, different mulching ways were carried out to investigate the effects of double mulching.

METHODField experiment was applied to study soil moisture, soil temperature and bulk density of different mulching ways while the germination rate and seedlings growth also were investigated.

RESULTCompared with the traditional single mulching with pine leaves or straw, double mulching using plastic film combined with pine leaves or straw could reduce 2/3 volumes of irrigation at the early seedling time Double mulching treatments didn't need to irrigate for 40 days from seeding to germination, and kept soil moisture and temperature steady at whole seedling time about 30% and 9.0-16.6 degrees C, respectively. The steady soil moisture and temperature benefited to resist late spring cold and germinate earlier while kept germination regularly, higher rate and seedlings quality. In contrast, single mulching using pine leaves or straw had poor soil moisture and temperature preserving, needed to irrigate every 12-day, meanwhile dropped the germination and booming time 14 days and 24-26 days, respectively, reduced germination rate about 11.3%-8.7%. However, single pine leaves mulching was better than straw mulching. In addition, though better effects of soil moisture and temperature preserving as well as earlier and higher rate of germination with single plastic films mulching had, some disadvantages had also been observed, such as daily soil temperature changed greatly, seedling bed soil hardened easily, more moss and weeds resulted difficulty in later management.

CONCLUSIONTo the purpose of saving water and labor as well as getting higher germination rate and seedlings quality, double mulching using plastic films combined pine leaves at the early time and single mulching removing plastic films at the later time is suggested to apply in the growing seedlings of P. notoginseng.

Agriculture ; methods ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fertilizers ; analysis ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Soil ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTry to induce liver-derived dendritic cells proliferation by plasmid-IL-3 and CD40L genes in mice in vivo.

METHODSRapid tail-vein injection of large amounts of plasmid-carrying genes was performed to transfect genes in mice livers. Liver nonparenchymal cells were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. Dendritic cell markers were detected and dendritic cells were sorted out by flow cytometry. Morphology of dendritic cells was studied microscopically (with Giemsa staining) and under scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSLiver nonparenchymal cells dramatically increased in the liver lobules, portal and periportal areas in the treated group, but not in the control group. B220+/DEC205+ dendritic cells were detected and sorted by flow cytometry. There were more B220+/DEC205+ dendritic cells (16.0%) in the experiment group than those in the control group (1.1%). Morphologically, the sorted B220+/DEC205+ cells showed irregular shaped nuclei, paucity of cytoplasmic granules and extensive cytoplasmic processes.

CONCLUSIONB220+/DEC205+ dendritic cells were expanded in vivo in mice livers by rapid tail-vein injection of plasmid-carrying genes encoding IL-3 and CD40L in a large amount. Inducing liver dendritic cell proliferation in vivo provides a more convenient way for studying the biology of these cells.

Animals ; CD40 Ligand ; genetics ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Interleukin-3 ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transfection

Animals ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Inflammation ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Particulate Matter ; adverse effects ; Rats

Cold Temperature ; Dinoprost ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Dust ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; urine ; Thromboxane B2 ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Weather

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of phosphotyrosine interaction domain containing 1 (PID1, NYGGF4) on promotion of IR and HCC, and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS Lentivirus were used to mediate the knockdown of PID1 in HFD induced IR mouse model as well as ob/ob mice. Intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance were performed 4 weeks after lentivirus injection. Hydrodynamics-based transfection was applied to inducethe liver specific overexpression of PID1. Flow cytometry was exerted to detect the proportion and function of immune cells. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of downstream pathways of PID1.Immunoprecipitation was used to determine the receptor of PID1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was operated to measure the modification of H3K4me3 of PID1 promoter. RESULTS PID1 restriction improved insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and fatty liver. Conversely, hepatic knockdown of PID1 attenuated liver xenografted tumor growth. Moreover, PID1 liver- specific protooncogenes via hydrodynamics- based transfection established a primary hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model, induced an immunosuppressive environment, with the reduction of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +T cells, retarded maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), pronounced differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and recruitment of MDSC. In addition, PID1 overexpression activated proliferation related genes, promoted anti- inflammatory genes, suppressed pro-inflammatory genes, induced glycolysis and lipid metabolism genes to facilitate tumorigenesis in liver. Importantly, PID1 exerted its tumor-promoting function through binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and activation of downstream MAPK pathway. As such, PID1 exist trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) modification and IR up-regulated the expression of PID1 by activation the H3K4me3 modification. CONCLUSION PID1 is a new gene that exerts both liver cancer-promoting and insulin resistance inducing function. IR accelerates liver cancer development and progression partially dependent on the activation of PID1.

The paper reports the systematic study on felodipine and its impurities in tablets, to improve its quality standards for the control of the related substances. HPLC-DAD, UPLC-MS, IR and NMR methods were used for the isolation of felodipine and its impurities in tablets, their identification and the zebrafish animal model was used for the analysis of the toxic impurities. In felodipine material and its tablets, three impurities are isolated and identified. They are impurity 1 [dimethyl 4-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine-3, 5-dicarboxylate], impurity 2 [ethyl methyl 4-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-2, 6-dimethylpyridine-3, 5-dicarboxylate] and impurity 3 [diethyl 4-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine-3, 5-dicarboxylate], separately. The result of zebrafish animal model analysis showed that the teratogenic effects of four compounds were: impurity 3 > or = felodipine > impurity 1 > impurity 2, lethal effects were as follows: impurity 2 = impurity 3 > felodipine > or = impurity 1. This study confirmed the toxicity of three impurities in felodipine. According to the results, the paper suggested the amendments to the standard of the medicine and provided the support to the control of impurities in the manufacturing process.
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Contamination ; Felodipine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; analysis ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Tablets ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Zebrafish

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of estrogen in the regulation of the expression of claudin-6 and biological behavior in MCF-7 cells.

METHODSRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were conducted to analyze the expression and localization of claudin-6 in MCF-7 cells treated with 17β-estradiol. CCK-8 kit assay and Scratch Test were conducted to analyze the capability of proliferation and migration of 17β-estradiol treated MCF-7 cells.

RESULTSRT-PCR analysis and immunocytochemistry showed that 17β-estradiol induced a concentration-and time-dependent effect on claudin-6. At 5 nmol/L and at 24 h, 17β-estradiol treatment led to an increased level of claudin-6, which was located in the membrane of MCF-7 cells. CCK-8 analysis showed a significant decrease in the capability of proliferation of MCF-7 cells compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Cells Scratch Test showed decreased migration capability of MCF-7 cells compared with the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS17β-E2 might regulate the expression of claudin-6 and inhibit the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells. The inhibitory effects of 17β-E2 on growth and migration of MCF-7 cells may be mediated by claudin-6 expression regulation.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Claudins ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Estradiol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STR) loci in 484 male individuals from two minority populations, the Hui and Xibe, of Liaoning province, and to evaluate their forensic application values and genetic relationships with other 15 populations of China.

METHODSEleven Y-STR loci in all samples were amplified with PowerPlex Y System, and the PCR products were analyzed by 310 Genetic Analyzer. Cluster analysis and neighbor-joining tree were applied to show the genetic distance among the populations.

RESULTSIn Hui people, 187 haplotypes were identified, and the overall haplotype diversity value was 0.9990. The gene diversity values (GD) for each locus ranged from 0.4783(DYS437) to 0.9679(DYS385a/b); In Xibe people, 237 haplotypes were identified, and the overall haplotype diversity value was 0.9984. The GD value for each locus ranged from 0.3618(DYS391) to 0.9686(DYS385a/b). Comparing with 15 reference populations, the genetic distance between the Hui and Xibe was the nearest (0.0257), and that between the Hui and Yi was the farthest (0.1046), while the genetic distance between Xibe and Korean was also the farthest (0.0978). The NJ tree was similar to the results of clustering analysis and all the 17 populations were clustered into 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic distribution of the 11 Y-STR loci in Liaoning Hui and Xibe ethnic groups showed favorable polymorphisms, therefore are suitable for forensic identification and paternity testing in the local area. The study of haplotype diversity among different populations is useful in understanding their origins, migrations and their relationships.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Ethnic Groups ; classification ; genetics ; Genetics, Population ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Minority Groups ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

Objective To observe the relationship between first urination complaints and residual urine volume as well as postpartum urinary retention.Methods 242 puerpera,who had their first urination in 6 hours after vaginal delivery and had more than 400ml residual urine volume,were chosen into this study,and then divided into two groups according to their chief complaints.Both groups received the same intervention methods,and their residual urine volume as well as the rate of urinary retention was compared.Results 102 puerpera had discomfort complaints during the first urination after delivery,among which the average residual urine volume was (687.3 ± 184.9) ml,36 cases had urinary retention and needed indwelling catheter.140 puerpera had no discomfort complaints,among which the average residual urine volume was (551.9 ± 177.4) ml,20 cases had urinary retention and needed indwelling catheter.The differences of residual urine volume and the rate of urinary retention were statistically significant (t =-4.0,x2 =13,respectively; P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Puerpera with chief complaints had more residual urine volume and higher rate of urinary retention.If puerpera without chief complaints had more than 400ml residual urine volume every urination,they should be observed closely and receive indwelling catheter when necessary.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the neuroprotective effect of human brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene transfection into rabbit retina against acute high intraocular pressure (HIOP).

METHODSAcute HIPO was induced in one eye of 24 white rabbits via saline perfusion into the anterior chamber (model group), and the contralateral eye without treatment served as the control group. In another 24 rabbits, 10 microl recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector containing human BDNF gene (rAAV-BDNF) was injected into the vitreous body of one of the eyes 3 days before the operation for HIPO (BDNF group). At 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after HIOP model establishment, 6 eyes in each group were excised to observe the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the thickness of the inner retina layer. For the eyes dissected on day 14, electroretinogram b (ERG-b) wave was detected 30 min before (baseline) and on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 after HIOP. Another 5 rabbits were used for ultrastructural observation of the RGCs using transmission electron microscopy, including 1 without treatment, 2 with unilateral HIOP and 2 with rAAV-BDNF transfection before HIOP.

RESULTSThe amplitude of ERG-b wave showed no significant difference between the 3 groups before HIOP (P>0.05). In HIOP model group and BDNF group, the amplitude decreased to the lowest at 1 day after HIOP and failed to recover the baseline level at 14 days (P<0.01); at the end of the observation, the amplitude was significantly higher in BDNF group than in the model group (P<0.01). Decreased number of RGCs and thickness of inner retina layer occurred in the model group, but these changes were milder in BDNF group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in the RGCs following acute HIOP, and transfection with rAAV-BDNF ameliorated these changes.

CONCLUSIONrAAV-BDNF transfection protects the retinal structure and improves the amplitude of ERG-b wave after acute high IOP suggesting its neuroprotective effects.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Ocular Hypertension ; complications ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Retina ; pathology ; Retinal Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Transfection