Objective To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome(MS) and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Methods Sixty-four hospitalized patients diagnosed as coronary heart disease were divided into MS group(n=26)and non-MS group(n=38).All the patients underwent 16-row multi-slice CT coronary angiography,and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Results The prevalence of MS increased with the number of stenosed coronary arteries(P

Objective To develop neural stem cells(NSCs) which can stably express exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in vitro. Methods NSCs from the subependymal zone of embry-onic day 14.5(E14.5) rat brain were purified by limiting dilution assay and then infected with supernatant of recombinant retrovirus pLXSN-BDNF and retrovirus pLXSN. The original copy numbers of exogenous gene templates from three groups NSCs(pLXSN-BDNF viral infection group, pLXSN viral infection group, control group) were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR). ELISA assay was used for determining the protein contents of BDNF of supernatant from three groups NSCs for six days continually after seeded in 24-well plates in the same cell density. Results NSCs were purified successfully by limiting dilution assay.The original copy numbers of exogenous BDNF gene templates from pLXSN-BDNF viral infection group by FQ-PCR were (19.57±0.65) × 10~3 copies/μl, higher than those of another two groups(P < 0.05). The protein contents of BDNF of supernatant from NSCs of pLXSN-BDNF viral infection group was highest among three groups and compared with another two groups had statistical significance (P <0.05) . Conclusion The purified NSCs can be transduced exogenous BDNF successfully with supematant of recombinant retrovir-us pLXSN-BDNF which provide experimental evidences and laying foundations for further research of retinal transplantation and quantization investigation of gene therapy for optic nerve injury.

The tuberous roots of Aconitum carmichaeli are largely used in traditional Chinese medicine and widely grown in Jiangyou, Sichuan, China. During the growth process, this medicinal plant releases a large amount of allelochemicals into soil, which retard the growth and development of near and late crops. Therefore, a pure culture experiment was thus carried out by seed soaking to study the allelopathic effects of extracts from tuberous roots of A. carmichaeli (ETR) on the seed germination and young seedling growth of Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, and Medicago sativa, the late pasture grasses after cultivation of A. carmichaeli. The results showed that three pasture grasses varied significantly in seed germination and young seedling growth in response to ETR concentrations. Seed germination of M. sativa was stimulated by low ERT concentration (0.01 x g(-1)), while all of pasture grass seeds germinated poorly in solution with 1.00 g x L(-1). Seed soaking with 1.00 g x L(-1) also inhibited significantly the growth of pasture young seedlings, with M. sativa showing the highest seedling height reduction of 42.05% in seeding height, followed by T. repens (40.21%) and L. perenne with about 11%. Cultivation of L. perenne could thus be beneficial to increase whole land productivity in A. carmichaeli-pasture grass cropping systems. In addition, hydrolysis of protein, starch, and inositol phosphates was blocked and free amino acids, soluble sugars and phosphorus were decreased in seeds by seed soaking with ETR, which could be one of the reason for the inhibition of seed germination. There was a significant reduction in root vigor, nitrate reductase, and chlorophyll after the seed treatment with ETR, indicating the suppression of nutrient uptake, nitrate assimilation, and photosynthesis by allelopathic chemicals in ETR, which could lead to the slow growth rate of pasture grass seedlings.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Allelopathy ; China ; Pheromones ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Poaceae ; drug effects ; growth & development

Objective To discuss the Clinical character of pulmonary tuberculosis combined malignant lymphoma and its Pathogenesis,and to review the literature.Methods Eighteen cases of pulmonary tuberculosis combined malignant lymphoma from 1996 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed by its clinical manifestations,X-ray features,diagnosis and treatments.Results 18 cases were all infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis,13 them were calcification focals,5 were active pulmonary tuberculosis;5 of all were Hodgkin’s lymphomas,13 of all were non-Hodgkin′s lymphomas.16 cases were lymphomas after tuberculosis,2 cases tuberculosis after lymphomas,none were co-existent malignant lymphoma and tuberculosis.Tuberculosis may precede or complicate a lymphomatous process during the development of both diseases,This might is linked to immune deficiency and chronic inflammation;Lymphomas might cause pulmonary tuberculosis,it might cause the immune turbulence of an individual,Pulmonary tuberculosis infection occurring during or after the radiotherapy and chemotherapy of lymphoma.Conclusions It may pulmonary tuberculosis combined malignant lymphoma in the patients in the endemic areas of tuberculosis,Appropriate invasive biopsy procedures are necessary for early diagnosis.

Background5-Nitro-2-(3-styrene-acrylic amine) benzoic acid ( NPPB),a chloride channel inhibitor,has a promoting effect on cell apoptosis in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion of domestic rabbit.The CIC chloride channel has been found in the ocular trabecular cells.However,the effect of NPPB on the shape and function of trabecular cells is unclear. Objective This study was performed to investigate the effect of NPPB on the proliferation,cell cycle progression and apoptosis of human trabecular meshwork cells.MethodsThe immortalized human trabcular cell strain was cultured,and logarithmic-phase cells were incubated in 96-well plates at a density of 1 ×106/ml.Different concentrations of NPPB (10,50,100 μ mol/L) were added to the medium,and the MTT assay was used to assess the growth and proliferation of the cells.Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the cell cycle.Then,100 mg/L 5-FU or 100 mg/L 5-FU + 100 μmol/L NPPB was used to induce cell apoptosis,which was assessed by Annexin V-PI.The membrane potential of mitochondria was examined using rhodamine 123 (△ψm).Results After 48 hours of treatment with NPPB,the abosorbency (A value) of the cells was gradually lowered with the increasing dose of NPPB,with significant differences among the 4 groups (F =7.230,P =0.006).Compared with the 10 μmol/L NPPB group,the A values were significantly declined in the 50 and 100 μmol/L NPPB groups (t =1.610,P =0.025 ;t =12.270,P =0.001 ).Forty-eight hours after exposure to NPPB,the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was increased and that in the S phase was decreased.The percentages of cells in different phases of cell cycle were significantly different in comparison with their control groups (without NPPB)( P＜0.05 ).Twenty-four and 48 hours after the treatment with 100 mg/L 5-FU,the apoptosis rates of the cells were raised in the 100 mg/L 5-FU group and 100 mg/L 5-FU + 100 μmol/L NPPB group compared to the without NPPB group (t24h =2.130,P =0.023;t48h =4.810,P=0.011 ) ;while that in the 100 mg/L 5-FU+100 μmol/L NPPB group was higher than the 100 mg/L 5-FU group ( t24 h =1.980,P =0.037 ; t48 h =1.290,P =0.028 ),and the mitochondrial membrane potential was lowered ( t24h =1.580,P =0.029 ; F48 h =6.200,P =0.015 ).Conclusions NPPB suppresses the proliferation of human trabecular cells and promotes the cells to enter S phase via the G1/S check point.In addition,ClC might be involved in an anti-apoptosis mechanism through the internal mitochondrial pathway.

Animals ; Arsenic ; toxicity ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

Astragalus polysaccharide has been widely used in food and medicinal industry owing to its health-promoting properties. In order to characterize better the relationship among molecular weight, structure-activity and activities, a simple method was used different concentration of ethanol including 30% (PW30), 50% (PW50), 70% (PW70), 75% (PW75), 80% (PW80) and 90% (PW90) to precipitate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight. As a result, PW90 showed smooth surface and the strongest antioxidant activity among these six fractions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, graded ethanol precipitation was a simple method to separate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight with different antioxidant activity fractions.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Churg-Strauss Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged

Objective To determine the difference of macrophage RAW264.7 apoptosis induced by Brucella melitensis virulent strain 16M and attenuated strain M5-90 and elucidate the regulatory role of caspases 3,8 and 9.Methods The best multiplicity of infection (MOI) was determined through kinetic analysis of Brucella melitensis strain 16M and M5-90 induced mouse macrophages apoptosis(bacterium ∶ cell =100 ∶ 1,50 ∶ 1,10 ∶1).The infection model was established using the best MOI =50 ∶ 1.The numbers of in vivo bacteria by colony formation units were calculated after macrophages were infected for different times,including 2,4,8,12,24 and 48 h,and the infected cells were collected.The ratios of apoptosis were detected and the regulation of caspases 3,8 and 9 in apoptosis pathway was elucidated by flow cytometry.Results The numbers of 16M in vivo bacteria were 105.4,104.8,105.8,106.5,108.0 and 109.0,respectively and of M5-90 were 106.1,106.2,106.4,106.3,106.1 and 105.0,respectively.The number of in vivo bacteria of 16M was significantly increased than that of M5-90 after infected for 24 h to 48 h.The ratios of apoptosis induced by 16M after infected for 2,4,8,12,24 and 48 h was (2.67 ± 0.09)％,(13.13 ± 0.30)％,(6.56 ± 0.42)％,(6.49 ± 0.28)％,(16.07 ± 0.86)％ and (24.23 ± 1.67)％,respectively,and by M5-90 was (3.62 ± 0.02)％,(32.01 ± 2.59)％,(17.58 ± 0.44)％,(16.09 ± 0.10)％,(62.53 ± 2.70)％ and (85.53 ± 0.15)％,respectively,and by control group was [(1.90 ± 0.20)％,(1.92 ±0.16)％,(1.99 ± 0.03)％,(2.48 ± 0.11)％,(3.56 ± 0.07)％,(5.26 ± 0.33)％].The differences were statistically between groups in same time.The Brucella melitensis vaccine strain M5-90 was more powerful than virulent strain 16M in respect of inducing macrophage apoptosis after infected for 24 to 48 h.Twenty-four hours after infection,the expression of caspases 3,8 and 9 was (1.47 ± 0.05)％,(1.52 ± 0.02)％ and (2.47 ± 0.12)％,respectively,in control group and the expression was (9.70 ± 0.46)％,(6.08 ± 0.56)％ and (35.08 ± 1.64)％,respectively,after infected for 24 h induced by M5-90.The expression of caspases 3,8 and 9 was significantly higher than that control group (P ＜ 0.01).Twenty-four hours after given caspases 3,8 and 9 inhibitor,apoptosis rate in control group was (66.72 ± 1.28)％,in M5-90 group was (22.58 ± 0.55)％,(53.15 ± 1.85)％ and (29.18 ± 0.23)％,respectively,and compared with control group,apoptosis rate of caspases 3,8 and 9 was significantly lower(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Apoptosis of macrophage can be induced by Brucella melitensis virulent vaccine strain 16M and attenuated strain M5-90.M5-90 is stronger than that of strain 16M.Caspases 3,8 and 9 can regulate macrophage apoptosis after M5-90 infection.

Objective To observe the expression and influence of SH2-B in hepatocarcinoma,and to investigate the molecular mechanisms of canceration in hepatocarcinoma.Methods By using SABC imunohis-tochemistry,the expressions of SH2-B were detected in 27 cases of hepatitis,29 cases of hepatocirrhosis and 47 cases of hepatocarcinoma.Hepatocarcinoma cell (HepG)2 with a low-expressed SH2-B was selected using immunofluorescence assay.There were 3 groups:the transfected group (transfected with pcDNA3.1 -SH2-B), the vector group (transfected with pcDNA3.1 )and the blank group (without transfection).After gene transfec-tion,SH2-B expression was detected by Western blotting;cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay;cell colony was counted by colony formation test;and cell cycle was analyzed by flowcy tometer.Results The posi-tive rate of SH2-B in hepatocarcinoma (95.7%)was significantly higher than 55.2% in hepatocirrhosis (χ2 =1 8.64,P <0.01 )and 25.9% in hepatitis (χ2 =40.01 ,P <0.01 ).After being transfected with pcDNA 3.1 -SH2-B,SH2-B expression dramatically increased in HepG2 cells.After cultured for 48 h,the average optical density value of the transfected group was 1 .1 2 ±0.1 9,obviously higher than 0.45 ±0.1 1 in the vector group (t =-31 .55,P <0.01 ),which indicated that cells proliferation was significantly enhanced after being trans-fected with SH2-B.The cell colony numbers of the transfected group was 1 66 ±1 4,significantly higher than
82 ±8 in the vector group (t =-20.33,P <0.01 )and 78 ±9 in the blank group (t =-1 9.64,P <0.01 ), which indicated that the cell colony numbers increased after being transfected with SH2-B.The S stage cells of the transfected group was (45.7 ±5.8)%,significantly higher than (1 9.4 ±4.7)% in the vector group (t =-20.33,P <0.01 )and (20.5 ±5.1 )% in the blank group (t =-34.69,P <0.01 ),which indicated that SH2-B could enhance promote cell cycle of HepG2 cells.Conclusion The expression of SH2-B in hepatocar-cinoma is high,and it may be involved in the canceration of hepatocarcinoma though promoting cell cycle,cell proliferation and cell transformation.