Objective To explore influence of JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway on the apoptosis of HCC cells.Methods DNA-vector-based RNAi approach silence was used to down-regulate STAT3 expression in Bel-7402 cells.According to the STAT3 cDNA sequence in the GeneBank database,the plasmid pGCsi.U6/neoRFP-STAT3 that was designed for expression of STAT3 siRNA was constructed and synthesized,and then transfected into the Bel-7402 cells with iipofectamine 2000.The apoptotic rate was measured with flow cytometry (FCM) and annexinV/PI apoptosis detection kit staining.The mitochondrial membrane potential (BΨm) was visualized by the JC-1 fluorescence staining and the inverted fluorescence microscope.Moreover,the expression of caspase-3 protein was analyzed by Western blotting.Results The apoptotic ratio of STAT3-siRNA group was (38.82 ± 0.88) ％,which was significantly higher than that in other group [control group (9.22 ± 0.38) ％,scramble-siRNA group (16.47 ± 1.04) ％,P ＜ 0.05].The mitochondrial membrane potential of STAT3-siRNA group observed by the JC-1 fluorescence staining was decreased significantly[(91.33 ± 1.78) ％] and [(89.90 ± 1.92) ％ vs (59.06 ± 1.89) ％,P ＜ 0.05].The Western blot results showed that the protein expression of active caspase-3 in STAT3-siRNA group was significantly higher than other groups (0.48 ± 0.05 vs 0.22 ± 0.04 and 0.26 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions STAT3 gene silencing significantly improves the apoptotic effect in the Bel-7402 ceils.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of acupuncture method of "Huoxue Sanfeng, Shugan Jianpi" (activating blood and eliminating wind, soothing liver and strengthening spleen) on morning blood pressure in patients with cerebral infraction combined with essential hypertension.

METHODSSixty-eight patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. The patients in the two groups were treated with acupuncture method of "Xingnao Kaiqiao" (consciousness-restoring resuscitation) and oral administration of nifedipine. In addition, patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture method of "Huoxue Sanfeng, Shugan Jianpi" that met the criteria of standard manipulation, in which bilateral Renying (ST 9), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected. The treatment was given once a day, five times a week, for totally six weeks. The improvement and control rate of morning blood pressure in the two groups were observed.

RESULTS(1) After treatment, the morning blood pressures were decreased significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.05); after 15 treatments, the reduction of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in the observation group was superior to that in the control group, but the difference was not significant (both P > 0.05); after 30 treatments, the reduction of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group (both P < 0.05). (2) After 30 treatments, the control rate of morning blood pressure in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [82.4% (28/34) vs 58.8% (20/34), P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture method of "Huoxue Sanfeng, Shugan Jianpi", characterized with standard manipulation criteria, can effectively control morning blood pressure in patients with cerebral infraction combined with essential hypertension.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Cerebral Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To assess the wall elasticity of the common carotid artery using echo-tracking in healthy children and children with hyperlipidemia.Methods The study included 68 normal healthy children and 25 children with hyperlipidemia.All the subjects were 3-18 years old.They were divided into three groups according to ages 3-6 years old group,7-13 years old group and 14-18 years old group.Echo-tracking was used to measure the pressure-strain elastic modulus (E?),stiffness parameter(?)and arterial compliance (AC) of the common carotid artery.Results The average values of E? were different among the three age groups in normal healthy children (all P

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis in Yichang, so that to find common allergens of Yichang and to provide statistic basis for a reasonable prevention and treatment to allergic rhinitis. METHOD: 1,979 patients with allergic rhinitis in Yichang were detected for allergens by skin prick test and the distribution of positive rates to inhaled allergens was compared between different genders and ages. RESULT: 1,545 (78.1%) of 1,979 suspected allergic rhinitis patients presented positive reaction. The positive rate in male was significantly higher than in female, and that in juvenile group was significantly higher than in adults. Among positive cases in inhalation group, the most common allergen was flour mite (80.4%), followed by house dust mite (64.9%), cockroach (13.3%) and artemisia pollen (8.2%). CONCLUSION The study shows that the flour mite and house dust mite are the most common inhaled allergens causing allergic rhinitis in Yichang. We should pay more attention to the prevention and treatment for the juvenile patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

Aged ; CDX2 Transcription Factor ; Cysts ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Mucous Membrane ; pathology ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Rupture ; Splenic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Objective Infrared spectroscopy was used to study on both raw material and different degree water processing varieties extract of Radix Aconiti kusnezoffii,to observe the changes of main toxic components in processing,and thus to improve the quality of Radix Aconiti kusnezoffii processed products.Methods Fu Liye transform infrared spectroscopy was adopted to study the infrared spectrum characteristic of raw materials and different degree water processing varieties of.Radix Aconiti kusnezoffii.Results ①Aconitine and hypaconitine infrared spectrum showed that 1717 cm-1,1727 cm-1 and 1711 cm-1 is the C=O stretching vibration peak.It is a diester alkaloids characteristic peaks; ② although absorption peak of all vesicular samples had a certain change,it still existed diester alkaloids absorption peak,indicating the incomplete hydrolysis; ③ boiled aconite processing methods demonstrated diester alkaloids absorption peak shift in the water sample.Conclusion Diester alkaloids in Radix Aconiti kusnezoffii shows a positive relation with its time soaked in water.

OBJECTIVE: To present a new approach for the research of effective components extracted from compounds of traditional Chinese medicine and their action mechanisms by high-throughput screening assay. METHODS: We observed the anti-oxidation activities of 240 sequential components (L1-L120 and A1-A120) extracted from Xiaoxuming Recipe, the effects of these components on SH-SY5Y cells with H(2)O(2)-induced and L-glutamic acid-induced damages and the levels of resting calcium ion in neurocytes of rats. RESULTS: Some components (L1-L40, A100-A120) extracted from Xiaoxuming Recipe had the corresponding effects listed above. The combination of these components was regarded as the groups of effective components of Xiaoxuming Recipe in treating sequelae resulting from brain ischemia. CONCLUSION: Xiaoxuming Recipe has protective effect on brain-ischemia-induced damages through the actions of multiple components with multiple targets.

To investigate the enhancement of immunological activity of CpG ODN by chitosan gene carrier in mice, the effect of lymphocyte proliferation was detected in mice by using MTT, the levels of IgG and cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) in serum were measured by ELISA and peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets CD4(+), CD8(+) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that spleen lymphocytes isolated from the CS-CpG ODN group of mice showed the strongest proliferation (SI=1.551), and the levels of IgG, IL-2 and IL-12 in serum were higher than those of other groups. Compared with the immunization with CpG ODN, the immunization with CS-CpG ODN gene carrier was more efficient in up-regulating the percentage of CD4(+)T cells and the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) of mice. It was concluded that CS gene carrier of CpG ODN was much more effective in improving immunity of CpG ODN in mice.

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the wall elasticity of carotid artery and the effect of hyperlipidemia on carotid artery elasticity in children.Methods Fifty-seven healthy children and 23 children with hyperlipidemia matched for age and sex were involved in the study.The pressure-strain elastic modulus(E?),stiffness parameter(?) and arterial compliance(AC) of carotid artery were measured by Aloka echo-tracking system.Correlations between age,blood pressure and E?,?,AC were analyzed in healthy children,respectively.Results In healthy children,age,systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were positively correlated with E? and ?,and negatively correlated with AC.E? and ? significantly increased in children with hyperlipidemia compared to those in healthy children,and AC obviously decreased.Conclusions Hyperlipidemia might decrease the wall elasticity of carotid artery in children.Age and blood pressure are also factors affecting carotid artery elasticity in children.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2006,21(3):142-143

Objective To explore the effect of carbon nanoparticles-epirubicin suspension on proliferation and apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Methods MCF-7 cells were cultured with different concentrations of CNP-EPI in vitro.CCK-8 assay was used for determinate inhibition effect of CNP-EPI on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells at different concentration and different time.According to the determination of IC90,5 μg/ml CNP-EPI was selected,and cell morphology and cell apoptosis rates were observed after 24 h.Results The inhibition effect of the CNP-EPI was stronger significantly in CNP-EPI group than in normal control group within 24 h,48 h,72 h when the concentration was from 1 μg/ml to 200 μg/ml (P＜0.01).The inhibition of CNP-EPI on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells was gradually strengthened in a dose-dependent relation within the same time,and the inhibition effect is reduced in the same concentration of drugs with the time extension,but it still has a strong inhibitory effect in 72 h,and the inhibition effect of different concentration of CNP was not obvious on MCF-7 cells.Obvious changes of cell morphology were observed under inverted microscope such as:a lot of dead cells,cell adherent growth poor,cell morphology became round and karyopycnosis etc,in 5 μg/ml CNP-EPI group after 24 h.However,no obvious abnormity of cell norphology was observed in normal control group and corresponding CNP group.Late apoptosis rate was (14.57±2.41) ％,the mortality rate could reach (78.63±-20.55)％ in 5 μg/ml CNP-EPI group after 24 h.The mortality rate and apoptosis rate of cells was higher significantly in CNP-EPI group than in CNP group and normal control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion CNP-EPI can obviously inhibit the proliferation or kill human breast cancer MCF-7cells,and the inhibition effect of CNP-EPI on proliferation of breast cancer cells might be the result of delayed releasing of EPI.