Bone Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; Bone Diseases, Infectious ; complications ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; complications ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Osteomyelitis ; complications

Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; Humans

AIMTo study the effects of cryopreservation length on the proliferative potential of hematopoietic cells derived from cord blood.

METHODSUsing Dextran-40 and 10% DMSO as cryoprotectants, separated nuclear cells were stored in liquid nitrogen after they were freezed according programme. One month or 4 months later, they were thawed and expanded in serum-free medium for culture and expansion of hematopoietic cell (SFEM) for 5 weeks. Dynamic results were detected every week.

RESULTSAt the 5th week of expanding, TNC were expanded for 1499.0 +/- 115.6-folds and 1513.0 +/- 110.4-folds, respectively. CD34+ cells and CFCs reached to their highest level at the 2nd week and at the 3rd week. CD34+ cells were expanded for 63.8 +/- 6.1-folds and 62.4 +/- 5.7-folds, respectively. CFCs were expanded for 53.8 +/- 6.3-folds and 54.8 +/- 6.7-folds, respectively. Between the two kinds of cells, statistical significant difference in proliferative potential wasn't detected.

CONCLUSIONIn ideal cryopreservative condition, the cryopreservation length would do not affect the proliferative potential of cord blood hematopoietic cells.

Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Time Factors

To investigate the immune regulatory effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on alloantigen T lymphocyte in vitro, human MSCs were isolated and expanded from bone marrow cells, and identified with cell morphology, and the phenotypes were assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. As the stimulation factor of T lymphocytes proliferation, either PHA or dendritic cells isolated from cord blood were cocultured with CD2(+) T lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by magnetic beads with or without MSC in 96-well plats for seven days. T cell proliferation was assessed by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation using a liquid scintillation counter. T cell subsets, Th1, Th2, Tc1 and Tc2 were analyzed by flow cytometry after co-culture of CD2(+) T cells with MSCs for 10 days. The results showed that a significant decrease of CD2(+) T cell proliferation was evident when MSC were added back to T cells stimulated by DC or PHA, and an increase of Th2 and Tc2 subsets were observed after co-culture of MSC with T lymphocytes. It is suggested that allogeneic MSC can suppress T cell proliferation in vitro and the cause of that was partly depend on interaction of cells and the alteration of T cell subsets.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; CD2 Antigens ; immunology ; Cell Communication ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the reverse effect of Yinchenhao decoction(YCHD) in dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

METHODThe rat hepatic fibrosis model was established through the intraperitoneal injection with 1% dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) with a dose of 1.0 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1) for consecutively three weeks, once for the first three days of each. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: the silymarin positive control group (50.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), YCHD high (20.0 g x kg(-1) d(-1)), middle (8.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and low (3.2 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) dose groups, the model group and the normal control group. The model group and the normal control group were orally administered with normal saline for consecutively five weeks. The pathologic changes in liver tissues were observed by HE staining. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), g-glutamyltransferase (g-GGT), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), collagen type IV (CIV) and type III procollagen amino terminal peptide (PIIINP) in serum were determined. The metabolite profiling of amino acid and the content of hydroxyproline in liver tissues were also measured.

RESULTCompared with the model group, YCHD high and middle dose groups could significantly reverse the pathologic changes in liver tissues of rats. YCHD could reduce the levels of ALT, AST, gamma-GGT, HA, LN, CIV, PIIINP in serum and the content of hydroxyproline in liver tissues in a dose-dependent manner, and altered the metabolite profiling of amino acid in rat liver tissues.

CONCLUSIONYCHD has the effect in reversing dimethyl nitrosamine induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To investigate the therapeutic effect of artesunate on mouse cytomegalovirus pneumonia, the BALB/c-nu mice were infected with murine cytomegalovirus-green fluorescent protein (MCMV-GFP) by nose dropping method. The experimental protocol was approved by the Medical Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Guangzhou Medical University. The BALB/c-nu mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, MCMV pneumonia group, and artesunate (60, 120, and 240 mg·kg^-1) groups. The survival rate, weights, and virus loads in lungs among the groups were observed. The degree of histopathologic changes in lungs was assessed directly by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) assay. MCMV-GFP expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. In addition, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to investigate the content of major immediate early 1 (Mie1) mRNA, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the changes of inflammatory factors, interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of the changes of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in total proteins. Compared with MCMV group, artesunate (120 mg·kg^-1) significantly increased body weights of MCMV-infected nude mice over 30 days, and decreased the viral titer in lung homogenate, lung inflammation, and histological severity. Moreover, the administration of artesunate (120 mg·kg^-1) could downregulate the expression of phospho-NF-κB (p-NF-κB) p65 in the lungs of mice. The present study suggested that artesunate can protect the immunocompromised mice from MCMV-induced interstitial pneumonia via downregulating NF-κB signaling pathway, thus attenuating inflammation in the lungs.

OBJECTIVETo identify the type of the intermediate filament (IF) protein of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and analyze its tissue localization.

METHODSRecombinant pET-IF of antigen IF was expressed in E.coli with IPTG induction, and the expression products were purified by His.Bind column and identified for determining the type of the IF protein by Western blotting. Anti-IF antibody was prepared by multi-spot subcutaneous injection into mouse and used to detect the tissue slices of A. cantonensis by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSThe antigen IF were correctly expressed and purified, and identified as a keratin located in the intestine wall and cytoplusma.

CONCLUSIONThe antigen IF is distributed in the intestine wall of A. cantonensis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Protein Transport

OBJECTIVEHyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) is an attractive procedure that has been used in treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, depending on the HBO protocol, especially the time point of starting treatment of HBO, different and conflicting results were obtained. This study was undertaken to search for the optimal therapeutic window of ABO in neonatal rat with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).

METHODSEighty-four healthy seven-day-old SD rats were used as research subjects and were randomly divided into seven groups with 12 in each: sham group, HI group, HI (1 h) + HBO group (HBO starting 1 h after HI), HI (3 h) + HBO group (HBO starting 3 h after HI), HI (6 h) + HBO group (HBO starting 6 h after HI), HI (12 h) + HBO group (HBO starting 12 h after HI), HI (24 h) + HBO group (HBO starting 24 h after HI). Single HBO treatment (2.5 atmospheres absolute, ATA for 1.5 h) was used in this study. Two indexes were used to assess the effect of HBO that included short-term (48 h after HI) histology change (the cell density in CA1 of hippocampus and cortex) and long-term (5 w and 6 w after HI) neurobehavioral testing (grip test and treadmill test for evaluating the deficits of sensor motor; step-down avoidance test for assessing the deficits of memory).

RESULTSIn HI (1 h) + HBO, HI (3 h) + HBO and HI (6 h) + HBO groups, neuron density of cortex and CA1 of hippocampus were 1981.76 +/- 299.55, 1841.53 +/- 241.21, 1525.78 +/- 189.00 and 4430.56 +/- 1180.31, 4507.54 +/- 1374.32, 3883.48 +/- 821.87, respectively, which were significantly higher than HIBD group (987.86 +/- 285.39 and 1813.59 +/- 295.33, P < 0.05, ANOVA). But in HI (12 h) + HBO and HI (24 h) + HBO, the neuron density of cortex and CA1 of hippocampus compared with those in HIBD group had no statistical significance (P > 0.05, ANOVA). In the sensor motor testing performed at 5 w after HI of rat, the grip time in grip test and the stay time in treadmill test of HI (1 h) + HBO, HI (3 h) + HBO and HI (6 h) + HBO groups were 193.39 +/- 51.19, 168.39 +/- 34.02, 168.95 +/- 34.93 and 130.34 +/- 42.56, 128.20 +/- 27.69, 125.74 +/- 36.99, respectively, which, compared with HIBD group, were significantly prolonged (P < 0.05, ANOVA). But in HI (12 h) + HBO and HI (24 h) + HBO groups, the time was not significantly longer compared with HI (P > 0.05, ANOVA). In the step-down avoidance test which was performed at 6 w after HI, the step-down latencies of HI (1 h) + HBO, HI (3 h) + HBO and HI (6 h) + HBO were 96.91 +/- 29.91, 90.35 +/- 28.44 and 76.46 +/- 38.70, respectively, which were significantly prolonged (P < 0.05, ANOVA), but in HI (12 h) + HBO and HI (24 h) + HBO, the latencies did not significantly increase compared with HIBD, P > 0.05, ANOVA.

CONCLUSIONSThe optimal therapeutic window of HBO in neonatal rat with HIBD was within the first 6 hours after HI. In this therapeutic window, HBO was highly effective in reducing the cell loss in CA1 of hippocampus and cortex.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Count ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; pathology ; therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDMarked interindividual variation exists in blood pressure response to benazepril, which is considered to have genetic basis. Our objectives were to evaluate whether the E112D polymorphism in the prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) gene has impact on blood pressure response to benazepril.

METHODSHypertensive patients from Huoqiu County and Yuexi County of Anhui Province received daily treatment with an oral dosage of 10 mg benazepril for 15 days. Genotypes of the E112D polymorphism in the PRCP gene were determined by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Multivariate linear and Logistic regressions using generalized estimating equation model were performed in a total of 1092 patients to evaluate the association of PRCP genotypes and blood pressure response to benazepril.

RESULTSPatients carrying ED or DD genotype had a less systolic blood pressure reduction (adjusted beta = -3.7 + or - 1.1, P < 0.001), a less diastolic blood pressure reduction (adjusted beta = -3.1 + or - 0.8, P < 0.001) and a lower percentage of reaching target blood pressure defined as SBP lower than 140 mmHg and DBP lower than 90 mmHg (adjusted OR = 0.6, P = 0.005) than those patients carrying EE genotype. In addition, the results from stratified analysis by county (Huoqiu or Yuexi) were similar to those observed in the pooled population.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that the E112D polymorphism in the PRCP gene may be a useful genetic marker to predict the antihypertensive effect of short-term benazepril treatment in hypertensive patients of Anhui Province, China.

Adult ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzazepines ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Carboxypeptidases ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; physiology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDHuman beta-defensin-3 (HBD(3)) is an epithelial peptide that has been demonstrated to have a salt-insensitive broad spectrum of potent antimicrobial activity. Expressing antimicrobial peptides in Escherichia coli (E. coli) is very difficult for it can result in death of the bacterial host cells. Our aim was to establish a prokaryotic system expressing soluble HBD(3) protein and demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of the expressed protein. We then studied whether the host cells would activate the suicide pathways.

METHODSWe first cloned the complementary DNA coding for the mature chain of HBD(3), inserted it into the vector PGEX-KG then transformed E. coli BL21 (DE3) with the appropriate recombinant plasmid. After induction with 0.5 mmol/L isopropyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside (IPTG) the transformed E. coli produced a recombinant glutathione S-transferase and HBD(3) (GST-HBD(3)) fusion protein. The fusion protein was treated with thrombin to produce pure HBD(3) protein then the antimicrobial activity of HBD(3) was evaluated in a liquid microdilution assay.

RESULTSThe fusion protein GST-HBD(3) was efficiently cleaved by thrombin and yielded HBD(3) that had anti-staphylococcus aureus activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration level of 12.5 microg/ml. The E. coli strain expressing the recombinant protein did not grow slower than the empty vector strain.

CONCLUSIONActive HBD(3) in E. coli by expressing the recombinant protein GST-HBD(3) could be produced, and suicide did not occur in the E. coli strain expressing the recombinant protein.

Amino Acid Sequence ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; growth & development ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Thrombin ; metabolism ; beta-Defensins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology