Objective: To investigate the relationship between transportation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to nucleus and DNA damage at different time points during apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells induced by hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT). Methods: Cells were harvested at different time points after HCPT treatment. The mitochondrium, cytosol, and nucleus were isolated with mitochondria isolation kit. These fractions were used for western blot. Transportation of AIF from mitochondrium to the nucleus at different time points was observed by confocal microscopy. At the same time, DNA damage was detected by TUNEL assay. Results: Western blot showed that transportation of AIF from mitochondrium to nucleus was not observed after treatment with HCPT for 1 h. However, AIF immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the nuclear fraction at 6, 12 and 24 h after HCPT treatment. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that AIF was released from mitochondrium at 6 h after HCPT treatment. The massive transportation of AIF to the nucleus occurred at 12 and 24 h after HCPT treatment. At the same time, DNA damage was observed by TUNEL assay. Conclusion: AIF release is one of the early biochemical changes of apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells after HCPT treatment. The DNA damage occurrs in parallel with AIF translation to nucleus.

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of related substances in erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. Methods:The extraction method was established and optimized. An HPLC gradient elution method was used for the determination of related substances in erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. Results: One step extraction with PBS (pH 7.0) - methanol(1: 1) had promising effect. After the method validation, it was proved that the method could be used to determine the related substances in eryth-romycin ophthalmic ointment. Conclusion:The method established in the paper provides a better analytical extraction and determina-tion method for the quality control of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.

Objective The color of the syphilis quality control material adopted by most detection institutes was the same with the detected serum sample and they were all colorless,transparent or light yellow.There were cases of wrong adding,missing adding or insufficient adding due to the color of quality control materials which was hard to distinguish with naked eyes.To avoid this phenomenon,a new method was established for the distinction of quality control materials.Methods A new method of syphilis quality control materials that had been improved three concentrations control materials:0.125,0.250 and 0.500 NCU/mL.The syphilis diagnostic kit that was created by Shanghai Kehua and Xiamen Yingke was adopted to conduct detection and compare results.Results The difference between stained quality control material and unstained quality control materials had no statistical significance (P＞0.05).Two different reagents were used to detect quality control materials of different concentration for 20 times and the CV were 11.7 ％-13.4％ and 9.3 ％-12.9 ％ respectively.Two different reagents were used to detect quality control materials of different concentration for 30 days and the CV range were 10.1 ％-13.4 ％ and 8.08 ％-12.8 ％.Conclusion Citric yellow staining does not influence the properties of syphilis control materials and it can be used stably for a long time.It is suitable for clinical lab application and promotion.

T were also detected in the controls.Conclusion Nephrotic syndrome may be associated with NPHS2 identified in children.

Objective To examine mutations in the WT1 and PLCE1 gene in three Chinese families with autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) once mutations in NPHS2 had been excluded. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected for genetic analysis from three probands of three Chinese families and their parents, and two probands' siblings, and 50 adult volunteers with normal urinalysis. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes. Ten exons and exon-intron boundaries of WT1, and 31 exons and exon-intron boundaries of PLCE1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mutational analysis was performed by DNA sequencing directly and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and/or PCR. Results No mutation in both WT1 and PLCE1 was identified in three probands from three Chinese families with autosomal recessive SRNS. However, three variants of WT1, 126C>T, ⅣS5-64A>G and 903A>G, and 13 variants of PLCE1, -134A>G, 810T>C, 960G>A, ⅣS11-28C>G, ⅣS15+26A>C, 4724G>C, ⅣS20+40C>T, ⅣS21+64G>A, ⅣS22-26T> A, 5320C>T, 5780A>G, ⅣS27+24A>G and ⅣS31 +48_49insT, were detected in three probands and some controls, indicating that all these variants were gene polymorphisms. WT1 polymorphism ⅣS5-64A>G, and PLCE1 polymorphism ⅣS22-26T>A were novel. Conclusion All the encoding exons and exon-intron boundaries of both WT1 and PLCE1 in three probands are examined, and no causative mutations in WT1 and PLCE1 axe found, suggesting that mutation in WT1 and PLCE1 genes is not a major cause of the Chinese families with autosomal recessive SRNS.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) on apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) expression and AIF translocation from mitochondria to the nucleus in human hepatocellular cancer cell SMMC-7721 during apoptosis.

METHODSAfter treatment with 80 mg/ml of HCPT, the cancer cells were stained with A0/EB to monitor their apoptosis. Their mitochondria was examined with electronmicroscopy and the AIF expression of the cells was tested by RT-PCR and Western blot. The translocation of AIF from mitochondria to the nucleus during apoptosis was analyzed by confocal microscopy.

RESULTSSMMC-7721 cells treated with HCPT showed chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and mitochondria swelling. The mRNA and protein expression of AIF in treated and untreated SMMC-7721 cells were not significantly different. However, cells treated with 80 mg/ml HCPT for 6 h or 12 h showed massive translocation of AIF into the nuclei.

CONCLUSIONThese results show the important role the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis plays in HCPT-induced tumor cell death, at least in SMMC-7721 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of electric stimulation of long-term retaining needle on analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and the impacts on the post-surgical flatus time.

METHODSUnder static absorptive composite general anesthesia, 90 cases of LC were randomized into three groups, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the analgesia was not applied after LC. In the analgesia-pumper group, the patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used. In the needle-retaining group, the electric acupuncture stimulator was used. The needles were inserted transversely at Riyue (GB 24), Qichong (ST 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and fixed with sterile sticker. Separately, in 8 h and 24 h after surgery, the electric acupuncture stimulation with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz frequency was applied continuously for 30 min. Visual analogue scale (VAS), adverse reactions such as vomiting and nausea and the postoperative flatus time in 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36 h after surgery were observed and recorded in the three groups.

RESULTSIn 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after surgery, VAS scores in the needle-retaining group and the analgesia-pumper group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The analgesia effect at the above time points in the needle-retaining group was better than that in the analgesia-pumper group (all P < 0.05). There was not adverse reaction in the needle-retaining group. But there were 3 cases of somnolence, 6 cases of nausea and 3 cases of vomiting in the analgesia-pumper group, and 2 cases of nausea and 1 case of vomiting in the control group. The flatus time was quite earlier in the needle-retaining group as compared with the other two groups [(14.77 +/- 4.99) h vs (18.50 +/- 4.22) h, P < 0.01; (14.77 +/- 4.99) h vs (18.17 +/- 4.69) h, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe electric stimulation of long-term retaining needle is safe and effective in analgesia after LC. It avoids the adverse reactions of analgesics and promotes postoperative flatus.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Aged ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Management ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; therapy

Objective To observe the in vitro anti-Coxsackievirus B3m (CVB3m) effect of sophocarpine(SC) extracted from Sophora flavescens, a traditional Chinese herb. Methods HeLa cells were cultured and the micro-dose cytopathic effect (CPE) assays were applied to detect the toxicity of SC. CPE-inhibitory assays were used to observe the in vitro anti-CVB3m effect of SC. MTT and crystal assays were introduced to examine the anti-CVB3m effect of SC. HeLa cells were infected with CVB3m and added with SC in different concentrations 15 h later.The viability and number of survival of HeLa cells were determined by MTT and crystal violet assays, respectively. Results No toxicity was found on HeLa cells by SC with concentrations 100 ?g/mL, SC could accelerate and aggravate the CPE. SC could protect the CVB3m-infected HeLa cells with concentrations from 1.56 to 25 ?g/mL, and the viability and cell number measured by MTT and crystal violet assay in the SC-handled cells were higher and bigger than those in the virus infected ones. However, the inhibitory effect of virus was exacerbated with higher concentrations (50 and 100 ?g/mL), and the cell number and viability of the SC-handled cells were smaller and lower than those of the infected ones. Conclusion SC with a proper concentration has the in vitro anti-CVB3m effect and may protect HeLa cells from CVB3m infection.

Objective To investigate the relationship between alteration of gene in cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) signal transduction system in rats after myocardial damage and changes of cardiac function and ventricular remodeling. Methods Twenty eight male Wistar rats weighing 220 g to 250 g were randomly divided into three groups: acute myocardial damage group(AMD, n = 10), chronic myocardial damage group (CMD,n = 9 ) and sham-operation group (control, n = 9). Animal model of acute myocardial damage was established by ligation of rats left coronary artery in the AMD and the CMD groups. Rats in control group were treated similarly, except that the coronary suture was not tied. Hemodynamics and echocardiography were measured before rats were sacrificed 24 hours after operation in control and AMD groups but those in CMD groups were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Cadiocyte apoptosis were estimated by TUNEL method, cAMP levels in heart were tested by radioimmunity and the mRNA expressions for inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) and bcl-2 were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The difference of left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP), maximal rising and falling rate of ventricular pressure,left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), eject fraction (EF) and fraction shortening (FS) were statistically significant among the three groups(F = 285.9, 196.8, 83.2, 80.4, 54.9, 196.6, 95.2, all P ＜ 0.01). LVEDD[(7.03 ±0.28), (8.20 ± 0.27)mm] and LVEDP[(11.19 ± 2.89), (19.76 ± 3.34)mmHg] in AMD and CMD groups were significantly increased, compared with those in control group[ (5.05 ± 0.30)mm, (- 5.62 ± 3.01 )mmHg, all P ＜0.01 ]. While maximal rising rate[ (2964 ± 449), (2214 ± 434)mmHg/s] and falling rate[(- 2617 ± 441),(- 1891± 424)mmHg/s] of left ventricular pressure, LVSP[ (94.19 ± 4.03), (85.85 ± 6.39)mmHg], EF[ (41.6 ±5.9)%, (35.9 ± 4.1 )%] and FS[ (36.9 ± 4.6)%, (23.1 ± 4.9)%] of left ventricular in the two groups were lower than those in control[(4759 ± 406)mmHg/s, (- 4327 ± 388)mmHg/s, (116.29 ± 8.25)mmHg, (80.9 ± 5.6)%,(53.1 ± 4.3)%, all P ＜ 0.01 ]. These changes in CMD group were more significant than those in AMD groups(P ＜0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ). The difference of apoptotic index, cAMP and expression of ICER, CREB, PDE3A mRNA and bcl-2 mRNA were statistically significant among the three groups(F= 172.5, 141.0, 540.8, 246.8, 165.1, 563.9,all P＜ 0.01 ). Apoptotic index[ (32.8 ± 4.2)‰, (18.4 ± 3.9)‰] and cAMP in heart[ (9.95 ± 0.30), (5.60 ± 0.25)nmol/kg] in AMD and CMD groups were increased compared to control group[ (3.9 ± 1.7)‰, (2.48 ± 0.29)nmol/kg,all P ＜ 0.01 ], and those in CMD group were lower than in AMD group(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Expression of ICER mRNA (1.434 ± 0.093, 0.942 ± 0.076) and CREB mRNA(5.70 ± 0.50, 2.64 ± 0.51) in AMD and CMD groups were higher, and expression of PDE3A mRNA(48.98 ± 8.14, 16.68 ± 8.46) were lower than those in control group (0.154 ± 0.063, 1.08 ± 0.35, 105.94 ± 12.61, all P ＜ 0.01 ). The three genes in CMD group were fewer than those in AMD group(all P ＜ 0.01 ). bcl-2 mRNA was up regulated in AMD group(4.55 ± 0.27) and was down regulated in CMD group(0.35 ± 0.15) compared to control(2.18 ± 0.30, all P＜ 0.01). Conclusions There is PDE3A-ICER positive-feedback loop leading to myocyte apoptosis and heart failure after myocardial damage. The downregulation of PDE3A mRNA observed in chronic myocardial damage may play a causative role in the progression of ventricular remodeling and heart failure, in part, by inducing ICER mRNA and promoting cardiac myocyte dysfunction.

Aminoacyl-tRNA syntheses (AARS) can catalyze the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent acylation of their cognate tRNA(s) with a specific amino acid. They can be seen as an index to reflect the energy metabolic rate of ischemic brain cells in ischemic penumbra. This study examined the relationship between arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS), one of the AARS, and cerebral ischemia in rats. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established in rats. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA were detected in rat brain tissues at different time points following MCAO by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that the MCAO model was successfully established. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis revealed that the ArgRS protein and mRNA were expressed in brain cells in both ischemic and normal penumbra tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA peaked at 6 h after MCAO and decreased gradually. At 24 h, the expression levels of ArgRs protein and mRNA in ischemic penumbral tissues were lower than those in normal tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS mRNA and protein in ischemic penumbra varied with ischemic time, suggesting that the energy metabolism of brain cells in penumbra changed dynamically after ischemia to ensure the endogenous self-protection of the body. The brain oxygen supply should be improved as soon as possible, especially within 6-12 h after ischemia, so as to meet the demand for energy metabolism in ischemic penumbra and make sure the cell structure remains stable.