Objective To study the protective role of nerve growth factor (NGF) on cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury and its effect on Bax expression. Methods The models of focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion in rats were made by occlusion middle cerebral artery using an intraluminal filament method. NGF was given through vena caudalis. The expression of Bax was studied by immunohistochemistry method and the change of brain was observed using pathological method.Results Bax positive cells in the cortex and striatum areas in ischemia-reperfusion group (115.25?15.07) were more than those in NGF treatment group (70.00?12.77) ((P

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of wogonin on the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells MDA-MB-23, and observe its effect on the adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-23 cells, in order to further study its molecular mechanism.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the effect of wogonin on MDA-MB-23 cell growth. Ki-67 assay was adopted to test the effect of wogonin on cell proliferation. Scratch test, adherence test and invasion chamber assay were taken to detect the effect on the migration and invasion abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells. Proliferation and metastasis-related proteins and relevant signaling pathways were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTWogonin could remarkably inhibit the growth and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells, significantly inhibit migration, adhesion and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells at a low concentration, and effectively inhibit the expression of Survivin, Bcl-2, ICAM-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 proteins of MDA-MB-231 cells.

CONCLUSIONWogonin could notably inhibit growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells, and inhibit migration, adhesion and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Its invasive and adhesive effects on MDA-MB-231 cells may be related to the decrease in ICAM-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 expressions.

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Flavanones ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on cervical type of cervical spondylosis (CS) between the combined treatment of sword-like needle and chiropractic spinal manipulation (the combined therapy) and the simple chiropractic spinal manipulation.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-eight cases of cervical type of CS were randomized into a combined therapy group (76 cases) and a simple chiropractic spinal manipulation group (62 cases). In the combined therapy group, the sword-like needle therapy was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) C3-C5. The chiropractic spinal manipulation was used in combination. In the chiropractic spinal manipulation group, the simple chiropractic spinal manipulation was adopted. The treatment was given once every other day in the two groups, 10 days made one session. One session of treatment was required. Visual analog scale (VAS) score was observed before and after treatment in the two groups and the efficacies were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS score after treatment was reduced obviously as compared with that before treatment in the patients of the two groups (both P < 0.01) and VAS score after treatment in the combined therapy group was lower than that in the simple chiropractic spinal manipulation group (1.50 +/- 0.58 vs 1.87+/-1.05, P < 0.01). In the combined therapy group, 48 cases were cured, 20 cases remarkably effective, 8 cases improved and 0 case failed. In the chiropractic spinal manipulation group, 30 cases were cured, 16 cases remarkably effective, 15 cases improved and 1 case failed. The overall efficacy in the combined therapy group was better than that in the chiropractic spinal manipulation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe sword-like needle therapy combined with chiropractic spinal manipulation relieve effectively pain in cervical type of CS and the efficacy is superior to the simple chiropractic spinal manipulation.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Chiropractic ; Manipulation, Spinal ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; therapy

ObjectiveTo illustrate the biocompatibility of rapamycin-batroxobin eluting stent(RBES). MethodsStent made with rapamycin-batroxobin and polymer were implanted in the coronary artery of experimental group and the rapamycin with the polymer in the control group, which including 8 miniature pigs in each group. Coronary arteriographies were taken before, exactly after implanting the stent and before sacrificed the pigs. The whole blood cell counts, biochemical indexes, blood pressures, heart rates, body weights before implantation and sacrifice, together with the behavior states during the observation were analyzed. The coronary arteries of the implantation segment were observed under the scanning electron microscope and histologically. Lungs, stomachs, intestines, bowels, livers, kidneys and the ventricular walls which infused by the stents supported arteries were also observed histologically. ResultsBone marrow suppression, hemolysis, liver and kidney disfunction had not been found in the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in heart rate, blood pressure and body weight between 2 groups. Behavior was not influenced. All stents were implanted successfully. And there was no stenosis in coronary artery in both group during the 28-day period. There were no significant differences in endothelium square and the ratio of endothelium square to tunica media square. No definite inflammatory cell was found. There were no pathological damages related to RBES in lungs, stomachs, intestines, bowels, livers, kidneys and the ventricular walls infused by the stent supported arteries.ConclusionThe blood compatibility and histocompatibility were good after RBES were implanted in coronary arteries of miniature pigs.

Objective To obtain novel vaccine candidate antigens against Schistosoma japonicum. Methods S. japonicum schistosomula cDNA library was screened by using sera of Microtus fortis that was naturally resistant to schistosomiasis. The positive clones were transformated into Escherichia coli BM25.8, E. coli clones containing the plasmid cultured in LB, and then selected for plasmid extraction, the plasmid DNA was digested by EcoRⅠand Hind Ⅲ, and analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The positive clones were also sequenced and the data were analysed through the internet Nucleotide BLAST software of NCBI and Expert Protein Analysis system of GeneRunner and HNN. Results Twelve positive clones were obtained after repeatedly immunoscreening the library and their sizes ranged from 300 bp to 1100 bp. Two novel genes (named as Sj-sMf1 and Sj-sMf2) with complete ORF were obtained. The deduced protein of Sj-sMf1 consisted of 93 amino acids while Sj-sMf2 consisted of 61 amino acids. Sj-sMf1 protein predicted containing one cAMP phosphorylation site and Casein kinase C phosphorylation site, respectively. Sj-sMf1 protein predicted containing one Casein kinase C phosphorylation site and two Protein kinase C phosphorylation sites. Conclusion Two novel genes predictably encoding unknown proteins are obtained from immunoscreening of Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula cDNA library by M. fortis sera.

The envelope protein(Env) of lentiviruses such as HIV,SIV,FIV and EIAV is larger than that of other retroviruses.The Chinese EIAV attenuated vaccine is based on Env and has helped to successfully control this virus,demonstrating that envelope is crucial for vaccine.We compared Env variation of the four kinds of lentiviruses.Phylogenetic analysis showed that the evolutionary relationship of Env between HIV and SIV was the closest and they appeared to descend from a common ancestor,and the relationship of HIV and EIAV was the furthest.EIAV had the shortest Env length and the least number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites(PNGS) as well as glycosylation density compared to various immunodeficiency viruses.However,HIV had the longest Env length and the most PNGS.Moreover,the alignment of HIV and SIV showed that PNGS were primarily distributed within extracellular membrane protein gp120 rather than transmembrane gp41.It implies that the size difference among these viruses is associated with a lentivirus specific function and also the diversity of env.There are low levels of modification of glycosylation sites of Env and selection of optimal protective epitopes might be useful for development of an effective vaccine against HIV/AIDS.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between liver cell type A receptor (EphA) expression and androgen receptor (AR) signaling in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells. Methods RT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to determine mRNA and protein levels of EphA3 and AR in prostate cancer LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells, respectively. The variations of EphA3, AR and prostate specific antigen (PSA) expressions were also measured in these cells after dihydrotes?tosterone (DHT) treatment for 48 h. The constructed EphA3-Luc (-789-+146) luciferase reporter plasmid was co-transfect?ed with pcDNA3.1(+)-AR or siAR in 22Rv1 cells to analyze the effects of different AR expression levels on EphA3 tran?scription activity. Results The expression pattern of EphA3 was similar to AR, showing a lower level in prostate stromal cell line WPMY-1 and a higher level in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and 22Rv1. When stimulated with 10 nmol/L DHT, the expression levels of AR, PSA and EphA3 were significantly increased in 22Rv1 cells, and the protein levels of these genes were also increased in LNCaP cells. Moreover, AR expression levels markedly influenced the activity of EphA 3 pro?moter. Conclusion AR up-regulates EphA3 expression by increasing the activity of EphA3 promoter.

Objective: To study the effects of TNFα on wound healing. Methods: The skin lesion and incisions were made on mice and rhTNFα was applied in both skin lesion and incision. Tissue strips were evaluated for tensiometry and histologic features after healing. Results: It was found that rhTNFα markedly improved wound healing both in skin lesion and incision wound model, it also markedly enhanced the breaking strength of treated incision and increased wound cellularity in rh TNF α treated groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that TNFα play an important role in regulating inflammatory reactions of local injured tissues and it may improve the functions of fibroblasts, mononuclear phagocytes and endothelial cells. rhTNFα of suitable doses can promote wound healing. This shows that TNFα, as a wound healing promoter, has the potentials for clinical application.

Objective To investigate the microstructural abnormalities of cerebral white matter in patients with medication-overuse headache with diffusion tensor imaging.Methods Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) was carried out in 80 migraine patients with medication-overuse headache (case group) and 80 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (control group).Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured and the correlation between clinical characteristics and the changes was examined.Results ① The FA values at the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex,cingulate cortex,splenium of the corpus callosum and the right anterior limb of the capsula interna were significantly lower than those in the controls(P＜0.05).② The ADC values at the right orbitofrontal cortex,left inferior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex were significantly higher than those in the controls (P＜0.05).③ There were negative correlations between FA values at the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and right hind legs of the capsula interna and headache course as well as frequency.There was negative correlation between FA values at the left hind legs of capsula interna and headache frequency.④ There were positive correlations between ADC values at the left orbitofrontal cortex and headache course as well as frequency.There were positive correlations between ADC values at the right orbitofrontal cortex and prior cingulate cortex and headache frequency.There was positive correlation between ADC values at the posterior cingulate cortex and headache course.Conclutions There might be an integrity change of neurofibrotic microstructures in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and cingulate cortex in patients with medication-overuse headache,FA values are negatively associated with headache course and frequency whereas ADC values are positively associated with headache course and frequency.

OBJECTIVETo systematically evaluate the quality of Semen Armeniacae Amarum.

METHODThe amygdalin content in the samples of Semen Armeniacae Amarum from different markets was analysed by HPLC. Some physical and chemical tests were done to investigate their quality.

RESULTSome significant differences in amygdalin contents and some physical and chemical parameters were shown between the crude drugs and the processed ones. There are few changes in amygdalin contents with the storage in 17 years.

CONCLUSIONThe processing conditions are the main factors that affect the quality of Semen Armeniacae Amarum. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation of the quality of its samples from the different markets has been established by a radar diagram based on the following five parameters: amygdalin contents, the lipid content, ethanol-soluble extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash.

Amygdalin ; analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prunus ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods