OBJECTIVE To investigate the permeability of gap junction composed of connexin 43 (Cx43) for microRNAs (miRNAs) and the impact of gap junction-mediated transfer of miRNAs in glioma U87 cells. METHODS Co-culture assay demonstrated the transmission of miRNAs through gap junction channel into adjacent cells. U87 cells were labeled with green fluorescein protein (GFP) as receivers and cells were transfected miRNAs as donors. Receiver cells and donor cells were mixed together in a ratio of 1:1. After 12 h co-culture, cells were separated using a BD influx flow cytometer based on the GFP labeled. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied detect to the expressions of miRNAs and Cx43 mRNA. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expressions of Cx43 and GFP in U87 cells. CCK-8 assay is used to detect cell growth. RESULTS Co-culture assays demonstrated miR-34a could transfer between U87 cells. The role of the contact independent could also transfer of miR-34a. Gap junctions inhibitor (CBX and 18-α-GA) showed lower miR-34a expression than co-culture group, whereas gap junctions enhancer (RA and Galanglin) enhanced miR-34a expression. Knockdown of Cx43 could significantly decrease the transferring of miR-34a between U87 cells. Different length of miRNAs (miR-1827, miR-144, miR-203a and miR-1183) were similar to the expression of miR-34a between U87 cells. Additionally, we demonstrated that gap junctions mediate the effect of antiproliferation mediated by miR- 34a in U87 cells. The functional inhibition of gap junctions using either siRNA or inhibition eliminated the miR- 34a mediated antiproliferation, whereas the enhancement of gap junctions treatment augmented this miR34a-mediated antiproliferation. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that gap junction composed of Cx43-mediated transfer miRNAs in different length of nucleotides and gap junction-mediated transfer of miR-34a enhance the antiproliferative effect in glioma U87 cells.

Adult ; Aminosalicylic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Manganese Poisoning ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the theory of "Fei and Dachang being interior-exteriorly related" and the pathogenesis of lung injury by observing changes of inflammatory cytokines and oxygen free radicals in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats.

METHODSTotally 50 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, the normal control group and the model group, 25 rats in each group. The UC model was established by allergizing colon mucosa combined with TNBS-alcohol (50%) enema. Another 25 rats were recruited as the normal control group. At week 2 and 4 after modeling, the pathomorphological changes of the lung were observed. Furthermore, the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-1beta were determined by ELISA. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated with colorimetry.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the pathomorphology of the lung tissue in the model group appeared abnormal at week 2 and 4. Compared with the normal control group, levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and MDA in the lung tissue significantly increased in the model group (P < 0. 01) and the activities of SOD significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTNF-alpha, IL-1beta, SOD, and MDA might be common material bases for the large intestine involved in lung disease of UC patients, thus providing a modern scientific basis for the theory of Fei and Dachang being interior-exteriorly related.

Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

The potential biodegradation of crude oil was assessed based on the development of a fermentative process with a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which produced 15.4 g/L rhamnolipids when cultured in a basal mineral medium using glycerol as a sole carbon source. However, neither cell growth nor rhamnolipid production was observed in the comparative culture system using crude oil as the sole carbon source instead. As rhamnolipid, an effective biosurfactant, has been reported to stimulate the biodegradation of hydrocarbons, 1 g/L glycerol or 0.22 g/L rhamnolipid was initially added into the medium to facilitate the biodegradation of crude oil. In both situations, more than 58% of crude oil was degraded and further converted into accumulated cell biomass and rhamnolipids. These results suggest that Pseudomonas aeruginosa could degrade most of crude oil with direct or indirect addition of rhamnolipid. And this conclusion was further supported by another adsorption experiment, where the adsorption capacity of crude oil by killed cell biomass was negligible in comparison with the biologic activities of live cell biomass.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Glycolipids ; pharmacology ; Petroleum ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; metabolism ; Water Purification ; methods

Objective To study the changes of plasma platelet granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140) in patients with cerebral thrombosis in acute and recovery phases. Methods Fifty patients with cerebral thrombosis in acute phase (n=30, within 7 d from the onset) and recovery phase (n=20, over 30 d from the onset), along with 26 normal subjects, were enrolled in this study. The plasma GMP-140 levels in all the subjects were determined and comparatively analyzed between the groups. Results The average plasma GMP-140 levels in the patients in acute phase were apparently higher than those in patients in recovery phase (P<0.01), while the comparison between the latter and the control group did not reveal significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion High levels of plasma GMP-140 are present in patients with cerebral thrombosis in acute phase.

Objective To study the changes of plasma platelet granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140) in patients with cerebral thrombosis in acute and recovery phases. Methods Fifty patients with cerebral thrombosis in acute phase (n=30, within 7 d from the onset) and recovery phase (n=20, over 30 d from the onset), along with 26 normal subjects, were enrolled in this study. The plasma GMP-140 levels in all the subjects were determined and comparatively analyzed between the groups. Results The average plasma GMP-140 levels in the patients in acute phase were apparently higher than those in patients in recovery phase (P<0.01), while the comparison between the latter and the control group did not reveal significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion High levels of plasma GMP-140 are present in patients with cerebral thrombosis in acute phase.

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-induced myocardial injury is one of the major predictors of morbidity and mortality of sepsis. The cytoprotective function of erythropoietin (EPO) has been discovered and extensively studied. However, the cardioprotective effects of EPO on sepsis-induced myocardial injury in the rat sepsis model has not been reported.METHODS:The rat models of sepsis were produced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) surgery. Rats were randomly (random number) assigned to one of three groups (n=8 for each group):sham group, CLP group and EPO group (1000 IU/kg erythropoietin). Arterial blood was withdrawn at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after CLP. cTnI, BNP, CK-MB, LDH, AST, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and CRP were tested by the ELISA assay. Changes of hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 3, 6, 12, 24 hours after the surgery. Histological diagnosis was made by hematoxylin and eosin. Flow cytometry was performed to examine cell apoptosis, myocardium mitochondrial inner membrane potential, and NF-κB (p65). Survival rate at 7 days after CLP was recorded.RESULTS:In the CLP group, myocardial enzyme index and inflammatory index increased at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after CLP compared with the sham group, and EPO significantly blocked the increase. Compared with the CLP group, EPO significantly improved LVSP, LV +dp/dtmax, LV -dp/dtmin, and decreased LVEDP at different time. EPO blocked the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, suppressed the cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inhibited the activation of NF-κB, and reduced the production of proinflmmatory cytokines. No difference in the survival rate at 7 days was observed between the CLP group and the EPO group.CONCLUSION:Exogenous EPO has cardioprotective effects on sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the ability of Biopure MTAD in removing smear layer in vitro.

METHODSForty extracted single-rooted human teeth were randomly divided into five groups: Distilled water in group A, 5.25% NaClO and 17% EDTA in group B, 1.3% NaClO in group C, 1.3% NaClO and Biopure MTAD in group D, 1.3% NaClO and 3% EDTA in group E. The canals were prepared and irrigated with one of the five different irrigating agent respectively. The amount of smear layer and erosion on the surface of the root canal walls were examined with scanning electron microscope.

RESULTSThe whole surfaces of root canals in group A and C were covered by smear layer. The surfaces of root canals in the coronal and middle thirds of samples in group B, D, E were free of smear layer (P>0.05) and the apical third of canals in the group D were significantly cleaner (P<0.05) than that in group B and E. The coronal and middle sections were significantly eroded in group B compared with group D and E (P<0.05). The degree of erosion in the apical section was not statistically different among group B, D and E (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBiopure MTAD and 1.3% NaClO are effective irrigating agents for removal of the smear layer on the surface of root canal. There is no significant change in the structure of the surface of root canal.

Citric Acid ; Doxycycline ; Edetic Acid ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polysorbates ; Root Canal Irrigants ; Root Canal Preparation ; Root Canal Therapy ; Smear Layer ; Tooth Root

Objective To investigate the relationship of folates,vitamin B_(12) with tan phosphorylation and the possible mechanism in Alzhcimer's disease (AD).Method Tau protein phosphorylation was examined in hippocampns of rats of two months old and forty months old treated or untreated by folates and vitamin B_(12) using Western blot and immunohistochemistry with phosphorylation dependent and independent tau antibodies.Results We found that tau phosphorylation in aged rat brain showed a significant higher level than that in the two-month olds.Folates combined with vitamin.B_(12) could decrease tau phosphorylation by 27% at the site of Ser396/404 of hippoeampus in aged rats.Conclusion It suggests folates and vitamin B_(12) may play an important role in preventing the neurodegenerative change via effeeting tau phosphorylation in AD brain.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of unintended pregnancy (UP) and exploring the risk factors of UP for married women of child-bearing age from Qingshan district,Wuhan.Methods A cross-sectional study was adopted in this study.Cluster sampling method was used with 3256 women recruited,in 2010.Information on history and risks related to social-demographic factors of UP were collected,using a self-administered questionnaire.Results Of the 3256 participants,over half of them (53.8％) reorted ever having had the history of UP and 9.1％ reported UP in the past year.Rate of UP in the past year for different age cohorts (18-30,31-40,41-49 years) were 31.8％,10.5％ and 1.8％ respectively.The most frequently reported reason for UP across all the age cohorts was "Did not use any contraceptive methods",with proportions on the reason that reported by women at 18-30,31-40 and 41-49 year-olds,were 69.7％,51.1％ and 42.4％ respectively.The second frequently reported reasons for UP were "Failure of traditional contraception" for younger cohort ( 18-30 years:13.0％ ) and "IUD dropped or pregnancy with IUD" for older-age cohorts (23.4％ at 31-40 year-olds and 37.0％ at the 41-49 year-oplds).The most frequently cited reason for "Did not use any contraceptive methods" was "Believe we were lucky so far,not to get pregnant" (59.6％).The risk factors of UP were being at older age,experiencing sex debut at younger age and got married at younger age.Conclusion The prevalence of lifetime UP history was high among women at child-bearing age from Qingshan district,Wuhan.Reproductive health services and interventions should be taken according to the needs from different age cohorts of women.Younger cohort of women should receive more attention.