Chronic Disease ; Constipation ; surgery ; Humans

The optimum conditions of baicalin hydrolysis into baicalein by immobilized beta-glucosidase in a two-phase system was studied and the yield was observed. A two-phase system comprising of sodium acetate buffer and chloroform was determined by comparing the solubleness of baicalein in different solvents and partition coefficient of baicalein in related aqueous-organic two-phase system. beta-Glucosidase was immobilized by the crosslinking-embedding method using sodium alginate as the carrier The optimum reaction temperature, pH value, Michaelis constant, the thermal stability and pH stability were assayed. By comparing the yield of baicalin hydrolysis into baicalein by immobilized beta-glucosidase in two-phase system, the optimum reaction conditions were determined-the optimum reaction temperature, pH value and time were 50 degrees C, 5.0 and 10 h, respectively. The yield of baicalein was 85.28%. Compare with one-phase system, two-phase system had an advantage in reaction rate and yield.
Biocatalysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Enzyme Stability ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Hydrolysis ; beta-Glucosidase ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Flos Daturae alkaloids (FDA) on TGF-beta1-1uuuu;U epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the TGF-beta1 group, the low dose FDA group, the medium dose FDA group, and the high dose FDA group. The morphologies of A549 cells were observed. Expressions of cytokeratin (CK)-19 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

RESULTSA549 cells in the TGF-beta1, group turned from cobblestone to spindle shape gradually. Those in low, medium and high dose FDA groups showed similar shapes to those of the TGF-beta1 group. There was no statistical difference in the morphology of A549 cells among the 3 dose FDA groups (P > 0.05). Western blot showed that, when compared with the blank control group, the expression of CK-19 was down-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was up-regulated in the TGF-beta1 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the TGF-beta1, group, the expression of CK-19 was up-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was suppressed in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01). The CK-19 expression obviously increased, but the alpha-SMA expression was suppressed in high dose FDA group at 72 h (P < 0.01). Real-time PCR results showed, as compared with the TGF-beta1 group, the mRNA expression of CK-19 was increased, but the mRNA expression of alpha-SMA was reduced in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFDA had no effect on EMT morphological changes of TGF-beta1 induced A549 cells. FDA could reverse characteristic markers of A549 cells during EMT to some extent, such as expressions of CK-19 and alpha-SMA. The expression of CK-19 (as the epithelium marker) increased and the expression of alpha-SMA (as the mesenchymal marker) was reduced. Besides, they were most obviously seen in the high dose FDA group at 72 h in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Actins ; Adenocarcinoma ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Datura ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Exposure to thermal environment is one of the main concerns for manned space exploration. By focusing on the works performed on thermoregulation at microgravity or simulated microgravity, we endeavored to review the investigation on space thermal environmental physiology. First of all, the application of medical requirements for the crew module design from normal thermal comfort to accidental thermal emergencies in a space craft will be addressed. Then, alterations in the autonomic and behavioral temperature regulation caused by the effect of weightlessness both in space flight and its simulation on the ground are also discussed. Furthermore, countermeasures like exercise training, simulated natural ventilation, encouraged drink, etc., in the protection of thermoregulation during space flight is presented. Finally, the challenge of space thermal environment physiology faced in the future is figured out.
Aerospace Medicine ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Environment ; Exercise ; Humans ; Space Flight ; Weightlessness ; Weightlessness Simulation

Objective To prepare the preparation of ginkgolic acids gel and to study its antibacterial activity in vitro.Methods The gel was prepared with ginkgolic acids as main component and with Carbopol 940 as base material.The content of ginkgolic acids in the gel was determined by high performance liquid chromatography and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the gel against staphylocococus aureus and propionibacteria was measured in vitro by means of liquid-doubling dilution.Results The ginkgolic acids gel has inhibitory effects on staphylocococus aureus and propionibacteria to various extents.And the MIC was 31.756 mg?mL-1 for staphylocococus aureus and 0.992 mg?mL-1 for propionibacteria.Conclusion The preparation of the gel is feasiblye and the the properties of the gel were stable.The ginkgolic acids gel possesses good antibacterial effects on staphylocococus aureus and propionibacteria.

Aim To investigate the effects of leptin on ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production, and the roles of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators transcription(JAK/STAT) signaling transduction pathway in increased ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression stimulated by leptin in activated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).Methods Firstly, ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production as well as JAK1 and STAT3 phosphorylation induced by leptin at different doses in a human HSC cell line, LX-2 were determined by RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western-blot.Secondly, the effects of JAK1 inhibitor AG490 on JAK1 phosphorylation and ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression stimulated by leptin were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. Thirdly, the roles of AG490 and transfection with STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide(STAT3-ASON) in STAT3 phosphorylation after leptin were detected by Western blot. Finally, the effect of transfection with STAT3-ASON on ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression after leptin was measured by RT-PCR.Results Leptin increased ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production in a dose-dependent manner in LX-2, reaching a maximal level at 80 ?g?L-1 leptin. In addition, phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3 after leptin exhibited a time-dependent effect. Besides, JAK1 inhibitor AG490 completely blocked JAK1 and STAT3 phosphorylation and increased in ?1(Ⅰ) collagen gene expression after leptin in LX-2. Transfection with STAT3-ASON blocked STAT3 phosphorylation and increased ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA by leptin in LX-2.Conclusion Leptin had a direct action on liver fibrogenesis by stimulating ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production in activated HSC, and JAK/STAT signaling transduction pathway was involved in the process. JAK1 inhibitor AG490 and transfection with STAT3-ASON blocked the transduction pathway effectively in LX-2. Leptin may be an important factor in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Activated JAK1 and STAT3 signaling in human HSC line provided a novel molecular target for therapeutic intervention of liver fibrosis.

Objective To investigate acute cell damage and delayed inhibition effects by pulsed electric fields(PEFs)with different frequencies on human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 in vitro and in subcutaneous transplanted tumor of human SKOV3 in BALB/c nude mice,and evaluate the potential use of relatively higher frequency PEFs to reduce unpleasant sensations without decreasing therapeutic effects in clinical electrochemotherapy.Methods Firstly,SKOV3 cell suspension were exposed to PEFs with gradient increasing frequencies(1,60,1 000,5 000 Hz)and voltages(50,100,150,200,250,300,350,400 V),respectively.MTT assay was used to determine the acute cell damage.Then PEFs with gradient increasing frequencies(1,60,1 000,5 000 Hz)and fixed voltage (250 V)were applied to the subcutaneously transplanted tumor,in vivo antitumor assay was used to observe the delayed inhibition effect;histological changes were observed by light and electron microscope. Results The 1 Hz PEFs has similar cytotoxic effects with 5 kHz,and no significant difference of delayed tumor inhibition effect on subcutaneous transplanted tumor among all groups exposed to different frequencies of PEFs(P＞0.05).Histological observation showed acute damage in all exposed groups.and only in 5 kHz group was induced apoptotic effect observed.Conclusions PEFs with relatively higher frequency can achieve similar tumor killing effect with the low frequency PEFs,and it can also induce apoptosis.Relatively higher frequency PEFs show therapeutic potentials for reducing unpleasant sensations in clinical electrical treatment of tumor.

Objective:To investigate the range of normal value of total nasal cavity volume(NV)and total na-sopharyngeal cavity volume (NPV)of healthy adults. Method: Six hundred and fifty-nine healthy adults andeighty-two adults of chronic rhinitis were measured with acoustic rhinometry. Result:The range of NV was29. 922～37. 481 cm3 and NPV was 29. 369～44. 159 cm3. Comparing healthy adults with adults of chronic rhini-tis,there was a significant difference in NV. Conclusion:Acoustic rhinometry suited for objective assessment ofthe nasal airways in adults. It was demonstrated that these data could provide available information for the studyof nasal physiology and pathophysiology,as well as for the diagnosis and judgement of therapeutic effectiveness ofnasal diseases.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effection of acupuncture using Xingnao Kaiqiao needling method and rehabilitation training on patients with stroke.Methods70 patients with stroke were randomly divided into the observation group(n=35)and the control group(n=35), both groups receiving routine treatment and early rehabilitation training, while acupuncture using Xingnao Kaiqiao needling method was given additionally to the observation group, 4 weeks for a course. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment, assessment of neurological deficit, the Barthel Index and the clinical effect were compared among two groups.ResultsThe neurological deficit decreased obviously, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Barthel Index increased significantly in two groups after the treatment(P<0.05). The theraputic effect was significantly better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture using Xingnao Kaiqiao needling method combined with rehabilitation training can more effectively promote the recovery of nerve function, enhance motor function, and significantly improve the quality of life and the prognosis of patients with stroke.

Objective To observe the protective effect of N-NAC on radiation-induced lung injury. Methods 86 cases of thoracic neoplasm patients were chosen and randomly divided into two groups,group RT +N(n =43)and group RT(n =43).Two groups were observed by CT after radiotherapy.Acute and chronical toxicities were graded by RTOG.TGF-β1,IL-1,IL-4,TNF were observed before and after the radiotherapy.Results After 3 monthsof radiotherapy,RTOG≥2 was 23.4%(RT +N),while RTOG≥2 was 53.1%(RT).there was significant differencebetween the two groups(P <0.01).At 6,9 and 12 months,fibrosis was present in 28.4%,25.4%,22.4% receivingRT vs 58.4%,54.4%,52.4% receiving RT +N,there was significant difference between the two groups(P <0.05).TGF-β1,IL-1,IL-4,TNF were observed which showed that The RT +N were lower than RT.Conclusion N-NAC can reduce incidence rate of lung injury in radiotherapy,and can reduce the content and the release of TGF-β1,IL-1,IL-4,TNF.