Objective To establish brain hypoxic-ischemic (HI) model using postnatal day 3(P3) SD rats and evaluate the apoptotic neuronal cells in cerebral cortex and neurofunctional development.Methods The P3 rats were randomly divided into HI group (n=35) and control group(n=18).HI was induced in P3 rats with right carotid artery ligation followed by 2.5 h hypoxia in 60 mL?L-1 oxygen at 37 ℃.The injury of neural cells in the cerebral cortex was evaluated by tumor necrosis factor receptor-1(TNF-R1),Caspase-3 immunostaining and Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining in 24 h and 7 d after HI,respectively.Furthermore,the neurofunctional development was evaluated by negative geotaxis reflex and eye opening time.The data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 software.Results Caspase-3 and TNF-R1 positive cells were abundant in the ipsilateral cortex at 24 h after HI,compared with contralateral part and control group(P

Objective To observe the effects of genistein on PCNA expression and cell cycle in fibroblasts derived from human hypertrophic scar in order to explore the mechanism of its inhibition on hypertrophic scar (HS) fibroblast proliferation. Methods The human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. Genistein with various concentrations (25, 50, 100 μmol/L) was co-cultured in the medium for 48 hours. The expression of PCNA was detected with immunocytochemical staining method and the cell cycle was measured with flow cytometry. Results Genistein could significantly decrease PCNA expression in HS fibroblasts, especially when its concentration at 50 μmol/L or 100 μmol/L. The cell percentage of G0～G1 phase decreased with drug′s concentration, and G2～M percentage increased conversely, implying the suspension of mitosis. In 100 μmol/L group, most cells blocked at S phase and a hypodiploid apoptosis peak could be observed ahead of G1 phase. Conclusion Genistein can inhibit the proliferation of human hypertrophic scar by blocking cell division as well as decreasing DNA synthesis.

The preterm birth has been increasing for the last decade. With the development of neonatal intensive care techniques, the survival rate of preterm infants is increased markedly. However, the brain of preterm infants is so vulnerable to injury that preterm brain injury has become an enormous public health problem. Hypoxia-ischemia and infection/inflammation are two main perinatal risk factors causing premyelinating oligodendrocyte and cortical neuron injury. Encephalopathy of prematurity is characterized by diffuse white matter injury and neuronal/axonal disruption, leading to neurological disabilities such as cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy. The advancement in imaging techniques, especially magnetic resonance imaging, provides more information for preterm brain injury and brain development, which contributes to the diagnosis and follow-up of the preterm infants. This article reviews the progress in encephalopathy of prematurity in order to open a new window to prophylaxis and management of this disease.
Brain Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurons ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo provide inspiration and ideas for clinical treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) by data mining technology based frequency analysis and cluster analysis of medical records, prescriptions and herbs in treating CHD by distinguished veteran doctors of traditional Chinese Dedicine (TCM).

METHODSTotally 386 medical cases were retrieved from Wanfang Data, Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP medical information resources system, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Typical Collections of Medical Cases by Contemporary Distinguished Veteran Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They input into database trimmed after unified standard. Medication laws of CHD by distinguished veteran doctors of TCM were analyzed using frequency analysis and cluster analysis, and so on.

RESULTSDistinguished veteran doctors of TCM frequently used top ten herbs in treatment of C D as Salvia miltiorrhiz , Ligusticum wallichii, Trichosanthes kirilowi, Pinellia ternat, Angelica sinensis, Poria coco stragalu , Panax ginseng, Allium macrostemon, and Radix Ophiopogonis. Cluster analysis summarized that there were 16 herb pairs commonly used, 7drug assemblies consisting of 3 herbs and 5 drug assemblies consisting of multiple herbs.

CONCLUSIONSDistinguished veteran doctors of TCM mainly used herbs assemblies capable for invigorating Pi to resolve phlegm, and promoting qi and activating blood circulation in treating CHD. Meanwhile, they concurrently used herbs combination of nourishing Xin and tranquilization, and regulating yin and yang.

China ; Cluster Analysis ; Coronary Artery Disease ; therapy ; Data Mining ; Databases, Factual ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Backgroud and Objective Proline-rich tyrosine kinase2(Pyk2) is a Ca~(2+) sensitive,non-receptor tyrosine protein kinase.Previous reports showed Pyk2 involved in development of left ventrieular hypertrophy. The present paper aimed to study the effects of valsartan on ventricular hypertrophy and its effect on the expression of Pyk2 in myocardium in renovascular hypertensive rats(RHR).Methods Two-kidney and one-clip(2K1C) renal hypertensive model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by chronic partial occlusion of left renal artery,and ran- domized to receive valsartan (30 mg/kg?d) or without treatment for 4 or 8 weeks.Left ventricular mass to body mass ratio was measured.Pyk2 protein expression and phosphorylation was detected by Western blotting.Results Blood pressure,left ventricular mass to body mass ratio,Pyk2 activity in myocardium of RHR were increased gradu- ally.Valsartan reduced BP and prevent myocardial hypertrophy(P

Motivation ; Forensic Psychiatry ; Violence ; Wounds and Injuries ; Crime/psychology*

OBJECTIVETo explore the anti-tumor immunity in vitro induced by prostate cancer cell vaccine transfected with recombinant adenovirus encoding 4-1BBL in mice.

METHODSThe replication-deficient adenovirus AdEasy-1 system was used to construct recombinant adenovirus Ad-m4-1BBL and Ad-eGFP. The prostate cancer cell RM-1 of mice was transfected with Ad-m4-1BBL and Ad-eGFP, and treated with mitomycin (MMC) to produce TCV, TCV-Ad-eGFP and TCV-Ad-m4-1BBL, followed by co-culture with syngeneic murine spleen cells. Then the cytotoxic activity of the lymphocytes against RM-1 cells was analyzed with CCK-8 solution, and IL-2 and INF-gamma were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe 4-1BBL protein was highly expressed in the TCV-Ad-m4-1BBL of the 4-1BBL-transfected mice. TCV-Ad-m4-1BBL significantly increased the expressions of IL-2 ([180.24 +/- 2.22] pg/ml) and INF-gamma ([1512.46 +/- 23.64] pg/ml) as compared with TCV and TCV-Ad-eGFP (P < 0.05), and induced higher RM-1 cell specific cytotoxicity ([34.24 +/- 2.64]%) than the latter two ([9.82 +/- 1.48]%) and ([14.65 +/- 3. 21]%), (P < 0.05). But none of them exhibited significant cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma Hepal-6.

CONCLUSIONThe m4-1BBL-expressing prostate cancer cell vaccine can effectively induce anti-tumor immune responses.

4-1BB Ligand ; genetics ; immunology ; Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; genetics ; Female ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Chinese medicine tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cultured penis corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cell (PCSMC) in rabbits.

METHODSBy using laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), the [Ca2+]i fluorescence signal changes was investigated in cultured PCSMC loaded with Ca2+ indicator Fluo-3/AM and divided into potassium chloride(KCl) group and norepinephrine (NE) group. Compared with verapamil (Ver), the effects of TMP was observed in different concentrations on [Ca2+]i increase induced by high potassium and NE.

RESULTSTMP had no obvious effect on resting PCSMC [Ca2+]i. It was found that 1, 10, 100 mumol/L TMP significantly inhibited [Ca2+]i increase induced by high potassium-depolarization. The peak inhibition rates were (38.6 +/- 3.0)%, (44.1 +/- 2.4)% and (53.7 +/- 4.1)% respectively. TMP could also inhibit cytosolic calcium pool release induced by 1 mumol/L NE. The peak inhibition rates were (13.9 +/- 2.7)%, (21.2 +/- 1.9)% and (29.5 +/- 3.6)% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTMP can inhibit rabbit PCSMC [Ca2+]i significantly by suppressing voltage-dependent calcium channel and cytosolic calcium pool release. The effect, similar to Ver, signifies the important mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED) therapy.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Penis ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of copper on permeability and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) of Caco-2 cell monolayers.

METHODSThe differentiated Caco-2 cell model was used in this study. Permeability of cell monolayers was reflected by monitoring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER); distribution of tight junctional protein ZO-1 was measured by immunofluorescent staining; F actin was measured by fluorescence staining; and Activity of P-gp was reflected by changes of transcellular transport and accumulation of Rho-123 in Caco-2 cells.

RESULTSApical treatment with copper (30 - 100 micromol/L, Hanks' buffered salt solution, up to 3 hours) induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in permeability reflected by progressive decrease of TEER of Caco-2 cell monolayers, accompanied by deorganization of F actin, but without significant effects on tight junctional protein ZO-1; at a dose without any adverse effects on viability and permeability of Caco-2 monolayers, copper treatment (300 micromol/L, complete medium, 24 hours) decreased Papp(BL-->AP) from 7.37 +/- 0.20 x 10(-6) cm/s (controls) to (6.43 +/- 0.27) x 10(-6) cm/s, the increased Papp(AP-->BL) from (1.23 +/- 0.05) x 10(-7) cm/s (controls) to (3.41 +/- 0.08) x 10(-7) cm/s, and enhanced the intracellular Rho-123 from (0.31 +/- 0.01) nmol/filter (controls) to (0.50 +/- 0.03) nmol/filter.

CONCLUSIONCopper might alter the barrier functions of Caco-2 cells through increasing the permeability and inhibiting P-gp of Caco-2 cells.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Copper ; toxicity ; Humans

Background Experimental data have shown tnat polymorpnisms in tne angiotensm-converting en- zyme 2(ACE2)gene are related to echocardiographically determined parameters of left ventricular mass,structure or function in the general population whether ACE2 genotype influences the effect of angi0tensin Ⅱ receptor blocker which improve left ventricular remodeling and function is unknown.Objective To investigate the association be- tween ACE2 gene G9570A polymorphism and the effect of irbesartan on left ventricular structure and function in hy- pertensive patients.Methods Two hundred and five male patients and 190 female patients who were preliminaryly diagnosised with mild and moderate essential hypertension were treated with irbesartan for 48 weeks with initial dose of 150 mg/d and titrated to 300 mg/d to reach the targed BP.Gene polymorphisms of ACE2 G9570A were detected by PCR-RFLP methods.The association between changes in the SBP,DBP,parameters of left ventricular struc- ture and function and genotypes of the ACE2 gene locus were analyzed.Results Irbesartan reducted in blood pres- sure in all patients(P