Objective To investigate the effects of [Gly14]-Humanin(HNG) on SOD, MDA, GSH and cell apopto?sis in a rat model of secondary brain injury. Methods One hundred thirty-five adult and healthy male rats were random?ly divided into 3 groups: sham model group (n=45), vehicle control group (n=45) and HNG group (n=45). Secondary brain injury was induced in the vehicle control and HNG groups using improved Feeney method. Vehicle control received abdominal injections of Sodium Chloride Injection (2 ml/kg) whereas the HNG group received abdominal injections of HNG (2 μL/kg) immediately and 24 h after injury. Each group was divided into three subgroups (n=15 rats per each group) by sacrificed time including 1 h, 3 d, and 7 d after injury. The expression levels of SOD, MDA and GSH of the brain tissue were analyzed and the cell apoptosis was examined using TUNEL method after brain contusion. Results MDA and cell apoptosis around the lesion started to increased at 1h, reached a peak at 3d and then gradually subsided but still remained a higher level at 7 d than 1 h. HNG significantly attenuated brain injury-induced increase in MDA and apopto?sis at all time points (P<0.05). By contrast, SOD started to decrease at 1h, reached the lowest point at 3 d and then gradu? ally recovered but still remained a lower level at 7 d than 1 h. HNG significantly mitigated brain injury-induced increase in MDA and apoptosis at all time points (P<0.05). The time course of GSH expression followed a pattern similar to that of MDA. MDA expression was strongly positive correlated with the number of cell apoptosis (r=0.720, P<0.05), strongly neg?ative correlated with the level of SOD and GSH(r=-0.702, P<0.05;r=-0.674, P<0.05). Conclusions After brain injury, HNG inhibits oxidative stress levels and reduces apoptosis, thereby mitigating secondary brain injury.

Plants in Ainsliaea genus, belongs to Compositae family, are traditional Chinese medicine and widely used in folk. These plants contain various types of chemical components, and main components are sesquiterpene lactone and its glycosides. In addition, there are triterpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic acid, long chain fatty acid and volatile oils. Recently, much attention has been payed to varlous research of A. fragrans. This paper reviewed and summarized the chemical components to provide the theoretical basis for the use of Ainsliaea.
Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo study the adaptive alteration in bilaminar zone of rabbits' temporomandibular joint following disc displacement.

METHODSTwenty-six Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. Among these rabbits,6 were used as controls. The right discs of other 20 rabbits were displaced anteriorly by operation. Four of these rabbits were killedatn 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively after surgery. The TMJS were studied by HE staining, Alcin bluen staining and in situ detection of type II collagen mRNA expression.

RESULTSThere appeared cartilage metaplasia after one week following disc displacement. Typical chondrocytes could be found in the bilaminar zone. The new chondrocytes expressed type II collagen.

CONCLUSIONSThe bilaminar zone of TMJ will be remodeled following disc displacement and become a disc-like tissue to function as a disc.

Animals ; Collagen Type II ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Joint Dislocations ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUNDTransforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to be a key fibrogenic cytokine in a number of chronic fibrotic diseases, including chronic allograft nephropathy. We examined the effects of inhibition of TGF-β1 expression by RNA interference on renal allograft fibrosis, and explored the mechanisms responsible for these effects.

METHODSA Sprague-Dawley-to-Wistar rat model of accelerated kidney transplant fibrosis was used. Sixty recipient adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: group J (sham-operated group), group T (plasmid-transfected group), group H (control plasmid group), and group Y (transplant only group). Rats in group T were transfected with 200 µg of TGF-β1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3/7, E-cadherin, and type I collagen. The distribution of type I collagen was measured by immunohistochemistry. The pathologic changes and extent of fibrosis were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical staining were used to label tubular epithelial cells and fibroblasts, respectively.

RESULTSPlasmid transfection significantly inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, as well as that of its target gene, type I collagen (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the degree of fibrosis was mild, and its development was delayed in plasmid-transfected rats. In contrast, TGF-β1-shRNA transfection maintained the expression of E-cadherin in tubular epithelial cells while it inhibited the transformation from epithelial cells to fibroblasts. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were lower in the plasmid group than in the control groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThis study suggests that transfection of a TGF-β1-shRNA plasmid could inhibit the fibrosis of renal allografts. The mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7, resulting in suppressed epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix synthesis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Fibrosis ; prevention & control ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; methods ; Myofibroblasts ; cytology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of compound qizhu granule (CQG) on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 103 CHB patients treated with lamivudin (LAM) for 6 months, who had partial virological response (HBeAg positive) were randomly assigned to two groups, 50 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. All patients took LAM 100 mg (once a day) plus ADV 10 mg (once a day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took CQG, one dose per day. After one-year treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative rates, HBeAg seroconversion, levels of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), non-specific CTL and natural killing (NK) cells were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1-year treatment, HBV DNA negative rate of the treatment group was 88: 0% in 44 cases, slightly higher than that of the control group (41 cases, 77.4%), but with no statistical difference (P >0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of the treatment group was 32.0% in 16 cases, higher than that of the control group (8 cases, 15.1%), with statistical difference (P <0.05). Levels of HBV specific CTL (0.79%±0. 07%), non-specific CTL (19.4%±1.8%) and NK cells (14. 1%± 1.5%) of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (0.58% ± 0.08%, 17.5% ± 1.7%, and 11.1%±1.5%, respectively; allP <0.01).

CONCLUSIONTreating CHB patients with partial virological response by ADV plus CQG could improve specific and non-specific cellular immunity, thereby elevating HBeAg seroconversion rate.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the efficacy of mild hypothermia therapy on pulmonary function in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) dogs. Methods A total of 25 healthy dogs were included and randomly divided into two groups, mild hypothermia treatment group (experimental group, n=12) and normothermia treatment group (control group, n=13). The E. coli was pumped continuously into the canine femoral vein by micro pump to construct the septic shock model in two groups. The hypothermia experimental group was treated with hypothermia (33℃±1℃), and the control group was observed at room temperature. The pulmonary hemodynamic parameters and respiratory mechanics parameters were supervised by PICCO and respirator respectively at 0, 24 and 48 h during the ARDS progress. Moreover, chest X-ray and lung tissue biopsy were taken to confirm the diagnosis of ARDS after 72 h. Results Up to 72 h, ARDS was found in the experimental group (n=4) and the control group (n=7) respectively. The oxygenation index (OI), partial pressure of oxygen [p(O2)] and pulmonary static compliance (Cst) decreased gradually with the extension of time in two groups. On the contrary, the external venous lung water index (EVLWI), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) and airway resistance (Raw) increased gradually (P<0.05). However, all the parameters were significantly better in mild hypothermia group than those of the normothermia group. Conclusion Mild hypothermia therapy can improve the pulmonary function and reduce the severity of ARDS in septic shock dogs.

OBJECTIVETo search for the difference of protein molecules expression of HBV infection.

METHODSSpecimens taken from human normal liver tissues (group A), HBV infected human liver tissues which were HBsAg positive, and HBsAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc positive in serum (group B) were analysed through the methods of 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS).

RESULTSTotally 1125 plus/minus 56 (n=3) spots were detected in the sample of group A, 1203 plus/minus 42 (n=3) in group B samples. The percent volume of the protein spots was compared to show the proteome alteration in HBV infected human liver tissues. Forty proteins were found to present variations of two or more than two fold in quantity and 22 differentially expressed protein sports were finally identified by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS, including human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, haptoglobin Hp2, peroxiredoxin 2, etc.

CONCLUSIONThe protein profile of human normal liver tissue and HBV infected liver tissues showed obviously difference.

Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; etiology ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electroporation-mediated gene transfect on the expression of cyclins during mandible distraction in rabbit.

METHODSBilateral mandibular osteotomy was performed in 45 New-Zeland rabbits. After a latency of 3 days, the mandibles were elongated using distractors with a rate of 0.8 mm/day for 7 days. After the completion of distraction, the rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. 2 microg (0.1 microg/microl) of pIRES-hVEGF165-hBMP2, recombinant plasmid pIRES-hBMP2, recombinant plasmid pIRES-hVEGF165, pIRES and the same volume of normal saline (NS) was injected into the distraction area in each group, respectively. After injection, electroporation was performed in every group. Three animals in each group were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 days after completion of distraction, respectively. The lengthened mandibles were harvested and processed for immunohistochemical examinations. The expression of cyclins A, D1 ,E in positive cells were measured by CMIAS-2001A computerized image analyzer. The data were analyzed with the single factor analysis of variance and q test.

RESULTSCyclins A, D1, E staining was mainly located in inflammatory cells, granulation tissue monocyte, fibroblast, osteoblasts, osteocyte and the connective tissues around the new bone. The expression reached to the peak at 7th day of consolidation, and decreased at 14th day, and weak at 28th day. Image analysis results showed that, at 7th day, the expression absorbance A in group C (0.59 +/- 0.14) was the strongest, compared to group A (0.41 +/- 0.13), B (0.38 +/- 0.14), D (0.34 +/- 0.12) and E (0.31 +/- 0.10), showing a significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no significance difference between group A and B (P > 0.05), but the difference between group A/B and group D/E (P < 0.05). At 14th and 28th day, there was no significant difference among group A (0.39 +/- 0.11), B (0.34 +/- 0.10) and C (0.33 +/- 0.09) (P > 0.05), but there was significant difference between group A/B/C and group D (0.19 +/- 0.12) or E (0.14 +/- 0.04) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSElectroporation-mediated gene transfection can promote cyclins A, D1, E expression effectively, which may promote cell differentiation and proliferation, stimulate extracellular matrix synthesis and new bone formation in distraction gap.

Animals ; Cyclins ; metabolism ; Electroporation ; Genetic Therapy ; Mandible ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Plasmids ; Rabbits ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo screen low molecular weight protein biomarkers relevant to portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) in serum of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSSerum samples were obtained from 12 healthy volunteers, 12 HCC patients without PVTT and 12 HCC patients with PVTT. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in which the second dimension was 16% SDS-PAGE, serum protein images of the 3 groups were analyzed by ImageMaster software. The differential protein spots were further identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS.

RESULTSComparing the results using 12.5% SDS-PAGE gel, there were more protein bands (between 3 x 10(3) and 20 x 10(3)) and low molecular weight (MW) protein spots (less than 20 x 10(3)) were clearly shown in the 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Fifteen differential protein spots representing 5 proteins were found in the 3 groups by inter-class comparison and they were then identified. Compared with those in the healthy group, apolipoprotein A-I, lipoprotein CIII, transthyretin and DNA topoisomerase II were all down regulated in HCC groups and haptoglobin-2 was over expressed. All 5 proteins decreased more in the PVTT group than in the non-PVTT group.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of low MW serum protein obviously changes in the beginning and in the progressive stage of HCC, and differentially expressed low MW proteins might be potential biomarkers in an early prognostic prediction and surveillance in the treatment for HCC and PVTT.

Adult ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Proteome ; analysis

This study was aimed to explore the significance of the bone marrow biopsy for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Bone marrow smears and bone marrow biopsy originated from 279 cases of multiple myeloma were detected and compared in term of bone marrow hyperplasia, bone marrow plasma cell infiltration, proliferation mode, pathological changes in the bone marrow stroma and myelofibrosis. The results indicated that the levels of proliferation in bone marrow biopsy was significantly higher than that in bone marrow smears. Plasma cell proliferation mode in bone marrow biopsy was not completely consistent with the proportion of plasma cells in bone marrow smears. The myelofibrosis level displayed influence on the consistency of the proliferation between bone marrow smears and biopsies. It is concluded that as compared with bone marrow smears the bone marrow biopsy can more accurately reflect the levels of bone marrow hyperplasia and bone marrow plasma cell infiltration, proliferation mode and so on. Bone marrow biopsy is valuable for multiple myeloma diagnosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; methods ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Bone Marrow Examination ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology