Objective To study the effectiveness of comprehensive rehabilitative therapy with paraplegic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods Forty patients with SCI-caused paraplegia were divided randomly into a rehabilitation group and a control group. The routine treatment was administered to both groups, and comprehensive rehabilitative therapy was also administered to patients in the rehabilitation group as an addition. Functional assessments and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) tests were performed with the two groups pre-treatment and 30 days post-treatment. Results The rehabilitation group achieved, on average, greater improvement in their physical functions , as demonstrated by their much higher scores in terms of the Barthel index than those of the control group ( P

0.05);the body weight of 170 and 357 mg/kg 3,4-DCA exposure groups decreased significantly(P

AIM:To observe whether modified epitopes from osteosarcoma high-expressing antigen papilloma-virus-binding factor (PBF) have HLA-A2 restricted antitumor ability,and to develop peptide-based immunotherapy for os-teosarcoma. METHODS:RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of PBF in the osteosarcoma cell lines U2OS and Saos-2. HLA-A2 epitopes from PBF protein were predicted by NetCTL 1.2, SYFPEITHI and IEDB. The modified peptides from PBF containing HLA-A2 binding anchor motifs were designed by replacing the anchor residues. The peptides were synthesized by standard solid-phase methods,and the binding affinity of the peptides to HLA-A?0201 was evaluated by T2A2 cell binding assay. ELISPOT assay was used to investigate the seretion of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) from the peptide-induced specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). The ability of inducing T-cell response was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) cytotoxicity assay in vitro. RE-SULTS:The expression of PBF was observed in the U2OS and Saos-2 cells. The candidate peptides P75-1Y2L,P412-1Y, P416-1Y2L9V, P107-1Y and P435-1Y2L showed moderate affinity toward HLA-A2 molecule. The modified peptides showed significantly higher affinity with HLA-A2 than the native peptide. ELISPOT assay showed that P412, P412-1Y, P416,P416-1Y2L9V and P435-1Y2L induced specific CTLs to secrete IFN-γ, and P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V induced more secretion of IFN-γ than the native peptide. The CTLs induced by P412, P412-1Y, P416 and P416-1Y2L9V lysed U2OS cells. P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V peptide-specific CTLs showed higher cytotoxicity against U2OS cells than the native peptide-specific CTLs. CONCLUSION:Compared with the native peptide,modified epitopes P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V have higher binding affinity with HLA-A?0201 and retain immunogenecity. In addition,the anti-tumor immunity effects of modified epitopes P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V are stronger than the native peptide. The peptides P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V is excellent HLA-A?0201 restricted CTL epitopes from tumor antigen PBF,which could serve as new can-didates towards antitumor peptide vaccines.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of shikonin on the proliferation of human keratinocytes induced by IL-17 and secretion of chemokines, in order to discuss the mechanism of Shikonin in the treatment of psoriasis.

METHODIn vitro cultured HaCaT cells were stimulated by IL-17A (200 μg x L(-1)) and mixed with different concentrations (2, 1 mg x L(-1)) of shikonin for 24 hours. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell secretion inflammatory factor interleukin-23 (IL-23) was detected by ELISA. The expressions of intracellular chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL20 and 6-defensin 4 (DEFB4) were detected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTShikonin (2,1 mg x L(-1)) could distinctly inhibit HaCaT cell proliferation induced by IL-17A, with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Each shikonin group showed decreases in the secretion of IL-23 and inhibition in expressions of intracellular CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL20 and DEFB4.

CONCLUSIONShikonin could inhibit HaCaT cells proliferation induced by IL-17 and secretion of relevant cytokines and recruit leukocytes by inhibiting chemokines, so as to show the effect in treating psoriasis.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chemokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Naphthoquinones ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of As 2 O3 in suppressing metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells.Methods The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, adhesion and invasion assay were performed to observe the inhibitory effect of As 2 O3 on proliferation and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells .The expressions of matrix metalloproteinases ( MMP)2, MMP9, E-cadherin, and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O ( PTPRO) were analyzed with Western blot .Results Exposure to As 2 O3 significantly presented suppressive functions on growth and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner ( P <0.01 ) .Additionally , MMP2 and MMP9 expressions were increased after treatment with casticin ( P <0.01 ) , whereas E-cadherin and PTPRO expressions were down-regulated ( P <0.01 ) .Conclusions As2 O3 had a significant function to inhibit proliferation and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells .

Animals ; Carbon Radioisotopes ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transcriptome

The anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effects and its mechanisms of the ethanol extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (EHP) in vitro were explored. HepG2 2.2.15 cells, a stable HBV-producing cell line, were cultured as the model system to observe the anti-HBV effect. The viral antigens of cellular secretion, HBsAg and HBeAg, were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The quantity of HBV-DNA released in the supernatant was assayed by real-time PCR. In order to understand the mechanisms of the suppression of HBV replication, all HBV promoters (Cp, Xp, S1p, S2p and Fp) with luciferase reporter gene were transfected into HepG2 cells respectively. Then the activities of viral promoters were examined by luciferase reporter assay. It was found EHP effectively suppressed the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg from HepG2 2.2.15 cells in a dose-dependent manner, as well as the extracellular HBV DNA. And EHP could selectively inhibit the activity of HBV promoter Fp. Our data suggest that EHP exerts anti-HBV effects via inhibition of HBV transcription, which helps to elucidate the mechanism underlying the potential therapeutic value of EHP.

Objective To establish a high-performance induction culture system for Raw264.7 cells to differentiate into osteoclasts(OC)invitro by improving the cell culture program.Methods The Raw264.7 cells were cultured withα-MEM medium containing 50 μg · L-1 M-CSF, 100 μg · L-1 RANKL, and 1 × 10-8 mol · L-1 1α,25-(OH)2 D3 in 5% CO2 for 12 d at 37℃. The cells were digested transiently every time before the medium was changed after every three days. The morphologic changes of the Raw264.7 cells were observed by inverted microscope.The maturation and phagotrophic function of OC were identified by HE,TRAP,FITC-phalloidin staining and immunofluorescence.Results The cells remained to grow in single layers all the time in most areas of the well during the whole induction by the improved culture program. The observation results of inverted microscope and HE staining showed that the growth area of the polykaryotic OC reached to 70% of the well on day 1 2. FITC-phalloidin staining showed that in the maturation of the OC, the cluster-shaped podosomes in the pseudopodia gradually transformed into rings,which finally fused to form a large belt surrounding the periphery of the cytoplasm. The calcitionin receptor (CTR) expressed by OC was markedly enhanced compared with the precursor cells by immunofluroescence staining,and a large number of red granules appeared in the cytoplasm of OC with TRAP staining on day 1 2. These results comfirmed that the obtained OC were maturated and owned phagotrophic function. Conclusion A high-performance induction culture system for Raw264. 7 cells to differentiate into OC in vitro induced by combination of 50μg · L-1 M-CSF, 100 μg · L-1 RANKL,and 1 × 10-8 mol·L-1 1α,25-(OH)2 D3 is established by improving the cell culture program.

OBJECTIVETo explain the essence of pungent-hot herb property express according to in vivo and in vitro studies on its effect on calmodulin on the base of the observation of the adjustment in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis functions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in rats under the state of yang deficiency.

METHODThe yang-deficient model was duplicated by intramuscularly injecting hydrocortisone sodium succinate powder injection. After the intervention with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex for seven days, TSH, T3, T4, 17-OHCS, COR, T, E2 of hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis and other relevant indexes were detected. The calmodulin expression in livers and L02 cells cultured in vitro was detected by using Western blot.

RESULTPungent-hot herbs Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex can significantly correct indicators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and calmodulin, whereas the bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex showed no obvious effect.

CONCLUSIONThe pungent-hot herb property expression may be closely related to calmodulin.

Animals ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Aim To study the mechanism of DXM and NAC inhibiting the expression of IL-8 and ICAM-1 in A549 cells. Methods The expression of IL-8 and ICAM-1 was detected by ELISA and flow cytometry re-spectively; the expression of GR,HDAC,AP-1,NF-κB was detected by Western blot, while the activity of HDAC was detected by spectrophotometry. ResultsThe increasing expression of IL-8 and ICAM-1 induced by TNF-α could be inhibited by DXM and NAC in A549 cells. DXM could inhibit the transcribed activa-tion of AP-1,NF-κB, and the expression of HDAC and its activity induced by TNF-α and LPS; NAC only in-hibited the transcribed activation of NF-κB, while it had no affection on the transcribed activation of AP-1 and the expression of HDAC and its activity. Conclu-sions DXM and NAC both have the anti-inflammatory effect. DXM plays the role of anti-inflammation through increasing the expression and activation of HDAC, in-hibiting the transcribed activation of AP-1 and NF-κB, while NAC has no effect on the expression and activa-tion of HDAC, which shows that NAC does not exert anti-inflammatory effect through acetylation signal.