OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the active fraction of Tiaoxin recipe (TXR-A), in inhibiting long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by beta amyloid protein (beta-AP) in CA1 area of rats' hippocampal slices.

METHODSThe population spike (PS) in CA1 area of hippocampal slices incubated in different medium was recorded before and after LTP was evoked by a 100 Hz, 100 trains high frequency stimulation (HFS), using extracellular microelectrode recording techniques.

RESULTSThe amplitude of PS significantly decreased after HFS in hippocampal slices incubated in medium containing 0.2 micromol/L beta-AP for more than 1.5 hour, as compared with that incubated in normal cerebrospinal fluid, the difference was significant, suggesting that beta-AP could inhibit LTP in hippocampal slices. The average amplitude of PS in slices incubated in beta-AP containing medium could be significantly enhanced by adding high-concentration TXR-A or TXR into the medium, and TXR-A showed a better effect of enhancing than that of TXR, indicating that TXR-A could increase the amplitude of LTP.

CONCLUSIONTXR-A may be the chief ingredient extracted from TXR for improving beta-AP induced LTP in CA1 area of rats' hippocampus, to antagonise the inhibition of beta-AP on LTP is possibly one of the mechanisms for its intelligence benefiting action.

Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; physiopathology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the protective effect of CBLB 502 on radiation pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis for confirming the feasibility of CBLB502 as a clinical anti-radiation drug release.Methods With a single 20 Gy irradia-tion, C57BL/6J mice was sacrificed on 24 h, 1 month, 3 months and 5 months and lung tissue was assayed by TUNEL method for apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial cells , HE staining showing fibrosis changes , immunohisto-chemistry detecting the expression of specific indicators , as well as pathological changes of the fur and skin radiated site . Results CBLB502 inhibits apoptosis in mice alveolar epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells after irradiation , slowing the process of pulmonary fibrosis , while reducing the expression of laminin and maintaining the expression of surfac-tant protein B, and the skin inflammation also significantly reduced .Conclusion CBLB502 could alleviate the occurrence of radiation pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis as well as radiation-induced skin injury .

Background Oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization is the main pathological basis for many retinal vascular diseases.Research showed that light exposure at night can suppress retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR),but there were few reports discussing its effect on ROP.Objective This study aimed to observe the effect of light exposure at night on retinal neovascularization in an OIR mouse model.Methods Sixty-four newborn C57 BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups,with 16 mice for each group.OIR models were established by rearing the newborn C57BL/6J mice with their mothers in a(75±2)％ oxygen environment from postnatal day 7(P7)to Pl2,and then transferred to room air.In the OIR model group,the environmental illumination level was the same as the normal control group,and the model mice were exposed to 100 lx light at night in the OIR+ light exposure group.In the simple light exposure group,normal mice were reared in room air and were exposed to light at night from P12 to P17.All the mice were sacrificed on P17,and retinal flat mounts were prepared to assess the oxygen-induced changes of retinal vessels using the adenosine diphosphatase(ADPase)histochemical technique.The amount of proliferative neovascularization was quantified by counting the number of endotheliocyte nuclei in new vessels extending from the retinal inner limiting membrane into the vitreous in ocular cross-sections.The expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein was detected by immunohistochemistry.Real-time PCR analysis was performed to examine the expression of VEGF mRNA.The rearing and usage of the animals complied with the Statement of ARVO.Results Less free-vascular areas and new blood vessels were seen in the OIR+light exposure group compared with the OIR model group.On day 17 of the mouse life,the number of the endotheliocyte nuclei in new vessels extending from retinal inner limiting membrane were 0.97±0.83,1.00±0.72,38.57±5.01 and 16.92±3.39 in the normal group,simple light exposure group,OIR model group and OIR+light exposure group,respectively,showing significant differences among them(F =78.767,P =0.000).The number of nuclei in the OIR+light exposure group were less than that of the OIR model group(t=20.446,P＜0.01).Immunochemistry showed that the expression of VEGF in retina was weaker in the OIR+light exposure group than the OIR model group.The relative expression values of VEGF mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.94±0.07,2.08±0.50 and 1.43±0.21 in the normal group,simple light exposure group,OIR model group and OIR+light exposure group,respectively,showing a significant difference (F=11.268,P =0.003),where the VEGF mRNA level in the OIR+light exposure group was lower than that of the OIR model group(t =20.163,P＜0.05).Conclusions Light exposure at night can weaken retinal neovascularization in OIR mice

Objective To study Edg4 and Edg7 expression in placenta of women with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy,and to investigate the relation between the expression of lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.Methods Immunohistochemical SP method was used to measure the expressions of Edg4 and Edg7 in placenta of women with normal pregnancy,20 women with gestational hypertension,20 with mild preeclampsia,and with severe preeclampsia.Results (1)Location:immunohistoehemical staining for Edg4 and Edg7 protein were located at the membrane and endoehylema of cytotrophoblast as well as decidua cells.(2)The positive expression of Edg4 protein and Edg7 protein on membrane and endochylema of cytotrophoblast was 25% and 20%(normal women),60% and 40%(gestational hypertension),80% and 65%(mild preeclampsia),and 83.3% and 86.7%(severe preeclampsia).The expression of Edg4 and Edg7 protein in mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia was significantly correlated with the degree of differentiation(P0.05). (3)The positive expression of Edg4 protein and Edg7 protein on membrane and endochylema of decidua was 20% and 25%(normal pregnancy),55% and 50%(gestational hypertension),70% and 55%(mild preeclampsia),and 83.3% and 73.3%(severe preeclampsia)respectively.The expression of Edg4 and Edg7 protein in mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia showed a significant correlation with the degree of differentiation(P0.05).Conclusions The high expression of Edg4 and Edg7 protein in the placentas of patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy indicates that LPA combines with Edg4 and Edg7,inducing the occurrence of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents contained in Acorus calamus.

METHODThe chemical constituents were separated and purified by various chromatographic methods including silica gel, ODS, HPLC and Sephadex LH-20, and their structures were identified on the basis of analysis on spectroscopic data.

RESULTTen compounds were separated from A. calamus and identified as 1beta, 4beta, 7alpha-trihydroxyeudesmane (1), bullatantriol (2), teuclatriol (3), threo-1', 2'-dihydroxyasarone (4), erythro-1', 2'-dihydroxyasarone (5), (+)-de-4'-O-methyleudesmin (6), (+)-de-4'-0-methylmagnolin (7), (+)-eudesmin (8), (+)-magnolin (9) and beta-sitosterol (10), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-2,4-9 were separated from this plant for the first time. Specifically, compounds 1-2,6-9 were obtained from Acorus genus for the first time.

Acorus ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the Th17/Th1 response in HIV infected patients and the mutual relationship between the response of Th17 and Th1.

METHODS38 chronic HIV infected patients as well as 24 healthy volunteers were performed in this study. The patients were divided into two groups, one group before treatment, the other after therapy. The whole blood intracellular cytokine staining was used, samples detected by BD FACSCanto, after that, the expression of CD4+ IL-17+ T cell and CD4 IFN-gamma+ T cell were analyzed by FACSDiva software and lastly compared the differences among different groups.

RESULTSThe expression of CD4+ IL-17+ T cell in naive-therapy patients were significantly lower than that of the healthy controls (1.14 +/- 0.7)9% vs (3.98 +/- 1.14)%, P = 0.000, but increased remarkably after HARRT(highly antiretroviral treatment) (2.22 +/- 1.00)%, P = 0.001; however there were no significant differences in the expression of CD4+ IFN-gamma+ T cell before and after therapy (34.35 +/- 24.38)% vs (42.10 +/- 15.57%), also with the healthy control (P = 0.383). The frequency of CD4 IL-17+ T cell was positively correlated with CD4+ T counts (R = 0.345, P = 0.034), but no significant correlations was observed between the expression of CD4+ IFN-gamma T cell and CD4+ T counts (R = -0.247, P = 0.136).

CONCLUSIONThe infection of HIV virus down-regulated Th17 immune response and disturbed the balances between Th17 and Th1 evidently in human. Th17 response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection.

Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; HIV ; immunology ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; drug effects ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pRNAT-U6,1- siEdg4 which curries small interfering RNA(siRNA)of Edg4 and observe the silencing effect of Edg4 gene targeted siRNA in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3.Methods The Edg4 gene-targeted hairpin siRNA sequence was designed according to the Edg4 sequence in Genbank,and the two complementary oligo nucleotide strands were synthesized and annealed and inserted into the pRNAT-U6.1 plasmid to build a recombinant Edg4 siRNA eukaryotic expression vector,which was sequenced and identified to contain the correct Edg4 siRNA sequence.The human ovarian carcinoma cell lines SKOV3 were transfeeted with the vector using lipofeetamine method.The efficiency of transfecting cells was observed with fluorescent microscope and the mRNA expression level of Edg4 gene was detected by real time quantitative PCR.The LPA levels in cell supernatants were detected using a biochemical method.And the apoptosis of SKOV3 cells induced by the vector was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector was confirmed to contain correct Edg4 siRNA sequence by PCR and sequencing.After transfection large amounts of green fluorescence were seen in plasma and nuclei of SKOV3 cells and the positive cell rates were 64%.The expression level of Edg4 mRNA in transfeeted SKOV3 cell line was significantly decreased (0.05?0.01 vs 0.29?0.04,P

OBJECTIVETo study the expression levels of ERCC2, UDG, and PCNA in cisplatin-treated A549 cell line.

METHODComet assay, RT-PCR, and western blot were used to study the mRNA and protein expression levels of ERCC2, UDG, and PCNA.

RESULTSWhen treated with IC(20) cisplatin, the DNA damage level increased as the cisplatin treated time increased within 24 h of cisplatin treatment. The tail state 12 h and 24 h after treatment was 5.02 +/- 0.68 and 7.22 +/- 0.53 respectively, which was significantly higher than those of the controls (2.73 +/- 0.29). The tail state 24 h after treatment was not significantly different from that of the controls. The DNA damage level decreased to normal after cisplatin treatment in 24 h (tail state 3.64 +/- 0.7). The expression levels of ERCC2, UDG, PCNA protein (4.37 +/- 0.57, 5.47 +/- 0.46, 2.21 +/- 0.47 respectively) and mRNA (0.71 +/- 0.08, 0.74 +/- 0.06, 0.82 +/- 0.09) were increased significantly within 24 h exposure and decreased to normal 24 h after cisplatin treatment. The 3 enzymes' mRNA and protein expression increased when treated with cisplatin, but the changes of protein level were slower than those of mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONSThe DNA repair capability in A549 cells increases after cisplatin treatment. Cisplatin was a positive regulation of ERCC2, UDG, PCNA expression levels, which causes the increase of mRNA, and protein. The positive regulation only works in a short time and returns normal after 24 h of cisplatin treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Comet Assay ; DNA Glycosylases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA Helicases ; DNA Repair ; drug effects ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Transcription Factors ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of an active fraction (DSS-A-N-30) from Danggui Shaoyao San.

METHODDSS-A-N30 was prepared by macroporous resin chromatography, the compound was isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and RPC-18, the structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTA new monoterpene glycoside was isolated and identified from DSS-A-N-30.

CONCLUSIONThe new monoterpene glycoside was identified as 4"-hydroxyl-albiflorin.

Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Gel ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate the characteristics and distribution of human eehinococcosis in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County (HMAC) in Xinjiang. Methods Using cluster sampling methods, the 2 counties (Tiebukenwusa and Narenhebuke) in HMAC were chosen as focusing areas for investigation. A survey of human echinococcosis including questionnaire, serological test and abdominal ultrasonic scan was carried out. Results The prevalence of human echinococcosis was 9.0% (64/712) by ultrasound and surgical history, including 8.7% (62/712) for cystic eehinococcosis(CE), 0.3%(2/712) for alveolar echinococcosis(AE) and 15.6%(111/712) for total of serological positives in HMAC. CE prevalence rate of different occupations, age, family slaughtering livestock and drinking water source had significant differences(P<0.05). Herdsmen as the highest risk group showed a CE prevalence of the 13.4% (27/201) in comparison with other occupations. The ages between 20 to<40 year-old were at the highest risk stage with 12.8% incidence. But CE prevalence rate of different gender, ethnic and education groups had not significant differences(P>0.05). Conclusions HMAC could be considered as a high endemic human CE region in Xinjiang. The current study reported the main risk factors may include occupations, age difference and drinking water source.