ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism by which Si Junzitang in intervening in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） by regulating the O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification （O-GlcNAcylation） of nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） p65 in the paracancerous tissues. MethodThe orthotopic liver cancer mouse model was established. Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups： Normal group， model group， Si Junzitang low-dose group （10 g·kg^-1）， and Si Junzitang high-dose group （25 g·kg^-1）， with 6 mice in each group. The O-GlcNAcylation level and phosphorylation modification level of p65 in the paracancerous tissues were detected using Western blot. The O-GlcNAcylation of p65 was assessed using immunoprecipitation （IP）. The mRNA expression of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA）， matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）， matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） in the paracancerous tissues was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The tumor number， liver weight， locomotor activity， grip strength， and Qi status of the mice were observed and analyzed. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant decrease in O-GlcNAcylation in the paracancerous tissues （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in p65 O-GlcNAcylation （P<0.01）， a significant increase in p65 phosphorylation （P<0.01）， significantly elevated mRNA levels of cytokines IL-6， TNF-α， TGF-β₁， VEGFA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 （P<0.01）， significantly increased liver weight （P<0.01）， significantly declined grip strength， number of grid crossings， and number of vertical stand-ups （P<0.01）， and significantly dwindled Qi status （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the Si Junzitang low-dose and high-dose groups showed significantly increased levels of O-GlcNAcylation in the paracancerous tissues （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly upregulated p65 O-GlcNAcylation levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly decreased p65 phosphorylation levels （P<0.01）. In the Si Junzitang low-dose group， the mRNA levels of IL-6， TGF-β₁， and VEGFA significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Si Junzitang high-dose group， the mRNA levels of IL-6， TNF-α， TGF-β₁， VEGFA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the number of tumors larger than 3 mm in diameter significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and liver weight significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Additionally， grip strength， number of grid crossings， and number of vertical stand-ups significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， along with a significant increase in qi status （P<0.01）. ConclusionSi Junzitang can inhibit the progression of orthotopic HCC in mice， which may be achieved by increasing the O-GlcNAcylation level in the paracancerous tissues， enhancing the O-GlcNAcylation of p65， inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of p65， and ultimately suppressing the expression of downstream IL-6， TNF-α， TGF-β₁， VEGFA， MMP-2， and MMP-9.

Objective:To evaluate the teaching effect of moral education materials implied in scientific research cases in the teaching of "Experimental Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)".Methods:The moral education materials implied in scientific research cases of "Experimental TCM" were extracted and skillfully integrated into the teaching of professional knowledge. A questionnaire survey was conducted with questions as "whether it is good to demonstrate the potential humanistic spirit by case teaching, whether this helps improve your interest in science and whether this teaching form affects your study, life and work attitude in the future" "Ten specific items from scientists' moving deeds that touch students and their recognitions" to assess the teaching effect.Results:95.8 percent of students affirmed this teaching form and thought it helped improve their interest in scientific exploration. 87.5 percent of students considered the humanistic spirit would affect their study, life and work in the future. 77.1-89.6 percent of students held a positive attitude to the ten items derived from the scientists' moving stories. Among these items, the percentages of the two items, "the spirit of being able to endure loneliness, work hard to make contributions selflessly without seeking for rewards or reputations" and "having respect forpeople and their scientific research achievements with courage to challenge the authorities of scientific research" are the lowest and highest, respectively.Conclusion:It is good to apply the moral education materials implied in the scientific research cases in the teaching of "Experimental TCM", which basically achieves the teaching goal, but there is still room for improvement.

Experimental Traditional Chinese Medicine is an emerging discipline that plays an important role in cultivating innovative talents of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In recent years, with the rapid development of TCM and the new requirements of positioning, and also combined with the college students' cognitive characteristics, we have revised and republished the "Experimental TCM" (Third Edition) textbook, which focuses on introducing knowledge by adopting relevant scientific research cases. This test book was used in the teaching of undergraduates of batch 2013 in the eight-year program in Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. After-class questionnaires showed that this teaching mode, guided by scientific research case, is not only helpful for students to develop their quality and ability of adopting modern experimental methods initially in the study and development of TCM, but also able to spread the great achievements of TCM researches. The teaching mode is also conducive to enhancing students' sense of responsibility for the modernization of TCM. Therefore, it is suggested that the course of Experimental TCM should be promoted in the colleges and universities of TCM.

It is a brief review of our research on the role of metallothioneins (MTs) in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (Hcc) in more than a decade,and the mechanism of prevention and treatment for Hcc in the field of TCM.It was found that MTs were required for the malignant proliferation of Hcc cells and their expressions significantly increased under different levels of stress.MTs may exert their effects on promoting proliferation via increasing ribosomal protein gene or other gene expressions.The over-expressions of MTs directly altered the balance of ions in the cell nucleus,and interacted on the genes promoting malignant proliferation.Hepatotoxicity and hepatic damage caused by DEN were reduced and relieved to different extents by the representative formula or constitute,which under the common therapeutic principle,by which MTs expressions were down-regulated as well.In conclusion,both effects above are important in the liver protection,inhibition of hyperplasia and carcinogenesis.

Aim To study the effect of forskolin on cor-ticosterone secretion in mouse adrenocortical tumor cells. Methods Y1 cells were treated with 1μmol· L-1 or 10μmol·L-1 forskolin for 15 min to 24 h. Y1 cells growth morphology was observed, cell culture su-pernatants were collected and corticosterone was tested by ELISA kit. The cells total RNA was extracted using TRIzol kit and was reversely transcribed to obtain the cDNA, then was amplificated by real time quantitative PCR. The cells were lysed with RIPA lysis buffer and protein expressions were carried out by Western blot. Results Y1 cells morphology changed from flat adher-ent to shrink and spherical growth after 1μmol · L-1 forskolin treatment for 3 h. Compared with the control group, corticosterone levels were increased significantly by 1μmol · L-1 forskolin treatment for 24 h ( P <0. 01), then, forskolin significantly enhanced steroid ogenic acute regulatory protein ( Star) mRNA and pro-tein expression ( P <0. 01 ) , moreover, the steroido-genic enzymes such as Cyp11 a1 and Cyp11 b1 mRNA expressions were also up-regulated significantly by fors-kolin ( P <0. 01 ) . Additionally, Star mRNA expres-sion was increased significantly in a time-dependent re-sponse after 10μmol·L-1 forskolin treatment from 1 h to 12 h (P<0. 01). Furthermore, Nr4a1 and Nr4a2 mRNA expressions were up-regulated significantly after 10μmol · L-1 forskolin treatment from 15 min and reached the top at 1 h ( P<0. 01 ) . However, forsko-lin showed no effect on Mc2 r and Nr5 a1 mRNA expres-sions. Conclusion Y1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells have a strong response to adenylate cyclase ago-nists, then, forskolin can be used to glucocorticoid se-cretion inducer reagent.

Objective On the issues of students' lack of representative collection of literature in problem-based learning (PBL) courses of TCM integrated experiments, to try to explore the litera-ture studying and reading route. Method Totally 41 full-time seven-year medical postgraduate of Shanghai University of TCM were randomly divided into two PBL classes, that are class A (n=20) an class B (n=21). Three PBL units were carried out in class A and class B by parallel; the oriented literatures were provided by tutors alternately, and after PBL courses, the appraisal were performed by students and tutors independently, using SPSS 19.0 for data analysis, t test to compare between groups. Results First, the students' assessment indicated that the 75% (15/20) students of Class A and 80.9%(17/21) students of Class B of class gave a good evaluation of the teaching method. Two classes had more than 80% of the students who thought the literature teachers provided was representative and instructive and over 60.0% students of both classes thought that the teaching measures could improve the classroom efficiency and after-school learning efficiency. The tutors' assessment revealed that there were no significantly differences between the quantity of these references in PPT (P>0.05) made by students in A class and B class in PBL unit 2 and unit 3; but an increasing trend did exist after the leading literatures were provided and the discussions among students were focusing and rele-vant and the teaching goal was achieved . Conclusion The route of providing a small amount of oriented literatures by tutor is positive in PBL courses of TCM integrated experiments, while the design of teaching experiment, the specific way of providing oriented literatures, the quantity and quality of literatures, and even the internal connection between them, all needs further optimization.

Objective To study the effect of tumor size on the expression of adrenal cholesterol homeostasis mole -cules in H22 hepatoma-bearing mice.Methods Two hundred and twenty mice were injected with H 22 hepatoma cells to their right armpit.On the 11th day after injection, the mice were sorted according to the tumor size .18 mice with large tumor (large tumor group) and 18 mice with small tumor (small tumor group) were sacrificed, and the tumors were weighed.A control group consisting of 18 normal Kunming mice was also included in this study .The plasma TC, TG and HDL-C were detected using total cholesterol , triglycerides or HDL-C assay kits , respectively .The mRNA expressions of Srb1, Ldlr, Npc1, Npc2, Stard3, Hmgcr, Lipe, Acat1, Abca1, Abcg1, Srebp-1c, Lxrα, Lxrβ, Rxrα, Apoa1 and Apoe were tested by real-time quantitative RT-PCR ( qRT-PCR ) , and Gapdh and β-actin were used for normalization .SRB1 and ApoA1 proteins were analyzed by Western blot .Results The tumor weight was significantly higher in the large tumor group than that in the small tumor group (P<0.05).Compared with the control group , the plasma HDL-C was significant-ly decreased in the two hepatoma groups (P<0.05).The expression levels of Srb1, Ldlr, Apoa1 mRNA and SRB1 protein were significantly increased in the large tumor group (P<0.05 for all).The ApoA1 protein level was significantly higher in the large tumor group than that in the small tumor group (P<0.05).The expressions of Acat1, Lipe, Abca1 and Abcg1 mRNA were significantly lower in the large tumor group than those in the small tumor group (P<0.05 for all).However, the expressions of Srebp-1c, Lxrαand RxrαmRNA were not significantly changed , then, Srebp-1c, Lxrβand RxrαmRNA expressions were significantly up-regulated in the small tumor group (P<0.05).The expressions of Hmgcr and Apoe mR-NA were not significantly different in the two groups .Conclusions In hepatoma-bearing mice , due to the adaptation to tumor-induced chronic stress response , the adrenal cortical cells can effectively utilize intracellular cholesterol to synthetize cortical hormones .

In the new economic situation for the new requirements for traditional Chinese medicine innovation talents cultivation, in view of the relevant medical education at home and abroad experience and many years of exploration in our school, we suggest that in the curriculum construction and development of the national institutions of higher learning of Chinese medicine, the experiment teaching of traditional Chinese medicine should be extended by popularizing college students' exploring experiment and innovative experiment and establishing the combined mechanism between the excel-lent students and excellent teachers. We also put emphasis on developing five abilities, which include the ability of structuring own knowledge system, the ability of acquiring useful knowledge and aban-doning other, the ability of logical reasoning and critical thinking skills, the ability of professional in-terest and innovation, and the ability of expressing themselves and communication skills.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of three treatment regimens on H 22 tumor-bearing mice. Methods H22 tumor-bearing mice were treated by local injection of compound chemotherapeutic agents (5-FU, mitomy-cin and cisplatin ) , oral administration of sorafeni , or the both combined , respectively .Standardized and quantitative syn-drome differentiation methods were used to assess the syndromes and tumor-inhibition rate in the mice .Results All these three therapeutic regimens were effective in suppressing the tumor growth in mice .Among them, the combined therapeutic regimen of local injection of compound chemotherapeutic drugs plus oral administration of sorafeni was the best .Conclu-sion The effect of sorafenib combined with local injection of compound chemotherapeutic agents is better than the other two regimens used separately .

Objective To study the expression features of hydrolase genes related to the secretion of thyroid hormone of H22 hepatoma mice with different symptoms in early stage. Methods Firstly, The quantitative diagnosis and syndrome differentiation methods were used in H22 tumor-bearing mice in early stage, the expression profile of Tg and related hydrolase genes in poisonous pathogenic factors syndrome group (PPFS) and qi-deficiency syndromes (QDS) were got, and the major differential expression were selected. Secondly, the experiment was repeated and ELISA were used to detect T3 and T4 in serum, RT-PCR were applied to detect gene transcription level of genes including Tg, Ctsb, Ctsd, Ctsl, Napsa and Tpp1. Results ① Based on gene chip, the expression of Tg, Ctsb, Ctsd, Ctsl, Napsa and Tpp1were decreased in the first batch of experiment, the exactly ratio was Tg(0.77 in PPFS;0.84 in QDS), Ctsb(0.83 in PPFS, 0.91 in QDS), Ctsd(0.79 in PPFS;no notable change in QDS), Ctsl(no notable change in PPFS; 0.65 in QDS), Napsa(0.78 in PPFS; no notable change in QDS), and Tpp1 (0.75 in PPFS; no notable change in QDS), respectively. ② T3 and T4 downregulated in PPFS (the T3 value was 1.519±0.162ng/ml, T4 value was 2.194±0.305mg/dl) and in QDS (the T4 value is 4.366±0.727μg/dl) in early stage (P<0.01), especially in PPFS, which was in accordance with the change of Tg in both batches. ③the same trend happened in the validation of Tg(0.22 in PPFS;0.38 in QDS), Ctsb(0.31 in PPFS;0.55 in QDS), Ctsd(0.36 in PPFS;0.78 in QDS) and Napsa(0.24 in PPFS;0.59 in QDS) ,while ctsl(1.24 in PPFS;2.11 in QDS) and Tpp1 (2.85 in PPFS;0.85 in QDS)werethe opposite;even this, the total trend of the expression in QDS was still higher than that in PPFS. Conclusion All the results showed that the thyroid function of H22 hepatoma mice was inhibited in early stage especially in PPFS.