Search

Baicalin has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, blood platelet aggregation-inhibiting, free oxygen radical-clearing, and endotoxin-decreasing properties. However, its molecular mechanism involved in the treatment of Adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS) is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of baicalin on Adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS) and to characterize the genes involved in this progression. We established Adriamycin-induced NS model in 32 rats and used six rats in Sham group. Urinary total protein content and creatinine serum were assessed as physiological indicators. H&E staining was used to observe the pathological changes. We determined gene expression profiles using transcriptome sequencing in the rat kidney tissues from Sham, Adriamycin, and Adriamycin + baicalin groups. KEGG was carried out to analyze the enriched pathways of differentially expressed genes among these groups. Baicalin treatment relieved renal injury in NS rats. Expression of 363 genes was significantly different between the Adriamycin and Adriamycin + baicalin M groups. Most of the differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation. Overall, these data suggest that Adriamycin-induced NS can be attenuated by baicalin through the suppression of fibrosis-related genes and inflammatory reactions. Baicalin is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of NS, and the identified genes represent potential therapeutic targets.

To establish quantitative surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay for antibodies against human platelet antigen-1a (HPA-1a).Recombinant protein was fixed on the chip surface by amino coupling method. SPR assay was used to detect the standard antibodies against HPA-1a at different conceatration. The optimal experimental parameters were determined, and standard curves were constructed with linear regression. Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and precision of the assay were evaluated.The quantitative SPR assay for HPA-1a antibodies was established. The determination ranges were 0-20 IU, with accuracy (recovery rate) was 97.75%-103.08%. The intra-assay precision [coefficients of variation (CV)] was 3.53%-4.29%, and the inter-assay precision (CV) was 2.08%-4.40%. For specificity test, several kinds of monoclonal and human antibodies against platelet membrane protein were tested and no positive result was observed.The established quantitative SPR assay for HPA-1a antibodies shows good sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and precision, and this rapid and simple method provides a new reference method for scientific research and clinical antibody detection.HPA-1a抗体SPR技术定量检测方法的建立.建立针对人类血小板抗原（HPA）-1a抗体的表面等离子体共振（SPR）技术定量检测方法.以氨基偶联法在芯片表面偶联重组蛋白，采用SPR方法检测不同浓度的标准抗血浆样本，优化实验条件，在检测范围内绘制标准曲线，并分析其敏感性、特异性、准确性和精密度.利用SPR技术建立针对HPA-1a抗体的定量检测方法，检测范围为0-20 IU，准确性（回收率）为97.75%-103.08%，批内精密度[变异系数（CV）]为3.53%-4.29%；批间精密度（CV）为2.08%-4.40%。特异性实验中，以不同的血小板膜蛋白单抗和含相应抗体的参比血浆进行检测，均未见明显阳性结果.建立的针对HPA-1a抗体的SPR技术定量检测方法具有较高的敏感性、特异性、准确性和精密度，且操作简便快速，这为科研和临床相关抗体的检测提供了一种新的参考方法.

Objective: To investigate the risks of patients with stage IA1-IIA1 cervical cancer after laparoscopic hysterectomy, and whether adjuvant radiotherapy is necessary.Patients and Methods: From January 2013 to December 2016, we retrospectively analyzed 221 patients with cervical cancer of stage IA1-IIA1. Sixty-two patients were treated with laparoscopic hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (group A), 115 patients only underwent open surgery (group B) and 44 patients received laparoscopic hysterectomy alone (group C). Local recurrence-free survival（LRFS) was the primary outcome, distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were secondary outcomes in the study.Results: The median follow-up time was 58.33 months (range, 56.91-59.76 months) for all the patients. Three groups were balanced in terms of baseline characteristics. The 3-year LRFS rates were 98.4% in group A, 97.4% in group B, and 86.4% in group C, respectively. The LRFS rates of group A and B surpassed group C ( group A vs. B, p=0.634; group A vs. C, p=0.011; group B vs. C, p=0.006). In subgroup analysis of stage IB1-IB3 disease, the 3-year LRFS was 100% in group A , 98.8 % in group B and 83.1% in group C, the 3-year OS rates were 100% in group A, 98.9% in group B, 91.5% in group C. The 3-year LRFS and OS rates on group A and B were significantly superior to group C ( pConclusions: There is a risk of local failure in laparoscopic hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer. Adjuvant radiotherapy can reduce the risk of recurrence and improve local control for women with early cervical cancer and bring survival benefits for patients with stage IB disease after minimally invasive hysterectomy.

Background: Melittin, the major medicinal component of honeybee venom, exerts antiinflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic effects in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). RA is an inflammatory autoimmune joint disease that leads to irreversible joint destruction and functional loss. Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes (FLS) are dominant, special mesenchymal cells characterized by the structure of the synovial intima, playing a crucial role in both the initiation and progression of RA. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effects of melittin on the viability and apoptosis of FLS isolated from patients with RA. Methods: Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assays; apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, caspase-9, BAX, and Bcl-2) were also determined. To explore whether melittin alters inflammatory processes in RA-FLS, IL-1β levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, we performed GFP-LC3 punctate fluorescence dot assays and western blotting (for LC3, ATG5, p62, and Beclin 1) to assess autophagy in RA-FLS. Results: Our results show that melittin can significantly impair viability, promote apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibit IL-1β secretion in RA-FLS. Conclusion: Melittin may be useful in preventing damage to the joints during accidental local stimulation.

Objective To analyze the effectiveness and safety of surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation therapy in treatment of primary liver cancer meeting the Milan criteria. Methods The clinical data of 105 cases of primary liver cancer meeting the Milan criteria in 302 Hospital from Dec. 2010 to Jul. 2012 who were treated respectively by surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation therapy were retrospectively reviewed. The postoperative survival rate, tumor-free survival rate, complications, and hospital stay days were compared between two groups. Results Patients were divided into single pure group (n=73) and multiple combined group (n=32). The total survival rate and total tumor-free survival rate 3 years after therapy were higher in those patients received surgical resection than in those received radiofrequency ablation in both single pure group and multiple combined group (P

The DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) is widely used as an anticancer drug for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors. Gastric cancer (GC) patients who were positive for caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) expression showed a higher survival rate compared with those who were CDX2 negative, which suggests that CDX2 performs a tumor suppressor role. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to the inactivation of CDX2 remain unclear. In the present study we demonstrated that the expression levels of CDX2 and DNA methyltransferase enzyme 1 (DNMT1) mRNA were significantly higher in GC compared with distal non-cancerous tissue. The expression of CDX2 mRNA was significantly correlated with Lauren classification, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. DNMT1 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage, pathological differentiation and lymph node metastasis. The expression of CDX2 mRNA was inversely correlated with that of DNMT1 mRNA in GC. Hypermethylation of the CDX2 gene promoter region, extremely low expression levels of CDX2 mRNA and no expression of CDX2 protein were the characteristics observed in MKN-45 and SGC-7901 GC cell lines. Following the treatment of MKN-45 cells with 5-aza-CdR, the hypermethylated CDX2 gene promoter region was demethylated and expression of CDX2 was upregulated, while DNMT1 expression was downregulated. Furthermore, a concentration- and time-dependent growth inhibition as well as increased apoptosis were observed. Caspase-3, −8 and −9 activities increased in a concentration-dependent manner following exposure to different concentrations of 5-aza-CdR. Therefore, our data show that the overexpression of DNMT1 and methylation of the CDX2 gene promoter region is likely to be responsible for CDX2 silencing in GC. 5-Aza-CdR may effectively induce re-expression of the CDX2 gene, inhibit cell proliferation and enhance the caspase-independent apoptosis of MKN-45 cells in vitro.

The molecular mechanisms leading to gastric carcinogenesis still remain unclear. Recently, several studies demonstrated that over-expression of guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) has been detected in intestinal-type gastric cancer (GC) and precursor lesions. Our objective was to explore the expression levels of GCC and endogenous ligands guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) and the correlation between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and GCC, GN, and UGN expressions in patients at different stages from normal mucosa to superficial gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia, and finally adenocarcinoma. The expression of GCC and GN was absent in the distal normal gastric tissues and superficial gastritis in all cases, whereas they were measured in IM, dysplasia, and GC. The expression of GCC and GN was closely related to intestinal-type GC. From superficial gastritis to gastric carcinomas, the H. pylori positive rate was 19.7, 33.3, 69.6, 80.0, and 82.1%, respectively. The positive correlation was found between GCC and GN in IM, dysplasia, and GC. Also, the positive correlation was found between GCC, GN, and H. pylori infection in them. These results demonstrate that the detection of GCC and GN will be beneficial to diagnosis human gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesions. Ectopic expression of GCC and GN in human gastric mucosa and H. pylori infection may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of the intestinal-type GC.

Two kinds of modified poly(p-phenylene benzoxazole) (PBO), the copolymer of TPA (SPBO) and p-SPBO, containing ionic groups in the macromolecular chains were obtained by copolymerization from 1,3-diamino-4,6-dihydroxybenzene dihydrochloride (DAR) and terephthalic acid (TPA), with the addition of selected amounts (1.5–5.0% molar ratio over DAR) of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt or sulfoterephthalic acid monopotassium salt in place of the TPA, respectively, in poly(phosphoric acid) (PPA). The resultant PBO/PPA, SPBO/PPA, and p-SPBO/PPA lyotropic liquid-crystalline solutions were spun into fibers by a dry-jet wet-spinning technique. Chemically modified PBO fibers with sulfonate salt pendants in the polymer chains were obtained for the first time. The surface wetting behavior and interfacial shear strength between the fiber and epoxy resin were investigated. The interference of sulfonate salt pendants on the crystalline morphology was measured. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008

In order to optimize acupuncture protocol for stephenipodia after stroke, related papers of the recent 20 years are retrieved. Interrelated factors which may influence the therapeutic effect of acupuncture are analyzed through the aspects such as acupoints, needling methods and opportunities of acupuncture. It is held that importance should be attached on relation between acupoints and anatomy during acupoint selection. Different acupuncture protocol can be adopted in different phases of stephenipodia according to its time of occurrence. And it is found that the combination of acupuncture and rehabilitation can reinforce the therapeutic effect. Relationship between effect of acupuncture and patient's condition, acupoint selection and prescription, acupuncture manipulations (including directions, angles, reinforcing and reducing, quantity of stimulus) are worth to be further studied. On the base of the above all mentioned studies, optimization can be carried out on selection of acupoints and acupuncture manipulations. And therapeutic effect can be enhanced when the optimized acupuncture protocol is combined with rehabilitation therapies.

The literature on acupuncture-moxibustion and acupuncture-moxibustion combined with other therapies for all kinds of pain as well as organized medicine of pain in recent ten years are analyzed. It is found out that application of single acupuncture-moxibustion has positive effect on most of pain, while acupuncture-moxibustion combined with other therapies could improve the efficacy in a certain extent. The organized medical model of pain, by integration of clinical paths and optimization of medical methods, could achieve best effect on pain. With acupuncture-moxibustion joining in the organized medical model of pain, the analgesia effect could be enhanced, medical cost decreased and patient's life quality improved. The suitable disease, clinical path, action function and mechanism need further evidence-based research.

We have identified a novel steroid hormone response element in the avian beta3 integrin promoter. This sequence, comprising three hexameric direct repeat half-sites separated by nine and three nucleotides binds vitamin D receptor (VDR)-retinoid X receptor (RXR) and retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-RXR heterodimers. VDR-RXR binds direct repeats separated by three base pairs, and RAR-RXR recognizes half-sites separated by nine bases, whereas the central half-site interacts with both heterodimers. Retinoic acid and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 activate both a genomic fragment including the transcriptional start site and an oligonucleotide containing the three repeats, linked to a heterologous promoter. Co-addition of the steroids produces neither synergy nor an additive effect; rather the result equals that for retinoic acid alone. Scatchard analysis demonstrates that RAR-RXR has greater affinity than VDR-RXR for the composite element. Based on these findings we propose a model in which there is specific, polarity-defined binding of VDR-RXR and RAR-RXR to three half-sites, which form two overlapping steroid response elements, with the central half-site common to both. Our results identify a novel mechanism by which one steroid hormone can modulate the activity of a second, by competing for a shared half-site in a composite response element.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)transactivates the avian beta 3 integrin gene whose promoter contains at least two vitamin D response elements, one of which is in close proximity to a candidate AP1 site (TGACTCA). Since fos/jun and steroid hormones interact to regulate gene expression, we asked whether phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), which stimulates binding of fos/jun to AP1 sites, transactivates the avian beta 3 integrin gene and, if so, does the phorbol ester modulate 1,25(OH)2D3 induction of the gene. We find the candidate AP1 sequence comigrates with the consensus AP1 sequence on electromobility shift assay when incubated with recombinant c-jun protein. Furthermore, PMA prompts expression of beta 3 integrin mRNA in the avian monocytic line, HD11. The increase in message reflects transactivation of the beta 3 gene and is mirrored by plasma membrane appearance of the integrin heterodimer alpha v beta 3. Moreover, attesting to the functional significance of PMA-enhanced alpha v beta 3 expression, cells treated with concentrations of the phorbol ester that induce the beta 3 gene, spread extensively on plastic, an event blocked by an anti-alpha v antibody and a peptide mimetic known to inhibit alpha v beta 3-mediated cell attachment. Interestingly, co-addition of 1,25(OH)2D3 and PMA prompts greater expression of alpha v beta 3 than when the cells are exposed to either agent alone and PMA enhances 1,25(OH)2D3-induced beta 3 integrin mRNA expression. Thus, PMA and 1,25(OH)2D3 impact on the avian beta 3 integrin gene independently and in combination.

To detect the expression of GC-C mRNA in peripheral blood of gastric carcinoma patients and determine its potential candidacy as a molecular biological marker for predicting the micrometastasis and determining the status of gastric cancer.GC-C mRNA from peripheral blood samples of gastric carcinoma (n = 60), dysplastic (n = 21), intestinal metaplasia (n = 15) and healthy cases (n = 20) from November 2009 to August 2010 at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University were assessed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RFQ-PCR).The expressions of GC-C mRNA in peripheral blood from patients with dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia and healthy controls were absent or very low. And a high level of GC-C mRNA was detected in the patients with gastric carcinoma than those with dysplastic and intestinal metaplasia, and the positive rate were 48.3% (29/60), 9.5% (2/21), 20.0% (3/15), respectively (all P0.05). The levels of GC-C mRNA were significantly correlated with Lauren typing, clinical stage, tumor differentiation degree, depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis (all P0.05). The GC-C mRNA expressions were positively correlated in peripheral blood and gastric carcinomas tissues (r = 0.4009, P = 0.0015).The over-expression of GC-C mRNA is found in peripheral blood from gastric carcinoma patients. Due to its close correlation with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis, it may become a potential prognostic marker of gastric carcinoma.

To observe the effect of otopoint-needle embedment on migraine and to explore its underlying mechanism.Ninety-two migraine outpatients were equally randomized into acupuncture group and medication group. For patients of the acupuncture group, one sterilized intradermal needle was inserted into E (MA-AT)-point and advanced toward Nie (temple-point, MA-AT), then another inserted into Nie (Temple-point, MA-AT) and advanced toward Zhen (occipus-point, MA-AT), followed by fixing the needles with a piece of adhesive-tape respectively, combined with Wei (stomach-point, MA-IC), Jiaogan (sympathesis-point, MA-AH 7) for migraine patients with nausea and vomiting, and with Yan (eye-point, MA-L 1) for those with phengophobia. Plasma serotonin (5-HT) contents before and after the treatment were detected by fluorescence spectrophotometry.In comparison with the pre-treatment, the synthetic scores of two groups one month and 6 months after the treatment were decreased significantly (P0.01). The integrative sores of the acupuncture group one month and 6 months after the treatment were significantly lower than those of the medication group (P0.01). The total effective rates of recent efficacy and long-term efficacy of the acupuncture group were 82.61% (38/46) and 83.72% (36/43) respectively, being significantly higher than those [67.39% (31/46) and 57.14% (24/42)] of the medication group. After the treatment, plasma 5-HT content of the acupuncture group was remarkablely higher than that of the medication group (P0.05).Otopoint-needle implant can effectively relieve headache in migraine patients and upregulate plasma 5-HT level.

To investigate the expression of guanylyl cyclase-C (GC-C) and caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) in human gastric mucosa at different stages and the significance thereof.An Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the expression of GC-C and CDX-2 in 23 specimens of gastric carcinoma and matching noncancerous tissues. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of GC-C and CDX2 in the gastric carcinoma tissues and matching noncancerous tissues too.The GC-C and CDX2 expression rates were 39.1% and 39.1% respectively in the intestinal metaplasia specimens, 55.6% and 55.6% respectively in the dysplasia specimens, and 56.7 % and 60.0% in the gastric carcinoma specimens, all significantly higher than those in the normal mucosa specimens (all P = 0.000) without significant differences in the expression of GC-C and CDX-2 among the 3 pathological groups. The GC-C and CDX-2 expression was positively correlated with Lauren classification, The expression levels of GC-C and CDX-2 were significantly higher in the intestinal-type than in the diffuse-type gastric carcinoma (P0.05). The GC-C expression was positively correlated with the expression of CDX-2 in intestinal metaplasia and gastric carcinoma.Ectopic expression of GC-C and CDX2 in human gastric mucosa may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of intestinal-type gastric carcinoma. Detection of GC-C and CDX2 helps diagnose gastric carcinoma and precursor lesions.

To study the effects of benzene and selenium on telomerase in mouse lymphocytes in vivo and evaluate telomerase activity as an early marker of benzene effects on lymphocytes.Male Kunming mice were divided randomly into 8 groups, including negative control group, reagent control group, 100 mg/kg benzene group, 200 mg/kg benzene group, 400 mg/kg benzene group, 200 mg/kg benzene + 0.75 mg/kg selenium group, 200 mg/kg benzene + 1.50 mg/kg selenium group and 200 mg/kg benzene + 3.00 mg/kg selenium group, 5 mice in each group. The mice in different groups were treated with different methods, once daily for 5 days. After 48 hours of the final exposure, lymphocytes were separated and the telomerase activities were detected with TRAPELISA.Compared with negative and reagent control groups, the telomerase activity was increased after treatment with different dose of benzene and at the dose of 100 mg/kg benzene group it was significantly increased (P0.01). At the dose of 200 mg/kg benzene + 0.75 mg/kg selenium group, it was significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the counterpart treated with 200 mg/kg benzene group, the expression of telomerase was increased at the different concentrations after treatment with benzene combined with selenium and it was significantly increased at the dose of 200 mg/kg benzene + 0.75 mg/kg selenium group (P0.05).Increased telomerase activity in lymphocytes stimulated by benzene at different concentrations indicates activation and proliferation of these lymphocytes of mice in vivo. Telomerase activity is probably a sensitive early marker of lymphocyte proliferation by benzene. Selenium can upregulate the telomerase activity.

To investigate the effects of adenovirus melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7)/IL-24 on the growth and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells.Human breast cancer cells of the lines MCF-7 and MD-MBA-453 were cultured and transfected with purified adenovirus mda-7/IL-24. 48 h later, Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of mda-7/IL-24 in the MCF-7 cells. The growth of Ad-mda-7/IL-24 in the MCF-7 cells was assayed by crystal violet staining and MTT method. The apoptotic effect of Ad-mda-7/IL-24 in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells was detected by Hoechst staining and annexin V method. Nude mice were inoculated with MCF-7 cells and randomly divided into 2 groups to be injected with Ad-mda-7/IL-24 of PBS. The size of tumor was observed.Western blotting showed that mda-7/IL-24 was expressed in the transfected MCF-7 cells. Crystal violet staining and MTT method showed that Ad-mda-7/IL-24 dose and time-dependently inhibited the growth of the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells. Hochst staining and annexin V test indicated obvious apoptosis of the breast cancer cells. The size of tumor of the nude mice injected with Ad-mda-7/IL-24 was significantly smaller than that of the control mice.Ad-mda-7/IL-24 effectively inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and induces its apoptosis.

With the rapid development of new technology of electronic, communication, network etc. All kinds of new technology are constantly used for educational purposes, such as, audio and video recording, the personal computer (PC), iPod, the Internet and Web 2 applications. The digital technology brings great pressure to the traditional education mode of the school. It makes educators taking up each of the new technology tools and adapting them for educational purposes. This paper discusses the educators how to face the growing digital new technology applied in the teaching process, which has grown up with Web 2.0 technologies is entering teacher education programs. It analyzes the teacher would how to use digital publics and collective intelligence to create productive learning experiences in their classrooms.