Five major two components systems of Staphylococcus aureus for adaptation in diverse hostile environment.

Staphylococcus aureus is an eminent and opportunistic human pathogen that can colonize in the intestines, skin tissue and perineal regions of the host and cause severe infectious diseases. The presence of complex regulatory network and existence of virulent gene expression along with tuning metabolism enables the S. aureus to adopt the diversity of environments. Two component system (TCS) is a widely distributed mechanism in S. aureus that permit it for changing gene expression profile in response of environment stimuli. TCS usually consist of transmembrane histidine kinase (HK) and cytosolic response regulator. S. aureus contains totally 16 conserved pairs of two component systems, involving in different signaling mechanisms. There is a connection among these regulatory circuits and they can easily have effect on each other's expression. This review has discussed five major types of TCS in S. aureus and covers the recent knowledge of their virulence gene expression. We can get more understanding towards staphylococcal pathogenicity by getting insights about gene regulatory pathways via TCS, which can further provide implications in vaccine formation and new ways for drug design to combat serious infections caused by S. aureus in humans.

Single-crystal structure and intracellular localization of Zn(II)-thiosemicarbazone complex targeting mitochondrial apoptosis pathways.

Tracking of drugs in cancer cells is important for basic biology research and therapeutic applications. Therefore, we designed and synthesised a Zn(II)-thiosemicarbazone complex with photoluminescent property for organelle-specific imaging and anti-cancer proliferation. The Zn(AP44eT)(NO3)2 coordination ratio of metal to ligand was 1:1, which was remarkably superior to 2-((3-aminopyridin-2-yl) methylene)-N, N-diethylhydrazinecarbothioamide (AP44eT·HCl) in many aspects, such as fluorescence and anti-tumour activity. Confocal fluorescence imaging showed that the Zn(AP44eT)(NO3)2 was aggregated in mitochondria. Moreover, Zn(AP44eT)(NO3)2 was more effective than the metal-free AP44eT·HCl in shortening the G2 phase in the MCF-7 cell cycle and promoting apoptosis of cancer cells. Supposedly, the effects of these complexes might be located mainly in the mitochondria and activated caspase-3 and 9 proteins.

[Correlation of behavioral performance with expressions of substance P and neurokinin-1 receptor in the L5－S2 spinal cord of chronic prostatitis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the behavioral performance and the expressions of substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) in the posterior horn of the L5－S2 spinal cord in rats with chronic prostatitis (CP). METHODS: A CP model was made in 30 adult male SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml dyphtheria pertussis tetanus (DPT) vaccine and mixed solution of 1 ml prostatein extract and complete adjuvant in a 1∶1 ratio, and another 10 rats were injected with the same volume of normal saline as controls. At 45 (n = 10), 60 (n = 10) and 90 days (n = 10) after modeling, the behavioral changes of the rats were observed by open-field and sucrose consumption tests, the prostatic indexes and levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-2 and IL-10 were obtained, and the expressions of SP and NK1-R in the L5－S2 spinal cord were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the CP model rats showed obviously decreased horizontal and vertical movement scores and sucrose consumption, particularly in the 90 d group (P < 0.05), significantly reduced prostatic indexes in the 45 d, 60 d and 90 d groups (all P < 0.05), even lower in the 90 d than in the 45 d and 60 d groups (P < 0.05). Edema and lymphocytes were increased in the prostatic tissue with the prolonged time of modeling. The levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-2 and IL-10 were markedly elevated in all the CP rats as compared with those in the controls (P < 0.05), and so were the expressions of SP and NK-1R in the L5－S2 spinal cord (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the 90 d than in the 45 d and 60 d groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rats with chronic prostatitis are characterized by behavioral manifestation of depression, increased levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-2 and IL-10, and a time-dependent upregulation of the expressions of SP and NK-1R in the posterior horn of the L5-S2 spinal cord, which suggests a correlation between the behavioral performance and the expressions of SP and NK-1R in the L5－S2 spinal cord of the rats.

Molecular cloning and characterization of two genes encoding peroxiredoxins from freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana: Antioxidative effect and immune defense.

Members of Prx family function as an important players in host defense against oxidative stress, and modulate immune responses. In the current study, two complete Prx sequences were isolated from bivalve Anodonta woodiana and respectively named AwPrx4a and AwPrx4b. Regulative characterizations of AwPrx4a and AwPrx4b derived from perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluoroocanoic acid (PFOA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic (Poly I:C) challenge in hepatopancreas, gill and hemocytes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. The full-length cDNA of AwPrx4a had an open reading frame ORF of 588 bp encoding 196 amino acids. Two highly conserved Prxs signature motifs were observed in deduced amino acid sequence, one was FYPLDFTFACPTEI, and the other was GEVCPA. Complete cDNA sequence of AwPrx4b was comprised of a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 120 nucleotides, a 426 bp ORF which was encoded 142 amino acids, and a long 3'-UTR of 412 nucleotides. Expressions of AwPrx4a and AwPrx4b showed a significant up-regulation pattern in groups at lower concentration treatment of PFOS and PFOA, a biphasic profile in groups with a higher concentration treatment. Compared with that of control group, expressions of AwPrx4a and AwPrx4b were significantly induced by LPS and Poly I:C treatment in the hepatopancreas, gill and hemocytes. These results indicate up-regulations of AwPrx4a and AwPrx4b expression are associated with eliminating oxidative stress derived from PFOS and PFOA administration as well as enhancing immune defense against LPS and Poly I:C challenge.

Response a chronic effects of PBDE-47: Up-regulations of HSP60 and HSP70 expression in freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role in adaption of environmental stress by protein folding, membrane translocation, degradation of misfolded proteins and other regulatory processes. Our previous study showed oxidative stress generated from polybrominated diphenyl ether-47 (PBDE-47) could cause an acute toxicity on freshwater bivalve Anodonta Woodiana, but the effect of chronic toxicity need to be elucidated. In order to further investigate the chronic effect of PBDE-47, clams A. Woodiana were randomly divided into the PBDE-47 treated group administrated with PBDE-47 at a concentration 3.36 µg/L and control group treated with a similar volume dimethyl sulfoxide. Two complete HSP sequences were isolated from A. Woodianaa and respectively named AwHSP60 and AwHSP70. They were widely distributed in foot, gill, hepatopancreas, adductor muscle, heart, hemocytes and mantle. Administration of PBDE-47 could result in a significant up-regulation of AwHSP60 and AwHSP70 expressions in the hepatopancreas, gill and hemocytes. In the hepatopancreas, compared with that of control group, mRNA level of AwHSP60 increased more than 89.9% (P < 0.05) from day 1-15, AwHSP70 increased more 2.79 times (P < 0.01). In the gill, during experiment observed, expression of AwHSP60 increased more 2.09 times (P < 0.01) in contrasted with that of control group. Significant up-regulation of AwHSP70 expression showed a reversed U shape. In the hemocytes, AwHSP60 and AwHSP70 expressions of PBDE-47 treated group respectively increased more 2.09 times (P < 0.05) and 1.81 times (P < 0.05) compared with that of control group. These results indicated that up-regulations of AwHSP60 and AwHSP70 expression are contribute to enhancing adaption of bivalve A. Woodiana exposed to PBDE-47 treatment.

Isolation and characterization of two glutathione S-transferases from freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana: Chronic effects of pentachlorophenol on gene expression profiles.

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) play a prominent role in protecting cells against oxidative stress. Our previous study showed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from pentachlorophenol (PCP) could cause an acute impact on freshwater bivalve Anodonta Woodiana, but its chronic toxicity remain unclear. In order to investigate the chronic effect of PCP, clams A. Woodiana were randomly grouped into PCP treated group in which animals were administrated with 13.9 µg/L concentrations of PCP, and control group those with similar volume dimethyl sulfoxide. In addition, two complete GST sequences were isolated from A. Woodianaa and respectively named AwGST1 and AwGST2. The full-length cDNA of AwGST1 was consisted of a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 132 bp, a 3' UTR of 80 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 609 bp encoding a polypeptide of 203 amino acids. The full-length cDNA of AwGST2 contained a 5' UTR of 57 bp, a 3' UTR of 291 bp and an ORF of 678 bp encoding a polypeptide of 226 amino acids. The constitutive expression levels of AwGST1 and AwGST2 were examined in different tissues including foot, mantle, adductor muscle, heart, hepatopancreas, hemocytes and gill. Administration of PCP could result in a significant increase of AwGST1 and AwGST2 expression in the hepatopancreas, gill and hemocytes. In the hepatopancreas, AwGST1 mRNA levels of PCP treated group increased more than 28.73% at day 1, then 70.37% (P < 0.05) at day 3, reach to 6.64 times (P < 0.01) at day 15 in contrasted with that of control group. AwGST2 increased more 18.18%, 82.88% (P < 0.05) and 2.43 times (P < 0.01) at day 1, 3 and 15, respectively. In the gill, AwGST1 expression showed a significant up-regulation in the PCP treated group during experiment observed compared with that of control group, mRNA level of AwGST2 increased more than 1.44 times (P < 0.05). In addition, expressions of AwGST1 and AwGST2 were significantly induced after PCP treatment in the hemocytes. These results indicated that up-regulations of AwGST1 and AwGST2 expression in bivalve A. woodiana are contribute to against oxidative stress derived from PCP treatment during experiment observed.

Response of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in the freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana exposed to 2,4-dichlorophenol,2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol.

2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) pose a health risk to aquatic organism and humans, and are recognized as persistent priority pollutants. Selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) belongs to the family of selenoprotein, which acts mainly as an antioxidant role in the cellular defense system. In the current study, a Se-GPx full length cDNA was cloned from Anodonta woodiana and named as AwSeGPx. It had a characteristic codon at 165TGA167 that corresponds to selenocysteine(Sec) amino acid as U44. The full length cDNA consists of 870 bp, an open reading frame (ORF) of 585 bp encoded a polypeptide of 195 amino in which conserved domain (68LGFPCNQF75) and a glutathione peroxide-1 GPx active site (32GKVILVENVASLUGTT47) were observed. Additionally, the eukaryotic selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) was conserved in the 3'UTR. The AwSeGPx amino acid sequence exhibited a high similarity with that of other Se-GPx. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that AwSeGPx mRNA had a widely distribution, but the highest level was observed in hepatopancreas. AwSeGPx mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in hepatopancreas, gill and hemocytes after 2,4-DCP, 2,4,6-TCP and PCP exposure. Under similar environment, clams A. woodiana showed a more sensitive to PCP than that of 2,4-DCP and 2,4,6-TCP. These results indicate that AwSeGPx plays a protective role in eliminating oxidative stress derived from 2,4-DCP, 2,4,6-TCP and PCP treatment.

Molecular cloning, characterization, and the response of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase to PBDE-47 and -209 from the freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers-47 (PBDE-47) and -209 are significant components of total PBDEs in water and can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the organisms. Anti-oxidant enzymes play an important role in scavenging the high level of ROS. In the current study, two full-length cDNAs of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSODs) and catalase (CAT) were isolated from freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana by rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach and respectively named as AwSOD and AwCAT. The nucleotide sequence of AwSOD cDNA had an open reading frame (ORF) of 465 bp encoding a polypeptide of 155 amino acids in which signature 1 GKHGFHVHEFGDNT and signature 2 GNAGARSACGVI of SODs were observed. Deduced amino acid sequence of AwSOD showed a significant similarity with that of CuZnSODs. AwCAT had an ORF 1536 bp encoding a polypeptide of 512 amino acids which contains a conserved catalytic site motif, and a proximal heme-ligand signature motif of CATs. The time-course expressions of AwSOD and AwCAT in hepatopancreas were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Expressions of AwSOD and AwCAT showed a significant up-regulation in groups at a low concentration treatment of PBDE-47, a biphasic pattern in groups with a high concentration treatment. Administration of PBDE-209 could result in an up-regulation of AwSOD and AwCAT expressions with time- and dose-dependent matter. These results indicate that up-regulations of AwSOD and AwCAT expression of hepatopancreas of freshwater bivalve A. woodiana contribute to eliminate oxidative stress derived from PBDE-47 and -209 treated.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of different extracts of guizhencao (herba bidentis bipinnatae) against liver injury in hyperlipidemia rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the different extracts Guizhencao (Herba Bidentis Bipinnatae) against liver injury in hyperlipidemia rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into 7 groups, with 10 rats in each. Rats were treated with high-fat diet for 18 weeks besides the normal control group, then rats in both normal control and model groups were received 5 mL/kg(-1) x day(-1) of saline and those in the positive control group with 2 mg/kg(-1) x day(-1) of lovastatin. Rats in the positive control group and different Guizhencao (Herba Bidentis Bipinnatae) extracts treatment groups (ethyl acetate extract group, n-hexane extract group, ethanol extract group, and aqueous extract group) were treated with corresponding extract at a concentration of 5 mL/kg(-1) x day(-1). After 8 weeks treatment, all rats were sacrificed and total blood samples were collected. Histological analysis of liver was underdone by hematoxylin and eosin. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glouse (GLU), cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured according to standard procedure using auto-analyzer. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver were ananlyzed by procedure instruction. RESULTS: The histopathological analysis implied that the administration of Guizhencao (Herba Bidentis Bipinnatae) extracts resulted in hepatoprotective role compared with that of the model group. In addition, the high-fat diet caused a remarkable increase of ALT, AST, GLU, TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA levels. A decline in HDL-C and SOD concentrations and a reversal of effects were observed in different Guizhencao (Herba Bidentis Bipinnatae) extracts groups, especially in the aqueous extract and ethanol extract groups. CONCLUSION: The different extracts of Guizhencao (Herba Bidentis Bipinnatae) can play a protecting role against liver injury in hyperlipidemia rats maybe through decreasing ALT, AST, GLU, TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA levels and enhancing the liver anti-oxidative ability.

Identification of Significant Genes in Lung Cancer of Nonsmoking Women via Bioinformatics Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify potential key genes, proteins, and associated interaction networks for the development of lung cancer in nonsmoking women through a bioinformatics approach. METHODS: We used the GSE19804 dataset, which includes 60 lung cancer and corresponding paracancerous tissue samples from nonsmoking women, to perform the work. The GSE19804 microarray was downloaded from the GEO database and differentially expressed genes were identified using the limma package analysis in R software, with the screening criteria of p value < 0.01 and ∣log2 fold change (FC) | >2. RESULTS: A total of 169 DEGs including 130 upregulated genes and 39 downregulated were selected. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis were performed using the DAVID website, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and the hub gene module was screened through STING and Cytoscape. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained five key genes such as GREM1, MMP11, SPP1, FOSB, and IL33 which were strongly associated with lung cancer in nonsmoking women, which improved understanding and could serve as new therapeutic targets, but their functionality needs further experimental verification.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Homalomena occulta (Lour.) Schott.

Homalomena occulta (Lour.) Schott (H. occulta) is a traditional Chinese medicine. However, the chloroplast genome has not been reported. Here, we assembled and analyzed the complete chloroplast (CP) genome of H. occulta. We found that the CP genome of H. occulta is 165,398 bp in length and contains a large single-copy (LSC) region of 92,861 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 20,943 bp and an inverted repeat (IR) region of 25,797 bp. The genome contains 130 genes including 85 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA and 37 tRNA. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that H. occulta is close to Philodendron lanceolatum. This study provides useful data for the development of molecular markers and identification of H. occulta.

Characterization of Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide and its therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetic mice.

Anoectochilus roxburghii is a traditional herb in China that can be potentially used to treat diabetes. A novel polysaccharide ARLP-W was isolated from Anoectochilus roxburghii by chromatography on DEAE-52 cellulose. Chemical analysis indicated that ARLP-W (8.1 × 104 Da) was mainly composed of mannose and glucose. The main linkages of glycosidic bonds of ARLP-W were ß-1, 4-Manp and α-1, 4-Glcp. The terminal Glcp was connected to Manp-via O-3. RT-qPCR and western blotting analysis showed that ARLP-W caused a significant reduction in the levels of the key gluconeogenesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in the liver. The results of the insulin resistance tests indicated that ARLP-W increased glucose absorption. These results indicate that ARLP-W has a good therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes and can assist with further development and application treatment of diabetes.

Effect of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharides on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats.

OBJEVTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Cyclocarya paliurus (C. paliurus) polysaccharides on stre- ptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into 6 groups, including group of normal control, group of diabetic control, group of metformin treatment, low-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment, middle-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment and high-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment. Histological analysis of kidney was analyzed using hematoxilin and eosin. Levels of blood glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid were determined by spectrophotometry. Anti-oxidative enzymes were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) level was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Abnormal changes were observed in the group of diabetic control characterized by atrophy of the renal glomeruli with hypercellularity, congestion of glomerular tufts, dilation of the renal spaces, and degeneration of renal tubule. Compared with that of normal group, blood glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid level was significantly increased in the group of diabetic control. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase level was significantly decreased, but AGEs and TGF-ß1 level was significantly increased. By contrast, administration of C. paliurus polysaccharides and metformin could reverse the above-mentioned results of the group of diabetic control, especially in the high-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that C. paliurus polysaccharides may play a protecting role for nephropathy of diabetic rats by lowering glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid level, enhancing the antioxidative ability, and reducing AGEs and TGF-ß1 expression.

Molecular characterization of AwSox2 from bivalve Anodonta woodiana: Elucidating its player in the immune response.

Sox2 is an embryonal stem cell Ag essential for early embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and immune regulation. In the current study, one complete Sox2 cDNA sequence was cloned from freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana and named AwSox2. Histological changes of testis derived from Bisphenol A (BPA) treatment were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Expressions of AwSox2 derived from BPA, LPS and polyinosinic:polycytidylic (Poly I:C) challenge were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The full-length cDNA of AwSox2 contained an open reading frame of 927 nucleotides bearing the typical structural features of Sox2 family. Obvious degeneration, irregular arrangement of spermatids, and clotted dead and intertwined spermatids were observed in BPA-treated groups. Administration of BPA could result in a dose-dependent up-regulation of AwSox2 expression in the male gonadal tissue of A. woodiana. In addition, expression of AwSox2 was significantly induced by LPS and Poly I:C treatment in the hepatopancreas, gill and hemocytes, compared with that of control group. These results indicated that up-regulations of AwSOx2 are closely related to apoptosis of spermatogonial stem cells derived from BPA treatment as well as enhancement of immune defense against LPS and Poly I:C challenge in A. woodiana.

The administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α/γ agonist TZD18 inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell lines.

AIM OF STUDY: This study is to investigate the effects of a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ dual agonist TZD18 on cell growth, apoptosis, caspase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and apoptotic-related protein expression in MKN-45 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay against various human cancer cell lines was performed to investigate the whether TZD18 could in reduce the proliferation rates of cancer cells. The percentages of apoptotic cells and mitochondrial membrane potential level were determined by flow cytometry. The subcellular localization of cytochrome c was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Western blotting assay was performed to reveal the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS: The results showed that the administration of TZD18 could inhibit the growth of MKN-45 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the apoptotic ratio increased sharply along with a significant increase of caspase activities, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release following TZD18 exposure. The expression of Bax and p27kip1 increased significantly, whereas the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was downregulated. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the administration of PPAR α/γ agonist TZD18 may inhibit cell growth by inducing the apoptotic process in MKN-45 cells.

Alisol B 23­acetate inhibits the viability and induces apoptosis of non­small cell lung cancer cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of alisol B 23­acetate (AB23A) on inhibiting the viability and inducing apoptosis of human non­small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and the anticancer mechanisms of AB23A in vitro. The viability of A549 cells following treatment with different doses of AB23A was examined using a Cell Counting Kit­8 assay. Subsequently, apoptosis and the cell cycle were detected using flow cytometric analysis. The effect of AB23A on migration and invasion of A549 cells was detected by wound healing and Transwell assays. Western blotting was performed to determine the relative expression of Bax/Bcl­2, phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). AB23A markedly inhibited the viability enhanced apoptosis of A549 cells and arrested the cell cycle in G1 phase. Additionally, AB23A upregulated the ratio of Bax/Bcl­2 in the A549 cells in a concentration­dependent manner. The results of wound healing and Transwell assays indicated that AB23A also suppresses the migration and invasion ability of A549 cells. Furthermore, AB23A reduced the protein levels of phosphorylated AKT, PI3K and mTOR. In conclusion, AB23A exerted anti­cancer activity via inhibiting cells viability, migration and invasion, and promoting apoptosis. Therefore, AB23A is a potential antitumor drug for the treatment of NSCLC.

Bichirs employ similar genetic pathways for limb regeneration as are used in lungfish and salamanders.

Bichirs are a sister group to sarcopterygian and tetrapods that can fully regenerate their endochondral-skeleton-fins. Histological and transcriptomic comparison approaches have been used to investigate the morphology and genetic basis of bichir lobe-fin regeneration, with strong down-regulation of muscle-related genes and up-regulation of ECM-related genes and developmental genes being observed. Bichir limb regeneration involves similar cellular processes to those employed by lungfish and salamander, with MARCKS-like protein (MLP) that is known to be a putative regeneration-initiating molecule in salamander, also up-regulated in the early stages of bichir lobe-fin regeneration. These gene expression results suggest that limb regeneration pathways in these amphibians have a common ancestral inheritance, consistent with evolution from endochondral-skeleton-fin structures to endochondral-skeleton-limb structures of vertebrates.

Effects of extracts from Chuanwu (Aconitum Carmichaelii) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) on excisional wound healing in a rat's model.

OBJEVTIVE: To investigate the effects of extracts from Chuanwu (Aconitum Carmichaelii) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) on the excisional wound healing in a rat's model. METHODS: Rats were performed a surgical lesion with a 2.0 cm resected tissue in the dorsal fascia. Following, animals were randomly divided into model group, YNB group and APE group those were respectively treated with saline, 1 mg/mL of Yunnan Baiyao and 1 mg/mL of Chuanwu (Aconitum Carmichaelii) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) extracts. Wound contractions in days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 were calculated by an image analyzer. Histological analysis was analyzed using hematoxilin and eosin. Levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Compared with that of YNB group and APE gtoup, the skin of rats showed poor re-modeling and re-epithelization characterized by a significant decrease of neovascularization, epithelialization and fibroblast in the model group. In the APE group, levels of TNF-α and IL-2 were significantly down-regulated and IL-4 and IL-10 significantly up-regulated in contrasted with that of model group. In addition, levels of TGF-ß1 and bFGF in the APE group were significantly induced compared with that of model group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the extracts from Chuanwu (Aconitum Carmichaelii) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) promote wound healing in the rats, which is associated with enhancing anti-inflammatory ability and inducing fibroblast formation.

Role of Eclipta prostrata extract in improving spatial learning and memory deficits in D-galactose-induced aging in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Eclipta prostrata (E. prostrata) extract in improving spatial learning and memory deficits in D-galactose-induced aging in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into five groups, with 10 animals in each group. Aging rats were produced by treatment with 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 of D-galactose for 6 weeks. Rats in the E. prostrata treatment groups received an aqueous extract of E. prostrata orally at a concentration of 50, 100, or 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 3 weeks. Animals in both the normal and model groups were treated with similar volumes of saline. Spatial memory performance was measured using the Morris water maze. The mRNA levels and enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR and spectrophotometry, respectively. The levels of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, rats in the D-galactose-treated model group exhibited significant memory loss. There was severe damage to the hippocampal CA1 area, and expression levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, and GR were significantly decreased in the model group compared with the normal group. In the model group, levels of iNOS and NO were significantly increased compared with the normal group. However, treatment with E. prostrata extract reversed the conditions caused by D-galactose-induced aging, especially in the groups with higher treatment concentrations. Compared with the normal group, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT were significantly lower in the D-galactose-treated model group. In the E. prostrata extract-treated groups, however, there was a dose-dependent upregulation of DA, NE, and 5-HT expression. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that administration of E. prostrata extract can result in an improvement in the learning and memory impairments that are induced by D-galactose treatment in rats. This improvement may be the result of enhanced antioxidative ability, decreased iNOS and NO levels, and the induction of DA, NE, and 5-HT expression in the brain.

Progression and prognostic value of ECT2 in non-small-cell lung cancer and its correlation with PCNA.

PURPOSE: Epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, which is involved in cell division regulation and cell cycle modulation. Recent evidence indicates that ECT2 is overexpressed in many human cancers. However, the exact prognostic value of ECT2 in lung cancer has not been elucidated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the current study, we performed correlation and prognosis analyses using public databases and conducted immunohistochemical staining in tissue microarrays, using samples from 204 lung cancer patients with survival data. RESULTS: We found that the expression of ECT2 was markedly increased in lung cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Moreover, we demonstrated that the expression of ECT2 was related to tumor cell differentiation degree, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A correlation analysis indicated that ECT2 levels were significantly correlated with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels in NSCLC. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that high ECT2 expression was associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in NSCLC patients. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results indicate that the overexpression of ECT2 contributes to tumor invasion and progression, suggesting that ECT2 is a potential prognostic marker for NSCLC patients.