Mechanism of action of Shaoyao-Gancao decoction in relieving chronic inflammatory pain via Sema3G protein regulation in the dorsal root ganglion.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of Shaoyao-Gancao decoction (SGD) on proteins with significant changes in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in rats and to explore the role of the Semaphorin 3G (Sema3G) protein in the DRG and its downstream factors, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CC-motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2), in the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain (CIP). Methods: We created a CIP rat model using 100 µL of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) that was injected into the left posterior plantar of rats. Then, we administered SGD intragastrically. We tested the animals for behavioral changes and protein expression levels in DRG pre- and post-drug intervention. Results: Rats in the SGD group showed significantly increased paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), paw withdrawal latency (PWL), and relative expression levels of the Sema3G protein in the DRG (all P < 0.05), while the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and CCL2 in the DRG of the rats were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when compared with the model group. Conclusion: In this study, we found that Shaoyao-Gancao decoction was effective in improving the PWT and PWL of rats with CIP. It reduced CIP by upregulating the expression of Sema3G in the DRG and inhibiting the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and CCL2.

[Pharmacoeconomic evaluation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct pharmacoeconomic evaluations for the two therapies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: An expert survey was conducted on the cost and effectiveness of two RA therapies of methotrexate (MTX) alone and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α receptor II:IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) plus MTX, followed by simulation estimates, and cost-effectiveness analysis on the basis of pharmacoeconomic Markov model. RESULTS: MTX alone and rhTNFR:Fc plus MTX cost RMB 1422 Yuan and RMB13 000 Yuan respectively per treatment cycle (3 months). Five-year Markov model showed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of rhTNFR:Fc plus MTX was RMB 99 662 Yuan per QALY when compared with MTX alone. And it was lower than the threshold of willingness to pay. CONCLUSION: The patients with RA on the combined treatment of rhTNFR:Fc and MTX may have potential long-run economic advantage over those on the treatment of MTX alone.

Amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain-dependent regulation of FOXO3a inhibits adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) is a metabolic by-product of APP produced through sequential proteolytic cleavage by α-, ß-, and γ-secretases. The interaction between AICD and Fe65 has been reported to impair adult neurogenesis in vivo. However, the exact role of AICD in mediating neural stem cell fate remains unclear. To identify the role of AICD in neuronal proliferation and differentiation, as well as to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of AICD in neurogenesis, we first generated a mouse model expressing the Rosa26-based AICD transgene. AICD overexpression did not alter the spatiotemporal expression pattern of full-length APP or accumulation of its metabolites. In addition, AICD decreased the newly generated neural progenitor cell (NPC) pool, inhibited the proliferation and differentiation efficiency of NPCs, and increased cell death both in vitro and in vivo. Given that abnormal neurogenesis is often associated with depression-like behavior in adult mice, we conducted a forced swim test and tail suspension test with AICD mice and found a depression-like behavioral phenotype in AICD transgenic mice. Moreover, AICD stimulated FOXO3a transcriptional activation, which in turn negatively regulated AICD. In addition, functional loss of FOXO3a in NPCs derived from the hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult AICD transgenic mice rescued neurogenesis defects. AICD also increased the mRNA expression of FOXO3a target genes related to neurogenesis and cell death. These results suggest that FOXO3a is the functional target of AICD in neurogenesis regulation. Our study reveals the role of AICD in mediating neural stem cell fate to maintain homeostasis during brain development via interaction with FOXO3a.

Expression of glutamate receptors and calcium-binding proteins in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of glutamate receptors and calcium-binding proteins in 1- and 4-month/s (mo) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Upregulation of glutamate receptors' [N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)1 and GluR2/3] immunoreactivities was observed in the ganglion, amacrine and bipolar cells as well as in the inner and outer plexiform layers (IPL and OPL) in 1 mo diabetes and was further enhanced at 4 mo. Immunoreactivity of calcium-binding proteins (calbindin and parvalbumin) was also concomitantly increased. The present results suggest that upregulation of glutamate receptors and calcium-binding proteins may reflect changes of the glutamate and calcium metabolism in the diabetic retina. It is speculated that the above changes in the IPL and OPL may be linked to alteration of synaptic transmission in the diabetic retina.

[Influence of moxibustion with different duration on colonic epithelial structure, serum inflammatory cytokines, and intestinal mucosa inflammatory cell signal transduction pathways].

UNLABELLED: [ OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion at different duration on colonic mucosal morphological chan-ObjectiveTo observe the effect of moxibustion at different duration on colonic mucosal morphological changes, serum and colonic cytokine levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to provide experimental evidence for clinical treat-ges, serum and colonic cytokine levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to provide experimental evidence for clinical treatment of UC. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, UC model, 3 cones-moxibustion (3-cones-M), 6-SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, UC model, 3 cones-moxibustion (3-cones-M), 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups, with 6 rats in each group. UC model was established by intra-rectal injection of mixture solution ofcones-M and 9-cones-M groups, with 6 rats in each group. UC model was established by intra-rectal injection of mixture solution of 5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg) and 50% alcohol (1 1) under anesthesia and oral administration of 5%5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg) and 50% alcohol (1 : 1) under anesthesia and oral administration of 5% dextran sodium sulfate. Moxibustion (ignited moxa cones) was applied to "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Daheng" (SP 15), once daily indextran sodium sulfate. Moxibustion (ignited moxa cones) was applied to "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Daheng" (SP 15), once daily in the first 7 days, and once every other day in the subsequent 14 days. Serum IL-8 and IL- 10 contents were assayed by ELISA andthe first 7 days, and once every other day in the subsequent 14 days. Serum IL-8 and IL-10 contents were assayed by ELISA and colonic toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) and nuclear factor-icB p 65 (NE-KB p 65) protein expression levels detected by Western blot.colonic toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) and nuclear factor-mB p 65 (NF-mB p 65) protein expression levels detected by Western blot. The colonic mucosal structure was observed by light microscope after H. E. staining, and by electron microscope, respectively.The colonic mucosal structure was observed by light microscope after H. E. staining, and by electron microscope, respectively. RESULTS: In comparison with the blank control group, the Disease Activity Index (DAI), serum IL-8 content, colonic TLR-9 andResults - In comparison with the blank control group, the Disease Activity Index (DAI), serum IL-8 content, colonic TLR-9 and NE-KB p 65 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group ( P<0. 05), and serum IL-la content wasNF-mB p 65 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group ( P < 0.05), and serum IL-10 content was notably decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). While in comparison with the model group, the DAI, serum IL-8 content, co-notably decreased in the model group (P<0.05). While in comparison with the model group, the DAI, serum IL-8 content, coIonic TLR-9 and NE-kappaB p 65 protein expression levels in the 3-cones-M, 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups were remarkably down-lonic TLR-9 and NF-mB p 65 protein expression levels in the 3-cones-M. 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups were remarkably down- regulated (P < 0.05), and serum IL-10 contents considerably up-regulated in the three moxibustion groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the three moxibustion groups in the DAI (P > 0.05). The serum IL-8 contents were significantly lower and serum IL-10 contents were considerably higher in the 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups than in the 3-cones-M group (P < 0.05). The changes of colonic TLR-9 and NF-kappaB p 65 protein expression were more remarkable in the 9-cones-M group than in the 3-cones-M and 6-cones-M groups (P < 0.05). Results of H.E. staining and electron microscopy showed that in the model group, mucosal injury, partial disorganization of the glandular organ, edema and congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration, mucosal epithelial microvili injury with disordered arrangement, etc. under light microscope, and local mucosal defect, apoptotic bodies and mucolysis under electron microscope were found, these situations were obviously lighter in rats of the three moxibustion groups, particularly in the 9-cones-M group. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion intervention can relieve colonic mucosal injury in UC mice, which may be closely associated with its effects in suppressing serum proinflammatory cytokine IL-8, up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level, and inhibiting colonic NF- KB p 65 and TLR-9 protein expression, and the effects of longer duration of moxibustion are better.

Effect of aniline on cadmium adsorption by sulfanilic acid-grafted magnetic graphene oxide sheets.

Cd(II) has posed severe health risks worldwide. To remove this contaminant from aqueous solution, the sulfanilic acid-grafted magnetic graphene oxide sheets (MGOs/SA) were prepared and characterized. The mutual effects of Cd(II) and aniline adsorption on MGOs/SA were studied. The effects of operating parameters such as pH, ionic strength, contact time and temperature on the Cd(II) enrichment, as well as the adsorption kinetics and isotherm were also investigated. The results demonstrated that MGOs/SA could effectively remove Cd(II) and aniline from the aqueous solution and the two adsorption processes were strongly dependent on solution pH. The Cd(II) adsorption was reduced by the presence of aniline at pH<5.4 but was improved at pH>5.4. The presence of Cd(II) diminished the adsorption capacity for aniline at pH<7.8 but enhanced the aniline adsorption at pH>7.8. The decontamination of Cd(II) by MGOs/SA was influenced by ionic strength. Besides, the adsorption process could be well described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion study revealed that the intraparticle diffusion was not the only rate-limiting step for the adsorption process. Moreover, the experimental data of isotherm followed the Freundlich isotherm model.

Fetomaternal microchimerism: Some answers and many new questions.

The transfer of fetal cells into mothers during pregnancy and their organ specific integration is a well recognized phenomenon in placental vertebrates. Recently, it has been reported that some fetal cells found in the mothers have progenitor cell-like features such as multilineage differentiation potential and as a consequence they were termed pregnancy associated progenitor cells (PAPC). The multilineage differentiation potential suggested some level of cellular plasticity, which these cells share with other stem or progenitor cells. In this context, we have shown that PAPCs indeed express neural stem cell and markers for developing neurons in the brain and that PAPCs morphologically mature into neurons over time. The stem/progenitor properties of PAPCs raises the hope that they might be valuable for studying the functional integration of foreign cells into preexisting tissues and organs, for example in cellular therapies. The functional integration of transplanted cells and their connectivity to the host circuitry is still a major bottleneck in cellular therapies particularly for the brain. The animal models of fetomaternal microchimerism might provide valuable insights into the mechanism how cells survive, migrate, integrate and differentiate in a foreign environment of a host. This review discusses some of the recent findings in the field of fetomaternal microchimerism. It also tries to identify some major gaps of knowledge and raises some questions resulting from the recent advances. Studying fetomaternal microchimerism and the properties of PAPCs in greater detail might pave the way to advance cell based regenerative medicine as well as transplantation medicine.

Adsorption of chromium (VI) by ethylenediamine-modified cross-linked magnetic chitosan resin: isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics.

The adsorption of chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solution by ethylenediamine-modified cross-linked magnetic chitosan resin (EMCMCR) was studied in a batch adsorption system. Chromium (VI) removal is pH dependent and the optimum adsorption was observed at pH 2.0. The adsorption rate was extremely fast and the equilibrium was established within 6-10min. The adsorption data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir and Temkin model. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir model are 51.813mgg(-1), 48.780mgg(-1) and 45.872mgg(-1) at 293, 303 and 313K, respectively. The adsorption process could be described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion study revealed that film diffusion might be involved in the present case. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the feasibility, spontaneity and exothermic nature of adsorption. The sorbents were successfully regenerated using 0.1N NaOH solutions.

Pregnancy-associated progenitor cells differentiate and mature into neurons in the maternal brain.

Bidirectional cell trafficking between fetus and mother during pregnancy is a well-established phenomenon observed in placental vertebrates including humans. Although studies have shown that transmigratory fetal cells, also termed pregnancy-associated progenitor cells (PAPCs), can integrate into multiple maternal organs, the integration, long-term survival, and differentiation of PAPCs in the brain has not been extensively studied. Using a murine model of fetomaternal microchimerism, we show that PAPCs integrated and persisted in several areas of the maternal brain for up to 7 months postpartum. Besides expressing neural stem cell or immature neuronal markers, PAPCs were observed to express mature neuronal markers, indicating that PAPCs adopted a neuronal fate. Further, PAPCs also displayed morphologically neuronal maturation by an increasing axonal/dendritic complexity over time. Therefore, PAPCs seem to undergo a molecular and morphological maturation program similar to that observed during adult neurogenesis. We provide evidence that neuronal gene expression of PAPCs was not a consequence of cell fusion with maternal neurons. In addition, in mothers with experimentally induced Parkinson's disease (PD), the frequency of PAPCs within the hippocampus initially increased whereas long-term presence of PAPCs was compromised. Also, the spatial distribution of PAPCs within the hippocampus was altered in mothers with PD. Thus, the disease context influenced the initial attraction, long-term survival, and spatial distribution of PAPCs, which may have wider implications on cell replacement strategies in human neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.

Monozygotic quadruplets after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

A unique case is reported of a quadruple gestation (monochorionic quadramniotic quadruplets) after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the transfer of two embryos. On the ninth week of pregnancy, a transvaginal sonogram revealed that there was no heart beat in any of the fetuses. Uterine curettage was then performed. The fetal karyotype was 46, XX, inv (9) (p11q13).