Electrodeless conductivity tensor imaging (CTI) using MRI: basic theory and animal experiments

The electrical conductivity is a passive material property primarily determined by concentrations of charge carriers and their mobility. The macroscopic conductivity of a biological tissue at low frequency may exhibit anisotropy related with its structural directionality. When expressed as a tensor and properly quantified, the conductivity tensor can provide diagnostic information of numerous diseases. Imaging conductivity distributions inside the human body requires probing it by externally injecting conduction currents or inducing eddy currents. At low frequency, the Faraday induction is negligible and it has been necessary in most practical cases to inject currents through surface electrodes. Here we report a novel method to reconstruct conductivity tensor images using an MRI scanner without current injection. This electrodeless method of conductivity tensor imaging (CTI) utilizes B1 mapping to recover a high-frequency isotropic conductivity image which is influenced by contents in both extracellular and intracellular spaces. Multi-b diffusion weighted imaging is then utilized to extract the effects of the extracellular space and incorporate its directional structural property. Implementing the novel CTI method in a clinical MRI scanner, we reconstructed in vivo conductivity tensor images of canine brains. Depending on the details of the implementation, it may produce conductivity contrast images for conductivity weighted imaging (CWI). Clinical applications of CTI and CWI may include imaging of tumor, ischemia, inflammation, cirrhosis, and other diseases. CTI can provide patient-specific models for source imaging, transcranial dc stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and electroporation.

Carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism: from mouse to human

Mammalian carboxylesterases hydrolyze a wide range of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds, including lipid esters. Physiological functions of carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in vivo have been demonstrated by genetic manipulations and chemical inhibition in mice, and in vitro through (over)expression, knockdown of expression, and chemical inhibition in a variety of cells. Recent research advances have revealed the relevance of carboxylesterases to metabolic diseases such as obesity and fatty liver disease, suggesting these enzymes might be potential targets for treatment of metabolic disorders. In order to translate pre-clinical studies in cellular and mouse models to humans, differences and similarities of carboxylesterases between mice and human need to be elucidated. This review presents and discusses the research progress in structure and function of mouse and human carboxylesterases, and the role of these enzymes in lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders.

Molecular barriers to direct cardiac reprogramming

Myocardial infarction afflicts close to three quarters of a million Americans annually, resulting in reduced heart function, arrhythmia, and frequently death. Cardiomyocyte death reduces the heart's pump capacity while the deposition of a non-conductive scar incurs the risk of arrhythmia. Direct cardiac reprogramming emerged as a novel technology to simultaneously reduce scar tissue and generate new cardiomyocytes to restore cardiac function. This technology converts endogenous cardiac fibroblasts directly into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells using a variety of cocktails including transcription factors, microRNAs, and small molecules. Although promising, direct cardiac reprogramming is still in its fledging phase, and numerous barriers have to be overcome prior to its clinical application. This review discusses current findings to optimize reprogramming efficiency, including reprogramming factor cocktails and stoichiometry, epigenetic barriers to cell fate reprogramming, incomplete conversion and residual fibroblast identity, requisite growth factors, and environmental cues. Finally, we address the current challenges and future directions for the field.

Cadmium-induced apoptosis of Siberian tiger fibroblasts via disrupted intracellular homeostasis

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals can cause great harm to Siberian tigers in the natural environment. Cadmium (Cd2+) is an environmental contaminant that affects multiple cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. It has been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell types and tissues. RESULTS: We investigated the apoptotic effects of Cd2+ on Siberian tiger fibroblasts in vitro. Our research revealed the typical signs of apoptosis after Cd²+ exposure. Apoptosis was dose- (0-4.8 µM) and duration-dependent (12-48 h), and proliferation was strongly inhibited. Cd²+ increased the activity of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and disrupted calcium homeostasis by causing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. It also increased K+ efflux and altered the mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-8, Fas, and p53. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Cd2+ triggers the apoptosis of Siberian tiger fibroblasts by disturbing intracellular homeostasis. These results will aid in our understanding of the effects of Cd2+ on Siberian tigers and in developing interventions to treat and prevent cadmium poisoning.

Effects of Senegenin against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in PC12 cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and the potential mechanism of Senegenin (Sen) against injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in highly differentiated PC12 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cultured PC12 cells were treated with H/R in the presence or absence of Sen (60 μmol/L). Four groups were included in the experiment: control group, H/R group, H/R+Sen group and Sen group. Cell viability of each group and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture medium were detected for the pharmacological effect of Sen. Hoechst 33258 staining and annexin V/propidium iodide double staining were used to analyze the apoptosis rate. Moreover, mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) were measured by fluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Cleaved caspase-3 and activity of NADPH oxidase (NOX) were determined by colorimetric protease assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sen significantly elevated cell viability (P<0.05), decreased the leakage of LDH (P<0.05) and apoptosis rate (P<0.05) in H/R-injured PC12 cells. Sen maintained the value of △Ψm (P<0.05) and suppressed the activity of caspase-3 (P<0.05). Moreover, Sen reduced ROS accumulation P<0.05) and [Ca(2+)]i increment (P<0.05) by inhibiting the activity of NOX (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sen may exert cytoprotection against H/R injury by decreasing the levels of intracellular ROS and [Ca(2+)]i, thereby suppressing the mitochondrial pathway of cellular apoptosis.</p>

Effects of berberine and cinnamic acid on palmitic acid-induced intracellular triglyceride accumulation in NIT-1 pancreatic β cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of berberine (BBR) and cinnamic acid (CA), the main active components in Jiaotai Pill (, JTP), on palmitic acid (PA)-induced intracellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation in NIT-1 pancreatic β cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cells were incubated in culture medium containing PA (0.25 mmol/L) for 24 h. Then treatments with BBR (10 μmol/L), CA (100 μmol/L) and the combination of BBR and CA (BBR+CA) were performed respectively. Intracellular lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining and TG content was measured by colorimetric assay. The expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein and its downstream lipogenic and fatty acid oxidation genes, including fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC), phosphorylation acetyl-coA carboxylase (pACC), carnitine acyl transferase 1 (CPT-1) and sterol regulating element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) were determined by Western blot or real time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PA induced an obvious lipid accumulation and a significant increase in intracellular TG content in NIT-1 cells. PA also induced a remarkable decrease in AMPK protein expression and its downstream targets such as pACC and CPT-1. Meanwhile, AMPK downstream lipogenic genes including SREBP-1c mRNA, FAS and ACC protein expressions were increased. Treatments with BBR and BBR+CA, superior to CA, significantly reversed the above genes changes in NIT-1 pancreatic β cells. However, the synergistic effect of BBR and CA on intracellular TG content was not observed in the present study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It can be concluded that in vitro, BBR and BBR+CA could inhibit PA-induced lipid accumulation by decreasing lipogenesis and increasing lipid oxidation in NIT-1 pancreatic β cells.</p>

Contexto sociodemográfico de los homicidios en México D.F.: un análisis espacial / Sociodemographic context of homicide in Mexico City: a spatial analysis

OBJETIVO:Investigar el patrón de distribución espacial de la tasa de homicidios y su relación con las características sociodemográficas en las delegaciones de Benito Juárez, Coyoacán y Cuauhtémoc de la Ciudad de México en el año 2010. MÉTODOS: Estudio inferencial de corte transversal que usa métodos de análisis espacial para estudiar la asociación espacial de la tasa de homicidios y las características demográficas. La asociación espacial fue determinada a través del cociente de localización, análisis de regresión múltiple y el uso de la regresión geográficamente ponderada. RESULTADOS: Los homicidios muestran un patrón de localización heterogéneo con altas tasas en zonas con uso del suelo no residencial, con baja densidad de población y baja marginación. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de herramientas de análisis espacial son instrumentos poderosos para el diseño de políticas de seguridad pública preventiva y recreativa que busquen reducir la mortalidad por causas externas como homicidios.

OBJECTIVE:Investigate the spatial distribution pattern of the homicide rate and its relation to sociodemographic features in the Benito Juárez, Coyoacán, and Cuauhtémoc districts of Mexico City in 2010. METHODS: Inferential cross-sectional study that uses spatial analysis methods to study the spatial association of the homicide rate and demographic features. Spatial association was determined through the location quotient, multiple regression analysis, and the use of geographically weighted regression. RESULTS: Homicides show a heterogeneous location pattern with high rates in areas with non-residential land use, low population density, and low marginalization. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial analysis tools are powerful instruments for the design of prevention- and recreation-focused public safety policies that aim to reduce mortality from external causes such as homicides.

Education to a Healthy Lifestyle Improves Symptoms and Cardiovascular Risk Factors – AsuRiesgo Study / Educação para um Estilo de Vida Saudável Melhora Sintomas e Fatores de Risco Cardiovasculares – Estudo AsuRiesgo

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the current leading causes of death and disability globally. Objective: To assess the effects of a basic educational program for cardiovascular prevention in an unselected outpatient population. Methods: All participants received an educational program to change to a healthy lifestyle. Assessments were conducted at study enrollment and during follow-up. Symptoms, habits, ATP III parameters for metabolic syndrome, and American Heart Association’s 2020 parameters of cardiovascular health were assessed. Results: A total of 15,073 participants aged ≥ 18 years entered the study. Data analysis was conducted in 3,009 patients who completed a second assessment. An improvement in weight (from 76.6 ± 15.3 to 76.4 ± 15.3 kg, p = 0.002), dyspnea on exertion NYHA grade II (from 23.4% to 21.0%) and grade III (from 15.8% to 14.0%) and a decrease in the proportion of current active smokers (from 3.6% to 2.9%, p = 0.002) could be documented. The proportion of patients with levels of triglycerides > 150 mg/dL (from 46.3% to 42.4%, p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol > 100 mg/dL (from 69.3% to 65.5%, p < 0.001) improved. A ≥ 20% improvement of AHA 2020 metrics at the level graded as poor was found for smoking (-21.1%), diet (-29.8%), and cholesterol level (-23.6%). A large dropout as a surrogate indicator for low patient adherence was documented throughout the first 5 visits, 80% between the first and second assessments, 55.6% between the second and third assessments, 43.6% between the third and fourth assessments, and 38% between the fourth and fifth assessments. Conclusion: A simple, basic educational program may improve symptoms and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, but shows low patient adherence. .

Fundamentos: As doenças cardiovasculares são, atualmente, as maiores causas de óbito e incapacitação em todo o mundo. Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa educativo básico para prevenção cardiovascular em uma população de pacientes ambulatoriais não selecionados. Métodos: Todos os participantes frequentaram um programa educativo de mudança para um estilo de vida saudável. Foram realizadas avaliações à admissão no estudo e durante o acompanhamento. Foram avaliados sintomas, hábitos, parâmetros do ATP III para síndrome metabólica e parâmetros da American Heart Association 2020 para saúde cardiovascular. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 15.073 participantes com idade ≥ 18 anos. Foi feita a análise de dados dos 3.009 pacientes que completaram a segunda avaliação. Foram documentados perda de peso (de 76,6 ± 15,3 para 76,4 ± 15,3 kg, p = 0,002), melhora da dispneia aos esforços graus II-NYHA (de 23,4% para 21,0%) e III (de 15,8% para 14,0%), e redução na proporção de fumantes ativos atuais (de 3,6% para 2,9%, p = 0,002). Houve melhora na proporção de pacientes com níveis de triglicérides > 150 mg/dL (de 46,3% para 42,4%, p < 0,001) e de colesterol LDL > 100 mg/dL (de 69,3% para 65,5%, p < 0,001). Houve melhora ≥ 20% na métrica AHA 2020 no nível classificado como ruim para tabagismo (-21,1%), alimentação (-29,8%), e nível de colesterol (23,6%). Foi documentada grande evasão como indicador substituto para baixa adesão de paciente nas primeiras 5 consultas, sendo 80% entre a primeira e a segunda avaliação, 55,6% entre a segunda e a terceira, 43,6% entre a terceira e a quarta, e 38% entre a quarta e a quinta. Conclusão: Um programa educativo básico e simples pode melhorar os sintomas e fatores de risco cardiovasculares modificáveis, mas conta com pouca adesão por parte dos pacientes. .

A Higher Angiogenin Expression is Associated With a Nonnuclear Maspin Location in Laryngeal Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: In numerous malignancies, angiogenin (ANG) and Maspin are important proangiogenic and antiangiogenic regulators, respectively. The aim of this study was to identify potential relationships between the biological roles of these two proteins in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for ANG and Maspin was performed on specimens from 76 consecutive LSCC patients treated with surgery alone, considering the subcellular pattern of Maspin expression. Univariate and multivariate statistical models were used for prognostic purposes. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, a different level of ANG expression was seen for patients stratified by subcellular Maspin expression pattern: the mean ANG expression was higher in cases with a nonnuclear MASPIN expression than in those with a nuclear pattern (P=0.002). Disease-free survival (DFS; in months) differed significantly when patients were stratified by N stage (P=0.01). Patients whose Maspin expression was nonnuclear (i.e., it was cytoplasmic or there was none) had a significantly higher recurrence rate (P or =5.0% had a significantly shorter DFS than those with an ANG expression or =5.0% was a significant, independent, negative prognostic factor in terms of DFS (P=0.041). CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that a higher ANG expression is associated with a nonnuclear Maspin expression pattern in patients with LSCC. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between the ANG and Maspin pathways, and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic role in LSCC.

Bucillamine prevents cisplatin-induced ototoxicity through induction of glutathione and antioxidant genes

Bucillamine is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This study investigated the protective effects of bucillamine against cisplatin-induced damage in auditory cells, the organ of Corti from postnatal rats (P2) and adult Balb/C mice. Cisplatin increases the catalytic activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 proteases and the production of free radicals, which were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with bucillamine. Bucillamine induces the intranuclear translocation of Nrf2 and thereby increases the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and glutathione synthetase (GSS), which further induces intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). However, knockdown studies of HO-1 and SOD2 suggest that the protective effect of bucillamine against cisplatin is independent of the enzymatic activity of HO-1 and SOD. Furthermore, pretreatment with bucillamine protects sensory hair cells on organ of Corti explants from cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity concomitantly with inhibition of caspase-3 activation. The auditory-brainstem-evoked response of cisplatin-injected mice shows marked increases in hearing threshold shifts, which was markedly suppressed by pretreatment with bucillamine in vivo. Taken together, bucillamine protects sensory hair cells from cisplatin through a scavenging effect on itself, as well as the induction of intracellular GSH.

Inhibitory effects of 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside on angiotensin II-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), an active component extracted from the root of Polygonum multiflorum, on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and to identify the potential mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell proliferation and cell cycle were determined by cell counting, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression and flow cytometry. Levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mitogenic extracellular kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and Src in VSMCs were measured by Western blot. The expression of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNA were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by fluorescence assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TSG significantly inhibited Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation and arrested cells in the G /S checkpoint (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TSG decreased the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2, MEK1/2 and Src in VSMCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TSG also suppressed c-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNA expression <0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the intracellular ROS was reduced by TSG (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TSG inhibited Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation. Its antiproliferative effect might be associated with down-regulation of intracellular ROS, followed by the suppression of the Src-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signal pathway, and hence, blocking cell cycle progression.</p>

Immobilization and therapeutic passive stretching generate thickening and increase the expression of laminin and dystrophin in skeletal muscle

Extracellular matrix and costamere proteins transmit the concentric, isometric, and eccentric forces produced by active muscle contraction. The expression of these proteins after application of passive tension stimuli to muscle remains unknown. This study investigated the expression of laminin and dystrophin in the soleus muscle of rats immobilized with the right ankle in plantar flexion for 10 days and subsequent remobilization, either by isolated free movement in a cage or associated with passive stretching for up to 10 days. The intensity of the macrophage response was also evaluated. One hundred and twenty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: free for 10 days; immobilized for 10 days; immobilized/free for 1, 3, or 10 days; or immobilized/stretched/free for 1, 3, or 10 days. After the experimental procedures, muscle tissue was processed for immunofluorescence (dystrophin/laminin/CD68) and Western blot analysis (dystrophin/laminin). Immobilization increased the expression of dystrophin and laminin but did not alter the number of macrophages in the muscle. In the stretched muscle groups, there was an increase in dystrophin and the number of macrophages after 3 days compared with the other groups; dystrophin showed a discontinuous labeling pattern, and laminin was found in the intracellular space. The amount of laminin was increased in the muscles treated by immobilization followed by free movement for 10 days. In the initial stages of postimmobilization (1 and 3 days), an exacerbated macrophage response and an increase of dystrophin suggested that the therapeutic stretching technique induced additional stress in the muscle fibers and costameres.

Protective effect of baicalin against rotenone induced injury on PC12 cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the protective effect of baicalin against rotenone-induced injury on PC12 cells, and the po-tential mechanism of action action was also explored.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>PC12 cells were injured by rotenone and were treated with different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 μmol x L(-1)) of baicalin at the same time. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT, and morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The intracellular ROS level was determined by fluorescence microscope with DCF-DA staining. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The viability of PC12 cells exposure to rotenone for 24 hour was gradually decreased with dose escalating and 1.5 μmol x L was adopted to do the following experiment. Baicalin increased cell viability, improved cell morphology and decreased intracellular ROS level. Moreover, FACS indicated baicalin attenuated the apoptosis induced by rotenone significantly. Western blot showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 expression in rotenone-induced PC12 cells was reversed by baicalin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study has demonstrated that baicalin protects PC12 cells against rotenone-induced apoptosis, at least in part, by scavenging excessive ROS and inhibiting the mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic pathway.</p>

Dynamics of interstitial calcium in rat myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in vivo / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Intracellular calcium overload is a key factor for myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (IR). However, there was no report for interstitial calcium concentration dynamics. We investigated the interstitial calcium dynamics in rat myocardial IR model in vivo. A microdialysis system was involved, and the time delay of the system and recovery time was introduced and tested with a fluids switching method. Twelve SD rats were divided into IR or control group. Myocardial IR was induced by ligating (20 min) then releasing (60 min) the suture underlying left anterior descending branch. Mycrodialyisis probe was implanted into the left ventricular myocardium perfusion area for occlusion. Dialysate samples were collected every 10 min. Dialysate calcium concentration was detected with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Recovery time for the microdialysis system was 20 min, and recovery rate was 16%. Dialysate calcium concentration showed no changes during ischemia, descended immediately after reperfusion, reached the lowest level (67% of baseline value) 20 min after reperfusion, then escalated slowly. Recovery time was an important parameter for mycrodialysis technique, and it should not be neglected and needed to be tested. Our data suggest that interstitial calcium concentration in rats with myocardial IR in vivo kept steady in ischemia, descended rapidly at the initial reperfusion, then rebounded slowly. In conclusion, we introduced the concept of recovery time for microdialysis and provided a simple testing method.

Effects of Jianpi Jiedu Recipe on reversion of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance through COX-2 pathway in colorectal cancer / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the underlying mechanism of Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (, JJR) in the reversion of multidrug resistance concerning colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were treated orally with JJR at a daily 4.25 g/(kg·day) or injected with vinblastine (VCR) 2.5 mg/(kg·day) for 3 weeks after having been inoculated with HCT8/V cells; tumor tissues were assayed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Firstly, the effects of JJR on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and COX-2 gene silenced by siRNA. Secondly, the variation of intracellular concentration of oxaliplatin (L-OHP) was evaluated by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS) in HCT8/V and its COX-2 siRNA cells; the concentration of JJR combined with chemotherapeutic drugs and the reverse effect of multidrug resistance (MDR) in HCT8/V cells was evaluated by the MTT assay. Thirdly, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) mRNA and P-gp expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>JJR had an inhibitory effect on the growth of tumors in vivo, and it, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, could reverse the drug-resistance of HCT8/V cells and increase the sensitivity of HCT8/V cells to VCR, DDP, 5-Fu, and THP. ICP-MS results showed that JJR could increase the concentration of drugs in HCT8/V cells (P<0.01). Furthermore, it was shown that JJR could reverse drug resistance of colorectal cancer cells by decreasing MDR1 expression and P-gp level via downregulation of COX-2, which has been represented as one of the major mechanisms that contributes to the MDR phenotype (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JJR reversed multidrug resistance and enhanced the sensitivity to chemotherapy, which could be attributed to the down-regulation of COX-2 in MDR1/P-gp-mediated MDR colorectal cancer after chemotherapy.</p>

Expression analyses of BcUGT3 and BcUGT6, and their in vitro expression in Escherichia coli / 中国中药杂志

The tissue-specific and MeJA-induced transcriptional levels of BcUGT3 and BcUGT6 in Bupleurum chinense were analyzed in the present study. The transcriptional levels of BcUGT3 in root, leaf, flower and fruit were similar and they all were higher than those in stem. The transcriptional level of BcUGT6 was the highest in leaf and the lowest in flower among in all tested tissues. With non-treated adventitious roots as control, BcUGT6's transcriptional levels were elevated to nearly 2 folds for 2 h, 8 h, 24 h, 2 d and 4 d in MeJA-treated adventitious roots of B. chinense. It showed that the transcriptional level of BcUGT6 was slightly affected by MeJA. While, BcUGT3's transcriptional levels were gradually elevated, and till 4 d after MeJA treatment, the expression level was about 7 folds than that of non-treated control. Using pET-28a (+), the expressions of two genes was investigated. Induced by IPTG, the target proteins were expressed in E. coli and then purified. All the results obtained in the present study will be helpful for follow-up bio-function analysis of BcUGT3 and BcUGT6.

Effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and -II on proliferation and intracellular signaling in endometrial carcinoma cells with different expression levels of insulin receptor isoform A / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hyperinsulinemia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II (IGF-II) are associated with increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. Insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A) is more frequently expressed in endometrial carcinoma than in normal endometrial tissues. To better understand their roles in endometrial carcinoma, we investigated the effects of insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II in endometrial carcinomas cells with different IR-A expression levels.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To explore the role of IR-A in mediating the activity of IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin, we investigate the cellular proliferation of endometrial carcinoma cell lines RL95-2 and RL95-2-IR-A by MTS assays. Then we examined the protein kinase Akt phosphorylation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation in both cell lines by Western blotting. The effect of IGF-II and AG1024 on cell cycle progression and apoptosis was assessed by flowcytometry. To examine whether the effects of IGFs were mediated by IR-A, we blocked IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in both cell lines using AG1024, an IGF-IR-specific inhibitor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IGF-I and IGF-II significantly enhanced proliferation of both cell lines (P < 0.05). By contrast, insulin significantly increased proliferation of RL95-2-IR-A cells only (P < 0.05). IGF-I and IGF-II significantly increased pAkt levels in RL95-2 cells and pERK1/2 levels in RL95-2-IR-A cells (all, P < 0.05). Insulin increased pERK1/2 levels in RL95-2-IR-A cells only (P < 0.05). LY294002 and PD98059 inhibited the specific signaling activities and cellular proliferation. After AG1024 pretreatment, neither IGF-I nor IGF-II affected pAkt levels in RL95-2 cells. IGF-II, but not IGF-I, increased pERK1/2 levels in RL95-2-IR-A cells. After AG1024 pretreatment, the proliferation rate and DNA content corresponding to the S phase increased and apoptosis decreased significantly in IGF-II-treated RL95-2-IR-A cells only (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The proliferation effect of insulin is mediated by IR-A. When IR-A dominates in a cell line, IGF-II activated cell proliferation mainly through the ERK1/2 pathway. On the other hand, IGF-II activated cell proliferation mainly through the Akt pathway. IR-A can at least partly mediate the proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of IGF-II through the ERK1/2 pathway.</p>

Paeonol induces vasodilatation in rat mesenteric artery via inhibiting extracellular Ca²⁺ influx and intracellular Ca²⁺ release / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the vasodilative effect of paeonol in rat mesenteric artery and the mechanisms responsible for it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were anaesthetized and sacrificed. The superior mesenteric artery was removed, dissected free of adherent tissue and cut into 2.0 mm long cylindrical segments. Isometric tension of artery rings was recorded by a myograph system in vitro. Concentration-relaxation curves of paeonol (17.8 μ mol/L to 3.16 mmol/L) were recorded on artery rings precontracted by potassium chloride (KCl) and concentration-contraction curves of KCl, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA) or calcium chloride (CaCl2) were recorded in the presence of paeonol (10(-4.5), 10(-3.8), 10(-3.5) mol/L) respectively. And also, concentration-relaxation curves of paeonol were recorded in the presence of different potassium channel inhibitors and propranolol on rings precontracted with KCl respectively. To investigate the role of intracellular Ca(2+) release from Ca(2+) store, the contraction induced by NA (100 μ mol/L) and CaCl2 (2 mmol/L) in Ca(2+) free medium was observed in the presence of paeonol respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Paeonol relaxed artery rings precontracted by KCl in a concentration-dependent manner and the vasodilatation effect was not affected by endothelium denudation. Paeonol significant decreased the maximum contractions (Emax) induced by KCl, CaCl2, NA and 5-HT, as well as Emax induced by NA and CaCl2 in Ca(2+) -free medium, suggesting that paeonol dilated the artery via inhibiting the extracellular Ca(2+) influx mediated by voltage-dependent calcium channel, and receptor-mediated Ca(2+)-influx and release. Moreover, none of glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium, barium chlorded and propranolol affected the paeonol-induced vasodilatation, indicating that the vasodilatation was not contributed to ATP sensitive potassium channel, calcium-activated potassium channel, inwardly rectifying potassium channel, and β-adrenoceptor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Paeonol induces non-endothelium dependent-vasodilatation in rat mesenteric artery via inhibiting voltage-dependent calcium channel-mediated extracellular Ca(2+) influx and receptor-mediated Ca(2+) influx and release.</p>

Aqueous extracts of Ocimum grasstimum inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 expression in airway epithelial cell BEAS-2B / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antiinflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Occimum gratissmium (OGE) with emphasis on expression of proinflammatory cytokines in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated epithelial cell BEAS-2B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Effects of OGE on cell viability were determined by MTT assay. mRNA expression were analyzed by and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR. Activation of kinase cascades was investigated by immunoblot. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OGE (<200 μg/mL) treatment or pretreatment and following LPS exposure slightly affected viability of BEAS-2B cells. Increase of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 and the elevated level of intracellular ROS in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells were diminished by OGE pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner. OGE suppressed inflammatory response-associated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Akt activation. Additionally, OGE pretreatment increased level of cellular inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings indicate that significant suppression of IL-6 and IL-8 expressions in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells by OGE may be attributed to inhibiting activation of MAPKs and Akt and consequently suppressing nuclear translocation of NF-κB.</p>