Interferon-γ suppresses the proliferation and migration of human placenta-derived mesenchmal stromal cells and enhances their ability to induce the generation of CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+Treg subset.

We investigate the effects of interferon (IFN)-γ on human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hPMSCs), in particular, their adhesion, proliferation and migration and modulatory effects on the CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+Treg subset. And we compared hPMSCs ability to induce the generation of different Treg subsets in response to treatment with IFN-γ. We found that IFN-γ suppressed the proliferation and migration for hPMSCs. The ability of hPMSCs to induce the generation of CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+Treg subset was enhanced by IFN-γ. And maximal effectiveness of IFN-γ treated hPMSCs upon inducing the generation of Treg subsets was for CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+Treg subset as compared with that of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+, CD8+CD25+Foxp3+, CD4+IL-10+ and CD8+IL-10+Treg subsets. These results have important implications for the development and application of hPMSCs in clinical use.

Investigation of m1/m4 muscarinic receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression disorder.

Abnormal cholinergic neurotransmission has been suggested to occur in psychiatric illness. Therefore, this study investigated cholinergic muscarinic receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression disorder (n=15 per group). We used quantitative autoradiography to measure [(3)H]pirenzepine binding to M1 and M4 receptors. Brain tissue was obtained from the Stanley Foundation Neuropathology Consortium. [(3)H]pirenzepine binding was higher in superficial laminae (I-II) than in deep laminae (III-VI) of the ACC. There was a significant 24% reduction in the density of [(3)H]pirenzepine in the deep laminae and a significant 19% reduction in the upper laminae of the ACC in the schizophrenia group compared to the control group. There were no differences in [(3)H]pirenzepine binding in any laminae of the ACC in the bipolar or major depression groups compared with the control group, except for a trend towards decreased [(3)H]pirenzepine binding in subjects with major depression relative to control subjects. We also detected a significant effect of suicide on [(3)H]pirenzepine binding in the ACC in subjects who died as a result of suicide relative to those who did not, which was more evident in patients with schizophrenia. A significant effect of the onset of the disease was also observed that was more evident in patients with bipolar disorder. The study provides evidence of decreased muscarinic receptor density in the ACC in schizophrenia but no evidence for significant changes in these receptors in the bipolar and major depression groups. The changes observed in schizophrenia may contribute to dysfunctional ACC neural circuits.

Reproductive characteristics and habitat factors of Acanthopanax giraldii / 中国中药杂志

The growth parameters,clonal propagation parameters and sexual reproduction parameters of Acanthopanax giraldii population were systematically investigated and analyzed by means of population ecology in this study. The correlation among the above mentioned parameters and the correlation among canopy density,topography and soil fertility factors were analyzed. It is clear that there was a significant correlation among the clonal ramets,the fruit production capacity of the cluster and the new shoot production capacity of the A. giraldii. Sexual reproduction and clonal reproduction played an important role in the continuation of the population. Illumination was the key ecological factor that determined growth type. The increase in canopy density changed the population from " group clonal growth" to " guerrilla clonal growth",and the higher stand closure degree and low-strength herb layer competition was a necessary condition for seed germination and colonization. Under the background of natural forest protection and sustainable development of resources,the reproductive characteristics of wild A. giraldii resulted in the decrease of its recoverable quantity.

Sensitivity of plasma cholecystokinin and peptide YY in obese and normal weight men

@# Introduction: Cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY) are satiety-stimulating hormones that are released during eating. As such, their levels may be used useful in obesity intervention. The aims of this study were to determine the optimal cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity of plasma CCK and PYY in adult men, in order to determine hormonal dysfunction in obesity. Methods: We investigated 16 obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥25.1)] and 16 normal weight (BMI 18.5–22.9) men. They ate isocaloric fast-food for breakfast. Blood for the determination of the hormones was collected at 0 (before), 30, 60, and 120 minutes after consumption. The data that was obtained were analysed using an independent t-test or the Mann– Whitney U-test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the trapezoidal rule analysis was performed to determine the area under the curve, to determine the optimal cut-off values, sensitivity and specificity. Results: In obese subjects, CCK was lower compared with normal weight subjects at any time (p<0.05). There were no major differences in PYY among subject groups. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the plasma CCK had an optimal cut-off of 6,310 pg/ ml at 120 minutes after eating, with 0.97 area under curve (AUC), sensitivity was 94%, and specificity was 94%. The cut-off for optimal PYY was an average of 294.5 pg/ml at 120 minutes after eating (AUC 0.74; sensitivity 75%; specificity 75%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the plasma CCK level is a better potential predictor of obesity and constantly decreased over time compared to PYY.

Arrangement on antitumor medicinal materials and compound prescriptions of Tibetan medicine / 中草药

Tibetan medicine is an important part of traditional medicine in China, while many of them with antitumor activity still be neglected. Through literature collation and interviews, we sort out 60 kinds of medical materials and six kinds of compound with antitumor and pharmacological activity. The medicinal materials were described by the aspects of Latin name, botanical name, Tibetan name, the traditional efficacy of Tibetan medicine, and anticancer active ingredients and mechanisms. The results found that 60 kinds of medical materials belong to 36 families, and mostly plateau varieties. There are 27 kinds of medicinal herbs directly inhibiting the growth and proliferation of tumor cells in these varieties; 12 kinds of medicinal herbs inducing tumor cell apoptosis; two kinds of medicinal herbs inducing tumor cell differentiation; three kinds of medicinal herbs enhancing organism immunity. In summary, Tibetan medicine has great potential for development of anticancer drugs and offers the possibility of developing new drugs against tumors.

Study on photosynthesis and physiological characteristics of Acanthopanax giraldii on different light intensity / 中国中药杂志

This article is aimed to study the response mechanism of Acanthopanax giraldii on different shading intensity to guide its artificial cultivation. The cultivated A. giraldii in Maoxian was used as the research object, set up different shading treatment groups, analyzed photosynthesis, physiology, submicroscopic structure to explore the response mechanism of A. giraldii to different light intensity. Light was the main influencing factor to photosynthetic rate.During morning and afternoon periods,the Pn of the CK group reduced by stomatal limitation and non stomatal limitation factors respectively. While during 14：30-18：30 period, the Pn of A₁ and A₂ groups reduced by non stomatal limitation factors.LSP, LCP and Rd of A₁ and A₂ groups were significantly lower than those of CK group;The content of SS and SP of A₁ and A₂ groups were lower than those of CK group. The content of Pro of CK group were significantly higher than those of group A₂.The activities of SOD and POD of them was higher than that of CK group,CAT activity of A₁ and POD activity of A₂ were relatively higher In their respective free radical scavenging system. Starch grain increased and base grana declined in the chloropalst of those group CK. The study results indicated that response mechanism of different shading conditions of A. giraldii under field cultivation conditions. Its could effectively adapt to environmental changes of the home cultivation,which provided a reference for ensuring yield and quality.

No changes in densities of cannabinoid receptors in the superior temporal gyrus in schizophrenia / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In recent years, abnormal changes in the endocannabinoid system have been found in schizophrenia. The superior temporal gyrus (STG) is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, particularly with regards to auditory hallucinations. In this study, we investigated the binding density of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the STG of schizophrenia patients compared to control subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Quantitative autoradiography was used to investigate the binding densities of [(3)H]SR141716A (a selective antagonist) and [(3)H]CP-55940 (an agonist) to the CB1 receptors in the STG. Post-mortem brain tissue was obtained from the NSW Tissue Resource Centre (Australia).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Contrasting to previous findings in the alterations of CB1 receptor densities in the prefrontal, anterior and posterior cingulate cortex of schizophrenia, which were suggested to be associated to impairment of cognition function, no significant difference was found between the schizophrenia and control cases in both [(3)H]SR141716A and [(3)H]CP-55940 binding.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We suggest that CB1 receptors in the STG are not involved in the pathology of schizophrenia and the auditory hallucination symptom of this disease.</p>