PEG as a spacer arm markedly increases the immunogenicity of meningococcal group Y polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.

Neisseria meningitidis is a life-threatening pathogen that causes meningitis and other clinical manifestations. As a key virulence determinant, meningococcal capsular polysaccharide (PS) can be used to prevent meningococcal diseases. Conjugation of PS to carrier protein can significantly improve the immunogenicity of PS and induce memory response in infants and young children.

A novel sustained-release formulation of recombinant human growth hormone and its pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profiles.

An effective and safe formulation of sustained-release rhGH for two months using poly(monomethoxypolyethylene glycol-co-D,L-lactide) (mPEG-PLA, PELA) microspheres was developed to reduce the frequency of medication. The rhGH-loaded PELA microspheres with a narrow size distribution were successfully prepared by a double emulsion method combined with a premix membrane emulsification technique without any exogenous stabilizing excipients. The narrow size distribution of the microspheres would guarantee repeatable productivity and release behavior.

The effects of long term aerobic exercise on the hemorheology in rats fed with high-fat diet.

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the cardiovascular risk factors sensitive to preventive and control interventions. Here we created a hypercholesterolemia model to investigate the effect of the long term aerobic exercise (swimming) on the hemorheology of rats fed with high-fat diet. We found that the rats fed with high-fat diet developed hypercholesterolmia and hepatic steatosis and their hemorheological and coagulative properties were all impaired as compared to those of the rats fed with standard diet.

Serum IgA against type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor is a novel marker in diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: Antibodies against type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) are involved in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), but the clinical value of them in SS patients has been controversial. The aims of this study were to: (1) establish an improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgA antibodies against M3R; (2) evaluate the value of IgA antibodies against the second extracellular loop of M3R205-220 (c2M3RP) in diagnosis of SS.

Methods: To increase the ELISA sensitivity, c2M3RP was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the glutaraldehyde method and a 96-well microplate was treated by ultraviolet rays before coated.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid restores expression of silenced E-cadherin gene in human breast cancer cell lines and xenografts.

In our study we use nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), the naturally occurring lignan, to investigate whether it plays a role in the prevention and treatment of cancer by epigenetic modifications. The growth inhibitory effect of NDGA on human breast cancer cell lines was determined using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay). It substantially inhibited the growth of human breast cancer cell lines SKBR3 and MDA-MB-435 with an estimated IC50 of 31.

[Effects of oxymatrine on serum levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in HBsAg transgenic mice].

Objective: To explore the effects of oxymatrine on serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in HBsAg transgenic mice.

Methods: HBsAg transgenic mice were divided into oxymatrine group and control group. Each mouse was injected with either oxymatrine 200 mg/kg 0.