Novel selective cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist MJ08 with potent in vivo bioactivity and inverse agonistic effects.

Aim: To characterize the biological profiles of MJ08, a novel selective CB(1) receptor antagonist.

Methods: Radioligand binding assays were performed using rat brain and spleen membrane preparations. CB(1) and CB(2) receptor redistribution and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) assays were performed with IN CELL Analyzer.

No association between the SNPs (rs56134796; rs3824934; rs41302375) in the TRPC6 gene promoter and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in Chinese people.

Purpose: Our aim is to verify the association of three Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (-218A/G, -254C/G, -361A/T) in the promoter of TRPC6 in 168 sporadic cases with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) and 164 controls in Chinese people.

Methods: All participants were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. And the χ(2) value was calculated.

MicroRNA-193b regulates c-Kit proto-oncogene and represses cell proliferation in acute myeloid leukemia.

Mutations and/or overexpression of c-Kit proto-oncogene frequently occur in subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and contribute to abnormal cell proliferation and poor outcomes. We showed that c-Kit expression was subject to post-transcriptional regulation by microRNA (miRNA)-193b. Notably, miR-193b was significantly down-regulated in the examined AML cells and its levels were inversely correlated with c-Kit levels.

α-GalCer administration after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation improves immune reconstitution in mice.

Objective: To explore the effect of α- galactosyleramide( α-GalCer ) on immune reconstitution under acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD).

Methods: BALB/c mice were transplanted wit hallogeneic C57BL/6 bone marrow cells and splenocytes (both 1×10(7))after receiving lethal total-body irradiation. α-GalCer (100 ug/kg) or vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide) was administered intraperitoneally immediately after transplantation.

Degeneration of sensory afferent nerves enhances pulmonary inflammatory alterations in acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Background: Evidence suggests proinflammatory changes in the lungs during acute myocardial infarction and a participation of neural mechanisms and substance P in the pathology. This study was undertaken to investigate the role and the mechanisms by which sensory afferent degeneration at neonatal stages exacerbates the pulmonary inflammatory responses to acute myocardial infarction in the adult rats.

Methods: The degeneration of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves was induced by administration of capsaicin to neonatal rats.

Semaphorin 3A expression in the colon of Hirschsprung disease.

Background: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterized by an absence of intrinsic ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses of the lower colon. The Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) gene is involved in the migration of enteric neural precursors (ENPs). To analyze the function of SEMA3A in HSCR, the SEMA3A expression in different colon segments in HSCR was examined.

Triterpenes and xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia tetralata.

A new compound, 3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane, was isolated from Garcinia tetralata, along with five known compounds, garcinexanthone B, morolic acid acetate, toxyloxanthone A, 6,11-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethylpyrano[3,2-c]xanthen-7(2H)-one, and 1,4-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-xanthone. The structure of the new compound was established by extensive spectroscopic techniques.

[Expression level of miRNA-663 in different leukemic cell lines and its biological function].

The aim of the research was to find the up-regulated microRNA (miRNA) in K562 cells treated by 5-aza, to detect the miRNA expression in healthy people, CML patients and leukemia cell lines and to investigate the influence of miRNA on K562 cell proliferation. Up-regulated miRNA in K562 cells after 5-aza treatment was screened by microarray. The up-regulated miR-638, miR-663 and miR-92b with CpG islands in upstream region were screened by microarray in combination with bioinformatics.

[An international comparison of physician control systems].

This study compares physicians' regulations set by the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Germany which have typical healthcare systems. Physicians' regulations are defined in this study as four aspects: physicians' training and qualifications, career pathways, payment methods and behavior regulations. Strict access rules, practicing with freedom, different training models between general and special practitioners, health services priced by negotiations and regulations by professional organizations are the common features of physicians' regulations in these four western countries.

[Study on the expression and the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the brain of neonatal rats with hypoxia-ischemia brain damage].

Objective: To explore the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 (pERK1/2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in brain and the correlations with cerebral edema after hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD).

Methods: 144 seven-day-old SD rats were randomly dividend into three groups that was the sham operation group, HIBD group and intervention group with anti-MIF. Each group were executed in 1 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d.

Degeneration of capsaicin sensitive sensory nerves enhances myocardial injury in acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Background: Evidence indicated an involvement of afferent nerves in the pathology of acute myocardial infarction. This study was undertaken to clarify the role and mechanisms by which the sensory afferent degeneration exacerbates the myocardial injury in acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Methods: The myocardial injury was assessed by analysis of 1) the differences in the infarct size, myocyte apoptosis, the caspase activity in the myocardium and cardiac troponin I in serum between the denervated and non-denervated rats; 2) the differences in the size of infarctiom with and without antagonisms of endogenous neurokinin 1 receptor or calcitonin gene related peptide receptor in acute myocardial infarction.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 5-[1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-5-halogenated-2-oxoindolin-(3Z)-ylidenemethyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamides.

We report herein the design and synthesis of novel 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]indolin-2-one derivatives based on the structural features of Sunitinib, a known multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and TMP-20, a previously discovered compound with good antitumor activity in our lab. These newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for in vitro activity against five human cancer cell lines and VEGF/bFGF-stimulated HUVECs. Results revealed that all of the target compounds 1a-p show potent antitumor activity, compounds 1e-h (IC(50)'s: 0.

Overexpression of Bmi-1 in uterine cervical cancer: correlation with clinicopathology and prognosis.

Introduction: B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (Bmi-1) is a member of polycomb group, which participates in axial patterning, hematopoiesis, cell cycle regulation, and senescence. Recently, overexpression of Bmi-1 has been reported in various human cancers and proved to be associated with poor survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Bmi-1 protein in human uterine cervical cancer (UCC) and explore its associations with clinicopathological factors and prognosis.

[A recombination event occurring between HLA-A and -A loci from father's HLA haplotype chromosome].

This study was aimed investigate the recombination event occurring between HLA-A and-A loci discovered from father's HLA haplotype chromosome in a family. Peripheral blood samples were collected from a family. HLA class I (-A, -B, and -Cw) and II (-DRB1 and -DQB1) alleles were amplified and typed by both low and high resolution PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) and sequence-based typing (SBT).

[Significance of methylation status of zo-1 gene in differential diagnosis for myelodysplastic syndrome].

It is hard to discriminate myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS) from many benign hematological diseases. To identify the methylation status of zo-1 gene in MDS, the methylation specific PCR (MS-PCR) and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) were applied to detect the MDS cell line MUTZ-1, bone marrow of a healthy donor and an aplastic anemia patient. MS-PCR was also employed to detect the bone marrow of 72 patients with benign hematological diseases, 35 MDS-RA patients, and 20 MDS-like patients.

RNA interference of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 increases HLA class I antigen expression in HaCaT-E7 cells.

Background: High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the major causative agents of cervical cancer. The E7 protein of high-risk HPV disturbs cell cycle control and down-regulates components of the antigen presentation pathway, suggesting an ideal target for development of the immunotherapy in HPV-positive cervical cancers. We previously reported that HPV16 E7 could down-regulate cell-surface HLA class I antigen accompanying decreased expression of transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP-1).

[HOXA9 is direct target of miR-196a].

Aim: To analyze the possible epigenetic regulation mechanism of HOXA9 gene expression and find the possible microRNA regulating HOXA9 gene expression.

Methods: Targetscan software was used to analyze potential microRNA target sites in 3'-UTR of human HOXA9. 3'-UTR fragment of HOXA9 was amplified by PCR.

Synthesis, DNA-binding and topoisomerase inhibitory activity of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes.

Two ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(bfipH)](2+) (1) and [Ru(phen)(2)(bfipH)](2+) (2) have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding behaviors of complexes were studied by using spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results suggested that the two complexes bind to DNA in an intercalative mode.

Estradiol pretreatment attenuated nicotine-induced endothelial cell apoptosis via estradiol functional membrane receptor.

Cigarette smoking is highly associated with increased cardiovascular disease complications. The female population, however, manifests reduced cardiovascular morbidity. We define nicotine's effect upon human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), determine whether estradiol might ameliorate endothelial dysfunction via its membrane estrogen receptor (mER), and attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Implication of Substance P in myocardial contractile function during ischemia in rats.

Evidence suggests that substance P (SP) participates in the pathology of acute myocardial ischemia and infarction but the profiles of the peptide in regulation of cardiac functions are still elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of substance P in regulation of cardiac functions and its association with adrenergic mechanism in acute myocardial ischemia and infarction with rodent models. The experiments were carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats.

[The prevalence of HIV infection and the risk factors among MSM in 4 cities, China].

Objectives: To access the prevalence of HIV infection and the associated factors among urban MSM in China.

Methods: Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling and snowball sampling method in Beijing, Harbin, Zhengzhou and Chengdu city. A face-to-face questionnaire was administrated to collect relevant demographic and ethological data; 5 ml venous blood sample was taken from each subject to measure HIV antibody in serum (samples were first screened by colloidal gold, latex chromatographic and double-antigen sandwich ELISA method, positive samples were further confirmed by immunoblotting method).

[Effects of azidothymidine on p33ING1b expression, apoptosis and senescence of TJ905 human glioblastoma cell line].

Objectives: To investigate the pharmacological effects of azidothymidine (AZT) on p33ING1b expression, senescence and apoptosis of TJ905 glioblastoma cells.

Methods: TJ905 cells were treated with AZT at a serial concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 µmol/L. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and cytochemical staining of senescence related-galactosidase (sβ-Gal) were used to evaluate the expression of p33ING1b mRNA and to label the senescent cells at the 1st, 3rd and 6th generations, respectively.

[Targeted regulation of mll-af4 fusion gene by miR-142-3p].

In order to analyze the possible epigenetic regulation mechanism of mll-af4 gene expression and find the possible microRNA regulating mll-af4 gene expression, targetscan software was used to analyze potential microRNA target sites in 3'-UTR of mll-af4. 3'-UTR fragment of mll-af4 was amplified by PCR. PCR products were cloned into EcoR I/Pst I-digested pGL3-M reporter vector, placing the 3'-UTR with potential microRNA binding site downstream of coding sequence of luciferase.