Protective action of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate against dilated cardiomyopathy in cTnT(R141W) transgenic mice.

Aim: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of heart failure, and pharmacological intervention is not currently available. Here we investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate (TMPP) on the progression of DCM in the cTnT(R141W) transgenic mouse model.

Methods: The cTnT(R141W) transgenic mice aged 2 months were divided into model group and TMPP group, whereas age-matched nontransgenic mice were used as wild-type control.

Responsiveness of stromal fibroblasts to IFN-gamma blocks tumor growth via angiostasis.

The importance of stromal cells for tumor is akin to soil for seed. However, the interaction among these cells is far from understood. In this study, we show that stromal fibroblasts exist not only during tumor progression but also during regression stage, together with immune effector cells.

Construction of cholecystokinin transgenic mouse and its effects on food intake.

Background: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is one of the richest neuropeptides in the mammalian brain, which is mainly distributed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and caudate-putamen. CCK is implicated in a variety of behavioral functions such as food intake, learning, memory, anxiety, pain and neuroprotection. The current research results for CCK are obtained mainly through injection of CCK peptide into the body.

Involvement of MKP-1 and Bcl-2 in acquired cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

Although cisplatin is a very effective anticancer agent against several types of cancer including ovarian cancer, the mechanisms of acquired resistance are not fully understood. By chronically exposing cisplatin to ovarian cancer cell lines, we established two cisplatin-resistant cell lines OV433 and TOV112D. Our results indicate that the mechanisms underlying their cisplatin resistance are distinct.

Direct and negative regulation of the sycO-ypkA-ypoJ operon by cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) in Yersinia pestis.

Background: Pathogenic yersiniae, including Y. pestis, share a type III secretion system (T3SS) that is composed of a secretion machinery, a set of translocation proteins, a control system, and six Yop effector proteins including YpkA and YopJ. The cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), a global regulator, was recently found to regulate the laterally acquired genes (pla and pst) in Y.

miR-34a, a microRNA up-regulated in a double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, inhibits bcl2 translation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding regulatory RNA molecules that modulate protein expression by inhibiting mRNA translation or promoting mRNA degradation. However, little is understood about the roles of miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease. During a research for miRNAs that are differentially expressed in cerebral cortex of APPswe/PSDeltaE9 mice (a model for Alzheimer's disease) and age-matched controls, one candidate miRNA that is relatively highly expressed, miR-34a, was studied further because sequence analysis suggested a likely interaction with the 3'-untranslated region of bcl2 mRNA.

Procyanidins and butanol extract of Cinnamomi Cortex inhibit SARS-CoV infection.

We found that the butanol fraction of Cinnamomi Cortex (CC/Fr.2) showed moderate inhibitory activity in wild-type severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (wtSARS-CoV) and HIV/SARS-CoV S pseudovirus infections. The inhibition on pseudovirus was also seen in cells pretreated with the CC and CC/Fr.

Potassium oxalurate monohydrate.

The title salt, poly[aqua-μ(3)-oxalurato-potassium(I)], [K(C(3)H(3)N(2)O(4))(H(2)O)](n), which was obtained from a water solution of oxaluric acid and KOH at room temperature, crystallizes as potassium and oxalurate ions along with a water mol-ecule. The K(+) cation lies on a crystallographic twofold rotation axis (site symmetry 2, Wyckoff position f), and the water and oxalurate mol-ecules are located within different mirror planes (site symmetry m, Wyckoff position g). The K(+) cation is eight-coordinated by six O atoms of six oxalurate ligands and two O atoms from two water mol-ecules in a distorted square-anti-prismatic geometry.

[Study on the validation of application model on embryonic stem test].

Objective: According trend of differentiation cardiomyocyte of embryonic stem cell,the model of EST has been built and the validation of the model is needed to be tested. It is profit to improve the method of safety evaluation.

Methods: The embryonic stem cell differentiates into cardiomyocyte in different concentrations of Penicillin G,DPH and 5-FU with hanging and suspending culture conditions.

Cold-induced gene expression profiles of Vibrio parahaemolyticus: a time-course analysis.

A whole-genome DNA microarray was constructed to dissect expression profiles of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in response to a sudden temperature downshift from 37 to 10 degrees C. The mRNA level of each gene at each of three time points (20, 40 and 60 min after temperature downshift) was compared with that just before cold treatment. Clustering analysis of time-course data revealed nine gene clusters with different time-dependent expression patterns.

The cyclic AMP receptor protein, CRP, is required for both virulence and expression of the minimal CRP regulon in Yersinia pestis biovar microtus.

The cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) is a bacterial regulator that controls more than 100 promoters, including those involved in catabolite repression. In the present study, a null deletion of the crp gene was constructed for Yersinia pestis bv. microtus strain 201.

[Screening and cloning gene of a hepatocyte protein interacting with HCV NS5ATP4A protein].

Objective: To screen and clone hepatocyte protein interacting with hepatitis C virus NS5ATP4A protein for studying its biological functions.

Methods: Bait plasmids of hepatitis C virus NS5ATP4A were constructed. After verifying that hepatitis C virus NS5ATP4A protein could be steadily expressed in AH109 yeast strain, yeast-two hybrid assay was performed by mating AH109 with Y187 which pre-transformed with liver cDNA library plasmids pACT2, and the diploidy yeast cells were plated on quadruple dropout (QDO) medium and assayed for X-a-gal activity.

Calix[4] open-chain crown ether-modified, vinyl-functionalized hybrid silica monolith for capillary electrochromatography.

A novel calix[4] open-chain crown ether (p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,3-bis(allyloxyethy) ether)-modified, organic-inorganic hybrid silica-based monolithic column possessing vinyl ligands for CEC is described. The monolithic silica matrix containing a vinyl functionality was synthesized by in situ cocondensation of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) via sol-gel process and chemically modified with calix[4] open-chain crown ether by free radical polymerization procedure using alpha, alpha'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. Morphology of the monolithic column was examined by SEM and the successful incorporation of calix[4] open-chain crown ether to the vinyl-hybrid monolith was characterized by infrared (IR) spectra.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 99mTc, Re-monoamine-monoamide conjugated to 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole as potential probes for beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.

The benzothiazole aniline (BTA) conjugated with monoamine-monoamide (MAMA) was synthesized and then labeled with (99m)Tc. Its corresponding rhenium analogue was synthesized, and the fluorescent staining was performed in brain sections of both Tg mouse and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient. The fluorescent rhenium complex Re-MAMA-BTA selectively bound to the amyloid aggregates in the brain sections of both APP Tg mouse and AD patient.

Mice transgenic for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 provide a model for SARS coronavirus infection.

To establish a small animal model of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), we developed a mouse model of human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection by introducing the human gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) (the cellular receptor of SARS-CoV), driven by the mouse ACE2 promoter, into the mouse genome. The hACE2 gene was expressed in lung, heart, kidney, and intestine. We also evaluated the responses of wild-type and transgenic mice to SARS-CoV inoculation.

[Effects of human alpha-mannosidase Man2c1 transgene on growth and metastasis of transplanted tumor in mice].

Objective: To study the effect of human alpha-mannosidase Man2c1 transgene on tumor growth and metastasis in mice.

Methods: Hepatoma cell H22 or squamous epithelial carcinoma cell S180 was subcutaneously inoculated into the right armpit of mice (wild type mice and 28#, 35#, and 54# transgenic mice). Tumor size was measured every week.

[Study on inducing differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocyte in vitro].

Objective: To study the differentiation from embeyonic stem cells into cardiomyocyte.

Methods: Gene alpha/ beta-MHC, a specific gene of cardiomyocyte and another three house-keeping genes were detected by RT-PCR from the ESCs of 0-,2-,4-,6-,8-, 10-,12-,14-,16-,18- and 20 day and ESCs of 0-,3-, 5- and 10 day with specific culture condition.

Results: ESCs started to express alpha/betaMHC gene from 6 day and the levels of alpha/betaMHC increased with culture time.

Mechanistic analysis on the influence of humidity on photocatalytic decomposition of gas-phase chlorobenzene.

The influence of humidity on the decomposition of gas phase chlorobenzene (CB) was studied in a batch photocatalytic reactor using TiO(2) (anatase). Increasing relative humidity (>7% at 25 degrees C and 1atm) resulted in an increasingly detrimental effect on the adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition rate of CB. Mechanistic analysis indicates that the relative hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of a given chemical should dictate adsorption onto or penetration through water to the TiO(2) surface.

[Changes in hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism of different Child-grade patients during orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass].

Objective: To investigate the changes in hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism of different Child-grade patients during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) without veno-venous bypass.

Methods: Forty patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing non veno-venous OLT under general anesthesia were enrolled in this research. Swan-Ganz catheter was placed in the pulmonary artery via right internal jugular vein and right radial artery was cannulated to monitor mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and artery blood pressure (ABP) continuously.

Analysis of the resveratrol-binding protein using phage-displayed random peptide library.

Resveratrol, a plant polyphenol, is found in significant amounts in the skin of grapes and in some traditional herbs. It is reported to exert different biological activities, such as inhibiting lipid peroxidation, scavenging free radicals, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and anticancer activity. In order to screen the resveratrol-binding proteins, we synthesized biotinylated resveratrol, purified by liquid chromatography and immobilized it into streptavidin-coated microplate wells.

Pathways and kinetics on photocatalytic destruction of aqueous phenol.

In this study, the TiO2 photocatalytic decomposition process of aqueous phenol was investigated. The intermediate products generated in the elementary reaction steps in the mineralization process were experimentally identified as hydroquinone, catechol and hydroxyhydroquinone. The concentration variations of these intermediate products with time passage were traced by high performance liquid chromatograph.

HSG cells differentiated by culture on extracellular matrix involves induction of S-adenosylmethione decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase.

The human salivary gland (HSG) epithelial cell line can differentiate when cultured on extracellular matrix preparations. We previously identified >30 genes upregulated by adhesion of HSG cells to extracellular matrix. In the current studies, we examined the role of one of these genes, the polyamine pathway biosynthetic enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAM-DC) and the related enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), on HSG cell differentiation during culture on extracellular matrix.

Aldosterone, through novel signaling proteins, is a fundamental molecular bridge between the genetic defect and the cardiac phenotype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in the young, is characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, and interstitial fibrosis. The genetic basis of HCM is largely known; however, the molecular mediators of cardiac phenotypes are unknown.

Methods And Results: We show myocardial aldosterone and aldosterone synthase mRNA levels were elevated by 4- to 6-fold in humans with HCM, whereas cAMP levels were normal.