Terbium promotes adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells via activation of the Smad-dependent TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway.

With its special physical and chemical properties, terbium has been widely used, which has inevitably increased the chance of human exposure to terbium-based compounds. It was reported that terbium mainly deposited in bone after introduction into the human body. Although some studies revealed the effects of terbium on bone cell lines, there have been few reports about the potential effect of terbium on adhesion and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway is involved in cerium-promoted osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

The extensive applications of cerium (Ce) increased the chance of human exposure to Ce and its compounds. It was reported that Ce was mainly deposited in the bone after administration. However, the potential effect and mechanism of Ce on bone metabolism are not well understood.

The dual-effects of LaCl₃ on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells.

A series of experimental methods including 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement, alizarin red S stain and measurement, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis were employed to assess the effects of LaCl₃ on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of a murine preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 at cell and molecular levels. The results indicated that LaCl₃ had dual effects on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. First, LaCl₃ promoted the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells at lower concentrations, then had no effects and further turned to inhibit the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells with increasing concentrations.

The effects of Ce on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro.

The effects of Ce on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function of a murine preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 in vitro were investigated at cell and molecular levels. The results showed that Ce promoted the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function of MC3T3-E1 cells at concentrations of 0.0001, 0.

Comparison of gene expression profiles in BALB/c 3T3 transformed foci exposed to tumor promoting agents.

Identification of specific etiological carcinogens is one of the most important issues in environmental-toxicology studies. In this study, cDNA microarrays were used to analyze gene expression and discern chemical-associated profiles induced by a variety of tumor promoting agents in transformed cells. Two-stage transformation model of BALB/c 3T3 cells was established with MNNG as initiator, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), okadaic acid (OA), or cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) as tumor promoters.

Differentially expressed genes from the glioblastoma cell line SHG-44 treated with all-trans retinoic acid in vitro.

Morphology, immunocytochemistry, growth curve assay, and flow cytometry were used to investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and differentiation of the astrocytoma cell line SHG-44 from glioblastoma multiforme (World Health Organization grade IV). The differentially expressed genes from RA-treated and normal SHG-44 were identified by cDNA microarray after the cell line SHG-44 was treated with 10muM RA for 3 days. Validation of some differentially expressed genes was performed by Northern Blot analysis.

Acrylamide-induced molecular mutation spectra at HPRT locus in human promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 and NB4 cell lines.

Acrylamide (AA) is a compound widely used in many industries around the world. The recent finding that it is formed naturally in foods by heating raises human health concerns. AA is a proven carcinogen in animals and a probable carcinogen in humans, while its mutagenicity detected using in vitro mammalian gene mutation assays is still inconsistent in different cell systems.

[Study on chemical constituents from rhizomes of Actaea asiatica].

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Actaea asiatica in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of its effective components.

Method: Compounds were separated by silica gel chromatography, RP-C18 chromatography and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were established by spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

Result: Six compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract.

Differential expression of genes associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by okadaic acid during the transformation process of BALB/c 3T3 cells.

Okadaic acid (OA) is a tumor promoter in two-stage carcinogenesis experiments. Nevertheless, the effects of OA on cell transformation, cell proliferation and apoptosis vary widely, and the molecular events underlying these effects of OA are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the promoting activity and the associated effects on cell growth and apoptosis mediated by OA in BALB/c 3T3 cells, and evaluated alterations of gene transcriptional expression by microarray analysis.

[Comparison of antioxidative and antitumor activities of six flavonoids from Epimedium koreanum].

Objective: To study the antioxidative and antitumor activities of flavonoids isolated from Epimedium koreanum.

Method: The compounds were separated by column chromatography with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, and identified by spectral a- nalysis (ESI-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) respectively. DPPH radical scavenging assay and MTT assay were used to observe the antioxidative and antitumor abilities.

[Correlation between ITS genotype and geographical distribution of Pogostemon cablin].

To investigate the correlation between genotype and distribution of Pogostemon cablin by sequencing ITS1 and ITS2 genes, and provide molecular information for its germplasm evaluation, ITS1 and ITS2 genes of Pogostemon cablin from different localities were identified by PCR direct sequencing. The sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 genes were 424 bp and 380 bp in length, respectively. And nineteen base substitutions were observed in ITS1 gene, and five in ITS2 gene.

Effect of zinc ion on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mouse primary bone marrow stromal cells and the adipocytic trans-differentiation of mouse primary osteoblasts.

A series of experimental methods including 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement and Oil Red O stain and measurement were employed to assess the effect of zinc ion on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mouse primary bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and the adipogenic trans-differentiation of mouse primary osteoblasts. The results showed that except for individual concentrations of zinc ion there was no effect on the proliferation of MSCs and osteoblasts. Zinc ion inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs at all the concentrations tested.

[Cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells].

Objective: To elucidate the cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside isolated from C. dahurica on HepG2 cells and to find the leading compound for new drug development.

Method: MTT, AO/EB staining observation, flow cytometry and western blot methods were used to study the cytotoxicity, morphological changes, cell cycle distribution and protein expression profile of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells.

Numerical analysis of an electrokinetic double-focusing injection technique for microchip CE.

The injection techniques in electrophoresis microchips play an important role in the sample-handling process, whose characteristics determine the separation performance achieved, and the shape of a sample plug delivered into the separation channel has a great impact on the high-quality separation performance as well. This paper describes a numerical investigation of different electrokinetic injection techniques to deliver a sample plug within electrophoresis microchips. A novel double-focusing injection system is designed and fabricated, which involves four accessory arm channels in which symmetrical focusing potentials are loaded to form a unique parallel electric field distribution in the intersection of injection channel and separation channel.

[Progress in anti-osteoporosis activity of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal plants].

The anti-osteoporosis activity and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal plants were discussed. It is hoped that we can provide some reference for future drug development and introduction of traditional Chinese medicine to world.

Detection of genetic homogeneity of Panax notoginseng cultivars by sequencing nuclear 18S rRNA and plastid matK genes.

The nuclear 18S rRNA and chloroplast MATK genes of 18 samples of Panax notoginseng and its processed material Sanqi (Radix Notoginseng) were analyzed. The two genes, regardless of cultivar origin, were found to be identical to genotype R1 and M1, respectively, of the published sequences (GenBank accession no. D85171 and AB027526).

[Review of bioactivities of natural cycloartane triterpenoids].

Cycloartane triterpenoids, which exist widely in nature, are mainly distributed in Astragalus (Leguminosae) species, Trib. Cimicifuga (Ranunculaceae) and Thalictrium (Ranunculaceae) species and possess various bioactivities. Along with the development of isolation techniques of phytochemistry, more and more this kind of compounds are isolated and identified.

Anti-hepatoma activity and mechanism of ursolic acid and its derivatives isolated from Aralia decaisneana.

Aim: To investigate the anti-tumor activity of ursolic acid (UA) and its derivatives isolated from Aralia decaisneana on hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: In vivo cytotoxicity was first screened by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphological observation, DNA ladder, flow cytometry analysis, Western blot and real time PCR were employed to elucidate the cytotoxic mechanism of UA.

Study of MMLV RT- binding with DNA using surface plasmon resonance biosensor.

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor technique was used to study the binding of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase without RNase H domain (MMLV RT-) with DNA in the absence and in the presence of inhibitors. Different DNA substrates, including single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), DNA template-primer (T-P) duplex and gapped DNA, were immobilized on the biosensor chip surface using streptavidin-biotin, and MMLV RT(-)-DNA binding kinetics were analyzed by different models. MMLV RT-; could bind with ssDNA and the binding was involved in conformation change.

Effect of daidzin, genistin, and glycitin on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and adipocytic transdifferentiation of osteoblasts.

Aim: To examine the effect of daidzin, genistin, and glycitin on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) and the adipogenic transdifferentiation of osteoblasts.

Methods: MTT test, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement, Oil Red O stain and measurement were employed.

Results: Daidzin, genistin, and glycitin 1*10(-8), 5*10(-7), 1*10(-6), 5*10(-6), and 1*10(-5) mol/L all promoted the proliferation of primary mouse bone MSC and osteoblasts.

[Gene expression profiles in early stage of BALB/c 3T3 cells' transformation promoted with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate].

Objective: To elucidate the potential molecular mechanism responsible for the early time of tumor promotion, gene expression profile was studied in the transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

Methods: The two-stage cell transformation model was established by using the initiator of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and promoter of TPA. Cell proliferation was measured by trypan blue staining and cell cycle analysis was carried out by flow cytometry assay.

Pyranocoumarin(+/-)-4'-O-acetyl-3'-O-angeloyl-cis-khellactone induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

The pyranocoumarin (+)-4'-O-acetyl-3 'O-angeloyl-cis-khellactone (PC) isolated from Radix Peucedani (root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn) showed a dose-dependent effect at 10 -30 pg/mL on causing apoptotic DNA and nuclear fragmentations in HL-60 cells. After 24 h of PC treatment there were losses of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c. PC also increased total cellular and mitochondrial Bax protein, stimulated an increase in caspase-dependent Bcl-2 cleavage but showed no effect on Bcl-Xv.

Molecular mechanism of granulocytic differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells induced by all-trans retinoic acid.

Aim: To elucidate the molecular mechanism of granulocytic differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells induced by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA).

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to determine the cell cycle changes of HL-60 cells upon ATRA treatment. Gene expression profiles of HL-60 cells induced by 1 mumol.