Synthesis, estrogenic activity, and anti-osteoporosis effects in ovariectomized rats of resveratrol oligomer derivatives.

Three series of resveratrol oligomer derivatives were synthesized, including the indenone-type, indene-type and octahydropentalene-type derivatives, among which ten derivatives were novel compounds. Compounds 2, 14f, and 4d were confirmed as ERβ agonists by yeast two-hybrid assay, and compound 2 (isopaucifloral F) was further chosen to evaluate its anti-osteoporosis activity in vivo. Compared with the sham-operated and the positive control groups, isopaucifloral F (10 μg/kg) showed a notable anti-osteoporosis effect in the ovariectomized (OVX) female rats based on a micro-CT analysis and the following measurements: bone mineral density, bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation/spacing, and the serum biochemical parameters.

Dose of incorporated immunodominant antigen in recombinant BCG impacts modestly on Th1 immune response and protective efficiency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice.

One approach for improving BCG efficacy is to utilize BCG as vehicle to develop recombinant BCG (rBCG) strains overexpressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) antigens. Also expression level of a candidate antigen should impact the final T cell responses conferred by rBCG.

Design, synthesis, and antibacterial activity of demethylvancomycin analogues against drug-resistant bacteria.

Five novel N-substituted demethylvancomycin derivatives were rationally designed and synthesized by using a structure-based approach. The in vitro antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), gentamicin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (GRE), methicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MRS), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) were evaluated. One of the compounds, N-(6-phenylheptyl)demethylvancomycin (12 a), was found to exhibit more potent antibacterial activity than vancomycin and demethylvancomycin.

Neuroprotective effects of mercaptoethylleonurine and mercaptoethylguanidine analogs on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells.

A series of mercaptoethylleonurine and mercaptoethylguanidine derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their neuroprotective effects toward H2O2-induced apoptosis were investigated in human SH-SY5Y cells. The results from these studies identified several potent compounds, with compound 8k emerging as the most effective.

Icariin delays homocysteine-induced endothelial cellular senescence involving activation of the PI3K/AKT-eNOS signaling pathway.

Context: Homocysteine-induced endothelial cellular senescence may contribute to some cardiovascular disorders. Icariin (ICA), a flavonoid derived from Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. (Berberidaceae), has been reported to increase production of nitric oxide (NO) and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

[Therapeutic effect of ovarian intra-arterial infusion of GE7-delivery system-mediated HSVl-tk/ganciclovir gene therapy in a rat model of malignant ovarian tumor].

Objective: To observe the gene expression of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSVl-tk) in rat malignant ovarian tumor tissues and the therapeutic effect of ganciclovior (GCV) after intra-arterial infusion of HSVl-tk gene therapy mediated by GE7-delivery system.

Methods: A GE7-polylysine/pCMV-HSV1-tk/polylysine-HA20 4-element complex was constructed. Eighteen rats with DMBA-induced ovarian tumor were divided into 3 groups as Atk, ANS and Vtk groups.

Incorporation of immunostimulatory motifs in the transcribed region of a plasmid DNA vaccine enhances Th1 immune responses and therapeutic effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice.

T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune response is involved in the development of protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Thus, an increase in Th1 and cellular immune responses should lead to enhanced anti-mycobacterial activity. In this study, we aimed to improve Th1 immune responses to a DNA vaccine by adding potentially immunostimulatory nucleotide sequences into the transcribed region downstream of the antigen.

[Psychological resilience features of urban migrant children and rural left-behind children in Sichuan province of China].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of resilience of urban migrant children and rural left-behind children of Chinese farmer workers and to figure out the discrepancy between them.

Methods: The samples consisted of 1 391 primary students and middle school students from Chengdu, Guangyuan, Yibin, and Mianyang in Sichuan Province. The revised version of the Healthy Kids Resilience Assessment was used for the measurement of resilience.

[Evaluation of GE7-transferring system-mediated HSV(1)-tk gene transfer in a rat model of ovarian tumor via intra-arterial route].

Objective: To observe the gene and protein expression of herpes simplex virus type I-thymidine kinase (HSV(1)-tk) in the ovarian tumor tissues and other organs after arterial infusion of HSV(1)-tk gene mediated by GE7 delivery system.

Methods: GE7-polylysine/pCMV-HSV(1)-tk/polylysine-HA20 complexes were constructed. Nine rats with induced ovarian tumor were divided into 3 groups, injecting the 4-element complexes or saline buffer through the ovarian artery and complexes through the tail vein, respectively.

Medicated rat serum containing Gengnianchun decoction reduces apoptosis of pheochromocytoma cells insulted by amyloid beta protein.

Objective: To investigate the effects of medicated rat serum containing Gengnianchun (GNC) decoction and its protection to pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) from amyloid beta (Abeta)(25-35)-insulted apoptosis and to find the possible mechanism.

Methods: Medicated rat serum was prepared by administering ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with GNC decoction. The effects of medicated rat serum on viability of PC12 cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay.

An in vitro study on neuroprotective effects of serum containing Gengnianchun decoction and its main monomers against amyloid beta protein-induced cellular toxicity.

Objective: To observe the effects of serum containing Gengnianchun (GNC) decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and its monomers (paeoniflorin, berberine, timosaponin A-III and icariin) on neurotoxicity in PC12 cells induced by amyloid beta-protein (Abeta).

Methods: Injury of PC12 cells was induced by incubating with Abeta(25-35) in vitro. Ovariectomized rats were intragastrically administered with GNC decoction twice daily for 5 days and then sera were obtained.

[Proteomic analysis of plasma membrane of HBV transgene mice livers].

Objective: To study liver plasma membrane (PM) proteins affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV), and to study the molecular mechanism of HBV infection through plasma membrane proteome analysis of transgene mice livers.

Methods: Plasma membrane was purified using second antibody superparamagnetic beads that combine subcellular fractionation and immunoisolation strategies. Western blot was used to verify the purification of plasma membrane and the expression of HBV envelope protein.

[Effect of Gengnianchun Recipe on learning memory function and hippocampal cholinergic system in ovariectomized rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Gengnianchun Recipe (GNC) on learning memory function and its regulatory effect on hippocampal cholinergic system in ovariectomized rats.

Methods: Female rats 10-12 months old were randomized into 5 groups, the sham-operation group, the model group treated with normal saline, the positive control group treated with Nilestriol, and the two GNC groups treated with high and low dose GNC respectively. A little fat around ovary was cut in the sham-operation group.

Effect of Gengnianchun Recipe on bone mineral density, bone biomechanical parameters and serum lipid level in ovariectomized rats.

Objective: To observe the effect of Gengnianchun Recipe (GNC) on bone mineral density (BMD), bone biomechanical parameters and serum lipid level in the bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) rats and to explore the prophylactic and therapeutic action of GNC on ovariectomy induced osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia.

Methods: OVX SD rats, 10 - 12 months old, were divided into different groups and fed with GNC 2 g/d, GNC 1 g/d and Nilestriol 0.125 mg/week, respectively for 4 months to observe the change of BMD and bone biomechanical parameters of the lumbar vertebrae, and the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and to compare the effect of the two drugs on the morphology of the uterus.

Enhanced efficiency and specificity of ovarian cancer gene therapy in rats with a novel nonviral gene delivery system (GE7) via intraovarian artery perfusion approach.

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus type I-thymidine kinase gene, followed by the administration of ganciclovir (HSV1-tk/GCV) into ovarian cancer-derived cell line either in vitro or transplanted into nude mice has been shown to provide a potential strategy for the gene therapy of ovarian cancer. We investigated the antitumor effects of HSV1-tk/GCV strategy with a chemically induced rat ovarian cancer model and a tumor-selective gene delivery by a novel nonviral gene delivery system (GE7) through the ovarian artery and tail vein. We demonstrated the expression of a reporter gene, beta-gal gene, as well as HSV1-tk gene in tumors and other organs, evaluated the overall antitumor effects after the GCV treatment and analyzed the tumor cell cycle phase distribution.

[Study of GE7-transferring system mediated beta-galactosidase gene transfer in a rat model of ovarian tumor by intraarterial route].

Objective: To investigate the efficiency and targeting of the GE7 system mediated gene transfer in the chemically induced ovarian tumor by intraarterial route.

Methods: Animal models were chemically induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). GE7-polylysine/beta-galactosidase (beta-gal)/polylysine-HA20 complexes were constructed.