Population Pharmacokinetics and Initial Dosage Optimization of Tacrolimus in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients.

There is a substantial lack of tacrolimus pharmacokinetic information in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. This study aimed to develop population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) of tacrolimus in pediatric HSCT patients and to devise model-guided dosage regimens. A retrospective analysis was performed on 86 pediatric HSCT patients who received tacrolimus intravenously or orally.

Single cell RNA-seq reveals molecular pathways altered by 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene treatment on pig oocytes.

Oocytes of better quality and developmental competence are highly demanded, which is affected by many intrinsic and external factors, including environmental pollutants. We have previously demonstrated that 7, 12-dimethylbenz [a]anthracene (DMBA) reduces the developmental competence of porcine oocytes, by desynchronizing nuclear and ooplasmic maturation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains obscure.

Selection and Characterization of a Novel DNA Aptamer, Apt-07S Specific to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Background: The efficacy of traditional therapeutic methods for liver cancer is unsatisfying because of the poor targeting, and inefficient drug delivery system. A recent study has proven that aptamers, developed through cell-SELEX, could specifically recognize cancer cells and show great potential in the development of a delivery system for anticancer drugs.

Purpose: To develop a hepatocellular carcinoma specific aptamer using two kinds of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HepG and SMMC-7721, as double targets and a normal hepatocyte, L02, as a negative control cell.

Reduced nucleic acid methylation impairs meiotic maturation and developmental potency of pig oocytes.

Oocyte meiosis is a complex process coordinated by multiple endocrinal and molecular circuits. Recently, N-methyladenosine (mA) epigenetic modification on RNA is revealed to be important for meiotic maturation. However, the molecular mechanism of how mA modification exerts its effect on oocyte maturation is largely unknown.

Heat shock protein 90α couples with the MAPK-signaling pathway to determine meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) functions as a molecular chaperone in its interaction with clients to influence multiple cellular and physiological processes. However, our current understanding on Hsp90's relationship with mammalian oocyte maturation is still very limited. Here, we aimed to investigate Hsp90's effect on pig oocyte meiotic maturation.

Ascorbic acid induces global epigenetic reprogramming to promote meiotic maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes.

L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) can enhance the meiotic maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains obscure. Here we show the role of ascorbic acid in regulating epigenetic status of both nucleic acids and chromatin to promote oocyte maturation and development in pigs. Supplementation of 250 μM L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate sesquimagnesium salt hydrate (AA2P) during in vitro maturation significantly enhanced the nuclear maturation (as indicated by higher rate of first polar body extrusion and increased Bmp15 mRNA level), reduced level of reactive oxygen species, and promoted developmental potency (higher cleavage and blastocyst rates of parthenotes, and decreased Bax and Caspase3 mRNA levels in blastocysts) of pig oocytes.

Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals that cell division cycle 5-like protein is essential for porcine oocyte maturation.

The brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test is used in both basic biological research and assisted reproduction to identify oocytes likely to be developmentally competent. However, the underlying molecular mechanism targeted by the BCB test is still unclear. To explore this question, we first confirmed that BCB-positive porcine oocytes had higher rates of meiotic maturation, better rates of cleavage and development into blastocysts, and lower death rates.

Pentacyclic triterpenes as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors: Structure-activity relationships and the synergism with acarbose.

In this paper, the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by nine pentacyclic triterpenes was determined. For α-amylase inhibitory activity, the IC values of ursolic acid, corosolic acid, and oleanolic acid were 22.6±2.

Dietary intake and risk of rheumatoid arthritis-a cross section multicenter study.

Environmental factors play an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Among these factors, smoking is generally considered to be an established risk factor for RA. Data regarding the impact of diet on risk of RA development is limited.

Development of SSR Markers Linked to Low Hydrocyanic Acid Content in Sorghum-Sudan Grass Hybrid Based on BSA Method.

Sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid containing high hydrocyanic acid content can cause hydrocyanic acid poisoning to the livestock and limit the popularization of this forage crop. Molecular markers associated with low hydrocyanic acid content can speed up the process of identification of genotypes with low hydrocyanic acid content. In the present study, 11 polymorphic SSR primers were screened and used for bulked segregant analysis and single marker analysis.

Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mediates the senescence of mesenchymal stem cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used as seed cells in studies of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine; however, their clinical application is limited due to replicative senescence. It has been demonstrated that telomerase expression extends the lifespan and maintains the bone-forming ability of MSCs; however, the detailed role and the underlying molecular mechanisms in MSCs remain largely unknown. In the present study, we found that senescence was associated with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression, and telomere length and telomerase activity.

[Chemical Constituents in hypoglycemic active fraction of Celastrus orbiculatus leaf].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the hypoglycemic active fraction of Celastrus orbiculatus leaf.

Methods: The constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by IR, MS and NMR.

Results: Seven compounds were isolated from the active fraction of Celastnrus orbiculatus, which identified as kaempferol( 1) ,quercetin(2), kaempferol-7-0-α-L-rhamnoside (3), kaempferol-3,7-di-O-α-L-rhamnoside (4) , quercetin-3-0-β-D-glucoside(5), myricetrin(6) and kaempferol-3-0-rutinoside(7).

Remission of rheumatoid arthritis and potential determinants: a national multi-center cross-sectional survey.

The aim of this study is to investigate the remission rate of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China and identify its potential determinants. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2009 to January 2012. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews of the rheumatology outpatients in 28 tertiary hospitals in China.

A simple method based on laboratory inoculum and field inoculum for evaluating potato resistance to black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani.

A two-step method was developed to evaluate potato resistance to black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Tuber piece inoculum was first conducted in the laboratory, which was also first reported in this study. After inoculation with pathogen discs and culture for 48 h, the necrotic spots on the inoculated potato pieces were generated and measured by the crossing method.

The expression of renal Epstein-Barr virus markers in patients with lupus nephritis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of renal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). A total of 58 renal tissue samples from patients with LN, seven normal renal tissue samples from patients with non-glomerular hematuria and 37 renal tissue samples from patients with minimal change nephropathy were collected. The expression of EBV-latent membrane protein-1 (EBV-LMP1) and EBV-encoded RNA 1 (EBER-1) in the renal tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hybridization (ISH), respectively.

[Inhibition of malignant phenotype of HeLa cells by RNA interference of the telomerase activity].

Objective: To investigate the biology of HeLa cells upon inhibition of human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene by RNA interference in vitro.

Methods: Four shRNAs (A, B, C and D) targeting hTERT gene were designed and prepared by in-vitro transcription. The expression of hTERT gene was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining and telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) ELISA (TRAP-ELISA), after transient transfection of shRNAs by lipid formulation.

[Telomerase activity,PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and cellular biological behavior in HeLa cell line].

Objective: To investigate the telomerase activity and to document biological behaviors of HeLa cells upon treatment with specific PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor, LY294002.

Methods: CCK-8 assay was used to determine IC50 of LY294002. The expressions of total AKT and phosphorylation AKT (P-AKT) were determined using Western blot.

[Biologic characteristics of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultured in vitro].

Objective: To investigate biological characteristics of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) cultured in vitro and to explore their potential applications.

Methods: MSC were isolated from rat bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation and were induced to differentiation. Flow cytometry was used to characterize their surface antigen expression, cell cycle status and cell growth parameters.

[Observation on effect of double filtration plasmapheresis on patients with active rheumatoid arthritis in active stage].

Objective: To investigate the effect of filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) on blood contents of rheumatoid factor (RF), C reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in active stage, and to appraise the therapeutic effect of DFPP on RA.

Methods: The changes in contents of blood RF, CRP, ESR before and after DFPP were compared. The treatment was given for 2-3 times, and the activity of RA and the appearance of filtrate plasma were compared before and after the treatment.

GH-releasing peptides improve cardiac dysfunction and cachexia and suppress stress-related hormones and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with heart failure.

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptides (GHRP), a class of synthetic peptidyl GH secretagogues, have been reported to exert a cardioprotective effect on cardiac ischemia. However, whether GHRP have a beneficial effect on chronic heart failure (CHF) is unclear, and the present work aims to clarify this issue. At 9 wk after pressure-overload CHF was created by abdominal aortic banding in rats, one of four variants of GHRP (GHRP-1, -2, and -6 and hexarelin, 100 mug/kg) or saline was injected subcutaneously twice a day for 3 wk.