PPARγ activation improves the microenvironment of perivascular adipose tissue and attenuates aortic stiffening in obesity.

Background: Obesity-related cardiovascular risk, end points, and mortality are strongly related to arterial stiffening. Current therapeutic approaches for arterial stiffening are not focused on direct targeting within the vessel. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounding the artery has been shown to modulate vascular function and inflammation.

Valproate is protective against 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in rodent midbrain: A potential role of BDNF up-regulation.

Background/purpose: The main purpose of this study was to extend previously reported showing potent neuroprotective effect of valproic acid (VPA) in primary midbrain neuro-glial cultures to investigate whether VPA could protect dopamine (DA) neurons in vivo against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurodegeneration and to determine the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Male adult rats received a daily intraperitoneal injection of VPA or saline for two weeks before and after injection of 5, 10, or 15 μg of 6-OHDA into the brain. All rats were evaluated for motor function by rotarod performance.

Identification of cancer stem-like CD44+ cells in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line.

Background And Aims: Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cells (CSC) may be responsible for tumorigenesis and contribute to some individuals' resistance to cancer therapy. Although research is rapidly advancing in this field, to our knowledge there are few published reports about the CSC in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We undertook this study to separate, expand, and explore the biological features of CD44+ stem-like cancer cells from the human NPC SUNE-1 5-8F cell line.

[The effect of envelope protein mutation on hepatitis B virus assemble].

Objective: To investigate the effect of envelope protein mutation on HBV assembly.

Methods: The envelope protein mutated vectors were constructed by the molecular clone in vitro, and then transfected transiently in the cell HepG2. The expression and secretion of S protein was assay by ELISA.

Endostatin promotes the anabolic program of rabbit chondrocyte.

Endostatin is a natural occurred angiogenesis inhibitor derived from collagenXVIII. So far its function during the angiogenesis process of bone formation and arthropathy has not been well studied yet. The present study addresses the function of endostatin in rabbit articular chondrocytes (RAC).

[Replication and encapsidation of HBV mutants with the truncated C gene].

Objective: To evaluate the replication and encapsidation of HBV mutants with the truncated C gene.

Methods: The HBV mutants with the truncated C gene were constructed by molecular cloning and PCR-based deletion in vitro. The replication and encapsidation of HBV mutants were investigated by Southern blotting, PCR and real-time fluorescence PCR respectively after transfecting the HBV mutants plasmid into HepG2 cells by using liposome.

[The anti-HBV effect and mechanism of C gene truncated mutant in vitro].

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism on HBV replication in C gene truncated mutant.

Methods: Protein expression of C gene truncated vector and wild C gene vector were assay by SDS-PAGE Western blot. Constructed C gene truncated expression vector was cotransfected with wild HBV genome; virus load was detected by PCR in the culture medium and the cell.

[Approach to transforming hepatitis B virus as a gene therapeutic vector].

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a vector in liver-targeting gene therapy.

Methods: A fragment containing the small envelope gene of HBV was replaced with the reporter gene green fluorescent protein (GFP) to construct the recombinant HBV vector, which was transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome. The expression of GFP was observed with fluorescence microscope.