Cardiotrophin-1 induces tumor necrosis factor alpha synthesis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with elevated concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) and altered peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) function. Therefore, we tested whether CT-1 induces TNFalpha in PBMC of healthy volunteers. CT-1 induced in PBMC TNFalpha protein in the supernatant and TNFalpha mRNA in a concentration- and time-dependent manner determined by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively.

Isoliquiritigenin induces monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.

It has been proven that isoliquiritigenin could inhibit the proliferation of some kinds of cancer cell lines and has a strong antioxidative activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the antioxidant isoliquiritigenin affects the proliferation and redifferentiation in HL-60 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric method and trypan blue staining were used to measure cell proliferentiation and survival.

A newly synthetic chromium complex-chromium (D-phenylalanine)3 activates AMP-activated protein kinase and stimulates glucose transport.

We synthesized the chromium (phenylalanine)(3) [Cr(D-phe)(3)] by chelating chromium(III) with D-phenylalanine ligand in aqueous solution to improve the bioavailability of chromium, and reported that Cr(D-phe)(3) improved insulin sensitivity. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key mediator for glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. To address the molecular mechanisms by which Cr(d-phe)(3) increases insulin sensitivity, we investigated whether Cr(D-phe)(3) stimulates glucose uptake via activation of AMPK signaling pathway.

Cerebral vascular resistance and left ventricular myocardial performance in fetuses with Ebstein's anomaly.

We sought to determine whether cerebral vascular resistance and left ventricular myocardial performance (LVTei) are abnormal in fetuses with Ebstein's anomaly. The pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery (MCAPI) and umbilical artery (UAPI), LVTei, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and fetal cardiovascular profile score in 11 fetuses with Ebstein's anomaly were evaluated by fetal echocardiography. MCAPI/UAPI values were calculated for the Ebstein's anomaly group.

Narrowband high-reflection filters with wide and low-reflection sidebands.

Narrowband high-reflection filters with the structure sub|H(LH)(m1)alpha L(HL)(m2)Cr(beta)M|air are proposed. The effects of the Cr layer and the matching stack consisting of dielectric multilayer on the reflection characteristics of the filters are analyzed. The distribution of the internal electric field and the optical absorption is also calculated.

Adenovirus vectors differentially modulate proliferation of pituitary lactotrophs in primary culture in a mitogen and infection time-dependent manner.

Adenoviruses are powerful, widely utilized vectors for gene transfer. Limitations to their application, however, have not been well described. We used rat pituitary lactotrophs in primary culture as a model for studying how adenovirus vector infection modulates mitogen-induced proliferation and the activities of mitogen signaling pathways.

[Study on rules of TCM syndrome in patients with dyslipidemia and its objectization].

Objective: To explore the rules of TCM syndrome in patients with dyslipidemia and its relation with C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), carotid ultrasonic picture, blood lipids and blood viscosity.

Methods: From 152 recruited patients symptoms and physical signs (including figures of tongue and pulse) were selected and analyzed in grading and quantifying by factor analysis. At the same time, blood lipids, CRP, Hcy, carotid ultrasonic picture and blood viscosity were detected to conduct a canonical correlation analysis for exploring the relationship between different TCM syndromes and their corresponding physical and/or chemical indexes.

[Analysis of the mutation of BRCA1 gene in 70 Uigur women breast cancer patients in Xinjiang].

Objective: To analyze the mutations of BRCA1 in breast cancer patients of Uigur women in Xinjiang.

Methods: By using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing, BRCA1 mutations were detected in 70 Uigur women breast cancer cases and 32 cases of benign breast diseases and non-tumor tissue next to carcinoma.

Results: (1) 12 new loci of BRCA1 gene mutation were detected firstly in 70 Uigur women breast cancer patients.

[Intermediate-conductance-Ca2+-activated K+ channels are overexpressed in endometrial cancer and involved in regulating proliferation of endometrial cancer cells].

Objective: To study the expression of intermediate-conductance-Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (IKCa1) channels in endometrial cancer and its role in regulating proliferation of endometrial cancer cells.

Methods: Western blot and RT-PCR were used to examine the expression of IKCa1 channels in 13 normal endometrial specimens and 25 endometrial cancer specimens; and RNA interference (RNAi), [(3)H] thymidine incorporation, and inhibitor of IKCa1 channel were used to explore the role of IKCa1 channels in regulation of proliferation of endometrial cancer cells HEC-1A.

Results: The expression rate and level of IKCa1 mRNA in endometrial carcinoma (84%, 0.

Effects of thalidomide in experimental models of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and related systemic complications. The authors hypothesized that it may also play an important role in the development of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thalidomide, an immunomodulator that exerts an inhibitory action on TNF-alpha by enhancing mRNA degradation, in reducing post-ERCP pancreatitis in a rat model.

Heroin-administered mice involved in oxidative stress and exogenous antioxidant-alleviated withdrawal syndrome.

Heroin has been shown to elevate dopamine (DA) level. It is well known that an increase in DA oxidative metabolism leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and thus, ROS have been frequently associated with neuronal cell death due to damage to carbohydrates, amino acids, phospholipids, and nucleic acids. This study investigated whether there are oxidative stress and effects of exogenous antioxidants in heroin-administered mice.

Ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.

Ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol, one of metabolites of ginseng saponins, has been well characterized to possess the pleiotropic anticancer capabilities in several cancer cell lines. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol on the invasion in vitro and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells in absence of cytotoxicity. Our results showed that ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol exerted a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HT1080 cells (IC50 was 76.

Ginsenoside Rh(2) enhances antitumour activity and decreases genotoxic effect of cyclophosphamide.

Ginsenoside Rh(2), a panaxadiol saponins, possesses various antitumour properties. Cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent, has been shown to possess various genotoxic and carcinogenic effects, however, it is still used extensively as an antitumour agent and immunosuppressant in the clinic. Previous reports reveal that cyclophosphamide is involved in some secondary neoplasms.

[Protective effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A on experimental cerebral ischemia in rats].

Aim: To investigate the protective effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a soluble element extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L., on focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Methods: Focal cerebral ischemia in male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

[Alkaline-degradation products of ginsenosides from leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium].

Aim: To study the alkaline-degradation products of ginsenosides from leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L.

Methods: Isolation and purification were carried out on silica gel and HPLC; the structures of chemical constituents were elucidated by spectral analysis.

Results: From the alkaline-degradation products, nine compounds were identified as: 20 (S) -protopanaxadiol (I), 20 (S) -dammar-25 (26)-ene-3beta, 12beta, 20-triol (II), 24 (R) -ocotillol (III), 20 (S) -protopanaxatriol (IV), 20 (S) -dammar-25 (26)-ene-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta, 20-tetrol (V), dammar-20 (21), 24-diene-3beta, 12beta-diol (VI), dammar-20(21), 24-diene-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta-triol (VII), 20 (S), 24 (S) -dammar-25 (26) -ene-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta, 20, 24-pentanol (VIII), 20 (S) -dammar-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta, 20-tetrol (IX).

[Study on tissue culture and plant regeneration of Nervilia fordii].

Objective: Tissue culture of Nervilia fordii to get its regeneration.

Method: Effects on indusement of rhizoma and plant regeneration of different implants, density of hormones, additives were studied.

Result: The best implant was conn.

[Microflora on mucosa under different pontics of fixed partial bridge].

Objective: To investigate the influence of three pontic types on alveolar ridge mucosal microecosystem.

Methods: Sixty patients ready to accept three unit metal ceramic bridges were selected. The bacterial type and the cultivable flora were counted and the proportions of bacteria detected on the top of alveolar ridge mucosal contact area before tooth preparation and three months after bridge insertion.

Histone hypoacetylation is involved in 1,10-phenanthroline-Cu2+-induced human hepatoma cell apoptosis.

The 1,10-orthophenanthroline (OP)-Cu(2+) combination, one generally used reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation system, is known to induce cell apoptosis, but the mechanism of ROS generation in this process remains unclear. Here we found that in the presence of 5 microM Cu(2+), OP inhibited histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, resulting in decreased acetylation in both histone H3 and H4. This inhibition of histone acetylation and HAT activity was significantly attenuated by preventing or scavenging ROS generation with the Cu(2+) chelator of bathocuproine disulfonate, or the antioxidants of N-acetyl-cysteine and mannitol, respectively, indicating the involvement of ROS generation in OP-Cu(2+) -induced histone hypoacetylation.

[Investigation on the gene expression pattern in cervical squamous cell carcinoma of uygur].

Objective: To investigate the differentially expressed gene in cervical squamous cell carcinoma of uygur and normal cervical tissue using gene chip.

Method: Gene chips containing 2,048 human genes were used to investigate the gene expression pattern of 3 samples of cervical cancer.

Result: By applying this gene chip we identified 64 differentially expressed genes in all 3 clinical cervical cancer samples, and we further identified 53 upregulated and 11 downregulated genes for functional analysis.

Neuroprotective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Previous work has shown that hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L. markedly extended the coagulation time in mice and exhibited a significant antithrombotic effect in rats. The present study was conducted to demonstrate further its neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemic injury in both in vivo and in vitro studies.

[Predicting low NOx combustion property of a coal-fired boiler].

More attention was paid to the low NOx combustion property of the high capacity tangential firing boiler, but the NOx emission and unburned carbon content in fly ash of coal burned boiler were complicated, they were affected by many factors, such as coal character, boiler's load, air distribution, boiler style, burner style, furnace temperature, excess air ratio, pulverized coal fineness and the uniformity of the air and coal distribution, etc. In this paper, the NOx emission property and unburned carbon content in fly ash of a 600 MW utility tangentially firing coal burned boiler was experimentally investigated, and taking advantage of the nonlinear dynamics characteristics and self-learning characteristics of artificial neural network, an artificial neural network model on low NOx combustion property of the high capacity boiler was developed and verified. The results illustrated that such a model can predicate the NOx emission concentration and unburned carbon content under various operating conditions, if combined with the optimization algorithm, the operator can find the best operation condition of the low NOx combustion.