[Effect of tetrandrine on bax, bcl-2 and TGF-β2 mRNA expressions in cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts].

Objective: To investigate the effect of tetrandrine (Tet) on the expression of bax, bcl-2, and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) mRNA in cultured human fibroblasts of Tenon's capsules (TCFS) and explore its possible mechanism.

Methods: The third passage of TCFS cultured in vitro were exposed to 1×10(-5) mol/L Tet for 24 h, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the changes in the expressions of bax, bcl-2, and TGF-β2 mRNA.

Results: The expression level of bax mRNA was obviously higher, while bcl-2 and TGF-β2 mRNA levels were significantly lower in Tet-treated TCFS than those in the control cells (P<0.

Prokineticin 2 regulates the electrical activity of rat suprachiasmatic nuclei neurons.

Neuropeptide signaling plays roles in coordinating cellular activities and maintaining robust oscillations within the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Prokineticin2 (PK2) is a signaling molecule from the SCN and involves in the generation of circadian locomotor activity. Prokineticin receptor 2 (PKR2), a receptor for PK2, has been shown to be expressed in the SCN.

Prokineticin 2 suppresses GABA-activated current in rat primary sensory neurons.

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a newly identified regulatory protein, which is involved in a wide range of physiological processes including pain perception in mammals. However, the precise role of PK2 in nociception is yet not fully understood. Here, we investigate the effects of PK2 on GABA(A) receptor function in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique.

Enhancement of the survival of engrafted mesenchymal stem cells in the ischemic heart by TNFR gene transfection.

Autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used as one of the potential cell sources for cellular cardiomyoplasty. The adverse microenvironment in acute myocardial infarction, however, is considered a deleterious factor for MSC transplantation and cell survival. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is an inflammatory mediator produced during ischemia that may affect the survival of MSCs.

WITHDRAWN: Capsaicin inhibits beta-adrenergically-activated Na(+) current through endogenous calcineurin in cardiac myocytes.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha1 alleviates endothelial cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and survivin.

Accumulating evidence suggests that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation exerts anti-apoptotic effects in multiple types of cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. The aim of the present study was to determine how AMPK suppresses apoptosis in endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia and glucose deprivation (OGD).

Mathematical modelling and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province, China.

Hubei Province, along with four other provinces in the central and eastern China where schistosomiasis is endemic (Anhui, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi), is located in the lake and marshland regions along the Yangtze River. High population density, large numbers of farm cattle, and huge areas of snail habitat are the main characteristics that maintain the persistence of the disease and the transmission of the parasite Schistosoma japonicum in these regions. Based on the schistosomiasis infection data from Hubei province, we propose a mathematical model for the human-cattle-snail transmission of schistosomiasis.

[Study on the prevalence rate and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rural community population in Hubei province].

Objective: To explore the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its risk factors in rural area in the southern part of Hubei province and to provide evidence for prevention and treatment.

Methods: Using uniform scheme, procedures and questionnaire, a multistage survey for 1883 people in rural area in southern part of Hubei province was performed, and physical examinations and lung function tests were conducted for every participant.

Results: In this survey, 186 COPD cases were identified with a overall prevalence of 9.

[Study on correlation between aquaporin 3, 4 gene expression in gastric mucosa and severity of Pi-Wei damp-heat syndrome in patients with chronic superficial gastritis].

Objective: To explore the relationship between aquaporin 3,4 (AQP3, AQP4) gene expression in gastric mucosa and severity of Pi-Wei damp-heat syndrome (PWDHS) in patients with chronic superficial gastritis (CSG).

Methods: Gastric mucosa taken from the upper part of gastric corpus was collected under gastroscope and preserved in liquid nitrogen. The gene expression of AQP3 and AQP4 was determined quantitatively by fluorescent PCR.

A postulated role for human papillomavirus (HPV) in the transformation and proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy and is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. A strong association of oral cancer with high-risk HPVs infection underlines the importance of the virus in the pathogenesis of these squamous cell carcinomas. We postulate that HPV may contribute to the carcinogenesis of oral epithelial and function to stimulate transformation and proliferation of OSCC.

Potentiation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by aluminum in mammalian neurons.

Aluminum (Al(3+)), a known neurotoxic substance, has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Al(3+) targets many ligand-gated and voltage-gated ion channels and modulates their functions. In the present study, the actions of Al(3+) on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) were investigated by whole-cell patch clamp technique in acutely isolated rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.

TNFR gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells attenuate inflammation and cardiac dysfunction following MI.

Objectives: To investigate the protective effect of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) gene modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation against inflammation and cardiac dysfunction following acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design: MSCs were extracted from the tibias and femurs of rats and transfected with recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) expressing EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) or p75 (human 75 kilodalton) TNFR at multiplicity of infection of 10(5) particles/cell. Rats with AMI induced by occlusion of the left coronary artery were randomized to MSCs-TNFR transplantation group, MSCs-EGFP transplantation group and MI control group.

5-Hydroxytryptamine directly inhibits neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.

In the present study, whole-cell patch clamp recording technique was used to investigate the action of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the function of native neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in the rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. Inward currents (I(nic)) caused by externally-applied nicotine were observed in majority of the examined neurons, which were mediated by alpha-bungarotoxin-insensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. We found that 5-HT could reversibly inhibit I(nic) in a concentration-dependent manner, and the inhibition did not involve 5-HT receptors.

Inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway: molecular treatment strategy of periodontitis-associated atherosclerosis.

The accumulation of epidemiologic, pathologic, and animal model studies suggests that periodontal infection may be a contributing risk factor for atherosclerosis. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signaling pathway plays an important role in the initiation and progression of periodontitis-associated atherosclerotic disease. We postulate that suppression of TLR4 signaling pathway can be an effective treatment for atherosclerosis.

[Studies on mechanism of protective immunity against infection of Schistosoma japonicum induced by Sj26 gene transfected dendritic cell].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of protective immunity against Schistosoma japonicum infection induced by Sj26 gene transfected dendritic cell (DC).

Methods: 48 BALB/c mice were divided randomly into 4 groups with 12 each. The mice were injected through auricle for three times with Sj26 gene transfected DC (Group A), pcDNA3 transfected DC (Group B), untreated DC (Group C) and RPMI-1640 (Group D) respectively, and challenged with 40+/-2 cercariae of S.

[Clinical observation on effect of Jieyu Anshen Decoction combined with aripiprazole in treating chronic schizophrenia].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of Jieyu Anshen Decoction (JAD) combined with aripiprazole in treating chronic schizophrenia.

Methods: All 100 patients with chronic schizophrenia diagnosed according to CCMD-3 criteria were equally randomly assigned to the study group (treated with JAD combined with aripiprazole) and the control group (treated with aripiprazole alone) for 12 weeks. The efficacy and safety were evaluated by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Treatment Emergent Side Effect Scale (TESS).

Interaction of an organic selenium compound with human serum albumin: a spectroscopic study.

The interaction between 4,4'-diselenadibenzoic acid and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. The quenching mechanism of fluorescence of HSA by 4,4'-diselenadibenzoic acid was discussed. It is proved that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by 4,4'-diselenadibenzoic acid is a result of the formation of the HSA-4,4'-diselenadibenzoic acid complex.

Synthesis of highly faceted multiply twinned gold nanocrystals stabilized by polyoxometalates.

A novel and facile chemical synthesis of highly faceted multiply twinned gold nanocrystals is reported. The gold nanocrystals are hexagonal in transmission electron microscopy and icosahedral in scanning electron microscopy. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA), which was previously reduced, serves as a reductant and stabilizer for the synthesis of gold nanocrystals.

Studies on the interaction between Oxaprozin-E and bovine serum albumin by spectroscopic methods.

The interaction between Oxaprozin-E and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by spectroscopic methods including fluorescence and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The quenching mechanism of fluorescence of BSA by Oxaprozin-E was discussed to be a dynamic quenching procedure. The number of binding sites n and apparent binding constant K was measured by fluorescence quenching method.

[Synthesis and vascular relaxing activity of arecoline derivatives coupled with nitric oxide donors].

Aim: To search for potential anti-atherosclerosis drugs with vascular relaxation activity, a series of agonists of endothelial targets were designed and synthesized.

Methods: Coupling N-methyl-1,2, 3,6-tetrahydrapyridine ring system with 3,4-dibenzenesulfonyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole-2-oxide through esterification or amidation, a series of arecoline derivatives containing NO donors were designed and synthesised.

Results: A novel series of compounds structurally related to arecoline have been prepared, the proposed structures of eighteen new compounds were established by IR, 1H NMR, MS spectroscopy and elemental analysis.

[The effects of L-Arg on distortion product otoacoustic emission in rats with renovascular hypertension].

Objective: To study the effects of L-Arg on the distortion product otoacoustic emission(DPOAE) in rats with renovascular hypertension.

Method: Twenty-four healthy rats were divided into two groups (2K1C group and L-Arg group) and another 12 rats were added as control group. The animals were determined by DPOAE before experiment and then sacrificed.

Bradykinin potentiates 5-HT3 receptor-mediated current in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.

Aim: To explore the modulatory effect of bradykinin (BK) on 5-HT(3 )receptor-mediated current in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons in rats.

Methods: The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record 5-HT-activated currents (I(5-HT)) in neurons freshly dissociated from rat TG. Drugs were applied by rapid solution exchange.

[Comparison between effects of mechanical mince on the DNA damages of spleen, liver and kidney cells in mice].

Objective: To study whether there are differences between effects of the DNA damages of the spleen, liver and kidney cells in mice caused by mechanical mince and the spleen, liver and kidney in mice can be dissociated into single cells by mechanical mince or not.

Methods: No drug was administrated to the tested group mice, and Cyclophosphamide was administrated to the control group mice with 150 mg/kg doses. Then the three kinds of single cell suspensions were prepared by mechanical mince.