Interaction Between Memory Load and Experimental Design on Brain Connectivity and Network Topology / 神经科学通报·英文版

The conventional approach to investigating functional connectivity in the block-designed study usually concatenates task blocks or employs residuals of task activation. While providing many insights into brain functions, the block design adds more manipulation in functional network analysis that may reduce the purity of the blood oxygenation level-dependent signal. Recent studies utilized one single long run for task trials of the same condition, the so-called continuous design, to investigate functional connectivity based on task functional magnetic resonance imaging. Continuous brain activities associated with the single-task condition can be directly utilized for task-related functional connectivity assessment, which has been examined for working memory, sensory, motor, and semantic task experiments in previous research. But it remains unclear how the block and continuous design influence the assessment of task-related functional connectivity networks. This study aimed to disentangle the separable effects of block/continuous design and working memory load on task-related functional connectivity networks, by using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Across 50 young healthy adults, behavioral results of accuracy and reaction time showed a significant main effect of design as well as interaction between design and load. Imaging results revealed that the cingulo-opercular, fronto-parietal, and default model networks were associated with not only task activation, but significant main effects of design and load as well as their interaction on intra- and inter-network functional connectivity and global network topology. Moreover, a significant behavior-brain association was identified for the continuous design. This work has extended the evidence that continuous design can be used to study task-related functional connectivity and subtle brain-behavioral relationships.

Advances in taste masking technology based on preparation technology / 药学学报

Good medicine tastes bitter, but it is often difficult to swallow because the drug is bitter and astringent, so that the compliance of patients with medication is poor. However, the use of taste masking technology can better improve this situation. Appropriate and effective taste masking technology can improve the drug compliance of patients, especially children, it can also improve the curative effect and the clinical value of drugs. Herein, we summarize the latest research progress of taste masking technology, and summarize the traditional taste masking technology from the aspects of action mechanisms and application scopes. Finally, the novel and efficient taste masking technologies were presented.

Taste masking pharmaceutical excipients and their applications / 药学学报

The taste of drugs has an important impact on the compliance of patients, but most of the active drug ingredients have an uncomfortable taste, especially traditional Chinese medicine. Through a variety of pharmaceutical excipients with taste masking properties combined with corresponding technologies can improve the taste of drugs and the characteristics of other dosage forms, so as to improve patient compliance. Here, we mainly summarize the auxiliary materials used for taste masking, explain the mechanism of taste masking from the point of view of excipients and introduces related uses, so as to provide reference for further research on taste masking of pediatric preparations.

Influence of lymphadenectomy on efficacy of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma at different locations / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the influence of lymphadenectomy on efficacy of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) at different locations.Methods:The retro-spective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 123 patients with ICC who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2015 to January 2022 were collected. There were 78 males and 45 females, aged 55(rage, 50?60)years. All patients underwent radical resection. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with ICC; (2) follow-up; (3) surgical situations in ICC patients with different number of lymph nodes dissected. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and compari-son between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with ICC. Of the 123 patients, 81 cases had peripheral ICC and 42 cases had central ICC. The albumin-bilirubin grade (grade 1, grade 2?3), preoperative lymph node metastasis risk assessment (low risk, high risk), the number of lymph nodes dissected (<6, ≥6), lymph node metastasis (positive, negative) were 57, 24, 51, 30, 49, 32, 15, 66 in patients with peripheral ICC, versus 19, 23, 17, 25, 14, 28, 16, 26 in patients with central ICC, showing significant differences in the above indicators between them ( χ2=7.40, 5.66, 8.17, 5.62, P<0.05). (2) Follow-up. All the 123 patients were followed up for 28(range, 21?38)months. The 3-year overall survival rate was 57.8% in the 81 patients with peripheral ICC, versus 32.3% in the 42 patients with central ICC, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=5.98, P<0.05). Of the 42 patients with central ICC, there were 25 cases with high risk of lymph node metastasis before surgery and 17 cases with low risk of lymph node metastasis before surgery. Of the 25 central ICC patients with high risk of lymph node metastasis before surgery, the 3-year overall survival rate was 28.9% in the 18 cases with the number of lymph nodes dissected ≥6, versus 14.3% in the 7 cases with the number of lymph nodes dissected <6, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=8.90, P<0.05). (3) Surgical situa-tions in patients with the different number of lymph nodes dissected. Of the 123 patients, cases with the number of lymph nodes dissected <6 and ≥6 were 63 and 60, and there was no significant difference in the operation time, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative complications, bile leakage, liver insufficiency, pulmonary infection, pleural effusion, abdominal effusion, or lymphatic leakage between them ( P>0.05). One patient might have multiple complications. Conclusions:The prognosis of patients with peripheral ICC is better than that of patients with central ICC. For patients with central ICC who are at high risk of lymph node metastasis before surgery, adequate lymph node dissection may result in a better prognosis.

Effects of soluble glycoprotein 130 on expression of p-STAT3 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in retina of mice with diabetes mellitus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the effect of soluble glycoprotein 130(sgp130)on expression of p-STAT3 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-A in retina of mice with diabetes mellitus(DM), and explore the possibility of sgp130 in interfering with inflammatory damage of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS: A total of 45 mice were randomly divided into normal group, DM group and sgp130 group. DM models were made in DM group and sgp130 group with streptozotocin. No special intervention was given to normal group and DM group, but sgp130 group was given intravitreal injection of 1.5mg/mL sgp130 2μL at the 1 and 5wk. After 10wk, all the mice were sacrificed to assess the protein expression of interleukin 6(IL-6), p-STAT3 and VEGF-A in the retina.RESULTS: The expressions of IL-6, p-STAT3 and VEGF-A in retina of DM group were higher than those of normal group at 10wk(all P<0.01). The expression of p-STAT3 and VEGF-A in sgp130 group were lower than those in DM group(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The sgp130 can selectively antagonize the trans signal transduction pathway of IL-6, down-regulate the expression of downstream inflammatory factors VEGF-A, and it may be used in the intervention of retinal inflammatory damage related with IL-6 in DM.

Research progress of histidine-based tumor-targeting drug delivery systems / 药学学报

As a basic amino acid, histidine has a pKa close to the acidity of the tumor microenvironment, thus the charge and solubility of histidine are able to vary as the pH changes. Under a neutral environment, histidine is not charged and exhibits hydrophobic properties, while it can be protonated and becomes hydrophilic when exposed to mildly acidic pH, such as tumor microenvironment. Therefore, histidine is widely used in the design of drug delivery systems to target the mildly acidic pH of tumor microenvironment. This article reviews the recent progresses of histidine-based tumor-targeting drug delivery systems, and summarizes the principles on promoting internalization and tuning drug release by taking advantage of histidine. Finally, we point out the common issues on histidine application and illustrate its future prospects.

The near-infrared dye IR-61 restores erectile function in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model via mitochondrial protection / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of IR-61, a novel mitochondrial heptamethine cyanine dye with antioxidant effects, on diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce type 1 diabetes. Eight weeks after STZ injection, all rats were divided into three groups: the control group, DM group, and DM + IR-61 group. In the DM + IR-61 group, the rats were administered IR-61 (1.6 mg kg

Predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics before and after radiotherapy for the occurrence of severe radiation-induced late rectal injury in patients with rectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: Severe radiation-induced late rectal injury (sRLRI) directly affects the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer. Effective prediction of sRLRI before surgery may provide important information for the selection of surgical strategies and perioperative managements. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of predicting sRLRI based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features before and after radiotherapy for rectal cancer. Methods: This was a diagnostic study. Clinical and imaging data of 90 patients with rectal cancer receiving long-term radiotherapy from June 2013 to July 2018 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were collected retrospectively. Case inclusion criteria: (1) rectal cancer was diagnosed by pathology and age of ≥ 18 years old; (2) patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anterior rectal resection; (3) follow up time ≥ 3 years; (4) patients had no history of other neoplasm. Exclusion criteria: (1) patients did not receive MRI examination in our hospital within 2 weeks before and/or 8 weeks after radiotherapy; (2) images were not good enough for evaluation; (3) medical records were incomplete; (4) patients had severe gastrointestinal diseases. According to the RTOG/EORTC classification criteria for radiation reactions, severe complications of grade 3-4 requiring surgical management were defined as sRLRI. T2WI and DWI images before and after radiotherapy were evaluated. The rectal wall thickness, bladder wall thickness, rectal sacral spacing and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of the above indicators for sRLRI. Results: Among the 90 patients with rectal cancer, 34 (37.8%) developed sRLRI. Before radiotherapy, the median rectal wall thickness of sRLRI and non-sRLRI patients was 4.530 mm and 4.355 mm, respectively; the median bladder wall thickness was 3.962 mm and 3.868 mm, respectively; the median rectal sacral spacing was 15.557 mm and 12.433 mm, respectively; the median ADC value of rectal wall was 1.620 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s and 1.653 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. There were no significant differences in above indicators between sRLRI and non-sRLRI patients (all P>0.05). After radiotherapy, compared with non-sRLRI patients, sRLRI patients had increased rectal wall thickness (median: 8.239 mm vs. 6.223 mm, Z=-3.512, P=0.001), rectal sacral spacing (median: 17.728 mm vs. 13.885 mm, Z=-2.247, P=0.025), and change of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy (median: 98.106% vs. 49.584%, Z=-4.169, P<0.001). After radiotherapy, there were no significant differences in the bladder wall thickness and its change value, the ADC value of rectal wall and its change rate before and after radiotherapy between the two groups (all P>0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the change rates of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy, rectal wall thickness and rectal sacral spacing after radiotherapy for predicting sRLRI was 0.763, 0.722 and 0.642, respectively, while the sensitivity was 85.3%, 70.6% and 76.5%, respectively, and the specificity was 64.3%, 71.4% and 57.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on MRI examinations, assessments of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy, the change rate of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy, and rectal sacral spacing after radiotherapy are helpful for evaluating the risk of sRLRI after radiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer.

Research progress on the relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis and the malignancy of the digestive system and possible pathogenetic mechanism / 华西口腔医学杂志

The malignant tumors including oral cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer, of the digestive system are a common high-fatal malignancy. Porphyromonas gingivalis, as the most important pathogen of periodontal disease, has been gradually proved that its invasiveness occurs not only in the mouth but also in other parts of the digestive system. Moreover, the relevant pathogenic mechanism is increasingly attracting the reseachers' attention. In this study, the role and possible pathogenesis of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the digestive system are described in a systematic and comprehensive way.

Purification and cultivation of mouse primary retinal microvascular pericytes based on pre-incubation / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective@#To establish a simple method for isolation, purification and cultivation of primary retinal microvascular pericytes (RMPs) from mice.@*Methods@#Retinas were isolated from mice following with mechanical morcel, enzymatic digestion and filtration.The retinal fragments were incubated with low glucose DMEM with 20% fetal bovine serum after 24 hours pre-incubation.Differential digestion was used for purification of primary RMPs.Morphological examination of cells was performed by phase contrast microscopy, and further characterization was analyzed by immunocytochemistry.Functional assay was evaluated by the pericytes-endothelial cells (ECs) co-culture system.The treatment and use of experimental animals followed the regulations on the administration of experimental animals promulgated by the state science and technology commission.@*Results@#Cells migrated out of fragments after 24 hours of incubation, and developed into small or large colonies gradually.The cells and their subpassages presented typical pericyte morphology with large irregular triangular cell bodies and multiple long processes.No contact inhibition was observed.Most cells uniformly expressed the cellular markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), a few cells expressed the cellular markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but no cell expressed von Willebrand factor (vWF). The purity rate of RMPs was up to 97%.In the co-culture system, RMPs directly contacted with ECs to form the capillary-like cords in vitro.@*Conclusions@#A simple method for the isolation, purification cultivation of mouse RMPs is established, and active RMPs can be readily obtained by this method.

Purification and cultivation of mouse primary retinal microvascular pericytes based on pre-incubation / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective To establish a simple method for isolation, purification and cultivation of primary retinal microvascular pericytes ( RMPs) from mice. Methods Retinas were isolated from mice following with mechanical morcel,enzymatic digestion and filtration. The retinal fragments were incubated with low glucose DMEM with 20％ fetal bovine serum after 24 hours pre-incubation. Differential digestion was used for purification of primary RMPs. Morphological examination of cells was performed by phase contrast microscopy, and further characterization was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. Functional assay was evaluated by the pericytes-endothelial cells ( ECs) co-culture system. The treatment and use of experimental animals followed the regulations on the administration of experimental animals promulgated by the state science and technology commission. Results Cells migrated out of fragments after 24 hours of incubation, and developed into small or large colonies gradually. The cells and their subpassages presented typical pericyte morphology with large irregular triangular cell bodies and multiple long processes. No contact inhibition was observed. Most cells uniformly expressed the cellular markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β( PDGFR-β) ,a few cells expressed the cellular markers glial fibrillary acidic protein ( GFAP) ,but no cell expressed von Willebrand factor ( vWF) . The purity rate of RMPs was up to 97％. In the co-culture system,RMPs directly contacted with ECs to form the capillary-like cords in vitro. Conclusions A simple method for the isolation, purification cultivation of mouse RMPs is established, and active RMPs can be readily obtained by this method.

Analysis of soldiers' orbital wall fracture surgical treatment in General Hospital of Northen Theater Command / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics and surgical treatment fororbital wall fracture of soldiers. <p>METHODS: This study choose 58 soldiers(58 eyes)who had surgical treatments for orbital wall fracture in our hospital from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2018. Their demographic characteristics, causes of injury, fracture sites, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, eye movement, eye prominence, and operative conditions were recorded and statistically analyzed. The patients were followed up for 6mo after treatment. <p>RESULTS: All patients in 58 cases of orbital wall fractures were male. The <i>P</i>50 age of them was 21, and most of them were 20-29 years old(78%). 45 cases(78%)were injured at work, in which boxing injury and impingement injury were the main causes(74%). Simple medial orbital wall, inferior wall and both of the medial and inferior wall fractures were the common types(91%). The visual acuity of all the patients did not change significantly after operation comparing with preoperative visual acuity. According to the clinical data of postoperative CT and postoperative follow up, no implant displacement, infection or other serious complications appeared. Eye movement disorder of 33 patients were improved. Abnormal suborbital perception of 7 patients disappeared. And enophthalmos of 3 patients were corrected. <p>CONCLUSION: Young male soldiers are the main population of orbital wall fracture. It is of great significance to improve the protection in daily training. Surgical treatment for orbital wall fractures has significant therapeutic effect. Furthermore, it is very necessary for primary hospital to develop basic diagnosis and treatment.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of artemisinin loaded long-circulating liposomes / 药学学报

The therapeutic application of artemisinin (ART) is restricted in application due to its poor water solubility and stability. In this study, the long-circulating liposomes (L-Lip) were constructed to improve the solubility and stability of ART. The preparation method, physicochemical properties, serum stability, in vitro release profile and cytotoxicity of the ART loaded long-circulating liposomes were investigated. Using the particle size and entrapment efficiency (EE) as the evaluation index, the preparation procedure was optimized by the Box-Behnken response surface design based on the single factor screening method. The ART loaded long-circulating liposomes were prepared by filming rehydration method, and evaluated with particle size and entrapment efficiency. The optimal formulation was as follows:lipid-cholesterol=5.22:1 (mass ratio), drug-lipid=1:23.15 (mass ratio), lipid concentration=14.35 mg·mL-1, and molar percentage of mPEG=2%. The morphology of L-Lip was uniformly spherical shape according to optimal formulation. The mean size and polydispersity index (PDI) were about (113.3 ±4.7) nm and 0.227 ±0.022 respectively, the zeta potential was (-12.9 ±2.6) mV, and the entrapment efficiency (EE) of ART was (95.88 ±4.8)%. The L-Lip had good stability at 4℃ for 15 days and the particle sizes did not exhibit significant variations in 50% rat plasma over 24 h at 37℃. The in vitro release study of formulation showed a sustained release. Moreover, the cytotoxicity exhibited that blank liposomes were of great safety. Compared with the free ART, the liposome formulation achieved lower cytotoxicity at the high concentration. The L-Lip successfully prepared by a simple filming-rehydration method exhibited ideal physicochemical properties and were enhanced safety, which may sever as a promising nanoplatform for clinical application.

Effects of alcohol on benign prostate hyperplasia induced by testosterone propionate in mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of alcohol administration on benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH) and the reproductive toxicity during development of benign prostate hyperplasia.@*METHODS@#Seventy adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into seven groups:control (group CON), negative control (group NC, injected subcutaneously with soybean oil, 25 mg/(kg·d), intragastric administration of distilled water, 7.5 ml/(kg·d)), alcohol for 7 and 21 days (group AL7 and AL21, intragastric administration with wine of 50% alcohol, 7.5 ml/(kg·d)), testosterone propionate for 7 and 21 days (group TP7 and TP21, injected subcutaneously with testosterone propionate, 25 mg/(kg·d)), testosterone propionate+alcohol for 7 days (group TP+AL7, injected subcutaneously with testosterone propionate, 25 mg/(kg·d), and intragastric administration with wine of 50% alcohol, 7.5 ml/(kg·d)),10 mice in each groups. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, mice were sacrificed. The indexes of prostate and testis and the parameters of sperm were determined in mice. The levels of free radicals, antioxidation and histopathological changes in testis and prostate were determined.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control, TP7d group, AL7 and AL21d groups, the prostate coefficient of TP + AL7d group was increased significantly and the quantity and quality of sperm were decreased significantly (0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The typical BPH state could be induced after 7-day treatment of testosterone propionate and alcohol. The testicular and sperm were damaged which enhanced the oxidative stress in reproductive system. The results indicated that alcohol could significantly promote the prostate hyperplasia induced by testosterone propionate in mice.

Involvement of RNA helicase p68 in skin wound healing process in rats / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>RNA helicase p68 plays an important role in organ development and maturation through tuning cell proliferation. However, the character and role of p68 in the whole wound healing process need more study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>First, we characterize expression of p68 in normal rat skin development postnatal. Then, we assayed dynamic change of p68 in rat skin from different stage after injury, and explored the role of p68 in proliferation and migration of three types of wound healing related cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>p68 was down-regulated during skin developmental and maturation process, up-regulated after wound, peaked on day 14 and then significantly decreased. Wound fluid enhanced wound healing related cell proliferation and up-regulated expression of p68. Conversely, reducing p68 expression by RNA interference resulted in significantly slower proliferation and migration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results define an important role of RNA helicase p68 in skin wound healing process.</p>

A multicenter, randomized, controlled, phase Ⅲ clinical study of PEG-rhG-CSF for preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the safety and efficacy of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) in preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to provide the basis for clinical application.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the principle of open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial, all patients were randomized by 1∶1∶1 into three groups to receive PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg, or rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg, respectively. The patients with breast cancer received two chemotherapy cycles, and the NSCLC patients received 1-2 cycles of chemotherapy according to their condition. All patients were treated with the combination chemotherapy of TAC (docetaxel+ epirubicin+ cyclophosphamide) or TA (docetaxel+ epirubicin), or the chemotherapy of docetaxel combined with carboplatin, with a 21 day cycle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The duration of grade 3-4 neutropenia in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg and PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg groups were similar with that in the rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg group (P>0.05 for all). The incidence rate of grade 3-4 neutropenia in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg group, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg group, and G-CSF 5 μg/kg group were 69.7%, 68.4%, and 69.5%, respectively, with a non-significant difference among the three groups (P=0.963). The incidence rate of febrile neutropenia in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg group, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg group and G-CSF 5 μg/kg group were 6.1%, 6.4%, and 5.5%, respectively, showing no significant difference among them (P=0.935). The incidence rate of adverse events in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg group, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg group and G-CSF 5 μg / kg group were 6.7%, 4.1%, and 5.5%, respectively, showing a non-significant difference among them (P=0.581).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In patients with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing TAC/TA chemotherapy, a single 100 μg/kg injection or a single fixed 6 mg dose of PEG-rhG-CSF at 48 hours after chemotherapy show definite therapeutic effect with a low incidence of adverse events and mild adverse reactions. Compared with the continuous daily injection of rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg/d, a single 100 μg/kg injection or a single fixed 6 mg dose of PEG-rhG-CSF has similar effect and is more advantageous in preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.</p>

PXR Mediated Protection against Liver Inflammation by Ginkgolide A in Tetrachloromethane Treated Mice

The pregnane X receptor (PXR), a liver and intestine specific receptor,, has been reported to be related with the repression of inflammation as well as activation of cytochromosome P450 3A (CYP3A) expression. We examined the effect of PXR on tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced mouse liver inflammation in this work. Ginkgolide A, one main component of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE), activated PXR and enhanced PXR expression level, displayed both significant therapeutic effect and preventive effect against CCl4-induced mouse hepatitis. siRNA-mediated decrease of PXR expression significantly reduced the efficacy of Ginkgolide A in treating CCl4-induced inflammation in mice. Flavonoids, another important components of GBE, were shown anti-inflammatory effect in a different way from Ginkgolide A which might be independent on PXR because flavonoids significantly inhibited CYP3A11 activities in mice. The results indicated that anti-inflammatory effect of PXR might be mediated by enhancing transcription level of IkappaBalpha through binding of IkappaBalpha. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by NF-kappaB-specific suppressor IkappaBalpha is one of the potential mechanisms of Ginkgolide A against CCl4-induced liver inflammation.

Preliminary screening of 44 plant extracts for anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant activities

In order to find new tyrosinase inhibitors and antioxidant materials, we investigated 44 plants, which were evaluated for the anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant activities. The mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay and 2, 2-Diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging assay were conducted to evaluate these activities. Among all tested plant extracts, Morus alba L. [positive control], Rhodiola crenulata [Hook. f. et Thorns.] H. Ohba, Momordica charantia L., Cuminum cyminum L. et al exhibit higher tyrosinase inhibition. Rhodiola crenulata [Hook. f. et Thorns.] H. Ohba, Rosa rugosa Thunb. and Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. perform the highest antioxidant activity, similar to vitamin C [the positive control]. A low positive correlation is found in the DPPH radical scavenging and tyrosinase inhibition assay. Considering these factors, the extracts of Rhodiola crenulata [Hook. f. et Thorns.] H. Ohba, Alpinia officinarum Hance and Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim, exhibit high anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant activities and could be used in the cosmetic industry. Further studies are warranted to characterize the compounds responsible for the anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of these plant extracts

Effect of microRNA-208a on mitochondrial apoptosis of cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect and mechanism of microRNA-208a (miR-208a) in the mitochondrial apoptosis of cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats.@*METHODS@#The primary cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were added into the hypoxia incubator for the hypoxia induction. The overexpression system for miR-208a of cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats was built. The flow cytometry assay was employed to detect the incidence of apoptosis in the over-expressed miR-208a. The mitochondrial staining technique was used to detect the change in the mitochondrial morphology of over-expressed miR-208a. The bioinformatic analysis was chosen to analyze and predict the target gene of miR-208a.@*RESULTS@#Firstly, the primary culture system of cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats was successfully built. The miR-208a was over-expressed in cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats by miR-208a Mimics. Results of flow cytometry assay showed that the over-expressed miR-208a could significantly reduce the incidence of apoptosis; while results of mitochondrial staining indicated the change in the mitochondrial morphology of over-expressed miR-208a and the mitochondrial fission process was inhibited. In conclusion, it was supposed that miR-208a could inhibit the activation of mitochondrial fission process to keep the cardiomyocytes from apoptosis.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The over-expressed miR-208a can reduce the incidence of apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats, significantly change the mitochondrial morphology and inhibit the mitochondrial fission process.

Effect of microRNA-155 on angiogenesis after cerebral infarction of rats through AT1R/VEGFR2 pathway

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the function and mechanism of microRNA-155 to regulate the angiogenesis after the cerebral infarction of rats through the angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1R)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#Female SD rats were chosen for the construction of cerebral infarction model of rats using the modified right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method was employed to detect the expression of microRNA-155 in each group at different time points after the cerebral infarction (1 h, l d, 3 d and 7 d). SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20 rats): sham operation group (Sham group), MACO group, MACO+microRNA-155 mimic group, and MACO+microRNA-155 inhibitor group. Sham group was given the free graft, while MACO+microRNA-155 mimic group and MACO+microRNA-155 inhibitor group were treated with microRNA-155 mimic and microRNA-155 inhibitor respectively. The Zea Longa 5-point scale was used to score the neurologic impairment of rats in each group; 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining to evaluate the volume of cerebral infarction of rats in each group; the immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of CD31; Western blot and RT-PCR to detect the expression of AT1R and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2).@*RESULTS@#The expression of microRNA-155 was increased in the cerebral ischemia tissue after the cerebral infarction. It was significantly increased at 1 d of ischemia and maintained at the high level for a long time. Rats in the Sham group had no symptom of neurologic impairment, while rats in the MACO group had the obvious neurologic impairment. After being treated with microRNA-155 inhibitor, the neural function of MACO rats had been improved, with the decreased area of cerebral infarction. But after being treated with microRNA-155 mimic, the neural function was further worsened, with the increased area of cerebral infarction. Results of immunohistochemical assay indicated that microRNA-155 inhibitor could up-regulate the expression of CD31, while microRNA-155 mimic could down-regulate the expression of CD31. The RT-PCR found that, after being treated with microRNA-155 inhibitor, MACO rats had the increased expression of AT1R and VEGFR2 messenger RNA (mRNA); but after being treated with microRNA-155 mimic, the expression of AT1R and VEGFR2 mRNA was decreased. Results of Western blot showed that, after being treated with microRNA-155 inhibitor, MACO rats had the increased expression of AT1R and VEGFR2 mRNA; but after being treated with microRNA-155 mimic, the expression of AT1R and VEGFR2 mRNA was decreased.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The inhibition of microRNA-155 can improve the neurologic impairment of rats with the cerebral infarction, reduce the volume of cerebral infarction and effectively promote the angiogenesis in the region of ischemia, which may be mediated through AT1R/VEGFR2 pathway.