Bioinformation analysis of chorismate synthase in Baphicacantus cusia and other 78 species of plants / 中国中药杂志

Chorismate synthase(CS, EC:4.2.3.5) catalyses 5-enolpyruvy-shikimate-3-phosphate to form chorismate, which is the essential enzyme for chorismate biosynthesis in organisms. The amino acid sequences of CS from 79 species of higher plants were reported in GenBank at present. 125 amino acid sequences of CS from Baphicacanthus cusia and other 78 species of plants were predicted and analyzed by using various bioinformatics software, including the composition of amino acid sequences, signal peptide, leader peptide, hydrophobic/hydrophilic, transmembrane structure, coiled-coil domain, protein secondary structure, tertiary structure and functional domains. The phylogenetic tree of CS protein family was constructed and divided into eight groups by phylogenetic analysis. The homology comparison indicated that B. cusia shared a high homology with several plants such as Sesamum indicum, Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum tuberosum and so on. The open reading frame(ORF) of all samples is about 1 300 bp, the molecular weight is about 50 kDa, the isoelectric point(pI) is 5.0-8.0 which illustrated that CS protein is slightly basic. The ORF of CS we cloned in B. cusia is 1 326 bp, the amino acid residues are 442, the molecular weight is 47 kDa and pI is 8.11. The CS in B.cusia showed obvious hydrophobicity area and hydrophilicity area, no signal peptide, and may exists transmembrane structure areas. The main secondary structures of CS protein are random coil and Alpha helix, also contain three main structural domains which are an active structural domain, a PLN02754 conserved domain and a FMN binding site. The acquired information in this study would provide certain scientific basis for further study on structure-activity relationship and structure modification of CS in plants in the future.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on BiP and CHOP Expressions in the Substantia Nigra in a Rat Model of Parkinson Disease / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins in the substantia nigra in a rat model of rotenone-induced Parkinson disease.Methods One hundred and twenty healthy male SD rats were randomized to normal, sham operation, model, electroacupuncture pretreatment, and 7-day, 14-day, 21-day and 28-day electroacupuncture treatment groups, 15 rats each. A model of Parkinson disease was made by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in the nape. The sham operation group received an injection of equal volume of sunflower oil emulsion. The normal, sham operation and model groups were not treated. The electroacupuncture treatment group received electroacupuncture at points Fengfu (GV 16)and Taichong (LR 3) after model making. The electroacupuncture pretreatment group received model making after 7 days of electroacupuncture treatment. TH and α-syn positive cells expressions in rat substantia nigra were determined by immunohistochemical method. BiP and CHOP expressions in rat substantia nigra were examined by Western blotting. Results The model group rats had obvious syndrome characteristic of PD and rat behavior score decreased significantly after electroacupuncture intervention (P<0.01).α-syn positive cells expression and BiP and CHOP expressions in rat substantia nigra increased significantly and TH positive cells expression in rat substantia nigra decreased significantly in the model group compare with the normal and sham operation groups (P<0.01).α-syn positive cells expression and BiP and CHOP expressions in rat substantia nigra decreased significantly and TH positive cells expression in rat substantia nigra increased significantly in every electroacupuncture treatment group compare with the model group (P<0.01).Conclusions The mechanism of electroacupuncture prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease may be related to its significant inhibition of the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and protection of dopaminergic neurons.

Influence of electroacupuncture on p38-mitogen activated protein kinase in substantia nigra cells of rats with Parkinson disease model / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of inflammatory reaction mediated by p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) signal path on prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) model rats by electroacupuncture (EA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, eight rats in each one. The PD model was established in the model group and EA group by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in skin-back area (2 mg/kg, dissolved in sunflower oil, 2 mg/mL in density), while the injection of sunflower oil emulsion without rotenone at the same point and quantity as the model group was applied in the sham operation group. The normal group was not given any intervention. The EA treatment (continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity, 20 min) was applied at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in the EA group, once a day for continuously 14 days. No treatment was given in the other groups. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated p38-MAPK, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the substantia nigra were detected with immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was typical PD ethology change in the model group. Compared with the normal group and sham operation group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the substantia nigra in the model group was significantly decreased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the EA group was apparently increased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The EA therapy could obviously reduce the expression of inflammation mediator COX-2, inhibit the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK, reduce the damage of dopaminergic neurons in the rats with PD, and this effect may be related with the impact of p38-MAPK signal path</p>

Application of color Doppler ultrasound in examining hypothyroidism among radiation-exposed workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the application of color Doppler ultrasound in examining hypothyroidism among radiation-exposed workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 181 radiation-exposed workers who had clinical and laboratorial diagnoses of hypothyroidism were divided into X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group. Another 62 healthy people who underwent physical examinations were used as control group. All cases underwent color Doppler ultrasound; thyroid function, sonograms, and blood flow characteristics were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group, significant differences in the levels of free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were found across workers with different lengths of service (P < 0.05). In the X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group, the percentages of individuals having uneven internal echo intensity among clinical hypothyroidism cases were higher than the percentages among subclinical hypothyroidism cases (P < 0.05). The X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group had significantly higher constituent ratios of grade II and III blood flow signals than the control group (P < 0.05). The peak systolic velocity of the superior thyroid artery (V(max)) was significantly higher in the X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group than in the control group (P < 0.05); in each group, Vmax was significantly higher in clinical hypothyroidism cases than in subclinical hypothyroidism cases (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a simple, non-invasive, and economic examination, color Doppler ultrasound has been demonstrated as a valuable method for evaluating occupational hypothyroidism and holds promise for clinical application.</p>

Effectiveness of the BDProbeTec ET system for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens

OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic efficacy of the BDProbeTEC ET Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex direct detection assay (DTB) performed on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens and sputum smears was compared with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy. METHOD: AFB smear microscopy, DTB and culture results of 286 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 120 patients provided expectorated sputum samples, and 166 patients provided BAL specimens. Culture results and clinical diagnosis were used as gold standards. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the DTB assay in detecting MTB in sputum specimens was significantly higher compared to AFB smear microscopy (83.7% and 82.4%, vs. 75.6%, and 41.2%, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the DTB assay in detecting MTB in sputum samples was 77.2% and 100% compared to clinical diagnosis, while AFB smear had a sensitivity and specificity of 70.3% and 26.3%, respectively. Compared to culture, DTB had a sensitivity and specificity of 82.8% and 93.2%, respectively, in detecting MTB from BAL specimens; AFB smear had a sensitivity and specificity of 41.9% and 87.7%, respectively. Compared to clinical diagnosis, DTB had a sensitivity and specificity of 67.2% and 100%, respectively, in detecting MTB from BAL specimens; AFB smear had a sensitivity and specificity of 34.8% and 79.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The superior performance of the DTB assay relative to AFB smear microscopy makes it a valuable tool to enable early diagnosis of MTB, thereby improving patient care and reducing transmission.

Effects of pravastatin on the proliferation and invasion of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of pravastatin on the proliferation and invasion of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of pravastatin on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells was observed by MTT assay, Boyden chamber assay and motility assay. p38 activity was measured, and the expression of p-p38, MKP-1, RhoC and MMP-2 was analyzed by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pravastatin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. The intracellular p38 activity and expressions of p-p38, RhoC and MMP-2 were decreased, while MKP-1 expression was elevated in pravastatin treated cells. In addition, pravastatin inhibited the invasion and motility.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pravastatin can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of GDNF and Ret in Parkinson's disease model rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture therapy on Parkinson's disease (PD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group, a Fengfu-Taichong group and a Shuanggu Yitong group. PD model was duplicated by microinjection of 6-Hydroxyl-Dopamine into right corpora striata, and by microinjection of normal saline in sham-operation group. Rats in normal group, sham-operation group and model group were not treated. In Fengfu-Taichong group, the rats were treated by electroacupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) on the basis of the PD model, and by electroacupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16), "Taichong" (LR 3), "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in Shuanggu Yitong group, once daily for 2 weeks. GDNF and Ret expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of GDNF positive cells and the content of Ret receptor increased significantly in the two electroacupuncture groups compared with those in the other groups (all P < 0.01), and the expression of GDNF increased significantly in Shuanggu Yitong group compared with that in Fengfu-Taichong group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture can not only increase the expression of GDNF, but also enhance its effect. "Shuanggu Yitong" method is better than simple acupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in increasing expression of GDNF.</p>

PTP1B inhibitory activities of bromophenol derivatives from algae / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity of natural products from algae aiming at searching for new way for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Bromophenols derivatives from algae were screened against the PTP1B by the colorimetric assay with GST/PTP1B fusion protein. The Me2SO was distributed as the full enzyme activity, and Na3VO4 (IC50 2 micromol L(-1)) was distributed as the positive control. Inhibition rate was assayed and IC50 were calculated by LOGIT method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Three bromophenols from Rhodomela confervoides and Leathesia nana, 3, 4-dibromo-5-(methoxymethyl)-1, 2-benzenediol (1), 2-methyl-3-(2, 3-dibromo4, 5-dihydroxy)-propylaldehyde (2) and 3-(2, 3-dibromo-4, 5-dihydroxy-phenyl)-4-bromo-5, 6-dihydroxy-1, 3-dihydroiso-benzofuran (3) showed significant inhibitory activity against PTP1B. IC50 values were 3.4 +/- micromol L(-1), 4.5 micromol L(-1) and 2.8 micromol L(-1), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results prove that three bromophenol derivatives from algae with significant inhibitory activity against PTP1B were potential and effective therapeutic agents for treatment of T2DM and obesity.</p>

Study on dual-directional regulation induced by acupuncture at different acupoints in the rat with motility abnormality of the stomach / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture in the rat with motility abnormality of the stomach and the nerve mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adopting electrophysiological methods, the extracellular discharge signals of neuronic action in NTS were recorded with glass microelectrodes. The effects of acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Qihai" (CV 6) on discharges of NTS neurons and intra-gastric pressure were observed in the rat at normal physiological state, and increase or reduction of gastric motility.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6) could significantly promote gastric motility of the rat at normal status, increase or reduction of gastric motion, while acupuncture at "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Qihai" (CV 6) could significantly inhibit gastric motion. And acupuncture at all the above acupoints could activate discharges of NTS neurons.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The bidirectional regulation effect of an acupoint does not certainly indicate that the same point has bidirectional regulation effect on an internal organs at different pathological states, while this may show synthetic action of different points which is a good regulation towards normal states and homeostasis.</p>

Studies on the Culture and Applicayion of a Nitrite-oxidizing Bacterium with High Nitrification Activity / 微生物学通报

As to a nitrite-oxidizing bacterium screened in our laborator y, the effect of pH, nitrogen sources, carbon sources and sodium chloride on its g rowth was studied in order to obtain high cell density. It showed that the cult ure conditions of nitrite- oxidizing bacterium were 4500mg/L sodium nitrite, 1 .5g/L sodium carbonate, 0~0.5% sodium chloride and 0~0.1% glucose at 28℃~30 ℃, 110 r/min and pH 8.0~8.5. After cultivation for 9 days, the bacteria conc entration reached 4.6?109 MPN/mL and all NO-_2-N in the medium w as converted to NO-_3-N. But the transformation of nitrogen sources was inhibited while the sodium chloride concentration exceeded 0.5% or glucose con centration exceeded 0.1%. According to the test of NO-_2-N conversion with nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in a freshwater aquaculture pond, NO-_2 -N began to decrease on the third day of the moculation of this bacterium and t he concentration dropped from 1.47mol/L to 0.49mol/L after 18 days at 25℃ and pH 8.6.