Study on ecological suitability of Gardenia jasminoides based on ArcGIS and Maxent model / 中国中药杂志

The application of ArcGIS and Maxent modelto analyze the ecological suitability of Gardenia jasminoides.Taking 85 batches of Gardenia as the basis of analysis, the selection of ecological factors for the growth of Gardenia. The results showed that the average precipitation in April, the average precipitation in November and the average precipitation in August were the most important factors affecting the growth of Gardenia. The relative concentration of Gardenia suitable growth region,north to the south of Shaanxi province, south of Henan, central Anhui, south to the north of Hainan province, west to central Sichuan province, east of Zhejiang coastal area, northeast of Taiwan.

Interactions between Hemoglobin and Other Proteins were Proved by the Electrophoresis Release Test and Co-immunoprecipitation / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the interactions between hemoglobin (Hb) and other proteins within human erythrocytes by using the electrophoresis release test (ERT) and co-immunoprecipitation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>First, the fresh normal adult anti-coagulated whole blood was washed to prepare packed RBCs, which were further prepared to erythrocyte suspension and hemolysate.The erythrocyte suspension and hemolysate were analyzed by the electrophoresis release test (ERT) at the same time, and then the band of HbA of erythrocyte sample (RA) and the corresponding band of hemolysate sample (HA) were cut out from the gel and were enriched by freeze-thaw method. Then, the samples were bound with hemoglobin β antibody (37-8) AC, the complexes were separated through 5%-12% SDS-PAGE followed by Q-TOF.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five bands were found in the gel, each of which was treated by hemoglobin β antibody (37-8) AC, the protein bands of 16,20,22,28 and 50 kD were emerged in RA, HA and RBC lysis.The bands were identified by MS, and the results showed that these bands were hemoglobin, band 3, peroxiredoxin2 (Prx2), band 3 and β-actin, band 3 respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HbA may interact with Prx2, Band 3 and β-actin, and then the complexes are formed with each other within erythrocytes.</p>

Homophilic interaction of the L1 family of cell adhesion molecules

Homophilic interaction of the L1 family of cell adhesion molecules plays a pivotal role in regulating neurite outgrowth and neural cell networking in vivo. Functional defects in L1 family members are associated with neurological disorders such as X-linked mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, low-IQ syndrome, developmental delay, and schizophrenia. Various human tumors with poor prognosis also implicate the role of L1, a representative member of the L1 family of cell adhesion molecules, and ectopic expression of L1 in fibroblastic cells induces metastasis-associated gene expression. Previous studies on L1 homologs indicated that four N-terminal immunoglobulin-like domains form a horseshoe-like structure that mediates homophilic interactions. Various models including the zipper, domain-swap, and symmetry-related models are proposed to be involved in structural mechanism of homophilic interaction of the L1 family members. Recently, cryo-electron tomography of L1 and crystal structure studies of neurofascin, an L1 family protein, have been performed. This review focuses on recent discoveries of different models and describes the possible structural mechanisms of homophilic interactions of L1 family members. Understanding structural mechanisms of homophilic interactions in various cell adhesion proteins should aid the development of therapeutic strategies for L1 family cell adhesion molecule-associated diseases.

Clinical effect of chaipo granule combined with routine treatment on refractory asthma / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chaipo Granule (CPG) combined with routine treatment on refractory asthma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patient with refractory asthma were assigned equally in a double-blind, randomized way to the treatment group and the control group. Routine treatment (including regular inhalation of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate 50/250 microg, and if necessary, inhalation of salbutamol + ipratropium bromide) were given to all patients. CPG (3 pouches every time, twice a day) were administered to the treatment group in addition, while to the control group, placebo with similar appearance in equal volume was given. The therapeutic course for all was 24 weeks. Asthma control test (ACT) scoring and lung function tests (FEV1 and PEF) were performed before treatment and at the end of the 4th, 12th and 24th week; daily records of asthma, dose of hormone used, withdrawal reaction and adverse reaction occurred were monitored, and serum levels of cortisol, total IgE and cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-gamma) were measured before treatment and at terminating the 24-week treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Symptoms and lung function were significantly improved after treatment in both groups, but the improvements were better in the treatment group than the control group at all time points, the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-5, IL-13, total IgE decreased, IFN-gamma and Cor increased in all patients after 24-week treatment, but the improvements in the treatment group was more significant, with statistical difference between groups (P < 0.05); the mean hormone withdrawal time in the treatment group was (14.6 +/- 5.1) days, with the incidence of systemic withdrawal reactions of 20%, while those in the control group was (22.1 +/- 6.8) days and 36.7% correspondingly, the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, one patient in the treatment group quit the trial due to a severe seizure of asthma. No obvious treatment-related side effects appeared in the treatment group, except that 3 patients suffered from slight abdominal pain.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CPG could improve the clinical symptoms and lung function, facilitate to Th1/Th2 balance and enhance the secretion of adrenal cortex. It is an effective and safe Chinese herbal remedy for treatment of refractory asthma.</p>