Effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and to explore the possible application on the alveolar bone regeneration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To determine the optimum concentration, the effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 ranging from 10 to 100 μmol/L were evaluated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition. Expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen alpha-2(I) chain, osteopontin, osteocalcin protein were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, a certain concentration (10 μmol/L) of the Rg-1 solution significantly enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs (P<0.05). However, concentrations that exceeds 100 μmol/L led to cytotoxicity whereas concentrations below 10 nmol/L showed no significant effect as compared with the control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside Rg-1 can enhance the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs at an optimal concentration of 10 μmol/L.</p>

The therapeutic effect of sertraline combined with brain function treatment for depressive episodes / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of sertraline combined with brain function treatment instrument for depressive episodes.Methods According to sequence of hospitalization,80 patients with depression without severe physical disease randomly divided into sertraline with brain function treatment group (40 cases,group A) and only take sertraline group (40 cases,group B),and two groups were given Sertraline 100 mg/day for 8 weeks.24 Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) and 20 Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS-20) were assessed before and after 1,2,4,6,8 weekend treatment.Results The scores of HAMD-24 and SDS-20 were not significant difference between the two groups before treatment(P＞0.05),but there were statistically significant after treatment (P＜0.05).They were significantly decreased after 8 weeks treatment in group A and were decreased slightly in group B with HAMD-24 and SDS-20.Clinical efficiencies of HAMD of the two groups were 87.2 ％,76.3 ％,respectively,and those of SDS were 89.7 ％,78.9 ％,respectively.Clinical efficacy in group A was significantly better than that in group B (P＜0.05).Conclusion Sertraline with brain function treatment instrument can shorten the onset time and improve its effect.

Comparison of BRAF mutation detection in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma by ARMS and direct sequencing / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the sensitivity and the specificity of scorpions amplification refractory mutation system ( ARMS) in comparing with that of direct DNA sequencing in the detection of BRAF gene mutations in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.Methods:Direct sequencing and ARMS were used simultaneously to detect BRAF mutation status in 56 patients with PTMC.Results:BRAF mutations were identified in 46 cases with a mutation rate of 82.9%by ARMS,while in 18 cases with a mutation rate of 32.1%by direct sequencing.Besides,the sensitivity of ARMS was 100%and that of direct sequencing was 39.1%.There were significant differences of both mutation rate and sensitivity between two methods ( P<0.01 ).Conclusion: Compared to direct sequencing,ARMS gains a higher sensitivity in the detection of BRAF mutations in samples with tiny lesions.

Establishment of a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line Expressing Dual Reporter Genes: Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) and Enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein (EGFP) / 핵의학분자영상

PURPOSE: Dual reporter gene imaging has several advantages for more sophisticated molecular imaging studies such as gene therapy monitoring. Herein, we have constructed hepatoma cell line expressing dual reporter genes of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), and the functionalities of the genes were evaluated in vivo by nuclear and optical imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pRetro-PN vector was constructed after separating NIS gene from pcDNA-NIS. RSV-EGFP-WPRE fragment separated from pLNRGW was cloned into pRetro-PN vector. The final vector expressing dual reporter genes was named pRetro-PNRGW. A human hepatoma (HepG2) cells were transfected by the retrovirus containing NIS and EGFP gene (HepG2-NE). Expression of NIS gene was confirmed by RT-PCR, radioiodine uptake and efflux studies. Expression of EGFP was confirmed by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope. The HepG2 and HepG2-NE cells were implanted in shoulder and hindlimb of nude mice, then fluorescence image, gamma camera image and I-124 microPET image were undertaken. RESULTS: The HepG2-NE cell was successfully constructed. RT-PCR showed NIS and EGFP mRNA expression. About 50% of cells showed fluorescence. The iodine uptake of NIS-expressed cells was about 9 times higher than control. In efflux study, T(1/2) of HepG2-NE cells was 9 min. HepG2-NE xenograft showed high signal-to-background fluorescent spots and higher iodine-uptake compared to those of HepG2 xenograft. CONCLUSION: A hepatoma cell line expressing NIS and EGFP dual reporter genes was successfully constructed and could be used as a potential either by therapeutic gene or imaging reporter gene.