Search

The competitive laser-induced local heating and recrystallization effects in ZnO nanocrystals embedded in a MgO/ZnO stack are reported via resonance Raman spectra. The dependence of the intensity, energy, and resonance effects of the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon on laser excitation condition are discussed in the context of Fröhlich interaction. Redistribution of defects, impurity-diffusion, and grain regrowth caused by thermal and photochemical effects lead to significant changes in coupling strength of electron-phonon interaction, and the resonance behaviors are strongly affected by the interplay of local heating, heat trapping, and local structural modification in such nanostructures.

Objective: To understand the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Jiujiang City in 2011, so as to provide the evidence for decision-making of schistosomiasis control., Methods: The epidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Jiujiang in 2011 were collected and analyzed with the descriptive epidemiology method., Results: By the end of 2011, there were 34974 cases of schistosomiasis in Jiujiang City, among them there were 2 326 advanced cases (106 cases were newly found in 2011), and no acute cases were found. About 24 454.78 hm2 of areas with Oncomelania snails were found in 2011, including 23 045.70 hm2 in marshland and lake regions (94.24%) and 1 409.08 hm2 in hilly region (5.76%). A total of 25 601 head of cattle were raised in schistosomiasis transmission regions in 2011, with a little increase comparing to that in 2010 (0.60%). The schistosome infection rate of cattle in 2011 (0.97%) decreased obviously comparing to that in 2010(3.52%). The chemotherapy coverage in cattle in 2011 (76.00%) increased significantly as compared to that in 2010 (50.85%) (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The schistosomiasis endemic situation remains at a certain level in endemic areas of Jiujiang City. The number of domestic animals is large, so the pollution of environment still exists. Therefore, it is suggested that promoting the comprehensive schistosomiasis control strategy with emphasis on controlling sources of infection is an effective measure to achieve the mid and long term goals of schistosomiasis control program.

Objective: To investigate the effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on aging mouse caused by D (+)-Galactose., Methods: Healthy Kunming mouse were randomly divided into control, model and treated groups. The treated group was divided into three subgroups which were given oxymatrine 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg,20 mg/kg (OMT5, OMT10, OMT20). After 30 days of administration,the stand-jumping test and the Morris water maze test of each group were used to observe the learning and memory ability. After the behavior indicators test, 1-2 mL blood were got from ophthalmic vein plexus,and then got the serum by centrifuge. The super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined by SOD and MDA kit., Results: In the water maze test, the model group was significantly longer in the latency than that of the control group (P < 0.01), and the number of the crossing platforms was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), but compared with the model group, the OMT5, OMT10, OMT20 groups were significantly shorter in the latency to the end (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the number of the crossing platforms was significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01); In the stand-jumping test,the OMT groups all could extend the platform latency and reduce the error reaction times, the learning ability of the OMT groups was better than the model group, but the statistical tests failed (P > 0.05); In the serum biochemical indicators test,the SOD activity of the model group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01), but the SOD activity of OMT5, OMTIO, OMT20 groups was significant higher than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01); The MDA content of the model group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01) but the MDA content of OMT5, OMT1O, OMT20 groups was significant lower than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Oxymatrine could improve the learning and memory ability of aging mice caused by intraperitoneal injection D(+)-Galactose,and the anti-aging effect is related to the oxygen free radicals and reducing the lipid peroxidation.

Several years after the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD), 20-30% of PD patients develop dementia, known as Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), the features of which include impairment of short-term memory and recognition function. Hyperactivation of the glutamatergic system is implicated in the neurodegeneration seen in PD. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of MK-801, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on short-term memory and object recognition in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD rat animal model. MPTP was injected stereotaxically into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of male Wistar rats, then, starting 1 day later (day 1), the rats were injected daily with MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and rats underwent a bar test on days 1-7, a T-maze test on days 8-10, and object recognition test on days 12-14. On day 1, the animals showed motor dysfunction, which recovered to control levels on day 7. MPTP-lesioned rats showed impairment of working memory in the T-maze test and of recognition in the object recognition test, both of which were prevented by MK-801 treatment. Furthermore, MPTP lesion-induced dopaminergic degeneration in the nigrostriatal system, microglial activation in the SNc, and cell loss in the hippocampal CA1 area were all improved by MK-801 treatment. These results suggest that NMDA receptors are involved in PD-related neuronal and behavioral dysfunction., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The importance of the interaction between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) in the expansion of antiviral and antitumor immune responses is well documented; however, limited information on NK/DC interaction during atherosclerosis is available. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is believed to play a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, we developed a NK/DC coculture system to examine the role of ox-LDL in modulating the interaction of mice NK cells and DCs. Fresh NK cells were cocultured with DCs in the absence or presence of ox-LDL. We examined the cytokines released during the interaction. This report provides the first evidence of an enhancement effect by ox-LDL on the NK/DC crosstalk. Notably, we found that ox-LDL significantly promoted the interaction of NK cells and DCs via CD48-2B4 contact-dependent mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of NK/DCs crosstalk in atherosclerosis and provide new information about the possible mechanisms of atherosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the application of Koyanagi technique for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition., Methods: Koyanagi procedure was used for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition in 26 boys (mean age 4.2 years) between July 2005 and June 2010., Results: Primary healing was achieved in 22 cases. Three patients suffered from urinary fistula and the external urethral orifice in one patient was retracted to penis coronary sulcus, who were re-operated successfully. Two cases showed slight penile ventral curvature. Slight stricture of the urethral external orifice was noted in one case, which relieved after one to two times of urethral sounding every week for eight months. 20 patients were followed up for 6-36 months (mean 10.5 months) with good cosmetic result and normal urethra function. The penoscrotal transposition was also corrected., Conclusions: The original Koyanagi procedure might be one of the simple and effective method for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary cardiac disorder characterized by asymmetric thickening of the septum and left ventricular wall. HCM affects 1 in 500 individuals in the general population, and it is the most common cause of sudden death in the young and athletes. The clinic phenotype of HCM is highly variable with respect to age at onset, degree of symptoms, and risk of sudden death. HCM is usually inherited as a Mendelian autosomal dominant trait. To date, over 900 mutations have been reported in HCM, which were mainly located in 13 genes encoding cardiac sarcomere protein, e.g., MYH7, MYBPC3, and TnT. In addition, more and more mitochondrial DNA mutations were reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of HCM. Based on the description of the clinical phenotype and morphological characteristics, this review focuses on the research in the molecular pathogenic mechanism of HCM and its recent advances.

Starch paste viscosity plays an important role in estimating the cooking, eating, and processing quality of rice. The inheritance of starch paste viscosity in glutinous rice remains undefined. In the present study, 118 glutinous rice accessions were collected, and the genotypes of 17 starch synthesis-related genes (SSRG) were analyzed by using 43 gene-specific molecular markers. Association analysis indicated that 10 of 17 SSRGs were involved in controlling the rapid visco analyzer (RVA) profile parameters. Among these, the PUL gene was identified to play an important role in control of peak viscosity (PKV), hot paste viscosity (HPV), cool paste viscosity (CPV), breakdown viscosity (BDV), peak time (PeT), and paste temperature (PaT) in glutinous rice. Other SSRGs involved only a few RVA profile parameters. Furthermore, interactions between SSRGs were found being responsible for PeT, PaT, and BDV. Some of the RVA parameters, including PKV, HPV, CPV, CSV, and PaT, were mainly governed by single SSRG, whereas other parameters, such as BDV, SBV, and PeT, were controlled by a few SSRGs, functioning cooperatively. Further, three near-isogenic lines (NIL) of a japonica glutinous cv. Suyunuo as genetic background, with PUL, SSIII-1, and SSIII-2 alleles replaced with those of indica cv. Guichao 2, were employed to verify the genetic effects of the various genes, and the results were consistent with those obtained from the association analysis. These findings indicated that starch paste viscosity in glutinous rice had a complex genetic system, and the PUL gene played an important role in determining the RVA profile parameters in glutinous rice. These results provide important information for potentially improving the quality of glutinous rice.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation with success being associated with the total nucleated cell (TNC) count, CD34(+) cells and colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) content infused. This study was purposed to clarify the impact of maternal and neonatal factors on hematopoietic potential of UCB product. UCB samples were screened, processed, tested and cryopreserved according to the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) of Guangzhou cord blood bank (GZCBB). Relationship of hematopoietic cell parameters with maternal and neonatal characteristics for 4615 UCB units was analyzed retrospectively. The results showed that both collected volume (Mean ± SD: 95.23 ± 22.42 ml; Median: 91.85 ml) and initial TNC [Mean ± SD: (1.34 ± 0.49) × 10(9); Median: 1.25 × 10(9)] correlated well with postprocessed TNC [Mean ± SD: (1.21 ± 0.42) × 10(9); Median: 1.14 × 10(9); p < 0.001], CD34(+)count [Mean ± SD: (5.14 ± 4.55) × 10(6); Median: 4.08 × 10(6); p < 0.001] and CFU-GM content [Mean ± SD: (9.72 ± 8.66) × 10(5); Median: 7.53 × 10(5); p < 0.001]. As for donor factors, only infant birth weight correlated strongly with volume collected and all hematopoietic cell parameters (p < 0.001). UCB samples from bigger babies had higher collected volume, TNC, CD34(+) count and CFU-GM content (p < 0.001). Mother's age had no correlation with all the above parameters. Gestational age correlated positively with initial/postprocessed TNC (p < 0.001) and negatively with CD34(+) count (p = 0.04), but no relation with collected volume and CFU-GM content. Cesarean section produced superior volume (Mean ± SD: 97.05 ± 22.23 ml vs 92.53 ± 22.43 ml; Median: 94.08 ml vs 88.82 ml; p < 0.001), but inferior cell count than vaginal delivery (p < 0.001). Male infants had more initial volume and CD34(+) count (Mean ± SD: 96.41 ± 22.31 ml vs 93.95 ± 22.47 ml; Median: 93.27 ml vs 90.14 ml; p < 0.001); [Mean ± SD: (5.28 ± 5.04) × 10(6) vs (5.00 ± 3.94) × 10(6); Median: 4.18 × 10(6) vs 3.94 × 10(6); p < = 0.042], but lower initial and postprocessed TNC than female ones [Mean ± SD: (1.31 ± 0.50) × 10(9) vs (1.37 ± 0.47) × 10(9); Median: 1.22 × 10(9) vs 1.28 × 10(9); p < 0.001]; [Mean ± SD: (1.18 ± 0.42) × 10(9) vs (1.24 ± 0.41) × 10(9); Median: 1.10 × 10(9) vs 1.17 × 10(9); p < 0.001], while no significant difference of CFU-GM were found between male and female infants. It is concluded that these data may be helpful to optimize the UCB donor selection and improve cost efficiency of UCB bank resource. The heavier infants after vaginal delivery should be selected and large-volume units with higher TNC should be chosen at first.

Women with functional ovaries have a lower cardiovascular risk than men and postmenopausal women. However, oestrogen replacement therapy remains controversial. This study examined the effect of ovarian hormone deficiency and oestrogen replacement on ventricular myocyte contractile function and expression of beta-adrenoceptors (beta-ARs). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation (Sham). A subgroup of OVX rats received oestrogen (E2) replacement (40 microg kg(-1) day(-1)) for 4 weeks. Cardiomyocyte shortening was evaluated in basal conditions and in the presence of isoprenaline (ISO). The expression of beta-ARs was assessed by Western blotting. The presence of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the coronary effluent was determined. Ovariectomy promoted body weight gain associated with reduced serum E2 and uterine weight, all of which were abolished by treatment with E2. Ovariectomy increased the amplitude of both basal and ISO-stimulated contractions, increased LDH release, upregulated beta1-AR expression and downregulated beta2-AR expression, all of which were restored by treatment with E2. A beta1-AR antagonist, CGP20712A, but not a beta2-AR antagonist, ICI118,551, significantly decreased the amplitude of ventricular myocyte shortening. Oestrogen decreased cardiomyocyte contraction and the expression of beta1-AR, and increased expression of beta2-AR, and all these effects were abolished by the E2 receptor antagonist, ICI182,780. These data suggest that oestrogen plays a cardioprotective role in female rat hearts subjected to ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and the effects of oestrogen are associated with decreased cardiomyocyte contraction and expression of beta1-AR, and increased expression of beta2-AR.

This study is to investigate the effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor (GHBR) on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and its mechanism. NCS-356 (the agonist of GHBR) and NCS-382 (the antagonist of GHBR) were adopted as the tool medicine. The ripe male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 240 - 280 g were randomly divided into seven groups: sham operation group (sham), ischemia-reperfusion group (Isc/R), NCS-356 160 microg x kg(-1) group (N1), NCS-356 320 microg x kg(-1) group (N2), NCS-356 640 microg x kg(-1) group (N3), NCS-382 640 microg x kg(-1) + NCS-356 640 microg x kg(-1) group (NCS-382 + N3), and nimodipine (Nim) 600 microg x kg(-1) group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model referring to Longa's method with modifications was adopted. The effect of GHBR on behavioral consequence of MCAO rats was studied after 2 h of ischemia-reperfusion. After 24 h of ischemia-reperfusion, part of animals were used to measure the cerebral infarction volume by TTC staining; ischemic cortex of another part of animals were used to measure the content of intracellular free calcium by flow cytometry, the tNOS, iNOS activity and the content of NO by spectrophotometric method, the content of cGMP by radioimmunoassay. The neurological function score and infarction volume rate in Isc/R group rats increased significantly than that in sham group; The content of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]) of cortex neuron and cGMP, the activities of tNOS and iNOS, and the content of NO in Isc/R group were higher than that in sham group obviously (P < 0.01); These consequence we mentioned of N1, N2, N3 and Nim group were lower than that of Isc/R. NCS-382 + N3 group could significantly antagonize the above effect of N3. Thus, NCS-356 has protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion brain injury by activating GHBR. The neuroprotective effect of GHBR is related with decreasing the content of [Ca2+]i, NO, cGMP and tNOS, iNOS activity in MCAO rats.

The success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation depends in part on the accuracy of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching between the donor-recipient pair. The higher the number of matching HLA alleles, the smaller the chance that the transplant recipient will develop complications. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation was noted to result in a remarkably low frequency and severity of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and graft rejection compared to that in unrelated bone marrow transplant recipients. At present most banks match UCB donors for respective recipients by HLA-A, -B low-resolution typing and -DRB1 high-resolution typing. We retrospectively conducted high-resolution sequence-based HLA typing on DNA samples available from 65 Chinese UCB-recipient pairs typed previously by using low-resolution sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes and sequence-specific primers, and evaluated the clinical outcome. High-resolution typing revealed imperceptible HLA alleles that were hardly identified in low-resolution typing. Univariate analyses demonstrated no significant correlation between the extents of high-resolution HLA disparity with engraftment, graft failure, acute GvHD, transplant-related mortality and long-term 6-year overall survival. Data from the study suggest that high-resolution typing for HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 contributed no substantial improvement to UCB transplant outcome. Low-resolution typing appears to be amenable to matching UCB-recipient pairs without compromising the quality of transplant.

The study was aimed to establish a protocol of isolating and culturing adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from human bone marrow aspirate and identify them by surface antigen analysis and committed differentiation in order to provide an experimental foundation for achieving a therapeutic benefit in applying MSC in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. MSCs were obtained from fresh human bone marrow aspirate by gradient centrifugation with Percoll (1.073 g/ml) and anchoring culture in L-DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum by a full medium exchange every 3 days. The MSC surface antigens, including CD34, CD45, CD73, CD105, CD166, were analyzed on FACScan flow cytometer. Under culture in conditioned medium for osteogenesis (the hormone cocktail containing 0.1 micromol/L dexamethasone, 10 mmol/L glycerol-2-phosphate and 50 micromol/L ascorbic acid) and adipogenesis (the cocktail containing 1 micromol/L dexamethasone, 5 mg/L insulin, 0.5 mmol/L 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and 60 micromol/L indomethacin), MSCs committedly differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes. The differentiated mesenchymal stem cells were identified by morphological observation and immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that by gradient centrifugation and adhesion culture, MSCs could be isolated and culture-expanded from human bone marrow aspirate. These cells were uniformly negative for CD34, CD45 and positive for CD73, CD105 and CD166. The osteogenic differentiated cells were positive for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the adipogenic differentiated cells displayed accumulation of lipid vacuoles, as detected by oil red O. It is concluded that MSC can be isolated and expand-cultured from adult human bone marrow aspirate and committedly differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. MSC primary identification can be accomplished by flow cytometry and induced differentiation. The set of methods in current experiment shows somewhat practical value for basic research and clinical application.

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for transplantation of patients with hematologic malignancies or hereditary diseases., Methods: We developed a provincial UCB bank in Guangzhou, China, using good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures to address donor eligibility, collection, characterization, processing, storage and release from quarantine. The banking activities were analyzed., Results: From June 1998 to May 2005, 8623 UCB units of Han ethnic origin were collected; 4147 (48.1%) were stored, while 4476 (51.9%) were discarded as a result of pre-determined exclusion criteria. A median volume of 95.5 mL (range 60-227.7) and 1.2 x 10(9) (0.8-9.3) nucleated cells were collected. The cell viability was 97.8% (90-100%). The CD34+ cell count of 3691 (89.0%) UCB units was 5.2 x 10(6) (0.3-131.6) and clonogenic assays of 4036 (97.3%) UCB units demonstrated 9.8 x 10(5) (0.04-135.8) CFU-GM, 0.3 x 10(5) (0.0-18.6) CFU-GEMM and 8.8 x 10(5) (0.0-74.2) BFU-E. A total of 0.4% (15/3863) UCB derived from babies known to have health problems at age 6 months was discarded. Up to May 2005, 151 units were issued for transplantation to 127 patients [90 (70.9%) children and 37 (29.1%) adults]. The infused nucleated cells in unrelated single-unit recipients were 3.4 x 10(7)/kg (1.7-14.9) for adults (n=19) and 5.7 x 10(7)/kg (2.0-20.5) for children (n=71), respectively. The numbers of days for the engraftment of neutrophils among 65 children and 22 adults were 17 (7-41) and 20 (10-42), respectively., Discussion: Data of this study show that stringent procedures and comprehensive policies are requisite for pursuing the banking and release of quality UCB for successful transplantation.

To study the program of evaluating mothers and infants after 6 months of cord blood donation, from June 1998 to February 2004, all mothers after 6 months of cord blood donation were followed-up by phone calls or letters to report on the health condition. The results showed that when 3 195 mothers were visited by phone calls, 18 mothers declined to answer. 392 letter were send to those who could not be found by phone, 15 of whom wrote back. The average time to talk with each mother was approximately 12 minutes. Follow-up on the baby donors showed two cases with chromosome abnormality, one with hypothyroidism, one with neutropenia, one with albinism and 5 dead with unclear reasons. The cord blood components from all these abnormal donors found were discarded. In conclusion, the programs to evaluate mother and baby after 6 months of cord blood donation seems important in quality control of the components stored in cord blood bank.

In order to research the related factors of umbilical cord blood transplantation, 54 cases of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation were analyzed retrospectively, which were performed from June 1998 to July 2003. All cord blood units were obtained from full term normal vaginal deliveries in Guangzhou Maternal-Neonatal Hospital. The fractionation, cryopreservation and thawing of cord blood have been done according to the regulation of New York umbilical cord blood bank and pertinent literature. The selection of cord blood is based on HLA typing and the number of nucleated cells. The results showed that from June 1998 to July 2003, 3 475 units of cord blood were collected in Guangzhou Umbilical Cord Blood Bank and 99 units were provided for therapy of 85 patients in 21 transplantation centers, including 11 sibling and 74 unrelated cord blood transplantations. 54 cases of unrelated cord blood transplantation were reported, including 43 malignant diseases and 11 non-malignant diseases. The median age of recipients was 9.5 (range 1.2 - 33) years, the median weight was 27 (range 10 - 60) kg, the median number of TNC was 6.82 x 10(7)/kg, 43 cord blood were implanted (ANC > 500/microl) at day 60 after transplantation (79.6%, median 17). The time of nuclear cell reconstitution after cord blood transplantation was statistically related with nucleated cells and the type of disease, not related with HLA matching. Acute GVHD was present in 8 patients (21.6%) and chronic GVHD occurred in 2 patients (5.4%), 6 patients suffered from graft failure (11.1%). The total survival rate was 42.6%. It is suggested that unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation seems to be a good substitute for bone marrow transplantation and has good prospects especially in children.

Aim: To investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of antiangiogenesis therapy for HCC in rats., Methods: Adult male LEW/SsN rats were divided into 3 groups, 25 animals each. Group A was the control group. Groups B and C were given diethylnitrosamine, 5 mg/kg/d. In addition, group C rats received an intraperitoneal injection of fumagillin, 30 mg/(kg x d). Five animals in each group were killed at 6th, 12th, 18th, 20th and 24th wk to evaluate the development of HCC and metastasis. Weight of the rats, liver tumors, and number of organs involved by HCC were measured at each stage. We compared methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) mRNA, Bcl-2 mRNA, telomerase mRNA, and telomerase activity at 24th wk in the liver tissue of group A rats and tumor tissue of HCC from group B and C rats., Results: No HCC developed in group A, but tumors were present in group B and C rats by the 18th wk. At wk 20 and 24, the median liver weight in group B was 0.64 g (range: 0.58-0.70 g) and 0.79 g (range: 0.70-0.90 g) (P = 0.04), and that in group C was 0.37 g (range: 0.35-0.42 g) and 0.39 g (range: 0.35-0.47 g) (P = 0.67). The liver weight in group C rats was significantly lower than that in group B rats (P = 0.009). At the same time, the median metastasis score (number of organ systems involved) was 3 (range2-3) in group B, and 1 (range 1-2) in group C, a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.007, 0.004). The levels of MetAP-2 mRNA were significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A (P = 0.025), and significantly higher in group C than in group B (P = 0.047). The level of Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P = 0.024), but lower in group C than in group B, although not significantly (P = 0.072). Telomerase mRNA was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P = 0.025), but significantly lower in group C than in group B (P = 0.016). The same inter-group relationship was also true for telomerase activity (P = 0.025 and 0.046)., Conclusion: Fumagillin effectively inhibits both liver tumor growth and metastasis in rats in vivo. A possible mechanism is fumagillin-induced inhibition of MetAP-2, which plays an essential role in endothelial cell proliferation. Inhibition of MetAP-2 also results in inhibition of Bcl-2 and telomerase activity.

Background and Objectives: In previous studies, we found that platelet microparticles (PMPs) bind to cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells and transfer adhesion molecules to them, which enhances their engraftment. Before applying this phenomenon in actual transplants, we investigated the effect of PMPs on cryopreserved CD34+ cells in CB., Materials and Methods: We cryopreserved 18 CB units, then evaluated the binding of PMPs to CD34+ cells after thawing, by varying the expression of platelet characteristic antigens (CD41a, CD61, CD62P and CXCR4) on these cells. Adherence of the CD34+ cells, coated with freeze/thaw-induced PMPs, to endothelium and fibronectin was also studied, as were the effects of thrombin-induced PMPs from both fresh and preserved CB platelets., Results: PMPs induced by freezing and thawing adhered less well to CD34+ cells than did those from fresh CB, and cells coated with these PMPs had poor adherence. However, thrombin-induced PMPs from both fresh and preserved CB platelets bound equally well to cryopreserved CD34+ cells and improved their adhesion properties., Conclusions: PMPs could be a useful tool for enhancing engraftment after CB transplantation.

In order to study the feasibility of multi-umbilical cord blood transplantation (multi-UCBT) in adult, 13 cases of unrelated allogeneic multi-UCBT performed from June 1998 to July 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. All cord blood units were obtained from full term normal vaginal and cesarean deliveries in Guangzhou Maternity and Neonatal Hospital. The fractionation, cryopreservation and thawing of cord blood were done according to the regulation of New York Umbilical Cord Blood Bank and pertinent literatures. Donors of HLA 1/6-2/6 mismatch were accepted at registry search. The results showed that from June 1998 to July 2003, 28 umbilical cord blood units were selected by 7 transplantation centers for 13 cases. The median age of recipients was 22 (8 - 41) years, and the median weight was 50 (21 - 75) kg, the median infused dose of total nuclear cells was 2.91 x 10(7)/kg. Six out of thirteen cases were engrafted after cord blood infusion with absolute neutrophil count of > 5.0 x 10(8)/L at 19 days post-infusion. Only one case suffered from graft versus host disease, the total survival of multi-UCBT was 46.2% (6/13). It is concluded that good prospects in the field of multi-umbilical cord blood transplantation is likely to be realized.

Aim: To study whether vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (VEGF mRNA) in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues obtained after curative resection has a prognostic value., Methods: Using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay, VEGF mRNA was determined prospectively in liver tissues of 50 controls and in HCC tissues of 50 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for HCC., Results: Among the isoforms of VEGF mRNA, VEGF(165) and VEGF(121) were expressed. By multivariate analysis, a higher level of VEGF(165) in HCC tissue correlated with a significant risk of HCC recurrence (P=0.038) and significantly with recurrence-related mortality (P=0.045); while VEGF(121) did not. Other significant predictors of HCC recurrence included cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.033), an absent or incomplete capsule (P=0.020), vascular permeation (P=0.018), and daughter nodules (P=0.006). The other significant variables of recurrence related mortality consisted of vascular permeation (P=0.045), and cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.053). The level of VEGF mRNA in HCC tissues, however, did not significantly correlate with tumor size, cellular differentiation, capsule, daughter nodules, vascular permeation, necrosis and hemorrhage of tumors., Conclusion: The expression of VEGF mRNA, especially isoform VEGF(165), in HCC tissues, may play a significant and independent role in the prediction of postoperative recurrence of HCC.

Aim: To investigate the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (VEGF mRNA) in the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing curative resection., Methods: Using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay, VEGF mRNA in the PB was determined prospectively in 50 controls and in 50 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for HCC., Results: Among the isoforms of VEGF mRNA, VEGF(165) and VEGF(121) were expressed. By multivariate analysis, a higher level of VEGF(165) in preoperative PB correlated with a risk of HCC recurrence with borderline significance (P=0.050) and significantly with recurrence-related mortality (P=0.048); while VEGF(121) did not. Other significant predictors of HCC recurrence included cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.033), an absent or incomplete capsule (P=0.020), vascular permeation (P=0.018), and daughter nodules (P=0.006). The other significant parameter of recurrence related mortality was cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.053). The level of circulating VEGF mRNA, however, did not significantly correlate with tumor size, cellular differentiation, capsule, daughter nodules, vascular permeation, necrosis and hemorrhage of tumors., Conclusion: The preoperative level of circulating VEGF mRNA, especially isoform VEGF(165), plays a significant role in the prediction of postoperative recurrence of HCC.

Objective: Several studies have shown that L-selectin on CD34-positive cells play a role in hematopoietic reconstitution after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and allograft bone marrow transplantation. This study sought to investigate whether the numbers of CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells infused affect the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and the time to neutrophil and platelet recovery after unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation for the treatment of childhood acute leukemia., Methods: Twenty-three children with acute leukemia who received unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation of mostly mismatched HLA locus were included in this study. Flow cytometry was used to count the numbers of CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells after freezing-thawing by labelling the cells with anti-CD(34) and anti-CD62L. The patients' clinical data including body weight, engraftment of the HSC, times to neutrophil and platelet recovery were evaluated., Results: Twenty-one patients who received CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cell infusion at a number ranging from 1.37 x 10(5)/kg to 2.68 x 10(6)/kg (median, 3.567 x 10(5)/kg) had successful engraftment of the unrelated umbilical HSC. The numbers of CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells infused were statistically different between patients who had successful engraftment of the umbilical HSC and those who had not (P < 0.05). The engraftment occurred more commonly in patients who received > 1.3 x 10(5) CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells/kg. The time of neutrophil recovery (> 500/ microl) ranged from 11 days to 32 days (median, 17.5 days). The data of the time to platelet recovery (> 2 x 10(5)/ microl) were obtained in 18 patients, and it ranged from 12 days to 118 days (median, 14 days). There seemed to be a tendency of correlation between the numbers of CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells infused and time to platelet recovery (gamma = -0.324, 0.05 < P < 0.1), whereas the numbers of CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells infused correlated with the time to platelet recovery (gamma = -0.470, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: This study suggests that the numbers of CD(34)(+)CD(62L)(+) cells infused might be involved in the engraftment of HSC and hematologic reconstitution after umbilical cord blood transplantation.

The objective of this research was to explore whether the number of CD34(+)CD38(+) cells infused affects hematopoietic reconstitution after cord blood transplantation. The number of CD34(+)CD38(+) cells in cord blood was analysed with flow cytometry after freezethawing. The body weight and time for neutrophil and platelet recovery were measured in 20 children with acute leukemia. The results showed that the median number of CD34(+)CD38(+) cells infused was 29.47 (9.85 - 325.71) x 10(4)/kg. A median time for neutrophil recovery (> 5 x 10(8)/L) in 20 patients was 18.5 (11 - 32) days, and time for platlet recovery (> 2 x 10(10)/L) in 19 of 20 patients was 45 (12 - 118) days. The number of CD34(+)CD38(+) cells infused correlated with time to neutrophil and platelet recovery (r = -0.577, P < 0.01 and r = 0.503, P < 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, the number of CD34(+)CD38(+) cells infused is correlated with the time for hematologic recovery.

To explore the genes differentiated between typical indica and japonica varieties, two typical indica/japonica varieties, Balilla (japonica) and Nantehao (NTH, indica), were selected to construct genetic populations based on the widely surveying for spikelet and pollen fertility of 90 indica/japonica F1 hybrids, which also were used as the wide compatability testers. In order to analyze the genes (QTLs) related to spikelet and pollen fertility, two reciprocal backcross populations Balilla/NTH//Balilla and Balilla/NTH//NTH were constructed and the spikelet and pollen fertility of each individuals were assessed. In both populations, two traits all appeared distorted normal distribution, but in the first population, they forwarded to low-level fertility type, the later population, forwarded to high-level fertility type relatively. The results indicated that both of male and female gametophytes of Balilla/NTH hybrids were partial sterile. Then we analyzed the SSR marker genotype of each individuals of Balilla/NTH//Balilla population containing 142 individuals, and constructed a SSR linkage map, in which, there were 108 information markers distributing on all 12 chromosomes equably, average marker distance was about 11.9 cM. Therefore the linkage map was qualified for QTL analysis. Two methods were employed to conduct QTLs analysis, i.e., single marker analysis and interval mapping. According to single marker analysis, 17 and 12 markers were found significantly responsible for spikelet and pollen fertility, respectively. And further study by means of MAPMAKER/QTL software, for spikelet fertility trait, two QTLs were detected, qSPTF1 on chromosome 1 and qSPTF6 on chromosome 6, and their additive effect were 13.501 and -16.414, respectively. According to previous studies, qSPTF6 was deduced to be the same locus as S-5. For pollen fertility, qPLLN7 on chromosome 7 and qPLLN9 on chromosome 9 were detected, and their additive effects were -12.003 and -11.012, respectively. Because the QTLs detected cannot explain completely the total variance of mapping population, other genetic factors must be existed to be responsible for spikelet and pollen partial sterility. Hence we let two random markers as putative covariates, and divide the 142 individuals into four groups according to the two marker genotypes, then the average values of spikelet and pollen fertility of each groups were calculated for two-way ANOVA (analysis of variance). The results indicated that there existed strong interaction for both spikelet fertility and pollen fertility. At a significance level of 0.005, there over 61 and 51 pairs loci interactions detected playing an important role in spikelet and pollen sterility expression, respectively. These results indicated that epistasis also was one of major genetic components controlling indica/japonica hybrid sterility.

This study was conducted with a recombinant inbred line (RILs) population consisting of 240 recombination lines, derived from an elite combination, Zhenshan 97B x Minghui 63. The RILs and their parents were grown in a randomized complete design with two replications in the years of 1999 and 2000. Sheath blight response ratings for the population and their parents were identified by an improved method of inoculation, which was carried out with short woody toothpicks incubated with a Rhizoctonia solani strain, RH-9, and inserted the third sheath in the late tillering/green ring stage of growth. A linkage map was constructed from the RILs. The QTL mapping of sheath blight resistance was carried out by the method of interval QTL mapping. Two QTLs for sheath blight resistance were detected in each year, and were located on chromosome 5 and chromosome 9, respectively. The QTL for sheath blight resistance on chromosome 5 was flanked by markers C624 and C246 on the basis of 1999 data, and by markers C246 and RM26 using 2000 data. The 1-LOD-confidence intervals of QTLs for sheath blight resistance on chromosome 5 detected in two years greatly overlapped with each other, and the peak of the 1-LOD-confidence intervals were approximately the same site. This suggested that the QTL for resistance on chromosome 5 detected in 1999 was probably the same as the QTL detected in 2000. The QTL for sheath blight resistance on chromosome 9 was located on the marker interval of C472-R2638 in term of 1999 data, and on the interval of RM257-RM242 based on 2000 data, and the two intervals were 9.7 cM away from each other. Based on the effect analysis of QTLs for resistance, the genotype of MH63 had negative additive effects or reduced sheath blight rating.

Aim: To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on histology and behavioral tests during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in gerbils., Methods: Global cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries for 10 min in gerbils. Three doses of MT were administrated intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia. Locomotor activity was measured by using the open field method 3 and 7 days after the ischemic episode. T maze test was carried out 4, 5 and 6 days after ischemia to assess the working memory of gerbils. Neuronal damage was assessed in CA1 pyramidal layer of gerbil hippocampus and evaluated 7 days after ischemia., Results: MT significantly reversed the locomotor activity increases, ameliorated learning and working memory deficit, and reduced the extent of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells injury after transient global cerebral ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil., Conclusion: MT provides significantly protective effect against both histological and behavioral consequences of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils.

To explore the cDNA and its genomic gene structure of human glycosylphosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD), the stromal cells from human bone marrow were cultured, and the GPI-PLD cDNA was successfully cloned from stromal cells (GenBank Accession AY007546). After analyzing this cDNA, we found that it codes the signal peptide as well as the mature peptide (817 AA) of GPI-PLD. Compared with the cDNA cloned from human pancreas and liver, the homology of the cDNA is 99% and 95% respectively. After searching GenBank, we aligned the genomic gene of the GPI-PLD by DNATools software, and found that the GPI-PLD genomic gene was located in the human 6p22.1-22.3 and contained 25 exons, TATA box, CAAT box, enhancer and the sequence binding homo domain of Pit-1/GHF-1.

The effects of bepridil (Bep) in combination with anisodamine (Ani) on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury induced by ligating the left coronary artery were studied in rats. Administration of a combination of Bep and Ani was found to decrease the incidence of arrhythmia induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, increase the myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and reduce the myocardial ultrastructural injury in rats. The effect of combination of Bep and Ani was shown to be better than either Bep or Ani alone.

The calcium antagonistic actions of atropine (Atr) and verapamil (Ver) were studied on the contraction of rabbit thoracic aorta strips induced by CaCl2 and KCl. Both Atr and Ver were found to depress the contraction as demonstrated by the shift-to-right of the dose-effect relationship curves and the decrease of maximal responses, with the value of pD'2 being 4.4 and 5.8 respectively. The intracellular Ca(2+)-dependent component of NE-induced aortic strip contraction was also inhibited by the 2 drugs, but the extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent component was barely or not inhibited by Atr before its concentration was raised to 100 mumol/L. These results indicate that the depressive effect of Atr on aortic contraction is mainly exerted by acting on the PDC (potential-dependent channel). The action of Atr on proliferation of cells was also studied in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cell (ASMC) culture. The growth was inhibited by Atr when Ca2+ was present in the medium. When Ca2+ was absent, however, the growth was stimulated by Atr 20.6-185.2 mumol/L, but inhibited by Atr 555.7-1666.7 mumol/L, suggesting that Ca2+ is somehow involved in the action of Atr on ASMC growth.

Anisodamine (Ani) or verapamil (Ver) relaxed the contracted thoracic aortic strips induced by CaCl2 and KCl in a noncompetitive manner with pD2' 3.6 and 5.8, respectively. Ani 50 mumol.L-1 and Ver 1 mumol.L-1 inhibited the intracellular Ca(2+)-dependent component of norepinephrine-induced contraction of aorta, but Ani 0.1 mmol.L-1 did not decrease the extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent component. In the presence of Ca2+, Ani 2.3 mumol.L-1 inhibited the proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells. In the absence of Ca2+, the effect induced by Ani was biphasic-stimulatory at 2.3 mumol.L-1 concentrations and inhibitory at 61.7 mumol.L-1 concentrations. These results suggest that Ani, similar to Ver, mainly inhibits the potentially operated calcium channels.

In China, more than 10 million people suffer from fluorosis caused by the burning of high fluoride coal. Analysis of the particulate matters of indoor air from these fluorosis areas reveals a logarithmic distribution of particle sizes. The levels of F- and SO4(2-) adsorbed or absorbed on the particles ranged from 16.27 to 46.18 micrograms/m3 and from 244.7 to 374.6 micrograms/m3, respectively. Gaseous and soluble fluorides constituted a considerable proportion of the inorganic fluorides. Nevertheless, the level of F- in air was considered to be inadequate to cause the observed severity of fluorosis. It is speculated that additional intake of F- from contaminated foods might also be a major factor contributing to the fluorosis. Additionally, some volatile elements (e.g., sulfur and its derivatives) might have some relation to fluorosis of this type.