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Crocetin is a natural carotenoid compound isolated from Gardenia jasminoids Ellis. Our previous study shows that crocetin inhibits angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation. To further explore the mechanism by which crocetin inhibits VSMCs proliferation, in the present study we examined the effect of crocetin on cell cycle progression and cell cycle regulatory proteins. Flow cytometry analysis showed that Ang II elicited significant increase in the percentage of VSMCs in the S phase, with a concomitant decline in the percentage of VSMCs in the G0/G1 phase. However, on pretreatment of VSMCs with crocetin, the percentage of VSMCs in the S phase decreased, while that in the G0/G1 phase increased significantly. In addition, Ang II-induced increase of cell proliferation index was also decreased by crocetin. Western blotting analysis indicated that crocetin markedly inhibited the protein expression of cyclin D1 but not cyclin E. Crocetin also increased the level of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p27kip1 but not CDKI p21waf1/cip1. In conclusion, our present results suggest that the inhibition of cell cycle G1/S transition in VSMCs by crocetin can be attributed, at least in part, to its suppression of cyclin D1 and elevation of CDKI p27kip1. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The midpoint transverse process to pleura (MTP) block, a novel technique for thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), was first employed in laparoscopic renal cyst decortication., Case Summary: Thoracic paravertebral nerve block is frequently employed for perioperative analgesia during laparoscopic cyst decortication. To address safety concerns associated with TPVBs, we administered MTP blocks in two patients prior to administering general anesthesia for laparoscopic cyst decortication. The MTP block was performed at the T9 level under ultrasound guidance, with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine injected. Reduced sensation to cold and pinprick was observed from the T8 to T11 dermatome levels. Immediately postoperative Numeric Pain Rating Scale scores were 0/10 at rest and on movement, with none exceeding a mean 24 h numeric rating scale > 3., Conclusion: MTP block was effective technique for providing postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing laparoscopic renal cyst decortication., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, the effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide (HDO) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and the related signal transduction mechanisms were investigated. MTT assays were used to measure VSMCs proliferation. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The level of key regulatory proteins in PKC, MAPK and Akt/PI3K pathways were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemical methods. Meanwhile, mRNA expressions of some proto-oncogenes were assayed by RT-PCR method. Our data showed that HDO (0.01, 0.1 and 1 μmol · L(-1)) inhibited 30 ng · mL(-1) PDGF-induced VSMCs proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, blocked the G1/S transition and inhibited the level of key regulatory proteins and some proto-oncogenes (P < 0.05). The results showed that HDO may decrease the key regulatory proteins expression, hence suppress the transcription of proto-oncogene and G1/S transition, finally inhibiting VSMCs proliferation.

The photodegradation of nonylphenol induced by two common freshwater algae was investigated. The mechanism of nonylphenol photodegradation induced by algae was analyzed. The synergistic induction of nonylphenol degradation by algae and substances in water such as humic acid and ferric ions was also investigated. Results showed that the algae could induce the photodegradation of nonylphenol. The degradation of nonylphenol in water in the presence of algae, humic acid and ferric ions was obvious and the efficiency of degradation could reach 58% after 4 h illumination. Based on the results, it was speculated that the algae, humic acid and ferric ions system could produce more active oxygen after illumination, which could promote the photodegradation of the organic contaminants in water.

In this study, the effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide (HDO) on bovine vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and signal transduction mechanism involved were investigated. The levels of PKC-alpha protein and mRNA were determined by cell-based ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemical methods. Meanwhile, mRNA levels of c-jun, c-myc and c-fos were assayed by RT-PCR method. The results showed that HDO inhibited newborn calf serum (NCS)-induced expression of PKC-alpha and proto-oncogenes, which may be one of the mechanisms for the inhibition of VSMC proliferation by HDO. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that HDO blocked NCS-induced cell cycle progression by arresting cells at G0/G1 phase. The results imply that HDO inhibits VSMC proliferation by moderating the gene level of PKC-alpha, eventually inhibiting proto-oncogene mRNA expression and blocking G1/S transition.

The microbial community structure of beer wastewater treatment plants with hydrolyze-acidification and SBR process was studied by PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) based 16S rDNA. Activated sludge samples were collected from both hydrolyze-acidification tank and SBR tank at different depth and disposal period. The total DNA was extracted and the 16S rDNA was amplified by universal primer. The microbial community structure was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, compared with the DGGE band pattern of the screened high efficient bacteria. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced to analyze the microbial community in phylogenic evolution. The DGGE pattern showed that the microbial community in hydrolyze-acidification tank changed with the variation of depth both in microbial structure and population, and at the depth of two-meter the microbial community was relatively rich, the dominant bands were notable. The microbial community in SBR tank at different depths and different disposal periods (precipitation period, inflow period, aeration period) were consistent respectively, but the dominant bands were different. Sequences of y2, 23, 25, 31, h5, 15 yielded high homogeneity with the strains uncultured Thermotogales sp., Comamonas sp. WT OTU1, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, Comamonas testosteroni from GenBank. The 16S rDNA sequences of the dominant bands were not completely same with that of the high efficient bacteria, which indicated that the strains screened were not the dominant strains in actual process.

Objective: To explore the patterns of Cx43 and Pax3 protein expressions in the small intestinal muscular layers of human embryo during early development., Methods: Immunohistochemistry with SABC method was employed to examine the expression of Cx43 and Pax3 proteins in the muscular layers of the small intestine in early human embryos in the second to fourth months of gestation., Results: In the second month of gestation, the muscle layer of the small intestine was negative for Cx43 and Pax3 protein expressions. In the third month, Cx43 and Pax3 expressions were negative in the inner circular muscle layer, but some positive cells were found in the longitudinal muscle layer and the myenteric plexus. In the fourth month, positive expression of Cx43 and Pax3 proteins were seen in the entire muscle layer., Conclusion: Cx43 and Pax3 proteins are closely related to the growth and development of the cells and tissues in the small intestinal muscle layer in human embryos.

Aim: To study the effect of crocin on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (BASMCs)., Methods: Cells were loaded with fluorescence probe Fluo-3/AM and [Ca2+]i was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM)., Results: In the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, crocin (1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)) concentration-dependently inhibited the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by 1 x 10(-2) mol x L(-1) H2O2 (for the former, the inhibition rates were 34.1%, 57.1% and 74.3%, while for the latter were 26.2%, 32.1%, 50.0%). In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, crocin (1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)) could inhibit the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by 70 mmol x L(-1) CHCl3, the inhibition rates were 27.8%, 27.8% and 50.0% respectively., Conclusion: Crocin could inhibit the extracellular Ca2+ influx and release of intracellular Ca2+ stores in endoplasmic reticulum.