Advanced Materials Research Vols. 989-994

Abstract: It is well known that cellular differentiation is not a terminal process. Transdifferentiation is the conversion of one differentiated cell type to another. There are many examples of induced transdifferentiation between cell types by expression of ectopic transcription factors. Here we show that combined lentiviral expression of Pdx1 or Pdx1-VP16 fusion protein and Ngn3 can direct the transdifferentiation of hepatic cells into insulin producing cells. We showed that the Pdx1 or Pdx1-VP16 fusion protein and Ngn3 together synergistically increased transactivation for the insulin gene. This provides a useful model to study the transdifferentiation process.

Abstract: In this paper, a sensitive determination method for atropine based on end-column electrochemiluminescence of tris (2,2’-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) detection is described. The conditions affecting separation and detection were investigated. Favorable ECL intensity of atropine was achieved in a solution consisting 5 mmol/L Ru (bpy)₃²⁺ and 50 mmol/L phosphate at applied voltage of 1.20V. The standard curve was linear between 1 and 20 μmol/L for atropine. The calibration equation and regression coefficients were: y = 128.38x−36.76 and R = 0.998 in terms of peak height response as a function of analyte concentration. A detection limit of 5×10⁻⁸ mol/L (S/N= 3) was achieved. The proposed method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of atropine in three pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: Apply the univariate and orthogonal experiments, the purity of polysaccharide as index, to optimize the best purification conditions of natural clarifying agents ZTC1+1IIon Angelica polysaccharides. To determine the optimal temperature, the amount of clarifying agent, the concentration of the extracting solution of Angelica, flocculation time, to select stable and feasible polysaccharide purification process.

Abstract: To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the activities of energy metabolism enzymes and contraction capacity of diaphragm from type 2 diabetic rats. Forty SD mile rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and model group (n=30). Type 2 diabetes models were induced by feeding with high-sucrose-high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injecting 25mg/kg streptozotocin. 20 successful models were rearranged to two groups: diabetic group and GbE treatment group, 10 rats in each. Then the saline and 8mg·kg^-1·d^-1 of GbE were respectively intraperitoneal injected, once a day continuously for 8 weeks. Then diaphragm contractility was assessed using Peak twitch tension (Pt), Maximum tetanic tension (P0) and fatigue index (FI) in vitro diaphragm strip preparations. Cytochrome oxidase (CCO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in diaphragm were detected and the varieties of diaphragm ultrastructure were observed. Compared with control group, Pt, P0 and FI in diabetic group decreased significantly (P < 0.01); the activity of CCO, LDH and SDH in the tissues was obviously reduced than those in control group (P < 0.01). The ultrastructure in diabetic group under electron microscope indicated that diaphragm mitochondrions swelled and degenerated. The above changes were inhibited by GbE. GbE can enhance contraction capacity of diaphragm from type 2 diabetic rats by increasing the aerobic oxidation capacity, glycolytic capacity and the function of respiratory chain.

Abstract: Radix Isatidis is a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of influenza and inflammation in China. In this paper, in order to study the degradation situation of Radix Isatidis polypeptide in artificial gastrointestinal environment, the SDS-PAGE (Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) method was used to detect the degradation of Radix Isatidis polypeptide in artificial intestinal juice and gastric juice, and it showed that Radix Isatidis peptides could be degradated to different degrees. HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) was used to determine the change of peptides degradation, and it indicated that free amino acid levels did not change significantly. The result after degradation was also detected by BCA method, and it showed that there were still a large number of polypeptides in the liquid. From this experiment we can come to this conclusion that Radix Isatidis polypeptides in artificial gastrointestinal juice mostly degraded into a series of different molecular weight peptides.

Abstract: The coronatine is a new-type and high-efficient biogenic chlorosis-inducing phytotoxin. It’s also a new potential chemical regulator. Plants can get higher stress and disease resistance with spraying coronatine at a low concentration, which has broad application prospects. It’s an effective way to ferment coronatine industrially using Pseudomonas syringae. The REP universal primers were used to establish the repetitive sequence PCR technology. Clustering analysis and classification were used to screen the wild strains producing coronatine from Jiangsu and Zhejiang area. The results showed that 29 strains were divided into five groups with similarity coefficient of 0.65. The cluster analysis showed the highest diversity of P. syringae pv. mori appeared in mulberry organization form Chun-An, which is relevant with the regional water conditions. It provides a new thought to screen the wild strains producing coronatine.

Abstract: Optimization of total flavonoid extraction from Castor leaves using orthogonal test methodology with the factors of ethanol concentration, extraction temperature,extraction time,solid/liquid ratio on the yield of total flavonoids were investigated.The results showed that optimum extracting conditions of total flavonoids from castor leaves were as follows: adding 1:40 g·mL^-1 of 30% alcohol and extracting for 30 min,extraction temperature 70°C. Under the optimal conditions, the maximal yield of flavonoids was of 1.81%.

Abstract: The energy budgets, assimilation and conversion efficiency of 1-year-old-triploid Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas, were compared with those of sibling diploids to clarify the mechanism of energy metabolism. No significant difference was found between diploids and triploids in oxygen consumption. The net growth efficiencies of triploids and diploids were 37.4% and 33.9% respectively, and the gross growth efficiencies of them were 28.8% and 22.7%. The influence of ploidy and temperature on K₁ was significant, but the variation of K₂ may be attributable to ambient temperature. The ratio of gonad dry weight and dry tissue of triploids was 5%on average, and diploids about 25.6%. Our results showed that triploids, which do not reproduce and only have limited gonadal development, spend more energy for growth and more efficient in using energy than diploids do.

Abstract: Glycoprotein 96(gp96) is highly expressed in cancer tissues. Recent studies indicate the possible roles of gp96 in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinomas but detailed information is still ambiguous. The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between clinicopathology and immunolocalization of gp96 in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that gp96 expression in hepatocellular carcinomas with metastasis was significantly higher than those with non-metastasis. Gp96 expression was significantly associated with the presence of tumor infiltration, lymph node and remote metastasis.

Abstract: In this single-center, randomized, open-label, 3-way crossover study, subjects received each of the following: a single dose of Tramadol Hydrochloride Injection (THI) 35 mg, a single dose of Promethazine Hydrochloride Injection (PHI) 45 mg, and single dose of Compound Tramadol Hydrochloride Injection (CTHI) 80mg. Blood was collected and plasma was analyzed for the pharmacokinetic parameters (maximum plasma concentration [Cmax], time to Cmax [Tmax], area under the plasma concentration-time curve, plasma elimination half-life, clearance, and apparent volume of distribution) of Tramadol and Promethazine. In general, several pharmacokinetic interactions were observed between Tramadol and Promethazine in the present study.