Advanced Materials Research Vols. 998-999

Abstract: Given the problems associated with the escalation in methamphetamine (METH) use, the identification of more effective treatment strategies is essential. l-stepholidine (l-SPD) is an alkaloid extract of the Chinese herb Stephania intermedia with dopamine D1 receptor partial agonistic and D2 receptor antagonistic dual actions. The unique pharmacological profile of l-SPD suggests that l-SPD may be effective for the treatment of METH addiction. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of l-SPD on METH self-administration on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule. We found that 5 and 10 mg/kg of l-SPD attenuated METH self-administration behavior. These results demonstrate that l-SPD which possesses dual actions on dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, attenuates METH self-administration on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule.

Abstract: Hand-foot-mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by a variety of enterovirus. The enterovirus 7l is the main pathogen of Hand-foot-mouth disease. The main symptoms are the rash or herpes of hand, foot, mouth, buttocks and other parts, bringing aseptic meningitis, brainstem encephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis and other serious neurological complications and pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage. Hand-foot-mouth disease harms seriously children's health. Currently, the overall treatment of severe Hand-foot-mouth disease adopts the symptomatic therapy. Early identification of severe and early intervention are the keys to the treatment of children with Hand-foot-mouth disease.

Abstract: the chromosomal counting was carried out with 51 of annual Taiwan alder (Alnus formosana) by the wall degradation and hypotonic flame-drying method, and 6 aneuploid plants has been selected from these seedings. The viable aneuploid chromosome numbers included 2n=52 (No.4),2n=42 (No.19),2n=54(No.21),2n=50(No.24),2n=56,112 (No.25),2n=52(No.33). Subsequently, the ISSR was taken to analyze the genome of these aneuploid plants,and 5 primers were obtained from 57 which could separate 6 aneuploid plants. And the ratio of polymorphism was more than 78.2%.

Abstract: We cloned a new serine protease gene from the marine annelid, Arenicola cristata by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA of 901bp contained an open reading frame of 774bp encoding 258 amino acids. Sequence analysis of the deduced amino acids indicated that this protease belonged to serine protease family and contained highly conserved sequence GDSGGP. An expression vector, harboring the mature peptide of Arenicola cristata protease, was constructed and transformed into E.coli. The purified recombinant protein could inhibit proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependant way and induce apoptosis. These results indicated that the recombinant protease of Arenicola cristata, as a new member of serine protease family, might be valuable in developing anti-tumor agents.

Abstract: carbon nanoparticles (CNPs ) prepared by electrochemical oxidation method possesses high surface activities, and based on strong affinities between water-soluble CNPs and fluorescent molecules, the mechanisms of fluorescence quenching towards Conjugated Polymers (CPs) was discussed, and CNPs could acted as a nanoquenchor for biochemistry application, such as detection of DNA molecules and other biomolecules by the similar way.

Abstract: An appropriate ultrasonication of collecting foreign recombinant protein (human-adiponectin) from yeast was established. Regarded the bioactivity of foreign recombinant protein tested by Western Blotting analysis as parameter, a L9(3³) orthogonal array design based on a series of single-factor experiments was employed to optimize conditions for ultrasonic disruption. The results showed that the ultrasonic power of 450 W, duration time on 25 min and operation interval (work time: intermittent time) of 10:10 (s/s) were optimal process with the highest protein bioactivity, and meanwhile, the cell breaking rate was (67.8±2.1) %.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) are widely used in many fields. The bio-distribution and toxicology of different sizes (25 nm and 50 nm) of TiO₂-NPs in vivo is evaluated in this paper. The results of quantitative distribution in vivo show that it is difficult for TiO₂-NPs to excretion clearly from tissues and organs. At the endpoint of experiment of different groups, there are still many TiO₂-NPs located in the main organs such as spleen, liver and lung after 120 days. Blood biochemical parameters keep unchanged compared with control group. However, pathological results show that lesions in spleen, liver and lung where TiO₂-NPs particles are mainly accumulated and retained are getting serious with the time prolonging. The results indicate that TiO₂-NPs are low toxic to mice but may have some potential effects on liver and kidney functions after exposure long time. The fundamental importance information gained from such a study will give the guidance on the application of TiO₂-NPs.

Abstract: Salvia Miltiorrhizae Bge, a popular Chinese herb has been widely adopted for use in Chinese hospitals for both the prevention and the active management of cardiovascular disease. there is no study on its cardioprotective effects against HF and more importantly, the underlying mechanisms of its beneficial effects by SDF-1/CXCR4 axis remain poorly understood. This study was performed to investigate the protective effects and possible mechanism of aqueous extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (AESM) on HF rats. In the study, cardioprotective effects of AESM on HF rats was evaluated by herat function, myocardial pathology, myocardial cell proliferation, SDF-1, CXCR4 and Bcl-2 family mRNA expressions. In the experiment, we found that AESM exerted beneficially protective effects on the HF rats, mainly recoverying normal heart function, myocardial pathology and myocardial cell proliferation. The underlying mechanism of these protective effects of AESM appeared to involve improving the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and Bcl-2 family expressions.

Abstract: The protease gene Arenicola cristata was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in E.coli and the activity of the recombinant protein was investigated. The full-length cDNA of 880 bp consisted of an ORF of 813bp encoding 270 amino acids. This protease contained highly conserved GDSGGP sequence and revealed high homology with trypsin-like proteases of serine family. The recombinant protein for the active form of the protease was purified by affinity chromatography. The activity analysis of the recombinant protein suggested that it was probably a plasminogen activator.

Abstract: cDNA of a novel protease, designated as AFEI, was cloned from digestive tract of Arenicola cristata by RACE. The cDNA of AFEIcomprised 897bp and an open reading frame that encoded polypeptides of 264 amino acid residues. AFEIshowed similarity to serine protease family and contained the conserved catalytic amino acid residues. The gene encoding the active form of AFEIwas expressed in E.coli and the purified recombinant protein could dissolve an artificial fibrin plate with plasminogen, which indicated the recombinant protein might be a plasminogen activator for thrombosis therapy.