Response of cellular stoichiometry and phosphorus storage of the cyanobacteria A phanizomenon flos-aquae to smallscale turbulence

Turbulent mixing, in particular on a small scale, aff ects the growth of microalgae by changing diff usive sublayers and regulating nutrient fluxes of cells. We tested the nutrient flux hypothesis by evaluating the cellular stoichiometry and phosphorus storage of microalgae under dif ferent turbulent mixing conditions. A phanizomenon flos-aquae were cultivated in dif ferent stirring batch reactors with turbulent dissipation rates ranging from 0.001 51 m2/s 3 to 0.050 58 m 2/s 3, the latter being the highest range observed in natural aquatic systems. Samples were taken in the exponential growth phase and compared with samples taken when the reactor was completely stagnant. Results indicate that, within a certain range, turbulent mixing stimulates the growth of A. flos-aquae. An inhibitory ef fect on growth rate was observed at the higher range. Photosynthesis activity, in terms of maximum ef fective quantum yield of PSII(the ratio of F v/F m) and cellular chlorophyll a, did not change significantly in response to turbulence. However, Chl a/C mass ratio and C/N molar ratio, showed a unimodal response under a gradient of turbulent mixing, similar to growth rate. Moreover, we found that increases in turbulent mixing might stimulate respiration rates, which might lead to the use of polyphosphate for the synthesis of cellular constituents. More research is required to test and verify the hypothesis that turbulent mixing changes the dif fusive sublayer, regulating the nutrient flux of cells.

Long-term modifications of blood pressure in normotensive and spontane-ously hypertensive rats by gene delivery of rAAV-mediated cytochrome P450 arachidonic acid hydroxylase

Arachidonic acid cytochrome P-450 （CYP） hydroxylase 4A isoforms, including 4A1, 4A2, 4A3 and 4A8 in the rat kidney, catalyze arachidonic acid to produce 19/20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids （20-HETE）, a biologically active metabolite, which plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. However, controversial results have been reported regarding the exact role of 20-HETE on blood pressure. In the present study, we used recombinant adenoassociated viral vector （rAAV） to deliver CYP 4A1 cDNA and antisense 4A1 cDNA into Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR）, respectively, to investigate the effects of long-term modifications of blood pressure and the potential for gene therapy of hyperténsion. The mean systolic pressure increased by 14.2±2.5 mm Hg in rAAV.4A 1-treated SD rats and decreased by 13.7±2.2 mm Hg in rAAV.anti4A l-treated SHR rats 5 weeks after the injection compared with controls and these changes in blood pressure were maintained until the experiments ended at 24 weeks. In 4A1 treated animals CYP4A was overexpressed in various tissues, but preferentially in the kidney at both mRNA and protein levels. In anti-4Al-treated SHR, CYP4A mRNA in various tissues was probed, especially in kidneys, but 4A l protein expression was almost completely inhibited. These results suggest that arachidonic acid CYP hydroxylases contribute not only to the maintenance of normal blood pressure but also to the development of hypertension. rAAV-mediated anti4A administration strategy has the potential to be used as targeted gene therapy in human hypertension by blocking expression of CYP 4A in kidneys.

Bifidobacterium lactis attenuates onset of inflammation in a murine model of colitis

AIM: To assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis) in an adoptive transfer model of colitis. METHODS: Donor and recipient mice received either B. lactis or bacterial culture medium as control (deMan Rogosa Sharpe) in drinking water for one week prior to transfer of a mix of naive and regulatory T cells until sacrifice. RESULTS: All recipient mice developed signs of colonic inflammation, but a significant reduction of weight loss was observed in B. lactis-fed recipient mice compared to control mice. Moreover, a trend toward a diminution of mucosal thickness and attenuated epithelial damage was revealed. Colonic expression of pro-inflammatory and T cell markers was significantly reduced in B. lactis-fed recipient mice compared to controls. Concomitantly, forkhead box protein 3, a marker of regulatory T cells, was significantly up-regulated by B. lactis. CONCLUSION: Daily oral administration of B. lactis was able to reduce inflammatory and T cells mediators and to promote regulatory T cells specific markers in a mouse model of colitis.

The effect of spleen on the change of Treg cells during mouse pregnancy

Objective:To analyze the effect of spleen on the Treg cells during pregnancy. Methods: The mononuclear cells were separated from the peripheral, spleen and uterus or placenta blood. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the percent of Treg cells in total T cells in different stages of pregnancy. Immunohistochemical staining was used to make sure the distribution of Treg in spleen in different stages of pregnancy. Results: The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with spleen Treg cells in normal unpregnant mice, spleen Treg cells on day 7 and 14 of pregnancy significantly increased. After splenectomy, peripheral blood and placenta Treg cells on day 7 of pregnancy markedly decreased as compared with the normal pregnancy(P<0.01). And the cells on day 14of pregnancy were markedly recovered as compared with the normal pregnancy. Conclusion: Our study indicated that the spleen and its Treg cells might play important roles in transient tolerance during pregnancy.

Effect of Angelica keiskei chalcone on the expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins of mice hepatocarcinoma cells

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of Angelica keiskei chalcone (AC) on the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax in mice hepatocarcinoma cells. Methods: Fifty mice inoculated hepatocarcinoma 22 cells were divided into five groups, 10 mice per group. Mice were given 5, 20, 40 mg/kg AC daily by mouth in low, middle and high dose groups respectively. Saline were given to the tumor control group by mouth. Twenty mg/kg cytoxan (CTX) by injection every other day were given to the positive control group. Ten days later, all mice were sacrificed. The levels of the Caspase-3 and Bax protein expression were measured by immunohistochemistry method and the proliferation activity of hepatocarcinoma cells was determined by MTT assay. Results: The expression level of Caspase-3 and Bax protein in tumor control group were 5.00% and 4.68%, respectively, and those of the high-dose group were 38.52% and 35.76%. The differences between two groups were significant (P < 0.05). The cell proliferation activity of tumor control group and high-dose group were 1.135 ± 0.032 and 0.716 ± 0.018. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AC can increase the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax protein, and inhibit the proliferative activity of mice hepatocarcinoma cells.

Astragalus polysaccharides can regulate cytokine and P-glycoprotein expression in H22 tumor-bearing mice

AIM:To investigate the adjunct anticancer effect of Astragalus polysaccharides in H22 tumor-bearing mice.METHODS:To establish a solid tumor model,5.0 × 10 6 /mL H22 hepatoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the right armpit region of Kunming mice(6-12 wk old,18-22 g).When the tumors reached a size of 100 mm 3,the animals were treated as indicated,and the mice were randomly assigned to seven groups(n = 10 each).After ten days of treatment,blood samples were collected from mouse eyes,and serum was harvested by centrifugation.Mice were sacrificed,and the whole body,tumor,spleen and thymus were weighed immediately.The rate of tumor inhibition and organ indexes were calculated.The expression levels of serum cytokines,P-glycoprotein(P-GP) and multidrug resistance(MDR) 1 mRNA in tumor tissues were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Western blotting,and quantitative myeloid-derived suppressor cells reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,respectively.RESULTS:The tumor inhibition rates in the treatment groups of Adriamycin(ADM) + Astragalus polysaccharides(APS)(50 mg/kg),ADM + APS(100 mg/kg),and ADM + APS(200 mg/kg) were significantly higher than in the ADM group(72.88% vs 60.36%,P = 0.013;73.40% vs 60.36%,P = 0.010;77.57% vs 60.36%,P = 0.001).The spleen indexes of the above groups were also significantly higher than in the ADM group(0.65 ± 0.22 vs 0.39 ± 0.17,P = 0.023;0.62 ± 0.34 vs 0.39 ± 0.17,P = 0.022;0.67 ± 0.20 vs 0.39 ± 0.17,P = 0.012),and the thymus indexes of the ADM + APS(100 mg/kg) and ADM + APS(200 mg/kg) groups were significantly higher than in the ADM group(0.20 ± 0.06 vs 0.13 ± 0.04,P = 0.029;0.47 ± 0.12 vs 0.13 ± 0.04,P = 0.000).APS was found to exert a synergistic antitumor effect with ADM and to alleviate the decrease in the sizes of the spleen and thymus induced by AMD.The expression of interleukin-1α(IL-1α),IL-2,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) was significantly higher in the ADM + APS(50 mg/kg),ADM + APS(100 mg/kg) and ADM + APS(200 mg/kg) groups than in the ADM group;and IL-10 was significantly lower in the above groups than in the ADM group.APS could increase IL-1α,IL-2,IL-6,and TNF-α expression and decrease IL-10 levels.Compared with the ADM group,APS treatment at a dose of 50-200 mg/kg could downregulate MDR1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner(0.48 ± 0.13 vs 4.26 ± 1.51,P = 0.000;0.36 ± 0.03 vs 4.26 ± 1.51,P = 0.000;0.21 ± 0.04 vs 4.26 ± 1.51,P = 0.000).The expression level of P-GP was significantly lower in the ADM + APS(200 mg/kg) group than in the ADM group(137.35 ± 9.20 mg/kg vs 282.19 ± 20.54 mg/kg,P = 0.023).CONCLUSION:APS exerts a synergistic anti-tumor effect with ADM in H22 tumor-bearing mice.This may be related to its ability to enhance the expression of IL1α,IL-2,IL-6,and TNF-α,decrease IL-10,and downregulate MDR1 mRNA and P-GP expression levels.

INVESTIGATION OF REGULATORY T CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of CD4 ^＋ CD25^high regulatory T cells （ Treg cells） in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes （TIL） of patients with non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and to investigate immunosuppression to the progression of cancer. Methods Peripheral blood and tumor tissues were collected from 20 patients with NSCLC at the time of surgery. None of the patients received surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or other medical interventions before this study. Cancer stages of the patients were Ⅰ-Ⅲ A. Venous blood samples were obtained from 20 health donors. PBMC were isolated from blood samples by differential centrifugation over Ficoll-Hypaque. TILs were isolated from tumors by differential centrifugation over Ficoll-Hypaque and Percoll. Percentage of CD4^＋ CD25^highTr/CD4＋T in PBMC and TIL was assessed by the flow cytometry. Results The percentage of CD4^ ＋ CD25high Tr/ CD4 ^＋T in PBMC [ （4. 87 ± 1.22 ） % ] of NSCLC patients was significantly higher than that in healthy donors [ （ 2.36 ± 0. 72 ） % ] （ P 〈 0.01 ）. The percentage of CD4^＋ CD25^highTr/ CD4^＋ T in PBMC [ （5.40 ± 1.20） % ] of NSCLC patients in stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ A was significantly higher than that in stage Ⅰ [ （3. 87 ± 0. 22 ） % ] （ P 〈 0. 01 ）. The percentage of CD4 ＋ CD25hiShTr/ CD4 ＋ T in TIL[ （ 8. 66 ±0. 76） % ] of NSCLC patients in stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ A was significantly higher than that in stage Ⅰ [ （ 7. 04 ± 0. 80） % ] （ P 〈 0. 01 ）. Conclusion The prevalence of CD4 ^＋ CD25^highTreg cells in PBMC and TIL of NSCLC patients was significantly higher than that in healthy donors. These Treg cells may be preventing appropriate antitumor immune responses. The population of CD4^ ＋ CD25^highTreg cells in PBMC and TILs of NSCLC patients with Ⅱ-Ⅲ A stage was significantly higher than that of NSCLC patients with Ⅰ stage. These Treg cells may facilitate development of tumors.

小细节改变人生

生活中有许多小的“细节”，通常并不为人们注意。但是遇到特殊机遇，它又会像仙人的魔棒一样，改变人的一生，创造出人间奇迹。

小细节,大世界

朋友恋爱时，正赶上一场关系到前途命运的考试，她工作之余争分夺秒地复习，无暇他顾。一天晚上，男友专程骑车一个多小时，从门缝里给她塞进一张纸条，上面只有稀疏的几句问候。据说那时该市正遭遇一股黑势力，专在晚上袭击夜间行人，而她的住所，正地处偏僻郊区。他冒着危险夜行一个多小时送一张对她毫无帮助和用处的纸片，骑车回去时紧张得要命，朋友们都说他傻。

Effects of Xinfeng capsule on the Fas/FasL-mediated apoptotic pathway in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Xinfeng capsule on the apoptosis of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes and changes in the Fas/Fas L-mediated apoptotic pathway in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).METHODS:A total of 28 RA patients were included in the study;they were randomly divided into the Xinfeng capsule(XFC) group(3 capsules,3 per day)and the leflunomide(LEF) group(1 pellet,once per night).The treatment course in each groups was 12 weeks.The normal control(NC) group consisted of10 healthy people.The apoptotic rate was examined using flow cytometry.Fas,Fas L,caspase 8,caspase 3,bcl-2,and bax m RNA were examined using q RT-PCR.Apoptotic proteins Fas,Fas L,caspase8,and caspase 3 were examined using western blotting.RESULTS:After treatment,patients in the two groups all showed some trend of improvement.Disease activity indexes,joint morning stiffness time,joint swelling/tenderness number,health assessment questionnaire(HAQ) score,RA quality of life(RAQOL) questionnaire,and self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),as well as all apoptotic related indicators were reduced in both groups after treatment with no significant difference between groups.But the improvement in terms of the self-rating depression scale(SDS) in the XFC group was better than in the LEF group.RA patients showed lower apoptotic rates in CD4+ T cells,lower bax,Fas,caspase 8,and caspase 3 m RNA,and less protein expression of Fas,caspase 8,and caspase3 than in the NC group.These indicators increased after treatment.However,the level of Bcl-2 m RNA was higher in the XFC group than in the NC group before treatment,and it subsequently decreased.The XFC group expressed lower Bcl-2 m RNA than the LEF group.Negative correlations were found between ESR and the apoptotic rate in CD4 + T cells,Fas,and caspase 3;CRP and Fas;and,swollen joint count and Bax,while positive correlations were found between ESR and Bcl-2.CONCLUSION:XFC can regulate the Fas/Fas L system and promote CD4+ T cell apoptosis and thus reduce the abnormal immune response,which can improve symptoms in RA patients.

Melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cell loss and behavioral analysis in the Thy1-CFP-DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma

In this study, the role of melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells （mRGCs） in the glaucoma-induced depressive behavioral response pattern was investigated. The CFP-D2 transgenic glaucoma animal model from five age groups was used in this study. Immunohistochemical labeling, quantitative analysis of mRGC morphology, open field test （OFT）, and statistical analysis were used. In comparison with C57 BL/6 mice, the age-matched CFP-D2 mice had significantly elevated intraocular pressure （lOP）. We observed parallel morphological changes in the retina, including a reduction in the density of cyan fluorescent protein- （CFP） expressing cells （cells mm^-2 at 2 months of age, 1309±26; 14 months, 878±30, P〈0.001）, mRGCs （2 months, 48_＋3; 14 months, 19±4, P〈0.001）, Brn3b-expressing RGCs （2 months, 1283±80; 14 months, 950±31, P〈0.001）, Brn-3b expressing mRGCs （5 months, 50.17%±5.5%; 14 months, 12.61%±3.8%, P〈0.001）, and reduction in the dendritic field size of mRGCs （mm^2 at 2 months, 0.077±0.015; 14 months, 0.065±0.015, P〈0.05）. CFP-D2 mice had hyperactive locomotor activity patterns based on OFT findings of the total distance traveled, number of entries into the center, and time spent in the center of the testing apparatus. The glaucoma induced hyperactive response pattern could be associated with dysfunctional mRGCs, most likely Brn-3b-positive mRGCs in CFP-D2 mice.

Paracrine signaling in stem cell renewal and in neoplastic tumor growth

Paracrine pathway activities are being increasingly recognized as instrumental regulatory mechanisms of epithelial-stromal interactions that play important roles in physiological and pathological self-renewal of stem cells and in the initiation and maintenance of neoplastic tumor development.Stromal-specific Hedgehog(Hh)responses and epithelial-associated Wnt pathway activities have been recently appreciated as important factors in stem cell self-renewal and carcinogenesis.Furthermore,Hh and Wnt pathways frequently crosstalk with each other to regulate the growth of epithelial cells in a context-dependent manner.Because small molecule modulators of Hh and Wnt pathway activities are readily available,emerging roles of Hh-Wnt pathway crosstalk in epithelial-stromal interactions will shed light on the development of regenerative and anti-cancer medicines.

Odontoblast β-catenin signaling regulates fenestration of mouse Hertwig's epithelial root sheath

The interaction between Hertwig＇s epithelial root sheath （HERS） and the adjacent mesenchyme is vitally important in mouse tooth root development. We previously generated odontoblast-specific Ctnnbl （encodingβ-catenin） deletion mice, and demon- strated that odontoblast β-catenin signaling regulates odontoblast proliferation and differentiation. However, the role of odon- toblast β-catenin signaling in regulation of HERS behavior has not been fully investigated. Here, using the same odonto- blast-specific Ctnnbl deletion mice, we found that ablation of β-catenin signaling in odontoblasts led to aberrant HERS for- mation. Mechanistically, odontoblast-specific Ctnnbl deletion resulted in elevated bone morphogenetic protein 7 （Bmp7） ex- pression and reduced expression of noggin andfollistatin, both of which encode extracellular inhibitors of BMPs. Furthermore, the levels of phosphorylated Smadl/5/8 were increased in HERS cells. In vitro tissue culture confirmed that BMP7 treatment disrupted the HERS structure. Taken together, we demonstrated that odontoblast f3-catenin signaling may act through regula- tion of BMP signaling to maintain the integrity of HERS cells.

IP3R-mediated Ca2＋ signals govern hematopoietic and cardiac divergence of Flk1＋ cells via the calcineurin-N FATc3-Etv2 pathway

Ca2＋ signals participate in various cellular processes with spatial and temporal dynamics, among which, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors （IP3Rs）-mediated Ca2＋ signals are essential for early development. However, the underlying mechanisms of IP3R- regulated cell fate decision remain largely unknown. Here we report that IP3Rs are required for the hematopoietic and cardiac fate divergence of mouse embryonic stem cells （mESCs）. Deletion of IP3Rs （IP3R-tKO） reduced FIkl＋/PDGFRα- hematopoietic mesoderm, c-Kit＋/CD41＋ hematopoietic progenitor ceil population, and the colony-forming unit activity, but increased cardiac progenitor markers as well as cardiomyocytes. Concomitantly, the expression of a key regulator of hematopoiesis, Ely2, was reduced in IP3R-tKO cells, which could be rescued by the activation of Ca2＋ signals and calcineurin or overexpression of constitutively active form of NFATc3. Furthermore, IP3R-tKO impaired specific targeting of Ely2 by NFATc3 via its evolutionarily conserved cis-element in differentiating ESCs. Importantly, the activation of Ca2＋-calcineurin-NFAT pathway reversed the phenotype of IP3R-tKO cells. These findings reveal an unrecognized governing role of IP3Rs in hematopoietic and cardiac fate commitment via IP3Rs-Ca2＋-calcineurin-NFATc3- Etv2 pathway.