热贡地区土族“六月会”祭祀活动的仪式分析——以同仁县尕沙日村为个案

青海同仁地区的土族和藏族村庄在每年农历六月份都举办规模盛大的集体性祭祀活动"六月会"。在具体的举办过程中,大多数村落都存在全村同祭神灵和邻近几村合祭神灵的形式。本文从共时性的视角,依据杜尔干和拉德克利夫-布朗的宗教人类学理论对"六月会"仪式的社会整合功能展开分析,提出"六月会"祭祀圈的概念,并在村落和村际两个层面上,揭示了其对社区共同体的整体团结和内部结构的巩固、维系作用。

月子习俗的仪式分析与禁忌解读

月子习俗在我国各地都普遍存在,早在2000多年前就已有妇女产后坐月子的文字记载,民间普遍认为坐月子是改善体质的绝佳机会,被誉为女人的第二次重生。与月子习俗相伴的还有各种各样的禁忌。在赣南客家地区,月子禁忌主要表现在饮食、服饰、行为和环境四个方面。本文从月子习俗的由来、月子习俗的仪式、月子习俗的禁忌表现及原因分析等角度出发,阐述月子习俗在当代的社会意义及存在状态。

人类学仪式研究的理论学派述论

仪式是作为学科的人类学界定自己的一大支柱,长期以来吸引了学人们广泛的兴趣。由于仪式文化现象的多维性与复杂性,学界对仪式的研究一直众说纷纭,神话-仪式学派、心理学派、结构-功能学派、现象学派、实践-表演学派等应运而生,从不同的角度对仪式进行阐释。本文根据近年来海内外的相关成果,对仪式研究的诸种学术取向作一简略梳理。

象征人类学视域下苗族丧葬仪式的文化阐释

贵州省惠水县摆榜乡是一个典型的苗族聚居地,“嘎哈”丧葬文化是“摆榜苗”传统民俗文化系统中重要构成部分,蕴含苗族古老丰富的人生信仰;丧葬仪式从“构建仪式聚合空间”到“为‘君’笑舞”“为‘君’送行”实质是摆榜苗族古老人生观与神鬼观的具体观念呈现与仪式行为实践,一系列仪式行为和符号旨在帮助亡灵顺利由“此岸”走向“彼岸”,使亡灵由此完成从阳间结构过渡、转换入阴间结构,晋升为受子孙后辈供奉崇拜的祖灵。

儒家乎?儒教乎?——苗疆“堂祭三献礼”的宗教人类学研究

“儒学是否宗教”这一问题从清末至今几度成为中国学界争论的焦点之一 ,而贵州省锦屏县河口乡的苗族人民在清朝和今天仍然一代又一代地实践着儒教色彩极为浓厚的“堂祭三献礼”。该文以人类学田野调查所取得的这一珍贵资料为依托 ,分析其过程、归纳其内容、追溯其源流、界定其性质 ,力图为学界对儒教问题的进一步研究提供一份可靠的参考资料和一种崭新的思考路径。

Highly efficient differentiation of human ES cells and iPS cells into mature pancreatic insulin-producing cells

Human pluripotent stem cells represent a potentially unlimited source of functional pancreatic endocrine lineage cells. Here we report a highly efficient approach to induce human embryonic stem （ES） cells and induced pluripo- tent stem （iPS） cells to differentiate into mature insulin-producing cells in a chemical-defined culture system. The differentiated human ES cells obtained by this approach comprised nearly 25% insulin-positive cells as assayed by flow cytometry analysis, which released insulin/C-peptide in response to glucose stimuli in a manner comparable to that of adult human islets. Most of these insulin-producing cells co-expressed mature β cell-specific markers such as NKX6-1 and PDX1, indicating a similar gene expression pattern to adult islet β cells in vivo. In this study, we also demonstrated that EGF facilitates the expansion of PDXl-positive pancreatic progenitors. Moreover, our protocol also succeeded in efficiently inducing human iPS cells to differentiate into insuIin-producing ceils. Therefore, this work not only provides a new model to study the mechanism of human pancreatic specialization and maturation in vitro, but also enhances the possibility of utilizing patient-specific iPS cells for the treatment of diabetes.

LY294002 potentiates the anti-cancer effect of oxaliplatin for gastric cancer via death receptor pathway

AIM:To examine the effects of combined treatment of oxaliplatin and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor,2-(4-morpholinyl) -8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one(LY294002) for gastric cancer. METHODS:Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay.Western blotting and immuno-precipitation were used to examine protein expression and recruitment,respectively.Nuclear factorκB(NFκB) binding activities were investigated using electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Nude mice were used to investigate tumor growth. RESULTS:Treatment with combined oxaliplatin and LY294002 resulted in increased cell growth inhibi-tion and cell apoptosis in vitro,and increased tumor growth inhibition and cell death in the tumor mass in vivo.In MKN45 and AGS cells,oxaliplatin treatment promoted both protein kinase B(Akt) and NFκB activation,while pretreatment with LY294002 significantly attenuated oxaliplatin-induced Akt activity and NFκB binding.LY294002 promoted oxaliplatin-induced Fas ligand(FasL) expression,Fas-associated death domain protein recruitment,caspase-8,Bid,and caspase-3 activation,and the short form of cellular caspase-8/FLICEinhibitory protein(c-FLIPS) inhibition.In vivo,LY294002 inhibited oxaliplatin-induced activation of Akt and NFκB,and increased oxaliplatin-induced expression of FasL,inhibition of c-FLIPS,and activation of caspase-8,Bid,and caspase-3. CONCLUSION:Combination of oxaliplatin and LY294002 was therapeutically promising for gastric cancer treatment.The enhanced sensitivity of the combined treatment was associated with the activation of the death receptor pathway.

Casticin-induced apoptosis involves death receptor 5 upregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM:To investigate the apoptotic activities of casticin in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells and its molecular mechanisms.METHODS:PLC/PRF/5 and Hep G2 cell lines were cultured in vitro and the inhibitory effect of casticin on the growth of cells was detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolim bromide(MTT) assay.The apoptotic cell death was examined using the cell apoptosis enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) detection kit,flow cytometry(FCM) after propidium iodide(PI) staining and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis.The caspase activities were measured using ELISA.Reactive oxygen species(ROS) production was evaluated by FCM after dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) probe labeling.Intracellular glutathione(GSH) content was measured using a glutathione assay kit.The expression of death receptor(DR)4 and DR5 proteins was analyzed by Western blotting and FCM.RESULTS:Casticin significantly inhibited the growth of human HCC(PLC/PRF/5 and Hep G2) cells in a dosedependent manner(P < 0.05).Casticin increased the percentage of the sub-G1 population in HCC cells in a concentration-dependent manner.The potency of casticin to PLC/PRF/5 cells was higher than that of 5-flurouracil(26.8% ± 4.8% vs 17.4% ± 5.1%) at 10 μmol/L for 24 h.Casticin increased the levels of Histone/DNA fragmentation and the levels of active caspase-3,-8 and-9 in a concentration-dependent manner(P < 0.05).Treatment with 30 μmol/L casticin for 24 h resulted in the formation of a DNA ladder.Casticin reduced the GSH content(P < 0.05),but did not affect the level of intracellular ROS in PLC/PRF/5 and Hep G2 cells.The thiol antioxidants,acetylcysteine(NAC) and GSH restored GSH content and attenuated casticin-induced apoptosis.In contrast,the nonthiol antioxidants,butylated hydroxyanisole and mannitol failed to do so.In the HCC cells treated with casticin for 24 h,DR5 protein level was increased.The expression of DR5 protein induced by casticin was inhibited by NAC.Pretreatment with DR5/Fc chimera protein,a blocking antibody,effectively attenuated the induction of apoptosis by casticin.CONCLUSION:Casticin-induced apoptosis of HCC cells is involved in GSH depletion and DR5 upregulation.

Exogenous phosphatidylethanolamine induces apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells via the bcl-2/bax pathway

AIM: To investigate the signaling pathways implicated in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-induced apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. METHODS: Inhibitory effects of PE on human hepatoma HepG2 cells were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Immunocytochemical assay and Western blotting were used to examine Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 protein levels in HepG2 cells treated with PE. RESULTS: PE inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a doseand timedependent manner. It did notaffect the cell cycle, but induced apoptosis. PE significantly decreased ΔΨm at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mmol/L, respectively, suggesting that PE induces cell apoptosis by decreasing the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The Bcl-2 expression level induced by different concentrations of PE was lower than that in control groups. However, the Bax expression level induced by PE was higher than that in the control group. Meanwhile, PE increased the caspase-3 expression in a doseand time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Exogenous PE induces apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells via the bcl-2/bax pathway.

Upregulated CD133 expression in tumorigenesis of colon cancer cells

AIM: To analyze the upregulated CD133 expression in tumorigenesis of primary colon cancer cells. METHODS: Upregulated CD133 expression in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer cell lines (Lovo, Colo205, Caco-2, HCT116 and SW620) was analyzed by flow cytometry. Human colon cancer tissue samples were stained with anti-human CD133. SW620 cells were sorted according to the CD133 expression level measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Spheroids of colorectal cancer cells were cultured with the hanging drop. Expression of CD133 and Lgr5 in spheroids of colorectal cancer cells and monolayer culture was detected by RT-qPCR. Spheroids of colorectal cancer cells were analyzed using anti-human CD133 with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: CD133 antigen was expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines (Lovo, Colo205, Caco-2, HCT116 and SW620) as well as in primary and metastatic human colon cancer tissues. However, the CD133 was differently expressed in these cell lines and tissues. The expression levels of CD133 and Lgr5 were significantly higher in spheroids of parental, CD133hi and CD133-cells than in their monolayer culture at the mRNA level (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining of spheroids of CD133-cells showed that CD133 was highly expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION: Upregulated CD133 expression plays a role in tumorigenesis colorectal cancer cells, which may promote the expression of other critical genes that can drive tumorigenesis.

MicroRNA-15a/b are up-regulated in response to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Objective Several studies have indicated that miR-15a,miR-15b and miR-16 may be the important regulators of apoptosis.Since attenuate apoptosis could protect myocardium and reduce infarction size,the present study was aimed to find out whether these miRNAs participate in regulating myocardial ischemia reperfusion （I/R） injury.Methods Apoptosis in mice hearts subjected to I/R was detected by TUNEL assay in vivo,while flow cytometry analysis followed by Annexin V/PI double stain in vitro was used to detect apoptosis in cultured cardiomyocytes which were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation （H/R）.Taqman real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm whether miR-15a/15b/16 were involved in the regulation of cardiac I/R and H/R.Results Compared to those of the controls,I/R or H/R induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was significantly iucreased both in vivo （24.4％ ± 9.4％ vs.2.2％ ± 1.9％,P ＜ 0.01,n =5） and in vitro （14.12％ ±0.92％ vs.2.22％ ± 0.08％）.The expression of miR-15a and miR-15b,but not miR-16,was increased in the mice I/R model,and the results were consistent in the H/R model.Conclusions Our data indicate miR-15 and miR-15b are up-regulated in response to cardiac I/R injury,therefore,down-regulation of miR- 15a/b may be a promising strategy to reduce myocardial apoptosis induced by cardiac I/R injury.

Flow cytometric characterizations of leukocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of northern pig-tailed macaques （Macaca leonina）

Pig-tailed macaques(Macaca nemistrina group) have been extensively used as non-human primate animal models for various human diseases in recent years, notably for AIDS research due to their sensitivity to HIV-1. Northern pig-tailed macaques(M. leonina) are distributed in China and other surrounding Southeast Asia countries. Although northern pig-tailed macaques have been bred on a large scale as experimental animals since 2012, the reference value of normal levels of leukocytes is not available. To obtain such information, 62 blood samples from male and female healthy northern pig-tailed macaques at different ages were collected. The normal range of major leukocyte subpopulations, such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer(NK) cells, monocytes, and the expression levels of activation or differentiation related molecules(CD38, HLA-DR, CCR5, CD21, IgD, CD80 and CD86) on lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The counts of B cells decreased with age, but those of CD8+ T cells and NK cells and the frequency of CD38+HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells were positively correlated with age. The counts of leukocyte subpopulations were higher in males than those in females except for CD4+ T cells. Males also showed higher expression levels of Ig D and CD21 within B cells. This study provides basic data about the leukocyte subpopulations of northern pig-tailed macaques and compares this species with commonly used Chinese rhesus macaques(M. mulatta), which is meaningful for the biomedical application of northern pig-tailed macaques.

Morphology and ontogeny of dendritic cells in rats at different development periods

AIM： To study the morphology and ontogeny of dendritic cells of Peyer＇s patches in rats at different development periods. METHODS： The morphometric and flow cytometric analyses were performed to detect all the parameters of villous-crypts axis and the number of OX62＋DC, OX62＋CD4＋SIRP＋DC, and OX62＋CD4-SIRP-DC in the small intestine in different groups of rats. The relationship between the parameters of villous-axis and the number of DC and DC subtype were analyzed. RESULTS： All morphometric parameters changed significantly with the development of pups in the different age groups （F = 10.751, 12.374, 16.527, 5.291, 3.486; P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.001, 0.015）. Villous height levels were unstable and increased from 115.24μm to 140.43 μm as early as 3 wk postpartum. Villous area increased significantly between 5 and 7 wk postpartum, peeked up to 13817.60 tam2 at 7 wk postpartum. Villous height and crypt depth ratios were relatively stable and increased significantly from 2.80 ＋ 1.01 to 4.54 =1= 1.56, 9-11 wk postpartum. The expression of OX62＋DC increased from 33.30%±5.80% to 80%± 17.30%, 3-11 wk postpartum （F =5.536, P = 0.0013）. OX62＋CD4＋SIRP＋DC subset levels detected in single-cell suspensions of rat total Peyer＇s patch dendritic cells （PP-DCs） increased significantly from 30.73% ± 5.16% to 35.50% ± 4.08%, 5-7 wk postpartum and from 34.20% ±1.35% to 43.60% ± 2.07% 9-11 wk postpartum （F = 7.216, P = 0.005）. CONCLUSION： This study confirms the agerelated changes in villous-crypt axis differentiation in the small intestine. Simultaneously, there are also development and maturation in rat PP-DCs phenotypic expression. Furthermore, the morphological changes of intestinal mucosa and the development of immune cells （especially DC） peaked at 9-11 wk postpartum, indicating that the intestinal mucosae reached a relatively mature state at 11 wk postpartum.

ZM-66, a New Podophyllotoxin Derivative Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in K562/ADM Cells

Objective To investigate the anti-tumor effect of ZM-66 on multidrug-resistant leukemic cell line K562/ADM. Methods The K562/ADM cells were treated with varying concentrations （0, 1, 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L） of ZM-66 or etoposide for 24 hours. The proliferation was detected by Sulforhodamine B Sodium Salt （SRB） assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis and fluorescent staining. In addition, the expression levels of p53 and bax genes in K562/ADM cells were detected by RT-PCR analysis. The level of P-glycoprotein （P-gp）, P53 and Bax protein in K562/ADM cells were detected by Western blot assay. Results SRB assay demonstrated that etoposide had little inhibitory effect on K562/ADM cells, whereas ZM-66 （1, 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L） had significantly inhibitory effect on K562/ADM cells （all P〈0.01）. The acridine orange/propidium iodide dual staining showed that there were typical condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentation nuclei with red color in ZM-66 treated cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that there was a significantly increase of apoptotic cells i~ K562/KDM cells after treated with ZM-66. RT-PCR showed that the p53 and bax mRNA expression levels in K562/ADM cells treated with ZM-66 at 1, 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L were higher than those in the cell without treatment. Western blot showed that the P53 and Bax protein expression levels in K562/ADM cells treated with ZM-66 at 2, 4x 10 s mmol/L were higher than those in the cell without treatment. But the P-gp protein expression level in K562/ADM cells treated with ZM-66 at 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L was gradually lower than those in the cell without treatment. Conclusion ZM-66 is able to induce cell death by apoptosis in vitro, as a result of the reverse of theapoptosis resistance in drug-resistant K562/ADM cells by modulating expression of key factors associated with apoptosis induction.

7-difluoromethoxyl-5,4'-di-n-octylgenistein inhibits growth of gastric cancer cells through downregulating forkhead box M1

AIM: To investigate whether the 7-difluoromethoxyl-5, 4'-di-n-octylgenistein (DFOG), a novel synthetic genistein analogue, affects the growth of gastric cancer cells and its mechanisms. METHODS: A series of genistein analogues were prepared by difluoromethylation and alkylation, and human gastric cancer cell lines AGS and SGC-7901 cultured in vitro were treated with various concentrations of genistein and genistein analogues. The cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cells were incubated by DFOG at different concentrations. The growth inhibitory effects were evaluated using MTT and clonogenic assay. The distribution of the phase in cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometric analysis with propidium iodide staining. The expression of the transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The expression levelsof CDK1, Cdc25B, cyclin B and p27KIP1 protein were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: Nine of the genistein analogues had more effective antitumor activity than genistein. Among the tested analogues, DFOG possessed the strongest activity against AGS and SGC-7901 cells in vitro. DFOG significantly inhibited the cell viability and colony formation of AGS and SGC-7901 cells. Moreover, DFOG efficaciously arrested the cell cycle in G2/M phase. DFOG decreased the expression of FOXM1 and its downstream genes, such as CDK1, Cdc25B, cyclin B, and increased p27KIP1 at protein levels. Knockdown of FOXM1 by small interfering RNA before DFOG treatment resulted in enhanced cell growth inhibition in AGS cells. Up-regulation of FOXM1 by cDNA transfection attenuated DFOG-induced cell growth inhibition in AGS cells. CONCLUSION: DFOG inhibits the growth of human gastric cancer cells by down-regulating the FOXM1 expression.

Proliferation inhibition of human cervical cancer HeLa cells by Casticin in vitro

Objective： The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Casticin on proliferation inhibition of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in vitro and to unravel the associated mechanisms. Methods： Human cervical HeLa cells were cultured in vitro. The inhibitory effect of Casticin on the viability of human cervical cancer HeLa ceils was evaluated by the MTT assay. The colony formation ability was detected by plate colony formation assay. Distribution of cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blot. Results： Casticin significantly inhibited the growth of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the IC50 was 2.82 μg/mL. The colony-forming rate was reduced drastically compared with control group （P 〈 0.05）. The cells were markedly arrested at G2/M phase after the treatment of Casticin for 48 h. Western blot showed that the expression of p21 protein was up-regulated and protein level of Cyctin B1 was depressed by Casticin in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion： Casticin could inhibit the cell growth and lead to cell arrest in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, and the down-regulation of Cyclin B1 protein expression and activation of p21 protein might contribute to Casticin induced cell arrest in human cervical cancer HeLa cells.

Detachment of esophageal carcinoma cells from extracellular matrix causes relocalization of death receptor 5 and apoptosis

AIM： To investigate the effect of detachment of esophageal cancer cells from extracellular matrix on the localization of death receptor 5 （DR5） and apoptosis. METHODS： Anchorage-dependent EC9706 cells of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were pretreated or not treated with brefeldin A. Detached cells were harvested by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid digestion. Expression and localization of DR5 in these cells were determined by immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence assays, as well as flow cytometry analysis. Apoptosis of EC9706 cells was detected by flow cytometry after stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled annexin V/propidium iodide. Activation of caspase 8 was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS： Immunocytochemical assay indicated that DR5 was predominantly perinuclear in adherent cells but was mainly localized in cell membrane in detached cells. In addition, immunofluorescence assay also confirmed the above-mentioned results, and further demonstrated that DR5 was present in the form of coarse granules in detached cells, but in the form of fine granules in adherent cells. Cytometry analysis revealed higher levels of DR5 expression on the surfaces of brefeldin-A-untreated cells than on the surfaces of brefeldin-A-treated cells, but brefeldin A treatment did not affect the total DR5 expression levels. Moreover, nocodazole did not influence the extracelluar DR5 expression levels in EC9706 cells. Apoptosis assay revealed that detached cells were more sensitive to DR5 antibody-induced apoptosis than adherent ceils. Western blotting showed that caspase 8 was activated in temporarily detached cells 4 h earlier than in adherent cells. CONCLUSION： Progress from adhesion to detachment of EC9706 cells causes DR5 relocalization, and promotes cytoplasmic translocation of DR5 to cell surfaces via a Golgi-dependent pathway. Moreover, it might also result in DR5 aggregation to render apoptosis of detached cells.

Influence of CDK1 and CDK2 siRNA interference on tumor cell cycle and cell apoptosis

Objective： We investigated the influence of CDK1 and CDK2 expression inhibited by cotransfection of CDK1 and CDK2 siRNA on cell cycle and apoptosis, explored the exact role of cell cycle master regulator in tumor cell apoptosis process. Methods： The siRNA targeting the CDK1 and CDK2 genes were synthesized and simultaneously cotransfected into Hela cells by lipofectamine 2000.48 or 60 h after the cotransfection, CDK1 and CDK2 protein expressions were examined by Western blot. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was detected by the Annexin V/PI method. The changes of the transfected cell morphological under a microscope after Wright-Giemsa Staining were studied. Results： CDK1 and CDK2 protein expression was decreased at 48 or 60 h after cotransfection. The accumulation of the G2/M and S phase population in cell cycle of the cotransfected cells at 48 or 60 h after transfection was enhanced obviously compared with control. The ratio of apoptotic cell of cotransfected cells at 48 or 60 h after transfection was increased significantly compared with control. More binucleate or multinucleate ceJls among cotransfected cells were observed under the microscope. Conclusion： The decreased expression of CDK1 and CDK2 by cotransfection of CDK1 and CDK2 siRNA not only leads to tumor cell cycle arrest in S phase and G2/M phase, but also induces tumor cell apoptosis.

Small hairpin RNA against Bcl-2 increases MTX-induced apoptosis in Raji cells

Objective:The aim of this study was to study the effect of Bcl-2 small hairpin RNA(shRNA) enhancing methotrexate(MTX)-induced apoptosis of Raji cells.Methods:Expression plasmid with Bcl-2 shRNA was transfected into Raji cells by Lipofectmine 2000 and then treated with MTX.At 48 h of transfection,the expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was evaluated by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence.MTT assay was used to analyze cell proliferation at 24,48 and 72 h.Apoptosis was detected by Giemsa staining and flow cytometric cell cycle analysis.Results:After transfection with Bcl-2 shRNA,the expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in Raji cells decreased(P < 0.05).Using Giemsa staining,cells transfected with Bcl-2 shRNA combined with MTX at 48 h displayed changes of apoptosis.MTX significantly inhibited the growth of cells after transfected with Bcl-2 shRNA(P < 0.05).Apoptotic rates of the Raji cells treated with Bcl-2 shRNA combined with MTX significantly increased(P < 0.05),compared with either control shRNA/MTX combination or MTX-treatment cells alone.Conclusion:Our results suggest the shRNA against Bcl-2 mRNA could increase MTX-induced apoptosis of Raji cells.

Non-invasive glucose measuring apparatus based on conservation of energy method

A new non-invasive blood glucose measuring apparatus (NBGMA) made up of MSP430F149 SCM (single chip micyoco) was developed,which can measure blood glucose level (BGL) frequently,conveniently and painlessly. The hardware and software of this apparatus were designed,and detecting algorithms based on conservation of energy method (COEM) were presented. According to the law of conservation of energy that the energy derived by human body equals energy consumed by metabolism,and the relationship between convection,evaporation,radiation and the BGL was established. The sensor module was designed. 20 healthy volunteers were involved in the clinical experiment. The BGL measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer (ABA) was set as the reference. Regression analysis was performed to compare the conservation of energy method with the biochemical method,using the 20 data points with blood glucose concentrations ranging from 680 to 1 100 mg/L. Reproducibility was measured for healthy fasting volunteers. The results show that the means of BGL detected by NBGMA and ANA are very close to each other,and the difference of standard deviation (SD) is 24.7 mg/L. The correlative coefficient is 0.807. The coefficient of variation (CV) is 4% at 921.6 mg/L. The resultant regression is evaluated by the Clarke error grid analysis (EGA) and all data points are included in the clinically acceptable regions (region A:100%,region B:0%). Accordingly,it is feasible to measure BGL with COEM.