Anthelmintic activity of cyclotides: In vitro studies with canine and human hookworms

Hookworm infection is a leading cause of maternal and child morbidity in countries of the tropics and subtropics, as well as being an important parasite in companion-animal medicine. The cyclotides are a novel family of cyclic cystine knot containing peptides from plants that have been shown to possess anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, two important gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. In the current study we demonstrated the in vitro effects of three representative cyclotides, kalata B1, kalata B6 and cycloviolacin O14, on the viability of larval and adult life stages of the dog hookworm Ancylostoma caninum, and larvae of the human hookworm Necator americanus. The cyclotides showed significant anthelmintic activity towards both hookworm species. The different cyclotides showed similar patterns of relative activity as that seen previously with the livestock nematode species. This study demonstrates that cyclotides have promising activity in vitro against important parasites of companion animals and humans.     

麦胚提取物对去卵巢大鼠无机盐和骨形成蛋白2的影响

目的　探讨麦胚提取物对去卵巢引起骨质疏松大鼠无机盐和骨形成蛋白 2 (BMP2 )的影响。方法　 2 1只雌性 SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、去卵巢模型组、去卵巢加麦胚提取物组 (麦胚提取物 1 0 0 mg/ kg· d) ,1 0 w后测定血清无机盐钙、磷、钠、钾、AL P含量 ,用 SP免疫组织化学检测骨 BMP2 表达。结果　去卵巢组大鼠试验 1 0 w后血清和尿钙、钠和血清 ALP含量显著升高 ;而血清和尿钾降低 ,骨 BMP2 表达下降 (P<0 .0 5或 P<0 .0 1 )。去卵巢加麦胚后大鼠的尿钙、钠和血清 ALP含量显著降低 ,骨 BMP2 表达增高 (P<0 .0 5)。结论　麦胚提取物可调节去卵巢大鼠血清和尿中钙、钠、钾 ,促进 BMP2 表达 ,预防去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松。     

Purification and characterization of a juvenile hormone binding protein from the hemolymph of the fourth instar tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

A protein which binds the insect juvenile hormone has been isolated from the hemolymph of the fourth instar tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera). Bioassay and chemical characterization of the bound ligand from the purified binding protein indicates that this molecule is the primary macromolecule responsible for juvenile hormone transport in the hemolymph of this insect. The juvenile hormone binding protein has been purified using gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein is a single polypeptide chain of about 28,000 daltons with a sedimentation coefficient of 2.2S and an isoelectric point of 5.0. Binding analysis using a hydroxyapatite batch assay indicates that the juvenile hormone binding protein has one binding site with a Ka of 1.2 times 10(7) M-1 at 4 degrees C.     

Unique SMAD1/5/8 activity at the phalanx-forming region determines digit identity

The zone of polarizing activity is the primary signaling center controlling anterior-posterior patterning of the amniote limb bud. The autopodial interdigits (IDs) are secondary signaling centers proposed to determine digit identity by acting on the cells of the digital ray. Here, we focus on events accompanying digital fate determination and define a region of the digital ray that expresses Sox9 and Bmpr1b and is phosphorylated-SMAD1/5/8 (p-SMAD1/5/8) positive. We name this region the phalanx-forming region (PFR), and show that the PFR cells arise from the distal subridge mesenchyme of digital ray. This phalanx-forming cell lineage is subsequently committed to the cartilage lineage; the fate of these cells is initially labile but becomes fixed as they are incorporated into the condensed cartilage of the digit primordium. Using an in vivo reporter assay, we establish that each digital PFR has a unique p-SMAD1/5/8 activity signature. In addition, we show that changes in this activity correlate with the identity of the digit that forms after experimental manipulation, supporting the idea that threshold signaling levels can lead to different developmental outcomes in a morphogenetic field. Our data define the molecular profile of the PFR, and we propose a model for understanding formation and variation of digits during autopodial development.     

大肠肿瘤细胞凋亡及相关基因表达的研究

为了探讨Ｂｃｌ－２和Ｐ５３蛋白在大肠肿瘤中的表达及与细胞凋亡的关系，用免疫组化方法观察了４５例大肠腺瘤和６１例大肠癌中Ｂｃｌ－２和Ｐ５３蛋白的表达。正常大肠粘膜中Ｂｃｌ－２和Ｐ５３均未见表达，而大肠腺瘤及大肠癌阳性率均较正常明显增加（Ｐ〈０．０１）。大肠腺瘤Ｐ５３表达随腺瘤大小增加而增加，其中≥２０ｍｍ组阳性率（７７．７８％）显著高于〈１０ｍｍ组（３５．００％，Ｐ〈０．０５）。Ｐ５３蛋白阳性率也随     

中医肝脏生理与病理理论对于我国眼科学发展的意义

整体恒动观是中医核心理念。中医认为：肝主目;眼为五脏之精,肝为五脏之长;肝主疏泄,条畅情志;肝生血气,藏血藏魂;肝主血海、主谋略;肝生“相火”,萌发元阳;肝为将军之官,主攘外安内;肝主筋主动,为罴极之本;肝为泪。中医强调：百病从肝治;上医治未病;治病求本,以人为本。根据中医肝脏生理与病理理论,很多感染性与包括肿瘤的免疫性眼病、代谢性与退行性眼病、缺血性与出血性和血管增生性眼病、干眼症与全身病相关眼病都能够从根本上防治,减少甚至避免抗生素与免疫抑制剂等药物、激光与手术治疗,进而推动眼科医学模式变革,提高我国眼病防治科学水平。中医肝脏生理与病理理论能够对于我国以及世界眼科学的发展做出重大贡献。     

密度梯度离心联合上游法的精液处理在供精体外受精胚胎移植中的应用

目的:观察供精体外受精-胚胎移植术(D-IVF)中采用密度梯度离心法联合上游法处理精液后的胚胎情况。方法:回顾本院2013年1月-2014年7月D-IVF 135个周期,观察冷冻精液复苏后经采用密度梯度离心法联合上游法处理后精子总活动率、前向运动精子活动率等精液情况,以及受精以后的受精率、卵裂率、临床妊娠率,对照组为同期46个因丈夫梗阻性无精行ICSI的周期。结果:处理后精子总活动率、前向运动精子活动率均大大提高,但是精子密度却大大下降,处理前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);受精以后的实验室资料和对照组比较,各项参数差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:密度梯度离心法联合上游法的精液处理方法在D-IVF中是一种稳定可行的方法。     

鬼针草中黄酮类化学成分的药代动力学研究进展

鬼针草是我国的传统中药材,现代药学研究发现有抗炎、抗氧化、抗纤维化等药理活性,临床用于肝炎、风湿等疾病。黄酮类是其主要活性部位,从鬼针草中提取的鬼针草总黄酮（TFB）具有良好的临床应用前景。近年来其中一些成分在体内的药代动力学研究资料不断丰富,为了进一步明确鬼针草中黄酮类成分在体内的吸收、分布、代谢、排泄过程,该文就近年来鬼针草中含有的黄酮类化学成分的药代动力学研究进展进行综述,为相关研究提供参考。     

Differences or Disorders of sex development in Boys: impact on fertility

Differences or disorders of sex development (DSD) include various congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex development is atypical. The incidence varies according to the category of DSD but the total incidence is high if hypospadias and undescended testes are included. Fertility prospects may be a concern for DSD patients and their parents. With the development of modern medical technologies and treatment opportunities, fertility diagnostics, information, and treatment have changed. Assisted reproductive technology has developed during the past decades and has become more available with an improving success rate. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and testicular sperm retrieval, have further improved the possibilities for men with DSD to become biological parents. Some studies have determined the presence of germ cells in the gonads of patients with DSD suggesting that the potential for fertility may be higher than previously thought. However, fertility outcomes among individuals with DSD have not been fully investigated. Moreover, previous study showed that information on fertility problems and treatment possibilities given to patients with DSD needs to be improved. The use of registries to study fertility outcomes is essential for a better knowledge of fertility in patients with these rare conditions.