The inhibitory effect of BSP-A1/-A2 on protein kinase C and tyrosine protein kinase

Bovine seminal plasma contains a group of similar proteins, namely BSP-A1, BSP-A2, BSP-A3, and BSP-30-kDa (collectively called BSP proteins), and they are secreted by the seminal vesicles. In our study, we purified the BSP-A1/-A2 through affinity chromatography and found for the first time that BSP-A1/-A2 can inhibit the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine protein kinase (TPK). The inhibition was dose dependent. When the PKC and TPK activities are expressed as the logarithm of percentage activity taking the activity in the absence of the BSP-A1/-A2 as 100%, there is a linear relationship between the their activities and the dose of BSP-A1/-A2.     

Human endothelial cell growth and phenotypic expression on three dimensional poly(lactide-co-glycolide) sintered microsphere scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Bone tissue engineering offers promising alternatives to repair and restore tissues. Our laboratory has employed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) PLAGA microspheres to develop a three dimensional (3-D) porous bioresorbable scaffold with a biomimetic pore structure. Osseous healing and integration with the surrounding tissue depends in part on new blood vessel formation within the porous structure. Since endothelial cells play a key role in angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature), the purpose of this study was to better understand human endothelial cell attachment, viability, growth, and phenotypic expression on sintered PLAGA microsphere scaffold. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination showed cells attaching to the surface of microspheres and bridging the pores between the microspheres. Cell proliferation studies indicated that cell number increased during early stages and reached a plateau between days 10 and 14. Immunofluorescent staining for actin showed that cells were proliferating three dimensionally through the scaffolds while staining for PECAM-1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule) displayed typical localization at cell-cell contacts. Gene expression analysis showed that endothelial cells grown on PLAGA scaffolds maintained their normal characteristic phenotype. The cell proliferation and phenotypic expression were independent of scaffold pore architecture. These results demonstrate that PLAGA sintered microsphere scaffolds can support the growth and biological functions of human endothelial cells. The insights from this study should aid future studies aimed at enhancing angiogenesis in three dimensional tissue engineered scaffolds.     

Choline Transporters in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma： Expression and Functional Implications

Choline is an essential nutrient for cell survival and proliferation, however, the expression and function of choline transporters have not been well identified in cancer. In this study, we detected the mRNA and protein expression of organic cation transporter OCT3, carnitine/cation transporters OCTN 1 and OCTN2, and choline transporter-like protein CTL1 in human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549, H 1299 and SPC-A-1. Their expression pattern was further confirmed in 25 human primary adenocarcinoma tissues. The choline uptake in these cell lines was significantly blocked by CTL1 inhibitor, but only partially inhibited by OCT or OCTN inhibitors. The efficacy of these inhibitors on cell proliferation is closely correlated with their abilities to block choline transport. Under the native expression of these transporters, the total choline uptake was notably blocked by specific PI3K/AKT inhibitors. These results describe the expression of choline transporters and their relevant function in cell proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma, thus providing a potential ＂choline-starvation＂ strategy of cancer interference through targeting choline transporters, especially CTL1.     

PTP1B inhibitor improves both insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities in vivo and in vitro

PTP1B is a negative regulator of insulin signaling pathway. This study investigated the effects of compound CCF06240, a PTP1B inhibitor, on insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolic abnormalities in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The insulin resistant IRM mouse model was induced by HFD. The responses to insulin were determined by OGTT, ITT, and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp test. The body weight and the levels of serum TC and TG were measured to estimate the lipid metabolism in vivo. Recombinant human GST-PTP1B protein was used to measure the inhibition of CCF06240 on PTP1B activity. The hepatocyte lipid accumulation was induced by high concentrations of FFA and insulin in HepG(2) cells, and evaluated by the Oil Red O method. In IRM mice, the insulin resistance was improved; the body weight and the levels of TC and TG were also reduced by oral CCF06240 administration. In lipid accumulated model cells, CCF06240 was found to reverse the increased PTP1B activity, enhance the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation in insulin signaling pathway, attenuate the FFA-insulin-induced cellular lipid accumulation, and down-regulate the expressions of genes related fatty acid synthesis. These results demonstrated that the PTP1B inhibitor, compound CCF06240, could increase insulin sensitivity through the regulation of insulin signaling pathway, and decrease FFA-insulin-induced hepatocytes lipid accumulation by reducing fatty acid syntheses.     

间充质干细胞治疗急性放射性损伤的研究

急性放射性损伤是组织损伤的一种重要类型,目前未有较理想的治疗方案。间充质干细胞（MSCs）能够多向分化、自我更新,且具有分泌多种细胞因子、抗炎、免疫调节等生物活性。其在促进组织修复的优势显而易见,而移植的时机、剂量长期以来莫衷一是。致瘤性等安全问题制约其临床研究的进一步开展。近年来,MSCs趋向于无细胞化移植取得了明显成效。这一研究新进展势必迎来急性放射性损伤治疗的新格局,本文对此研究现状及进展进行综述。     

湖北旋覆花化学成分的研究(英文)

从湖北旋覆花(Inula hupehensis)地上部分分离得到19个化合物,经波谱数据分析分别鉴定为9-羟基-百里香酚(1),8,10-去氢-β-羟基-百里香酚(2),2-羟基-4-甲基苯乙酮(3),8,9-双羟基-9-百里香酚(4),10-羟基-8,9-双氧亚异丙基百里香酚(5),8,10-二羟基-9-异丁酰百里香酚(6),8-羟基-9-异丁酰-10-(2-甲基丁酰)百里香酚(7),8,9,10-三羟基百里香酚(8),8-羟基-9,10-二异丁酰百里香酚(9),neoechinulin A(10),3-醛基吲哚(11),3-羟乙酰基吲哚(12),丁香酸(13),4,6-二羟基-2-甲氧基苯乙酮(14),7-甲氧基-8-羟基香豆素(15),6-甲氧基山奈酚(16),(+)-正丁香酯素(17),β-棕榈精(18)和豆甾醇(19)。除了化合物8和9外,其他化合物均为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

藕莲有性繁殖栽培

根据莲(Nelumbo nucifera)生物学特性,既可用藕作种进行无性繁殖,也可用种子播种进行有性繁殖。藕莲在我国有数千年的栽培历史,但素以无性系栽培。尚未见到有性繁殖栽培的报道。作者自1980年起进行了有性繁殖栽培试验。       

Ultrathin Co3O4 Layers with Large Contact Area on Carbon Fibers as High‐Performance Electrode for Flexible Zinc–Air Battery Integrated with Flexible Display

A facile and binder‐free method is developed for the in situ and horizontal growth of ultrathin mesoporous Co₃O₄ layers on the surface of carbon fibers in the carbon cloth (ultrathin Co₃O₄/CC) as high‐performance air electrode for the flexible Zn–air battery. In particular, the ultrathin Co₃O₄ layers have a maximum contact area on the conductive support, facilitating the rapid electron transport and preventing the aggregation of ultrathin layers. The ultrathin feature of Co₃O₄ layers is characterized by the transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectra, and X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Benefiting from the high utilization degree of active materials and rapid charge transport, the mass activity for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions of the ultrathin Co₃O₄/CC electrode is more than 10 times higher than that of the carbon cloth loaded with commercial Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. Compared to the commercial Co₃O₄/CC electrode, the flexible Zn–air battery using ultrathin Co₃O₄/CC electrode exhibits excellent rechargeable performance and high mechanical stability. Furthermore, the flexible Zn–air battery is integrated with a flexible display unit. The whole integrated device can operate without obvious performance degradation under serious deformation and even during the cutting process, which makes it highly promising for wearable and roll‐up optoelectronics.