To study the chemical constituents of Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) Loes. f., a new aurone glycoside named as (Z)-7, 4'-dimethoxy-6-hydroxyl-aurone-4-O-β-glucopyranoside was isolated from the 95% ethanol extracts of the rhizomes and roots of Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) Loes. f. by repeated column chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. Its structure was established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and its cytotoxicities against HepG-2, MCF7 and A549 cell lines were measured in vitro.
Benzofurans ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Veratrum ; chemistry

Toad venom is the Bufo bufo gargarizans or B. melanostictus after the ears of the gland secretion, used in the treatment of various cancers in recent years. Research shows that the main anti-tumor components in bufadienolide. Bufadienolide have free type structure and conjunct type structure. To identify and clarify the difference between bufogenin and bufotoxin contained in Bufonis Venenum, which was from B. bufo gargarizans, an UPLC-TQ-MS method has been established. UPLC-TQ-MS method was used to identify and quantify the major bufadienolides in Bufonis Venenum. UPLC-TQ-MS assay with positive ion mode was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C, (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) with the mobile phase consisting of 0. 1% aqueous formic and acidacetonitrile in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min⁻¹ and the column temperature was set at 35 °C. By comparing their retention time and high resolution mass data of Bufonis Venenum extracts, 37 effective components were primarily identified by MS/MS analysis in positive ion mode. Twenty-six of them were free-type bufadienolides (bufogenin), 11 of them were conjugated bufadienolides. There were significant differences in the main composition between fresh and processed Bufonis Venenum. The study found that the chemical composition of toad venom through great changes after processing, conjunct type content is much less, free type content as well change.
Amphibian Venoms ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bufonidae ; classification ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Objective To investigate epidemiological characteristics and trends of gonorrhea in China, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of control strategies. Methods An epidemiological study was performed on gonorrhea cases reported from 31 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the central government between 2000 and 2014. Results The reported incidence rate of gonorrhea decreased from 22.92 per 100 000 in 2000 to 7.25 per 100 000 in 2014, with the average annual rate of decrease being 7.89%. There was a significant difference in the incidence of gonorrhea between different regions. The regions with the highest incidence rate of gonorrhea were Yangtze River Delta region(Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu)and Zhujiang River Delta region(Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan), followed by northwest China (Xinjiang, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia). The incidence of gonorrhea was higher in males than in females, and the average male/female ratio increased from 1.96 ∶ 1 in 2000 to 4.52 ∶ 1 in 2014. The population aged 20 - 44 years showed high incidence of gonorrhea, and the highest incidence rate of gonorrhea was observed in the age group 25 - 29 years in both men and women. The incidence of gonorrhea decreased in all the age groups from 2000 to 2014 except the age group 15 - 19 years with an annual growth rate of 4.18%. Of 20 occupations, peasant workers accounted for the highest proportion (26.00%)of reported gonorrhea cases, and the number of reported gonorrhea cases showed a decreasing trend in all the occupations. Conclusions Gonorrhea remains a major public health issue in China, and effective measures based on epidemiological features are urgently needed to control gonorrhea.

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane pretreatment on renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced apoptosis in kidney in rats. Methods Thirty pathogen-free male SD rats weighing 220-260 g were randomized into 3 groups (n=10 each):group control (group C);group I/R and group sevoflurane(group S). Renal I/R was induced by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min in I/R and S groups. In group S inhalation of 2.2% sevoflurane in O2 was started at 30 min before operation and maintained throughout the experiment.Venous blood samples were taken at 3 h of reperfusion for determination of serum BUN and Cr concentrations. The animals were then sacrificed and the left kidneys were removed for microscopic examination, detection of apoptosis(by TUNEL)and determination of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) mRNA and protein expression (by RT-PCR and Western blot).Results Renal I/R significantly increased serum BUN and Cr concentrations, apoptotic index(percentage of apoptotic cells) and the severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules (0=normal,4=necrosis of whole segment of proximal convoluted tubules).Sevoflurane inhalation attenuated the I/R-induced changes mentioned above.HO-1 mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated by I/R and HO-1 mRNA expression was further up-regulated by sevoflurane inhalation.Conclusion Sevoflurane pretreatment can protect kidney against I/R injury by attenuating cell apoptosis.Up-regulation of HO-1 mRNA expression may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate epidemiologic features of genital Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection in China,and to provide scientific evidence for developing control strategies.Methods A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted to analyze personal,spacial and temporal distribution of genital Ct infection cases reported from 105 national sexually transmitted disease (STD) surveillance sites in China between 2008 and 2015.Results The reported incidence rate of genital Ct infection increased from 32.48 per 100 000 in 2008 to 37.18 per 100 000 in 2015,with the average annual rate of increase being 1.95％.There was marked variation in the reported incidence of genital Ct infection (range,＜ 1/100 000-615.99/100 000) among different STD surveillance sites,which was relatively high in the Pearl River Delta region,Yangtze River Delta region,Minjiang River region and some ethnic minority areas in western China,but low in north China and central China.In addition,no cases were reported at a few sites in rural areas.The reported annual incidence rate was higher in females than in males from 2008 to 2015,and the ratio of male to female cases decreased from 0.61:1 in 2008 to 0.46:1 in 2015.Among all age groups,the sexually active population aged 20-44 years showed high reported incidence of genital Ct infection,with the highest reported incidence observed in the group aged 25-29 years (range,116.72/100 000-142.98/100 000);the group aged 15-19 years showed the highest average annual rate of increase (10.06％) in the reported incidence of genital Ct infection.Among all kinds of medical institutions,general hospitals had the largest number of reported cases (range,66.00％-74.22％),followed by gynecology hospitals,Maternal and Child Health (MCH) hospitals and specialized dermatovenereology hospitals.Conclusions Genital Ct infection has been one of important public health issues in China,more attention should be paid to its prevention,and effective preventive measures are needed to be developed according to epidemiologic features.

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane pretreatment on the inflammatory response during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Thirty pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 12-14 weeks,weighing 220-260 g,were randomized into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),I/R group and sevoflurane pretreatment group (group SP).Renal I/R was induced by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min followed by reperfusion in I/R and SP groups.In group S inhalation of 3％ sevoflurane in O2 was started at 30 min before I/R and maintained throughout the experiment.Venous blood samples were taken at 3 h of reperfusion for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.The animals were then sacrificed and the left kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and for measurement of the content of tumor necrosis factor-apha (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in renal tissues (by ELISA).Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN and Cr concentrations,severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules (0 =normal,4 =necrosis of whole segment of proximal convoluted tubules),and contents of TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly increased in I/R and SP groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum BUN and Cr concentrations,severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules,and contents of TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased in SP group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane pretreatment can protect kidney against I/R injury by inhibiting the inflammatory responses in the renal tissues of rats.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the long-term efficacy between all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined Compound Huangdai Tablet and ATRA combined methotrexate (MTX) and 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) as the sequential maintenance treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients.

METHODSTotally 83 APL patients in the molecular remission (PML/RARalpha negative) were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group (45 cases) and the control group (38 cases) after they were induced to the complete remission (CR) by ATRA combined chemotherapy, and treated by sequential chemotherapy as the consolidated treatment for 3 therapeutic courses. Those in the treatment group were sequentially treated with ATRA and Compound Huangdai Tablet as maintenance therapy, while those in the control group were treated with ATRA and MTX + 6MP as maintenance therapy. After a long-term follow-up (2003 -2011), the long-term therapeutic efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the two therapeutic regimens.

RESULTSThe 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 84.4% +/- 5.4% in the treatment group and 63.2% +/- 7.8% in the control group, showing statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The 5-year overall survival rate (OSR) was 86.7% +/- 5. 1% in the treatment group and 78.7% +/- 6.7% in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the adverse reaction between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of ATRA and Compound Huangdai Tablet as maintenance therapy could elevate the long-term RFS rate of APL patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mercaptopurine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Tretinoin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To detect the changes of the NJ001 specific antigen expression before and after surgery, and evaluate whether the NJ001 specific antigen could be used as a serum biomarker for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.Methods With the method of sandwich ELISA, the serum samples from 85 pancreatic cancer patients, 22 pancreatic benign tumor and 40 healthy controls were detected respectively. The results of the NJ001 specific antigen in the serum samples from 85 pancreatic cancer patients were compared with CA19-9 detected by ECLIA.Results The positive rate of NJ001 for the pancreatic cancer group was obviously higher than that for the benign pancreatic tumor and health control groups[50.6%(43/85) vs 18.2%(4/22), χ2 =7.451, P<0.05; 50.6%(43/85) vs 10.0%(4/40), χ2 =19.098, P<0.05].The difference between benign pancreatic tumor group and health control group had no statistical significance[18.2%(4/22) vs 10.0%(4/40),χ2 =0.845, P>0.05].The positive rate in the group of pancreatic cancer before surgery was higher than that after surgery[50.6%(43/85) vs 23.5%(20/85),χ2=13.341, P<0.05].In addition, the results from 85 pancreatic cancer patients showed the specificity of NJ001 specific antigen was up to 87.1%.Although the positive rate of NJ001 specific antigen for pancreatic cancer was lower than that of CA19-9[50.6%(43/85) vs 75.3%(64/85), χ2 =11.121, P<0.05], it was higher when they combined [ 85.9%( 73/85 ) ] .Conclusions It shows high positive rate of NJ001 specific antigen in the patients of pancreatic cancer in this study, which suggests that NJ001 specific antigen might be a potential valuable biomarker for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Kidney injury and decreased chemosensitivity of tumor cells are obstacles with cisplatin (CDDP) chemotherapy. Down-regulation of the organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) is a key means to alleviate CDDP-induced kidney injury and increase chemosensitivity. Astragaloside IV (AS IV) is obtained from the well-known traditional Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus. This study explored the role of AS IV in preventing kidney injury and enhancing the antitumor effect of CDDP by suppressing OCT2 expression in kidney and MRP2 in tumors. This project was reviewed and approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of Jilin University. The effects of AS IV on CDDP inhibition of tumor growth and promotion of apoptosis were assessed in Lewis lung tumor (LLC)-bearing mice by H&E and TUNEL staining. Kidney injury was assessed by serum biochemical parameters and H&E staining. We used Western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays to detect OCT2 and MRP2 expression in kidney and tumor. The concentration of CDDP in kidney and tumor was measured by HPLC-MS/MS. AS IV enhanced CDDP chemosensitivity by increasing tumor cell apoptosis and slowing tumor growth, and decreased kidney injury as evidenced by lower blood creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Co-administration of AS IV suppressed MRP2 overexpression induced by CDDP in tumor tissues and may be an important mechanism for enhancing CDDP chemosensitivity. Moreover, AS IV reduced CDDP-induced kidney injury in mice along with suppression of OCT2 expression in kidney. The concentration of CDDP was increased in tumor but decreased in kidney. In total, AS IV not only enhanced the antitumor effect of CDDP by suppressing MRP2 expression in tumor cells, but also decreased kidney injury induced by CDDP. The results provide new insight into the combined use of a chemotherapy drug and natural ingredients to treat cancer.

This study was purposed to establish the BALB/c mouse model with similar diffuse large B cell lymphoma and to investigate the immuno-characteristics of this model. The experiments were divided into 3 groups including group 1 (BALB/c mice with tumor resulting from injection of A20 cells), group 2 (BALB/c mice without tumor formation resulting from injection of A20 cells) and group 3 (normal BALB/c mice). The CD antigen expression of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, and the ratios of T/B lymphocytes in peripheral blood and spleen tissue of 3 groups were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that the animal models were successfully established, the pathologic characteristic of tumor cells from animal model were similar to human diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The positive expression levels of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD30 in tumor tissue were (49.27 +/- 23.75)%, (6.07 +/- 3.65)%, (51.2 +/- 23.1)%, (67.06 +/- 16.39)% and (37.93 +/- 17.03)% respectively; as compared with A20 cells, the expression levels of CD3 and CD8 significantly increased, while the expression level of CD19 significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The obvious decrease of CD3 and CD4 expression was observed in peripheral blood of mice with tumor as compared with normal mice (p < 0.05). The expression levels of CD3, CD4 and CD8 decreased while the expression level of CD19 increased in the spleen cells of mice without tumor formation as compared with normal mice (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the immunophenotypes of A20 cells and successfully established animal models can be useful studying human B cell lymphoma.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude