Objective:To study the inhibition of collagen-induced arthritis by an altered CⅡ263-272 peptide(sub268-270) with three consecutive substitutions of TCR-contacting residues.Methods:Arthritis was induced by bovine collagen type Ⅱ. The altered peptide sub268-270 was given intravenously with a dose of 90 ?g once a week. Peptide control and blank control were treated with similar approaches. The therapeutic effect of the altered peptide was evaluated by arthritis score index, radiological score and pathological score.Results:The arthritis score of rats treated with altered peptide, control peptide and blank control were 5.60?1.24, 11.20?1.21 and 11.80?1.22 respectively(P

Many species of genus Bupleurum L. have been pharmaceutically used mainly in Asia and Europe for thousand years. Their roots are the most popular ingredients in Chinese materia medica prescriptions for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases. A plenty of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from the species in Bupleurum L., such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, volatile oils, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, lignins, and coumarins, most of which possess a variety of biological activities, especially for the hepatoprotective effect, antitumor activity, immunoregulation, and febrifuge efficacy. Therefore, the species in genus Bupleurum L. could be potential herbs of immunomodulator, antineoplastic, anti-oxidant, etc. Meanwhile, as potential toxicities have been discovered in some constituents, it is urgent to establish a comprehensive quality evaluation system to ensure the safety and efficiency of herbs. This paper reviews on the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, especially for the toxicology and quality control of the species in Bupleurum L., which is a reference for the species in this genus for safe usage and further development. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

Objective:To develop a catalytic system for the asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman ( MBH) reaction of conjugated ni-troalkene with activated aldehyde, and screen out the chiral catalysts with high activity and enantioselectivity. Methods: Totally 21 chiral organocatalysts were applied in the asymmetric MBH reaction ofβ-nitrostyrene with ethyl glyoxylate, and the ee value was deter-mined by chiral HPLC. The effects of temperature, solvent and substrate ratio on the catalytic reaction were investigated. Results: In the presence of cinchona alkaloid catalyst (DHQ)2AQN, β-nitrostyrene reacted with ethyl glyoxylate in toluene at 0℃ affording the MBH adduct in 60% yield with good enantioselectivity (up to 56.9% ee). Conclusion: The bis-cinchona alkaloids with aromatic bridging group are the efficient catalysts for the asymmetric MBH reaction ofβ-nitrostyrene with ethyl glyoxylate, and moderate isolated yield and enantioselectivity are obtained.

Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Diet ; Glycemic Index ; Humans

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; blood ; drug therapy ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Naltrexone ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of UPA and MMP-9 in gastric carcinoma and their correlation with histological type, growth-type, differentiation, vessel invasion, metastasis and prognosis. MethodsIn situ hybridization was used to detect the mRNA expression of UPA and MMP-9. ResultsIn situ hybridization revealed that among 105 cases, the positive rates of UPA mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA were both 58.1%. There was no significant relationship between UPA mRNA and histological type( r _ s = 0.123, P =0.210)and differentiation ( r _ s =0.102, P =0.298)of the tumor. However, there was a significant difference between growth-type( r _ s =0.344, P =0.001),tumor invasion depth( r _ s =0.296, P =0.002),vessel invasion( r _ s =0.198, P =0.042),lymph node( r _ s =0.332, P =0.001)and distant metastasis( r _ s =0.530, P =0.001);there was no significant relationship between MMP-9 mRNA staining and histological type( r _ s =0.143, P =0.145)and differentiation( r _ s =0.102, P =0.298)of the tumor. However, there was a statistically significant difference between growth-type( r _ s =0.267, P =0.006),tumor invasion depth ( r _ s =0.335, P =0.001)、vessel invasion( r _ s =0.209, P =0.032),lymph node( r _ s =0.343, P =0.001)and distant metastasis( r _ s =0.468, P =0.001);There was a positive relationship between UPA mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA expression( r _ s =0.237, P =0.015). The mean survival time in cases with positive UPA mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA expression were significantly shorter than that of cases with negative expression. ConclusionThe mRNA expression of UPA and MMP-9 can predict the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma, They can be used as markers of prognosis of gastric carcinoma in clinical practice.

Objective　To explore the expression of Fas ligan d (FasL) protein in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its clinic al significance. Methods　Expression of FasL protein was detecte d by immunohistochemical method in 32 resected tumors of NSCLC. Results 　FasL protein was detected in all of these 32 resected tumors with variant pos itive expression levels ranging from 3.0% to 98.7% ［mean (62.0±32.0)%］. T here wa s significant difference between the tumors of different pathological types no s ignificant difference was found between the tumors of different differentiation nor among the tumors of different pTNM stages (P>0.05). Conclusion　 The results indicated that NSCLC can counterattack the immune cells of t he body and may be the molecular basis for the easily metastasis of adenocarcino ma to in the early stage.

Objective: To investigate the deterioration mechanism of Bupleurum chinense seeds from Qingchuan county, thus to study the seeds harvesting and storage characteristics, and to reveal the deterioration mechanism. Methods: Artificial aging method is used to study the seeds deterioration and to observe the changes of nutrient substance, anti-oxidase activities, and conductivity of seeds. Results: While the seeds deteriorated, their activities of anti-oxidase (POD, SOD, and CAT) decreased, and the content of soluble sugar and soluble protein reduced also as the aging time prolonged. After 3 d treatment, SOD, POD, and CAT activities decreased to a low level. Moreover, the conductivity of seeds leachate decreased. The germination ability of B. chinense seeds lost after 1 d aging treatment. Conclusion: The seeds deterioration mechanisms include the heavy oxidative injury, over consumption of nutrients, and membrane damage. The seeds long-time storage is inappropriate and the seeds storage should avoid from high temperature and humid environment.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of malignancy-related mortality in women worldwide. The more accurate prediction of lymph node metastasis and evaluation of personalized prognosis of breast cancer patients could provide evidence and reference for individualized comprehensive treatment and clinical decision-making. Nomogram is statistical calculation model developed to generate individualized prediction of a certain clinical event through the factors associated with it. Currently breast cancer related nomogram models is most commonly used in the prediction of non-sentinel lymph node status in patients with sentinel lymph node-positive breast cancer, sentinel lymph node metastasis in clinical node-negative breast cancer and prognosis evaluation of breast cancer. This article reviewed the recent advances in breast cancer related nomograms according to the above mentioned three aspects, and evaluated respectively the predictive factors, accuracy, characteristics and clinical application potential.

Objective To analyze the relationship between CT characteristics of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and its recurrence, as well as relevant pathological mechanism. Methods The study involved 178 patients with CSDH who underwent surgery, of whom 38 patients (40 lesions) experienced recurrence of CSDH. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to assess the correlation among CT characteristics ( including side, density, width, subtype and midline shift of the hematoma) and CSDH recurrence. Results ( 1 ) The width of hematoma, midline shift, type of hematoma were found to be correlated with the recurrence of CSDH in the univariate analysis. The odds ratio (OR)and 95% confidence interval (CI) value of patients with hematoma width ＞30 mm, midline shift ＞10 mm and the separated type were 18. 400 (2.024-167. 301 ), 4. 643 ( 1. 815-11. 877 ) and 14. 385 (3. 601-57.467 ), respectively. (2) The midline shift and type of hematoma were found to be correlated with the recurrence of CSDH in the multivariate analysis, when the OR and 95% CI value of patients with hematoma midline shift ＞ 10 mm and separated type were 5. 280 ( 1. 339-20. 823) and 19. 125 (4. 175-87.619), the OR and 95% CI value of patients with hematoma width ＞30 mm was 14. 838 ( 1. 353-162.698). Conclusions Type of hematoma and midline shift are found to be independently correlated with the recurrence of CSDH, and the width of hematoma is also related with its recurrence.