OBJECTIVETo study the suitable growth density and the optimal harvest time of Tribulus terrestris.

METHODFour growth densities were set with 60 cm breadth ridge and individual distance of 10, 20, 30 and 50 cm. The yield per individual and per unit area under the different growth densities were determined. Using yam saponin as a standard substance, the total saponin of T. terrestris was determined by UV spectrophotometry.

RESULTThe individual yield decreased with the density increase, but the difference between 30 cm and 50 cm individual distance was not substantial. The yield per unit area increased with density increase, and the difference between all densities was significant. The yield peak was in the last ten-day of August. The best leaves area index was 1.4 at the growth peak time. The total saponins content reached peaks respectively in the last ten-day of June and August, but the peak in last ten-day of August was consistent with the one of yield per unit area, and the total ashes content was the lowest at the same time.

CONCLUSIONThe suitable growth density is 10 cm individual distance on the 60 cm breadth ridge. The optimal harvest time is in the last ten-day of August. The yield per unit area is 1 400 - 2 000 kg x hm(-2).

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis ; Seasons ; Time Factors ; Tribulus ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective: To evaluate the effects of ropivacaine on cell proliferation and tumor growth of colon carcinoma. Methods: CCK8 assay was performed for cell viability. The colony formation assay was performed for cell proliferation. Cell flow apoptosis and cell cycle were measured by Flow cytometry. Protein levels were calculated by Western blot. Meanwhile,nude mice were inoculated with SW480 colon cells and treated with ropivacaine. Tumor volume and survival rate were examined after treatment. Results: The results of CCK8 showed that the optimum concentrations of ropivacaine were 20, 50 and 100 μg/ ml respectively. Ropivacaine dose-dependently inhibited colony formation (17. 80±0. 51,P<0. 001) and expressions of Ki67 (0. 32±0. 68, P<0. 01) and PCNA(0. 14±0. 24,P<0. 01). Meanwhile,treatment with ropivacaine markedly increased apoptosis (12. 80±1. 24,P< 0. 01) and protein levels of caspase-3(1. 76±1. 43,P <0. 001) and caspase-9 (1. 61±1. 26,P <0. 001) . In addition,ropivacaine notably induced cell cycle arrest (40. 5%,P<0. 01),expression of p53 (1. 16±0. 65,P<0. 01),and down-regulated the expression level of Cyclin A (0. 12±0. 12,P<0. 05) . Furthermore,ropivacaine inhibited tumor growth (1 247. 60±1. 37,P<0. 01),up-regulated survival rate of mice and induced apoptosis of tumor tissue (78. 00 ±1. 45,P <0. 001) in a dose-depended manner. Conclusion: Ropivacaine inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth of colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a single administration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in promoting the angiogenesis and thereby reducing the formation of capsular contracture. METHODS: We treated 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats with (1) 5 mM Tris Buffer and 150 mM NaCl 0.1 cc, (2) VEGF 15 µg/0.1 cc, (3) VEGF 150 µg/0.1 cc during placement of the implant, or (4) VEGF 150 µg/0.1 cc and VEGF 300 µg/0.2 cc. We histopathologically measured the thickness of the capsule and the number of blood vessels. RESULTS: All experimental groups had a significant difference in the thickness of the capsule compared to the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between experimental group 2 and experimental group 3. The number of blood vessels formed around the capsule was significantly greater in all the experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the experimental groups. There was a significant negative correlation between the thickness of the capsule and the number of blood vessels (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.2732; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A single administration of VEGF reduced formation of the capsule and increased the vascularity around the implant, supporting the hypothesis that prevention of tissue ischemia can be a treatment strategy for capsular contracture.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Breast Implants ; Contracture ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon* ; Silicones* ; Tromethamine ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the over-expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasive potency of LNCaP cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSWe cultured LNCaP cells stably expressing HIF-1alpha (LNCaP/HIF-1alpha) and LNCaP cells, identified the over-expression of HIF-1alpha, determined the proliferation of the two cell lines by MTT assay and the level of PSA in the supernatant of culture medium, and detected the anchorage independent growth by soft-agar colony formation assay. A subcutaneous tumor model was established in nude mice by injecting LNCaP/HIF-1alpha and LNCaP cells followed by observation of the tumor growth. Tumor specimens were obtained for immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe over-expression of HIF-1alpha was confirmed in the LNCaP/HIF-1alpha cells by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. The level of PSA was obviously decreased in LNCaP/HIF-1alpha as compared with that in LNCaP cells. MTT assay identified the increased proliferation of LNCaP/HIF-1alpha cells. The cell colony forming ability of the LNCaP cells was significantly lower than that of the LNCaP/HIF-1alpha cells. The rate of tumorigenesis was increased and its time shortened in the LNCaP/HIF-1alpha group. Immunohistochemistry revealed an up-regulated expression of vimentin and a down-regulated expression of E-cadherin in the tumor specimens.

CONCLUSIONThe overexpression of HIF-1alpha can up-regulate the expression of vimentin and down-regulate the expression of E-cadherin, which may enhance the invasive potency of LNCaP cells by inducing EMT.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constitutes of Acantophora spicifera.

METHODCompounds were isolated by normal phase silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC, as well as recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTSeven compounds were isolated from A. spicifera and their structures were identified as aplysin (1), loloilide (2), (R)-(-)-dehydrovomifoliol (3), uracil (4), thymine (5), 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl) benzene (6).

CONCLUSIONThe compounds were obtained from this genus for the first time. Compound 6 was firstly obtained from marine organisms.

Chromatography ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Rhodophyta ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Styrenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Thymine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Uracil ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of marine alga Chaetomorpha basiretorsa.

METHODCompounds were isolated by normal phase silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel colum chromatography, reverse phase MPLC, reverse phase HPLC and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including MS, IR, NMR, and X-ray crystalography. Cytotoxicity of the compounds were screened by using standard MTT method.

RESULTNine compounds were isolated from C. basiretorsa and their structures were identified as N-phenyl-2-naphthalenamine( I ), dibutyl phthalate( II ), diisobutyl phthalate( III ), 1-phenyl-ethane-1, 2-diol( IV ), 2-hydrox-gamma-benzaldehyde( V ), diethyleneglycol monobenzoate( VI ), uracil( VII ), thymine( VIII ) and thymidine( IX ).

CONCLUSIONAll these compounds were obtained from this genus for the first time, N-phenyl-2-naphthalenamine and diethyleneglycol monobenzoate were first reported from the marine organisms. Compound I and VII showed moderate activity against KB cell(IC50 10.15 microg x mL(-1) for I and 3.79 microg x mL(-1) for VII ) and MCF-7 cell(IC50 3.24 microg x mL(-1) for VII).

1-Naphthylamine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chlorophyta ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Humans ; KB Cells ; drug effects ; Uracil ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVESTo investigate a new targeting mechanical arm for CT-based navigated percutaneous fixation of pelvic fractures, and to evaluate the safety and efficiency of the procedures.

METHODSUsing CT-based 3D navigation software combined with targeting mechanical arm, percutaneous insertion of pelvic models (3 dry human cadaver pelvic skeletons and 5 plastic Sybone pelvic models) were performed, 8 pelvic models allowed percutaneous cannulated screw insertion of both S-I joint (2 S-I screws placement for each side, total 32 screws in this experiment) and both superior ramus (1 ramus medullary screw placement for each side, total 16 screws in this experiment). Percutaneous insertion of pelvic models (4 dry human cadaver pelvic skeletons and 4 plastic Sybone pelvic models, 1 S-I screws and 1 ramus medullary scre placement for each side, 32 screws in this experiment) were performed using fluoro-navigation system (Stryker, USA). Time necessary for every screw insertion were recorded. Accuracy of screw placement was assessed using C-arm imaging and direct eyes inspecting. The time and accuracy of the two methods were compared.

RESULTSThe time required for the CT-based 3D navigation procedure (3.6 ± 1.2) min was significantly less than using the targeting mechanical arm compared to drilling freehand with navigation (9.1 ± 0.8) min (t = 2.50, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in accuracy between the two methods.

CONCLUSIONCT-based 3D navigation software combined with targeting mechanical arm should be potential to apply percutaneous sacroiliac screwing for pelvic fractures with more accurate and more reliable.

Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Pelvic Bones ; surgery ; Software ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods

CD62p expression was an important monitoring parameter for preserved platelets quality. To setup an optimized flow cytometry assay for preserved platelets based on the CD62p expression on platelets, the platelet samples were collected, 0.1 mmol/L persantine and 1.1 mmol/L EDTA were added into the modified TB S used to replace PBS dilution; the methodological evaluation were carried out. Results showed that 0.1 mmol/L persantine and 1.1 mmol/L EDTA achieved to prevent platelets activation during the test procedure. The favorable negative or positive samples were prepared for check of fluorescence antibody's quality to ensure the validity of results. CD61 was used to identify platelets for assay and improve veracity of assay. The special injector was also replaced by special big syringe needle for blood collection to reduce in vitro artifacts, and the prepared sample can be steady-going for 48 hours at 4 degrees C after fixed by 1% paraformaldehyde. It is concluded that this flow cytometry assay for CD62p positive platelets is simple and efficient.
Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; Blood Preservation ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; P-Selectin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity of natural products from algae aiming at searching for new way for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.

METHODBromophenols derivatives from algae were screened against the PTP1B by the colorimetric assay with GST/PTP1B fusion protein. The Me2SO was distributed as the full enzyme activity, and Na3VO4 (IC50 2 micromol L(-1)) was distributed as the positive control. Inhibition rate was assayed and IC50 were calculated by LOGIT method.

RESULTThree bromophenols from Rhodomela confervoides and Leathesia nana, 3, 4-dibromo-5-(methoxymethyl)-1, 2-benzenediol (1), 2-methyl-3-(2, 3-dibromo4, 5-dihydroxy)-propylaldehyde (2) and 3-(2, 3-dibromo-4, 5-dihydroxy-phenyl)-4-bromo-5, 6-dihydroxy-1, 3-dihydroiso-benzofuran (3) showed significant inhibitory activity against PTP1B. IC50 values were 3.4 +/- micromol L(-1), 4.5 micromol L(-1) and 2.8 micromol L(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe results prove that three bromophenol derivatives from algae with significant inhibitory activity against PTP1B were potential and effective therapeutic agents for treatment of T2DM and obesity.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Eukaryota ; chemistry ; Phaeophyta ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rhodophyta ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different treatments on the prognosis of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the nasal cavity.

METHODSA retrospective study of 59 patients who suffered from stage I(E) primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the nasal cavity was presented. They were treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy of CHOP regimen, in which 33 patients received chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, 8 patients received radiotherapy plus chemotherapy, 10 patients received chemotherapy alone, and 8 patients received radiotherapy alone. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, the difference between groups was evaluated by log-rank test, and the comparison of rates was carried out by chi(2) test.

RESULTSThe overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71.2%, 42.0% and 38.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference among the patients received different treatments (chi(2) = 2.98, P = 0.3943), but the patients received radiotherapy plus chemotherapy seemed to have a better survival curve than other patients. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 84.2%, 67.7% and 62.0% for lesion limited in nasal cavity but 50.0%, 14.3% and 14.3% for lesion extended and involved the adjacent structures (chi(2) = 10.46, P = 0.0012). As the initial therapy, 24 patients who received chemotherapy of more than 3 cycles, and 16 patients who received radiotherapy of more than 40 Gy, and the complete response (CR) rates were 25.0% and 75.0% (chi(2) = 9.697, P = 0.002). Among 43 patients received chemotherapy, the CR rates for those who received 2, 3 - 4 and 5 - 6 cycles were 10.5%, 25.0% and 25.0%, respectively (chi(2) = 1.467, P = 0.48). Patients who received chemotherapy plus radiotherapy have higher rates of both complication and treatment-related mortality, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.202 and 0.693).

CONCLUSIONFor stage I non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the nasal cavity, radiotherapy should be the first treatment to get early local control. Chemotherapy may be followed at the discretion of the pathological grade and clinical staging, or IPI.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage