Huaier (Trametes robiniophila) has been widely used as an adjuvant drug for cancer treatment in China. The anti-cancer effect of Huaier extract has been confirmed in liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and so on. The main mechanisms by which Huaier exerts an anti-neoplastic effect include inhibition of the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, induction of apoptosis of cancer cells, suppression of angiogenesis, inhibition of the invasion and migration of cancer cells, regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes expression, improving immunity, and reversal of drug resistance in cancer cells. In order to provide references for further study and clinical application on anti-tumor effect of Huaier, the latest research progress on anti-tumor effect of Huaier in recent years is summarized in this paper.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Trametes

Objective To study the features of anatomical delamination of the posterior renal fascia in CT images.Methods Clinical datas and CT images of 85 patients with acute pancreatitis were collected,the anatomical delamination features of the adult posterior renal fascia were observed and recorded.Results (1) 23 cases showed anatomical delamination of the left posterior renal fascia, 9 cases showed anatomical delamination of the right posterior renal fascia, and 8 cases showed anatomical delamination of bilateral posterior renal fascia.(2) The features of anatomical delamination of the posterior renal fascia were detected in the whole posterior renal fascia or in the lateral part of the posterior renal fascia.Anatomical delamination was detected in the whole left posterior renal fascia in 6 cases, and was detected in the lateral part of the left posterior renal fascia in 17 cases.Anatomical delamination was detected in the whole right posterior renal fascia in 4 cases and in the lateral part of the right posterior renal fascia in 5 cases.Anatomical delamination of the whole part in the bilateral posterior renal fascia were detected in 4 cases and pure delamination of the lateral part in the both sides were 4 cases.Conclusion CT images can show the anatomical delamination of the posterior renal fascia which has two types.The anatomical delamination of bilateral posterior renal fascia is not always the same.

Objective To investigate the application value of DFY-Ⅱ ultrasound imaging analysis software in evaluation of fetal lung maturity in different pregnancy.Methods Totally 315 cases of healthy single pregnancies (24-41 weeks) were collected.The sonographic views of fetal right side sagittal plane were obtained.The echo intensity of fetal lung and liver were analyzed and the ratio was canculated with DFY-Ⅱ ultrasound imaging analysis software.Results The ratio of echo intensity from fetal lung and liver had positive correlation with gestational weeks (r=0.94,P＜0.05),the linear regression equation was Y=0.60+0.07X (r2 =0.883).Conclusion The ratio of echo intensity by fetal lung and liver analyzed with DFY-Ⅱ ultrasound imaging analysis software can be an effective method to evaluate fetal lung maturity.

Objective To evaluate the preoperative T staging value of rectal carcinoma by using double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCUS).Methods 71 patients with rectal carcinoma were examined by ultrasound after infusing contrast agent and bolus injection of SonoVue preoperatively.The border,shape and perfusion patterns of the tumor were observed.After surgery,the T staging made by DCUS and perfused contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (PCUS) was compared with final pathologic results respectively.Results The accuracy of PCUS and DCUS in determining the T stage of rectal carcinoma were 71.8％(T1 72.7％％,T250.0％,T374.4％,T476.9％) and 85.9％(T190.9％,T275.0％,T387.1％,T484.6％) respectively.The difference between these two methods was statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Conclusions DCUS is a new valuable method for T staging of rectal carcinoma with its high accuracy preoperatively.

In order to clarify the chemical constituents of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert, a systematically phytochemical investigation was carried out. The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH- 20, MCI gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were determined on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis and/or comparison with literature data. Eleven lignans were isolated from the 85% ethanol extract of the stems of C. deserticola cultured in Tarim desert. Their structures were identified as (+)-syringaresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (+)-isoeucommin A (2), eucommin A (3), (+)-pinoresinol monomethylether β-D-glucoside (4), lariciresinol 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), lariciresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), conicaoside (7), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol γ'-O-β-D-glucoside (9), citrusin A (10), and alaschanioside A (11). Compounds 1, 3-7, 10 and 11 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compounds 2, 8 and 9 were obtained from this species for the first time.
Cistanche ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThe precise mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis has not yet been elucidated. Survivin, a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family, correlates with inhibition of apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis and multiple drugs resistance. This study aimed to investigate the variation of the survivin gene expression in apoptosis induced by dexamethasone (Dex) in the human T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, CEM-WT cells.

METHODSThe logarithmically growing CEM cells cultured in vitro (cell density 2 x10(5)/mL) were exposed to 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 microM Dex, then were collected 24, 48 and 72 hrs later. Untreated CEM cells were used as Controls. The cell viability was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion. Apoptosis was evaluated by morphology and flow cytometry. Survivin protein and gene were analyzed by Western Blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSCEM cells growth was obviously inhibited by 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 microM Dex from 48 hrs. The inhibition effect was dose- and time-dependent. CEM cells treated with Dex (> or = 5 microM) exhibited typical apoptotic features. The apoptosis increased after 5 microM Dex treatment in a time-dependent manner, with the apoptosis percentage increasing from 14.9% (12 hrs) to 46.2% (48 hrs). Compared with that of the Control group, the expression of survivin protein was down-regulated, with the expression rate of 54.6%, 45.5%, 15.8% and 9.7% respectively at 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after 5 microM Dex treatment. 5 microM Dex treatment also resulted in a decrease of survivin mRNA expression. The survivin mRNA expression was 76.4%, 67.3%, 55.0%, 49.9%, 38.3% and 18.3% of the Control respectively at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after Dex treatment.

CONCLUSIONSApoptosis induced by Dex in CEM cells is associated with downregulation of the survivin expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; genetics

Objective To study the computed tomography(CT)manifestations of involvement of bridging septa in the perirenal space(BSPS)during acute pancreatitis(AP)and its correlation with extrapancreatic inflam-mation on abdominal computed tomography(EPICT)score. Methods 106 patients with acute pancreatitis were included in this study. Emphasis was placed on CT findings of BSPS and the EPICT score in all the patients. Results The EPICT score was 4 to 7 in 67 patients,and the EPICT score was 0 to 3 in 39 patients. BSPS involve-ment was shown in all the patients. The left or right BSPS involved in 102 patients and 98 patients,respectively. Thickening of the BSPS was shown as strip shadow with slightly higher density and hazy border;fluid collection of the BSPS was shown as liquid density with hazy border. The involvement of BSPS showed a statistically significant association with the EPICT score in the AP patients(r=0. 703,P<0.01). Conclusion BSPS involved by acute pancreatitis is shown as a strip shadow with slightly higher density or as liquid density with hazy border on CT images, reflecting the severity of the acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis hexapetala.

METHODThe compounds were separated by means of solvent extraction, repeated chromatography with silica gel and HPLC. The structures were determined by spectral analysis.

RESULTNine compounds were isolated as friedelin (1) , anemonin (2) , beta-sitosterol (3) , palmitic acid (4) , vanillic acid (5) , isolariciresinol (6) , 5-hydroxumethyl-5H-furan-2-one (7) , n-nonane (8) , daucosterol (9).

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Clematis ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lignin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Naphthols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Palmitic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective To study the relationship between TGF-?signaling pathway and pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma.Methods The expression of TGF-?RⅠ,TGF-?RⅡand Smad4 protein was deter- mined by immunohistochemistry in normal gastric mucosa(26 cases),intestinal metaplasia(22 cases),dysplasia (20 cases)and gastric carcinoma(43 cases).Results The positive expression rate of TGF-?RⅠ,TGF-?RⅡand Smad4 decreased following the malignant degree in gastric tissues(P

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of brain contusion in children and discuss the corresponding treatment strategies.Methods From February 2013 to December 2017,the clinical data of 32 patients(aged 1-14 years)with cerebral contusion and treated in the department of brain of the affiliated hospital of armed police logistics college were collected,including 22 males and 10 females.The age of patients ranged from 1 to 13.5 years,with the average of(6.03 ± 3.96)years.Patients were divided into low age group(1-4 years old,n=14)and high age group(5-14 years old,n=18)according to their age.Data of the brain damage location and distribution,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)/Children's Coma Scale (CCS), intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral edema, airway condition, traumatic epilepsy and electroencephalogram (EEG) were summarized and analyzed. Results The duration of hospitalization was 17-57 d, with the average of (34.2 ± 11.5)d.All the children were treated with hyperbaric oxygen for 14-51 d,with an average of(36.1±5.1)d.There were no significant differences in the depth of brain damage and the location of brain injury between the two age groups(P>0.05). The coma scores at the admission and the discharge were significantly lower in low age group than those of the high age group (P<0.05). The duration of ICP monitoring was 6-15 d, with the average of (7.5±2.0) d. The ICP level and the resonance index(RI)value of cerebral edema monitoring at the admission was higher in the low age group than those in the high age group(P<0.05).The abnormal time of RI was less in the low age group than that in the high age group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in seizures and EEG classification between two groups (P>0.05). There were 10 cases in each group received the transnasal intubation,and the average days with intubation were longer in the low age group than those of the high age group(P<0.05).Conclusion The clinical manifestations,imaging features,ICP,the degree of brain edema, seizures and airway management in children of different ages are different. The treatment should be carried out as soon as possible,actively and comprehensively,especially in the clinical management for the children of low age.