Xanthine oxidase (XOD), catalyzing purine metabolism, is the key enzyme in uric acid (UA) biosynthesis, and becomes an important target for hyperuricemia treatment. The inhibition on XOD plays an important role in the treatment of hyperuricemia-related diseases, such as gout, as well as oxidative stress-induced tissue injury. Here, studies on the natural products with XOD inhibition are reviewed.

A total of 152 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the barks of Eucommia ulmoides in three regions (Lueyang country, Zunyi country, Cili country). Based on morphological characteristics and analysis of ITS sequences, these strains were identified into 8 genera. Thereinto Phomopsis, Diaporthe and Alternaria were common genera to Eucommia barks from different sites. But the dominant genus was different: Alternaria was the dominant genus in the barks from Cili country, and Phomopsis was the dominant genus from Zunyi country, then Diaporthe was the one from Lueyang country. According to the similarity coefficient, the composition of the endophytic fungi was distinctly different between the barks from three sites. The diversity and species richness in Lueyang country and Cili country were found higher than those in Zunyi country. The evenness of endophytic fungi was 0.936 5 in Lueyang county, which was higher than 0.737 1 or 0.641 0 in Cili county or Zunyi county, respectively. After phylogenic analysis and calculating the genetic distances of typical strains belong to Phomopsis and its perfect stage--Diaporthe, there was very high genetic diversity in the two genera from our study. In conclusion, the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi were significant different in Eucommia barks from the three habitats.
DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; Ecosystem ; Endophytes ; classification ; physiology ; Eucommiaceae ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Bark ; microbiology

Objective Identify novel protein kinase Cε(nPKCε)-interacted proteins in the cortex of hypoxic preconditioned mice.Methods Immunoprecipitation (IP) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) combining with ImageMaster 2D Platinum software were applied to analyze the differential expressions of nPKCe-interacted proteins;the target protein spots were identified by matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and Western blot.Results Compared with control group,there were 34 upregulated protein spots and 20 downregulated protein spots in cytosolic fraction,while 27 upregulated prtein spots and 28 downregulated protein spots were determined in particulate fraction of cerebral cortex of HPC mice.The levels of nPKCε-interacted HSP 70 and 14-3-3γ/protein expressions increased significantly in both cytosolic and particulate fractions;but the protein level of nPKCε-interacted HSP60 increased only in particulate fraction of cerebral cortex of HPC mice.Conclusion nPKCε might be involved in the development of cerebral HPC via the regulation of its interacted proteins such as HSP60,HSP70 and 14-3-3γ.

The purpose of this study is to prepare galactosyl modified lipid bilayer-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (GPEM) to enhance the antitumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The irinotecan (CPT-11) loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) was coated with the Gal-P123 modified functional lipid bilayer by thin-film dispersion method. Nanoparticles were characterized with particle size, zeta potential, morphology and drug release in vitro. Afterwards, the cell uptake, intracellular concentration of CPT-11, cell apoptosis rate and cytotoxicity were evaluated on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh-7. The results showed that MSNs were coated with intact lipid bilayers and the nanoparticles had clear core-shell structure. GPEM is stable with the mean particle size of (78.01 +/- 2.04) nm. The low leakage rate in normal physiological conditions in vitro is contributed to the protection of stable lipid bilayer, and the fast drug release in acid environment due to the destruction of the lipid bilayer. On the cell level, the vector could improve the intracellular CPT-11 concentration by 4 times because of the functional lipid bilayer. The high CPT-11 concentration led to the increasement of apoptosis rate by 48.6%, and the reduction of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of CPT-11 by 2 times, indicating stronger cell cytotoxicity.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Apoptosis ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Humans ; Lipid Bilayers ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry

Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) is a rare autosome-recessive disease characterized by progressive motor and cognitive regression.The PLA2G6 gene is its causative gene,which encodes calcium-independent phospholipase A2 enzyme (iPLA2-VIA).The diagnosis of INAD is difficult because of its clinical heterogeneity,and the rate of misdiagnosis is high.The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics,molecular genetics,treatment and prognosis of INAD to improve the acknowledgement of INAD in medical workers and to help make an early diagnosis of INAD.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics,the diagnosis and therapy of synchronous multiple primary esophageal carcinoma.Methods Thirty-two cases of synchronous multiple primary esophageal carcinoma were collected from January 1980 to December 2010 and their clinic data were retrospectively analysised.Results In the whole group,there were totally 66 lesions in 30 cases of double primary lesion and 2 cases of three primary lesion.The length of the lesions were 1 cm to 6.5 cm,and there were 22 lesions in cervical esophagus,10 in upper thoracic esophagus,19 in midthoracic esophagus and 15 in lower thoracic esophagus.Within the 66 lesions,65 lesions were squamous cell carcinoma and 1 was adenocarcinoma.The mucosa between the lesions were normal,with a distance of 4 cm to 9.5 cm,average 7.1 cm.Thirty-two patients with synchronous multiple primary esophageal carcinoma received surgery.Among 32 cases,26 of them were given definite diagnosis before operation.Four of them had exploratory operation,one patient underwent palliative resection,27 patients underwent radical resection.Two cases of the pathologic results of esophageal stump showed carcinoma after operation.The complications occurred in 8 patients.Twenty-eight cases were followed up after operation,the 1,3 and 5-survival rate were 76.9％,43.3 and 14.8％,respectively.Conclusion General pre-operation examination can significant helpful for the definite diagnosis of synchronous multiple primary esophageal carcinoma and surgical treatment is better choice for this disease.

Animals ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics ; metabolism ; p21-Activated Kinases ; genetics

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility,safety and efficacy of peratrial device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) through a right parasternal approach.Methods Between May 2011 and July 2012,47 patients (peratrial group),aged 7 months to 37 years,underwent peratrial device closure of VSD through a right parasternal approach.According to the same inclusion criteria,47 patients who underwent perventricular device closure of VSD were randomly chosen as the control group (perventricular group).In the peratrial group,a 1.5 to 2.0 cm parasternal incision was made in the right fourth or third intercostal space.The pericardium was incised and cradled.Two parallel pursestring sutures were placed at the right atrium near the atrioventricular groove.After puncture,a specially designed hollow probe was inserted into the right atrium.The probe was passed through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.Under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance,the tip of the probe was adjusted to point to or cross the defect.A flexible guidewire was rapidly inserted into the left ventricle through the channel of the probe to establish a delivery pathway,and the delivery sheath was introduced through the defect over the wire.Then the device was deployed to close the defect.Results Successful implantation of the device was achieved in both groups of patients (100％).In the peratrial group,the entrance and the exit diameter of the VSD were (7.4 ±4.1) mm (range,2.0 to 20.0 mm) and (3.4 ± 1.2)mm (range,2.0 to 7.0 mm),respectively.The mean device size was (6.3 ± 1.5)mm (range,4.0 to 12.0 mm).The mean intracardiac manipulation time is longer in the peratrial group [(15 ± 13) min] than in the perventricular group[(8 ± 5)min],P ＜ 0.01.But the procedure time is shorter in the peratrial group[(56 ± 24) min] than in the perventricular group [(72 ± 16) min],P ＜ 0.01.During the follow-up period of 1 to 12 months,no device-related complications were found.Conclusion The peratrial device closure of VSD is feasible,safe,and efficacious.It has the advantages of less invasiveness,better cosmetic results,and a shorter procedure time.

Objective To explore the effects of combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)and western medicine on a variety of allergen induced severe perennial seasonal allergic rhinitis patients who were treated invalidly with antihistamines and intranasal flixonase for more than two years.Methods 16 patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis who were uncontrolled with antihistamines and intranasal flixonase for one week were treated by combination with TCM of Xin-Yi-Qing-fei San or Gyokubeifu-san mixed formula for two weeks.Nasal symptoms,its effects on the quality of daily life,and telephone follow-up half a year later were evaluated.Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-RQLQ) and Nocturnal Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (NRQLQ) were used to evaluate the quality of life.Results After 2 weeks combination-treatment,the nasal symptoms of congestion,rhinorrhea,sneezing,nasal itching,and nasal obstruction were significantly improved compared with combination-before [(52.0± 11.1)％,(69.1±5.3)％,(68.3±12.3)％,(55.5±10.0)％to (10.9±2.4)％,(8.9±3.2)％,(12.5±4.3)％,(13.2±5.3)％,respectively].The before and after treatment of nasal function of nasal minimum cross-sectional area (MCA),nasal cavity volume (V5) and nasal airway resistance (R75 and R150) respectively were (0.58±0.12)cm2,(0.38 ± 0.23) Pa/cm3 · s-1,(0.44 ± 0.32) Pa/cm3 · s-1,(3.50 ± 2.33) cm2 to (0.48 ± 0.23) cm2,(0.31 ±0.33) Pa/cm3 · s-1,(0.31 ±0.37)Pa/cm3 · s-1,(2.24± 1.03) cm2 (P＜0.01).In addition,findings of patients with nasal symptoms by half year follow-up were significantly better than those of before.Conclusion The interventionof TCM can effectively control the perennial and seasonal severe symptoms of patients with AR,and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To investigate the virtual wedge (VW) dosimetric parameters with the ionization chamber array Matrixxenvlution.Methods Using Matrixxenvlution and solid water to measure and calculate Siemens accelerator's VW angle and VW factors of different fields and compare the wedge field dose distribution to that of treatment planning system (TPS) by gamma analysis,summarized the measurement results of 50 times.Results The γ pass rate (3 mm/ 3％) of 15° and 30° VW in both direction were (91.47 ± 1.76)％,(92.99 ± 1.54)％ and (93.27 ± 1.24)％,(93.27 ± 1.68)％,respectively,with the increase of filed size and the VW angle,but for 20 cm ×20 cm field and VW 60°,the result was not very good.The largest angle deviation ＜ 2° except small field size and wedge angle,VW factors were approximately equal to 1,the maximum deviation was no more than 0.05,plan dose distribution and the measured dose distribution have good consistency except large field with large wedge angle.Conclusions Matrixxenvlution used in the measurement of VW dosimetric parameters which can obtain all parameters for angle calculation and dose plane analysis with only once positioning,and become more rapid,convenient,economical and practical one of quality assurance tools for VW dose verification.