Objective To investigate the roles of interleuldn (IL)-17,IL-10,and matrix metalloproteinase12 (MMP-12) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and further to understand the intervention mechanism of atorvastatin for atherosclerosis.Methods Eighteen Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups:control,model and intervention groups (n =6 in each group).The control group,model group and intervention group were fed basic diet,high-fat diet,and high-fat diet plus atorvastatin (5 mg/(kg·d),respectively for 12 weeks.The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method; the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by selective precipitation method; the levels of IL-17,IL-10,and MMP-12 were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the pathological morphology changes of atherosclerotic plaque was observe by HE staining; and the thickness of the intima,intima/media ratio,plaque area,and plaque proportion were calculated by image analysis software.Results The expression levels of serum TC,TG,LDL-C,and IL-17,as well as those of IL-17 and MMP-12 of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the model group (all P ＜0.05),but they were still higher than the control group (all P ＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in the level of HDL-C.The level of serum IL-10 of the intervention group was higher than that of the model group and the control group (all P＜0.05).The thickness of intima,intima/media ratio,plaque area,and plaque proportion of the intervention group were all significantly lower than those of the model group (all P ＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the plaque proportion was significantly positively correlated with IL-17 (r =0.847,P =0.001) and MMP-12 (r =0.839,P =0.001),and was negatively correlated with IL-10 (r =0.794,P =0.002); IL-17 was significantly positively correlated with MMP-12 (r =0.709,P=0.001),and was significantly negatively correlated with IL-10 (r =0.738,P＜0.001).MMP-12 was significantly negatively correlated with IL-10 (r =0.563,P =0.015).Conclusion The increased levels of IL-17 and MMP-12,as well as the decreased level of IL-10 illustrate that inflammatory factors play an important pathological role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.In addition to lipid-lowering effect,atorvastatin may decrease the degree of chronic arterial inflammatory response and play a role in anti-atherosclerosis by decreasing the expression of IL-17 and MMP-12,as well as increasing the expression of IL-10.

Objective: To study the daphnane diterpenoids of Trigonostemon lutescens form Guangxi province. Methods: The ethanol extract of T. lutescens was separated and purified by column chromatography, and the structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results: Twelve daphnane diterpenoids were separated and identified form T. lutescens as trigoxyphin A (1), 3,16α-dihydroxy-kaurane (2), entkaurane-3,16α-diol (3), 10,16α-dihydroxy-isokaurane (4), entkaurane-3, 5,16α-triol (5), 8α-hydroxy-3,4-secopimara-4,15(18)-diene-3-oic acid (6), 8α-hydroxy-3,4-secopimara-4,15(18)-diene-3-oate (7), 3,4-secopimara-4,8(9),15(18)-triene-3-acid-methyl ester (8), trigoflavidone A (9), clerodane-2,4,11-triene-17-acid methyl ester (10), 3α-dihydroxy-kaurane-16-ene (11), and 13α-dihydroxy-kaurane-16-ene-18-acid methyl ester (12). Conclusion: All these daphnane diterpenoids are first separated and identified form T. lutescens.

Aim To investigate the effect of extract of Averrhoa carambola L. root (EACR) on carbon tetra-chloride (CCl4) induced acute hepatic injury in mice. Methods Both NS and the treatment protocol were administered via intragastric gavage (i. g. ) for seven days. Each group of mice were intraperitineally injected with 0. 15% CCl4 to establish an acute liver injury model except for the normal group. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin-1 (IL-1 ) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) , nialondialehyde ( MDA ) , glutathione ( GSH ) , and glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px ) in the liver tissues were measured. The protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), nuclear factor-kappa B ( NF- kB) , caspase-3 were measured by western blot. The histopathological changes were detected by HE staining. Results After prctreatment with EACR, the levels of AST, ALT, 11,-1, IL-6 in serum as well as MDA in the liver markedly decreased, whereas the activities of SOD, GSH and GSH-Px increased. The protein expressions of TNF-ot, NF-kB and caspase-3 were significantly down-regulated in EACR groups. HE staining also showed that the injury of liver was mitigated after administration of EACR. Conclusions EACR can prevent CC14 induced acute hepatic injury in mice. The mechanism may be related to attenuating the free radicals and inhibiting the lipid peroxidation.

Objective: To establish HPLC and multiple components determination method of Sarcandrae Herba Dispensing Granules (SHDG), in order to compare the difference of the quality in various SHDG samples and provide an effective method to ensure the quality of SHDG. Methods: HPLC-UV method was used to establish the characteristic chromatogram of SHDG, and acetonitrile-0.2% formic acid solution was used as the mobile phase with the gradient elution. The common peaks were identified by comparison with the reference standards and HPLC-Q/TOF. At the same time, the method for simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, isofraxidin, and rosmarinic acid was established with the same approach. Chemometrics software Chempattern was employed to analyze the data. Through cluster analysis and principal component analysis, different preparations from different manufacturers and different batches from the same manufacturer were classified, and the main components causing the differences were clarified. Results: The SHDG fingerprint was established to confirm and identify seven characteristic peaks, namely, neochlorgenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isofraxidin, rosmarinic acid-4-O-β-D-glucoside, and rosmarinic acid. The main chromatographic peaks of SHDG can be completely separated within 55 min. There was a good linear relationship between the peak area and concentration of chlorogenic acid, isofraxidin, and rosmarinic acid. The average recovery rates were 98.92% (RSD 1.54%), 98.20% (RSD 1.12%), and 99.58% (RSD 1.12%), respectively. The chlorogenic acid content of 18 batches of samples was 0.33-1.39 mg/g, the content of isocyanidine was 1.31-2.74 mg/g, and the content of rosmarinic acid was 1.11-4.54 mg/g. The similarity between 18 batches of samples and the common mode was 0.688-0.992. There were certain differences in the content of chlorogenic acid, isofraxidin, rosmarinic acid in the SHDG of various batches and manufacturers. Conclusion: The proposed specific HPLC characteristic chromatogram and quantitation method of three components for SHDG offered more comprehensive reference for quality control of the crude drug.

Objective: To screen the best transdermal enhancers of naringenin in Premna fulva extract. Methods: Using abdominal skin of rats as experimental barrier, the in vitro percutaneous absorption experiment was established by modified Franz diffusion cell method. The cumulative infiltration and permeation rate of naringenin in three different penetration enhancers were determined by HPLC. Results: The borneol, menthol, and azone could enhance transdermal absorption of naringenin in different degree. Several penetration enhancers were increased in the following order: borneol > menthol > azone. The average percutaneous rate of naringenin was 0.136 8 mg/(cm2∙h), using 5% borneol as penetration enhancer. Conclusion: The 5% borneol is an effective transdermal enhancer for naringenin in P. fulva extract.

Objective: Through the accelerated experiment and long-term experiment, the main contents of ephedrine and white peony root in Chinese materia medica (CMM) lotion were taken as the main indexes, and the stability of the medicine lotion of infants with bronchitis was investigated. Methods: According to the quality standard of CMM lotion for infant bronchitis, the existence of Ephedrae Herba, Poria, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Aurantii Fructus and Epimedii Folium in the sample was identified by thin layer chromatography. The contents of Ephedrae Herba (ephedra hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (paeoniflorin) were determined by HPLC, and the stability of CMM lotion samples was evaluated by plate method. Results: The contents of Ephedrae Herba, Poria, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Aurantii Fructus, and Epimedii Folium were measured. The contents of Ephedrae Herba and Paeoniae Radix Alba were higher than 0.18 mg and 0.72 mg; The total contents of aerobic bacteria and mycorrhizal yeasts were not more than 100 cfu/mL, and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected, in line with quality standards. Conclusion: The three batches of CMM lotion prepared by the First People’s Hospital of Guangxi have good stability and long-term stability, for the goods packaging, transportation, and storage conditions to provide the necessary information.

It has been reported that ODB genes play an important role in homologous recombination-directed DNA repair, suggesting their potential applications in plant breeding. To analyze the expression characteristics of tobacco NtODB gene, the cDNA sequence of NtODB was obtained using in silico cloning technique. The physicochemical properties, signal peptide, and advanced structures of the predicted protein were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The results showed that the NtODB gene has a 579-bp open reading frame which encodes a protein with 192 amino acid residues. The protein NtODB is predicted to be alkaline and hydrophilic. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that NtODB was constitutively expressed in different tissues. Subcellular localization showed that NtODB was mainly expressed in cell membrane and chloroplast. These results may help us to better understand and elucidate the roles of ODB genes in the homologous recombination-directed DNA repair.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; Computer Simulation ; DNA, Complementary ; Phylogeny ; Plant Breeding ; Tobacco/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results and the superiority of minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach andABSTRACT Objective :To investigate the clinical results and the superiority of minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates for the treatment of the intra-articular calcaneal fracture.

METHODSFrom July 2011 to August 2012, 12 cases (13 feet) were treated by sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates. There were 10 males and 2 females, aged from 25 to 48 years old (means 35 years old). According to Sanders classifi- cation system, there were 7 feet with type II, 6 feet with type III. The Böhler angle and Gissane angle were compared before and after operation. The clinical results were evaluated with the Maryland foot score system.

RESULTSAll 12 cases were followed up from 6 to 14 months (means 10 months). There were no incision complications. Fracture healing time was from 3 to 6 months (means 4 months). The Böhler angle increased from preoperative (11.19 +/- 5.69) degrees to postoperative (30.13 +/- 7.52) degrees; The Gissane angle increased from preoperative (108.31 +/- 10.35) degrees to postoperative (118.99 +/- 8.94) degrees. According to Maryland foot score system, 8 feet got an excellent result, 3 good, 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONOpen reduction by sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates is an effective method for treatment of Sanders II, III calcaneal fracture. It can obtain good reduction and stable fixation with minimal invasion and lower complications.

Adult ; Ankle Joint ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Manganese is an element essential for living organisms. Development of industrial technologies and exploitation of mineral resources have led to the release of large amount of Mn(Ⅱ) into the environment, posing a serious threat to human health. Bioremediation can remove the Mn(Ⅱ) from the environment rapidly and effectively without generating secondary pollution, thus received increasing attention. This review summarized the diversity and distribution of Mn(Ⅱ) removal microorganisms and the associated mechanisms, followed by discussing the effect of environmental factors on microbial Mn(Ⅱ) removal. Finally, the challenges and prospects for bioremediation of Mn(Ⅱ) polluted wastewater were proposed.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Humans ; Manganese ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Waste Water

Prostate cancer (PCa) has become one of the common malignant diseases in elderly men, and its incidence is increasing year by year. Apart from surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy, as with the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitor, is a most promising new strategy for the treatment of PCa. PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors restore the activity of T cells by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway in tumor cells, reverse the mechanism of tumor immune escape, recover the immune system and directly kill tumor cells. This review focuses on the current progress in the studies of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of PCa.
B7-H1 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Humans ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction