Objective:Screen out the antitumor constituents of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma base on system pharmacology with chemical constituents of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma as study objects, in order to provide the theoretical basis for the development of antitumor and nontoxic activities of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma. Method:The small molecule ligand library of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma was built based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology(TCMSP), energy of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma was matched with the key protein targets of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway by molecular docking (SYBYL2.1, Tripos), the Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma-targets network model was established based on Cytoscape 3.5.1, and the physicochemical properties of the antitumor activity in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma were predicted by using SwissADME and admetSAR. Result:There were 25 small molecule constituents of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma. Through the energy match, key antitumor constituents of Pinelliae Rhizoma were gondoic acid, 10,13-eicosadienoic, baicalin, 12,13-epoxy-9-hydroxynonadeca-7,10-dienoic acid. Key antitumor constituents of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata were deltoin, sitosterol, neokadsuranic acid B, 11,14-eicosadienoic acid. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3Kα), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) were key antitumor targets of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma. There were 8 key antitumor constituents of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, which had a low CYP450 inhibition and basically followed the Lipinski rule. Conclusion:Antitumor nontoxic constituents of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma and key targets are screened out from the molecular level, which provides the new ideas for the effective use of nontoxic traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and breaks the restrictions in using nontoxic TCM.

Objective:To establish an HPLC method for the determination of thymol in thymol alcoholic solutions. Methods: An Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18(250 mm ×4.6 mm,5μm) column was used with the mobile phase of methanol-water (65∶35), the flow rate was 1. 0 ml·min-1 . the detection wavelength was 275nm, the injection volume was 10μl, and the column tenperature was 25℃. Re-sults:A good linear correlation of thymol was observed within the range of 60-160 μg·ml-1(r=0. 999 5). The average recovery was 101. 59% with RSD of 1. 39%(n=9). Conclusion:The method is quick, simple and accurate, which can be used in the determina-tion of thymol alcoholic solutions with good selectivity and sensitivity.

Objective: To establish a method for determining arabinose, mannose, fructopyranose and amylaceum in Shenxiong glucose injection by UPLC-MS/MS, so as to provide the basis for the scientific evaluation of the quality of Shenxiong glucose injection, and lay a foundation for the safe use of drugs in clinic. Method: Domestic GDX-403 solid-phase extraction column was used to purify Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH Xbridge Amide column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm)at the column temperature of 35℃, and the mobile phase was 0.1% ammonia, 0.1% acetonitrile-0.1% ammonia water and water 85:15. The contents of arabinose, mannose, fructose and glucose in Shenxiong glucose injection were determined by UPLC-MS/MS with a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min^-1. Result: A method was established to determine arabinose, mannose, fructopyranose and amylaceum in Shenxiong glucose injection. The concentration range of arabinose, mannose, fructopyranose and amylaceum showed a good linear relationship with the peak area, with a good repeatability and precision. Recoveries were 98.43%, 102.13%, 100.72%, 101.75%, and RSD were 2.4%, 1.3%, 3.1%, 2.7%. Arabinose and mannose content were stable in five batches of Shenxiong glucose injection. Conclusion: The method is simple and specific. Compared with the determination of total sugar, the method is more scientific and stable, and can be used for the quality control of Shenxiong glucose injection.

The present study was designed to observe the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and inhibitory Smads in kidney of rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN), and explore the possible mechanism of DN. Male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were single injected with streptozocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg body weight) for 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks to induce DN. Blood glucose, kidney weight/body weight and 24-hour urine protein in the control and DN rats were examined; the expressions of BMP-7, Smad6 and Smad7 were detected by using immunohistochemical techniques, Western blot and real-time PCR. The results showed that blood glucose and 24-hour urine protein in DN rats were higher than that in the control rats and kidney weight/body weight was also elevated in DN rats, especially in 16-week STZ-induced rats. The expressions of BMP-7 and Smad6 proteins in DN rats were elevated, while BMP-7 mRNA expression was increased 2 weeks after STZ injection and decreased 16 weeks after STZ injection. The expressions of Smad7 protein and mRNA were elevated in DN rats 2 weeks after STZ injection and decreased 16 weeks after STZ injection. In addition, the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen type I (COL-I) mRNA were increased in DN rats. These results suggest in the early stage of DN, increase in BMP-7 and inhibitory Smad expression may play a role in the feedback regulation and restrain the development of DN.
Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad6 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of α3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on apoptosis and p38 signal transduction pathway in SH-SY5Y cells and to assess the roles of α3 nAChR in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThe levels of α3 nAChR mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA. The mRNA level of bcl-2 and bax was measured by the real-time PCR. The siRNA transfected SH-SY5Y cells and control were then treated with 10 µmol/L Aβ25-35 for another 48 h, and the change in apoptotic rate and the levels of p-p38 and p38 were measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. Subsequently these SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a blocker of p38 protein, and the apoptotic rate was measured again.

RESULTSCompared to the controls, the expression of α3 nAChR at mRNA and protein levels in the SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA decreased by 95% and 86%, respectively; the mRNA levels of bax increased 2.11 times and that for bcl-2 decreased 0.53 times. The apoptotic rate was unaffected (3.40% ± 0.20%); but it increased after Aβ25-35 treatment (24.52% ± 1.59%); the level of p-p38 protein also increased by 178% in the α3 nAChR inhibited cells treated with Aβ25-35. Compared to controls, the Aβ25-35-treated SH-SY5Y cells and the Aβ25-35-treated and siRNA-transfected cells both showed a reduction in apoptosis after treatment with p38 blocker, especially in the former.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA silencing of α3 nAChR mRNA may enhance the effect of Aβ25-35 on the cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of p38 protein and bax mRNA and decreasing the level of bcl-2 mRNA, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to explore the possible principles for remodeling of periodontal tissues under mechanical stretching by investigating the effects of intermittent mechanical stretching delivered by a new invented type of cell stress machine on the proliferation kinetics of the human periodontal fibroblast cells (hPDLFs) in vitro.

METHODShPDLFs were cultured in vitro. The 4 - 7th generation of hPDLFs were undergone mechanical stretching. All cells were grouped as strained and unstrained (controls). Strained groups cells were gathered after 2, 4 and 6 hours with the stress 1 000, 2 000 and 3 000 mustrain. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to examine the ratio of DNA (S%) and the index of proliferation(PI).

RESULTSMechanical force would lead to the change of hPDLFs proliferation. Within the experiment, both 1 000 mustrain and 2 000 mustrain could increase the proliferation index (PI) (P < 0.05). While under 3 000 mustrain, DNA synthesis was significantly decreased( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSome range of mechanical stretching accelerates hPDLFs proliferation. This research discusses the remodeling process of periodontal tissues undergoing the mechanical stretching on cytological view, and it makes a basement for further revealing the mechanical strain induced periodontal biological principles. Also it provides a useful direction for clinical orthodontic therapy.

Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kinetics ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stress, Mechanical

Soil and Uncaria rhynchophylla in different functional areas were selected for the study,the content of heavy metals such as As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Hg in soil and U. rhynchophylla was discussed, the characteristics of their accumulation in the U.rhynchophylla was analyzed, the contamination levels of heavy metals in soil in different functional areas was evaluated. The results showed that content of Cu, As, Pb and Cr in soil was being cropland>woodland>wasteland, content of Cd was being woodland>cropland>wasteland, content of Hg was being cropland>woodland>wasteland. According to quality standard of soil environment, soil Cd in woodland, cropland and wasteland all exceeded the state-level standards, soil Cd in woodland exceeded the secondary standard, soil Hg in cropland and wasteland all exceeded the state-level standards. According to technical conditions of green food producing area, soil Cd in woodland exceeded the limit value of standard. According to Green Trade Standards of Importing Exporting Medicinal Plants Preparations,the content of heavy metals of U.rhynchophylla in cropland,woodland and wasteland were correspond to the specification. From the single factor pollution index, the soil in woodland was polluted by Cd. From the comprehensive pollution index, the soils in different functional areas were not contaminated by heavy metals. The enrichment coefficient of heavy metals such as As, Cu, Cr, and Pb in hook of U.rhynchophylla was being wasteland>woodland>cropland, the enrichment coefficient of Cu in hook of U. rhynchophylla in wasteland was more than 1. Except Cu, the enrichment coefficient of other heavy metals was low.

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) and cholesterol on the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in the brains of rats.

METHODThe rats were treated by intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta1-42 and fed with a diet containing 5% cholesterol to establish animal model of AD. The pathological changes, learning and memory, and expression of nAChRs of rats were analyzed by Bieoschowsky staining, immunohistochemistry, water-labyrinth, Western blot, and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAbeta intracerebroventricular injection induced Abeta deposition in rat brains and high-cholesterol diet resulted in hypercholesterolemia in the animals. Injection of Abeta caused a reduction of learning and memory of rats and modifications of the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol enhanced these effects of Abeta on neuropathology and expression of nAChRs.

CONCLUSIONSAbeta can induce marked neuropathological changes, influence the learning and study ability, and modify the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol can enhance the neurotoxicity of Abeta.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective: To investigate the genetic characteristics of drug resistance and homology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) in hospitalized children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Guiyang area. Methods: The Kpn strains were collected from hospitalized children at 3 PICU from the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Provincial People′s Hospital and Guiyang Children′s Hospital from September 2014 to December 2016.Automatic bacteria identification instrument and Kirby-Bauer method were used to identify Kpn strains and confirm ESBLs phenotype respectively.The drug resistance genes were detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and their homology was analyzed by means of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and cluster analysis. Results: (1) A total of 207 non-repetitive Kpn strains were isolated, of which 128 strains produced ESBLs (61.8%). There was no significant difference in the ESBLs detection rates among the different hospitals, years and types of samples(χ²=0.40, 5.19, 4.68, all P>0.05). (2) Among those 128 ESBLs-producing Kpn strains, 123 strains (96.1%) were found to have drug-resistant genes, of which the detection rate of SHV type was the highest, accounting for 87.5%.These 3 drug resistance genotypes were distributed in 7 modes, of which 85.2% were carrying more than 2 genotypes.(3) PFGE genotypic assay showed that there were 109 genotypes and 5 dominant clones.The PICU at 3 hospitals were all prevalent with type A strain, accounting for 14.8%.In 2015, there was a short-term outbreak of type A strain in Guiyang Children′s Hospital.While, the resistance phenotypes of Kpn and the genotype of PFGE could both be consistent or different. Conclusions The ESBLs-producing Kpn at PICU in Guiyang area has the characteristics of multi-drug resistance, its drug-resistant genotypes have diversified, and there is a small-scale short-term outbreak epidemic, which poses a serious threat to clinical anti-infection treatment.It is necessary to strengthen clinical drug resistance monitoring and adopt effective infection control measures to prevent and control the spread of nosocomial infections.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes in growth and development of fetuses with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: Amniotic fluid were collected from 20 fetuses with DS and 20 normal fetuses (control) to extract amniotic exosome miRNA. MicroRNA sequencing technique was used to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups, for which gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis was performed. Three differentially expressed miRNAs with the strongest correlation with DS phenotype were selected for qPCR verification. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the activity of let-7d-5p for targeted regulation of BACH1. RESULTS: We identified 15 differentially expressed miRNAs in DS as compared with the control group, among which 7 miRNAs were up-regulated and 8 were down-regulated. Target gene prediction results showed that the differentially expressed miRNAs targeted 17 DS-related genes. GO analysis revealed that the main functions of the target genes involved protein binding, protein transport, ATP binding, transferase activity and synapses. Pathway analysis revealed that the functional pathways were closely related with the development of the nervous system. qPCR results showed that the expression levels of miR-140-3p and let-7d-5p were significantly lower in DS group than in the control group (P < 0.05), as was consistent with miRNA sequencing results; the expression level of miR-4512 was significantly higher in DS group than in control group (P < 0.05), which was contrary to miRNA sequencing results. The results of double luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that let-7d-5p was capable of targeted regulation of BACH1 expression. CONCLUSION Let-7d-5p in amniotic fluid exosomes may promote oxidative stress events in the brain of fetuses with DS by regulating BACH1 expression.
Amniotic Fluid/metabolism* ; Down Syndrome/genetics* ; Exosomes ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Pregnancy