OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of butyl alcohol extract of baitouweng decoction (BAEB) on the fungal cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), filamentation and biofilm formation of Candida tropicalis.

METHODGradual dilution method was used to determine the MIC. XTT assay was applied to determine the SMIC80. Time-Kill assay was employed to draw the Time-Kill curve. The water-hydrocarbon two-phase assay was used to measure the cell surface hydrophobicity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological changes of the biofilm. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was applied to determine the thickness of the biofilm. The quantification real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect expression changes of releated genes (UME6, ALST3 and NRG1). result: The MICs of BAEB against C. tropicalis strains are determined as 64-128 mg x L(-1). The SMIC80 s of BAEB against the biofilm of Candida tropicalis strains are determined as 256-512 mg x L(-1). Time-Kill curve results indicate that BAEB has a promise fungicidal effect at 256 and 512 mg x L(-1). SEM results shows that 512 mg x L(-1) BAEB can inhibit the formation of C. tropicalis biofilm on Silicone catheter, and the morphology of biofilm is also affected by BAEB. The thickness of C. tropicalis biofilm is reduced by BAEB according to CLSM results. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results indicate that expression of UME6 and ALST3 are significantly down-regulated by BAEB 256,512 mg x L(-1), and NRG1 is not affected by BAEB.

CONCLUSIONBAEB inhibits effectively the CSH, filamentation and biofilm formation of VVC strains of C. tropicalis.

Antifungal Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida tropicalis ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Candidiasis ; microbiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; Humans ; Virulence Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyse the clinical characteristics, treatments and prognosis of patients with T-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) in intermediate-high and high risk.

METHODSFifty-four patients with T-cell NHL classified intermediate-high and high risk were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to WHO classification criteria, there were 12 cases of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (TLBL), 31 peripheral T-cell lymphoma unspecified (PTCL-U), and 11 hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL). The IPI were 12 cases of intermediate-high risk and 42 high risk. Of them, 49 cases were bone marrow affected and 7 CNS affected. The response rate (RR) for the whole group was 86.5%, complete remission (CR) rate 67.3%, and 3-year survival rate 16.0%. The 3-year survival rates for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy groups were 44.4% and 8.3%, respectively. Multi-factor analysis showed that choice of therapy modality, and achievement of remission were significant factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONT-NHL is a group of heterogeneous malignancies. The response rate of intermediate-high and high risk T- NHL, especially PTCL-U and LTBL, is not low, but its long-term outcome is poor. New treatment modality needs to be explored for these patients, and autologous HSCT is perhaps a good choice.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. (TAP) on diabetes and its mechanism are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TAP on antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and pancreas-protective in streptozotozin (STZ)-diabetic rats.

METHODSThe diabetic model was produced by injection of 60 mg/kg STZ. Blood was drawn from the tail vein of rats after 72 hours. Rats with blood glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol/L were considered diabetic. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Diabetes rat (STZ), (2) Diabetic rats treated with 50 mg/kg of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L (STZ + TAP50), (3) Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg TAP (STZ + TAP100), and (4) Diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg TAP (STZ + TAP200). Normal rats (n = 10) acted as the control group (NC). TAP was administered by the intragastric route once each day for six weeks. Body weight and the concentration of blood glucose (BG) were measured after three and six weeks. Fructosamine (FMN), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO), and the activities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were determined after six weeks using commercially available kits following the manufacturer's instructions. Pathologic changes in pancreatic β-cells were also investigated by microscopic examination after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The level of SOD mRNA in pancreatic β-cells was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSThe levels of BG, FMN, NO, and MDA and the activities of NOS in serum in the four diabetes groups were significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The activity of SOD in serum and the body weight was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.01). After administration of TAP to diabetic rats for six weeks, the body weight and the levels of BG, FMN, MDA, NO and the activity of NOS in serum decreased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of SOD in serum and body weight increased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in SOD mRNA expression in pancreatic β cells. However, these changes were reversed by TAP. Histopathological examination also showed the protective effect of TAP on pancreatic β cells.

CONCLUSIONSTriterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. has an anti-diabetic effect, by controlling blood glucose and antioxidants, and has a protective effect on the pancreas.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Prunella ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Triterpenes ; therapeutic use

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Small Interfering ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) LJB/03 strain was isolated from the feces of piglets suspected to be suffering from a severe diarrhea in Heilongjiang Province, and was identified by immunofluorescence test, immunelectronmicroscopy, RT-PCR and indirect ELISA assay. Characteristics of the virus culture and the methods of improvement of virus titer were explored. The results showed that the virus had the typical appearance of the coronavirus. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of RT-PCR products revealed 98% homology with the reference strains. Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed a significant presence of green fluorescence, and an average P/N ratio of 7.6 by indirect ELISA assay. Taken together, these tests showed positive isolation of PEDV. Using the virus plaque purification cloning methods established in the test, the purified PEDV large plaque and small plaque were obtained, and the large plaque and small plaque titers were measured with significant difference. These results provide potential for the application of PEDV on the basis of the biological features of isolated virus.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Epidemics ; Feces ; virology ; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Virus Cultivation

Objective The inhibitory effect of high mobility group chro-mosomal protein N2(HMGN2) on growth of human bladder cancer T24 cells and xenograft tumor in nude mice .Methods In vitro, using thia-zole blue method (MTT) to detect the effect of 0, 3, 5, 7, 9 μg· mL-1 HMGN2 on the activity of T24 cells.Flow cytometry was used to detect the inhibitory effect of 0, 1, 3, 5 μg· mL-1HMGN2 on T24 cells.The expressions of apoptotic proteins Bcl -2, caspase -3, p53 and Bax in cells were detected by Western blot .In vivo, xenograft tumor in nude mice was constructed and divided into blank group , control group and ex-perimental group.Phosphate buffer solution ( PBS ), cis -dichlorodia-mineplatinum (DDP) and HMGN2 were respectively injected around the tumor tissue.All nude mice were sacrificed on post -transplantation 20 d, tumor tissue was removed.The effects of necrosis and apoptosis was analyzed by Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and TUNEL.Re-sults MTT results indicated that the growth of T24 cells was inhibited by 3, 5, 7, 9 μg· mL-1HMGN2, and the inhibition rate increased significantly with the increase of HMGN 2 concentra-tion and the incubation time.Flow cytometry results showed that the total apoptosis rate of 1, 3, 5 μg· mL-1HMGN2 in T24 cells were ( 13.18 ±0.83 )%, (25.79 ±1.22 )%, ( 31.48 ±1.82 )%, had significant difference with 0 μg· mL-1HMGN2 (P＜0.01 ).HE staining and TUNEL detection results of tumor tissues in nude mouser showed that compared with blank group , tumor tissues in experimental group and control group showed obvious necrosis and apoptosis.Conclusion HMGN2 may inhibit the proliferation of T24 cells and the growth of xenograft tumor in nude mice by promoting the necrosis of tumor tissue and inducing apoptosis .

Objective:To investigate the occurrence and development of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) related bone loss in Chinese patients with postmenopausal early-stage breast cancer.Methods:Patients with estrogen receptor (ER) and (or) progesterone receptor(PR) positive postmenopausal early-stage breast cancer who received Letrozole, Anastrozole, or Exemestane as adjuvant therapy were enrolled. Before treatment, baseline bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism markers were examined and a lifestyle questionnaire was completed; BMD was examined annually during the treatment; Outpatient visits were conducted to record recurrent and fatal events.Results:From November 2013 to August 2016, 131 patients with breast cancer eligible for enrollment were enrolled. A total of 65 patients had normal baseline bone mass, and 68 patients had reduced bone mass. Letrozole was taken in 69 patients, anastrozole in 52 patients, and exemestane in 10 patients. With a median follow-up of 43.7 months, 100 patients could be evaluated for changes in bone mineral density. Bone mineral density of femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine L1 to 4 decreased year by year, and the decrease was the most significant in the first year, which decreased by 2.3%, 2.4%, and 3.9% respectively. Ten new cases of osteoporosis occurred in two years, eight of them occurred in the lumbar spine, all of whom had reduced bone mass at baseline. Among the 131 patients who completed the lifestyle questionnaire, the proportions of daily calcium supplementation and vitamin D were 28.2% and 7.6%, respectively; more than half (52.7%) of them lacked regular exercise.Conclusion:BMD was declining steadily in patients treated with AIs, especially in the first year. Lumbar spine is the most common osteoporosis site, early prevention and health education should be strengthened.

Objective:To investigate the occurrence and development of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) related bone loss in Chinese patients with postmenopausal early-stage breast cancer.Methods:Patients with estrogen receptor (ER) and (or) progesterone receptor(PR) positive postmenopausal early-stage breast cancer who received Letrozole, Anastrozole, or Exemestane as adjuvant therapy were enrolled. Before treatment, baseline bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism markers were examined and a lifestyle questionnaire was completed; BMD was examined annually during the treatment; Outpatient visits were conducted to record recurrent and fatal events.Results:From November 2013 to August 2016, 131 patients with breast cancer eligible for enrollment were enrolled. A total of 65 patients had normal baseline bone mass, and 68 patients had reduced bone mass. Letrozole was taken in 69 patients, anastrozole in 52 patients, and exemestane in 10 patients. With a median follow-up of 43.7 months, 100 patients could be evaluated for changes in bone mineral density. Bone mineral density of femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine L1 to 4 decreased year by year, and the decrease was the most significant in the first year, which decreased by 2.3%, 2.4%, and 3.9% respectively. Ten new cases of osteoporosis occurred in two years, eight of them occurred in the lumbar spine, all of whom had reduced bone mass at baseline. Among the 131 patients who completed the lifestyle questionnaire, the proportions of daily calcium supplementation and vitamin D were 28.2% and 7.6%, respectively; more than half (52.7%) of them lacked regular exercise.Conclusion:BMD was declining steadily in patients treated with AIs, especially in the first year. Lumbar spine is the most common osteoporosis site, early prevention and health education should be strengthened.

In recent years, as the level of economic life has improved, the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus has increased year by year. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been a serious threat to maternal and newborn health. The pathogenesis of gestational diabetes is not very clear, and may be closely associated with insulin resistance, genetic susceptibility, inflammatory response, metabolic disorders. According to the gestational diabetes diagnostic standard,24-28 weeks pregnant women keep an empty stomach over 8 h, taken 75 g oral glucose directly, and then receive the oral glucose tolerance test. GDM is diagnosed as fasting blood-glucose> 5.1 mmol · L^-1,1-hour postprandial blood glucose>10.0 mmol · L^-1,and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose>8.5 mmol · L^-1. Western medicine treatment is mainly based on diet, exercise, drugs, education, monitoring and insulin therapy according to blood glucose. Meanwhile, GDM is a type of diabetes in traditional Chinese medicine. GDM is prevented and treated with diets and traditional method sports and Chinese herbs. Therefore, integrated Chinese and western medicine therapy can maximize the curative effect, reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, and effectively improve the adverse outcome and prognosis of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus from mother to child.

Aim To study the neuroprotective effect of rhubarb extract on MCAO model rats and explore its mechanism of action. Methods Forty-five SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, MCAO group, and MCAO + rhubarb group. MCAO model was prepared by silk plug method, and rhubarb extract was administered at a concentration of 200 mg · kg