Currently, the resistance of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs has made the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis increasingly difficult, posing a serious threat to global public health. Several studies have shown that efflux pumps are one of the important causes for bacteria to develop multi-drug resistance and extremely-drug resistance, and efflux pump inhibitors can inhibit the efflux of antibacterial drugs, thereby reducing bacterial drug resistance. Numerous natural products and synthetic compounds have been reported to possess efflux pump inhibitory activity, but they have not been applied in clinical settings because of their toxicity, pharmacokinetic properties, etc. Therefore, we summarized the efflux pump inhibitory activity, antimicrobial activity, and structure-activity relationships of reported efflux pump inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in recent years, providing references for the development of new efflux pump inhibitors with better activity and lower toxicity.

For screening the potential drugs as anti-liver fibrosis candidates, we established a high- throughput drug screening cell model based on COL1A1 promoter. The activity of COL1A1 promoter and luciferase reporter gene can be elevated by TGF-β1, and inhibited by candidate drugs. We constructed a recombined plasmid with COL1A1 promoter and luciferase reporter gene pGL4.17, the activity of COL1A1 promoter was reflected by fluorescence intensity. COL1A1 promoter activity was detected by Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System, it came that the relative luciferase activity of COL1A1 promoter was 15.98 times higher than that of control group induced by TGF-β1, showing the recombined plasmid could be used in cell model. The recombined plasmid was transfected into human hepatic stellate cells LX2, detected the effect of potential drugs, and obtained a stable expression system through stable transfection and monoclonal cell culture. A sample which could reduce COL1A1 promoter activity signally by our cell model, decreased collagen I mRNA and protein expression detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. It indicates this novel cell model can be used in high-throughput drug screening of potential anti-liver fibrosis drugs.
Collagen Type I ; genetics ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Genes, Reporter ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; Luciferases ; Plasmids ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and neurological deteri?oration (ND) during the acute phase in patients with hypertensive minor ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 200 hyperten?sive patients with acute minor ischemic stroke were recruited in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: stable group (n=182) and deterioration group (n=18) according to the neurological prognosis. Values of BPV in 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, 24 h systolic blood pressure variation coefficient (24 h CVSBP), 24 h diastolic blood pressure variation coeffi?cient (24 h CVDBP), day time systolic blood pressure variation coefficient (dCVSBP), day time diastolic blood pressure variation coefficient (dCVDBP), night time systolic blood pressure variability (nCVSBP) and night time diastolic blood pressure variability (nCVDBP) were compared between two groups. The related factors of BPV were analyzed by binary logistic method in the acute phase of patients with hypertensive minor ischemic stroke. Results There were significantly higher levels of 24 h CVSBP [17.75%(17.54%,19.26%) vs 12.78% (10.67%,14.39%)], 24 h CVDBP [25.48%(20.77%,27.87%) vs 17.95% (14.88%, 21.46%)], dCVSBP [18.61%(17.65%,20.65%) vs 12.30%(10.10%,14.75%)], dCVDBP [25.65%(21.25%,29.78%) vs 17.76%(14.89%,22.19%)] in deterioration group than those of stable group (P<0.01). Results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that values of 24 h CVSBP and dCVSBP were risk factors for neurological deterioration in the acute phase of patients with hypertensive minor ischemic stroke. Conclusion The increased 24 h BPV and day time BPV are correlated with neurologi?cal deterioration during the acute phase in hypertensive minor ischemic stroke patients. BPV should be concerned in the acute phase and secondary prevention in patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of active breathing control (ABC) in conformal radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods From Feb 2005 to Mar 2008, 29 patients with inoperable NSCLC (stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were evaluated. For each patient, two series of CT scans were obtained with free breathing (FB) and ABC system during simulation, respectively. Then two confonnal radiotherapy (CRT) plans were finished based on the two sets of reconstructed images. The pattern of post-inspiratory breath-hold was triggered at 80% of the peak of inspiration curve. The margin of clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) was 0. 6 cm for lesions of the superior lobe, and 1.0 cm for the lesions of middle and inferior lobes. Three to five coplanar fields were performed in conformal radiotherapy. The gross tumor volume (GTV), CTV, PTV, volume of the bilateral lungs (Volume_(lung)), V_(20) and mean lung dose (MLD) of two plans were evaluated by dose-volume histogram (DVH). The World Health Organization criteria and National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 3.0 (NCI-CTC3.0) scale were used to assess the immediate response and acute side-effect, respectively. Results Significant differences of GTV, CTV, FIN, Volum_(lung), V_(20) and MDL were observed between the two plans (36. 35 cm~3 vs. 31.40 cm~3, t = 9. 70, P <0. 001 ;82. 33 cm~3 vs. 70. 83 cm~3, t = 8. 19, P < 0. 001 ; 230. 73 cm~3 vs. 197.59 cm~3 ,t=5.72,P <0. 001 ;21.66% vs. 18. 76% ,t = 11.16,P <0. 001 ;1329. 07 Gy vs. 1143. 14 Gy, t = 13. 24, P < 0. 001). With ABC, all patients completed their treatment successfully except one patient for financial problems. The median radiation dose to the GTV was 64 Gy (60 -64 Gy). The overall immediate response rate was 64% (18/28). According to the NCI-CTC 3.0, grade 1 and 2 acute radiation-related toxicities occurred in 68% (19/28) and 18% (5/28) of patients for esophagitis, 82% (23/28) and 7% (2/28) for pneumonitis, respectively. Grade 1, 2 and 3 bone marrow suppression occurred in 57% (16/28), 25% (7/28) and 14% (4/28) of patients, respectively. Grade 1 and 2 acute cardiac injuries occurred in 86% (24/28) and 14% (4/28) of patients. Conclusions During CRT for patients with NSCLC, the use of ABC can decrease the radiation dose and acute complications of normal tissues.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that chitooligosaccharides have antitumor effect. However, the influence of chitooligosaccharides on cyclin D1, bcl-2 and bcl-xl remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the JnhJbJtJon effect of chitooligosaccharides on the proliferation of Hela cells, and the influence on cyclin D1, bcl-xl and bcl-2 mRNA expression.METHODS: Hela cells were stimulated by different concentrations of chitooligosaccharides (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 g/L). The effects of chitooligosaccharides on Hela cells were detected by CCK8 kit. Using real-time PCR methods, the gene expression of cyclin D1, bcl-xl and bcl-2 mRNA were determined.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Chitooligosaccharides inhibited the proliferation of Hela cells. With the concentrations of chitoolJgosaccharides increased from 0.1 g/L to 2 g/L, the inhibition effects on the gene expressJon of cyclin D1, bcl-xl and bcl-2 were enhanced, peaked at 2 g/L, and decreased at high concentration (5 g/L). Antitumor activity of chitooligosaccharides may exert through two aspects: it inhibits cyclin D1 mRNA expression to suppress the proliferation of tumor cells; on the other hand, chitooligosaccharides inhibits the expression of bcl-xl and bci-2 to promote the apoptosis of tumor cells. Moreover, the effects of the former are stronger than the latter.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of the Rich Selenium-Banqiao-Codonopsis Pilosula (BCPA) injecta on the aged rats' immune functions and its underlying mechanism.

METHODSTotally 60 rats, composed of 2, 12 and 22 month age old (half male and half female), were served as a young group, middle-age group and aged group respectively. Each group rats were randomly divided into the control and the BCPA subgroup (n = 10). The BCPA group was injected with BCPA at 7.2 g/kg intraperitoneally every day and the control group was injected the same volume of normal saline. All rats were conventionally fed for 45 days. An immune injection was performed after 15 days of BCPA injection. On the 22nd day, late-onset immune response would be induced. The caudal vein blood was collected and the antigen specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody was detected on the 15th, 30th and 45th day. On the 45th day, the major T cell subgroups of splenic cells were analyzed and splenic cells were proliferated.

RESULTSNo significant difference in the delayed-type hypersensivity (DTH) reaction was found between the control and the BCPA subgroups in the young and middle-aged rats while the aged BCPA subgroup had a stronger DTH reaction. There was no significant difference in the blood content of specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody between the young and middle-age BCPA group while the aged BCPA group rats had an obvious enhancing reaction to the three antibodies mentioned above (P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference in the number of the CD3+ lymphocytes and the CD4+ T helper lymphocytes between the control and the BCPA subgroup in the young aged rats while a significant increase was spotted between the middle-aged and the aged group (P < 0.05). The splenic cells from young BCPA group rats had a strong proliferation response (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBCPA can enhance DTH reaction, potentiate the production of specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody to resist KLH, improve the reaction to antigen, increase the amount of CD4+ cell, promote the immune response and had an important role in anti-immunosenescence and antioxidant capacity improvement in the aged rats.

Aging ; Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immune System ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; Spleen ; immunology

The changes of kernel nutritive components and seed vigor in F1 seeds of sh2 sweet corn during seed development stage were investigated and the relationships between them were analyzed by time series regression (TSR) analysis. The results show that total soluble sugar and reducing sugar contents gradually declined, while starch and soluble protein contents increased throughout the seed development stages. Germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index gradually increased along with seed development and reached the highest levels at 38 d after pollination (DAP). The TSR showed that, during 14 to 42 DAP, total soluble sugar content was independent of the vigor parameters determined in present experiment, while the reducing sugar content had a significant effect on seed vigor. TSR equations between seed reducing sugar and seed vigor were also developed. There were negative correlations between the seed reducing sugar content and the germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index, respectively. It is suggested that the seed germination, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index could be predicted by the content of reducing sugar in sweet corn seeds during seed development stages.
Carbohydrates ; analysis ; Germination ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Zea mays ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of hyperoxia solution on acute lung injury caused by phosgene poisoning by observing the changes of PaO2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and Glutathione (GSH/GSSG) contents in lung tissues.

METHODSThe rabbits were divided into normal control group, hyperoxia solution (H0) and balance salt (BS) groups. Group HO and Group BS inhaled phosgene and the former was given intravenously hyperoxia solution (which was replaced by balance salt solution in Group BS). The content of MDA and the activity of SOD in serum were observed at different time points, the amount of GSH and GSSG in lung tissue were also measured.

RESULTS(1) The serum MDA contents increased and PaO2, SOD activity decreased significantly in Group HO and Group BS along with time increasing as compared with control group. The contents of GSH in lung tissue decreased in two groups compared with that in control group, however the contents of GSSG ascended instead. (2) At 3 and 8 h of the experiment, PaO2 of Group HO [(9.91 +/- 0.49), (9.15 +/- 0.46) mm Hg respectively] were significantly higher than those of Group BS [(9.03 +/- 0.76), (8.11 +/- 0.57) mm Hg respectively] (P < 0.01). The contents of MDA of Group HO (3.66 +/- 0.35), (5.31 +/- 0.15) micromol/L respectively] were lower than those of Group BS [(4.32 +/- 0.26), (7.4 +/- 0.33) micromol/L respectively] (P < 0.01). SOD activity in Group HO [(237.37 +/- 29.96), (208.10 +/- 18.80) NU/ml respectively] were higher than those of Group BS [(195.02 +/- 21.44), (144.87 +/- 21.26) NU/ml respectively] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The content of GSSG lung tissue in Group HO (423.67 +/- 38.21) micromol/L were lower than those of Group BS (523.85 +/- 43.14) mol/L (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the content of GSH in lung tissues between Group HO and group BS.

CONCLUSIONHyperoxia solution can reduce acute lung injury of rabbits following phosgene poisoning.

Acute Lung Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hyperoxia ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Phosgene ; poisoning ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death. Safflower attracts great attention owing to its anti-ischemia/reperfusion injury effect. Ninety-three patients with CAD were included and randomized into safflower treatment group, PCI group and control group. Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed to measure end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) to determine the recovery of hibernating myocardium and cardiac function in all patients before treatment and after 3-month follow-up. The study was to investigate the effects of safflower on hibernating myocardial revascularization and cardiac function. It was found that LVEF was significantly improved, while the ESV and WMSI were significantly reduced after 2-week treatment in safflower and PCI treatment groups. No significant differences were found between safflower and PCI treatment groups in ESV, EDV, WMSI and LVEF after treatment Safflower injection effectively improved hibernating myocardial function.
Aged ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Myocardial Stunning ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Recovery of Function

Adult ; Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Military Medicine ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects