A new chitosan derivative is prepared using chitosan.Ethyl chlorocarbonate was first introduced to the hydroxyl group of phthaloylchitosan through a nucleophilic reaction.Hydrazine was then added to recover the amino groups of chitosan and promote cross-linking.The structure of this new chitosan derivative was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy,and its physical properties were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD),differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).The thermal and chemical stabilities of the new derivative were improved compared with those of native chitosan.Assay of Escherichia coli adhesion on a film based on this chitosan derivative showed good adsorption and biofilm formation.

A new chitosan derivative is prepared using chitosan.Ethyl chlorocarbonate was first introduced to the hydroxyl group of phthaloylchitosan through a nucleophilic reaction.Hydrazine was then added to recover the amino groups of chitosan and promote cross-linking.The structure of this new chitosan derivative was characterized by Fourier transform infrared（FT-IR）and proton nuclear magnetic resonance（1H NMR）spectroscopy,and its physical properties were determined by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）,and thermogravimetric analysis（TGA）.The thermal and chemical stabilities of the new derivative were improved compared with those of native chitosan.Assay of Escherichia coli adhesion on a film based on this chitosan derivative showed good adsorption and biofilm formation.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly associated with the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric inflammation, peptic ulcer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid-tissue lymphoma and gastric cancer. It is a key strategy to prevent and treat these diseases by eradicating H. pylori. Due to the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance of clarithromycin and metronidazole, the eradication rate of standard triple therapy is less than 80% in recent years. On the basis of traditional triple therapy, combination with some treatments, such as probiotics, mucoprotective agents, Chinese medicine and oral clean, can improve the H. pylori eradication rate.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Clarithromycin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gastritis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Metronidazole ; therapeutic use ; Peptic Ulcer ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Probiotics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; microbiology

Objective To investigate effects of pirfenidone (PFD) on diabetic nephropathy model in db/db mice and to explore its possible mechanisms.Methods (1) Wild-type mice were as the normal control group,and db/db mice were divided into model group and PFD group,with 6 mice in each group.In the PFD group mice were administered continuously by 250 mg· kg-1· d-1 PFD for 18 weeks,and mice in the other two groups were administered by 0.5％ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.Blood glucose and 24 h urinary albumin were measured.The pathological changes of renal tissue were evaluated by PAS staining,PASM staining,Masson staining and Sirius red staining.The expression of collagen type Ⅳ in kidney tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry.(2) Mouse mesangial cells (SV40 MES-13 cells) were cultured as research objects.They were divided into control group,hyperosmolar group,high glucose (HG) group,and 50,100,200,400,800,1600 mg/L PFD+HG group.BrdU cell proliferation test was used to evaluate cell proliferation rate.Cells were divided into control group,hyperosmolar group,HG group and PFD+HG group.The mRNA expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),collagen type Ⅰ,collagen type Ⅳ,transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were detected by real-time PCR.Results (1) Compared with normal control group,the model mice had higher weight,blood glucose and 24 h urinary albumin,accompanied with glomerular hypertrophy,mesangial area expansion,tubulointerstitial fibrosis and deposition of collagen type Ⅳ (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with those in model group,in PFD group 24 h urinary albumin decreased,glomerular hypertrophy,mesangial area expansion and tubulointerstitial fibrosis alleviated,and the protein expression of collagen type Ⅳ inhibited (all P＜0.05).(2) Compared with those in HG group,MES-13 cell proliferation rates of 100,200,400,800,1600 mg/L PFD+HG groups decreased (all P ＜ 0.05),and the mRNA expressions of α-SMA,collagen type Ⅰ,collagen type Ⅳ,TGF-β1,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1 reduced in 400 mg/L PFD+HG group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions PFD can inhibit high glucose-induced proliferation and activation of glomerular mesangial cells,decrease the expression of TGF-β1 and proinflammatory factors,as well as reduce the synthesis of collagen,which improve renal fibrosis of db/db mice.

To improve the current quality standards of polysorbate 80 and provide reference recommendations for the revision of the quality standards of polysorbate 80 in the fourth part of China Pharmacopoeia(2015 Edition). A total of 16 batches of polysorbate 80 samples from 6 domestic and foreign production companies were studied, optimize the detection method for some impurities. Adjust the split ratio of the ethylene oxide and dioxane check items, and appropriately increase the concentration of the reference solution solution and change the solvent. In the ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol items, the concentration of the reference solution and the internal standard solution were appropriately increased. The infrared identification and the triethylene glycol check items were added to the quality standards, and we carry out corresponding methodological investigation on the improved method. The results showed that the improved methods had good specificity, precision, linearity and recovery rate. The improved quality standard is more suitable for the detection of polysorbate 80, and can increase the quality standards of polysorbate 80 from safety and standardization.

Objective To establish a study cohort of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Qidong and evaluate its baseline characteristics. Methods CHB outpatients of the Third People's Hospital of Qidong were invited to participate in baseline survey from January 1, 2016, including questionnaire survey, liver function detection, serum detection of HBV infection and upper abdomen ultrasound detection. Anticipated sample size was at least one thousand. Baseline data were inputted by EpiData 3.1 software and then cleaned and analyzed by SAS 9.3 software. Results As of 18 July, 2016, a total of 1006 participants had been enrolled into the current study, including 615 males with an average age of (44.26±9.97) years and 391 females with an average age of (46.66±11.17) years. The difference in family history of liver disease was not significant between males and females (P>0.05), while the differences in other key information, such as age, education level, tobacco consumption, alcohol drinking, tea consumption, and antiviral intervention, were significant between males and females (P<0.05). Among the key clinical parameters, such as ALT, HBeAg, HBsAg, HBV DNA, albumin, and width of splenic vein and portal vein, only the abnormal rates of ALT and total bilirubin levels were higher in males than in females, the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Outpatient department-based CHB cohort was established successfully in Qidong, and sub-cohort could be divided according to the differences on baseline characteristics.

Piperis Longi Fructus, made from the mature and immature fruit spikes of Piper longum, is a commonly used Mongolian medicine. In recent years, researchers have gradually deepened the research on ethnic medicines and found that Piperis Longi Fructus has significant effects in adjusting blood lipids and anti-cancer. Its new chemical components and pharmacological activities are also constantly updated. Subsequently, the development and application of Piperis Longi Fructus have attracted extensive attention. Thus, it is quite urgent to establish and improve a quality evaluation system for the medicine. On the basis of summarizing the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Piperis Longi Fructus and understanding the new concept of quality marker(Q-marker), the components which can be used as its Q-markers were analyzed from the aspects of the genetic relationship, traditional medicinal effects and properties, rules of compounding and compatibility, absorbed components and testability. The research can provide reference for the establishment of a quality evaluation system for Piperis Longi Fructus.
Fruit/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Piper

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxicological mechanism of hydroquinone in human bronchial epithelial cells and to investigate whether DNA polymerase beta is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by hydroquinone.

METHODSDNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line was established via RNA interference as an experimental group. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells and cells transfected with the empty vector of pEGFP-C1 were used as controls. Cells were treated with different concentrations of hydroquinone (ranged from 10 micromol/L to 120 micromol/L) for 4 hours. MTT assay and Comet assay [single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)] were performed respectively to detect the toxicity of hydroquinone.

RESULTSMTT assay showed that DNA polymerase beta knock-down cells treated with different concentrations of hydroquinone had a lower absorbance value at 490 nm than the control cells in a dose-dependant manner. Comet assay revealed that different concentrations of hydroquinone caused more severe DNA damage in DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line than in control cells and there was no significant difference in the two control groups.

CONCLUSIONSHydroquinone has significant toxicity to human bronchial epithelial cells and causes DNA damage. DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line appears more sensitive to hydroquinone than the control cells. The results suggest that DNA polymerase beta is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by hydroquinone.

Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Comet Assay ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; DNA Polymerase beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; toxicity ; RNA Interference

Objective To investigate the characteristics and feasibility of genipin-crosslinked amniotic membrane(AM) as bio-scaffold.Methods Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) were isolated from fresh umbilical cord and cultured by adherent method.The expressions of PE-CD34,PE-CD45,PE-CD90,FITC-105 and FITC-Oct-4,the markers of hUCMSCs,were detected by flow cytometry.Alizarin red and oil red O staining were performed to identify the cells after adipogenesis and osteogenesis induction on the third-generation cells.Human AMs were treated at 37 ℃ and 45 ℃ by 0.5％ and 1％ genipin solution for 24,36 and 48 hours respectively,and the mechanical properties of AM in each group were measured and compared.The hUCMSCs were divided into only hUCMSCs culture group,fresh AM group,crosslinked AM group,gelatin group and crosslinked AM+gelatin group,and the cells were cultured in the corresponding medium.The content of hydroxyproline among the groups was detected with hydroxyproline kit,and proliferation of the cells (absorbance) was assayed by MTT method to evaluate the biological compatibility of crosslinked AM.Results The maximum tensile displacement of the crosslinked-AM by 0.5％ and 1％ genipin was (8.31±0.43)mm and (4.49±0.37)mm respectively,and those after crosslinked with 0.5％ genipin under the 37 ℃ and 45 ℃ for 24 hours was (9.89±1.09)mm and (5.39±0.59)mm,respectively,showing a significant difference between them (t =6.389,P＜0.05).The maximum tensile displacement of the crosslinked-AM was gradually decreased as the lapse of crosslinking time,and an insignificant difference was found among 24,36 and 48 hours after 0.5％ genipin treatment under the 37 ℃ (P＞0.05).The loading force of the crosslinked-AM was significantly higher in the 1％ genipin treated group than that in the 0.5％ genipin treated group (P＜0.05),and the loading force of the AM was significantly increased in 45 ℃,0.5％ genipin,24 hours crosslinked group compared with the 37 ℃,0.5％ genipin,24 hours crosslinked group (t =5.528,P＜0.05).The content of hydroxyproline in the AM was (1.28±0.36),(2.03 ±0.49) and (2.11 ±0.10) mg/g in the 1％ genipin crosslinked AM group,0.5％ genipin crosslinked AM group and fresh AM group,respectively,and the content of hydroxyproline in the AM in the 1％ genipin group was significantly lower than that in the 0.5％ genipin group in the fresh AM group (both at P＜0.05).The proliferative values of the hUCMSCs were significantly lower in the only hUCMSCs culture group,fresh AM group and gelatin group were significantly reduced in comparison with the crosslinked AM group and crosslinked AM+gelatin group (all at P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the proliferative values of the hUCMSCs between crosslinked AM group and crosslinked AM+gelatin group (P＞0.05).Conclusions Different crosslinked temprature,crosslinking period and concentration of genipin impact the mechanical properties of AM.Crosslinked AM with genipin is feasible as a carrier scaffold of artificial cornea because of less tissue toxicity and better plasticity.

Autophagy is a highly conservative and multi-component activated energy metabolism and self-renewal mechanism, which plays a crucial regulatory role in maintaining the normal physiological state of cells and is involved in various pathological processes. In recent years, the mechanism study has made great progress in regulating autophagy with effective components of Chinese materia medica(CMM),which are reported to prevent and treat cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic and immune-related diseases. This review outlines the molecular regulation mechanisms of cell autophagy with CMM components in controlling the above-mentioned diseases. There are many relevant reports on the regulatory mechanisms of autophagy in tumor and cardiovascular cells with CMM monomers. The main chemical structural types are alkaloids, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and terpenes. And m-TOR pathway is the main mechanism relating to the regulatory mechanisms of autophagy with CMM. Therefore, the regulatory mec-hanisms of cell autophagy become a new research targeting strategy of therapies with CMM. This review provides evidences for the effectiveness and scientificity of CMM in regulating autophagy, in the expectation of providing references for the in-depth studies of CMM in the field of autophagy and the development of natural autophagy regulators.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autophagy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Saponins