AIM　To discuss the intraspecific relationship in Magnolia officinalis and the genuineness of Cortex Magnoliae officinalis, and to find some DNA characters of certified “Houpo”. METHODS　Thirty-three samples from eleven locations, which can represent most of the distribution of M.officinalis, were selected. The total DNA was extracted. Severty-four random primers were tried to get good amplification. RESULTS One hundred and sixteen bands amplified from seventeen primers, were clustered by NTSYS-pc software. Three branches were obtained. Some distinctive primers and bands, which represent certified species or fine breed, were obtained also. CONCLUSION　1) M.officinalis should be divided into three geographic clans instead of two subspecies or varieties, they are, a) typical officinalis, b) typical biloba and c) Middle type. This conclusion agrees with the leaf form and other characters. 2) The genetic difference between “Chuanpo” and “Wenpo” is evident and the difference is in correspondence with the quantities of their chemical constituents. So, the genetic difference is the main reason of the genuineness of Cortex Magnoliae officinalis. 3) These results may be used to establish DNA database for identification of Cortex Magnoliae officinalis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of metformin and arsenic trioxide on KG1a cells proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia and its possible mechanism.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to detect the killing effect of metformin,arsenic trioxide and combined application on KG1a cells.Annexin V-FITC/P1 Dual Stain Flow Cytometry was used to detect the effect of combined application on apoptosis of KG1 a cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression of intracellular apoptosis-,autophagy-related protein.Results:Metformin and arsenic trioxide alone or in combination could inhibit the proliferation of KG1 a cells and induce apoptosis of KG1 a cells,and the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate in the combined drug group were higher than those in the drug group alone(P＜0.05).The combination of drugs induced upregulation of Caspase 8 protein and P62 protein expression and was higher than that in the drug group alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Metformin can synergize with arsenic trioxide to kill KG1a cells,and its mechanism of action may be related to inducing apoptosis and enhancing autophagy.

OBJECTIVETo study the treatment of paravalvular leakage (PVL) after cardiac valve replacement retrospectively.

METHODSBetween 1993 and 2005, 34 patients with PVL were observed, including aortic PVL in 6 patients and mitral valve PVL in 28 patients. Twenty-five patients with severe anemia and/or heart failure were reoperated, 9 patients without severe clinical symptoms and signs had treated conservatively. Repair of PVL was carried out in 14 patients, and the other 10 patients were performed prosthetic valve replacement.

RESULTSOf 9 patients who had treated conservatively, 1 patients died of septic shock, and 1 patient died of heart failure. During 6 - 72 months follow-up, of the seven survivals, 2 patients died of heart failure. And the other 5 patients were in NYHA class II. Echocardiography demonstrated no obvious enlargement of the PVL and diameter of the heart. Among the 25 patients who were reoperated, the overall operative mortality was 12% (3 patients). Twenty-one survivals were in NYHA class II during the follow-up of 4 - 132 months. While a mitral valve PVL and a aortic valve PVL were diagnosed among them after the reoperation 4 years and 6 months respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with PVL and no severe symptoms can be treated conservatively and followed up. A more aggressive surgical treatment is recommended for patients with PVL and severe anemia and/or heart failure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

This study was purposed to analyze the clinical features and evaluate the efficacy of thalidomide combined with VAD regimen for treatment of osteosclerotic myeloma (POEMS syndrome). The data of 27 patients with POEMS syndrome in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed retrospectively, including clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatments and prognosis. The results showed that the polyneuropathy was observed in 27 patients (27/27), hepato-spleno-lymphadenectasis was found in 15 patients (15/27), endocrinopathy was found in 24 patients (24/27), skin changes was observed in 22 patients (22/27). M protein was found in 23 patients (23/27); in addition to these clinical manifestations, the papilledema serous cavity effusion and sclerotic bone lesion were also frequently observed in patients with POEMS syndrome. The remission rates of treatment of POEMS syndrome with thalidomide combined with VAD regimen for organomegaly, edema, skin changes, and endocrinopathy were 60, 58.3, 41 and 45.8 respectively. The level of serum M protein and the nervous system ODSS value decreased greatly after treatment (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the clinical characteristics of POEMS syndrome are complicated and easy to be misdiagnosed, and the evidence of monoclonal plasma cell hyperplasia should be actively searched for those patients whose serum M protein is negative. Thalidomide combined with VAD regimen for treatment of patients with POEMS syndrome has advantages such as significant curative effects, less side-effects, good tolerance, and higher safety and can be chosen as a preferred approach.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Cytarabine ; Dexamethasone ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; POEMS Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use ; Vincristine

OBJECTIVETo detect the cell-surface-expressed nucleolin and investigate its tumor suppressing effect on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

METHODSTo detect cell-surface-expressed nucleolin in the hepatocellular carcinoma cells by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. To down-regulate the nucleolin expression level in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by RNA interference. The tumor-suppressing effect of cell-surface nucleolin on hepatocellular carcinoma cells was assessed by MTT and transwell chamber assays.

RESULTSNucleolin was expressed in the nuclei, cytoplasm and on the cell surface of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. ShRNA markedly decreased the nucleolin expression level in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface (P < 0.01), but the nuclear nucleolin remained unchanged. After downregulation of cell-surface nucleolin, MTT assays showed that the cell growth rate of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in the shRNA interference group was significantly inhibited as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The transwell chamber assay showed that the mean transmembrane cell number in the shRNA interference group was significantly lower than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study show that downregulation of cell-surface nucleolin expression inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism

The paper is to report the development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of icaritin (ICT) in rat plasma. After precipitated with acetonitrile from the plasma, ICT was isolated chromatographically on a Dikma C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (72 : 28 : 1.5, v/v/v). Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in the positive ion mode. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the transitions of m/z 387 --> m/z 313 and m/z 331 --> m/z 315 were used to quantify ICT and the internal standard, respectively. The linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range of 2.5-1,000 ng x mL(-1). The lower limit of quantification was 2.5 ng x mL(-1). The inter- and intra-day precision (RSD) were less than 9.63%, and the accuracy (relative error) was within +/-7.42%. The method was proved to be suitable for the pharmacokinetics of ICT, which offers advantages of high sensitivity and selectivity.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Objective To evaluate the value of serum CEA and CA19-9 concentration for clinical staging of colorectal cancer. Methods A total of 350 patients who underwent the surgical treatments for colorectal cancer between February 2015 to January 2017 were enrolled. The serum CEA and CA19-9 were detected by chemoluminescence method. Results The positive rate of CEA of patients in stageⅠto Ⅳ was 25.00%, 36.69%, 50.78% and 66.67%, respectively. The positive rate of CA19-9 of patients in stageⅠto Ⅳwas 2.94%, 10.07%, 17.97% and 53.33%, respectively. The positive rates of CEA and CA19-9 were gradually increased with the stage developing (P<0.05). Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the positive levels of CEA and CA19-9 were risk factors in the TNM staging of colorectal cancer. The ORs and 95%CI were 1.790 (1.163-2.755)and 3.476(1.790-6.749), respectively. Conclusion The positive serum concentrations of CEA and CA19-9 showed significant associations with TNM staging. Preoperative serum concentrations of CEA and CA 19-9 could be auxiliary diagnostic indicators to assess the condition of colorectal cancer.

AIM To observe the oxidant stress and opoptotic effects of anisodine hydromide (AH) on chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) rats.METHODS In vivo CCH models were established in adult male SpragueDawley rats by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries [two-vessel occlusion (2-VO)] surgery.Rats were randomly divided into six groups,sham group,model group,positive group of n-butylphthalide and sodium chloride injection,and AH groups (1.2 mg/kg high-dose group,0.6 mg/kg medium-dose group,and 0.3 mg/kg low-dose group).Antioxidant indices including the activity of SOD,CAT,LDH and iNOS and the content of GSH and NO were measured.In the in vitro trial,PC12 cells were divided into control group,model group,positive group of n-butylphthalide,and AH groups (100 μmol/L high-dose group,50 μmol/L mediumdose group,and 25 μmol/L low-dose group),and the hypoxic models were established by treating PC12 cells with CoCl2.The cells had their release of NO and LDH detected,their cellular apoptosis determined by Hochest 33342 fluorescence staining,and the expression of P53 protein identified by IF (immunofluorescence) and Western blotting method.RESULTS The in vivo trial revealed AH's enhancement in serum SOD activity and inhibition in serum iNOS activityof the CCH rats,and its power in the cerebral GSH and LDH release reduction.The in vitro trial showed the resultant lower LDH and NO release,decreased number of neuro-apoptosis,and inhibited P53 pro tein expression after AH intervention.CONCLUSION The antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of AH on CCH rats may be associated with down regulation of P53 protein.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside isolated from C. dahurica on HepG2 cells and to find the leading compound for new drug development.

METHODMTT, AO/EB staining observation, flow cytometry and western blot methods were used to study the cytotoxicity, morphological changes, cell cycle distribution and protein expression profile of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells.

RESULT23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells with IC50 at 16 micromol x L(-1), and could also induce apoptosis and G2-M cell cycle arrest. Further study demonstrated that the compound could cleavage PARP, regulate protein expression of bcl-2 family and decrease the expression of cdc 2 and cyclin B.

CONCLUSION23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside exerts its cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells via apoptosis and G2-M arrest. In addition, caspases family activation, regulation of protein expression of bcl-2 family and down regulation of cdc 2 and cyclin B were involved in apoptosis and G2-M arrest induced by it.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; CDC2 Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cimicifuga ; chemistry ; Cyclin B ; metabolism ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo summarize the surgical experience for Stanford A aortic dissection.

METHODSSixty-eight patients with Stanford A aortic dissection underwent surgery from March 1998 to October 2004, acute aortic dissection in 45 cases, chronic aortic dissection in 23 cases. The operation were performed by using moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in 53 cases, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) in 11 cases; DHCA with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) in 4 cases. Surgical procedures included ascending aortic grafting in 7 cases, ascending and hemiarch grafting in 6, ascending and total arch grafting in 3, ascending and total arch grafting with Frozen elephant trunk procedure in 4. Concomitant procedures included Bentall procedure in 34 cases, Wheat procedure in 12 cases, aortic valvuloplasty in 2 cases, mitral valvuloplasty in 1 cases. Urgent surgery was in 39 cases (emergency surgery in 19).

RESULTSOperative mortality was 7% (urgent surgery mortality was 8%, elective surgery mortality was 7%). Fifty-eight cases were followed up for (37 +/- 22) months. Actuarial survival of 58 cases at 1, 3 and 5 years was 100%, 95% and 86% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe choice of surgical procedures depend on the location of intimal tear for Stanford A aortic dissection. Proper surgical indication, technique and brain protections are the key factors of Stanford A aortic dissection surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; mortality ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; mortality ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; methods ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods