Glycosylation, one of the most common and important reactions in biological systems, results in diverse functions and is often found in biologically active small-molecule natural products produced by microorganisms. Furthermore, sugar moieties are generally critical for their activities. Alternating the sugar structures thus provides the potentials for enhancing the biological activities of natural products, which evokes researchers to study the sugar biosynthetic machinery and its application in the modification of sugar moieties with an aim of generating unnaturally glycosylated natural product drugs with better activities. This review will briefly outline current studies on sugar biosynthesis and glycosyltransferase, with a few selected experiments designed to alter natural-product sugar structures.

Aim To investigate the inhibitory effect of paeonol (Pae) on the human esophageal cancer cell line Eca-109 in vitro and in vivo and its effect on apoptosis.Methods Cytotoxic effect of Pae on Eca-109 cells cultured in vitro was measured by MTT assay.Anti-tumor activity was performed on BALB/c nude mice xenografts model.The morphologic changes of tumor tissue were observed under light microscope and transmission electron microscope.The apoptosis index was assessed by TUNEL.Results Pae had significant in- hibitory effect on the proliferation of Eca-109 cells,and the IC50 value was 0.342 mmol?L-1.In the model of human esophageal cancer xenografts in BALB/c nude mice,the inhibitory rates of Pae group (25、50、100、200 mg?kg-1) were 10.67%、23.54%、27.91% and 34.46% respectively.In vivo administration of Pae 100 mg?kg-1 combined with cisplatin 5 mg?kg-1 resulted in a significant inhibition of Eca-109 tumor growth with the inhibitory rate of 77.91%,compared with cisplatin used alone (58.71%).The more apoptotic tumor cells could be seen under light microscope in every theraperutic groups than those in control.Changes of ultrastructure of tumor cells including concentration and side accumulation of the nuclear chromatin,and the fragmentation of the nuclear was observed under transmission electronic microscope.Apoptosis body was also found.The apoptosis indexes of every theraperutic groups were significantly different from the control.Conclusion Pae can inhibit the cell growth and induce apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cell line Eca-109 in vitro and in vivo.

Background and purpose:Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) play key roles in hepatocarcinogenesis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Positive correlation on the expression of these 2 proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues has been found, whereas the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study focused on the role of HBx in regulating HIF-1α and the underlying mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods:The expression plasmids were transfected into Huh7 cells with LipofectemineTM 2000. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the expressions of HIF-1αand HIF-1β protein. The transcriptional activity of HIF-1α was detected by the commercial analysis kits. The mRNA levels of HIF-1αand its target genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and multi-drug resistance gene 1 (MDR1), were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Immunoprecipitation analysis was applied to detect the interaction of HIF-1α, HBx and protein von Hippel-Lindau (pVHL). Results:Huh7 cells transfected with HBx plasmid led to sharp increase of HIF-1αprotein and transcriptional activity, as well as the mRNA of VEGF and MDR1 (P<0.05). However, the mRNA level of HIF-1αwas not obviously changed after HBx transfection (P>0.05). Meanwhile, HBx also signiifcantly impaired the function of pVHL in mediating the degradation of HIF-1αby ubiquitin hydrolase. This finding was further confirmed by the immunoprecipitation analysis, which showed that HBx could directly bind to pVHL, but not to HIF-1α. Conclusion:HBx may inhibit the inter-activation between pVHL and HIF-1αthrough directly binding to pVHL, and thus enhance the stability and transcriptional activity of HIF-1α.

Objective:To explore value of pulsed wave (PW) and tissue synchronization imaging (TSI) evaluate cardi-ac systolic synchronization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) .Methods:A total of 50 ICM patients were enrolled as ICM group and 35 healthy volunteers without organic heart disease were regarded as healthy control group ,PW was used to measure mitral diastolic blood flow duration/RR interval (LVFT/RR) to evaluate synchroni-zation of left atrial and left ventricular synchronization ;interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) was measured to evaluate left and right ventricular synchronization ;TSI software was used to measure mitral annular mean systolic peak velocity (LV-Sm) ,systolic time to peak (Ts) and Ts standard deviation (Ts-SD) of all segments in order to e-valuate left ventricular systolic synchronization .Results:Compared with healthy control group ,there were signifi-cant reductions in LVFT/RR [ (44.74 ± 1.58)% vs .(41.08 ± 4.65)% ] and LV-Sm [ (9.72 ± 0.53) ms vs .(4.09 ± 1.06) ms] ,and significant rise in IVMD [ (15.51 ± 5.52) ms vs .(41.96 ± 4.20) ms] and Ts-SD [ (16.47 ± 4.16) ms vs .(34.13 ± 11.68) ms] in ICM group , P<0.01 all;Ts of anterior wall ,inferior wall et .6 positions were significantly longer ,and its synchronization significantly reduced , P<0. 05 all ,percentages of the most de-layed systolic part of left ventricle were no significant differences between two groups (P> 0.05) .Conclusion:Compared with healthy control group ,left ventricular total systolic function ,left atrial&ventricular ,left&right ventricular synchronization and systolic synchronization within left ventricular significantly reduce in ICM patients .

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness and economics of 10 mg/d rosuvastatin and 20 mg/d atorvastatin in the treatment of hyperlipidemia (HLP). METHODS:The information of 180 HLP patients selected from Tianmen Municipal First People's Hospital during Mar. 2015-Feb. 2016 were divided into group A and B according to medication regimen,with 90 cases in each group. Group A was given Atorvastatin calcium tablet 20 mg,qd;group B was given Rosuvastatin calcium tablet 10 mg,qd. Treatment course of 2 groups lasted for 8 weeks. Blood lipid indexes before and after treatment,lipid-lowering efficacy,the rate of qualified blood lipid and the occurrence of ADR after treatment were compared between 2 groups. Cost-effectiveness analysis was adopted for economic evaluation. RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in the levels of blood lipid in-dexes between 2 groups (P>0.05). After treatment,TC and LDL-C levels of 2 groups were significantly lower than before treat-ment,and those of group B were significantly lower than those of group A,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Total response rate of lipid-lowering in group B(97.78％)was significantly higher than group A(86.67％),and the rate of qualified blood lipid (66.67％)was also significantly higher than group A(51.11％),with statistical significance(P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups (P>0.05). The costs of group A and B were 488.32,436.24 yuan,and cost-effectiveness ratios were 5.63,4.46;incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was -4.69. The plan of group B had cost-effective-ness advantage. The results of cost-effectiveness analysis were supported by sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS:In the view of short-term efficacy,10 mg/d rosuvastatin plan is better than 20 mg/d atorvastatin plan in lowering lipid and has cost-effectiveness advantage,and both have similar safety.

Referring to the statistical model for the SNP haplotype phasing which was based on the allele frequencies and advised by Browning SR, we investigated and deduced the phasing method of STR haplotype with linkage disequilibrium inpaternity testing preliminarily. Haplotype phasing of two X-STRs in linkage disequilibrium were illustrated. This method provides an idea for the haplotype phasing of STR markers, which is helpful for interpreting the typing results of STR more scientifically and accurately.

Ilizarov technique has been successfully applied to limb lengthening for several decade, one of its main drawback is, however, long application of external fixator over 6 months. To lessen this time, simultaneous intramedullary fixation which convert later to static fixation by insertion of interlocking screws has been proposed. The indication for surgical limb lengthening includes familial short stature below the 3rd percentile. We compared the results of thirteen tibial lengthening with Ilizarov method to that of eleven hybrid methods. The hybrid system is composed of an unreamed AO intramedullary nail (IM) and ring fixator. Once the lengthening is completed, distal interlocking screws were inserted. In the group who were treated by hybrid system, the mean lengthening of tibia was 7.1cm (range, 6.3-9.5), the mean of external fixation period 7 months (range, 5-9), the mean healing index 1.2 month/cm (range, 1.1-1.4). On the other hand, the mean lengthening of tibia was 7.5cm (range, 5-10.3), the mean of external fixation period 9.8 months (range, 6-15), the mean healing index 1.4 month/cm (range, 1.1-1.8) in the group treated by Ilizarov method. Mean follow-up period was 23 months (range 14-47). There was no rotational or angular deformities and no loss of lengthening in the hybrid group. However we experienced three cases of angular deformity at the distraction site during lengthening in Ilizarov group. There was no deep infection in both groups. In the hybrid group we found several advantages such as no deformity, no loss of lengthening, and less scar by early removal of fixator, but some disadvantages such as need of subsequent procedures and limitation in intramedullary nailing.
Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; External Fixators ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary* ; Hand ; Ilizarov Technique* ; Tibia

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; Dactinomycin ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ependymoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Ovariectomy ; Teratoma ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: At present, treatment of diabetes mellitus with western medicine starts from the angle of stimulating injured β cell of islet to strength insulin secreting. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine is very important in protecting injured β cells.OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharide and nourishing yin and activating blood compound recipe on pancreatic islet function in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled animal experiments.SETTING: First Affiliated Hospital and Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: Totally 70 male Wistar rats, aged 6 weeks, with body mass of 200 g, were used in this experiment.METHODS: This experiment was carried out at the Animal Room of Henan University of Science and Technology from October 2001 to April 2002. Totally 70 rats were divided into two groups: normal control group (n=10) and modeling group (n=60). Totally 30 successful model rats were randomly subdivided into 3 groups: streptozotocin model group, compound recipe treated group and lycium barbarum polysaccharide-treated group,with 10 rats in each group ;Intragastric administration of 60 g/kg Chinese herb compound recipe for nourishing yin and activating blood was performed on the rats in the compound recipe treated group at 9:00 every day (huangqi, shanyao, gegen respectively 30 g, gouqizi, danshen, huafen,digupi respectively 15 g, danggui, zhimu respectively 12 g, danpi, wuweizi respectively 10 g, shuizhi 5 g, shanyurou 20 g, etc, provided by drug store of First Hospital Affiliated to Henan University of Science and Technology,were decocted and condensed to be equivalent crude drug 3.0 kg/L with routine method). Intragastric administration of 0.5 g/kg lycium barbarum polysaccharide was given in the lyciun barbarum polysaccharide treated group (lycium barbarum polysaccharide was isolated and purified from ningxia barbary wolfberry fruit). Intragastric administration of comparative volume of normal saline was performed in the streptozotocin model group and normal control group, totally 3 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin were measured at 3 weeks before and after experiment, and function index of β cell of islet was calculated; Pancreas was taken out to detect SOD activity, NOS activity and concentrations of NO and MDA were also detected.RESULTS: Ten rats in normal control group and 30 successful model rats in model group entered the stage of result analysis. ① In the initial stage of experiment, FBG level in each modeling group was significantly increased (t=16.51 to 10.07,P ＜ 0.01), while fasting insulin level and function index of β cell were significantly decreased (t=13.64 to 100.99 ,P ＜ 0.01 ) in comparison with normal control group. ② At 3 weeks after experiment, levels of FBG, NO , MDA , NOS activity were significantly decreased in the compound recipe treated group and lycium barbarum polysaccharide group compared with streptozotocin model group (t=8.08 to 72.68 ,P ＜ 0.01 ), while level of fasting insulin and function index of β cell, SOD activity were significantly increased in the compound recipe treated group and lycium barbarum polysaccharide group compared with streptozotocin model group (t=4.39 to 17.87,P ＜ 0.05-0.01 ). ③ Levels of FBG and MDA , NOS activity and concentration of NO were significantly decreased in the compound recipe treated group, and fasting insulin and function index of βcells were significantly increased in comparison with lycium barbarum polysaccharide group(P ＜ 0.01 ).CONCLUSION: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide and nourishing yin and activating blood compound recipe increase the level of fasting insulin and function index of βcell of rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus, decrease the level of blood glucose, improve the function of βcell of islet, which might be related to the increase of pancreatic islet SOD activity and decrease NOS activity.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)granules made by the formula of Shegan Mahuang decoction for treatment of patients with asthma. Methods A prospective study was conducted,51 cases of light to moderate asthma(cold type)patients were randomly divided into treatment group (25 cases)and control group(26 cases). Conventional symptomatic treatments were of the same in two groups. The patients in control group were given salbutamol aerosol inhalation,100μg each time,4 times per day;based on the treatment of the control group,additionally the above mentioned TCM granules dissolved in water was administered orally 1 dose/day taken twice once in the morning and another once in the evening in treatment group. The therapeutic course was 12 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment,the asthma control test(ACT)score,forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)and peak expiratory flow(PEF)were observed. The therapeutic effect,adverse reaction and compliance were evaluated. Results The number of patients with asthma completely controlled in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(16 cases vs. 9 cases,χ2=4.82,P=0.028). In the patients of two groups,FEV1,PEF and ACT scores were significantly improved after treatment,and in the treatment group,they were obviously higher than those in control group〔FEV1(L):2.67±0.46 vs. 2.32±0.47,PEF(L/min):327.6±49.4 vs. 273.1±42.8,ACT score:22.8±2.0 vs. 21.1±2.6,all P<0.05〕. After treatment,FEV1%predicted value was increased in the treatment group but decreased in control group,there was significantly statistical difference〔(0.68±0.07)% vs.(0.80±0.11)%,P<0.05〕,no significant adverse reaction was found,compliance was good. Conclusion TCM granules made by formula of Shegan Mahuang decoction can improve the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function and control level in patients with asthma,so it is an effective medicine for the control of asthma.