Adult ; Chromium Alloys ; adverse effects ; Crowns ; adverse effects ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; etiology ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Gingiva ; surgery ; Gingival Hyperplasia ; etiology ; surgery ; Gingivectomy ; Humans ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; adverse effects

Objective To explore the effect and safety of rituximab (RTX) in children with frequently relapsed nephrotic syndrome.Methods Twelve children (8 male and 4 female) with frequently relapse nephrotic syndrome were treated with RTX.They all showed resistance to various immunosuppressive agents and relapsed when steroid was reduced at 1.5-2.0 mg/kg.All immunosuppressive agents were stopped.Steroid was prescribed at doses of 2 mg/(kg · d),followed by alternate-day dosing (2 mg/kg) after proteinuria was negative for 5 days,and then tapered by 5 mg every 2 weeks until to low dose (＜ 0.5 mg/kg on alternate day) or discontinued.RTX was administered at a dose of 375 mg/m2 once every week for 3 weeks.Results The patients were followed up for 4-19 months [median (7.79 ± 3.00) months].Proteinuria turned negative on 1-14 d after first RTX treatment.Mean steroid dosages were significantly reduced than before treatment [alternate-day dosing (1.83 ± 1.02) mg/kg vs alternate-day dosing (0.34 ± 0.16) mg/kg,t =3.78,P =0.002].Gingival hyperplasia and Cushing appearance were significantly improved and steroid-induced glaucoma disappeared.The height was significantly increased compared with before treatment [(2.21 ± 1.40) cm/year vs (8.27 ±2.10) cm/year].Six cases had no relapse during follow-up.Another 6 cases relapsed in 5.5-19.0 months.All patients showed CD19 + B lymphocytes depletion after RTX treatment.However,CD19 + recovery could be seen in 5.5-12.0 months.Serum immunoglobulin did not significantly change.None of the patients was found with adverse events.Conclusions RTX can significantly reduce the dosage of steroid or even stop medication in children free of immunosuppressive agents,maintain remission for (7.79 ± 3.00) months,significantly improve the adverse reaction induced by steroid and immune-suppression.Thus,for children with frequently relapsed nephritic syndrome/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome who show resistance to immunosuppressive therapies,RTX treatment may be considered.

This study aimed at investigating the drug preparation of precise powder decoction pieces (PPDP) system,Fallopia multiflora radix preparata (FMRP) was employed in this study.Different specifications of PPDP were prepared,their extract rates were in contrast with the original pieces.Compared the quality uniformity of three batches between FMRP original slices and its PPDP extraction,the similarity of the chemical fingerprints was evaluated,and the contents of common peaks and quality uniformity were compared by relative peak areas.ITS2 sequence was taken as a DNA barcode to identify F.multiflora radix (FMR).As a result,the extract rate of PPDP was 2.5 times as much as the original slices.The average content of stilbene glucoside from the three original slices and the PPDP extraction were 3.56 ± 2.61 and 13.23 ± 0.37 mg·g-1,respectively;while the RSD were 73.28％ and 2.82％.The similarity of the fingerprints of the PPDP extraction was almost the same as that of the original slices,but the content and the uniformity of the common peaks of the PPDP extraction were significantly improved.Thus,FMR was accurately identified using ITS2 sequences.It was concluded that the PPDP considerably improve the decocting rate and quality uniformity,indicating that PPDP could save resources and improve the clinical efficacy.

Tanshinones, the main bioactive compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza, are the diterpenoid pigments, multiple genes were proved to be involved in their biosynthesis in plants. CYP76AH1 is the initial P450 gene in the tanshinones biosynthetic pathway, its function has been validated by yeast expression and in vitroenzymatic reaction. In order to clarify the function of CYP76AH1 in vivo, in this study, we constructedthe RNA interference of CYP7AH1 in S. miltiorrhiza hairy root. The RNA interference vector with a hairpin structure was constructed using the Gateway technology, and then the interference fragment was integrated into the genome of S. miltiorrhiza mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Several highly CYP76AH1 interference S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots were obtained for further analysis.
Agrobacterium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; biosynthesis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics ; metabolism ; microbiology

Astragalus adsurgens seed is one of the most common adulterants of Astragali Complanati Semen in the market, whose morphological characteristics are very similar with A. complanatus seeds (Astragali Complanati Semen). Many identification methods have been reported, such as morphological identification, fluorescence method, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, TLC, HPLC, protein electrophoresis and so on, but there's no much about microscopic identification. In the present study, the morphological characteristics and microscopic characteristics of these two seeds were investigated, which could provide scientific evidence for the identification and classification of Astragali Complanati Semen. Our results showed that these two seeds were slightly different in the color and the appearance, but significantly different in the microstructure of the seed coat and the hilum, and the distribution of fat droplets in the cotyledon cells. So these microscopic characteristics can be applied for the identification of Astragali Complanati Semen.
Astragalus Plant ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Color ; Discriminant Analysis ; Microscopy ; methods ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

Objective To analyze the influence of different factors and their relating correlation results on platelet transfusion during the bone marrow empty window period on the patients who have undergone allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with retrospective analysis of case-control data.Methods Clinical data of 153 cases were collected by the clinical blood management and evaluation information system with discharge diagnosis of allo-HSCT in the hematology department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University within a time frame from January 2014 to December 2016.A total of 90 cases were considered valid for retrospective analysis according to the case exclusion criteria.The average transfusion dose for patients with allo-HSCT during the bone marrow empty window period was defined as the threshold value which divided the 90 cases into the observation group of 38 cases receiving more than 6 Units of platelet transfusion and the control group of 52 cases with less than 6Units of platelet transfusion.The amount of platelets transfused during the bone marrow empty window period,clinical indexes include Hb,ANC,Plt,SF before pretreatment,platelet engraftment time and the number of mononuclear cells implanted were compared and analyzed by Logistic regression.Results (1) There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender,age,primary diagnosis,HLA matching,Hb before pretreatment and the number of mononuclear cells implanted (P＞0.05).The ANC(×109/L) (1.24±0.57 vs 3.36±1.33) and Plt(×109/L) (43.55±68.29 vs 126.62±84.73) counts before pretreatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).SF(μg/L) (2351.05 ± 1 587.96 vs 1 000.96± 362.97)before pretreatment and P LT recovery time (d) (16.84± 2.47 vs 12.73 ± 1.65)was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Donor-recipient ABO blood group typing incompatibility (15 vs 10) was significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.05);(2) Single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that ABO blood group matching,clinical indexes include ANC,Plt,SF before pretreatment,PLT recovery time were statistically significant,Only ANC before pretreatment and PLT recovery time had significant effect on the platelet transfusion during bone marrow empty window period in patients with allo-HSCT in multivariate Logistic regression analysis(P＜0.05).Condusion The ANC before pretreatment and PLT recovery time are independent factors for platelet transfusion of the bone marrow empty window period in patients with allo-HSCT.The PLT recovery time is an independent risk factor,which indicates that the longer the duration of PLT implantation,the greater the amount of platelet transfusion will be needed.Besides,the ANC before pretreatment is the independent protective factor,which indicates that the greater the ANC,the smaller the amount of platelet transfusion is required.

Background Oxidative damage may cause the functional dysfunction and death of retinal vascular endothelial cells(RVECs),and further leads to the development of retinal vascular diseases.Fufang xueshuantong has a therapeutic effect on retinal vascular diseases,but little is known about its molecular mechanism.Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanism of fufang xueshuantong on injury of human RVECs induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP).Methods Human RVECs were isolated from healthy donor eyes and primarily cultured and then identified by flow cytometry.The third to fifth generations of cells were used in this experiments.The fufang xueshuantong solution of 0.0625,0.1250,0.2500,0.5000 and 1.0000 g/L were added in the cuhure plate with 5 × 104/L cells respectively in the experimental groups,and t-BHP of 75,100,200 and 300 μ.mol/L were added in the model control groups.MTT was used to detect the A490and survival rate of RVECs.The apoptotic rate and death rate of the cells were evaluated by double staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI.Morphology of human RVECs were examined using invert microscopy and Hoechst33258 staining.The expressions of nitro tyrosine (a marker of oxidative damage of protein)and 8-OHdG(a marker of oxidative damage of DNA)in human RVECs were assessed by the immunofluorescence staining.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factorkappa B(NF-KB),p53,bcl-2 and bax after 6,12,24 hours t-BHP action.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.Results No significant difference was found in A490value among the normal control group,0.0625,0.1250,0.2500,0.5000 and 1.0000 g/L fufang xueshuantong groups(F =1.989,P＞0.05).The survival rates of the cells were lower in 75,100,200 and 300 μmol/L t-BHP groups compared with corresponding fufang xueshuantong groups(t =14.57,13.82,21.51,32.64,P＜ 0.01).The percentages of normal cells were evidently lower in 75,100,200 and 300 μmol/L t-BHP compared with corresponding fufang xueshuantong groups(t=14.908,5.495,17.165,26.330,P＜0.01).The numbers of deformation and death of the human RVECs increased as the elevated concentration of t-BHP,but those in fufang xueshuantong groups were less than the t-BHP groups under the invert microscopy.Compared with t-BHP groups,the expressions of nitro tyrosine,8-OHdG,NF-KB,p53 and bax were lower but the expression of bcl-2 was higher in human RVECs with the statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Fufang xueshuantong at the concentration of 0.2500 g/L showed maximally protective effect on human RVECs.Conclusions Fufang xueshuantong protects human RVECs against the t-BHP-induced injury through downregulating the expression of NF-kB,p53,bax and up-regulating the express of the bcl-2 protein.

Objective To study the increased radiosensitivity of tumor cells by triterpene acids of loquat leaf (TAL) and mechanism.Methods C6 and MG63 cells were pretreated by TAL,and then were exposed to X-rays at 1,2,3,5,7 Gy.Clonogenic assay was used to evaluate those tumor cells survival fraction (SF) to calculate the sensitization enhancement ratios (SER) of TAL.The cellular micronuclei ratios of tumor cells were analyzed by micronuclei assay.Additionally,the changes of Rad51 and XRCC4 levels were observed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results D0 values were decreased to 1.31 and 2.85 Gy in C6 and MG63 cells by TAL pretreatment respectively.The SER value of the effect of TAL on C6 and MG63 cells was 1.73 and 2.04,respectively.There was a statistical difference in the cellular micronuclei ratios between tumor cells with TAL above 2 Gy and those without TAL (C6:t =-8.372--2.476,P ＜0.05 ; MG63:t =-4.03--2.557,P ＜ 0.05).TAL attenuated the expression of XRCC4 at transcriptional and translational level,but not for Rad51,a key gene in homologous recombination repair (HRR).Conclusions TAL pretreatment could increase the lethal effect of X-rays on tumor cells in vitro.The mechanism might be involved in the inhibition of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).

Background Presbyopia is one of primary causes affecting the visual and life qualities of the agings,and its mechanism is associated with the oxidative damage of lens epithelial cells with ageing.SS31 is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide.To study the effect of SS31 on oxidative damage of lens epithelial cells has an important significance for the prevention and treatment of presbyopia.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of SS31 on in vitro oxidative damaged human lens epithelial cells.Methods Human lens epithelial cell line (HLEB-3) was cultured using DMEM with low glucose and 10％ fetal bovine serum(FBS).The cell model of oxidative damage was established by adding 200 μmol/L tea-butyl hydropeoxide (t-BHP) into DMEM for 18 hours.The cells were divided into blank control group,t-BHP model group,10 nmol/L SS31 +t-BHP group,100 nmol/L SS31 +t-BHP group,1 μmol/L SS31 +t-BHP group,10 μmol/L SS31 +t-BHP group and 100 pμmol/L t-BHP group,and then MTT assay was used to detect the survival rate of the cells and evaluate the optimal SS31 concentration for sequential study.The cells then were divided into blank control group,t-BHP model group and 1 μmol/L SS31 +t-BHP co-culture group.The change of mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells was tested by JC-1 dye and flow cytometry.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the mitochondria was determined using MitoSOX staining.Results The cell survival rate in the t-BHP model group was (53.42±2.52)％,and that in the blank control group was 100％.The cell survival rate was considerably increased in various concentrations of SS31 groups,showing a significant difference among different groups (F=58.349,P＜0.01).A highest survival rate was (82.13 ±3.15) ％ in the 1 μmol/L SS31 +t-BHP co-culture group,which was statistically significant in comparison with the t-BHP model group (t =28.710,P＜0.05).JC-1 dye and flow cytometry assay showed that the ratio between red and green fluorescence intensity was 7.07 ±0.06 in the blank control group,4.46±0.14 in the t-BHP model group and 5.76±0.26 in the 1 μmol/L SS31 +tBHP co-culture group,showing significant difference among the 3 groups (F=172.332,P＜0.01).The ratios between red and green fluorescence intensity in the blank control group and 1 μmol/L SS31 +t-BHP co-culture group were higher than that in the t-BHP model (t =2.609,1.303,both at P＜0.001).ROS fluorescence cells were much more in the t-BHP model group compared with blank control group and 1 μmol/L SS31 + t-BHP co-culture group.Conclusions SS31 can protect HLEB-3 cells from oxidative stress.SS31 may serve as a potential new approach to the treatment of presbyopia and other age-related diseases of lens.

Fourteen compounds were isolated from 95% ethanol extract by silica gel, MCI, and ODS column chromatography. These compounds were respectively identified as quercetin (1), kaempferol (2), (+)-catechin (3), fraxin (4), protocatechuic acid (5), gallic acid (6), methyl gallate (7), ethyl gallate (8), apocynol A (9), baccatin (10), cerevisterol (11), ellagic acid (12), 3, 3',4'-tri-0-methylellagic acid(13) and N-benzoyl-L-phenylalaninyl-N-benzoyl-L-phenylalaninate(14) by analyzing their spectral data and comparing with the previously reported literatures. Except for gallic acid (6), all other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1, 2 and 6 showed moderate anti-proliferation activities on tumor cells.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization