Natural biocompatible nanomaterials such as self-assembled triterpene natural small molecule products with favorable anticancer activity show great potential for biomedical application. However, the mechanisms of their molecular self-assembled structures have not been investigated systematically, while there are still few reports of the natural active carrier for drug delivery. Herein, in this work, we further explored the molecular assembly mechanism and common regularity of tetracyclic triterpenes ergosterol, stigmasterol as well as pentacyclic triterpenes glycyrrhetinic acid and ursolic acid, which suggested that the coplanarity and orderliness of molecular arrangements which are speculated to be responsible for their self-assembly into the spherical, rod-like or lamellar nanostructure. Besides, ergosterol (ET) with better anticancer activity was chosen as a representative substance for construction of the synergistic antitumor nanodrug. By intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking, chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel (PTX) was encapsulated into ET-PTX NPs successfully. Then, the anti-cancer efficacy of the tumor-bearing mice was evaluated according to the protocol approved by the Experimental Animal Research Center of Harbin Medical University. The resulting nanodrug exhibited excellent biosafety and enhanced in vivo anticancer activity efficiency of 52.3%, higher than free PTX (29.4%) or ET NPs (32.5%) alone, further verifying the potential medical application value of triterpene natural products. This work provides not only a theoretical basis for exploring the self-assembly behavior of small molecule natural products, but also a promising perspective for the fabrication of active natural biocompatible nanodrug delivery systems for synergistic antitumor therapy and other biomedical applications.

Chronic Disease ; Constipation ; surgery ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the value of color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) in the diagnosis of congenital coronary artery fistula (CAF).Methods Thirteen consecutive patients ranging in age from 8 to 68 years underwent conventional transthoracic echocardiography,which depicts their origin, course, and drainage site. Results Right CAFs were detected in 8 patients: four of them had drainages to the left ventricle, two to the main pulmonary artery, one to the right ventricle(RV) and the other to the right atrium(RA). CAFs arising from the left coronary artery were noted in five patients: three of them had drainages to the main pulmonary, and the other two to the RA and RV respectively. The origin and the course were precisely defined and the drainage site was clearly depicted in all thinteen patients. The diagnosis of the thirteen patients was confirmed by coronary angiography, and eight of them received surgical treatment. Conclusions CDFI offers a simple, useful and reliable technique in diagnosis of CAF.

0.05).However,the sex distribution was different between the two groups(P

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rodenticides ; poisoning

Objective To further elaborate the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of primary cutaneous invasive epidermo-tropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma.Methods The clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of a patient with primary cutaneous invasive epidermotropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma were summarized,and diagnosis and treatment of the disease from published literature were reviewed.Results After one year long,recurrence of exudative maculopapule on his body and limbs,a middle-aged male patient visited our hospital.Then,the patient was diagnosed as T2N0M0 Ⅰ phase of primary cutaneous invasive epidermo-tropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma based on results of skin biopsy,immunohistochemistry,T-cell gene rearrangement and PET-CT.Through integrative medicine treatment (combination of bruceolic oil emulsion and chemotherapy with GDP regimen),the patient achieved complete remission (CR).The treatment and follow-up continues till now and his condition was stable.Conclusions Clinical occurrence of primary cutaneous invasive epidermo-tropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma is rare and early diagnosis is difficult.It could be diagnosed with histopathology combined with T-cell gene rearrangement.In order to avoid misdiagnosis,great caution should be taken during disease history inquiry and physical examination,should be early lesion for delayed healing of recurrent lesions,biopsy should be conducted as soon as possible and immunohistochemistry should be performed simultaneously,which will provide a good basis for further treatment.

Objective To investigate the echocardiographic features in patients with right atrial myxoma and thus evaluate the value of echocardiog?raphy in the diagnosis of right atrial myxoma. Methods The echocardiographic findings of 20 patients with right atrial myxomas were retrospectively analyzed,and the echocardiographic features of these patients were summarized. Results The main clinical symptoms of right atrial myxoma includ?ed chest tightness,shortness of breath,lower limb edema,and syncope. Of these 20 patients,the echocardiography showed that the average size of the right atrial myxomas was 3.11 cm × 2.90 cm to 7.44 cm × 4.52 cm. The myxomas were round or oval shape in 15 patients(75%)and lobulated shape in 5(25%). The myxomas were attached to the atrial septum in 15 patients(75%)and to right atrial free wall in 25%of the patients. The aver?age width of the basement was 1.62±0.30 cm,and the width was greater than 1 cm in 80%of the patients had the width over 1 cm. Some myxomas had internal areas of calcification and anechoic cystic areas. The percentages of patients with the blocking of right atrium,tricuspid and pulmonary hy?pertension were 70%,50%,and 10%,respectively. Conclusion The echocardiographic features of right atrial myxoma were specific. Echocardiog?raphy can accurately assess the tumor and identify the secondary changes in cardiac structure and hemodynamics and thus provide evidence for time?ly and accurate diagnosis of right atrial myxoma.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Flos Daturae alkaloids (FDA) on TGF-beta1-1uuuu;U epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the TGF-beta1 group, the low dose FDA group, the medium dose FDA group, and the high dose FDA group. The morphologies of A549 cells were observed. Expressions of cytokeratin (CK)-19 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

RESULTSA549 cells in the TGF-beta1, group turned from cobblestone to spindle shape gradually. Those in low, medium and high dose FDA groups showed similar shapes to those of the TGF-beta1 group. There was no statistical difference in the morphology of A549 cells among the 3 dose FDA groups (P > 0.05). Western blot showed that, when compared with the blank control group, the expression of CK-19 was down-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was up-regulated in the TGF-beta1 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the TGF-beta1, group, the expression of CK-19 was up-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was suppressed in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01). The CK-19 expression obviously increased, but the alpha-SMA expression was suppressed in high dose FDA group at 72 h (P < 0.01). Real-time PCR results showed, as compared with the TGF-beta1 group, the mRNA expression of CK-19 was increased, but the mRNA expression of alpha-SMA was reduced in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFDA had no effect on EMT morphological changes of TGF-beta1 induced A549 cells. FDA could reverse characteristic markers of A549 cells during EMT to some extent, such as expressions of CK-19 and alpha-SMA. The expression of CK-19 (as the epithelium marker) increased and the expression of alpha-SMA (as the mesenchymal marker) was reduced. Besides, they were most obviously seen in the high dose FDA group at 72 h in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Actins ; Adenocarcinoma ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Datura ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of calcium antagonists on anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury of cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Primary-cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into four groups, namely A/R, A/R+nifedipine(Nif), A/R+ruthenium red(Ru)+heparin (Hep) and control groups. The following parameters were measured in all groups: intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i), cardiac cell viability, ATP content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the medium, PKC and MAPK activity and -Leucine(-Leu) incorporation. RESULTS: In comparison with A/R group, A/R+nifedipine(Nif) and A/R+ruthenium red(Ru)+heparin (Hep) groups showed a marked decrease in [Ca 2+ ]i and LDH content, and a significant increase in cell viability ,ATP content, activity of PKC and MAPK and -Leu incorporation(P

AIM: To investigate the contribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) to the regulation of calpain system in infarcted myocardium. METHODS: Rat myocardial infarction (MI) model was established by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. The treatment with the ACEI inhibitor rampril (1 mg?kg~-1 ?d~-1 ) was started 7 days prior to surgery. On day 1, 3, 7 and 14 after MI, protein levels of calpainⅠ, Ⅱ and calpastatin were determined in left ventricular free wall (LVFW), interventricular septum (IS) and right ventricule. RESULTS: CalpainⅠprotein level was increased in IS 14 d post MI, whereas the protein level of calpainⅡ was maximally increased in LVFW 3 d post MI. Rampril decreased protein up-regulation of calpainⅠ and Ⅱ, and reduced infarct size and interstitial fibrosis. Calpastatin protein expression was not affected by ACEI. CONCLUSIONS: CalpainⅠ is involved in cardiac remodelling in the late and calpainⅡ contributes to cardiac tissue damage in the early phase of MI. The heart protective effect of ACEI may be related to the inhibition of calpain system in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.