Objective To explore the effect of fluoride and arsenic pollution on bone metabolism in exposed population. Methods One hundred and fifty-two fluoride and arsenic exposed people were selected from Jiaole village, Yuzhang town, Xingron county, Guizhou province in 2006, and 59 not exposed people from Daguoduo village 13 km away from Jiaole village were selected as control. Urinary fluorine(UF), urinary arsenic (UAs), urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP), cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected. Results The main effect of fluoride on UHYP and UNTX were statistically significant (F = 9.785, 4.225, P < 0.01 ), but was not significant on STI(F = 0.183, P > 0.05). The main effect of arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F = 2.660, P < 0.05 ), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F = 2.012, 0.183,all P > 0.05). The interaction between fluoride and arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F= 2.429, P <0.01), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F= 1.218, 1.001, all P> 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride exposure can affect the metabolism of collagen and bone resorption, and Arsenic exposure main affect bone resorption, fluoride and arsenic co-exposure have more significant effect on bone resorption. UNTX may be used as biological biomarker of bone metabolism for population co-exposed to fluoride and arsenic in health monitoring.

Three butylphthalide derivatives were isolated from the Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong using a series of isolation and purification approaches including macroporous resin, ODS-A column, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. These structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and NMR) and identified as (3Z,3aE)-(6R,7R,2'S)-6-hydroxy-7-(2-carboxyl-2-hydroxyethylthio)-3-(2-hydroxybutylidene)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-phthalide (1), (3Z,3aZ)-3-butylidene-6,7-dihydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-phthalide 7-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fructo-furanoside (2) and 3-(3-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-butylidene)-7-hydroxy-phthalide (3).

To investigate the modulation on the P-glycoprotein in the jejunum by combined use of Glycyrrhiza inflata and Kansui with ussing chamber and rt-pcr, Rhodamine 123 (R123), a P-gp substrate and fluorescein sodium (CF), a model drug of non-P-gp substrate transported by a passive diffusion were taken as investigational drugs. Because these two drugs can be easily assayed and widely used in various research fields. The permeability of R123 or CF via Wistar rat jejunum membranes was evaluated by in vitro ussing chamber after oral administration of four different decoctions of Glycyrrhiza inflata and Kansui for 1 week. And the concentration of R123 or CF was determined by the fluorospectrophotometry in the receiving solution. Meanwhile the expression of mdr1a in P-glycoprotein was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. After oral administration of combined decoction of the single drug, the absorptive directed permeability of R123 increased significantly (P < 0.01). On the other hand, Kansui and combine decoction of the two drugs also decrease the permeability of secretory directed transport (P < 0.05). No action of Glycyrrhiza inflata was found on the secretory transport of R123 [Papp = (2.56 +/- 0.38) x 10(-5), cm x s(-1)] across the jejunum tissues, while Papp of control group was found [Papp = (2.35 +/- 0.27) x 10(-5), cm x s(-1)]. After oral administration of Kansui decoction for 1 week and 2 weeks, the levels of mdr1a expression in Wistar rats were lower than that of the control group, but there were no significant difference in the results. Meanwhile, Glycyrrhiza inflata had no effect on transport of CF across the jejunum tissues, though the other three groups could decrease the permeability of CF, as compared with control group. Kansui may slightly inhibit P-glycoprotein function in the intestinal membrane. For another, some compositions in Kansui inhibit P-glycoprotein function, and some others strengthen the tight junction between cells in the intestinal membrane to decrease permeability of CF. As the inhibitory action to P-glycoprotein was enhanced by combination of Glycyrrhiza inflata and Kansui, based on the results, it may be one of the mechanisms of creating toxicity once co-administration of Glycyrrhiza inflata and Kansui.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; genetics ; metabolism ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacokinetics ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Fluorescein ; pharmacokinetics ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhodamine 123 ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVE To explore the antitumor effects of combined tanshinoneⅠ(TanⅠ),metformin (Met) and aspirin (Asp) on malignant melanoma in mice and the possible mechanisms. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were injected with 0.1 mL B16F10 cells(2.8×109L-1)to establish the subcutaneous trans-plantation tumor model at the right forelimbs axillary.Then,the mice were divided into 8 groups according to body mass,including model group, TanⅠgroup(20 mg·kg-1,ip),Asp group(210 mg·kg-1,orally in drinking water), Met group (70 mg·kg-1, orally in drinking water), Asp+Met group, TanⅠ+Asp group, TanⅠ+Met group and TanⅠ+Asp+Met group,10 mice in each group.Each mouse drank about 7 mL of water every day for a total of 18 d.The mouse body mass was measured every other day and the tumor diameter was calculated every day. The mice were sacrificed after treatment, the tumor mass was measured and the tumor inhibitory rates were counted. The histopathological changes of the liver and spleen were observed with HE staining. The percentage of lymphocytes in the tumor tissue such as CD8+T,CD4+T and Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry.Inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. RESULTS The body mass (including tumor mass)of mice in different groups increased during the experiment,but that of TanⅠ+Asp+Met group increased more slower than in model group(P<0.01).At the end of the experiment,no lesions were seen in any liver or spleen tissue by pathological observation,and the number of survivors was 8/10(model group),8/10(TanⅠgroup),7/10(Asp group),7/10(Met group),8/10(TanⅠ+Asp group), 8/10 (TanⅠ+Met group), 7/10 (Asp+Met group) and 5/10 (TanⅠ+Asp+ Met group), respectively. Compared with model group,there were no obvious changes in tumor volume or tumor mass in TanⅠ, Asp and Met groups and other two-two joint groups,but the tumor volume and tumor mass in TanⅠ+Asp+ Met group were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the tumor inhibitory rate in this group was 46.2%.Compared with the model group,the percentage of CD8+T cells increased(P<0.05) in TanⅠ+Asp+Met group,but there were no significant changes in other groups.The contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in tumor tissue of TanⅠ+Met group were much higher than in model group(P<0.01, P<0.05,P<0.05)and the content of IL-6 increased in TanⅠ+Asp+Met group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Combination of TanⅠ,Asp and Met can effectively inhibit the growth of melanoma in mice,which may be related to the increasing percentage of CD8+T lymphocytes and IL-6 in tumor tissue.However there are possibly some side effects.

Resveratrol, isorhapontigenin and pinosylvin, isolated from Gnetum parvifolium, and their analogues have been synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activity of HIV-1. Natural product 12a and analogues (12d, 12e, 12g) display significant inhibitory activity of HIV-1 replication. Among them, compound 12d (trans-3, 4, 5, 4'-tetrahydroxystilbene) exhibits the most potent anti-HIV-1 activity with an IC50 value of 1.84 micromol x L(-1).
Anti-HIV Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gnetum ; chemistry ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; physiology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; virology ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Stilbenes ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the possible relationship between serum zinc levels and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Chinese children.

METHODSFollowing a systematic search for case-control studies on the serum zinc levels in Chinese children with ADHD published between 2000 and 2015, a Meta analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software.

RESULTSA total of 17 studies, including 2 177 children with ADHD and 2 900 normal children, were enrolled. The Meta analysis showed that serum zinc levels in children with ADHD were lower than normal children (SMD= -1.33; 95%CI: -2.22, -0.44; P=0.003). The sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were reliable. Eggerγs test did not find the existence of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONSSerum zinc levels may be associated with susceptibility to ADHD in children.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Humans ; Zinc ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the alleles and genotypes frequency of 10 short tandem repeat (STR) loci (DXS101, DXS6789, DXS6799, DXS6804, DXS7130, DXS7132, DXS7133, DXS7423, HPRTB, DXS8378) on X chromosome of Chinese Hui nationality population.

METHODSThe study of 10 STR loci was performed by using the techniques of PCR, polyacylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining.

RESULTSAmong unrelated Hui individuals, the allele numbers of 10 STR loci DXS101, DXS6789, DXS6799, DXS6804, DXS7130, DXS7132, DXS7133, DXS7423, HPRTB, DXS8378 were 9, 8, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 5 or 5 respectively; the numbers of genotypes were 17, 22, 7, 14, 14, 15, 6, 7, 12 or 8 respectively. The distribution of genotypes from these 10 STR systems fitted the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P> 0.05). Polymorphisms information content of 10 STR loci, except for DXS7133 (0.48) and DXS7423 (0.48), ranged from 0.54 (DXS6799) to 0.80 (DXS6789); the power of discrimination were from 0.89 (DXS7133, DXS7423) to 0.99 (DXS6789, DXS7132, DXS101).

CONCLUSIONThe loci of 10 STR on chromosome X are appropriate for individual identification, paternity testing involving a female child and for study on related disease.

Alleles ; Child ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Neurons ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Synapses ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of VEGF/VEGFRs and activation of STATs in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, and to elucidate direct effect of VEGF on ovarian carcinoma cells.

METHODSTissue samples from 42 women with primary ovarian epithelial carcinoma (OVCA), 29 with begnin ovarian tumor (OVBT) and 11 with normal ovarian tissue (NOV) were collected. LSAB immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and activated STATS (P-STAT1, P-STAT3, P-STAT5, P-STAT6) proteins.

RESULTS(1) Semi-quantitative scoring showed that VEGF expression in OVCA was significantly higher than that in OVBT and NOV (P < 0.01). Expressions of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were significantly elevated in OVCA, including tumor cells and stromal vascular endothelial cells (P < 0.01, compared with OVBT and NOV). There was no difference in VEGFRs expressions between OVBT and NOV. (2) In OVCA, tumor cells and endothelial cells expressed P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 at significantly higher levels than those in OVBT and NOV (P = 0.000). The staining of P-STAT1 and P-STAT6 was weak with no significant differences among OVCA, OVBT and NOV. (3) Expressions of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in endothelial cells were significantly correlated with P-STAT5 and P-STAT3, respectively (P = 0.006 and 0.001). In cancer cells, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were all significantly correlated with P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 (P = 0.000), but not with P-STAT1 or P-STAT6.

CONCLUSIONVEGF affects ovarian carcinoma cells via VEGFRs, and STATs probably participate in intracellular signaling of VEGF.

Adult ; Aged ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Milk Proteins ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

The rhizome of Panax japonicus var. major have been used as the natural medicinal agent by Chinese traditional doctors for more than thousand years. Most of the therapeutic effects of P. japonicus var. major had been reported due to the presence of tetracyclic or pentacyclic triterpene saponins. In this study, Illumina pair-end RNA-sequencing and de novo splicing were done in order to understand the pathway of triterpenoid saponins in this species. The valid reads data of 15. 6 Gb were obtained. The 62 240 unigenes were finally obtained by de novo splicing. After annotation, we discovered 19 unigenes involved in ginsenoside backbone biosynthesis. Additionally, 69 unigenes and 18 unigenes were predicted to have potential function of cytochrome P450 and UDP-glycosyltransferase based on the annotation results, which may encode enzymes responsible for ginsenoside backbone modification. This study provides global expressed datas for P. japonicus var. major, which will contribute significantly to further genome-wide research and analysis for this species.
Gene Expression Profiling ; Panax ; genetics ; Saponins ; biosynthesis ; Sequence Analysis, RNA