OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of the different compatibility ratios of rutin with quercetin on the pharmacoki-netics of rutin in rats in vivo. METHODS:30 rats were randomly divided into rutin group(rutin-quercetin molar ratio of 4:0,the same below),quercetin group(rutin-quercetin ratio of 0:4),BL1 group(rutin-quercetin ratio of 3:1),BL2 group(rutin-quercetin ratio of 2:2)and BL3 group(rutin-quercetin ratio of 1:3),6 rats in each group,all group was administrated 10 mg/kg(calculat-ed by quercetin core of rutin and quercetin) intragastrically. The blood sample 0.3 mL was respectively taken from tail vein after 0.25,0.5,0.75,1,1.5,2,3,4,6,8,10,12,16,20,24 h of administration,the plasma concentration of quercetin(rutin me-tabolite) was determined by HPLC. DAS 2.0 software was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. RESULTS:The AUC0-24 h in rutin group,quercetin group,BL1 group,BL2 group and BL3 group were (4.908 ± 0.877),(8.382 ± 3.671), (8.473 ± 0.709),(4.366 ± 2.297),(8.914 ± 2.642)μg·h/L;MRT0-24 h were (9.675 ± 1.359),(3.142 ± 0.489),(3.517 ± 1.128), (3.376 ± 1.046),(4.494 ± 1.653) h;tmax were (5.726 ± 5.645),(1.375 ± 0.703),(1.125 ± 1.438),(1.417 ± 2.300),(1.292 ± 0.954) h;and cmax were (0.609 ± 0.202),(2.341 ± 0.539),(2.425 ± 1.217),(1.464 ± 0.677),(3.325 ± 2.425)μg/L. Compared with rutin group,AUC0-24 h and cmax in quercetin group,BL1 group and BL3 group were significantly increased(P<0.05),tmax and MRT0-24 h were significantly decreased(P<0.05);cmax in BL2 group was significantly increased(P<0.05),tmax and MRT0-24 h were significantly decreased(P<0.05). Compared with quercetin group,except AUC0-24 h was significantly decreased in BL2 group(P<0.05),there were no significant differences in AUC0-24 h,MRT0-24 h,tmax or cmax in BL1 group,BL2 group and BL3 group(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Quercetin can inhance the related indexes of rutin in rats in vivo.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been induced to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro.OBJECTIVE:To explore the association between GATA-4, Nkx-2.5 and α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) expression and cell morphological changes and structure formation in the process of BMSCs differentiation into cardiomyocyte-like cells.METHODS:By using myocardial lysate, BMSCs were induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes.Immunocytochemistry staining was used to detect cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and connexin43, for the identification of cardiomyocytes. In the process of directional differentiation, RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of GATA-4,Nkx2.5 and α-MHC.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:During the directional differentiation of BMSCs, the cells were changed from long fusiform to short rod, forming protrusions that were interconnected to form mesh-like, bamboo-like or myotube-like structure. When the cells were interconnected like a bamboo, cTNT and connexin43 positive cells were visible, and then the number of positive cells increased with the presence of myotube-like structure. RT-PCR results showed that during the induced directional differentiation of BMSCs, GATA-4, Nkx2.5 and α-MHC mRNA levels increased continuously. When interconnected cells formed a mesh-like structure, GATA-4 expression reached the peak and then kept a high level. When adjacent cells were fused into a myotube-like structure, α-MHC reached the peak. Additionally, the expression of Nkx2.5presented a time-dependent increase trend. Overall, during the induced differentiation of BMSCs into cardiomyocyte-like cells, the expression of cardiomyocyte specific genes, characterized by temporality and spatiality, is related to the changes of cell morphology and special structure formation.

Objective Mannitol-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (M-PLGA),a star-shaped biodegradable polymer,was synthesized with the intent in this research,to provide novel nanoformulation for cervical cancer chemotherapy.Methods The novel star-shaped copolymer was prepared by ring-opening polymerization,and characterized by NMR.The docetaxel-loaded M-PLGA nanoparticles,prepared by modified nano-precipitation method,were observed to be near-spherical shape with narrow size distribution.Results The CLSM results showed the uptake level of M-PLGA NPs was higher than PLGA NPs in Hela cells.A significantly higher level of cytotoxicity was achieved by docetaxel-loaded M-PLGA NPs than that of commercial Taxotere and docetaxel-loaded PLGA NPs,indicating that the star-shaped biodegradable polymer M-PLGA could be superior to the linear polymer PLGA as a drug carrier.The study on drug loading and encapsulation efficiency also proved that star-shaped M-PLGA could carry higher level of drug than linear polymer,therefore could be more efficient for cancer treatment.Conclusions In conclusion,the star-shaped M-PLGA copolymer may be used as a potential and promising drug-loaded biomaterial applied in developing novel nanoformulations for cervical cancer therapy.

Objective To analyze the differences between calculated and actual volumes of regions of interest ( ROIs) in three treatment planning systems ( TPSs):PrecisePlan, Xio, and Oncentra, to transfer different ROIs and compare their calculated volume between the three TPSs, and to provide a basis for clinical application. Methods Different sizes of ROIs were delineated on 5 sets of computed tomography ( CT) images with different slice thickness. Square and round regions with different slice numbers were contoured in a homogeneous phantom. Three groups of patients ( n=5) with head and neck tumor, chest and abdomen tumor, and pelvic tumor, respectively, were enrolled as subjects. All the ROIs were independently transferred back and forth between three TPSs and different workstations with the same system in DICOM RT format. The changes in actual and calculated ROI volumes were evaluated after back and forth transfer. Results There was a significant positive linear correlation between the calculated volume, slice thickness, slice number, and actual volume of ROI in each TPS ( PrecisePlan:R2=0. 994, P<0. 01;Xio:R2=0. 997, P<0. 01;Oncentra:R2=0. 995, P<0. 01) . There were significant differences in all calculated ROI volumes of the head, chest and abdomen between the three TPS ( P<0. 05) except for the calculated ROI volumes of the chest and abdomen between Oncentra and Xio ( P=0. 114 ) . Conclusions The variations in volume calculation algorithm and slice thickness are the main causes of differences in calculated ROI volume. Particularly, small?volume ROIs have the greatest variation in calculated volume. To avoid a secondary reconstruction of ROI volume, it is recommended to transfer ROI back and forth between dose calculation workstations with the same TPS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore changes of olfactory and gustatory functions in patients with olfactory dysfunction. METHOD: The 284 study subjects included 92 healthy volunteers, 92 with hyposmia and 100 with functional anosmia. Their olfactory and gustatory functions were examined using T&T olfactometer, olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) and triple drop method, respectively. RESULT: The T&T results showed that the difference between patients with hyposmia and functional anosmia and healthy subjects had statistical significance. The OERPs results showed that patients with olfactory dysfunction had N1 and P2 waves of prolonged latency and reduced amplitude when compared to healthy subjects with the difference of statistical significance. When compared to healthy subjects, patients with olfactory dysfunction had clear hypogeusia and the difference had statistical significance. There was no significant difference between female and male groups. CONCLUSION It is suggested that the apparently concomitant hypogeusia is in patients with olfactory dysfunction. Decreased of olfactory and gustatory function exhibited little or no relationship with gender. Combined examinations of OERPs, T&T and triple drop method, could make it possible to reflect the overall chemical sensory functions in subjects systematically and provide scientific evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment early.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ageusia ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Evoked Potentials ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olfaction Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Smell ; Taste ; Young Adult

By constructing the genomic DNA library of Meiothermus ruber CBS-01, the genes of trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose phosphate phosphatase (TPP) involved in trehalose synthesis were cloned. The genes were cloned into the plasmid pET21a, and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta gami (DE3). The activities of these two purified enzymes were confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Meanwhile, we tested the cellular compatible solutes of M. ruber CBS-01 under different environmental pressure, and found that under hyperosmotic pressure, this strain can accumulate trhalose-6-phosphate, but not trehalose. These results can give more insight to future research in the roles of TPS/TPP and TreS pathway.
Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glucosyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Thermus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Trehalose ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo develop a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) method for simultaneous determination of three coumarins in Angelica dahurica var. formosana, by using one standard substance.

METHODWith imperatorin as internal reference standard, and 2 relative correction factors (RCF) to imperatorin were calculated within certain ranges. Their contents in 20 batches of samples, collected from different areas, were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The method was evaluated by comparison of the quantitative results between the two methods.

RESULTNo significant differences were found in the quantitative results of three coumarins in 20 batches of A. dahurica var. formosana determined by the two methods (RSD < 5%).

CONCLUSIONQAMS is feasible and suitable for quality control of A. dahurica var. formosana.

Angelica ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumarins ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Furocoumarins ; chemistry ; Reference Standards

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation technique that achieves therapeutic purpose through intermittent and chronic stimulation of vagus nerve afferent fibers, which has a remarkable effect on functional diseases of the central nervous system, and has been approved by FDA for intractable epilepsy, depression and migraine treatments. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS) is a new type of non-invasive nerve regulation therapy based on traditional VNS and vagus nerve anatomy, and has a wide range of central regulation; taVNS can improve the cognitive state by regulating functions of cognition-related cerebral cortex and nerve nuclei, regulating inflammatory response, promoting neurotransmitter transmission, and so on, which has a broad application prospect in cognition-related diseases. This paper mainly summarizes the recent advance in central mechanism of taVNS in improving cognitive function.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with cryoglobulinemia.Methods:It is a cross-sectional study. The patients diagnosed with cryoglobulinemia in our hospital were enrolled from July 2017 to March 2023. The baseline information of patients, included age, gender, qualitative, and quantitative results of serum cryoglobulins, initial clinical manifestations, etiology, serum complement 3 and 4, and the renal pathological manifestations. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with different types of cryoglobulinemia were analyzed.Results:There were 62 patients (30.7%) with type Ⅰ cryoglobulinemia, 58 patients (28.7%) with type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia, and 82 patients (40.6%) with type Ⅲ cryoglobulinemia enrolled in this study. Among these patients, 56 of primary cryoglobulinemia, 76 of autoimmune diseases, 29 of tumor-related diseases, and 52 of infectious diseases were observed. Clinical symptoms related to skin lesions (124 cases, 61.4%) and kidney damage (87 cases, 43.1%) were the most common initial clinical manifestations and arthralgia/arthritis (50 cases, 24.8%), peripheral neuropathy (33 cases, 16.3%), fatigue (28 cases, 13.9%), fever (23 cases, 11.4%) were also observed in some patients. The clinical symptoms varied in different types of cryoglobulinemia. 29.0% patients (18/62) with type Ⅰ had fatigue, which was higher than those with type Ⅱ (10.3%, 6/58) and type Ⅲ (4.9%, 4/82) ( P<0.05); Kidney damage occurred in 56.9% (33/58) patients with type Ⅱ and 52.4% (43/82) patients with type Ⅲ, which was higher than that in type Ⅰ patients (17.7%, 11/62) ( P<0.05); Only 4 patients (4.9%, 4/82) with type Ⅲ had peripheral neuropathy, which was lower than those with type Ⅰ (17.7%, 11/62) and type Ⅱ (31.0%, 18/58) ( P<0.05). The quantity of cryoglobulins in patients with type Ⅲ cryoglobulinemia [122 (82, 177) mg/L] was significantly lower than that in patients with type Ⅰ [695(229, 3 499) mg/L] ( P<0.001) and type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia [350 (107, 1 874) mg/L] ( P<0.001). Complement 4 decreased in 49.0% (99/202) of patients and complement 3 decreased in 42.6% (86/202) of patients. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (36.0%, 9/25) and endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (32.0%, 8/25) were the main renal pathological manifestations of cryoglobulin nephropathy. Conclusions:The most common clinical manifestations of cryoglobulinemia are skin and kidney damage. The clinical manifestations of patients with cryoglobulinemia vary in different types of cryoglobulins. Serum complement decreases in nearly half of cryoglobulinemia patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and strategy of prophylaxis and treatment of rabies.Methods Two recipients and their donors with rabies were reviewed to confirm the transmission through kidney transplantation.Saliva,urine,and sputum samples from recipients were collected for the detection of rabies virus by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR).Results The donor was a 6-year old boy,died of viral encephalitis of unknown cause.His kidneys and corneas were donated for transplantation.Two recipients who received the donor kidneys had neurological symptoms associated with rabies successively.Both of the two recipients died 44 days and 34 days after onset of post-transplant symptoms.Saliva,urine,and sputum samples were positive for rabies virus nucleic acid.The epidemiological investigation revealed that the boy had a history of close contact with his dog.The parents denied the history of animal bites or rabies prophylaxis.Conclusion The rabies virus can be transmitted through organ transplantation.Incubation period of rabies transmitted from donor is shorter than general population and the mortality rate is up to 100％ after onset of symptoms.So,both coordinators and doctors should deeply understand the rabies.The evaluation and supervision of donor derived diseases should be strengthened.The donors should not be donated whenever the rabies is not completely excluded,especially those died of encephalitis of unknown cause.Furthermore,post-exposure prophylaxis of rabies should be administered as soon as possible before onset of symptoms after transplant from a donor with rabies.