An endophytic bacterium strain EBS05 from Cinamonum camphra was identified as Bacillus subtilis by morphological taxonomy and sequence analysis of 16S~23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions. Properties of antimicrobial compound produced by EBS05 were assayed. The active compound had the maximum absorbance peak at ?213.5 nm. The antimicrobial activity was stable in solution with pH value from 5 to 8, and decreased significantly in solution with pH value less than 4.0 or more than 9.0. The antimicrobial compound had thermodynamics stability. Its activity changed a little after treated at 60?C~80?C for two hours, and compared with 65% original activity after treated at 1?105 Pa for 30 minutes. The active substance had high resistance to ultraviolet radiation and protease K. Antimicrobial compound was soluble in alcohol solu- tion, which was easily dissolved in methanol and ethanol, but not dissolved in ethyl acetate, acetonitrile and petroleum et al.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are an important type of active microvesicles. EVs encapsulate and transfer functional substances such as miRNAs, transcription factors and proteins, which are important vectors for cell communication and organ dialogue. In recent years, studies have shown that quite a number of Chinese medicinal herbs have the pharmacological effect of regulating EVs, and play a unique trans-organ and remote role in the treatment of diseases. Some Chinese medicinal herbs also contain plant-derived EVs themselves, which can be directly involved in the treatment of diseases. As one of the core theories of raditional Chinese medicines (TCM), Qi plays a variety of important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of human body and pharmacology. However, the scientific connotation of Qi′s role and the potential material carrier are still unclear. The latest research suggests that the effect of EVs is potentially related to that of Qi. Therefore, this paper reviews the effect of Qi nourishing Chinese medicinal herbs in regulating EVs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, liver diseases, renal diseases, malignant tumors and other diseases in recent years. EVs may play an important role in the pharmacological effect of some Chinese medicinal herbs in the treatment of diseases as an intermediary substance. EVs have the characteristics of long-distance transportation, which is consistent with the movement of Qi in TCM. EVs carry a variety of functional molecules, which is consistent with the function of Qi. As the potential material basis of Qi in TCM, the function of EVs is worth further study.

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies have shown that reducing the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) through the use of anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor is a safe and efficacious treatment to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, novel approaches to achieve this outcome are desired. The aim of this study was to investigate the characterization of a small molecule inhibitor, Y316, which blocks TNF mRNA upregulation and TNF production by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulated monocytes.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy volunteers were plated in 24-well plates and stimulated with LPS (1 µg/ml), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 ng/ml), zymosan (10 µg/ml) and Tsst (100 ng/ml). Supernatants were collected after 4-hour culture at 37°C, and quantitative determination of TNFα, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-2 production in the supernatants was performed by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total RNA of PBMC was isolated and cytokine mRNA quantitation was performed by using a RNA level measuring kit (R & D Systems). PBMC were pretreated with Y316 (10 µmol/L, 1 µmol/L, 0.1 µmol/L, 0.01 µol/L and 0.001 µmol/L) or dimethyl sulfoxide at 37°C for 10 minutes, and then stimulated with LPS or PMA, protein concentrations of p44.42, IKBα, P38 and Jun NH2-terminal kinase were determined by Western blotting. Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) of PBMC was measured by enzyme immunoassay kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).

RESULTSY316 blocked TNF production and inhibited the upregulation of TNF mRNA levels in response to LPS, and also prevented the production of IL-1 and IL-6. In contrast, Y316 augmented the production of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Y316 failed to prevent the production of IL-2 and TNF in antigen-stimulated T cells, suggesting that its effects may be cell-type specific. Y316 prevented the phosphorylation and activation of the MAPK, ERK, and therefore appeared to mediate its effects on TNF by acting at an early point in the signaling cascade induced in response to LPS. There was no effect of Y316 on cAMP levels either alone or in the presence of LPS.

CONCLUSIONSY316 appears to be a small molecule inhibiting TNF production, which may act via a novel mechanism. Identification of the target of Y316 may lead to the development of alternative strategies for achieving selective cytokine inhibition.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-6 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Phosphorylation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo study the principle and surgical managements for the patients with anatomic variants of hepatic artery in the procedure of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-six patients who underwent PD between January 2000 and July 2007 were investigated retrospectively. Hepatic arterial variants were analyzed according to the intraoperative finding and CT imaging were reviewed postoperatively.

RESULTSHepatic arterial variants were found intraoperatively in 20 cases of all 176 patients. Accessory right heptic artery, replaced right heptic artery and common heptic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were present in 9 (5.1%), 5 (2.8%), 4 (2.3%) cases respectively,and replaced right heptic artery coming from the gastroduodenal artery was present in 2 cases (2.9%). All the variants of hepatic arteries arising from the superior mesenteric artery could be observed in spiral CT imaging. Most of the variant arteries were dissected intact intraoperatively except 2 cases with accessory right heptic artery arising from SMA.

CONCLUSIONSPerforming CT scan preoperatively, especially CTA,is effective to diagnose these disorders. Skillful surgical techniques can manage the anatomic variants safely.

Female ; Hepatic Artery ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies

To evaluate the clinical effect of LNG-IUD on preventing recurrence after hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps . [ Methods] Electrical excision of endometrial polyps with the help of hysteroscopy was performed for 120 patients, who were randomly divided into trial group ( levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system after surgery ) and control group ( without any treatment after surgery), with 60 patients in each group.After follow-up of 4 years, the recurrence of endometrial polyps was observed in the two groups . [ Results] The recurrence rate of trial group was 1.6%,and that of control group was 15.0%.There was significant difference in recurrence between the two groups ( P<0. 05 ) . [ Conclusion] The hysteroscopy can be used for more definite diagnosis and treatment of endome-trial polyps .And there has been a significantly positive effect of LNG-IUD proved on preventing recurrence after hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps .

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and complication of bilateral multi-target radiofrequency lesion operation in patients with affective disorder.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-two cases with affective disorder were treated with unstaged bilateral multi-target radiofrequency thermocoagulation. The efficacy was evaluated with the method established in 1990 by the National Psychosurgery Cooperative Group.

RESULTSAfter 2 weeks of operation, 86 cases with remarkable improvements, 81 cases with improvements, 15 case with no improvements, no case with progression, total efficient ratio was 91.76%. With 6-54 months of follow-up to all of 166 cases, 38 cases with recovery, 59 cases with remarkable improvements, 52 cases with improvements, 17 cases with no improvements, no case with progression, total efficient ratio was 89.76%. Except for early temporal complication of stereotaxic operation, the long-term complication ratio was less than 1%.

CONCLUSIONCT-guided bilateral multi-target operation is prominent in treatment of affective disorder with high efficacy and safety.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mood Disorders ; surgery ; Stereotaxic Techniques ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and survival of intraoperative 125I brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer.

METHODSThirty-six patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomized to two groups: brachy-chemotherapy group (n = 18) and control group (n = 18). For the combined group, intraoperative 125I implantation and gemcitabine, 5-Fu were given. For the control group, intratumoral injection of absolute alcohol was done.

RESULTSThe CR + PR rate of brachy-chemotherapy group was 38.9% with pain relief in 77.8%, while that of control group was 0 with pain relief in 22.2% (P < 0.05). Although there were some toxicity in brachy-chemotherapy group, treatment was well tolerated. The 6-, 12-month survival rates of brachy-chemotherapy group were 71.4% and 21.4% and those of control group were 38.5% and 7.7%, respectively. The median survival time was 10.6 months and 5.2 months for the two groups, between which the difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInteroperative 125I brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer can control tumor, relieve pain and improve quality of life. It is safe and effective.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the constitution of abnormal spermatozoa from patients with sex chromosome anomalies.

METHODSTriple color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine the sex chromosome constitution of spermatozoa from three patients with sex chromosome anomalies (case 1:46,XY/47,XXY, case 2:45,XO/46,X,Yqh-, case 3:47,XXY). The preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was performed to case 2.

RESULTSAn increased ratio (2.05 vs 1) of X-bearing to Y-bearing spermatozoa was only observed in case 2, who also had an increased incidence of total abnormal spermatozoa (29.71%). An increased incidence of total abnormal spermatozoa (4.91%) was also observed in case 3. Among the constitution of abnormal spermatozoa, case 2 had the increased proportions of XY18 disomy, O18 monosomy and XO monosomy, while case 3 had an increase proportion of XY18 disomy (1.87%). PGD was performed to case 2 and one embryo with XX1818 was selected for implanting.

CONCLUSIONUsing FISH to detect the sperm sex chromosomes in patients with sex chromosome anomalies can provide the useful information to evaluate the risk of sex chromosome anomalies in preimplantation embryos.

Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect changes of serum soluble Apo-1/Fas (sApo-1/Fas) in pancreatic cancer patients and to investigate its clinical value in assessing the effect of chemotherapy.

METHODSThe serum level of sApo-1/Fas in 30 normal control subjects and 58 pancreatic cancer patients were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the sApo-1/Fas level of 48 pancreatic cancer patients, before and after chemotherapy was compared.

RESULTSCompared with the level of the control group, the level of serum soluble Apo-1/Fas was significantly correlated with clinical stage but not with age, sex or pathologic type of pancreatic cancer. It was elevated gradually from stage II to IV (P < 0.01). However, it would obviously decrease in pancreatic cancer patients after chemotherapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe serum soluble Apo-1/Fas may be involved in the development of pancreatic cancer, and it may be used as one parameter to assess the disease status and prognosis of pancreatic cancer patient.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; blood ; drug therapy ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; blood ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; fas Receptor ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of polydatin on the expression level of miR-214 and liver function in atherosclerotic mice.

METHODSForty male ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=10), namely the model group, low- and high-dose polydatin groups, and simvastin group, with 10 male C57BL/6J mice serving as the normal control group. Mouse models of atherosclerosis were established by feeding the ApoE(-/-) mice with a high-fat diet. After 12 weeks of treatment, blood levels of glucose, lipids, AST, and ALT and the contents of T-SOD and MDA in the liver tissue were detected. The pathologies of the liver were examined with HE staining, and miR-214 expression in the liver was detected using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control mice, the mice in the model group showed significantly increased blood glucose, serum TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, and AST levels, and MDA contents in the liver (P<0.01), with significantly decreased serum HDL-C level and SOD and miR-214 levels in liver (P<0.01). Polydatin treatment significantly ameliorated such changes in blood glucose, serum ALT, AST, TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels, and MDA, SOD, and miR-214 contents in liver tissue (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONs Polydatin can reduce blood glucose and lipid levels and protect the liver function in atherosclerotic mice possibly by up-regulating the expression of miR-214 and T-SOD and down-regulating MDA in the liver.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diet, High-Fat ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism