Objective To investigate the coverage of a recombinant protein vaccine based on pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) from both family 1 and family 2.Methods One hundred and fifty-nine Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, including 47 invasive strains, were isolated from children in Nanjing Children′s Hospital.Cell lysates were prepared and reacted with three antibodies recognizing PspA -RX1, PspA-3296 and PspA-5668 for PspA typing by ELISA .Results Among 47 invasive isolates of 9 different serotypes, 10.7%were PspA family 1 and 89.3%were PspA family 2.Among all of 159 clinical isolates, 10.1% were identified as PspA family 1, 88.0%were family 2, while 1.9%of strains could not be typed by ELISA and PCR assays .None of strains belonged to PspA family 3.Conclusion The recombinant pro-tein vaccine based on PspA from both family 1 and family 2 has a broad coverage among clinical isolates and is potentially protective against both invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal diseases .

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of heat treatment and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation alone or in combination on the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 72 in human epidermal melanocytes.Methods Melanocytes were obtained from human foreskin,and subjected to primary culture.After 3 to 5 passages,the melanocytes were classified into 4 groups:control group (receiving no treatment),heat treatment group (treated with heat at 42 ℃ for 1 hour every day for 3 days),UVB group(irradiated with UVB at 50 mJ/cm2 daily for 3days),combination group(treated with heat at 42 ℃ for 1 hour followed by irradiation with UVB at 50 mJ/cm2daily for 3 days).After another 2- to 6-hour culture following the last treatment,melanocytes were collected and subjected to real time PCR and Western blot for the detection of HSP72 mRNA and protein expression,respectively.ResultsThe mRNA and protein expressions of HSP72 were significantly higher in the heat treatment group and combination group than in the control group (mRNA:6.584 ± 0.871 and 7.269 ± 0.454 vs.0.975 ± 0.089,both P ＜ 0.001; protein:2.022 ± 0.058 and 2.080 ± 0.045 vs.0.532 ± 0.033,both P ＜ 0.001 ),but was similar between the UVB group and control group (mRNA:0.832 ± 0.084 vs.0.975 ± 0.089,P ＞ 0.05;protein:0.546±0.021 vs.0.532 ± 0.033,P ＞ 0.05).The ANOVA of factorial design showed that neither heat treatment nor UVB irradiation had interaction effect on the mRNA or protein expression of HSP72 (F =2.106,1.399 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsHeat treatment can cause an increase in the expression of HSP72,which may enhance the function of melanocytes and protect melanocytes from UVB induced damage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of heat treatment combined with narrow band ultraviolet B(NB-UVB) on cultured normal human melanocytes in vitro.MethodsMelanocytes were isolated from the foreskin of normal human,cullured in vitro,and irradiated with NB-UVB of different doses(20,30,50,70,90,120 and 180 mJ/cm2).Then,MTT assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation and activity of melanocytes to determine the optimal dose of UVB for the next experiment.Melanocytes were classified into 3 groups to be treated with heat at 42 ℃ for 1 hour (heat group),irradiated with UVB at 50 mJ/cm2 (UVB group),or irradiated with UVB at 50 mJ/cm2 followed by heat treatment at 42 ℃ for 1 hour (combination group),daily for 3 successive days; those receiving no treatment served as the control.After 24-hour culture following the last treatment,tyrosinase activity was evaluated with L-dopa as the substrate,melanin content was detected by NaOH assay,and cell cycle stages were determined by flow cytometry.ResultsNB-UVB irradiation decreased the viability of melanocytes in a dose-dependent manner,and the optimum dose of UVB was 50 mJ/cm2.The tyrosinase activity of melanocytes was 0.244 ± 0.018 and 0.310 ± 0.015 respectively in the UVB group and combination group,and increased by 3.8％ (P ＜ 0.05) and 31.9％ (P ＜ 0.05) respectively compared with the control group (0.235 ± 0.018); the melanin content was 0.201 ± 0.016 and 0.286 ± 0.019,respectively in the UVB group and combination group,and increased by 17.5％ (P ＜ 0.05 ) and 67.3％ (P ＜ 0.05) compared with the control group (0.171 ± 0.016).In comparison with the control group,the percentage of melanocytes in G1 phase was decreased by 23.94％ in the UVB group(P＜ 0.05) and 33.51％ in the combination group(P ＜ 0.05),while that in S phase and G2 phase increased by 15.35％ (P ＜ 0.05 ) and 11.93％ (P ＜ 0.05),respectively in the UVB group,and 17.76％ (P ＞ 0.05) and 16.08％ (P ＞ 0.05),respectively in the heat group.ConclusionHeat treatment and NB-UVB can synergistically enhance the tyrosinase activity and accelerate melanogenesis,proliferation and differentiation,of melanocytes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how Zuogui pills from the Kidney-tonifying and Nourishing Yin formula, in combination with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix, affected the ovarian local oxidative stress response in decreasing ovarian reserve (DOR) mice. All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the guidelines and standards established by Jinan University's Experimental Animal Management Committee. Cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated DOR mice were given Zuogui pills, cetrorelix, or a combination of the two drugs intragastrically. After treatment, there were changes in the estrous cycle, serum sex hormone levels, oxidative stress-related indexes, growth biochemical factor levels, and SIRT1/P53/P21 expression. In comparison to the model group, the Zuogui pills and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had significantly prolonged estrous periods and shortened interestrous periods, and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had a significantly shortened cycle length. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased and estradiol (E₂) increased in all treatment groups compared to the model group, oxidative stress indexes nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased, growth biochemical factors brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) concentrations increased significantly, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) showed no significant change. SIRT1/P53/P21 immunohistochemical results revealed that, when compared to the model group, the expression of SIRT1 increased while the expression of P53 and P21 proteins decreased in all treatment groups, with the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group having the largest decrease, with significant differences in all indicators. We conclude that cetrorelix combined with Zuogui pills for kidney nourishing and Yin recipe improved the oxidative stress response in the follicle by regulating the SIRT1/P53/P21 pathway, reducing peroxide product production, protecting ovarian function, and regulating ovarian hormone secretion, and its efficacy is superior to that of cetrorelix or Zuogui pills alone.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Sanmiao Powder (SMP) in treating chronic uric acid nephropathy (CUAN).

METHODSNinety-four patients with CUAN were equally randomized to the treated group and the control group. Conventional treatment was given to all patients and the treated group was administered with SMP additionally for 12 weeks. Changes of symptoms were observed, and laboratory indexes, as urinary protein quantity (UPro), urinary RBC count (URBC), urinary beta2 microglobulin (beta2-M), urinary beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatine (SCr) and serum uric acid (SUA), were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the treated group was 87.2% (41/47), and in the control group was 61.7% (21/47), showing significant difference between groups (P < 0.01); significant improvement of UPro, URBC, beta2-M, NAG, BUN, SCr and SUA were shown in the treated group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); but in the control group, only URBC count was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), no statistically significant change of other indexes was found (P > 0.05). SUA decreased in both groups (P < 0.01), which was markedly lower in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05); SCr and BUN were also decreased in the treated group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCombined therapy of SMP and conventional Western medicine shows a favorable effect in treating CUAN. It could not only reduce SUA, but also alleviate the albuminuria and hematuria, lower the urinary levels of beta2-M and NAG to improve renal function.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Uric Acid

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment according to syndrome differentiation in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by observing the changes of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) expression levels in rats.

METHODSCOPD model was established by modified method of combining fumigation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intra-tracheal dripping. Model rats were treated respectively for succesive 14 days according to their syndrome, that is, Xiaoqinglong Decoction to the rats of cold-phlegm accumulation in Fei, Maxing Shigan Decoction to those of heat-phlegm accumulation in Fei, Yupingfeng Decoction to those of Fei-qi deficiency, Liujunzi Decoction to those of Pi-qi deficiency, Renshen Gejie Decoction to those of Shen qi-deficiency. Besides, model rats in the model control group received 2mL normal saline daily, and no intervention was applied in the normal control group. The expression of gamma-GCS and NF-kappaB was detected by immunochemistry before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with that in the normal rats, the expressions of gamma-GCS and NF-kappaB in bronchial and alveolar epithelium of COPD rats before treatment were significantly higher, but the positive expression rates were lowered after treatment significantly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTCM treatment according to syndrome differentiation could rectify imbalance of oxidation/anti-oxidation and alleviate inflammatory reaction in COPD rats, thus to treat COPD effectively.

Animals ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Phytotherapy ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Syndrome

The chemical constituents of 95% ethanol extract of Melastoma dodecandrum were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC, to obtain thirteen compounds eventually. On the basis of their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as quercetin (1), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-(6"-O-p-coumaroyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O- [2",6"-di-O-(E)-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucopyra-noside (6), luteolin (7), luteolin-7-O-(6"-p-coumaroyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (8), apigenin (9), apigenin-7-(6"-acetyl-glucopyranoside) (10) , naringenin (11), isovitexin (12), and epicatechin-[8,7-e] -4β-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dyhydroxyl-2(3H)-pyranone (13). Eight compounds(3,5,6,8-11 and 13) were obtained from M. dodecandrum for the first time.
Apigenin ; analysis ; Chromatography ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dextrans ; Flavanones ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; analysis ; Luteolin ; analysis ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analysis ; Silica Gel

To study the chemical constituents of the 95% ethanol extract of Psidium guajava. Compounds were separated by using a combination of various chromatographic methods including silica gel, D101 macroporous resin, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral data Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as (+) -globulol (1), clovane-2beta, 9alpha-diol (2), 2beta-acetoxyclovan-9alpha-ol (3), (+) -caryolane-1 ,9beta-diol (4), ent-T-muurolol (5), clov-2-ene-9alpha-ol (6), isophytol (7), tamarixetin (8), gossypetin (9), quercetin (10), kaempferol (11), guajaverin (12), avicularin (13), chrysin 6-C-glucoside (14), 3'-O-methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxyellagic acid 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15), p-hydroxy-benzoic acid (16), guavinoside A (17) and guavinoside B (18). Compounds 2-9 and 14-16 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The ethanol extract showed 61.3% inhibition against the proliferation of colon cancer cell line SW480.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Psidium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment with teriparatide for promoting bone fracture healing in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

METHODSTwelve postmenopausal patients (aged 73±4.8 years) with osteoporotic spinal fracture confirmed by MRI or CT scanning received conservative treatment with teriparatidesc injection supplemented with calcium and analgesics for 6 months. At the beginning and at the end of the therapy, VAS score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), bone mass densitometry, and X-ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine, and serum P1NP and beta-CTX levels were measured. Six of the patients received a second MRI scan after the therapy to evaluate the bone healing.

RESULTSAll the 12 patients completed the treatment, during which no new fractures or adverse events occurred. At the end of the first month of treatment, analgesic was withdrawn for all the patients. The average VAS score decreased from 8±2 to 1±2 at 1 month during the therapy, and ODI was reduced from (76±12)% to (20±5)% at 1 month and further to (5±4)% at 6 month. After the 6-month therapy, the height of the fractured vertebrae (presented as the anterior to posterior wall height ratio) was insignificantly decreased from (75±20)% to (61±20)%, the BMD was increased by (20±5)%, P1NP increased significantly from 20.9±11.4 ng/mL to 80.0±41.2 ng/mL, and beta-CTX increased from 0.30±0.17 ng/mL to 0.51±0.3 ng/mL. The 6 patients re-examined with MRI demonstrated complete bone healing after the therapy.

CONCLUSIONTeriparatide is effective for conservative treatment of osteoporotic spinal fracture and can promote bone fracture healing, improve the quality of life, and prevents vertebral collapse, and can be therefore an alternative treatment to PVP or BV.

Aged ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; therapeutic use ; Fractures, Compression ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Quality of Life ; Spinal Fractures ; drug therapy ; Teriparatide ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin.

METHODThe ultrafiltration was employed to determine the plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin. The plasma concentrations of methyl protodioscin were measured by HPLC-MS-MS.

RESULTThe plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin with rat plasma at the concentration of 20.0, 100 and 200 microg x mL(-1) were (94.6 +/- 0.16)%, (91.6 +/- 0.35)% and (86.10 +/- 0.60)%, respectively, while the plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin with normal human plasma at the above concentrations were (82.11 +/- 5.12)%, (84.54 +/- 0.32)% and (88.52 +/- 1.02)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe binding rate of methyl protodioscin with plasma protein is high.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; metabolism ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Protein Binding ; Rats ; Saponins ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Ultrafiltration