Animals ; Base Sequence ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy

China ; Oral Medicine ; education

There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

The epitope-G1 gene of Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) glycoprotein was synthesised by PCR and cloned into expression vector pPIC9K to construct recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-G1. Then the pPIC9K-G1 was linearized and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS 115. The recombinant P. pastoris strains were selected by a G418 transformation screen and confirmed by PCR. After being induced with methanol, an expressed protein with 26 kDa molecular weight was obtained, which was much bigger than the predicted size (15.54 kDa). Deglycosylation analysis indicated the recombinant G1 was glycosylated. Western blot and ELISA tests, as well as rabbit immunization and specificity experiments indicated that the target protein had both higher reaction activity and higher immunocompetence and specificity. The recombinant G1 protein could be used as a coating antigen to develop an ELISA kit for bovine ephemeral fever diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the regularity and predictors of weight loss during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Methods A retrospective study was carried out on 82 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma ,with average age of 45 years ,who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Paired t-test was used to analyze the weight loss pattern during chemoradiotherapy. The Spearman′s rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between high weight loss(HWL)and the clinical factors. Results The paired t-test showed that the weight of the patients decreased continuously every week during chemoradiotherapy(P < 0.05),and the value dropped most significantly during the 4th week. Among these 82 patients,32 were determined as HWL(weight loss > 10%). Spearman′s rank correlation analysis showed that HWL was associated with older age,female,higher T and TNM stage,3D-CRT technology,the higher dose of radiotherapy in nasopharynx and in neck lymph node,and decreases of leukopenia and hemoglobin over degree Ⅱ(P<0.05). Conlousions Weight may decrease continuously every week during chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Age,gender,T stage,TNM stage,radio-therapy dose,and leukopenia and hemoglobin decreases may be predictors for weight loss degree during concurrent chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Objective To study the method and clinical value of preservation of intercostobrachial nerve( ICBN) by fat dissolving meth-od during breast cancer operation. Methods The clinical data of 50 cases withⅠ~Ⅲa stage breast cancer from January 2013 to June 2013 were analyzed. Fifty patients were randomly divided into two groups,there were 26 patients in preservation group,whose ICBN were preserved by fat dissolving method during axillary lymph nodes dissection,and 24 patients in resection group,whose ICBN were not preserved by routine method during axillary lymph nodes dissection. Comparison of operation times,bleeding volume,the number of axillary lymph nodes dissection and upper arm sensory function of patients after operation between both groups was done. Results The mean time of operation was (102. 3 ± 15. 6) min in preservation group and(95. 6 ± 12. 4) min in resection group,while the number of axillary lymph nodes dissection was (19. 5 ± 8. 8 ) in preservation group and ( 19. 2 ± 9. 5 ) in resection group, with no significant difference between both groups (P>0. 05). Bleeding volume was (51. 2 ± 11. 5)mL in preservation group and (98. 5 ± 13. 4)mL in resection group,with significant differ-ences(P<0. 05). After postoperative one month,we observed upper arm sensory function of patients. It showed that 3 cases of sensory numb-ness or pain occurred in preservation group (11. 5%),20 cases of sensory abnormality occurred in resection group (83. 3%),mainly as sen-sory loss,numbness,pain or burning sensation,there was significant difference between both groups (P<0. 05). All patients were followed up half a year,patients with sensory abnormality in preservation group recovered,and recovery in resection group was not obvious,it still showed sensory abnormality in varying degrees. During the follow-up,no local recurrence or distant metastasis was found in both groups. Conclusion Preserving intercostobrachial nerve by fat dissolving method in breast cancer operation is based on conventional operation and made a few of improvements. It is simple and feasible. During the operation,we find that the axillary neurovascular is clearer,preservation of ICBN is easier. It does not affect the axillary lymph node dissection and operation time,while it can reduce incidence of postoperative sensory abnormality and improve the quality of life of patients,therefore it is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS)for selective T2 stage renal tumor.Methods The surgical database of 26 patients treated with NSS for clinical T2 stage renal cell carcinomas between March 2010 and May 2013 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.There were 17 males and 9 females,with a mean age of 52 years (39-74 years),mean tumor size of 10.3 cm(7.2-16.5 cm),and mean R.E.N.A.L score of 7.5 (6-10).Patients'demographics,clinical characteristics,oncologic outcomes,renal function were reviewed.Results The renal masses were removed successfully and the surgical margins were negative.There were 21 (80.8％) cases of clear cell carcinoma,4 (15.4％) papillary carcinoma and 1 (3.8％) chromophobe carcinoma.The mean ischemia time was (28.3 ± 12.5) minutes (7 patients were clamp-free).Three patients needed transfusion,one experienced urine fistula and cured by conservative treatment,and one patient's renal function got progressive worsening and required long-term hemodialysis.The average serum creatinine was 121 μ mol/L before and 136 μmol/L after surgery (P =0.06).After a period of 22-47 months' follow-up,no patient had local recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions NSS can be safely performed and provide effective oncologic outcomes for selective patients with clinical T2 stage renal cell carcinomas.R.E.N.A.L nephrometry is an important factor and should be used to evaluate the feasibility of NSS.

Objective To evaluate the effects of comprehensive rehabilitation training on the patients with schizophrenia by Meta-analysis.Methods Articles were searched form PubMed (2001 to 2011), EMCC(1995 to 2011), CNKI(1989 to 2011), VIP(1989 to 2011), and CBM(1989 to 2011), which were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) about comprehensive rehabilitation training for schizophrenia. Quality of included articles was assessed with Jadad Scale, and the available data were analyzed with RevMan 5.0 software. Results 596 related articles were identified, but only 16 eligible articles were included. All the trials were of low quality. Meta-analysis showed that compared comprehensive rehabilitation training could improve the scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) [Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) =-9.21, 95% CI(-10.83, -7.59), Z=11.6, P<0.00001], activites of daily living (ADL) [WMD=-5.84, 95% CI(-8.74, -2.94), Z=3.94, P<0.0001], Nurses' Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE) total score [WMD=27.50, 95%CI(16.18,38.81), Z=4.76, P<0.00001] and total score of negative factors [WMD=-13.60, 95%CI(-22.41, -4.80),Z=3.03, P=0.002], compared with those in routine care/management group. There was no significant difference between both groups in Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) [WMD=-2.50, 95% CI(-5.33, 0.33), Z=1.73, P=0.08] and NOSIE total positive factor score [WMD=15.00, 95%CI(-2.06, 32.06), Z=1.72, P=0.08]. Conclusion Comprehensive rehabilitation training can reduce the positive and negative symptoms, improving the ability of daily living and quality of life.

Receptor imidazoline 2 (I₂) is one of the imidazoline receptors with high affinity for [³H]-idazoxan. Receptor I₂, being classified into I(₂A) and I(₂B) subtypes, is mainly localized to the outer membrane of mitochondria in liver, kidney and brain. Receptor I₂, displaying high similarity of sequence with monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), is structurally related to MAO-B, but the I₂ imidazoline binding site (I₂BS) with ligand is distinct from the catalytic site of MAO-B. Agmatine is the endogenous ligand of receptor I₂. Accumulating evidence have revealed that the activation of receptors I₂ may produce neuroprotective effects by increasing expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes, inhibiting activity of MAO, reducing calcium overload in cells. Agmatine exerts neuroprotection against ischemia-hypoxia, injury, glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by activating imidazoline receptors, blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, inhibiting all isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and selectively blocking the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC). It would be expected that agmatine is one of the potential neuroprotective agents.

Copolyesters consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) (PHBHHx), a new type of biodegradable material, are receiving considerable attentions recently. The material properties are strongly related to the 3HHx fraction of PHBHHx. As the 3HHx fraction increase, crystallinity and melting point of PHBHHx decrease, flexibility and tractility increase. PHBHHx of different 3HHx fraction can meet different demands of commercial application and research. Aeromonas are the best studied PHBHHx-producing strains. Recent studies have been focused on optimizations of fermentative culture media and culture conditions for low-cost and efficient fermentative production. Aliphatic substrates such as long-chain fatty acid and soybean oil were used in the PHBHHx fermentation as the sole carbon source and energy source. Two-stage fermentation method was also developed for more efficient PHBHHx production. While studies on Aeromonas hydrophila revealed that the monomer composition of PHBHHx could not easily be regulated by fermentative process engineering methods such as changing substrates and fermentative conditions because precursors involved in the PHBHHx synthesis were all from the beta-oxidation pathway. In this study, phbA gene encoding beta-ketothiolase and phbB gene encoding acetoacetyl-CoA reductase were introduced into a PHBHHx-producing strain Aeromonas hydrophila 4AK4 so as to provide a new 3HB precursors synthesis way. phbA gene encodes beta-ketothiolase which can catalyze two acetyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA; phbB gene encodes acetoacetyl-CoA reductase catalyzing acetoacetly-CoA into 3HB-CoA which is the precursor of 3HB. The introduced novel 3-hydroxybutyrate precursor synthesis pathway allowed the recombinant strain to use unrelated carbon source such as gluconate to provide 3HB precursors for PHBHHx synthesis. Shake-flask experiments were carried out to produce PHBHHx of controllable monomer composition and fermentations in 5 L fermentor were also proceeded for confirmation of these result in large-scale culture. In flask culture, it was possible to reduce the 3HHx mol fraction in PHBHHx from 15 % in the wild type to 3% - 12% in the recombinant by simply changing the ratio of gluconate to lauric acid in the culture media. When lauric acid was used as the sole carbon source, 51.5 g/L Cell Dry Weight (CDW) containing 62 % PHBHHx with 9.7 % 3HHx mol fraction was obtained in 56 hours of fermentation in a 5 liter fermentor. When co-substrates of sodium gluconate and lauric acid (1:1) were used as carbon sources, 32.8 g/L CDW containing 52 % PHBHHx with 6.7% 3HHx mol fraction was obtained in 48 hours of fermentation. These results showed the possibility for fermentative production of PHBHHx with controllable monomer composition.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; metabolism ; Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Aeromonas hydrophila ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biotechnology ; methods ; Caproates ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; genetics ; physiology ; Lauric Acids ; metabolism