One new dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-N-methyl Glu-L-N-methyl Glu) (1), together with one new natural dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-methyl Glu ester) (2), and two known dicyclopeptides cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-Glu) (3), and cyclo-(L-Glu-L-Glu) (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Dianthus chinensis L. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods.
Dianthus ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

This paper investigates the effect of myricetin (MYR) on renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in mice and its mechanism. The animal experiment has been approved by the Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University (NO: 2022-10-020). Thirty-five ICR mice were divided into control, UUO, UUO+MYR, CBDL and CBDL+MYR groups. H&E and Masson staining were used to detect pathological changes in kidney tissues. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in renal tissue, and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity detection kit (WST-8) was used to detect the changes of total SOD in renal tissue of CBDL mice. In vitro, HK-2 cells and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1, 10 ng·mL^-1) were used to induce fibrotic model, and high glucose (30 mmol·L^-1) was used to induce oxidative stress model, and then treated with different concentrations of MYR, WB was used to detect the expression of fibrosis and oxidative stress-related proteins, while NIH/3T3 cells were treated with different concentrations of MYR, and their effects on cell proliferation were detected by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (Brdu). The results showed that the renal lesions in UUO group and CBDL group were severe, collagen deposition was obvious, the expression of collagen-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), vimentin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein was up-regulated, and the activity of SOD enzyme in CBDL group was significantly decreased. MYR partly reversed the above changes after treatment. MYR inhibited the proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells but had no effect on the proliferation of HK-2 cells, and decreased the upregulation of PAI-1, FN and vimentin in HK-2 cells stimulated by TGF-β1. MYR can also up-regulate the down-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in HK-2 cells stimulated by high glucose. To sum up, MYR can improve renal fibrosis in vivo and in vitro, probably by inhibiting the proliferation of fibroblasts and activating Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics,muscle pathological features and pathogenic gene mutation in 4 cases with LMNA-related congenital muscular dystrophy (L-CMD).Methods Clinical data of the probands and the parents were collected.Skeletal muscle specimens were biopsied from the probands for pathological analysis.Genomic DNA and RNA were extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes,and PCR,reverse transcription(RT)-PCR and DNA direct sequencing were employed to analyze the LMNA gene to determine the gene mutation and confirm the pathogenicity.Results Four patients had symptoms from fetal period to several months after birth.They presented with motor retardation,muscle weakness with prominent the proximal upper limbs,distal lower limbs and neck extensor,hypotonia,contractures,with mild to moderate elevation of CK level.The muscle biopsies showed muscular dystrophic and with inflammatory changes,and the abnormal nuclear morphology was observed with transmission electron microscopy.Genetic analysis of them detected 4 dominant de novo mutations.Three of them had unreported pathogenic mutations.The same sites of the LMNA gene were wild type in their parents.Conclusions Four cases of L-CMD are genetically identified.Genetic counseling of the family can be possible.The patients should be considered LMNA gene mutation of they present themselves with muscle weakness with the proximal upper limbs,distal lower limbs and neck extensor,hypotonia,contractures,mild to moderate elevation of CK level,and if the biopsies show muscular dystrophic changes but also with inflammatory changes should be considered LMNA gene mutation.Genetic analysis is the most reliable method for diagnosing L-CMD.

OBJECTIVETo explore an effective method to culture oral mucosa epithelial cells (OMECs) of canine in vitro, and to observe the biological characteristics of OMECs growing on small intestinal submucosa (SIS) in order to provide the experimental basis for epithelium tissue engineering.

METHODSThe primary OMECs were cultivated with DKSFM (defined keratinocyte serum free medium) containing 6% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The morphological characteristics and the growth curve of OMECs were observed. The expressions of OMECs marker (CK19) were examined by immunocytochemistry. The 2nd passage of OMECs were seeded on SIS, OMECs co-cultured with SIS were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSOMECs were grown well in DKSFM. Immunohistochemical staining of the 2nd passage cultured canine OMECs with broadly reacting anti-cytokeratin anyibodies (CK19) was positive. OMECs formed a single layer on the surface of SIS, and eight days later the cells were polygong and arranged like slabstone.

CONCLUSIONCulture of canine OMECs in DKSFM containing 6% FBS is a simple and feasible method. SIS has good biocompatibility, it is a kind of good bioscafold in the tissue-engineered epithelium.

Animals ; Cattle ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Epithelial Cells ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intestine, Small ; Mouth Mucosa ; Tissue Engineering

Biosafety hazard has been paid high attention with increasing use of animal species and quantities in medical colleges. In the present paper, we analyze potential biosafety risks in medical colleges from characteristics of biosafety environment, experiment activity, zoonosis, laboratory animal management, etc. , then give some advices on prevention and control of biosafety hazards.

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of Bryan cervical disc replacement on the function of the cervical spine.

METHODSBryan cervical artificial disc replacement was performed in 164 cases from Dec 2003 to Aug 2007, and all the cases were retrospectively followed up. Among them, 1 disc replacement was done in 132 cases, 2 discs in 28 cases and 3 discs in 4 cases with a total number of 200 artificial discs. There were 102 male patients and 62 female patients. Their age ranged from 25 to 70 years old (with an average of 47 years old). All the cases were operated according to the standard procedure for Bryan artificial disc replacement, and immobilized in a cervical collar for 2 weeks after operation. Motion of the replaced disc in sagittal direction, JOA score and satisfaction rate of the patients were followed up and evaluated.

RESULTSIn this group, no acute complications happened during the operation. All patients returned to work 4 to 6 weeks after operation. The postoperative ameliorate rate of JOA score was 56%. Range of motion in sagittal direction of the operated disc was 14.4 degrees before operation, decreased to 5.7 degrees at 1 week after operation , but improved to 14.7 degrees at the time of final follow-up and was not significantly different from preoperative range. Motion in the upper adjacent disc to the replacement level was 10.9 degrees before operation, decreased to 5.5 degrees at 1 week after operation , and improved to 8.2 degrees at the time of final follow-up but was significantly smaller than preoperative range. The satisfaction rate of the patients was 94%. Loosening of the prosthesis happened in 1 case 6 months after operation but remained stable afterwards. Subsidence up to 1 mm occurred in another case 7 months after operation but also remained stable afterwards. Automatic posterior union occurred in 3 cases in which relative small size artificial discs were implanted.

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical outcome of Bryan artificial disc replacement was quite good. Pre-operative range of motion of the cervical spine can be maintained.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Joint Prosthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) on the growth of human pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaca2 and the expression and methylation of tumor suppressor gene RUNX3.

METHODSHuman pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaca2 cells were treated with different concentrations of 5-Aza-CdR. Morphological changes of MiaPaca2 cells were observed by light microscopy. The activity of cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. The changes of RUNX3 mRNA expression were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Changes of RUNX3 gene methylation was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSMiaPaca2 cells were treated with 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µmo1/L 5-Aza-CdR, respectively. The inhibition rates of MiaPaca2 cells treated for 24 h were (9.17 ± 2.15)%, (10.75 ± 2.04)%, (12.57 ± 1.64)% and (18.70 ± 1.51)%, respectively. The inhibition rates were (14.94 ± 1.68)%, (18.60 ± 1.57)%, (22.84 ± 1.58)% and (33.24 ± 1.53)%, respectively, after 48 h treatment; (21.46 ± 1.60)%, (28.62 ± 1.72)%, (35.14 ± 1.64)% and (45.06 ± 1.47)%, respectively, after 72 h treatment; and (26.35 ± 1.71)%, (34.48 ± 1.69)%, (40.05 ± 1.60)% and (49.99 ± 1.61)%, respectively, after 96 h treatment. The differences between inhibition rates of each experimental and control groups (0.00 ± 0.00)% were statistically significant (P < 0.05). At the same time, the inhibition rates of different concentration groups showed significant differences (P < 0.05). At 48 h, 72 h and 96 h, the inhibition rates of each pair concentration groups showed significant differences (P < 0.05). 5-Aza- CdR inhibited the growth of MiaPaca2 cells, and the higher the concentration, the stronger the inhibition after 24 h. 5-Aza-CdR also reversed the methylation status of RUNX3 gene, and restored the expression of RUNX3 mRNA with a dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONSThe methylation of RUNX3 gene is significantly related with the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer, and abnormal methylation of RUNX3 gene may contribute to the loss of RUNX3 mRNA expression. 5-Aza-CdR may effectively cause reversion of RUNX3 methylation, and treatment with 5-Aza-CdR can reactivate the gene expression and inhibit the cell growth. This may provide a new way for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Azacitidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

Objective To design a channel in the mobile hospital to solve the existing problems.Methods The technical form and characteristics of the existing channel were analyzed,and the requirements of the mobile hospital and channel shelter were considered comprehensively,then the selection of technical form and structure design of the channel shelter was explored from the aspects of airtightness,heat preservation and etc.The feasibility was verified by trial-manufacture and test.Results A shelter-tent channel was designed and the experiments showed its effectiveness when fulfilling the requirements of the mobile hospital.Conclusion The channel gains reasonable and feasible design,and has its performances meeting the desired requirements.

Objective To study the influence on the tumor after percutaneous intra-tumor injection of ~(32)P-GMS in liver cancer as well as its suitable dose.Methods 24 New Zealand rabbits were used to establish the animal model of VX-2 liver cancer,and divided into A,B,C and D groups with individually 37,74,111 and 148 MBq of ~(32)P-GMS being injected,respectively;and then pathological changes of tumor were observed by light and electron microscope respectively.Result The dose of ~(32)P-GMS was obviously correlated with the radioactivity damage of tumor cells.In the A and B groups,the tumor cells were not observed to disappear completely after injection of ~(32)P-GMS,but in C group,tumor cells were almost completely disappeared and surrounded by a lot of connective tissue.Although the tumor cells were found to disappear completely in D group,normal liver tissues were also involved.Conclusion Percutaneous intra-tumor injection of ~(32)P-GMS with suitable dose that may induce the tumor tissue to be maximally damaged and may also provide some significances to prevent the tumor metastasis.

Objective To explore the effects of salvia miltiorrhizae (SM) injection on the apoptosis of cultured rat neuronal stem cells induced by hypoxia and the activity of Caspase-3, in order to provide the further evidence for the molecular mechanism of neuroprotection of SM injection. Methods The neuronal stem cells from neonatal rat hippocampus were cultured and divided randomly into normal control group, hypoxia group and SM treatment group. After Hoechst staining, the apoptotic morphological change and apoptosis percentage were observed under fluorescence microscope. The activities of Caspase-3 in the 3 groups were evaluated by the colorimetric assay. Results Compared with normal control group [(2.75±0.28)%, 1.16±0.07], the percentage of apoptosis and the activity of Caspase-3 were increased significantly in neuronal stem cells cultured in hypoxia [(30.12%±2.09)%,3.85±0.41, P<0.05). Application of SM injection reduced markedly the percentage of apoptosis and the activity of Caspase-3 of the neuronal stem cells cultured in hypoxia [(9.16±1.34)%, 1.50±0.09, P<0.05].Conclusion SM injection can depress the apoptosis of the rat neuronal stem cells induced by hypoxia,so as to exert the neuroprotection.