Objective To explore molecular mechanism and the curative effect of Yisuishengxue powder and its function of the hepersensitive site 2 (HS2) in ?-globin gene cluster locus control region binding with nucleoprotein.Methods After 3 months treatment of Yisuishengxue powder, nucleoprotein was extracted from the morrow cell before and after treatment. The HS2 DNA probes was combined with nucleoproteins.Electrophoresis gel mobile lag was utilized for observing the mobile velocity of DNA segment.Observe the mobile velocity of DNA probes.Results The mobile velocity of probes combined with nucleoproteins before treatment was different form that of the controls, while it was very close to the controls after treatment.Conclusions It is suggested that this compounding medicine might affect the DNA segment of HS2 site in ?-LCR binding with nucleoprotein GATA-1, which may be one molecular mechanism of Chinese herb therapy.

A phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis horridula, by solvent extraction, repeated chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative TLC techniques, led to the isolation of 9 compounds. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of its 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, their structures were identified as oleracein E(1), N-( trans-p-coumaroyl) tyramine (2), chrysoeriol (3), apigenin (4), hydnocarpin (5), p-coumaric acid glucosyl ester (6), stigmast-5-ene-3beta-ylformate (7), 3beta-hydroxy-7alpha-ethoxy-24beta-ethylcholest-5-ene (8), and beta-sitosterol (9), respectively, among which compounds 6-8 were isolated from the genus for the first time,and 1,3 were isolated from the species for the first time. A MTT method was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of compounds 14 against the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), and compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2,with its inhibitory rate of 52.2% at 10 micromol x L(-1).
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVERadial corrective osteotomy is an established but challenging treatment for distal radial malunion. There is an ongoing discussion about whether an opening or closing-wedge osteotomy between should employed. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively compare the clinical and radio graphic results between conventional opening-wedge osteotomy and closing-wedge technique.

METHODSFrom January 2004 and December 2012,42 patients with extra-articular distal radial malunion were managed with corrective osteotomy and were followed for a minimum of one year. Twenty-two patients (5 males and 17 females, ranging in age from 25 to 75 years old) were managed with radial opening-wedge osteotomy and implanting of interpositional bone graft or bone-graft substitute, and twenty patients (4 males and 16 females, ranging in age from 19 to 79 years) were managed with simultaneous radial closing-wedge and ulnar shortening osteotomy without bone graft. The selection of the surgical procedure was determined by the surgeon. Each patient was evaluated on the basis of objective radio graphic measurements, and functional outcomes were determined on the basis of clinical examinations, including range of wrist motion, grip strength, pain-rating score, Mayo wrist score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.

RESULTSThe mean duration of follow-up was 36 months (ranged, 12 to 101 months) for the opening-wedge cohort and 28 months (ranged, 12 to 87 months) for the closing-wedge cohort. The two techniques were comparable in terms of complications. Post-operative volar tilt and ulnar variance were improved significantly in each cohort. The ulnar variance was more frequently restored to within defined criteria (22.5 to 0.5 mm) in the closing-wedge cohort than that in the opening-wedge cohort. The post-operative mean extension-flexion are of the wrist and Mayo wrist score were significantly better in the closing-wedge cohort. Differences in the pronation-supination arc, grip strength, pain-rating score, and DASH scores between these two cohorts were not significant.

CONCLUSIONThe closing wedge osteotomy technique is an effective reconstructive procedure for the treatment of extra-articular distal radial malunion. It is significantly better than the opening-wedge osteotomy technique in terms of the restoration of ulnar variance, the extension-flexion arc of wrist motion, and the Mayo wrist score.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Nails ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; Radius Fractures ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Wrist Joint ; surgery ; Young Adult

Litsea cubeba is one of aromatic medicinal plant belonging to family Lauraceae. The roots, stems and fruits of L. cubeba have been widely applied as folk medicines in some districts in China for relieving rheumatism and cold, regulating Qi (meridian) to alleviate pain. Previous studies revealed that this species contains major alkaloids, in specific aporphines, and minor flavonoids, lignans as well. Related pharmacological investigations demonstrated its activities and clinical applications on cardiovascular diseases, anti-cancer, against rheumatoid arthritis, relieving asthma and anti-allergic effects, as anti-oxidants, and so on. As an effort for further exploration of this bioactive ingredients and potential drug development, this paper summarizes most phytochemical and pharmacological results. Further, future prospects are also included.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Litsea ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the immunoregulatory effect of Fasudil-modified macrophages on cell transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ( EAE) in a mouse model.Methods Fe-male C57BL/6 mice were immunized with MOG35-55 to establish the model of EAE.The encephalomyelitic mononuclear cells ( MNCs) were isolated from spleen of mice with EAE on day 9 after immunization and treated with or without Fasudil for 72 h in vitro.Several assays including the flow cytometry analysis, Griess reaction and ELISA were performed to analyze the M1 and M2 phenotypes of macrophages, the production of NO and the levels of cytokines, respectively.The cultured MNCs (5×107 cells) were resuspended in 500μl of PBS and transferred into na?ve C57BL/6 recipients via intraperitoneal injection.Two groups including the PBS-MNCs group and the Fasudil-MNCs group were set up.The body weights and clinical scores of the mice in each group were recorded in every other days after the induction of EAE in the recipients.Results The Fasudil treated MNCs affected the induction of EAE in adoptive cell transferred mice.The expression of CD16/32, iNOS and IL-12 on F4/80-macrophages were decreased, while the expression of CD206, CD23 and IL-10 on F4/80-macrophages were increased upon the treatment of Fasudil, indicating that Fasudil im-proved the differentiation of macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotypes.Moreover, Fasudil inhibited the pro-duction of NO and enhanced the expression of Arginase-1.Conclusion Fasudil ameliorated the clinical se-verity of EAE in mice by promoting the transformation of macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotype.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of uncoupling protein (UCP)-2, 3 mRNA in skeletal muscle of the scalded rats after escharectomy at different post scalding stages.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty Wistar rats were employed in the study, in which 8 served as normal control (C) and 112 were subjected to 30% TBSA 3rd degree scalding and then again, divided into 4 groups. The rats in A group were sacrificed on 8th, 24th, 96th, 120th and 168th post scalding hours (PSHs) without escharectomy. The rats in B group underwent escharectomy at 8 PSH, and those in C group underwent escharectomy at 24 PSH. All the rats in both groups were sacrificed on 96, 120 and 168 PSHs after escharectomy, Escharectomy was performed at 96 PSH in rats of D group, and they were sacrificed on 120 and 168 PSHs after escharectomy. The serum levels of leptin and TNFalpha, and the expression level of UCP2 mRNA were determined at all time points in all groups of rats.

RESULTS(1) The serum levels of leptin in A group were obviously lower than that in C group (P < 0.01) during 24 approximately 168 PSHs, while those in B, C and D groups were much higher than those in A group (P < 0.01) during 24 approximately 168 PSH. (2) The serum TNFalpha levels in A group at all time points were higher than that in control group, while that in B group at all time points were lower than that in A group (P < 0.05 or 0.01), and that in C group at 168 PSH was lower than that in A group (P < 0.05). (3) The UCP2 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle in A group was increased evidently since 8 PSH (P < 0.01), peaking at 24 PSH and lowering thereafter, while that in B and C groups at 168PSH was significantly lower than that in A group at the same time points (0.32 and 0.35 vs 0.71, P < 0.05). The trend of the change in UCP3 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle was similar to that of UCP2.

CONCLUSIONThe postburn up-regulation of UCP mRNA expression might play important roles in the increase of metabolic rate. Escharectomy during shock stage could lower down the expression of UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression, and it could be beneficial by lowering metabolic rate.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; surgery ; Ion Channels ; metabolism ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors ; Uncoupling Protein 2 ; Uncoupling Protein 3

OBJECTIVETo prepare three quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) monomers, and to compare their antibacterial activities against four oral bacterial strains.

METHODSThree antibacterial monomers [methacryloxyethyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-BC), methacryloxyethyl m-chloro benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-m-CBC), methacryloxyethyl cetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-CB)] were synthesized according to the general structure of target monomers. Their antibacterial effects were investigated using the broth dilution test on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella melaninogenica ).

RESULTSThree different monomers were successfully obtained. All the tested bacterial strains were susceptible to the three monomers, among which DMAE-CB exhibited the lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.2 to 4.8 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONSAll these three QAS monomers have different antibacterial activities against four oral bacteria strains. The data indicate that DMAE-CB may be a candidate antibacterial agent for oral infectious diseases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective To explore a kind of simple and high efficient approach to differentiate human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)into neural stem cells(NSCs).Methods hESCs were cultured in bacterial culture dish filled with serum free medium to gain embryoid bodies.Then the mature embryoid bodies grew in the special medium including B27 and noggin by adherent culture to differentiate into NSCs. Results The hESCs kept floating in the bacterial culture dish and growing all the time and then formed mature embryoid bodies 7 to 10 days later.The embryoid bodies could be differentiated into highly pure (96.4%)nestin positive cells.And these cells were differentiated into all kinds of neural cells if cultured further.Conclusions This kind of method is less time-consuming,cheaper,and more efficient than those of the results in literatures reported.It affords very good source of seed cells for cell transplantation therapy in the future.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the proportion of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of the patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and evaluate the potential association of Th17 cells with AML.

METHODSThe cytokines IL-17 and TGF-β1 in the peripheral blood of AML patients before therapy (group 1), AML patients in complete remission (AML-CR, group 2) and healthy donors (group 3) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportion of Th17 cells of each group was evaluated by flow cytometry. The level of IL-17 mRNA of each group was examined by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe percentage of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17, IL-17 mRNA in group 1 \[(10.502 ± 1.071) ng/L, (0.935 ± 0.140)% and 0.262 ± 0.510\] and group 2 \[(11.345 ± 0.987) ng/L, (1.091 ± 0.159)% and 0.307 ± 0.031\] was significantly lower than that in group 3 \[(16.852 ± 1.198) ng/L, (2.586 ± 0.235)% and 0.501 ± 0.060\]. The percentage of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17, IL-17 mRNA in group 1 was lower than that in the group 2. But the level of TGF-β1 in the group 1 (29.963 ± 1.588) ng/L and the group 2 (25.163 ± 1.848) ng/L was significantly higher than that in group 3 (13.366 ± 1.565) ng/L. However, the level of TGF-β1 in the group 3 was higher than that of the group 2.

CONCLUSIONTh17 cells might be negatively correlated with the AML development. The overexpression of TGF-β1 in AML patients might suppress the differentiation of Th17 cells.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Prevalence ; Th17 Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

To explore new agents of quinolone derivatives with high antibacterial activity, 7-(4-alkoxyimino-3-methyl-3-methylaminopiperidin-1-yl)quinolones were designed and synthesized, and their activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains was tested in vitro. Sixteen target compounds were obtained. Their structures were established by 1H NMR, HRMS and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 14k and 14m-14o show good antibacterial activity against the tested five gram-positive strains and five gram-negative strains (MIC: 0.25-16 micromg x mL(-1)), of which the most active compound 14o is 8-fold more potent than levofloxacin against S. pneumoniae (MIC: 4 microg x mL(-1)), and comparable to levofloxacin against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis and E. coli (MIC: 0.25-1 microg x mL(-1)), but generally less potent than gemifloxacin.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; Molecular Structure ; Quinolones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology