A commonly used Chinese crude drug Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus has been shown to possess good anticancer activities and related properties such as antioxidation, nitrite scavenging, nitrosamine synthesis blocking and immune enhancement, and has been widely used as an effective auxiliary drug in the treatment of some malignant tumors. This paper systematically reviews the advances in the study of anticancer-related activities of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus's various components such as raw juice, extracts, saponins, volatile oil, polysaccharides, nitrogen compounds, etc.
Allium ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thymus Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Zygophyllumfabago, by phytochemical methods. The compounds were isolated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with the literature. As a result, thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 1-hydroxyhinesol(1), hinesol(2), atractylenolactam(3), beta-eudesmol (4), 5alpha-hydroperoxy-beta-eudesmol(5), 12-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one(6), pubinernoid A(7), (6S,7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione(8), 3-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-beta-ionone (9), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E)-3, 5, 6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(10), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one(11), (S)-3-hydroxy-beta-ionone(12), and blumenol A(13). Compounds 1-7 were sesquiterpenoids and 8-13 were megastigmane type norsesquiterpenoids. All the compounds were obtained from Z. fabago for the first time, and compound 1 was a new natural product.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Zygophyllum ; chemistry

The global regulatory gene, nsdA, negatively regulates antibiotics production in Streptomyces coelicolor. Southern blot experiment, using an nsdA fragment of S. coelicolor as probe, indicated that nsdA gene existed in many Streptomyces. Primers were designed based on the published sequences of S. coelicolor and S. avermitilis. PCR amplification and sequencing showed that nsdA in Streptomyces was conservative and that of S. lividans ZX64 has a 100% identity in the nucleotide sequence comparing with that of S. coelicolor A3 (2). The nsdA disrupted mutant of S. lividans was constructed named as WQ2. WQ2 was able to produce actinorhodin but the wild-type strain ZX64 did not, which has a silent gene cluster contributing to the biosynthesis of actinorhodin. However, the ability was lost when another copy of the wild nsdA gene was introduced into WQ2. All the results above indicate that nsdA homologous gene is wildly existent and conserved in Streptomyces. And it plays a role in negatively regulating the actinorhodin synthesis in S. lividans and disruption of it can activate the silent gene cluster.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; biosynthesis ; Blotting, Southern ; Genes, Bacterial ; physiology ; Genes, Regulator ; physiology ; Multigene Family ; Streptomyces lividans ; genetics

Objective To investigate the effect of Ulinastatin on the delivery of cytokines in patients with septic shock.Methods It was a prospective and controlled clinical study.Seventy-eight patients with septic shock were randomly divided into control group and treatment group and thirty-nine in every group.Patients in treatment group received Ulinastatin 200 000 units intravenous everyday for 3 days,while those in control group received equal volume of normal saline as placebo.At different time points (at 24 th,48 th,72 th hour after start of treatment),the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?),interleukin-1 (IL-1),interleukin-6 (IL-6 ),interleukin-8 (IL-8) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were assayed.Results In comparison with control group,the levels of TNF-?,IL-1,IL-6,IL- 8 of treatment group decreased markedly (P＜0.05,P＜0.01) at different time points,whereas the level of SOD was higher markedly (P＜0.05,P＜0.01) at various time points.Conclusion Ulinastatin has protective effect on patients with septic shock through decreasing the levels of TNF-?,IL-1,IL-6,IL-8 and increasing in the level of SOD.

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of KH2PO4 on the odonto- and osteogenic differentiation potential of human stem cells from apical papillae (SCAP) in vitro.

METHODSSCAP were isolated and cultured respectively in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM) or α-MEM containing 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to examine the odonto and osteogenic potential of SCAP in the two media.

RESULTSSCAP cultured in α-MEM containing 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4 exhibited a higher ALP activity [(0.370 ± 0.013) Sigma unit×min(-1)×mg(-1)] at day 3 than control group [(0.285 ± 0.008) Sigma unit×min(-1)×mg(-1)] and KH2PO4-treated SCAP formed more calcified nodules at day 5 [(0.539 ± 0.007) µg/g] and day 7 [(1.617 ± 0.042) µg/g] than those in normal medium [(0.138 ± 0.037) µg/g, P < 0.01]. The expression of odonto- and osteogenic markers were significantly up-regulated after the stimulation of KH2PO4 at day 3 and 7 respectively, as compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONS1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4 can promote the odonto and osteogenic differentiation potential of human SCAP.

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dental Pulp ; cytology ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Phosphates ; pharmacology ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Potassium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Sialoglycoproteins ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore regional anatomy of fasciae and spaces related to laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRC).

METHODSSeven cadavers and 49 patients undergoing LRC for cancer were observed. Computed tomography (CT) images of patients and healthy individuals were reviewed.

RESULTSBetween ascending mesocolon and prerenal fascia (PRF), there was a right retrocolic space (RRCS), which communicated in all directions. Anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, cranial, and caudal boundaries of the RRCS were ascending mesocolon, PRF, superior mesenteric vein, peritoneal reflexion at right paracolic sulcus, inferior margin of transverse part of duodenum, and inferior margin of the mesentery root, respectively. Between transverse mesocolon and pancreas and duodenum, there was a transverse retrocolic space (TRCS), which was bounded cranially by root of transverse mesocolon. On CT images of healthy individuals, PRF was noted as slender line of middle density, continuing to transverse fascia, and the retrocolic spaces were unidentifiable. For patients with right colon cancer, PRF and right retrocolic space might be easier to be identified.

CONCLUSIONSThe RRCS and the TRCS are natural surgical spaces. The PRF is natural surgical plane in LRC for cancer.

Adult ; Colectomy ; methods ; Colon ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the prognostic factors and their impact on survival of patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP).

METHODSThe clinical and follow up data of 154 CUP patients referred to the Cancer Hospital & Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007 were analyzed. Multivariate analysis of survival was performed using recursive partitioning referred to as classification and regression tree (CART) analysis.

RESULTSThe median survival for 154 eligible consecutive CUP patients was 18.2 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 1.3%. CART was performed with an initial split on age of 34, and 5 terminal subgroups were formed. The median survival of the 5 subsets ranged from 5.5 months (younger than 34 years old subgroup) to 61.8 months for patients at age of 34 to 60, with one or two organ sites involved, and non-adenocarcinoma histology subsets.

CONCLUSIONSCART can be used to identify previously unappreciated patient subsets and is a useful method for dissecting complex clinical situations and identifying homogeneous patient populations in clinical practice and future clinical trials.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; secondary ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; classification ; pathology ; Regression Analysis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of placement of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) via the upper versus lower extremity veins in neonates through a Meta analysis. METHODS: CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Data, CBMdisc, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched for control studies on the effect of PICC placement via the upper versus lower extremity veins in neonates. RevMan 5.3 was used to perform a Meta analysis of the studies which met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included, among which there were 8 randomized controlled trials and 10 cohort studies, with 4 890 subjects in total. Compared with those undergoing PICC placement via the upper extremity veins, the neonates undergoing PICC placement via the lower extremity veins had significantly lower incidence rates of complications (RR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.75-0.92, P<0.05), catheter-related infections (RR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.60-0.99, P<0.05), catheter malposition (RR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.18-0.42, P<0.05), extravasation of the infusate (RR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.40-0.70, P<0.05), and unplanned extubation (RR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.69-0.98, P<0.05). They also had a significantly higher first-attempt success rate of puncture (RR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.05-1.30, P<0.05) and a significantly shorter PICC indwelling time (MD=-0.93, 95%CI: -1.26-0.60, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The above evidence shows that PICC placement via the lower extremity veins has a better effect than PICC placement via the upper extremity veins in neonates.
Catheterization, Central Venous ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lower Extremity ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To explore the clinical effects of Ilizarov technology combined with closed minimally invasive osteotomy and slow tissue distraction in the treatment of complex crus malformations.Methods From June 2006 to February 2016,83 cases suffering complex crus malformations in our department were treated by Ilizarov technique combined with closed minimally invasive osteotomy and slow tissue distraction.Of whom,39 cases were traumatic bone defect,36 cases were bone osteomyelitis,8 cases were congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia.Bone defect ranged from 6 to 11 cm,with an average of 8 cm.All cases were conducted by segmental resection of bone lesions combined with closed minimally invasive osteotomy and Ilizarov technique.The functional evaluation was carried out according to the Paley evaluation criterion.Bone healing time,duration of external fixation,postoperative limb lengthening and limb function recovery were recorded.Results Eighty-three patients were followed up for 8 to 36 months,with an average of 16 months.All patients' crus malformations were completely corrected.The external fixation time was from 6 to 18 months,with an average of 10.3 months;the length of the limb lengthening was from 4.5 to 9 cm,with an average of 6.3 cm;and bone healing time was from 6 to 15 months,with an average of 9.8 months.According to the Paley evaluation criterion,53 cases were excellent,24 cases were good,6 cases were general.Conclusion Ilizarov technology combined with closed minimally invasive osteotomy and slow tissue distraction a reliable method to correct the complex deformity of the tibia and fibula.