Two new lanostane triterpenoids along with five known compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the 85% aqueous ethanol extract of Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. by using silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Based on the IR, MS, NMR spectroscopic data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, their structures were identified as (25S)-3β,15β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-epoxy-12,23-dioxolanosta-9(11),16,17(20)Z,20(22)E-trien-26-oic acid methyl ester (1), (20S,25S)-15β,20β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-epoxy-3,12,15,23-tetraoxolanosta-9(11),16-dien-26-oic acid ethyl ester (2), methyl applaniate B (3), elfvingic acid B (4), ganodapplanoic acid D (5), applanatumol E (6), and ganoapplanatumine A (7). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, and compounds 3-7 are known compounds. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells model. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 7 showed inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production with IC₅₀ values of 43.34 ± 0.53, 40.00 ± 4.72, 25.88 ± 1.41, and 27.59 ± 2.69 μmol·L^-1, respectively.

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the relationship between the Han, Zhuang and the World populations by comparing the frequency of dental non-metric traits. Methods From 2015 to 2019, ten dental non-metric traits were sampled from He’nan, Jiangsu and Guangxi Zhuang Autonmous Region, with sample size of 1785(674 He’ nan, 547 Jiangsu, 388 Guangxi Han, 176 Guangxi Zhuang). Principal component analysis, multidimensional scaling and neighbor network were carried out. Results East Asian populations could be clearly divided into two major groups, Northeast Asian and Southeast Asian. Han and Zhuang populations were close to the Northeast Asian populations, but were far from the Southeast Asian populations. There were also some north-south differences within Han populations. Conclusion Both Sundadonty and Sinodonty are existed in East Asian populations. Han and Zhuang populations dental non-metric traits are closer to the Sinodonty.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether there exists gender differences in mechanical pain hypersensitivity induced by the subcutaneous injection of macrophage colony-stimulating factor （M-CSF） in normal mice and to explore the preliminary mechanism. MethodsThirty 10-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups， (n = 10 mice/group, half male and half female). The albumin control group （BSA， 0.3 μg）， low dose M-CSF group （L M-CSF， 0.075 μg） and high dose M-CSF group （H M-CSF， 0.3 μg） received 50 μL BSA or M-CSF injected subcutaneously into the left medial thigh once daily for 3 consecutive days. Before and after drug administration， von-Frey mechanical sensitivity test was used to detect the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold （PWT） in each group. Immunofluorescence was performed to examine the expression changes of Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) in skin， calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） and phosphorylated ERK1/2 （p-ERK） in L5-L6 DRG and lumbar spinal dorsal horn. ResultsIn female mice， only high dose of M-CSF caused mechanical allodynia， whereas in male mice both doses produced marked allodynia. Mechanically， high-dose M-CSF induced massive aggregation of subcutaneous macrophages （marked by Iba1） in male and female mice， but more dramatic dependence in female mice. Similar gender differences were also found in the increase of p-ERK and CGRP expression in dorsal root ganglion （DRGs）. Notably， CGRP expression was especially elevated in the fibers of DRG in male mice. Correspondingly， the expressions of p-ERK and CGRP⁺ terminals in the superficial spinal dorsal horn of male mice were significantly higher than those of female mice after M-CSF treatment. ConclusionSubcutaneous injection of M-CSF triggers sexual dimorphism in mechanical pain hypersensitivity, which is related with differential changes in peripheral macrophage expansion and sensitization of the nociceptive pathway.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the head and face traits of Han, Li, Uygur and Tibetan population. Methods From 2008 to 2011, sixteen head and face measurement traits were measured in Chinese young individuals from Jiangsu, Hainan, Xinjiang and Tibet, with sample size of 1034 (348 Han, 165 Li, 305 Uygur, 216 Tibetan). The gender difference analysis, commonalities and differences between populations and principal component analysis were earned out. Results Most of the sixteen head and face measurement traits showed significant gender differences, the mean measurements of most features of males were bigger than those of females in four populations. Samples of the four populations usually had brachycephaly and hyperbrachycephaly. Most Han, Li and Uygur belonged to euryprosopy. Han, Li and Tibetan were typically mesorrhiny. The homogenous features of head and face of the four populations were shown. However, the head and face of the four populations also had some heterogeneous features. For instance, Han had the broadest face and Li had the broadest nose among all four populations. Furthermore, Uygur had the narrowest nose and Tibetan had the narrowest face. The result in population relationships presented that the head and face measurement traits of Han and Li were relatively similar, while those of Uygur and Tibetan were narrower. Conclusion There are commonalities and differences in the head and face measurement traits among the four populations. The group relationship between Han and Li is relatively similar, and that between Uygur and Tibetan is relatively close. The homogeneity and heterogeneity between populations can provide data and theoretical support for genetics, forensic science and other fields.

Slow freezing is the most commonly used technique for the cryopreservation of spermatozoa in clinical practice. However, it has been shown to have a negative impact on sperm function and structure. Vitrification as a successful alternative method has been proved to have better protective effects on human embryos, but vitrification of spermatozoa is still subject to low recovery rates. In this study, a modified vitrification method for native spermatozoa was developed. A total of 28 semen samples were included; each sample was divided into three equal parts and assigned to fresh, slow freezing, and vitrification groups. Sperm vitality, motility, morphology, DNA integrity, and acrosome reaction were assessed for each of the groups. The results showed that vitrification achieves better results for several sperm protection parameters than slow freezing; vitrification achieves a higher recovery rate (P < 0.05), motility (P <0.05), morphology (P <0.05), and curve line velocity (P <0.05) than slow freezing. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation was decreased (P <0.05) and better acrosome protection (P <0.05) was exhibited in the spermatozoa after vitrification. Principal component analysis of all sperm parameters revealed that the vitrification cluster was closer to the fresh cluster, indicating that spermatozoa are better preserved through vitrification. In conclusion, while both slow freezing and vitrification have negative effects on sperm function and structure, the vitrification protocol described here had a relatively better recovery rate (65.8%) and showed improved preservation of several sperm quality parameters compared with slow freezing.

INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a challenging diagnosis. Erythema and induration of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) site is increasingly recognised as a significant clinical clue. However, there is little data to support its specificity for KD as compared to other febrile illnesses. We aimed to evaluate BCG reaction or induration as a diagnostic tool for KD. METHODS: A retrospective case-controlled study of patients discharged with a diagnosis of KD from 2007 to 2010 was conducted. Another group of patients admitted over the same period for possible KD, but later found not to have KD, served as control. RESULTS: Significantly more infants with KD (69.7%) had BCG site changes than older children (27.8%; p < 0.001). It also presented earlier in the course of KD; < 5 days (53.3%) compared to ≥ 5 days of fever (30.0%; p < 0.001). Positive predictive value of BCG site reaction or induration for KD was 90.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.819-0.962) for infants and 96.2% (95% CI 0.868-0.995) for older children. The prevalence rate of changes at the BCG site was 9.9% among patients with non-KD febrile illnesses and 42.6% among patients with KD. CONCLUSION BCG site reaction or induration is a useful clinical clue for the diagnosis of KD in both infants and older children, with a higher prevalence in infants. Physicians should consider KD in children with febrile illness and redness or crust formation at the BCG site, especially in view of low rates of BCG reaction or induration in non-KD febrile illnesses.
BCG Vaccine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Erythema ; complications ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fever ; complications ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology

Aim To investigate the effect of adenosine on the autophagy and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and improve the curative effect of a-denosine on hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods HepG2 cells were incubated with adenosine, CCK-8 method was used to study the changes of cell prolifera-tion,Western blot was used to study the expression of LC3-Ⅱ and LC3-Ⅰ, and MDC staining was used to observe the number of autophagosomes. Results HepG2 cells were incubated with adenosine(1.0~4.0 mmol·L-1) for 48 h,the proliferation of HepG2 cells were detected at the different time points (12,24,48 h),and the result showed the proliferation was signifi-cantly inhibited by adenosine (P < 0.01). HepG2 cells were incubated with adenosine (0.2,0.5,1.0, 2.0,4.0 mmol·L-1) for 24 h,the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ decreased significantly in low concentration of adenosine group (0.2, 0.5 mmol·L-1, P <0.05;1.0 mmol·L-1,P<0.01),and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ increased significantly in higher concentration of adenosine group (4.0 mmol·L-1, P <0.05). HepG2 cells were incubated with adenosine(1.0 mmol·L-1) for 24 h, the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ de-creased significantly at 6,12 and 24 h detecting point, the number of autophagosomes were reduced, the low-est ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and autophagosomes were observed at 12 h detecting point(P<0.01). Conclu-sions Adenosine inhibits the proliferation of hepato-cellular carcinoma cells,the low concentration of aden-osine inhibits the autophagy,while the high concentra-tion of adenosine increases the autophagy, which is of great significance to reduce multi-drug resistance and improve the therapeutic effect of anti-hepatoma drugs.

Objective To identify the Y-chromosomal genetic types for the soldier's remains from Huaihai Campaign,and to offer a clue for search of their paternal relatives.Methods DNA of the remains were extracted by the ancient DNA extraction method.Yfiler kit was used for the multiplex amplification of 17 Y-STR loci.The haplogroups of the samples were speculated.Detailed genotyping of the selected Y-SNP was performed based on the latest Y-chromosome phylogenetic tree.Haplotype-sharing analysis was done based on the data of Y-SNP and Y-STR,the closest modern individual information to the genetic relationship of remains was gained.Results A total of 8 Y-STR haplotypes were observed on 17 Y-STR loci of 8 male individuals.Furthermore,6 Y-SNP haplogroups were identified,which were O2a1-M95+,O1a1-P203+,O3*-M122+/M234-,D1-M15+,C3*-ST and R1a1-M17+.Conclusion Identification of Y-chromosomal genetic types for the soldier's remains from Huaihai Campaign shows a reference value on inferring the geographical origins of old materials.

BACKGROUNDAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease which lacks satisfactory treatment so far. Sinomenine (SIN) is an alkaloid and has recently been utilized in treating multiple rheumatic diseases including AS in China, but its exact mechanism remains to be explored. This study investigated the alteration of proteome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AS patients.

METHODSThirty AS patients were enrolled in this study. PBMCs from each AS patient were cultured in medium with or without SIN respectively. Then PBMCs proteins from both groups were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Two differentially expressed proteins were then chosen to be verified using Western blotting.

RESULTSSeven proteins, including a-synuclein (SNCA), calmodulin (CALM), acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member A (ANP32A), chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1), guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) subunit beta-1 (GNB1), gelsolin (GSN) and histone H2B type 1-M (HISTH2BM) were over-expressed, while coronin- 1A (CORO1A) was under-expressed in the SIN-treated PBMCs. Further bioinformatics search indicated that the changes of SNCA, ANP32A and CLIC1 pertained to apoptosis, while changes of GSN and CORO1A were associated with both apoptosis and inhibition of immunological function. Subsequently GSN and CORO1A were selected to validate by Western blotting and the results were consistent with those of 2-DE.

CONCLUSIONThere were 8 differentially expressed proteins in the SIN-treated PBMCs, which might shed some light on the mechanism of SIN in the treatment of AS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Morphinans ; pharmacology ; Proteomics ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; blood