Ilex asprella is one of representative medicinal plants in South of the Five Ridges of China. The roots and rhizomes of I. asprella have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, stimulating salvia, and reducing thirst, which has been used to treat wind-heat cold, acute and chronic pharyngitis, and sore throat. Contemporary studies showed that I. asprella contains the major triterpenoids and glycosides, phenolic acids, and minor steroids. The extracts and compounds show activities of anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-tumor, and regulating lipid metabolism.The present paper summarizes a phytochemical and pharmacological advance on this species to provide reference for clarification of its pharmacologically active ingredients, quality evaluation, and further explorations.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors and therapeutic outcome of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) in patients with acute leukemia after haploidentical peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 19 cases of acute leukemia underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplanttion during January 2010 and December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The effects of patients sex, donor-recipient sex difference, donor age, conditioning regimen, dosage of anti-thymocyte globulin(ATG), mononuclear cell and CD34cell counts on the intestinal aGVHD were analyzed by Logistic regression.

RESULTSIntestinal aGVHD occurred in 5 cases with 1 case at stage II 3 cases at stage III and 1 case at stage IV on the 7th, 22th, 27th, 70th and 154th day after transplantation, respectively. Single factor analysis showed that the patient's sex, donor-recipient sex difference, donor age, dosage of ATG, mononuclear cell and CD34cell counts were not related with the occurrence of the intestinal aGVHD, and the conditoning regimen was the risk factor for the intestinal aGVHD. 2 cases among 5 cases with intestinal aGVHD were treated with methylprednisolone at dosage of 1 mg/kg per day, 1 case was treated with methylprednisolone therapy combined with tacrolimus. 2 cases of methylprednisolone-resistance were treated with CD25 monoclonal antibody. Intestinal aGVHD of all patients was improved after the above-mentioned treatment.

CONCLUSIONConditioning regimen of haploidentical peipheral hematopoieitc stem cell transplantaion has effects on the intestinal aGVHD, which needs to be confirmed by further research.

OBJECTIVETo identify specific protein markers for renal cell carcinoma detection and diagnosis, as well as develop new potential therapeutic targets of the disease.

METHODSWe used two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) technique conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of significant differentially expressed proteins between 15cases of paired clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and adjacent normal renal tissues. The protein spots were considered as differentially expressed if a 1.5-fold altered expression level was observed (Student's t test, P value<0.05).

RESULTSOf the 27 differentially expressed protein spots, 26 proteins were successfully identified. 11 proteins up-regulated in renal cell carcinoma,15 proteins down-regulated. Among them Short/branched chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, mitochondrial (ACDSB), Aldose 1-epimerase (GALM), Peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4), Macrophage-capping protein (CAPG), Beta-defensin 107 (D107A), Microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4 (MFAP4) were first time screening as new differential expressed proteins by protomic study in renal cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS2-D DIGE is a useful technique for screening and analysis differential expressed proteins in renal cell carcinoma. These new differently expressed proteins may be useful for development new molecular markers for the tumor.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of DNMT3b gene in myeloma RPMI8226 cells and its biological significance.

METHODSThe activity of DNA methyltransferase was detected by ELISA, and the expression of DNMT3b in RPMI8226 cells was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The proliferation and expression of DNMT3b gene in RPMI8226 cells intervened with capecitabine for 24 hours were detected.

RESULTSThe activity of DNMT and expression of DNMT3b in RPMI 8226 cells increased. The proliferation of RPMI8226 cells was inhibited, and the apoptosis occurred in RPMI 8226 cells intervened with capecitabine for 24 hours. The expression level of DNMT3b gene was decreased after being intervened with capecitabine for 24 hours.

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of DNMT3b in myeloma RPMI 8226 cells increase, and capecitabine can inhibit the proliferation of RPMI 8226 and induce apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of DNMT3b gene. Therefore, DNMT3b is expected to be a new target for myeloma therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genotypic diversity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from pigs and retail foods from different geographical areas in China and further to study the routes and rates of transmission of this pathogen from animals to food.

METHODSSeventy-one MRSA isolates were obtained from pigs and retail foods and then characterized by multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST), spa typing, multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

RESULTSAll isolated MRSA exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR). Greater diversity was found in food-associated MRSA (7 STs, 8 spa types, and 10 MLVA patterns) compared to pig-associated MRSA (3 STs, 1 spa type, and 6 MLVA patterns). PFGE patterns were more diverse for pig-associated MRSA than those of food-associated isolates (40 vs. 11 pulse types). Among the pig-associated isolates, CC9-ST9-t899-MC2236 was the most prevalent clone (96.4%), and CC9-ST9-t437-MC621 (20.0%) was the predominant clone among the food-associated isolates. The CC9-ST9 isolates showed significantly higher antimicrobial resistance than other clones. Interestingly, CC398-ST398-t034 clone was identified from both pig- and food-associated isolates. Of note, some community- and hospital-associated MRSA strains (t030, t172, t1244, and t4549) were also identified as food-associated isolates.

CONCLUSIONCC9-ST9-t899-MC2236-MDR was the most predominant clone in pigs, but significant genetic diversity was observed in food-associated MRSA. Our results demonstrate the great need for improved surveillance of MRSA in livestock and food and effective prevention strategies to limit MDR-MRSA infections in China.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; Food Microbiology ; Humans ; Methicillin ; pharmacology ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Nose ; microbiology ; Swine ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid, highly sensitive, and quantitative method for the detection of NT-proBNP levels based on a near-infrared point-of-care diagnostic (POCT) device with wide scope.

METHODSThe lateral flow assay (LFA) strip of NT-proBNP was first prepared to achieve rapid detection. Then, the antibody pairs for NT-proBNP were screened and labeled with the near-infrared fluorescent dye Dylight-800. The capture antibody was fixed on a nitrocellulose membrane by a scribing device. Serial dilutions of serum samples were prepared using NT-proBNP-free serum series. The prepared test strips, combined with a near-infrared POCT device, were validated by known concentrations of clinical samples. The POCT device gave the output of the ratio of the intensity of the fluorescence signal of the detection line to that of the quality control line. The relationship between the ratio value and the concentration of the specimen was plotted as a work curve. The results of 62 clinical specimens obtained from our method were compared in parallel with those obtained from the Roche E411 kit.

RESULTSBased on the log-log plot, the new method demonstrated that there was a good linear relationship between the ratio value and NT-proBNP concentrations ranging from 20 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL. The results of the 62 clinical specimens measured by our method showed a good linear correlation with those measured by the Roche E411 kit.

CONCLUSIONThe new LFA detection method of NT-proBNP levels based on the near-infrared POCT device was rapid and highly sensitive with wide scope and was thus suitable for rapid and early clinical diagnosis of cardiac impairment.

Antibodies ; Biomarkers ; Heart Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Infrared Rays ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Point-of-Care Testing ; Reagent Strips ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and related mechanisms of total flavone of epimedium treatment(TFE)on primary callus for mation in ovariectomized rats.

METHODSForty male SD rats weighted from 209 to 246 g and aged 6 to 8 weeks were selected. Six weeks after ovariectomy a femur fracture model with middiaphyseal segment fracture was established, estimated and randomly divided into TFE group (150 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) and control group(received saline). HE staining was used to evaluate the morphologic difference of primary callus during the bone callus healing between these two groups. The relative expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2) mRNA in the callus was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical technique was used to observe the Casein kinase 2-interacting protein 1(CKIP-1) protein level in the callus of the two groups. Maximum fracture load was tested by three point bend test.

RESULTSThe BMD, primary callus volume, trabecular member(Tb.N) and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) were higher in TFE group than that in control group(<0.001). The Tb.N and Tb.Th of primary callus were higher in TFE group than control group (=0.001). The volume and bone volume/tissue volume of primary callus were in TFE group than control group(<0.01). The trabecular separation(Tb.Sp) of primary callus were in control group higher than TFE group(<0.01). The HE staining of the 6 week slices showed that the degree of cartilage ossification in callus of the TFE group was significantly higher than that in control group under high magnification. Real-time PCR revealed that the comparative expression of Runx2 mRNA in control group was higher than that in TFE group(<0.001); the positive number of CKIP-1 was less in TFE group than that in control group (<0.001). TFE could increase the maximum load of the primary callus (<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSTFE can promote the cartiage ossification of callus in ovariectomized rats, enhancing the bone strength and bone quality in the process of fracture healing via the CKIP-1/Runx2 pathway.

BACKGROUNDThere has been no a specific scale to measure quality of life (QOL) for prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to date. This study aimed to develop and initially validate the scale to evaluate QOL for prostate cancer patients receiving ADT.

METHODSThe scale was developed following international recommendations. Moreover, the items were all generated through literature review and referenced questionnaires. After being reviewed by expert panelists, the revised scale was formed and then completed by a convenience sample of 200 prostate cancer patients from our hospital. Explore factor analysis (EFA) was applied to test the construct validity, then split-half reliability, Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability were applied to assess the reliability and stability of the scale.

RESULTSThe revised scale contained 22 items and a total of 200 participants had completed the scale. One hundred participants were randomly selected from the total 200 participants to perform EFA with varimax rotation on the revised scale, and "hot flashes" item was deleted for low factor loading. We selected only 3 items from each factor, then, the final scale was formed with 18-items. We selected another 100 participants to perform the EFA again on the final scale. It was demonstrated that the structure with 6 factors explained 72.5% of total variance and factor loading value was above 0.40 in all items of the factors. Moreover, the split-half reliability coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability coefficient were calculated to be 0.74, 0.63, and 0.89, respectively, exhibiting good reliability on the whole.

CONCLUSIONSThe scale was identified to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure QOL for prostate cancer patients receiving ADT. Moreover, further research is needed to overcome the potential drawbacks.

BACKGROUNDThe Space Glucose Control (SGC) system is a computer-assisted device combining infusion pumps with the enhanced Model Predictive Control algorithm to achieve the target blood glucose (BG) level safely. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of glycemic control by SGC with customized BG target range of 5.8-8.9 mmol/L in the critically ill patients.

METHODSIt is a randomized controlled trial of seventy critically ill patients with mechanical ventilation and hyperglycemia (BG ≥ 9.0 mmol/L). Thirty-six patients in the SGC group and 34 in the routine glucose management group were observed for three consecutive days. Target BG for both groups was 5.8-8.9 mmol/L. The primary outcome was the percentage time in the target range.

RESULTSThe percentage time within BG target range in the SGC group (69 ± 15%) was significantly higher than in the routine management group (52 ± 24%; P< 0.01). No measurement was ≤2.2 mmol/L, and there was only one episode of hypoglycemia (2.3-3.3 mmol/L) in each group. The average BG was significantly lower in the SGC group (7.8 ± 0.7 mmol/L) than in the routine management group (9.1 ± 1.6 mmol/L, P< 0.001). Target BG level was reached earlier in the SGC group than routine management group (2.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.1 ± 15.3 h, P= 0.001). However, the SGC group performed worse for daily insulin requirement (59.8 ± 39.3 vs. 28.4 ± 36.7 U, P= 0.001) and sampling interval (2.0 ± 0.5 vs. 3.7 ± 0.5 h, P< 0.001) than the routine management group did. Multiple linear regression showed that the intervention group remained a significant individual predictor (P < 0.001) of the percentage time in target range.

CONCLUSIONSThe SGC system, with a BG target of 5.8-8.9 mmol/L, resulted in effective and reliable glycemic control with few hypoglycemic episodes in critically ill patients with mechanical ventilation and hyperglycemia. However, the workload was increased.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONhttp://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT 02491346; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02491346?term=NCT02491346&cond=Hyperglycemia&cntry1=ES%3ACN&rank=1.

Sixteen compounds were isolated from lichen Usnea longissima using of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC. By spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were identified by as useanol(1), lecanorin(2), 3-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate(3), lecanorin E(4), 3'-methylevernic acid(5), evernic acid(6), barbatinic acid(7), 3,7-dihydroxy-1,9-dimethyldibenzofuran(8), orcinol(9), O-methylorcinol(10), methyl orsellinate(11), methyl everninate(12), 2,5-dimethyl-1,3-benzenediol(13), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoic acid(14), ethyl everninate(15), and ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate(16). Compound 1 was obtained as a natural product for the first time, and 3,4, 8,10,12, and 13 were isolated from Usneaceae family for the first time. Compound 1, 8, and 13 showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against NO production in RAW 267.4 cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.8, 3.9 and 4.8 μmol•L⁻¹, respectively, compared with the positive controls curcumin(IC₅₀ 15.3 μmol•L⁻¹) and indomethacin(IC₅₀ 42.9 μmol•L⁻¹).