3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology with the help of digital control. Since FDA approved the first 3D printing drug in 2015, its research enthusiasm in the pharmaceutical field has been increasing year by year. In printing technology, fused deposition molding (FDM) and semi-solid extrusion (SSE) are the two most widely used extrusion molding technologies. In this review, recent advances of pharmaceutical 3D printing extrusion molding technology are reviewed from six aspects: mechanism, equipment, pharmaceutical excipients, applications, design and industrialization prospects of extrusion molding technology.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the prognosis of patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). METHODS: The clinical data of 203 patients with ENKTL admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2011 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The ROC curve determined the limit values of LMR and NLR; Categorical variables were compared using a chi-square test, expressed as frequency and percentage (n,%). Continuous variables were expressed as medians and extremes and compared with the Mann-Whitney U test; Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of different grouped LMR and NLR patients were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with log-rank tests. The COX proportional risk regression model was used to perform one-factor and multi-factor analysis of PFS and OS. RESULTS: The optimal critical values of LMR and NLR were determined by the ROC curve, which were 2.60 and 3.40, respectively. LMR≤2.60 was more likely to occur in patients with bone marrow invasion (P=0.029) and higher LDH (P=0.036), while NLR≥3.40 was more likely to occur in patients with higher ECOG scores (P=0.002), higher LDH (P=0.008), higher blood glucose (P=0.024), and lower PLT (P=0.010). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that PFS and OS of patients in the high LMR group were significantly better than the low LMR group, while PFS and OS in the low NLR group were significantly better than the high NLR group. The results of multivariate COX analysis showed that EBV-DNA positive (P=0.047), LMR≤2.60 (P=0.014), NLR≥3.40 (P=0.023) were independent risk factors affecting PFS in patients with ENKTL. LMR≤2.60 (P<0.001), NLR≥3.40 (P=0.048), and high β2-MG (P=0.013) were independent risk factors affecting OS in patients with ENKTL. CONCLUSION Low LMR and high NLR before treatment are associated with poor prognosis in patients with ENKTL, which also can be used as an easily testable, inexpensive, and practical prognostic indicator in the clinic.
Humans ; Monocytes/pathology* ; Neutrophils ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lymphocytes ; Prognosis

We conducted a randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled, multicenter trial on the use of Shuanghuanglian (SHL), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, in treating cases of COVID-19. A total of 176 patients received SHL by three doses (56 in low dose, 61 in middle dose, and 59 in high dose) in addition to standard care. The control group was composed of 59 patients who received standard therapy alone. Treatment with SHL was not associated with a difference from standard care in the time to disease recovery. Patients with 14-day SHL treatment had significantly higher rate in negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in nucleic acid swab tests than the patients from the control group (93.4% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.006). Analysis of chest computed tomography images showed that treatment with high-dose SHL significantly promoted absorption of inflammatory focus of pneumonia, which was evaluated by density reduction of inflammatory focus from baseline, at day 7 (mean difference (95% CI), -46.39 (-86.83 to -5.94) HU; P = 0.025) and day 14 (mean difference (95% CI), -74.21 (-133.35 to -15.08) HU; P = 0.014). No serious adverse events occurred in the SHL groups. This study illustrated that SHL in combination with standard care was safe and partially effective for the treatment of COVID-19.
COVID-19 ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To explore the effect of upregulating CXC-chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods:EPCs were isolated and cultured from human umbilical cord blood and identified. Then, the EPCs were transfected with CXCR7 overexpression lentiviral vector, and the expression of CXCR7 was identified with real-time PCR and Western blotting. The tube-like structure formation and apoptosis of EPCs under oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were detected with tube-like structure formation test and Annexin V/PI staining. Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats was established, and the qualified model rats were randomly divided into three groups after 24 hours reperfusion: PBS group (n = 12) was injected with phosphate buffers through tail vein, control group (n = 12) was injected the EPCs infected with control lentiviral vector, and CXCR7 group (n = 12) was injected with EPCs infected with CXCR7 overexpression lentiviral vector. Neurological function scores were determined seven and 14 days after transplantation. The cerebral infarct volume was measured, the number of GFP-positive cells in the ischemic site and the density of capillary were observed. Results:The expression of CXCR7 in EPCs increased after transfection (P < 0.01). Overexpression of CXCR7 improved tube formation and reduced apoptosis of EPCs under ox-LDL (P < 0.05). Compared with PBS and control groups , neurological function improved in CXCR7 group, with less infarct volume, more GFP-positive cells and density of capillary (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Up-regulating CXCR7 can improve the survival and angiogenesis of EPCs, and improve the repair of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia and their nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory and cytotoxic activities were investigated. The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatography, and their structures were identified by physiochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Thirteen lignans and six phenolic compounds were isolated from the CH2Cl2 extract of the fruits of V. negundo var. cannabifolia, respectively. Their structures were elucidated as 6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthaldehyde (1), vitedoin A (2), vitexdoin F (3), detetrahydroconidendrin (4), vitexdoin E (5), 4-oxosesamin (6), L-sesamin (7), (+)-beechenol (8), ligballinol (9), 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (10), (-)-pinoresinol (11), balanophonin (12), thero-guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl aldehyde ether (13), trans-p-coumaryl aldehyde (14), coniferyl aldehyde (15), 5,7-dihydroxychromone (16), trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-cinnamic aldehyde (17), frambinone (18), and alternariol 4-methyl ether (19). Compounds 8-10,14,18,19 were firstly isolated from Verbenaceae family, compound 13 was obtained from Vitex species, and 6,7,12,15-17 from V. negundo var. cannabifolia for the first time, respectively. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects in vitro. Eight compounds (3,5,7,10,11,14,15,17) showed inhibition against NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 267.4 cells (IC₅₀ in the range of 7.8-81.1 μmol•L⁻¹) and four compounds (1-4) showed cytotoxicity on HepG-2 cells (IC₅₀ in the range of 5.2-24.2 μmol•L⁻¹).

OBJECTIVETo establish a reliable model for drug screening and therapy by culturing rat femoral head and inducing cartilage degeneration quickly in vitro.

METHODSThe femoral heads from the same SD rats of two-month old were divided into control group and experimental group respectively. They were cultured with DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum or DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum plus 50 ng/ml IL-1β for three days. Femoral heads were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, decalcified, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut into slices. Specimens were stained with Toluidine blue and Safranine O-Fast Green FCF. The protein expression levels of type II collagen, MMP13, Sox9 and ADAMTS5 were analyzed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTSBoth the Toluidine blue and Safranine O staining were pale in the margin of femoral heads which were stimulated with IL-1β for three days compared to that in control group. The Fast Green FCF staining was positive at the edge of the femoral head in experimental group, which indicated that cartilage became degenerated. The expression levels of both type H collagen and Sox9 were decreased significantly while the expression levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 were increased in experimental group.

CONCLUSIONThe model of cartilage degeneration is established by culturing and inducing the degeneration of the femoral heads quickly in vitro.

Animals ; Cartilage Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Femur Head ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

A total of 24 biologically pure entophytic fungal strains were isolated from stems, leaves, and seed coats of Xylocarpus plants by repeated purification, and identified with Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA molecular method, which belonging to 14 genera, 11 families, 9 orders and 3 classes. There were differences in genus and species levels among three plant materials from different habitats and species, and it was found that the strains of Phomopsis and Colletotrichum existed in all three plant materials. In vitro assay of antitumor activity by MTT method revealed that the EtOAc extracts of 15 strains exhibited potent antitumor activity. These results suggest that it is of value for further investigation on the above fungal strains.
Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Biodiversity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Fungi ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; Meliaceae ; microbiology ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo screen out active substances on Neuromedin U2 receptor (NMU2R) by using stable NMU2R cell lines and negative cell lines and analyzing siRNA interference.

METHODNMU2R cells were used to observe the activating effect of nine nine citrus flavonoids on NMU2R cell. Afterwards, false-positive interference of citrus flavonoids that showed higher activating effect was eliminated by using negative cells and analyzing the efficiency of siRNA interference.

RESULTHesperidin and nobiletin contained in citrus flavonoids were found to effectively activate NMU2R. The efficacy, EC50 and potency values of hesperidin were 4.688, 318.970 micromol x L(-1) and 200.933 micromol x L(-1), while the efficacy, EC50 and potency values of nobiletin were 4.758, 5.832 micromol x L(-1) and 3.124 micromol x L(-).

CONCLUSIONHesperidin and nobiletin contained in citrus flavonoids can activate NMU2R. Nobiletin shows such a low EC50 that it has medicinal value.

Cell Line ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; drug effects ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Neurotransmitter ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To develop a singleplex PCR assay targeting O-antigen modification genes for molecular serotyping of Shigella (S.)flexneri.Methods Eight pairs of primer for O-antigen synthesis and modification genes of S.flexneriwere designed and used for developing an O-antigen modification gene-specific singleplex PCR assay to serotype 14 most common S.flexneri serotypes (1 a,1 b,1 c,2a,2b,3a,3b,4a,4b,5a,Y,X,Xv and F6).Bacterial pathogens which causing diarrheal disease were used for specificity detection.106 S.flexneri clinical isolates were serotyped by this method and compared with the slide agglutination method.Results An O-antigen modification,gene-specific singleplex PCR was developed.When six singleplex PCR reactions were performed,14 of the 15 recognized S.flexneri serotypes were identified,except for serotype Xv.The detection threshold ranged from 10 pg to 1 ng DNA in a 20 μ l reaction system.A high concordance between the singleplex PCR assay and slide agglutination were observed when 106 S.flexneri strains of various serotypes were analyzed with an exception that 1 serotype Y strain showed that it was carrying the additional defective gtr Ⅱ genes.Conclusion This method showed advantages over the traditional slide agglutination methods,and was promising when under application in the following situations as clinical diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the role of C6 glioma cells mediated by rapid freezing and thawing ofAr-He cryoablation in the maturation of marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) in Wistar rats,and the anti-tumor effect of these DCs on rat models of intracranial gliomas. Methods C6 glioma cells were routinely cultured in vitro; rapid freezing and thawing of Ar-He cryoablation was employed in C6 glioma cells of the experimental group, and C6 glioma cells of the negative control group were only performed insertion of the probe; blank control group (using rapid freezing and thawing of Ar-He cryoablation on the same amount of PBS) was also employed.Bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) were first prepared from tibia and femur bones of Wistar rats. These cells were cultured with such cytokines as recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF),recombinant interleukin-4 (rmIL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) to induce their maturation; BM-DCs were pulsed with or without tumor cell lysate obtained by rapid freezing and thawing of Ar-Hecryoablation at a ratio of (DC:tumor cells =1:3) 7 d after that.Morphological observation of BM-DCs was performed by light microscopy and the expression of DCs costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 were measured by flow cytometry 48 h after the addiction; the IL-12 level in the supematant of DCs was detected by ELISA. In order to determine whether or not vaccination with C6 TP DCs can induce the therapeutic potential in the established glioma-bearing models, the C6 cells cultured in vitro were stereotaxically implanted into the left caudate nucleus of Wistar rat brain; glioma-bearing rats were injected with vaccination with DCs,cells from the blank control group and negative control group on the 3rd and 10th d. Survival time was observed and determined using the method of Kaplan-Meier and Log-Rank analysis. Results DCs from rats' bone marrow cells cultured with cytokines and pulsed with tumor lysates showed the characters of typical mature DCs.Morphologically,these cells were large with oval or irregularly shaped nuclei and with many small dendrites. Phenotypically, they expressed high levels of CD80 and CD86 antigens (71.8 1％± 1.10％ and 74.66％± 1.48％ in experimental group,49.49％±1.08％ and 51.20％±2.06％ in negative control group, and 48.47％±1.09％ and 49.53％±1.89％ in blank control group); significant difference was noted between each 2 groups (P＜0.05).Functionally,the IL-12level in the supernatant of DCs showed obvious increment in the experimental group (245.99 ±3.20pg/mL) as compared with that in the negative control group (138.68±3.20 pg/mL) and blank control group (135.16±2.88 pg/mL,P＜0.05).These cells gained the capacity of mediating immunotherapy against intracranial gliomas in rats:the median survival in the experimental group (33 d) was significantly higher than that in the negative control and blank control groups (22 and 24 d, respectively, P＜0.05).Conclusion C6 glioma cells mediated by rapid freezing and thawing of Ar-He cryoablation can induce maturation of BM-DCs in Wistar rats; these BM-DCs pulsed with tumor lysates, as new therapeutic vaccines,can mediate immunotherapy against intracranial gliomas in rats.