Cancer stands as one of the predominant causes of mortality globally, necessitating ongoing efforts to develop innovative therapeutics. Historically, natural products have been foundational in the quest for anticancer agents. Bulbocodin D (BD) and Bulbocodin C (BC), two bibenzyls derived from Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) Rolfe, have demonstrated notable in vitro anticancer activity. In human lung cancer A549 cells, the IC_50s for BD and BC were 11.63 and 11.71 μmol·L^-1, respectively. BD triggered apoptosis, as evidenced by an upsurge in Annexin V-positive cells and elevated protein expression of cleaved-PARP in cancer cells. Furthermore, BD and BC markedly inhibited the migratory and invasive potentials of A549 cells. The altered genes identified through RNA-sequencing analysis were integrated into the CMap dataset, suggesting BD's role as a potential signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor. SwissDock and MOE analyses further revealed that both BD and BC exhibited a commendable binding affinity with STAT3. Additionally, a surface plasmon resonance assay confirmed the direct binding affinity between these compounds and STAT3. Notably, treatment with either BD or BC led to a significant reduction in p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) protein levels, regardless of interleukin-6 stimulation in A549 cells. In addition, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was activated after BD or BC treatment. An enhancement in cancer cell mortality was observed upon combined treatment of BD and U0126, the MEK1/2 inhibitor. In conclusion, BD and BC emerge as promising novel STAT3 inhibitors with potential implications in cancer therapy.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry* ; A549 Cells ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation

Objective To explore the feasibility of needle-embedding therapy in the treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia using a miniature pig model established by placement of an Ameroid constrictor at the left anterior descending branch (LAD) of coronary artery in Bama miniature pigs during surgery. Methods The miniature pig model of chronic myocardial ischemia was established by placement of an Ameroid constrictor at the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery in Bama miniature pigs. The pig models were randomly divided into the treatment group (the"Neiguan " group) and the control group (the "Zusanli " group), and were treated with needle- embedding electroacupuncture at the"Neiguan" (PC6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) acupoints, respectively. Myocardial samples were taken at 6 weeks after surgery for light and electron microscopic examinations. Results Gross pathology showed that ischemic area in the myocardium appeared in both experimental groups. The ischemic area in the "Zusanli "group was larger than that of the"Neiguan"group. Histopathology showed that the acupuncture treatment at the"Neiguan"acupoint reduced the ischemic injury in the pig myocardial tissues. Ultrastructural observation of the myocardium showed mitochondrial vacuolization in cardiomyocytes and myocardial fibrosis in both groups. Conclusions Acupuncture therapy at the"Neiguan"acupoint of pericardial channel may exert protective effect on the myocardial ischemia by reducing the ischemia-injury of cardiomyocytes, but can not inhibit the already existed ischemia-induced cardiomyocytic injuries. Our findings suggest that the establishment of miniature pig model of chronic myocardial ischemia by surgically placing an Ameroid constrictor on the left anterior descending branch of left coronary artery and the needle-embedding in acupoints is feasible for the treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia in this pig model.

Objective To investigate the influence of portal hypertension (PHT) on the postoperative complications after hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Clinical data of 152 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2003 to October 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the PHT and non-PHT groups. There were 76 patients in the PHT group including 62 males and 14 females, with a mean age of (49±11) years. There were 76 patients in the non-PHT group including 66 males and 10 females, with a mean age of (49±12) years. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. After hospitalization, all patients received routine examination. The incidence of postoperative complications in two groups was observed and the independent risk factors for postoperative complications were evaluated. Normally distributed data were compared using t test. Non-normally distributed data were compared using Z test. The comparison of rate was conducted using Chi-square test. Independent risk factors for the incidence of postoperative complications were analyzed by Logistic multivariate regression test. Results The incidence of postoperative complications was 42%(32/76) and the liver function-related complications was 36% (27/76) in the PHT group, and were 20% (15/76), 16% (12/76) respectively in the non-PHT group, significant difference was observed between two groups (χ2=8.901, 7.760;P<0.05). No signiifcant difference was observed in the percentage of patients with grade I-II complications between PHT group [75%(24/32)] and non-PHT group [73%(11/15)] (χ2=0.015, P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the 90-day mortality between PHT group [7%(5/76)] and non-PHT group [3%(2/76)] (χ2=0.599, P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that PHT complication (OR=3.376, 95%CI:1.564-7.287, P<0.05) and number of tumors>2 (OR=1.984, 95%CI:1.248-3.154, P<0.05) were the independent risk factors for postoperative complications. PHT complication (OR=3.231, 95%CI:1.431-7.298, P<0.05), number of tumors>2 (OR=1.832, 95%CI:1.137-2.952, P<0.05) and intraoperative transfusion > 400 ml (OR=2.776, 95%CI: 1.123-6.864, P<0.05) were the independent risk factors for liver function-related complications. Conclusions PHT can increase the incidences of postoperative complications and liver function-related complications after hepatectomy in HCC patients and is the independent risk factor for both complications. However, PHT will not increase the severity of postoperative complications or postoperative mortality.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous hol ow screw under X-Ray fluoroscopy has been shown to treat fracture of acetabulum of the pelvis, but the time of internal fixation was long, and the amount of radiation exposure to the patients and physicians was large.
OBJECTIVE:To test the application of the ISO-C3D METHODS:Thirty-one patients with fracture of the acetabulum were treated with percutaneous hol ow screw under a fluoroscopy-based ISO-C computerized navigational system for fracture of acetabulum. 3D computerized navigational system. The interval from injury to operation was 4 to 13 days. Al patients were fol owed up for one year.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average bleeding volume during operation was only 18 mL, except that the bleeding volume of only one patient, who suffered from the sacroiliacjoint injury and received open reduction and internal fixation, was up to 300 mL. The total number of screws used in the operation was 42, among which 24 were screws for acetabular anterior column fracture and 18 for posterior column fracture. Al screws were implanted once precisely. The average time of internal fixation was 59 minutes, and the mean time for fluoroscopy was 39 seconds. The 31 patients were pain-free one week after the operation and no complication (infection, vascular nerve injury or implant breakage) was noted post-operatively. When the fol ow-up ended, radiography revealed fracture union with satisfactory screw fixation (no screw breakage or loosening). According to Matta functional scoring, results were excellent in 23 cases, good in 8 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. According to Majeed functional scoring, the results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 6 cases and average in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 90%. These results indicated that ISO-C3D computerized navigational system can supply stable internal fixation without an increase of complication.

Objective To compare the effect of ISO-C3D navigation and conventional C-arm fluoroscopy in iliosacral screws insertion for treatment of posterior pelvic ring injuries.Methods Sixty-five patients with posterior pelvic ring injuries managed by minimally invasive percutaneous iliosacral screws from June 2006 to January 2012 were reviewed.There were 37 males and 28 females,at age range of 18-63 years (mean 35.9 years).Pelvic fracture classification based on Tile system was type B1 in 10 cases,type B2 in 15,type B3 in nine,type C1 in 18 and type C2 in 13.Patients were divided into ISO-C3D navigation group (Group A,n =35) and C-arm fluoroscopy group (Group B,n =30) according to the difference in intraoperative fluoroscopy methods.Intraoperative fluoroscopy time,time cost in inserting a screw,patient satisfaction rate for bone reduction,bone union time and excellent-good rate of postoperative function were recorded.Results Eighty cannulated screws were inserted for the 65 patients.Average fluoroscopy time and time cost in inserting a screw were shorter in Group A than in Group B (P ＜0.01),but there was no statistical difference between the two gronps in patient satisfaction rate for bone reduction.No patient presented with infection,vascular nerve injury or other complications.Follow-up was 6-24 months (mean 12.7 months) for all the patients.Functional recovery showed no statistical difference between the two groups at postoperative 6 months.All fractures were healed and no delayed union or nonunion happened.Conclusion As compared with conventional C-arm fluoroscopy,computer-navigated surgery can reduce fluoroscopy time and improve screw insertion accuracy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the results of open reduction with internal fixation for high anterior column fracture of acetabulum with intact true pelvic brim.MethodsFrom January 2006 to January 2010,12 patients suffered high anterior column fracture of acetabulum without involvement of true pelvic brim were identified.There were 9 males and 3 females,with the average of 35.6 years(range,29-46).The injury was caused by crush in 7 cases,smash of heavy object in 3 cases,and fall-down from height in 2 cases.These fractures were classified into three types:isolated high anterior column fracture of acetabulum without involvement of true pelvic brim,high anterior column fracture of acetabulum without involvement of true pelvic brim with posterior wall fracture of acetabulum and commminuted high anterior column fracture of acetabulum without involvement of true pelvic brim according to present and unpresent of posterior wall fracture.Five cases suffered isolated fracture and 2 cases associated smaller and nondisplacement fracture fragment of posterior wall were reduced and fixed by buttress plate of iliac crest and lag screw of anterior border of ilium through an iliofemoral approach; 4 cases with displacement posterior wall fracture of acetabulum were reduced and reconstructed by buttress plate and lag screws of through combinations of anterior and posterior approaches.One case suffered comminuted fracture were reduced and reconstructed by plates and screws of through extended iliofemoral approach.ResultsThe mean follow-up time of all patients was 26.7 months (range,14-37months).The quality of reduction was grade as anatomical in 8 patients,imperfect in 3,poor in 1 by Matta's score system.The fracture union was uneventful.There was nonunion and loss of internal fixation.At the final follow-up,the mean score was 16.8 (range,11-18),7 cases were graded as excellent,4 good,1 fair,according to modified Merle d'Aubigne and Postel score system.Heterotopic ossification and traumatic osteoarthritis were recorded in 1 patient.ConclusionGood clinical results can be achieved by anatomical reduction and rigid fixation through optimal approach.

Objective To investigate the outcome of the urethral realignment simultaneous internal fixation in treatment of pelvic fracture associated with posterior urethral disruption. Methods The study included 33 patients with pelvic fracture associated with posterior urethral disruption treated simultaneously by urethral realignment and internal fixation from December 2003 to August 2009. According to AO classification, two patients were with type A2 fracture, six with type B1 ,seven with type B2,five with type B3 ,six with type C1 ,four with type C2 and three with type C3. All the patients were found with complete posterior urethral disruption. Primary urethral realignment combined with emergency open reduction and internal fixation of pelvic fracture were performed in 12 patients. Due to unstable condition, 21 patients underwent primary suprapubic cystostomy and external fixation, sequentially delayed urethral realignment and internal fixation.Results The mean follow-up time of all patients was 37 months ( range, 3-63 months). Of all the patients, 25 patients (76%) regained good without urethral dialation or needed only short term urethral dilatation, and eight patients (24%) suffered from urethral stricture and needed further complex surgery. The incidences of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction were 6%(2/33) and 18% (6/33). The erectile dysfunction of two patients was ascribed to sacral nerve injury.At the final follow-up, the mean score was 90.3 points (range, 66-100) according to the Majeed' s scoring system, which showed that the result was excellent in 24 patients, good in eight and fair in one.Conclusions Urethral realignment and simultaneous internal fixation can attain good clinical results for pelvic fracture associated with posterior urethral disruption. It takes advantages of minor surgical trauma,short treatment cycle, good outcome and low complication rate.

The work of research and development of noninvasive monitoring system for human GI (gastrointestinal tract) has been very successful all over the world, and without questions, the system as such will extensively be applied in the future. However, the method for localization of the monitoring capsule in the system is not perfect. This paper reports the status quo of the research process for the capsule localization system, and analyzes their advantages and defects.
Biosensing Techniques ; Capsule Endoscopes ; Capsule Endoscopy ; methods ; trends ; Equipment Design ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans

AIM: To investigate the alteration of the vascular response to contracting material and the endothelium dependent vascular relaxation (EDVR) at different stages of type Ⅱ diabetes rats. METHODS: Type Ⅱ diabetes rat model was established by high-energy diet and lower dose of STZ. At 12th and 20th weekends after injecting STZ, the vascular reactivities to phenylephrine (PHE) and KCl and the EDVR induced by Ach were measured respectively in the isolated aorta rings. RESULTS: At 12th weekend after injecting STZ, the response to PHE increased, the reactivity to KCl kept unchanged, and the EDVR was damaged lightly. But at the 20 th weekend after injecting STZ, the response to PHE increased further and the reactivity to KCl markedly reinforced, and the EDVR was obviously damaged. CONCLUSION: The response of great vessels to contracting material increased, but the EDVR attenuated at different stages of type Ⅱ diabetes rats. These changes are further reinforced along with the developing of disease duration.

AIM: To study the expression of type Ⅰtransforming growth factor ?(T?R-Ⅰ)in renal cortex in streptozotocin-induced type Ⅱ diabetic mellitus and the regulation of valsartan. METHODS: The rat models of type Ⅱ diabetic rats were made. At the end of the 20th weeks,the kidneys were taken out to measure the expression of T?R-ⅠmRNA by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The expression of T?R-ⅠmRNA in diabetic rats without any therapy ( 0.72? 0.14) was higher than that in control ( 0.26? 0.12) (P