GKK1032B from endophytic Penicillium citrinum induces the apoptosis of human osteosarcoma MG63 cells through caspase pathway activation / 中国天然药物

Chemical investigation of the culture extract of an endophytic Penicillium citrinum from Dendrobium officinale, afforded nine citrinin derivatives (1-9) and one peptide-polyketide hybrid GKK1032B (10). The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined for the first time by calculation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Among them, GKK1032B (10) showed significant cytotoxicity against human osteosarcoma cell line MG63 with an IC50 value of 3.49 μmol·L-1, and a primary mechanistic study revealed that it induced the apoptosis of MG63 cellsvia caspase pathway activation.

Status of tranquility nursing in Jinshan District， Shanghai / 上海预防医学

Objective:To analyze current situation of hospice care in Jinshan District of Shanghai and provide recommendations for development of hospice care. Methods:This cross-sectional study included 8 hospice care institutions， their health staff and 316 patients during May-August， 2019. Results were analyzed by quantitative and qualitative methods. Results:There had 80 approved beds in Jinshan District， but only 53 beds were used for 189 inpatients in 2017. Hospice care institutions received financial supports from district government at the construction stage， but relied on their own for daily operation costs. The motivation of health staff to work in hospice care was not strong. Among the hospice care workers， 18% had no certification for hospice care， and only 5% of them had senior professional titles. Continued education for health workers in hospice care was weak and the workers were under heavy stress. Conclusion:The potential needs for hospice care were unmet while hospice care was under-utilization in Jinshan District. The development of hospice care was unbalanced， and the health workers lacked motivation. The resources of hospice care need to be strengthened.

Role of the Chinese herbal medicine xianhuayin on the reversal of premalignant mucosal lesions in the golden hamster buccal pouch / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the role of the Chinese herbal medicine Xianhuayin on the reversal of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced premalignant mucosal lesions in the oral buccal pouch of golden hamsters.</p><p><b>METHODOLOGY</b>The animals were randomly divided into a non-diseased control group (n=5) and an experimental group including 50 animals in which the buccal mucosa had been painted with DMBA (0.5% in acetone) to generate an oral mucosa premalignant lesion. Animals in the experimental group were further divided into Xianhuayin-treated group (n=30), untreated premalignant lesion group (n=10) and normal saline (NS)-treated group (n=10). The cheek (buccal) pouch mucosa of the golden hamsters in each group was observed with light and electron microscopy eight weeks after intragastric administration with NS or Xianhuayin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the non-diseased control group, the buccal mucosa was keratinized and stratified squamous epithelium under a light microscope. In the untreated premalignant lesion group, variable degrees of epithelial dysplasia was observed. The irregular epithelial mucosa gradually became distinct in the Xianhuayin-treated group. Scanning electronic microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that surface of the cells exhibited honeycomb structures in the hamster of untreated-group. The cells were morphologically irregular, overlapped and loosened in the untreated premalignant lesion group. Most of the cell surface exhibited honeycomb structure in the Xianhuayin-treated group. Transmission electronic microscopic (TEM) analysis showed that buccal mucosal epithelial cells were morphologically regular in the non-diseased control group. Desmosomes and tonofibrils were reduced and the nucleus was morphologically irregular in the untreated premalignant lesion group. In the Xianhuayin-treated group, the widening intercellular gap was gradually reduced, desmosomes and the cells becoming morphologically regular. No significant difference was observed between the hamsters in NS-treated group and those in the untreated premalignant lesion group. Significant therapeutic efficacy was observed in the group receiving Xianhuayin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xianhuayin is effective in the reversal of DMBA-induced premalignant lesions in the buccal pouch of golden hamsters.</p>

The use of zein and Shuanghuangbu for periodontal tissue engineering / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

<p><b>AIM</b>Tissue engineering is a promising area with a broad range of applications in the fields of regenerative medicine and human health. The emergence of periodontal tissue engineering for clinical treatment of periodontal disease has opened a new therapeutic avenue. The choice of scaffold is crucial. This study was conducted to prepare zein scaffold and explore the suitability of zein and Shuanghuangbu for periodontal tissue engineering.</p><p><b>METHODOLOGY</b>A zein scaffold was made using the solvent casting/particulate leaching method with sodium chloride (NaCl) particles as the porogen. The physical properties of the zein scaffold were evaluated by observing its shape and determining its pore structure and porosity. Cytotoxicity testing of the scaffold was carried out via in vitro cell culture experiments, including a liquid extraction experiment and the direct contact assay. Also, the Chinese medicine Shuanghuangbu, as a growth factor, was diluted by scaffold extract into different concentrations. This Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract was then added to periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) in order to determine its effect on cell proliferation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The zein scaffold displayed a sponge-like structure with a high porosity and sufficient thickness. The porosity and pore size of the zein scaffold can be controlled by changing the porogen particles dosage and size. The porosity was up to 64.1%-78.0%. The pores were well-distributed, interconnected, and porous. The toxicity of the zein scaffold was graded as 0-1. Furthermore, PDLCs displayed full stretching and vigorous growth under scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract could reinforce proliferation activity of PDLCs compared to the control group, especially at 100 microg x mL(-1) (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A zein scaffold with high porosity, open pore wall structure, and good biocompatibility is conducive to the growth of PDLCs. Zein could be used as scaffold to repair periodontal tissue defects. Also, Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract can enhance the proliferation activity of PDLCs. Altogether, these findings provide the basis for in vivo testing on animals.</p>