A new biflavone glucoside from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme / 中国天然药物

The present study investigated the chemical constituents of the roots of Stellera chamaejasme (Thymelaeaceae). One new biflavone glucoside (1), along with other thirteen known compounds (2-14), was isolated by repeated column chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses. The cytotoxic activities of selected compounds were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (A549, BEL-7402, HCT-116, and MDA-MB-231) by the SRB assay method. Compound 9 showed remarkable cytotoxicity against BEL-7402 with IC50 value being 0.65 μg·mL(-1); compounds 7, 8, and 12 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A549 with IC50 values being 2.38, 1.57, and 2.35 μg·mL(-1), respectively.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Among Primary School Children in Shandong Province, China

Although Toxoplasma gondii infection in primary school children has been investigated in many countries, limited surveys have been available in primary school children in China. In the present study, we report the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in primary school children in Shandong province, China. Sera from 6,000 primary school children were evaluated for T. gondii antibodies with ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 16.0% (961/6,000), of which 14.5% (870/6,000) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, 3.4% (206/6,000) positive for IgM, and 1.9% (115/6,000) were positive for both IgG and IgM. The results of the present investigation indicated a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in primary school children in Shandong province, China. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to prevent and control T. gondii infection in primary school children in this province. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in primary school children in Shandong province, China.

Effects of substrate stiffness on confluent growth of hepatic and hepatoma carcinoma cells / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the cause of differences in confluent growth between hepatic(L02) and hepatoma carcinoma(HCCLM3) cells by comparing responses of the two cells to different substrate stiffness (0.5, 4 kPa and glass). MethodsThe real-time photomicrography, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and Western Blotting techniques were respectively employed to observe the morphological characteristics, the cytoskeleton conformation and the distribution of E-cad of confluent L02 and HCCLM3 cells on different substrates, and test the changes in expression of E-cad, Integrinβ1 and p-Src. Results (1) Confluent L02 cells displayed a round or cubic shape, while HCCLM3 cells showed a polygon shape. The morphology of HCCLM3 cells were spread and polarized more obviously than that of L02 cells. With the increase of substrate stiffness, the variation of L02 cells with time was smaller than that of HCCLM3 cells. (2) The cytoskeleton of confluent L02 cells showed a ring-like conformation under the cortex, and E-cad was located at the cell-cell contact sites. However, the ring-like cytoskeleton of HCCLM3 cells was incomplete and distributed radially along the basement, while E-cad was dispersed in cytoplasm. (3) As the substrate stiffness increased, expression of E-cadherin in both L02 and HCCLM3 cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the level of p-Src and integrinβ1 was increased significantly, with greater changes in HCCLM3 cells than in L02 cells. Conclusions The assembling of cortical ring-like cytoskeleton was positively correlated with the location of E-cad at the cell-cell contact sites. The substrate stiffness showed a more obvious impact on the balanced regulation between cadherin and integrin mediated adhesion system of hepatocarcinoma cells than that of hepatic cells.

Efficacy of Gastrosis No.1 compound on functional dyspepsia of spleen and stomach deficiency-cold syndrome: a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the efficacy and safety of Gastrosis No.1 compound in the treatment of functional dyspepsia with Spleen (Pi) and Stomach (Wei) deficiency-cold syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 5 centers. Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) of Spleen-deficiency and qi-stagnation syndrome (162 cases) were randomly assigned to groups given Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) Gastrosis No.1 compound or placebo in a 2:1 ratio. This trial included a 4-week treatment period and a 4-week follow-up period. The outcomes were the dyspepsia symptom scores (measured by total dyspepsia symptom scale and single dyspepsia symptom scale) and syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine score (measured by traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scale). The outcomes were noted at weeks 0, 4 and 8.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the CHM group showed significant improvement in the dyspepsia symptom scores as rated by patients and investigators (P <0.01), and also showed improvement in syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine score (P <0.01). No serious adverse event was reported. Safety tests obtained after 4 weeks of treatment showed no abnormal values.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CHM Gastrosis No.1 compound was effective and safe in the treatment of functional dyspepsia with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold syndrome.</p>

Synergistic effects from substrate stiffness and cytokine TGF-β1 on phenotypic transformation of hepatocytes / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the synergistic effects of substrate stiffness and cytokine TGF-β1 on phenotypic transformation of hepatocytes by establishing an in vitro culture model with the substrate stiffness that is relevant to hepatic cells physiologically and pathologically. Methods Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were adopted to observe the morphological adjustment, motion characteristics, cytoskeleton arrangement of hepatocytes on polyacrylamide substrates with different stiffness, as well as the changes in expression of integrin and phenotypic markers E-cadherin, albumin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Image analysis software was also used for quantitative study on the obtained data. Results On the 3.6 kPa substrates, the scattered single cells were actively deformed and relocated, but the bulk cell population had little change in polarization and microfilament organization. Muscle actin was assembled as cortical ring in cell periphery. There was more abundant expression of E-cadherin and albumin, but less expression of integrin and α-SMA in TGF-β1 treated group as compared to the control group. On the 30 kPa substrates, the motion and deformation of cells were not so active, and expression of both E-cadherin and albumin in TGF-β1 treated group was decreased, while that of α-SMA was increased as compared to the control group. For 30 kPa and 3.6 kPa control groups and 30 kPa and 3.6 kPa TGF-β1 treated groups, expression of both E-cadherin and albumin was reduced (P<0.05), but that of alpha-SMA was increased (P<0.05), while no significant differences were found in both 10 kPa control group and TGF-β1 treated group, as well as in 30 kPa and 3.6 kPa control groups and TGF-β1 treated groups. Conclusions The increase of substrate stiffness can induce transformation of hepatocyte phenotype and promote the influence of TGF-beta 1 on behavior of hepatocyte metabolism.

Effects of different substrate stiffness on adhesion, spreading and migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the effects of substrate stiffness on the adhesion, spreading and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells as well as the regulation of cytoskeleton assembly and integrinβ1 expression, and to explore the role of substrate mechanical properties in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods The polyarcylamide gel with different stiffness was achieved by varying the relative ratio of acrylamide to bis acrylamide. The substrate surface was cross linked with extracellular matrix molecules for cell adhesion. The adhesion, spreading and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells on substrates with different stiffness were recorded by phase contrast microscope and made quantitative analysis by Image J software. The cytoskeleton assembly on substrates with different stiffness was detected by immunofluorences assay, and the expression of integrinβ1on different substrates was measured by flow cytometer. Results The rigid substrate enhanced the adhesion and spreading of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in shortened time. Neither the soft (1.1 kPa) nor over rigid (glass) substrate facilitated the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and the maximum migration velocity was found on the substrate with moderate stiffness（10.7 kPa）. The rigid substrate could promote cytoskeleton assembly and integrinβ1 expression. Conclusions The effects of substrate stiffness on adhesion, spreading and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells are regulated by the cytoskeleton assembly and integrin expression.

Effects of substrate stiffness on the migration of hepatic and hepatoma carcinoma cells / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the cause of tumor cell migration by comparing the effect of substrate stiffness on hepatic and hepatoma carcinoma cell migration so as to understand the invasive characteristics of tumor cells. Methods Immunofluorescence staining, morphological analysis and transwell were employed to observe the morphological characteristics of HCCLM3 and L02 cells on different substrates and test their migration characteristics with the quantitative analysis. Results (1) The migration rate and net translocation of HCCLM3 and L02 cells on 4 kPa substrate was higher than those both on 0.5 kPa(most soft one) and on glass (the hardest one) substrates, and L02 cells also displayed higher migration efficiency than HCCLM3 cells on such substrates. (2) The mean squared displacement of HCCLM3 and L02 cells on different substrates showed consistent tendency, and the directional persistence of L02 cells on the softer substrate was significantly higher than that of HCCLM3 cells. (3) In 0.5 and 1 mg/mL three dimensional collagen environment, the number of invasive cells of HCCLM3 was remarkably more than that of L02 cells. After adding MMPs inhibitor GM6001 (40 μg/mL), the number of invasive cells was notably increased in HCCLM3 cells, but notably decreased in L02 cells. Conclusions (1) In two dimensional comparatively soft environment, L02 cells displayed an efficient migration due to its higher directional persistence. (2) In three-dimensional collagen environment, the invasion efficiency of HCCLM3 cells was significantly higher due to the various modes of migration adaptation to the microenvironment.

Study on the correlation of integrin distribution changes with directional migration of hepatoma cells / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the influence of integrin redistribution on hepatoma cell alignment and migration and the influence of cytoskeleton reassembly on integrin redistribution by the method of mechanical loading unloading and fibronection(FN) coating. Method By using immuneofluescence staining, cofocal laser scanning microscopy and quantitative morphological analysis, integrin distribution change and crtoskeleton assembly adjustment were observed and the deformation of cell movement was tested and analyzed quantitatively. Results (1) cells with different forms have different integrin expressions and distribution features. The β1 integrin expression for spreading cells was higher than that for round (nonspreading) cells. For spreading cells, the strongest staining was found towards the attachment surface. While for round (nonspreading) cells, the integrin staining on the free surface towards medium was stronger than that towards the attachment surface. (2) After 5 hours of mechanical stretch, the β1 integrin expression for both spreading and round cells increased, and distribution peaks towards the attachment surface broadened. At 1 hour after unloading, the β1 integrin expression decreased and the distribution of integrin staining showed the tendency of dispersion, especially for round cells. (3) After coating the substrates with FN, the β1 integrin expression increased. The integrin staining for either spreading or round cells was more towards the attachment surface to reduce the migration of hepatoma cells. 4) After 5 hours of mechanical stretch, 60% of cells showed their orientation of major axes distributed between 70°～110° towards the stretching direction, and the cytoskeleton aligned vertically to the stretching direction. Cytoskeletons were found significantly depolymerized at 1 hour of unloading. Conclusions The change of integrin distribution is affected by cytoskeleton aligned and the number of ligand. The distribution feature of the whole integrin expression on the surface of individual round cells is related to their stronger invasion and metastasis capability.

A multi-center randomized controlled trial on treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome by Chinese medicine syndrome-differentiation therapy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the clinical efficacy of Chinese Medicine syndrome-differentiation therapy in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome IBS-D.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With a blinded randomized controlled design adopted, 360 patients with IBS-D were randomly assigned to two groups, the treated group and the control group, they were treated with Chinese medicine and Pinaverium bromide for four weeks respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comprehensive evaluation showed that the total effective rate in the treated group was higher than that in the control group significantly (93.8% vs 81.3%, P<0.01). Efficacy assessment on symptoms (by scoring) showed that the efficacy in the treated group was better than that in the control group in aspects of improving abdominal pain (86.1% vs 70.3%), defecation coziness (involving the frequency of defecation, incidence of tenesmus in the latest 10 days and Bristol typing of stool characters), living interfering, and total BSS score (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese medicine syndrome-differentiation dependent therapy shows good efficacy in treating IBS-D.</p>

Relationship of extrahepatic metastasis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma between circulative tumor cells in the blood of hepatoma patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between extrahepatic metastasis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma and circulative tumor cells in the blood of hepatoma patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The immunomagnetic bead technique was employed to enrich and separate the hepatoma cells in the peripheral blood of preoperative and postoperative hepatoma patients. The relationship between postoperative extrahepatic metastasis and hepatoma cells in peripheral blood cancer cells were analyzed. The circulative tumor cells in the peripheral blood of hepatoma patients were enriched and separated by immunomagnetic bead technique. They were identified as hepatoma cells by AFP immunohistochemistry. Among 30 cases of hepatoma patients, the positive rate of hepatoma cells in the peripheral blood of preoperation and postoperation were 53.3% and 83.3% respectively. There was difference significantly in positive cases before operation and after operation (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Extrahepatic metastasis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma is obviously correlated to the positive tumor cells and the concentration in the peripheral blood of preoperative patients.</p>

Reoperation about recurrent heart valve disease in 221 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To retrospectively review the experience of reoperation after closed mitral commissurotomy, valvuloplasty, perivalvular leakage and dysfunction of bioprosthetic valve in 221 cases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and twenty-one patients underwent heart valve reoperation from January 1998 to August 2005. Among them, 8 cases was emergency operation. The reasons of reoperation included 105 cases suffered from mitral valve restenosis after closed mitral commisurotomy, 37 cases suffered from valve lesion after mitral or aortic valvuloplasty, 29 cases suffered from perivalvular leakage after valve replacement. Eighteen cases suffered from bioprosthetic valve decline, 9 cases suffered from dysfunction of machine valve, 7 cases suffered from tricuspid insufficiency of Ebstein, 5 cases suffered from prosthetic valve endocarditis and 11 cases suffered from other valve disease. The re-operations were mitral valve replacement, mitral and aortic valve replacement, aortic valve replacement and tricuspid valve replacement. The interval from first operation to next operation was 1 - 21 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The early-stage postoperative mortality was 8.6% (19/221). And the reasons were low cardiac output syndrome, arrhythmia, multiple organ dysfunction failure (MODF) and renal failure. Among these the emergency operative mortality was 3/8. And the mortality was 14.5% (9/62) in class IV of cardiac function (NYHA).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The risk factors of reoperation about heart valve disease include emergency operation, low preoperative cardiac function, MODF, long time of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic blocking. Therefore it is emphasized that mastering and treating the risk factors promptly, which could decrease the mortality and incidence of complication.</p>

Changes of Cytokines in Newborn Meconinum Aspiration Syndrome / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate role of interleukin-1?(IL-1?),interleukin-8(IL-8),tumor necrosis factor-?((TNF-?)) and insulinlike growth factor-1(IGF-1) in meconium aspiration syndrome(MAS) in newborns.Methods The concentrations of(IL-1?),IL-8,TNF-? and IGF-1 in peripheral serum were detected in 32 newborns with MAS and 15 normal newborns by radio-immunity at the first,the third and seventh day after being born.Correlations between IGF-1 and changes of IL-1?,IL-8,TNF-? was analyzed.Results Compared with control group,the concentration of IL-1?,IL-8 and TNF-? increased significantly in newborns with MAS in three days after being born(all P0.05).On the other hand, the concentration of IGF-1 in newborns with MAS was obviously lower than that of normal newborns one week after birth.The concentration of IGF-1 showed negative correlations with that of IL-1?,IL-8 and TNF-?(r=-0.67,-0.61,-0.73 all P