Rapid screening and identification of sesquiterpene lactones in Kudiezi injection based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry / 中国天然药物

Sesquiterpene lactones are considered as the major active compounds in Kudiezi injection in virtue of their special structures and activities. Herein, an analytical method was developed for rapid screening and identification of sesquiterpene lactones in Kudiezi injection using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap) in negative ion mode. First, two sesquiterpene lactone reference standards were analyzed to obtain their characteristic ESI-MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Second, based on extracted ion chromatography (EIC) data-mining method and characteristic fragmentation pathways analysis, sesquiterpene lactones in Kudiezi injection were rapidly screened and identified. Finally, an important parameter Clog P was adopted to discriminate the isomers of sesquiterpene lactones. As a result, 50 sesquiterpene lactones were characterized, including 9 sesquiterpene lactone aglycones, 39 sesquiterpene lactone glycosides, and 2 amino acid-sesquiterpene lactone conjugates. Among them, 13 compounds were tentatively identified as new compounds. The results demonstrated that the established method would be a rapid, effective analytical tool for screening and identification of sesquiterpene lactones in the complex system of natural medicines.

Application value of three-dimensional printing personalized navigation template in posterior lower cervical pedicle screw placement / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Posterior pedicle screw fixation of lower cervical spine has many advantages. However, because of the special anatomy of pedicle, the technical requirements of nailing placement are high and it is also a challenge to surgeons. The application of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can help to complete screw placement, and has certain advantages. OBJECTIVE: To introduce the method of 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted posterior lower cervical pedicle screw fixation and evaluate its clinical application value. METHODS: Totally 20 patients with lower cervical spine pedicle screw internal fixation who were treated from June 2015 to December 2016 in Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University were retrospectively analyzed. Before the surgery, the patient's lower cervical spine CT data was introduced into the relevant software and the 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted nailing pedicle screw was designed. The number of screws inserted was recorded. After the operation, CT scan was used to calculate the accuracy rate of screw placement. Preoperative and postoperative cervical spine Visual Analogue Scale score and spinal function score of Japanese Orthopedic Association were used to evaluate the clinical effect of cervical nerve. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 3 months postoperatively. (2) 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted 132 pedicle screws. The precise insertion rate was 94.7%. Among them, 125 screws were at grade 0 (94.7%, 125/132), 3 screws grade 1 (2.3%, 3/132), 4 screws grade 2 (3.0%, 4/132), no screw grade 3. (3) At postoperative 1 and 3 months, the neck shoulder Visual Analogue Scale score and spinal function score of Japanese Orthopedic Association of the patients were significantly improved (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05), compared with those at preoperative. (4) In summary, 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted cervical pedicle screw placement had the high insertion rate and satisfactory clinical efficacy.

Rapid screening and identification of sesquiterpene lactones in Kudiezi injection based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry / 中国天然药物

Sesquiterpene lactones are considered as the major active compounds in Kudiezi injection in virtue of their special structures and activities. Herein, an analytical method was developed for rapid screening and identification of sesquiterpene lactones in Kudiezi injection using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap) in negative ion mode. First, two sesquiterpene lactone reference standards were analyzed to obtain their characteristic ESI-MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Second, based on extracted ion chromatography (EIC) data-mining method and characteristic fragmentation pathways analysis, sesquiterpene lactones in Kudiezi injection were rapidly screened and identified. Finally, an important parameter Clog P was adopted to discriminate the isomers of sesquiterpene lactones. As a result, 50 sesquiterpene lactones were characterized, including 9 sesquiterpene lactone aglycones, 39 sesquiterpene lactone glycosides, and 2 amino acid-sesquiterpene lactone conjugates. Among them, 13 compounds were tentatively identified as new compounds. The results demonstrated that the established method would be a rapid, effective analytical tool for screening and identification of sesquiterpene lactones in the complex system of natural medicines.

Mechanism of TTF1-NP induced implanted hepatoma tumor apoptosis in nude mice by endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway / 药学学报

This study was designed to investigate the effect of 5,2',4'-trihydroxy-6,7,5'-trimethoxy flavone nanoparticle (TTF1-NP) on inducing apoptosis of implanted tumour cells in nude mice and the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. The implanted hepatoma model was established in nude mice, and used to test the drug TTF1-NP in five groups (vehicle, 5 μmol·kg-1 TTF1-NP, 10 μmol·kg-1 TTF1-NP, 20 μmol·kg-1 TTF1-NP and adriamycin). The nude mice were killed after the treatment to determine the tumor growth inhibition rate (IR). Morphological changes of implanted tumor cells were observed by HE staining; apoptosis of tumor cells was detected by TUNEL; the protein expression of GRP78, p-JNK and caspase 12 were analyzed using immunocytochemistry staining and Western blotting. We tested the effects of TTF1-NP on implanted HepG-2 cell tumor growth in nude mice. TTF1-NP-treated mice showed volume of tumor smaller than that of the vehicle-treated mice. The tumor mass of the TTF1-NP-treated mice were significantly reduced than those of the vehicle-treated mice. In addition, the tumor growth rate of the TTF1-NP-treated mice was significantly lower than that of the vehicle-treated mice, and the tumor growth inhibition ratio of the TTF1-NP-treated mice was significantly higher than that of the vehicle-treated mice. TTF1-NP exhibited an inhibitory effect on implanted tumor cells in the model. The IR was 51.2%, 54.2%, 61.8% and 65.9%, respectively. In comparison with the vehicle group, the treated groups exhibited alteration in cell morphology and apoptosis of tumor cells, and expression of GRP78, p-JNK and caspase 12, which were observed by immunocytochemistry staining and Western blotting. Taken together, our results suggest that TTF1-NP induces apoptosis of implanted tumor cells in nude mice and the main mechanism is related to activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Methylation status of γ-globin gene promoter in β-thalassemia major / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to detect and identify the promoter CpG island methylation of γ-globin gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with β-thalassemia major and healthy adult in Guangxi province, as well as to analyze the difference of promoter methylation rate of each CpG sites between them, and then to screen the promoter CpG island main methylation sites which maybe influence γ-globin expression. The template DNA was modified by bisulfite genomic sequencing PCR; the promoter sequences of γ-globin gene were amplified by technique Touchdown PCR, and then the PCR products were cloned and sequenced for obtaining methylation status of each CpG sites in target fragments, and then the accurate methylation sites and levels were detected quantitatively. The results indicated that the 4 CpG methylation sites locating at 28, 122, 231 and 234 bp in sequences were hypermethylated. As compared with healthy adults, the DNA methylation rate of 122 and 231 bp CpG sites in patients with β-thalassemia major was obviously lower, however, methylation rates of 28 and 234 bp sites were not significantly different between patients and healthy adults. It is concluded that the methylation sites 28, 122, 231 and 234 bp of γ-globin gene promoter are found both in patients with β-thalassemia major and healthy adults. The 122 and 231 bp sites are identified preliminarily to be involved in the regulation of γ-globin expression. This study provides the experimental evidence for alleviating the clinical symptoms of β-thalassemia major and targeting gene treatment through the regulation of γ-globin.

RNA interference targeting c-Met inhibits proliferation of human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell line in vitro and in its xenografts in nude mice / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The proto-oncogene c-Met was found to express on human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell line in previous research. In the present study, the author further examined whether inhibition of c-Met by RNA interference (RNAi) might inhibit biologic activity of Hep-2 cell line in vitro and proliferation using a murine laryngeal carcinoma model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RNAi plasmid that can express small interfering RNA targeting c-Met or siRNA that did not match any known human coding mRNA(control siRNA plasmid)was designed, constructed, and transfected into Hep-2 cell line by using cationic liposome Lipofectamine2000 as transfecting agent. In vitro, the transfection efficacy was tested by RT-PCR and Western Blot method, then elected the most inhibitive c-Met-siRNA sequence. Cell proliferation, movement and invasion were studied using MTT, cell migration assay and cell invasion assay, respectively. The Hep-2 cells were transplanted into nude mice, then the time of tumor formation and growth were observed. After tumor formation, c-Met-siRNA was given as the anti-tumor therapy. Expression of c-Met, MMP-9 and VEGF were detected by Western Blot method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the pSilencer2.0/c-Met-shRNA recombinant plasmid transfection into laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells, the expression of mRNA and protein of c-Met decreased significantly in Hep-2 cells. On the 35th day after tumor vaccination, the tumor volume was (138 ± 27) mm³ in c-Met-siRNA transfection group, Which was diminished significantly in contrast with control group (P < 0.01). The expression of c-Met, MMP-9 and VEGF in the tumor of experiment group was decreased significantly, respectively (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results indicated that c-Met-siRNA can down-regulate the expression of c-Met and markedly inhibit laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell proliferation, movement and invasion and the growth of transplantation tumor of nude mice. The siRNA expressing plasmid mediated gene therapy might be a new strategy in targeting molecular therapy of cancer of larynx.</p>

A 3-year clinical trial of deferasirox in heavily iron-overloaded patients with Beta-thalassemia major / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferasirox in heavily iron-overloaded patients with beta-thalassemia major.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A single arm, open-label clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferasirox in the treatment for 23 patients with beta-thalassemia major and heavily iron-overloaded in 3 years follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 23 patients never received regular chelation before enrolling this trial [the mean baseline of serum ferritin was (5433.96 ± 2873.90) µg/L]. In this trial, a deferasirox dose of 20 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) could stabilize serum ferritin levels, while of ≥ 30 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) reduced the levels and achieved negative iron balance. There were no serious adverse events related to the drug. Most common adverse events were mild increases of liver enzyme and serum creatinine levels. Overall, 23 patients could tolerate the drug on schedule and all completed the trial.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a new oral iron chelator, deferasirox has a significant efficacy for the treatment of iron overload. The effectiveness is dependent on the courses of treatment and the dose of deferasirox. The single-dose used is safe and tolerated, so deferasirox can remarkably improve life quality of patients.</p>

The regulation effect of liposomal transfection of antisense oligonucleotide on the alpha-globin in patients with severe beta-thalassemia / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of liposomal transfection of antisense oligonucleotide (ASON) on the erythroid cell alpha-globin gene in the patients with severe beta-thalassemia, and provide a new idea for beta-thalassemia gene therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A highly effective ASON targeting alpha-globin gene was transfected into severe beta-thalassemic erythroid cells cultured in vitro by liposomal at an optimal concentration. The expression level of alpha, beta, gamma-globin gene, the level of hemoglobin, and the excess alpha-globin chains precipitates in ASON group and control group were carefully analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR(Q-RT-PCR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electron microscope, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression of alpha-globin gene was significantly lower in ASON group (9.04 +/- 0.29) than in control group (24.23 +/- 0.29) (P<0.01). Simultaneously, the disequilibrium between alpha- and beta-, gamma-globin gene expression was partly modified by ASON, the ratios of ASON group and control group being 0.79 +/- 0.02 and 2.26 +/- 0.06 respectively (P<0.01). HPLC demonstrated that the levels of HbA2 and HbF increased with downregulation of alpha-globin gene in beta-thalassemic erythroid cells, particularly HbF. The precipitates of alpha-globin chains in ASON group were lessened under electron microscope, particularly in early erythroblast while no change in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The high effective ASON contributes to inhibit the alpha-globin gene expression of severe beta-thalassemic erythroid cells, partly modify the disequilibrium between alpha-, beta- and gamma-globin gene expression and obviously reduce the precipitates of alpha-globin chains in erythroid cells. It might provide a new idea for gene therapy of beta-thalassemia.</p>

Effect of liposomal transfection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on alpha-globin gene expression and proliferation of K562 cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of study was to investigate the effect of liposomal transfection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASON) on alpha-globin gene expression and proliferation of K562 cells, to explore the new way of gene therapy in beta-thalassemia. Targeted ASON of alpha-globin was designed and synthesized, and compared with positive control [sense oligodeoxynucleotide (SON) group] and blank control. By liposomal transfection, ASON, SON was co-cultured with K562. The efficiency of transfection was assayed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM), the alpha-globin gene expression of K562 was measured by real-time PCR, and the proliferation of K562 was determined by Cell Count Kit-8 assay. The results indicated that the highest efficiency was at 24 hours after liposomal transfection, the gene expression level of alpha-globin in ASON group was significantly lower than that in SON group and blank control (p < 0.01). The proliferation of K562 cells was obviously inhibited, meanwhile the above effect showed the dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that the liposomal transfection of ASON inhibits the alpha-globin gene expression of K562 cells, which may be the new target for gene therapy in beta-thalassemia.

Development and evaluation of immunoassay for zeranol in bovine urine / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

A high affinity polyclonal antibody-based enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the quantification of zeranol in bovine urine. On the basis of urine matrix studies, the optimized dilution factors producing insignificant matrix interference were selected as 1:5 in pretreatment. In the improved ELISA, the linear response range was between 0.02 and 1 microg/ml, and the detection limit was 0.02 microg/ml for the assay. The overall recoveries and the coefficients of variation (CVs) were in the range of 82% to approximately 127% and 3.5% to approximately 8.8%, respectively. Thirty-six bovine urine samples spiked with zeranol (ranging from 0.2 to 10 microg/ml) were detected by the ELISA and liquid chromatography (LC) method, and good correlations were obtained between the two methods (R(2)=0.9643). We conclude that this improved ELISA is suitable tool for a mass zeranol screening and can be an alternative for the conventional LC method for zeranol in bovine urine.