Ascorbic Acid Suppresses House Dust Mite-Induced Expression of Interleukin-8 in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells

House dust mite (HDM) is one of the significant causes for airway inflammation such as asthma. It induces oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in the lungs through the release of chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate inflammatory signaling mediators such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and redox-sensitive transcription factors including NF-κB and AP-1. Ascorbic acid shows an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in various cells. It ameliorated the symptoms of HDM-induced rhinitis. The present study was aimed to investigate whether HDM could induce IL-8 expression through activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 and whether ascorbic acid could inhibit HDM-stimulated IL-8 expression by reducing ROS and suppressing activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 in respiratory epithelial H292 cells. H292 cells were treated with HDM (5 μg/mL) in the absence or presence of ascorbic acid (100 or 200 μM). HDM treatment increased ROS levels, and activated MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 and thus, induced IL-8 expression in H292 cells. Ascorbic acid reduced ROS levels and inhibited activation of MAPKs, NF-κB and AP-1 and L-8 expression in H292 cells. In conclusion, consumption of ascorbic acid-rich foods may be beneficial for prevention of HDM-mediated respiratory inflammation by suppressing oxidative stress-mediated MAPK signaling pathways and activation of NF-kB and AP-1.

Ascorbic Acid Suppresses House Dust Mite-Induced Expression of Interleukin-8 in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells

House dust mite (HDM) is one of the significant causes for airway inflammation such as asthma. It induces oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in the lungs through the release of chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate inflammatory signaling mediators such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and redox-sensitive transcription factors including NF-κB and AP-1. Ascorbic acid shows an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in various cells. It ameliorated the symptoms of HDM-induced rhinitis. The present study was aimed to investigate whether HDM could induce IL-8 expression through activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 and whether ascorbic acid could inhibit HDM-stimulated IL-8 expression by reducing ROS and suppressing activation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 in respiratory epithelial H292 cells. H292 cells were treated with HDM (5 μg/mL) in the absence or presence of ascorbic acid (100 or 200 μM). HDM treatment increased ROS levels, and activated MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 and thus, induced IL-8 expression in H292 cells. Ascorbic acid reduced ROS levels and inhibited activation of MAPKs, NF-κB and AP-1 and L-8 expression in H292 cells. In conclusion, consumption of ascorbic acid-rich foods may be beneficial for prevention of HDM-mediated respiratory inflammation by suppressing oxidative stress-mediated MAPK signaling pathways and activation of NF-kB and AP-1.

Screening of MYH7 gene mutation sites in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and its significance / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#There have been few reports of mutations in the beta-myosin heavy chain (MYH7) gene in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is associated with sudden cardiac death caused by HCM. This study aimed to screen the mutation sites in the sarcomeric gene MYH7 in Chinese patients with HCM. We also planned to analyze the pathogenicity of the mutation site as well as its significance in clinical and forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#From January 2006 to June 2017, autopsy cases were collected from the Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The experiment was to detect MYH7 gene status in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 18 independent autopsy cases who suffered HCM related sudden death (fatal HCM) and 20 cases without cardiomyopathy. Common mutation exon fragments of MYH7 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The end-of-deoxygenation method and gene cloning method were further performed to analyze the mutation sites. Homologous comparison among mutant sites was conducted using BLAST online database.@*RESULTS@#The 1336th nucleotide of MYH7 gene at exon 14 was converted from T to G in one HCM case, resulting in the conversion of threonine (Thr) at position 446 to proline (Pro). In another case, the 1402th nucleotide at exon 14 was converted from T to C, resulting in the conversion of phenylalanine (Phe) at position 468 to leucine (Leu). Homologous comparison results showed that the two amino acid residues of Thr446 and Phe468 are highly conserved among different species.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results showed fatal HCM harbored mutations of Thr446Pro and Phe468Leu in the MYH7 gene. It is significant for clinical and forensic medicine to further explore the functions and detailed mechanisms of these mutations.

Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Chemical Constituents of Corydalis Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: In order to clarify the characteristic chemical constituents and furnish applicable information to the basic research and quality control research related to the chemistry of traditional Chinese medicines for Corydalis Rhizoma,this paper investigated the chemical constituents of Corydalis Rhizoma extensively. Method: The dried-up and pulverized plant materials were extracted using 95% EtOH as solvent,the EtOH extract was fractionated using different solvents to afford the EtOAc-soluble and n-BuOH-soluble portion,respectively,among others. These two portions were subjected to procedures of isolation and purification on silica gel or ODS column chromatographies to afford monomers. 1D and 2D NMR and MS methods,along with comparison with the data of literatures,were used to identify the structures. Result: Twelve compounds,all belonging to alkaloids,were isolated and identified as d-corydaline(1),tetrahydrocoptisine(2),tetrahydropalmatine(3),tetrahydrocolumbamine(4),corybulbine(5),tetrahydrojatrorrhizine(6),dehydrocorydaline(7),dehydroglaucine(8),8-oxodihydrocoptisine(9),protopine(10),taxilamine(11),and pontevedrine(12). Of these compounds,the structure of 12 was a revised structure which was assigned by combined examinations of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra and MS data. Conclusion: Compounds 6 and 11 were reported from Corydalis Rhizoma for the first time. The structure of pontevedrine was verified as 1,2,9,10-tetramethoxy-6-methyl-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-4,5(6H)-dione.

Syntheses of alkyl-de-sanguinarine-N5-methyl derivatives and evaluation of in vitro growth inhibitory activities against cancer cell lines / 药学学报

2,3:7,8-Bis(methylenedioxy)benzo[c]phenanthridine was synthesized in a strategy of converging synthesis with 6-bromo-2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 5-nitronaphthalene-2,3-diol, and dibromomethane, respectively, as starting materials. The reaction process included dioxy-de-dibromo nucleophilic substitution under alkaline condition, reduction reaction, Schiff base-forming reaction, and an arene radical cyclization step under the presence of Bu3SnH and AIBN as radical initiator, among others. The 2,3:7,8-bis(methylenedioxy)benzo[c] phenanthridine as intermediate was reacted with NaBH4 and different aliphatic acids as alkylation agent to afford 2,3:7,8-bis(methylenedioxy)-5,6-dihydro-N5-alkylbenzo[c]phenanthridines. These dihydro-type products were aromatized using DDQ as oxidant under alkaline condition, and then, salinized using HCl as source of equilibrium anion to yield the series of target alkyl-de-sanguinarine-N5-methyl derivatives. All the synthesized alkyl-de-sanguinarine-N5-methyl derivatives exhibited significantly improved in vitro growth inhibitory activities against cancer cell lines as compared with sanguinarine and the positive control. In pharmacological experiments targeting five cancer cell lines, the target compounds showed activities five-fold active than that of sanguinarine. The findings of this study indicated that the structure modification strategy of substituting n-alkyls for the N5-methyl of natural sanguinarine can be used to improve the growth inhibitory activities against cancer cell lines through increasing liposolubility and steric hindrance to protect the active 5,6-imine structure.

Intramuscular injection of estradiol combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Even though estrogen can prevent secondary spinal cord injury, exert a neuroprotective role, and inhibit apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells in vitro,little is reported on the combined use of estrogen and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)in the treatment of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanism of s intramuscular injection of estradiol combined with BMSCs in the treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: combined group, BMSCs group, estradiol group and control group. After the establishment of spinal cord injury model, the rats were given intramuscular injection of estradiol 250 μg/kg estradiol combined with 6×106BMSCs (60 μL), BMSCs, estradiol or PBS in different groups, respectively. After transplantation, related indicators were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 1 and 4 weeks after modeling, the behavioral scores in the combined group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05). At 3 and 7 days after transplantation, superoxide dismutase levels in the combined group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups, but the malondialdehyde levels were lowest in the combined group (P < 0.05). At 3 and 7 days after transplantation, the apoptotic rate in the spinal cord tissues was significantly lower in the combined group than the other three groups (P < 0.05). To conclude, estradiol can alleviate secondary cell apoptosis and inhibit oxidative stress after spinal cord injury, which contributes to the spinal motor function recovery after BMSCs transplantation.

Research progress of cost estimation of community basic public health service in China / 中国卫生政策研究

Objective:To summarize the cost of basic community public health service in Chinese community for the period 2009 to 2016 and to provide suggestions for the formulation of the compensatory policy and work in-struction in each region.Methods: The literature search conducted on Chinese literature database(including CNKI, VIP, Wan Fang) from the period of 2009 to 2016.The literature was analyzed with the help of NoteExpress managing Literatures,and the relevant papers and their references were comparatively analyzed by using Microsoft excel 2007. Results:There were a total of 817 relevant articles,of which,48 were included in this study and 19 with detailed re-search results.For the 48 articles,41.7% adopted full costing method and 20.8% used activity-based costing meth-od,54.2% using six-item screener. More research of cost estimation applied to current evaluation of public health service in community,the results of cost estimation showed that the cost of basic community public health service per capita was significantly different among the studies in the period of 2009to2011 (20.9 RMB to 95 RMB).The man-power cost was the main cost of basic community public health service(between 56.59% and 74.9%).Conclusions:Further exploration and research on the cost estimation of national basic community public health service in China re-quires to be performed,and the cost estimation methods are supposed to improve in practice.

Lignans from cultivated Gynura nepalensis / 中国中药杂志

Taking application of some isolation and purification technologies, including solvent extraction, rude solvent isolation, column chromatographies on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 , and preparative HPLC , 4 compounds were obtained from Gynura nepalensis cultivated in a suburban area of Beijing. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods in conjunction with comparison of the NMR data with literature values as 7S,8R-9'-O-ethyl-dehydrodiconiferyl-9-acetate (1), 9'-O-ethyl-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (2), dehydrodiconiferyl-9,9'-diacetate(3), and (+)-medioresinol(4), respectively. 1 is a new 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-8,3'-neolignane type compound, and 2-4 were isolated from G.nepalensis for the first time. The complete assignment of the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopic data of the four compounds recorded in DMSO-d6 was achieved.

Compensatory sweating after restricting or lowering the level of sympathectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To compare compensatory sweating after lowering or restricting the level of sympathectomy. METHOD: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted of all randomized controlled trials published in English that compared compensatory sweating after lowering or restricting the level of sympathectomy. The Cochrane collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio method was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included, including a total of 1079 patients. Five of the randomized controlled trials studied restricting the level of sympathectomy, and the remaining six studied lowering the level of sympathectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The compiled randomized controlled trial results published so far in the literature do not support the claims that lowering or restricting the level of sympathetic ablation results in less compensatory sweating. .

Chemical constituents of the roots of Macleaya microcarpa and activation efficacy of benzophenanthridine alkaloids for the transcription of xbp1 gene / 药学学报

Ongoing study on the chemical constituents of the roots of Macleaya microcarpa led to the isolation of eight compounds of derivatives of triterpenes and organic acids in addition to some previously identified benzophenanthridines. The eight compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods as well as comparison with literature values as 1-oxo-2, 22 (30)-hopandien-29-oic acid (1), 3-oxo-12-oleanen-30-oic acid (2), 3α-hydroxy-12-oleanen-30-oic acid (3), 3β-hydroxy-12-oleanen-30-oic acid (4), ferulic acid (5), ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (6), 3-O-feruloylquinic acid (7), and methyl 3-O-feruloylquinate (8). Of which, 1 is a new triterpenoid of hopanes and 2-8 are isolated from M microcarpa for the first time. In order to discover natural active compounds as potential agents of anti-ulcerative colitis (UC), an in vitro drug high-throughput screening model targeted x-box-binding protein 1 (xbp1) was employed to evaluate the activity of the major chemical constituents of M microcarpa. The result confirmed that two dihydrobenzophenanthridines, dihydrosanguinarine (9) and dihydrochelerythrine (10), showed a certain activity on activating the transcription of xbpl, a transcription factor (TF) associated with the occurrence, development, and potential treatment of UC, with their relative activating ratios being 1.76 and 1.77 times, respectively, as compared with control group.

Constituents with anti-oxidative activity from seeds of Jufeng grape / 中国中药杂志

Taking application of some isolation and purification technologies, including crushing, solvent extraction, preliminary solvent isolation, column chromatographies over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel and preparative HPLC, 8 compounds were obtained from the seeds of Jufeng grape sourced from market. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature values as Catechin (1), Epicatechin (2), quercetin (3), ethylgallate (4), rel-(2S, 3R) -2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -3- (hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-7-ol (5), rel-(2α, 3β)-7-O-methylcedrusin (6), rel-(1R,2S)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -2-(4-(3-hydroxypropyl) -2-methoxyphenoxy) propane-1,3-diol (7), and (+) -isolariciresinol (8), respectively. Compounds 5-8 were serial lignans isolated from the seeds of grape for the first time. Structurally, 5 and 6 belong in benzofuran-8,3'-neolignans, 7 in 8,4'-oxyneolignan, and 8 in 8,8' :2,7'-cyclolignan. According to in vitro activity evaluation conducted in cell model, compound 6 showed significant anti-oxidative ability, with the activity of RAW264. 7 cell superoxide dismutase being raised evidently in the test as compared with the positive anti-oxidative agents, compounds 1 and 2.

Effect of spleen lymphocytes on the splenomegaly in hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mice / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of spleen lymphocytes on the splenomegaly by hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mouse model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell counts, cell cycle distribution, the percentage of lymphocytes subsets and the levels of IL-2 were measured, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to investigate the relationship between spleen lymphocytes and splenomegaly in hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, the thymus was obviously atrophied and the spleen was significantly enlarged in the tumor-bearing group. Correlation study showed that the number of whole spleen cells was positively correlated with the splenic index. The cell diameter and cell-cycle phase distribution of splenocytes in the tumor-bearing group showed no significant difference compared to the normal group. The percentage of CD3+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes in spleen and peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice were substantially higher than that in the normal mice. Meanwhile, the IL-2 level was also higher in the tumor-bearing group than in the normal group. Furthermore, two dysregulated protein, β-actin and S100-A9 were identified in spleen lymphocytes from H22-bearing mice, which were closely related to cellular motility.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is suggested that dysregulated β-actin and S100-A9 can result in recirculating T lymphocytes trapped in the spleen, which may explain the underlying cause of splenomegaly in H22-bearing mice.</p>

Study on chemical constituents from cultivated Gynura nepalensis / 中国中药杂志

Taking application of some isolation and purification technologies, such as solvent extraction, preliminary solvent isolation, column chromatographies over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel and preparative HPLC, 10 compounds were obtained from Gynura nepalensis cultivated in the suburban area of Beijing. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature as (3R) -3-hydroxy-β-ionone (1), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E) -5, 6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (2), (+) -boscialin (3), 3, 6-trans-3-hydroxy-α-ionone (4), 3, 6-cis-3-hydroxy-α-ionone (5), 3, 4-cis-3, 4-dihydroxy-β-ionone (6), ethyl caffeate (7), loliolide (8), 1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde (9), and 3-(hydroxyacetyl)indole (10), respectively. All compounds were isolated from the title plant for the first time, and with compounds 1, 2, 4-7, 9 and 10 being isolated from Gynura species for the first time. Structurally, the above compounds 1-6 belong to C13 nor-sesquiterpenoids, sharing the same carbon skeleton of megastigmane. According to this study, they are one of major kinds of chemical constituents of Gynura nepalensis and have important reference value for the investigation on phytotaxonomy of this species.

Advance in studies on pharmacological activity of coptisine hydrochloride / 中国中药杂志

Coptisine hydrochloride, as a natural protoberberine alkaloid quaternary ammonium salt, can be found in many species of Ranunculaceae and Papaveraceae plants. Despite no in-depth studies on coptisine hydrochloride, some literatures have reported that coptisine hydrochloride has such pharmacological activities as inhibition of monoamine oxidase of type A, selective inhibition and double inhibition against vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inhibition of differentiation and function of osteoclasts, selective regulation of multidrug-resistant and drug-resistant proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells, anti-fungus, protection of gastric-mucous membrane, cytotoxicity, and myocardial protection. Given to the fact of the lack of systematic review and summary of studies on coptisine hydrochloride, we summarize and analyze the study literatures on the pharmacological activity of coptisine hydrochloride published in recent years, so as to provide information for studies on new drugs of coptisine hydrochloride on the basis of the pharmacological activity.

Effect of bushen jianpi decoction and its disassemble recipes on tumor growth in mice with transplanted primary hepatic carcinoma / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe comparatively the effects of Bushen Jianpi Decoction (BJD) and its disassemble recipes on tumor growth in mice with transplanted primary hepatic carcinoma (PCH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty mice with transplanted PCH were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups. The blank control group consisted of untreated model mice, and 4 treated groups consisted of model mice treated with 5-FU (q. o. d, intraperitoneal injection, x 5), BJD and it disassemble recipes (Bushen portion and Jianpi portion, abbreviated as BSP and JPP hereafter) q. d. by gastrogavage for 10 successive days. The body mass, tumor size, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, tumor cell apoptosis and percentage of cells, cell cycle as well as the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 4 treated groups, the heaviest body mass and the de-tumor body mass of mice, and the lowest tumor index were presented in the BJD treated group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); ADC in the BJD treated group and the 5-FU treated group was lower than that in the BSP treated group and JPP treated group (P < 0.05); the lowest VEGF level and tumor mass presented in the 5-FU group, and the highest presented in the JPP group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Tumor inhibition rate and cell apoptosis rate in the 5-FU group was highest and in BJD group the secondary. As for cells of different cell cycles, comparisons between the 4 groups showed that S phase cell in 5-FU group < BJD group < BSP and JPP groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); G0-G1 phase cell in BJD and BSP group < JPP group < 5-FU group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). No significant difference of G2-M phase cell was shown among them.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The acting mechanism of BJD and its disassembled recipes on transplanted PCH may be inhibiting VEGF expression and accelerating tumor cell apoptosis. Change of MRI's ADC value was keeping in step with changing of VEGF and cell apoptosis. Thereby, it could objectively reflect the metabolism of tumor cells, being a new means for assessing the effect of Chinese materia medica.</p>

Thoraco-abdomtinal flap for repairing the defects after separation of the thoraco-adbomino-conjoined twins / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate a technique for repairing a large thoraco-abdominal defect after the separation of the thoraco-abdomino-conjoined twins.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A 8 cm x 5 cm thoraco-abdominal flap on each side of the trunk of the conjoined twins was designed before the separation. The flap from the A-infant was used for repairing the thoraco-abdominal defect of the B-infant while the flap from the B-infant for the defect of the A-infant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both of the defects after the separation of the conjoined twins were completely covered by the flaps. The flaps were survival very well with very good appearance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The above technique could be a good way for repairing the defects after the separation of the thoraco-abdominal conjoined twins.</p>

A study on relationship between CT grouping and complication of liver cirrhosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To probe into the relationship between the CT grouping of liver cirrhosis and its complications as well as clinical condition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On the basis of CT findings in 357 cases with liver cirrhosis, CT grouping of the cirrhosis was performed. The complications of the cirrhosis, including enlargement of spleen, varicose collateral veins, ascites, pleurorrhea, primary liver carcinoma, gallbladder stone, etc, of all groups were analyzed. According to examination the blood routine, and the serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine and uric acid, the condition of spleen function accentuation and liver-kidney syndrome were estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three hundred and fifty-seven cases with cirrhosis were divided into homogeneous group (87 cases, 24.4%), segmental group (41 cases, 11.5%) and nodal group (229 cases, 64.1%). The grade of spleen enlargement in the segmental group and the nodal group was significantly greater than that in homogeneous group. The cases with varicose in the segmental group was the most (70.7%), in the nodal group next (17.0%) and in the homogeneous group the least (2.3%). There was significant difference among three groups. In the nodal group, there was ascites in 182 cases (79.5%) and significantly more than that in the segmental group (11 cases, 26.8%) and the homogeneous group (9 cases, 10.3%), and the former significantly more than the latter. There were 68 cases (29.7%) with primary liver carcinoma in the nodal group, and significantly more than that in the segmental group (1 case, 2.4%) and the homogeneous group (5 cases, 5.7%). The cases with hemoglobin decrease in the nodal group were significantly more than that in the homogeneous group. The averages of hemoglobin and platelet in the nodal group and the segmental group were significantly lower than that in the homogeneous group. The cases with SUN increase in the nodal group and the segmental group were significantly more than that in the homogeneous group. The concentration of SUN in the nodal group was significantly higher than that in the homogeneous group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are close relationship between the grouping of liver cirrhosis on basis of CT findings and complications of the cirrhosis. The practice of grouping might be useful for estimating clinical condition</p>