Key biomarkers for the diagnosis of intervertebral disc degeneration associated with oxidative stress:identification based on bioinformatics and machine learning / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Oxidative stress is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration,but its underlying mechanisms and effective treatment methods remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To identify key genes associated with intervertebral disc degeneration accompanied by oxidative stress based on bioinformatics and three machine learning algorithms,as well as to conduct an immune infiltration analysis,followed by experimental validation. METHODS:Gene expression profiles related to intervertebral disc degeneration were obtained from the GEO database and oxidative stress-related genes obtained from the GeneCards database.Differential analysis and weighted gene co-expression networks analysis were performed on the intervertebral disc degeneration dataset.The intersection of the two analyses and the intersection with the oxidative stress-related genes were taken to obtain candidate hub genes.Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses on the candidate hub genes were performed.Machine learning algorithms(LASSO regression,SVM-RFE,and random forest)were used to select the optimal feature genes and perform the receiver operator characteristic curve validation.Simultaneously,immune infiltration analysis was conducted.Nucleus pulposus samples from patients with cervical spondylosis who were treated at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from July to November 2023 were enrolled as the intervertebral disc degeneration group and nucleus pulposus samples from patients with cervical spinal cord injury as the control group.The relative expression of feature genes in the degenerated intervertebral disc was validated using qPCR method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After differential gene analysis,424 differentially expressed genes were obtained.Weighted gene co-expression networks analysis yielded 5 087 genes,and 1 399 oxidative stress genes were identified,leading to the identification of 23 candidate hub genes.Gene ontology analysis revealed that these candidate hub genes are primarily involved in bacterial defense response,molecular response to bacteria,and other biological processes.In terms of cellular component,they are associated with secretion granule lumen and cytoplasmic vesicle lumen,among others.As for molecular function,they are related to endopeptidase activity and compound binding,including sulfur compounds.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis demonstrated that these candidate hub genes are associated with neutrophil extracellular trap formation and the renin-angiotensin system pathway,among other signaling pathways.By applying three machine learning algorithms and conducting the receiver operator characteristic curve validation,two key genes,HSPA6 and PKD1,were determined.Immune infiltration analysis revealed a strong correlation between HSPA6 and activated dendritic cells(r=0.88,P＜0.001)as well as activated CD4+ T cells(r=-0.72,P＜0.01).Similarly,PKD1 showed close associations with effector memory CD8+ T cells(r=0.55,P＜0.05)and activated dendritic cells(r=-0.56,P＜0.05).qPCR experimental results indicated that the expression level of HSPA6 was lower in the intervertebral disc degeneration group compared with the control group(P＜0.000 1),while the expression level of PKD1 was higher in the intervertebral disc degeneration group(P＜0.000 1).These findings suggest that HSPA6 and PKD1 can serve as biomarkers for intervertebral disc degeneration accompanied by oxidative stress.Interventions targeting HSPA6 and PKD1 may hold promise for improving intervertebral disc degeneration.

Research progress on food literacy assessment tools for children and adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Abstract@#As dietary issues of children and adolescents become increasingly complex, the assessment of food literacy (FL) is increasingly importance. FL involves a comprehensive cognition and practical ability concerning food among children, playing a key role in fostering healthy eating habits and improving health levels. The article explores the definition and connotations of FL, and introduces eight FL assessment tools in terms of theoretical foundations, dimensions, assessment methods, and their reliability and validity. Moreover, it provides a comparative analysis of these tools by examining their dimensional design, evaluation indicators, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their applicable subjects and scenarios, aiming to offer references for implementing relevant policies and developing more comprehensive and effective FL assessment tools.

Construction of a risk assessment indicator system for re-establishment of imported malaria / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To create a risk assessment indicator system for re-establishment of imported malaria. Methods The risk assessment indicator system for re-establishment of imported malaria was preliminarily constructed through literature review and thematic discussions. A total of 26 malaria control experts were selected to carry out a two-round Delphi consultation of the indicator system. The active coefficient, authority coefficient and coordination coefficient of the experts and the coefficient of variation on each indicator were calculated for indicator screening and the weight of each indicator was calculated. The reliability of the indicator system was evaluated using Cronbach’s coefficient α, and the content validity of the indicator system was evaluated using the authority coefficient of the expert, while the structural validity of the indicator system was evaluated using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and factor analysis. Results Two rounds of Delphi expert consultations were completed by 23 malaria control experts, and a risk assessment indicator system for re-establishment of imported malaria was constructed, including 3 primary indicators, 7 secondary indicators, and 21 tertiary indicators. The active coefficient (100.00% vs. 88.46%; P < 0.01) and coordination coefficient of the expert (0.372 vs. 0.286; P < 0.01) were significantly greater in the second round of the Delphi expert consultation than in the first round. After the second round of the Delphi expert consultation, the authority coefficient of the experts ranged from 0.757 to 0.930 on each indicator, and the coefficients of variation were 0.098 to 0.136, 0.112 to 0.276 and 0.139 to 0.335 for the primary, secondary and tertiary indicators, respectively. The overall Cronbach’s coefficient α of the indicator system was 0.941, and there were significant differences in the KMO values for primary (KMO value = 0.523; χ2 = 18.192, P < 0.05), secondary (KMO value = 0.694, χ2 = 51.499, P < 0.01) and tertiary indicators (KMO value = 0.519; χ2 = 477.638, P < 0.01), while the cumulative contribution rate of six principal components in the tertiary indicators was 84.23%. The normalized weights of three primary indicators of the source of infection, transmission condition and control capability were 0.337, 0.333 and 0.329, and the three secondary indicators with the greatest normalized weights included the number of imported cases and malaria parasite species (0.160), introduction of imported cases in China and medical care seeking (0.152), vector species and density (0.152), while the five tertiary indicators with the greatest normalized weights included the malaria parasite species of imported cases (0.065), vector populations (0.064), and the time interval from onset to medical care seeking (0.059), number of imported cases (0.056), and the time interval from medical care seeking to definitive diagnosis (0.055). Conclusions A risk assessment indicator system for re-establishment of imported malaria is successfully created, which provides insights into the assessment of the risk of re-establishment of imported malaria and management of key high-risk factors in malaria-eliminated areas.

Driving role of macrophages in transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Acute kidney injury (AKI), characterized by acute renal dysfunction, is an increasingly common clinical problem and an important risk factor in the subsequent development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Regardless of the initial insults, the progression of CKD after AKI involves multiple types of cells, including renal resident cells and immune cells such as macrophages. Recently, the involvements of macrophages in AKI-to-CKD transition have garnered significant attention. Furthermore, substantial progress has also been made in elucidating the pathophysiological functions of macrophages from the acute kidney to repair or fibrosis. In this review, we highlight current knowledge regarding the roles and mechanisms of macrophage activation and phenotypic polarization, and transdifferentiation in the development of AKI-to-CKD transition. In addition, the potential of macrophage-based therapy for preventing AKI-to-CKD transition is also discussed.

Surveillance of malaria vector Anopheles in Guizhou Province from 2005 to 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the density, populations and habitats of malaria vector Anopheles in Guizhou Province from 2005 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the countermeasures to tackle the risk of local transmission of imported malaria in the province. Methods The malaria vector Anopheles density and populations were monitored using human bait trapping and light trapping techniques in Guizhou Province from 2005 to 2019, and all captured Anopheles was morphologically identified and counted. In addition, the distribution of Anopheles habitats was investigated. Results During the period from 2005 through 2019, the malaria vector Anopheles density increased from early June in Guizhou Province, peaked on early July and then declined, which appeared a single peak. The greatest Anopheles density was seen on early August, 2018 [57.34 mosquitoes/(person-night)], and the lowest density was found on late October, 2009 [1.29 mosquitoes/(person-night)]. The annual mean Anopheles density slowly reduced from 17.91 mosquitoes/(person-night) in 2005 to 12.34 mosquitoes/(person-night) in 2012, with a 38.02% reduction (χ2trend = 115.04, P < 0.01), while the annual mean Anopheles density showed a tendency towards a rise from 2017 to 2019 (χ2trend = 420.00, P < 0.01). The malaria vector Anopheles was captured during the period between 19 : 00 and 7 : 00 of the next day in Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2019, with the overall density appearing a tendency towards a rise followed by a decline, and the Anopheles activity was highly frequent during the period between 19 : 00 and 21 : 00. The malaria vector Anopheles was monitored for 938 times using the light trapping method in Guizhou Province from 2005 to 2019, and a total of 52 781 Anopheles mosquitoes were captured, including 49 705 An. sinensis, 804 An. minimus, 238 An. anthropophagus, and 2 034 other Anopheles mosquitoes, with a significant difference seen in the Anopheles composition (χ2 = 165.68, P < 0.01). From 2017 to 2019, a total of 24 557 Anopheles mosquitoes were captured in human housings, outdoors and livestock housings in Guizhou Province, with 67.65% captured in livestock housings and 12.01% in human housings, and there was a significant difference in the number of Anopheles mosquitoes captured from the three types of habitats (χ2 = 55.04, P < 0.01). An. sinensis, An. minimus and An. anthropophagus were captured form all three types of habitats, in which 98.07% was An. sinensis, and 0.09% was An. anthropophagus. Conclusions The population structure of malaria vector Anopheles has changed in historically malaria-endemic areas of Guizhou Province, and An. sinensis has replaced An. minimus and An. anthropophagus to become the predominant malaria vector. The malaria vector Anopheles density has shown a tendency towards a rise in Guizhou Province during the recent years, and there have been a rise in the type and number of Anopheles mosquitoes, leading to a potential risk of local transmission of imported malaria. Long-term, persistent and extensive surveillance of malaria vectors is recommended in Guizhou Province.

Clinical analysis of multi-disciplinary team management in the treatment of giant neurofibroma in maxillofacial and neck region / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) management in the treatment of giant neurofibroma in maxillofacial and neck region, to provide reference for clinical practice.@*Methods@#Retrospective analysis was conducted on the perioperative whole-process management process of 2 cases of giant neurofibroma in maxillofacial and neck region jointly formulated treatment plan by oral and maxillofacial surgery department with the assistance of the department of anesthesiology, ICU, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, etc.@*Results@#MDT treatment process (anesthesia-embolization-collaborative surgery-ICU-post-operative management) of the two patients was smoothly conducted according to the pre-operative plan. There were no adverse events or accidents that were not predicted by the risk assessment from multiple teams during the operation, and no serious complications occurred after the operation. The post-operative pathological report of both cases was "neurofibroma". Wounds in both patients healed in stage I. The course of treatment was smooth, and the surgical treatment was completed without serious complications. @*Conclusion@# MDT management can play a positive role in the diagnosis and treatment of giant maxillofacial and neck neurofibroma so that patients can obtain safer and more effective diagnosis and treatment.

Antihypertensive Effect of Tianmu Jiangya Powder on SHR Rats and Its Mechanism / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the antihypertensive effect of Tianmu Jiangya powder and its related antihypertensive mechanism by using SHR rats as a model, and protein expressions provide an experimental basis for the clinical application of Tianmu Jiangya powder in the treatment of hypertension. Method::Sixty male SHR rats were randomly divided into six groups according to body weight after one week of adaptive feeding: model group, valsartan group (12 mg·kg-1), captopril group (9 mg·kg-1), hydrochlorothiazide group (6 mg·kg-1), Tianmu Jiangya powder low and high-dose group (0.36, 1.44 g·kg-1), WKY rats were used as the normal group, and the intragastric administration lasted for 16 weeks. Softron BP-2010A intelligent non-invasive blood pressure meter was used to measure the systolic blood pressure (SBP)and heart rate (HR) of rat tail arteries. Adobe Photoshop CS5 software was used to analyze the left auricle and claw fixed selected areas to evaluate the effect on blood stasis syndrome. Vevo 2100 small animal ultrasound imaging system detects left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular shortening (FS), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systole dimension (LVIDs), left ventricular end-diastole dimension (LVIDd), interventricular septum end-systolic depth (IVSs), and interventricular septum end-diastolic depth (IVSd). Then the rats were sacrificed and the materials were taken (blood, heart, aorta, liver, kidney, tibia), and the weight of heart, liver, kidney and tibia length were measured and recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the heart and thoracic aorta. Separation of serum and plasma, and determination of nitric oxide (NO) in serum by nitrate reductase method. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect plasma adrenaline/3 methoxyadrenaline (MN), urea (UREA), and uric acid (UA) contents. The expression of nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein in thoracic aorta of each group was detected and analyzed by immunohistochemical method. Result::Compared with normal group, the SBP and HR of the rats in model group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The r value of the claw was significantly reduced and the g value was significantly increased at 8 and 16 weeks (P<0.05). LVEF and FS significantly decreased, LVESV, LVIDs, IVSd increased significantly (P<0.05). Heart weight, heart weight /tibia length, liver weight and liver weight /tibia length, plasma of MN, UREA, and UA contents significantly increased, and promoted the expression of iNOS and VEGF proteins in the aortic (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the Tianmu Jiangya powder administration group could continuously reduce SBP in SHR rats, maintain HR stability (P<0.05), significantly increase the claw of r value, lower the claw of g value(P<0.05). LVEF, FS significantly increased, LVEDV, LVESV, LVIDd and LVIDs significantly decreased (P<0.05), significantly increased serum NO content, decreased liver weight, liver weight/tibia length, plasma MN, UREA, UA content (P<0.05), and down-regulated the expression of iNOS and VEGF protein in the aorta(P<0.05). Conclusion::Tianmu Jiangya powder has a certain antihypertensive effect, and its mechanism may be mainly related to protecting heart function, improving vascular endothelial function, reducing catecholamines and sedative analgesia.

Anti-lipopolysaccharide effect of ultrafine granular powder of Houttuynia cordata / 中草药

Objective: To study the anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) effect of the ultrafine granular powder of Houttuynia cordata and the effects in comparison with traditional decoction pieces. Methods: BALB/c mice were injected with LPS through nose to establish lung inflammation model. The number of leukocytes in mice whole blood was examined, and the degree of the inflammation of lung tissue by pathology was observed. Rat inflammatory model was induced by injection of LPS into tail vein. The number of leukocytes in mice whole blood, content of LPS in plasma were examined, the content of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA). The limulus test method was used to detect the anti- lipopolysaccharide effect of the ultrafine granular powder of H. cordata in vitro. Results: The ultrafine granular powder of H. cordata and traditional decoction pieces can reduce the level of leukocytes in mice whole blood in various degrees, and alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells in pathological lung tissue, and there was a positive dosage dependent relation. For the two decoction pieces, the number of leukocytes in rat whole blood, the content of LPS in plasma, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum decreased in different degrees were found. Compared with traditional decoction pieces group, the content of IL-1β and TNF-α of serum in ultrafine granular powder group were significant decreased. The ultrafine granular powder of H. cordata showed better anti-inflammatory activity than traditional decoction pieces in vitro at the same concentration and same dilution ratio. Conclusion: The ultrafine granular powder of H. cordata has satisfactory anti-lipopolysaccharide effect, and the effect is better than traditional decoction pieces in some extent.

Transforming growth factor-β and renal fibrosis / 生理学报

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a driving force of renal fibrosis, which may lead to chronic kidney diseases and even end stage renal diseases. By activating canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, TGF-β promotes the synthesis of extracellular matrix while preventing their degradation. In the injured kidney, TGF-β induces apoptosis, proliferation and fibrotic response of renal cells including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, podocytes, fibroblasts, pericytes and macrophages, and it also promotes transdifferentiation, activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts. Additionally, TGF-β exerts profibrotic effects by interplaying with other signaling pathways like BMP-7, Wnt/β-catenin and MAP kinase. Smad3 is the central pathological gene in renal fibrosis, and epigenetic regulation of TGF-β/Smad3 is a hot topic in kidney field. Although direct targeting TGF-β may cause side effects including tumorigenesis and immune diseases, the therapeutic strategies targeting the balance of downstream Smad3 and Smad7 may prevent or delay the progression of fibrotic kidney disease.

Antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin against influenza A H1N1 virus infection in vivo / 药学学报

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.

Chemical constituents from Glechoma longituba / 中国中药杂志

Fourteen compounds were obtained from Glechoma longituba by the chromatographic methods of silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative of HPLC. According to physicochemical properties and spectral data, these compounds were identified as stilbostemin B (1), trilepisiumic acid (2), 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl ethanol ketone (3), bergeninmonohydrate (4), oresbiusin A (5), norbergenin (6), stilbostemin D (7), ehretioside B (8), ethyl ferulate (9), E-p-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (10), methyl gallate (11), protocatechuic acid (12), 4'-Hydroxyacetophenone (13), and E-3-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl-2-acrylic acid (14). Among them, compounds 1-10, 13 and 14 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

A new chromone glycoside from roots of Polygonum multiflorum / 中国中药杂志

Several kinds of column chromatography methods were used to investigate the chemical constituents of roots of Polygonum multiflorum. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified based on their physicochemical properties, spectral data and chemical methods. A new chromone glycoside was isolated and its structure was identified as (S)-2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl7-hydroxychromone-7-0-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1).

A new flavone C-glycoside from leaves of Lophatherum gracile / 中国中药杂志

Several kinds of column chromatography method were used to investigate the chemical constituents of the leaves of Lophatherum gracile. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified based on their physicochemical properties and spectral data. A new flavone C-glycoside was isolated and its structure was identified as 3'-methoxyl-luteolin 6-C-beta-D-galactopyranosiduronic acid (1 --> 2) -alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1).

Rabeprazole 10 mg versus 20 mg in preventing relapse of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a meta-analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared endoscopic and symptomatic relapses in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We have summarized current evidence for rabeprazole 10 or 20 mg once daily for GERD maintenance treatment over 1 or 5 years.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, through August 2012, for eligible RCTs of adults with erosive GERD. The efficacies of rabeprazole 10 and 20 mg/d were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The search identified 288 citations, and five RCTs containing 1480 patients were considered eligible. Heartburn relapse rates did not differ significantly between patients treated with rabeprazole 10 and 20 mg/d for 1 year (relative risk (RR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-1.72), but differed in patients treated for 5 years (RR = 1.274; 95% CI: 1.005-1.615). Endoscopic relapse rates differed significantly between rabeprazole 10 and 20 mg/d for 1 year (RR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.21-3.06), for 5 years (RR = 1.667; 95% CI: 1.073-2.589), and in combined 1- and 5-year maintenance trials (RR = 1.785; 95% CI: 1.298-2.456).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rabeprazole 20 mg/d was superior to rabeprazole 10 mg/d in preventing endoscopic relapse of erosive GERD, but that the two dosages were equivalent in symptomatic relief over 1 year.</p>

Smads as therapeutic targets for chronic kidney disease

Renal fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is generally thought that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a key mediator of fibrosis and mediates renal scarring positively by Smad2 and Smad3, but negatively by Smad7. Our recent studies found that in CKD, TGF-beta1 is not a sole molecule to activate Smads. Many mediators such as angiotensin II and advanced glycation end products can also activate Smads via both TGF-beta-dependent and independent mechanisms. In addition, Smads can interact with other signaling pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathways, to regulate renal inflammation and fibrosis. In CKD, Smad2 and Smad3 are highly activated, while Smad7 is reduced or lost. In the context of fibrosis, Smad3 is pathogenic and mediates renal fibrosis by upregulating miR-21 and miR-192, but down-regulating miR-29 and miR-200 families. By contrast, Smad2 and Smad7 are protective. Overexpression of Smad7 inhibits both Smad3-mediated renal fibrosis and NF-kappaB-driven renal inflammation. Interestingly, Smad4 has diverse roles in renal fibrosis and inflammation. The complexity and distinct roles of individual Smads in CKD suggest that treatment of CKD should aim to correct the imbalance of Smad signaling or target the Smad3-dependent genes related to fibrosis, rather than to block the general effect of TGF-beta1. Thus, treatment of CKD by overexpression of Smad7 or targeting Smad3-dependent miRNAs such as downregulation of miR-21 or overexpression of miR-29 may represent novel therapeutic strategies for CKD.

A differential proteomic study on the influence of ytterbium citrate on HepG2 cells / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of ytterbium citrate on human liver carcinoma HepG2 cell line and the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HepG2 cells were cultured with DMEM medium and divided into different groups in the following media, in serum-free medium as control, different concentration (0.01 - 5.00 mmol/L) [YbCit(2)](3-)+serum-free medium as treatment group, MTT assay was used to measure the viability of the cells; 2.00 mmol/L [YbCit(2)](3-)+serum-free medium was used as treatment group, and Hoechst 33258 staining was used to detect apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Differential proteomic analysis, assay of intracellular H(2)O(2) levels and mitochondrial transmembrane potential were performed to study the effects of [YbCit(2)](3-) on HepG2 cells and the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data showed that 72 h treatment of [YbCit(2)](3-) at 2.00 - 5.00 mmol/L significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and the IC(50) was (2.46 ± 0.23) mmol/L. After treatment with 2.00 mmol/L [YbCit(2)](3-) for 48 h and 72 h, Hoechst 33258 staining demonstrated that [YbCit(2)](3-) induced significantly increased apoptosis in HepG2 cells. After treatment with 2.00 mmol/L [YbCit(2)](3-) for 72 h, two dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis revealed 14 differentially expressed proteins between [YbCit(2)](3-)-treated cells and the control cells. These proteins mainly included cofilin1, peroxiredoxin6, S100 calcium-binding protein A6, and proteasome 26S non-ATPase subunit 13 isoform 3 and so on. These proteins played important roles in the processes of anti-apoptosis, oxidation reduction, cell proliferation and protein degradation. The mitochondrial membrane potential were investigated, the results showed the red and green fluorescence ratio was 2.45 ± 0.28 in the control group, 1.56 ± 0.23 in 24 h group, 1.16 ± 0.18 in 48 h group, compared with the control, the differences were significant (F = 23.97, P = 0.001). The results of H(2)O(2) detection showed the fluorescence intensity was 20.00 ± 2.08 in the control group, 40.00 ± 5.50 in 24 h group, and 48.00 ± 2.03 in 48 h group, compared with the control, the differences were significant (F = 48.40, P = 0.000). The results indicated a significant reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and significant increase in H2O2 generation were observed in [YbCit(2)](3-)-treated cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggested that [YbCit(2)](3-) could induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells through the mechanisms involving oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.</p>

A new phenylpropanoic acid derivatives from the roots of Ficus stenophylla / 药学学报

Chemical constituents of the roots of Ficus stenophylla were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated based on physicochemical and spectral data. Five compounds were identified as methyl 3-(6-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzofuran-5-yl) propanoate (1), kaemferol (2), kampferol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), quercetin (4) and tricin (5), separately. Compound 1 is a new phenylpropionic acid derivatives. All compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Studies on chemical constituents from Serissa serissoides / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Serissa serissoides.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Chemical constituents were isolated with the column chromatographic methods including silica gel and sephadex LH -20, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectral and chemical evidences.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds were obtained and were identified as: palmitic acid (1), corosolic acid (2), daucosterol (3), urs-12-en-28-ol (4), oleanolic acid (5), uroslic acid (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (7), and 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (8).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Except compound 5, other seven compounds were found from the genus Serissa for the first time.</p>

Studies on antiviral constituents in stems and leaves of Pithecellibium clypearia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the antiviral constituents in the stems and leaves of Pithecellibium clypearia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents of P. clypearia were systematically separated with various chromatographic techniques in combination with antiviral activity monitoring. Their structures were elucidated by physical and chemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds were isolated from P. clypearia and were identified as: tricetiflavan (5, 7, 3', 4', 5'-pentahydroxylflavan) (1), myricitrin (myricetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside) (2), quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside) (3), quereetin (4), methyl gallate (5) and gallic acid (6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1 approximately 5 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compound 4 was found to show an obvious anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity.</p>