Cembrane-type diterpenoids from the South China Sea soft coral

Eight cembrane-type diterpenoids, namely, (+)-(6)-6-hydroxyisosarcophytoxide (), (+)-(6)-6-acetoxyisosarcophytoxide (), (+)-17-hydroxyisosarcophytoxide (), sarcomililatins A-D (-), and sarcomililatol (), were isolated from the soft coral collected from Weizhou Island, Guangxi Autonomous Region, together with 2 known related analogues, (+)-isosarcophytoxide () and (+)-isosarcophine (). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by a combination of detailed spectroscopic analyses, chemical methods, and comparison with reported data. The absolute configuration of compound was established by the modified Mosher׳s method, while the absolute configurations of compounds and were assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy and that of compound was established by time-dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism (TD-DFT ECD) calculation. In bioassays, compound displayed significant cytotoxicity against the human cancer cell lines human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) and human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A-549) with IC values of 0.78±0.21 and 1.26±0.80 μmol/L, respectively. Compounds and also showed moderate inhibitory effects on the TNF-induced Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B, a therapeutical target in cancer) activation, showing IC values of 35.23±12.42 and 22.52±4.44 μmol/L, respectively.

Clinical study on foscarnet prophylaxis and pre-emptive therapy for cytomegalovirus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective To observe the clinical safety and efficacy of foscarnet prophylaxis and pre-emptive therapy for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods Ninety-six patients undergoing allo-HSCT from October 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Plasma CMV-DNA was monitored with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) from beginning to 180 days after transplantation. Foscarnet was used not only for prophylaxis but also for first-line pre-emptive therapy when plasma CMV-DNA turned to positive. Foscarnet was given 60 mg·kg-1·d-1 and 120 mg·kg-1·d-1 respectively in prevention and pre-emptive therapy. Incidences of CMV infection and CMV disease were observed, influencing factors on CMV in faction and the efficacy and safety of foscarnet prophylaxis were analyzed, and survival of patients treated by all-HSCT was evaluated. Results Of the total 96 patients, 42 cases (43.8%) had CMV infection with the median time of 42 days after allo-HSCT. CMV-DNA became negative in 36 patients (85.7%, 36/42) after pre-emptive therapy. Six patients (14.3 %, 6/42) developed CMV disease, including 5 patients with CMV negative and 1 patient died for CMV pneumonia. Haploidentical donor and grade Ⅱ-Ⅳacute graft versus host disease (GVHD) were the risk factors for CMV reactivation (χ2 = 3.834, P< 0.05; χ2 = 16.807, P< 0.001). The side effects of foscarnet prophylaxis were mild without hematologic toxicities. 12 patients (28.6 %) died in 42 patients with CMV infection, and 6 patients (11.1 %) died in 54 patients without CMV infection. The difference of survival rates between both groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion Foscarnet is an effective agent for prophylaxis and pre-emptive therapy in CMV infection after allo-HSCT with mild adverse reactions, especially for patients following with hematopoietic recovering.

Dual stent technology used for TIPS: recent progress in research / 介入放射学杂志

Nowadays,transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has already become the main means for the treatment of portal hypertension and its complications due to cirrhosis.The Viatorr stent that is specifically designed for TIPS has been available in China since the end of 2015,but it has not been widely used in clinical practice in China so far.At present,superimposed release dual-stent technology by using one bare stent and one covered stent,as simulation of Viatorr stent,to perform TIPS is still employed in many clinical centers in China.Dual stent technology carries unique advantages,although the long-term efficacy of dual-stent implantation technology is not as good as that of single-stent implantation technology.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the dual-stent technology used for TIPS,focusing on the dual-stent technique classification and advantages,the causes and the managements of postoperative shunt dysfunction,etc.so as to let this technique can be mnore effectively used in treating portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis.

Effect of pachyman polysaccharides on Th17/Treg balance in systemic lupus erythematosus patients / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of pachyman polysaccharides (PPS) on T helper 17 cell (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.METHODS: The CD4+ T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood samples obtained from 45 SLE patients and 35 healthy controls enrolled in our study using magnetic bead separation method.The proportions of Th17 and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry.The CD4+ T cells from SLE patients and healthy controls were treated with PPS.The cytoto-xicity of PPS was evaluated by detecting cell viability with MTT assay.The contents of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-6, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were measured by ELISA.The expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS: The Th17 cells were significantly elevated, while Treg cells were obviously decreased in the SLE patients compared with the healthy control group (P<0.05).Compare with control group, the contents of IL-17 and IL-6 were decreased, while the contents of IL-10 and TGF-β were increased (P<0.05).The expression of RORγt at mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated and the expression of Foxp3 was up-regulated (P<0.05).The ratio of Th17/Treg was decreased in 100 μg/L nontoxic PPS-treated CD4+ T cells isolated from the SLE patients (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: PPS treatment inhibits Th17 cells and elevates Treg cells in the CD4+ T cells isolated from SLE patients, which may have a therapeutic effect on SLE patients.

Seminiferous capsule extract effect on the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Chinese herbs for kidney nourishment can promote the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cel s. OBJECTIVE:To verify the effect of seminiferous capsule extract on spermatogonial stem cel proliferation. METHODS:Spermatogonial stem cel s were isolated from the testis of male mice and synchronized by serum-free medium fol owed by an addition of 10, 50, 100 mg/L seminiferous capsule extracts. After 24 hours of culture, viability, proliferation and cel cycle of spermatogonial stem cel s were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, seminiferous capsule extracts promoted the cel number, viability and proportion at S stage. The number of BrdU-labeled spermatogonial stem cel s was increased significantly after intervention with seminiferous capsule extracts, especial y at the concentration of 50 mg/L. These findings indicate that seminiferous capsule extracts can promote the proliferation and viability of spermatogonial stem cel s.

Rhodiola polysaccharide effect on spermatogonial stem cell proliferation in vitro / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:To establish a rapid and effective method to obtain sufficient spermatogonial stem cels that can meet the clinical need is urgent to be solved in the spermatogonial stem cel transplantation. OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of rhodiola polysaccharide on the proliferation of spermatogonial stem celsin vitro. METHODS:Under sterile conditions, spermatogonial stem cels and Sertoli cels were isolated from the testis of mice, and spermatogonial stem cels were seeded onto the feed layer of Sertoli cels. Then, the co-cultured cels were assigned into experimental group 1 (simple cel culture medium), experimental group 2 (cel culture medium containing 150 mg/L rhodiola polysaccharide) and experimental group 3 (cel culture medium containing 150 mg/L rhodiola polysaccharide, 1 U/L leukemia inhibitory factor and 10 μg/L glial cel line-derived neurotrophic factor). After 7 days of co-culture, flow cytometry was used to detect cel proliferation in vitro, and cel viability and positive expression of GFRa-1, Thy-1 and C-kit were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 7 days of co-culture, the cels grew rapidly and presented with colony and thyrsiform growth, and the number of cel masses increased significantly, al of which were in line with the proliferative features of spermatogonial stem cels. The GFRa-1, Thy-1 and C-kit proteins were expressed in the cel membrane and cytoplasm, mainly in the cel membrane. The viability of spermatogonial stem cels and positive expression of GFRa-1 and Thy-1 were ranked as folows: experimental group 3 > experimental group 2 > experimental group 1, and there were significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). The positive expression of C-kit had no difference between experimental groups 1 and 2, but it was significantly higher in the experimental group 3 than the other two groups (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that rhodiola polysaccharide used alone or combined with leukemia inhibitory factor and glial cel line-derived neurotrophic factor can enhance the proliferative ability of spermatogonial stem celsin vitro.

The preoperative application of MSCT and MSCTP in performing TIPS combined with gastric coronary vein embolization / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of preoperative multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and multi-slice computed tomography portography (MSCTP) in performing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS) combined with gastric coronary vein embolization (GCVE). Methods A total of 126 patients with cirrhosis complicated by upper gastrointestinal bleeding or massive ascites due to portal hypertension were enrolled in this study. The patients were arranged to receive TIPSS together with GCVE. Before the treatment, MSCT and MSCTP were performed in all patients. By using post-processing techniques, including maximum intensity projection (MIP), multiplanar reformation (MPR), volume rendering (VR) and surface shade display (SSD), the anatomy of liver was comprehensively evaluated. Results Both MSCT and MSCTP could clearly display morphologic changes of liver , the spatial relationship of the portal and hepatic veins , the degree and extent of portal collateral circulation , and the severity of ascites, which provided important anatomical information for preoperative evaluation of TIPSS and GCVE. Conclusion MSCT and MSCTP are non-invasive and reliable examinations for the diagnosis of cirrhosis with portal hypertension, it can further clarify the diagnosis and guide the performance of TIPSS and GCVE.

The preoperative application of MSCT and MSCTP in performing TIPS combined with gastric coronary vein embolization / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of preoperative multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and multi-slice computed tomography portography (MSCTP) in performing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS) combined with gastric coronary vein embolization (GCVE). Methods A total of 126 patients with cirrhosis complicated by upper gastrointestinal bleeding or massive ascites due to portal hypertension were enrolled in this study. The patients were arranged to receive TIPSS together with GCVE. Before the treatment, MSCT and MSCTP were performed in all patients. By using post-processing techniques, including maximum intensity projection (MIP), multiplanar reformation (MPR), volume rendering (VR) and surface shade display (SSD), the anatomy of liver was comprehensively evaluated. Results Both MSCT and MSCTP could clearly display morphologic changes of liver , the spatial relationship of the portal and hepatic veins , the degree and extent of portal collateral circulation , and the severity of ascites, which provided important anatomical information for preoperative evaluation of TIPSS and GCVE. Conclusion MSCT and MSCTP are non-invasive and reliable examinations for the diagnosis of cirrhosis with portal hypertension, it can further clarify the diagnosis and guide the performance of TIPSS and GCVE.

Association of TLR7 gene copy number variations and systemic lupus erythematosus in Han population / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To examine the variation in TLR7 gene copy number of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Han population,and investigate the relationship between TLR7 gene copy number variations and clinical phenotypes of SLE.Methods Determination of gene copy number of TLR7 was achieved by AccuCopyTM multiple gene copy number detection method in 337 cases of Han SLE patients and 338 healthy controls.According to the clinical phenotype stratification,all cases were divided into lupus nephritis and non-lupus nephritis group,the hematological involvement and non-hematological involvement group,anti-Smith antibody positive and negative group.The data were analyzed by non-parametric rank test.Results Based on sex,there was no significant difference in the variations in TLR7 gene copy number between in female SLE patients and female healthy controls (Z=-1.175,P=0.240).There was also no difference in male group (Z=-1.085,P=0.278).Comparing gene copy numbers variation based on the presence or absence of lupus nephritis,hematological involvement,and anti-Smith antibody,there was no statistical significant difference in female SLE patients(Z=-0.888,P=0.375; Z=-1.085,P=0.278; Z=-0.529,P=0.597).There was no difference in variation in male SLE patients,neither (Z=-0.460,P=0.646; Z=-0.340,P=0.733;Z=-0.158,P=0.874).Conclusion The variations in TLR7 gene copy number are not correlated with SLE and clinical phenotypes of SLE in Han population.

Study on interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue disease in TCM / 中华中医药杂志

The interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue disease is beyonded to the lung bi disease or the lung wei disease. The basic pathology of pulmonary fibrosis is deficiency in origin, which is focused on lung, spleen and kidney. And excess is caused by stagnation of phlegm and blood. Deficiency, phlegm and blood can be finded during all over the pulmonary course. The deficiency in origin and the excess in superficiality often affect each other. In clinical course, the disease is assigned to four key kinds. At present, superiority has been made in the treatment of the interstitial lung disease with TCM. Moreover, it is necessary to research it with TCM furtherly to resove more difficult problems.