Improvement of high-quality evaluation criteria of Chinese patent medicines based on whole process control / 中国中药杂志

Chinese patent medicines(CPMs) are unique therapeutic drugs in China. Establishing and improving the evaluation criteria is an important measure to promote the high-quality development of CPMs. Based on the "evaluation criteria of high-grade CPMs with quality as the core index" established by our group in 2018, the "high-quality evaluation criteria for CPMs based on whole process control" was proposed in the present study in 2022. The scope of application and basic principles of the new criteria were clarified. A quality evaluation scoring table was established in the new criteria, including five parts: raw material selection, production process, quality control, efficacy evaluation, and brand building. The technical evaluation indexes involved have increased from 20% in the original criteria to 70% in the new criteria, and efficacy evaluation has been added in the new criteria. The subjective evaluation indicators account for a large proportion in the original criteria, which is prone to bias. The improved criteria overcome this shortcoming. It is expected that the new criteria as a basis can play a better role in the selection of high-quality products of CPMs, guide enterprises and institutions to participate actively in the evaluation and research of high-quality CPMs, and promote the high-quality development of CPMs.

Impairment of renal structure and function following heterogeneous chemical mixture exposure in rats.

Renal structural and functional alterations following an exposure to a heterogeneous chemical mixture (HCM) of phthalic acid di butyl ester, 1, 2–dichlorobenzene, cadmium chloride and chromium trioxide, administered through oral gavage in low doses (1/100 and 1/1000 of LD50 value of individual chemical) for 60 days, followed by withdrawal till 120 days resulted in significant rise in kidney lipid peroxidation and fall in the activities of enzymatic antioxidants. However, withdrawal of HCM treatment restored most of these altered parameters. Degenerative changes in the kidney included proximal convoluted tubules devoid of brush boarder with cytoplasmic blebbing, dissolution and sloughing of nuclei. Cortical glomeruli were also affected with epithelial disintegration, pyknosis of podocyte nuclei and mesengial cell hyperplasia. The morphological alterations recovered fully in the low dose compared to the high dose treatment group.

Hemolytic anemia presenting as hemoglobinuria from intentional paradichlorobenzene mothball ingestion

A 24-year-old Filipino male was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia when he presented with abrupt onset of anemia, hemoglobinuria, and increased bilirubins, after intentionally ingesting mothballs containing paradichlorobenzene. He was transfused with six units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) and was discharged improved. Paradichlorobenzene, a known oxidant, causes denaturation and precipitation of hemoglobin. These precipitates form Heins bodies within the erythrocytes that are removed by the reticuloendothelial system, fragmenting cells to produce hemoytic anemia from paradicholorobenzene ingestion as confirmed by the UP-National Poison Management and Control Center.

Dimethoxycurcumin, a Structural Analogue of Curcumin, Induces Apoptosis in Human Renal Carcinoma Caki Cells Through the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species, the Release of Cytochrome c, and the Activation of Caspase-3

PURPOSE: Curcumin (Cur) has been reported to induce apoptosis in human renal carcinoma Caki cells. Dimethoxycurcumin (DMC), one of several synthetic Cur analogues, has been reported to have increased metabolic stability over Cur. We determined whether DMC, like Cur, induces apoptosis in Caki cells and also compared the apoptosis-inducing activity of DMC with that of Cur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caki cells were treated with DMC possessing four methoxy groups, Cur possessing two methoxy groups, or bis-demethoxycurcumin (BMC), which lacks a methoxy group. Cell viability was measured by using a methyltetrazolium assay. Flow cytometry and the caspase-3 activity assay were used to detect apoptosis. The release of cytochrome-c (Cyt c) was detected by Western blot analysis. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: DMC, Cur, and BMC reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis, but the potency varied; DMC was the most potent compound, followed by Cur and BMC. ROS production, Cyt c release, and caspase-3 activity were increased, again in the order DMC>Cur>BMC. N-Acetylcysteine, a potent antioxidant, inhibited ROS production, Cyt c release, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis induction in DMC-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that DMC, like the original form of Cur, may induce apoptosis in human renal carcinoma Caki cells through the production of ROS, the release of mitochondrial Cyt c, and the subsequent activation of caspase-3. In addition, DMC is more potent than Cur in the ability to induce apoptosis.

A Case of Herpetiform Appearance of Digital Mucous Cysts

A digital mucous cyst (DMC) is clinically characterized by a round to oval, translucent, smooth nodule localized to the dorsal aspect of the distal digits near the distal interphalangeal joint. It usually presents as a solitary lesion, and multiple lesions are uncommon. An 88-year-old man presented with herpetiform translucent papules on the right thumb. We first diagnosed the lesion as molluscum contagiosum or herpetic whitlow. Histopathology showed a cystic space containing mucinous material and numerous fibroblasts surrounded by mucinous stroma in the upper dermis. The lining of the cyst wall was not apparent and mucinous material was stained with Alcian blue, indicating a diagnosis of DMC.

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds found near the water surface of heavily polluted rivers

The objectives of this study were to identify the chlorinated volatile organic compounds near the water surface of two heavily polluted rivers in the south of Taiwan and compare their concentration distributions. Air samples were collected seasonally at the upstream, midstream and downstream water surfaces of each river and the chlorinated volatile organic compounds were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography and electron capture detector. Totally, twelve kinds of chlorinated volatile organic compounds were found at the water surfaces of both rivers and many of them were reported to be carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to human. The results showed that each chlorinated volatile organic compound had its own distribution pattern and no good correlation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds between both rivers was obtained. The chlorinated volatile organic compounds identified at the river water surface of Fong Shan Stream showed much higher concentration than those of Chuen-Tsen River. Several chlorinated volatile organic compounds, including chlorodibromomethane, hexachlorobutadiene, 1,1,2,2-tetraehloroethene and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane were found with much higher concentration [mean concentrations of 124.5 micro g/m[3], 334.5 micro g/ m[3], 92.2 micro g/m[3], 268.4 micro g/m[3], respectively] at the water surface of Fong Shan Stream in some seasons [especially spring and summer, summer and winter, spring and winter, spring and summer, respectively] and they were reported to be possibly carcinogenic to human. Therefore, it may be concluded that the people living close to Fong Shan Stream possibly had higher health risks due to the release of volatile organic compounds from the heavily polluted river

Biodegradation of gaseous chlorobenzene by white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium on removal of gaseous chlorobenzene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fungal mycelium mixed with a liquid medium was placed into airtight bottles. A certain amount of chlorobenzene was injected into the headspace of the bottles under different conditions. At a certain interval, the concentrations in the headspace were analyzed to evaluate the degradation of chlorobenzene by P. chrysosporium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The degradation effects of P. chrysosporium on chlorobenzene under different conditions were investigated. The difference in the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungi and chlorobenzene degradation was observed. The data indicated that a lower temperature (28 degrees C) would promote the degradation of chlorobenzene than the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungi (37 degrees C). A low nitrogen source concentration (30 mg N/L) had a better effect on degrading chlorobenzene than a high nitrogen source concentration (higher than 100 mg N/L). A high initial concentration (over 1100 mg/m3) of chlorobenzene showed an inhibiting effect on degradation by P. chrysosporium. A maximum removal efficiency of 95% was achieved at the initial concentration of 550 mg/m3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>P. chrysosporium has a rather good ability to remove gaseous chlorobenzene. A low nitrogen source concentration and a low temperature promote the removal of chlorobenzene by P. chrysosporium. However, a high initial chlorobenzene concentration can inhibit chlorobenzene degradation.</p>

Impact of Cardio-Pulmonary and Intraoperative Factors on Occurrence of Cerebral Infarction After Early Surgical Repair of the Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: Delayed ischemic deficit or cerebral infarction is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study is to reassess the prognostic impact of intraoperative elements, including factors related to surgery and anesthesia, on the development of cerebral infarction in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: Variables related to surgery and anesthesia as well as predetermined factors were all evaluated via a retrospective study on 398 consecutive patients who underwent early microsurgery for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in the last 7 years. Patients were dichotomized as following; good clinical grade (Hunt-Hess grade I to III) and poor clinical grade (IV and V). The end-point events were cerebral infarctions and the clinical outcomes were measured at postoperative 6 months. RESULTS: The occurrence of cerebral infarction was eminent when there was an intraoperative rupture, prolonged temporary clipping and retraction time, intraoperative hypotension, or decreased O2 saturation, but there was no statistical significance between the two different clinical groups. Besides the Fisher Grade, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that temporary clipping time, hypotension, and low O2 saturation had odds ratios of 1.574, 3.016, and 1.528, respectively. Cerebral infarction and outcome had a meaningful correlation (gamma=0.147, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: This study results indicate that early surgery for poor grade SAH patients carries a significant risk of ongoing ischemic complication due to the brain's vulnerability or accompanying cardio-pulmonary dysfunction. Thus, these patients should be approached very cautiously to overcome any anticipated intraoperative threat by concerted efforts with neuro-anesthesiologist in point to point manner.

Capillary gas chromatographic determination of dimethachlon residues in fresh tobacco leaves and cut-tobacco / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Simple procedures for extraction and chromatographic determination of dimethachlon residues in fresh tobacco leaves and cut-tobacco are described. The determination was carried out by capillary gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection (ECD) and confirmed by GC-MS. The mean recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD) were 93.2%~112.9% and 3.5%~6.7%, respectively at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/kg. The limit of determination was 0.001 mg/kg. Tobacco samples in routine check were successfully analyzed using the proposed method.

DMF induces apoptosis in human androgen-independent prostate cancer PC3 cells in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of 3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-4, 6-dimethoxy-3-((ethyl(methyl) amino) methyl) phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (DMF) against human androgen-independent prostate cancer PC3 cells in vitro and its underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cytotoxic effect of DMF on PC3 cells was measured by MTT assay. Induction of apoptosis was assessed by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometric analysis. Changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) were detected by JC-1 staining. The levels of apoptosis related proteins were analyzed by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DMF exhibited high efficiency on cell growth inhibition in PC3 cells with an IC50 value of (9.5 +/- 0.2)micromol/L. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that DMF could induce apoptosis in PC3 cells. A significant decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed in PC3 cells treated with DMF, which was in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The results of Western blot indicated that DMF induced the activation of caspase-3, increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and downregulated the expression of phosphate-p38.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DMF is a potential compound against PC3 cells and the mitochondrial pathway might be involved in DMF-induced apoptosis in PC3 cells.</p>

The antiandrogenic effect of dimethachlon and its mechanism / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the antiandrogenic effect of heterocyclic fungicide dimethachlon and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A combination of in vivo and in vitro assays was selected. Hershberger assay was used to determine the antiandrogenic potential of dimethachlon in vivo. Six-week-old castrated male SD rats were administrated once daily for 7 days with testosterone propionate (TP, 100 micro g/d, sc) plus gavage doses of dimethachlon (50, 100 or 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), or procymidone (150 or 300 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), positive control), or iprodione (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), positive control), or flutamide (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), positive control). Transcriptional activation assay in vitro was employed to determine the mechanism of antiandrogenic activity of dimethachlon. Human hepatoma liver cells HepG2 were transiently cotransfected with human androgen receptor (AR) expression plasmid and AR-dependent luciferase report plasmid. Transfected cells were exposed to various concentrations of dimethachlon or flutamide with or without dihydrotestosterone to induce the expression of luciferase gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Hershberger assay, dimethachlon, as well as other known antiandrogens, caused decrease in weight of androgen dependent organs or tissues. In 200 mg/kg group, the weight of seminal vesicle, ventral prostate, dorsolateral prostate, Cowper's gland, and levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles decreased by 57.8%, 44.8%, 43.9%, 30.1%, and 34.1% respectively, but did not decrease in the vehicle control group. The order of their antiandrogenic potencies was: flutamide > procymidone > dimethachlon > iprodione. In transcriptional activation assay, dimethachlon could inhibit dihydrotestosterone-dependent AR activity in transfected HepG2 cells in dose-effect relationship. The inhibiting potency of dimethachlon was about 1/100 of that of flutamide.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dimethachlon has antiandrogenic effect, and acts as an AR antagonist. Its antiandrogenic potency is lower than flutamide and procymidone, but higher than iprodione.</p>