Comprehensive analysis of the protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B56ε in pan-cancer and its role and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: B56ε is a regulatory subunit of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A, which is abnormally expressed in tumors and regulates various tumor cell functions. At present, the application of B56ε in pan-cancer lacks a comprehensive analysis, and its role and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. AIM: To analyze B56ε in pan-cancer, and explore its role and mechanism in HCC. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource databases were used to analyze B56ε expression, prognostic mutations, somatic copy number alterations, and tumor immune characteristics in 33 tumors. The relationships between B56ε expression levels and drug sensitivity, immunotherapy, immune checkpoints, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-related genes were further analyzed. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to reveal the role of B56ε in HCC. The Cell Counting Kit-8, plate cloning, wound healing, and transwell assays were conducted to assess the effects of B56ε interference on the malignant behavior of HCC cells. RESULTS: In most tumors, B56ε expression was upregulated, and high B56ε expression was a risk factor for adrenocortical cancer, HCC, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (all P < 0.05). B56ε expression levels were correlated with a variety of immune cells, such as T helper 17 cells, B cells, and macrophages. There was a positive correlation between B56ε expression levels with immune checkpoint genes and HLA-related genes (all P < 0.05). The expression of B56ε was negatively correlated with the sensitivity of most chemotherapy drugs, but a small number showed a positive correlation (all P < 0.05). GSEA analysis showed that B56ε expression was related to the cancer pathway, p53 downstream pathway, and interleukin-mediated signaling in HCC. Knockdown of B56ε expression in HCC cells inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity of tumor cells. CONCLUSION: B56ε is associated with the microenvironment, immune evasion, and immune cell infiltration of multiple tumors. B56ε plays an important role in HCC progression, supporting it as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Endoscopic management of delayed bleeding after polypectomy of small colorectal polyps: two or more clips may be safe.

Background: The resection of small colorectal polyps (≤10 mm) is routine for endoscopists. However, the management of one of its main complications, namely delayed (within 14 days) postpolypectomy bleeding (DPPB), has not been clearly demonstrated. We aimed to assess the role of coloscopy in the management of DPPB from small colorectal polyps and identify the associated factors for initial hemostatic success. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 69 patients who developed DPPB after the removal of colorectal polyps of ≤10 mm and underwent hemostatic colonoscopy at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between April 2013 and June 2021. Demographics, clinical variables, and colonoscopic features were collected independently. We applied univariate and multivariate analyses to assess factors associated with initial hemostatic success. Results: General colonoscopy without oral bowel preparation was successfully performed in all the patients, with a median duration of 23.9 (12.5-37.9) minutes. Among 69 patients, 62 (89.9%) achieved hemostasis after initial hemostatic colonoscopy and 7 (10.1%) rebled 2.7 ± 1.1 days after initial colonoscopic hemostasis and had rebleeding successfully controlled by one additional colonoscopy. No colonoscopy-related adverse events occurred. Multivariate analysis showed that management with at least two clips was the only independent prognostic factor for initial hemostatic success (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.91; P = 0.04). All the patients who had at least two clips placed at the initial hemostatic colonoscopy required no further hemostatic intervention. Conclusions: Colonoscopy is a safe, effective, and not too time-consuming approach for the management of patients with DPPB of small colorectal polyps and management with the placement of at least two hemoclips may be beneficial.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Complex Crohn's Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Aim: There is still no consensus on whether laparoscopic surgery can be routinely recommended as a safe approach for complex Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched (up to February 2019). Comparative studies reporting laparoscopic surgery for complex CD (LC group) comparing with simple CD (LS group) were included. The outcomes were blood loss, operative time, conversion rate, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and reoperation rate within 30 days after surgery. Results: Thirteen retrospective studies with 1120 participants were included. The LC group has significantly more blood loss (weighted mean difference [WMD] 43.64 mL; 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.37-78.91; P = .020), longer operative time (WMD 17.59 minutes; 95% CI 6.38-28.81; P = .002), higher conversion rate (WMD 2.04%; 95% CI 1.43-2.91; P < .001), and longer length of hospital stay (WMD 0.86 day; 95% CI 0.53-1.19; P < .001). Overall postoperative complication rates (WMD 0.98; 95% CI 0.71-1.34; P = .90) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Conclusions: LC is safe and feasible with comparable postoperative complications, although there is a more blood loss, longer operative time, higher conversion rate, and longer length of hospital stay.

Oral exclusive enteral nutrition induces mucosal and transmural healing in patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mucosal healing is regarded as a clinical endpoint of Crohn's disease (CD), and transmural healing is correlated to the concept of deep remission. Current therapies to induce mucosal and transmural healing in CD are not satisfactory. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is underestimated therapy and its value has not been fully evaluated. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of oral EEN for inducing mucosal and transmural healing in CD patients. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center, open-label study including diagnosed CD children and adults conducted between January 2015 and December 2016 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. All patients were treated with oral EEN and underwent paired assessment at baseline and completion using C-reaction protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelets, hemoglobin, body mass index, CD activity index, simple endoscopic score for CD and bowel sonography. Azathioprine was combined to prevent relapse. RESULTS: In this prospective observational study, 29 CD patients with an average age of 28.9 years were identified. After oral EEN treatment, 23 patients (79%) achieved complete mucosal healing, and the mean time to reach mucosal healing was 123 days (ranged from 50 to 212 days). Although only five patients (17%) achieved transmural healing, a significant reduction was observed in bowel-wall thickness (9.41 ± 3.06 vs 4.97 ± 1.76 mm, P < 0.001) and a significant improvement was observed in complications (including fistulas, abscess, ascites, stricture) assessed by bowel sonography (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral EEN therapy is highly effective for inducing mucosal healing in CD patients. Both CD patients at active stage and those at clinical remission show excellent clinical response to oral EEN.

[Effects of Joint-reaction Combined by Ozonation and Coagulation on Aquatic Organic Matters].

Variations of residual ozone concentration in pure water and Al2(SO4)3 solution were studied. The spectral characteristics, contents of organic compounds and disinfection by products (DBPs) yields in preozonated, preozonated coagulated (POC) and ozonated combined coagulated (OC) waters were detected by differential absorbance(DA), three dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (3D-EEM), GC and TOC. The purpose of the work was to investigate the effects of ozonation combined with coagulation on their oxidation extents of organic matter and the production of DBPs. Studies showed that there were remarkable differences between the two processes, POC and OC, which proved the existence of joint interaction of ozone and coagulant. The joint interaction involved the following aspects. 1 Decomposition rate of ozone was improved; and the free radical production was increased during OC compared with POC. Comparing to ozone alone, 15.2% and 23.9% more radical capture with ozone 2mg·L-1, Al3+ 1 mg·L-1, 3 mg·L-1 were detected. 2 The difference of OC and POC was found in that organic matter removal of OC was lower than that of POC. The pathways of OC and POC showed difference, which resulted in differences of reaction between organic matter and disinfectant, as well as yields of DBPs. OC removed UV254 and DOC more efficiently than single ozonation or single coagulation; but less efficiently than POC. DCAAFP (Dichloroacetic acid formation potential) and TCAAFP (Trichloroacetic acid formation potential) were 47 µg·L-1 and 20.5 µg·L-1 respectively after treatment by POC with O3 1mg·L-1and Al3+1mg·L-1, and chloroform formation potential (CFFP) was 97.8 µg·L-1, which were 51%, 64.6% and 41.5% respectively lower than those in the raw water. Under the same dose conditions, DCAAFP, TCAAFP and CFFP after OC were 48.4 µg·L-1, 21.4 µg·L-1 and 117.3 µg·L-1, respectively, which were 49.6%, 63% and 29.5% lower than those in raw water. The difference between the efficiencies of POC and OC would be enlarged with increase of coagulant dose under the same ozone dose. Considering its safety and efficiency, the ozone dosage, adding spot and coagulant species must be taken into account when combined treatment of preozonation and coagulation is used; further investigations are also needed.

Two new compounds from the leaves of Indocalamus latifolius.

Two new compounds, erythro-syringylglycerol-9-O-trans-4-hydroxycinnamate 7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1) and indocalatin A (2), together with three known ones, 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-6-C-ß-d-digitoxopyranosyl-4'-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl flavonoid (3), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-7-O-[ß-d-apiose-(1→2)]-ß-d-glucopyranosyl flavonoid (4), and tricin-6-C-ß-boivinopyranosyl-8-C-ß-glucopyranoside (5), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of Indocalamus latifolius leaves. Their molecular structures were determined by UV, IR, HRESIMS, CD, and 1D and 2D NMR data analyses.

Chemical Constituents and Antibacterial Properties of Indocalamus latifolius McClure Leaves, the Packaging Material for "Zongzi".

The glutinous rice dumpling named "Zongzi" in Chinese is a type of traditional food that is popular in East Asian countries. "Zongzi" is made of glutinous rice and wrapped in the leaves of Indocalamus latifolius McClure as the packaging material. Four new compounds, latifoliusine A (2), (7S,8R) syringylglycerol-8-O-4'-sinapyl ether 4-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (7), (7S,8S) syringylglycerol-8-O-4'-sinapyl ether 7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (8), and (7R,8S) syringylglycerol-8-O-4'-sinapyl ether 7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (10), along with six known compounds (1, 3-6 and 9) were isolated from I. latifolius McClure leaves. The structures and relative configurations of the compounds were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS), heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC), heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), nuclear overhauser enhancement (NOE) and circular dichroism (CD). All of the isolated compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities in vitro. The results indicated that apigenin 6-C-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-ß-d-glucopyranoside (5) and apigenin 7-O,8-C-di-glucopyranoside (6) have antibacterial activities against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas solanacearum).

[Effects of Interaction of Ozonation and Coagulation on Coagulation Results].

Two strategies, ozonation-coagulation combination (OCC, ozone and coagulant dosed at meantime) and preozonation coagulation (PC, coagulant dosed after ozone died away) were used to treat synthesized water. Different effects of oxidation and coagulation, disinfection by-products formation potentials (DBPFP) in the same water were detected in order to study the influence of interaction of ozonation and coagulation (IOC) on treated water characteristics. Results show that there are remarkable differences between OCC and PC. IOC effects take place during OCC process, which results in variations of the distribution of hydrolyzed species of coagulant. And this is an important reason which impairs efficiency of coagulation. Turbidity after OCC was higher than that of PC. One of the main reasons is that ozone reduced the content of Alb species which was built during coagulant hydrolyzation. Cl-DBPFP in OCC outlet water were lower than those in PC because oxidized destruction of DBP precursors were enhanced by catalyzed ozonation by AlCl3 along with its other hydrolyzed species. Removals of MCAA and CF formation potentials by OCC were significantly higher than those by PC, MCAAFP were 5. 6 µg . L-1 and 16. 9 µg . L-1 respectively, and CFFP were 12. 5 µg . L-1 and 24. 1 µg . L-1 respectively. Coagulation results and DBP formations are significantly affected by interaction of ozonation and coagulation; and it should be a noticeable point of water safety if ozonation and coagulation are employed together. Thus times and spots between ozone and coagulant should be defined clearly in correlational researches and water treatment application.

A comparative study of the therapeutic effect between long and short intramedullary nails in the treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical effects of long vs. short intramedullary nails in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in old patients more than 65 years old. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 178 cases of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur (AO type A1 and A2) in the elderly was conducted from January 2008 to December 2013. There were 85 males (47.8%) and 93 females (52.2%) with the age of 65e89 (70.2±10.8) years. The patients were treated by closed reduction and long or short intramedullary nail (Gamma 3) fixation. The length of short nail was 180 mm and that for long nail was 320e360 mm. The general data of patients, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, preoperative hemoglobin level, blood transfusion rate, postoperative periprosthetic fractures, infections, complications, etc were carefully recorded. RESULTS: There were 76 cases (42.7%) in the long intramedullary nail group and 102 cases (57.3%) in the short nail group. All the cases were followed up for 12e48 (21.3±6.8) months, during which there were 21 deaths (11.8%), mean (13.8±6.9) months after operation. The intraoperative blood loss was (90.7±50.6) ml in short nail group, greatly less than that in long nail group (127.8±85.9) ml (p=0.004). The short nail group also had a significantly shorter operation time (43.5 min±12.3 min vs. 58.5 min±20.3 min, p=0.002) and lower rate of postoperative transfusion (42.3% vs. 56.7%, p=0.041). But the length of hospital stay showed no big differences. After operation, in each group there was 1 case of periprosthetic fracture with a total incidence of 1.1%, 1.3% in long nail group and 0.9% in short nail group. At the end of the follow-up, all patients achieved bony union. The average healing time of the long nail group was (6.5±3.1) months, and the short nail group was (6.8±3.7) months, revealing no significant differences (p=0.09). Postoperative complications showed no great differences either. CONCLUSION: Both the intramedullary long and short nail fixation has a good clinical effect in treating intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly. They showed no significant difference in terms of therapeutic effect, hospital stay and postoperative complications. The incidence of periprosthetic fractures treated by either length of nails was low. But short intramedullary nailing can obviously decrease the intraoperative blood loss, operation time and postoperative blood transfusion.

RETRACTED: Relationship between the ACE I/D gene polymorphism and T1DN susceptibility/risk of T1DM developing into T1DN in the Caucasian population.

The following article has been included in a multiple retraction: Tian-Biao Zhou, Xue-Feng Guo, Zongpei Jiang, and Hong-Yan Li Relationship between the ACE I/D gene polymorphism and T1DN susceptibility/risk of T1DM developing into T1DN in the Caucasian population Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314563425, first published on February 1, 2015 doi: 10.1177/1470320314563425 This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors and the Publisher. After conducting a thorough investigation, SAGE found that the submitting authors of a number of papers published in the Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System ( JRAAS) (listed below) had supplied fabricated contact details for their nominated reviewers. The Editors accepted these papers based on the reports supplied by the individuals using these fake reviewer email accounts. After concluding that the peer review process was therefore seriously compromised, SAGE and the journal Editors have decided to retract all affected articles. Online First articles (these articles will not be published in an issue) Wenzhuang Tang, Tian-Biao Zhou, and Zongpei Jiang Association of the angiotensinogen M235T gene polymorphism with risk of diabetes mellitus developing into diabetic nephropathy Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314563426, first published on December 18, 2014 doi: 10.1177/1470320314563426 Tian-Biao Zhou, Hong-Yan Li, Zong-Pei Jiang, Jia-Fan Zhou, Miao-Fang Huang, and Zhi-Yang Zhou Role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in radiation nephropathy Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314563424, first published on December 18, 2014 doi: 10.1177/1470320314563424 Weiqiang Zhong, Zongpei Jiang, and Tian-Biao Zhou Association between the ACE I/D gene polymorphism and T2DN susceptibility: The risk of T2DM developing into T2DN in the Asian population Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314566019, first published on January 26, 2015 doi: 10.1177/1470320314566019 Tian-Biao Zhou, Xue-Feng Guo, Zongpei Jiang, and Hong-Yan Li Relationship between the ACE I/D gene polymorphism and T1DN susceptibility/risk of T1DM developing into T1DN in the Caucasian population Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314563425, first published on February 1, 2015 doi: 10.1177/1470320314563425 Chun-Hua Yang and Tian-Biao Zhou Relationship between the angiotensinogen A1166C gene polymorphism and the risk of diabetes mellitus developing into diabetic nephropathy Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314566221, first published on February 1, 2015 doi: 10.1177/1470320314566221 Chun-Hua Yang and Tian-Biao Zhou Association of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism with sepsis susceptibility and sepsis progression Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 1470320314568521, first published on February 3, 2015 doi: 10.1177/1470320314568521 Articles published in an issue Guohui Liu, Tian-Biao Zhou, Zongpei Jiang, and Dongwen Zheng Association of ACE I/D gene polymorphism with T2DN susceptibility and the risk of T2DM developing into T2DN in a Caucasian population Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System March 2015 16: 165-171, first published on November 14, 2014 doi: 10.1177/1470320314557849 Weiqiang Zhong, Zhongliang Huang, Yong Wu, Zongpei Jiang, and Tian-Biao Zhou Association of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene polymorphism with IgA nephropathy risk and progression of IgA nephropathy Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System September 2015 16: 660-665, first published on August 20, 2014 doi: 10.1177/1470320314524011.

[Simultaneous determination of four flavone C-glycosides in Phyllostachys edulis leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet spectrometry].

High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet spectrometer (HPLC-UV) was used to simultaneously detect the four flavone C-glycosides, i. e. orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin. Analytes were separated with Waters XTerra MS C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) using acetonitrile and 0.5% (φ) formic acid as mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL · min(-1) with the column temperature at 30 °C, and the detection wavelength was 360 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1-10.0 mg · L(-1) for the mixed standard solution. Analytes were separated in 22 minutes, and the relative standard deviation values were all above 0.999. LOD values of standards were found to be between 0.03 and 0.07 mg · L(-1), and LOQ values were in the range of 0.04-0.08 mg · L(-1). After comparing the spectra (240-400 nm) of four flavone C-glycosides in mixed standards and the final product purified by macroporous resin, respectively, the curve shape and characteristic ultraviolet absorption wavelength of each flavone C-glycoside including orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin were fitted well. The bamboo leaves sample was extracted by ethanol under reflux, and then partitioned with water and petroleum ether. The aqueous phase was added onto macroporous resin (AB-8), and the fraction of ethanol-water (40%, φ) was concentrated. It was found that the contents of orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin relative to the fraction of ethanol- water were 13.73, 49.68, 7.85 and 30.70 mg · g(-1), respectively. In addition, the average recovery of the four flavone C-glycosides ranged from 34.90% to 87.64% with RSD values from 0.41% to 10.83%. The results showed that bamboo leaves sample had good stability and repeatability. The new method was used to analyze the four flavone C-glycosides quickly and provide quality control for commercial products.

Two new compounds from the dry leaves of Pleioblastus amarus (Keng) keng f.

Two new compounds, xylitol 1-O-(6'-O-p-hydroxylbenzoyl)-glucopyranoside (1) and bambulignan B (2), together with three known ones gastrodin (3), glucovanillin (4), and rel-(7S,7'R,8R,8'S)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5'-tetramethoxy-7,7'-epoxyligna-9,9'-diol-9(or)9'-O-ß-glucopyranoside (5), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the dry leaves of Pleioblastus amarus (Keng) keng f. Their structures were determined by UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, CD, and 1D and 2D NMR data analyses as well as GC experiments.

Association of T869, C509T, G915C gene polymorphism of transforming growth factor-ß1 with IgA nephropathy risk.

This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) T869C, C509T, G915C gene polymorphism with the risk of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The association literatures were identified from PubMed, Cochrane Library up to October 1, 2013, and eligible reports were recruited and synthesized. Five reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of TGF-ß1 T869C, C509T, G915C gene polymorphism with IgAN risk. In this meta-analysis, the association of TGF-ß1 T869C, C509T, G915C gene polymorphism with IgAN risk was not found. In conclusion, TGF-ß1 T869C, C509T, G915C gene polymorphism is not associated with the IgAN risk. However, more studies should be performed in the future to confirm this association.

Association of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ Pro12Ala gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetic nephropathy risk in Caucasian population.

Association of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) Pro12Ala gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) risk in Caucasians is still not clear. This investigation was conducted to assess if there was an association between the PPARγ Pro12Ala gene polymorphism and T2DN risk in Caucasians using meta-analysis. The relevant literatures were identified from PubMed, and Cochrane Library on 10 October 2013, and eligible studies were included and synthesized. Six reports including eight studies were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of the PPARγ Pro12Ala gene polymorphism with T2DN risk in Caucasians. The Pro/Pro genotype was shown to be associated with T2DN risk in Caucasians. However, the Ala/Ala genotype and Ala allele were not associated with T2DN risk in Caucasians. In the sensitivity analysis, according to the control source from hospital, the control source from population, the genotyping methods using PCR-RFLP, Taqman, sample size of case <100, the association of the PPARγ Pro12Ala gene polymorphism with T2DN risk was similar to those in non-sensitivity analysis. In conclusion, the PPARγ Pro/Pro genotype was associated with T2DN risk in Caucasians, but the Ala/Ala genotype and Ala allele not. However, additional studies are required to firmly establish a correlation between the PPARγ Pro12Ala gene polymorphism and T2DN risk in Caucasians.

Quercetin inhibits left ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats and inhibits angiotensin II-induced H9C2 cells hypertrophy by enhancing PPAR-γ expression and suppressing AP-1 activity.

BACKGROUND: Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid in fruit and vegetables and is believed to attenuate cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that quercetin inhibits cardiac hypertrophy by blocking AP-1 (c-fos, c-jun) and activating PPAR-γ signaling pathways. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying quercetin-mediated attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy. Quercetin therapy reduced blood pressure and markedly reduced the ratio of left ventricular to body weight (LVW/BW) (P<0.05, vs. spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs)). In vitro, quercetin also significantly attenuated Ang II-induced H9C2 cells hypertrophy, as indicated by its concentration dependent inhibitory effects on [³H]leucine incorporation into H9C2 cells (64% reduction) and by the reduced hypertrophic surface area in H9C2 cells compared with the Ang II group (P<0.01, vs. Ang II group). Concurrently, we found that PPAR-γ activity was significantly increased in the quercetin-treated group both in vivo and in vitro when analyzed using immunofluorescent or immunohistochemical assays (P<0.05, vs. SHRs or P<0.01, vs. the Ang II group). Conversely, in vivo, AP-1 (c-fos, s-jun) activation was suppressed in the quercetin-treated group, as was the downstream hypertrophy gene, including mRNA levels of ANP and BNP (P<0.05, vs. SHRs). Additionally, both western blotting and real time-PCR demonstrated that PPAR-γ protein and mRNA were increased in the myocardium and AP-1 protein and mRNA were significantly decreased in the quercetin-treated group (P<0.05, vs. SHRs). Furthermore, western blotting and real time-PCR analyses also showed that transfection with PPAR-γ siRNA significantly increased AP-1 signaling and reversed the effects of quercetin inhibition on mRNA expression levels of genes such as ANP and BNP in hypertrophic H9C2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that quercetin may inhibit cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing PPAR-γ expression and by suppressing the AP-1 signaling pathway.

Isolation and identification of lignans from Caulis Bambusae in Taenia with antioxidant properties.

Caulis Bambusae in Taenia is a medicinal preparation from Bambusa tuldoides Munro consisting of skinless slices of the stem (bamboo shavings) and used as a traditional health food in tea, wine, and soup in Asia. Three novel lignans, (-)-7'-epi-lyoniresinol 4,9'-di-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), (-)-lyoniresinol 4,9'-di-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8), bambulignan A (10), and seven known lignan compounds (1-6 and 9) were isolated from Caulis Bambusae in Taenia. The structures of the lignans were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis (HRESIMS, HSQC, HMBC, NOE). All the isolated lignans were tested for antioxidant activities by DPPH and FARP assays. The results showed that the compounds (+)-lyoniresinol 9'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (-)-7'-epi-lyoniresinol 9'-O-ß-D- glucopyranoside (9) have strong free radical scavenging activity and reducing power.

[Lymph nodes distribution and metastatic pattern of ultra-low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the lymph nodes distribution and metastatic pattern of the ultra-low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: A total of 21 rectal cancer gross specimen after neoadjuvant therapy and 23 rectal cancer gross specimen without neoadjuvant therapy were investigated by whole mount section and tissue microarray techniques with CK20. All the patients were treated by abdominoperineal resection. RESULTS: There were 138 lymph nodes retrieved from the mesorectum in the neoadjuvant group including 39 metastatic lymph nodes and 12 micro-metastatic lymph nodes. Among these nodes, there were 7 rectal cancer cases with lymph nodes and 2 cases with micro-metastatic lymph nodes, and 6 cases had pathological complete remission. There were 415 lymph nodes retrieved from the mesorectum in the group without neoadjuvant therapy including 169 metastatic lymph nodes and 59 micro-metastatic lymph nodes. Among these nodes, there were 12 rectal cancer cases with lymph nodes and 4 cases with micro-metastatic lymph nodes. The proportions of metastatic lymph nodes in outer zone between the two groups were 21.5% and 29.0%, and those in pre-zone were 17.6% and 17.2% respectively. The ratio of metastatic lymph nodes in ischiorectal fossa between the two groups were 25.0% vs. 22.2% respectively. The rate of metastatic or micro-metastatic lymph nodes cases between the two groups were 4.8% vs. 13.0% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The lymph nodes distribution and metastatic pattern of the ultra-low rectal cancer are affected by neoadjuvant therapy. The proportions of the anal sphincter invasion and metastatic or micro-metastatic lymph nodes in ischiorectal fossa are lower after neoadjuvant therapy. Abdominoperineal resection as the standard treatment of the ultra-low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy should be re-evaluated.

[Risk factors associated with prognosis in patients with radiation proctitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors associated with prognosis in patients with radiation proctitis (RP). METHODS: Between August 2007 and February 2010, 33 patients diagnosed with radiation proctitis were identified. Data pertaining to treatments and quality of life(QOL) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Indication for radiation included cervical cancer(n=22), prostate cancer (n=3), ovary cancer (n=2), rectal cancer (n=2), endometrial cancer(n=2), cervical cancer (n=1), and vaginal cancer(n =1). Data regarding radiation were available in 18 patients, and the mean dose was (61.3±12.9) Gy with a median dose of 61 Gy. Eleven were treated with enema therapy, 9 formalin dab, 12 surgical operations. Clinical improvement was noticed in 75% of the patients with a mean QOL score of 63.79±20.92. Prognosis was favorable in 75% of the patients. Surgical treatment was effective in 91.7% of the patients with severe complications. Univariate analysis showed that gender was associated with the prognosis of RP, while the severity of RP and treatment method were not predictive for RP prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Gender but not disease severity is associated with the prognosis of radiation proctitis. Surgery may be beneficial to RP patients with severe complications.

Coumarins from the leaves of Bambusa pervariabilis McClure.

A new pyrone-coumarin, 7,8-dihydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (1), along with two known coumarins, scopoletin (2) and scopolin (3), was isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the leaves of Bambusa pervariabilis McClure. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical methods.

[Detection of antioxidative capacity of bamboo leaf extract by scavenging hydroxyl free radical].

By studying on absorption spectrum of red compound coming from the reaction system of Fe2+ and 1, 10-phenanthroline and the capacity of antioxidant TBHQ and bamboo leaf extract for scavenging hydroxyl free radical, some results were drawn as follows: the determining wavelength of bamboo leaf extract for scavenging hydroxyl free radical by spectrophotometric method is 509.1 nm, and IC50 (the value of antioxidant concentration at scavenging half of hydroxyl free radical)was used as the index to evaluate scavenging capacity. The determined IC50 values were TBHQ (0.040), M20 (0.378), M40 (0.323), M60 (0.334), and bamboo leaf extract could be used as natural antioxidant.