Optimisation of extraction conditions for total saponins from Cynanchum wallichii using response surface methodology and its anti-tumour effects.

Cynanchum wallichii Wight, is a traditional Chinese medicine herb, which is rich in saponins and has varieties of pharmacological activities. In this study, a standardized C. wallichii extract was established and the anti-tumor activity of the total saponins was evaluated by MTT assay. The extraction conditions of the standardized extract was optimized using response surface methodology. The experimental value was in good agreement (the yield 4.28%) with predicted values. The total saponins of the extract showed significant anti-tumor activity against three human tumor cell lines (A549, HepG2 and MCF-7), especially for MCF-7 (IC50. 67.63 µg/mL) cells in vitro.

Cilostazol inhibits plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation.

BACKGROUND: Cilostazol, an anti-platelet drug for treating coronary heart disease, has been reported to modulate immune cell functions. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been found to participate in the progression of atherosclerosis mainly through interferon α (IFN-α) production. Whether cilostazol influences pDCs activation is still not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of cilostazol on cell activation and antigen presentation of pDCs in vitro in this study. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated by Ficoll centrifugation and pDCs sorted by flow cytometry were used in this study. After pretreated with cilostazol for 2 h, cells were stimulated with CpG-A, R848 or virus for 6 h or 20 h, or stimulated with CpG-B for 48 h and then co-cultured with naïve T cell for five days. Cytokines in supernatant and intracellular cytokines were analyzed by ELISA or flow cytometry respectively. RESULTS: Our data indicated that cilostazol could inhibit IFN-α and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production from pDCs in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the ability of priming naïve T cells of pDCs was also impaired by cilostazol. The inhibitory effect was not due to cell killing since the viability of pDCs did not change upon cilostazol treatment. CONCLUSION: Cilostazol inhibits pDCs cell activation and antigen presentation in vitro, which may explain how cilostazol protects against atherosclerosis.

Correction method for the self-absorption effects in fluorescence extended X-ray absorption fine structure on multilayer samples.

A novel correction method for self-absorption effects is proposed for extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) detected in the fluorescence mode on multilayer samples. The effects of refraction and multiple reflection at the interfaces are fully considered in this correction method. The correction is performed in k-space before any further data analysis, and it can be applied to single-layer or multilayer samples with flat surfaces and without thickness limit when the model parameters for the samples are known. The validity of this method is verified by the fluorescence EXAFS data collected for a Cr/C multilayer sample measured at different experimental geometries.

[Scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal for reconstruction of facial skin defects].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal for reconstruction of facial skin defects. METHODS: From Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2011, 6 cases with large facial skin defects were treated with scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal. At the first stage, the skin expanders were implanted subcutaneously at the homolateral side according to the defect size. After the expansion was finished, the expanded flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel were used to reconstruct the facial skin defects at the second stage. 2 weeks after operation, hair removal was performed to remove the hair on flaps. 4-6 treatments were needed. RESULTS: Seven flaps in 6 cases were survived completely. The wounds at donor sites were closed directly. The effect of hair removal was reliable. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 1 year. The flap color, texture and thickness had a good match with surrounding skin tissue. CONCLUSIONS: It is a good option to reconstruct facial skin defects with scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal.

[Effect of high frequency electrocoagulation by ultrafine-needle on the cutaneous capillary hemangiomas: a preliminary study on cock combs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the injury effect of high frequency electrocoagulation (HFE) by ultrafine-needle on the cutaneous capillary hemangiomas by histopathologic study of cock comb. METHODS: 32 male cocks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 animals in each group. 3 experimental groups received HFE with different power (6W, 8W, 10W) on the cock comb. Specimens were taken from cock combs for histologic study immediately after treatment and 7, 14, 21, 28 days later. RESULTS: After treatment, the cock combs turned pale and followed with scar formation. The shape of combs changed a lot after high power treatment. Immediately after treatment, the capillary number in the experimental groups decreased markedly under light microscope, compared with that in control group (P < 0.05). After that, the capillary number in experimental group increased. 7 days after treatment, the capillary number in experimental groups was still significantly lower than that in control groups (P < 0.01), but not markedly different between the three experiment groups (P > 0.05). Collagen formation also increased after treatment (P < 0.05), which was higher in experimental groups with high power (P < 0.05, correlation coefficient r > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: HFE with ultrafine needle can effectively decrease the capillary number in cock comb. The 6W treatment is mini-invasive and will not destroy the comb shape with good cosmetic results. The technique may be used for the treatment of cutaneous capillary hemangioma.

[Repairing alar defects by using a retro-grade island auricle composite tissue flap based on the interconnection of superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery for alar defects. METHODS: 16 cases with alar defects were treated with reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery. RESULTS: All the composite auricular flaps survived with primary healing. The patients were followed up for half a year to four years. The survived composite flaps had a similar color, texture and appearance as normal alar. The cosmetic result was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery is very suitable for alar defects.

[Analysis of unilateral complete cleft lip repaired with skin-vermilion flap method].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the skin-vermilion flap method repairing unilateral cleft lip and analyze the curative effect. METHODS: We repaired 45 cases with unilateral complete cleft lip by designing a skin-vermilion triangle flap in affected lateral lip to reconstruct the vermilion tubercle, solution, resetting and fixing orbicularis oris muscle, columella nasi and lateral angle of alae nasi, constructing basis nasi, and forming agger nasi between April and December of 2008. RESULTS: All the cases obtained primitively satisfactory effect. The average of follow-up was 3.5 months (rang from 1 to 6 months). All the patients presented obvious agger nasi, good contour of vermilion tubercle and chubby basis nasi. their high-lip, alae nasi and vermilion border were symmetrical between affected and unaffected lateral lip. CONCLUSIONS: Simple design, less expected tissue dose, little scar and good contour of vermilion tubercle are the characteristic of unilateral complete cleft lip cheiloplasty repaired with skin-vermilion flap method.

[The origin and nature of embryonic stem cells].

The inner cell mass (ICM), blastomeres, epiblasts and primordial germ cells (PGCs) are usually used as primary materials for the establishment of embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. ES-like cells have even been isolated from neonatal mouse testis. ESC are traditionally regarded as ICM cells, though some scholars believe they more closely resemble cells from the epiblast. However, recent evidence of ESC molecular markers indicate that the characteristics of ESC resemble those of early germ cells. The unknown origin and nature of ESC may limit the successful establishment of ESC lines from many different species. Here we review the progress of research regarding embryonic pluripotent cells, early germ cells and ESC. We find ESC can be derived from many cell types. Future study should elucidate the origin of ESC by comparing different ESC lines so as to determine the nature of ESC and improve the efficiency of ESC derivation.