Pathological Mechanism and Targeted Drugs of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and small airway obstruction. Incompletely reversible airflow limitation, inflammation, excessive mucus secretion and bronchial mucosal epithelial lesions are the main pathological basis of the disease. The prevalence of COPD is increasingly worldwide, which has caused the burden on individuals and society. This paper summarizes the pathogenesis of COPD and clarifies the effect and mechanism of the latest targeted drugs for COPD. Besides, we focus on NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 inflammasome (NLRP3 inflammasome). NLRP3 can promote production of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). NLRP3 is an important factor in the migratory aggregation of macrophages and neutrophils and the generation of oxidative stress. Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome indirectly blocks the inflammatory effects of IL-1ß and IL-18, which may be regarded as an ideal target for COPD treatment.

Effects of clean intermittent self-catheterization on late bladder dysfunction after radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the benefits of clean intermittent self-catheterization in women who have late bladder dysfunction caused by radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer. METHODS: Thirty women who underwent radical hysterectomy with late bladder dysfunction were recruited. A nursing intervention program focusing on clean intermittent self-catheterization and a drinking plan was implemented. We recorded urinary times during the day and night, post-voiding residual urine volume, positive catheter specimen of urine rate, and quality of life instruments for patients with cervical cancer . RESULTS: All patients were able to satisfactorily manage clean intermittent self-catheterization following video-based operational training. Bladder function was significantly increased after 3-month intervention compared with before the intervention. Urinary times during the day and night, and post-voiding residual urine volume were greatly decreased post-intervention compared with pre-intervention. The rate of a positive catheter specimen of urine test significantly decreased over time. There was significant improvement in quality of life in five dimensions between weeks 1 and 12 following the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Patients are able to learn the technique of clean intermittent self-catheterization without any difficulty. This technique is effective together with a drinking plan to decrease late bladder dysfunction caused by radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer.

[Application effects of biogas slurry partly substituting for chemical fertilizer on autumn tomato production in winter-solar greenhouse]. / æ²¼æ¶²éƒ¨åˆ†æ›¿ä»£åŒ–è‚¥åœ¨æ—¥å ‰æ¸©å®¤ç§‹ç•ªèŒ„ä¸Šçš„åº”ç”¨æ•ˆæžœ.

To explore the effects of biogas slurry coordinating chemical fertilizer on growth promotion of tomato, we used three kinds of typical biogas slurry as concentrated nutrient solution, respectively fermented from raw duck manure, pig manure, cow dung, while urea, monocalcium phosphate and potassium sulphate as auxiliary nutrition to balance the nutrient difference between different dilution ratios of biogas slurry. The results showed the biogas slurry partially substituting chemical fertilizer could significantly improve soil fertility, including available nitrogen, phospho-rus, and potassium. As for water soluble calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc in soil, biogas slurry application could activate their availability, with the magnitude of such effects depended on the fermentation level of raw materials and dilution ratio. Compared with chemical fertilizer, coordinating biogas liquid fertilizer significantly promoted the growth of tomato, with the yield increased by 55.9%-232.8% and the chemical fertilizer dosage decreased by 18.2%-85.0%. Furthermore, such effects became more prominent along with prolonged time. The fruit quality was significantly improved with the increases of lycopene, ascorbic acid and total sugar, and the decreases of acidity and nitrite concentration, and the decrease of NO2- by 35.6%-90.3%. In addition, the taste flavor of fruits was 7.0%-20.3% higher than that of chemical fertilizer treatment. The yield and quality of tomato took on nonlinear synchronization, and the relation between taste flavor and sugar/acid showed significantly positive correlation, which was affected by fertilizer type. Biogas slurry partly substituting chemical fertilizer could achieve the goals of high yield, high quality, environmental protection, efficient utilization of agricultural resources in tomato production.

Oxalic acid and sclerotial differentiation of Polyporus umbellatus.

The present investigation aimed to uncover the effects of exogenous oxalic acid during the sclerotial formation of Polyporus umbellatus, with an emphasis on determining the content of the endogenic oxalic acid in the fungus. To this end, the oxalic acid content of the vegetative mycelia, sclerotia, culture mediums and sclerotial exudate were measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, the lipid peroxidation was estimated by detecting thiobarbituric bituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The results showed that the exogenous oxalic acid caused a delay in sclerotial differentiation (of up to 9 or more days), suppressed the sclerotial biomass and decreased the lipid peroxidation significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. Oxalic acid was found at very low levels in the mycelia and the maltose medium, whereas it was found at high levels in the mycelia and sucrose medium. After sclerotial differentiation, oxalic acid accumulated at high levels in both the sclerotia and the sclerotial exudate. Oxalic acid was therefore found to inhibit P. umbellatus sclerotial formation.

Eight new bibenzyl derivatives from Dendrobium candidum.

Eight bibenzyl derivatives, namely dendrocandins J-Q (1-8), were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium candidum. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-8 were examined for antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, and the IC50 values were 36.8, 70.2, 45.0, 60.5, 87.6, 50.4, 22.3, and 30.3 µM, respectively.

Nox gene expression and cytochemical localization of hydrogen peroxide in Polyporus umbellatus sclerotial formation.

The effect of temperature shift on Polyporus umbellatus sclerotial development was investigated. Micromorphology of the sclerotia was observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytochemical localization of H2O2 expressed as CeCl3 deposition at the subcellular level was observed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nox gene expression in sclerotia and mycelia was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) specific activities increased during sclerotial development and decreased after the antioxidant diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) was used. Results indicated that the temperature shift treatment induced P. umbellatus sclerotial formation. Compared with the mycelia, the Nox gene was respectively upregulated by 10.577-, 30.984- and 25.469-fold in the sclerotia of SI, SD and SM stages respectively. During the sclerotial formation, H2O2 accumulation was observed in the cell walls or around the organelle membranes of the mycelial cells. The antioxidant DPI decreased the generation of H2O2 in mycelial cells. The specific activity of SOD and CAT levels was decreased significantly by DPI. The activity of the two antioxidant enzymes in the mycelia increased much more during sclerotial formation (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress was closely associated with sclerotial development in P. umbellatus induced by temperature shift treatment.

Shancigusins E-I, five new glucosides from the tubers of Pleione yunnanensis.

Five new glucosides, shancigusins E-I (1-5) were isolated from the tubers of Pleione yunnanensis (Rolfe) together with 18 known compounds. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analyses of their spectroscopic data.

Stimulation of dragon's blood accumulation in Dracaena cambodiana via fungal inoculation.

Dragon's blood is a rare and precious traditional medicine used by different cultures since ancient times. However, studies on enhancing the rapid accumulation of dragon's blood in Dracaena cambodiana and determining its formation mechanism are unavailable. In this study, the activities of two fungi, namely, BJDC01 and BJDC05, and their effect on promoting the accumulation of five main compositions of dragon's blood in D. cambodiana were investigated for the first time. Results of field tests conducted for ten months indicated that the contents of Loureirin D, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2'-dimethoxychalcone, Loureirin A and Loureirin B in two fungal-inoculated materials were 1.67 to 2.85 times greater than those of natural samples, and thus were significantly higher than those of the control groups. The content of 4,4'-dihydroxy-2'6'-dimethoxydihydrochalcone in each fungal-inoculated sample was close to that of the natural sample, and was more than twice of each of the control group. By combining the results of morphological characterizations, both BJDC01 and BJDC05 can stimulate the accumulation of the compositions of dragon's blood. This stimulation may be considered as a defense response of D. cambodiana tree against the invasion of foreign fungi. Thus, this study provides a potential way of producing dragon's blood via the inoculation of two fungal elicitors.

Sclerotial formation of Polyporus umbellatus by low temperature treatment under artificial conditions.

BACKGROUND: Polyporus umbellatus sclerotia have been used as a diuretic agent in China for over two thousand years. A shortage of the natural P. umbellatus has prompted researchers to induce sclerotial formation in the laboratory. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING: P. umbellatus cultivation in a sawdust-based substrate was investigated to evaluate the effect of low temperature conditions on sclerotial formation. A phenol-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine the polysaccharide content of wild P. umbellatus sclerotia and mycelia and sclerotia grown in low-temperature treatments. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, expressed as the fluorescence intensity of mycelia during sclerotial differentiation was determined. Analysis of ROS generation and sclerotial formation in mycelia after treatment with the antioxidants such as diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), apocynin (Apo), or vitamin C were studied. Furthermore, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of sclerotial differentiation were observed. Sclerotia were not induced by continuous cultivation at 25°C. The polysaccharide content of the artificial sclerotia is 78% of that of wild sclerotia. In the low-temperature treatment group, the fluorescent intensity of ROS was higher than that of the room temperature (25°C) group which did not induce sclerotial formation all through the cultivation. The antioxidants DPI and Apo reduced ROS levels and did not induce sclerotial formation. Although the concentration-dependent effects of vitamin C (5-15 mg mL(-1)) also reduced ROS generation and inhibited sclerotial formation, using a low concentration of vitamin C (1 mg mL(-1)) successfully induced sclerotial differentiation and increased ROS production. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Exposure to low temperatures induced P. umbellatus sclerotial morphogenesis during cultivation. Low temperature treatment enhanced ROS in mycelia, which may be important in triggering sclerotial differentiation in P. umbellatus. Moreover, the application of antioxidants impaired ROS generation and inhibited sclerotial formation. Our findings may help to provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying sclerotial morphogenesis in P. umbellatus.

Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi in roots of nine Holcoglossum plants (Orchidaceae) collected from Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces of China.

Holcoglossum is one of the smaller genera of Orchidaceae, mainly distributed in southwest China. Some members of this genus as well as H. rupestre and H. flavescens are endemic and rare Chinese orchids. As far as we know, little work has been done concerning the relationships between the Holcoglossum plants and endophytic microorganisms. In this study, 46 culturable fungal endophytes were isolated and identified from roots of nine Holcoglossum plants collected from Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces of China based on molecular techniques. The results showed that all strains belonged to four classes, i.e., Sordariomycetes (41.30%), Dothideomycetes (36.96%), Agaricomycetes (17.39%), Leotiomycetes (4.35%). Thirty-six strains were identified at the genus level, including Alternaria, Cladosporium, Clonostachys, Colletotrichum, Cosmospora, Cryptosporiopsis, Cylindrocarpon, Didymella, Epulorhiza (Anamorphic Tulasnella), Fusarium, Myrmecridium, Leptosphaeria, Paraconiothyrium, Phomopsis, Pyrenochaeta, and Stephanonectria. Fusarium and Epulorhiza (Anamorphic Tulasnella) were the dominant fungal endophytes. Some orchids mycorrhizal fungi as well as Tulasnella calospora and Epulorhiza sp. were found in roots. This is the first report concerning endophytic fungi from Holcoglossum plants (Orchidaceae), suggesting that endophytic fungi in Holcoglossum plants are very abundant.

Simultaneous structural identification of natural products in fractions of crude extract of the rare endangered plant Anoectochilus roxburghii using H NMR/RRLC-MS parallel dynamic spectroscopy.

Nuclear magnetic resonance/liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy parallel dynamic spectroscopy (NMR/LC-MS PDS) is a method aimed at the simultaneous structural identification of natural products in complex mixtures. In this study, the method is illustrated with respect to (1)H NMR and rapid resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (RRLC-MS) data, acquired from the crude extract of Anoectochilus roxburghii, which was separated into a series of fractions with the concentration of constituent dynamic variation using reversed-phase preparative chromatography. Through fraction ranges and intensity changing profiles in (1)H NMR/RRLC-MS PDS spectrum, (1)H NMR and the extracted ion chromatogram (XIC) signals deriving from the same individual constituent, were correlated due to the signal amplitude co-variation resulting from the concentration variation of constituents in a series of incompletely separated fractions. 1H NMR/RRLC-MS PDS was then successfully used to identify three types of natural products, including eight flavonoids, four organic acids and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, five of which have not previously been reported in Anoectochilus roxburghii. In addition, two groups of co-eluted compounds were successfully identified. The results prove that this approach should be of benefit in the unequivocal structural determination of a variety of classes of compounds from extremely complex mixtures, such as herbs and biological samples, which will lead to improved efficiency in the identification of new potential lead compounds.

Four new bibenzyl derivatives from Dendrobium candidum.

Four new bibenzyl derivatives, namely, dendrocandins F-I (1-4), were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium candidum. Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectroscopic data. Dendrocandins F and G represent the fourth and fifth example of bisbibenzyl derivates with a dibenzopyran ring between two units, respectively. Dendrocandin H represents the first example of a bibenzyl derivative formed by a bibenzyl and a 1,4-phenanthraquinone unit via a dibenzopyran ring. Compounds 1-4 were examined for antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay.

Quantitative determination of five glucosyloxybenzyl 2-isobutylmalates in the tubers of Gymnadenia conopsea and Coeloglossum viride var. bracteatum by HPLC.

Glucosyloxybenzyl 2-isobutylmalates are one group of important active constituents in the tubers of Gymnadenia conopsea R. Br. and Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. var. bracteatum (Willd.). For the purpose of quality evaluation of these two Chinese herbal medicines, it is necessary to use a rapid and reliable assay that is suitable for the determination of their active constituents. A high-performance liquid chromatography method is firstly developed for the simultaneous quantification of five glucosyloxybenzyl 2-isobutylmalates in the tubers. The analytes including dactylorhin B, dactylorhin E, loroglossin, dactylorhin A, and militarine are isolated from the tubers of G. conopsea. The compounds are separated on an Agilent Hydrosphere C(18) (150 x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microm) column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water including 0.3% acetic acid (adjusted with 36% acetic acid) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Detection is set at a UV wavelength of 221.5 nm. The recovery of the method is 97.7-101.0%, and linearity (r > 0.9998) is obtained for all the analytes. The assay is successfully applied to determine the contents of the analytes in the tubers of G. conopsea and C. viride var. bracteatum collected from different regions of China.

New bibenzyl derivatives from the tubers of Pleione yunnanensis.

Four new bibenzyl derivatives, shancigusins A-D (1-4) and five known bibenzyls (5-9) were isolated from the tubers of Pleione yunnanensis (Orchidaceae). The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analyses of their spectroscopic data.

Three new bibenzyl derivatives from Dendrobium candidum.

Three new compounds were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium candidum: (S)-3,4,4'-trihydroxy-5,alpha-dimethoxybibenzyl (1), named dendrocandin C; (S)-3,4,4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-alpha-ethoxybibenzyl (2), named dendrocandin D; and 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl (3), named dendrocandin E. Their structures were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. The isolated compounds exhibited potent antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test, with IC(50) values of 34.2, 34.5, and 15.6 microM for compounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Vitamin C was used as positive control with IC(50) 23.2 microM.

Two new compounds from Dendrobium candidum.

Two new compounds were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium candidum: (R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5,4',alpha-trimethoxybibenzyl (1), named dendrocandin A; and 4-[2-[(2S,3S)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-8-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl]ethyl]-1-methoxyl benzene (2), dendrocandin B. Five previously known bibenzyls were also identified: 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybibenzyl (3), 3,4-dihydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxybibenzyl (4), 3-O-methylgigantol (5), dendrophenol (6), and gigantol (7).

[Repair of the severe cleft palate in patients over 10 years old by soft palate plasty combined with buccal musculomucosal flap].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the repair of the severe cleft palate in patients over 10 years old. METHODS: First, the horizontal palate of the palatine bone was broken and the greater palatine foramen was enlarged by chisel. Then the great palatine neurovascular bundle was released. The soft palate was pushed back and lifted as described by Pro. Ruyao Song. Finally, a buccal musculomucosal flap was transferred to repair the frontal wound after pushing back the soft palate. RESULTS: 13 patients aged 10 - 25 years old were treated by this method. All the flaps survived completely. Both the hard and soft palate were lengthened. Velopharyngeal incompetence was corrected very well and the pronunciation improved markedly. CONCLUSIONS: This method can close the severe cleft palate without tension and lengthen the soft palate. It can correct velopharyngeal incompetence very well and improve pronunciation dramatically. It is especially useful for severe cleft palate in older patients.

[Advances in studies on chemical components and pharmacology of epiphytic type medicinal plants in the Orohid family].

Many of the epiphytic Orchids are used as traditional Chinese medicine. The chemical components and pharmacology have been studied in recent 15 years. This article reviewed the studies which will be beneficial to reveal the relatives among these medicinal plants in the Orchid Family and be helpful to develop new drugs.

[Studies on chemical components and pharmacological activities of geobiontic type medicinal plants in Orchidaceae family].

Geobiontic type medicinal plants subjected to Orchidaceae family are used as important traditional Chinese medicine. Scientists are paying more attentions to their chemical components and pharmacology recently. This paper reviewed their chemical components involved in phenanthrene, bibenzene, flavone, sterol, terpenes, alkoloids and pharmacology such as antibacterium, cytotoxic activity, antihyperliposis effects. All these information are beneficial to reveal the relative among these medicinal plants in Orchidaceae family and are helpful to develop new drugs.

[Study on chemical constituents in herbs of Anoectochilus roxburghii II].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Anoectochilus roxburghii. METHOD: Silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromotography were used in the isolation from the ethanol extracts of the whole plant, the compounds were determined on the basis of various modern spectroscopic analysis and physical constants. RESULT: Five compounds were isolated from the CHCl3 soluble portion, identified as p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (I), ferulic acid (II), quercetin (III), daucosterol (IV), cirsilineol (V). CONCLUSION: All these compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time, compound V was isolated from the Orchid Family for the first time, the other compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time.