Establishment and validation of a model for predicting infiltration of pulmonary subsolid nodules by circulating tumor cells combined with imaging features / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To evaluate the clinical radiological features combined with circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the diagnosis of invasiveness evaluation of subsolid nodules in lung cancers. Methods     Clinical data of 296 patients from the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between February 2019 and February 2021 were retrospectively included. There were 130 males and 166 females with a median age of 62.00 years. Patients were randomly divided into a training set and an internal validation set with a ratio of 3 : 1 by random number table method. The patients were divided into two groups: a preinvasive lesion group (atypical adenomatoid hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma in situ) and an invasive lesion group (microinvasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma). Independent risk factors were selected by regression analysis of training set and a Nomogram prediction model was constructed. The accuracy and consistency of the model were verified by the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curve respectively. Subgroup analysis was conducted on nodules with different diameters to further verify the performance of the model. Specific performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy at the threshold were calculated. Results     Independent risk factors selected by regression analysis for subsolid nodules were age, CTCs level, nodular nature, lobulation and spiculation. The Nomogram prediction mode provided an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.914 (0.872, 0.956), outperforming clinical radiological features model AUC [0.856 (0.794, 0.917), P=0.003] and CTCs AUC [0.750 (0.675, 0.825), P=0.001] in training set. C-index was 0.914, 0.894 and corrected C-index was 0.902, 0.843 in training set and internal validation set, respectively. The AUC of the prediction model in training set was 0.902 (0.848, 0.955), 0.913 (0.860, 0.966) and 0.873 (0.730, 1.000) for nodule diameter of 5-20 mm, 10-20 mm and 21-30 mm, respectively. Conclusion     The prediction model in this study has better diagnostic value, and is more effective in clinical diagnosis of diseases.

Clinical effect of 3 mm thoracoscope combined with needle electrocoagulation hook in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the clinical effect of tubeless 3 mm ultra-fine thoracoscope combined with needle electrocoagulation hook thoracic sympathicotomy in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Methods    The clinical data of 77 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent surgery in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from September 2017 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 50 males and 27 females, with an average age of 23.60±5.60 years. A total of 36 patients were treated with tubeless 3 mm ultra-fine thoracoscopic electrocoagulation hook thoracic sympathicotomy (an observation group), and 41 patients were treated with conventional thoracoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy (a control group). The baseline data, perioperative data and the results of 12 hours after operation were compared between the two groups. Results    All the 77 patients completed the operation successfully, no conversion to thoracotomy, no intraoperative bleeding, and no conversion to endotracheal intubation in the observation group. In the observation group, the time of anesthesia before operation [19.00 (17.00, 23.75) min vs. 25.00 (21.00, 27.00) min, P=0.001] and postoperative hospital stay [2.00 (1.00, 2.00) d vs. 2.00 (1.00, 3.00) d, P=0.012] were shorter than those in the control group. The operation time [22.50 (21.00, 25.75) min vs. 26.00 (23.50, 28.50) min, P=0.001], intraoperative blood loss [5.00 (2.25, 5.00) mL vs. 6.00 (5.00, 10.00) mL, P=0.003], postoperative pain index [2.00 (1.00, 2.00) vs. 3.00 (2.00, 3.00), P=0.001], hospitalization cost (14 246.58±879.28 yuan vs. 15 085.90±827.15 yuan, P<0.001) and postoperative inflammation index: white blood cell count [(12.96±2.32)×109/L vs. (14.47±2.05)×109/L, P=0.003], percentage of neutrophils (76.31%±5.40% vs. 79.97%±7.12%, P=0.014) were significantly lower or less than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of major postoperative complications or adverse consequences between the two groups (P>0.05). In the evaluation of 12 hours after operation, the time of getting out of bed [2.00 (1.00, 2.00) h vs. 2.00 (2.00, 3.00) h, P=0.017], the time of drinking water after operation [1.50 (1.00, 2.00) h vs. 2.00 (1.00, 3.00) h, P=0.005], and the heart rate (80.25±14.42 bpm vs. 91.07±15.08 bpm, P=0.002), the incidence of dizziness, nausea and other uncomfortable symptoms (5.6% vs. 25.0%, P=0.040) at 12 hours after operation were shorter or lower than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in blood oxygen saturation (non-inhaled oxygen state) 12 hours after the operation between the two groups [97.00% (95.25%, 98.00%) vs. 97.00% (96.00%, 98.00%), P=0.763]. Conclusion    Compared with conventional thoracoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy, tubeless 3 mm ultra-fine thoracoscopic electrocoagulation hook thoracic sympathicotomy can significantly shorten the operation time, reduce postoperative pain and promote postoperative recovery, in line with the concept of accelerated rehabilitation surgery and minimally invasive surgery, and is worth popularizing in clinical practice.

Effect of TRIM31 Gene Silencing on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of U266 Cells and Its Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of the tripartite motif containing 31 (TRIM31) gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells and its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#The normal bone marrow plasma cells (nPCs) were selected as control, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRIM31 in human multiple myeloma cell lines (U266, RPMI-8226, NCI-H929 and KMS-11) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Recombinant lentivirol vector containing shRNA-TRIM31 and its negative control were used to infect U266 cells respectively, and the mRNA expression level of TRIM31 in infected cells was detected by RT-qPCR. Then cell proliferation, colony forming and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8, soft agar assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein expression levels of TRIM31, cleaved-caspase-3, BCL-2, Bax, p-Akt (Ser473), Akt and PI3K (p110α) were evaluated by Western blot. In addition, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-specific inhibitor LY294002 and TRIM31-shRNA lentivirus were used to interfere with U266 cells, and the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and protein expression of p-Akt (Ser473) and Akt were detected by CCK-8, flow cytometry and Western blot, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Compared with nPCs, the expression levels of TRIM31 mRNA and protein in U266, RPMI-8226, NCI-H929 and KMS-11 cells were significantly increased (P<0.001), especially in U266 cells. After lentivirus infection, the levels of TRIM31 mRNA and protein in U266 cells were significantly decreased (P<0.001). TRIM31 silencing significantly inhibited the proliferation of U266 cells (P<0.05), attenuated the ability of cell cloning, improved cell apoptosis, up-regulated the protein expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bas as well as down-regulated expressions of BCL-2, p-Akt (Ser473) and PI3K (p110α). There was no significant effect on Akt protein. Intervention of LY294002 significantly enhanced the inhibition on cell proliferation and the promotion on apoptosis mediated by TRIM31 gene silencing in U266 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#TRIM31 gene silencing can inhibit U266 cell proliferation and promote its apoptosis, which may be closely related to inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Epidemiology of refractive and associated factors in school-aged children in Xiangtan / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the prevalence of poor vision and ametropia and main influencing factors of myopia of primary and secondary school students in Xiangtan, providing scientific basis for prevention and control of myopia among primary and secondary school students.<p>METHODS:Cluster random sampling was performed. 6 164 samples were randomly chosen to be tested for uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity and eye position, and among those whose uncorrected far visual acuity of either eyes below 5.0, refractive power of both eyes were further tested. Self-questionnaire was designed to understand the influencing factors of myopia. <p>RESULTS: Among 6 164 samples, the rate of presenting visual acuity below 5.0 is 40.3%(1 249/3 099)for male and 43.8%(1 343/3 065)for female respectively(<i>P</i><0.01). The prevalence of myopia is 59.1% for male and 68.7% for female respectively(<i>P</i><0.01). The prevalence of myopia is 44.1% for primary school students and 71.3% for secondary school students; the prevalence of hyperopia is 3% for primary school students and 1.7% for secondary school students. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, homework time(>2h), average sleeping time(≤8h)and myopic parents are independent risk factors(<i>OR</i>=1.48, 1.55, 1.26, 1.58, 2.13,all <i>P</i><0.05)for myopia of primary and secondary school students.<p>CONCLUSION: The prevalence of visual impairment and myopia for primary and secondary school students in Xiangtan are high, which is influenced by many factors, by which should be intervened comprehensively.

Comparison of corneal power measurements with Pentacam and IOL Master / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To evaluate the agreement and interchangeability of a Scheimpflug camera(Pentacam)and a partial coherence interferometry keratometer(IOL Master)in eyes having preoperative assessment for routine cataract surgery. <p>METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, 41 patients(64 eyes)with normal cornea from January 2017 to June 2017 in our hospital were enrolled. Simulated K, true net power and Holladay equivalent K(EKR)measured at 1.0 to 7.0 mm corneal diameters were measured by the Pentacam system and mean keratometer(Km)was measured by the IOL Master. Paired samples <i>t</i> test, Pearson correlation analysis and Bland-Altman method were used for statistical analysis. <p>RESULTS: Among patients with cataract of normal cornea, the mean Scheimpflug K for true net power and EKR at 1.0mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm corneal diameters were statistically significantly less than the mean Km(IOL Master). The EKR at 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 6.0mm, 7.0mm of corneal diameters were significantly greater than the mean Km(IOL Master)(<i>P</i><0.01 for all). The difference between Sim K and EKR at 4.0mm measured by Pentacam and Km measured by IOL Master was the smallest(-0.03D±0.252D and 0.04D±0.244D, respectively; <i>t</i>=-1.018, <i>P</i>=0.313; <i>t</i>=1.461, <i>P</i>=0.149), and it had the best uniformity with 95% credible interval of -0.53D to 0.46D(sim K)and -0.43D to 0.52D(equivalent K at 4.0mm). A Pearson correlation revealed a high correlation for corneal power measurements between the two devices(<i>r</i>>0.9 for all, <i>P</i><0.01 for all).<p>CONCLUSION: The sim K and EKR at 4.0mm had the closest match with the Km(IOL Master)for Chinese patients with cataract of normal cornea. However, the application of these devices should be combined with clinical features.

Inhibitory Effect of Eukaryotic Expression Vector Bearing TFPI-2 Gene on SHI-1 Cell Growth / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To construct a eukaryotic expression vector of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) and to investigate the effect of TFPI-2 gene on the growth of acute monocytic leukemia cell line (SHI-1).@*METHODS@#The cDNA of TFPI-2 was obtained by genetic chemical synthesis, the TFPI-2 gene and the linear vector fragment were ligated and inserted into the multiple cloning site of PEGFP-N1 vector, and the eukaryotic expression vector PEGFP-N1-TFPI-2 was transfected SHI-1 cells, then the obtained SHI-1 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy; MTT assay was used to detect the effect of TFPI-2 gene on the relative growth rate of SHI-1 cells at the different time-point; RT-PCR was used to detect TFPI-2 mRNA expression levels in the cells of each group before and after TFPI-2 transfection; TFPI-2 protein expression was detected by Western blot. The cells which successfully transfected with PEGFP-N1-TFPI-2 vector were named as SHI-1-TFPI-2 (experimental group), and the cells transfected with the empty vector pEGFP-N1 and the untransfected cells were named as SHI-1-V and SHI-1-P and used as the control group.@*RESULTS@#The human TFPI-2 gene eukaryotic expression vector PEGFP-N1-TFPI-2 was successfully constructed, then the transfected into SHI-1 cells, observed by fluorescence microscopy 24 hours later, as a result, the PEGFP-N1-TFPI-2 was successfully transferred into SHI-1 cells, and the number of fluorescent cells increased after 48 h and 72 h. RT-PCR showed that the gray scale ratio of TFPI-2 gene to β- actin in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. The gray scale ratio was 0.51±0.04 in SHI-1-V group, 0.52±0.03 in SHI-1-P group, 0.87±0.08 in SHI-1-TFPI-2 group, and the difference between SHI-1-TFPI-2 and SHI-1-V, SHI-1-P group was statistically significant (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of TFPI-2 gene in PEGFP-N1-TFPI-2 can inhibit the growth of SHI-1 cells, which provides a research direction for gene therapy of leukemia in the future.

Inhibitory Effect of Serum Containing Fuzheng Jiedu Decoction on the Leukemia K562/A02 Multi-drug Resistance Cells and Its Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibitory effect of serum containing Fuzheng Jiedu decoction on leukemia multi-drug-resistance K562/A02 cells and its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The MTT method was used to detect the inhibitory rate of K562/AO2 cells treated with serum containing Fuzheng Jiedu decoction; the flow cytometry was used to detect the inhibitory effect of serum containing medicin on growth of K562/AO2 cells and P-gp expression; the Q-PCR was used to assay the BCL-2 mRNA expression; the Western blot was used to detect the BCL-2 protein expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MTT cytotoxic test showed serum containing Fuzheng Jiedu decoction could inhibit K562/A02 cell growth, and the inhibitory rate increased with the increase of drug concentration; the flow cytometry showed that the serum containing Fuzheng Jiedu decoction could promote K562/A02 cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. qPCR and Western blot showed that serum containing Fuzheng Jiedu decoction could down-regulate the protein expression of BCL-2. Fuzheng Jiedu decoction could reduce the protein expression of P-gp on the K562/A02 cell membrane.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>serum containing Fuzheng Jiedu decoction can promote K562/A02 cell apoptosis, its mechanism of inducing apoptosis may be related with the inhibition of BCL-2 and P-gp protein expression.</p>

Puerarin extraction and identification of solution wine to protect liver function in mice / 局解手术学杂志

Objective Pueraria extract puerarin,HPLC assay puerarin extract and compare different doses of correlation with the hang-over effect of puerarin evaluate different doses of puerarin liver hangover effect. Methods Extracted under optimal conditions obtained in the previous experiment puerarin spare,HPLC method for qualitative and quantitative detection of alcohol extract of kudzu root ( PRE) ,the male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group,positive control group and puerarin group,each group of 10. Give mice fed pueraria extract,30 min after administration of liquor,drunk mice sobering observation time and the determination of mouse liver ADH,GOT,GPT con-tent in order to investigate the effect of puerarin on drunken mice. Results HPLC fraction was measured at 8 times the volume of 70% etha-nol,60 ℃ constant temperature water bath shaker at 30 min for optimal extraction conditions puerarin extraction. Compared with the positive control groups:low,medium and high doses of alcohol extract of pueraria can significantly shorten the time to sober up drunken mice,the dose of PRE could effectively inhibit the absorption of alcohol,reduce liver tissue ADH,GOT,GPT,the effects of high doses of PRE absorption of alcohol was small. Conclusion HPLC method capable of puerarin extract the qualitative and quantitative determination of puerarin on liver injury caused by acute alcoholism a protective regulatory role,and the hangover effect of puerarin dose showed a good positive correlation.

Activity and expression of aldehyde dehydrogenases in the ocular tissue of diabetic rats / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Diabetic complication is associated with lipid peroxidation.Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) catalyze the irreversible oxidation of a variety of biological aldehydes,including lipid-derived aldehydes (LDAs),and thus protect organs and tissues from toxic LDAs.Understanding the activity of ALDH in different ocular tissues in diabetic subjects is very important for prevention and treatment of diabetic ocular complications.Objective This research aimed to investigate the activity and expression of ALDH in different ocular tissues in diabetic rats and to explore the mechanism of ALDH in diabetes-induced eye disease.Methods Twenty-eight healthy SPF male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats weighted 170-180 g were randomly divided into the normal control group and diabetic group.The diabetic animal model was established by intraperitonial injection of 4％ streptozotocin at 65 mg/kg.Isometric citric acid buffer was injected in the rats of the normal control group.The rats were sacrificed in each group 2 and 4 months after the establishment of the diabetic models,and eyeballs were obtained for the preparation of corneal,lens and retinal homogenates.ALDH activity was detected using a multifunctional microplate reader SpectraMax M5,and ALDH content was measured by ELISA at the wavelength of 450 nm with the SpectraMax M5 ELISA reader.Results The blood glucose level in diabetic rats was significantly elevated at various time points compared with the normal control group(P=0.000),and body weights were evidently lower in the diabetic group than in the normal group (P =0.000).The activities of ALDH (A340) in corneal,lens and retinal tissues in the diabetic group were increased in comparison with the normal control group (F =396.601,P=0.000),and showed an enhancement with the lapsing of time (F =53.139,P =0.000).In addition,the highest level of ALDH was found in the cornea and the lowest level in the lens(F =6973.000,P=0.000).The expression level of ALDH in the corneal,lens and retinal homogenates was significantly higher in the diabetic group compared with the normal control group (F=312.985,P =0.000) and showed a considerable increase over the course (F =19.203,P=0.000).The highest expression level was seen in the cornea and the lowest was in the lens,with a significant difference among these three kinds of tissues (F =3243.000,P =0.000).Conclusions ALDH can protect ocular tissue from the damage of lipid peroxidation.Thess results suggest that ALDH plays a role in preventing diabetes-related ocular complications.

Screening for drug resistance related microRNAs in K562 and K562/A02 cell lines / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between microRNA and drug resistance in leukemia treatment by screening and identifying the microRNAs which differentially express in K562 cell line and its adriamycin resistant cells-K562/A02 cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The drug resistance potency of K562/A02 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. P-gp expression of K562 and K562/A02 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The differentially expressed microRNAs in K562 and K562/A02 cells were analyzed by microarray technique and Real Time RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The resistance to adriamycin (ADM) of K562/A02 cells was 180 fold greater than that of K562 cells. P-gp expression rate of K562 and K562/A02 cells was 0.2% and 86%, respectively. Twenty-two microRNAs expressed differentially in K562 and K562/A02 cells (P < 0.01). As compared to K562 cells, expressions of miR-221, miR-155 and miR-451 were up-regulated by more than two fold, while expression of miR-98, miR-181a, let-7f, let-7g, miR-424 and miR-563 down-regulated by more than two fold in K562/A02 cells. The results of real time RT-PCR were consistent with that of microarray. Of note, differential expressions of miR-451, miR-155, miR-221, let-7f and miR-424 were remarkable.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>K562/A02 cells show a different microRNA expression profile as compared to its parental K562 cells, suggesting microRNAs including miR-221, miR-155, miR-451, let-7f and miR-424 may be involved in the mechanism of drug resistance in leukemia. These differentially expressed microRNAs provide potential novel targets for overcoming drug-resistance.</p>

Effecive observation of percutaneous reduction and Kirschner pin fixation for treatment of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on the clinic effect of percutaneous reduction and Kirschner's pins fixation for treatment of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2001 to Nov. 2007, 26 patients of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children were reviewed. All patients were treated by the fixation of percutaneous reduction and Kirschner's pins under the C-arm X-ray machine. These patients were included 16 males and 10 females with the age from 3 to 10 years. There were 17 cases on the left and 9 cases on the right. There were 24 cases of extension type and 2 cases of flexing type and all the cases were considered as closed fracture without any injury on nerve and vascular. These patients were all under operation from half an hour to 7 days after being injured, and 15 of them were sent to the hospital and received operation immediately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>These 26 cases were followed-up for 3 to 9 months, all fractures of them were healing. According to the comprehensive evaluation, the result of 16 cases were excellent, 8 cases were good, and 2 cases were fine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>From the research, the method of percutaneous reduction and Kirschner's pins fixation for treatment of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children with the assistance from C-arm X-ray machine is safe, convenient, less injured, with reliable fixation, complication-minimizing, and easy for functional recover.</p>

Effect of levosimendan on B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with advanced heart failure: a meta-analysis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To conduct a meta-analysis of the effect of levosimendan on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and evaluate the therapeutic effect of levosimendan on advanced heart failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A meta-analysis was performed on the selected data to analyze the effect of levosimendan on BNP levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Levosimendan decreased BNP by a mean of 337.66 [95%CI (-296.30, -379.02)] pg/ml 24 h after the administration, and by 259.92 [95%CI (-195.76, -324.08)] pg/ml at 48 h, and by 123.09 [95%CI(-53.32,-195.86)] pg/ml at 1 week. Levosimendan resulted in improvements of the cardiac function by about 29%, 22%, and 10% at 24 h, 48 h and 1 week after the administration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Levosimendan produces favorable effects on the cardiac functions and BNP levels.</p>

Remifentanil preconditioning lowers cardiac troponin I levels in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in assessing myocardial protection by remifentanil precondition against myocardial injury induced by off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four patients undergoing OPCAB were randomized into control and remifentanil preconditioning group (n=12). All the patients received pretreatment with oral diazepam (10 mg), intramuscular morphine (10 mg) and hyosine (0.3 mg). General anesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.08 mg/kg), etomidate (0.1-0.3 mg/kg), fentanyl (5-10 microg/kg), and rocuronium (1 mg/kg), and maintained with isoflurane inhalation and propofol infusion. Intermittent fentanyl and pipecuronium were given intravenously. In remifentanil preconditioning group, remifentanil (5 microg/kg in 50 ml normal saline) was infused in 10 min after anesthesia induction, and only NS was administered in the control group. Blood samples were obtained before and at 0, 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after the operation to determine serum cTnI levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In both of the two groups, the cTnI levels increased significantly at the postoperative time points (0, 2, 6, 24, and 48 h) as compared with those before the operation (P<0.05). The cTnI levels of remifentanil preconditioning group were markedly decreased after the operation in comparison with those of the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Remifentanil preconditioning decreases the cTnI levels and reduces myocardial injury induced by OPCAB.</p>

Strychnos alkaloids inhibit the proliferation of adult rat neuroprogenitor cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of strychnos alkaloids on the proliferation of adult rat neuroprogenitor cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Strychnos alkaloids free of strychnine and brucine were extracted from Strychnos nux vomica, and the effects of Strychnos alkaloids on the survival of HEK293 and PC12 cells were evaluated using MTT assay. In vitro cultured adult rat neuroprogenitor cells isolated from the hippocampus were treated with different concentrations of Strychnos alkaloids for 2 days, and the cell proliferation was assessed using BrdU incorporation assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the concentration above 0.5 mg/ml, Strychnos alkaloids produced toxic effect against HEK293 cells (P<0.0001), while for PC12 cells, Strychnos alkaloids inhibited the cell survival at the concentration as low as 5 microg/ml (P<0.0001). After 2 days of exposure to 50 microg/ml Strychnos alkaloids, the neuroprogenitor cells showed significantly decreased number of BrdU-positive cells (P<0.01), but the total cell number remained stable when compared with that of the control cells (P>0.05), whereas at the concentration of 100 microg/ml, Strychnos alkaloids produced obvious cytotoxicity against the neuroprogenitor cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Strychnos alkaloids can significantly inhibit the proliferation of adult rat neuroprogenitor cells, and this effect is probably selective, suggesting the potential of Strychnos alkaloids as a new drug for treatment of neurocytoma.</p>

Progressive studies of paeoniflorin / 中国中药杂志

Paeoniflorin is one of the bioactive components of Paeonia lactiflora, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It is the main monoterpene glucoside isolated from the P. lactiflora in 1963. Since then, researchers have found that paeoniflorin has multifold pharmacological effects. In this review, based on the recent available papers published in PubMed and National Knowledge Infrastructure Data Base, we present the major current approaches in understanding the detection methodology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology, and toxicology of paeoniflorin.