Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium liangshanense.

Two new C19-diterpenoid alkaloids of the lycoctonine-type (liangshanine A and liangshanine B) and nineteen known compounds (3-21) were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium liangshanense W. T. Wang, and all the compounds were identified by different spectroscopic analyses, such as IR, HR-ESI-MS and NMR. All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time and tested for the anti-proliferation effects on MH7 A and SF9 cells to figure their anti-rheumatoid arthritis and anti-insect activity, but none of them showed remarkable activity.

Validating the role of PTGIS gene in colorectal cancer by bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments.

Prostaglandin I2 synthase (PTGIS) is a member of the cytochrome P450 family. Studies have revealed that differential expression of the PTGIS gene is closely related to the pathological and physiological processes of many diseases, including breast cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and head and neck cancer. However, the mechanism of action of the PTGIS gene in colorectal cancer is not fully understood. This study explored the role of PTGIS in colorectal cancer through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments, and found that the expression of PTGIS gene in colorectal cancer tissue was significantly lower than that in normal colorectal tissue (P < 0.05), and high expression of PTGIS gene was associated with poor prognosis in patients (P < 0.05). The KEGG results showed that PTGIS-related genes were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways, arachidonic acid metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and cancer pathways. The expression of PTGIS may be related to immune infiltration. Cell experiments showed that PTGIS was expressed at a lower level in cancer. Overexpression of PTGIS inhibited apoptosis and promoted proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of SW480 colorectal cancer cells. Analysis of the PTGIS gene in this study provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and finding more accurate new targets for early screening and treatment of the cancer.

Interspecific differences in thermal tolerance landscape explain aphid community abundance under climate change.

A single critical thermal limit is often used to explain and infer the impact of climate change on geographic range and population abundance. However, it has limited application in describing the temporal dynamic and cumulative impacts of extreme temperatures. Here, we used a thermal tolerance landscape approach to address the impacts of extreme thermal events on the survival of co-existing aphid species (Metopolophium dirhodum, Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi). Specifically, we built the thermal death time (TDT) models based on detailed survival datasets of three aphid species with three ages across a broad range of stressful high (34-40 °C) and low (-3∼-11 °C) temperatures to compare the interspecific and developmental stage variations in thermal tolerance. Using these TDT parameters, we performed a thermal risk assessment by calculating the potential daily thermal injury accumulation associated with the regional temperature variations in three wheat-growing sites along a latitude gradient. Results showed that M. dirhodum was the most vulnerable to heat but more tolerant to low temperatures than R. padi and S. avenae. R. padi survived better at high temperatures than Sitobion avenae and M. dirhodum but was sensitive to cold. R. padi was estimated to accumulate higher cold injury than the other two species during winter, while M. dirhodum accrued more heat injury during summer. The warmer site had higher risks of heat injury and the cooler site had higher risks of cold injury along a latitude gradient. These results support recent field observations that the proportion of R. padi increases with the increased frequency of heat waves. We also found that young nymphs generally had a lower thermal tolerance than old nymphs or adults. Our results provide a useful dataset and method for modelling and predicting the consequence of climate change on the population dynamics and community structure of small insects.

Individualization of tacrolimus dosage basing on cytochrome P450 3A5 polymorphism--a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

We investigated how cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 polymorphism affects pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and its interaction with diltiazem in Chinese kidney transplant recipients. Sixty-two CYP3A5 expressers and 58 non-expressers were, respectively, randomized to receive diltiazem supplement or not. Their pharmacokinetic profiles were acquired on 14th day, sixth month, and 18th month post-transplant and compared among groups. A dosing equation was fit based on above data with CYP3A5 genotype and diltiazem co-administration as variables. Then, necessary initial doses with or without diltiazem were calculated and used in 11 CYP3A5 expressers, respectively, when another 11 expressers received routine doses as control. Trough concentration was measured on the third-day post-transplant and patients failed to reach target range were presented in percentage. These two parameters were compared among three groups. Patients were followed up until June 2010, kidney function, biopsy-proved acute rejection, and other adverse events were monitored. Results showed that CYP3A5 expressers needed more tacrolimus to reach therapeutic concentration window and were more susceptible to diltiazem-induced concentration increase than CYP3A5 non-expressers. CYP3A5 polymorphism-guided dosing equation helped to determine appropriate initial doses of tacrolimus in individuals. In conclusion, CYP3A5 polymorphism profoundly influences pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and helps to individualize tacrolimus dose.

[Uptake and translocation of selenate or selenite by wheat and rice seedlings].

Solution culture experiments were carried out to study the uptake and translocation of selenate (Na2SeO4) or selenite (Na2SeO3) by wheat and rice seedlings. When supplied with Na2SeO4 in nutrient solution, the concentrations of selenium (Se) in normal shoots and roots of rice were 30.3 mg x kg(-1) and 39.0 mg x kg(-1) respectively, and the absorbed Se was quickly translocated to shoots accounting for 80% of the total uptake. Se concentrations in wheat shoots and roots were 1.76 mg x kg(-1) and 6.99 mg x kg(-1) respectively, accounting for 62% in shoots. However, when supplied with Na2SeO3, Se concentrations in shoots and roots of rice were 4.40 mg x kg(-1) and 230 mg x kg(-1) respectively, 1.24 mg x kg(-1) and 88.3 mg x kg(-1) in shoots and roots of wheat respectively, and only 8.2% was transferred to shoots. The influence of phosphorus (P) starvation on Se uptake was different for rice and wheat seedlings. Comparing to normal plants, the Se concentrations in the shoots and roots of rice under P starvation condition were decreased, however increased for wheat. In Na2SeO3 uptake kinetics, K(m) of wheat seedlings was 8.7 folds of that of rice, and the affinity of wheat root to selenite was much weaker than that of rice. The Se uptake rate of wheat (V(max)) was 14% lower than that of rice. The uptake and translocation mechanisms of selenate and selenite by rice and wheat seedlings were revealed. And the results demonstrate that the absorbed selenate is quickly translocated to shoot and selenite is mainly accumulated in root. These results provide basic information for biofortification of crops with Se.

Pilot study of intravesical instillation of two new generation anthracycline antibiotics in prevention of superficial bladder cancer recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Superficial bladder cancer accounts for 60% - 70% of all bladder cancer cases in China, when treatment consists of only transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-BT), recurrence and progresses in the bladder are observed in some patients. There are numerous reports of trials of intravesical instillation of anticancer agents with the objective of lowering this recurrence rate. The aim of this study was to compare the prophylactic efficacy and safety of epirubicin (EPI), pirarubicin (THP) and hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) in superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: This study enrolled a total of 189 patients who had been diagnosed with superficial bladder cancer during the period from 2004 through 2007 at Beijing Friendship Hospital. All patients were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups. Patients in group A received 29 doses of EPI 30 mg/30 ml, patients in group B received 29 doses of THP 30 mg/30 ml, and patients in group C received 29 doses of HCPT 30 mg/30 ml, over a period of 24 months. RESULTS: The recurrence-free rate in the 2 anthracycline treatment groups (A and B) were significantly better than that of the HCPT treatment group. In the safety evaluation, the incidences of pollakiuria, pain on urination, dysuria, hematuria, and contracted bladder were not significantly different between groups A and B, but some were significantly higher in groups A and B than that in group C. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of EPI and THP was significantly better than HCPT in the prevention of bladder cancer recurrence.

[Content determination of different species of Pb, As, and Cd in the municipal sewage sludge of Beijing with ICP-MS].

Heavy metals in municipal sewage sludge can limit the utilization of sludge resources, due to their recalcitrant characteristics and harmful effects. Here, ICP-MS was used to determine the total and special content of Pb, As and Cd in the sewage sludge from G and Q Wastewater Treatment Plants, Beijing. The air-dried samples were dissolved in HNO3-HClO4 before the total content determination, or, sequentially extracted with BCR three-step method before special content determination for the heavy metals. The total contents are 19.60, 37.96 and 1.34 mg x kg(-1) dry weight (DW) for Pb, As and Cd in the sewage sludge from G Plant; respectively; or, 19.58, 23.46 and 2.30 mg x kg(-1) DW in that from Q Plant, respectively. Pb and Cd decreased dramatically in the total contents, compared to the corresponding data in the late 20th century. Both G and Q sludge samples show similar patterns in the species distribution for the three heavy metals: most of Pb and As are HAc soluble, and least are H2O2 oxidative; while Cd mainly exists in NH2OH-HCl reductive state, seldom in HAc soluble state. Species with high ecotoxicity account for a major part (over 70%) of the three species for all the metals on the whole. The authors' results provide basic data for the ecological risk assessment and utilization of municipal sewage sludge from Beijing.

Tuberculosis in southern Chinese renal-transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in Southern Chinese renal transplant recipients, and summarize the corresponding experiences in diagnosis and management. METHOD: Retrospectively study 41 documented post-transplant TB cases out of the 2333 patients who received kidney transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between Jan. 1991 and Apr. 2007. RESULTS: TB in the post-renal-transplant population in Southern China displayed the following characteristics: (i) high incidence within a short time after transplantation, the median interval between renal transplantation and diagnosis of TB was 8 months (range: 1-156 months) and 56.1% were diagnosed within the first year post-transplant; (ii) high prevalence (51.2%) of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis; (iii) high co-infection rate (19.5%), pathogens included candida albicans, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter haemolyticus and cytomegalovirus; (iv) fever (82.9%), cough (56.1%) and sputum (39.0%) are the most common clinical manifestations; (v) purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) skin test had little diagnostic value in this group with a negative result in all 41 cases; (vi) acute rejection (29.3%) and liver function damage (17.1%) were the main adverse effects of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy; (vii) mortality of patients with post-transplant tuberculosis reached up to 22.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese renal transplant recipients face a high risk of TB because of their immuno-compromised state and epidemiological prevalence of the disease. Therefore, attention should be given to this differential diagnosis in clinical practice. Balancing the benefits and disadvantages of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is of importance for this specific population.

[Therapeutic effect of sirolimus against chronic allograft nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in management of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 31 CAN patients followed up since March 2002, who experienced a change from a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based regimen to a SRL-based regimen. Serum creatinine (Cr) in these patients was compared before and after the regimen change, and the adverse events associated with SRL were analyzed. RESULTS: Till March 2007 when the study closed, 15 patients reached the primary endpoint for resuming dialysis, 8 had improved and 8 had stable renal function. In patients with high Cr(0)(> or =3 mg/L, n=12), 9 resumed dialysis and 2 had improved renal function, but one of the patients with renal improvement eventually died due to infection; in the patients with low Cr(0)(<3 mg/L, n=19), 5 resumed dialysis, 8 had stable renal function and 6 had improved renal function, showing significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.003). Altogether 14 patients reached the secondary endpoint for ceasing SRL for severe infection (5 patients, of whom 4 resumed dialysis and 1 died of infection) or adverse events associated with SRL (9 patients, of whom 4 resumed dialysis, 2 had stable and 3 had improved renal function). Hyperlipidemia (51.6%), leukocytopenia (41.9%), mouth ulcer (29.0%) and liver function lesion (16.1%) were the commonest adverse events in these patients, and totalling 13 severe adverse events were recorded, including 2 fatal cerebral hemorrhage, 3 fatal infection episodes, and 8 pulmonary and urinary infections that require hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Conversion from a CNI-based to SRL-based regimen can be effective for some CAN cases, especially for those with Cr(0) below 3 mg/L. Attention must be given to adverse events like hyperlipidemia and leukocytopenia, as well as the related cerebral vascular accidents and infections.