Saikosaponin A Inhibits Growth of Human Bladder Carcinoma T24 and 5637 Cells Both in Vitro and in Vivo.

Saikosaponin A (SSA)-a natural compound extracted from Radix bupleuri-possesses antitumor properties in several types of carcinomas. However, the role of SSA on bladder cancer and the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we have described the effect of SSA on human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 in the context of the regulation of mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis. In vitro, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and cell wound healing assays were used to determine the proliferative effect of SSA treatment. Flow cytometry and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the apoptosis and related mechanisms. To further confirm that apoptosis is mediated through Caspase activation, Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining assay was done after cells were treated with SSA and caspase inhibitor-Z-VAD-FMK. In vivo, an orthotopic xenograft mice model was adopted to evaluate the effect of SSA. The tumors were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemical analysis, and Western blotting. In vitro, the results with CCK-8 assay showed obvious SSA-induced suppression in cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis, Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining assay and the assessment of the changes in the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family protein expression level revealed that SSA could significantly induce cell apoptosis, which was associated with apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathways. In vivo, the results revealed a reduction in cell proliferation. In conclusion, our data suggest that SSA inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and inducing cell apoptosis.

Regioselective Fluoroalkylphosphorylation of Unactivated Alkenes by Radical-Mediated Alkoxyphosphine Rearrangement.

A novel distal radical rearrangement of alkoxyphosphine is developed for the first time and applied to the regioselective radical fluoroalkylphosphorylation of unactivated olefins. By employing a one-pot two-step reaction of (bis)homoallylic alcohols, organophosphine chlorides, and fluoroalkyl iodides under CFL (compact fluorescence light) irradiation, a series of fluoroalkylphosphorylated alkyl iodides and alcohols are easily synthesized by regiospecific installing a phosphonyl onto the inner carbon of terminal olefins and further iodination/hydroxylation. Mechanism studies reveal that the migration undergoes a distinctive radical cyclization/ß-scission on the lone electron pair of phosphorus, resulting in C-P bond formation and C-O bond cleavage.

Deconstructive Oxygenation of Unstrained Cycloalkanamines.

A deconstructive oxygenation of unstrained primary cycloalkanamines has been developed for the first time using an auto-oxidative aromatization promoted C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) bond cleavage strategy. This metal-free method involves the substitution reaction of cycloalkanamines with hydrazonyl chlorides and subsequent auto-oxidative annulation to in situ generate pre-aromatics, followed by N-radical-promoted ring-opening and further oxygenation by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and m-cholorperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA). Consequently, a series of 1,2,4-triazole-containing acyclic carbonyl compounds were efficiently produced. This protocol features a one-pot operation, mild reaction conditions, high regioselectivity and ring-opening efficiency, broad substrate scope, and is compatible with alkaloids, osamines, and peptides, as well as steroids.

Clinical characteristics, cytogenetic and molecular findings in patients with disorders of sex development.

The clinical characteristics of patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), and the diagnostic values of classic cytogenetic and molecular genetic assays for DSD were investigated. In the enrolled 56 cases, there were 9 cases of 46,XY DSD, 6 cases of Turner syndrome (TS), one case of Super female syndrome, 25 cases of Klinefelter syndrome, 14 cases of 46,XX DSD, and one case of autosomal balanced rearrangements with hypospadias. The diagnosis of sex was made through physical examination, cytogenetic assay, ultrasonography, gonadal biopsy and hormonal analysis. PCR was used to detect SRY, ZFX, ZFY, DYZ3 and DYZ1 loci on Y and X chromosomes respectively. The DSD patients with the same category had similar clinical characteristics. The karyotypes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of all patients were identified. PCR-based analysis showed presence or absence of the X/Y-linked loci in several cases. Of the 9 cases of 46,XY DSD, 6 were positive for SRY, 9 for ZFX/ZFY, 9 for DYZ3 and 8 for DYZ1 loci. Of the 6 cases of TS, only 1 case with the karyotype of 45,X,/46,XX/46,XY was positive for all 5 loci. Of the 25 cases of Klinefelter syndrome, all were positive for all 5 loci. In one case of rare Klinefelter syndrome variants azoospermia factor (AZF) gene detection revealed the loss of the AZFa+AZFb region. In 14 cases of 46,XX DSD, 7 cases were positive for SRY, 14 for ZFX, 7 for ZFY, 7 for ZYZ3, and 5 for DYZ1. PCR can complement and also confirm cytogenetic studies in the diagnosis of sex in cases of DSD.

[Key elements to break through registration barriers on traditional Chinese medicine in EU].

The EU is an international bridge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and TCM in EU is of strategic importance. In this paper the progress on policies and regulations and approved products of herbal medical products in EU in 10 years were briefly reviewed, registration regulations were systematically, studied and some typical cases were analyzed. To provide reference for successful registration of TCM in EU and implementation of international strategy of TCM, five key elements (i. e. registration classification, approval procedure, approval authority, application product and application enterprise) to break through the registration barriers on TCM in EU were putted forwards correspondingly.

[Design, synthesis and activities of novel benzothiazole derivatives containing arylpiperazine].

Twenty-four novel benzothiazole derivatives containing arylpiperazine were designed and synthesized by bioisosterism principle. Anti-proliferative effect of these synthesized compounds against four cancer cell and two normal cell lines were evaluated in vitro by the standard MTT assay. Pharmacological test showed that most of the compounds exhibited potent antitumor activity. Some of the compounds (II2, II3, II6, II7) showed strong anti-proliferation activities against HepG2 and HeLa229 cell lines with the IC 50 values of 1.6-4.5 micromol x L(-1) and 2.5-5.3 micromol x L(-1), respectively, and compounds having cyan in p-substituted benzene ring (I4, I8, I12, II4, II8 and II12) were found to have better antitumor activities against AsPC-1 cell lines with the IC50 values of 5.2-11.3 micromol x L(-1). The structure-activity relationship of benzothiazole derivatives containing arylpiperazine was also discussed preliminarily.

[Study on registration administration of extracts of traditional Chinese medicine and its preparation].

This paper studied the status of registration administration of extracts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its preparation, discussed some factors which affect the quality of extracts of TCM and its preparation, and puted forward some suggestions to strengthen the registration administration of extracts of TCM and its preparation such as clear positioning and legal basis, improving and enhancing quality standards, implementing of record management and so on.

[Closed-loop management model of clinical investigational product for new drug of traditional Chinese medicine].

This paper discussed the management regulations and technical requirements of clinical investigational product for new drug of traditional Chinese medicine, analyzed some common problems on the management of them, and proposed the establishment of closed-loop management model and management requirements in various aspects.

Ethanol Extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch: Antidiarrheal Activity in Mice and Contraction Effect in Isolated Rabbit Jejunum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antidiarrheal effect of ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch root (GFR) in vivo and jejunal contraction in vitro. METHODS: In vivo, 50 mice were divided into negative control, positive control (verapamil), low-, medium- and high-dose GFR (250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg) groups by a random number table, 10 mice in each group. The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in castor oil-induced diarrhea mice model by evacuation index (EI). In vitro, the effects of GFR (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 g/L) on the spontaneous contraction of isolated smooth muscle of rabbit jejunum and contraction of pretreated by Acetylcholine (ACh, 10 µmol/L) and KCl (60 mmol/L) were observed for 200 s. In addition, CaCl2 was accumulated to further study its mechanism after pretreating jejunal smooth muscle with GFR (1 and 3 g/L) or verapamil (0.03 and 0.1 µmol/L) in a Ca2+-free-high-K+ solution containing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). RESULTS: GFR (500 and 1,000 mg/kg) significantly reduced EI in castor oil-induced diarrhea model mice (P<0.01). Meanwhile, GFR (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 g/L) inhibited the spontaneous contraction of rabbit jejunum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Contraction of jejunums samples pretreated by ACh and KCl with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values was 1.05 (0.71-1.24), 0.34 (0.29-0.41) and 0.15 (0.11-0.20) g/L, respectively. In addition, GFR moved the concentration-effect curve of CaCl2 down to the right, showing a similar effect to verapamil. CONCLUSIONS: GFR can effectively against diarrhea and inhibit intestinal contraction, and these antidiarrheal effects may be based on blocking L-type Ca2+ channels and muscarinic receptors.

[Cytogenetics and Y chromosome AZF microdeletions in infertile patients with mosaic karyotype Klinefelter syndrome (46,XY/47,XXY/48, XXYY/49,XXXXY)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe peripheral blood chromosome abnormality and microdeletions of the SRY and AZF genes on the Y chromosome in patients with chimera Klinefelter syndrome. METHODS: We analyzed the cytogenetic karyotype of the peripheral blood chromosome in 1 infertile patient with mosaic karyotype Klinefelter syndrome and his parents. We identified 9 sequence tagged sites (STS) by multiplex PCR: sY84, sY86, sY127, sY129, sY134, sY254, sY255, sY242, and sY152. Meanwhile we detected the SRYgene and the microdeletion of AZF using ZFX/ZFY as the internal control gene. RESULTS: The karyotype of the patient was 46,XY (12%)/47,XXY (30%)/48,XXYY (56%)/49,XXXXY (2%). The karyotypes of his parents were normal. Consistency was found between the SRY gene and the chromosome gender in the patient and his parents. Y chromosome AZF microdeletion was observed in the patient. The deletion sites were sY86 and sY127, and the deletion type was AZFa + AZFb. CONCLUSION: AZF microdeletion of the Y chromosome exists in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. Chromosome karyotype and Y-chromosome AZF microdeletion are important criteria for the genetic diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome.

Sequential Catalytic Annulations: Divergent Synthesis of Heterocycles through a Radical [1,4]-Oxygen Shift.

A radical [1,4]-oxygen-atom transfer has been realized by the reaction of linear alkyne-tethered ketoximes and ethynylbenziodoxolones (EBX) under sequential catalytic conditions. Mechanism studies indicate that the O atom transfer experiences a cascade O atom radical cyclization/alkynylation/N-O bond photocleavage and subsequent N,O-diradical rearrangement. By the diversification of catalytic sequences, a series of structurally important 3H-pyrrol-3-ones and chlorinated furo[3,2-b]pyrroles are divergently synthesized along with an O atom shift under the catalysis of Cu/Ir photosensitization and Cu/Ir photosensitization/AlCl3, respectively.

Co-existence of multiple strains of porcine circovirus type 2 in the same pig from China.

Pigs are often co-infected by different viral strains from the same virus. Up to now, there are few reports about co-existence of different porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate it in Chinese swine herds. 118 PCV2 positive DNAs isolated from diseased pigs identified by classic PCR were re-detected using a modified differential PCR assay. The results indicated that co-existence rates of PCV2 were 32.2% (38/118) in diseased pigs and 0% (0/41) in asymptomatic pigs. Four PCV2 complete genomes were cloned from two co-infected samples and their nucleotide (nt) identities were 95%-97.3%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that four PCV2 strains were divided into different genotypes, PCV2a, PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2e, respectively. In addition, co-existence were not detected in 41 serum samples from healthy pigs but PCV2 single infection (31.7%, 13/41) existed. These data revealed that the co-existence of different strains of PCV2 might contribute to the development of more severe clinical symptoms for pigs. This is the first report confirming the co-existence of different PCV2 strains in Chinese swine herds. Meanwhile, this study could help us to understand new infection and prevalence forms of PCV2 clinically.

Xanthoceraside induces cell apoptosis through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway in cell lines of human bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Xanthoceraside is a component obtained in the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. Series of researches proved that xanthoceraside had functions of anti-inflammation and anti-tumor effects. However, the mechanisms of xanthoceraside against bladder cancer are unclear. Accordingly, we proposed to investigate xanthoceraside's impacts and potential mechanisms in cells of bladder cancer. METHODS: By using the CCK-8 assay, we measured the viability of cells. With the use of 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, we examined nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation in the nuclei of apoptotic cells. By using flow cytometry, we measured cell apoptosis. By using Western blotting, we tested the expressions of Caspase-9, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, Bcl-xL, P53, and PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2/Bax. RESULTS: The proliferation of cell lines of human bladder cancer T24 and 5637 was suppressed by xanthoceraside significantly in a time- and concentration-dependent way. When cell lines 5637 and T24 were incubated as the xanthoceraside dose increased, the rates of cell apoptosis were upregulated, which was dependent on dose. According to further analysis, xanthoceraside induced apoptosis by upregulating Bax and downregulating the expression of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. However, xanthoceraside did not change the expression of Caspase-9, Caspase-8, and Caspase-3. Interestingly, xanthoceraside also downregulated the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt, and upregulated P53. CONCLUSIONS: Xanthoceraside induces cell apoptosis through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway in cell lines of human bladder cancer.

Effect of puerarin on action potential and sodium channel activation in human hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of puerarin on electrophysiology using a hypertrophic cardiomyocyte (HC) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human urine epithelial cells were used to generate the HC model (hiPSC-CM). Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by applying 10 nM endothelin-1 (ET-1). Effects of puerarin pre-treatment (PPr) and post-treatment (PPo) on action potential, sodium current (INa) activation and inactivation, and recovery following INa inactivation were tested using patch clamp electrophysiology. RESULTS: Depolarization to repolarization 50% time (APD50) and repolarization 30% time (APD30) were significantly prolonged in the PPo and PPr groups compared with the controls. However, there were no significant differences in the action potential depolarization amplitude (APA) or the maximum depolarization velocity (Vmax) in phase 0. The PPr group had a slightly shortened APD90, and an extended APD50 and APD30, but did not exhibit any significant changes in stage A of APA and Vmax. The PPo group did not exhibit any significant changes in INa, while 12 h of PPr improved INa. However, puerarin did not significantly affect the activation, inactivation, or recovery of the sodium channel. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy significantly decreased the Vmax of the action potential and the peak density of INa. PPr inhibited the decrease in Vmax and increased the peak density of INa. Thus, puerarin could be used to stabilize the electrophysiological properties of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and reduce arrhythmias.

Effect of natural resources, renewable energy and economic development on CO2 emissions in BRICS countries.

Economic development drives industrialization, which increased the value of the extracted natural resources. Excessive usage of natural resources, through agriculture, deforestation, and mining can affect the environment. In this regard, the present study investigates the effects of natural resources' abundance on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The study uses annual panel data spanning from 1990 to 2015 in BRICS countries. The augmented mean group (AMG) panel algorithm, robust to crosssectional dependence and heterogeneity, infers the heterogeneous effect of natural resources on CO2 emissions among BRICS countries. Abundance of natural resources mitigates CO2 emission in Russia, but contributes to pollution in South Africa. In addition to this, natural resources help to form Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in Brazil, China, Russia, and South Africa. Finally, causality analysis suggested feedback hypothesis between natural resources and CO2 emissions.

Cu-Catalyzed Aminoacyloxylation of Unactivated Alkenes of Unsaturated Hydrazones with Manifold Carboxylic Acids toward Ester-Functionalized Pyrazolines.

A copper-catalyzed aminoacyloxylation of unactivated alkenes of unsaturated hydrazones is achieved by using various commercially available carboxylic acids as the acyloxylating reagents and di- tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as the oxidant. By using this method, a sequence of structurally diversiform acyloxyl-substituted pyrazolines are efficiently synthesized. Significantly, many carboxyl-containing drugs and bioactive molecules with unprotected functional groups are compatible in this reaction.

Cu-Catalyzed Oxyalkynylation and Aminoalkynylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Synthesis of Alkynyl-Featured Isoxazolines and Cyclic Nitrones.

A convenient and efficient vicinal oxyalkynylation/aminoalkynylation of internal unactivated alkenes is achieved by means of a Cu-catalyzed radical cascade reaction of unsaturated ketoximes with ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagents. This protocol enables the synthesis of structurally valuable isoxazolines or cyclic nitrones and the introduction of an important alkyne group in a single operation. The reaction is characterized by a broad substrate scope for both unsaturated ketoximes and alkynylation reagents and a low catalyst loading.

Synthesis of Halomethyl Isoxazoles/Cyclic Nitrones via Cascade Sequence: 1,2-Halogen Radical Shift as a Key Link.

A novel iminoxyl radical-promoted dichotomous regioselective 5-exo-trig cyclization onto vinylic halogen/1,2-halogen radical shift sequence is developed for the synthesis of halomethyl isoxazoles/cyclic nitrones using ß-halo-ß,γ- and γ-halo-γ,δ-unsaturated ketoximes as the substrates and PhI(OAc)2/TEMPO as the oxidation system. DFT calculations reveal that a halogen-bridged three-membered ring transition state is involved in the 1,2-Cl-/Br-atom shift, while the 1,2-I atom migration can be taken into account with an elimination/readdition mechanism. The migration ability was indicated to be ranked in the following order: I > Br > Cl.

[The efficacy of intravessel obstructive therapy in primary liver cancer patients complicated with intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of interventional obstructive therapy for patients with liver cancer complicated with intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula. METHODS: Forty-eight of 56 patients with liver cancer complicated with intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula, confirmed by angiography, were treated with interventional obstructive therapy. The manifestations of the angiography, abdominal distention, ascites, and 24 hour urine output of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: (1) The arteriovenous fistula connected with the main branches of hepatic artery were embolized effectively by interventional method. (2) After the treatment, the abdominal distention alleviated remarkably (x2 =13.59, P < 0.01), the amount of ascites decreased, 24 hour urine output increased significantly (t = 13.57, P < 0.01) and quality of life improved. (3) The lifespan of the treated patients was prolonged after the embolization therapy. CONCLUSION: Interventional embolization is an effective palliative therapy for patients with liver cancer complicated with severe ascites and intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula. The good results of this therapy were associated with its effect in decreasing portal hypertension of the patients.

[Identification of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus regulation sequence in 3'-untranslated region].

Based on our established infectious clone of PRRSV, designated as pCBC2, a series of mutagenesis of 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) at primary structure and secondary structure level were constructed. Then the full length mutant clones were transfected into MARC-145 cells, from which the influences of the discrete 3'-UTR mutation on PRRSV replication and transcription were analyzed. The properties of the rescued mutant viruses were then further characterized by Northern Blot and plaque morphology analysis. Our results demonstrated that PRRSV could tolerate more than 41 nucleotides deletion and 23nt insertion in the 3'-UTR, however, minor changes in the conserved stem loop region destroyed virus infectivity. To sum up, the stem-loop structure was essential for virus viability, but 5' end of the 3'-UTR tolerates certain level of nucleotide deletion or insertion. This is the first report to define the essential sequence and secondary structure for PRRSV genome replication and it is useful for future research about the regulation element.