Glia-derived adenosine in the ventral hippocampus drives pain-related anxiodepression in a mouse model resembling trigeminal neuralgia.

Glial activation and dysregulation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)/adenosine are involved in the neuropathology of several neuropsychiatric illnesses. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC) has attracted considerable attention in relation to its role in emotional regulation. However, it is not yet clear how vHPC glia and their derived adenosine regulate the anxiodepressive-like consequences of chronic pain. Here, we report that chronic cheek pain elevates vHPC extracellular ATP/adenosine in a mouse model resembling trigeminal neuralgia (rTN), which mediates pain-related anxiodepression, through a mechanism that involves synergistic effects of astrocytes and microglia. We found that rTN resulted in robust activation of astrocytes and microglia in the CA1 area of the vHPC (vCA1). Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of astrocytes and connexin 43, a hemichannel mainly distributed in astrocytes, completely attenuated rTN-induced extracellular ATP/adenosine elevation and anxiodepressive-like behaviors. Moreover, inhibiting microglia and CD39, an enzyme primarily expressed in microglia that degrades ATP into adenosine, significantly suppressed the increase in extracellular adenosine and anxiodepressive-like behaviors. Blockade of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) alleviated rTN-induced anxiodepressive-like behaviors. Furthermore, interleukin (IL)-17A, a pro-inflammatory cytokine probably released by activated microglia, markedly increased intracellular calcium in vCA1 astrocytes and triggered ATP/adenosine release. The astrocytic metabolic inhibitor fluorocitrate and the CD39 inhibitor ARL 67156, attenuated IL-17A-induced increases in extracellular ATP and adenosine, respectively. In addition, astrocytes, microglia, CD39, and A2AR inhibitors all reversed rTN-induced hyperexcitability of pyramidal neurons in the vCA1. Taken together, these findings suggest that activation of astrocytes and microglia in the vCA1 increases extracellular adenosine, which leads to pain-related anxiodepression via A2AR activation. Approaches targeting astrocytes, microglia, and adenosine signaling may serve as novel therapies for pain-related anxiety and depression.

Minimally invasive percutaneous screw internal fixation under robot navigation for the treatment of a hamate bone fracture.

PURPOSE: Hamate fractures are rare fractures of the wrist and there is still no consensus on the optimal treatment for these fractures, especially hook of hamate fractures. Herein, the authors present a case study of a series of patients who were treated with closed reduction and minimally invasive percutaneous fixation under robot navigation. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 14 patients who had nondisplaced or minimally displaced hamate fractures on computerized tomography images and were treated using the treatment in our centre from November 1, 2019, to October 31, 2022. At the final follow-up, the flexion-extension and radial-ulnar range of motion of the wrist were measured, and the grip strength and pinch strength were measured. The pain of the wrist was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The Mayo wrist score reflected the recovery of the wrist. RESULTS: The mean total operative duration was 40.1 min. All the fractures showed union at a mean of 3.0 months. At a mean follow-up of 23.3 months (range 6-36 months), the mean VAS score was 0.7, the average Mayo wrist score was 95, and the mean pinch strength and grip strength were 11.3 and 38.7 kg, respectively. The flexion-extension arc was 138.3°, the mean radial and ulnar deviation arc was 63.8°, and the mean pronation-supination arc was 172.3°. And the time of return to the original occupation was mean 4 months (3~6 months). There were no complications, such as infection or nerve paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that nondisplaced or minimally displaced hamate hook fractures can be successfully treated by closed reduction and internal fixation with a headless compression screw with the assistance of robot navigation, and the small fragment of fracture can be accurately fixed with minimal iatrogenic injury.

[Separation, characterization, and antiviral activity of colloidal phase state of Maxing Shigan Decoction].

This study focused on the separation, characterization, content determination, and antiviral efficacy research on colloidal particles with different sizes in Maxing Shigan Decoction(MXSG). The mixed colloidal phase of MXSG was initially separated into small colloidal particle segment(S), medium colloidal particle segment(M), and big colloidal particle segment(B) using ultrafiltration. Further fine separation was performed using size-exclusion chromatography. Dynamic light scattering(DLS) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) were employed to characterize the size and morphology of the separated colloidal particles. UPLC-MS/MS was used to determine the content of ephedrine, amygdalin, glycyrrhizic acid, and the EDTA complexometric titration was used to measure the calcium(Ca~(2+)) content in different colloidal phases. Finally, a respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infection mouse model was established using intranasal administration. The experimental groups included a blank group, a model group, a ribavirin group, an MXSG group, an S group, an M group, and a B group. Oral administration was given for treatment, and pathological changes in mouse lung tissue and organ indices were evaluated. The results of the study showed that the distribution of ephedrine, amygdalin, glycyrrhizic acid, and Ca~(2+) content was not uniform among different colloidal segments. Among them, the B segment had the highest proportions of the three components, except for Ca~(2+), accounting for 46.35%, 53.72%, and 92.36%, respectively. Size-exclusion chromatography separated colloidal particles with uniform morphology in the size range of 100-500 nm. Compared to the S and M segments, the B segment showed an increased lung index inhibition rate(38.31%), spleen index, and thymus index in RSV-infected mice, and it improved the infiltration of inflammatory cells and lung injury in the lung tissue of mice. The complex components in MXSG form colloidal particles of various sizes and morphologies through heating, and small-molecule active components such as ephedrine, amygdalin, glycyrrhizic acid, and Ca~(2+) participate in the assembly to varying degrees. The main material basis for the antiviral effect of MXSG is the colloidal particles with certain particle sizes formed by the assembly of active components during the heating process.

Fast size estimation of single-levitated nanoparticles in a vacuum optomechanical system.

Optical trapping of single nanoparticles in vacuum has various applications in both precise measurements and fundamental physics. However, to date, the number and size of randomly loaded nanoparticles in an optical trap is difficult to determine unless in vacuum. In this Letter, an efficient method for nanoparticle size estimation in an optical tweezer system before the evacuation of air was proposed and demonstrated experimentally, using scattering light from levitated particles. The particle radii deduced from the scattering light power in our proposal and from the kinetic theory of particles in gas match well (with the differences of less than 10%). For sample particles with radii ranging within 50-100 nm, we also provide a preselection rule based on this method, where over half of the trapped particles are verified as single particles. Such a particle analysis method is applicable also for the size estimation of levitated diamond particles, gold particles, and other plasmonic particles and can be applied to discovering novel scattering effects.

Epirubicin-induced Kounis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Kounis syndrome is an acute coronary syndrome that appears in the setting of anaphylactic reaction or hypersensitivity. Many drugs and environmental exposures have been identified as potential offenders, and diagnosis and treatment can be challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man with recurrent bladder cancer underwent an intra-iliac artery epirubicin injection. After the injection, he developed chest pain and a systemic allergic reaction, with electrocardiographic alterations and elevated troponin-I levels. Emergent coronary angiography showed right coronary artery spasm and no stenosis of the other coronary arteries. This reaction was considered compatible with an allergic coronary vasospasm. A diagnosis of Kounis syndrome was made. CONCLUSIONS: Kounis syndrome is common, but a prompt diagnosis is often not possible. This case is the first to suggest that an intraarterial epirubicin injection could potentially be one of its triggers. All physicians should be aware of the pathophysiology of this condition to better recognize it and start appropriate treatment; this will prevent aggravation of the vasospastic cardiac attacks and yield a better outcome.

[Study on mechanism of enhancing antioxidant activity in fermented Ziziphi Spinosae Semen with Poria cocos].

In this study, the antioxidant property changes in fermented Ziziphi Spinosae Semen(FZSS) with Poria cocos were analyzed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. Then the content determination of active ingredients and ~1H nuclear magnetic resonance(~1H-NMR) spectroscopy were also used to investigate the mechanism of FZSS with P. cocos in enhancing the antioxidant activity. The results showed that the content of active ingredients such as total phenols, total saponins and total polysaccharides were significantly increased during the fermentation time. The results of ~1H-NMR metabonomics showed that the contents of amino acids such as leucine, lysine, valine and alanine, nitrogen compounds such as creatine, creatinine, and betaine, and secondary metabolites, for instance, jujuboside A and spinosin were higher after fermentation, and above components showed positive correlation with antioxidant capacity in Pearson correlation analysis. Therefore, it was inferred that the enhancement of antioxidant activity of FZSS may be the result of the joint action of various chemical components. This study preliminarily clarified the mechanism of FZSS in enhancing the antioxidant activity, and provided new research ideas for the product development and utilization of FZSS.

Overexpression of SrDXS1 and SrKAH enhances steviol glycosides content in transgenic Stevia plants.

BACKGROUND: Stevia rebaudiana produces sweet-tasting steviol glycosides (SGs) in its leaves which can be used as natural sweeteners. Metabolic engineering of Stevia would offer an alternative approach to conventional breeding for enhanced production of SGs. However, an effective protocol for Stevia transformation is lacking. RESULTS: Here, we present an efficient and reproducible method for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Stevia. In our attempts to produce transgenic Stevia plants, we found that prolonged dark incubation is critical for increasing shoot regeneration. Etiolated shoots regenerated in the dark also facilitated subsequent visual selection of transformants by green fluorescent protein during Stevia transformation. Using this newly established transformation method, we overexpressed the Stevia 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase 1 (SrDXS1) and kaurenoic acid hydroxylase (SrKAH), both of which are required for SGs biosynthesis. Compared to control plants, the total SGs content in SrDXS1- and SrKAH-overexpressing transgenic lines were enhanced by up to 42-54% and 67-88%, respectively, showing a positive correlation with the expression levels of SrDXS1 and SrKAH. Furthermore, their overexpression did not stunt the growth and development of the transgenic Stevia plants. CONCLUSION: This study represents a successful case of genetic manipulation of SGs biosynthetic pathway in Stevia and also demonstrates the potential of metabolic engineering towards producing Stevia with improved SGs yield.

Regulation of flowering time by SPL10/MED25 module in Arabidopsis.

Several SQUAMASA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factors are involved in plant developmental transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. However, the function of SPL10 in regulating floral transition is largely unknown. It is also not known which Mediator subunit mediates SPL10 transcriptional activity. Here, we used overexpression lines and knockout mutants to examine the role of SPL10 in flowering-time regulation and we investigated possible interactions of SPL10 with several mediator subunits in vitro and in vivo. Plants overexpressing SPL10 showed precocious flowering, whereas the triple loss-of-function mutants of SPL10 and its two homologous genes, SPL2 and SPL11, flowered late compared with wild-type plants. We found that SPL10 interacts with MED25, a subunit of the Mediator complex, which bridges transcription factors and RNA polymerase II to facilitate transcription initiation. Genetic analysis showed that MED25 acts downstream of SPL10 to execute SPL10-regulated floral transition. Furthermore, SPL10 was required for MED25 association with the promoters of two target genes, FUL and LFY. We provide evidence that SPL10 recruits MED25 to the promoters of target genes to regulate flowering time. Our results on the SPL10/MED25 module are relevant to the molecular mechanism of other SPL family members.

Effects of depression on healing and inflammatory responses of acute wounds in rats.

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of depression on the healing of acute wounds in rats. We hypothesized that depression would have negative effects on inflammation and wound healing and that antidepressant therapy would reverse these effects. This study included 100 rats randomly allocated into five groups: control group (CG), depression group (DG), pre-depression group (PDG), antidepressant group (AG), and pre-antidepressant group (PAG). Acute wounds were created on the rats' backs. The groups were subjected to no interventions (CG), aversive stimuli before (PDG) and after (DG) wound creation, and antidepressant treatment before (PAG) and after (AG) wound creation. On the day of wound creation and on days 3, 6, 9, and 12 after wound creation, observations of the wound area and degree of depression (evaluated using the sucrose preference test, open-field test, and weight change) were recorded. On days 6 and 12 after wound creation, venous serum and wound tissues were collected. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed an initial increase followed by a decrease in the degree of depression in all groups except DG (continuous decline). The wound-healing rate was significantly lower in PDG and DG than in CG; it was higher in AG and PAG than in CG. DG and PDG had higher concentrations of inflammatory cytokines than CG, and AG and PAG had lower concentrations than CG. This indicates that the onset of depression delays the healing of acute wounds and aggravates the inflammatory response in rats. Antidepressant treatment counteracts both of these negative effects.

A noncoding RNA transcribed from the AGAMOUS (AG) second intron binds to CURLY LEAF and represses AG expression in leaves.

Dispersed H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) of the AGAMOUS (AG) genomic locus is mediated by CURLY LEAF (CLF), a component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex (PRC) 2. Previous reports have shown that the AG second intron, which confers AG tissue-specific expression, harbors sequences targeted by several positive and negative regulators. Using RACE reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we found that the AG intron 2 encodes several noncoding RNAs. RNAi experiment showed that incRNA4 is needed for CLF repressive activity. AG-incRNA4RNAi lines showed increased leaf AG mRNA levels associated with a decrease of H3K27me3 levels; these plants displayed AG overexpression phenotypes. Genetic and biochemical analyses demonstrated that the AG-incRNA4 can associate with CLF to repress AG expression in leaf tissues through H3K27me3-mediated repression and to autoregulate its own expression level. The mechanism of AG-incRNA4-mediated repression may be relevant to investigations on tissue-specific expression of Arabidopsis MADS-box genes.

Clinical Usefulness of the Microbubble Contrast Agent SonoVue in Enhancing the Effects of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the microbubble contrast agent SonoVue in enhancing high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of adenomyosis. METHODS: A total of 102 patients with adenomyosis, assessed from August 2015 to April 2017, were randomly divided into 1-minute (A) and 10-minute (B) groups, respectively. In groups A and B, HIFU started 1 minute and 10 minutes, respectively, after SonoVue injection. All patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan before and after HIFU treatment. RESULTS: The occurrence rates of massive gray scale change, nonperfused volume, and fractional ablation were similar in both groups (P > .05). Meanwhile, sonication time to massive gray scale change was reduced in group A compared with group B (P < .05). In addition, mean power, total energy, and energy efficiency factor were lower in group A than group B (all P < .05). The incidence rates of most perioperative and all postoperative adverse events were similar in both groups (P > .05). The incidence rates of pain in the treated region, leg pain, and sciatic or buttock pain during HIFU were substantially lower in group A than group B (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, starting HIFU sonication at 1 minute after SonoVue injection enhances HIFU ablation by cavitation and heating and is safe. Early massive gray scale change, lower total energy, and reduced mean power are potential safety factors.

Vascularization of pancreatic decellularized scaffold with endothelial progenitor cells.

Vascularization remains a large obstacle for creating a functional pancreas-tissue equivalent for transplantation. In this study, a pre-vascularized pancreatic decellularized scaffold was prepared through endothelializing with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in a bioreactor, and the ability to regenerate new blood vessels was detected in vivo. Initially, pancreases of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were perfused with 1% Triton X-100 and 0.1% ammonium hydroxide to remove the cellular components while the intact vascular network was preserved. Then, the decellularized scaffold was reseed with EPCs, which were primarily characterized by dual staining for dil-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Dil-acLDL) and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (FITC-UEA-1), to reconstruct the vascular network. Thus, a scaffold covered with EPCs in the vessel structure was created. After that, the scaffold was transplanted into the rat in vivo to observe the anastomosis with the host vascular network. The results showed that EPCs can be located around the blood vessel wall, and re-endothelialized scaffold connected with the host through new blood vessel formation earlier than the control group (p < 0.05). These findings all indicated that the pancreatic decellularized scaffold endothelialized with EPCs may be further applied to solve the problem of blood supply and support the function of insulin-secreting cells after in vivo transplantation.

Spearmint R2R3-MYB transcription factor MsMYB negatively regulates monoterpene production and suppresses the expression of geranyl diphosphate synthase large subunit (MsGPPS.LSU).

Many aromatic plants, such as spearmint, produce valuable essential oils in specialized structures called peltate glandular trichomes (PGTs). Understanding the regulatory mechanisms behind the production of these important secondary metabolites will help design new approaches to engineer them. Here, we identified a PGT-specific R2R3-MYB gene, MsMYB, from comparative RNA-Seq data of spearmint and functionally characterized it. Analysis of MsMYB-RNAi transgenic lines showed increased levels of monoterpenes, and MsMYB-overexpressing lines exhibited decreased levels of monoterpenes. These results suggest that MsMYB is a novel negative regulator of monoterpene biosynthesis. Ectopic expression of MsMYB, in sweet basil and tobacco, perturbed sesquiterpene- and diterpene-derived metabolite production. In addition, we found that MsMYB binds to cis-elements of MsGPPS.LSU and suppresses its expression. Phylogenetic analysis placed MsMYB in subgroup 7 of R2R3-MYBs whose members govern phenylpropanoid pathway and are regulated by miR858. Analysis of transgenic lines showed that MsMYB is more specific to terpene biosynthesis as it did not affect metabolites derived from phenylpropanoid pathway. Further, our results indicate that MsMYB is probably not regulated by miR858, like other members of subgroup 7.

Characteristics and Impact Factors of Renal Threshold for Glucose Excretion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are newly developed but promising medicine for type 2 diabetes. However, patients with a different renal threshold for glucose excretion (RT(G)) may have a different reaction to this medicine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of RT(G) and its impact factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The clinical and laboratory data of 36 healthy individuals and 168 in-hospital patients with T2DM were collected and analyzed, RT(G) was calculated using blood glucose (BG) measured by dynamic BG monitoring, urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The characteristics of RT(G) were investigated. The risk factors for high RT(G) were analyzed using non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Our results found that RT(G) of the T2DM group was higher than that of the healthy individuals (P < 0.05); and 22.22% from the healthy individuals group but 58.33% from the T2DM group had high RT(G). Age, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were independently associated with high RT(G) (P < 0.05). Further stratified analysis revealed that RT(G) in T2DM patients increased with age, duration of diabetes, and BMI. In conclusion, RT(G) is increased in patients with T2DM, especially in those with longer diabetic duration, higher BMI, and those who are older. Therefore, these patients may be more sensitive to SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Metabolic engineering of terpene biosynthesis in plants using a trichome-specific transcription factor MsYABBY5 from spearmint (Mentha spicata).

In many aromatic plants including spearmint (Mentha spicata), the sites of secondary metabolite production are tiny specialized structures called peltate glandular trichomes (PGT). Having high commercial values, these secondary metabolites are exploited largely as flavours, fragrances and pharmaceuticals. But, knowledge about transcription factors (TFs) that regulate secondary metabolism in PGT remains elusive. Understanding the role of TFs in secondary metabolism pathway will aid in metabolic engineering for increased yield of secondary metabolites and also the development of new production techniques for valuable metabolites. Here, we isolated and functionally characterized a novel MsYABBY5 gene that is preferentially expressed in PGT of spearmint. We generated transgenic plants in which MsYABBY5 was either overexpressed or silenced using RNA interference (RNAi). Analysis of the transgenic lines showed that the reduced expression of MsYABBY5 led to increased levels of terpenes and that overexpression decreased terpene levels. Additionally, ectopic expression of MsYABBY5 in Ocimum basilicum and Nicotiana sylvestris decreased secondary metabolite production in them, suggesting that the encoded transcription factor is probably a repressor of secondary metabolism.

Design, synthesis and fungicidal activity of N-substituted benzoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolyl-1-carboxamide.

To find a new lead compound with high biological activity, a series of N-substituted benzoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolyl-1-carboxamide were designed using linking active substructures method. The target compounds were synthesized from substituted benzoic acid by four steps and their structures were confirmed by (1)H NMR, IR spectrum and elemental analysis. The in vitro bioassay results indicated that some target compounds exhibited excellent fungicidal activities, and the position of the substituents played an important role in fungicidal activities. Especially, compound 5n, exhibited better fungicidal activities than the commercial fungicide flutolanil against two tested fungi Valsa mali and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, with EC50 values of 3.44 and 2.63mg/L, respectively. And it also displayed good in vivo fungicidal activity against S. sclerotiorum with the EC50 value of 29.52mg/L.

[Effect of P2X7 receptor knock-out on bone cancer pain in mice].

Cancer pain is one of the most common symptoms in patients with late stage cancer. Lung, breast and prostate carcinoma are the most common causes of pain from osseous metastasis. P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is one of the subtypes of ATP-gated purinergic ion channel family, predominately distributed in microglia in the spinal cord. Activation of P2X7Rs in the spinal dorsal horn has been associated with release of proinflammatory cytokines from glial cells, causing increased neuronal excitability and exaggerated nociception. Mounting evidence implies a critical role of P2X7R in inflammatory and neuropathic pain. However, whether P2X7R is involved in cancer pain remains controversial. Here we established a bone cancer pain model by injecting the Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur bone marrow cavity of C57BL/6J wild-type mice (C57 WT mice) and P2X7R knockout mice (P2rx7(-/-) mice) to explore the role of P2X7R in bone cancer pain. Following intrafemur carcinoma inoculation, robust mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in C57 WT mice were developed on day 7 and 14, respectively, and persisted for at least 28 days in the ipsilateral hindpaw of the affected limb. CatWalk gait analysis showed significant decreases in the print area and stand phase, and a significant increase in swing phase in the ipsilateral hindpaw on day 21 and 28 after carcinoma cells inoculation. Histopathological sections (hematoxylin and eosin stain) showed that the bone marrow of the affected femur was largely replaced by invading tumor cells, and the femur displayed medullary bone loss and bone destruction on day 28 after inoculation. Unexpectedly, no significant changes in bone cancer-induced hypersensitivity of pain behaviors were found in P2rx7(-/-) mice, and the changes of pain-related values in CatWalk gait analysis even occurred earlier in P2rx7(-/-) mice, as compared with C57 WT mice. Together with our previous study in rats that blockade of P2X7R significantly alleviated bone cancer pain, it is implied that P2X7R may play different roles in bone cancer pain in different species (e.g. rat vs mouse). These results implicated a huge difference between the pathophysiology discovered in the experimental animal models and that of human disease.

Molecular Characteristics and Drug Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Patients Co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Beijing, China.

70 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from AIDS patients in two HIV/AIDS referral hospitals in Beijing were used in this study. M. tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) were identified by using multi-locus PCR. M. tuberculosis was genotyped by using 15-locus MIRU-VNTR technique and spoligotyping afterwards. Meanwhile, the drug susceptibilities of the strains to the four first-line anti TB drugs (rifampin, isoniazid, streptomycin, and ethambutol) and the four second-line anti-TB drugs (capreomycin, kanamycin, ofloxacin, and ethionanide) were tested with proportional method. In this study, M. tuberculosis and NTM strains isolated from AIDS patients with TB-like symptoms were identified and genotyping analysis indicated that Beijing genotype was the predominant genotype. In addition, the prevalence of drug-resistant TB, especially the prevalence of XDR-TB, was higher than that in TB patients without HIV infection.

[Chemical Constituents from Rhizome of Valeriana jatamansi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the rhizome of Valeriana jatamansi. METHODS: The chemical constituents were separated and purified by silica gel, medium pressure column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by physicochemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated from the dibromochloromethane extract in the rhizome of Valeriana jatamansi, and identified as decursidin (1), decursitin B (2), decursitin A (3), 3'(S)-acetoxy-4'(R)-angeloyloxy-3',4'-dihydroxanthyletin (4), 8-acetoxyl-pathchouli alcohol (5) and dibutyl phthalate (6). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-4 are coumarins which are isolated from this genus for the first time,and compound 6 is isolated from this genus for the first time.

[Bone mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for acute myocardial infarction: in vivo tracing with multi-modality molecular imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of tracking bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) dual- labeled with polyethylenimine 2k-superparamagnetic iron oxide (PEI2k-SPIO) and Luciferase transplantation for acute myocardial infarction in vivo by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging. METHODS: BMSCs/Luciferase was incubated with culture medium containing PEI2k-SPIO for 24 h. Prussian-blue staining and MTT were used to assess the efficacy and safety of labeling with PEI2k-SPIO. Guided with echocardiography, the dual-labeled BMSCs were injected into the margin of infarction myocardium. MRI and fluorescence imaging were performed to monitor the cells in vivo at different times (1,2,3,7 d). RESULTS: As demonstrated by MTT, there was no significant difference in survival rate between the labeled and unlabeled cells (P>0. 05). Within a week after transplantation, all PEI2k-SPIO-labeled BMSCs showed a significant decreased signal on MRI. Dual-labeled BMSCs were detected bioluminescence with fluorescence imaging, but disappeared after one week. CONCLUSION: Multi- modality imaging can not only trace the location of labeled BMSCs but also demonstrate the survival of labeled BMSCs in vivo.