[Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: Biomedical Database was searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCT) related to vitamin D supplementation in tuberculosis patients, and the retrieval time was from establishment to November 2019. Two evaluators independently screened the literature and extracted the data. The negative conversion rate of acid-fast-bacilli of sputum smear, the negative conversion rate of mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and the change of serum vitamin D level were the main outcome indicators, and the body mass index was the secondary outcome indicator. The incidence of hypercalcemia and abnormal urinary calcium were used as adverse event indicators and the RevMan 5.2 software was used for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 8 RCT(S) met the inclusion criteria, including 850 patients with tuberculosis. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, negative conversion rate of acid-fast-bacilli of sputum smear and serum vitamin D level increased after 8 weeks of vitamin D supplementation [RR (95%CI) and mean deviation (MD) (95%CI) were 1.06 (1.00, 1.13) and 8.81 (1.81, 15.81), respectively; negative conversion rate of acid-fast-bacilli of sputum smear was not increased at week 4 and 12 [RR (95%CI) were 1.08 (0.97, 1.20) and 1.01 (0.91, 1.12), respectively]; negative conversion rate of mycobacterium tuberculosis culture in sputum was not increased after 4 and 8 weeks [RR (95%CI) were 1.06 (0.91, 1.22) and 1.02 (0.96, 1.08), respectively]; there was no change in body mass index [MD (95%CI):-0.02 (-0.53, 0.50)]; there was increased risk of abnormal urinary calcium [RR (95%CI): 2.45 (1.75, 3.41)], while no increase in risk of hypercalcemia [RR (95%CI): 1.99 (0.96, 4.13)]. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation is safe but not effective in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Nanoscale bubble ultrasound contrast agents-mediated suicide gene therapy system, Nanoscale bubble-LV5-YCD-TK/GCV/5-FC, effectively inhibits bladder cancer cell growth.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer is the 2nd most common reason for human genitourinary cancer-associated mortality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Nanoscale bubble ultrasound contrast agents-mediated yeast-cytosine-deaminase-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (YCD-TK/GCV) or YCD-TK/5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) suicide gene therapy system on BIU-87 cell growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Targeted nanoscale bubble ultrasound contrast agents were prepared by utilizing thin-film hydration-sonication approach. Nanoscale bubble-LV5-YCD-TK/GCV(5-FC) was constructed and transfected to BIU-87 cells. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate inflammation. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to examine cell viability. Cell-cycle distribution was analyzed with cell cycle assay. Flow cytometry assay was utilized to test apoptosis of BIU-87 cells. YCD-TK expression was examined using Western blot and quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. RESULTS: YCD-TK highly expressed in Nanoscale bubble mediated suicide gene therapy system. Nanoscale bubble-mediated suicide gene therapy system significantly induced inflammatory response and apoptosis compared to that of Nanoscale bubble group (p<0.05). Nanoscale bubble mediated suicide gene therapy system significantly reduced cell viability compared to that of the Nanoscale bubble group (p<0.05). Nanoscale bubble mediated suicide gene therapy system significantly inhibited cell cycle arrest compared to that of the Nanoscale bubble group (p<0.05). Nanoscale bubble-LV5-YCD-TK/GCV/5-FC therapy system significantly reduced BIU-87 cell viability compared to that of the Nanoscale bubble-associated groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nanoscale bubble-mediated suicide gene therapy system, bubble-LV5-YCD-TK/GCV/5-FC, acts as a novel therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer treatment.

Photoacoustic imaging of cerebral hypoperfusion during acupuncture.

Using acupuncture to treat cerebral hypoperfusion is a hot topic. However, there is a lack of effective tools to clarify the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on cerebral hypoperfusion. Here, we show in a mouse model of cerebral hypoperfusion that photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can noninvasively image cerebral vasculature and track total hemoglobin (HbT) concentration changes in cerebral hypoperfusion with acupuncture stimulation on the YangLingQuan (GB34) point. We measured the changes of HbT concentration and found that the HbT concentration in hypoperfusion regions was clearly lower than that in the control regions when the acupuncture was absent; however, it was significantly increased when the acupuncture was implemented on the GB34 point. We also observed the increase of vessel size and the generation of new vessels in cerebral hypoperfusion during acupuncture. Laser speckle imaging (LSI) was employed to validate some of the PAT findings.

Long-chain Acylcarnitines Reduce Lung Function by Inhibiting Pulmonary Surfactant.

The role of mitochondrial energy metabolism in maintaining lung function is not understood. We previously observed reduced lung function in mice lacking the fatty acid oxidation enzyme long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD). Here, we demonstrate that long-chain acylcarnitines, a class of lipids secreted by mitochondria when metabolism is inhibited, accumulate at the air-fluid interface in LCAD(-/-) lungs. Acylcarnitine accumulation is exacerbated by stress such as influenza infection or by dietary supplementation with l-carnitine. Long-chain acylcarnitines co-localize with pulmonary surfactant, a unique film of phospholipids and proteins that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse during breathing. In vitro, the long-chain species palmitoylcarnitine directly inhibits the surface adsorption of pulmonary surfactant as well as its ability to reduce surface tension. Treatment of LCAD(-/-) mice with mildronate, a drug that inhibits carnitine synthesis, eliminates acylcarnitines and improves lung function. Finally, acylcarnitines are detectable in normal human lavage fluid. Thus, long-chain acylcarnitines may represent a risk factor for lung injury in humans with dysfunctional fatty acid oxidation.

Parthenogenetic development of porcine oocytes treated by ethanol, cycloheximide, cytochalasin B and 6-dimethylaminopurine.

This study was carried out to investigate the various concentrations and exposure times of ethanol, one of many intracellular calcium elevating agents, and a sequential combination of ethanol (8%), cycloheximide (CHX, 10 microg/ml), cytochalasin B (CCB, 7.5 microg/ml) and 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP, 2 mM) to improve parthenogenetic activation and development of in vitro matured porcine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in tissue culture medium (TCM) 199 for 44 h at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air. Cumulus-free oocytes showing first polar body were activated by concentrations of 0, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10% ethanol for 10 min and exposure times of 0, 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15 min with 8% ethanol in HEPES buffered (25 mM) NCSU-23 medium. Also, oocytes were activated with the NCSU-23 medium containing 8% ethanol for 10 min. After that, oocytes were incubated in the NCSU-23 medium supplemented with CHX, CCB, 6-DMAP, CHX + CCB, CHX + 6-DMAP, CCB + 6-DMAP and CHX + CCB + 6-DMAP for 3h, respectively. Following activation, oocytes were transferred into the NCSU-23 medium containing 0.4% BSA for further culture of 20 and 144 h at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air. The activation rates of oocytes were higher in 6, 7 and 8% ethanol concentrations compared with 0, 5, 9 and 10% ethanol concentrations. Significantly, more oocytes (29.3-33.7%) were activated in the exposure for 8, 10, 12 and 15 min than those in the exposure for 0 and 5 min, but there was no difference due to exposure to 8% ethanol for 8-15 min. Oocytes treated by chemical agents (40.5-70.5%) after exposure to ethanol significantly improved the rate of oocyte activation compared with ethanol alone (31.2%). The percentage of cleaved oocytes was higher in the ethanol+CHX+CCB+6-DMAP treatment (66.4%) than in other treatments (24.9-57.6%). Also, the rate of blastocyst formation was higher in the ethanol+CHX+CCB+6-DMAP treatment (25.0%) than in other treatments (0.0-19.3%). In conclusion, the optimal activation treatment of ethanol exposure alone for the in vitro matured porcine oocytes was 8% ethanol for 8-15 min. Oocytes activated by 8% ethanol for 10 min and incubated in the NCSU-23 medium supplemented with CHX, CCB and 6-DMAP for 3 h were more efficient for parthenogenetic development of in vitro matured porcine oocytes.

Lactose-egg yolk diluent supplemented with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine affect acrosome morphology and motility of frozen-thawed boar sperm.

These experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and to obtain additional information about the effect of orvus es paste (OEP) and egg yolk concentration in the freezing of boar sperm in the maxi-straw. The highest post-thaw acrosomes of normal apical ridge (NAR) and motility were obtained with 0.025 or 0.05% N-acetyl-D-glucosamine concentration in the first diluent. However, there were no effects of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine among the diluents with or without N-acetyl-D-glucosamine at the second dilution. The N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the first and second diluents was added at room temperatures (20-23 degrees C) and 5 degrees C, respectively. It is suggested that the temperature of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine addition is important for the effect of boar sperm protection during freezing and thawing. When the 0.05% N-acetyl-D-glucosamine was supplemented in the first diluent, the optimum final OEP content was 0.5%. The optimum content of egg yolk in the diluent with 0.05% N-acetyl-D-glucosamine concentration was 20% and egg yolk was one of the main cryoprotective agents. In conclusion, we found out that the diluent with 0.025 or 0.05% soluble N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the first diluent, 0.5% final orvus es paste concentration and 20% egg yolk concentration significantly enhanced NAR acrosomes and motility of boar sperm after freezing and thawing.

Regeneration of hyaline cartilage by cell-mediated gene therapy using transforming growth factor beta 1-producing fibroblasts.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has been considered as a candidate for gene therapy of orthopedic diseases. The possible application of cell-mediated TGF-beta gene therapy as a new treatment regimen for degenerative arthritis was investigated. In this study, fibroblasts expressing active TGF-beta 1 were injected into the knee joints of rabbits with artificially made cartilage defects to evaluate the feasibility of this therapy for orthopedic diseases. Two to 3 weeks after the injection there was evidence of cartilage regeneration, and at 4 to 6 weeks the cartilage defect was completely filled with newly grown hyaline cartilage. Histological analyses of the regenerated cartilage suggested that it was well integrated with the adjacent normal cartilage at the sides of the defect and that the newly formed tissue was indeed hyaline cartilage. Our findings suggest that cell-mediated TGF-beta 1 gene therapy may be a novel treatment for orthopedic diseases in which hyaline cartilage damage has occurred.

[Triterpenoid saponins from Eclipta prostrata L].

AIM: To study the triterpenoid saponins in the Chinese traditional medicine Eclipta prostrata L.. METHODS: Column chromatography with silica gel and HPLC were employed for the isolation and purification. The molecular structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis (IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, HMQC and HMBC). RESULTS: Two new triterpenoid saponins, named eclalbasaponins XI (4) and XII (5), were obtained and their structures were elucidated as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-16 alpha-ethoxy-olean-12-ene-28-oic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 3-O-[(2-O-sulfuryl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-echinocystic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, along with three known saponins, eclalbasaponins II (1), I (2) and III (3). CONCLUSION: Compounds 4 and 5 are new compounds, 1 and 5 induced morphological deformation of Pyricularia oryzae mycelia.

[Studies on the anthraquinones of Cassia siamea].

AIM: To study the anthraquinone constituents of the stem of Cassia siamea. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by chromatography on silica gel, MHPLC, and identified on the basis of spectral analysis including IR, EI-MS, FAB-MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and DEPT. RESULTS: Three compounds were isolated and identified as: chrysophanol (I), chrysophanol-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (II) and 1-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-0-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) oxy]-8-hydroxyl-3-methy-9,10-anthraquinone (III). CONCLUSION: III is a new compound, II was obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Uncaria yunanensis Hsia. C.C].

AIM: To research the chemical constituents from dried roots of Uncaria yunanensis Hsia. C. C. METHODS: Modern chromatography was used to isolate chemical components. Their structure were identified by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated and identified as 3 beta, 6 beta, 19 alpha-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28 oic acid (I), 23-nor-24-esomethylene-3 beta, 6 beta-19 alpha-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28 oic acid (II), 3-oxo-6 beta, 19 alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28 oic acid (III), oleanic acid (IV), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-flavan-3-ol (V), beta-yohimbine (VI) and diangoutengjian I (VII). CONCLUSION: All of the above compounds were isolated for the first time from the root of this plant. Among them, compound VII is a new one.

A cytotoxic triterpene saponin from the root bark of Aralia dasyphylla.

A novel triterpene saponin (1) was isolated from an ethanol extract of the root bark of Aralia dasyphylla. Its structure was elucidated as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl- ole anolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, according to spectral and chemical evidence. Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxic activity against KB and Hela-S(3) cells.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Smilax glabra].

Smilax glabra is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine which has been used clinically to prevent leptospirosis, to treat syphilis, and acute bacterial dysentery, etc. Its extracts showed anti-tumor and anti-atherosclerosis activity. A new isoflavone, 7,6'-dihydroxy 3'-methoxy isoflavone (1), along with two known compounds taxifolin (2) and astilbin (3), have been isolated from the roots of Smilax glabra. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2DNMR techniques.

[Liver-protective activity of Aralia taibaiensis Z.Z. Wang et H.C. Zheng].

Compared with oleanolic acid and sodium chloride physiological solution, the water decoction of and the total saponin in root and cortex of Aralia taibaiensis were testified to have significant protective activity in experimental acute liver injury in mice induced by CCl4.

[Resources survey of medicinal species from genus Aralia].

This paper deals with the distribution area, growing environment and medicinal parts of 19 species and 1 variety, including 2 new species of genus Aralia. An index for identification of these medicinal species is presented.

[Studies on triterpenoids and their glycosides from Aralia dasyphylla Miq].

The structures of two triterpenoids and their glycosides were isolated from Aralia dasyphylla Miq. Their structures have been identified to be oleanoic acid(I), 16 beta-hydroxy-18 beta-H-oleanoic acid(II), oleanoic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(III) and 16 beta-hydroxy-18 beta-H-oleanoic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(IV), respectively, mainly through interpretation of UV, IR, MS, 1H and 13CNMR, DEPT, HMQC and HMBC spectra data. The stereochemistry of II has been confirmed by NOESY. Pharmacological experiments showed that the total saponins exerted preventative effect on CCl4-induced liver injury of male mice and hypoglycemic effect on a model of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats.

[Oleanolic acid saponins from the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis].

Five oleanolic acid saponins were isolated from the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis Z.Z. Wang et H.C. Zheng. By spectroscopic and chemical methods, they were identified as araloside A (1), 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)-6'-O-n-butyl-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl]-oleanolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)-6'-O-ethyl-beta-D- glucuronopyra-nosyl]-oleanolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), stipuleanoside R2(4) and 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3) [alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)]-6'-O-ethyl-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl)-oleanolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5). Saponin 1 and 4 were isolated from the title plant for the first time. 2, 3 and 5 are new compounds and named taibaienoside I, taibaienoside II and taibaienoside III, respectively.

[Assessment of the toxicity of TAH on the cell lines of SO-Rb50 and SO-Rb70].

PURPOSE: MTT assay was evaluated on cytoxicity for suspension growing cell lines of SO-Rb50 and SO-Rb70, and the toxicity of TAH (the total alkaloid of peqanum harmala L) on the above cell lines was assessed. METHODS: The relationships between cell number and optical density, between optical density and exposure time of MTT, and the stability of formazan crystal solution in MDSO were determined. And the toxicity of TAH on the cell lines of SO-Rb50 and SO-Rb70 in vitro with MTT assay was assessed. RESULTS: There was a direct proportional relationship between the amount of cell number and its optical density; The optical density increased gradully within 12 hours of the MTT incubation time; The stable time of the formazan crystal solved in DMSO was 11 hours. The IC50 values (micrograms/ml) of TAH on SO-Rb50 were 10.66, 4.82 respectively for 48 and 72 hours; and on SO-Rb70 were 6.38, 4.2 respectively for 48 and 72 hours. CONCLUSION: MTT assay can be used for suspension growing cell lines of SO-Rb50 and SO-Rb70: TAH has obvious toxicity to these two cell lines.

[Studies on the structure of isoastilbin].

A new compound was isolated from Smilax glabra Roxb., named isoastilbin. It was identified as 5, 7, 3', 5'-tetrahydroxyl-flavanonol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside by means of chemical and spectrometric analysis (UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2DNMR and FAB-MS).

[Studies on the triterpenoid saponins of the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis].

Four triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis Z. Z. Wang et H. C. Zheng. On the basis of their chemical properties and spectral data, they were identified as oleanolic acid-3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (1), tarasaponin V (2), 3-O-¿beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)]-6'-O-ethyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl¿-oleanolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and 3-O-¿beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2) [beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)] -6'-O-butyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl¿-oleanolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4). Compound 1 is a new natural product named taibaienoside VI. 2 was isolated from the title plant for the first time. 3 and 4 are new compounds and named taibaienoside VII and taibaienoside VIII, respectively.

[Preliminary study on health effects in the residents exposed to liquefied petroleum gas].

Combustion of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can cause indoor air pollution with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, total suspended particulate (TSP) and total hydrocarbons. Mice exposed to the pollutant air for three months showed lower ANAE, prolonged sleep time, increased PCE micronucleus in bone marrow, high positivity in Ames test for the lung homogenate and deformity of sperm in males, with obvious dose-response relationship. Investigation on a human population exposed to LPG for more than five years revealed irritating symptoms in respiratory tract, nose and eyes, and prevalence of pharyngitis, rhinitis and conjunctivitis increased significantly. Positive Ames test and micronucleus test in peripheral erythrocytes were detected in concentrated urine samples collected from them. It is postulated this may be associated with the mutagenic pollutants contained in the waste gas emitted by combustion of LPG.