A novel off-line multi-dimensional high-speed countercurrent chromatography strategy for preparative separation of bioactive neolignan isomers from Piper betle. L.

Separation and purification of naturally occurring isomers from herbs are still challenging. High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) has been applied to isolate natural products. In this study, an off-line multi-dimensional high-speed counter-current chromatography (multi-D HSCCC) strategy was developed utilizing the in situ concentration technique with online storage recycling elution to rapidly separate bioactive isomeric neolignans from chloroform-partitioned samples of the plant Piper betle L. In the procedure, the crude sample (105 mg) was implemented using the online storage recycling technique in a two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (7: 5: 12: 3), which first simply afforded a neolignane kadsurenone (1, 5.3 mg) and its epimer (-)-denudatin B (2, 6.4 mg). Then, the remains fr a was subjected to the second-dimensional HSCCC elution using the in situ concentration technique with online storage recycling technique in another solvent system of petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (5: 5: 11, 15). As a result, kadsurenin I (3, 0.6 mg) and its regioisomer pibeneolignan C (4, 5.0 mg), together with the fractional remaining fr b and fr c, were obtained. Thirdly, the fr c was reloaded to allow the HSCCC for recycling elution with the former solvent system employing the in situ concentration strategy and yielded a pair of epimers, (7R,8S,1'S)-1'-allyl-5-methoxy-8-methyl-7-piperonyl-7,8,3,6-tetrahydro-2-oxobenzofuran (5, 10.2 mg), and 3-epi-(-)-burchullin (6, 2.6 mg). Finally, the three pairs of less amount and the structurally similar isomers 1-6 were isolated from the crude fraction of P. betle with a high HPLC purity of over 95.0 % for compound 2, 4-6 and 92.5 % for compound 1, 91.0 % for 3, while the purity of 1 and 3 in 1H NMR were 89.9 % and 91.1 %, respectively. The whole isolation process was quick and efficient. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 showed significantly synergistic activities combining several antibiotics against five drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with FICIs from 0.156 to 0.375. This novel off-line multi-dimensional HSCCC strategy could be broadened to application for the rapid separation of complex natural products.

Natural Product BO-1 as an Inner Responsive Molecule Inhibits Antimicrobial-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus via Synergism.

Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium that causes several difficult-to-treat human infections, is a considerable threat to global healthcare. We hypothesize that there exist inner responsive molecules (IRMs) which can function synergistically with antibiotics to restore the sensitivity of resistant bacteria to existing antibiotics without inducing new antibiotic resistance. An investigation of the extracts of the Chinese medicinal herb Piper betle L. led to the isolation of six benzoate esters, BO-1-BO-6. Among these, BO-1 as a distinct IRM displayed considerable synergism by potentiating antibacterial activity against five antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that BO-1 acted as a suppressing drug resistance IRM via inhibiting efflux activity. A combination of BO-1 with ciprofloxacin significantly inhibited resistance to this antibiotic and reversed its resistance in the S. aureus strain. Furthermore, BO-1 effectively enhanced the activity of ciprofloxacin against the efflux fluoroquinolone-resistant S. aureus strain SA1199B that caused infection in two animal models and significantly decreased the inflammatory factors IL-6 and C-reactive protein of the infected mice, thereby showing the practice utility of this approach.

Seven New Phenylhexanoids with Antioxidant Activity from Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata.

Seven new phenylhexanoids, (S)-(+)-3,4-dihydroxy-11-methoxyphenylhex-9-one (1), (E) 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylhex-10-en-9-one (2), (E)-4-hydroxyphenylhex-10-en-9-one (3), (R)-(-)-3,4,11-trihydroxyphenylhex-9-one 11-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), (R)-(-)-4,11-dihydroxyphenylhex-9-one 11-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (5), phenylhex-4,9,11-triol 11-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (6), and 9-O-acetyl-phenylhex-4,9,11-triol 11-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (7), were isolated and identified from Tibetan medicine Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinate. The antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated using the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging experiments. In the ABTS experiment, compounds 1 (IC50 13.99 ± 2.53 µM) and 2 (IC50 13.11 ± 0.94 µM) exhibited significantly better antioxidant activity than L-ascorbic acid (IC50 23.51 ± 0.44 µM).

Comparison on the Efficacy and Safety of Different Surgical Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia With Volume >60 mL: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 10 different surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with volume >60 mL. A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within a Bayesian framework was performed. A total of 52 parallel-group RCTs included, reporting on 6,947 participants, comparing open prostatectomy (OP), monopolar/bipolar transurethral resection of prostate (monopolar/ bipolar TURP), thulium, holmium and diode laser enucleation of prostate (LEP), bipolar enucleation of prostate, potassium titanyl phosphate laser vaporization of prostate (KTP LVP), bipolar vaporization of prostate (bipolar VP), and laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (laparoscope SP). Compared with OP, laparoscope SP identified better maximal flow rate (Qmax; mean differences [MDs] = 2.89 mL/s) at the 24th month, but bipolar VP demonstrated worse Qmax (MD = -3.20 mL/s) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS; MD = 2.60) at the 12th month. Holmium LEP (MD = 1.37) demonstrated better International Index of Erectile Function-5 at the 12th month compared with OP. However, compared with OP, KTP LVP demonstrated worse postvoid residual volume (PVR) at the sixth (MD = 10.42 mL) and 12th month (MD = 5.89 mL) and monopolar TURP (MD = 6.9 mL) demonstrated worse PVR at the 12th month. Eight new surgical methods for BPH with volume >60 mL appeared to be superior in safety compared with OP and monopolar TURP due to fewer complications. Bipolar VP and KTP LVP maybe not suitable for prostates more than 60 mL due to short- and middle-term worse Qmax, IPSS, and PVR than OP.

Association Between Selenium Level in Blood and Glycolipid Metabolism in Residents of Enshi Prefecture, China.

The present study aimed to detect selenium (Se) levels in the blood of Enshi Prefecture residents in China and investigate the relationship between blood Se levels and glucose or lipid metabolism disorder. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 1876 subjects were selected through cluster random sampling from Enshi Prefecture using a questionnaire survey, physical examinations, and biochemical blood tests. The mean blood Se level in the overall population was 0.128 ± 0.178 µg/mL. Se exhibits a "U"-shaped curve on the serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of the total samples, that is, when the blood Se is more than 0.131 µg/mL or less than 0.062 µg/mL, the FPG increases significantly. A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the FPG levels of the 4-17-year-old age group and different blood Se levels (P < 0.001). No significant correlation was demonstrated between the serum triglyceride (TG) and blood Se levels. However, a positive correlation was demonstrated between blood Se and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels and the incidence of high cholesterol in the total population (P < 0.001). The odds ratio and related 95% confidence interval for the incidence of high cholesterol between the highest (≥ 0.133 µg/mL) and lowest blood Se (< 0.064 µg/mL) levels was 2.64 and 1.48-4.79, respectively. The results of this study are very important for the safety scope and risk-benefit assessment of Se in the human; however, further investigation with a larger sample size is required.

Nanosized Alumina Particle and Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Prevented inflammation and Osteolysis Induced by Titanium Particle via Autophagy and NF-κB Signaling.

Autophagy and NF-κB signaling are involving in the process of Particle Disease, which was caused by the particles released from friction interface of artificial joint, implant materials of particle reinforced composite, scaffolds for tissue engineering, or material for drug delivery. However, the biological interaction of different material particles and the mechanism of proteasome inhibitor, Bortezomib (BTZ), against Titanium (Ti) particle-induced Particle Disease remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated effect of nanosized Alumina (Al) particles and BTZ on reducing and treating the Ti particle-induced inflammatory reaction in MG-63 cells and mouse calvarial osteolysis model. We found that Al particles and BTZ could block apoptosis and NF- κB activation in osteoblasts in vitro and in a mouse model of calvarial resorption induced by Ti particles. We found that Al particles and BTZ attenuated the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α). And Al prevented the IL-1ß expression induced by Ti via attenuating the NF- κB activation ß-TRCP and reducing the expression of Casepase-3. Expressions of autophagy marker LC3 was activated in Ti group, and reduced by Al and/not BTZ. Furthermore, the expressions of OPG were also higher in these groups than the Ti treated group. Collectively, nanosized Al could prevent autophagy and reduce the apoptosis, inflammatory and osteolysis induced by Ti particles. Our data offered a basic data for implant design when it was inevitable to use Ti as biomaterials, considering the outstanding mechanical propertie of Ti. What's more, proteasome inhibitor BTZ could be a potential therapy for wear particle-induced inflammation and osteogenic activity via regulating the activity of NF- κB signaling pathway.

Genomic Characterization of a Novel Gut Symbiont From the Hadal Snailfish.

Hadal trenches are characterized by not only high hydrostatic pressure but also scarcity of nutrients and high diversity of viruses. Snailfishes, as the dominant vertebrates, play an important role in hadal ecology. Although studies have suggested possible reasons for the tolerance of hadal snailfish to high hydrostatic pressure, little is known about the strategies employed by hadal snailfish to cope with low-nutrient and virus-rich conditions. In this study, the gut microbiota of hadal snailfish was investigated. A novel bacterium named "Candidatus Mycoplasma liparidae" was dominant in the guts of three snailfish individuals from both the Mariana and Yap trenches. A draft genome of "Ca. Mycoplasma liparidae" was successfully assembled with 97.8% completeness by hybrid sequencing. A set of genes encoding riboflavin biosynthesis proteins and a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system was present in the genome of "Ca. Mycoplasma liparidae," which was unusual for Mycoplasma. The functional repertoire of the "Ca. Mycoplasma liparidae" genome is likely set to help the host in riboflavin supplementation and to provide protection against viruses via a super CRISPR system. Remarkably, genes encoding common virulence factors usually exist in Tenericutes pathogens but were lacking in the genome of "Ca. Mycoplasma liparidae." All of these characteristics supported an essential role of "Ca. Mycoplasma liparidae" in snailfish living in the hadal zone. Our findings provide further insights into symbiotic associations in the hadal biosphere.

Amycolatopsis antarctica sp. nov., isolated from the surface of an Antarctic brown macroalga.

Two moderately psychrophilic actinobacterial strains, designated AU-G6T and AU-A3.2, isolated from the surface of an Antarctic macroalga, Adenocystis utricularis (Bory) Skottsberg, was taxonomically characterized based on a polyphasic investigation. The two strains had nearly identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Amycolatopsis of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. They were phylogenetically close to Amycolatopsis nigrescens JCM 14717T, Amycolatopsis minnesotensis JCM 14545T and Amycolatopsis magusensis DSM 45510T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.77, 97.20 and 97.19 %, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis based on the whole genome data supported that strain AU-G6T was distantly related to the Amycolatopsis species. The isolates shared a range of phenotypic markers typical of members of the genus Amycolatopsis, but also had a range of cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics that separated them from related Amycolatopsis species. The isolates showed growth only in media supplemented with salt, indicating their marine origin. The cell wall of the isolates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and arabinose and galactose were detected as diagnostic sugars (type IV). The main menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphotidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol (type II). The fatty acid type was 3c. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that the two isolates represent a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis. The name proposed for this species is Amycolatopsis antarctica sp. nov., with type strain AU-G6T (=CGMCC 4.7351T=NBRC 112404T).

Extraction of permanent maxillary teeth without palatal injection: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the operation success rates of extracting maxillary teeth without palatal injection. STUDY DESIGN: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SinoMed, and the references of the identified full-text articles were searched for relevant studies, published until June 2017, that met the eligibility criteria. Experimental data were combined by meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: Seven randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control groups (given the recommended combination of buccal and palatal anesthesia, also known as routine infiltration anesthesia), experimental group (single buccal anesthesia) for the removal of maxillary permanent teeth at conventional doses, which resulted in a reduction in the success rate (odds ratio = 0.14; 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.27; P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that without the use of palatal injections, the success rate of maxillary permanent teeth removal is undoubtedly reduced. However, larger and higher-quality tests are needed to confirm and optimize the effect of this anesthesia procedure.

[Efficient discovery and capturing of nNOS-PSD-95 uncouplers from Trifolium pratense].

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers(MMIPs) were prepared with ZL006 as template, acrylamide(AA) as the functional monomer, and acetonitrile as pore-forming agent; then Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) were used to characterize their forms and structures. Simultaneously, the MMIPs prepared previously were used as sorbents for dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction(DSPE) to capture and identify potential nNOS-PSD-95 uncouplers from extracts of Trifolium pratense and the the activities of the screened compounds were evaluated by the neuroprotective effect and co-immunoprecipitation test. The experiment revealed that the successfully synthesized MMIPs showed good dispersiveness, suitable particle size and good adsorption properties. Formononetin, prunetin and biochanin A were separated and enriched from Trifolium pratense by using the MMIPs as artificial antibodies and finally biochanin A was found to have higher cytoprotective action and uncoupling action according to the neuroprotective effect and co-immunoprecipitation test.

Reporting quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses of acupuncture.

BACKGROUND: The QUOROM and PRISMA statements were published in 1999 and 2009, respectively, to improve the consistency of reporting systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) of clinical trials. However, not all SRs/MAs adhere completely to these important standards. In particular, it is not clear how well SRs/MAs of acupuncture studies adhere to reporting standards and which reporting criteria are generally ignored in these analyses. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate reporting quality in SRs/MAs of acupuncture studies. METHODS: We performed a literature search for studies published prior to 2014 using the following public archives: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database, the Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CJFD), the Chinese Scientific Journal Full-text Database (CSJD), and the Wanfang database. Data were extracted into pre-prepared Excel data-extraction forms. Reporting quality was assessed based on the PRISMA checklist (27 items). RESULTS: Of 476 appropriate SRs/MAs identified in our search, 203, 227, and 46 were published in Chinese journals, international journals, and the Cochrane Database, respectively. In 476 SRs/MAs, only 3 reported the information completely. By contrast, approximately 4.93% (1/203), 8.81% (2/227) and 0.00% (0/46) SRs/Mas reported less than 10 items in Chinese journals, international journals and CDSR, respectively. In general, the least frequently reported items (reported≤50%) in SRs/MAs were "protocol and registration", "risk of bias across studies", and "additional analyses" in both methods and results sections. CONCLUSIONS: SRs/MAs of acupuncture studies have not comprehensively reported information recommended in the PRISMA statement. Our study underscores that, in addition to focusing on careful study design and performance, attention should be paid to comprehensive reporting standards in SRs/MAs on acupuncture studies.

Tanshinone IIA activates calcium-dependent apoptosis signaling pathway in human hepatoma cells.

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a natural product from herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has potential anti-tumor activity. The aim of this study was to pinpoint the molecular mechanisms underlying Tan IIA-induced cancer cell apoptosis. Human hepatoma BEL-7402 cells treated with Tan IIA underwent assessment with MTT assay for cell viability, 10-day culture for colony formation, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy for apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. Changes in intracellular [Ca(2+)] and mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψ) reflected the calcium-dependent apoptosis pathway. RT-PCR was used to detect gene expression of Bad and metallothionein 1A (MT 1A). Cytotoxicity of Tan IIA was tested in human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (HAMCs). Tan IIA exhibited dose-dependent and time-dependent anticancer effects on BEL-7402 cells through apoptosis and G(0)/G(1) arrest. Cells treated with Tan IIA increased their intracellular calcium, decreased their mitochondrial membrane potential and induced Bad and MT 1A mRNA expression. No adverse effects of Tan IIA were found in HAMCs. In conclusion, these results indicate that Tan IIA-induced cancer cell apoptosis acts via activation of calcium-dependent apoptosis signaling pathways and upregulation of MT 1A expression.

Electroacupuncture on the head points for improving gnosia in patients with vascular dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the head points for improving gnosia in patients with vascular dementia (VD). METHODS: 90 VD patients were randomly divided into a drug group, an EA group and an EA plus drug group. Scoring with the MMSE scale and detecting the relevant potentials were done before treatment and after a 6-week treatment. RESULTS: Gnosia was improved after treatment in all the three groups with no significant difference by the intergroup comparison. CONCLUSION: The above three therapies can all improve gnosia, reduce the psychological stress, strengthen attention and shorten the awaiting time for recognition; and EA plus Nimodipine seems to be the best in the curative effect.