Linggui Zhugan decoction delays ventricular remodeling in rats with chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

CONTEXT: Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of heart failure (HF). Linggui Zhugan decoction has been approved for clinical treatment of chronic HF. However, the mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The effect of Linggui Zhugan decoction on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in rat myocardium was studied to investigate the mechanism by Linggui Zhugan decoction effects ventricular remodeling in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction. METHOD: A rat model of HF after myocardial infarction was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. After 6 weeks of intervention with Linggui Zhugan decoction, the effect of Linggui Zhugan decoction on the cardiac function of chronic HF model rats was observed. Myocardial infarct size was measured by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure NT-proBNP and sST-2 concentrations in rat serum. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and Masson's trichrome staining were used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of type I collagen and type III collagen in myocardial tissue; and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a, GSK-3ß, ß-catenin, and c-Myc in the infarct marginal zone were detected using PCR. Protein expression of Wnt3a, p-GSK-3ß, GSK-3ß, and ß-catenin in the infarct marginal zone was detected using western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control, Linggui Zhugan decoction reduced the levels of serum ST-2 and NT-proBNP, improved cardiac function, and reduced the deposition of collagen fiber. In addition, Linggui Zhugan decoction inhibited the expression of Wnt3a, p-GSK-3ß, and ß-catenin in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: Linggui Zhugan decoction inhibits the expression of several key proteins in the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, delays cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and improves cardiac function.

Multifunctional Nano-Realgar Hydrogel for Enhanced Glioblastoma Synergistic Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: A New Paradigm of an Old Drug.

Purpose: Realgar, as a kind of traditional mineral Chinese medicine, can inhibit multiple solid tumor growth and serve as an adjuvant drug in cancer therapy. However, the extremely low solubility and poor body absorptive capacity limit its application in clinical medicine. To overcome this therapeutic hurdle, realgar can here be fabricated into a nano-realgar hydrogel with enhanced chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) ability. Our objective is to evaluate the superior biocompatibility and anti-tumor activity of nano-realgar hydrogel. Methods: We have successfully synthesized nano-realgar quantum dots (QDs) coupling with 6-AN molecules (NRA QDs) and further encapsulated with a pH-sensitive dextran hydrogel carrier with hyaluronic acid coating (DEX-HA gel) to promote bioavailability, eventually forming a multifunctional nano-realgar hydrogel (NRA@DH Gel). To better investigate the tumor therapy efficiency of the NRA@DH Gel, we have established the mice in situ bearing GL261 brain glioblastoma as animal models assigned to receive intratumor injection of NRA@DH Gel. Results: The designed NRA@DH Gel as an antitumor drug can not only exert the prominent chemotherapy effect but also as a "sustainable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator" can inhibit in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) metabolism and reduce the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), thereby inhibiting the conversion of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to glutathione (GSH), reducing GSH concentrations in tumor cells, triggering the accumulation of ROS, and finally enhancing the effectiveness of RT. Conclusion: Through the synergistic effect of chemotherapy and RT, NRA@DH Gel effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, suppressed tumor growth, improved motor coordination, and prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice. Our work aims to improve the NRA@DH Gel-mediated synergistic chemotherapy and RT will endow a "promising future" for the old drug in clinically comprehensive applications.

Gibberella moniliformis AH13 with antitumor activity, an endophytic fungus strain producing triolein isolated from Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi: poaceae).

In this study, the isolation of an endophytic fungus from the leaves of the medicinal herb adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) is reported for the first time. The fungus produced Triolein (trioleoylglycerol), a major constituent of triacylglycerols (TAGs) of adlay, in rice medium under shake-flask and bench-scale fermentation conditions. The fungus was identified as Gibberella moniliformis (Fusarium verticillioides) by its morphology and authenticated by ITS analysis (ITS1 and ITS2 regions and the intervening 5.8S rDNA region). Triolein was identified by HPLC-ELSD coupled with APCI-MS and confirmed through comparison with authentic standard. The concentration of triolein produced by G. moniliformis AH13 reached 2.536 ± 0.006 mg/g dry weight of mycelium. Moreover, the EtOAc extract of G. moniliformis AH13 showed strong antitumor activity against four types of tumor cells (A549, HCT116, MDA-MB-231, and SW1990). These results suggest that G. moniliformis AH13 in adlay has significant scientific and industrial potential to meet the pharmaceutical demands and sustainable energy requirements for TAGs in a cost-effective, easily accessible, and reproducible way and is also a potential novel source of natural antitumor bioactive agents.

[Karyotype and pollen morphology of main Fritillaria thunbergii cultivars].

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in pollen morphology and karyotype among main Fritillari thunbergii cultivars. METHOD: Pollen morphologies of three F. thunbergii cultivars were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the chromosome numbers and karyotypes were studied by applying traditional squash technique. RESULT: The pollen shape of F. thunbergii (Xiaye) was ovoid, while those of the other F. thunbergii (Kuanye, Duozi) were oblong. There were significant differences in mesh ridge width, mesh size among three F. thunbergii cultivars. The karyotype formula ofthree cultivars were as follows: F. thunbergii (Xiaye) was 2n =2x =3m +1sm + 8st(2SAT) + 12t(4SAT), F. thunbergii (Kuanye) was 2n = 2x =2m + 2sm + 10st(2SAT) + 10t (2SAT), F. thunbergii (Duozi) was 2n =2x = 24 =2m +2sm +5st(2SAT) +15t(4SAT). The three cultivars of karyotype belonged to 3B; There were the heterozygosity of homologous chromosome in both F. thunbergii (Xiaye) and F. thunbergii (Duozi). CONCLUSION: The genetic diversity of F. thunbergii is very rich, which could enhance the adaptability, and lay the foundations for new variety selection of F. thunbergii.

Upper cervical manipulation combined with mobilization for the treatment of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis: a report of 10 cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the outcomes of patients with idiopathic degenerative and posttraumatic atlantoaxial osteoarthritis who were treated with upper cervical manipulation in combination with mobilization device therapy. CLINICAL FEATURES: A retrospective case review of 10 patients who were diagnosed with either degenerative or posttraumatic atlantoaxial arthritis based on histories, clinical symptoms, physical examination, and radiographic presentations was conducted at a multidisciplinary integrated clinic that used both chiropractic and orthopedic services. All 10 patients selected for this series were treated with a combination of upper cervical manipulation and mechanical mobilization device therapy. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Assessments were measured using patients' self-report of pain using a numeric pain scale (NPS), physical examination, and radiologic changes. Average premanipulative NPS was 8.6 (range, 7-10), which was improved to a mean NPS of 2.6 (range, 0-7) at posttreatment follow-up. Mean rotation of C1-C2 at the end of treatment was improved from 28° (±3.1) to 52° (±4.5). Restoration of joint space was observed in 6 patients. Overall clinical improvement was described as "good" or "excellent" in about 80% of patients. Clinical improvements in pain and range of motion were seen in 80% and 90% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Chiropractic management of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis yielded favorable outcomes for these 10 patients.

The intraductal component of breast cancer is poorly responsive to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy has been used for locally advanced breast cancers. With special attention to the proportion of intraductal component, we pathologically studied 25 patients that underwent neo-adjuvant chemotherapy via intra-arterial infusion or intravenous injection. In general, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy had a favorable effect on tumor reduction. The effectiveness varies depending on the predominance of intraductal component. The cases with a high proportion of intraductal component had lower response to the chemotherapies. The larger number of cancer cells remained within the mammary ducts. The residual cancer cells conserved proliferative activity. Intraductal component is poorly responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.