Antitumor evaluation and multiple analysis on different extracted fractions of the root of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight.

The root of Cynanchum auriculatum (C. auriculatum) Royle ex Wight has been shown to possess various pharmacological effects and has recently attracted much attention with respect to its potential role in antitumor activity. The C-21 steroidal glycosides are commonly accepted as the major active ingredients of C. auriculatum. In this study, the antitumor abilities of different extracted fractions of the root bark and the root tuber of C. auriculatum were investigated by using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in human cancer cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721. The results showed that the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the root tuber suppressed tumor cell growth strongly. To identify and characterize the chemical constituents of different active fractions, an ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous quantitation of eight C-21 steroidal glycosides. The analysis revealed that the C-21 steroidal glycosides were concentrated in the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, and the total contents of different fractions in the root tuber were significantly higher than those of corresponding ones in the root bark. Furthermore, the C-21 steroidal glycosides based on different types of aglucones were prone in different medicinal parts of C. auriculatum.

[Distribution of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Tidal Reach and Estuary of the Daliao River and Analysis of Potential Eutrophication].

Based on the monitoring data in the tidal reach and estuary of the Daliao river in August and November, 2013, the seasonal and spatial distribution of the nitrogen and phosphorus forms were studied, and the degree of eutrophication was evaluated. The results showed that nitrate nitrogen was the main chemical species and occupied about fifty-five percent of inorganic nitrogen, and the particulate phosphorus was the main chemical species and occupied about fifty percent of total phosphorus in the tidal reach and estuary of the Daliao river in wet and dry seasons, 2013. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients decreased in the direction from tidal reach to estuary of the Daliao river. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between the nitrogen and phosphorus forms and salinity in most of the water body, which illustrated that physical dilution of seawater played a major role in the spatial distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus forms. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in the dry season were higher than those in the wet season, this was mainly related to the seasonal terrestrial input of the tidal reach. The concentration of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen was higher than 0.30 mg · L⁻¹, and the value of N/P was higher than 60, which indicated that PO4³â»-P was the nutrient limiting phytoplankton growth in the tidal reach and estuary of the Daliao river in August and November, 2013.

[Input Characteristics and Pollution Assessment of Nutrients Pollution in the Primary Pollution Source of the Daliao River].

A total of 13 surface water samples were collected from sewage outfalls and 3 main tributaries ( Hunhe River, Taizi River and Haicheng River) of the Daliao River to clarify the pollution characteristics of various species of nitrogen and phosphorus in July 2013, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of DON in the Hunhe River, NO3(-)-N in the Taizi River, NH4(+) -N, PO4(3-) -P and DOP in the Haicheng River were higher than others. In water samples from the 3 main tributaries of the Daliao River, the TN and TP contents were above the national environmental quality standards for surface water (GB 3838-2002, grade V) except for the TP that was classified as grade IV in the Taizi River. The percentages of various N species showed that NO3(-) -N was the major N species in the Taizi River and Haicheng River, meanwhile DON was the major N species in the Hunhe River. The percentages of various P species showed that TPP was the major P species in the Hunhe River and Taizi River, and DOP was the major P species in the Haicheng River. TN content was above the national environmental quality standards for surface water (GB 3838-2002, grade V) in sewage outfalls. But TP content was classified as grade IV to above grade V. And the concentrations of NH4(+) -N, TN and TP in sewage outfalls of Shachang and Gangjian were higher than those in other sewage outfalls. The percentages of various N species in sewage outfalls showed that DIN was the major N species in sewage outfalls. There were higher level of TN and TP content in the Daliao River than those of tribtaries, and NO3(-) -N and TPP were the major N and P species, respectively. In general, the nutrients analysis of tributaries, sewage outfalls and the Daliao River showed that nutrients of the Daliao River were affected by sewage outfalls. And the effect was significant and non-ignorable.

Colon carcinoma treated with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in a 12-year-old child.

BACKGROUND: XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) iv, capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) bid oral d1-14, q3w) chemotherapy has never been used in children. In this report, we present a case of a 12-year-old girl with colon adenocarcinoma, treated with surgery and XELOX chemotherapy. METHODS: On admission, the girl complained of abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen with tenderness on the left upper quadrant. Barium enema revealed a stenotic lesion at the distal end of the transverse colon, and abdominal computed tomography showed acute obstruction and a colonic mass. Laparotomy was performed after the failure of conservative treatment. RESULTS: The mass was originated from the transverse colon. Frozen sections of the specimens revealed an adenocarcinoma. Transverse colectomy was performed and regional lymph nodes were removed. Pathological examination confirmed that the mass was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and XELOX chemotherapy was used. No evidence of recurrent or metastatic tumor was found after 18 months. CONCLUSION: Although complete resection is the most effective treatment, XELOX chemotherapy is beneficial to the improvement of clinical outcome of patients with colon adenocarcinoma.

[Study on chitosan-modified tripterygium glycoside nanoparticles and its renal targeting property].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare chitosan-modified tripterygium glycoside nanoparticles (LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs), and assess its renal targeting property in rats. METHOD: Chitosan-modified tripterygium glycoside nanoparticles (LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs) were prepared by modified spontaneous emulsification solvent evaporation method, and modified with 50% deacetylated low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC). The shape of nanoparticles was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The mean diameter of nanoparticles was measured by particle size analyzer. The drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were measured by centrifuge method. The in vitro release behavior was studied with dialysis bags. Renal microdialysis technique and renal artery administration technique were combined to study the renal targeting property of nanopartcles. LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs were administrated in rats by tail vein injection (TVI) and renal artery administration (RAA), respectively, with TG-PLA-NPs as the control group. Renal dialysis fluid was regularly collected to determine the drug concentration in the dialysis fluid, map drug concentration-time curves, and calculate AUC ratio in kidneys through the two injection approaches as the renal targeting parameter (RTP), in order to assess the renal targeting property of LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs. RESULTS: The prepared LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs looked smooth and round. Their average diameter, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were (207.6 +/- 3.4) nm, (0.078 +/- 0.009)%, (61.83 +/- 2.43)%, and (10.70 +/- 0.37)%, respectively. The pH 7.4 PBS buffer solution containing 20% ethanol showed obvious sustained release behavior. LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs showed a RTP of 71.97%, which was 3.6 times of TG-PLA-NPs of the control group. CONCLUSION: The prepared LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs showed high drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading, with obvious sustained release characteristics and renal targeting property. LMWC-TG-PLA-NPs are expected to become a new type vector for reducing toxic and side effects of tripterygium glycoside. Meanwhile, a new method is established for assessing renal targeting property with AUC ratio in kidneys after administrated through caudal veins and renal arteries as the renal targeting parameter.