Tangeretin ameliorates renal failure via regulating oxidative stress, NF-κB-TNF-α/iNOS signalling and improves memory and cognitive deficits in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health concern with limited treatment options. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses have been implicated in the pathology of CKD. Patients with CKD are frequently affected with neurological complications that affect both the central and peripheral nervous system. Identification of effective treatment strategies are of much clinical value in the therapy of CKD. Tangeretin, a plant-derived flavonoid has been described to retain extensive pharmacological properties. In the present study, we explored whether tangeretin exerted protective effects in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. CKD was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). Separate groups of 5/6 Nx rats were treated with tangeretin (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg b.wt.) or enalapril for 30 days (starting 5 days after surgery for 35 days). Control animals were not subjected to Nx nor were treated with tangeretin or enalapril. Renal dysfunction, as evinced by raised serum urea, serum creatinine, proteinuria, and histological alterations were significantly reduced by tangeretin and enalapril treatment. 5/6 Nx animals exhibited raised levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species. Elevated TNF-α, nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines-IL-6 and IL-1ß with upregulated NF-κB/TNF-α/iNOS signalling pathways were effectively down-regulated by tangeretin. Cognitive disturbances and memory impairments observed in Nx rats were substantially improved by tangeretin. Collectively, the experimental data indicate that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of tangeretin effectively improved renal function and reduced the cognitive and memory impairments in CKD-induced animals.

[Two New Abietane Type Diterpenes from Pinecones of Pinus griffithii].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the pinecones of Pinus griffithii. Methods: The constituents were separated and purified with chromatographic methods,and spectroscopic analysis were employed for structural elucidation. Results: Two new abietane type diterpenes and seven known compounds were isolated from the pinecones of Pinus griffithii,and were identified as 15-hydroxy-7α-methoxy-abiet-8,11,13-trien-18-oic acid( 1),7α,13-dihydroxy-podocarpane-8,11,13-trien-18-oic acid( 2),7,12,13,15-tetrahydroxy-abiet-8( 14)-en-18-oic acid( 3),7ß,15-dihydroxy-abiet-8,11,13-trien-18-oic acid( 4),18-norabiet-8,11,13-trien-4,7,15-triol( 5),15-hydroxy-abiet-8,11,13-trien-18-oic acid( 6),7α-hydroxy-15-methoxy-abiet-8,11,13-trien-18-oic acid( 7),7α-hydroxypodocarpen-8( 14)-en-13-one-18-oic acid( 8), oleanolic acid( 9). Conclusion: Compounds 1,2 are the new abietane type diterpene,and all compounds are isolated from this plant for first time.

[Study on preparation of breviscapine liposomes and chemicophysical properties].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare breviscapine pro-liposomes and evaluate its properties and stability, as well as its interaction with the mimic-membrane. METHODS: Breviscapine liposomes were prepared by thin film-lyophilization method. Phase inversion temperature was measured by electrical conductance method and coalescence kinetics was studied. Water/n-octanol trans-membrane diffusion model was designed to study the dynamic distribution behavior between two phases, through the determination of diffusion rate of breviscapine and liposomes. RESULTS: The phase inversion temperature was 63 degrees C, the activity energy for coalescence was 14.66 kJ/mol. The results suggested that breviscapine from liposomes staying on the interface were found more than the breviscapine infusion. CONCLUSION: Breviscapine liposomes prepared with thin film-lyophilization method have good physicochemical properties and stability, which is beneficial to treatment.

[Concentration retrieving method of SO2 using differential optical absorption spectroscopy based on statistics].

A concentration retrieving method using statistics is presented, which is applied in differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) for measuring the concentration of SO2. The method uses the standard deviation of the differential absorption to represents the gas concentration. Principle component analysis (PCA) method is used to process the differential absorption spectrum. In the method, the basis data for the concentration retrieval of SO2 is the combination of the PCA processing result, the correlation coefficient, and the standard deviation of the differential absorption. The method is applied to a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) with optical path length of 0.3 m. Its measuring range for SO2 concentration is 0-5 800 mg x m(-3). The nonlinear calibration and the temperature compensation for the system were executed. The full scale error of the retrieving concentration is less than 0.7% FS. And the measuring result is -4.54 mg x m(-3) when the concentration of SO2 is zero.

[Denoising and assessing method of additive noise in the ultraviolet spectrum of SO2 in flue gas].

The problem of denoising and assessing method of the spectrum of SO2 in flue gas was studied based on DOAS. The denoising procedure of the additive noise in the spectrum was divided into two parts: reducing the additive noise and enhancing the useful signal. When obtaining the absorption feature of measured gas, a multi-resolution preprocessing method of original spectrum was adopted for denoising by DWT (discrete wavelet transform). The signal energy operators in different scales were used to choose the denoising threshold and separate the useful signal from the noise. On the other hand, because there was no sudden change in the spectra of flue gas in time series, the useful signal component was enhanced according to the signal time dependence. And the standard absorption cross section was used to build the ideal absorption spectrum with the measured gas temperature and pressure. This ideal spectrum was used as the desired signal instead of the original spectrum in the assessing method to modify the SNR (signal-noise ratio). There were two different environments to do the proof test-in the lab and at the scene. In the lab, SO2 was measured several times with the system using this method mentioned above. The average deviation was less than 1.5%, while the repeatability was less than 1%. And the short range experiment data were better than the large range. In the scene of a power plant whose concentration of flue gas had a large variation range, the maximum deviation of this method was 2.31% in the 18 groups of contrast data. The experimental results show that the denoising effect of the scene spectrum was better than that of the lab spectrum. This means that this method can improve the SNR of the spectrum effectively, which is seriously polluted by additive noise.

[Effect of auricular-point pressure combined with personalized music therapy on perioperative stress response in primipara].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of auricula-point pressure combined with personalized music therapy on perioperative stress response in primipara. METHODS: A total of 1000 primiparas who were elective for cesarean section were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 500 cases in each one. 1 h before surgery and 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after surgery, individualized music relaxation intervention was given for 1 h in the two groups. On the basis of the treatment, auricular-point pressure was added at Pizhixia (AT4), Shenmen (TF4), Xin (CO15), Zigong (uterus), Luanchao (ovary), Neishengzhiqi (TF2) in the observation group. Each point was pressed for 1 min each time, repeated once every 15 min, the force is from light to heavy, and it is better to have a feeling of distension, sourness and radiation in the auricle. The scores of anxiety self-rating scale, visual analog scale (VAS), heart rate, systolic blood pressure, thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol and blood glucose levels were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 973 primiparas completed the clinical study in the end, including 488 patients in the observation group and 485 patients in the control group. Compared to enrollment, the scores of anxiety self-rating scale before entering the operating room in the two groups were significantly improved (P<0.05), and the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). Entering the operating room and tracheal extubation, the heart rate and systolic blood pressure of the primiparas in the observation group were more stable than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Entering the operating room, 1 h into the surgery and 3 h after surgery, the thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol and blood glucose levels of the primiparas in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). The VAS scores in the observation group at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after surgery were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular-point pressure combined with personalized music therapy can reduce the perioperative stress response in primipara and promote the improvement of psychological, physiological and emotional.

Neuroprotective action and mechanistic evaluation of protodioscin against rat model of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most widespread motor-affecting disease affecting majorly middle- and late age population. Thus, in the current study, we intended to explore the neuroprotective effect of protodioscin (Proto) against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rat model. METHODS: After induction of PD with the injection of 6-OHDA, the different dose of Proto was administered for the duration of experimental protocol (2 months). We have scrutinized the consequence of Proto on the cognitive behaviours via Moris water maze (MWM), and recognition of novel objects and its location tasks. The effect of Proto was also investigated on the expression of Nrf2 in human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y cells via western blot analysis. RESULTS: The results showed significant decrease in travelled distance as compared by the lesion treated group. Further significant difference was revealed in the latency time to detect the platform that is visible and it confirmed that, there were no noteworthy dissimilarity was observed in the visual and motor function ability. The result also suggests that, the activation of Nrf2 is the possible mechanism of neuroprotection of Proto against PD. CONCLUSION: As a concluding remark, the present study confirmed the neuroprotective role of Proto against PD both in in vitro and in vivo models.

Magnetic beads-based neuraminidase enzyme microreactor as a drug discovery tool for screening inhibitors from compound libraries and fishing ligands from natural products.

Neuraminidase (NA) is a glycoside hydrolase that has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for influenza. Thus, the identification of compounds that modulate NA activity could be of great therapeutic importance. The aim of this study is to develop a drug discovery tool for the identification of novel modulators of NA from both compound libraries and natural plant extracts. NA was immobilized onto the surface of magnetic beads and the inherent catalytic activity of NA-functionalized magnetic beads was characterized. Based on the enzymatic activity (hydrolysis ratio), the inhibitory activities of 12 compounds from plant secondary metabolites were screened, and the desired anti-NA activities of flavonoids were certified. Ligand fishing with the immobilized enzyme was optimized using an artificial test mixture consisting of oseltamivir, lycorine and matrine prior to carrying out the proof-of-concept experiment with the crude extract of Flos Lonicerae. The combination of ligand fishing and HPLC-MS/MS identified luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside, luteolin, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid as neuraminidase inhibitory ligands in Flos Lonicerae. This is the first report on the use of neuraminidase functionalized magnetic beads for the identification of active ligands from a botanical matrix, and it sets the basis for the de novo identification of NA modulators from complex biological mixtures.

[Screening of effective fraction on experimental gastric ulcer from Pongamia pinnata roots].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of extract from Pongamia pinnata roots on experimental gastric ulcer and screen the effective fraction. METHOD: The models of gastric mucosa damage were induced by absolute alcohol in rats and reserpine in mice to observed the effect of ethyl alcohol extract from P. pinnata roots (PRE) and different parts on experimental gastric ulcer. RESULT: PRE, acetic ether extract and n-butanol extract could significantly inhibit the gastric mucosa damage induced by absolute alcohol in rats and reserpine in mice. In absolute alcohol models the gastric ulcer rates of inhibition were 86.4%, 85.4%, 11.5%, respectively. In reserpine models the gastric ulcer rates of inhibition were 37.8%, 33.8%, 19.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PRE, acetic ether extract and n-butanol extract could significantly inhibit the gastric mucosa damage induced by absolute alcohol in rats and reserpine in mice. Acetic ether extract from P. pinnata roots has the best effect on experimental gastric ulcer.

[Influence Factors and Sensitivity of Ozone Formation in Langfang in the Summer].

The diurnal variations in ozone concentrations in the summer were studied using the temperature, wind speed and direction, total cloud cover, and solar radiation intensity data collected in Langfang, China. The ratio of volatile organic compounds to nitrogen oxides (VOCs/NOx) and the EKMA curve were studied to analyze the sensitivity of ozone formation. The results showed that:① The ozone generation rate and ozone concentrations were positively correlated with the solar radiation intensity with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.61 and 0.48, respectively. Both the ozone generation rate and the solar radiation intensity reached their peak at about 12:00, while the ozone concentration reached its peak at about 16:00, which lagged behind the peak of the solar radiation intensity by 4 h. ② The correlation coefficient between the ozone generation rate and the temperature was 0.44, between the ozone concentration and temperature was 0.68. The ozone generation rate and ozone concentrations were inversely correlated with total cloud cover with correlation coefficients of -0.24 and -0.45, respectively. ③ The ozone concentrations in Langfang were high when the winds were from the west, south, or southeast. ④ The ozone concentrations in Langfang were more sensitive to VOCs than to NOx; thus, they can be reduced efficiently by controlling the VOCs emissions.

[Expression and assay in vitro of phage single chain antibody against nucleoprotein of influenza virus A type].

OBJECTIVE: To expression the phage single chain antibody against nucleoprotein of influenza virus A type in E. coli strain HB2151 by screening the positive clone from the phage antibody library against nucleoprotein, which will prepare for the construction of fast leak kit of Influenza virus A type. METHODS: The positive clone ratio in the phage antibody library was enriched by three-round continual solid panning, ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Western-blot methods were used to analyze the protein secreted into the supemants and periplasmic. Affinity chromatography was used to purified the protein expressed in periplasmic and the titer was also analyzed using ELISA method. RESULTS: 10 clones were screened from96 clones and among the 10, there were 3 stronger positive with OD450nm value of 0.469, 0.582 and 0.507, respectively. The phage single chain antibody against Influenza virus A type was primary expressed in periplasmic. The ELISA results were positive even if the single chain antibody purified by affinity chromatography was diluted 4096 folds. CONCLUSION: Using phage antibody library technique, phage single antibody against nucleoprotein of influenza virus A type was preliminary expressed in E. coli.

Differences between breast cancer patients younger and older than 40 years: mammographic findings.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mammogarphic appearance between breast cancer patients aged <40 and ≥40 years. METHODS: Needle localization and biopsy of suspicious mammographic lesions identified 1,959 breast carcinomas in a single institution from Jun 2012 to Apr 2013. According to the age, we divided patients into two groups: <40 and ≥40 years old, and analyzed mammographic appearance separately. RESULTS: Young patients had 44.2% foci with calcification, but old patients only had 39.4% (P<0.001). In younger group, the ratios of cases according to mass density were 41.8% or higher, 58.2% equivalent and lower. In older group, the ratios were 55.5 % and 44.5%, respectively. There were statistical differences between high density and others (P<0.05). The ratios of cases according to mass margin were 13.9% circumscribed and microlobulated, 86.1% indistinct and spiculated in the younger group, as compared to 6.5% and 93.5%, respectively, in the older group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mammographic findings differ between young and old patients with breast cancer, for example regarding mass density, mass margin and microcalcification ratios.

Correlation between mammograghic findings and clinical/ pathologic features in women with small invasive breast carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: To study the relationship between mammographic findings and clinical/pathologic features in women with 1-15mm sized invasive breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated a consecutive series of 134 cases diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital in 2007. Mammographic findings were classified into five groups as follows :1) stellate mass without calcification; 2) non-stellate mass without calcification; 3) intermediate suspicious calcification with or without associated mass; 4) higher probability malignant calcification with or without associated mass; 5) focal asymmetry/distortion without associated calcification. Associations between mammographic and clinical/pathological features (menopause status/family history/histologic grade/lymph node status and ER/PR/HER2 status) was analyzed through logistic regression and chi square tests. RESULTS: Compared to the stellate mass without calcification group, higher probability malignant calcification patients were associated significantly with a positive lymph node status, always presenting in patients who were non-menopausal and with a family history of carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Higher probability malignant calcifications with or without associated tumor masses are associated with clinical/pathologic features of poor prognosis.

Therapeutic window of taurine against experimental stroke in rats.

The dose-dependent protection of taurine against experimental stroke has been demonstrated previously. The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic window of taurine against experimental stroke, and the effects of delayed administration of taurine on inflammatory reaction in a rat model of stroke. Rats received 2-h ischemia by intraluminal filament, and then reperfused. Taurine (50 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 4 h, 8 h, 10 h, or 12 h after ischemia. The neurologic scores and the infarct volumes were evaluated 24 h after ischemia. Then, the effect of administration of taurine at 8 h after ischemia on the neutrophil infiltration in ischemic region was determined. Treatment with taurine 4 h or 8 h after ischemia significantly improved the neurologic function, and decreased the infarct volumes 24 h after ischemia. However, administration of taurine at 10 h or 12 h after ischemia had no significant neuroprotection. Further, taurine administered at 8 h after ischemia markedly reduced myeloperoxidase activity and attenuated neutrophil infiltration in ischemic region. Our data suggest that the therapeutic window of taurine against experimental stroke is of at least 8 h, and suppressing the neutrophil infiltration may be one of the mechanisms of delayed administration of taurine against experimental stroke.

[The effect of Duraphat varnish on fluoride content of enamel in deciduous teeth].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyse the fluoride distribution in deciduous teeth enamel after using Duraphat varnish,and to supply the evidence for preventing deciduous caries by using Duraphat varnish. METHODS: After coating Duraphat varnish, the alteration of fluoride distribution in the enamel was observed with electron probe micro-analysis. The result was compared with the control group and NaF solution group. The effect of dose and period of coating Duraphat varnish on fluoride distribution in enamel was evaluated by X-ray photo-electron spectrometer(XPS). The data was analyzed with SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS: The mean values of fluoride concentration in the control group, NaF group and Duraphat varnish group were(0.0406±0.0234)wt%,(0.1006±0.1040)wt% and (0.1844±0.1293)wt%,respectively.The concentration of fluoride in the Duraphat varnish group was significantly higher than that in the NaF group (P<0.01). In period-dependent test,the mean values of fluoride concentration at 10µm under the enamel surface of short period group and long period group were(0.2407±0.0034)wt%, (0.1434±0.0133)wt%; The concentration of fluoride in the short period group was significantly higher than that in the long period group(P<0.01). In dose-dependent test, the mean values of fluoride concentration at 10µm under the enamel surface in the low-dose group and high-dose group were(0.4417±0.0034)wt%,(0.4413±0.0044)wt%, the concentration of fluoride in the low-dose group and high-dose group had no significant difference(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is an effective way to increase the concentration of fluoride in enamel by coating Duraphat varnish on the surface of deciduous teeth. Shorten the coating period could increase the concentration of fluoride in enamel effectively but the concentration of fluoride in enamel does not go up along with the coating dose increase.

[In vitro study of the secondary mesiobuccal canal of the maxillary second molar].

OBJECTIVE: To get some anatomical knowledge about the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) of the maxillary second molar of Shandong region by studying the teeth in vitro. The anatomical knowledge may help us to improve the successful rate of root canal therapy of the maxillary molar. METHODS: 118 maxillary second molars were collected from the different region in Shandong province. Oblique square of pulp opening form was used, then root canals were detected and got through by C-type file. The rate of MB2 detection and getting through was recorded. By taken X-ray, the numbers, the morphologies and classifications of the root canal systems of these molars were recorded. Then the distance between mesiobuccal canal (MB) and MB2 was observed and measured by endodontic operating microscope and digital measurement. At last, we observed the apical foramen from the surfaces of these teeth, and try to analysis the differences between apical foramen and the end points of the roots. RESULTS: The rate of MB2 detection was 49.15%, among them 82.76% could be got through by files. 108 molars had three roots, among them, for the mesiobuccal root canal system, 46.30% were I root canal system, while II and III systems were 12.96% and 31.48%, respectively. The distance between MB and MB2 was 1.26 mm averaged. The distance between anatomical apical holes and the end points of roots was 1.13 mm averaged. CONCLUSION: MB2 can be detected in most of maxillary second molars in Shandong region. The dentists should try to detect MB2 in the root canal therapy, and should judge work length by clinical behavior and apical locator rather than by X-ray alone.

[Measurement and analysis of optical density in dentine of 32 primary teeth].

PURPOSE: To study the optical density (OD) of primary dental dentine and provide data for further research. METHODS: The Digora system of dental digital radiography was used to acquire digital radiographic images of cross sections from 32 deciduous maxillary central incisors, and to measure the OD values of different depth (outer, middle and inner layers) and four sides (mesial, distal, labial and palatal sides) in dentine. The difference was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and SNK using SAS 6.12 software package. RESULTS: The OD value of inner layer dentine was significantly lower than that of outer and middle layers (P=0.002), but there was no significant difference among four sides of dentine (P=0.0997). CONCLUSIONS: OD value is an indirect physical quantity of dental mineralization, it provides a convenient digital indicator for the research of dental hard tissues.