Effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss in a rat periodontitis model.

Background/purpose: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of oral diseases. However, its mechanisms remain to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate the effect of EGCG on oxidative and inflammatory stress and bone loss in experimental periodontitis. Materials and methods: Periodontitis was induced in rats, followed by gavage using different concentrations of EGCG for 5 weeks. The levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats were measured. The degree of alveolar bone loss and the number of inflammatory cells were detected. The integrated optical density of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NLR pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and nuclear factor-kappaB p65 (NF-κB p65) was measured. Results: EGCG (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced alveolar bone loss in the ligated maxillary molars and the number of inflammatory cells in the EGCG-200 group compared with the periodontitis, EGCG-100 and EGCG-400 groups. 200 mg/kg was the optimal dose of EGCG and was used in subsequent experiments. The expression levels of IL-1ß, IL-18, TNF-α and MDA were significantly lower and the expression level of SOD was significantly higher in the EGCG-200 group compared with the periodontitis group. The expression of NLRP3 and NF-κB p65 was significantly decreased, while the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly increased in the EGCG-200 group compared with the periodontitis group. Conclusion: These results suggest that EGCG inhibits oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the periodontitis model by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway, thereby decreasing alveolar bone loss.

A coumarin-based multifunctional chemosensor for Cu2+/Al3+ as an AD theranostic agent: Synthesis, X-ray single crystal analysis and activity study.

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is complex. So far there is no effective drug to treat the disease. The pathological changes of AD began 30 years before symptoms, so early diagnosis is considered to be important for AD treatment. Integrating diagnosis and therapy into a single regent has provided a new opportunity for AD treatment. Given that metal dyshomeostasis is thought to be one of the key factors to cause AD, a Schiff base substituted coumarin (probe 1) has been designed and synthesized as a selective metal chelator for multi-factor anti-AD in this work. The results of metal ions recognition showed that probe 1 had high selective fluorescent turn-on response to Al3+ and fluorescent turn-off response to Cu2+, due to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. Meanwhile, the results of both in vitro and in vivo bioactivities evaluation including metal chelation, reactive oxide species (ROS) elimination, self-/Cu2+-induced Aß aggregation showed that 1 and 1-Cu(II) complex had excellent synergistic anti-AD activities. In addition, 1 had low cytotoxicity and was predicted to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Noticeably, X-ray single crystal diffraction of 1-Cu(II) provided molecular level information to explain the structure and theranostic activity relationship. To sum up, 1 may be a promising candidate for the development of AD theranostic agent.

A Review on the Natural Components Applied as Lead Compounds for Potential Multi-target Anti-AD Theranostic Agents.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that seriously affects the health and quality of life of the elderly. Its pathogenesis is very complex and there is still a lack of effective clinical drugs to treat or control the development of AD. Studies have shown that ß-amyloid (Aß) deposition, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, reduced levels of brain cholinergic transmitters, and oxidative stress are the main causes of AD. Furthermore, recent studies showed that metal dyshomeostasis could relate to all the above pathogenesis of AD and was a key factor in the development of AD. Natural compounds and their derivatives have multi-target therapeutic effects on AD, and they also have the advantages of low toxicity, and low cost, which are important directions for anti- AD drugs. Meanwhile, early detection may play an important role in preventing the development of AD. The concept of "theranostic agent" combining molecular imaging probes and therapeutic drugs has emerged in recent years. Fluorescence imaging has been widely studied and applied because of its non-invasive, high resolution, high sensitivity, rapid imaging, and low cost. However, at present, most of the research methods in this field use individual therapeutic or diagnostic reagents, which is not conducive to exploring the optimal treatment time window and drug efficacy. Therefore, this work reviewed the natural compounds and their derivatives which all have been studied for both the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic and diagnostic anti-AD activities. At last, structure and activity relationship (SAR) was discussed and potential AD theranostic natural agents were put forwarded to provide a more detailed theoretical basis for the further development of drugs with diagnostic and therapeutic effects in AD.

[Field greenhouse gas emission characteristics and carbon footprint of ratoon rice]. / 再生稻田温室气体排放特征及碳足迹.

It is of great significance to understand the effects of different rice cultivation methods in southeast China on greenhouse gas emission characteristics and carbon footprint of paddy fields during rice cultivation for rice sustainable production. In this study, the popular conventional rice 'Jiafuzhan' and hybrid rice 'Yongyou 2640' were used as materials to establish four rice cultivation patterns suitable for different ecological types in Fujian Province: 1) double-cropping system, early rice and late rice with Jiafuzhan (D-J); 2) early maturing ratooning system, first season rice and ratooning season rice with Jiafuzhan (R-J); 3) middle-maturing ratooning system, first season rice and ratooning season with Yongyou 2640 (R-Y); and 4) single cropping system with Yongyou 2640 (S-Y), which should be synchronized in heading time with the counterpart (the ratooning season rice). Greenhouse gas emissions from paddy soil were measured by the closed static black box observation method and the gas chromatography method, respectively. The total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprints) from different rice farming patterns were evaluated by using the life cycle analysis. The results showed that greenhouse gas emissions in different rice cropping systems were lower in the early growth stage, then decreased after reaching the peak at the booting stage, demonstrating a double peak curve in the whole growth stage, in which the first peak was higher in early season or first season than the second peak in the late season or ratooning season in the cropping patterns. Moreover, the total greenhouse gas emissions were significantly different among cropping systems. The global warming potential (GWP) of different cropping patterns was in order of R-Y>D-J>S-Y>R-J, while the annual greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI) was D-J>S-Y>R-Y>R-J. GWP and GHGI of the ratooning system decreased by 26.1% and 14.1%, respectively, compared with those of the double-cropping system. The same pattern was observed in the ratooning rice of Yongyou 2640, which were decreased by 74.3% and 56.7%, respectively, compared with the counterpart, Yongyou 2640 in a single-cropping system synchronized heading. Carbon footprint of rice per unit yield ranged from 0.38-1.08 kg CO2-eq.·kg-1 under the different cropping systems, of which the carbon footprint of rice per unit yield was the highest under the double cropping system compared with that under other cropping systems. The reverse was true in the case of carbon footprint of rice per unit yield under the ratooning system with Yongyou 2640. Additionally, the main source of carbon footprint of different rice cropping patterns was CH4, contributing 44.2%-71.5%, suggesting that rice ratooning system could significantly reduce global warming potential and carbon emission intensity of rice in comparison with other cropping patterns. Therefore, it is key to select rice varieties with high yield and low carbon emission and to establish the supporting scientific cultivation techniques for effective reduction of CH4 emission and carbon footprint of paddy fields and promotion of ratooning rice production.

Persistence of uropathogenic Escherichia Coli in the bladders of female patients with sterile urine after antibiotic therapies.

This study aimed to provide evidence of persistent uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in female patients with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) after antibiotic therapy. We collected biopsies of the bladder, and clean-catch urine samples from 32 women who had episodes of recurrent UTI and were given antibiotic therapy. Urine samples and biopsies were analyzed by conventional bacteriological techniques. Phylogenetic group and 16 virulence factors (VFs) of UPEC were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The infection capability of UPEC was confirmed in a mouse model. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy were used to detect intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) in the mouse model. The results showed that all urine specimens were detected sterile. E. coli was found in 6 of 32 biopsies (18.75%), and was identified to be UPEC by PCR. Different VFs associated with the formation of IBCs were identified in all six UPEC isolates. Each UPEC isolate was capable of forming IBCs within the bladder epithelial cells of mice. In conclusion, UPEC with distinctive pathological traits and the capability of IBC formation was first found in the bladders of women after antibiotic therapy, suggesting that the IBC pathogenic pathway may occur in humans and it plays an important role in UTI recurrence.

[Application of one-stop diagnosis and treatment plan in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for patients with complex renal calculi].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative computed tomography urography (CTU) three-dimensional reconstruction, intraoperative radiology and ultrasound guidance followed by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of complex renal calculi. METHODS: We summarized the clinical data of 210 patients with complex renal calculi treated at our hospital from December 2008 to December 2011 in this retrospective study. In the one-stop diagnosis and treatment group (n = 119), the optimal puncture approach was designed according to CTU imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction. Percutaneous track was established by ultrasound and radiology guided puncture. PCNL was performed with EMS system. The control group (n = 91) underwent PCNL without radiological guidance. The success rate of puncture, mean accessing time, mean operative duration, intraoperative volume of blood loss and stone-free rate after one operative session were observed. Post-operative follow-ups were conducted until June 2012. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the one-stop diagnosis and treatment group showed a higher success rate of puncture [98.3% (117/119) vs 92.3% (84/91), P = 0.037], a shorter operative duration [97.8 ± 13.20 vs 110.0 ± 14.73 min, P = 0.043] and a higher stone-free rate after one operative session [92.4% (110/119) vs 83.5% (76/91), P = 0.037]. No significant difference was detected in the mean accessing time[15.3 ± 3.7 vs 13.9 ± 3.9 min, P = 0.398] or intraoperative volume of blood loss [195.8 ± 84.15 vs 263.3 ± 82.06 ml, P = 0.059]. No severe complications occurred. No recurrence of calculi was noted during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: One-stop diagnosis and treatment plan (CTU 3-D reconstruction plus radiology, ultrasound guidance followed by PCNL) may identify the puncture path, improve the successful rate of puncture and stone-free rates and reduce the complications of PCNL.

Urodynamic investigation of cyclophosphamide-induced overactive bladder in conscious rats.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) can be caused by many factors such as inflammation, bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic factors. We performed an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of cyclophosphamide to induce cystitis in rats, which causes their detrusors to overact, to provide a valuable disease model for discussing OAB pathogenesis and to study effective curing methods. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to form cystitis by cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg, ip). The day after the injection, two catheters were inserted into each rat's bladder to study its urodynamics. The BL-410 model bio-function experimental system was used to monitor bladder pressure while the rats were conscious. Unstable detrusor contractions appear in the urine storage period as a standard to determine OAB, and the positive rate was calculated. Urodynamic parameters such as bladder basal pressure (BP), maximum voiding pressure (MVP), intercontraction interval (ICI), spontaneous activity (SA), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), and bladder compliance (BC) were recorded in each group, and a light microscope was used to observe the pathological changes in the rat bladder tissue. RESULTS: The detrusor instability rate of the model group was 83.33%. The MVP, MCC and BC of rats in the model group were lower than the control group (P < 0.01), and the BP, ICI and SA of the model group rats were higher than the control group (P < 0.01). The difference between the control group and the model group is statistically significant. The model group rats' bladder walls swelled and bled, the submucosa thickened and leukocyte infiltration became serious. CONCLUSIONS: Acute cystitis and OAB symptoms can be induced by ip injections of cyclophosphamide in rats. This can provide a valuable animal model to study OAB in human beings.

[Endourological treatment of aged high-risk patients with benign prostate hyperplasia: a report of 283 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endourological techniques in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in aged high-risk patients. METHODS: We used endourological techniques in the treatment of 283 BPH patients aged over 70 years and complicated with hydronephrosis, renal failure, heart failure, cerebral infarction, respiratory dysfunction, anemia, diabetes, bladder tumor, or prostate weight over 80 g, TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) for 112 cases and PKRP (transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate) for the other 171. All the patients were followed up for 1-30 months. RESULTS: In the TURP group, the scores on IPSS and QOL were decreased from 27.5 +/- 2.8, 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 5.8 +/- 1.2, 1.0 +/- 0.5, and the residual urine volume (RUV) from (75.0 +/- 20.0) ml to (8.0 +/- 3.0) ml, but the maximal flow rate (Qmax) increased from (6.5 +/- 2.0) ml/s to (18.5 +/- 1.5) ml/s (P < 0.05), while in the PKRP group, the scores on IPSS and QOL were decreased from 28.2 +/- 2.2, 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 5.4 +/- 1.6, 1.0 +/- 0.5, and RUV from (80.0 +/- 20.0) ml to (7.0 +/- 3.0) ml, and Qmax increased from (6.8 +/- 2.1) ml/s to (20.0 +/- 1.5) ml/s (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in IPSS, QOL, Qmax and RUV after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05), but significantly less complications were found in the PKRP than in the TURP group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endourological treatment, especially PKRP, with comprehensive perioperative preparations, unerring operative skills, well-controlled operation time, and intensive postoperative monitoring and nursing, has the advantages of high safety, less bleeding, fewer complications and definite effectiveness for aged high-risk BPH patients.

Synthesis and application of a microgel-supported acylating reagent by coupled ring-opening metathesis polymerization and activators re-generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization.

A novel microgel-supported acylating reagent (MGAR) was prepared by combining ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and Activators Re-Generated by Electron Transfer for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ARGET ATRP): (1) synthesis of an ATRP macroinitiator 3 by living ROMP of oxanorbornene-based activated ester 1, derived from N-hydroxysuccinimide, using the Grubbs initiator RuCl(2)(PCy(3))(2)(=CHPh) and (Z)-but-2-ene-1,4-diyl bis(2-bromopropanoate) (BDBP) as a terminating agent; (2) synthesis of MGAR 4 by ARGET ATRP of styrene (S) and divinylbenzene (DVB) using the prepared macroinitiator 3, a CuCl(2)/Me(6)TREN (tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine) catalyst system, a Sn(Oct)(2) [tin(II)2-ethylhexanoate] reducing agent. The synthesized microgels 4 exhibit excellent acyl (acetyl, benzoyl, phenylsulfonyl) transfer properties for primary and secondary amines (n-BuNH(2), Et(2)NH, morpholine, etc.) under mild conditions (25 degrees C, 13.5-14 h) affording N-acylamines with high yield (95.6-100%) and purity (94.1-96.0%).

[Isolation and structure determination of steroidal saponin from Dioscorea zingiberensis].

To study the chemical constituents of Dioscorea zingiberensis Wright, the EtOH extract of fresh rhizomes of D. zingiberensis was concentrated and partitioned further to produce petroleum ether-, ethylacetate-, n-butanol- and water-soluble fractions. The water-soluble fraction was subjected to column chromatography on macro resin AB-8, and the final products were obtained by repeated reversed-phase ODS and MCI gel CHP 20P column chromatography. Structures of compounds were elucidated by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 135DEPT, HMQC, HMBC and TOCSY spectroscopic analyses. A new steroidal saponin was isolated, which was identified as (25R)-26-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-furost-5-en-3 beta, 16, 20, 26-tetraol-22-seco-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--> 4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The compound is a novel skeletally steroidal saponin, named as zingiberenin F (1). It was reported for the first time from D. zingiberensis Wright.

[Clinical significance of parameters of prostate volume measured by transabdominal ultrasonography in evaluating bladder outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the parameters of prostate volume (PV) measured by transabdominal ultrasonography and urodynamic results in diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). METHODS: 112 BPH patients aged 45-85 underwent transabdominal ultrasonography to measure the superior-inferior diameter (R1) anterior-posterior diameter (R2), and left-right diameter (R3). Urodynamic examination was conducted to record the maximum flow rate (Qmax), detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow rate (Pdet. Qmax), and detrusor pressure at minimum urinary flow rate (Pdet. Qmin), Schafer grading and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) scores were calculated. Correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: The PV, R1, R2, and R3 were (48 +/- 29) ml, (4.3 +/- 1.0) cm, (3.7 +/- 0.9) cm, and (5.2 +/- 0.8) cm respectively. The Qmax, Pdet. Qmax, Schafer score, and IPSS score were (6.2 +/- 3.2) ml/s, (56 +/- 41) cm H2O, 3.1 +/- 1.8 (0-6) and 23 +/- 2 (15-31) respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that R1 (OR = 22.662, P = 0.000), PV (OR = 0.946, P = 0.008) , and Qmax (OR = 0.760, P = 0.013) were positively correlated with Schafer grading value. CONCLUSION: The parameters of PV measured by transabdominal ultrasonography are reliable to diagnose BOO due to BPH.

[Isolation and structure determination of steroidal saponin from Dioscorea zingiberensis].

To study the chemical constituents of Dioscorea zingiberensis Wright, the EtOH extract of fresh rhizomes of D. zingiberensis was concentrated and partitioned further to produce petroleum ether-, ethylacetate-, n-butanol- and water-soluble fractions. The water-soluble fraction was subjected to column chromatography on macro resin AB-8, and the final products were obtained by repeated reversed-phase ODS and MCI gel CHP 20P column chromatography. Structures of compounds were elucidated by means of 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 135DEPT, HMQC, HMBC and TOCSY spectroscopic analyses. Five steroidal saponins were isolated, in which one new steroidal saponin was identified as (25R)-26-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) -furost-5-en-3beta, 22xi, 26-triol-4beta-acetoxyl-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopy ranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (V). The compound V is a new compound, named as zingiberenin G. The compounds I, II and III were reported for the first time from D. zingiberensis Wright.

[Ureteroscopic holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy for managing urinary tract calculi].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ureteroscopic holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy for managing ureteral calculi. METHODS: Ureteroscopic holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy was used in 168 ureteral calculi (proximal 27 cases, middle 33 cases, distal 108 cases). Transurethral cystoscopic holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy in 12 bladder calculi. RESULTS: Four to six weeks after operation, The stone-free rate was 93% (25/27) in the proximal ureteral calculi, 94% (31/33) in the middle ureteral calculi, 94% (102/108) in the distal ureteral calculi, respectively. The complication rate was 5% (8 cases). the stone-free rate of bladder calculi was 100% (12/12), no complication. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopic holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy is a highly effective and safe treatment modality for managing ureteral calculi.