CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells ex vivo generated from autologous naïve CD4+ T cells suppress EAE progression.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis in multiple sclerosis (MS). Hence, we aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy and safety of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) utilizing induced antigen-specific Tregs in an animal model of MS, that is, in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. B cells from EAE model that were activated with soluble CD40L were used as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to induce the differentiation of antigen-specific Tregs from naïve CD4 precursors, and then, a stepwise isolation of CD4+CD25highCD127low Tregs was performed using a flow sorter. All EAE mice were divided into Treg-treated group (2 × 104 cells in 0.2 mL per mouse, n = 14) and sham-treated group (0.2 mL normal saline (NS), n = 20), which were observed daily for clinical assessment, and for abnormal appearance for 6 weeks. Afterward, histological analysis, immunofluorescence and real-time PCR were performed. Compared to sham-treated mice, Treg-treated mice exhibited a significant decrease in disease severity scores and reduced inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in the spinal cord. Additionally, Tregs-treated mice demonstrated higher CCN3 protein and mRNA levels than sham-treated mice. The results of this preclinical study further support the therapeutic potential of this ACT approach in the treatment of MS.

[Network Meta-analysis of Chinese patent medicines in treatment of coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure].

The efficacy and safety of different Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure were evaluated by network Meta-analysis. The randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese patent medicines for coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, and Cochrane Library with the time interval from inception to July 5, 2023. The quality of the included RCT was evaluated by the Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tool, and a network Meta-analysis was performed in Stata 16.0. Finally, a total of 82 RCTs were included, involving 9 298 patients and 11 Chinese patent medicines. Network Meta-analysis yielded the following results based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA).(1)In terms of improving the clinical response rate, the top three interventions were Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine, Zhenyuan Capsules + conventional western medicine, and Tongxinluo Capsules + conventional western medicine.(2) In terms of increasing left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), the top three interventions were Shexiang Baoxin Pills + conventional western medicine, Compound Danshen Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine, and Tongxinluo Capsules + conventional western medicine.(3) In terms of reducing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD), the top three interventions were Shexiang Tongxin Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine, Tongxinluo Capsules + conventional western medicine, and Shexiang Baoxin Pills + conventional western medicine.(4) In terms of reducing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), the top three interventions were Shexiang Baoxin Pills + conventional western medicine, Qi-shen Yiqi Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine, and Compound Danshen Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine.(5) In terms of reducing hyper-sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), the top three interventions were Naoxintong Capsules + conventional western medicine, Shexiang Baoxin Pills + conventional western medicine, and Compound Danshen Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine.(6) In terms of increasing the distance of the six-minute walking trail(6MWT), the top three interventions were Zhen-yuan Capsules + conventional western medicine, Qili Qiangxin Capsules + conventional western medicine, and Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills + conventional western medicine. The results showed that Chinese patent medicines combined with conventional western medicine can effectively improve the clinical response rate, LVEF, and 6MWT and reduce LVEDD, NT-proBNP, and hs-CRP. However, due to the overall low quality of the articles included and the few articles of some Chinese patent medicines, direct comparison between diffe-rent Chinese patent medicines remains to be carried out and the results need to be further verified.

A Pilot Study on Tocilizumab in Very-Late-Onset Myasthenia Gravis.

Objective: This study aimed to initially investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose tocilizumab combined with glucocorticoid for the treatment of very-late-onset myasthenia gravis (VLOMG). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in VLOMG patients who were administered intravenous methylprednisolone therapy and subsequently received low-dose oral corticosteroid, in combination with intravenous injection of tocilizumab given once every month for three months. Results: Five patients (mean age 75.0 ± 4.5 years) were included, and all of them were new-onset, and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive generalized MG. The Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Scale (QMGS) and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores before treatment were 15.4 ± 4.3 and 9.6 ± 2.3, respectively, and they exhibited a continuously decreasing trend after the first, second, and third injection of tocilizumab until 6 months after treatment. At 6 months post-treatment, the QMGS and MG-ADL scores were 5.0 ± 2.9 and 2.0 ± 1.2, respectively, and the difference between scores at baseline and 6-month follow-up was significant (P = 0.005 and P < 0.0001, respectively). No serious adverse drug reactions were reported in any patient during the study period. Discussions and Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of tocilizumab in VLOMG remains uncertain. The results from our study support the efficacy and safety of this combination treatment option for VLOMG, and strongly suggests the therapeutic potential of tocilizumab in VLOMG. However, considering the limitation of retrospective nature and small sample size in this study, prospective randomized controlled studies including a larger sample size of selected patients are needed to validate our results.

[Outcome indicators in clinical trials on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of microvascular angina].

This study reviewed the current status of the use of outcome indicators in randomized controlled trial(RCT) on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of microvascular angina(MVA) and analyzed the existing problems and possible solutions, aiming to provide a basis for the design of high-quality RCT and the establishment of core outcome sets for MVA. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and 2 clinical trial registries were searched for the RCT on TCM treatment of MVA according to pre-defined criteria. The Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCT and the use of outcome indicators was summarized. A total of 69 RCTs were included, from which 100 outcome indicators were extracted, with the frequency of 430. The extracted outcome indicators belonged to 8 domains: response rate, symptoms and signs, physical and chemical examinations, TCM efficacy, safety, quality of life, economic evaluation, and long-term prognosis. The indicators of physical and chemical examinations were the most(70 indicators with the frequency of 211), followed by those of response rate(7 indicators with the frequency of 73) and symptoms and signs(7 indicators with the frequency of 54). The outcome indicators with higher frequency were adverse reactions, angina attack frequency, clinical efficacy, endothelin-1, total duration of treadmill exercise, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein. The RCT on TCM treatment of MVA had the following problems: irregular reporting of adverse reactions, diverse indicators with low frequency, lack of attention to the application of endpoint indicators, insufficient use of TCM differentiation and efficacy indicators, non-standard evaluation criteria and failure to reflect the basic characteristics of TCM. A unified MVA syndrome differentiation standard should be established, on the basis of which an MVA treatment efficacy evaluation system and core outcome indicator set that highlights the characteristics of TCM with patient-reported outcomes as the starting point should be established to improve the clinical research and research value.

Shallow-marine testate amoebae with internal structures from the Lower Devonian of China.

Testate amoebae, a polyphyletic protist group inhabiting a wide variety of extant ecosystems, have evolved as far back as early Neoproterozoic. However, their fossil record is discontinuous and biased toward empty shells. Here, we report an arcellinid testate amoeba species, Cangwuella ampulliformis gen. nov., sp. nov., from a shallow-marine community in the Early Devonian of Guangxi, southwestern China. With the aid of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray micro-tomography, we find that the shell of our testate amoeba contains some acetabuliform structures. Although such configuration does not match exactly with the known internal structures in extant testate amoebae, our fossils highlight the potential of exploring the ecological relationships between fossil testate amoebae and their associated organisms, and increase our knowledge on the diversity of testate amoebae in Early Devonian environments.

Characterization of antigen-specific CD8+ memory T cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Increasing evidence indicates the importance of CD8+ T cells in autoimmune attack against CNS myelin and axon in multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous research has also discovered that myelin-reactive T cells have memory phenotype functions in MS patients. However, limited evidence is available regarding the role of CD8+ memory T cell subsets in MS. This study aimed to explore potential antigen-specific memory T cell-related biomarkers and their association with disease activity. Methods: The myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific CD8+ memory T cell subsets and their related cytokines (perforin, granzyme B, interferon (IFN)-γ) and negative co-stimulatory molecules (programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), T- cell Ig and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3)) were analyzed by flow cytometry and real-time PCR in peripheral blood of patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Results: We found that MS patients had elevated frequency of MOG-specific CD8+ T cells, MOG-specific central memory T cells (TCM), MOG-specific CD8+ effector memory T cells (TEM), and MOG-specific CD8+ terminally differentiated cells (TEMRA); elevated granzyme B expression on MOG-specific CD8+ TCM; and, on MOG-specific CD8+ TEM, elevated granzyme B and reduced PD-1 expression. The Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS) in MS patients was correlated with the frequency of MOG-specific CD8+ TCM, granzyme B expression in CD8+ TCM, and granzyme B and perforin expression on CD8+ TEM, but with reduced PD-1 expression on CD8+ TEM. Conclusion: The dysregulation of antigen-specific CD8+ memory T cell subsets, along with the abnormal expression of their related cytokines and negative co-stimulatory molecules, may reflect an excessive or persistent inflammatory response induced during early stages of the illness. Our findings strongly suggest positive regulatory roles for memory T cell populations in MS pathogenesis, probably via molecular mimicry to trigger or promote abnormal peripheral immune responses. Furthermore, downregulated PD-1 expression may stimulate a positive feedback effect, promoting MS-related inflammatory responses via the interaction of PD-1 ligands. Therefore, these parameters are potential serological biomarkers for predicting disease development in MS.

Clinical features, risk factors and survival in cardiac myxoma-related ischemic stroke: A multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac myxoma (CM) is an important etiology of stroke in young adults, but studies on CM-related ischemic stroke (CM-IS) are limited and conflicting. Hence, we investigated clinical characterizations, risk factors of CM-IS, and short-term survival after surgical resection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from all CM patients at three referral management centers and conducted follow-up examination. RESULTS: Among 414 CM patients, 402 were recruited for further analysis, including 54 patients with CM-IS and 348 patients with CM without stroke (Non-stroke). In the acute phase, patients presented with NIHSS 3 (interquartile range: 0-10) and clinical presentation comprising neurological, cardiac and constitutional symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with an increased risk of CM-IS were tumor width < 30 mm [OR = 2.652, 95% CI: 1.061-6.627, P = 0.037], tumors with high-mobility (OR = 2.700, 95% CI: 1.357-5.371, P = 0.005), thrombus on the tumor surface (OR = 1.856, 95% CI: 1.003-3.434, P = 0.049), and lower B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (OR = 0.995, 95% CI: 0.989-0.999, P = 0.047). The overall three-year survival rate was 95.7% (95% CI: 94.9-96.5) in CM-IS patients who underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: CM-IS patients had mild or moderate neurologic deficits with various presentations at disease onset. Narrower tumor width, tumors with high-mobility, thrombus on the tumor surface, and lower BNP levels are potential predictors of CM-IS development. Surgical removal of CM is safe and efficacious in patients with CM-IS.

MiR-146a-5p Promotes Dental Stem Cells Osteo/odontogenic Differentiation through NF-Kappa B Signaling Pathway by Targeting TRAF6.

OBJECTIVE: To screen miRNAs that could simultaneously regulate osteo/odontogenic differentiation of multiple stem cells, including dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). METHODS: Differentially expressed miRNAs analysis on three miRNA microarrays data of dental stem cells undergoing osteo/odontogenic differentiation (GSE138180, GSE154466 and GSE159508) was performed, and miR-146a-5p were identified by bioinformatic prediction, dual-luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, differentially expressed genes between miR-146a-5p overexpressed group and control group (GSE79341) were applied for KEGG pathways enrichment analysis. RESULTS: MiR-146a-5p expression increased in the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs, SCAPs and PDLSCs. Tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) was identified as the target gene of miR-146a-5p. Furthermore, miR-146a-5p could influence the NF-Kappa B signalling pathway. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that miR-146a-5p could promote differentiation in multiple dental stem cells through the NF-Kappa B signalling pathway by targeting TRAF6.

Risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complicated by ischemic stroke: A single-center retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to explore risk factors, clinical features, and prognosis of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) complicated by ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all HCM patient data and a 1-year follow-up study. Results: Totally, 506 patients with HCM, including 71 with IS, were enrolled. Older age (≥63 years) was associated with an increased risk of IS in HCM patients (OR = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.018-1.072, p = 0.001). Among 37 patients complicated by IS, 22 (59.5%, 22/37) manifested as cardioembolism (CE) subtype, and 13 (35.1%, 3/37) small artery occlusion (SAO) subtype, according to TOAST classification. In the acute phase, the IS patients presented with NIHSS 4 (interquartile range: 1, 10). Multi-infarction was more common than single infarction (72.7 vs. 27.3%), while cortical + subcortical infarction (CE group: 50%) or subcortical infarction (SAO group: 53.8%) constituted most IS cases. Additionally, the blood supply areas of anterior circulation (CE group: 45.5%; SAO group: 92.3%) or anterior + posterior circulation (CE group: 50%) were mainly involved. The 1-year survival rate of HCM patients with concomitant IS was 81.8%, and IS was associated with 1-year all-cause death in HCM patients (HR = 5.689, 95% CI: 1.784-18.144, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Older age is a risk factor for IS occurrence in HCM patients. Patients with HCM complicated by IS had mild or moderate neurologic deficits at disease onset. CE and SAO subtypes predominate in patients with concomitant IS, especially the former. Multiple cortical and subcortical infarctions are their neuroimaging characteristics, mainly involving the anterior circulation or anterior + posterior circulation. Is is a risk factor for all-cause death in HCM patients within 1 year.

Risk factors and a Bayesian network model to predict ischemic stroke in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: This study aimed to identify risk factors and create a predictive model for ischemic stroke (IS) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using the Bayesian network (BN) approach. Materials and methods: We collected clinical data of 634 patients with DCM treated at three referral management centers in Beijing between 2016 and 2021, including 127 with and 507 without IS. The patients were randomly divided into training (441 cases) and test (193 cases) sets at a ratio of 7:3. A BN model was established using the Tabu search algorithm with the training set data and verified with the test set data. The BN and logistic regression models were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation/flutter, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and intracardiac thrombosis were associated with IS. The BN model found that hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter, eGFR, and intracardiac thrombosis were closely associated with IS. Compared to the logistic regression model, the BN model for IS performed better or equally well in the training and test sets, with respective accuracies of 83.7 and 85.5%, AUC of 0.763 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.708-0.818] and 0.822 (95% CI, 0.748-0.896), sensitivities of 20.2 and 44.2%, and specificities of 98.3 and 97.3%. Conclusion: Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, AF or atrial flutter, low eGFR, and intracardiac thrombosis were good predictors of IS in patients with DCM. The BN model was superior to the traditional logistic regression model in predicting IS in patients with DCM and is, therefore, more suitable for early IS detection and diagnosis, and could help prevent the occurrence and recurrence of IS in this patient cohort.

[Changes of the upper airway in children with Class â ¡ mandibular retrusion and snoring during night before and after functional treatment by sagittal-guidance Twin-block appliance].

PURPOSE: To study the changes of dimension and morphology of upper airway in children with ClassⅡ mandibular retrusion after functional treatment by sagittal-guidance Twin-block appliance. METHODS: Cone-beam CT (CBCT) data of upper airway of the subjects were measured by Dolphin 11.5 software and Mimics 17.0 software , and the changes of dimension and morphology of upper airway before and after functional treatment with sagittal-guidance Twin-block(SGTB) appliance were compared. SPSS 16.0 software package was used for data processing. RESULTS: After functional treatment，the volume of total upper airway，nasopharynx airway, oropharynx airway, the sectional area of tip of the epiglotti(TE), the lateral diameter of TE, the base of the epiglottis(EB) significantly increased (P<0.05) in children with SGTB appliance. CONCLUSIONS: SGTB functional treatment is effective in the treatment of skeletal ClassⅡ mandibular retrusion of children by increase of the upper airway and improvement of respiration．.

LncRNA RMRP knockdown promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in osteoarthritis chondrocytes by miR-206/CDK9 axis.

The etiology of osteoarthritis (OA) has been discussed widely, but the molecular mechanisms beneath OA aggravation have not yet been investigated in detail. This study focused on the role of lncRNA RMRP (RMRP) on OA progression. We found that the expression of RMRP was significantly increased in cartilage tissues of patients with OA. CCK-8 and colony formation assays showed that RMRP knockdown promoted proliferation of chondrocytes treated with IL-1ß. Flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity analysis indicated that RMRP silence inhibited apoptosis of chondrocytes treated with IL-1ß. Moreover, luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down and RIP assays showed that RMRP competing with miR-206. Additionally, CDK9 acted as a direct target of miR-206. Moreover, rescue assays indicated that miR-206 inhibitor or pcDNA-CDK9 reversed the effects of RMRP suppression on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. Taken together, our results indicated that RMRP knockdown could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in OA chondrocytes via the miR-206/CDK9 axis.

Physiochemical characterization and biological effect of anorganic bovine bone matrix and organic-containing bovine bone matrix in comparison with Bio-Oss in rabbits.

Bovine origin matrix has been widely used in clinical applications and investigated by various research institutions. However, the potential factors that influence bone regeneration are still not thoroughly understood and need further investigations. In this study, bone regeneration properties of anorganic bovine bone matrix (ABBM), organic-containing bovine bone matrix (OBBM), and widely acknowledged anorganic bovine bone matrix (Bio-Oss) were compared. Besides, the correlations between physiochemical characterizations and bone regeneration properties of the three xenografts were also investigated. Physiochemical characterizations were measured by special instrumentations. In animal studies, the three xenografts were implanted into 8-mm-diameter cranial defects of 16 New Zealand white rabbits. The biological effects were evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis after 6 and 12 weeks of implantation. The physical characterizations showed that anorganic bovine bone matrix and Bio-Oss had more nanostructures, larger surface area, bigger pore volume, and bigger pore size than that of organic-containing bovine bone matrix. The chemical characterizations showed that anorganic bovine bone matrix and Bio-Oss had higher crystallinity than that of organic-containing bovine bone matrix, and organic-containing bovine bone matrix contained organic nitrogen (N) component. In vivo, anorganic bovine bone matrix and Bio-Oss possessed better bone regeneration properties than that of organic-containing bovine bone matrix. Taken together, nanostructures, larger surface area, bigger pore volume, and bigger pore size of xenografts played an active role in new bone formation. Besides, lower crystallinity and organic N element of xenografts produced a positive effect on graft degradation. The abovementioned findings could provide theoretical basis for better choice in clinical applications and better manufacturing hydroxyapatite-derived bone graft in the future.

Population pharmacokinetic modeling of motesanib and its active metabolite, M4, in cancer patients.

Motesanib is a small molecule and potent multikinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic and antitumor activity. Population pharmacokinetic (POPPK) modeling of motesanib and M4, an active metabolite, was performed to assess sources of variability in cancer patients. The analysis included data collected from 451 patients from 8 clinical trials with oral doses of motesanib ranging from 25 to 175 mg, either once daily or twice daily. The POPPK analyses were performed using nonlinear mixed-effect models with a sequential approach. Covariate effects of demographics and other baseline characteristics were assessed with stepwise covariate modeling. A 2-compartment model with food effect on absorption parameters fitted the PK data of motesanib well. The effects albumin and sex on apparent clearance (CL/F) of motesanib were statistically significant. The albumin effect was more important but remained below a 25% difference. A 1-compartment model fitted PK data of M4 well. Effects of race (Asian vs non-Asian) and dosing frequency were identified as statistically significant covariates on the CL/F of M4. The maximum effect of albumin would result in less than 25% change in motesanib CL/F and as such would not warrant any dosing adjustment. However, faster elimination of M4 in Asian patients requires further investigation.

Antioxidant and protective effect of inulin and catechin grafted inulin against CCl4-induced liver injury.

In this study, the antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of inulin and catechin grafted inulin (catechin-g-inulin) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury were investigated. Results showed that both inulin and catechin-g-inulin had moderate scavenging activity on superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and H2O2, as well as lipid peroxidation inhibition effect. The antioxidant activity decreased in the order of Vc > catechin >catechin-g-inulin > inulin. Administration of inulin and catechin-g-inulin could significantly reduce the elevated levels of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase as compared to CCl4 treatment group. Moreover, inulin and catechin-g-inulin significantly increased the levels of hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity, whereas markedly decreased the malondialdehyde level when compared with CCl4 treatment group. Notably, catechin-g-inulin showed higher hepatoprotective effect than inulin. In addition, the hepatoprotective effect of catechin-g-inulin was comparable to positive standard of silymarin. Our results suggested that catechin-g-inulin had potent antioxidant activity and potential protective effect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury.

FLT3 and CDK4/6 inhibitors: signaling mechanisms and tumor burden in subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia.

FLT3(ITD) subtype acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a poor prognosis with currently available therapies. A number of small molecule inhibitors of FLT3 and/or CDK4/6 are currently under development. A more complete and quantitative understanding of the mechanisms of action of FLT3 and CDK4/6 inhibitors may better inform the development of current and future compounds that act on one or both of the molecular targets, and thus may lead to improved treatments for AML. In this study, we investigated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic AML mouse models, the mechanisms of action of three FLT3 and/or CDK4/6 inhibitors: AMG925 (Amgen), sorafenib (Bayer and Onyx), and quizartinib (Ambit Biosciences). A composite model was developed to integrate the plasma pharmacokinetics of these three compounds on their respective molecular targets, the coupling between the target pathways, as well as the resulting effects on tumor burden reduction in the subcutaneous xenograft model. A sequential modeling approach was used, wherein model structures and estimated parameters from upstream processes (e.g. PK, cellular signaling) were fixed for modeling subsequent downstream processes (cellular signaling, tumor burden). Pooled data analysis was employed for the plasma PK and cellular signaling modeling, while population modeling was applied to the tumor burden modeling. The resulting model allows the decomposition of the relative contributions of FLT3(ITD) and CDK4/6 inhibition on downstream signaling and tumor burden. In addition, the action of AMG925 on cellular signaling and tumor burden was further studied in an orthotopic tumor mouse model more closely representing the physiologically relevant environment for AML.

Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant actions and mechanisms induced by total flavonoids of Elsholtzia splendens in rat aortas.

Elsholtzia splendens (ES) is, rich in flavonoids, used to repair copper contaminated soil in China, which has been reported to benefit cardiovascular systems as folk medicine. However, few direct evidences have been found to clarify the vasorelaxation effect of total flavonoids of ES (TFES). The vasoactive effect of TFES and its underlying mechanisms in rat thoracic aortas were investigated using the organ bath system. TFES (5-200mg/L) caused a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in endothelium-intact rings, which was not abolished but significantly reduced by the removal of endothelium. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100µM) and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,2-α]quinoxalin-1-one (30µM) significantly blocked the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of TFES. Meanwhile, NOS activity in endothelium-intact aortas was concentration-dependently elevated by TFES. However, indomethacin (10µM) did not affect TFES-induced vasorelaxation. Endothelium-independent vasorelaxation of TFES was significantly attenuated by KATP channel blocker glibenclamide. The accumulative Ca(2+)-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded aortic rings primed with KCl or phenylephrine was markedly weakened by TFES. These results revealed that the NOS/NO/cGMP pathway is likely involved in the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by TFES, while activating KATP channel, inhibiting intracellular Ca(2+) release, blocking Ca(2+) channels and decreasing Ca(2+) influx into vascular smooth muscle cells might contribute to the endothelium-independent vasorelaxation conferred by TFES.

Free radical mediated grafting of chitosan with caffeic and ferulic acids: structures and antioxidant activity.

In this study, two water soluble chitosan derivatives were synthesized by grafting caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) onto chitosan via a free radical mediated method. The structural characterization, antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo of chitosan derivatives were determined. Results showed that the UV-vis absorption peaks of chitosan derivatives shifted toward longer wavelengths. FT-IR spectroscopy exhibited the typical phenolic characteristics within 1450-1600 cm(-1). (1)H NMR spectroscopy showed new peaks of phenyl protons at 6.2-7.6 ppm. (13)C NMR spectroscopy showed additional peaks between 110 and 150 ppm assigned to the C=C of phenolic groups. These results all confirmed the successful grafting of CA and FA onto chitosan backbones. The chitosan derivatives had decreased thermal stability and crystallinity as compared to chitosan. In vitro assays showed that the antioxidant activity decreased in the order of CA-g-chitosan>FA-g-chitosan>chitosan. Moreover, administration of the chitosan derivatives could significantly increase antioxidant enzymes activities and decrease malondialdehyde levels in both serums and livers of d-galactose induced aging mice. Our results indicated the potential of CA-g-chitosan and FA-g-chitosan in the development of novel antioxidant agents.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro anti-diabetic activity of catechin grafted inulin.

In this study, a novel biological macromolecule with strong in vitro anti-diabetic activity was developed by grafting catechin onto inulin via a free radical mediated method. The characterization, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of catechin grafted inulin (catechin-g-inulin) were investigated. Results showed that the grafting ratio of catechin-g-inulin was 124.8 mg CAE/g. UV-vis spectrum of catechin-g-inulin exhibited a new band at 280 nm, attributing to B ring of catechin moiety. FT-IR spectrum of catechin-g-inulin showed new absorption bands between 1540 and 1418 cm(-1), attributing to CC stretching vibration of catechin moiety. (1)H NMR spectrum of catechin-g-inulin preserved all the characteristic proton signals of inulin and partial signals of catechin. These all confirmed the successful grafting copolymerization. Conjugation probably occurred between OH of inulin (C-6) and H-6/H-8 of catechin (A ring). Catechin-g-inulin also exhibited increased thermal stability and crystallinity as compared to inulin. Moreover, in vitro anti-diabetic assays showed the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity decreased in the order of catechin-g-inulin>catechin>acarbose>inulin, and α-amylase inhibitory activity decreased in the order of catechin-g-inulin>acarbose>catechin>inulin. These indicated the potential of catechin-g-inulin in the development of a novel effective anti-diabetic agent.

Synthesis of chitosan-gallic acid conjugate: structure characterization and in vitro anti-diabetic potential.

In this study, chitosan grafted copolymer with gallic acid (GA) was synthesized by a novel and efficient free radical mediated method. The optimal grafting conditions, structural characterization, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of chitosan grafted copolymers were investigated. Results showed that the maximum grafting ratio (128.3 mg GA equivalents/g) was obtained at 12 h with 5 g/L chitosan, 16 g/L GA, 2 g/L ascorbic acid and 0.2 M hydrogen peroxide. UV-vis, Fourier-transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy all confirmed the successful grafting of GA onto chitosan. The conjugation of GA onto chitosan probably occurred between amine (C-2), hydroxyl groups (C-3 and C-6) of chitosan and carboxyl groups of GA, forming amide and ester linkages, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction spectra indicated that GA grafted chitosan (GA-g-chitosan) had decreased thermal stability and crystallinity as compared to chitosan. Notably, GA-g-chitosan showed increased α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity with the increase of grafting ratio. These results indicated the potential of GA-g-chitosan in the development of an effective anti-diabetic agent.