Microplastics exacerbate co-occurrence and horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes.

Microplastic pollution is a rising environmental issue worldwide. Microplastics can provide a niche for the microbiome, especially for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could increase the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the interactions between microplastics and ARGs are still indistinct in environmental settings. Microplastics were found to be significantly correlated with ARGs (p < 0.001), based on the analysis of samples taken from a chicken farm and its surrounding farmlands. Analysis of chicken feces revealed the highest abundance of microplastics (14.9 items/g) and ARGs (6.24 ×108 copies/g), suggesting that chicken farms could be the hotspot for the co-spread of microplastics and ARGs. Conjugative transfer experiments were performed to investigate the effects of microplastic exposure for different concentrations and sizes on the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs between bacteria. Results showed that the microplastics significantly enhanced the bacterial conjugative transfer frequency by 1.4-1.7 folds indicating that microplastics could aggravate ARG dissemination in the environment. Potential mechanisms related to the up-regulation of rpoS, ompA, ompC, ompF, trbBp, traF, trfAp, traJ, and down-regulation of korA, korB, and trbA were induced by microplastics. These findings highlighted the co-occurrence of microplastics and ARGs in the agricultural environment and the exacerbation of ARGs' prevalence via rising the HGT derived from microplastics.

Effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for employees with depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives. The effectiveness of Internet interventions for employees with depressive disorder remains controversial. We summarized all available evidence exploring the role of Internet interventions in reducing employees' depressive symptoms. Methods. This study was a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis that included acceptability and preliminary feasibility studies. We excluded programme descriptions, discussion articles and study protocols. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science from database inception to May 2021 for articles published in English. We extracted data concerning demographics, intervention format, including Internet interventions, control group conditions and outcome measures. We used a random-effects model and calculated Hedges' g values for the scores of employees receiving Internet interventions versus control conditions. This systematic review is registered as INPLASY202160082. Results. Data from 19 studies were included. These 19 studies included 5898 participants (2813 participants received Internet interventions, 3085 participants were in control groups). Conclusions. The findings suggest that Internet interventions can be effective in improving depression in employees. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to provide better evidence regarding Internet interventions for employees with depression, and robust studies are needed to observe the effectiveness of Internet interventions.

Phenylpropanoids from Brachybotrys paridiformis maxim. Ex oliv. And their anti-HBV activities (II).

Five undescribed phenylpropanoids, one undescribed phenolic glucoside, and sixteen known compounds were isolated from Brachybotrys paridiformis Maxim. Ex Oliv. The undescribed compounds were named brachoside B-C, brach acid A-B, brachnan A, and brachin D, respectively. Additionally, the anti-hepatitis B virus activities of all isolated compounds were studied. Among them, brachnan A, brach acid A, globoidnan A, 3-carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3',4'-dihydroxy-phenyl)-naphthalene, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde showed significant anti-hepatitis B virus activities.

A salicylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone based near-infrared probe for copper(ii) and its bioimaging applications.

Developing highly sensitive and selective methods for Cu2+ detection in living systems is of great significance in clinical copper-related disease diagnosis. In this work, a near infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe, CySBH, with a salicylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone group as a selective and sensitive receptor for Cu2+ was designed and synthesized. The specific coordination of the salicylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone group in CySBH with Cu2+ can induce a distinct quench of the fluorescence intensity, allowing for real-time tracking of Cu2+. We have demonstrated that CySBH could rapidly recognize Cu2+ with good selectivity and high sensitivity. Moreover, on the basis of low cell cytotoxicity, the probe was used to visualize Cu2+ in two cell lines by fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, CySBH can also be used to monitor Cu2+ in vivo due to its NIR emission properties. These overall results illustrate that the NIR fluorescent probe CySBH provides a novel approach for the selective and sensitive monitoring of Cu2+ in living systems.

Phenylpropanoids from Brachybotrys paridiformis Maxim. ex Oliv. and their anti-HBV activities.

Using chemical and spectroscopic data, this study on Brachybotrys paridiformis Maxim. ex Oliv. identified four undescribed phenylpropanoids, brachin A-C and brachoside A, together with nine other known compounds. The isolated compounds were tested for anti-hepatitis B virus activities in the HepG2.2.15 cell line. Among them, caffeic anhydride showed the most potent activity.

microRNA-200c-3p suppresses proliferation and invasion of nephroblastoma cells by targeting EP300 and inactivating the AKT/FOXO1/p27 pathway.

miR-200c-3p is aberrantly expressed in numerous cancers, but its underlying mechanisms in nephroblastoma are unknown. In our study, the differentially regulated miRNAs between the nephroblastoma tissues and adjacent non-neoplastic renal tissues were screened based on microarray analysis. The miR-200c-3p expression in nephroblastoma tissues and cells was detected by qRT-PCR. Then, the effects of miR-200c-3p mimic or inhibitor on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, plate colony formation assay, soft agar assay, Transwell, and wound-healing assay in SK-NEP-1 and G401 cells. Afterward, the target gene of miR-200c-3p was predicted by TarBase, miRTarBase, miRDB softwares, and then verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The in vivo effects of miR-200c-3p on pathological changes and tumor volume were investigated in tumor xenograft mice by H&E staining and in vivo fluorescence imaging. ChIP assay was used to evaluate the relationship between histone acetyltransferase E1A-binding protein p300 (EP300) and P27, and the relationship of the role of miR-200c-3p in nephroblastoma and the AKT/FOXO1/p27 signaling pathways was evaluated by western blotting. Our study shows that miR-200c-3p was downregulated in nephroblastoma tissues and cells, and EP300 was a target gene of miR-200c-3p. Furthermore, miR-200c-3p mimic decreased cell proliferation and inhibited cell migration and invasion in nephroblastoma. Mechanistically, miR-200c-3p could inhibit p-AKT activity and enhance p-FOXO1 and p27 expression. Notably, the transcription factor P27 could bind to the EP300 promoter. This study demonstrates a new approach to treat nephroblastoma.

Bioactive oleanane-type saponins from Hylomecon Japonica.

Six undescribed oleanane-type saponins, named as Hylomeconosides L-Q, were isolated from the whole herb of Hylomecon Japonica, their structures were determined by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) spectroscopic data, mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS) and chromatographic data (GC and LC). Their structures were identified as 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-galactopyranoside. Hylomeconosides L-Q showed selective cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines A549, AGS, HeLa, Huh 7, HT29 and K562. These results represent a contribution to the chemotaxonomy of the saponins of Hylomecon Japonica and their bioactivities.

Studies on isolation and structural identification of saponins from the herb Hylomecon japonica and their bioactivities.

Three undescribed oleanane type triterpenoid saponins (1-3), along with one known saponin (4) were isolated from the whole herb of Hylomecon japonica. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) spectroscopic data, mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and chromatographic date (GC and LC) as 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-l-arabinopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-l-arabinopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-galactopyranosyl ester (3), 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-fucopyranosyl ester (4). All saponins possess a partial sequence ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl at C-3 of the aglycon. Compound 1 has cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer cell lines HT29, 3 against human gastric cancer cell lines AGS, and 4 against human lung cancer cell lines A549, AGS and HT29. Among them, compounds 3 and 4 showed significant inhibitory effect against AGS with IC50 value of 6.01 ± 1.4 µM, 3.66 ± 1.8 µM, respectively. These results represent a contribution to the chemotaxonomy of the saponins of Hylomecon japonica and their bioactivities.

Triterpenoid saponins from the herb Hylomecon japonica.

Six undescribed triterpenoid saponins, named as hylomeconoside C-H, were isolated from the EtOH extract of Hylomecon japonica. On the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence, their structures were identified as 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside; 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside; 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside. The 50% EtOH extract showed moderate inhibitory activity on the human cancer cell line HeLa, HepG-2, MCF-7, A549, K562 and TE-1. And these six compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against K562. Among them, hylomeconoside H was found to be the most active on the K562 cell lines (IC50 6.60 µM).

Effect of Bugu granules in a drug-containing serum on chondrocyte apoptosis and the Trx2 signaling pathway.

Traditional Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney and promoting blood circulation is commonly prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis associated with kidney deficiency and blood stasis. However, the specific mechanisms of these medicines are still unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Bugu granules against sodium nitroprusside-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Drug-containing serum was prepared by administering rats with Bugu granules and harvesting the serum. Chondrocytes were exposed to different dilutions of serum, and apoptosis assessed by flow cytometry after staining with annexin V­FITC/PI. Flow cytometry showed that chondrocyte apoptosis increased significantly after incubation with 2 mol/L sodium nitroprusside for 24 h (t = -48.221, P = 0.000), and the apoptotic rate of chondrocytes decreased with increasing concentrations of drug-containing serum (F = 33.965, P = 0.000). Cellular levels of Trx2, ASK1, caspase­3, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cellular content of Trx2 increased gradually with increasing concentrations of drug-containing serum (F = 2610.593, P = 0.000), while that of ASK1 (F = 2473.545, P = 0.000), caspase­3 (F = 209.921, P = 0.000), and ROS (F = 1666.435, P = 0.000) all decreased significantly. The mRNA expression levels were analyzed by RT-qPCR, which revealed that expression levels of Trx2 and caspase­3 mRNA increased and decreased significantly, respectively, following exposure to Bugu granules in the drug-containing serum (F = 6.974, P = 0.003 and F = 3.691, P = 0.191; respectively), but the expression of ASK1 mRNA was not significantly different between treatment groups (F = 1.784, P = 0.191). Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that the Trx2 signaling pathway is activated by Bugu granules, which in turn inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis. This may play a role in preventing the development of osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis and treatment of ankle syndesmosis injuries with associated interosseous membrane injury: a current concept review.

BACKGROUND: Tibiofibular syndesmosis injury leads to ankle pain and dysfunction when ankle injuries are not treated properly. Despite several studies having been performed, many questions about diagnosis and treatment remain unanswered, especially in ankle syndesmosis injury with interosseous membrane injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to help guide best practice recommendations. METHODS: This review explores the mechanism of injury, clinical features, diagnosis methods, and the treatment strategy for ankle syndesmosis injury with interosseous membrane injury to highlight the current evidence in terms of the controversies surrounding the management of these injuries. RESULTS: Radiological and CT examination are an important basis for diagnosing ankle syndesmosis injury. Physical examination combined with MRI to determine the damage to the interosseous membrane is significant in guiding the treatment of ankle syndesmosis injury with interosseous membrane injury. In the past, inserting syndesmosis screws was the gold standard for treating ankle syndesmosis injury. However, there were increasingly more controversies regarding loss of reduction and broken nails, so elastic fixation has become more popular in recent years. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical reduction and effective fixation are the main aspects to be considered in the treatment of ankle syndesmosis injury with interosseous membrane injury and are the key to reducing postsurgery complications.

Primary neuroendocrine tumor in the presacral region: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in the presacral region are extremely rare, some of which are caused by other primary tumors or metastatic rectal carcinoids. Nevertheless, cases of NETs have been increasing in recent years. This report describes the first primary neuroendocrine tumor in the presacral region that was found at our hospital within the last five years. CASE SUMMARY: The patient was identified as a 36-year-old woman with a presacral mass and pelvic floor pain. A digital rectal examination revealed a presacral mass with unclear margins and obvious tenderness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a 57 mm × 29 mm presacral lump. An ultrasound-guided needle biopsy confirmed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. No other primary or metastatic tumors were found. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive consideration of our case report and literature reported by others suggests that a conclusive diagnosis of NETs should be based on computed tomography/MRI and pathological examinations. The treatment of primary NETs in the presacral region mainly relies on surgical procedures with follow-up.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 1-Phenyl-2-(phenylamino) Ethanone Derivatives as Novel MCR-1 Inhibitors.

Polymyxins are considered to be the last-line antibiotics that are used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria; however, the plasmid-mediated transferable colistin resistance gene (mcr-1) has rendered polymyxins ineffective. Therefore, the protein encoded by mcr-1, MCR-1, could be a target for structure-based design of inhibitors to tackle polymyxins resistance. Here, we identified racemic compound 3 as a potential MCR-1 inhibitor by virtual screening, and 26 compound 3 derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro. In the cell-based assay, compound 6g, 6h, 6i, 6n, 6p, 6q, and 6r displayed more potent activity than compound 3. Notably, 25 µΜ of compound 6p or 6q combined with 2 µg·mL-1 colistin could completely inhibit the growth of BL21(DE3) expressing mcr-1, which exhibited the most potent activity. In the enzymatic assay, we elucidate that 6p and 6q could target the MCR-1 to inhibit the activity of the protein. Additionally, a molecular docking study showed that 6p and 6q could interact with Glu246 and Thr285 via hydrogen bonds and occupy well the cavity of the MCR-1 protein. These results may provide a potential avenue to overcome colistin resistance, and provide some valuable information for further investigation on MCR-1 inhibitors.

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (nasal type) presenting as a perianal abscess: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal natural killer (NK) T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type is a rare subtype of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by vascular damage and necrosis. The lesions usually present in the nasal cavity and adjacent tissues, however, the disease originates from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract in 25% of cases. Since rectal involvement in ENKTL is rare, rectal symptoms in the course of ENKTL are often misdiagnosed and considered to be related to benign diseases such as rectal fistula or perianal abscess. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 24-year-old Han Chinese female who initially presented with a perianal abscess that was subsequently diagnosed as nasal type ENKTL. Due to typical perianal pain, perianal abscess was diagnosed and surgical incision and drainage were performed. After recurrent, severe anal hemorrhages leading to hypovolemic shock and multiple surgeries, a diagnosis of ENKTL was made. The patient's condition gradually deteriorated, and she died shortly after initiation of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Systemic and neoplastic diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis of any potentially benign perianal abscess complicated with recurrent hemorrhages.

An updated meta-analysis evaluating limb management after total knee arthroplasty-what is the optimal method?

PURPOSE: Postoperative knee flexion protocol has been widely recognized as a highly attractive, simple, and cost-effective tactic to improve patient's outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, optimal knee position and duration of knee flexion are still controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of different postoperative knee flexion protocols, as an aid to find out optimal limb management strategy following TKA. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis to identify the available and relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with regard to the influence of different postoperative knee positions on clinical outcomes after primary TKA in electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Med Online, and VIP, up to May 2018. In this meta-analysis, three major subgroups based on diverse postoperative knee flexion protocols were considered: long-term (≥ 24 h) high flexion (> 30°), short term (< 24 h) high flexion (> 30°), and long-term (≥ 24 h) mild flexion (≤ 30°). The statistical analysis was performed using the Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 16 trials were finally included in this meta-analysis. The result of subgroup analysis indicated that keeping the knee in high flexion (> 30°) postoperatively for a long time (≥ 24 h) significantly reduced total blood loss (P < 0.00001), hidden blood loss (P < 0.00001), and transfusion requirements (P = 0.003) and led to a significant improvement in range of motion (ROM) at 1 week after operation (P < 0.00001); keeping the knee in high flexion (> 30°) postoperatively for a short time (< 24 h) significantly reduced total blood loss (P = 0.006) and hidden blood loss (P < 0.00001) but not significantly improved ROM at 1 week after operation (P = 0.34) and reduced transfusion requirements (P = 0.62); and keeping the knee in mild flexion (≤ 30°) postoperatively for a long time (≥ 24 h) significantly reduced total blood loss (P = 0.02) and transfusion requirements (P = 0.02) and improved ROM at 1 week after operation (P < 0.00001) but not significantly reduced hidden blood loss (P = 0.11). Furthermore, there was no significant difference with respect to the rates of wound-related infection and DVT between the three knee flexion subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that the long-term (≥ 24 h) high flexion (> 30°) protocol could be an optimal limb management to reduce blood loss and blood transfusion requirements and facilitate early postoperative rehabilitation exercises in patients after primary TKA without increasing in complication rate.

[External therapies of traditional Chinese medicine combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity therapy on knee osteoarthritis: Meta-analysis].

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) combined with sodium hyaluronate(SH) injected in articular cavity therapy on knee osteoarthritis(KOA). The following databases such as CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed and Medline were researched to collect the randomized controlled trails on external therapies of TCM combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity therapy on KOA. The selection of studies, assessment of methodological quality and data extraction were performed independently by two researchers. The methodological quality was assessed by using the Cochrane system evaluation methodology and Meta-analysis were performed by using Cochrane Collaboration's the RevMan 5.3 software. Forteen studies involving 1 449 patients were included. All of the trails were not adequate enough in methodological quality. Meta-analysis indicated that compared with control group, external therapies of TCM combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity could raise effectiv rate(P<0.000 01) and cure-rate(P<0.000 01), improve Lysholm score(P=0.003) and reduce VAS score(P<0.000 1). But two groups have no difference in Womac score (P=0.13).Compared with the treatment with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity, external therapies of TCM combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity, a promising treatment options, can be complementary advantages, improve the clinical curativ effect. But it still needs low risk and high quality clinical trials to verify.

Edaravone effects on the expression levels of collagen type I and IV after spinal cord injury in rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Edaravone, an effective free radical scavenger, has been reported to significantly improve the rehabilitation of limb locomotion after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism underlying edaravone promoting the recovery of limb locomotion in rats with SCI by observing the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan scores and expression levels of collagen type I and IV. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were randomly allocated into three groups (n=12 per group): sham group (laminectomy plus intraperitoneal injection of normal saline), model group (SCI model by NYU impactor plus intraperitoneal injection of normal saline), and edaravone group (SCI model by NYU impactor plus intraperitoneal injection of edaravone). All rats were given the administration at the 1stday post-SCI for consecutive 7 days. The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan scores were tested at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days post treatment. On day 7, all rats were sacrificed to remove the spinal cord, and the morphology of neurons in the spinal cord were observed by Nissl staining; the expression levels of collagen type I and IV were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model group, the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan scores in the edaravone group were significantly increased at day 5 post treatment (P < 0.05). Nissl staining showed a clear boundary between grey matter and white matter, and a large nucleolus in the neurocytoplasm in the sham group; there was a complete structure of neurons, slight cellular swelling and small hematoma area in the edaravone group; many and large cavitations and swollen nucleus were found in the neurons, even without nucleolus. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay results showed that the expression levels of collagen type I and IV in the edaravone group were significantly higher than those in the model group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that edaravone can promote the recovery of limb locomotion of rats with SCI,probably via up-regulating the expression levels of collagen type I and IV.

External therapies of traditional Chinese medicine combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity therapy on knee osteoarthritis: Meta-analysis / 中国中药杂志

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) combined with sodium hyaluronate(SH) injected in articular cavity therapy on knee osteoarthritis(KOA). The following databases such as CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed and Medline were researched to collect the randomized controlled trails on external therapies of TCM combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity therapy on KOA. The selection of studies, assessment of methodological quality and data extraction were performed independently by two researchers. The methodological quality was assessed by using the Cochrane system evaluation methodology and Meta-analysis were performed by using Cochrane Collaboration's the RevMan 5.3 software. Forteen studies involving 1 449 patients were included. All of the trails were not adequate enough in methodological quality. Meta-analysis indicated that compared with control group, external therapies of TCM combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity could raise effectiv rate(<0.000 01) and cure-rate(<0.000 01), improve Lysholm score(=0.003) and reduce VAS score(<0.000 1). But two groups have no difference in Womac score (=0.13).Compared with the treatment with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity, external therapies of TCM combined with sodium hyaluronate injected in articular cavity, a promising treatment options, can be complementary advantages, improve the clinical curativ effect. But it still needs low risk and high quality clinical trials to verify.

New Triterpenoid Saponins from the Herb Hylomecon japonica.

Background: Hylomecon japonica, a plant of the Papaveraceae family which is well-known for the alkaloids they produce, is a perennial plant widely distributed in the northeast, central and east regions of China. Although a variety of chemical constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and megastigmoids, have been isolated from H. japonica, the investigation of saponins in H. japonica has not been reported until now. Methods: Various separation techniques, including polyporous resin column chromatography, silica gel column chromatography and hemi-preparative HPLC were applied to the isolation of triterpenoid saponins, and chemical methods such as acid hydrolysis and spectroscopic methods including HRESIMS and NMR were applied to their structure elucidation, and the XTT reduction method was used to assay cytotoxicity. Results: Two new triterpenoid saponins, named hylomeconoside A (1) and B (2) which were identified as 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl-gypsogenin-28-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-quinovopyranoside (1) and 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl-gypsogenin-28-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (2), and two known triterpenoid saponins identified as dubioside C (3) and lucyoside P (4) on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence, were isolated from H. japonica. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity on MGC-803 and HL-60 cells, with IC50 values of 43.8 and 32.4 µg·mL-1, respectively. Conclusions: Compounds 1 and 2 are new saponins, and 1 is considered to be one of the antitumor principles in this plant. This is the first time that triterpenoid saponins have been isolated from plants of the Papaveraceae family.

Construction of human ARF4 lentiviral vector and stable expression in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective To establish ovarian cancer cell line SKVO3 that can stably express human ADP ribosylation factor-4 (ARF4). Methods A eukaryotic expression vector pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 was constructed and transfected into SKOV3 cells after verifying by DNA sequencing. The expression of ARF4 mRNA was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, the recombinant plasmid with lentiviral packaging plasmids were co-transfected into SKOV3 cells for packaging. The recombinant lentiviral particles LV-ARF4 were collected and transfected into SKOV3 cells, and the stable transfected SKOV3 cell line was screening by culture with puromycin. The expression of ARF4 gene was detected by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. Results A eukaryotic expression vector pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 was successfully constructed. The vector could significantly up-regulate the expression of ARF4 mRNA in SKOV3 cells and be successfully packaged into recombinant lentiviral particles in HEK-293T cells. Compared with the control group, the relative expression level of ARF4 mRNA and protein in SKOV3 cells was significantly increased after the infection with LV-ARF4 (all P<0.001). Conclusion The recombinant plasmid pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 and lentiviral vector LV-ARF4 were successfully constructed. The establishment of stably infected SKOV3 cell line with LV-ARF4 provides an experimental foundation for further studies on the biological function of ARF4 in ovarian cancer.