Five new secondary metabolites from Aster tataricus.

Aster tataricus L.f. is highly valued for its rich reserves of bioactive compounds. Our research focused on the identification of previously unreported compounds found within the ethanol extract of A. tataricus. Through meticulous spectroscopic analyses and computational methods like NMR calculations and ECD, we successfully elucidated the structures of five novel compounds termed tatarisides A-E (1-5), alongside two known compounds (6, 7). The anti-inflammatory assays conducted yielded noteworthy results, particularly in relation to compounds 1 and 5. These compounds exhibited significant potential in inhibiting the release of NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, as evidenced by their respective IC50 values of 17.81 ± 1.25 µM and 13.32 ± 0.84 µM. The discovery of these new compounds adds to the existing knowledge of A. tataricus's chemical composition and potential applications.

Dual pitch titanium-coated pedicle screws improve initial and early fixation in a polyetheretherketone rod semi-rigid fixation system in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Reports on the efficacy of modifications to the thread design of pedicle screws are scarce. The aim of the study was to investigate initial and early fixation of pedicle screws with a plasma-sprayed titanium coating and dual pitch in the pedicle region (dual pitch titanium-coated pedicle screw [DPTCPS]) in a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rod semi-rigid fixation system. METHODS: Fifty-four sheep spine specimens and 64 sheep were used to investigate initial ("0-week" controls) and early (post-operative 6 months) fixation, respectively. Sheep were divided into dual pitch pedicle screw (DPPS), standard pitch pedicle screw (SPPS), DPTCPS, and standard pitch titanium-coated pedicle screw (SPTCPS) groups. Specimens/sheep were instrumented with four screws and two rods. Biomechanical evaluations were performed, and histology at the implant-bone interface was investigated. RESULTS: At 0-week, mean axial pull-out strength was significantly higher for the DPTCPS and SPTCPS than the SPPS (557.0 ±â€Š25.2 vs. 459.1 ±â€Š19.1 N, t = 3.61, P < 0.05; 622.6 ±â€Š25.2 vs. 459.1 ±â€Š19.1 N, t = 3.43, P < 0.05). On toggle-testing, the DPTCPS was significantly more resistant than the SPPS and SPTCPS (343.4 ±â€Š16.5 vs. 237.5 ±â€Š12.9 N, t = 3.52, P < 0.05; 343.4 ±â€Š16.5 vs. 289.9 ±â€Š12.8 N, t = 3.12, P < 0.05; 124.7 ±â€Š13.5 vs. 41.9 ±â€Š4.3 cycles, t = 2.18, P < 0.05; 124.7 ±â€Š13.5 vs.79.5 ±â€Š11.8 cycles, t = 2.76, P < 0.05). On cyclic loading, maximum displacement was significantly lower for the DPTCPS than the SPPS and SPTCPS (1.8 ±â€Š0.13 vs. 3.76 ±â€Š0.19 mm, t = 2.29, P < 0.05; 1.8 ±â€Š0.13 vs. 2.46 ±â€Š10.20 mm, t = 2.69, P < 0.05). At post-operative 6 months, mean axial pull-out strength was significantly higher for the DPTCPS and SPTCPS than the SPPS (908.4 ±â€Š33.6 vs. 646.5 ±â€Š59.4 N, t = 3.34, P < 0.05; 925.9 ±â€Š53.9 vs. 646.5 ±â€Š59.4 N, t = 3.37, P < 0.05). On toggle-testing, the DPTCPS was significantly more resistant than the SPPS and SPTCPS (496.9 ±â€Š17.9 vs. 370.3 ±â€Š16.4 N, t = 2.86, P < 0.05; 496.9 ±â€Š17.9 vs. 414.1 ±â€Š12.8 N, t = 2.74, P < 0.05; 249.1 ±â€Š11.0 vs.149.9 ±â€Š11.1 cycles, t = 2.54, P < 0.05; 249.1 ±â€Š11.0 vs.199.8 ±â€Š7.2 cycles, t = 2.61, P < 0.05). On cyclic loading, maximum displacement was significantly lower for the DPTCPS than the SPPS and SPTCPS (0.96 ±â€Š0.11 vs. 2.39 ±â€Š0.14 mm, t = 2.57, P < 0.05; 0.96 ±â€Š0.11 vs. 1.82 ±â€Š0.12 mm, t = 2.73, P < 0.05). Resistance to toggle testing (370.3 ±â€Š16.4 vs. 414.1 ±â€Š12.8 N, t = 3.29, P < 0.05; 149.9 ±â€Š11.1 vs.199.8 ±â€Š7.2 cycles, t = 2.97, P < 0.05) was significantly lower and maximum displacement in cyclic loading (2.39 ±â€Š0.14 vs.1.82 ±â€Š0.12 mm; t = 3.06, P < 0.05) was significantly higher for the SPTCPS than the DPTCPS. Bone-to-implant contact was significantly increased for the DPTCPS compared to the SPPS (58.3% ±â€Š7.0% vs. 36.5% ±â€Š4.4%, t = 2.74, P < 0.05); there was no inflammatory reaction or degradation of coated particles. CONCLUSION: DPTCPSs might have stronger initial and early fixation in a PEEK rod semi-rigid fixation system.

Clinicopathological significance of heparanase and basic fibroblast growth factor expression in human esophageal cancer.

AIM: Human heparanase is an endo-D-glucuronidase that degrades heparan sulfate/heparin and has been implicated in a variety of biological processes. The objective was to investigate the expression of heparanase (Hps) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and their relationship to neoangiogenesis and metastasis of human esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients who had undergone esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma without preoperative treatment were included in the present study. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of Hps, bFGF and microvessel density (MVD) in 79 cases of esophageal carcinoma. bFGF and Hps were quantitatively detected with immunohistochemistry in 79 cases of human esophageal carcinoma and 19 cases of adjacent normal human esophageal carcinoma. Cd34 was used to explore the MVD as a marker of endothelial cells. RESULTS: Hps and bFGF expression in tumor tissue, being remarkably higher than that in normal esophageal tissue, were significantly correlated with clinicopathological features (depth of invasion, lymph-node metastasis and TNM stage) and MVD. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the coexpression of Hps and bFGF plays a key role in angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma. Hps and bFGF may serve as a predictor of progression in esophageal carcinoma. The expression of heparanase in esophageal carcinoma enhances growth, invasion, and angiogenesis of the tumor, and bFGF seems to be a potent antigenic factor for esophageal carcinoma.