Two new sesquiterpene polyol esters from the root barks of Celastrus angulatus.

Angulatin F (1) and angulatin I (2), two new sesquiterpene polyol esters, were isolated from the root barks of Celastrus angulatus, together with six known compounds 1β,2β-diacetoxy-4α,6α-dihydroxy-8α-isobutanoyloxy-9β-benzoyloxy-15-(α-methyl) butanoyloxy-β-dihydroagrofuran (3), angulatin A (4), angulatin B (5), celangulatin E (6), 1β,2β,15-triacetoxy-4α,6α-dihydroxy-8α-isobutanoyloxy-9β-benzoyloxy-β-dihydroagrofuran (7), and celangulin I (8). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated as 1β,2β,6α,15-tetraacetoxy-4α-hydroxy-8β,9α-difuroyloxy-β-dihydroagrofuran and 1β,2β,6α,8β,15-pentaacetoxy-4α-hydroxy-9β-furoyloxy-β-dihydroagrofuran by spectroscopic means.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans with antineurodegenerative potential from Kadsura ananosma.

Fourteen new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, ananolignans A-N (1-14), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Kadsura ananosma. The structures and absolute configurations of 1-14 were established using a combination of spectroscopic methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR and CD techniques. The biological activity of the isolated lignans was evaluated, and ananolignan F (6) and ananolignan L (12) showed significant neuroprotective effects in an in vitro assay.

Proteasome inhibition induces a p38 MAPK pathway-dependent antiapoptotic program via Nrf2 in thyroid cancer cells.

Context: Our previous data showed that reactive oxygen species generation might be ascribed to the cytotoxic response of thyroid cancer cells to proteasome inhibition and the ability of cancer cells to induce catalytic subunit for glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC) and subsequent production of glutathione, thereby scavenging reactive oxygen species was partly ascribed to the cytotoxic responses of thyroid cancer cells to proteasome inhibition. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor responsible for transcriptional activation of various cytoprotective genes including GCLC.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the involvement of Nrf2 in GCLC induction and cytotoxicity of thyroid cancer cells mediated by proteasome inhibition.

N-benzyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide promotes vascular endothelial cell angiogenesis and migration in the absence of serum and FGF-2.

Aim: To investigate the effect of N-benzyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (BPC) on angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods: Capillary-like tube formation on matrigel and cell migration analyses were performed in the absence of serum and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using a fluorescent probe, 2', 7'- dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCHF).

[Study on the cellular and humoral immunity effect of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell hepatitis B vaccine in adults].

Objective: To evaluate the cellular and humoral immunity effect of 10 µg and 20 µg recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell hepatitis B vaccine in adults by randomized double-blind controlled trials.

Method: A total of 642 adults aged 18 - 45 years old, non-vaccinated against hepatitis B, and hepatitis B five blood indicators negative were selected as the study subjects. The study subjects were randomly divided into two groups and each group had 321 subjects.

[Study on the immuno-effects and influencing factors of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell hepatitis B vaccine among adults, under different dosages].

Objective: To evaluate the immuno-effect and related influencing factors on 10 µg and 20 µg Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell hepatitis B vaccine, using the randomized double-blind controlled trials in adult population.

Methods: A total of 642 adults aged 18 - 45 years old, non-vaccinated against hepatitis B, and negative on five blood indicators for hepatitis B, were selected as the study objects from four districts in Beijing. The study objects were randomly divided into two groups, and then accepted 10 µg and 20 µg recombinant CHO hepatitis B vaccination by 0 - 1 - 6 month schedule.

Acral persistent papular mucinosis: a case report and literature review.

Acral persistent papular mucinosis is a rare subtype of localized lichen myxedematosus. It shows symmetric, asymptomatic, chronic, ivory to flesh-colored, 2-5 mm sized papules arranged on the dorsa of the hands and extensor aspects of the distal forearms. Thirty-two cases including two from China, appear to fit the proposed diagnostic criteria.

[The phenotypic characteristics of human fetal liver progenitors and clonal culture in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the phenotypic characteristics of human fetal liver cells (FLCs) and to obtain the homogenous hepatic progenitors with cloning.

Methods: Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to determine the phenotypes of the FLCs. The proliferating colonies were isolated using clone ring in different culture conditions.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 in mice with hepatic fibrosis induced by thioacetamide.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBPrP1) can activate hepatic stellate cells and increase extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro. However, the effects of IGFBPrP1 in mice with hepatic fibrosis, and the mechanisms of these effects, are currently unknown. We aim to address these issues in this study.

The hyposensitive N187D P2X7 mutant promotes malignant progression in nude mice.

Nucleotides are new players in the intercellular communication network. P2X7 is a member of the P2X family of receptors, which are ATP-gated plasma membrane ion channels with diverse biological functions. Abnormal expression and dysfunction of P2X7 have been reported in leukemias.

Effect of interrupted endogenous BMP/Smad signaling on growth and steroidogenesis of porcine granulosa cells.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a critical role in the growth and steroidogenesis of granulosa cells (GCs). BMP signals act through membrane-bound heteromeric serine/threonine kinase receptors. Upon ligand binding, BMPs activate intracellular Smad proteins and regulate growth and apoptosis in various cell types.

Implication of oxygen-regulated protein 150 (ORP150) in apoptosis induced by proteasome inhibitors in human thyroid cancer cells.

Context: The inhibition of the 26S proteasome may lead to endoplasmic reticulum stress, which has been shown to be implicated in the antitumoral effects of proteasome inhibitors. Oxygen-regulated protein 150 (ORP150) is an inducible endoplasmic reticulum chaperone that is up-regulated after numerous cellular insults and has a cytoprotective role for the maintenance of cellular viability.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the involvement of ORP150 in cytotoxicity of thyroid cancer cells mediated by proteasome inhibition.

Is dietary fat associated with the risk of colorectal cancer? A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies.

Background: The results of animal studies suggest there is a significant role for dietary fat in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, inconsistent results have been reported by epidemiological studies.

Aim Of Study: To evaluate the association between total dietary fat and risk of colorectal cancer development using a meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies.

Photoactive binary and ternary lanthanide (Eu3+, Tb3+, Nd3+) hybrids with p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derived Si-O linkages and polymers.

Through the reaction between the hydroxyl groups of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives (Calix-Br, Calix-AC) and the isocyanate group of 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanate (TEPIC), two novel kinds of functional polysilsesquioxanes linkage precursors Calix-Br-Si and Calix-AC-Si have been synthesized. Then the binary and ternary hybrid materials are assembled with chemical bonds, which are composed of lanthanide ion centres (Eu(3+), Tb(3+), Nd(3+)), precursors Calix-Br-Si or Calix-AC-Si and the organic polymers [poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVPD) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)]. The composition and physical properties of these hybrids are characterized, especially comparing the photoluminescent characters.

Chloride intracellular channel 5 modulates adipocyte accumulation in skeletal muscle by inhibiting preadipocyte differentiation.

Intramuscular fat, the total lipid deposited within skeletal muscle, has been regarded as a potential factor responsible for meat quality in animal production and insulin resistance in humans. The objective of present study was to identify candidate genes which control intramuscular fat accumulation through using animal models. PIC pigs (lean-type) and Rongchang pigs (obese-type) were used.

Effect of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves extract on blood glucose and plasma lipid levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the hypoglycemic effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves (VBTL) extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Materials And Methods: After administration of VBTL extract for 4 weeks, the body weight, organ weight, blood glucose (BG), insulin and plasma lipid levels of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were measured.

Retrospect and prospect of active principles from Chinese herbs in the treatment of dementia.

With an ageing population, dementia has become one of the world's primary health challenges. However, existing remedies offer limited benefits with certain side effects, which has prompted researchers to seek complementary and alternative therapies. China has long been known for abundant usage of various herbs.

Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma with amyloid deposition: report of two cases with review of literature.

Background And Objective: Amyloid deposition is rare. If there was a great amount of amyloid depositions in the skin tissue, it would be considered to be amyloid deposition disease at first, and then primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZL). This study was to analyze the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of two cases of PCMZL with amyloid deposition.

Suppression of MG132-mediated cell death by peroxiredoxin 1 through influence on ASK1 activation in human thyroid cancer cells.

Proteasome inhibitors represent a novel class of antitumor agents with pre-clinical and clinical evidence of activity against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. However, emerging evidence indicates that antiapoptotic factors may also accumulate as a consequence of exposure to these drugs, thus it seems plausible that the activation of survival signaling cascades might compromise their antitumoral effects. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are a family of thiol-containing peroxidases identified primarily by their ability to remove cellular hydroperoxides.

[The approaches for making acute-on-chronic liver failure in rat].

Objective: To study the approaches for making acute-on-chronic hepatic failure model in rat.

Methods: SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with 50% CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride) olive solution every three days for 6 or 10 weeks. Then they were divided into two groups randomly and injected with D-galactosamine (D-gal) at a dose of 2 g/kg, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 100 pg/kg and D-gal at a dose of 0.

[Effect of tanshinone II on hepatic fibrosis in mice].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of tanshinone II A for liver protection in hepatic fibrotic mice by observing its effects on signaling pathway of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) and TGFbeta1/Smad3.

Methods: Hepatic fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA). Thirty-six male Kunming mice were divided into five groups: the normal control group (N), the 4-week model group (A), the 4-week tanshinone II A prevented group (B), the 6-week model group (C) and the 3-week tanshinone II A treated group (D).

Characterization of BAG3 cleavage during apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.

Caspases are a conserved family of cell death proteases that cleave intracellular substrates at Asp residues to modify their function and promote apoptosis. In this report, we identify BAG3 as a novel caspases substrate. Here, we show that one of these BAG proteins, BAG3, is cleaved during apoptosis.

[Etiological analysis of enteric infectious diseases during Beijing Olympic Games].

Objective: To understand pathogen patterns of enteric infectious diseases and its impact on this pattern due to aggregation of a great deal of foreign visitors during Beijing Olympic Games.

Methods: The diarrheal patient's rectal swabs and stool specimens were collected from Olympic stadium and hospitals of four districts, including Dongcheng, Xicheng, Haidian and Chaoyang. Enteric multiple pathogens were detected from the total 45 specimens.