Baseline Hepatitis B Virus Titer Predicts Initial Postpartum Hepatic Flare: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background And Goals: A series of changes in the immune system occur during pregnancy and puerperium. Currently, we aim to characterize both the natural changes in liver inflammation and its association with hepatitis B viremia during this special period.

Patients And Methods: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) gravidas were recruited and followed up to 52 weeks postpartum.

Total Synthesis and Stereochemical Assignment of Delavatine A: Rh-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Indene-Type Tetrasubstituted Olefins and Kinetic Resolution through Pd-Catalyzed Triflamide-Directed C-H Olefination.

Delavatine A (1) is a structurally unusual isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Incarvillea delavayi. The first and gram-scale total synthesis of 1 was accomplished in 13 steps (the longest linear sequence) from commercially available starting materials. We exploited an isoquinoline construction strategy and developed two reactions, namely Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of indene-type tetrasubstituted olefins and kinetic resolution of β-alkyl phenylethylamine derivatives through Pd-catalyzed triflamide-directed C-H olefination.

MicroRNA-induced negative regulation of TLR-5 in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in numerous biological processes. However, the role of miRNAs in antibacterial defence in fish has not been fully determined. Here, we identified that nine miRNAs are differentially expressed in kidney between susceptible and resistant grass carp strains.

Synthesis, cytotoxicity and inhibition of NO production of ivangustin enantiomer analogues.

The eight novel ivangustin enantiomer analogues possessing α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone moiety have been synthesized using (4S6R, 4S6S)-4-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-6-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (1) as starting material. These transformations were mainly carried out by aldol condensation reaction and one-pot annelation procedure. The stereochemistry of these synthesized analogues was determined by NOE analysis.

Synthesis and effects of new caffeic acid derivatives on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.

In this study, 20 new derivatives of caffeic acid esters were synthesized and their inhibitory activities against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages were determined. Compounds 3l, 3r, 3s and 3t were found to decrease nitrite levels in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-induced cells and showed potent inhibitory activities against the NO production in RAW264.

γ-Hydroxynitrile glucosides from the seeds of Prinsepia utilis.

γ-Hydroxynitrile glucosides (prinsepicyanosides A-E) were isolated alongside 11 known compounds from seeds of Prinsepia utilis Royle. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. The relative configuration of prinsepicyanoside C was established by Cu-Kα X-ray crystallography.

Determination of reference microRNAs for relative quantification in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Relative quantification is the strategy of choice for processing real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data in microRNA (miRNA) expression studies. Normalization of relative quantification data is performed by comparison to reference genes. In teleost species, such as grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), the determination of reference miRNAs and the optimal numbers of these that should be used has not been widely studied.

Proteomic analysis of the effect of diclazuril on second-generation merozoites of Eimeria tenella.

Diclazuril has long been used as an effective benzeneacetonitrile anticoccidial for the control of Eimeria tenella that causes coccidiosis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anticoccidial effects of diclazuril remains elusive. In this study, a proteomic analysis of the effect of diclazuril on second-generation merozoites of E.

Characterization of MMP-9 gene from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): an Aeromonas hydrophila-inducible factor in grass carp immune system.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) belongs to a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases and is associated with vital inflammatory processes. Here, we isolated and characterized MMP-9 cDNA from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) (designated as CiMMP-9). The cDNA was 2880 bp long and encoded a putative protein of 675 amino acids, with a predicted molecular mass of 75.

[Genetic variation analysis of wild populations of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) using microsatellite markers].

Twelve microsatellites were used to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic structure of eight wild populations of grass carp, among which six populations from Yangtze River (Hanjiang, Wujian, Jiujiang, Shishou, Mudong, and Wanzhou), one population from Pearl River and Heilongjiang River for each, Zhaoqing, and Nenjiang, respectively. Twelve markers showed highly polymorphic and all the eight populations contained high genetic variations. The variations of six populations of Yangtze River and Zhaoqing population of Pearl River were higher than Nenjiang population of Heilongjiang River.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (CiMMP2) is involved in the immune response against bacterial infection.

The gene encoding matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was cloned from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and its expression levels during Aeromonas hydrophila infection and embryonic development stages were evaluated. The complete open reading frame of CiMMP2 was 1974 bp in length, encoding a 658-amino acid polypeptide. The deduced MMP2 protein contained four conserved domain structures, including an N-terminal signal sequence, a propeptide domain, three repeats of fibronectin-type II domain inserted in the catalytic domain and a C-terminal hemopexin-like domain.

Argutalactone, an unprecedented sesquiterpenoid lactone with a 6/5/7 tricyclic system from Incarvillea arguta.

Argutalactone (1), a novel sesquiterpenoid lactone featuring an unprecedented 6/5/7 rigid skeleton, was isolated from the roots of Incarvillea arguta. The structure and relative configuration of 1 were established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined as 2R,5S,10R,12S based on the analysis of biogenetical transformation, comparison of the optical rotation with literature data, and comparison of the experimental circular dichroism spectrum with the calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression patterns of HSP60 in the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

HSP60 is a highly immunogenic molecule, which is able to activate a large number of T cell types and is implicated in a variety of autoimmune diseases. The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), a freshwater fish species of the family Cyprinidae, accounts for the third biggest value (USD 4.8 billion) at single species level of major cultured fish species in the world.

Two new monoterpene alkaloid derivatives from the roots of Incarvillea arguta.

Two new monoterpene alkaloid derivatives, incargutosines C (1) and D (2), together with a known compound, argutine A (3) have been isolated from the roots of Incarvillea arguta Royle. The structures of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, while the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by a synthetic method. In addition, the cytotoxicity of 3 was evaluated using four tumor cell lines, A549, LOVO, 6TCEM, and MDA-MB-435 (MDA) by the MTT assay.

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor 121 adenovirus transduction in rabbit model of femur head necrosis.

Background: Our objective was to observe the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 121 gene transfer in promoting vascular reconstruction and bone repair in femur head necrosis of rabbits.

Methods: The femoral head necrosis model was induced by injection with ethanol. The necrotic femoral head was transfected with a human adenoviral vector expressing VEGF (Ad-hVEGF121).

Neojaponicone A, a bioactive sesquiterpene lactone dimer with an unprecedented carbon skeleton from Inula japonica.

Five new dimeric sesquiterpene lactones, neojaponicone A (1) and japonicones M-P (2-5) were isolated from the aerial part of Inula japonica. Neojaponicone A (1) has an unprecedented carbon skeleton with an unusual valerolactone system formed between a guaianolide and an eudesmane. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data and computational approaches.

Four new sesquiterpenoids from the roots of Incarvillea arguta and their inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production.

Four new sesquiterpenoids, argutosines A-D (1-4), together with two known ones (5, 6), were isolated from the roots of Incarvillea arguta. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis. All the sesquiterpenoids were tested for inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.

[Expression and its significance of connective tissue growth factor in articular cartilage during repair after full-thickness cartilage injury in young rabbit model].

Aim: To approach the expression and its significance of connection tissue growth factor in articular cartilage during repair after full-thickness cartilage injury in young rabbit model.

Methods: Young rabbit model of spontaneous healing of full-thickness cartilage defect in the medial femoral knee condyle was reproduced in present study. A total of twenty-five young New Zealand white rabbit were randomly divided into five groups: control group, 24 hour group, 1 week group, 4 week group and 8 week group after full-thickness cartilage injury (5 each).

Blumeaenes A-J, sesquiterpenoid esters from Blumea balsamifera with NO inhibitory activity.

Chemical examination of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Blumea balsamifera led to the isolation of ten new sesquiterpenoid esters, blumeaenes A-J (1- 10), with 13 known flavonoids. Their structures were determined mainly by use of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. All sesquiterpenoid esters were tested for their inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.

A new ent-kaurane type diterpenoid glycoside from Inula japonica Thunb.

A new ent-kaurane type diterpenoid glycoside, 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-16alpha-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (1), together with 17-hydroxy-16alpha-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (2), 16alpha,17-dihydroxyl-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (3), and 16alpha-hydroxy-17-acetoxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula japonica Thunb. The structure of 1 was determined mainly by use of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques including HSQC, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY. In addition, 4 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.

Japonicones E-L, dimeric sesquiterpene lactones from Inula japonica Thunb.

Eight new dimeric sesquiterpene lactones (japonicones E-L, 1- 8), including a novel sesquiterpene dimer bearing a rare hydroperoxide group (japonicone E, 1), were isolated from the aerial part of Inula japonica Thunb. Their structures were determined mainly by the use of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques including HSQC, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY. All the isolates were tested for inhibitory effects against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.