An open-labeled, randomized, multicenter phase IIa study of gambogic acid injection for advanced malignant tumors.

Background: Gambogic acid is a pure active compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant gamboge (Garcinia morella Desv.). Based on the preliminary results of a phase I study, this phase IIa study compared the efficacy and safety of different dosage schedules of gambogic acid in patients with advanced malignant tumors.

Zinc protects against diabetes-induced pathogenic changes in the aorta: roles of metallothionein and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of the mortality world-wide, which is related to several risks, including the life style change and the increased diabetes prevalence. The present study was to explore the preventive effect of zinc on the pathogenic changes in the aorta.

Methods: A genetic type 1 diabetic OVE26 mouse model was used with/without zinc supplementation for 3 months.

Dye-sensitization-induced visible-light reduction of graphene oxide for the enhanced TiO2 photocatalytic performance.

The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) with a large-scale production has been demonstrated to be one of the key steps for the preparation of graphene-based composite materials with various potential applications. Therefore, it is highly required to develop a facile, green, and environmentally friendly route for the effective reduction of GO. In this study, a new and effective reduced method of GO nanosheets, based on the dye-sensitization-induced visible-light reduction mechanism, was developed to prepare reduced GO (rGO) and graphene-based TiO2 composite in the absence of any additional reducing agents.

Lifespan extension by n-butanol extract from seed of Platycladus orientalis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aim Of The Study: As a traditional Chinese medicine, seed of Platycladus orientalis(Linnaeus) Franco has been extensively used as a tonic and sedative remedy. The present study was conducted to investigate whether lifespan was extended and the mechanisms of n-butanol extract from seed of Platycladus orientalis (BSPO) in Caenorhabditis elegans. The findings could provide the pharmacological basis for a treatment in traditional medicine.

Protective effect of FGF21 on type 1 diabetes-induced testicular apoptotic cell death probably via both mitochondrial- and endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent pathways in the mouse model.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a novel member identified and was reported to express predominantly in pancreas, liver and adipose tissue, and relatively less in other organs, such as the testis. However, the role of FGF21 in the testis has never been addressed. The present study examined FGF21 expression at mRNA level by real-time RT-PCR assay in the testis of fasting and non-fasting mice or mice with type 1 diabetes that was induced with streptozotocin.

[Clinical efficacy evaluation of shuangshen tongguan capsule on acute myocardial infarction patients after direct percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shuangshen Tongguan Capsule (STC) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after direct percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Using a randomized controlled method, AMI patients with elevated ST segment after successful direct PCI were randomly assigned to the control group (62 cases) and the treatment group (67 cases). On the basis of the standard Western medical treatment, patients in the treatment group took STC, while those in the control group took STC placebos, 4 pills each time, three times daily.

High-voltage aqueous battery approaching 3 V using an acidic-alkaline double electrolyte.

Based on an acidic-alkaline double electrolyte, we designed and fabricated a novel Zn/KMnO(4) aqueous cell with a high operating voltage of 2.8 V. The theoretical energy density of this aqueous cell is even compatible with organic electrolyte-based lithium batteries.

Cardiac autonomic nerve distribution and arrhythmia.

Objective: To analyze the distribution characteristics of cardiac autonomic nerves and to explore the correlation between cardiac autonomic nerve distribution and arrhythmia.

Data Retrieval: A computer-based retrieval was performed for papers examining the distribution of cardiac autonomic nerves, using heart, autonomic nerve, sympathetic nerve, vagus nerve, nerve distribution, rhythm and atrial fibrillation as the key words.

Selection Criteria: A total of 165 studies examining the distribution of cardiac autonomic nerve were screened, and 46 of them were eventually included.

Cytosolic, autocrine alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) inhibits caspase-1 and blocks IL-1β dependent cytokine release in monocytes.

Rationale: Activation state-dependent secretion of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) by monocytes and macrophages was first reported in 1985. Since then, monocytes and tissue macrophages have emerged as key sentinels of infection and tissue damage via activation of self-assembling pattern recognition receptors (inflammasomes), which trigger inflammation and cell death in a caspase-1 dependent process. These studies examine the relationship between A1PI expression in primary monocytes and monocytic cell lines, and inflammatory cytokine expression in response to inflammasome directed stimuli.

Epitope mapping by random peptide phage display reveals essential residues for vaccinia extracellular enveloped virion spread.

Background: A33 is a type II integral membrane protein expressed on the extracellular enveloped form of vaccinia virus (VACV). Passive transfer of A33-directed monoclonal antibodies or vaccination with an A33 subunit vaccine confers protection against lethal poxvirus challenge in animal models. Homologs of A33 are highly conserved among members of the Orthopoxvirus genus and are potential candidates for inclusion in vaccines or assays targeting extracellular enveloped virus activity.

Enhanced mobility of fullerene (C60) nanoparticles in the presence of stabilizing agents.

Experimental and mathematical modeling studies were performed to examine the effects of stabilizing agents on the transport and retention of fullerene nanoparticles (nC(60)) in water-saturated quartz sand. Three stabilizing systems were considered: naturally occurring compounds known to stabilize nanoparticles (Suwannee river humic acid (SRHA) and fulvic acid (SRFA)), synthetic additives used to enhance nanoparticle stability (Tween 80, a nonionic surfactant), and residual contaminants resulting from the manufacturing process (tetrahydrofuran (THF)). The results of column experiments demonstrated that the presence of THF, at concentrations up to 44.

[Clinical manifestation and prognosis of the surgical treatment of esophageal carcinosarcoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of esophageal carcinosarcoma.

Methods: The clinical data of patients treated by surgery and pathologically diagnosed as esophageal carcinosarcoma between January 1967 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 28 male and 4 female patients aged from 39 to 76 years with a median age of 58 years.

Antidiabetic activities of oligosaccharides of Ophiopogonis japonicus in experimental type 2 diabetic rats.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the antidiabetic properties of oligosaccharides of Ophiopogonis japonicus (OOJ) in experimental type 2 diabetic rats. OOJ was administered orally in doses of 225 and 450 mg/kg body weight to high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats for 3 weeks. The results showed that OOJ treatment could increase body weight, decrease organ related weights of liver and kidney, reduce fasting blood glucose level, and improve oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats.

[Comparison of the results of lymph node dissection via left versus right thoracotomy].

Objective: Up to now surgical treatment has been still the most effective treatment for esophageal cancer. However, postoperative lymph node recurrence is still a frequent event and affects long term survival considerably. The aim of this study is to compare the results of lymph node dissection via left vs.

Transport behavior of functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes in water-saturated quartz sand as a function of tube length.

A series of one-dimensional column experiments was conducted to examine the effects of tube length on the transport and deposition of 4-ethoxybenzoic acid functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in water-saturated porous media. Aqueous MWCNTs suspensions were prepared to yield three distributions of tube lengths; 0.02-1.

Dual effects of silibinin treatment on autophagy-regulated dermal apoptosis retardation and epidermal apoptosis up-regulation in UVB-induced skin inflammation.

Skin inflammation induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is characterized by migration and chemotaxis of inflammatory cells, epidermic thickening and erythema. Apoptosis and autophagy of epidermal and dermal cells are involved in its development through the adjustment of balance between cell survival and death. In this study, the role of balance between cell survival and apoptosis in dermis and epidermis in UVB-induced skin inflammation and the effect of autophagy on the balance were elucidated, and the protective mechanism of silibinin was investigated through the examination of the influence of autophagy activation or inhibition on erythema, migration, and chemotaxis of inflammatory cells as well as apoptosis adjustments.

XRCC1-77T>C polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta- analysis.

Variants of X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) are involved in the development of cancer, but studies investigating the association of XRCC1-77T>C polymorphism with cancer risk have reported conflicting results. To clarify the effect of the XRCC1 -77T>C polymorphism on cancer risk, we performed a meta-analysis by conducting searches of the published literature in PubMed, Embase and CBM databases. Finally, 13 studies were included into our meta-analysis, involving a total of 11, 678 individuals.

[Role of conventional pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk thoracic cancer patients].

Objective: To evaluate and compare the value of cardiopulmonary exercise test and conventional pulmonary function tests in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk patients with chest malignant tumors.

Methods: From January 2006 to January 2009, 216 consecutive patients with thoracic malignant tumors underwent conventional pulmonary function tests (PFT, spirometry + DLCOsb for diffusion capacity) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) preoperatively. The correlation of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications with the parameters of PFT and CPET were retrospectively analyzed using Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and logistic regression analysis.

Pyrrole aminoimidazole alkaloid metabiosynthesis with marine sponges Agelas conifera and Stylissa caribica.

Game-SET-match: Pyrrole aminoimidazole alkaloids (PAIs) are metabiosynthesized from chlorinated analogues of oroidin by cell-free enzyme preparations from PAI-producing sponges. Evidence and implications for the biosynthesis of PAIs include putative single-electron transfers (SETs) that promote C-C bond-forming reactions of precursors.

De novo synthesis of benzosceptrin C and nagelamide H from 7-15N-oroidin: implications for pyrrole-aminoimidazole alkaloid biosynthesis.

De novo synthesis of the natural products benzosceptrin C (7) and nagelamide H (8) was achieved using cell-free enzyme preparations from the marine sponges Agelas sceptrum and Stylissa caribica employing synthetic 7-(15)N-oroidin. These studies provide direct experimental evidence to support the long-standing, but untested, hypothesis that oroidin is a precursor to more complex pyrrole-aminoimidazole alkaloids, such as the sceptrins, benzosceptrins, and nagelamides. In addition, a new nagelamide, didebromonagelamide A (5b), was isolated from S.

Passively mode-locked Yb3+:Sc2SiO5 laser with reflection-type single-walled carbon nanotube absorber.

A reflection-type single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber fabricated by a vertical evaporation method was to our knowledge first used in a passively mode-locked Yb(3+):Sc(2)SiO(5)(Yb:SSO) laser. The laser operated at a repetition frequency of 94 MHz with a central wavelength of 1062.6 nm.

[Analyze and compare activities of polysaccharide form rhizoma chuanxiong and radix paeoniae rubra].

Objective: To explore the difference of biological activities between two Chinese Herbs polysaccharides.

Methods: Extracted two kinds of Chinese Herbs Polysaccharides by hot water, and determined the content of Polysaccharides. Determined the antibacterial activity with turbidimetry.

[Percutaneous permeability study for patches Shangshi Zhitong on different kinds of bases].

Objective: To study the percutaneous permeability of patches Shangshi Zhitong on different kinds of bases with the permeation percentage of brucine, strychnine and atropine.

Method: Using modified Franz difusion to investigate the penetration quantity of brucine, strychnine and atropine. The contents of brucine, strychnine and atropine were determined by HPLC.