Loss of glomerular aldolase B in diabetic nephropathy promotes renal fibrosis via activating Akt/GSK/β-catenin axis.

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), characterized by a complex and multifaceted pathogenesis, stands as the foremost catalyst behind end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aims to analyze the level and non-metabolic role of glomerular aldolase B (ALDOB) in DN progression.

Methods: Glomerular proteomics and transcriptome are analyzed from 50 DN patients and 25 controls, respectively.

Enhanced Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity of Total Alkaloids from Picrasma Quassioides in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats by a Targeted Drug Delivery System.

New drug delivery systems have rarely been used in the formulation of traditional Chinese medicine, especially those that are crude active Chinese medicinal ingredients. In the present study, hyaluronic acid decorated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles were used to prepare a targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) for total alkaloid extract from Picrasma quassioides (TAPQ) to improve its targeting property and anti-inflammatory activity. Picrasma quassioides, a common-used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), containing a series of hydrophobic total alkaloids including β-carboline and canthin-6-one alkaloids show great anti-inflammatory activity.

[Substitution mode of rare and endangered Chinese medicinal materials and research strategy of multi-component replacement].

Rare and endangered Chinese medicinal materials are the material basis for innovation and development of Chinese medicinal materials and their curative effects are remarkable. However, the resources are in shortage due to various man-made or natural factors such as rising demand, overexploitation and environmental degradation. Therefore, finding alternatives is a feasible and effective solution.

Toll-Like Receptors Regulate the Development and Progression of Renal Diseases.

Background: Stimulated by both microbial and endogenous ligands, toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the development and progression of renal diseases.

Summary: As a highly conserved large family, TLRs have 11 members in humans (TLR1∼TLR11) and 13 members in mouse (TLR1∼TLR13). It has been widely reported that TLR2 and TLR4 signaling, activated by both exogenous and endogenous ligands, promote disease progression in both renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and diabetic nephropathy.

Specific-oxygen-supply functionalized core-shell nanoparticles for smart mutual-promotion between photodynamic therapy and gambogic acid-induced chemotherapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy of cancer both meet respective challenges. Tumor hypoxia, low penetration and high glutathione (GSH) level bear the brunt. Herein, a core-shell nanoparticle, with multi-function of hypoxia-responsiveness, specific oxygen supply and deep tumor penetration, was constructed for smart mutual-promotion between the both to overcome the respective restrictions.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of wound healing activity for β-sitosterols derivatives as potent Na/K-ATPase inhibitors.

β-Sitosterols, is a common steroid that can be identified in a variety of plants and their efficacy in promoting wound healing has been demonstrated. Na/K-ATPase, more than a pump, its signal transduction function for involvement in cell growth regulation attracts widespread concern. The Na/K-ATPase/Src receptor complex can serve as a receptor involved in multiple signaling pathways including promoting wound healing pathways.

Metabolic profiling reveals that salidroside antagonizes hypoxic injury via modulating energy and lipid metabolism in cardiomyocytes.

Hypoxia induces cardiomyocytes injury, which further triggers the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. There is a paucity of specific treatment options available with proven efficacy. Chinese patented pharmaceutical product Salidroside (Sal) has potent efficacy on treating hypoxic injury.

Metabolic profiling deciphering the potential targets of Yi-Gan San against vascular dementia in rat.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is widely recognized as the second most common type of dementia, yet effective treatments are still lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine Yi-Gan San (YGS) has potent efficacy on treating VaD in clinical practice. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear.

A stage-specific cancer chemotherapy strategy through flexible combination of reduction-activated charge-conversional core-shell nanoparticles.

Precision medicine has increased the demand for stage-specific cancer chemotherapy. Drugs with different properties are needed for different stages of tumor development, which is, inducing rapid destruction in the early stage and facilitating deep penetration in the advanced stage. Herein, we report a novel reduction-activated charge-conversional core-shell nanoparticle (CS NP) formula based on ring-closing metathesis of the thiamine disulfide system (TDS) to deliver the chemotherapeutic agent-gambogic acid (GA).

Mitochondrial membrane anchored photosensitive nano-device for lipid hydroperoxides burst and inducing ferroptosis to surmount therapy-resistant cancer.

: Ferroptosis is a regulated process of cell death caused by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides (LPO). It is sensitive to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) cells, a well-known therapy-resistant state of cancer. Previous studies on nanomaterials did not investigate the immense value of ferroptosis therapy (FT) in epithelial cell carcinoma during EMT.

Design, synthesis and antitumour and anti-angiogenesis evaluation of 22 moscatilin derivatives.

Two series of moscatilin derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis agents. Most of these compounds showed moderate-to-obvious cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, MDA-MB-231, MKN-45, HCT116). Among these cell lines, compounds had obvious effects on HCT116.

High-Yielding Automated Convergent Synthesis of No-Carrier-Added [C-]-Labeled Amino Acids Using the Strecker Reaction.

A new variant of the Strecker synthesis using no-carrier-added [C]cyanide for the synthesis of radiolabeled amino acids is described. The protocol is fully automated using a radiochemistry synthesis module and applied to the production of a number of new PET radiotracers. [C-]sarcosine, [C-]methionine, [C-]--phenylglycine, and [C-]glycine are all synthesized in moderate to good radiochemical yields.

The Fab Fragment of a Human Anti-Siglec-9 Monoclonal Antibody Suppresses LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Macrophages.

Sepsis is a major cause of death for hospitalized patients and is characterized by massive overreaction of immune responses to invading pathogens which is mediated by cytokines. For decades, there has been no effective treatment for sepsis. Sialic acid-binding, Ig-like lectin-9 (Siglec-9), is an immunomodulatory receptor expressed primarily on hematopoietic cells which is involved in various aspects of inflammatory responses and is a potential target for treatment of sepsis.

Physiological Correlation of Airway Pressure and Transpulmonary Pressure Stress Index on Respiratory Mechanics in Acute Respiratory Failure.

Background: Stress index at post-recruitment maneuvers could be a method of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. However, airway pressure (Paw) stress index may not reflect lung mechanics in the patients with high chest wall elastance. This study was to evaluate the Pawstress index on lung mechanics and the correlation between Pawstress index and transpulmonary pressure (PL) stress index in acute respiratory failure (ARF) patients.

[Studies of pattern recognition of fingerprint profile of cattle bile powder and determination of multi-component in it].

An HPLC-ELSD method with good specificity and good accuracy was used for the studies of fingerprint and quantification of multi-components for cattle bile powder. The chromatographic analysis was carried out on a Phenomenex Gemini C₁₈ column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with a column temperature of 40 ℃ and a liquid flow-rate of 1.

[Determination of the content of the main components of flavonoids compounds in raw malt, torrefied malt and ustulate malt].

Objective: To determine the content of Catechin, Myricetin, Quercetin and Kaempferol in barley grain, raw malt, torrefied malt and ustulate malt based on different barley cultivars.

Methods: HPLC method was used. Analysis was performed on Agilent ZORBAXSB-C18 (150 mm x 4.

Luteolin inhibits lysophosphatidylcholine-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells by a calcium/mitocondrion/caspases-dependent pathway.

Luteolin, a naturally occurring polyphenol flavonoid, has demonstrated some beneficial modulation toward the endothelium. This study aims to investigate the effects of luteolin on lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced apoptosis, a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in endothelial cells. Luteolin reduced not only LPC-induced cell death but also lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage.

[Pharmacognostical study on Fructus Hordei germinatus, Fructus Oryzae germinatus and Fructus Setariae germinatus].

Objective: To establish the standard for quality control of Fructus Hordei germinatus, Fructus Oryzae germinatus and Fructus Setariae germinatus.

Methods: The digital microscope and infrared spectroscopy were used in the pharmacognostical study.

Results: Distinguished differences were found on morphological and microscopical features of these three crude drugs.

In vitro and in vivo study of CJY, an isoflavone, on p-glycoprotein function in rats.

The p-glycoprotein is a transmembrane efflux transporter found on the luminal side of the capillary endothelial cells that comprise the blood-brain barrier. This study examined the effect of CJY, an isoflavone, on the levels of a p-glycoprotein substrate, rhodamine123 (Rh123), in rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (RBMEC) and in rat brain homogenate using fluorescence spectrophotometer and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. In the in vitro study, incubation of RBMEC cells with CJY caused a marked increase in uptake and a notable decrease in efflux of Rh123.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Phlomis younghusbandii].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Phlomis younghusbandii.

Methods: Compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract by silica gel column chromatography, and their structures were identified by physical and chemical evidences and spectral methods.

Results: Eight compounds were isolated and identified respectively as 8-acetylshanzhiside methyl ester (1), shanzhiside methyl ester (2), phlomiol (3), 2-butoxy-2-(hydroxymthyl) tetrahydro-2H-3,4,5-pyrantriol (4), sesamoside (5), pulchelloside-I (6), luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7) and daucosterol (8).

Kaempferol and quercetin isolated from Euonymus alatus improve glucose uptake of 3T3-L1 cells without adipogenesis activity.

Euonymus alatus as a folk medicine in China has been clinically used to treat type 2 diabetes for many years, and also exerts beneficial effects on hyperglycemia of diabetic animals. Our previous studies have isolated kaempferol and quercetin from the extract of E. alatus.

[HPLC fingerprint of Phlomis younghusbandii].

Objective: To establish the characteristic fingerpint from Phlomis younghustbandii.

Methods: The different collecting time and county samples of Phlomis younghusbandii were determined by HPLC.

Results: The HPLC-FPC of Phlomis younghusbandii was set up by establishing 14 common peaks.

Cloning and characterization of a bacterial iterative type I polyketide synthase gene encoding the 6-methylsalicyclic acid synthase.

Unusual polyketide synthases (PKSs), that are structurally type I but act in an iterative manner for aromatic polyketide biosynthesis, are a new family found in bacteria. Here we report the cloning of the iterative type I PKS gene chlB1 from the chlorothricin (CHL) producer Streptomyces antibioticus DSM 40725 by a rapid PCR approach, and characterization of the function of the gene product as a 6-methylsalicyclic acid synthase (6-MSAS). Sequence analysis of various iterative type I PKSs suggests that the resulting aromatic or aliphatic structure of the products might be intrinsically determined by a catalytic feature of the paired KR-DH domains in the control of the double bond geometry.

[Sequences of 5S-rRNA gene spacer region and comparison of alkaloid content in Fritillaria thunbergii from different habitats].

Objective: To study the genetic basis of the formation of indigenous Chinese medicine materials.

Methods: The 5S-rRNA gene spacer regions in F. thunbergii from different habitats were amplified with AS and AS-1 as primers, and then sequenced.