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Two new sesquiterpenes, named 9-methoxymyrrhone ( 1) and rel-(1 S,2 S,3 R,4 S) -1,2-epoxy-3-methoxyfuranogermacr-10(15)-en-6-one ( 2), together with nine known compounds ( 3- 11), were isolated from the resin of Commiphora opobalsamum. The structures were established by HR-ESI-MS, 1D-, and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the effects of buzhong yiqi pills on the mucin 1 (MUC1), cythochrome C oxidase (COX), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and interaction in gastric tissue of diabetic rats. It says that the diabetic rat gastric mucosa damage model was intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) and orally administered to ethanol. The results of study is discussed.

A new compound, 3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane, was isolated from Garcinia tetralata, along with five known compounds, garcinexanthone B, morolic acid acetate, toxyloxanthone A, 6,11-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethylpyrano[3,2-c]xanthen-7(2H)-one, and 1,4-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-xanthone. The structure of the new compound was established by extensive spectroscopic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since transglutaminase (TGase) have been widely used in industry, mass production of the enzyme is especially necessary. The mature TGase gene from Streptomyces fradiae was cloned into pET21a and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant TGase was formed as inclusion bodies, and its content was as high as 55% of the total protein content. The insoluble fractions were separated from cellular debris by centrifugation and solubilized with 8M urea. With an on-column refolding procedure based on cation SP Fast Flow chromatography with dual-gradient, the active TGase protein was recovered efficiently from inclusion bodies. The final purified product was 95% pure detected by SDS–PAGE. Under appropriate experimental conditions, the protein yield and specific activity of the TGase were up to 53% and 21U/mg, respectively. Furthermore, the refolded recombinant protein demonstrated nearly identical ability to polymerized BSA compared with that of native TGase. One hundred and five milligrams of refolded TGase protein was obtained from 3.2g wet weight cells in the 400ml cell culture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Frankincense (FRA), Ruxiang, is the resin of Boswellia carterii Birdw and Boswellia bhaw-dajiana Birdw which has been used for centuries as formulas to improve the circulation and to relieve pain against carbuncles. Stir-fried Frankincense (SFF) and vinegar processed Frankincense (VPF) are two major processed Frankincense, and the processing procedures reportedly enhance the curative efficacy or reduce the side effects of FRA. This paper describes the comparisons in plasma pharmacokinetic behaviors of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) in FRA and its processed products, and their effects on coagulation factors and blood clotting tetrachoric, using an acute cold blood-stasis animal model after oral administration of FRA, SFF, and VPF. Materials and methods For pharmacokinetic study, Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups, including group FRA, group SFF and group VPF. And the plasma samples were analyzed by HPLC. For study of anticoagulatory effect, SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, including control, acute cold blood-stasis model, Fu-fang-dan-shen tablet- (0.75 g/kg), FRA-, SFF-, and VPF-treated (2.7 g/kg) groups, respectively. The serum contents of thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT), D-dimer (D-D), and prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) of each group were measured by ELISA. The values of prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB) were also assessed by hematology analyzer. Results Significantly increased levels of C max , AUC, T 1/2, and MRT were found in rats treated with the processed products. In addition, decreased levels of D-D and TAT and increased contents of PGI 2 were observed in rats given FRA and its processed products, compared with that of the model group. Moreover, VPF improved anticoagulation more than SFF in the animals. Conclusions The observed improvement of anticoagulation by processed FRA may result from the increased absorption and bioavailability of triterpenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of industrial robot technology, robotics has entered the medical field, and the research and development of new robots for many medical applications have become a significant research direction in global robotics. Robots are widely used in various aspects of dentistry, such as prosthodontics, orthodontics, implants, endodontics, and oral surgery. This article mainly introduces the application of robots in stomatology from the above five aspects.

Background: In the underdeveloped multi-ethnic regions of China, high tuberculosis (TB) burden and regional inequity in access to healthcare service increase the challenge of achieving the End TB goals. Among all the provinces, the highest TB burden is reported in Xinjiang, where ethnic minorities and older people have suffered most. However, current case-finding strategy is inadequate given the complex social determinants and suboptimal case detection rates. Thus, we developed an integrated TB control program to improve case detection and conducted a pilot in Xinjiang from 2014 to 2015. In this case study, we summarized the activities and key findings. We also shared the experiences and challenges of implementing interventions and provided recommendations to inform the TB control program in the future., Case Presentation: The pilot interventions were implemented in one selected town in Yining based on local TB control programs. By applying tailor-made educational materials, outreach TB educational activities were conducted in diverse ways. In 22 Masjids, the trained imams promoted TB education to the Muslims, covering 20,440 person-times in 88 delivered preaching sessions. In seven schools, 1944 students were educated by the teachers and contributed to educating 6929 family members. In the village communities, 13,073 residents participated in household education and screening. Among them, 12,292 people aged under 65 years were investigated for suspicious pulmonary TB symptoms, where six TB patients were diagnosed out of 89 TB suspects; 781 older people were mobilized for screening directly by chest X-ray, where 10 patients were diagnosed out of 692 participants. Supportive healthcare system, multi-sectoral cooperation and multi-channel financing mechanism were the successful experiences of implementation. The interventions were proved to be more effective than the previous performance: the number of TB suspects consulting doctors and patients detected increased by 50% and 26%, respectively. The potential challenges, implications and recommendations should been taken into account for further program improvement., Conclusions: In underdeveloped multi-ethnic regions with high TB burden, improving case detection is necessary and the interventions can be feasible and effective within a supportive system. More intensive educational and training approaches, a high index of TB suspicion and prioritization of older people in screening are recommended. To sustain and scale up the program, the impacts, cost-effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of interventions warrant further research and evaluation in each specific context.

Background: Xiaochaihu Decoction (XCHD) prevents hepatocarcinogenesis in association with inhibition of oxidative stress. However, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-catecholamines (CA) interactions in gut, liver and brain may play an important role in the status of oxidative stress. This study was to assess whether XCHD attenuates the vicious circle between oxidative stress and ALP inactivation through LPS-CA interactions., Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma group (HCC) were induced by CCI4 + ethanol; HCC with Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency (HCC + LDSD) were induced by squeezing tails (30 min/day), solitary breeding and intermittent fasting on the basis of HCC; XCHD was administered after 4 weeks of the HCC + LDSD. The degree of tissue injury were studied using a scoring system, and brain weights were measured. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid (VMA, CA metabolites), lipopolysaccharide-phosphate (LPS-P), ALP activity (ALP-A) and Concanavalin A (ConA)-binding rate of ALP (ALP-C) were determined by colorimetric method and lectin (ConA) affinity precipitation method., Results: More injuries and ONOO(-), MDA, VMA, LPS-P, ALP-C were increased, ALP-A were decreased in the gut, liver and brain of HCC group, the most in HCC + LDSD group, after treatment with XCHD, all of which were improved. A positive association found between gut-liver-brain injury and ONOO(-), MDA, VMA, LPS-P, ALP-C, between ONOO(-), MDA, VMA, LPS-P and ALP-C in the gut, liver and brain, and a negative association found between gut-liver-brain injury and ALP-A, between ALP-A and ONOO(-), MDA, VMA, LPS-P, ALP-C in the gut, liver and brain., Conclusions: XCHD can attenuates the vicious circle between the oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, N-glycan deficiency and inactivation of ALP through LPS-CA interactions in gut, liver and brain.

Objective: To describe the geographical distribution regarding the prevalence rates of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in 2010, to provide reference for eliminating the regional unbalance of TB prevalence in China., Methods: Thiessen Polygon Method, dealing with spatial analysis in geographical information system, was used to analyze data from the 5th national TB epidemiological survey., Results: The prevalence rates of active pulmonary TB(PAPT), Mycobacterium-positive pulmonary TB (PMPT) and smear-positive pulmonary TB (PSPT) were 62-548/100 thousand population (OHTP),0-120/OHTP and 0-68/OHTP, which were all relatively lower in most parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong than in other areas. PAPT (549-1656/OHTP), PMPT (121-366/OHTP) and PSPT (69-181/OHTP) were relatively higher in most parts of Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Xizang, Qinghai and Xinjiang than in other areas, in which PAPT, PMPT and PSPT of some areas could be seen as high as 1657-2646/OHTP, 367-625/OHTP and 182-285/OHTP, respectively. PAPT, PMPT and PSPT manifested jigsaw pattern distribution between 320-548/OHTP adn 549-919/OHTP, among 67-120/OHTP, 121-207/OHTP and 208-366/OHTP, and among 38-68/OHTP, 69-115/OHTP and 116-181/OHTP, respectively, in the rest of the provinces or autonomous regions., Conclusion: The geographical distribution for TB prevalence significantly presented the fact that it was relatively low in the eastern parts and high in the western parts, and a jigsaw transition pattern between the low and high rates, in the central part of the country.

Four new tetrahydrofuranoid lignans, (-)-tanegool-7'-methyl ether ( 1), (+)-7'-methoxylariciresinol (2), sinolignan C (3), and epipinoresinol-4,4'-di- O- β- D-glucopyranoside (4), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of SINOPODOPHYLLUM EMODI together with one known lignan (5). Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and mass spectrometric evidence. The isolation of compounds 1- 5 represents the first report of tetrahydrofuran lignans from the genus SINOPODOPHYLLUM. The cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds were evaluated against HeLa and KB cell lines, and compound 1 showed the most potent cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 9.7 µM and 4.7 µM, respectively., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

In the title complex, [Mn(2)(C(15)H(13)N(2)O(3))(3)]ClO(4)·CH(3)OH, the two Mn(II) ions are bridged by two phenolate O atoms from two ligands, forming an Mn(2)O(2) quadrangle. Each Mn(II) ion has a distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry. One Mn(II) ion is coordinated by two N atoms and four O atoms from two ligands, and the other is coordinated by one N atom and five O atoms from three ligands. A dimer is formed by inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The dimers, perchlorate anions and methanol solvent mol-ecules are further connected into a chain along [01] through N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Aim: To investigate the effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (Decoction for Reinforcing Middle Jiao and Replenishing Qi) on deficiency of N-glycan/nitric oxide (NO) and islet damage induced by injecting two medium doses of streptozotocin (STZ)., Methods: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ at 55 mg/kg on day 1 and day 8. Islet damage was evaluated using a scoring system. Nitrite, nitrate, alpha-mannosidase and amylase activities were measured by colorimetry. N-glycan patterns of amylase were determined with lectin [ConA, pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), and lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA)] affinity precipitation method., Results: Severe islet necrosis and mild islet atrophy were observed in diabetic rats. The number and size of islets, the activities of alpha-mannosidase, amylase and nitrite were decreased, while the binding of PNA and LCA to amylase was increased. All of which were improved after treatment with Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang. Islet damage was significantly correlated with nitrite, nitrate, alpha-mannosidase, amylase and the binding of LCA, PNA, and PSA to amylase., Conclusion: STZ-induced islet damage is related to N-glycan deficiency in proteins by blocking alpha-mannosidase activity and no deficiency, accumulation of unfolded proteins, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of cellular signals, all of which are improved after treatment with Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Botrychium lanuginosum., Method: Various chromatographic techniques were used to isolate and purify the constituents. The structures were elucidated by chemical evidence and spectroscopic methods., Result: Ten compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the herb of B. lanuginosum and their structures were elucidated as 30-nor-21beta-hopan-22-one (1), beta-sitosterol (2), luteolin (3), thunberginol A (4), apigenin (5), (6'-O-palmitoyl)-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (6), daucosterol (7), 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3R, 4E, 8Z)-2-[(2R-hydroxy hexadecanoyl) amino]-4, 8-octadecadiene-1, 3-diol (8), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (9), sucrose (10)., Conclusion: Compounds 1-10 were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the barks of Garcinia tetralata., Method: Compounds were isolated and purified repeatedly by silica gel and ODS column chromatography and their chemical structures were elucidated by their physicochemical properties and spectral data analysis., Result: Ten compounds were obtained and identified as 1, 7-dihydroxyxanthone (1), buchanaxanthone (2), garciniaxanthone H (3), 1, 2, 5-trihydroxyxanthone (4), subelliptenone H (5), 6-desoxyjacareubin (6), 6-deoxyisojacreubin (7), subelliptenone G (8), methyl orsellinate (9) and beta-sitosterol (10)., Conclusion: Compounds 1-10 were isolated from this plant and compound 9 was obtained from the genus Garcinia for the first time.

Along with the development of modern medicinal manufacture and pharmaceutical analysis technology, the precious Chinese patent medicine is also growing quickly. However, after the investigation of the dosage-forms and relative government standards, we find that the precious Chinese patent medicine needs more variety in administration and more precise and full-scale analysis standards based on the chemical materials because of the contradiction between the "global thoughts" logic in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and the "local study" of modern pharmaceutical analysis technology. Currently rising theories, metabonomics and coordination chemistry of TCM, with the superiority of entirety, can not only fulfill the requirement for " local study" but also accord with the "global thoughts" logic in TCM theory. They will be the reasonable guide for the development of the precious Chinese patent medicine.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis method was established to improve quality assessment standards for Rhizoma Polygoni Bistortae (Polygonum bistorta L.) and differentiate commercial bistorta rhizome from closely related herbs by TLC and HPLC-DAD fingerprinting. Three compounds including phenolic acid and flavane were identified by comparison with standard compounds and quantified simultaneously by HPLC-DAD simultaneously. A comprehensive validation of the method that included sensitivity, linearity, repeatability and recovery was conducted. Paris polyphylla SM., a herb often mixed with Polygonum bistorta L. in China due to their same popular name "Caoheche" in history, was successfully distinguished by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprinting of the petroleum-soluble fraction. Polygonum paleaceum WALL., another herb often mixed with Polygonum bistorta L. due to their similar external appearances, was distinguished by HPLC fingerprinting.

A series of mutants of transglutaminase (TGase) gene from Streptomyces fradiae strains were obtained by low energy N+ ion beam irradiation, and the irradiation dose response curve was also investigated. Both the wild type and the mutants of TGase were compared by PCR-SSCP, and specific fragments were sequenced. Then the types of TGase gene mutation induced by N+ were characterized. The results show that the types of DNA base mutation included the transition, the transversion and the deletion. In all of the 24 bases of mutants, the base replacement occupies about 87.5% of the total mutants with only a small portion of gene deletion (12.5%). Interestingly, the frequency of the base transition (58.3%) is obviously higher than that of the base transversion (29.2%) among the base replacements. The base substitutions induced by N+ ion beam irradiation are C-->T transition, A-->G transition, G-->T transversion, C-->G transversion. Furthermore, mutations can be induced in all of the four DNA bases by low energy N+ ion beam irradiation, and cytosine shows the highest frequency of mutation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of K2O addition on the crystallization property of dental glass-ceramics in the Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-ZnO system., Methods: Different content of K2O was added into Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-ZnO glass system. The heat-treated system of the glass-ceramics was determined by differential thermal analyses (DTA), then the crystallization components and the microstmcture of the glass-ceramics with different content of K2O were investigated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)., Results: Addition of K2O helped to reduce the viscosity of the glass system and improved crystallization. More lithium disilicate crystals appeared after heated-treatment of the glass system which contained 5.3 wt% addition of K2O, and the homogeneously lath-shaped crystals were 4 gm in length., Conclusion: Certain content of K2O can improve the crystallization property of dental glass-ceramics in the Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-ZnO system.