[Mechanism of nerve growth factor promotes angiogenesis and skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in a mouse hindlimb ischemic model]

Objective: To explore the mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in ischemic limbs during therapeutic angiogenesis. Methods: Eighteen female mice with SPF grade, 6 weeks old and 25-30 g weighed were randomly allocated to sham-operated group (n=6), blank control group (n=6) and NGF gene transfection group (n=6). The left hindlimb ischemia models were established by ligating the femoral artery in blank control group and NGF gene transfection group. Seven days after the operation, mice in the three groups were separately injected with normal saline, empty plasmids, and NGF plasmids. Gastrocnemius of left hindlimbs was harvested after the blood perfusion assessment of the ischemic limb on the 21st postoperative day. The gastrocnemius muscle specimens were stained with HE, CD31 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry staining, the mRNA expressions of myosin heavy chain-Ⅰ(MHC-Ⅰ), MHC-Ⅱa and MHC-Ⅱb were measured by real-time PCR, and the protein level of NGF and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-β/δ (PPAR β/δ) were detected by Western blot. The expression of cytochrome C oxidase (COX), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: On the 21st day after operation, the blood perfusion of the ischemic limb in NGF gene transfection group was (195.70±9.99)PU, which was lower than that in sham-operated group (312.15±17.32)PU (P=0.001), while it was higher than that in blank control group (82.11±8.55)PU (P=0.001). The degree of muscle atrophy in the NGF gene transfection group was lower than that in the blank control group. The capillary density of NGF gene transfection group (0.34±0.05) was higher than that of sham-operated group (0.11±0.03) and blank control group (0.27±0.04) (P<0.05). The endothelial cell proliferation index in NGF gene transfection group (0.39±0.19) was significantly higher than that in sham-operated group (0.18±0.01) and blank control group (0.25±0.14) (P<0.05). The expression of NGF, PPAR β/δ, COX, IDH, ATP, and MHC-Ⅰ mRNA in NGF gene transfection group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group and blank control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: NGF gene transfection can promote angiogenesis in the ischemic limbs of mice, increase the blood perfusion, and thus induce the remodeling of skeletal muscle fibers to type Ⅰ. This process may be related to NGF-induced PPAR β/δ expression and promote the cellular aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of the lipid extract from Mantidis ootheca on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The aim of this study is to assess the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of the lipid extract from Mantidis ootheca against the gentamycin resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The chemical composition of the lipid extract and its relative proportion were determined using the technique of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial susceptibility tests were performed using a disc diffusion assay and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was determined by way of the agar dilution method. The anti-biofilm test was carried out with crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There were 16 compounds detected, and the most abundant components were sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenes, and trace aromatic compounds. The MIC for P. aeruginosa was 4 mg/ml and the eradication effect on preformed biofilms was established and compared with a ciprofloxacin control. The results of our study indicated that a lipid extract from M. ootheca could be used as a topical and antibacterial agent with anti-biofilm activity in the future.

[Efficacy and safety analysis of surgical bypass and endovascular management in the treatment of 116 Takayasu arteritis]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy and safety of surgery and endovascular management in treating Takayasu arteritis.

METHODS

The data of 116 patients (24 males and 92 females; mean age (32±12) years) with Takayasu arteritis and underwent surgery or endovascular therapy was retrospective analyzed. According to the two different surgical procedures, the patients were divided into two groups: open repair group and endovascular repair group. One hundred and fifty-four surgical procedures were done including 69 cases of open repair and 85 cases of endovascular repair. A total of 211 arterial lesions were revascularized (open repair 114; endovascular repair 97).

RESULTS

Among the 154 surgical procedures, 11(7.1%) presented a complication during perioperative period including 6(8.7%) of open repair and 5(5.9%) of endovascular repair. After a median follow-up of 38.5(0.5-142.0) months, three(4.3%) cases of stroke and death were observed in open repair group, two(2.3%) cases of stroke and 4(4.7%) cases of death were observed in endovascular repair group. At 1, 3, 5 and 10 years of follow-up, primary patency rate of open repair and endovascular repair were 95.0% and 89.3%, 84.3% and 69.8%, 73.3% and 56.3%, 53.4% and 48.1%, respectively; Primary assisted patency rate were 100% and 97.5%, 90.4% and 78.2%, 79.1% and 72.8%, 60.7% and 54.0%, respectively; Secondary patency rate were 100% and 98.8%, 95.6% and 92.7%, 85.8% and 78.1%, 74.8% and 58.0%, respectively. Cumulative survival rate were 97.0% and 100%, 97.0% and 97.6%, 97.0% and 90.6%, 91.3% and 84.5%, respectively (χ(2)=0.182, P=0.669).

CONCLUSIONS

Both of the surgical revascularization and endovascular management are safe and effective in the treatment of Takayasu arteritis. Although long-term patency of endovascular therapy is low, it can be performed repeatedly and can be used as a preferred approach in treating a short stenosis. Surgical repair shows excellent long-term durability, it seems to be more suitable for complex lesions and failure cases of endovascular management.

Modulatory effects of taurine on jejunal contractility

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is widely distributed in animal tissues and has diverse pharmacological effects. However, the role of taurine in modulating smooth muscle contractility is still controversial. We propose that taurine (5-80 mM) can exert bidirectional modulation on the contractility of isolated rat jejunal segments. Different low and high contractile states were induced in isolated jejunal segments of rats to observe the effects of taurine and the associated mechanisms. Taurine induced stimulatory effects on the contractility of isolated rat jejunal segments at 3 different low contractile states, and inhibitory effects at 3 different high contractile states. Bidirectional modulation was not observed in the presence of verapamil or tetrodotoxin, suggesting that taurine-induced bidirectional modulation is Ca²⁺ dependent and requires the presence of the enteric nervous system. The stimulatory effects of taurine on the contractility of isolated jejunal segments was blocked by atropine but not by diphenhydramine or by cimetidine, suggesting that muscarinic-linked activation was involved in the stimulatory effects when isolated jejunal segments were in a low contractile state. The inhibitory effects of taurine on the contractility of isolated jejunal segments were blocked by propranolol and L-NG-nitroarginine but not by phentolamine, suggesting that adrenergic β receptors and a nitric oxide relaxing mechanism were involved when isolated jejunal segments were in high contractile states. No bidirectional effects of taurine on myosin phosphorylation were observed. The contractile states of jejunal segments determine taurine-induced stimulatory or inhibitory effects, which are associated with muscarinic receptors and adrenergic β receptors, and a nitric oxide associated relaxing mechanism.

Studies on molecular structure, vibrational spectra and molecular docking analysis of 3-Methyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl 4-aminobenzoate

The molecular structure, vibrational analysis and molecular docking analysis of the 3-Methyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl 4-aminobenzoate (MDDNAB) molecule have been carried out using FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopic techniques and DFT method. The equilibrium geometry, harmonic vibrational wave numbers, various bonding features have been computed using density functional method. The calculated molecular geometry has been compared with experimental data. The detailed interpretation of the vibrational spectra has been carried out by using VEDA program. The hyper-conjugative interactions and charge delocalization have been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The simulated FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra satisfactorily coincide with the experimental spectra. The PES and charge analysis have been made. The molecular docking was done to identify the binding energy and the Hydrogen bonding with the cancer protein molecule.

Comparison of the protective effects of ferulic acid and its drug-containing plasma on primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with hypoxia/reoxygenation injury

BACKGROUND

To simulate the ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo, hypoxia/reoxygenation injury model was established in vitro and primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were underwent hypoxia with hydrosulfite (Na2S2O4) for 1 h followed by 1 h reoxygenation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Determination the cell viability by MTT colorimetric assay. We use kit to detect the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase. Do research on the effect which ferulic acid and its drug-containing plasma have to self-discipline, conductivity, action potential duration and other electrophysiological phenomena of myocardial cells by direct observation using a microscope and recording method of intracellular action potential.

RESULTS

The experimental datum showed that both can reduce the damage hydrosulfite to myocardial cell damage and improve myocardial viability, reduce the amount of LDH leak, increase activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase, and increase APA (Action potential amplitude), Vmax (Maximum rate of depolarization) and MPD (Maximum potential diastolic).

CONCLUSION

Taken together, therefore, we can get the conclusion that ferulic acid drug-containing plasma has better protective effect injured myocardial cell than ferulic acid.

Structural conformations and density functional study on the intramolecular charge transfer based on vibrational spectra of 2,4-dihydroxy-N'-(4-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide

The NIR-FT Raman and FT-IR spectra of 2,4-dihydroxy-N'-(methoxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide (DMBBH) molecule have been recorded and analyzed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level has been used to compute energies of different conformers of DMBBH to find out their stability, the optimized geometry of the most stable conformer and its vibrational spectrum. Information about the size, shape, charge density distribution and site of chemical reactivity of the molecules has been obtained by mapping electron density isosurface with electrostatic potential surfaces (ESP). A complete vibrational analysis has been attempted on the basis of experimental infrared and Raman spectra and calculated vibrational modes and potential energy distribution over the internal coordinates. The vibrational analysis confirm the charge transfer interaction between the phenyl rings through C=N-N skeleton. The broadening of the band at 1631 cm(-1) and the appearance of the band at 1556 cm(-1) strongly suggests the existence of proton equilibrium.

Quercetin: a potential natural drug for adjuvant treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the rheumatism mainly manifested as disabling joint disease and mainly involves hands, wrists, feet and other small joints. Recurrent arthritis attacks, synovial cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia and bone and cartilage damages eventually lead to joint dysfunction and other complications, and there is no cure. Quercetin (QU) is a kind of natural flavonoids, with lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological activities, and minor toxic side effects. Thus, we assume that QU may be an adjuvant natural drug for treatment of RA. The possible mechanism is through regulation of NF-κB, to inhibit the transcription of joint synovitis factors, hinder the generation of inflammatory factors, and inhibit the inflammatory reaction; through inhibiting the activities of VEGF, bFGF, MMP-2 and other cytokines, to inhibit angiogenesis in multiple links and inhibit synovial pannus formation. QU may be an adjuvant natural drug for treatment of RA.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory effect by dammarane-type triterpenes from hydrolyzate of total Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an important factor in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type-2 diabetes), and a promising target for treatment of diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory activities of constituents (three new together with twelve known triterpenes compounds) isolated from the hydrolyzate of total saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Their structures were accomplished mainly base on the spectroscopic methods, and then were further confirmed by X-ray crystal diffraction. All the compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against PTP1B. Current data suggested that the compounds 1, 3, 12, 13 and 14 were considered to be potential as antidiabetic agents, in which they could significantly inhibit the PTP1B enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner.

New roughness parameter for the characterization of regularly textured or ordered patterned superhydrophobic surfaces

Surface geometry affects strongly superhydrophobic behavior. To characterize the effect, roughness as a comprehensive geometrical parameter is used, but this parameter in its general mathematic expression cannot reflect exactly such a geometrical effect, in particular, for the regularly textured or ordered patterned superhydrophobic surfaces. In this study, we propose a new parameter to mathematically describe roughness for such superhydrophobic surfaces. On the basis of this parameter, an ideal surface texture with the maximum roughness for achieving the superhydrophobicity is suggested, which is consistent with the previous experimental observations and theoretical considerations.

(E)-N'-(2,5-Dimethoxy-benzyl-idene)-2-(8-quinol-yloxy)acetohydrazide methanol solvate

The two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(20)H(19)N(3)O(4)·CH(4)O, are paired via O-H⋯(O,N), N-H⋯O, and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The mol-ecular skeleton of the acetohydrazide mol-ecule is close to planar; the benzene and quinoline mean planes form a dihedral angle of 3.9 (3)°. The crystal packing exhibits weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions, indicated by short distances of 3.668 (3) Å, between the centroids of N-containing six-membered rings from neighbouring acetohydrazide mol-ecules.

(E)-4-Bromo-N'-(2-chloro-benzyl-idene)benzohydrazide

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₀BrClN₂O, the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 11.4 (2)°. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are connected via inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into one-dimensional chains running parallel to the c axis.

(E)-4-Bromo-N′-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylmethylene)benzohydrazide

The title compound, C₁₈H₁₃BrN₂O₂, was synthesized by the reaction of 2-hydr­oxy-1-naphthaldehyde with 4-bromo­benzohydrazide. This Schiff base mol­ecule has an E configuration about the C=N bond and is almost planar, the dihedral angle between the mean planes through the substituted benzene ring and the naphthyl system being 6.6 (2)°. There is an intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond involving the naphthyl hydr­oxy substituent and the N′ atom of the hydrazide group. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked through inter­molecular N—-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form chains extending along the b direction.

N′-(2-Hydroxy-5-chlorobenzylidene)-4-nitrobenzohydrazide methanol solvate

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₀ClN₃O₄·CH₄O, was synthesized from the reaction of 5-chloro­salicylaldehyde with 4-nitro­benzohydrazide in methanol. The Schiff base mol­ecule is nearly planar, with a dihedral angle of 9.1 (3)° between the two benzene rings. The methanol solvent mol­ecules are linked to the Schiff base mol­ecules by N—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running parallel to the a axis.

N'-(4-Methoxy-benzyl-idene)-4-nitro-benzo-hydrazide methanol solvate

The title compound, C₁₅H₁₃N₃O₄·CH₄O, was synthesized from the reaction of 4-methoxy­benzaldehyde with 4-nitro­benzohydrazide in methanol. The benzene rings of the Schiff base mol­ecule are nearly coplanar, making a dihedral angle of 7.0 (3)°. The methanol solvent mol­ecules are linked to the Schiff base mol­ecules by N—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running parallel to the b axis.

2,4-Dihydr-oxy-N'-(4-methoxy-benzyl-idene)benzohydrazide

The mol­ecule of the title compound, C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₄, displays a trans configuration with respect to the hydrazide C=N bond. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 15.0 (2)°. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked through inter­molecular O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ab plane; an intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond is also present.

3,4-Dihydr-oxy-N'-(2-hydroxy-benzyl-idene)benzohydrazide-methanol-water (2/1/3)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄·0.5CH₄O·1.5H₂O, consists of two Schiff base mol­ecules, three water mol­ecules and one methanol mol­ecule. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 7.8 (2)° in one of the mol­ecules and 4.0 (2)° in the other. Intra­molecular O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds are observed. Mol­ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network by O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O inter­molecular hydrogen bonds.

3,5-Dihydr-oxy-N'-[(2-hydr-oxy-1-naph-thyl)methyl-ene]benzohydrazide

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₄N₂O₄, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the naphthyl ring system is 10.1 (2)°. The mol­ecule is nearly planar, with a mean deviation from the plane of 0.141 (2) Å for 24 non-H atoms. An intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond forms a pseudo-6-membered ring and the mol­ecules are linked into sheets by inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.