Chemical constituents of Nepalese propolis: isolation of new dalbergiones and related compounds

Two new dalbergiones (1–2) and a new flavanone (3) were isolated along with nine other known flavonoids (4–12) from the methanolic extract of propolis collected from Chitwan, Nepal. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis.     

Induction of the Plateau Phase and Rescue of MOPC 104E by Nonspecific Immunization

The enhancement of MOPC 104E myeloma growth by nonspecific immunostimulation with C. parvum or immunization with sheep red blood cells and levan mixture was evaluated in BALB/c mice. We observed increased levels of serum MOPC 104E IgMand early mortality in the tumor-bearing mice following treatment with C. parvum or antigenic stimulation. The enhancement of tumor growth observed was due to the production of lymphokine mitogenic factors produced in response to the nonspecific immunostimulation.     

Combined therapy of polyamine antimetabolite and nitrosourea in human gastric cancer

Antitumor therapy using the polyamine antimetabolites, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG), combined with ACNU was studied in human gastric cancer xenotransplanted into nude mice. DFMO 1,000 mg/kg (in two divided doses) and MGBG 50 mg/kg were given i.p. for 6 successive days from the time when the xenotransplanted tumor weighed about 100 mg, and ACNU 20 mg/kg was given i.p. every other day from the same time. Antitumor efficacy was assessed by the time course of tumor weight as well as of DNA biosynthesis and polyamine levels in tumor tissue. Tumor weight was estimated using Battelle's Columbus Institute protocol and DNA biosynthesis was assayed biochemically by 3H-TdR injection at a prescribed interval after termination of therapy. Furthermore, tumoral polyamine levels were assayed by HPLC. This three-drug regimen showed a favorable antitumor effect, compared to those of the other two therapies with DFMO plus MGBG as well as ACNU only. These data suggest that this combined regimen may have a synergistic efficacy judging from the action mechanisms of these three drugs.     

Early hepatic stellate cell activation is associated with advanced fibrosis after liver transplantation in recipients with hepatitis C.

Recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation is a serious problem faced by liver transplant recipients. Activation of hepatic stellate cells is an early step in hepatic fibrogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate hepatic stellate cell activation, early after liver transplantation, as a predictor for the subsequent development of advanced fibrosis. Forty-six patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatitis C and protocol liver biopsies were divided into rapid fibrosers (n = 21), defined as recipients who developed bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis within 2 years of liver transplantation, and slow fibrosers (n = 25). The protocol liver biopsy obtained 4 months after transplantation was stained and quantitated for hepatic stellate cell activation with antibody to alpha smooth muscle actin. Hepatic stellate cell activity was independently associated with rapid fibrosis (odds ratio: 1.6 [95% CI: 1.1,2.2], P = 0.013). The c-statistics for the receiver operating characteristic curve for stellate cell activity and fibrosis were 0.78 and 0.67, respectively, P = 0.36. The receiver operating characteristic curve for a model including stellate cell activity, histology activity index, and alanine aminotransferase. obtained at month 4 had the best c-statistic (0.88). In recipients with stage 0 or 1 fibrosis on the month 4 liver biopsy who subsequently developed advanced fibrosis, the c-statistic for the receiver operating characteristic curves was significantly better for stellate cell activity than for stage of fibrosis (0.77 and 0.51, respectively; P = 0.004). In conclusion, hepatic stellate cell activation early after liver transplantation complements traditional testing for identifying liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C at greatest risk for developing advanced fibrosis.     

A novel anticancer treatment for xenoplanted human gastric cancer using polyamine antimetabolites in a low polyamine diet

The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new anticancer treatment for gastrointestinal cancer, using a combination of polyamine antimetabolites, an anticancer agent and a low-polyamine state. Two polyamine antimetabolites, given as either 40 mg/kg of methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG) or ethylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (EGBG) and a normal diet (ND), or 20 mg/kg of each drug and a low polyamine diet (LPD), together with 1,000 mg/kg of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) were administered ip to nude mice for six consecutive days. Mitomycin C (MMC) at 2 mg/kg was then given ip for 3 alternate days. The combination of MGBG or EGBG with DFMO plus MMC resulted in an enhanced antitumor efficacy on LPD. However, the combination which included EGBG was much more enhanced than that which included MGBG and there was no evidence of any tumor regrowth. Weight loss was minimal or nil in the mice given the combination with EGBG, but was evident in those given the combination with MGBG. These results led to the conclusion that in mice, the combined therapy of EGBG with DFMO plus MMC and LPD is a safe and effective regimen for the treatment of gastric cancer.     

Bilateral simultaneous total knee replacement under combined spinal epidural anaesthesia

This is a case report of 68 yrs old lady who underwent simultaneous both knee joint replacement for chronic and advanced osteoarthritis. The case was performed solely under combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia (CSE). CSE is a neuroaxial block performed for different types of lower limb and abdominal surgeries.     

Influence of traffic activity on heavy metal concentrations of roadside farmland soil in mountainous areas

Emission of heavy metals from traffic activities is an important pollution source to roadside farmland ecosystems. However, little previous research has been conducted to investigate heavy metal concentrations of roadside farmland soil in mountainous areas. Owing to more complex roadside environments and more intense driving conditions on mountainous highways, heavy metal accumulation and distribution patterns in farmland soil due to traffic activity could be different from those on plain highways. In this study, design factors including altitude, roadside distance, terrain, and tree protection were considered to analyze their influences on Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations in farmland soils along a mountain highway around Kathmandu, Nepal. On average, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb at the sampling sites are lower than the tolerable levels. Correspondingly, pollution index analysis does not show serious roadside pollution owing to traffic emissions either. However, some maximum Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations are close to or higher than the tolerable level, indicating that although average accumulations of heavy metals pose no hazard in the region, some spots with peak concentrations may be severely polluted. The correlation analysis indicates that either Cu or Cd content is found to be significantly correlated with Zn and Pb content while there is no significant correlation between Cu and Cd. The pattern can be reasonably explained by the vehicular heavy metal emission mechanisms, which proves the heavy metals' homology of the traffic pollution source. Furthermore, the independent factors show complex interaction effects on heavy metal concentrations in the mountainous roadside soil, which indicate quite a different distribution pattern from previous studies focusing on urban roadside environments. It is found that the Pb concentration in the downgrade roadside soil is significantly lower than that in the upgrade soil while the Zn concentration in the downgrade roadside soil is marginally higher than in the upgrade soil; and the concentrations of Cu and Pb in the roadside soils with tree protection are significantly lower than those without tree protection. However, the attenuation pattern of heavy metal concentrations as a function of roadside distance within a 100 m range cannot be identified consistently.     

Hypercholesterolemia in Progressive Renal Failure Is Associated with Changes in Hepatic Heparan Sulfate - PCSK9 Interaction

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pEGFP-N1-BMP2真核表达载体的构建及其经超声微泡介导转染HPDLFs后的表达

目的 构建pEGFP-N1-BMP2真核表达质粒,并检测其经超声微泡转基因技术转染人牙周膜成纤维细胞(HPDLFs)后的瞬时表达情况.方法 从人胎盘滋养层细胞系中提取总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法获得目的 基因人骨形成蛋白-2(hBMP2)基因片段,连接pMD19-T载体并测序正确后与真核荧光表达载体pEGFP-N1连接,酶切鉴定后利用超声微泡转基因技术转染入HPDLFs中,通过荧光显微镜和RT-PCR检测目的 基因在HPDLFs中的表达.结果 成功克隆人BMP2基因,重组质粒pEGFP-N1-BMP2经PCR及双酶切鉴定均证实hBMP2基因已与pEGFP-N1正确重组.pEGFP-N1-BMP2经超声微泡转染HPDLFs后,通过绿色荧光观察和RT-PCR检测证实hBMP2能够在体外培养的HPDLFs内有效的转录和瞬时表达.结论 成功构建pEGFP-N1-BMP2真核表达载体,通过超声微泡转基因技术成功转染入HPDLFs并得到有效表达,为进一步研究该质粒与超声微泡转基因技术在牙周再生基因治疗中的应用提供实验基础.