An efficient semi-synthesis of 1-hydroxyl oleanolic acid analogs

An efficient route for the semi-synthesis of either 1α- or 1β-OH epimers of 1-hydroxy-3-deoxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 6–8 steps from oleanolic acid is reported. The synthesis involves stereoselective formation of α,β-unsaturated epoxy ketone and subsequent Wharton reaction as key steps, offering a new access to the 1-O-substituted oleanolic acid-type pentacyclic triterpenoids.     

Eziopatogenesi e modalità di trattamento delle litiasi salivari sottomandibolari

Objectives. After a brief review of the causes, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of sialolithiasis, the authors examine the main treatment protocols currently used to treat this condition. They also analyze their own experience in the surgical treatment of submandibular salivary calculi with an intraoral approach. Materials and methods. The authors treated 53 patients with salivary calculi (5 to 35 mm in diameter) located in the Wharton duct. Treatment consisted in enucleation of the calculi, with or without sialodochoplasty. Results. In all cases, normal submandibular gland function was restored. Conclusions. This study shows that surgery is still the most reliable approach for removing intraductal submandibular calculi. This approach provides predictable results and low morbidity that cannot be achieved with other techniques, such as lithotripsy, CO₂ laser therapy, or operative fibroscopy.     

The cross-sectional area of umbilical cord components in normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal cross-sectional areas of the umbilical vein, umbilical artery, and Wharton jelly in healthy pregnancies, and correlate the obtained values with fetal anthropometric parameters. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 312 women between the 24th and 39th weeks of a normal pregnancy. The cross-sectional areas of umbilical cord vessels were measured at the junction of the cord and fetal abdomen, and the values were subtracted from the total cord cross-sectional area to assess the cross-sectional area of the Wharton jelly. The anthropometric parameters analyzed were biparietal diameter, head circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight, and the Spearman correlation was used to assess the correlation between the cross-sectional areas of umbilical cord components and fetal anthropometric parameters. A polynomial regression analysis was performed to identify the curves that best adjusted to mean and standard deviation according to gestational age. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was observed between the cross-sectional areas of cord components and fetal anthropometric parameters (P<0.001) as well as gestational age (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reference measurements of the cross-sectional areas of umbilical cord components are important tools in the assessment of fetal growth.     

脐带间充质干细胞移植治疗子宫切口瘢痕缺陷大鼠的疗效观察

目的:将脐带华通胶间充质干细胞(WJMSCs)移植到子宫切口瘢痕缺陷(PCSD)模型大鼠体内,探讨其治疗效果。方法:取雌性SD大鼠50只、将其随机分为3组:正常手术组(N-O组)10只、模型对照组(M-C组)20只和模型治疗组(M-T组)20只。孕第19天N-O组剖宫取胎后连续缝合子宫切口;M-C组与M-T组剖宫产术后子宫肌壁注射脂多糖(LPS)联合电凝(功率为10 W)子宫切缘,间断缝合切口。M-T组分A、B亚组(各10只),A组静脉注射0.5 m L+阴道灌注0.5 m L(1×10~9/L)WJMSCs,B组阴道灌注1 m L同浓度WJMSCs,每周1次,共3次;M-C亦分A、B亚组(各10只),与M-T组同样方法处理,仅将生理盐水替代WJMSCs。各组治疗后第1和4周,分别处死6和4只,留双侧子宫进行HE染色、Masson染色、肌动蛋白(actin)和细胞角蛋白免疫组化染色,通过体视学分析,检测子宫肌层和内膜的修复情况。结果:WJMSCs治疗后第1和4周,M-C组子宫肌层厚度和actin体积密度(Vv)均显著低于N-O组,肌层胶原纤维Vv和内膜缺陷率高于N-O组(P0.05);WJMSCs治疗后第1和4周,M-T的A和B组的肌层厚度和actin Vv均显著高于M-C组,肌层胶原纤维Vv低于M-C组;M-C组内膜缺陷率高于其它组(P0.05)。结论:WJMSCs可促进PCSD大鼠子宫肌层结构和功能的修复。静脉+局部联合治疗和单纯阴道治疗效果无明显差别。     

蜕皮甾酮对人脐带间充质干细胞冻存复苏后生物学活性的影响

目的：研究体外条件下蜕皮甾酮（EDS）对冻存复苏后人脐带间充质干细胞（hUCMSCs）生物学活性的影响。方法：hUCMSCs采用梯度冷冻技术冻存,6个月后复苏,扩增、传代,分3组培养：空白对照组用普通培养基培养;低剂量EDS组在普通培养基中加入100μg／mlEDS;高剂量EDS组在普通培养基中加入200μg／mlEDS。显微镜下观察细胞形态,10d时计算克隆形成能力,绘制细胞生长0～7d的细胞生长曲线,流式细胞仪鉴定hucMscs的细胞表面特异标记（CD34、CD45、CD29、CD105）,油红0染色及茜素红染色观察huCMSCs向脂肪细胞、成骨细胞分化的能力。结果：两EDS组克隆形成率约为75％,空白对照组约为40％。生长曲线显示两EDS组增殖速度较空白对照组快,但两EDS组增殖速度相近。流式检测结果显示两EDS组的CD29、CD105阳性率明显高于空白对照组,CD34、CD45里阴性表达,其表达明显低于空白对照组（P〈0．05）,两EDS组之间差异无统计学意义;成骨、成脂分化能力检测发现,各组细胞均能够向脂肪细胞、成骨细胞分化,而高剂量EDS组细胞在未加诱导培养基的情况下仍出现向成骨细胞分化的趋势。结论：在一定浓度范围内,EDS对细胞复苏后恢复细胞活性以及提高存活率方面具有积极作用,但是较高浓度的EDS有诱导细胞向成骨细胞方向分化的趋势。     

A prenatal diagnosis of umbilical cord oedema made by ultrasound; a case report

A case of marked oedema of the umbilical cord is described associated with premature onset of labour. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound at 33 weeks gestational age. There were no other malformations of the fetus, cord or placenta.     

Vitrified Wharton’s jelly tissue as a biomaterial for multiple tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Wharton’s Jelly (WJ) tissue is a promising biomaterial, for tissue engineering applications. However, its preservation over a long period in order to be readily available needs further optimization. A possible solution could be the vitrification and storage of WJ tissue at low temperatures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of low temperature in the WJ tissue, which was stored at ?196?°C, either with the vitrification or conventional cryopreservation methods. WJ tissues were isolated from human umbilical cords, cryopreserved with the above methods and remained for 1?year at ?196?°C. Histological analysis of tissue’s extracellular matrix (ECM), isolation, and characterization of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were performed. Histological analysis revealed the presence of ECM components such as collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs), and the presence of cell nuclei only in vitrified samples. Furthermore, MSCs were isolated and expanded successfully from vitrified WJ tissues, whereas a few viable cells were obtained from conventionally cryopreserved tissues that were not further expanded. In conclusion, this study indicated the proper preservation of vitrified WJ tissues after 1?year of storage, which eventually could be used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches.     

Effect of topology of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) scaffolds on the response of cultured human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and neuroblastoma cell lines

In this study, for the first time, a biodegradable poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), PLC 67:33 copolymer was developed for use as temporary scaffolds in reconstructive nerve surgery. The effect of the surface topology and pore architecture were studied on the biocompatibility for supporting the growth of human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs) and human neuroblastoma cells (hNBCs) as cell models. Porous PLC membranes were prepared by electrospinning and phase immersion precipitation with particulate leaching and nonporous PLC membranes were prepared by solvent casting. From the results, the porous PLC membranes can support hWJ-MSCs and hNBCs cells better than the nonporous PLC membrane, and the interconnected pore scaffold prepared by electrospinning exhibited a more significant supporting attachment of the cells than the open pore and nonporous membranes. We can consider that these electrospun PLC membranes with 3-D interconnecting fiber networks and a high porosity warrant a potential use as nerve guides in reconstructive nerve surgery.     

人脐带间充质干细胞对输卵管炎大鼠输卵管超微结构和功能的改变

目的:探讨人脐带Wharton’s间充质干细胞(Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells,WJMSCs)在输卵管炎性不孕症治疗中的应用前景。方法:成年雌性Wistar大鼠50只,随机分为输卵管炎症模型组(n=40)和对照组(n=10)。其中,模型组大鼠双侧输卵管注入混合菌后再随机分成5组,急性治疗前组(n=5),于造模后第20日取材;急性治疗组(n=10),于造模第20日,给予腹腔注射WJMSCs(1×106/ml),7 d/次,共3次,疗程结束1周后5只取材;慢性治疗前组(n=5),于造模后30 d取材;慢性治疗组(n=10),于造模第30日开始给予WJMSCs;方法同急性治疗组,疗程结束1周后5只取材;慢性模型组(n=10),造模后不给予任何处理,第51日5只取材,所有余下雌鼠分别与雄鼠同笼。检测比较急、慢性输卵管炎模型大鼠腹腔注射WJMSCs治疗前、后血清INF-γ和TNF-α水平、输卵管超微结构、单位面积输卵管腔上皮皱褶长度(Lu)和分泌颗粒的密度(D),以及各组受孕率及产仔数。结果:急性输卵管炎期,输卵管上皮被破坏,间质水肿,治疗后基本恢复正常。慢性输卵管炎期,上皮扁平化,黏膜下纤维化,治疗后无明显改善。急性输卵管炎治疗前组Lu值无明显变化,而D值显著下降,治疗后恢复正常;慢性输卵管炎治疗前组Lu、D值均明显降低,治疗后无明显好转。急、慢性输卵管炎治疗前组血清TNF-α和INF-γ水平均明显增高,治疗后急性组恢复到正常水平,而慢性治疗组虽有下降,但仍高于正常水平。急性输卵管炎治疗组受孕率、产仔数恢复正常。慢性输卵管炎治疗前、后,其受孕率、产仔数均明显下降。结论:WJMSCs腹腔注射治疗大鼠急性输卵管炎,能降低血清炎症因子,恢复输卵管结构和功能,恢复生育功能,但对慢性输卵管炎的治疗效果不明显,提示在急性期治疗输卵管炎有可能防止继发不孕的发生。