CADMIUM AND MANGANESE ACCUMULATION IN PHYTOLACCA AMERICANA L. AND THE ROLES OF NON-PROTEIN THIOLS AND ORGANIC ACIDS

Phytolacca americana L. can accumulate large amounts of heavy metals in its aerial tissues, especially cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn). It has great potential for use in phytoextraction of metals from multi-metal-contaminated soils. This study was conducted to further investigate the Cd- and Mn-tolerance strategies of this plant. Concentrations of non-protein thiols (NPTs) and phytochelatins (PCs) in leaves and roots increased significantly as the concentration of Cd in solution increased. The molar ratios of PCs:soluble Cd ranged from 1.8 to 3.6 in roots and 8.1 to 31.6 in leaves, suggesting that the cellular response involving PC synthesis was sufficient to complex Cd ions in the cytosol, especially that of leaves. In contrast, excess Mn treatments did not result in a significant increase in NPT or PC concentrations in leaves or roots. Oxalic acid concentrations in leaves of plants exposed to 2 or 20 mM Mn reached 69.4 to 89.3 mg (0.771 to 0.992 mmol) g^–1 dry weight, respectively, which was approximately 3.7- to 8.6-fold higher than the Mn level in the 0.6 M HCl extract. Thus, oxalic acid may play an important role in the detoxification of Mn.     

Design and Synthesis of Dually Branched 5′-Norcarbocyclic Adenosine Phosphonodiester Analogue as a New Anti-HIV Prodrug

A novel 3′,4′-dimethyl-5′-norcarbocyclic adenosine phosphonic acid was prepared using acyclic stereoselective route from 4-hydroxybutan-2-one (4). To improve the cellular permeability and enhance the anti-HIV activity of this phosphonic acid, a (bis)SATE phosphonodiester nucleoside prodrug (20) was prepared and its chemical stability was evaluated. The newly synthesized bis(SATE) analogue (20) and its parent nucleoside phosphonic acid (18) were assayed for anti-HIV activity using an in vitro assay system in a CEM cell line.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel Threosyl-5′- Deoxyphosphonic Acid Purine Analogues as Potent Anti-Hiv Agents

The discovery of threosyl phosphonate nucleoside (PMDTA, EC₅₀ = 2.53 μM) as a potent anti-HIV agent has led to the synthesis and biological evaluation of 5 ′-deoxyversions of threosyl phosphonate nucleosides from 1,4-dihydroxy-2-butene. The synthesized nucleoside phosphonic acid analogues 14 and 19 were tested for anti-HIV activity as well as cytotoxicity. The adenine analogue 14 exhibits moderate in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity (EC₅₀ = 12.6 μM).     

Synthesis and Anti-Hiv Activity of 4′-Modified Cyclopentenyl Pyrimidine C-Nucleosides

Novel syntheses of 4′-modified cyclopentenyl pyrimidine C-nucleosides were performed via C-C bond formation using S_N2 alkylation via the key intermediate mesylates 6 and 16, which were prepared from acyclic ketone derivatives. When antiviral evaluation of synthesized compound was performed against various viruses such as HIV-1, HSV-1 and HSV-2, isocytidine analogue 20 showed moderate anti-HIV activity in CEM cell line (EC₅₀ = 13.1 μmol).7     

Klotho Suppresses Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Mice with Stress-Induced Cardiac Injury via Downregulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a common pathological alteration in heart disease which results in systolic dysfunction or sudden death. Klotho is a novel anti-aging hormone. We tested the effects of klotho on cell apoptosis in isoproterenol-treated cardiomyocytes. In BALB/c mice, cardiac injury was induced by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (5mg/kg, for 9days, sc). Klotho (0.01 mg/kg, every other day for 4days, ip) was administered to determine the changes in isoproterenol-induced apoptosis. Mouse heart was harvested at day 2, day 5, and day 9 after isoproterenol injection. Isoproterenol induced cardiac apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a time-dependent manner. However, klotho partly reversed isoproterenol-induced cardiac apoptosis and ER stress. These same effects were observed in cultured cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, the results also showed that SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, and SP600125, a c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ER stress, however, klotho suppressed isoproterenol-induced activation of p38 and JNK. Taken together, these results indicated that cardioprotection by klotho was related to the attenuation of ER stress and ER stress-induced apoptosis, at least partly, through suppressing activation of the p38 and JNK pathway.     

Cardiac Troponin I in Non- Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the results of troponin I (cTnI) in non- acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We also examined the risk factors for elevated cTnI in non-ACS patients with CKD and whether stage 5 CKD modifies the associations of elevated cTnI and the risk factors in non-ACS patients with CKD.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed. Logistic regression models were used.

Results

293 non-ACS patients with CKD were included in the current study. 43.34% non-ACS patients with CKD have an elevated cTnI level and 5.12% have an elevated cTnT level in MI range. In CKD patients without ACS and heart failure, only 26.03% (38/146) patients have an elevated cTnT level. In adjusted analyses, age, diastolic blood pressure and congestive heart failure is associated with an elevated cTnI level in non-ACS patients with CKD. Congestive heart failure is associated with an elevated cTnI level in non-ACS patients with CKD (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.08,4.88, P=0.03). Stage 5 CKD does not modify the association of congestive heart failure and an elevated cTnI level.

Conclusion

43.34% non-ACS patients with CKD and 26.03% CKD patients without ACS and congestive heart failure have an elevated cTnI level. Congestive heart failure is associated with an elevated cTnI level in non-ACS patients with CKD. Stage 5 CKD does not modify the association of congestive heart failure and an elevated cTnI level.     

A Country-Wide Study of Spoligotype and Drug Resistance Characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Children in China

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a big threat to human health, especially in children. However, an isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture from pediatric cases remains a challenge. In order to provide some scientific basis for children TB control, we investigated the genotyping and drug resistance characteristics of M. tuberculosis isolates from pediatric cases in China.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, a total of 440 strains including 90 from children (<15 years), 159 from adolescents (15–18 years) and 191 from adults (>18 years) isolated in 25 provinces across China were subjected to spoligotyping and drug susceptibility testing. As a result, Beijing family strains were shown to remain predominant in China (85.6%, 81.1% and 75.4% in three above groups, respectively), especially among new children cases (91.0% vs. 69.6% in previously treated cases, P = 0.03). The prevalence of the Beijing genotype isolates was higher in northern and central China in the total collection (85.1% in northern and 83.9% in central vs. 61.6% in southern China, P<0.001) and a similar trend was seen in all three age groups (P = 0.708, <0.001 and 0.025, respectively). In adolescents, the frequencies of isoniazid (INH)-resistant and ethambutol (EMB)-resistant isolates were significantly higher among Beijing strains compared to non-Beijing genotype strains (P = 0.028 for INH and P = 0.027 for EMB). Furthermore, strong association was observed between resistance to rifampicine (RIF), streptomycin (STR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) among Beijing compared to non-Beijing strains in previously treated cases of children (P = 0.01, 0.01 and 0.025, respectively).

Conclusion/Significance

Beijing family was more prevalent in northern and central China compared to southern China and these strains were predominant in all age groups. The genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates from children was similar to that found in adolescents and adults. Beijing genotype was associated with RIF, STR and MDR resistance in previously treated children.     

少数民族中医体质类型研究现状

中医体质学以人为研究对象,为了研究不同体质构成特点、演变规律、影响因素、分类标准,从而指导疾病的预防、诊治、康复与养生。目前关于生理和病理状态下的中医体质研究日益受到关注,因为对其研究符合中医”治未病”的理念,而关于少数民族的中医体质类型研究开展较少,但对少数民族之间和汉族之间中医体质的比较研究及与生活习惯,生活环境的联系将能更好地说明先天因素和后天环境对中医体质形成的影响。本文就这一领域的研究现状进行总结,对少数民族中医体质的研究一方面可为少数民族人群的疾病防治提供依据,另一方面有助于中医体质形成机理的阐明。