Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (ergone) is one of main components in many medicinal fungi. Ergone has been reported to possess the activities of diuresis, cytotoxicity, antitumor, immunosuppression, as well as treatment of chronic kidney disease. According to reported literatures, an overview of spectroscopy characteristics, content determination, pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetics, etc. for ergone is presented in this review. Furthermore, the present review can provide a certain reference value for the further study and development of ergone.
Animals ; Cholestenones ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the post-operative glucose level and insulin dose of patients undergoing total pancreatectomy.Methods From September 1980 to September 2014, 21 patients underwent total pancrea-tectomy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, who were enrolled in our study.We reviewed the changes in their insulin dosage and glucose levels after operation, also summarized type and dose of insulin as well as glucose level in stable period.Results The required insulin dose reached peak within 4 days after surgery ( maximum dose 300 U/d).The average dose was (143.5 ±62.8) U/d and decreased gradually.During the perioperative period (needing parenteral nutrition), the blood glucose level fluctuated markedly (1.52-29.06 mmol/L) and the average level was (11.18 ±0.95) mmol/L.During the stable period ( without parenteral nutrition) , patients on average had (5.3 ±2.0) U of preprandial rapid-acting insulin and (8.1 ±2.9) U of long-acting insulin be-fore sleeping;the average fasting blood glucose was (6.69 ±1.48) mmol/L, 2 h postprandial blood glucose was (9.08 ±2.84) mmol/L, bedtime blood glucose was (9.66 ±2.49) mmol/L, and blood glucose level at night was (8.15 ±2.78) mmol/L.67%of the patients had 13 hypoglycemic episodes monthly on average.For those five followed-up patients, the average hemoglobin A1c was (6.15 ±1.20)%.Conclusions Patients undergoing total pancreatectomy may experience marked fluctuation of blood glucose level and short-term increase of insulin need which gradually decreases afterwards.After entering the stable period, the glucose level could be well-con-trolled but with frequent hypoglycemia.There is no diabetic ketoacidosis.

Objective To investigate the three-dimensional structure of normal male canine prostat- ic duct and acinus system,and to study the mechanism of intraprostatic urinary reflux(IPUR)resulting from high pressure of the posterior urethra by experiment.Methods Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)and corrosion casting methods,high pressure of the prostatic urethra was produced based upon IPUR in normal male canines.Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS)casting solution was injected into 8 Beagle canines'normal prostates to induce intraprostatie resin solution reflux.Results Six casting molds of nor- real canine prostate specimens were obtained,and the casting failed in 2.By corrosion and casting treatment, the prostate appeared to consist of several glandular lobes.The columnar apophyses of glandular surface were observed.The most glandular ducts pointed outward from urethral peristome.Each glandular duct system was made up of many bifurcated branches from the bough as a duct tree.More than 90% of the bifurcations were Y-shaped,and 6 bifurcated branches were rarely seen.The tip of the duct was vesicular.The diameter and length of the bough were(0.37?0.14)mm and(1.14?0.04)mm,respectively.The intersectional angle of urethra and peripheral glandular duct was the biggest.Peripheral glandular duct was perpendicular or con- verse to urinary flow.Peripheral glandular aeinus appeared elliptic and velvet.The mesh-like and crater-like depressions were shown on the surface of central glandular aeinus.Ejaculatory ducts independently and branchlessly entered the urethra.Conclusions The resin corrosion casting methods combined with SEM can clearly show the three-dimensional structure of normal male canine prostatic duct and acinus system. IPUR may easily occur in the peripheral glands from the morphological view.It is suggested that prostatitis occurs more commonly in peripheral glands,confirming a fact that high pressure of the posterior urethra can induce IPUR.

Objective To investigate the recent effect of full arthroscopic dual-beam reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament(PCL)using tibial Inlay technique.Methods From March 2007 to September 2009,17 PCL injured patients underwent full arthroscopic dual-beam PCL reconstruction using Inlay technique,including 16 males and 1 female,with an average age of 25 years(range,19-54).Of all cases,Lysholm score was(53.4±2.1)points,International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)rated C in 7,D in 10,and posterior drawer test(+)in 17.We used self-designed tibia tunnel drill system to produce the deep-limited bone tunnel.Follow-up began at 12 months after operation.Evaluate Lysholm knee score,IKDC rating,and posterior drawer test to compare the knee stability with that of preoperative.Observe the location of the bone block and healing by checking knee X-ray and spiral CT scan.Results Seventeen patients were followed up between 12 to 28 months,with an average of 17.8 months.In the last follow-up study,Lysholm score(93.5±1.7)points compared with that of preoperative was statistically significant different(P=0.016).IKDC rating of A grade in 15 cases,B in 2,compared with that of preoperative was statistically significant different(P=0.021).Posterior drawer test were negative in 15 cases,slight positive in 2.The X-ray and spiral CT scan showed the location of the bone block were perfect and healed well.Conclusion We can accurately produce the deep-limited bone tunnel by the tibia tunnel drill system with minor trauma,and the recent clinical effects of PCL reconstruction were pretty good.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the result of free transmidline bi-lobed scapular skin flap transplantation to repair massive soft tissue defects in upper and lower extremities.

METHODSFree transmidline bi-lobed scapular skin flap was designed according to the characteristics of scapular skin and its vasculature, and they were used to repair massive soft tissue defects in upper and lower extremities as a result of hot crush injury and avulsion injury in 9 patients. The survival of the flap, the blood supply, the color and elasticity of the flap, as well as scar contraction and impairment in function were observed after operation.

RESULTSThe largest flap formed with the horizontal branch and descending branch circumflex scapular artery were 31 x 14 cm and 22 x 16 cm, respectively. The horizontal branch went across the spinal midline for 10 cm. All skin flaps survived with good elasticity and without necrosis. The grafted skin was excellent in the appearance and elasticity, with no scar contracture , and function of the injured extremities recovered well 2 to14 months after the operation.

CONCLUSIONFree transmidline bi-lobed scapular skin flap is an ideal procedure for the repair of massive soft tissue defects in upper and lower extremities.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application characteristics of sural neurocutaneous island flaps.

METHODSSural neurocutaneous island flaps were used to repair the skin defect accompanied bone and tendon exposure in the lower leg, around the ankle and foot in 21 cases, including 4 cases to repair the foreside of the foot back . Direct flap was used in 5 cases and reverse flap in 16 cases. Meanwhile the coverage and formation of sural nerve were surveyed together with the starting point of peroneal perforator.

RESULTSAll the 21 sural flaps were survived, including sural nerve (18 cases) anastomose 12 cases, single trunk 4 cases, double trunk 2 cases. The anastomose site of medial sural cutaneous nerve and the communicating branch of lateral sural cutaneous nerve was at the point of 11 - 14 cm above the ankle in 12 cases. The lower was the anastomose site, the shorter was the sural nerve. The site is 4 - 7 cm above the ankle in 15 out of 18 sural nerve perforator branch cases, and the other 3 cases is 10, 11, 11.5 cm above the ankle respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSural neurocutaneous island flaps are easy to separate. Major arteries are not injured. It is the ideal flap to repair the skin defect accompanied by bone and tendon exposure in lower leg, around ankle and foot. The nerve must be anastomosed when repairing the heel.

Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Sural Nerve ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application of the expanded cross-leg flap for repairing instep soft tissue defects with bone exposure.

METHODSThe expanded cross-leg flap was used to repair instep defects in 10 patients. After flap transferring the donor site was closed directly without skin grafting.

RESULTSSatisfactory results were achieved in all the cases. The flaps survived well. The donor site had less scar and kept good appearance.

CONCLUSIONSThe expanded cross-leg flap is a better choice for repairing the soft tissue defects of the instep. It is simple and easy with less trauma to the donor site. After the operation, both the recipient and the donor areas had good appearance.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Young Adult

The fusion between liposome-liposome, liposome-biomembarnes induced by acid-sensitive polymers has been systematically investigated. The polymer-liposomes were constructed by post-insertion method with the poly (2-ethylacrylic acid) (PEAA) alkylamide derivatives. The liposomal fusion was studied by use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay, particle size, fluorescent-photometer. The results indicated that the poly (2-ethylacrylic acid)-liposomes has very strong acidic induced fusion capability. Under acidic conditions, acid-sensitive polymer liposomes fused each other, the fusion closely related to the molecular weight of acid sensitivity polymer on the surface of liposomes. The acidic fusion of polymer-liposomes was dependent upon the lipids composition, the degree of fusion was reversely related to the cholesterol contents. Acid-en ci-nsitive polymer liposomes fused with erythrocyte ghosts. The liposomal fusion induced by acid-sensitive polymer associated with the increase of membrane permeability. The good acid-sensitivity of PEAA has been further demonstrated by membrane fusion in current experiments, and the liposomes prepared with lipid anchored-poly (2-ethylacrylic acid) were developeds s a potential pH sensitive delivery system.
Acrylates ; chemistry ; Alkylation ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Membrane Fusion ; Molecular Weight ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; Temperature

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the major obstacle for drug delivery into the central nervous system (CNS). However, there is no ideal model animal for the study of BBB permeability till now. Currently zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful model organism for the study of vertebrate biology. In this study, the feasibility of using zebrafish as model animal was investigated for BBB permeability by comparing the results of administration of BBB-penetrating peptide and protein to mouse and zebrafish. The results showed that the BBBs of mouse and zebrafish were similar in molecular permeability. Additionally, zebrafish has advantageous features as a model animal, such as small size, fertile and easy to breed. Therefore, it is suggested that zebrafish may be a favored model for the study of BBB permeability.
Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; pharmacokinetics ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacokinetics ; Permeability ; Rhodamines ; pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution ; Viral Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Zebrafish ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the changes of resting energy expenditure (REE), substrate metabolism and body composition in cancer patients.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to March 2008, REE, carbohydrate oxidation (CO) and fat oxidation (FO) in 936 cancer patients and 840 control subjects were measured by indirect calorimetry. Bioelectrical impedance appliance was applied to assess intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) in the two groups.

RESULTSNo difference in REE was found between the cancer patients and non-cancer patients [(1452.2 +/- 196.4) kcal/d vs. (1429.5 +/- 182.6) kcal/d, P = 0.136]. But REE/FFM and REE/pREE were elevated in cancer patients than in controls (all P < 0.05). Of the cancer patients, 48.6% were hypermetabolic, 42.9% normal and 8.5% hypometabolic, while those were 22.5%, 58.5% and 19.0% in controls. Cancer patients had higher FO [(77.8 +/- 11.3) g/min vs. (67.1 +/- 12.1) g/min, P = 0.000], lower CO and npRQ [(68.7 +/- 10.5) g/min vs. (88.8 +/- 12.1) g/min, P = 0.000; 0.782 +/- 0.012 vs. 0.810 +/- 0.014, P = 0.000]. Cancer patients exhibited lower FM and FFM [(14.9 +/- 4.5) kg vs. (18.4 +/- 5.2) kg, P = 0.000; (44.4 +/- 7.2) kg vs. (46.1 +/- 8.1) kg, P = 0.008].

CONCLUSIONSElevated REE is common in cancer patients. Substrate metabolism of the cancer patients features in increased FO, decreased CO and npRQ, which is correlated with the elevated REE. FM and FFM loses in proportion in cancer patients.

Body Composition ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; Fats ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms ; metabolism