Nine compounds were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of 95% ethanol extract of the fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. with a combination of various chromatographic approaches, including MDS resin, silica gel, reverse phase C18 and preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, they were elucidated as (1R, 4R, 10R)-1β, 4α-dihydroxy-11, 12, 13-trinor-5, 6-eudesmen-7-one (1), 1β, 4β-dihydroxy-11, 12, 13-trinor-8, 9-eudesmen-7-one (2), oxyphyllenone A (3), oxyphyllenone B (4), rhamnocitrin (5), staphylionoside D (6), benzyl-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1S)-phenylethylene glycol (8), and (S)-1-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (9). Among them, compound 1 is a new sesquiterpene, named as oxyphyllenone C; compounds 8 and 9 are new natural products; compounds 2 and 6 were isolated from the genus Alpinia for the first time, and compound 7 was isolated from A. oxyphylla for the first time.
1-Butanol ; Alpinia ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Background Researches documented that retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in unaffected carriers of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) becomes thickened in different quadrants to different degrees.But the change of their macular thickness is still unclear.Objective This study was to clarify RNFLT and macular thickness by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in unaffected female carriers of LHON families.Methods Five female LHON patients (5 eyes) from 5 LHON families,eighteen unaffected female carriers (18eyes) from 18 LHON families and twenty-five age-matched healthy female controls (25 eyes) were included in this study.The patients and genetic carriers were diagnosed in PLA General Hospital from 2011 September to 2012 October.Regular ocular examination were performed followed by OCT measurement of retinas.The Optic Disc Cube 200×200 and Macular Cube 200×200 protocols were used during the OCT measurement.Average (360°) RNFLT,RNFLT at four quadrantic sections,cube average macular thickness and macular thickness of nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) sub-areas were compared among the LHON genetic carriers,LHON patients and normal controls.Results Compared to the normal control group,significant reduced values were seen in temporal,superior,nasal and inferior side of sub-area macular thickness in the LHON female carriers (P=0.022,0.046,0.024,0.008).In addition,but no significant differences were found in cube average thickness,central subarea macular thickness,temporal,superior,nasal and inferior side of lateral sub-area macular thickness,average RNFLT,and temporal,superior,nasal and inferior quadrant RNFLT between the LHON female carriers and normal controls (P=0.102,0.051,0.238,0.663,0.1 10,0.104,0.419,0.371,0.158,0.063,0.563).Compared to the unaffected female carrier group,female patients showed significant reductions in cube average macular thickness,temporal,superior,nasal and inferior side of sub-area macular thickness,temporal,superior,nasal and inferior side of lateral sub-area mac ular thickness,average R NFLT and temporal,superior,and inferior quadrant RNFLT (P =0.000,0.000,0.000,0.007,0.002,0.002,0.000,0.000,0.040,0.000,0.016,0.000,0.000) except for the central subarea macular thickness and nasal quadrant RNFLT (P=0.388,0.580).Conclusions Unaffected LHON female carriers show a normal peripapillary RNFLT,but the macular thickness at medial sub-area is thinner.This first report offers an information of macular structure change in unaffected LHON female carriers,which suggest that macular damage appears prior to RNFLT change.

AIM:To investigate the effects and mechanism of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) assisted pars plana vitrectomy ( PPV) in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( PDR) . ·METHODS: A total of 92 patients ( 92 eyes ) with PDR treated by PPV were divided into the simple PPV group (41 patients with 41 affected eyes) and the combined treatment group ( 51 patients with 51 affected eyes ) according to whether the patient underwent intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab ( IVR) . The combined treatment group was treated with IVR at 5-7d before PPV. The surgical time, times of electrocoagulation, silicone oil filling rate, the incidence of postoperative complications, LogMAR BCVA of affected eyes, levels of VEGF and pigment epithelium derived factor ( PEDF ) in aqueous humor and vitreous body were compared between the two groups. ·RESULTS:The surgical time was shorter, the times of electrocoagulation was less, the silicone oil filling rate and the incidence rates of iatrogenic retinal hole and vitreous body hematocele were lower in the combined treatment group than in the simple PPV group (P<0. 05). Levels of VEGF and PEDF in aqueous humor and vitreous body of the combined treatment group during PPV were lower than those in the simple PPV group (P<0. 05). The LogMAR BCVA of the affected eyes of the combined treatment group in 3mo after surgery was better than that of the simple PPV group (P<0. 05). ·CONCLUSION:IVR combined with PPV can reduce the perioperative levels of VEGF and PEDF, reduce the times of electrocoagulation and the incidence of iatrogenic retinal hole and vitreous body hematocele, and improve the visual acuity of patients with PDR.

Objective The technique of repetitive element-based polymerase chain reaction(rep-PCR)was used to track an epi- demic of nosocomial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus in our hospital.Methods The 50 S.aureus isolates were identi fled by PHOENIX-100 automatic Microbiological Identification System.Oxacillin-salt-supplemented agar was used to screen methicillin-resistant S.aureus(MRSA)phenotype.The resistant gene mecA was tested by PCR.The technique of rep-PCR was applied to type S.aureus isolates.Results The mecA gene was identified in 22 of the 50 S.aureus isolates.Nineteen of the 22 strains were isolated from patients.Nine to eleven bands were observed in electrophoretic pattern of all the 50 S.aureus iso- lates by rep-PCR under the conditions of this study.These strains were accordingly classified into 11 different genotypes.Con- clusions The rep-PCR technique is a rapid,simple and reliable genotyping method.It is an ideal tool to track the source of noso- comial infections at molecular level.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of Fas mRNA and protein expression and apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSNorthern blot and flow cytometry (TUNEL method) were used to detect the expression of Fas mRNA and Fas protein, cell cycle and apoptotic level in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The relationship between Fas gene expression and OSCC apoptosis was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSFas mRNA and protein could be detected in all five normal oral mucosa specimens. There was positive correlation between expression of Fas mRNA/protein and cell differentiation as well as apoptosis in OSCC (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Fas gene was highly correlated with the differentiation and apoptosis in OSCC.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and liver fibrosis.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was employed to determine HBV genotypes in 298 HBV-related liver disease patients, including 73 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 53 with liver cirrhosis, 91 with chronic hepatitis B and 82 asymptomatic HBV carriers to analyze the relationship of HBV genotypes with serum fibrous indices and serum albumin and globulin (A/G) ratio.

RESULTSB and C genotypes were dominant in patients with HBV-related hepatic diseases in Guangdong province. The levels of serum fibrous indices were significantly higher in patients with genotype C than in those with genotype B, and the former patients also had lower A/G ratio.

CONCLUSIONPatients with HBV genotype C may sustain more serious liver injury.

Adult ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of fas gene transfection and monoclonal anti-fas antibody on tumorigenicity and proliferation of transplanted tumor of Tca8113 cell.

METHODSPlasmid including fas gene was transfected into Tca8113 cell by lipofectamine kit. Some transfected cells were treated by monoclonal anti-fas antibody after 48 hours since transfection. Untransfected cell (control), fas-tansfected cell and fas-transfected cell treated with antibody were transplanted to nude mice subcutaneously. Growth of transplanted tumor was observed and recorded regularly. Animals were sacrificed and tumor samples were harvested at the end of experiment. Fas expression in each neoplasm was assessed by RT-PCR. Apoptosis, proliferation and expression of fas protein in tumor tissue were measured by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSTumor occurred much later in fas-transfected group and fas-transfected plus antibody treated group. Growth arrest was found in them. RT-PCR and FCM suggested that fas-transfection up-regulated the expression of fas mRNA and protein, increased apoptosis index (AI). But no effect on proliferation index (PI) was observed. Monoclonal anti-fas antibody did not effect the expression of fas mRNA and protein, but increased AI and decreased PI.

CONCLUSIONFas-transfection suppressing tumorigenesis of Tca8113 cell transplanted in nude mice might be caused by up-regulation of expression of fas gene and enhancement of apoptosis. However, anti-fas antibody suppressing tumorigenesis might be associated with activation of apoptosis and repression of proliferation.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Fas Ligand Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to establish transfergeneic Tca8113 cell and evaluate the expression of human endostatin (hES) gene in the cell colone in vitro.

METHODSTo transfect hES gene into Tca8113 cells, lipofectamin was complexed with plasmid encoding hES gene, and blasticidin S antibiotic was adopted to select Tca8113--hES cell clone. Immunohistochemistry S-P method was adopted to detect the expression of hES in the transfergenic Tca8113 cell in vitro.

RESULTSTransfected by hES, the transfergenic Tca8113 cells could grow and proliferate in RPMI--1640 culture medium containing blasticidin S antibiotic. The expression rate of hES reached 100%.

CONCLUSIONhES gene can express in hES-transfected Tca8113 cell in vitro.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Division ; Cloning, Molecular ; Endostatins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lipids ; pharmacology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics and the pattern of precore and core promoter mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotypes Ba, C1 and C2.

METHODSA cohort of 151 patients with chronic HBV infection in Guangdong province of China was enrolled in this study. HBV subgenotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Precore and core promoter mutations were analysed using nucleotide sequencing.

RESULTSOf the 151 patients, 80, 51 and 20 were infected with subgenotypes Ba, C1 and C2 respectively. No significant differences were found in HBeAg positivity and liver functional indexes among these three subgenotypes when age and sex were matched. Virologically, HBV/Ba showed the highest frequency of A1896 mutation but the lowest frequency of T1762/A1764 mutation. HBV/C1 was associated with the highest tendency to develop T1762/A1764 mutation, but the lowest prevalence of A1896 mutation. HBV/C2 was associated with an intermediate tendency to develop A1896 and T1762/A1764 mutations.

CONCLUSIONDifferent mutation patterns in precore and core promoter regions are responsible for HBeAg-negative HBV infections among different subgenotypes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; classification ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Protein Isoforms ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo compare the outcomes after liver resection for a single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤ 5 cm) between non-cirrhotic patients and cirrhotic patients, and to explore the influence of liver cirrhosis on recurrence and overall survival after liver resection in patients with a single small HCC.

METHODSA consecutive series of 256 patients with a single small HCC undergoing liver resection from April 2001 to October 2009 was retrospectively reviewed. Among the 256 patients, 227 patients were male, and 29 were female. The medium age was 49 years (ranged, 14 - 79 years); 224 (87.5%) patients were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, 241 (94.1%) patients were with preoperative liver function of Child-Pugh grade A. The entire cohort were divided into non-cirrhosis group (n = 44) and cirrhosis group (n = 212). Univariate analysis and then multivariate analysis were performed to determine the prognostic factors of recurrence and overall survival after liver resection for all patients.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3-, 5-year recurrence-free survival rates after liver resection were 93.0%, 85.3%, and 68.5%, respectively, in non-cirrhosis group, while 81.1%, 58.6%, and 45.0%, respectively, in cirrhosis group. The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates after liver resection were 100%, 92.5%, and 92.5%, respectively, in non-cirrhosis group, while 93.8%, 78.7%, and 67.8%, respectively, in cirrhosis group. Both the recurrence-free survival and overall survival of non-cirrhosis group were significantly better than those of cirrhosis group (χ(2) = 8.756, P = 0.003; χ(2) = 8.603, P = 0.003). Cirrhosis, absence of tumor capsule, presence of microvascular invasion and moderate/poor tumor differentiation were the independent adverse prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival and overall survival in patients with a single small HCC after liver resection.

CONCLUSIONSCirrhosis is an important adverse prognostic factor for long-term survival in patients with a single small HCC after liver resection. Liver resection resulted in much worse survival for cirrhotic patients compared to non-cirrhotic patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; mortality ; pathology ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; mortality ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; mortality ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult