To investigate cytotoxic secondary metabolites of Micrococcus sp. R21, an actinomycete isolated from a deep-sea sediment (-6 310 m; 142 degrees 19. 9' E, 10 degrees 54. 6' N) of the Western Pacific Ocean, column chromatography was introduced over silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. As a result, eight compounds were obtained. By mainly detailed analysis of the NMR data, their structures were elucidated as cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-leu) (1), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Gly) (2), cyclo( L-Pro-L-Ala) (3), cyclo( D-Pro-L-Leu) (4), N-β-acetyltryptamine (5), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), and phenylacetic acid (7). Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against RAW264. 7 cells with IC50 value of 9.1 μmol x L(-1).
Animals ; Biological Factors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Micrococcus ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Phylogeny ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Seawater ; microbiology ; Secondary Metabolism

Adult ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; secondary

In order to minimize the residual tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) level in cyclodextrin complex prepared by freeze drying TBA/water cosolvent system, the formulation and lyophilization procedure that may influence the residual TBA was studied. Residual TBA in freeze dried cyclodextrin complex was determined by gas chromatography. The significant formulation and processing factors that influence residual TBA were identified by adjusting the initial TBA concentration in cosolvent, selecting cyclodextrin type (beta-cyclodextrin or hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin), changing sample volume in flasket, altering freezing mode (fast freezing or slow freezing) and modifying the duration of secondary drying. The results show that the amorphous cyclodextrin material (hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin), initial low TBA concentration in cosolvent and fast freezing would lead to high TBA residue in cyclodextrin complex, annealing was effective in reducing the residual TBA. The duration of secondary drying had no distinct effect on residual TBA. It is concluded that in order to reduce residual TBA in cyclodextrin complex prepared by lyophilization monophase solution, the initial TBA concentration in cosolvent should be higher than the crystal formation concentration, the appropriate cyclodextrin type and freeze drying processing should be choosen.
2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; Budesonide ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Gas ; Drug Residues ; analysis ; chemistry ; Freeze Drying ; methods ; Solvents ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; chemistry ; tert-Butyl Alcohol ; analysis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThis review discusses the experimental and clinical studies those show the expression of connexin 36 in the central nervous system and the possible role of connexin 36 in epileptic seizure.

DATA SOURCESAll articles used in this review were mainly searched from PubMed published in English from 1996 to 2012.

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and reviews were selected if they were related to the expression of connexin 36 in the central nervous system and its role in epilepsy.

RESULTSThe distribution of connexin 36 is developmentally regulated, cell-specific and region-specific. Connexin 36 is involved in some neuronal functions and epileptic synchronization. Changes in the connexin 36 gene and protein were accompanied by seizures. Selective gap junction blockers have exerted anticonvulsant actions in a variety of experiments examined in both humans and experimental animals.

CONCLUSIONSConnexin 36 plays an important role in both physiological and pathological conditions in the central nervous system. A better understanding of the role of connexin 36 in seizure activity may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating epilepsy.

Animals ; Central Nervous System ; metabolism ; Connexins ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; metabolism ; Humans ; Seizures ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to develop a sustained release converse thermosensitive hydrogel for intra-articular injection using chitosan-glycerol-borax as matrix, its physical properties and biocompatibility were investigated. Taking gelation time and gelation condition as index, the influence of concentration of chitosan, ratio of chitosan to glycerol, pH on physical properties of hydrogel were investigated. And then the in vitro drug release, rheological properties and biocompatibility were studied. The thermosensitive hydrogel flows easily at room temperature and turns to gelation at body temperature, which can certainly prolong the release of drug and has good biocompatibility.
Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chitosan ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Compounding ; Hydrogels ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Knee Joint ; drug effects ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheology ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Strychnine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Strychnos nux-vomica ; chemistry ; Surface Properties ; Synaptic Membranes ; drug effects ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo study the differences in quality of life and psychosocial function between children with short stature and children with normal stature.

METHODSThe Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was used to survey 53 children aged 5-18 years who were diagnosed with short stature between June 2011 and June 2012, and their parents or guardians. Seventy-nine healthy children aged 4-17 years were selected as the control group.

RESULTSFor PedsQL Child-Self Report, the children with short stature had a significantly higher total score than the control children (25.3±11.2 vs 21.1±10.3; P<0.05), and the former had significantly higher scores than the latter on the following items: It is hard for me to walk more than one block; It is hard for me to lift something heavy; I hurt or ache; I worry about what will happen to me; I cannot do things that other kids of my age can do; It is hard to keep up when I play with other kids; It is hard to pay attention in class; I forget things; I have trouble keeping up with my schoolwork (P<0.05). For PedsQL Parent-Proxy Report, the children with short stature had significantly higher scores than the control children on the following items: troubled sleeping; paying attention in class; keeping up with schoolwork; forgetting things (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in total score, however, between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with short stature have poorer development of psychosocial function than children with normal stature.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life

Aim To investigate the effect of sanguina-rine on regulating the pathway of cell apoptosis by in-ducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells. Methods MTT method was used to detect the cell viability of HepG2 cell after the treatment of san-guinarine. The changes of ROS were observed by indi-cator DCFH-DA and DHE staining. The apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33342 and Annexin V/PI stai-ning;Rhodamine 123 staining was used to detect mito-chondrial membrane potential. Western blot was used to detect expressions of key cell-apoptotic protein. Re-sults The cell viability of HepG2 cells showed a de-creasing trend with the increasing concentration of san-guinarine. Sanguinarine could significantly increase cellular ROS,decrease mitochondrial membrane poten-tial in HepG2 cell, and promote apoptosis of HepG2 cells. The expression of Bax, cleaved-caspase-3 and cytoplasmic Cyt-C significantly increased after the treatment of sanguinarine, however, the expression of Bcl-2 was inhibited. Conclusion Sanguinarine could activate mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis mediated by cellular uncontrolled ROS and promote apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the current status of streptomycin resistance of Yersinia pestis caused by point mutations of rpsL gene in Qinghai, so as to provide theoretical basis for precise clinical medication and prevention of drug resistance of human plague outbreak in South area of Qinghai Province in the future. Methods A total of 104 representative strains of Yersinia pestis collected from plague patients, vector insects and intermediate hosts in South area of Qinghai Province from 1957 to 2009 were screened, isolated and cultured by Hiss agar plates. The DNA of representative Yersinia pestis was extracted by sodium dodecyl sulfate lysis and phenol-chloroform method. The primers forward primer and reverse primer and TaqMan-MGB probes probe1 [FAM] and probe2 [VIC] were designed for the rpsL gene of streptomycin resistance gene in China. Real-time PCR with TaqMan-MGB fluorescent probe was used to detect the mutations of rpsL gene in streptomycin resistance locus of 104 strains of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province. Results The FAM test results of 104 strains in South area of Qinghai Province were positive, corresponding to the detection of rpsL (128 : A ), RFU peak >1 000,negative <200. VIC test results of all tested strains were negative, corresponding to the detection of rpsL (128:G), RFU peak <200, positive >1 000. That is, no strains with rpsL gene mutation related to streptomycin resistance were found in the 104 strains of Yersinia pestis in Qingnan Province. Conclusion This study provides basic data on the distribution of streptomycin resistance of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province, and lays a foundation for preventing the occurrence of drug resistance and clinical treatment of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the application of reverse flap based on two dorsal metacarpal artery for reconstruction of degloved fingertip avulsion.

METHODSFrom Jan. 2005 to Mar. 2008, 28 cases with degloved fingertip avulsion were treated with reverse flaps based on two dorsal metacarpal artery. The defects were located distal to the distant interphalangeal joints and were 0.8-2.2 cm in length. 10 defects was in the index fingers, 13 in the middle fingers and 5 in the ring fingers. 24 fingers were treated in an emergency surgery. 4 fingers were treated due to skin necrosis.

RESULTSEpidermal necrosis happened at the distal end of flaps in 3 cases. All the other flaps survived completely. 25 cases were followed up for 4-27 months with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. The 2-points discrimination distance was 6.0-9.0 mm (average, 7.6 mm).

CONCLUSIONSThe reverse flap based on two dorsal metacarpal artery is easily performed and reliable for degloved fingertip avulsion with satisfactory results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation with GlideScope videolaryngoscope (GSVL) and with fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) after induction of general anesthesia.

METHODSTotally 57 ASA physical status I - II adult patients undergoing elective plastic surgery and requiring orotracheal intubation were randomly allocated to either GSVL group (n = 29) or FOB group (n = 28). After a routine intravenous anesthetic induction, orotracheal intubation was performed. Noninvasive blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after anesthetic induction, at intubation and thereafter at 1 minute interval for 5 minutes.

RESULTSThe intubation time was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). After intubation, BP and HR exhibited significant increases compared to the post-induction values in both groups, but the maximum values of BP did not exceed the pre-induction values while the maximum value of HR was higher than the pre-induction value. During the observation, BP and HR at all time points as well as the maximum values of BP and HR had no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe orotracheal intubations using FOB and GSVL result in similar hemodynamic responses.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Circulation ; Bronchoscopes ; Elective Surgical Procedures ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; instrumentation ; Laryngoscopes ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Plastic ; Video-Assisted Surgery ; instrumentation