To explore the correlation between the ecological factors and the contents of podophyllotoxin and total lignans in root and rhizome of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, podophyllotoxin in 87 samples (from 5 provinces) was determined by HPLC and total lignans by UV. A correlation and regression analysis was made by software SPSS 16.0 in combination with ecological factors (terrain, soil and climate). The content determination results showed a great difference between podophyllotoxin and total lignans, attaining 1.001%-6.230% and 5.350%-16.34%, respective. The correlation and regression analysis by SPSS showed a positive linear correlation between their contents, strong positive correlation between their contents, latitude and annual average rainfall within the sampling area, weak negative correlation with pH value and organic material in soil, weaker and stronger positive correlations with soil potassium, weak negative correlation with slope and annual average temperature and weaker positive correlation between the podophyllotoxin content and soil potassium.
Berberidaceae ; chemistry ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Climate ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Podophyllotoxin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Soil ; chemistry ; Temperature

Objective To evaluate the effects of TENS on metatarsus plantar flexion and inversion in stroke patients,and to explore its mechanism.Methods Thirty-two stroke patients with gastrocnemius spasticity were randomly divided into a control group (n=16) and a TENS group (n=16).All patients were treated with foot sup- ports,neurodevelopmental and manipulation therapies.In addition,the TENS group received TENS on the anterior tibialis,peroneus longus and brevis muscles.All patients were assessed in terms of their Chinese stroke scale(CSS) and H reflex scores before and after therapy.Results Compared with those in the control group,the H reflex scores in the TENS group were obviously decreased,while H reflex latency was prolonged and H/M was reduced. Gait in the TENS group was evidently improved.Conclusion TENS is an effective therapy to decrease gastrocnemi- us spasticity and to improve the gait of stroke patients.

Objective:To sieve molecular biomarkers associated with heart failure derived from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).Methods:The comparative gene microarray analysis using individual left ventricular myocardial samples from 5 patients with heart failure resulting from ARVC undergoing transplantation and 5 matched samples from normal adult heart were performed.The accuracy rate of the differentially expressed genes obtained by gene microarray was further verified by quantitative real time RT-PCR.Results:83 genes (from a total of 35000) that were differentially expressed in diseased hearts versus normal hearts were identified.Among them thirty-seven genes were up-regulated and forty-eight genes were down-regulated in ARVC hearts compared with the normal hearts.Changes of gene expressions were most prominently observed in those belonging to the "metabolism" category.Eighty percent of the selected 30 differentially expressed genes from microarray analysis were confirmed by quantitative real time RT-PCR.The highly expressed level of atrial natriuratic peptide (ANP) in ARVC hearts that was confirmed by quantitative real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was reported.Conclusion:For the first time to our knowledge,the altered expressed genes in ARVC hearts compared with the matched normal hearts were identified.The results are the base to further study the molecular mechanism and identify diseased-specific molecular biomarkers in heart failure derived from ARVC.

Objective Clinical data of 19 Chinese patients with 21 hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) were analyzed to improve the diagnosis and treatment level. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 19 patients with 21OHD before and after treatment. Results In male patients, the average age of early appearance of secondary sexual character was (9.3?2.8)yrs, and excess androgen resulted in phallic enlargement. Primary amenorrhea was the most common complaint in female(87.5%), and the signs included a varying degree of labioscrotal fusion and clitoral enlargement. The average level of 17-hydroxy progesterone(17OHP) was (63.42?35.07) ?g/L, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH), dehydroepiandrosterone(sodium) sulfate(DHEAS) and testosterone(T) were obviously elevated. CT scan showed bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. The level of 17OHP was significantly decreased after treatment[(63.42?35.07) ?g/L vs (3.15?2.71) ?g/L](P

Objective To discuss the optimal clinical diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome with occult tumors. Methods Clinical features, imaging examinations and treatment of 17 patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome were described and compared. Results All patients illustrated the typical clinical features of Cushing’s syndrome. They had hypokalemic alkalosis, elevated serum cortisol and plasma ACTH levels. In the high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, most patients failed to suppress serum cortisol and 24-hour urinary cortisol. CT and MRI are useful imaging modalities to localize the ACTH-secreting tumor in patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome. The patients with overt ACTH-secreting tumors had surgical curative resection soon after diagnosis. Among patients with occult ACTH-secreting tumors, three underwent subtotal bilateral adrenalectomy, two underwent right adrenalectomy, four received inhibitor of steroidogenesis aminoglutethimide. Their hypercortisolism was controlled. Conclusion Surgical curative resection is the optimal treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome with overt ACTH-secreting tumor. Bilateral adrenalectomy, right adrenal ectomy or chemotherapy to control hypercortisolism is an available treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome with occult ACTH-secreting tumors.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo assess the optimal regimen and its mechanism of ZD1839 in combination with SN38, the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), in the colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and LoVo.

METHODSChou and Talalay method was used to analyze the combination effects of sequencing of ZD1839 and SN38. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation were used to determine the effects of ZD1839 and/or SN38 on their targeted enzymes and downstream markers. Apoptosis was assayed by analyzing histone-associated DNA fragment.

RESULTSSequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 produced a synergistic effect. In contrast, SN38 following ZD1839 exhibited an antagonist effect. SN38 markedly inhibited topoisomerase I (Topo-I) activity. ZD1839 did not alter epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, but resulted in a complete inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation. Sequential ZD1839 followed by SN38 did not show any enhanced inhibition effect on Topo-I activity, phosphorylation of EGFR and one of its downstream markers MAPK. However, simultaneous SN38 plus ZD1839, and sequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 administrations showed modest inhibition effect on EGFR's another downstream marker AKT. The combination schedules also showed prominent influence on cell cycle distribution. ZD1839 maintained SN38-induced DNA damage and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 may be a favorable combination schedule.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to identify the long-term character of the domestic bileaflet mechanical valve in the chronic implanted sheep model and to evaluate the potential value of the modal.

METHODSSix adult sheep underwent implanted mechanical bileaflet valve in pulmonary position under the cardio-pulmonary bypass with beating heart. The chronic implanted sheep model was built up and observed in the respects of a long-term survival, function of prosthesis and pathological specimen.

RESULTSSix adult sheep survived with good condition after operation. The average survival period of six sheep was (221 +/- 208) days. Two sheep were postoperatively sacrificed in 41 and 71 days, respectively. The necropsy revealed normal valve function without thrombosis, periprosthetic leakage and overgrowth of fibrous tissue. One sheep died from dysfunction of prosthetic valve at the postoperative 196 days. The reason was the prosthetic thrombosis with slight overgrowth of fibrous tissue in periprosthesis. The other two sheep died from severe anemia at the postoperative 196 days and 234 days, and the autopsy revealed no abnormal finding else. And one remained to survive with good condition up to now (over 617 days) and was checked by Doppler echocardiogram twice at the postoperative 438 days and 479 days, respectively. The results showed normal function of the bileaflet valve in pulmonary position.

CONCLUSIONThe long-term good effects would be achieved by using the implanted new domestic bileaflet valve in pulmonary position of sheep.

Animals ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Pulmonary Valve ; surgery ; Sheep

OBJECTIVETo study transdermal absorption characteristics of eugenol in compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm, and discuss the effect of gaultherolin on the transdermal absorption of the cataplasm.

METHODThe improved franz diffusing cell was adopted with hairless mice skins as transdermal carriers. The content of eugenol in receptor liquid, skins and cataplasm were analyzed by HPLC and compared with the cataplasm without gaultherolin.

RESULTThe penetration rates of eugenol of cataplasms with and without gaultherolin were 13.18 and 9.58 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), with the retention amount in skins of (185.02 +/- 19.23) and (160.23 +/- 16.54) microg x g(-1) and the retention amount in cataplasms was (1.96 +/- 0.12) and (1.71 +/- 0.15) mg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONEugenol in compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm has good pereutaoeous permeation. Gaultherolin in the cataplasm prescription can promote the absorption of eugenol.

Analgesics ; chemistry ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Pain ; drug therapy ; Salicylates ; chemistry ; Skin ; metabolism ; Skin Absorption ; Time Factors

From the beginning of the fourth national survey of the Chinese materia medica resources, there were 22 provinces have conducted pilots. The survey teams have reported immense data, it put forward the very high request to the database system construction. In order to ensure the quality, it is necessary to check and validate the data in database system. Data validation is important methods to ensure the validity, integrity and accuracy of census data. This paper comprehensively introduce the data validation system of the fourth national survey of the Chinese materia medica resources database system, and further improve the design idea and programs of data validation. The purpose of this study is to promote the survey work smoothly.
Data Collection ; Databases, Pharmaceutical ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional