Objective To investigate the clinical significance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from peripheral serum in patients of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).Methods Forty VCI subjects (including 10 mild cognitive impairment vascular(MCI-V) and 30 vascular dementia(VD)),and the control group for the same period in 40 healthy persons.Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum levels of BDNF,statistical analysis was performed.Results The peripheral serum levels of BDNF in VCI (0.175 ±0.056) ng/L were lower than those of control group (0.211 ±0.061) ng/L,and there were significant differences (t =-2.752,P ＜ 0.05).The levels of BDNF showed no significant difference between MCI and VD ((0.195 ± 0.067) ng/L vs.(0.168 ± 0.052) ng/L,t =1.310,P ＞ 0.05).But they were both significantly lower than the control group (F =4.590,P =0.013).No significant differences were observed in the levels of BDNF between subcortical small vessel dementia (0.178 ± 0.057) ng/L and big vascular dementia (0.154 ± 0.042) ng/L (t =1.278,P =0.212).Conclusion BDNF participate in pathophysiology of VCI,and the serum levels of BDNF may be a candidate marker for clinical diagnosis of VCI.But serum levels of BDNF could not reflect the severity or the type of the VCI.

By using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel and Pharmadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC, two minor new compounds, labda-12, 14-dien-6beta, 7alpha, 8beta, 17-tetraol (1), 2, 3-cis-6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethylvinyl)-2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-ol angelate (2), and a minor new natural product 6-methoxy-4-methyl-3, 4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one (3) have been isolated from an ethanolic extract of Heteroplexis micocephala. Their structures were elucidated with spectroscopic data analysis including 2D NMR experiments.

Objective To explore the roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and P38MAPK in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats,and the effects of butyIphthalide on the influence of VEGF and P38MAPK in hippocampus of AD rats.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,AD model group,butylphthalide low-dose group and high dose group (n =8 rats per group).Aggregated Aβ1-42 was injected into the bilateral hippocampus of rats by stereotaxic coordinates method to induce AD.Morris water maze test was used to determine the abilities of learning and memory.Western blotting combined with Gel Doc imagine systems were used to investigate the expression of VEGF and P-P38MAPK in hippocampus of AD rats.Results The result of Morris water maze experiment showed that one week after modeling,escape latency was different(F =66.658,P ＜ 0.05),and either dose the frequency of crossing platform (F =6.884,P ＜0.05).Compared with the blank group,the other three groups'latent period of escape was extended significantly(P ＜ 0.05),and frequency of crossing platform was significantly less (P ＜ 0.05).After drug intervention for 4 weeks,the expression of VEGF was difference(F =171.064,P ＜0.05),it was decreased obviously in the model group than blank group(P ＜=0.05),but it was increased in the drug intervention groups than model group (P ＜ 0.05),and increased more significantly in the high dose group than low dose group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of P38MAPK had no obvious change among four groups (P ＞ 0.05),however,the expression of P-P38MAPK showed difference(F =104.395,P ＜ 0.05),it was increased in drug intervention and model group than blank group (P ＜ 0.05),it was increased in drug intervention and model group than blank group (P ＜ 0.05),reduced significantly in drug intervention groups than model group (P ＜ 0.05),and decreased more significantly in high dose groups than low dose group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Butylphthalide could obviously enhance the expression of VEGF,reduce the expression of P-P38MAPK in hippocampus of AD rats.

Objective To explore the characteristics and influencing factors of depressive symptoms among the only-child-lost persons.Methods A total of 841 only-child-lost persons and 674 controls conforming to entering group condition were selected.The difference of SDS score between the two groups and the demographic characteristics distribution differences of depression severity in only-child-lost persons were compared and the influencing factors were analyzed.Results The SDS score had statistical difference between the only-child-lost persons group and control group(P＜0.05),and was correlated to the only-child-lost years and no physical disease;the proportion of mild to moderate depression in the only-child-lost persons of the low cultural level,somatic diseases and middle income level groups was significantly higher than that in the other groups;the only-child-lost persons with low income level,age≤60 years old and high educational level had a higher proportion of severe depression;the Logistic regression analysis showed that the educational level had a significant influence on the depression onset among the only-child-lost persons,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The characteristics of depressive symptoms among the only-child-lost persons are related to their demographic characteristics.

Secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies in external secretions play an important role in mucosal immune response. Polymeric SIgA was advantageous over monomeric IgA (mIgA) and IgG in several aspects. To express secretory IgA antibody against H5N1 virus, we constructed the secretory component and immunoglobulin J expressing plasmids and co-transfected the plasmids into the Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) stably expressing immunoglobulin A. Then we used Zeocin to select the positive clone cells, monoclonal cells stably secreting SIgA was screened through fold dilution method at last. The SIgA antibody secreted from the CHO cells was confirmed by Western blotting, which demonstrated that we had got the complete SIgA molecular. The successful expression of this polymeric anti-H5N1 SIgA in CHO cells will contribute to the production of recombinant SIgA as a preventive agent for infectious disease control.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; CHO Cells ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Genetic Vectors ; Immunoglobulin A ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of Heteroplexis nicocephala.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Pharmadex LH-20, and C-18, as well as reversed-phase HPLC. Structures of the isolates were identified by spectroscopic data analysis. In vitro cytotoxic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities were screened by using cell-based models.

RESULTSeventeen terpenoids were isolated. The structures were identified as two monoterpenoids: (-)-bomyl ferulate(1) and loliolide(2). Seven sesquiterpenoids: 1beta-hydroxy-alpha-cyperone(3) , alpha-rotunol(4), 10alpha-hydroxycadin-4-en-15-al (5), 1-epi-10beta-hydroxycadin-4-en-15-al(6), 10alpha-hydroxyisodauc-3-en-15-al(7), germacrene B(8), and mandassidione(9). Five diterpenoids: 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A(10), 1-hydroxy-12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A(11), cleroinermin(12), desoxyarticulin(13), and anhydroolearin(14). And three triterpenoids: friedelin (15), ursolic acid(16), and obtusalin(17). In the in vitro assays, 1 showed selective cytotoxic activity against BGC-823, with an IC50 value of 8.00 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). At a concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), 12 showed neuroprotective activity against MPP+ induced PC12-syn cell damage, with a relative cell proliferation rate of 104.32% (P < 0.001). 2 exhibited inhibitory activity against the release of beta-glucuronidase from the polymorphous nuclear leukocytes induced by PAF, with an inhibitory rate of 52.7% (P < 0.05) at the same concentration.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-17 were obtained from the genus Heteroplexis for the first time. 1 showed selective cytotoxic activity against human gastric cancer cell lines (BGC-823), 12 and 2 showed potent neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively.

Anti-HIV Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective To study the value of expanded-National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (e-NIHSS) in evaluating the neurological signs of medullary infarction.Methods One hundred and thirteen patients with primary medullary infarction proved by magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled and divided into medial medullary infarction (MMI) group (n=41) and lateral medullary infarction (LMI) group (n=72).Risk factors of stroke and neurological signs evaluated by NIHSS and e-NIHSS were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results The age and prevalence of diabetes in MMI group were significantly older/higher than those in LMI group (P＜0.05).The major neurological signs of MMI were limb weakness (95.12％),dysphagia (36.59％),facial plasy (34.15％) and dysarthria (31.71％).And the major neurological signs of LMI were dysphagia (63.89％),truncal ataxia (54.17％),sensory dysfunction (50.00％) and dysarthia (48.61％).All the patients had significantly higher e-NIHSS scores than NIHSS scores (5.40±2.74 vs.2.96±2.22,P=0.000),which was similar in MMI group (e-NIHSS:5.34±3.20 vs.NIHSS:4.07±2.55,P=0.000) and in LMI group (e-NIHSS:5.43±2.47 vs.NIHSS:2.33±1.74,P=0.000).The e-NIHSS scores increased 2.57±1.99 than NIHSS scores in all the patients,which were 1.63±2.25 in MMI group and 3.10±1.62 in LMI higher than NIHSS scores;the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion The e-NIHSS could improve the sensitivity of NIHSS in evaluating the neurological signs of medullary infarction,which is better in evaluating LMI than in evaluating MMI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of Heteroplexis micocephal and their bioactivities.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, silica gel, Pharmadex LH-20, and C-18, as well as reversed-phase HPLC. Structures of the isolates were identified by spectroscopic data analysis. In vitro cytotoxic, HIV-1 replication, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities were screened by using cell-based models.

RESULTThirty-one compounds were obtained. Twelve of them are phenylpropanols, and the structures were elucidated as (+)-(7S,8R)-guaiacylglycerol (1), ferulic acid (2), cinnamate methyl ester (3), 1-eicosanyl 3,4-dihydroxycinnamate (4), morinin B (5), sinapyl diangelate (6), chlorogenic acid (7), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (9), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (10), 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (11) and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (12). Three lignans, (+)-pinoresinol (13), prinsepiol (14) and (+)-pinoresinol-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15). Four acetophenones, 2,4-diacetylanisole (16), espeleton (17), viscidone (18) and 12-hydroxytremetone-12-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (19). Nine flavones, isosakuranetin (20), hesperetin (21), 3-methoxy-5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone (22), acacetin (23), 5-hydroxy-7,4'- dimethoxyflavone (24), 7-methoxy-4',5, 6-trihydroxyflavone (25), 3,3'-dimethylquercetin (26), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (27), rutin (28). And three coumarins scopoletin (29), umbelliferone (30) and ayapin (31). Compound 6 and 22 showed selective cytotoxicities against a human stomach cancer cell line(BGC-823) and a human lung cancer cell line (A549) with IC50 values of 3.74 x 10(-5) and 7.17 x 10(-5) mol L(-1), respectively. In addition, Compound 6 showed a potent activity inhibiting HIV-1 replication with an IC50 value of 4.04 x 10(-6) mol L(-1), while 22 showed neuroprotective activity Against the MPP+ induced PC12-syn cell damage, with a relative protection ratio of 105.2% (P < 0.01) at a concentration of 10(-5) mol L(-1). Compound 26 and 31 showed inhibitory activities against the release of beta-glucuronidase of the polymorphous nuclear leukocytes induced by platelet activating factor (PAF), with inhibitory rates of 75.6% (P < 0.001) and 53. 9% (P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-31 were obtained from the genus Heteroplexis for the first time. Compound 6 and 22 possessed selective cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines BGC-823 and A549, respectively. In addition, Compound 6 showed a potent activity inhibiting HIV-1 replication while 22 showed neuroprotective activity against the MPP+ induced PC12-syn cell damage. Compound 26 and 31 were potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Myrtaceae ; chemistry ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Virus Replication ; drug effects