ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of non-linear dynamics characteristics of EEG during picture memory masks, and the application of non-linear dynamic analysis for memory research.MethodsEEGs of 30 healthy old volunteers were recorded under the states of opened eyes and picture memory. Correlation dimension (D2) was calculated for all subjects.ResultsD2 increased significantly during memory tasks compared with the rest state with eyes opened (P<0.05). In different memory tasks, the complexity of mental functions and the regions involved in the memory task were different.ConclusionNon-linear analysis is appropriate for the study of functional changes and working mechanism of brain during memory.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of intracoronary administration of eptifibatide oncoronary no-reflow and myocardium perfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 80 STEMI patients with emergent PCI were randomly divided into 2 groups: Eptifibatide group, the patients received intracoronary administration of eptiifbatide and Control group, the patients received the same volume of normal saline.n=40 in each group. The baseline condition, post-operative vascular recanalization, changes of platelet aggression at pre- and post-medication were compared between 2 groups. Echocardiography was examined at immediately and 24 weeks after operation;myocardial infusion imaging was examined at l week after operation. All patients were followed-up for 24 weeks to observe the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results: Compared with Control group, Eptifibatide group showed increased ratios of post-operative TIMI grade 3 (72.5%vs 92.5%) and myocardium perfusion (70.0% vs 90.0%), bothP<0.05; decreased post-operative and 2h post-medicinal platelet aggression and they were both lower than Control group at the same period, allP<0.05. Eptiifbatide group had obviously improved LVEDD and LVEF at 24-week than 1-week after PCI and they were both superior to Control group, allP<0.05. There were 7 (17.5%) patients in Eptiifbatide group and 7 (7.5%) in Control group suffering from small bleeding events, P>0.05; no severe bleeding eventand no in-hospital thrombocytopeniaoccurred. MACE occurrence rates during 24-week follow-up period were 12.5% vs 22.5%, P>0.05. Conclusion: Intracoronary administration of eptiifbatide in STEMI patients at emergent PCI could effectively improve coronary blood lfow,increase myocardium perfusion and enhance cardiac function without severe bleeding events.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of α3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on apoptosis and p38 signal transduction pathway in SH-SY5Y cells and to assess the roles of α3 nAChR in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThe levels of α3 nAChR mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA. The mRNA level of bcl-2 and bax was measured by the real-time PCR. The siRNA transfected SH-SY5Y cells and control were then treated with 10 µmol/L Aβ25-35 for another 48 h, and the change in apoptotic rate and the levels of p-p38 and p38 were measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. Subsequently these SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a blocker of p38 protein, and the apoptotic rate was measured again.

RESULTSCompared to the controls, the expression of α3 nAChR at mRNA and protein levels in the SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA decreased by 95% and 86%, respectively; the mRNA levels of bax increased 2.11 times and that for bcl-2 decreased 0.53 times. The apoptotic rate was unaffected (3.40% ± 0.20%); but it increased after Aβ25-35 treatment (24.52% ± 1.59%); the level of p-p38 protein also increased by 178% in the α3 nAChR inhibited cells treated with Aβ25-35. Compared to controls, the Aβ25-35-treated SH-SY5Y cells and the Aβ25-35-treated and siRNA-transfected cells both showed a reduction in apoptosis after treatment with p38 blocker, especially in the former.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA silencing of α3 nAChR mRNA may enhance the effect of Aβ25-35 on the cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of p38 protein and bax mRNA and decreasing the level of bcl-2 mRNA, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the influence of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(rhBNP)on ventricular remodeling and ventricular systolic synchrony in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: A total of 48 patients with AMI after PCI were randomized into two groups: rhBNP Group (n=25) and Routine treatment Group (n=23).Two dimension echocardiography was used to measure the index of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDVI), the index of left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESVI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the index of left ventricular mass (LVMI), the movement index of infarcted regional wall (RWMI) at 1 week, 4 weeks and 24 weeks after the treatment procedure.And at 1 week and 24 weeks period, equilibrium radionuclide angiography was performed respectively to evaluate the ventricular systolic synchrony.Results: ①1 week after PCI, LVESVI in rhBNP group was decreased and LVEF was increased than that in Routine treatment group (P<0.05, respectively).4 and 24 weeks after PCI, LVEDVI, LVESVI, LVEF were significantly different in rhBNP group than those in Routine treatment group (P<0.05,respectively).24 weeks after PCI, RWMI and LVMI were significantly decreased in rhBNP group than those in Routine treatment group(P<0.05,respectively).②24 weeks after PCI, phase shift, full width at half maximum and peak phase standard deviation were significantly improved in rhBNP group than those in Routine treatment group (P<0.05, respectively).Conclusion: Intravenous injection of rhBNP could inhibit left ventricular remodeling and improve left ventricular function.

Chemical constituents of Swertia patens. The whole plant of air-dried Swertia patens was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H₂O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isola- ted and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and identified based on spectral analyses (MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C- NMR). Eighteen compounds were isolated and elucidated as 3, 4-dihydro-1H,6H,8H-naptho [1,2-c:4,5-c', d'dipyrano-1, 8-dione (1), angelone (2), gentiogenal (3), erythricin (4), erythrocentaurin (5), gentianine (6), swertiakoside B (7), swertiamarin (8), 2'-O-actylswertiamarin (9), amarogentin (10), 1, 3, 5-trihydroxyxanthone (11), 1, 3-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone (12), 1-hydroxy- 2, 3, 5-trimethoxyxanthone (13), gentiocrucine (14), 3-hydroxyphenylketone (15), n-hexacosyl ester 4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamate (16), n-hexacosyl ester 4-hydroxy-cis-cinnamate (17), and cholest-4-en-3-one (18). Compounds 1-7, 9-18 were obtained from S. patens for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Swertia ; chemistry

This present work is to study the chemical constituents of Swertia angustifolia. The whole plants of air-dried Swertia angustifolia was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H2O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and nBuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and identified based on spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Fourteen compounds were isolated and characterized as 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 7-dimethoxyxanthone (1), 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 5, 7-trimethoxyxanthone (2), 7-hydroxy-3, 8-dimethoxyxanthone-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), 8-0-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-6) -β-D-glucopyranosyl] -1, 7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (4), (+) -syringaresinol (5), ferulic acid (6), trans-coniferyl aldehyde (7), sinapaldehyde (8), trans-coniferyl alcohol (9), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (10), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (11), isophthalic acid (12), 2-furoic acid (13), and 2-methyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone(14). Compounds 2-14 were obtained from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Swertia ; chemistry

This study is to investigate the chemical constituents of Swertia kouitchensis. The whole plants of air-dried Swertia kouitchensis was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H2O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and their structures were identified based on spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Twenty-eight compounds were obtained, and characterized as erythrocentaurin (1), erythrocentaurin dimethylacetal (2), swertiamarin (3), vogeloside (4), 2'-O- actylswertiamarin (5), swertianoside D (6), gentiocrucines A-B (7-8), gentiocrucine (9), 1-hydroxy-3, 7, 8-trimethoxyxanthone (10), 1-hydroxy-3, 5, 6-trimethoxyxanthone (11), 3-epitaraxerol (12), erythrodiol 3-O-palmitate (13), (+) -syringaresinol (14), caffeic acid (15), trans-coniferyl aldehyde (16), trans-coniferyl alcohol (17), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (18), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (19), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic aldehyde (20), 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (21), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (22), 3-acetoxybenzoic acid (23), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (24), 3-hydroxybenzoic alcohol (25), nicotinic acid (26), 2-furoic acid (27), and uracil (28). Compounds 1-4, 6-28 were obtained from S. kouitchensis for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Swertia ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method for treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-three cases were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 63) and a control group (n = 60). The treatment group were treated with injection of Huangqi injectio and Danshen Injectio into Ganshu (BL 18) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every other day; and the control group were treated with oral administration of Gankangning tablet and fufang yiganling tablet. The clinical symptoms, hepatic function, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B virus-desoxyribose nucleic acid (HBV-DNA) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.7% in the treatment group and 76.7% in the control group with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01); and the treatment group in hepatic function and the effects of turning negative for HBeAg and HBV-DNA was better than the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupoint-injection has a better therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B.

Acupuncture Points ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Dust ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Industry ; Inhalation Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Maximum Allowable Concentration ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Quartz

Bicyclol with benzyl alcohol structure, is a poorly water-soluble drug, used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. To increase the drug solubility and oral bioavailability, a Bicyclol-phospholipid complex was studied on its preparation, formation mechanism, and the influence on drug physicochemical properties and oral absorption. The complex was prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The optimal formulation was selected by orthogonal experimental design, and a reasonable evaluating method of the complexation rate was established. Various methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR), were used to explore the phase state and formation mechanism of the complex. The solubility of drug in complex was investigated in water/n-octanol. Preliminary study of its absorption and liver tissue distribution in rats was also carried out. The results showed that Bicyclol and phosphatidylcholine can be complexed entirely in the molar ratio 1 : 2. Bicyclol was dispersed in phospholipids as amorphous state. They were combined by intermolecular hydrogen bond due to charge transfer effect which occurred between the two polarities of the double bond between phosphorus and oxygen (P=O) of phosphatidylcholine and benzalcohol group of Bicyclol. The solubility of the complex compared to the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) was effectively enhanced 5.75 times in water and 7.72 times in n-octanol, separately. In addition, drug concentrations were also enhanced 43 times in plasma and 13 times in liver with one hour after administering the complex to rats via oral gavage. All of these indicated that Bicyclol with benzalcohol group can interact with phospholipids to form complex, improving drug's physicochemical properties, thus further increasing its absorption and target tissue distribution. This study also provided theoretical reference for the research of other benzalcohol derivatives complexed with phospholipids.
1-Octanol ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacokinetics ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Phospholipids ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Solubility ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Tissue Distribution ; X-Ray Diffraction