Three butylphthalide derivatives were isolated from the Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong using a series of isolation and purification approaches including macroporous resin, ODS-A column, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. These structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and NMR) and identified as (3Z,3aE)-(6R,7R,2'S)-6-hydroxy-7-(2-carboxyl-2-hydroxyethylthio)-3-(2-hydroxybutylidene)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-phthalide (1), (3Z,3aZ)-3-butylidene-6,7-dihydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-phthalide 7-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fructo-furanoside (2) and 3-(3-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-butylidene)-7-hydroxy-phthalide (3).

OBJECTIVETo understand the HBV infection rate of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from fetuses of HBsAg positive mothers, associated risk factors and to explore the clinical significance of detecting HBV infected PBMCs.

METHODSSixty eight pregnant women who were delivered at the First Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China from August 1995 to February 1997, and their newborns were studied. They were divided into two groups according to their status of HBV serological markers. The study group included 50 cases who were serum HBsAg positive and 18 cases without any HBV serum markers served as control group. All these cases had no symptoms of hepatitis, high risk premature labor, premature delivery and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. Age and gestational age were matched in two groups. Blood samples (5 mL) were taken from the peripheral vein of pregnant women before delivery and from newborns within 24 h after birth, before inoculation of HBV vaccine (HBVac) and injection of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG). PBMCs were isolated. The sera and PBMCs were stored at -80 degrees C. HBV-DNA in serum and PBMCs were detected with nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR). Two pairs of oligonucleotide primers, the outer primer pair for first PCR and inner primer pair for second PCR, designed according to region S of HBV genome were synthesized by Shanghai Cell Biology Institute of Chinese Academy of Science.

RESULTSThe detection rate of HBV-DNA in serum and PBMCs from HBsAg positive pregnant women was 60.0% (30/50) and 40.0% (20/50), respectively. The detection rate of HBV-DNA in serum and PBMCs from newborns of HBsAg positive pregnant women was 46.0% (23/50) and 30.0% (15/50), respectively. Ten newborns were HBV-DNA positive in serum only, 2 were positive in PBMCs only and 13 were positive in both serum and PBMCs. In the control group, HBV-DNA was not detected in PBMC nor in serum. The positive rate of HBV-DNA in PBMCs of newborns was significantly higher in the group of mothers who were HBV-DNA or HBeAg positive in serum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the positive rate was significantly higher in the group of mothers who were HBV-DNA positive in both serum and PBMC than that in the group of mothers who were serum HBV-DNA positive only (P < 0.01); and it was markedly higher in the group of mothers who were PBMC HBV-DNA positive than that in group of mothers who were HBV-DNA negative in PBMCs (P < 0.01). The positive rate of HBV-DNA in PBMCs of newborns was significantly higher in the group of newborns who were HBV-DNA positive in serum than that in the group of newborns who were HBV-DNA negative in serum (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe positive rate of HBV-DNA in PBMCs from newborns of HBsAg positive pregnant women was 30.0% (15/30). It was related to HBV viremia level and HBV-DNA status in PBMCs of mothers and newborns. Detection of HBV-DNA in PBMCs may be an important supplementary method to determine intrauterine HBV infection, and can predict the response to HBV vaccine.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; administration & dosage ; Infant, Newborn ; blood ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Male ; Mothers ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; blood ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in the migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) in asthmatic rats with airway remodeling and the effect of NK-1R inhibitor WIN62577 on the migration of ASMC.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into two groups: airway remodeling induced by asthma and normal control. ASMC from rats with asthma and airway remodeling induced by ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation for 8 weeks were primary cultured and purified. Immunofluorescence and real-time PCR were used to measure the expression of NK-1R. With NK-1R inhibitor WIN62577 treatment, the changes in the migration of ASMC were measured by transwell chambers.

RESULTSNK-1R in ASMC was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm and cell membrane in the airway remodeling group, and the mRNA expression of NK-1R was higher than the normal control group (P<0.01). The number of the migrated ASMC in the airway remodeling group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P<0.01). Various concentrations (10-11 mol/L, 10-10 mol/L, 10-9 mol/L and 10-8 mol/L) of WIN62577 treatment decreased the number of the migrated ASMC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNK-1R may affect airway remodeling possibly through promoting the migration ability of ASMC in rats with asthma.

Airway Remodeling ; drug effects ; Androstenes ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Asthma ; pathology ; Benzimidazoles ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Female ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the influence on the tumor after percutaneous intra-tumor injection of ~(32)P-GMS in liver cancer as well as its suitable dose.Methods 24 New Zealand rabbits were used to establish the animal model of VX-2 liver cancer,and divided into A,B,C and D groups with individually 37,74,111 and 148 MBq of ~(32)P-GMS being injected,respectively;and then pathological changes of tumor were observed by light and electron microscope respectively.Result The dose of ~(32)P-GMS was obviously correlated with the radioactivity damage of tumor cells.In the A and B groups,the tumor cells were not observed to disappear completely after injection of ~(32)P-GMS,but in C group,tumor cells were almost completely disappeared and surrounded by a lot of connective tissue.Although the tumor cells were found to disappear completely in D group,normal liver tissues were also involved.Conclusion Percutaneous intra-tumor injection of ~(32)P-GMS with suitable dose that may induce the tumor tissue to be maximally damaged and may also provide some significances to prevent the tumor metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effects and safety of modified ultrafiltration during pediatric cardiac surgery.

METHODSThe clinical trials were located through electronic searches of the Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2009), PubMed (1991 to April 2009), EMBASE (1991 to April 2009), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1994 to April 2009), VIP (1991 to April 2009) and China Biomedicine Database (CBM, 1991 to April 2009), with the languages limited in English and Chinese. In strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the studies, two authors independently evaluated the quality of the included studies. Meta analysis of the studies was conducted using RevMan5.0 software, and the studies that could not be combined was analyzed descriptively.

RESULTSA total of 9 trials involving 587 patients were included. The results showed that compared with the group without ultrafiltration, the modified ultrafiltration group was superior in duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation [MD=-3.66, 95%CI (-6.02, -1.29), P=0.002] and showed no significant differences from the conventional ultrafiltration group [MD=-3.21, 95%CI (-6.90, 0.49), P=0.09]. Compared with balanced ultrafiltration group, the mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring time and the results of chest drainage in children were similar. Compared with the group receiving conventional or balanced ultrafiltration alone, the combined group of modified ultrafiltration had similar ventilation time [MD=-2.34, 95%CI (-6.74, 2.07), P=0.30] and ICU time [MD=-0.12, 95%CI (-0.31, 0.06), P=0.19]. The included studies reported no ultrafiltration-related complications.

CONCLUSIONModified ultrafiltration improves the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass during pediatric cardiac surgery, but the current evidence has not been sufficient to support the notion that the modified ultrafiltration achieves better clinical results than conventional or balanced ultrafiltration.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Pediatrics ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrafiltration

OBJECTIVETo categorize diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) into germinal center B cell-like (GCB) and non-germinal center B cell-like (non-GCB) subgroups by immunohistochemistry; and to investigate the underlying prognostic significance.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 was performed on 133 cases of DLBCL. The cases were then categorized into GCB and non-GCB subgroups. The 5-year overall survival and 5-year progression-free survival rates were compared between the GCB and non-GCB groups, and among the cases with different immunohistochemical expression or with different IPI.

RESULTSAmongst the 133 case studied, CD10 was expressed in 33.1%, while bcl-6 was positive in 34.6% and MUM1 in 45.1%. CD10 expression had a favorable impact on 5-year overall survival (P=0.041) and 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.031). On the other hand, bcl-6 expression had a favor able impact on 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.044). Expression of MUM1 carried an adverse effect on 5-year overall survival (P=0.031) and 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.028). GCB immunophenotype was demonstrated in 40.6% of the cases, while 59.4% showed a non-GCB profile. GCB DLBCL had a significantly longer 5-year overall survival (P=0.004) and 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.003), as compared with the non-GCB group. When dividing the cases into two groups according to their IPI score (IPI=0 to 1 and IPI=2 to 5), it turned out that the 5-year overall and progression-free survival rates of the GCB group were significantly higher than those of the non-GCB group (P=0.019 and 0.014 respectively in cases with IPI of 0 to 1 and P=0.006 and 0.009 respectively in cases with IPI of 2 to 5). The non-GCB cases with a IPI of 2 to 5 had the poorest prognosis.

CONCLUSIONDLBCL subgrouping by immunohistochemistry and analysis of the subgrouping with IPI is feasible and useful in predicting clinical outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; B-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germinal Center ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; classification ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method for hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) and its influence on estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P).Methods:A randomized,single-blinded and controlled trial was conducted.A total of 124 cases conforming to the inclusion criteria were randomized by random number table into a treatment group and a control group,with 62 cases in each group.Patients in both groups received acupuncture therapy at the same acupoints,while patients in the treatment group received lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing method,and patients in the control group received even reinforcing-reducing manipulation.The treatment started around 10 d before menstruation and was conducted every other day.Patients received 5 treatments in each menstruation cycle for consecutive 3 cycles.The levels of E2,P and E2/P and clinical efficacy were measured before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,the breast lump size,pain intensity and concomitant symptoms score in both groups were substantially lower than those before treatment,showing statistical significances (all P＜0.01),and the improvement in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group,and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significances (all P＜0.01).After treatment,the overall effective rate was 91.9％ in the treatment group,higher than 72.6％ in the control group,and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance (P＜0.01).After treatment,levels of E2,P and E2/P value showed no statistical significance when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and signs in HMG patients,and produce a better effect than even reinforcing-reducing manipulation.The majority of HMG patients' E2,P level and E2/P value were not beyond the normal ranges;therefore,acupuncture showed no substantial influence on E2 and P levels and E2/P value.

OBJECTIVETo observe the special staining of cells cultured on nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and evaluate the application of the novel method for cell culture and pathological staining.

METHODSHuman colorectal carcinoma SW1116 cell line and SW480 cell line were cultured using nitrocellulose membrane as the culture matrix, with the same cells cultured on slides serving as the control.

RESULTSThe cells cultured on NC membrane appeared transparent with sharp edge and purple background by macroscopic observation, showing on obvious difference in terms of cell morphology and number from the cells cultured on glass slides. Irregular polygonal SW1116 cells and SW480 cells were found on the NC membrane, on which the cells grew in colony and showed blue nucleus and red cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONSNC membrane produces no cytotoxicity and can be used for cell culture without affecting the normal cell morphology and number during cell culture, thus providing a new means for cell culture and pathological staining.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Collodion ; Humans ; Staining and Labeling

With the increasingly more serious environmental pollution in China in recent years, effective intervention with PM25-induced health risks has become a major scientific issue to be addressed urgently in medical research field in China. NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are a family of cytoplasmic pattern-recognition receptors that have critical roles in innate immunity. On the basis of study progresses in international cardiovascular disease research "Fine particulate matter exposure is a modifiable risk factor for the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases", and with reference to the current understanding of pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress in PM2.5-induced acute coronary syndrome, this study intended to investigate whether intracellular pattern recognition NL-RP3 plays a important role in the inital event of PM2.5 induced vessel inflammation as a foreign matter in the process of plaque destabilization and to thoroughly explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for PM2.5-induced acute cardiovascular events. On the other hand, it also studies the feasibility of using traditional Chinese medicine to treat plaque destabilization cause by PM2.5 exposure and discuss it's pathogenesis and intervention strategy based on TCM theory. This paper in order to provide scientific basis for social focal issues in public health proactively and offers the references for relevant research.
Air Pollutants ; toxicity ; Animals ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Particulate Matter ; toxicity ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; mortality

Objective:To explore the miRNA (micro RNA)differential expression profile between primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma tissues and normal fat tissues,and to provide the evidence that miRNA were involved in the molecular pathways of primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma tissues' occurrence.Methods:Collecting retroperitoneal liposarcoma tissues and normal fat tissues from 4 patients after radical surgery of retroperitoneal lipsarcoma.Using microarray analysis.The tissues' miRNA hybridizated with human's LC Sciences microRNA Microarray-Single (miRBase 21.0) expression profile gene chips,and got the date.Analyzing the differential expressing of the siginal date by LOWESS.Results:Total 38 differential expressed miRNA were found (P＜0.05),including 23 over-expression and 15 low-expression miRNAs.10 of them(38 differential miRNAs) was significant deviation (P＜0.01),including 4 over-expression and 6 low-expression.Date analysis revealed that some miRNAs were associated some different tumors,Conclusion:The number of over-expression were more than the low-expression in primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma compared with the normol fat tissue,which indicate that the genes expression are less abundant in primary retroperitoneal li-posarcoma;some of the miRNAs might involved in the molecular pa-thways of primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma tissues' occurrence and recurrence,they might become the target point of the targetedtherapy of the primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma,some of the over-expressed miRNAs can become new biomarkers in the following diagnosis of the primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma.