Eleven C21 steroids were isolated from chloroform extract of roots of Cynanchum otophyllumby silica gel, MCI, ODS columns, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis as otophylloside B(1), caudatin-3-O-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (2), caudatin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (3), caudatin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (4), otophylloside O (5), gagamine-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (6), sinomarinoside B (7), mucronatosides C (8), wallicoside J (9), stephanoside H (10), and qinyangshengenin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (11). Among them, compounds 2-3, and 6-11 were separated from the roots of this plant for the first time.
Cynanchum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Study the serum level of HGF, Cys C and TGF-beta1 in type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN), the infect of Pingshen decoction on those index. Selected 69 cases of 2 type DN and randomly divided into therapy group (36 cases) and control group (33 cases). The therapy group were treated with Pingshen decoction 1 dose/d, bid po. The control group were treated with NephritisShu tablet, 6 tablet, tid po. 8 weeks was a course. Before and after treatment, we examine the serum level of HGF, Cys C and TGF-beta1 by ELISA and immunonephelometry, and compare with 30 cases of healthy control group. The study demonstrates that before treatment, the serum level of HGF in both groups were significantly lower than healthy control group (P < 0.01), but Cys C, TGF-beta1 were significantly higher (P < 0.01). After treatment, the serum level of HGF of both groups were increased. The serum level of HGF of therapy group were significantly higher than of control group (P < 0.01), but the serum level of Cys C and TGF-beta1 were significantly lower than control group (P < 0.01). The serum level of HGF was correlated negatively with Cys C,TGF-beta1. In control group, the UAER, urine beta2-MG and quantity of 24-hour urine protein were significantly decreased after treatment (P < 0.01). The index of urine of therapy group were significantly lower than control group (P < 0.01). Results indicate that test of serum level of HGF and Cys C,TGF-beta1 of diabetic nephropathy have important clinical significance. Pingshen decoction can effectively intervene in the serum level of HGF and Cys C, TGF-beta1 and index of urine.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

Objective To investigate the relationship and clinical significance of blood plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and Keshan Disease (KD). Methods Seventy KD patients and 30 healthy volunteers in endemic area were investigated with Doppler Echocardiography for the measurement of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and the plasma BNP levels were determined with microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Results The BNP levels in plasma in KD patients [(444.61±102.31), (87.21±23.15)ng/L] were significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers [(34.91±15.21)ng/L],the differencesbeing statistical significant (q=39.74,5.82,P<0.01). The BNP levels in chronic KD patients were higher than that of latent KD patients (q=37.62,P<0.01). The plasma BNP levels in KD patients with LVEDD 60 nun [(928.80±134.27)ng/L] were significantly higher than those of patients with LVEDD 55～60 mm [(89.24±52.31)ng/L] and LVEDD<55 nun [(67.14±6.92)ng/L],the differencesbeing statistical significant (q=44.30,48.16, P<0.01), The plasma BNP levels in KD patients with LVEF<35%[(1654.21±421.35) ng/L] were significantly higher than those of patients with 35% ~ 50%[(421.54±112.32)ng/L] and50% [ (81.21±72.85 ng/L)], the differencesbeing statistical significant(q=24.91,72.66, P<0.01), The BNP levels in LVEF 35%～50% were higher than that of 50% (q=11.84,P<0.01). Conclusion The plasma BNP levels were important for the diagnosis, grouping, therapeutic effect and prognostic evaluation of KD.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of brain development delay in rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) by examining the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and tyrosine kinase receptor A (Trk A) in the brain.

METHODSThirty-two pregnant rats were randomly fed with a normal diet (control group) or lower protein diet (IUGR group) during pregnancy (n=16 each). The pup rats were sacrificed at 0, 7, 14 or 21 days after birth. The protein levels of NGF and TrkA in the brain were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSThe levels of NGF and TrkA in the brain in pup rats of the IUGR group were significantly lower than those in the control group 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after birth.

CONCLUSIONSThe decreased expression of protein levels of NGF and TrkA in the brain might be one of the causes of brain development delay in IUGR rats.

Animals ; Birth Weight ; Brain Chemistry ; Female ; Fetal Death ; epidemiology ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, trkA ; analysis

Child, Preschool ; Edema ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoproteinemia ; diagnosis ; Stomach Diseases ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in the treatment of patient bitten by agkistrodon halys pallas, and the changes in peripheral blood inflammatory factors (hs-PCR, IL-6, TNF-alpha).

METHODNinty-eight patients were divided into three groups according to their hospitalization dates: the western medicine group, in which 32 patients were treated with antivenom serum (6 000 U) for five days, once every day; the traditional Chinese medicine group, in which 32 patients were treated with anti pit viper No. 2 concentrated decoction (300 mL), twice to three times every day, for five days; and the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group, in which 35 patients were treated with the combination of Chinese and Western medicine treatment described above. Then blood samples of all of patients were obtained, and serum factors (hs-PCR, IL-6, TNF-alpha) in peripheral blood were measured by Elisa assay. Another 30 health volunteers were chosen as the normal control group.

RESULTThe serum inflammatory factors were significantly higher in all patients of the three groups than that in healthy control before treatment (P < 0.01), and decreased significantly after treatment. In particular, the more remarkable reduction was found in the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group compared with the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group (P < 0.01). Symptom elimination in the three groups was superior to the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group at the first day and the third day of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Total clinical effective rate was 100% in the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group, 84. 37% in the traditional medicine group and 65.62% in the western medicine group, the clinical effective rate of the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group was notably superior to that of the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe serum inflammatory factors increased significantly in patients bitten by agkistrodon halys pallas. Treatment with the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine can significantly decrease the serum inflammatory factors, and increase clinical effect, with more obvious clinical efficacy compared with the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antivenins ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Snake Bites ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the dynamic change and clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) on appetite regulating factors in the serum of infantile anorexia.

METHODSEighty cases, in compliance with the diagnostic criteria, aged from 3 to 6 years were randomized into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 40 cases in each one. Additionally, a healthy control group (30 cases) was set up. In the acupuncture group, the pricking method was adopted at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) with the three-edged needle. A few light yellow, transparent viscous liquid or blood was squeezed out after pricking. The treatment was given once a week, for 4 weeks totally. In the medication group, erkangning syrup was administered, 3 times a day, for 4 weeks totally. The ghrelin, leptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and the clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment in each group.

RESULTSThe levels of ghrelin and NPY before treatment in acupuncture group and the medication group were lower apparently than those in the healthy control group (all P < 0.01), but the level of leptin was higher appa-rently than that in the healthy control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the levels of ghrelin and NPY were higher apparently than those before treatment in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.01), and the level of leptin was lower apparently than that before treatment (P < 0.01). All of the above indices in the acupuncture group were improved obviously after treatment as compared with those in the medication group (all P < 0.01). The remarkable and effective rate were 82.5% (33/40) and 32.5% (13/40) and the total effective rate were 95.0% (38/40) and 45.0% (18/40) in the acupuncture group and medication group separately, the results in the acupuncture group were superior to the medication group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) effectively promotes the secretion of ghrelin and NPY and inhibit leptin. It effectively promotes appetite for the children and the efficacy is superior to erkangning syrup.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Anorexia ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Appetite ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Ghrelin ; blood ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Neuropeptide Y ; blood ; Treatment Outcome

The natural ventilation widely used in greenhouses has advantages of saving energy and reducing expense. In order to provide information for climate control of greenhouse, a model was developed to predict the variation of air temperature in the naturally ventilated greenhouse equipped with insect-proof screen. Roof ventilation and combined roof and sidewall ventilation were considered in the model. This model was validated against the results of experiments conducted in the greenhouse when the wind was parallel to the gutters. The model parameters were determined by the least squares method. In the used model, effects of wind speed and window opening height on the air temperature variation were analyzed. Comparison between two types of ventilation showed that there existed a necessary ventilation rate which results in air temperature decrease in natural ventilation under special climatic conditions. In our experiments when wind speed was less than 3.2 ms(-1), wind had a more gradual effect on greenhouse temperature for roof ventilation, compared with combined roof and sidewall ventilation, which had greater air temperature decrease than roof ventilation only.
Air Conditioning ; instrumentation ; methods ; Air Movements ; Computer Simulation ; Computer-Aided Design ; Equipment Design ; Equipment Failure Analysis ; methods ; Insect Control ; instrumentation ; methods ; Models, Theoretical ; Plant Development ; Plastics ; Rheology ; instrumentation ; methods ; Temperature ; Wind

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibilities of bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) to adopt Schwann cell phenotype in vitro and in vivo in SD rats.

METHODSMSCs were obtained from tibia and femur bone marrow and cultured in culture flasks. Beta-mercaptoethanol followed by retinoic acid, forskolin, basic-FGF, PDGF and heregulin were added to induce differentiation of MSCs'. Schwann cell markers, p75, S-100 and GFAP were used to discriminate induced properties of MSCs' by immunofluorescent staining. PKH-67-labelled MSCs were transplanted into the mechanically injured rat sciatic nerve, and laser confocal microscopy was performed to localize the PKH67 labelled MSCs in the injured sciatic nerve two weeks after the operation. Fluorescence PKH67 attenuation rule was evaluated by flow cytometry in vitro.

RESULTSMSCs changed morphologically into cells resembling primary cultured Schwann cells after their induction in vitro. In vivo, a large number of MSCs were cumulated within the layer of epineurium around the injured nerve and expressed Schwann cell markers, p75, S-100, and GFAP.

CONCLUSIONMSCs are able to support nerve fiber regeneration and re-myelination by taking on Schwann cell function, and can be potentially used as possible substitutable cells for artificial nerve conduits to promote nerve regeneration.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Morphogenesis ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; S100 Proteins ; analysis ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Sciatic Nerve ; cytology ; injuries ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical techniques and effects of repairing skin defects of the forefoot by free perforating flap nourished by peroneal artery.

METHODSFrom June 2007 to June 2011, 11 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the forefoot were repaired by free peroneal artery perforating flap in emergent or subemergent. There were 10 males and 1 female with an average age of 28.6 years old ranging from 23 to 46 years old. Among them, 4 cases injured for traffic accidents, 3 for crush and 4 for machine strangulation. In all cases, the defect area of forefoot tissue varied from 2.0 cm x 4.0 cm to 4.0 cm x 8.5 cm,and the adopted area varied from 2.5 cm x 4.5 cm to 4.0 cm x 9.0 cm. The operation time was from 6 to 96 h (averaged 31.8 h). The blood vessels were anastomosed end-to-end.

RESULTSAll of the transferred free flaps survived uneventfully. Nine of them were successfully followed up from 6 to 24 months. The appearance, elasticity and functions of flaps were satisfied accompanied with slight damage of donor site although seemed bloated. The smaller donor site could be intimately seamed if necessary.

CONCLUSIONThe vessels anatomy of knee with antegrade extended peroneal artery was relative constant with a moderate thickness and simple operation, is useful to repair small or middle areas of skin defects in forefoot.

Adult ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Forefoot, Human ; surgery ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult