A new flavonone, named as (2R, 3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate(1), together with six known compounds, pinocem-brin (2), pinobanksin (3), 3-O-acetylpinobanksin (4), galangin (5), kumatakenin(6), and 3-methylkaempferol (7), were isolated from a 95% ethanol extract of seeds of Alpinia katsumadai through a combination of various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Compound 1 exhibits a potent neuroprotective effect against the corticosterone-damaged PC12 cells, which may be underlying the effect by scavenging intracellular ROS.
Alpinia ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cholestenones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cinnamates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry

Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; radiotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods

Objective To investigate the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on blood glucose and metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) . Methods A total of 973 T2DM patients were recruited, and the clinical data, biochemical and thyroid function parameters were measured. One hundred and forty eight T2DM patients were diagnosed as SCH (SCH group) and 152 euthyroid patients were selected as control group (NSCH group) . Results (1) The prevalence of SCH in type 2 diabetes was 15.3% (148/973) . (2) Compared with the NSCH group, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was significantly higher in SCH group (54.1%vs 35.5%,<0.01) as well as hypertension (64.9%vs 52%, <0.05) . There was no significant difference in HbA1c control and prevalence of dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia between two groups. Conclusion SCH may have some adverse effects on blood pressure and BMI in T2DM.

Objective To investigate the application of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D TEE) in quantification of the aortic anuulus diameter in patients with severe aortic stenosis.Methods RT-3D TEE image of aortic root was get perioperatively in 65 patients with sever aortic valve stenosis during the surgery procedure.The aortic annulus was reconstructed in the quantitative analysis software to generate the parameters of 3-dimensional area based aortic anuulus diameter(3D-AAAD) and 3-dimensional circumference based aortic anuulus diameter(3D-C-AAD).The parameters was compared with intraoperative aortic anuulus diameter(IO-AAD),which was get by the standard cylindrical valve sizer.Results The three dimensional form of the aortic annulus was related to the number of the valves.The value of 3D-C AAD and 3D-A-AAD were (22.4 ± 2.1) mm,(23.4 ± 1.9) mm,no significant difference could be detected between them and the IO-AAD (P ＜ 0.05).The 3D-C-AAD had a better agreements with IO-AAD than 3D-A-AAD.Conclusions RT-3D TEE can reconstruct the three dimensional sharp of aortic anuulus,and can be used as quantitative tools to calculate its diameter.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D TEE) in the perventricular device occlusion of the ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods Sixty patients underwent perventricular device occlusion of VSD were divided into two groups.Group A:30 patients,3D images of VSD were obtained intraoperatively by RT-3D TEE.3D images were analyzed and the maximal and minimum area and maximal diameter of VSD were measured in the cardiac cycle.The size of selected VSD occluder was the diameter calculated from the maximal area based on the formula πD2/4 and plus 1～2 mm.Simultaneously,two dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) images of VSD were obtained and measured on standard views.Group B:other 30 patients,intraoperative 2D TEE was performed to measure the diameter of VSD on standard views.The selection VSD occluder was based on the maximal diameter plus 1～2 mm.Results The VSDs shape showed oval,class round and irregular by RT-3D TEE imaging.There was a significant difference between the maximal area and smallest area of VSD appeared in the cardiac cycle obtained by RT-3D TEE (P<0.01).There was a significant difference between the maximal diameter by measurement of RT-3D TEE and 2D TEE (P<0.01).Of all 30 patients with evaluation of VSD size based on the RT-3D TEE,1.1 times attempts of device occlusion were performed on one patient (33/30).Of the other 30 cases with evaluation of VSD size by 2D TEE,2 cases were failed with device occlusion because of instant residual shunt.Of the remaining 28 cases,1.43 attempts of device occlusion were performed on one patient (40/28).Conclusions RT-3D TEE can accurately reveal the size of VSD,and aid in the selection of VSD occluder in the device occluding procedure of VSD.

Objective To study the the feasibility of real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D TEE) to measure the distance between the coronary ostial and the junction of left ventricle and artery.Methods The RT-3D TEE image of the aortic root was collected intraoperative in 65 cases who were refered to our center for valve replacement.The reconstruction of the aortic annulus was done in the QLAB quantitative analysis software and the height parameter of the annulus could be generated.Meanwhile the coronary artery position was observed and the distance between the coronary ostial and the junction of left ventricle and artery was measured respectively.Results In the 65 cases,49 cases clearly showed bilateral coronary ostial,three cases only showed the left coronary ostial,six cases only showed the right coronary ostial,seven cases of both sides of the coronary ostial were unclear.The shows rate of right coronary ostial was 84.61％ (55/65),with the left coronary ostial 81.54％ (52/65).The measured value of the L-AA in systole and diastole were (15.5 ± 1.9)mm,(12.8 ± 1.5)mm,the R-AA systole and diastole measured values were (13.7 ± 1.8)mm,(12.4 ± 1.7)mm,respectively,there was significant difference between systole and diastole respectively.The aortic annulus height (H) got by 3D reconstruction of the aortic annulus was lower than ventricular-arterial junction to the coronary artery distance in both systole and diastole.Conclusions Not only can RT-3D TEE reconstruct the annulus,but also can show and measure the distance between the coronary ostial and the junction of left ventricle and artery respectively.

This study was aimed to investigate the distribution of A2 subgroup in Han Population of Chinese Fujian province and its molecular mechanisms. One individual with serologic ABO blood grouping discrepancy was identified with commercially available monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and lectin: anti-A, anti-B, anti-AB, anti-A1, and anti-H reagents according to the routine laboratory methods. DNA sequences of exon 6, 7 and intron 6 of ABO gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA and direct DNA sequencing or sequencing after gene cloning. Red cells of 3 176 A or AB unrelated individuals were tested with anti-A1. The results showed that this individual was identified as A2 subgroup by serological technology, sequencing analysis indicated the A2 subgroup with novel A variant allele, the novel A allele being different from the allele A101 by 467C > T and 607G > A missense mutation in exon 7, no A2 subgroup was identified from the 3 176 individuals by using standard serological technology. It is concluded that a novel A allele responsible for A2 subgroup composing of 467C > T and 607G > A has been firstly confirmed, and the A2 subgroup is very rare in Chinese Fujian Han population.
ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To study the effects of two stimulators of the innate immune system, polyinosine-polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] and R848, on the activation of microglia in rat spinal cord. Methods Thirty male Lewis rats (6 to 8 weeks old) were divided into Poly(I:C) group (n=12), R848 group (n=15) and control group (n=3). According to the killing time, the Poly(I:C) group and R848 group were divided into 4 and 5 sub-groups, respectively, with 3 rats in each sub-group. The rats in the subgroups received intraperitoneal injection of a single bolus of Poly(I:C) (5 mg/kg) or R848 (1 mg/kg) accordingly, and in the control group, the same volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was administered. Activated microglia were observed using immunohistochemistry for ED-1, AIF-1, EMAP Ⅱ, OX6, and P2X4R, and BrdU staining was used to identify the proliferating cells. Results Compared with the control group, both Poly (I:C) and R848 groups showed a significant but transient increase of ED-1-positive spinal cord microglia 4 days after the injection, while no significant differences were found in the microglial markers AIF-1, EMAP Ⅱ, OX6, P2X4 receptor (P2X4R), indicating that the microglia were not fully activated. Tracing of the cell proliferation by BrdU revealed that only a small fraction of the proliferating cells were microglia (less than 5%). Conclusion Poly(I:C) and R848 have definite effects on the innate immune system of the spinal cord and modulate the immune activity in the spinal cord, suggesting the value of these agents in modulating local regenerative processes in injured spinal cord.

Objective To study the influences of acupuncture in different acupoints on activities of hypothalamus GnRH-related neurons in female rats.compare the validity of different acupoints in body's different parts to the neuron activities,and provide experimental basis for the treatment of the diseases of propagative and incretory system with acupuncture.Methods The discharge of GnRH-related neurons in the medial preoptic area,arcuate nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus were recorded extracellularly by using glass microelectrode to study the difference of 15 acupoints in body's different parts in activation and activation intensity to neurons.Results The percentage of activated neuron discharge changes before and after acupuncture in 15 acupoints showed a descending order as follows:Zigong(EXCA1),Guanyuan(CV4),Daimai(GB26),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Erjia,Zusanli(ST36),Xiaguan(ST7),Guanyuanshu(BL26),Shenshu(BL23),Zhongwan(CV12),Quchi(LI11),Hegu(L14),Neiguan (PC6),Ganshu(BL18)and Danzhong(CV17).The acupuncture positions with obvious changes included low abdominal,hind limbs and lower back.The influence of acupuncture on inhibited neurons was as the same as that on activated ones.Conclusion Acupuncture can regulate effectively the activity of hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal endocrine axis,but the effect is different in different acupoints.The regulation effect of acupuncture in an acupoint is related closely to the spinal segment dominated position of the same acupoint.The acupoints with the same spinal segment domination of the genital organs have the largest activation on hypothalamus GnRH-related neurons.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67) with sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal adenocarcinoma.

METHODSSamples of pretreatment biopsies and the resected specimens after neoadjuvant therapy in 32 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were collected, and the expression of Ki67 and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies. The correlation of Ki67 and VEGF expression with clinicopathological factors were analyzed.

RESULTSThe level of VEGF expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.033), depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.007) and TNM stage (P = 0.016), but not with histological type, tumor size, age and gender of the patients (P > 0.05). However, VEGF expression was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with the sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (P = 0.016), and a transient increase of VEGF expression was detected in the resected specimens after neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.035). Ki67 labeling index (Ki67-LI) was found to be significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.028), but not with tumor size, age and gender of the patients (P > 0.05). It was also found that tumors with lower Ki67-LI expression were more sensitive to neoadjuvant therapy than that with higher expression of Ki67-LI (P = 0.032). In contrast with VEGF, the Ki67 expression level decreased after neoadjuvant therapy, but no statistical significance was found between pretreatment and posttreatment specimens (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe preliminary results of this study demonstrate that the expression of VEGF and Ki67 in pretreatment biopsy of rectal adenocarcinoma may be used as a biomarker to predict tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; Rectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Young Adult