Five flavone C-glycosides were isolated from the methanol extract of the degrease seeds of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa though various column chromatography methods including silica gel, MPLC, and HPLC. The structures were elucidated as 6"-feruloyl- 6'''-vanillylspinosin(1), 6",6'"-diferuloylspinosin(2), spinosin(3), swertisin(4) and isoswertisin(5) based on the NMR and MS spectral data. 1 is a new compound.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Ziziphus ; chemistry

To assay the influence of dendritic cells(DCs)on the function of anti-infective immunity to Penicillium marneffei.DCs were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)and pulsed with Penicillium marneffei yeasts.DCs morphology was observed by the inverted microscope and cell surface markers of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry.The concentrations of IL-12p70 were detected by ELISA. Mixed lymphocyte reaction was performed to assay the proliferation of T cells.The mRNA of CCR7 and CXCR4 were detected by the Real-time PCR quantifications.The acquired DCs exhibited irregular appearance and numerous long dendrites under light microscope.DCs and Penicillium marneffei yeasts were co-cultured for 24 h,numerous yeasts were observed inside the cells;an enhanced expression of the cell sur-face markers CD86、CD83、HLA-DR and CD40 were demonstrated;the expression of CCR7 and CXCR4 mRNA were also increased;the improved proliferation of T cells were observed in the mixed lymphocyte reaction.Yeasts-pulsed DCs secreted more IL-12p70 than that of non-pulsed,but less than that of LPS-pulsed DCs.DCs can engulf the Penicillium marneffei yeasts.When pulsed with Penicillium marneffei yeasts,DCs improved their expression of the co-stimulatory molecules and chemokine receptor CCR7、CXCR4,enhanced their capacity to process antigen.DCs play an important role in host defense against Penicillium marneffei infection.But the low level of the IL-12p70 production may lead to deficiency in the cell-mediated immunity against Penicillium marneffei.

objecfive To know and compare the intelligence level of children born in different time periods in regions with iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)in Liaoning province.Methods All 7-14 year-old children from ten schools were chosen as the subjects respectively from six villages in each of the six counties and in regions with iodine deficiency,who were respectively born at the initialization of iodinated salt supplying period(1978-1980);non-iodinated salt supplying period(1981-1990);recovery of supplied iodized salt period(1991-1995);universal iodized salt period(1996-2000),respectively.Intelligence quotient(IQ)was measured by Combined Ravens Test in China(CRT-C)and Combined Ravens Test-the Rural,in China,2nd edition(CRT-RC2).Results IQ of children during the non-iodized salt period(91.9±14.3)was significantly lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(95.8±14.6,q=8.60,P<0.01),recovery of supplied iodized salt period(99.7±14.7)was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period(q = 9.53, 18.13, all P < 0.01 ),universal salt iodization( 104.3 ± 14.9) was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period, recovery of supplied salt iodization(q = 20.00,28.00,10.46, all P < 0.01). Children's rate of mental retardation (IQ≤69) was higher in non-iodinated salt supplying period (6.7%, 88/1314 ) than the initial supply of iodized salt (4.4%, 21/471, χ2 = 3.85, P < 0.05), recovery of supplied iodized salt period(3.3%,48/1470) was significantly lower than non-iodinzed salt supplying period (χ2 = 15.37, P < 0.01), universal salt iodization period(2.7%, 36/1344) was lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(χ2 = 4.41, P < 0.05) and non-iodinzed salt supplying period(χ2 = 26.34, P < 0.01 ). The IQ and intelligent retarded rates in children born during the initial years of iodinated salt supplying period were not different. The IQ of the children during ten years of non-iodized salt supplying period fluctuated in a "∪" curve, while the intelligent retardation rates in a "∩" curve.The children born during the period of recovery supplied iodized salt increased their IQ and lowered the retardation rates year after year. The IQ of the children in universal iodized salt period kept on increasing while intelligent retarded rates reduced to the lowest level. Conclusions The intelligence level of children born in regions with IDD during non-iodized salt supplying period is remarkably lower than that of the beginning years of iodinated salt supplying period. The intelligence level of children born after universal iodized salt period is remarkably higher than that of the initial iodinated salt supplying period and recovery of supplied iodized salt period, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify differentially expressed genes between a fertile patient and another infertile patient who belonged to a large Chinese pedigree affected with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS).

METHODSWe constructed the forward and reversed subtracted libraries using genital skin fibroblasts (GSF), which were obtained from the fertile patient MJ and infertile patient ZGJ, as tester respectively. Candidate clones were screened with colony in situ hybridization, dot blot, and Southern blot analysis step by step and conformed with Northern blot analysis. The potential positive clones were sequenced and the homology of the sequences was analyzed.

RESULTSThe forward and reversed subtracted libraries containing differentially expressed pattern of two GSF cell lines were constructed. Two positive clones identified by Northern blot were obtained in the reversed subtracted library. Eleven candidate clones from the two libraries that failed to hybridize with both RNA populations were obtained simultaneously, which might represent differentially expressed low abundance transcripts. Sequencing results and homology analysis demonstrated that the two positive clones were significantly homologous with the genes of autotaxin-t and calcium binding protein calcyclin (S100A6), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTwo positive clones and eleven clones showing no hybridization signals may represent differentially expressed genes between the two GSFs. This finding may be useful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to phenotypic variation and preserved fertility of the AIS pedigree.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome ; complications ; genetics ; Blotting, Northern ; Fertility ; genetics ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Library ; Genitalia, Male ; cytology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; genetics ; Male ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin ; cytology

BACKGROUND: Spirituality has been an important part of Transpersonal Psychology and is believed to have a large effect on the mental health because it has been systematized. The aim of this study was to determine the level of spiritual disposition on human beings along with its effects on one's mental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study targeted 400 women residing in Youn-Gil city of JiLin Prov., which is a district of the Cho-Sun tribe in China. Their spiritual well-being was studied using the Spiritual Well-being Scale-Korean Version. The spiritual well-being scale consists of 2 sub-scales of religious well-being and existential well-being. The study was evaluated using a lie scale, psychotic trend, and a combined anxiety-depression scale. The results were considered to be factors of one's mental health. The correlation between the spiritual well-being and each tendency was analyzed by regression analysis. RESULTS: The total score of the Cho-Sun tribal women according to the spiritual well-being scale was 68.29 which was much less than the 100.65 of Korean Christian women. There was no significant correlation between the spiritual well-being and the Lie trend. However, it was found that 86% (344) of Cho-Sun tribal women scored above 70 in the Lie trend with a mean score of 74.57 which is higher than normal populations. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and psychotic trend, the psychotic trend became significantly higher when the religious well-being was at a high level. On the other hand, the psychotic trend became significantly lower when the existential well-being was at a high level. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and anxiety, the anxiety was significantly higher when the religious well-being was at a high level. However, the anxiety level was significantly low when the existential well-being was at a high level. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and depression, the depression level was somewhat significantly high when the religious well-being was at a high level. However, the depression level was significantly low when the existential well-being was at a high level. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated the effects of spiritual well-being on a person's mental health among Cho-Sun tribal women in Youn-Gil city of JiLIn Prov., P.R. of China. The results found that the religious well-being, which is a sub-scale of spiritual well-being, had negative effects while the existential well-being had positive effects on the mental health. These results proved that a person's religious disposition had negative effects on their mental health in a communitarian society.
Anxiety ; China* ; Depression ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Mental Health* ; Psychology ; Spirituality

Malignant liver tumors have a high incidence and mortality rate. Therefore, it is of great significance to promptly learn about tumor advancement status through relevant examinations for patients' follow-up, diagnosis, and therapy as well as the improvement of the five-year survival rate. The primary lesions and intrahepatic metastases of malignant liver tumors have been better demonstrated in the clinical study with the use of various isotope-labeled fibroblast activating protein inhibitors because of their low uptake in liver tissues and high tumor/background ratio, which provides a new method for early diagnosis, precise staging, and radionuclide therapy. In light of this context, a review of the research progress of fibroblast-activating protein inhibitors for the diagnosis of liver malignant tumors is presented.
Humans ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Liver Neoplasms

BACKGROUNDA multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage.

METHODSAdult PD patients who had taken PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution. After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the changes of safety indices.

RESULTSChanges of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L×1.73 m(-2)×w(-1). More adverse events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.

CONCLUSIONSThe domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical products.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dialysis Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption has been observed to be a contributing factor in liver damage. However, very few studies have tried to decipher the correlation between patients with liver disease and alcohol consumption. Therefore, this study was planned to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among patients with liver disease, and to evaluate the risk factors, liver diseases, and chronic medical conditions associated with alcohol drinking. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with liver disease in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China. All participants answered the questionnaire, which led to the calculation of Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test (AUDIT) score for each patient. Based on this score, low-risk drinkers, hazardous drinkers, and harmful drinkers were defined as having AUDIT score of <8, between 8 and 15, and ≥16, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 1489 participants completed the questionnaire. Based on this information, 900 (60.44%) participants were classified as alcohol drinkers. Among these, 8.66% were ex-drinkers, 22.10% were low-risk drinkers, 17.13% were hazardous drinkers, and 12.56% were harmful drinkers. Further investigation of the association between alcohol consumption and other baseline characteristics of patients with liver disease revealed that usually men <40 years old, participants having higher family annual income, having college degree or higher education, living alone, having higher body mass index (BMI), current smokers, and ex-smokers had significant association with higher risk of alcohol consumption. In addition, among the 18.07% of the participants with cirrhosis, it was observed that risk of cirrhosis increased with higher alcohol consumption. Furthermore, harmful drinkers showed greater odds of hypertension and heart diseases, while hazardous drinkers and harmful drinkers, both had greater odds of hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSIONS Overall our analyses indicated that among the patients with liver disease in China, there was high rate of alcohol consumption and dependence. Alcohol consumption usually associated with men <40 years old, higher family income, education level, living alone, high BMI, and smoking. Increased alcohol consumption not only increased the risk of cirrhosis, but also enhanced the risk of hypertension, heart diseases, and hyperlipidemia.
Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Alcoholism ; etiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Smoking ; adverse effects

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

Central Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mutation ; Perforin ; genetics