Ginsenosides,which belongs to triterpenoid saponins of plant terpenoids,are the main active components of the valuable medicinal herbs ginseng and American ginseng.Recent studies show that ginsenosides have a variety of beneficial effects,including anti-inflamatory,antioxidant,and anticancer effects.Ginsenosides are synthesized by complicated modification of triterpenoid skeleton after cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene through triterpene saponin synthesis pathway in which they share common early steps with phytosterols synthesis.It outlines recent advances for the biosynthesis of ginsenosides,the cloning and characterization of genes encoding key enzymes in the pathway and the basal framework of ginsenosides biosynthesis pathway.The prospects of secondary metabolism engineering in the biosynthesis of plant natural products and its application in ginsenosides biosynthesis are also discussed.

Objective To investigate the suppressive effects of collagen from Cyanea nozakii on adjuvant induced arthritis inrat.Methods Rats with adjuvant arthritis received different do- ses of Cyanea nozakii collagen by intragastric administration for two weeks.Incidence and severity of arthritis were assessed by calculation of mean arthritis index,the concentrations of NO,MDA and activity of SOD in the serum were examined.Results Cyanea nozakii colla- gen at different doses could ameliorate the adjuvant induced arthritis,suppress the concen- trations of NO,MDA and increase the activity of SOD in the serum.Conclusion Cyanea noza- kii collagen has therapeutic efficacy in treatment of adjuvant arthritis rats,and the mecha- nism of Cyanea nozakii collagen is probably related to the antioxidation.

AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of vincamine sustained release capsules on non- arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy ( NAION) . · METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with monocular onset NAION in acute stage from January to September 2015 were divided into two groups. Routine treatment such as steroid pulse therapy and neurotrophic treatment were given to all the patients. Vincamine was added to the treatment group patients with 30mg twice a day for 3mo. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA), mean deviation ( MD) of visual field, retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL ) , ganglion cell complex ( GCC ) , pattern visual evoked potential ( PVEP ) and OCT results were analyzed before and after the treatment. ·RESULTS:Totally 42 eyes of 42 patients were enrolled in our study. There were 27 patients in the treatment group, aged from 33 to 79 years old, the average value was 55. 55± 11. 83 years old. The control group has 15 patients, aged from 40 to 70 years old, the average value was 55. 71 ± 10. 06 years old. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in the baseline. After 3mo of the treatment, MD value of the two groups were lower compared with the baseline, the difference was statistically significant in the treatment and control group respectively (t= 2. 342, 2. 692; P = 0. 027, 0. 041). The difference of PVEP amplitude and potential of the two groups before and after the treatment were not statistically significant. The thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and the ganglion cell complex were all lower than the baseline, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 001). The treatment of the two groups were both effective, the treatment group has better treatment effect than the control group. Adverse events related to the treatment of vincamine had not been found. ·CONCLUSION:Vincamine is helpful in the treatment of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 (HCN4) and connexin43 (Cx43) in the sinoatrial node of electric shock death. METHODS: As experimental group, 34 cases of electric shock death who had definite current mark evidence were selected from pathology department of Xuzhou Medical College from 2010 to 2013. As the control group, 20 cases of fatal severe craniocerebral injury in traffic accidents were chosen. The expressions of HCN4 and Cx43 in the sinoatrial node were observed by immunohistochemical technology. RESULTS: HCN4 positive cells expressed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of the sinoatrial node. Cx43 positive cells expressed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of T cells and myocardial cells. The expression of HCN4 was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05) and the expression of Cx43 was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The changes of HCN4 and Cx43 expressions in the sinoatrial node illustrate electric shock death might be related to the abnormalities of cardiac electrophysiology and conduction.
Connexin 43/metabolism* ; Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels ; Heart Rate ; Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels/metabolism* ; Immunohistochemistry/methods* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Sinoatrial Node/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration and significance of IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in MM progression and the interaction between the three cytokines.

METHODSBone marrow samples from 28 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) (evolution group and steady group), 10 iron deficiency anemia (as normal control) and 2 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) were studied. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were established from the bone marrow MNCs. ELISA was performed to detect the concentration of IL-6, VEGF, IGF-1 in culture supernates.

RESULTS(1) The levels of IL-6 and VEGF secreted by BMSCs were increased in an order from normal control to steady group to evolution group (P < 0.05). However, the concentration of IGF-1 did not increase in MM patients (P > 0.05). (2) The levels of IL-6, VEGF and IGF-1 in the coculture supernates of U266 and BMSCs were increased significantly (P < 0.05), being in an ascending order from normal control to steady group to evolution group (P < 0.05). (3) BMSCs stimulated by exogenous IL-6, VEGF or IGF-1, secreted more VEGF, IGF-1/IL-6, IGF-1/VEGF, IL-6 than unstimulated (P < 0.05). (4) The levels of IL-6, VEGF, IGF-1 secreted by BMSCs from MGUS were similar to that from control group.

CONCLUSIONSIL-6, VEGF, IGF-1 levels associate with evolution of MM; IL-6, VEGF and IGF-1 induce an increase in cytokines secretion of BMSCs.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; blood ; pathology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; pathology ; Paraproteinemias ; blood ; pathology ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

A total of 160 type 2 diabetic patients were divided into microalbuminuria(42 cases)and normoalbuminuria(118 cases)groups.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of microalbuminuria was independently associated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV)and intima-media thickness(both P

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps.

METHODS12 cases with soft tissue defects of forefeet were treated by plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps. The flap size ranged from 3.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 5.5 cm x 8.5 cm.

RESULTAll flaps survived completely. The patients were followed up for 6 - 24 months. The texture and flexibility of the flaps were normal with no ulcer. The sensation improved with the two-point discrimination of 7 - 10 mm. The cosmetic and functional results were satisfactory. The wounds at donor site healed primarily.

CONCLUSIONSThe flaps have expanded size for large defects with good flexibility, thickness and texture. It is easily performed with less morbidity to main artery.

Adult ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Tibial Arteries ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo present a new neurovascular island flap for fingertip reconstruction.

METHODSBased on the transverse palmar branch of the digital artery, this flap was designed on the volar side of a digit and reversed to repair the fingertip defects.

RESULTS12 fingers in 11 patients were reconstructed using this flap. Of them, 11 flaps survived and one necrosed. The contour of the reconstructed fingers looked well.

CONCLUSIONThis new neurovascular island flap provides excellent padding and sensation for fingertip reconstruction. The technique is simple.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Fingers ; blood supply ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVENeonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an uncommon autoimmune disease passively transmitted from the mother in which there is transplacental passage of maternal antibodies. It is often misdiagnosed as intrauterine infection or sepsis. The main purpose of this retrospective study was to improve the understanding of pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of NLE.

METHODSClinical manifestations, results of the tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB and anti-dsDNA antibodies in both infants with NLE (8 cases) and their mothers and head ultrasound and CT scans of the infants were analyzed. Follow-up was performed until one and ahalf years of age or all the abnormalities had been resolved.

RESULTSTotally 8 cases (3 males and 5 females) matched the criteria for diagnosis of NLE from September 2003 to February 2006, among whom 4 were small for gestational age and one was born prematurely. Mean gestational age was 38.1 +/- 1.9 weeks, mean birth weight 2 605 +/- 420 grams, mean admission age 22.4 +/- 27.7 days (2 hours-72 days) and mean age of onset 9.4 +/- 12.1 days (0 - 28 days). The common clinical manifestations included cutaneous lupus lesions (8 infants), neural system abnormalities (2 infants) and congenital heart block (2 infants). The skin of the infants exhibited annular, erythematous or desquamative lesions. They all disappeared before 6 months of age. One patient presented with grade III atrioventricular block and was delivered by cesarean section because of "fetal distress". He did not recover at one and a half years follow-up. One infant was hypotonic with delayed neuro-motor development initially and during follow-up with both abnormal neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) and image findings. CT showed generalized low density involving periventricular area and deep white matter at one week of age. At the age of one and a half years, he presented with normal mental development index determined by CDCC infant intelligence mensuration. Other abnormal clinical findings included hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, cholestasis and elevated liver enzymes, which were all resolved before 6 months of age. Only 3 mothers of the NLE infants were diagnosed as lupus erythematosus before parturition and only one received partial therapy. At least anti-Ro/SSA antibody or anti-La/SSB antibody or ANA was found in the affected patients. Seven cases had circulating anti-Ro and/or anti-La antibodies in the mothers and in the newborns, while ANA was positive in 7 newborns and in all mothers. All the clinical symptoms except congenital heart block disappeared before 18 months of age. No special intervention was applied.

CONCLUSIONSerum auto-antibodies should be investigated to rule out NLE when there is congenital heart block or rashes or thrombocytopenia presented in a neonate, despite there is no maternal history. Central nervous system abnormalities in NLE are likely to be transient and whether it will cause long term sequelae is uncertain.

Autoimmune Diseases ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; diagnosis ; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the validity of single plane Simpson's method with conventional X-ray ventriculography for estimation of right ventricular (RV) volume.

METHODSFifteen human RV casts were obtained from 15 subjects who died from non-cardiac causes within 24 hours after death. These casts were photographed respectively and their volumes were calculated by using the single plane Simpson's method based on a new half-circle model. The actual RV cast volumes were determined by water displacement method.

RESULTSThe actual RV volume was (64.23 +/- 24.51) ml and the calculated volume was (58.04 +/- 24.45) ml. The calculated RV volume underestimated the actual volume by (6.19 +/- 12.38) ml, but there was no significant difference between the actual and the calculated RV volume (P > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the actual cast volume and the calculated volume (r = 0.983, P < 0.01). The regression equation was: RV actual volume = 1.074 x (RV calculated volume).

CONCLUSIONRV volume calculated by single plane Simpson's method with conventional X-ray ventriculography is accurate and deserves further study.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiocardiography ; methods ; Cardiac Volume ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Ventricular Function, Right ; X-Rays ; Young Adult