OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents in bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus.

METHODIsolation and purification were carried out on silica gel column chromatography, prepared thin layer chromatography and sephadex LH - 20, et al. The structures were identified by spectral analysis.

RESULTTwelve compounds were obtained from bark of D. dasycarpus and the structures were determined as dictamnine (I), fraxinellone (II), skimmianine (III), gamma-fagarine (IV ), beta-sitosterol (V), obacunone (VI), limonin disophenol (VII), fraxinellonone (VIII), wogonin (IX), rutevin (X), kihadinin B (XI), dasycarine (XII).

CONCLUSIONCompounds IX and XI were isolated from genus Dictamnus for the first time, and compound VIII was isolated from the species for the first time.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Dictamnus ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Limonins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective:To analyze phylogenetic structure and molecular characteristics of H5N6 avian influenza virus (AIVs) isolated from live poultry market (LPM).Methods:Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs from poultry, and environmental samples were collected from LPM in Urumqi in December 2018, AIVs were isolated and identified by inoculation of chicken embryo, hemagglutination test and RT-PCR, the viral whole genome was amplified with the universal primers of influenza A virus, and then sequenced, pairwise sequence alignments, phylogenetic and molecular characteristics analysis were performed by BLAST, Clustal W, MEGA-X and DNAStar software.Results:Six strains of H5N6 AIVs were isolated from poultry samples, the identity between the viral genes was high (99.4%-100.0%), so the isolates were the same source. BLAST analysis revealed that the viral NP sequence had the highest identity (99.7%) with H5N6 AIVs isolated from poultry in Suzhou, while the sequence of the remaining 7 viral genes had the highest identity (99.0%-100.0%) with H5N6 AIVs isolated from environment in Guangdong during 2017 to 2018. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the viral HA belonged to Clade 2.3.4.4C, and the viral HA, NA, PB1, PA, NP, and MP were all clustered together with H5N6 AIVs isolated from mink in Eastern China in 2018, while the PB2 and NS were clustered together with H5N6 AIVs isolated from environment in Guangdong from 2017 to 2018. The HA cleavage site contained multiple basic amino acid residues, which was highly pathogenic AIVs (HPAIVs). S137A and T160A mutations of HA could increase binding to human-type receptor SAα2, 6-Gal. Additionally, the viral multiple mutations, including 59-69 deletion in NA, the L89V, G309D, R477G, I495V, I504V, D391E, and A661E in PB2, as well as the P42S, D92E, and 80-84 deletion in NS1, could enhance the viral virulence and pathogenicity to mammals. Conclusions:The 6 strains of H5N6 HPAIVs isolated from LPM have relatively close genetic relationship with H5N6 AIVs isolated from mink in Eastern China and environment in Guangdong during 2017 to 2018, the viral multiple mutations could increase its pathogenicity to mammals, which could pose a potential risk to public health.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and cognitive function of 3 new antiepileptic drugs Oxcarbazepine (OXC), Lamotrigine (LTG) and Levetiracetam (LEV) in children with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS).Methods:This was a prospective study.A total of 98 children with SeLECTS who were treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2014 to June 2020 were divided into OXC group, LTG group and LEV group according to the applied therapeutic drugs.Video electroencephalograph (EEG), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and event-related potentials (ERPs) of the children were collected before treatment and 48 weeks of treatment.Clinical efficacy and impact on cognitive function among the 3 groups were compared.Results:(1)Efficacy: There was no significant difference in the effective rate of seizure reduction after treatment among the 3 groups( χ2=0.808, P=0.668). There was no significant difference in EEG remission rate among the 3 groups( χ2=0.763, P=0.683). (2)Cognitive function: ①Intragroup comparison of WISC findings showed that the full scale score (FIQ) and verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) were significantly enhanced, and the scores of comprehension, vocabulary, arithmetic, decoding and spelling subtests were more significantly enhanced in OXC group after treatment (all P<0.05). In the LTG group, FIQ, VIQ and operational intelligence quotient (PIQ) were significantly enhanced after treatment (all P<0.05), and the subtest scores of comprehension, vocabulary, arithmetic, mapping and layout were significantly enhanced (all P<0.05). In LEV group, FIQ, VIQ and PIQ were significantly enhanced after treatment (all P<0.05), especially the increase in the VIQ, and the scores of vocabulary, understanding, similarity, arithmetic, decoding and puzzle subtests were significantly enhanced (all P<0.05). Pairwise comparison of WISC findings showed that there were no significant differences in the FIQ, VIQ, PIQ and subtest scores before treatment among the 3 groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, the arithmetic and decoding scores of OXC group were significantly higher than those of LTG group (all P<0.05), which were comparable between OXC group and LEV group (all P>0.05). The PIQ and the scores of mapping and layout in LTG group were significantly higher than those of the other 2 groups (all P<0.05). The LEV group had higher scores in vocabulary, comprehension and spelling than those of the other 2 groups (all P<0.05), which had higher decoding scores than those of the LTG group (all P<0.05). No significant differences were found in decoding scores between LEV and OXC group (all P>0.05). Higher VIQ and FIQ were detected in LEV group than those of the other 2 groups (all P<0.05). ②Intragroup comparison of ERPs showed that the latency of LEV group after treatment was significantly shorter than that before treatment ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the other 2 groups before and after treatment (all P>0.05). Pairwise comparison of ERPs showed that before treatment, there were no significant differences in P300 amplitude and latency among the 3 groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, the latency of LEV group was significantly shorter than that of the other 2 groups ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the amplitude between the 3 groups before and after treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusions:(1)In the treatment of SeLECTS in children, OXC, LTG and LEV have reliable and equivalent effects.(2)OXC, LTG and LEV have protective effects on cognitive function in children with SeLECTS.After treatment, LEV provides the strongest protective effect on FIQ, and the protective effect on VIQ is equivalent to OXC, but better than LTG.LTG is superior in protecting spatial perception and PIQ.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalin on the experimental periodontitis in rats, as well as the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9.

METHODSTwenty-seven adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, with 9 rats in each group. A nylon thread was placed around the lower first molars of rats, which were sacrificed after 7 days. Baicalin (200 mg/kg) was administered to the experimental group by oral gavage, starting one day before the induction of periodontitis. The negative control group received vehicle (0.5% carboxymethylcellulose) alone. The blank control group did not get induction of periodontitis. The alveolar bone loss (ABL) and the area fraction (AA% ) occupied by collagen fibers were assessed. MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expressions in the gingiva were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBaicalin treatment significantly decreased ABL compared with the negative control group (P = 0.009). AA% of collagen fibers was significantly higher in baicalin-treated group than in the negative control group (P = 0.047). Baicalin treatment significantly down-regulated the protein expression for MMP-1 (P = 0.023) and MMP-9 (P = 0.042) and decreased the expression for MMP-2 (P = 0.099) compared with the negative control group.

CONCLUSIONSBaicalin protects against tissue damage in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats, which might be mediated in part by its inhibitory effect on the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Animals ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gingiva ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; metabolism ; Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the regularity of migration and distribution of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in injured spinal cord with intradural space transplantation.

METHODSForty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups. The spinal cord injury model was prepared according to the modified Allen method. BMSCs were labeled by CM-Dil. And 5.0 multiply 10(6) cells were transplanted by different channels including intraventricular injection (Group A),injured spinal cord intrathecally injection (Group B), remote intrathecally injection at the L(3)-L(4) level (Group C), and intravenous injection (Group D). Spinal cord was dissected at 24 hours, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after transplantation. Sections of 4 micromolar were cut on a cryostat and observed under fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTSNo fluorescence was observed 24 hours after transplantation in spinal cord injury parenchyma except Group B. One week later, BMSCs in Groups A and C began to migrate to the injured parenchyma; 2-4 weeks later, BMSCs penetrated into the injured parenchyma except Group D. The number of BMSCs decreased at 3-4 weeks after transplantation. The number of cells in Group B decreased faster than that of Groups A and C.

CONCLUSIONSBMSCs transplanted through intraventricular injection, injured spinal cord intrathecally injection and remote intrathecal injection could migrate to the injured parenchyma of spinal cord effectively. The number of BMSCs migrated into injured spinal cord parenchyma is rare by intravenous injection.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; transplantation

BACKGROUNDIt is generally accepted that gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors with poor prognosis. We aimed to explore the relationship of the immunity of the central nervous system and the genesis and development of glioma.

METHODSG422 glioma was implanted in the brain of BALB/c mice (immuno-competent mice), nude mice (T cell related immuno-deficient) and complement C3 knock-out mice (complement C3 related immunodeficient). The survival time of the host, growth and histopathology of the tumor, and concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (INF-γ) in tumor tissues were assessed.

RESULTSTumor spheres were formed in all mice after injection, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive staining of the cells declared their glioma origin. The longest median survival time of (44.3 ± 6.0) days was found in BALB/c mice, followed by (24.8 ± 5.2) days in nude mice and the shortest (18.6 ± 5.8) days in complement C3 knock-out mice. Accordingly, the growth of the tumor was fastest in complement C3 knock-out mice, followed by the nude mice and slowest in the BALB/c mice. Although the proportions of infiltrating CD68(+) lymphocytes in tumor tissues showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), TNF-α level in the nude and C3 knock-out mice, (28.11 ± 4.86) µmol/L and (22.87 ± 6.36) µmol/L respectively, were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that in the BALB/c mice, which was (230.21 ± 39.17) µmol/L. The INF-γ level was highest in the BALB/c mice ((180.76 ± 29.19) µmol/L), followed by the nude mice ((113.46 ± 23.76) µmol/L) and then the C3 knock-out mice ((16.84 ± 4.45) µmol/L).

CONCLUSIONSThe G422 glioma implanted in the brains of mice with different immune ability would be a useful model for studying the relationship of the immune system and tumor in the central nervous system. Furthermore, the T cells and complement C3 compartments of the immune response may affect the growth of implanted tumors and inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and INF-γ.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Complement C3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Nude ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of lentiviral vector mediated herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) on graft- versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo- BMT) in mice.

METHODSDonor splenic lymphocytes from C57BL/6 which were infected by lentiviral vectors carrying HSV-TK were transplanted into 60Co gamma ray irradiated recipient mice with donor bone marrow cells. GCV 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) was administered in 3 groups on day 0, +7, +12 respectively after transplant for 7 days by intraperitoneal injection. Survival time, severity of GVHD, incidence of GVHD, T lymphocytes immune reconstruction and of allogeneic chimerism ratio were detected after allo-BMT.

RESULTSThe average survival times for GCV 0 day, +7 day and +12 day group were (30. 10 +/- 5.21) d, (36.40 +/- 5.28) d and (28.20 +/- 4.82) d respectively, being significantly longer than that in the control group [(15.10 +/- 0.43) d] (P < 0.05). The 50 d-survival rate for TK/GCV + 7 day group was 60%. While for 0 day and +12 day group was 40% and 30% respectively. The incidence of grade III approximately IV GVHD in the control group was 100%, and the dead mice in experimental groups showed pathological changes of II approximately III GVHD. Long-term alive recipient mice only developed grade I approximately II GVHD after allo-BMT. The number of CD4+ lymphocytes in experimental groups was higher than that in control group (P <0.05), but CD8+ lymphocytes was lower on day +5, +10, +15 day (P <0.05). Allogeneic chimerism rate of recipient mice on +30 d was 100%.

CONCLUSIONSHSV-TK/GCV induced by the lentiviral vectors has a definite effect in prevention of GVHD after allo-BMT. GCV administrated from 7 days post-transplantation showed the best effects.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; immunology ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Lymphocyte Transfusion ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Simplexvirus ; enzymology ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; Transfection ; Transplantation, Homologous

Objective:To compare the efficacy of high density grid mapping catheter (HD-Grid) and circular mapping catheter in the ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.Methods:Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency ablation in Xingtai People′s Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021 were randomly divided into the HD-Grid group and the circular mapping catheter group. The baseline data, operation time, X-ray exposure time, pulmonary vein isolation time, recovery of pulmonary vein conduction, the number of recovery sites, and perioperative complications were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, and a continuous electrocardiogram was performed to evaluate recurrence of atrial fibrillation.Results:Sixty patients were enrolled in the study with 30 cases in each group, including 33 males and 27 females with an average age of 63.0 (57.0, 70.3) years. There were no significant differences in age, gender ratio, comorbidity proportion, CHADS 2-VASC score, history of atrial fibrillation, B-type natriuretic peptide level, and left atrial diameter between the two groups (all P>0.05). The operation time of the HD-Grid group was longer than that of the circular mapping catheter group ((136.6±7.7) minutes vs. (127.5±7.7) minutes, P<0.001). During the observation period, 8 cases (26.67%) with pulmonary venous conduction recovery were identified in the HD-Grid group, which was higher than that in the circular mapping catheter group (2 cases(6.67%)) ( P=0.038). Eighteen (60.00%) pulmonary vein reconnection sites were identified in the HD-Grid group, which were more than that in the circular mapping catheter group (2 sites(6.67%), P=0.013). There was no significant difference in X-ray exposure time and pulmonary vein isolation time between the two groups (both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients taking anticoagulant drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs during the perioperative period between the two groups (both P>0.05). No serious complications such as cardiac tamponade, phrenic nerve injury, pulmonary embolism, cerebral infarction and death occurred in both groups. During the follow-up period, 1 patient (3.33%) in the HD-Grid group had recurrence of atrial fibrillation, while 5 patients (16.67%) in the circular mapping catheter group had recurrence of atrial fibrillation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.197). Conclusions:HD-Grid for radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation improves the identification rate of pulmonary vein potentials and pulmonary vein reconnection sites, and it may reduce the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation. Although the operation time was prolonged, it would not increase the risk of perioperative complications.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with typical atrial flutter after radiofrequency ablation.Methods:This study was a case-control study. The clinical data of 120 patients with typical atrial flutter who underwent radiofrequency ablation in Xingtai People′s Hospital from January 2017 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up every 3-6 months for a period of 2 years, and AF occurred in 30 patients (25.0%). The risk factors of AF were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.Results:The mean age of patients was (62.0±6.5) years and 64(53.3%) were males. No patients in the two groups had complications such as cardiac tamponade, pulmonary embolism and cerebral infarction after radiofrequency ablation. Compared with non-AF patients, patients in AF group had older age and higher CHA 2DS 2-VASC score ( P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ( HR=1.09, 95% CI:1.01-1.17) and CHA 2DS 2-VASC score ( HR=3.84, 95% CI:1.87-7.89) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial flutter. Conclusion:After radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter, nearly 25% of patients will relapse into AF, old age and higher CHA 2DS 2-VASC score increase the risk of AF recurrent.

BACKGROUNDThe pelvis often needs to be reconstructed after bone tumor resection. A major challenge here for the orthopedic surgeons is to choose a method that gives the best performance which depends upon its biomechanical properties. In this study, a 3-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was used to analyze the biomechanical properties of reconstructed pelvis using fibula transplant fixed by four commonly used rod-screw systems.

METHODSA total pelvic finite-element model including the lumbar-sacral spine and proximal femur was constructed based on the geometry of CT image from a healthy volunteer. Three-dimensional finite element models of different implants including fibula, rod and screw were simulated using ways of solid modeling. Then various reconstructed finite element models were assembled with different finite element implant model and type I resected pelvic finite element model. The load of 500 N was imposed vertically onto the superior surface of L3 vertebral body, and the pelvis was fixed in bilateral leg standing positions. FEA was performed to account for the stress distribution on the bones and implants. The pelvis displacement of the different rod-screw fixation methods and the maximum equivalent stress (max EQV) on all nodes and element were figured out to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different reconstructive methods.

RESULTSStress concentration in the fibula transplant was extremely high in the reconstructed pelvis, but could be substantially decreased by internal fixation, which partially transferred the stress from the fibula to the rod-screw systems. High stress concentration was also found in the implants, especially in the connection sites between screw and rod. Among the four methods of fixation, a double rod system with L5-S1 pedicle and ilium screws (L5-S1 HR) produced the best performance: least stress concentrations and least total displacement.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the stability and stress concentration, the method of L5-S1 HR fixation combined with fibula transplantation is better than other fixation methods in pelvic reconstruction after type I resection.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Neoplasms ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Femur Neck ; surgery ; Fibula ; transplantation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Pelvic Bones ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods