OBJECTIVETo develop a new method for the determination of cholesteryl palmitate in Oviductus Ranae.

METHODA HPLC method was set up, using Zorbax Silica column and cyclohexane-diethyl ether (40:1) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the UV detection wavelength was 203 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.60-8.92 microg (r = 0.9997), the average recovery of the method was 98.4%. RSD 1.8% (n = 6).

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that method was reliable and accurate.

Animals ; Cholesterol Esters ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Female ; Materia Medica ; analysis ; chemistry ; Oviducts ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rana temporaria

Nerve growth factor is one of the most important factors playing an important role in regulating the growth, development and survival of the neuron. The purified NGF from human placenta has been reported, the tissue from which can be isolated the NGF is very limited. It is important for basic research and clinic application to expression hNGF by genetic engineering. By polymerase chain reaction,gene fragment encoding the mature part of ?-NGF was amplified using the DNA of human placenta as template. The fragment was sequenced and inserted into expression vector pET-15b, and the recombinant expression vector pET15b-NGF was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3)pLysS. After inducing with IPTG the NGF was higher expressed up to 25% of the total cell proteins. The expression product was purified with metal chelate affinity chromatography on Ni-IDA agarose under denaturing condition. The purity of rNGF was higher than 90% and yield of rNGF was 4.56mg/L expressing bacteria. SDS-PAGE revealed the NGF expression product had a Mr 16kDa. Western-blot displayed the recombinant product had strong immunological activity with rabbit anti-human ?-NGF polyclonic antibodies. The expression products were dealed with solubilizing inclusion bodies and refolding protein. The test of nerve fiber growth of chicken embryo DRG neurons displayed rNGF had biological activity.

OBJECTIVEStudies on the substance with nourishment Yin for a reasonable and rational auality appraise for turtleback.

METHODTo separate by chromatography and identifying with MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR.

RESULTTwo compounds were separated and identified as hexadecanoyl cholesterol ester and cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONThe two compounds are isolated from turtleback for the first time.

Animals ; Cholesterol ; isolation & purification ; Cholesterol Esters ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; Turtles

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the utility of neuronavigation in the microsurgery for cerebral cavernous malformations.

METHODSIn a retrospective study, 47 patients with cavernous malformations were involved from January 1995 to December 2010. Fourteen cases admitted into hospital from January 1995 to December 2002 were treated without neuronavigation (conventional group), the focus localization was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, anatomic landmarks, and the experiences of the neurosurgeon. In the other 33 cases admitted after February 2002 to December 2010, surgeries were performed with neuronavigation using the Medtronic Stealth Station TREON or TRIA system (neuronavigation group). Excision of the cavernomas were all performed microsurgically, surrounding gliotic rim and hemosiderin stained tissue were resected in the case of epilepsy, and a few patients underwent extended hippocampal resection or multiple subpial transection.

RESULTSWith the use of neuronavigation, the extent of craniotomy reduced from 5.2 cm to 3.6 cm (P < 0.01), and deeper cavernoma focuses could be treated surgically. There were no changes with regard to the mean size of the cavernomas, the mean time of surgery and hospital stay (P > 0.05), but the mean time of anaesthesia was prolonged from 164 min to 197 min (P < 0.01). Cavernomas were resected completely in all 47 cases, which was confirmed by postoperative MRI recheck. The conditions of all patients were improved or remain unchanged, and no significant differences in the clinical outcome could be evaluated between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSApplication of neuronavigation-assisted microsurgery of intracranial cavernous malformations surgery, helps reduce the surgical trauma, and has security and reliability.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neuronavigation ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Abstract: Our previous work revealed berberine can significantly enhance the susceptibility of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, which suggested that berberine has synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. Preliminary SAR of berberine needs to be studied for the possibility of investigating its target and SAR, improving its drug-likeness, and exploring new scaffold. In this work, 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives and N-benzyl isoquinoline analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and MS. Their synergetic activity with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. The 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives 1a-1e exhibited comparable activity to berberine, which suggested that the introduction of functional groups to C-13 can maintain its activity. The N-benzyl isoquinolines, which were designed as analogues of berberine with its D ring opened, exhibited lower activity than berberine. However, compound 2b, 2c, and 4b showed moderate activity, which indicated that berberine may be deconstructed to new scaffold with synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. The results of our research may be helpful to the SAR studies on its other biological activities.
Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Drug Synergism ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of -141C insert/delete polymorphism with schizophrenia in Wuhan of Hubei province.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted to analyze the polymorphism in the D(2) receptor gene promoter region with schizophrenia. A total of 120 cases of schizophrenia diagnosed according to CCMD-II R criteria and 100 normal controls were recruited in the study.

RESULTSIn this sample, the allele and genotype showed statistically significant differences between patients and normal controls (P<0.05).Especially, the frequency of -141C del was 11% in patients and 18% in control(OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.30-0.96; P<0.05). This allele was less common in schizophrenia than in normal controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe -141C del polymorphism is associated with schizophrenia.The polymorphism may modify the association with other factors. Possibly -141C del in the DRD(2) promoter region is a strong candidate for a protective factor for this trait.

Adult ; Alleles ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; diagnosis ; genetics

The chitosan/PHEA-blended hydrogels were prepared from PHEA and chitosan in various blend ratios. The water contents of the hydrogels were in the range of 50%-80% (wt). The attachment and growth of fibroblast cells(L929) on the hydrogels were studied. The results indicated the PHEA content in hydrogels has great effect on cell attachment but has little effect on the growth of L929 cells.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cell Adhesion ; physiology ; Cell Division ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Chitosan ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; physiology ; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate ; chemistry ; Mice ; Peptides ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Liangge San to the expression of CD14 and scaverger receptor(SR) in the kupffer cells of liver and the pathological changes of liver tissue of endotoxemia-mice.

METHODThe model was established with intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and at the same time different dose Liangge San were given. The expression of CD14 and scaverger receptor were detected with immunohigtochemistry at the 2nd, 4th, 8th hour ofter injury and analyzed with computer image system, and the pathological changes of liver tissue were also observed.

RESULTAt the three different hours, the expression of CD14 and scaverger receptor in macrophages of liver of LPS-injury group showed significant increase and significant decrease respectively, compared with that of the blank-control group (P < 0.01). The expression in dexamethasone group and Liangge San different dose groups were intermediate between those in injury group and those in control group. Compared with expression of LPS-injury group, those of dexamethasone group and Liangge San different dose groups showed significant differences (P < 0.01), especially that of Liangge San high dose group. Liver cells showed vacuole change. Changes of CD14 and SR expression were paralleled with the severity of liver damages of the mice.

CONCLUSIONLiangge San can inhibite the up-regulation of CD14 expression and down-regulation of scaverger receptor expression in a dosage-dependent manner and also alleviate the damages of liver induced by LPS.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endotoxemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Kupffer Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Receptors, Scavenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of multi-plane Hyaluronic acid (HA) injection for rhinoplasty.

METHODSThe HA was injected below or above the periosteum at the nasal bone, above the perichondrium at the cartilage portion of nose, and between the great alar cartilage at the nasal tip. The HA volume was 1-1.5 ml, according to the nose form and aesthetic assessment. Over-injection was not permitted. Touch-up injection could be performed one week after the first injection if need.

RESULTSFrom Jan. 2010 to Jan. 2012, 60 cases underwent rhinoplasty with HA injection. The patients were followed up for 10-13 months with satisfactory result. The effect lasted about 9 months with the longest period as 12 months and the shortest period as 6 months.

CONCLUSIONSGood results can be achieved with multi-plane HA injection for rhinoplasty.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Injections ; Male ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The discovery of high performance leading antidiabetic compounds containing sulfonamide and 4-aminophenylacetic acid moieties is reported. This was achieved by the synthesis of 6 intermediates and subsequently 20 target molecules using 4-aminophenylacetic acid as the starting materials, and through a few synthetic routes aided by multi-step reactions including sulfonylation of amino group, deacylation of amides and esterification of carboxyl group, as well as acylation of amino group. The chemical structures of the twenty-four new compounds were determined using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HR-MS techniques. Screening in vitro of their peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activation activities showed weak relative PPAR activation activities to most of the target molecules. However, 4 target molecules exhibit PPAR over 58%, and as high as 81.79% for TM2-i, presenting itself as potent leading compound for antidiabetic drugs. This research also confirms that it is probable to achieve esterification of carboxyl group and deacylation of fatty acid N-phenyl amides concurrently in SOCl2/alcohol solvent system. This provides new synthetic method for the selective reaction within molecules containing both carboxyl and N-aryl amido groups of fatty acids.
Aniline Compounds ; chemistry ; Fatty Acids ; chemistry ; Hep G2 Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; metabolism ; Phenylacetates ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Sulfonamides ; chemistry