Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids distributed widely in the nature and some have a broad application in clinic. More attention has been paid in recent years on this type of alkaloid, owing to the diverse range of biological activities exhibited by these alkaloids and the discovery of new functional mechanisms and molecular targets underlying these activities. This article summarized the recent advances in the biological activities and functional mechanism of tetrahydroisoquinoline, which included the activities such as antitumor, antibiotic, antivirus, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulation, bronchodilation, and the action on central nervous system, with the purpose of providing some ideas in the study of biological activity of this type of alkaloid and in the search for lead-compound and rational drug design.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Bronchodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; Central Nervous System Agents ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Tetrahydroisoquinolines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the effect of various iterative reconstruction methods on phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods Thirty consecutive patients scanned by the Philips CardioMD system were recruited into this study. The gated SPECT (GSPECT) data were reconstructed with filtered backprojection (FBP),maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM),three-di-mensional (3D) resolution recovery MLEM (AST),attenuation corrected (AC) MLEM,AC and 3D Monte Carlo scatter corrected (ACSC) MLEM methods. Parameters of left ventricular ( LV ) dyssynchrony ( phase standard deviation and histogram bandwidth) were measured using the software SyncTool. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences of the LV dyssynchrony indices between FBP and MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM,AST respectively. Results The phase standard deviations of stress GSPECT MPI for FBP,MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM,and AST were 11.6°,10.9°,11.2°,11.6°,11.4° respectively;while the histogram bandwidths were 35.7°,34.3°,35.1°,36.9°,35. 1 ° respectively. The phase standard deviations of rest GSPECT MPI for FBP,MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM and AST were 15.2°,14. 5°,15.4° ,15. 4°,14.8° respectively; while the histogram bandwidths were 47.3°,46.4°,46.4° ,47.9°,46.1 ° respectively. No statistical significance was observed between the FBP and various iterative reconstruction methods for both the stress and rest GSPECT MPI study (t:-1. 179 to 1.554,P＞0.05 forall). Conclusion The standard FBP reconstruction method is accurate enough for the measurement of LV dyssynchrony indices using the widely used clinical software SyncTool.

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of single agent topotecan(second line) or topotecan＋ cisplatin (first line) in the treatment of the patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods： Ninety-seven patients were evaluated efficacy and toxicity in 100 eligible patients in a multiple center clinical trail. Topotecan was administrated as a second line single agent in 38 relapse SCLC patients and the dose of topotecan was 1.25 mg· （ m2· d） -1 for 5 days and repeat every 3 weeks. Topotecan＋ cisplatin regimen was used in the chemonaive SCLC patients and the dose of topotecan was reduced to 1 mg· （ m2· d） -1 for 5 days and the cisplatin was 80 mg· （ m2· d） -1 for one dose. Results： The response rate was 37.5％ as second line chemotherapy in relapse SCLC, including complete response of 3.1％ and the partial response 34.4. The response rate was 79.6％ (complete response,22.4％ and partial response,57.1％ ) when cisplatin was combined with topotecan in the chemonaive SCLC patients. Bone marrow suppression was the main toxicity of topotecan and Grade Ⅲ -Ⅳ neutropenia and thrombopenia was observed in 39.9％ and 31.6％ respectively in single agent regimen and 61.0％ and 39.9％ in combined regimen respectively. The non-hemotological toxicity was mineral. Conclusion： Topotecan may be an effective drugs for the patients with SCLC when used as the first or the second line regimen, and more efficacy when combine with cisplatin. The main toxicity of topotecan is hemotological toxicity.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the status of cell differentiation in nasal NK/T cell lymphomas.

METHODSThe clinical data of 88 cases of NK/T cell lymphomas were collected. Antibodies to the following antigens were used in the immunohistochemical study: T cell differentiation antigens (CD3epsilon, CD5 and CD1a); NK cell associated antigens (CD56, CD57) and antibodies of CD34 and CD38.

RESULTS(1) Clinicopathology: clinically, frequently involved sites were the nasal cavity and the pharynx. Ulceration and erosion of the mucosa were common signs. Pathologically, diffuse infiltration of the tumor cells was observed in 68 of 88 (70.45%) cases of nasal NK/T cell lymphomas. In 71 (80.68%) cases infiltrated cells were predominantly medium to large sized; (2) Differentiation status of tumor cells: the tumor cells expressed CD3epsilon in 78/88 (88.64%); CD5 in 56/88 (63.63%), CD56 in 25/88 (28.41%) and no positivity for CD1a, CD57, CD34 and CD38.

CONCLUSIONStatus of tumor cell differentiation in nasal NK/T cell lymphoma may have passed the stage of progenitor cell differentiation but not yet to the stage of mature T or NK cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of automated quantification of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using a method based on a Western normal database for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a group of Chinese patients. Methods Seventy-two Chinese patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and MPI within 3 months were recruited into this study. Eighty selected from 140 Chinese patients with low probability of CAD ( ＜ 5% ) were enrolled into local normal database of 99Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) MPI using Cedars quantitative perfusion SPECT (QPS) database. Two Western MPI normal databases (CSMC MibiMbiAuto and Mibimibi) were used for processing the Chinese CAD patients recruited in this study, and the results were compared with those using local normal database and visual interpretation. T-test and z-test were used for statistical analysis. Results The extent (EXT)measurement obtained from Mibimibi and local database was ( 10.73 ± 14.54)% and ( 14.22 ± 16.51 )%,respectively ( t = 7.87, P ＜ 0.001 ); the severity (SEV) was 1.07 ± 0.93 and 1.34 ± 1.20, respectively ( t =7.45, P＜0.001). The area under curve(AUC) by using EXT measurement for local database (0.85 ±0.05) was larger than that for CSMC MibiMbiAuto ( AUC = 0.72 ± 0.06, z = 2.50, P ＜ 0.01 ) and Mibimibi ( AUC = 0.77 ± 0.06, z = 2.47, P = 0.014). The AUC of local database showed no significant difference from that of visual interpretation (AUC=0.83 ±0.05, z=0.05, P＞0.05). Conclusion Quantification of MPI of our Chinese patients using Western normal database would decrease the accuracy for the detection of CAD.

To investigate the expression of NF-kappaB in acute leukemia and its relationship with P21, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), the expression of NF-kappaB, P21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in bone marrow cells from patients with acute leukemia (AL) was detected using immunocytochemical technique. The results showed that the expression ratios of NF-kappaB, P21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in untreated AL group were significantly higher than those in remission and normal control groups (P < 0.05), and no obvious difference was seen between remission and normal control groups. The expression of NF-kappaB was correlated with that of P21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 (r = 0.767, 0.729 and 0.803, respectively, P < 0.05). This study indicated that P21 protein, encoded by oncogene Ras, and NF-kappaB were super-expressed in leukemia cells. In conclusion, after activation by Ras, NF-kappaB combined with the kappaB sequences of MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes, then upregulated their expression. MMP might enhance the degradative function of leukemic cell, thus to make cells easier to cross through the bone marrow barrier and release into blood.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; biosynthesis ; Remission Induction

OBJECTIVE: To establish optimal amplification conditions with the application of 0.2 mL test tube in single cell separation and inspection. METHODS: Oral epithelium cell suspension was prepared. Five or ten cells were collected with 0.2 mL test tube. Then DNA were amplified with Identifiler Plus kit in three different conditions in which the proteinase K addition, gold enzyme concentration in PCR reaction, and PCR reaction cycles were adjusted separately. Finally the detection rate, allelic dropout rate and artificial alleles were compared among the groups. RESULTS: In these 3 different conditions: addition of proteinase K, addition of 0.4 microL gold enzyme in PCR reaction, and use of 32 cycles, the detection rate was higher and allelic dropout rate was lower than the other conditions. CONCLUSION In single cell separation and inspection, the usage of 0.2 mL test tube could be an effective supplement to chip-low volume amplification.
Alleles ; Cell Separation/methods* ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Endopeptidase K/administration & dosage* ; Enzymes/administration & dosage* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Feasibility Studies ; Forensic Genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa/cytology* ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of electroacupuncture in different frequencies by electromyography and walking function measure in post-stroke patients with lower-extremity (OLE) spasticity and hemiparesis.

METHODSFifty cases of post-stroke whose motor deficit was classified into Brunnstrom stage II - IV were randomly divided into a 100 Hz group, a 50 Hz group and a 2 Hz group. They were accepted 100 Hz, 50 Hz or 2 Hz of electroacupuncture (EA) therapy combined with standard rehabilitation program. Main outcome measures included integrated electromyography (IEMG) score during maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) of the knee flexors and extensors, ankle dorsiflexors and planterflexors in the affected LE recorded by surface EMG, Co-contraction ratio calculated by IEMG score of the antagonist over that of the agonist plus antagonist, Composite Spasticity Scale (CSS), Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale (FMS) and Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) on LE. All outcomes were assessed at the baseline and after treatment by the professional practitioners who blinded to the treatment.

RESULTSAfter EA treatment, IEMG of rectus femoris were decreased in 100 Hz and 50 Hz groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and better than that in 2 Hz group (both P < 0.05); gastrocnemius IEMG were decreased in 100 Hz and 50 Hz groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); but IEMG of tibialis anterior muscle was increased only in 50 Hz group (P < 0.05). During knee flexion, EMG co-contraction ratio in MIVC declined in 100 Hz and 50 Hz groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the co-contraction ratio between the non-affected and affected side were increased significantly in all the 3 groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). During ankle dorsiflexion, co-contraction ratio were decreased significantly in all the 3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and cocontraction ratio between the non-affected and affected side was increased significantly only in 100 Hz after treatment (P < 0.01). FMS score, CSS and FAC were improved in all the 3 groups after treatment (all P < 0.01), but only FAC in 100 Hz group showed better effect than that in 50 Hz group or 2 Hz group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture therapy combined with rehabilitation program is effective for the spasticity status of lower-extremity in post-stroke. The therapeutic effect of EA in the frequencies of 100 Hz or 50 Hz is superior to that of 2 Hz stimulation and parameter of 100 Hz may be optimal.

Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Paresis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Walking

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.

METHODSThe clinical and histologic features of 23 cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study was also performed in 14 of the cases.

RESULTSThe age of patients ranged from 12 to 47 years. Fourteen of them occurred in males. Thirteen cases involved the bony skeleton and 5 cases affected the soft tissue. The patients presented with pain and/or swelling. Histologically, the tumor consisted of a mixture of undifferentiated small round cells and hyaline cartilage. Transition between the two components was demonstrated and growth plate-like cartilage was observed. Immunohistochemical study showed that the small round cells were positive for Sox9 (14/14), CD99 (12/14), vimentin (6/14), CD56 (4/14), CD57 (4/14), neuron-specific enolase (3/14) and desmin(1/14). They were negative for Coll-II, S-100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen, pan-cytokeratin, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, CD34 and c-erbB2.

CONCLUSIONSMesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor. Thorough histologic examination, when coupled with immunohistochemical findings, is helpful in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Chondrosarcoma, Mesenchymal ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Orbital Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiography ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEAlpha-thalassemia is one of the most common monogene disorders in the world. Most frequently, it is caused by deletions of alpha-globin gene (-alpha or --), and less commonly resulted from the non-deletional mutation (alpha(T)alpha). Hemoglobin H (HbH) disease is the most severe type among survivors of alpha-thalassemia. The clinical presentation of children with the disease was highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha-globin genotypes in the children with HbH disease on predicting the phenotypic severity and to define the factors involved in the disease progress.

METHODSForty-three children with the disease in Zhuhai area of Guangdong, China were examined by using established techniques to detect genotypes of alpha-globin and to determine all hematological parameters. All detailed clinical data of the cases were recorded. Then clinical and hematological findings, and the correlation with genotypes were evaluated.

RESULTSSix alpha-thalassemia mutations were detected and interacted to produce 5 HbH disease genotypes. Of these genotypes, -alpha(3.7)/--(SEA)(60%), -alpha(4.2)/--(SEA) (19%) and alpha(CS)alpha/--(SEA) (12%) HbH diseases were prevalent in the area. Compared with -alpha(3.7)/--(SEA) HbH disease, significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC) and HbA(2) (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively), and significantly higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin volume (MCV) and HbH levels (both P < 0.01), and more severe clinical phenotypes were found in the HbH disease with alpha(T)alpha/--(SEA) genotype. While the differences were much more significant when compared with -alpha(3.7)/--(SEA) then compared with -alpha(4.2)/--(SEA) not only in the hematological parameters, but also in the severity of clinical phenotypes. In addition, HbH levels showed anegatively correlation with the RBC count (r = -0.39, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe phenotypes of HbH disease may be mainly related to the underlying genotypes. The children with alpha(T)alpha/--(SEA) genotype presented with more severe hematological and clinical phenotypes followed by the -alpha(4.2)/--(SEA) and then -alpha(3.7)/--(SEA) genotypes. But phenotypic severity was not simply related to the degree of alpha-globin deficiency. HbH levels were found to exacerbate anemia. These data might provide comprehensive and very valuable and basic information for the management of HbH disease, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Child ; China ; Disease Progression ; Genotype ; Hemoglobin H ; genetics ; Humans ; Phenotype ; alpha-Globins ; genetics