Aim To study the effect of ginsenoside Rbl on methamphetamine-induced CPP in rats and to explore the role of NR2B/CREB in it. Methods METH(2mg·kg-1, i.p) was administered to establish METH-induced CPP model in rats. 0 ∼3 d was the adaptation stage and 4 ∼ 13 d was the experimental stage. METH (2 mg · kg-1, i. p) or saline (10 mg · kg-1, i. p) was injected every other day. Rb1 (10 mg · kg-1, i.p) or saline was pre-injected lh before injection of METH or saline. After perfusion, the hippocampus was isolated from brain on ice, and the expression levels of NR2B, CREB and p-CREB were detected by Western blot. Results The animal model of METH-induced CPP was successfully established. The rats were pretreated with Rbl (10 mg · kg-1) for 1 h, and the time that the rats stayed in drug-paired was significantly reduced compared with METH group. Western blot results showed that NR2B, p-CREB and p-CREB/CREB significantly increased in METH group and without altering CREB expression levels compared with control group. However, after pre-treated with Rbl, the expression levels of NR2B, p-CREB and p-CREB/CREB decreased compared with METH group. Conclusions METH can significantly induce CPP in rats. Rbl may inhibit METH-induced CPP in rats by regulating NR2B and p-CREB.

AIM　To study the structures of the epimerides of cycloclausenamide. METHODS　The structures of compound I, extracted from Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels, and synthesized compound III were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The stereo-structures of compound II and IV were also built up through Tripos force field based on crystal structures of compound I and III. RESULTS　The molecular formula and molecular weight were found to be C18H17O2N and 279.34 respectively. Compound I crystallized in monoclinic system, space group P21 with a=0.5928(1), b=1.5014(1), c=1.6190(1) nm, V=1.4410(3) nm3, Z=4, Dx=1.288 g*cm-3, Rf=0.075, Rw=0.073(w=1/σ2｜F｜), S=3.983; compound III crystallized in triclinic system, space group P1 with a=0.5667(1), b=1.2934(1), c=2.1119(1) nm, α=102.17(1), β=90.25(1), γ=102.65(2)°, V=1.4770(5) nm3, Z=4, Dx=1.224 g*cm-3, Rf=0.047, Rw=0.051(w=1/σ2｜F｜), S=0.467. CONCLUSION　These results showed that compound I and III both are cycloclausenamide except that the directions of the phenyl group on C6 are different. Cycloclausenamide can form 4 pairs of epimerides but the directions of the phenyl group does not affect their energy in free state.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) combined with external hemorrhoids excision in the treatment of III or IV mixed hemorrhoids.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve patients with III or IV mixed hemorrhoids admitted for surgical treatment were randomly divided into three groups: PPH 1 group (34 cases), PPH2 group (36 cases), and Milligan-Morgan group (42 cases). PPH1 group received the standard PPH operation, PPH2 received PPH and external hemorrhoids excision, and Milligan-Morgan group received Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy. Postoperative 24 h-pain index, pain index when defecating, bleeding, anal discomfort feeling , wound edema, the ability of controlling feces, operating time, hospitalization time and charges were recorded. The change of anal dynamics was detected by anorectal manometry. All the patients were followed-up for 0.5-1 year.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among the three groups in bleeding, anal discomfort feeling, the ability of controlling feces (P>0.05). The postoperative 24 h-pain index of PPH1 group was lower than those of the other two groups (P<0.05). PPH1 group and PPH2 group were better than Milligan-Morgan group in pain index when defecating, wound edema, operating time, and hospitalization time (P<0.05). Milligan-Morgan group was better than the other two groups in postoperative urinary retention and hospital charges (P<0.05). The change of anal duct pressure of Milligan-Morgan group was less than those of the other two groups (P<0.05). Within 0.5-1.0 year follow-up, 3 patients got thrombosed external hemorrhoid in PPH1 group, 2 patients recurred and 1 patient got thrombosed external hemorrhoid in Milligan-Morgan group, no recurred patients in PPH2 group.

CONCLUSIONPPH combined with external hemorrhoid excision is a safe and effective treatment for mixed hemorrhoids, which is suitable for mixed hemorrhoids with severe external hemorrhoids.

Adult ; Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhoids ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prolapse ; Surgical Stapling

Cycloartane triterpenoids, which exist widely in nature, are mainly distributed in Astragalus (Leguminosae) species, Trib. Cimicifuga (Ranunculaceae) and Thalictrium (Ranunculaceae) species and possess various bioactivities. Along with the development of isolation techniques of phytochemistry, more and more this kind of compounds are isolated and identified. However, bioactivity researches on the compounds are relatively lagged behind. Most researches are still in screening level, deficient in mechanism elucidation, short of action proven in vivo and SAR analysis. The author summarized the bioactivity of this kind of compounds from all aspects: anti-tumor, anti-virus, antibacterial, anti-inflammation, immune-regulatory, cardiovascular system, hepatic protection and so forth. This will be benefit for the further research and development of the compounds.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Cimicifuga ; chemistry ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Thalictrum ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

To investigate the correlation between genotype and distribution of Pogostemon cablin by sequencing ITS1 and ITS2 genes, and provide molecular information for its germplasm evaluation, ITS1 and ITS2 genes of Pogostemon cablin from different localities were identified by PCR direct sequencing. The sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 genes were 424 bp and 380 bp in length, respectively. And nineteen base substitutions were observed in ITS1 gene, and five in ITS2 gene. The results showed a good correlation between genotype and distribution of Pogostemon cablin, and ITS gene sequencing could provide useful molecular information for germplasm evaluation of the plant species verification.
Base Sequence ; Biodiversity ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Genotype ; Geography ; Lamiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

China ; DNA, Plant ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ecosystem ; Genes, Plant ; Genetic Techniques ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Pharmacognosy ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

The therapeutic effect of sustained intravitreal injectable voriconazole microspheres (VCZ-MS) on an experimental endophthalmitis of Aspergillus fumigatus was investigated. VCZ-MS was prepared successfully and its physico-chemical property was also evaluated. Right eyes of albino rabbits were infected with an intravitreal injection of 1 000 CFU x mL(-1) of susceptible Aspergillus fumigatus. All fungal endophthalmitis models were randomly divided into five groups 48 hours later: Group A is control group with no treatment; in group B, vitrectomy was performed combined with intravitreal 3 times injections of 100 microg x 0.1 mL(-1) voriconazole every other day. In group C, D and E, vitrectomy was performed combined with intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 1.5 mg VCZ-MS respectively. The treatment effect was assessed by slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope funduscopy examination, using clinical grading system of inflammation in the anterior chamber and the vitreous opacity. The optical microscopy revealed that microspheres obtained from the experiment design were opaque, discrete and spherical particles with smooth surfaces. The drug content and encapsulation efficiency of microspheres were 29.94% and 73.5%, respectively. Endophthalmitis occurred in all eyes of group A, and rapidly developed to panophthalmitis. The inflammation grade of group B, C, D or E was lower than that of group A (P < 0.05). The grade of vitreous opacity in group C, D, E is lower than group B (P < 0.05). Two eyes in group C developed to panophthalmitis. But in group D and E, all eyes whose inflammation was controlled had no recurrence with vitreous clear. Histopathological examination showed normal structures in the cured eyes, while most uncured eyes were atrophic and with eyeball destroyed. So, it can be safely concluded that the curative effect of intravitreal VCZ-MS is significantly better than that of routine intraocular injection of voriconazole. The optimal dose is the one containing 1.0 mg voriconazole.
Animals ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspergillosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Endophthalmitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; pathology ; Eye ; microbiology ; pathology ; Female ; Intravitreal Injections ; Lactic Acid ; Male ; Microspheres ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Triazoles ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Voriconazole

The anti-osteoporosis activity and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal plants were discussed. It is hoped that we can provide some reference for future drug development and introduction of traditional Chinese medicine to world.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cnidium ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Osteoblasts ; pathology ; Osteoporosis ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polypodiaceae ; chemistry

Amphetamines abuse is defined as a chronic recurrent encephalopathy, and it is a global public health problem which seriously threatens the health of human and the social stability. Long-term abuse and addiction of amphetamines leads to structural and functional changes of specific encephalic regions. Further researches on these encephalic regions, the network of brain and biological information may be helpful to understanding drug abuse mechanism and possible therapeutic measures. Recently, a series of functional imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (f MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and positron emission tomography (PET), were used to detect different brain structural changes of the volume and density of encephalic regions, functional changes of cerebral blood flow and brain cognition. The results showed functional imaging techniques play significant roles to detect different structural and functional changes of the brain. Based on these results, the researchers aim to clarify the mechanisms of drug abuse. That is the main focus of this review.

OBJECTIVETo explore how to determine painful vertebrae treated by kyphoplasty in multiple-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and clinical outcome.

METHODSFrom October 2002 to June 2005, 51 consecutive procedures with kyphoplasty were performed on 35 patients with multiple-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. There were 51 painful vertebrae among 120 vertebral compression fractures. The painful vertebra was determined by the signal intensity changes in MR images, combined with radiography and local percussion pain before operation. Only painful vertebrae were treated by kyphoplasty. Preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up visual analog scale (VAS) and radiographic findings such as vertebral height and Cobb angle were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients tolerated the procedure well with immediate relief of their back pain after kyphoplasty and they can walk at 1-3 days after the procedure. There were 3 vertebrae (3/51) occurred asymptomatic extravasation of cement. 31 cases were followed up for mean 16.2 months (range 6-44 months). VAS reduced from preoperative 8.7 to final follow-up 2.1 (P <0. 01). At final follow-up the vertebral height had a recovery rate of 59.17%, and the mean Cobb angle was improved 10.1 degrees. There was a significant improvement between preoperative and final follow-up values (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe painful vertebra can be determined by signal intensity changes in MR series images in multiple-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Selecting painful vertebrae to be treated by kyphoplasty can make patients with multiple-level VCFs gain an excellent result.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Prospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty ; methods