Fungal polyketide synthases are responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as pigments, mycotoxins, and they are very important in pharmacology , food science and agriculture. The recent advances in the methods for the isolation and manipulation of multiple classes of polyketide synthase genes from fungi were introduced. It is useful for discovery of novel fungal polyketide synthase gene clusters. These methods can also be useful for revealing the genetic potential of fungi to produce multiple types of bioactive polyketide.

Objective To investigate the characteristics and relationship of cognitive function and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF)in childhood and adolescence-first-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD).Methods Twenty-four childhood and adolescence-first-onset OCD patients (patient group) and thirty-three age/gender/education-matched healthy controls (healthy control group) were enrolled in this study.The participants' cognitive function was tested with trail making test (TMT),symbol coding,Hopkins verbal learning test-revised (HVLT-R),brief visuospatial memory test-revised (BVMT-R),verbal fluency test (VF),digital span test,maze test and Stroop test.Then a resting-state fMRI scan was conducted for each participant.Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation approach was used to explore the differences of resting-state brain function between patients and controls,and analyze the significant brain regions by adopting t test.The cognitive functions of patients and healthy control group in the significant brain regions were compared by using Pearson correlation analysis.Results The patient group had lower scores than healthy control group in symbol coding,BVMT-R and digital span test,and the differences were statistically significant [(45.24 ± 10.32)scores vs.(56.85 ± 9.57) scores,(21.94 ± 6.99) scores vs.(30.58 ± 3.92) scores,(64.06 ± 20.00) scores vs.(78.03 ±18.08) scores;t =3.96,4.90,2.50;all P ＜ 0.05].Corrected by Alphasim,patient group showed significantly increased ALFF in the left and fight temporal lobe,left and fight posterior lobe of cerebellum,right middle temporal gyrus,but ALFF decreased in the area of left and right lenticula,left putamen compared with the healthy control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The patients group showed that TMT scores were positively correlated with the value of ALFF in the right temporal lobe (r =0.67),and color scores were positively correlated with the value of ALFF in the right middle temporal gyrus (r =0.53),but colour scores were negatively correlated with the value of ALFF in the right tcmporal lobe (r =-0.54);the healthy control group showed that BVMT-R and digital span test scores were positively correlated with the value of ALFF in the left temporal lobe (r =0.47,0.41),but digital span test scores were negatively correlated with the value of ALFF in the right temporal lobe (r =-0.49),and colour scores were negatively correlated with the value of ALFF in the left temporal lobe (r =-0.35),while word and color-word scores were negatively correlated with the value of ALFF in the right middle temporal gyrus (r =-0.39,-0.36);the correlation coefficient above had statistical significance (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The childhood and adolescence-first-onset OCD patients had cognitive impairment,including speed of processing,visual learning and memory,working memory;and the patients showed abnormal spontaneous neural activity at some brain regions.The cognitive dysfunction may be associated with abnormal spontaneous neuronal activity in childhood and adolescence-first-onset OCD.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of Modified Xiaoyao Decoction (MXD) combining clomipramine in treatment of depression.

METHODSOne hundred and five depression patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The treated group (53 patients), all were differentiated as Gan-qi stagnation syndrome type and treated with MXD combining clomipramine 25-50 mg/d. The control group (52 patients) treated with clomipramine 75-225 mg/d alone. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks in both groups. Scores of depression was assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) before treatment and at the 2nd, 4th, 8th week of the treatment, efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated with Global Impression of Change (CGI) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) respectively.

RESULTSAfter treatment the scores in both groups were significantly different from those before treatment (P < 0.01), but no significant difference was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). Main adverse reactions were dry mouth, constipation in the treated group, much less than those in the control group, which were mainly dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, insomnia, blurred vision and prolonged Q-T interval (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMXD combining clomipramine has the efficacy on depression similar to clomipramine, but has less adverse reactions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; therapeutic use ; Clomipramine ; therapeutic use ; Depression ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate surgical technique and clinical efficacy of Sky bone ex- pander kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures.Methods Eighteen cases with osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures were treated with Sky bone expander kyphoplasty from August 2004 to November 2005.Under the local anesthesia,3.5-5ml of bone cements were injected into each pathologic vertebral body through unipedicle approach after reduction procedure was done with Sky bone expander.Results The postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 11 months, with an average of 4.5 months.Back pain was effectively relieved after the operation in all cases.No complications occurred.Conclusion The Sky bone expander kyphoplasty has the advantages of safe- ty,easy operation,minimal invasion,effective restoration of the vertebral body height and fast relief of pain.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of port catheter system(PCS)placement in pulmonary artery via percutaneous subclavicle vein treatment for multiple metastatic tumor in the two lungs and discuss the PCS technique.Methods Fifteen multiple metastatic tumor patients(13 hepatocellular carcinomas,one mandible grand adenocarcinoma,one oral bottom squamous carcinoma)were carried out with pulmonary artery PCS placement by way of percutaneous subclavicle vein.FPA/FPM/GP chemotherapy scheme were introduced every 4～6 weeks.Results The success rate of PCS placement technique was 93.3%(14/15).One case failed.Percutaneous subclavicle veins were performed 14 cases in right side and 1 in left one.Following up 2～43 months,2～7 chemotherapy cycles(mean 5 cycles)were accomplished,and the clinical CR and PR were achieved in 1 and 3 cases respectively with clinical efficacy rate 28.6%(4/14).Major side reaction was late wound healing in 1 case.Conclusion PCS placement in pulmonary artery treatment for multiple metastatic tumor in the two lungs is effective,and mastering operation technique is the key for increasing operation suc- cess rate.

OBJECTIVETo find out an effective therapy for obesity induced by antipsychotic agents.

METHODSOne hundred and one cases of obesity who were being treated with antipsychotic agents were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. The observation group were treated with electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39), once a day for 8 weeks; and no treatment was given to the control group. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used for assessment of therapeutic effect and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) for adverse effects.

RESULTSThe clinically effective rate of the observation group (54.9%) was superior to the control group (10.0%) with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The BPRS score-reducing rate was 24.92% and 28.62% in the both groups respectively, and with no adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture has a good therapeutic effect on obesity induced by antipsychotic agents, and it improves the patient's compliance with no adverse effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Obesity

OBJECTIVETo compare the incidence of metabolic disorders (MS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and essential hypertension (EH).

METHODSMS prevalence was observed in 200 EH patients (male 104) and 220 PA patients (male 117) hospitalized to our hospital from August 2005 to March 2007.

RESULTS(1) The prevalence of MS in PA group was significantly higher than that of EH group (47.3% vs. 31.5%, P = 0.009). (2) Blood pressure was significantly higher in PA group than that of EH [SBP: (150.67 +/- 15.45) mm Hg vs. (145.69 +/- 17.13) mm Hg, P = 0.042; DBP: (93.03 +/- 10.51) mm Hg vs. (85.83 +/- 14.44) mm Hg, P = 0.037]. (3) Incidences of abdominal obesity (86.8% vs. 78.5%, P = 0.024) and insulin resistance (insulin sensitivity index: 42.42 +/- 16.11 vs. 49.58 +/- 22.43, P = 0.008) were significantly higher in PA group than in EH group.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS in hospitalized PA patients was significantly higher than that of EH patients characterized by prevalent abdominal obesity, insulin resistant and severe hypertension.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Incidence ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged

The attenuated Chinese equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) vaccine is the first lentiviral vaccine that provides solid protective immunities to vaccinated horses. To investigate properties of EIAV vaccine, especially the relationship between its replication and the immunity, viral plasma loads of an EIAV vaccine strain EIAVFDDV in immune suppressed horses were detected. Three horses, which were immunized with EIAVFDDV for 16 months, were treated with dexamethasone for 14 days to suppress their immunities. Reduced immune response in these animals was confirmed by significantly declined lymphocyte proliferation rate detected after 10 days of the drug treatment. The plasma viral loads of EIAVFDDV, which was indicated by the genomic RNA copy numbers, in horses before and after the treatment of dexamethasone were monitored by real time RT-PCR. Results revealed that the viral plasma loads in two of three immune-suppressed horses were kept a steady low level around 103～ 104 copies/ml. The load was increased by 10 folds in the third horse, but was still among the standard levels for EIAVFDDV vaccinated horses. As a positive control, the viral copy number of an asymptomatic carrier of EIAV virulent strain EIAVLiao was jumped nearly 25 000-fold higher after being treated with dexamethasone. The typical clinical symptoms of EIA, characterized by febrile episodes and thrombocytopenia, were also appeared in this horse. These results clearly indicate that it is the unique biological feature of the attenuated EIAV vaccine, but not the immunity, resulted in EIAVFDDV remaining in low levels in the body harmlessly. In addition, the steady low level of viremia and the inability to cause clinical symptoms of EIAVFDDV in immune-suppressed hosts further demonstrated the safety of attenuated Chinese EIAV vaccines. The data provide a new sight for studies on the immunity to lentiviruses.

Aged ; Bronchoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; therapy

AIMTo establish the fundamentals for the design of scutellarin prodrug and formulation with feasible physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties by esterifying scutellarin, an active component with poor absorption extracted from Erigeron breviscapus of Chinese medicine.

METHODSWith the method of salifying followed by esterifying, ethyl and benzyl ester of scutellarin were synthesized. Glycolamide ester of scutellarin was also synthesized with an improved method. Their structures were confirmed by MS and 1H NMR. The solubility and partition coefficient of the prodrugs were determined and their degradations were investigated in various buffers and in human plasma. The emulsion and cyclodextrin complex of glycolamide ester were prepared and the protection of the ester from degradation was compared in the intestinal tract contents. Furthermore, the degradation of glycolamide ester in the homogenates of various intestinal segments was studied. Results Three prodrugs were synthesized successfully and their structures were confirmed. Glycolamide ester of scutellarin showed better stability in the aqueous solution (t(1/2) approximately =16 d, pH 4.2) and the shortest half-life in the human serum (t(1/2) approximately =7 min). Compared with scutellarin, the solubility of glycolamide ester was increased about ten times in pH 4.0 buffer, and about thirty five times in water. Partition coefficient of the glycolamide ester increased significantly from -2.56 to 1.48. However, the ester degradation in the homogenates of intestinal mucus would be an obstacle for its absorption. The degradation rates were in the order duodenum > ileum > or = jejunum > colon. The emulsion showed a better protection of glycolamide ester from the degradation than cyclodextrin complex.

CONCLUSIONGlycolamide ester of scutellarin shows better physicochemical properties than ethyl and benzyl eater of scutellarin, but its stability in intestinal tract needs to be improved. The emulsion or / and colon-targeted delivery may be selected as one of strategies to decrease the presystemic degradation.

Animals ; Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Emulsions ; Erigeron ; chemistry ; Esters ; Flavones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucuronates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucuronides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prodrugs ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley