Advance on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Stellera plants have been conducted. The chemical constituents include terpenes, coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, volatile oils, and other compounds. Pharmacological studies showed that diterpenoids and biflavones showed strong activities, such as antitumor, anti-HIV, and immune regulations. This review hopes to provide a scientific basis for further research and explorations of the medicinal values of the genus.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Structure ; Thymelaeaceae ; chemistry ; classification

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of the benzodiazepine receptor in the amnesic effect of propofol,etomicdate and ketamine in mice.MethodsTwo hundred and eighty-eight Kunming mice of both sexes weighing 18-23 g were randomly divided into 9 groups( n =32 each):gruup normal saline + normal saline (group NN); group normal saline+ fat emulsion (group NF); group flumazenil + normal saline (group FN); group normal saline + propofol (group NP) ; group flumazenil + propofol (group FP) ;group nomal saline + etomidate (group NE) ; group flumazenil + etomidate (group FE); group normal saline + ketamine (group NK) and group flumazenil + ketamine (group NK).Normal saline 10 ml/kg was given IP at 10 min before the tests,and normal saline 10 ml/kg,fat emulsion 10 ml/kg,propofol 25 mg/kg,etomidate 3 mg/kg and ketamine 20 mg/kg at 5 min before the tests in groups NN,NF,NP,NE and NK respectively.Flumazenil 1 mg/kg was given IP at 10 min before the tests,and normal saline 10 ml/kg,fat emulsion 10 ml/kg,propofol 25 mg/kg,etomidate 3 mg/kg and ketamine 20 mg/kg at 5 min before the tests in groups NN,NF,NP,NE and NK respectively.Darkness-avoiding test,platform-mounting test and Morris water maze test were performed to assess the cognition function.The latency of response and number of error were recorded in each test.ResultsPropofol,etomidate and ketamine significanfly shortened the duration of latency of response in platform-mounting test as compared with group NN.Etomidate also significantly increased the number of error in platform-mounting test as compared with group NN,while ketamine prolonged the duration of latency of response in Morris water maze test as compared with group NN.Flumazenil significantly counteracted the above action of the 3 intravenous anesthetics.ConclusionBenzodiazepine receptor may play an important role in the amnesic effect induced by propofol,etomidate and ketamine.

Objective To produce the biological calcium citrate cement with fresh oyster shells, and investigate its compressive strength and biocompatibility so as to provide the experimental basis for clinical application of the material.Methods The compressive strength of biological calcium citrate cement was measured and its surface morphology was observed by SEM.The calcium release curve and pH value were measured in the simulated body fluid.Last, its biocompatibility was detected by cytotoxicity test.Results Biological calcium citrate cement produced by 0.33mL/g liquid solid ratio had the maximum compressive strength, and the crystal structure of the material was uniform and orderly.The determination of pH value showed that the degradation and absorption of biological calcium citrate cement did not significantly change the pH value of the body fluid.With gradual degradation of the material, the concentration of Ca2+ in the solution increased gradually.Cytotoxicity test showed that this material had good biocompatibility and no cytotoxicity.Conclusion Biological calcium citrate cement possesses strong compressive strength and good biocompatibility, and it can form a microenvironment with low in alkaline and high in calcium.

Objective To establish a method focusing on regulation of CNN3 gene in the rat hippocampus and help to explore the role of CNN3 gene played in the brain physiology and pathology.Methods One cDNA sequence and three shRNAs targeting CNN3 gene were designed and synthesized.The recombinant lentivirus-mediated expressing and three short hairpin RNA ( shRNA) vectors targeting CNN3 gene in the rats were constructed with engineering technology.All recombinant vectors were intravenously injected into rats hippocampi guided by stereotaxic apparatus.Western blot was performed to explore the best shRNA and to study the changes of CNN3 gene in the rat hippocampus after transfection with the silence and over-expressed vectors.Results The lentivirus-mediated vector expressing CNN3-OE and three shRNA vectors targeting CNN3 gene were successfully constructed.Within eight weeks after transfection, the vectors of CNN3-OE and three CNN3-shRNAs changed the expression of CNN3 gene in the rat hippocampus, in particular, all the protein levels of calponin-3 encoded by CNN3 gene were significantly down-regulated along with the time, with the highest inhibitory rate of 73.6%in the CNN3-shRNA2 group.Significant up-regulation of calponin-3 protein level by 93.88%, was found only on the 14th day after transfection.Conclusions Lentivirus-mediated vectors of CNN3-OE and CNN3-shRNAs may regulate in vivo the CNN3 gene level in the local brain region of rats via stereotactic injection.The study lays a foundation for disease prevention and treatment in the future.

Objective:To analyze the volatile components in compound Shenqiyizhi powder. Methods: The technique of head-space solid phase micro extraction( HS-SPME) with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( GC-MS) was applied to study the vola-tile components in the compound powder. The compound essential oil was analyzed by steam distillation( SD) with GC-MS. Results:A total of 117 kinds of volatile components were detected, and among them, 70 kinds of chemical compositions were identified from the compound powder, accounting for 94. 46% of the total volatile components. The component with the highest content wasβ-himachalene followed by ylangene (15. 56%) and β-asarone (7. 36%). Totally 66 kinds of volatile components were detected from the compound essential oil by SD-GC-MS, and among them, 43 kinds were identified, accounting for 77. 41% of the total volatile components. The results indicated that the main volatile components were β-asarone (16. 73%), eugenol methyl ether (6. 74%) and ylangene (5. 81%). Conclusion:The main volatile components in Shenqiyizhi powders areβ-cedrene, ylangene,β-asarone,α-asarone and el-emicin etc. The research can provide scientific basis for the analysis of volatile components.

Objective To investigate the effect of mild hypothermia on neuroprotection and prognosis prediction of rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) by dynamically monitoring the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG).Methods Forty healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups according to random number table,ie,normal control group (with no intervention),sham operation group (fenestration only,without drilling),TBI group (fluid percussion was used to produce moderate to severe TBI),and mild hypothemia group (ice blanket was used immediately after TBI for continuous physical cooling and rectal temperature was maintained at 32-35℃ and rewarmed to 37℃ 6 hours after the initiation of cooling),with 10 rats per group.Changes of SEP and QEEG in all groups were monitored at 6,24 hours,and 7 days after TBI.Results (1) Compared with TBI group,the latency of SEP waves (P1 and N1) on the injured side in mild hypothemia group began to shorten at 24 hours(P ＜ 0.05) and were close to that in the sham operation group at 7 days.(2) Except for normal control group and sham operation group,QEEG in TBI group showed decrease of α rhythm,increase of reactivity slow waves,and decrease or disappearance of QEEG relative power spectral values at all time points.In mild hypothermia group,the reactivity slow waves were decreased with a small amount of α wave; QEEG relative power spectral values were increased at 24 hours and 7 days (especially at 24 hours),but werc still lower than those in normal control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mild hypothermia exerts neuroprotective effect through reducing SEP latency,raising relative power spectral values of QEEG,and improving the nerve conduction and brain electrical activity of the injured side.

Objective To study the sources and the relationship between the management and the outcome of hemorrhage after cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy.Methods The clinical data of 370 patients who underwent pancreatic resection at the Lihuili Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were retrospectively analyzed.Results Postoperative bleeding occurred in 35 patients with 11 deaths.Among those intraabominal bleeding occurred in 14 cases and gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in 22,with one case suffering from both.Bleediug developing within 72 hours after operation in 12 cases (early-stage group),which was caused by improper intraoperative homeostasis.In other 23 cases,bleeding 72 hours after operation(later stage group)was caused by the erosion following pancreatic and/or bile leakage.Relaparotomy was performed in 13 cases and endoscopic homeostasis was performed in 3. Relaparotomy or endoscopic homeostasis was superior to that of conservative therapy in the early-stage group (P0.05).Pancreatic or bile leakage was identified as the significant risk factors for the postoperative bleeding.Conclusions In order to prevent the postoperative hemorrhage and to reduce the mortality of pancreatic resection,skillful techniques,expeditious homeostasis,proper management of stump pancreas and the prevention of pancreatic and bile leakage are essential.

Objective To study the relationship of carotid atherosclerosis score (CAS) with carotid atherosclerotic disease and its clinical indexes in ischemic stroke patients.Methods Ninety-six patients with ischemic stroke (＜2 weeks) or transient ischemic attack underwent high-resolution MRI of bilateral carotid arteries to measure their carotid atherosclerotic luminal stenosis,maximal wall thickness (MaxWT) and plaque involvement size.The carotid plaque images with unstable components of lipid-rich core (LRC) were analyzed with CASCAD software.The CAS value was calculated and divided into low risk group and high risk group.The relationship between CAS and its clinical indexes was analyzed.Results LRC was detected in plaques of 148 carotid arteries of the 96 patients with a CAS value of 21.6％±17.5％.The CAS value was related with the carotid luminal stenosis,MaxWT and plaque involvement size (r =0.610,r=0.569,r =0.527,P＜ 0.001).A significant difference was found in carotid luminal stenosis,MaxWT and plaque involvement size with a different CAS value (P＜0.01).The CAS value was related with LDL and HDL/TC ratio (r=0.469,P＜0.01;r=-0.269,P=0.035).The SBP,DBP and LDL level were higher in high risk group than in low risk group (P＜0.05).Conclusion CAS is closely related with carotid atherosclerotic disease and lipid metabolism.The higher the CAS value is,the higher the risk of carotid plaque hemorrhage and fibrous cap rupture is.

OBJECTIVETo report novel mutations SEC23B gene in congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA).

METHODSBy direct sequencing method, we sequenced CDAN1 and SEC23B genes in a Chinese CDA II patient, presented with chronic fatigue and dark urine, as well as his family members. Serum hepcidin was assayed by mass spectrometry.

RESULTSWe found a c.71G>A mutation and a c.74C> A mutation in the patient. In addition, a heterozygous c.55A>G mutation of HFE2 gene was found in some family members. The level of serum hepcidin of the patient was below the detection limit (<1 nmol/L).

CONCLUSIONContrary with what have been reported previously in the Europe, especially in the Italy, the gene mutations identified in this case was different and novel. The two novel mutations contribute to the diagnosis of CDAII and are the first report in East Asian CDAII patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; genetics ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Hepcidins ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Vesicular Transport Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish a high performance capillary electrophoresis method with diode array detection (HPCE-DAD) for simultaneous determination of rutin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, quercitrin, kaempferol and quercetin in Hyperici Japonici Herba.

METHODBased on the mode of capillary zone electrophoresis, 40 mmol x L(-1) borax was used as buffer solution (pH 8.62), uncoated fused silica capillary (56 cm x 64.5 cm x 75 microm) was used, separation voltage was 25 kV, detection wavelength was at 206 nm, column temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C, and sample was injected at 50 mbar, 8 s.

RESULTSix flavonoids showed good linearity (r > 0.9953) in the range of the tested concentration, the average recoveries of the method were between 98.8%-102.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for quality control of Hyperici Japonici Herba.

Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Temperature