OBJECTIVETo develop a method for the determination of salvianolic acid B and paeoniflorin in Shuangdan granules.

METHODThe chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax SB C18 column with a linear gradient elution of phosphoric acid-water (0.05:100) and phosphoric acid-acetonitrile-methanol (0.05:4:96) was used. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1) and column temperature was set at 25 degrees C. The UV detection wavelength was set at 230 nm.

RESULTThe linear ranger was of 0.710-22.7 microg for salvianolic acid B and 0.103-3.30 microg for paeoniflorin. Three batches of Shuangdan granules were analyzed, and the content of salvianolic acid B ranged from 6.46-11.6 mg x g(-1) and paeoniflorin ranged from 1.44-1.78 mg x g(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe method was accurate, reproducible, reliable, and could be used for quantitative control of Shuangdan granules.

Benzoates ; analysis ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the fourth branchial abnormity and its managements.

METHODTwelve cases of the fourth branchial abnormity treated between January 2005 and April 2012 were reviewed.

RESULTSDissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was done in all cases. Partial thyroidectomy was performed in 10 cases, and 2 cases of them received selective neck dissection including level II, III, IV and VI. The abnormity lesions were found to pass posterior to the thyroid glands in the 10 cases and to pass through the inferior constrictor muscle into the pyriform sinus in 7 cases of them. The internal opening in the pyriform sinus demonstrated by preoperative examination couldn't be identified in the operation in one case. The abnormity tract terminated at the lateral surface of the esophagus in one case, passed into the cervical esophagus in one case, and terminated at the lateral surface of the thyroid gland in one case, and formed a cyst lateral to the thyroid gland in one case. No abnormity tract was found to loop around the hypoglossal nerve and to descend into the mediastinum. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve was cut off in one patient, although end to end anastomosis was performed immediately, the patient was still complicated with left vocal cord paralysis postoperatively. The median follow-up time of the cases was 24 months (8-88 months). One case was lost of follow up. No recurrence was found in 10 cases. Recurrence was found in one case, and no recurrence in 10 cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe presentation of congenital the fourth branchial fistula is variated significantly. Most abnormity lesions had close relations to the thyroid gland and the recurrent laryngeal nerve, thus the recurrent laryngeal nerve need to protect and partial thyroidectomy might be considered. In the recurrent cases when the abnormity couldn't be identified clearly, selective neck dissection including level II, III, IV and VI should be done long term follow up should be carried out in the cases that the internal opening couldn't be found.

Branchial Region ; abnormalities ; Branchioma ; Fistula ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy ; Vocal Cord Paralysis

Using the absorbent resin, silica gel and ODS column chromatography as well as semi-preparative HPLC, ten compounds were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of tubers of Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright, and their structures were elucidated as trigoneoside XIIIa (1), parvifloside (2), trigoneoside IVa (3), deltoside (4), protobioside (5), lilioglycoside k (6), zingiberensis newsaponin I (7), deltonin (8), prosapogenin A of dioscin (9), and trillin (10) on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis. Among these compounds, 1, 3, 5 and 6 were isolated from this plant for the first time. In the screening test on platelet aggregation, compounds 7 and 8 exhibited induction effect on platelet aggregation, while compound 9 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in vitro.
Animals ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the surgical approaches and therapeutic effect of lymphatic malformations located in head and neck in children.

METHODSEleven cases of lymphatic malformations in the region of head and neck in children encountered between Jan. 1998 and Dec.2008 in Peking University First Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Initial diagnosis was made based on the physical examination and then confirmed by MR and Enhanced CT imaging. Surgical therapy was used for patients with lymphatic malformation which exceeds 4 cm. The operative technique was as follows: mass resection and superficial parotidectomy (4 cases), mass resection and total parotidectomy (2 cases), mass resection with neck dissection (2 cases), mass resection with neck dissection and sternotomy (1 case), marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve dissection and mass resection (2 cases). Dissection outside the false capsule was applied during the operation and facial nerve was dissected from bole to terminal arborization.

RESULTSThe mass was completely removed in all 11 cases without organ dysfunction and obvious disfigurement. The cure rate was 100%. Three cases suffered from a branch of facial nerve paralysis because of tension and 1 case had a Horner's syndrome after operation. One case needed a blood transfusion (150 ml) during the operation. All cases have been followed up with excellent results from 6 to 121 months, 32 months of the median, no mass recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSDissection outside the false capsule of mass and dissection of facial nerve were applied in the surgical treatment of huge lymphatic malformations. These methods are effective in the preservation of function and avoidance of abnormality.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphatic Abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the mutations of Wolfram syndrome I gene (WFS1) in families affected by non-syndromic low frequency sensorineural hearing loss (NS-LFSNHL).

METHODSTwenty eight individuals from 6 pedigrees with hereditary non-syndromic low frequency sensorineural hearing loss as a dominant trait and cases of control were collected in the present study. The coding sequence of WFS1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and direct DNA sequencing was performed to screen the entire coding region of the WFS1 gene for mutations in the WFS1.

RESULTSThree heterozygous missense mutations (2016 G-->T, 2379 G-->4A, 2766 G-->A) in the WFS1 gene were found in two families. Mutations in WFS1 were identified in all patients tested of the two pedigrees. None of the mutations was found in at least 280 control chromosomes and normal individuals of the families. These missense mutations affecting conserved amino acids in two pedigrees.

CONCLUSIONSMutations in WFS1 are one of causes of non-syndromic low frequency sensorineural hearing loss, and the majority of mutations are missense mutations. Genetic counseling and genetic testing may be useful in the management of patients with this type of hearing loss.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; etiology ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Wolfram Syndrome ; genetics ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDRecent studies showed that aminoglycosides destroyed the cochlear cells and induced ototoxicity by producing reactive oxygen species, including free radicals in the mitochondria, damaging the membrane of mitochondria and resulting in apoptotic cell death. Bcl-x(L) is a well characterized anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. The aim of this study was to determine the potential cochlear protective effect of Bcl-x(L) as a therapeutic agent in the murine model of aminoglycoside ototoxicity.

METHODSSerotype 2 of adeno-associated virus (AAV2) as a vector encoding the mouse Bcl-x(L) gene was injected into mice cochleae prior to injection of kanamycin. Bcl-x(L) expression in vitro and in vivo was examined with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry separately. Cochlear dissection and auditory steady state responses were checked to evaluate the cochlear structure and function.

RESULTSThe animals in the AAV2-Bcl-x(L)/kanamycin group displayed better auditory steady state responses hearing thresholds and cochlear structure than those in the artificial perilymph/kanamycin or AAV2-enhanced humanized green fluorescent protein/kanamycin control group at all tested frequencies. The auditory steady state responses hearing thresholds and cochlear structure in the inoculated side were better than that in the contralateral side.

CONCLUSIONSAAV2-Bcl-x(L) afforded significant preservation of the cochlear hair cells against ototoxic insults and protected the cochlear function. AAV2-mediated Bcl-x(L) might be an approach with respect to potential therapeutic application in the cochlear degeneration.

Aminoglycosides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; toxicity ; Cochlea ; drug effects ; physiology ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Hearing Loss ; chemically induced ; Kanamycin ; toxicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; bcl-X Protein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo measure the iodine nutritional status on adult islanders and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of iodized salt prophylactic programs.

METHODSA comparative study was carried out in 8 rural townships selected from Dinghai (iodized salt district) and Daishan (non-iodized salt district) of Zhoushan islands by random sampling method. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the urinary iodine concentration and dietary iodine intake of the two groups. Spearman correlation test was used to look for the correlation of urinary iodine concentration and dietary iodine intake in the two groups respectively.

RESULTSThe amounts of daily iodine intake excluding the iodine intake from iodized salt in the two groups were 128 micro g and 147 micro g respectively but the difference was not statistically significant (u = 1.847, P = 0.065). The urinary iodine concentration of non-iodized salt group was 90 micro g/L, lower than 194 micro g/L in iodized salt group (u = 14.673, P = 0.000). There was no significant correlation between daily iodine intake and urinary iodine concentration (r(s) = 0.052, P = 0.095).

CONCLUSIONSIn Zhoushan islands, the daily iodine intake did not meet the daily need (150 micro g/day) suggesting that iodized salt supplement was necessary. However, side effect due to overdose should be brought into attention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Goiter ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; deficiency ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture therapy on Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSFifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group, a Fengfu-Taichong group and a Shuanggu Yitong group. PD model was duplicated by microinjection of 6-Hydroxyl-Dopamine into right corpora striata, and by microinjection of normal saline in sham-operation group. Rats in normal group, sham-operation group and model group were not treated. In Fengfu-Taichong group, the rats were treated by electroacupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) on the basis of the PD model, and by electroacupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16), "Taichong" (LR 3), "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in Shuanggu Yitong group, once daily for 2 weeks. GDNF and Ret expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe number of GDNF positive cells and the content of Ret receptor increased significantly in the two electroacupuncture groups compared with those in the other groups (all P < 0.01), and the expression of GDNF increased significantly in Shuanggu Yitong group compared with that in Fengfu-Taichong group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can not only increase the expression of GDNF, but also enhance its effect. "Shuanggu Yitong" method is better than simple acupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in increasing expression of GDNF.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Gene Expression ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the personality traits and intensity dependence of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in chronic primary insomnia.

METHODSThirty-seven patients with chronic primary insomnia (insomnia group) and 44 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. The AEPs were examined in insomnia and control groups; the personality traits were studied by Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scales (SSS) and Zuckerman-Kuhlman's Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ); and the mood states by Plutchik-van Praag's Depression Inventory (PVP).

RESULTThe scores of neuroticism-anxiety and depression in insomnia group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01); and the scores of impulsivity and aggression-hostility were also higher than those in control group (P<0.05); N1-P2 amplitude of AEP increased with stimulus intensity, which were significantly different in 70, 80, 90,100 dB (P<0.01). There were significant correlations between activity and N1 latency at 80 dB, activity and P2 latency at 100 dB (r=0.270, r=0.276, P<0.05); and between total scores of sensation seeking scale and N1-P2 amplitude (r=0.3746, r=0.35329, P<0.01) at 70 and 90 dB stimulus intensity in insomnia group. There were significant correlations among experience seeking and N1-P2 amplitude, experience seeking and slope rate (P<0.01) at 70, 80, 90, 100 dB stimulus intensity in insomnia group (r=0.539, r=0.3439, r=0.439, r=0.3278). There were significant correlations between sensation seeking of boredom susceptibility and slope rate (r=-0.282998, P<0.05) in insomnia group. There were significant correlations between thrill and adventure seeking and N1-P2 amplitude(r=0.2789, P<0.05) at 90 dB stimulus intensity in insomnia group; there were significant correlations between PVP and N1-P2 amplitude (r=-0.3434, r=-0.3158, P<0.05) at 70 dB and N1 latency at 80 dB in insomnia group.

CONCLUSIONChronic primary insomnia sufferers have higher levels of neuroticism-anxiety, depression, aggression-hostility and impulsivity, and some are correlated with stimulus intensity dependence in AEP.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; complications ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Personality ; physiology ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; complications ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Ginsenosides, belonging to a group of saponins with triterpenoid dammarane skeleton, show a variety of pharmacological effects. Among them, some ginsenoside derivatives, which can be produced by acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, biotransformation and steamed process from the major ginsenosides in ginseng plant, perform stronger activities than the major primeval ginsenosides on inhibiting growth or metastasis of tumor, inducing apoptosis and differentiation of tumor and reversing multidrug resistance of tumor. Therefore ginsenoside derivatives are promising as antitumor active compounds and drugs. In this review, the derivatization methods, ginsenoside derivatives and their anti-tumor structure-activity relationship have been summarized for providing useful information for the research and development of novel antitumor drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrolysis ; Neoplasms ; pathology ; Panax ; chemistry ; classification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship