AIM: To isolate and characterize the anti-complementary polysaccharide from the root of Bupleurum chinense. METHODS: Bioactivity-guided fractionation and purification was used to obtain the anti-complementary polysaccharide from the hot-water extract of the root of Bupleurum chinense. The polysaccharide was characterized by various chemical and spectral analyses. The anti-complementary activities were evaluated by hemolytic assay in vitro. The action targets were identified in the system with individual complement-depleted sera. RESULTS: A homogeneous polysaccharide BC-PS2 was isolated as an anti-complementary agent. It was identified as a branched polysaccharide with an average molecular weight about 2 000 KDa, composed of Glc, Ara, Gal, and Man in the ratio 3.5 : 2.4 : 2.0 : 1.0, respectively, along with a trace of Rha and Xyl, and only 1.11% of protein. The main linkages of the residues of BC-PS2 include terminal, 1, 6-linked, 1, 3-linked and 1, 3, 6-linked Glcp, terminal and 1, 5-linked Araf, terminal, 1, 4-linked, 1, 6-linked and 1, 4, 6-linked Galp, terminal, and, 1, 4-linked and 1, 4, 6-linked Manp. The bioassay experiments revealed that BC-PS2 inhibited complement activation on both the classical and alternative pathways, with CH50 and AP50 of (0.222 ± 0.013) and (0.356 ± 0.032) mg·mL(-1), respectively. Preliminary mechanism studies indicated that BC-PS2 interacted with C1q, C2, and C9 components. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that BC-PS2 is an anti-complementary polysaccharide, and should be important constituent of the root of Bupleurum chinense for its application in the treatment of diseases associated with the excessive activation of complement system.
Adult ; Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Carbohydrate Sequence ; Complement Activation ; drug effects ; Complement Inactivating Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the changes of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1(sTNFR1)in children with acute virus encephalitis(VE)and its clinical significance.Methods The levels of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?),sTNFR1 and neuron specific enolase(NSE)in cerebrospinal fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 55 children who were admitted with VE,including 25 cases with severe VE(SVE)and 30 cases with mild VE(MVE).Fifteen cases without VE were as control group.Results The levels of TNF-?,sTNFR1 in cerebrospinal fluid in encephalitis children were significantly higher than that in control group(Pa

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) in matrine (MAT) induced differentiation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells, and to explore its correlation to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signal pathway.

METHODSNB4 (an APL cell line sensitive to ATRA) and NB4-R1 (a resistant strain of ATRA) were observed as subjects in this study. Effects of combined treatment of 0.1 mmol/L MAT and 1 [mol/L ATRA on the differentiation of two cell lines were detected using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test and flow cytometry (CD11b). Expressions of PML/RARot and PLSCR1 protein/gene were detected using Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Meanwhile, H89, PKA antagonist, was used to observe cell differentiation antigen and changes of aforesaid proteins and genes.

RESULTSMAT combined ATRA could significantly elevate positive rates of NBT and CD11 b in NB4-R1 cells, and significantly down-regulate the expression of PML/RARapha-fusion protein/gene (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). ATRA used alone could obviously enhance the expression of PLSCRI in NB4 cells at protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.01). But the expression of PLSCR1 was up-regulated in NB4-R1 cells, but with statistical.difference only at the protein level (P <0. 01). In combination of MAT, PLSCR1 protein expression was further elevated in the two cell lines (P < 0.01). Besides, there was statistical difference in mRNA expressions in NB4-R1 cells (P < 0.05). All these actions could be reversed by treatment of 10 micromol/L H89 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMAT combined ATRA could significantly induce the differentiation of NB4-R1 cells, and inhibit the expression of PML/RARalpha fusion gene/protein, which might be associated with up-regulating PLSCR1 expression.

Alkaloids ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; Phospholipid Transfer Proteins ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Tretinoin ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of the malignant tumor involving carotid artery.

METHODSA total of 23 cases of recurrent malignant tumors involving the carotid artery were included in this study. For the primary cancers, 8 of 23 cases were laryngeal carcinomas, 10 hypopharyngeal carcinomas, 2 thyroid carcinomas, 1 tonsil carcinoma, 1 parotid gland carcinoma, and 1 hypopharyngeal sarcoma with the invasion of cervical esophagus. Detailed evaluation on each case was performed before treatment. The relations of recurrent tumors with neck blood vessels were determined with enhanced CT/CTA. Of 23 cases with recurrent malignant tumors involving the carotid artery, 16 cases received surgery and 7 cases received the palliative treatment without operation.

RESULTSSeven patients with palliative treatments died of hemorrhage from the invaded neck blood vessels, systemic failure or pulmonary metastasis in six months. Of 16 cases with surgery, recurrent tumors were completely excised in 14 cases and there were residual tumor tissues on artery walls in 2 cases. Within 16 surgical cases, 2 cases died of neck hemorrhoea after one week because of infection, 2 cases died of lung metastasis 8 months later, 3 cases died of neck local recurrence 1 year later, 2 cases died of lung metastasis after 2 years, 1 case died of neck local recurrence 2 years later and 1 case died of a heart attack 2 years later. The rest 5 cases were alive.

CONCLUSIONSEnhancement CT/CTA can used in the evaluation for recurrent malignant tumors involving the carotid artery. Surgical treatments can be applied to some selected patients, which can improve the quality of life and survival time of the patients.

Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; pathology ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of real-time fluorescent quantitative (qPCR) assay in detecting mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) in paraffin embedded tissues for diagnostic purpose.

METHODSUsing qPCR assay, 1000 consecutive formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues (from 2011 to 2012) suspected of MTB infection were tested by amplifying the MTB specific insertion sequence 6110 (IS6110). The specificity of the PCR product was confirmed by Sanger sequencing as compared with the MTB genomic DNA of the IS6110 sequence. Tissues with Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining were used as control.

RESULTSIn the 1000 samples, 513 were positive for mycobacterium by Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining (detection rate 51.3%); whereas 546 were MTB positive by qPCR assay (detection rate 54.6%). Concordance rate for both assays was 73.1%. The diagnosis rate increased by 14.4% by combinination of Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining and qPCR results. More interestingly, by analyzing the Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining and qPCR results three cases of M.leprae infection and four cases of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) infection were identified.

CONCLUSIONSqPCR detection of MTB in FFPE tissue is more sensitive than Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining assay. Combination of these two assays can increase the detection rate and also identify some rare cases of NTM infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Paraffin Embedding ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Tuberculosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the preliminary clinical results of application of All-on-4 immediate function in edentulous patients.

METHODSTwenty nine edentulous patients with 140 immediately loaded implants supporting fixed complete-arch all-acrylic prostheses from April 2008 to October 2009 in Peking University School of Stomatology were included. The implant-supported fixed complete-arch all-acrylic prostheses were delivery on the operation day. At time of abutments connection, a panoramic radiograph was taken. And radiographic assessment of the marginal bone level was performed in every 2 months. Clinical observe items included marginal bone level, integrity of the restoration, survival of the implants and degree of satisfaction of the patients.

RESULTSA total of 140 implants were immediate loading. Eight implants were lost during 6 - 8 weeks after immediate loading, giving survival rate of 94.3%. The marginal bone level was (0.8 ± 0.4) mm. The All patients were satisfied with the clinical results.

CONCLUSIONSThe data and the experience described in this study indicate that All-on-four immediate function technique can be a predictable technique for edentulous patients. Further study is needed to determine the long-term result of the technology.

Adult ; Aged ; Dental Implants ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Female ; Humans ; Immediate Dental Implant Loading ; methods ; Jaw, Edentulous ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth, Edentulous ; surgery ; Patient Satisfaction

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific basis for the utilization and development of Valeriana jatamansi by setting up the quality control specification of V. jatamansi.

METHODThe pharmacognostical methods were applied. The extract of V. jatamansi was examined. Moisture and ash were determined. And the bioactive constituents were analyzed by TLC and HPLC.

RESULTThe morphological and histological characters of V. jatamansi were observed. Content of total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and moisture of 15 samples from different habitats and times were determined. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of valtrate and acevaltrate by TLC and HPLC were preformed respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe established method can be used for the quality control of V. jatamans.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Pharmacognosy ; standards ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Valerian ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of erectile dysfunction (ED) with metabolic syndrome ( MS) and the total testosterone ( tT) level in young and middle-aged men.

METHODSThis study included 154 organic ED outpatients aged 20 -59 years and 103 age-matched men with normal sexual life. We obtained their waist circumference ( WC) , blood pressure ( BP) , fasting blood glucose ( FBG) , triglyceride ( TG) , high density lipoprotein ( HDL) , tT, IIEF -5 score, erectile function indexes and other relevant variables, and compared them between the ED and non-ED groups as well as between the ED patients with MS and those without MS.

RESULTSThe prevalence of MS was significantly higher in the ED patients than in the non-ED males ( 40. 9 vs 17.4%, P < 0. 01). Statistically significant differences were found between the ED and non-ED groups in WC ( [90. 80 ±4. 90] vs [87. 70 ±4. 60] em, P <0.01), SBP ([134.40±14.40] vs [129.90±12.40] mmHg, P

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS is significantly higher in young and middle-aged ED patients than in normal males, and MS is associated with a lower testosterone level and poorer erectile performance. Central obesity is closely correlated with ED in young and middle-aged men.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Erectile Dysfunction ; blood ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Prevalence ; Testosterone ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Waist Circumference ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcomes of immediate post-extraction implant and immediate function according to All-on-4 immediate concept in edentulous patients.

METHODSThe study included 46 patients with hopeless teeth. A total of 254 implants were immediately inserted after extraction and 56 fixed complete-arch all-acrylic prostheses finished and functioned on the day of extraction from June 2008 to March 2012 in Peking University School of Stomatology. At time of abutments connection, a panoramic radiograph was taken, and radiographic assessment of the marginal bone level was performed in every 6 months. Marginal bone level, integrity of the restoration, survival of the implants and degree of satisfaction of the patients were evaluated.

RESULTSA total of 254 implants were immediate loading. Thirteen implants were lost 6 - 8 weeks after immediate loading and the survival rate of 94.9% (241/254). The marginal bone absorption was (0.7 ± 0.3) mm on average. All patients were satisfied with the clinical results.

CONCLUSIONSImmediate post-extraction implant and immediate function technique can be a predictable technique. Further study is needed to determine the long-term results of the technology.

Dental Implants ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Humans ; Jaw, Edentulous ; Mouth, Edentulous

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the preliminary clinical results of prosthetic gingival reconstruction in vertical bone defect patients.

METHODSThe study included 31 partial or edentulous patients (male 22, female 9) with 152 implants supporting fixed prostheses from February 2002 to January 2011 in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The implant-supported fixed prostheses with artificial gingival material to compensate for vertical defect were delivery after implant healing period. At time of prostheses delivery, a panoramic radiograph was taken. The results were evaluated according to California Dental Association by two prosthodontists. Clinical observation included survival of the implants, integrity of the restoration, complication of prosthesis and degree of satisfaction of the patients.

RESULTSA total of 152 implants supported fixed prostheses with artificial gingival materials to compensate vertical bone defect were delivered. No implants lost, and the survival rate was 100% during the follow-up period. The sore of acceptance of prosthesis was 96.8%. All patients were satisfied with the clinical results.

CONCLUSIONSThe artificial gingival reconstruction technique is feasible for vertical bone defect patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; Dental Implants ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Esthetics, Dental ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gingiva ; pathology ; physiology ; Gingival Recession ; therapy ; Humans ; Jaw, Edentulous ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth, Edentulous ; surgery ; Patient Satisfaction ; Regeneration ; physiology