OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents contained in Acorus calamus.

METHODThe chemical constituents were separated and purified by various chromatographic methods including silica gel, ODS, HPLC and Sephadex LH-20, and their structures were identified on the basis of analysis on spectroscopic data.

RESULTTen compounds were separated from A. calamus and identified as 1beta, 4beta, 7alpha-trihydroxyeudesmane (1), bullatantriol (2), teuclatriol (3), threo-1', 2'-dihydroxyasarone (4), erythro-1', 2'-dihydroxyasarone (5), (+)-de-4'-O-methyleudesmin (6), (+)-de-4'-0-methylmagnolin (7), (+)-eudesmin (8), (+)-magnolin (9) and beta-sitosterol (10), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-2,4-9 were separated from this plant for the first time. Specifically, compounds 1-2,6-9 were obtained from Acorus genus for the first time.

Acorus ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Humans ; Mandibular Fractures/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, China and to provide a basis for the management and control of banned pesticides.

METHODSLocal residents who lived in a town of Ledu County for more than 5 years were selected as subjects in August 2012. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 267 vegetable greenhouse farmers who were selected from five villages of the town by cluster random sampling.

RESULTSOf the 267 subjects, 249 (93.26%) completed and returned the questionnaires. Eighty-seven (34.9%) of the 249 subjects were aware of banned pesticides, and the banned pesticide awareness rate varied significantly among the subjects with different education levels (χ(2) = 11.061, P = 0.011). Only education level entered the regression equation in non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Only five (2.0%) of the 249 subjects knew the banned pesticides as well as the details. All the 249 subjects used banned pesticides to varying degrees in the past 5 years. Only 9.0% (17/189) of the vegetable greenhouse farmers knew the time pesticides were initially banned in China.

CONCLUSIONThe banned pesticide awareness rate is relatively low in the town of Ledu County, and this rate is influenced by education level. It is needed to spread the knowledge and hazards of banned pesticides.

Agriculture ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Pesticides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To study the effect of ulinastatin on no reflow or slow flow in the infarct related artery in patient with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary interventional therapy (PCI).Methods 180 STEMI patients were divided into the control group (n=100) and the ulinastatin treatment group (n=80).The control group received conventional PCI treatment and the treatment group received conventional PCI treatment plus ulinastatin. The level of serum inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-10,superoxide converting enzyme,the infarct related coronary artery reperfusion TIMI flow grade (TFG) and myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG),the results of postoperative cardiac ultrasound examination and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the level of IL-6 was decreased,while the levels of IL-10 and superoxide converting enzyme were increased significantly in the ulinastatin treatment group(P<0.05).The TFG and TMPG of the infarct related vessels were increased significantly in the ulinastatin treatment group. The left ventricular end diastolic diameter[(54.6 ± 5.2 mm vs. (50.4±4.6) mm,P=0.046)]and left ventricular ejection fraction [(58.4±10.2) % vs. (62.2±9.8) % P=0.048] showed statistical difference between the two groups.Compared to the control,the major cardiovascular event rate of the treatment group during hospitalization (1% vs. 5%, P=0.038), after one month (1.2% vs. 3%,P=0.046) and 6 months (3% vs 12%,P=0.018) were all significantly lower .There was no significant difference in mortality between the 2 groups.Conclusion Ulinastatin may lower the incidence of no flow and slow flow after emergency PCI,improve heart function and the lower the rates of MACE.

AIMTo study the chemical composition of Tripterygirm wilfordii Hook. f.

METHODSColunm chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents. UV, IR, MS, HRMS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR (COM and OFR), 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C COSY, NOESY and COLOC spectra were used to determine the structures of the isolated constituents.

RESULTSTwo sesquiterpene alkaloids were isolated and their structures were elucidated as wilforgine and wilfordlongine on the basis of spectral evidence.

CONCLUSIONWilfordclonine is a new sesquiterpene alkaloid.

Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyridines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies have shown that bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) can deviate TH2 response toward TH1 response, resulting in a suppressive effect on the development of asthma/atopy. This study examined the effect of BCG treatment on regulatory T cells in asthmatic mice to investigate the possible mechanism.

METHODSKunming mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish asthmatic models. Asthmatic mice were injected intradermally with BCG five days before and after sensitization. After 24 hrs of last challenge, bronchoaveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood were collected . The total cells and eosinophils were counted in the BALF. The percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) in peripheral blood was detected with flow cytometry. Single spleen cell suspension was prepared and cultured in 1640 medium for 48 hrs and then the cytokine IL-10 level in the supernatant was determined using ELISA. The mice which were challenged with normal saline were used as the Normal control group.

RESULTSThe number of total cells and eosinophils in BALF in asthmatic mice [(27.27 +/- 5.36) x 10(7)/L and (6.59 +/- 1.32) x 10(7)/L respectively] were more than in the Normal control group [(1.52 +/- 0.36) x 10(7)/L and zero respectively] (P < 0.01). The number of total cells and eosinophils in BALF in asthmatic mice were reduced after BCG treatment [(13.71 +/- 3.17) x 10(7)/L and (1.43 +/- 0.37) x 10(7)/L respectively] (P < 0.01). The percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) in peripheral blood of asthmatic mice [(11.59 +/- 1.33)%] was noticeably lower than that of the Control group [(13.66 +/- 1.68)%] (P < 0.01), but increased significantly in asthmatic mice after BCG treatment [(14.40 +/- 2.70)%] (P < 0.05). The IL-10 level in spleen cell supernatant in the BCG-treated group (7.79 +/- 1.34 pg/mL) also increased compared with that in the untreated asthmatic mice (5.54 +/- 0.66 pg/mL) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBCG can markedly inhibit the airway inflammation in asthmatic mice possibly by promoting the production of regulatory T cells.

Animals ; Asthma ; immunology ; therapy ; BCG Vaccine ; therapeutic use ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Interleukin-10 ; analysis ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; physiology

AIM To explore the mechanism of Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction on airway inflammation improvement of rats with bronchial asthma based on IL-25/NF-κB signaling pathway.METHODS 60 rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.2 mg/mL),the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction groups(1,2,4 g/mL),with 10 rats in each group.Intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA)and aluminum hydroxide suspension was applied to establish the rat asthma model,followed by 2-week corresponding dosing of the drugs.The rats of each group had their daily diet,mental status,hair growth and respiration observed;their differential count of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)detected by automatic hematology analyzer;their pathological changes of lung tissue observed by HE staining;their pulmonary IL-25 protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC);their levels of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF measured by ELISA;their pulmonary expression of IL-25 and TRAF6 mRNA detected by RT-qPCR;and their pulmonary protein expressions of IL-25,TRAF6,IκBα,p-IκBα,NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group displayed severe damage of the lung tissue and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells;increased number of inflammatory cells and levels of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF(P<0.01);increased mRNA expressions of IL-25 and TRAF6,and pulmonary protein expressions of IL-25,TRAF6,p-IκBα/IκBα and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,all of the Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction groups shared improved pulmonary infiltration of inflammatory cells;decreased number of inflammatory cells and levels of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF(P<0.05,P<0.01);and decreased mRNA expressions of IL-25 and TRAF6,and pulmonary protein expressions of IL-25,TRAF6,p-IκBα/IκBα and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction can inhibit the airway inflammation in the rat model of bronchial asthma,which may be related to the inhibited activation of IL-25/NF-κB signaling pathway and the reduced expression of inflammatory factors.

AIMTo assess the parameters of cardiac structure and function of male Balb/c mice by the echocardiography.

METHODSA total of 27 male Balb/c mice (from five to seven week old) were examined with a 13-MHz transthoracic linear-array transducer, hearts were removed from mice anesthetized with Nembutal, and the left ventricular (LV) mass were weighed.

RESULTSComplete 2-dimensional echocardiography for cardiac structure and function were obtained. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded. A correlation existed between LV weight (x) and echocardiographic LV mass (y) with the 2D) guided M-mode method: y = 1.15x + 3.26, (r = 0.80).

CONCLUSIONEchocardiography appears to be a promising approach for noninvasively assessing LV mass and function in mice.

Animals ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; physiology ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo establish a highly sensitive and specific assay to detect dengue virus (DENV) envelope protein domain III (EDIII) IgG antibody, and to explore its value in the diagnosis and seroepidemiological survey of dengue.

METHODSThe DENV EDIII IgG antibody capture ELISA was developed using the recombinant full-length DENV EDIII, which was prepared by Pichia yeast expression system as the capture antigen. The serum samples were collected from the same group of 35 DENV-1 patients of primary infection during disease period in 2006 and their follow-up phase in 2010; and the sensitivity of the assay was compared to that of the commercial Panbio DENV IgG ELISA.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from disease period and follow-up phase was 87% (20/23) and 94% (33/35), respectively; whereas the sensitivity of Panbio DENV IgG ELISA was 71% (25/35) and 0, respectively. The sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from both periods was similar, without statistical significance (χ(2) = 0.946, P = 0.331). For serum samples from disease period, the sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA was comparable with that of Panbio DENV IgG ELISA (χ(2) = 1.924, P = 0.165). However, DENV EDIII IgG ELISA demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity than Panbio DENV IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from follow-up phase (χ(2) = 62.432, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONDENV EDIII IgG capture ELISA is highly sensitive in detecting IgG in the serum samples from either disease period or follow-up phase. This method might be a promising alternative for diagnosis and seroepidemiologic survey of dengue.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Dengue ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology

Objective To understand the changing trends of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps from 1998 to 2008.Methods A stratified-cluster random sampling based cross-sectional NCDs survey was carried out in 2008,and using the data of NCDs from the health service surveys in 1998 and 2004,in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.The prevalence rate of NCDs was standardization according to age proportion of the population being surveyed in 1998.Results In 1998,2004 and 2008,the prevalence rates of NCDs in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps were 17.26%,25.61%,24.85% while the Standardized rates of NCDs were 17.26%,23.54% and 20.49% respectively.The prevalence rates of NCDs were statistically significant different in 35-,45-,55- and over 65 age groups in 1998,2004 and 2008 which showed an consecutive upward trend.The prevalence rates of hypertension,diabetes,cerebrovascular disease,coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased significantly from 1998 to 2008.The prevalence rate of hypertensive disease among 25- age group,diabetes among 35- age group,cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease among 45- age groups showed an increasing trend.Conclusion Cardiovascular and cerebrovaseular diseases,together with diabetes were the fastest increasing ones over the past 10 years and becoming the major diseases,making the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps an aging population.NCDs should be prioritized in the health development plan.Targeted health education should be carried out in the whole population,together with other interventions as well as management programs on chronic diseases to reduce the prevalence of NCDs.