Objective To investigate the chemical constituents in the leaves of Camellia chrysantha. Methods The chemical constituents were separated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, recrystallization, preparative HPLC and so on. Their structures were determined by physical constants and spectral analyses. Results Ten compounds were isolated and identified as 3,4-methylenedioxy-3′-O-methyl-4′-O-(6′-O-acetyl-glucoside) ellagic acid (1), oleanolic acid (2), α-spinasteryl-3- O-β-D-glycoside (3), n-dotriacontanol (4), okicamelliaside (5), 6-hydroxy-kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), 3,4-O,O- methylidyne-ellagic acid (7), ellagic acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), 3,4-methylenedioxy-3'-O-methyl-4'-O-glucoside ellagic acid (9), and p-(hydroxymethyl) phenol 5-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-(4-O-p-coumaryl)-glucopyranoside (10). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new ellagic acid named camellia A. Compounds 4—10 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and potential renal impairment of one-year combination therapy de novo of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and lamivudine (LMV) for decompensated cirrhosis related to HBV.

METHODSA total of 36 patients with decompensated cirrhosis related to HBV, nobody had nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) treatment history, were recruited and were divided into two group (control group and observation group) randomly. A monotherapy of LMV (100 mg per day) was selected to individuals in control group (n = 18), in contrast, a combination therapy de novo of ADV (10 mg per day) and LMV (100 mg per day) was applied to those in observation group (n = 18). Basic approaches including liver protection, symptom-driven intervention, and supporting therapy, were given to all of the individuals. A course of one year was applied to all. Liver function, Child-Pugh score, serum creatinine (sCr) level, virological response (VR) rate, and virological breakthrough rate were observed pro- and post- treatment, differences between the two populations were analysed statistically.

RESULTS(1) The averages of gender, age, HBeAg status, HBV viral load, sCr level, and Child-Pugh score were all compatible in the two groups at baseline (P > 0.05 for all). (2) At the endpoint of treatment, none of deaths was reported. Comparing with the status before treatment in each group itself, liver function, Child-Pugh score, and viral load were improved statistically (P < 0.01 for all), especially in observed group (P < 0.01 for all variables, vs control group), as for VR rate, result is significant superior to that of control group too (88.89% vs 66.67% , P < 0.05). (3) Virological breakthrough occurred to none in observed group and three cases (16.67%) in control group, all of them were confirmed to be rtM204V variant in the following detection of direct sequencing. (4) Elevated level of sCr didn't arised at the end of treatment in two groups.

CONCLUSIONPresent study reveals that in populations with decompensated cirrhosis related to HBV, one-year combination therapy de novo of ADV and LMV is superior to monotherapy of LMV, and the renal safety is favorable within one year.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of microRNA(miR)-21 and miR-125 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its relationship with clinicopathological features.

METHODSQuantitative real-time PCR was applied to examine the expression of miR-21 and miR-125 in 100 primary CRC specimens which were diagnosed and operated in West China Hospital between 2006 and 2007, in comparison with the corresponding normal mucosa specimens. The relationship between the expression of miRNAs and clinicopathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-21 in CRC was up-regulated by 2.3 times compared to normal mucosa (P =0.025), while the expression of miR-125 was down-regulated by 3.3 times in comparison with normal mucosa (P =0.005). Furthermore, the expression of miR-21 was related to TNM stage (P =0.028) and local invasion (P =0.023). On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between the expression of miR-125 and clinicopathological features (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe over-expression of miR-21 may play a role in the development and progression of CRC, while miR-125 may not be related to the pathogenesis of CRC.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo construct a prokaryotic expression vector for apoptin and prepare polyclonal antibody of apoptin.

METHODSApoptin gene amplified from pGEM-T/Apoptin plasmid by PCR was cloned into pET-28a (+). E.coli BL21 (DE3) was transformed by the recombinant plasmid, and apoptin protein expression induced by IPTG was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. BALB/c mice were immunized with the protein and the titer of the antibody was determined using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSApoptin gene was successfully cloned into pET-28a (+), and the expression of a protein with relative molecular mass of about 17 000 was identified by SDA-PAGE. After 5 immunizations of the mice with the protein, the blood antibody titer reached 1:5x10(5).

CONCLUSIONThe prokaryotic expression vector for apoptin is successfully constructed and the polyclonal antibody of apoptin is obtained, which allows further functional study of apoptin.

Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; genetics ; immunology ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Genome ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathological basis of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

METHODSDWI was performed in 15 patients with HCC treated by TACE within 24 - 48 hours before II-phase operation. The DWI findings of the liver lesions were analyzed and correlated with pathological findings including macroscopic observation, HE staining and immunohistochemical staining for bFGF.

RESULTS(1) The viable tumor area showed mostly hypersignal intensity (12/15), whereas coagulative necrotic lesions showed hyposignal (8/15) or isosignal intensity (6/15). The ADC values of zones of viable tumor and necrosis in tumor were (1.42 +/- 0.16) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s and (1.58 +/- 0.18) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. There was a significant difference of ADC values between the two zones (t = 2.618, P < 0.05). (2) There was a significant difference in ADC values of viable tumor between well and poorly differentiated tumors (t = -2.646, P < 0.05). The distinction of ADC values of the whole tumor was significant among tumors with different degree of necrosis (chi(2) = 7.236, P < 0.05). (3) A negative correlation was observed between bFGF protein expression index and ADC values of viable parts of the tumors in the study group (r = -0.552, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONDWI shows certain characteristic features of the HCC after TACE, and can be used to distinguish viable and necrotic tumor tissues in HCC after TACE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Iodized Oil ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the different immunosuppression therapy on CD4(+)Foxp3(+)regulatory T cells (CD4(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells) in the peripheral blood monocytes of kidney transplantation recipients.

METHODSA Closed Cohort study was conducted in 50 primary living kidney transplant recipients between January 2006 and January 2008, who had been followed up for 1 year. The recipients divided into calcineurin inhibitors group (CNI + MMF + Pred) (19 recipients, including cyclosporin group 10 recipients and tacrolimus group 9 recipients), rapamycin group (RAPA + MMF + Pred) (31 recipients). Twenty end-stage renal disease patients were in control group. The frequency of CD4(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells in total CD4(+)T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood from three groups, results were compared.

RESULTSThe clinical variables of recipients such as age, sex, cold ischemia time, human leucocyte antigen mismatch, panel reaction antibody, rejection episode were no significant difference. The percentage of CD4(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells in total CD4(+) cells was significantly higher in rapamycin group and end-stage renal disease group than calcineurin inhibitors group (P < 0.01). The level of CD4(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells between cyclosporin group and tacrolimus group was no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe level of CD4(+)Foxp3(+)Treg was significantly higher in patients receiving RAPA + MMF + Pred than the patients receiving CNI + MMF + Pred, which suggested that RAPA may be play a more important role in immune tolerance induction.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; methods ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study comparatively the fingerprint of zhuang medicinal material-ant nest of Macrotermes annadalei from different areas in Guangxi.

METHODThe fingerprint of total amino acid of 12 lots of ant nest of M. annadalei from different areas was determined by high speed amino acid analyzer. Separation was perform on anylytical column (4.6 mm x 40 mm), column temperature at 57 degrees C. The flow rate of buffering solution was 0.4 mL x min(-1), and the flow rate of ninhydrin was 0.3 mL x min(-1).

RESULT18 characteristic peaks in the fingerprints were identified in 12 lots of samples, the chromatographic overlap rate was 89.4%-100.0%, and the total relative peak area of 7 lots of samples was over 52% in eight main peaks.

CONCLUSIONThe components of amino acid of ant nest of M. armadalei from different areas in Guangxi are very similar. The qualities of majority samples are good as well. The fingerprints can provide the useful information for the quality evaluation and the identification of ant nest of M. annadalei.

Amino Acids ; analysis ; Animals ; Ants ; China ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Powders ; Quality Control

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of postoperative chemotherapy in pT1bN0 and pT2N0 gastric cancer patients with high risk factors. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathological data of gastric cancer patients, who had undergone gastrectomy in high volume centers in Korea and China and were finally diagnosed with pT1bN0 and pT2N0 between 2006 and 2010, were analyzed retrospectively. Survival analyses stratified by risk factors and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: A total of 1509 patients were enrolled, with 41 (2.7%) patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy after gastrectomy and 1468 (97.3%) patients undergoing surgery alone. The adjuvant chemotherapy group showed higher percentages of tumor with maximal diameter >3 cm (51.2% vs. 25.8%), poor differentiation (68.3% vs. 49.8%), and less harvested lymph nodes (17.1% vs. 5.2%) compared to the surgery alone group. The overall survival rates were 95.1% in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 93.3% in the surgery alone group, without significant difference. In multivariable analysis, age was found to be an independent prognostic factor. However, there were no difference in the overall survival between patients with risk factors and those without risk factors, even in terms of age. Meanwhile, patients with more than two risk factors who received chemotherapy showed better survival trend, especially for pT2N0 patients, compared to the surgery alone group, although no significant differences were observed. Conclusion In pT1bN0 and pT2N0 patients, age was found to be an independent prognostic factor. However, adjuvant chemotherapy seemed to be unnecessary, while postoperative chemotherapy might offer survival benefits to pT2N0 patients with more than two risk factors.

OBJECTIVETo study the guidance of four column theory in decision making of Pilon fractures and its result.

METHODSNinety-one cases of Pilon fractures classified by four column method and treated by open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) were reviewed from March 2005 to June 2009. Four column classification:lateral column of 67 cases were involved, posterior column of 34 cases were involved, medial column of 34 cases were involved and anterior column of 34 cases were involved. Among all the 94 fractures, single column of 20 fractures were involved, 2 columns of 49 fractures were involved, 3 columns of 15 fractures were involved and all of 4 columns of 10 fractures were involved.

RESULTSEighty-nine cases had been followed up. The average follow-up time was 16.2 months ranging between 6.0 and 39.0 months. The average healing time was 3.7 months ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 months. Reduction of 91% reviewed Pilon cases were good or acceptable according to Burwell and Charley's radiology evaluation system. Ankle function of 87.6% cases were excellent or good according to AOFAS evaluation system.

CONCLUSIONAs a simple and comprehensive classification, four column classification can contribute to reasonable operating decision making and good prognosis of Pilon fracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Decision Making ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDOperative decision-making of Pilon fractures are of great challenges until now. The aim of this study was to investigate the guidance of the four-column theory in decision-making therapeutic strategies for Pilon fractures and its result.

METHODSOne hundred and ten cases (107 patients) of Pilon fractures classified by the four-column theory and treated by ORIF, were reviewed. According to the four-column classification scheme, lateral column of 85 cases, posterior column of 66 cases, medial column of 77 cases, and anterior column of 61 cases are involved. Among all the 110 cases, single column of 14 cases, two columns of 46 cases, three columns of 17 cases, and all of four columns of 33 cases are involved.

RESULTSOne hundred and eight cases have been followed up. The average follow up time is 14.7 months, varying between 7 and 52 months. The average healing time is 3.6 months, ranging from 2.5 to 8.0 months. Reduction of 86.1% reviewed Pilon cases are good or acceptable according to Burwell and Charley's Radiology Evaluation System. Ankle function of 87.1% cases are excellent or good according to the AOFAS evaluation system.

CONCLUSIONAs a simple and comprehensive classification, the four-column classification can contribute to reasonable operation decision-making and good prognosis of Pilon fracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; classification ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult