Immunohistocheraistry and RT-PCR were used to examine the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the kidney of diabetic rats.Compared with normal control group,the expression of TLR4 in diabetes mellitus group was increased ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with diabetes mellitus group,the expression of TLR4 in simvastatin treated group was decreased( P＜0.05 ).The results suggest that TLR4 may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.Simvastatin seems to delay the progress of diabetic nephropathy via reducing TLR4 expression.

Abstract: Our previous work revealed berberine can significantly enhance the susceptibility of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, which suggested that berberine has synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. Preliminary SAR of berberine needs to be studied for the possibility of investigating its target and SAR, improving its drug-likeness, and exploring new scaffold. In this work, 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives and N-benzyl isoquinoline analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and MS. Their synergetic activity with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. The 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives 1a-1e exhibited comparable activity to berberine, which suggested that the introduction of functional groups to C-13 can maintain its activity. The N-benzyl isoquinolines, which were designed as analogues of berberine with its D ring opened, exhibited lower activity than berberine. However, compound 2b, 2c, and 4b showed moderate activity, which indicated that berberine may be deconstructed to new scaffold with synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. The results of our research may be helpful to the SAR studies on its other biological activities.
Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Drug Synergism ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Two new labdane diterpenoids were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of the leaves of Callicarpa formosana Rolfe by using silica gel column, MCI column, ODS column and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, NMR and ECD spectral data. All of them are new compounds, named 13E-6β-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid (1) and 13E-7α-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for antioxidant activity, and none of them had obvious activity.

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemic situation,clinical symptom,diagnosis and epidemiological characteristics of human Fasciola gigantica infection in Dali,Yunnan province.It will also provide a scientific basis for fasciolosis control and prevention.Methods Epidemic data were collected and patient's clinical signs and symptoms were studied.Serum soluble antigen of Fasciola gigantica of patients and part of family members and health people in the same village was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the eggs of Fasciola gigantica in stool were observed under microscope.Sequencing and PCR amplification of Fasciola gigantica eggs had been done.Sequencing results were analyzed using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) program of the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the similarity of the two in the sequence of nucleic acid was compared.Furthermore,patients were experimentally given orally therapeutic doses of Triclabendazole 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 daily for 2 days,and kept in the hospital for observation for one week.Moreover,host and vector were investigated in the surrounding ditches of Dali prefecture and Limnaea peregra snail samples were collected.All the snails were squashed by glass sheet in order to detect the cercarie.Cow dung and sheep manure was collected in the Limnaea peregra distribution environment,and the eggs in the feces were checked by microscope after washing and precipitation.Results All the 26 patients had a continued hyperpyrexia with distinct alimentary system symptoms of nausea,vomiting,stomachache,abdominal distension as well as hepatomegaly,sensitive to percussion,different levels of liver damage detected by CT.All the patients had an eaten history of raw Herba Houttuyniae and other aquatic plants,and the course of the disease was similar,with the same epidemiological characteristics.ELISA detection was used in the 26 patients,family members and other healthy population,the results of all the 26 patients were positive(100.0％,26/26) ; the positive rates of the 57 family members and other health people of the same village were 31.6％ (18/57) and 17.1％ (6/35),respectively.The results of sequencing and BLAST program showed that the pathogen was Fasciola gigantica with the similarity between 99％-100％.PCR amplification also confirmed that the eggs were Fasciola gigantica eggs with an approximately 1000 bp band on agarose gel.After treatment with Triclabendazole,body temperature of the patients dropped to normal and symptoms improved markedly.Moreover,329 Limnaea peregra snails were collected including 5 ones with redia and one-tailed cercariae which were preliminary identified as the larva of Fasciola gigantica.There were also eggs of Fasciola gigantica detected in one stool of cattle and one of goat.Conclusions Eating raw food is the leading cause of the onset of the disease.Triclabendazole is the drug of choice to treat Fasciolasis.Health education should be strengthened by government and disease prevention and control departments in order to make the local residents to understand the potential hazard of eating raw aquatic vegetable and drinking unboiled water,which is the key to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of airway inflammation and recurrent wheezing induced by recurrent respiratory virus infection after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

METHODSSixty-four female BALB/c mice (aged 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: control, RSV, Poly(I:C), and RSV+Poly(I:C) (n=16 each). The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected on the 3rd day after Poly(I:C) administration, and the total cell number and differential counts in BALF were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pulmonary pathological changes. The airway responsiveness was detected. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-13 (IL-13), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in BALF.

RESULTSCompared with the other three groups, the RSV+Poly(I:C) group had significant increases in the total number of inflammatory infiltrating cells in the airway, airway responsiveness, and MMP-9 level in BALF (P<0.05). The RSV+Poly(I:C) group showed more severe pulmonary tissue injuries compared with the control and RSV groups (P<0.01). Compared with the RSV group, the RSV+Poly(I:C) group showed significant reductions in the levels of IL-4 and TIMP-1 in BALF (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSViral re-infection in the late stage of RSV infection may cause an imbalance of MMP-9/TIMP-1 expression and thus contribute to aggravated airway inflammation.

Animals ; Asthma ; etiology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Female ; Lung ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; complications ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the range of motion (ROM) and stress of the intervertebral disc and facet joint of the adjacent segments following anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using finite element analysis.

METHODSA three-dimensional finite element model of the lower cervical vertebrae was constructed and validated by comparing the ROM of the finite element model against the published data. After the validation of successful modeling, finite element models of ACDF and ACCF were constructed. The ROM and the stress of the intervertebral disc and facet joint of the adjacent segments were compared between the intact lower cervical vertebrae and the cervical vertebrae after ACDF and ACCF.

RESULTSThe ROM of the finite element model was consistent with the published data. The total ROM and the ROM of the fusion segments with ACDF and ACCF were significantly decreased compared with the intact cervical vertebrae. In the adjacent segments following ACDF and ACCF, the ROM the adjacent segments and the stress peak of the intervertebral disc and facet joint all increased obviously compared with those of intact cervical vertebrae.

CONCLUSIONAfter fusion surgeries, the total ROM of the cervical vertebrae decreases and the ROM of the adjacent segment increases. The stress peak of the intervertebral disc and facet joint of the adjacent segments also increases to significantly alter the physiological characteristics of the intact cervical vertebrae.

BACKGROUNDFunctional imaging studies indicate abnormal activities in cortico-limbic network in depression during either task or resting state. The present work was to explore the abnormal spontaneous activity shown with regional homogeneity (ReHo) in depression by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSUsing fMRI, the differences of regional brain activity were measured in resting state in depressed vs. healthy participants. Sixteen participants firstly diagnosed with major depressive disorder and 16 controls were scanned during resting state. A novel method based on ReHo was used to detect spontaneous hemodynamic responses across the whole brain.

RESULTSReHo in the left thalamus, left temporal lobe, left cerebellar posterior lobe, and the bilateral occipital lobe was found to be significantly decreased in depression compared to healthy controls in resting state of depression.

CONCLUSIONSAbnormal spontaneous activity exists in the left thalamus, left temporal lobe, left cerebellar posterior lobe, and the bilateral occipital lobe. And the ReHo may be a potential reference in understanding the distinct brain activity in resting state of depression.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; pathology ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occipital Lobe ; pathology ; Temporal Lobe ; pathology ; Thalamus ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the preliminary clinical effect of anterior anatomical reduction plate fixation on the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the 13 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation admitted to the second affiliated hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2016 to December 2017. There were eight males and five females, aged 20-57 years, with an average age of 42 years. All patients received transoropharyngeal reconstruction and atlantoaxial anterior anatomical reduction plate fixation, 12 of which underwent the surgery for the first time but one had the revision surgery. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding were recorded. The angle of the clivus axis was measured, and the reduction of the atlantoaxial spine and the fusion of bone graft were observed. The neurological function was evaluated by Japanese Orthopedic Association ( JOA ) score and the improvement rate of spinal cord function was calculated. The complications were also recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 10-30 months [(14. 2 ± 5. 0)months]. The operation time was 150-285 minutes [(216. 8 ± 36. 7)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 50-130 ml [(80. 5 ± 19. 7)ml]. The slope axis angle was (113. 2 ± 9. 1)° before operation and (145. 8 ± 6. 7)° after operation, with an average increase of 32. 6° (P<0. 01). Anatomical reduction was obtained in nine patients, and partial reduction in four patients. At the last follow-up, the atlantoaxial fusion was obtained in all patients, and the healing time was ( 4. 6 ± 1. 1 ) months. Postoperative neurological symptoms were improved compared with those before operation. The JOA score was improved from preoperative (8. 7 ± 1. 7) points to postoperative (14. 3 ± 1. 2) points, with an average increase of 5. 6 points (P<0. 01). The average improvement rate of spinal cord function was 69％. Except for one patient with cerebrospinal fluid leakage, there were no complications such as spinal cord, nerve, blood vessel injury or wound infection after operation. Conclusions Anterior atlantoaxial anatomical reduction plate fixation can effectively restore the dislocated atlantoaxial joint, restore slope axis angle, improve bone fusion rate, and improve nerve function. It can be used as an alternative or supplement to posterior fixation.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mental health status of residents scattered living in Anxian after Wenchuan earthquake so as to provide scientific basis for further mental health intervention.

METHODSA face to face interview was conducted among the scattered residents with designed questionnaire, which had three parts of the physical and emotional reaction, the relax methods and the social care and supports expected. Two-stage probability proportional to size (PPS) sample method was performed to sample 2184 from 0.44 million scattered residents in Anxian. On the basis of statistical description, mental health of different characteristics groups was compared.

RESULTSThree main symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorders in 2184 residents (11.23+/-3.44) were higher than the 103 fire victims in Hunan in 2003 (10.06+/-3.26), three factor scores of SCL-90 (5.76+/-1.74) were higher than normal in 1998 repair mode (n=23 891) (4.72+/-1.44), and the statistical difference was observed (t=10.77, P<0.05; t=706.04, P<0.05). Comparing the mental health of different groups, some significant differences were found by age, gender and education background.

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake disaster brought prevalent physical and emotional reaction. Elderly people, female, junior students need mental intervention immediately. Therefore, strengthen the mental education and assistance (especially in high risk groups) would be of more significance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Sampling Studies ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the public health situation and needs in Anxian after Wenchuan earthquake so as to make an effective strategy for disease control and prevention.

METHODS69 concentrated settlements with 100 residents were investigated. Probability proportion to size was adopted for sampling of 2200 residents from 687 scattered households (about 440 000 scattered residents). The content of this survey included drinking water, food hygiene, environment sanitation, planning immunity and medical health service, disease surveillance and so on. SPSS 16.0 was used for data analysis, and statistical interpretation was used to describe the results.

RESULTS90.9% (31/66) resettled residents in Anxian lived in tents, 7.6% (5/66) lived in the movable-plate house, 93.3% (621/666) scattered households lived in tents and 71.9% (446/621) of them lived in tents which were built by residents themselves; the rate of drinking water disinfection in resettlement sites and scattered households were 97.1% (66/68) and 94.6% (650/687); 12.8% scattered residents had mouldy or food; 50% of resettlement sites raised animals; 43.6% (17/39) medical station didn't have bacterin inoculation service; 66.7% (10/15) lacked sufficient disinfection equipment; register rate was 50.0% (33/66) and report rate of symptoms and infectious diseases was 56.1% (37/66).

CONCLUSIONThere was still some risk of enteric and vector-borne diseases in Anxian, therefore, some tailored measures should be very important.

Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Environmental Monitoring ; Health Care Surveys ; Health Services ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Water Supply