Objective To study the biological effect of ?3 adrenoceptor-activated electrophysiological activities in cardiac myocytes. Methods Changes of transient outward potassium ( Ito) and L-type calcium current ( ICa-L) in primary cultured guinea pig cardiacmyocytes were detected with the standard whole-cell patch clamp technique about 5 -10 min before and after administration of ?3 adrenoceptor agonist,4--2-hydroxy-( 3-chlorophenyl) ethyl-aminopropylphenoxyacetate ( BRL-37344; BRL). Results BRL could significantly increased the Ito in guinea pig cardiac myocytes with the I-V curve up-moved. When the membrane potential reached to + 80 mV,the density current increased from 6. 11 ? 1. 03 pA/pF to 8. 46 ? 2. 07 pA/pF ( n = 6,P =0. 013 064). BRL ( 10 -6mol/L) could significantly increase the ICa-Lin guinea pig cardiac myocytes,which was ( 2. 30 ?0. 75) -fold higher than in control group( n =5,P =0. 0063). When the membrane potential increased to + 10 mV ,the current,increased from 89. 25 ? 17. 83 pA to 205. 00 ? 72. 24 pA ( n = 5,P = 0. 006 3). Conclusion BRL-37344 can increase the transient Itoand ICa-L,thus further regulating the cardiac activities.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety ofHongteng Chang'an Decoction in treating mild and moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) cases.Methods Totally 120 patients of mild or moderate UC were randomly divided into two groups:TCM group of 60 patients, treated by self-madeHongteng Chang'an Decoction;Western medicine group of 60 patients, treated by mesalazine orally. The treatment course of both groups was 6 weeks, also with two-week follow-up. The ESR and CRP levels before and after treatment, the healing of colonic mucosa under endoscopy (according to the Baron score), the clinical efficacy and safety were analyzed statistically.Results CRP of both groups decreased significantly, with obvious statistical significance (P<0.05);ESR of both groups decreased, without statistical significance (P>0.05). The effects of healing of colonic mucosa under endoscopy of TCM group and Western medicine group were 61.37% (27/44) and 64.29% (27/42), respectively, without obvious statistical significance (P>0.05). The total effective rates of TCM group and Western medicine group were 86.7% (52/60) and 75.0% (45/60), respectively, and the TCM group was superior to the Western medicine group (P<0.05).ConclusionHongteng Chang'an Decoction can reduce the serum level of CRP of the mild and moderate UC patients effectively, relieve inflammation, and promote the healing of colonic mucosa. The treatment of mild and moderate ulcerative colitis byHongteng Chang'an Decoction has good clinical efficacy, without toxic side effects.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical experience of endoscopic repair for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea in our department in the last 4 years. METHOD: Clinical data of 16 patients with CSF rhinorrhea who underwent nasal endoscopic repair was analyzed retrospectively. The effect of etiology, image data, location of CSF leaks and surgical techniques on treatment were discussed. RESULT: Among the 16 patients, 10 were diagnosed with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea, 2 were diagnosed with traumatic CSF rhinorrhea, 3 were diagnosed with CSF rhinorrhea after catching cold and 1 was diagnosed with meningo-encephalocele in with CSF rhinorrhea. The leak was located by CT scan in 11 cases, by MRI in 7 cases. The common locations of the defect were the frontal sinus (3 cases), cribriform roof (3 cases), sphenoid sinus (6 cases) and the nasal cavity top (4 cases). All the cases were successfully cured after the first nasal endoscopic repair with autologous materials. None of patients had a reoccurrence during 10 to 42 months follow-up time. CONCLUSION The application of CT and MRC before surgery which could make an accurate diagnosis of the location and the size of the defect. The correct selection of repair materials, processing planting bed around the leakage and complete contacting leakage with graft bed are the key points to the successful surgery of CSF rhinorrhea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea ; surgery ; Child ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To monitor the levels of radioactive contamination due to the Japanese Fukushima nuclear accident in Beijing,so as to provide scientific technical information for government to draw effective controlling strategy and processing mechanism.Methods The system of nuclear emergency nmonitoring was started,then the radioactive contamination levels of atmosphere,rain water,surface water and vegetables in Beijing were detected according to the relative survey regulations and technology criterions.Results During the period from 15 to 41 d after the accident,obvious radioactive contamination was found in the atmosphere of Beijing.The maximum radioactivity concentration of 131I ( 5.89 mBq/m3 ) was detected at 22 d after the accident.The radioactivity concentrations of 137Cs and 134Cs were surveyed forming their corresponding peaks at 20 d after the accident,but they were one magnitude lower than the peak value of 131I at least.In addition,the gross β radioactivity level in the water of Chao Bai-he river was verified to be in the range of 0.314 - 0.602 Bq/L. Conclusions The radioactive contamination due to Fukushima nuclear accident has not done visible harm to the public health in Beijing,but monitoring should be continued to observe the long-term effect of the accident.

AIMTo study the bioactive components from Schisandra propinqua (Wall.) Baill var. intermidia A. C. Smith.

METHODSCompounds were separated with a combination of multichromatography. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULTSSeven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Helicia nilagirica. The structures were elucidated as 6'-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosylthalictoside (1), 6'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosylthalictoside (2), thalictoside (3), icariside D2 (4), prinsepiol (5), (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol (6) and (+)-medioresinol (7).

CONCLUSIONTwo compounds are new nitro phenolic glycosides.

Disaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Nitro Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Schisandra ; chemistry

AIMTo study the bioactive components from Helicia nilagirica.

METHODSCompounds were separated with a combination of multi-chromatography. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated from the leaves of Helicia nilagirica. Compound 1 was elucidated as 1-O-3-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2-[(2'R)-2'-hyd roxylignocenoyl-amino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol. Compound 2 was an analogue of 1.

CONCLUSIONThe two compounds are new cerebrosides.

Cerebrosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosylceramides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteaceae ; chemistry

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with exercise therapy on balance function in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Methods:Seventy patients with KOA were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with EA combined with exercise therapy.EA was applied to Dubi(ST35),Neixiyan(EX-LE4),Xuehai(SP10),Liangqiu(ST34),Yanglingquan(GB34),and Zusanli(ST 36).Exercise therapy(muscle strength training and knee mobility training)was applied after EA.The control group only received the same exercise therapy as the treatment group.The two groups were treated with the same course of treatment,3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks,12 times in total,and followed up for 1 month.The Pro-Kin254P balance test system was used to measure the balance function parameters at 4 time points,including before treatment,after 1 session of treatment,after 12 sessions of treatment,and at 1-month follow-up after treatment.The visual analog scale(VAS)and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)scores were recorded. Results:The markedly effective rate and total effective rate in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).The Romberg area,Romberg length,and VAS scores of the two groups decreased significantly after 1 session of treatment,12 sessions of treatment,and 1 month after treatment,and the differences between different time points in the same group were statistically significant(P<0.01).There were significant differences between the two groups at the same time point(P<0.05).The total WOMAC scores of the two groups after 1 session of treatment,12 sessions of treatment,and 1 month after treatment decreased significantly,and there were significant differences between different time points in the same group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(P>0.05). Conclusion:EA combined with exercise therapy or exercise therapy alone can enhance the balance function,relieve joint pain,and improve joint function in patients with KOA.EA combined with exercise therapy is superior to exercise therapy alone in improving balance function and pain,but the two treatment protocols have similar effects in improving joint function.

Based on a systematic review of morphology and distribution of plants, alternate names, actions, and properties of herbs recorded in ancient and modern literatures, in combination of field investigation, 18 Chinese herbal medicines recorded in ancient bencao literature were regarded to be derived from 7 species in the Ardisia genus. Among them, the variety Ardisia crenata f. hortensis was identified as the source of Zhushagen and Zijinniu. A. hanceana is referenced as Tiesan in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature (Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao). The name Pingdimu refers to a different substance in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature and the Flower Mirror (Huajing). The medicinals named Yedihong, Aicha, and Duanjiao sanlangare all derived from A. japonica. The origin of the herb Xiaoqing referenced in the Illustrated Classic of the Materia Medica (Bencao Tujing) is A. pusilla. The medicinals Bailiangjin, Jiuguanxue and Zoumatai are derived from A. crispa, A. brevicaulis, and A. gigantifolia, respectively. This investigation clarifies the botanical sources and actions of related Chinese medicinal materials in the genus Ardisia, and provides clues and evidence for utilizing and developing their medicinal plant resources.

This study was conducted to isolate and purify antimicrobial polypeptides HMGN2 (high mobility group nucleosomal-binding domain2) from human lymph node, to detect the antimicrobial activity of HMGN2, and to determine the subcellular location of HMGN2 in human lymph node. The antimicrobial polypeptides were purified by the Reverse Phase HPLC and identified by Tricine-SDS-PAGE. The antimicrobial activity was detected by agar diffusion test. Mass spectrum and Western-blot analysis indicated the individual character of protein. HMGN2 was isolated and purified from human lymph node, and it showed antimicrobial potency against the pathogenic strain E. coli 54,080. The immunocytochemistry staining indicated that HMGN2 was present both in human lymph node cells' nucleus and cytoplasm. In conclusion, HMGN2 protein is of antimicrobial activity and it is probably involved in the defence of innate immunity in vivo.
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; HMGN2 Protein ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution

We experienced a 4-month-old boy presenting with fever and painful scrotal swelling. Diagnostic work-up showed the presence of urinary tract infection and concurrent acute epididymitis. On the voiding cystourethrography, vesicoureteral reflux and urinary reflux through the ejaculatory duct and the seminal vesicle were detected without obvious urethral obstruction. In general, urinary reflux into the seminal vesicle can take place with obstructive lesions of the urethra and may cause epididymitis in infants. We report a case of urinary reflux without urethral obstruction with a brief review of related literatures.
Ejaculatory Ducts ; Epididymitis* ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Seminal Vesicles* ; Urethra ; Urethral Obstruction ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux