This study is to investigate the effect of the major chemical composition in rhizome of Pterocypsela elata, lactuside B, on expression of bcl-2, bax mRNA and their protein in rats' cerebral cortex after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. First, middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established, and each group was treated with the corresponding medicines. Animals were separately sacrificed at 24 h and 72 h. The brain infarct volumes were detected by TTC dye, bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression was checked by RT-PCR, and the proteins of bcl-2 and bax were explored by two-step immunohistochemistry in cerebral cortex of rats. Lactuside B can reduce brain infarct volume of cerebral cortex of rats, increase the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and decrease that of bax mRNA. Moreover, the ratio of bcl-2 to bax mRNA is higher in 12.5 and 25 mg kg(-1) dose group, respectively, which is significantly different from that of model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Generally, either 12.5 or 25 mg kg(-1) dose group is better than positive control medicine nimodipine (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In addition, the expression of bcl-2 and bax protein is consistent with their gene expression. Infarct volume and the ratio of bcl-2 to bax mRNA expression are significantly different (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) between 72 h and 24 h group. The results demonstrated that lactuside B could play a good role in resisting cerebral ischemia by upregulating the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and protein and downregulating that of bax mRNA and protein.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics,treatment effect,long-term follow up results,guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyrclohydrolase Ⅰ (GCH Ⅰ)gene and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) gene mutations in patients with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD).Methods The clinical features of 3 families with 4 affected members were analyzed and all of 4 patients were screened for mutations of the GCH Ⅰ gene and TH gene with DNA sequences.Results Four patients were females,average age at onset was (15.3 ± 5.6) years (range:from 9 to 20 years).The initial symptoms were a gait disorder,stiffness or tremor of the lower limbs in all patients presented with diurnal fluctuation.As the increase of disease duration,bilateral hand tremor was found in three patients,systemic torsion was found in one patient and torticollis was found in one patient.All patients' symptoms were in complete remission after administration of low dose of levodopa.Four patients were followed up for 0.5 to 10.0 years,and all were still responsive to the levodopa treatment and effective dosage was decreased as the increase of the disease duration.No longterm side effects of levodopa had occurred after long-term treatment.One patient was found to have c.607G ＞A(p,Gly203Arg) heterogenetic mutation in GCH I gene.Molecular analysis revealed a compound heterozygous mutation in the TH gene (p.Y447Ter and p.V468M) in one patient.No point mutations in both genes were found in other patients.Conclusions DRD patients have dramatic and sustained response to levodopa and no long-term side effects of levodopa after long-term treatment.The detection of GCH Ⅰ and TH gene mutations is helpful in early diagnosis but the negative results could not exclude the diagnosis of DRD.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of combination of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus on osteoporosis rats induced by retinoic acid.

METHODSixty three-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the Epimedii Folium group, the Ligustri Lucidi Fructus group, the combination group of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and the raloxifene group. The osteoporosis model was established through oral administration with retinoic acid for two weeks. Meanwhile, all of treatment groups were administered with corresponding drugs for three weeks. The contents of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (StrACP) were detected, and the pathomorphological changes of femurs were observed.

RESULTThe model control group showed much lower contents of serum Ca and P than the normal control group, but with significantly higher AKP and StrACP activity than the normal control group. The femoral head area showed reduced, narrow and sparse trabecular bones, with typical osteoporosis-like changes. Compared with the model control group, all of treated groups showed significant increase in Ca and P contents in serum, and down-regulate AKP and StrACP levels, while trabecular bones became more and wider, and densely interweaved as a reticular formation. Among them, the combination group showed the most significant effect.

CONCLUSIONEpimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus could effectively correct the abnormal bone metabolism and improve pathological conditions of bone tissues, so as to show the anti-osteoporosis effect. The combined application of the two drugs showed a better efficacy.

Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Calcium ; blood ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Femur ; drug effects ; pathology ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Ligustrum ; chemistry ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Phosphorus ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; Tretinoin ; adverse effects

Astragalus adsurgens seed is one of the most common adulterants of Astragali Complanati Semen in the market, whose morphological characteristics are very similar with A. complanatus seeds (Astragali Complanati Semen). Many identification methods have been reported, such as morphological identification, fluorescence method, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, TLC, HPLC, protein electrophoresis and so on, but there's no much about microscopic identification. In the present study, the morphological characteristics and microscopic characteristics of these two seeds were investigated, which could provide scientific evidence for the identification and classification of Astragali Complanati Semen. Our results showed that these two seeds were slightly different in the color and the appearance, but significantly different in the microstructure of the seed coat and the hilum, and the distribution of fat droplets in the cotyledon cells. So these microscopic characteristics can be applied for the identification of Astragali Complanati Semen.
Astragalus Plant ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Color ; Discriminant Analysis ; Microscopy ; methods ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

Objective To study the effect of the extract of Chrysanthemum Indicum(CI)on the expression of tumor necro-sis factor-α (TNF-α) and neutrophil function in chronic bronchitis (CB)rats and to explore the therapeutic mechanism for chronic bronchitis. Methods The extract of CI was prepared. Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, Chuanxiling group, and low-, middle-and high-dose CI extract groups. Rat model of CB was established by intratracheal injection with low-dose lipopolysaccharide. After drug intervention, the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was detected by ELISA method. Phagocytic function of the neu-trophil and respiratory burst of the rats were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Results Compared with the blank con-trol group, the phagocytic function of the neutrophil, respiratory burst of the rats, and the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the model group were increased significantly. CI extract significantly decreased the abnormal rising of the above indexes. Conclusion Down-Regulation of TNF-α expression, and decrease of the neutrophil phagocytic function and rat respiratory burst may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of Chrysanthemum In-dicum extract for the treatment of CB.

Objective To study effectiveness and effect on the internal environment of exchange transfusion using peripheral arteries and veins.Methods Exchange transfusion were performed through the peripheral arteries and veins on 22 cases of newborn infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia.Blood electrolyte,blood routine,blood bio- chemistry were measured before and after change blood.Vital signs were monitored electronically recorded.Results Total bilirubin was(595.28?134.44)?mol/L before exchange transfusion and(275.17?74.05)?mol/L after ex- change transfusion(P

Objective To enhance clinicians' intention to the importance of early diagnosis,early therapy and follow-up of type Ⅱ citrullinemia.Methods The clinical data of one adult-onset type Ⅱ citrullinemia pedigree were collected. The gene mutation type of SLC25A13 of proband and her daughter were determined by PCR and direct gene sequencing.Results The patient was a 27 years-old female,who complained of repeated dizziness, vomiting for more than 2 years and recurrent attacks of altered consciousness for about one and a half year.An abdominal ultrasonogram,liver magnetic resonance imaging and liver histology obtained by needle biopsy all determined the liver pathological changes of liver cirrhosis.Electroencephalogram showed sharp waves. The plasma amino acid showed a marked elevation of blood citrulline.Laboratory findings revealed a highly increased concentration of plasma ammonia during every episode. Mutation analysis of the SLC25A13 gene identified a homozygote of 851del4 in the patient,and heterozygote of 851del4 in her daughter. Conclusions For adults,unexplained dizziness,vomiting,but liver function still in the compensation,especially accompanied by neuropsychologic symptoms are highly suggestive of adult-onset type Ⅱ citrullinemia.SLC25A13 gene analysis contributes to the diagnosis of this disease,avoids invasive investigations and early confirmation of this disease means long-term dietary advice,genetic counseling,medical surveillance and early preparation for liver transplantation if is necessary.

Objective To investigate the relationship between human leukocyte antigen-G( HLA-G) gene Exon 8 14 bp deletion polymorphism and the pathogenesis of severe pre-eclampsia.Methods Forty-two pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia,who admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2008 to February 2009,and their newborns were chosen as the severe pre-eclampsia group.Another 45 healthy gravidas at the third trimester and their newborns were chosen as the control.All gravidas in both groups were Han Nationality.HLA-G Exon 8 genotyping was detected by PCR in both groups and the allele frequencies and genotype frequencies were compared between the two groups.The genotype frequencies of maternal-neonatal pairs were also analyzed.Results ( 1 ) In the severe pre-eclampsia group,14% of the maternal-neonatal pairs were homozygote of 14 bp deletion,and significantly higher frequency 33% (15/45) was found in the control group (P =0.038).(2) No significant difference was found in the allele frequencies and genotype frequencies of HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism among all the mothers between the two groups (P >0.05).(3) The + 14 bp and-14 bp allele frequencies of HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism in newborns in the severe pre-eclampsia group were 44% (37/84) and56% (47/84),respectively,and 30% (27/90) and 70% (63/90) in the control group.Although there was no significant difference between the two groups,but differences in trends was identified (χ2= 3.678 P = 0.055) ; The genotype (-14 bp/-14 bp) frequency of neonates in the severe pre-eclampsia group showed no difference compared with that in the control group[29% (12/42) vs 49% (22/45)],but differences in trends was also found (P =0.052).Conclusions HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility of severe pre-eclampsia in Chinese Han nationality.Maternal-fetal genotype pairs of-14 bp/-14 bp may have reduced risk of severe pre-eclampsia.

Objective:To evaluate the value of MAGiC STIR sequence inassessing bone marrow edema (BME) of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.Methods:Twenty two AS patients from the Affiliated Fifth Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from September 2019 to January 2020 underwent MR scanning, consisting of T 2WI fat-suppressed (FS) sequence and MAGiC sequence. Each SIJ was divided into four quadrants for analysis on oblique coronal MR image. Two radiologists [middle-higher seniority levels (radiologist 1 and radiologist 2) reviewed image sets of two sequences [T 2WI FS and MAGiC short T 1 inversion recovery (STIR) sequence] independently at separate times, using Hermann-Braun scoring system for degree of BME and summing numbers of quadrants based on BME findings. Disagreements were resolved to reach an agreement for final results.Assessments were repeated two weeks later by radiologist 2. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess the inter-and intra-observer agreement for the degree of BME and numbers of positive BME quadrants in the MAGiC STIR sequence, respectively. The differences between the two sequences for the degree of BME and numbers of positive BME quadrants were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Chi-square test, respectively. Taking the results of T 2WI FS sequence as a reference standard, the ROC curve was drawn, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in the detection of BME were calculated for the MAGiC STIR sequence. Results:Nineteen AS patients including 38 sacroiliac joints were enrolled in our study, being divided into 152 quadrants. Inter-and intra-observer agreement for the degree of BME and inter-observer agreement for numbers of positive BME quadrants in the MAGiC STIR sequence were all good (ICC=0.936, 95%CI 0.912-0.953, P<0.001; ICC=0.910, 95%CI 0.878-0.934, P<0.001; ICC=0.876, 95%CI 0.833-0.909, P<0.001). The difference between the two sequences for the degree of BME in quadrants was statistically significant ( Z=-3.132, P=0.002). But there was no statistically significant difference between sequences for numbers of quadrants in detecting BME (χ2=0.244, P=0.622). Area under the ROC curve of MAGiC STIR sequence in diagnosis of BME was 0.920 ( P<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the MAGiC STIR sequence in the detection of BME were 82.0%, 95.1%, 89.1% and 91.5%, respectively. Conclusion:MAGiC STIR sequence can be used to evaluate bone marrow edema of SIJ in AS patients with high sensitivity and specificity.

Objective: To explore therapeutic effect of pitavastatin on young and middle-aged patients with hyperlipidemia complicated carotid plaques and its influence on vascular endothelial function. Methods: A total of 126 young and middle-aged patients with hyperlipidemia complicated carotid plaques [carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) ＞ 1. 5mm]were selected, and were randomly divided into no lipid lowering treatment group (n=62) and pitavastatin group (n=64). Flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery (FMD), carotid IMT and blood lipid levels before and 12 months after medication, and incidence rate of adverse events were recorded and compared between two groups. Results: Compare with before treatment and no lipid lowering treatment group after treatment, there was significant rise in FMD [(6. 70±2. 10) ％, (6. 60±2. 35) ％ vs. (8. 90±3. 60) ％], and significant reductions in levels of total cholesterol [(6. 05±1. 40) mmol/L, (5. 67±1. 90) mmol/L vs. (4. 05±1. 20) mmol/L], triglyceride [(2. 18± 0. 72) mmol/L, (2. 08±0. 68) mmol/L vs. (1. 77±0. 65) mmol/L]and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [(4. 65±1. 50) mmol/L, (4. 41±1. 36) mmol/L vs. (2. 01±1. 30) mmol/L]in pitavastatin group, P＜0. 05 or＜0. 01; there were no significant changes in IMT in two groups. No obvious adverse reaction was found in pitavastatin group. Conclusion: Pitavastatin can significantly improve lipid levels and vascular endothelial function in young and middle-aged patients with hyperlipidemia complicated carotid plaques.