This study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Zygophyllumfabago, by phytochemical methods. The compounds were isolated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with the literature. As a result, thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 1-hydroxyhinesol(1), hinesol(2), atractylenolactam(3), beta-eudesmol (4), 5alpha-hydroperoxy-beta-eudesmol(5), 12-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one(6), pubinernoid A(7), (6S,7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione(8), 3-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-beta-ionone (9), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E)-3, 5, 6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(10), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one(11), (S)-3-hydroxy-beta-ionone(12), and blumenol A(13). Compounds 1-7 were sesquiterpenoids and 8-13 were megastigmane type norsesquiterpenoids. All the compounds were obtained from Z. fabago for the first time, and compound 1 was a new natural product.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Zygophyllum ; chemistry

When the glomerular mesangial cells of rats were cultured in vitro at high glucose concentration,the activity of extraeellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),the expression of transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1)mRNA and the content of typeⅣcollagen in the supematant were higher than those at normal glucose concentration.These effects were inhibited by fluvastatin.The results showed that the activation of ERK signal transduction pathways appeared to play a role in the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore,fluvastatin could protect the kidney by inhibiting ERK signal transduction pathway and TGF-?_1 expression.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and immunophenotype of centrally necrotizing carcinoma (CNC) of breast; and to study its relationship with basal-like breast cancer.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic characteristics of 35 cases of CNC were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2, CK8/18, 34betaE12, CK5/6, CK14, CK17, smooth muscle actin, p63, vimentin and epidermal growth factor receptor was performed using EnVision method. The surival information of 10 case were obtained.

RESULTSThe age of patients with CNC ranged from 30 to 82 years (mean = 54.2 years). Macroscopically, all tumors were relatively circumscribed, with a mean diameter of 2.4 cm. Histologically, there was a prominent central, necrotic or acellular zone surrounded by a narrow rim of viable tumor cells. The central necrotic foci had the following morphologic patterns: (1) coagulative tumor necrosis associated with various degree of fibrosis or hyaline degeneration (24 cases), (2) predominance of fibrous and scar tissue, with small amount of necrotic debris (8 cases), and (3) infarction (3 cases). The peripheral zone of tumor cells showed features of grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma in 32 cases and grade 2 in 3 cases. Twenty cases of CNC were associated with ductal carcinoma in-situ. A component of invasive micropapillary carcinoma was identified in 5 cases. Peripheral lymphocytic infiltrates were seen in 17 cases. Immunohistochemical study of 31 cases showed that the expression rate of basal-like markers (83.9%, 26 cases) was higher than that of myoepithelial markers (38.7%, 12 cases). The percentage of basal-like subtype (64.5%, 20 cases) was higher than luminal-A (9.7%, 3 cases), luminal-B (9.7%, 3 cases), HER2 over-expression (12.9%, 4 cases) and null (3.2%, 1 case) subtypes. In 20 cases of basal-like carcinoma, the expression ratio of CK5/6 was highest amongst basal-like markers (18 cases), the other markers ratios of CK17, CK14 and epidermal growth factor receptor were 8/10, 14/19 and 8/16, respectively. Follow-up data were available in 10 patients. The follow-up duration ranged from 15 to 42 months (mean = 21.5 months). The median disease-free and overall survivals were 14.0 and 18.0 months, respectively. Disease progression (as defined by the presence of recurrence, metastasis or tumor-related death) occurred in 9 patients. The mean and median time to disease progression was 16.6 and 13.0 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCNC is a rare subtype of breast carcinoma and has distinctive, easily discernible morphologic features. The majority of CNC exhibits basal-like immunophenotype and carries a poor prognosis. CNC is the typical representative of basal-like breast cancer.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma in Situ ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Keratin-14 ; metabolism ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE[corrected] To investigate the role of glutathione (GSH) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) in lupus nephritis.

METHODSSpectrophotometry was used to measure the oxidative/anti-oxidative indices including malonyldialdehyed (MDA) and GSH in the kidney of MRL/lpr lupus mice. Quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to detected the expression of γ-GCS.

RESULTSThe level of GSH was lowered whereas the level of MDA increased significantly in the kidney tissue of MRL/lpr lupus mice as compared with that in normal control mice. The expression of γ-GCS mRNA and protein was significantly decreased in MRL/lpr lupus mice (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMRL/lpr lupus mice have abnormal oxidative stress in the kidney tissue, where the expression of γ-GCS decreased to lead to reduced GSH production, damaged antioxidative capacity, and eventually exacerbation of oxidative damage in the kidney.

Animals ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Kidney ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Lupus Nephritis ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDBoth procalcitonin (PCT) and plasma endotoxin levels cannot be solely used for a definite diagnosis of bacteremia or sepsis, and there has been few study comparing the values of the two biomarkers for the diagnosis of bacteremia. The aim of this study was to identify bacteria causing bacteremia and evaluate the role of the two biomarkers in the diagnosis of bacteremia in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

METHODSThe medical records of 420 patients in ICU were retrospectively reviewed. Patients (n = 241) who met the inclusion criteria were subjected to blood culture (BC) for the analysis of the endotoxin or PCT levels. The exclusion criteria included the presence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus and/or AIDS, neutropenia without sepsis, pregnancy, treatment with immunosuppressive therapies, or blood diseases such as hematological tumors. Patients' BC episodes were divided into BC negative, Gram-negative (GN) bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi groups. The PCT and plasma endotoxin levels were compared in the different groups.

RESULTSA total of 241 patients with 505 episodes of BC were analyzed. The GN bacteria group showed higher levels of PCT and endotoxin than the BC negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi groups. GN bacteremia was more prevalent than Gram-positive bacteremia. The GN bacteremia caused by non-Enterobacteriaceae infection presented higher endotoxin level than that by Enterobacteriaceae, but no significant difference in PCT levels was observed between the two groups. The plasma endotoxin significantly differed among different groups and was bacterial species dependent.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma endotoxin was more related to GN than to Gram-positive bacteremia, and that endotoxin level was species dependent, but PCT level remained relatively more stable within the GN bacteria caused bacteremia. Both GN and positive bacteria caused bacteremia in the ICU patients in different regions of China. And PCT is a more valuable biomarker than endotoxin in the diagnosis of bacteremia.

Adult ; Aged ; Bacteremia ; blood ; diagnosis ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of intracystic papillary carcinoma (IPC).

METHODSThe clinical and pathological characteristics of 14 cases of breast IPC were studied. Immunohistochemical study of SMA, MSA, ER, PR, p63, AE1/AE3, 34betaE12 and CK5/6 was performed using Envision method.

RESULTSThe age of IPC patients ranged from 42 to 79, with a mean age of 65.4 years. A palpable mass was the most common symptom. There were two morphological features: (1) Slender papillae lined by tall columnar epithelial cells which were present directly on the fibrovascular cores without an intervening myoepithelial cell layer (9 cases). (2) The proliferation may assume a cribriform architecture with rigid, punched-out regular spaces or a solid glandular pattern, studded with fibrovascular cores (5 cases). Low nuclear grade is typically seen. Among the 14 cases of IPC, 11 were of pure type. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in adjacent ducts was found in one case, and invasive carcinoma was found in two cases. Immunohistochemical results showed that the tumor cells were homogenously strongly positive for ER and PR, but were negative or focally and weakly positive for CK5/6 and 34betaE12. Myoepithelial cell staining was negative within the tumor; and was diminished or scattered at the periphery of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONSIPC is a rare entity that usually arises in older women. It is specific enough in its clinical presentation and morphologic appearance to warrant distinction from other breast lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; pathology ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged

Background The incidence of retinal vascular diseases increase annually,such as diabetic retinopathy,retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration.The key of treatment for these diseases is how to evaluate retinal vascular change effectively and objectively.Retro-orbital injection of fluorescein isothiocyanatedextran (FITC-dextran) is a simple and effective method for observing C57BL/6J mouse retinal vessels.But,whether it is suitable for other mice and rats is seldom reported.Objective This experiment was to assess the feasibility of the observation of retinal vessels by retro-orbital injection of FITC-dextran in different genus of mouse and offer the reference for relevant study.Methods Twelve animals of C57BL/6J mice,Kunming mice,SD rats and Wistar rats were selected,respectively and divided into the experimental group and control group at average.The right eyes of the animals of the experimental group received the retro-orbital injection of 9 ml/kg FITC-dextran,and the right eyes of animals of the control group received PBS solution at the same volume and way.All the animals were sacrificed 10 seconds after injection and both eyes of each animal were obtained for retinal stretched preparation.The retrobulbar tissue and whole-mount retina were viewed under a fluorescence microscope.The use of the animals complied with Regulation for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results Retinal blood vessels labeled by FITC-dextran could be observed in both eyes of C57BL/6J mice and Kunming mice to present with a green fluorescence in experimental group under a fluorescence microscope,but no any fluorescence-labeled retinal blood vessel was exhibited in the control mice.The retinal blood vessel could not be observed in all eyes of SD rats and Wistar rats after the injection of FITC-dextran both in the experimental group and the control group under a fluorescence microscope.The surrounding tissues of the right eyes of mice and rats dyed with green fluorescence of FITC-dextran in the experimental group,however,green fluorescence could not be seen in the surrounding tissues of the left eyes of mice and rats.Conclusions Retro-orbital injection of FITC-dextran is a suitable method of observing the retinal vessels of mouse but not rat.

Objective To explore the effects ofrifampicin(RFP)on the cell viability.reactive oxygen species(ROS)formation,the change of mitochondrial transmembrance potential(△ψm)and cell apoptosis induced by rotenone(Rot)in differentiated PC12 cells.Methods Rot was added to make a model ofParkinson's disease in rat pheochromocytoma(PCI2)cells in the presence of RFP.Cell viability was determined by MTT assay.Change of △ψm and cell apoptosis were measured by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry respectively.Results Compared with control group and 300 μmol/L RFP group,cell viability was significantly decreased but depolarization of △ψm,ROS formation and cell apoptosis rate were significantly increased in 2.5 μmol/L Rot group.Compared with 2.5 μmol/L Rot group,RFP(100,200 and 300 μmol/L)pretreated groups,cell viability was significantly increased,but depolarization of △ψm、ROS formation and cell apoptosis rate were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion RFP may protect the damage induced by Rot in differentiated PC12 by reducing depolarization of △ψm and ROS formation in a dose-dependent manner.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the epidemiological status of HER2 protein expression in Chinese patients with gastric carcinoma, and to study its clinical and prognostic significance and the association with the clinicopathological features.

METHODSThe clinical data were reviewed in 860 patients with gastric carcinoma admitted to Guangdong General Hospital from 2003 to 2010. The HER2 status was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The modified HercepTest scoring criterion was used to assess HER2 protein expression. The association between HER2 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed by χ(2) test. Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test and Cox regression model were used for the survival analysis.

RESULTSThe median age of the patients was 59 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 2.06:1. Positive expression of HER2 protein (3+) was found in 77 (9.0%) cases of gastric carcinoma, and in 69 (8.9%) advanced gastric cancers. There was significantly positive association between HER2 over-expression and tumor differentiation, Lauren classification and WHO classification. No significant association was observed between HER2 protein expression and patients' age, gender, tumor location and clinical stage. There was no statistically significant difference in survival rate between patients with positive HER2 expression and negative ones.

CONCLUSIONThough there was significantly positive association between HER2 expression status and tumor differentiation, histological type, it may be of limited prognostic value in gastric cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEUsing the advantages of Japanese encephalitis live attenuated and inactivated vaccine, to reduce the rate of immunization reaction and to increase the effect, we conducted a study on the strategy of immunization in Japanese encephalitis using live attenuated vaccine combined with inactivated vaccine.

METHODSObserving the safety and immune effects of different groups.

RESULTSData on side effect showed that the rate of moderate and severe systematic reactions of the group who were inoculated with combined vaccine was 0.73%, with local reaction 1.46% while the combined rate of moderate and severe systematic reaction of the group who were inoculated with inactivated vaccine was 2.8%. Under the detection of serum neutralizing antibody, the GMT rose from 1:1.05 - 1:3.35 before vaccination to 1:47.34 - 1:101.30 after vaccination in the different groups. Neutralizing antibody was detected in 97.67% of the combined group. There was a significant difference by comparing neutralizing antibody seroconversion rate of the combined group with the inactivated group (chi(2) = 3.89, P < 0.05), but no significant difference with attenuated group (chi(2) = 0.74, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONResults showed that in children who previously had been immunized with two doses of inactivated vaccine, the booster administration of live attenuated vaccine was both effective and safe.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child, Preschool ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology ; Vaccines, Inactivated ; immunology