Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the fungus Ganoderma cochlear. Methods: The compounds were isolated by using MCI gel CHP 20P, Sephadex LH-20, RP-18 column chromatography, and preparative TLC. The structures were identified by means of spectroscopic methods. Results: Two phenolic normeroterpenoid and meroterpenoid, cochlearols C and D (1 and 2), together with six benzene derivatives, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethanol (3), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4), p-hydroxycinnamic methyl ester (5), 2-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid (7), and 2-hydroxy-5-ethoxybenzoic acid (8), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma cochlear. Conclusion: Compounds 1 and 2 are new phenolic normeroterpenoid and meroterpenoid, respectively.

This paper is to report the study of the metabolism of forscolin in plasma and liver microsomes for guiding clinical therapy. Forscolin was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS. The metabolic stability of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human plasma and liver microsomes, mediated enzymes of forscolin and its inhibition on cytochrome P450 isoforms in human liver microsomes were studied. Results showed that forscolin was not metabolized in plasma of the four species but metabolized in liver microsomes of the four species. The t1/2 of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human liver microsomes were (52.0 +/- 15.0), (51.2 +/- 5.9), (6.0 +/- 0.2) and (11.9 +/- 1.8) min; CL(int) were (75.6 +/- 18.7), (60.9 +/- 6.8), (513.8 +/- 14.3) and (176.2 +/- 25.6) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1); CL were (34.8 +/- 4.5), (23.3 +/- 1.0), (40.3 +/- 0.5) and (17.9 +/- 0.3) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. Forscolin was metabolized by CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. There was definite inhibition on CYP3A4 at the concentrations of forscolin between 0.1 ng x mL(-1) and 5 microg x mL(-1). Therefore, forscolin is rapidly excreted from liver microsomes. Attention should be paid to the drug interaction when forscolin was used along with other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 in clinics.

This paper is to report the study of the metabolism of forscolin in plasma and liver microsomes for guiding clinical therapy. Forscolin was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS. The metabolic stability of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human plasma and liver microsomes, mediated enzymes of forscolin and its inhibition on cytochrome P450 isoforms in human liver microsomes were studied. Results showed that forscolin was not metabolized in plasma of the four species but metabolized in liver microsomes of the four species. The t1/2 of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human liver microsomes were (52.0 +/- 15.0), (51.2 +/- 5.9), (6.0 +/- 0.2) and (11.9 +/- 1.8) min; CL(int) were (75.6 +/- 18.7), (60.9 +/- 6.8), (513.8 +/- 14.3) and (176.2 +/- 25.6) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1); CL were (34.8 +/- 4.5), (23.3 +/- 1.0), (40.3 +/- 0.5) and (17.9 +/- 0.3) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. Forscolin was metabolized by CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. There was definite inhibition on CYP3A4 at the concentrations of forscolin between 0.1 ng x mL(-1) and 5 microg x mL(-1). Therefore, forscolin is rapidly excreted from liver microsomes. Attention should be paid to the drug interaction when forscolin was used along with other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 in clinics.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coleus ; chemistry ; Colforsin ; blood ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Dogs ; Humans ; Macaca ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Microsomes, Liver ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-endotoxin of different concentration baicalin.

METHODS6.250 microg/mL, 3.125 microLg/mL, 1.562 microg/mL and 0.781 microg/mL baicalin solutions were mixed with I EU/mL endotoxin, respectively. The mixtures were put into water of (37+/-1) degrees C for 15 min, 30 min and 60 min. The degrading effects were determined by using limulus amebocyte lysate test (LAL test).

RESULTS1) The degrading effect of 6.250 microg/mL, 3.125 microg/mL and 1.562 microg/mL baicalin solution on I EU/mL endotoxin was degraded completely in 15 min, 30 min and 60 min, respectively. 2)The degrading effect of 3.125 microg/mL, 1.562 microg/mL and 0.781 microg/mL baicalin solution on 1 EU/mL endotoxin after these mixtures had been incubated for 15 min. Endotoxin values were (0.155 5 +/- 0.002 8) EU/mL, (0.212 1+/-0.004 9) EU/mL, (0.355 9+/-0.013 9) EU/mL, respectively. These differences among them were statistically significant (P<0.01). 3) The degrading effect of 1.562 microg/mL and 0.781 microg/mL baicalin solution on 1 EU/mL endotoxin after these mixtures had been incubated for 30 min. Endotoxin values were (0.1640+/-0.0025) EU/mL and (0.2094+/-0.004 4) EU/mL, respectively. These differences between them were statistically significant (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe action of anti-endotoxin of baicalin is dose-dependent and time-dependent. The results show that baicalin has the stronger anti-endotoxin effect.

Endotoxins ; Flavonoids ; Limulus Test

BACKGROUNDThe Wenchuan earthquake in China caused shock and grief worldwide. Sudden bereavement caused by the earthquake led to physical disorders as well as psychological disturbances in the bereaved individuals. The bereaved had a high risk for complicated grief (CG), which may have led to significant distress and impairment in their health. However, there was few available studies on CG among disaster-bereaved individuals in China after the disaster. The aim of this study was to identify factors (demographic characteristics and disaster-related variables) associated with symptoms of CG among the bereaved 18 months after the Wenchuan earthquake.

METHODSThis study was conducted with a cross-sectional design and a convenience sample of 271 bereaved individuals from three of the hardest hit areas. Data were collected by questionnaires and the instruments used in the study were: General questionnaire and Inventory of CG (ICG). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with symptoms of CG.

RESULTSThe mean score on ICG was 52.77 (standard deviation: 10.00). Being female and loss of a child were related to higher level of CG while having another child after the disaster and receiving psychological counseling experience were associated with lower level of CG. Forty-nine percent of the variance of CG was explained by these identified factors.

CONCLUSIONSEighteen months after the Wenchuan earthquake, the symptoms of CG among the bereaved were higher than the previous studies with bereaved individuals. This study uncovers a vulnerable population of the bereaved at high risk for CG. Early assessments, targeted interventions, and policy support tailored for the disaster-bereaved individuals are necessary to identify and alleviate symptoms of CG and to improve their well-being.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Grief ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To evaluate the compliance on hand-hygiene and related factors among healthcare providers working at secondary and tertiary hospitals in Chengdu.Methods On-site observations regarding hand-hygiene compliance and facilities were conducted in 6 hospitals in Chengdu.Doctors and nurses were asked and recorded about their knowledge regarding hand hygiene.Results Of 1535 activities where hand-hygiene was deemed necessary,under observating healthcare providers would perform hand-hygiene procedures 17.8％ of the time (12.8％ of the time before touching a patient,21.0％ of the time before touching objects around a patient,27.3％ of the time after touching a patient,and 31.5％ of the time after removing gloves).Only 2.2％ of the treating rooms were equipped with foot-operated or automatic faucets; of these only 24.5％ had soap or alcohol-based hand-sanitizer,and 6.3％ had paper towel or other hand-drying equipments.92.8％ of the healthcare providers knew of the six-step method on hand-washing.More than 90.0％ of the healthcare providers knew that both palm and back of the hands as well as the front and back of the fingers should be washed.However,only 22.8％ knew that the hand-washing procedure should last ≥15 seconds.Rates on hand hygiene among chief or more senior physicians (14.6％),attending physicians (9.2％) and junior doctors (15.6％),nurses in chief (25.0％),senior nurses (26.3％) and junior nurses (20.5％) showed no significant differences (P＞0.05).Similarly,scores on related knowledge between chief or senior physicians (12.4 ± 3.2),attending physicians (13.6 ± 3.3) and junior doctors ( 13.4 ± 2.9),nurses in charge ( 15.2 ± 2.0),senior nurses ( 14.8 ± 2.1 ) and junior nurses (14.3 ± 2.6) also showed no significant differences (P＞0.05).Rate on hand hygiene among nurses (22.7％) was significantly higher than that of the doctors ( 13.6％ ).Rate of hand hygiene among 50-59 years old healthcare providers (7.4％) was significantly lower than those of all the other age groups ( 17.1％-25.0％ ) ; rate of female health care providers ( 19.5％ ) was significantly higher than that of males ( 13.8％ ).Similarly,the nurse' s knowledge score ( 14.7 ± 2.3) was significantly higher than that of the doctors ( 13.2 ± 3.1 ).Among 50-59 years old healthcare providers,the rate was ( 12.2 ± 3.8) significantly lower than that of 20-29 ( 14.0 ± 2.6),30-39 ( 14.3 ± 2.9) and 40-49 year olds ( 13.8 ± 2.7).Again,the knowledge score of females ( 14.5 ± 2.5 ) was significantly higher than that of males (12.7 ± 3.2) (P＜0.05).Conclusion The high-level knowledge on hand-hygiene among healthcare providers in this area did not translate into good practices.Also,most of the hospitals had poor hand-hygiene equipments.We recommend that training and periodic monitoring be conducted,and hand-hygiene equipment be improved to facilitate hand-hygiene practices among healthcare providers.

INTRODUCTIONBased on the estimate results of the capacity and preparedness of Beijing hospitals to respond to pandemic influenza, using flu surge model to evaluate its applicable hypothesis and to provide government with sentient strategy in planning pandemic influenza. Through collection of medical resources information, we calculated the possible impaction on hospitals by Flu Surge model and explored the applicable hypothesis in model operation through a questionnaire, direct observation and group discussion in 3 hospitals in Beijing. Based on flu surge model estimation during a 6-week epidemic from a pandemic virus with 35% attack rate, Beijing would have had an estimation of 5 383 000 influenza illnesses, 2 691 500 influenza outpatients, 76 450 influenza hospitalizations and 14 508 excess deaths. For a 6-week period with 35% attack rate, there would be a peak demand for 8% of beds, 210% of ICU beds, and 128% of ventilators estimated. Outpatients in different level hospital were quite disproportionated with 1742/ hospital/day, 650/hospital/day, and 139/hospital/day respectively. The sampled health workers had a mastery of 63.4% of the total knowledge and skills of diagnosing and treating of influenza, 73.5% of them washed their hands and 63.5% used PPE correctly. The total beds capacity, medical beds capacity and respiratory medical beds capacity would increase 8%, 35% and 128% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe estimation results could be referenced when planning the pandemic strategy, but the results should be treated objectively when considering the hypothesis and practical situation in this model being used.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Outbreaks ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hospital Bed Capacity ; Hospital Planning ; Hospitalization ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Surge Capacity ; Young Adult

Objective To provide scientific evidence for prevention and control program on dengue fever through analyzing the situation of dengue fever in China,from 2005 to 2007.Methods Data was collected from Internet-based National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System,National Enhanced Dengue Fever Surveillance system and field investigation on dengue outbreaks,described and analyzed with descriptively and by SPSS statistical software.Results There was a total number of 1 623 dengue cases(including 1356 laboratory confirmed cases and 267 probable cases)and 1 death case reported in China from 2005 to 2007.Among the identified cases,151 were imported from foreign countries as the Southeast Asian countries,accounting for 9.3%,while the rest 1472 cases were reported from local infections,identified only in 9 cities from Guangdong and Fujian provinces.Data from the monitoring program on Aedes Mosquitoes indicated that:The indicators of BI from 84.6% of the sentinels were over 5,and BI from 72.2% of the sentinels were over 10.This index was especially at a higher level during summer in the southern areas of China.Aedes albopictus was found in all the sentinel sites while Aedes aegypti was only found in Hainan and in limited counties of Guangdong.No dengue virus was isolated from mosquito vectors collected from national sentinel sites, whereas positive results had been detected by PCR test in Guangdong province.Conclusion It was assumed that a sustainable local circulation of dengue virus had not yet been established successfully in Mainland China according to the surveillance data.However,more local outbreaks reported in Guangdong and Fujian with the wide distribution and high-level density of aedes mosquito,low antibody level in healthy population and the increasing number of imported dengue cases, there is a potential of Dengue outbreaks in southera China.An integrated mosquito vector monitoring and management system is needed in hish risk area to reduce the transmission of dengue fever.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiology of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in six provinces of China.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in six provinces with the highest HIV prevalence. Surveys on demographics and HIV-related questions (transmission modes, time of diagnosis, clinical stage, laboratory test) were distributed to clinicians in these provinces. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed on the completed surveys.

RESULTSSurvey results of 650 children [405 males and 245 females; average age: (7.9 +/- 3.2) years] were eligible for analysis. The interval between possible transmission and diagnosis was (7.1 +/- 3.2) years. The location distribution was as follows: 570 cases (87.7%) in Henan Province, 23 cases (3.5%) in Guangxi Province, 21 cases (3.2%) in Yunnan Province, 19 cases (2.9%) in Hubei Province, 10 cases (1.5%) in Anhui Province, and 7 cases (1.1%) in Shanxi Province. Transmission routes included mother-to-child transmission (75.1%), blood transfusion/ plasma donation (15.7 %), and injecting drug use (IDU, 0.5%). Former plasma donation (FPD) was the main transmission route in some provinces (Henan, Shanxi, Hubei, and Anhui), while IDU was the main transmission route in other provinces (Guangxi and Yunnan). The average age in the FPD provinces was significantly higher than that in IDU provinces [(8.1 +/- 3.2) vs. (5.4 +/- 2.2) years, P <0.001]. Among 178 patients in all six provinces who required treatment (on the basis of CD4 count or WHO staging), 133 (74.7%) did not receive treatment and 45 (25.3%) received antiretroviral therapy.

CONCLUSIONMother-to-child transmission is the main transmission mode in pediatric patients. Efforts should be made to strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric HIV/AIDS patients.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Transfusion Reaction

Objective To explore the role of integrin αvβ3 in the promotion of the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by SDF-1/CXCR4.Methods This study was divided into two parts in vitro and in vivo.As for the in vivo study,a CNV model was induced by laser on C57BL/6J mice,and then assigned into 4 groups:mice with solely CNV modeling as control group,with intravitreal injection of SDF-1 after immediate CNV modeling as SDF-1 group,with intravitreal injection of SDF-1 + CXCR4 inhibitor (AMD3100) after CNV modeling as SDF-1 + AMD3100 group,and mice with intravitreal injection of SDF-1 + αvβ3 inhibitor (SB273005) after modeling as SDF-1 + SB273005 group.CXCR4 and αvβ3 expression levels in laser-induced eyes were quantified by qRT-PCR at time points of day 1,3,5,7,10 and 14 after modeling,and immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect αvβ3 expression in regional CNV and its endothelial cells in the four groups.Finally,OCT was used to observe the height of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layers in CNV after treatment in the four groups.Moreover,in the experiment in vitro,Western blot was used to measure the expression of CXCR4 protein of RF/6A cells in normal control group,Si-CXCR4 knockdown group and Si-NC knockdown model group.Meanwhile,the expression of integrin subunit β3 protein was determined in the normal control group,SDF-1 group,SDF-1 + AMD3100group,SDF-1 + Si-NC group and SDF-1 + Si-CXCR4 group.Transwell assay was conducted to detect the migration ability of RF/6A cells in the normal control group,SDF-1group,SDF-1 +AMD3100 group,SDF-1 + SB273005 group.Results On the one hand,the study in vivo,qRT-PCR showed that the expression of CXCR4 and integrin subunit β3 mRNA was up-regulated at first,and then down-regulated with time passed after CNV induction,with the highest expression level of CXCR4 mRNA (4.263 ± 0.464) on day 3,and the peak expression of β3 mRNA (3.678 ±0.364) on day 7 after CNV modeling.The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the β3 fluorescence intensity of SDF-1 group was significantly enhanced,and the ratio of β3/CD31 was also significantly increased,which both were significantly higher than those of the control group (P ＜ 0.01).However,the β3 fluorescence intensity and β3/CD31 ratio of SDF-1 +AMD3100 group and SDF-1 + SB273005 group were significantly weakened and decreased,respectively (P ＜0.05).OCT showed that the elevation level of RPE layer inSDF-1 group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(135.503 ± 10.301) μm vs.(94.443 ± 12.156) μm](P＜0.05).The height of RPE uplift in SDF-1 + AMD3100 group [(95.283 ±20.062) μm] and SDF-1 + SB273005 group [(99.807 ± 10.403) μm] was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).On the other hand,in experiment in vitro,Western blot showed that the expression levels of integrin β3 in SDF-1 group and SDF-1 + Si-NC group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(1.301 ± 0.043) and (1.273 ± 0.077) vs.(0.244 ± 0.069)] (P ＜ 0.01).The levels of integrin subunit β3 protein in SDF-1 + si-CXCR4 group (0.322 ± 0.042) and SDF-1 + AMD3100 group (0.336 ± 0.077) were significantly down-regulated (P ＜ 0.01).Transwell assay showed that the amount of migrating cells in SDF-1 group increased,which was significantly higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.01),while the number of migrating cells in SDF-1 +AMD3100 group and SDF-1 + SB273005 group was significantly decreased.Conclusion Integrin αvβ3 can promote the development of CNV by mediating SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling in endothelial cells.