Aurantii Fructus is the dried and immature fruit of Citrus aurantium and its cultivars. To investigate the chemical constituents of Aurantii Fructus, the separation and purification of constituents were performed by column chromatography on silica gel LH-20, HW-40, ODS, PHPLC and PTLC. Fourteen flavonoids, including four flavone glycosides and ten polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) were isolated from the EtOAc fraction and Petroleum ether fraction of Aurantii Fructus and their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data (NMR and MS) as (2R) -and (2S)-6"-O-acetylprunin (1,2), naringenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranside (3), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8,3'-dimethoxyflavone-3-O-6"-(3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside(4), 4'-hydroxy-5,6, 7-trimethoxyflavone (5), natsudaidain (6), nobiletin (7), sinensetin (8), 5,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (9), 5,7,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (10), 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (11), tangeretin (12), 5-demethyl nobiletin (13), and 5-hydroxy-6,7,3', 4'-tetramethoxyflavone (14). Compound 3-5 s were isolated from this plant for the first time and compound 1 was a new one.
Citrus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure

To investigate the relationships among plasma secreted frizzled-related protein ( sfrp) 5 level and body fat parameters, glucolipid metabolism, insulin resistance index, and inflammation. 89 subjects with normal glucose tolerance(NGT) and 87 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were enrolled and each group was divided into no-obese and obese subgroups. Obesity was defined as body mass index ( BMI)≥25 kg/m2 according to the World Health Organization -Western Pacific Region diagnostic criteria ( 2000 ) . Body fat parameters were measured and BMI, waist-hip ratio were evaluated, meanwhile, the levels of blood glucose-lipid parameters and fasting insulin were also determined. Insulin resistance index ( IR) was assessed by homeostasis model assessment ( HOMA) . The concentrations of plasma sfrp5 and interleukin 6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma sfrp5 level in T2DM group was significantly lower than that in NGT group [(8. 35±3. 38 vs 11. 35±3. 69)ng/ml, P<0. 01]. The levels of plasma sfrp5 in subjects with obesity were also lower than those in subjects with no-obesity in both NGT and T2DM groups [(9. 46±2. 70 vs 13. 12±3. 62)ng/ml and(6. 70±2. 34 vs 10. 12±3. 45) ng/ml, both P<0. 01]. Plasma concentrations of sfrp5 in T2DM-obese group were significantly lower than that in NGT-obese group(P<0. 01). Correlation analysis showed that plasma sfrp5 levels were negatively correlated with waist-hip ratio, HbA1C, fasting insulin, triglycerides, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, interleukin 6, natural logarithm of HOMA-IR [ln(HOMA-IR)], and BMI(P<0. 01 or P<0. 05). Multiple linear regression showed that ln(HOMA-IR), BMI, triglycerides were independent related factors in influencing the levels of plasma sfrp5 (r2=0. 216, 0. 177, 0. 113, all P<0. 05). Plasma sfrp5 levels were decreased in obesity and T2DM subjects and were correlated with body fat disposition, glucose-lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and inflammation. Lack of sfrp5 may contribute to the pathophysiology of obesity and T2DM.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and make genetic diagnosis in the patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7).Methods Pedigree analysis and clinical examination were performed in one family with SCA7 by clinical findings,of which retinal morphology and visual electrophysiology were available on part numbers.The polymorphic cytosine adenine guanine (CAG) repeats in the encode region of SCA7 gene were detected by combining polymerase chain reaction with deoxyribonucleic acide (DNA) sequencing on 19 familial numbers and 12 controls.Results 6 patients were identified,who manifesting cerebellar ataxia,decreased visual acuity and colour vision defect,as was pigmentary retinopathy on fundoscopy;The 6 patients had not only extinction of the electroretinogram (ERG) but also remarkably reduced amplitudes of oscillatory potentials and flash-visual evoked potentials. On normal alleles CAG repeat size ranges from 8 to 25 repeats,wherease on mutated alleles of the 6 numbers it ranges from 50 to 97 repeats.The 6 numbers were diagnosised as SCA7 patients.One asymptomatic individual of this family,who displayed a normal allele with 18 CAG repeats and another containing abnormal expantion of 56 repeats,was diagnosised as a asymptomatic carrier whose age maybe still below the age of onset.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of SCA7 are heterogeneous,and the detection of CAG repeats can provide an effective way for the gene diagnosis and the prediction of asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate antigen-induced changes of leukotriene B(4)(LTB(4))content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in lung tissue and cerebral cortex in sensitized rats.

METHODSThe contents of LTB(4) in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression after antigen challenge by aerosol were respectively detected by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTThe LTB(4) levels in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates in asthmatic rats were significantly higher than those in control (P%0.05), and LTA4-hydrolase mRNA expression was also increased in asthmatic group. Dexamethason(DXM, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the LTB(4) content and inhibited the LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression significantly in asthmatic rats(P%0.05).

CONCLUSIONLTB(4) content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in cerebral cortex and lung tissue are increased in asthmatic rats, and there may exist neuroimmunological cross-talking between central nervous system and lung tissue in asthma.

Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Female ; Leukotriene B4 ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo establish determination methods of eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the lung tissue of mice.

METHODSEotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expressions were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The functional implications of eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expression were examined by detecting the numbers of total leucocytes and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).

RESULTEotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in lung tissue total numbers of leucocyte and numbers of eosinophil in BALF increased in sensitized mice compared with those in normal mice. Dexamethasone significantly but did not inhibit eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expressions, and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs of the sensitized mice. A compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine inhibited eotaxin mRNA and eosinophil infiltration, influenced TNF-alpha mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONIncreased eotaxin mRNA expression in lung tissue is associated with eosinophil infiltration in BALF, which indicates that the methods of semi-quantitative RT-PCR may be useful to the study of the mechanism of antiasthmatic medicine.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Chemokine CCL11 ; Chemokines, CC ; genetics ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; physiology ; Female ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

AIMTo investigate the transformation of characteristics of epidermal cells from foreskin which were used to reconstruct male rabbit anterior urethra in combination with acellular collagen matrices.

METHODSIn three rabbits, autologous foreskin epidermal cells were isolated, expanded in vitro, and seeded (inoculated) onto a tubular acellular collagen matrix, acquired from allogeneic rabbit bladder submucosa. A urethral mucosal defect was created, and urethral reconstruction was performed with the tubular acellular collagen matrix seeded with epidermal cells.

RESULTSOn gross examination at 12 months following the procedure, the mucosa of the urethral grafts appeared lubricous and smooth. Urethrography showed that a wide urethral caliber had been maintained without any sign of strictures. Histological examination showed a transitional cell layer in the graft without evidence of a margin between the graft and the host tissue at 12 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONEpidermal cells seeded onto acellular collagen matrices can be successfully used to reconstruct urethras that have defects and are transformed to transitional epithelial cells.

Animals ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Collagen ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Foreskin ; cytology ; Graft Survival ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; cytology ; Rabbits ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of Shenqi compound recipe (SQCR) anti-earlier diabetic artherosclerosis in GK rats.

METHODFour-month specefic pathogen free (SPF) GK rats were divided randomly according to blood glucose level into four groups: model group (5 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1) sterile water), ramipril group (positive control, 1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), SQCR low dosage (0.72 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and SQCR high dosage group (2.88 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and Wistar rats as normal control group(5 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1) sterile water). GK rats took high-fat diet freely and meanwile were injected N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-N-AME) intra-peritoneally with the dose of 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) in order to induce earlier diabetic artherosclerosis, while normal control group took regular diet and were injected normal saline intra-peritoneally. In the experiment periods, each group was administrated correspondent substance respectively for 32 d. At the end, sampling blood by abdominal aorta and picking aorta on ice. Determined monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) concentration by ELISA, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of MCP-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in aorta by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR).

RESULTConcentrations of MCP-1 in serum in SQCR low and high dosage groups and the mRNA expression of MCP-1 in SQCR high dosage group were all decreased significantly compared with model group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of PPARgamma in SQCR low and high dosage groups all increased compared with model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONInhibiting the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1 and upregulating the mRNA expression of PPARgamma in aorta might be contribute to SQCR anti-earlier diabetic artherosclerosis in GK rats partly.

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL2 ; biosynthesis ; blood ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; PPAR gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVETo ensure the accuracy of dose calculation for radiation treatment plans is an important part of quality assurance (QA) procedures for radiotherapy. This study evaluated the Monitor Units (MU) calculation accuracy of a third-party QA software and a 3-dimensional treatment planning system (3D TPS), to investigate the feasibility and reliability of independent verification for radiation treatment planning.

METHODSTest plans in a homogenous phantom were designed with 3-D TPS, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Report No. 430, including open, blocked, wedge, and multileaf collimator (MLC) fields. Test plans were delivered and measured in the phantom. The delivered doses were input to the QA software and the independent calculated MUs were compared with delivery. All test plans were verified with independent calculation and phantom measurements separately, and the differences of the two kinds of verification were then compared.

RESULTSThe deviation of the independent calculation to the measurements was (0.1 +/- 0.9)%, the biggest difference fell onto the plans that used block and wedge fields (2.0%). The mean MU difference between the TPS and the QA software was (0.6 +/- 1.0)%, ranging from -0.8% to 2.8%. The deviation in dose of the TPS calculation compared to the measurements was (-0.2 +/- 1.7)%, ranging from -3.9% to 2.9%.

CONCLUSIONSMU accuracy of the third-party QA software is clinically acceptable. Similar results were achieved with the independent calculations and the phantom measurements for all test plans. The tested independent calculation software can be used as an efficient tool for TPS plan verification.

Algorithms ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Quality Control ; Radiometry ; methods ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Software

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of contralateral supplementary puncture in unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) with poor cement dispersion. METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2016, PVP was performed unilaterally in 285 patients(319 vertebrae) with osteoporotic compression fractures(OVCF). Contralateral percutaneous puncture was performed in 13 patients with poor cement dispersion. Among the patients, 5 cases were male and 8 patients were female, ranging in age from 63 to 88 years old; 1 case of T₁₁, 4 cases of T₁₂, 3 cases of L₁, 2 cases of L₂, 1 case of L₃, and 2 cases of L₅. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 16 days. The VAS score, ODI score, residual low back pain and loss of vertebral height were observed. RESULTS: The VAS score and ODI score of 13 patients who underwent contralateral supplementary puncture were significantly improved (<0.01), and there was no postoperative residual low back pain. During the follow-up period, there was no significant difference in the height loss between the two sides of the vertebral body (0.35 to 3.69 mm on the original puncture side and 0.59 to 3.66 mm on the supplementary puncture side). CONCLUSIONS For unilateral PVP with poor cement dispersion, contralateral puncture can reduce the occurrence of postoperative residual pain; at the same time, can reduce the difference between the loss of height on both sides of the vertebral body, and then prevent the occurrence of lateral vertebral deformity, which is a safe and reliable method.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Cements ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty

Objective: To propose reasonable suggestions to promote the standardization of clinical studies by reviewing the systematic reviews and meta-analyses of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of essential hypertension (EH). Methods: Computer retrieval was conducted through Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), and Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang) to collect systematic reviews and meta-analyses relevant to treating EH with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. The time range was from the database's inception till July, 2020. The studies were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and then data-extracted. The study's quality and evidence ratings were performed by referring to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA), a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), and the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE). Results: A total of 14 studies, 10 in Chinese and 4 in English, published between 2012 and 2019, were included, involving 70 outcome measures. The methodological quality was rated as critically low, the reporting was relatively complete or had certain flaws, and the evidence strength was rated as low or very low. Conclusion: Regarding the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of EH, the methodological quality and outcome measure evidence of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses are relatively low, and the reporting quality also expects further improvements.