Objective: To study the nonflavonoid constituents in the leaves of Apocynum venetum, the medicinal halophyte. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography as well as preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectrosocpic analyses. Results: Fifteen nonflavonoid compounds were isolated from the methanol extract from the leaves of A. venetum, and identified as scopoletin (1), esculetin (2), methyl chlorogenate (3), chlorogenic acid (4), grasshopper ketone (5), benzyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), 2-phenylethyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), 1-β-O-benzoyl-D-glucopyranoside (8), tyrosol (9), isovanillic acid (10), vanillic acid (11), protocatechuic acid (12), lupeol (13), β-amyrin (14), and α-linolenic acid (15). Conclusion: Compounds 2, 3, 5-10, 14, and 15 are isolated from this plant and the plants in Apocynum Linn. for the first time.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of 385 postoperative thyroid nodules patients,and to compare the correlation affected by different factors between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods Total 385 patients underwent thyroid operation in general surgery department of our hospital were enrolled.Their clinical data,ultrasonic scanning of thyroid,and pathological results were compared between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Results (1)264 cases with benign nodules (68.57％) and 121 cases with malignant nodules (31.43 ％)were found among 385 cases.The average age of benign group was (48.1 ± 13.4) years old,while malignant nodules group was (45.6 ± 12.5) years old.(2) No gender difference was found between benign and malignant nodules group (P＞0.05).(3) According to body mass index (BMI),the highest prevalence of malignant nodules was in overweight group,followed by obesity group.(4) Fasting blood glucose was (5.61 ± 1.07) mmol/L in benign group and (5.86±1.21) mmol/L in malignant group(P＜0.05).(5) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in benign nodules group was (1.62 ± 1.30) mIU/L,while in malignant nodules group,which was (2.02 ±2.59) mIU/L(P＜0.05).(6) Irregular shape,unclear boundary,calcification,and lymph node metastasis were more frequent in malignant group than those in benign group under ultrasonic scanning (P＜0.05).(7) Logistic regression analysis revealed that the existence of thyroid cancer was significantly associated with age,fasting blood glucose,ultrasonic images(lymph node metastasis,irregular shape,and calcification).Conclusion (1) Fasting blood glucose levels and TSH in the malignant nodules group are higher than those in the benign group.(2) A negative correlation exists between age and thyroid cancer prevalence.(3) Ultrasonic images,including lymph node metastasis,irregular nodule shape,and calcification,may suggest the high possibility of thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: About one fourth of diabetic patients suffer from diabetic retinopathy(DR) and has greatly impacted their quality of life due to the decreased vision. Social support plays important role on rehabilitation of patients.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between social support and quality of life(QOL) in patients with diabetic retinopathy in order to direct clinical practice and improve the patients' QOL.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on patients with diabetic retinopathy.SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 81 patients admitted into Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA with diabetic retinopathy during January 2002 to May 2003 were selected. Inclusion criteria: suffer from diabetic retinopathy and willing to attend this study. Exclusion criteria: people with other complications (hypertension, kidney disease) . The patients were divided into two groups according to vision: 28 cases in the group with binocular vision between 0.06 -0. 1; 53 cases in the group with vision less than 0. 05.METHODS: Investigation was conducted to the two groups from three dimensions including objective support, subjective support and usage in order to assess the social support to patients with diabetic retinopathy of different vision. And modified quality of life index (MQLI) was used to assess the QOL in patients with diabetic retinopathy that covered 5 dimensions: somatic health, mental health, social function, self-image and material base.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The total score of social support and QOL of patients with diabetic retinopathy, score of somatic health, mental health,social functions and material base as well as the correlations among them.RESULTS: The total score of social support, score of objective support factor, subjective support factor and usage factor in roup with vision between 0.06 and 0. 1 were much higher than those in group with vision less than 0.05 ( P < 0.01 ). For patients with diabetic retinopathy, the social support had strong correlation with total score of QOL and factor score of other dimensions except of self-image( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Social support is an important factor that impacts QOL to patients with diabetic retinopathy. It will improve their QOL by reinforcing the social support.

Objective To study the influence of high-fluoride on thyroid function and brain damage. Methods Thirty-six Wistar rats were randondy divided, according to weight and gender into 3 groups(12 rats each), i.e. control group, high fluoride group, and high fluoride plus thyroid tablet treatment group. The rats were fed with normal tap water containing no more than 5 mg/L NaF and the tap water added 100,100 mg/L NaF, respectively. After 7 months of experiment, the rats in high fluoride plus thyroid tablet treatment group were given with 0.04% thyroid tablet( 1.8 ml·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) by gastric perfusion for three weeks. The contents of TT_3 and TT_4 in serum were detected by radio-immunological assay; the histomorphology in thyroids and brains were observed under microscopy; and the protein level of NMDAR2B subunit of glutamate receptor in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results As compared to the values of TT_3 and TT_4 in serum of rats in control group[ (0.97 ± 0.15), (84.03 ± 12.45)nmol/L], TT_3 and TT_4 in high fluoride group were obviously lower [(0.24 ± 0.07), (15.16 ± 2.08)nmol/L, all P < 0.01]; while no changes in TT_3 and TT_4 were detected in high fluoride plus thyroid tablet treatment group[ (1.02 ± 0.19), (85.63 ± 9.55)nmol/L, all P < 0.05] as compared to controls, but higher than those in high fluoride group(all P < 0.01 ). The pathological changes including partial hyperplasy, arrangement disorder, atrophy, and decreased colloid of the thyroid follicular epithelial cells in high fluoride group were observed under microscopy. In high fluoride plus thyroid tablet treatment group, the degree of the thyroid cellular hyperplasy was relatively slight as compared to high fluoride group. The swelling and disarrangement of neurons in the hippocampus were observed in high fluoride group, whereas the changes of the neurons were not so obvious in high fluoride plus thyroid tablet treatment group. The grey values of NMDAR2B positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 in high fluoride group(167.05 ± 7.31 ) were significantly increased as compared to controls (92.53 ± 9.67 ) or high fluoride plus thyroid tablet treatment group( 101.66 ± 12.21, all P < 0.01 ). Conclusions High fluoride can induce the decreased function and changed histomorphology in thyroid and result in pathological damages in the brains of rats. However, treated with thyroid tablet to those having damages induced by high fluoride, the thyroid function and morphology can be normal, and the brain damages can be alleviated. The results indicate that hypothyroidism caused by high fluoride might be an important participating factor in brain damages caused by fluorosis.

Background Research showed that the morbidity rate of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in Mongolian population is 3.02 times more than Han nationality population.To understand the cause and mechanism of PACG in Mongolia is of an important significance.Objective This study was to investigate the pathogenesis of Mongolian PACG.Methods Thirty-two eyes of 32 PACG patients in Mongolia and 40 eyes of 40 PACG patients of Han peoples were included in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital according to the diagnosis criteria of glaucoma group of Chinese Medical Ophthalmology Association (version 1987),and 13 eyes of 13 normal Mongolia and 17 eyes of 17 normal Han peoples who suffered with ocular truma were recruited as controls.Intraocular pressure(IOP) was measured before surgery.The trabecular meshwork tissue was obtained from all the eyes during the operation.Annexinv-FITC/PI double staining was performed and the apoptosis rate of trabecula cells was tested with flow cytometry.Written informed consent was obtained initial of the study.Results The IOP value in Mongolia PACG group,Han PACG group,Mengolia normal group and Han normal group was (35.97±7.11)mmHg,(38.70± 6.82) mmHg,(14.69 ± 2.91) mmHg and (13.59 ± 2.91) mmHg,respectively,showing a significant difference among the 4 groups(F=106.144,P=0.000),and the IOP was significantly higher in the Mengolia PACG group and Han PACG group than the normal groups(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate of the cells was (7.14±0.67)％,(5.40±0.69) ％,(5.86±0.91) ％ and(2.29±0.65) ％ in the Mongolia PACG group,Han PACG group,Mongolia normal group and Han normal group,respectively,with a significant difference among them (F =174.888,P =0.000),and apoptosis rate of the Mongolia PACG group was significantly higher than that of the Han PACG group and the Mongolia normal group (P＜0.05).No significant difference was found between the Mongolia PACG group and the Han PACG group or between the Mongolia normal group and Han normal group (P＞0.05).The cell apoptosis rate was increased with the elevation of IOP (b =0.990,F=10.209,P =0.009) with the regression equition Y =2.788 +0.092X.Conclusions The apoptosis rate of trabecula cells in Mongolian is higher than Han people.If these results are associated with the high incidence of Mengolia PACG is worth of study.

Background and purpose:Axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer has an important significance in prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. This study was to investigate the correlation between axillary lymph node metastasis and ultrasonographic characteristics of axillary lymph node combined with immunohistochemistry in breast cancer patients.Methods:A total number of 366 breast cancer patients were selected in this study. Seven hundred and twenty-eight axillary lymph nodes were collected. With ultrasonography, the maximum cortex thickness, the ratio of the height to the length, the ratio of the cortex to the medulla and blood lfow of axillary lymph nodes were observed, in order to study the correlation between these indicators and axillary lymph node metastasis combined with the postoperative immunohistochemical results.Results:According to univariate analysis, axillary lymph node maximum cortex thickness, the ratio of the height to the length, characteristics of blood flow and the positive expression rate of p53 were related to axillary lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that axillary lymph node maximum cortex thickness was the best indicator to determine axillary lymph node metastasis. The positive expression rate of p53 in patients with maximum cortex thickness >3 mm (42.78%) of axillary lymph node was signiifcantly higher than that in patients with maximum cortex thickness≤3 mm (25.82%) (P<0.01).Conclusion:Ultrasonographic characteristics of axillary lymph node and immunohistochemistry method are closely correlated with axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer, which is important in diagnostic and treatment in clinic.

The effects of linking loop structure between guanine ( G) repeats on G-quadruplex formation were investigated. The results show that the unfavorable effects of long linking loops on G-quadruplex formation can be overcome by introducing double-stranded structures in linking loop regions. This finding provides a new way for sensor design. The activity of G-quadruplex DNAzyme can be tuned by utilizing target-mediated formation of double-stranded structures in loops. As an example, T-T mismatches are introduced in loops to destroy double-stranded structures. The stabilization of Hg2+ to T-T mismatches promotes the reformation of double-stranded structures. Correspondingly, the oligonucleotide folds into G-quadruplex, which binds with hemin to form peroxidase-like G-quadruplex DNAzyme. Hg2+ sensor is designed based on this principle. Using this method, Hg2+ quantitation is achieved in the concentration range of 10-700 nmol/L, with a detection limit of 8. 7 nmol/L. Cysteine will compete with T bases to bind with Hg2+, releasing Hg2+from T-Hg2+-T base pairs. Thus cysteine can also be quantified with this system in the concentration range of 20-700 nmol/L, with a detection limit of 14 nmol/L.

Objective To explore the value of intravenous low dose furosemide on visualization of upper urinary tract during CTU. Methods 39 cases of normal upper urinary samples were examined by CTU with 5 minutes delayed,19 cases underwent intravenous injection of furosemide.The upper urinary tract was divided into 5 parts for scoring of images on a 5 score scales for opacification,the average value of ureter short axis of distention,and CT value by contrast material were measured.Results were analyzed by t test using SPSS.Results (1)30/38 segments of upper urinary tract were all or almost all opacification in furosemide group,the scores of upper urinary tract were higher than that of the control group,which had significant difference except the pelvis and left proximal ureter segments. (2)The disention of the ureter was significantly higher for all segments in furosemide group.(3)CT values in furosemide group decreased significantly for all upper urinary tract.Conclusion CTU excretory phase image acquisition with intravenous low dose furosemide is helpful on visualization of upper urinary tract.

Objective To compare the effect of 4 different cold and hot properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on body temperature and related factors of yeast induced fever rats,and discuss the thermoregulatory mechanism of cold and hot properties of TCM.Methods 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a yeast-induced group,a R.palmatum treated group,a C.chinensis treated group,a Euodia ruticarpa treated group,and a Alpinia officinarum Hance treated group,with 18 rats in each group.Pyrexia model was induced by injecting yeast suspension subcutaneously on rat.At the 4h,8h and 12h after injection of yeast,the rats were sacrificed,and the blood and hypothalamus were collected.The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in hypothalamus and plasma were detected by ELISA assay.Results At the 4h after injection of yeast,the temperature of rats in the model group began to rise,and it reached the peak at 8h,while RheumpalmatumL and Coptis chinensis could significantly reduce the body temperature of yeast-induced rat (P＜ 0.01 or P＜ 0.05).At 8h,the levels of PGE2 and cAMP in hypothalamus increased significantly [respectively (31.55 ± 9.88) pg/mg and (0.17±0.03) pmol/mg] compared with the normal group,while the level of AVP (0.14±0.02) pmol/ml in plasma reduced (P＜0.05).Compared with model group,at 8h RheumpalmatumL and Coptis chinensis could significantly lowered PGE2 [respectively (113.65± 18.60) pg/mg and (127.72 ± 15.75) pg/mg,P＜ 0.01 or P＜0.05],and cAMP [respectively (0.69±0.08) pmol/mg and (0.74±0.10) pmol/mg,P＜0.05] in hypothalamus,and increased AVP levels [respectively (1.08 ± 0.12) pmol/ml and (0.91 ±0.01) pmol/ml,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01] in plasma.Euodia ruticarpa and Alpinia officinarum had no significant effect on both body temperature and the levels of inflammatory factors.Conclusion The two cold property traditional Chinese medicines,R.palmatum and C.chinensis,could significantly reduced the body temperature of yeast-induced rats,which may be related to its effective regulation on levels of PGE2 and cAMP in hypothalamus and AVP in plasma,however,the two hot property traditional Chinese medicine,Euodia ruticarpa and Alpinia officinarum Hance,had no related effects.

Objective:To investigate the role of melatonin in calcium overload-induced heart injury.Methods:Thirty-two rats were divided into 4 groups:a control group (Control),a melatonin control group (Mel),a calcium overload group (CaP),and a calcium overload plus melatonin group (Mel+CaP).Isolated Sprague Dawley male rat hearts underwent Langendorffperfusion.Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) was calculated to evaluate the myocardial performance.Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to measure the infarct size of myocardium.Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the coronary flow was determined.The expressions of caspase-3 and cytochrome c were determined by Western blot.The pathological morphological changes in myocardial fiber were analyzed by HE staining.Results:Compared with the control group,calcium overload significantly induced an enlarged infarct size (P＜0.01),accompanied by the disordered arrangement of myocardial fiber,up-regulation of cytochrome c and caspase-3 (P＜0.01),and the increased activity of LDH (P＜0.01).T hese effects were significantly attenuated by 10 μmol/L melatonin (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Melatonin can alleviate calcium overload-induced heart injury.