Chemical investigation was carried out to study the alkaloids from stems of Nelumbo nucifera and their cytotoxic activities. The constituents were separated by column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities by MTr method. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the total alkaloids extract and identified as asimilobine (1), isococlaurine (2), N-acetylnorarmepavine (3), crykonisine (4), velucryptine (5), pycnarrhine (6), liriodenine (7), nuciferine (8), nornuciferine (9), armepavine (10), N-methylasimilobine (11), coclaurine (12), N-norarmepavine (13), N-methylcoclaurine (14) and lysicamine (15). Compounds 1-7 and 12-15 were isolated from stems of this plant for the first time, and compounds 2-6 were firstly isolated from the family Nelumbonaceae. Compounds 7-10, 13 and 14 showed significant cytotoxic activities against HL-60 carcinoma cell line with inhibitory ratios of 51.36%, 59.09%, 52.51%, 53.93%, 51.43%, and 64.31% at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), respectively.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Nelumbo ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry

Objective To assess the effectiveness of puncturing Sifeng points (EX-UE10) and pricking Back-Shu points in treating dyspepsia due to chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Method Sixty patients were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The observation group was intervened by puncturing Sifeng points and pricking Back-Shu points, once a week. The selected Back-Shu points included bilateral Pishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21) and Geshu (BL17). The control group was treated by promoting gastrointestinal motility (itopride hydrochloride 50 mg) and supplementing digestive enzymes (compound azintamide tablets). The two groups were observed before and after treatment in terms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, nutritional status score and Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS). The therapeutic efficacies were also assessed. Result The total effective rate was 93.3％ (28/30) in the observation group versus 70.0％ (21/30) in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The TCM symptom score showed significant improvement in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), and the improvement in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the score of Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in the score between the two groups (P>0.05). The KPS score increased significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), indicating a more significant improvement of KPS score in the observation group. Conclusion Puncturing Sifeng plus pricking Back-Shu points is effective in treating dyspepsia due to chemotherapy for TNBC. It can improve patient's appetite and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Some studies in vitro have reported that there are CD30 positive T cells in immunological response of allogenic transplantation.OBJECTIVE: To detect the relationship between the level of serum CD30 (sCD30) and clinical rejection in the patients with or without kidney transplantation, and analyze the importance of sCD30 in the estimation of immune state, monitor of acute rejection, and judgment of prognosis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Clinical case analysis study was performed at Jiangsu People's Hospital between April 2004 and March 2007. PARTICIPANTS: 153 kidney transplantation cases comprising 103 males and 50 females, averagely aged 37 years. METHODS: 3 mL peripheral blood was obtained from recipients before transplantation (without immunosuppressive agent) and at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Serum was isolated from obtained blood and placed at -20 ℃. Soluble CD30 levels were detected using CD30 cytokine ELISA kit supplied by BenderMedSystems. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The relation between the soluble CD30 levels and rejection prior to and following transplantation.RESULTS: There was a significant relation in the sCD30 level between the patients with (n=17) and without acute rejection (n=136). The CD30 levels were 113.2 U/mL in the rejection group and 83.2 U/mL in the non-injection group (P < 0.01). No significant difference was determined between both groups in 5 days following surgery (P > 0.05). Significant difference were detected between both groups from 5 days following surgery (P < 0.01). There was no relation between the soluble CD30 level and the time of rejection and release after kidney transplantation (P > 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that soluble CD30 levels on day 5 post-transplantation could predict acute rejection (area under ROC curve: 0.850). Meanwhile, 100 U/mL was the optimal operational cut-off level to predict rejection (specificity: 85.0%; sensitivity: 83.6%). The patients with positive of soluble CD30 level showed a lower survival rate than those with negative CD30 level (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The soluble CD30 levels contributed to predictive the acute rejection and prognosis of kidney transplantation.

Viral myocarditis (VMC) is normally caused by myocarditis virus infection. Currently, the Western medicine treatment is mainly about symptomatic supportive treatment, while TCM has remarkable efficacy for this disease. This article started from the 4 common mechanisms of VMC, and elaborated the effects of individual and compound preparation, such as antiviral, regulating immune, anti free redical, antioxidation, improving myocardial metabolism, protecting myocardial cells, with a purpose to provide experimental references for TCM application in clinic.

Naturally occurring mutations in surface proteins of Hepatitis B virus(HBV)usually result in altered hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)secretion efficiency.In the present study,we reported two conserved residues,M75 and M103 with respect to HBsAg,mutations of which not only attenuated HBsAg secretion(M75 only),but also suppressed HBV genome replication without compromising the overlapping p-gene product.We also found M75 and M103 can initiate truncated surface protein(TSPs)synthesis upon over-expression of full-length surface proteins,which may possibly contribute to HBV genome replication.However,attempts to rescue replicationdefective HBV mutant by co-expression of TSPs initiated from M75 or M103 were unsuccessful,which indicated surface proteins rather than the putative TSPs were involved in regulation of HBV genome replication.

Chinese medicine pairs (CMP) are specific compatibility with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory as principle, which was formed on basis of effect and treatment theory of TCM. The compatibility of CMP can enhance the effect, or reduce the toxicity. So, compatibility effects of CMP were studied from different pharmacology levels including animals, tissues and organs, cell and molecular levels, their synergy and compatibility attenuation were also evaluated with monomer component-component (group) compatibility-single herb-CMP-formulae as the main line, and the action mechanisms were investigated, all of which can provide scientific basis for the clinical applications of CMP and creation of TCM new drugs.
Animals ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Synergism ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosometen ten (PTEN) protein, a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer and its correlation with p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 expression.

METHODSPTEN protein expression, p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 protein expression were detected by immunohistochemical method in paraffin sections from 61 women with primary breast cancer. PTEN protein expression was compared with clinico-pathologic parameters as related to p27(kip1) and cyclin D1.

RESULTSPTEN, being shown in the cytoplasm, was negative in 6.6% (4/61), reduced in 41.0% (25/61) and positive in 52.5% (32/61) samples. PTEN expression level was correlated with axillary lymph node status, loss of estrogen receptor stain, recurrence and metastasis. On univariate analysis, the disease-free survival rate of patients with higher PTEN expression (> 50% cells stained) was better than those with lower expression (P = 0.0101). However, there was no correlation between p27(kip1), cyclin D1 expression or PTEN expression.

CONCLUSIONPTEN, its lower expression being correlated with poor outcome of breast cancer patients, plays a prominent role in breast cancer. p27(kip1) or cyclin D1 may not be the primary downstream genes of PTEN in breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; chemistry ; mortality ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; analysis ; physiology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; analysis ; physiology ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experiences in the diagnosis and managements of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD).

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic data of 17 patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAccording to the results of imaging examination, clinical data and pathological data, 17 patients HVOD were divided into acute progressive HVOD and chronic HVOD. 2 cases out of the 11 acute progressive cases got improved, 2 cases died after medical treatment and 2 cases died after shunt operation. The 6 chronic HVOD, including 1 case with medical treatment and 5 cases with shunt operation, were cured.

CONCLUSIONLiver biopsy was an efficient method for the diagnosis of hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Acute progressive cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease should be managed with medical treatment and the chronic cases could be treated with shunt surgery if medical treatment were inefficient.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatic Veins ; pathology ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the current prevailing status of endemic fluorosis in the Yellow River basin of Shandong Province and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Nine counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation.The content of fluoride in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode and dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was diagnosed by Deans method.Results Water fluoride content was determined in 1761 fluorosis villages,among which 606 villages had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L,accounting for 34.41%(606/1761);1155 villages had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L,which accounted for 65.59%(1155/1761).The highest water fluoride content was 11.33 mg/L.Water fluoride content of 618 water-improving and defluoridation projects had been determined,among which 449 projects had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L and accounted for 72.65%(449/618),169 projects had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L and accounted for 27.35%(169/618),the highest water fluoride content was 5.85 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was 45.03%(25 579/56 804) and the index of dental fluorosis was 0.80. Conclusions In the Yellow River basin in Shandong Province,up to 50.00%in the villages the water fluoride content exceeds the county standard(≤1.00 mg/L).The prevalence of endemic fluorosis in the basin hasn't been effectively controlled.So the counterrneasures for endemic fluorosis should be carried out as soon as possible.

Objective To determine the expression of membrane-bound B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein and its mRNA in vitro of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),and to investigate the role of interferon-?(IFN-?) on the expression of BLyS.Methods PBMCs were obtained from 25 SLE patients (mean age of 31+14) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age of 28?10).They were randomized into IFN-?(5 ng/ml) group and control group.PBMCs were col- lected at 0,6,12 and 24 h for BLyS mRNA assessment using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).PBMCs were also collected at 72 h for membrane-bound BLyS protein detection using flow cy- tometry (FACS) and direct immunofluorescence.Results①The expression of BLyS mRNA and membrane- bound protein in PBMCs was significantly higher in individuals with SLE compared with healthy controls (P＜0.05);②IFN-?enhanced BLyS mRNA expression in PBMCs in both healthy controls and SLE patients,with the greatest effect at 6 h (stimulated vs unstimulated,0.42?0.19 vs 0.25?0.14,P＜0.01;0.59?0.28 vs 0.44?0.21,P＜0.01 );③IFN-?also increased the expression of membrane-bound BLyS protein in both healthy con- trols and individuals with SLE (FACs,mean fluorescence intensity,4.5+3.0 vs 3.7~2.6,P