OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory activity of Aeschynanthus maculatus on alpha-glucosidase.

METHODThe inhibilitory model of in vitro alpha-glucosidase was established. Active extracts of A. maculatus were isolated and identified bymultiple chromatographic methods, and their molecular structures were identifiied by spectral techniques.

RESULTSeven coumpounts were isolated from A. maculatus and isolated as lupeol(1), stigmasterol(2), ursolic acid(3), stigmast-5,22(E)-diene-3beta-ol(4), beta-daucosterol(5), 3-hydroxy-12-taraxasten-28-oic-acid(6) and oleanic acid(7). Compounds 1 (IC50 25.41 mg x L(-1)),3(IC0 4.42 mg L(-1)),4(IC50 11.50 mg x L(-1)),6(IC50 14.17 mg x L(-1)) and 7(IC50 2.88 mg x L(-1)) had higher inhibitory activities than that of acarbose (IC50 1103.01 mg x L(-1)) as the positive control drug.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 6 was isolated from Gesneriaceae family for the first time. Compound 7 was isolated from Aeschynanthus genus for the first time.

Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Ferns ; chemistry ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; Plant Exudates ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective: To analyze the relationship between thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor ( TAFI ) and coronary heart disease ( CHD ), and to provide evidence for the prevention of CHD. Methods: The patients with CHD in Fushun Central Hospital in Liaoning Province were selected as the case group, the patients without CHD in the same hospital and period were selected as the control group. The demographic information and clinical examination results ( serum TAFI, lipid, glucose, etc. ) were collected to analyze the association between TAFI and CHD by logistic regression models.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between TAFI and CHD. Results: There were 222 cases, including 100 cases of stable angina, 44 cases of unstable angina and 78 cases of acute myocardial infarction, and 222 controls. The median ages of cases and controls were 62 and 57 years old. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum TAFI>22.88 μg/mL ( P75 of controls ) was associated with the risk of CHD ( OR=1.619, 95%CI: 1.011-2.593 ), unstable angina ( OR=2.917, 95%CI: 1.433-5.939 ) and acute myocardial infarction ( OR=2.626, 95%CI: 1.007-6.847 ). Conclusion The high level of TAFI is related to CHD, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Summary: To explore the functions of very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDL-R) subtype II in lipoprotein metabolism and foam cells formation, the recombinant plasmid with the two subtypes cDNA was constructed respectively, the ldl-A7 cell lines were transfected and two cell lines expressing VLDL-R were obtained: one stably expressing the VLDLR with the O-linked sugar region (type I VLDLR) and the other without the O-linked sugar region (type II VLDLR). In the study on binding of VLDLR to their nuclein labeled natural ligands (VLDL and β-VLDL), it was found that surface binding of 125I-VLDL or 125I-β-VLDL of ldl-A7 cells transfected with type I VLDLR recombinant (ldl-A7-VRI) was more higher than that of ldl-A7 cells transfected with type II VLDLR recombinant (ldl-A7-VRII). After being incubated with VLDL for different time, the contents of triglyceride and total cholesterol in cells were mensurated, and the formation of foam cells and accumulation of lipid in cells was observed by oil-red O staining. The results showed that the contents of triglyceride and total cholesterol in ldl-A7-VR I were much higher than those in ldl-A7-VR II, and ldl-A7-VR I could transform into foam cells notably. It was suggested that type I VLDLR binds with relative higher affinity to VLDL and β-VLDL, and internalizes much more lipoprotein into cells. As a result, we can conclude that type I VLDLR plays a more important role in lipoprotein metabolism and foam cells formation than type II VLDLR.

OBJECTIVETo compare the reactogenicity and serology between influenza subunit vaccine and split vaccine.

METHODSA randomized, double-blind study was carried out among children (age 6 - 12 years) in order to compare the safety and immunogenicity of an influenza inactivated subunit vaccine (Agrippal, Chiron Vaccines) with that of a split vaccine (Flurix, GSK).

RESULTSA total of 499 subjects were vaccinated and included in the safety analysis. A total of 249 subjects received Agrippal and 250 received Flurix. All subjects were kept under medical observation for 30 minutes in order to check the evidence of having any immediate local and systemic reaction. Daily observation records were collected during the 3-day follow-up after vaccination. 6.4% of the cases with fever >or= 37.5 degrees C was reported in the Flurix group, but 2.4% in Agrippal group which was significantly less than the former group (P > 0.05). Blood samples (the D0 pre- and D23 post-vaccination sera) were collected from 224 of Agrippal group and 223 of Flurix group and analysed by the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Agrippal and Flurix induced similar seroprotection (HI titer >or= 1:40, H1N1 99.6% vs 100.0%; H3N2 99.1% vs 99.1%) and seroconversion (4-fold increase, 95.1% vs 97.8%; H3N2 74.5% vs 79.8%) rates and geometric mean titer (GMT) increase (16.0 vs 21.0; 5.4 vs 6.4) against the two A subtypes. A similar seroprotection rate (94.2% vs 96.4%) and GMT increase (21.2 vs 18.2) against the influenza B strain were also noticed in both vaccines. No significant difference was found in the results of immunological assay between the two vaccines (P < 0.05). A lower seroconversion rate against B strain was observed in Agrippal group than in Flurix group (91.1% vs 97.3%).

CONCLUSIONIn terms of safety, both vaccines were generally well tolerated. The fever reaction was less frequently seen in the Agrippal group. Both vaccines induced an effective immune response in the vaccines.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fever ; chemically induced ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; immunology ; Influenza B virus ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; adverse effects ; classification ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; prevention & control ; Male ; Safety ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Inactivated ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Vaccines, Subunit ; adverse effects ; immunology

AIMTo determine cephalometrically the mechanism of the treatment effects of non-extraction and multiloop edgewise archwire (MEAW) technique on postpeak Class II Division 1 patients.

METHODOLOGYIn this retrospective study, 16 postpeak Class II Division 1 patients successfully corrected using a non-extraction and MEAW technique were cephalometrically evaluated and compared with 16 matched control subjects treated using an extraction technique. Using CorelDRAW software, standardized digital cephalograms pre- and post-active treatments were traced and a reference grid was set up. The superimpositions were based on the cranial base, the mandibular and the maxilla regions,and skeletal and dental changes were measured. Changes following treatment were evaluated using the paired-sample t-test. Student's t-test for unpaired samples was used to assess the differences in changes between the MEAW and the extraction control groups.

RESULTSThe correction of the molar relationships comprised 54% skeletal change (mainly the advancement of the mandible) and 46% dental change. Correction of the anterior teeth relationships comprised 30% skeletal change and 70% dental change.

CONCLUSIONThe MEAW technique can produce the desired vertical and sagittal movement of the tooth segment and then effectively stimulate mandibular advancement by utilizing the residual growth potential of the condyle.

Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Cephalometry ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Incisor ; pathology ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; pathology ; therapy ; Mandible ; growth & development ; pathology ; Mandibular Condyle ; growth & development ; pathology ; Maxilla ; pathology ; Molar ; pathology ; Orthodontic Appliance Design ; Orthodontic Retainers ; Orthodontic Wires ; Retrognathia ; pathology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Serial Extraction ; Skull Base ; pathology ; Software ; Tooth Movement Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of prescriptions replenishing vital essence, tonifying Qi and activating blood on expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-IP (IL-1beta) in serum and submaxillary gland of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with Sjogren's syndrome.

METHODThirty-two NOD mice were divided into four groups at random: the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, the hydroxychloroquine group, the TCM and western medicine (WM) group, with 8 mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were taken as the normal normal control group. The TCM group was orally administered with 0.4 mL decoction replenishing vital essence, tonifying Qi and activating blood (100 g x kg(-1)) everyday; the hydroxychloroquine group were given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine (60 mg x kg(-1)) everyday; the TCM WM group were given 0.4 mL decoction, replenishing vital essence tonifying Qi and activating blood (50 g x kg(-1)) and hydroxychloroquine (60 mg x kg(-1)) everyday. Mice were sacrificed after eight weeks, and their arterial blood and tissues of submaxillary gland were collected. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta in serum were detected by ELISA. Expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta protein in submaxillary gland were detected by immunohisto-chemistry.

RESULTCompared with other groups, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta in serum and submaxillary gland in the model group were higher (P < 0.05). The normal group showed lower serum TNF-alpha level than other groups (P < 0.05), but without statistical significance compared with the TCM group. IL-1beta in serum in the TCM group and the TCM WM group were lower than that of the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05), but without statistical significance compared with the normal group. TNF-alpha protein expression in the TCM group and the TCM WM group showed no significant difference compared with the normal group, whereas the TCM WM group were notably lower than that of the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). IL-1beta expression in the TCM WM group showed no significant difference compared with the normal group.

CONCLUSIONThe decoction replenishing vital essence, tonifying Qi and activating blood can decrease the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta in serum and submaxillary gland of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome. It may improve pathological damage of submaxillary gland by regulating Th1/Th2 cell factors, in order to achieve the therapeutic effect on SS.

Animals ; Antirheumatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hydroxychloroquine ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-1beta ; analysis ; blood ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Random Allocation ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Submandibular Gland ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) in breast cancer and its correlation with clinicopathologic factors and prognosis.

METHODSThe expression of IDO, CD31, CD105 proteins in 40 specimens of breast cancer were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe overexpression rate of IDO in breast cancer was 67.5% (27/40), and expression of IDO was closely associated with clinical stage and lymph nodes metastasis. The disease-free survival rate in patients with IDO overexpression was not significantly lower than that in patients with negative or low expression of IDO (P > 0.05). Moreover, the expression of IDO was positively correlated with CD105-labeled microvessel density (r = 0.659, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExpression of IDO is associated with clinical stage and lymph nodes metastasis, and microvessel densitty. IDO expression may promote the growth and metastasis of breast cancer, probably via the increased agiogenesis. A larger sample study is needed to verify whether the prognosis of beast cancer is significantly correlated with IDO expression.

Adenocarcinoma ; enzymology ; immunology ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; enzymology ; immunology ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; enzymology ; immunology ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; enzymology ; immunology ; pathology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Endoglin ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Microvessels ; enzymology ; immunology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) to patients with severe craniocerebral injury for the purpose of nutritional support therapy and pulmonary infection prevention.

METHODSA total of 43 patients with severe craniocerebral injury admitted to our department from January 2008 to December 2012 received PEG followed by nutritional therapy. There were other 82 patients who were prescribed nasal-feeding nutrition. Nutrition status was evaluated by comparing serum albumin levels, and the incidence of pulmonary infection 1 week before and 2 weeks after operation was identified and compared.

RESULTSBoth PEG and nasal-feeding nutrition therapies have significantly elevated serum albumin levels (P<0.05). Serum albumin levels before and after nutritional therapies showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of pulmonary infection in PEG group was significantly decreased compared with that in nasal-feeding nutrition group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPEG is an effective method for severe craniocerebral injury patients. It can not only provide enteral nutrition but also prevent pulmonary infection induced by esophageal reflux.

Craniocerebral Trauma ; therapy ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; prevention & control ; Gastroscopy ; Gastrostomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; prevention & control ; Nutritional Support ; Serum Albumin ; analysis

To gain more insights into epidemiologic characteristics and genotype of hantavirus in Apodemus agrarius in Changbai Area. Complete hantavirus S segment sequences were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The phylogenetic trees were constructed for analysis of genetic characters of hantavirus. A total of 58 Apodemus agrarius were trapped in the epidemic areas, and complete hantavirus S segment sequences were obtained from 4 lung samples of these rodents (6. 90%0). Phylogenetic analysis of the four S segment sequences indicated that all viruses isolated from Apodemu sagrarius were closely related to genotype 6 of Hantaan virus (95. 8%-96. 3%, nucleotide identity; 98. 6%-99. 5%, amino acid identity), all of them had a specific S387 different from other genotypes of Hantaan virus.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Disease Reservoirs ; virology ; Genotype ; Hantavirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hantavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Lung ; virology ; Murinae ; virology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rodent Diseases ; virology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Neuro signal has many more advantages than myoelectricity in providing information for prosthesis control, and can be an ideal source for developing new prosthesis. In this work, by implanting intrafascicular electrode clinically in the amputee's upper extremity, collective signals from fascicules of three main nerves (radial nerve, ulnar nerve and medium nerve) were successfully detected with sufficient fidelity and without infection. Initial analysis of features under different actions was performed and movement recognition of detected samples was attempted. Singular value decomposition features (SVD) extracted from wavelet coefficients were used as inputs for neural network classifier to predict amputee's movement intentions. The whole training rate was up to 80.94% and the test rate was 56.87% without over-training. This result gives inspiring prospect that collective signals from fascicules of the three main nerves are feasible sources for controlling prosthesis. Ways for improving accuracy in developing prosthesis controlled by neuro signals are discussed in the end.
Amputation ; Amputees ; Artificial Limbs ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Movement ; physiology ; Muscles ; innervation ; physiology ; Neurons ; physiology