Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents from the barks of Melia azedarach and their antidiabetes activities. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, reverse phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and their structures were identified by spectra and physiochemical characteristic analysis. The agonist activities of the isolated triterpenoids against glucokinase (GK) and SIRT1, and the inhibitory activity against dipeptidyl peptidasesIV (DPPIV), and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) were tested in vitro. Results: Six triterpenoids and three sterols were obtained from MeOH extract in the barks of M. azedarach and were elucidated as meliastatin 3 (1), kulonic acid (2), kulactone (3), sendanolactone (4), dubione B (5), 20, 24-cyclotirucalla-7(8)-en-16β, 21α, 25-trihydroxy-3-one (6), 3β-hydroxy-5, 8-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-diene (7), 2β, 3β, 4β-trihydroxy-pregn-16-one (8), and 3β-hydroxy-pregn-5, 17 (20)-dien-16-one (9). Compound 2 showed the inhibitory activity against 11β-HSD1 with the IC50 value of 54.15 nmol/L. Conclusion: Compounds 6-9 are obtained from this species for the first time. The tested compounds 1-4 are inactive against GK, SIRT1, and DPPIV, but compound 2 shows high selectivity against human 11β-HSD.

Sixteen compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Illigera rhodantha by silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. These compounds were identified as (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbutane-1,4-diyldibenzoate (1), p-hydroxyphenethyl trans-ferulate (2), 4-O-benzoyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol (3), N-trans feruloyl-3-methyldopamine (4), tribulusamide A (5), cryptomeridiol (6), teuclatriol (7), oleanolic acid (8), icario A₂ (9), vanillic acid (10), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (11), gallic acid (12), ethyl gallate (13), chrysophanol (14), D-1-O-methyl-inositol (15), and hexadecanoic acid (16) based on their spectral data and physico-chemical properties. Compound 1 is an undescribed compound, of which its absolute configurations were determined by Mosher and ROESY methods; all the compounds except 10, 11 and 14 were isolated from Illigera genus for the first time. Compared with the positive control indomethacin, compounds 4-6, 8 and 9 inhibited significantly against the NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.

Seven terpenoids and three sterols were isolated from the methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Ricinus communis by chromatography methods and their structures were identified by spectra analysis as ficusic acid( 1), phytol(2), callyspinol(3) , lupeol(4), 30-norlupan-3beta-ol-20-one(5) , lup-20(29)-en-3beta,15alpha-diol(6) , acetylaleuritolic acid( 7), stigmast4-en-3-one(8) , stig-mast-4-en-6beta-ol-3-one(9) , and stigmast4-en-3,6-dione(10). Compounds 1-3 and 5-10 were obtained from this species for the first time and 5 and 6 showed significant inhibitive activity and good selectivity against 11beta-HSD of mouse and human in vitro. [Key words] Ricinus communis; terpenoids; sterols; 11beta-HSD
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Mice ; Ricinus ; chemistry ; Sterols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Terpenes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: Recent literatures have showed that percutaneous kyphoplasty can effectively avoid nerve damage, pulmonary embolism, and insufficient vertebral height and other security risks when bone cement is infused into affected vertebrae in percutaneous vertebroplasty. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of percutaneous kyphoplasty and percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were randomly divided into trial group and control group (n=53 per group). Patients in the trial group were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty, and those in the control group treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. Al patients were fol owed up for 6 months after repair. The vertebral compression deformation, bone cement distribution, midline vertebral bone cement condition, vertebral height restoration, bone cement leakage, vertebral kyphosis, progressive spinal col apse, nerve damage, as wel as visual analog scale scores and Oswestry disability index scores in these two groups were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, there was less bone cement leakage and vertebral compression deformation in the trial group. Moreouer, in the trial group, bone cement distributed uniformly, vertebral height restoration was good and effective, pain was obviously relieved, and the probability of vertebral kyphosis, progressive spine col apse and nerve damage was significantly reduced (al P < 0.05). These results suggest that percutaneous kyphoplasty can effectively relieve the pain of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, restore vertebral body height and reduce the incidence of complications, which effectively guarantees the postoperative restoration of motor function.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of incising spinal pia mater to relieve pressure and unilateral open-door laminoplasty with internal screw fixation for treatment of the dated spinal cord injury.

METHODSFrom March, 2009 to July, 2010, 16 cases with chronic cervical cord injury underwent spinal dura mater incision and unilateral open-door laminoplasty with internal screw fixation. Nerve functions of pre- and postoperation were evaluated by Frankel classification and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale.The improvement rate of JOA score at the indicated time was recorded.

RESULTSPostoperative Frankel classification rating of 16 patients improved obviously.JOA scores at the 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month after surgery were 7.9 ± 2.3, 8.5 ± 1.6, 8.9 ± 2.1, and 12.4 ± 2.5, respectively, and significantly increased compared with that prior to surgery (5.5 ± 0.6). At the end of follow-up period, JOA score was significantly higher than that of pre-treatment (P<0.05). The recovery was relatively rapid during the first 3 months following the surgery, then entered a platform period.

CONCLUSIONIt is effective for patients with dated spinal cord injury to undergo spinal decompression and laminoplasty.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pia Mater ; surgery ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Cleidion brevipetiolatum pax et Hoffm.and their anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS The extract from C.brevipetiolatum was isolated and purified by silica gel,MCI,Rp-18,Sephadex LH-20,preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The MTT and Griess methods were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of compounds.RESULTS Seventeen compounds were isolated and identified as cleomiscosin C(1),scopoletin(2),fraxedin(3),isofraxidin(4),luteolin(5),apigenin(6),chrysoeriol(7),1-hydroxy-2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4-allylbenzene(8),1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4-allylbenzene(9),trans-1-(4-propenyl)-phenol-β-D-glucopyranosyl(10),benzyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11),2-phenylethyl-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12),(+)-syringaresinol(13),aurantiamide(14),(S)-(+)-2-cis-abscisic acid(15),loliolide(16),and hydroxychavicol(17).The ethanol extract of C.brevipetiolatum and its ethyl acetate portion showed NO inhibition with IC50 values of(44.11±5.29),(24.25±3.59)μg/mL,respectively.The IC50 values of compounds 2,and 5-7 were 3.55-14.53 μmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-7 and 13-17 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Simple coumarins and flavones from this plant show good inhibition of the production of NO.

OBJECTIVETo get the cDNA clones which cover the whole genome of SARS-CoV PUMC2 strain.

METHODSUsing the SARS-CoV PUMC2 strain genomic RNA as the template, the cDNA fragments were amplified by RT-PCR, the PCR products were further purified and ligated into the pGEM-T vector, and all the clones obtained were sequenced.

RESULTSThe cDNA clones which cover the whole genome of SARS-CoV PUMC2 strain were obtained.

CONCLUSIONSThese cDNAs can be provided for the function study of SARS-CoV proteins and the construction of full-length infectious cDNA clone of SARS-CoV.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Genome, Viral ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the specificity and sensitivity of two genotyping approaches for human papillomavirus (HPV).

METHODHPV DNA was amplified and detected in clinical specimens by polymerase chain reaction in a pair of universal primers MY09/11, and then genotyped with either sequencing method or liquid chip hybridization method (luminex method).

RESULTSequencing method obtained precise genotyping results in single-type HPV infection, while luminex method obtained accurate genotyping results in multiple-type HPV infection.

CONCLUSIONA combined method using both sequencing and luminex method is suitable for the genotyping of HPV-infected specimens.

Base Sequence ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Female Urogenital Diseases ; virology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of telocinobufagin on viability and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and explore the mechanism of telocinobufagin-induced apoptosis.

METHODSMTT assay was performed to detect the viability of CRC cells exposed to telocinobufagin. Nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the cell death of CRC cells. Expressions of proteins related with cell apoptosis and oxidative stress were determined with Western blotting.

RESULTSTelocinobufagin decreased the viability of CRC cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The presence of karyopycnosis and apoptotic bodies together with the results of flow cytometry suggested that telocinobufagin induced cell apoptosis to cause cell death. Western blotting showed that telocinobufagin exposure of the cells resulted in upregulated p53 and Bax protein expressions and promoted cleavage of caspase 9 and PARP. Telocinobufagin induced phosphorylation of Bad and PARP cleavage, and suppressed phosphorylation of IKBα and TAK1 and expression of survivin in the cells.

CONCLUSIONTelocinobufagin can decrease the viability of CRC cells by inducing cell apoptosis, which involves p53-mediated Bax activation and inhibition of the IAP pathway.

Apoptosis ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; bcl-Associated Death Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo probe into the mechanism and methods of needle knife relaxing therapy for treatment of osteoarthritis of knee from biomechanical view.

METHODSNeedle knife relaxing therapy was given to 92 pain points around the knee joint in 14 cases of osteoarthritis of knee, and the displacement of the local pain point under the stress of 500 g (L500 g) was measured and the VAS scores were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTSL500 g of the pain point was (4.72+/-1.03) mm before treatment and (5.39+/-1.01) mm after treatment with a very significant difference before and after treatment (P<0.01), and VAS score was (7.10+/-1.49) points before treatment and (1.49+/-1.24) points after treatment with a very significant difference before and after treatment (P<0.01), and there was a linear correlation between the changes of L500 g and VAS scores.

CONCLUSIONThere was close connection between the local pain and tension of local soft tissue in knee osteoarthritis. The needle knife relaxing therapy can relieve the neurovascular compression or traction syndrome by relaxing the local contracted, adhesive soft tissue, so as to relieve tension pain and finally recover internal force equilibrium of the knee joint.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthralgia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Pressure