Seven steroids and two cumarins were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the specie Cacalia tangutica of the family Compositae which were collected in Minhe county, Qinhai province of China. The structures were identified as Stigmast4-en-3beta, 6beta-diol (1), 24-ethyl-5alpha-cholestane-3beta, 5, 6beta-triol (2), 7beta- methoxy-stigmast-5-en-3beta-ol (3), Schleicherastatin 1 (4), Stigmast-5-en-3beta, 7alpha-diol (5), umbelliferone (6) and hydrangetin (7) by the means of chemical and modern spectroscopic analysis (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT). The compounds 1-5 were isolated from Cacalia tangutica for the first time.
Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To study the effect of isoliquiritigenin on cell proliferation,apoptosis induction,mRNA expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress related gene ATF4,DDIT3 and TNFRSF10B in NCI-H1 57 human lung cancer cell line. METHODS NCI-H1 57 cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations isoliquiritigenin.The cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT and the occurrence of cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry.ATF4,DDIT3 and TNFRSF10B gene mRNA expression were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS Isoliquiritigenin significantly inhibited NCI-H1 57 cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner.The results of flow cytometry revealed that isoliquiritigenin could induce apoptosis in NCI-H1 57 cells.Real-time quantitative RT-PCR showed that isoliquiritigenin up-regulated mRNA expression of ATF4,DDIT3 and TNFRSF10B(P <0.05 ~0.01).CONCLUSION Isoliquiritigenin can in-hibit NCI-H1 57 cell proliferation,induce cell apoptosis by activating the endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

BACKGROUNDThe baseline characteristics of patients in a multinational trial are possibly related to cardiovascular outcome. This study compared the baseline characteristics of patients recruited in China with those recruited in other countries.

METHODSA total of 508 Chinese hypertensive men and 728 women over the age of 80 years who entered the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) were compared with those in 860 men and 1348 women who entered the trial in other countries.

RESULTSThe Chinese subjects were slightly younger, had less previous hypertension but more previous strokes than the subjects from other countries. The Chinese subjects smoked more than those from other countries, but drank less alcohol. They had less previous episodes of myocardial infarction and were, on average, lighter and shorter. The Chinese had lower mean concentrations of blood urea, uric acid and creatinine as well as higher concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The concentration of total cholesterol was, on average, lower in the Chinese subjects as was blood glucose. The levels of serum sodium and potassium, blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were all, on average, lower in the Chinese subjects.

CONCLUSIONSCalorie restriction, compared with the rest of the world, may have resulted in lower stature and weight, and recent increases in calorie intake have not changed the metabolic profile of the very elderly hypertensive patients in China. Some of these biochemical differences may reflect different dietary lifestyle in the Chinese.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male

Influenza virus is the causative agent of the seasonal and occasional pandemic flu. The current H1N1 influenza pandemic, announced by the WHO in June 2009, is highly contagious and responsible for global economic losses and fatalities. Although the H1N1 gene segments have three origins in terms of host species, the virus has been named swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) due to a predominant swine origin. 2009 S-OIV has been shown to highly resemble the 1918 pandemic virus in many aspects. Hemagglutinin is responsible for the host range and receptor binding of the virus and is therefore a primary indicator for the potential of infection. Primary sequence analysis of the 2009 S-OIV hemagglutinin (HA) reveals its closest relationship to that of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus, however, analysis at the structural level is necessary to critically assess the functional significance. In this report, we report the crystal structure of soluble hemagglutinin H1 (09H1) at 2.9 Å, illustrating that the 09H1 is very similar to the 1918 pandemic HA (18H1) in overall structure and the structural modules, including the five defined antiboby (Ab)-binding epitopes. Our results provide an explanation as to why sera from the survivors of the 1918 pandemics can neutralize the 2009 S-OIV, and people born around the 1918 are resistant to the current pandemic, yet younger generations are more susceptible to the 2009 pandemic.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Conformation ; Swine ; virology

OBJECTIVETo study hMSH2 genetic polymorphism in southern Chinese Han population.

METHODSThe basic materials and blood samples from 163 southern Chinese were collected. The mutations of exon 6 and exon 7 of hMSH2 gene were investigated by PCR-SSCP, followed by DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFragments of 250 bp including exon 6 and fragments of 323 bp including exon 7 of hMSH2 gene were amplified by multiple PCR. The allele frequencies of C18, A82 and B39 type mutations were 0.0184, 0.0031, 0.0031, respectively. The gene frequencies and gene type frequencies of three polymorphism sites in normal population accorded with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). The heterozygosity of C18 type mutation (0.0361) was the highest.

CONCLUSIONThere were three polymorphism sites in exon 7 of hMSH2 gene in southern Chinese Han population, among which the genotype frequency of C18 type was the highest, suggesting that C18 type mutation be a useful genetic mark.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Pair Mismatch ; DNA Ligase ATP ; DNA Ligases ; genetics ; DNA Mismatch Repair ; genetics ; physiology ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of Baicalin in vivo of the expression of NF-κB and cytokines in ulcerative coli-tis rats.METHODS The colitis model of mice were established with TNBS methord.Mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,Baicalin group,and SASP group.After continuous administration for 10 days,observed the colon gross morphological changes,the colon tissue level of TNF-α,IL-8 and IL-1 were detected using ELISA,and the protein expression of NF-κB in the colon tissues of mice were detected using Western Blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,Baicalin(100 mg∕kg) group could significantly improve the colon gross morphological form,the Baicalin(25,50,100 mg∕kg)groups could in-hibit the secretion of inflammatory factors dose-dependently,the high dose group could reduce IL-1,IL-8 and TNF-αexpression (P <0.05),no significant difference occured between the SASP group.Compared with the model group,.Baicalin high dose group could reduce NF-kB levels,promote IkBαlevel(P <0.05) .CONCLUSION Baicalin can inhibit NF-κB activation,and thus play its anti-inflammatory effect in ulcerative colitis mice.

OBJECTIVE To develop a sensitive and selective ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer(UPLC-MS/MS) method for quantification of eight components(chrysin,baicalein,apigenin,orohylin A, wogonin,baicalin,wogonoside,oroxin A) in Schisandra chinensis Georgi.METHODS The separation was performed on a Thermo BDS Hypersil C1 8(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.3 μm) column.The mobile consisted of acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% formic acid aqueous with a gradient elution at a flow-rate of 0.25 mL/min.The detection was acquired by MRM.The column temper-ature was 40 ℃.RESULTS The linear ranges of chrysin,baicalein,apigenin,orohylin A,wogonin,baicalin,wogonoside, oroxin A were 0.975~62.5 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 8),4.875~2 500 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 7),0.975~62.5 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 4), 0.097 5~12.5 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 6),0.048 83~6.25 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 9),4.875~2 500 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 8),0.488 3~250 ng/mL(r 2 =0.999 9),0.488 3 ~ 250 ng/mL(r 2 = 0.999 8),respectively.The recoveries were 98.75%,96.44%, 101.13%,99.41%,102.26%,98.45%,96.75%,99.42%.CONCLUSION The proposed method enables quantification for the study of the compounds of chrysin,baicalein,apigenin,orohylin A,wogonin,baicalin,wogonoside,oroxin A in Schisan-dra chinensis Georgi.

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological status on rotavirus diarrhea in Kunming to improve the rotavirus vaccine immunization program.

METHODSA hospital-based sentinel surveillance program for rotavirus was set up among children less than 5 years old with acute diarrhea in Kunming Children's Hospital. Clinical information and fecal specimens were collected and rotavirus were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and/or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive specimens were further serotyped or genotyped by ELISA and/or RT-PCR.

RESULTSDuring the three years of surveillance, 466 specimens were collected. Rotavirus were detected on 246 (52.8%) specimens. 97% of the rotavirus diarrhea cases occurred among children less than 2 years old. There was a peak of admissions for rotavirus diarrhea cases between October and December which accounted for 48% of all the rotavirus hospitalizations each year. Among 204 specimens with G serotyping, the predominant strain was serotype G1 (47.5%) followed by G2 (17.6%), G3 (15.7%), G9 (4.9%) and G4 (1.0%). Mixed infection (2.5%) were rare and 22 specimens (10.8%) remained non-typeable. P genotyping showed P[4], P[8] and P[6] were the most common strains, accounting for 29.3%, 27.6% and 13.8% respectively. P[4]G2 was the most common strain which accounted for 34.1% (14/41) followed by P[8]G1 (29.3%) and P[6]G9 (12.2%). Another 7 uncommon P-G combinations were also identified.

CONCLUSIONRotavirus was the major cause of acute diarrhea in Kunming. An effective rotavirus vaccine for prevention and control of rotavirus diarrhea should be developed.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genotype ; Hospitals, Pediatric ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rotavirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Rotavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Serotyping

OBJECTIVETo describe the design and application of cluster randomized controlled method on typhoid Vi vaccine trial, and to assess the effect of implementation.

METHODSSimple size calculation of cluster-randomized trial was used to determine the sample size of the two groups and a vaccination campaign was conducted. The study group was given typhoid Vi vaccine and the control group was given meningococcal A vaccine.

RESULTSAccording to sample size calculation, a total sample of 96,121 participants was required and the study areas were divided into 108 clusters. In practice, 53 study clusters with 44,054 participants and 54 control clusters with 48,422 participants were stratified and matched according to size, location (urban or rural), characteristics (school, department, factory, demography) were randomized respectively. Confounding factors of two groups including age, sex, resident area, income, level of education were compared. It was found that the ratio of all confounding factors between the two groups were comparable and balanced.

CONCLUSIONConfounding factors can be better controlled between study group and the control group by applying cluster-randomized method on vaccine trail which enabled the intervention to be more scientifically evaluated; The implementation of cluster randomization trial was simple and easy to be accepted.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Vaccination ; organization & administration ; Middle Aged ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; immunology ; Typhoid Fever ; prevention & control ; Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines ; immunology ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVETo characterize the incidence, epidemiologic features, etiologic agents and sequelae of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age in Nanning, Guangxi.

METHODSA population-based surveillance was conducted to evaluate children with signs and symptoms of meningitis. All hospitals, township health centers and village clinics in the surveillance area were structured to participate in the case referral and evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimens were obtained and processed using standardized microbiologic methods.

RESULTSDuring the 26-month surveillance period, among the children under 5 years old, a total of 1272 cases who met the screening criteria of meningitis were studied. 265 of 1272 cases were identified as clinically diagnosed meningitis, with an incidence rate of 86.36 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate under the 38 cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis appeared to be 12.38/100 000. Staphylococcus species accounted for the largest proportion of laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis, followed by E. coli and S. pneumoniae. The highest attack rate occurred in neonates < 1 month, followed by children aged 1 - 12 months in the confirmed patients. Meningitis caused by Sp and Hi mainly occurred in children aged 1 - 12 months. All cases of meningitis due to Hi and Sp were children aged 1 - 24 months. 13.16% and 0.00% of the cases survived with complications and sequelae, and the case-fatality rate was 18.42%. 40 bacterial isolates were identified from 1193 blood cultures and 23 from 1211 cerebrospinal fluid samples, but no Neisseria meningitidis was found.

CONCLUSIONMeningitis due to Hi was first confirmed in Guangxi with the incidence of 0.98 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate of confirmed bacterial meningitis was 12.38 per 100 000, which was considered an important public health problem in children. Staphylococci was the predominant pathogen in confirmed bacterial meningitis.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Meningitis, Escherichia coli ; epidemiology ; Meningitis, Haemophilus ; epidemiology ; Population Surveillance ; Staphylococcal Infections ; epidemiology