Zanthoxyli Radix is a traditional Chinese medicine. It can be used for the treatment of wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, muscle and bone pain, fall fracture, hernia, sore throat, toothache and other diseases. Due to possessing many excellent and mild pharmacological properties, there are lots of reports about Zanthoxyli Radix worldwide. At present, more than 100 bioactive components have been extracted and purified from Zanthoxyli Radix. Nitidine chloride (NC), one of the most important alkaloids in Zanthoxyli Radix, has the activities of anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, etc. In this review, we summarize the chemical components of Zanthoxyli Radix, pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of NC to provide references for further research and utilization of Zanthoxyli Radix.

Objective To investigate the application of fetuses with talipes equinovarus (TE) using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) technology. Methods From May 2012 to June 2015, 54 fetuses were found with TE and with or without other structural anomalies by prenatal ultrasound. Karyotyping was taking for them all, and the fetuses with normal karyotypes took another CMA test. The data were analyzed with CHAS software. Finally all the cases were followed up to know about their pregnancy outcomes. Results One of the 54 cases was detected with abnormal karyotype which was trisomy 18 (2%, 1/54). CMA was undertaken to the remaining fetuses, they were divided into 2 groups, including isolated TE group (n=38) and complex TE group (n=15). The detection rate of clinical significant copy number variations (CNV) by CMA was 11% (6/53), while isolated and complex TE group were 5% (2/38) and 4/15, respectively (P=0.047). Of the 53 cases, 51 cases were successfully followed up. Eleven cases were found without TE after birth, and the false positive rate (FPR) of TE was 22%(11/51). Conclusions Whole-genome high-resolution CMA increased the detection rate by 11% in fetuses with TE. With the FPR and the detection rate of the clinical significant CNV of 2 groups, whole-genome CMA could be recommended to the fetuses with complex TE group but normal karyotypes. A series of ultrasonic tests should be suggested to the isolate TE group, while with the abnormal ultrasound, fetuses would be suggested to have CMA test for decreasing the rates of invasive prenatal diagnosis and FPR.

Objective:To explore the association between interleukin(IL)-28B single nucleotide polymorphisms and natural outcome of hepatitis C virus.Methods:The IL-28B rs12979860 locus was genotyped in 266 HCV infected volunteer blood donors(107 spontaneous cleared and 159 chronic infection) and 97 healthy controls using Sanger sequencing assay.The difference in rs12979860 genotypes and allele frequencies between the six groups(107 spontaneous cleared and 159 chronic infection,266 HCV infection and 97 healthy controls,159 chronic infection and 97 healthy controls) were analyzed by statistics.Results:159 HCV chronic infection,107 spontaneous cleared and 97 healthy controls,were shown more CC genotype,accounting for 83.6%,95.3%and 86.6%,respectively, while the CT genotype accounted for 16.4%,4.7%and 13.4%respectively.No TT genotype was found.The CC/CT genotype was not significant difference between HCV infection and healthy controls,chronic infection and healthy controls(χ2=0.204,P=0.652;χ2=0.406,P=0.524),but between chronic infections and spontaneous clearance had statistically significant(χ2=8.474,P=0.004),the frequence of C allele in spontaneous cleared was higher than HCV chronic infection(χ2=7.949,P=0.005).Conclusion: The gene polymorphism of IL-28B rs12979860 is not related to HCV susceptibility,but there are differences in chronic infection and spontaneous cleared,showing the C allelic in favor of HCV spontaneous cleaed.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic advantage of the ratio of ligamentum flavum(LF) thickness to oblique canal diameter(TODR)measured on CT images in patients with lumbar canal stenosis. Methods Seventy-one patients underwent CT and MRI examinations respectively,and they were divided into two groups,the positive group and negative group,according to the presence or absence of dural sac notch caused by the LF on bilateral parasagittal MR images.Meanwhile,50 volunteers without any symptom in the lumbar region or legs were examined by CT.TODRs were measured at the L3—S1 levels of the inferior margin of the intervertebral disc on transverse CT images,respectively.The results were further analyzed with the positive findings on MR images,clinical symptoms and physical examination,so as to find out the statistical correlation between them.Results LF thickness was(3.01?0.72)mm and TODR was 0.19?0.04 in the negative group,(3.94?0.84)mm and 0.28+0.06 in the positive group,and(3.16? 0.85)mm and 0.19?0.04 in the control group.There was significant difference between positive group and negative group or control group for LF thickness(P0.24, the sensitivity,specificity and positive predictive value were 74.8%,89.6% and 73.6% respectively. Positive correlation existed between LF thickness or TODR and clinical symptom(r=0.72,0.86,P

The fusion between liposome-liposome, liposome-biomembarnes induced by acid-sensitive polymers has been systematically investigated. The polymer-liposomes were constructed by post-insertion method with the poly (2-ethylacrylic acid) (PEAA) alkylamide derivatives. The liposomal fusion was studied by use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay, particle size, fluorescent-photometer. The results indicated that the poly (2-ethylacrylic acid)-liposomes has very strong acidic induced fusion capability. Under acidic conditions, acid-sensitive polymer liposomes fused each other, the fusion closely related to the molecular weight of acid sensitivity polymer on the surface of liposomes. The acidic fusion of polymer-liposomes was dependent upon the lipids composition, the degree of fusion was reversely related to the cholesterol contents. Acid-en ci-nsitive polymer liposomes fused with erythrocyte ghosts. The liposomal fusion induced by acid-sensitive polymer associated with the increase of membrane permeability. The good acid-sensitivity of PEAA has been further demonstrated by membrane fusion in current experiments, and the liposomes prepared with lipid anchored-poly (2-ethylacrylic acid) were developeds s a potential pH sensitive delivery system.
Acrylates ; chemistry ; Alkylation ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Membrane Fusion ; Molecular Weight ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo determine the level of hyaluronic acid (HA) in serum of patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy and to investigate the correlation between the levels of serum HA and stage of the malignant lesions and treatment response.

METHODS44 patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy were analyzed and 24 healthy individuals served as controls. Venous blood was collected from the patients before treatment and the healthy individuals. One week after therapy, venous blood were collected in 24 patients once again. Serum levels of HA were measured with quantitative radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSBefore treatment, the serum HA concentration in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy was significantly higher than that of the controls (P < 0.05). Also, the serum HA concentration in patients with OSCC was significantly higher than that of the controls (P < 0.05). No difference was noted in serum HA concentration between patients with salivary ACC and the control group (P > 0.05). The serum HA concentration of patients in stage III and IV was significantly higher than that of patients in stage I and II (P < 0.05). Serum HA levels decreased in patients after a complete treatment, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSerum levels of HA may be useful in diagnosis of OSCC and was associated with clinical stages in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy. However, it may not be contributory to monitoring treatment response in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy.

Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Mouth Neoplasms ; blood ; Neoplasm Staging

OBJECTIVETo investigate serum level and gene polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODSIn a prospective study of 179 patients with documented ACS and 164 controls, we measured baseline serum MMP-9 levels using ELISA and determined the MMP-9/C-1562T and MMP-9/G5564A genotypes using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Fib serum level was measured by Clauss assay. We also analyzed the Fib/Bbeta-148C/T and GPVI/T13254C polymorphisms.

RESULTSSerum levels of MMP-9 and Fib in ACS patients were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.001), and serum level of Fib in the acute myocardial infarction group was higher than in patients with unstable angina (P < 0.05). No significant difference between ACS patients and controls was found in frequencies of MMP-9/C-1562T, MMP-9/G5564A, Fib/Bbeta-148C/T, and GPVI/T13254C genotypes and alleles (P > 0.05). The T allele of the Fib/Bbeta-148T polymorphism was associated with increased plasma Fib level (P < 0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between serum level of MMP-9 and Fib (r = 0.289, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSerum levels of MMP-9 and Fib were independent risk factors of ACS. There was an obvious relationship between the Bbeta-148C/T mutation and high Fib level. No significant difference between controls and ACS patients was found in the frequencies of MMP-9 C-1562T and G5564A, Fib Bbeta-148C/T and GPVI T13254C genotypes and alleles (P > 0.05).

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

AIM: To observe thickness and morphological changes of bulbar conjunctiva pre- and post epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis ( EHC ) therapy by optical coherence tomography ( OCT) .
METHODS: Observed morphological changes and measured the bulbar conjunctiva thicknesses of 29 cases (36 eyes) of incipient (1-2d) EHC patients, who were received and treated by department of ophthalmology, the Putuo Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2013 to December 2013, by OCT. Then measured the thickness again on 7, 14d after the therapy.
RESULTS: Among 29 patients (36 eyes), 7d after the EHC therapy, in 27 cured eyes, the full-thickness ( before 344. 00±59. 91μm, after 230. 19±22. 16μm, t=11. 75, P<0-01); epithelial thickness ( before 56. 52±6. 19μm, after 51. 37±5. 53μm, t=4. 61, P<0. 01); and stromal thickness (before 287. 11±60. 56μm, after 178. 81±20. 20μm, t=10. 69, P<0. 01) of patients' bulbar conjunctiva were thicker than values measured after therapy with significant difference. Significant difference was also found for full-thickness ( before 361. 39±65. 56μm, after 233. 44±22. 57μm, the difference was statistically significant, t=14. 45, P<0. 01);epithelial thickness ( before 55. 50±6. 72μm, after 46. 67±5-24μm, t=10. 06, P<0. 01) and stromal thickness ( before 305. 61±66. 02μm, after 186. 78±21. 82μm, t=13. 11, P<0-01 ) of patients' bulbar conjunctiva between values measured before and 14d after therapy.
CONCLUSION: The OCT is able to measure the thickness of bulbar conjunctiva in EHC patients. An significant increase was found in full, epithelial and stromal thickness of EHC patients' bulbar conjunctiva. With recovery from the disease, subepithelial fluid, interlaminar fluid and edema of the bulbar conjunctival stroma faded away firstly, which provide references for clinical therapies of the EHC.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), is acquired by dietary intake or the in vivo conversion of α-linolenic acid. Many enzymes participating in LCPUFA synthesis are regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Therefore, it was hypothesized that the tissue accretion of endogenously synthesized DHA could be modified by PPARα. MATERIALS/METHODS: The tissue DHA concentrations and mRNA levels of genes participating in DHA biosynthesis were compared among PPARα homozygous (KO), heterozygous (HZ), and wild type (WT) mice (Exp I), and between WT mice treated with clofibrate (PPARα agonist) or those not treated (Exp II). In ExpII, the expression levels of the proteins associated with DHA function in the brain cortex and retina were also measured. An n3-PUFA depleted/replenished regimen was applied to mitigate the confounding effects of maternal DHA. RESULTS: PPARα ablation reduced the hepatic Acox, Fads1, and Fads2 mRNA levels, as well as the DHA concentration in the liver, but not in the brain cortex. In contrast, PPARα activation increased hepatic Acox, Fads1, Fads2 and Elovl5 mRNA levels, but reduced the DHA concentrations in the liver, retina, and phospholipid of brain cortex, and decreased mRNA and protein levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain cortex. CONCLUSIONS: LCPUFA enzyme expression was altered by PPARα. Either PPARα deficiency or activation-decreased tissue DHA concentration is a stimulus for further studies to determine the functional significance.
Animals ; Brain ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Clofibrate ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; Fatty Acid Desaturases ; Liver ; Mice ; Peroxisomes ; PPAR alpha ; Retina ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of human platelet lysates (HPL) obtained from platelet-rich plasma on the proliferation and biological characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro.

METHODSHPL was obtained by repeated freeze-thawing of human plateletes, and the MSCs separated by density gradient centrifugation from 6 donors were expanded in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FCS) or HPL at different concentrations. The optimal concentration of HPL for cells culture was determined according to the cell proliferation kinetics. The cultured MSCs were characterized for their proliferation, cell phenotype, and cell cycle distribution.

RESULTSThe HPL-supplemented medium contained 4 essential growth factors for the growth of MSCs, namely platelet-derived growth factors (0.53∓0.06 ng/ml), basic fibroblast growth factor (37.5∓4.31 pg/ml), insulin-like growth factor-1 (0.15∓0.06 mg/ml) and transforming growth factor (5150∓463 pg/ml). Cultured in the presence of HPL at the optimal concentration of 7.5%, the MSCs displayed a spindle-shaped fibroblast-like morphology without obvious changes in the proliferation activity till passage 8 (P>0.05), similar to those of cells in FCS-supplemented culture medium. Flow cytometry and cell cycle analysis revealed no differences in the phenotypes or cell cycle distribution between the cells cultured in the presence of 7.5% HPL and 10% FCS.

CONCLUSIONThe culture medium supplemented by 7.5% HPL can promote the expansion of human MSCs and maintain the basic biological characteristics of the cells.

Blood Platelets ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Extracts ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology