Seven meroterpenoids and five small-molecular precursors were isolated from Penicillium sp., an endophytic fungus from Dysosma versipellis. The structures of new compounds, 11beta-acetoxyisoaustinone (1) and isoberkedienolactone (2) were elucidated based on analysis of the spectral data, and the absolute configuration of 2 was established by TDDFT ECD calculation with satisfactory match to its experimental ECD data. Meroterpenoids originated tetraketide and pentaketide precursors, resepectively, were found to be simultaneously produced in specific fungus of Penicillium species. These compounds showed weak cytotoxicity in vitro against HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, NCI-H1650, and A2780 cell lines with IC 50 > 10 micromol x L(-1).
Berberidaceae ; microbiology ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Lactones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Monoterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Penicillium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on ischemic diease in rats. Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into two groups,control group(n=16,administered with tap water) and hyperhomocysteinemia group(HH group,n=16,administered with water containing L-methionine at 1 g/kg/d).At the 14thday of dietary modification,the left femoral artery and vein were excised,and the interventions continued for another 14 days.At the 15th day after operation,serum biochemical parameters as well as NOx and cGMP in ischemic tissues were tested,capillary vessel density of both hindlimbs were measured by histological analysis,and angiogenesis of ischemic hindlimb was observed by angiography. Results At the 15th day after operation,the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),blood urea nitrogen,uric acid and ratio of blood urea nitrogen to serum creatinine were significantly higher in HH group than those in control group,while the level of serum folic acid,VitB12,HDL-C and endogenous creatinine clearance rate were significantly lower in HH group than those in control group(P

To investigate epidemiologic feature and genetic variance of Sapovirus among children in China, fecal specimens were collected from children under 5 years old with acute diarrhea from Feb 2006 to Jan 2007 in nine provinces including Anhui, Fujian et al. A total of 1,110 fecal samples were detected for Sapovirus by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). Ten samples (0.9%) were positive for Sapovirus. The PCR products were then sequenced and analysed by phylogenetic tree. The results indicated that the detected Sapovirus strains were classified into two genogroups and three genotypes, including G I/1, G I/3, G II/3.
Astroviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Caliciviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; classification ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Gastroenteritis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; virology ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sapovirus ; classification ; genetics

BACKGROUNDRecent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.

METHODSThirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients (78 nails) in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients (76 nails) in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval.

RESULTSIn group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLong pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Onychomycosis ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutations for probands from families affected with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), and to carry out prenatal diagnosis through identification of female carriers.

METHODSA total of 43 DMD/BMD families were recruited. Multiplex PCR was used to analyze 18 exons within hotspots for DMD gene deletions. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to detect potential deletions and duplications of DMD gene for 43 patients and 36 females from 32 families. Prenatal diagnosis was performed for 27 families.

RESULTSDeletional mutations were detected in 26 patients with multiplex PCR. In addition, MLPA has detected 3 deletions and 6 duplicational mutations, and the ranges of mutations were all determined. Among 36 female members, 18 were determined as carriers of deletional mutations, 10 were excluded as mutation carriers. The status of remaining 8 could not be determined. For prenatal diagnosis, 3 out of 18 male fetuses were diagnosed as patients and 1 female fetus was identified as carrier.

CONCLUSIONMLPA is an accurate and reliable method for detecting deletional/duplicational mutations of DMD gene as well as for prenatal diagnosis and detection of female carriers.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in one-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap for hypospadias, and improve its therapeutic effect.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 310 cases of hypospadias (except coronal hypospadias) treated by one-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months.

RESULTSNo postoperative complications were observed except urinary fistula, which occurred in 12.6% of the patients. Postoperative fistula formation was associated with the type of hypospadias, the length of the urethral defect and postoperative comprehensive medication, but not with the stent indwelling time after surgery. Most of the fistulae were located at the base of the penis.

CONCLUSIONOne-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap is a simple and effective option for all types of hypospadias except the coronal type, and postoperative treatment is very important.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Infant ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo retrospective study the results of arthroscopic resection of articular capsule valvular treated popliteal cysts and examined the incidence of complication.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to July 2010, 45 patients with symptomatic popliteal cysts such as knee pain and limitation of motion were treated with arthroscopic technique to resect the connecting valvular mechanism at posteromedial compartment of articular capsule. Through the posteromedial viewing portal and cyst resection working portal, resected the valvular mechanism by shaver and plasma cutter, associated intra-articular pathology was treated simultaneously. The functional outcome was evaluated by employed Rauschning and Lindgren score before the surgery and the last follow-up. By using of Wilcoxon rank sum test to statistics analyze the clinic outcome.

RESULTIn all cases, 40 patients were found the associated intra-articular pathology, the incidence was 88.9%.The intra-articular pathology was medial meniscus tear (27 cases, 60.0%), lateral meniscus tear (20 cases, 44.4%), cartilage lesion (28 cases, 62.2%), which composed with patellofemoral joint (12 cases, 26.7%),medial condyles of femur (10 cases, 22.2%),lateral condyles of femur (6 cases, 13.3%). The anterior cruciate ligment injury was found in 2 cases, the incidence was 4.4%. All the patients achieved symptoms relief postoperative, such as posterior knee discomfort and swelling after activities.The Rauschning and Lindgren score was improved 1-2 grade in average (Z = -6.092, P = 0.00). The recurrence rate was 2.2%. All the incision healed good. No major complications were encountered such as saphenous nerve, great saphenous vein, blood vessel in popliteal injury.

CONCLUSIONSArthroscopic resection of articular capsule valvular treatment of popliteal cyst and treatment of associated intra-articular pathology are effective and safe. This surgery technique has more minimally trauma and lower recurrence rate.The clinic results in short term are excellent.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Cyst ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide genetic diagnosis and counseling for a 2-year-old girl with typical Rett syndrome through analyzing the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene.

METHODSPotential mutation of the MECP2 gene was screened by DNA sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis of members of the family as well as normal controls. Lymphocyte culture for karyotype analysis was carried out for the patient to exclude chromosomal abnormalities.

RESULTSThe karyotype of the girl was normal. No variation of the MECP2 gene was detected in the patient by direct sequencing. A heterozygosis variation, c.1072G>A in exon 4 of the MECP2 gene was detected in a normal female control, which was not found in other controls. The son and daughter of the female control were respectively heterozygous and homozygous carriers of the same mutation. By MLPA analysis, a heterozygosis deletion of exon 3 and part of exon 4 was detected in the patient. cDNA amplification and sequencing confirmed the presence of a 1176 bp deletion (c.27-1202del1176). The same deletion was not detected in the parents.

CONCLUSIONA large deletion in MECP2 gene was detected with MLPA in a patient featuring typical Rett syndrome. The same deletion was missed by sequencing analysis. With cDNA sequencing, the breakage point of the mutation can be mapped precisely.

Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Exons ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Genotype ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 ; genetics ; Mutation ; Rett Syndrome ; genetics

Objective: To analyze the change in community first diagnosis and two-way referral rate under the condition of the regional longitudinal medical consortium implementation in the country at large. According to the simulation results,some suggestions for hierarchical medical system were put forward. Methods : The community first diagnosis and two-way referral rates were determined using the literature meta-analysis, and were simulated under different conditions by means of the system dynamics. Results :The analysis results confirmed that simply increasing the financial subsidies can increase the community first diagnosis rate within a range from 0.08％ to 0. 17％. For in case increases are made by the government in technical financial input to enhance the technical level of the community health service centers and in compensatory financial input to reduce the higher hospitals dependence on the light disease, results showed that the lower conversion rate increased within the range of 0.33％～0.45％ in terms of the two-way referral rating. On the contrary, when technical financial input is increased to improve the technical level of community health service centers, the rate of change was in the range of 7.52％ '- 12.61％ - Conclusions : Firstly, the diversified strategy should be used to promote the achievement of graded diagnosis and treatment. Secondly, the Health Commission plays a key role in the promotion of themedical consortiumconstruction. Thirdly, medical insurance reimbursement differential strategy should be implemented and the supply-side reform should be strengthened. At last,attention should be paid to the rational development of existing referrals, especially the upper and lower ones.

Objective To understand the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured in vitro with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) to provide the experimental evidences for treating KBD diseases with HA. Methods The articular cartilage samples collected from KBD patients were selected according to Diagnosis for Kaschin-Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995). And the normal cartilage samples were collected from victims of incidence (control). Chandrocytes were separated and cultured in vitro. Then varying dosages of HA were administered to chondrocytes and individed into 0,100,500 mg/L group, according to HA doages. The effect of HA on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured/n vitro both KBD and the controls were investigated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT), Annexin V/PI staining on 2~(nd), 4~(th), 6~(th) day. Results In the control group, 500 mg/L group(0.140 ± 0.049) promoted chondrocyte proliferation significantly than 0 mg/L group (0.116 ± 0.021 ) at the 4~(th) day(P < 0.05), similar phenomenon was observed in KBD group in the 6~(th) day between 500 and 0 mg/L group(0.179 ± 0.081,0.128 ± 0.017, P< 0.05). In the KBD group, compared with 0 mg/L (12.860 ± 2.159), both 100 and 500 mg/L( 10.458 ± 1.143,7.877 ± 1.346) inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). In control, apoptosis rate of 500 mg/L group(4.045 ± 1.204) descreased compared with 0 mg/L group (7.128 ± 1.244, P < 0.05). Conclusion HA can promote the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of KBD chondrocytes cultured in vitro, and 500 mg/L HA play more effective role than that of 100 mg/L in promoting proliferation and inhibiting poptosis.