Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Achillea alpina. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques and their structures were characterized on the basis of physicochemical properties and their spectral analyses. Results: Eleven compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified as epifriedelanol (1), spinasterol (2), β-sitosterol (3), 5, 6-epoxy-24(R)-methylcholesta-7, 22-dien-3β-ol (4), β-daucosterol (5), schensianol A (6), negunfurol (7), (3S, 5S, 8R)-3, 5-dihydroxymegastigma-6, 7-dien-9-one (8), saropeptate (9), (+)-syringaresinol (10), and (±)-lariciresinol (11). Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from the aerial parts of A. alpina for the first time, and compounds 1, 2, 4, 6-11 are reported to obtain from the plants in Achillea L. for the first time.

Objective:To explore the influence of low-iodine diet on the expression of homeobox gene NKX-2.2 in rat cerebrum tissue,and to explain the possible molecular mechanism of cerebrum development retardation caused by low-iodine.Methods:Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups:Low-iodine group and control group,both fed with low-iodine feed,given the deionized water and KIO3 solution respectively,they were drawn from the 16-day pregnancy,new-born and 20th days old low-iodine and normal age offspring after three months,and detect the content of NKX-2.2 mRNA in the cerebrum tissue by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR techniques.Results:The thyroid hormone levels of low-iodine group in serum were significantly lower than the control group(P

Objective To study the influence of low-iodine diet on the expression of homeobox gene nkx2.1 in rat cerebral tissue. Methods Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups according to body. quality: low-iodine group and control group,both fed with low-iodine feed at an iodine content of 13.66 μg/kg,respectively given the deionized water and 200 μg/L KIO3 solution. The hormone levels of two group rats were determined with chemiluminescence immunoassay after three months, and then mated with healthy male rats. Cerebral tissues were taken from the fetus of 16-day pregnancy,newborn and 20 days old offspring in low-iodine and control group to detect the content of nkx2.1 mRNA using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) techniques. Results Serum TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 level of rats in low-iodine group(0.89±0.20, 0.32±0.16, 3.33± 0.61, 3.28±0.80) was respectively lower than that in the control group(1.04±0.06, 39.42±14.68,4.83±0.33, 26.99±4.48;t = 2.71,6.52,5.70, 12.89, P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The relative nkx2.1 mRNA expression was(5.60± 0.30)×10-3, (1.20 ± 0.29)×10-3, (0.18± 0.06)×10-3 respectively in the fetus of 16-day pregnancy, newborn and 20 days old offspring of control group, while it was (3.00 ± 0.55)×10-3, (1.90 ± 0.21)×10-3,(0.69 ± 0.15)×10-3 in the low-iodine group. The difference of nkx2.1 mRNA expression was significant among fetal and neonatal rats in the control group and low-iodine group(F = 210.07,162.40, both P < 0.01). The nkx2.1 mRNA expression of newborn rats was lower than that of 16-day pregnancy in both groups(P < 0.01), and that of 20 days old rats was lower than that of 16-day pregnant and neonatal rats(P < 0.01). The 16-day pregnant rats of control group had obviously higher level of nkx2.1 expression than those in the low-iodine group(t = 16.073, P< 0.01), while the nkx2.1 of newborn and 20 days old low-iodine rats expressed much higher than healthy rats(t = 7.573,12.221, P < 0.01). Conclusions Brain development retardation caused by low-iodine is closely related to nkx2.1 differential expression in the brain tissue.

Objective To study the influence of low-iodine diet on the expression of homeobox gene Nkx-6.1 and Nkx-6.2 in rat cerebrum tissue, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of cerebrum development retardation caused by low-iodine. Methods Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly equally divided into two groups: low-iodine group and control group, both fed with low-iodine diet as low as 13.66 μg/kg determinated by spectrophotometry in Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology and the former with deionized water, the later 200 μg/L potassium iodate. Thyroid hormone level was detected using chemiluminescence immunoassay 3 months later and they were mated with male rats normally fed. Rats of 16-day pregnancy, new-born and 20th days old were detected the content of Nkx-6.1 and Nkx-6.2 mRNA in the cerebrum tissue by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR 0.61), (3.28±0.80)pmol/L] were lower than the control group[(1.04±0.06), (39.42±14.68)nmol/L, (4.83±0.33), day pregnancy, new-born and 20th days old of control group was (1.90±0.23)×10-3,(1.86±0.40)×10-4, (1.11± 0.27)×10-4(F=827.58, P<0.01), Nkx-6.1 mRNA expression level gradually decreased along with aging(all P<0.05). The intra-group difference was significant (F=297.25, P<0.01) and the Nkxr.1 mRNA expression level during 16 days of pregnancy was the highest(P<0.01). It was higher in the control group than in the low-iodine group during 16 days of pregnancy (t=10.14, P<0.01) as well as in the low-iodine group than in the in 16-day pregnancy, new-born and 20th days old of control group was respectively(1.03±0.19)×10-2, (1.33± 0.10)×10-3, (8.79±0,87)×10-3, and that of low-iodine group was (0.31±0.03)×10-2, (1.53±0.13)×10-3, (7.51±0.86)×10-2. The intra-group difference was significant(F=1293.02,1065.83, all P<0.01). Nkx-6.2 expression level during 20th days old was the highest(P<0.01) and that of newborn was the lowest(P<0.01). The Nkx6.2 mRNA expression level in control group were higher than the low-iodine group during 16-day pregnancy and 20th days old(t=14.35, 4.05, all P<0.01). It was higher in the low-iodine group than in the control group during newboru(t=4.78, P<0.01). Conclusions The difference in the expression of Nkx-6.1 and Nkx-62 is highly related to the brain development retardation caused by low-iodine.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the different effects of closed suction drainage and non-drainage for total knee arthroplasty(TKA) and to provide reference information for the choice of clinical treatment.

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) of closed suction drainage versus non-drainage for TKA were collected from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBase, Springer, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WANFANG database. Methodological quality of the RCTs was independently assessed using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. Data analysis was performed by RevMan Version 5.1.6 based on the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTSTwenty-one RCTs without bias were finally enrolled, and 1920 enrolled knees were identified into drainage group (979 knees) and non-drainage group (941 knees). A lower incidence of soft tissue ecchymosis was demonstrated in the closed suction drainage group (OR = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.24 - 0.49); however, compared with the non-drainage group, more loss of blood (MD = 320.03, 95%CI: 235.31 - 404.76) and more need of homologous blood transfusion (OR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.26 - 3.29) were found in the closed suction drainage group. In addition, there were no significant differences of postoperative infection (OR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.22 - 1.32), deep venous thrombosis (OR = 1.00, 95%CI: 0.46 - 2.18), and the joint range of motion (MD = -0.04, 95%CI: -1.11 - 1.02) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONBased on the current evidence, no obvious advantage is demonstrated for closed suction drainage, in comparison with non-drainage for TKA.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Drainage ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Venous Thrombosis ; epidemiology

This study aims to analyze and compare the effect of cell wall-broken decoction pieces, conventional decoction pieces and conventional powder of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma on the intestinal flora of normal mice. The conventional bacterial culture and PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) were adopted for the mice after the oral administration for 14 days. According to the bacterial culture results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group showed fewer Enterococcus and Escherichia coli bacillus but more Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than the conventional decoction pieces group and the traditional powder group (P <0.05). Meanwhile, on the basis of the PCR-DGGE results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group revealed the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H) and species richness (S) among the seven groups, with extremely significant differences compared with the normal group (P <0.01), significant differences compared with the conventional decoction pieces group and the conventional powder group (P <0.05) and a high intra-group similarity. In conclusion, the long-term intake of 1/8 dose Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma cell wall-broken decoction pieces showed a certain effect in regulating intestinal tract by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, the intestinal flora community will become more stable.
Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Cell Wall ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizome ; Rhodiola

OBJECTIVE The present study was aimed to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin sig-naling in spinal VGLUT2 regulation and neuropathic pain. METHODS To elucidate the association be-tween VGLUT2 and neuropathic pain,we determined the expression and distribution characteristics of VGLUT2 in mice subjected to spared nerve injury(SNI),and then observed the effects of two VGLUT2 targeting shRNAs on mechanical allodynia and glutamate release.The effects of Wnt/β-catenin signal-ing on VGLUT2 expression and pain behavior were investigated by using Wnt agonist,Wnt1,and Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor XAV939 in SNI mice.RESULTS SNI surgery induced significant up-regula-tion of VGLUT2 on postoperative days 7,14,and 21.Double immunofluorescence labeling of VGLUT2 with NeuN,MAP2,Iba-1,or GFAP showed that VGLUT2 was mainly expressed in neurons in the dor-sal horn of the spinal cord after SNI(NeuN,MAP2).Intrathecal administration of VGLUT2 shRNAs be-fore or after SNI surgery significantly decreased mechanical allodynia and glutamate release. Mean-while,Wnt1/β-catenin signaling increased significantly after SNI surgery.Over-expression of β-catenin in PC12 cells increased VGLUT2 protein level,intrathecal administration of Wnt agonist or Wnt1 signifi-cantly increased VGLUT2 protein expression in spinal cord, while Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor XAV939 decreased VGLUT2 expression in PC12 cells and spinal cord.Additionally,intrathecal admin-istration of XAV939 7 days after SNI significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia in mice, which was in accordance with down-regulation of VGLUT2 protein levels.VGLUT2 shRNAs significantly attenuat-ed Wnt agonist or Wnt1 induced mechanical allodynia. CONCLUSION Wnt1/β-catenin signaling path-way up-regu-lates the spinal VGLUT2 expression,and this regulation is involved in neuropathic pain behavior.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate an alternative landmark for thoracic vertebral screw insertion using the nutrient artery entrance on the posterolateral wall of thoracic vertebral bodies, and to discuss its clinical significance.

METHODSTwenty normal adult cadaver thoracic vertebral specimens were obtained randomly. Measurements included the number of nutrient artery entrance on left and right wall of thoracic vertebral bodies from T5 to T12, the diameter of the maximal nutrient artery entrance (d), the distance from nutrient artery entrance to the superior (A) or posterior (B) margin of the vertebral body, the distance between the posterior edge of the vertebral body and the nutrient artery entrance line (C) or the upper costal facet line (D). The length between left and right nutrient artery entrance (a) or costal facet (b) was measured too.

RESULTSFrom T5 to T12, the nutrient artery entrance were all underneath the upper costal facet. There were no significant differences between left and right side of anatomic measurements of each vertebral body from T5 to T12. The distance of A increased from T5 to T12, and the diameter and distance of B were no significant differences from T5 to T12. There were significant differences between the value C and the value D from T5 to T10.

CONCLUSIONSThe anatomical position of the nutrient artery entrance is relatively settled, and it could be used as a new landmark for screw placement.

Adult ; Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; surgery

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of agmatine (Agm) on the electrical activity of neurons in subfornical organ (SFO) slices using extracellular recording technique. The results are as follows. (1) In response to the application of Agm (1.0 micromol/L) into the superfusate for 2 min, the discharge rate of 24/28 (85.7%) subfornical neurons was decreased significantly, while the discharge rate of 4/28 (14.3%) neurons were not affected. (2) Pretreatment with L-glutamate (0.3 mmol/L) led to a marked increase in the discharge rate of 19/24 (79.2%) subfornical neurons in an epileptiform pattern and the activity of the remaining 5/24 (20.8%) neurons was unaffected. By application of Agm (1.0 micromol/L) into the superfusate for 2 min, the epileptiform dicharge of 15/19 (78.9%) neurons was suppressed significantly, while that of the other 4 (21.1%) neurons was not inhibited. (3) In 12 neurons, perfusion of the selective L-type calcium channel agonist, Bay K-8644 (0.1 micromol/L), induced a significant increase in the discharge rate of 10/12 (83.3%) neurons, while the other 2 (16.7%) neurons showed no change. The increased discharge of 8/10 (80%) neurons was reduced by application of Agm (1.0 micromol/L) into the superfusate and that of 2/10 (20%) neurons was not affected. (4) Application of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 micromol/L) into the superfusate also significantly increased the discharge rate of 6/9 (66.7%) neurons, and that of 3/9 (33.3%) neurons had no response. Agm (1.0 micromol/L) applied into the superfusate reduced the increased discharge of all 6/6 (100%) neurons. These results suggest that Agm can inhibit the spontaneous discharge, and L-glutamate, Bay K-8644- or L-NAME-induced discharge of neurons in SFO. These inhibitory effects of Agm may be related to the blockade of NMDA receptors and reduction in calcium influx in SFO neurons.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; pharmacology ; Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Agmatine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channel Agonists ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Drug ; agonists ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Subfornical Organ ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic features for quantitative assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODS86 patients with chronic viral hepatitis B were enrolled in this study from March 2007 to August 2009. The patients were classified into 5 groups (S(0)-S(4)) according to fibrosis stage evaluated with ultrasound guided liver biopsy. New contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) features including area under the time-intensity curve (TIC) of portal venous phase/hepatic arterial phase (Qp/Qa) and intensity of portal venous phase/hepatic arterial phase (Ip/Ia) were used to detect the blood supply ratio (portal vein/hepatic artery) in each group. Arrival time of portal vein trunk (Tp) and decreasing rate of TIC (β) were also analyzed.

RESULTSQp/Qa and Ip/Ia decreased from S(0) to S(4), while Tp and β increased. These 4 features were significantly correlated with the degree of fibrosis (P<0.001) and were significantly different among the five groups (P<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of Ip/Ia were 80% and 86% for groups ≥S(1), 75% and 86% for groups ≥ S(2), 71% and 84% for groups ≥ S(3), and 76% and 80% for group S(4), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of Qp/Qa were 70% and 88% for groups ≥ S(1), 80% and 76% for groups ≥ S(2), 74% and 70% for groups ≥ S(3), and 81% and 95% for group S(4), respectively.

CONCLUSIONIp/Ia and Qp/Qa could be adopted as reliable, non-invasive features for quantitative assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

Adult ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography