The chemical constituents of Poria cocos were studied by means of silica gel, ODS column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Thirteen compounds were isolated from this plant. By analysis of the ESI-MS and NMR data, the structures of these compounds were determined as tumulosic acid (1), dehydrotumulosic acid (2), 3beta, 5alpha-dihydroxy-ergosta-7, 22-dien-6-one (3), 3beta, 5alpha, 9alpha-trihydroxy-ergosta-7, 22-diene -6-one (4), ergosta-7, 22-diene-3-one (5), 6, 9-epoxy-ergosta-7,22-diene-3-ol (6), ergosta-4,22-diene-3-one (7), 3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-trihydroxyl-ergosta-7,22-diene (8), ergosta-5, 6-epoxy-7,22-dien-3-ol (9), beta-sitosterol (10), ribitol (11), mannitol (12), and oleanic acid 3-O-acetate (13), respectively. Compounds 3-13 were isolated from the P. cocos for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Poria ; chemistry

Objective To explore the effect of curculigoside on the behavior and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis of Alzheimer 's rats.Methods Sixty healthy old male SD rats were given intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg ·kg-1 of D-galactose once daily for 6 weeks and hippocampal injection of 4 mmol ·L-1 of β-like starch protein 25-35 (Aβ25-35) on week 7 to induce Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: Experimental-L/-M/-H group (oral administration of 24, 48, 72 mg·kg-1 of curculigoside during modeling) , model group (oral administration of equal amount of 0. 9％Na Cl during the modeling) . A total of 15 healthy old male SD rats were set as control group and given oral administration of equal amount of0. 9％ NaCl. The learning, memory function of rats in each group were evaluated by Morris water maze, the neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus were measured by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and Td T-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Results The crossing platform number of rats in control group, model group and experimental-L/-M/-H groups were (15. 12 ± 1. 78) times, (5. 03 ± 1. 17) times, (7. 45 ± 1. 36) times, (9. 79 ± 1. 21) times and (12. 33 ± 1. 09) times, respectively, and there were statistically significant differences between the model group and the experimental-L/-M/-H group (all P < 0. 05) . The apoptosis ratio of hippocampus neurons were (8. 42 ± 2. 13) ％, (69. 78 ± 9. 97) ％, (38. 14 ± 8. 62) ％, (24. 77 ± 5. 43) ％ and (10. 02 ± 1. 46) ％, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the model group and the experimental-L/-M/-H group (all P < 0. 01) . Conclusion Curculigoside can alleviate the damage of hippocampal neurons and inhibit the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.

This study aims to analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains prevailing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. The pol gene fragments from 250 newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected MSM individuals during 2006-2010 in Beijing were amplified by RT-nested PCR, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. HIV-1 pol gene from 189 individuals were amplified and analyzed; 81 (42. 9%), 3 (1. 6%), 2 (1.0%), 88 (46. 6%), and 15 (7.9%) individuals were infected with HIV-1 subtypes B, B', C, CRF01_AE, and CRF07_BC, respectively. The subtypes B and CRF01_AE could both be grouped into two clusters, and CRFO7_BC strains shared high homology and were presumed to originate from a common ancestor. The HIV-1 circulating in MSM in Beijing had a lower genetic diversity than in heterosexuals. The HIV-1 epidemic (2006-2010) in MSM in Beijing was actually a rapid spread of HIV-1 CRF01 AE and B, or rather native strains of the two viruses.
Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemics ; Genetic Variation ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Homosexuality, Male ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the genotypes of hepatitis B virus and the clinical and liver pathological features of patients with chronic hepatitis in the Zhoushan Islands.

METHODSOne hundred eighty HBV DNA positive chronic hepatitis patients with HBV markers were enrolled in this study. They were at least second generation Zhoushan Island residents. One hundred forty-seven of them were males and 33 were females with an average age of 39.0+/-11.3. Among the 180 patients, 17 had ASC, 57 had mild CHB, 48 moderate CHB, 9 severe CHB, 6 SHB, 39 LC, and 4 had HCC. The genotypes of their serum HBV were detected by using PCR integrated with Tagman MGB probe technology, and their serum HBV markers, HBV DNA and liver functions were also examined. Out of 180 patients, 129 accepted a liver biopsy. A pathological evaluation was then performed.

RESULTSHBVs of genotype C, 135 cases (75.0%), of B, 40 cases (22.2%), and of B+C, 5 cases (2.8%) were found among these 180 patients. No genotype A or D HBV were found. The proportions of genotype C virus were 7/17, 86/114, 34/39, 6/6 in ASC, CHB, LC and SHB patients. In the hepatocellular carcinoma patients, there were 2 each of genotype B and C. Among the 99 patients with genotype C HBV, 84 cases (84.8%) showed moderate and severe inflammation histologically in their livers and among the 30 patients with B, 7 cases (23.3%) showed moderate to severe inflammation in their livers (z = 6.47, P less than 0.01). The proportion of genotype C HBV was significantly different from that of genotype B HBV in those that showed moderate and severe (S3-4) liver fibrosis. In patients infected with genotype C HBV who had moderate and severe liver pathological changes, their clinical manifestations reflected better the histological alterations of their livers.

CONCLUSIONGenotypes C, B and B+C HBV were found in CHB patients in the Zhoushan Islands of China, and type C was the predominant one. The liver pathological damage level of genotype C HBV infected patients is more serious than that of genotype B.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Genome, Viral ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

After treating with chemotherapy or immunosuppressant, malignant diseases of hematopoietic system such as leukemia, malignant lymphoma and aplastic anemia usually induced severe infection such as sepsis. Sepsis which is hard to be diagnosed causes high death rate. This study was purposed to establish an experimental sepsis mouse model so as to provide a basis for pathogenesis and intervention study. A classic caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to establish experimental sepsis model. ELISA was used to detect levels of C5a, IL-6, TNFalpha, and IFN-gamma. Flow Cytometry was applied to measure apoptosis of lymphocytes in thymus and mesentery. The pathologic changes of thymus and spleen were confirmed by HE staining. The results showed that almost 70%-80% mice died at 72 hours after CLP. Only approximate 20% animal survived during finite time, mice in CLP group had significant weight lose. Meanwhile large release of different inflammatory mediators which are related with sepsis (C5a, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma) was observed after CLP. Apoptosis of lymphocytes in thymus and mesentery lymphonodus was enhanced markedly after CLP. Significantly pathologic injury was also observed in thymus and spleen. It is concluded that a mouse model of experimental sepsis was successfully established by caecal ligation and puncture which can well mimic the clinical symptom of sepsis. The experimental sepsis mouse model provides an excellent tool for exploring the pathogenesis and intervention ways for sepsis accompanied with complicated malignant hematological diseases in vivo.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cecum ; injuries ; Complement C5a ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Spleen ; pathology ; Thymus Gland ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo probe the accuracy and safety of using an aiming device in the transpedicular fixation of cervical spine.

METHODSEight cervical specimens were obtained. We used the computed tomography (CT) to scan C3 to C7, measured the medial angle of the pedicle, and determined the location of the pedicle projecting on the articular process. Then we took the oblique X-ray film, measured the cephalic/caudal angle of the pedicle, and determined the location of the pedicle projecting on the articular process. All the specimens were equally divided into two groups. Screws of 2.8 mm x 30 mm, were used. Specimens in one group were inserted with the transpedicular screw manually, while specimens in the other one inserted with the transpedicular screw using a self-designed aiming device that can be modulate at the three dimensions according to the angles of the pedicles.

RESULTSThe first group totally had 40 screws from C3 to C7. There were 13 screws in the pedicle, 9 violated the walls of the pedicle but not involved the adjunct structure, and 18 injured the important structure such as spinal cord, verteberal artery, or nerve root. In the other group, only 4 screws violated the walls of the pedicle but not involved the adjunct structure, and the others all in the pedicles. The difference was of statistical significance (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the cervical spine, transpedicular fixation using an aiming device can improve the accuracy and safety during operation.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Stereotaxic Techniques ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship between overweight, obesity and blood lipid profiles of children and adolescents and to validate body mass index (BMI) cutoff points for overweight and obesity screening to Chinese children and adolescents, recommended by Working Group of Obesity, China (WGOC), International Life Science Association.

METHODS2293 children and adolescents (1124 males and 1169 females), aged between 10 and 18 years, were randomly selected as samples from 6 schools in Beijing area. Fasting serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), thropometrical index as weight and height were measured. BMI equals to weight in kilograms were then divided by the square of height in meters.

RESULTSAccording to BMI cutoff points recommended by WGOC, samples fell into 3 groups including normal group (BMI < 85 percentiles), overweight group (BMI >or= 85 and < 95 percentiles) and obesity group (BMI >or= 95 percentiles). Results clearly showed an increase of both serum TC and TG and a decrease of HDLC when BMI was increasing, among most age groups regardless of sex difference and the difference among BMI groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSResults of this study indicated that there was an obvious dose-effect relationship between BMI and lipid profiles which accounted for some rationality of the BMI cutoff points recommended by WGOC. The authors reckoned the findings important to managing relevant adult diseases during childhood, in China.

Adolescent ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Female ; Guidelines as Topic ; standards ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Obesity ; diagnosis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and the related mechanisms of the components of Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue decoction (DGBXD) on improving blood deficiency.

METHODThe effects of promoting hematopoietic function were observed with the blood difficient model mice, by giving components of DGBXD. RBC, WBC, reticulocytes and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) were determined. The components of DGBXD on proliferation of BMNC and on clony forming unit (CFU) were also determined.

RESULTThe components of DGBXD remarkably increased the quantity of RBC, WBC, and BMNC. Some of the components promoted the proliferation of BMNC and increased the quantity of CFU-Mix. Among them, polysaccharide of angelica was most potent.

CONCLUSIONThe studies show that the extracts and some components of DGBXD can promote the hemopoietic function system of the model mice, and they exert the effects in a comprehensive way.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the severity related influencing factor and treatment strategy of severe acute pancreatitis with early organ dysfunction.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to December 2008, 167 patients with severe acute pancreatitis were treated in the Surgical Department of Ruijin Hospital. The relationships between the happening of early organ dysfunction and outcome of the patients were observed, with operative or nonoperative treatment strategy.

RESULTSAmong 167 patients, 68 patients have early organ dysfunction, in which 39 with single organ dysfunction and 29 with multiple organ dysfunction. The early organ dysfunction were involved in 47.1% in cardiovascular system, 35.3% in lung and 29.4% in kidney. Aging (P < 0.05) and higher APACHE II score (P < 0.05) predicted a poor prognosis, which were benefit from early operation.

CONCLUSIONSThe mortality of the patients with SAP is related to age, and the degree of organ dysfunction as well. In the first phase of the disease, the selection of operation depends on the trends and the degree of early organ dysfunction before infected necrosis happens, with the aid of SOFA score as a scale.

Acute Disease ; Aging ; Humans ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between impaired non-viral specific immune function of dendritic cell (DC) and viral clearance and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to HBV or HCV in patients with HBV and HCV coinfection.

METHODSTwenty-five patients with HBV and HCV coinfection were investigated in this study. In 1994 and 2002, biochemical and virological markers and quantitative serum HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels were detected in these patients. According to the virus clearance status, these patients were divided into 4 groups: 14 patients with both HBV and HCV clearance (Group A), 6 patients with HCV clearance only (Group B), 3 patients with HBV clearance only (Group C), and 2 patients with persistent infection of HBV and HCV (Group D). Phenotypes and immune functions of monocyte-derived DCs were compared between these groups. 51Cr release assay were used to measure CTL response to epitopes derived from HBV, HCV or influenza virus (as positive control) in HLA-A2+ patients.

RESULTSImpaired non-viral specific immune functions of DCs were observed in group B, C and D compared with group A and normal donors (Group N). These impaired functions included CD86 decreasing expression and lower capacity to stimulating allogenic T cells and uptaking antigen. The specific CTL response to HBV- and HCV-derived peptides could be induced in group A (12/12). The specific CTL response to HBV-derived peptides or to HCV-derived peptides could be induced in group C (3/3) or B (5/5), respectively. But the specific CTL response to both of two HBV-derived peptides or two HCV-derived peptides could not be induced in group C (0/3) or B (0/5), respectively. And no CTL response to HBV or HCV-derived peptides could be induced in groups D (0/1) and N (0/4).

CONCLUSION1. The results suggest that specific CTL response to HBV or HCV play a vital role in the viral clearance. 2. The DCs with impaired non-viral specific immune functions exist in chronic patients with HBV and/or HCV infection, but do not interfere with clearance and CTL response to HBV or HCV. It is reasonable to speculate that impaired functions of DCs result from viral infection.

Adult ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Hepacivirus ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology