In order to affirm the cardioactive components in Fuzi, we identified a group of aminoalcohol- diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS) method. Among a total of forty-one isolated ingredients, thirteen major aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids were identified by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of the reference substances. Moreover, Fuzi samples from different places of origin and with different processing methods were examined and their components displayed a pattern of high similarity, though the relative abundance varies probably due to their different processing methods. Furthermore, the cardiac effect of each identified alkaloid was individually evaluated using the isolated bullfrog heart perfusion experiment. Among the thirteen aminoalcohol diterpenoid alkaloids tested, six of them significantly enhanced the amplitude rates. Taken together, we affirm that the cardioactive components in Fuzi are aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, shedding light on future studies of the mechanisms and development of these cardioactive compounds.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Amino Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rana catesbeiana ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neurocirculatory Asthenia ; psychology ; Temperament

Fluorescence differential display (FDD) technique was used to identify genes that are specifically or preferentially expressed in different developmental stages of cotton fiber cells. One hundred and nine differentially displayed cDNA fragments were isolated using 9, 21 and 27 DPA (days postanthesis) fibers as experimental materials. By a combination of two rounds of reverse Northern hybridization and Northern blot analyses, a number of such cDNA fragments were proved to represent fiber-specific/preferential genes. Sequencing determination and database searching indicated that most of these genes are novel. This work is an important step towards cloning the full-length cDNAs and characterizing the cellular functions of aforementioned genes in fiber development.
Blotting, Northern ; Cotton Fiber ; Fluorescence ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Gossypium ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

AIMTo study the chemical constituents from Uvaria macrophylla Roxb. (Annonaceae).

METHODSVarious chromatography techniques were used to separate and purify the constituents. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC spectral analysis.

RESULTSSeven compounds have been isolated from the CHCl3 extract of the roots of the U. macrophylla. They were identified as macrophyllin (1), onysilin (2), taraxerol (3), 3,5-dimethoxy benzyl benzoic acid ester (4), benzoic acid (5), beta-sitosterol (6) and daucosterol (7).

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 is a new compound. Compounds 2-7 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Uvaria ; chemistry

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of combined j unctional zone thickness indices and intralesional T2-hyperintense foci in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.Methods:MRI data of 56 patients with adenomyosis confirmed by surgery and pathology and 35 cases in the control group were retrospectively analyzed.On the basis of observing the characteristics of MRI lesions of adenomyosis,the maximum junctional zone thickness (JZmax ),the j unctional zone difference between the maximum and the minimum (JZdif ),and the thickness ratio of j unctional zone to myometrium (JZrat)were measured.JZmax,JZdif,and JZrat were compared between the two groups with Mann-WhitneyU test. Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the differences between j unctional zone,T2-hyperintense foci and combined application of the two in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.Results:Thirty-five cases were diffuse adenomyosis and 21 cases were focal adenomyosis.Among 35 cases with diffuse adenomyosis,the junctional zone could not be well visualized and measured in 3 cases;the average JZmax,JZdif,and JZrat of the remaining 32 cases were 20.6 mm,12.8 mm,and 70.1%,respectively. Among 21 cases with focal adenomyosis,the junctional zone could not be well visualized and measured in 3 cases;the average JZmax,JZdif,and JZrat of the remaining 18 cases were 16.4 mm,10.2 mm,and 61.0%,respectively.There were significant differences in JZmax,JZdif,and JZrat between the adenomyosis group and the control group.Forty-eight (85.7%)of 56 cases in the adenomyosis group had T2-hyperintense foci.The combined sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of JZmax ,JZdif ,and T2-hyperintense foci were 92.9%,97.1%,and 94.5%,respectively,and the sensitivity and accuracy were higher than those of individual diagnoses of JZmax and JZdif(P<0.05).Conclusions:JZmax,JZdif,JZrat and intralesional T2-hyperintense foci are all valuable in the diagnosis of uterine adenomyosis,and combination of JZmax ,JZdif and intralesional T2-hyperintense foci can help improve the diagnostic accuracy of adenomyosis.

Objective To survey avian influenza A viruses (AlVs) in the environment and explore the reasons for the surge in human H7N9 cases.Methods A total of 1,045 samples were collected from routine surveillance on poultry-related environments and 307 samples from human H7N9 cases-exposed environments in Henan from 2016 to 2017.The nucleic acids of influenza A (Flu A),H5,H7,and H9 subtypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results A total of 27 H7N9 cases were confirmed in Henan from 2016 to 2017,24 had a history of live poultry exposure,and 15 had H7N9 virus detected in the related live poultry markets (LPMs).About 96％ (264/275) Flu A positive-environmental samples were from LPMs.H9 was the main AIV subtype (10.05％) from routine surveillance sites with only 1 H7-positive sample,whereas 21.17％ samples were H7-positive in H7N9 cases-exposed environments.Samples from H7N9 cases-exposed LPMs (47.56％)had much higher AIVs positive rates than those from routine surveillance sites (12.34％).The H7+H9 combination of mixed infection was 78.18％ (43/55) of H7-positive samples and 41.34％ (43/104) of H9-positive samples.Conclusion The contamination status of AIVs in poultry-related environments is closely associated with the incidence of human infection caused by AlVs.Therefore,systematic surveillance of AlVs in LPMs in China is essential for the detection of novel reassortant viruses and their potential for interspecies transmission.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of amino acids in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in children with spastic or athetotic cerebral palsy (CP) by examining CSF levels of glutamic acid (Glu), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and aspartate (ASP).

METHODSCSF samples were obtained from 13 children with spastic CP, from 14 children with athetotic CP, and from 10 children without central nervous system and infectious diseases (control group). CSF levels of Glu, GABA and ASP were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSCSF levels of GABA, ASP and Glu in the control group were 13.04+/-2.19, 10.21+/-0.45 and 8.41+/-2.26 micromol/L, respectively. Compared with the control group, CSF GABA levels in the spastic and the athetotic CP groups (8.02+/-2.03 and 10.01+/-2.68 micromol/L respectively) significantly decreased (P<0.01), whereas CSF levels of Glu (20.99+/-8.15 and 28.77+/-17.62 micromol/L respectively) and Asp (13.53+/-3.93 and 14.02+/-2.88 micromol/L respectively) in the spastic and the athetotic CP groups significantly increased (P<0.01). There were statistical differences in the GABA level between the spastic and the athetotic CP groups (P<0.05). In children with spastic CPCSF Glu level was positively correlated to muscle tension.

CONCLUSIONSCSF excitatory amino acid levels increased, while CSF inhibitory amino acid levels decreased in children with CP. There were differences for CSF amino acid levels in different types of CP. The changes of amino acid levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of CP.

Amino Acids ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Cerebral Palsy ; cerebrospinal fluid ; physiopathology ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Tonus

OBJECTIVETo clinically investigate the results of unilateral extraction in the treatment of special moderate crowding cases.

METHODS22 patients with harmonic profile and moderate crowding were selected and treated by unilateral extraction with Edgewise technique. The patients crowding was 6 - 9 mm and focused on one side of the arch. 22 patients with moderate crowding were treated by bilateral extraction as control.

RESULTS22 patients have been treated successfully within 18 months. Crowding was completely resolved. Midline coincidence was basically maintained.Good intercuspation was achieved. There is no significant difference in dental arch symmetry between unilateral extraction and bilateral extraction (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUnilateral extraction can be successful in the treatment of special moderate crowding cases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; therapy ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Tooth Extraction

Objective To detect the hepatotoxicity biomarkers using normal human hepatocyte (HepaRG) and high-content screening,and to combine the micronucleus test and single cell gel electrophoresis to estalish a rapid screening platform for in vitro cytotoxitity and genotoxicity.Methods The effects of rhubarb anthraquinones (AQs) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS),intracellular Ca2+ concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HepaRG cells were studied using appropriate fluorescent probes Hoechst33342、DCFH-DA、Fluo4-AM、Mito Tracker Red CMX Ros and high-content screening methods,and the potential genotoxiciy triggered by AQs were analyzed using the high-content based cytokinesis block micronucleus test and high throughput comet assay.Results The intracellular ROS level of HepaRG cells was significantly elevated by a 24 h treatment with Emodin (25.0 μg/mL),aloe-emodin (25.0 μg/mL) or chrysophanol (50.0 μg/mL),which are dose-concentration dependent (P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01);the intracellular Ca2+ increased and mitochondrial damage were observed with the treatment of aloe-emodin (25.0 μg/mL) and rhein (50.0 μg/mL,P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01).Comparing to control group,Emodin (25.0 μg/mL) induced an increased micronucleus rate (1.59％ ± 0.68 ％,P ＜ 0.01) and significantly higher percentage tail DNA and Olive tail moment (respectively 10.155％ ± 2.17％ and 0.510 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01) after 24 h;while the chrysophanol increased the micronucleus rate to 1.29％ ± 0.54％ (P ＜ 0.01) after 72 h.Conelnsion The results on the cytotoxicities and genotoxicities of AQs are consistent with the literatures.In this study,a rapid screening model for both hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity was successfully established,which will help with the early screening during the drug development stage.

Adult ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; etiology ; Male ; Phytotherapy