In the current study, nine flavonoids were isolated and purified from 75% ethanol extract of Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring by column chromatographic techniques over macroporous resin, polyamide, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and pre-HPLC. On the basis of their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data analyses, these compounds were elucidated as cirsimarin (1), nepitrin (2), apigenin-6-C-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), apigenin-6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside (4), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone (6), 4'-O-methylamentoflavone (7), 2,3-dihydro-4'-O-methyl-amentoflavone (8), and 2,3,2",3"-tetrahydron-4'-O-methyl-robustaflavone (9). Compounds 1-5 belong to flavonoid glycosides and were isolated from the genus Selaginella for the first time.
Flavonoids ; analysis ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry

Objective To observe the distribution and metabolism of arsenic speciation in urine of rats exposed to different concentrations of dimethylaraenic acid (DMA) through drinking water.Methods Thrity six weaning Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-dose group and high-dose group,12 rats in each group(6 female and 6 male); average body weight of female rats was (60 ± 5)g,and male rats was (50 ± 5)g.All rats of the 3 groups were given DMA at concentrations of 0,100,200 mg/L,respectively,corresponding to their specific groups through drinking water for 10 weeks.Inorganic arsenic(iAs),monomethylarsenic acid(MMA),DMA and trimethylarsenic compound (TMA) in urine were measured by hydride generation trapping and ultrahypothermia coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry.Results After feeding for 10 weeks,the differences of rat urinary concentrations of iAs,MMA,DMA and TMA between normal control,low-dose group and high-dose group were statistically significant(x2 =25.441,25.942,25.751,17.767,all P＜ 0.01).Urinary concentrations of iAs,MMA and DMA(2.541,4.383,24.447 mg/L) of low-dose group were significant higher than those of normal control (0.784,0.000,0.743 mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05) ; iAs,MMA,DMA and TMA(3.978,7.186,35.112,4.518 mg/L) of high-dose group were significantly higher than those of normal control(0.784,0.000,0.743,0.000 mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05).The concentrations increased along with increasing doses of DMA concentrations in drinking water(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions After rats are exposed to DMA,most of the DMA are excreted in unchanged form in urine and a small portion of DMA is metabolized into TMA.

OBJECTIVETo explore the incidence and risk factors of campus violence in Guangzhou.

METHODS2200 college students in three universities in Guangzhou were selected by cluster sampling method and were interviewed with self-designed questionnaire about the incidence and risk factors of campus violence in 2010. The final analysis sample was 2103. Chi-square test was used to analyze the gender, grade and major distribution of campus violence. Logistic regression method was used to analyze the influencing factors of campus violence in bully and victim.

RESULTSThe incidence of campus violence in Guangzhou was 69.9% (1471/2103). In boys and girls the incidence of campus violence was 75.6% (830/1098) and 63.8% (641/1005) (χ(2) = 34.82, P < 0.05). The incidence of bully and victim of campus violence was 63.6%(1338/2103) and 55.3% (1163/2103). The incidence of bully and victim in boys was 70.9%(778/1098) and 60.0%(659/1098), and in girls was 55.7% (560/1005) and 50.1% (504/1005) (χ(2)(bully) = 51.93, χ(2)(victim) = 20.68, P < 0.01). The incidence of psychological violence was the highest (68.0%, 1430/2103), followed by sexual violence (34.2%, 719/2103), the incidence of physical violence was the lowest (16.5%, 348/2103). Results of logistic regression showed that boys (OR = 1.60), arts (OR = 1.82), with siblings (OR = 1.31), the living expenses was not enough (basic enough OR = 1.35, not enough OR = 1.54), playing the computer games (OR = 1.70), playing tricks such as sliding plate (OR = 2.03), loving violence program (general OR = 1.30, very like OR = 1.44), mother with gamble behavior (OR = 4.29), father's indulgent education style (OR = 1.60), been bullied by others before high school (OR = 1.61), dissatisfaction to the environment and rules of campus (nothing special feeling OR = 1.67, some dissatisfaction OR = 1.89), been treated badly by primary school teacher (one kind OR = 1.35, two kinds and above OR = 1.90)were the risk factors of bully. Boys (OR = 1.23), minority (OR = 1.71), with siblings (OR = 1.39), bad behavior and habit (OR = 1.32), the bad family economic conditions (general OR = 1.51, difficult OR = 1.88), mother with gamble behavior (OR = 2.33), father's indulgent education style (OR = 1.37), occasional physical punishment by mother (OR = 1.35), been bullied by others before high school (sometimes OR = 1.61, often OR = 1.85), high pressure during the study (a little high OR = 1.37, very high OR = 1.40), dissatisfaction to the environment and rules of campus (some dissatisfaction OR = 1.56, completely dissatisfaction OR = 2.04), been treated badly by primary school teacher (one kind OR = 1.70, two kinds and above OR = 2.04)were the risk factors of being victim.

CONCLUSIONThe campus violence in Guangzhou is serious, especially the psychological violence and sexual violence. And the risk factors of campus violence in bully and victim are multifold.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Students ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universities ; Violence ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the co-effect of Demand-control-support (DCS) model and Effort-reward Imbalance (ERI) model on the risk estimation of depression in humans in comparison with the effects when they are used respectively.

METHODSA total of 3 632 males and 1 706 females from 13 factories and companies in Henan province were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Perceived job stress was evaluated with the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Chinese version). Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

RESULTSDC (demands/job control ratio) and ERI were shown to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. The outcome of low social support and overcommitment were similar. High DC and low social support (SS), high ERI and high overcommitment, and high DC and high ERI posed greater risks of depressive symptoms than each of them did alone. ERI model and SS model seem to be effective in estimating the risk of depressive symptoms if they are used respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe DC had better performance when it was used in combination with low SS. The effect on physical demands was better than on psychological demands. The combination of DCS and ERI models could improve the risk estimate of depressive symptoms in humans.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on NAFLD in MSG-IR mice and to provide mechanism insights into its therapeutic effect. The MSG-IR mice with insulin resistance were treated with high dose (0.1 micromol.kg-1d-1) and low dose (0.025 micromol.kg-1d-1) of FGF21 once a day for 5 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum lipids, insulin and aminotransferases were measured. Hepatic steatosis was observed. The expression of key genes regulating energy metabolism were detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that after 5 weeks treatment, both doses of FGF21 reduced body weight (P<0.01), corrected dyslipidemia (P<0.01), reversed steatosis and restored the liver morphology in the MSG model mice and significantly ameliorated insulin resistance. Additionally, real-time PCR showed that FGF21 significantly reduced transcription levels of fat synthetic genes, decreased fat synthesis and promoted lipolysis and energy metabolism by up-regulating key genes of lipolysis, thereby liver fat accumulation was reduced and liver function was restored to normal levels. In conclusion, FGF21 significantly reduces body weight of the MSG-IR mice, ameliorates insulin resistance, reverses hepatic steatosis. These findings provide a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dyslipidemias ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; complications ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipolysis ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Sodium Glutamate

Objective To investigate the effect of seafood intake on the urinary iodine level in women for exploring an alternative to iodine supplementation.Methods Healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant women, aged 20～40 years,were selected during their health examination in local women'S health care in 2006.The types of seafood and its intake frequency were recorded from these women.and urine and kitchen salt samples were collected for iodine determination.Results A total of 198 women including 148 pregnant and 50 non-pregnant women were recmitod for this study;they had a median level of urine iodine of 87.51 mg/L.The median levels of urine iodine of83.49,91.52,166.45μg/L in three group women classified as hardly,seldom and often intake of see food showed significant difference(X2=6.202,P<0.05).Urine iodine level in non-pregnant women taking seafood (90.94μg/L)was higher than that in pregnant women(84.79μg/L),the difference being statistically significant (U=3318.00,P<0.05).The urine iodine in pregnant women with seldom intake of seafood(94.46 μg/L)was significantly higher than that in the hardly intake women(83.28 μg/L),the difference being statistically significant (U=1257.5,P<0.05).During late period of gestation,the urinary iodine in the women ofthree statUS of hardly. Seldom and often intake of seafood were 81.93,97.97 and 140.18 μg/L,respective,with significant differences among them.Conclusions A certain amount of seafood taken every week Can increase urine iodine levels,and a direct relationship Was observed.Therefore,we suggest that it is necessary to advocate taking seafood to pregnant women for prevention of cretinism,particularly in the air.as where iodized salt was difficult to implement.

OBJECTIVETo research the function of endophytes of mistletoe in parasitism process of mistletoe in Pterocarya stenoptera.

METHODEndophytes from eight different parts of the mistletoe were separated by explant culture, and further screened by different CMC plates culture and DNS method to get cellulase high productive strains. The distribution of the endophytic fungus parasitized in mistletoe were prepared and stained to demonstrate by histological section of the intumescentia part of the P. stenoptera.

RESULTThe histological section indicated that aboundent of hyphasma were distributed around the haustorium of the mistletoe. Eighty three strains of endophytic fungus were separated, 38 of them were able to degrade cellulose, 19 strains showed high cellulase activity and 10 of which were separated from the parasitic position.

CONCLUSIONEndophytic fungus of mistletoe can secrete cellulase and assist the haustorium of mistletoe to breakthrough the cell walls as well as intercellular space tissues of the P. stenoptera, thus, the endophytic fungus plays an important role in the parasitism process of mistletoe in P. stenoptera.

Cellulase ; metabolism ; Cellulose ; metabolism ; Fungi ; metabolism ; Juglandaceae ; Symbiosis ; Viscum ; cytology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the interactive effect of job stress and genetic susceptibility (or gene polymorphism) on hypertension.

METHODSA cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 452 workers from a thermal power plant in China. Extrinsic effort, occupational reward, and over-commitment were measured. Hypertensive patients were defined by three phases of screening, reexamination, and final diagnosis. beta2-AR genotypes and allele frequencies at amino acid positions 16 (beta2-AR-16: Arg-->Gly) and 27 (beta2-AR-27: Gln-->Glu) were identified by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTSJob stress was related with the prevalence of hypertension in males (P < 0.05), whereas no significant relationship was found in females (P > 0.05). Differences in genotypes and allele frequencies of the beta2-AR-16 were statistically significant between the hypertension and control groups (P < 0.05), whereas those of beta2-AR-27 were not (P > 0.05). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in individuals carrying Gly16 allele than in those carrying Arg16 allele of the high job stress group (P < 0.01 or 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh job stress and polymorphism of beta2-AR-16 have an interactive effect on the prevalence of hypertension in male workers.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Employment ; psychology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Power Plants ; Prevalence ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 ; genetics ; Stress, Psychological ; complications ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of the surveillance system and preventive measurements on the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a university in Guangdong Province.

METHODSA university with more than thirty thousand undergraduates, staff and their relatives was retrospectively studied, from which information regarding the status of epidemic, organization of leadership, disease control strategies and measures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe construction of the surveillance system in such a model as "individual-dormitory/home-class/unite-faculty and institute-university" largely contributed to the achievement of the goals of low incidence, no secondary, no epidemic, and no death. A series of control measures benefited the early diagnosis, effective isolation, prevention, and treatment of SARS control.

CONCLUSIONSARS could be effectively controlled in university only if strict surveillance system is built up, and all-round preventions, including early isolation of both confirmed or suspected cases and close contacted persons, are carried out.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Universities

AIMTo study the active constituents of Swertia davidi Franch..

METHODSChromatography was used to isolate and purify the chemical components, their structures were identified by spectral analysis.

RESULTSThree compounds were identified as 1,7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone (gentiacaulein) (V), 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone (methylswertianin) (VI) and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,4,7-trimethoxyxanthone (VII).

CONCLUSIONCompound VII is a novel xanthone, named daviditin A, the others were isolated from Swertia davidi Franch. for the first time.

Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Swertia ; chemistry ; Xanthones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification