The chemical investigation on Ganoderma philippii led to the isolation of sixteen compounds by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. On the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were elucidated as 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (1), methyl gentisate (2), (S) -dimethyl malate (3), muurola-4, 10 (14) -dien-11beta-ol (4), dihydroepicubenol (5), 5-hydroxymethylfuran carboxaldehyde (6), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (7), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3-one (8), ergosta-7, 22E-diene-2beta, 3alpha, 9alpha-triol (9), 6/beta-methoxyergo-sta-7, 22E-dien-3beta, 5alpha-diol (10), ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22E-tetraen-3-one (11), ergosta4, 6, 8-(14), 22E-etetraen-3beta-ol (12), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (13), 7alpha-methoxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxyergosta-8-(14), 22E-dien-3beta-ol (14), ergosta-8, 22E-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 7alpha-tetraol (15), and ergosta-5, 23-dien-3beta-ol, acetate (16). All the compounds were obtained from this fungus for the first time, and compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from the Ganoderma genus for the first time.
Ganoderma ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; isolation & purification

Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Benzofurans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Chromones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Morus ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resorcinols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Spectrum Analysis ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of lycopene against cryopreservation injury of post-thawing human sperm and its mechanism.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from 25 volunteers, each sample equally divided into four parts to be cryopreserved with cryoprotectant only (Ly0 control) or cryoprotectant + lycopene at the concentrations of 2 (Ly2), 5 (Ly5), and 10 µmol/L (Ly10), respectively. Before and after thawing, the semen samples were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis ( CASA) for sperm kinematics, flow cytometry for sperm apoptosis, thiobarbituric acid assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and JC-1 fluorescent staining for the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

RESULTSAfter cryopreservation, sperm motility was markedly decreased in all the groups (P < 0.01). The rate of sperm apoptosis was significantly lower in the Ly5 group than in the Ly0 control ([25.68 ± 4.36]% vs [33.26 ± 4.78]%, P < 0.05), while sperm MMP remarkably higher in the former than in the latter ([66.18 ± 14.23]% vs [55.24 ± 12.31]%, P < 0.05). The Ly2, Ly5 and Ly10 groups showed no statistically significance differences in the MDA level from the Ly0 control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAddition of lycopene at a proper concentration to cryoprotectant may reduce oxidative damage to sperm mitochondria in the freezing-thawing process, attenuate oxidative stress injury induced by reactive oxygen species to sperm plasma membrane, and improve the anti-apoptosis ability of sperm.

Apoptosis ; Carotenoids ; pharmacology ; Cryopreservation ; Cryoprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the flavonoid constituents of the Rhododendron anthopogonoides systematically.

METHODThe chemical components were isolated by sephadex LH-20, polyamide and silica gel column chromatography. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physic-chemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTEight compounds were isolated and identified as: Quercetin (I), isorhamnetin (II), hyperoside (III), cacticin (IV), hirsutine (V), kaemferol-3-beta-D-galactoside (VI) myricetin-3-beta-D-Xyloside (VII), (6''-O-(4-Hydroxybenzoyl) hyperoside (VIII).

CONCLUSIONCompounds II, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compounds VII and VIII were separated from the Ericaceae plant for the first time.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; Rhododendron ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between the incidence of abnormal thyroid function of newborns and maternal hyperthyroidism with antithyroid drug therapy.

METHODThe clinical data of 35 neonates born to mothers with hyperthyroidism from 1983 to 2003 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the maternal thyroid function and the antithyroid drugs taken during pregnancy, subjects were divided into different groups.

RESULTSThe proportion of abnormal thyroid function in newborn was 48.6% (17/35). The prevalences of primary hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia, and central hypothyroidism were 29.4%, 29.4%, 35.3%, and 5.9%, respectively. The incidence of abnormal thyroid function of neonates whose mothers did not take the antithyroid drugs (ATDs) until the third trimester of pregnancy was significantly higher than those without and with ATDs during the first or second trimester (P < 0.01). The incidence of abnormal thyroid function significantly increased in premature neonates, neonates whose mothers with modest or heavy pregnant hypertension, or neonates whose core serum thyroid-stimulating hormone or serum anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies levels were abnormal.

CONCLUSIONThe risk of abnormal thyroid function of infants whose hyperthyroid mothers did not take ATDs until the third trimester of pregnancy may be increased. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of hyperthyroidism in pregnant women are essential for the prevention of neonatal thyroid functional abnormality.

Adult ; Antithyroid Agents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; complications ; drug therapy ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Diseases ; congenital ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVEA reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap was presented to explore a new method for reconstructing the defects of the distal nose by microsurgical techniques.

METHODSA reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap had been used on fifteen patients with nasal defects, including thirteen patients with alar defects and two patients with nasal tip defects. The reversed superficial temporal vessels of the flap were anastomosed with the recipient facial vessels. The size of the flap was 2.5 cm x 2. 0 cm - 4.0 cm x 2.5 cm, the length of the vascular pedicle was 5 - 8 cm, average 6.5 cm

RESULTSThe flap survived uneventfully in all fifteen patients.

RESULTSdemonstrated satisfactory symmetry between the reconstructed ala and the contralateral side as well as an excellent tip projection. The donor-site defect was minimal.

CONCLUSIONSThe reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap offers an adequate length of vascular pedicle of the flap, it delivers a good solution to the problem of the vascular pedicle shortage of the proximal superficial artery auricular flap. This technique may become the top choice in the microvascular auricular transfer.

Adult ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Temporal Arteries ; surgery ; Tissue Transplantation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis effects of polysaccharides extracts from Hedyotis diffusa (PEHD) on multiple myeloma (MM) cell line RPMI 8226 cells in vitro, so as to provide experimental theory for the clinical application in the treatment of MM.

METHODSMTT assay was used to examine the effects of PEHD on cell growth. The apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with AnnexinⅤ/PI staining. Hoechst staining was used to observe the morphological changes of RPMI 8226 cell apoptosis. The expression levels of caspase-3,-8,-9, PARP, nucleoprotein NF-κB protein and other channel protein were assayed by Western blotting method.

RESULTSThe growth of RPMI 8226 cells were suppressed after treatment with PEHD, the highest inhibition rate reached to 92.3%, the results in the doses from 1 to 4 mg/ml showed a dose-and-time-dependent manner. The proportion of apoptotic cells in 1, 2 and 3 mg/ml PEHD treatment groups for 24 h were 22.52%, 62.31% and 69.94%, respectively, and significantly higher than that of control 8.93%. After treated with PEHD, apoptotic body appeared in RPMI 8226 cells nucleus and the number of apoptotic body increased in a dose-dependent manner. With the increasing of PEHD concentration, the expression of caspase-8,-9,-3 and PARP protein increased. The expression of Mcl-1, Bcl-xl, Bid and Bim protein decreased gradually, but the expression of Bax, Bak and Bad protein increased, and the expression of p-AKT protein (60 kDa) and NF-κB obviously decreased.

CONCLUSIONPEHD could inhibited the growth of RPMI 8226 cells and displayed a dose-and-time-dependent manner, its mechanism may involve cell apoptosis induction, which was associated with the activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 protein and the down-regulation of p-AKT and NF-κB protein expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hedyotis ; chemistry ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism

Objective To observe the presence of bacterial biofilms in mueosal specimens in patients operated for chronic rhinosinusitis.Methods A total of 12 subjects undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were included.The control group was 6 patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Six patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were enrolled in the study group.Mucosa of uncinate process, ethmoid bulla or maxillary sinus was obtained during endoscopic sinus surgery.All the samples were prepared using standard methods for scanning electron microscopy.Patients' information such as age, gender, symptoms, sinus CT, endoscopic examination, skin prick test were recorded in detail.Results Standard-preparation scanning electron microscopy displaed denuded epithelium and disarrayed cilia in chronic rhinosinusitis patient's mucosa.In the study group, bacterial biofilms of different morphology were seen in five samples; One sample showed filamentous structure like fungi.Using strict scanning electron microscopy morphologic criteria, 83.3% samples in the study group were found to have micrographic evidence of biofilms.No bacterial biofilms were detected in the control group.Conclusions In the patients undergoing surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis, different degree of mucosal injury could be found.Bacteria biofilms of different life stages were demonstrated to be present No bacterial biofilms were detected in the control group.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repair enzyme genes and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in coke-oven workers.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-four coke-oven workers and 50 controls were recruited in this study. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured as the internal dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure. DNA damage was detected by alkaline comet assay, and the value of 1.74 was used as the cut-off value to determine whether the individual's DNA damage was positive. The genotypes of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTP1, NQO1, mEH and XRCC1 were determined by PCR-based methods. With adjustment for urinary 1-OHP, age, sex, multiple analysis of covariance was used to study the association between genotypes and the ln-transformed olive TM and multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted OR and the 95% CI for the risk of DNA damage.

RESULTSIn 144 coke-oven workers, with adjustment for urinary 1-OHP, coking history and sex, the olive TM was significantly higher with XRCC1 280His allele than those with Arg allele (5.6 vs. 2.8, P < 0.01). The subjects with XRCC1 280His allele also have significantly higher risk for DNA damage than subjects with Arg allele (adjusted OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.00-7.14, P = 0.05) and the subjects with GSTP1 104Val allele have higher risk for DNA damage than subjects with Ile allele (adjusted OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 0.94-3.85, P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONXRCC1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms might influence the susceptibility of DNA damage in occupational PAH-exposed coke-oven workers.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Coke ; poisoning ; Comet Assay ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; DNA Damage ; DNA Ligase ATP ; DNA Ligases ; genetics ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Polymorphism, Genetic

BACKGROUNDA number of studies have examined the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR-α) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD), but previous studies of ESR-α gene XbaI (rs9340799) and PvuII (rs2234693) polymorphisms have been hampered by small sample size, regional restrictions and inconclusive results. Thus a meta-analysis is needed to assess their pooled effects.

METHODSThis study reviewed all published articles indexed in Pubmed using the keywords in the title or abstract. All data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a standard form, the studies were meta-analyzed and minor discrepancies were resolved by authors' discussion.

RESULTSTwenty seven eligible studies involving 8467 women and 2032 men were identified. The XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms were significantly associated with BMD of the lumbar spine. XX and PP homozygotes had a protective effect in comparison with carriers of the x and p alleles, the effects were more significant in premenopausal women or Western women. At the femoral neck, the results were different. XX served as a protective factor in postmenopausal women, Western women, Western postmenopausal women, and men, while PP was likely to serve as a risk factor in Eastern women, Eastern postmenopausal women, and men.

CONCLUSIONSThe XbaI polymorphism is correlated to BMD at diverse skeletal sites. PP had a protective role for the lumbar spine but might be a risk factor for the femoral neck.

Bone Density ; genetics ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Femur Neck ; pathology ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics