Through study on the correlation between Atractylodis macrocephala lactones ingredient content and topographic factors, we researched regionalization from topography of five main producing provinces of the country, in order to provide a scientific basis for A. macrocephala reasonable cultivation. By sampling from 40 origins of five main producing provinces of the country, the variation of A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content in different conditions of topographic factors and the effect of altitude, slope and aspect was analyzed by SPSS. Then according to the relationship between A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content and topographic factors, the ecological suitability regionalization was conducted by using ArcGIS based on topographic factors. It is suitable for growth of A. macrocephala in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern whose A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content is in high levels. It is unsuitable for growth of A. macrocephala in Northern plain areas, but we can cultivate A. macrocephala in the hilly and mountainous areas of Northern. The most suitable topographic condition for cultivation of A. macrocephala : altitude 200 meters above, slope 3.00-4.99 degrees.
Altitude ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ecosystem

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of complicated intra-abdominal infections on albumin synthesis rate.

METHODSEight patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections associated with intestinal fistula were admitted to the Research Institute of General Surgery at the Jinling Hospital between December 2009 and October 2010. Eight healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, and body mass index were enrolled as controls. All the subjects were given a primed, constant infusion of sterile L-[ring-(2)H(5)]-phenylalanine solution (priming dose: 4 μmol/kg, infusion rate: 6 μmol·kg(-1)·min(-1)) via peripheral venous lines in fast state. Arterial blood samples(3 ml) were drawn before and throughout the infusion at hourly intervals. The enrichment of L-[ring-(2)H(5)]-phenylalanine from the plasma free amino acid pool and from albumin were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTSBoth plasma total protein concentration(62.2±1.0) g/L and plasma albumin concentration (32.5±4.0) g/L in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection were lower compared with controls[(74.2±1.7) g/L and (46.1±2.6) g/L, both P<0.05]. Body temperature, neutrophil count and plasma C-reactive protein concentration in patients with infection were significantly greater than the levels in control subjects(P<0.05). Albumin synthesis rate in patients with intra-abdominal infection was significantly lower than that in the control group [(5.3±1.6)%/d and (7.8±1.2)%/d respectively, P<0.05]. The measurement of plasma free amino acid concentration showed that plasma glutamic acid level was greater than that in control subjects, and that plasma phenylalanine and proline levels were lower than those in controls.

CONCLUSIONComplicated intra-abdominal infection inhibits albumin synthesis rate in patients with intestinal fistula, which may partially contribute to the decrease of plasma albumin concentration.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intraabdominal Infections ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Serum Albumin ; biosynthesis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 0.2%. It is caused by a multitude of low density lipoprotein receptor gene mutations. It is characterized with high levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a high incidence of coronary artery disease in young adults. Cord blood cholesterol concentration is used for mass screening of FH. The purpose of this study was to detect the lipid levels of cord blood in newborn infants from China and to determine the cut-off point after 1 to 2 years follow-up.

METHODSTC, triglycerides (TG), LDL-C and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined in 242 healthy full-term newborn infants.

RESULTSThe mean values of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C in cord blood were (1.69 +/- 0.40) mmol/L, (0.23 +/- 0.12) mmol/L, (0.81 +/- 0.21) mmol/L and (0.58 +/- 0.16) mmol/L (mean +/- standard deviation), respectively. The HDL-C concentration in male neonates was lower than that in female neonates (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter the follow-up of 1 to 2 years for FH, the recommended screening cut-off points were TC > or = 2.47 mmol/L and LDL-C > or = 0.89 mmol/L.

China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II ; blood ; diagnosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Triglycerides ; blood

The borneol was included with β-CD and prepared Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets. GC method for determination of borneol in Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets was established to study its in vitro dissolution and make a comparison with the Fufang Danshen tablet, in this way, the rationality of dosage form was evaluated. The first method of dissolution determination was used for determining the in vitro dissolution of borneol in Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets in artificial intestinal juice, and Fufang Danshen tablet in artificial gastric juice and intestinal juice, respectively. Result shows: the concentration of borneol in Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets and Fufang Danshen tablet was 0.79% and 0.80%, respectively. Its in vitro dissolution was nearly 70% within 12 h in Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets, and in Fufang Danshen tablet, the dissolution was about 60% within 20 min and more than 90% within 40 min, and in artificial gastric juice, was less than 20% within 40 min but more than 80% till 150 min. Research suggests that in comparison with Fufang Danshen tablet, in vitro dissolution of borneol in the Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets showed an obvious sustained release behavior. The borneol in Fufang Danshen intestinal adhesion pellets was included with β-CD and prepared enteric preparations. To some extent, the stimulation on stomach and intestinal mucosa can be reduced and safety can be improved.
Bornanes ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Solubility

Objective To investigate the potential therapeutic targets and pharmacological mechanism of (-)-epigal?locatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. METHODS The druggability of EGCG was measured by the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) server, and potential tar?gets of EGCG were identified by Pharm Mapper and Drug Repositioning and Adverse drug Reaction via Chemical-Pro?tein Interactome (DRAR-CPI). The potential targets were imported into GeneMANIA database to obtain the protein-pro?tein direct interaction network, and target physical interaction, co-expression, prediction, genetic interaction, and shared protein domains. The biological process, molecular functions, cellular components and KEGG signaling pathways of potential targets were analyzed using DAVID database. For further study, ethanol was used to establish a model of endothelial injury in vitro. The cell viability was assayed by MTT method, the cellular apoptosis was stained by Annexin V/PI, and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax and cleved-caspase-3 were tested by Western blotting. Then, JC-1 and nuclear translocation of NF-κB experiments were used to study the mitochondrial membrane potential and nuclear trans?location. RESULTS The oral availability of EGCG was 55.09％ (≥ 30％) and drug-like index was 0.77 (≥ 0.18), which were considered pharmacokinetically active. 17 potential targetable proteins of EGCG were predicted by Pharm Mapper and DRAR-CPI. Further research showed that 68.13％ displayed similar co-expression characteristics, 26.11％ physical interactions, and 2.74％ shared the same protein domain. The depth network analysis results showed that the biofunc?tions of EGCG were mainly by regulating glutathione derivative biosynthetic process, glutathione metabolic process, nitrogen compound metabolic process etc.. via drug binding, catalytic activity, glutathione transferase activity, anion bind?ing etc.. in sarcoplasmic reticulum, spindle pole, microtubule cytoskeleton and cytoplasm. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Glutathione metabolism, IL-17 signaling pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, PI3K-Akt sig?naling pathway and other pathways were involves in the biofunction of EGCG. The above analyses indicated that EGCG exerts its biofunction through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The experimental results showed that etha?nol 20.0 mmol·L-1 decreased cell viability, Bcl-2 expression, and increased cell apoptosis, the intracellular ROS, as well as the expression of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 of human endothelial cells. However, treatment of the cells with EGCG can significantly alleviate ethanol induced endothelial cells injury. Further study showed that EGCG significantly allevi?ates ethanol induced mitochondrial depolarization and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS EGCG exerts pharmacological efficacies on ethanol induced endothelial cell injury through multi-target, multi-function and multi-path?way mode. Protective effect of EGCG on ethanol induced cell injury was mainly through alteration of mitochondrial func?tion and NF-κB translocation. Therefore, EGCG have great potential in protecting against endothelial dysfunction of the persons who are chronically abuse of ethanol. This study also provides a new understanding of EGCG in clinical applica?tion on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Objective To study the effects of coal burning related endemic fluorosis on body development and intelligence levels of fluorosic children in Zhijin county.Methods One hundred and seventy-six fluorosic children and 50 healthy(without fluorostic teeth) children aging 7-12 years who were sampled in cluster sampling were examined for urine fluorosis,physical examination and intelligence tests in Zhijin county,with coal burning pollution related fluorosis.Results Physical development of sick children and the children in control group were in low levels. The intelligence levels and the leves of urine fluorosis in study group were lower than those in control group and there was a significant difference(P

OBJECTIVETo develop an simple and sensitive method for detecting anti-coronavirus IgG antibodies in bat sera based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

METHODSA commercial ELISA kit for detecting SARS-CoV antibody was modified for detecting coronavirus antibodies in bat serum samples. The second antibody in the kit was replaced with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated protein-A (HRP-SPA) based on the characteristics of binding between Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SPA) and mammal IgG Fc fragment. The sera of 55 fulvous fruit bats (Rousettus dasymallus) were tested using the SPA-ELISA.

RESULTSThe test results of the positive and negative controls in the kit and the serum samples from convalescent ;patient were consistent with expectation. Coronavirus antibody was detected in 2 out of the 55 bat serum samples. Serum neutralization test confirmed the validity of the SPA-ELISA method.

CONCLUSIONThis SPA-ELISA method is applicable for detecting coronavirus antibody in bat sera.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Chiroptera ; virology ; Coronavirus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood

BACKGROUNDConsiderable evidence suggests that phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) plays multiple roles in cancer metastasis; however, the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify proteins associated with PRL-3-promoted colon cancer metastasis, by comparative proteomic analysis.

METHODSProteomes of human colon cancer LoVo cells transfected with PRL-3 gene (LoVo-PRL-3) or empty vector PAcGFP-C3 (LoVo-control) were compared using 2D gel electrophoresis. Proteins that varied significantly in concentration were selected and identified using mass spectrometry. Expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) mRNA and protein in LoVo-PRL-3 and LoVo-control cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TCTP was used for silencing TCTP expression in LoVo-PRL-3 cells. Functional significance of TCTP in PRL-3-promoted colon cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and transwell chamber.

RESULTSSeventeen proteins displaying significant and reproducible differences between LoVo-PRL-3 and LoVo-control cells were identified. Ten proteins were upregulated and seven were downregulated in LoVo-PRL-3 cells when compared with LoVo-control cells. Eight identified proteins are associated with distinct steps of tumor metastasis: ubiquitin-like protein ISG15, interleukin-18, TCTP, serpin B5, annexin A3, macrophage-capping protein, ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X, and cathepsin D. Real-time PCR and Western blotting results showed that both TCTP mRNA and protein were significantly increased in LoVo-PRL-3 cells compared to LoVo-control cells. Transfection with TCTP siRNA significantly reduced the expression of both mRNA and protein levels of TCTP in LoVo-PRL-3 cells. Knockdown of TCTP by siRNA inhibited PRL-3-promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of LoVo-PRL-3 cells.

CONCLUSIONOur results imply that TCTP might be a mediator of PRL-3-promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of human colon cancer cells.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate status of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronovirus (SARS-CoV) in traders of wild animals wholesale markets in Guangzhou.

METHODSSerum antibody against SARS-CoV IgG was determined cross-sectionally and symptoms of respiratory infection were investigated retrospectively for part of traders of three wholesale markets for wild animals in Guangzhou.

RESULTSOverall rate of infection with SARS-CoV in 635 traders was 16.69%, varying in three different markets. Infection rate in market A mainly engaging in wild animals ranked the highest of 25.61%, significantly higher than that in markets B and C engaging in domestic fowls and snakes. Infection rate in traders only engaging in civet cats was 58.54%, significantly higher than that in traders engaging in snakes only (9.46%). In market A, infection rate varied in different persons, 59.34%, 20.59%, 16.00%, 15.22%, 10.40% and 9.68% in traders engaging in wild animals, managers, children of the traders, traders engaging in domestic fowls, traders engaging in snakes, and traders engaging in frozen food, respectively, in a decreasing pattern as their contact opportunities. During the period of SARS epidemic, detection rate of SARS-CoV antibody in people with symptoms of acute respiratory infection was higher (30.70%) than that in those without such symptoms (20.08%). Prevalence of symptoms of acute upper respiratory infection in people with positive antibody against SARS-CoV was higher (49.28%) than that in those with negative antibody (30.35%).

CONCLUSIONSInfection with SARS-CoV in traders of animal markets possibly related to their direct exposure to wild animals, particularly to civet cats. During the period of SARS epidemic, some of the traders did infect with SARS-CoV, but they were neglected due to clinically inapparent manifestations.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; Contact Tracing ; Family ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupations ; classification ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; transmission

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of systolic blood pressure (SBP) on visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) in middle-aged and elderly people.

METHODSVisit-to-visit BPV was determined in 5440 workers in the Kailuan study cohort from 2006 to 2007. The subjects were ≥ 40 years-old and had no history of stroke, transient ischemic attack or myocardial infarction. Participants were divided into five groups according to different levels of SBP. Linear regression was used to analyze the related factors which might affect BPV.

RESULTSMean systolic BPV of all subjects was 10.35 mm Hg [coefficient of variation (CV 7.96%)]. The mean systolic BPV of males was 10.54 mm Hg (CV 7.90%) while the mean SBPV of females was 10.06 mm Hg (CV 7.90%). The BPV of males was significant higher than that of females (P < 0.001). CV of SBP was similar between males and females. Furthermore, higher SBP was associated with higher BPV. There were significant differences in BPV between different groups with different levels of SBP (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that SBP, age, gender, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were affecting factors of BPV. Twenty mm Hg SBP increase was linked with 2.02 mm Hg BPV increase and 0.388%CV increase. Age increase of 1 year was associated with 0.044 mm Hg BPV increase and 0.029% CV increase.

CONCLUSIONSBP, age, gender and hsCRP are important factors affecting BPV in middle-aged and elderly people. Higher SBP is closely related to greater BPV in this cohort.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Regression Analysis ; Systole