Objective To provide a practicable method for the complete display and localization of the posterolateral structures (PLS) of the normal knee through MRI study. Methods 30 tibial bone specimens were observed to establish the bony landmark for localizing the knee. In 50 cadaver knees, the angles between lateral tibial plateau and the long axis of the individual structure of PLS were measured. Then the scan methods of the oblique MR images were determined based on above results. The routine and oblique scans of T 1WI were performed in 40 normal knees. The display effect and appearance of the PLS were observed on MRI. Results The lateral tibial plateau was a stable bony landmark for measuring and localizing of the knee. In the 40 normal knees, The fibular collateral ligament could be intactly displayed on 70? posterior coronal oblique images in 34 cases (85%). The popliteus could be better seen on either 45? medial sagittal oblique in 34 cases (85%) or 60? posterior coronal oblique planes in 36 cases (90%). The popliteofibular ligament could be intactly appreciated on both 60? posterior coronal oblique in 32 cases (80%) and 70? lateral sagittal oblique images in 34 cases (85%). Although the arcuate ligament and the fabellofibular ligament could occasionally be seen on routine and oblique images, but the display rate was lower. Conclusion The oblique MR imaging can intactly display the main structures of PLS, and can be useful in diagnosing the injuries in those structures.

Objective To explore the possible mechanism and protective effect of Xuebijing injection (血必净注射液)and dexamethasone on rats with paraquat-induced chronic pulmonary injury.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal group(n=5),model group(n=5), treatment groups(n=20).In the normal group,normal saline was used,while in the other groups,20% paraquat 80 mg/kg was injected peritoneally for poisoning.After 2 hours of intoxication,low dose Xuebijing injection(1.25 g/kg),high dose Xuebijing injection(2.50 g/kg),dexamethasone(25 mg/kg),high dose Xuebijing injection combined with dexamethasone(combined group)respectively were administered into the four different treatment groups,equal amount of normal saline was given to the normal and model groups,and the treatment continued for 4 days.At 28 days after paraquat injection,5 rats in each group were killed respectively,serum transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)and hydroxyproline(HYP)level in the lung homogenate were measured,and pulmonary coefficient and histological changes were observed.Results In the treatment groups,the levels of serum TGF-?1 and lung tissue HYP,pulmonary coefficient were leas than those of model group,and among the treatment groups,combined group had the best results(all P

Litsea cubeba is one of aromatic medicinal plant belonging to family Lauraceae. The roots, stems and fruits of L. cubeba have been widely applied as folk medicines in some districts in China for relieving rheumatism and cold, regulating Qi (meridian) to alleviate pain. Previous studies revealed that this species contains major alkaloids, in specific aporphines, and minor flavonoids, lignans as well. Related pharmacological investigations demonstrated its activities and clinical applications on cardiovascular diseases, anti-cancer, against rheumatoid arthritis, relieving asthma and anti-allergic effects, as anti-oxidants, and so on. As an effort for further exploration of this bioactive ingredients and potential drug development, this paper summarizes most phytochemical and pharmacological results. Further, future prospects are also included.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Litsea ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

A phytochemical investigation on the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba led to the isolation of seven isoquinolone alkaloids. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of their 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, these alkaloids were identified as (+)-norboldine (1), (+)-boldine (2), (+)-reticuline (3), (+)-laurotetanine (4), (+)-isoboldine (5), (+)-N-methyl-laurotetanine (6), and berberine (7), respectively. Among them, 7 was isolated from the genus for the first time. The evaluation of these compounds showed weak anti-inflammatory activity against NO production in RAW 267.4 and BV-2 cells.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Litsea ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

A phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis horridula, by solvent extraction, repeated chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative TLC techniques, led to the isolation of 9 compounds. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of its 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, their structures were identified as oleracein E(1), N-( trans-p-coumaroyl) tyramine (2), chrysoeriol (3), apigenin (4), hydnocarpin (5), p-coumaric acid glucosyl ester (6), stigmast-5-ene-3beta-ylformate (7), 3beta-hydroxy-7alpha-ethoxy-24beta-ethylcholest-5-ene (8), and beta-sitosterol (9), respectively, among which compounds 6-8 were isolated from the genus for the first time,and 1,3 were isolated from the species for the first time. A MTT method was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of compounds 14 against the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), and compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2,with its inhibitory rate of 52.2% at 10 micromol x L(-1).
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the quinoline derivative PQ1 combined with cisplatin on the proliferation and gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells.

METHODSWe cultured in vitro prostate cancer PC3 cells and divided them into DMSO blank control, cisplatin control, and cisplatin (10 mg/ml) plus PQ1 (1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L) groups. We measured the proliferation of the prostate cancer PC3 cells, determined the expressions of the connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western blot, and compared the indexes among different groups.

RESULTSCisplatin combined with PQl at 1 - 10 μmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation of the PC3 cells and the inhibition rate rose in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, from (48.72 ± 0.98)% vs (50.33 ± 0.62)% at 0 μmol/L to (77.38 ± 1.12)% vs (83.50 ± 1.05)% at 15 μmol/L at 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.05). Compared with the cisplatin control, cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L increased the expression of Cx43 mRNA from 0.379 ± 0.113 to 0.669 ± 0.031, 0.831 ± 0. 127, 0.769 ± 0.100, 0.532 ± 0.086, and 0.475 ± 0.134, respectively (P < 0.05), and cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, and 10 μmol/L elevated that of Cx43 protein from 0.138 ± 0.146 to 0.263 ± 0.111, 0.306 ± 0.152, 0.415 ± 0.280, and 0.643 ± 0.310, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quinoline derivative PQ1 can promote the gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells and enhance the killing effect of cisplatin on PC3 cells by upregulating the expressions of Cx43 mRNA and protein.

Aminoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of long-term microwave exposure on hippocampal structure and function in the rat.

METHODSExperiments were performed on 184 male Wistar rats (three exposure groups and a sham group). Microwaves were applied daily for 6 min over 1 month at average power densities of 2.5, 5, and 10 mW/cm2. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze. High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect neurotransmitter concentrations in the hippocampus. Hippocampal structures were observed by histopathological analysis.

RESULTSFollowing long-term microwave exposure there was a significant decrease in learning and memory activity in the 7 d, 14 d, and 1 m in all three microwave exposure groups. Neurotransmitter concentrations of four amino acids (glutamate, aspartic acid, glycine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid) in hippocampus were increased in the 2.5 and 5 mW/cm2 groups and decreased in the 10 mW/cm2 group. There was evidence of neuronal degeneration and enlarged perivascular spaces in the hippocampus in the microwave exposure groups. Further, mitochondria became swollen and cristae were disordered. The rough endoplasmic reticulum exhibited sacculated distension and there was a decrease in the quantity of synaptic vesicles.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that the hippocampus can be injured by long-term microwave exposure, which might result in impairment of cognitive function due to neurotransmitter disruption.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cognition ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microwaves ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the present status of Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) in Qingzhou at present, and provide a scientific basis for decision-making in controlling the disease. Methods According to The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007, children aged 7 to 12 were chosen to receive clinical and X-ray examination in 3 villages of 2 towns in Qingzhou. Local adults aged 16 years and older were clinically diagnosed in 10 villages of 4 towns and divided into different groups according to the clinical degrees and their ages. The Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995) was carded out by clinical and X-ray diagnosis. Results Two hundred and sixty school children aged 7 to 12 were clinically diagnosed, and the patients of I degree upwards of KBD were not detected. One hundred and ninety-eight school children aged 7 to 12 were examined by X-ray, and the detectable rate was 0(0/198). In 7099 adults aged 16 years old upwards clinically tested, 502 patients of degree I and higher of KBD were detected and the detectable rate was 7.07%(502/7099). The patients distributed mainly in the population aged 36 years old and older, accounting for 99.00% (497/502). Conclusions Although KBD in children have been controlled in Qingzhou, it is still serious in adults. So the monitoring of KBD should be carried on and prevention and control for KBD in adults should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of mito chondrial K(ATP) channels (mitoK(ATP)) inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate(5-HD) on chronic hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension (CHPAH) rats and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSForty-eight male SD rats were equally divided into 4 groups randomly (n=12): normal group, hypoxia group, hypoxia + 5-HD group, hypoxia + Diazoxide group. Except the first group, the other three groups were put into hypoxic [O2 (10.0% +/- 0.3%] and nonrmobaric chamber for four weeks to establish chronic hypoxic model and received different interference. When the interference completed, right heart catheter was used to detect the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of each rat and PKC-alpha mRNA expression in pulmonary arteries was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein expression by Western blot.

RESULTS(mPAP was much higher in hypoxia group than that in normal group (P < 0.01) while in hypoxia + 5-HD group and hypoxia + diazoxide were decreased significantly compared to hypoxia group (P < 0.01). (2) The protein and mRNA levels of PKC-alpha in the hypoxic group were higher than those in normal group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION5-HD plays a protective role on CHPAH. The mechanism of its effect may be attributed to inhibiting MitoK(ATP).

Animals ; Decanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Hydroxy Acids ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; Protein Kinase C-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To evaluate the value of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT imaging combined with continual detection of CA_(125)in serum for diagnosis of early recurrent ovarian epithelial carcinoma.Methods Twenty six patients received PET-CT imaging,who were all diagnosed as primary epithelial ovarian cancer of stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ and had complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and multiple courses of chemotherapy in Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital.After a steady period,all patients experienced progressive rising of CA_(125)values 3 times in 2 months.But no positive lesion was found by CT, or although suspicious positive focus was found,the recurrent and(or)metastatic extent was not definite. Out of 26 patients,16 were delivered rechemotherapy and(or)radiotherapy,and 10 received re- cytoreductive surgery.Results(1)Of 26 patients,the value of CA_(125)was more than 35 kU/L in 17,and in 14 of 17,pelvic or abdominal cavity recurrence was diagnosed by CT and PET-CT,and 4 showed simuhaneously distant metastasis on PET-CT.In the remaining 3 patients of which CT findings were negative,2 had pelvic and abdominal cavity recurrence,and one had bone metastasis on PET-CT.Of 9 patients with progressive rising CA_(125)levels but the value was less than cut-off(