Taxus canadensis distributed mainly in North America, such as northern Minnesota, Newfoundland, south to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Its composition has been shown to be very different from other species, and in recent years, some new skeletons also have been found in Canada yew. Through analysis of the taxanes content on various Taxus plants containing taxanes, the results showed a higher content of taxol in T. canadensis. Based on the current research on T. canadensis (from the research results of the author in recent years, as well as from studies of scholars in the field), the paper outlined the research progress in recent years on the chemical constituents of taxane of T. canadensis and the spectral characteristics of various types of compounds. Besides, this paper analyzed the present research about solutions for the taxol drug source crisis.
Animals ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Taxoids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Taxus ; chemistry

Speckle tracking imaging (STI) was employed to investigate the effect of right ventricular (RV) volume and pressure overload on left ventricular (LV) rotation and twist in 35 patients with atrial septal defect (ASD), 18 of which with pulmonary hypertension, and 21 healthy subjects serving as controls. The peak rotations of 6 segments at the basal and apical short-axises and the average peak rotation and interval time of the 6 segments in the opposite direction during early systolic phase were measured respectively. LV twist versus time profile was drawn and the peak twist and time to peak twist were calculated. LV ejection fraction (EF) was measured by Biplane Simpson. Compared to ASD patients without pulmonary hypertension and healthy subjects, the peak rotations of posterior, inferior and postsept walls at the basal level were lower (P<0.05), and the average counterclockwise peak rotation of 6 segments at the basal level during early systolic phase was higher (P<0.05), and the average interval time was delayed (P<0.05). LV peak twist was also lower (P<0.05), and had a significant negative correlation with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (r=-0.57, P=0.001). No significant differences were found in LVEF among the three groups. It was suggested that although RV volume overload due to ASD has no significant effects on LV rotation and twist, LV peak twist is lower in ASD patients with pulmonary hypertension. Thus LV twist may serve as a new indicator of the presence of pulmonary hypertension in ASD patients.
Cardiology/methods ; Echocardiography/methods ; Echocardiography, Doppler/methods ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/metabolism ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/*pathology ; Heart Ventricles/pathology ; Hypertension ; Nuclear Proteins/*metabolism ; Systole ; Twist Transcription Factor/*metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective To investigate the effect of right ventricular(RV)volume and RV pressure overload on left ventricular(LV)rotation and twist in patients with atrial septal defecl(ASD).Methods Using speckle tracking imaging(STI),the peak rotation of 6 segments in basal and apical short-axises was measured respectively in 35 patients with ASD(18 of which with pulmonary hypertension)and 21 healthy subjects as controls.The average peak rotation and duration time of the 6 segments in basal and apical short-axises in negative direction during early systolic phase were also measured respectively.LV twist versus time profile was drawn and the peak twist and time to peak twist were calculated.LV ejection fraction(EF)was measured by biplane Simpson method.Results Compared to ASD patients without pulmonary hypertension and healthy subjects,the peak rotation of posterior wall,inferior wall and postsept wall in basal was lower(P＜0.05).And at the basal level,the averagepeak rotation of 6 segments in negative direction during early systolic phase was higher(P＜0.05),and the average duration time was delayed(P＜0.05).LV peak twist was also lower(P＜0.05),and had a significant negative correlation with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(r=-0.57,P=0.001).There were no significant differences in LVEF among 3 groups.Conclusions Although RV volume overload due to ASD has no significant effects on LV rotation and twist,LV peak twist is lower in ASD patients with pulmonary hypertension.Thus LV twist may be a new index which predicting whether ASD patients also has pulmonary hypertension or not.

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drainage (EVD) is an important procedure for draining excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and monitoring intracranial pressure. Generally, EVD is performed in the operating room (OR) under aseptic conditions. However, in emergency circumstances, the operation may be performed in the intensive care unit (ICU) to save neuro-critical time and to avoid the unnecessary transfer of patients. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the risk of EVD-induced CNS infections and their outcomes according to the operating place (ICU versus OR). In addition, we compared mortalities as well as hospital and ICU days between the CNS infection and non-CNS infection groups. METHODS: We reviewed medical records, laboratory data and radiographic images of patients who had received EVD operations between January, 2013 and March, 2015. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients (45 men and 30 women, mean age: 58.7 +/- 15.6 years) were enrolled in this study. An average of 1.4 catheters were used for each patient and the mean period of the indwelling catheter was 7.5 +/- 5.0 days. Twenty-six patients were included in the ICU group, and EVD-induced CNS infection had occurred in 3 (11.5%) patients. For the OR group, forty-nine patients were included and EVD-induced CNS infection had occurred in 7 (14.3%) patients. The EVD-induced CNS infection of the ICU group did not increase above that of the OR group. The ICU days and mortality rate were higher in the CNS infection group compared to the non-CNS infection group. The period of the indwelling EVD catheter and the number of inserted EVD catheters were both higher in the CNS infection group. CONCLUSIONS: If the aseptic protocols and barrier precautions are strictly kept, EVD in the ICU does not have a higher risk of CNS infections compared to the OR. In addition, EVD in the ICU can decrease the hospital and ICU days by saving neuro-critical time and avoiding the unnecessary transfer of patients. Therefore, when neurosurgeons decide upon the operating place for EVD, they should consider the benefits of ICU operation and be cautious of EVD-induced CNS infection.
Catheter-Related Infections ; Catheters ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Drainage* ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Operating Rooms* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventriculostomy

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Astragalus Plant ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocardium ; pathology ; ultrastructure

Objective To assess the characteristic of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with mild cogni?tive impairment (MCI). Methods This study included twenty-six cases of normal tension glaucoma patients who were diagnosed at ophthalmology department of Peking University Third Hospital. All the participants were examined by us?ing the scales of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination(MMSE), clinical dementia rat?ing (CDR), activities of daily living (ADL), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Pitts?burgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG). The patients were then divided into Group with MCI (16 cases) and Group without MCI (19 cases). Results There was no difference between the two groups in gender, age, edu?cation, depression, anxiety and body mass index (BMI) (P>0.05), but significant difference in MoCA scores (P<0.05). The incidence rate of sleep disorder of PSQI in was 28.6%(10/35 patients) of total NTG patients, 43.8%(7/16 patients) in Group with MCI, and 15.8% (3/19 patients) in Group without MCI, respectively. The PSQI score was higher in Group with MCI than in Group without MCI (P<0.05). Sleep efficiency was higher in Group without MCI than in Group with MCI (P<0.05), but no difference was found between the two groups in six other indexes of PSQI (P>0.05). The in?cidence rate of sleep structure disorder of PSG in all the NTG patients was 85.7%(30/35 patients), 87.5%(14/16 pa?tients) in Group with MCI, and 84.2%(16/19 patients) in Group without MCI. Sleep time of NREM-N3 was significant?ly shorter in Group with MCI than in Group without MCI (P<0.05), but no difference was found between those groups in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency and REM time (P>0.05). Conclusion NTG patients with mild cogni?tive impairment are more prone to sleep disorders, especially sleep structure disturbance and short NREM-N3 time may affect cognitive function.

Objective To investigate the correlation between enlarged perivascular space (EPVS) and post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods Consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted to hospital from March 2010 to March 2014 were enroled prospectively. The patients completed head MRI examination after admission and performed EPVS grading. At 3 months after symptom onset, they performed PSD assessment according to Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders in China, 3rd edition (CCMD-3). The relationship between EPVS and PSD was analyzed. Results A total of 249 patients were enroled; including 62 patients (4. 9% ) experienced PSD at 3 months. There were significant differences in the proportions of the EPVS classification patients of the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ( the median [interquartile range]; 4 [3 - 6] vs. 3 [2 - 5]; Z = - 2. 950, P = 0. 003), centrum semiovale (χ2 = 14. 370, P = 0. 001), and periventricular (χ2 = 11. 590, P = 0. 003)between the PSD group and the non-PSD group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that centrum semiovale EPVS grade 2 (odds ratio [OR] 3. 89, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1. 59 - 9. 56) and grade 3 (OR 3. 28, 95% CI 1. 04 - 10. 33) were significantly correlated with PSD; periventricular EPVS grade 2 (OR 0. 72, 95% CI 0. 27 - 1. 91) and grade 3 (OR 2. 24, 95% CI 0. 68 - 7. 37) were not correlated with PSD. Conclusions Centrum semiovale EPVS is independently associated with PSD, and periventricular EPVS is not.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the fungal composition in Massa Medicata Fermentata based on culture dependent method and independent PCR-SSCP technique.

METHODFungi were directly isolated from Massa Medicata Fermentata samples. The obtained strains were identified according to morphology and DNA sequence. Meanwhile the total fungal DNA was extracted from Massa Medicata Fermentata samples, the cultural independent PCR-SSCP technique based on β-tubulin gene were used to identify the mycobiota.

RESULTAccording to cultural method, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae were present in Massa Medicata Fermentata samples, while A. flavus and A. niger were present in fried Massa Medicata Fermentata samples. In contrast, 5 species were obtained by PCR-SSCP technique, A. flavus was overlapped with fungal taxa derived from culture dependent method; A. ambiguu and A. s ivoriensis were dominant with relative abundance of 57% and 35% respectively, while the relative abundance of A. flavus was as low as 4%. None species was obtained from fried Massa Medicata Fermentata samples.

CONCLUSIONPCR-SSCP based on β-tubulin gene could distinguish fungi into species, culture dependent method combined with culture independent method could better understand the fungal composition associated with Massa Medicata Fermentata fermentation.

OBJECTIVETo identify the Cynomorii Herba and its analogues species using DNA barcoding technique.

METHODTotal genomic DNA extracted from all materials using the DNA extraction kit. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and purified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner 3.7.1. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances and GC content were computed using MEGA 5. 0. Species identification analyses were conducted through the species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and neighbor-joining (NJ) trees.

RESULTThe ITS2 sequence lengths of Cynomorii Herba were 229 bp. The average intra-specific genetic distances of Cynomorii Herba were 0.003. The average inter-specific genetic distances between Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species were 0.760. The results showed that the minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence. The species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and NJ trees results indicated that Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species can be easily identification.

CONCLUSIONThe ITS2 region is an efficient barcode for identification of Cynomorii Herba, which provide a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to explore the effects of hypothermia state induced by 4 oC normal saline (NS) on liver biochemistry, enzymology and morphology after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in swine. METHODS: After 4 minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF), standard CPR was carried out. Then the survivors were divided into two groups: low temperature group and normal temperature group. The low temperature (LT) group (n=5) received continuously 4 oC NS at the speed of 1.33 mL/kg per minute for 22 minutes, then at the speed lowering to 10 mL/kg per hour. The normal temperature (NT) group (n=5) received NS with normal room temperature at the same speed of the LT group. Hemodynamic status and oxygen metabolism were monitored and the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in blood samples obtained at baseline and at 10 minutes, 2 hours and 4 hours after ROSC. At 24 hours after ROSC, the animals were killed and the liver was removed to determine the Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase enzyme activities and histological changes under a light or electron microscope. RESULTS: Core temperature was decreased in the LT group (P<0.05), while HR, MAP and CPP were not significantly decreased (P>0.05) compared with the NT group (P>0.05). The oxygen extraction ratio was lower in the LT group than in the NT group (P<0.05). The serum levels of ALT, AST and LDH increased in both groups but not significantly in the LT group. The enzyme activity of liver ATP was much higher in the LT group (Na+-K+-ATP enzyme: 8.64±3.32 U vs. 3.28±0.71 U; Ca2+-ATP enzyme: 10.92±2.12 U vs. 2.75±0.78 U, P<0.05). The LT group showed less cellular edema, inflammation and few damaged mitochondria as compared with the NT group. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that infusing 4 oC NS continuously after ROSC could quickly lower the core body temperature, while maintaining a stable hemodynamic state and balancing oxygen metabolism, which protect the liver in terms of biochemistry, enzymology and histology after CPR.