AIMTo study the bioactive components from Schisandra propinqua (Wall.) Baill var. intermidia A. C. Smith.

METHODSCompounds were separated with a combination of multichromatography. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULTSSeven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Helicia nilagirica. The structures were elucidated as 6'-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosylthalictoside (1), 6'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosylthalictoside (2), thalictoside (3), icariside D2 (4), prinsepiol (5), (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol (6) and (+)-medioresinol (7).

CONCLUSIONTwo compounds are new nitro phenolic glycosides.

Disaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Nitro Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Schisandra ; chemistry

AIMTo study the bioactive components from Helicia nilagirica.

METHODSCompounds were separated with a combination of multi-chromatography. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated from the leaves of Helicia nilagirica. Compound 1 was elucidated as 1-O-3-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2-[(2'R)-2'-hyd roxylignocenoyl-amino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol. Compound 2 was an analogue of 1.

CONCLUSIONThe two compounds are new cerebrosides.

Cerebrosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosylceramides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteaceae ; chemistry

Objective:To explore the relationship among psychological distress,adult attachment,and social support in primary caregivers of cancer patients.Methods:A total of 208 primary caregivers of cancer patients in one third grade hospital in Anhui Province were recruited.The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10),Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory(ECR) and Social Support Questionnaire(SSQ) were used to explore psychological distress,adult attachment,and social support status.Results:The average K10 score was (21.5 ± 7.5).Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that caregiver gender,pressure on patient care,and attachment anxiety had positive prediction on psychological distress (β =2.30,3.02,0.13),while residence had negative prediction on psychological distress (β =-3.22).Conclusion:It suggests that the psychological distress is related to attachment anxiety and social support among the primary caregivers.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) treatment and to assess the long-term outcomes, including survival, liver function improvement and virologic response, in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODSPatients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores more than or equal to 7, who had been treated with either lamivudine or other agents, but who were free of co-infection with other hepatitis virus were enrolled between January 2005 and December 2009. The study participants were subgrouped according to the antiviral drugs received or model for endstage liver disease (MELD) score for comparative analyses.Additionally, the 19 patients who were treated with NA for more than 5 years were investigated for changes in biochemical and virological indices, before and after the antiviral treatment.

RESULTSA total of 166 patients (125 males; 89 e-negative) and 52 untreated healthy patients (as control) were analyzed.The cohort of patients receiving antiviral therapy had significantly better 5-year actuarial survival than the untreated patients (74.1% vs.34.9%, P less than 0.001). For patients with MELD score more than or equal to 18, actuarial survival was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.073).

CONCLUSIONAntiviral therapy significantly increases survival and improves the clinical long-term outcome of patients with HBV-induced decompensated cirrhosis.Antiviral treatment should be initiated at an early stage to maximize benefit in the improvement of clinical status.

Administration, Oral ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cohort Studies ; Coinfection ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the morphology and cytoskeleton (CSL) content of the CSL in the colonic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of rats in early postscald stage, so as to elucidate the mechanism of dysfunction of gastrointestinal motility.

METHODSSeventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (n = 10, without scald) , and scald ( n = 60, with 10 cm x 7 cm wound inflicted on the back) groups. The colonic smooth muscle tissue of 10 normal rats and scalded rats were harvested at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 postscald hours( PSH) and divided into two parts: one for histologic examination, and the other for the detection of CSL changes in the colonic smooth muscle tissue by flowcytometry method.

RESULTSThe electron microscope examination showed that the arrangement of cytoskeleton of SMC of the scalded rats during 1 to 3 PSH was disordered, and sparse, and the condensed area was uneven, with fragmentation. But the morphology and distribution of CSL gradually restored to normal state during 6 to 12 PSH, and it approached that of normal group at 48 PSH. The CSL content in the colonic smooth muscle tissue of scalded rats was obviously increased at 1 PSH (610+/-23) , decreased thereafter, evidently lower than that in control group at 3 PSH (92+/-17) , and then it started to increase at 12 PSH, exceeding the normal value at 24 PSH, and continued to rise until 48 PSH. There was significant difference in CSL content in the colonic smooth muscle tissue of the rats between scald and control group ( P < 0.05 or 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONChanges in the morphology and CSL content in the colonic smooth muscle tissue can be observed at early stage after a scald, which imply the kinetic balance between damage and repair in the body. In addition, changes in CSL content in the colonic smooth muscle tissue may be important factors in producing colonic dysfunction, damage of intestinal wall structure, and dynamic abnormalities of the colonic smooth muscle.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Colon ; cytology ; Cytoskeleton ; ultrastructure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Microtubules ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and burn sera on potassium channels (Kca) in smooth muscle cells of colon of guinea pig so as to elucidate the molecular mechanism of gastrointestinal motility dysfunction after severe burns.

METHODSSingle smooth muscle cells were isolated from the taenia coli of guinea pig with enzyme digestion. The standard patch clamp technique was employed to record the single KCa channel currents of smooth muscle cell after challenged by LPS and burn serum. Data were recorded and analyzed by P clamp 6.04 software, and the probability of open (PO), mean open time (OT), mean close time (CT) and current amplitude (CA) were determined. Subsequently, LPS in the concentration of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L, respectively, and normal serum and burn serum in the concentration of 10% were respectively added into medium to examine the influence of the two clamps and sera on the KCa activity.

RESULTSIn hyperkalemic solution, the KCa conductance of colonic smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig was (271 +/- 7) pS, indicating it was an ionic channel with high conductivity. Subsequent to depolarization of the membrane, inner-cellular calcium level was increased, and channel PO was also increased, which could be blocked by 1 mmol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA) outside the membrane chaff. As 40 mmol/L TEA inside the membrane chaff did not show such effect, it was proved to be KCa current. The activity of the channel as determined with two kinds of clamps was increased in a dose dependent manner with LPS challenge when the concentration of calcium was 0 mol/L. The KCa activity and PO of the channel was increased obviously when the concentration of LPS was above 40 mg/L (P < 0.05 or 0.01), and it could not be reversed after irrigation with non-LPS medium. By using the two kinds of patch clamps, the KCa were activated by burn sera, but not normal sera.

CONCLUSIONBoth LPS and burn sera can lead to inhibition of the gastrointestinal motility by activation of KCa channels.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Colon ; cytology ; metabolism ; Guinea Pigs ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Peristalsis ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism ; Serum

OBJECTIVETo observe general conditions, physiological condition, viscera wet weight and kidney asthenia serological index in osteoporosis model rats established by bilateral ovarian resection, and provide basis for treating osteoporosis by invigorating kidney.

METHODSTwenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as model group, sham group and normal group. After anesthesia,model group were treated by bilateral ovarian resection, sham group by sham operation, and normal group without any processing. Pathological tissue and bone mineral density (BMD) of femur was performed 3 months postoperatively. The general conditions and physiological conditions were processed after successfully modeling. Electronic balance was used to collect the weight of kidney, drenal, pituitary, and uterus. Estrogen (E2), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), Three typical thyroid original acid (T3), Four typical thyroid original acid (T4) were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSOsteoporosis model appeared with syndromes of kidney deficiency, such as body hair without burnish, chills, cluster, sluggishness, eyes dark, eye movement slow, slow to respond to the delay, decreased appetite, activities slow, body fat, and drowsiness, defecate slightly thin andclear abundant urine. Mobility, anal temperature and food-intake were lower than normal and sham group; the level of ACTH, E2, T3, T4 lower than sham and normal group; the weight of kidney, drenal, pituitary, and uterus also lower than other two groups.

CONCLUSIONOsteoporotic model rats, established by bilateral ovarian resection, have manifestation of organic and functional performance of kidney deficiency. Therefore, osteoporotic model rats have the pathogenesis of kidney asthenia and clinical manifestations of kidney deficiency.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; etiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between paternal exposure to occupational electromagnetic radiation and the sex ratio of the offspring.

METHODSWe searched various databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, OVID, Bioscience Information Service (BIOSIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals and Wanfang Database, for the literature relevant to the association of paternal exposure to occupational electromagnetic radiation with the sex ratio of the offspring. We conducted a meta-analysis on their correlation using Stata 11.0.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant difference in the sex ratio between the offspring with paternal exposure to occupational electromagnetic radiation and those without (pooled OR = 1.00 [95% CI: 0.95 -1.05], P = 0.875). Subgroup analysis of both case-control and cohort studies revealed no significant difference (pooled OR = 1.03 [95% CI: 0.99 -1.08], P = 0.104 and pooled OR = 0.98 [95% CI: 0.99 -1.08], P = 0.186, respectively).

CONCLUSIONPaternal exposure to occupational electromagnetic radiation is not correlated with the sex ratio of the offspring.

Electromagnetic Radiation ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Paternal Exposure ; Risk Factors ; Sex Ratio

A quick HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of three chemical compositions in Usnea, including usnic acid, diffractaic acid, and ramalic acid. The separation was performed on a chromatographic column of Agilent ZORBAX SB-C, (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm), and the mobile phase was methanol (0.05% formic acid)-0.05% formic acid solution (4 mmol ammonium acetate), with an isocratic elution at a flow rate of 0.8 ml · min⁻¹. Multiple reaction monitoring scanning mode (MRM) was performed combined with the ion switching technology in positive and negative ion switching mode to apply for the quantitative determination. The calibration curves for the above three compounds were linear in corresponding injection amount. Their average recoveries were 95.0%-105.1%, with RSDs of 1.1%-5.2%. The method was simple, rapid, accurate with high repeatability, which could provide a reference for overcalling evaluation the quality of Usnea.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Usnea ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of local injection of recombinant hirudin on survival of skin flaps with venous congestion in a rabbit model.

METHODSEighteen healthy rabbits were enrolled and divided into heparin-treatment (HT), recombinant hirudin treatment (RHT) and control (C) groups according to the random number table, with 6 rabbits in each group. After intravenous anesthesia with 20 g/L pentobarbital sodium, model of skin flaps with venous congestion in the size of 6 cm × 3 cm was reproduced in the dorsal side of left ear of each rabbit, in which central artery of ear served as the only blood supply, and a pedicle of 1 cm in width including central vessel of ear and its accompanying nerves as the only venous return pathway. Each flap in RHT, HT, C groups was respectively given 1 mL recombinant hirudin (1 U), low-molecular-weight heparin (625 U), and isotonic saline via multi-point and homogenous injection, then they were sutured in site. Appearance and survival rate of the flaps were observed after operation. Specimens of the distal part of flaps were harvested for determination of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) on post operation day (POD) 1, 3, 5, 7. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and t test.

RESULTSRabbit model of skin flaps with venous congestion was reproduced successfully. Obvious hair loss was observed in completely necrotic parts of flap in each group. Obvious edema was observed in all flaps with venous congestion at distal site. The color of flaps in HT and RHT groups were lighter as compared with that in C group, and apparent hematoma of flap was observed in 1 rabbit of RHT group, 2 rabbits of HT group, 4 rabbits of C group on POD 1. The survival rate of flap in HT and RHT groups was respectively (92.3 ± 1.7)% and (94.8 ± 1.9)%, both higher than that in C group [(77.9 ± 1.2)%, F = 191.29, P < 0.05]. There was no statistical difference in survival rate of flap between HT group and RHT group (t = 2.75,P > 0.05). The content of TXB2 in HT and RHT groups on POD 3, 5 was respectively lower than that in C group (with t value from 6.68 to 30.55, P values all below 0.01), but there was no statistical difference between HT and RHT groups (with t value respectively 1.22, 6.44, P values all above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLocal injection of low-molecular-weight heparin or recombinant hirudin can significantly ameliorate venous congestion of skin flap in rabbit ear, and improve its survival rate.

Animals ; Ear ; blood supply ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Hirudins ; pharmacology ; Hyperemia ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Skin ; blood supply ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply