Objective To study the effects of nicotine on GDNF and dopamine content in striatum of Parkinson's disease (PD) rats.Methods 6-OHDA was stereoscopically injected to right side of the mesencephic ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Nicotine of different dosages was intraperitoneally injected into PD rats.With biochemical,immunohistochemical techniques, we observed the changes of GDNF expression and dopamine content in striatum.Results Nicotine was intraperitoneally injected into PD rat models before or after the operation,striatum GDNF expression and DA content had significant improvement as compared with PD group (P

Objective: To study the constituents in the roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora. Methods: The constituents of P. scrophulariiflora were separated and purified with chromatographic methods. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. Results: Ten compounds were isolated from the roots of P. scrophulariiflora and identified as β-sitosterol (1), palmitic acid (2), octacosyl trans-ferulate (3), 3β-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one (4), 6β-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one (5), caffeic acid methyl ester (6), protocatechuic acid methyl ester (7), vanillic acid (8), caffeic acid (9), and piceoside (10). Conclusion: Compounds 2-7 and 9 are obtained from the plants of Picrorhiza Royle for the first time.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora. Methods: The chemical constituents in the roots of P. scrophulariiflora were separated and purified with chromatographic methods. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. Results: A new secoiridoid glycoside, picrogentioside II (1) was successfully isolated from the roots of P. scrophulariiflora. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new secoiridoid glycoside. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

Objective: To study the constituents in the roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora. Methods: The constituents of P. scrophulariiflora were separated and purified with chromatographic methods. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. Results: Four compounds isolated from the 90% ethanol extract in the roots of P. scrophulariiflora were identified as picrogentioside D (1), sweroside (2), gentiopicroside (3), and mannitol (4). Conclusion: Compounds 1-4 are obtained from the roots of P. scrophulariiflora for the first time and compound 1 is a new secoiridoid glycoside, named picrogentioside D.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of prolonged 85% oxygen exposure on lung vascular development and the expression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in the neonatal rat lungs.

METHODSNinety-six Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly exposed to air (control group) and 85% oxygen (experimental group) 6 hrs after birth. The rats were sacrificed 3, 7 and 14 days after exposure and their lungs were sampled. The lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation and analysis of vessel volume density. Expressions of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry. Expression of Ang-1 protein and mRNA was detected by Western Blot and Real time-PCR.

RESULTSAfter being exposed to 85% oxygen for 14 days, lung tissues had pathological changes as "new" bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The RAC on day 7 and day 14 in experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(10.55 ± 0.13) vs. (11.74 ± 0.19), (12.47 ± 0.05) vs. (15.03 ± 0.16), P < 0.05]. The X-ray showed that the diameter of lung vessel was much smaller and the vessels had less branches in experimental group compared with the control group on day 14. The vessel volume density on day 14 in experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(3.55 ± 0.09) vs. (6.03 ± 0.16), P < 0.05]. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed that the expressions of Ang-1 protein on day 7 and day 14 in the experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(4.27 ± 0.34) vs. (3.10 ± 0.29), P < 0.05, (5.65 ± 0.49) vs. (3.21 ± 0.28), P < 0.01], [(0.88 ± 0.31) vs. (0.41 ± 0.12), P < 0.05, (0.90 ± 0.29) vs. (0.21 ± 0.06), P < 0.01]. The expressions of Ang-1 mRNA on day 7 and day 14 in the experimental group also decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(0.85 ± 0.14) vs. (0.44 ± 0.21), P < 0.05, (0.87 ± 0.24) vs. (0.24 ± 0.05), P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONSProlonged exposure of high concentration of oxygen may cause impairment of lung vascular development by inhibiting expression of Ang-1 in neonatal rats, which is likely to contribute to pathogenesis of BPD.

Angiopoietin-1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Hyperoxia ; Lung ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; growth & development ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Carotid body tumor is a chemoreceptor tumor originated from the carotid body. It is the most common paraganglioma in the head and neck with special location, abundant blood supply and close relationship with carotid artery and peripheral nerves. Therefore, carotid body tumor has the characteristics of difficult diagnosis, lack of specificity and high risk of operation. This article reviews the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of carotid body tumor.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic role of bedside continuous blood purification(CBP) in children with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP). Method: The clinical and laboratory data of 11 children with SAP who were admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Shanghai Children′s Hospital from June 2013 to May 2016 were analyzed, including using pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) and pediatric risk of score mortality (PRISM)-Ⅲ score to assessing the severity of the disease.For those patients with severe organ dysfunction, CBP treatment was used when conventional therapy was not efficient.The evolution and prognosis of the disease were observed and analyzed.The measurement data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Result: From June 2013 to May 2016, 11 cases with SAP were treated in PICU, of whom 7 cases had combined multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS). After conservative treatment for 12-24 h, 6 cases with SAP deteriorated aggressively and were treated with CBP.PRISMA and PRISMA flex machines were used with Gambro PRISMA filter, and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration(CVVHDF) or high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) were chosen as the therapy model.All 6 SAP patients survived after bedside CBP treatment(the median time spent on CBP were 48.5(48.0, 55.5) h). The serum concentration of amylase before and after the CBP treatment were respectively 675(495, 1 334)vs.176(136, 246) U/L, lipase 551(385, 1 075)vs.143(117, 185) U/L, CRP 168(125, 192) vs. 67(28, 87) mg/L, and inflammatory cytokines(TNF alpha 67.2(51.0, 72.9)vs. 22.6(19.3, 31.0) ng/L, IL-6 47.8(35.2, 88.4)vs. 23.6(20.3, 42.9) ng/L, IL-10 21.3(16.8, 23.9)vs. 35.6(26.5, 38.6) ng/L), which were obviously improved after CBP treatment(all P<0.05). And after CBP treatment, partial pressure of oxygen(PaO₂)/fraction of inspiration O₂(FiO₂) (192(101, 208)and 240(207, 267) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), MAP (58.3(56.3, 62.5) and 83.3(74.0, 87.4) mmHg) and PCIS scores (66(62.5, 72)and 92(89, 94) scores) were higher (all P<0.05). Conclusion CBP in critically ill with SAP can rapidly reduce blood amylase and lipase, help to keep the stable internal environment, block the systemic inflammatory response, improve the organ functions and maintain the fluid balance.CBP treatment may be a potential therapy in children with SAP.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of mianserin on post-stroke depression.Methods A total of 100 patients were random-ly selected and divided into treatment group ( 50 patients ) and control group ( 50 patients ) according to simple random sampling.Patients in treatment group were treated with mianserin ( the initial dose was 15 mg? d-1 , and 1 week later the dose was added to 60 mg? d-1 ) and those in control group with amitriptyline ( the initial dose was 30 mg? d-1 , and 1 week later the dose was added to 150 mg? d-1 ) .The data of hamilton depression scale(HAMD), treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS) and activities of daily living(ADL) were assessed before treat-ment and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the treatment.Results The markedly effective rate in treatment group and control group were 86.0%and 78.0%, but the difference was not statistical different ( P >0.05 ) .The data of HAMD scores in two groups were both decreased compared with before treat-ment, but without statistical difference (P>0.05), the difference of TESS scores during the treatment were all significant in two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion Mianserin can relieve the anxiety of patients with post-stoke depression quickly and promote their function to be recovered effectively.

Objective To study the type and corresponding clinical characteristics of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis (HLH) associated immune gene mutations in the refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes. Methods From December 2009 to July 2010, the patients with refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes were screened for the primary HLH associated immune genes mutations by DNA sequence analysis, including PRF1, UNC13D, STX11, STXBP2, SH2D1A and XIAP. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were followed up. Results Totally 25 patients with refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes were investigated for the 6 genes and 13 cases were found carrying gene mutations, composing of 6 of PRF1 mutation, 3 of UNC13D, and each one of STX11,XIAP, SH2D1A and STXBP2, respectively. Among the 13 cases with gene mutations, 5 suffered from Epstein-Barr virus associated HLH( EBV-HLH), 1 human herpes virus 7 associated HLH (HHV7-HLH),1 HLH without causes, 4 chronic activated EB virus infection (CAEBV) with 1 progressing to Hodgkin's lymphoma carrying abnormal chromosome of t ( 15; 17 ) (q22; q25 ) and hyperdiploid, 2 EBV associated lymphoma. Among the other 12 patients without gene mutation, 4 suffered from EBV-HLH with 1 progressing to peripheral T lymphoma, 8 suffered from CAEBV. Conclusions Primary HLH associated immune gene mutations are critical causes of refractory virus infection of unknown causes, most patients manifest as HLH,some cases appear in CAEBV and EBV associated lymphoma. DNA sequence analysis is helpful to early diagnosis and correct decision-making for treatment.

OBJECTIVETo determine the expression patterns of metastasis associated 1 family member 2 (MTA2) in gastric cancer and non-cancerous gastric mucosa, and analyze its relationship with nuclear transcription factor Sp1 expression.

METHODSTissue samples and clinicopathological information from 83 gastric cancer patients, who underwent surgery, were collected from Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital. All samples included cancer tissue and non-cancerous mucosa which was 5 cm away from the tumor lesion. The expression of MTA2 and Sp1 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The mRNA of MTA2 was also detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe expression of MTA2 protein was significantly higher in primary lesions of the gastric cancer than that in non-cancerous mucosa by IHC (31.3% vs 12.0%, P < 0.01). MTA2 expression was closely related with tumor invasion or T staging (χ(2) = 5.677, P < 0.05). Yet, no significant relationship was observed between MTA2 expression and other clinicopathological parameters, including the age, sex, tumor differentiation, Lauren classification, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, as well as pathological staging. Furthermore, MTA2 expression was concomitant with Sp1 expression (r = 0.320, P < 0.05). Elevated MTA2 expression was observed in Sp1 positive cancer tissues (χ(2) = 9.565, P < 0.01). RT-PCR results also demonstrated that MTA2 mRNA was also highly expressed in the tissue samples with Sp1 expression.

CONCLUSIONSMTA2 is highly expressed in the primary lesions of gastric cancer than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and is closely related with tumor invasion. MTA2 expression is elevated in Sp1 positive gastric cancer.

Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Histone Deacetylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology