The concentration of precursors for the production of taxol with Fusarium mairei K178 was optimized by response surface methodology.Firstly,Plackett-Burman design was undertaken to evaluate the effects of eight factors.With statistic regression analysis,the significant factors affecting taxol production were determined as follows: phenylalanine,sodium acetate and sodium benzoate.Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the three critical internal factors mentioned above,and the optimum concentration levels and the relationships among these factors was found out.By quadratic regression model equation with Design-Expert statistic methods,the optimal concentration of the variables were determined as: phenylalanine 2.8mg/L,sodium acetate 3.3g/L,sodium benzoate 31.8mg/L.Under such conditions,the taxol production was increased to 242.6?g/L,which was 15.6% higher than the maximum value in the single factor tests.The experiment values under the optimal conditions agreed with the predicted values,which indicated that the model was proper and effective.

This study aimed to explore the impact of depression caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on in vivo activity of six kinds of CYP450 isoforms in rats. According to 'Katz' method, the model of CUMS was established. Tolbutamide, chlorzoxazone, theophylline, midazolam, omeprazole and dextromethorphan were chosen as probe substrates of CYP2C6, CYP2E1, CYP1A2, CYP3A2, CYP2D1 and CYP2D2 of rats. Plasma concentration of six kinds of CYP450 in control group and model group were determined by LC-MS/MS and computed pharmacokinetic parameters. Consequently, metabolism of theophylline and chlorzoxazone accelerated significantly (P < 0.01), but tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, omeprazole and midazolam had no significant difference. The present study proved that depression caused by CUMS had strong induction to CYP1A2 and medium induction to CYP2E1.
Animals ; Chlorzoxazone ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Depression ; Dextromethorphan ; metabolism ; Liver ; enzymology ; Midazolam ; metabolism ; Omeprazole ; metabolism ; Rats ; Stress, Physiological ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Theophylline ; metabolism ; Tolbutamide ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of rhubarb in treating secondary damage of central nerve system (CNS) in rats with acute hemorrhagic stroke (AHS) and to explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSThe rat's AHS model was established by autologous blood injection, the effect of rhubarb on the secondary damage of CNS, plasminogen (PLG) in brain and tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were observed.

RESULTS(1) The nerve function deficit signs reappeared in about 70% model rats 4 - 6 days after modeling and reached the peak at day 6 - 8, scored as 1.63 +/- 0.72 on day 4 and as 2.32 +/- 1.12 on day 7; (2) Rhubarb could effectively improve the secondary nerve function damage, with the nerve deficit scores kept to 1.24 +/- 0.19 from day 4 on, and no sign of secondary CNS damage was shown. The nerve deficit score was 1.22 +/- 0.15 on day 7 in the rhubarb treated group, showing significant difference as compared with that in the model group (P<0.05); (3) The specific amplified products of t-PA mRNA on day 3 and that of PLG mRNA on day 7 in CNS of model group were significantly higher than those in the sham operated group and the rhubarb treated group.

CONCLUSIONRhubarb could effectively reduce the secondary CNS damage in rats with AHS, it might be related with the suppressive effect of rhubarb on tPA mRNA and PLG mRNA expression in CNS.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Plasminogen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Stroke ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo probe into the correlativity of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with traction on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc with the three-dimensional location.

METHODSAccording to the three-dimensional location developed by HU You-gu, the position of the prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc in the spinal canal was located from the sagittal plain, frontal plain and horizontal plain. One hundred and thirty patients with prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc and completion of clinical data were treated with acupuncture, and the therapeutic effects were analyzed with three-dimensional location.

RESULTSAmong 98 cases in the effective group, 73 cases had the prolapse at the I plane in sagittal location, accounting for 74.49%, 82 cases had the prolapse at the 1, 2 zone in horizontal location, accounting for 83.68%, 52 cases had the prolapse at the a area in frontal location, accounting for 53.06%; among the 32 cases in the ineffective group, 10 cases had the prolapse at the I plane, accounting for 31.25%, 12 cases in the 1, 2 zone, accounting for 37.50%, 3 cases in the a area, accounting for 9.38%. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the location.

CONCLUSIONThe three-dimensional location can objectively show the size, direction, position, and the characteristics of the protruded discs, and correctly infer the pathological changes of the affected nerve root. Acupuncture combined with tract has a better effect on I plane, 1-2 zone, and a area.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Prolapse

0.05).Conclusion MK mRNA overexpresses in the breast cancer tissues.It might be considered to be a reference indicator for deter- mining the angiogenesis and invasion of breast carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of lycopene against cryopreservation injury of post-thawing human sperm and its mechanism.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from 25 volunteers, each sample equally divided into four parts to be cryopreserved with cryoprotectant only (Ly0 control) or cryoprotectant + lycopene at the concentrations of 2 (Ly2), 5 (Ly5), and 10 µmol/L (Ly10), respectively. Before and after thawing, the semen samples were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis ( CASA) for sperm kinematics, flow cytometry for sperm apoptosis, thiobarbituric acid assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and JC-1 fluorescent staining for the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

RESULTSAfter cryopreservation, sperm motility was markedly decreased in all the groups (P < 0.01). The rate of sperm apoptosis was significantly lower in the Ly5 group than in the Ly0 control ([25.68 ± 4.36]% vs [33.26 ± 4.78]%, P < 0.05), while sperm MMP remarkably higher in the former than in the latter ([66.18 ± 14.23]% vs [55.24 ± 12.31]%, P < 0.05). The Ly2, Ly5 and Ly10 groups showed no statistically significance differences in the MDA level from the Ly0 control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAddition of lycopene at a proper concentration to cryoprotectant may reduce oxidative damage to sperm mitochondria in the freezing-thawing process, attenuate oxidative stress injury induced by reactive oxygen species to sperm plasma membrane, and improve the anti-apoptosis ability of sperm.

Apoptosis ; Carotenoids ; pharmacology ; Cryopreservation ; Cryoprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology

We reported a rare case of a dialysis patient coincident pituitary prolactinoma with calcification. A 55-year-old woman who had undergone hemodialysis for 8 years was admitted to the nephrology unit because of headache, blurred vision, and hypotension. Physical examination was normal; endocrinological examination demonstrated elevated serum levels of prolactin (> 4240 mIU/L), but other hormonal profiles, such as growth hormon, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, were absolutely or relatively lower. A cranial computed tomography (CT) suggested saddle area a high-density screenage with an anteroposterior diameter of 1.0 cm. A cerebral magnetic resonance scan confirmed the pituitary adenoma accompanied with calcification. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images revealed a less enhancing tumor, 14 mm wide round lesion with a high intensity signal. It enlarges the sella turcica, but the optic chiasma is not displaced. We suggest that in the differential diagnosis of any hemodialysis patient with severe headache, hypotension, and visual disturbances, this syndrome should be considered as prompt pituitary adenoma.
Female ; Headache ; parasitology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Prolactinoma ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Renal Dialysis ; Vision Disorders ; pathology

To observe the serum samples and the anti-inflammatory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating RA by using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, make a correlation analysis on concentration-time and effect-time curves, and explore RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in rats by PCR. Methotrexate, tripterine and high-dose T. wilfordii could down-regulate RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in AA rat lymph nodes. The study on PK-PD model showed correlations between inflammatory factors and blood concentration of T. wilfordii. T. wilfordii and its main active constituent tripterine could show the inflammatory effect and treat RA by inhibiting IL-17 cytokine.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tripterygium ; Triterpenes ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between Apnea Graph (AG) analysis of airway obstruction and cephalometric assessment of the posterior airway space in the diagnosis of obstructive level in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), so as to improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy and the therapeutic outcome.

METHODSThirty patients (28 males and two females) who were diagnosed with severe OSAHS (mean AHI 58.6) by overnight polysomnography in recent 3 months were enrolled. The ages of the patients ranged from 35 to 59 years old with the median age of 41.5 years old. The mean body mass index (BMI, x(-) ± s) was (28.8 ± 4.1) kg/m(2). Mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was (58.6 ± 16.4)/h. The lowest oxygen saturation was averaged to 0.69 ± 0.09. All patients underwent AG study as well as cephalometric analysis preoperatively. A correlation analysis was performed between the percentage of lower level obstructions measured by AG and the posterior airway space (PAS) evaluated by cephalometric analysis.

RESULTSAll of the 30 patients had the obvious narrow PAS of 4.4 - 10.8 mm, with the average of (7.6 ± 2.1) mm. Their constituent ratios of lower level obstruction ranged from 2 to 87 percent with the median ratio of 15.5% [9.0%; 35.8%]. Among all the patients, only 2 cases had more than 50 percent obstruction of the airway at lower level, 8 cases had 30 to 40 percent obstruction, and 6 cases had the narrow PAS less than 6 mm. The constituent ratio of lower level obstructions had a negative rectilinear correlation with the data of PAS (r = -0.6511, P < 0.01), which meant the patient with a higher percentage of lower obstruction had the tendency to have a corresponding narrower PAS. Two cases whose constituent ratios of lower level obstructions were not compatible with the rectilinear tendency due to tonsillar hypertrophy were reported.

CONCLUSIONSAG analysis of airway obstruction and cephalometric assessment of the PAS could provide comparable and consistent results for the diagnosis of obstructive level in OSAHS. However, the tonsillar hypertrophy should be considered when using AG to identify the airway obstruction.

Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Tongue ; diagnostic imaging ; Transducers, Pressure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the whole sequence of SLC26A4 gene among 1552 deaf students from 21 regions of China with SLC26A4 hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G and analyze the epidemiological state of enlarged-vestibular-aqueduct-syndrome (EVAS) related hearing loss in China.

METHODSDNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 1552 students from deaf and dumb school of 21 regions in China. The nationality of the 1552 cases covers Han (1290 cases), Uigur (69 cases), Hui (37 cases), Mongolia (31 cases), Yi, Zhuang, Bai, Miao and other 13 nationalities (125 cases). Firstly, all subjects were analyzed for the hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G by direct sequencing. Those carrying a single heterozygous IVS7-2A > G were given further analyzed for the probable second mutation in other exons except exon7 and exon8 of SLC26A4. One hundred and fifty cases with normal hearing were in the control group.

RESULTSThe sequencing results revealed 197 cases carrying IVS7-2A > G, of whom 83 carrying IVS7-2A > G homozygous mutation, 114 carrying IVS7-2A > G heterozygous mutation. Of the 114 cases with heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, 78 cases were found to have another mutation and 36 cases were found no other mutation in SLC26A4. Of the 1552 cases, the percentage of cases carrying homozygous IVS7-2A > G and compound heterozygous mutations was 10.37% (161/1552). Of the 78 cases with SLC26A4 compound heterozygous mutations, the mutations except IVS7-2A > G were found mainly in exon 19, 10, 17, 15, 11 + 12, 14 and 3. Twenty-one novel SLC26A4 mutations were found. In the control group, there were only 3 cases carrying heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, and no other mutation in SLC26A4 was found.

CONCLUSIONSSLC26A4 mutations account for at least 10% of EVAS related hereditary hearing loss in China. It's of great importance to screen SLC26A4 gene for making aetiological diagnosis for deafness. The discovery of novel variants of SLC26A4 gene makes the mutational and polymorphic spectrum more plentiful in Chinese population. We also provide preliminary evidence for the hot spot areas of SLC26A4.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Vestibular Aqueduct