Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents from the shoots of Phyllostachys edulis. Methods: Compounds were isolated by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, reversed-phase HPLC, and others. And the structures were elucidated by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry, and other modern spectroscopy. Results: Eighteen compounds were isolated from the shoots of P. edulis and identified as thymidine (1), uracil (2), 5-ethyluracil (3), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4), p-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (5), adenosine (6), uridine (7), 2'-O-methyluridine (8), ethyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (9), cyclo (L-Val-L-Ala) (10), cyclo (L-Phe-L-Leu) (11), flazine (12), ethyl 4-(sulfooxy) benzoate (13), 1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid, methyl ester (14), cis-p-hydroxyl ethyl cinnamate (15), trans-p-hydroxyl ethyl cinnamate (16), 4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-benzaldehyde (17), and methyl p-hydroxy benzeneacetate (18). Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from the shoots of P. edulis for the first time, and compounds 6-18 are firstly obtained from the plants of Phyllostachys Sieb. et Zucc.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; therapy ; Young Adult

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periarthritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Shoulder Joint ; injuries ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively survey frostbite in patients living in plain regions, and to analyze the features of frostbite and the results after hospitalization.

METHODSFifty-nine patients with frostbite, aged from 15 to 85 years admitted in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from 1992 to 2007, were enrolled in this study. Occupation, cause of the injury, initial visit time, position and degree of depth (assessed according to the standard of burn injury) of frostbite, and amputation rate of patients were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSMost patients of the 59 cases were workers or unemployed, the main reasons of injury were prolonged contact with material in a low temperature, with impaired consciousness, and having an out-door activity. The average first visit time was 11 days after the exposure. Frostbite was superficial 2(nd) to deep 2(nd) degree in 12 patients, while 47 patients were found to have 3(rd) to 4(th) degree injury. Limbs, or fingers and toes were amputated from 40 patients. The differences between patients visited within 3 days after frostbite and patients visited later than 3 days in respect of degree of depth of frostbite and amputation rate were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in amputation rates in different body parts of frostbite (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPatients in plain regions mainly suffer frostbite at the distal portions of the extremities. They should visit hospital early after injury so that the degree of frostbite can be alleviated and rate of amputation can be lowered.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amputation ; Female ; Frostbite ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo express human HZF1 fusion protein in E. coli and to obtain an anti-HZF1 antibody.

METHODSA DNA fragment encoding non-zinc finger region of HZF1 protein was inserted into pET30a vector to get the recombination expression plasmid pET30a-HZF1. E. coli was transformed with pET30a-HZF1 and the selected clones were cultured with isopropy-beta-D-thiogalactoside induction. The proteins were prepared from the culture and the fusion protein was purified by Ni column. Rabbits were immunized and reinforced three times with the purified fusion protein. The antiserum was collected and the titer and the specificity of the antibody were checked by ELISA and Western blot.

RESULTSAntibody against HZF1 was obtained and its titer was more than 1:100 000, as proven by ELISA. Western blot analysis showed specific reaction between this antibody and HZF1 fusion protein or the endogenetic HZF1 protein in hemin-induced K562 cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe specific antibody against HZF1 is obtained. The antibody may have potential application in farther HZF1 function study and HZF1 determination in tissues and cells.

DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Immune Sera ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transformation, Bacterial

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptotic effect and mechanisms of methylmercury (MeHg) on HL-7702 cell line in vitro.

METHODSIn this study, the cell apoptosis was observed by AO/EB method and FCM method; the mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by FCM; and the expression of proteins related to apoptosis was measured by immunocytochemical method.

RESULTSAfter exposure to MeHg for 24 h in different doses, apoptotic rate ascended with the increasing of MeHg concentration. By AO/EB method, cell apoptotic ratio of negative control group was (2.62 +/- 0.19)%, cell apoptotic ratio of 10-50 micromol/L exposure groups were (7.97 +/- 0.64)%, (12.66 +/- 0.76)%, (19.16 +/- 0.87)%, (18.42 +/- 0.88)%, and (11.52 +/- 0.63)%, there were significant differences between the exposure and negative control groups (q values were 17.057, 32.009, 52.732, 50.373, 28.375; P<0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential descended with the increase of MeHg, mitochondrial membrane potential of negative control group was (10.23 +/- 3.43) mV, mitochondrial membrane potential of 10-50 micromol/L exposure groups were (3.25 +/- 0.66), (3.03 +/- 0.35), (1.68 +/- 1.26), (1.69 +/- 1.13) and (1.77 +/- 0.88) mV, and there was significant differences between exposure and negative control groups (q values were 9.569, 9.871, 11.722, 11.708, 11.598; P<0.05). The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, CytC, Caspase-3 and AIF enhanced with the increase of MeHg, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio also appeared a trend of increase. Bax expression integral optical density (IOD) of negative control group was (21295.86 +/- 1969.81), Bax expression IOD of 10, 20, 30 micromol/L groups were 42807.87 +/- 4416.64, 55651.65 +/- 4662.72, and 72708.56 +/- 910.10, there were significant differences in Bax expression between 10, 20, 30 micromol/L groups and negative control group (q values were 14.191, 14.320, 33.917; P<0.05); Bcl-2 expression IOD of negative control group was (12588.33 +/- 4091.02), Bcl-2 expression IOD of 10, 20, 30 micromol/L groups were 20539.16 +/- 4906.09, 23689.97 +/- 2281.42, and 28692.80 +/- 4655.86, there were significant differences in Bcl-2 expression between 10, 20, 30 micromol/L groups and negative control group (q values were 4.322, 6.035, 8.754; P<0.05); and AIF expression IOD of negative control group was (12942.72 +/- 457.94), AIF expression IOD of 10, 20, 30, 40 micromol/L groups were 16973.57 +/- 1922.87, 29998.91 +/- 6803.58, 52467.16 +/- 1916.25 and 106342.53 +/- 1273.19, there were significant differences in AIF expression between 20, 30 and 40 micromol/L groups and negative control group (q values were 11.449, 26.530, 62.692; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMeHg could induce apoptosis on HL-7702 cell line in vitro. The mechanisms could be related to mitochondrial pathway in apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Methylmercury Compounds ; pharmacology ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of intertransverse approach microendoscopic discectomy for far lateral lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom February 2005 to February 2010, 73 patients with far lateral lumbar disc herniation were treated with intertransverse approach microendoscopic discectomy. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 41 males and 32 females, aged from 19 to 80 years old with an average of 56.5 years; courses of disease ranged from 1 to 25 months with an average of 4.5 months. The main symptom was low back pain and sciatica, especially the sciatica was seriously. Herniation level was in L3,4 of 9 cases, L4,5 of 49 cases, L5S1 of 15 cases. Preoperative, 2 weeks after operation, final follow-up, conditions of pain relief were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS); total life quality of patients were evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before operation and last follow-up.

RESULTSAll operations were performed successfully, operative time was from 40 to 115 min (mean of 50 min); and blood loss was from 50 to 150 ml (mean of 110 ml). Incision infection had 1 case and incomplete nerve root injury had 1 case. All patients were followed up from 3 to 8 years with an average of 4.5 years. Postoperative VAS and ODI had obviously improved (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe technique of intertransverse approach microendoscopic discectomy is a feasible and effective method for far lateral lumbar disc herniation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo find a way to having higher bond strength on mottled enamel.

METHODSSixty mottled enamel first bicuspid teeth extracted from fifteen patients needing orthodontic force were prepared and divided into four groups. Group A was routine acid etched, group B was air abraded, group C was etched by clearfil liner self-etching primer, group D was air abraded and then etched by clearfil liner self-etching primer. Next the bond and resin were used. The shear bond strength was observed and compared. The data were analysed by SPSS 11.5 statistical package.

RESULTSThe shear bonding strength of group A was (2.247 +/- 0.261) MPa, group B was (5.374 +/- 0.469) MPa, group C was (4.345 +/- 0.401) MPa, group D was (5.791 +/- 0.636) MPa. The strengths of four groups were significantly different (P < 0.01). The adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores of the four groups had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONIn clinic, using air abrasion surface preparation technique is an acceptable way to enhancing the shear bond strength before sticking the orthodontic bonding on dental fluorosis.

Acid Etching, Dental ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Fluorosis, Dental ; Humans ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Resin Cements ; Shear Strength

This study examined the effect of Notch-1 signaling on malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs were enriched by using serum-free medium and knocked out of Notch-1 by using a lentiviral vector. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the Notch-1 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines and BCSCs, and flow cytometry to detect the proportion of BCSCs in BCSC spheres. The BCSC self-renewal, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined by the tumor microsphere-forming assay and transwell assay and after xenotransplantation. The results showed that the Notch-1 silencing reduced the number of BCSC spheres, the proportion of BCSCs, and the number of cells penetrating through the transwell membrane. It also decreased the size of tumors that were implanted in the nude mice. These results suggest that Notch-1 signaling is intimately linked to the behaviors of BCSCs. Blocking Notch-1 signaling can inhibit the malignant behaviors of BCSCs, which may provide a promising therapeutical approach for breast cancer.

Abstract: The activities of four CYP450 enzymes (CYP3A, 1A2, 2El and 2C) and the mRNA expression levels of CYP1A2, 2El, 2Cll and 3A1 in rat liver were determined after Wistar rats were orally administered with brucine (BR) at three dosage levels (3, 15 and 60 mg.kg-1 per day) and the high dose of BR combined with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA, 25 mg.kg-1 per day) or liquiritin (LQ, 20 mg.kg-1 per day) for 7 consecutive days. Compared with the control, brucine caused 24.5% and 34.6% decrease of CYP3A-associated testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation (6betaTesto-OH) and CYP2C-associated tolbutamide hydroxylation (Tol-OH), respectively, and 146.1% increase of CYP2El-associated para-nitrophenol hydroxylation (PNP-OH) at the high dose level. On the other hand, (BR+GA) caused 51.4% and 33.5% decrease, respectively, of CYP2El-associated PNP-OH and CYP1A2-associated ethoxyresorufin-O-de-ethylation (EROD) as compared with the high dose of BR group. Meanwhile, (BR+LQ) caused 41.1% decrease of CYP2El-associated PNP-OH and 37.7% increase of CYP2C-associated Tol-OH. The results indicated that the co-administration of BR with GA or LQ had effect on mRNA expression and activities of the CYP450 enzymes mentioned above to some extent, and the in vivo antagonism of LQ on BR-induced CYPs adverse effects and the in vivo inhibitory action of GA on CYP2E1 and 1A2 might play an important role in the detoxification of Radix Glycyrrhizae against Strychnos nux-vomica L.
Animals ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P450 Family 2 ; Flavanones ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hydroxylation ; Liver ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitrophenols ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Steroid 16-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Steroid Hydroxylases ; metabolism ; Strychnine ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Strychnos nux-vomica ; chemistry ; Tolbutamide ; metabolism