In this paper, the antitussive and expectorant activity of platycodin D (PD) were studied by constructing a mouse cough induced by concentrated ammonia water and a mouse trachea phenol red excretion model. The mechanism of antitussive and expectorant effect of PD was studied by metabolomics. The animal experiment was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: JZLLSC-20220739). Then mice were randomly divided into the normal, model, positive drug, PD low-dose, PD medium-dose and PD high-dose group. The antitussive and expectorant effects of PD were evaluated using a cough mouse model induced by concentrated ammonia water and a mouse tracheal phenol red excretion model, respectively. UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify the metabolites of mouse lung tissue, and multivariate statistical analysis method of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used for metabolites profile analysis. The differential metabolites were screened by variable projected importance value (VIP) and t-test results. Pathways for enrichment of differentiated metabolites were analyzed using the MetaboAnalyst platform. The comparative method was applied to analyze the differences in mechanisms of PD, Deapio-platycodin D (DPD) and total platycosides fraction. The results showed that PD at different concentrations could significantly prolong (P < 0.05) the incubation period of cough mice induced by ammonia water, reduce the coughs frequency, and significantly increase (P < 0.05) the amount of phenol red excretion in phenol red excretion model mice. PD could regulate 6 metabolic pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism to exert antitussive effect. It could also regulate 8 metabolic pathways of linoleic acid metabolism, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism, glycerol phospholipid metabolism, citric acid cycle and arachidonic acid metabolism to exert an expectorant effect. However, only linoleic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism could be regulated by the PD, total platycosides fraction and DPD, which may be ascribed to the structural difference of the platycosides and the interaction between platycosides and the intestinal microbiota. Functional analysis showed that these metabolic pathways are closely related to the regulatory mechanisms of anti-inflammatory response, immune function regulation, neurotransmitter release, cell signal transduction, energy metabolism and cell apoptosis. This study shows that PD possesses good antitussive and expectorant activities. In addition, the mechanism difference of PD, total platycosides fraction and DPD imply that the apiose in PD and the interaction between PD and intestinal microbiota could exert an important effect on the antitussive and expectorant mechanism of the platycosides.

Objective To observe the efficacy of hybrid balloon valvuloplasty for the treatment of low-body weight infants with severe congenital valvular aortic stenosis ( AS ).Methods Five infants with severe congenital valvular aortic stenosis underwent the hybrid balloon aortic valvuloplasty through median sternotomy in the hybrid operating room.The mean age was (40.2 ± 7.0) days,weight was (4.48 ± 0.75 )kg.The patients were followed up by echocardiography for 9 - 13 months post procedure.Results Operation was successful in all 5 patients and they were discharged from hospital uneventfully.The gradient pressure decreased significantly from (98.8 ±9.0)mm Hg( 1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) to ( 13.8 ±3.3) mm Hg (P ＜0.05)post operation. There was no moderate or severe aortic insufficiency. All patients were alive,the gradient pressures was ( 18.8 ± 2.5) mm Hg and there was no moderate or severe aortic insufficiency during follow-up [ 9 - 13 (11.0 ± 1.4) months ].Conclusion The hybrid balloon aortic valvnloplasty is an effective option for the low-body weight infants with severe congenital valvular aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible factors causing the increase of rabies cases and to provide references for the development of related prevention and control strategy in Hunan.

METHODSData was collected and analyzed on epidemic situation of rabies in the past ten years, and studies were carried in some counties.

RESULTSFrom 1994 to 1999, the annual cases sustained between 17 and 78. However, the number of cases has continued to increase since 2000. The annual reported cases in 2001 and 2002 were 311 and 313, and accounted for 34.8% and 30.0% of the total cases in the whole country respectively. The epidemic areas were mainly located in the south and middle parts of Hunan. Furthermore, the epidemic areas had been expanding. In 1997, human rabies cases were only reported in 7 cities but increased to 12 cities in 2004.

CONCLUSIONFactors as increasing number but low inoculating rate to dogs, and incorrect treatment on the wounds etc. might have served important roles for the recurrence of rabies. Hence, it is necessary to take comprehensive preventive measures to control and prevent the epidemics of rabies in Hunan.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rabies ; epidemiology

In order to find the optimal topographical factor for regionslization, the content of cimetidine in 116 Sinopodophyllum hexandrum sample collected from Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Tibet, Yunnan and Shaanxi provinces, was determined. Using mathematical statistics and geographical spatial analysis of GIS analysis, the relationship between content of podophyllotoxin and influencing factors including altitude gradient and gradient position was analyzed. It is found that the optimal altitude was 2 800 m to 3 600 m, the aspect of slope north or northeast and northwest and the slope 12 degrees to 65 degrees with a high suitability degree. Considering the artificial planting, the suitable planting area for S. hexandrum is comfirmed. The topographical factor is important for S. hexandrum regionalization, but has hardly effect on podophyllotoxin content. The results of the study provide an important scientific basis for S. hexandrum production development. But there are many factors which affect suitability index and podophyllotoxin content of S. hexandrum, it is necessary to consider other factors like climate and soil while exploitation and protection of S. hexandrum.
Altitude ; Berberidaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Ecosystem ; Podophyllotoxin ; analysis

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E(2)) on the structure and relaxation and contraction activity of thoracic aortas in ovariectomized rats with insulin resistance induced by fructose. Ovariectomized mature female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with high fructose diet for 8 weeks to induce insulin resistance. Physiological dose of 17beta-E(2) (30 mug/kg) was injected subcutaneously every day for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by use of tail-cuff. Serum nitric oxide (NO), estradiol (E(2)), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and fasting serum insulin (FSI) were measured respectively in each group. The insulin sensitive index (ISI) was calculated. The thoracic aortas were fixed in formalin, sliced and HE dyed. The structure of thoracic aortas, lumen breadth, media thickness, media thickness/lumen breadth ratio and media cross-section area were measured. The contraction response of thoracic aorta rings induced by L-phenylephrine (PE) and the relaxation response of thoracic aorta rings induced by ACh and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were measured. To explore the mechanism, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used. The results obtained are as follows: (1) 17beta-E(2) protected against the effect of high fructose diet, which caused an increase in SBP, hyperinsulinemia and a decrease in ISI in ovariectomized rats. (2) The structure of thoracic aortas had no significant difference among the groups. (3) Compared with the ovariectomized group (OVX) or fructose fed group (F), serum nitric oxide was significantly reduced, the contraction response of thoracic aorta rings to PE was enhanced and the relaxation response to ACh was depressed significantly in ovariectomized+fructose fed group (OVX+F). The effect of high fructose was reversed by 17beta-E(2). After pretreatment with L-NAME, the effect of 17beta-E(2), which enhanced the relaxation response of thoracic aorta rings to ACh in ovariectomized+fructose+17beta-E(2) group (OVX+F+E(2)), was partly blocked. (4) The relaxation response of thoracic aorta rings to SNP had no significant difference among the groups. (5) The contraction response of thoracic aorta rings without endothelium to PE had no significant difference among the groups. These findings suggest that 17beta-E(2) may provide protection against the effect of high fructose diet, which causes hypertension, dysfunction of endothelial cells and insulin resistance. The mechanism of this effect of 17beta-E(2) could be partly associated with the increase of NO by NOS pathway, or associated with the decrease in the level of systolic blood pressure and serum insulin, and the improvement of insulin resistance.
Animals ; Aorta ; physiology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fructose ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasomotor System ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of docetaxel +carboplatin combined with hyperthermia on treatment of advanced esopha-geal cancer and its effect on serum vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF).Methods Fifty patients with advanced esophageal cancer were randomly divided into treatment group (n=25) and control group (n=25). Control group was treated with docetaxel, intravenous 75 mg? m-2 , 1 h, day 1 +carboplatin, intravenous infusion 25 mg? m-2 , day 1 -3.A period of 28 days, a total of two treatment cycles.Treatment group was treated with docetaxel, intravenous 75 mg? m -2 , 1 h, day 1 +carboplatin, intravenous infusion 25 mg? m-2 , day 1 -3, combined with the same period of hyperthermia, NRL -004 tumor hyperthermia system, heat output power 900-1200 W, twice a week, a period of 28 days, a total of two treatment cycles.Short -term clinical efficacy, serum VEGF levels and quality of life scores and the incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment, the total efficacy of 84.00%in treat-ment group was significantly higher than that in control group (68.00%, P<0.05), serum VEGF levels in treatment group were significantly decreased than that in control group ( P<0.05 ) which had a slight decrease.Quality of life score of patients in treatment group ( 54.32 ± 9.42 ) was significantly higher than that in control group (42.04 ±10.51, P <0.05 ) . The main adverse drug reactions in treatment group were nausea and vomiting (48.00%) , hair loss (56.00%) and in control group they were 52.00%and 64.00%, respectively.There were of significant differences between the two groups ( P <0.05 ) .Conclusion Docetaxel +carboplatin combined with hyperthermia on the treatment of patients with advanced esophageal cancer had more significant short-term effect, and it can effectively reduce serum VEGF levels and fewer adverse drug reactions.It is recommended to be widely adpoted in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the complete remission (CR) rate, disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with HA based three drugs induction chemotherapy and to explore the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the prognosis.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty-three untreated de novo AML patients were treated with HA based three drugs induction therapy. CR rate, DFS and OS were calculated. One hundred and eighty-four patients who had karyotype results were divided into four or three groups according to SWOG or MRC criteria respectively. Differences in CR rate, DFS and OS among different groups were evaluated.

RESULTSThe CR rate of all the 243 cases was 77.4%. The median DFS of the 188 CR patients was 28.5 (ranged from 1.0 to 153.0) months, DFS rates at 3 and 5 years were 45.4% and 40.2% respectively. The median OS of the 243 patients was 18.4 (range from 0.5 to 154.0) months. OS rates at 3 and 5 years were 36.9% and 31.4% respectively. According to SWOG criteria, CR rate, median DFS and OS were 97.8%, 87.4 months and 89.0 months for the favorable group; 81.9%, 17.6 months and 22.3 months for the intermediate group; 61.5%, 9 months and 11.5 months for the adverse group; and 79.3%, 29.0 months, 19.9 months for the unknown group, respectively. The differences among the four groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). According to MRC criteria, CR rate, median DFS and OS were 96.1%, 79.9 months, 72.2 months for the favorable group; 80%, 17.6 months, 19.7 months for the intermediate group; and 43.8%, 16.5 months, 12 months for the adverse group, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant excepting for DFS between intermediate and adverse groups.

CONCLUSIONSHA based triple-drug induction regimens are highly effective in obtaining higher CR rate and longer survival time. Cytogenetics is the important prognostic factor for AML patients and SWOG karyotype subtyping criteria is more appropriate than that of MRC, the differences among the three groups being statistically significant.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Harringtonines ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), compare the efficacy of different induction regimens and analyze the prognostic factors.

METHODSData of 149 adult ALL patients hospitalized in our institute between June 1998 and December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The results were analyzed with the SPSS11.5 software.

RESULTS1) Out of 133 patients available immunophenotype data, 118 (88.7%) were B-ALL and 15 (11.3%) T-ALL. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 105 patients, 40 cases (38.1%) of them had a normal karyotype and 65 (61.9%) chromosome aberrations. 2) 149 patients completed the VDCP, VDLP or VDCLP induction therapies (at least 4 weeks treatment for each), 140 (93.7%) of them achieved complete remission (CR) with the first course CR rates of 80.8%, 92.3% and 81.4% , respectively (P=0.618). CR rates in patients after the induction regimens with or without asparaginase were 95.5% versus 92.1% (P=0.566). With a median follow-up of 14.5 (1-75) months, the median disease free survival (DFS) was 12 (1-74) months and median overall survival (OS) 17.5 (1-97) months. DFS of the three regimen groups at 3 and 5 years were 18.5% and 14.8%, 24.7% and 9.9%, 39.5% and 39.5%, respectively (P=0.0066). 3) COX regression analysis showed that the age (over 40 years), white blood cell (WBC) count ( > 40 x 10(9)/L) , t(9;22) (q34;q11)-positive and less than 4 courses consolidation chemotherapy were the unfavorable prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSMost adult ALL patients are B-ALL and karyotype have more changed. More than 90% patients can achieve CR with induction regimens consisting of 4 or 5 drugs. Induction regimens containing L-asparaginase may not affect the CR rate, but can improve DFS and OS. Age and WBC at diagnosis, presence of t(9;22) (q34;q11) and the courses of post-remission treatment are important prognostic factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo summarize the methods, safety and efficiency of surgical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSThe clinical and follow-up data of 48 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent surgical resection from January 2003 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 26 male and 22 female, aged from 38 to 72 years old with a mean of 63.6 years old.

RESULTSPerioperative management including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage applied in 19 cases and portal vein embolization applied in 2 cases. Eight patients were treated with extrahepatic bile duct resection with or without parital hepatic segment II resection, 10 cases with perihilar hepatic resection (segment IVB, partial V, partial VIII, I), 28 cases with extended hemihepatectomy and 2 cases with central hepatic resection (segment IVB, V, VIII, I). R0 resection rate was 89.5% and the operative mortality was 2.1%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate were 93.5%, 51.8% and 36.5%, respectively. Patients undergoing extended hepatic resection survived significantly longer than those undergoing partial hepatic resection (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONSExtended hepatic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma offers good outcomes with an acceptable mortality rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic accumulation regulation of dry substance and four coumarin constituents in root of Peucedanum praeruptorum, so to provide the basis for optimal harvest time.

METHODRoots of P. praeruptorum were collected periodically. The dry weight of the roots was measured and the content of four coumarins was determined by HPLC method.

RESULTThe dry substance accumulation of the root reached the maximum amount and the coumarin contents maintain stability at the end of the vegetative growth period. The coumarins of roots decline significantly in the reproductive growth period.

CONCLUSIONThe most optimum collecting time of root of P. praeruptorum cultivated in Ningguo county in Anhui province should be from December to next February.

Apiaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumarins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism