A new flavonoid glycoside, (-)-2S-8-methyl-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with five known ones, quercetin-3-O-(2"-galloyl)-α-L-arabinoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-arabinoside (3), guaijaverin (4), trifolin (5) and hyperin (6), was isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by NMR, HR-ESI-MS, CD spectra data and physicochemical methods. In addition, 2-6 were isolated from E. robusta for the first time.
Eucalyptus ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

Objective To explore the reliability of Chinese simplified diagnostic method for acute drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) in diagnosis of acute DILI .Methods From 2008 to 2013 ,a total of 320 patients diagnosed with acute DILI were enrolled .The clinical data of them were collected .International recognized Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method (RUCAM ) was taken as control and then simplified diagnostic method for DILI in China was evaluated . Variance analysis was performed for statistical analysis .Gamma value of two diagnostic methods was calculated and the correlation was analyzed .Results Among the 320 patients with acute DILI ,according to RUCAM ,there were 39 cases (12 .19% ) with quite high probability ,193 with high probability (60 .31% ) ,74 with possibility (23 .12% ) ,11 with less possibility (3 .44% ) and three with no probability (0 .94% ) .According to simplified diagnostic method for acute DILI ,194 cases were diagnosed (60 .62% ) ,103 were suspicious (32 .19% ) and 23 were excluded (7 .19% ) .The RUCAM score of diagnosed group (7 .5 ± 1 .2) was higher than that of suspicious group (5 .3 ± 1 .3) and excluded group (2 .1 ± 1 .1) ,and the difference was statistically significant (F =239 .545 ,P< 0 .01) .The correlation analysis between these two diagnostic methods indicated that Gamma value was 0 .955 (P < 0 .01) .Conclusions The simplified diagnostic method for acute DILI in China is simple ,practical and consistent with RUCAM .It can be used as one of the clinical methods for screening acute DILI .

The traditional fermentation engineering experiment requires a reform on the experimental con-tents and teaching pattern. According to the production process of industrial enzymes, we set up a two-week comprehensive experiment. The students designed and prepared the experiment by themselves. Moreover, the pattern of self-management was used in the process and the experiment scores included the self-assess-ment and objective assessment. It was proved that the new teaching pattern increased the study interesting of students, inspired their initiative and trained their spirits of team cooperation. The teaching effect was im-proved markedly and good ideas are also put forward to solve the possible problem.

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetic and distribution of arctiin in rats. METHODS Each rat was given a single dose at random by oral administration. The arctiin in serum and organs were determined by use of RP-HPLC. All pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with a 3P87 program. RESULTS After oral administration of arctiin at the dose of 300mg·kg-1, Arctiin plasma C-T curve conform to open two-compartment model. The Pharmacokinetic parameters were as follow: A=(37.374 5±8.964 7)μg·mL-1;B=(6.210 6±1.489 3)μg·mL-1;α=(0.004 3±0.000 9)min-1;β=(0.000 4±0.000 2)min-1;Kα=(0.420 2±0.167 5)min -1;t1/2α=(115.192 6±14.382 4)min ;t1/2β=(1 485.578 1±161.173 3)min;K10 =(0.001 0±0.000 4)min -1;K21=(0.001 4±0.000 6)min -1 ;K12=(0.002 3±0.001 3)min -1 ;Cmax=(41.786 3±7.521 7)μg·mL-1 ;Tmax=(9.891 9±4.341 4)min;AUC=(22 503.272 7±4 120.182 8)μg·min·mL-1. Liver had the highest concentration of arctiin after oral administration. CONCLUSION RP-HPLC method is rapid, sensitive and specific for the research of arctiin pharmacokinetic and its distribution in rats. Arctiin is distributed and eliminated quickly in rats.

OBJECTIVE To study influence of arctiin from seeds of Arctium lappa on hemorheology of experimental rats with the blood stasis syndrone. METHODS The blood hemorheology parameters, Fib, aPTT and PT of experimental rats with the blood stasis syndrone were evaluated using semi-automatic biochemical analysis. RESULTS Arctiin obviously decreased their high shear, middle shear, low shear, the blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation index, red blood cell rigidity index and reductive viscosity. It also significantly prolonged the time of aPTT and PT and lowed the Fib concentration. CONCLUSION Arctiin apparently ameliorated the blood rheology abnormality and enhanced anti-coagulation effect on experimental rats with the blood stasis.

OBJECTIVETo identify the differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) between esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC) and adjacent non-tumorous tissue (NT).

METHODSThe expression levels of the miRNAs were detected in 3 fresh ESC and NT samples by hybridization with miRNAs microarray chip. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was performed to confirm the results of the microarray analysis. The expressions of hsa-miR-126 and hsa-miR-518b in ESC were validated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in another independent 15 matched samples.

RESULTSA total of 11 miRNAs exhibited differential expressions in ESC samples as compared to their expressions in the NT samples, including a 1 up-regulated miRNA and 10 down-regulated miRNAs. Compared with normal esophageal samples, the ESC tissues showed up-regulated hsa-miR-126 and down-regulated hsa-miR-518b expression.

CONCLUSIONhsa-miR-126 and hsa-miR-518b are differentially expressed in ESC, and they might play important roles in the carcinogenesis and progression of ESC.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Yangxue Qingnao granule (YXQNG) in treating chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency (CCI) and its possible mechanism.

METHODSEighty-three patients with CCI were randomly divided into YXQNG and nimodipine (ND) groups, the score of vertigo and the change in cerebral blood velocity before and after treatment were observed. And in the animal experiment, the authors adopted bilateral ligation of cervical carotid communis artery to establish CCI rat models in order to observe the effect of YXQNG and ND on incubation period of vertigo in rats and on memory performance.

RESULTSAfter clinical treatment, the vertigo score of YXQNG group was 2.34, and that of the ND group was 4.18, the comparison between the two groups showed that the difference was significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the middle cerebral artery mean velocity (MCA Vm) of YXQNG group was 64.78 cm/s, vertebral artery mean velocity (VA Vm) was 29.78 cm/s, while that of ND group was 60.34 cm/s and 23.23 cm/s respectively, the comparison between these two groups showing statistical significance and the difference being obvious (P < 0.05). Experimental study showed that the rats in the model group after 12 weeks learning and memory were markedly lowered, the vertigo incubation period significantly lengthened, and compared with that of the model group, learning and memory of the YXQNG group was markedly improved and vertigo incubation period shortened, with the difference from that of the ND group insignificant, P > 0.05.

CONCLUSIONYXQNG could effectively improve CCI patients' vertigo and other clinical symptoms and increase the cerebral blood flow, lessen the vertigo incubation of model group rats, elevate model group rats' memory performance.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; drug effects ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; drug effects ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Nimodipine ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use ; Vertigo ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo optimize the therapeutic programs for periarthritis of shoulder treated with acupuncture, moxibustion and kinetohterapy with orthogonal design method adopted.

METHODSThe orthogonal design table of L8 (2(7)) hierarchical principle was used to randomly divide 192 patients of periarthritis of shoulder into 8 groups, 24 cases in each one. Separately, 4 factors and each different 2 levels were adopted in treatment, named acupuncture timing (factor A: A, acute stage, A2 adhesion stage), acupoint combination (factor B: B, local acupoints, B2 local acupoints and distal acupoints along meridians), filiform needling and warm needling therapy (factor C: C1 acupuncture with filiform needle, CZ acupuncture with filiform needle and warm needling therapy) and positive functional exercise (factor D: D1 without positive functional exercise, D2 with positive functional exercise). The treatment was given once a day, 10 treatments made one session and 2 sessions were required totally. The time points of observation were the point after 1 session of treatment and after 2 sessions of treatment. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) and shoulder joint motor disturbance score were adopted for evaluation.

RESULTSIn the orthogonal design analysis, taking the hierarchical factors into consideration, the age was considered as the main factor in the evaluation of shoulder pain and shoulder motor disturbance (P<0.01), and the shoulder function grade apparently impacted pain evaluation and the efficacy on shoulder motor disturbance (P<0.01). The best combination of 4 factors and 2 levels were A1B1CzD2 and A2BC2D2. SAS statistical analysis showed that at acute stage and adhesion stage, CZ Dz , meaning acupuncture with fifiform needling and warm needling therapy combined with positive functional exercise, is the main factor of the improvements of shoulder motor function (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor periarthritis of shoulder at acute stage, the combined therapy of acupuncture at local acupoints, warm needling and positive functional exercise is adopted. At chronic stage, the combined therapy of acupuncture at local acupoints and distal acupoints, acupuncture with filiform needle and warm needling and positive functional exercise is the best program. Additionally, in clinical treatment, the patients' age, sex, shoulder joint function and duration of treatment should be considered comprehensively for the impacts on the efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Periarthritis ; therapy ; Shoulder Pain ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of lung fibroblast activation in radiation-induced lung injury.

METHODSThirty-five male Wistar rats were exposed to a single-dose 30 Gy irradiation of the right hemithorax or sham right lung irradiation. At 1, 7, 14, 28, 56 or 84 days after the irradiation, the rats were sacrificed for examination of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in the bilateral lung tissues using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSalpha-SMA expression in fibroblast increased significantly in the out-field and in-field lung tissues within 24 h after irradiation after the irradiation (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONActivation of the lung fibroblasts occurred within 24 h after irradiation and found in ont-field and in-field lung tissues, suggesting that radiation-induced lung injury may not have an obvious latency.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung ; cytology ; pathology ; Male ; Radiation Injuries ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDChronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is the most important pathophysiologic feature of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). To explore the relationship between SAS and dementia, the effects of CIH on the expression of Nip3, neuron apoptosis and beta-amyloid protein deposit in the brain cortex of the frontal lobe of mice were evaluated in this study.

METHODSThirty male ICR mice were divided into four groups: control group (A, n = 10, sham hypoxia/reoxygenation), 2 weeks CIH group (B, n = 5), 4 weeks CIH group (C, n = 5), and 8 weeks CIH group (D, n = 10). The ICR mice were placed in a chamber and exposed to intermittent hypoxia (oxygen concentration changed periodically from (21.72 +/- 0.55)% to (6.84 +/- 0.47)% every two minutes, eight hours per day). Neuron apoptosis of the cortex of the frontal lobe was detected by means of terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase-mediated in situ end labeling (TUNEL). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for measuring expression of Nip3 and beta-amyloid protein. The ultrastructure of neurons was observed under a transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSTUNEL positive neurons in each square millimeter in the cortex of the frontal lobe were categorized by median or Ri into group A (1, 5.5), group B (133, 13), group C (252, 21), and group D (318, 24). There were significant differences among the above four groups (P = 0.000). The significance test was performed between the control group and each CIH group respectively: group A and B (P > 0.05); group A and C (P < 0.01); and group A and D (P < 0.005). The number of apoptotic neurons kept increasing in the ICR mice under CIH condition, and reached the peak in the group D, but there was no significant difference between groups B and C, between groups B and D, and between groups C and D. Nip3 positive neurons in each square millimeter in the cortex of the frontal lobe in each group were calculated by median or Ri as follows: group A (2, 5.5), group B (117, 13), group C (227, 26.2), and group D (479, 21.4). There were significant differences among the four groups (P = 0.000). The statistical test was performed between the control group and each CIH group respectively: groups A and B (P > 0.05); groups A and C (P < 0.005); and groups A and D (P < 0.005). There was no significant difference between groups B and C, groups B and D, and groups C and D. The expression of Nip3 was closely correlated with neuron apoptosis in the brain (P < 0.05). The expression of beta-amyloid protein in the brain of mice was negative in all CIH groups and the control group. Ultrastructure observation showed karyopyknosis of nucleus, swelling of chondriosomes, deposit of lipofuscins and degeneration of neural sheath in all CIH groups but not in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicate that CIH could up-regulate the expression of Nip3, and result in neuron apoptosis and ultrastructural changes in neurons of the frontal cortex.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism