italic>Alangium chinense is a commonly used medicinal plant of Alangiaceae Alangium, one of the characteristic Miao medicines in Guizhou. The genus is strongly differentiated and has complex morphological variation, with significant differences in active ingredients and potency among herbs. In this paper, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes of Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum, Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum and Alangium kurzii Craib using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. The genomes of Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum, Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum and Alangium kurzii Craib chloroplasts were sequenced, their assembly annotation and structural characterization were completed, and the genomes of the congeners Alangium chinense and Alangium alpinum were downloaded from NCBI for comparative analysis. Finally, the phylogenetic tree was constructed by selecting published species with close affinity to Alangium chinense family from NCBI. The results were as follows: Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum, Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum and Alangium kurzii Craib chloroplast genomes were 156 670, 156 672 and 156 871 bp in length, with a typical four-segment structure, all containing one long single copy region (LSC), one short single copy region (SSC) and two inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb). All of them were annotated to 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Three types of long repeat sequences and SSR loci, forward repeats, palindrome repeats and reverse repeats, were found in all chloroplast genomes. Comparative genomic analysis showed that there was diversity in the boundary transition regions of the five species, no rearrangements or inversions were found in the chloroplast genome, and there were significant differences in the coding regions of ndhA, ycf1, rpl16, ycf2, and petD genes, which provided new loci for molecular identification of Patagonia. In the phylogenetic analysis, Alangium kurzii var. kurzii clustered as a single species, and Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum and Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum clustered as a single species, with a support rate of 93 and close affinity, indicating that the phylogenetic tree can be used for the species identification. This paper can provide a basis for the taxonomic identification of Alangium, ensure the safety of clinical use of anise herbs and regulate the market of Alangium chinense herbs.

AIMTo observe the differences of hemodynamics and nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity of ventricular cardiac muscle in two septic shock models and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSTwo rat models of septic shock[lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic shock] were used. The hemodynamic parameters and nitric oxide synthase activity of ventricular cardiac muscle were measured.

RESULTSThe hemodynamic parameters in CLP-induced model were increased in the early stage and decreased in the late stage while in LPS-induced model the parameters showed the same change of the CLP late stage. Both LPS model and CLP model (late stage) showed significant increase in NOS activity, but there was no difference between the two models. After treatment of the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), the parameters of CLP-late stage and LPS model increased significantly. The NOS activity reached the highest level in the CLP-middle stage. The production of nitrite/nitrate decreased significantly in LPS model and CLP model(late stage) after treatment of L-NAME, but the nitrite/nitrate produced by constitutive NOS in LPS model was higher than CLP model(late stage).

CONCLUSIONThe increase of the NOS activity may be the main reason to lead to the depression of the hemodynamic parameters. Inducible NOS may play the leading role in the LPS model while cNOS and iNOS have the same effect in the CLP model.

Animals ; Hemodynamics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Septic ; classification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of dutasteride inhibiting fertility by studying its effects on the expressions of the epididymal epithelial junction proteins Claudin1 and β-catenin in rats.

METHODSSixteen 3-month-old SD male rats were equally divided into an experimental and a negative control group to be treated intragastrically with dutasteride at 40 mg/kg per day and the same dose of solvent, respectively, for 14 consecutive days. Then, the sperm motility and morphology of the rats were detected by computer-assisted sperm analysis, the serum levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) measured by ELISA, changes in the tight junction of epididymal cells observed under the transmission electron microscope, the protein and gene expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the conception rate of the mated female rats calculated.

RESULTSDutasteride significantly suppressed the serum DHT level, sperm motility, and fertility of the rats (P <0.05). Interspaces between epididymal epithelial cell tight junctions were observed, the volume of epididymal fluid obviously increased, and the expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin gene and protein remarkably downregulated in the experimental rats (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONDutasteride can significantly inhibit the fertility of male rats by reducing the serum DHT level, suppressing Claudin1 and β-catenin expressions, and damaging epididymal epithelial cell junctions.

Animals ; Azasteroids ; pharmacology ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Dihydrotestosterone ; blood ; Dutasteride ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urological Agents ; pharmacology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the role of lateral collateral ligament complex on the posterolateral rotatory instability and the relationship between the radiocapitellar ratio (RCR) and the injury of lateral collateral ligament complex on X-ray images.

METHODSTwenty elbow joints from fresh-frozen adult cadavers were used to make osteo-ligamentous elbow specimens. The specimens were fixed with a self-made device to maintain posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow joint. All the specimens were divided into two groups: group A and group B. Surgical procedures were carried out as follows in the lateral structures of group A: A1, intact specimen; A2, transection of radial ulnar collateral ligament firstly; A3, transection of annular ligament secondly; A4, final transection of the radial collateral ligament. The procedures in group B were carried out as follows: B1, intact specimen; B2, transection of the radial collateral ligament firstly; B3, transection of the annular ligament secondly; B4, final transection of the radial ulnar collateral ligament. Lateral X-ray films of elbow joint were taken, and the radiocapitellar ratio (RCR) was measured by using PACS. All analysis was performed with SPSS 17.0 software.

RESULTSGroup A: the increases in RCR had statistical differences among A1, A2, A3, and A4 groups. Group B: the increases in RCR had no statistical differences among B1, B2 and B3 groups; but the increase in RCR in group B4 was more than that in B1, B2 and B3 groups.

CONCLUSIONThe radial ulnar collateral ligament is a key structure to maintain posterolateral rotatory stability;the radial collateral ligament and the annular ligament are the secondary important structures. There are 4 grades of the posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow, according to the X-ray imaging classification.

Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; Elbow Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Radiography

AIMTo investigate the paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactic acid) amphiphilic diblock copolymer (PMT).

METHODSPMT was prepared by solid dispersion technique. The average size and size distribution were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The morphology was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 1HNMR. The influences of the copolymer molecular weight and the paclitaxel-fed amount on PMT were studied. Therapeutic effect of PMT was studied on Kunming mice liver cancer H22.

RESULTSPMT showed nanometer size and spherical morphology with core and shell. The sizes of PMT increased with increasing the molecular weight of the hydrophobic segment in PEDLLA or increasing the drug-loaded amount. The tumour inhibiting effect of PMT was similar with that of Taxol.

CONCLUSIONIt will provide an experiment basis for the development of new kind of intravenous administration of paclitaxel.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Lactic Acid ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Mice ; Microspheres ; Nanotechnology ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs22833188 and rs2833195 in TIAM1 gene with the susceptibility to Kawasaki disease (KD) and its clinical characteristic in children.

METHODSA case-control study was performed in this study. One hundred and eighty-eight children with KD and 197 normal children served as controls were enrolled. The genotypes of two SNPs rs22833188 and rs2833195 in TIAM1 gene were detected using PCR-RFLP.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the genotype (AA, AG and GG) and allele frequencies of SNP rs2833188 between the KD and control groups. Significant differences in the genotype (CC, GC and GG) frequency of SNP rs2833195 were noted between the KD and control groups (P=0.017). The frequency of C allele in the KD group was higher than in the control group (P=0.015). The polymorphism of SNP rs2833188 was associated with the occurrence of rash (P=0.011), and the polymorphism of SNP rs2833195 was associated with the occurrence of conjunctival hyperemia (P=0.021).

CONCLUSIONSThe polymorphism of rs2833195 in TIAM1 gene is associated with the susceptibility to KD. The polymorphisms rs2833188 and rs2833195 in TIAM1 gene may be associated with some clinical characteristics in children with KD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of central nervous system tuberculosis in adults and the possible factors affecting the mortality and disability of the patients.Methods:The clinical data of patients diagnosed as "tuberculous meningitis" "tuberculous meningoencephalitis" "tuberculous cerebrospinal meningitis" or "tuberculous brain ubscess" in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University and Jing′an Branch, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2017 were collected, and a retrospective cohort was established. The clinical characteristics were analyzed, Medical Research Council (MRC) grade system was used to assess the severity of meningitis, and the modified Rankin Scale was used to assess the impairment of self-care. Survival rate and disability rate of the cohort were analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used for survival analysis.Results:A total of 161 patients with central nervous system tuberculosis were enrolled. Among the 161 patients, 55 cases (34.2%) were confirmed, 72 cases (44.7%) were highly suspected and 34 cases (21.1%) were suspected diagnosis. There were 56 cases (34.8%) with MRC grade Ⅰ, 76 cases (47.2%) with MRC grade Ⅱ and 29 cases (18.0%) patients with MRC grade Ⅲ before treatment. Up to January 1, 2019, ten (6.2%) patients died, 32 (19.9%) patients lost to follow-up, 119 (73.9%) patients survived. The five-year survival rate was 92.83%. There were 72 patients with no impact on life, 34 patients with moderate impact and 13 patients with severe impact. The disability rate was 39.5% (47/119). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age (odds ratio ( OR)=1.06, 95%confidence interval ( CI) 1.00 to 1.13, P=0.032) and deterioration of MRC grade during anti-tuberculosis treatment ( OR=89.00, 95% CI4.46 to 1 779.00, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for death. When severe disability and death were used as adverse outcomes, logistic regression analysis showed increasing age ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.13, P=0.035) and deterioration of MRC grade during anti-tuberculosis treatment ( OR=77.17, 95% CI4.45 to 1 337.00, P=0.003) were still independent risk factors for adverse outcomes. Conclusions:The mortality of central nervous system tuberculosis in adults in this cohort is relatively low, but the disability rate is still high. Increasing age and deterioration of MRC grade during anti-tuberculosis treatment are independent risk factors for death and disability.

Objective To observe the effects of therapy of wound-pus promoting granulation tissue growth guided by drug-wound interaction theory on the related factors in granulation tissue during the healing of chronic skin ulcer in rats based on drug-wound interaction. Methods Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, control group, and treatment group, 6 rats in each group. The rats in the normal group had no skin ulcer and was given normal feeding,and the rats with chronic skin ulcer in the other 3 groups were induced by compound factors-overlapped method of hormone intervention-skin defect-bacterial infection. After modeling,the model group was given external use of saline gauze dressing,the control group given external use of vaseline gauze dressing,and the treatment group given external use of Shengji Xiangpi Ointment,changing fresh dressing for wound daily,the treatment lasting for 14 days. Wound sample was taken from the left back of rats, and therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the changes in the wound surface of the rat right back. After intervention for 3,7,and 14 d,the secreta and granulation tissue in the wound surface of rats were observed, the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), arginine-1 (Arg-1), and Notch1 in granulation tissue of rat ulcer wound were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The wound in the treatment group has been healed after treatment for 14 days (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 as compared with the diameter of the ulcer in the model group and the control group) . At the early stage of wound repairing (3 d),the expression levels of VEGF and Arg-1 in the treatment group were increased, and Notch1 expression level was decreased, the difference being statistically significant as compared with those of the model group and the control group (P < 0.05). At the late stage of wound repairing (14 d),the expression level of iNOS in the treatment group was increased,and the difference was statistically significant as compared with that of the model group(P < 0.05). Conclusion The therapy of wound-pus promoting granulation tissue growth guided by drug-wound interaction theory can promote the healing of chronic skin ulcerative wound in rats and improve the general condition of rats. The therapeutic mechanism may be associated with firstly inhibiting the expression of iNOS induced by M1 type macrophage at early stage and then promoting M2 type macrophage phenotype index Arg-1 expression,and regulating the expression of VEGF and Notch1 in the granulation tissue.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEIt has been proven that endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) was a new minimally invasive method in the diagnosis for mediastinal lymph nodes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic and staging yield of EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer.

METHODSSeventy-five patients with tumors and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes found by CT underwent the diagnosis by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) from April 1, 2009 to Febuary 8, 2010. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA were evaluated.

RESULTSSeventy-five patients with 177 lymph node groups (2.4 groups in average) were studied. Histopathological samples were found in 49.33% patients and in 28.81% groups. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for diagnostic were 98.43%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 91.67% and 98.66%, respectively, in per patient analysis and were 95.10%, 100%, 100.00%, 82.93%, and 96.05%, respectively, in per group analysis, higher than CT examination (P < 0.05) expect for sensitivity (P = 0.435). Staging changed in 19 (26.03%) patients after EBUS-TBNA.

CONCLUSIONEBUS-TBNA proved to be a safe procedure with a high yield for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; methods ; Bronchi ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Endosonography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging

OBJECTIVETo construct a luciferase reporter gene vector of p-selectin gene promoter and determine its transcriptional activity for screening the effect of drugs on the transcriptional activity of p-selectin promoter.

METHODSPrimers were designed based on human p-selectin promoter sequence from UCSC software. The p-selectin promoter from human genome DNA was then amplified. After digestion of pGL3-Basic vector and p-selectin promoter with Kpn I and Xho I, p-selectin promoter was inserted into pGL3-basic vector. The recombinant plasmid, namely pGL3-p-selectin-promoter, was transiently cotransfected into 293F cells with pRL-SV40 as the control vector, and the activity of the dual luciferase was detected. The transcription activity of serially truncated segments of the p-selectin promoter reporter gene was quantified by luciferase expression. 293F cells transfected with pGL3-p-selectin-promoter reporter gene and dual luciferase were stimulated with LPS, TNF-α and As2O3, and the transcriptional activity of p-selectin promoter were assessed.

RESULTSpGL3-p-selectin-promoter was constructed successfully as verified by restriction digestion and sequence analysis. The luciferase activity was higher in pGL3-p-selectin-promoter/pRL-SV40 group than in pGL3-basic/pRL-SV40 group (0.8573±0.4703 vs 0.03955±0.05894). pGL3- 1826 bp was actively transcribed compared with pGL3-1092 bp and pGL3-3738 bp. LPS, TNF-α and As2O3 significantly enhanced the transcriptional activity of p-selectin promoter.

CONCLUSIONpGL3-p-selectin-promoter can be transcribed and activated in 293F cells. This study provided an important basis for acquiring transcriptional factors and screening inflammatory factors and drugs.

Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Luciferases ; P-Selectin ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection