Une new flavonoids named as notabilisin K (1), together with four known compounds, morusin (2), mulberrofuran A (3), neocyclomorusin (4) and mornigrol F (5) are separated from 95% ethanol extracts of the twigs of Morus notabilis. Compounds 2-5 are separated from this plant for the first time. Notabilisin I, notabilisin J exhibits certain effect against cells of HCT-116, HepG2 and A2780 with IC50 values ranging from 1.47 μmol x L(-1) to 5.46 μmol x L(-1). Morusin exhibits strong effect against five kinds of human cancer cells (BGC823, A2780, HCT-116, HepG2 and NCI-H1650) with IC50 values ranging from 0.74 μmol x L(-1) to 1.58 μmol x L(-1).
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; Benzofurans ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Morus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of Qiyao Xiaoke Capsule (QXC) on patients with type 2 pre-diabetes.

METHODSTotally 116 pre-diabetes patients were randomly assigned to the Chinese medicine group (CM, 76 cases) and the blank control group (BC, 40 cases) in the ratio of 2: 1. All patients received proper diet control, health education, and exercises, and so on. Besides, patients in the CM group took QXC (0.4 g/pill), 6 pills each time, three times a day. But patients in the BC group were intervened by life style alone. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), insulin (FINS, 2h INS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc), blood lipids (TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C), and efficacy of CM symptoms were observed in the two groups before and after intervention. The sequelae were observed at the end of the treatment and at follow-ups.

RESULTSAfter treatment FBG, PBG, and HbA1c decreased in all patients of the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), with 2 h PBG decreased more significantly. But there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The two methods could improve the secretion of FINS. Especially 2 h INS decreased more significantly in the CM group, showing statistical difference when compared with the BC group (P<0.05). The two methods could improve the metabolism of blood lipids. CM could significantly lower TG and elevate HDL-C, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment the CM symptoms were obviously improved, showing statistical difference when compared with the BC group (P<0.05). The normalization rate was better in the CM group than in the BC group at the end of the treatment and at follow-ups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQXC combined life style intervention could improve fasting and postprandial insulin secretion of type 2 pre-diabetes patients, regulate glycolipid metabolism, correct the insulin resistance state, and improve the symptoms of qi-yin insufficiency. It could postpone or hinder the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes. It was more effective and durable than changing the life style alone.

Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prediabetic State ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of enterovirus (EV) infection in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI).

METHODSA total of 404 samples (with odd numbers) of nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from the children who were hospitalized in the Children's Medical Center, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital due to ALRTI between September 2007 and April 2008. The conserved sequence in the 5'-noncoding region of EV was used to design the primer, and nested RT-PCR was performed to detect EV in the samples.

RESULTSOf the 404 samples, 19 (4.7%) were EV-positive, and mostly taken from children under 3 years of age (95%); there was no significant difference in the detection rate between male and female children. Of the EV-positive children, 13 (68%) were clinically diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia, and 6 (32%) with bronchiolitis; 90% of them showed symptoms of fever, 84% had a cough, 63% had asthma, and 63% had complications mainly including diarrhea (6 cases), granulocytopenia (4 cases), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (2 cases). In addition, 26% of the EV-positive children had leukocyte disorder, more than half had liver dysfunction, and a few had myocardial involvement.

CONCLUSIONSEV is a pathogen that should not be neglected in children with ALRTI. For these children, close attention should be paid to the epidemiological status and clinical features of EV infection, and blood routine examination, liver function test and myocardial enzyme assay should be carried out periodically to improve prognosis.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of human bocavirus (HBoV) in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection and to explore the relationship between the viral load of HBoV and the clinical characteristics of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children.

METHODSA total of 1 554 nasopharyngeal aspirates from children who were hospitalized due to acute lower respiratory tract infection between March 2011 and March 2014 were collected. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect 12 RNA and 2 DNA viruses, adenovirus (ADV) and HBoV, and to measure the viral load of HBoV in HBoV-positive children. A comprehensive analysis was performed with reference to clinical symptoms and indicators.

RESULTSIn the 1 554 specimens, 1 212 (77.99%) were positive for viruses, and 275 (17.70%) were HBoV-positive. In HBoV-positive cases, 94.9% were aged <3 years, and there were more males than females. In the 275 HBoV-positive cases, 45 (16.36%) had single infection, and 230 (83.64%) had mixed infection. There was no significant difference in viral load between children with single infection and mixed infection (P>0.05). The patients with fever had a significantly higher viral load than those without fever (P<0.05). The children with wheezing had a significantly higher viral load than those without wheezing (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in viral load between children with mild, moderate, and severe acute lower respiratory tract infection (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHBoV is one of the important pathogens of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children. Children with a higher viral load of HBoV are more likely to experience symptoms such as fever and wheezing. However, the severity of disease and mixed infection are not significantly related to viral load.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Human bocavirus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of eletroacupuncture with close-to-bone needling treatment on expression of Sox9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and type X collagen (ColX) in impaired cartilage of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODSForty New Zealand rabbits were randomized equally into normal control group, KOA model group, eletroacupuncture with close-to-bone needling group (CN group), and normal thrust needing group (NTN group). In the latter 3 groups, KOA was induced by Hulth-Telhag treatment and evaluated with X-ray examination, and 6 weeks after the modeling, eletroacupuncture for 20 min was administered in CN and NTN groups at the acupoints "Zusanli", "Waixiyan", "Neixiyan", "Liangqiu" and "Yinlingquan" in the left knee joints once daily for 5 days as a treatment cycle. After 5 treatment cycles, the rabbits were examined for behavioral changes, cartilage morphology, and Mankin scores; The protein and mRNA expressions of S0x9, VEGF, and ColX were examined using Westen blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR as appropriate.

RESULTSThe rabbits in the model, CN and NTN groups showed significant changes in behaviors and cartilage histomorphology after the modeling and after the treatments. HE staining showed that cartilage injury was repaired and tended to recovery in CN and NTN groups. The cartilage pathologies was severer in the model group than in the normal control, CN and NTN groups (P<0.01); Sox9 protein increased and VEGF mRNA level decreased in CN and NTN groups after treatment as compared with those in the model group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONEletroacupuncture with close-to-bone needling can effectively improve KOA in rabbits probably by enhancing Sox9 and reducing VEGF and ColX expressions in the cartilage to inhibit hypertrophic differentiation of the chondrocytes, maintain chondrogenic phenotype and repair cartilage cells.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Chondrogenesis ; Collagen Type X ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Rabbits ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of NS398, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on the transcription and translation of BCL-3 and its regulatory gene cyclin D1 in colon cancer cell line SW480.

METHODSHuman colon cancer cells SW480 were divided into two groups: SW480 cells in experimental group were treated with NS398 in different concentrations(25 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L and 200 micromol/L) for 48 h or 72 h. SW480 cells in control group were treated with media which did not contain NS398. Then the expressions of BCL-3 and cyclin D1 were detected by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry.

RESULTSAt 48 hours RT-PCR showed that BCL-3 mRNA and cyclin D1 mRNA decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the experimental group. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of BCL-3 protein and cyclin D1 protein between two groups (P>0.05). At 72 hours, BCL-3 protein and cyclin D1 protein also decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the experimental group. When the concentration of NS398 reached 100 micromol/L, the differences between the two groups in the expression of BCL-3 mRNA and protein became statistically significant (P<0.01). When the concentration of NS398 reached 50 micromol/L, the differences in the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein were statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBCL-3 is expressed in colon cancer cell line SW480. COX-2 inhibitor can inhibit the expression of BCL-3 and cyclin D1 in a dose-dependent manner. NS398 may down-regulate the expression of cyclin D1 through BCL-3.

Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nitrobenzenes ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the alterations of tight junction proteins in duodenal mucosa from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinson's disease(PD) model. Methods Rats were subjected with 6-OHDA in bilateral substantia nigra (SN) as PD model. The location and quantitative detecting techniques inclu-ding immunohisto- chemistry and western blotting were used to determine the expressions and alterations of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1). Results Claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1 were highly expressed in the duodenal mucosa of PD models, where the expressions of occluding (P<0.001) and ZO-1 (P<0.001) were much lower, while the expression of claudin-1 had no alteration. Conclusions The down-regulated expres-sion of occludin and ZO-1 was detected in duodenal mucosa of PD models, which might be related to duodenal ulcer in PD.

Objective To investigate the alterations of tight junction proteins in duodenal mucosa from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinson's disease(PD) model. Methods Rats were subjected with 6-OHDA in bilateral substantia nigra (SN) as PD model. The location and quantitative detecting techniques inclu-ding immunohisto- chemistry and western blotting were used to determine the expressions and alterations of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1). Results Claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1 were highly expressed in the duodenal mucosa of PD models, where the expressions of occluding (P<0.001) and ZO-1 (P<0.001) were much lower, while the expression of claudin-1 had no alteration. Conclusions The down-regulated expres-sion of occludin and ZO-1 was detected in duodenal mucosa of PD models, which might be related to duodenal ulcer in PD.

OBJECTIVETo carry out epidemiological study on an outbreak caused by E. coli O157:H7 infection in Jiangsu province in 1999.

METHODSEpidemiological, microbiological and moleculebiological methods were used to find out the source, route of transmission and risk factors.

RESULTS95 severe O157:H7 infected patients with acute renal failure in 9 counties and districts of 2 municipalities were reported in Jiangsu province, 1999 while 83 of the patients died with a death rate of 87.37%. Most patients were seen in mid or late June. The ratio of male to female was 1 to 1.44 and 88.42% of the patients were over 50 years old. 38 patients occurred in 2000 with 34 deaths. Major factors contributing to the outbreak would include without drinking tap water, eating leftover food, poor sanitary status in kitchen, not washing hands before meal and after bowl movement. 2 strain of O157:H7 was isolated from severe patients and 3 from diarrhea cases. Carrier rate among animals was up to 9.62% and 99.41% of the strains carried toxic gene. Strains isolated from feces of patients and animals belonged to the same colonies.

CONCLUSIONThis outbreak was severe which caused by O157:H7 and was first seen in China, which was closely related to the high carrier rate of O157:H7 in animals and to the positive rate of high toxic gene of the strains. There were various routes of transmission and the main factors of infection would include poor personal health habits and poor sanitation of the household.

Acute Kidney Injury ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Escherichia coli Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; Escherichia coli O157 ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; immunology ; Female ; Hemolysin Proteins ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the food water sources of adults in the four cities of China in summer.

METHODSA total of 64 adults aged 18 - 60 yrs from four cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou)were selected using convenient sampling method. The food samples were collected by using duplicate portion method and the water content of food samples were determined by using the national standard. The information on amounts and types of daily drinking soup was recorded by subjects using a quantitative measurement.

RESULTSA total of 63 subjects had completed the investigation. The median of daily water from food of subjects was 1157 ml, while water from staple food was 480 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 41.8% of water from food. Water from dishes was 427 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 37.9% of water from food. Water from soups was 133 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 13.8% of water from food. Water from snacks was 0 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 6.4% of water from food. The medians of water from staple food (384, 388 and 435 ml, respectively) in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou was significant lower than that of Chengdu subjects' (900 ml, χ(2) = 21.27, P = 0.000). But the median proportion of water from staple food of subjects in Beijing (47.7%) was significantly higher than that in Chengdu (43.2%), Shanghai (42.9%) and Guangzhou (33.9%) (χ(2) = 8.69, P = 0.034). The median of amount and proportion of water from soups of subjects in Guangzhou (267 ml, 24.4%) and Chengdu(278 ml, 15.7%) was significantly higher than that in Shanghai (133 ml, 9.0%) and Beijing (100 ml, 5.8%) (amount: χ(2) = 22.52, P = 0.000;proportion: χ(2) = 16.27, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe staple food and dishes are the main sources of daily food water.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Drinking ; Female ; Food Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; Young Adult