OBJECTIVETo develop a RP-HPLC method for determination of three glycosides in Swertia punicea.

METHODChromatographic column: Alltimal C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). Mobile phase: methanol-water (including 0.05% H3PO4), and gradient elution. Flow rate: 1 mL x min(-1). Wavelength: 254 nm. Column temperture: 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe calibration curves of gentiopicroside, mangiferin and swertrianolin were in good linearity over the range of 31.3-281.7, 0.31-2.78, 0.55-4.91 microg, (r = 0.9996, 0.9993, 0.9995). The average recoveries were 103.36%, 101.42% and 97.39%, with RSD less then 3% (n = 5).

CONCLUSIONIt is a simple and sensitive meathod in controlling the quality of S. punicea.

Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Glycosides ; analysis ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Swertia ; chemistry ; Xanthones ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate aquaporin 9 (AQP9) mRNA and protein expression in antrum follicle and luteinizing granulosa cells of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) ovary, and its relation to follicular fluid steroids hormone levels during IVF cycles.

METHODSAQP9 mRNA expression on luteinizing granulosa cells in IVF cycles was detected by RT-PCR. AQP9 protein expression in antrum follicles of PCOS ovary and luteinizing granulosa cells was measured by immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and testerone (T) in follicular fluid were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTThe expression of AQP9 mRNA in luteinizing granulosa cells during IVF cycles was positive by RT-PCR. No significant differences in AQP9 mRNA levels in granulosa cells between PCOS and control group were found during IVF cycles. The expression level of AQP9 mRNA in large follicles was higher than that in small follicles, but not significantly. The immunoreactivity for AQP9 was localized in membrane and cytoplast of granulosa cells in antrum follicles from PCOS ovary and luteinizing granulosa cells during IVF cycles. Multiple regression analysis showed that AQP9 mRNA levels on granulosa cells were not correlated with E2, P and T levels in follicular fluid during IVF cycles.

CONCLUSIONAQP9 may play an important role in the follicle development and antrum formation through water transport and AQP9 may be involved in the mechanism of follicle development in PCOS.

Adult ; Aquaporins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of infrasonic field of minesweeper on psychology of minesweeper crews.

METHODSAn experimental ship was selected to conduct infrasonic minesweeping, a control ship of the same type was selected to operate likewise with the infrasound generator turned off, and another group of coast-servicemen was chosen as blank control. Attention-span test, digit memory test, two-digital numbers list and profile of mood states (POMS) were used to test the ship crews and coast-servicemen.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in psychological parameters between the two ship crews before the experiment. But the scores of two-digit figures list in ship crews were significant lower than that in coast-servicemen, (31.2 +/- 11.8, 36.4 +/- 14.5 respectively vs 45.8 +/- 13.9, P < 0.05). POMS showed that the scores of anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia, and confusion-bewilderment in both ship crew groups [(15.5 +/- 6.4, 18.3 +/- 6.8), (12.1 +/- 5.0,12.3 +/- 4.9), (11.6 +/- 4.4, 12.5 +/- 4.8), respectively] were higher than those in coast-servicemen (13.9 +/- 7.0, 7.6 +/- 4.1, 8.2 +/- 4.3, respectively, P < 0.05 or 0.01), while vigor-activity in experimental group (15.0 +/- 5.9) was lower than that in coast-servicemen (19.7 +/- 4.7). After the experiment, the scores of experimental crews in digit memory test (14.5 +/- 5.0), vigor-activity (12.2 +/- 5.8), fatigue-inertia (15.8 +/- 6.2) were significantly different from those of control crews (17.3 +/- 4.8, 16.5 +/- 4.6, 11.3 +/- 5.1).

CONCLUSIONSThe infrasonic field from minesweeper may injure the crew's psychological health and some neurobehavioral function.

Adult ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Ships

Seven compounds were isolated from Onychium japonicum by macroporous resin, silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by NMR, MS and other spectroscopic methods as onychone A (1), quercetin (2), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (3), kaempferol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), (-)-prunin (6), and norathyriol (7). Compound 1 is a novel macrocyclic flavonoid, and all the others are reported from this plant for the first time. In vitro cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-7 were evaluated by MTS testing with five cancer cell lines. Compound 7 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines A549, SMMC-7721, and SW480.

Objective To study the relationship between peripheral blood hemoglobin (HB) and blood pres- sure.Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 1153 subjects aged 29-83 years.Waist circumfer- ence,HB,blood pressure,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL- C),triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol (TC) were determined.Results ①With the increasing of blood pres- sure,HB had a clearly increasing trend (HB,normotensive:137.5?14.7 vs prehypertension:143.4?14.4 vs hy- pertension:144.3?13.8 g/L,P

The effect of 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ)on the proliferation of rat mesangial cells was observed and its mechanism was explored.The results showed that DNJ significantly inhibited the proliferation of rat mesangial cells induced by high glucose in time-and dose-dependent manners.DNJ significantly decreased expressions of?-smooth muscle action(?-SMA),integrin?1 mRNA and protein and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)protein stimulated by high glucose in rat mesangial cells(P

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in children.

METHODA total of 37 MRSA strains were isolated from hospitalized patients in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 2009 to November 2011. The clinical characteristics were investigated by a cohort study. Furthermore, the mecA, Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the genotypes of SCCmec were determined by multiplex PCR.

RESULT(1) Among the 37 MRSA isolates, infections with 21 were acquired from hospital (HA-MRSA), and 16 isolates were acquired from community (CA-MRSA). (2) In the study, MRSA frequently caused respiratory tract infection, and most of the strains were isolated from intensive care unit (ICU). (3) CA-MRSA was most frequently associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), suppurative tonsillitis, even pneumonia and septicemia. HA-MRSA infection was more aggressive, most frequently associated with pneumonia, septicemia, and central nervous system (CNS) infections, such as meningitis. In children with fever caused by HA-MRSA or CA-MRSA infection, HA-MRSA showed a longer duration of fever, for 10.5 days. C-reactive protein (CRP) level caused by HA-MRSA (63.00 mg/L) was higher than CA-MRSA (9.50 mg/L) , and there were statistically significant differences between the groups (t = 2.5670, P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in white blood cell count (WBC) or procalcitonin (PCT) level. (4) Among 37 MRSA isolates, the whole isolates were mecA gene positive (100%). SCCmec genotyping results showed that the most frequent SCCmec types were type III, 17 isolates, the others including type IV 8 isolates, type II1 isolates, nontypable 11 isolates, type I and type V were not found in this group. Therein, among 21 HA-MRSA isolates, SCCmec III was the most common, 15 isolates, type IV 1 isolates, nontypable 5 isolates; among 16 CA-MRSA isolates, SCCmec type IV was the most common, 7 isolates, type III 2 isolates, type II 1 isolate, nontypable 6 isolates. (5) Among the 37 MRSA isolates, 28 were PVL gene positive; and among 21 HA-MRSA isolates, 17 were PVL gene positive; Among 16 CA-MRSA isolates, 11 were PVL gene positive; There were no statistically significant differences between the groups (χ(2) = 0.735, P > 0.05) .

CONCLUSIONCompared with CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA infection was more aggressive, and induced higher C reactive protein; the dominant epidemic strains of CA-MRSA was SCCmec type IV, and HA-MRSA was SCCmec type III; the positive rate of PVL gene was high.

Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Community-Acquired Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Methicillin ; pharmacology ; Methicillin Resistance ; genetics ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins ; Staphylococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of ecdysterone (ECR) on the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in H2O2 induced oxidative damage of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs).

METHODSThe cultured HLECs were divided into 5 groups, i.e., the control group, the H2O2 group, the beta-estradiol (E2) group, the ECR group, and the pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate group (PDTC) group. The expression rate of NF-kappaB p65 in the HLECs were detected by flow cytometer (FCM).

RESULTSThe expression of NF-kappaB p65 occurred in normal HLECs (9. 53%). The expression rate of NF-kappaB p65 in the H2O2 group obviously increased (39.87%, P < 0.01). The expression rate of NF-kappaB p65 in the PDTC group obviously decreased (5.90%, P < 0.01). The expression rates of NF-kappaB p65 in the ECR group (13.99%) and the E2 group (25.18%) ranged between the control group and the H2O2 group, but still lower than that of the H2O2 group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe activation of NF-kappaB in the HLECs could be induced by H2O2 ECR with the estrogenic activity could effectively inhibit the activation of NF-kappaB.

Cells, Cultured ; Ecdysterone ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; adverse effects ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the safety and efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in treatment of severe pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (PSLE).

METHODThe diagnosis of PSLE was made according to the criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus revised by the American College of Rheumatology in 1997. Severe cases with PSLE was selected by the following criteria: age ≤ 16 years, number of important organs involved > 1, SLEDAI score > 10 points and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. These patients received 2 doses of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab (RTX), 2 weeks apart. Clinical, laboratory findings and drug side effects were recorded at RTX initiation, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3, 6 and 12 months after infusion.

RESULTA total of 20 patients. Male to female ratio was 1:3, were enrolled. They were 5-16 years old. The course of disease was (3.0 ± 2.5) years (range: 1 month-7 years), patients were followed up for 12 - 36 months [median: (27.0 ± 7.8) months]. Delirium and cognitive disorders were significantly improved in 10 cases of lupus encephalopathy after 1 month. Lupus nephritis in children were eased slowly, 14/15 patients with lupus nephritis were improved after 2-3 months. Four cases of lupus pneumonia were significantly improved within 1 month. Decreased blood cells counts were relieved at 1 month in 16/18 cases. Cellular immune function was assessed 2 weeks after application of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; we found B-cell clearance in 19 patients (95%). B lymphocyte count of 18 patients (90%) was restored within one year. SLEDAI score was reduced obviously. Dose of corticosteroid ranged from (45.0 ± 4.7) mg/m(2) before drug use to (12.0 ± 2.7) mg/m(2) 12 months later (P < 0.001). After the drug use, 5 patients had pneumonia within 6 months; 2 cases who suffered from aspergillus pneumonia and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia respectively were severe. They accepted mechanical ventilation and anti-inflammatory support after being transferred to the intensive care unit, and their conditions improved at last. No death occurred. In 2 patients the disease recurred with B-cell recovery after 15 months and 18 months. Administration of another cycle of rituximab resulted in remission again in one case but not in the other.

CONCLUSIONAnti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is effective and safe in treatment of severe PSLE. But severe infections may occur in some cases. Focusing on prevention and early treatment can reduce the probability of adverse reactions.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lupus Nephritis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; pathology ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rituximab ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Carnitine, an important compound in the beta-oxidative process of mitochondrial fatty acid, plays a significant role in the cardiovascular, nervous, and reproductive system. Recently, carnitine has been used as a therapeutic in the treatment of male infertility, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, etc. Accordingly, the objective of this review is to summarize the progress in researches on carnitine as a clinical therapy in andrology.
Carnitine ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; Male