OBJECTIVE[corrected] To study the cyclic peptides from Psammosilene tunicoides.

METHODThe constituents were separated and purified with chromatographic methods, identified by NMR, MS, UV and IR.

RESULTThree cyclic dipeptides: cyclo(-Pro-Val-) (1), cyclo(-Pro-Ala-) (2) and cyclo(-Pro-Pro-) (3), were isolated and identified.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 and 2 are new natural products, compound 3 was isolated for the first time from Psammosilene tunicoides.

Caryophyllaceae ; chemistry ; Dipeptides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Peptides, Cyclic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Angelica sinensis Polysaccharides (ASP) on the hepatic drug metabolism enzymes activities in normal mice and those prednisolone (PSL)-induced liver injury.

METHODThe activities of phase II enzymes (GSH-related enzymes) and cytochrome P450 enzymes were measured by biochemical method.

RESULTASP increased the activities of glutathione S-transferase in liver microsomes and mitochondria. The cytochrome P450 content, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, and aniline hydroxylase activities in liver microsomes were also increased. PSL significantly increased serum ALT levels, and decreased the liver mitochondrial glutathione content. At the same time, other enzymes activities were all increased. When mice were treated with ASP 2.0 g.kg-1, the PSL-induced changes on cytochrome P450 enzymes, glutathione S-transferase, and GSH content were restored.

CONCLUSIONASP can modulate the activities of drug metabolism enzymes.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase ; metabolism ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Aniline Hydroxylase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; enzymology ; etiology ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Microsomes, Liver ; enzymology ; Mitochondria, Liver ; enzymology ; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Prednisolone

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of low dose radiation (LDR) on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by using proteomic analysis. The bidirectional gel electrophoresis was used to establish the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns of proteome in group of MSCs exposed to LDR and in group of sham irradiated MSCs, the matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins in two groups. The results showed that among the differentially expressed proteins in the two groups, the expressions of 12 proteins were up-regulated, the expressions of 12 protein were down-regulated, 3 proteins disappeared after LDR, 12 proteins had been identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. In conclusion, the identified 12 proteins, such as prolyl 4-hydroxylase, dihydropyrimidinase-like 2 variant, ARP3 (actin-related protein 3, yeast) homolog, guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), phosphoglycerate mutase 1 may be related to mechanism of LDR effect. The study provides some new explanation for the mechanism of low dose radiation injury.
Actin-Related Protein 3 ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase ; analysis ; Proteins ; analysis ; Proteomics ; methods ; Radiation Dosage ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutation of the PAX6 gene in a family affected with congenital aniridia from northeastern China.

METHODSTwo patients were collected from the family and underwent full ophthalmologic examinations. Genomic DNA was extracted from all family numbers and 100 healthy controls. The coding regions and flanking sequence of the PAX6 gene were amplified by PCR amplification and subjected to bidirectional DNA sequencing.

RESULTSA nonsense mutation (c.718 C>T) was identified in exon 9 in both patients but not in other unaffected families or the 100 healthy controls. However, obvious difference was noted in the phenotype between the two patients. One of the patient has presented irregular cornea, which was infrequently reported.

CONCLUSIONA c.718C>T transitional mutation has been found to underlie the aniridia, which showed an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern in this northeastern Chinese family.

Aniridia ; genetics ; Eye Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; PAX6 Transcription Factor ; Paired Box Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo learn the status quo of lifestyle among women of five occupations in six provinces of China.

METHODSA questionnaire was administered among 7416 women from five occupations (civil servants, teachers of elementary and high schools, technical staff, enterprise managers and physical laborers) in Beijing, Hebei, Jilin, Hubei, Ningxia and Gansu of China. The sample was selected by multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method from December 2009 to June 2010. The questionnaire information included demographic characteristics, diet, sleep habit, smoking, physical exercise. The χ(2) test was used to analyze the different in life style of different occupations.

RESULTSThere were 7416 valid questionnaires received, and the valid rate of the questionnaires was 97.58% (7416/7682). About 38.00% (2818/7416) respondents preferred to bland diet and 28.44% (2109/7416) preferred to salty and oily food and 33.56% (2489/7416) had no preference. The proportion of sleep time between seven and eight hours per day was highest (accounting for 56.23%, 4154/7416), 25.27% (1867/7416) with sleep time less than seven hours. Among the population who had the sleep time less seven hours, teacher that had the highest rate accounted for 33.19% (531/1607) and technical staff had the lowest rate accounted for 21.05% (301/1401) (P < 0.01). Most of respondents were non-smokers, accounting for 93.10% (6869/7416). 22.73% (1671/7416) respondents passively smoked. The proportion of always passive smoking was highest among civil servants and lowest among teachers, accounting for 26.60% (404/1531) and 18.71% (298/1607), respectively. The proportion of having no physical exercises was highest, accounting for 62.87% (4637/7416). The proportion of having three times physical exercises per week was 12.68% (935/7416). The proportion of having no physical exercises among physical laborers (66.42%, 912/1386), enterprise managers (66.64%, 987/1491) and teachers (62.40%, 999/1607) were higher than others and the proportion of having physical exercises per week among technical staff was 40.83% (569/1401), higher than others (P < 0.01). The proportion of person who worked in sitting quietly beyond six hours per day was 42.62% (3146/7416). The technical staff had the higher rate than other occupational populations (P < 0.01), accounting for 57.83% (809/1401).

CONCLUSIONThe female occupational population had some unhealthy lifestyles, such as taking in high salt food, lacking of sleep, smoking and passive smoking, lacking of physical exercises and working in sitting quietly. Different occupational populations had different unhealthy lifestyles.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDOncogenesis, development, invasion and metastasis of lung cancer are modulated by relative genes of lung cancer, and the expression, deletion or mutation of these genes are regulated by cell membrane signal transduction system and cell membrane ionic channels. The aim of this study is to explore the electrophysiological properties of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and cell proliferation affected by tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), one potassium channel blocker, so as to know whether the voltage-gated potassium channels are required for the proliferation of A549 cell line.

METHODSIonic currents were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique. The proliferation activity of A549 cells was measured by MTT assay.

RESULTSMembrane current was observed when cells were held at -70mV and test potentials ranged from -30 to +110mV. The current exhibited properties of voltage-dependent, outward rectification and no or little inactivation over the 500ms voltage pulse. Exposure of tumor cells to 10mmol/L TEA reduced the peak outward potassium current (evoked by depolarization to +110mV) from (1057.52±59.17)pA to (212.26±11.96)pA, the ratio of suppression was 79.92% (P < 0.01). Obvious inhibitive effect of TEA with different concentrations ranged from 20 to 60mmol/L on proliferation activity of the cells was found.

CONCLUSIONSThe voltage-gated potassium channels exist in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and play a great role in proliferation of A549 cells. TEA can inhibit proliferation of A549 cell through blocking the potassium channels and the inhibition is dose-dependent.

AIMTo develop a method of identifying the existing of Panax notoginseng in products of traditional Chinese medicine compound Danshen.

METHODSTotal ion chromatograms (TIC) of Panax notoginseng, P. ginseng, and P. quinquefolius were obtained by means of LC/MS. Extracted ion chromatograms (EIC) posses m/z of 770, 800, 932, 946 and 1,108 of above-mentioned three herbs was compared between species. EIC 800 and 946 were selected as differentiation marks to distinguish P. notoginseng from the other two species. The EIC 800 and 946 of P. notoginseng were also compared to the EICs obtained by the same method from Chinese patent medicines of compound Danshen pellet, compound Danshen tablet, and compound Danshen injection. EIC 800 and 946 of P. notoginseng and its products possess similar peaks, relative retention time, and relative integral areas. Main chemical constitutes of P. notoginseng were also identified by using LC/MS/MS.

RESULTSEIC 800 and 946 were obviously different between P. notoginseng, P. ginseng, and P. quinquefolius. Patent medicines of compound Danshen pellet, compound Danshen tablet, which consist of extractions from P. notoginseng, possess the characteristic EICs. The selected EICs were stable and reproductive.

CONCLUSIONEIC 800 and 946, which correspond to ginsenoside Rg1, Re, and their isomers, can be used as identifying mark of P. notoginseng to differentiate it from other herbs, and also can be used to tell apart P. notoginseng from other herb extractions in Chinese patent medicines of compound Danshen.

Chromatography, Liquid ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; Mass Spectrometry ; Panax ; chemistry ; classification ; Phenanthrolines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To study the association between serum testosterone level and insulin resistance (IR) in elderly male hypertensive patients.Methods One hundred and seven elderly male hypertensive patients were divided into IR group (n=44) and IR-free group (n=63).Their total TST level was measured,their FAI and TSI were assayed.The patients were further divided into TST≥14 nmol/L group (n=72) and TST＜14 nmol/L group (n=35).The association between serum testosterone level and IR in elderly male hypertensive patients was analyzed.Results The serum TST level,FAI and TSI were significantly lower in IR group than in IR-free group (12.02±2.66 nmol/L vs 15.98±3.98 nmol/L;20.16％±2.75％ vs 28.53％±4.74％;2.26±0.49 nmol/U vs 3.21±0.55 nmol/U,27.67％±5.49％ vs 25.98％±4.98％;2.95±0.39 nmol/U vs 2.78±0.64 nmol/U,P＜0.05).The FAI and TSI were significantly higher in hypertention grade 1 patients than in hypertension grade 3 patients (P＜0.05).The IR was significantly lower while the serum TST level,FAI and TSI were significantly higher in TST≥14 nmol/L group than in TST＜14 nmol/L group (33.3％ vs 57.1％,P=0.019;18.43±3.41 nmol/L vs 12.15±2.23 nmol/L,P=0.002;32.49％±5.67％ vs 24.57％±6.94％,P=0.036;3.53±0.87 nmol/U vs 2.55±0.62 nmol/U,P=0.016).TST,FAI and TSI were negatively associated with HOMA-IR (r=-0.406,r=-0.469,r=-0.429,P=0.000).Conclusion Low serum TST level is a risk factor for IRin elderly male hypertensive patients.

In order to investigate the sleep quality and influencing factors in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD),201 PD patients were enrolled and underwent extensive clinical evaluations.Subjective sleep evaluation was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI),and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).It was found that poor sleep quality (77.11％) and excessive daytime sleepiness (32.34％) were commonly seen in PD patients and positively correlated with disease severity.Then 70 out of the 201 PD patients and 70 age-and sex-matched controls underwent a polysomnographic recording.The parameters were compared between PD group and control group and the influencing factors of sleep in PD patients were analyzed.The results showed that sleep efficiency (SE) was significantly decreased (P＜0.01),and sleep latency (SL) and the arousal index (AI) were increased (P＜0.05) in the PD group as compared with those in the control group.SE and total sleep time (TST) were positively correlated with the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage.There was significant difference in the extent of hypopnea and hypoxemia between the PD group and the control group (P＜0.05).Our results indicate that PD patients have an overall poor sleep quality and a high prevalence of sleep disorder,which may be correlated with the disease severity.Respiratory function and oxygen supply are also affected to a certain degree in PD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of the expression of survivin mRNA in sputum samples and pleural effusions in lung cancer. METHODS: The sputum samples of 104 patients with lung cancer and 30 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the pleural effusion of 56 patients with lung cancer and 30 patients with tuberculosis pleural effusions were detected.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the survivin mRNA expression in the specimens. The results were compared with their cytological examinations. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the cytological examinations combined with the detection of survivin mRNA in sputum samples was higher than that of either cytological examination or survivin mRNA detection of sputum samples alone (P<0.01). The sensitivity of the diagnosis for lung cancer increased from 37.5% (sputum cytology alone) to 78.8% (sputum survivin mRNA detection combined with sputum cytology) (P<0.01), and the negative predictive value increased from 31.6% (sputum cytology alone) to 43.5% (sputum survivin mRNA detection combined with sputum cytology) (P<0.01). The sensitivity of the cytological examinations combined with the detection of survivin mRNA in pleural effusion samples was higher than that of cytological examination of pleural effusion samples alone (P<0.01). The sensitivity of the diagnosis for lung cancer increased from 42.9% (pleural effusion cytology alone) to 80.4% (pleural effusion survivin mRNA detection combined with cytology) (P<0.01), and the negative predictive value increased from 48.4% (pleural effusion cytology alone) to 77.8% (pleural effusion survivin mRNA detection combined with cytology) (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The detection of survivin mRNA from sputum samples and pleural effusions samples is a new diagnostic method for lung cancer.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; analysis ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; metabolism ; Predictive Value of Tests ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sputum ; metabolism ; Survivin ; Young Adult