OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Whole Plant to the whole plant of Veronicastrum axillare(Sieb. et Zucc.)Yamazaki. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three compounds were identified as 5-hydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavone(1), acacetin(2), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone(3), 5, 7, 3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone(4), luteolin(5), oleic acid(6), syringaresinol(7), glyceryl ferulate(8), cinnamic acid(9), p-hydroxycinnamic acid(10), caffic acid(11), ferulic acid(12), 3, 4-dimethoxycinnamic acid(13), p-hydroxybenzoic acid(14), protocatechuic acid(15), vanillic acid(16), isovanillic acid(17), protocatechuic aldehyde(18), hydroquinone(19), 1, 2, 4-benzenetriol(20), D-mannitol(21), sucrose(22), and β-sitosterol(23). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time except for compounds 2, 5, 19, 21 and 23, and from the genus Veronicastrum for the first time except for compounds 2, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 21 and 23. The 13C-NMR data of compound 8 is reported for the first time.

Objective To investigate the neural proliferation , differentiation and apoptosis of the developing spinal cord of the mouse and to discuss the mechanism of spinal cord ’ s development .Methods 5-Bromodeoxyuridine ( BrdU) assay was used to mark the proliferative neural stem cells , and the immunofluorescent stainings ( DCX, NeuN and Caspase8) were carried out to visualize the newborn neurons , mature cells and apoptotic cells in the spinal cord with 173 mice arrange from E18 to P90.Results BrdU positive neural stem cells appeared evenly in the spinal cord at early days . With age increasing , the neural stem cells differentiated into neuroglial cells and neurons .The newborn neurons in the subventricular zone migrated toward the intermediate zone ( putative gray matter ) and differentiated into mature neurons gradually .With neurons ’ concentrating towards the center , the gray matter formed an “H” shape .In the meantime , with neural differentiation , some apoptotic neurons appeared among the newborn neurons and mature neurons . Double immunostaining showed that most apoptotic neurons were newborn neurons , suggesting the neuroapoptosis more likely occurred in newborn neurons .The statistical data showed that the number of DCX , NeuN and Caspase-8 positive cells reduced with age increasing , suggesting neural differentiation and neuroapoptosis decreased during spinal cord ’ s development .Conclusion Neural proliferation , neural differentiation and neuroapoptosis occur in developing spinal cord . They work together to regulate the formation and development of the spinal cord .

Objective To study the changes and clinical significance of serum kalium,natrium,chlorine,calcium and glucose in children with febrile convulsion(FC).Methods Serum kalium,natrium,chlorine,calcium and glucose concentrations were measured in 41 children with FC(FC group),30 children with fever and without convulsion(fever group) and 30 normal children(normal group) by automatic biochemical detector.Results Serum kalium and calcium concentrations had no significant difference between FC group and fever group,but they were significantly lower than those of normal group(F=5.965,3.048 P0.05).Conclusions There are hyponatremia,hyperglycemia and lowered blood kalium and calcium in patients with FC.Hence,while treating the patient with FC,the disturbance of blood electrolytes and glucose need be corrected to avoid the recurrence of FC and the progressive injury of important organs such as brain.

AIM: To detect whether N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) inhibits epithelial-mes-enchymal transition in A549 cells induced by TGF-β1 through suppressing the expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and zinc finger proteins Snail (including SNAI1and SNAI2) which ultimately inhibited the deposition of type I and type III collagens.METHODS:The colocalizations of HSP27 and SNAI1/SNAI2 respectively on A549 alveolar epi-thelial cells induced by TGF-β1 were measured by confocal microscopy .The expression of HSP27, SNAI1 and SNAI2 at mRNA level was detected by real-time PCR.Western blotting analysis was used to detect the expression of HSP 27, SNAI1 and SNAI2 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cells induced by TGF-β1 and also the deposition of type I and type III collagens in A549 cells transfected with HSP27shRNA prior to TGF-β1 stimulation.RESULTS: Compared with control group, TGF-β1 increased the expression of HSP27, SNAI1, SNAI2, type I and type III collagen, which decreased significantly followed by Ac-SDKP intervention.The expression of SNAI1, type I and type III collagen decreased signifi-cantly after transfected with HSP27shRNA in A549 cells, which had the similar effect on Ac-SDKP intervention.CON-CLUSION:Ac-SDKP inhibits the transition of cultured A 549 cells to myofibroblasts and attenuates collagen synthesis by suppressing the expression of HSP 27 and zinc finger proteins SNAI 1 and SNAI2.

Objective To study the radiation-protective effects produced by the estrogenic activities of genistein(Gen) for providing experimental basis to develop the food for radiation protection. Method After blocking estrogen receptor (ER) activities by Tamoxifen and Faslodex,the effects of Gen on peripheral leucocytes and lymphocyte counts,serum haemolysin and delayed type of hypersensitivity of the mice were examined after exposure to 4 Gy ? radiation. Results Gen was shown to inhibit the decrease of peripheral leucocytes and lymphocyte counts and the decreased immune response of the ?-irradiated mice. Faslodex (ER? blocker) + Gen eliminated the protective effect of Gen and still caused the similar effects in hematological response and immune response after irradiation. Tamoxifen (ER? blocker) did not have these effects. Conclusion Gen can enhance the immune function in irradiated mice through activation of estrogen receptor ? pathway.

Sp1 is a ubiquitous nuclear factor that plays a key role in maintaining basal transcription of 'house-keeping' genes. It has been demonstrated that Sp1 is involved in many cellular process, e.g.cell growth and differentiation. Sp1 plays an extremely important role in growth and metastasis of many tumors by regulating oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle control molecules, growth-related signal transductions, angiogenesis-related factors, as well as apoptosis. The expression of Sp1 and its activity are strictly regulated. Mechanisms include the modulation of Sp1 and interactions between Sp1 and other molecules. New treatment with Sp1 as the target will bring profound impacts on the strategy of clinical chemotherapy of tumor.
Apoptosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective There is a lack of information on the effect of hypoxia on the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans . This study was to construct a Cryptococcus neoformans bilfilm model in vitro and observe the influence of hypoxia on the biofilm forma-tion. Methods We constructed a Cryptococcus neoformans biofilm model in vitro in 24-well and 96-well microculture plates using DMEM culture medium at the oxygen concentrations of 21%( normoxia ) and 1% ( hypoxia ) .We collected the Cryptococcus neofor-mans biofilms at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after culturing and observed their thickness , structure, and growth activity in the two different oxygen conditions by light microscopy , confocal laser scanning microscopy , and MTT assay . Results The Cryptococcus neoformans biofilm model was successfully constructed in the conditions of both hypoxia and normoxia .The processes of biofilm forma-tion in the two conditions were similar , involving adhesion , aggregation , micro-colony formation , and biofilm maturation , with the ulti-mate biofilm thickness of about 16 μm.The cell density and growth activity of the biofilms increased with the extension of incubation time, gradually stabilized with their maturity , and both were relatively higher at 1%than at 21%oxygen concentration . Conclusion The abilities of Cryptococcus neoformans biofilm formation vary with different oxygen concentrations , and hypoxia can promote the for-mation of Cryptococcus neoformans biofilms .

Objective To explore the clinical value and typing characteristic of prenatal ultrasonography for fetal cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung(CAML).Methods Ultrasonographic features and typing of fetal CAML in 41 cases detected by prenatal ultrasonography were analyzed retrospectively.All cases were followed up until to the induction of labor or birth.Results (1)Site of tumor: in the 41 cases,there were 22 cases on the left side,15 on the right side and 4 on bilateral.(2)Typing diagnosis of prenatal ultrasonography: three cases were CAML type Ⅰ,14 were type Ⅱ,and 24 cases were type Ⅲ.(3)Pathology diagnosis: thirty two cases were induced abortion.CAML was confirmed in 29 cases by autopsy and the classifications were consistent with the prenatal diagnosis of ultrasonography.Three pulmonary sequestration cases were prenatally misdiagnosed as CAML type Ⅲ by ultrasonography.(4)The other nine cases were followed up to birth.Three masses decreased gradually and then disappeared.Six newborns were confirmed as CAML by CT.Their typings were consistent with the postnatal diagnosis.(5)The diagnostic accuracy rate of prenatal ultrasonography for CAML was 92.7%(38/41).Its misdiagnostic rate was 7.3%(3/41).Conclusions Prenatal ultrasonography has a high accuracy rate for the diagnosis and classification of CAML and is the first choice to detect CAML early in pregnancy.It has an important clinical value.Pulmonary sequestration should be distinguished from CAML type Ⅲ because they tend to be confused.

[Abstract ] Objective Silicosis is one of the most serious occupational diseases in China .In this study,we explored the reg -ulatory effect of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline ( Ac-SDKP ) on angiotensin ( Ang ) Ⅱ-induced extracellular signal-regulated ki-nase ( ERK1/2) and Jun N-terminal kinase ( JNK) signals and its inhibitory effect on the differentiation of human embryonic lung MRC-5 fibroblasts to myofibroblasts via Ang Ⅱ-induced ERK1/2 and JNK signals . Methods Human embryonic lung MRC-5 fibro-blasts were induced by Ang Ⅱand pre-treated with the JNK signal inhibitor ( SP600125 ) , the ERK1/2 signal inhibitor ( PD98059 ) or Ac-SDKP.The proliferation of the cells was measured by MTT assay .The expressions of αS-MA, SRF, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK were determined by immunocytochemical staining , and the expression levels of these proteins and collagen Ⅰwere detected by Western blot .Results The A value of Ang Ⅱ group (0.56 ±0.08) measured by MMT assay was 2.07 fold as control group ( 0.27 ±0.05 ). Pretreatment with SP600125 , PD98059 and Ac-SDKP, the A value were (0.39 ±0.02), (0.40 ±0.03) and (0.36 ±0 0.5) that had a statistical significance with Ang Ⅱgroup.The up-regulation of colla-gen type Ⅰ,α-SMA, SRF were induced by Ang Ⅱ by 4.50, 3.50 and 3.00 fold compared with control group.Moreover, the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK were increased as 6.71 and 7.90 fold as control. Pre-treatment with Ac-SDKP could inhibit p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 to 29.79% and 46.84% compared with AngⅡ group. Conclusion Ac -SDKP can inhibit the differentiation of human embryonic lung MRC-5 fibroblasts to myofibroblasts by regulating AngⅡ-induced JNK and ERK1/2 signals.

To screen common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome factors of chronic renal failure (CRF) via questionnaire investigation among experts.