Abstract: A new selaginellin derivative named as selaginellin S (1) was isolated from the whole plants of Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim. (Selaginellaceae), together with a known one (selaginellin M, 2). Compounds 1 and 2 were separated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as ECD calculations. Compound 1 is a key intermidiant in the biosynthesis pathway of selaginellins. Compound 2 is first reported in this plant.
Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cyclohexanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the complex clinical syndrome attributed to multiple causes and risk factors, which is characterized by an abrupt loss of renal function. Metabonomics, recently advances in the field of omics, is the nontargeted measurement of all of the low-molecularweight compounds that appear in a particular cell, tissue, organ or biofluid in a living organism. Compared to genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics,metabonomics has its unique advantages, including fewer metabolites than genes, transcripts and proteins, the most accurate predictors of the signature of the actual processes, easy access to biofluids. Thus, metabonomics makes it possible to find new biomarkers for AKI on early diagnosis, identifying new metabolic pathways, finding new targets for drug therapy and individual medical treatment.

Objective To study and compare the protective effects of pmtease inhibitor and corticosteroid on endotoxin-indueed acute lung injury in order to guide the choice of appropriate drugs. Method Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided(random number) into four groups with 8 rabbits in each, namely normal controls(C) ; lipopolysaecharide(LPS) group(L) ; ulinastatin(UTI) group(U) and dexamcthasone(DEX) group (D) .Except group C, all rabbits were injected with a dose of LPS 600 μg/kg iv. Meanwhile the rabbits in group U,group D received UTI(100 000 μ/kg), DEX(5 mg/kg), respectively. The specimens were collected 4 hours later for detecting the levels of TNF-α and NO in serum, and blood gas analysis, histological manifestations, the lung wet/dry weight ratio, lung tissue MPO and SOD activity, lung tissue MDA. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (SNK- q test), and P < 0.05 was considered as significantly different. Results Compared with group C, the lungs of the rabbits in group L had inflammatory granulocyte infdtration, diffused alveolar septum thickening and hemorrhagic spots were observed in pathological examinations. The histological changes of group U and group D were much lessened than those in group L. As groups U and D were compared with group L, there were significant differences inmany biomarkers including lung wet/dry weight ratio[(5.02±0.11),(4.93±0.13) vs.(5.37 ±0.29)],lung tissue MPO activity[(0.51 ± 0.05),(0.54±0.07) vs.(0.82 ± 0.09)] and MDA[(0.82 ±0.05),(0.81 ±0.04) vs.(0.96±0.05)], NO[(296.2± 11.7),(291.7 ± 15.8) vs.(351.8±19.6)] and TNF-α[group D(2.021 ± 0.122) vs. group L(4.999 ± 0.139)],lung tissue SOD activity[(120.3 ± 6.1),(122.6±3.5) vs.(105.1 ± 8.5)] and blood gas analysis[pH(7.30±0.23),(7.30±0.17) vs.(7.22±0.45) and PaO_2( 101.9 ± 6.8).( 102.5 ± 4.7) vs.(80.3 ± 3.3)] ; but there were no differences of above mentioned biomarkers between group U and D( P > 0.05). And there were no significant differences in PaCO_2 betweeu group U and D and group L[(37.0 ± 3.3),(37.6 ± 3.0) vs.(34.8 ± 2.3)]( P > 0.05). Conclusions The protective effects of ulinastatin on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury is comparable to those of dexamethasone, thus the former may be a clinical substitute for the latter with less side effects.

Activins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To master the prevalence trend of Kaschin-Beck disease in Xinghai county (Shanglujuan and X.ialujuan village of Tangnaihai township) from 2003 to 2008 in order to understand changes of selenium level of internal and external environments. Methods According to monitoring method on national Kaschin-Beck disease,we carried out epidemical investigation,clinical examination and X-ray photograph on school children aged 7-12 in Xinghai county,a monitoring region,and collected samples of hair and grain. The content of selenium was detected by 2,3-naphthalene fluorescence. Results From 2003 to 2008,in Shanglujuan village,the prevalence rate of clinic examination was fluctuating between 0(0/34)-17.14%(6/35); the detectable rate of X-ray examination was fluctuating between 11.11% (3/27)-20.59% (7/34),the prevalence rates of metaphysis and extremities were fluctuating between 0 (0/27)-13.21%(7/53) and 2.63% (1/38)-11.43% (4/35). In Xialujuan village,the prevalence rate of clinic examination was fluctuating between 2.94% (1/34)-13.33% (6/45); the detectable rate of X-ray examination was fluctuating between 26.67% (12/45)-43.63%(24/55),the prevalence rate of metaphysis and extremities were fluctuating between 8.33% (6/72)-26.47% (9/34) and 13.33% (6/45)-38.18% (21/55). The selenium contents in hair samples were (139.92±92.27),(134.98±63.77)μg/kg respectively in Shanglujuan and Xialujuan village in 2003; the selenium contents in grain samples were (12.90± 7.18),(14.58±9.90)μg/kg respectively in Shanglujuan and Xialujuan village in 2005. Conclusions The prevalence state of Kaschin-Beck disease in national monitoring region is rigid and pathogenetic factors of Kaschin-Beck disease are active. Selenium levels of internal and external environments are low in this region.

BACKGROUND:Propagation phase contrast tomography can greatly improve the spatial resolution of chondrocytes and microvessels depending on the high colimation and high coherence performance of hard X-ray. OBJECTIVE: To detect the alteration of angioarchitecture after spinal cord injury in rats using propagation phase contrast tomography. METHODS: Eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: in experimental group, an acute spinal cord injury model was induced in rats by the modified Alen’s method; in sham control group, rats were subjected to laminectomy. At 1 day after operation, normal and injured spinal cord segments were taken and treated with formaldehyde-methyl salicylate sequentialy for 48 hours. The segments were scanned by propagation phase contrast tomography in BL13W1 beamline experimental station of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, China. Harvested data were analyzed by VGStudio Max 2.1 software for three-dimensional reconstruction and microvasculature quantitative analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The propagation phase contrast tomography successfuly simulated the morphology of angioarchitecture folowing spinal cord injury. After acute spinal cord contusion, the destruction of nerve tissues was accompanied by severe microvasculature damage. Intramedulary tissue damage and loss of blood supply was spread from the central zone to the ends. Three-dimensional microvascular quantitative data showed that after spinal cord contusion, the number of microvessels and vascular perfusion volume drasticaly reduced (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that the propagation phase contrast tomography without angiography has potential as a new ultra high-resolution visualization technique for three-dimensional microvessel imaging and quantitative analysis.

Objective To observe the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE)combined with atorvastatin on carotid atherosclerosis of the elderly. Methods Consecutivly 122 patient aged( 73.2 ±12.8) years with hypercholesterolemia and diagnosed as asymptomatic carotid artery plaques were randomly assigned to single atorvastatin(20 mg/d) treatment group (n=63) and combination treatment (atorvastatin 10 mg/d plus GSPE 400 mg/d) group (n=59).Serum total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were detected before treatment and 3,6,12 months after treatment.Mean maximum carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT),plaque score and stability were also assessed by carotid ultrasound. Results After 3 months of treatment,serum levels of TC,TG and LDL-C in both groups were lower than before treatment (all P＜0.01),but no difference was found between the two groups (P＞0.05).HDL-C levels was enhanced by 20.2％ in combination treatment group after 3 months of treatment (P＜0.05),there was difference after 6 months treatment between two groups (P＜0.05).Serum hs-CRP concentrations were decreased by 1.7 mg/L and 3.6 mg/L,3.8 mg/L and 6.3 mg/L,5.9 mg/L and 8.3 mg/L after 3,6 and 12 months treatment as compared with pretreatment,respectively in the two groups (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).There was difference in hs-CRP levels between groups after 6 and 1.2months of treatment (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).There were MMCIMT reduction by 1.3％ and 2.0％ (P＞0.05),3.4％ and 5.3％(P＞0.05 and P＜0.05 ),5.1％ and 8.6％ after 3,6 and 12 months of treatment(P＜0.05 and P＜0.01) in the two groups,with distinct difference after 12 month treatment (P＜ 0.01 ).The plaque scores were declined by 6.8 ％ and 13.1％ ( both P ＞ 0.05 ),14.5 ％ and 28.0％ (P＞0.05 and P＜0.05),19.2％ and 45.0％(P＜0.05 and P＜0.01)after 3,6 and 12 months of treatment while significant difference was found between the two groups after 12 months treatment (P＜0.05).Unstable plaque and the total number of plaque was dropped by 8 and 14 in single group,19 and 28 in combination group,respectively,after 12 months of treatment. Conclusions GSPE combined with atorvastatin may inhibit the development of carotid intima-media thickness,reduce carotid plaque and promote stabilization of carotid plaque.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of external obturation with cotton ball in treatment of digestive tract lip shape fistula. Methods A prospevtive randomixed controllde study was conducted in 30 patients with digestive tract lip shape fistula admitted from January 2001 to November 2007,which were divided into experimental group ( 15 patienets) and control griup ( 15 patjients). The control group received traditional fistula mouth continuous drainage,with fastomg or part enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition. The experimernal group received external obturatiion with cotton ball,with controling spills of oineteatinal fluid and resuming normal eating and activetes, The patients general information, fistuala mouth sixe, volume, weight, albumin, determinstic operation time, postoperative complications, hospital, signficantly reduced fistula, flow, postoperative compared between the two groups. Results Compared with the control group , significantly redced fistula, flow, postoperative complivations and cost, increased wdighe and albumin,as well as shortened operation time and hospital stay were found oin the experimetal grou. Conclusin External obturation with cotton ball is safe effective methde in treatment of digestive tract lip shape fistula, obviusly shortening the course of disease, redcing patients'cost and pain, and rapidly improving patients nutritional status.

BACKGROUNDThere is a difficulty in evaluating the in vivo functionality of individual chondrocytes, and there is much heterogeneity among cartilage affected by osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, in vitro cultured chondrocytes harvested from varying stages of degeneration were studied as a projective model to further understand the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

METHODSCartilage of varying degeneration of end-stage OA was harvested, while cell yield and matrix glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were measured. Cell morphology, proliferation, and gene expression of collagen type I, II, and X, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and ADAMTS5 of the acquired chondrocytes were measured during subsequent in vitro culture.

RESULTSBoth the number of cells and the GAG content increased with increasing severity of OA. Cell spreading area increased and gradually showed spindle-like morphology during in vitro culture. Gene expression of collagen type II, collagen type X as well as GAG decreased with severity of cartilage degeneration, while expression of collagen type I increased. Expression of MMP-13 increased with severity of cartilage degeneration, while expression of ADAMTS-5 remained stable. Expression of collagen type II, X, GAG, and MMP-13 substantially decreased with in vitro culture. Expression of collagen type I increased with in vitro cultures, while expression of ADAMTS 5 remained stable.

CONCLUSIONSExpression of functional genes such as collagen type II and GAG decreased during severe degeneration of OA cartilage and in vitro dedifferentiation. Gene expression of collagen I and MMP-13 increased with severity of cartilage degeneration.

ADAM Proteins ; ADAMTS5 Protein ; Cartilage ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; Collagen Type X ; genetics ; Glycosaminoglycans ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to describe survival status and risk factors of mortality on inpatients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS617 patients with continuous ischemic stroke cases were collected from January 2002 to June 2005 retrospectively in the Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. In order to perceive relevant information on survival and the cause of death. All patients were followed through phone calls or mailing. The follow-up program was completed in January 2006. Kaplan-Meier methods were used for survival description. Monovariant and multivariant Cox's proportional hazard regression model were used to analyze prognostic factors on mortality.

RESULTSThe longest time in the follow-up program was 47 months with 59 dropped-out cases, making the dropout rate as 9.5%. Of these patients, 80 cases died during the period of study(60 for ischemic stroke,3 for cerebral hemorrhage, 10 for cardiac disease, 7 for other cause). The median survival time was 42. 16 months. The survival rates of one-year, two-year and three-year period were 91.9%, 89.4% and 85.3%, respectively. Monovariant and multivariant Cox's proportional hazard regression model showed that the risk factors associated with mortality were old age (RR = 1.043, 95% CI: 1.013-1.074), lower Glasgow scores (RR = 0.855, 95% CI: 0.742-0.985) ,poor conscious levels(RR = 4.085, 95% CI: 2.128-7.844) and having complication (RR = 1.765, 95% CI: 1.108-2.812).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggested that the risk factors were old age, lower Glasgow scores, poor conscious levels and having complication on mortality of ischemic stroke.

Aged ; Brain Ischemia ; mortality ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; mortality ; Survival Rate