Various column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC was used to isolate and purify the chemical constituents from Cinnamomum cassia. The structures were determined on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis, together with the comparison with literature data. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the 85% aqueous ethanol extract of C. cassia, and their structures were identified as (2R, 3R)-5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavan-3-ol( 1), (2R, 3R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol (2), coumarin (3), cinnamic acid (4), (E)-2-hydroxy-phenylpropionic acid cinnamoyl ester (5), 3, 3', 4, 4'-tetrahydroxy biphenyl (6), methylstictic acid (7), epi-boscialin (8), (1R,2S,3S,4S)-2,3-epoxy-1, 4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-5-cyelohexene (9), 4,5-dihydroxy-3-methyl cyclohex-2-enone (10), cis-4-hydroxymellein (11), and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyl-cinnamaldehyde (12). Compounds 5-11 were obtained from this genus plants for the first time.
Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure

Objective To explore the relationship between the inflammatory reaction and insulin function in children with critically ill.Me-thods Ninty-six children with critical disease in Oct.2003 to Oct.2006 were enrolled in the study.Blood sugar,plasma insulin,C-peptide,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-?,C reactive protein(CRP)were measured in the peak period and convalescence.Results Blood sugar and plasma levels of insulin,C-peptide,TNF-?,CRP were significantly higher in the peak period than those in the convalescence(Pa

Objective To study the technique and clinical significance of percutaneous biopsy of transplanted liver guided by CT.Methods 19 transplanted liver were undergone 25 times of percutaneous biopsy and the pathomorphologic changes were demonstrated by HE staining.Results The successful rate of the percutaneous biopsy was 100% for all the 25 times of this procedure,including acute rejection on 9 episodes,preservation perfusion retrauma in 6,bile duct strictures in 4,drug-induced injury in 4,chronic rejection in 1 and acute hepatic necrosis in 1.Conclusions CT-guided percutaneous biopsy is an important method for diagnosing transplanted liver injury and providing great value for distinguishment of the causes for transplanted liver injury.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:855-857)

ObjectiveTo observe the thyroid status of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation,and its role in brain and neural development of their offspring's.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2009,pregnant women from nine townships of two counties in Wushi and Baicheng in Aksu prefecture of Xinjiang were selected as research subjects according to the survey standard.After informed consent signed,their urinary iodine,serum thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and free thyroxin(FT4) were analyzed.The value of thyroid hormone of normal pregnant women was used in diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia in pregnant women.From 2010 to 2011, The brain and neural development status among offspring born by those pregnant women were evaluated with DDST.In accordance with the results of Denver Development Screen Test (DDST) screening,pregnant women were classified into survey and control groups,and the survey group was the suspicious and abnormal of the result of DDST screening(delay),the control group was normal of the result.According to gestational age,pregnant women were divided into 4 gestation groups:G1(6 to 13 weeks),G2(14 to 18 weeks),G3 ( 19 to 23 weeks) and G4(24 to 28 weeks).ResultsA total of 396 cases of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation were investigated(survey group 102 cases,control group 294 cases).The median value of urinary iodine concentration among pregnant women in survey group was 152.4 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 10.78％(11/102) and 3.93％(4/102),respectively.In control group,the median value of urinary iodine concentration was 180.0 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 7.48％ (22/294) and 4.42％ (13/294),respectively.During the pregnant period from G1 to G3,the median serum TSH of pregnant women in DDST survey group (2.24,3.49,2.85 mU/L) was higher than that of DDST control group( 1.59,2.70,2.28 mU/L).Especially,the difference of TSH between the two groups during the period of G3 was statistically significant (t =4.906,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsHypothyroidism tendency of pregnant women during the period from gestation week 19th to 23rd may be an important factor in the development of brain abnormalities of their offsprings.

AIMTo study the involvements of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc) and NF-kappaB in calcineurin-mediated ischemic brain damage in vivo.

METHODSThe rat transient forebrain ischemia conducted through 15 min ischemia followed by 8, 24, and 72 h reperfusion was induced using the four-vessel method. The rats were divided randomly into five groups; sham control group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, CsA treated groups (for 8, 24, and 72 h reperfusion). Western blotting was performed to detect changes of FasL, NFATc, I-kappaB-alpha, and phospho-I-kappaB-alpha protein expression, and gel shift assays for NFAT FasL-DNA binding activities.

RESULTSWestern blotting showed that the expressions of both FasL and NFATc protein were significantly increased in the hippocampus of rat subjected to transient forebrain ischemia in comparison with those of the sham control group, which were markedly reduced by CsA. The I-kappaB-alpha protein showed no changes in all groups, and phospho-I-kappaB-alpha protein was not observed in this study. Proximal and distal FasL promoter NFAT sites bind NFAT proteins from the hippocampal neurons subjected to transient forebrain ischemia, and DNA-binding activities increased significantly compared with those of the sham control group. CsA markedly inhibited these changes.

CONCLUSIONNFATc may be involved in calcineurin-mediated ischemic brain damage and transcription factor NF-kappaB may not be involved.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the stability and three-dimensional movements of the atlantoaxial joint after artificial atlanto-odontoid joint (AAOJ) arthroplasty by comparing with a conventional method.

METHODSAfter anterior decompression, 24 human cadaveric spinal specimens of C0-C3 were randomly divided into two groups: Group A receiving artificial AAOJ arthroplasty; Group B experiencing anterior transarticular screw (ATAS) fixation. Two groups underwent flexibility test in intact and instrumented states. Rotational angle of the C0-C3 segments was measured to study the immediate stability and function of anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty compared with the intact state and ATAS fixation.

RESULTSCompared with the intact state, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty resulted in a significant decrease in the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion, extension and lateral bending (P less than 0.05); however, with regard to axial rotation, there was no significant difference in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05). Compared with anterior decompression with ATAS fixation, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty during flexion, extension and lateral bending, significant difference was found in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05); however, as for axial rotation, there was a significant increase in ROM and NZ (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe self-designed AAOJ has an excellent biomechanical performance, which can restore excellent instant stability and preserve the movement of the atlantoaxial joint.

Adult ; Arthroplasty ; methods ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-D(VEGF-D)in lymphangiogenesis of breast cancer,and investigate its relationship with some clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. Methods VEGF-D expression was detected in 85 cases with primary breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry,and VEGF-D mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.Podoplanin monoclonal antibody was used to mark lymphatic endothelial cell and lymphatic vessel density(LVD) was counted.The relationship among the aboved parameters,clinicopathological parameters and prognosis was analysed. Results It was revealed by immunohistochemistry that VEGF-D expression was ranked by 5 levels: negative,n=5(5.88%);"+",n=17(20%);"++",n=34(40%);"+++",n=22(25.88%),and "++++",n=7(8.24%).VEGF-D expression was associated with tumor lymph node metastasis and TNM clinical stage(P

OBJECTIVEThrough a comparison between F1 and its' parents on the growth, chemical components and physiology, this study aims to find the possibility of selecting new dendrobium hybrids with high yield and good quality.

METHODTo determinate the growth, chemical components, photosynthesis, hormones and isoenzyme in the plants.

RESULTPhotosynthetic area, content of chlorophyll, net photosynthesis and yield of F1 generation are higher than those of the parents; chla/b rate is lower; growth is almost the same as in Dendrobium moniliforme; content of chemical components are the same as in D. huoshanense. F1 is approaching of advantages of parents.

CONCLUSIONPhysiological characters, yield and quality of F1 are greatly improved by hybridization.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chlorophyll ; analysis ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Growth Regulators ; analysis ; Plant Proteins ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polysaccharides ; analysis

BACKGROUND: There is a great debate but little research addressing the cell suspension obtained from the digested mantle tissues can effective amplify and form pearl sac in vitro, thus producing pearl. OBJECTIVE: To establish an effective technique and method of in vitro separation and culture of mantle of the pearl oyster (Pinctada martensii), and to determine the optimal method of forming pearl sac with the intact structure and secretion function, thus producing pearl. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Single sample observation was performed at the School of Basic Medicine, Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, between August and December in 2008. MATERIALS: Pearl oyster (Pinctada martensii) aged 1.0 2.0 years, were offered by Yingpan Pearl Industrial Co., Ltd. Of Beihai City, China; the self-modified marine shellfish balanced salt solution; the self-prepared concha pteriae serum and concha pteriae body fluid; keratinocyte growth factor was purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS: The mantle of pearl oyster (Pinctada martensii) was digested with 2.5 g/L trypsin, the harvested cells were cultured using M199 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and supplemented with 10 μg/L keratinocyte growth factor, 10% self-prepared concha pteriae serum and concha pteriae body fluid. The cultivation was performed for 30 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell growth characteristics and growth state. RESULTS: The pearl mantle epithelial cells cultured in vitro were shown to proliferate rapidly, secrete productively, and the muscle cells showed a great proliferation, finally encapsulated the mantle epithelial cells to form pear sac with the intact structure and strong secretion function. CONCLUSION: Using the modified culture technology and culture system, the addition of keratinocyte growth factor can obtain the well growing and secreting pearl sac during in vitro culture of mantle cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of hyperlipidemia on the prognosis and therapeutic response for colorectal cancer and to explore the associated mechanism.

METHODSThe hyperlipidemic subcutaneous heterotopic colorectal cancer orthotopic transplant model of nude mice was established by feeding high fat diet and performing transplantation. Seventy mice were divided into 7 groups with 10 mice in each group. Two groups were used as pre-experiment. The remaining 5 groups included 4 high-fat groups (G1 to G4), and 1 normal-diet control group (G5). G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5 received normal saline, capecitabine, simvastatin, capecitabine plus simvastatin and capecitabine respectively for 3 weeks. Changes of tumor volume, tumor weight, tumor growth rate and blood lipid parameters (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, Lpa, apoA and apoB) were observed.

RESULTSIn G1 to G4, TC, HDL, apoA, TG, LDL, Lpa, apoB increased, but only TC, HDL, apoA were significantly different as compared with G5 (P=0.020, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.911, P=0.249, P=0.681, P=0.053). The tumor in G1 grew fastest, and its growth rate was significantly different as compared with G2, G4, G5 except G3 (P=0.001, P=0.806, P=0.001, P=0.010). The tumor growth rate of G3 was lower than group G1, but higher than G2, G4, G5 with significant difference (P=0.001, P=0.002, P=0.016). The tumor of G5 grew faster than G2 and G4, but without significant differences (P=0.051, P=0.070). The tumor of G4 grew slowest without significant difference as compared to G2 (P=0.438). Compared with pre-administration, at the third week, the TC of G1 was increased [(3.8±0.4) mmol/L], while the other 4 groups decreased [G2 (2.8±1.8) mmol/L, G3 (2.9±0.7) mmol/L, G4 (1.4±0.9) mmol/L, G5 (2.1±0.2) mmol/L]. G4 decreased significantly (P=0.004). At the fifth week, the TC of all the 5 groups decreased, while the lipids of G4 were higher as compared to those at the third week. The TG, Lpa, ApoA were significantly decreased at the third week (all P<0.05), while no significant differences were found in HDL and apoB.

CONCLUSIONSA hyperlipidemia colon tumor model involving subcutaneous colon translocation and orthotopic transplantation of nude mice is successfully established. This model is an ideal research model for hyperlipidemia and colorectal cancer. The effect of capecitabine on tumors in hyperlipidemia groups is better as compared to normal diet group. The proliferation of tumor cells can increase serum total serum cholesterol.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation