OBJECTIVETo investigate the preventive effects of a compound Danshen preparation (DSC) on long-term gastric lipid emulsion administration-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats.

METHODSTwenty-seven 3-month-old SD rats were randomized equally into 3 groups and subjected to daily intragastric administration for 20 weeks of distilled water (control), lipid emulsion at 5 ml/kg (model group), and lipid emulsion plus DSC at 5.0 g/kg (DSC treatment group). After blood glucose (BG) determination, the rats were sacrificed for measurement of serum TC, TG, HDL-c, AST, and ALT, and the liver was weighed and pathologically examined.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the rats in the model group showed significantly increased BG, TC, LDL-c, arteriosclerosis index (AI), AST, ALT, liver weight, and liver index (P<0.01) and decreased HDL-c (P<0.01), while TG remained unchanged. Fatty degeneration, hydropic degeneration and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the liver of the rats in the model group. Compared with the model group, the rats in DSC groups showed decreased BG, AI (P<0.01), liver weight, liver index, AST, and ALT (P<0.05) and increased HDL-c, with milder pathological changes in the liver.

CONCLUSIONSLong-term gastric perfusion of lipid emulsion causes lipid metabolic disorder and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats characterized by increased TC and decreased HDL-c. DSC can significantly increase HDL-c and provide partial protection of the liver against the damages by the lipid emulsion.

Animals ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Emulsions ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Female ; Lipids ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Male ; Phenanthrolines ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Time Factors

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of the co-morbidity of vasovagal syncope (VVS) and postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) with allergic diseases in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was launched to summarize the clinical data of children with VVS and POTS.They were divided into allergic group and non-allergic group according to the history of allergic diseases.The participants' clinical characteristics were compared between allergic group and non-allergic group using independent sample t test or rank sum test;composition comparisons were completed by Chi-square test.Bi-variate correlation analysis was used to explore the association between eosinophil percentage/count and symptom scores/frequency of syncope episodes.A P value ＜ 0.05 was defined as statistically significant.Results:Sixty-seven children complaining of orthostatic intolerance (43 patients diagnosed as VVS and 24 cases diagnosed as POTS) were enrolled.Totally 21 cases (31％) had allergic diseases,inclu ding allergic rhinitis,atopic eczema,asthma,as well as food allergy.And allergic rhinitis is the most common co-morbidity.There were no significant differences between the two groups in age,gender ratio,height,body weight and basement blood pressure.Compared with the non-allergic group,the allergic group showed later onset age (year) (11 ± 2 vs.9 ± 3,P ＜ 0.05) of orthostatic intolerance and shorter course of the diseases (month) [8.0 (0.1,0.1) vs.24.0 (0.1,144.0),P＜0.05].The frequency of syncope episodes in the allergic group among VVS children (times per month) [2.50 (0.08,30.00) vs.O.25 (0.03,5.00),P ＜ 0.05] was much higher than that in the non-allergic group.Additionally,the eosinophil percentage (％) [3.50 (0.70,0.59) vs.1.65 (0.30,6.20),P＜0.001] and eosino phil count (×109) [0.18 (0.05,0.71) vs.0.10 (0.02,0.38),P＜0.001] were increased in the allergic group.However,there were no remarkable differences in the results of head-up tilt test in children with VVS or in the maximum change of heart rate during standing test in children with POTS were involved.Conclusion:Allergic diseases are common co-morbidities in children with both VVS and POTS.Allergic rhinitis is the most common co-morbidity.Children with co-morbidity of VVS/POTS and allergic diseases had a later onset of symptoms of orthostatic intolerance,and were more likely to be hospitalized for intensive attacks of symptoms during a short period when compared with those without allergic diseases.Children diagnosed as VVS combined with allergic diseases had more frequent episodes of syncope.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Danshen root compound (DSC) on blood lipid and bone biomechanics in mice with hyperlipemia-induced osteoporosis.

METHODSForty Kunming mice were randomized into 5 equal groups, and were given intragastric administration with distilled water (control), lipid emulsion (LE) at the daily dose of 5 ml/kg, LE plus simvastatin, LE plus DSC at 5.0 g/kg (DSC-L group), and LE plus DSC at 10.0 g/kg (DSC-H group), respectively. Serum TC, TG, and HDL-c levels and left femur hydroxyproline, calcium and phosphate contents were measured in the rats, with the right femur taken for bone biomechanical test.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, serum TC, LDL-c and AI of the mice increased and HDL-c, Hyp and bone calcium decreased significantly (P<0.01) with lowered bone biomechanical properties. Compared with those of the LE model group, AI decreased and HDL-c increased significantly in DSC-L and DSC-H groups (P<0.01), and the bone biomechanics in DSC-H group was improved.

CONCLUSIONLong-term intragastric administration of lipid emulsion causes lipid metabolic disorder and induces osteoporosis due to hyperlipemia in mice. DSC can significantly increase HDL-c and partially prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis in mice.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Phenanthrolines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association of diabetes mellitus(DM) with colorectal cancer.

METHODSCase-control study was performed to compare 486 patients with colorectal cancer (study group) and 533 patients without colorectal cancer (control group) in the Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University between 2006 and 2009.

RESULTSThe incidence of DM was 12.1% in study group and 7.1% in the control group, and the difference was significant(P<0.01). On multivariate analysis, DM was independently associated with colorectal cancer (OR=1.886,95% CI:1.450~3.571). Colorectal cancer risk was increased in DM patients with a duration of 5-20 years(P<0.05), while colorectal cancer risk in those with a duration less than 5 years or more than 20 years did not change(P>0.05). No significant differences in tumor differentiation, invasion depth, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis and lymphovascular invasion were found between colorectal cancer patients with and without DM(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONDiabetes mellitus increases the risk of colorectal cancer, however, biological behaviors of colorectal cancer is not associated with diabetes mellitus.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis

A new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan, renchangianin E (1) was isolated from the stems of Kadsura renchangiana. Its structure and stereochemistry were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques.
Cyclooctanes ; chemistry ; Kadsura ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of children with Tourette syndrome.

METHODA prospective, multi-center, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 195 children aged 5-17 years with Tourette syndrome. The patients were assigned to two groups: aripiprazole group (n=98) and tiapride group (n=97), with the treatment dosage of 5-25 mg/d and 100-500 mg/d, respectively. After 12 weeks treatment, the clinical efficacy was assessed by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) score, and adverse reactions were observed by side effects symptoms scale, blood biochemical indexes, and electrocardiography.

RESULTSignificant pre- and post-treatment differences were ascertained for motor tic, phonic tic, function damage and total scores of YGTSS in the both groups from the second week of treatment (P<0.0001). Compared with the tiapride group, the aripiprazole group showed a more significantly decreased function damage score of YGTSS by the second week of treatment (P<0.05). After 12 weeks treatment, total scores of YGTSS in the aripiprazole group decreased from 53.74±15.71 at baseline to 24.36±16.38, while in the tiapride group from 51.66±13.63 to 23.26±15.31. The mean reduction scores of YGTSS were 29.38 in the aripiprazole group and 28.40 in the tiapride group at the end of treatment, and the clinical response rates were 60.21% and 63.92%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was similar in the aripiprazole and tiapride groups, with 29.6% and 27.8% respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse reactions between aripiprazole and tiapride groups and no severe adverse events were found in either group.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that aripiprazole showed similar therapeutic effect to tiapride in treatment of children with Tourette syndrome. Aripiprazole was safe and well tolerated in Chinese population, and can be considered as a new valid option for the treatment of tic disorders.

Adolescent ; Antipsychotic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aripiprazole ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Quinolones ; therapeutic use ; Tiapamil Hydrochloride ; therapeutic use ; Tourette Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for the development of congenital anal atresia in neonates.

METHODSA total of 70 neonates who were admitted to 17 hospitals in Foshan, China from January 2011 to December 2014 were enrolled as case group, and another 70 neonates who were hospitalized during the same period and had no anal atresia or other severe deformities were enrolled as control group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the risk factors for the development of congenital anal atresia.

RESULTSThe univariate analysis revealed that the age of mothers, presence of oral administration of folic acid, infection during early pregnancy, and polyhydramnios, and sex of neonates showed significant differences between the case and control groups (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that infection during early pregnancy (OR=18.776) and male neonates (OR=9.304) were risk factors for congenital anal atresia, and oral administration of folic acid during early pregnancy was the protective factor (OR=0.086).

CONCLUSIONSInfection during early pregnancy is the risk factor for congenital anal atresia, and male neonates are more likely to develop congenital anal atresia than female neonates. Supplementation of folic acid during early pregnancy can reduce the risk of congenital anal atresia.

Anus, Imperforate ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic utility of Warthin-Starry silver stain, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy in the detection of human Bartonella henselae infection and pathologic diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD).

METHODSThe paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues of 77 histologically-defined cases of cat scratch disease collected during the period from January, 1998 to December, 2008 were retrieved and studied using Warthin-Starry silver stain (WS stain) and mouse monoclonal antibody against Bartonella henselae (BhmAB stain). Five cases rich in bacteria were selected for transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSUnder electron microscope, the organisms Bartonella henselae appeared polymorphic, round, elliptical, short rod or bacilliform shapes, ranged from 0.489 to 1.110 microm by 0.333 to 0.534 microm and often clustered together. Black short rod-shaped bacilli arranged in chains or clumps were demonstrated in 61.0% (47/77) of CSD by WS stain. The organisms were located outside the cells and lie mainly in the necrotic debris, especially near the nodal capsule. In 72.7% (56/77) of the cases, dot-like, granular as well as few linear positive signals were observed using BhmAB immunostain and showed similar localization. Positive results for both stains were identified in 59.7% (46/77) of the cases. When applying both stains together, Bartonella henselae was observed in 74.0% (57/77) of the case. The difference between the results obtained by WS stain and BhmAB immunostain was of statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBartonella henselae is the causative pathogen of cat scratch disease. WS stain, BhmAB immunostain and transmission electron microscopy are helpful in confirming the histologic diagnosis. Immunostaining using BhmAB can be a better alternative than WS stain in demonstrating the organisms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Bartonella henselae ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure ; Cat-Scratch Disease ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Infant ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Paraffin Embedding ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of decitabine and plasma of ITP patients on in vitro cultrue of megakaryocytes in bone marrow of steroid-resistant ITP patients.

METHODSBone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated from 20 steroid-resistant ITP patients, both methyl cellulose semisolid culture system (to observe and count the number of megakaryocytes colony-forming unit) and liquid culture system (to analysis the expression rate of CD41a(+) cells) were used for megakaryocyte cultrue. The experiments were divided into 4 groups according to the different components of the culture system, group A was control, group B was added with decitabine, group C with ITP plasma, group D with both decitabine and ITP plasma, and the rest of the culture components were the same in the 4 groups except the above-mentioned materials. Morphology of megakaryocytes was observed by inverted and light microscopy. The expression rate of CD41a⁺ cells in culture was analysed by flow cytometric.

RESULTSDifferent concentration of decitabine showed different effect on megakaryocyte growth of steroid-resistant ITP patients and the optimal concentration to differentiate into megakaryocyte for bone marrow mononuclear cells is 3.0 µmol/L. Compared with group A, both megakaryocyte colony forming units (CFU) and expression rate of CD41a⁺ cells in group B were statistically significantly higher (P < 0.05). As compared with group A, the megakaryocyte colony-forming units in group C decreased with statistically significant difference, while compared with group C, the megakaryocyte colony-forming units in group D obviously increased with statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSDecitabine is able to induce bone marrow mononuclear cells of steroid-resistant ITP patients to differentiate into megakaryocyte and the optimal concentration is 3.0 µmol/L; ITP plasma is able to inhibit the megakaryocyte growth of steroid-resistant ITP patients.

Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Drug Resistance ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Inosine Triphosphate ; Megakaryocytes ; Stem Cells ; Steroids

Benzene is an established leukotoxin and leukemogen in humans. We have previously reported that exposure of workers to benzene and to benzene metabolite hydroquinone in cultured cells induced DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) to mediate the cellular response to DNA double strand break (DSB) caused by DNA-damaging metabolites. In this study, we used a new, small molecule, a selective inhibitor of DNA-PKcs, 2-(morpholin-4-yl)-benzo[h]chomen-4-one (NU7026), as a probe to analyze the molecular events and pathways in hydroquinone-induced DNA DSB repair and apoptosis. Inhibition of DNA-PKcs by NU7026 markedly potentiated the apoptotic and growth inhibitory effects of hydroquinone in proerythroid leukemic K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with NU7026 did not alter the production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress by hydroquinone but repressed the protein level of DNA-PKcs and blocked the induction of the kinase mRNA and protein expression by hydroquinone. Moreover, hydroquinone increased the phosphorylation of Akt to activate Akt, whereas co-treatment with NU7026 prevented the activation of Akt by hydroquinone. Lastly, hydroquinone and NU7026 exhibited synergistic effects on promoting apoptosis by increasing the protein levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 but decreasing the protein expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Taken together, the findings reveal a central role of DNA-PKcs in hydroquinone-induced hematotoxicity in which it coordinates DNA DSB repair, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis to regulate the response to hydroquinone-induced DNA damage.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Benzene ; toxicity ; Catalysis ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; genetics ; DNA Repair ; drug effects ; physiology ; DNA-Activated Protein Kinase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Protein Subunits