The stems and branches of Hypericum petiolulatum were extracted by alcohol and liquid-liquid extraction. Seven furofuran lignans were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of H. petiolulatum by using silica gelchromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by the spectroscopic methods as pinoresinol (1), medioresinol (2), 8-acetoxypinoresinol (3), epipinoresinol (4), (+)-syringaresinol (5), (+)-1-hydroxysyringaresinol (6) and erythro-buddlenolE (7). All the isolates were firstly found in H. petiolulatum. In the bioassay, compound 7 showed remarkable antioxidative activity inhibiting Fe(+2)-cystine induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation with inhibitory rate 38% at a concentration of 1 x 10(-6) mol · L(-1) (positive control Vit E with the inhibitory rate of 35% at the same concentration).
Animals ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Rats

Objective To evaluate the change of left atrial function after mitral valvuloplasty in patients with mitral valve prolapse by measuring left atrial strain using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2D-STE).Methods Study population consisted of 25 patients with mitral valve prolapse and 25 healthy subjects.High frame rate two-dimensional images were recorded from the apical four chamber view and two chamber view.Images of patients with mitral valve prolapse were respectively recorded at pre-operation,3 days and 3 months post-operation.Left atrial longitudinal strain was measured in two views using two-dimensional strain soft ware.Results ①Compared with the control group,global peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS),peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) and atrial longitudinal strain during early diastole(ALSED) decreased (P ＜0.01) in patients with mitral valve prolapse,but global timeto-peak of peak atrial longitudinal strain(TPLS) increased(P ＜0.01).Regurgitant jet area/left atrium area (RJA/LAA) in patients with mitral valve prolapse correlated negatively with global PALS(r =-0.620,P ＜ 0.01).② Compared with preoperative group,global PALS,PACS,ALSED and TPLS decreased significantly at 3 days after surgery(P ＜0.01).Global PALS,ALSED(P ＜0.01) and PACS(P ＜0.05)increased at 3 months after surgery,but global TPLS did not differ significantly.Conclusions 2D-STE could accurately evaluate the change of left atrial function after mitral valvuloplasty.

Objective To observe the angiographic features of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) by ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFA) and compare with the conventional 7 standard field (7SF) imaging. Methods This is a retrospective clinical description study. Fifty-eight eyes of 56 RVO patients were included. There were 25 males (26 eyes) and 31 females (32 eyes). The age ranged from 25 to 69 years, with a mean age of (48.12±18.56) years. The course of disease was from 2 days to 25 months, with a mean course of (12.78±11.35) months. Thirty eyes were diagnosed with central RVO (51.72%), 26 eyes were diagnosed with branch RVO (44.83%) and 2 eyes were diagnosed with hemicentral RVO (3.45%). Retinal laser photocoagulation was performed in 11 eyes (18.97%). All patients received examinations of UWFA (British Optomap 200Tx imaging system) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Using the protocol for obtaining 7SF images as described in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, 7 circular regions with a range of 30 degrees were combined as the 7SF template to determine the observation area. This template was then overlaid on the UWFA image to identify the potential viewable area of 7SF. The visualized retinal area, retinal non-perfusion area, retinal neovascularization area, and laser spot area of UWFA and 7SF were quantified by a retinal specialist. In addition, the OCT images of the affected eye were observed and analyzed to confirm the existence of macular edema. Correlation analysis was done between retinal non-perfusion, retinal neovascularization and macular edema detected by UWFA. Results The results of UWFA and 7SF examination were the same. Compared with 7SF, UWFA showed 3.53 times more retinal visual area, 3.31 times more non-perfusion area, 1.94 times more neovascularization area, and 3.59 times more laser spots (t=72.13, 4.69, 1.76, 5.78;P=0.000, 0.005, 0.102, 0.000). Lesions of 11 eyes (18.97%) were found outside the range of 7SF images. By UWFA, non-perfusion area correlated with neovascularization and macular edema (χ2=12.13, 4.82;P=0.000, 0.028;C=0.42, 0.28). Non-perfusion area anterior to the equator have significantly correlations with macular edema (χ2=6.32, P=0.012, C=0.31), but non-perfusion posterior to the globe equator have no relevance with macular edema (χ2=2.88, P=0.090, C=0.22). Conclusions UWFA can detect more peripheral retinal lesions than 7SF images. By UWFA, non-perfusion area has correlation with neovascularization and macular edema.

Objective To observe the ocular fundus features and consistency of classification of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFA) and the simulated early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) 7 standard field (7SF) imaging. Methods This is a retrospective clinical description study. Ninety-six eyes of 55 DR patients were included. The ages ranged from 25 to 73 years, with a mean age of (41.34±15.07) years. UWFA examination (British Optos 200Tx imaging system) using the protocol for obtaining 7SF images as described in the ETDRS, 7 circular regions with a range of 30 degrees are spliced as 7SF templates to determine the observation range. This template was then overlaid on the UWFA image to identify the potential viewable area of 7SF. And the visualized area of the retina, retinal non-perfusion (NP) area, retinal neovascularization (NV) area, and pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) area of UWFA and 7SF were quantified by a retinal specialist. Results UWFA imaging and 7SF imaging have a high degree of consistency in judging DR classification (kappa=0.851, P=0.000). The retinal visual area, NP area, NV area and PRP area of the UWFA imaging were 3.16, 3.38, 2.22 and 3.15 times more comparing with the simulated 7SF imaging (t=213.430, 45.013, 22.644, 142.665;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.003, 0.000). The lesions of 8 eyes were found outside the range of simulated 7SF imaging, including peripheral NP in 5 eyes, NV areas in 3 eyes, respectively. Conclusion UWFA imaging and simulated 7SF imaging are consistent to judge DR classification, but UWFA can find more peripheral retinal lesions.

Background Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) is one of the most effective therapies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).Understanding the influence of IVR on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroidal thickness is helpful for us to choose the operative times and timing based on pharmacologic effects and tissue response.However,limited studies are available about quantitative analysis of RPE atrophic area and subfoveal choroidal thickness after IVR for nAMD.Objective This study was to report the changes of RPE atrophic area and subfoveal choroidal thickness after IVR for nAMD.Methods A prospective series cases-observational study was designed.Forty-one eyes of 41 consecutive patients with nAMD were enrolled in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2015 to June 2015,and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to entering the cohort.The affected eyes received intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml ranibizumab (10 mg/ml) and then followed up monthly for 12 months.The RPE atrophy area around macula and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured by a newly developed RPE analysis software spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and enhanced depth imaging of SD-OCT (EDI-OCT),respectively,and the RPE atrophy area and choroidal thickness changes were compared before IVR and 3,6 and 12 months after IVR.The correlation between RPE atrophy area and choroidal thickness before and after IVR was analyzed.Results All the patients finished the treating procedure and follow up.The visual acuity (logMAR) after IVR was considerably improved in comparison with before IVR (F=7.631,P＜0.001).The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness value was (264.55 ± 100.95) μm before IVR,and that of 3,6,12 months after IVR was (247.42±105.46),(246.81± 99.85) and (253.97±101.15)μm,respectively,showing a significant difference among different time points (F =2.030,P ＜ 0.05),and the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness values 3,6,12 months after IVR were evidently thinned in comparison with before IVR (all at P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in RPE atrophic area among different time points (F=0.116,P =0.951).Weak linear correlations were seen between RPE atrophy area and choroidal thickness (r =-0.185),the RPE atrophy area change values and choroidal thickness change values between IVR ＞ 6 times and ≤ 6 times (r =0.297,-0.327),but these results were not statistically significant (P =0.248,0.282,0.103).At the end of the follow up,weak linear correlations were seen in RPE atrophy area change values and choroidal thickness change values with IVR times (r,=-0.266,0.342),but these results were not statistically significant (P =0.148,0.060).Conclusions IVR for nAMD can lead to subfoveal choroid atrophy instead of RPE atrophy.IVR does not accelerate the atrophy progression of both RPE and choroid.

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that delayed X-irradiation can enhance the functional and structural recovery of the injured spinal cord in rats.

METHODSSeventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, 35 rats in each. The control group sustained a one-minute clip compression (force of clip was 30 g) injury of the spinal cord at the T2 level, without X-irradiation. The experimental group received X-irradiation 14 days after injury. Neurological function was assessed by the modified Tarlov method, including hind limbs movement, inclined plane, and pain withdrawal. These tests were performed in a blinded fashion at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after injury. At 43 days after injury, histological examination of the injured spinal cord was performed following decapitation of the rats.

RESULTSSixty-two rats met the experimental requirements (spinal cord injury was similar), 32 rats in experimental group and 30 rats in control group. Statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in hind limbs movement and inclined plane (P < 0.01), but not in the pain withdrawal test. The edema and necrosis areas of injured spinal cords in experimental group were less than those in control group, and axons in experimental group were significantly more than those in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDelayed X-irradiation following spinal cord injury may enhance functional recovery by improving and restoring structural integrity of the injured spinal cord in rats.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Hindlimb ; Joints ; physiology ; Motor Activity ; Movement ; Radiotherapy ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; radiotherapy ; rehabilitation ; Weight-Bearing ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo establish a chiro chromatography for studying the stereoselective metabolism of propranolol (PL) in S(9) incubates prepared from transgenic cell lines expressing human cytochrome P450.

METHODSThe concentration of each enantiomer in S(9) incubates was determined through precolumn derivatization with GITC, followed by RP-HPLC assay using S-(+)-propafenone as internal standard.

RESULTSBaseline separations among the diastereomers of S(-)-P, internal standard and R(+)-PL were achieved on Shimpack CLC C(18)ODS column, with UV detection and methanol:water:glacial acetic acid (67/33/0.05,v/v/v) as mobile phase. The assay was simple, accurate, precise and specific. The linear range was from 5 to 500 micromol/L for each enantiomer. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for the method was 5 micromol/L for the S(-)-and R(+)-PL, respectively (n=5, RSD<10%). The analytical method afforded average recoveries of 98.7 and 98.1% for S(-)- and R(+)-PL, respectively. The reproducibility of the assay was good (RSD<10%). The time-dependent studies showed that PL had the stereoselectivity of S-(-)-isomer in metabolism via CYP2C18 and the stereoselectivity of R-(+)-isomer in metabolism via CYP2C9.

CONCLUSIONThe method allows to study of stereoselective metabolism of PL in vitro.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Propranolol ; analysis ; metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results ; Stereoisomerism ; Transgenes

0.05).Moreover,the growth curves of the two kinds of cells were similar.Con- clusions The cell growth properties of cultured transplanted rabbit SMG are similar to that of normal SMG,the cytobiological charac- teristic of transplanted autologous free rabbit SMG are not changed evidently.

Objective To explore the expression of eukaryocyte initiation factors-4E (eIF-4E) in normal esophageal epithelium and different esophageal lesions tissue and its relationship with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).Methods Thirty normal esophageal incisal margin tissues,32 atypical hyperplasia tissues,20 carcinoma in situ tissues and 117 esophageal invasive carcinoma tissues were selected from the biopsy specimens of the Department of Pathology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from March 2014 to March 2016.The expression of eIF-4E and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry method and the correlation between them was analyzed.Results The positive expression rate of eIF-4E in normal esophageal epithelium,atypical hyperplasia,carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma tissues was 0.0％ (0/ 30),9.4％ (3/32),45.0％ (9/20) and 80.3％ (94/117) respectively.There was no statistic difference in the positive expression rate of eIF-4E in normal esophageal epithelium and atypical hyperplasia tissues (P ＞ 0.05);there was statistic difference in the positive expression rate of eIF-4E in the other esophageal tissues(P ＜ 0.05).In 117 invasive carcinoma tissues,the positive expression rate of eIF-4E in metastatic carcinoma tissues (93.2％,55/59) was significantly higher than that in the non metastatic carcinoma tissues (67.2％,39/58) (P ＜ 0.05).The positive expression rate of eIF-4E in esophageal carcinoma tissues which invaded into shallow muscle layer,deep muscular layer and adventitia was 70.0％ (28/40),73.8％ (31/42) and 100.0％ (35/ 35) respectively;there was no statistic difference in positive expression rate of eIF-4E in the carcinoma tissues which invaded into shallow muscle layer and deep muscular layer(P ＞ 0.05);the positive expression rate of eIF-4E in the carcinoma tissues which invaded into shallow muscle layer and deep muscular layer was significantly lower than that in the carcinoma tissues which invaded into adventitia(P ＜0.01).The expression of eIF-4E in the esophageal invasive carcinoma tissues was positive VEGF(x2 =51.460,P ＜ O.05).Conclusion eIF-4E play an important role in the canceration of normal esophageal and the invasion,metastasis of esophageal carcinoma.The expression of eIF-4E is correlate with VEGF in esophageal carcinoma tissues.

This study aims to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) on learning and memory abilities and antioxidant capacity of D-galactose-induced aging mice. Kunming mice (37.1 +/- 0.62) g were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and FGF-21 high, medium and low dose groups (n = 8). Each group was injected in cervical part subcutaneously with D-galactose 180 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) once a day for 8 weeks. At the same time, FGF-21-treated mice were administered with FGF-21 by giving subcutaneous injection in cervical part at the daily doses of 5, 2 and 1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). The normal control group was given with normal saline by subcutaneous injection in cervical part. At seventh week of the experiment, the learning and memory abilities of mice were determined by water maze and jumping stand tests. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed and the cells damage of hippocampus was observed by HE staining in each group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the brain of mice were determined. The results showed that different doses of FGF-21 could reduce the time reaching the end (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the number of touching blind side (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the water maze comparing with the model group. It could also prolong the latency time (P < 0.05) and decrease the number of errors (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the step down test. The result of HE staining showed that FGF-21 could significantly reduce brain cell damage in the hippocampus. The ROS and MDA levels of three different doses FGF-21 treatment group reduced significantly than that of the model group [(5.58 +/- 1.07), (7.78 +/- 1.92), (9.03 +/- 1.77) vs (12.75 +/- 2.02) pmol (DCF) x min(-1) x mg(-1), P < 0.01 or P < 0.05], [(2.92 +/- 0.71), (4.21 +/- 0.81), (4.41 +/- 0.97) vs (5.62 +/- 0.63) nmol x mg(-1) (protein), P < 0.01]. Comparing with the model group, the activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and T-AOC of the three different doses FGF-21 treatment groups were also improved in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrates that FGF-21 can ameliorate learning and memory abilities of D-galactose induced aging mice, improve the antioxidant abilities in brain tissue and delay brain aging. This finding provides a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF-21 as a novel therapeutics for preventing aging.
Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Brain ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Galactose ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism