Adult ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; Ethylene Dichlorides ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; chemically induced

This paper was aim to optimize the purification technology of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata extract with macroporous adsorption resin. With the content of manninotriose as index, the absorptive flow and time were investigated, as well as kinds, amount, flow of eluent. D-101 type macroporous adsorption resin was the best choice for the purification of manninotriose. The optimized parameters were as follows: the content of manninotriose at 161.16-53.72 mg x g(-1), absorption time 240 min, eluting solvent of purified water, volume flow at 1.5 BV x h(-1), and eluant volume at 6 BV. D-101 type macroporous adsorption resin could significantly increase the purity of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata extract with the advantage of high absorption, remove most part of impurity, and the effect of semi-works production was better.
Adsorption ; Chemical Fractionation ; Chromatography, Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDSalvianolic acid B (Sal B) is a bioactive water-soluble compound of Salviae miltiorrhizae, a traditional herbal medicine that has been used clinically for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study sought to evaluate the effect of Sal B on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and on the underlying mechanisms in tumor necrosis factor-α± (TNF-α±)-activated human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), a cell model of Kawasaki disease.

METHODSHCAECs were pretreated with 1-10 αμmol/L of Sal B, and then stimulated by TNF-α± at different time points. The protein expression and activity of MMP-9 were determined by Western blot assay and gelatin zymogram assay, respectively. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation was detected with immunofluorescence, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and Western blot assay. Protein expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK], extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK], and p38) were determined by Western blot assay.

RESULTSAfter HCAECs were exposed to TNF-α±, 1-10 αμmol/L Sal B significantly inhibited TNF-α±-induced MMP-9 expression and activity. Furthermore, Sal B significantly decreased IκBα± phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation in HCAECs stimulated with TNF-α± for 30 min. In addition, Sal B decreased the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 proteins in cells treated with TNF-α± for 10 min.

CONCLUSIONSThe data suggested that Sal B suppressed TNF-α±-induced MMP-9 expression and activity by blocking the activation of NF-κB, JNK, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEConfirm the irritation of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals in raw Pinellia ternata.

METHODComparing the irritations of raw P. ternate containing calcium oxalate crystals, the raw P. ternate no containing calcium oxalate crystals, the pure needle-like calcium oxalate crystals isolated from raw P. ternata, the extracts of water and various solvents from raw P. ternate. by using the model of rabbits' eyes. Studying the quantity effect relationship of different concentration suspensions of needle-like calcium oxalate crystal isolated from raw P. ternate on rabbits' eyes. Observing the shape and appearance of calcium oxalate crystals in raw P. ternate and raw India Madder Root by the electro microscope and comparing their irritation degrees with the same contents of calcium oxalate crystals.

RESULTCalcium oxalate crystals in raw P. ternata showed very strong irritation property. Under the same content of calcium oxalate crystals, the irritation of raw P. ternata and pure needle-like calcium oxalate crystals isolated from raw P. ternate had no significant difference. The concentrations of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals were do relative to the degree of irritation on rabbits' eyes and they showed undoubted quantity-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONCalcium oxalate crystal is the irritation component in raw P. ternata.

Animals ; Calcium Oxalate ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Conjunctiva ; drug effects ; Cornea ; drug effects ; Crystallization ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Edema ; chemically induced ; Eye Diseases ; chemically induced ; Female ; Iris ; drug effects ; Male ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Rubia ; chemistry

Objective To study the molecular mechanisms of ampicillin- resistant haemophilius influenzae (Hi)in Nanjing. Methods One hundred and fifty- eight strains of Hi isolated from children were collected to detect bata-lactamase. TEM and ROB bata- lacta-mase genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ,and cloned into T vector for sequencing. Results The rate of ampicillin resistance was 41. 77% in Hi isolated from children in Nanjing,40.51 % was found to be bata-lactamase production. Eighty-nine strain were TEM positives, 1 strain was ROB positive,63 strains bata - lactamase positive ampicillin- resistant Hi were identified. The resistance mechanism of ampicillin resistant Hi was production of bata - lactamase , mainly TEM - type enzyme. Two bata - lactamase negative ampicillin - resistant Hi were identified , predicts the other mechanisms of ampicillin - resistant Hi was occuered yet . One strain of non -TEM - type,and non - ROB - type bata - lactamase - producing Hi was identified. Conclusions Ampicillin - resisitant in Hi isolated from children in this region is challenging. TEM bata - lactamase is the principal mechanism of ampicillin - resistant of Hi.

Early childhood caries(ECC)is a considerable pediatric and public health problem worldwide.Preceding studies have focused primarily on bacterial diversity at the taxonomic level.Although these studies have provided significant information regarding the connection between dental caries and oral microbiomes,further comprehension of this microbial community's ecological relevance is limited.This study identified the carbon source metabolic differences in dental plaque between children with and without ECC. We compared the microbial community functional diversity in 18 caries-free subjects with 18 severe ECC patients based on sole carbon source usage using a Biolog assay.The anaerobic microbial community in the ECC patients displayed greater metabolic activity than that of the control group.Specific carbon source metabolism differed significantly between the two groups.Subjects from the two groups were well distinguished by cluster and principal component analyses based on discriminative carbon sources. Our results implied that the microbial functional diversity between the ECC patients and healthy subjects differed significantly.In addition,the Biolog assay furthered our understanding of oral microbiomes as a composite of functional abilities,thus enabling us to identify the ecologically relevant functional differences among oral microbial communities.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical manifestation, operative method and therapeutic effect of various type of laryngeal web in infants.

METHODSThe clinical data of 12 cases were analyzed, 5 cases of which were congenital laryngeal web (4 cases, glottic type; 1 case, subglottic type), 7 cases of which were secondary laryngeal web (1 case, tuberculous laryngeal web; 6 cases, traumatic laryngeal web). Diagnosis was mainly depended on history and clinical manifestation. Final diagnosis was depended on fibrolaryngoscope and pathological report. Microlaryngoscopic surgery was the main operative method. However, specific infection should be cured before operation.

RESULTSDuring 3-18 months follow-up, 4 glottic laryngeal webs were cured. One subglottic laryngeal web case well recovered and secondary surgery is not needed at least recently. One tuberculous laryngeal web was followed up for 6 months, no vocal adhesion was observed. During 3-6 months follow-up, 1 traumatic laryngeal web was cred, while the other 6 cases need secondary surgery.

CONCLUSIONSFinal diagnosis of congenital laryngeal web is mainly depended on fibrolaryngoscope. And prognosis of it is well. Laryngeal web induced by specific infection should be cured specific infection before operation. The prevention is the key for traumatic laryngeal web because the surgery outcome is not satisfactory.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Laryngeal Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Laryngoscopy ; Larynx ; abnormalities ; Male ; Respiratory System Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; surgery

Abdominal Wall ; Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Ileal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Ileocecal Valve ; Leiomyoma ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; diagnosis ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Uterine Neoplasms ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the confusing factors and clinical and audiological characteristics in infants failed in hearing screening.

METHODSBetween August 2004 and January 2006, 166 infants (315 ears) with detailed birth record and hearing screening record were reviewed in the study. The age of this series ranged from 2 to 6 months. They were born in maternal and child health hospitals (MCH) in Guangzhou city and surrounding areas, and had hearing screened by otoacoustic emissions (OAE). However, they failed in the first and second hearing screening. The birth history, high-risk factors of hearing-impaired during newborn period and pregnancy history of subjects were fully detailed. Subjects were classified according to the age: 2 to 3 months old infants were considered as group 1, while 4 to 6 months old infants were considered as group 2. Auditory brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and acoustic immittance measurement were examined. Subjects with abnormal hearing-evaluation were retested during the following one to three months (before 6-month-old). The ABR results, DPOAE results and tympanic cavity pressure and static compliance value were compared between the two tests and then diagnosis was made.

RESULTS(1) Among the 166 cases, 34 (20.5%) cases were once suffered from hypercholesterolemia of newborn, and 10 cases (6.0%) had asphyxia and hypoxia history. (2) The proportion of presenting type B tympanogram in group 2 was higher than that of group 1 (chi2 = 26.22, P < 0.01). (3) The proportion of normal ABR in group 2 (37.2%) was significantly higher than that of in group 1 (23.4%, chi2 = 0.527, P < 0.05). Fifty-six percent of infants accepted twice ABR test had improving ABR results during the second test. (4) The proportion of normal DOPAE in group 2 (39.7%) was slightly lower than that of in group 1 (42.2%, chi2 = 0.14, P > 0.05). Among the infants who accepted twice DPOAE test, 32.0% had improving results in the second test. (5) Four cases (4 ears ) were diagnosed as auditory neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONSMiddle ear function and development of auditory system in infants may be confusing factors in hearing screening. The results of hearing screening should be interpreted appropriately.

Acoustic Impedance Tests ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies have shown that reducing the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) through the use of anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor is a safe and efficacious treatment to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, novel approaches to achieve this outcome are desired. The aim of this study was to investigate the characterization of a small molecule inhibitor, Y316, which blocks TNF mRNA upregulation and TNF production by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulated monocytes.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy volunteers were plated in 24-well plates and stimulated with LPS (1 µg/ml), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 ng/ml), zymosan (10 µg/ml) and Tsst (100 ng/ml). Supernatants were collected after 4-hour culture at 37°C, and quantitative determination of TNFα, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-2 production in the supernatants was performed by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total RNA of PBMC was isolated and cytokine mRNA quantitation was performed by using a RNA level measuring kit (R & D Systems). PBMC were pretreated with Y316 (10 µmol/L, 1 µmol/L, 0.1 µmol/L, 0.01 µol/L and 0.001 µmol/L) or dimethyl sulfoxide at 37°C for 10 minutes, and then stimulated with LPS or PMA, protein concentrations of p44.42, IKBα, P38 and Jun NH2-terminal kinase were determined by Western blotting. Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) of PBMC was measured by enzyme immunoassay kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).

RESULTSY316 blocked TNF production and inhibited the upregulation of TNF mRNA levels in response to LPS, and also prevented the production of IL-1 and IL-6. In contrast, Y316 augmented the production of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Y316 failed to prevent the production of IL-2 and TNF in antigen-stimulated T cells, suggesting that its effects may be cell-type specific. Y316 prevented the phosphorylation and activation of the MAPK, ERK, and therefore appeared to mediate its effects on TNF by acting at an early point in the signaling cascade induced in response to LPS. There was no effect of Y316 on cAMP levels either alone or in the presence of LPS.

CONCLUSIONSY316 appears to be a small molecule inhibiting TNF production, which may act via a novel mechanism. Identification of the target of Y316 may lead to the development of alternative strategies for achieving selective cytokine inhibition.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-6 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Phosphorylation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis