OBJECTIVE:To isolate and identify the major constituents-steroidal saponins from Di'ao xinxuekang.METHODS:The constituents were separated and purified using normal-pressured and pressurized silica gel column chromatography technology,and the structures were identified based on the physico-chemical property and spectral analysis.RESULTS:Two steroidal saponins were obtained from Di'ao xinxuekang and their structures were identified as dioscin(1)and pseudoprodioscin(2).CONCLUSION:Compound 1 and 2 were demonstrated to be two major constituents in Di'ao xinxuekang.This finding is of great importance for the quality control and evaluation of Di'ao xinxuekang(Chinese Medicine).

Objective To explore the difference between before and afteintervertebral fusion in transforaminal lumbainter-body fusion (TLIF) by unilateral obilateral pedicle screw (PS) fixation .MethodThe L3 -5 Cdatbased on the normal people were used to rebuild the L3 -5 three-dimensional finite elemenmodel(INT) and TLIF operative model .On thibasi,the unilateral Pfixation (M1) and bilateral Pfixation (M2) modelbefore the intervertebral fusion and the unilateral Pfixation (M3) and bi-lateral Pfixation (M4) modelafteintervertebral fusion were buil.Aftesetting the boundary and loading the burden ,the ante-flexion ,retroversion ,lateral bending and rotation of lumbavertebrwere simulated and the L 4 -5 segmenanguladisplacemenand the stresdistribution of implanwere recorded .ResultThe unilateral and bilateral Pfixation model before fusion reduced the range of motion(ROM ) of segmencompared with the Inmodel ,the bilateral fixation wareduced greatethan the unilateral fixa-tion ,buthe difference aftefusion wasignificantly decreased .The peak Von Misestressebefore fusion in the unilateral Pfixa-tion wasignificantly highethan thain the bilateral fixation ,while theipeak Von Misestresseaftefusion trended to be con-sisten.Conclusion The unilateral Pfixation aftefusion can provide the consistensegmenstability same to the bilateral Pfixa-tion .The long-term effecof TLIF with unilateral Pfixation isimilato thawith the bilateral Pfixation .

AIM: To determine the contents of corilagin in Erodium stephanianum Willd. from different collection month and to define the best collection time for this herb. METHODS: The contents of corilagin in each samples of E. stephanianum were determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The linear regression of corilagin was obtained in the range of 0.22～1.10?g. The average recovery was 98.6% with a RSD of 0.63%. CONCLUSION: The content of corilagin in E. stephanianum collected in August is the highest among the samples throughout the collection months.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of establishing aneurysm model at the carotid artery bifurcation in experimental dogs. Methods New aneurysm model at the common carotid artery (CCA) bifurcation was established in 18 experimental dogs, which were randomly and equally divided into study group (n =9) and control group (n=9). In the dogs of the study group, the bifurcation top was treated with elastase, while in the dogs of the control group the bifurcation top was treated with saline. Angiography was separately performed immediately after, and at 12 and 24 weeks after the operation to observe the changes of the aneurysm top. Pathological examination was separately carried out at 12 and 24 weeks after the operation. Results Angiography showed that nascent aneurysm formation (mean diameter of 3.2 ± 0.4 mm) was demonstrated at the arterial bifurcation top in 5 dogs of the study group; while no nascent aneurysm at the arterial bifurcation top was observed in the control group. During the follow-up period, no rupture of the nascent aneurysm occurred in the study group. Pathological examination revealed that discontinued internal elastic membrane, elastic fiber fracture, thinning muscle layer and reduction of smooth muscle cells were detected in the aneurysm at bifurcation top in the study group; when compared with those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.001). Conclusion The elastase-induced digestive degeneration of artery wall can cause new aneurysm formation in the newly-established aneurysm located at carotid artery bifurcation in experimental dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhaled and food allergen distribution of patient with allergic rhinitis in north of Zhejiang and to analyze the difference of allergen distribution among different age groups. METHOD: One thousand and forty eight patients in north of Zhejiang diagnosed with allergic rhinitis in our outpatient department were tested with skin prick test (SPT). The positive rate of inhaled and food allergens were calculated. To analysis the difference of positive rate between children and adult. RESULT: Nine hundred and eighty-eight cases (94.3%) had the positive reaction. Dermato phagoides farinae and Dermatophagodies pteronyssinus had the highest positive ratio (72.1%, 71.8%) in inhalation group, followed cockroach (14.1%). In food group, Shrimp and peanuts had the highest positive ratio (18.3%,14.2%). Between children group and adults group, positive rate of food allergen was significantly different (P < 0.05), but of inhaled allergen was not significantly different. CONCLUSION The distribution of some allergens in children group and adults group was variable. The study shows that Dust mite was the mostly responsible common allergen in north of Zhejiang.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Air Pollutants ; immunology ; Allergens ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Food ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

Objective To study the influence of sunscreens with different efficacy on delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and their immunoprotective effect in mice.Methods A cohort of mice were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 mice in each group:group 1 as the positive control without irradiation,group 2 receiving solar-simulated radiation (SSR) only,group 3 receiving SSR and protected by sunscreen l with sun protection factor 15(SPF15)and persistent pigment darkening(PPD)12,group 4 receiving SSR and protected by sunscreen 2 with SPF 50 and PPD 28,and group 5 as the negative contml receiving SSR only.SSR was carried out on the back of mice with the UVA dose being 1.4 J/cm2 and UVB dose being 100 mJ/cm2 for 10 days.After a 5-day irradiation,the groups 1 to 4 were immunized by intraperitoneal injection with 100 μl(107 cells/ml) of Candida albicans suspension.On the 10th day both sides of the posterior foot pad were measured;then the foot pads were injected with additional 50 μl of the Candida albicans suspension.Twenty-four hours after the injection,the thickness of each foot pad was measured,and immunosuppression rate was calculated.Finally,the mice were sacrificed and skin samples were obtained from the back of these mice followed by the examination of CDla, CD80 and CD86 expression by Western blot.Resets The thickness of edema in foot pads was 0.41±0.38 mm,0.21±0.23 mm and 0.30 ± 0.25 mm in group 1,3 and 4,respectively,significantly higher than in group 5 and 2(0.04±0.03 mm,0.14±0.12 mm,respectively,all P<0.05),while no significant difference was observed between the group 3 and 4(P>0.05).Significant differences were observed in the immunosuppression rate between group 2,3 and 4(73.0%±11.3%,54.1%±6.4%,29.7%±7.5%,respectively,all P<0.01).Western blot revealed a significant increment in the expression of CDla protein in group 1 compared with group 2 as well as in the expression of CD86 protein in group 1 and group 3 compamd with group 2 and group 5(all P<0.05),but no statistical difference was observed between the other groups in the expression level of CDla,CD80 or CD86(P>0.05).Conclusions The exposure to sub-erythema dose of UV can induce DTH,and sunscreens have an immunoprotective effect in this process.Epidermal Langerhans cells are not essential for UV-induced immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of saikosaponin-d(SSd) on tissue plasminogen activator(TPA),plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI),malonaldehyde(MDA) and NO in rats with liver fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine(DMN).METHODS:Eighteen SD healthy rats were randomized to control group(NS ip qd for 4 weeks),model group(10mg? kg-1 DMN ip 3 times per week for 4 weeks) and SSd-treated group(10mg? kg-1 DMN ip 3 times per week + SSd 1.8 mg? kg-1 ip for 28 consecutive days).All rats were killed 1h after the last time of administration,blood samples were taken from abdominal aorta and liver samples were taken for the observation of pathology and detection of indices of TPA,PAI,MDA and NO etc.RESULTS:SSd could lessen the degree of liver fibrosis and improve the fibrinolytic activities of TPA and PAI,meanwhile,it showed clearance effect on MDA and marked protective effect on hepatic cells.There were significant differences between SSd-treated group and the model group.CONCLUSION:SSd exhibited protective function on experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats,which may be attributed to the improving of fibrinolytic activity,eliminating of lipid peroxidation and enhancing of NO level.

Objective To investigate the effect of acitretin on the histopathology and ultrastructure of lesions from patients with bullous ichthyosiform erythrodermia (BIE), and to explore mechanisms underlying the modulation of keratinization process by acitretin. Methods Lesional tissue was obtained from the back of 4 patients with BIE before and after the treatment with acitretin. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe histopathological and ultrastructural changes in these lesions. Results After treatment, the improvement in clinical manifestations was more than 75% in all the 4 patients, and reached 90% in 1 of the 4 patients. As histopathology and ultrastructural study showed, there was an obvious improvement in hyperkeratosis and continuity of extra cellular lamellar membrane, and a decrease in keratin deposition in prickle and granular layer, but no remarkable changes were observed for the proliferation of prickle cells or acantholysis. Conclusions Acitretin shows a favorable efficacy in clinical treatment of BIE,with histopathological and ultrastructural improvement mainly located in the stratum corneum. The modulation of keratinization process in keratinocytes by acitretin appears more apparent in granular and corneum layers.

Objective To investigate proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) mutations in six pedigrees with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD),and to provide prenatal consulting and prenatal diagnosis.Methods Subjects were six probands with PMD admitted in Department of Pediatrics,Peking University First Hospital from July 2006 to November 2011 and their family members.Genomic DNA sarnples were extracted from peripheral bloods of probands and their family members.Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique was used to detect PLP1 duplication mutation.Direct DNA sequencing was used to detect point mutation.Genetic diagnosis were based on PLP1 mutation genotype from probands.Prenatal diagnosis of nine fetuses were performed from seven PLP1 mutation female carriers by fetuses' DNA extracted from amniocytes or villus cells.Results PLP1 duplications were found in probands 1-4 (P1-4) whose mothers and the aunt of proband 1 (P1) were PLP1 duplications carriers.The two cases of point mutation,c.96C＞G(p.F32L) and c.623G＞T (p.G208V),were found in proband 5 (P5) and proband 6 (P6).Hcterozygous changes of the same mutations were found in P5' and P6' mothers with normal phenotypes.Seven female PLP1 mutation carriers were pregnant again.Prenatal diagnosis of PLP1 for nine fetuses presented one PLP1 duplication,one point mutation,one PLP1 duplication carrier,and six wildtypes.A segmental crossing over of X chromosome was detected in one male fetus of PLP1 wildtype.Conclusions PLP1 mutation analysis could help to diagnose PMD pedigree and to identify female PLP1 mutation carrier in the family.The following prenatal diagnosis and proper genetic counseling are very important to prevent PMD child from being delivered.

Objective To analyze the clinical data and TUBB4A mutation of hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (HABC)in a family,thus to provide accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagno-sis for this family with HABC,and also to provide clinical experience for the diagnosis of HABC in China.Methods The clinical data of the proband and her family members were collected at the Department of Pediatrics,Peking Univer-sity First Hospital,December 201 4,including medical history,physical signs,and brain MRI,biochemical tests and metabolic disease screening.The associated gene of hereditary leukoencephalopathy was screened for the proband and her family members were screened by targeting -high -throughput sequencing technology,and then the genetic varia-tions were verified by Sanger sequencing.With those detection methods,the gene mutation was confirmed,and then ge-netic features were analyzed.Results Clinical features were as follows:nystagmus as the first symptom,and motor and mental retardation,dystonia and ataxia followed.Brain MRI indicated hypomyelination of white matter and atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum.The clinical diagnosis of HABC was established based on the clinical features and brain MRI features above.Genetics features showed that one novel TUBB4A c.974G >T heterozygous missense muta-tion was found from the proband,which caused an amino acid change from the Trp into Leu (p.Trp325Leu).Both of her parents with normal phenotype were of wild -type in this site.Conclusions The proband from this family was diagnosed clinically based on her clinical data.One novel TUBB4Ac.974G > T (p.Trp325Leu)was founded in this study.Therefore,the spectrum of TUBB4A mutation will be expanded.In addition,this study elucidated clinical and genetic characteristics in this family with HABC,which may lay a solid foundation for the accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.This study reported the first case of HABC caused by TUBB4A mutation in China.