There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new drug,human urinary kallidinogenase,against acute brain infarction.Method A 15-center,randomized,double-blinded and 3:1 placebo-controlled study was carried out.Acute brain infarction within 48 hours of onset in the territory of the middle cerebral artery were indicated as subjects;kallidinogenase or placebo which was dissolved in 50 ml saline,was slowly injected intraveousely within 30 minutes daily for 3 weeks.The European Stroke Scale and Barthel Index were used to evaluate the neurological deficit and the activities of daily living(ADL),followed by a follow-up at the end of the third month.Results 446 patients were enrolled,who completed ITT analysis,including 330 in kallidinogenase group and 116 in placebo group,meanwhile 421 proceeded with PP analysis(311 and 110 respectively).There were no significant differences of the baseline data between the 2 groups.At the end of treatment,the ESS scores increased by 55.1%?33.0% and 44.7%?32.8% respectively in kallidinogenase group(KG)and placebo group(PG,P=0.0022),the difference being significant.PP analysis had similar results.As for ADL,follow-up 90 days after the treatment showed 374 cases followed,280 in KG and 94 in PG;1 died in PG,while none in KG.In KG,the cases whose BI≥50 were significantly more than those in PG(P=0.0228).Adverse events possibly or definitely attributable to the drug were observed in 27 cases(7.74%),mostly were mild,such as palpitation,flush,dizziness, nausea etc,without special management needed.Only 2 died which was confirmed not correlated to kallidinogenase,and another 2 cases of sudden blood pressure drop were observed.The blood pressure drop, quickly restoring soon after the withdrawal of kallidinogenase and use of hemopiesic drugs,was considered to be caused by the combination use of anti-hypertensive drug ACEI and quick infusion speed.Conclusion Kallidinogenase is efficacious for acute brain infarction in improving the neurological deficits,which is safe in clinical use.

Objective To investigate the correlation between vibration perception thresholds test (VPT) and simple screening tests for peripheral neuropathy in the diabetes clinic in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods VPT and three simple screening tests including 10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME), vibration test by 128 Hz tuning fork, and temperature sensation test by Tip-Therm were completed in 487 Chinese patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes aged over 30. The relationships between these simple screening tests and VPT were evaluated by Spearman correlation and observed agreement rate. Results Abnormal VPT was significantly associated with aging and fasting plasma glucose by binary logistic regression analysis. VPT was significantly correlated with SWME, temperature sensation test, vibration test by 128 Hz tuning fork, and the correlation coefficient was 0.176, 0.152 and 0.240, respectively (P<0.01);Observed agreement between VPT and three simple screening tests including SWME, temperature sensation test, vibration test by 128 Hz tuning fork was 49.5%, 59.8% and 51.1%, respectively. The percentage of abnormal results by SWME or vibration test by 128 Hz tuning fork with normal result by VPT was very low, only 2.7% and 1.2% respectively. Conclusions VPT should also be considered as a first-choice screening test for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUNDTo determine the antigenicity of recombinant hepatitis E virus ORF2 (rHEV ORF2) protein expressed in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris).

METHODSBy using the rHEV ORF2 protein from E.coli as control, an indirect ELISA was adopted to identify the sensitivity, specificity and stability of rHEV ORF2 protein from P. pastoris in detection of HEV IgM and IgG antibody in sera from patients with hepatitis E. The reactivity of the rHEV ORF2 against 5 HEV ORF2 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) was also tested.

RESULTSThe minimum concentration of coated antigen with which HEV IgG could be detected was 12.5 ng/ml, while the highest serum dilution to detect both IgM and IgG antibodies against HEV was 1:5 120. No cross-reaction was found with sera from patients with any other types of hepatitis. The 37 degree C acceleration test showed that the rORF2 was highly stable within 12 months at 4 degrees C. The 5 HEV ORF2 McAbs showed better reaction with the rORF2 from P. pastoris, especially that 4B2, 2E2, whose reaction against the rORF2 were 125 and 25 times respectively higher than that of rORF2 from E.Coli.

CONCLUSIONThere may be more extensive conformational epitopes in the rHEV ORF2 from P. pastoris. The excellent antigenicity, sensitivity and stability suggest that it can be served as a new candidate antigen for the development of diagnostic reagents of hepatitis E.

Gene Expression ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis E ; immunology ; Hepatitis E virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE cells) and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSThe survival rates of 16HBE cells were detected by MTT assay at 12 h after UVB irradiation at different doses (0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 J/m(2)) or at 50 J/m(2) for different durations (2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). The DNA ladder was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, the cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/p65 protein was assayed by Western blotting following the exposures.

RESULTSUVB irradiation of the cells resulted in lowered cell survival rates, DNA fragmentation, S phase arrest and up-regulation of NF-κB/p65 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONSUVB irradiation can induce growth inhibition and apoptosis of 16HBE cells, in which process NF-κB protein may play a key role.

Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; radiation effects ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential effects of herbicide quinclorac (3,7-dichloro-8-quinoline-carboxylic) on the culturable microorganisms in flooded paddy soil.

METHODSTotal soil aerobic bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were counted by a 10-fold serial dilution plate technique. Numbers of anaerobic fermentative bacteria (AFB), denitrifying bacteria (DNB) and hydrogen-producing acetogenic bacteria (HPAB) were numerated by three-tube anaerobic most-probable-number (MPN) methods with anaerobic liquid enrichment media. The number of methanogenic bacteria (MB) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) was determined by the rolling tube method in triplicate. Soil respiration was monitored by a 102G-type gas chromatography with a stainless steel column filled with GDX-104 and a thermal conductivity detector.

RESULTSQuinclorac concentration was an important factor affecting the populations of various culturable microorganisms. There were some significant differences in the aerobic heterotrophic bacteria. AFB and DNB between soils were supplemented with quinclorac and non-quinclorac at the early stage of incubation, but none of them was persistent. The number of fungi and DNB was increased in soil samples treated by lower than 1.33 micro x g(-1) dried soil, while the CFU of fungi and HPAB was inhibited in soil samples treated by higher than 1.33 microg x g(-1) dried soil. The population of actinomycete declined in negative proportion to the concentrations of quinclorac applied after 4 days. However, application of quinclorac greatly stimulated the growth of AFB and NFB. MB was more sensitive to quinclorac than the others, and the three soil samples with concentrations higher than 1 microg x g(-1) dried soil declined significantly to less than 40% of that in the control, but the number of samples with lower concentrations of quinclorac was nearly equal to that in the control at the end of experiments.

CONCLUSIONQuinclorac is safe to the soil microorganisms when applied at normal concentrations (0.67 microg x g(-1)).

Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Herbicides ; toxicity ; Oryza ; Population Dynamics ; Quinolines ; toxicity ; Soil Microbiology ; Water Supply

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Triglycerides ; blood

Adolescent ; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; pathology ; Male

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic secondary metabolite mainly produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species, existing in a variety of foodstuffs and Chinese medicines. OTA is difficult to be detected in practice because of the characteristics such as trace amounts, toxicity, existing in complex matrices. In the numerous detection technologies, colloidal gold chromatographic techniques are highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective and user-friendly, and are being used increasingly for OTA screening. Recently, with the development of aptamer technology and its application in chromatographic technique, a newly colloidal gold aptamer chromatographic technique has been developed. This review elaborates the structures and principles of both traditional and newly colloidal gold chromatographic techniques, focuses on newly colloidal gold aptamer chromatographic technique, summarizes and compares their use in rapid detection of OTA. Finally, in order to provide a reference for better research of related work, the development trends of this novel technique are prospected.
Base Sequence ; Chromatography ; methods ; Gold Colloid ; chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Ochratoxins ; analysis

Objective To compare diversity and diagnostic concordance of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) with Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) in evaluating nutritional status among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Methods Two hundred and twenty-three patients with gastrointestinal cancer were conveniently selected and evaluated by SGA and NRS within 48h of admission from April to October 2009 using cross-sectional study. Diversity and diagnostic concordance between SGA and NRS2002 were analyzed by McNemar paired chi- square test and Kappa test. Results All patients completed both NRS2002 and SGA. The prevalence of nutritional risk or undernutrition evaluated by NRS2002 or SGA was 61% versus 32. 3%. There was a significant difference between NRS2002 and SGA after conducting McNemar paired chi-square test (P <0. 01) but diagnostic concordance of SGA and NRS2002 was poor (Kappa = 0.368, P < 0. 01). Conclusions Both NRS2002 and SGA were feasible in evaluating nutritional status in gastrointestinal cancer patients, but there was deference between NRS2002 and SGA. NRS2002 had higher sensitivity to detect early under nutrition and was more suitable in prevention under nutrition than SGA in gastrointestinal cancer patients.