The content of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) which as the enzymatic hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate through thioglucosidase was determined by HPLC. The content of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) which as the enzymatic hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate through thioglucosidase was determined by HPLC. The chromatography condition was as follows: Kaseisorb LC ODS 2000 (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 min) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-water( B) under gradient elution (0-5 min, 3%-8% A; 5-9 min, 8%-48% A; 9-23 min, 48%-62% A; 23-28 min, 62%-99% A); the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) with 10 microL injection volume; detection wavelength was 246 nm and temperature of column was 40 degrees C. The content of benzyl glucosinolate was in the range of 10.76-17.91 g x L(-1). The method is simple, accurate and good reproducibility which can be used for the determination of benzyl glucosinolate in Lepidium meyenii, effectively.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Glucosinolates ; analysis ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical effect and safety of floating needle therapy and duloxetine in treating patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD).

METHODSTotally 108 PSPD patients were randomly assigned to the floating needle treatment group, the duloxetine treatment group, and the placebo treatment group, 36 in each group. Patients in the floating needle treatment group received floating needle therapy and placebo. Those in the duloxetine treatment group received duloxetine and simulated floating needle therapy. Those in the placebo treatment group received the placebo and simulated floating needle therapy. All treatment lasted for six weeks. Efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated using Simple McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) before treatment and immediately after treatment, as well as at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD, 17 items), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were assessed before treatment and at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Patients in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group with the total reducing score rate of SF-MPQ in Pain Rating index (PRI) ≥ 50% after 6 weeks' treatment were involved in the follow-up study.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the same group before treatment, SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total scores all decreased in all the three groups at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides , each item of SF-MPQ significantly decreased immediately after treatment in the floating needle treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the placebo treatment group, SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA total score in the floating needle treatment group significantly decreased after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total score in the duloxetine treatment group also significantly decreased after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There were 3 patients (8.3%) who had adverse reactions in the floating needle treatment group, 17 (50.0%) in the duloxetine treatment group, and 7 (21.2%) in the placebo treatment group. Compared with the placebo treatment group, the incidence of adverse reaction increased in the duloxetine treatment group (χ² = 6.04, P < 0.05). Besides, it was higher in the duloxetine treatment group than in the floating needle treatment group (χ² = 14.9, P < 0.05). (3) There were 19 patients in the floating needle treatment group and 17 patients in the duloxetine treatment group involved in the follow-up study. Compared with 6 weeks after treatment, no significant difference was observed at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the score of SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were 5 patients (29.4%) who had adverse reactions in the duloxetine treatment group, and no adverse reactions were observed in the floating needle treatment group. The adverse reaction rate was significantly different between the two groups (χ² = 4.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFloating needle therapy and duloxetine were effective in treatment of patients with PSPD. However, floating needle therapy could relieve pain more rapidly than duloxetine, with obviously less adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Anxiety Disorders ; Duloxetine Hydrochloride ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain ; Pain Management ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Somatoform Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Ultrafine powder and cell wall-broken powder of herbal medicine lack of the morphological characters and microscopic identification features. This makes it hard to identify herb's authenticity with traditional methods. We tested ITS2 sequence as DNA barcode in identification of herbal medicine in ultrafine powder and cell wall-broken powder in this study. We extracted genomic DNAs of 93 samples of 31 representative herbal medicines (28 species), which include whole plant, roots and bulbs, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. The ITS2 sequences were amplified and sequenced bidirectionally. The ITS2 sequences were identified using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) method in the GenBank database and DNA barcoding system to identify the herbal medicine. The genetic distance was analyzed using the Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model and the Neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 6.0. The results showed that DNA can be extracted successfully from 93 samples and high quality ITS2 sequences can be amplified. All 31 herbal medicines can get correct identification via BLAST method. The ITS2 sequences of raw material medicines, ultrafine powder and cell wall-broken powder have same sequence in 26 herbal medicines, while the ITS2 sequences in other 5 herbal medicines exhibited variation. The maximum intraspecific genetic-distances of each species were all less than the minimum interspecific genetic distances. ITS2 sequences of each species are all converged to their standard DNA barcodes using NJ method. Therefore, using ITS2 barcode can accurately and effectively distinguish ultrafine powder and cell wall-broken powder of herbal medicine. It provides a new molecular method to identify ultrafine powder and cell wall-broken powder of herbal medicine in the quality control and market supervision.
Cell Wall ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Powders ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the haemostatic efficacy and safety of prophylactic oral administration of Yunan Baiyao capsules on reduction of blood loss in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.

METHODSEighty-seven patients scheduled for Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) were enrolled in the prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Forty-three patients took prophylactic oral administration of Yunnan Baiyao capsules 3 days before operation, and 44 patients without Yunnan Baiyao administration served as control. The intraoperative blood loss during Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy was estimated and the safety of Yunnan Baiyao capsules was evaluated.

RESULTSThe total blood loss in the Yunnan Baiyao group (330.5 +/- 134.4) ml was significantly lower than that of the control group (420.3 +/- 175.9) ml. The blood loss of Le Fort I osteotomy in the Yunnan Baiyao group (154.9 +/- 84.3) ml was also significantly lower than that of the control group (203.8 +/- 98.1) ml. The mean blood loss of BSSRO in the Yunnan Baiyao group was also lower than that of the control group, but the differences was not significant. The post-operative fibrinolysis was in the same level in both groups. Thromboemblic events or other side effects were not observed in this clinical trial.

CONCLUSIONSProphylactic oral administration of Yunnan Baiyao capsules can effectively reduce the intra-operative blood loss in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Yunnan Baiyao capsule are an effective and safe haemostatic traditional Chinese medicine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orthognathic Surgery ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Schwann cells on axon regeneration of the inferior alveolar nerve following mandibular lengthening with distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSUnilateral mandibular osteodistraction was performed in 9 healthy adult male goats with a distraction rate of 1 mm/d. Every 3 goats were killed on days 7, 14 and 28 after mandibular lengthening, respectively. The inferior alveolar nerves in the distraction callus were harvested and processed for ultrastructural and NGF immunohistochemical study. The inferior alveolar nerves from the contralateral side were used as controls.

RESULTSOn day 7 after distraction, axon degeneration and Schwann cell proliferation were observed, and very strong staining of NGF in the distracted nerve was detected. On day 14 after distraction, axon regeneration and remyelination were easily observed, and NGF expression started to decline. On day 28 after distraction, the gray scale of NGF immunoreactivity recovered to the normal value and the Schwann cells almost recovered to their normal state.

CONCLUSIONSGradual mandibular osteodistraction can result in mild or moderate axon degeneration of the inferior alveolar nerve. Nerve trauma may stimulate the proliferation of Schwann cells and promote the synthesis and secretion of NGF in the Schwann cells. Schwann cells and NGF might play important roles in axon regeneration of the injured inferior alveolar nerve following mandibular lengthening.

Animals ; Axons ; pathology ; physiology ; Goats ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Mandibular Nerve ; physiology ; Nerve Growth Factor ; physiology ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Schwann Cells ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the Chinese herbal medicines Fructus Lycii and Radix Astragali on the function of the Sertoli cells in the rat testis and their mechanisms.

METHODSSertoli cells from the testes of the SD rats aged 18 - 22 days were isolated and cultured. The effects of Fructus Lycii, Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two on the proliferation of Sertoli cells in vitro were detected by MTT assay, and their effects on the level of INHbetaB mRNA transcription in Sertoli cells in vitro were investigated in both normal environment and peroxide-damaging environment by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe proliferation of Sertoli cells was promoted by either Fructus Lycii or Radix Astragali at high concentration (P < 0.05), and significantly promoted by the combined administration at high concentration (P <0.01). Sertoli cell INHbetaB transcription was significantly up-regulated by Fructus Lycii, Radix Astragali and their combined administration in vitro (P < 0.01). When the level of INHbetaB mRNA in Sertoli cells significantly dropped (P < 0.01) in the presence of injury induced by peroxide (H2O2), it could be elevated by Radix Astragali (P < 0.05) and significantly up-regulated by Fructus Lycii or the combined administration in vitro (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONFructus Lycii, Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two could promote and protect INHbetaB mRNA in Sertoli cells in vitro.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inhibin-beta Subunits ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lycium ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEPelvic lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor of cervical cancer. The prognosis of cervical cancer patients with common iliac lymph node metastasis is poor, but few systematic studies have been reported . This study was to investigate the characteristics, risk, treatment and prognosis of stage IB-IIB cervical carcinoma patients with common iliac lymph node metastasis.

METHODSA total of 960 patients with cervical cancer receiving radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were selected from the hospitalized patients in the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between January 1995 and December 2005, and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf the 960 patients, 288 (30.0%) had pelvic lymph node metastasis, and 45 (4.7%) had positive common iliac lymph node. The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) of patients with common iliac lymph node metastasis was 46.1%, and 67.5% in patients with other pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage, serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) > 4 microg/L before treatment, depth of cervical invasion > or =2/3 and positive parametrial margin were associated with common iliac lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Patients with > or =3 pelvic lymph node metastasis (excluding common iliac lymph node) or recurrence had poor prognosis (P < 0.05). Factors predictive of common iliac lymph node metastasis on Logistic forward regression were SCC-Ag > 4 microg/L (P = 0.026, OR = 2.303) before treatment and positive parametrial margin (P = 0.045, OR = 2.634).

CONCLUSIONSCervical cancer patients with common iliac lymph node metastasis had poorer prognosis compared with patients with other pelvic lymph node metastasis. SCC-Ag >4 microg/L before treatment and positive parametrial margin were the independent predictive factors for common iliac lymph node metastasis of cervical carcinoma. Pelvic lymph node metastasis (excluding common iliac lymph node) > or = 3 or recurrence was prognostic factors for patients with common iliac lymph node metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; blood ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Iliac Artery ; Iliac Vein ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pelvis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serpins ; blood ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To explore the effect of intracranial Cryptococcus neoformans (Cr.neoformans) infection on the function of fluconazole transport by breast cancer-resistance protein (BCRP),a kind of efflux transporter on the blood-brain barrier (BBB).Methods Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 each):normal rats received 20mg/kg fluconazole by intravenous injection (Group A),normal rats received 20mg/kg fluconazole with co-administration of pantoprazole (a kind of BCRP inhibitor) by intravenous injection (Group B),rats with intracranial Cr.neoformans infection received 20mg/kg fluconazole (Group C),and infected rats received 20mg/kg fluconazole with co-administration of pantoprazole (Group D).Microdialysis probes were implanted into the rats' striatum to continuously collect brain extracellular fluid (ECF) after the intravenous infusion of fluconazole with or without BCRP inhibitor pantoprazole.High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to measure the fluconazole concentrations in blood and brain ECF.The area under the concentration-time curves of fluconazole and the penetration of fluconazole passing though BBB were then calculated.Results Meningoencephalitis rat model was successfully established by intracerebral inoculation of Cr.neoformans.The infection significantly increased the penetration of fluconazole passing through BBB (P＜0.05).Pantoprazole did not alter the distribution of fluconazole in normal rat's brain,but significantly increased the penetration of fluconazole passing through BBB of the infected rats (P＜0.05).Conclusion Cr.neoformans infection can reduce the BBB resistance to fluconazole,and induce the efflux transport of fluconazole from the brain ECF back into the blood by BCRP.

OBJECTIVETo examine the urinary level of tissue factor (uTF) and its procoagulant activity (PCA) in patients with diabetes mellitus, and explore the relationship between uTF and renal damage in diabetes mellitus.

METHODSEighty-six patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into 3 groups according to urine albumin excretion (UACR), namely normal albuminuria group, microalbuminuria group and macroalbuminuria group. The levels of uTF, PCA, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (CRE), serum cystatin C (CYSC), glycohemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in all the patients and 21 healthy controls.

RESULTSCompared with normal control, the diabetic patients showed significantly increased levels of uTF and PCA. The urinary TF-PCA was positively correlated to BUN, CYSC, CRE, UACR, fasting glucose and hs-CRP, but not to uTF; only hs-CRP, UACR were positively correlated to uTF.

CONCLUSIONuTF is probably implicated in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Adult ; Albuminuria ; urine ; Blood Coagulation ; Case-Control Studies ; Creatinine ; urine ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; urine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thromboplastin ; urine

AIMTo separate and identify the chemical constituents of the aril of Torreya grandis cv. Merrilli.

METHODSThree lignins were isolated by chromatography and their chemical structures were elucidated by IR, EI-MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, DEPT and 2D-NMR spectral methods.

RESULTSThree lignins were identified as pinonesinol, dihydrodehydrodiconiferylalcohol and (7,8-cis-8,8'-trans)-2',4'dihydroxyl-3, 5-dimethoxy-lariciresinol.

CONCLUSIONThese compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compound III is a new compound.

Fruit ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lignin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Taxaceae ; chemistry