The thrombin is a neurotoxic agent,which plays an important role in the course of brain edema and brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage.This article reviews the neurotoxicity mechanisms of thrombin in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Aim To investigate the effects of harpagide on cerebral ischemia and the mitochondria mediated Caspase dependent apoptotic signaling pathway in mice.Methods The MCAO was employed to establish MCAO model.When the models were established, the mice were given harpagide (4, 8, 12 mg·kg-1) and edaravone (3.2 mg·kg-1) [0.1 ml·(10 g)-1] by tail vein injection after MCAO immediately.And the model and control mice were given equivalent normal saline by the same way.After MCAO for 6 h, the behavior, volume of cerebral ischemia and pathological changes in the brain were observed.Westernblot was employed to determine the contents of Cyt C in mitochondrion and pro-caspase-3 in endochylema.Results Compared with the model group, harpagide (4, 8, 12 mg·kg-1) could significantly decrease the increased nerve functional score, brain index, brain water content and volume of cerebral ischemia induced by cerebral ischemia.Harpagide (4, 8, 12 mg·kg-1) could reduce the contents of Cyt C in mitochondrion and pro-caspase-3 in endochylema.Conclusion Harpagide may have protective effect on the cerebral ischemia injury in mice, which might be related to the inhibition of the cerebral mitochondria mediated Caspase dependent apoptotic signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo observe metabolomic changes in urine of chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) patients with Pi-qi deficiency syndrome (PQDS) or Pi-Wei dampness-heat syndrome (PWDHS), thereby providing scientific evidence for syndrome typing of them.

METHODSUrine samples were collected from CSG patients with PQDS/PWDHS and healthy volunteers, 10 in each group. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) based metabonomic analysis was performed on urine samples. Contents of related biomarkers were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and urivariate statistical analysis.

RESULTSPLS-DA analysis showed that metabolites among CSG patients with PQDS/PWDHS and healthy volunteers could be mutually distinguished. Seven differentially identified metabolites were screened from urines of CSG patients with PQDS and healthy volunteers included glutamate, methionine, α-oxoglutarate, dimethylglycine, creatinine, taurine, and glucose. Four differentially identified metabolites were screened from urines of CSG patients with PWDHS and healthy volunteers included 2-hydroxybutyric acid, trimethylamine oxide, taurine, and hippuric acid. Eleven differentially identified metabolites were screened from urines of CSG patients with PQDS and PWDHS included fucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid, alanine, glutamate, methionine, succinic acid, citric acid, creatinine, glucose, hippuric acid, and lactic acid.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolic differences of CSG patients PQDS and PWDHS mainly manifested in glycometabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acids catabolism, and 1H-NMR based metabonomics may be used in classified study of Chinese medical syndrome typing.

Biomarkers ; urine ; Discriminant Analysis ; Gastritis ; urine ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hydroxybutyrates ; Ketoglutaric Acids ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolome ; physiology ; Metabolomics ; Principal Component Analysis ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Qi ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of HOXC13 mRNA in ameloblastoma (AB), and to investigate its biological significance.

METHODSHOXC13 mRNA was examined in 47 cases of AB (primary AB 29 cases, recurrent AB 14 cases, malignant AB 4 cases). 2 cases of fibrous dysplasia of bone, 10 cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) and 7 cases of normal oral mucosa were selected as control.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HOXC13 mRNA in AB, KCOT, and normal oral mucosa were 97.9% (46/47), 7/10 and 3/7, respectively. There was a significant difference among AB, OKC and normal mucosa (chi(2) = 21.665, P = 0.001). For HOXC13, the keratinizing cells and granulizing cells in AB were negative, some fibroblasts were positive, 2 cases of fibrous dysplasia of bone were positive.

CONCLUSIONSHOXC13 was highly expressed in AB. The expression of HOXC13 mRNA in AB had heterogeneity, which could improve the epithelial proliferation, and its loss may lead to the cornification and degeneration of epithelial cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ameloblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Homeobox ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; metabolism ; Odontogenic Tumors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) encoded by the hepatitis C virus RNA genome affects the expression of hepcidin gene.

METHODSHCV NS5A expression plasmid (pCN5A) and pRc/CMV were transfected into QSG7701 cells individually, RT-PCR was employed to detect the HCV NS5A and hepcidin mRNA transcription. Western blot was used for detection of HCV NS5A and hepcidin proteins. Iron was stained to evaluate the intracellular iron level.

RESULTSHCV NS5A plasmid was successfully transfected into QSG7701 cells, which was evidenced by HCV NS5A mRNA and protein from the transfected cells. The hepcidin mRNA relative quantification in untransfected cells, pRc/CMV transfected cells and pCNS5A transfected cells were 0.711+/-0.049, 0.718+/-0.052 and 0.264+/-0.030 respectively. The transcription of hepcidin mRNA decreased remarkably in the cells transfected with pCNS5A plasmid as compared to the untransfected cells and pRc/CMV transfected cells (P less than 0.01). The level of hepcidin protein expression was found also significantly lower in the pCN5A plasmid transfected cells as compared to the untransfected cells and pRc/CMV transfected cells. The intracellular iron staining was remarkably higher in the pcNS5A transfected cells than untransfected or pRc/CMV transfected cells.

CONCLUSIONSHCV NS5A inhibits the transcription of hepcidin mRNA and expression of hepcidin protein, inducing hepatic intracellular iron storage.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Transfection ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) strain JFH1 on expression of the human gene, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 45 alpha (GADD45a), in infected hepatoma cells.

METHODSHCV JFH1 RNA-containing supernatants were used to infect the human hepatoma cell line, Huh7.5.1; infection was confirmed by Western blot detection of the HCV-encoded non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein and core protein. Infection-induced changes in GADD45a mRNA and protein expressions were measured by real time PCR using SYBR Green and Western blotting, respectively. Significance of differences between the levels detected in JFH1-infected or uninfected Huh7.5.1 cells was analyzed by single factor analysis of variance testing.

RESULTSThe HCV infection system was successfully established, as evidenced by expression of NS5A protein and core protein. The GADD45a mRNA and protein levels were significantly down-regulated in JFH1-infected Huh7.5.1 cells, by 0.57+/-0.09 and 0.28+/-0.03, respectively, as compared to levels in uninfected Huh7.5.1 cells (F values were 75.407 and 560.04, respectively; P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHCV inhibits the mRNA transcription and protein expression of host GADD45a, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HCV infection.

Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Damage ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis quintuplinervia.

METHODColumn chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate constituents. A combination of IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy was used to identify structures of constituents.

RESULTTwelve compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract and their structures were elucidated as quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (I), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-glucopyranoside (II), kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (III), isorhamnetin 3-0-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IV), caffeic acid (V), protocatechuic acid (VI), p-hydroxycinnamic (VII), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl )-ethyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (VIII), p-hydroxybenzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IX), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(Z)-p-coumaric acid (X), 5, 7-dihydroxy-4H-4-chromenone (XI), daucosterol (XII).

CONCLUSIONTen compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time except for XI and XII.

Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the etiology and pathogenesis of cholesterol granuloma of the paranasal sinuses and the treatment for the disease.

METHODSTwenty four cases of cholesterol granuloma of the paranasal sinuses treated in our hospital during the period from March 1996 to March 2003 were retrospectively analysed. All cases were verified by surgery and pathology.

RESULTSOf all cases, 10 cases were diagnosed as chronic sinusitis, 8 cases as nasal sinus cyst, and 5 cases as nasal polyp before operation, only 1 case was considered as cholesterol granuloma. The main symptoms were nasal obstruction (20/24), rhinorrhea (18/24), dysosmia (10/24), headache (7/24), pain around the eye (5/24), double vision (2/24), et al. Different surgical approaches were selected depending upon different pathological changes. Good results were obtained in 23 cases and postoperative follow-up for at least one year showed no recurrence. Only one case received revision nasal endoscopic surgery two years after Caldwell-Luc operation because of recurrence, and remained symptom-free for three years.

CONCLUSIONSThe pathogenesis of cholesterol granuloma includes obstruction of ventilation and drainage and brooding in sinuses. Cholesterol granuloma of the paranasal sinuses seems to have a close relation with chronic sinusitis, especially sinus mucocele. The surgical approach depends upon the location, extension, and severity of the lesion. The principle of surgery is to eliminate the pathological focus and create an adequate drainage.

Adult ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Granuloma, Foreign-Body ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinus Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Paranasal Sinuses ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in different university categories and its association with lifestyle/dietary habits.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was carried out on 9 378 faculty members and staff who participated in an annual health checkup at three universities selected by random cluster sampling. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical indices and abdominal ultrasound measurements were collected. A nested case-control study was conducted with 200 NAFLD cases and 200 controls matched by gender, age (±3 years), and university.

RESULTSThe overall prevalence of NAFLD was 10.3% (13.7% in males and 6.8% in females). The prevalence was significantly higher in the science and engineering university (22.1%) than in the comprehensive universities with (6.4%) and without (10.9%) medical colleges. Obesity/overweight, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and family history of NAFLD were independently associated with higher risk of NAFLD, as were frequent consumption of desserts and salty/spicy foods. Using nutritional supplements was a protective factor against NAFLD. Intake of coarse cereals, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and milk was significantly lower, and intake of red meat, viscera, candies and pastries, cooking oil, and total energy was significantly higher in participants with NAFLD than in controls.

CONCLUSIONScience and engineering university faculty and staff are key targets for NAFLD prevention. NAFLD is closely associated with age, gender, university type, metabolic diseases, and lifestyle/dietary habits.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Feeding Behavior ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of the seeds of Ziziphus jujuba Mill var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex. H.F. Chou.

METHODSTo separate the constituents by using various kinds of chromatography methods and identify their structures on the basis of spectral analysis.

RESULTSSeven compounds were isolated. Their structures were established as jujuboside E (1), jujuboside B (2), jujuboside A (3), betulic acid (4), stearic acid (5), sucrose (6) and inosine (7).

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 is a new compound named jujuboside E. Compounds 5, 6, 7 were isolated for the first time from this plant.

Inosine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Stearic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sucrose ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ziziphus ; chemistry