This work was mainly studied the effects of the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and preliminarily discussed the regulating mechanisms. The effect of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the vitality of macrophages was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of alkaloids on the phagocytosis of macrophages was determined by neutral red trial and respiratory burst activity was tested by NBT. The expressions of respiratory-burst-associated genes influenced by alkaloids were detected by qRT-PCR. The conformation change of membrane protein in macrophages by the impact of alkaloids was studied by fluorospectro-photometer. Results showed that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages in different level and berberine had the best effect. Berberine, coptisine and palmatine had up-regulation effects on respiratory burst activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by PMA and regulatory activity on the mRNA expression of PKC, p40phox or p47phox, whereas the epiberberine had no significant influence on respiratory burst. Moreover, alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could change the conformation of membrane protein and the berberine showed the strongest activity. The results suggested that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma might activate macrophages through changing the conformation of membrane protein of macrophages and then enhanced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of alkaloids on the respiratory burst activity of macrophages may be also related to the expression level of PKC, p40phox and p47phox.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is an autosomal dominant disorder which is mainly caused by JAG1 gene mutation and can affect multiple systems including the liver, heart, eyes, skeleton and face. This paper reports the clinical and genetic features of an ALGS patient. A 2-year-and-9-month-old boy was referred to the hospital with the complaint of abnormal liver function and heart murmur discovered over two years. Jaundice of the skin and sclera was not observed. The child had a prominent forehead, left esotropia, depressed nasal bridge and micromandible. The two lungs were clear on auscultation, but a systolic cardiac murmur of grade 2/6 could be heard between the 2nd and 3rd intercostal space at the left sternal border. Neither abdominal distension nor enlarged liver or spleen was discovered. X-ray radiography uncovered butterfly malformation of the 6th and 8th thoracic vertebrae. Serum biochemistry analysis revealed elevation of total bile acids, bilirubin and transaminases. Based on the clinical characteristics and the consultation opinion of the ophthalmologist, the child was diagnosed to have ALGS with Duane retraction syndrome. DNA direct sequencing detected a novel JAG1 mutation c.2419delG(p.Glu807AsnfsX819) in the child. Symptomatic and supportive therapy was performed thereafter and clinical follow-up was conducted until he was 4 years and 2 months. In the follow-up visits, his general condition remained stable, but the facial malformations, left esotropia, cardiac murmur and abnormal liver function persistend. The long-term outcome needed to be observed.
Alagille Syndrome ; genetics ; therapy ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Jagged-1 Protein ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation

BACKGROUNDOnabotulinumtoxinA is widely used in treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug for treating NDO.

METHODSWe searched the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. All published randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of NDO were identified in the analysis. The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also investigated.

RESULTSFour publications involving a total of 807 patients were identified in the analysis, which compared onabotulinumtoxinA with placebo. The changes of the mean number of urinary incontinence per week (the standardized mean difference [SMD] = -10.91, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = -14.18--7.63, P < 0.0001); maximum cystometric capacity (SMD = 146.09, 95% CI = 126.19-165.99, P < 0.0001) and maximum detrusor pressure (SMD = -32.65, 95% CI = -37.83--27.48, P < 0.0001) indicated that onabotulinumtoxinA was more effective than the placebo, despite the doses of onabotulinumtoxinA. Safety assessments primarily localized to the urinary tract indicated onabotulinumtoxinA were often associated with more complications. Urinary tract infections (relative risk [RR] =1.48, 95% CI = 1.20-1.81, P = 0.0002); hematuria (RR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.00-3.24, P = 0.05) and urinary retention (RR = 5.87, 95% CI = 3.61-9.56, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONSThis meta-analysis indicates that onabotulinumtoxinA to be an effective treatment for NDO with side effects primarily localized to urinary tract.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; drug therapy

Objective To summarize the therapeutic effects of living related donor liver transplantation for Crigler-Najjar syndrome type Ⅰ (CNS type Ⅰ). Methods A 3-month-old male infant had appeared a progressive xanthochromia of the skin and sclera 4 d after birth without obvious cause. Other causative factors were eliminated after relevant tests were completed, and identified as CNS type Ⅰ by genetic testing. Living related donor liver transplantation was performed with his mother as the donor. An immunosuppression regimen was routinely applied postoperatively and tacrolimus doses were adjusted according to biochemical indicators and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 genotype of the recipient. Results The liver enzymes of the recipient returned to normal at 7 d postoperatively, and bilirubin decreased daily and fell to the normal range at 22 d postoperatively. Followed up to the submission date, the recipient's xanthochromia of skin and scleral faded with normal bilirubin and stable liver enzymes. The condition of the recipient was generally good with high quality of life. Conclusions Living donor liver transplantation can treat unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and other diseases caused by CNS type Ⅰ, which greatly improve the quality of life of patients.

BACKGROUNDSince being reclassified by WHO in 1996, solid pseudopapillary tumour (SPT) of pancreas has been recognized as the internationally accepted name. Clinicians are lacking in knowledge of this rare disease so the misdiagnosis and inappropriate therapy are hard to avoid. The clinic data on 22 patients were summarized to study the misdiagnosis and treatment of a sample of SPTs.

METHODSTwenty-two female patients with SPT were studied retrospectively and divided into two groups, the misdiagnosed group and the correctly diagnosed one. The analyses were performed with Fisher test with accurate probability for categorical data, and Kruskal-Wallis test for ranked data.

RESULTSThe rate of misdiagnosis in this sample was 45.5%. The misdiagnosed SPTs were apt to be the incomplete capsule ones (P = 0.020), which resulted in obvious difficulties during operation (P = 0.024). In the misdiagnosed SPT group, the medical expenses increased significantly (P = 0.042), and the number of days in hospital greater than in correctly diagnosed group (P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough SPT has low malignancy with excellent prognosis after surgical treatment in most patients, the misdiagnosis of SPT increases the social and economic burdens on patients. It is important to analyse the causes of misdiagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery

BACKGROUND: Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) has a strong ability to induce and promote the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the BMP-2 effect on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on an injectable nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan (nHA/CS) composite scaffold. METHODS: (1) Experiment 1: Passage 3 BMSCs were divided into two groups and cultured with the nHA/CS scaffold or cultured alone. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect cell proliferation at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days of culture. (2) Experiment 2: Passage 3 BMSCs were seeded onto the nHA/CS scaffold and cultured in culture medium containing BMP-2 or not. Alkaline phosphatase activity in cells was detected at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 days of culture. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect cell proliferation at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days of culture. Alizarin red staining was used to observe the osteogenic differentiation of cells at 1 and 2 weeks of culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Experiment 1: With the prolongation of culture time, the absorbance values in the two groups were gradually increased, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. At 7 days of culture, the BMSCs adhered tightly to the scaffold surface. (2) Experiment 2: With the prolongation of culture time, the alkaline phosphatase activities in the two groups were gradually increased, and moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activity in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at different culture time (P < 0.05). The absorbance values in the two groups were also gradually increased, and the value in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at different culture time (P < 0.05). At 1 and 2 weeks of culture, the number of calcified nodules was higher in the experimental group than the control group. To conclude, BMP-2 has a promotion role in the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs cultured on the injectable nHA/CS scaffold.

An improved and practical synthesis of racemic 11-demethylcalanolide A [(+/-)-1] was developed. This improved process involved Pechmann reaction on phloroglucinol with ethyl butyrylacetate to give 5,7,-dihydroxy4-n-propylcoumarin (3). Poly phosphoric acid (PPA) catalyzed acylation of compound (3) with crotonic acid, then intramolecular cyclization was achieved simultaneously in one step to afford the key intermediate chromanone (4). A microwave assisted synthetic method preparing chromene (6) using chromenynation of chromanone (4) with 1, 1-diethoxy-methyl-2-butene was conducted. Luche reduction of chromene (6) using NaBH4 with CeCl3 x 7H2O preferably gave (+/-)-1. The overall yield of this four step synthesis of (+/-)-1 was around 32% increasing one fold more than that of the previous method. An in vitro investigation showed that (+/-)-1 exhibited inhibitory activities against both wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1 in HIV-1 RT and cell culture assay, and significant synergistic effects in combination with AZT, T-20, and indinavir. Its LD50 of acute toxicity in mice by intragastric administration and by intraperitoneal injection were 735.65 mg kg(-1) and 525.10 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) were 0.54 microg x mL(-1) and 1.08 (microg x mL(-1) x h, respectively. The dynamics study of the inhibition of mice sera on HIV-1 RT showed that mice treated with 100 mg x kg(-1 (+/-)-1 once intraperitoneally were similar to that of 5 mg x kg(-1) of known clinical effective anti-HIV-1 drug neverapine. The results suggested that further investigation of the anti-HIV candidate (+/-)-1 was warranted.
Animals ; Anti-HIV Agents ; chemical synthesis ; immunology ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Drug Synergism ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase ; metabolism ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; pharmacology ; Indinavir ; pharmacology ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Male ; Mice ; Pyranocoumarins ; chemical synthesis ; immunology ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; immunology ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Zidovudine ; pharmacology

The aim of this study is to assess the status of treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) in Chinese men. A population-based cross-sectional survey was performed, in which 15 000 men aged between 15 and 60 years were randomly selected to receive a questionnaire designed to assess National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH-CPSI) status, therapeutic efficacy and 28 other items. A total of 12 743 men (84.95%) completed the questionnaire, of whom 1 071 (8.4%) were identified as having prostatitis-like symptoms and 517 (4.5%) were diagnosed with CP according to NIH-CPSI criteria and prostatitis-like symptomatology. Of the CP patients, 372 (65%) underwent long-term routine treatment 12 times per year. Additionally, 217 (72.8%) patients received antibiotic therapy and 215 (79.3%) men showed therapeutic effects. The treatment cost USD 1 151 (8 059 yuan) per person per year on average. Most CP patients received routine treatment, in most cases with antibiotics. Treatment was costly and most CP patients were not satisfied with its effectiveness. Antibacterial treatment might have been effective primarily in patients with bacterial disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations and risk factors of the patients from developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH) family.

METHODSDetailed epidemiology investigation, physical examination, functional movement assessment, lab test and X-ray examination were applied to the whole members of a DDH family.

RESULTSIn the family with 9 generations and 218 persons, the incidence of DDH was 31.03% in 145 survivors. Patients mainly manifested bilateral knee and hip joint pain, flexion contracture of hip, limitation in internal and external rotation of hip; a few had arthritic functional disorder, deformation, and limp. The radiography illustrated shallow acetabulum with increased inclination, which encompassed the femoral head badly. Deformation of the femoral head, narrow joint space and osteophyte were also found by X-ray examination. The main risk factors of DDH were genetic factors, gender, birth season etc. The son or daughter with one or two DDH parents had a higher risk for developing DDH than those with no DDH parents. Furthermore, first-degree relatives of the DDH patients also had a greater chance to develop DDH than second-degree relatives and third-degree relatives. The incidence among females was higher than males, and the family member who was given birth in winter had a highest risk for developing DDH. However, there was no difference between incidence of DDH in children and youths and in adults; the incidence of DDH in the immigrants with no blood relationship also did not differ from the incidence of DDH in the family member.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic factors play an important role in the development of DDH, so do the environmental factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Family Health ; Female ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of dermal defect and fat dome structure destruction in burn wounds on the formation of hyperplastic scar.

METHODSFifty two wounds in 24 burn patients with deep partial thickness burn indicating tangential excision in the extremities were enrolled in the study, and they were divided into three groups according to the extent of exposure of dermal fat granules, i.e. A (without fat exposure), B (with little fat exposure) and C (with much fat exposure) groups. These three groups were subdivided into A1 (without grafting), A2 (grafting with razor thin skin), B1 (without grafting), B2 (with razor thin skin grafting), C1 (without grafting) and C2 (with split-thickness skin grafting) groups, with 9 wounds in each group. The dermal depth and exposure rate of the fat granules in each group were measured and analyzed by KS400 photography analysis apparatus. The follow-up conditions of the scars 6 months after operation were evaluated with Vancouver remark system by Vancouver score assessment.

RESULTSThere was obvious difference in the dermal depth and exposure rate of the fat granules among all the groups (P < 0.05 or 0.01). The fat exposure rate was positively correlated with the extent of the dermal defect (gamma = 0.554, P < 0.05). The Vancouver score in group A was lower than that in B and C groups (P < 0.05), while that in B1 group (3.714 +/- 2.498) was evidently higher than that in other groups (P < 0.01). The scar score was lowered when the wounds were grafted with the dermis with its thickness similar to the depth of the defect, The scar score was increased along with the elevation of fat exposure rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere was a positive correlation between the degree of dermal defect and that of hyperplastic scar after burns. The disruption of fat dome structure might also be an important factor in the scar development.

Adipose Tissue ; pathology ; Adult ; Burns ; complications ; pathology ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; etiology ; pathology ; Dermis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wound Healing