Cucumber mosaic virus was detected from infected Basella rubra L. with the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total RNA was extracted from infected leaves and the cDNAs of coat protein gene of CMV-Ba were obtained by RT-PCR. The amplified cDNA fragments were then cloned into pMD 18-T vector and sequenced,the result showed that the CP gene was 657 nucleotides in length. This sequence was aligned with the obtained CP gene and some CMV strains or isolates of subgroup Ⅰ and subgroup Ⅱ in GenBank using DNA MAN software. The results showed that CMV-Ba shared 90.9%~93.8% and 76.1%~76.9% identity with the known CP genes of subgroup Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively in nucleotide level,on the other hand,amino acids deduced from CMV-Ba CP gene shared 92.7%~97.7% and 72.4%~78.1% identity with the known CP protein of subgroup Ⅰ and Ⅱ,respectively. This suggested that CMV-Ba CP gene belongs to CMV subgroupⅠ.

Human xanthine oxidase is considered to be a target for therapy of hyperuricemia. Cichorium intybus is a Chinese plant medicine which widely used in Xinjiang against various diseases. In order to screen the inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from C. intybus and to explore main pharmacological actions of cichory a compound collection of C. intybus was built via consulting related references about chemical research on cichory. The three-dimensional crystal structure of xanthine oxidase (PDB code: 1N5X) from Protein Data Bank was downloaded.. Autodock 4.2 was employed to screen the inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from cichory 70 compounds were found to possess quite low binding free energy comparing with TEI (febuxostat). C. intybus contains constituents possessing potential inhibitive activity against xanthine oxidase. It can explain the main pharmacological actions of cichory which can significantly lower the level of serum uric acid.
Chicory ; chemistry ; Databases, Protein ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Structure ; Xanthine Oxidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the associations of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms with levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene among coke oven workers.

METHODS223 male workers from a coke plant (76, 82 and 65 workers in oven top group, oven-side group and oven-bottom group respectively) and 119 controls without occupational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure were selected. The MspI gene polymorphism in CYP1A1 3' flanking region and the genotypes at I462V site in exon 7 of CYP1A1 were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele specific amplification (ASA).

RESULTSThe urinary 1-hydroxypyrene of coke oven workers in oven-top, oven-side and oven-bottom (3.77+/-0.64, 3.57+/-0.49, 3.26+/-0.80 micromol/mol Cr) were significantly higher than controls (2.80+/-1.02 micromol/mol Cr) (P<0.01). The urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was not significantly different among MspI genotypes in CYP1A1 3' flanking region (P>0.05). In oven-top group and oven-side group, the subjects with Val/Val genotype in exon 7 of CYP1A1 had significantly higher urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels than those with Ile/Val or Ile/Ile genotype, and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene of Ile-Val genotype were also significantly higher than Ile/Ile genotype (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the coke oven workers (OR in oven top group, oven-side group and oven-bottom group was 24.926, 4.226 and 6.729 respectively) and subjects with m2/m2 genotype in CYP1A1 3' flanking region (OR=4.031) or with Val/Val or Ile/Val genotype in exon 7 of CYP1A1 (OR were 5.524 and 3.811) had elevated urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (greater than 95 percentile of control group, 3.876 micromol/mol Cr).

CONCLUSIONBAP concentration of work environment contributes to the elevated urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels, and the exposed BAP levels were regulated by the CYP1A1 MspI and I462V genotypes. Genetic polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene could be a susceptible biomarker in coke oven workers which was involved in the individual susceptibility on metabolism of PAHs.

Adult ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; adverse effects ; Coke ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pyrenes ; pharmacokinetics ; Urine ; chemistry

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.

METHODSThe compounds were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorption resin, Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel column chromatography and identified on the basis of their physicochemical and spectral data.

RESULTSFour compounds were obtained from the n-BuOH fraction of 70% acetone extracts. Their structures were elucidated as (7S, 8R)-7, 8-dihydro-7-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-8-hydroxymethyl-[1'-( 7'-hydroxyethyl)-5' methoxyl] benzofuran-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (tamariscinoside C, I), D-mannitol (II), tyrosine (II), shikimic acid (IV).

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new compound, compounds II and III were obtained from the genius for the first time, compound IV was yielded from the plant for the first time.

Benzofurans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mannitol ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Monosaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry ; Shikimic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Tyrosine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.

METHODSVarious chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the chemical constituents. Their physico-chemical properties and spectral data were used to elucidate the structures.

RESULTSFour compounds were isolated from the n-BuOH fraction of the water-extracts. Their structures were identified as 1-hydroxy-2-[2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-phenyl]-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy)-propane-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (tamariscinoside B, I), adenosine (II), guanosine (III), arbutin (IV).

CONCLUSIONTamariscinoside B (I) is a new compound, while the others were isolated from Selaginella for the first time.

Adenosine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Arbutin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Guanosine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the interaction of PAH exposure and other HCC risk factors to HCC.

METHODSBaseline blood samples, collected from 345 HCC cases and 961 controls, were used to determine the level of PAH-albumin adducts by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of PAH-albumin adducts on risk of HCC.

RESULTSThe mean level of PAH-albumin adducts was significantly higher in cases than in controls ((5.68 +/- 0.72) fmol/mg albumin vs (5.46 +/- 0.63) fmol/mg albumin) (u = 5.98, P < 0.01). When compared to subjects in the lowest quantile (< 1.76 fmol/mg albumin), there was an increase in risk of HCC, with adjusted ORs (95%CI) of 1.03 (0.65 - 1.60), 1.18 (0.76 - 1.78), 2.01 (1.42 - 2.82) for subjects in the second (1.76-fmol/mg albumin), the third (15.28-fmol/mg albumin), and the fourth quantile (> 34.21 fmol/mg albumin), respectively (chi(2)(trend) = 15.06, P < 0.01). There was a significant interaction between PAH-albumin adducts and HBsAg, family history of cancer and diabetes mellitus on HCC after adjusted for other risk factors, and relative excess risks due to the interaction (RERI) were 2.50 (u = 3.60, P < 0.01), 0.52 (u = 2.13, P < 0.05) and 0.88 (u = 2.26, P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONPAH-albumin adducts was related with HCC, and there is a trend of HCC prevalence increasing with the content of PAH-albumin adducts. There are interactions between PAH-albumin adducts and HBV infection, family history of cancer and diabetes mellitus on HCC.

Adult ; Aflatoxins ; blood ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Causality ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; blood ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cryoablation (PCC) and (125)I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer.

METHODSSixty-seven patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (6 in stage III, 61 in stage IV) received PCC and (125)I seed implantation combined with concomitant gemcitabine hydrochloride and DDP chemotherapy. The clinical benefit response (CBR), survival rate and therapy-related complications were assessed.

RESULTSAll patients except one were followed up over 1 year. The 6-month and 1-year survival rates were 84.8% and 33.4%, respectively. The median progression free survival were 6.3 months and 5.5 months in the group stage III and group stage IV (P > 0.05), respectively, while the overall survival was 9.1 months in the group stage III and 11.0 months in the group stage IV (P > 0.05). CR,PR and SD were achieved in 5, 8, 54 patients, respectively. Fifty-four and 50 in the 67 patients experienced a ≥ 50% reduction of pain score and analgesic consumption, respectively, 18 patients experienced a ≥ 2 kg weight gaining, and KPS was increasing from 71.2 ± 0.4 to (90.0 ± 0.3, P < 0.05), the overall benefit rate was 80.6%. No serious therapy-related complications except pancreatic fistula accompanied abdominal hemorrhage, bile leakage, acute pancreatitis and needle track seeding in 1, 1, 2 and 1 case, respectively.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous cryoablation and (125)I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy are effective and safe for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; methods ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cryosurgery ; methods ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the estrogenic activity of several kinds of Chinese herbal medicines.

METHODUse zoopery and reporter gene technique to study the estrogenic activity of five Chinese herbal medicines. Zoopery: weanling female Kunming mice weight 9-12 g were administrated botanical extracts of Selaginella tamariscina, Pinus Massoniana, Corallodiscus flabellate, Dryopteris sublaeta and Leonurus heterophyllus, the positive control group with Nilestriol tablets and control group with water, respectiely. On the eighth day, the animals were sacrificed and the uteri were separated solely and weighed. Reporter gene technique: Induce the expression of reporter gene controlled by ERE and measure the activity of luciferase on cell's clear supernatant.

RESULTThe botanical extracts of S. tamariscina can increase weights of mice (P < 0.01); In the expression of reporter gene controlled by ERE, Either ERalpha or ERbeta's has estrogenic activity (P < 0.01). Follow in the zoopery we find the water part and the n-butanol part of S. tamariscina are the two active parts.

CONCLUSIONS. tamariscina and it's water part and n-butanol part have estrogenic activities, effect on ERbeta is greater than ERalpha.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Female ; Leonurus ; chemistry ; Mice ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phytoestrogens ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Pinus ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry ; Uterus ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo study on the effect and mechanism of curcumin on inhibiting injury induced by free radical in pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODOne hundred and forty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (24 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low curcumin groups were injected with a single dose of bleomycin by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. One day after the injection, curcumin solution of different dosages (200,100,50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low curcumin group by daily gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was saline was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 7, 14, 28 days, the contents of GSH-Px, SOD, MDA and iNOS in pulmonary tissues of different groups were measured.

RESULTCurcumin can raise the content of SOD and GSH-Px and lessen the level of MDA and iNOS.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin can regulate the level of free radical in the body of rats with pulmonary fibrosis and lessen the oxidative injury of pulmonary tissues caused by free radical, in the body of rats with pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanisms of curcumin on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lie in adjusting the level of free radical and inhibiting the injury of lung tissue induced by free radical.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bleomycin ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Curcumin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors affecting the postoperative survival of patients with invasive bladder cancer,and to predict the survival time of the patients.Methods We retro- spectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of 178 patients with invasive bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy and urinary diversion from 1991 to 2004.A multivariate analysis was performed in these patients by the Cox proportional hazard model.A prognostic index(PI)based on the Cox regression was con- structed.According to the individualized PI,the patients were classified into different hazard groups and the expected survival curve of each patient was calculated.Results Cox regression analysis showed that the factors which influenced the postoperative survival included tumor stage(RR=1.982,P=0.000),grade (RR=1.978,P =0.042),lymph node metastasis(RR=2.142,P=0.048),Tis(RR=6.177,P= 0.000),tumor shape(RR=0.416,P=0.003),number of tumors( RR=1.820,P=0.035),pathological type(RR=2.228,P=0.032),patient age(RR=0.672,P=0.025)and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (RR=0.257,P=0.016).Based on the percentile of PI,patients were classified into 3 prognostic groups; the median survival time of 3 groups were 42.5,22.5 and 7.0 months,respectively.There were significant differences between each 2 among the 3 groups(P＜0.01).Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumor stage,grade,lymph node metastasis,Tis,shape and number of tumors,pathological type,patient age were important prognostic factors.PI value can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with invasive blad- der cancer.