Objective: To compare the effects of Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle in Buzhong Yiqi and its chemical composition, and preliminarily reveal the mechanism of Hedysari Radix processed with honey. Methods: A rat model of spleen qideficiency was established. The rats were treated with different doses of water extracts of Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle and the content of serum D-xylose, GAS, IL-2, TNF-α were used as indicators to study the differences in the efficacy of Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle in Buzhong Yiqi. Based on HPLC techniques, the different components in methanol extract of Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle were analyzed. Results: Compared with the blank group, the serum xylose, gastrin content in the model group were significantly decreased. Compared with the model group, except for the low dose group of Hedysari Radix, the serum xylose, and gastrin content of the rats in each administration group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the results in the middle dose group of Hedysari Radix were significantly higher than those in the middle dose group of Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the blank group, the serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels in the model group were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels in the rats in each drug group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); Compared with the medium dose group of Hedysari Radix, the serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels in the medium dose group of honey-processing Hedysari Radix were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There were differences in the chromatographic peaks in the fingerprints of Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle. Conclusion: Both Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle can significantly intervene and improve the syndrome of spleen qi deficiency in rats and the pharmacodynamics effect of Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle is better than that of Hedysari Radix. There are differences in the components of Hedysari Radix and Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle and these differences may be the active substances that cause differences in the efficacy.

Objective To investigate the clinical feature , pathologic characteristics and prognosis of urothelial carcinoma of bladder with squamous differentiation . Methods From Jan.2010 to Jun.2013, the pathological and clinical data of 96 cases of urothelial carcinoma of bladder with or without squamous dif-ferentiation were compared .Of the group with squamous differentiation , there were 39 males and 9 females with a median age of 70 (29 to 87) years.44 cases presented with painless gross hematuria .4 cases presen-ted with finding of bladder tumors in annual physical examination .TURBT, partial cystectomy and radical cystectomy were performed in 25, 8 and 13 cases, respectively.In addition, one case was only underwent bi-lateral ureteral skin gastrostomy .The last one only performed cystoscopy .In accordance with sex , age, path-ological stage and classification and surgical approach , 48 controls were selected .For the other group , there were 40 males and 8 females with a median age of 68 (39 to 86) years.45 cases presented with painless gross hematuria.3 cases presented with finding bladder tumors by annual physical examination .TURBT, par-tial cystectomy and radical cystectomy were performed in 28, 7 and 13 cases, respectively.All patients with retaining bladder had postoperative intravesical instillation for one year .Some patients with or without bladder performed 3-6 cycles chemotherapy with the GC protocol . Results In squamous differentiation group , there were 1 (2.1%) pTa, 25 (52.1%) pT1, 17 (35.4%) pT2, 4 (8.3%) pT3 and 1 (2.1%) pT4 tumors. Whereas, 1 (2.1%) pTa, 28 (58.3%) pT1, 16 (33.3%) pT2, 2 (4.2%) pT3 and 1 (2.1%)pT4 tumors were selected in the control group .There were 2 (4.2%) cases with low grade and 46 (95.8%) cases with high grade carcinomain in both groups .Patients were followed up with a mean duration of 16 and 12 months in squamous differentiation and control group , respectively .In squamous differentiation group , eight recur-rences were recorded with a mean follow-up of 12 months.Of the 3 died patients, only one died from bladder cancer.In control group, seven recurrences were recorded with a mean follow-up of 22 months, and no pa-tient died.For patients with TURBT, 3 year recurrence rate of patients with squamous differentiation was 49.5%, while the control was 34.8%.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Urothelial carcinoma of bladder with squamous differentiation is at a high level of malignant and recurrence . The rate of myometrial invasion with squamous differentiation is higher than pure urothelial bladder cancer . Patients with squamous differentiation should be closely followed up .

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Zygophyllumfabago, by phytochemical methods. The compounds were isolated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with the literature. As a result, thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 1-hydroxyhinesol(1), hinesol(2), atractylenolactam(3), beta-eudesmol (4), 5alpha-hydroperoxy-beta-eudesmol(5), 12-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one(6), pubinernoid A(7), (6S,7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione(8), 3-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-beta-ionone (9), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E)-3, 5, 6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(10), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one(11), (S)-3-hydroxy-beta-ionone(12), and blumenol A(13). Compounds 1-7 were sesquiterpenoids and 8-13 were megastigmane type norsesquiterpenoids. All the compounds were obtained from Z. fabago for the first time, and compound 1 was a new natural product.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Zygophyllum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of lead acetate on the expression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and its receptor P75NTR in rat brain.

METHODSLead acetate was given to SD rats by intraperitoneal injection (ip) for 5 days at the dosage of 25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight respectively. The contents of lead in serum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotochemistry. The levels of BDNF mRNA and protein expression in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were observed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The levels of P75NTR protein expression in rat brain were measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with the control, the contents of lead were significantly increased in serum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the treatment groups respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The BDNF mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex (0.52 +/- 0.05, 0.33 +/- 0.03) and hippocampus (0.77 +/- 0.10, 0.92 +/- 0.08) of 50, 100 mg/kg treated groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.52 +/- 0.05, 0.33 +/- 0.03), respectively (P < 0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the area density of BDNF protein in cerebral cortex of every treatment group (0.040 +/- 0.027, 0.048 +/- 0.027, 0.086 +/- 0.040) was significantly increased whereas the average gray value (187.11 +/- 11.15, 180.53 +/- 5.82, 180.15 +/- 8.01) was significantly lower than that of the control (0.026 +/- 0.005, 204.98 +/- 3.45) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The area density of BDNF protein in hippocampus of every treatment group was 0.040 +/- 0.027, 0.048 +/- 0.027, 0.086 +/- 0.040, respectively, which was significantly increased compared with the control (0.045 +/- 0.019, P < 0.05). The average gray value of BDNF protein in hippocampus (181.03 +/- 5.16, 171.25 +/- 12.65) of 50, 100 mg/kg were significantly lower than that of the control (198.98 +/- 6.40, P < 0.01). There was no positive expression of P75NTR protein in the control and 25 mg/kg body weight groups. The positive expression of P75NTR protein was detected in 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight groups.

CONCLUSIONLead can increase the BDNF and P75NTR expression in rat brain which might play an important role in the neural damage and repair.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; biosynthesis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Organometallic Compounds ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

As medicine and food plants, the market demand of Zamthoxyli Pericarpium is extensive, and the sanshool in Zamthoxyli Pericarpium is getting attention gradually. However, because of the low content and not establishing rating evaluation method for sanshool and lack of standards, the research on substance basis and physiological activity is necessary. This article reviewed the extraction, separation, purification and biological activities of sanshoolin Zamthoxyli Pericarpium in recent years to provide development and utilization of Zamthoxyli Pericarpium.

Objective To evaluate the application of intraoperative real-time ultrasound combined with neuronavigation in surgical resection of deep intracranial lesions. Methods Fifteen patients with deep intracranial lesions underwent surgical resection of the lesions with guidance by Brain-Lab neuronavigation and intraoperative real-time ultrasound. The lesions were localized by ultrasound, and in cases of brain shift, intraoperative real-time ultrasound was used for lesion relocalization, surgical guidance, and monitoring of the tumor remnants during the operation. Results The lesions and their surrounding structures were accurately localized. Intraoperative real-time ultrasound identified brain shift of varying degrees, which was corrected under ultrasound guidance. Total resection of the lesions was achieved in 12 cases, and subtotal resection was performed in 2 cases. In the other case, the inflammatory lesion was identified as chronic granuloma by biopsy. All the patients showed improvements of the clinical symptoms after the operations. Conclusion Intraoperative real-time ultrasound during neuronavigation allows accurate localization of deep intracranial lesions and facilitates preoperative surgical planning to define the scope of resection, avoid the cortical brain tissue and important deep structures, and help evaluate the lesion residues for a second operation. Intraoperative real-time ultrasound may help improve the therapeutic effects and reduce the surgical complications.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial effect of a particular antimicrobial peptide Cecropin B(CB) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of wound in mice.

METHODSThirty ICR mice were enrolled in the study, and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection model was reproduced by excision of the full layer of dorsal skin with an area of 1 cm x 1 cm. Then they were randomly divided into C ( control, n = 10, with wet compress of isotonic saline at 3 postinjury hour( PIH) ) , M (with hydropathic compress of 100 g/L mafenide at 3 PIH), A (with wet compress of 1 000 mg/L Cecropin B at 3 PIH) groups. The changes in body temperature and hemogram in each group were determined before and 4 days after injury. Quantitative examination were used to detect the quantity of bacteria in muscular tissue of the wounds, and the survival of the mice were observed on 4 post-injury day( PID).

RESULTSThe wounds were moist with more exudation in C group,while that in other groups were dry without obvious exudation. The body temperature of the majority of the mice in each group were elevated, but the number of leucocytes in each group was lowered after operation. The quantity of bacteria in muscle in A group[ (42 +/- 50) CFU/g] was obviously lower than that in M group [(886+/-804) CFU/g, P <0.05] , and it was all obviously lower than that in C group[ (41 +/-28) x 10(5) CFU/g, P <0.01]. The number of surviving mice after 4 PID in C group was evidently smaller than that in A and M groups( P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe cecropin B possesses obvious anti-bacterial effect on the Pseudomonas Aeruginosa infected wounds of ICR mice, and it can reduce the mortality.

Animals ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Insect Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pseudomonas Infections ; drug therapy ; Wound Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology

BACKGROUNDTo explore the sequential variation of pulmonary flow spectrum and its value on evaluation of risk for pulmonary resection in perioperative patients with lung cancer.

METHODSForty-nine patients with lung cancer who underwent pneumonectomy (12 cases) and lobectomy (37 cases) were observed for the values of Doppler pulmonary flow spectrum before operation, on the 3-5 days and 8-10 days postoperatively. Moreover the patients were divided into different groups according to the different operative procedures and with or without postoperative cardiac arrhythmia.

RESULTSDoppler pulmonary flow spectrum changed in all cases who underwent pneumonectomy and lobectomy from 3 to 5 days postoperatively. These changs included prolonged preejection period (PEP), shortened acceleration time (ACT), increased PEP/ACT ratio, increased pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAMP), and increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). There were significant differences comparing with those before operation ( P < 0.01). The patients who underwent lobectomy recovered to the same level of pre operation on the 8th to 10th postoperative days. However, the changes of pulmonary flow spectrum continuously existed in the patients who underwent pneumonectomy on the 8th to 10th postoperative days. There were significant differences of pulmonary flow spectrum between patients with postoperative arrhythmia and without postoperative arrhythmia before operation.

CONCLUSIONSPulmonary hemodynamic obviously changes after pulmonary resection in the patients with lung cancer and the changes last longer in pneumonectomy patients. Patients with postoperative cardiac arrhythmia have marked pulmonary hemodynamic changes before operation. Doppler pulmonary flow spectrum can not only be used to analyse the pulmonary hemodynamic changes for those cases undergoing pulmonary resection after operation, but also to evaluate the risk of pulmonary resection before operation.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the whole plants of Polygala telephioides.

METHODCompounds were isolated by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH -20 column chromatography, and their structures were determined by spectral analysis and physicochemical properties.

RESULTSix xanthones were isolated from P. telephioides, and their structures were identified as 1, 3, 7-trihydroxyxanthone (1), 1, 7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (2), 1, 3-dihydroxyxanthone (3), 1, 7-dihydroxyxanthone (4), 1-methoxy-2, 3-methylenedioxyxanthone (5) and 1, 7-dimethoxyxanthone (6).

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygala ; chemistry ; Xanthones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Our previous study has shown berberine prevents damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier during early phase of sepsis in rat through mechanisms independent of the NOD-like receptors signaling pathway. In this study, we explored the regulatory effects of berberine on Toll-like receptors during the intestinal mucosal damaging process in rats. Male Sprague-Dawlay (SD) rats were treated with berberine for 5 d before undergoing cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce polymicrobial sepsis. The expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2), TLR 4, TLR 9, the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), the levels of selected cytokines and chemokines, percentage of cell death in intestinal epithelial cells, and mucosal permeability were investigated at 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after CLP. Results showed that the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level were significantly lower in berberine-treated rats compared to the control animals. Conversely, the expression level of tight junction proteins, percentage of cell death in intestinal epithelial cells and the mucosal permeability were significantly higher in berberine-treated rats. The mRNA expression of TLR 2, TLR 4, and TLR 9 were significantly affected by berberine treatment. Our results indicate that pretreatment with berberine attenuates tissue injury and protects the intestinal mucosal barrier in early phase of sepsis and this may possibly have been mediated through the TLRs pathway.
Animals ; Berberine* ; Cell Death ; Chemokines ; Cytokines ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Intraabdominal Infections ; Ligation ; Male ; Permeability ; Punctures ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Sepsis* ; Tight Junction Proteins ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; Toll-Like Receptors* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha