Objective: To explore the blood lead level and its relationship with behavior in school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing. Methods: A total of 697 students from grades 3 to 6 in the fall semester of 2014 from 14 rural townships in one district of Chongqing was selected by using the random cluster sampling method. Blood were sampled to analyze the lead level. Neurobehavioral tests were performed to determine their personal cognitive and memory ability. Questionnaires and physical examinations were administered to obtain the information of confounding factors. All students were divided into Q₁-Q₄ groups according to the quartile of their blood lead level. The relationship between the blood lead level and behavior was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model and restricted spline regression model. Results: The mean age of 697 students was (10.07±1.36) years old, and the median (interquartile range) of their blood lead level was 44.31 (35.42) μg/L. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index and maternal culture level, compared with Q₁ group, the OR (95%CI) values of high digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores and high overall memory quotient (MQ) scores in Q₃ group were 1.65 (1.01-2.70) and 2.10 (1.21-3.62), and the OR (95%CI) value of high long term memory (LTM) scores in Q₄ group was 0.53 (0.31-0.92). The results of the restricted spline regression model showed that the dose-response curves between the blood lead level and MQ/LTM test scores were both parabolic (P<0.05). Conclusion The blood lead level of school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing is the same as that from other areas of China, but slightly higher than that from other areas of Chongqing. Children with higher blood lead level have poor long-term memory ability.

Objective: To investigate clinical efficacy of Duhuo Xuduan Tang in treatment of lumbar disc herniation with different syndrome types and its effect on serum pain factors, bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and Aggrecan. Method: A total of 121 patients with non-emergency lumbar disc herniation admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to June 2018 were randomly divided into observation group (62 cases) and control group (59 cases). The two groups of patients were treated by repositioning maneuver before absolute bed rest. observation group was given Duhuo Xuduan Tang, 150 mL·time^-1, 3 times·d^-1 orally, while control group was orally given ibuprofen, 300 mg·time^-1, vitamin B₁, 10 mg·time^-1, 2 times·d^-1, drugs were taken for 5 days a week, and then stopped for 2 days. Both groups were treated continuously for 4 weeks. changes in visual analogue score (VAS), modified Oswestry dysfunction index (MODI), serum substance P (SP), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), BMP-7 and Aggrecan were observed before and after treatment with enzyme-linked immunosandwich assay (ELISA). Result: Compared with before treatment, VAS and modified Oswestry dysfunction index scores were lower in both groups (P<0.05), BMP-7 and Aggrecan contents were higher, while SP, DA and 5-HT contents were lower (P<0.05). Compared with control group, VAS and modified Oswestry dysfunction index scores of observation group were lower (P<0.05), clinical efficacy was improved (P<0.05), levels of BMP-7 and Aggrecan in serum were higher, whereas contents of SP, DA and 5-HT were lower (P<0.05). Conclusion: Duhuo Xuduan Tang has a certain efficacy on different types of lumbar disc herniation, with best efficacy for patients with liver and kidney yin deficiency.

Two new polyketides, chinoketides A and B (1 – 2) with a known compound xylarphthalide A (3), were isolated from the solid medium of the endophytes from the leaves of the relic plant Distylium chinense with the “black-box” co-culture method, and the structures of two new compounds were elucidated by NMR, MS and CD spectra. And the absolute configurations of chinoketides A (1) and B (2) were determined as 2R,3R,8S and 5R,6S by calculating their ECD spectra to compare with the experimental CD spectra. Finally, the antimicrobial activities were evaluated to Erwinia carotovora sub sp. Carotovora (Jones) Bersey et al, and the results showed that compounds 1 – 3 displayed the antimicrobial activities with MIC value at 20.5, 30.4 and 10.2 µg/mL.
Coculture Techniques ; Endophytes ; Methods ; Pectobacterium carotovorum ; Plants ; Polyketides

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the results of national evaluation inspection for 83 batches of Compound jiegeng mahuangjian syrup(Ⅱ)from 4 manufacturers,and to evaluate their quality. METHODS:Legal inspection method and exploratory research were adopted to test,analyze and evaluate sample statistically. The contents of exploratory research included HPLC method was used to determine the contents of preservative benzoic acid and ephedrine hydrochloride;antibacterial efficacy examination of formulation was studied;pH value of solution was determined;the content of sucrose was determined by polarimetry photometry;the relationship of the content of ammonium chloride with microbial contamination was studied;headspace GC method was used to determine the contents of menthol and ethanol;Platycodon grandiflorum extractum was identified and studied by TLC. RESULTS:Results of legal inspection showed that among 83 batches of sample,80 batches were qualified and 3 batches were unqualified,with qualified rate of 96.4%. Unqualified items were loading capacity,microbial limit and content ofammonium chloride,content of ammonium chloride. The results of legal test combined with exploratory research showed thatantibacterial efficacy of formulation of one manufacturer was not in accordance with the regulations;Some raw materials were notfed according to formulation, and the quality of products was not even. It is recommended to revise the quality standard:identificatied the Campanulaceae by TLC; determination the pH, preservative content, menthol content; revision ephedrinehydrochloride assay method to HPLC. CONCLUSIONS:The overall quality of Compound jiegeng mahuangjian syrup(Ⅱ)is notsatisfactory;there is a big flaw in the production process and quality control of some manufacturers;quality standards needed to beimproved.

BACKGROUNDIndoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme for tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway, exhibits an immunosuppressive effect and induces immune tolerance in tumor cells. The effects of IDO on pancreatic cancer are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of IDO in pancreatic cancer.

METHODSWe evaluated the protein expression of IDO in PANC-1, CFPAC-1, and BxPC-3 cell lines with or without 48 h treatment by 500 U/ml interferon-γ (IFN-γ). We performed immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis for IDO expression in both pancreatic cancer and normal pancreas tissues obtained from Chinese PLA General Hospital from July 2012 to December 2013. Survival analysis was performed to correlate IDO expression and histopathologic parameters with overall survival. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression model were conducted.

RESULTSPANC-1, CFPAC-1, and BxPC-3 cell lines expressed IDO at the protein level, and the relative expression amount increased after stimulation with 500 U/ml IFN-γ. Immunohistochemical analysis results revealed that high IDO expression was observed in 59% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues. Compared with normal pancreatic tissues, pancreatic adenocarcinoma showed significantly higher IDO expression levels, especially among patients with high tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages (χ2 = 4.550, P = 0.030), poor histological differentiation (χ2 = 5.690, P = 0.017), and lymph node metastasis (χ2 = 4.340 P = 0.037). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that high IDO expression was correlated with low survival rates (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.49 P = 0.009). Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model indicated that lymph node metastasis (HR = 0.35 P = 0.010) and IDO expression (HR = 0.42 P = 0.020) were two independent prognostic predictors of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSThe study confirmed that high IDO expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma was related to poor prognosis of patients. These findings provided evidence that IDO was involved in pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression and might serve as a relevant therapeutic target.

Adenoma ; enzymology ; mortality ; pathology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase ; metabolism ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; enzymology ; mortality ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

·AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab and 577nm laser in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion combined with macular edema.·METHODS: Totally 64 patients ( 64 eyes ) with retinal vein occlusion accompanied by macular edema were treated in our hospital from June 2014 to March 2017. Among them, 40 cases ( 40 eyes ) were in the central retinal vein occlusion group, 24 cases (24 eyes) were in the branch retinal vein occlusion group. They were treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab 0. 5mg, and the laser photocoagulation of 577nm was performed at 5 to 7d after injection. Meanwhile, 42 patients who did not wish to be treated with injection were treated with laser treatment only. The changes of the indexes before and after treatment were compared.·RESULTS: The average number of blocking group repeated injection of branch retinal vein for 1. 71 ± 0. 79, while the average number of patients with repeated injection of central retinal vein occlusion was 2. 11 ± 0. 80. All patients requiring repeated injections interval was greater than 30d. At 1mo after treatment, there was no patients with decreased visual acuity in branch retinal vein occlusion group, while there were 6 eyes with that in central retinal vein occlusion group, 14 eyes in simply laser group. The mean best corrected visual acuity (LogMAR) of the three groups was 0. 87±0. 60, 0. 57±0. 48 and 0. 54±0. 32, respectively, were significantly lower than that before treatment (1.26±0.53, 0.86±0.39, 0.76±0.26;P< 0. 05 ). The mean macular retinal thickness before treatment was 683.24±211.83, 557.39±128.29 and 545.82± 129. 76μm, were significantly higher than those at the last follow-up 412. 09±257. 38, 356. 29 ± 133. 02 and 322. 78 ± 109. 55μm ( P < 0. 05 ). There were 6 cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage in patients treated with laser therapy combined with laser therapy. The intraocular pressure increased to 25mmHg in 2 eyes in 2 patients and recovered after symptomatic treatment.· CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with 577nm laser treatment can greatly enhance the visual acuity, effective decrease macular retinal thickness in patients with retinal vein occlusion and macular edema.

To observe the effect of puerarin on learning and memory function and tau phosphorylation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, drugs were administered to 3-month old APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Learning and memory function of mice were assessed by Morris water maze test 3 months after treatment. Animals were decapitated after behavioral test. The levels of Aβ were detected by ELISA, the expression of protein [tau, phosphorylated tau, GSK3β and p-GSK3β(Ser9)] were assessed by Western blot. Morris water maze test showed that the escape latency of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice was significantly longer than that of the normal control group, and the residence time of the original quadrant was significantly shorter. The escape latency of puerarin group was significantly shorter and the residence time of the original quadrant was prolonged compared with the model group. Compared with the normal control group, the levels of Aβ in the cortex of APP/PS1 transgenic mice were increased, the expression of phosphorylated tau was significantly increased, and the expression of phosphorylated GSK3β(Ser9) protein was decreased. Treatment with puerarin, the latency of APP/PS1 transgenic mice was significantly reduced, the level of Aβ was decreased, the expression of phosphorylated tau was significantly decreased, and the expression of phosphorylated GSK3β(Ser9) protein was increased. Puerarin improves the learning and memory impairment by reducing the formation of Aβ, activating the GSK3β signaling pathway, inhibiting the phosphorylation of tau in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.

BACKGROUNDResection of sacral chordomas is challenging. The anatomy is complex, and there are often no bony landmarks to guide the resection. Achieving adequate surgical margins is, therefore, difficult, and the recurrence rate is high. Use of computer navigation may allow optimal preoperative planning and improve precision in tumor resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of computer navigation-aided resection of sacral chordomas.

METHODSBetween 2007 and 2013, a total of 26 patients with sacral chordoma underwent computer navigation-aided surgery were included and followed for a minimum of 18 months. There were 21 primary cases and 5 recurrent cases, with a mean age of 55.8 years old (range: 35-84 years old). Tumors were located above the level of the S3 neural foramen in 23 patients and below the level of the S3 neural foramen in 3 patients. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed with a computed tomography-based navigation system combined with the magnetic resonance images using the navigation software. Tumors were resected via a posterior approach assisted by the computer navigation. Mean follow-up was 38.6 months (range: 18-84 months).

RESULTSMean operative time was 307 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 3065 ml. For computer navigation, the mean registration deviation during surgery was 1.7 mm. There were 18 wide resections, 4 marginal resections, and 4 intralesional resections. All patients were alive at the final follow-up, with 2 (7.7%) exhibiting tumor recurrence. The other 24 patients were tumor-free. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 27.3 (range: 19-30).

CONCLUSIONSComputer-assisted navigation can be safely applied to the resection of the sacral chordomas, allowing execution of preoperative plans, and achieving good oncological outcomes. Nevertheless, this needs to be accomplished by surgeons with adequate experience and skill.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo observe the effect ofZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula on the expressions of glutamate, NR2A and NR2B in hippocampus of diabetic rats with depression;To explore the mechanism of protective effect. Methods Diabetes with depression rat models were established and then were randomly divided into the model group, positive medicine group, high-, medium- and low-doseZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula groups. Normal rats acted as normal group, 16 rats per group. After 28 days of administration, Open-field test was used to detect the behavior of the rats;glutamate content of hippocampus was detected by ELISA;the expressions of NR2A and NR2B in rat hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with normal group, automatic activity times of rats in model group decreased significantly (P<0.01);both glutamate content (P<0.01) and expressions of NR2A, NR2B (P<0.01) increased significantly. Compared with the model group, automatic activity times of rats in positive medicine group and high-doseZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula group significantly increased (P<0.01);glutamate content dropped (P<0.01);expressions of NR2A and NR2B decreased (P<0.05).ConclusionZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula can improve depressive behavior of diabetic rats with depression, which may be related to the regulation of glutamate content and expressions of NR2A and NR2B in hippocampus.

To establish induction and liquid culture system for hairy roots of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4, LBA9402, 15834 as test bacterium were used to infect aseptic leaves of Danshen. The hairy roots were induced and positive transgenic hairy roots were selected with PCR using rolB and rolC as the target gene. Then hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza were harvested and salvianolic acids were extracted with 70% methanol containing 1% formic acid. The content of salvianolic acid B (SalB) and rosmarinic acid (RA) were determined by HPLC. According to the above research results, the Danshen hairy roots induced by A. rhizogenes LBA9402 were inoculated into the following group of culture media: MSOH, MS, B5, and 6,7-V liquid media. Then the same methods of extraction and determination for the content of Danshen hairy roots were adopted. Last, the hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza induced by A. rhizogenes LBA9402 were inoculated into the MSOH liquid media with different pH values. The content of salvianolic acid were extracted with 70% methanol containing 1% formic acid and determined by HPLC. As a result, three kinds of A. rhizogenes A4, LBA9402, 15834 could induce hairy roots and Ri plasmids were integrated into the genome of S. miltiorrhiza by PCR. Danshen hairy roots induced by A. rhizogenes LBA9402 and A4 produced much more salvianolic acid, which were (3.27 ± 0.37)% [including (1.04 ±0.36)% of RA and (2.22 ± 0.29)% of SalB] and (3.17 ± 0.20)% [including (0.92 ± 0.31)% of RA and (2.25 ± 0.26)% of SalB], respectively. Hairy roots induced by A. rhizogenes LBA9402 when they were cultured in MSOH liquid media produced much more salvianolic acid, which was (4.56 ± 0.36)%, including (1.12 ± 0.26)% of RA and (3.44 ± 0.23)% of SalB. Hairy roots induced by A. rhizogenes LBA9402 produced the most salvianolic acid when they were cultured in MSOH liquid media with the pH value 4.81, which was 4.85%, including 1.16% of RA and 3.69% of SalB. So Danshen hairy roots induced by A. rhizogenes LBA9402 and A4 produced much more salvianolic acid when they were cultured in MSOH liquid media with the pH value 4.81. The research had established the foundation on genetic engineering to improve the quality of S. miltiorrhiza.
Agrobacterium ; physiology ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cinnamates ; analysis ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Depsides ; analysis ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology