Inflammatory orofacial pain, in which substance P (SP) plays an important role, is closely related to the cross-talk between trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs). SGC activation is emerging as the key mechanism underlying inflammatory pain through different signalling mechanisms, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activation, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways, and cytokine upregulation. However, in the TG, the mechanism underlying SP-mediated orofacial pain generated by SGCs is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether SP is involved in inflammatory orofacial pain by upregulating interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α from SGCs, and we explored whether MAPK signalling pathways mediate the pain process. In the present study, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was injected into the whisker pad of rats to induce an inflammatory model in vivo. SP was administered to SGC cultures in vitro to confirm the effect of SP. Facial expression analysis showed that pre-injection of L703,606 (an NK-1 receptor antagonist), U0126 (an inhibitor of MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] kinase [MEK] 1/2), and SB203580 (an inhibitor of P38) into the TG to induce targeted prevention of the activation of the NK-1 receptor and the phosphorylation of MAPKs significantly suppressed CFA-induced inflammatory allodynia. In addition, SP promoted SGC activation, which was proven by increased GFAP, p-MAPKs, IL-1β and TNF-α in SGCs under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, the increase in IL-1β and TNF-α was suppressed by L703, 606, U0126 and SB203580 in vivo and in vitro. These present findings suggested that SP, released from TG neurons, activated SGCs through the ERK1/2 and P38 pathways and promoted the production of IL-1β and TNF-α from SGCs, contributing to inflammatory orofacial pain associated with peripheral sensitization.

As a promising new molecular imaging technique,mass spectrometry imaging(MSI) has attracted more and more attention in the field of biomedicine. A method of air flow assisted ionization-ultra high resolution mass spectrometry-based mass spectrometric imaging (AFAI-MSI) was developed to profile endogenous metabolites in rat kidney tissue in this study. Rat kidneys were collected and cut into frozen tissue sections,and then were analyzed on an AFAI-MSI system in positive ion mode using acetonitrile-isopmpyl alcohol-water (4:4:2,V/V,5 μL/min) as spray solvent,N2as spray gas(0.6 MPa) and air as assisting gas (45 L/min). The mass range and resolution were set to be 70-1000 Da and 70000, respectively. As a result,a total of 38 metabolites, including organic amines, sugars, vitamins, peptides, neurotransmitters, organic acids,phospholipids,sphingolipids,glyceride,and cholesterol esters, were identified and imaged to characterize their tissue-specific distribution in kidney tissues, and some metabolites, such as choline, acetylcoline,betaine,phoshocholine,and glycerophosphocholine were found to have distinct distribution along the cortex-medulla axis,which may be involved in the formation of osmotic pressure gradient in the kidney. The proposed ultra high resolution mass spectrometry based AFAI-MSI method could work without sample pretreatment, showed high sensitivity and wide metabolite coverage, and was expected to provide a new analytical approach for the research of in situ characterization and metabolic regulation mechanism of endogenous metabolites in kidney.

The paper is aimed to study the difference in yield and quality at different harvest time and determine the optimum harvest of planting Gentiana in Ludian traditional harvest period. The authors analyzed the variation in fresh weight, dry weight, dry discount rate, length, diameter, volume and the content of gentiopicroside, loganin acid, alcohol-soluble extract and total ash and made a comprehensive appraisal of yield, appearance quality and intrinsic quality by gray relational distance ideal Comprehensive Evaluation method. The results showed that there is a big difference in yield and quality both 2-year-old and 3-year-old Gentiana harvested in traditional harvest period and the comprehensive evaluation more better when harvested more later. It can be seen, Gentiana harvested the later had a better yield and quality in Ludian traditional harvest period. The harvest of Gentiana can be appropriate delayed depending on the particular circumstances of production.
Agriculture ; methods ; China ; Gentiana ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Iridoid Glucosides ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; Quality Control ; Time Factors

Seven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Panax japonicus var. major by chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by their physical and chemical properties and spectral data analysis as 5, 7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyl flavone (1), ginsenoside Rs2 (2), quinquenoside R1 (3), ginsenoside Rs1 (4), notoginsenoside Fe (5), ginsenoside Rd2 (6) and gypenosiden IX (7). Among them, compound 1 was obtained from the Panax genus for the first time, and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavones ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Ten compounds were isolated from the leaf of Eucommia ulmoides by means of recrystallization and chromatographic techniques such as D-101 macroporous resin, MCI resin, ODS gel, Sephadex LH-20 and Rp-HPLC. Their structures were identified by NMR spectral analyses as kaempferide 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), quercetin (3), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-xylosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucoside (5), (2S,3S)-taxifolin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (6) ,4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (7), (+)-cycloolivil (8), pinoresinol beta-D-glucoside (9), squalene (10). Among them compounds 1,5-7,10 were isolated from the Eucommia genus for the first time. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, compound 2 exhibited significant activity (IC50 13.7 micromol x L(-1)), compared with vitamin C (IC50 59.9 micromol x L(-1)); compounds 1, 3 and 9 showed moderate activity (IC50 161,137, 214 micromol x L(-1)), compared with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (IC50 236 micromol x L(-1)); compound 4 and 6 showed weak activity (IC50 264, 299 micromol x L(-1)).
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Eucommiaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

OBJECTIVETo analyze the cytogenetic characteristics of different age subgroups in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and to explore the relationship between age and cytogenetics.

METHODSBetween January 2004 and December 2011, Bone marrow (BM) samples from 640 patients with de novo AML were analyzed retrospectively. The analyses were performed according to standard culturing and banding techniques, and clonal abnormalities were defined and described according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN 2009). The cytogenetic subtypes were performed as normal, balanced, and unbalanced karyotypes. In the last group, the age distribution of complex and monosome karyotypes were further analyzed. The patients were divided into 8 age groups: 0 - 9, 10 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, and ≥ 70 year old groups.

RESULTSThe distribution of normal, balanced, and unbalanced karyotypes showed age specific characteristics. The incidence of normal karyotype increased from 6.67% (0 ∼ 9 year old) to 58.33% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 20.68, P = 0.001) and balanced karyotype decreased from 73.33% (0 ∼ 9) to 11.11% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 48.22, P < 0.01). The frequency of unbalanced karyotypes increased from 20.0% (0 ∼ 9) to 30.56% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 18.963, P = 0.008). The frequency of complex karyotype was 6.67% in 0 - 9 year old group, followed by 0% in 10 - 19 and 20 - 29 year old group, and from 1.72% to 11.11% from 30 - 39 to ≥ 70 year old group (χ(2) = 8.341, P = 0.08). Monosome karyotype was only detected in patients in 30 year old or older groups. Although an increased tendency was observed with ages, there was no significant difference (χ(2) = 4.778, P = 0.311).

CONCLUSIONThe different age profiles of the cytogenetic subtypes may indicate the different mechanisms of the pathogenesis of AML, which may also offer beneficial information for etiological research of AML.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

This experiment was performed to establish a qualitative analysis on chemical composition in water extract of Paeoniae Radix Alba by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS. The analysis was conducted on a C18 (Hanbon Lichrospher, 4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with methanol-0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase for gradient elution; ESI ion source was used for mass spectra, and data were collected in both positive and negative modes. The results showed that eleven compounds from water extract of Paeoniae Radix Alba had been identified by analyzing positive and negative ion mass data including element composition and by comparing with data from literatures. Since efficient separation of HPLC and the high sensitive detection of MS was used, this experiment, it will provide evidences for elucidation of the effective substance in the water extract of Paeoniae Radix Alba.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Objective To research the curative effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine on Kashin-Beck disease(KBD). Methods According to Diagnosis for Kashin-Beck disease,80 patients of adult KBD were detected from Guanghui village Shangzhi city Heilongjiang province in July,2007,and they divided into treatment group and control group according to their condition,age and sex,40 person in each group. Treatment group was given chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate,and control group was given placebo(equivalent amount of starch). Bilateral knees X-ray films were shot before and after treatment (8th month),scale division magnifying glass was used to measure the width of joint space on X-ray films. Results The width of joint space respectively was (4.30±2.14) and (4.10±2.07)mm in control group before and after treatment,and treatment group respectively was (4.17±2.15),(4.16±2.11)mm. Medicine had no obviously role on joint space (F = 0.50,P > 0.05),Time and both of time and medicine had obvious role on joint space(F= 67.66,46.74,all P< 0.05). Joint space of treat group was thinner than control group(P < 0.05) before treatment,but thicker after treatment(P < 0.05). To compare with the width of before treatment,joint space width of control group became obviously narrow(P < 0.05). Conclusions Experimental group taking chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate alleviated knee joint space narrowing process of adults KBD patients compared with control group. It plays a protection role in articular cartilage and provides evidences for choosing drug and evaluating effect in the treatment of adults KBD.

Objective To investigate the relationship between drinking-water type of endemic arsenicosis and adult carotid artery atherosclerosis. Methods In 2009, 285 participants aged over 40 from drinking-water type of endemic arsenism areas and 293 residents aged over 40 from control areas were investigated in Yingxian county,Shanxi province. Portable-type B mode color ultrasound was used to examine the carotid artery of all participants.The carotid atherosclerosis were diagnosed and graded through the ultrasonograms. Content of water arsenic and hair arsenic of 10 people randomly selected in every villages were detected. Results A total of 5 villages with drinkingwater type of endemic arsenicosis as observation group and 5 villages without drinking-water type of endemic arsenicosis as control group were investigated. The prevalence rates of adult carotid atherosclerosis within observation group were 35.09%(20/57), 55.74%(34/61), 38.46%(20/52), 36.51%(23/63) and 46.15%(24/52), respectively,and standardized prevalence rates were 32.5%, 33.8%, 34.9%, 46.2% and 47.3%, respectively and the prevalence rates of adult carotid atherosclerosis within control group were 18.18%(10/55), 30.77%(16/52), 20.00%(10/50),18.67% (14/75) and 21.31% ( 13/61 ), respectively; the standardize prevalence rates were 22.4%, 17.7%, 10.7%,24.6%, 18.9%, respectively. The standardize prevalence rates were higher in observation group [39.50%(113/285) ]than that in control group[39.50%(113/285), T = 26, P ＜ 0.01 ]. The severity of adult carotid atherosclerosis (composition of 4 - 7 scores ) was compared between observation group [ 17.70%(20/113 )] and control group [ 14.06% (9/64) ], and the difference was insignificant(x2 = 0.26, P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence rate of carotid atherosclerosis in drinking-water type of endemic arsenicosis areas is higher than that of the control areas.The study provides evidence that arsenic poisoning can cause atherosclerosis.