Chemical constituents in chloroform fraction of Houttuynia cordata / 中国中药杂志

Nine compounds were isolated from chloroform fraction of Houttuynia cordata,and the isolates were identified as follows:( S)-5,6,6 a,7-tetrahydro-2,10-dimethoxy-4 H-dibenzo [DE,G] quinoline-1,9-diol( 1),( +)-isoboldine β-N-oxide( 2),liriotulipiferine( 3),telitoxinone( 4),isoboldine( 5),(-)-clovane-2β,9α-diol( 6),benzoic acid( 7),acantrifoside E( 8),and dibutyl phthalate( 9). Among them,compound 1 was new,and compounds 2-9 were reported from this species for the first time.

Clinical efficacy of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula in preventing extubation failure in neonates: a Meta analysis / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) in preventing extubation failure in neonates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, FMRS, and CNKI to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs which compared the clinical efficacy of HHHFNC and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preventing extubation failure in neonates. The identified studies were finally selected after full-text search and quality assessment and then subjected to a Meta analysis using RevMan 5.3.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five eligible trials involving 1040 neonates were included in the Meta analysis. The Meta analysis showed that there was no significant difference in treatment failure rate between the HHHFNC and the NCPAP groups. The HHHFNC group had significantly lower incidence rates of nasal trauma (OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.34-0.71, P=0.0001) and pneumothorax (OR=0.27, 95% CI: 0.07-0.97, P=0.04) than the NCPAP group, but there were no significant differences in the duration to reach full oral feedings and the incidence rates of serious adverse events or other complications between the two groups, such as in-hospital mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HHHFNC is safe and effective in preventing extubation failure in neonates.</p>

Total flavonoid from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its ingredient isoliquiritigenin regulation M2 phenotype polarization of macrophages / 中国中药杂志

To study the mechanisms of total flavonoid from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (TFGR) and its ingredient isoliquiritigenin (ISL) on their regulation of M2 phenotype polarization of macrophages. IL-4 (60 μg x L(-1)) induced RAW264.7 cells for 6 h to establish the M2 macrophage model. TFGR and ISL restrained breast cancer cells migration with the aid of M2 macrophages in vitro. TFGR and ISL inhibited gene and protein expression of Arg-1, up-regulated gene of HO-1 and protein expression of iNOS, enhanced the expression of microRNA 155 and its target gene SHIP1, meanwhile down-regulated.the phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT6. So TFGR and ISL were the bioactive fraction and ingredient in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to reverse M2 phenotype macrophages polarization. TFGR and ISL inhibited the promotion of M2 macrophages to breast cancer cells migration in vitro, STAT signal pathways and miR155 were partly involved.

Application of umbilical venous catheter combined with peripherally inserted central catheter in very low birth weight infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the application of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) combined with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed on the VLBWIs in the neonatal intensive care unit who received UVC combined with PICC (catheter group, n=63) or did not receive the catheter treatment (non-catheter group, n=38) to compare the differences in nosocomial infection, weight gain, and length of hospital stay between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of nosocomial infection was 17% in the catheter group and 24% in the non-catheter group (P>0.05). Compared with the non-catheter group, the catheter group had a significantly higher weight gain (11.7±2.0 g/kg•d vs 10.6±2.3 g/kg•d; P<0.05) and a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (40±11 days vs 45±14 days; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with those not receiving catheter treatment, the VLBWIs receiving UVC combined with PICC have a markedly higher weight gain and a markedly shorter length of hospital stay and show a declining trend in the rate of nosocomial infection.</p>

Study on in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of total flavonoids from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its ingredients / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of total flavonoids of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (TFGR) and its ingredient on IFN-gamma and LPS-induced macrophage RAW264.7.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Solvent extraction and macroporous resin enrichment were adopted for preparing ethanol extracts of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, components and total flavonoids. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was used to determine the content of total flavonoids. An IFN-gamma and LPS-induced cell inflammatory model was established. Griess reaction was used for detecting the effect of extracts at all levels and flavonoid monomers on nitrite content in cell culture supernatant. FRAP was used for measuring anti-oxidation capacity. RT-PCR was used for determining the effect of TFGR and isoliquiritigenins on intracellular inducible nitric oxide synthase iNOS, COX-2, IL-6 and PPAR-gamma. Western blot was used for detecting the effect of TFGR and isoliquiritigenins on iNOS, COX-2 and MAPK signal transduction pathways.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with other extracts, ethyl acetate fractions from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma showed the highest inhibition ratio on nitrite content at the same concentration. After being enriched with macroporous resin, TFGR (60. 08% of liquiritin) of ethyl acetate extracts from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma showed dose-dependence, and inhibited the nitrite content in cell culture supernatant, which was superior to ethyl acetate extracts, and had the protective effect on post-stimulated cell activity, with a stronger total anti-oxidation than other extracts. TFGR inhibited iNOS, IL-6 mRNA, protein expressions of iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6. Isoliquiritigenin, a flavonoid monomer, could inhibited iNOS, COX-2 gene and protein expression and gene expressions of IL-1beta and IL-6, and upside-regulated gene expression of PPAR-gamma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Activity-oriented extraction suggests that ethyl acetate fractions from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is one of components with anti-inflammatory activity. TFGR obtained by enriching the active component showed dose-dependence, and inhibited the nitrite content in cell culture supernatant. The anti-inflammatory effect is partially achieved by regulating ERK signal pathway and inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 gene and protein expressions through extracellular signals of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Specifically, isoliquiritigenin may be a component with TFGR anti-inflammatory activity.</p>

Update on treatments of diabetic macular edema / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the update research progress about the treatment of diabetic macular edema and to give helpful guidelines in the treatment of diabetic macular edema based on available evidence to date.Data sources A literature search of all English articles was performed on the online electronic PubMed database dated 1984 to 2009. The keywords searched included: macular edema, therapy, laser coagulation, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, protein kinase C inhibitor and Pars plana vitrectomy. After finding relevant articles within these search limits, a manual search was conducted through the references from these articles.Study selection Original articles and critical reviews were reviewed and selected to address the stated purpose.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>To date, demonstrated means to reduce the risk of vision loss from diabetic macular edema include focal/grid laser photocoagulation and improved metabolic control. Emerging pharmacologic therapies (intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and protein kinase C beta-isoform inhibitors) and Pars plana vitrectomy have shown early promise in the treatment of diabetic macular edema.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As there has been extensive development in multiple treatments of diabetic macular edema, choice of the most suitable treatment for specific patients becomes important. Combination therapy of laser, pharmacological and surgical treatment modalities may offer an alternative to treatment of diabetic macular edema.</p>