c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 deficiency protects axotomized retinal ganglion cells via affecting mitochondria involved apoptosis pathway.

AIM: To illustrate the isoform-specific role and mechanism of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) in mouse optic nerve axotomy induced neurotrauma. METHODS: We firstly investigated the expression of JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3 in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by double-immunofluorescent staining. Then we created optic nerve axotomy model in wild type as well as JNK1, JNK2, JNK3, isoform specific gene deficiency mice. With that, we checked the protein expression profile of JNKs and its active form, and quantified the survival RGCs number by immunofluorescence staining. We further explored the molecules underlying isoform specific protective effect by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting assay. RESULTS: We found that all the three isoforms of JNKs were expressed in the RGCs. Deficiency of JNK3, but not JNK1 or JNK2, significantly alleviated optic nerve axotomy induced RGCs apoptosis. We further established that expression of Noxa, a pro-apoptotic member of BH3 family, was significantly suppressed only in JNK3 gene deficiency mice. But tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and Fas, two key modulators of death receptor mediated apoptosis pathway, did not display obvious change in the expression. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that mitochondria mediated apoptosis, but not death receptor mediated apoptosis got involved in the JNK3 gene deficiency induced RGCs protection. Our study provides a novel insight into the isoform-specific role of JNKs in neurotrauma and indicates some cues for its therapeutics.

[The investigation about the influence of deviated nasal septum on the adolescents learning quality].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence rate of deviated nasal septum (DNS) of the young men who are going to join the army, and of the students in key high schools in Jimo, and record their educational background, then analysis the influence of DNS on the youth's learning quality. METHOD: Random select 3085 young men who are going to be recruited in 2006-2008, and 2628 students in 3 key high schools of Jimo. Investigate the two groups' incidence rate of DNS and make a correlative statistic analyses with their educational background. RESULT: There are 395 young men with DNS, which account 12.8% of the 3085 men, with the educational background of college degree and above account 3.0%; high school diploma 12.4%; junior secondary education 27.5%. One hundred and ninety-four students with DNS in key high schools, which account 7.4, and the subsequent entrance examination results shows, undergraduate students account 14.9%, junior college students and considerable education 32.5%, and graduates 52.6%. CONCLUSION: DNS can influence the learning quality of the adolescent. It is necessary to operate on those patients and improve the complaint symptom.

Four new oleanane type saponins from Morina nepalensis var. alba.

Four new oleanane type saponins, monepalosides G-J (1-4), were isolated from the water-soluble part of the whole plant of Morina nepalensis var. alba Hand-Mazz. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, their structures were determined as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (monepaloside G, 1), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (monepaloside H, 2), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (monepaloside I, 3), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (monepaloside J, 4), respectively. Two-dimensional NMR spectra, including H-H COSY, HMQC, 2D HMQC-TOCSY, HMBC and ROESY were utilized in the structure elucidation and complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectra.

A novel acylated flavonol glycoside from Morina nepalensis var. alba.

A novel acylated flavonol glycoside, quercetin 3-O-[2' "-O-(E)-caffeoyl]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), was isolated from whole plant of Morina nepalensis var. alba. Its structure was determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods.