Serum cystatin C levels are negatively correlated with post-stroke cognitive dysfunction.

Stroke is the leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, and cognitive impairment and dementia are major complications of ischemic stroke. Cystatin C (CysC) has been found to be a neuroprotective factor in animal studies. However, the relationship between CysC levels and cognitive dysfunction in previous studies has revealed different results. This prospective observational study investigated the correlation between serum CysC levels and post-stroke cognitive dysfunction at 3 months. Data from 638 patients were obtained from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke (CATIS). Cognitive dysfunction was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at 3 months after stroke. According to the MMSE score, 308 patients (52.9%) had post-stroke cognitive dysfunction. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the odds ratio (95% CI) of post-stroke cognitive dysfunction for the highest quartile of serum CysC levels was 0.54 (0.30-0.98), compared with the lowest quartile. The correlation between serum CysC and cognitive dysfunction was modified by renal function status. We observed a negative linear dose-response correlation between CysC and cognitive dysfunction in patients with normal renal function (Plinearity = 0.044), but not in those with abnormal renal function. Elevated serum CysC levels were correlated with a low risk of 3-month cognitive dysfunction in patients with acute ischemic stroke, especially in those with normal renal function. The current results suggest that CysC is a protective factor for post-stroke cognitive dysfunction, and could be used to treat post-stroke cognitive dysfunction. The CATIS study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at Soochow University from China (approval No. 2012-02) on December 30, 2012, and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier No. NCT01840072) on April 25, 2013.

Effect of FPZ, a total flavonoids ointment topical application from Pouzolzia zeylanica var. microphylla, on mice skin infections

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to investigate the effect of FPZ, a total flavonoids ointment topical application from Pouzolzia zeylanica var. microphylla (Wedd.) Masam, Urticaceae, on skin infections in mice. FPZ ointment anti-infective effect was investigated on Staphylococcus aureus-induced skin abscess and skin ulcers in mice by evaluating the variation in abscess volume, histopathology of skin tissue and healing rate. Secondary, it is topical anti-inflammatory activities on carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in mice was estimated. Besides, FPZ ointment fingerprint was performed by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and FPZ ointment chemical constituents were isolated and identified by repeated column chromatograph and spectroscopic methods. The results revealed that FPZ ointment topical application at the concentration of 2.5-10% could attenuate skin abscess and ulcers and accelerate wound healing, as compared with control group treated with vehicle (p < 0.05). The histological analysis indicated that FPZ ointment acted via inflammation inhibition, granulation promotion and epidermis formation. Moreover, FPZ ointment effectively inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema in a dose-dependent manner, especially 10% FPZ which showed superior activities in comparison with dexamethasone used as reference drug. FPZ ointment topical application showed a significant anti-infective effect against pyogenic bacterial skin infection in mice.

Norlignans from Pouzolzia zeylanica var. microphylla and their nitric oxide inhibitory activity.

Five new compounds, pouzolignan F [4-hydroxy-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]butyl acetate] (1), pouzolignan G [4-hydroxy-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]butyl acetate] (2), pouzolignan H [1,4-dihydroxy-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]butane] (3), pouzolignan I [1,4-dihydroxy-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dime thoxyphenyl)-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]butane] (4), and pouzolignan J [1,4-dihydroxy-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl) -2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]butane] (5), along with two known compounds, indolyl-3-carboxylic acid (6) and uracil (7), were isolated from the aerial parts of Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Benn. var. microphylla (Wedd.) W.T.Wang. The structures of these compounds were characterized based on spectroscopic methods, including IR, NMR ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and HR-ESI/TOF-MS experiments. All the new norlignans were assayed for inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Four new pentasaccharide resin glycosides from Ipomoea cairica with strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Six pentasaccharide resin glycosides from Ipomoea cairica, including four new acylated pentasaccharide resin glycosides, namely cairicoside I-IV (1-4) and the two known compounds cairicoside A (5) and cairicoside C (6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Ipomoea cairica. Their structures were established by a combination of spectroscopic, including two dimensional (2D) NMR and chemical methods. The core of the six compounds was simonic acid A, and they were esterfied the same sites, just differing in the substituent groups. The lactonization site of the aglycone was bonded to the second saccharide moiety at C-2 in 1-4, and at C-3 in 5-6. Compounds 1 and 5, 4 and 6 were two pairs of isomers. The absolute configuration of the aglycone in 1-6 which was (11S)-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid (jalapinolic acid) was established by Mosher's method. Compounds 1-4 have been evaluated for inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, which all showed inhibitory activities.

Sparse Semiparametric Nonlinear Model with Application to Chromatographic Fingerprints.

Traditional Chinese herbal medications (TCHMs) are comprised of a multitude of compounds and the identification of their active composition is an important area of research. Chromatography provides a visual representation of a TCHM sample's composition by outputting a curve characterized by spikes corresponding to compounds in the sample. Across different experimental conditions, the location of the spikes can be shifted, preventing direct comparison of curves and forcing compound identification to be possible only within each experiment. In this article we propose a sparse semiparametric nonlinear modeling framework for the establishment of a standardized chromatographic fingerprint. Data-driven basis expansion is used to model the common shape of the curves while a parametric time warping function registers across individual curves. Penalized weighted least squares with the adaptive lasso penalty provides a unified criterion for registration, model selection, and estimation. Furthermore, the adaptive lasso estimators possess attractive sampling properties. A back-fitting algorithm is proposed for estimation. Performance is assessed through simulation and we apply the model to chromatographic data of rhubarb collected from different experimental conditions and establish a standardized fingerprint as a first step in TCHM research.

[UPLC fingerprint of rhei radix et rhizoma from different habitats].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the UPLC fingerprint of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and reference crude drugs, analyze the characteristics among fingerprints of three species of reference crude drugs and the common components of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and compare the application of different analysis methods. METHODS: UPLC procedure was performed on ACQUITY BEH C18 chromatographic column with mobile phase consisted of water (contained 0.1% phosphoric acid)-acetonitrile (gradient elution) at a flow rate of 0.21 mL/min. Detection wavelength was set at 260 nm and the column temperature was set at 30 degrees C. Fingerprints were analyzed by similarity evaluation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. RESULTS: There were obvious characteristics among fingerprints of three species of reference crude drugs, 19 common chromatographic peaks were obtained from Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and 14 peaks were identified according to standard reference substances and by HPLC-MS. The cluster analysis and similarity evaluation showed the same result that 21 batches of sample were grouped into 5 categories and the result had no direct correlation with the botanical species. Both the contents of4 important ingredients suggested by principal component analysis and the whole fingerprint analysis were necessary in quality evaluation of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. There was certain limitation in quality evaluation of multiple sources drug which analysis by similarity evaluation and cluster analysis. CONCLUSION: The method with good reproducibility and separation saves time and solvent, it can be used in identification of three species of reference crude drugs but can not be used in species identification of commercial Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

A novel acridone akaloid from Atalantia buxifolia.

Study of the chemical constituents of ethanol extract from the aerial parts of Atalantia buxifolia led to the identification of a new acridone alkaloid named as buxifoliadine (1), along with known compounds citrusinine--I (2), N-methylatalaphylline (3), Severinolid (4) and cycloseverinolide (5). Structural elucidation of compound 1 was carried out by a combination of mass spectrometry and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy analyses.

[Study on the extraction process of total flavonoids from Psoralea corylifolia by enzyme-assisted technique].

OBJECTIVE: To study the optimum extraction process of total flavonoids from Psoralea coryl folia by cellulose-assisted technique. METHODS: Based on single-factor experiments, the effects of pH value, temperature of enzymatic hydrolysis, time of enzymatic hydrolysis and enzyme amount on the extraction yields of total flavonoids from Psoralea corylifolia were studied by response surface methodology. RESULTS: The optimum enzyme-assisted extraction process was: pH value 4.9, temperature 46 degrees C, time 150 min and enzyme amount 7.2 mg/g,under this condition,the relative error of the observed and predicted values was 1.16%. CONCLUSION: The optimum enzyme-assisted extraction process is simple and feasible, the extraction rate of total flavonoids increases by 28% compared with ultrasonic extraction, so it can be used to extract total flavonoids from Psoralea corylifolia.

[Study on the effects of different compatibility of guizhi decoction on component of volatile oil from Cinnamomum cassia by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of volatile oil from different compatibility of Guizhi decoction and explore their connection. METHODS: The volatile oil of Cinnamomum cassia and different compatibility of Guizhi decoction extracted by steam distillation were analyzed by GC-MS. RESULTS: The main components of volatile oil in Cinnamomum cassia were found in different compatibility of Guizhi decoction and they accounted the most amount of total volatile oil,but the contents of the main components were decreased, there were more components existed in different compatibility of Guizhi decoction than those in Cinnamomum cassia, the new components came from Zingiber officinale mostly. CONCLUSION: GC-MS can be used to reflect the changes of volatile oil from different compatibility of Guizhi decoction, and the result will provide some evidence for the research of regular pattern of compatibility in Guizhi decoction.

Expression TGM2 and BNIP3 have prognostic significance in laryngeal cancer patients receiving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the pattern and correlation between expression of the HIF-1α transcriptional targets TGM2 and BNIP3 in laryngeal cancer, and investigate the association of BNIP3 and TGM2 with clinical outcome in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy. METHODS: Immunostaining with antibodies specific to BNIP3 and TGM2 was performed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from 148 laryngeal SCC patients. BNIP3 and TGM2 expression was scored as high or low, based on the number of tumor cells stained and the staining intensity. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Patient follow up and clinicopathological data were compared using the Chi-squared test, univariate and multivariate analyses, and survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: The 3, 5 and 10-year overall survival rates (OS) for all patients were 77.7%, 71.6%, 56.4%, respectively. Primary tumor site, T stage, overall stage, lymph-node metastasis, BNIP3 expression and TGM2 expression were significant prognostic factors for OS in univariate analysis. Negative cervical lymph nodes, high BNIP3 expression and low TGM2 expression were independent prognostic factors of improved OS in multivariate analysis. BNIP3 expression correlates with TGM2 expression in laryngeal SCC (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that lymph-node metastasis, BNIP3 expression and TGM2 expression are independent prognostic factors in laryngeal SCC patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy. Further studies are required to investigate how BNIP3 and/or TGM2 influence the prognosis of laryngeal SCC patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy, and to determine how TGM2 and BNIP3 expression are regulated.

[Study on the chemical constituents from Melicope ptelefolia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Melicope ptelefolia. METHODS: Several chromatographic methods were applied to isolate and purify compounds. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated and elucidated as n-octadecanyl palmitate (I), beta-sitosterol (II), palmitic acid (III), 3, 5,3'-trihydroxy-8,4'-dimethoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy) flavone (IV), daucosterol (V), salylic acid (VI), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-D-arabinpyranoside (VII). CONCLUSION: Compound VII is isolated from the genus for the first time, Compounds V and VI are isolated from Melicope ptelefolia for the first time.

Treatment results and prognostic factors of patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Postoperative radiotherapy (PRT) is widely advocated for patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck that are considered to be at high risk of recurrence after surgical resection. The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment outcomes of PRT for patients with laryngeal carcinoma and to identify the value of several prognostic factors. We reviewed the records of 256 patients treated for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma between January 1993 and December 2005. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was employed to identify significant prognostic factors for DFS and OS. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify covariates significantly associated with the aforementioned endpoints. Our results showed the 3-, 5-, and 10-year DFS for all patients were 69.9%, 59.5%, and 34.9%, respectively. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates were 80.8%, 68.6%, and 38.8%, respectively. Significant prognostic factors for both DFS and OS on univariate analysis were grade, primary site, T stage, N stage, overall stage, lymph node metastasis, overall treatment times of radiation, the interval between surgery and radiotherapy, and radiotherapy equipment. Favorable prognostic factors for both DFS and OS on multivariate analysis were lower overall stage, no cervical lymph node metastasis, and using 60Co as radiotherapy equipment. In conclusion, our data suggest that lower overall stage, no cervical lymph node metastasis, and using 60Co as radiotherapy equipment are favorable prognostic factors for DFS and OS and that reducing the overall treatment times of radiation to 6 weeks or less and the interval between surgery and radiotherapy to less than 3 weeks are simple measures to remarkably improve treatment outcome.

[Studies on the flavonoids from Lignum Dalbergiae Odoriferae (II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Lignum Dalbergiae Odoriferae. METHODS: The isolation and purification were carried out by repeated silica gel column chromatography, and the chemical structures were determined by physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated and identified as fisetin (1), luteolin (2), genistein (3), isohemiphloin (4), 6-C-glycopyranosyl luteolin (5), homoeriodictyol (6), liquiritigenin (7), daidzein (8) and naringenin (9). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1,4,5,6 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Pharmacodynamic screening and simulation study of anti-hypoxia active fraction of xiangdan injection.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The herbal formula Xiangdan injection and its modifications have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about hundreds years to alleviate pain and promoting blood. AIM: To investigate the anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xiangdan injection was extracted by ligarine, chloroform, acetic ether, n-butanol and water, represented respectively by A, B, C, D and E. Five extractions were group on the L12(2(5)) orthogonal designed table. NIH mices anti-hypoxia experiment under normal pressure with rats was adopted on the basis of orthogonal design, prediction pharmacodynamics model of TCM prescriptions was established, and the simulation bias was evaluated by combining two scatterplots. The anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection was determined by experiments. RESULTS: The prediction model of TCM prescriptions established in this study can predict the drug actions for different formulas, and PE%

[Serum S100 protein and radiation-induced brain injury in astrocytoma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of serum S100 protein in the diagnosis of radiation-induced brain injury in astrocytoma patients. METHODS: Serum S100 protein levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 86 astrocytoma patients in the course of radiotherapy. RESULTS: The positivity rates of serum S100 protein before, in the middle of and after radiotherapy were 0, 9.3% (8/86) and 19.8% (17/86), respectively, showing significant differences (P<0.05) between these time points for measurement. CONCLUSION: High levels of serum S100 protein are associated with radiation-induced brain injury in astrocytoma patients and may serve as the marker for early diagnosis of the injury.

[Synthesis and luminescence spectrum of trinuclear copper(I) complex].

The novel luminescent trinuclear copper( I ) complex [Cu3 (dppm)3 (NO3) (OH)] (NO3) has been obtained by treating binuclear copper(I) [Cu(dppm) (NO3)]2 with sodium tetraphenyl boron (dppm = Ph2 PCH2 PPh2). The complex was characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The title complex exhibits photoluminescence behavior at room temperature.