Chemical Synthesis Enables the Configurational Determination of Myristriol, a Highly Oxygenated Phenylpropanoid from Myristica fragrans Houtt.

A new phenylpropanoid, myristriol (1), along with 11 known ones were isolated from the seed kernel of Myristica fragrans Houtt. Their chemical structures were clearly elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. In which, the relative configuration of 1 was finally determined as erythro-1 by comparison the NMR data of two synthetic erythro- and threo-diastereoisomers with that of natural 1.

Effect of 2-propanol content on solute retention mechanisms determined using amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase under normal- and reversed-phase conditions.

The electrostatic interactions between chiral solutes and polysaccharide (PS)-based chiral selectors are the key to achieving chiral recognition; however, PS-based sorbents, derivatized of phenyl moieties, can exhibit considerably non-polar characteristics, and they are also useful for the separation of enantiomers in the reversed-phase mode. In this study, an immobilized amylose 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate-based sorbent was used to investigate the balance between electrostatic interactions and solvophobic interactions, with complementary effects on solute retention behavior when the isopropanol (IPA) concentration was altered. It was proposed that in both normal- and reversed-phase modes, information on the retention mechanisms could be obtained by observing the curvature of the logarithm of the retention factor versus the logarithm of the IPA concentration, and the slope values of the curves were related to the number of displaced IPA molecules upon solute adsorption. Using the proposed model and the two-site adsorption model, the retention behaviors of pantolactone (PL) enantiomers in both normal- and reversed-phase modes were investigated. The PL-sorbent interactions were classified into four types: electrostatic/enantioselective, electrostatic/nonselective, solvophobic/enantioselective, and solvophobic/nonselective. At IPA concentrations below 50 vol.% in n-hexane, the retention behaviors of PL were dominated by electrostatic/enantioselective sites, whereas at IPA concentrations beyond 50 vol.%, the solvophobic interactions of PL-sorbent were strengthened and mostly nonselective. By contrast, in the reversed-phase mode, a reverse in the enantiomeric elution order of PL was observed at 10 vol.% IPA, and considerably different enantioselectivity behaviors were found below and above 20 vol.%, indicating an abrupt change in the sorbent molecular environment. At IPA concentrations beyond 40 vol.%, the presence of PL-sorbent electrostatic interactions enhanced chiral recognition.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial resection of the renal pelvis for urothelial carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract consists of radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff removal, which can be performed either in open or laparoscopy or robot-assisted laparoscopy. Treatment of chronic renal insufficiency patients with upper urothelial tumor is in a dilemma. Urologists weigh and consider the balance between tumor control and effective renal function preservation. European Association of Urology guidelines recommend that select patients may benefit from endoscopic treatment, but laparoscopic treatment is rarely reported. CASE SUMMARY: In this case report, we describe a case of 79-year-old female diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and adrenal adenoma with chronic renal insufficiency. The patient was treated with retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial resection of the renal pelvis and adrenal adenoma resection simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial resection of the renal pelvis is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

[Comparison of effects of electroacupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Dachangshu" (BL25) on intestinal sensitivity and expression of muscarinic M3R and 5-HT3AR in irritable bowel syndrome rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Dachangshu" (BL25) on intestinal sensitivity and the expression of M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) and 5-hydroxytryptamine 3A receptor (5-HT3AR) in the colon tissue in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of IBS. METHODS: Forty newborn Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, ST25 and BL25 groups (n＝10 rats per group). The IBS model was established by joint application of maternal separation, acetic acid enema plus colorectal distension from day 8 to 21 after birth. At the age of 9 weeks, EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 0.1－0.3 mA) was applied to ST25 and BL25 for 20 min, once every other day for 5 times. The modified method was used to record the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), so as to evaluate the visceral sensitivity by referring to the modified Al-Chaer's and colleagues' methods. The threshold (initial wave), the number and peak-peak value of contraction waves (AWR) within 90 s were recorded. The immunoactivity of M3R and 5-HT3AR in the colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After modeling, the latency was obviously shortened, the number and peak-peak values of contraction waves of intestine were significantly increased, and the immunoactivity of M3R and 5-HT3AR was notably up-regulated in the model group compared with the blank control group (P<0.01). After the EA intervention, the latency was obviously prolonged, the peak-peak value in both ST25 and BL25 groups, and the number of contraction waves in the ST25 group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the expression levels of M3 and 5-HT3A R were considerably down-regulated in both ST25 and BL25 groups relevant to the model group (P<0.01). The therapeutic effects were significantly better in the ST25 group than in the BL25 group in prolonging the latency and reducing the contraction wave number, and in down-regulating the expression of colonic M3R and 5-HT3AR (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA at ST25 and BL25 can reduce the intestinal sensitivity in IBS rats, which is probably associated with its effects in down-regulating the expression of M3R and 5-HT3AR in the colon. The therapeutic effects of ST25 were obviously better than those of BL25 in suppressing intestinal sensitivity and expression of colonic M3R and 5-HT3AR.

[Cloning and expression in follicle anagen of ILK gene in sheep].

Integrin linked kinase (ILK) is a scaffold protein, which plays important roles in hair follicle development. The cDNA sequence of novel ILK gene in sheep was cloned by PCR method and analyzed by bioinformatics. Tissue expression profiling in eight tissues and temporal profiling at different wool follicle anagen stages in skin was analyzed. The results showed that the whole open reading frame (ORF) of ILK gene was 1 359 bp in length, which encoded 452 amino acids. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the secondary structure of ILK gene was mainly made up of three ankyrin repeats and a kinase domain, and there were multiple phosphorylation and Protein Kinase C sites in this gene. The RT-PCR result confirmed that ILK mRNA was expressed in heart, liver, spleen, lung, skeletal muscle, skin, and small intestine, and the expression level was much higher in skin, spleen, and liver than others. The q-PCR analysis demonstrated that the ex-pression level of ILK was significantly increased from March to May (early follicle anagen initiation) in both sheep breeds, Chinese Merino and Kazakh sheep, and there were certain differences from June to October between the two breeds. The above results indicated that ILK gene may play key roles in regulating secondary follicle growth.

[Effect of moxibustion on hepatic glycogen and ultrastructure of exercise-induced fatigue rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on hepatic glycogen-level and ultrastructure changes in exercise-induced fatigue rats. METHODS: Thirty-three SD rats were randomly and equally divided into control, model and moxibustion groups. The fatigue model was established by forcing the rat to have a loaded exhaustion swim, once daily for 21 days. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" for about 30 min, once every other day for 11 times. The hepatic glycogen content was detected by chromatometry and the hepatic ultrastructure was observed by using transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The hepatic glycogen content in the fatigue model group decreased significantly compared with the control group(P<0. 01), and that in the moxibustion group was increased significantly compared with the model group(P<0. 05). Under transmission electron microscope , it was found that the glycogen in the hypatocytes of the model was decreased and the ultrastructure of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum was unclear in outline. In moxibustion group, more glycogen granules were found in hepatocytes, and the structure of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum was basically clear. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion may increase hepatic glycogen content and improve ultrastructure of hypatocytes in fatigue rats, which may be part of its mechanism underlying relieving exercise-induced fatigue.

5,8-Dibromo-2,11-dithia-[3,3](2,6)pyridino-paracyclo-phane.

The title compound, C(15)H(13)Br(2)NS(2) [systematic name: 1(2),1(5)-dibromo-2,7-dithia-1(1,4)-benzena-5(2,6)-pyridinaocta-phane], contains a dibromo-substituted benzene ring and a pyridine ring that are linked by a pair of bridging -CH(2)SCH(2)- groups. There is a weak π-π inter-action between the rings, the distance between the ring centroids being 3.572 (4) Å. The rings are not parallel, but form a dihedral angle of 18.29 (4)°.

[Clinicopathological significance of expressions of DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit and P16 in colorectal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and P16 (multiple tumor suppressor 1) genes in colorectal carcinoma and clinical significance thereof. METHODS: 359 specimens of colorectal carcinoma obtained during operation and 35 specimens of normal mucosa beside the carcinoma underwent immunohistochemical examination and Western blotting to detect the expression of DNA-PKcs and P16. RESULTS: The positive expression rates of DNA-PKcs and P16 of the colorectal carcinoma specimens were 63.5% (228/359) and 53.2% (191/359) respectively, both significantly higher than those of the para-cancer normal tissues (both P < 0.05). DNA-PKcs and P16 expression were both related to the clinical stage, lymphatic invasion, and distant metastasis (all P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rates of the patients positive in DNA-PKcs and P16 expression were significantly lower than those of the patients negative in DNA-PKcs and P16 expression (both P < 0.05). The DNA-PKcs positive rate of the P16-positive patients was 78.6%, significantly higher than that of the P16-negative patients (55.3%, r = 0.149, P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: DNA-PKcs and P16 play a significant role in the carcinogenesis and evolution of colorectal carcinoma and may be used as one of the useful indicators for clinical assessment of tumor biological behavior and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.

[Investigation of relationship between prehospital care for traumatic shock and postoperative acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the correlation and clinical significance of prehospital treatment for traumatic shock and postoperative acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: Six hundred cases in the last 10 years were enrolled for double-blind randomized control study. They were divided into 3 groups. Group A consisted of 184 cases who had received combined treatment, group B consisted of 305 cases who had received fluid replacement only and group C consisted of 111 cases with no treatment. The incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), ALI and ARDS of each group were analyzed and compared. SIRS was graded at 1 (T0) after admission, 24 (T1), 48 (T2), 96 (T3) and 144 hours (T4) after operation. RESULTS: In 524 cases diagnosis of SIRS was made among 600 patients (87.33%). Among them 73.37% (135/184 cases) were in group A, 91.48% (279/305 cases) belonged to group B and 99.10% (110/111 cases) in group C. The scores of SIRS were notably lower in group A than B and C at each time point (all P<0.01), and they were lower in group B than those in group C (all P<0.01), they recovered at T3 after operation in group A while in group B patients recovered at 144 hours after operation. Eleven patients among 184 (5.98%) were diagnosed to have ALI including 1 case progressed to ARDS and 1 case to MODS and no one died, while in group B 32 cases in 305 (10.49%) had ALI with 7 cases progressed to ARDS and 3 cases to MODS while 3 deaths and in group C 23 among 111 (20.72%) had ALI, and 8 patients progressed to ARDS, 5 cases to MODS and 5 deaths. CONCLUSION: Prehospital treatment is closely related with postoperative ALI, and combined treatment is beneficial in reducing the incidence of postoperative ALI/ARDS.

[Clinical study of the effect of verapamil-procaine compound in prevention and treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome after high risk operation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of verapamil-procaine compound (V-P) on prevention and treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) subsequent to high risk operation. METHODS: Altogether 150 cases of major operations with high risk of ARDS were enrolled for study. They were randomly divided into three groups. V-P group: 5% glucose 500 ml and procaine 1 250 mg and verapamil 10 mg; procaine group: 5% glucose 500 ml and procaine 1 250 mg; control group: only glucose was given. The injection speed of the three groups were the same, and it was kept at 0.5 ml x h(-1) x kg(-1). The dosages of verapamil and procaine in V-P group and procaine group were doubled when the diagnosis of acute lung injury (ALI) or ARDS was confirmed. UT4000F was used in monitoring (non-invasive) blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), respiratory rate, and temperature. Blood routine and arterial blood gases measurements were intermittently performed. Diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), ALI and ARDS was made respectively according to published diagnostic criteria. SIRS score and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score were performed. RESULTS: Eleven cases in V-P group, 26 in procaine group, and 42 in control group manifested symptoms and signs of SIRS. There were notable differences among groups (all P<0.01). Four patients in V-P group, 7 in procaine group, and 19 in control group were shown to develop ALI. Significant difference was found between control and V-P or procaine group (both P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between procaine group and V-P group. Twelve cases were complicated with ARDS in control group 2 weeks after the operation, and among them 5 died of multiple organ failure. There was significant difference between control group and V-P group or procaine group (both P<0.01). Two patients were complicated with acute renal failure in V-P group, 2 in procaine group, and 5 in control group. CONCLUSION: The V-P can interrupt SIRS to develop ALI, then ARDS and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS), and thus prevents and cures ARDS.