[Effectiveness of induction therapy with exclusive enteral nutrition in pediatric Crohn's disease]. / å ¨è‚ å† è¥å »å¯¹å„¿ç«¥å ‹ç½—æ©ç— è¯±å¯¼ç¼“è§£ç–—æ•ˆç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of induction therapy with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 62 children with CD who received EEN in Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from March 2013 to August 2021. The medical data included general information and height, weight, Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum albumin level before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment. The changes in the above indicators were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Among the 62 children with CD, there were 39 boys (63%) and 23 girls (37%), with a mean age of (11.9±3.0) years at diagnosis. Among the 55 children who completed EEN treatment for at least 8 weeks, 48 (87%) achieved clinical remission at week 8. PCDAI at week 8 was significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.001). Except for 17 children with involvement of the small intestine alone and 3 children with involvement of the colon who did not receive colonoscopy reexamination, the remaining 35 children with involvement of the colon received colonoscopy reexamination after the 8-week EEN treatment. Of the 35 children, 29 (83%) achieved mucosal healing. As for the 48 children who achieved clinical remission at week 8, there were significant improvements in height-for-age Z-score and body mass index-for-age Z-score at week 8 (P<0.01). As for the 7 children who did not achieve clinical remission at week 8, there were no significant changes in height-for-age Z-score and body mass index-for-age Z-score at week 8 (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 8-week EEN treatment has a good effect on clinical remission and mucosal healing in children with CD. For the children with CD achieving clinical remission, EEN can improve their height and body mass index.

Upregulation of miR-124 by physcion 8-O-ß-glucopyranoside inhibits proliferation and invasion of malignant melanoma cells via repressing RLIP76.

Melanoma is the most malignant type of skin cancer. In recent years, mounting studies have evidenced the involvement of miRNAs in melanoma. One of these miRNAs, miR-124 has been found aberrantly downregulated in a variety of human malignancies. In this study, our results showed that the expression of miR-124 was significantly lower in malignant melanoma tissues and cell lines and miR-124 functioned as a tumor suppressor in melanoma. Moreover, our findings showed that miR-124 exerted anti-tumor effect by directly targeting RLIP76, a stress-inducible non-ABC transporter that plays a crucial role in the development of melanoma. Furthermore, our study also showed that physcion 8-O-ß-glucopyranoside, a natural compound from medicinal plant, could inhibit the proliferation and invasion of melanoma cells by targeting miR-124/RLIP76 signaling.

[Efficacy of nutrition support therapy in children with chronic diarrhea].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of nutrition support therapy in children with chronic diarrhea. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 48 children with chronic diarrhea who were hospitalized between July 2012 and July 2014. These children were divided into <1 year group (27 children) and ≤1 year group (21 children). Twenty-seven of these patients, who had malnutrition, were divided into enteral nutrition (EN) group (10 children), partial parenteral nutrition (PPN)+EN group (16 children), and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) group (1 child). The therapeutic process and outcome were compared between different age groups and children receiving different treatments. RESULTS: Among the 48 children, short bowel syndrome, viral enteritis, a history of intestinal surgery, and malabsorption syndrome were common causes of chronic diarrhea, and 24 children (50%) had unknown causes. In the aspect of nutritional assessment on admission, the <1 year group had a significantly higher proportion of children with moderate underweight than the ≤1 year group (P<0.05). In the EN group, the BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ) increased from -2.2±1.5 before treatment to -1.8±1.0 (P=0.040), and the energy supplied increased from 46±17 kcal/kg per day before treatment to 83±32 kcal/kg per day (P=0.012). In the PPN+EN group, the weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) increased from -3.3±2.0 before treatment to -2.8±1.8 (P=0.044), and BAZ increased from -2.8±1.4 before treatment to -2.0±1.4 (P=0.012). There was only 1 child in the TPN group, whose symptoms of diarrhea were relieved after treatment. Among 27 children receiving nutritional therapy, 4 were not improved, and the other children achieved remission of symptoms and improvements in nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: Besides etiological treatment, nutrition support therapy can be applied as part of multimodality therapy in children with chronic diarrhea. This can effectively improve nutritional status and relieve the symptoms of diarrhea.

The stimulating effect of ghrelin on gastric motility and firing activity of gastric-distension-sensitive hippocampal neurons and its underlying regulation by the hypothalamus.

Ghrelin is an acylated peptide originally identified in the rat stomach as the endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) that promotes gastric motility. Our aims were to explore the effects of ghrelin on gastric-distension-sensitive neurons in the hippocampus and the potential for ghrelin to regulate gastric motility through the arcuate nucleus (Arc). Single-unit discharges in the hippocampus were recorded extracellularly, and gastric motility in conscious rats was monitored. The expression of GHSR-1a in the hippocampus was determined by PCR, Western blot and fluo-immunohistochemistry staining. Retrograde tracing and fluo-immunohistochemistry staining were used to determine ghrelin neuron projection. Ghrelin-Fluoro-Gold double-labelled neurons and GHSR-1a expression were observed in the Arc and hippocampus, respectively. There were gastric-distension-sensitive neurons in the hippocampus that could be excited by ghrelin or by electrical stimulation of the Arc. The excitatory effects could be blocked completely or partly by pretreatment with the ghrelin receptor antagonist [d-Lys-3]-GHRP-6. Gastric motility was significantly promoted by the administration of ghrelin into the hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner that could be completely abolished by [d-Lys-3]-GHRP-6. Electrical stimulation of the Arc could promote gastric motility as well. Nevertheless, these effects could be mitigated by pretreatment with [d-Lys-3]-GHRP-6. Electrical lesioning of the hippocampus diminished the excitatory effects on gastric motility that were induced by electrical stimulation the Arc. Our findings suggest that ghrelin plays an important role in promoting gastric motility via the hippocampus. The Arc may be involved in regulation of the influence of the hippocampus on gastric motility.

Effects of ghrelin on gastric distention sensitive neurons in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and gastric motility in diabetic rats.

This study was performed to observe the effects of ghrelin on the activity of gastric distention (GD) sensitive neurons in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus (Arc) and on gastric motility in vivo in streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus (DM) rats. Electrophysiological results showed that ghrelin could excite GD-excitatory (GD-E) neurons and inhibit GD-inhibitory (GD-I) neurons in the Arc. However, fewer GD-E neurons were excited by ghrelin and the excitatory effect of ghrelin on GD-E neurons was much weaker in DM rats. Gastric motility research in vivo showed that microinjection of ghrelin into the Arc could significantly promote gastric motility and it showed a dose-dependent manner. The effect of ghrelin promoting gastric motility in DM rats was weaker than that in normal rats. The effects induced by ghrelin could be blocked by growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) antagonist [d-Lys-3]-GHRP-6 or BIM28163. RIA and real-time PCR data showed that the levels of ghrelin in the plasma, stomach and ghrelin mRNA in the Arc increased at first but decreased later and the expression of GHSR-1a mRNA in the Arc maintained a low level in DM rats. The present findings indicate that ghrelin could regulate the activity of GD sensitive neurons and gastric motility via ghrelin receptors in the Arc. The reduced effects of promoting gastric motility induced by ghrelin could be connected with the decreased expression of ghrelin receptors in the Arc in diabetes. Our data provide new experimental evidence for the role of ghrelin in gastric motility disorder in diabetes.

[Normal light and fluorescence microscopy for authentication of Delphinii Brunoniani Herba of Tibet].

Dried herb of Delphinium brunonianum Royle (Ranunculaceae) has long been used under the herbal name "Xiaguobei" (Delphinii Brunoniani Herba) in traditional Tibetan medicine and prescribed for the treatment of influenza, itchy skin rash and snake bites. In order to find a useful and convenient method for the identification of microscopic features, the technique of fluorescence microscopy was applied to authenticate "Xiaguobei" of Tibet. The transverse sections of stem and leaf, as well as the powder of "Xiaguobei" were observed to seek for typical microscopic features by normal light and fluorescence microscopy. A style-like, single-cell glandular hair containing yellow secretions on the leaf, young stem and sepal of "Xiaguobei" was found. Under the fluorescence microscope, the xylem and pericycle fiber group emitted significant fluorescence. This work indicated that fluorescence microscopy could be an useful additional method for the authentication work. Without the traditional dyeing methods, the main microscopic features could be easily found by fluorescence microscopy. The results provided reliable references for the authentication of "Xiaguobei".

Involvement of the hippocampus and neuronal nitric oxide synthase [correction of synapse] in the gastric electrical stimulation therapy for obesity.

BACKGROUND: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been introduced for treating obesity. However, possible central mechanisms remain to be revealed. Hippocampus has been shown to be involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions. Changes in hypothalamic neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) have been observed in genetically obese rodents. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of nNOS with GES in the rodent hippocampus. METHODS: The effect of GES on gastric distension (GD) neurons was investigated using four different sets of parameters (GES-A, pulse train of standard parameters; GES-B, reduced on time; GES-C, increased pulse width, and GES-D: reduced pulse frequency), and the expression of nNOS in hippocampus was observed by fluoimmunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: CA1 region neurons (90.8%) responded to GD, 50.6% of which showed excitation (GD-E neurons) and 49.4% showed inhibition (GD-I neurons). Most of GD-responsive neurons (63.3%) were excited with GES. The response to GES was associated with stimulation strength, pulse width and frequency. GD-E neurons (62.5%, 76.9%, 100%, and 62.3%) and GD-I (63.6%, 47.1%, 85.7% and 50.0%) showed excitatory responses to GES-A, GES-B, GES-C, and GES-D, respectively (P < 0.05, GES-C vs. others). nNOS immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) positive neurons were observed in hippocampus CA1, CA2-3 regions and the dentate gyrus. The expression of nNOS-IR positive neurons was significantly decreased in CA1 and CA2-3 region (P < 0.05) after GES (para-C) for 2 h. CONCLUSIONS: Excitation of GD-responsive neurons and reduced expression of nNOS in the hippocampus are indicative of the central effect of GES.

Five new compounds from Dendrobium crystallinum.

Five new compounds, dencryol A (1), dencryol B (2), crystalltone (3), crystallinin (4), and 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy-5,6-dimethylbenzoic acid (5), together with six known compounds, dendronobilin B (6), syringic acid (7), apigenin (8), isoviolanthin (9), 6'''-glucosyl-vitexin (10), and palmarumycin JC2 (11), have been isolated from the stems of Dendrobium crystallinum, of which compounds 9-11 were isolated from the genus Dendrobium for the first time, and all the other compounds were first obtained from this plant. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and literature data.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Dendrobium crystallinum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dendobium crystallinum. METHOD: Compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. RESULT: Nine compounds were obtained and identified as: 4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybi-benzyl (1), gigantol (2), naringenin (3) , p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), n-tetracosyl trans-p-cou-marate (5), n-octacosy trans-p-coumarate (6), n-hexacosyl trans-ferulate (7), stigmasterol (8), daucosterol (9). CONCLUSION: All these compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time, compounds 1 and 4 were isolated firstly from the genus.

[Phenolic components from herbs of Dendrobium aphyllum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenolic constituents of Dendrobium aphyllum. METHOD: Various chromatographic techniques were used to isolate and purify the constituents, their physico-chemical properties and spectral data were employed to elucidate their structures. RESULT: Nine bibenzyls and two benzylethanyl compounds were isolated and identified as: moscatilin (1), gigantol (2), batatasin (3), tristin (4), 3, 5, 4'-trihydroxylbibenzyl (5), 3, 5-dimethoxyl-4, 4'-dihydroxylbibenzyl (6), moscatin (7), 2, 4, 7-trihydroxyl-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene (8), hircinol (9), 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, salidroside (10) and p-hydroxylbenzylacetic acid (11). CONCLUSION: All compounds were obtained firstly from the plant, and the compounds 10 and 11 were isolated in this genus for the first time.

Implantable gastric stimulation alters expression of oxytocin- and orexin-containing neurons in the hypothalamus of rats.

BACKGROUND: Implantable gastric stimulation (IGS) has been proposed as a therapeutic option for treating obese patients. We studied the underlying central mechanism behind the reduction of food intake and body weight by gastric electrical stimulation (GES), by studying the expression of anorexigenic and orexigenic-peptide containing neurons in the hypothalamus. METHODS: Oxytocin antiserum, orexin antiserum and c-Fos protein-antiserum were used for immunostaining technique. Brain sections were obtained from the control rats and those with 2 hours of GES with parameters typically used in the treatment of obesity in humans. RESULTS: A) 2-hr IGS increased the expression of oxytocin-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN, 23.7+/-1.8 vs 31.1+/-2.2, P<0.05) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON, 29.0+/-2.2 vs 39.7+/-2.5, P<0.01). However, the expression of orexinIR neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) was decreased (27.8+/-2.6 vs 20.6+/-1.7, P<0.01). B) The expression of c-Fos positive neurons was increased in the PVN and SON with IGS. A coexistence of oxytocin-IR positive neurons and c-Fos-IR ones in the PVN and SON from the adjacent brain sections was observed, confirming the activation of OT-containing neurons in the PVN and SON following IGS. CONCLUSION: IGS increases the expression of hypothalamic neurons containing the anorexigenic neuropeptide, oxytocin, and decreases the expression of neurons containing the orexigenic neuropeptide, orexin. This central anorexigenic effect of GES may contribute to the reduced appetite and increased satiety in obese patients with IGS therapy.

[Studies on chemical constituents in stem of Dendrobium chrysotoxum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Dendrobium chrysotoxum. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by spectral evidences. RESULT: Ten compounds were obtained and identified as (+)-syringare sinol (1), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-24( R)-methycholesta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (2), trans-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-acrylic acid octacosyl ester (3), defusin (4), 3, 4-dihydroxy benzoic acid (5), 3, 4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid (6), vanillic acid (7), 3, 4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (8), 3, 5-dibromo-2-aminobenzaldehyde (9), heptadecanoic acid 2, 3-dihydroxy-propyl ester (10). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1, 2 and 6-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

A new phenanthrene with a spirolactone from Dendrobium chrysanthum and its anti-inflammatory activities.

Investigation of phenolic patterns from the stems of Dendrobium chrysanthum by HPLC-PDA-MS has led to the isolation of a new phenanthrene derivative with a spirolactone ring, dendrochrysanene (1), that proved to suppress the mRNA level of TNF-alpha, IL8, IL10, and iNOS in murine peritoneal macrophages. The structure of 1 was characterized on the basis of various NMR (1H, 13C, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC), mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystal diffraction data.

[Molecular identification of medicinal plants: Dendrobium chrysanthum, Dendrobium fimbriatum and their morphologically allied species by PCR-RFLP analyses].

AIM: To establish a simple method for molecular identification of original plants of D. chrysanthum and D. fimbriatum using molecular marker rDNA ITS region. METHODS: Restriction patterns of ITS fragments were obtained using PCR-RFLP method. The PCR products of D. chrysanthum and its morphologically allied species were digested at 37 degrees C by Cla I and Apa LI, those of D. fimbriatum and its morphologically allied species were digested by Sph I. RESULTS: D. chrysanthum, D. fimbriatum and their morphologically allied species could be identified by predicted restriction profiles of PCR-RFLP. The botanical origin of twenty-five fresh samples of "Shihu" collected in markets was identified by this method. CONCLUSION: The results showed that PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region is a feasible, simple and inexpensive method for determining the botanical origin of the traditional Chinese medicine "Shihu".

[Location and relative quantity of coumarins in the stem of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum].

AIM: To determine the location and relative quantity of coumarins in the stem of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Rchb. f. , and to provide a scientific basis for evaluating and utilizing the famous medicinal plant. METHODS: The stems of one, two and three years old, separately, were collected in February. Location and relative quantity of coumarins in the top, middle and basal parts of each stem sample were determined by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). ANOVA and Tukey's test were employed in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The coumarins located mainly in vascular bundles, especially on the walls of the outer fiber cells. There was significant difference or great significant difference exist in every part of the stem from different ages. The values of significant difference were as follows: basal part P = 0.004 (< 0.01); middle part P = 0.009 (< 0.01); top part P = 0.036( < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Two years old stem could be the best choice when collecting Dendrobium thyrsiflorum in Feburary.

[Analysis on the geologic background and physicochemical properties of soil for the cultivation of Panax notoginseng in Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the geo-authentic and geologic background system (GBS) and physicochemical properties of soil for the cultivation of Panax notoginseng. METHOD: The physicochemical properties of soil were analyzed, the geologic background system between producing areas of Yunnan and Guanxi of P. notogiseng was compared. RESULT: The distribution of P. notoginseng was restricted by GBS, The yellow-red soil of fragmentary rock mixed with carbonate seems to be most suitable for the growth. CONCLUSION: The most suitable soil for growing P. notoginseng is the neutral or weakly acidic soil with loam clay, particularly that with low base saturation percentage.

[Determination of linderane in root tuber of Lindera aggregata by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To provide scientific basis for quality control of Lindera aggregata. METHOD: HPLC analytical method was established using a Lichrospher C18 column and acetonitrile-water (56:44) as the mobile phase, detected at 235 nm. RESULT: The linear range of linderane is between 0.0642 - 0.5774 microg, the average recovery was 98.4%, RSD1.7% (n = 9). CONCLUSION: Contents of linderane in commercially available and collected samples were from 0.028% to 0.123% and from 0.056% to 0.222% respectively.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Pholidota yunnanensis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from Pholidota yunnanensis. METHOD: Various chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analyses. RESULT: Seven compounds were obtained and they were identified by spectroscopic analysis as n-nonacosane, cyclopholidone, n-dotriacontanoic acid, n-octacostyl ferulate, cyclopholidonol, cycloneolitsol and beta-sitosterol, respectively. CONCLUSION: n-octacostyl ferulate and cycloneolitsol were isolated from genus Pholidota for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Dendrobium fimbriatum].

AIM: To investigate the chemical constituents of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook. METHODS: Various chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and 2D-NMR. RESULTS: Eight compounds were obtained and identified by spectral analysis as fimbriatone, confusarin, crepidatin, physcion, rhein, ayapin, scopolin methyl ether and n-octacostyl ferulate. CONCLUSION: Fimbriatone is a new compound, physcion and rhein are firstly isolated from Genus Dendrobium. The others are found from this species for the first time. Fimbriatone showed potential inhibitory effects on BGC cell line.

[RbcL sequence analysis of Belamcanda chinensis and related medicinal plants of Iris].

AIM: To identify "Shegan" [Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.] and relative medicinal plants of Iris including Iris tectorum Maxim., I. dichotoma Pall., I. germanica L. and I. japonica Thunb. by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase Large Gene (rbcL) sequence analysis. METHODS: General DNA was isolated from the fresh leaves of Belamcanda chinensis and 4 Iris spp. by CTAB. A pair of primers was designed to amplify the rbcL gene and PCR Preps DNA kit was used to purify the PCR products. The rbcL sequences were determined by ABI (Applied Biosystems Inco.) Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. RESULTS: A fragment of about 750 bp of rbcL gene from Belamcanda chinensis and 4 Iris spp. were amplified and sequenced. The rbcL sequences of Iris tectorum, I. dichotoma Pall. and I. japonica were reported for the first time. The rbcL sequences of 5 species of Iridaceae were aligned and analyzed using Clustal (Version 8.0) and MEGA (Version 2.0.) programs. The nucleotide number of difference is from 1.000 to 20.000. The tranversions is from 0.000 to 9.000 and the transitions is from 0.000 to 14.000. Phylogenetic tree based on rbcL partial sequence data indicated that the eleven samples of 5 species clustered separately. CONCLUSION: The sequence variation of rbcL can be used to identify Belamcanda chinensis and 4 species of relative medicinal plants of Iris. The molecular phylogenetic tree accords with the classical taxonomy.