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Background: Enterobius vermicularis infection is a prevalent intestinal parasitic disease in children. In this study, we explored the epidemiological status and risk factors for E. vermicularis infection in children in southern China., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Gaozhou city, Guangdong province, China, in December 2011. Children aged 2-12 years from five schools participated in the study. The adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method was applied to detect E. vermicularis infection, while a questionnaire was sent to each child's guardian(s) to collect demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as hygiene behaviors, pertaining to each child. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to capture the potential risk factors., Results: Out of the 802 children surveyed, 440 were infected with E. vermicularis, with an average prevalence of 54.86 %, and a range from 45.96 to 68.13 %. The age variable was found to be statistically significant, whereas the sex variable was not. It was found that a mother's education level (low) and not washing hands before dinner were major risk factors in all children (802). After stratification by age, a father's education level (primary or below) and biting pencils (or toys) were significant risk factors in the younger children (508), while not washing hands before dinner and playing on the ground were important risk factors in the older children (294)., Conclusion: This study demonstrates the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection in children in Gaozhou and reveals underlying risk factors. Most importantly, it reveals that risk factors differ among the different age groups, which indicates that different control measures targeted at particular age groups should be implemented.

This paper investigated the capacity of plants (Schlumbergera truncata, Aloe vera var. chinensis, Chlorophytum comosum, Schlumbergera bridgesii, Gymnocalycium mihanovichii var. friedrichii, Aspidistra elatior, Cymbidium kanran, Echinocactus grusonii, Agave americana var. marginata, Asparagus setaceus) to generate negative air ions (NAI) under pulsed electric field stimulation. The results showed that single plant generated low amounts of NAI in natural condition. The capacity of C. comosum and G. mihanovichii var. friedrichii generated most NAI among the above ten species, with a daily average of 43 ion · cm(-3). The least one was A. americana var. marginata with the value of 19 ion · cm(-3). When proper pulsed electric field stimulation was applied to soil, the NAI of ten plant species were greatly improved. The effect of pulsed electric field u3 (average voltage over the pulse period was 2.0 x 10(4) V, pulse frequency was 1 Hz, and pulse duration was 50 ms) was the greatest. The mean NAI concentration of C. kanran was the highest 1454967 ion · cm(-3), which was 48498.9 times as much as that in natural condition. The lowest one was S. truncata with the value of 34567 ion · cm(-3), which was 843.1 times as much as that in natural condition. The capacity of the same plants to generate negative air ion varied extremely under different intensity pulsed electric fields.

Two new fungal hybrid polyketides, cladosins F (1) and G (2), with rare 6(3)-enamino-8,10-dihydroxy-tetraketide system were discovered from the deep-sea-derived fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum 2005-01-E3 guided by OSMAC approach. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and cytotoxicity, antitubercular, anti-influenza A H1N1 virus, and NF-κB inhibitory activities were evaluated.

A new ultrasound-mediated approach has been developed to introduce neomycin-resistance to activate silent pathways for secondary metabolite production in a bio-inactive, deep-sea fungus, Aspergillus versicolor ZBY-3. Upon treatment of the ZBY-3 spores with a high concentration of neomycin by proper ultrasound irradiation, a total of 30 mutants were obtained by single colony isolation. The acquired resistance of the mutants to neomycin was confirmed by a resistance test. In contrast to the ZBY-3 strain, the EtOAc extracts of 22 of the 30 mutants inhibited the human cancer K562 cells, indicating that these mutants acquired a capability to produce antitumor metabolites. HPLC-photodiode array detector (PDAD)-UV and HPLC-electron spray ionization (ESI)-MS analyses of the EtOAc extracts of seven bioactive mutants and the ZBY-3 strain indicated that diverse secondary metabolites have been newly produced in the mutant extracts in contrast to the ZBY-3 extract. The followed isolation and characterization demonstrated that six metabolites, cyclo(D-Pro-D-Phe) (1), cyclo(D-Tyr-D-Pro) (2), phenethyl 5-oxo-L-prolinate (3), cyclo(L-Ile-L-Pro) (4), cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) (5) and 3β,5α,9α-trihydroxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (6), were newly produced by the mutant u2n2h3-3 compared to the parent ZBY-3 strain. Compound 3 was a new compound; 2 was isolated from a natural source for the first time, and all of these compounds were also not yet found in the metabolites of other A. versicolor strains. Compounds 1-6 inhibited the K562 cells, with inhibition rates of 54.6% (1), 72.9% (2), 23.5% (3), 29.6% (4), 30.9% (5) and 51.1% (6) at 100 μg/mL, and inhibited also other human cancer HL-60, BGC-823 and HeLa cells, to some extent. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of the ultrasound-mediated approach to activate silent metabolite production in fungi by introducing acquired resistance to aminoglycosides and its potential for discovering new compounds from silent fungal metabolic pathways. This approach could be applied to elicit the metabolic potentials of other fungal isolates to discover new compounds from cryptic secondary metabolites.

Nine new C9 polyketides, named aspiketolactonol (1), aspilactonols A-F (2-7), aspyronol (9) and epiaspinonediol (11), were isolated together with five known polyketides, (S)-2-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (8), dihydroaspyrone (10), aspinotriol A (12), aspinotriol B (13) and chaetoquadrin F (14), from the secondary metabolites of an Aspergillus sp. 16-02-1 that was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample. Structures of the new compounds, including their absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially the 2D NMR, circular dichroism (CD), Mo2-induced CD and Mosher's 1H NMR analyses. Compound 8 was isolated from natural sources for the first time, and the possible biosynthetic pathways for 1-14 were also proposed and discussed. Compounds 1-14 inhibited human cancer cell lines, K562, HL-60, HeLa and BGC-823, to varying extents.

Two new benzyl derivatives, aspergentisyl A (1) and aspergentisyl B (2), as well as one new naphthoquinone derivative, aspergiodiquinone (3), together with seven known prenylated benzaldehyde derivatives (4-10) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus glaucus HB1-19. The structures of these compounds were characterized based on 1D and 2D NMR spectra analyses and comparison with those reported in the literature. In addition, each isolate was tested for its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging property and all these compounds except compound 3 exhibited strong radical-scavenging activity.

Fascioliasis is a common parasitic disease in livestock in China. However, human fascioliasis is rarely reported in the country. Here we describe an outbreak of human fascioliasis in Yunnan province. We reviewed the complete clinical records of 29 patients and performed an epidemiological investigation on the general human population and animals in the outbreak locality. Our findings support an outbreak due to Fasciola gigantica with a peak in late November, 2011. The most common symptoms were remittent fever, epigastric tenderness, and hepatalgia. Eosinophilia and tunnel-like lesions in ultrasound imaging in the liver were also commonly seen. Significant improvement of patients' condition was achieved by administration of triclabendazole®. Fasciola spp. were discovered in local cattle (28.6%) and goats (26.0%). Molecular evidence showed a coexistence of F. gigantica and F. hepatica. However, all eggs seen in humans were confirmed to be F. gigantica. Herb (Houttuynia cordata) was most likely the source of infections. Our findings indicate that human fascioliasis is a neglected disease in China. The distribution of triclabendazole®, the only efficacious drug against human fascioliasis, should be promoted.

Objective: To investigate the infection status of Enterobius vermicularis among children in 9 Provinces/Autonomous regions/Municipalities (P/A/M) of China, and analyze its risk factors., Method: From April to December 2011, one provincial capital (prefecture-level city) and one county (city, district) were chosen as investigation spots from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui and Guizhou, respectively. Children aged 2 to 12 were examined by using adhesive cellophane anal swab with round-bottom tube. Information of children's family condition, health behavior and school environment were collected by questionnairing., Results: 14 964 children were examined, and 14 582 qualified questionnaires were collected. The total prevalence was 17.8% (2 659/14 964). Of the 9 P/A/M, the prevalence was highest in Hainan Province (51.1%, 869/1 701) and lowest in Anhui Province (0.8%, 13/1 589). The prevalence in urban areas (7.3%, 552/7 581) was lower than that of rural areas (28.5%, 2 107/7 383) (chi2 = 1156.73, P < 0.01). The highest prevalence in urban and rural areas was found in Haikou City(38.0%, 322/847) and Wanning City (64.1%, 547/854) of Hainan Province. The prevalence rate in males and females was 17.4% (1 410/8 128) and 18.3% (1249/6 834), respectively (chi2 = 2.192, P > 0.05). The highest prevalence in males (61.2%, 300/490) and females (67.9%, 247/364) was found in children of Wanning City. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residence, education level of parents, occupation of parents, nail biting, types of classroom ground and type of boarding were the risk factors on E. vermicularis infection., Conclusion: The prevalence of enterobiasis in children is still high in many areas of China, and the prevention and control measures should be taken according to the risk factors.

Background: Clonorchiasis caused by ingesting improperly prepared fish ranks among the most important but still neglected food-borne parasitic diseases, especially in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China). To promote the implementation of interventions efficiently, the demonstration of an epidemiological profile of Clonorchis sinensis infection is essential in hyper-epidemic areas., Methods: In one community with higher levels of economic development in Guangdong province, P.R. China, villagers were motivated to provide stool samples for examining helminth eggs. Then, those infected with C. sinensis completed the structured questionnaire including demographical characteristics, knowledge and behavior., Results: A total of 293 villagers infected with C. sinensis participated in questionnaire investigation. Among them, 94.54% were adult and 93.17% were indigenous. The geometric mean of C. sinensis eggs per gram of feces in the children, adult females and adult males was 58, 291 and 443, respectively. The divergence between knowledge and behavior in the adults, especially the adult males, was shown. Out of 228 persons eating raw fish, 160 did it more frequently at restaurants, the proportion of which varied in different populations, showing 25.00%, 54.88% and 80.28% in the children, adult females and adult males, respectively., Conclusions: Different interventions need to be adopted in different populations. Chemotherapy should be prioritized in the adults, especially the adult males. In addition, health education targeting the children, is essential and may play a crucial role in controlling clonorchiasis in the long term. In order to successfully control clonorchiasis, intervention in the restaurant should not be overlooked in some endemic areas.

Background: Clonorchiasis is among the most neglected tropical diseases. It is caused by ingesting raw or undercooked fish or shrimp containing the larval of Clonorchis sinensis and mainly endemic in Southeast Asia including China, Korea and Vietnam. The global estimations for population at risk and infected are 601 million and 35 million, respectively. However, it is still not listed among the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and no disability weight is available for it. Disability weight reflects the average degree of loss of life value due to certain chronic disease condition and ranges between 0 (complete health) and 1 (death). It is crucial parameter for calculating the morbidity part of any disease burden in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)., Methodology/principal Findings: According to the probability and disability weight of single sequelae caused by C. sinensis infection, the overall disability weight could be captured through Monte Carlo simulation. The probability of single sequelae was gained from one community investigation, while the corresponding disability weight was searched from the literatures in evidence-based approach. The overall disability weights of the male and female were 0.101 and 0.050, respectively. The overall disability weights of the age group of 5-14, 15-29, 30-44, 45-59 and 60+ were 0.022, 0.052, 0.072, 0.094 and 0.118, respectively. There was some evidence showing that the disability weight and geometric mean of eggs per gram of feces (GMEPG) fitted a logarithmic equation., Conclusion/significance: The overall disability weights of C. sinensis infection are differential in different sex and age groups. The disability weight captured here may be referred for estimating the disease burden of C. sinensis infection.

A novel actinomycete strain, GW25-5(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, West Antarctica. The strain was characterized by white to grey aerial mycelia, which were differentiated to straight to flexuous spore chains, with rod-shaped smooth spores. The cell wall of strain GW25-5(T) contained LL-diaminopimelic acid (A(2)pm) and traces of meso-A(2)pm. Whole-cell sugars were galactose and minor amounts of mannose and glucose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(6)) (49%), MK-9(H(8)) (24%) and MK-9(H(4)) (12%). The phospholipids contained DPG, PE, PI, PIM and PL(s). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16:0) and anteiso-C(15:0). Genomic DNA G+C content of strain GW25-5(T) was 70.0 mol%. BLAST result showed that strain GW25-5 has the 16S rRNA gene sequence highest similarity of 97.5% with members of genus Streptomyces and phylogenetic analysis indicated that this strain belongs to the genus Streptomyces. DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain GW25-5(T) with the closest species of Streptomyces purpureus LMG 19368(T) and Streptomyces beijiangensis YIM 6(T) were significantly lower than 70% of the threshold value for the delineation of genomic species. A polyphasic taxonomic investigation based on a judicious combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics revealed that the organism represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces. Thus, we propose strain GW25-5(T) as the type strain of this novel species, Streptomyces fildesensis (=CGMCC 4.5735(T) = YIM 93602(T) = DSM 41987(T) = NRRL B 24828(T)).

Fifteen citrinin derivatives (1-4, 6-16), including two unprecedented citrinin trimers tricitrinols A (3) and B (4), were isolated from Penicillium citrinum HGY1-5. The six-membered ring A system is essential for the cytotoxicity of active dimers (1, 2, and 5) and trimers (3 and 4). Tricitrinol B (4) showed extensive cytotoxicity in 17 tumor cells with comparable low-micromolar IC(50) values (1-10 μM) and potential antimultidrug resistance capabilities. Tricitrinol B (4) induced cell apoptosis in HL60 and HCT116 cells via mainly extrinsic pathways and G2/M arrest. Further antitumor mechanism study and computational docking analysis indicated that tricitrinol B (4) works as an intercalating topoisomerase IIα (topo IIα) poison, which inhibits the enzyme activity of topo IIα by interfering predominantly with the topo IIα-mediated poststrand-passage cleavage/religation equilibrium over with the prestrand-passage one and induced DNA damage. Tricitrinol B (4) represents a novel class of topo IIα-inhibitory skeletons for developing new chemotherapeutic agents., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

Three new cytochalasins Z(21) -Z(23) (1-3, resp.), together with five analogs, 4-8, were isolated from Spicaria elegans KLA03 by the OSMAC (one strain-many compounds) approach with adding L- and D-tryptophan during its cultivation. The structures of new cytochalasins were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS analyses. Cytochalasins Z(21) and Z(22) (1 and 2, resp.), and compound 5 showed cytotoxic activities against A-549 cell lines with IC(50) values of 8.2, 20.0, and 3.1 μM, respectively., (Copyright © 2011 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

Two new sorbicillinoids, 1 and 2, together with a novel benzofuranone derivative named phialofurone (3), were isolated from a deep-sea sediment-derived fungus, Phialocephala sp. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data. All compounds displayed cytotoxic effects against P388 (IC(50) values of 11.5±1.4, 0.1±0.1, and 0.2±0.01 μM, resp.) and K562 (IC(50) values of 22.9±0.8, 4.8±0.3 and 22.4±0.9 μM, resp.) cell lines., (Copyright © 2011 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

Three new dioxopiperazine metabolites (1-3), together with two known compounds, N-acetyltyramine (4) and cyclo-(Ala-Val) (5), were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus Fres. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. Their cytotoxic activities against the K562 cell line were preliminarily evaluated by the sulphorhodamine B (SRB) method.

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of reverse island flap based on tibial plantar digital artery for soft tissue defect at the distal end of first toe., Methods: 18 cases with soft tissue defect at the distal end of first toe were treated with reverse island flap based on tibial plantar digital artery., Results: The patients were followed up for 6 to approximately 12 months (mean 9.5 months). All the flaps survived completely with good functional and cosmetic results., Conclusions: The reversed island flap based on tibial plantar digital artery has a reliable blood supply and is adjacent to the recipient area. It is practical and suitable for soft tissue defect at the distal end of first toe.

A new gliotoxin analogue (1), as well as four known compounds gliotoxin (2), bisdethiobis (methylthio) gliotoxin (3), bis-N-norgliovictin (4) and didehydrobisdethiobis (methylthio) gliotoxin (5), were isolated from a culture of marine-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus Fres. The structure of 1 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All five compounds were evaluated for the cytotoxic effects on tsFT210 cell line by the SRB method.

An endophytic Streptomyces sp. (AC-2) was isolated from the root of Cistanches deserticola Y.C.Ma.. Chemical investigations of the culture broth of AC-2 afforded fifteen compounds including K1115 A (1), tyrosol (2), phenylethylamine derivatives (3, 4), cyclic dipeptides (5-8), nucleosides and their aglycones (9-13), N-acetyltryptamine (14), and pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (15). Only tyrosol can promote an increase of intracellular cAMP special on GPR12 transfected cells, such as CHO and HEK293, which means it may be a possible ligand for GPR12.

The thermoelectric properties of (GeTe)(x)(AgSbTe(2))(100-x) compounds (x = 75, 80, 85 and 90; TAGS-x) have been studied as a function of temperature from 300 to 720 K. At 720 K the dimensionless figure of merit ZT reaches the state-of-the-art value of 1.53 for TAGS-75 and 1.50 for TAGS-80 and TAGS-85 samples, respectively. But the ZT value of the TAGS-90 sample is only 0.50 at 720 K due to the high carrier concentration. Utilizing high-resolution transmission electron microscope and selected area electron diffraction techniques, we identify a considerable number of nanoscale domains with typical size ∼10 nm in the samples that show high ZT values. It is suggested that the presence of nanoscale domains, like the situation in PbTe-AgSbTe(2) compounds, should make a slight contribution to the low lattice thermal conductivity of TAGS compounds due to the enhanced mid-frequency phonon scattering.

Three new diketopiperazine alkaloids, 6-methoxyspirotryprostatin B (1), 18-oxotryprostatin A (2), and 14-hydroxyterezine D (3), with an oxaspiro[4.4]lactam moiety, 14-norpseurotin A (4), and the 29-nordammarane triterpenoid 6beta,16beta-diacetoxy-25-hydroxy-3,7-dioxy-29-nordammara-1,17(20)-dien-21-oic acid (5), as well as 12 known compounds (6- 17), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of a marine-derived fungal strain, Aspergillus sydowi PFW1-13. The structures of compounds 1- 5 were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1- 3 exhibit weak cytotoxicity against A-549 cells, with IC 50 values of 8.29, 1.28, and 7.31 microM, respectively. Compound 1 also shows slight cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells, with an IC 50 value of 9.71 microM. Compounds 4 and 5 display significant antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus lysoleikticus with MICs of 3.74, 14.97, and 7.49 microM and 10.65, 5.33, and 10.65 microM, respectively.

In order to search for structurally novel and bioactive natural compounds from microorganisms, a halotolerant fungal strain, Penicillium citrinum B-57, which mainly produces citrinin derivatives, was isolated from sediments collected from the Jilantai salt field. From the ethyl acetate extract of P. citrinum B-57, two new citrinin dimers, pennicitrinone C ( 1) and penicitrinol B ( 2), and 11 known related compounds were isolated and identified by spectroscopic and chemical methods. These compounds showed antioxidative activity against DPPH radicals with IC 50 values ranging from 0.8 to 59 microM.

Six new tetramic acids derivatives, penicillenols A(1), A(2), B(1), B(2), C(1), and C(2) (1-6), together with citrinin, phenol A acid, phenol A, and dihydrocitrinin, were identified from Penicillium sp. GQ-7, an endophytic fungus associated with Aegiceras corniculatum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectral analysis. All the new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on four cell lines by the MTT method. Penicillenols A(1) and B(1) showed cytotoxicities against HL-60 cell line with IC(50) values of 0.76 microM and 3.20 microM, respectively.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of coal dust workers without pneumoconiosis in mainland China. Three hundred five coal dust workers and 200 non-dust workers without pneumoconiosis from five coal mines in Shanxi province were enrolled in this study. The Chinese World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used. Socio-demographic, working, and health factors were also collected. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to identify significant factors related to the four domain scores of WHOQOL-BREF. All functional domains of the Chinese WHOQOL-BREF were significantly worse in coal dust workers compared to non-dust workers except for psychological health. For the physical domain of QOL, educational level, working hours, and work danger were the significant factors. In the psychological domain, types of job, welfare satisfaction, work danger, hobbies, smoking, one-child family, and marital status were the predictive factors. Working hours, welfare satisfaction, educational level, and birthplace were the predictive factors for the social domain of QOL. Finally, the predictors for the environmental domain of QOL were types of job, working hours, welfare satisfaction, work danger, self-reported social status, smoking, and drinking. Coal dust workers without pneumoconiosis had worse QOL than non-dust workers but their subjective feelings were positive. There were four distinct models for the various domains of QOL. Corresponding health policies could be developed to improve their QOL.

During our search for novel antitumor lead compounds from microorganisms living under extreme conditions, three novel alkaloids, variecolortides A-C (1-3), were isolated from the mycelia of the halotolerant fungal strain Aspergillus variecolor B-17. The new compounds were found to share an unprecedented 'spiro-anthronopyranoid diketopiperazine' structure, with a stable hemiaminal function, as corroborated by in-depth NMR-spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses, as well as by a single-crystal X-ray analysis of 1. All compounds were shown to exhibit weak cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.

Twelve new compounds, variecolorins A-L ( 1- 12), together with eleven known analogues ( 13- 23) were isolated from the broth of a halotolerant fungus, Aspergillus variecolor. The structures of compounds 1- 12 were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1- 11, 13- 15, and 20- 23 exhibited weak radical scavenging activity against DPPH, with IC 50 values from 43 to 103 microM. The new compounds 1- 12 all were essentially nontoxic against the P388, HL-60, BEL-7402, and A-549 cell lines with IC 50 values from 70 to 260 microM.

Two new compounds, 2, 3, 5-trimethyl-6-(3-oxobutan-2-yl)-4H-pyran-4-one (1) and (2R)-2, 3- dihydro-7-hydroxy-6, 8-dimethyl-2-[(E)-prop-1-enyl] chromen-4-one (2), together with six known compounds (3-8), were isolated from a deep-sea fungus, identified as Aspergillus sydowi, by a bioassay-guided method. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and the cytotoxicities were evaluated by SRB method.

Objective: To explore etiology and pathogenesis of viral myocarditis (VMC) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)., Methods: The expression of Coxsackie B virus and adenovirus receptors (CAR) were detected with modified immunohistochemical (IHC) technique in myocardium of left ventricle, right ventricle, interventricular septum, and septal papillary muscle from 28 patients with viral myocarditis, 31 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 17 control patients (including normal, hypertension heart disease, myocardial infarction and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease)., Results: The brown staining on the cell membrane of myocardium represents positive result. 100% (28 of 28) of VMC patients (IHC surface integral: 4.3975 +/- 0.0365) and 84% (26 of 31) of DCM patients (4.2064 +/- 0.052 6) had prevalent CAR expression compared to 0% (0 of 19) control patients (0.073 1 +/- 0.0362). There were statistically significant differences between VMC/DCM and control patients (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The prevalence of CAR expression was significantly higher in VMC and DCM patients (100% and 84% vs. 0% in control). In contrast, there was no difference found between VMC and DCM patients. These results suggest that both VMC and DCM involve viral etiology and could share a similar pathogenesis.

Two isocoumarin derivatives, stoloniferol A (1) and B (2), a known 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-23-methyl-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (3), and a known dihydrocitrinone (4) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the sea squirt-derived fungus, Penicillium stoloniferum QY2-10, and a halophilic fungus, Penicillium notatum B-52, respectively. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and optical rotation. The stereochemistry of 2 was determined on the basis of different NOE experiments and chemical transformation. Compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against P388 cells, with an IC50 value of 4.07 microM.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract from the fermentation broth of marine-derived Streptomyces albogriseolus A2002 led to the isolation of echinosporin (1) and 7-deoxyechinosporin (2). Compound 1 inhibited the proliferation of tsFT210, K562 and HCT-15 cancer cells (IC(50) 91.5 microM, 25.1 microM and 247 microM respectively) and 2 showed the same effect on K562 cells (IC(50) 143 microM). Flow cytometric analysis suggested that 1 and 2 exert their anti-proliferative effects on those cells through inhibiting cell cycle at the G(2)/M phase and inducing apoptosis.

Objective: To explore the effect of somatostatin on serum interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock., Methods: 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: intervention group (injected with LPS of Escherichia coli via femoral vein to induce septic shock) and control group (injected with LPS of Escherichia coli and then injected with somatostatin). The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, respiration rater, and mortality rate were observed before the injection of LPS, and 30, 90, and 360 min after the injection, and the serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha level were detected before the injection of LPS, 30, 90, and 360 min after the injection, or after the death., Results: The IL-6 levels 30 min, 90 min, and 360 min after the injection of the somatostatin intervention group were 233 +/- 47, 212 +/- 33, and 217 +/- 26 mg/L respectively, all significantly lower then those of the control group (308 +/- 56, 260 +/- 32, and 230 +/- 92 mg/L, all P < 0.05). The TNF-alpha level 30 min, 90 min, and 360 min after the injection of the somatostatin intervention group were 450 +/- 82, 417 +/- 92, and 440 +/- 49 mg/L, all significantly lower than those of the control group (607 +/- 149, 517 +/- 74, and 474 +/- 219 mg/L, all P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the MAP of the somatostatin intervention group increased after 90 min. Two rats in the control group died 30 to 90 min later and 4 rats died 90 to 360 min later, however, 360 min later all rats in the somatostatin intervention group were alive (P = 0.0054)., Conclusion: Somatostatin can inhibit the level of serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha in septic shock induced by LPS and improve the survival rate.

Four known butenolides were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of the culture broth of the marine-derived bacterium, Streptoverticillium luteoverticillatum, by bioassay-guided fractionation. The structures were identified on the basis of spectral data. The absolute configuration of compound (1) was determined by CD spectrum for the first time. Compounds 1-4 showed in vitro cytotoxicity against the murine lymphoma P388 and human leukemia K562 cell lines. This is the first report on the isolation of butenolides from the marine bacterium, Streptoverticillium luteoverticillatum, and their cytotoxic activities.

To observe the retention of filling material for dental wedge-shaped defects after occlusal adjustment, patients in the experimental group was given suitable occlusal adjustment before filling with glass ionomer cements or light-curing composite resin according to the patient's requirements. Evaluation was carried out by statistical analysis after one year. The results showed significant difference in the retention between the experimental group and the control group (P<0.01) after one year. It's concluded that suitable occlusal adjustment of the teeth with wedge-shaped defect is beneficial to the retention of filling material.

Objective: To study the effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and UVB on cell proliferation and melanin synthesis of normal human melanocytes., Methods: Melanocytes of foreskins of healthy men were cultured and treated with various concentration of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) or UVB (55 mJ/cm(2)),or both. Cell proliferation was measured with MTT assay .The synthesis of melanin was determined by chromatography., Results: 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and UVB could promote the proliferation of cultured melanocyte,and 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) could promote the melanin synthesis. The significant concentration of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-10) mol/L., Conclusion: 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and UVB irradiation could promote the proliferation of melanocyte,which indicates that they might be effective in the treatment of vitiligo.

Aim: To study effects of sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS) on the antagonism of tetramethylenedisulphotetramine (TETS) to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor., Methods: Acute toxicity experiments were conducted to observe the effects of DMPS and TETS on mice. Contents of free amino acids in mouse brain were determined with automatic analyzer for amino acids. Autoradiography was used to observe the [3H]GABA bindings in the rat brain slices under different conditions., Results: After icv and ip DMPS, the number of mice experiencing convulsions reduced from 20 in control group to 4 and 2 respectively in TETS poisoned mice. The content of GABA was altered in DMPS control group and TETS control group compared with DMPS protection group and NS control group [micromol/g: (2.09 +/- 0.05) and (2.67 +/- 0.15) vs (2.40 +/- 0.10 (micromol/g)) and (2.41 +/- 0.21)]; the content of glutamic acid was (12.3 +/- 1.2), (12.0 +/- 0.8), (10.2 +/- 0.6), and (11.8 +/- 1.0) micromol/g in NS control group, DMPS control group, TETS control group, and DMPS protection group, respectively. The OD value of autoradiograms decreased in TETS group compared with buffer control group in cortex, hippocampus, diencephalon, and brainstem [(0.084 +/- 0.008), (0.081 +/- 0.009), (0.094 +/- 0.006) and (0.081 +/- 0.006), vs (0.102 +/- 0.003), (0.109 +/- 0.005), (0.128 +/- 0.007), and (0.125 +/- 0.008), respectively]. OD value was maintained or higher than the normal level in DMPS+TETS group in the four brain areas [(0.116 +/- 0.008), (0.125 +/- 0.011), (0.129 +/- 0.005), and (0.128 +/- 0.010) vs (0.102 +/- 0.003), (0.109 +/- 0.005), (0.128 +/- 0.007), and (0.125 +/- 0.008), respectively]., Conclusion: The inhibitory effects of DMPS on the antagonism of TETS to GABA receptor are due to the increase in the GABA binding to its receptors in brain caused by DMPS

An artificial complex of amino acids (C I) was made by mixing 18 synthetic amino acids, according to the kinds and contents the amino acid contained in the natural Cordyceps sinensis Sacc., It showed the same sedative action as the natural C. sinensis, as indicated by the spontaneous activity inhibition in mice (photocell method). However, the action of commercial complex amino acid injection (12 X, total amino acid components are similar to C I) was more attenuated than that of C I. Comparing amino acid components of 12 X with C I, the latter was found to contain 5 times as much glutamic acid, tryptophan and tyrosine as those of 12 X. Another artificial amino acid complex (C II) consisting of the above mentioned 3 amino acids, also showed the same sedative action. This suggests that tryptophan is the principal component by orthogonal test. However, C II did not enhance the phagocytic action of mononucleophagocyte as the natural C. Sinensis did in the clear rate test of carbon granule from mice serum.

In mouse step-down test, the memory impairments of acquisition, consolidation and recognition were induced by anisodine, chloramphenical and ethanol, respectively. Piracetam 100 mg/(kg.d) ip for 5 d improved the anisodine-induced impairment of learning. ZnSO4 5 mg/(kg.d) po for 5 d did not improve the 3 impairments. Memory impairments were enhanced by a combined administration of ZnSO4 and piracetam in these 3 models. These results were confirmed by Y-maze method in normal mice.

In step-down tests, icv GABA 0.1 micrograms (3 min before training) or ip amino-oxyacetic acid 20 mg/kg (1.5 h before training) both significantly impaired memory acquisition in mice. But semicarbazide (ip 110 mg/kg 3.5 h before training), an inhibitor of GABA synthesis, improved the anisodine-induced impairments of learning. The effects of GABA was also enhanced by aminooxyacetic acid. The results suggest that the increase of cerebral GABA contents is unfavourable to learning and memory.