Search

A new β-carboline alkaloid (1) and two new matrine-type alkaloids (2 and 3), together with two known alkaloids (4 and 5), were isolated from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis. The new structures were elucidated via extensive analyses of the spectroscopic data (IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR) and X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by electronic circular dichroism data. Herein, is the first report of β-carboline alkaloid in the plant of genus Sophora. In addition, the cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cells of compounds 1–5 were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Among them, compounds 1, 4 and 5 showed a weak cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 87.4 ± 7.1, 91.8 ± 3.5 and 48.9 ± 5.2 μM, respectively.

Although co-infection of tuberculosis (TB) and intestinal parasites, including protozoa and helminths, in humans has been widely studied globally, very little of this phenomenon is known in China. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural county of China to investigate such co-infections. Patients with pulmonary TB (PTB) undergoing anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (anti-MTB) treatment were surveyed by questionnaires, and their feces and blood specimens were collected for detection of intestinal protozoa and helminths, routine blood examination and HIV detection. The χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors. A total of 369 patients with PTB were included and all of them were HIV negative. Overall, only 7.3% of participants were infected with intestinal protozoa, among which prevalence of Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba spp. and Trichomonas hominis were 6.0%, 1.1% and 0.3%, respectively; 7.0% were infected with intestinal helminths, among which prevalence of hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Clonorchis sinensis were 4.3%, 1.9%, 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively; and 0.5% were simultaneously infected with intestinal protozoa and helminths. Among patients with PTB, body mass index (BMI)≤18 (OR=3.30, 95% CI=1.44-7.54) and raised poultry or livestock (e.g., chicken, duck, pig) (OR=3.96, 95% CI=1.32-11.89) were significantly associated with harboring intestinal protozoan infection, while BMI≤18 (OR=3.32, 95% CI=1.39-7.91), anemia (OR=3.40, 95% CI=1.44-8.02) and laboring barefoot in farmlands (OR=4.54, 95% CI=1.88-10.92) were significantly associated with having intestinal helminth infection. Additionally, there was no significant relationship between duration of anti-MTB treatment and infection rates of intestinal parasites including protozoa and helminths. Therefore, preventing malnutrition, avoiding unprotected contact with reservoirs of protozoa, and improving health education for good hygiene habits, particularly wearing shoes while outdoors, are beneficial in the prevention of intestinal protozoan and helminth infection among patients with PTB.

Epidemiologic studies of co-infection with tuberculosis (TB) and intestinal parasites in humans have not been extensively investigated in China. A cross-section study was conducted in a rural county of Henan Province, China. Pulmonary TB (PTB) case-patients receiving treatment for infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and healthy controls matched for geographic area, age, and sex were surveyed by using questionnaires. Fecal and blood specimens were collected for detection of intestinal parasites, routine blood examination, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding factors. A total of 369 persons with PTB and 366 healthy controls were included; all participants were negative for human immunodeficiency virus. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in persons with PTB was 14.9%, including intestinal protozoa (7.9%) and helminthes (7.6%). The infection spectrum of intestinal parasites was Entamoeba spp. (1.4%), Blastocystis hominis (6.2%), Trichomonas hominis (0.3%), Clonorchis sinensis (0.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.5%), Trichuris trichiura (2.2%), and hookworm (4.6%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites showed no significant difference between persons with PTB and healthy controls after adjusting for potential confounding factors. There was no factor that affected infection rates for intestinal parasites between the two groups. Infection with intestinal parasites of persons with PTB was associated with female sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–4.17), body mass index ≤ 19 (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.47–6.20), and anemia (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.17–5.03). Infection of healthy controls was only associated with an annual labor time in farmlands > 2 months (AOR = 4.50, 95% CI = 2.03–10.00). In addition, there was no significant trend between rates of infection with intestinal parasites and duration of receiving treatment for infection with M. tuberculosis in persons with PTB. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was not higher in persons with PTB, and there was no evidence that PTB increased susceptibility to intestinal parasites in this study. However, for patients with PTB, women and patients with comorbidities were more likely to be infected with intestinal parasites.

To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in a population-based sample of Chinese men.From October 2010 to July 2011, 1896 men, aged between 20 and 50 years, residing in Shijingshan district of Beijing, China, were selected to participate in the Male Reproductive Health Program (a random cross-sectional survey). The Chinese version of the NIH-CPSI questionnaire was used to identify men with prostatitis-like symptoms. The presence of MetS was determined according to the 2005 National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans.Complete data were available for 1673 men. The major domains of NIH-CPSI scores were significantly different among different body mass index (BMI) groups (P.05). No significant differences were identified in the incidence of prostatitis-like symptoms or each NIH-CPSI scores between patients with MetS and those without MetS. When the age and BMI were adjusted, there was no significant correlation between the components of MetS and each NIH-CPSI scores.There was no significant correlation between MetS or components of MetS and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Age and BMI were identified as a risk factor for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Further studies are necessary to confirm our results.

Most thyroid lymphomas are B-lineage, and T-cell lymphomas are rare. None of primary thyroid extranasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) has been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of extranasal NKTCL exclusively arising in the thyroid in an 18-year-old Chinese. The patient presented with rapid anterior swelling at the neck and aggravated dyspnea for 2 months. Neck computer tomography scan revealed diffuse thyroid enlargement in the left lobe compressing the trachea. The thyroid function test was indicative of hypothyroidism. Gastroscopy demonstrated chronic nonspecific gastritis. Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. Histological examination showed a diffuse infiltration of neoplastic lymphoid cells with an angiodestructive behavior. Immunophenotype is positive for CD2, CD56, CD43, and TIA-1, and typically negative for surface CD3. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs were detected in tumor cells. A diagnose of primary thyroid extranasal NKTCL-N lymphoma was confirmed by the findings. The patient was treated with CHOP-L combination chemotherapy followed by local radiotherapy, and tolerated the modality well. The patient has been in remission for 28 months so far. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of primary extranasal NKTCL exclusively arising in the thyroid. The case has a relatively good treatment outcome with timely diagnosis and multimodality approach.

To evaluate the capability of malaria parasite detection among professionals from Class III malaria endemic counties of Henan Province in 2012. METHEDS: The capacity assessment of professionals from the Centres for Disease Control and the medical institutions was done in September to December 2012. The content of the assessment included malaria knowledge (including malaria etiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology and so on, 100 scores as full marks and 60 as passing score), making blood slides of Plasmodium (4 slides in 1 hour, including Giemsa staining, 40 scores as full marks and 24 as passing score) and identification of species with microscopy (6 slides, 8 min per slide 60 scores as full marks and 36 as passing score). All the participanats were grouped by gender, age, professional title, level and type of institution. Their scores were statistically analyzed by SSPS 17.0 software.The average total score in 891 participants was 162.1, the highest was 200 (full markers), and the lowest was 96, and 871 (97.8%) participants passed the test (or = 120 scores). There were no significant differences for the scores of blood slide making among gender, age, professional title and level of institution (P0.05). No significant differences in the scores of malaria knowledge and blood slide reading among gender female participants (162.97 +/- 17.64) was higher than that of males (159.01 +/- 20.33) (P0.05). The film-reading and total scores of 50-plus age group (34.62 +/- 14.82, 144.62 +/- 20.33) was significantly lower than the other three groups (under age 30 group: 45.75 +/- 13.58 and 162.50 +/- 18.90, age 31-40 group: 46.53 +/- 12.72 and 163.51 +/- 17.77, age 41-50 group: 46.22 +/- 13.38 and 159.80 +/- 17.32) (P0.05). The scores of malaria knowledge in 50-plus age group (84.38 +/- 9.41) was lower than that of under age 30 group (89.91 +/- 7.81), age 31-40 group (89.96 +/- 7.74) (P0.05). The scores of malaria knowledge (88.33 +/- 8.23, 90.00 +/- 7.76, 92.37 +/- 7.29), film-reading (44.88 +/- 13.62, 46.59 +/- 12.88, 49.57 +/- 11.98) and total scores (159.61 +/- 18.37, 163.81 +/- 18.03, 169.15 +/- 16.38) of primary, intermediate and senior groups was proportional to the level of the titles, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P0.05). The theory (88.28 +/- 8.30, 90.84 +/- 7.32, 93.54 +/- 6.10), film-reading (44.54 +/- 13.14, 47.69 +/- 13.40, 52.62 +/- 11.04) and total scores (159.48 +/- 18.33, 165.92 +/- 17.31, 171.97 +/- 15.53) of the three institution level groups (township, county and province) were proportional to their level, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P0.05). There was no significant differences for the scores between the CDCs and hospitals (P0.05).The capabilities of malaria parasite detection in Class III malaria endemic counties of Henan Province is balanced. It needs to strengthen the skills training for the professionals of the junior, intermediate and primary care units.

To examine the relationships among lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED) and mental health in Chinese men aged from 22 to 50.The subjects were 907 men aged between 22 and 50 years. The symptoms of mental distress were evaluated by the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale questionnaires and Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale questionnaires. The symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), LUTS and ED were assessed by the US National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score.In the study, 894 subjects had their complete data. Their mean NIH-CPSI score was higher for the men with depression and anxiety than for those without (6.2±6.2 vs. 5.0±5.8, P=0.015; 8.7±8.1 vs. 4.7± 5.3, P0.001), with the mean IPSS score (5.9±6.6 vs. 4.7±5.8, P=0.029; 8.4±8.0 vs. 4.4±5.5, P0.001). The mean IIEF-5 score was lower for the men with depression and anxiety than for those without (18.3±4.4 vs. 20.2±3.5; 17.2±4.1 vs. 20.1±3.6, both P0.001). The proportion of total ED was higher for the men with depression and anxiety than for those without (69.7% vs. 57.8%, P=0.002; 81.1% vs. 57.0%, P0.001).Our study reveals associations among depression, anxiety, and CPPS, LUTS and ED in Chinese men aged 50 years and younger.

To know and find some evidence for the improvement of the urologic and reproductive health of men between 30 and 60 years old.Using stratified random sampling, we conducted a questionnaire investigation on the urologic and reproductive health status of 1 006 men aged from 30 to 60 years old in the Shijingshan District of Beijing, including the unemployed, taxi drivers and office workers.Of the 1006 males investigated, BMIor = 24 kg/m2 was found in 72.7%, hypertension in 40.0%, abnormal IPSS in 85.5%, abnormal NIH-CPSI in 75.6%, abnormal IIEF-5 in 66.3%, aging male symptoms (AMS) in 10.7%, anxiety in 17.1%, depression in 25.1%, fasting blood-glucose6.1 mmol/L in 34.9%, total cholesterol5.07 mmol/L in 44.3% and triglyceride1.71 mmol/L in 46.6%; the level of total testosterone was (17.9 +/- 7.2) nmol/L,12 nmol/L in 21.3% and8 nmol/L in 3.4%, and the level of free testosterone was (6.5 +/- 15.1) pmol/L.The urologic and reproductive health status of 30 to 60 years old males in Beijing deserves serious attention from medical workers.

The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) in contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is controversial. Some studies pointed out that it was effective in the prevention of CI-AKI, while some concluded that it was one risk for CI-AKI, especially for patients with pre-existing renal impairment. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of benazepril administration on the development of CI-AKI in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency undergoing coronary intervention.One hundred and fourteen patients with mild to moderate impairment of renal function were enrolled before coronary angioplasty, who were randomly assigned to benazepril group (n = 52) and control group (n = 62). In the benazepril group, the patients received benazepril tablets 10 mg per day at least for 3 days before procedure. CI-AKI was defined as an increase of ≥ 25% in creatinine over the baseline value or increase of 0.5 mg/L within 72 hours of angioplasty.Patients were well matched with no significant differences at baseline in all measured parameters between two groups. The incidence of CI-AKI was lower by 64% in the benazepril group compared with control group but without statistical significance (3.45% vs. 9.68%, P = 0.506). Compared with benazepril group, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level significantly decreased from (70.64 ± 16.38) ml · min⁻¹·1.73 m⁻² to (67.30 ± 11.99) ml · min⁻¹·1.73 m⁻² in control group (P = 0.038). There was no significant difference for the post-procedure decreased eGFR from baseline (ΔeGFR) between two groups (benazepril group (0.67 ± 12.67) ml · min⁻¹·1.73 m⁻² vs. control group (-3.33 ± 12.39) ml · min⁻¹·1.73 m⁻², P = 0.092). In diabetic subgroup analysis, ΔeGFR in benazepril group was slightly lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant.Benazepril has a protective effect on mild to moderate impairment of renal function during coronary angioplasty. It is safe to use benazepril for treatment of patients with mild to moderate impairment of renal function before coronary intervention.

To study the correlation between prostate volume and body mass index, blood pressure, blood lipid and glucose in 30-50 year-old males.Prostate volume (PV), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure(BP), blood glucose (BG), blood cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured in 1 002 30-50 year-old males. The correlation of PV with BMI, BP, BG, CHOL, TG, LDL, and HDL were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 statistical software.The subjects' average age was (43.66 ± 0.17) years, and their mean prostate volume (14.28±0.02) mL. The statistical analyses regarding the age (P=0.000, r=0.62), BMI (P=0.013,r=0.57), BG (P=0.032, r=0.52), CHOL (P=0.040,r=0.51), LDL (P=0.032, r=-0.50), HDL (P=0.017,r=-0.48) were significantly associated with PV. Adjusted for age factors, PV still had a strong correlation with BMI and LDL, P values were 0.029, 0.001, r values were 0.53, -0.49.In the 30-50 year-old males, BMI and dyslipidemia could be risk factors in the way of the enlargement of prostate volume. Weight control and therapy of blood lipid abnormalities may delay the increase of prostate volume.

To investigate the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men agedor = 50 years and to achieve the correlation between LUTS (obstructive symptoms and stimulant symptoms) and ED.We investigated 245 men agedor = 50 years and with regular sex mates using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), designed diagnostic interrogation and medical examination, and statistically analyzed the results of IPSS, IIEF-5, LUTS and their correlation with erectile function.The incidence of ED was 81.9% (140/171) among the men with LUTS, 73.1% (38/52), 82.1% (46/56) and 88.9% (56/63) respectively in the 50-59, 60-69 andor = 70 age groups, with significant differences in IPSS, IIEF-5 (P0.01) and the severity of ED (P0.01) among different age groups. ED incidence was found significantly correlated with the severity of LUTS (r = 0.52, P0.01), 71.3% (57/80), 89.6% (60/67) and 95.8% (23/24) respectively in the groups of mild, moderate and severe LUTS. The mean scores on obstructive and stimulant symptoms were (3.1 +/- 3.6) and (6.8 +/- 4.9), and their correlation coefficients with IIEF-5 were r = -0.41 (P0.01) and r = -0.59 (P0.01), respectively.The incidence of ED is high in men with LUTS and positively correlated with the severity of LUTS. Stimulant symptoms have greater influence than obstructive symptoms on the sexual life of old and middle-aged males.

To observe the ultrastructural change ot intestinal mucosa in mice infected with Blastocystis hominis, and to study the pathogenic mechanism of B. hominis infection.20 Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A treated with immunosuppressant (dexamethasone), group B without immunosuppressant, group C as normal control and group D as immunosuppressant control. Groups A and B were then orally infected with 20(4) cysts of B. hominis. Groups C and D were treated as control by infusing same volume of Locke's solution. Six days after inoculation, mice in each group were killed and mucosa of ileocecum was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).Under SEM, B. hominis located in enteric cavity and on the surface of ileocecum mucosa. Individual parasites also invaded into mucosa and its fold. Partial destruction of microvilli on the mucosa was observed. TEM observation indicated a reduction of microvilli on the surface of absorptive cells. Mitochondrial edema, rough endoplasmic reticulum dilatation and degranulation were found on absorptive cells and goblet cells. Lymphocyte infiltration and eosinophilia were found in intercellular stroma. Pathological changes in group A were more serious than that of group B. No abnormal change on the mucosal ultrastructure was found in groups C and D.B. hominis infection causes significant ultrastructural lesion on the ileocecal mucosa in mice. Immune status of the mice can affect the degree of the lesion due to infection.

To investigate the number and mature rate of eggs in gravid proglottids of Taenia solium.Ten worms of Taenia solium, expelled from patients, were detected. Eggs were collected from the last 10 gravid proglottids of each worm.The egg number in each mature proglottids varied from 3,900 to 126,520, and the mean number was 28,332. The mature rate of eggs was from 7.00% to 36.00% with an average of 29.12%, which was lower than that in proglottids naturally excreted with feces. With suitable temperature and humidity, the proglottids developed continually after excreted out of host body. Two to three days later, the mature rate of their eggs increased to 85%-90%.