Beta-carboline alkaloids from a Korean tunicate Eudistoma sp

Seven new beta-carboline-based metabolites, designated as eudistomins Y1-Y7 ( 1- 7), were isolated from a tunicate of the genus Eudistoma collected near Tong-Yeong City, South Sea, Korea. These new metabolites differ from previously isolated marine metabolites due to the presence of a benzoyl group attached to the beta-carboline nucleus at C-1. Eudistomins Y 1-Y 7 were evaluated for their antibacterial activity, and eudistomin Y6 exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis and Bacillus subtilis without cytotoxicity in the MTT assay at 100 microM.     

Anti-atherogenic effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb in rats fed an atherogenic diet

The present study was designed to investigate whether the aqueous extract of rhubarb (AR) could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through regulating vascular inflammatory processes in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR significantly reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR inhibited vascular expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) induced in rats with an atherogenic diet. On the other hand, AR augmented the vascular expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and restored vascular nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, AR suppressed the elevated expression of vascular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 as well as adhesion molecules, including intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. Also, AR decreased endothelial expression of ICAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. These results suggest that AR suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in the atherogenic-diet rat model through inhibiting vascular expressions of proinflammatory and adhesion molecules via the regulation of nitric oxide and endothelin system.     

Effects of TGFbeta1 and extracts from Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe on acute and chronic arthritis in rats

AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the pharmacological activities of deer antler acupuncture and TGF61538;1 on the acute and chronic phases of rheumatoid arthritis diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polyarthritis rats were administered with TGF61538;1 and water extract of deer antler acupunture (DAA), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe. TGF61538; (0.1 to 2 61549;g/animal) and DAA (5-100 61549;g/kg animal) were initiated 1 day before an arthritogenic dose of streptococcal cell wall fragments to see the effects on the joint swelling and distortion during the acute phase and the chronic phase of the disease. Arthritic index suppression of rat arthritis model was examined by TGF61538; and DAA administrations. RESULTS: TGF61538;1 and DAA diminished the polyarthritis development in rats. TGF61538; and DAA eliminated the joint swelling and distortion observed during the acute phase and the chronic phase of the disease. The TGF61538; and DAA suppressed the arthritis progress when administration was begun after acute phase of arthritis. DISCUSSION: Consistent with the inhibition of inflammatory cell recruitment into the synovium, TGF61538;1 and DAA reversed the leukocytosis associated with the chronic phase of the arthritis, respectively.     

Down syndrome biochemical markers and screening for preeclampsia at first and second trimester: correlation with the week of onset and the severity

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the combined screening performance of first and early second trimester prenatal serum markers for Down syndrome, in screening for the development of preeclampsia, and analyze the correlation among marker levels, week of onset, and severity of the disease. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on 32 women with preeclampsia and 3044 controls. Serum samples from these pregnancies were assayed for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and inhibin-A. A likelihood ratio and the odds of being affected given a positive result (OAPR) of various combinations of markers were calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the pregnancies that subsequently developed preeclampsia, first trimester PAPP-A concentration was significantly lower and concentrations of early second trimester inhibin-A and hCG significantly elevated. Levels of early second trimester uE3 and AFP were not significantly altered. We also found that inhibin-A correlates with both onset of the disease and the severity. CONCLUSION: Down syndrome biochemical markers levels are altered in those patients who subsequently developed preeclampsia and may be a useful screening test for preeclampsia. Inhibin-A is the most predictive marker and correlates with the severity of subsequent preeclampsia and inversely with the week of occurrence of preeclampsia.     

细胞周期调控基因p21和p27单核苷酸多态性与卵巢上皮性癌的关系

目的 探讨细胞周期调控基因p21和p27的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与卵巢上皮性癌(卵巢癌)发病风险的关系.方法 采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法检测234例卵巢癌患者(卵巢癌组)和284例健康妇女(对照组)p21基因C/T和p27基因V/G SNP位点基因型和等位基因的频率分布.结果 (1)对照组妇女p21基因的C/C、C/T和T/T基因型频率分别为34.2%、49.6%和16.2%,C和T等位基因频率分别为59.0%和41.0%;卵巢癌组患者3种基因型频率分别为28.2%、53.0%和18.8%,C和T等位基因频率分别为54.7%和45.3%.两组基因型频率和等位基因频率分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).3种基因型频率在4种病理类型的卵巢癌中的分布有明显差异(P=0.02),C/C基因型降低子宫内膜样癌的发病风险(OR为0.56,95%CI为0.32～0.98).(2)对照组妇女p27基因V/V、V/G和G/G基因型频率分别为88.4%、10.9%租0.7%,V和G等位基因频率分别为93.8%和6.2%;卵巢癌组患者的基因型频率分别为93.6%、5.1%和1.3%,V和G等位基因频率分别为96.2%和3.8%.两组基因型频率分布比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.04),等位基因频率分布比较,差异则无统计学意义(P=0.09).与V/G和G/G基因型比较,V/V基因型增加卵巢癌的发病风险(OR为1.92,95%CI为1.02～3.63).结论 p21基因C/T多态性的C/C基因型可能降低子宫内膜样癌的发病风险,p27基因的V/V基因型可能是卵巢癌发病的潜在危险因素.     

Simultaneous cesarean section and radical nephrectomy for angiomyolipoma with spontaneous bleeding during pregnancy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Renal angiomyolipoma with spontaneous bleeding during pregnancy is an extremely rare condition and may jeopardize both the mother and fetus. The ethics of reproductive medicine, method of diagnosis, option for management and optimal time for surgical intervention can be arguable in this situation. CASE: A 31-year-old woman presented with dull right flank pain at 12 weeks' gestation. Abdominal sonography and renal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hypervascular and fat-containing mass with mother and fetus bleeding at the right kidney. Due to stable hemodynamic status, the patient was treated conservatively and underwent elective, simultaneous cesarean section and radical nephrectomy safely at 38 weeks' gestation. Angiomyolipoma of the right kidney was diagnosed on pathologic examination. CONCLUSION: Renal angiomyolipoma with spontaneous bleeding during pregnancy is a dangerous condition that may cause mortality in the mother and fetus, but elective, simultaneous cesarean section and radical nephrectomy can be performed safely if the hemodynamic status is stable.