Chemotherapeutics for : Molecular Biotargets, Binding Modes, and Structure-Activity Relationship Investigations.

Toxoplasmosis, an infectious zoonotic disease caused by the apicomplexan parasite (), is a major worldwide health problem. However, there are currently no effective options (chemotherapeutic drugs or prophylactic vaccines) for treating chronic latent toxoplasmosis infection. Accordingly, seeking more effective and safer chemotherapeutics for combating this disease remains a long-term and challenging objective.

Modes of Antiviral Action of Chemical Portions and Constituents from Woad Root Extract against Influenza Virus A FM1.

Woad root has been used for the prevention of influenza for hundreds of years in many Asian countries. In this study, the antiviral modes of clemastanin B (CB), epigoitrin, phenylpropanoid portion (PEP), and the mixture of phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and organic acid portions (PEP + ALK + OA) from wood root extract against influenza virus A FM1 were investigated. The results revealed that CB, epigoitrin, PEP, and PEP + ALK + OA exert their anti-influenza activity via inhibiting the virus multiplication, prophylaxis, and blocking the virus attachment.

[-2548G/A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of leptin gene and antipsychotic agent-induced weight gain in schizophrenic patients: a study of nuclear family-based association].

Objective: To investigate whether there is association between the-2548G/A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of leptin gene and weight gain following antipsychotic agents (APS) acute treatment in schizophrenic patients.

Methods: Eight-four Chinese Han untreated schizophrenia patients in 70 nuclear families were recruited. The polymorphism of leptin gene was determined with PCR-RFLP technique.

Serum free Fatty acids and glucose metabolism, insulin resistance in schizophrenia with chronic antipsychotics.

Background: Weight gain and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are often linked to antipsychotics treatment. The aim of the study is to investigate serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels in schizophrenic patients who received long-term antipsychotics treatment, and to explore the associations between serum FFA and fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance.

Methods: 308 inpatients with schizophrenia who met with the criteria of DSM-IV were recruited into this study, and were divided into four groups: control subjects, single obesity, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 DM according to different body mass index, fasting blood glucose level and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose.

[No association of -1438G/A polymorphism in promoter region of 5-HT2A receptor gene with antipsychotic agent-induced weight gain].

Objective: To investigate whether the -1438G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of 5-HTR2A gene associates with the weight gain following antipsychotic agents (APS) acute treatment in schizophrenic patients.

Methods: Eighty-four Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia at the first onset were recruited from among 70 nuclear families. The polymorphism of 5-HTR2A gene was determined with PCR-RFLP technique.

[Association of -2548G/A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of leptin gene with antipsychotic agent-induced weight gain].

Objective: To investigate whether the -2548G/A functional polymorphism in promoter region of leptin gene influencing weight gain following antipsychotic agents (APS) acute treatment in schizophrenic patients.

Methods: 128 Chinese Han untreated patients with schizophrenia (male 61, female 67) with an age and gender matched health controls (n = 38) were recruited. The polymorphism of leptin gene was determined with PCR-RFLP technique.