Objective To investigate the requirement of water in Hemsleya zhejiangensis during the culture process. Methods The chlorophyll content, the gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameter in H. zhejiangensis were measured after treatment with drought stress for different time. Results With decreasing of relative soil water content, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in H. zhejiangensis was increased before the 15 d and than was decreased. The stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (E) were decreased under drought stress for 5 d, while the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was increased. The efficiency of energy conversion of open PSⅡ (Fv′/Fm′) maintained rather stable, while its electron transport rate (ETR), actual PSⅡ efficiency (?PSⅡ), photochemical quenching (qP), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were increased after the 10 d of drought stress, and then was decreased, which was consistent with the change in Pn. Conclusion The growth of H. zhejiangensis is promoted under slight drought stress condition, which is probably associated with the dissipation of excess light energy.

Objective To investigate the levels and clinical significance of the ratio of apolipoprotein B(apoB)and apolipoprotein A1(apoA1)in the patients with cerebral infarction,and to determine the critical value of apoB/apoA1 inthe patients with ischemic cerebral infarction.Methods 126 inpatients with cerebal infraction diagnosed by MRI enhancement scanning of the head in our hos-pital.From November 1,2012 to May 15,2013 were selected.Among them,51 cases were common carotid artery intima-media thickening(carotid artery intima-media >0.9 mm)and 75 cases were carotid artery intima-media non-thickening by the color ultra-sonic examination;81 cases had atherosclerosis plaque and 45 cases had no atherosclerosis plaque.57 individuals with healthy physi-cal examination were selected as the control group.The fasting serum samples were collected from all the research subjects.The in-dexes of TG,CHOL,HDL-C,LDL-C,apoB,apoA,etc.were detected.Then the independent t-test was adopted to analyze and com-pare the ratio of apoB/apoA1 and others related indictors(including TG,AIP,apoB,apoA1,etc.)in the various groups.The ROC curves were made,the area under the curve was read and the specificity and sensitivity of apoB/apoA1 for diagnosing ischemic cere-bral infarction were calculated.Results (1)AIP and the ratio of apoB/apoA1 in the ischemic cerebral infarction patients were high-er than those in the control group,the rise rate of apoB/apoA1 ratio in the ischemic cerebral infarction patients was 5.43 times of that in the control group,especially the patients with carotid atherosclerosis or carotid artery intima-media thickenning were more significant,while TG and apoB had no obvious changes.(2)the ratio of apoB/apoA1 had no obvious difference between the carotid artery intima-media thickening group and the carotid artery intima-media non-thickening group,while which in the atherosclerotic plaques group was significantly increased compared with no carotid atherosclerosis group and 1.6 times of that in the normal control group.So it could be considered that the apoB/apoA1 ratio was a specific indicator for atherosclerosis.(3)In the diagnosis of ische-mic cerebral infarction,the area under the apoB/apoA1ROC curve was 0.86.its specificity and sensitivity were higher than other in-dexes.Conclusion The apoB/apoA1 ratio is the most specific and sensitive index in the patients with ischemic cerebral infarction and has good correlation with ischemic cerebral infarction,especially in the presence of carotid atherosclerosis plaque it is more sen-sitive,and is a good index of laboratory diagnosis of ischemic cerebral infarction.

Objective To study whether solasodine hydrochloride (SBHL) could enhance the effect of arsenic trioxide in inducing apoptosis and affecting telomerase activity in cervical cancer HeLa cells. Methods Using cell culture methods, cervical cancer HeLa cells were cultured in vitro. The optimal concentration of SBHL was determined by MTT method from 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, to 320 μmol/L. HeLa cells were grown in improved RPMI1640 supplemented respectively with arsenic trioxide(5 μmol/L As2O3), As2O3(5 μmol/L)+ SBHL( 40 μmol/L) and none (control group). The growth morphology of HeLa cells was observed under phase contrast microscopy after culture for 24, 48, and 72 h. Apoptosis of HeLa cells was determined under transmission electronic microscopy. The method of MTT was used to study the cell survival percentage. The technique of flow cytometry was used to measure cell cycle and cell apoptosis percentage. The method of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA) was used to determine telomerase activity of HeLa cells. Results Under phase contrast microscopy, in control group HeLa cells were round, densely packed; in As2O3 group the numbers of the cells were less, cell spacing increased; in As2O3 + SBHL group the cells shrinked significantly, nuclear fragmented as a petal-like, gap became larger. Under transmission electronic microscopy, there were rich microvillus on the cell surface in control group, cell intervals clear, immature connections, and the intervals did not close. The structure of the mitochondria in the cytoplasm was integrated. Most of the chromatin in the nucleus were, euchromatin and characteristics of apoptosis with heterochromatin increased and the chromatin condensed into masses, on the boundary of nuclear membrane. The microvillud on the cell surface were ruptured and decreased in As2O3 + SBHL group. The chromatin condensed into masses. The formation of apoptotic bodies was observed. The difference was statistically significant between groups in cell survival percentage at 24, 48, 72h(x2 = 10.39 , 13.88 , 17.21,respectively, all P < 0.05). Cell survival percentage in SBHL + As2O3 group (52.80%) was significantly less than that of As2O3 group(77.51%, x2 = 9.29, P < 0.05) at 72 h. In cell cycles, the difference was statistically significant between groups in C1 phase and S phase(F = 7.46,22.14, all P < 0.05), respectively. Compared with , control group[ (41.57 ± 1.56)%, (50.45 ± 2.37)%], cell percentages in S phase in As2O3 + SBHL group[(20.06 ± 4.98)%] and As2O3 group[(27.10 ± 5.32)%] were decreased(P< 0.05 or < 0.01), while cell percentage in C1 phase was increased[(58.70 ± 5.18)%, (69.67 ± 4.17)%, P< 0.05 or < 0.01]. The difference was statistically significant between groups in apoptotic percentage of HeLa cells (F = 4.01, P < 0.05). Compared with control group[ (1.18 ± 1.40)%], apoptosis percentage was significantly increased in As2O3 + SBHL group and As2O3 group [(21.08± 1.22)%, (6.04±2.53)%, P< 0.05 or < 0.01], respectively, and As2O3 + SBHL group was higher than As2O3 group(P < 0.01). The difference was statistically significant between groups in telomerase activity (F = 21.28, P< 0.05). Telomerase activity was inhibited in As2O3 group(1.214 ± 0.621) and As2O3A + SBHL group(0.865 ± 0.284) compared to control group (2.107 ± 0.057, all P < 0.05), and telomerase activity in As2O3 + SBHL group was lower than that of As2O3 group (P < 0.05). Conclusions SBHL enhances the effect of As2O3 in inducing apoptosis in HeLa cells, which is related to its inhibiting telomerase activity in HeLa cells.

AIM: To observe the clinical efficiency of intravitreal conbercept on diabetic macular edema(DME).METHODS: This was a single arm, open-babel prospective study.Twenty eyes from 20 patients (12 males and 8 females) with DME diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled.Before the injection, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS), non-contact tonometer, ophthalmoscope, fundus photography, fundus fluoresein angiograph (FFA), and OCT were examined.All affected eyes were treated with intravitreal conbercept 0.05mL (10mg/mL).Patients were followed up for 6 to 11mo, with a mean duration of 8.55±1.96mo.Post-treatment BCVA, CMT, leakage of macular edema and complications were compared with baseline using repeat analysis.RESULTS: The initial average visual acuity (ETDRS letters) were 43.35±17.45, range from 9 to 70.The initial average central macular thickness (CMT) was 576.30±167.92μm, range from 337 to 987μm.The mean BCVA showed significant improvement during 1, 3, 6mo post-treatment and the latest follow up, with a mean increase of 11.2±5.9, 13.8±7.9, 15.7±6.8 and 14.7±8.6, respectively (P<0.01).The changes of BCVA between before and at 1mo after treatment were different compared with the changes between before and at 6mo (P<0.01).During the latest follow up, the mean BCVA was obviously improved in 10 eyes (50%), improved in 7 eyes (35%), stable in 3 eyes (15%).Likewise, the mean CMT significantly decreased during the follow-up period with a mean CMT reduction of 183.8±159.5, 292.9±169.0, 271.4±167.2 and 286.4±166.9μm respectively (P<0.001).The CMT at 1mo were different with that 3, 6mo and final follow-up (P<0.01).During the latest follow up, macula lutea leakage disappeared in 6 eyes (30%), decreased in 12 eyes (60%) and increased in 2 eyes (10%).No adverse events such as secondary retinal detachment or endophthalmitis were found during the follow-up.CONCLUSION: Intravitreal conbercept significantly improve visual acuity and macular edema exudation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Rhaponticum uniflorum extract (RUE) on angiogenesis and apoptosis of H22 transplanted tumor tissue in mice. METHODS: Mice bearing H22 hepatoma cells were randomly assigned into 5 groups: model, high, medium and low dose RUE, and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) group. The intervention was lasted for 10 d. The pathological changes were detected with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining, the apoptosis of hepatoma cells were determined by DNA laddering method, the microvessel densities (MVD) were detected using immunohistochemical assay, and the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were detected by Western blot method. RESULTS: RUE treatment reduced the cell proliferation, aggravated the necrosis of transplanted tumor tissue, reduced DNA fragmentation of H22 hepatoma cells, decreased MVD of tumor tissue, and down-regulated the protein expression of VEGF, VEGFR2 and HIF-1α of the transplanted tumor tissue, as compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: RUE could exhibit anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effects against H22 hepatoma cells in mice, and its anti-angiogenic mechanism is probably related to down-regulation of VEGF, VEGFR2 and HIF-1α proteins.

Bupleurum chinense used in the study were cultivated in the experimental fields of Gansu agricultural University for three years. The seeds of B. chinense were collected every 3 days 10 d after the blossom. The result showed that the 1 000-grain fresh weight reached the maximum 43 d after the blossom and then decreased rapidly, at the mature period the fresh weight of seeds were falling to the same level of the dry weight. The dynamic change of the grain dry matter accumulation showed as an S-shape curve, the rapid increase stage was 25-34 d following the flower, and the grain filling was ended 46 d after blossom. Grain filling rate was under the law "fast-slow-fast-slow". And there were two peaks of grain filling rate appeared, after reached the second peak 28 d after the flower the filling rate decreased rapidly and stayed steadily 43 d after flowering. The dehydration rate was also measured at its maximum 43 d following flower. The indexes of seeds all reached the top 52 days following the blossom, when the germination rate reached the peak (34.33%) and water content of seeds was near 10%. The rate of germination and the 1 000-graid weight of seed showed significant positive correlation, while the water content of seeds was found significant negatively correlation with germination percentage. So the best time for harvest should be 52 d after flowering (9 month), the seeds collected at that time showed both high quality and germination rate.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Flowers ; growth & development ; Germination ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Water ; analysis

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on the expression of phosphor-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Seventy-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),I/R group and hydrogen-rich saline group (group I/RH).Cerebral ischemia was induced in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats by 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion in I/R and I/RH groups.The artery was only exposed but not occluded in group S.At 3 days before operation and immediately after onset of reperfusion,hydrogen-rich saline (0.6 mmol/L) 10 ml/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group I/RH,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in S and I/R groups.Neurological deficits were blindly assessed and scored at the end of 24 h reperfusion.The animals were then sacrificed,and brains were removed for microscopic examination and for determination of the cerebral infarct size (by TTC),brain water content,cell apoptosis (by TUNEL),and expression of p38MAPk and phosphor-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) (by immunohistochemistry and Western blot).Apoptosis index was calculated.Results Compared with group S,neurological deficit score,apoptosis index,brain water content and cerebral infarct size were significantly increased,and the expression of p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK was up-regulated in I/R and I/RH groups.Compared with group I/R,neurological deficit score,apoptosis index,brain water content and cerebral infarct size were significantly decreased,and the expression of p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK was down-regulated in group I/RH.The pathological changes of cerebral tissues were significantly attenuated in group I/RH as compared with group I/R.Conclusion Hydrogen-rich saline can reduce cell apoptosis through inhibiting p-p38MAPK expression,thus attenuating cerebral I/R injury in rats.

This study was aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Self Rate Health Assessment Questionnaire (TCM-SRHAQ). A total of 859 middle age and aged cases were enrolled in a cross-sectional study, which were evaluated by the questionnaire. The salivary level of ɑ-amylase was tested at the same time. The results showed that the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.91, which can highly differentiate the health level of the crowd. The spearman correlation coefficients between items in the “spleen deficiency” sub-scale were all higher than 0.3. While the correlation coefficients between items were less than 0.25. Salivary level of ɑ-amylase was used as indicator. The “spleen deficiency” sub-scale showed high validity in identifying spleen-qi deficiency people from healthy people. It was concluded that TCM-SRHAQ showed good reliability and validity in this study, which indicated it can be used as a valuable measurement for assessing different types of health status, especially the spleen-qi deficiency type.

Objective To explore the effect of RNA interference on the bionomics of Cathepsin L of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Methods In this study, the experimental group was the Cathepsin L RNA interference group. Control groups were the normal blank hepatoma carcinoma cell group (the blank group) and the Cathepsin LRNA interference blank group (the fluorescence control group). Observing times were ld,3d and 6d after RNA interference. Transfection efficiency in each group was observed. Expression of Cathepsin L of hepatoma cells was detected by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and WB. Cell vigor was detected by MTT assay. Changes in the cell cycle and apoptosis were observed by flow cytometry. Transwell cabin was used to detect the changes of cell invasive power.Results In the experimental group, Cathepsin L mRNA level and protein level significantly decreased, the proliferation index significantly decreased and apoptosis index significantly increased. The invasive power also decreased. Conclusion RNAi interference can inhibit Cathepsin L expression, cell proliferation and cell invasive power efficiently.