Objective: To study the influences of steam distillation (SD) on the isomerization of the essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel. Methods: SD、GC、GC-MS. Results: The duration of the extraction of essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. by SD was about 14 h, and the yield of (Z)-ligustilide was about 67.1 percent of total (Z)-ligustilide. During the SD, it produced some new components in the essential oils, for example 4-hydroxy-3-methylacetophenone, 2,4,5-benzaldehyde,2,4,5-trimethyl-et al. Conclusion: The results suggested that the extraction of essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. by SD had some disadvantages.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized of chronic inflammation in airway, pulmonary parenchyma and pulmonary vessels. The mechanism of the increment and activity changes of these inflammatory cells is unclear at present.OBJECTIVE: To study the apoptotic character of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) and its relationship with COPD to provide a reference for early intervention and function surveillance for COPD patients.DESIGN: An observatory comparative study based on COPD patients and healthy population as controls.SETTING: Department of pulmonary medicine in a military medical university of Chinese PLA affiliated hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 98 COPD patients were admitted by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between February 2003 and December 2003 due to COPD acute attack. Eighteen patients including 12 males and 6 females aged between 48 and 70 years old [mean of(56 ± 7) years old]were randomly selected into COPD group according to random number table.Totally 14 healthy adults including 10 males and 4 females aged between 50 and 70 years old [mean of (59 ± 8) years old] who were individuals came for physical check up in our hospital were selected in control group.METHODS: PMNs were separated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation. The dynamic changes of PMNs apoptosis in peripheral blood was observed by flow cytometer and TUNEL method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of PMNs apoptotic rate in peripheral blood among groupsRESULTS: As indicated by flow cytometric analysis, PMNs apoptotic rate at early apoptotic phase in COPD patients at paracmasis was(8.5 ± 1.3)%,which was significantly lower than(12.5 ± 1.8)% of normal control group( t=6.25, P ＜ 0. 01); PMNs apoptotic rate was(5.1 ±0.6)% at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly lower than that of paracmasis group ( t =5.66, P ＜001). As indicated by TUNEL analysis, PMNs apoptotic rate at paracmasis was(12.42 ±2.7)% , which was significantly lower than (21.5±4.8)% of normal control group(t=5.76, P ＜ 0.01); PMNs apoptotic rate was(4. 9 ±0.4)% at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly lower than that of paracmasis group( t = 6. 12, P ＜ 0. 01 ) . PMNs changes at the late phase of apoptosis/necrosis had a contrary tendency, i. e.,PMNs rate at late apoptotic phase/necrosis was(2. 8 ± 0.5)% in COPD patients at paracmasis, which was significantly higher than(1. 3 ±0.4)% of normal control group ( t= 6. 37, P ＜ 0. 01 ); PMNs rate was (3.7 ± 0. 3) % at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly higher than that of paracmasis group(t=5.81, P ＜0.01).CONCLUSION: PMNs abnormal apoptosis might be an important reason that induces PMNs aggregation in airway and lung tissues in COPD. This process might have an important significance in the generation and development of chronic airway inflammation, which provides an etiologic basis for the primary rehabilitative intervention of COPD.

Objective To obtain the expression pattern of multidrug resistance-associated gene in human small cell lung cancer(SCLC)MDR cell line SH77/CDDP and provide basis for further studying the mechanism of human SCLC MDR induced by cisplatin.Methods Total RNA was isolated from SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP and its parental cells,and synthesized into double-stranded cDNA,then synthesized into biotin-labeled cRNA probe by in vitro transcription.The cRNA probes were separately hybridized with Affymetrix GeneChip and human U133 set chips(U133A and U133B,containing 39 000 transcripts,including 33 000 known human genes and 6 000 unknown cDNA expression sequence tags,ESTs),and the signals were scanned by the GeneArray Scanner.The results were analyzed by bioinformatics.Results Compared with the gene expression profile of parental SH77 cells,2 389(6.13%)genes were up-regulated in SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP cells,of which 461(1.19%),89(0.23%),26(0.07%)and 7(0.02%)genes were separately up-regulated one-fold,two-folds,three-folds and four-folds.36 genes,including ABCC3,HSP70,CYP26B1,CYP4A11,IGF1R,LOX2,CAP2,LRP2BP,AKNA,ELTD1 and otherwise,were up-regulated 2.5-5.1 folds.According to Gene Ontology and Tree View analysis,these 35 genes were involved in transport,cell adhesion,signal transduction,transcription and ion binding and so on.Conclusion Many multidrug resistance-associated genes induced by cisplatin have been screened by high-throughput gene chip method.Validating their cellular functions will help to identify the mechanism of human SCLC MDR induced by cisplatin.

Objective To observe the chronic hepatotoxicity of the commonly used herbicide mixture in the mice. Methods Low doses herbicide mixture diluted in mice drinking water. The parameters related to hepatic function and ultrastructural changes of the hepatocytes were examined after 18 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment. Results No changes was observed in every parameter after 18 weeks of treatment compared with the control group. After 24-week of treatment, the electron microscope revealed the ultrastructural changes in the hepatocytes, rough endoplasmic reticulum showed dilatation, mitochondria showed matrix muddy with distortion and disappearance of inner crista and the serum transaminase were higher than those in the control group(P

In this study,we have observed the effects of extract from mussel ( Mytilus edulis Linnaeus ) on experimental hyperlipidemia in rats.The results showed that the extract from mussel could reduce the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in blood serum of the experimental hyperlipidemic rats.

Objective To establish a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) multidrug resistance (MDR) cell line SH77/CDDP and analyze its biological properties. Methods The SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP was established by increasing gradually the dose of cisplatin, the first line chemotherapeutic drug for lung cancer. The chemosensitivities of SH77/CDDP and its parental cell line to 7 chemotherapeutic drugs were tested. Changes in cellular morphology and ultrastructure were observed. The cell growth curve and cell cycle were also determined. Results SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP having different drug resistance to the 7 chemotherapeutic drugs was established successfully. Compared with that of its parental cell, the size of MDR cell was a bit bigger. The ratio of nucleus to cell plasma decreased and mitochondria, Golgi bodies, rough endoplasmic reticulums and free ribosomes increased. The finger like apophysis was obvious. The rate of cell proliferation of SH77/CDDP was similar to that of SH77, but the number of cells in S phase increased( P

Aim To investigate the effect of Aminophyllin e(AM) on expression of Interleukin-5 receptor ?(IL-5R?), IL-3R?, granulocy te- macrophage-colony-stimulating factor receptor ?(GM-CSFR?) and common ? receptor(?cR) in eosinophils(Eos) of BALF in asthmatic guinea pigs, and mech anism of AM promoting Eos apoptosis. Methods 18 guinea pigs wer e divided into three groups randomly, normal control group, asthma group and AM -treated group. Asthma model of guinea pigs was sensitized by ovalbumin. Hypode nse Eos(HEos) and normodense Eos(NEos) were purified from BALF by gradients of p ercoll. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. mRNA expression of IL-5R?, IL-3R?, GM-CSFR? and ?cR in Eos were measured by RT-PCR and hybridization.Re sults Apoptosis of HEos and NEos in asthma group(4?2,3?2) were low er than that in normal group(8?2,7?2)(P

Objective　To explore the effects of hypoxia on the syntheses and secretion of adrenomedullin (AM), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and the relationship between these peptides. Methods　Rat models were established with hypoxia for 10, 20 and 30 d respectively and rats under normal altitude were served as control. Pulmonary artery pressure and the maximum increasing speed of right ventricle (RVdp/dtmax) were measured in every group. The dynamic changes of AM, CGRP and CNP concentrations in plasma were studied with radioimmunoassay. Results　During hypoxia, pulmonary artery pressure and RVdp/dtmax were enhanced. Plasma AM and CNP concentrations were increased while CGRP was decreased significantly. The plasma level of AM had positive correlation with that of CNP, but negatively correlated with that of CGRP. Conclusion　Results indicate that hypoxia may cause pulmonary artery pressure change and right ventricle has compensatory reaction to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Dynamic changes of plasma AM, CGRP and CNP concentrations can be regarded as indexes for condition of illness.

Objective To study the expressions of caudal type homeodomain transcription factors CDX1 and CDX2 in different subtype of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric eareinoma,and investigate their roles in the development and progression of IM and gastric carcinogenesis, and determine the relationship between IM and gastric carcinoma. Methods Forty eases of chronic superficial gastritis, 40 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 46 eases of CAG with IM, 40 cases of gastric carcinoma, and 32 eases of IM foci in para-eancerous tissues were selected respectively to construct tissue microarrays. Immunohistechemistry and in situ hybridization were used to assess the expressions of CDX2 protein and CDX1, CDX2 mRNA in different gastric lesions respectively. Results The proportion of type Ⅲ IM in IM foci in para-caucerous tissues was significantly higher than that in CAG (56.25% vs 21.74% ,P< 0.01). There was no expression of CDX1, CDX2 mRNA and CDX2 protein in chronic superficial gastritis and CAG without IM. The expression of CDX2 protein and CDX2 mRNA in CAG with IM, para-cancerous tissues and gastric carcinoma was 69.57%, 53.12%,42.50% (CDX2 protein) and 63.04%,46.88%,35.00% (CDX2 mRNA), respectively. The exprossions of CDX1 mRNA in above throe gastric lesions were 67.39%, 50.00%, 40.00%, respectively. The expressions of CDX2 protein and CDX2, CDX1 mRNA in gastric carcinoma were significantly lower than those in CAG with IM (P< 0.01). But there was no significant difference between gastric carcinoma and IM foci in para-cancerous tissues (P> 0.05). Furthermoro,the expressions of CDX2 protein were significantly associated with histological type of gastric carcinoma, which in intestinal-type was significantly higher than those in diffuse-type(54.55% vs 27.78%, P< 0.05). The expression of CDX2 protein in type Ⅲ IM was also significantly lower than that in type Ⅰ IM(46.43% vs 79.31%,P< 0.05). Conclusions CDX1 and CDX2 may play important roles in the development and progression of IM and gastric carcinoma, and may be new gastric carcinoma associated genes. Type Ⅲ IM is a precancerous lesion of the intestinal-type gastric carcinoma.

A new and effective method to produce transgenic animals was established. Without a surgical incision, the recombinant plasmid containing green fluorescence protein (GFP) cDNA was repeatedly injected into male mouse testis at multi-sites. After few weeks of the final injection, the injected male was mated with normal oestrus female to produce transgenic mice. The presence of the GFP cDNA in F1 transgenic individuals were detected by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot hybridization, which showed that the transgenic rate of mouse F1 offspring was 41%. The transferred gene was integrated into the host genome and could be transmitted to its offspring. When the positive F1 individuals were mated with the wild type ICR mice, the F2 individuals had a transgenic rate of 37%. The results indicate that the high efficiency of gene transfer and the limited number of manipulations make the method suitable for creating a large number of transgenic animals, especially, for producing domestic animals.