OBJECTIVEVirtual screening was performed to analyze Chemoinformatics of chemical components of Tiaopi Huxin Recipe (TPHXR) to provide guidance for its further research.

METHODSDistribution of some descriptors were described and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to map these multiple descriptor values into a 2D plane. Molecular docking was conducted to determine the interaction between chemical components of TPHXR and key target enzymes of cardiovascular system.

RESULTSThe chemical components of TPHXR showed good diversity and had drug-like properties. Screening out the anticipate ligands after conformational sampling by program Ligandfit was meaningful to the further research.

CONCLUSIONVirtual screening is a potent tool for exploring the myth of Chinese medicine.

Drug Design ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Principal Component Analysis

This study examined the expression of cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) in pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism. The expression of CADM1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in tissues of pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and normal pancreas. The plasmid pcDNA3.1-Hygro(+)/CADM1 was transfected into PANC-1 cells (a pancreatic cancer cell line). The expression of CADM1 in the transfected cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell growth was measured by the MTT method and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The results showed that CADM1 was weakly expressed in tissues of pancreatic cancer in contrast to its high expression in normal pancreatic and pancreatitis tissues. The expression level of CADM in pancreatic caner was intensely correlated with the differentiation degree, lymph node metastasis and TNM stages. The growth of CADM1-transfected PANC-1 cells was significantly suppressed in vitro by a G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis occurrence. It was concluded that re-expression of CADM1 inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and induces their apoptosis in vitro. As a tumor suppressor gene, CADM1 plays an important role in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

Objective To retrospectivel y analyze the abdominal CT findings and pathological results of the chronic schist osomiasis so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the disease. M ethods The plain abdominal CT scanning was performed in 103 cases an d enhanced CT scanning in 81 cases. The pathological specimen which was consist ent with the section of CT scan was obtained in each cases. Results On CT scanning, liver cirrhosis was seen in 84 cases, various calci fication in liver in 71 cases, liver cancer in 12 cases, enlargement of sple en in 78 cases, calcification in spleen in 13 cases, wall-thickening in colon i n 27 cases, calcification in colon in 31 cases, and colon cancer in 9 cases. Pa thological examination revealed various fibrosis and formation of pseudolobule. The eggs and calcification could be seen in pseudolobule and septa, colonic sub mucosa, and regional lymph nodes. Fibrous hyperplasia in colonic wall and hyper plasia in mucous membrane were obvious. Fibrous hyperplasia and calcification w ere seen in spleen, but the eggs were not found. Conclusion The liver and colon are the major organs affected by chronic schistosomias is in abdomen, and the CT findings are obvious too. The pathological features o f spleen are accompanied with liver cirrhosis. CT is the important imaging meth od in diagnosing chronic schistosomiasis and pathological changes.

Objective To determine the prevalence and genotype profiles of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and their related factors in patients attending sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Methods C. trachomatis was screened by a plasmid PCR in 598 patients attending STD clinics. Then, positive specimens underwent nested-PCR to amplify the major outer membrane protein 1 (ompl) gene. The amplicons of ompl gene were digested by restriction endonucleases Alu I plus Hinf I and Cfol . C. trachomatis was differentiated according to the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns. Results Out of the 598 samples, 83 were positive for plasmid-PCR. The prevalence of chlamydial infection was 13.9% with no significant difference between male and female patients. Nested-PCR based RFLP analysis showed that genotype E amounted to 27.7% (23/83), F 20.5% (17/83), D 13.2%(11/83), G 12.0%(10/83), K 7.2%(6/83), H 4.8%(4/83), I 3.6% (3/83), J 3.6%(3/83)and uncertain types 7.2% (6/83). Visible symptoms were observed less frequently in infections with C. trachomatis genotypes E and F compared with the other genotypes, while low abdominal pain occurred in 80% of infections with type G. Conclusions A certain proportion of out-patients attending STD clinic are infected with various types of C. trachomatis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The polymorphism of ompl gene may serve as a useful tool in molecular epidemiological studies of C. trachomatis.

Objective:To study the effects of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis on proliferation of DC -CIK cells and the activity of killing HepG-2 cells by DC-CIK cells.Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were routinely isolated and induced into DC and CIK.DC and CIK co-cultured by 1∶5 for 7 days,then Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis were added into medicine group ,observed the mor-phology of the cells on the tenth day and counted the DC-CIK number of each group.DC-CIK cells acted as effector cells and the HepG-2 cells as target cells , cck-8 method for the detection of DC-CIK in the killing rate of HepG-2.Results: The Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis was able to proliferate the DC-CIK dramatically ,the optimal concentration was 0.1 mg/ml.Cultivation of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis induced DC-CIK cells on HepG-2 cells killing effect was better than that of the routine method of DC-CIK cells; the effection of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis killing HepG-2 cells was not obviously.Conclusion: Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis can enhance the anti-tumor activity of DC-CIK mainly by promoting the proliferation of it.

Objective To explore the use of Diagnosis Related Groups(DRGs)evaluation index in performance management system of hospitals.Methods The performance evaluation system was built based on medical business volume index,efficiency indicators,cost control indexes,drug control indexes, medical quality and medical safety indexes,by means of extracting the home page of hospital discharge records from 2009 to 2013 and grouping automatically with the“BJ-DRGs”group-maker.Results The operation evaluation indexes of the hospital have seen great progress since advent of the DRGs evaluation indexes.Conclusion Introduction of DRGs has scored great success in the performance appraisal system of the hospital.

Objective To validate the four chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) predictive equations based on serum creatinine (SCr) and cystatin C (Cys C) in Chinese CKD patients,and try to develop the GFR predictive equations for Chinese CKD patients.Methods254 CKD patients were randomly selected from four Grade ⅢA hospitals in different regions in China from September 2007 to December 2010.Clearance of dual plasma sampling 99mTc-DTPA was used to measure glomerular filtration rate (rGFR) in 254 CKD patients.The serum concentration of Cr and Cys C were measured.CKD-EPI SCr equation,Cys C equation,Cys C equation adjusted for age,sex and race,SCr/Cys C combinated equation adjusted for age,sex and race were used to estimate GRF ( labeled as eGFR1,eGFR2,eGFR3 and eGFR4,respectively).The correlation,bias and precision of eGFRs were compared with rGFR by Wilcoxon signed rank test,intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman correlation analysis.The deviation degree between rGFR and different eGFRs was compared via Bland-Altman graph.The accuracy within 15％,25％,30％ ( P15,P25,P30) and the staging correctness of eGFR against CKD at different stages was calculated.ResultsThe rGFR in 254 CKD participants was [ 48.07 (26.19 -92.97 )] ml · min -1·(1.73 m2) -1.The Spearman correlatiou coefficients (CC) of eGFR and rGFR varied within the range of 0.873 - 0.896 ( P =0.000 ).The intra-class CC ( ICC ) varied within the range of 0.920 - 0.942.The correlation of eGFR4 was the best.The absolute deviations of 4 eGFRs and deviation precision were eGFR4 ＜eGFR3 ＜ eGFR2 ＜ eGFR1.The 95％ confidence intervals for the regression line of 4 eGFRs shown by Bland-Altman graphs were 92.5,87.3,83.0 and 76.1 ml · min-1 · ( 1.73 m2 ) -1,respectively,with the best result of eGFR4.For P30,the correctness of 4 eGFRs were eGFR4 ＞ eGFR3 ＞ eGFR2 ＞ eGFR1,but no significant difference was found by Chi square test (x2 =6.448,P =0.092).The overall correctness rate in 4 eGFRs against CKD stages were 48.4％ -57.5％,with the highest consistency of eGFR4,but their staging correctnessratewerenotideal(Kappa values were 0.405,0.348,0.366 and 0.463,respectively).Conclusions Compared with CKD-EPI SCr equation,no advantage was found in CKD-EPI Cys C equation.The Cys C equation adjusted by age and sex shows a little advantages over CKD-EPI Cys C equation in bias,precision,correlation and accuracy.The CKD-EPI SCr/Cys C combinated equation adjusted by age,sex and race has advantage over other three equations not only in bias,precision,correlation and accuracy,but also in staging correctness.However,the validation of this equation is still not fairly ideal for Chinese CKD patients.Based on these findings,it is essential for the Chinese CKD patients to develop SCr/Cys C combined predictive equation which adjusted by age,sex or other factors.(Chin J Lab Med,2012,35:798-804)

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of male reproductive toxicity of metadoxine (MTDX) on mice and rats.

METHODSMouse multiple endpoints assay and Hershberger assay were employed to evaluate the potential estrogenic and/or antiandrogenic effects of MTDX. In mouse multiple endpoints assay, MTDX (0, 640, 1500 and 4000 mg/kg, respectively) were administered once daily p.o. for 5 days in sexually matured and ovariectomied female NIH mice. Five endpoints evaluated as markers of estrogenicity included the ratio of uterine weight to body weight, incidence and extent of uterine fluid imbibition (hydrometra), vaginal epithelial cornification during estrous cycle (estrinization) and thickness of uterine epithelial cell and stroma cell. In Hershberger assay, MTDX (0, 600 and 1500 mg/kg, respectively) was administered once daily p.o. for 10 days to castrated male SD rats with or without testosterone propionate (TP, 12.5 mg/kg, i.p. for 10 days) substitution. Relative weight of androgen dependent issues was measured.

RESULTSIn mouse multiple endpoints assay, ratio of uterine weight to body weight was 1.33, 1.38 and 1.31 x 10(-4) in MTDX 640, 1500 and 4000 mg/kg groups, respectively, without significant difference from that in control group (1.22 x 10(-4)). Thickness of uterine uterine epithelial cell (0.90 and 1.03 microm) and stroma cell (3.38 and 3.25 microm) in MTDX 1500 and 4000 mg/kg groups was not significantly different from the control group (0.85 microm and 2.77 microm, respectively). In Hershberger assay, relative weight of prostate plus seminal vesicle, levator ani muscle and bulbocavernous muscle was 1.13, 0.17 and 0.42, respectively, in the 1500 mg/kg group, significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group (1.46, 0.24 and 0.70, respectively) (P < 0.01). Relative weight of prostate plus seminal vesicle (1.29) in the MTDX 600 mg/kg group reduced slightly, with statistical significance (P < 0.05), as compared with that in the control group (1.46).

CONCLUSIONSIn the present study, MTDX did not exhibit any estrogenic effect in mice in vivo. However, it had antiandrogenic activity in castrated male SD rats, indicating that its antiandrogenic effect may be involved in it's male reproductive toxicity.

Androgen Antagonists ; toxicity ; Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Endpoint Determination ; Female ; Genitalia, Male ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Orchiectomy ; Ovariectomy ; Pyridoxine ; toxicity ; Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid ; toxicity ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of neurofilament contents in rat's spinal cord induced by 2, 5-hexanedione (2, 5-HD), and explore the molecular mechanism of n-hexane neuropathy.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were administered at a dosage of 400 mg/kg/day 2, 5-HD for 2, 4 and 8 weeks respectively. HD-induced neurological defects were detected and quantified using gait score, and the relative lev-els of NF-H, NF-M, and NF-L in spinal cords of rats were determined by Western Blotting.

RESULTSExposure to 2, 5-HD produced progressive gait abnormalities, which suggested that the rat model of 2, 5-HD-induced neurotoxicity was established successfully. Western-Blotting results showed that NFs content in spinal cord demonstrated a progressive decline as the intoxication continued. In the supernatant fraction, compared to the controls, NF-H con-tent decreased by 15.7%, 57.0%, and 58.0% respectively after 2, 4, and 8-week treatment with 2, 5-HD (P < 0.01); accordingly, NF-M decreased by 36.0%, 61.3%, and 65.2% respectively (P < 0.01); NF-L decreased by 20.8%, 43.9%, and 44.3% respectively (P < 0.01). In the pellet fraction, the contents of NF-H in groups of 4 and 8 weeks' exposure to HD decreased by 35.6% and 43.2%, respectively (P < 0.01), and those of NF-L decreased by 26.4% and 42.1%, respectively (P < 0.01) when compared to the control. Further-more, NF-M contents in groups of 2, 4 and 8 weeks' exposure decreased by 23.3%, 33.9%, and 63.7% respectively (P < 0.01). The NFs level in spinal cords was highly correlated with gait abnormality of treated rats as the intoxication went on. Multiple correlation coefficients of NF-H, NF-M, and NF-L content with gait score of HD-treated rat were 0.8912, 0.9282 and 0.8981 (P < 0.01) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe declines of NFs are high-ly related to neurobehavioral abnormality of 2, 5-HD-treated animals, and involved in the development of n-hexane neuropathy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gait ; drug effects ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Male ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of glypican-3 (GPC3) mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and peripheral blood cells (PBCs), and to determine the values of GPC3 mRNA in the diagnosis of HCC and HCC micrometastasis.

METHODSUsing semi-quantitative and nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR), we detected the expressions of AFP and GPC3 genes in the tissues of 41 HCC, 41 paracancer and 52 non-HCC liver samples (41 far from HCC tissues and 11 normal liver tissues), and in the PBCs of 67 specimens from subjects.

RESULTSThe semi-quantitative RT-PCR displayed GPC3 mRNA was expressed in all samples of tissues and PBCs, and the relative intensities of its expressions in HCC, paracancer, non-HCC liver tissues were 78.9 +/- 35.5, 30.6 +/- 21.6, 23.8 +/- 15.5 respectively. The AFP mRNA expression values were 61.2 +/- 32.6, 31.5 +/- 23.6, and 21.2 +/- 15.9 respectively. The expression of each gene in HCC differed significantly from those in other two kinds of tissue samples (P < 0.01). The expressions of GPC3 mRNA and AFP mRNA, accounting for 80.5% and 63.4% in all the HCC tissues, were higher than their respective peak values in the tissues of non-HCC liver (+1.96s), but the expressions of at least one of the two genes was elevated in 92.7% of all the HCC tissues. There was a significant difference between combined detection of two genes and single AFP mRNA detection in HCC tissues (P < 0.01). Clinicopathologically, AFP mRNA was related with the grade of HCC and serum AFP, while GPC3 mRNA was related with not only the grade of HCC but also the invasion of HCC. The relative intensities of GPC3 mRNA expressions in PBCs of 67 specimens was 15.9 +/- 9.0, and GPC3 mRNA expressed in three kinds of tissue samples were all stronger than its counterparts in PBCs (P < 0.01). The GPC3 mRNA expression values in PBCs of the HCC group and the non-HCC group were respectively 16.1 +/- 8.3, 15.6 +/- 10.2, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Of the HCC metastasis group and the HCC non-metastasis group, the respective GPC3 mRNA expression values in PBCs were 16.0 +/- 9.0 and 16.3 +/- 7.7, there was also no significant difference between the two groups. The nested RT-PCR showed that the positive rates of AFP mRNA expressions in PBCs from the HCC group and the non-HCC group were 56.1% and 23.1%, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.011). The positive rates of AFP mRNA expressions in PBCs from the HCC metastasis group and the HCC non-metastasis group were 80.9% and 30.0%, and there was also a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough GPC3 mRNA is expressed broadly, it still may serve as a potential tissue biomarker in the diagnosis of HCC. Detecting the expression of the two genes in the tissues will improve the screening and diagnosis of HCC. GPC3 is prevalently transcribed in the PBCs, but we have not found any relationship between the GPC3 expression in PBCs and the metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma, thus we can not identify HCC micrometastasis with GPC3 mRNA.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glypicans ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics