The paper reports the establishment of a method for simultaneous determination of peimisine and sipeimine contents in Fritillaria walujewii Regel and Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk. The analyses were performed on an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (UPLC-ELSD), equipped with a binary solvent manager, a sampler manager and a column compartment, and connected to Waters Empower 2 software. An Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm) was used for all analysis. The investigated compounds were separated with gradient mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.02% triethylamine-water. The temperature of sample manager was set at 25 degrees C. Drift tube temperature was 40 degrees C, and spray parameter was 40% with injection volume of 1 microL. The investigated compounds including peimisine and sipeimine had good linearity (r > or = 0.9991) over the tested ranges. The average recovery was 94.5% and 98.1% with RSD < or = 2.36%. The UPLC-ELSD method is simple, sensitive and accurate with good repeatability, which is available for quality control of F. walujewii Regel and F. pallidiflora Schrenk.

The clinical data and findings in MRI enhanced scanning of 16 patients with meningeal carcinomatosis were analyzed retrospectively.Meningeal carcinomatosis with subacute- or chronic-onset deteriorated progressively presenting the characteristics of intracranial hypertension and meningeal irritation.Fourteen out of 16 patients showed abnormal linear and strip signal enhancement of meninges by enhancement scanning.Meningeal carcinomatosis presented in diversified patterns and contrast-enhanced MRI is of referential value for the diagnosis of the disease.

Objective To investigate the combined biological effects of low dose radiation,carbon monoxide,benzene and noise on rats.Methods Sixteen male SD rats were randomly divided into experiment group and control group.The experiment group was exposed to carbon monoxide,benzene,low dose radiation and noise daily,the control group was in common environment.Peripheral blood,organ index,and marrow DNA content were detected.Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed on serum protein analysis.Differential expressed proteins were identified by a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MAIDI-TOF-MS).Results Compared to control group,the liver index,spleen index,thymus index,leukocytes,platelets count,and marrow DNA content of the experiment group were decreased significantly (t =2.732,4.141,3.053,2.211,2.668,11.592,P ＜0.05).12 altered proteins were detected and through identification,3 proteins were definite in terms of serum amyloid A-4 protein (SAA4),trichoplein keratin filament-binding protein (TCHP) and tubulin alpha-4A chain (TUBA4A).Conclusions The hematopoietic system and immune system of rats are damaged significantly with the changes of several serum protein expressions by the combined exposure of low dose radiation,carbon monoxide,benzene and noise.This study may provide new information for the mechanism of the combination effects.

Objective To analyze the CT features of primary pulmonary leiomyoma (PPL) and improve the diagnostic ability of PPL.Methods The CT findings and clinical characteristics were retrospectively analyzed in 6 patients with PPL proved by pathology,and the related literatures were reviewed.Results Six PPLs were single lesion from 3.0 to 8.5 cm in size,the shape was round or oval with extremely smooth margin.On CT plain scan,the CT values of all PPL lesions were 25-33 HU,4 lesions presented homogeneous moderate enhancement (40-60 HU) and 2 lesions presented inhomogeneous enhancement after contrast administration.A solid lesion showed obviously patchy enhancement with cystic degeneration,1 lesion presented ring enhancement.All lesions were benign histopathologically,the leiomyoma cells showed spindle shaped or in bundles with pseudocapsule,and with hyaline degeneration in 1 case.Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA) were all marked positive on immunohistochemistry.Conclusions CT findings of PPL have some characteristics,but lack of specificity,the final diagnosis still relies on pathological examination.

Synthetic biology of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a new and developing subject based on the research of secondary metabolite biosynthesis for nature products. The early development of synthetic biology focused on the screening and modification of parts or devices, and establishment of standardized device libraries. Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen is one of the most famous medicinal plants in Panax species. Triterpene saponins have important pharmacological activities in P. notoginseng. Squalene epoxidase (SE) has been considered as a key rate-limiting enzyme in biosynthetic pathways of triterpene saponins and phytosterols. SE acts as one of necessary devices for biosynthesis of triterpene saponins and phytosterols in vitro via synthetic biology approach. Here we cloned two genes encoding squalene epoxidase (PnSE1 and PnSE2) and analyzed the predict amino acid sequences by bioinformatic analysis. Further, we detected the gene expression profiling in different organs and the expression level of SEs in leaves elicited by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment in 4-year-old P notoginseng using real-time quantitative PCR (real-time PCR). The study will provide a foundation for discovery and modification of devices in previous research by TCM synthetic biology. PnSE1 and PnSE2 encoded predicted proteins of 537 and 545 amino acids, respectively. Two amino acid sequences predicted from PnSEs shared strong similarity (79%), but were highly divergent in N-terminal regions (the first 70 amino acids). The genes expression profiling detected by real-time PCR, PnSE1 mRNA abundantly accumulated in all organs, especially in flower. PnSE2 was only weakly expressed and preferentially in flower. MeJA treatment enhanced the accumulation of PnSEI mRNA expression level in leaves, while there is no obvious enhancement of PnSE2 in same condition. Results indicated that the gene expressions of PnSE1 and PnSE2 were differently transcribed in four organs, and two PnSEs differently responded to MeJA stimuli. It was strongly suggested that PnSEs play different roles in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in P. notoginseng. PnSE1 might be involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis and PnSE2 might be involved in phytosterol biosynthesis.

Quality variation and ecotype classification of Chinese herbal medicine are important scientific problems in Daodi herbal medicine research. The diversity of natural environmental conditions has led to form unique multi-Daodi, multi-product areas that produce particular Chinese herbal medicine. China is one of three big American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) producing areas worldwide, with over 300 years of application and 40 years of cultivation history. Long-term production practice has led to the formation of three big advocate produce areas in China: Northeast province, Beijing and Shandong. P. quinquefolium L. grown under certain environmental conditions will develop long-term adaptations that will lead to more stable strains (different ecotypes). P. quinquefolium L., can vary greatly in quality; however, the ecological mechanisms causing this variation are still unclear. Root samples were collected from four-year-old cultivated P. quinquefolium L. plants in the three major genuine (Daodi) American ginseng-producing areas of Northeast province, Beijing and Shandong province, China. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the contents of eight ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rg2). Data for nine ecological factors, including temperature, moisture and sunlight, were obtained from the ecological database of Geographic Information System for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Soil samples from the sampling sites were collected. Effective boron and iron, available nitrogen and potassium, as well as other trace elements and soil nutrients, were determined by conventional soil physicochemical property assay methods. Analytical methods of biostatistics and numerical taxonomy were used to divide ecotypes of the three main Panax quinquefolium L. producing areas in China based on ginsenoside content, climate, soil and other ecological factors. To our knowledge, this is the first time that ecological division of P. quinquefolium L. producing areas in China has ever been conducted. The results show that there are two chemoecotypes of P. quinquefolium L. in China: ginsenoside Rb1-Re from outside Shanhaiguan, and ginsenoside Rg2-Rd from inside Shanhaiguan. Similarly, there are two types of climatic characteristics: inside Shanhaiguan (Beijing, Shandong) and outside Shanhaiguan (Northeast). This suggests that the formation and differentiation of chemoecotypes of P. quinquefolium L. is closely related to variability of the climatic and geographical environment. Additionally, ecological variation of the three main producing areas, characteristics of two climatic ecotypes, and soil characteristics are also discussed and summarized. These results provide experimental scientific evidence of the quality variation and ecological adaptation of P. quinquefolium L. from different producing areas. They also deepen our understanding of the biological nature of Daodi P. quinquefolium L. formation, and offer novel research models for other multi-origin, multi-Daodi Chinese herbal medicines ecotypes. In addition, the results demonstrate the critical need for improving quality, appropriate ecological regionalization and promoting industrialized development of P. quinquefolium L.

Objective To compare the expression of mIFN-γ, replicative activities and anti-tumor activities of CNHK300-mIFN-γand Ad-mIFN-γin normal and gastric cancer cells. Methods The replicative activities of viruses in cells were measured by viral replication assay. CPE assay was used to detect the antitumor effect of viruses. The expression level of mIFN-γ in cancer cells was detected by ELISA. Results The infection of CNHK300-mIFN-γled to an obvious expression of mIFN-γin gastric cancer cells. The vector system CNHK300-mIFN-γpossessed more replicated potential than Ad-mIFN-γ, and could specifically kill most of BGC-823 cells at MOI value of 0.1, which was much better than that by the traditional adenoviral vector. Conclusion CNHK300-mIFN-γcan selectively replicate and effectively express mIFN-γ in tumor cells, and specifically kill gastric cancer cells, suggesting a splendid future as a new anticancer agent.

The cloning and identification of frc gene from Oxalobacter formigenes in the intestines of Chinese people were conducted. The genomic DNA of Oxalobacter formigenes was extracted. frc gene fragment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and linked with pEGFP-C1. The recombinant plasmid was designated pEGFP-frc and was identified by restriction-enzyme digestion and sequencing. Human embryo kidney 293 cells were transfected with pEGFP-frc, then RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of frc gene. The length of frc gene was found to be 1287 bp, and the homology of nucleotides and amino-acid residue with the sequence in GenBank was 95.88% and 99.07%. Bright green fluorescent light could be observed in 293 cells transfected with the pEGFP-frc. frc mRNA and fusion protein FCoAT-EGFP were detected in the cells. It is concluded that frc gene cloned from the Oxalobacter formigenes in the intestines of Chinese people can be expressed in eucaryotic 293 cells and keep its enzyme activity.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that central nervous system is involved in Guillain-Barre syndrome and Miller-Fisher syndrome, and the involved sites include optic nerve, brain stem and cerebellum. Abnormal signal of MRI can be observed in the brainstem and spinocerebellar tract of patients with Miller-Fisher syndrome. To establish an animal model of encephalitis after infection of Campylobacter jejuni, and investigate the mechanism of formation by means of imaging, immunology and pathology.OBJECTIVE: To construct an animal model of lesion of central nervous system after infection of Campylobacter jejuni Penner 4.DESIGN: A randomized grouping designed, controlled animal experiment.SETTING: Department of Imaging and Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between August and December 2003. Fifteen healthy flap-eared rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group (n=10) and control group (n=5).METHODS: In the experimental group, Campylobacter jejuni inactivated bacteria liquor was completely emulsified with complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) of the same volume in week 1, and then the rabbits were immunized with subcutaneous injection at multiple points of bilateral axilla, bilateral groins and side of back spine, 1 mL for each site, and 5 mL for each rabbit; The rabbits were further immunized with intraperitoneal injection of simple Campylobacterjejuni inactivated bacteria liquor in the following every two weeks, 5 mL for each time in each rabbit for 5 times. In the control group, the Campylobacter jejuni inactivated bacteria liquor was replaced by saline of the same volume, the injected method and time were all the same as those in the experimental group. Evaluative methods: ①Symptoms and physical signs: their mental status, conditions of diet, urine and excrement, and activities of limbs were observed; ② Serological examination: the contents of anti-Campylobacterjejuni antibody, anti-IgG GM1 antibody and myelin basic protein (MBP) were detected with enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA); ③ MRI examination was applied to the randomly selected rabbits before every immunization with Toshiba 1.5 T MRI instrument. The scanning sequence included spin-echo T1-weighted image with the scanning parameter of 500/15 ms (TR/TE); rapid spin-echo T2-weighted image, 4 000/108 ms (TR/TE); fluid attented inversion recovery (Flair) sequence, the parameter was 10 000/120 ms (TR/TE), inversion angle was 90°. The thickness of scanning layer was 4.0 mm, and the layer space was 0.8 mm. ④ Histological examination: At 4 weeks after the first immunization, the attacked animals were induced to death by cardiac perfusion, and the skull was opened immediately to remove optic nerve, part white matter, hippocampus, brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cords of neck, chest and waist, which were fixed with formaldehyde solution (40 g/L),and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, fast blue staining and MBP immunohistochemical staining were performed respectively. At 10 weeks after immunization, 5 randomly selected rabbits in the experimental group and the 5 rabbits in the control group were treated with the same methods to obtain the histological samples.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The symptoms and physical signs,contents of anti-Campylobacterjejuni antibody, anti-IgG GM1 antibody and MBP, imaging observation and histological examination were mainly observed.RESULTS: Fifteen animals were enrolled, 14 were involved in the analysis of results, 1 rabbit in the experimental group died at 4 weeks after immunization. ① Mental symptoms and disorder of limb's activity occurred in 1 rabbit in the experimental group at 2 weeks after immunization. ② In the experimental group, titre of anti-Campylobacterjejuni-IgG antibody in serum reach the peak at 2-4 weeks. From week 2, the serum A value was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (1.923±0.403, 0.973±0.633, P ＜ 0.05). The IgG type GM1 (A value) was obviously elevated at week 8, but insignificantly different from that in the control group (0.115±0.042, 0.097±0.039, P ＞ 0.05). The MBP content (Avalue) in serum was significantly elevated at the 8th week (0.134±0.041).③ The imaging examination showed that abnormal MRI signal of different degree occurred at 2-4 weeks after immunization in the experimental group. ④ The histological changes showed that there was swelling of myelin sheath at the sites of brainstem, medulla oblongata, cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord in the experimental group, no inflammatory cell infiltration and deletion of myelin sheath were observed. No obvious changes at the above site were observed in the contro1 group.CONCLUSION: Campylobacterjejuni Penner 4 can induce lesion of central nervous system.

Objective To explore the correlation between CT perfusion imaging parameters and differentiation degree of gastric cancer.Methods Fifty patients with gastric cancer proved by surgery and pathology underwent 64-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging before surgery,and the CT perfusion parameters were obtained including blood flow(BF),blood volume(BV),mean transit time (MTT)and permeability surface(PS).The patients were divided into 3 groups (well,moderate and poor differentiation)according to the degree of cell differentiation.Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS 17.0 statistics software.Results The perfusion parameters of BF (mL·min-1 ·100 g-1 ),BV (mL/100 g),MTT (s)and PS (mL·min-1 ·100 g-1 )were as follows:75.28±6.81,9.01± 0.94,9.89±1.65 and 10.05±0.71 in well differentiation group with 10 patients (20%),110.01±31.90,18.18±5.62,9.81±3.69 and 40.08±1 5.82 in moderate differentiation group with 24 patients (48%),138.59±38.09,21.08±4.1 1,9.47 ±1.80 and 57.50± 13.28 in poor differentiation group with 1 6 patients (32%)respectively.Among three groups,there were statistic differences in BF, BV and PS between well differentiation group and moderate differentiation group or low differentiation group (P <0.05),however there was no statistic difference in MTT among three groups (P >0.05).Conclusion The BF,BV and PS values may be regarded as the evaluation index for malignant degree of gastric cancer.