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 investigate the effect of abnormality Y chromosome and sperm quality on the clinical result of insisted reproductive technique (ART). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the effect of ab-normality Y chromosome and sperm quality on embryo quality/result of pregnancy of patients undergoing ART. In-fertile men with normality Y chromosome (n=436) and with abnormality Y chromosome (n =146) from Jan 2010 to Dec 2010 were enrolled in this study. The infertile men were divided into four groups: the normality Y chromo-some plus teratozoospermia group , the normality Y chromosome plus normal sperm quality group , the abnormality Y chromosome plus teratozoospermia group, the abnormality Y chromosome plus normal sperm quality group. Embryo quality and the results of clinic pregnancy outcome were analyzed among the four groups. Results Fertilization rate of the four groups was 73.4%, 69.0%, 70.9% and 68%, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in thecleavage rate, optimal embryo rate and pregnancy outcome among the four groups. Conclusions Both abnormality Y chromosome length and teratozoospermia may be affect the fertility rate of the infertile men undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Objective To set up real-time quantitative RT-PCR technique and measure leukemia fusion gene transcripts in patients with AML of FAB-M_2 subtype,and also to investigate the positive rate in patients and the relationship between the AMLI/ETO mRNA levels and the response rate after chemical therapy.Methods The plasmid containing the AMLI/ETO fusion gene sequences were constructed from myeloid cell lines Kasumi-1 (expressing AML1/ETO)to establish the standard curves,A TaqMan based realtime quantitative RT-PCR was performed to measure aberrant fusion gene transcripts in 45 samples of peripheral blood(PB) or bone marrow (BM) from 25 newly diagnosed patients with AML-M_2.All these 25 patients were diagnosed by the FCM(flow cytometry)and bone marrow molecular cytogenetics,and received the induce remission therapy with MA (Mitoxantrone+Ara-C).Results As a result,the AML1/ETO fusion gene transcripts were detected in 7(28%)out of 25 AML-M_2 patients (the ratios of AML1/ETO/ABL vary from 0.01 to 19.2),in which 5 patients were found t(8;21)(q22;q22).The transcript level of AML1/ETO fusion gene varied from the clinical situation of patients.These 7 patients with AML1/ETO fusion gene got complete remission(CR) after the first MA therapy,and the fusion gene reduced by 3 log in AML1/ETO/ABL.Only 11 patients got CR in 18 patients without AML1/ETO fusion gene.By following up these 7 patients with AML1/ ETO fusion gene kept persistent CR for 6 months.Conclusion It was concluded that real-time quantitative PCR is a reliable,innovative and promising technology with high sensitivity and speciality.It has potential clinical value for diagnosis,tumor typing,treatment selection,measuring the tumor load,monitoring fusion gene expression level and evaluating therapeutic strategy.It is worthy to apply in the clinical practice.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a kind of hematological malignant tumors characterized by the unnormal proliferation of plasma cell in the bone marrow, which often occurs in elderly patients and has an obvious increase of incidence. The treatment of MM has made a great progress in the 21st century. Furthermore, with the addition of effective therapies and wide application of remissive treatment combination, the therapeutic goal of MM needs to be reevaluated. Minimal residual disease (MRD) negative status has become increasingly important, and some even consider it as the primary endpoint for therapy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether quinolinic acid(QA)induces autophagy in PC12 cells and its relationship with glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)/β-catenin related signaling path?ways. METHODS PC12 cells were treated with QA 2.5,5.0 and 10.0 mmol·L-1 for 24 h. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Autophagy fluorescent spots labelled form of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)was examined by LC3 immunostaining. The expressions of GSK-3β,β-catenin,LC3 and Beclin 1 were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS QA inhibited PC12 cell survival in a concentration-dependent manner,and IC50 was 8.7 mmol · L- 1. Compared with normal control group,QA 2.5,5.0 and 10.0 mmol · L-1 increased autophagic intracellular LC3 fluorescence spots,elevated the expression ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and expression of Beclin 1 in PC12 cells(P<0.05). In addition,QA enhanced GSK-3βexpression and decreasedβ-catenin expression(P<0.05,P<0.01). CONCLUSION QA induces autophagy in PC12 cells. This mechanism may be associated with the activation of GSK-3β/β-catenin related signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the effect of fetoscopic photocoagulation of communicating placental vessels in twin-twin transfusion syndrome(TTTS)(selective or non-selective) on the perinatal outcomes.Methods Six cases of TTTS admitted in our department from Dec.2006 to Jun.2008 underwent fetoscopic photocoagulation of communicating vessels.Under direct real-time sonographic guidance,a 3-mm-diameter fetoscope was percutaneously inserted through the maternal abdominal wall into the amniotic cavity of the recipient twin.A combination of ultrasonographic and fetoscopic vision was used to identify the crossing vessels which were systematically coagulated using Nd:YAG laser fiber or bipolar electrocoagulation.Results All the 6 mothers tolerated the procedure without major complications.Two fetal survival rate was 33.33%.Conclusion Fetoscopic photocoagulation of communicating placental vessels in TTTS can effectively improve perinatal outcomes.

Gut microbiota is composed of trillions of microorganisms inhabiting in the human gastrointestinal tract,profoundly influences many aspects of host physiology.The roles of gut microbiota have been investigated extensively in the gastrointestinal,endocrine,neurological,cardiovascular and immune systems.This article reviews the recent research progress on the function of microbes in healthy organisms,the common research methods for microbiota,and the roles of microbiota in rheumatic immune diseases.It is expected that gut microbiota would be a novel target of clinical diagnosis and treatment for rheumatic immune diseases.

Objective: To investigate serum level changes of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein(H-FABP)and S100 calcium-binding protein B(S-100B)protein in elderly patients with chronic heart failure and their clinical significance. Methods: A total of 160 patients with chronic heart failure treated at our hospital were recruited, and 80 healthy individuals receiving regular check-ups were enrolled as normal controls.Serum levels of H-FABP and S-100B and cardiac function index scores were compared between patients with different cardiac function grades.Correlations of serum H-FABP and S-100B levels with N-terminal pro-B-type natrlure tiepeptide(NT-proBNP)and with cardiac function index scores in heart failure patients were analyzed.The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of serum H-FABP, S-100B and NT-proBNP for heart failure detection were compared. Results: Serum levels of H-FABP, S-100B and NT-proBNP in elderly patients with chronic heart failure were elevated with increased cardiac function grading(F=9.823, 11.573 and 13.056, P=0.013, 0.000 and 0.000), and serum levels of H-FABP, S-100B and NT-proBNP were higher in elderly patients with heart failure than in the control group(P<0.05). Serum levels of H-FABP and S-100B were positively correlated with serum NT-proBNP levels, cardiac function grading and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)(r=0.527, 0.510 and 0.487, P=0.008, 0.003 and 0.002; r=0.604, 0.496 and 0.533, P=0.006, 0.005 and 0.003), and were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(r=-0.536 and-0.528, P=0.005 and 0.008). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of serum H-FABP combined with S-100B for heart failure detection were 93.2%, 91.6% and 95.7%, respectively. Conclusions Serum levels of H-FABP and S-100B are high in elderly patients with heart failure, and they are correlated with serum NT-proBNP levels, cardiac function grading and LVEDd.H-FABP combined with S-100B has a high positive rate for heart failure detection.

ObjectiveTo tentatively understand the status of radioactive contamination in nuclear medicine personnel. MethodsA total of 34 radiation staff engaged in nuclear medicine diagnosis and treatment were selected from two hospitals in Shanghai as the survey subjects.Among the 34 medical staff， 8 were nuclear medicine doctors， 14 were nuclear medicine technicians and 12 were nuclear medicine nurses. After surface contamination monitoring was first carried out to confirm that they had no surface radioactivity contamination， whole body scanning was performed with a whole body counter to determine whether they were internally contaminated with artificial radionuclides. ResultsThe α surface contamination was not detected in the nuclear medical staff. The β surface contamination of the nuclear medicine doctors， technicians and nurses was （13.8±0.8）， （14.1±0.8） and （14.0±0.7） times per second， respectively. There were 2， 2， and 4 nuclear medicine doctors who were contaminated with ¹⁸F， ^99mTc and ¹³¹I， 3， 5， and 2 nuclear medicine technicians who were contaminated with ¹⁸F， ^99mTc and ¹³¹I， and 6， 8， and 5 nuclear medicine nurses who were contaminated with ¹⁸F， ^99mTc and ¹³¹I， respectively. The ¹⁸F activity of nuclear medicine technicians was 1 997‒9 401 Bq， and the ^99mTc activity of nuclear medicine technicians and nurses was 3 699‒18 692 and 652‒388 22 Bq， respectively. One nuclear medicine nurse had a ^99mTc activity of 35 389 Bq. According to the preliminary estimation of ¹³¹I internal irradiation dose， the maximum committed effective dose of nuclear medicine doctors， technicians and nurses could reach 0.370， 0.018 and 0.584 mSv， respectively. ConclusionThe nuclear medicine staff are exposed to radioactive contamination， and it is important to monitor and evaluate their internal radiation doses.