AIM: The residues of BHC, DDT and PCNB in traditional Chinese preparations made in Fuzhou, Zhangzhou, Xiamen and Jianyan districts were determined. METHODS: Nine kinds of organochlorine pesticides were determined by gas chromatography. RESULTS: BHC in sample determined is under 0.1 mg?kg -1, DDT≤0.1 mg?kg -1, PCNB≤0.1 mg?kg -1. CONCLUSION: The residual determination of organochlorine pesticides in traditional Chinese preparation conforms to the criterion.

The mucosal surface of the digestive tract of Ophicephalus argus Cantor was observed with scanning electron microscope. The ultrastructural features of buccopharynx, oesophagus, stomach and intestine were observed. There are many microridges on the surface of mucosal cells of the buccopharynx and oesophagus. On the surface of mucosal cells of the stomach and intestine exist many microvilli, and numerous goblet cells located in the mucosal epithelium of the buccopharynx, oesophagus and intestine. These structural features may be related to feeding habits of Ophicephalus; argus.

0. 05). This paper surggests that the activity of Na+-K+ ATPase on erythrocyte membrane may be a indicator in the diagnosis of stroke and human senility. The mechanism of changes of Na+-K+ATPase was also discussed in this paper.

Objective To explore the influence of self-efficacy training on the memory and executive function of patients with ischemic stroke in the recovery stage.Methods A total of 80 cases were randomly divided into a self-efficacy training group and a control group,with 40 cases in each.The control group was given routine cognitive therapy,while the self-efficacy group was given cognitive interventions plus efficacy training.Before training and after training for 3 months,self-efficacy levels were examined using the general self-efficacy scale (GSES),memory and executive function were measured using the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS).Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).Results Inter-group comparison showed no significant differences in terms of GSES or BADS scores before treatment between the control and self-efficacy groups.After training,the total GSES and BADS scores in both groups were significantly higher than before.Both the average GSES and BADS scores in the self-efficacy group were significantly higher than in the control group.There were similarly no significant differences in WMS scores before treatment,but after training the WMS results were significantly better in the self-efficacy training group than in the control group.After training,the SDS and SAS scores had improved to a significantly greater extent in the self-efficacy group than in the control group.Conclusion Self-efficacy training can facilitate the recovery of memory and promote executive function in patients with ischemic stroke.

The electrical potential difference (PD) was measured across the wall of reverted intestinal sacs. The effect of the effective component of Rhubarb on transmural potential related to Na+ and glucose transport were investigated. It was found that total glucoside of Rhubarb, Emodin and Sen-nosides decreased the PD. The experimental resuilts provide new scientific basis for explaining the mechanism of Rhubarb's purgative action.

0.05). In stratified studies, risk of asthma in individuals with null genotype of GSTM1 is 2.667 times of that with wild genotype after exposure to light air pollution. Risk of asthma in individuals living in heavy air pollution area is 2.125 time of that in light pollution area for all wild genotype of GSTM1 individuals, but without statistical significance. Conclusion It was not found that the relationship between GSTM1, GSTT1 polymorphism and asthma. Synergism of genotype of GSTM1, GSTT1 and air pollution was not also seen in this study.

BACKGROUND: It has reported that nicotinamide is capable of protecting intervertebral disc (IVD) against interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induced degeneration. However, the protective mechanism of nicotinamide on IVD cells apoptosis and proliferation remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate regulatory effects of nicotinamide on rabbit nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and proliferation in vitro.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized control grouping design, which was carried out in the Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Stem Cell Center, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from April to October 2007.MATERIALS: Ten Japanese white rabbits (aged 2-3 months weighing 1.5-2.0 kg) were used in this study. Furthermore, nucleus pulposus cells obtained from L1-6 lumbar spine were harvested and cultured for further experiments.METHODS: The NP cells were divided into 6 groups, including control group (without any drug as control), nicotinamide group (0.5 g/L nicotinamide), IL-1β group (10 μg/L IL-1β), IL-1β + caspase group (10 μg/L IL-1β and non-specific caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK), IL-1β + small-dose nicotinamide group (10 μg/L IL-1β and 0.05 g/L nicotinamide), and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (10 μg/L IL-1β and 0.5 g/L nicotinamide). After 3 days of culture, the cells were examined with Annexin V-PI staining, caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining and MTT assay.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The apoptotic rates, the positive rates of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining and the absorbance of MTT assay of each group.RESULTS: ① As compared to IL-1β group, the apoptotic rates were decreased in the IL-1β + caspase group and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (P < 0.01). ②As compared to IL-1β group, the positive rates of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining were decreased in the IL-1β + caspase group, IL-1β + large-dose and small-dose nicotinamide groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.01). ③As compared to IL-1β group, the absorbance was increased in the IL-1β + caspase group and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Nicotinamide is capable of promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting IL-1β induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in vitro. The inhibition of apoptosis mainly acts via inhibition of the mitochondrial pathway.

To construct basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) eukaryotic expression vector and to evaluate the possibility of bFGF gene therapy in orthopedic disease, the pCD-rbFGF recombinant plasmid was constructed by cloning rat basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) cDNA into an eukaryotic expression vector, pcDNA3. Rat osteoblasts were transfected with pCD-rbFGF plasmid by lopofectin mediated gene transfer, the transient expression was detected by streptavidin-biotin-enzyme complex (SABC) method. It was observed that the expression of rat bFGF gene was detected 72 h after transfected distinctly. Basic fibroblast growth factor gene therapy is a method of potential for a wide array of orthopedic diseases.
Cells, Cultured ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/biosynthesis ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/*genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Osteoblasts/cytology ; Osteoblasts/*metabolism ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics ; *Transfection ; Transformation, Genetic

Objective To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin(GSPE) on mitochondrial injury in hippocampus and learning-memory impairment after obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia in rats.Methods Male SD rats(n=80) were randomly divided into control group,model group,low dose of GSPE treatment group and high dose of GSPE treatment group.Rats in control group were exposed in air,the model group were suffered from intermittent hypoxia conditions (50 ml/L,8-hour-intermittent hypoxia everyday,and the duration of experiment 2 and 6 weeks,respectively).Mitochondrion pathology in hippocampal region was observed using electron microscope;malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and superoxide dismutase activity were detected by colorimetry and apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL method.The cognitive function of rats in each group was assessed with the Morris water maze (MWM).Results After hypoxia,mitochondrion was significantly injured.The MDA contents were increased(79.86 ± 2.52,88.26 ± 2.86) and SOD level decreased (70.67 ± 6.70,64.26 ± 7.86).The number of neural apoptotic cells was significantly enhanced (9.68 ± 0.79,15.9 ± 2.92).MWM test showed that the escaping latency was prolonged and the frequency of crossing the platform was decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with that in the model group,low dose of GSPE decreased MDA contents (76.38 ± 1.96,82.16 ±2.02),increased SOD level(76.20 ± 6.86,70.58 ± 6.86),and decreased apoptotic cells (6.60 ± 0.69,9.54 ±1.36).MWM test showed that the escaping latency was shortened and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased in GSPE treatment groups(P ＜ 0.05).Compared with low dose of GSPE,high dose of GSPE decreased MDA contents increased SOD level and decreased apoptotic cells.MWM test showed that the escaping latency was shortened and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion GSPE can attenuate mitochondrial injury and improve learning-memory function after obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia.

AIM To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on glutathione peroxidase(GPx), superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents in the cerebrum of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion gerbils, so as to explore the protective mechanisms of MT. METHODS Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was made by 10 min occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries of gerbil. MT was administered intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia. After 1 h reperfusion, bilateral cortex and striatum were taken out for measurement of GPx, SOD and MDA. RESULTS Ischemia-reperfusion lowered the activities of GPx and SOD in cerebral cortex and striatum. Conversely, it elevated the contents of MDA in both areas. Treatment with MT at 5, 10, or 20 mg?kg -1 partly reversed these effects. CONCLUSION MT provides protective effect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by protecting GPx and SOD activities and reducing the lipid peroxidation.