By means of cell hybridization in situ with digoxigenin labeled probe, we detected the expression of C-myc protooncogene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 31 SLE patients and 10 healthy persons. The results showed that the level of C-myc mRNA in SLE patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls, and the increased level correlated with disease activity. There was also a positive correlation between C-myc mRNA and serum levels of ANA, anti-dsDNA, IgG, C3. Our study indicates that C-myc gene is important for the pathogenesis of SLE.

A suitable ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of 11 mycotoxins with isotope internal standard in malt. The mycotoxins in malt were extracted and purified by one-step ultrasonic extraction procedure using acetonitrile/water/acetic acid (80 : 19 : 1), and then detected and confirmed by UPLC-MS/MS, and quantified by isotope labeled AFB1 ([13C17]-AFB1) and ZEN ([13C18]-ZEN) internal standards. Rapid separation of the 11 mycotoxins was successfully achieved on a Phenomenex Kinetex C18 column (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm) with gradient elution using the mobile phase of methanol containing 0.1% formic acid and 2 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate in water. Simultaneous acquisition was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with electrospray ionization (ESI) source operated in both positive and negative ionization modes. The established method provided a good linearity for the 11 mycotoxins within their respective linear ranges with correlation coefficients all higher than 0.999 1. The average recoveries ranged from 75.0% to 117.0% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 5.1%. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) ranged from 0.05 to 30 μg x kg(-1) and 0.15 to 87.5 μg x kg(-1), respectively, which were below the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by the European Union. Twenty malt samples were analyzed and nine samples were detected with mycotoxins, which were confirmed according to the same fragment ions found in positive samples and the standards at the same retention time. This study has demonstrated that the one-step extraction procedure of mycotoxins from complex matrices coupled to UPLC-MS/MS method is simple, quick, accurate and sensitive for quantitative and qualitative analysis of multiple mycotoxins in malt.

Background and purpose: MicroRNAs are 19–25-nucleotide noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the level of transcription and translation. The study aimed to confirm whether miR-216a suppresses cell proliferation and invasion by targeting PRKCA, thus to reveal molecular mechanism that miR-216a functions as a tumor suppressor in glioma. Methods: PRKCA 3’ untranslated region (UTR)-luciferase vector was constructed and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to examine the effect of miR-216a on luciferase activity. U251 cells were transfected with miR-216a mimics, and next Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of PRKCA protein. The effects of PRKCA downregulation on cell proliferation and invasion were observed after PRKCA siRNA was transfected into U251 cells. U251 cell proliferation assays were performed when cotransfected with miR-216a mimics. Results:The result demonstrated miR-216a could bind to the 3’UTR of PRKCA and inhibited the luciferase activity by 41%. PRKCA protein expressions were significantly down-regulated when miR-216a was overexpressed in U251. siRNA-mediated downregulation of PRKCA could suppress the potentials of cell proliferation and invasion. Conclusion:miR-216a suppresses cell proliferation and invasion by targeting PRKCA in glioma.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of Gynecologic Qianjin Tablets (Radix Codonopsis, Radix Angelicae sinensis, Folium Mahoniae, Caulis Millettiae Reliculatae, Herba Andrographis, etc.) for treating chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Methods: 30 cases with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease in study group were treated by Gynecologic Qianjin Tablets, which has the effects of boosting Qi and blood and clearing away heat and wet in 2 weeks, 3 times per day and 6 tablets per time; and meanwhile, 30 cases treated by tablet of Jinji Tablets in control group were also observed. Results: The response rate in study group was 83.33% , while in control group was 63.33% ( P

Objective To investigate the role of homocysteine(Hcy)and homocysteine thiolactone(HcyT)in the development of macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 DM.Methods A total of 160 subjects were recruited in this study:40 healthy controls,120 with type 2 DM.Plasma Hcy levels were measured by Polarization Immunoassay(FPIA),and HcyT concentrations were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)on a reversephase C18 column with ultraviolet detection.Plasma folic acid and Vitamin B12 levels were measured with radioimmunoassay method.Results Plasma Hcy and HcyT concentrations in type 2 DM patients were significantly higher than healthy controls[Hcy:9.28(7.51～11.82)?mol/L vs 5.64(5.17～8.00)?mol/L,P

Objective To study the potential effects of telomerase inhibitor on the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. Methods A phosphorothioate oligonucleotide (PS ODN) with sequence 5′ d(TTAGGG) 3′, as the telomerase inhibitor, was incubated with a bladder cancer cell line EJ. Such treated cells were studied with many approaches for the telomerase activity, the growth status and the morphological changes. Results The PS ODN inhibited the telomerase activity in the cells, arrested the cell growth, and induced the apoptosis of the cells. Conclusions The apoptosis of bladder cancer cells could be induced by PS ODN with 5′ d(TTAGGG) 3′ sequence as a telomerase inhibitor.

Objective To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of photoselective vaporization of the prostate(PVP)for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods Under caudal block,650 patients with BPH received PVP.By using the pointer,vaporization was started at the 6 o'clock point at the bladder neck and then extended to the 5 and 7 o'clock points,afterwards,the bilateral lobes of the prostate was involved deep into the prostate capsule.Results Five of the cases(8%)were converted to open surgeries because of large prostate or massive hemorrhage.In the other 645 cases,the mean operation time was(45.6?17.3)min,mean blood loss was(56.3?15.2)ml;none of them received blood transfusion.Urethral catheter was indwelled for(1.8?0.5)d after the operation in 504 cases.All the patients were followed up for 3 to 36 months.Three months after the operation,the IPSS and QOL decreased from(29.8?5.2)and(5.2?0.8)to(8.4?2.3)and(1.4?0.5)respectively in the patients(t=37.635,P=0.000 and t=39.084,P=0.000),RUV decreased from(168.0?22.5)ml to(24.6?5.8)ml(t=42.281,P=0.000),Qmax increased from(5.6?2.8)ml/s to(24.7?3.2)ml/s(t=-28.430,P=0.000),respectively.No urinary incontinence and TUR syndrome occurred in this series.Conclusions PVP,which can yield short operation time,little blood loss,and rapid relief,is safe,simple,and effective for patients with BPH,especially for elder patients.

Objective To observe the real-time effect of retaining needle at Lingtai (GV 10) and Shendao (GV 11) on ST-T segment on cardiogram in patients with angina pectoris of coronary heart disease (CHD).Method Thirty patients with angina pectoris of CHD who received acupuncture at Lingtai (GV 10) and Shendao (GV 11) were divided into group A with needles retained after insertion of the needles and group B without needles retained. The two groups were observed by using 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) before and after treatment, to compare the ST segment and T wave atⅡ,Ⅲ, avF lead and V4, V5, V6lead before and after treatment.Result After treatment, ST segment atⅡ,Ⅲ, avF lead and V4, V5, V6lead was changed significantly in group A (P<0.05). T wave was significantly changed atⅡ,Ⅲ, avF lead after treatment in group A (P<0.05). T wave at V4, V5, V6 lead was significantly changed after treatment in both groups (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Lingtai (GV 10) and Shendao (GV 11) can improve myocardial ischemia in angina pectoris of CHD; compared to acupuncture without needles retained, retaining needles after acupuncture can produce a more significant effect in improving the inferior and anterior myocardial walls and a better real-time effect on ST-T on ECG of angina pectoris of CHD.

BACKGROUND: It has been proved that electromagnetic field can adjust and control proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells v/a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) signal transduction system. However, there are few relevant reports about Ca2+ as the second messenger in application. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of verapamil on the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow rnesenchymal stem cells stimulated by electromagnetic fields and to conclude influx changes of Ca2+.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Electrostimulative cytological observation in vitro, which was performed in Laboratory of Orthopedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital between April and June 2005.MATERIALS: Six 4-5-week SD rats of clean grade were selected in this study. Verapami| was provided by Sigma Company, USA, and Helmholtz coil-magnetic field producer was made in Department of Electric Machine, Navy Engineering University.METHODS: The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro with adherence method and digested with trypsin. The fourth-passage cells were harvested, adjusted to 1 × 107 L-1 in density, and divided into A, B, C and D groups in 96-well plate with 200 μ I/well. Cells in the normal control group were not performed with any agent. On the second day of inoculation, cells in the magnetic field (EMF) group were cultured in Helmholtz-coil magnetic field (0.8 mT, 50 Hz) in 0.05% CO2 saturated humidity incubator at 37 ℃, 30 minutes for each, 12 hours for interval, six time in total. Cells in the verapamil group were cultured with 20 μ mol/L verapamil, and cells in the combination group were cultured with 20 μ mol/L verapamil and magnetic stimulation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proliferative activity was tested with MTT method, content of alkaline phosphate differentiated to osteoblasts was measured, and cells were stained with modified Gomori Ca-Co staining. RESULTS: Proliferative activity was significantly increased in the EMF group as compared with that in the normal control group after 3-day magnetic stimulation (P < 0.01), but verapamil could inhibit promotive effect on proliferation. Content of alkaline phosphate in the normal control group was similar to that in the EMF group, while those two contents were significantly higher than those in the verapamil group and the combination group (P < 0.01); furthermore, content of alkaline phosphate in the combination group was significant higher than that in the EMF group (P < 0.01). Qualitative analysis of alkaline phosphate showed a coincident result as mentioned above.CONCLUSION: EMF of 50 Hz frequency and 0.8 mT intensity can change intracellular free calcium ion concentration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and the change play a key role in the cellular proliferation and play a partial role in the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasta.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a rapid,accurate and standardized DNA barcode identification method for the ferulic me-dicinal plants. METHODS:Genomic DNA was extracted from Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen and Ferula fukanensis K. M. Shen,ITS2 sequences were amplified and sequenced,analytical similarity search method was conducted,13 species 26 samples gene ITS2 sequences of ferulic medicinal plants in GenBank database were downloaded and comparatively analyzed;interspecies and intraspecies genetic distances were calculated,and phylogenetic tree was developed for cluster analysis. RESULTS:According to calculation,species genetic distances of the 15 species ranged 0.009-0.230,average genetic distance was 0.018;results of clus-ter analysis showed DNA barcode ITS2 sequences can cluster the 32 kinds of ferulic medicinal plants into different classes. CON-CLUSIONS:The established DNA barcode ITS2 sequences identification method can accurately and rapidly identify the genuine and false samples of ferulic species.