AIM: To establish a new quality standard for Kangbindu Oral Solution (Radix Isatidis, Gypsum Fibrosum, Rhizoma Phragmitis, Radix Rehmannia, etc.). METHODS: Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii and Fructus Forsythiae were identified by TLC. The forsythin content was determined by HPLC on Inertsil ODS column (4.6mm?250mm,5?m). The mobile phase was acetomitrile water(25∶75). The detection wavelength was set at 277nm. RESULTS: The linear range of forsythin was in the range of 4.24～21.2?g. The average recovery was 99.09%, and RSD was 0.4%( n =6). CONCLUSION: The method is simple and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of Kangbindu Oral Solution.

Objective To analyze the concentration of heavy metal elements, C, N and H in PM2.5 in the atmosphere in Hangzhou. Methods Midflow samplers were used to collect the samples in Hangzhou city, the element analyzer and microwave digestion ICP-MS were applied to test the samples. Results The average concentrations of N, C, H were 13.9-14.7, 30.3-30.8 and 7.9-8.9 ?g/m3 respectively in the central and northern east areas. The average mass percent values for the three elements(N、C、H) in the city were 12.8%, 27.8% and 8.1% respectively. The average ratios of total inorganic nitrogen to total organic nitrogen (IN/ON) and total organic hydrogen to total inorganic hydrogen (OH/IH) varied in the range of 2.2-3.5 and 3.5-3.6. Eleven elements showed a higher concentration in PM2.5, in which the values of Zn, Pb, Cu and Mn were all more than 200-11 500 mg/kg and the values of Cr, Ni, Se, Mo, Cd and Sb were 17-108 mg/kg, and that was only 6-8 mg/kg for Ag. The levels of average mass percent of all the metal elements were 1.7%-2.0%. Conclusion Carbon is one of important components in PM2.5 in Hangzhou. N and H exist mainly in the form of inorganic and organic compounds respectively. Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn are major heavy metal elements in PM2.5.

Objective:To predict the basic physicochemical properties ,structure and function ,and linear B-cell epitopes of the capsid protein VP1 of coxsackievirus A6(CVA6).Methods: The amino acid sequence of the CVA6 VP1 was analyzed using Bioedit software and various online tools including SubLoc ,TargetP and the others from ExPASy Bioinformatics Resource Portal.Results: The CVA6 VP1 protein was a hydrophilic protein with a relative molecular weight of 33.6 kD and an isoelectric point of 7.92.This protein containsed 24 phosphorylation sites , but no signal peptide , transmembrane domains and possible fatty acylation sites.Its secondary structure was characterized by the richest random coils , and 48.52 percent of its amino acid residues exposed at the solution inter-face.Epitope prediction by Bepipred showed a number of potential B cell epitopes in the protein ,the highest antigenicity index among them located in the region of amino acids residue 155-165.Conclusion:The basic physicochemical properties ,structure and function characteristics ,and potential linear B-cell epitopes of CVA 6 VP1 were successfully predicted , which laid foundations for the further study on the protein and the preparation of vaccines and immunological diagnostic reagents for CVA 6 infection.

BACKGROUND:Valvular interstitial cel s are the main components of the heart valves. Myofibroblasts, as a kind of valvular interstitial cel s, can express alpha-smooth muscle actin and type I col agen fiber, and hold differentiation potential. These cel s cannot only play a support role in the valve structure, but also play a regulatory role in the process of the valve normal physiological and pathological responses.
OBJECTIVE:To obtain a reliable method of separation, primary culture and identification of myofibroblasts laying a foundation for further study on the cardiac valvular calcification.
METHODS:Aortic valve myofibroblas extracted from porcine hearts were primary cultured by trypsin and col agenase combined digestive method, common enzyme-digestion method and tissue-culture method, respectively. The myofibroblast activity and morphology were observed using microscope, and myofibroblasts were identified using light microscope and immunocytochemistrial method.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Myofibroblasts had a higher activity and purity cultured by trypsin combined with col agenase II digestion method. Aortic valve myofibroblasts were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and negative for von Wil ebrand factor under fluorescence microscope, suggesting that myofibroblasts were successful y obtained.

Objective To investigate DNA double-strand breaks and radiosensitization in renal carcinoma 786-O cells induced by fludarabine (FA) combined with different ionizing radiations.Methods The 786-O cells were exposed to FA combined with X-ray or heavy ion beam irradiation.Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the percentage of γH2AX-positive cells and cell cycle.The neutral comet assay was used to detect DNA double-strand breaks.The colony-forming assay was used to evaluate the effects of different treatments on cell survival.Comparison between groups was made by one-way analysis of variance or Dunnet' s t test.Results Compared with FA alone or irradiation alone,FA combined with different ionizing radiations increased DNA double-strand breaks as shown by significantly increased levels of γH2AX (P=0.007,0.001);FA combined with heavy ion beam irradiation lead to a cell cycle block at the radiosensitive G2/M phase and significantly increased the expression of γH2AX in the G2/M phase (P=0.000,0.000);the neutral comet assay revealed that FA combined with irradiation significantly increased DNA sublethal damage (P=0.020,0.060);FA significantly reduced the colony-forming rate after irradiation (P=0.000,0.030;0.001,0.040).Conclusions FA enhances the effects induced by X-ray and heavy ion beam irradiation with different properties.Particularly,FA substantially enhances the cell death induced by heavy ion beam irradiation.

There are two phenotypes of microglia, M1 and M2. Microglia in M2 polarization may associate with the phagorytosis of be-ta-amyloid and inhibition of Tau hyperphosphorylation, as well as in other pathology. Electroacupuncture can impact the phenotypes of mi-croglia, which may play a role in the treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

With the development of aging population, the morbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing. Electroacupuncture on several acupoints, especially Baihui (GV20), may improve the cognitive function, brain morphology, and reduceβ-amyloid deposition and tau protein phosphorylation, in AD models.

In this study the relation between the extent and type of disc protrusion and the clinical severity of symptoms of low back pain was observed. Our series consisted of 300 consecutive cases of lumbar disc protrusion,with their diagnosis confirmed by intraoperative observation. Preoperative pain severity was assessed using a back pain scale that combined the symptoms of back pain and sciatica. Intraoperaative pathological findings of disc were documented and comparesd with preoperative symptoms and signs. The pathological changes of disc were classified as following four subtypes: bulging disc (85 cases), protruding disc (104 cases), extruded disc (72 cases) and sequestered disc (39 cases). Our results suggest that severity of pain in patients with herniated lumbar disc is related to position of herniation rather than magnitude and exent of herniation. Inflammed intraspinal tissues are significantly associated with low back pain and sciatica.

Objective To identify the most common fungal pathogens and their antifungal drug resistance in autoimmune disease (AD) patients with fungal infection , for guiding the rational use of antifungal therapy. Methods The identification were analyzed by ATB Expression automatic microbiology analytical instrument system. The antifungal susceptibility test was done by ATB FUNGUS strip. Results Of 428 patients studied,36(8.4%) had fungal infections. The most commonly infective sites were lower respiratory tract(53.5%),urinary tract(20.9%), intestinal tract(11.6%). A total of 43 fungi strains were isolated, the most common fungi were Candida albicans (65.1%), Candida glabrata (11.6%), Candida tropicalis (7.0%),and Candida parapsilosis (4.7%).Resistance rates of Candida albicans against ketoconazole, miconazole and econazole were 35. 7% , 46.4% and 32.1% , while resistance rates to fluconazole, amphotericin B, nystain and flucytosine were much lower, being 0, 14.3% , 14.3% and 7.1% . The resistance rates of other fungi were similar to Candida albicans. Conclusion The main pathogens causing fungal infection in patients with AD is Candida albicans. It should as early as possible process the clinical antifungal therapy under the result of antifungal susceptibility test and supportive measure.

Objective To retrospectively study the serum IgG and IgM antibodies against toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1&2 in various populations, and analyze the clinical values.Methods From 2008 to 2015, 2 661 pregnant women, 324 infertile women, 2 492 women with abnormal pregnancy history, 623 women with recent abnormal pregnancy, 261 infants with intrauterine growth retardation and other diseases, 170 women for preconceptual examination, and 702 women for physical examination in Beijing were included .Commercial EIA kits were used to detect serum IgG and IgM antibodies to toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1&2. Positive reactions of IgM antibodies to any pathogens were re-tested with another kind of commercial EIA kit. PEMS3.1 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The prevalence of serum IgG or IgM antibodies against toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1& 2 were found within 0.7%-1.6%(0-1.2%) , 85.3%-92.0% ( 0.4%-2.7%) , 89.1%-94.9% ( 0.7%-1.7%) , 74.8%-86.0% ( 0 -0.7%) , 8.1% -17.4% ( 0 -4.1%) respectively in the studied population groups.The prevalence of TORCH IgG and IgM antibodies were not found to be higher in both populations with past suspicious exposure ( infertile women and women with abnormal pregnancy history ) and recent suspicious exposure ( women with recent abnormal pregnancy and infants with intrauterine growth retardation and other diseases) than that in pregnant women and women for preconceptual and physical examination. Conclusion No associations between TORCH infections and the suspicious exposure were found in the populations above.