Inflammatory bowel disease( IBD)is a group of chronic nonspecific intestinal diseases characterized by a clinical relapsing-remitting behavior. The evaluation of disease activity is concerned by clinicians all the time. With the evolving in recognition of the pathogenesis of IBD,many novel biomarkers are emerging in recent years. This article reviewed advances in the accepted and ongoing research fecal markers of IBD.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the preparation process and the quality control standards for Jinhuanglidan Granules (JHLD). METHODS: Rheum Officinale, Rhizoma Coptis, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Scutellariae were identified by TLC. The content of berberine hydrochloride in the preparation was determined by TLCS. RESULTS: Rheum Officinale, Rhizoma Coptis, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Scutellariae could be identified by TLC. Berberine hydrochloride showed a good linearity in the range of 0 .05 985ug- 0. 29 925ug, r = 0. 9 996(n = 5). The average recovery was 99. 64%, RSD = 2. 54%. CONCLUSIO- N: This method is simple, accurate and specific. It can be used for the quality control of JHLD.

Objective To study the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of solute carrier family 22 member 4 (SLC22A4) and SLC22A5 genes with Crhon's disease (CD) in Chinese Han nationality. Methods SNPs in the entire coding region of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 genes were screened by direct DNA sequencing in 80 CD patients and 80 healthy subjects, and statistical in Han population. Five SNPs were found in entire coding region (2 in SLC22A4 gene and 3 in distribution of the alleles and genotypes of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 polymorphisms between CD patients and healthy controls. Conclusion There is no correlation of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 with CD in Chinese Han nationality.

Objective To investigate the accumulation of mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in the displacement loop ( D-loop ) of mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA ) might be associated with cancer risk and disease outcome.Methods We obtained cancerous and noncancerous liver tissues from 49 HBV-related HCC patients at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University.mtDNA of the liver tissues was extracted with Mitochondrial DNA Extraction Kit.Mutation and polymorphism were confirmed by repeated analysis.We assessed the prediction power of D-loop SNPs in hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) patients.Results No mutation in these HCC patients had prediction power for post-operational survival, whereas one SNP site ( nucleotide 150 C/T ) was identified by the log-rank test for statistically significant prediction of HCC survival.In an overall multivariate analysis, allele 150 was identified as an independent predictor of HCC outcome.The length of survival of patients with allele 150C was significantly shorter than that of patients with allele 150T (relative risk, 0.246;95% CI, 0.070–0.861; P=0.028).Conclusions The analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial D-loop helps to identify patient subgroups at high risk of a poor disease outcome.

BACKGROUND:Currently, X-ray examination is mainly used for diagnosis of nonunion. However, this method that relies only on the clinician’s experience and degree of calus mineralization has less accuracy because it is vulnerable to projection, processing conditions and subjective factors. OBJECTIVE:To establish an animal model of nonunion and to detect the variation of biochemical markers and bone mineral density. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, and bone defect and fracture models were made in the midshaft of the forearm radius, respectively. X-ray examination of the forearm, quantitative CT measurement of bone mineral density and serological test were carried out before and at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 weeks after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Postoperative X-ray films showed that the in the bone defect group, a little calus formed in three rabbits at 2 weeks, the calus formed stably at 5 weeks, but there was stil no healing at 8 weeks; in the fracture group, the fracture line was blurred at 2 weeks and a large number of caluses formed at 6-8 weeks. Compared with the fracture group, the value of bone mineral density in the bone defect group began to decrease significantly at 5 weeks after surgery. Results from the serological test showed that in the bone defect group, the activity of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase increased after surgery, reached peak at 4 weeks, began to decrease at 5 weeks and became stable at 6 weeks; the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b increased after surgery, peaked at 4 weeks, then decreased and stabilized basicaly; the expression of N-terminal telopeptide of type I colagen decreased significantly at 5 weeks after surgery and became stable at 6 weeks. These findings indicate that the systematic monitoring of changes in bone mineral density and biochemical indicators such as bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and type I colagen N-terminal telopeptides may help to reflect the early progress of rabbit nonunion.

BACKGROUND:Detecting the serum levels of biochemical markers to assess bone fractures is simple, mini-invasive and specific. Thereafter, to predict bone nonunion by choosing an appropriate marker has become a hotspot.
OBJECTIVE:To establish an animal model of bone nonunion and explore the changing rules of the biochemical markers during the process of nonunion.
METHODS:Twenty New Zealand white rabbits aged 5-6 months were enrol ed and divided into two groups. In bone defect group, a 15-mm length of bone (including the periosteum) was removed from the left mid-radius, and the medul ary cavities were closed with bone wax. In bone fracture group, the mid-radius was fractured. X-ray examination was taken and blood samples were extracted preoperatively and at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after surgery. The serum levels of osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) as markers of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I col agen (CTX), N-terminal telopeptide of type I col agen (NTX), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) as markers of bone resorption, were measured using biotin double-antibody sandwich ELISA.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the bone defect group, the bone metabolism was at a high level, suggesting that the early diagnosis of bone nonunion depends on several biochemical indicators. In the bone defect group, the serum level of CTX peaked at 5 weeks, and the serum levels of osteocalcin, BSAP and NTX decreased obviously at 4 or 5 weeks, while the serum TRACP 5b concentration did not change significantly, indicating that al above markers except TRACP 5b sensitively reflect the bone turnover in vivo. Further studies are needed to determine whether systematic monitoring of the biochemical markers can reflect the bone turnover effectively and can be used for the early diagnosis of nonunion in the rabbit model.

Objective To observe the best compatibility proportion and action mode of protective effects of combined baicalin and taurine in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model.Methods Aβ1-42 was injected through lateral ventricles to establish AD rat models. SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group, aricept group, combined baicalin and taurine in different proportions group. Administration groups were treated with different medicines, while sham-operation group and model group were treated with the same amount of normal saline for 40 days. The step-through latency and the times of mistakes were detected through step-through test;the escape latent and the times of crossing target quadrant were detected through Morris water maze. Furthermore, the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were induced by 5 μmol/L Aβ1-42 for establishing a cellular AD model. The AD cellular model was treated with baicalin and taurine compatibility in different proportions for 48 hours. Then the rate of cell viability was detected by MTT assay, and the median effective concentration (EC50) and combination index were calculated. Results Baicalin and taurine in 2∶1 and 1∶1 proportion groups can significantly improve learning and memory ability in AD rats (P<0.05,P<0.01). The EC50 were 2.110 μmol/L and 0.422 μmol/L, respectively. The combination index was 0.308.Conclusion Baicalin combined with taurine exhibit synergetic protective effects in AD rats induced by Aβ1-42. The optimal compatibility proportion of baicalin and taurine is 2∶1, and EC50 is 0.279 μmol/L.

Objective To discuss the indication for kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) on primary urothelial carcinoma of the distal ureter.MethodsClinical data of 108 patients with primary urothelial carcinoma of the distal ureter in our hospital from 2001 to 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.There were 75 males and 33 females with mean age of 62 ( range from 42 to 85 ) years old in this study.The patients were divided into KSS group and RNU group according to the operation methods.The recurrence rate of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) and KSS were evaluated.Results The recurrence was seen none with T,stage,1 (12.5％) with T1 stage,4 (36.4％) with T2 stage and 4 (80％) with T3 stage in KSS group.In RNU group,there was none with Ta stage,4 ( 15.4％ ) with T1 stage,10 (33.3％) with T2 stage and 7 (36.8％) with T3 stage recurred.There was no difference between patients with Ta to T2 stages in KSS and RNU group (P ＞0.05 ) on recurrence,but there was a significant difference between patients with T3 stage (P＜0.05).There was 1 (33.3％) case with G1 grade,3 (18.8％) with G2 grade and 5 (62.5％) with G3 grade recurred in KSS group,while 2 (22.2％) cases with G1 grade,9 (20％) with G2 grade and 10 (37.0％) with G3 grade recurred in RNU group.There was no difference between patients with G1 to G2 grades in KSS and RNU group (P＞0.05),but there was a significant difference between patients with G3 stage in the two groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion KSS seems to be safe for patients with low stage and low grade primary urothelial carcinoma of the distal ureter.

AIM To observe the effects of Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid (Polygoni multiflori Radix Praeparata,Angelicae sinensis Radix,Psoraleae Fructus,etc.) on learning and memory function,hippocampus tissue pathological morphology,SOD activity and carbonyl protein content in SAMP8 mice.METHODS Twenty-seven SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into model control group,donepezil hydrochloride group and Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid group.Another nine SAMR1 mice were selected as normal control group.Mice were given successive intragastric administration for 60 days.On the 56th day,the passive avoidance test was adopted,and the learning and memory capacities were determined after 5 d;The pathological morphology was observed by HE staining;ELISA assay was used to detect the activity of SOD and the content of carbonyl protein in brain tissue.RESULTS Compared with the model control group,the escape latency of mice in the Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid group was significantly prolonged,and the number of errors decreased significantly (P ＜0.01);the pathological morphology of hippocampus tissue was significantly improved;SOD activity increased significantly,and carbonyl protein content decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid can not only improve the learning and memory function of SAMP8 mice,but also reduce the degree of hippocampus tissue degenerative disease.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the content determination of matrine,sophocarpine,emodin,rhein,chloro-genic acid,sarkosaponin a,aloe-emodin in Kuhuang injection.METHODS:UPLC-MS/MS was adopted. The determination was per-formed on Phenomenex Kenetix C18 column with mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.1% formic acid(gradient elution)at the flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 20 ℃,and injector temperature was set at 10 ℃. The equilibrium time was 4 min and sample size was 5 μL. Ionization mode was electrospray ionization with spray voltage of 5500 V and -4500 V,at-omizing air pressure of 4.14×105 Pa,heater pressure of 4.48×105 Pa,curtain air of 1.72×105 Pa and ion source temperature of 600 ℃. The work mode was multiple reaction monitoring mode. RESULTS:The linear range were 1.25-80.0 ng/mL for matrine (r=0.9993),1.10-70.0 ng/mL for sophocarpine(r=0.9995),0.16-10.5 ng/mL for emodin(r=0.9993),2.61-168 ng/mL for rhe-in (r=0.9993),1.50-96.0 ng/mL for chlorogenic acid (r=0.9993),1.48-94.5 ng/mL for sarkosaponin a (r=0.9996) and 6.11-391 ng/mL for aloe-emodin(r=0.9991). The limits of quantification were 0.061,0.109,0.041,1.313,0.500,0.492,3.055 ng/mL,limits of detection were 0.025,0.054,0.016,0.656,0.150,0.148,1.528 ng/mL. RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were all no more than 3%. The recoveries of them were 95.45%-99.45%(RSD=1.43%,n=6),97.50%-101.00%(RSD=1.50%,n=6),95.67%-101.73%(RSD=2.85%,n=6),97.17%-100.57%(RSD=1.16%,n=6),95.19%-98.90%(RSD=1.71%, n=6),95.38%-103.85%(RSD=3.39%,n=6),95.50%-101.17%(RSD=1.20%,n=6),respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,effective,accurate,reliable and suitable for simultaneous determination for 7 components in Kuhuang injection.