Neurogenesis can be observed in the adult nervous system of many mammals. It is a popular topic about the regulation and functional reconstruction of adult neurogenesis. As one of the most active areas where neurogenesis occurs, hippocampus is most sensitive to stressful stimulations. Moreover, hippocampus plays a critical role in emotion controlling and may be the basis of research of depression. In addition, many regulative factors of neurogenesis may be involved in the etiology and therapy of depression. At present, the relationship between adult brain neurogenesis and depression should be a new focus for the research of depression.

To set up a new pattern of quality control and evaluation for Chinese medicine. By investigating the limitation of quality control pattern for Chinese medicine, the differences and similarities in the chemical substantial style as well as quality control patterns among Chinese medicine, chemical synthetic drugs and Biologicals, combining with the author's experience on the research of geo-authentic medicinal material and theory of Chinese medicinal nature, a new pattern of quality control for Chinese medicine has been explored and designed. A more rational pattern of quality control for Chinese medicine should be referred to Biologicals instead of chemical synthetic drugs, there are more similarity in chemical substantial style and quality control pattern for Chinese medicine between Chinese medicine and Biologicals than that between Chinese medicine and chemical synthetic drugs. Based on geo-authentic medicinal material and bioassay or biopotency detection, a new pattern of quality control for Chinese medicine could be built and applied.
Biological Assay ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Energy Transfer ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical results of treating femoral head necrosis staged Ficat III or IV with total hip arthroplasty (THA) between mini invasive direct anterior approach (DAA) and posterolateral approach.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2009, 48 patients with femoral head necrosis staged Ficat III or IV treated with THA were compared and analyzed. There were 21 patients in mini invasive direct anterior approach group including 11 males and 10 females with an average age of (65.2±4.3) years old;while there were 27 patients in posterolateral approach group including 16 males and 11 females with an average age of (63.6±4.0) years old. Operative time, blood loss during operation, bed rest time and complications of two groups were observed and compared. Acetabular abduction and stem shaft angle were measured 1 month after operation and compared between two groups. Postoperative Harris Hip scoring and VAS scoring were applied for evaluating hip function and pain at 1, 6 months and 5 years after operation respectively.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 48 to 73 months with an average of 60.4 months. Operative time, blood loss in DAA group was (78.30±5.08) min, (351.30±21.46) ml, respectively, in posterolateral approach group was (75.61±10.60) min, (362.20±26.15) ml, and no significant differences between two groups. Bed rest time in DAA group was (2.05±1.10) days, better than that of in posterolateral approach which was (3.30±1.35) days. No significant differences were found between two groups in acetabular abduction and stem shaft angle at 1 month after operation. There was no significant differences between two groups in HHS and VAS score at 1, 6 months and 5 years after operation. There was 1 case with injury of ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, 1 case with great trochanter fracture and 1 case with superficial infection in DAA group, 1 case with dislocation in posterolateral group. No prosthesis loosening occurred in two groups.

CONCLUSIONSBoth DAA and posterolateral approach are effective in treating femoral head necrosis staged Ficat III or IV, and could obtain excellent outcomes. However, DAA seemed to has disadvantage in learing curve compared posteriolateral approach in complex cases.

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn.

METHODSTo separate compounds with various chromatography technology and to elucidate their structures by chemical and spectral analysis.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima and their stuctures were determined as tenacissosides J (I) and tenacissosides K (II).

CONCLUSIONCompounds I and II are new C21 steroidal glycosides.

Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Marsdenia ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of thymus matrix lymphocyte generator (TSLP) and change of the Th factor in the course of disease development, and to analyze the curative effect of inhalation of Vitamin A (VA) with corticosteroid for the treatment of asthmatic pneumonia.

METHODSAsthmatic pneumonia models were prepared by challenging rats with inhalation of ovalbumin for 4 weeks, and rested for 1 week. The treatment with VA and corticosteroid inhalation for 1 week was followed. The rat thymus and lung specimen were examen by histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter 4 - 5 weeks of stimulation, there were more TSLP-positive cells and alveolar macrophages (AM) found in thymus and lung tissue of asthmatic group, the cell proliferation in spleen and thymus was obvious, and blood Th factors elevated. The inflammation within the lung tissue aggravated gradually. In VA group, the expression of TSLP and Th2 factors were all lowered at the 4th week. The TSLP expression slightly increased at the 5th week, and the cell proliferation within T-cell zone of spleen and thymus was strong at first and weakened later. Alveolar microphages (AM) increased significantly and the inflammation in the lung subsided gradually at the 5th week. In the hormone group, TSLP and Th2 factors expression in both thymus and lung were decreased at the 5th week, while the cell proliferation in thymus and lung was gradually increased. The quantity of AM was decreased, whereas the inflammation of the lung was increased gradually at the 5th week.

CONCLUSIONDuring asthmatic period elevated TSLP expression was accompanied by Th2 type responses while VA and corticosteroid both suppressed TSLP and Th2 factors expression. VA alone promoted T lymphocyte proliferation as well as the antigen elimination function by AM, after ceasing the usage, the lung inflammation abated gradually. In contrast, after ceasing the use of corticosteroid, inflammation aggravated.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma ; complications ; Beclomethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

To study the relationship of oxidative, antioxidative constituents and antioxidases in blood with chronic cholecystitis containing gallstone, levels of lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C(VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (β-CAR) in plasma as well as level of LPO, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in erythrocytes were investigated by spectrophotometric assay in 107 patients with this condition (PCg) and 100 healthy volunteers (HVs). Compared with HVs group, the average value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of PCg group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while that of VC, VE and β-CAR in plasma and the average activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Linear regression and correlation analysis for 107 preoperative PCg showed that the value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of PCg gradually increased (P<0.0001), representing a significant linear positive correlation. The value of VC, VE and β-CAR in plasma and that of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes of PCg gradually decreased (P<0.0001), representing a significant linear negative correlation. Stepwise regression and correlation analysis for 107 preoperative PCg suggested that the closest correlation was observed between the course of disease and the value of NO and VC in plasma and that of SOD, GSH-Px and LPO in erythrocytes, r=0.7306, F=32.1408, P<0.0001. Compared with the preoperative PCg group, the average value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of the postoperative PCg group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Furthermore, the average value of VC in plasma and that of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes of the postoperative PCg group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), whereas no significant difference was found between their average value of VE and β-CAR in plasma. These findings suggested that oxidative stress was an aggravating pathological condition in PCg group. Therefore, we recommend that in treating PCg, antioxidants such as VC, VE, β-CAR should be given in order to alleviate their potential oxidative damages.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of aromatase on breast cancer proliferation and invasive ability, so as to detect the relationship between in situ estrogen levels and molecular biological characteristics of breast cancer.

METHODSBy immunohistochemistry staining, the expression of aromatase, matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP 9) in the primary breast cancers were detected, the associations between aromatase and MMPs as well as clinical-pathological factors were analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rates of aromatase were 25.0% (+) and 29.9% (++). Aromatase status was associated with MMP2, MMP9 and co-expression of MMP2 and MMP9 (P < 0.05), but not associated with tumor size, ER/PR status, menopausal status and tumor grade (P > 0.05). In the postmenopausal patients there was a relationship between aromatase and tumor size (P < 0.05), but not in the premenopausal patients (P > 0.05); there was a relationship between aromatase and co-expression of MMP2/MMP9 in the patients with ER and/or PR positive (P < 0.05), but not in the patients with ER and PR negative (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn the breast cancer in situ estrogen produced by tumor aromatase may promote the cancer cells proliferation and invasiveness and maybe through ER pathway especially in the postmenopausal patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aromatase ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the immunity of morbid obesity (MO) before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

METHODS15 cases, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.8 kg/m(2), were treated by LAGB from Jun. 2003 to Oct. 2003 in our department. Patients' immune parameters were determined preoperatively and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. 15 cases with a normal BMI (23.6 kg/m(2)) were set as controls.

RESULTSBefore surgery, the MO had a significant lower level of CD(4)(+), CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) and a higher level of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the controls (P < 0.01). There was a significant reduction of weight and BMI 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). At the same time, CD(4)(+) increased and serum IL-2 decreased significantly. But CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+)and serum IL-2, IL-6 were still abnormal compare to the controls.

CONCLUSIONSMO may combined with an abnormal immunity. But after enough weight loss induced by LAGB, it can be partly reversed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroplasty ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Obesity, Morbid ; immunology ; surgery ; Weight Loss

To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on liver drug metabolic enzyme activity, mRNA and protein expressions in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups. After administration of the test drugs, their liver microsomes, liver total RNA and total protein were extracted to detect the regulating effect of PNS on liver drug metabolic enzyme activity-related subtype enzymatic activity, mRNA and protein expression by substrate probe, quantitative PCR and Western Blot technology. The result of this experiment was that PNS could significantly induce CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 enzyme activity, mRNA expression, CYP2E1 protein expression level. PNS significantly induced CYP3A mRNA expression, but with no significant effect in CYP3A enzyme activity level. PNS had no significant effect CYP1A1 and CYP2B mRNA expressions and enzyme activity levels. PNS had selective regulations on different P450 subtypes, and the major subtypes were CYP1A2 and CYP2E1. In clinical practice, particularly in the combination with CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 metabolism-related drugs, full consideration shall be given to the possible drug interactions in order to avoid potential toxic and side effects. Meanwhile, whether the induction effect of CYP2E1 gets involved in ginsenoside's effect incavenging free radicals deserves further studies.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo detect the RNA of severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV) by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeted for a two loci and a modified nested real-time RT-PCR as to improving the reliability and sensitivity of tests.

METHODSA nested RT-PCR was used for detecting one fragment of SARS-CoV RNA in oropharyngeal swabs from 3 SARS probable patients, 4 SARS suspect patients and other 27 patients with fever in Hangzhou, and the nested RT-PCR product from one SARS probable patient was sequenced. Meanwhile in these 3 SARS probable patients, other three RT-PCR methods, including a hemi-nested RT-PCR targeted for another fragment of SARS-CoV RNA, a real-time RT-PCR and a modified nested real-time RT-PCR, were employed to detect SARS-CoV RNA.

RESULTSTwo positives were found in the 3 SARS probable patients, and none positive in 4 SARS suspect patients and other 27 patients with fever, using the nested RT-PCR. The sequence of the nested RT-PCR product from one SARS probable patient was identified with the counterpart of SARS-CoV genomes published in public database. The results of the hemi-nested RT-PCR, the real-time RT-PCR and the modified nested real-time RT-PCR in the 3 SARS patients were consistent with the one of the nested RT-PCR. During detecting specimen with low copies of RNA, a weak positive signal was produced after about 35 cycles in the real-time RT-PCR, but a strong positive signal was found only after 10 cycles in the modified nested real-time RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONIt might improve the reliability of test by employing RT-PCR targeted for two or more fragments in SARS-CoV genome. The modified nested real-time RT-PCR might have higher sensitivity than the routine real-time RT-PCR.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Base Sequence ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; virology ; Young Adult