ObjectiveTo establish a new,rapid,and reliable reversed-phase ultra performance liquid chromatography (RP-UPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of six quaternary ammonium alkaloids (QAAs) in Coptidis Rhizoma.MethodsThe effect of different experimental parameters on the analysis of QAAs by RP-UPLC was evaluatcd.ResultsOptimal resolution was achieved with an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column using a gradient elution profile and a mobile phase consisting of water spiked with 10 mmol/L ammonium bicarbonate (A,pH adjusted to 10.0 by ammonia water) and acetonitrile (B),at a flow rate of 0.30 rnL/min and wavelength of 345 nm.The column temperature was set at 30 ℃.The proposed method was found to be reproducible,precise,and rapid according to the method validation.Conclusion The proposed method,which is compatible with MS analysis and the preparation of QAA,provides some helpful insights into the quality control of Coptidis Rhizoma.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the serotype distribution, drug resistance rate and drug resistance gene carrying of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in hospitalized patients, and evaluate the coverage of the vaccine to the serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae in this area, so as to provide reference for the rational use of antibiotics in clinic. Methods　A total of 150 strains of non-repetitive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from inpatients from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected for serotyping and antimicrobial sensitivity test. The carrying rates of pbp2b, ermB and tetM were detected by PCR. Results　The PCR classification rate of 150 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae was 93.1%, and the classification rate of capsular swelling test was 100%, and a total of 19 serotypes were divided, mainly 19F and 6B. Children's serotypes were predominantly 19F, 6B, and 15A; adult serotypes were predominantly 19F, 14, and 23F. The coverage rates of the PCV7, PCV10, PCV13 and PPV23 vaccines were 36.8%, 42.1%, 57.9% and 68.4%, respectively. Strains with serotypes of 19F, 6B, 3, and 23F had higher rates of resistance to antimicrobials. The sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin was greater than 96.0%. Antimicrobials with significant differences in resistance rates between invasive and non-invasive strains were penicillin, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin. The percentage of strains carrying both ermB and tetM resistance genes was 96.0%, and the concordance rate between pbp2b, ermB and tetM resistance genes and the resistance phenotype was >98.0%. A total of 10 multi-resistance combinations were detected, with a multi-resistance rate of 62.6%, and the multi-drug resistance pattern of Streptococcus pneumoniae was mainly concentrated in the 19F and 6B serotypes. Conclusion　There are significant age differences in the serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in this area. The vaccine currently used has low coverage in this region and therefore offer limited protection to the population. The drug resistance rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae varied significantly among serotypes. Erythromycin and tetracycline are not recommended for clinical treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Penicillin can still be used as the first choice for clinical treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number and the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 proteins in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the correlation between them.

METHODSThe status of EGFR gene copy number was determined by in situ hybridization (FISH), and the expression of ERCC1 and BRCC1 proteins was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship of EGFR gene copy number with the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 and the clinical pathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTSFISH-positive EGFR expression was identified in 40 of 166 samples (24.1%). More FISH-positive EGFR in the female than male patients (31.9% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.048), and non-smoker than smoker (32.8% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.045). FISH-positive EGFR was not associated with age, pathological type, clinical stage and metestasis status (P > 0.05). The expression of ERCC1 protein was identified in 60 of 132 samples (45.5%). The expression of ERCC1 protein varied significantly in tumors of different pathological types (P = 0.046), but not associated with age, gender, clinical stage, metestatic status and smoking status (P > 0.05). The expression of BRCA1 protein was identified in 46 of 131 samples (35.1%). The expression of BRCA1 was not associated with age gender, pathological type, clinical stage, metestatic ststus and smoking status (P > 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between the expressions of ERCC1 and BRCA1 (r = 0.449, P < 0.001), but EGFR gene copy number was not correlated with the expression of ERCC1 or BRCA1 protein.

CONCLUSIONSFISH-positive EGFR expression is associated with gender and smoking status, but not correlated with the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 proteins. There is a moderate correlation between the expressions of ERCC1 and BRCA1.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; BRCA1 Protein ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endonucleases ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate morphological changes of capillary in aging brain and explore the role of vascular factor in brain aging.

METHODSTwenty-eight brains of individuals (mean age 65 years) who died without clinical or pathological involvement of nervous system and 6 brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (mean age 83 years) were obtained at autopsy. Sections from frontal lobe, occipital lobe, striatum and hippocampus of normal subjects and sections from hippocampus of AD patients were used for hematoxylin eosin (HE), lox fast blue (LFB), toluidine blue stains and ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) immunostaining. After observations of morphological changes of neuron and capillary, computer-aid image analysis was performed to quantify numerical density and area density of neuron and capillary in frontal lobe, occipital lobe, putamen, CA3 sector of normal subjects and CA3 sector of AD patients. Numerical ratio and area ratio of neuron and capillary were then calculated. Correlations between neuron/capillary ratio and age were estimated using Pearson's correlation test. Difference of neuron/capillary ratio in CA3 sectors between AD patients and advanced aged normal subjects (> 75 years) was analyzed with Student's t-test.

RESULTSSeveral pathological microvascular changes, including increased tortuosity, looping, bundling, stringing, and effacement of endothelia were seen in aged subjects and more prevalent in AD patients. Numerical ratio and area ratio of neuron and capillary of frontal lobe, occipital lobe and putamen significantly increased with age in normal aging subjects.

CONCLUSIONSMorphological changes and relative decrease in number and capacity of capillary in aging brain may reduce cerebral blood flow and metabolism, and consequently result in functional impairment of aging brain. Vascular factors may play an important role in the development of brain aging.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; pathology ; Capillaries ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Cell Count ; Cerebral Cortex ; blood supply ; pathology ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; blood supply ; pathology ; Hippocampus ; blood supply ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurons ; pathology ; Occipital Lobe ; blood supply ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study 3 different strategies of urine drainage following hypospadias urethroplasty, the clinical nursing in their application, and their effects.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 595 cases of hypospadias treated by urethroplasty. After surgery, 133 of the patients underwent urine drainage by suprapubic cystostomy (group A), 202 by urethral stent- tube indwelling (group B), and 260 by early initiative micturition with the urethral stent-tube (group C). All the patients received routine postoperative nursing care required for hypospadias repair.

RESULTSOperations were successfully completed in all the cases. Group C showed a remarkably shorter hospital stay and lower incidence rates of urinary fistula and urethral stricture than groups A and B (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in the three indexes between A and B (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor urine drainage following hypospadias repair, early initiative micturition with the urethral stent-tube can significantly reduce postoperative complications, decrease difficulties and workload of nursing care, and shorten the hospital stay of the patient.

Cystostomy ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; prevention & control ; Urinary Fistula ; prevention & control ; Urine ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between chromosome anomaly and spontaneous abortion, and to provide useful information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in reproductive clinic. METHODS: A total of 1 780 patients who had a history of spontaneous abortion before 24 weeks of gestation were enrolled. The lymphocyte culture and harvest were performed according to standard methods. Karyotypes were analyzed by G-banding in all cases and C- banding in some cases in addition. RESULTS: Altogether 57 abnormal karyotypes were found and the overall incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 3.20% (women 3.32%; men 2.12%). Among them 23 cases were the balanced translocation; 14 cases were the Robertsonian translocation, 3 cases were the complex chromosomal rearrangement, and the other 17 cases were the other abnormalities. In women with 1, 2, 3 or more spontaneous abortion, the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 1.7%, 2.3%, and 5.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION Translocations are the major abnormal karyotpes associated with spontaneous abortions. The chance of finding chromosomal aberration increases with the number of abortions. Chromosomal abnormalities are more common in women with 3 or more spontaneous abortions.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Translocation, Genetic

Despite its dual role in determining cell fate in a wide array of solid cancer cell lines, autophagy has been robustly shown to suppress or kill acute myeloid leukemia cells via degradation of the oncogenic fusion protein that drives leukemogenesis. However, autophagy also induces the demise of acute leukemia cells that do not express the known fusion protein, though the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Nevertheless, since it can induce cooperation with apoptosis and differentiation in response to autophagic signals, autophagy can be manipulated for a better therapy on acute myeloid leukemia.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of p57 and p53 immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of hydropic abortion, partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole.

METHODSImmunohistochemical stains (EnVision method) for p57 and p53 were performed in tissue samples of normal placenta chorionic villi (n=10), abortion chorionic villi (n=12), partial hydatidiform (n=23) and complete hydatidiform moles (n=20).

RESULTSThe expression of p57 was predominantly localized in the nuclei of villous cytotrophoblasts and stromal cells. The positive rates of p57 in normal placenta, hydropic abortion and partial hydatidiform mole were 10/10, 12/12, and 100% (23/23), respectively, with no significant difference among the groups (P>0.05). However, none of the complete hydatidiform moles analyzed exhibited p57 positivity in cytotrophoblasts and stromal cells. There was a significant difference between partial and complete hydatidiform moles (P<0.05). The expression of p53 was observed in the nuclei of cytotrophoblastic cells and intermediate trophoblasts. No p53 expression was seen in normal placenta and only 1 of 12 hydropic abortion showed p53 positivity. The positive rates of p53 expression in partial and complete hydatidiform mole were 60.9% (14/23) and 85.0% (17/20) respectively. It was significantly higher in partial hydatidiform mole than that in hydropic abortion. A significant difference was also found between partial and complete hydatidiform moles (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings confirm that p57 immunohistochemistry assists the differential diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole from partial hydatidiform mole. Expression of p53 may be helpful in distinguishing partial hydatidiform mole from hydropic abortion.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pregnancy ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Trophoblasts ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Uterine Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo recognize changes in the contents of ingredients of Andrographis Tablet in the process of production.

METHODAdopting TLCS, TLC, HPLC to detect effective contents of ingredients which are produced in every stage of process of Andrographis Table's production.

RESULTHandling with the fresh Herba Andrographis according to current pharmacopeoia's technology, it showed that only dehyandrographolide can be detected. It indicated that the main factor that leads to chemical change is the heating process in the process of production.

CONCLUSIONAvoiding heating treatment or reducing heating treatment time is the main factor to protect the effective ingredients.

Andrographis ; chemistry ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hot Temperature ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tablets ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and efficacy of low-concentration inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) among premature infants.

METHODSSixty premature infants (gestational age ≤ 34 weeks) with HRF were randomized into NO and control groups between 2012 and 2013, with 30 cases in each group. Both groups received nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or mechanical ventilation. NO inhalation was continued for at least 7 days or until weaning in the NO group. The general conditions, blood gas results, complications, and clinical outcomes of the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTSThe NO group showed significantly more improvement in blood gas results than the control group after 12 hours of treatment (P<0.05). After that, the change in oxygenation status over time showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in total time of assisted ventilation and duration of oxygen therapy between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, and pneumothorax in infants showed no significant differences between the NO and control groups (P>0.05), but the incidence of IVH and mortality were significantly lower in the NO group than in the control group (7% vs 17%, P<0.05; 3% vs 13%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNO inhalation may improve oxygenation status and reduce the mortality in premature infants with HRF, but it cannot reduce the incidence of BPD and the total time of mechanical ventilation or nCPAP and duration of oxygen therapy. NO therapy may have a brain-protective effect for premature infants with HRF and does not increase clinical complications.

Administration, Inhalation ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; complications ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Nitric Oxide ; administration & dosage ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy