Objective: To study the influences of steam distillation (SD) on the isomerization of the essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel. Methods: SD、GC、GC-MS. Results: The duration of the extraction of essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. by SD was about 14 h, and the yield of (Z)-ligustilide was about 67.1 percent of total (Z)-ligustilide. During the SD, it produced some new components in the essential oils, for example 4-hydroxy-3-methylacetophenone, 2,4,5-benzaldehyde,2,4,5-trimethyl-et al. Conclusion: The results suggested that the extraction of essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. by SD had some disadvantages.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized of chronic inflammation in airway, pulmonary parenchyma and pulmonary vessels. The mechanism of the increment and activity changes of these inflammatory cells is unclear at present.OBJECTIVE: To study the apoptotic character of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) and its relationship with COPD to provide a reference for early intervention and function surveillance for COPD patients.DESIGN: An observatory comparative study based on COPD patients and healthy population as controls.SETTING: Department of pulmonary medicine in a military medical university of Chinese PLA affiliated hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 98 COPD patients were admitted by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between February 2003 and December 2003 due to COPD acute attack. Eighteen patients including 12 males and 6 females aged between 48 and 70 years old [mean of(56 ± 7) years old]were randomly selected into COPD group according to random number table.Totally 14 healthy adults including 10 males and 4 females aged between 50 and 70 years old [mean of (59 ± 8) years old] who were individuals came for physical check up in our hospital were selected in control group.METHODS: PMNs were separated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation. The dynamic changes of PMNs apoptosis in peripheral blood was observed by flow cytometer and TUNEL method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of PMNs apoptotic rate in peripheral blood among groupsRESULTS: As indicated by flow cytometric analysis, PMNs apoptotic rate at early apoptotic phase in COPD patients at paracmasis was(8.5 ± 1.3)%,which was significantly lower than(12.5 ± 1.8)% of normal control group( t=6.25, P ＜ 0. 01); PMNs apoptotic rate was(5.1 ±0.6)% at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly lower than that of paracmasis group ( t =5.66, P ＜001). As indicated by TUNEL analysis, PMNs apoptotic rate at paracmasis was(12.42 ±2.7)% , which was significantly lower than (21.5±4.8)% of normal control group(t=5.76, P ＜ 0.01); PMNs apoptotic rate was(4. 9 ±0.4)% at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly lower than that of paracmasis group( t = 6. 12, P ＜ 0. 01 ) . PMNs changes at the late phase of apoptosis/necrosis had a contrary tendency, i. e.,PMNs rate at late apoptotic phase/necrosis was(2. 8 ± 0.5)% in COPD patients at paracmasis, which was significantly higher than(1. 3 ±0.4)% of normal control group ( t= 6. 37, P ＜ 0. 01 ); PMNs rate was (3.7 ± 0. 3) % at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly higher than that of paracmasis group(t=5.81, P ＜0.01).CONCLUSION: PMNs abnormal apoptosis might be an important reason that induces PMNs aggregation in airway and lung tissues in COPD. This process might have an important significance in the generation and development of chronic airway inflammation, which provides an etiologic basis for the primary rehabilitative intervention of COPD.

Objective To establish a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) multidrug resistance (MDR) cell line SH77/CDDP and analyze its biological properties. Methods The SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP was established by increasing gradually the dose of cisplatin, the first line chemotherapeutic drug for lung cancer. The chemosensitivities of SH77/CDDP and its parental cell line to 7 chemotherapeutic drugs were tested. Changes in cellular morphology and ultrastructure were observed. The cell growth curve and cell cycle were also determined. Results SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP having different drug resistance to the 7 chemotherapeutic drugs was established successfully. Compared with that of its parental cell, the size of MDR cell was a bit bigger. The ratio of nucleus to cell plasma decreased and mitochondria, Golgi bodies, rough endoplasmic reticulums and free ribosomes increased. The finger like apophysis was obvious. The rate of cell proliferation of SH77/CDDP was similar to that of SH77, but the number of cells in S phase increased( P

Objective To obtain the expression pattern of multidrug resistance-associated gene in human small cell lung cancer(SCLC)MDR cell line SH77/CDDP and provide basis for further studying the mechanism of human SCLC MDR induced by cisplatin.Methods Total RNA was isolated from SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP and its parental cells,and synthesized into double-stranded cDNA,then synthesized into biotin-labeled cRNA probe by in vitro transcription.The cRNA probes were separately hybridized with Affymetrix GeneChip and human U133 set chips(U133A and U133B,containing 39 000 transcripts,including 33 000 known human genes and 6 000 unknown cDNA expression sequence tags,ESTs),and the signals were scanned by the GeneArray Scanner.The results were analyzed by bioinformatics.Results Compared with the gene expression profile of parental SH77 cells,2 389(6.13%)genes were up-regulated in SCLC MDR cell line SH77/CDDP cells,of which 461(1.19%),89(0.23%),26(0.07%)and 7(0.02%)genes were separately up-regulated one-fold,two-folds,three-folds and four-folds.36 genes,including ABCC3,HSP70,CYP26B1,CYP4A11,IGF1R,LOX2,CAP2,LRP2BP,AKNA,ELTD1 and otherwise,were up-regulated 2.5-5.1 folds.According to Gene Ontology and Tree View analysis,these 35 genes were involved in transport,cell adhesion,signal transduction,transcription and ion binding and so on.Conclusion Many multidrug resistance-associated genes induced by cisplatin have been screened by high-throughput gene chip method.Validating their cellular functions will help to identify the mechanism of human SCLC MDR induced by cisplatin.

Objective To observe the chronic hepatotoxicity of the commonly used herbicide mixture in the mice. Methods Low doses herbicide mixture diluted in mice drinking water. The parameters related to hepatic function and ultrastructural changes of the hepatocytes were examined after 18 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment. Results No changes was observed in every parameter after 18 weeks of treatment compared with the control group. After 24-week of treatment, the electron microscope revealed the ultrastructural changes in the hepatocytes, rough endoplasmic reticulum showed dilatation, mitochondria showed matrix muddy with distortion and disappearance of inner crista and the serum transaminase were higher than those in the control group(P

In this study,we have observed the effects of extract from mussel ( Mytilus edulis Linnaeus ) on experimental hyperlipidemia in rats.The results showed that the extract from mussel could reduce the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in blood serum of the experimental hyperlipidemic rats.

A new and effective method to produce transgenic animals was established. Without a surgical incision, the recombinant plasmid containing green fluorescence protein (GFP) cDNA was repeatedly injected into male mouse testis at multi-sites. After few weeks of the final injection, the injected male was mated with normal oestrus female to produce transgenic mice. The presence of the GFP cDNA in F1 transgenic individuals were detected by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot hybridization, which showed that the transgenic rate of mouse F1 offspring was 41%. The transferred gene was integrated into the host genome and could be transmitted to its offspring. When the positive F1 individuals were mated with the wild type ICR mice, the F2 individuals had a transgenic rate of 37%. The results indicate that the high efficiency of gene transfer and the limited number of manipulations make the method suitable for creating a large number of transgenic animals, especially, for producing domestic animals.

Objective To explore the effect of Shugan Lifei prescription on expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta1(TGF-β1) and Smad3 in asthma rats under chronic stress condition. Method The 40 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group, model group, dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group. Asthma model was established by inhaling atomized ovalbumin (OVA) passively and experiencing chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). From the 15th day of modeling, the treatment groups were intervened with dexamethasone drugs and Shugan Lifei prescription. Lung pathomorphology was observed via HE staining. The expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR. Results Compared with control group, the wall area and the smooth muscle area in the model group significantly increased. While compared with asthmatic model group,the wall area and the smooth muscle area in the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group were significantly lower. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that in comparison with control group , the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues in the model group significantly increased(P<0.05), while the TGF-β1/Smad3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues in the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group were detected to be significantly lower than model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Shugan Lifei method could improve airway remodeling in asthma rats under chronic stress condition , and this result is possibly achieved by reducing TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression levels.

Objective To investigate the expression of CDX2 in different subtypes of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric cancer,and its relationship with Helicobacter Pylori (H.pylori) infection.Methods The expressions of CDX2 protein were detected with immunohistochemical method in 42 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG),46 cases of CAG with IM,34 cases of paracancerous IM and 50 cases ofgastric cancer.The IM was divided into three subtypes by HID-AB staining:27 cases of IM Ⅰ,23 cases of IM Ⅱ,and 30 cases of IM Ⅲ.H.pylori infection was detected with one minute rapid urease test,serum H,pylori IgG of ELISA method and HE staining in 80 caese of IM,which were divided into 46 cases of H.pylori-posi-tive groups and 34 cases of H.pylori-negative groups.Results The positive rates of H.pylori infection in IM Ⅰ,IM Ⅱ andIM Ⅲ were 66.67％,65.22％ and 43.34％,respectively,and there was no significant difference among different subtypes ofIM (x2=3.953,P＞0.05).The positive rates of CDX2 expression in IM Ⅰ,IM Ⅱ and IM Ⅲ were 85.19％,69.57％ and 36.67％,respectively,and IM Ⅲ were significant lower than IM Ⅰ,IM Ⅱ (x2 =13.899,P＜0.001;x2 =5.638,P=0.018),and there was no significant difference between IM Ⅰ and IM Ⅱ.Comparing of different types of IM group and gastric cancer group showed that the positive rates of CDX2 expression in IM Ⅰ,IM] were significant higher than in gastric cancer group (x2 =14.517,P＜0.001;x2 =5.509,P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between IM Ⅲ and gastric cancer group (x2 =0.088,P＞0.05).The positive rates of CDX2 expression in H.pylori-positive groups was significant higher than in H.pylori-negative groups in all of.IM (76.09％ vs 44.12％,x2 8.525,P=0.004).Comparing between different subtypes of IM showed that the positive rates of CDX2 expression in H.pylori-positive groups was significant higher than in H.pylori-negative groups in IM Ⅲ (P=0.023),but there was no significant difference between IM Ⅰ and IM Ⅱ (P＞0.05).There was also no significant difference of CDX2 expression between H.pylori-positive groups and H.pylori-negative groups in gastric cancer.Conclusion H.pylori infection may affect the progression of IM and gastric carcinogenesis by affecting the expression of CDX2 in different subtypes of IM.

Objective To compare the differences in mucin-histochemistry and etiology of Barrett's esophagus (BE) intestinal metaplasia (IM) , cardiac intestinal metaplasia (CIM) and gastric antrum intestinal metaplasia (GA-IM). Methods Alcian blue /periodic acid-schiff (AB/PAS) and high iron diamine / alcian blue (HID/AB) histochemical methods were used to classify IM in BE, cardia and gastric antrum, and IM were classified into three subtypes: complete small intestinal type (type Ⅰ ) , incomplete small intestinal type (type Ⅱ) and incomplete colonic type (type Ⅲ). Compared the prevalence of different subtypes of IM in above-mentioned sites, and investigated their relationships among the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Results The prevalence of type Ⅲ IM in long-segment BE (LSBE) and short-segment BE (SSBE) is 75. 0% and 63. 3% respectively, it is significantly higher than that in CIM (23. 1% ) and GA-IM ( 17. 7% ) (P