OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid method based on near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) to monitor the blending process of traditional Chinese medicinal powder on-line. METHODS: NIR spectra were collected during the blending processes of mixtures consisting of Red Peony Root powder and defatted Spine Date Seed powder. Multivariate calibration models based on PLS regression were developed to correlate the collected spectra with the content of Red Peony Root powder. The optimal calibration model was applied to monitor the blending process in real time with noninterference. RESULTS: After spectral pretreatment using multiplicative signal correction (MSC), first derivative and Savitzky-Golay filter, Red Peony Root powder contents were quantified using PLS algorithm in the spectral ranges of 5900-5950 cm-1, 6700-6750 cm-1 and 6950-7100 cm-1. The correlation coefficient of the calibration model was 0.9990. The RMSEC, RMSEP and RMSECV were 1.14, 1.16 and 1.26, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that a miniature near-infrared analyzer could be used to monitor the contents of the constituents and the blending homogeneity of traditional Chinese medicinal powder in real time, and to rapidly determine the end-point of blending process. In addition, it can be used to judge whether the physical state of powder mixture conforms to the standard. Therefore, NIR spectroscopy is considered to be an appropriate PAT tool for end-point control of blending process of traditional Chinese medicinal powder.

Objective To establish a method for culturing neonatal mice cardiomyocytes, and construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocytes for assessing the cardiac toxicity of chemicals. Methods Hearts of neonatal mice of 1 day old were digested with enzyme mixture of trypsin/collagenase type Ⅱ/dispase and the cell suspensions were pre-plated to flask for a short time and then seeded on coated dishes. The cultured cells were treated with 5-fiuorine-deoxy-uridine(15 μg/ml)and uridine(35 μg/ml)to enrich cardiomyocytes that were identified according to the morphology and immunocytochemistry of α-actin antigen. Cardiac myocytes were incubated with 0-64 μg/ml of a fusarium mycotoxin butenolide(BUT) for 12 h. Cell viability was then evaluated by MTT assay. Microscopic observation showed that BUT induced significant morphological changes including cellular swelling, vacuolation and breakage of muscle fibers. Results It was found that 96% of the cultured cells were cardiomyocytes and the myocytes kept beating after 90 days of culture. Concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability following exposure of cardiac myocytes to BUT were observed. Conclusion The results indicated that relatively pure primary culture of neonatal mice cardiomyocytes is successfully established. BUT possesses the potential to induce myocardial toxicity.

Objective To investigate the susceptibility of amphotericin B,itroconazol and voriconazole against filamentous fungi.Methods Etest was used to determine the MIC of amphotericin B, itroconazol and voriconazole against filamentous fungi including Aspergillus,Penicillium,Alternaria alternate,Mucor and Rhizopus species.Results The average MIC of voriconazol,amphotericin B and itroconazol against Aspergillus fumiagtus is O.29 ?g/ml,1.16 ?g/ml and 5.88 ?g/ml;the average MIC of amphotericin B and voriconazol to Aspergillus flavus is 6.39 ?g/ml and 0.22 ?g/ml;the average MIC of voriconazol,amphotericin B and itroconazol against Aspergillus niger is 0.69,2.31,and 19.75 ?g/ ml.Most of Penicillium are susceptable to amphotericin B,but 3 strains showed very high MIC to voriconazol and itroconazol.Both of the testing strains of Mucor and Rhizopus were resistant to all of the three antifungal agents.Conclusion Amphotericin B,itroconazol and voriconazole possessed different susceptibility on different types of filamentous fungi.It is important for clinical laboratories to identify the filamentous fungi to the level of genus and species to help physicians choose antifungal agents correctly.

High glucose stimulated angiotensinⅡ(ATⅡ) production in mesangial cells of rat.Both high glucose and ATⅡdecreased expressions of matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) mRNA and MMP-9/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA ratio and increased TIMP-1 mRNA expression in mesangial cells of rat,which could be reversed by an ATⅡreceptor blocker,Saralasin.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. METHODS: The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cm away from the wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chicken blood made the cast-off bloodstain from top to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics (length, width and density) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics (length, width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum (P < 0.05). The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum (P < 0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P < 0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P < 0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.
Blood Stains ; Computer Simulation ; Crime ; Forensic Ballistics/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans

Objective Previous studies indicated that activation of Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) was involved in the progression and instability of atherosclerotic plaque.Anti-inflammatory effects were shown in statins. However,the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been well explored.We test the hypothesis that a por- tion of these anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by regulation of TLR4 expression.Methods One hundred twenty-one subjects (22 normal persons,17 patients with stable angina and 82 patients with ACS) were recruited. 41 patients with ACS were randomized to atorvastatin 10 mg/d or atorvastatin 40 mg/d on top of routine anti-anginal treatment.Serum level of hsCRP,blood lipids,TLR4 expression on CD_(14)~+ monocytes were measuered before and after one month treatment.TLR4 expression on CD_(14)~+ monocytes were quantified via flow-cytometry.Results hsCRP and TLR4 expression on CD_(14)~+ monocytes in patients with ACS were higher than patients with stable angina and normal persons(hsCRP,ACS:11.1?14.3 vs stable angina:2.5?2.7 mg/L vs normal:2.3?4.2 mg/L,P

To study the application characteristics of copovidone (PVP-S630) in Xinyueshu extracts during the spray drying process, and its effect on such pharmaceutical properties as micromeritics and drug release behavior. PVP-S630 was added into Xinyueshu extracts to study on the spray drying, the effect of different dosages of PVP-S630 against the wall sticking effect of the spray drying, as well as the power property of Xinyueshu spray drying power and the dissolution in vitro behavior of the effective component of hyperoside. The results showed that PVP-S630 revealed a significant anti-wall sticking effect, with no notable change in the grain size of the spray drying power, increase in the fluidity, improvement in the moisture absorption and remarkable rise in the dissolution in vitro behavior of hyperoside. It was worth further studying the application of PVP-S630 in spray drying power of traditional Chinese medicine.
Absorption ; Desiccation ; methods ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Powders ; Pyrrolidines ; chemistry ; Vinyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Wettability

Objective To investigate cerebral MRI characteristics of patients with eclampsia. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 15 cases of eclampsia and items reviewed cover all data concerning clinical features,cerebral MRI findings and results of follow-up survey.Results All of these patients had clinical symptoms of.blurred vision,headache,seizure,hypertension,proteinuria and edema of lower extremity.As for the characteristics of imaging,13 cases had only abnormal symmetric signals in parieto-occipital lobes,frontal lobe and basal ganglia were involved in 2 cases,and temporal lobe was involved in 1 case.The signals of lesions in DWI were isointense or hypointense,however they were hyperintense in ADC map.Two cases had hyperintense signals in DWI.All the patients recovered well,and all brain lesions disappeared during follow up.Conclusion The most important imaging of eclampsia is vasogenic edema with a good prognosis.

Objective To investigate the fulfillment of improved water measures for endemic fluomsis and to find out the trend of prevalence in Qinghai Province in order to provide scientific basis and technical support for the government to formulate control strategies for endemic fluorosis.Methods Usage and management of reforming water facilities in Huzhu County were generally surveyed.Yanya Village,Caijiabu Town,Huzhu County was chosen as the surveillance spot.The household drinking water was surveyed.The dental fluorosis and urine fluoride content of children aged 8-12 years and adult above 16 years were examined.Skeletal fluorosis of adult was checked.The fluomsis content in drinking water and urine was determined with F-ion selective electrode method.The dental fluowsis was examined with Dean index.Skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed according to eountry standard(GB 16396-1996.WS 192-1999).Results The rate of water-improving was 60%(36/60)in Huzhu County.The mean of fluoride content in drinking water Was 1.25 mg/L The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years was 90.20%(46/51);that of adult was 88.89%(48/54).The dental fluorosis index of children was 1.77,that of adult was 2.95.The prevalence rate of skeletal fluorosis was 98.15% indicated by clinical data,18.87% by X-ray.The ufine fluorosis content of children was 2.27 mg/L,that of adult was 2.00 mg/L.Conclusion The disease condition of endemic fluorosis in Qinshai is serious,defluofidation is slow in effect.

Objective To detect the expressions of CD19 and CD20 of B-lymphocytes (CD19+B, CD20+B) and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood of epileptic children and explore their significances. Methods Four hundred and fifty-eight epileptic children, admitted to our hospital from January 2008 to December 2010, were chosen as patient group; another 52 healthy subjects were chosen as controls. The expressions of CD19+B and CD20+B and NK cells were detected by flow cytometry; their results were compared. Ninety-two epileptic children were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and the effect of IVIG therapy was studied. Results The CD19+B level ([22.35±6.54]％) and CD20+B level ([21.50±8.41]％) in the epileptic children were obviously higher than those in the healthy controls ([16.86±4.02)％,[16.13±4.19]％, P＜0.05); and the level of NK cells ([9.1 1±4.90]％) in the epileptic children was significantly decreased as compared with that in the healthy controls ([14.72±4.15]％, P＜0.05). The CD19+B level ([18.26±5.03]％) and CD20+B level ([16.74±5.12]％) 6months after MG treatment were decreased significantly as compared with those before treatment ([22.74±6.25]％,[21.61±8.03]％, P＜0.05]; while the level of NK cells ([14.65±4.58]％) 6 months after IVIG treatment was increased significantly as compared with that before treatment ([9.07±4.76]％,P＜0.05). Among the 92 patients treated with IVIG, 70 enjoyed good results and 22 had non-effective resutls; The changesofCD19+Blevel ([7.99±5.34]％) and CD20+B ([8.21±5.21]％) before and after treatment in effectively treated patients by IVIG were significantly different as compared with those in ineffectively treated patients by MG ([3.78±2.76]％,[3.66±2.48]％, P＜0.05); however, the changes of level of NK cells before and after treatment showed no significant difference between effectively treated patients and ineffectively treated patients ([5.28±4.55]％,[4.53％±4.43]％, P＞0.05). Conclusion Dysfunctions of B-lymphocytes and NK cells exist in epileptic children, and MG treatment shows good effect on immune dysfunction of them. The levels of CD19-B and CD20-B can be used as monitoring indicators in the IVIG treatment of epileptic children.