A comparable study were carried out by determination of trace elements on five marine-derived shell traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (Ostreae Concha, Haliotidis Concha, Margaritifera Concha, Meretricis Concha, and Arcae Concha), which were recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version). Seven trace elements in 51 batches of this type of shell TCM were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), combined with principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The content of element Se, which exhibited significant differences among different drugs, could be used as a key element to distinguish this type of drugs. Meanwhile, the contents of elements Co, Cu, Mo, and Ba in Haliotidis Concha, Co and As in Margaritifera Concha, Mo and As in Meretricis Concha, Mo, As, and Ba in Arcae Concha, and Zn in Meretricis Concha were relatively stable. In the PCA plot, Arcae Concha and Meretricis Concha could be efficiently distinguished from Ostreae Concha together with Haliotidis Concha, and Margaritifera Concha. The results also showed a correlation with their medicinal function. In conclusion, trace elements in marine-derived shell TCM could not be neglected for their quality control.
Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Aquatic Organisms ; chemistry ; Bivalvia ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Trace Elements ; analysis

Objective To investigate the water quality and running status of the dringking water improving project in Xuchang,Pingdingshan and Nanyang,thus to provide basis for scientifically evaluating social effects.Methods Stratified sampling was used in the levels of counties and townships and villages,with the number of checked counties greater than or eaquel to half of the projected counties(13/24),the checked townships more than 40 percent of the projected townships(42/102),the checked villages greater than or eaquel to 30% of the projected villages(56/186).We listened their statement,reviewed the documents,examined carefully the water projects before we made the appraisal.Results More than 95%(129/136)of the projects had water quality reports,among which 90%(122/136)were provided by county level centers for disease prevention and control,75% (102/136) of water samples were collected by centers for disease prevention and control,80%(109/136)ofcounties organized an acceptance check-up group,92%(125/136)projects well preserved water source.Conclusions The dringking water improvement projeets in countryside are basically normal in terms of construction and management,the water supplied is qualified,so the expected goal is achieved.However,duties of each department are not explicit and the communication is inadequate,so collaboration should be reinforced.

Objective To know the quality of iodized salt and the current situation of the salt coverage in Tibet,and to provide scientific basis for proposing proper prevention and control measures to Iodine dificiency disorders(IDD). Methods In 2008, according to the "Sampling Methods of the Main Products in the Salt Industry",one batch fifteen salt samples were collected in iodized salt processing factory in Tibet. Five townships were chosen in each county based on 5 different directions of east, south, west, north and center. If the monitoring county has less than five townships, then all of the townships were sampled. In each township, four villages were selected withrandom sampling and importance sampling. In each township, 15 households were selected for salt collection. Results A batch of 15 salt samples in a salt processing plant were tested, and all of them were qualified with salt iodine(34.6±1.58) mg/kg. A total of 21 107 edible salt samples were tested, and 11 203 of them were qualified iodized salt. These results meant that the provincial iodized salt coverage rate was 53.08%. Shannan iodized salt coverage rate was 94.31% (3395/3600) which was the highest in Tibet. Those of Nagqu, Changdu, Ngari were lower, they were 29.84% (897/3006), 24.94% (823/3300) and 17.08% (205/1200), respectively. Conclusions The quality of iodized salt in Tibet is up to the national standard, but the coverage rate of iodized salt is very low.We suggest that the strategy should be carried out according to the national overall program strategy and supplement iodized oil capsule for special groups.

Literatures on knee osteoarthritis treated by acupuncture both in China and abroad published in the mainstay periodicals in recent 10 years were selected, and analyses were done in the following aspects: (1) Randomization, (2) Control group, (3) Sample size, (4) Intervention measurements, (5) Intervention periods, (6) Evaluation on therapeutic effects, (7) Follow-up assessment, (8) Adverse effects, (9) Ratio of the lost case. The result indicates that differences can still be found on the trial designation in China and abroad. The domestic research design should be more comprehensively and strictly.
Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; China ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy

Objective To detect the resistance index and esterase activity of each generation of DDVP-resistant Culex mosquitoes and analyze the relationship between insecticide resistance and esterase. Methods WHO bioassay and micro-plate measurement were used for the detection. Results The resistance index increased to 12.17 after 43 generations' insecticide selection compared to 1.00 as sensitive isolate. The nonspecific esterase(NSE) activity of the mosquitoes became strengthened with the extension of the generations, and the individual frequency of those with OD values no less than 0.9 increased gradually, consistent basically to the bioassay. The AChE average inhibition rate decreased with the extended generation and increased resistance, and the individual frequency of those with inhibition rate less than 30% became strengthened with the extension of generations, showing a positive correlation. Conclusion The activity of NSE and AChE shows a correlation with DDVP resistance.

The DNA fragments of ag85b、esat-6、hsp65、mpb64 and ag85b-esat-6、hsp65-esat-6、mpb64-esat-6 were amplified by PCR and SOE technique.These seven fragments were inserted into pCDNA3.1(+)vector to construct recombinant plasmids pCA、pCE6、pCH、pCM、pCAE、pCHE and pCME.The seven plasmids were transfected into SP2/0 cell in vitro to detect the expression of target genes.BALB/c mice were intramuscularly vaccinated with the seven plasmids and the control vector pCDNA3.1(+)and PBS respectively.The serum antibodies and the spleen lymphocyte proliferation(SLP)and secreted IFN～? of spleen were tested.The results of indirect ELISA showed the levels of antibodies in all recombinant plasmids groups were significantly higher than the two control groups(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) on Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expression and cytokine production in human bladder cancer cell line T24.

METHODSHuman transitional carcinoma cell line T24 was cultured in RPMI1640 medium with 10% FBS, BCG was added into the cell culture with various doses in bacteria-cell ratio. After T24 cells were stimulated by BCG for 1 hour, total RNA of cells was extracted. RT-PCR procedure was conducted with the primer of TLR-2 and TLR-4, and the products were analyzed with agarose gels electrophoresis. Then the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in T24 cells was assessed by the analyzing system of gel imaging. After the stimulation culture for 12 hours, the supernatant of cells was collected. The levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in each sample were assayed by ELISA method.

RESULTSThe expression level of either TLR-2 or TLR-4 was increased by the stimulation of BCG in a dose-dependent manner, the effects reached the maximal level at the dose of BCG as 10 bacilli per cell. The production of IL-12 in T24 cells was also increased gradually by the stimulation of BCG in a dose-dependent manner, and the dose of BCG obtained maximal effect was 10 bacilli per cell, which is coincident with the results observed in the expression of TLRs. There was no difference showed on the production of IL-4 between T24 cells stimulated with BCG and control.

CONCLUSIONSThe stimulation of BCG not only up-regulated the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4, but also increased the production of IL-12 in bladder cancer T24 cell line. The expression of TLRs and the production of cytokine in bladder cancer cells may be related to the BCG-induced immunol response to human bladder cancer.

BCG Vaccine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; analysis ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

AIMTo perpare and identify irisquinone hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (irisquinone-HP-beta-CD), as well as to study the inclusion mechanism and molecule stoichiometry between irisquinone and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.

METHODSIrisquinone-HP-beta-CD was prepared by freeze-drying technique. The ratio of host and guest was also studied in inclusion process by mol gradient and continuing variational methods. At the same time, the inclusion complex was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

RESULTSIt was demonstrated that the solubility of irisquinone was enhanced markedly by inclusion with HP-beta-CD when stoichiometry was 2:1 of host and guest at 25 degrees C, 35 degrees C and 45 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONThe solubility and stability of irisquinone could be increased by preparing the inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin ; Benzoquinones ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Stability ; Freeze Drying ; Solubility ; X-Ray Diffraction ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of melatonin (MLT) in in vitro apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells and its mechanism.

METHODSThe apoptotic cells, bcl-2 and bax were detected through immunocytochemical method (ICC) and Tolt-mediated x-duTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Computer image analysis system was used to quantify the expression of bcl-2 and bax by detecting the absorbance value of positive products. Apoptosis index (AI) was used to quantify the number of apoptotic cells.

RESULTSIn vitro, AI increase was both concentration- and time-dependent through TUNEL. During the same duration, AI of medium dose group was higher than that of low dose and control group (P < 0.05); AI of high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group were higher than those of low dose and control group (P < 0.01), however, there was no significant difference between the low dose and control group (P > 0.05). At the same dose, in high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group, the change of AI showed significant difference from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05). The expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated as the MLT increased, and there was significant difference between the low dose and control group (P < 0.01). But, the expression of bax was up-regulated as the dose of MLT increased, showing significant difference between the high dose and control groups (P < 0.01). As time went on, the expression of bcl-2 was decreased and in every group, with the change in absorbance value of bcl-2 significantly different from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05), whereas that of bax remained almost unchanged. The ratio of bax/bcl-2 was increased with the increase in the concentration of MLT.

CONCLUSIONMelatonin may induce apoptosis in the hepatocarcinoma cells which is concentration- and time-dependent, in which bcl-2 and bax are involved.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Time Factors ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical manifestation of 155 patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) complicated with epilepsy and the therapeutic effect of integrative Chinese and Western medicine treatment on them.

METHODSClinical manifestation of patients and its relationship with abnormalities in cranial CT and/or MRI were observed. Patients were treated by combined treatment of copper repellent with sodium dimercaptosulfonate 20 mg/kg per day by intravenous dripping, and modified Gandou Decoction (GDD) by oral intake and antiepileptics as well, after treatment for 8-10 courses, the clinical effect, copper levels in urine and serum were compared between groups.

RESULTSIn the 155 HLD patients, 96 were complicated with petit mal and 59 with grand mal. In the CT and/or MRI conducted in 72 patients, all showed abnormal images, besides such frequently met images as bilateral symmetrical basal ganglia focal lesion in 65 case-episode (90.3%) and brain atrophy of various degrees in 61 case-episode (84.7%), the massive lesions in cerebral white matter as principal, with the cortex involved, were also found in 54 patients (74%), which were mostly bilateral and symmetric or located in 2 adjecent lobes of brain, the sites of damage, in sequence of occurrence, were frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and callosal gyrus. Brain atrophy was found in all the remained patients without above-mentioned lesions. Abnormal EEG was shown in 29 patients (40.2%), which mainly manifested as theta wave of moderate to high potential and/or short paroxysmal spike-slow or sharp-slow complex wave evoked. The urinary copper level in patients after treatment was 34.5 +/- 21.6 micromol/24 hrs, significantly higher than that before treatment, 4.49 +/- 1.93 micromol/24 hrs (P < 0.01). And the serum copper level in patients also lowered significantly (P< 0.01). Epileptic seizure was controlled completely along with the gradually improving of extrapyramidal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONPartial seizure was the most common type of seizure of HLD patient complicated with epilepsy, the next is systemic seizure. Cerebral damage lesion and obvious brain atrophy could be the main etiological factors of HLD complicated with epilepsy, combined copper repellent therapy of integrative Chinese and Western medicine, and antiepileptics produced good clinical effect on the patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Chelating Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Unithiol ; therapeutic use