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

Background Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell transplantation treating retinal degenerative diseases is a researching topic,and the source of human RPE cells is a key problem.Many biological carriers can be used for the preparation of RPE cell layer.However,some advantages,such as cytotoxicity,lack of stability and immunologic reaction etc.are still existed.To study an ideal biological carrier is very important.Objective This experimental was to determine the effects of amniotic membrane on the proliferation and differentiation of human RPE cells and the possibility as a scaffold for RPE cell transplantation.Methods ARPE19 cell line cells were cultured and passaged in DMEM/F12 medium with 10％ fetal bovine serum,and 8-12generation of cells were used.The cells were divided into two groups.One group of cells were incubated on the denuded amniotic membrane,and the other group of cells were cultured in the medium (control group).MTT was performed to detect the A492 value of RPE cells for the evaluation of cell proliferation ability 24,48,72,96 hours after culture.Cell morphology was compared by histopathological examination 3 weeks after culture.The mRNA expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF),N-cadherin,β-catenin and cell connection related proteins in the cells of both groups were assayed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Ultrastructure of the cells was observed under the transmission and scan electronic microscope 3 weeks after culture.Results The number of ARPE-19 cells cultured on denuded amniotic membrane was decreased significantly in comparison with the normal culture plate(F=41.760,P =0.000).Histopatholy also showed that the cell density on amniotic membrane was lower than of normal cells on plate surface.Moreover,the expression level of claudin 1 mRNA,N-cadherin mRNA and PEDF mRNA were significantly up-regulated in denuded amniotic membrane group in comparison with control group (t=15.828,P=0.000 ;t=6.839,P=0.002 ;t=14.667,P=0.000),but the expression of Connexin 43 mRNA was down-regulated in denuded amniotic membrane group compared with control group(t=3.358,P=0.024).Ultrastructural examination revealed that ARPE-19 cells cultured on amniotic membrane exhibited a polygonal epithelial phenotype with cilium on the apical side,however,the cells cultured on normal culture plate displayed fusiform shape and uneven thickness.Conclusions Amniotic membrane plays a promoting effect on the differentiation of ARPE-19 cells and a inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells,suggesting that amniotic membrane might be an useful scaffold for the preparation of functionally mature RPE cells for clinical transplantation.

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

ObjectiveTounderstandthetrendsandepidemiologicalcharacteristicsofsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)inChinaandprovidescientificbasisformakingcontrolstrategies.MethodsDuringtheperiodof1991～2001,thecase-reportingdataof8kindsofnotifiableandmonitoringSTDs,collectedfrom31provinces,autonomousregionsandmunicipalities,wereanalyzedwithepidemiologicalmethods.Results①Epidemictrends:Duringthisperiod,theincidenceof8kindsofSTDssteadilyincreasedfrom175528(15.48per100000population)in1991to859040(68.91per100000population)in2000.Theaverageannualgrowthofincidencewas19.30%,witharangeof2.59%～36.88%.However,thereportedcasesin2001were795612withadecreaseof7.38%comparedwiththosein2000,anditwasthefirstdecreasesinceSTDcaseswerereportedfrom1987.②Geographicaldistribution:Thehigh-incidenceareasweretheZhujiangRiverDelta,YangtzeRiverDelta,MinjiangRiverValley,NortheasternChina,andBeijing,Tianjin,andChongqingManicipalities,withtheincidencerateofover70～100casesper100000populationafter1997,andtherewereveryhighratesofincidenceover1000casesper100000populationinsomeareas.Thelow-incidenceareaswerenorthChina,partsofCentralChina,NorthwesternChinaandSouthwesternChina,withtheincidenceratesoflowerthan30～50per100000population.③Populationdistri-bution:Themaletofemaleratiodecreasedfrom1.60∶1～1.69∶1intheearly1990sto1.35∶1～1.40∶1inthelate1990s.STDincidencerateswerehighestinthe20～39agegroup,andthereportedSTDcasesofthisagegroupaccountedforover80%oftotalcases.ConclusionSexuallytransmitteddiseasesinChinahavebecomeaseriouspublichealthproblemandtheeffectiveinterventionprogrammesagainstSTDsmustbeimplementedacrossthecountry.

Adult ; Eccrine Glands ; pathology ; Female ; Hamartoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Sweat Gland Diseases ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To observe ultrastructure changes of electrical injury in rats. METHODS: An experimental model of rats suffered from the low voltage were designed. Ultrastructure changes of electrical injured tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: (1) Plasma of epithelium was concreted in the affected areas and inner membrane system was broken. (2) Hypercontraction bands were observed in skeleton muscles. (3) There was dissolved necrosis and hypercontraction bands in the myocardium. (4) Vacuoles were found in plasma of endothelium of blood vessels on electrical current path, and myelin sheath of nerve fiber were loosed. CONCLUSION The above mentioned ultrastructure changes could be used as assistant diagnostic index of electrocution. The mechanism of the changes were discussed.
Animals ; Electric Injuries/pathology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure* ; Nerve Fibers/ultrastructure* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This paper is to report the study of resveratrol-induced apoptosis and its mechanisms in MCF-7 cells. MTT assay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of resveratrol on MCF-7 cells. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to observe cellular morphologic changes in apoptosis. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometric analysis and the protein expression was examined by Western blotting analysis. The results indicated that resveratrol could inhibit MCF-7 cell growth in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Remarkable morphologic changes in the cells after 60 micromol L(-1) resveratrol treatment, including cell nuclear shrinkage, DNA condensation and apoptotic bodies, were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Resveratrol could induce apoptosis and activate p38 and p53 in a time dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. In addition, the cell growth inhibitory ratio and the apoptotic ratio of resveratrol-treated group decreased markedly by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 or p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha. Further experiments confirmed that resveratrol-induced p53 activation was reduced by SB203580 whereas the activation of p38 was not affected by pifithrin-alpha. In conclusion, resveratrol induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells could be through activating p38-p53 signal pathway.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzothiazoles ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; MCF-7 Cells ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Stilbenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Toluene ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

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

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

Seventeen minor triterpenoid acids (1-17) were isolated from an aqueous decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by a combinatory application of column chromatography using multiple stationary phases, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40C, silica gel, and C18 reversed phase silica gel, combined with separation techniques of flash chromatography (FC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were determined by analysis of HR-ESI-MS, UV, CD, and IR as well as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, of which eight new compounds (1-8) are named successively uncarinic acids Q-X, while the structures of 2 and 7 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the in vitro assays, 27-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (17) inhibited TGF-β-induced HSC-T6 cell activation at the concentration of 5 μmol·L^-1.