Characteristics and measurement principles of reference methods in clinical biochemistry were described.Implementation of reference systems is one of the most effective approaches to improve the accuracy and comparability of clinical laboratory test results.Reference methods are the key components of reference systems.Reference methods should have measurement uncertainties that meet the requirements of the intended use,and thus should be based on reliable measurement principles.For the well-defined biochemistry analytes,reference methods have been almost all based on instrumental analysis.Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID/MS) is considered most reliable and has been the major analytical principle of the reference methods.ID/MS analysis is accurate but expensive.Use of other validated instrumental analyses as reference measurement principles would be justified.

OBJECTIVETo observe mainfestations of syndrome and biochemical indices of hypertensive model rats with excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome (EAPDS), and to explore its possible pathological mechanism.

METHODSEAPDS rat model was prepared in 50 Wistar rats by feeding with high fat forage. Meanwhile, a normal control group consisting of 10 Wistar rats was set up by feeding with normal forage. After 25-week continuous feeding, 22 rats with body weight (BW) and blood pressure (BP) exceeding 25% those of the control group were selected as a model group. BW, BP, blood lipids, and related serological indicators were detected in all rats. Morphological changes of target organs were observed. mRNA expression levels of leptin receptor (LepR), Janus kinase2 (Jak2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (Socs3), angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1), angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (P13K), serine threonine kinase (Akt), nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κBp65), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α (IKKα), NF-kappa-B inhibitor β (lKKβ), NF-kappa-B inhibitor α (IKBα), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Expression levels of AT1 and LepR in aorta were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, BW, BP, and blood lipids increased; serum levels of leptin (Lep) , Ang II, Hcy, ET-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and p2-MG increased, but NO decreased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Aortal endothelial injury and smooth muscle cell proliferation occurred in the model group, accompanied with heart and renal injury. Compared with the control group, mRNA expression levels of LepR, Jak2, Stat3, Socs3, AT1 , PI3K, Akt, NF-κB p65, IKKβ, IKBα, and AMPK in aorta were up-regulated significantly (P < 0.05), while the expression of IKKa decreased (P < 0.05). Immunohistochem- ical staining showed, brownish yellow deposit of AT1 and LepR was obviously increased, with more extensively positive distribution. Western blot results showed, as compared with the control group, protein expression levels of AT1 and LepR obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSModel rats exhibited typical syndromes of EAPDS. They put up weight with fat abdomen, gloomy hair, poor appetite, hypersomnia, lowered activities , reduced food intake, loose stool, dark red tongue, white tongue with white, thick, greasy fur. Lep could be taken as one of objective indicators for evaluating hypertension rat model with EAPDS.

Animals ; Aorta ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; I-kappa B Proteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Leptin ; blood ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; Transcription Factor RelA ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

To study the relation between drug release and the drug status within curcumin-loaded microsphere, SPG (shirasu porous glass) membrane emulsification was used to prepare the curcumin-PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres with three levels of drug loading respectively, and the in vitro release was studied with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The morphology of microspheres was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the drug status was studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared analysis (IR). The drug loading of microspheres was (5.85 ± 0.21)%, (11.71 ± 0.39)%, (15.41 ± 0.40)%, respectively. No chemical connection was found between curcumin and PLGA. According to the results of XRD, curcumin dispersed in PLGA as amorphous form within the microspheres of the lowest drug loading, while (2.12 ± 0.64)% and (5.66 ± 0.07)% curcumin crystals was detected in the other two kinds of microspheres, respectively, indicating that the drug status was different within three kinds of microspheres. In the data analysis, we found that PLGA had a limited capacity of dissolving curcumin. When the drug loading exceeded the limit, the excess curcumin would exist in the form of crystals in microspheres independently. Meanwhile, this factor contributes to the difference in drug release behavior of the three groups of microspheres.
Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; Drug Liberation ; Lactic Acid ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microspheres ; Polyglycolic Acid ; X-Ray Diffraction

The tandem expression vector can effectively increase the expression level and structure stability of the target peptides(protein)with small size of molecular,and avoid toxicity towards host cell from some toxic peptides product,therefore,this approach is widely applied in biotechnology.The four construction methods of tandem expression plasmid including asymmetric and complementary cohesive ends,directional adapter,isocaudarners,and tandem expression cassette were reviewed in terms of protocol,characteristic and applicable field.In addition,selection principles from various construction methods of tandem plasmid were reviewed in terms of efficiency,accuracy and product cleavage.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of Danxuetong injection (DXT, a combination of Danshen and Xueshuantong injections) against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in rats.

METHODSThirty-two 4-week-old healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number: sham operation, normal saline, single DXT injection, and successive DXT injection. The rat models of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury were established by 2-hour 720-degree torsion/detorsion of the unilateral testis. At 6 weeks after modeling, the rats were killed and their testes were harvested for measure- ment of testicular coefficients, sperm counts, sperm motility, and the levels of total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC) , superoxide dismutase (SOD) , nitric oxide synthase (NOS) , and malondialdehyde ( MDA) in the testis tissue.

RESULTSCompared with the rats of the normal saline group, those of the single DXT injection and successive DXT injection groups showed significant increases in the testicular coefficient (0.11 ± 0.03 vs 0.35 ± 0.04 and 0.40 ± 0.06, P < 0.05), sperm count ([0.46 ± 0.10] vs [1.44 ± 0.50] and [3.00 ± 1.28] x10(9)/ml, P < 0.05), sperm motility ([13.63 ± 14.04] vs [39.63 ± 5.04] and [76.31 ± 3.67]%, P < 0.05), the activity of SOD (72.76 ± 5.58 vs 116.25 ± 8.83 and 133.20 ± 13.84, P < 0.05), and the level of T-AOC (5.58 ± 1.07 vs 13.34 ± 5.81 and 19.21 ± 5.69, P < 0.05), but a remarkable decrease in the content of MDA (42.38 ± 8.94 vs 20.94 ± 5.65 and 15.02 ± 1.03, P < 0. 05) in the injured testes.

CONCLUSIONDXT can effectively rid the testis tissue of oxygen free radicals, improve sperm count and motility by antioxidation, and protect the testis tissue of prepubertal rats against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury after testis torsion/detorsion. It also has a protective effect on the contralateral testis, and successive injection has a better effect than single injection of DXT.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; complications ; therapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testis ; blood supply ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct an expression vector of siRNA targeting human MTA1 gene and observe its gene-silencing effect in esophageal carcinoma cells.

METHODSThe siRNA sequences targeting MTA1 gene were designed and synthesized with two complementary oligonucleotide strands. The oligonucleotide strands were annealed and recombined into pRNAT-U6.2 vector, which was identified by sequencing following transformation and amplification. The siRNA expression vector pRNAT-U6.2-MTA1 was transfected into human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells via liposome. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect expression levels of MTA1 mRNA and protein in the transfected EC9706 cells, respectively.

RESULTSThe double-stranded oligonucleotide fragments of the siRNA targeting MTA1 gene were cloned into pRNAT-U6.2 vector, which was validated by sequence analysis. RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that MTA1 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly decreased in the transfected cells, especially in those transfected with the siRNA targeting the sequence of GACCCTGCTGGCAGATAAA (481-499), which induced almost complete silencing of MTA1 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA expression vector pRNAT-U6.2-MTA1 for silencing MTA1 gene expression in the esophageal carcinoma cells has been successfully constructed, which may facilitate further study for decreasing the invasive and metastatic potentials of malignant tumors by MTA1 gene silencing.

Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Histone Deacetylases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

Objective The factors influencing the dose distribution of intracavitary brachytherapy for moderately advanced and advanced uterine cervical cancer was studied.Methods Ninty-five patients with cervical cancerⅡ～Ⅲb who received radical radiation therapy in our department from Aug,2004 to Nov,2005,were treated with after-loading brachytherapy using,first,the self-designed“Mutipurpose Hori- zontal Transit Table”(MPHTT) for locating and treatment before the intracavitaray brachytherapy proper. The deviation of isodose curve based on A-B reference system,and the dose of deviation was defined by measuring in a practical standard phantom.Results There were significant influence on the deviation of i- sodose curve in pathology and para-metrial infiltration of cervical cancer and operating skill,but negative to clinical stage.The degree of deviation of isodose curve could not be lowered with the increase in sessions of intracavitary brachytherapy.Conclusions It is necessary to perform the locating,by use of mphtt,before the proper brachytherapy for patients with cervical cancer,not only for the identification of the deviation of i- sodose curve,but also to provide the evidence for revising the plan for dose adjustment of conformal radiation therapy in the pelvic cavity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of water channel 1 protein in the lung of drown rat and that of after death thrown into the water. METHODS: Immunohistochemical method was used and the computer image analysis was conducted to detect the distribution of AQP1. RESULTS: The positive expression of AQP1 was seen in the capillary endotheliocyte of the interstitial and around bronchi and in the alveolar endothelial cells. The value of intergrated optical density was statistical significant. CONCLUSION It suggests that AQP1 is one of sensitive signs to distinguish ante-mortem and postmortem immersion.
Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; Aquaporins/metabolism* ; Drowning/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the time interval from the end of semen processing to artificial intrauterine in semination with husband's sperm (AIH-IUI) on the rate of clinical pregnancy.

METHODSThis study involved 191 AIH-IUI cycles with the same ovulation induction protocol. After Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we divided the sperm into four groups based on the incubation time: 0-19, 20-39, 40-59, and 60-80 min, and again into another four groups according to the total progressively motile sperm count (TPMC): (0-9), (10-20), (21-30), and > 30 x 10(6). We analyzed the correlation of the clinical pregnancy rate with the time interval from the end of sperm processing to AIH-IUI and with other influencing factors, such as maternal age, infertility duration, and semen quality.

RESULTSThe rate of clinical pregnancy was significantly higher in the 20-39 min group (18.3%) than in the 0-19, 40-59, and 60-80 min groups (12.7, 11.4 and 9.1%) (all P < 0.05). The (10-20) x 10(6) group achieved a remarkably higher pregnancy rate (16.7%) than the (0-9), (21-30), and > 30 x 10(6) groups (0, 11.4, and 8.3%) (all P < 0.05). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the rate of clinical pregnancy was decreased with the increased age of the women (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.94) but significantly elevated in the 20-39 min group (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.34-3.13) and of (10-20) x 10(6) group (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.32-3.46).

CONCLUSIONThe time interval from the end of sperm processing to AIH-IUI is a most significant factor influencing the rate of clinical pregnancy of AIH-IUI.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; therapy ; Insemination, Artificial, Homologous ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; Time Factors