The herbs used as the material for traditional Chinese medicine are mostly planted at mountain areas where there is appropriate weather condition. Due to the complex terrain condition in mountain area, the planting at such places is always associated with a scattered pattern, which inevitably bring difficulty to the work of accurate measurement for the planting area. Advanced research about monitoring the planting area for medicine-herb under complex environmental condition is so critical and meaningful for developing the medicine-herb planting to a large scale and an industry. Therefore, this research, taking the planting of Herpetospermum pedunculosum in Luding county as an example, utilizes RS&GIS: using the image data from TM and ETM datum as the remote sensing information source, integrating GPS data from quadrat survey on the spots, and analyzing on a GIS platform, to extract the planting area of H. pedunculosum in Luding county. The results indicate that: (1) the method and technology used to estimate the planting area of H. pedunculosum are feasible and can be applied to monitoring the planting area of medicine-herb at mountain area under complex environmental conditions: (2) the planting area of H. pedunculosum in Luding county is estimated to be 857. 246 acres by the methods utilized in this research, which is closed to the value from local statistical data with an error range less than 5%; (3) in consideration of those inevitable errorrs generating from the procedures such as remote sensing data acquisition, data preprocessing, data interpretation, and so on, and the fact that the classification of remote sensing data, which must be implemented by those above procedures, was used directly to extract the herb type, the accuracy of area estimation for the herb is significantly influenced by the accuracy of classification for herb type, and the estimated area is inevitably associated with some error.
China ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Geographic Information Systems ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Remote Sensing Technology ; methods

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of Rhadiola Extract Injection for treatment of stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease with cariac blood stasis syndrome. METHODS: Arandomized,double-blind,positive drug parallel controlled,multi-center clinical trial was adopted.414 patients with stable angna pectoris of coronary heart disease with cariac blood stasis syndrome were randomly chosen and divided into two groups: test group(n=308 cases) and control group(n=106 cases).The test group was treated with Rhadiola Extract Injection and the control group received Xiangdan Injection.Treatment course of each group was 10 days.(RESULTS:) The therapeutic effect and changes of electrocardiogram in the test group were better than that of the control group(P0.05).The test group had no obvious side-effects. CONCLUSION: Rhadiola Extract Injection is safe and effective in treating stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease with cariac blood stasis syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methylation of p16(INK4a) and RB gene, and the expression of p16(INK4a) in meningiomas.

METHODSMethylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was used to detect the methylation of p16(INK4a) and RB in 50 cases of meningiomas, and immunostaining was performed to analyze the protein expression of p16(INK4a) in 25 of those cases.

RESULTSNo methylation was found in the benign meningiomas, whereas methylation of p16(INK4a)or RB occurred in 6(37.5%) cases of grade II tumors and 4(28.6%) cases of grade III tumors, and among these cases, an atypical meningioma showed methylation of both genes. Thirteen cases showed p16(INK4a) positive expression, but none of them was methylated.

CONCLUSIONThe methylation of p16(INK4a) or RB is related with the tumorigenesis and progression of atypical and anaplastic meningiomas, and a probable mechanism is that methylation causes the loss of expression and leads to dysfuncation of the p16(INK4a)/cyclin D1/CDK4/RB pathway.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Genes, Retinoblastoma ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Meningioma ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of chondromalacia patella among college students and the correlation with sports injury.

METHODS354 students from gymnastic department and 429 from nongymnastic department with knee joint pain were selected. 184 students from gymnastic department and 342 from nongymnastic department were checked randomly by a surgeon. 77 patients (37 males, 40 females) from gymnastic department and 119 patients (62 males, 57 females) from nongymnastic department were diagnosed as chondromalacia patellae. The amount of exercise and the occurrence of sports injury were investigated in each student. All data were analyzed with SPSS 10.0 statistical software.

RESULTSThe prevalence of chondromalacia patella was 20.1% in female students and 11.6% in male students from gymnastic department, and 5.61% in female students and 4.92% in male students from nongymnastic department. The amount of exercise and the occurrence of sports injury to the knee joint in students from gymnastic department were greater than those from nongymnastic department.

CONCLUSIONSIn both female and male students, the prevalence of chondromalacia patella is higher in gymnastic department than nongymnastic department. Sports injury is an important cause of chondromalacia patella.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Cartilage Diseases ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Knee Injuries ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Male ; Patella ; pathology ; Prevalence ; Probability ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution

Psychrotrophs were isolated by using four media from low-temperature sewage of sewage treatment plant in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Totally, 154 strains were obtained including 12 filamentous fungi, 46 yeasts, 6 actinomycetes and 90 bacteria. The results of tolerance tests of the isolates to salt, phenol and SDS, and enzyme producing characters of amylase, proteinase and esterase were shown. Then 60 bacterial strains were chosen for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis. The blasting results showed that the strains were assigned to 13 recognized genera , and the Strain 39 exhibited 96.6% similarity to Acinetobacter lwoffii(DSM2403), indicating that it might be a novel species. These results suggested that there were a lot of psychrotrophs and rich bacterial diversity in low-temperature sewage. In addition, which maybe an important and potential library of microbial resources.

OBJECTIVETo assess the reliability and validity of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale in the male population of Shanghai.

METHODSWe enrolled 973 males aged 40 years and over in a community of Shanghai, China. Using the AMS scale, we calculated the split-half reliability coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, assessed the validity through confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis, and obtained the domain scores of different people by analysis of variance and independent sample test.

RESULTSThe split-half reliability was > 0.78 (P < 0.01) and Cronbach's alpha coefficients of all the dimensions > 0.82 (P < 0.01). Confirmatory factor analysis showed 3 domains in the AMS scale, Pearson correlation coefficients of all the items to their domains were > 0.49 (P < 0.01), and the total testosterone level was not correlated with AMS scores, with Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.04 (P > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in AMS scores among different age groups as well as among those with different chronic disease histories, but not in the psychological domain among different age groups.

CONCLUSIONThe reliability and validity of the AMS scale are acceptable in assessing aging males'symptoms among the male population of Shanghai, but further studies are needed to determine whether it could be used as a tool for screening late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in males.

Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of different concentrations of bilirubin on expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in cord blood monocytes (CBMC).

METHODSUnder the sterile condition, umbilical vein blood samples were obtained from normal full-term newborns, and the monocytes were in vitro separated by the method of gelatin/plasma coated flasks. The monocytes were preincubated with various concentrations (0-307.8 μmol/L) of bilirubin dissolved in bovine albumin solution for 1 hr. Bilirubin-treated CBMC were further cultured with LPS (1 μg/mL) to induce cellular activation for 24 hrs, and then the CBMC were collected. The expression of TLR4 in monocytes was measured by indirect immunofluorescence method.

RESULTSBilirubin at the concentrations of 102.6, 153.9, 220.6 and 307.8 μmol/L inhibited the expression of TLR4 of CBMC. The inhibition effect increased with the increasing concentration of bilirubin.

CONCLUSIONSBilirubin can inhibit the TLR4 expression of CBNC in a dose-dependent manner.

Bilirubin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Monocytes ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the improvement effect and the regulating mechanism of electroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription methods on learning memory and immunosenescence in aging rats with yang deficiency.

METHODSForty female Sprague-Dawley rats, 5-month-old, were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, an aging yang deficiency model (M) group, an electroacupuncture with Shuanggu Yitong prescription methods (EA) group and an electroacupuncture control (EAC) group, 10 rats in each group. The aging model rats with yang deficiency were established by hypodermic injection of D-galactose for 40 days and then intramuscular injection of Hydrocortisone for 7 days in the latter three groups except the NC group The EA group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20), and the EAC group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3), six times per week for 4 weeks. The escape latency was examined by Morris water maze from the first day of the 4th week. After completion of electroacupuncture treatment, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) were examined by flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique respectively, the differences among all the groups above were compared.

RESULTSIn comparison with the NC group, the escape latency [(25.4 +/- 3. 6)s vs. (16.23 +/- 2.3)s], the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis [(27.25 +/- 3.3)% vs. (13.2 +/- 3.1)%] and the serum content of TNF-alpha [(15.54 +/- 3.56) pg/mL vs (7.35 +/- 2.89) pg/mL] in the M group those were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01). In the EA group, the escape latency of (17.42 +/- 3.9)s, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis of (17.2 +/- 3.25)% and the serum content of TNF-alpha of (9.51 +/- 3.53) pg/mL were all significantly lower than those in the M group (all P < 0.01) and the EAC group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription can significantly improve the spatial learning and memory. The protective mechanism is related with the action of electroacupuncture in lowering the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of TNF-alpha, and the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20) is superior to that of electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3).

Acupuncture Points ; Aging ; immunology ; psychology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Memory ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; immunology ; Yang Deficiency ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore whether the inhibitory effect of Genipin on uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) in mitochondria is involved in energy metabolism of androgen-independent PC3 prostate cancer cells.

METHODSPC3 prostate cancer cells were cultured and treated with Genipin at the concentrations of 40, 80, and 160 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the proliferation of the cells was detected by MTT assay, the expression of UCP-2 mRNA determined by RT-PCR, and the content of intracellular pyruvic acid (PA) and the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the mitochondria measured by visible spectrophotometry.

RESULTSWith the increased concentration of Genipin, the proliferative activity of the PC-3 cells, the expression level of UCP-2 mRNA, the content of intracellular PA and the activity of SDH in the cells were all decreased, namely, with the enhanced inhibitory effect of Genipin on UCP-2, a trend of reduction was observed in the proliferation of the cells, intracellular PA content, and SDH activity in the mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONGenipin is involved in the energy metabolism of androgen-independent PC3 prostate cancer cells by reducing the content of intracellular PA and the activity of SDH in the mitochondria, which may be associated with its inhibitory effect on UCP-2.

Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Energy Metabolism ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Pyruvic Acid ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Succinate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Uncoupling Protein 2

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the long-term survivors of glioblastoma and to identify any prognostic factors that potentially contribute to survival.

METHODSFifteen glioblastomas patients underwent surgery from June 2007 to April 2009 who survived longer than 3 years were enrolled in. Clinical characteristics such as age, location of tumor, extent of resection, and radiotherapy or chemotherapy were analyzed. The expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tumor protein 53 (P53), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1), and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) in tumor samples were measured by immunohistochemical method, and the status of P53 and IDH1 were detected by direct DNA sequencing as well. And the patients who survived less than 1 year were set as control. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic factors.

RESULTSThe average age of patients at diagnosis was 45.6 years. And the overall survival time was 3-6 years (median survival time 3.5 years). Thirteen patients underwent a total resection, and 14 patients took orally temozolomide. The occurrence frequency of these molecular markers in long-term survivors was PTEN (13/15), IDH1 (13/15), IDH1 mutation (12/15), P53 (8/15), P53 mutation (7/15), EGFR (6/15), MGMT (4/15) and NF-1 (3/15). There was a good correlation between IDH1 protein expression and IDHI mutation, and between P53 protein expression and P53 mutation. And the survival analysis showed that age above 50 years at diagnosis (OR = 0.262, 95%CI: 0.102 - 0.672), total resection (OR = 0.372, 95%CI: 0.149 - 0.931) and combined oral temozolomide (OR = 0.131, 95%CI: 0.044 - 0.390) were favorable clinical prognostic factors. PTEN (OR = 0.201, 95%CI: 0.074 - 0.549) and IDH1 (OR = 0.151, 95%CI: 0.050 - 0.454) expression, IDH1 mutation (OR = 0.276, 95%CI: 0.108 - 0.709) in tumor cells contributed to a favorable prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSThere is probably no single molecular marker that is responsible for long-term survival of patients with glioblastoma, may be a balance between all these molecular events result in a favorable outcome.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Survivors