OBJECTIVE: To establish a method to determine quercetin, podophyllotoxin and kaempferol in Diphylleia sinensis Li. METHODS: Diamonsil C18 column was used. Methanol-0.4% glacial acetic acid solution was used as the mobile phaseat a flow rate of 1 mL · min-1. The column temperature was 30°C. The detection wavelength was 290 nm. RESULTS: The liner ranges of quercetin, podophyllotoxin and kaempferol were 0.023-0.287 μg (r=0.999 9), 0.208-2.6 μg (r=0.999 9), and 0.036 1-0.451 μg (r=0.999 9), respectively. The average recoveries were 99.64% (RSD=0.83%), 100.04% (RSD=0.61%), and 99.88% (RSD=1.19%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is sensitive, accurate and reproducible. It can be used for the determination of quercetin, podophyllotoxin and kaempferol in Diphylleia sinensis Li.

Objective To ascertain the uranium concentrations and uranium isotopic ratios in drinking water in Xilingol League,the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods Drinking water samples were collected in Xilingol League,the Inner Mongolia Autonomous.Region inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to determine the concentration of uranium and uranium isotope abundance.Results The uranium concentrations in all samples were in the range of 2.73-18.9μg/L,with an average of 8.20 μg/L.Tbe234U/238U isotope ratio varied from 7.513 × 10-5to 3.003 × 10-4 and235U/238U from 7.196 × 10-3 to 7.391 × 10-3.The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 0.5％ for234U/238U and 0.2％ for235 U/238U.Conclusions The uranium concentration in samples collected from Dongwuqi was high than 15 μg/L,whih is the limit given by World Health Organization (WHO).The uranium in drinking water originates from the natural environment.The234U is enriched in drinking water.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the hepato-protective mechanism of thymoquinone (TQ) onthe development of acetaminophen (APAP)- induced liver injury. METHODS In vivo, male kunming mice were injected with a single dose of 300 mg·kg-1 APAP. Some mice were pretreated with TQ (5 or 20 mg·kg-1) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 300 mg·kg-1) 2 h before APAP injection. Mice were euthanized at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h after APAP treatment. In vitro, human Chang liver cells were incubated with 3.125, 6.25 or 12.5 μmol·L-1 TQ, 10 μmol·L-1 SP600125 and 500 μmol·L-1 AICAR in the presence of APAP for 24 h. Cell viability were analyzed by MTT assay, protein expressions were assessed by Western blot. RESULTS TQ pretreatment significantly reduced serum aminotransferase and increased hepatic gluta?thione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities, while significantly inhibited interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels. TQ significantly inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and P38 phosphorylation induced by APAP. Moreover, TQ inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activation and activated AMPK phosphorylation induced by APAP. In addition, TQ inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation on APAP-induced liver injury. In vitro, APAP enhanced JNK phosphorylation and attenuated AMPK phosphorylation in Chang liver cells, and these effects were blocked by pretreatment with TQ, SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) and AICAR (AMPK activator). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that TQ may actively prevent APAP-induced liver injury, and this effect may be mediated by JNK and AMPK signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS Normal human Chang liver cells and human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2 cells were treated with SRT1720 (10 μmol·L-1) and AICAR (500 μmol·L-1) prior to ethanol (50 mmol·L-1) for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was analyzed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. SIRT1, AMPK and p-AMPK mRNA levels for 24 h and 48 h were analyzed by RT-PCR, SIRT1, AMPK and p-AMPK protein expressions in the supernatant at 24 and 48 h was detected by Western blot. RESULTS SRT1720 and AICAR effectively decreased LX-2 cell viabilities and exhibited scarcely little toxicity in human Chang liver cells. SRT1720 and AICAR attenuated collagen-I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, activated liver kinase B-1 (LKB1) and AMPK phosphorylation in ethanol treated LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, SRT1720 and AICAR enhanced SIRT1 expression mediated by ethanol both in Chang liver cells and LX-2 cells. Furthermore, SRT1720 and AICAR suppressed the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) to regulate fatty acid synthesis. CONCLUSION SIRT1 agonist and AMPK agonist blocked the crosstalk between hepatocytes and HSCs via SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway to modulate hepatocytes accumulation of lipid and HSCs activation.

Adult ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Talus ; injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect of baicalin against rotenone-induced injury on PC12 cells, and the po-tential mechanism of action action was also explored.

METHODPC12 cells were injured by rotenone and were treated with different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 μmol x L(-1)) of baicalin at the same time. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT, and morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The intracellular ROS level was determined by fluorescence microscope with DCF-DA staining. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTThe viability of PC12 cells exposure to rotenone for 24 hour was gradually decreased with dose escalating and 1.5 μmol x L was adopted to do the following experiment. Baicalin increased cell viability, improved cell morphology and decreased intracellular ROS level. Moreover, FACS indicated baicalin attenuated the apoptosis induced by rotenone significantly. Western blot showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 expression in rotenone-induced PC12 cells was reversed by baicalin.

CONCLUSIONThis study has demonstrated that baicalin protects PC12 cells against rotenone-induced apoptosis, at least in part, by scavenging excessive ROS and inhibiting the mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Intracellular Space ; drug effects ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Rotenone ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

AIMTo determine the age-adjusted prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in 3 big cities of China and to explore its potential sociodemographic, medical and lifestyle correlates.

METHODSA cross-sectional, population-based survey was conducted in three cities of China. Structured questionnaires were administered to 2 226 men, aged 20 - 86 years, by trained interviewers.

RESULTSThe age-adjusted prevalence of ED was 28.34 % (mild 15.99 %, moderate 7.14 %, severe 5.21 %). In the men above 40, the prevalence was 40.2 %. Age was positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Education was negatively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Spouse companionship, living condition were positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Histories of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Cigarette smoking was not correlated with ED (P>0.05), while the cigarette consumption and duration were positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Alcohol drinking is negatively correlated with ED (P<0.01). The duration of drinking was positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Weekly alcohol consumption was not correlated with ED (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of ED increased with age. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were positively correlated with the increased prevalence. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, such as education, spouse companionship, living condition, cigarette and alcohol consumption or duration also have association with the prevalence of ED.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; epidemiology ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Education ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; epidemiology ; Life Style ; Male ; Marriage ; Middle Aged ; Population ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; physiopathology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo compare the color differences of different metal bases and different opaque thickness, and evaluate the best thickness of opaque on different metal bases.

METHODSPrecious metal, gold sediment and Ni-Cr plates were prepared as bases, then opaque samples of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mm thickness were fabricated on such plates. Minolta chromatics meter CR-321 was used to examine the color properties of these samples, and deltaE was calculated to evaluate the color difference of the specimens.

RESULTSFor the restoration based on Ni-Cr and precious alloys, the color of restorations was not affected by the color of metal bases as the thickness of opaque reached 0.3 mm, and the chromatic value deltaE < 1.5 NBS. For the restoration based on gold sediment, the color of restoration was not affected by the color of metal as the thickness of opaque reached 0.1 mm, and the chromatic value deltaE < 1.5 NBS.

CONCLUSIONDifferent opaque thickness was necessary to obtain ideal color appearance in clinic. As the opaque thickness increased, the color of restoration based on Ni-Cr and noble metal increased but the color of restoration based on gold sediment decreased.

Color ; Dental Alloys ; Dental Porcelain ; Gold ; Metal Ceramic Alloys

OBJECTIVETo investigate the knowledge of and attitude to sexual dysfunction in aged men, and to discuss the status and needs of male healthcare.

METHODSTwo thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight men (40-70 years old) were surveyed on sexual dysfunction using the randomized questionnaire in Xicheng District, Beijing.

RESULTSThe prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) was 41.2%, and only 12.1% ED patients were to see the doctor. 52.4% aged men thought the sexual life was important or very important during the life, and 55.6% thought ED would exert negative impact on the quality of life and the partner relationship. Although 27.4% knew that ED was a kind of disease, 49.0% thought ED was a nature rule. Compare to the 41.2% ED prevalence, only 9.7% male were dissatisfied with their sexual life, and later ratio was 14.1% among the partner.

CONCLUSIONIn China, the status of the knowledge of and attitude to sexual dysfunction in aged men was unsatisfactory to some extent. There is a lot of work to do especially in sexual healthcare education and improvement on diagnostic and treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Coitus ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical significance and prognostic value of CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: The data of 205 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery was analyzed retrospectively. The association of CAR with the clinical features and prognostic value in gastric cancer was analyzed. The data of this study was combined with previous studies to further determine the prognostic value of CAR in patients with gastric cancer using a metaanalysis method. Results: Cox analysis revealed that preoperative CAR was an independent prognosis indicator in patients with gastric cancer. High expression of CAR indicated a shorter survival time than in those with lower expression. CAR has a higher prognostic value in the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. CAR showed significant difference regarding the gastric cancer patients’ age, M stage, and clinical stage. The discriminate value of CAR in M stage of gastric cancer was high (area under the curve, 0.809). A meta-analysis combining previous data and our data showed that preoperative CAR demonstrated a significant association with the overall survival of patients with gastric cancer. Conclusion This study demonstrated that preoperative CAR could serve as an important prognostic indicator in patients with gastric cancer.