Objective To establish a HPLC method for determination of the content of catechin in Songling- Xuemaikang capsules. Methods The analysis was performed on Alltima C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phase consisting of methanol (A) -l% Acetic Acid (B) for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and the column temperature was 25 ℃. Results The results showed that catechin was well separated with the good linearity in 0.00756-0.05040 μg/μl. The average recovery of catechin was 100.147%. Conclusions The method could be applied to determine catechin in Songling-Xuemaikang capsules, which would make sure the quality control of capsules.

The transcript assembly is essential for transcriptome studies trom next-generation sequencing data. However, there are still many faults of algorithms in the present assemblers, which should be largely improved in the future. According to the requirement of reference genome or not, the transcript assembly could be classified into the genome-guided and de novo methods. The two methods have different algorithms and implementation processes. The quality of assembled transcripts depends on a large number of factors, such as the PCR amplification, sequencing techniques, assembly algorithm and genome character. Here, we reviewed the present tools of transcript assembly and various indexes for assessing the quality of assembled transcripts, which would help biologists to determine which assembler should be used in their studies.
Algorithms ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome ; Genomics ; methods ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transcriptome

Objective To evaluate the effects of nursing intervention on the beliefs and behavior of early detection of breast cancer. Methods Four communities in Shanghai were selected by convenient sampling process. Then these four communities were randomly assigned to intervention group and control group. One hundred and eighty women who met the criteria of this study were selected from each group by convenient sampling process.Altogether 739 women were recruited. In intervention group,a one-year nursing intervention guided by health belief model was implemented,such as health education seminars,telephone follow in the third,sixth,and ninth months,and flyers of breast health care in the sixth month. Control group only received conventional education. Results After intervention women became aware of breast cancer (B=0.210,P＜0.01),perceived more benefits from attending early breast cancer detection (B=0.105,P＜0.01),and less difficulties in attending the activities of early detection of breast cancer (B=-0.086,P＜0.05). The number of women who performed breast self-examination once per month increased and more women received clinical breast examination (OR=3.0946) and mammogram after intervention (OR=2.746). Conclusion The nursing intervention,guided by health belief model,is helpful to improve women's beliefs and behaviors of breast cancer detection.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) on lung injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to explore the mechanisms.Methods Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly (random number) divided into three groups (n =12 for each group),namely sham operation (SO) group,SAP group and 3-AB-treated group.The model of SAP-associated lung injury was established by retrograde injection of 5％ sodium taurocholate (STC) into the biliopancreatic duct.In the treated group,3-AB in dose of 10 mg/kg was administered twice by intravenous injection 30 min before and 30 min after STC infusion.The survival rats were sacrificed 12hours after SAP modeling,and the serum amylase,lung wet/dry ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined,and pathological scores of pancreas and lung tissue were evaluated under light microscope.Expressions of interleukin (IL) -1 β and IL-6 mRNA,tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot,respectively. Results The serum amylase level,lung wet/dry ratio and MPO activity,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expressions,TNF-α and ICAM-1 protein levels were dramatically increased in SAP group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Treatment with 3-AB significantly reduced these biomarkers in 3-AB group than in SAP group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor 3-AB exerts the protective and therapeutic effects on lung injury associated with severe acute pancreatitis through inhibiting intrapulmonary MPO activity and down-regulating the expressions of IL-1 β and IL-6 mRNA as well as the levels of TNF-α,and ICAM-1.

Objective To assess left ventricular(LV) longitudinal strain in patients with coronary heart disease by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2DSTI),and to explore the clinical value of 2D longitudinal strain in detecting myocardial ischemia. Methods Forty-four patients with coronary heart disease (CHD group) and 28 age-matched subjects (control group) were enrolled into this study. The two-dimensional data were obtained in apical 4-chamble, 2-chamber and long axis view. And the longitudinal strains of every segments, the average longitudinal strain of LV 18 segments (SL18), the average longitudinal strain of 12 segments (SL12,excluded the 6 apical segments) were analyzed. Results In the patients with CHD, the longitudinal strain of ischemia segments and the global LV longitudinal strain were significantly decreased than that of the control subjects. Both in patients with CHD and in control subjects,the longitudinal strains in apical segments were higher than that of middle and basal segments. There was significant difference between SL18 and SL12 ( P=0.027 in CHD group and P =0.003 in control group).Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the cutoff point of SL18 to detect myocardial ischemia was - 18.8％ (sensitivity 80.2％ and specificity 74.1％ ) ,and the cutoff point of SL12 to detect myocardial ischemia was - 17.8％ ( sensitivity 81.7％ and specificity 85.6％ ). Conclusions 2D longitudinal strain was sensitive to detect myocardial ischemia, SL12 was better than SL18 in detecting myocardial ischemia. 2DSTI might be useful for identifying patients with severe CHD.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) on kidney injury in rates with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into the sham operation (SO) group,SAP (3,6,12 hours) groups,and 3-AB + SAP (3,6,12 hours) groups,and there were 8 rats in each group.SAP model was established by retrograde injection of 5％ sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct.Rats in the 3-AB + SAP group were infused with 3-AB (20 μg/g) via femoral vein 30 minutes before SAP model establishment.The serum amylase,kidney function and renal myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined,and pathological scores of pancreatic and renal tissues were evaluated under light microscope.Renal poly ADP-ribose formation,intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) and P-selectin expression were detected by the Western blot.All data were analyzed using the analysis of variance or t test.Renal injury grading was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test.Results The levels of serum amylase of SAP 3,6,12 groups were (3806 ± 229)U/L,(4898 ± 295) U/L and (5726 ± 372) U/L,which were significantly higher than (2785 ± 160) U/L,(3241 ± 198) U/L and (3953 ± 249) U/L of the 3-AB + SAP groups (t =3.652,4.672,4.407,P ＜ 0.05).The levels of blood urea nitrogen were (11.6 ± 0.8) mmol/L,(19.3 ± 1.3) mmol/L and (29.6 ± 2.1) mmol/L,which were higher than (7.5 ± 0.5) mmol/L,(10.5 ± 0.7) mmol/L and (21.6 ± 1.5) mmol/L of the 3-AB + SAP groups.There were significant differences in the levels of blood urea nitrogen between the SAP group and the 3-AB + SAP group at the 6 and 12 hours (t =3.836,6.849,P ＜0.05).The levels of creatinine of the SAP 3,6,12 hours groups were (48.7 ±3.1) μmol/L,(58.3 ±3.7) μmol/L and (75.9 ±5.4) μmol/L,which were higher than (40.7 ±2.6)μmol/L,(43.2 ± 2.6) μmol/L and (53.4 ± 3.2) μmol/L of the 3-AB + SAP groups.There were significant differences in the levels of creatinine between the SAP group and the 3-AB + SAP group at the 6 and 12 hours (t =3.279,3.073,P ＜ 0.05).The renal MPO activity of the SAP 3,6,12 hours groups were (0.69 ± 0.06) U/g,(1.07 ± 0.09)U/g and (1.42 ±0.13)U/g,which were higher than (0.57 ±0.05)U/g,(0.75 ±0.06)U/g and (0.89 ± 0.07) U/g of the 3-AB + SAP groups.There were significant differences in the renal MPO activity between the SAP group and the 3-AB + SAP group at the 6 and 12 hours (t =3.066,4.012,P ＜ 0.05).The pancreatic pathological scores of the SAP 3,6 and 12 hours group were 6.50 ± 0.53,9.06 ± 0.66 and 11.75 ± 0.89,which were significantly higher than 4.25 ± 0.31,6.06 ± 0.51 and 7.57 ± 0.59 of the 3-AB + SAP group (t =3.631,3.598,5.147,P ＜ 0.05).The structure of the kidney was normal in the SO group.Congestive changes were observed in glomerulus of kidney,the renal tubular epithelial cell was necrosed,and luminal narrowing or occlusion,hemorrhage in the intercellular substance and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the SAP 12 hours group.The pathological changes of the 3-AB + SAP 12 hours group were significantly slighter (P ＜ 0.05).The relative expressions of poly ADP-ribose,ICAM-1 and P-selectin of the SO group were 1.00 ±0.21,1.00 ±0.18,1.00 ± 0.16,which were significantly lower than 3.83 ± 0.63,5.42 ± 0.83,3.71 ± 0.48 of the SAP 12 hours group (t =6.955,23.107,10.352,P ＜ 0.05).The relative expressions of poly-ADP-ribose,ICAM-1 and P-selectin of the 3-AB + SAP 12 hours group were 1.94 ± 0.36,2.35 ± 0.35,2.11 ± 0.29,which were significantly lower than SAP 12 hours group (t =3.977,12.115,5.012,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor 3-AB protects kidney from injury in the experimental SAP rats.Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor 3-AB functions by suppressing the ICAM-1 and P-selectin expression and reducing neutrophil infiltration.

Objective To explore the effects of rosiglitazone on pancreatic β cells in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Methods 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(SO group),SAP group,and rosiglitazone pretreatment group(ROSI group).SAP model was induced by retrograde infusion of 5％ sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct.SO and SAP group were injected 10％ dimethyl sulfoxide partes aequales(DMSO) (0.2 ml/100 g)by femoral vein 30 mins piror to the surgery.ROSI group were injected rosiglitazone (6 mg/kg)instead of 10％ DMSO.Rats were killed 12 h after surgery and the level of serum amylase was detected.Pancreas tissues were taken for pathological examination under light microscope and insulin in situ staining was done.The ultrastructure of β cells was observed with transmission electron microscope.Results Amylase level and pathologic score were increased significantly in SAP group than in SO group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with SAP group,amylase level and pathologic score reduced significantly for rats in ROSI group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with SAP group,the morphological structure of β cells in ROSI group was more completed and insulin in situ staining was darker observed by electronic microscopy.Conclusion ROSI exerts protective effect on morphology and endocrine function of pancreatic β cells in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective To investigate the ultrastructure and function changes of the thyroid parafollicular cell in ANP rats and to study the possible mechanism of hypocalcemia during ANP.Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation group ( SO group) and ANP 3,6,12 h groups.ANP model was induced by retrograde injection of 5％ sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. The serum levels of amylase,lipoidase,calcitonin and Ca2+ were measured.The pathological changes in pancreatic tissue were observed.The ultrastructure changes of thyroid parafollicular cell were observed.ResultsThe serum levels of amylase,lipoidase,calcitonin and Ca2+ were (4025 ±579)U/L,(8272 ± 794) U/L,(383.6 ± 64.5) pg/ml,(2.41 ± 0.12) mmol/L at 6h in ANP group,which were significantly higher than those in SO group [ ( 1063 ± 129 ) U/L,( 55 ± 18 ) U/L,( 143.1 ± 42.2 ) pg/ml,(2.97 ±0.12 ) mmol/L ( P ＜0.05 ) ].Under the electron-microscopy,the nucleus of thyroid parafollicular cells shrinked and mitochondrial proliferation and endoplasmic reticulum fusion appeared.After 6 h,all the organelle reduced and disappeared,and only small amount of secretory granules remained.Conclusions Changes in the structure and function of the thyroid parafollicular cells occur in rats of ANP,and they induce the development of hypocalcemia.

Objective To assess the left ventricular dyssynchrony in coronary artery disease(CAD) without visual segmental wall motion abnormalities using strain delay index (SDI).Methods A total of 135 patients under suspicion of CAD were recruited in this study.Two-dimensional cchocardiography was performed to collect dynamic images of left ventricular apical long axis views,tow-chamber views,four chamber views and parasternal short axis mitral views,papillary views and apical views.The time to minimal systolic longitudinal,radial,circumferential strain (Tssl,Tssr and Tssc) were measured from the start point of QRS wave in electrocardiogram.The left ventricular segmental standard deviation (Tssl-SD,Tssr-SD,Tssc-SD),maximal difference (Tssl-Dif,Tssr-Dif,Tssc-Dif) and longitudinal,radial,circumferential SDI (LSDI,RSDI,CSDI) of 18 left ventricular segments were calculated.Results According to coronary angiography results,patients were divided into three groups:severe stenosis group,mild stenosis group and control group.Compared with the other two groups,SDI and Tssl-SD,Tssl-Dif were decreased in severe stenosis group (P ＜0.001 or P ＜0.05).However,there were not significant differences between the mild stenosis group and the control group except Tssr-SD.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis demonstrated that LSDI had the highest accuracy and Tssl-SD had the lowest accuracy for detecting severe CAD (areas under the curve were 0.891,0.797,0.666,0.580 and 0.556 respectively).High sensitivity and specificity (80.6％ and 86.7％,respectively) were shown when using-12.67％ as a cutoff point of LSDI to diagnose severe CAD.Conclusions SDI can be helpful for assessing the left ventricular dyssynchrony in patients without visual segmental wall motion abnormalities,and LSDI is the most effective parameter to detecting severe CAD.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of self-management to improve the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and life quality in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-two men were recruited to take αblockers for at least 3 months from March 2008 to September 2009. Participants were randomized to either attend a self-management program in addition to standard care or to standard care alone. Difference of scores of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and BPH-specific quality of life scale between the two groups was analyzed during enrollment period, the 1st week, the 3rd month and 6th month of therapy.ResultsAll participants were followed up for 6 months.The IPSS scores of the SMI group were 20.5 and 20.5 and the QOL were 50.9 and 50.8 at the 1st week.While the numbers were 19.6 and 19.3 for IPSS and 51.1 and 51.1 for QOL in the control group. There was no statistic difference in the control group.Whereas during the 3rd and 6th month assessment, the scores of IPSS and quality of life of self-management interventional group were statistically significantly lower than those of the control group.ConclusionsSelf-management intervention could reduce the LUTS symptoms and improve quality of life in BPH patients who were taking medicines.