AIM: To establish the HPLC fingprint spectrum of Radix Arnebiae as identification. METHODS: HPLC fingerprint spectrum of Radix Arnebiae collected from the seven production places and that of Radix Lithospermi from three production places were evaluated based on shikonin content. RESULTS: The major features of HPLC fingerprint of the seven production places were approximately similar to control sample there was no significant difference among the contents but Radix Lithospermi from three production places were not the same. CONCLUSION: The HPLC fingerprint spectrum of Radix Arnebiae can be used as an identification.It may provide the basis for quality control of Radix Arnebiae.

OBJECTIVE:To compare economy among sodium valproate (VPA),topiramate (TPM) and dipheninum (DPH) in the treatment of epilepsy (EP). METHODS:Retrieved from ProQuest,PubMed,Springer,CJFD,VIP,Wanfang database,re-searches about economy among VPA,TPM and DPH in the treatment of EP were collected. TreeAge Pro 2011.1.0.12.1 software was used to establish Markov model,and cost-effectiveness ratios (CER) of them were calculated to evaluate their economy. RE-SULTS:CER of DPH,VPA,TPM were 29.99,2 664.52 and 6 657.25,in ascending order of DPH

Objective To evaluate effects of human papilloma virus(HPV)16E7 on expressions of six tumor suppressor genes(including MT1G, NMES1, RRAD, SFRP1, SPARC and TFPI2)in a cell line SiHa, as well as on its proliferation and apoptosis. Methods SiHa cells were divided into two groups to be transfected with a small interfering RNA targeting HPV16E7(E7SiRNA, experimental group)and an empty vehicle(negative control group) respectively, with SiHa cells receiving no treatment serving as the blank control group. After 48 hours, qPCR was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of E7 and six tumor suppressor genes, CCK?8 assay to evaluate cellular proliferative activity, and flow cytometry to assess apoptosis of SiHa cells. Results At 48 hours after the transfection, the experimental group showed significantly decreased E7 mRNA expression(0.25 ± 0.036, P<0.05), but increased mRNA expressions of the six genes(MT1G 1.403 ± 0.190, NMES1 1.720 ± 0.060, RRAD 1.390 ± 0.160, SFRP1 1.493 ± 0.120, SPARC 2.157 ± 0.144, TFPI2 2.060 ± 0.122, all P < 0.05). The proliferative activity of SiHa cells was significantly decreased(0.554 ± 0.130 vs. 1.028 ± 0.236 and 1.220 ± 0.126, both P<0.05), but the apoptosis rate was significantly increased(9.222%vs. 0.246%and 0.123%, both P<0.05)in the experimental group compared with the negative control group and blank control group. No significant differences were observed between the negative control group and blank control group in proliferative activity or apoptosis rate of SiHa cells(both P>0.05). Conclusion E7 may participate in HPV16?induced cellular malignant transformation by suppressing the mRNA expressions of 6 tumor suppressor genes, including MT1G, NMES1, RRAD, SFRP1, SPAR and TFPI2.

Objective: To study the correlation between intestinal mucosa injuries and inflammatory reaction in cancer cachexia mice. Methods: 14 male BALB/c mice were randomized into two groups: control group and tumor-bearing group.For tumor-bearing group,a suspension of 10 6 murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma cells was inoculated s.c into each mouse.Non-tumor body weight,intestinal villus height,width,basal layer thickness and muscular layer thickness,TNF-?,IL-1,IL-6,IL-10,IFN-?,sTNF-RⅠand sTNF-RⅡ in the serum and intestinal tissue were determined at the 16th day following the inoculation. Results: The non-tumor body weight and intestinal villus height and basal layer width in tumor-bearing group were lost significantly as compared with control group.The concentration of serum TNF-?,IL-6,sTNF-RⅠwere higher and the level of serum IL-10 was less in tumor-bearing group.The concentration of intestinal tissue TNF-? was higher but the IL-1,IFN-?,sTNF-RⅠ and sTNF-RⅡ were less in the tumor-bearing group. Conclusion: The intestinal mucosa injuries have close relation with the inflammatory reactions in cancer cachexia.

Objective To evaluate the effect of non-linear blending function for dual-energy CT on image of pulmonary angiogra-phy.Methods 27 patients underwent dual energy CT pulmonary angiography(CTPA).Data obtained with 100 kVp,140kVp,and non-linear blending were divided into group A,B,and C respectively.CT value of emboli were measured.Corresponding signal to noise ratio(SNR )and contrast to noise ratio(CNR)were calculated.One-way Anova analysis and Friedman test were used to ana-lyze statistical significance among these values.Results On quantitative analysis of 27 patients,there was no statistical difference for CT value of CTPA among the three groups(P >0.05).For the noise,CNR and SNR,there were statistically significant among the three groups(P <0.05).Conclusion The non-linear blending function has certain advantages in improved image signal-to-noise ratio and it can be used in CT pulmonary angiography examination for patients suspected pulmonary embolism clinically .

Objective To evaluate the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), white blood cell(WBC)count and type 2 diabetes mellitus with macroangiopathy and to investigate the mechanism of the protective effects of rusiglitazone(RSG)on blood vessel.Methods Serum MMP-9 was determined by ELISA in 30 normal controls and 80 type 2 diabetic patients(including 40 cases with macroangiopathy and 40 without maeroangiopathy).WBC count and other clinical parameters were also determined.32 type 2 diabetic patients received RSG(4rag qd)for 12 weeks.All parameters were determined after 4 weeks(17 patients)and after 12 weeks(all patients)to observe the changes in MMP-9,WBC and other parameters.Results In the diabetic patients,serum MMP-9 and WBC were markedly higher as compared with normal controls;and MMP-9 and WBC in patients with macroangiopathy[579(440-949)?g/L,(7.51?1.47)?10~9/L]were higher than those [324(275-423)?g/L,(6.22?0.79)?10~9/L]in the cases without macroangiopathy(P

To explore the effect of high glucose on the NF-κB/IκB signal pathway in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. The results showed that high glucose increased the degradation of IκB-α and the translocation to nucleus of NF-κB. These changes could be reverted mostly by MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. It suggests that the activation of the NF-κB signal pathway by high glucose concentration may probably be via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Objective To observe the effect of polyethylene terephthalates (PET) coated with 58S bioactive glass on graft-bone healing.Methods The PET coated with 58S bioactive glass was used in experimental group,and uncoated PET was used as a control.The coating solution was made of 20％ bioactive glass powder and 80％ gelatin powder (by weight).In our vitro study,4×104/ml MT3T3-E1 cells were cultured in 24-well plates with the coated or uncoated PET,and the MTT and ALP were tested at 1,3,5 days to show the proliferation and the activity of the cells.The SEM and the X-ray photoelectron spectrometer were adopted to analyze the surface characteristics of the fiber.In our vivo study,24 skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups,the 58S-PET group and the PET group.Both groups underwent a surgical procedure to establish a tibia-articular tendon-bone healing model.Mechanical examination and histological assay were taken to verify the coating effect in vivo.Results The 58S-PET group showed significantly differences in both the MTT and ALP tests at each time point (3,5 days) compared with the PET group.In the animal experiments,the maximum load increased by time in both groups.At 6 weeks,the load-to-failure was significantly higher in the 58S-PET group [(61.70±6.95) N]than that of the PET group [(45.21±9.78) N].At 12 weeks,the load-to-failure was also significantly higher in the 58S-PET group [(89.25±9.50) N]than that of the PET group [(71.38±6.26) N].In the histological assay,it was found that there was new bone formation in the indistinct interface between the graft and the host bone in both groups at 6,12 weeks,and a stronger binding was seen in the 58S-PET group than in the PET group.Conclusion The 58S-PET could enhance the proliferation and activity of the osteoblast and therefore promote the new bone formation and subsequently leads to a positive effect on tendon-bone healing.

AIM: To explore the expression of caspase -3 (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase) in the neonatal rat cerebral cortex a nd hippocampal after hypoxia-ischemia. METHODS: Sham and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) groups were set up. The neonatal HI procedure was performed in 7-day-old rat pups. The double-lateral co rtex and hippocampal was subjected to pathological assessment, immunohistochemic al staining with caspase-3 antibody and half-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerization chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure the change in caspase-3 pr otein and mRNA expression. RESULTS: Caspase-3 mRNA in ipsilateral cerebral cortex and hippo campal increased immediately after HI followed by a partial recovery. Thereafter caspase-3 mRNA and protein simultaneously increased with a maximum reached at 2 4-48 h after HI. CONCLUSION: Caspase-3 may play a key role in the development of apoptotic hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in immature rats. Neuroprotective medicine should be used before 24-48 h after HI.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus root can inhibit apoptosis through reducing the release and interstitial accumulation of excitatory amino acids, alleviating calcium overloading and antioxidative effect.OBJECTIVE: Astragalus root was used to treat anoxic-ischemic brain injury in immature brain. We evaluated the effect of astragalus root on caspase-3 mRNA expression, and meanwhile, labyrinth test was employed to investigate the intervention of astragalus root on learning and memory function of mature rats after anoxic-ischemic brain injury.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled study.SETTING: Pediatric Department, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to the Medical College of Southeast University; Pathological Department, the Basic Medical Sciences Institute of Southeast University.MATERIALS: From October 2002 to June 2003, this study was conducted at the Experiment Center of the Medical College, Southeast University.A batch of 114 seven-day-old SD rats were selected from the same brood and divided into 3 groups, namely, sham-operation group (n=18), model group (n=48) and astragalus root group (n=48). Astragalus injection was produced by Chengdu DIAO Pharmaceutical Factory, with 10 mL astragalus injection corresponding to 20 g raw material.METHODS: Animal model of anoxic-ischemic brain injury was established in model group and astragalus root group, but was not established in sham-operation group. In astragalus root group, immediately after establishing anoxic-ischemic model and at the same time point each day, 0.08 mL astragalus injection was administered intraperitoneally until the 7th postoperative day. In model group, 0.08 mL normal saline was administered at the same time points. In sham-operation group, no treatment was given. In astragalus root group and model group, animals were decollatedat 24 hours and 5 days postoperatively to take out the brains. In sham-operation group,animals were decollated and their brains were taken out at 24 hours postoperatively. In all the groups, hippocampal brain injury was detected using histopathological method combined with semi-quantified RT-PCR methods for detecting caspase-3 mRNA. Adult rats aged 90 days were used in modified y maze to examine their learning and memory functions. All these three experiments were independent.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:① Hippocampal brain injury in each group was evaluated using pathological method.② Caspase-3 mRNA in the ligated side of hippocampus was detected.③ Results of modified Y maze test were analyzed.RESULTS:All of the 114 rats entered the statistical analysis.① Assessment ofhippocampal brain injury in each group with pathological method:In sham-operation group, the bilateral hippocampus showed no swelling or necrosis, and neural cells in this area had normal morphological features with a density of (87.7±0.6) × 103 per high amplification field. In model group, the ligated side of hippocampus was swollen with a widened spatium and the cell density decreased to (68.8±3.0) × 103 per high amplification field, which significantly differed from that in sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.01). At the fifth day, the volume of ligated side of hippocampus reduced with pyramid layer disorganized and neural cells sparse at a density of (48.7±2.2) × 103 per high amplification field. These changes were significantly different from those of sham-operation group and the same side at 24 hours (P ＜ 0.01). At 24 hours the ligated side of hippocampus was less swollen in astragalus root group than in model group.At day 5, the whole hippocampus was observed. At these two time points,cell death rate in astragalus root group was significant lower than that in model group(P ＜ 0.01).②Caspase-3 mRNA in the ligated side of hippocampus in all the groups: In sham-operation group, the expression of caspase-3 was low, with an absorbency value of 0.220±0.009. In model group, after ischemia and anoxia its expression increased. At 6 hours, it was 11% higher than that in sham-operation group. In astragalus root group, mRNA level reached its peak, which was 260% higher than that in sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.01). The peak of mRNA continued, decreased after 48 hours and returned to baseline at 5 days and 7 days. The fluctuation of mRNA was similar between astragalus root group and model group,but the peak value at 24 hours and 48 hours in astragalus root group was 44％-46％ lower than that in model group (P ＜ 0.01). ③ Results of modified Y maze test: As compared to model group, in astragalus root group, the number of training times for meeting the standard made by the Association was significantly smaller [(45.7±2.7), (16.1±2.5) times, P ＜ 0.01] and at 24 hours after anoxia and ischemia, memory retention was significantly higher [(48.3±11.7), (80.0±9.0)%, P ＜ 0.01].CONCLUSION: Astragalus root can effectively inhibit the apoptosis of neural cells in hippocampus in immature brain after anoxia and ischemia and enhance the survival rate of them. This protective effect may be related to its inhibitory effect on the expression of caspase-3. Meanwhile, astragalus root can dramatically improve learning and memory function of the immature brain after anoxia and ischemia.