The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of callus induction and culture conditions on secondary metabolic diversity of the callus cell lines of traditional Chinese medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza sp. (Glycyrrhiza) by combined chemical analysis and HPLC fingerprint. These callus induction conditions included two Glycyrrhiza species, two types of explants, light and dark conditions, and two combinations of hormones. The evaluation was firstly based on the contents of total flavonoids in the callus by chemical analysis and one way ANOVA. The content of total flavonoids in callus was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by Glycyrrhiza species, light condition, and the combination of hormones. The callus was further evaluated using diversity factor based on the comparison of HPLC fingerprints of these callus cell lines. Diversity factor varies significantly for calli induced under different conditions, with the highest being at 0.45 under light condition and combination of hormones. These results provide important knowledge for the selection of suitable callus cell lines for the production of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites or bioactive fractions by in vitro culture of Glycyrrhiza sp.
Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Line ; Darkness ; Flavonoids ; biosynthesis ; Glycyrrhiza ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; metabolism

Objective To research the influences of massive hemorrhage on spatial learning and memory ability in elderly SD rats .Methods Fifty six aged SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:blank group (B group ,n=8) ,control group (C group , n=24) ,and hemorrhage group (H group ,n=24) .B group was not given any intervention .C group received femoral artery ligation and was sutured under general anesthesia .H group underwent femoral artery puncture phlebotomy ,and then the rats were sutured . Morris water maze was used to test the spatial working ability .Results The escape latency of H group on postoperative day 1 ,3 and 7 were(29 .93 ± 7 .93)s ,(34 .56 ± 6 .74)s and (15 .47 ± 6 .42)s respectively .Compared with B group(12 .56 ± 3 .08)s ,these re‐sults indicated the spatial learning and memory of H group was destroyed after surgery 1 d and 3 d (P<0 .05) ,but no significant difference between H group and B group on postoperative day 7 (P>0 .05) .The escape latent periods to platform observed in C group rats on day1 ,3 and 7 after operation were(15 .74 ± 5 .86)s ,(15 .61 ± 2 .56)s and (13 .56 ± 4 .61)s .Compared with B group [(12 .56 ± 3 .08)s] ,these results indicated that there was no significant difference 7 (P>0 .05) .Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that massive hemorrhage of old rats may destroy the spatial learning and memory .

Objective: To study the effect of berberine (BR) on ventricular remodeling in experimental rats with myocardial infarction (MI) and its mechanisms.
Methods: The MI model of experimental rats was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and the MI animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: MI+BR group, in which the rats received BR 20 mg/kg.d, Sham group and MI group, the rats in those 2 groups received the same volume of normal saline. All animals were treated for 8 weeks. The cardiac function and structure were assessed by echocardiography, cardiac interstitial collagen deposition was evaluated by Masson stain, the myocardial cell apoptosis was detected by Tunel method, and the activation of nuclear factor (NF-κB) was also examined.
Results: For echocardiography, MI group had enlarged left ventricular end diastolic diameter (7.28 ± 0.29) mm than Sham group (6.86 ± 0.36) mm,P<0.05, but it decreased in MI+BR group (6.89 ± 0.99) mm,P>0.05. MI group had increased left ventricular end systolic diameter (5.88 ± 0.33) mm than Sham group (4.61 ± 0.31) mm, but it decreased in MI+BR group (4.68 ± 1.17) mm, allP< 0.01. MI group showed increased left ventricular posterior wall compensatory hypertrophy (1.81 ± 0.85) mm than Sham group (1.67 ± 0.16 mm),P<0.05, while in MI+BR group, it was deereased to (1.65 ± 0.14) mm. MI group presented decreased LVEF (45.77 ± 3.17) % than Sham group (67.28 ± 4.15) %, but it increased in MI+BR group (64.64 ± 5.82) %, allP<0.01. For Masson stain, cardiac interstitial collagen deposition in MI group (11.39 ± 0.45) % was higher than Sham group (2.65 ± 0.45) %, but less in MI+BR group (7.00 ± 0.87) %, allP<0.01. For Tunel examination, the myocardial cell apoptosis index was increased in MI group (21.31 ± 2.34) than Sham group (0.99 ± 0.38), but decreased in MI+BR group (14.15 ± 1.62), allP<0.01. For NF-κB activation study, the nuclear protein p65 content was higher in MI group (0.14 ± 0.02) ng/ml than Sham group (0.06 ± 0.01) ng/ml, but lower in MI+BR group (0.10 ± 0.02) ng/ml, allP<0.01.
Conclusion: Application of BR may improve the ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in experimental MI rats, it might be because of BR partially inhibit NF-κB activation, reduce collagen deposition and help anti-apoptosis in myocardial cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects of reserved jejunal feeding tube during postoperative chemotherapy of gastric cancer. Methods Forty-two patients with gastric cancer underwent radical gastrectomy and going to adjuvant chemotherapy,conventional placed jejunal feeding tube. All of the patients weredivided into group A and group B randomly by pathological staging and tumor site, group A reserved jejunal feeding tube and received enteral nutrition through the tube during chemotherapy, and group B non-reservedjejunal feeding tube and been given daily diet,compared nutrition and immune indicators of two groups beforeand after chemotherapy ,compared the rate of vomiting,and observed complications long-term reserved jejunal feeding tube. Results In post-chemotherapy,nutrition and immune indicators of group A were betterthan those of group B, the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05) ,the rate of vomiting in group Awas significantly lower than that of in group B (X2= 9.75, P＜0.01 ), no serious complieations occurred forlong-term reserved jejunal feeding tube. Conclusions Reserved jejunal feeding tube and received enteralnutrition through the tube during postoperative chemotherapy of gastric cancer can significantly improve the nutritional and immune status. It is safe and reliable, worth promoting.

Objective To compare genomic expression differences between androgenic complete hydatidiform mole (AnCHM) and normal first trimester villi with similar gestation weeks,and search for potential adjuvant diagnostic molecular markers.Methods Short tandem repeat (STR) detection was used to identify AnCHM,human oligonucleotide array U133 Plus 2.0 was used to measure genomic expression differences between AnCHM and normal villi,and quantitative fluorescent RT-PCR was used to verify array of several genes.Results Nine of 11 histologically diagnosed complete hydatidiform moles were found to be AnCHM by means of STR,and the other 2 were biparental complete hydatidifonn mole (BiCHM). Compared with villi,oligonueleotide array showed 279 genes (0.72%,279/38 500) were over expressed and 1710 genes (4.44%,1710/38 500) under expressed in AnCHM.Bioinformatics analysis found that differentially expressed genes were involved in multiple biological processes and pathways.Changes of imprinting genes,growth hormone genes and chorionie somatomammotropin hormone genes were especially remarkable.Conclusions Pathogenesis of AnCHM is a complex process involving multiple genes and pathways.Altered expression of imprint genes may play important roles in the process.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous drainage of solitary retroperitoneal abscess under CT guidance.Methods A retrospective analysis was made for percutaneous drainage of solitary retroperitoneal abscess with CT guidance in 13 patients including 4 at the tail of pancreas, 3 nearby the head of pancreas,3 in perirenal space,2 in posterior renal space and 1 case was by the side of psoas muscle.The maximum diameters of retroperitoneal abscess were between 3.5cm and 8cm.Results Out of 13 patients,8 with one time drainage,3 with twice drainages and 2 with thrice drainages.The mean duration of drainage was 16 days with no recurrence or residual lesions during clinical follow up.Conclusion CT guided percutaneous drainage of solitary retroperitoneal abscess is effective and minimally invasive.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:828-830)

Objective:To validate the clinical value of CT-guided curve-needle percutaneous ethanol injection (CNPEI) for celiac plexus block analgesia. Methods: Thirty-two patients with end-stage cancer, including 13 complicated with extensive retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement and fusion, were enrolled in this study. All patients complained of refractory upper abdominal pain and had received narcotic analgesics and radiotherapy, but the analgesic effect was not good. CT-guided CNPEI was therefore prescribed. Results: The effective rates of CT-guided CNPEI were 100%, 100%, 96.9%, 90.6%, 87.5%, and 84.4% immediately,and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks after treatment, respectively. All enlarged lymph nodes had obvious necrosis and became shrunk. Conclusion: Combined application of bilateral anterior and posterior diaphragmatic crura block and trans-lymph node block can produce good analgesic effects, and curve-needle puncture make the above technique simpler.

Objective:To validate the therapeutic value of CT-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of metastatic adrenal tumors. Methods: Thirty-one foci (diameter ranging from 1.5 cm to 7.2 cm) in 25 patients with metastatic adrenal tumors were treated with CT-guided PEI for more than twice. Plain and enhanced CT scans were performed 1-2 months after PEI to observe the size and necrosis of the tumors. Results: Post-PEI enhanced CT scan showed that 18 of the 20 foci with diameters less than 3 cm completely necrotized; 11 foci with diameters between 3 cm and 7.2 cm necrotized partially, and 2 foci completely necrotized after another 2-3 courses of PEI treatment. Conclusion: CT-guided PEI is a simple and minimally invasive means for treatment of metastatic adrenal tumors, and the therapeutic effect is satisfactory.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between genetic polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, sites at -238 nt and -308 nt) and susceptibility to chronic benzene poisoning.

METHODThe polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene were detected by nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique from 50 benzene poisoning patients and 60 control individuals exposed to benzene.

RESULTSThe frequency of the TNF-alpha-238G/G, A/G and A/A in controls (95%, 5% and 0%, respectively), were not significantly different from those in patients (92%, 6% and 2%, respectively, P > 0.05). The frequency of the TNF-alpha-308G/G, A/G and A/A in patients were 76%, 24% and 0% respectively, and that in control individuals were 93%, 7% and 0% respectively. Chi(2) test showed that frequency of TNF-alpha-308A/G in patients was significantly higher than that in controls (chi(2) = 6.22, P = 0.013). Logistic analysis showed that TNF-alpha-308A/G was the independent risk factor of benzene poisoning (OR = 5.3, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIndividuals with TNF-alpha-308A/G gene polymorphism are susceptible to benzene poisoning.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the recording method of the electrophysiological signals in corticospinal tract (CST) of adult rats by plugging microelectrodes and analyze the characteristics of these signals. These could provide some valuable and basic neural electrophysiological information for further research of recovering and refunctioning after spinal cord injury.

METHODSThe microelectrodes were plugged into the corticospinal tract at the T8 spinal section of Sprague-Dawley rats and the neuro-electrical signals were identified and recorded from CST by means of the Cerebus System. The characteristics of the recorded signals were described with the help of the Offline sorter and Neuroexplorer softwares, including the wavelength, amplitude, discharging frequency, the synchrony among the multi-discharging units from the same electrode and two different electrodes, analysis of interspike interval (ISI), etc.

RESULTSThe continuous and steady spontaneous electrophysiological signals were recorded from CST. Three or four types of discharging signals originated from different discharging units were collected with each electrode. The waveform of the signals appeared bidirectional. The wavelengths were 0.6 - 1.3 ms with wave amplitudes at a grade of hundred microvoltage and high signal-noise ratios. The LFB staining proved that the electrodes were accurately plugged into the corticospinal tract.

CONCLUSIONThe neuro-electrical signals at a grade of hundred microvoltage could be recorded stably from the corticospinal tract of rats by the Cerebus System with the microelectrodes, which provided valuable and basic neural electrophysiological information for further research on recovering and refunctioning after spinal cord injury (SCI) by analyzing the characteristics of electrophysiological signals.

Animals ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; physiology ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; physiology ; Male ; Microelectrodes ; Pyramidal Tracts ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; physiology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology