OBJECTIVETo study the role of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway with p38MAPK in Curcuma wenyujin diterpenoid compound C (CDCC) fighting against inflammation and inducing gastric cancer cell apoptosis by stimulating gastric cell SGC7901 with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were in vitro acted by CDCC in different concentrations at different time points. Their growth inhibition ratios were measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate of gastric cancer cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Nuclear translocation of p65 was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Expression levels of p38MAPK/P-p38MAPK, p65/P-p65, and Caspase 3/P-Caspase 3 were measured by Western blot.

RESULTSCDCC had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SGC-7901. It also could effectively induce the apoptosis of gastric cancer cell SGC-7901. It also could reduce nuclear translocation of p65 in gastric cancer cell SGC-7901. Results of Western blot indicated that expression levels of p38MAPK and p65 were reduced and the expression level of Caspase-3 was elevated along with increased concentrations of CDCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONApoptosis executive protein Caspase 3 activated by regulating p65 via p38MAPK might be one of possible mechanisms for CDCC fighting against inflammation and gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcuma ; Diterpenes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

To clarify the origin and development of the traditional Chinese medicine "Duhuo" and "Qianghuo" with medicinal literatures. Medical literatures of past dynasties were analysed and combined with the modern material. The "Duhuo" in Herbal writing Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing include traditional Chinese medicine "Duhuo" and "Qianghuo", "Qianghuo" was separated from "Duhuo" due to the distinguish of clinical application. The origin of "Qianghuo" is Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii, However, The origin of "Duhuo" is very complex, Angelica pubescens f. biserrata as authentic "Duhuo" was used from Song Dynasty. "Qianghuo" was originated from "Duhuo".
Angelica ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Apiaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; Geography ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research ; Species Specificity

To clarify the origin and application development of the traditional Chinese medicine " Zi-hua Qianhu" and " Qianhu", the medicinal literatures of past dynasties and modern researches were analysed. The plant Angelica decursivum was used as a substitute for traditional Chinese medicine "Angelica sinensis Radix" for a long historical period, it is used incorrectly for traditional Chinese medicine "Qianhu" due to origin research in modern times. The plant origin of "Qianhu" is Peucedanum praeruptorum. There are significant differences in clinical applications and chemical composition of the two drugs. The same efficacy description of "Zi-huaQianhu" and "Qianhu" could not stop "Zi-huaQianhu" used as "Qianhu" in practical application. Therefore, we need to further research for the plant A. decursivum, delimit its medicinal attribution.
Angelica ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; history ; pharmacology ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Pharmacopoeias as Topic ; history ; Phytotherapy ; history

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlations of 24 biochemical markers in the seminal plasma with routine semen parameters.

METHODSAccording to the WHO5 standards, we analyzed the routine semen parameters of 66 subfertile men, including the semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR). Based on the calibration and quality control measures and using an automatic biochemistry analyzer or electrolyte analyzer, we detected 24 biochemical markers in the seminal plasma of the patients, including total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glb), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alpha hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (αHBDH), adenosine deaminase (ADA), glucose (Glu), triglyeride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), K+, Na+, Cl- , Ca, Mg, and phosphorus (P). Then we analyzed the correlations of the 24 biochemical markers with routine semen parameters.

RESULTSThe levels of the TP, Alb, and Glb proteins in the seminal plasma were positively correlated with sperm concentration, so was that of Alb with the total sperm count, and the AST and LDH activities with sperm concentration and total sperm count. The AKP activity in the seminal plasma was correlated negatively with the semen volume, but positively with sperm motility. The αHBDH activity exhibited a positive correlation with both sperm concentration and total sperm count, with a coefficient of correlation (r) above 0.7. The UN level was correlated negatively with the semen volume, so was the Cr level with the semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count, and the Glu level with sperm concentration and total sperm count. The TG level was correlated positively with the semen volume, but negatively with sperm motility. The levels of seminal plasma ALT, GGT, ADA, UA, TC, CK, and hsCRP showed no correlation with the above-mentioned semen parameters. None of the seminal plasma K+, Na+, Ca, Mg, and P levels was found correlated with semen parameters except the Cl- level, which was negatively correlated with the semen volume.

CONCLUSIONMany biochemical markers in the seminal plasma are closely related to routine semen parameters, indicating that these biochemical components may play roles in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and physiological metabolism.

Biomarkers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

Objective To analyze the long-term results of fractionated stereotactie radiotherapy(FSRT)for the local residual lesion after the first course of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods From July 1997 to July 2002,46 patients were treated with FSRT.According to the 1992 Fuzhou staging system,the number of patients was 1,6,30 and 9 with stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ disease,respectirely;3,11,27 and 5 with T1,T2,T3 and T4 tumor,respectively;14,16,12 and 4 with N0,N1,N2and N3 disease.Radiotherapy was delivered to tumors with the total of dose 68-70 Gy in 7-8w.Chemotherapy(2 cycles of PVF or POF)was given to the patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ a disease.FSRT was given to the residual disease with the total dose of 18-24 Gy in 3 fractions with an interval of 3-7 days.The reference dose line was 70%-90%.Resuits CR and PR rates in this group were 61%and 39%,respectively.The overall survival rates of each year from 1- to 5-year were 100%,87%,83%,78%and 76%.The 1-,3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 100%,93%and 89%;The distant metastasis-free survival rates were 100%,85%and 79%;The local-regional control survival rates were 100%,94%and 91%.Seventeen patients who died during the follow-up period were 1 for local cervical lymph node recurrence,2 for fatal nasopharyngeal hemorrhage,4 for local nasopharynx recurrence,and 10 for distance metastases. Conclusions Fraetionated stereotactic radiotherapy is safe and effective for the patients with residual lesion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the primary site after radiotherapy.The optimized fractionation and total dose requires the further investigation.

Objective To investigate the elasticity reduction of liver tissue due to microwave ablation and the relevance to the histographic damages. Methods An experimental study using fresh porcine liver was designed. Elasto-ultrasonography scanning both in color display and strain ratio calculations was conducted before and 5 min after microwave ablation ( 2450 MHz) in manner of antenna insertion under ultrasound guidance to determine the alterations of the liver elasticity, in correspondence with the histopathologic assessment of each ROI. Results Elasto-ultrasonography showed a significant elasticity reduction and hardness augment of the targeted liver tissue and the corresponding histopathology revealed increases in the amount of massive coagulative necrosis and coking of liver cells after microwave irradiation,in proportional to the applied field power and working time. Conclusions Elasto-ultrasonography helps to demonstrate microwave-induced lesion in porcine liver got rapidly hardened. It is possible to estimate the tissue necrosis to the changing of tissue hardening.

Introduction of clinical cases to experiment teaching of pharmacology is an effective method,which combines basic theory with clinical medicine.It can stimulate students' interest in pharmacology,enhance their go-aheadism in study and also improve teaching effects.Moreover,it plays an important role in improving the students qualities such as the reasoning ability,the verbal capacity and the ability to analve and resolve problems,etc..In this article,we explored the teaching method in experiment teaching of pharmacology,and evaluated the effect by questionnaire.

A rapid analysis method of piperazine ferulate tablets by optic-fiber sensing technology with UV-vis absorption spectrum was established.Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained and compared by maximum and minimum wavelength,absorbance and contrast spectra.Similarity method was used to identify authenticity of drugs.The difference of contents measured by this method and UV determination method in China Pharmacopoeia showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05),while the similarity can be used as a parameter to identify the authenticity of drugs.

Objective To explore the value of MRI and iron oxide particle labeling in stem cell therapy of stroke model. Methods Nine rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion were randomly selected and underwent Neurological Severity Scoring(NSS), MRI and pathological examination. The results of the 3 evaluation criteria were correlated. Bone marrow stromal cells were labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles. Eighteen models were screened and divided into 3 groups based on different transplantation sites. MRI was performed at different time points. The MR appearance of labeled stem cell transplantation sites was observed. The relative infarct volume of the models in three groups were recorded and compared. Results Significant correlations among the NSS, MRI and pathological examination were found. Different MR sequences could depict local transplanted labeled stem cells and gradient echo sequence was the most sensitive method, while the T2WI showed its advantage of better temporal resolution. MR images showed the morphological changes of transplanted stem cells. The change of the relative infarct volume showed no significant differences among the three groups. Conclusion MRI is an ideal tool to evaluate the rat stroke model. MRI together with iron oxide particle labeling technique helps to in vivo track and monitor the transplanted stem cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of reversal effect of Curcuma Wenyujin n-Butyl alcohol extract (CWNAE) on multiple drugs resistance (MDR) of SGC7901/VCR cells.

METHODSSGC7901/VCR cells were co-culured with different concentrations CWNAE (80, 40, and 20 μg/mL) and Verapamil (VP, 10 μg/mL) for 24 h, and then acted with Adriamycin (ADM) for 1, 2, and 4 h, respec- tively. SGC7901/VCR cells with no intervention were taken as the vehicle control group. SGC7901/VCR cells treated with ADM alone were taken as the control group. The effect of CWNAE on intracellular ADM concentration was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Cells were treated as mentioned before without any intervention of ADM. SGC7901/VCR with no ADM intervention were taken as the control group. The effect of CWNAE on the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), lung resistance protein (LRP), and glu- cosylceramide synthase (GCS) was studied by Western blot. The effect of CWNAE on the location and expression quantity of P-gp was further illustrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTSCompared with the ADM group, the expression ratio obviously increased in the W80, W40, W20, and VP10 groups with statistical difference (all P < 0.05). The comparative expression quantity of P-gp, GCS, and LRP in SGC7901/VCR cells was obviously higher than that of non-MDR with statistical difference (all P < 0.05). The expression quantity of P-gp and GCS could be obviously down-regulated by 80 and 40 μg/mL CWN- AE, and 10 μg/mL VP, with no effect on the expression of LRP. Results of IHC proved that P-gp was mainly expressed on the cytomembrane or in the plasma, and it was also expressed on the nuclear membrane. P-gp in different locations could all be down-regulated by CWNAE.

CONCLUSIONSCWNAE could reverse the MDR of SGC7901/VCR cell line probably by inhibiting the expression of P-gp and GCS. CWNAE had no effect on LRP that also highly expressed on SGC7901/VCR. So we supposed that CWNAE could become a potential drug to reverse MDR of highly expressed P-gp and GCS.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcuma ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms