Objective To clone amastin coding genes from different strains of Leishmania parasites. Methods Using amastin cDNA sequence as the reference, dbEST data base established by National Center Biotechnology Information (NCBI), USA, was searched by BLAST tool. A 309 bp DNA fragment of Leishmania major was found and used as the probe for the screening of a DNA library. The amastin gene of Leishmania major Abdou was cloned and sequenced. Specific primers were designed and amastin genes for Leishmania mexicana WR972, Leishmania brizeliensis and Leishmania amazonensis joseph were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Results The amastin genes from 4 strains of Leishmania parasites were cloned and sequenced. It was found that all 4 amastin genes contained unique open reading frame of 552 bp and encoded amastin protein of 183 amino acid residues. Conclusion The amastin genes of 4 strains of Leishmania parasites were successfully cloned.

Objective To study the self-identity and security of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Methods According to the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorder,Third Edition,63 inpatients and outpatients with OCD and 61 healthy controls were recruited to investigate with self-identity scale(SIS),security questionnaire (SQ),Yale-brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y-BOCS),and self-made questionnaire.Results Compared with controls,patients had lower self-identity (50.81 ± 7.52 vs 55.10 ± 6.86,P ＜ 0.01)and security(50.09 ± 11.65 vs 58.87 ± 10.22,P ＜ 0.01)than healthy controls.Female patients had lower self-identity (48.31 ±7.68 vs 52.57 ±6.98,P＜0.05) than male patients.There were correlation between self-identity and Y-BOCS (r =-0.404,P ＜ 0.01),security and Y-BOCS (r =-0.314,P ＜ 0.05),self-identity and course of disease (r =-0.284,P ＜ 0.05),security and course of disease (r =-0.259,P ＜ 0.05) self-identity and security (r =0.698,P＜ 0.01) Conclusion OCD patients have lower self-identity and security.The self-identity and security reduce with the symptoms getting worse.Low self-identity and security maybe characteristic of OCD patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between peripheral Th17 cell number and chronic gastritis in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-infected children.Methods Children were diagnosed as chronic gastritis by endoscopy.The degree and activity of inflammation were graded by histopathology examinations.The patients with both 13C urea breath test and urease test positive were diagnosed as H.pylori infection.The peripheral Th17 cell number was measured by flow cytometry and expressed as a ratio to total T cell.Results The Th17 cell number in HP group (chronic gastritis with H.pylori infection,n =33),non-HP group (chronic gastritis without H.pylori infection,n =24) and normal controls (n =15) were (1.55 ±0.30)％,(1.06 ±0.33)％,and (1.04 ±0.35)％,respectively.HP group included a statistically higher Th17 cell number than the other groups (all P ＜ 0.05),while no obvious difference was found between non-HP group and controls (P ＞ 0.05).According to the degree of inflammation,the chronic gastritis with H.pylori infection was categorized into non-apparent (n =10),mild (n =8),moderate (n =9) and severe (n =6) subgroups.The Th17 cell number in each subgroup was (1.64 ± 0.21)％ (non-apparent),(1.61 ± 0.23)％(mild),(1.25 ± 0.29) ％ (moderate) and (1.75 ± 0.20) ％ (severe),respectively.The moderate group had a lowest Th17 cell number among 4 groups (P ＜ 0.05).And significant differences did not exit in the other 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The HP group patients with different inflammatory activity had a Th17 cell number of (1.23 ±0.25)％ in nonapparent (n=15),(1.53 ±0.15)％ in mild (n=6),(1.55 ±0.32)％ in moderate (n=6) and (1.71 ±0.35)％ in severe (n =6) subgroup,respectively.However,there were no significant differences among 4 subgroups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In the progress of chronic gastritis with H.pylori infection,Th17 cells may play a role as a double-edged sword by protecting and fighting against H.pylori infection and immunopathologic insults.This would provide more insights into the treatment of H.pylori infection.

Objective To investigate the effects of osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) in combination with extracorporeal shock waves (ESWs) on osteoblast proliferation.Methods Passaged cells were divided into four groups for different treatments:a control group,an OGP + ESW group,an ESW group,and an OGP group.After the respective treatments,the cells were cultured for 24 h,48 h and 72 h and counted using methylthiazdy tetrazolium (MTT) and an inverted fluorescence microscope. Immunohistochemical examination was used for detecting protein kinase A (PKA)activity,and a reverse transcription-polymerase chair reaction (RT-PCR) was used for examining PKA mRNA expression at 24 and 48 hours.Results Cell counting revealed that cell proliferation in the OGP + ESW,ESW and OGP groups was significantly promoted compared with the control group.Cell proliferation was greatest in the OGP + ESW group.The immunohistochemical examination showed positive staining intensities in the OGP + ESW,ESW and OGP groups significantly higher than in the control group.The positive staining intensity in the OGP + ESW group was again the highest.PKA activity was also significantly higher in the OGP + ESW,ESW and OGP groups than in the control group with the level in the OGP + ESW group the highest.Conclusion OGP in combination with ESW has a synergistic effect in stimulating osteoblast proliferation and growth.

Objective To summary the experience of management for orthotopic homologous heart transplantation,heart-lung co-transplantation and to discuss the postoperative treatment of short-term complications.Methods Orthotopic homologous heart transplantation and heart-lung co- transplantation on 9 cases were performed from May 2004 to February 2006.The patients were traced closely and all complications were treated in time.Results During hospital stay,hypertension oc- curred in one case,right heart insufficiency in one case,infection of mycetes and cytomegalovirus in 2 cases after the heart transplantation,and in the patient undergoing heart-lung co-transplantation,renal inadequacy,bronchial anastomosis stenosis and fungus infection occurred.All patients obtained symp- tomatic relief before discharge.Conclusion Proper perioperative management,immunosuppressive therapy and management of postoperative complications could reduce mortality and obtain satisfactory therapeutic effect in the near future.

The index components contents of different time and different stubbles in honeysuckle were measured by HPLC, and were analysis by using the method of SPSS. Results showed that the content of index ingredients of different time had differences, and firstly decreased, then increased with time. The content of index ingredients of different stubbles had significantly differences, and firstly decreased, then increased with time. The chlorogenic acid contents were 2.059%-3.593%. The luteolosid contents were 0.110%-0.171%. Results indicated that the best picking buds time is before seven o'clock in the morning and evening at before and after seven o'clock, the index component content is higher. Picking buds in spring and at autumn index component content is higher; Picking buds in summer index component content is low. The experiment provides theoretical support for quality control in the whole process of the honeysuckle harvested and comprehensive utilization of honeysuckle.
Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Luteolin ; analysis ; Seasons ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo control the quality of the product, quantitative fingerprint was used to evaluate the composition of the amino acids in the Xingnao Tongluo injection.

METHODThe method of the quantitative fingerprint to the amino acids composition was established through AccQ Tag precolumn derivatization. The quality was evaluated by the quantitative test of the amino acids and the similarity in ten batches.

RESULTThe Xingnao Tongluo injection contained 12 amino acids and the contents of these amino acids were stable. All the ten batches of the samples had similarity of more than 0.90.

CONCLUSIONThe method was accurate, feasible and could be a simple and effective way to evaluate the quality of the traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To study the impact of hypothyroidism on sperm motility in male rat.Methods According to body weight,20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and hypothyroidism group (1 ml/100 g/day,0.1％ propylthiouracil by intragastric administration for 60 days) 10 rats in eachgroup.Body weight of these rats was observed every 3 days.After the last intragastric administration,all rats were killed.The levels of thyroid hormones [total triiodothyronine (T3),total thyroxine (T4),and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] were measured by radioimmunoassay.Sperm motility parameters[average path velocity(VAP),straight fine velocity (VSL),straightness (STR),amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH),sperm density(p),curvilinear velocity (VCL),linearity(LIN),wobble (WOB),mean angular deviation (MAD) and beat cross frequency (BCF)] were measured by a WLJY-9000 color-detection system.Results Compared with the control groups[(298.20 ± 12.15) g,(344.00 ± 13.73)g],the weights of hypothyroidism group of the 30 days[(239.00 ± 15.02) g] and the 60 days [(232.67 ± 17.86)g] were significantly lower(t =7.704,11.380,all P ＜ 0.05).The levels of T3[(373.3 ± 101.3) ng/L] and T4 [(4.00 ± 0.89) × 103 ng/ml] of hypothyroidism group were significantly decreased compared with that of the control groups [(1000.0 ± 273.5)ng/L,(44.33 ± 7.84)× 103 ng/L,t =5.262,12.520,all P ＜ 0.05].Level of TSH[(5.77 ± 0.89) × 103 U/L] of hypothyroidism group was significantly increased compared with that of the control group[(1.87 ± 0.70) × 103 U/L,t =8.413,P ＜ 0.05].Values of VAP[(27.45 ± 1.59)μm/s],VSL [(21.08 ± 1.10)μm/s],STR[(70.53 ± 3.48)％] and ALH[(1.96 ± 0.26)μm] of hypothyroidism group were significantly increased compared with that of the control groups[(24.38 ± 2.59)μm/s,(17.99±2.06)μm/s,(65.93 ± 2.71)％,(1.53 ± 0.27)μm,t =2.687,2.404,2.420,3.175,all P ＜ 0.05].p[(5.07 ± 0.74)109/L] of hypothyroidism group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group [(8.76 ± 1.01)109/L,t =6.463,P ＜ 0.05].VCL[(52.83 ± 5.56)μm/s],LIN[(38.58 ± 3.41)％],WOB[(52.64 ± 3.24)％],MAD [(64.21 ± 6.71) radian/s] and BCF [(8.93 ± 0.62) Hz] of hypothyroidism group were not significantly different compared with that of the control groups[(49.92 ± 6.43) μm/s,(36.52 ± 2.73)％,(52.49 ± 3.49)％,(62.77 ± 7.34)radia/s,(9.32 ± 0.61)Hz,t =0.805,1.089,0.037,0.341,1.033,all P ＞ 0.05].Conclusion Hypothyroidism can affect sperm activity in male rats,decrease sperm density and cause damage to the reproductive system.

An investigation on the chemical constituents of the 90% EtOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia led to the isolation of fifteen compounds from the EtOAc fraction. Based on the detailed spectral analysis (MS, 1D and 2D NMR), as well as comparison with the literatures, the structures of compounds 1-15 were determined as cirsimaritin (1), salvigenin (2), syringaldehyde (3), vinyl caffeate (4), 2α, 3α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid (5), 2α, 3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid (6), niga-ichigoside F1 (2α, 3β, 19α, 23- tetrahydroxyurs - 12-en-28-oicacid- O-β-D- glucopyranoside, 7), sericoside (8), 4-epi-niga-ichigoside F1 (2α, 3β, 19α, 24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 9), 2α, 3β, 24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2) - β-D-glucopyranoside (10), pruvuloside A (11), asteryunnanoside A [2α, 3β, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-β- D- glucopyranoside,12], rosmarinic acid methyl ester (13), β-sitosterol (14), and daucosterol (15), respectively. Compounds 1-13 were isolated from the Perovskia genus for the first time. All the compounds were obtained from P. atriplicifolia for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To investigate the relationship between hypertension, depression and cognitive function in elderly. Methods General conditions and health status were surveyed in 207 individuals, which were divided into hypertension group, depression group, hypertension and depression group and controls. Patients cognitive function was assessed by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), depression severity was detected by Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) , other relative data were collected. Results Elderly patients with depression were more inclined to live alone. Comparing with control, hypertension patients had lower attention and calculation. Depression patients had lower orientation, attention, calculation and linguistic ability ( P < 0.05). Compared with hypertension patients, patients combined with depression had significantly lower MMSE scores, orientation, recall and language ( P <0. 05). Patients with hypertension and depression had lower attention and calculation, compared with hypertension a-lone patients ( P <0. 05 ). MMSE scores of depressed patients were negatively related to HAMD scores ( r = -0. 706, P <0.01). Logistic regression revealed depression or combination of hypertension and depression were related to impairment of cognitive ability ( P < 0.01). Conclusion Both hypertension and depression in the elderly impaired cognitive function. The cognitive function impairment in elderly was closely associated with hypertension and depression. Prevention and control of hypertension and depression might be helpful in slowing down impairment of cognitive function in elderly.