Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) is a very powerful method to understand the mechanism of brain function with non-invasive localization, high spatial and temporal resolution. The essential fMRI technique is blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD-fMRI). Basic principles and methodological applications of BOLD-fMRI are reviewed in this paper.

Polymorphism, Genetic ; Gene Frequency ; China ; Genetics, Population ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics*

Objective To investigate the expression of microRNA-224 in HepG2 cells and analyze its target genes to reveal its role in the carcinogenesis of hepatoma. Methods The genes with differential expression in HepG2 cells and LO2 cells were obtained by gene expression microarray analysis. The up-regulated target genes of microRNA-224 were predicted by bioinformatics method, and their functions were analyzed. Results Compared with LO2 cells, microRNA-224 was highly expressed in HepG2 cells. A total of 264 target genes of microRNA-224 were predicted, including genes involved in cell cycle, signal transduction, cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Conclusions MicroRNA-224 is highly expressed in HepG2 cells. MicroRNA-224 plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of hepatoma via regulating the expression of its target genes directly or indirectly.

We designed an adjustable simulated lung for clinical use. Depending on the feature of adjustable resistance and compliance, the device could simulate various pathological changes of lung, such as obstructive diseases and restrictive diseases. Thru simulating various pathological conditions with the device, the clinicians could learn how to manipulate a mechanical ventilator. In addition, the device has a leakage equipment for simulating leakage of respiratory circuit, depending on which the clinicians could learn more about ventilators.
Airway Resistance ; Equipment Design ; Lung Compliance ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Objective To investigate the effect of bortezomib on the proliferation and apoptosis in leukemia cell line NB_4-R2 in vitro and provide some new evidences for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia APL with ATRA-resistant using bortezomib. Methods NB_4-R2 cells were incubated with bortezomib at different does for 48 h. The proliferation capacity was measured by MTT assay, the morphology of cell apoptosis observed with Hoechst33342 staining by fluorescence microscopy and the percentage of apoptosis calculated by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis protein of cleaved (poly ADP-ribose polymerase, PARP) and Caspase-3 were determined by Western blotting. Results The proliferation of NB_4-R2 cells were obviously inhibited by bortezomib in vivo and the role of inhibition was a does-dependant manner within the scope of the bortezomib concentration from 1-5 μg /L.The incidence of inhibition was up to 74.9 % at the bortezomib concentration of 5 μg/L. Within this scope of the bortezomib concentration mentioned above, the role of inhibition of proliferation of NB_4-R2 cells mainly showed an increase of the late apoptosis, and the percentage of apoptosis was up to 78.9 %. In the meaning time, the expressions of the apoptotic protein of cleaved PARP and Caspase-3 were up-regulated in NB_4-R2 cells after treated with bortezomib by Western blotting assay. Conclusion Bortezomib can inhibit the proliferation of NB_4-R2 cells in vivo by inducing cell apoptosis.

Objective: To describe the theory, scientific significance, distinguishing features and authentication feasibility of TCHMs by spectral fingerprints of characteristic general constituents. Method: Previous relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field, and the present situation on the authentication of TCHMs at home and abroad was analysed. Result: The characteristic general constituents of TCHMs can be obtained by an appropriate procedure. Their compositions and structures can be determined by spectral fingerprints, especially the 1 HNMR fingerprint. The species of TCHMs can be identified accurately by these fingerprints. Besides, the quality of TCHMs can be evaluated by the contents of their GCEs. Conclusion: Fingerprint authentication of characteristic general constituents of TCHMs has profound significance for the species identification and quality evaluation of TCHMs.

Objective To investigate the effects of preconditioning with different doses of levothyroxine sodium on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in immature rats. Methods Forty-eight female immature Wistar rats, aged 35 days, weighing 120-140 g, were randomly allocated into 6 groups ( n = 8 each): control group (group C), I/R group, and preconditioning with levothyroxine sodium 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/100 g groups (groups LS1-4 ) . The rats received levothyroxine sodium 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/100 g through a gastric tube every day for 7 days in groups LS1-4 , respectively. Venous blood samples were taken on 8th day for determination of serum thyroid hormone levels. The hearts were removed from the animals and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus with K-H solution saturated with 95% O2-5% CO2 at 37 ℃. The hearts were continuously perfused for 80 min in group C. After 30 min of equilibration, the isolated hearts were subjected to 20 min of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion in I/R and LS1-4 groups. HR, SP and ± dp/dtmax were recorded at 20 min of perfusion and 30 min of reperfusion. The recovery rates of HR, SP and ± dp/dtmax were calculated at 30 min of reperfusion. The coronary effluent was collected at 10 min of perfusion and 15 min of reperfusion for determination of creatine kinase (CKMB) activity. The samples of ventricular myocardial tissues were taken at 30 min of reperfusion to detect the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), thyroid hormone receptor (TR) mRNA (TRa, , TRoj and TRft ) and myosin heavy chain (MHC) mRNA. Results Compared with group C, the recovery rates of HR, SP and. ± dp/dtmax were significantly decreased, the CK-MB activity was significantly increased, and MHCα mRNA expression was down-regulated in group I/R, the recovery rates of SP and ± dp/dtmax were significantly decreased, the CK-MB activity was significantly increased, and the expression of HSP70 and MHCα mRNA was up-regulated in groups LS1-4, and the serum thyroid hormone level was significantly increased and the expression of TRa, mRNA was up-regulated in groups LS2-4 ( P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with group I/R, the recovery rates of HR and ± dp/dtmax were significantly increased, the pression of HSP70 and MHCa mRNA was up-regulated, and the MHCJ3 mRNA expression was down-regulated in groups LS1-4 the CK-MB activity was significantly decreased in groups LS1-3, and the serum thyroid hormone level was significantly increased and the expression of TRα1, mRNA was up-regulated in groups LS2-4 ( P ＜ 0.05) . The serum thyroid hormone level increased gradually with the increase in the dose of levothyroxine sodium in groups LS1-4 ( P ＜ 0.05) . The CK-MB activity was significantly higher, while the HSP70 expression lower in groups LS3-4 than in groups LS1-2 (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Preconditioning with levothyroxine sodium 10 μg/100 g can alleviate the myocardial I/R injury in immature rats and does not lead to the increase in the level of thyroid hormone, and the up-regulation of HSP70 and MHCa mRNA expression may be involved in the mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo identify the botanical origin of the Guijiu in Shosoin of Japan from Tang Dynasty, and trace its medicinal history.

METHODAnatomical characteristics of the underground parts of Guijiu in Shosoin were compared with those of Hosta plantaginea and H. ventricosa, and research on the medicinal history of Guijiu was made based on its original identification results and describes in herbals.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONGuijiu in Shosoin of Japan was derived from the underground parts of H. plantaginea and is one of Guijiu used in Tang Dynasty and earlier on.

China ; History, Medieval ; Hosta ; anatomy & histology ; Japan ; Pharmacognosy ; history ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology

AIMTo investigate the chemical constituents of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook.

METHODSVarious chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and 2D-NMR.

RESULTSEight compounds were obtained and identified by spectral analysis as fimbriatone, confusarin, crepidatin, physcion, rhein, ayapin, scopolin methyl ether and n-octacostyl ferulate.

CONCLUSIONFimbriatone is a new compound, physcion and rhein are firstly isolated from Genus Dendrobium. The others are found from this species for the first time. Fimbriatone showed potential inhibitory effects on BGC cell line.

Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Emodin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents from Pholidota yunnanensis.

METHODVarious chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analyses.

RESULTSeven compounds were obtained and they were identified by spectroscopic analysis as n-nonacosane, cyclopholidone, n-dotriacontanoic acid, n-octacostyl ferulate, cyclopholidonol, cycloneolitsol and beta-sitosterol, respectively.

CONCLUSIONn-octacostyl ferulate and cycloneolitsol were isolated from genus Pholidota for the first time.

Alkanes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fatty Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Orchidaceae ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification