To understand the distribution and accumulation rules of polydatin, resveratrol, anthraglycoside B, emodin and physicion in different tissue structure of rhizome and root of Polygonum cospidatum, the content of 5 active compounds were analyzed simultaneously by HPLC, based on plant anatomy and histochemistry. The rhizome and root consist of different tissues, with an increased diameter, the proportions of the secondary xylem and phloem have increased. Resveratrol and polydatin mainly distributed in the pith, the secondary phloem and periderm of rhizome, and the secondary phloem and periderm of the root, while emodin and anthraglycoside B concentrated in the secondary structure and pith of rhizome mostly. In different thickness of the measured samples, the total contents of 5 compounds were correspondingly higher in thinner rhizome and root than those in the coarse ones.
Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pueraria ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

Fuzi is a medicine used for rescuing from collapse by restoring yang as well as a famous toxic traditional Chinese medicine. In order to ensure the efficacy and safe medication, Fuzi has mostly been applied after being processed. There have been different Fuzi processing methods recorded by doctors of previous generations. Besides, there have also been differences in Fuzi processing methods recorded in modern pharmacopeia and ancient medical books. In this study, the authors traced back to medical books between the Han Dynasty and the period of Republic of China, and summarized Fuzi processing methods collected in ancient and modern literatures. According to the results, Fuzi processing methods and using methods have changed along with the evolution of dynasties, with differences in ancient and modern processing methods. Before the Tang Dynasty, Fuzi had been mostly processed and soaked. From Tang to Ming Dynasties, Fuzi had been mostly processed, soaked and stir-fried. During the Qing Dynasty, Fuzi had been mostly soaked and boiled. In the modem times, Fuzi is mostly processed by being boiled and soaked. Before the Tang Dynasty, a whole piece of Fuzi herbs or their fragments had been applied in medicines; Whereas their fragments are primarily used in the modern times. Because different processing methods have great impacts on the toxicity of Fuzi, it is suggested to study Fuzi processing methods.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; history ; methods ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the spousal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)and its related factors in HIV epidemic area,which can be beneficial to prevent HIV from transmitting.Methods Three hundred and forty-six couples with one spouse were anti-HIV positive were cross-sectionally investigated.Blood samples were taken from the spouse of subjects whose anti- HIV were positive to detect the anti-HIV antibody and from 70 acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)patients to do the sequencing of the serum HIV provirus DNA.Results In 346 couples,99 were infected by spousal transmission and its transmission rate was 28.6%.One spouse of 125 couples were infected with HIV by paid blood donation,14.4%(18)of the other spouse were infec- ted by spousal transmission.One spouse of 135 couples were infected by paid blood transfusion, 23.7%(32)of the other spouse were infected by spousal transmission.Eighty-six couples were infec- ted by extramarital sexual contact,49(57.0%)got spousal transmission.Thirty-seven(69.8%) subjects were infected by husband-to-wife transmission and 12(36.4%)were from wife to husband. The difference between them was significant(P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the transcription activation and possible regulation mechanism of human X-box binding protein 1(XBP1)gene 5'upstream DNA sequence in different cell lines.

METHODSSix kinds of XBP1 promoter deletion mutants were cloned into pGEM-Teasy vector, which included XBP1 gene 5' upstream -1039 to 66 bp,-859 to 66 bp,-623 to 66 bp,-351 to 66 bp,-227 to 66 bp,-227 to -45 bp respectively. Every deletion mutant sequence was cut from Teasy-XBP1p by KpnI and Xho I, and subcloned into pCAT3-Basic to produce a set of constructs termed as p1-XBP1p, p2-XBP1p, p3-XBP1p, p4-XBP1p, p5-XBP1p, p6-XBP1p, respectively. The transcription activity of each construct was detected after transiently transfecting K562, HepG2,NIH-3T3 and L0(2)cell with FuGENE 6 transfection reagent. Cells transfected by pCAT3-Basic or pCAT3-Promoter were used as negative and positive controls. The activity of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase(CAT), which reflects the transcription activation of the XBP1 gene promoter, was detected by ELISA after 48 hours of transfection.

RESULTSThe reporter vectors of six kinds of XBP1 promoter deletion mutants were successfully constructed, as confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The activities of p4-XBP1p and p5-XBP1p were higher than the other deletion mutants in K562 and HepG2. And the activity of p5-XBP1p was the highest in HepG2. There was no activity detected from any transfected NIH-3T3.

CONCLUSIONThe XBP1 gene promoter can transactivate its downstream gene to transcription. The core sequence of XBP1 promoter was implied between -227 bp and 66 bp. This sequence was connected with the transcriptional activity of XBP1 promoter closely. Its transcription activity varies with different cell lines. XBP1 promoter might drive gene expression with cell-type specificity.

3T3 Cells ; 5' Flanking Region ; genetics ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; DNA ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; Transcription, Genetic ; physiology ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; X-Box Binding Protein 1

OBJECTIVEThe microscopic structure and histochemical localization of the Polygonatum sibiricum, P. cytonema, P. filipes, P. zanlanscianense and P. odoratum was studied.

METHODScanning electron microscope (SEM) and digital biological microscope (DBM) were applied in the research.

RESULTVenation bundle showed in three types included collateral, amphivasal and incomplete amphivasal bundles. Morphological differences of venation bundles could be seen under the fluorescence microscope. Calcium oxalate existed in the mucilage cells looked similar to columnar crystals under SEM. In rhizome of Polygonatum, polysaccharides presented in mucilage cells, saponins and volatile oil were found in ground tissue.

CONCLUSIONMicrostructure difference of rhizomes would be used for identification of the Polygonatum plants. Polysaccharides and saponins are distributed in different cells of Polygonatum plants.

Calcium Oxalate ; analysis ; Histocytochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Polygonatum ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Saponins ; analysis

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leptospirosis ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for intracranial traumatic aneurysms (TAs).

METHODSCTA and MRA of six patients with intracranial TAs verified by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and surgery were retrospectively analysed. All patients were examined by nonenhanced computerized tomography (CT) and two by CTA. The source data were reconstructed by volume rendering (VR) and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) from CTA. Four of them had maximum intensity project (MIP) from MRA.

RESULTSOf the six patients, a total of seven TAs were detected by CTA and MRA examinations. Five cases had only one TA and one case had two TAs. The average diameter was 2.3 cm (1.1-3.3 cm). CTA demonstrated two TAs appeared at the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA) respectively. MCA TA was definitely and clearly demonstrated on VR images, whereas VR images failed to depict the cavernous ICA TA, which was detected on MPR images. Two TAs were found irregular saccular shape, irregular margin of parent artery and wide neck on CTA. Four MRA examinations demonstrated five TAs, including the cavernous segment ICA TAs (2 cases), the supraclinoid segment ICA TA (1 case), and the cavernous segment associated with opposite side of the petrosal segment ICA TA (1 case). In a cavernous ICA TA, MRA only revealed aneurysm body, whereas aneurysm neck and distal segment of the parent artery were not revealed. In the remaining cases, MRA clearly depicted aneurysm body and parent artery, whereas the neck was not displayed. ICA TAs showed irregular capsule-like high signal intensity on MRA images. Four TAs exhibited irregular distal segment of the parent artery. TAs at the supraclinoid segment or MCA failed to find fracture signs on nonenhanced CT.

CONCLUSIONSBoth CTA and MRA examinations are the effective non-invasive method of imageology for diagnosing intracranial TAs, while CTA is more eligible for diagnosing TAs after nonenhanced CT has demonstrated skull base fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain Injuries ; diagnosis ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in patients with gastric carcinoma in different stages.

METHODSThe expressions of HB-EGF protein and mRNA in normal gastric tissues, metaplasic intestinal mucosa, early-stage gastric cancer and advanced-stage gastric cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTSHB-EGF expression was only detected in the parietal cells of the gastric fundic glands and in gastrin cells of the pyloric glands in normal gastric tissues. Weak HB-EGF expression was detected in the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa in intestinal metaplasic mucosa, and the expression increased in all layers of the gastric mucosa in early-stage gastric cancer. Intense HB-EGF expression was observed in advanced gastric cancer.

CONCLUSIONIncreased HB-EGF expression may be implicated in the pathogenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of vertebral manipulation (VM) therapy on vertebro-basilar artery (VBA) blood flow in patients with cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CS-VAT) by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonic examination.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty patients with CS-VAT were randomized into the VM group (n = 100) and the acupuncture group (n = 50), and treated for ten times as one therapeutic course. Changes of the contraction peak, the end-diastolic and average blood flow velocity of VBA before and after treatment in the two groups were observed and compared by TCD.

RESULTSVp, Vd, Vm of LVA, RVA and BA in the two groups after treatment were all lowered, showing significant difference, excepting Vp of VBA in the acupuncture group, when compared with before treatment (P< 0.05 or P <0.01). Comparison between the two groups after treatment showed significant difference in Vp and Vm of LVA, Vp, Vd and Vm of RVA, Vp and Vm of VBA respectively (P<0.05, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONVM therapy in treating patients with CS-VAT shows therapeutic effect superior to VA therapy, which could significantly improve VBA blood flow.

Adult ; Aged ; Basilar Artery ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; complications ; therapy ; Vertebral Artery ; physiopathology ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; etiology ; therapy