DNA barcoding method was conducted for the authentication of pollen materials due to difficulty of discriminating pollen materials bearing morphological similarity. In this study, a specific focus was to identify cattail pollen (Puhuang) and pine pollen (Songhuafen) samples from their adulterants which are frequently mixed-together. Regions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from 60 samples were sequenced, and new primers for cattail pollen were designed according to the sequence information. The results from the NJ trees showed that the species of pine pollen, Puhuang and their adulterants can be classified as obvious monophyly. Therefore, we propose to adapt DNA barcoding methodology to accurately distinguish cattail pollen, pine pollen and their adulterant materials. It is a great help for drug regulatory agency to supervise the quality of medicinal materials.
China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Pinus ; classification ; genetics ; Pollen ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Typhaceae ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze and evaluate the fatigue of shoulder skeletal muscle caused by different lifting loads with surface electromyography (sEMG).

METHODSAccording to the loading standard of1 Repetition Maximum (1RM), ten male volunteers performed 3 tasks of upper limb flexion, i.e. 10%, 50% and 90%-1RM. During action process, the signals of Upper Trapezius (UT), Lower Trapezius (LT), Serratus Anterior (SA) and Anterior Deltoid (AD) were recorded by sEMG. The Mean Amplitude (MA) served as an index to evaluate the changes in skeletal muscle fatigue.

RESULTSThe scores of Borg were 15.6, 15.9 and 15.2 for 3 loads of 10%-1RM, 50%-1RM and 90%-1RM, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean amplitudes (MAs) of Upper Trapezius, Lower Trapezius, Anterior Deltoid and Serratus Anterior in shoulders increased obviously. Under the load intensity of 10%-1RM, the MAs of Upper Trapezius and Anterior Deltoid increased significantly (P < 0.05), which were 0.898 and 0.736, respectively. After the exhaustion, the contribution of mean amplitude in shoulder muscle did not change significantly (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe low-load action for long time can induce easily the fatigue of upper trapezius and anterior deltoid.

Adult ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Lifting ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; physiology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Shoulder ; physiology ; Workload

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility superselective embolization using microcatheters in treatment of intravertebral canal vascular malformation.

METHODSIn 128 patients with intravertebral canals vascular malformation, their AVMS or fistulae were treated with silk thread, Ivalon microspheres or tungsten microcoils.

RESULTSIn the 128 patients, 120 fistulae disappeared completely, but 8 were embolized 60% - 80%. Symptoms were improved in 113 patients. Improved muscular strength from grade I to IV was obtained in 8 patients, from grade II to III in 32, from grade III to IV in 32, and from grade IV to V in 41. The symptoms did not change in 15 patients.

CONCLUSIONSuperselective embolization through microcatheter is effective in the treatment of intraspinal canal vascular malformations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Canal ; blood supply

Aliquots of venous blood from healthy donor were collected in plastic blood storage bags with ACD, GMA or antioxidant solution (superoxide dismutase, SOD), respectively, and stored at 4 degrees C. After storage for varying periods, the parameters of the blood were detected in the blood samples. Results showed that the parameters of the blood stored at 4 degrees C for 75 days in SOD group were following: the recovery of RBC-Hb was 87.2%, plasma-Hb (mg/L) was 193.2, P50 (mmHg) was 34.0 (normal value was 33.1); deformability (DImax) was 0.2413 (74.3% of normal value). There was no evident hemolysis, color change, air bubble and clots. It was concluded that human RBC stored at 4 degrees C for 75 days with SOD solution, recovery of levels of RBC-Hb and plasma-Hb were accorded with the requirements of "Basic Demands of Blood Station" in China.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Cold Temperature ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; drug effects ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Hemoglobins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of the autologous venous external stents on intimal hyperplasia of the vein grafts in rabbits.

METHODSThirty-six male New Zealand white rabbits, aged 5 months and weighing 2.8 to 3.0 kg, were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C, with 12 rabbits in each group. First, a section about 6 cm long of vein was cut from the right external jugular vein of each rabbit and severed to have 3 equal-length segments. Next, each distal segment prepared for anastomosis. The proximal segment invaginating middle segment in group A and only middle segment in group B were used for the external stent. Later, the left common carotid artery was separated from surrounding tissue, from it a section about 0.5 cm long was cut away. Finally, the vein graft was inverted and end-to-end anastomosed to the two ends of the artery with a 9-0 suture. After bloodstream re-established, the diameter of each vein graft was measured. At 2 and 4 weeks postoperative, the graft veins were cut off and histologically examined by the means of HE staining and Masson staining. The smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferation was studied by the immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

RESULTSAfter bloodstream re-established, the diameters of vein graft of group A and group B and group C were (1.6 +/- 0.3) mm, (2.2 +/- 0.4) mm and (2.6 +/- 0.6) mm respectively (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks postoperative, the data of the ratio of intima to media thickness and the index of the proliferating cells of the intima were as follow: group A (1.01 +/- 0.07 and 6.84 +/- 1.98), group B (1.32 +/- 0.08 and 11.01 +/- 2.61), group C (1.55 +/- 0.03 and 14.96 +/- 4.14). Both the data of group A were obviously less than that in group B, and that of group B was less than group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe autologous venous two-layer external stents inhibit intimal hyperplasia of the vein grafts.

Animals ; Hyperplasia ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stents ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Veins ; pathology ; transplantation

To explore the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies in HIV-1 CRF07_BC infections among intravenous drug users (IDU), the gp120 fragments of HIV-1 env gene were amplified from plasma samples collected from 6 CRF07_BC infected persons using single genome amplification and sequencing (SGA/ SGS) method, and 11 to 28 sequences were obtained from these samples, respectively, A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to describe the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies. The Simplot, segments' phylogenetic trees and diversity plots based on average pairwise distance (APD) were used to identify the recombination events between quasispecies. The SGA sequences derived from single specimen formed a large monophyletic cluster in the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and showed the complex topologic structures of viral quasispecies. Of the 6 CRF07_BC infected patients, only one possessed the high genetic homogeneity, whereas the other five individuals showed high heterogeneity, with two to four subclusters inside the monophyletic cluster for each specimen. In addition, the recombinant events were identified among viral quasispecies from 3 cases. The results show SGA technique and phylogenetic analyses are useful tool to investigate the intrahost CRF07_BC gp120 complex quasispecies variation and high genetic diversity.
Adult ; Drug Users ; Female ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxing effect of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on human intramammary artery (HIMA).The vasorelaxing effect of VNP on HIMA was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The effects of HS-142-1, TEA, 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) were also observed. It was found that VNP caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA which was independent of the endothelium. 8-Br-cGMP (0.1-1000 micromol/L) also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA. The vasorelaxing effect of VNP disappeared in the presence of HS-142-1 (20 micromol/L), an antagonist of the natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase (GC) receptor. MB (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of GC, not only blocked completely the relaxation of HIMA, but also enhanced the vascular contraction induced by norepinephrine. TEA (1 mmol/L), an antagonist of calcium activated potassium channels (K(Ca)), reduced but not completely blocked the vasorelaxing effect of VNP. These findings suggest that VNP can relax HIMA, which is independent of the endothelium. This effect is possibly achieved by the binding of VNP with the natriuretic peptide GC receptors in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), leading to an increase in intracellular cGMP level. Moreover, the vasorelaxing effect of VNP is associated with K(Ca).
Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mammary Arteries ; drug effects ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism ; Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled ; metabolism ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis incidence rates as well as the retention rate in a cohort with 6-month follow-up study among female sex workers (FSWs).

METHODSFrom December, 2004, to January, 2005, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 343 FSWs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang county of Sichuan province, China. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 months to analyze risk factors associated with cohort retention for subjects' baseline sociodemographic and sexual behavioral characteristics. Blood specimens were also collected to test antibodies against HIV and syphilis.

RESULTSDuring the 6-month follow-up period, HIV and syphilis incidence appeared to be 1.00 per 100 person-years and 6.23 per 100 person-years, respectively. The rate of retention in the cohort was 53.6% (184/343). Results from multivariate logistic regression model showed that factors were significantly associated with cohort retention including people with minority ethnic background (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74), people having participated in AIDS prevention program (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.17-2.86) or being clients in the last 6 months > or = 50 (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11-2.77) and having changed living/working place (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.94).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study showed that the syphilis incidence and unprotected sex behavior were high among local FSWs. People belonged to Han nationality, having participated in AIDS prevention program and having a steady living/working place were associated with cohort retention at 6-month follow-up study among FSWs, respectively.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Syphilis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission through different modes of sharing injection equipment and sexual behavior among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan of Sichuan province.

METHODSA community-based survey was conducted to investigate past and current demographic data, injection equipment sharing patterns and sexual behavior of IDUs. Blood samples were also taken to test for HCV. The survey was conducted between Nov 8 and Nov 29, 2002. 379 subjects were screened through outreach recruitment and peer informing. SPSS (11.5) was used for data analysis.

RESULTSHCV prevalence was 71.0% (269/379). Needles or syringes sharing in the past three months and past syphilis infection were strongly associated with HCV transmission after univariate analysis using chi-square test. Trend analysis indicated that HCV infection rate increased along with the increase of needles or syringes sharing, sharing of rinse water and the number of peers sharing the equipments. Data from multivariate logistic regression showed that sharing of needles or syringes and history of syphilis infection were significantly associated with HCV transmission. No significant difference was found between HCV infection and sexual behavior after univariate analysis using chi-square test.

CONCLUSIONFurther sero-epidemiological prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the relationship between different modes of sharing injection equipment, sexual behavior and HCV infection.

Adult ; China ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepacivirus ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; transmission ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo observe X-ray features of before and after treatment of cervical imbalance syndrome with osteopathy and traction intervention in youth patients, then to investigate the clinical effect of the treatment of the cervical imbalances syndrome in youth by osteopathy.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to December 2010, one hundred and eighty-seven students of 19 to 22 years (means 21 years) with neck pain as the main symptom in Beijing university of Chinese medicine were selected and divide them into osteopathy group and traction groups randomly. In osteopathy group, there were 94 patients including 40 males and 54 females; in traction group, there were 93 patients including 42 males and 51 females. The treatment of osteopathy group lasted for 3 weeks,three times per week; traction group by traction treatment three weeks,three times a week, too. X-ray before treatment and 3 weeks after treatment were collected.

RESULTSThe osteopathy group:94 cases, before treatment, abnormal curvature in 57 cases, spinous position change in 45 cases and angular displacement in 44 cases, vertebral sliding in 15 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 70 cases,stretch change in 47 cases; after treatment, abnormal curvature in 35 cases, spinous position change in 24 cases and angular displacement in 18 cases, vertebral sliding in 3 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 41 cases, extension change in 33 cases; X-Ray measurement results: cervical curvature improved from (7.070 +/- 4.629) degrees before treatment to (7.660 +/- 4.156) degrees after treatment, angular displacement improved from (13.790 +/- 2.590) degrees before treatment to (11.050 +/- 2.560) degrees after treatment; vertebral sliding improved from (3.770 +/- 0.350) mm before treatment to (3.160 +/- 0.485) mm after treatment. The change of angular displacement and vertebral sliding were so significant before and after treatment in this group, there were statistical defferences between before and after the treatment (P < 0.01) in osteopathy group. The traction group: 93 cases, before treatment,abnormal curvature in 60 cases, spinous position change in 39 cases and angular displacement in 39 cases, vertebral sliding in 15 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 70 cases, stretch in 47 cases; after treatment,abnormal curvature in 50 cases, spinous position change in 29 cases and angular displacement in 17 cases; vertebral sliding in 3 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 41 cases, stretch in 33 cases; X-Ray measurement results: cervical curvature improved from (5.590 +/- 4.639) degrees before treatment to (5.990 +/- 4.330) degrees after treatment, angular displacement improved from (13.360 +/- 2.064) degrees before treatment to (11.210 +/- 1.872) degrees after treatment; vertebral sliding improved from (3.790 +/- 0.339) mm before treatment to (3.480 +/- 0.332) mm after treatment. The change of angular displacement and vertebral sliding were also so significant in traction group before and after treatment, there were statistical defferences between before and after the treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION(1) Pathological changes can be called youth cervical imbalance syndrome. (2) Stress points, angular displacement, cervical vertebral slip, curvature straightened, spinous position change are main X-ray performances. (3) Both osteopathy and traction intervention on are efficient in youth neck pain. (4) Youths cervical vertebra imbalance is early but reversible performance.

Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Radiography ; Spinal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Traction ; X-Rays ; Young Adult