OBJECTIVE:To establish the quality standard for Qindan granules. METHODS: The constituents including Radix Scutellariae, Radix Astragali, Cortex Moutan and Fructus Gardeniae in Qindan granules were identified respectively by TLC. RESULTS: The test samples and their respective reference substances were alike in that the same color chromatographic spots were noted at the corresponding places. The color spectra of the samples were clear yet without interference of surrounding impurity. CONCLUSION: The established method has high specificity and can be used for the quality control of Qindan granule.

Objective To identify Isatidis Radix in different areas by SDS-PAGE;To provide the basis for the identification and quality evaluation of Isatidis Radix. Methods By using SDS-PAGE technology, the protein profiles of Isatidis Radix in Heilongjiang and Hebei regions were established. Results Isatidis Radix protein in Heilongjiang contained about 13 protein subunits, and the major subunits were 10.5 kD, 23.0 kD, 24.9 kD, and 44.1 kD. Isatidis Radix protein in Hebei contained about 12 subunits, and the major subunits were 55.6 kD, 45.9 kD, 34.3 kD, 18.9 kD, 12.4 kD, and 10.5 kD. Conclusion SDS-PAGE technology can be used as one of the references to identify Isatidis Radix in different areas.

Background: Zhongyi paste is a traditional Chinese medicine herbal paste that is externally applied to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Methods: An acute foot swelling inflammation model in C57BL/6J mice was established by carrageenan-induced pathogenesis. Zhongyi paste raised the pain threshold and also reduced the degree of swelling in mice with carrageenan-induced foot swelling. Results: Analysis indicated that serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) cytokine levels and PGE2levels in the paw tissue of the mice were decreased by Zhongyi paste treatment. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot results showed that Zhongyi paste downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and also downregulated the mRNA expression of PGE2 . At the same time, the Zhongyi paste exerted a stronger effect as an external drug than that of indomethacin, which is an oral drug, and voltaren, which is an externally applied drug. Conclusions Our results indicated that Zhongyi paste is a very effective drug to reduce inflammatory swelling of the foot, and its mechanism of action is related to regulation of the ERK1/2–COX-2–PGE2 pathway.

Objective To explore the effects of modified tubo-uterine implantations performed on women with proximal tubal occlusive infertility after femal sterilization with mucilago phenol.Methods Two hundred and eight infertile women who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between 1986 and 2004 were included.They all accepted modified tubo-uterine implantation after occlusion of fallopian tubes with mucilago phenol.Results It was found that the occlusions were all located in the interstitial portion or isthmic portion of the fallopian tubes.Different degrees of pelvic adhesions were found in 65 cases.Fifty-seven cases were slightly adhesive,seven cases were of moderate degree and one case was severe.One hundred and ninety-nine cases were followed up after operations(95.7%).One hundred and ninety-three women accepted hydrotubation in the following month just after the operation and 185 women were found to be unobstructed(95.8%).One hundred and forty-three women became pregnant, the pregnant rate being 71.9%(143/199).One hundred and twenty-five women had term deliveries (87.4%),three women were in early pregnancy and two in midtrimester pregnancy.Eleven women had spontaneous abortion(7.7%).Two women had tubal pregnancy(1.0%).None of the 199 cases had any signs of endometriosis.Conelusions Modified tubo-uterine implantations are quite effective for proximal tubal occlusive infertility.It may be a favorable method for such kind of tubal occlusions.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of emodin in myocardial protection in mice with viral myocarditis (VMC) and explore molecular mechanisms.

METHODSFifty-five male 4-week-old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group (n=15), model group (n=20), and emodin group (n=20). The mice in model and emodin groups were inoculated with 0.1 ml Eagle's solution containing coxsackievirus B3 intraperitoneally, and those in the control group were given only 0.1 ml Eagle's solution. From the day of inoculation, the mice in emodin group received intragastric administration with 0.1 ml of 3 mg/ml emodin solution once daily for 21 consecutive days, and those in the control and model groups received 0.1 ml distilled water only. On day 7 after inoculation, 5 mice from each group were sacrificed to determine the viral titers in the cardiac tissues. All the mice were sacrificed on day 22 for measurement of the heart weight and histopathological inspection of the heart with HE staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of myocardial interleukin-23 (IL-23) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and serum IL-23 and IL-17 levels were examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Th17 cell frequencies were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of myocardial nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in the cardiomyocyte nuclei were examined using Western blotting, and myocardial interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) contents were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe mortality, myocardial histopathologic scores and virus titers in emodin group were all significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The heart-to-body weight ratio, myocardial IL-23 and IL-17 expressions, serum IL-23 and IL-17 levels, Th17 cell frequencies, cardiomyocyte nuclear NF-κB p65 expression, and myocardial contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were all significantly increased in the model group as compared to the control group (P<0.01) but reduced significantly in emodin group as compared to model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEmodin can protect against VMC by inhibiting IL-23/IL-17 inflammatory axis, Th17 cell proliferation and viral replication in mice.

Animals ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; immunology ; Cytokines ; immunology ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Enterovirus ; physiology ; Interleukin-17 ; immunology ; Interleukin-23 ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; immunology ; virology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of improved laparoscopic enucleation of benign ovarian cysts.

METHODSA total of 234 cases of ovarian cysts with 271 cysts were analyzed retrospectively. 152 patients with 177 ovarian cysts (Group A) underwent the improved laparoscopic enucleation and 82 patients with 94 ovarian cysts (Group B) underwent the classic laparoscopic enucleation. The data of operative process and postoperative follow-up were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe rate of spillage of the Group A and Group B was 1.7% and 18.1% (P<0.01), respectively. The operating time was (40 +/-14)min and (47 +/- 16)min (P<0.01), respectively. The blood loss was (25 +/-17)ml and (27 +/- 19)ml (P>0.05), respectively. The bowel deflation recovery time was (18 +/- 8)h and (19 +/- 8)h (P>0.05), respectively. The length of hospital stay was (2.0 +/- 0.5)d and (2.2 +/- 0.8)d (P>0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompared with classic laparoscopic procedure, the improved laparoscopic ovarian enucleation seems to be safer and more effective with shorter operating time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Cysts ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVEThis study analyzed the alveolar changes of complete unilateral cleft lip (UCCL) patients after pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) treatment using a three-dimensional method.

METHODSPalate impressions of thirty UCCL patients who underwent PNAM treatment in the Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were taken pre- and post-PNAM. The plaster impressions were scanned using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The DICOM files were exported and 3D models reconstructed in Mimics 15.0. The following parameters were analyzed in SPSS 17.0: cleft alveolar gap width, alveolar arch end width, upper lip frenulum-median plane distance, alveolar shift distance, and length of alveolar section.

RESULTSAfter PNAM treatment, the cleft alveolar gap width and upper lip frenulum-median plane distance decreased significantly (P<0.05). No statistically significant change was observed in the alveolar arch end width (P>0.05). Alveolar shift distances for both sides increased significantly (P<0.05), and the shift distance of major alveolar sec-tion had a more significant increase than the minor alveolar section. The lengths of the alveolar section of both sides increased significantly (P<0.05) with the length of the major alveolar section increasing more significantly than the minor alveolar section.

CONCLUSIONSThe impression-CBCT method supply accurate three-dimensional data of the alveolar process. The PNAM treatment can significantly correct alveolar deformity and improve appearance.

Alveolar Process ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Preoperative Care ; Universities

This study was aimed to investigate the antitussive, expectorant and antiasthmatic effects of aqueous extracts and the chemical split fractions ofMori Cortex. Cough mice models induced by ammonia water were used to observe the effect on arresting cough. The phenol red expectoration method in mice was used to observe the effect on expelling phlegm. Histamine and acetylcholine mixture induced asthma model was used to observe the effect on relieving asthma. Isolated trachea model was used to observe the effect on relieving spasm. Compared with the control group, the low, medium and high doses of aqueous extracts ofM. Cortex can obviously decrease the frequency of cough, increase phenol red output of trachea in mice, prolong the latent period of asthma in guinea pigs, and increase the antispasmodic rate. The medium dose had the best effect. The comparison between different chemical split fractions ofM. Cortex and the control group showed that the 30% and 50% ethanol fraction ofM. Cortex can obviously decrease the frequency of cough and prolong the latent period of cough induced by ammonia water in mice, increase phenol red output of trachea in mice (P<0.05 orP<0.01); and 30% ethanol fraction and fatty oil fraction can prolong the latent period of asthma in guinea pigs (P< 0.05 orP<0.01). In addition, 30% ethanol fraction can obviously reduce the degree of tracheal contraction. It had certain effect of relieving spasm. It was concluded that aqueous extracts ofM. Cortex had better effects on relieving cough, expectorant and antiasthma. The effective part was the 30% ethanol fraction, which was the dose equivalent of 1/3 of the medium dose. It had significant effect on relieving cough, expectorant and antiasthma. The effect was equivalent to the medium dose of aqueous extracts of M. Cortex.

Objective:To promote the development of basic research, clarify the development trend of frontier biotechnology, and strengthen scientific research management in project management, resource integration, risk supervision and other aspects.Methods:Through literature study and expert discussion, this paper analyzed the hot spots of frontier biotechnology research, and put forward suggestions for optimizing strategic tasks and innovation management from the perspective of innovation management.Results:The research of frontier biotechnology in our country showed a rapid development trend, but also faced with challenges such as insufficient technological innovation ability and relatively lagging management level. It is imperative to explore and establish a new scientific research management model and optimize the operation mechanism.Conclusions:The major research achievements of frontier biotechnology are emerging constantly, showing a trend of multi-disciplinary and multi-field integration. China should actively explore innovative management models, optimize and improve strategic tasks, improve the efficiency of scientific research management, and do a good job in supporting the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.

Background: Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are bioactive substances extracted from P. notoginseng that are widely used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and interstitial diseases. PNS have the functions of scavenging free radicals, anti-inflammation, improving blood supply for tissue and so on. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PNS on the oxidative stress of immune cells induced by porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) infection in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Using an oxidative stress model of PCV2 infection in a porcine lung cell line (3D4/2 cells) and mice, the levels of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (T-GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the activities of xanthine oxidase (XOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) were determined to evaluate the regulatory effects of PNS on oxidative stress. Results: PNS treatment significantly reduced the levels of NO and ROS, the content of GSSG and the activities of XOD, MPO, and iNOS (p < 0.05), while significantly increasing GSH and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in infected 3D4/2 cells (p < 0.05).Similarly, in the in vivo study, PNS treatment significantly decreased the level of ROS in spleen lymphocytes of infected mice (p < 0.05), increased the levels of GSH and T-GSH (p < 0.05), significantly decreased the GSSG level (p < 0.05), and decreased the activities of XOD, MPO, and iNOS. Conclusions PNS could regulate the oxidative stress of immune cells induced by PCV2 infection in vitro and in vivo.