An improved microfluorometric method is described for determination of total ascorbic acid. In the method, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol sodium salt solution was used as an oxidizing agent instead of acid-washed norit which was used in AOAC procedure, a filter step and a transfer step of solution were omited. The known amounts of ascorbic acid were added to real samples, and the recovery rates were 99.3-102.7%. The linear range of the calibration curve was 0.2-4 ?g/ml ascorbic acid. The coefficient variation for 6 replicate analyses of the actinidia chinensis wine was 1.5%. Comparing with the AOAC method, the improved method had advantages of simplicity convenience and was more rapid. It is suggested that the improved method is available to detect the ascorbic acid in food and plant materials.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether efflux mechanism is involved in fluoroquinolone-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated in China. METHODS We compared the ciprofloxacin accumulation in clinically isolated K. pneumoniae with or without CCCP by fluorospectrophotometry. Use reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure the mRNA expression level of acrAB-tolC efflux gene. RESULTS The accumulation of ciprofloxacin in resistant strains was lower than that in susceptible ones, and it could increase to a high level nearly to the susceptible strains. The mRNA level of efflux gene acrA was higher in resistant strains than in susceptible ones. CONCLUSIONS Efflux mechanism is associated with the resistance to fluroquinolones in K. pneumoniae strains isolated in China and CCCP can inhibit its active efflux mechanism , which provides a sensitive method to detect the active efflux system of K. pneumoniae.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fractioned radiation on the sensitivity of NCI-H446 small cell lung cancer cell line to chemotherapeutic drug and its mechanism. Exponentially growing NCI-H446 cells were exposed to 50 Gy radiation which was administered in 25 fractions with 2 Gy per fraction. The survival rate of NCI-H446 cell line was observed after the interference of different concentration of Mitomycin C given before and after fractioned radiation treatment. The survival rate of the radiated cells was higher than that of the unradiated cells with the same concentration of Mitomycin C(P

Objective To study the influence of bFGF gene transfected bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the inflammatory cytokines of COPD rat. Methods The BMSCs were separated from SD rat and cultured and then bFGF gene was imported to BMSCs by liposome transfection method. The samples were prepared into six groups: normal control group, COPD group (A), BMSCs group (B), pcDNA3.1-BMSCs group (C), bFGF-pcDNA3.1-BMSCs group (D), and bFGF group (E). The expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β by QRT-PCR were detected. Results Compared with COPD group, TNF-α and IL-1β genes from groups B to D dropped significantly (P < 0.05). The changes of TNF-α and IL-1β genes among groups B to D showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion BFGF transfected BMSCs, sample BMSCs and pcDNA3.1 transfected BMSCs can inhibit the expression of inflammatory cytokines of TNF-α and IL-1β, but there is no obvious advantage in comparison to bFGF transfected BMSCs and sample BMSCs in respect of inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines of TNF-α and IL-1β.

Objective To explore the CT and MRI features of chordoma and analysis misdiagnosis.Methods The CT and MRI imaging data were analyzed retrospectively in 1 8 patients with chordoma.The imaging findings of the preoperative misdiagnosed lesions were analyzed and summarized.Results 1 2 cases were diagnosed correctly preoperatively,6 cases were misdiagnosed.Chordoma was located in the skull base in 9 cases,in the sacrum in 8 cases,and in cervical vertebrae in 1 case.CT and MRI showed oval or round shape lesions in 12,and irregular shape in 6.14 cases of them displayed clear boundary,4 cases displayed unclear boundary.CT showed soluble osseous bone destruction and uneven isodensity or slightly low density mass.Spot or lamellar shaped calcifications or residual substances of bone were found around or inside of the lesions in 9 cases.MRI showed equal or low signal intensity on T1 WI and high signal intensely on T2 WI.After the CT and MRI contrast enhancement,mass showed mild-to-moderate heterogeneity enhancement. Conclusion Chordoma has certain characteristics on CT and MRI imaging.The combination use of CT and MRI scans has an important value in localization quantitative and qualitative diagnosis of chordoma.

Objective To investigate CT features of primary ileocecum lymphoma (PIL),to improve the ability of CT diagnosis for the disease.Methods CT data of 12 patients with PIL confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.All of the patients underwent plain CT, and 8 cases of them also underwent enhanced CT.Results Among the 12 cases of PIL, there were mass type in 2 and diffused thickness type in 10.The length of the intestinal lesions ranged from 7.8 to 18.5 cm (mean 10.2 cm).Lumen was irregular or aneurysmal dilation in 9, and obvious stenosis in 3.Intestinal wall was soft in 10,and rigid in 2.Plain CT showed that the thickened intestinal wall was soft tissue density.Among the 8 cases performed enhanced CT,6 were approximately homogeneous enhancement, and 2 had small necrosis area without enhancement.Maximum intensity projection(MIP) displayed the lesion had blood supply from the branches of the superior mesenteric artery.Enlarged lymph nodes were detected around the lesions, in root of the mesentery, and in the retroperitoneum in 9.1 case was accompanied with intestinal obstruction,1 case was accompanied with intestinal perforation.Conclusion If CT examination found a homogeneous soft tissue mass in ileocecum with long extent, lumen dilation, soft intestinal wall,mild-to-moderate delayed homogeneous enhancement, PIL should be considered.

Objective To establish the quality standard for Yangxue Yishen Capsules. Methods Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Herba Epimedii and Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae in the formula were identified qualitatively by TLC. The content of Astragaloside IV was determined by HPLC-ELSD method. The Diamonsil C18(2) column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) was used. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water (33∶67) with 1.0 mL/min flow rate at 35 ℃. The temperature of drift tube for ELSD was 105 ℃, the air flow rate was 2.7 L/min. Results The TLC displayed clear spots on their right positions repeatedly. The linear range of Astragaloside IV was 0.397 0-5.955 0 μg (r=0.999 9). The average recovery was 102.0%, RSD was 1.5% (n=6). Conclusion The method is simple and quick. It can be used as quality control method of Yangxue Yishen Capsules.

This study established a finite element (FE) model of human body head (HBM-head) in accordance with human head anatomy.The anatomical structure of HBM-head was described in detail,primarily consisting of scalp,skull,dura mater,cerebrospinal fluid,pia mater,cerebrum,cerebellum,ventricle,brain stem,falx,and tentorium.The kinematic and kinetic responses,as well as the intracranial pressure distribution of the head model were compared with the data from the cadaveric impact tests to validate the head FE model.Experimental results confirmed that the head FE model had good biofidelity and could be used to study head-brain trauma in vehicle collisions and the underlying injury mechanisms.

Background Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily which involve in energy metabolism of intracellular cholesterol and glucose regulation.Objective To investigate the effect of Liver X receptors (LXRs) agonists on the hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) in the murine HL-1 cardiomyocytes in vitro.Methods Hypertrophy in murine HL-1 cardiomyocytes was induced by Ang Ⅱ and treated with LXRs agonist T0901317 (1 ?mol/L).Immunofluorescent staining was carried out to identify the HL-1 cells.The surface area of HL-1 cells was analyzed by using NIH Image J software.The synthetic rate of protein in HL-1 cells was detected by {}3H leucine incorporation.The mRNA level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was measured by quantitative realtime PCR.Results HL-1 cells hypertrophy induced by Ang Ⅱ were manifested by the increases in surface area,mRNA expression of ANP,and {}3H leucine incorporation(control group vs Ang Ⅱ group:cell surface:1.00?0.16 vs 2.00?0.21,ANP mRNA:1.00?0.02 vs 1.58?0.27,{}3H leucine incorporation:1.00?0.03 vs 1.44?0.07,respectively,all P

Objective To investigate the effects of acupuncture combined with conventional treatment on swallowing function and hemorheology in patients with pseudobulbar palsy following stroke. Methods One hundred thirty-one patients with laughing sickness after cerebral stroke from March 2010 to November 2013 were selected and divided into two group by random number table method:a treatment group (66 patients) and a control group (65 patients). The control group was treated with aspirin and rosuvastatin, while the treatment group was additional treated with acupuncture for benefiting vital energy and eliminating phlegm for 4 weeks. The swallowing function was evaluated by Kubota Water Swallow Test and the hemorheological measurements were performed. Results The total improvement rate of swallowing function in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (86.36% vs. 64.61%; χ2=8.391, P=0.004). After the treatment, the whole blood viscosities at high shear rate (4.96 ± 0.53 mPa?s vs. 5.32 ± 0.63 mPa?s;t=3.541, P=0.001) and low shear rate (23.23 ± 0.94 mPa?s vs. 23.81 ± 1.01 mPa?s;t=3.403, P=0.001), and the plasma viscosity (1.52 ± 0.24 mPa?s vs. 1.61 ± 0.28 mPa?s;t=1.976, P=0.050) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Conclusion Acupuncture combined with conventional treatment can improve the swallowing function and the hemorheological parameters in patients with pseudobulbar palsy following stroke.