Tropane alkaloids,such as hyoscyamine (or its more stable racemate atropine) and scopolamine,are remembered as the oldest drugs in medicine with wide pharmaceutical applications clinically for their mydriatic,antispasmodic,anticholinergic,analgesic and sedative properties.Presently,the supply of tropane alkaloids are entirely rested on their isolation from plant materials,yet the low contents of tropane alkaloids in plants raise the requirement to breed new varieties of high-yield tropane alkaloids and improving the production of tropane alkaloids in hairy root cultures or plants by biotechnology has be a research focus in the field of secondary metabolism.For the past decade,there have been important progresses on biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids and their molecular biology,some new pathway genes have been identified and many achievements have also been acquired in metabolic engineering of tropane alkaloids.This review summarized the recent advances in above aspects,and the problems and orientations of future research are also discussed and proposed.

Objective: To establish an accelerated solvent extraction(ASE)-HPLC method to determine chrysophanol and aurantio-obtusin in Cassia obtusifolia L.Methods: The optimal extraction conditions were defined by orthogonal tests using ASE.The method was carried out on an ACE Excel C18-PFP column (75 mm×2.1 mm,2.5 μm) with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% phosphoric acid solution-acetonitrile with gradient elution.The column temperature was 40 ℃,the flow rate was 0.4 ml·min-1, and the detection wavelength was 284 nm. Results: The best process parameters of ASE were as follows:the extraction solvent was methanol, the extraction temperature was 120 ℃ and the static extraction duration was 5 minutes for three cycles.The ASE method needed only 1/9 of the time as the pharmacopoeia method,while the extraction efficiency of the ASE method was higher.The linear ranges of cassia obtusifolia L.and Chrysophanol were at 0.73~58.57 μg·ml-1(r=0.999 7) and 1.09~87.29 μg·ml-1(r=0.999 6).The average recoveries were 102.7%(RSD=0.8%) and 98.2%(RSD=1.5%).Conclusion: The method is simple, rapid and sensitive, which can be used for the rapid determination of aurantio obtusin and chrysophanol in Cassia obtusifolia L.

Objective To improve the diagnostic accuracy of ovarian endometrioma and to discriminate it from other adnexal masses by analyzing its CT manifestations. Methods The CT images of 57 patients with 77 ovarian endometriomas proved by surgery and pathology were studied retrospectively.Results The cysts ranged in diameter from 2 to 14 cm with the mean size of 6.2 cm?5.1 cm. The margins of the cyst were sharp in 39 and ill defined in 38 endometriomas. Thin and thickened walls were found respectively in 40 and 37 of 77 endometriomas. Unilocular, bilocular and multilocular forms were seen respectively in 29(37.7%), 23(29.9%) and 25(32.5%) of 77 endometriomas. Gourd and sister forms were present respectively in 15 and 8 of 23 bilocular cysts, and sister loculi, outer son loculi, inner son loculi, and mixed forms in 10, 9, 1 and 5 of 25 multilocular endometriomas. The density of the cyst fluid varied from 11～65 HU with the mean of 28.5 HU. New hemorrhage inside cyst was found in 6 cysts. Slight or intermediate enhancement of the cyst wall of endometriomas in 42, and significant enhancement in 35 were demonstrated. 54 cysts, 13 cystadenomas with 18 lesions and 4 malignant tumors with 5 lesions were diagnosed by preoperatively by CT. The accurate rate of CT characterization was 71.4%. Conclusion The certain morphologic characteristics of the ovarian endometrioma can be showed by CT in higher extent. It is critical to familiar with these characteristics to improve the diagnostic accuracy, and to avoid misdiagnosis.

Multicellular spheroid (MCS) can simulate many aspects of the in vivo physiological and pathological conditions in many aspects,better reflect the in-vivo behavior of cells in tumors.So it's increasingly accepted as a valuable tool for evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic intervention including chemotherapy,radiotherapy,immunotherapy and combined therapy.Various spheroid co-culture approaches have been presented to study heterologous cells interaction in solid tumors.The present review briefly introduces the methodology and applications of MCS with focus on the up-to-date information.

Objective To analytically screen the volatile components from Chenxiang Huaqi Tablets (CHT) using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) combined with automated mass spectral deconvolution, and establish the methods of multiple components contents (camphor, bornyl acetate, and patchouli alcohol) from CHT using multi reaction monitor (MRM). Methods The chromatographic column was HP-5MS (30 m × 0.32 mm × 0.25 μm). Temperature program: the initial temperature was 100 ℃, at 15 ℃/min up to 300 ℃ for 2 min. Injection port temperature was 280 ℃; Ionization methods: EI ion source with ion source temperature of 230 ℃; Quadrupole temperature was 150 ℃; Interface temperature was 280 ℃; Inject volume was 1 μl. Results A total of thirteen components were screened by automated mass spectral deconvolution soft. Under the conditions of MRM collection, camphor, bornyl acetate, and patchouli alcohol were in the range of 4.5-90 mg/mL (r = 0.999 8), 3.3-66 mg/mL (r = 0.999 8), and 2.6-51.5 mg/mL (r = 0.999 9), respectively, the ratio of each component concentration to its peak area was linear, and the average recovery (n = 6) was 101.15%, 102.64%, and 100.10% respectively; The mass fraction of 10 batches of samples were in the ranges of 0.278-0.311, 0.381-0.438, and 0.229-0.381. Conclusion The method is accurate, simple, and good repeatability. It can be used for the simultaneous determination of camphor, bornyl acetate, and patchouli alcohol in CHT, which provides a reference for the improvement of the quality of this variety.

Objective To evaluate mesenteric muhidetector row CT angiography (MDCTA) in the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI).Methods In this study,43 cases of AMI proven by clinical criteria,or operation and pathology underwent whole abdomen MDCT precontrast,arterial phase and venous phase scan with 0.6 mm collimation.The mesenteric arteries and veins were reconstructed by using volume rendering (VR),maximum intensity projection (MIP),thin slab maximum intensity projection (TSMIP) techniques,and abnormal CT angiography findings as well as abnormal bowel and mesentery were analyzed.Results It was found that AMI was caused by superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolism (n =4),SMA thrombosis (n = 6),mesenteric and portal venous thrombosis (n = 13),SMA dissection (n =5),strangulated bowel obstruction (n = 10) and vasculitis (n = 5).MDCTA showed clearly the position,shape,severity and extent of the vascular occlusion,narrow and dissection.It could also demonstrate the abnormal course and direction of the vessels including vascular gathering,shift,tortuosity,retortion,and twist.Furthermore,the pathogenesis of various conditions including atherosclerotic plaque,emboli,thrombosis,dissection,tumorous invasion,strangulated bowel obstruction and vasculitis could be identified by MDCTA.Conclusion MDCTA can clearly demonstrate direct signs leading to AMI,and identify AMI and its etiology at early stage,with the combination with its indirect findings.

Objective To investigate the value of multi-slice CT (MSCT) in diagnosing early acute appendicitis (AA).Methods From June 2008 to June 2011,abdomen MSCT images of 41 patients with acute simple appendicitis confirmed by surgery and pathology were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-six patients with clinically confirmed normal appendix served as the control groups with 18 patients in complicated-normal-appendix (CNA) group and 18 patients in noncomplicated-normal-appendix (NCNA)group. The appendix was reconstructed by using multiplanar reformation (MPR) and curved planar reformation (CPR) techniques. The differences between early AA and normal appendix in appendiceal diameter,thickness of the appendiceal wall, maximum depth of the intraluminal appendiceal fluid (MDIAF), abnormal enhancement of the appendiceal wall, appendicolith and the periappendiceal abnormalities were evaluated and compared by using analysis of variance,R test and Chi-square test.Results The mean thickness of the appendiceal wall was (2.88 ±0.62),(2.58 -±0.50) and (2.73 ±0.53) mm in early AA,CNA and NCNA groups respectively,with no statistically significant difference among them ( F =1.73,P=0.19).The nean appendiceal diameter was (11.37 ± 1.94),(7.03 -±0.89),(6.75 ±0.63) mm,and median MDIAF was 4.05 (2.65-8.50),1.68 (0-.40),0 (0-1.90) mm in early AA,CNA and NCNA groups respectively,with statistically significant differences between early AA and the two normal appendix groups ( Z =7.02,7.24 ; P =0.00 ).The abnormal enhancement of appendiceal wall was found in 61.1％ (11/18) of early AA,16.7％ (3/18) of CNA and 11.1％ (2/18) of NCNA groups respectively,with statistically significant differences between early AA and the two normal appendix groups (x2 =12.83,P =0.00). Using a cutoff value of 7.8 mm of the appendiceal diameter and 2.6 mm of MDIAF for the early AA,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 97.6％ (40/41),91.7％ (33/36) and 94.8％ (73/77),and 100.0％ (36/36),88.9％ (32/36) and 94.4％ (68/72),respectively.Conclusions MSCT is particularly useful for the diagnosis of early AA. When appendiceal diameter is greater than 7.8 mm,and MDIAF greater than 2.6mm,early AA can be diagnosed with confidence.

BACKGROUND:Sirius red is a strong acid anionic dye. Being not-easyto-fade and specific, sirius red becomes the best dye for collagen staining.Collagen is a major component of extracellular matrix and has some specific physiological functions. Through synthesis and reconstruction of collagen, bone fracture repair will be accomplished.OBJECTIVE: Picric acid-Sirius red stained slides were observed under a polarized light microscopy for evaluation the dynamic changes in the ratio of different collagen types and their distributions in bone fracture healing.DESIGN: It was a controlled observation.SETTING: It was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University; Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics, Tianjin Hospital; Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics, Jishuitan Hospital,Medical Department, Peking University; Tissue Engineering Center of Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences of Chinese PLAMATERIALS: It was conducted at Tissue Engineering Center of Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences of Chinese PLA from March 2002 to September 2003. Three healthy adult Chinese sheep, male and in weight from 25 to 35 g, were selected.METHODS: All the animals were anesthesized and sterilized; a transverse osteotomy of the trunk of metatarsus was performed; and the end of fracture was fixed with a six-hole Medoff sliding plate. At the post-operative month 1, 3 and 6, samples were taken from bone fractures. After decalcification with EDTA, they were stained with Picric acid-sirius red, and the types and distribution of collagens were observed under a polarized light microscopy.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Types and distributions of collagens in bone lesion in different period of bone healing were investigated.RESULTS: Three sheep used in this study entered the statistical analysis.①Morphological features of various collagens under a polarized light microscopy postoperatively: Type Ⅰ collagen packed tightly, with a strong refraction and yellow, orange or red thick fibres. Type Ⅱ collagen formed a loose reticulation with fibres exhibiting different colour and a weak refraction. Thin fibres of type Ⅲ collagen with weak refraction and green colour formed a loose reticulation. ②Quantitative studies on various collagens under a polarized light microscopy postoperatively: At postoperative month 1,red or orange fibres (type Ⅰ collagen) were rarely seen in bone fracture,while green fibres (typical of type Ⅲ collagen) were dominant with a disorder pack. At postoperative month 3, red or orange fibres increased significantly and the ratio of type Ⅲ collagen reduced. The collagen fibres assembled regularly. At postoperative month 6, thick yellow-red collagen became dominant and thin green type Ⅲ collagen decreased dramatically and arranged in an obvious oblique, spiral and crossed orientations.CONCLUSION: Picric acid-sirius red stain combined with polarized light microscopy technique is not only capable of identifing type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagens in bone fraction, but also can reflect the morphological features,distribution and the ratio of these two type collagens. This approach has the virtues of easiness in operation, strong specificity and high sensitivity.

To meet the requirement of curriculum design about medical imaging field to undergraduate in medical college,the course of medical imaging radiation protection was developed by compiling a new textbook,establishing curriculum planning,implementing and evaluating teaching system.The teaching system of “one aim and two follows” was set up by use of three stages and three cycle feedbacks research and the course construction was promoted and developed by its teaching assessment,summary in time and the innovation of the teaching method.

Objective To improve the diagnostic accuracy by analyzing the CT manifestations of ovarian cystadenoma .Methods The CT images of 57 patients with 62 ovarian cystadenomas proved by surgery and pathology were studied retrospectively . Results Of 62 ovarian cystadenomas, 26 cases with 31 tumors were serous,another 31 cases were mucinous . Unilocular and multilocular forms were seen respectively in 19(61.3%)and 12(38.7% ) of 31 serous cystadenomas, and in 3(9.7%)and 28(90.3%) of 31 mucinous cystadenomas.22 (71.0%) tumors were benign, and 9(29.0%)were of borderline and/or malignant transformation in 31 serous cystadenomas.23 (74.2%) tumors were benign, and 8 (25.8%) were of borderline and/or malignant transformation in 31 cases of mucinous cystadenomas.Benign cystadenomas were frequently round or oval cysts with thin regular wall and septa.Borderline or malignant transformation cystadenomas demonstrated predominately thick irregular wall or septa with projections.The overall preoperative accuracy of characterization was 48.4% in serous and 77.4% in mucinous cystadenomas.Conclusion Multilocular cystadenomas have the typical CT manifestations and CT is a high valuable procedure for imaging them, whereas unilocular cystadenomas, having similar CT findings with some other benign cystic lesions, are lack of enough characteristic features for CT correct characterization.