This paper is aimed to microscopic identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) using an in situ imaging method. In this study, two kinds of Zingiberaceae seeds, Amomi Rotundus Fructus and Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen, were investigated by synchrotron radiation in-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (IXPCT) imaging method. The results showed that the microstructures of these Zingiberaceae seeds could be clearly obtained from the virtual slices information in different observing angles. It proves that IXPCT is an effective imaging method, which can provide the imaging information for the microscopic identification of the intact TCMs in situ and non-destructively.
Amomum ; cytology ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Seeds ; cytology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of magnetic resonance microneurog- raphy of sciatic nerve fascicles in rabbil by correlation with the gross anatomy.Methods The 3D T_2-weigh- ted imaging(3D-T_2 MI),3D T_2-weighted imaging plus spectral presaturation with inversion recovety(SPIR), T_1-weighted imaging(T_1 WI)of the sciatic nerve in 10 rabbits were performed on a 1.5 Tesla magnetic reso- nance system.The radiological ananomy and imaging features of sciaticnerve fascicles were observed and the anterior-posterior diameter was measured on 3D T_2-weighted imagingThe imaging evaluation was correlated with the gross anatomy.The T_1 and T_2 relaxation time were determined by multiple echo spin echo and mix se- quecerespectively.Results The libial nerve and peroneal nerve in the main trunk of sciaticnerve in all 10 rabbits could be clearly displayed on the 3D T_2 WI,3DT_2WI plus SPIRand T_1WI.Strikingly,the 3D T_2 WI could delineate the fine branches of the sural nerve and posterior femural cutaneous nervesThe T_1 and T_2 relaxation time were 915 ms40 msrespectivelyGrosslythe anterior-posterior diameter of sciatic nerve trunk was3.17?0.21)mmwhile was(3.15?0.19)on 3D T_2 WI.There was no statistically significant difference(t=0.768,P=0.462).Conclusion With 1.5 Telsa MR system the microneurography of the sci- atie nerve could be achievable and the individual fascicles of sciatic nerve trunk could be clearly and accurately discriminated.

OBJECTIVETo establish a new rat model of chronic cyclosporine A nephrotoxicity and explore its features.

METHODSTotally 24 male SD rats were equally randomized divided into 3 groups: sham-adrenalectomized (sham-ADX) group, ADX group and ADX plus cyclosporine A (CsA) group. Rats in ADX and CsA group first underwent adrenalectomy, followed by the administration of placebo or dexamethasone, respectively. Rats in sham-ADX group received sham adrenalectomy and distilled water as control. Six weeks later, all rats were sacrificed and the following indicators were evaluated: urine protein excretion, creatinine clearance, aldosterone level in serum and urine, aldosterone level and its synthase CYP11B2 gene expression in kidney, serum natrium and potassium, urine natrium and potassium excretion, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis by masson trichrome stain.

RESULTSIn ADX and CsA group, serum and urine aldosterone were undetectable on the second post-operative day, with other observations including natriuresis, hyponatremia, decreased urine potassium excretion, and hyperpotassemia, suggesting that adrenals were removed intact and the adrenalectomy was successful. Rats in CsA group showed increased urine protein, decreased creatinine clearance and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, suggesting that a model of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity was successfully established. At the endpoint, serum potassium, serum aldosterone, urine potassium and urine aldosterone excretion partially retrieved. Natrium in serum and urine was not significant different between ADX group/CsA group and sham-ADX group. Local renal aldosterone and its gene expression were remarkably upregulated.

CONCLUSIONSWe successfully established a new rat model of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity by adrenalectomy without low sodium diet. After adrenalectomy, local renal aldosterone in kidney may compensate for circulatory aldosterone deficit to maintain electrolyte balance.

Acute Kidney Injury ; chemically induced ; Adrenalectomy ; Aldosterone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclosporine ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; toxicity ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In order to explore the dormancy physiological and biochemical mechanism of Paris seeds, the seed embryo growth courses, and the dynamic change of 5 enzymes, include SOD, POD, CAT, MDH, G-6-PDH were measured during variable temperature stratification. The results indicated that Paris seeds embryo grew quickly after 40 d in warm-stratification (18 ± 1) °C, at the meantime the metabolic activity was significantly strengthened. These facts showed that Paris seeds turned into physiological after-ripening process. After 60-80 d, the morphological embryo after-ripping process basically completed, and the following cold-stratification (4 ± 1) °C furthered Paris seed to finish physiological after-ripening. After 40 d, the activity of MDH decreased while G-6-PDH increased significantly. This showed that the main respiratory pathway of seed changed from TCA to PPP, which benifited breaking seed dormancy. In the whole period of stratification process, the activity variation of SOD and CAT was insignificantly and the activity of POD was enhanced significantly after shifting the seed in cold stratification process. This showed that SOD, CAT had no direct effects on breaking Paris seed dormancy but keeping the seed vigor, while the POD might involve in the process of Paris seed dormancy breaking.
Germination ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; embryology ; enzymology ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Temperature

Objective To analyze variations of hepatic vein in healthy people with 64-slice spiral CT.Methods Seventy-five healthy subjects underwent multi-slice spiral computed(MSCT)hepatic venography.The anatomy of the junction of the hepatic veins with the inferior vena cava and the intrahepatic drainage territory of the hepatic veins and tributaries were evaluated.The hepatic veins were classified according to three anatomic classification(Nakamura's,Marcos's and Kawasaki's classification)methods respectively.Results There was a common trunk of the middle and left hepatic veins before joining the IVC in 86.7%(65/75)of the cases.In 13.3%(10/75)of the cases,the three main hepatic veins joined the IVC separately.The ratios of Nakamura's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 49.4% (37/75),37.3%(28/75),and 13.3%(10/75)respectively.The ratios of Marcos's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 56.0%(42/75),24.0%(18/75),and 20.0%(15/75)respectively. The ratios of Kawasaki's classification type Ⅰ,Ⅱ of hepatic vein were 40.0%(30/75)and 60.0% (45/75).Conclusion Multi-slice spiral CT hepatic venography can provide visualization of peripheral hepatic venous branches in details.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the imaging features of MR Imaging (MRI) and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and their clinical value in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSMRI was performed in 54 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma proved surgically and pathologically, MRCP in 44 patients, Gadolinium-enhanced in 29 patients. MRI, MRCP and pathological findings were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSBy MRI, the mass was shown (n = 39) and all bile duct thickened (n = 13) in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Gadolinium-enhanced ones revealed calcified focus (n = 22). By MRCP, interrupted, abruptly cut-off or cone-like changes of the bile duct (n = 16), beak-like or mouse tail changes (n = 26) or tumbler mouth appearance (n = 2) were shown. The bile duct distal to the obstruction was observed in 29 patients. Of the 54 patients examined by MRI in combination with MRCP, correct tumor localization was made in 52 (96.3%) and correct judgement of tumor nature in 50 (92.6%).

CONCLUSIONConventional MRI is an effective supplement to MRCP in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MRCP combined with MRI is able to significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of MR examination.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; pathology ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

The present study aimed to determine the role of Rho/Rho kinase (Rho/ROCK) phosphorylation on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced morphological and functional changes in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs). HMVECs were respectively incubated with different concentrations of AGEs-modified human serum albumin (AGEs-HSA) for different time. In some other cases, HMVECs were pretreated with ROCK inhibitors (H-1152 or Y-27632). The morphological changes of F-actin cytoskeleton were visualized by rhodamine-phalloidin staining and the phosphorylation of Rho and ROCK were determined by Western blot. Endothelial monolayer permeability was assessed by measuring the flux of FITC-albumin across the endothelial cells. The results showed that the distribution of F-actin was significantly altered by AGEs-HSA in time and dose-dependent patterns. These effects were inhibited by ROCK inhibitors. The phosphorylation of Rho and RCOK was remarkably increased by AGEs-HSA treatment while total Rho and ROCK protein levels were not affected. The permeability of endothelial monolayer was dramatically increased by AGEs-HSA, and both ROCK inhibitors (H-1152 or Y-27632) attenuated these hyperpermeability responses. The results obtained suggest that the phosphorylation of Rho/ROCK plays an important role in AGEs-induced morphological and functional alterations in HMVECs.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Actin Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Actins ; metabolism ; Amides ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Phalloidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Phosphorylation ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rhodamines ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Serum Albumin, Human ; Signal Transduction ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

This study was amid to construct the pharmacophore model of L-type calcium channel antagonist in the application of screening Drugbank and TCMD. This paper repositions the approved drugs resulting from virtual screening and discusses the relocation-based drug discovery methods, screening antihypertensive drugs with L-type calcium channel function from TCMD. Qualitative hypotheses wre generated by HipHop separately on the basis of 12 compounds with antagonistic action on L-type calcium channel expressed in rabbit cardiac muscle. Datebase searching method was used to evaluate the generated hypotheses. The optimum hypothesis was used to search Drugbank and TCMD. This paper repositions the approved drugs and evaluates the antihypertensive effect of the chemical constituent of traditional Chinese medicine resulting from virtual screening by the matching score and literature. The results showed that optimum qualitative hypothesis is with six features, which were two hydrogen-bond acceptors, four hydrophobic groups, and the CAI value of 2.78. Screening Drugbank achieves 93 approved drugs. Screening TCMD achieves 285 chemical constituents of traditional Chinese medicine. It was concluded that the hypothesis is reliable and can be used to screen datebase. The approved drugs resulting from virtual screening, such as pravastatin, are potentially L-type calcium channels inhibitors. The chemical constituents of traditional Chinese medicine, such as Arctigenin III and Arctigenin are potentially antihypertensive drugs. It indicates that Drug Repositioning based on hypothesis is possible.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drug Repositioning ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rabbits

[Objective] To compare the influence of first-degree relatives' cancer history on the genetic tendency of gastric and colorectal cancer. [Methods] Patients with gastric and colorectal cancer from six towns of Suzhou City were investigated by means of face-to-face survey based on the "Family History and History of Population Diseases Questionnaire"which included general conditions, family composition and cancer occurrence of all their three degree relatives. [Results] If there were first-degree relatives with history of cancer, individual risk of gastric cancer would be higher than that of colorectal cancer by 55％, with the adjusted OR (95％ CI) being 1.551 (1.021, 2.356). If there were first-degree relatives with history of digestive tract cancer, the risk of the subject would increase to 104％, with the adjusted OR (95％CI) being 2.037 (1.279, 3.246). Men with first-degree relatives who had cancer history was at91％ higher risk of developing gastric cancer than colorectal cancer, with the adjusted OR (95％CI) being1.911 (1.080, 3.381). And for history of digestive tract cancer, the risk would reach 156％, with the adjusted OR (95％ CI) being 2.559 (1.337, 4.897). The number of cancers suffered by first-degree relatives of those patients with gastric cancer was higher than that of patients with colorectal cancer, with Z =-6.873, P<0.001, while the number of digestive tract cancer was also higher, with Z =-6.137, P<0.001. [Conclusion] The history of cancer and digestive tract cancer with first-degree relatives, is more common in patients with gastric cancer than with colorectal cancer. It is necessary to focus health education on men with first-degree relatives suffering from cancer or digestive tract cancer and suggest some changes in their living habits and regular medical examinations to reduce the occurrence of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVETo compare the sensitivities of MALDI-TOF MS and direct PCR sequencing on gene mutations detection of hepatitis B virus.

METHODS100 serum samples from chronic hepatitis B patients were collected, which consisted of 90 serum samples (study group) from 90 chronic hepatitis B patients received nucleoside analogues (NA) therapy for more than 1 year and HBV DNA titer still higher than 500 copies/ml and 10 serum samples (blank group) from 10 chronic hepatitis B patients never treated with antiviral therapy and HBV-DNA titer higher than 1 x 10(5) copies/ml. 9 known mutations associated with HBV P gene in these samples were detected by MALDI-TOF MS and direct PCR sequencing at the same time, TYPE4.0 software and Sequence Navigator software were used to analyze the results separately.

RESULTS(1) In study group, mutations were detected in 53 samples and the total mutation sites were 86 by MALDI-TOF MS with a positive detection rate of 58.89%, whereas only 19 samples were found with mutations and totally 28 mutation sites were detected by direct PCR sequencing, the positive detection rate was 21.11%. The positive detection rate by MALDI-TOF MS was higher than that by direct PCR sequencing and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In blank group, no mutations were detected by any method. (2) In study group, when the HBV DNA titers were at 500-1000 copies/ml, 10(3)-10(4) copies/ml and 10(4)-10(5) copies/ml, the positive mutation detection rates by MALDI-TOF MS were 50%, 52.08% and 77.27% respectively, higher than that by direct PCR sequencing, which were only 0%, 8.33% and 45.45%. The difference was still statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMALDI-TOF MS had higher detection sensitivity for known mutation sites as compared to direct PCR sequencing method.

DNA Mutational Analysis ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation Rate ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods