Objective: To establish the fingerprint of Plantaginis Semen and to determine the two index contents of geniposidic acid and verbascoside. Methods: The chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-0.5% acetic acid aqueous solution in gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and the detection wave length was 254 nm. Similarity evaluation system was used in data analysis. Results: The HPLC fingerprint of Plantaginis Semen showed 13 characteristic peaks with high similarity, and contents of geniposidic acid and verbascoside were 0.794 3% and 0.664 2%, respectively. Conclusion: The method that combining the determination of index contents with fingerprint analysis is timesaving and could be used for the quality control of Plantaginis Semen. It could provide a reference for the further research on the quality control of formular granule with Plantaginis Semen extracts.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on the expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNG-FR, TrkA, GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H in Schwann cells, and investigate the possible mechanism of Draconis Sanguis to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group (orally administered with Draconis Sanguis-containing balm solution) and the blank group (equivoluminal balm) to prepare Draconis Sanguis-containing serum and blank control serum. Schwann cells were extracted from double sciatic nerves of three-day-old SD rats, divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group and the blank control group, and respectively cultured with 10% Draconis Sanguis-containing serum or blank control serum. The mRNA expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and other genes in Schwann cells were measured by RT-PCR analysis 48 hours later.

RESULTMost of the Schwann cells were bipolar spindle and arranged shoulder to shoulder or end to end under the microscope and identified to be positive with the immunocytochemical method. To compare with the blank group, mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 significantly increased (P < 0.01). Whereas that of BDNF decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and so did that of TrkA, CNTF (P < 0.01), with no remarkable difference in NF-H-mRNA.

CONCLUSIONTraditional Chinese medicine Draconis Sanguis may show effect in nerve regeneration by up-regulating mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 and down-regulating mRNA expressions of TrkA, BDNF and CNTF.

Animals ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Neurofilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serum ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effects of low molecular heparin(LWMH)on cytokines(TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-10)in blood plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA)mice.Methods The neutropenic IPA mouse models were established by administration of cyclophosphamide for immunologic function inhibition and intranasally challenge with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia(1?106 conidia/mouse).One hundred and twenty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control,IPA model,normal saline+LWMH and IPA+LWMH group.Normal saline+LWMH group and IPA+LWMH group received LWMH(subcutaneous injection,1 000 IU/kg,qd?2 d).Normal control and IPA model group received normal saline instedad of LWMH.At 4,8,12,24 and 48 h after inoculation,six mice were randomly taken from each group to be sacrificed.ELISA method was used to determine the concentrations of TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-10 in blood plasma and BALF.Results TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-10 in blood plasma and BALF increased significantly several hours after inoculation of conidia in IPA model and IPA+LWMH group.There were significant higher concentrations of TNF-? and IL-1? in blood plasma and BALF in IPA+LWMH group than in IPA model group(P

Euphorbia kansui (EK) is a toxic herbal drug, and often used after vinegar-processing to reduce its toxicity. In present study, a 1H-NMR based metabonomic approach was used to evaluate the detoxification effect of vinegar-processed EK. The water extracts of EK and VEK were administered orally to male SD rats at doses of 9 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 1 week, respectively, and one more week observation was further conducted. The control group was orally given with saline. Histopathological studies of liver samples on the 8th and 15th day were conducted, and the metabolites of rat urine and liver were analysed by 1H-NMR. Histopathological studies of liver samples from EK and VEK treated rats showed no negative impacts. In metabonomic analyses of urines, changes of metabolites indicated liver damages, kidney lesions and imbalance of gut microbes in the second week. VEK-treated rats showed a quite lower toxicity compared with EK-treated ones. The present study revealed that the metabonomic approach might be helpful for the evaluation of toxicity of EK and detoxic effect of VEK.
Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinalysis

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in diffuse brain injury (DBI) of rats and to explore the corresponding effect of AQP4 for brain edema. METHODS: The rat model of DBI was established using Marmarou's impact-compression trauma model. Brain water content was measured by dry-wet weight method. Blood-brain barrier permeability was evaluated by Evans blue (EB) staining. Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of AQP4. RESULTS: Brain water content increased after 3 h and peaked at 24 h after DBI. Brain EB content significantly increased and peaked at 12 h after DBI. The expression of AQP4 significantly increased after 3 h and peaked at 24 h after DBI, and the number of AQP4 positive astrocytes increased. CONCLUSION The increment of the permeability of blood-brain barrier and the expression of AQP4 may contribute to the development of brain edema in rat DBI. The change of AQP4 expression in astrocytes may also contribute to determine DBI.
Animals ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Astrocytes ; Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism* ; Brain ; Brain Edema/metabolism* ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Cell Membrane Permeability/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Permeability ; Rats ; Water

This study aimed to analyze the etiology of the encephalitis outbreak in Longyan, Fujian Province, China in 2010, in order to provide valuable information for this prevention and control of this disease. Pathogens were confirmed from cerebrospinal fluid samples with fluorescent RT-PCR, virus isolation (RD cells), and neutralization tests. Then, the VP1 fragments or whole genome nucleotide sequences were determined for four virus strains using PCR. Homology was assessed using the MegAlign software, and a phylogenetic evolutionary tree was drawn using Mega 4.0 software. The results confirmed that the etiology of the outbreak was the ECHO6 intestinal virus, and the nucleotide sequence of the VP1 segment indicated that the C2 subtype was responsible. The genome sequence consisted of 7407 nucleotides, and resembled the genome of other ECHO and CoxB viruses with homology levels of 78.5%-87.3%. The encephalitis outbreak in Longyan in 2010 was caused by the ECHO6 C2 subtype intestinal virus, and its complete genome sequence length is similar to the standard strain (U16283) with a sequence homology of 80.4%.
Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Echovirus 6, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Echovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

To investigate the method of RNA isolation from human embryonic tissues and the factors influencing the quality of RNA, the RNA from human embryonic tissues obtained with drug-induced labor or non-drug induced labor were isolated by using grind with liquid nitrogen or homogenizer without liquid nitrogen. The results showed that the positive rates of RNA integrity in grind with liquid nitrogen group and in homogenizer without liquid nitrogen group were 68.42% and 29.79% respectively, and there was significant difference between these two groups; however, there was no statistic difference in positive rate of RNA integrity, OD(260)/OD(280) ratio and beta-actin gene expression level between the drug-induced labor group and non-drug induced labor group. It is concluded that pulverize of tissue in liquid nitrogen remains the integrity of RNA isolated and may be applied for RNA isolation from human embryonic tissues. The quality of RNA is not affected by different methods of induction of maternal labor.
Embryo, Mammalian ; metabolism ; Freezing ; Humans ; Nitrogen ; pharmacology ; RNA ; isolation & purification ; RNA Stability ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo review the choices of allografts for bone defect reconstruction in acetabular revision surgery using the technique of impaction bone grafting.

DATA SOURCESThe data cited in this review were mainly obtained from articles listed in PubMed that were published from January 1993 to July 2009. The search terms were "impaction bone grafting", "particle size", "mechanical property" and "biological behavior".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles relevant to the choices of allografts and their results for bone defect reconstruction on the acetabular side were selected.

RESULTSDifferent choices of allografts, including the particle size, process of irradiation or fat reduction, composition and particle grade, are made to improve the survival rate of a prosthesis in acetabular revision surgery. This review, which compares both mechanical and biological factors, summarizes the experimental and clinical results for different techniques.

CONCLUSIONSFresh frozen cancellous allografts with particle sizes ranging from 7 to 10 mm are a favorable choice for reconstruction of bone defects of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) types II (cavitary defect) and III (combined cavitary and segmental defect) on the acetabular side. A fat-reducing procedure with saline or solvent/detergent is controversial. Adding autologous marrow into irradiated allografts, which provides reliable mechanical stability and biological safety, may be a substitute for fresh frozen allografts. Cortical bone can be a supplementary material in cases of insufficiency of cancellous allografts. Cartilage should be excluded from the graft material. Further research is required to demonstrate the best particle grade, and randomized controlled trials in clinical practice are required to obtain more information about the selection of allografts.

Acetabulum ; surgery ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Transplantation, Homologous ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine storax on the concentration of combined western medicine sulpiride in brain and blood, discuss the effect of storax in inducing resuscitation and increasing the permeability of the gastrointestinal barrier (GB) and the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), and explore the interaction between storax and sulpiride.

METHODRats were orally administered with the drugs for one week, probes were implanted in their brains and necks by surgery. After balance for 60 min, brain microdialysis and blood microdialysis were adopted for collect dislysates from blood in right atrum and cerebral hippocampus at time periods of 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 min. The concentration of sulpirde in the samples was detected by RP-HPLC. Statistical approaches were adopted to compare the contents of sulpirde in brain and blood of the two groups.

RESULTThe sulpiride combined with storax group showed a significant higher concentration of sulpiride than the pure sulpiride group. The pure sulpiride group showed a concentration ratio between sulpiride in brain and blood of 1:0.2; while the sulpiride combined with storax group increased the concentration ratio between sulpiride in brain and blood to 1:0.3. Compared with the pure sulpiride group, the sulpiride combined with storax group showed an increase of concentration by 39% in brain and 69% in blood.

CONCLUSIONStorax can notably increase the concentration of sulpiride in rat brain and blood, indicating that it can increase the permeation of sulpiride through gastrointestinal barrier and BBB. This study reveals the mechanism of storax in inducing resuscitation by promoting the permeation through gastrointestinal barrier and BBB.

Animals ; Antipsychotic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulpiride ; pharmacokinetics

Objective studyring the proven and probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA) eases of some hospitals in Shanghai to provide evidence fur the improvement of IPA clinical diagnosis and therapy.Methotis Fortv-nine IPA cases were retrospectively analyzed for demography data,host tactors,underlying conditions.chest CT,microorganism and histopathology examination,as well as therapy and clinical outcome.ResultsOf 49 subjects including 19(38.8%)proven and 30(61.2%)probable IPA,3 pailents(6.1%)had no host factors,25 patients(51.0%)had IPA associated host factors and underlying conditions.while 21 patients(42.9%)had uncertained fundamental diseases.Chest CT evaluation demonstrated that radiological lesions include nodules in 29 patients,patching in 15,mass in 12,consolidation in 10.cavitation in 34,Halo sign in 19,air bronchogram in 18,crescentic sign in 6,bilateral in 33 and multifocal lesions in 38.The yielding rate of fungus culture in sputum was 26.5%(13/49),and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 66.7%(10/15).Eleven of thirty-six patients(30.6%)had positive results of serum galactomannan antigen tests.Nineteen of twenty-one patients(90.5%)were proven as IPA by lung histologic examinations.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common pathogen 81.0%(17/21).The responding rate to initial anti-fugus therapy wag 50%(21/42).Conclusion Our study suggests that in IPA patients,bilateral,muhifocal and nodular lesion could be the most common radiological characteristic,while Halo and crescentic sign occar occasionally.Invasive technologies are more valuable to IPA diagnosis.