In this paper, NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy)-based total quality control system for the Tanreqing injection was introduced briefly. By analyzing and summing up the significance and difficulties, several important problems of the practical applications which need urgent solutions are proposed. And also the applicationprospect of NIRS is fully discussed and put forward in the end.
Drug Compounding ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; standards ; Injections ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

During the washing process of coarse bear gall powder extracts, it is necessary to adjust the amount of ethyl acetate according to the properties of raw materials, which aims to improving the yield and purity of the final product. In the research, using NIR spectra to reflect the comprehensive properties of coarse bear gall powder extracts, the process is optimized in a flexible way. Forty batches experiments are designed according to the weight ratio of ethyl acetate and coarse extracts of bear gall powder. The NIR spectra of the coarse extracts of bear gall powder are collected and processed using principal component analysis (PCA) method. The first 8 principal components combined with the amount of the ethyl acetate are used as the input variables, and calibration models are established to predict the yield and purity of the final product 30 batches are used as calibration set, which is used to establish the models, and other 10 batches are used as validation set, which is used for the performance appraisal of the established models. The correlation coefficients of the calibration, inner cross-validation and external validation for the purity model are 0.902, 0.896 and 0.883, respectively, and the RMSEC, RMSECV and RMSEP are 1.22%, 1.48% and 1.59%, respectively. The correlation coefficients of the calibration, inner cross-validation and external validation for the yield model are 0.921, 0.859 and 0.916, respectively, and the RMSEC, RMSECV and RMSEP are 1.39%, 1.65% and 1.53% respectively. This work demonstrated that NIR spectra combined with technology parameter could be used to predict the yield and purity of the final product. Using the established models, the most appropriate amount of the ethyl acetate can be determined according to the properties of the coarse bear gall powder extracts, and the yield and purity of the final product can be improved.
Acetates ; chemistry ; Animals ; Gallbladder ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Ursidae

The high price of the reference substances is an obstacle for the HPLC analysis of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. To solve this problem, a new method based on the standard reference extract (SRE) was proposed. In this study, the extract of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was calibrated, and the long-term stability was investigated. Different concentration solutions of SRE were prepared for establishment of the calibration profiles, and 6 organic acids were determined. T-test was used for the comparison of the determination results via reference substances and SRE, and the results demonstrated that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The presented method can be used for the quality control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, and will also offer reference to resolve similar problems.
Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

BACKGROUNDBAFF, the B cell activation factor, is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family that binds to BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R. Previous studies have shown that members of the TNF family are detected in human placental trophoblast cells, but the expression patterns of BAFF involved in human decidua and the differential expression of BAFF between normal pregnancy and miscarriage are still incompletely documented or unknown. This study was designed to investigate the expression of BAFF and BAFF-R in the trophoblast and decidua of normal early pregnant women and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients.

METHODSForty-five patients with RSA and 45 normal pregnant women were included in this study. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemical experiments, we explored the expression of BAFF and BAFF-R in the maternal-fetal interface of normal early pregnant women and RSA patients.

RESULTSAnalysis by RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that BAFF was detected in both trophoblast and decidua of all the samples, and the expression level was higher in the tissues of normal early pregnant women (P<0.05) than that of recurrent spontaneous abortion patients under the same gestational weeks. Messages for BAFF-R were absent. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that expression of BAFF was cell-specific which was localized to villous cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells in trophoblast and to stromal cells in decidua. Whereas BAFF was prominent on the trophoblast and decidua of normal early pregnant women, it was decreased in the tissues of RSA patients.

CONCLUSIONSBAFF might steer maternal leukocytes away from a harmful immune response and toward a favorable one and play a potentially vital role for successful pregnancy.

Abortion, Habitual ; metabolism ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Decidua ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Trophoblasts ; chemistry ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish a strain of human cervical carcinoma cell line and to provide a cervical carcinoma animal model.

METHODSThe cervical carcinoma specimens incised aseptically were cultured in vitro by tissue culture methods, giving a tumor cell growth curve. Morphology of the cells was observed, with cell cycling analysis and chromosome analysis performed. The tumor markers (ER, PR, Keratine, PCNA) expressions of the cell line were detected by immuno-cytochemical technique.

RESULTSA human cervical carcinoma cell line HCC-0214 (H) has been obtained by in vitro tissue culture methods. The cells have been maintained for 16 months through 131 passages, showing a stable growth with a population doubling time of 35.48 h and a tendency to pile up without contact inhibition. The ultrastructure showed typical desmosomes and numerous tonofilaments. Chromosome analysis revealed the number of chromosomes per cell varied from 35-156 with a stem-line number of 58-80 (64.8%). The morphology of chromosomes showed human tumor cell structure. The tumor markers (ER, PR, Keratine, PCNA) of the cells showed a high expression. The DNA index was 1.931 by flow cytometry (FCM). The histopathology of the transplanted tumors in nude mice was the same as the original tumor, though with none successful by serum culture.

CONCLUSIONA human cervical carcinoma cell line HCC-0214 established by tissue culture is identical to the primary cancer cell in biological characters. After the cells have been passaged for more than 16 months continually, their characteristics are still retained. Therefore, HCC-0214 may be used as a stable cell line.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Division ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; physiology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To study the mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)-induced apoptosis of glioma U87 cells.Methods Human glioma U87 cells were treated with human recombinant soluble TRAIL(rsTRAIL),and the cell apoptosis was detecmd with flow cytometry with AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining.Flow cytometry with DiOC6 staining was used to assess the changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential(△ψm).The relative activity of caspase-3,-8 and-9 Was measmed by colorimetric assay,and the concentration of cytoplasmic cytochrome C(cyt C) determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbem assay.The effects ofcaspase-8 inhibitor(Z-IETD-fmk)on rsTRAIL-induced apoptosis,△ψm,caspase-3,-8 and-9 activities and cyt C concentration were observed. Results RsTRAIL tinle-dependently induced apoptosis and progressive collapse of △ψm in glioma U87 cells,resulting also in caspase-3,-8 and-9activation and elevated cytC concentration.Caspase-8 inhibitor partially antagonized these biological effects induced by rsTRAIL in U87 cells.Conclusion TRAIL initiates a cascade of mitochondrial events by activating caspase-8 and induces apoptosis of glioma U87 cells.

BACKGROUNDHyperbaric oxygen (HBO) intervention is a main therapeutic method and the curative effect has been certified for spinal cord injury (SCI), but the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of HBO on SCI remain elusive. This study aimed to observe the change in expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) after SCI at different time points and to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of HBO on SCI in rats.

METHODSA total of 160 adult Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 250 and 300 g, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n = 40 per group). SCI group: SCI was created with a special NYU impactor of Allen's by a 25 gramcentimeter impacting energy on T10 of the spinal cord. SCI+HBO group: HBO therapy after SCI model was established. Sham operation (SH) group: only laminectomy of T10 and no impact on the spinal cord was done. SH+HBO group: HBO therapy after sham operation. The hindlimb functional recovery was evaluated using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score and the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were observed with fluorescent quantitation PCR and Western blotting method of six rats picked randomly from each group at different time points of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after operation.

RESULTSRats in the SCI group and SCI+HBO group were paralyzed completely after operation with BBB 0-1 score. Rats in the SH group and SH+HBO group could walk after sham operation with BBB 20-21 score. The BBB score of rats in the SCI+HBO group (4.67±1.97 and 10.83±2.23) was higher than that in the SCI group (1.83±0.75 and 6.67±2.16) at 7 and 14 days time points obviously (P < 0.05). The expressions of HIF-1a and VEGF in the SCI group and SCI+HBO group were higher than in the SH group and SH+HBO group at any time point obviously (P < 0.05), while the SCI+HBO group presented the least expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein (3.82±0.41 and 0.59±0.06; 2.26±0.41 and 0.37±0.05; 1.58±0.26 and 0.29±0.05) than that in the SCI group (6.36±0.58 and 0.76±0.07; 3.55±0.47 and 0.51±0.07; 2.27±0.39 and 0.40±0.06) respectively at 3, 7, and 14 days time points (P < 0.05) with significant difference and more expression of VEGF mRNA and protein (5.83±0.77 and 0.72±0.06; 4.59±0.51 and 0.63±0.06) than that in the SCI group (3.06±0.30 and 0.48±0.07; 2.25±0.24 and 0.39±0.09) respectively at 7 and 14 days time points (P < 0.05) with significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSHBO could improve the hind limb functional recovery after SCI in rats. The elevation and duration of the expression of VEGF and the reduction of expression of HIF-1α by HBO intervention may be inversely related in the repair of damaged spinal cord and neuroprotective effect.

Animals ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and its correlates among HIV/AIDS patients in a county of Shanxi.

METHODSAll HIV-infected patients in a county in Shanxi province who were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) were included in this study. Participants were interviewed using standard questionnaires. Serum samples were tested to determine HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections.

RESULTSA total of 195 AIDS patients were recruited and 195 blood samples were collected. Among 195 AIDS patients, 189 (96.9%) were farmers; 116 (59.5%) were men while 79 were women; 146 (74.9%) were between 20 - 50 years old; 180 (92.3%) were married. The major routes of HIV transmission were blood/plasma donation or transfusion (176 patients, 90.3%). CD(4)(+) T cell counts were between (1 - 1531) × 10(6) cells/L ((323.6 ± 14.8) × 10(6) cells/L), with 44 (26.5%) patients' CD(4)(+) T cell counts less than 200 × 10(6) cells/L. Of which, 154 patients (79.0%) had sexual partners. 86.8% (118 patients) consistently used condoms during the past 6 months, while for the last sexual act, 91.8% (123 patients) used condoms. For anti-HSV-1 status, there were about 164 patients (84.1%) were positive, and 26 (13.3%) were positive for anti-HSV-2. While, 14 (7.2%) were positive for both anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Logistic regression analysis indicated that marital status were correlated with HSV-2 infection (OR = 7.41; 95%CI: 2.42 - 22.73; P < 0.01). No socio-demographic and sexual characteristics were identified to be correlated with HSV-1 infection.

CONCLUSIONA substantial proportion of AIDS patients in a rural county of Shanxi province of China were co-infected with HSV-1 and/or HSV-2. Marital status was correlated with HSV-2 infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Herpes Simplex ; complications ; epidemiology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the heterogeneity of human breast cancer cells, their influence on biological behavior of tumor cells and clinical implications.

METHODSThe subpopulations of MCF-7 breast cancer cells were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. DNA content and cell cycle distribution were detected with flow cytometry. Tumor chemosensitivity analysis was performed with MTT assay.

RESULTSHeterogeneity was observed in DNA content and cell cycle distribution among four subpopulations of breast cancer cells, which were related to their proliferation ability and chemosensitivity results.

CONCLUSIONHereditary instability and intrinsic characteristics of most tumor cells, not only lead to tumor progression and heterogeneity but also cause the loss of monoclonality and the generation of subclones. Further study on some profiles of tumor heterogeneity such as DNA content, cell cycle distribution and their influence on tumor proliferation and chemosensitivity may very well improve the clinical treatment.

Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; DNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Female ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the prevalence of vision, mental, audibility, language, psychiatry, extremity, and influence factors in the 0 - 7 year olds.

METHODSA total number of 77,727 0 - 7 year old children living in Shenzhen city were tested with tree phase screening under the Chinese standard of evaluation in disabilities.

RESULTSThe prevalence of all disabilities was 5.59 per thousand (adjusted rate was 8.49 per thousand with a false negative of 3.1 per thousand ). The prevalence of mental disease was the highest (1.88 per thousand, with adjusted rate 3.43 per thousand ), the prevalence of language disability was 1.88 per thousand (including retarded language development, with adjusted rate 3.43 per thousand ). The prevalence rates of psychiatry, extremity and audibility disability were 1.59 per thousand, 1.56 per thousand, 1.11 per thousand respectively with of vision the lowest (0.37 per thousand ). The prevalence of all disabilities, audibility, language and mental was on the increase with age. The difference was statistically significant. Among all different age groups regarding psychiatric disease, the highest fell in the 2 - 4 year olds. The prevalence of extremity was not statistically different among age groups. The suspected agents of disease which occurred before or during pregnancy took up 45.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of six kinds disabilities in Shenzhen was about 10 per thousand lower than that of the samples of the nation in 1989, but two times higher than that of similar studies in Japan. The prevalence rates of language and psychiatric disease were higher than that of the nation in 1989. The causation should be further studied.

Age Factors ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Disabled Children ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Language Disorders ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Vision Disorders ; epidemiology