Objective: To investigate the antitumor effect of volatile oil from Sinapis Albae Semen (VOSAS) on H22-bearing mice and to determine the mechanism. Methods: To establish the H22 implanted hepatocellular carcinoma animal model which was used to analyze the effect of VOSAS on the growth of transplanted tumor. Mice were divided into five groups 24 h after modeling: model, cytoxan (CTX, 25 mg/kg) positive control, low-, mid-, and high-dose (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) VOSAS groups. The mice were ip administered once daily for 10 d. Morphological changes in H22 solid tumor cells were observed by both Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and acridine orange (AO) staining. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the tumor tissue was determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: VOSAS could inhibit the tumor growth and extend the life span of H22-bearing mice (P < 0.01); and it could also raise the expression of Bax while suppress the expression of Bcl-2; the antitumor effect of VOSAS on H22-bearing mice demonstrated a good dose-effect relationship, but the high-dose group of the volatile oil has obvious toxicity and side effects on the mice. Conclusion: VOSAS could inhibit the growth of H22 tumor cells and the mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of Bax and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2, and the induction of apoptosis.

Objective To establish an accurate method for determining the content of three components in Fufang Buwu Syrup. Methods TLC scanner was selected to detect three components with silica gel G thin layer plate. The sample was separated by using cyclohexane-ethyl acetate-methylenechloride-formic acid (3∶1∶1∶0.2),λS=300 nm. Results The linearity between peak area and ferulic acid was achieved in the range of 0.36-0.84μg, psoralen was achieved in the range of 0.12-0.28 μg, emodin was achieved in the range of 0.01-0.05 μg. The average recovery was 100.7%, 100.8%, 101.0%, and RSD was 1.26%, 1.44%, 1.86%, respectively. Conclusion The method is simple and accurate, which can be used for quality control of Fufang Buwu Syrup.

AIM: To study the quality standard of Compound Shencha Granuls (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae, Radix Rehmanniae, etc.). METHODS: Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati in Compound Shencha Granule were distinguished by TLC. Ursolic acid was determinated by TLCS. RESULTS: The methods of TLC to distinguish Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati were feasible without negative inference. Ursolic acid content in three groups of samples was 1.24 - 1.58 mg?g -1 . CONCLUSION: The method is accurate and reproducible. It can be used for the quality control of Compound Shencha Granule.

The clinical efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture (AA) for treatment of primary insomnia was evaluated. After a comprehensive retrieval in domestic and foreign databases, literatures were strictly screened and Revman 5.2 software was applied to perform a Meta-analysis on eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The evidence quality was assessed with GRADE profiler 3.6 software. As a result, 8 articles were included involving 894 patients. Compared among AA and sham AA, placebo AA, blank control, there was significant difference in Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) [WMD = -3.48, 95% CI (-3.96, -3.00)], sleep latency LWMD = -10.14, 95% CI (-17.16, -3.12)] and sleep awakening times [WMD = -9.98, 95% CI (-1.10,-0.48)]. Compared between AA and western medication, there was significant difference in PSQI [WMD = -3.62, 95% CI (-4.59, -2.65)]. The evidence quality was moderate in AA vs. sham AA, placebo AA or blank control, while that of the rest was extremely low. No reports of adverse events were described in all studies. In conclusion, for the treatment of primary insomnia, AA could effectively improve sleep quality, but due to the low evidence quality, cautious attitude should be taken on this conclusion, and clinical trials with large sample and high quality were needed in the further.
Acupuncture, Ear ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the prognostic factors in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) for selectively carrying out prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).Methods 114 patients with LA-NSCLC between Jun 2006 and Oct 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Related risk factors and features about brain metastases were analyzed.Results The 2-year incidence rate of brain metastases was 31.58 ％ (36/114),the first brain metastases was 20.18 ％ (23/114),and sole brain metastases was 9.65 ％(11/114),respectively.Variables involved in the equation of binary logistic regression analysis were pathology (OR =5.892) and treatment mode(OR =2.888).The incidence rate of brain metastases in patients of non-squamous carcinoma and single treatment mode was higher than others (P ＜ 0.01) Model fitting is better (P ＞ 0.05).Overall accuracy rate of predicting brain metastases is 67.7 ％.The increased rate of lactate dehydrogenase in the patients with brain metastases or death was 17.54 ％, which was higher than that in the survival patients without brain metastases (P ＜ 0.01).At the same time,the station number and the number of mediastinal lymph node metastases were positively correlated (r =0.716, P ＜ 0.01).The incidence rate of brain metastases or mortality rate was higher in the adenocarcinoma cases than that in the squamous carcinoma cases (P ＜ 0.01,P ＜ 0.05),with more frequent occurrence of mediastinal metastases.The mean diameter of squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 5.8 cm and 3.9 cm, respectively (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The incidence rate of brain metastases was higher in patients with single treatment.Large primary tumors, high lactate dehydrogenase, non-squamous carcinoma, multiple stations, and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes metastases can be regarded as risk factors of brain metastases to perform PCI.

The two verities of Crgptococcus neoforinans were first observed as well growing with brown color changes on Guizotia abyssinica seed agar(GASA)and caffeic acid commeal agar(CACA.Then,C.neoformans var.neoformans was found in 18/26 pigeon droppings by both two media.C.neoformans var.gattii was not isolated by the two media in 76 Eucalyptus camaldulensis samples.However,an,overgrowth of filamentous fungus was more frequently seen on GASA.Our results suggest that CACA be capable of selevtively isolating C.neoformans with the advantages of less interference fron the overgrowth of filamentous fungi.

Objective To study the expression and pathologic significance of CD147,cyclophilin A (CyPA)and cyclophilin B(CyPB)in psoriatic lesions.Methods Immunohistochemical method was ap- plied to detect the expression of CD147,CyPA and CyPB in skin specimens of 15 patients with psoriasis pustulosa(PP),20 patients with progressive psoriasis vulgaris(PPV),and 20 patients with inactive psori- asis vulgaris(IPV).Immunoreactivity intensity distribution index(IRIDI)was calculated to assess the expres- sion intensity of CD147,CyPA and CyPB.Results CD147,CyPA and CyPB were detected in all speci- mens.The IRIDI scores of CD147 and CyPA were significantly higher in keratinocytes of psoriatic lesions than in those of the control specimens(all P0.05).The IRIDI score of CyPB in T lymphocytes of PP lesions was significantly elevated than that in PPV lesions,which was in turn higher than that in IPV lesions(all P0.05).Conclusion CD147,CyPA and CyPB may play a role in the occurrence and development of psoriasis.

Objective To establish a simple and economic method for isolating rat hepatic lipocytes. Method Perfusion of the rat liver with pronase E and collagenase in succession was performed in cycles, and the hepatic lipocytes were isolated and purified by digesting the rat liver with DNase in the presence of the above 3 enzymes, followed by 11% Necodenz density gradient centrifugation. The resulted lipocytes were subjected to routine identification procedures and viability assessment. Results The yield of the lipocytes from each rat was 2×107 to 3×107, with viability over 95% and purity above 90%. Conclusion The method adopted in this study is simple, economic and highly productive.

Objective To establish a simple and economic method for isolating rat hepatic lipocytes. Method Perfusion of the rat liver with pronase E and collagenase in succession was performed in cycles, and the hepatic lipocytes were isolated and purified by digesting the rat liver with DNase in the presence of the above 3 enzymes, followed by 11% Necodenz density gradient centrifugation. The resulted lipocytes were subjected to routine identification procedures and viability assessment. Results The yield of the lipocytes from each rat was 2×107 to 3×107, with viability over 95% and purity above 90%. Conclusion The method adopted in this study is simple, economic and highly productive.

OBJECTIVEIt has been known that the intrahepatic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in the fibrogenesis in livers. Aldosterone (Aldo), the principal effector molecule of the RAAS, exerts local effects on cell growth and fibrogenesis. However, the signal transduction mechanisms underlying the effects of Aldo on hepatic fibrogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the signal transduction mechanism underlying the effects of Aldo on the signal passageway of active protein-1 (AP-1).

METHODSIn vitro, HSCs-T6 cell line was treated with Aldo for 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min and 180 min, and protein expression of Phospho-P42/44 was detected by Western blot. In addition, HSCs-T6 cell line was preincubated for 60 min or not with U0126 (an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK kinase), and also with antioxidant-N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prior to exposure to Aldo for the indicated times. Protein expression of Phospho-P42/44 was measured by Western blot. DNA biding activity of AP-1 was analyzed by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). By means of RT-PCR, expression of alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA was detected.

RESULTSAldo stimulated HSC via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. Time course experiments showed that Aldo induced Phospho-P42/44 expression, which was abrogated by U0126, reaching a maximum at 10 minutes, and then declined progressively. NAC inhibited the Phospho-P42/44 expression. EMSA showed that stimulation of HSC by Aldo markedly increased AP-1 DNA binding activity. U0126 markedly reduced AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by Aldo; NAC partly decreased AP-1 activity induced by Aldo. Aldo up-regulated expression of alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA, which was attenuated by U0126 and NAC.

CONCLUSIONStimulation of HSC by Aldo results in activation of AP-1 via ERK1/2 pathway, leading to up-regulation of AP-1 target gene alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA expression.

Aldosterone ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism