Objective: To study the in vivo metabolic pathways of liquiritin (LQ) in rats. Methods: An HPLC-QTRAP-MS method was established and applied to identify the metabolites of LQ in bile, urine, feces, and plasma after ig administration of LQ (300 mg/kg) to rats. Results: A total of nine metabolites were found in rats. The major metabolic pathway of LQ was deglucosidation to liquiritigenin (LG) and dehydration, glucuronidation, and sulfation of LG. Conclusion: LQ undergoes extensive phases I and II metabolism in rats. The major metabolites of LQ are LG and its glucuronides and sulfates.

Objective: A simple, sensitive, and rapid LC-MS/MS method has been established and validated for the determination of liquiritigenin (LG) in rat plasma. Methods: Naringenin was chosen as internal standard (IS). LG and IS were separated on a Diamonsil C18 analytical column with a mobile phase of methanol-10% methanol in water containing 0.5 mmol/L ammonium formate and 0.2% formic acid (55:45) at the isocratic flow rate of 0.6 mL/min for 10 min. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was performed on a mass spectrometer in the negative ion mode with electro-spray ionization (ESI) source and the transition from precursor ion to product ion was m/z 255.0→119.0 for LG and m/z 271.0→151.0 for IS, respectively. Results: The linearity was acceptable in the range of 5-5000 ng/mL (r = 0.9973). The inter-day and intra-day accuracies were in the ranges of -0.09%-3.25% and -5.02%-9.21%, respectively. The precision was in the ranges of 3.60%-12.4% and 0.909%-6.89%, respectively. LG was stable in the course of analysis and storage. Conclusion: The LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study for the first time in rats after ig and iv administration of liquiritin (LQ), a glycoside of LG, at pharmacologically effective levels.

Objective To investigate the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods A total of 792 patients of T2DM were enrolled in the study.There were 448 males and 344 females,with an average age of (54.13 ± 13.06)years.The average duration of diabetes was (8.03 4±6.70) years.The patients were grouped according to the degree of DR and thyroid function.Among them,483 patients (61.0％) were no DR,240 patients (30.3％) were mild DR,69 patients (8.7％) were severe DR.725 patients (91.5％) were normal thyroid function,67 patients (8.5％) were SCH.The prevalence of SCH among no DR group,mild DR group and severe DR group was compared.And the prevalence of DR between normal thyroid function group and SCH group was compared.Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between SCH and DR.Results No significant differences among the three groups (no DR group,mild DR group,severe DR group) were found in the prevalence of SCH (x2=1.823,P=0.402).There were no significant differences in the incidences of DR between normal thyroid function group and SCH group (x2=1.618,P=0.239).Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that SCH was not significant associated with DR [mild DR:odds ratio (OR)=1.361,95％ confidence interval (CI)=0.773-2.399,P=0.286;severe DR:OR=1.326,95％CI=0.520-3.384,P=0.555;DR:OR=1.353,95％ CI=0.798-2.294,P=0.261).Conclusion SCH is not significant associated with DR in patients with T2DM.

Objective To observe the biological activities of human doppel(Dpl) protein transiently expressed and Dpl-like protein PrP?32-121 on a human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y.Methods Recombinant mammalian expression plasmids containing human PRND gene and truncated PrP?32-121 fragment were generated by PCR.The expression and location of Dpl and PrP?32-121 post-transfection were observed by IFA.The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT analysis.Cellular apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry and Western blot.Results Both Dpl and PrP?32-121 protein were expressed and mainly located on the cell membrane.Remarkable cytotoxicity was detected on SH-SY5Y cells after 24 h transfection.Meanwhile,more Annexin V/PI positively-stained cells as well as lower levels of cellular pro-caspase-3 and Bel-2 were detected in the cells receiving Dpl and PrP?32-121 expressing plasmids.Conclusion Dpl protein transiently expressed and PrP?32-121 can lead to the similar neural cytotoxicity,probably triggering the cell apoptosis program.

Objective To elucidate the effects of different modes of partial parenteral nutrition (PPN)on immunological function of T-lymphocyte in non small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients during chemotherapy.Methods Ninety-three patients with non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into three groups:the control group(30 patients),the low dose of PPN(32 patients) and the high dose of NNP(31 patients).Exactly the same chemotherapy was applied to each of three groups.During chemotherapy,three groups were supplied the same diet,the control group received conventional treatment;the low dose group and the high dose group received additional parenteral nutritional support besides diet.The low dose group was given 250 ml 9-AA daily and the high dose group was given 500 ml 9-AA daily.The T lymphocyte subsets CD3~+,CD3~++CD4~+ ,CD3~++CD8~+ and cells were detected respectively before and after chemotherapy.Results In all of the three groups,the percentage of NK cells,CD3~+ and CD3~++CD4~+ cells were decreased significantly before and after chemotherapy(all P＜0.05),In the control and low dose groups,NK cells changed more significantly after chemotherapy(P＜0.01).The percentages of CD3~+,CD3~++CD4~+,CD3~++ CD4~+/CD3~++CD8~+ of the low dose group and high dose group were higher than those of the control group before and after chemotherapy(all P＜0.05),the percentage of CD3~++CD8~+,CD3~++CD4~+/ CD3~++CD8~+ of the low dose group and hight dose group did not change notably(all P＞0.05). Conclusions The chemotherapy on patients with NSCLC will possibly cause malnutrition and immunosuppression.The benefits of giving 9-AA to NSCLC patients who were applying PPN and undergoing chemotherapy may include antagonizing immunological function aggravation,improving nutrition status and improving immunological functions of the T lymphocytes during chemotherapy.

Objective To observe the biological activities of human doppel (Dpl) protein transiently expressed and Dpl-like protein PrPΔ32-121 on a human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Methods Recombinant mammalian expression plasmids containing human PRND gene and truncated PrPΔ32-121 fragment were generated by PCR. The expression and location of Dpl and PrPΔ32-121 post-transfection were observed by IFA. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT analysis. Cellular apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry and Western blot. Results Both Dpl and PrPΔ32-121 protein were expressed and mainly located on the cell membrane. Remarkable cytotoxicity was detected on SH-SY5Y cells after 24 h transfection. Meanwhile, more Annexin V/PI positively-stained cells as well as lower levels of cellular pro-caspase-3 and Bel-2 were detected in the cells receiving Dpl and PrPΔ32-121 expressing plasmids. Conclusion Dpl protein transiently expressed and PrPΔ32-121 can lead to the similar neural cytotoxicity, probably triggering the cell apoptosis program.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose Neoplasms

The systematic position of Fritillaria hupehensis has been in dispute. Phylogentic analyses were conducted on sequences of ITS, rpl16, matK sequences for species of F. hupehensis and allies. Lilium davidii was designed as outgroup. The analyses were performed using MP and ML methods. Conclusions could be achieved as follow. The topologies of MP and ML are consistent. The samples of F. hepehensis from different places form a supported clade with a strong bootstrap. And then form a strongly supported clade with F. anhuiensis, F. monantha. The results suggests that although F. hupehensis has a closet relation with the two ones, it exists some difference.
DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Endoribonucleases ; genetics ; Fritillaria ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleotidyltransferases ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

BACKGROUND: As a micro-injurying and reduplicative treatment of osteoarthritis,the arthroscopic debridement has got the affirmation of numerous scholars. But as one of the standard procedures in artnroscopic debridement,synovectomy is called in question recently.OBJECTIVE: To explore the applied value of synovectomy in the arthroscopic debridement of osteoarthritis.DESIGN: Retrospective controlled analysis.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Fushun Central Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five patients received synovectomy in the arthroscopic debridement of knee joint osteoarthritis in the Department of Orthopaedics,Fushun Central Hospital from February 1997 to December 2000.Thirty-two among them,with complete data and over 1 year's followup,were taken for synovectomy group. Forty-eight patients received the arthroscopic debridement of knee joint osteoarthritis without synovectomy in the Department of Orthopaedics,Fushun Central Hospital from January 2001 to November 2003.Thirty among them,with complete data and over 1 year's follow-up,were taken for control group.METHODS: Synovectomy was taken as the factor of intervention in the operation to perform grouping. The analysis of curative effect was performed to control with joint douching,corpus liberum removal,osteophyma cleaning,meniscus fitting,cartilage gouging,synovectomy and without synovectomy or part synovectomy. Lysholm evaluation standard of knee joint osteoarthritis was used to the knee joint functional evaluation beween preoperation and postoperative 1 year in two groups. And operative time,postoperative draining quantity,postoperative 7-day visual analog score,postoperative 1-year Lysholm score of knee joint, were recorded.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative 1-year Lysholm score of knee joint,operative time,postoperative draining quantity,postoperative 7-day visual analog score.RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included and all of them entered the result analysis.The preoperative patients in two groups were comparable with each other and the differences of Lysholm score were not significant (t=0.127,P=0.899).The operative time was longer in synovectomy group than in control group,the differences were significant (t=9.547,P ＜ 0.001)and the postoperative draining quantity was more in synovectomy group.The postoperative visual analog score was bigger in synovectomy group than in control group and the differences were significant [the scores of synovectomy and control groups were respectively (4.6±1.1),(2.8±1.4),t=6.206,P ＜ 0.001].The differences of knee joint score in 1-year follow-up were not significant [the scores of synovectomy and control groups were respectively (77.6±11.9),(79.0± 10.3),t=0.562,P=0.576].CONCLUSION: Synovectomy can not increase the curative effect in the near future in the arthroscopic debridement of osteoarthritis. On the contrary,the operative time was longer,the operative wound was larger and postoperative reaction was more serious. It should not be used in the debridement generally.

This study was aimed to observe the natural history and evolution of cervical spondylotic myelopa-thy , explore development law of the disease incidence in order to improve the understanding of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and provide a theoretical basis for Chinese medicine treatment . Complete clinical data of 80 cervical spondylotic myelopathy cases were collected from March 1998 to July 2007 in special and ex-pert practice of Prof . Shi's out-patient department . Chinese medicine for q i-blood regulation was given in the treatment . Related measuring scales were designed . More than two-month follow-up was given through means of returning visit, telephone calls and letter inquiries. Changes of clinical symptoms, and scores of different types of evaluations were observed . The SPSS software was used in the data analysis of results from measuring scales for the objective evaluation . The results showed that there were statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score between initial visiting and first time follow-up ( P < 0 . 05 ) . It suggested that through Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment, the scores on spinal cord function were increased compared with the previous visiting . For patients who continued long-term Chinese medicine q i-blood regulation treat-ment, there were statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score between the first-time follow-up and second-time follow-up ( P < 0 . 05 ) . It suggested that through continued long-term Chinese medicine q i-blood regulation treatment , the scores on spinal cord function were increased compared with the previous visit-ing . In this group of patients , there were no statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score be-tween the patient's initial visiting , first time follow-up , and the first-time follow-up and second-time follow-up . The scores on spinal cord function suggested that there was no obvious difference on the relieving degree between the first-time follow-up and second-time follow-up . For patients who were unable to continue the Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment, no matter if it was full score on the spinal cord function in the first-time follow-up , there were statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score between the first-time and second-time follow-up . It suggested that the disease became worse when patients were unable to continue the Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment. It was concluded that Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy has a significant effect in both short-term and long-term treatment with steady effectiveness. Patients who continue the Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment not only can prevent disease recurrence , but also can promote further relieving of disease condition .