The viability and life span of pollen were evaluated by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazlium chloride) and the peroxidase solution, the stigma receptivity were estimated by benzidine-H2O2 method and the fruiting characteristics were investigated. The results showed that (1) Anoectochilus roxburghii and A. formosanus appeared the same up-and-down trend of the pollen viability, increased and then decreased. The storage temperature and storage time had significant impact on the pollen viability. With the extension of storage time, the pollen activity decreased. 4 degrees C refrigerator storage may be extended the pollen vitality. (2) The stigma had receptivity in 1st day and reached the highest level in the 4th day after blooming. A. roxburghii lost receptivity in the 8th day while A. formosanus lost receptivity in the 10th day after blooming. (3) The different pollination had significant impact on seed setting rate. The seed setting rate of artificial cross-pollination was higher than that of the artificial self-pollination. Collecting pollen in the 3rd day and carrying out artificial cross-pollination in the 4th day after blooming can significantly improve seed setting rate. The results provided technical assurance for A. roxburghii and A. formosanus breeding of new varieties and seed breeding.
Cell Survival ; China ; Flowers ; physiology ; Fruit ; growth & development ; Orchidaceae ; growth & development ; physiology ; Pollen ; growth & development ; Reproduction ; Temperature

This work was mainly studied the effects of the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and preliminarily discussed the regulating mechanisms. The effect of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the vitality of macrophages was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of alkaloids on the phagocytosis of macrophages was determined by neutral red trial and respiratory burst activity was tested by NBT. The expressions of respiratory-burst-associated genes influenced by alkaloids were detected by qRT-PCR. The conformation change of membrane protein in macrophages by the impact of alkaloids was studied by fluorospectro-photometer. Results showed that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages in different level and berberine had the best effect. Berberine, coptisine and palmatine had up-regulation effects on respiratory burst activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by PMA and regulatory activity on the mRNA expression of PKC, p40phox or p47phox, whereas the epiberberine had no significant influence on respiratory burst. Moreover, alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could change the conformation of membrane protein and the berberine showed the strongest activity. The results suggested that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma might activate macrophages through changing the conformation of membrane protein of macrophages and then enhanced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of alkaloids on the respiratory burst activity of macrophages may be also related to the expression level of PKC, p40phox and p47phox.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To establish qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for identification and determination of multi-constituent of Chanfukang granules (CFKG) using high performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS),and a preliminary pharmacokinetic study was carried out.Methods An Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C1s column (100 mm × 3.0 mm,1.8 μm) and a Waters XBridge(R) BEH C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm,2.5 μm) were used with 0.1％ formic acid aqueous solution-acetonitrile as mobile phases by gradient elution.The compounds were detected by electrospray ion source in both positive and negative mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode.SD rats were ig with CFKG (0.5,5 g/kg).Blood samples of 0.2 mL were taken from jugular vein at different time points and plasma components and contents were determined by HPLC-MS/MS.Results Twenty-four constituents were identified by HPLC-TOF-MS qualitative analysis and thirteen constituents were quantitatively detected by HPLC-MS/MS.The established HPLC-MS/MS method had a good separation,and all the legal verification met the requirements.The content of stachydrine,Leonurine,and astragaloside Ⅳ were high,which may be the main active ingredient The pharmacokinetic results showed that,only when the dose was 5 mg/kg,stachydrine and Leonurine can detected.Elimination of stachydrine was slow and elimination of Leonurine was fast.Conclusion A rapid and efficient method for studying the chemical constituents was established,which could provide reference for the quality control of Chanfukang granules.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of SOX9 expression and clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of gastric cancer.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study including 112 gastric cancer patients admitted to the Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from 2004 to 2006 was performed. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the expression of SOX9 in the 112 specimens of gastric cancer tissues and 70 non-cancerous tissues adjacent to the tumor.

RESULTSLow expression of SOX9 was seen in 5(7.1%) tissues out of 70 non-cancerous tissues adjacent to the tumor. A total of 94(83.9%) patients had varying expression of SOX9, of whom 51(45.4%) had overexpression. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the expression of SOX9 was significantly associated with Lauren classification (P<0.05), tumor invasion(P<0.01), lymph node metastasis(P<0.05), distant metastasis(P<0.05) and tumor stage(P<0.05), however there was no significant association between SOX9 expression and sex, age, histological type, histology differentiation or tumor size. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate of patients with SOX9 over-expression was significantly lower than that of patients with low expression(29.4% vs. 49.2%, P=0.031). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that histology differentiation(P=0.046), tumor invasion(P=0.001), and distant metastasis(P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer, however the over-expression of SOX9 was not significant(P=0.948).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression SOX9 is associated with the growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer, as well as the prognosis. However, SOX9 expression is not an independent factor for the prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To obtain guiding recommendations for the development of fertility preservation in female patients of reproductive age,so as to promote the scientific,standardized and orderly implementation of fertility preservation work.Methods A previous questionnaire survey was used to determine the preliminary recommendations,a modified Delphi method was used to invite 18 domestic experts of fertility preservation to conduct two rounds of expert consultation.Then we adjusted and summarized recommendations according to the results of the consultation.Results Finally,14 guiding recommendations for the development of fertility preservation in female patients of reproductive age were obtained according to the results of the Delphi consultation,including 5 recommendations at technical level,5 recommendations at political level and 4 recommendations at educational level.At technical level,it was proposed to establish a standardized operation process;at political level,it was proposed to improve the relevant legislation of fertility preservation in China to protect the safety and interests of patients;at educational level,it was suggested to take various forms to promote the mass dissemination of fertility preservation knowledge.Conclusion Guiding recommendations for fertility preservation in female patients of reproductive age can provide detailed and comprehensive guidance for promoting fertility preservation in female patients of reproductive age in Shanghai,and provide reference for carrying out fertility preservation in other regions.

OBJECTIVETo study the incidence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis seroconversion among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing.

METHODSA total of 550 MSM were recruited on the basis of community and followed up after 6 and 12 months in Beijing. Each subject was investigated by only one investigator at one time to collect information on demographics and behaviors. Blood samples were collected to test HIV and syphilis seroconversion. ELISA was used for screening test, west blotting (WB) and Particle agglutination were used for confirmatory test.

RESULTSA total of 550 MSM investigated, among which 4.5% (25/550) were HIV-positive and 29.3% (161/550) were syphilis-positive. For 525 HIV-negative MSM, 87.0% (457/525) retained during the 12-month investigation. Seroincidence for HIV and syphilis were 3.37/100 person-years (95%CI = 1.66 - 5.08) and 9.32/100 person-years (95%CI = 5.87 - 12.77) respectively. HIV seroconversions for those who performed and did not perform rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past 3 months were 7.11/100 and 0.76/100 person-years respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past 3 months (HR = 9.23, 95%CI = 2.08 - 40.88) was significantly associated with HIV seroconversion. Syphilis seroconversions for those who met male sex partners in parks, public washrooms or bathhouses in the past 3 months were 41.77/100 and 7.97/100 person-years respectively. Syphilis seroconversions for those who performed and did not perform rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past 3 months were 16.17/100 and 4.92/100 person-years respectively. In the past 3 months, meeting male sex partners in parks, public washrooms or bathhouses (HR = 4.67, 95%CI = 1.77 - 12.34) and performing rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse (HR = 3.09, 95%CI = 1.40 - 6.83) were significantly associated with syphilis seroconversion.

CONCLUSIONThe seroconversions of HIV and syphilis during the follow-up visits in this MSM cohort study in Beijing were very serious, and that the associated factors for seroconversions were rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse and meeting male sex partners in parks, public washrooms or bathhouses.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; HIV ; immunology ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV Infections ; blood ; epidemiology ; HIV Seropositivity ; blood ; epidemiology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Syphilis ; blood ; epidemiology ; Treponema pallidum ; immunology ; Young Adult

Biopsy ; Calcitriol ; therapeutic use ; Calcium ; therapeutic use ; Fanconi Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Pilot Projects ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use

Chinese medicine (CM) clinical efficacy evaluation research involves the longitudinal multivariate measurement which means that patients are measured repeatedly and each patient is measured by several indicators on each fixed cross-section. Although each indicator can be evaluated separately with a longitudinal linear mixed model, it is important to consider all the endpoints together especially when researchers pay special attention to the change of the conjoint efficacy for several indicators in one patient. In this article, we introduce a latent variable linear mixed model to the CM conjoint efficacy evaluation and discuss why and how to analyze the longitudinal multivariate endpoint data in the clinical CM efficacy evaluation research. It may lead to the new insight of using such methodology in the field of conjoint efficacy evaluating of CM study. And with the definition of syndrome and symptom in the CM theory, the applied discussion brings the insight of CM syndrome evaluating in future. We illustrate this methodology using an example of CM efficacy evaluation from an ischemic stroke research.
Biomedical Research ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Endpoint Determination ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Research Design ; statistics & numerical data ; Stroke ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and toxicity of oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine (Xeloda) as a second-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSTwenty-four patients with advanced gastric cancer who had been treated by multiple chemotherapy regimens presenting poor responses were allotted. LX regimen (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) in 2-hour infusion on D1 and D15, capecitabine 1250 mg/m(2)/d divided in two daily doses given from D1 to D14) was adopted. The cycles were repeated every 28 days. All patients received two or more cycles.

RESULTSAll 24 patients were evaluated after having received 2 to 6 cycles of chemotherapy, totally 92 cycles. The overall response rate was 29.2% (including 2 CR, 5 PR, 10 NC and 7 PD). The time to tumor progression (TTP) was 2 to 18 months (median 5 months), and duration of remission was 4 to 14 months (median 8 months). The major toxicities were bone marrow suppression and nausea/vomiting.

CONCLUSIONOxaliplatin combined with capitabine is effective as a secondary line regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer. This protocol is active and well tolerated. Further clinical studies are warranted.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Remission Induction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study whether combined detection of the methylation status of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 gene can increase the positive methylation rate in colorectal cancer.

METHODSTissue samples were collected from 90 patients with colorectal cancer, 60 patients with adenomatous polyp, and 20 healthy controls. DNA was extracted and the methylation status of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 gene was detected by Methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The relationship between clinicopathologic features of colorectal cancer and gene methylation was analyzed.

RESULTSThe methylation rates of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 were 66.7%, 68.9%, and 72.2% in colorectal cancer, 53.3%, 55.0%, and 50.0% in colorectal adenomas, and 0, 0, and 5.0% in healthy controls, respectively. The methylation of each of the three genes in colorectal cancer tissues was higher than colorectal adenomas and healthy controls(P<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity by combining three methylation markers was 93.3% in colorectal cancer, 76.7% in colorectal adenomas, which was higher than the sensitivity using single gene testing(P<0.05). No significant associations existed between the methylation status of the three genes and clinical characteristics including sex, age, tumor location, lymph node metastases, distant metastasis, and TNM stage(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDNA methylation levels of vimentin, sFRP1 and HPP1 are significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissue. Combined detection significantly improves the positive rate of methylation, and may be used as early diagnosis method for colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Vimentin ; genetics