Objective: To establish analytical method for the determination of vanadium ( V ), chromium ( Cr ), nickel ( Ni ), selenium ( Se ) and arsenic ( As ) in calcium based toothpastes by microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry ( ICP-MS/MS ). Methods: The 21 calcium based toothpaste samples from supermarkets and shops in the urban areas of Hangzhou were digested by 6 mL HNO3 and 1 mL H2O2 in microwave digestion system. Then He-SQ mode and O2-MS/MS mode of ICP-MS/MS were respectively used for the determination of Ni and V, Cr, Se, As. Indium ( In ) was used as internal standard for calibration. Results: Good linear relationships were obtained for these five elements from 1.0 to 32.0 μg/L, with the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.999 3 to 1.000 0. The detection limits of the method ranged from 0.000 25 to 0.006 08 mg/kg. The recovery rates of standard spiking were 80.7%-105.7% when set at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg, the recovery of standard reference material was 102.2%, and the relative standard deviations were 2.6%-4.8%. The concentrations of V, Cr, Ni, Se and As in 21 calcium based toothpaste samples were 0.024-1.935 mg/kg, 0.085-5.759 mg/kg, 0.090-3.673 mg/kg, <0.002 72-0.016 mg/kg and <0.006 08-0.321 mg/kg. Conclusion Microwave digestion-ICP-MS/MS can effectively reduce the interferences of polyatomic ions and doubly charged ions from the matrix, which is suitable for the determination of V, Cr, Ni, Se and As in calcium based toothpaste.

12E7 Antigen ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Wilms Tumor ; pathology

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nucleotides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The mechanism of biological actions of quercetin was studied by using metabolomic method and biomolecular network. HPLC-MS was used to analyze the serum metabolome in rats of blank group and quercetin administration group rats, and MS data were processed by MATLAB software. With multivariate statistical analysis of serum metabolite profiles, a clear separation among blank group and quercetin administration group was achieved, potential biomarkers were selected according to the parameters of variable importance in the projection (VIP) and identified according to MS information and database retrieval. Four compounds, related enzymes, action targets and metabolic pathways had been confirmed, namely retinoic acid and RARbeta, arachidonate and COX-2, 3, 5-diodotyrosine and TPO, uridine diphosphate glucose and PDEs. The mechanism of quercetin enhancing ability of retinoic acid on the induction of RARbeta, activating TPO, using as COX-2 and PDEs inhibitor was approved by biomolecular network and related literatures. In this study, a mechanism of multiple biological actions of quercetin was evaluated at the level of the biomolecular network, metabolomics and biomolecular network can be used to investigate the biological effects mechanism of quercetin, which provided a new method to further revealing mechanism of drug action.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Multivariate Analysis ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of dl-tetrahydropalmatine(dl-THP) on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CC4) in mice.

METHODMice were administracted with dl-tetrahydropalmatine ip 20, 40 mg x kg(-1) daily for 9 d respectively, and then actue liver injury model was induced by 0.1% carbon tetrachloride ip 20 mL x kg(-1). The mice were killed 17 h after injection ip of CCl4, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST) activity were measured, and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in liver were detected.

RESULTdl-THP significantly reduced the level of serum ALT and AST, inhibited lipoperxidation in liver, while increased SOD activity in liver tissue. Degeneration of hepatocytes was obviously prevented in mice treated with dl-THP, and the liver histological structure was well maintained.

CONCLUSIONdl-THP has inhibitory effects on liver injury induced by CCl4 in mice. The mechanisms may be related with its effects of reducing lipid peroxidation product.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate plasma glutathione S-transferase(GSTs) activity and GSTP1 gene Ile105Val polymorphism in Bijie City, Guizhou Province, a coal-burning fluorosis endemic area. Methods One hundred and sixty villagers from Yachi Twon using non-improved cooking stoves were selected as the non-intervened group in Bijie City, Guizhou Province where coal-burning fluorosis was prevailing; 153 villagers as the intervented group were chosen from Changchun Twon, where cooking stoves were improved; 151 villagers were served as the control group from Baiyunshan Twon, Changshun County without endemic fluorosis. The activity of GSTs was tested by colorimetric analysis with spectrophotometer. The genotype of the GSTP1 gene Ile105Val polymorphism, presenting as either homozygous wild-type (AA), or heterozygous mutation type (AG), or homozygous mutation type (GG), was detected through the PCR-RFLP procedure. Results The activity of GSTs in plasma of non-intervened group [(12.44±4.97) kU/L]was significantly lower than that of intervened group (P < 0.05), and that of intervened group[(20.78±6.20)kU/L]was significantly lower than that of control group[(24.30±6.27)kU/L, P< 0.05]. The difference of the enzyme activity of three groups were statistically significant (F = 51.71, P < 0.05), but this enzyme activity did not vary significantly in each sex of each grnup(P > 0.05). Compared intervened group [AA:67.3%(103/153), AG:29.4%(45/153),GG:3.3%(5/153)]and non-intervened group[AA:66.9%(107/160), AG:30%(48/160), GG:3.1%(5/160)]with control group[AA:74.8%(113/151), AG:25.2%(38/151), GG:0 (0/151)], the Ile105Val polymorphism site of GSTP1 gene had significant difference(χ2= 6.04,6.07, both P< 0.05), but not significant between intervened and non-intervened groups(χ2 = 0.02, P>0.05). Conclusions Fluorosis can decrease the activity of GSTs and introduce the GSTP1 gene Ile105Val polymorphism, intervention with the fluorine intake will improve the effect of fluoride on the body.

OBJECTIVETo construct a tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector containing human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cDNA.

METHODSHuman HGF cDNA fragment was obtained by PCR from pUC-SRalpha/HGF plasmid and inserted into the restriction site between Mlu I and Sal I of the tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L. pBI-L-HGF was constructed by DNA recombination in vitro, and was identified by restriction endonucleases digestion and sequencing.

RESULTSThe fragment of pBI-L-HGF digested with restriction endonucleases well corresponded to expectation, and the sequence of inserted HGF cDNA was correct according to the GenBank.

CONCLUSIONThe tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector of human HGF pBI-L-HGF has been constructed successfully, which allows further study of HGF gene therapy with much safety and easy manipulation.

DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEDisturbances of the synthesis and breakdown of the extracellular matrix of arterial walls have emerged as key features of the atherosclerotic process. We observed the changes of circulating procollagen marker for type III collagen turnover rate, the N-terminal propeptide P III NP and vascular resistance in hypertensive patients treated with various antihypertensive regimens.

METHODA total of 130 light to moderate hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to receive enalapril (group B, n = 43), enalapril + spirolactone (20 mg/d, group A, n = 44) and anti-hypertensive drugs not directly affecting RAAS (calcium antagonist, beta-blocker, group C, n = 43) for 1 year. Target blood pressure is < 130/80 mm Hg.

RESULTSTarget blood pressure was reached in all treated patients and was similar among various groups. Under the same blood pressure controlling precondition, serum P III NP were similar at baseline among various groups and remained unchanged in group B [(3.4 +/- 0.3) microg/L vs. (3.7 +/- 0.3) microg/L, P > 0.05] and significantly decreased in group A [(2.3 +/- 0.2) microg/L vs. (3.8 +/- 0.2) microg/L, P < 0.05] while significantly increased in group C [(3.9 +/- 2.0) microg/L vs. (3.2 +/- 1.5) microg/L, P < 0.05]. Vascular resistance was similar among groups before therapy and all significantly decreased after 1 year antihypertensive therapy and the decrease was more significant in group A [(1064.3 +/- 158.6) dyn.s(-1).cm(-5)] than that in group B [(1200.8 +/- 298.7) dyn.s(-1).cm(-5)] and group C [(1205.1 +/- 206.4) dyn.s(-1).cm(-5)].

CONCLUSIONSpironolactone in conjunction with enalapril is a more favorable antihypertensive regimen in decreasing P III NP and improving vascular resistance than enalapril alone or antihypertensive drug regimens not directly affecting RAAS.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers ; Enalapril ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Procollagen ; blood ; Spironolactone ; therapeutic use ; Vascular Resistance

OBJECTIVETo construct a tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector of rat Smad7.

METHODSThe total RNA was extracted from normal rat kidney with Trizol agent. Rat Smad7 cDNA fragment was cloned by RT-PCR, and was inserted into the restriction site between Nhe I and Hind III of the inducible eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L by tetracycline. pBI-L-Smad7 was constructed by digestion and ligation, and detected by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing.

RESULTSThe recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L-Smad7 was constructed correctly as confirmed by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing. The fragment of pBI-L-Smad7 digested with restriction endonucleases and the sequence of inserted Smad7 cDNA were consistent with the results of theoretical analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe tetracycline- inducible eukaryotic expression vector of rat Smad7, pBI-L-Smad7, is constructed successfully, which may facilitate further clinical study of Smad7 gene therapy for tissue and organ fibrosis.

Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smad7 Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of augmentative plate fixation to increase stability in the treatment of femoral shaft nonunions subsequent to intramedullary fixation.

METHODSNine patients with femoral nonunions after intramedullary nail internal fixation were treated with augmentative plate internal fixation from April 1998 to Jane 2008, included 8 males and 1 female, with an average age of 32 years old ranging from 21 to 54 years. One case was upper 1/3 femoral fractures, 5 cases were middle 1/3 femoral fractures, 3 cases were lower 1/3 femoral fractures. The interspace of bone nonunion was more than 5 mm in 6 cases, of them, iliac bone grafting were applied in 4 cases, artificial bone combined with iliac bone grafting were applied in 2 cases; The interspace of bone nonunion was less than 5 mm in other 3 cases,artificial bone grafting was applied in 1 case, fitting bone callus were applied in 2 cases. All patients got protected weight loading preventing the main screw break.

RESULTSAll patients achieved radiological solid union at an average of 8 months (ranged 6 to 11 months ). The fixation was removed during 6 to 11 months after operation in 5 cases. Donor site pain of iliac occurrenced on 4 cases,3 cases relieved 1 month later and 1 case relieved 3 months later. No infection, fixation loosening or breaking was observed.

CONCLUSIONThe augmentative plate fixation can be applied at the fracture site to prevent the rotational instability. The technique is simple and does not require any special instrument, which facilitates an early weight bearing and gives a quick recovery from nonunion.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Femur ; pathology ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Middle Aged