The marine biological source of mineral drugs recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version) mainly including pearl, nacre, clam shell, common oyster shell, ark shell, cuttle bone, and sea-ear shell are widely used in clinical. Calcium carbonate and a small amount of protein are the main components in this type of drugs. In this paper, a systematical and comparable study were carried out by determination of calcium carbonate by EDTA titration method, the crystal of calcium carbonate by X-Ray powder diffraction and the total amino acids (TAAs) of the hydrolyzed samples by ultraviolet spectrophotometry method. As a result, the crystal structure is calcite for common oyster shell, mixture of calcite and aragonite for nacre and sea-ear shell, aragonite for the other drugs. The content of calcium carbonate ranged from 86% to 96%. Cuttle bone has the highest amount of TAAs among the seven drugs which reached 1.7% while clam shell has the lowest content of 0.16% on average. In conclusion, an effective method was developed for the quality control of marine mineral drugs by comprehensive analysis of calcium carbonate and TAAs in the seven marine mineral drugs.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; analysis ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Edetic Acid ; chemistry ; Mollusca ; chemistry ; classification ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Seawater ; Species Specificity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective To investigate the action mechanism of Qingjin Huatan Decoction on regulating COPD rats with mucus hypersecretion in airway. Methods Fifty 6-8 week old Wistar male rats were randomly divided into healthy group, model group, Qingjin Huatan Decoction group, clarithromycin group, 10 rats in each group. Except for healthy group, all the other groups were used the combination method of injecting LPS and smudging to establish COPD models. The last three groups were fed with normal saline, Qingjin Huatan Decoction, clarithromycin respectively for 30 days. On the 31st day of the experiment, the rats were put to death to take lung tissue. 6 rats from each group were chosen randomly, and the protein expressions of NE, EGFR and MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissue were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results The expressions of NE, MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissue of COPD rats were higher than the healthy group. Compared with model group, the expressions of NE mRNA and MUC5AC mRNA in Qingjin Huatan Decoction group and clarithromycin group were markedly lower, while the expressions of NE, MUC5AC mRNA in Qingjin Huatan Decoction group were significantly lower than those in clarithromycin group. The expression of EGFR mRNA in Qingjin Huatan Decoction group was lower than that in model group. Conclusion Qingjin Huatan Decoction can inhibit mucus hypersecretion in airway through NE/EGFR/MUC5AC signal transduction pathway.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of four and a half LIM protein 2(FHL2) on inhibitor of differentiation 1(Id1)-mediated suppression of transcriptional regulation activity and Id1-promoted invasive growth of human breast cancer cells MCF-7.Methods The effect of FHL2 on Id1-mediated transcriptional repression in MCF-7 cells was determined by cotransfection and relative biluciferase assay.The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay,and the invasive capacity of MCF-7 cells was determined by Transwell assay.Results The transcriptional repression effect of Id1 on basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH) factor E47-mediated transcription activity in MCF-7 cells,and Id1-promoted proliferation and invasive growth of MCF-7 cells were significantly suppressed by FHL2.Conclusion FHL2 can inhibit the proliferation and invasive growth of human breast cancer cells via repressing Id1-mediated functional activity.The results provide a basis for further investigating the functional roles of FHL2-Id1 signal pathway in the carcinogenesis and development of human breast cancer.

Objective To study the value of MR 3D FIESTA technology in spinal malformation. Materials and Methods 70 patients with spinal malformation and GE 1.5T superconducting MR machine got involved in. The scanning sequences included FSET2WI scanning at 2D axial position, coronal position and sagital positon, and FIESTA scanning at 3D coronal position and sagital position. Results FIESTA scanning could be used in the achievement of multi-slice and multi-angle coronal, sagital and axial images. Conclusion 3D MR FIESTA can be applied to rapid, multi-angle, multi-slice and continuous display of the spinal cord.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of zinc in Mongolia patent drug Zhuangxiyin Powder. METHODS: Differential pulse stripping voltammetry was employed for measurement of zinc. RESULTS: The zinc content in three samples of the drug was (493+/-11.95)microg/g, (526+/-13.74)microg/g and (554+/-9.84) microg/g respectively, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 2.42%, 2.61% and 1.78% respectively. CONCLUSION: The content of zinc in Zhuangxiyin Powder of daily dosage is higher than the needed daily intake of healthy people.

Background Primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) is a common type of glaucoma.It has been well known that a lot of factors are associated with the pathogenesis of POAG,but genetic factor plays a critical role.Optineurin (OPTN)gene is the second confirmed POAG-relevant gene,and screening its mutation in the population contribute to the deeply understanding of the pathogenesis of POAG.Objective The present study was to investigate the association between sequence variants of OPTN gene and POAG in Chinese patients.Methods DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 100 POAG patients and 60 cataract individuals.The coding exons of OPTN gene were amplified by PCR.PCR products were then sequenced directly to assay the variants and contrasted to original sequence in GenBank.This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Shenzhen Eye Hospital.All the subjects signed the written inform consent.Results A case-controlled study was designed.The mean intraocular pressure (IOP)of the POAG patients was (29.0±6.5)mmHg,and that of the cataract patients was (13.7 ±2.4)mmHg.Variant of synonymous coding T34T was found in 60 POAG patients.Genetic type frequencies of AA,GA and GG were 10％,50％ and 40％ in the POAG patients,and those of cataract patients were 0,25％ and 75％ respectively,showing significant difference between them (x2 =20.416,P =0.000).The allele frequencies of A and G were 35％ and 65％ in the POAG patients,and those of cataract patients were 12.5％ and 87.5％,with a statistically significant difference (x2 ＝ 19.464,P =0.000).The sequence changes of non-synonymous coding variants (M98K,691-692insA G,R545Q,H486R) were also found in both POAG and cataract patients,but no significant difference was seen in the genetype and allele frequencies between two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions No obvious association of OPTN gene variant with POAG is verified.The variant of T34T maybe increase the risk of POAG.

Objective To compare the diagnostic results and values among Duke criteria,St Thomas criteria,the modified Duke criteria and domestic criteria for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in children.Methods Forty-five children were clinically diagnosed IE,the surgical or the pathologic or autopsy findings were served as the golden criteria for the diagnosis of IE.The children were classified by Duke criteria,St Thomas criteria,the modified Duke criteria and domestic criteria respectively,so as to compare the sensitivity and specificity and accuracy of all criteria for the diagnosis of IE.Results During the forty-five children were clinically diagnosed IE,of whom 32 cases with IE were confirmed by the surgical or the pathologic or autopsy findings; 13 cases were ruled out from the diagnosis of IE.The specificity of Duke criteria,the modified Duke criteria and domestic criteria were all 100％,but the specificity were 92.3％ in St Thomas criteria for the 45 cases with clinically diagnosed IE and 26 cases with negative blood culture.For the children with clinically diagnosed IE,the sensitivity and the accuracy were 90.6％ and 93.3％ in domestic criteria,62.5％ and 73.3％ in Duke criteria and the modified Duke criteria,87.5％ and 88.9％ in St Thomas criteria.For the children with negative blood culture,the sensitivity and the accuracy were 76.9％ and 88.5％ in domestic criteria,7.7％ and 53.8％ in Duke criteria and the modified Duke criteria,69.2％ and 80.8％ in St Thomas criteria.The Youden index had no significant difference among domestic standard and Duke standard,Duke modified standard,St Thomas standard for children clinically diagnosed IE (P ＞ 0.05) ; however,the significant difference of the Youden index among domestic standard and Duke standard,Duke modified standard for children with negative blood culture were found(P ＜ 0.01),no significant difference of the Youden index between domestic standard and St Thomas standard was found (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions With the addition of echocardiographic evidence of endocardial involvement,2 minor criteria as definite diagnostic criteria and some clinical minor criteria,the sensitivity and accuracy of the domestic criteria is superior to those of the Duke criteria,St Thomas criteria and the modified Duke criteria,and the domestic criteria is more suitable for the diagnosis of IE in Chinese children.

PURPOSE: To compare the corneal power (K) measured by different methods in the patients who underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser in situ keratomilieusis (LASIK) METHODS: Fifty-four patients who had undergone PRK or LASIK from December 1999 to December 2000 and followed for 3 months or longer were selected for this study. The corneal power was measured by five different methods in 35 eyes(18 patients) of PRK group and in 70 eyes (36 patients) of LASIK group: calculation method (C-K), hard contact lens method (H-K), autorefractokeratometer (A-K), manual keratometer (M-K) and topography (T-K). RESULTS: Preoperative mean corneal power was 43.41+/-1.06 D in PRK group and 43.75+/-1.03 D in LASIK group. Postoperative corneal power in PRK group showed following Results: C-K, 40.94+/-1.51 D; H-K, 41.04+/-1.23 D; A-K, 41.18+/-1.29 D; M-K, 41.38+/-1.33 D; T-K, 41.67+/-1.26 D. In LASIK group, the results were: C-K, 38.64+/-2.25 D; H-K, 39.29+/-1.66 D; A-K, 39.53+/-1.61 D; M-K, 39.85+/-1.54 D; T-K, 40.36+/-1.26 D. The corneal power of calculation method was lowest in both groups. Each corneal power was not different statistically from the others in PRK group(p=0.16). However, C-K was significantly lower than A-K (p=0.02), M-K (p=0.00) or T-K (p=0.00) in LASIK group. Also, H-K or AK was lower than T-K statistically in LASIK group (p=0.00, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal power was lowest when measured by calculation method after refractive surgery. In LASIK group, there were statistical differences among the corneal powers by each method.
Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; Refractive Surgical Procedures*

Laminaria japonica gametophytic cells were cultivated in a photobioreactor under continuous shear stress (0-1000 r/min) in 60 hours and the following static cultivation within 23.5 days. The content of chlorophyll a reached the maximum value of 2.36 mg/L at the end of continuous shear stress when the agitation speed was 90 r/min, while the chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration decreased quickly and nitrogen and phosphorus were released under high shear force (270-1000 r/min). The cell injury ratio at 1000r/min was as 18 times as that of the control. During the recovery course, gametophytic cells showed themselves distinct recovery capability at all agitation speeds. Furthermore, the content of chl a is a more exact index as biomass than dry cells weight (DCW). Besides cell injury ratio, the liberation of phosphorus demonstrates the cells injury.
Bioreactors ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Gametogenesis ; physiology ; Germ Cells ; physiology ; Laminaria ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Light ; Shear Strength ; Stress, Mechanical

Objective To analyze the drug resistant characteristics of 84 clinical isolated Helicobacter pylori (Hp) strains, and to observe the inhibitory effects of anti-Hp Lactobacillus acidophilus (La)4 and La6 on different antibiotic-resistant Hp strains. Methods Hp strains were isolated and cultured from gastric mucosa of 84 different gastropathy patients (20 patients with chronic gastritis, 24 with gastric ulcer, 19 with duodenal ulcer and 16 with gastric cancer). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin were tested by E-test in order to determine the resistance of these three antibiotics in clinical isolated Hp strains. With standard La as control, the supernatant of anti-Hp La4 and La6 was added into Hp strains culture wells. Hp strains were cultured in solid media for 72 hours, and then inhibition ring were recorded. Anti-Hp Lactobacillus acidophilus liquid was also added to culture medium of different Hp strains, which were in liquid culture, culture medium were taken at different time points (4,8,12,24,48 hrs) to calculate bacteria colony number and test urease activity. Results In 84 clinical isolated Hp strains, the resistant rates of metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin resistance rates were 67.9%, 17.9% and 1.2% respectively. Of those 11 strains were mixed drug resistance, which included 10 strains of metronidazole and clarithromycin mixed drug resistance, and one of metronidazole and amoxicillin mixed drug resistance. In solid culture conditions, supernatant of anti-Hp Lactobacillus acidophilus La4 and La6 had obvious inhibitory effect on antibiotic-resistant and non-resistant Hp strains. In liquid culture conditions, anti-Hp Lactobacillu acidophilus La4 and La6 bacterium liquid could inhibit the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant and non-resistant Hp strains, the antagonistic role was significantly stronger than the standard Lactobacillus acidophilus strains (P<0.05). The urease activity of antibiotic-resistant Hp strains was inhibited since mixed cultured with anti-Hp Lactobacillu acidophilus La4 and La6 for 4 hours, the urease activity gradually decreased as culture time extended, and the inhibitory role was significantly stronger than the standard Lactobacillus acidophilus strains (P<0.05). Conclusions In 84 Hp strains, most were metronidazole resistant strains, followed by clarithromycin resistant strains, metronidazole and clarithromycin mixed resistance strains. In vitro, anti-Hp Lactobacillu acidophilus La4 and La6 had obvious inhibitory effects on antibiotic-resistant and non-resistant Hp strains.