Objective To determine the contents of scutellarin and chlorogenic acid in Qingkailing extract by HPLC.Methods Kromasil C18 column was adopted and the mobile phase consisted of methnol-water-phosphoric acid (20 ∶80 ∶0.2) with the flow rate being 1.0 mL?min-1 and column temperature being 25 ℃.The detection wavelength was 327 nm.Results The linearity of scutellarin was good in the range of 0.090～0.540 ?g,r=0.999 9,and its average recovery rate was 100.3 %(RSD=0.99 %);the linearity of chlorogenic acid was good in the range of 0.196～1.176 ?g,r=0.999 9,and its average recovery rate was 99.9 %(RSD=1.06 %).Conclusion This method is sensitive,simple,accurate,and can be used for the quality control of Qingkailing extract.

Objective To study the effect of the extract of Chrysanthemum Indicum(CI)on the expression of tumor necro-sis factor-α (TNF-α) and neutrophil function in chronic bronchitis (CB)rats and to explore the therapeutic mechanism for chronic bronchitis. Methods The extract of CI was prepared. Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, Chuanxiling group, and low-, middle-and high-dose CI extract groups. Rat model of CB was established by intratracheal injection with low-dose lipopolysaccharide. After drug intervention, the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was detected by ELISA method. Phagocytic function of the neu-trophil and respiratory burst of the rats were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Results Compared with the blank con-trol group, the phagocytic function of the neutrophil, respiratory burst of the rats, and the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the model group were increased significantly. CI extract significantly decreased the abnormal rising of the above indexes. Conclusion Down-Regulation of TNF-α expression, and decrease of the neutrophil phagocytic function and rat respiratory burst may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of Chrysanthemum In-dicum extract for the treatment of CB.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, which is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, may cause aberrant methylation and dysregulation of gene expression, but the characteristics of the aberrant methylation and its key links involved in its pathogenic mechanisms are still poorly understood. The effect of hyperhomocysteine on DNA methylation in vascular smooth muscle cells, its characteristics and the underlying mechanism of Hcy-induced changing in DNA methylation patterns were investigated. Clinical relevant concentrations of homocysteine was added into the cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of the Homo sapien umbilical vein for 24 h. The level of SAM and SAH was detected by HPLC. The activity of SAH Hydrolase was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting analysis. The level and patterns of DNA methylation were measured by endogenous C-5 DNA methyltransferase(C-5 MT-ase) activity and capacity of genomic DNA to accept methyl groups and methylation-dependent restriction analysis. The results indicated that an increased Hcy concentration induced elevated SAH, declined SAM and the ratio of SAM/SAH, reduced expression of SAH Hydrolase, but increased activity of C-5MT-ase. The methylation status of gDNA analyzed by methyl-accepting capacity of gDNA uncovered a demethylation process in gDNA, or homocysteine-caused hypomethylation in gDNA.With different methylation-dependent restriction endonucleases, the aberrant demethylation was found to prefer C↓CGG sequences to CpG islands. The impacts of different dosage of Hcy showed that the varied detrimental effects of Hcy could be attributed to different concentrations via different mechanisms. In mild and moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, the Hcy may primarily influence the epigenetic regulation of gene expression through the interference of transferring methyl-group metabolism, while in more higher Hcy concentration, the notorious impacts may be more directly caused via oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation etc.

This paper is to report the study of the pharmacokinetics of a fusion protein TAT-haFGF(14-154) for human acidic fibroblast growth factor and transcriptional activator protein in rat plasma, and the investigation of their penetration across blood-brain barrier in mice and rats, in order to provide a basis for clinical development and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine concentration of TAT-haFGF(14-154) in rat plasma and in mouse brain homogenate; and immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the distribution in brain. The concentration-time curve fitted two-compartment open model which was linear kinetics elimination after a single intravenous injection of TAT-haFGF(14-154) in rat at the dose of 300 microg x kg(-1). The half life time was 0.049 +/- 0.03 h for distribution phase and 0.55 +/- 0.05 h for elimination phase, and the weight was 1/C2. The result showed that TAT-haFGF(14-154) could be detected in the brain by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, the elimination of TAT-haFGF(14-154) in rat was swift, and TAT-haFGF(14-154) could penetrate across the blood-brain barrier, distribute in pallium and hippocampus and locate in the nucleus.

Objective To explore the association of catechol-O-methyhransferase(COMT) gene polymorphisms with schizophrenia susceptibility and its symptoms assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)in southern Chinese population.Methods COMT gene rs4633,rs4680 and rs8185002 polymorphisms were genotyped using Sequenom genotyping technology in 700 schizophrenia patients (300 Zhuang and 400 Han) and 700 healthy controls (300 Zhuang and 400 Han),and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used for clinical symptoms assessment of patients.Statistical analysis was performed using PLINK software.Results rs4633,rs4680 and rs8185002 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with schizophrenia susceptibility in Zhuang or Han population respectively(P＞0.05).After merging Zhuang and Han samples,rs4633(I 2 =0.000,Pmeta =0.040) and rs4680 (I2=0.000,Pmeta =0.014) were significantly associated with the susceptibility to schizophrenia.In addition,haplotype T-A-T was significantly associated with schizophrenia susceptibility (P=0.049).However,these three polymorphisms were not significantly associated with total score,positive scale score,negative scale score and general psychopathology scale score assessed by PANSS(P＞0.05).Conclusion COMT gene rs4633 and rs4680 polymorphisms are involved in the susceptibility to schizophrenia in southern Chinese population.

A novel and sensitive HPLC-UV method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of twelve major compounds in Longdan Xiegan Pill.The chemical profile of the twelve compounds,including geniposidic acid (1),geniposide(2),gentiopicroside(3),liquiritin(4),crocin(5),baicalin(6),wogonoside(7),baicalein(8),glycyrrhizic acid (9),wogonin (10),oroxylin A ( 11 ) and aristolochic acid A (12),was acquired using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector coupled with an electrospray tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS).The analysis was performed on a Dikma Platisil ODS C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm ) with a gradient solvent system of acetonitrile-0.1％ aqueous formic acid.The validation was carried out and the linearities ( r ＞ 0.9996),repeatability (RSD＜1.8％),intra- and inter-day precision (RSD＜1.3％),and recoveries (ranging from 96.6％ to 103.4％ ) were acceptable.The limits of detection (LOD) of these compounds ranged from 0.29 to 4.17 ng.Aristolochic acid A,which is the toxic ingredient,was not detected in all the batches of Longdan Xiegan Pill.Furthermore,hierarchical cluster analysis was used to evaluate the variation of the herbal prescription.The proposed method is simple,effective and suitable for the quality control of this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Objective To compare effects and toxicities of DVd and VAdM regimen for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.nethods 17 newly diagnosed active multiple myeloma received DVd treatment,dexamethasone(20 mg/d)on days 1～4 as an intravenous infusion.16 newly diagnosed active multiple myeloma on days 1～4 plus melphalan(12 mg/d)as an intravenous infusion.Results Objective response rates(DVd,76.5%;VAd,81.3%,P=0.737)were similar between the two treatment groups.In the DVd group,the mean time to max response was shorter than the VAdM group[(3.2±1.7)months vs.(4.6±1.0)months,P=0.039].DVd was associated with low Grade 3/4 neutropenia(23.5% vs.68.8%,P=0.015),less use of G-CSF(11.8% vs.62.5%,P=0.004),less use antibiotic(11.8% vs.37.5%,P=0.118),lower incidence of hospitalization for adverse events(37.5% vs.17.6%,P=0.259),but more hand-foot syndrome.Coilcinsion The DVd regimen demonstrated similar efficacy compared with VAdM,while with less toxicity and supportive care,which might be used as a modified VAd regimen for newly diagnosed myeloma.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Thermotherapy has achieved remarkable therapeutic effect on patients with esophageal cancer. However, there are still some problems which cannot be answered today, such as the damage of esophageal mucosa during deep thermotherapy when metal stent is placed in esophagus. OBJECTIVE: To study the metal stent-caused damages to esophageal mucosa of pigs in radiofrequency hyperthermia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Observational study which was performed in the Department of Tumor, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College from October 2004 to January 2005. MATERIALS: 13 pigs weighing 35-40 kg were used in this study. Esophagus stent of memory alloy with membrane was provided by Zhiye Medical Apparatus Institute of Changzhou, China METHODS: Five points were located for measurement, i.e. the middle of the stent, the exit of the stent, 2 cm and 4 cm a distance from the exit and 4 cm from the entrance. Esophagus of 13 pigs was heated for 30 minutes by SR-1000 radiofrequency hyperthermia machine in frequency of 40.82 MHz, pole plate of 25 cm Ⅱ 25 cm and power of 500-700 W. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The esophageal mucosa was observed with naked eyes. And optical microscopy was used to observe the changes of the esophageal mucosa. RESULTS: Because one pig died of anesthesia and there were troubles of thermal detector lines in 4 pigs, only 8 pigs were included in the final analysis. Level of damage of esophageal mucosa on five temperature checkpoints was observed from grade 0 to 1 in naked eyes, and the difference of damaged level between five checkpoints was not obvious in statistics (H=2.0, P=0.157). Level of the damage was observed from grade 0 to 2 in microscope, and the difference was not obvious in statistics too (H=2.734, P=0.255). CONCLUSION: Influence of the metal stent on esophageal mucosa can be neglected in radiofrequency hyperthermia, and metal stent does not cause obvious mechanical damage or thermal damage to esophageal mucosa of pigs. It is safe and feasible to carry out radiofrequency hyperthermia on placed metal stent esophagus.

Objective To know the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) and the implementation of control measures against the disorders in high-risk areas of Hainan province. Methods Typical sampling principle was used. Eight townships with lower coverage rate of iodized salt were chosen in IDD high-risk counties of Hainan. New cretinism cases were screened among children aged 10 years and under. Intelligence quotient (IQ)value, urinary iodine (UI) concentration and thyroid gland size (by palpation and B ultrasonic) were investigated in children aged 8 to 10 years and questionnaire was also carried out among students from grade 5 in elementary school. Edible salt and urine of women of childbearing age were collected to detect iodine levels, respectively,questionnaire was also carried out among the women of childbearing age. The UI was determined by As3-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometer, the salt iodine level was determined using self-quantitative kit. IQ values were measured by the Combined Raven Test in China (CRT-C2). Results Seventy-two townships were investigated in three consecutive years, 7937 children aged 8 to 10 years, 1797 women of childbearing age and 4128 students of grade 5 were included in the survey. One child was diagnosed as suspected new cretinism case. The coverage rate of iodized salt was increased from 44.6%(629/1411) in 2007 to 92.1%(1688/1832) in 2009. The goiter rate was dropped from 5.9% (269/4548), 6.0% (274/4548) in 2007 to 1.6% (24/1461), 0.1% (2/1461) in 2009 bypalpation, and by B-ultrasound, respectively, in children aged 8 to 10 years. The median urinary iodine(MUI) was found to be increased from 97.4 μg/L in 2007 to 165.0 μg/L in 2009, and the percentage of UI less than 50.0 μg/L, and 100.0 μg/L were dropped from 21.4%(973/4548), 51.2%(2329/4548) in 2007 to 7.5 %(110/1461), 23.4%(342/1461) in 2009, respectively. The MUI of women of childbearing age was found to be elevated from 73.7 μg/L in 2007 to 126.1 μg/L in 2009, and the value was also increased from 55.7 μg/L to 121.5 μg/L in pregnant women, but these values were still lower than 150.0 μg/L The pass rate of the questionnaire of IDD controlling among the students of grade 5 and the women of childbearing age was raised from 29.8% (446/1495) ,24.1% (179/742) in 2007 to 65.8%(732/1112), 72.1%(264/366) in 2009, respectively. The mean IQ of children was 90.4±16.0, and the percentage of IQ value less than 69 was 12.6% (1000/7937). Conclusions The diseased state of IDD has improved in the high-risk counties of disorders in Hainan province, but the pregnant women are still iodine deficient. Iodine supplimentation should be promoted among pregnant women.