This article was aimed to study the correlation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes with re-gion factor in the first year after first ischemic stroke. Cross-sectional study was applied in the data collection of TCM four examinations among subjects in China using the same observing rating scale. The results showed that sub-jects of North China were mainly presented with the syndromes of qi-deficiency, internal-heat and phlegm-damp;subjects of Middle China were mainly presented with the syndrome of q i-deficiency; and subjects of East and South China were mainly presented with the syndrome of qi-deficiency and blood-stasis. The proportion of internal-heat was obviously higher in North China than in South China; that of phlegm-damp was remarkably higher in North Chi-na than in Middle and East China; and that of blood-stasis was significantly lower in Middle China than in East and South China. It was concluded that the distribution of internal-heat and blood-stasis was significantly affected by factor of region. Patients in North and South China differed greatly in TCM syndrome. Internal-heat is the main syn-drome in North China, while blood-stasis in South China.

AIM: To study the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on mitochondrial damage caused by exogenous calcium. METHODS: Normal myocardial mitochondria were divided into three groups; L- arginine control group (CG), Ca2 + - damaged group (DG) and L - NAME - preserved group (PG). Mitochondria of all groups were incubated at 30℃ with reaction medium containing 20μmol/L EDTA, 100μmol/L CaC12 and 1 μmol/L L- NAME with 100μmol/L CaCl2 respectively. Then the NO2-/NO3- contents, mitochondrial viability and membrane potential were investigated. RESULTS: The NO2-/NO3 contents of DG was obviously higher than that of CG and PG, meanwhile, there was no obvious difference between CG and PG. Mitochondrial viability and membrane potential of DG were significantly lower than that of CG and PG, and negatively related to NO2-/NO3- contents ( r = - 0.5297, P < 0.01; r = -0.6041, P < 0.01 ). But, the mitochondrial viability and membrane potential of PG were still lower than that of CG. CONCLUSION: Exogenous calcium could activate mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase resulting in NO production and the latter play an important role in decreasing mitochondrial viability and membrane potential.

Forty cases of bronchial asthma were treated by comprehensive methods of acupuncture, ear-embedding and acupoint-injecting. Thirty-six cases were treated by single body acupuncture and 38 cases were treated by herbal medicine for comparison. The therapeutic effects were analyzed among the three groups. The total effective rate was 95.0% in the comprehensive group, 80.6% in the single acupuncture group and 73.7% in the herbal medicine group, with a significant difference (P＜0.05) among the three groups. The combined use of acupuncture, ear-embedding method and acupoint-injecting method were better than single acupuncture and herbal medicine in the treatment of asthma.

AIM: To study the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on mitochondrial damage caused by exogenous calcium. METHODS: Normal myocardial mitochondria were divided into three groups; L-arginine control group (CG), Ca 2+-damaged group (DG) and L-NAME-preserved group (PG). Mitochondria of all groups were incubated at 30℃ with reaction medium containing 20 ?mol/L EDTA, 100 ?mol/L CaCl 2 and 1 ?mol/L L-NAME with 100 ?mol/L CaCl 2 respectively. Then the NO- 2/NO- 3 contents, mitochondrial viability and membrane potential were investigated.RESULTS: The NO- 2/NO- 3 contents of DG was obviously higher than that of CG and PG, meanwhile, there was no obvious difference between CG and PG. Mitochondrial viability and membrane potential of DG were significantly lower than that of CG and PG, and negatively related to NO- 2/NO- 3 contents (r=-0.5297, P

Objective To investigate the changes of myocardial mitochondrial permeability transition pore(PTP) and its mechanism in the early stage after severe burns. Methods An experimental model of 30% TBSA full thickness skin scalding was established in rats. All rats were injected with deoxyglucose(DOG) before sacrifice. Myocardial mitochondrial DOG and cytochrome c content, Ca 2+ concentration([Ca 2+ ] m) and MDA content were determined. Results ① There were no obvious changes of mitochondrial DOG and cytochrome c content at 1 h after burns, but mitochondrial DOG increased evidently at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after burns. Meanwhile, cytochrome c content was significantly lower than that of the control, being 68.8%, 50.0%, 77.1% and 72.9% of that in the control, respectively. ② [Ca 2+ ] m and MDA content were significantly higher than those of the control at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after burns. ③ Mitochondrial DOG content was positively correlated with [Ca 2+ ] m and MDA content, respectively, after burns. Conclusion There is no obvious change in myocardial mitochondrial permeability transition pore, but PTP opening increases markedly at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after burns. Mitochondrial Ca 2+ overloading and increase in free radicals may be the cause leading to PTP opening.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of diazoxide on cardiomyocytes after severe burn injury Methods A total of 24 healthy Wistar rats were randomized into normal control group(Control), burn group(Burn) and diazoxide treated group(Diazo)( n =8) Rats in Burn and Diazo groups were inflicted with 30%TBSA Ⅲ degree burn and resuscitated with Ringer's solution intraperitoneally 30 min after burn Diazoxide was injected into rats in Diazo group at the dose of 10 mg/kg through the external jugular vein After rats were sacrificed at 6 h after burn, myocardial mitochondrial K + influx, respiratory function, Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ]m), MDA content, serum CK and LDH levels were determined Results Mitochondrial K + influx of Diazo group was evidently higher than that in Control and Burn group Mitochondrial respiratory control rate(RCR) and ST 3 in Diazo group were higher than that in Burn group However, [Ca 2+ ]m, MDA, CK and LDH levels in Diazo group were significantly lower than those in Burn group Conclusion Diazoxide can attenuate the damage to cardiomyocytes after severe burn injury, which might be related to the opening of mitochondrial K + channel, inhibition of mitochondria from Ca 2+ overloading and decrease of free radical production

The transcription factor of ethylene responsive factor binding protein (ERF) is belonged to AP2/ERF superfamily, which is known to be unique in plants. AP2/ERF proteins have important functions in the transcriptional regulation of a variety of biological processes related to growth and development, as well as various responses to environmental stimuli. An ERF gene from Salvia miltiorrhiza is cloned and divided into ERF gene family group VII of Arabidopsis and Rice. It contains a MCGGAI (I/L) motif referred to as CMVII-1 and a single intron in the 5'-flanking region of the AP2/ERF domain. Sequence analysis reveals that the region of second extron has abundant polymorphism sites. There are 21 single nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) in the 264 bp region, among them, 14 SNPs are synonymous substitutions and 7 SNPs are non-synonymous substitutions. Though analysis of 181 samples from Shandong, Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces, it reveals that each production area has its own special genotypes, 5 SNPs show significant difference. Cluster based on UPGMA method reveals that different populations from specific province have clustered together. It shows that SmERF gene will be a candidate molecular marker for the identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza from different areas.

AIM：To investigate the change in myocardial mitochondrial Ca2＋ concentration (［Ca2+］m) and its mechanism in the early stage of severe burn. METHODS：An experimental model of 30%TBSA full-thickness skin scalding was reproduced in rats. ［Ca2+］m, cytosolic Ca2＋ concentration (［Ca2＋］c) and mitochondrial Ca2＋ transport velocity were determined. RESULTS: ① ［Ca2+］m increased evidently at 1st hour postburn, and continuously at 3rd hour, reached the peak at 6th hour postburn, then, it decreased at 12th and 24th hour, but remained in higher level than that of the control. ② There was no significant difference in ［Ca2＋］c between 1st hour postburn and the control, but ［Ca2＋］c increased evidently at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th hour postburn. ③ mitochondrial Ca2＋ uptake velocity at 1st hour postburn was higher than that of control, and Ca2＋ release velocity didn't change obviously, but both of them were decreased at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th hour postburn. ④ ［Ca2+］m was positive correlated with ［Ca2＋］c after burn, and negative correlated with mitochondrial Ca2＋ release velocity at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th hour postburn, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was obvious Ca2＋ overload in myocardial mitochondria after severe burn, the mechanism of which might include ascent of ［Ca2＋］c and disorder of Ca2＋ transport in mitochondria.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of Guizhi fuling capsule combined with mifepristone in treatment of uterine fibroids. METHODS:116 patients with uterine fibroids were randomly divided into control group and observation group. Control group was orally given Mifepristone tablet 25 mg,2 h before meal in the first day of menstrual period,once a day,for con-tinuous 10 d;observation group was additionally given Guizhi fuling capsule 3 pills in non-menstrual period,3 times a day. 3 months was regarded as a treatment course,it lasted 2 courses. Clinical efficacy,and E2,FSH,SHBG,uterine volume,menstrual blood volume,uterine fibroid volume and incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups before and after treatment were observed. RE-SULTS:Total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than control group,the difference was statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05). After treatment,the FSH,E2,uterine volume,menstrual blood volume and uterine fibroid volume in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and observation group was lower than control group,the differences were statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05);but there were no significant difference in the SHBG and adverse reactions between 2 groups(P>0.05). CONCLU-SIONS:The clinical efficacy of Guizhi fuling capsule combined with mifepristone in treatment of uterine fibroids is more signifi-cant than mifepristone alone,with good safety.

AIM:To investigate the change in myocardial mitochondrial Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] m) and its mechanism in the early stage of severe burn. METHODS:An experimental model of 30%TBSA full-thickness skin scalding was reproduced in rats. [Ca 2+ ] m, cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] c) and mitochondrial Ca 2+ transport velocity were determined. RESULTS: ① [Ca 2+ ] m increased evidently at 1st hour postburn, and continuously at 3rd hour, reached the peak at 6th hour postburn, then, it decreased at 12th and 24th hour, but remained in higher level than that of the control. ② There was no significant difference in [Ca 2+ ] c between 1st hour postburn and the control, but [Ca 2+ ] c increased evidently at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th hour postburn. ③ mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake velocity at 1st hour postburn was higher than that of control, and Ca 2+ release velocity didn't change obviously, but both of them were decreased at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th hour postburn. ④ [Ca 2+ ] m was positive correlated with [Ca 2+ ] c after burn, and negative correlated with mitochondrial Ca 2+ release velocity at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th hour postburn, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was obvious Ca 2+ overload in myocardial mitochondria after severe burn, the mechanism of which might include ascent of [Ca 2+ ] c and disorder of Ca 2+ transport in mitochondria. [