Objective: To establish an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of baicalein and wogonin in Baipuhuang tablets. Methods: HPLC was performed on an Agilent C 18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm)using the gradient acetoni trile(A)-water(B)at the 1.0 ml/min flow rate as mobile phase. The columm temperature was 30℃ and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. Results: The linear regression equation of baicalein was Y=24117X-223.95(r=0.9990);the linear range was 0.02~0.2 μg with the average recovery of 98.95% and the RSD of 0.64%(n=9). The linear regression equation of wogonin was Y=16237X-26.698(r=0.9996);the linear range was 0.02~0.2 μg with the average recovery of 99.28% and the RSD of 1.03%(n=9). The RSD values for the precision, stability and repeatability were all less than 2%. Conclusion: The established HPLC method appears to be highly sen sitive, accurate and reproducible, which could be used for the quality control of Baipuhuang tablets.

BACKGROUND:Osteogenic differentiation is a complex process involving transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation by multiple signaling pathways, and the specific mechanisms remain unclear. It is of great significance to study the role of critical miRNAs in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone defects. OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory ability of miR-21/Sprouty1 function axis in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS:BMSCs were isolated from healthy people (H-hBMSCs) and patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP-hBMSCs), and their osteogenic ability was compared. Expression of miR-21 and Spry1 at gene and protein levels was detected by real-time RT-PCR and western blot assay, respectively. miR-21 expression was upregulated via transfection in PMOP-hBMSCs, and the osteogenic ability and Spry1 expression of the cells were detected, while real-time RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of osteogenic marker genes, Runx2 and Osterix. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with H-hBMSCs, PMOP-hBMSCs osteogenic ability was weakened significantly, miR-21 expression decreased, and Spry1 expression increased, indicating an inhibition to the miR-21-Spry1 function axis. Through the transfection of miR-21 and down-regulation of Spry1, the expression levels of Runx2 and Osterix were increased, and PMOP-hBMSCs osteogenic ability was partially restored.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that miR-21 expression is increased during osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, but the action and molecular mechanism of miR-21 are stil unclear. OBJECTIVE:To verify the target gene of miR-21, Spry1, and to explore the role of Spry1 in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Luciferase report was used to verify Spry1 gene targeted by miR-21, and western blot assay was used to detect the expression of Spry1 in the osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Spry1 expression vector was established and transfected into human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Osteogenesis ability of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was analyzed after Spry1 high expression by alkaline phosphatase, alizarin red staining, RT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Luciferase report suggested that Spry1 was a target gene of miR-21. The expression level of Spry1 was decreased in the osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Increasing expression of Spry1 could inhibit osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. These results indicate that Spry1 as a target gene of miR-21 negatively regulates osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and plays an important role in bone formation process.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of SKy bone expander system in percutaneous kyphoplasty for treat- ment of osteoporotie verterbral compression fracture.Methods:Twenty-two patients(aged 62-90 years,32 vertebrae)under- went percutaneous kyphoplasty using SKy bone expander system.The bone cement was injected into the collapsed vertebrae. The vasual analogue scale(VAS)and complications were recorded during follow up.Results:The operations were successful in all patients via unilateral or bilateral approach.The operation time ranged from 30 to 120 min.The mean volume of cement in- jected into each vertebra body was(4.8?1.1)ml,ranged from 3.1 to 6.8 ml.Extravertebral leakage of bone cement was ob- served in two vertebrae with no symptoms.All patients had their pain relieved;the VAS was 7.6?0.8 before operation,3.5?0.5 one day after operation,2.8?0.6 one week after operation,and 2.4?0.6 one month after operation,with significant difference found between preoperation and postoperation(P

Objective To explore the role of liver X receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317 on thrombomodulin (TM) expression in human glomerular endothelial cells and the possible mechanisms.Methods Different concentrations of T0901317 were used to stimulate human glomerular endothelial cells for different time,then LXRα,LXRβ expression were detected by using Western blotting analysis;the roles of T0901317 on TM mRNA and TM protein expression were observed by using real-time PCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay.LXRα,LXRβ gene interference segment Si-hLXRα,Si -hLXRβ were transfected into human glomerular endothelial cells with the concentration of 100 nmol/L respectively,then the roles of Si-hLXRα,Si-hLXRβ on the TM protein and TM mRNA expression were assayed by Western blotting and real time PCR.Results Human glomerular endothelial cells expressed LXRα and LXRβ.Compared to the normal cells and DMSO group,T0901317 could significantly promote TM expression in human glomerular endothelial cells (P ＜ 0.05) and showed a time -and dose-dependent manner.TM expression in Si-hLXRα transfected group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05),while TM expression in Si-hLXRβ transfected group had no significant difference compared to the control group.Conclusions Human glomerular endothelial cells express LXRα and LXRβ.LXR agonist T0901317 promotes TM expression in human glomerular endothelial cells,which may be mainly through activating LXRa.

Objective:To express SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein in Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression System and analyze the antigenicity of the recombinant protein.Methods: The SARS-CoV nucleocapsid gene was amplified by PCR.The PCR product digested with BamHⅠand SalⅠrestriction endonucleases was cloned into vector pFastBac HTC of Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus expression system.Recombinant plasmid was transformed DH 10Bac cells to obtain the recombinant Bacmid DNA.Recombinant Bacmid DNA was transferred into Sf9 cells which were inducted to express the recombinant protein in High Five cells.After purified by Ni affinity chroma-tography ,the antigenicity of the recombinant protein was analyzed by Western blot and ELISA.Results:Recombinant plasmid was con-structed successfully.The recombinant protein with the relative molecular mass of 48 kD was efficiently expressed in High Five cells and purified successfully by Ni affinity chromatography.Western blot and ELISA analysis showed that the recombinant protein could be spe -cifically recognized by the monoclonal antibody to SARS-CoV N protein and immune serum from rabbits ,respectively.The recombinant protein can specifically reacted with serum from SARS patients ,not with serum from healthy persons and patients infected with hCoV-229 E and hCoV-OC43.Conclusion: SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein has been expressed successfully in the Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression System ,and obtained good antigenicity.It is preliminary deemed that it can't reacted with serum from patients infected with hCoV-229E and hCoV-OC43.

Based on the investigation of a hospital's grants during 2004-2005 and the authorized during 2002-2005 (385 in total), we tried to find the trends and bias of clinical sciences at present. We analysed on the types of grants (clinical or basic), research objects, experimental methods, discipline involved, modes of cooperation, and background of applicants. A close connection between research and clinical trial, interdisciplinary study, patient-centered practice and international competitions are becoming more and more important. To meet the needs of clinical research, policies and devotions such as technical platforms are needed.

Objective To investigate the role of ski in proliferation of astrocytes and the molecular mechanisms in rats. Methods Astro-cytes were obtained from cerebral cortex of a three-day old rat and cultured in vitro. siRNA targeted to ski and negative control sequences were prepared. The astrocytes were divided into ski-siRNA group, siRNA negative control group and untreated control group, while the spe-cific siRNA targeting ski negative control sequences were transfected into astrocytes with Lipofectamine? RNAiMAX Reagent. The protein levels of ski, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Cyclin D1 were determined with Western blotting. The proliferation of astrocytes were measured with CCK8 assay. The cell-cycle of astrocytes were analyzed with flow cytometer. Results The protein level of ski (F=38.611, P<0.01), GFAP (F=7.547, P<0.05) and Cyclin D1 (F=3.901, P<0.05) reduced in ski-siRNA group, the proliferation of astrocyte was significantly inhibited since twelve hours after culture (F>30.507, P<0.01), and less cells were in S phase and more in G1/G0 phase (F>48.425, P<0.01), compared with the control groups. Conclusion ski knocking down by siRNA significantly inhibits the proliferation of astro-cytes, which may associate with the down-regulation of Cyclin D1 expression.

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine for its special biological activities. The content of luteoloside, one of its major compounds, was an important standard for the quantity control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. The major method used for the detection of luteoloside was instrumental analysis. Compared with the ELISA method, instrumental analysis was time-consuming, complex pretreatment and low-throughout. Thus, it was significantly important to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for luteoloside analysis. Here, the conjugates of luteoloside-bovine (LG-BSA) and luteoloside-ovalbumin (LG-OVA) were produced as the immunogen and coating antigen by the carbodiimide ( CDI) method, respectively. The conjugation ratio of carrier protein and the hapten in the conjugate were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV). LG-BSA conjugate was used to immunize Bal b/c mice to produce antiserum. The titer and specificity of antiserum were detected by ELISA. The conjugation ratio of hapten and carries protein were 3. 7: 1 (LG-BSA) and 1. 0: 1 (LG-OVA). The antiserum titer was higher than 2 000 with the linear range of 18.4-4 852.4 μg x L(-1), R2 = 0.988 4 and IC50 = 298.7 μg x L(-1). The result showed that the conjugate antigen LG-BSA was synthesized successfully and the mice can produce specific antiserum injected with artificial antigen.
Animals ; Antibodies ; analysis ; immunology ; Antigens ; chemistry ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Immunization ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of the resection of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. Methods Thirty-one patients underwent Bryan cervical disc implantation only in one level from August 2006 to January 2009 were investigated in this study. Cervical PLL was preserved in 14 patients, but not in other 17 patients. The clinical (JOA score,VAS score for neck and arm pain) and radiographic parameters (the FSU angle, ROM and diameter of the spinal cord) were compared between the two groups. Results No differences were found in terms of age, affected segment, gender, follow-up period, operation time and blood loss between the two groups. Patients underwent removal of cervical PLL were significantly superior to those underwent reservation of cervical PLL in term of clinical outcomes. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to the increase of FSU angle and ROM. However, the diameter of the spinal cord had a significant increase in patients underwent removal of cervical PLL. No severe complication was found in the two groups. Conclusion Removal of the cervical PLL is beneficial for the clinical outcomes and does not have an impact on the angle and ROM of the affected segment. The procedure is safe and feasible.