Hydrophidae, one of the precious traditional Chinese medicines, is generally drily preserved to prevent corruption, but it is hard to identify the species of Hydrophidae through the appearance because of the change due to the drying process. The identification through analysis on gene barcode, a new technique in species identification, can avoid the problem. The gene barcodes of the 6 species of Hydrophidae like Lapemis hardwickii were aquired through DNA extraction and gene sequencing. These barcodes were then in sequence alignment and test the identification efficency by BLAST. Our results revealed that the barcode sequences performed high identification efficiency, and had obvious difference between intra- and inter-species. These all indicated that Cyt b DNA barcoding can confirm the Hydrophidae identification.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; China ; Cytochromes b ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Elapidae ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Reptilian Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To discuss the influence of psychological education on the resourcefulness of perioperative breast cancer patients. Methods Two hundred breast cancer patients from a first-class hospital in Fujian province were randomly assigned to the control group, in which routine care was done, and an intervention group, in which psychological education curriculum was employed at three stages on the basis of routine care. The resourcefulness scale was used in both two groups before and after the intervention to evaluate the score of individual and social resourcefulness and the total score of resourcefulness in these two groups. Results As to the control group, the score on individual resourcefulness and the total score on resourcefulness before and after the intervention had no significant differences (P>0.05), but the difference in the social resourcefulness scores before and after the intervention was statistically significant (P<0.05). The differences in the scores on the individual resourcefulness, social resourcefulness and the total score on resourcefulness in the intervention group before and after the intervention were all statistically different (P<0.001). What′s more, the scores of individual resourcefulness, social resourcefulness and the total score of resourcefulness between these two groups after the intervention were statistically different (P<0.001) as well. The scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control one. Conclusion The psychological education can significantly improve the resourcefulness level of perioperative breast cancer patients, which can help individuals to manage stress effectively.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of lymphatic malformation(LM).Methods Clinical data of 14 cases with LM were analysed and literatures were reviewed.Results ①Among the 14 cases,6 were diagnosed as primary intestinal lymphangiectasia(PIL)and 8 as primary lymphedema(PL);②The major manifestations of PIL are symmetry edema,diarrhea,lymphocytopenia,hypoproteinemia and chylopericardium.The manifestations of PL included asymmetry edema of lower limbs and respiratory symptoms;③Directed oil-contrast lymphography and isotope techniques demonstrated absence of contrast in some lymphatic segments and blockage of chylous reflux;④White opaque spots were found on the duodenal and intestinal mucosa in the endoscopy of 6 cases of PIL indicating lacteal vessels dilation.Pathological examinations revealed intestinal lymphangiectasia;⑤Six cases of 14 patients were treated with surgical therapy and 8 cases were treated with conservative therapy including medium chain triglyceride(MCT).Conclusion LM should be diagnosed on the bases of typical clinical manifestations specific laboratory findings and by lymphography and pathology.Combination of surgical therapy and conservative therapy is recommended to treat the LM patients.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric influence of dwell weight standard deviation (DWSD) and applicator displacement in cervical cancer patients treated with three-dimensional brachytherapy.Methods A total of 20 cervical cancer patients who had completed radical treatment were selected in this study.The Fletcher applicator (Nucletron#189.730) was used for these patients.A new plan,based on the former CT images and structures,was designed for each patient.In former and new plans,dwell weight was recorded,and DWSD was calculated.Two groups,low-DWSD (LDWSD,0.141-0.299) and high-DWSD (HDWSD,0.211-0.337),were set according to the DWSD size for the two plans.Dosimetric effects from ± 1 mm displacement of tandem applicator or ovoid applicator were simulated with Oncentra (R) Brachy V4.3 treatment planning system.D100,D90,and V150 for clinical target volume (CTV)and D0.1cc,D1cc,and D2cc for the bladder,rectum,and sigmoid were evaluated.Dosimetric comparisons were made between the LDWSD group and HDWSD group to study the dosimetric effects of DWSD and applicator displacement in cervical cancer patients.Results The dosimetric effects from applicator displacement increased with increasing DWSD.If there was a 1 mm displacement of tandem applicator or ovoid applicator,D100,D90,and V150 of CTV were 3.0％,23.8％,and 4.8％ higher or 0.5％,1.2％,and 5.2％ higher in the HDWSD group than in the LDWSD group;D0.1cc,D1cc,and D2cc of the bladder and rectum were significantly higher in the HDWSD group than in the LDWSD group,particularly for the sigmoid (up 44.0％,22.8％,and 16.8％) and (up 10.3％,14.4％,and 12.4％).Conclusions DWSD should be considered in plan evaluation for cervical cancer patients treated with three-dimensional brachytherapy.The dosimetric influence from applicator displacement can be decreased by reducing DWSD properly.

Referring to the rules for agricultural seed testing (GB /T 3543-1995) issued by China, the test of sampling, seed purity, weight per 1 000 seeds, seed moisture, seed viability and germination rate had been studied for screening seed quality test methods of Pesudostellaria heterophylla. The seed quality from different collection areas was measured. The results showed that at least 6.5 g seeds should be sampled and passed through 10-mesh sieve for purity analysis. The weight of 1 000 seeds was determined by using the 500-seed method. The phenotypic observation and size measurement were used for authenticity testing. The seed moisture was determined under the higher temperature (130 ± 2) degrees C for 5 hours. The seeds were dipped into 0.2% TTC sustaining 1 hour at 40 degrees C, then the viability could be determined. The break dormancy seeds were cultured on sand at 10 degrees C. K cluster analysis was applied for the data analysis, the seed quality from different collection areas grading of P. Heterophylla was described as three grades. The seed quality of each grade should reach following requirements: for first grade seeds, germination rate ≥ 86%, 1 000-grain weight ≥ 2.59 g, purity ≥ 87%, moisture ≤ 13.1%; for second grade seeds, germination rate ≥ 70%, 1 000-grain weight ≥ 2.40 g, purity ≥ 77%, moisture ≤ 14.3%; for third grade seeds, germination rate ≥ 41%, 1 000-grain weight ≥ 2.29 g, purity ≥ 76%, moisture ≤ 15.8%. The seed testing methods for quality items of P. heterophylla had been initially established, as well as the primary P. heterophylla seed quality classification standard.
Caryophyllaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Germination ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Water ; analysis

Disasters ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Relief Work

OBJECTIVETo investigate the main factors that influence the results of sperm alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), optimize the conditions, and standardize its procedures.

METHODSUsing alkaline SCGE, we detected the DNA fragments of sperm treated with different concentrations of H2O2 and determined the influences of the number of agarose gel layers, pH during DNA unwinding and electrophoresis, the time of DNA unwinding and electrophoresis, and cumulative sperm number on the results of sperm alkaline SCGE. Then we optimized the procedures, analyzed the repeatability of the optimized method, and examined 40 semen samples using the method.

RESULTSThree agarose gel layers could reduce the background. The optimal pH during DNA unwinding and electrophoresis was 10, and the best times for DNA unwinding and electrophoresis were 40 min and 30 min, respectively. Fifty sperm were adequate to ensure the reliability of the results. Based on the percentage of tail DNA, the intra- and inter-assay repeatabilities of the optimized sperm alkaline SCGE were 3.12% and 7.13%, and by the DNA damage score, they were 2.38% and 6.09%, respectively. Sperm DNA fragments were significantly increased in the infertile patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia as compared with healthy fertile males (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe optimized sperm alkaline SCGE, highly repeatable and easy to be standardized, can be applied to the clinical detection of sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men.

Asthenozoospermia ; genetics ; Comet Assay ; standards ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Oxidants ; toxicity ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Time Factors

The rising of evidence-based medicine requires high quality for clinical research and randomized controlled trial is considered as clinical research of the most level of evidence degree and contidence activity.This article illustrates several important and instructive designs of randomized controlled trials,which can give some reference for clinical research on acupuncture.And the developing direction of future clinical research on acupuncture is discussed.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of cryptotanshinone on androgen synthesis for the prenatally androgenized male rats.

METHODSOn days 16-18 of pregnancy, rats were injected s. c. with testosterone propionas continuously for 3 days; male offspring were studied as subject. Serum concentrations of testosterone (T), 17a-hydroxy progesterone (17-OHP), blood glucose, and insulin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Then, the rats were treated with cryptotanshinone by gavage for 14 days, and the levels of serum T, 17-OHP and insulin were detected and the 17a-hydroxylase protein expression in interstitial cell was measured using the method of immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThere was no difference between the male groups who were prenatally androgenized in serum levels of T, but the 17-OHP, fasting insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) elevated significantly (P < 0.05). Cryptotanshinone could lower the levels of 17-OHP (P < 0.05) but had no effect on 17a-hydroxylase.

CONCLUSIONPrenatally androgenized male rats exhibit elevated 17-OHP and diminished insulin sensitivity. Cryptotanshinone could decrease 17-OHP, but has no effect on insulin, indicating it may reduce androgen synthesis.

Androgens ; biosynthesis ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Phenanthrenes ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND:Transfusion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells may become a novel and effective biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the oncological safety of the treatment is worrisome, and is a key to determine whether mesenchymal stem cells can be widely used in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, and deserves further investigation. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem celltransfusion against inflammatory bowel disease in mouse models, and to clarify the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on tumorigenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS:Mouse model of colitis was established using Balb/c (H-2d) mice exposed to dextran sulfate sodium. Syngeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were transfused into mouse model through caudal vein. The therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells was compared and observed, and pathological remission of colitis was evaluated. Mouse model of colitis-driven colon carcinogenesis was established using Balb/c (H-2d) mice exposed to dextran sulfate sodium and azoxymethane. Tumor formation within the murine colon was compared and observed after transfusion of mesenchymal stem cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In models of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, weight loss and fecal occult blood were lessened in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cellgroup compared with the phosphate buffered saline group. Histological damage score of colitis was less in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cellgroup:mucosal structure of distal colon was almost intact under microscope, and there was smal area of epithelial defects and cryptal defects. Inflammatory cellinfiltration, proliferation of capil ary and smal vessels could be observed in mucosa and submucosa. Homing and colonization of mesenchymal stem cells in submucosa of inflamed colon could also be observed by in vivo tracing. In the dextran sulfate sodium/azoxymethane model of colitis-driven colon carcinogenesis, the number of intestinal tumors and tumor load were obviously less in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cellgroup than in the control group. Results indicated that transfusion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can apparently improve colitis lesions of mice with inflammatory bowel disease and inhibit carcinogenesis of colitis, which may provide theoretical support for the biological safety of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for inflammatory bowel disease.