OBJECTIVE To develop an HPLC method for determination of main components in prepared rhubarb decoction and investigate its effects on rats with noxious heat blood stasis syndrome.METHODS The analysis was performed on a Hy-persil GOLD C18column with the mobile phase of 0.1％phosphoric acid solution(A)-acetonitrile(B).The detection wave-length was set at 254 nm and the column temperature was 30 ℃.The method was validated and the samples were determined under this condition.The abdominal aortic blood of rats with noxious heat blood stasis syndrome was collected and tested to obtain the hemorheological parameters.Also,the TXB2and 6-keto-PGF1αlevels in rats plasma were measured.RESULTS The developed HPLC method showed good linearity within certain concentration ranges.And the precision,repeatability,sta-bility and recovery all met the requirements.Compared with rats in model group,the whole blood viscosity at four shear rates(P<0.05),plasma viscosity(P<0.01)and the level of plasma fibrinogen content(P<0.01)in the high dose group were sig-nificantly decreased after doing,and the TT(P<0.01)and PT(P<0.01)values were significantly prolonged.Furthermore,the levels of TXB2(decreased,P<0.05)and 6-keto-PGF1α(increased,P<0.05)were significantly changed,and their ratio was corrected to be normal.CONCLUSION The method was simple,accurate and reliable,which could be used for quality control of prepared rhubarb decoction.Prepared rhubarb could improve vascular endothelial function by modifying blood rheol-ogy,promoting the secretion of PGI2,reducing the generation of TXA2and recovering the balance of TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α.

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of nephron damaged by chemotherapy and to evaluate the effect of Baoshen Mixture (, BSM) in protecting and treating damaged nephrons.

METHODSFour hundred tumor patients with normal renal function and ready to receive chemotherapy were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received one cycle of chemotherapy program of 28-30 days with conventional hydratization, alkalization and chloridization. To the 200 cases in the treated group BSM was given orally thrice a day, 150 mL every time for 15 successive days and the other 200 cases in the control group were treated by chemotherapy alone. The clinical efficacy was compared after treatment, and the changed condition of damaged nephrons were monitored dynamically and compared at different time points (the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day after chemotherapy) by measuring the micro-globulin beta(2) (beta(2)-MG), albumin (Alb) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in urine with radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTS(1) The effective rates in the treated group at the 4 time points of observation were all higher than those in the control group respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01); (2) Less occurrence of abnormal beta(2)-M, Alb and IgG levels on the 14th and 21st day in the treated group took place compared to that in the control group (P<0.01); (3) Urinary levels of beta(2)-MG, Alb and IgG reached the peak on the 7th day in both groups, and then, they came down gradually and returned to the normal level on the 21st day. However, comparison between the two groups showed that all the three parameters in the treated group on day 3, 14 and 21 were lower than the respective one at the corresponding time points in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe chemotherapy damage on nephron is regular in time, and reversible when treated suitably. TCM shows a marked effect in protecting and treating the damage on nephron caused by chemotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Albuminuria ; prevention & control ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrons ; drug effects ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

Objective To observe the effect of Ti-6AL-4V particles on morphological and func- tional changes of osteoclast in vitro.Methods Mature osteoclasts separated from New Zealand Rabbits were cultured on glass slices and cortical bone slices.The experimental group was stimulated by Ti-6AL- 4V particles at concentration of 0.1 mg/ml.The cells were stained with TRAP at different culture time to observe the morphological variety.The bone resorption pits on bone slices were stained by toluidine blue and the resorption areas analyzed by computer image analysis software.Results Osteoclasts phagocy- tosed the particles,with irregular shapes,deeper TRAP stain and earlier apoptosis.Stimulation by Ti- 6AL-4V particles brought about larger area of bone absorption lacuna.Conclusion Osteoclasts have the ability to phagocytose Ti-6AL-4V particles,which leads to morphological and functional changes and enhances bone resorption.

Abstract: Objective　This paper aims to explore the effect of live attenuated varicella vaccine on the sensitivity of tuberculin skin test(TST), and to provide reference for tuberculin skin test in the future. Methods　TST and emergency varicella vaccine were administered to students in grade one of a high school in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, who had both TB and varicella cases. Independent-samples t test was used to analyze the mean diameter of induration of TST in day 0, day 83 and day 195. The retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the effect of live attenuated varicella vaccine on TST. 　　Results　The mean induration diameter of 45 students who participated in three TST tests on day 0, day 83 and day 195 were analyzed by independent sample t test. On day 0, there was a difference in the mean diameter of TST induration between the unvaccinated and vaccinated groups(1.630±2.837 vs 5.818±4.530) (t=-3.692, P=0.001). On day 83, there was no difference in the mean diameter of TST induration between the two groups(0.001±0.001 vs 0.114±0.533) (t=-1.000, P=0.329). On day 195, there was a difference in the mean diameter of TST induration between the two groups(1.913±3.774 vs 5.023±5.126) (t=-2.309, P=0.026). Moreover, the retrospective cohort study showed that the mean diameter of TST induration changed more significantly after inoculation with varicella vaccine, RR=6.071, 95%CI (1.667-22.116), P<0.05; After inoculation with varicella vaccine, the mean diameter of TST test did not change significantly from day 0 to day 195 with no statistical significance RR=3.474, 95%CI (0.333-36.240), P>0.05. Conclusions　Live attenuated varicella vaccine may temporarily affect the sensitivity of tuberculin skin test.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually takes many years from preclinical phase to prodromal phase characterized by mild symptoms before the onset of dementia. Once diagnosed with AD, the brain is already severely damaged and the disease will process quickly to the most severe stages since there is no medications that reverse the neuronal injuries in the brain. Thus, simple, inexpensive, and widely available methods for detecting potential AD patients during their preclinical phases are urgently needed. In such case, olfactory testing may offer a chance for early diagnosis of AD. However, there are limitations in these olfactory tests due to the complexity of the brain areas it extends to and the frequently olfactory fatigue occurred in the behavioral olfactory tests. Great efforts have been done epidemiologically to investigate the correlation between olfactory functions and possibility of developing AD. Different patterns of olfactory dysfunction have been found in AD at early stages and even mild cognitive impairment (MIC), but the cause of the dysfunction remained unclear. Various kinds of AD animal models have been used in the field to clarify the existence of olfactory dysfunctions and thus study the underling mechanism of the dysfunction. In this review we discuss (1) the function of Tau physiologically and pathologically; (2) the genetic background and biological characteristics of the most commonly used Tau transgenic mice; (3) the structural and molecule basis of olfaction; (4) the possible relationship between Tau pathology and olfactory dysfunction. Finally, we suggest that the tau transgenic mouse models may be helpful in studying the possible mechanisms of the dysfunction.
Alzheimer Disease ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Olfaction Disorders ; physiopathology ; tau Proteins

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dopamin receptors-2 (DR2) on myocardial ischemic postconditioning and explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe myocardial ischemic postconditioning (PC) model was established in cultured primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes which were then randomly assigned in the following groups: Nomial control group, Isehemia/reperfusion (L'R) group, PC (ischemic postconditioning) group, PC + Bro (Bromocriptine, a DB2 antagonist) group, PC + Hal (Haloperidol, a DB2 repressor) and PC + Hal + Bro groups. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cell medium were analyzed by colorunetry. The cell ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using flowcytometiy. The protein expression level of D112 and activity of p-p38 and p-JNK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the nonnal control group, hR increased the protein expression level of DB2, enhanced LDH activity and MDA content, promoted cell injury and apoptosis, decreased SOD activity, up-regulated the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Compared with the hR group, although PC further increased the expression of DR2 protein, it decreased LDH activity and MDA content, cell injury and apoptosis, increased SOD activity, down-regulated activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Bromocriptine treatment further enhanced PC-induced canlioprotective effect, yet Hal addition attenuated this enhancing effect exerted by bromocriptine.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of DB2 is involved in the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulating the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; physiology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the effective of weight loss on blood glucose,lipid profile,and blood pressure in over-weight or obesity patients combined with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT).Methods Body weight of 91 over-weight or obesity IGT patients were managed by doctors and nurses.Body weight,waist circumference,blood glucose,lipid profile,blood pressure and liver function of the patients were compared at 3 months with baseline.Results After 3 months' intervention,the levels of body weight,waist circumference,fasting plasma glucose,postprandial glucose,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and glutamie oxalacetie transaminase (COT),instead of triglyeeride and hish-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),were significantly reduced.Over weight or obesity IGT patients saw a 1.8 and 2.3 kg body weight loss,respectively.Decreased plasma glucose and blood pressure were found both in the over-weight group and in the obesity groups,but decreased waist circumference and GOT were found only in the over-weight patients.Conclusions Body-weight control may improve the blood glucose,blood pressure,central obesity,or fatty liver in over weight or obesity IGT patients.For those obesity patients,longer and stronger body weight control should be needed.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical value of ultrasound elastography in assessment of sternocleidomastoid fibrosis in patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma . Methods Forty‐five patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy ( study group) and 52 healthy volunteers ( control group ) underwent ultrasound elastography . Bilateral sternocleidomastoid elasticity score , thickness , width , resistance index ( RI ) , and pulsatility index ( PI ) were analyzed and compared . Results The sternocleidomastoid elastography in study group was mainly blue ,and that in control group was mainly green . The difference of sternocleidomastoid elasticity score ,width ,and thickness was significant between study group and control group ( P <0 .05) ,reseparately . There was no significiant difference in the RI ,PI between study group and control group ( P > 0 .05) . Conclusions Ultrasound elastography could be effectively and noninvasively used for evaluating the sternocleidomastoid fibrosis in patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma . It has a potential clinical value in the grading and classification of fibrosis .

Objective To develop a method of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) for detection of translocation ETS leukemia-acute myeloid leukemia 1(TEL-AML1) fusion gene in children with acute lymphoblast leukemia(ALL),and explore its clinical application in minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring.Methods By reverse transcription and RQ-PCR,a quantifying of TEL-AML1 fusion gene was developed,and the expression levels of TEL-AML1 were detected in bone marrow (BM) samples obtained from 24 children with ALL at diagnosis and at the end of induction of remission,as well as at a series of follow-up. Moreover,the results of MRD detection by RQ-PCR were compared with that of detection by routine morphological examine of BM and cells differentiation mark analysis by flow cytometer(FCM),to evaluate the sensitivity of RQ-PCR in MRD monitoring. Results A method of RQ-PCR targeted at TEL-AML1 fusion gene was established. In 11 BM samples,which collected from TEL-AML1 positive children at the end of induction therapy and all of them achieved completely remission (CR) by routine morphological examine,5 samples were found to be MRD positive by RQ-PCR,positive ratio was 45%. There were 15 BM samples collected in maintenance therapy period,and all these samples were CR by routine morphological examine. However,by RQ-PCR,3 out of 15 samples were found to be MRD positive during maintenance therapy period. After intense and maintenance therapy,the MRD levels of the 3 children were declined to negative. In a recrudescent child,the expression of TEL-AML1 fusion gene was rose by a magnitude of 103 copies before relapse,and after induction therapy once again the patient was completely relaxed.Conclusions RQ-PCR targeted at TEL-AML1 has a higher sensitivity than conventional morphologic way and FCM. RQ-PCR can be used in the quantitative detection of MRD,and provide gist for early prognosticating a relapse and instructing clinical therapy.

Objective To study morphological changes of rabbit artery endothelial cell injury and atherosclerosis caused by high fluoride and the role of selenium. Methods Twenty healthy male New Zealand white rabbits, body weight (2.0 ± 0.5)kg, were randomly divided into control group(drinking deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), selenium group(drinking selenium 1 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride plus selenium group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, selenium 1 mg/L of deionized water, fed basic diet). The experimental period was 6 months. At 0, 3, 6 months of the experiment, serum fluorine and selenium levels were determined. At the end of the experiment,thoracic aorta was collected to observe its pathology and ultrastructural changes. Results Serum fluoride was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment(all P ＜ 0.01 ) in fluoride group[ (0.589 ± 0.146),(0.772 ± 0.175)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.502 ± 0.094), (0.693 ± 0.158)mg/L] than in control group[ (0.174 ± 0.002), (0.208 ± 0.031 )mg/L] and serum fluoride was significantly higher at 6 months than at 3 months(P ＜ 0.05 ) in fluoride group. Serum selenium was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment (all P ＜ 0.01 ) in selenium group[ (0.252 ± 0.022), (0.319 ± 0.052)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.239 ±0.016), (0.294 ± 0.018)mg/L] than in control group[(0.135 ± 0.014), (0.167 ± 0.019)mg/L], and serum selenium was significantly higher at the 6th month than at 3rd month of experiment in selenium group(P ＜ 0.05). Endothelial cell apoptosis indices were (4.92 ± 1.32)%, (30.30 ± 6.80)%, (6.57 ± 2.14)% and (14.29 ± 2.99)%, respectively in control group, fluoride group, selenium group and fluoride plus selenium group. Their main effect of fluorine and selenium was statistically significant (F = 106.833,20.082, all P ＜ 0.01 ). There were antagonistic effect between fluoride and selenium(F = 30.402, P ＜ 0.01 ). Pathological changes of rabbit aortic endothelial cells in fluoride group included endothelial with attached fibrin and red blood cells, and structural of the cells changed, with serious vascular injury; in fluoride plus selenium group apoptosis of endothelial cells decreased, with reduced number of attached red blood cells and fibrin, endothelial cell structure normal, the extent and scope of vascular damage significantly reduced. Conclusions Appropriate amount of selenium inhibits the apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by high fluoride, reduces aortic structural damage caused by high fluoride, and maintains the integrity of endothelial cells, thereby antagonizes the vascular damage and atherosclerosis induced by high fluoride.