Animals ; Heart ; growth & development ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

An experiment was conducted using cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis in age of one year to study the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on chemical components content and color of G. uralensis. By using different concentrations of ABA spraying on leaves, the change of the chemical component content was analyzed within 45 d after ABA stimulation, and the effects on quality were studied combined with colorimetric analysis data. It turned out that in some sense the content of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin had increased within 45 d, especially for liquiritin. After high concentrations of ABA (3.96 mg · L(-1)) stimulating, the content of glycyrrhizic acid rose 52% while liquiritin up 392% within 30 d. Then they both showed a decline in the content of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin on 45 d. Color index values of a* and b* were all significantly higher than that of the control group within 45 d, which meant the color of powders turned toward red and yellow. The conclusion was that ABA (3.96 mg · L(-1)) stimulating could not only improve the quality in the traditional sense through the color of G. uralensis, but also in the modern sense by improving the content of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin.
Abscisic Acid ; pharmacology ; Color ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology

In order to improve the interfacial bonding strength of hydroxyapatite/polyurethane implanted material and dispersion of hydroxyapatite in the polyurethane matrix, we in the present study synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composites by in situ polymerization. We then characterized and analyzed the fracture morphology, thermal stability, glass transition temperature and mechanical properties. We seeded MG63 cells on composites to evaluate the cytocompatibility of the composites. In situ polymerization could improve the interfacial bonding strength, ameliorate dispersion of hydroxyapatite in the properties of the composites. After adding 20 wt% hydroxyapatite into the polyurethane, the thermal stability was improved and the glass transition temperatures were increased. The tensile strength and maximum elongation were 6.83 MPa and 861.17%, respectively. Compared with those of pure polyurethane the tensile strength and maximum elongation increased by 236.45% and 143.30%, respectively. The composites were helpful for cell adhesion and proliferation in cultivation.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Humans ; Polymerization ; Polyurethanes ; Tensile Strength ; Transition Temperature

Objective To evaluate the expression of alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR,P504s) with immunohistochemical staining in diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. Methods A total of 133 specimens were taken from the patients (mean age,71 years),including 46 cases of prostate carcinoma (PCa) (1 case of stage A,19 cases of stage B,14 cases of stage C,12 cases of stage D;4 cases of gradeⅠ,14 cases of gradeⅡ,28 cases of grade Ⅲ),53 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH),13 cases of prostate intraepithelial tumor (PIN),9 cases of normal prostate,6 cases of prostatitis,3 cases of metastatic prostate cancer.Two sections of each specimen were made,with 1 stained by hematoxylin and eosin,and the other stained immunohistochemically by a rabbit monoclonal antibody to AMACR (P504s).AMACR staining expression was characterized as negative (score,1), weak (positive) (2), moderate (3) or strong (4). Results In 46 cases of PCa,AMACR staining expression was negative in 2 cases,weak in 1,moderate in 25 and strong in 18,with a mean staining intensity of 3.28 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.07-3.50]. In 53 cases of BPH, the staining expression was negative in 47 cases, weak in 6, with a mean intensity of 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02-1.20).In 13 cases of PIN, the staining expression was negative in 12, weak in 1, with a mean intensity of 1.08 (95% CI, 0.91-1.24).The score of PCa group was significantly different from those of the latter 2 groups (P

Objective To investigate the clinical features and distribution of G types of rotavirus diarrhea in infants and children in Suzhou and Maanshan areas.Methods 1267 stool specimens were collected from children under 5 years with acute diarrhea. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and nested polymeras chain reaction (Nested-PCR) were used to detect rotavirus and serotypes.Results In 1267 stool specimens, 378 were detected RV positive, and serotype G was the prevalent type in the two cities with number of 250 and the G3 and G1 types were the most prevalent which accounted for 40%(100/250) and 44.40 % (111/250), respectively. While the G2 ,G4, G9 types and mixed infections were 8,3,3,4 and the un-identified type was 8.40%(21/250). G1 type was the most prevalent in Maanshan are which accounted for 58.54% in all cases,while the G3 type accounted for the most of case(47.85%) in Suzhou area.Conclusions The results indicated that rotavirus was the most important etiologic agent in Maanshan and Suzhou areas,G1 and G3 were the most prevalent types,respectively. J Appl Clin Pediatr,2005,20(3):208-210

The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum is a common folk medicine in China. Now it is popular for its antioxidative effect and other medical functions. The adulterants of the herb confuse consumers. In order to identify a new adulterant of L. ruthenicum, a research was performed based on NCBI Nucleotide Database ITS Sequence, combined analysis of the origin and morphology of the adulterant to traceable varieties. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the materials, and nuclear DNA ITS sequences were amplified and sequenced; DNA fragments were collated and matched by using ContingExpress. Similarity identification of BLAST analysis was performed. Besides, the distribution of plant origin and morphology were considered to further identification and verification. Families and genera were identified by molecular identification method. The adulterant was identified as plant belonging to Berberis. Origin analysis narrowed the range of sample identification. Seven different kinds of plants in Berberis were potential sources of the sample. Adulterants variety was traced by morphological analysis. The united molecular identification-origin-morphology research proves to be a preceding way to medical herbs traceability with time-saving and economic advantages and the results showed the new adulterant of L. ruthenicum was B. kaschgarica. The main differences between B. kaschgarica and L. ruthenicum are as follows: in terms of the traits, the surface of B. kaschgarica is smooth and crispy, and that of L. ruthenicum is shrinkage, solid and hard. In microscopic characteristics, epicarp cells of B. aschgarica thickening like a string of beads, stone cells as the rectangle, and the stone cell walls of L. ruthenicum is wavy, obvious grain layer. In molecular sequences, the length of ITS sequence of B. kaschgarica is 606 bp, L. ruthenicum is 654 bp, the similarity of the two sequences is 53.32%.
Berberis ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Lycium ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

AIMTo observe protective effects of ginsenoside Rb3 on glutamate excitotoxic injury in cultured hippocampal neurons and involved mechanisms.

METHODSOn cultured rat hippocampal neurons treated with glutamate at toxic concentration, we made the following investigations: by using MTT assay, LDH leakage detection, tests of total NOS, iNOS and cNOS activity, and the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb3.

RESULTSGinsenoside Rb3 can enhance the hippocampal neuronal viability, decrease the LDH leakage, elevate the viability of cNOS, and in the same time weaken iNOS's viability.

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rb3 has the significant protective effects on glutamate excitotoxic injury. The involved mechanism may include antagonizing the injury of neuron membrane, inhibiting the viability of iNOS, and increasing the activity of cNOS.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; adverse effects ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo prepare and identify a polyclonal antibody against rat myostatin and investigate myostatin expression in the rat atrophic gastrocnemius muscle after tibial nerve crush.

METHODSThe purified fusion protein was used as antigen to immunize rabbits for the preparation of polyclonal antibody. The polyclonal antibody of the protein was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western-blot and immunochemistry. Myostatin protein expression levels in normal and atrophic gastrocnemius muscle were detected by western-blot and immunochemistry assays.

RESULTSThe GST-myostatin had a purity of 96% and possessed high titer and specificity. The level of myostatin in gastrocnemius muscle significantly increased one week after tibial nerve crush, reached the peak on day 14, and then returned to normal level on day 28.

CONCLUSIONWe have successfully made antiserum of rat myostatin and found that the expression level of myostatin protein in the gastrocnemius after tibial nerve crush-induced atrophy was time-dependent. This study provides an experimental basis to clarify the possible role of myostatin during skeletal muscle atrophy.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Immune Sera ; Immunization ; methods ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Myostatin ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; Tibial Neuropathy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Time Factors

To optimize indices of molecular identification for authentication of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, four indices, including sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree, were compared based on trnL-trnF sequences. Total DNA was extracted from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, and trL-trnF sequences were amplified and sequenced. Sequence similarity was calculated by BLAST analysis. Specific positions were compared by DNAman software. Genetic distance and phylogenetic tree were analyzed by Mega software. The results showed that the inter-specific and intra-specific similarity of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius respectively was 100% and 99. 6%. There were four specific positions at G153A, T463A, C732G and T818C. The inter-specific genetic distance (0) of trL-trnF sequences was lower than intra-specific genetic distance (0. 004). P. ginseng can be distinguished from P. quinquefolius based on the phylogenetic tree. It is concluded that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix can be authenticated by identification indices of sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree. Index of specific positions based on trnL-trnF sequences is the most efficient index to authenticate Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix.
Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; Panax ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

Objective To discuss the feasibility and short-term clinical effectiveness of DSA-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for the treatment of painful osteoblastic metastatic spinal lesions. Methods During the period from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2011 at authors’ hospital PVP was carried out in 23 patients with osteoblastic spinal metastases (34 lesions in total). Coexisting osteoblastic pathological fracture was found in twelve patients. The WHO standards, visual analogue scale (VAS) and karnofsky-KPS score were used to evaluate the therapeutic results. Results Technical success was achieved in all patients. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months. Of 20 patients who had complete clinical data, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 6, partial remission (PR) in 10, mild remission (MR) in 3 and no remission (NR) in one. The clinical effectiveness (CR+PR) was 80%. The mean VAS scores dropped from preoperative (7.0 ± 1.6) to (2.2 ± 1.9) at 24 hours after the treatment, and to (2.4 ± 2.1) and (2.5 ± 2.1) at one and three months after the treatment respectively. The mean KPS scores rose from preoperative (76.5 ± 10.4) to (86.5 ± 11.8), (88.0 ± 12.0) and (89.0 ± 10.8) at 24 hours and one, three months after the treatment respectively. Small amount leakage of PMMA was observed in 4 cases (17.4%) with no obvious clinical symptoms. Conclusion DSA-guided PVP is a feasible and effective treatment for painful osteoblastic spinal metastases. This therapy can immediately relieve pain and reinforce spine, besides, it can remarkably improve the living quality and
decrease the incidence of paraplegia.