OBJECTIVE: To research the content of alkaloids and polysaccharides in different varieties of Aconitum carmichaeli. METHODS: The contents of total alkaloids, diester diterpenoid alkaloids and polysaccharides were measured by acid dye colorimetry, HPLC and sulphuric acid-anthrone colorimetric method respectively. RESULTS: In different varieties, the differences of total alkaloids and diester diterpenoid alkaloids were significant. However, the difference of polysaccharides wasn’t significant. The content of total alkaloids and diester diterpenoid alkaloids in processed A. carmichaeli reduced significantly while the content of polysaccharides increased slightly. CONCLUSION: The results of study could provide a scientific basis for rational breeding of A. carmichaeli.

Objective To develop an approach for a rapid extraction of genomic DNA fragments from serum.Methods Serum specimen from human was processed using high temperature denaturation and was centrifuged, then using various primer sets to amplify the DNA fragment extracted, so as to verify the efficiency of this DNA extraction method.Results The templates preparing from this DNA extraction method were able to guarantee the amplification of fragments shorter than 400 base pairs.Conclusion This method is simple, rapid and inexpensive.These genomic DNA fragment extracted can be utilized to amplify definite DNA template for polymerase chain reaction.

ObjectiveTo evaluate left ventricular systolic synchrony in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) by speckle tracking imaging (STI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and investigate the correlation with ECG-gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (GMPS).MethodsA total of thirteen patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography underwent STI and RT-3DE examinations.The data was analysed off-line using Qlab 8.0 software.STI systolic synchrony indexes included the standard deviation of times to peak strain in radial and circumferial direction in 12 left ventricular segments (Trs12-SD and Tcs12-SD),the standard deviation of times to peak longitudinal strain in 16 left ventricular segments (Tls16-SD).RT-3DE systolic synchrony indexes included the standard deviation of times to the minimum systolic volume in 16 and 12 left ventricular segments (Tmsv16-SD and Tmsv12-SD).GMPS was performed within one week before or after echocardiography.Phase analysis was performed offline using Emory Cardiac Toolbox software.Peak phase,phase SD,bandwidth,skewness and kurtosis were calculated.Results Trs12-SD derived from STI had a positive correlation with phase SD and bandwidth ( r =0.800,P ＜0.05 ; r =0.607,P ＜0.05).Tmsv16-SD derived from RT-3DE had a better positive correlation with phase SD and bandwidth ( r =0.847,P =0.001 ; r =0.890,P ＜0.001).ConclusionsTmsv16-SD derived from RT-3DE had a better correlation with GMPS parameters than STI parameters.RT-3DE assessment of left ventricular systolic parameters is expected to become the ideal synchronization indicator.

To study the drug-drug interaction of morinidazole and warfarin and its application, a sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of R-warfarin/S-warfarin in human plasma. In a random, two-period crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of 5 mg racemic warfarin in the absence and presence of morinidazole. Blood samples were collected according to a pre-designed time schedule. R-warfarin, S-warfarin and methyclothiazide were extracted with ethylether : methylenechloride (3 : 2), then separated on a Astec Chirobiotic V (150 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) column using 5 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (pH 4.0) - acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.5 mL x min(-1). The mobile phase was splitted and 0.5 mL x min(-1) was introduced into MS. A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as detector and operated in the negative ion mode. Quantification was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The resolution of warfarin enantiomers is 1.56. The linear calibration curves for R-warfarin and S-warfarin both were obtained in the concentration range of 5 - 1 000 ng x mL(-1). Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) for R-warfarin and S-warfarin over the entire concentration range across three validation runs was both less than 10%, and relative error (RE) ranged from -4.9% to 0.7%, separately. The method herein described is effective and convenient, and suitable for the study of metabolic interaction between morinidazole and warfarin. The results showed that coadministration of warfarin with morinidazole did not affect the pharmacokinetics of either R-warfarin or S-warfarin.

Objective To investigate therapeutic effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on hepatic fibrosis of rats induced by carbon tewachloridean. Methods Rat models of hepatic fibrosis were founded by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. Salvia miltiorrhiza were given to these rats. Normal group and control group were set for comparison at the same time. Serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN, and PC-Ⅲ were detected; HE and Masson staining were conducted in hepatic tissues to observe pathological variations. Results Salvia miltiorrhiza could decrease serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN,PC-Ⅲ obviously (P ＜0.01), compared with the control group; Salvia miltiorrhiza could obviously improve pathological variations compared with the control group. Conclusion Salvia miltiorrhiza has therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis of rats

Objective To explore the changes of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged female Long-Evans rat. Methods The hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of 5 young (6-month old), 5 middle-aged (18-month old) and 6 aged (28-month old) female Long-Evans rats were quantitatively investigated with the stereological techniques and transmission electronic microscope technique. Results There were no significant changes in the volume of hippocampal formation, the volume density, the total volume, the length density and the mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation among young, middle-aged and aged rats. When compared to that of young rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats was significantly increased by 63.6%. When compared to that of middle-aged rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged rats was significantly decreased by 47.5%. When compared to that of young rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged rats was non-significantly decreased by 13.8%. Conclusion Although the reason why the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats was longer than that of young rats needs further investigations, the present results together with our previous findings in white matter and cortex further suggest that there are age-related changes of the myelinated nerve fibers in the normal aged brains.

Objective To investigate the shape and function of right ventricles in patients received heart transplantation(HT). Methods Sixty healthy volunteers(control group) and 31 HT patients(HT group) were enrolled, and the HT group was further divided into the nonrejected(HTn) group and the rejected(HTp) group based on the endomyocardial biopsy(EMB) results. All the participants received routine echocardiography. Single beat real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (sRT-3DE) was performed in all to evaluate parameters concerning modality and systolic function of participants' right ventricles. Results 1) Right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were significantly different among the groups[RVSV: control group vs HTn group vs HTp group was (56.18 ± 23.72)ml vs (36.08 ± 10.94)ml vs (26.22 ± 9.84)ml, P ＜0.0001; RVEF:control group vs HTn group vs HTp group was (62.09± 7.18)% vs (51.04 ± 7.58) vs (35.86 ± 9.86)%, P ＜0.00001＝.2＝ When taking the influence of rejection into consideration,RVEF was proved to be a stable and sensitive indicator. Conclusions sRT-3DE can quickly assess shape and systolic function of right ventricle.RVEF was the most stableand sensitive among all the RV-related indicators and is a promising indicator in the clinic follow-up of HT patients.

Objective To examine supine fulcrum pressurized radiograph to predict spinal flexibility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods 1. Empirical study: put two points (A and B) on one side of the plastic stick and one point on the other side ( C), pressurize on the plastic stick when point C is in the middle of A and B, and then measure the projection shifting of point A. Repeat the pressure test when the distance between A and C doubled. Analyze the effect of increasing distance on diminishing pressure. 2.Clinical study :45 patients ( 16 males and 29 females) underwent standing anteroposterior radiograph ,fulcrum lateral flexion radiograph, supine lateral flexion radiograph. The Cobb's angles were measured and the flexibility ratio was determined on preoperative fulcrum radiograph. Results (1) If the length of A and C was 25 cm, pressurize on point C, when pressure quantitative scale number located 1 scale and 2 scale of the rule, projection shifting of point A were 5 cm and 10 cm. If the length of A and C was 50 cm, pressurize on point C, when pressure quantitative scale number located 1 scale and 2 scale of the rule, projection shifting of point A were 8 cm and 15 cm. The longer the distance, the lesser the pressure force of plastics stick. (2)The Cobb angles and curve flexibility provided by fulcrum lateral flexion radiograph had significant difference from that provided by supine lateral flexion radiograph in male group and female group. Cobb angles of male group was 28. 6°± 4. 1 °, 16. 7°± 4. 6° respectively (t= 7. 438, P ＜ 0. 01 )and curve flexibility was 47. 6% ±8. 1% ,69. 4% ± 8. 5% respectively( t = 7. 438, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Cobb angles of female group was 24.5°± 2. 7°,12. 6°±2. 4° respectively(t = 17. 540,P ＜0. 01 )and curve flexibility was 53.4% ±5.2% ,76. 0% ±4. 7% respectively(t = 17. 54, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The flexibility of spinal main curve of female patients was obviously higher than male patients. Conclusions Supine fulcrum pressurized technique can make up for the insufficiency of supine lateral flexion technique, and provide a convenient, safe, precise and useful method for evaluation of spinal flexibility in AIS.

ObjectiveTo examine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms in inflammation-related genes are associated with the risk of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).MethodsThe study recruited 116 aMCI patients and 93 matched healthy controls.All subjects underwent extensive assessment of cognitive function,genotyping was carried out on the platform of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.Results ( 1 ) There was prominent discrepancy between aMCI and controls in the memory,attention and executive functions,20 minutes delayed recall of auditory verbal memory test (AVMT) (3.0(0.0 ～ 10.0 ),8.0 (0.0 ～ 12.0),t =- 8.533,P ＜ 0.05 ),recall of Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test ( R-O CFT) (11.2 ±8.3,16.1 ±8.0,t=4.216,P＜0.05),digit span test (DST) (12.0(7.0 ～ 19.0),13.0(7.0 ～20.0),Z=-2.516,P＜0.05),trail making test A (TMTA) (80.0s(35.0 ～200.0)s,72.0s(29.0 ～512.0)s,Z=-3.113,P＜0.05),trail making test B (TMTB) ((180.1 ±72.7)s,(141,7 ±52.1)s,t=-4.385,P＜0.05 ).(2) No significant differences were found in frequencies of alleles,genotypes and hapolotypes of inflammation mediator genes ( interleukin 10,interleukin 1 A,interleukin 1 B,tumor necrosis factor,interleukin 6,α1- an-tichymotrypsin gene,transforming growth factor B1 ) between aMCI and controls (P ＞ 0.05 ).ConclusionThe results indicate that polymorphisms in the inflammation-related candidate genes do not appear to be involved in the risk of developing aMCI.

Objective To investigate the relationship between amnestic mild cognitive impairment and functional genes associated with hyperphosphorylated tau protein.Methods One hundred and sixteen amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients and 93 normal controls were recruited for the study.Multi-dimension neuropsychologic tests were used to assess the cognitive function extensively.MassARRAY and iPlex systems were used to measure candidate SNP polymorphisms,analyze genotypic,allelic or haplotypic distributions and their interaction with ApoE ε4 and the correlation with the cognitive function in the subjects.Results ( 1 ) The scores of neuropsychologic tests in memory domain ( Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT)-first immediate recall,AVLT-second immediate recall,AVLT-second immediate recall,AVLT-5 minute delayed recall,AVLT-20 minute delayed recall,AVLT-recognition,Rey-Osterrich Comolex Test-delay) in aMCI patients ( 3.0 ( 0-7.0 ),5.0 ( 1.0-10.0),6.0 ( 1.0-11.0 ),4.0 (0-11.0),3.0(0-10.0),20.0(8.0-24.0),11.2 ±8.3) were significantly lower than those in the normal controls(4.0(0-9.0),7.0(2.0-11.0),9.0(3.0-12.0),8.0(0-12.0),8.0(0-12.0),22.0 (10.0-24.0),16.1±8.0) (Z=-3.592,-6.802,-6.408,-8.173,-8.533,-5.647 andt=4.216 respectively,all P ＜0.01 ) ; (2) Genotypic distributions of rs242562 GG in aMCI (7.826％ ) were significantly lower than those in normal controls (20.65％,OR =0.3525,95％ CI 0.1411-0.8807,P =0.024 98),however there were no differences in the genotypic,allelic or haplotypic distributions between aMCI patients and controls of glycogen synthase kinase-3β,cyclin dependent protein kinase-5,calcium and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-Ⅱ,cell division cycle 2,dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6; (3) MAPT/STH rs242562 genotype was correlated with AVLT-immediate recall,AVLT-delayed recall,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Test,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Test-delayed recall and Clock Drawing Test (H =9.763,12.258,10.508,9.624,10.767,F =3.700,3.123 and H =6.591 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05 ) ; (4) There were no differences in the distributions of MAPT/STH rs242562 GG genotype and ApoE ε4 haplotype between aMCI patients and normal controls.Conclusions MAPT/STH rs242562 GG genotype decreases the genetic risk of aMCI,which might have important role in memory function in aMCI.The interaction between rs242562 GG and ApoE ε4 doesn' t affect the susceptibility to aMCI.