Gentianae Urnulae Herba, dried whole herb of Gentiana urnula,is a commonly used Tibetan medicine. However, only the character identification is used as quality control standard officially at present. As a part of project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of this species was established in this study. The tests of water content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of the crude drugs were carried out following the methods recorded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1). The TLC identification method was established by using gentiournoside A as reference substance, and a mixture of ethyl acetate-methanol-water-formic acid(7:1. 5:1: 0. 2) as the developing solvent system on silica gel G TLC plate. The content of gentiournoside A was assayed by HPLC on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm,5 μm) column, using acetonitrile-water (0.1% phosphoric acid) (26:74) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature is at 30 degrees C and the detection wavelength is at 240 nm. As a result, gentiournoside A and the other constituents were separated and presented the same fluorescence light comparing with the reference substance on TLC detected under the UV light(366 nm). The methodology validation for the assay of gentiournoside A showed that it was in a good linear correlation in the range of 0.009 95-0.398 g x L(-1) with the regression equation of Y = 1 467.1X +41.407(r = 0.999 9), and the average recovery was 98. 3% (RSD 2.2%). The mass fractions of gentiournoside A, water content, ethanol-soluble extractives of 15 batches samples were varied in the ranges of 0.175% -1.83%, 8.60% - 9.93% and 29.2% - 35.2%, respectively. Total ash and acid-insoluble ash were 10.2% - 17.2% and 5.26% - 10.8% detected from 10 batches samples. The recommended standards of quantitative indexes are that the mass fractions of gentiournoside A and extractives are not less than 0.80% and 26.0%, respectively; the water, total ash and acid-insoluble ash are not more than 12.0%, 15.0% and 8.0%, respectively.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control

At present, cancer is still one of the most serious threats to human health. Despite the wide application of multiple cancer therapies in clinical practice, the therapeutic effects of most cancers are still far from satisfactory. In recent years, the discovery of regulated cell death may be a good first step on the road to treat cancer. Ferroptosis is triggered by lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in cell membrane catalyzed by iron ion. It has been widely concerned as an emerging target for cancer therapy. With the booming of biomedical nanotechnology, ferroptosis as an emerging therapeutic target has attracted extensive attention. Here, we review the advance on the intersection of ferroptosis and biomedical nanotechnology. First, the research background of ferroptosis and nano-preparation as well as the feasibility of ferroptosis-based nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDS) for cancer treatment are presented and analyzed. Then, the strategies for inducing ferroptosis based on nano-DDS are summarized, mainly including: the promotion of Fenton reaction, the inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) and the restriction of the cysteine-glutamate exchange transporter (system Xc^-). Furthermore, the combination therapy strategies based on biomedical nanotechnology induced ferroptosis are also discussed. Finally, we shine the spotlight on the prospects and challenges of ferroptosis-based nanotherapeutics in clinical application.

Objective To summarize the experiences in using Bio-Gide and Bio-Oss for guided bone regener- ation in dental implantation.Methods In 28 cases of bone deficiency,Bio-Gide membranes were applied to cover alveolar defects filled with the Bio-Oss bone powder.In postoperative periodic follow-.up,the bone regeneration effect was observed by successive clinical and X-ray examination.Results 38 implants were inserted in the 28 patients and Bio-Gide membranes were used in the sites of the 38 implants.Alveolar bone defects were filled with new bone in 27 patients,1 implant loosed because of inflammation.37 implants had ideal osseointegration at stageⅡsurgery and were prosthetic rcconstructed successfully.No implant loosed during the observed period of 15 months to 4 years. Conclusion Bio-Gide and Bio-Oss have ideal effect of guided bone regeneration in dental implantation.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiphasic Screening ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Rural Population ; Spouses ; Young Adult ; beta-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factor of Ofloxacin resistance among the tuberculosis patients in Shanghai.Methods Totally 447 isolates resistant to anyone of first-line drug (Isoniazid,Rifampicin,Streptomycin and Ethambutol) and 151 randomly selected isolates susceptible to all above drugs were collected from district tuberculosis(TB) hospitals in Shanghai during 2009 to 2010.All 598 isolates were subject to Ofloxacin sensitive test.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine risk factors of Ofloxacin resistance.DNA sequencing was applied to study the mutation characteristics in gyrA and gyrB among Ofloxacin resistant isolates.Results Seventy-two(16.1%) of the 447 drug-resistant isolates were found resistant to Ofloxacin,and the Ofloxacin resistant rate among multiple drug-resistant (MDR) isolates was 39.6%(44/111).Ofloxacin resistance was also found in 4(2.6%) of the 151 drug sensitive isolates.Logistic regression analysis showed that first-line drug-resistance MDR(resistant to at least rifampin and isoniazid) and poly-drug resistance(resistance to two or more first-line drugs but not MDR) had significant effect on Ofloxacin resistance(OR = 19.5、5.6,95% CI:6.4 - 59.4、1.7 - 18.1,all P＜ 0.05);re-treatment(OR = 2.3,95 % CI:1.2 -4.0,P＜ 0.05),and a higher age(OR = 1.03,95 % CI:1.0 1 - 1.05,P＜ 0.05)were also significantly associated with Ofloxacin resistance.Resistance mutations in the gyrA and gyrB genes were detected in 62 of 76(81.6%) isolates with phenotypic Ofloxacin-resistance. Conclusions The Ofloxacin resistance rate in Shanghai MDR-TB patients is significantly higher than the pan-susceptible TB patients.Risk factors of ofloxacin resistance are MDR,poly-resistant,retreated patients,age.Among them,MDR has the highest strength of association.

OBJECTIVETo culture rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in vitro using a modified tissue culture method.

METHODSFifteen male rats were randomized into 3 equal groups, namely enzyme digestion group, tissue culture group, and modified tissue culture group. The penis of the rats was separated carefully and cut into small pieces, and seeded onto culture flasks and cultured in complete medium consisting of DMEM containing 20% fetal calf serum at 37 degrees C; in a humidified atmosphere with 5% carbon dioxide. The cells growth was observed under phase contrast microscope and the smooth muscle cell specific proteins alpha-SM-actin and desmin were identified immunohistochemically.

RESULTSThe alpha-SM-actin-positive cell rate was 96.3% in rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and 23.8% in the fibroblasts, and the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle contained 74.4% desmin-positive cells while the fibroblasts showed no desmin positivity. Significant difference was found in the positive cell rate for desmin among the 3 groups, with the highest positive cell rate occurred in modified tissue culture group.

CONCLUSIONDesmin may serve as a marker for identifying corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells. The modified tissue culture method can result in highly purified corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells with intact structure and functions.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Cell Proliferation ; Desmin ; analysis ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; cytology ; Penis ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method for culturing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMs) derived from diabetic rats with erectile dysfunction (ED) for the study of ED caused by diabetes.

METHODSCCSMs were isolated from the corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats with ED and cultured using a modified method of adherent tissue culture. The cultured cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and the cell morphology and proliferation were observed.

RESULTSThe primary culture of CCSM was performed successfully, and the cells were seen to migrate from the small tissue pieces 3 days later, reaching nearly confluence in 16-18 days. A typical "hill-valley" growth pattern was noted in the cell passaging. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SM-actin) and desmin yielded positive results in the cells.

CONCLUSIONThe modified method for adherent tissue culture is convenient and reliable in establishing the in vitro cell culture model of CCSMs from diabetic rats with ED, and the cultured CCSMs display a faster proliferation than normal CCSMs. No obvious differences in the cell morphology can be found between diabetic and normal CCSMs under light microscope.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; physiology ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery combined with ureteroscopic lithotomy through the pelvis for treatment of renal and ureteral calculi.

METHODSIn February 2010, 2 patients with renal and ureteral calculi underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery combined with ureteroscopic lithotomy through the pelvis.

RESULTSThe operation time in these two cases was 70 and 80 min, and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was about 20 ml. The exposure was excellent, and the patient recovered rapidly without complications or residual calculi.

CONCLUSIONRetroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery combined with ureteroscopic lithotomy through the pelvis is feasible for treatment of renal and ureteral calculi.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; complications ; surgery ; Kidney Pelvis ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Calculi ; complications ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of gene expression profiles associated with erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats.

METHODSAffymetrix Gene Chip arrays from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used to examine the alterations in the gene expression profiles between streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and littermate controls, and the data were analyzed with GeneSifter microarray analysis software.

RESULTSA total of 661 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 280 up-regulated and 381 down-regulated ones. Among the differentially expressed genes, kruppel-like factor 5 (klf5) was upregulated by 4.01 folds and ceruloplasmin(cp) by 5.14 folds; collagen, type XI, alpha1 was down-regulated by 5.84 folds and collagen, type I, alpha1 by 5.77 folds. The 661 differentially expressed genes involved such functional processes as glycoprotein biosynthesis, collagen fibril organization, angiogenesis in wound healing, triglyceride metabolism, cell proliferation and other important biological processes, and some pathways also involved such as fatty acid metabolism, neurodegenerative disorders, and ECM-receptor interactions.

CONCLUSIONSome genes such as klf5, cp, and collagen play important roles in the pathophysiology of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction. Bioinformatic approaches offer a new means for identifying candidate genes and pathways relevant to the pathophysiology of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction, highlighting also the potential complexity of this disorder.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; genetics ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia in the rural people of reproductive age in Nanning, and to analyze the characteristics of hematologic parameter in thalassemia carriers.

METHODS2044 cases of productive age youths were detected with hemoglobin autoanalyse-Variant (HPLC) and Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator. Among them,430 cases (75 couples randomly selected in thalassemia screening, 140 couples who were told that one or both of them were positive for thalassemia phenotype through hemocyte analysis) carried out thalassemia gene detection in synchronism.

RESULTS163 cases were detected beta-thalassemia and the thus beta-thalassemia carrier ratio was 7.97%. 13 cases were detected HbH disease, and 2 cases Hb Manitoba, 2 cases HbJ, and 1 case HbQ. As for genotypes,-alpha (3.7)/alpha,-alpha(CS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha were common ones with in alpha-thalassemia-2, --(SEA)/alphaalpha the most common one in alpha-thalassemia-1, and 41-42 were the most common ones in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes. The detection ratio of alpha,beta combination thalassemia was also relatively high. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were low in all cases of HbH disease and beta-thalassemia, also low in 86 cases of alpha-thalassemia-1 with the exception of normal MCH in 1 case, yet normal in 17 cases out of 66 cases of alpha-thalassemia-2. HbF raised in 32 cases out of 69 cases of beta-thalassemia heterozygote, no case showed raised HbF without the raise of HbA2. Hematologic characteristic of alpha, beta combination thalassemia was mainly caused by beta-thalassemia.

CONCLUSIONCarrier ratio of thalassemia in rural productive age youths in Nanning was high while alpha-thalassemia-2 with the genotype -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(CS)/ alphaalpha were common. To those with low MCV and MCH in high-risk region, thalassemia should be suspected.

Adult ; Carrier State ; China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Rural Population ; alpha-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics