Crystal structures of chemical drugs has been being investigated widely. But few attention has been paid to polymorphs-phenomena of active ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). Taking anhydrous dehydroandrographolide and hydrousprim-O-glucosylcimifugin as example, differences between TCM reference substances (RSs) with different crystal structures were discussed by using microscopy, melting point determination, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and infrared (IR) methods. The results showed that different crystal structures could lead to change of melting points, thermal behaviors and IR spectrum. It's indicated that polymorphs may be considered if different physicochemical properties were obtained when applying TCM RS. Differences of chemical properties of active ingredients from TCM with different crystal structures need further investigation.
Crystallization ; Differential Thermal Analysis ; methods ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Reference Standards ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; methods ; standards ; Transition Temperature

Objective To identify and rename one strain stored in National Center for Medicine Culture Collections ( CMCC) and used for tracheitis vaccine production. Methods The test strain CMCC (B)29108 and the type strain DSM30007T were cultured on NA medium. Characteristics in morphology, physiology, biochemistry and fatty acid profile were compared between the two strains. Phylogenetic analysis was based on 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences, together with the DNA-DNA hybridization assay. Results A Comparative analysis of a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the CMCC( B) 29108 strain was closed to the Acinetobacter species and showed the highest similarity with the type strain Acinetobacter baumannii DSM30007T. Moreover, the CMCC(B)29108 strain was highly similar to type strain DSM30007T in morphology, physiology, biochemistry and fatty acid profile. On the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA and rpoB gene of all Acinetobacter members, the CMCC(B)29108 strain steadily clustered into one independent branch only with the DSM30007 T strain with a DNA-DNA hybridization value of 100%. Conclusion The CMCC(B)29108 strain that is one of the strains used for the production of tracheitis vac-cine should be assigned to the species of Acinetobacter baumannii based on its phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics.

Objective To investigate the cellular immune response to the recombinant DNA vaccine CRT120/HPV6bE7 in mice. Methods The recombinant encoding HPV6bE7, linked with CRT120, was constructed in pcDNA3.1 eukaryotic vector with the report gene GFP. The pcDNA3.1-GFP -HPV6bE7 was transfected into B16 cells by a lipofectamine kit. The C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated with recombinant DNA plamids. The T-cell phenotype in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the immunized mice was measured by flow cytometry. The CTL activity of the lymphocytes from the spleens and lymph nodes, and the levels of IL-2 and IFN-? were analyzed. Results The constructed recombinant plasmid CRT120/HPV6bE7 was analyzed. Positive transfected cell clones were established and could stably express the target gene HPV6bE7. Compared with HPV6bE7, CRT120/HPV6bE7 plasmid enhanced to a greater extent CD8+ T-lymphocyte differentiation, the number of TCR?? T-lymphocytes and the levels of IL-2 and IFN-? (all P

Objective To find out the prevalence of bullying behaviors among urban middle school students in China. Methods An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among middle school students selected by multiply stage cluster random sampling in 18 provinces in China. 187 328 self- administration questionnaires were finished by students from grade 7 to 12 in urban middle school(male,86 472; female, 91 106), in which 177 578 were valid. Results Bullying was common in urban middle school students in China. Multiple bullying behavior also existed. About 66.1% of boys and 48.8% of girls suffered from one or more kinds of bullying; 8.1% of boys and 2.9% of girls suffered from four or more kinds of bullying. Boys were more likely to be bullied than girls. Malicious teasing was the most common bullying behavior(43.2%), followed by sexual bullying behavior(27.0%). In addition to malicious teasing and sexual bullying, the prevalence of other types of bullying declined when the grade was increasing. Residential students were more likely to be maliciously teased, excluded or isolated and sexual bullied than non-residential students. Students from single-parent or recomposed-families were more likely to be bullied than other students. Male and ordinary school students, students living with single or step-parents were more likely to suffer multiple bullying behaviors at the same time. Conclusion The suggesting among students was associated with personal, familiar and social factors, mobilize more social forces and comprehensive actions to be taken to prevent bullying among students.

OBJECTIVETo establish the HPLC fingerprint of anti-myocardial ischemia fraction of Corydalis yanhusuo, and to investigate its chemical constituents by LC-MS-MS.

METHODThe separation was performed at 30 degrees C on a Dikma Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) by isocratic elution with acetonitrile-water (23:77) (containing 0.8% acetic acid and 0.2% triethylamine) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), with UV detection at 335 nm.

RESULTA satisfactory fingerprint was obtained by HPLC method, 12 common peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks, and 8 among them were identified according to the chromatographic behavior and mass spectroscopic data by comparison with those of authentic standard.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, sensitive and reliable, can be used to investigate the chemical constituents of anti-myocardial ischemia fraction of C. yanhusuo and control the quality.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objective To describe the characteristics of sexual debut among college students in China to provide appropriate sex education in that population. Methods An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among 33 653 college students selected by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method in 18 provinces and cities of China. Results The percentage of students who had initiated sexual intercourse before age 14 was 1.9%. Overall, male students (2.8%) were significantly more likely to have initiated sexual intercourse before age 14, than female students (1.1%). The percentage of students who had initiated sexual intercourse from age 15 to 18 was 6.4% in males versus 2.1% in females. while the rates of students who had initiated sexual intercourse after age 19 were 6.9% in males and 2.6% in females. The first sexual intercourse was significantly associated with parental educational attainment, geographic location and family structure. Students whose parents were relatively well educated, living in the western areas of the country China, or with nucleus/extensive families were more likely to have early sex in their puberties. Conclusion Sexual education should be strengthened especially in the western areas, and targeted on the students whose parents with relatively higher educational background or who were from extensive families.

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we assayed promoter hypermethylation and protein expression of the mismatch repair gene (MMR) hMLH1 and hMSH2 in gestational trophoblastic diseases to understand the significance of MMR promoter methylation and expression in the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of hydatidiform mole.

METHODSDNA was extracted from chorion of early pregnancies, partial hydatidiform moles, complete hydatidiform moles, and invasive moles were over digested by methylation sensitive endonuclease Hpa II. Then the promoters were amplificated by polymerase chain reaction. The protein was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn the normal placenta, neither hMLH1 nor hMSH2 promoter methylation was detected. Expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in cytotrophoblasts was strongly positive, and that was negative or weakly positive in syncytiotrophobasts. In all normal chorion, expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in cytotrophoblasts was strongly positive. In partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole, the methylation of hMLH1 and hMSH2 promoters was significantly higher than that of early placenta (P < 0.05), and the protein expression in cytotrophoblasts was significantly lower (P < 0.05). In the invasive mole, hMLH1 and hMSH2 promoter methylation were not significantly different as compared with the partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole (P > 0.05). Expression of hMLH1 in the invasive mole (54.5%, 6/11) was not significantly different as compared with the partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole (P > 0.05). But expression of hMSH2 in the invasive mole (36.4%, 4/11) was weaker than that in complete hydatidiform mole (P = 0.044). Promoter methylation and less expression of hMSH2 had correlations in complete hydatidiform mole or invasive mole.

CONCLUSIONSStrong expressions of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in the cytotrophoblasts of normal placenta may keep the genome stability. Promoter methylation and down-regulation of hMLH1 and hMSH2 are probably involved in the pathogenesis of hydatidiform mole.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Adult ; Base Pair Mismatch ; genetics ; Carrier Proteins ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole ; genetics ; pathology ; Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive ; genetics ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Nuclear Proteins ; Pregnancy ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Uterine Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of proto-oncogene c-fos, c-jun mRNA expression in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophy and effects of tanshinone II A (Tan) in the primary culture of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

METHODTwelve neonatal Wistar rats aged one day old of clean grade and both sexes were selected to isolate and culture cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocytes were divided into: normal control group, Ang II (10(-6) mol x L(-1)) group, Ang II (10(-6) mol x L(-1)) +Tan (10(-8) g x L(-1)) group, Ang II (10(-6) mol x L(-1)) + valsartan (10(-6) mol x L(-1)) group, Tan (10(-8) g x L(-1)) group, valsartan (10(-6) mol x L(-1)) group. The cardiomyocyte size was determined by phase contrast microscope, the rate of protein synthesis in cardiomyocytes was measured by 3H-leucine incorporation. The c-fos, c-jun mRNA expression of cardiomyocytes were assessed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTAng II was added to the culture medium and 30 min later, the c-fos, c-jun mRNA expression of cardiomyocytes increased significantly (P < 0. 01). After Ang II took effect for 24 h, the rate of protein synthesis in Ang II group increased more prominently than that in normal control group (P < 0.01). After Ang II took effect for 7 days, the size of cardiomyocyte in Ang II group increased obviously (P < 0. 05). If tanshinone II or valsartan was added to the culture medium before Ang II, both of them could inhibit the increase of c-fos, c-jun mRNA expression (P < 0.01), cardiomyocyte protein synthesis rate (P < 0.01), and cardiomyocyte size (P < 0.05) induced by Ang II.

CONCLUSIONTanshinone II could ameliorate Ang II-induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy by inhabiting c-fos, c-jun mRNA expression.

Angiotensin II ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Genes, fos ; genetics ; Genes, jun ; genetics ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo study the potential and advantages of internal distraction osteogenesis in mandibular functional reconstruction.

METHODSThree types of mandibular distractors were used in eight patients with various mandibular defects due to tumor or cyst resection. The average age of the patients was 31.5 years old (ages ranged from 8 to 54 years). For two patients with ramus defects, specially designed distractors were used to restore the normal ramus height. In two other patients, specially designed trifocal distractors were used. In three patients, vertical distractors were used.

RESULTSAll the mandibles were successfully reconstructed in accordance with the direction and distance designed before operation except in one patient. In that patient the distal 23 mm defect failed to be corrected because of loosening of transport block fixation screws.

CONCLUSIONSMandibular defects can be successfully corrected using internal distraction osteogenesis. Performing mandibular reconstruction using distraction osteogenesis is best done at the time of tumor or cyst resection.

Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Mandibular Neoplasms ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo introduce a series of internal distractors developed by the authors and results of experimental study and clinical trials.

METHODSBased on the demand of clinical use and experimental studies, 7 kinds and 17 types of internal distractors were developed. Required biomechanics were evaluated and animal studies were undertaken in 16 Rhesus monkeys and 12 goats with 40 distractors. Clinically, 68 Patients with 7 kinds of severe dento-gratho-facial deformities were treated with 82 distractors and the histocompatibility, stability, influence on new bone formation were evaluated.

RESULTSThe 7 kinds of distractors were State-approved products made of Titanium alloy and permitted for use in human. The pull and twist force tests demonstrated that the loading capability of them were larger than 7.8 kgf and 5.0 kgf respectively. The domestic made Grade II screw was used to transmit the moving, it was nimble, without dead point, and with a forward-backward space of < 0.1 mm. The horizontal space in between the two fixing parts was < 0.1 mm. The parallel degree of the two direction-guide rods was within 0.05 mm. Animal and clinical studies demonstrated that there was no rejection response of the tissues. There were fractures of the direction-guide rods in two early cases, the design was improved then. Other results both experimentally and clinically were satisfactory with good osteogenesis.

CONCLUSIONSThis series of domestic made internal distractors can be used satisfactorily in distraction osteogenesis for various kinds of jaw deformities. The successful production of these distractors will provide a good foundation to popularize the internal distraction osteogenesis of the jaws.

Animals ; Goats ; Humans ; Jaw ; surgery ; Macaca mulatta ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; instrumentation