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.

BACKGROUNDLaparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) approaches have been reported for treating various kidney and pelvic procedures, and are feasible and effective in selected patients. In this study, we aimed to present the initial experience and evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed through a single incision using a multichannel port.

METHODSBetween July 2010 and April 2011, six patients diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer underwent LESS radical prostatectomy (RP) in our institute. A multichannel port was inserted transperitoneally through a 2-cm umbilical incision. Specially articulating and flexible laparoscopic were used. Some technical tricks and points were applied during the operation to overcome the drawbacks and reduce the difficulties of this approach. Two continuous urethrovesical sutures in both sides were performed to complete both lateral aspects of anastomosis. The two ends of the suture threads were fixed by double Lapro-Clips, instead of the difficult knot-tying.

RESULTSTotal operative time was (265 ± 43) minutes. Mean blood loss was (230 ± 65) ml. All cases were completed successfully, without conversion to open surgery or adding additional abdomen ports. No patient required a blood transfusion and no intraoperative complications occurred. The Foley catheter was removed at the 14th day (range 12th - 16th) after surgery. At the 12th week of follow-up, all patients had an undetectable prostate-specific antigen level. Two patients used 2 or 1 pad for continence daily; other patients had achieved good continence.

CONCLUSIONIn selected cases, LESS-RP is feasible and effective; these technic points and the flexible-articulating instruments are helpful to reduce the operation difficulties.

Aged ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Prostatectomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from chromosomes X and 20 with androgenetic alopecia among ethnic Han population from Yunnan province.

METHODSAn eight-SNP co-amplification protocol was developed for the genotyping with a SNaPshot platform. A case-control study was carried out for the 8 SNPs from chromosomes X and 20 in 115 androgenetic alopecia cases and 125 healthy controls. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS17.0, Haploview4.2, SHEsis and MDR software.

RESULTSNo association was found between the two groups with regard to the 4 SNPs located on the X chromosome. The genotypic frequencies of rs2180439, rs913063 and rs1160312 were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of T allele of rs2180439 was significantly higher in the case group (P < 0.05). The frequencies of A alleles of rs913063 and rs1160312 were significantly higher in the case group (P < 0.05). The haplotypes of C-T-C-G, T-C-C-G and T-T-A-A based on rs6137444-rs2180439-rs913063-rs1160312 showed significant difference between the two groups (P <0.05). rs6137444, rs21804393 and rs1160312 have a strong association with androgenetic alopecia.

CONCLUSIONThe 4 SNPs located on chromosome X were all monomorphic among ethnic Hans from Yunnan. The rs6152, rs16990427, rs1352015, rs1385699 SNPs located on chromosome 20 are associated with androgenetic alopecia in the same population. Individuals with T allele of rs2180439 and A allele of rs913063 and rs1160312 are more likely to develop androgenetic alopecia.

Adult ; Alopecia ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo identify the current epidemiological situation of injuries among adolescents in China and to provide basis for prevention and control.

METHODSAn anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among 170 602 middle school students in 18 provinces and cities of China.

RESULTSThe overall incidence of injuries among middle school students was 43.7% while the incidence of recurrent injuries was 20.9%. The incidence of boys was higher than that of girls mainly because of the difference of the recurrent injuries incidence. The incidence of injuries decreased with age in our investigation, especially the recurrent injuries. The main causes of injuries were fall and collision, and the most frequent results of injuries were cut and bone-joint injuries among boys and girls. Key school, nucleic family and higher education level of mothers were protective factors to injuries.

CONCLUSIONAdolescents seemed high-risk population for injuries. Some preventive measures should be carried out to decrease the incidence of injuries especially on recurrent injuries.

Adolescent ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Risk ; Students ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

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