AIM:To establish the quality standard of Biling Weitong Granules (Rhizoma Corydalis, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Rhizoma Coptidis, etc.). METHODS: Rhizoma Corydalis, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Rhizoma Coptidis, Fructus Evodiae, Fructus Litseae were identified by TLC. The content of berberine hydrochloride was determined by RP-HPLC C_ 18 column(ODS, 250 mm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m) was used as chromatographic column. The acetonitrile-0.02 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate (Adjust with phosphoric acid to a pH of 3.0) (25∶75) was used as mobile phase. The detection wavelength was at 347 nm. The flow rate was kept to 1.0 mL/min. RESULTS: The TLC sports developed were fairly clear, and the blank test showed no interference. The linearity of berberine hydrochloride was good in the range of 0.041 32-0.619 8 ?g(r= 0.999 9 ). The average recovery of berberine hydrochloride was 101.93%, RSD=0.60%(n=6). CONCLUSION: The method is simple, reliable, accurate and can be applied as the quantity control method of Biling Weitong Granules.

Objective To study the mechanism by which a high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field (HIPEMF) (0.1 Hz,4 T,8 pulses) facilitates the proliferation of neural stem cells by detecting the expression of β-catenin genes and protein.Methods Neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated from the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) of neonatal rats and cultured in supplemented,serum-free medium for two weeks.The NSCs were then divided into an experimental group exposed to a HIPEMF for 8 pulses and a control group given sham stimulation.The gene and prorein expression of β-catenin in the NSCs were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting on the 1st,3rd,5th and 7th day after the stimulation.Results The NSCs' cloned spheres were round and translucent,and showed red fluorescence after staining with anti-nestin (cy3).The RT-PCR results showed β-catenin genes were highly expressed in the exposed group (significantly more than in the controls).The Western blotting showed that expression of β-catenin protein was also higher in the experimental group,especially at the 7th day after stimulation,a difference which was also statistically significant Conclusion HIPEMF at 0.1 Hz,4 T,in 8 pulse trains can promote NSC proliferation,perhaps through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Purpose To study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features, carcinogenesis and differential diagnosis of female pelvic serous carcinoma. Methods The clinical data, macroscopic and microscopic features and immunostaining results of 20 patients with pelvic serous carcinoma were studied, and some associated literatures were reviewed. Results 20 cases of PSC aged from 23 to 87, with the mean age being 58. 9. PSC may occur in fallopian tube, ovary and peritoneum, while they were referred to hospital because of abdominal distention, abdominal pain or pelvic mass. The tumor often invasive pelvic organs diffusely when they were diag-nosed, so, the primary site were difficultly determined. Usually, the primary focus of serous carcinoma of fallopian tube is small and easily planted in pelvic. The patients with ovarian serous carcinoma or peritoneal serous carcinoma had serous tubal intraepithelial car-cinoma at the mean time. Conclusions The tubal epithelial cells may be the major source of PSC. About the specimen of PSC, we need check the fallopian tube carefully to determine the primary site, and make differential diagnosis with peritoneal malignant mesothe-lioma and metastatic carcinoma from other sites than pelvic when it diffusely invasive peritoneum.

Objective To assess the clinical diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and aspartate transaminase (AST)-to-platelet (PLT) ratio index (APRI) for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) less than or equal to five times of the upper limit of normal (≤5×upper limit of normal [ULN]).Methods FibroScan,blood routine and liver function test were conducted at the day or one day before liver biopsy in 383 CHB patients with ALT≤5 × ULN.The Scheuer scoring system was used for liver histologic assessment.APRI was calculated.Based on the results of liver pathology,the areas under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of LSM and APRI for diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage were compared.Results The median LSM were 5.10 kPa for S0 fibrosis stage,5.20 kPa for S1,6.60 kPa for S2,10.10 kPa for S3,and 18.80 kPa for S4.The median APRI values were 0.36,0.38,0.63,0.61 and 1.27,respectively.The AUC of LSM were 0.817 for ≥S2,0.891 for ≥S3 and 0.913 for ≥S4.And the AUC of APRI were 0.717 for ≥S2,0.711 for ≥S3 and 0.746 for ≥S4.The cut-offs of LSM values were 6.8 kPa for ≥S2,8.7 kPa for ≥S3,and 10.9 kPa for ≥S4.Conclusion LSM can accurately assess the degree of liver fibrosis in CHB patients with ALT ≤5 × ULN,which is superior to APRI in clinical utility.