In order to affirm the cardioactive components in Fuzi, we identified a group of aminoalcohol- diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS) method. Among a total of forty-one isolated ingredients, thirteen major aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids were identified by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of the reference substances. Moreover, Fuzi samples from different places of origin and with different processing methods were examined and their components displayed a pattern of high similarity, though the relative abundance varies probably due to their different processing methods. Furthermore, the cardiac effect of each identified alkaloid was individually evaluated using the isolated bullfrog heart perfusion experiment. Among the thirteen aminoalcohol diterpenoid alkaloids tested, six of them significantly enhanced the amplitude rates. Taken together, we affirm that the cardioactive components in Fuzi are aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, shedding light on future studies of the mechanisms and development of these cardioactive compounds.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Amino Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rana catesbeiana ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the DNA genome and RNA expression in 5-flurocytosine-resistant strains of Candida albicans from vaginal candidasis.

METHODSSixteen strains of Candida albicans were selected from clinically diagnosed revul-vaginal candidasis. Eight 5-flurocytosine-sensitive isolates and 8 resistant isolates were examined by France Media FUNGUS sensitive test. DNA genome was detected with random amplification polymorph DNA. RNA expression was detected with random amplification polymorph RNA method.

RESULTSThere were no distinct differences between 5-flurocytosine-sensitive and resistant Candida albicans in DNA genome, while RNA expression showed significant differences between 5-flurocytosine-resistant and sensitive strains.

CONCLUSIONClinical 5-flurocytosine-resistant strains of Candida albicans from revul-vaginal candidasis may be related to phenotype changes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal ; microbiology ; DNA, Fungal ; analysis ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Female ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Fungal ; analysis ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

Objective To evaluate the value of a CT ribs unfolding algorithm in the diagnosis of rib fracture. Methods Retrospective analysis of 180 patients who suffered chest trauma to do the chest or/and abdominal CT examination, and they also had the surgical or CT referral information. The images of these patients were postprocessed by software(Bone Reading software)and hand-drawn method(multi-point hand-painted CPR method). The rib fracture was observed and the time of reading was record. The diagnosis of fractures was confirmed by follow-up review or surgery. The fractures diagnosis sensitivity of the two post-treatment methods were measured, and the McNemar test was used to compare the difference between the software method and the hand-drawn method. Results Eight patients were excluded due to program failure, 172 cases were included in the study. Of the 172 patients, 63 patients suffered 259 fractures(178 ribs). The sensitivity of the software group was 91.7％(475/518), which was higher than that of the hand-painted group(86.3％, 447/518), the difference was statistically significant(P=0.005). The time of reading were (30.3 ± 3.3)and(173.2 ± 4.5)s, respectively, and the difference had statistically significant(P=0.001). Conclusion Compared to the traditional CPR method, the bone reading technique was used in patients with rib fractures during thoracic CT postprocessing can shorten the reading time and increase the sensitivity of the diagnosis.

Objective Imatinib mesylate (IM) is the most active agent in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (DAC) is a cytosine analogue that inhibits DNA methylation and the activity in myeloid leukemia. Therefore,we investigated combining these two drugs in human leukemia cell line K562. Methods The effects of IM and DAC was examined in K562 cells including cell viability using MTT method,cell cycle phase and cell death using flow cytometric (FCM),and the expression of bcr-abl mRNA by RT-PCR. Results Both DAC and IM resulted in time and concentration-dependent induction of cell death. DAC and IM in combination produced a greater inhibition of growth against K562 cells (F =43.947,165.580,321.193,296.101,P<0.05). The main effect and interaction between two drugs was statistically significant (F = 202.759,168.457,417.538,P <0.001) after 24 h,48 h,72 h and a greater reduction in expression of bcr-abl mRNA than either agent alone. The difference was statistically significant (F =71.981,P <0.05). The number of G1 phase cells were increased significantly when induced by single agent. 48 h incubation with IM 0.2 μmol/L alone or combined with DAC 4 μmol/L showed 6.7 %,8.4 % pre-apoptosis cells,respectively. After incubation for 48 h with DAC 4 μmol/L,the expression of mRNA were decreased by 14 %,IM 0.2 μmol/L showed 40 % reduction,and combination group were significantly depressed for the mRNA expression by 60 %. Conclusion The combination of DAC and IM showed synergistic effects on cell death in K562 cells. These data suggested that DAC used in combination with IM has clinical potential in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

The content of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the aerial part of Panax notoginseng in different productive area was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography. HPLC analysis was made on a C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm,5 microm) with acetonitrile and water containing 4.1 g x L(-1) sodium acetate as mobile phase. The detection wavelength was 254 nm. The HPLC method showed good linearity within the range of 0.01 - 1.03 g x L(-1). The average recovery of GABA in the stems and leaves of P. notoginseng and the flowers of P. notoginseng was 101.7% (RSD 1.1%, n = 3) and 97.3% (RSD 0.38%, n = 3), respectively. The contents of GABA in the samples of different productive areas were not significant different, and the average contents of GABA in the stems and leaves of P. notoginseng and the flowers of P. notoginseng were 0.49% and 0.53%. This method was simple and reliable, and it was suitable for the determination of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the aerial part of P. notoginseng.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo make full use of the plant resources of Panax notoginseng, nutritional compositions and mineral elements were analyzed in aerial part of P. notoginseng from different areas in Yunnan.

METHODUsing the national standard method, water, ash, crude fat, crude fiber, crude protein and mineral elements were determined in aerial part of P. notoginseng from different growing areas.

RESULTResults showed that there were higher contents of crude fiber and crude protein, and lower content of crude fat in the stems and flowers of P. notoginseng. Meanwhile, a large number of mineral elements were determined in two locations of P. notoginseng, and the contents of Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were obvious higher among these mineral elements.

CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the stems and flowers of P. notoginseng were nutritious and suggested that the aerial part may be utilized as new resources foods.

Flowers ; chemistry ; Nutritive Value ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Trace Elements ; analysis

Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) is a valuable unique herb, and is also one of the very fast developed varieties of traditional Chinese medicines in recent years with increasing role in traditional Chinese medicine industry. This paper summarized the main experience, industry development and present situation, pointed out the main problems existing in the industry development. On this basis, we put forward the targets and measures for the development of the Sanqi industry in to provide decision-making reference for the sustainable development of the Sanqi industry in China.
China ; Drug Industry ; economics ; trends ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; economics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; trends ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective To identify changes in the occurrence of endemic fluorosis in order to provide scientific basis for making countermeasures. Methods Five villages from 14 counties of mild, moderate and severe fluorosis affected areas were selected by stratified cluster sampling every year in the whole province during 2006 - 2010. Water and urinary fluorine were determined by ion selective electrode method(GB/T 8538-1995); dental fluorosis of children 8-12 years old was diagnosed with Dean method; skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed according to "clinical indexing standards of endemic skeletal fluorosis "(GB 16396-1996), between 2006 and 2008, and "clinical diagnosis standard of endemic skeletal fluorosis"(WS 192-2008) between 2009 and 2010. Results A total of 25 diseased villages were surveyed, 14 with water sources changed, covered a resident population of 8005 people, beneficiary population 7154, and accounting for 89.37% of the resident population; not changed villages 11. In accordance with the "State drinking water health standards", in the 14 changed villages the fluoride in drinking water was qualified (≤ 1.20 mg/L), there were 3 schools whose water fluorine content exceeded the standard; among the 11 villages that did not change water sources 7 drinking water samples fluorine content exceeded the standard. Of the 8 to 12 years old children in villages with changed water sources, 363 of them were checked and 142 dental fluorosis were found, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 39.12% (142/363); in villages with water sources not changed, 303 children were checked, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 43.89%(133/303). Of sixteen and elder adults in water source changed villages, 6424 people were checked and 403 skeletal fluorosis were found, skeletal fluorosis detection rate was 6.27% (403/6424); 3572 people were checked in not changed villages, the detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 13.89%(496/3572). In water sources changed areas, geometric mean of urinary fluoride was in the normal reference value(WS/T 256-2005, 1.40 mg/L)or less. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis is decreased in water improved areas, but in unimproved areas the disease is still severe, and control of endemic fluorosis is still an arduous task.

Objective To explore the present condition of endemic arsenism, the implementation of control measures and the effect of the monitored county (Tongyu County) and the monitoring spot (Baiyintuhai Village) in 2006 and 2007. Methods According to the National Survey Scheme of Endemic Arsenism, the progress of anti-arsenic water in Tongyu, and the management and running of all engineering projects and the arsenic content in water were surveyed. The patients with endemic arsenism in Tongyu were generally surveyed. The arsenic content of the improved drinking water in Tongyu and the arsenic in urine of children aged 8-12 and adults over 18 years of age were determinted. The causes of resident death in the monitoring spot from the year of 2006 and 2007 were investigated. Arsenic content of drinking water and the urine of local residents was examined with "Model AFS-930 Double-Channel Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer". Results There were 30 endemic arsenism areas, 157 areas with high arsenic content and all population of 57 576 in Tongyu. Six areas had improved water till 2006, where 20.0% of water had improved, and six water-improving projects were all running normally, benefiting a population of 1670. Eight high arsenic areas changed water, in a rate of 5.09%. Eight water-improving projects were functioning well, benefiting a population of 4350. Until 2007, 28 areas had improved water in Tongyu, accounting for 93.33%. These 28 projects were well running, covering a population of 7980. One hundred and fouty-eight high arsenic areas had changed water, reaching a rate of 94.27%. One hundred and fouty-eight projects changedg water were running normally, benefiting a population of 46 214. In the surveyed spots, arsenic content was between 0.004 mg/L and 0.005 mg/L in 2006 and between 0.010 mg/L and 0.021 mg/L in 2007, all in the normal range to the time being. The arsenic contents in urine of the children aged 8-12 in the monitoring spots were determinted, averaging at 0.024 mg/L in 15 samples, fluctuating between 0.005 mg/L and 0.048 mg/L in 2006. The average content in urine from adults was 0.019 mg/L in 53 samples, fluctuating between 0.005 mg/L and 0.087 mg/L in 2007. The arsenic contents in urine were all in the normal range in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 14 endemic arsenism patients, all in light symptoms, had been checked out, the morbidity being 6.19%. In 2007, 17 patients who were all in light symptoms were identified in a rate of 6.94%. There was no significant difference of morbidity between the two years(χ2=0.1059, P>0.05). Two patients died, unrelating with drinking high arsenic water in 2006 and 2007. Conclusions The prevention and control measures are well implemented in Tongyu. The water-improving projects are functioning well. The condition of endemic arsenism is slight and hasn't changed so much in these two years. The arsenic contents in urine of children and adults within the normal range, showing that improving water can control the occurrence and the development of endemic arsenism.

By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), an open reading frame of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) was isolated from Panax notoginseng and named as PnPR1. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses of PnPR1 revealed that an open reading frame of 501 bp was predicted to encode a 166-amino acid protein with a deduced molecular mass of 18.1 kD. Homology analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of PR1 protein of Panax notoginseng had a high similarity with other higher plants had the same conservative structure domain of cysteine-rich secretory protein (CAP). The recombinant expressed plasmid pET28a(+)-PnPR1 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The expression conditions were optimized by induction at different times, different temperatures, different IPTG concentrations and different giving times. The optimum expression condition was 0.4 mmol.L-1 IPTG at 28 degrees C for 20 h. The successful expression of PnPR1 provides some basis for protein purification and preparation of the monoclonal antibody.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Alignment