This paper aims to establish a method for the determination of sulfur dioxide in sulfur fumigation Chinese herbs. Sample powder and hydrochloric acid solution were isolated by paraffin layer in order to avoid early reactions, with the generation of sulfur dioxide, headspace with airtight needle was used to transfer sulfur dioxide into gas chromatograph, and detected with thermal conductivity detector. The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of 12 herbs, spiked at four concentration levels. In general, the recoveries ranging from 70% to 110%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) within 15%, were obtained. The limit of detection (LOD) was below 10 mg x kg(-1). Standard addition can be used for low recovery samples. The method is simple, less time-consuming, specific and sensitive. Methods comparison revealed that gas chromatography is better than traditional titration in terms of method operability, accuracy and specificity, showing good application value.
Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Fumigation ; Limit of Detection ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis

Objective To study the protective effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on acute irradiated mice.Methods The 6-8 weeks old male ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups:irradiation alone group (IR),positive control group (amifostine WR-2721 250 mg/kg) and PDTC of 30,60 and 90 mg/kg dose groups.Each group had 10 mice and the drug was given at 0.5 h before whole body irradiation.At 30 d post-irradiation of 7.5 Gy 137 Cs γrays,the mice survival were observed.At 8 d post-irradiation of 5.0 Gy 137 Cs γ-rays,the peripheral blood,hematopoietic system and organ indexes were observed to evaluate the radiation protective effect of PDTC.Results PDTC increased the 30-day survival rates and 60 mg/kg dose had the most obvious effect by increase the survival to 60％ (6/10).The survivals of irradiation alone group and the amifostine positive control group was 10％ (1/10) and 70％ (7/10),respectively.Compared with the irradiation alone group,60 mg/kg PDTC group had the significant difference in spleen index,WBC,HGB,PLT,bone marrow nucleated cells and colony forming unit of spleen (t =2.354,4.793,2.342,6.542,2.649,3.982,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions PDTC is effective in radiation protection with an optimum dose of 60 mg/kg.

Objective To explore the impacts of Danhong injection on physiological and biochemical indicators in malnourished mice at physiological low doses, evaluate its safety, and test the practical value of safety re-evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicinal ( TCM) injections. Methods A total of 32 ICR mice during growth period were selected to set up corn deficient nutrition mice model. Mice were assigned into the normal control group (given 0. 9% saline), Danhong injection at low, medium and high dosages (0. 2, 0. 4 and 0. 6 mL) groups (n=8 in each group);Mice were administered with respective medications intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days. Blood samples were taken and mice were executed on the 8th day. All 9 kinds of organ or tissue were obtained completely, to measure related physiological and serum biochemical parameters. The safety of Danhong injection was evaluated by using Benefit and Damage Index - General Score ( BDI-GS ) system. Results The Danhong injection showed only slight damages on major organs or tissues, the BDI values were all above 0. 85, and the GS values were all above 9. 0;BDI values for Danhong injection at different dosages were all above 1. 0 for spleen and pancreas, showing better replenishing and healthy effects, and the differences were of statistical significance compared with the normal control group (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Meanwhile, it exerted obviously hypoglycemic effect. Conclusion Danhong injection is of rather low risk under physiological dosages, and therefore is safe to use. The mal-nutrition model combined with the BDI-GS system may be developed as a novel approach for safety re-evaluation of TCM injection in clinic.

Objective To conduct the comparative comprehensive evaluation on the actual healthy effects and safety of two kinds of healthy foods capsule A and B made of Chinese medicinal herbs on sale through the low-nutritional sub-health mice model com-bined with the benefit-damage index-general score(BDI-GS) approach ,and to perform the discussion on the relevant problems a-round healthy foods .Methods The experimental healthy ICR male mice during growth period were fed with maize low-nutritional feed and the mixed feed with 3 doses of 0 .25% ,0 .5% ,0 .75% healthy foods for 12 d and the mice body masses were recorded .Af-ter dissection ,9 items of the organ index and their BDI ,GS and serum biochemical indicators were performed the statistics .Results In the capsule A ,the medium and high dose groups manifested certain health-promoting effect ,while the slight negative effect exis-ted in the low dose group ,which was expressed in the GS values ;but in the capsule B ,3 doses all caused the damage to main internal organs in different degrees ,which was expressed in BDI<1 .0 and GS<9 .0 .Conclusion At present ,despite of possessing similar ingredients ,Chinese medicinal healthy foods in market are of greater differences in intrinsic qualities ,and even partial products have some adverse effect ,the healthy functions and safety are not enough to be fully ensured .Through the systematic evaluation of the BDI-GS system ,the criteria of marketing threshold for healthy foods will be increased so as to enhance their effects and safety level .

AIMTo study the chemical constituents in the mycelia of Hypomyces sp..

METHODSSilica gel column chromatography was employed for the isolation and purification. Chemical and spectral methods were used to determine the structures of the isolated compounds.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated and identified as: hypomycin C (I) and hypomycin D (II).

CONCLUSIONCompounds I and II are new compounds.

Chromatography, Gel ; methods ; Fermentation ; Hypocreales ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Mycelium ; chemistry ; Perylene ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Quinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

An extremely thermoacidophilic isolate K4-1 was obtained from an acidic hot spring in Teng- chong Rehai, Yunnan province. Morphology, growth characteristics, utilization of carbon compounds, en- ergy sources and 16S rRNA gene sequence of K4-1 were studied. Cells of K4-1 are irregular cocci with monotrichous flagella. The strain grew aerobically in either a lithotrophic or a heterotrophic mode. Growth on elemental sulfur occurred through oxidation of sulfur. It grew optimally at 75?C and pH 3.5. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain K4-1 was shown to belong to genus Sulfolobus, being related to the type strains of genus Sulfolobus (86.6%~94.3% similarity), and being most closely related to strain Sulfolobus tengchongensis RT8-4 (98.9% similarity). The GenBank accession number of strain K4-1 16S rRNA gene sequence is EU729124.

Objective To evaluate the precision of GFR using Gates method and compared with the results from renal pathological changes. Methods Twenty-seven patients whose 99Tcm-DTPA renograms had no obvious uptake phase were enrolled in Group A, and 27 patients whose 99Tcm-DTPA renograms had obvious uptake phase were enrolled in Group B. The measurement of GFR by Gates method was compared to the creatinine clearance measured and predicted by Cockroft-Gault (C-G), modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) and SCr level. Renal pathological changes in two groups were compared using Pearson correlation and t test analysis. Results In Group A, GFR determined by Gates method did not show correlation with that estimated by C-G or 1/SCr (r = 0. 357,0. 376, both P ＞0.05), but was significantly correlated with GFR estimated by MDRD(r = 0. 440, P ＜ 0.05). In Group B, GFR determined by Gates method showed significantly correlation among GFR estimated by MDRD, C-G, and 1/SCr (r =0. 471, 0. 527,0. 452, all P ＜ 0.05). Renal tubulointerstitial damage score in Group A was higher than that in Group B (7.15±2.32, 3.70±3.06, t=4.66, P ＜0.001). Conclusions GFR determined by Gates method is less precise when 99Tcm-DTPA renogram has no obvious uptake phase than that when 99Tcm-DTPA renogram has obvious uptake phase. Renal tubulointerstitial damage is a strong indicator of no obvious uptake phase in 99Tcm-DTPA renogram.

OBJECTIVETo study the curative effects of pirfenidone (PF) on pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat (PQ) in mice and to provide the theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

METHODSNinety adult healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups: control group, PQ group, 2 mg/kg Dexamethasone group, 25 mg/kg PF group, 50 mg/kg PF group and 100 mg/kg PF group, there were 15 mice in each group. The corresponding volume of normal saline was given to the each mouse in control group according to the weight, after 2 h 0.1% CMC was given to the each mouse of control group one time by intragastric administration, then the CMC was administrated at regular time until sacrifice. All mice for other 5 groups were exposed to 100 mg/kg PQ by intragastric administration. At 2 h after exposure to PQ, 0.02 ml/10 g dexamethasone and 25, 50, 100 mg/kg PF were given to mice for dexamethasone group and for 3 PF groups by intragastric administration each day for 49 days, respectively. The lung coefficient was calculated and pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining for each mouse. The hydroxyproline (HYP) level in lung tissue was measured for each mouse. The mRNA level of and the protein level of TGF-β(1) in lung tissue for each mouse were determined, and the protein level of TGF-β(1) in the bronchus-alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) of each mouse was detected.

RESULTSThe survival rates on the 3rd day in PQ group, 3 PF groups and dexamethasone group were 53.33%, 46.67%, 73.33%, 86.67% and 80%, respectively. The survival rates on the 3rd day in dexamethasone group, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg PF groups were significantly higher than those of PQ group and 25 mg/kg PF group (P < 0.05). The lung coefficients of 3 PF groups were significantly lower than that of the PQ group (P < 0.05). The lung tissue HYP levels of dexamethasone group and 3 PF groups were 50.95 ± 11.65, 44.52 ± 9.48, 43.27 ± 6.01 and 40.82 ± 5.90 mg/g respectively, which were significantly lower than that (74.27 ± 3.68) of PQ group (P < 0.01). The TGF-β(1) protein levels of BALF in dexamethasone group, 50 and 100 mg/kg PF groups were 22.03 ± 7.27, 27.75 ± 5.84 and 21.31 ± 6.82 ng/ml respectively, which were significantly lower than that (52.52 ± 15.51) ng/ml of PQ group (P < 0.01) The expression level of TGF-β(1) mRNA in 100 mg/kg PF group decreased significantly, as compared with PQ group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPF could reduce the collagen deposition and pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ in mice lungs.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Pyridones ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic method and analyze the result of microneurosurgical treatment for tumors of the fourth cerebral ventricle.

METHODSTumor of the fourth ventricle was clinically diagnosed in 86 patients basing on the preliminary assessment of symptom and CT or MRI findings. Of these 86 patients treated with micro-neurosurgery, the tumors in 62 were totally removed, subtotally in 19, and partially in 5. Forty-two patients received postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTSThree patients died postoperatively within ten days, and symptoms in 83 were improved after treatment. The average survival period was over 3 years. The pathology included 32 medulloblastomas, 23 ependymoma, 15 astrocytoma, 10 hemangiblastomas, 2 choroid plexus papillomas, and 4 epidermoid cysts.

CONCLUSIONMedulloblastoma, astrocytoma and hemangiblastoma are suggested to be removed totally whenever technically possible according to the site, character and volume of the tumor. For ependymoma, if close to the brain stem, is recommended to be subtotally removed. Postoperative radiotherapy may be beneficial for malignant types.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Ependymoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fourth Ventricle ; pathology ; radiation effects ; surgery ; Hemangioblastoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Microsurgery ; methods ; mortality ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To compare the growth characteristics of non-hematopoietic adult stem cells (NASC) derived from rat fetal blood and rat bone marrow in vitro, and to study the differentiation of these stem cells into neuron-like cells in vitro, the fetal blood of pregnant rats and bone marrow of adult rats were sterilely collected; mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated by using standard Ficoll-hypague techniques and then cultured in DMEM/LG containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The acquired NASCs were subcultured for passage. The immunophenotype of NASCs was detected by flow cytometry. The expanded NASCs were induced to differentiate into neurons-like cells by beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The specific markers of these neuron-like cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. The results showed that two kinds of subcultured NASCs showed homogeneous spindle-shaped and expressed antigens CD44 and CD54, but did not expressed CD11b and CD45. The both induced cells were similar to neuron in morphology and were positive for nestin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). It is concluded that no significant difference of NASCs derived from pregnant rat fetal blood and adult rat bone marrow found in cell morphology and biological characteristics. NASCs of both origins can be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells, so fetal blood can be regarded as another resource of NASC.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Male ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; cytology