Objective To summarize the contrast enhanced ultrasonographic (CEUS) features of benign focal liver lesions, on and to investigate the value of contrast enhanced ultrasound techniques in the diagnosis of benign focal liver lesion. Methods The contrast enhanced ultrasonographic performance of 68 benign focal liver lesions cases which were dififcult for routine ultrasound diagnosis and conifrmed by pathology or follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test of four-fold table were used to compare the diagnostic coincidence rate of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Results The 68 cases of benign focal liver lesions included complex cysts (n=7), liver hydatids (n=2), liver abscess (n=15), focal nodular hyperplasia (n=8), angiomyolipoma (n=2), hepatocellular adenoma (n=4), focal fat accumulation (n=16), inlfammatory pseudotumor (n=12), solitary necrotic nodule (n=1), intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma (n=1). There were no enhancement among 7 complex cysts, 2 liver hydatids and 1 solitary necrotic nodule. Isoenhancement was detected in focal fat accumulation (n=16);hypoenhancement during the arterial phase and sustained enhancement during the portal or late phase was found in focal nodular hyperplasia (n=8) and angiomyolipoma (n=2). Grid-like enhancements during the arterial phase and isoenhancement or hypoenhancement during the portal phase, and hypoenhancement during the late phase was presented in liver abscess (n=15). Hyperenhancement during the arterial phase were detected in 4 cases of hepatocellular adenoma, 3 of which showed isoenhancement or hyperenhancement during the portal and delayed phase, one case showed hypoenhancement during the portal phase. Eight cases of all the inlfammatory pseudotumor showed no enhancement during all phases;3 cases showing grid enhancement during the arterial phase and the enhancement washed out rapidly;1 case showed mild edge enhancement during the arterial phase and hypoenhancement during the delayed phase. The solid part of the intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma showed hyperenhancement during the arterial phase and hypoenhancement during the portal and late phase.The central area showed no enhancement during all phase. The coincidence rate between pathology and conventional ultrasound diagnosis was 61.8%(42/68). The coincidence rate between pathology and contrast- enhanced ultrasound diagnosis was 92.6%(63/68). The coincidence rate of contrast-enhanced ultrasound diagnostic was higher than that of conventional ultrasound, with a statistically signiifcant difference (χ2=8.17, P < 0.01). Conclusion Real-time gray-scale contrast-enhanced sonography can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis for benign focal liver lesions.

OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC fingerprint to evaluate the quality of Polygalae Radix, root xylem, and those collected in different growth ages or harvest time.

METHODSeparation was performed at 30 °C on a Kromasil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm); the mobile phases was acetonitrile and 0.05% H3PO4 water in the gradient elution; the flow rate was set at 1.0 mL · min(-1) and the detection wavelength at 314 nm; the quality discriminant analyses were accomplished by means of similarity analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis and neural network model.

RESULTIn 26 batches of Polygalae Radix, 24 batches fingerprint similarities were above 0.8. In 5 different growth or harvest time batches, 4 batches were above 0.8; in 8 batches root xylem samples, the similarities were all above 0.875. The similarity analysis was in accord with the quality discriminant analysis of cluster analysis, principal component analysis and neural network model.

CONCLUSIONFingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition technique can effectively evaluate the quality of Polygalae Radix. The active substance species are all similar in cultivated, wild, different growth or harvest time Polygalae Radix and polygala root xylem, but the chromatography peak areas are different. The effective material contents are similar between wild and cultivated Polygalae Radix, but each chromatographic peak area of the root xylem is much smaller than that of Polygalae Radix. The chemical substance accumulation mainly depends on harvest month, but little growth time in Polygalae Radix.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; classification ; Polygala ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control

Limonin existed in citrus fruits has been shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-feedant, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory activities and anti-carcinogenic activities. But the clinical use is limited by its low bioavailability. The aim of this study is to observe the absorption and secretion transport mechanisms of limonin in intestine which can pave the way for the further study and clinical use. The transport characteristics and mechanisms of limonin in rat were studied by in situ intestine perfusion and in vitro Caco-2 cells method. The intestinal absorption of limonin was probably via a facilitated diffusion pathway which was poor and without segment-selection. Verapamil and ketoconazole improved the absorption remarkably according to the result of in vitro Caco-2 cells study; however, probenecid had no significant effect on the absorption. The P-gp efflux and CYP3A4 metabolism were involved in the poor intestinal absorption and low bioavailability of limonin. The exploration of the intestinal absorption mechanism is crucial to the design of dosage form and clinical use of limonin.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Ketoconazole ; pharmacology ; Limonins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Perfusion ; Probenecid ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

Endophytic bacteria which was producing indoleacetic acid was screened from Panax ginseng by using the Salkowski method. The active strain was also tested for its ability of nitrogen fixation by using the Ashby agar plates, the PKV plates and quantitative analysis of Mo-Sb-Ascrobiology acid colorimetry was used to measure its ability of phosphate solubilization, for its ability of potassium solubilization the silicate medium and flame spectrophotometry was used, for its ability of producing siderophores the method detecting CAS was used, for its ability of producing ACC deaminase the Alpha ketone butyric acid method was applied. And the effect on promoting growth of seed by active strain was tested. The results showed that the indoleacetic acid producing strain of JJ5-2 was obtained from 118 endophytes, which the content of indoleacetic acid was 10.2 mg x L(-1). The JJ5-2 strain also had characteristics of phosphate and potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation, producing siderophores traits, and the promoting germination of ginseng seeds. The JJ5-2 strain was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis by analyzing morphology, physiological and biochemical properties and 16S rRNA gene sequences.
Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Endophytes ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Indoleacetic Acids ; metabolism ; Panax ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of genetic diagnosis of Down's syndrome (DS) using short tandem repeat (STR), and to develop a rapid and accurate method for diagnosing DS.

METHODSQuantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) was used to amplify STR loci D21S11, D21S1440 and Penta D of 719 samples. Three hundred and eighty-nine samples were peripheral blood, 282 were amniotic fluid, 48 were chorionic villous samples. The products were analyzed using eleterophoresis to detect DS.

RESULTSAmong 652 samples with a normal karyotype, 635 showed 2 bands with a 1:1 ratio or a single band. The remaining 17 samples showed 3 bands, and were regarded as false positive results. For 67 DS samples, 53 showed 3 bands/peaks with a 1:1:1 ratio and 14 showed 2 bands/peaks with a 2:1 ratio. The sensitivity and specificity of STR loci D21S11, D21S1440 and Penta D were 76.12% and 98.62%, 71.64% and 98.93%, 89.55% and 99.85%, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity of 3 STR loci were 100% (67/67) and 97.39% (635/652), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompared with conventional method, author's method is simpler, more stable and rapid, and can be used for large-scale prenatal screening of DS.

Amniotic Fluid ; chemistry ; Chorionic Villi ; chemistry ; Down Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo study the cleavage activity of specific deoxyribozyme to hepatitis C virus in vitro.

METHODSThree deoxyribozymes were designed to cleave at sites 157, 168, 173 in HCV 5'-noncoding region with the active region of 5'-GGCTAGCTACAACGA-3' respectively. Plasmid pCMV/T7-NCRC -Delta Luc was completely linearized with restriction endonuclease Xba I. HCV RNA5'-NCRC was transcribed in vitro from the linearized products and radiolabelled with [alpha-32P] UTP. Under the conditions of 37 degrees C, pH7.5, Mg2+ 10 mmol/L, the three deoxyribozymes were mixed with substrate RNA individually for 120 minutes and then the reactions were terminated. The cleavaged products were separated with 8% denaturated polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and displayed by autoradiography. DRz3 was mixed with the substrate RNA at different Mg2+ concentrations. The cleavage efficiency was analyzed with a gel document action analyzing systems.

RESULTSUnder the adopted conditions the three deoxyribozymes efficiently cleaved to the target RNA in vitro and the cleavage activity of DRz3 was increased with the increase of Mg2+ concentration.

CONCLUSIONThe designed deoxyribozymes can cleave 5'-NCR mRNA of HCV efficiently in vitro and it is dose-respondent to Mg2+ concentration.

DNA, Catalytic ; genetics ; DNA, Single-Stranded ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; therapy ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ginsenoside-Rg3 on lung metastasis of ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) gene-transfected mouse B16 melanoma.

METHODSC57BL/6 mice were iv injected with parental or RI-transfected B16 melanoma cells. Lung metastasis was assessed by the number of surface tumor nodules. Mice were divided into 6 groups. Group I, II and III of mice were given parental, mock-transfected and RI-transfected B16 melanoma cells, respectively while in group IV, V and VI, Rg3 (1.5 mg/kg, iv q.o.d. x 10) was given to mice bearing parental, mock-transfected and RI-transfected B16 melanoma, respectively. Micovessel density (MVD) of the lung metastatic tumor was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of factor VIII-R expression.

RESULTSThe number of tumor nodules was significantly decreased in mice injected with RI-transfected B16 melanoma (Gp III, compared to Gp I and II). Rg3 treatment per se could also decrease the number of lung tumor nodules but to a lesser extent (Gp IV and V compared to Gp III). However, Rg3 synergized with RI transfection resulting in most significant inhibition of lung metastasis (Gp VI). Mice in Gp I and II died within 26 days of the experiment, whereas all the mice in Gp VI were alive during the observation period of one and one half month. MVD was significantly decreased in the lung tumor nodules in mice injected with RI-transfected B16 melanoma. It was further decreased when additional Rg3 was given (Gp VI).

CONCLUSIONTransfection of ribonuclease inhibitor gene significantly reduces the metastatic potential of B16 melanoma. Ginsenoside-Rg3 has a synergistic effect.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; secondary ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; genetics ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Panax ; chemistry ; Placental Hormones ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of multidrug resistant protein 2 (MRP2) and glutathione (GSH) cotransport system in hepatic arsenic metabolism in rats.

METHODSThirty healthy Wistar rats were divided randomizedly into five groups. The first group was the control group and the rats in this group were administered with normal saline. In the second, third and fourth group the rats were administered with 4, 10 and 20 mg As(+)3/kg BW of sodium arsenite respectively every other day for two weeks. The fifth group was the benzene-soluble organics (BSO) intervention group and in this group the rats were administered with 2 mmol/kg BW BSO intraperitoneally every day three days before the end of the experiment. The other treatment was the same as in other groups. All rats were sacrificed two weeks after the treatments. Arsenic contents in bile, liver and blood were detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and the expression of MRP2 in the membrane of hepatocyte was determined by Western-blot analysis.

RESULTSThe level of total arsenic (including organic arsenic and inorganic arsenic) in bile, liver and blood in all three different dose groups was higher than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Arsenic levels of bile and liver were increased with intragastric arsenic dose. Blood arsenic levels were not significantly different in three different dose groups. Expression of hepatic MRP2 was increased with intragastric arsenic concentration. A positive correlation between biliary arsenic concentration and MRP2 levels was found in liver (r = 0.986, P < 0.05). For the rats pretreated with BSO, the biliary arsenic was significantly higher than that in the control group but lower than that in the high dose group; the liver and blood arsenic was higher than that in the control group and in the high dose group. Expression of MRP2 pretreated with BSO was decreased.

CONCLUSIONSodium arsenite can induce expression of MRP2 and the up-regulation of MRP2 may play an important role in the bile secretion of arsenite and its metabolites. The function of MRP2 for transportation of arsenic and its metabolites is associated with the intracellular GSH level. BSO inhibits the synthesis of GSH, which weakens the function of the MRP2-GSH cotransport system and makes the liver arsenic increased.

Animals ; Arsenic ; pharmacokinetics ; Arsenic Poisoning ; metabolism ; Bile ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; biosynthesis ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of plasma tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-1 (TFPI-1) level and to observe the effect of extrinsic TFPI-1 on no-reflow (NR) in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion.

METHODSRabbits were randomized into four groups (n = 10 each): ischemic- reperfusion group (IR, subjected to 120 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion); ischemic- reperfusion TFPI-1 group (100 ng/kg bolus and 1 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1) infusion during reperfusion); ischemic group (subjected to 180 minutes of coronary artery occlusion) and sham group. The NR area and ischemic area were determined by thioflavin S and Evan's blue staining in vivo. Plasma TF and TFPI-1 levels were measured before operation, before and at 120 minutes post coronary artery ligation, 10 and 60 minutes after reperfusion by ELISA.

RESULTSPlasma TF and TFPI-1 levels before and at 120 minutes post coronary artery ligation were similar among the four groups (all P > 0.05). At 10 and 60 minutes after reperfusion, the plasma TF levels in the IR group was significantly higher than those in ischemic group and sham group [10 minutes: (20.7 + or - 4.1) pg/ml vs. (13.9 + or - 2.2) pg/ml (P < 0.001), (20.7 + or - 4.1) pg/ml vs. (13.2 + or - 2.6) pg/ml (P < 0.001); 60 minutes: (15.8 + or - 2.6) pg/ml vs. (13.5 + or - 1.6) pg/ml (P < 0.05), (15.8 + or - 2.6) pg/ml vs. (12.1 + or - 0.7) pg/ml (P < 0.001)] while the plasma TFPI-1 levels were similar among IR, ischemic and sham groups at 10 minutes after reperfusion and at 60 minutes after reperfusion (all P > 0.05). TFPI-1 level [(9.7 + or - 1.6) ng/ml] was significantly lower in the IR group than in the ischemic group [(11.6 + or - 1.6) ng/ml, P < 0.05] and sham group [(10.1 + or - 1.3) ng/ml, P < 0.01]. TF mRNA expression in the NR area in IR group was significantly up-regulated compared to the ischemic group (P < 0.05) and sham group (P < 0.001) while TFPI-1 mRNA expression was similar between IR group and ischemic group (P > 0.05). NR severity in the ischemic-reperfusion TFPI-1 group was significantly attenuated compared to IR group (0.39 + or - 0.11 vs. 0.54 + or - 0.06, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONUpregulated TF mRNA expression in the NR area and increased plasma TF level during reperfusion period, reduced plasma TFPI-1 level during reperfusion period as well as attenuated NR severity by extrinsic application of human rTFPI-1 in this model suggested an important role in the pathogenesis of the NR phenomenon.

Animals ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; blood ; Rabbits ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism