Objective To address the neural basis of Chinese idioms processing with different kinds of stimuli using an event-related fMRI design.Methods Sixteen native Chinese speakers were asked to perform a semantic decision task during fMRI scanning.Three kinds of stimuli were used: Real idioms (Real-idiom condition);Literally plausible phrases (Pseudo-idiom condition,the last character of a real idiom was replaced by a character with similar meaning);Literally implausible strings (Non-idiom condition,the last character of a real idiom was replaced by a character with unrelated meaning).Reaction time and correct rate were recorded at the same time.Results The error rate was 2.6%,5.2% and 0.9% (F = 3.51,P0.05 )for real idioms,pseudo-idioms and wrong idioms, respectively.Similar neural network was activated in all of the three conditions.However,the right hippocampus was only activated in the real idiom condition,and significant activations were found in anterior portion of left inferior frontal gyrus (BA47)in real-and pseudo-idiom conditions,but not in non-idiom condition.Conclusion The right hippocampus plays a specific role in the particular wording of the Chinese idioms.And the left anterior inferior frontal gyms (BA47)may be engaged in the semantic processing of Chinese idioms.The results support the notion that there were specific neural bases for Chinese idioms processing.

Objectivc To investigate the protective effect of simvastatin on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) after optic nerve crush (ONC).Methods Together 50 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group,sham group,ONC group and simvastatin protection group.The mice in the normal group were untreated,the sham group was treated with the exposure of the optic nerve without injury,the ONC group mice underwent ONC operation on the left eyes,followed by intravitreal administration of equilibrium solvent [50 mg · mL-1 ethanol plus 1 mol · L-1 NaOH,which were activated by 1 mol · L-1 HC1 (pH 7.2)],and the simvastatin protection group was intravitreally injected different concentrations of simvastatin (0.5 g · L-1,1.0 g · L-1,1.5 g · L-1) after ONC operation.Brn3a immunofluorescence staining,HE staining and toluidine blue staining were used to detect the apoptosis of RGC and pathological changes of optic nerve.Results On day 7 after operation,in the ONC group,the apoptosis of RGC was observed obviously,with the survival rate dropping to (35.1 ± 3.9) ％,and the thickness from the retinal ganglion cell layer to outer nuclear layer was decreased from (123.13 ± 1.04) μm to (97.48 ± 2.33) μm,which was significantly thinner than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01);moreover,the fibrous bundle of optic nerve disappeared,and the neuroglial cells were clustered into groups,as well as the axons showed swelling and serious degeneration,but after intravitreal injection of 1.0 g · L-1 simvastatin,the survival rate of retinal ganglion cells increased to (76.3 ± 3.7) ％ (P ＜ 0.05),and the aforementioned thickness was increased to (111.39 ± 4.06) μm,which was statistically significant when compared with the ONC group (P ＜ 0.01).The degeneration of optic nerve was improved,and the structure of neuroglial cell axons and the nerve fibers became normal.Conclusion Simvastatin can reduce the optic nerve degeneration and improve the survival rote of retinal ganglion cells.

In view of that there is no report of west Nile virus infection cases in our country, evaluation the self-prepared anti-WNV-IgG diagnostic ELISA kit should be employed with the establishment of the serum sample panel collected from the entry personnel. All individuals of entry personnel were traveled from epidemic area of infectious west Nile disease. In our study, the serum samples were both detected by self-prepared anti-WNV-IgG diagnostic ELISA kit and the FDA certified kits ,which are FOCUS West Nile Virus IgG Dxselect and Panbio Dengue IgG Capture ELISA kits. The self-prepared kit and FDA certified kits were compared and assessed simultaneously. Furthermore, the specificity, repeatability and stability of the kits were also evaluated. The results indicated that no significant difference of detective rates (35. 6% for self-prepared kit vs. 32.5% for FOCUS kit, χ2 = 3. 05, P > 0.05) and good consistency (Kappa = 0.8372) between the self-prepared kit and FDA certified kits. Also, the positive coincidence rate, the negative coincidence rate and the total coincidence rate were calculated as 91.18%, 95.34% and 92.66%, respectively. The laboratory self-developed kit presented similar quality as the counterpart kits with FDA certificate. The development of our self-prepared anti-WNV-IgG diagnostic ELISA kit will provide technical support for the prevention and control of west Nile virus entry.
Endemic Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; West Nile Fever ; epidemiology ; West Nile virus ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) strains subtypes in Shandong province and to study their source in order to predict the epidemic trend.

METHODSEpidemiological investigation was made and 93 DNA fragments of HIV-1 env, gag, tat gene were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction from people infected with HIV-1, in 2002 - 2003. Their C2-V3, P17/P24, 1st exon of tat and adjacent region were sequenced.

RESULTSSequence analysis showed that there were 7 HIV-1 strains or circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), B' (n = 71), CRF01-AE (n = 9), CRF07-BC (n = 3), CRF08-BC (n = 3), B (n = 2), C (n = 2), CRF02-AG (n = 2). B' strains was the predominant which, covered 10 cities and 4 kinds of population including blood donors, blood receivers, spouses of the infected people and clients of the sex workers. CRF07-BC, CRF08-BC strains were identified in 5 cities, mainly from injecting drug users. CRF01-AE and other strains were found distributed in developed cities, among sex workers.

CONCLUSIONThere were many kinds of subtypes and CRFs of HIV and their genomes which generated obvious variation in Shandong province, suggesting that they might facilitate the spread of the disease in Shandong province.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; genetics ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic expression of calcium-sensing receptor(CaSR) in myocardium of diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including control, diabetic-4 week and diabetic-8 week groups(n = 10). The type 2 diabetes mellitus models were established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) after high-fat and high-sugar diet for one month. The cardiac morphology was observed by electron microscope. Western blot analyzed the expression of CaSR, phospholamban (PLN), a calcium handling regulator, and Ca+-ATPase(SERCA) in cardiac tissues.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the expressions of CaSR and SERCA were decreased, while the expression of PLN was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner in diabetic groups. Meanwhile diabetic rats displayed abnormal cardiac structure.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the CaSR expression of myocardium is reduced in the progression of DCM, and its potential mechanism may be related to the imnaired intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Animals ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Disease Progression ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Calcium-Sensing ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Streptozocin

To provide a scientific basis for the selection of the appropriate drying method for Mentha Haplocalyx Herba (MHH), determine 2 monoterpenes, 4 phenolic acids and 5 flavonoids in MHH by GC-MS and UPLC-TQ-MS methods, and investigate the effects of the drying methods on the changes in contents of these analytes. The qualities of products obtained with different drying methods were evaluated by the multivariate statistical method of Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Results showed that the drying methods had the greatest impact on menthol, caffeic acid, and rosemary acid, which were followed by chlorogenic acid and diosmetin-7-O-glucoside. The contents in these analytes processed with hot-air-drying method were higher than those with microwave-drying and infrared-drying methods at the same temperatures. The contents in these analytes processed under low temperature (40-45 °C) were higher than those under higher temperature (60-70 °C). Above all, the contents in phenolic acids processed with microwave fixation (exposed under microwave at 100 °C for several minutes) were obviously higher than those of not being processed, showing an inhibition of some enzymes in samples after fixation. The TOPSIS evaluation showed that the variable temperature drying method of 'Hot-Air 45-60 °C' was the most suitable approach for the primary drying processing of MHH. The results could provide the scientific basis for the selection of appropriate drying method for MHH, and helpful reference for the primary drying proces of herbs containing volatile chemical components.
Desiccation ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Mentha ; chemistry ; Monoterpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical methods and clinical results of modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation for the treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSClinical data of 32 cases of upper lumbar disc herniation in our department from June 2005 to June 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 males and 11 females, the age from 24 to 59 years with an average of 38.5 years. All the cases were treated by the use of nucleus pulposus removed, modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and internal fixation with pedicle screw system. All patients were followed up with an average of 9 months (from 3 to 18 months), according to Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and visual analogue scores (VAS) to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTSAll the cases were followed up from 3 to 18 months with an average of 9 months and the fusion rate was 100%. The JOA sores before and after operation were 10.5 +/- 2.1, 26.2 +/- 2.4 respectively, and the improvement rate was 84.9%. The VAS before and after operation was 7.2 +/- 1.3 and 1.4 +/- 1.1 respectively, and the rate of catabatic pain was 80.6%. Lumbar rigidity and unwell had 4 cases, obviously leg pain had 2 cases after operation, but the systems vanished gradually at 1-8 weeks after non-operative treatment.

CONCLUSIONModified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion has the advantages of simple, safe operation and thoroughly decompression, and it is a therapeutic method for upper lumbar disc herniation.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the performance of SiFaTM 23 Plex Kit (beta version) and its population genetics of STR loci in Han population.Methods Genotyping was performed for 1 000 unrelated healthy Han individuals by the kit.The efficiency of the kit was tested,and the frequency data and population genetics parameter information of STR loci were analysed statistically.Results The minimum amplification system could be 6.25 μL.In 25 μL standard reaction system,a satisfied genotyping profiles could be obtained with the DNA content as low as 125 pg.Among the 1 000 individuals,267 alleles were detected by 21 autosomal STR loci of the kit,which conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.Fifteen and eleven alleles were observed at the newly added STR loci D1S1656 and D10S1248,respectively,which showed a high polymorphism information content.Conclusion SiFaTM 23 Plex Kit (beta version) is excellent in testing blood samples.Its accuracy,repeatability and sensitivity can satisfy the need of forensic practice,which makes it be applied to forensic-related case work and DNA database establishment.

In order to compare the differences of 35 Menthae Herba samples collected on the market and at producing areas, the contents of six total terpenoids, the essential oil and chromatographic fingerprints were analyzed, which provided evidences for drawing up the commodity specifications and grading criteria of Menthae Herba. GC-MS method was used to analyze the chemical constituents of 35 different samples. The chromatographic fingerprints obtained by using GC were then evaluated by similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis. The relativity between the content of six terpenoids and the essential oil were studied. In this study, the chemical profiles of 35 samples from different producing areas had significant disparity. All samples collected in the report could be categorized into four chemical types, L-menthol, pulegone, carvone and L-menthone, but the chemical profiles had no relationship with the areas. The chromatographic fingerprints of the samples from different types were dissimilar, while the different producing areas were difficult to be separated. It was indicated that the content of volatile oil was positively correlated with the content of L-menthol and the sum of six total terpenoids. The content of the essential oil, L-menthol and the sum of six total terpenoids of Menthae Herba were considered as one of the commercial specifications and grading criteria. These results in the research could be helpful to draw up the commercial specification and grading criteria of Menthae Herba from a view of chemical information.
Cluster Analysis ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Mentha ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Principal Component Analysis ; Terpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the character of inorganic elements in Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin).

METHODThe contents of 53 inorganic elements in Xixin samples from different localities and species were determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. The statistical data were made using SAS.

RESULTThe result demonstrated that Xixin has the high contents of Fe, Cr, Li. It has been observed that the content of Cu and Pb of the samples are much higher than the standard level. The results of hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two groups which correspond with the species of the samples. No correlations between the contents of the inorganic elements and the localities of the samples were found. Some characteristic elements were displayed in some specific areas. The difference of the contents of the 53 inorganic elements between root and rhizome of Xixin was reported for the first time. The primary form of inorganic elements in Xixin has been studied for the first time. The result demonstrated that the extraction rate between different elements varied, with the average extraction rate of (22.25 +/- 24.96)%.

CONCLUSIONThe inorganic elements analysis of Xixin can provide evidence of its identification, cultivation and application.

Asarum ; chemistry ; classification ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Trace Elements ; analysis