OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between pharmacological effects and properties of traditional Chinese medicine by the decision tree algorithm.

METHODBased on of pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine, the decision tree algorithm was applied in the study on the relationship between pharmacological effects and properties of traditional Chinese medicines. A model was established with the decision tree algorithm for the purpose of predicting the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

RESULTThe established model was reliable and stable, and could be used to predict the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

CONCLUSIONThe prediction for the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components with a decision tree model could reflect the theoretical connotation of the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components to some extent and provide a new method for studying the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To investigate the distribution of surfactant protein-C( SP-C) gene single nu-cleotide polymorphisms and to study the association between the SP-C gene polymorphisms and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome( NRDS) in infants. Methods Fifty-one infants with NRDS( NRDS group) and 51 infants without RDS( control group) were selected. PCR gene analysis and polymerase chain reaction were used to establish the genotype and allele frequencies of SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N),SP-C exon 4 and 5 for the mutation,and then the association between the polymorphisms and NRDS was analyzed. Results SP-C gene mutations were not found in exon 4 and 5. In the Mongol nationality of the Inner Mon-golia region,SP-C exon 4(T138N) genotypes could check out three genotypes:namely AA,AC and CC. The frequencies of allele A and allele C of SP-C exon 4(T138N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group(χ2 =0. 454,P=0. 797). In the Mongol nationality,SP-C exon 5(S186N) genotypes could check out three genotypes:namely AA,AG and GG. The frequencies of allele A and allele G of SP-C exon 5(S186N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group(χ2 =0. 493,P =0. 782). Conclusion SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) gene polymorphism in Inner Mongolia newborns displays no significant correlation with sex,birth weight or gestational age. SP-C gene mutations are not found in exon 4 and 5. SP-C gene exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) polymorphisms are not found to be associated with NRDS in Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia.

OBJECTIVETo predict part of medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces by using the traditional Chinese medicinal property data prediction platform, in order to establish the relationship between properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces.

METHODThe properties of traditional Chinese medicine components were predicted by using the medicinal property data prediction platform based on the pharmacological effects of the components.

RESULTThe total sum of identical or similar results of the prediction for the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces accounted for over 75%.

CONCLUSIONThe self-similarity exists between properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, which reflects the inheritance, additivity and emergence among different properties of traditional Chinese medicines.

Drug Combinations ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

To study the protective effect of astragalus saponin extracts (AS) on kidneys of diabetic rats. Totally 32 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were divided into AS high and low dose groups, the positive control group and the model group (DM group) and orally administered with 50 mg x- kg(-1) x d(-1) AS 200, 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) valsartan, 10 mL x kg(-1) x d(1) physiological saline, respectively. Another 8 healthy rats were collected in the normal control group (NC group, physiological saline 10 mL x kg(-1). d(-1)). All rats were treated for consecutively 6 weeks. After the administration, the body weight was measured every week, the concentration of blood glucose was monitored on week 2, 4 and 6. The total urine and total urinary protein (U-TP) in 24 h were measured by the metabolic cage method on week 6; At the end of week 6, blood samples were collected from hearts to detect blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA) , total cholesterol (CH) triglyceride (TG) by biochemical methods. Kidneys were collect to calculate the kidney hypertrophy index and observe the pathological sections. The laboratory results show that in the DM group, the blood glucose, metabolic cost in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly higher than that in the NC group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) , with significant pathological changes; After the intervention with AS, the metabolic value in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly lower in the high dose group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the kidney hypertrophy index, BUN, Scr, UA, TG in the low dose group were also significantly lower (P < 0.05), with slight reduction in renal pathological changes in both groups. In conclusion, Astragalus saponin extracts have a certain protective effect on kidneys of diabetic rats.
Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Uric Acid ; metabolism

In order to investigate the antioxidant properties of the polysaccharides from the brown alga Sargassum fusiforme, the crude polysaccharides from S. fusiforme (SFPS) were extracted in hot water, and the lipid peroxidation inhibition assay exhibited that SFPS possessed a potential antioxidant activity. Hence, two purely polymeric fractions, SFPS-1 and SFPS-2 were isolated by the column of DEAE (2-diethylaminoethanol)-Sepharose Fast Flow, with their molecular weights of 51.4 and 30.3 kDa determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). They were preliminarily characterized using chemical analysis in combination of infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies and found to contain large amounts of uronic acids and beta-glycosidical linkages. The antioxidant activities of these two SFPS fractions were evaluated using superoxide and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assays. The results show that the antioxidant ability of SFPS-2 was higher than that of SFPS-1, probably correlating with the molecular weight and uronic acid content.
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Molecular Weight ; Pilot Projects ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; Sargassum ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate risk factors associated with peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 873 patients with colorectal cancer treated at the Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2003 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. The associations between peritoneal metastasis and clinicopathological factors were evaluated by univariate analysis including independent-samples t test and χ(2) test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis showed that age(P=0.032), tumor size(P=0.001), tumor differentiation(P=0.008), depth of bowel wall invasion(P=0.000), lymph node metastasis(P=0.000), serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level(P=0.003), and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9) level(P=0.009) were associated with peritoneal metastasis. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, depth of bowel wall invasion, lymph node metastasis, serum CEA level and CA19-9 level remained as significant risk factors(all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDepth of bowel wall invasion, lymph node metastasis, serum CEA level, and CA19-9 level are risk factors for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Peritoneum ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the learning curve for an experienced laparoscopic colorectal surgeon in performing to laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODSFrom July 2004 to July 2009, 70 patients undergoing laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy performed by a single surgical team were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into groups A to G (n=10) based on the surgery date, and the operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), conversion to open surgery, number of lymph nodes harvested, complications, and recovery indicators were compared.

RESULTSNo statistical differences were found among the groups in age, gender, gastrectomy approach, EBL, number of lymph nodes harvested, time to flatus, or postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). No significant differences were found in the operation time between groups A and B (P=0.999) or among the other 5 groups (P>0.05), but the operation time in groups A (300.00-/+104.59 min) and B (261.00-/+40.50 min) were significantly longer than that in the other 5 groups (C: 191.30-/+23.11 min, D: 188.60-/+31.38 min, E: 181.10-/+20.18 min, F: 167.50-/+32.81 min, and G: 161.30-/+29.03 min). Compared with that in group A, the time to liquid diet decreased significantly in the remaining 6 groups (P<0.05). Conversion to open surgery occurred in two cases (2.86%, both in group B), 2 patients in group B and another 2 in group C developed intraoperative complications, and one in group C had postoperative complication, with the total incidence of complication of 7.14% in this series.

CONCLUSIONA well-trained laparoscopic colorectal surgeon, by following the standard surgical procedures, are likely to overcome the learning curve smoothly after performing approximately 20 cases of laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Clinical Competence ; Gastrectomy ; education ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; education ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVESTo investigate mechanism for the increasing level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in tumour patients during radiotherapy and the inhibitory action of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) to the expression of VEGF protein by radiotherapy in the prostate cancer cell line (PC3M).

METHODSTo observe the changes of serum VEGF in the prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy dynamically and the inhibitory action of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the expression of VEGF by radiotherapy in PC3M.

RESULTSThe changes of serum VEGF in three patients receiving radiotherapy had been observed continuously. The levels of serum VEGF began to increase when the patients received radiotherapy and rised up to peak value after fifteen days, then declined to the range of pre-radiotherapy. Irradiating the PC3M cells with X-rays significantly increased the VEGF expression and secretion. The expression of VEGF protein in the group treated by VEGF AS-ODNs and X-ray irradiation decreased significantly than the group treated only by X-ray irradiation.

CONCLUSIONSThe induction of VEGF protein expression by X-ray irradiation in tumor cells may result in the increasing of the VEGF in the prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy and the induction can be blocked by VEGF AS-ODNs.

DNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; blood ; genetics ; Lymphokines ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

The paper is aimed to establish a methods for identication of pearl powder and conch powder from different origins. Hermetic aluminum pan was used to encapsulate samples. The optimal testing conditions were: heating rate 10 degrees C x min(-1), sample weight 3 mg and nitrogen gas flow rate 40 mL x min(-1). The enthalpy values of pearl powder and conch powder was obvious different. Identication of pearl powder and conch powder by DSC is a practical method for its accuracy, convenience and practificality.
Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; methods ; China ; Discriminant Analysis ; Pinctada ; chemistry ; classification ; Powders ; chemistry