The marine biological source of mineral drugs recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version) mainly including pearl, nacre, clam shell, common oyster shell, ark shell, cuttle bone, and sea-ear shell are widely used in clinical. Calcium carbonate and a small amount of protein are the main components in this type of drugs. In this paper, a systematical and comparable study were carried out by determination of calcium carbonate by EDTA titration method, the crystal of calcium carbonate by X-Ray powder diffraction and the total amino acids (TAAs) of the hydrolyzed samples by ultraviolet spectrophotometry method. As a result, the crystal structure is calcite for common oyster shell, mixture of calcite and aragonite for nacre and sea-ear shell, aragonite for the other drugs. The content of calcium carbonate ranged from 86% to 96%. Cuttle bone has the highest amount of TAAs among the seven drugs which reached 1.7% while clam shell has the lowest content of 0.16% on average. In conclusion, an effective method was developed for the quality control of marine mineral drugs by comprehensive analysis of calcium carbonate and TAAs in the seven marine mineral drugs.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; analysis ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Edetic Acid ; chemistry ; Mollusca ; chemistry ; classification ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Seawater ; Species Specificity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; X-Ray Diffraction

ObjectiveTo investigate the difference of pathogenicity between the two genotypes of human metapneumovirus(hMPV) for the further research.MethodsAt various time after hMPV infection in BALB/c mice,viral titers of lung tissue were measured by real-time RT-PCR,pathology was assessed by a histopathological scoring system,airway responsiveness was assayed by animal lung function monitoring equipment.Pathogenicity was then measured by detailed evaluation through the results above.Results There is no significant difference in weight of mice between control group and experimental group through dynamic monitoring ; though the difference was exists in airway responsiveness and pathological changes of mice between control group and experimental group,the differences were not statistically in airway reaction,pathological changes and virus drops among the three groups of experimental group.ConclusionThere is no difference in pathogenicity between the two subtypes of hMPV in infection of BALB/c mice,viral genotype do not appear to be associated with pathogenicity.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sweat Glands

To explore a new method for identification of Mongolian patent medicine (MPM) by PCR amplification of specific alleles. Eight kinds of MPM were used to study the identification of "Digeda" raw materials. The total DNA of Lomatogonium rotatum and Corydalis bungeana samples were extracted through modified CTAB method, psbA-trnH sequence was amplified by PCR and sequenced directionally. Specific primer was designed. The DNA of 8 kinds of MPM also was extracted and purified by the commercial DNA purification kits. The rbcL and two pair of specific primers sequences were amplified. The specific amplified products were sequenced in forward directions. All specific sequences were aligned and were analyzed. The results indicated that L rotatum can be identified by specific primers from Digeda-4 Tang, Digeda-8 San, Digeda-4 San, and C. bungeana medicinal materials can be identified by specific primers from Li Dan Ba Wei San, Yi He Ha Ri-12 and A Ga Ri-35. PCR amplification of specific alleles can stably and accurately distinguish raw medicinal materials in MPM.
Alleles ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

BACKGROUNDShoulder immobilization can induce adhesion of the joint, capsular contracture or lead to the condition of frozen shoulder. However, little is known about the histological effects of immobilization on the shoulder joint. This study aimed to explore the effect of immobility on the subscapular bursa (SSB) and the joint capsular content, including the distribution of types I and III collagen, within an immobilized rat shoulder.

METHODSForty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into one control group (n = 6) and four immobilization groups (n = 10 in each group), in which the left shoulders were immobilized with plaster for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. At the end of each time point, 2 rats from each group were euthanized and shoulders prepared for serial histological observations of the glenohumeral joints, as well as picrosirius red and immunohistochemical observation of type III collagen. Histological sections of the remaining rat shoulders were used for the immunohistochemical detection of the capsular content of types I and III collagen.

RESULTSThe hyperplastic synovium of the anterior capsule obstructed the communication between the SSB and the glenohumeral joint cavity at 2 and 3 weeks. The adhesion of the SSB appeared at 3 and 4 weeks. The quantitative and qualitative results showed that the capsular contents of types I and III collagen progressively increased at 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and that type III collagen was distributed extensively within the joint capsule at 2 and 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONImmobilization of the rat shoulder induced synovial hyperplasia of the joint capsule, adhesion of the SSB and an increase of the capsular content of types I and III collagen.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunohistochemistry ; Joint Capsule ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shoulder Dislocation ; metabolism ; pathology ; Shoulder Joint ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of acupuncture for treatment of perimenopausal syndrome.

METHODSThe rats of perimenopausal syndrome were randomly divided into 3 groups, including an acupuncture group treated with acupuncture, a medication group with Gengnian'an, and a perimenopausal control group, with young rats used for a control group. Granulocyte apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Fas proteins in the ovary of the rat were detected.

RESULTSGranulocyte apoptosis increased significantly (P < 0.01), expression of Bl-2 proteins decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and expression of Fas proteins increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the ovary of perimenopausal rats as compared with the young rats; after acupuncture treatment, granulocyte apoptosis decreased significantly (P < 0.05), expression of Bel-2 proteins increased significantly (P < 0.05) and expression of Fas proteins decreased significantly (P < 0.01); after treatment of Gengnian'an, granulocyte apoptosis did not significantly change (P > 0.05), expression of Bcl-2 prteins increased significantly (P < 0.05) and expression of Fas proteins decreased significantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can inhibit granulocyte apoptosis, up-regulate expression of Bcl-2 proteins and down-regulate expression of Fas proteins in the ovary of the perimenopausal rat.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Granulocytes ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Perimenopause ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; fas Receptor ; analysis

Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Rural Population

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

Licorice, one of the most commonly used medicinal materials in China, grows mainly in arid and semi-arid regions and has important economic and ecological values. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors in plants play an important role in regulating biological or abiotic stress responses, growth, and secondary metabolite synthesis. bZIP transcription factors in the published whole genome database of Glycyrrhiza uralensis were identified using bZIP sequences found in Arabidopsis thaliana genome as reference, and ABA-dependent bZIP genes were identified by using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. The physical and chemical properties, structure of the encoded proteins, and the gene expression patterns with exogenous ABA stress were analyzed. A total of 69 bZIP transcription factor genes were identified in G. uralensis, named Gubzip1-69, and they were divided into 10 subfamilies (A-I and S) according to their similarity to bZIPs of A. thaliana. By calculating the relative expression levels of the 69 GubZIPs genes under different concentrations of exogenous ABA stress, genes that may be involved in the regulation of ABA signaling pathways were identified, namely GubZIP1, GubZIP5, GubZIP8, GubZIP30, GubZIP33 and GubZIP56. The results of expression pattern analysis of these GubZIPs genes under exogenous ABA stress showed that the expression pattern of GubZIPs genes changed significantly with 50 mg·L^-1 ABA. The relative expression levels of these genes decreased 3 h after treatment, and gradually increased 6 h after treatment. Except for GubZIP8, the relative expression levels of these genes were significantly increased after 12 h. Further research on the function of bZIP transcription factors of G. uralensis and elucidating their regulatory mechanisms should be of interest and will provide a scientific basis for cultivating high-quality cultivars of G. uralensis through molecular breeding methods.

Objective To investigate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) using As_2O_3 and Lipiodol on the growth and metastasis of the implanted hepatic tumor in rabbits and the correlation of metastasis with angiogenesis of the residual tumor.Methods Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups and VX_2 carcinoma was implanted in the left lobes of the livers.Two weeks later,a catheter was inserted into the hepatic artery and infusion was performed via the hepatic artery using physiological saline(group A),Lipiodol(group B),ADM-Lipiodol(group C),and As_2O_3-Lipiodol(group D),respectively.One week after the treatment,the value of microvessel density (MVD)of tumors(samples got by biopsy)was examined by immunohistochemistry.Three weeks after the treatment,the volume and necrotic area of the implanted tumor were measured.The metastases in the liver, lungs and other organs were recorded.Results One week after the treatment,the value of MVD of the tumorswas(21.8?5.3),(23.4?3.9),(22.4?4.5),and(14.3?3.4)/400 power LM(F= 11.246,P=0.000).Three weeks after the treatment,the mean volume of the implanted tumor was (35.5?7.1),(21.2?8.3),(20.7?9.1),and(11.8?3.7)cm~3(F=21.203,P=0.0000)in groups A,B,C and D,respectively.There was significant difference between group D and group B(q= 4.398,P