The research was carried out to establish HPLC fingerprints of Tibetan medicinal herb "Songdi" (Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata), and to provide reference for identification an quality control of it. It was performed on an Amethyst-C18-P (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with the mobile phase of methanol-0.4% formic acid in a linear gradient mode at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The software for chromatographic fingerprint was applied to analyse the pattern analysis, the common peaks and similarity. Cluster analysis was done based on the common peaks data of 33 samples from different plant species and sources by SPSS software. Ten common chromatographic peaks were identified by fingerprint, showing a low similarity in constituent and variety. Flavonoids and saponins were the principal components. The number and area of peaks were affected by the collection sources and method. The high similarity are showed by the samples derived from the same area with high accuracy and high purity. The method is so simple, exclusive, stable and high repeatable that it can provide reference for identification and quality assessment of "Songdi" (S. umbellulata var. pectinata).
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Quality Control ; Saxifragaceae ; chemistry

Objective To study the effects of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) on hypermetabolism of skeletal muscle protein in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and explore the mechanisms. Methods Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,COPD group and COPD +TNF-? group(n=15).Rat COPD models were established by passive cigarette smoking in COPD group and COPD +TNF-? group.After dissecting and isolating the extensor digitorium longus(EDL) muscles,the EDL muscles were either cultured with media containing 10 ug/L recombinant rat TNF-? or without TNF-?.The subsequent changes in ubiquitin mRNA and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results The expressions of ubiquitin mRNA and protein of COPD group and COPD+TNF-? group were higher than those of normal contro1 group(P

Skillful in the treatment of gouty arthritis (GA) by integrated therapies of Chinese and Western medicine,chief physician Zhang Tang-fa proposes to ‘deal with the exterior with the needles,and attack the interior with the drugs,by integrated application of acupuncture and herbal medicine',in combination with comprehensive intervention of dietetic therapy and health education.In the treatment of GA,he adopts the syndrome differentiation based upon the pathogenic factors,in combination of syndrome differentiation based upon the six meridians,to reinforce and benefit the spleen and kidney,clear away heat and remove dampness as the therapeutic principle.By acupuncture mainly at the acupoints of the Spleen and Liver Meridians,he also proposes to select the acupoints by the theory of Na Zi Fa (earthly branch method) of Zi Wu Liu Zhu (midnight-noon ebb-flow),and to puncture the surrounding area of the involved joints shallowly by multiple needles as the major needling method,simultaneously with the reinforcing and reducing manipulations based upon the respiration.In the treatment,acupuncture and acupoint-injection are often used.In diet,low purine diet is often suggested.In health education,the patients are often instructed to understand the disease correctly,eliminate fears and cooperate with doctor's treatment positively.

Objective Evaluate the influence of medical monochrome liquid crystal display (LCD) with different resolutions on the detection of pulmonary nodules.Methods Ninety-three direct digital radiography (DR) chest images were selected on-line from picture archiving and communication system (PACS),including 38 positive,32 suspected and 23 normal cases.All of the images were confirmed by CT.These positive images were divided into group A and B according to the diameter of nodules.Three experienced radiologists blindly read the 93 images using three types of displays with different resolutions.Regarding the presence of nodule,five-point confidence system was used:definitely absent,probably absent,indefinite,probably present and definitely present.All observers marked their confidence levels of each image according to the presence of pulmonary nodule on different displays.Software SPSS 13.0 was employed for statistical analysis.Results In the group-A cases,the areas under ROC curves were 0.643,0.686 and 0.739,and in the group-B cases,those were 0.813,0.832 and 0.846 respectively.There was no difference in the detection efficacy among different radiodiagnostic systems.Conclusion Regardless of post-processing tools,it was equivalent to detect pulmonary nodules with different diameters of Group A or B among medical monochrome LCDs with different resolutions.

Objective To investigate the expression of Cdk5 in high glucose-induced mouse podocytes and the effects of inhibi-ting Cdk5 expression on podocyte apoptosis .Methods (1)Mouse podocytes cultured in vitro were divided into normal glucose group ,mannitol group ,high glucose group and the high glucose group was further divided in to 0 ,6 ,12 ,24 ,48 h gorup depend on the induce time .Changes of Cdk5 expression in each group were detected by Western blotting .(2)The expression of Cdk5 in podo-cyte was inhibited by Cdk5 miRNA plasmid .The podocytes were divided into 4 groups :NG group(normal glucose) ,HG group(high glucose) ,HG + S group(high glucose + scrambled plasmid) and HG + C group(high glucose + Cdk5 miRNA plasmid) .The podo-cyte apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) , and the expressions of Bcl-2 ,Bax and cleaved caspased-3 were detected by Western blotting respectively after 48 h .Results Com-pared with normal glucose group ,the expression of Cdk5 was significantly increased in podocytes of high glucose group (P< 0 .05) . The expression of Cdk5 in podocytes was inhibited by Cdk5 miRNA plasmid .Compared with HG and HG + S group ,the podocyte apoptosis rate of HG + C group was significantly decreased(P< 0 .05) .The expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein and Bax /Bcl-2 ratio were also decreased (P< 0 .05) .Conclusion High glucose could increased the expression of Cdk5 in podocytes .The downregu-lation of Cdk5 expression could decrease the podocyte apoptosis induced by high glucose .

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that calcitonin gene-related peptide can be released from cardiac sensory afferent terminals fol owing coronary artery occlusion in rats, indicating the involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide during pathological process of acute myocardial ischemia.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes apoptosis induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and hypoxia/reoxygenation.
METHODS:Twenty wel s of primary cultured neonatal rat myocardial cel s were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group, oxidized low-density lipoprotein group, oxidized low-density lipoprotein hypoxia/reoxygenation group, calcitonin gene-related peptide group and calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 group. The cel s in the last four groups were incubated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein for 24 hours before establishing the myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation model. At 30 minutes prior to hypoxia/reoxygenation, 10-8 mol/L calcitonin gene-related peptide were added into the culture fluid in calcitonin gene-related peptide group;10-7 mol/L competitive antagonist calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 of calcitonin gene-related peptide-1 receptor were added at 30 minutes before calcitonin gene-related peptide administration in calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 group. Myocardial apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity were detected respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Calcitonin gene-related peptide could significantly attenuate apoptosis of neonatal rat myocardial cel s through inhibiting the caspase-3 activation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and hypoxia/reoxygenation. And this effect could be partial y reversed by competitive antagonist calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 of calcitonin gene-related peptide 1 receptor, indicating that calcitonin gene-related peptide has anti-apoptotic effect in combination with the calcitonin gene-related peptide 1 receptor to inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal rats induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Objective To evaluate the effects of sevoflurane on β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress response of hippocampal tissues in rats.Methods Ninety-six male adlut SpragueDawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) ; group Aβ ; 1.3 ％ sevoflurane group (group S1) and 2.6 ％ sevoflurane group (group S2).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal.10％ chloral hydrate 350 mg/kg.Cognitive dysfunction was induced by injecting Aβ1-40 2 μ1 into the bilateral hippocampi in Aβ,S1 and S2 groups.The equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.At 22 days after injection,C and Aβ groups were exposed to 30％ oxygen for 4 h,and S1 and S2 groups inhaled 1.3 ％ and 2.6 ％ sevoflurane,respectively,for 4 h.Eight rats were chosen at days 1,3 and 7 after exposure and cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze test.The swimming speed,escape latency and exploration time at the original platform quadrant were recorded.The rats were then sacrificed after the end of the behavioral test and blood samples were taken for determination of serum S100β protein concentration.Hippocampi were immediately isolated and the homogenate was prepared for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged and exploration time at the original platform quadrant was shortened,the serum S100β protein concentration and MDA content were increased,and SOD activity was decreased at each time point in group Aβ (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the variables mentioned above between Aβ and S1 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The escape latency was significantly prolonged and the exploration time at the original platform quadrant was shortened,the serum S100β protein concentration and MDA content were increased,and SOD activity was decreased at each time point in group S2 as compared with Aβ and S1 groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the swimining speed among the 4 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Inhalation of 2.6 ％ sevoflurane for 4 h can aggravate the cognitive dysfunction induced by Aβ in rats and aggravation of oxidative stress response may be involved in the mechanism.

The quality control method and standard were established to control the quality of Pteris multifida in this paper. The tests of water content, total ash, acid-unsoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of P. multifida were carried out according to the methods recorded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1) . The TLC method was established by using rhoifolin as references, and a mixture of CHCl3 -MeOH-HAc (6: 1: 1) as the developing solvent system on GF254 thin layer plate. The contents of rhoifolin was determined by HPLC on a Diamonsil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) column, using acetonitrile-water (containing 0.15% formic acid) (16: 84) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 30 degrees C and the detection wave-length was 350 nm. As a result, pterosin C 3-O-β-D-glucosidede and the other constituents were well separated on TLC detected under the UV light at 254 nm . The methodology validation for the assay of rhoifolin presented that it was in good linear correlation in the ranges of 0.025 5-5.1 μg with the regression equations of Y = 1 092.4X + 9.503 5 (r = 0.999 8), and the average recoveries were 100.3% (RSD 1.3%). The content range of rhoifolin from 16 different batches of Pteris multifida was 0.08-5.06 mg x g(-1). The water content, total ash, acid-unsoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of 16 samples varied in the ranges of 7.35% - 12.96%, 6.90% - 16.33%, 2.07% -11.38% and 13.29% -23.87%, respectively. The suggesting limes in the quality standard for water content, total ash, acid-unsoluble ash, ethanol-soluble extractives and rhoifolin content were ≤ 12% , ≤ 15% , ≤ 8.5% , ≥ 14% and ≥ 0.040%, respectively. The result proved that the established quality of control method was specific and accurate, which can be used for the quality control of P. multifida.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Pteris ; chemistry ; Quality Control

Objective To study the effect of labeling esophageal carcinoma with sliver clips on two sides by esophagoscopy in mapping the target for conformal radiotherapy (CRT). Methods Eighty patients with esophageal carcinoma (28 patients in early stage, 52 patients in late stage), who were eligible for CRT, were collected and the tumor volume was detected by three methods: CT (A),CT combined with X-ray (B) and CT combined with sliver clip labeling by esophagoscopy (C). The differences of the tumor length and position in head-foot site (Y-axsis) among three methods were compared. Results The comparison of average length of tumor in early stage patients showed significant difference among three methods in all types of tumor (F= 4.07 ～ 7.43, P＜0.05 ) except papillary type (F= 1. 71, P＞0. 05). There was difference (ranged from 0. 5 cm to 2. 0 cm) in detection of position in head-foot site between A and B methods and C method. Significant difference was found in determining the displacement on head-foot site among three methods (F = 34. 36 ～193.50,P ＜0.01). The comparison of average length of tumor in middle or terminal stage patients showed significant difference among three methods in all types of tumor (F=4. 07～30.10 ,P＜0.05) except mushroom type (F = 2.44, P＞ 0. 05). Significant difference was found in determining the displacement on head-foot site among three methods (F= 12.00 ～ 21.16, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion These findings indicate that C method is more sensitive and correct in mapping the target for CRT in comparison with other two methods.

Objective The study was to evaluate DWI for quantifying liver fibrosis. Methods A total of 12 volunteers, 47 patients who had chronic HBV or HCV hepatitis and underwent liver biopsy [Scheuer score for fibrosis(S) and inflammation(G)] were enrolled in this study. They were scanned using a 1.5 T MR unit with b value of 0,250,500,750, 1000 s/mm~2. ADCs at b_(250-1000) and b_(500-1000) were the average ADCs of b=250, 500, 750, 1000 s/mm~2 and b=500, 750, 1000 s/mm~2. The studied the correlation between Scbeuer scores and ADC values, and conducted Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic regression to evaluate ADC for prediction of fibrosis scores. Results The average ADCs were (1.41± 0.11),(1.37±0.09), (1.27±0.05), (1.26±0.04), (1.22±0.06) mm~2/s respectively from SO to S4, stage at b=750 s/mm~2 (F=18.31, P<0.01). With the increase of fibrosis score, the average ADC decreased gradually, the two were better negatively correlated at b_(250-1000)(r=-0.727, P<0.01) than other b values. Using b_(750) and the two combined b values, the found significantly lower ADCs in S2 or greater versus S1 or less and in S3 or greater versus S2 or less fibrosis (P<0.01). The best predictor for S2 or greater was b_(750) with the largest AUC of 0.909, sensitivity of 85.7%, and specificity of 100.0% (ADC ≤1.35×10~(-3) mm~2/s). The best predictor for S3 or greater was b_(250-1000) with the largest AUC of 0.864, sensitivity of 69.6%, and specificity of 95.8% (ADC≤1.53×10~(-3) mm~2/s). Conclusion DWI can be a good predictor for scoring liver fibrosis for S2 or S3 stage above, while b_(750) and the combined b values are suitable for evaluation.