Shanyao (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) is the one of the conventional herbs in the clinical practice, which is good at nourishing yin, and entering the lung, spleen and kidney meridian. Through analysis on all formulae contain-ing Shanyao in past dynasties, we found out the top 30 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs for the highest frequency in combination with Shanyao, among which there were 28 herbs recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong's Classic of the Materia Medica) and 23 herbs were considered as the top grade medicinals. This article was focused on the analysis of the compatibility meaning and rules of Shanyao and supplementing medic-inals in order to provide scientific basis for clinical formulae and daily health cultivation so as to make good use of Shanyao.

Objective To reveal evolution characteristics and antigenic epitope variabilities of hemagglutinin (HA) gene of H3N2 viruses in Guangdong during 2014-2015.Methods The HA gene nucleotide sequence of influenza H3N2 virus isolated during 2014-2015 in Guangdong Province was selected by spatial-temporal distribution.The HA gene nucleotide sequences were compared with global HA genes downloaded from GenBank and GISAID and the gene nucleotide mutations were analyzed.The phylogenetic tree and the entropy chart were conducted.Results Compared with HA gene of vaccine strain A/Texas/50/2012,the substitutions of 25 amino acid sites occurred in the HA gene of the 17 Guangdong strains during 2014 to 2015.The epitope A,B,D and E of the HA1 gene developed mutations,which involved 11 amino acid sites.One glycosylation site deletion occurred in A/Guangdong/ 55/2015 in virtue of the N38K site mutation.The high mutation site was at 175 with entropy value of 1.16.The 363 site might be the positive selection while the 368 and 425 sites might be the negative selection sites by comprehensive evaluation of the screening results of the single likelihood ancestor countincy (SLAC),fixed effects likelihood (FEL) and internal fixed-effects likelihood (IFEL) model.Conclusions The mutations emerge in the epitopes A,B,D and E of HA gene of the Guangdong H3N2 stains.Evolution at 363 site is positive selection while those at 368 and 425 sites are negative selection.The mutation accumulation might lead to the epidemic of influenza H3N2.

Background Doxycycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic,and it is frequently used in the treatment of ocular surface diseases.Objective The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of doxycycline on the inhibition of cell proliferation in bovine corneal myofibroblasts in vitro and assess its contribution to ocular surface repairing mechanism.Methods Six fresh bovine corneas were collected.The corneal stromal layer was isolated by two-step method of 1.0 g/L and 2.0 g/L collegenase-1.Isolated cells were plated at mantaryay culture flask in 10％ FBS of RPMI-1640.Vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) organization were evaluated by immunocytochemistry,and the cells with influoresccence staining for vimentin and α-SMA were identified as the corneal myofibroblasts.Doxycycline at the concentrations of 10,20,40,60,80 mg/L was added to the medium,respectively,in different concentrations of doxycycline groups.Dexamethasone (120 mg/L)was used in the same way in the positive control group,and no drug was used in the negative control group.Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and the cell cycle was analyzed by BD FACScan flow cytometer assay 24 hours and 48 hours after addition of any drug.Results The cells grew well and showed the positive response for vimentin and α-SMA.MTT assay showed that the A570values of bovine corneal myofibroblasts were gradually declined with the increase of the concentration of doxycycline and lapse of active time,showing statistically significant difference (Fconcentration =1233.778,P＜0.001 ; Ftime =227.564,P ＜ 0.001).And the difference between the two factors was also statistically significant (Ftime*concentration =51.656,P＜0.001).Flow cytometry cell cycle analysis showed that 24 hours after 10,20,40,60,80 mg/L doxycycline treated,the perentage of of corneal myofibroblast cell in G0-G1 phase was 82.85％,84.36％,85.18％,87.12 ％ and 89.31％,showing significant increase in comparison with 63.89％ of the negative control group (all P＜0.05),and that of 40 mg/L doxycycline group was near the positive control group.Forty-eight hours after 10,20,40,60,80 mg/L doxycycline treated,the perentage of of corneal myofibroblast cell in G0-G1 phase was 82.78％,86.15％,88.23％,89.57％,93.00％,with significant increase in comparison with 70.17％ of the negative control group (all P ＜ 0.01),and that of 40 mg/L doxycycline group was near the positive control group.Conclusions The growth of the bovine corneal myofibroblasts is inhibited by doxycycline in time-and dosedependent manner in the range from 10 mg/L to 80 mg/L,and 40 mg/L of doxycycline has an obviously inhibitory action as 120 mg/L dexamethasone.

Objective To establish the method of measuring quercetin content in semen cuscutae(SC) and to explore its in- vivo pharmacokinetics features.Methods The rapid and sensitive HPLC- UV method was adopted with carbamazepine acting as internal standard. After the extract of SC was given, serum samples of rats were collected and measured on C18 reverse- phase chromatographic column after liquid- liquid extract. Results The linear range of calibration curve were 0.05～ 9? g/mL (r=0.9998). The method showed good precision and recoveries for serum with 86.65～ 99.07% , and extracting recoveries 79.91～ 84.56% .The limit of detection(LOD) as 0.05? g/mL. Conclusion The pharmacokinetic process of quercetin in vivo manifestated an opening two- compartment model with t1/2(Ab)=0.13h, t1/2(? )=0.19h, t1/2(? ) =1.22h, tmax=0.333h. The results may provide evidence of safety and effectiveness for clinical use of SC.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on the migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) cultivated with high glucose (HG) and as well as explore the mechanism behind the protective effects of lycopene on peripheral blood EPCs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified after induction of cellular differentiation. Third generation EPCs were incubated with HG (33 mmol/L) or 10, 30, and 50 microg/mL of lycopene plus HG. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs. EPC migration was assessed by MTT assay with a modified boyden chamber. Adhesion assay was performed by replating EPCs on fibronectin-coated dishes, after which adherent cells were counted. In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by Madrigal network formation assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated p38 MAPK. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of EPCs treated with 10, 30, and 50 microg/mL of lycopene plus HG were all significantly higher comapred to the HG group (P < 0.05). Rates of apoptosis were also significantly lower than that of the HG group. Moreover, lycopene blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in EPCs (P < 0.05). To confirm the causal relationship between MAPK inhibition and the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced cellular injury, we treated cells with SB203580, a phosphorylation inhibitor. The inhibitor significantly inhibited HG-induced EPC injury. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity as well as reduces apoptosis of EPCs. Further, the underlying molecular mechanism of the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced EPC injury may involve the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway. Specifically, lycopene was shown to inhibit HG-induced EPC injury by inhibiting p38 MAPKs.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Ficoll ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose* ; Humans ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on the migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) cultivated with high glucose (HG) and as well as explore the mechanism behind the protective effects of lycopene on peripheral blood EPCs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified after induction of cellular differentiation. Third generation EPCs were incubated with HG (33 mmol/L) or 10, 30, and 50 microg/mL of lycopene plus HG. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs. EPC migration was assessed by MTT assay with a modified boyden chamber. Adhesion assay was performed by replating EPCs on fibronectin-coated dishes, after which adherent cells were counted. In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by Madrigal network formation assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated p38 MAPK. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of EPCs treated with 10, 30, and 50 microg/mL of lycopene plus HG were all significantly higher comapred to the HG group (P < 0.05). Rates of apoptosis were also significantly lower than that of the HG group. Moreover, lycopene blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in EPCs (P < 0.05). To confirm the causal relationship between MAPK inhibition and the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced cellular injury, we treated cells with SB203580, a phosphorylation inhibitor. The inhibitor significantly inhibited HG-induced EPC injury. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity as well as reduces apoptosis of EPCs. Further, the underlying molecular mechanism of the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced EPC injury may involve the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway. Specifically, lycopene was shown to inhibit HG-induced EPC injury by inhibiting p38 MAPKs.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Ficoll ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose* ; Humans ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effcacy of the staple fixation for the treatment of hamate metacarpal joint injury.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to November 2012,16 patients with hamate metacarpal joint injury were treated with staple fixation including 10 males and 6 females with an average age of 33.6 years old ranging from 21 to 57 years. Among them, 11 cases were on the fourth or fifth metacarpal base dislocation without fractures, 5 cases were the fourth or fifth metacarpal base dislocation with avulsion fractures of the back of hamatum. Regular X-ray review was used to observe the fracture healing, joint replacement and position of staple fixation. The function of carpometacarpal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint were evaluated according to ASIA (TAM) system evaluation method.

RESULTSAll incision were healed well with no infection. All patients were followed up from 16 to 24 months with an average of (10.0 +/- 2.7) months. No dislocation recurred, the position of internal fixator was good,no broken nail and screw withdrawal were occurred. Five patients with avulsion fracture of the back of hamatum achieved bone healing. The function of carpometacarpal joint and metacarpophalangeal was excellent in 10 cases,good in 5 cases, moderate in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONThe application of the staple for the treatment of hamatometacarpal joint injury has the advantages of simple operation, small trauma, reliable fixation, early postoperative function exercise and other advantages, which is the ideal operation mode for hamatometacarpal joint injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carpal Joints ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Hamate Bone ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpal Bones ; injuries ; surgery ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Sutures ; utilization ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE To investigate the surgical management and its result of the cervical esophageal cancer.METHODS Forty six patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma who received surgical treatment in our hospital were included in this retrospective study.The removed hypopharynx and cervical esophagus were repaired with laryngotracheal flap in 5 cases,free myocutaneous flap in 4 patients and free jejunum in 2 patients.The inversion stripping esophagectomy without thoracotomy were performed in 35 patients.RESULTS During the early postoperative period,complications included recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in 2 cases,anastomotic fistula in 3 cases,anastomotic stenosis in 5 cases,Long-term postoperative gastro-esophageal reflux occurred in 19 cases.The 5-year survival rate was 28.7%. CONCLUSION The surgical treatment for cervical esophageal carcinoma should be decided by the location of the tumor,the extent of the cancer involved and lymph node metastasis.

Objective To investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene promoter region - 1031T/C and its combination with interleukin-6 (IL-6 ) gene promoter region -634C/G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with the genetic susceptibility to endometriosis.Methods Total of 432 endometriosis patients and 499 non-endometriosis women who had received an operation due to tubal ligation,tubal recanalization,laparoscopic hydrotubation,ovarian simple cyst and teratoma were collected and separated into endometriosis group and control group,that all cases were confirmed by operation and pathology.A case-control study was performed in endometriosis and control group to evaluate the association of these SNP with the susceptibility to endometriosis by using a fluorescent quantitative PCR-based high resolution melting ( HRM ) method.Results ( 1 ) TNF-α - 1031T/C genotype:the T and C of TNF-α - 1031T/C allele frequencies in the endometriosis group and control group were 79.2％ (684/864),20.8％ (180/864) and 81.8％ (816/998),18.2％ (182/998),respectively.The TT,TC and CC of TNF-α - 1031T/C genotype frequencies in the two groups were 63.7％ (275/432),31.0％ ( 134/432 ),5.3％ (23/432) and 66.5％ (332/499),30.5％ (152/499),3.0％ ( 15/499),respectively.There were no statistical significances in the TNF-α - 1031T/C alleles and genotypes distributions between the two groups ( P =0.158,P =0.186 ).( 2 ) TNF-α - 1031T/C and IL-6 - 634C/G conjoint genotypes:to research on the TNF-α - 1031T/C and IL-6 -634C/G genotypes for conjoint analysis,the TT + CC,TC + CC,CC +CC,TT + CG,TC + CG,CC + CG,TT + GG,TC + GG and CC + GG combination genotype frequencies in the two groups were 39.4％ ( 170/432 ),19.4％ ( 84/432 ),4.6％ ( 20/432 ),20.6％ ( 89/432 ),8.8％ (38/432),0.9％ (4/432),3.5％ (15/432),2.3％ (10/432),0.5％ (2/432) and 36.7％ ( 183/499),17.4％(87/499),1.4％ (7/499),26.1％ (130/499),10.4％ (52/499),1.2％ (6/499),3.8％ (19/499),2.6％ ( 13/499),0.4％ (2/499),respectively.There were no statistical significances in the combination genotypes distributions between the two groups ( P =0.107 ).As compared with carriers of TT + CC combination genotype,the endometriosis risk of carriers of CC + CC combination genotype enhanced 3.076 times ( 95％ CI:1.268 - 7.457,P =0.009 ),and the endometriosis risk of carriers of other combination genotypes were no statistical significances (all P ＞ 0.05 ).ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that there are no significant association between the SNP of TNF-α - 1031T/C and genetic susceptibility to endometriosis.However the results indicate that there are significant association betweengenetic susceptibility to endometriosis and the combination polymorphisms of TNF-α -1031T/C and IL-6- 634C/G.

【Objective】 To verify the key performance parameters of Roche Cobas S201 multiplex NAT for blood donors, so as to provide data for the conformation of multiplex NAT performance and establish a scientific and feasible verification scheme. 【Methods】 Comprehensive performance verification on four key parameters of ROCHE COBAS S201 multiplex NAT system, including the 95% detection limit, compliance rate, anti-interference ability and operator comparison were conducted. The data were compared with the specifications provided by the manufacturer to evaluate the performance of laboratory testing system and ensure the quality of blood testing. 【Results】 2 sets of COBAS S201 multiplex NAT system in our laboratory were used to perform 5 times of the 95% detection limit value declared by the manufacturer for individual tests. The experimental results showed that the target NAT can be detected 100% and the lower limit of determination was verified. Single-virus NAT was performed to detect 5 different HBV DNA concentrations (25 ~400 IU/mL), 5 different HCV RNA concentrations (25 ~400 IU/mL), 5 different HIV RNA Concentration (100~1 000 IU/mL), and 5 negative tubes. The experimental results showed that all detected values of 20 tubes were 100% consistent with the true value, and the performance parameter "coincidence rate" was verified. Samples containing lipoemia, hemolysis, with ALT>50 mL/L and syphilis-positive endogenous interfering substances with 3 times of the 95% detection limit value were tested for 3 times, and results showed both response rate (3/3) and yielding rate reached 100%. In the control group (with none or in the normal range of interfering substances), reactivity was detected in samples with extremely low concentration of 3 times of the 95% detection limit, showing no significant difference (P>0.05). Above results fully showed that the existence of interference substances (lipidemia, hemolysis, ALT ≥ 50 and syphilis positive) in the blood of donors had no significant effect on the yielding of HBV/HCV/HIV virus target nucleic acids. Different operators performed the sample loading tests with same instrument, reagent and specimen showed 100% consistency in the results. It could be preliminarily assessed that there was no difference in the operations between the operators in this verification. 【Conclusion】 The verification scheme of the multiplex NAT system for methodology performance index (95% detection limit, coincidence rate, anti-interference ability, and operator comparison) established in this study, showed simple, flexible, scientific and feasible characteristics and could provide reference and data support for domestic blood transfusion services in acid detection.