To compare the effects of laparoscopic total or subtotal hysterectomy and myomectomy on ovarian reserve by measuring the serum level of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).A total of 96 patients with uterine fibroids underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH group,n =32),laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH group,n =31) and laparoscopic myomectomy (LM group,n =33).Changes in ovarian reserve were examined by measuring the level of AMH pre-operation and at 1 and 4 months post-operation.No significant differences existed in AMH in LM group[(1.42 ±0.65),(1.31 ±0.53) & (1.33 ±0.61) μg/L,P ＞ 0.05].The levels of AMH in both groups were significantly lower than those at pre-operation [(1.17 ± 0.11),(1.01 ±0.10),(0.48±0.54) & (1.18±0.93),(0.45 ±0.39),(0.14±0.0) μg/L,P＜0.001].The mean percentage decrease in AMH was lower in TLH group than that in LSH group at 4-month follow-up [(-37.4 ± 37.6) ％ vs.(-27.0 ± 23.0) ％,P =0.017].The results showed that LM had no effect on ovarian reserve.Both LSH and TLH had adverse effects on ovarian reserve and TLH was more marked.

Ascites ; complications ; etiology ; Heart Failure ; complications ; etiology ; Hemochromatosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Middle Aged

The contamination of extrinsic harmful contaminants including mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticides, etc, brings serious risks to traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), further to human health. Due to their unique photoluminescence, chemiluminescence, electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence properties, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) nanoparticles are widely used to immobilize bioprobes and biosensors, etc. In this review, the luminescence characteristics and specific ligands of QDs probles which are used to determine contaminants were summed up. Then, the applications of QDs-coated novel probes in the determination of mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticides were discussed in detail. In addition, the contamination levels and characteristics of extrinsic harmful residues in TCMs were investigated. Further, the maximum levels of those contaminants in TCMs were compared with those set by various countries. Finally, the future development trends and problems of QDs-coated probes in the determination of those extrinsic residues in TCMs were prospected.
Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Nanotechnology ; instrumentation ; methods ; Quantum Dots ; Safety ; Time Factors

A study on the microbial transformation of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) was conducted by a fungus, Cunninghamella blakesleeana CGMCC 3.970 systematically. After incubation with the cell cultures of C. blakesleeana CGMCC 3.970 at 25 degrees C for 7 days on a rotary shaker operating at 135 r x min(-1), GA was converted into one major product and five minor products. The products were extracted and purified by solvent extraction, macroporous adsorbent resin, silica gel column chromatography, and semi-preparative RP-HPLC chromatography. Their structures were identified as 3-oxo-15α-hydroxy-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(1), 3-oxo-15β-hydroxy-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (2), 7β,15α-dihydroxy-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (3), 3-oxo-7β, 15α-dihydroxy-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (4), 7β-hydroxy-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(5) and 15α-hydroxy-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(6) by the analyses of MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic data respectively. Among them, 2 was a new compound. These results suggest that C. blakesleeana CGMCC 3.970 has the capability of selective ketonization and hydroxylation for GA. [Key words] glycyrrhetinic acid; Cunninghamella blakesleeana CGMCC 3. 970; microbial transformation
Biotransformation ; Cunninghamella ; metabolism ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

RT-PCR amplification of ginseng ?-amyrin synthase gene was successfully performed based on the total RNAs extracted from ginseng hairy roots induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4 using a modified guanidine isothiocyanate-method. Sequence analysis of this gene revealed that its sequence was consistent with the sequence of a previously reported ginseng ?-amyrin synthase gene (GenBank No. AB009030). This gene was inserted into pMD-119T simple vector and transformed into E.coli DH5?. Furthermore antisense plant expression vector of this gene was constructed using the pBI121 vector, laying foundation for studies on antisense regulation of ginseng ?-amyrin synthase gene.

Genetic engineering is a powerful tool in Panax ginseng breeding.Genetic transformation and plant regeneration are the premise and foundation involved in genetic engineering of Panax ginseng.Ginseng can be regenerated through organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis and indirect somatic embryogenesis is mainly used for its regeneration.Summurized the factors influencing plant regeneration such as different explants,different carbohydrates,somatic embryo optimization and hormone-free approach.Ginseng transformation has been achieved by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes and transgenic ginseng with good characters was obtained by introducing genes associated with biosynthesis of ginsenosides or herbicide gene.Hairy root culture system can supply large scale of ginsenosides,thus effect of rolC genes on ginseng hairy root induction,regeneration and bioreactor culture of hairy root were discussed.Additionally,problems that are present in genetic engineering of Panax ginseng were also discussed in this review.

OBJECTIVETo verify the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions by studying the targeted distribution of major components in stewed rhubarb in the rat model with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODNormal SD rats (control group, n = 5) and the AP model induced with intraperitoneal cerulein (model group, n = 5) were taken as the experimental objects. Rats of the two groups were orally administered with stewed rhubarb granules (20 g x kg(-1)). Their heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and pancreas were collected two hours after the administration. Such constituents as emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein and aloe-emodin and their concentrations in each tissue homogenate were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass-mass.

RESULTAloe-emodin and physcion in stewed rhubarb whose concentrations in liver and kidney of normal rats were higher than that in pancreatic tissues, while the distribution spectrums and concentrations of the remaining components in pancreatic tissues had no significant difference with that of other organs. The concentrations of emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein and chrysophanol in stewed rhubarb in pancreatic tissues of the AP model group were higher than that in other tissues and organs, while their concentrations in pancreatic, renal and splenic tissues were notably higher than that in the normal group.

CONCLUSIONIn the conditions of AP, effective components in stewed rhubarb show a targeted distribution feature in pancreas, which provides experimental basis for the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry

Objective To study the N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)in serum of hypertension patients. Methods 152 patients with hypertension were included in this study.According to the different degree and development of hypertension,152 patients were divided into three different grade group of hypertension:first grade of hypertension group (30 patients),second grade of hypertension group (36 patients)and third grade of hypertension group (86 patients).And the 86 patients were divided into hypertension group (40 patients)and hypertension with diabetes group (46 patients)re-spectively,comparaed with the level of NT-proBNP in serum of different hypertension grade groups.Results The levels of the NT-proBNP in serum were 68±44,122±31 and 834±309 pg/ml of first grade of hypertension group,second grade of hypertension group and third grade of hypertension group,respectively.The level of the NT-proBNP was gradually increased with grade of hypertension (t=2.455,3.561,P<0.01).The level of the NT-proBNP (1 178±864 pg/ml)of hypertension with diabetes group was significantly higher than hypertension group (599±411 pg/ml)(t=3.785,P<0.01).Conclusion The level of NT-proBNP can obj ectively reflect the grade of the disease in patients with hypertension.it is a certain signifi-cance guiding for monitoring the clinical treatment of the disease.

Objective To assess the value of procalcitonin(PCT)measurement to differentiate infection from non-infection in critically ill patients requiring long-term immunosuppressive therapy.Methods A prospective study was conducted in patients with underlying diseases requiring corticosteroids or chemotherapy in ICU from January 2008 to December 2009.Patients were divided into the infection group and the non-infection group and their PCT levels were compared.Results A total of 103 patients (65 women)were enrolled in this prospective study[aged(47.9 ± 21.9)years old]with 84 in the infection group and 19 in the non-infection group.The baseline level of PCT was significantly higher in infection than in non-infection patients[2.58(0.08-44.65)pg/L vs 0.62(0.15-6.00)pg/L,P =0.002].Different levels of PCT were manifested in different pathogen groups with 3.41(0.45-44.65)pg/L in bacteria infection,0.99(0.28-6.67)pg/L in fungus infection,0.11(0.08-0.20)pg/L in virus infection group(P =0.018).The AUCROC of PCT was 0.867 for diagnostic bacterial infection.By multivariate analysis,the factors associated with the level of PCT were bacteria infection(OR 5.1,P =0.031)and septic shock(OR 7.5,P =0.027),while the factors not associated with the level of PCT were age,renal function,infection site and prognosis(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The level of PCT is increased in the critically ill patients requiring immunosuppressive therapy with infection and it can be used for diagnosis for bacterial infection.

Objective To detect the expression change of ETFβin diabetic nephropathy rats and study the role of ETFβin fatty acid-induced apoptosis in renal tubules.Methods Diabetic nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and unilateral nephrectomy.In vivo ETFβexpression was detected in renal cortex, as well as tubular injury evaluated.In vitro fatty acid-induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells NRK 52E model was established and ETFβrecombinant plasmid was constructed to be transfected into NRK 52E cells and furtherly to observe the effect of ETFβover-expression on the fatty acid-induced apoptosis.Results In the rats model of diabetic nephropathy induced by streptozotocin injection and unilateral nephrectomy, ETFβmRNA and protein expression were decreased as obvious tubular damage occurred.Fatty acids could induce apoptosis in NRK 52E, and ETFβover-expression reduced the apoptosis.Conclusion The expression of ETFβis decreased in diabetic nephropathy model , and ETFβover-expression can reduce apoptosis induced by fatty acid in renal tubular cells.