Objective: Taking the Hedysari Radix cultivated in different regions in Gansu province and its soil as the research objects, the correlation of contents between soil nutrients, including total N, total P, total K, organic matter, available P, available K, calycosin. and formononetin in Hedysari Radix were analyzed in this paper. Methods: The correlations of the contents between soil nutrients and active components were analyzed by the multiple comparisons, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The statistical results showed that there existed obviously positive correlations between calycosin and the contents of total N and total K of soil. Calycosin is positively correlated with the contents of organic matter and available P, while with available K and total P, it is negatively correlated. Meanwhile the contents of formononetin and total K existed significantly positive correlations. Formononetin was positively correlated with the contents of total N and available P, but it was negatively correlated with available K, organic matter, and total P. Conclusion: When the plant grows, it absorbs some ingredients of soil selectively. The accumulations of calycosin and formononetin are affected by the contents of total K, total N, and available P, which shows that the soil with higher total K, total N, and available P is conducive to the growth of Hedysari Radix.

Objective Assessment of genetic diversity and genetic structure of germplasm of wild Hedysari Radix. Methods Fifteen germplasms of wild Hedysari Radix. were collected from Wudu pupolations and Tanchang pupolations. ISSR (Intersimple sequence repeat) markers were used. ISSR data were analyzed with the program POPGEN 1.32. The UPGMA tree and PCoA analysis was constructed using Ntsys software. The AMOVA analysis used Arlequin 31 software and Population structure analysis used the structure 2.3.4 software. Results The results of the ISSR-PCR showed that 126 (72.83%) of the 173 ISSR locitested were polymorphic by the nine primers. The change of percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) of wild germplasm populations were 49.71%-61.85%. The average of PPL was 55.78%. Two populations of species level of observed number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei's gene diversity (H), and Shannon's information index was 1.728 3, 1.364 6, 0.224 2, and 0.334 5, respectively. Total gene diversity (Ht), gene diversity with provenances (Hs), the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst), and estimate of gene flow from Gst (Nm) of cultivated and wild population were 0.223 0, 0.192 1, 0.138 9, and 3.099 4, respectively. The among-population component accounted for 16.36% of the total variation, while the within-population component accounted for 83.64%, and genetic variation occured mainly within the population. UPGMA analysis showed that 15 samples were clustered into two branches including Ⅰ and Ⅱ. PCoA and population structure analysis confirmed the partitioning results of the UPGMA clustering. Mantel correlation test showed that there existed middle-level correlations between the genetic differentiation and geographical distance. Conclusion Our studies showed that the genetic diversity of Hedysari Radix populations was at a higher level, the characteristics of genetic structure included genetic differentiation that occurs mainly within populations and perennials, which provides theoretical basis for protecting and utilizing germplasm of Hedysari Radix resources.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of nucleoside analogues on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatic lymph nodes of hepatitis B related liver transplantation recipients who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive but negative for serum HBV DNA.

METHODSFrom June 2010 to March 2011, thirty-six cases of hepatitis B related liver transplantation recipients [32 males, 4 females, average age (54 ± 7) years] were divided into drug treatment group and non-drug treatment group according to the utility of nucleoside analogues. Drug treatment group was divided into two subgroups: drug treatment > 3 months group and drug treatment ≤ 3 months group. The hepatic lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament were taken during the operation of liver transplant. Using nested or semi-nested PCR, HBV DNA and the replicative form HBV cccDNA in hepatic lymph nodes were detected. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test.

RESULTSThe positive rate of HBV DNA: the difference was not statistically significant between drug treatment group (72.7%, 16/22) and non-drug treatment group (14/14) (P = 0.062), the difference was not statistically significant between drug treatment > 3 months group (10/14) and drug treatment ≤ 3 months group (6/8) in the subgroups of drug treatment group (P = 1.000). The positive rate of HBV cccDNA: drug treatment group (22.7%, 5/22) was significantly lower than the non-drug treatment (12/14) (P = 0.000), drug treatment > 3 months group (1/14) was significantly lower than drug treatment ≤ 3 months group (4/8) in the subgroups of drug treatment group (P = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONSHepatic lymph nodes maybe one of the extrahepatic HBV reservoirs. Treating with nucleoside analogues more than 3 months can significantly decrease the replication of HBV in hepatic lymph nodes of HBV associated liver transplantation recipients.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Lymph Nodes ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nucleosides ; therapeutic use ; Preoperative Care ; Virus Replication

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; virology

BACKGROUNDSepsis is a leading cause of death in the intensive care units. The late inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), plays a critical role in sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the association between the serum HMGB1 levels and the severity of organ injury in the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in rats.

METHODSTo produce an animal model of sepsis with different degree of organ injury, animals were treated with three different doses of lipopolysaccharide (4, 8 and 16 mg/kg), and the animals in control group were treated with the same volume of the vehicle (saline). The levels of serum HMGB1 were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 48 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle injection, meanwhile the biochemical and histopathological indicators for the severity of organ injury were assessed.

RESULTSThe level of HMGB1 had a positive, high correlation with the abnormal changes of serum cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as the pathologic scores of heart, lung, liver and kidney.

CONCLUSIONSThe level of serum HMGB1 is highly correlated with the severity of sepsis in rats, suggesting that HMGB1 could serve as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis and management of sepsis.

Animals ; HMGB1 Protein ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) as one of lab tests to examine DNA breakage for the diagnosis of Fanconi anemia (FA). Case Record A 4-year-and-10-month old boy presented with cryptorchism, deformities of both thumbs and esotropia of right eye. He developed thrombocytopenia and anemia when he was 3 year- and -2-month old. He was clinically diagnosed as FA.

METHODS AND RESULTSDNA breakage of peripheral white blood cells from the patient and his parents was examined with SCGE. The percentages of cells with chromosome breakage (comet-tail positive cells) were 100%, 90% and 52% for the patient,his father and mother, respectively, while that were only 2% and 5% in two normal same-age children (P <0. 001). The micronucleus-positive lymphocytes was 6.74% in the patient, being also much higher than normal value (0.40%).

CONCLUSIONSCGE disclosed DNA breakage in the patient with FA, suggesting that it could be used as a test for determining DNA breakage of FA.

Child, Preschool ; Comet Assay ; Fanconi Anemia ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUNDTo find out the timing of serologic responses after illness onset and distribution of IgG antibody to SARS-CoV in SARS cases of transmission chain or non-transmission chain.

METHODSThe IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV were tested by indirect ELISA in serum samples from 301 clinically diagnosed SARS cases.

RESULTSTotally 158 SARS cases were involved in 15 chains of transmission. The positive rates of SARS-CoV IgG in those chains were 85.70%-100.00% and the overall rate was 94.30% (149/158). The chain of transmission could spread to four generations, but the SARS cases were reduced with increase of generations. There was no significant difference among positive rates of SARS-CoV IgG for generations, Chi square=5.11, P greater than 0.05. The positive rate of SARS-CoV IgG in cases who were not in chain of transmission was 12.59%(18/143) which was statistically significantly different from that of cases in chain of transmission, Chi square=199.64, P less than 0.001. During days 0-7,8-14,15-21,22-30 after onset, the cumulated positive rate of SARS-CoV IgG was 16.67%, 40.00%, 70.00% and 93.10%, respectively, then was kept at the level above 90% and lasted for 217 days. The cumulated positive rate of SARS-CoV IgM during days 0-7 after onset was the same to that of IgG. During days 8-14, 55.17% of cases had seroconversion for IgM which reached a peak (86.96%) during days 21-30. Then the rate rapidly declined.

CONCLUSIONMore than 94% of cases with SARS could produce IgG antibody when they were infected by SARS-CoV. Detecting SARS-CoV IgG could provide a diagnostic evidence for case confirmation. SARS-CoV IgG appeared as early as 7 days after onset and reached the peak at about weeks 4. Then the high rate of antibody was maintained for more than 6 months.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; transmission

Complex segmental femoral fractures are usually not amenable to closed reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a series of patients who had undergone four pins assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation to determine the therapeutic effect of this closed reduction technique. Between December 2010 and January 2013, 15 consecutive patients with segmental femoral fractures were treated with four pins assisted reduction at our hospital. The patient was placed in a supine position on a radiolucent fracture table and a gentle traction was attempted on the limb. Usually, the proximal fracture segment exhibited the typical deformity of flexion, external rotation, and abduction, the middle segment exhibited adduction and distal fracture segment exhibited flexion. Four Schanz pins were placed percutaneously to fix one cortex and did not penetrate into the medullary cavity, and the "T" sharp handles were fixed on the Schanz pins. The fragments were then reduced by reversing the deforming forces for segmental fractures by two assistants. And then, the reduction could be easily achieved and intramedullary nail fixation was performed. Radiographs were evaluated for the quality of the reduction and fracture union. Closed reduction was achieved in all patients using the four pins technology. All 15 fractures united uneventfully. No patient had a rotational malunion or limb length discrepancy at the time of the last follow-up. Thirteen of the fifteen (86.7%) patients had anatomic reduction and two of them (13.3%) had minor varus alignment of 3° and 5°. Knee stiffness was observed in 2 patients and no implant failure was observed. Surgical treatment of complex segmental femoral fractures with four pins assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation techniques can result in excellent reductions and a high union rate.
Adult ; Bone Nails ; Femoral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

Objective To investigate the effect of preconditioning with cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 on microglial activation and injury induced by lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Methods The microglial cells were chosen and assigned to control group,AM1241 treatment group, LPS/IFN-γ inducement group and AM1241+LPS/IFN-γ treatment group. Cells of control group were cultured in normal medium;cells of AM1241 treatment group were preconditioned with AM 1241 for 2 h, and then the medium was changed with normal medium;cells of LPS/IFN-γ inducement group were exposed to the medium containing 1 μg/mL LPS plus 50 U/mL IFN-γ for 24 h;cells of AM1241+LPS/IFN-γ treatment group were preconditioned with AM1241, then the medium were changed with normal medium for 2 h, and at last, cells of this group were exposed to 1 μg/mL LPS plus 50 U/mL IFN-γ for 24 h. Microglial metabolism was assessed by MTT assay;NO release was measured by Reagent Kit;microglial shapes were observed through microscope. Results CB2 receptor agonist preconditioning can up-regulate the microglial CB2 receptor expression markedly;cell metabolism of AM1241+LPS/IFN-γ treatment group (92.55 ±8.37%) was obviously higher than that of LPS/IFN-γ inducement group (75.04±3.01%, P<0.05);AM1241+LPS/IFN-γ treatment group (43.44±5.52 μmol/L) released significantly less NO than LPS/IFN-γ inducement group (90.87±4.28 (μmol/L, P<0.05). Cells of the LPS/IFN-γ inducement group were destroyed seriously with enlarged soma and thickened and shortened pseudopodium;cells of the AM1241+LPS/IFN-γ treatment group were destroyed slightly with slightly enlarged soma and thickened and shortened pseudopodium. Conclusion Preconditioning with cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 reduces microglial activation and injury induced by LPS plus IFN-γ.

OBJECTIVESTo determine the prevalence of cancer-related anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer in North of China.

METHODSA cross-sectional study of 262 inpatients diagnosed with gastric or colorectal cancer admitted to eight general hospitals in Beijing from August 2009 to December 2009 was performed. The blood samples were took on the day after admission and the seventh day after operation for the tests of hemoglobin, serum iron and ferritin. The morbidity of cancer-related anemia and IDA before and after the surgery was also compared respectively.

RESULTSThe preoperative morbidity of cancer-related anemia was 36.6% in 131 patients with gastric cancer, and the morbidity of IDA was 52.1%. The mean age of the anemic patients was higher than that in cases without anemia [(62 ± 11) yrs vs. (57 ± 12) yrs, P < 0.05]; the postoperative morbidity of IDA increased to 72.6% (P < 0.05). In the 131 cases with colorectal cancer, the preoperative incidence of cancer-related anemia and IDA was 37.4% and 61.2%, respectively. About 45% of the cases with anemia had a tumor in the right colon. Postoperative incidence of IDA was significantly higher than that before the surgery (76.7%, P < 0.05). Only 10.3% of the anemic patients were treated with chalybeate therapy before surgical procedures, and the proportion was 22.7% after the operation. More than 50% of anemic patient received blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONSCancer-related anemia is a common clinical manifestation in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, and anemia occurs more frequently in elder and patients with right colon tumor. The treatment to cancer-related anemia is insufficient and a systematic therapy is needed to be established.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia ; complications ; epidemiology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery