In order to select high quality and suitable Bupleuri Radix varieties in Qingchuan, and establish a new comprehensive method to evaluation the quality of Bupleuri Radix, 12 characters of 14 samples were evaluated by DTOPSIS and grey related degree. The results showed that varieties No. 8 and No. 10 had high quality. DTOPSIS and grey related degree gave the uniformity result, and the biggest difference of value of Ci in DTOPSIS method was 46. 33% , but the biggest difference of the weighting correlation number( r (i)) in grey related degree was only 13.10%. The DTOPSIS combined with grey related degree can evaluate the quality of Bupleuri Radix comprehensively and objectively.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; supply & distribution ; Quality Control ; Statistics as Topic ; methods

Mesaconitine was incubated with rat liver microsomes in vitro. The metabolites of mesaconitine in rat liver microsomes were identified by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method with high resolution power. A typical reaction mixture of 100 mol L-1 Tris-HCI buffer (pH 7.4) containing 0.5 gL-1 microsomal protein and 50 micro molL-1 mesaconitine was prepared. The above reaction mixture was divided into six groups, and the volume of each group was 200 micro L. The incubation mixture was pre-incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 min and the reactions were initiated by adding NADPH generating system. After 90 min incubation at 37 degrees C, 200 micro L of acetonitrile was added to each group to stop the reaction. The metabolites of mesaconitine were investigated by UPLC-MS/MS method. Mesaconitine and 6 metabolites M1-M6 were found in the incubation system. The structures were characterized according to the data from MS/MS spectra and literatures. The metabolic reactions of mesaconitine in rat liver microsomes included the demethylation, deacetylation, dehydrogenation and hydroxylation. The major metabolic pathways of mesaconitine in rat liver microsomes were determined by UPLC-MS/MS on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode combined with specific inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, including alpha-naphthoflavone (CYP1A2), quinine (CYP2D), diethyldithiocarbamate (CYP2E1), ketoconazole (CYP3A) and sulfaphenazole (CYP2C), separately. Mesaconitine was mainly metabolized by CYP3A. CYP2C and CYP2D were also more important CYP isoforms for the metabolism reactions of mesaconitine, but CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 haven't any contribution to MA metabolism in rat liver microsomes.
Aconitine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Ketoconazole ; pharmacology ; Male ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Microsomes, Liver ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Quinine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfaphenazole ; pharmacology ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objective To express the plasminogen activator(Pla) of Yersinia pestis and one of its gene fragments,and to detect their immunological reactivity.Methods The pla gene and its specific gene fragment pla-c were amplified by PCR using the EV76 strain as a template.PCR products were then ligated with the plasmid pET32a (+).The recombinant plasmids pET32a (+)-pla and pET32a (+)-pla-c were subsequently trausformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3).The expressed products were purified by HIS affinity chromatography,and their immunological reactivity was detected by Western blotting.Results The recombinant Pla(52.8 × 103) was expressed as inclusion bodies,and the recombinant Pla-c protein (24.0 × 103) was expressed in the soluble form.These two recombinant proteins reacted with anti-Yersinia pestis EV76 rabbit sera.Conclusions The recombinant Pla and its specific fragments have displayed immunological reactivity,and can be served as an alternative diagnosis method for Yersinia pestis.

Objective To explore the relationship between wild rodent plague and human in wild rodent plague foci of the northwestern area in Yunnan to probe the possible transmission mechanism of wild rodent plague to human. Methods Data of component ratio of rodents and fleas was collected in different areas from 1985 - 1995. Activities and habits of residents regarding the way they keep cats and dogs and parasitic fleas and free fleas indoor were investigated, the dog serum was collected for detecting F1 antibody. Results Eothenomys miletus were main rodents in farmland and shrub, accounting for 48.00% (4753/9902) and 54.50% (4282/7857), Apodemus chevrieri were main rodents in garden, being 50.47% (1332/2639). The component ratio of Neopsylla specialis specialis was 13.31%(229/1720), 12.31%(1678/13 739) and 10.87%(957/8802) respectively in garden, farmland and shrub, higher than in indoor. The component ratio of Frantcpsylla spodix was 39.88% (686/1720), the highest in garden. Thirty-two per cent (32/100) of residents kept cats,in which 63% (20/32) with cat fleas, 68% (68/100) of villages kept dogs, in which 76%(52/68) with fleas. Eighteen parasitic fleas were caught from 43 dogs with a flea index of 0.119 and a rate for fleas of 11.63%, 7 pulex were collected from 17 indoor. Forty-three blood serum samples were obtained from dogs, among which 3 were positive blood serum. Conclusions Residents touch affected animals or media in different situations. The possibility of transmission for wild rodent plague to human exists in loci in a chain of wild rodent plague → fleas or predation → homebred animal plague (cats or dogs) →touching or respiratory → human.

This research use "3414" fertilizer effect experiments to handle zinc, boron and molybdenum trace element fertilizer, determined the dry matter accumulation and content of saikosaponion a and d, to investigate the different ratio of zinc, boron and molybdenum on yield and saikosaponin a, saikosaponin d contents of Bupleurum chinense. Found The suitable ratio of zinc, boron and molybdenum play an active role on dry matter accumulation and distribution, the treatment Zn2B2Mo3 is the best one to promote the dry matter accumulation and transfer to the underground part; in a certain range, only use zinc or molybdenum can promote the yield of B. chinense, the yield of treatment Zn2B2Mo1 is the highest one. According to the results of regression analysis: in accordance with Zn 48.45 g x hm(-2), B 355.05 g x hm(-2), Mo 86.40 g x hm(-2), can obtain the yield with 3313.05 kg x hm(-2); the treatment Zn2BMo2 is most effective to promote the total saikosaponin a and d accumulated, according to the results of regression analysis: in accordance with Zn 36.15 g x hm(-2), B 343.05 g x hm(-2), Mo 106.35 g x hm(-2), the content of total saikosaponin a and d can reach 1.23%. This research first discovered the suitable ratio of zinc, boron and molybdenum can promote the yield and saikosaponin a, saikosaponin d contents on B. chinense.
Boron ; metabolism ; Bupleurum ; metabolism ; Fertilizers ; Molybdenum ; metabolism ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; Saponins ; metabolism ; Trace Elements ; metabolism ; Zinc ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanical changes of the degenerated lumbar disc with finite element analysis.

METHODSA three dimensional finite element model of a human lumbar spine at the L3-L4 disc was established by the software MIMICS and ABAQUS based on computer tomography images. Degeneration was modeled by changes in geometry and material properties. The model was loaded with 0.3 MPa in axial plane. The von Mises stress on the annulus fiber, nucleus pulposus, endplate and facet joints in healthy and degenerated discs was compared.

RESULTCompared with healthy discs, the von Mises stress of disc distributed in the side of annulus fiber, the stress of nucleus pulposus decreased remarkably, the stress of endplate distributed in the posterior part, and the stress of facet joints increased for the degenerated disc.

CONCLUSIONThe finite element models can provide a method of understanding the relationship between biomechanical performance of the disc due to disc degeneration.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; diagnosis ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo seek a kind of safe and effective method to treat scar contracture abnormality on the neck of the children.

METHODSWe take the trunk line of transverse cervical artery as the vessel pedicle, and shift huge trapezius muscle flap expanded to the neck in order to treat scar contracture abnormality on the neck of the children.

RESULTSClinically, we applied this method to treat ten children who suffered from contracture abnormality on the neck, and not only provide enough skin soft tissue (the length may be beyond the midline) to treat the abnormality, but also make the flap alive, obtain the satisfying postoperative effect.

CONCLUSIONSBased on the warranty of the flap blood supply, this flap is very suitable to treat scar contracture abnormality on the neck of the children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Contracture ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Neck Muscles ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) coincidence SPECT imaging versus computed tomography (CT) for malignant lymphoma in the initial staging, early response to therapy, evaluation after completion of therapy and long-term follow-up.

METHODS18F-FDG SPECT scans was performed on 61 patients with pathologically proven malignant lymphoma. The mean age of this series was 55 years ranged from 12 to 85 years. The data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed, and the result of 18F-FDG SPECT scan was compared with the CT imaging result performed within 2 weeks before or after FDG scan. 161 18F-FDG SPECT scans were performed for initial tumor staging (n=61), early response to therapy (n=42), evaluation after completion of therapy (n=26) and long-term follow-up (n=32). Each patient had a follow-up >6 months.

RESULTS(1) Compared with CT scan, 18F-FDG SPECT imaging accurately upstaged the disease for 34.4% (21/61) of these patients at initial staging. It detected the lesions which were undetected by CT including bone marrow infiltration (n=17), foci of lymph node (n=3) and liver involvement (n=1). However, 3 patients were incorrectly staged, either downstaged or upstaged by 18F-FDG SPECT imaging. Of 212 lesions in 61 patients, 18-FDG SPECT imaging detected more lesions than CT (P < 0.01). The correspondence rate of '18-FDG SPECT imaging with marrow histology was 80.3% (49/61). (2) In early evaluation of the response to treatment, the accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 18F-FDG SPECT imaging was 85.7%, 92.0% and 76.5% respectively, which is much higher than that of CT (64.3%, 75.0% and 50.0%), therefore, the therapeutic scheme in 21.4% (9/42) of these patients was changed by 18F-FDG SPECT imaging. Of 17 cases with negative 18F-FDG SPECT scan in early evaluation of therapy, clinical remission (13 complete remission and 3 partial remission) were achieved in 16 patients. Of the 25 patients with positive ones, 13 were considered as having progressive disease. (3) In the evaluation at the end of therapy or during follow-up, 58 18F-FDG SPECT imagings were performed in 26 patients. The specificity and positive predictive value were 85.7% and 68.4% versus 59.5% and 43.3%, respectively, by CT scan. Of 14 patients with residual masses detected by CT scan, 8 were diagnosed as complete remission (CR) by 18F-FDG SPECT imaging based on persistently negative FDG scans; The other 6 were interpreted as CR (n=1), partial remission (PR, n=2), non-remission (n=1) and progressive disease (n=2), thus there was only one false-positive FDG scan in these 14 patients.

CONCLUSION18F-FDG imaging is quite effective and superior to CT scan for malignant lymphoma in initial staging, evaluation of early response to therapy and after completion of therapy, and long-term follow-up, especially for evaluating the residual masse.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

AIM: To observe thickness and morphological changes of bulbar conjunctiva pre- and post epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis ( EHC ) therapy by optical coherence tomography ( OCT) .
METHODS: Observed morphological changes and measured the bulbar conjunctiva thicknesses of 29 cases (36 eyes) of incipient (1-2d) EHC patients, who were received and treated by department of ophthalmology, the Putuo Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2013 to December 2013, by OCT. Then measured the thickness again on 7, 14d after the therapy.
RESULTS: Among 29 patients (36 eyes), 7d after the EHC therapy, in 27 cured eyes, the full-thickness ( before 344. 00±59. 91μm, after 230. 19±22. 16μm, t=11. 75, P<0-01); epithelial thickness ( before 56. 52±6. 19μm, after 51. 37±5. 53μm, t=4. 61, P<0. 01); and stromal thickness (before 287. 11±60. 56μm, after 178. 81±20. 20μm, t=10. 69, P<0. 01) of patients' bulbar conjunctiva were thicker than values measured after therapy with significant difference. Significant difference was also found for full-thickness ( before 361. 39±65. 56μm, after 233. 44±22. 57μm, the difference was statistically significant, t=14. 45, P<0. 01);epithelial thickness ( before 55. 50±6. 72μm, after 46. 67±5-24μm, t=10. 06, P<0. 01) and stromal thickness ( before 305. 61±66. 02μm, after 186. 78±21. 82μm, t=13. 11, P<0-01 ) of patients' bulbar conjunctiva between values measured before and 14d after therapy.
CONCLUSION: The OCT is able to measure the thickness of bulbar conjunctiva in EHC patients. An significant increase was found in full, epithelial and stromal thickness of EHC patients' bulbar conjunctiva. With recovery from the disease, subepithelial fluid, interlaminar fluid and edema of the bulbar conjunctival stroma faded away firstly, which provide references for clinical therapies of the EHC.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of apoptosis and the activity of caspases 3 and 9 in bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

METHODSBone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells (including both CD(34)(+) and CD(34)(-) cells) were collected by negative selection in 34 patients with MDS. Apoptosis was measured with Annexin V assay and activities of caspases 3 and 9 by spectrophotometer.

RESULTS1. Apoptosis was significantly increased in MDS-RA (39.5%, P < 0.01) and MDS-RAEB (31.0%, P < 0.05), but was not different statistically in MDS-RAEBt/AML (18.8%) compared with that of control. 2. Activities of caspases 3 and 9 increased 45 and 20 fold in MDS-RA, increased 14 and 2 fold in MDS-RAEB, respectively and was not increased in MDS-RAEBt/AML compared with that of control. 3. Apoptosis and activities of caspases 3 and 9 reduced in 3 cases of MDS-RAEB group who progressed into AML.

CONCLUSIONIncreased activities of caspases 3 and 9 may be one of causes of excessive apoptosis in MDS. With progress to AML, activities of caspases 3 and 9 and apoptosis reduced. Reduced activity of caspase 9 may result in apoptosis "escape" and progression into AML.

Apoptosis ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; enzymology ; physiology ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; enzymology ; pathology ; Oxides ; pharmacology