OBJECTIVETo inspect the quality of commercially available Chaihu (Bupluri Radix, a common traditional Chinese herbal drug) in Guangzhou by determining the content of saikosaponin A (SSa) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

METHODSA competitive ELISA system using mouse anti-saikosaponin A monoclonal antibody was established for determining SSa content. Commercial samples of Chaihu were obtained from 10 drug stores in Guangzhou, and SSa contents in the methanol extracts of these samples were determined using the ELISA system.

RESULTSThe detection range of this competitive assay was 0.16-2.5 µg/ml for determining SSa contents. In the 10 commercial Chaihu samples, SSa contents in the methanol extract determined by this method ranged from 0.32 µg/mg to 6.87 µg/mg, and 3 samples showed a SSa content lower than the minimum requirement documented in the Chinese Pharmacopeia.

CONCLUSIONThis competitive ELISA is sensitive, rapid, economic and environment-friendly for SSa determination, especially suitable for batch determination. The results of SSa detection for the commercial Chaihu samples demonstrate an uneven quality of Chaihu in Guangzhou market, suggesting the necessity of more rigorous quality control measures for this drug.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Saponins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo establish a new method for determining norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of epinephrine and ascorbic acid using proline-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE).

METHODSIn phosphate buffer solution (pH 9.0), the poly-proline-modified electrode was prepared by cyclic voltammetry method. The voltammetric behavior of NE on poly(proline) film were analyzed to establish a electrochemical analysis method for determination of NE on the modified electrode.

RESULTSIn PBS (pH 7.0), a couple of redox peaks of NE was observed on the modified electrode. The modified electrode was used to determine NE in a excess of epinephrine (EP) and ascorbic acid (AA) by reduction peak current of cyclic voltammetry. The reduction peak currents were in linear relationship with the NE concentrations within the range of 7.0 x 10(-7) to 1.1 x 10(-4) mol/L, with the detection limit of 6.0x10(-8) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe modified electrode shows good sensitivity, selectivity, and stability for NE determination, and is well applicable for analysis of injection solution samples.

Ascorbic Acid ; analysis ; Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Carbon ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; instrumentation ; methods ; Epinephrine ; analysis ; Humans ; Microelectrodes ; Norepinephrine ; analysis ; Proline ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects between anatomical locked plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction and clavicular hook plate for treatment of distal clavicle fracture of Neer type II b.

METHODSFrom August 2010 to August 2013, 42 patients with Neer II b distal clavicle fractures were randomly divided into two groups as group A and group B. In group A, there were 22 cases including 14 males and 8 females with an average age of (44.2±11.6) years old. In group B, there were 20 cases including 11 males and 9 females with an average of (45.6±12.4) years old. The patients of group A were treated with anatomical locked plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction,the patients of group B were treated with hook plate. All fractures were fresh, the time between injuries and operation was 24 hours to 7 days (mean,72 h). General information between the two groups was comparable before operation(P>0.05). Postoperative radiographic were followed up to observe the fracture healing,internal fixation and to measure coracoclavicular distance of two groups. Shoulder function after operation was evaluated by Constant-Murley score system.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with an average of 16.8 months (ranging 12 to 24 months). There was no nonunion,infection and other complications between two groups. The clavicular stress fracture occurred in 1 clavicular hook patient at 6 months after the operation. According to the Constant-Murley score system, that the scores of group A were 90.6±6.2, 91.8±4.8, 94.7±3.6 and 97.8±1.2 at 1st, 3rd, 6 month and last follow-up after operation were higher than those of group B 74.8±3.4, 78.4±4.4, 82.2±2.8 and 94.6±3.6 (P 0.05). The fracture healing time of group A (21.6±2.2) weeks was shorter than that of group B (25.8±2.5) weeks (P 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in coracoclavicular distance at last follow-up (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe anatomical locked plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction need not expose shoulder and can reduce the incidence of postoperative pain and limited activity of shoulder, with fewer complication, it is advantageous to the shoulder joint function early recovery.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Clavicle ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

Heat shock protein 27 ( HSP27 ) is an endogenous protein that plays an important role in a great variety of physio-logical and pathological processes. It can express a large number under body stress conditions. Recent studies have shown estro-gen upregulates the expression of HSP27 through a number of ways, playing a perfect “triple protection” role. In the early stage of atherosclerosis, estrogen induces the phosphorylation of HSP27 via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Phosphorylation of HSP27 can resist the injury of vascular endothelial cells( VECs) through an antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathway as well as the inhibition of cytochrome C. In the stage of forming foam cells, estrogen induces the expression and release of HSP27 from mac-rophages by stimulating the estrogen receptor β ( ERβ) , then HSP27 inhibits the LDL uptake and the release of proinflammato-ry cytokine by binding scavenger receptor A ( SR-A) . During the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMCs) , estrogen induces estrogen receptor α ( ERα) and protein phosphatase 2 ( PP2A) to form a complex that enhances the activity of PP2A, then it can lead to the dephosphorylation of HSP27 and finally inhibit cells proliferation and migration. In summary, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of estrogen is closely re-lated to the role of HSP27. Given the side effects of estrogen re-placement therapy( MHT) , regulating HSP27 may provide a no-vel therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular dis-eases in menopausal women clinically.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the mutation of the KAL1 gene in male patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).

METHODSWe analyzed the exon mutation of the KAL1 gene in 30 IHH patients using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) combined with the PCR product direct sequencing technique.

RESULTSThree cases of the KAL1 gene mutation were found among the total number of patients, including 1 case of nonsense mutation (c. 1270C > T,p. R424X), and 2 cases of frameshift mutation, (c. 279_280delAG,p. G94fs) and (c. 1886_1887delTT,p. L629fs).

CONCLUSIONOf the 3 cases of the KAL1 gene mutation we detected, 2 are new and 1 already reported in the literature. The results of our study have provided valuable information on the molecular genetics of the IHH syndrome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; genetics ; Kallmann Syndrome ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of intravesical Pirarubicin (THP) instillation on the prediction results of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk tables and to discuss the efficacy of EORTC risk tables in clinical application.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 389 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer after TURBT treated with intravesical pirarubicin instillation. According to the EORTC Scoring System, all the cases were divided into low risk group, intermediate risk group and high risk group. The 1-year and 5-year recurrence and progression rates of each group were calculated and compared with the prediction results of the EORTC risk tables.

RESULTSThe 1-year recurrence and progression rates of the low risk group were 8.0% and 0, those of the intermediate risk group were 31.0% and 2.8%, and those of the high risk group were 52.5% and 18.6%, respectively. The 5-year recurrence and progression rates of low risk group were 16.0% and 5.3%, those of the intermediate risk group were 42.6% and 10.7%, and those of the high risk group were 63.9% and 41.9%, respectively. The prediction results of progression rate were similar to that of the EORTC risk tables while the overall recurrence rate was lower.

CONCLUSIONSThe EORTC risk tables can be effectively used to predict the recurrence rate and progression rate of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, the EORTC risk tables have a tendency to overestimate the recurrence rate. Intravesical pirarubicin instillation is helpful to reduce the recurrence rate, yet has no obvious influence on the tumor progression.

Administration, Intravesical ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Disease Progression ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with local advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed prognosis in 191 patients with advanced gastric cancer, of whom 71 were treated with NAC and 120 received surgery only between February 2007 and July 2013. Postoperative complication rate was recorded. Survival by clinicopathological features, pathological T and N stages, and histopathological tumor regression was retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAccording to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, none of the 71 patients in the NAC followed by surgery group showed complete response, 36 showed partial response, 25 had stable disease, and 10 had progressive disease. The chemotherapy response rate was 50.7%; the disease control rate was 85.9%. Grade 3/4 adverse events were seen in less than 20% patients, with acceptable toxicities. No difference was found in the overall postoperative complication rates between the two groups (7 versus 22 cases, P=0.18). Median survival time was significantly different, at 54 months in the NAC combined with surgery group and 25 months in the surgery-only group (P=0.025).

CONCLUSIONIn patients with operable gastric adenocarcinomas, NAC can significantly improve overall survival without increasing surgical complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel immunoassay for qualitative detection of ginsenoside Rb1 in rat serum.

METHODSAnti-G-Rb1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was through a hybridoma approach. Rat serum containing G-Rb1 was deproteinized with methanol to prepare the sample for testing, which was loaded onto polyethersulfone (PES) membrane and developed in the mixture of acetonitrile, water and acetic acid (25:75:1). After treatment with NaIO(4), the membrane was transferred to 1% BSA solution for immobilization of G-Rb1. The membrane was subsequently treated with anti-G-Rb1 mAb solution, followed by addition of peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG and color development using 4-chloro-1-naphthol-0.03% H(2)O(2).

RESULTSOn the PES membrane, a clear blue spot representing G-Rb1 occurred where the rat serum for testing and the standard G-Rb1 samples were blotted. The limit of this immunodetection was 0.25 microg.

CONCLUSIONThis immunoassay has greater specificity and reliability than thin-layer chromatography with a sensitivity similar to that of high-performance liquid chromatography, and does not require sophisticated equipment for convenient G-Rb1 detection in rat serum.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; blood ; Hybridomas ; Immunoassay ; Limit of Detection ; Rats

The paper described the rationality of traditional and modern application of prepared decoction pieces of herbal medicine on basis of application, statistics and comparison analysis of three forms of drugs of traditional Chinese herbal pieces prepared for decoction, prepared decoction pieces in small packing and granules; and illustrated different opinions correlative to the three forms of drugs; put forward the counter-measures and proposals for the problems facing the traditional Chinese herbal pieces for decoction; the paper stated clearly that the traditional Chinese herbal pieces for decoction should not be replaced, instead, the viewpoint and the reasons on its application must be holding on; and the trend of development and expectations of the Chinese herbal pieces for decoction were predicted as well.
Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; methods

AIM To explore the effects of Sangtong alkaloids (total alkaloids and total flavones from Mori folium,STA) on the random blood glucose,starch tolerance and hepatic insulin resistance in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus.METHODS Eight-week-old db/db mice were divided into model group (normal saline),acarbose group (39 mg/kg) and Sangtong alkaloids groups (105,210 and 420 mg/kg),db/m mice were used as control group (normal saline).The mice were given by intragastric administration for one hundred days.The random blood glucose of mice was determined every ten days.The starch tolerance was determined in the 100th day,together with the determination of serum insulin level,insulin resistance index and insulin sensitivity index.Histopathology changes of pancreas were observed by HE staining.Protein expressions of P-IRS1,P-PI3 K,P-AKT and GLUT2 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS Sangtong alkaloids significantly decreased the random blood glucose,serum insulin level and insulin resistance index,and increased the insulin sensitivity index in db/db mice.Meanwhile,Sangtong alkaloids ameliorated the pancreas histopathological damage and up-regulated the protein expressions of P-IRS1,P-PI3K,P-AKT and GLUT2 in liver.CONCLUSION Sangtong alkaloids can decrease the random blood glucose and improve the insulin resistance of liver in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus,whose mechanism may be associated with the regulation of hepatic insulin signal pathway.