Objective: The moisture absorption of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (RRR) with different initial moisture content was studied under the conditions of relative humidity of 20%-85% and temperature of 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃, respectively, so as to provide reference for the control of safe storage moisture and reasonable storage of RRR. Methods: RRR was stored at temperature of 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃ and humidity of 45%, 60% and 75%, respectively. The samples were taken at different time points to determine its safe water activity with powder color and mildew as indicators. The isotherm adsorption data of RRR at 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃ and water activity of 0.2-0.8 were obtained by static weighing method and six isotherm adsorption models, GAB, Oswin, Smith, Halsey, Henderso and Peleg, were used for fitting and evaluation. Results: The absolute safe water activity and relative safe water activity of RRR were 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. The adsorption isotherms of RRR at 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃ were "S" type, which belonged to type II isotherm. Oswin model was the best fitting model and the model expression was: Meq=A[Aw/(1-Aw)B. According to the model, the absolute safe water content of RRR with different initial moisture content at 5 ℃ was 9.00%, 9.59%, 8.00%, 6.71% and relative safe water content was 10.17%, 10.89%, 9.20% and 8.07%, respectively; The absolute safe water content of RRR with different initial moisture content at 15 ℃ was 8.24%, 8.83%, 7.24%, 5.86% and relative safe water content was 9.57%, 10.17%, 8.59% and 7.20%, respectively; The absolute safe water content of that at 25 ℃ was 7.17%, 7.75%, 5.73%, 4.70% and the relative safe water content was 8.72%, 9.26%, 7.26% and 6.25%, respectively; The absolute safe water content of that at 35 ℃ was 8.00%, 8.45%, 6.53%, 5.21% and the relative safe water content was 9.74%, 9.85%, 8.40%, 7.27%, respectively. Conclusion: Oswin model can be used to predict the equilibrium moisture content of RRR in storage, which can provide reference for the control of safe moisture and scientific maintenance of RRR.

OBJECTIVEReceptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) determine the ligand specificity of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR); co-expression of RAMP1 and CRLR results in a calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) receptor, whereas the association of RAMP2 or RAMP3 with CRLR gives an adrenomedullin(ADM) receptor. As CGRP and ADM may play a beneficial role in heart failure, this study aimed at the question whether RAMPs mRNAs are changed in heart failure.

METHODSSemi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect and quantify the mRNAs of RAMP1 and RAMP3 in the atria of heart failing patients.

RESULTSIt was found that the expressions of RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNAs increased with the worsening of heart function, but the expressions of RAMP1 and RAMP2 mRNA decreased at level IV of heart failure.

CONCLUSIONThe above results demonstrated in the atria of heart failure patients an up-regulation of CGRP receptor by an increase of RAMP1 in association with CRLR and an up-regulation of ADM receptor by an increase of RAMP2 expression in association with CRLR, thus suggesting that CGRP and ADM receptors be playing a functional role in compensating the chronic heart failure in human.

Adult ; Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein ; Female ; Heart Atria ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1 ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 2 ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 3 ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins ; Receptors, Adrenomedullin ; Receptors, Calcitonin ; genetics ; physiology ; Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; genetics ; physiology ; Receptors, Peptide ; genetics ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Serological typing for HLA-A, -B has been used for a long time. Recently with the developing of molecular biology technologies, HLA-A, -B typing is now turning to genotyping methods. In our study, the capacity of PCR-SSP in solving problems in HLA-A, -B typing with serological methes was evaluated. With this aim the serological method was compared with PCR-SSP in 102 cord blood samples, and the results showed that 18.6% of 102 cord blood samples can't give a satisfactory detection, for 14 samples, give discrepant results with the 2 methods. It is mainly due to weak expression of HLA class I cord blood lymphocytes and the cross reaction of some antigens. About B 15 group, the further study was made, it was found that most of the B 15 splits is wrongly disassigned, especially among the B62-B75, B75/*1511(+)-B75/*1511(-), B46-*1511 antigens. It was concluded that DNA typing is more preferable than serological typing, about B 15 group, the subtyping or high resolution typing can be fulfilled at first in China.

BACKGROUNDRenal biopsy is necessary for diagnosing the pathological changes of primary nephrotic syndrome (NS). However, it is invasive, time-consuming and can not be performed frequent on the same patient. Thus, development of a non-invasive and rapid diagnostic method may improve clinical patient management.

METHODSProteomic tool magnetic bead-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MB-based MALDI TOF MS) was applied to serum to determine peptidome patterns that are characteristic of different pathological changes.

RESULTSSerum specimen from 114 patients with NS (62 were minimal change disease (MCD), 30 were membranous nephropathy (MN), and 22 were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)) and 60 normal individuals were analyzed using MB-based MALDI TOF MS. The peptidome pattern was generated by genetic algorithms using a training set of 31 MCD, 15 MN, 11 FSGS and 30 normal individuals and was validated by an independent testing set of the remaining samples. The serum peptidome pattern, based on a panel of 14 peaks, accurately recognized samples from MCD, MN, FSGS and healthy control with sensitivities of 93.5%, 86.7%, 63.6% and 90.0%, and specificities of 98.2%, 94.4%, 100% and 89.5%, respectively. Moreover, one peptide from peptidome pattern was identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) as fibrinogen A.

CONCLUSIONDetection of the serum peptidome pattern is a rapid, non-invasive, high-throughout, and reproducible method for identifying the pathological patterns of patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; blood ; Peptides ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the difference and similarity between Hans and Uighurs in regard to Rhesus box and its significance.

METHODSThe sequence specific primers of upstream, downstream and hybrid Rhesus boxes were designed on the basis of RHD gene sequence. The upstream, downstream and hybrid Rhesus boxes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCP-SSP) and mismatched PCR.

RESULTSThe percentage of RHD-/RHD-, RHD+/RHD- and RHD+/RHD+ genotypes ascertained in the unrelated Hans with RhD(-) were 61.40%, 34.21% and 4.39% respectively, while those in the unrelated Chinese Uighurs with RhD(-) were 94.44%, 2.78% and 2.78% respectively. Furthermore, all 6 cases of some other minorities were RHD-/RHD- types. The percentage of RHD-/RHD- and RHD+/RHD- genotypes ascertained in the unrelated Chinese Uighurs were significantly higher than those in Chinese Hans (P < 0.01), whereas no statistically significant difference in the percentage of RHD+/RDH+ genotype between the two groups was observed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Rh blood group of Uighurs in Xingjiang possesses both Oriental and Caucasian characteristics, which embodies a special ethnical aspect of the Chinese nation and is in accord with the anthropologic research results.

China ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics

To study the method for Rhesus box test and its significance, the sequence specific primers of upstream, downstream and hybrid Rhesus boxes were designed according to RhD gene sequence; the upstream, downstream and hybrid Rhesus boxes were determined by PCP-SSP and mismatched PCR. The results showed that this method was confirmed by DNA Standard test. It was shown that in unrelative RhD positive individuals RHD(+)/RHD(-), RHD(+)/RHD(+) genotype accounted for 9.00%, 91.00% respectively, and in RhD negative individuals RHD(+)/RHD(-), RHD(+)/RHD(+), RHD(-)/RHD(-) genotype were 26.14%, 3.92%, 69.94% respectively. It is concluded that the method of Rhesus box test was confirmed to be reliable and can be used for the identification of RhD haplotype gene structure, as well as for study on inheritance, clinical transfusion and neonatal hemolytic diseases.
Base Sequence ; Haplotypes ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; analysis ; genetics

Aim of this study was to develop the detection method of soluble human leukocyte antigens I (sHLA-I) and to explore sHLA-I level alteration in storage blood and its significance. sHLA-I level in sera of 60 Guangdong normal individuals and sHLA-I concentration in blood components from 20 donors quantitatively were detected by sandwich ELISA. The results showed that sensitivity of this assay was 2.84 ng/ml. Coefficients of variation were 5.80% within assays and 9.00% between assays respectively. The recovery rate was >/= 98.57%. The sHLA-I level of normal individuals in Guangdong was (699.54 +/- 360.10) ng/ml. sHLA-I in red blood cells stored for 28 days and in random-donor platelets were significantly higher than that in other blood components and their amount was proportionate to the number of residual donor leukocytes and to the length of storage. In conclusion, sandwich ELISA assay for detection of sHLA-I is a sensitive, specific and stable technique. Blood components with different concentration of sHLA-I may be chosen for clinical transfusion.
Apoptosis ; Blood Preservation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; blood ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo estimate correlation between phonetically balanced maximum (PB max) and pure tone auditory threshold in auditory neuropathy (AN) patients.

METHODSOne hundred and six AN patients were identified using multiple criteria including PB max, a metric for speech recognition, pure tone auditory threshold, acoustic emission test, distortion products otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR). SPSS statistical software was used to estimate the Pearson's correlation between PB max and pure tone auditory threshold and to test whether pure tone auditory threshold, or auditory configuration had a significant impact on PB max.

RESULTSEven the patients had the same or similar values for pure tone auditory threshold or auditory configuration, varied values of PB max were found in two hundreds and twelve ears for 106 patients. Analysis of the data for 106 patients revealed a negative correlation (r = -0. 602, P <0. 01) between PB max and pure tone auditory threshold, i. e. hearing loss at a mild relates to a lower PB max. By using analysis of variance (ANOVA) method, it was found that both pure tone auditory threshold and auditory configuration had a significant (P <0.01) impact on the patients' PB max.

CONCLUSIONSThis analysis implicated the promise and potential of pure tone auditory threshold and auditory configuration for predicting PB max of the AN patients, and improving the diagnosis of AN.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Auditory Threshold ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Speech Perception ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genetic characteristics of EV71 strains isolated from HFMD cases in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2009.

METHODSIn 2009, totally 385 specimens from 344 HFMD cases were collected from Ningxia. Enterovirus isolation was performed in RD cell line from all the specimens. EV71 isolates were identified by specific RT-PCR from the positive cultures, and sequences of complete EV71 VP1 encoding region were determined for farther analyses.

RESULTSTotally from 126 EV strains isolated in this study, 58 EV71 strains (46%) were identified. And complete VP1 sequences of 46 EV71 strains were determined, and genetic analyses were performed. It was showed that the nucleotide identity of 46 Ningxia strains with the representatives of A and B genotypes were 81.7%-82.8% and 83.1%-85.2%, and the amino acid identity were 93.9%-95.9% and 96. 2%-97.9% respectively. The nucleotide identity of NingXia EV71 isolates with representatives of subgenotype C1, C2, C3, C4a, C4b, and C5 were 88.3%-90.6% (97.9%-99.6%), 88.3%-90.1% (97.9%-99.3%), 87.8%-89.0% (97.6%-98.9%), 94.2%-98.9% (97.9%-100%), 91.8%-94.1% (98.6%-99.6%), and 86.7%-89.1% (97.9%-98.9%). Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 46 stains were clustered with reference stains of subgenotype C4 and the Ningxia EV71 isolates were belonged to subgenotype C4a.

CONCLUSIONEV71 of subgenotype C4a had spread widely in Ningxia in 2009, which was absolutely predominant type in Ningxia in 2009 and also as the predominant type in China mainland since 2005.

Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

This study examined the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of parthenolide (PTL) on the activity of NF-κB in multiple myeloma (MM). Human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226 cells were treated with or without different concentrations of PTL for various time periods, and then MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Cell cycle and apoptosis were flow cytometrically detected. The level of protein ubiquitination was determined by using immunoprecipitation. Western blotting was employed to measure the level of total protein ubiquitination, the expression of IκB-α in cell plasma and the content of p65 in nucleus. The content of p65 in nucleus before and after PTL treatment was also examined with immunofluorescence. Exposure of RPMI 8226 cells to PTL attenuated the level of ubiquitinated Nemo, increased the expression of IκB-α and reduced the level of p65 in nucleus, finally leading to the decrease of the activity of NF-κB. PTL inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and blocked cell cycle. Furthermore, the levels of ubiquitinated tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and total proteins were decreased after PTL treatment. By using Autodock software package, we predicted that PTL could bind to TRAF6 directly and tightly. Taken together, our findings suggest that PTL inhibits the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway via directly binding with TRAF6, thereby suppressing MM cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Ubiquitination ; drug effects