Huocao(a traditional Chinese herbal medicine) moxibustion is a characteristic technology in Yi medicine suitable for cold-dampness diseases. Huocao, as the moxibustion material, is confusedly used in clinical practice and little is known about its quality control. In this study, UPLC method was used to establish the chemical fingerprint of non-volatile components in Huocao, and the contents of eight phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid were determined. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to obtain the indicator components of Huocao for quality evaluation, and thus a comprehensive evaluation system for the quality of Huocao was built. The UPLC fingerprints of 49 batches of Huocao were established, and there were 20 common peaks, of which eight phenolic acids including neochlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid were identified. Except for three batches of Huocao, the similarity of the other 46 batches was higher than 0.89, suggesting that the established fingerprint method could be used for quality control of the medicinal herb. The correlation coefficient between entropy weight score of the eight phenolic acids and comprehensive fingerprint score in Huocao was 0.875(P<0.01), which indicated that the eight phenolic acids could be used as indicator components for the quality evaluation of Huocao. Furthermore, in multivariate statistical analysis on the common peaks of fingerprint and the contents of the eight phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C were screened to be the indicator components. The results revealed that the proposed method achieved a simple and accurate quality control of Huocao based on UPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination, which provided useful data for establishing the quality standard of Huocao.
Chlorogenic Acid ; Entropy ; Hydroxybenzoates ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo explore the development and prognosis of the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) associated with enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection through clinical follow-up study for clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features based on the research progress of virology and pathology.

METHODSixteen children with HFMD associated with AFP in hospital from May 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011 were investigated and the patients received intensive rehabilitation training. The 16 cases were divided into two groups (the recovery or the sequela) by if the muscle strength recovered to level 4 after intensive rehabilitation. The MRI findings of 15 children were analyzed and among them, 6 patients were reexamined after one month. The clinical markers were compared between groups including course of disease, WBC, WBC in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), ventilator support, therapy, the worst muscle strength, the initial tendon reflex, the muscle atrophy, and multi-limb paralysis. The data were analyzed by t test and χ2 test with SPSS10.0.

RESULTAll the 16 children were infected with enterovirus 71 (EV71). The myodynamia of 7 children were level 0, 4 children had serious upper limbs paralysis. The neck muscle in 3 cases and the brain stem motor ruckus in 4 cases were involved. The ankle clonus of non-completely paralyzed limbs in 14 cases occurred during rehabilitation. Eight children had the better prognosis, the other 8 children had sequela. 0 level muscle strength (0 case vs. 7 cases, χ2=12.4), the initial tendon reflex (2 cases vs. 8 cases, χ2=9.6), obvious muscle atrophy (0 case vs. 8 cases, χ2=16), were significantly different in the children with the recovery when compared to the sequela (P<0.01). The severe upper limbs paralysis had the worse prognosis than the severe lower limbs paralysis. MR imaging showed signs of spinal nerve root inflammation and the bilateral hyperintense lesions, symmetrical in the posterior portions of the medulla, pons, and asymmetrical in the ventral horns of cervical spinal cord. Signal enhancement occurred only in the early MRI examination.

CONCLUSIONIn the evolution of AFP due to EV71 infection, the upper motor neuron damage is common, the prognosis is related with the severity of early paralysis and neuron damage. MR imaging is helpful to understand the pathological mechanism of AFP.

Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus A, Human ; pathogenicity ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paralysis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; virology ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether a simulated He-O2 saturation dive to 65 msw would affect oxidative balance in humans.

METHODSSeven divers participated in a simulated saturation dive to 0.75 MPa (65 msw). 24-h urine samples were collected twice before, twice during, and twice after the dive, then were analyzed for contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total amino acid (T-AA) and total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC). Meanwhile, total urine volume and body weight were measured.

RESULTSThe content of T-AA was higher. (P < 0.05) than the base value in final decompression, but reverse to normal at one week after decompression. There were no changes in contents of SOD, MDA and T-AOC during and after the dive compared with their basic value. Total urine volume was lower (P < 0.05, vs basic value) at first day in chamber, then returned to normal. Body weight gradually increased after compression till the end of decompression (higher than basic value, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese data indicate that simulated saturation dive to 65 msw may not induce obvious oxidative damage, but it is necessary to monitor 24-h urine volume and oxidative sress by time in order to prevent from tissue injury.

Adult ; Amino Acids ; urine ; Decompression ; Diving ; physiology ; Helium ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; urine ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Oxygen ; adverse effects ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of Ku80/p53 pathway in silica-induced cell cycle changes in human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF).

METHODSKu80 siRNA expression vectors were transfected into HELF by lipofectamine. Flow cytometry was used to detect the distributions of cell cycle and western blot assay was used to determine the expression level of Ku80, p53 and p21 proteins or the phosphorylation levels of p53-ser15 after cells were exposed to silica.

RESULTSThe expression levels of Ku80 protein increased in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners after cells were exposed to silica. The proportion of G1 phases in H-NC cells (controls) decreased from 89.28% +/- 2.19% to 68.93% +/- 3.79% after exposure to silica, and the proportion of G1 phases in HELF cells (H-Ku80) decreased from 85.16% +/- 3.73% to 59.92% +/- 3.31% after exposure to silica (P<0.05). The expression levels of Ku80, p53 proteins or p21 proteins or phosphorylation level of p53-ser15 were obviously suppressed in H-Ku80, as compared with H-NC.

CONCLUSIONKu80/p53 pathway plays a role in the cell cycle charges induced by silica in human embryo lung fibroblasts.

Antigens, Nuclear ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Ku Autoantigen ; Lung ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Quartz ; toxicity ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK)in silica-induced cell cycle changes and expressions of CyclinE and CDK2 in human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF).

METHODSThe expressions of Ku80 and DNA-PKcs proteins were inhibited by siRNA plasmids, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the distributions of cell cycle and western blot assay was used to determine the expression levels of CyclinE and CDK2 after cells were exposed to 200 microg/ml silica for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 h.

RESULTSThe proportion of G1 phases in negative control cells decreased from 83.53% +/- 2.24% to 69.11% +/- 3.12% after exposure to silica; the proportion of G1 phases in H-Ku80 and H-PKcs cells exposed to silica decreased from 85.16% +/- 3.73% to 59.92% +/- 3.31% and from 75.06% +/- 2.23% to 58.32% +/- 1.35%, respectively (P < 0.05). The exposure to silica resulted in the increasing protein expression levels of CyclinE and CDK2 in negative control cells, and the expression levels of CyclinE were obviously suppressed in H-Ku80 and H-PKcs as compared with control cells. However, the expression level of CDK2 protein did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONDNA-PK might play a role in silica-induced alternations of cell cycle and regulate silica-induced overexpression of CyclinE in human embryo lung fibroblasts.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin E ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; DNA-Activated Protein Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of cyclin D1 and CDK4 in the cell cycle changes of human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs) exposed to silica.

METHODSHELFs were divided into 4 groups: control group, curcumin (20 µmol/L for 1 h) group, silica (200 µg/ml for 24 h) group and curcumin plus silica group, i.e. after exposure to 20 µmol/L curcumin for 1h, the HELFs were treated with 200 µg/ml silica for 24 h. Western blot and Immunofluorescence assays were utilized to detect the expression levels of cyclin D1, CDK4 and E2F1/4. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle progression, the RNA transfection technique was used to investigate the silica-induced signal pathway and the roles of which in silica-induced cell cycle changes.

RESULTSThe expression levels of cyclin D1 and CDK4 significantly increased and the expression level of E2F-4 decreased obviously, but the expression level of E2F-1 did not significantly change in silica group. The proportion of G1 phase cells obviously decreased and the proportion of S phase cells significantly increased in silica group, as compared with control group (P < 0.05). When suppressing the expression of cyclin D1 or CDK4, the proportions of cells in G1 phase in anti-D1 plus silica group and anti-K4 plus silica group did not obviously change, as compared with control group. When suppressing AP-1 activity, the cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression levels decreased and the E2F-4 expression level increased in curcumin plus silica group, as compared with silica group.

CONCLUSIONThe results of present suggested that 200 µg/ml silica could induce the high expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 and the low expression of E2F-4, resulting in the cell cycle changes by AP-1/cyclin D1 pathway in HELFs.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; E2F4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; G1 Phase ; Humans ; Quartz ; adverse effects ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) on silica-induced cell cycle changes.

METHODSAfter cells were treated with 200 microg/ml silica, Western blot and Immunofluorescence assays were utilized to detect the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and E2F-4, Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle progression, the dominant negative mutants techniques were used to investigate silica-induced signal pathway and the effects of which in silica-induced cell cycle changes.

RESULTSAfter cells were exposed to 200 microg/ml silica 24 h, the results of present study showed the proportion of cells in G1 phases was decreased. Silica-induced cell cycle alternation was markedly impaired by stable expression of a dominant negative mutants of ERK or JNK, but not p38. It was found that ERK and JNK were involved in silica-induced cyclin D1 and CDK4 overexpression and the decreased expression of E2F-4.

CONCLUSIONERK and JNK, but not p38, mediated silica-induced cell cycle changes in human embryo lung fibroblasts.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Quartz ; toxicity

Objective To investigate iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) in Chongqing and Linzhi, and to provide scientific basis for IDD control and prevention. Methods According to the national program developed in 2007, investigation was conducted in Chengkou and Wuxi county in Chongqing municipality, and Linzhi, Bomi,Milin and Langxian county in Linzhi prefecture. Five towns were sampled in Linzhi county, and 3 in other counties.In each town, one township primary school and two village primary schools were selected to inspect thyroid by B ultrasound and palpation, and urinary iodine of children aged 8 to 10 years was tested in these schools. Meanwhile,2 villages were selected in each town for test of salt iodine level and urinary iodine of childbearing age women and search cretin cases. Results Three hundred and forty families in Chongqing and 915 families in Linzhi were investigated. The coverage of iodized salt in Chongqing was 98.82%(336/340), which was significantly higher than that in Linzhi[66.34%(607/905), x2 = 139.56, P ＜ 0.01]. Goiter rate of children in Chongqing was 9.27%(89/960) by palpation and 8.34% (61/731) by B ultrasound, while goiter rate of children in Linzhi was 7.80%(102/1308) by palpation and 5.53% (69/1248) by B ultrasound. The difference of goiter rate by palpation between Chongqing and Linzhi was not statistically significant (x2 = 1.37, P ＞ 0.05 ). But goiter rate of children by B ultrasound in Chongqing was higher than that in Linzhi (x2= 5.51, P ＜ 0.05). In Chongqing, the median urinary iodine was 319.15 μg/L, and 345.75 μg/L in Chengkou county and 281.39 μg/L in Wuxi county. In Linzhi prefecture, the median urinary iodine was 189.81 μg/L, and 207.81 μg/L in Linzhi county, 161.12 μg/L in Bomi county, 131.83 μg/L in Milin county and 334.60 μg/L in Langxian county. The median urinary iodine in childbearing women were 248.42 μg/L in Chongqing and 121.25 μg/L in Linzhi. The median urinary iodine in Chongqing both in children and women were higher than those in Linzhi. No new cretin case was found in these two areas. Conclusions Goiter rate in high risk areas of IDD in Chongqing and Linzhi has decreased to less than 10%.No new cretin case is found in these areas. It can be concluded that the work of control and prevention is effective.There is excess iodine in Chongqing. In Linzhi county and Langxian county, iodine is excess in children and deficient in women. Further investigation should be conducted to find out the reason. Population iodine is excess in Bomi and Milin counties. The concentration of salt iodine should be decreased in Chongqing. In Linzhi prefecture,adding iodine measures should be adjusted based on further investigation.

Objective To study the integrated monitoring program regarding mouse and plague, hemorrhagic fever of renal syndrome(HFRS)and leptospirosis. Methods Integrated monitoring plan was used. A designated office coordinated 5 departments' actions within the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Cage-trapping method was conducted to monitor the density of mice from June to October, respectively. Results Lishui municipal CDC had finished the integrated monitoring program on mouse and mouse-borne disease while the Longyou CDC had finished the field investigation, using the integrated monitoring program.Specimens were sent to provincial CDC. The integrated monitoring program needed more number of personnel and better coordination. Lishui reported 3 leptospirosis cases and 58 HFRS cases in 2009,with the incidence rates as 0.13 and 2.44 per 100 000, respectively. Longyou reported 2 leptospirosis case and 1 HFRS cases in 2009, with the incidence rates as 0.49 and 0.25 per 100 000, respectively.Lishui and Longyou had no plague case. Lishui caught 91 mice in 2009 and the density was 4.17%.Longyou caught 37 mice in 2009, with the density as 1.18 percent. Most mice caught from Lishui were Apodemus agrarius and the next was Mus musculus. In Longyou the Rattus tanezumi ranked the first, followed by Apodemus agrarius. The positive rate of HFRS antigen in Lishui and Longyou were 10.42% and 4.59% respectively. The positive rate of HFRS antibody in Longyou was 3.70%. The culture positive rate of leptospirosis in mouse renal of Lishui and Longyou were 0 and 0.98%respectively. The culture positive rate of leptospirosis in pig renal, duck renal, frog renal and cattle urine of Longyou was 0. The culture positive rate of leptospirosis in duck blood of Longyou was 80%.Conclusion The integrated monitoring program on mouse and mouse-borne disease seemed to be feasible and could promote the integrated surveillance and control program on mouse and mouse-borne diseases in China.

Animals ; Antigens, Nuclear ; DNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Humans ; Ku Autoantigen