[GC-MS analysis of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis]

OBJECTIVE

To determine chemical constituents of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis(D. C.) Koidz by quantitative with qualitative analysis.

METHODS

By GC and GC/MS/DS analytical technology and SE-54 capillary column, the chemical constituents of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis(D. C.) Kiodz were systematically analyzed.

RESULTS

68 peaks were separated, which occupied over 90% of the total area of all chromatographic peaks. The 55 components were identified.

CONCLUSION

The number of compoments of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis(D. C.) Koidz determined in this analysis, are two times as many as those reported in some literatures.

Assembly and activation of HK-PK complex on endothelial cells results in bradykinin liberation and NO formation

Prekallikrein (PK) activation on human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC) presumably leads to bradykinin liberation. On HUVEC, PK activation requires the presence of cell-bound high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK) and Zn(2+). We examined the Zn(2+) requirement for HK binding to and the consequences of PK activation on endothelial cells. Optimal HK binding (14 pmol/10(6) HUVEC) is seen with no added Zn(2+) in HEPES-Tyrode buffer containing gelatin versus 16--32 microM added Zn(2+) in the same buffer containing bovine serum albumin. The affinity and number of HK binding sites on HUVEC are a dissociation constant of 9.6 +/- 1.8 nM and a maximal binding of 1.08 +/- 0.26 x 10(7) sites/cell (means +/- SD). PK is activated to kallikrein by an antipain-sensitive mechanism in the presence of HK and Zn(2+) on HUVEC, human microvascular endothelial cells, umbilical artery smooth muscle cells, and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Simultaneous with kallikrein formation, bradykinin (5.0 or 10.3 pmol/10(6) HUVEC in the absence or presence of lisinopril, respectively) is liberated from cell-bound HK. Liberated bradykinin stimulates the endothelial cell bradykinin B2 receptor to form nitric oxide. Assembly and activation of PK on endothelial cells modulates their physiological activities.

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression and the regulation of apoptosis during human placental development

In this study, we have examined the expression and potential role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), Fas, and Fas ligand (FasL) in the regulation of apoptosis throughout placental development. Protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, whereas apoptotic cell death was assessed by DNA fragmentation analysis and TUNEL. The XIAP was present in trophoblast throughout placental development, but its content significantly decreased during late pregnancy, when apoptosis was maximal. The FasL content was low during early placental development but increased coincidentally to the decrease in XIAP during the third trimester. Our data also suggest that placental apoptosis is the culmination of the relative expression of these cell-death and -survival proteins, a phenomenon that is cell type-specific and dependent on cytodifferentiation and the stage of placental development. Moreover, the induction of syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis may involve the concomitant up-regulation of FasL for Fas activation and the removal of downstream inhibition of the apoptotic cascade by XIAP.

[Determination of chemical constituents in the essential oil from Magnolia sprengeri by GC-MS]

The chemical components of the essential oil from Magnolia sprengri Pamp. were analyzed by GC-MS. 30 components composed of about 80% of the total essential oil were separated and identified.

[Experimental study on oncogenicity of Aristolochia manshuriensis in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the oncogenetic process, biological behavior, pathological and immunohistochemical features of tumor induced by Aristolochia manshuriensis (AM) in rats.

METHODS

Acute renal injury model was established with AM docoction in different dosages by gastrogavage to observe the histomorphologic and immunohistochemical features dynamically.

RESULTS

(1) At month 0, 1 and 3, the occurrence of renal tumor or tumor-like proliferation was not observed; (2) At month 6, the occurrence of renal tumor-like proliferation in all the three AM dosage groups (50 g/kg, 30 g/kg and 20 g/kg) was 100.0%. Immunohistochemical examination conducted in 2 rats showed that the short spindle-shaped interstitial cells were expressed positively both by vimentin and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), but were shown negative for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and p53; (3) At month 6, the occurrence of renal tumor in the three dosage groups was 42.8%, 25.0% and 0% respectively, including 4 cases of renal mesenchymal tumor and 1 case of nephroblastoma. Immunohistochemical examination conducted in 3 cases of renal mesenchymal tumor showed that the short spindle-shaped tumor cells expressed both by vimentin and PCNA, and SMA and p53 were positive for well-differentiated tumor cells. (4) The occurrence of extrarenal tumor in the three dosage groups was 14.3%, 12.5% and 12.5% respectively, 1 case of mammary duct epithelial tumor, 1 thyroid follicle epithelial tumor and 1 skin appendicular epithelial tumor. No tumor occurred in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Large dosage of AM is oncogenic. The occurrence of renal tumor was relatively high, and the histological type is mainly mesenchymal. Vimentin, SMA, PCNA and p53 positive expression was shown for well-differentiated renal mesenchymal tumor. The occurrence of extrarenal tumor is rather low.

[A pilot study on the value of duplex polymerase chain reaction method in early diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of duplex polymerase chain reaction (DPCR) in early diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia by detecting Legionella DNA in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).

METHODS

During the process of DPCR, two different sets of oligonucleotide primers were simultaneously used to amplify 386bp 16SrRNA gene fragment and 206bp mip gene fragment. These two primers were designed according to the sequences of 16SrRNA gene and mip gene of Legionella. The sputum and BALF of patients from two groups, including a Legionella pneumonia group (n = 15) and an ordinary pneumonia group (n = 31) were collected at early course of the disease. All of the samples were detected with DPCR for Legionella DNA. Simulated samples were also detected to investigate the sensitivity of the method for testing clinical samples.

RESULTS

All the samples collected from the Legionella pneumonia patients, including 25 of sputum,and 8 of BALF showed positive DPCR. The results of DPCR, which could distinguish Legionella pneumophila from non-pneumophila Legionella spp. to some degree, were in good accordance with those of the specific serum antibodies. All of the samples from the ordinary pneumonia group including 40 of sputum and 16 of BALF demonstrated negative DPCR. Different samples of the same patient showed the same DPCR results. The lowest detection level of simulated sputum sample was the same as that of simulated BALF sample, being 1 x 10(3) cfu/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study showed that DPCR had satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and stability for detecting Legionella DNA in sputum and BALF. The method is of value in early diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia. Its wide use for clinical work requires further investigation.

[Observation on the changes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients' olfactory before and after radiotherapy]

OBJECTIVE

Detecting nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients' olfactory before and after radiotherapy for investigating the infection of radiotherapy on these patients' olfactory.

METHOD

100 NPC patients' olfactory were detected before the start of radiotherapy and after the termination of therapy in 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months.

RESULT

Patients' smell acuity decreased sharply 3 months after therapy, but varying degrees of recovery were noted in 6 and 12 months. However their smell acuity became worse in the following time.

CONCLUSION

NPC patients' smell acuity can be profoundly affected by radiotherapy. And after radiotherapy, their smell acuity will decrease wave-likely and cannot fully recover.

Long-term outcome of acute renal injury induced by Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom in rats

AIM

To investigate the long-term functional and morphological changes of the kidney induced by acute intoxication of Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom in rats.

METHODS

Experimental model of acute renal injury was established in the Sprague-Dawley rats with oral administration of decoctions of Chinese herb, Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom, at dosages of 50 g.kg-1.d-1 and 30 g.kg-1.d-1 for 7 consecutive days, and 20 g.kg-1.d-1 for 15 consecutive days. Renal function was assayed at months 0 (right after treatment), 1, 3, and 6 of the experiment. Renal histological examination was also performed.

RESULTS

1) At month 0, the renal functional changes of acute renal injury included azotemia, low molecular weight proteinuria, glycosuria, hypoosmotic urine, and NAG enzymuria. Histopathological changes showed acute tubular necrosis, predominantly at the corticomedullary junction. 2) At months 1 and 3, the renal function of rats of the experiment was gradually restored and histopathologic examination suggested that the tubular lesions gradually recovered. In HE sections, basophilic deposits were observed in the tubular cytoplasm. And interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells was not prominent. 3) At months 6, renal preneoplastic lesions, renal tumors, and extrarenal tumors occurred in rats. The occurrence of renal preneoplastic lesions at dosages of 50 g.kg-1.d-1, 30 g.kg-1.d-1, and 20 g.kg-1.d-1 were 100.0% at all three doses, renal tumors 42.8%, 25.0%, and 0%, respectively, extrarenal tumors 14.4%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively, and systemic tumors 57.2%, 37.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. The occurrence of basophilic deposits, renal preneoplastic lesions, renal tumors, and extrarenal tumors in normal control group was nil.

CONCLUSIONS

1) Administration of large dosage of Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom induces acute renal failure in rats. 2) The long-term renal function and histopathologic changes of acute renal injury induced by Aristolochia manshuriensis Komrecover spontaneously. 3) Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom has been proved to be oncogenic for the first time.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 fused with erythropoietin (EPO) mimetic peptide (EMP) enhances the EPO activity of EMP

Erythropoietin (EPO) mimetic peptide (EMP) encoding sequence was inserted into the gene of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) between Ala348 and Pro349 (P2'-P3'), generating a novel gene, PAI-1/EMP (PMP). This was cloned into pET32a expression vector, fused with TrxA peptide in the vector, and a 63-kDa protein was expressed in inclusion bodies with an expression level >50%. The TrxA/PMP protein was purified by Ni-NTA-agarose metal-ligand affinity chromatography to a purity >90%, showing a single, silver-stained band on SDS-PAGE. Using a reticulocyte counting assay, the EPO activity of PMP was determined to be 5,000 IU/mg, 2,500-fold that of EMP.

[Study on chemical constituents of essential oil of Biota orientalis by GC-MS]

The essential oil was extracted from Biota orientalis (L) Endl by using steam distillery, analyzed with SE-54(30 m x 0.25 mm I.d) fused silica capillary column. The optimum separate and analytical conditions were researched. The amount of the components from the essential oil was determinated by monoliration method. The separated components were identified by GC-MS. There are 33 components which are make up 80% of the total essential oil were separated and identified.

Bioactive ceramics: the effect of surface reactivity on bone formation and bone cell function

Surface reactivity is one of the common characteristics of bone bioactive ceramics. It contributes to their bone bonding ability and their enhancing effect on bone tissue formation. During implantation, reactions occur at the material-tissue interface that lead to time-dependent changes in the surface characteristics of the implant material and the tissues at the interface. This review describes some of the current concepts regarding the surface reactivity of bone bioactive materials and its effect on attachment, proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of bone cells.

Urinary follicle stimulating hormone can be used as a biomarker to assess male reproductive function

AIM

To develop an algorithm for use in population-based studies to assess testicular function by measurements of total urinary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

METHODS

Total concentrations of urinary FSH were measured in a group of 44 men at the University of California, Davis (UCD) and were compared to FSH measurements in serum. On the basis of these and other published data, a urinary FSH value of >2 ng/mg creatinine (Cr) was selected as the cutoff point to identify men with elevated serum FSH ( > 12 IU/L) or low sperm counts ( < 20 million/mL).

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm for detecting elevated serum FSH in a group of 58 agricultural workers in the People' s Republic of China were 100% and 50%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm for detecting low sperm counts in a population of 105 infertility patients at UCD were 58 % and 76 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This test may have particular value in identifying populations with no evidence of testicular toxicity, and in which labor-intensive semen studies may not be feasible.

[Variations of the middle meatus mucosa ultrastructure after endoscopic sinus surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the variations of middle meatus ultrastructure after endoscopic sinus surgery.

METHOD

10 cases whose middle meatus mucosa recovered well after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were screened, and postoperative electron microscope examinations of middle meatus mucosa were made in the first, second, third and forth month.

RESULT

In the first month after operation, there was obvious fibre proliferation in the mucosa. In the second month, there was fibre proliferation and dissolution existing simultaneously. In the third month, the mucosa's structure resumed fundamentally to normal, but its function was not perfect. In the forth month, the mucosa was completely normal and can function normally.

CONCLUSION

The mucosa of middle meatus can resume completely after endoscopic sinus surgery but need at least four months. It is very important to have a long time reexamination for improving therapeutic effect.

Molecular cloning and characterization of LR3, a novel LDL receptor family protein with mitogenic activity

We report molecular cloning and initial functional characterization of a novel member of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene family. The cDNA was isolated from a human osteoblast cDNA library and encoded a 1,615 amino acids protein designated as LR3. It has, in the extracellular region, a cluster of three LDLR ligand binding repeats at a juxtamembrane position and four EGF precursor homology domains separated by YWTD spacer repeats. The entire ectodomain shares the same modular organization with the middle portion of the extracellular regions of two LDLR family members, LDLR-related protein (LRP), and gp330/megalin. LR3 mRNA was expressed in most of the adult and fetal tissues examined. The highest expression level was seen in aorta. In human osteosarcoma cells examined, LR3 mRNA was highly enriched in TE85 cells, moderately expressed in MG63 cells and primary human osteoblasts, and undetectable in SaOS-2 cells. NIH 3T3 cells transfected with either full length LR3 or its ectodomain showed significantly increased proliferation, whereas transfection of intracellular domain had no proliferative effect. We predict that LR3 is a multi-functional protein with potential mitogenic activity.

[Effect of Fusheng powder on activity of vascular endothelial cells and its adhesion to polymorphonuclear neutrophils]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of Fusheng powder on the adhesion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in human peripheral blood to vascular endothelial cells (VEC).

METHODS

Using cultured human umbilical vein cells as target cells, while being incubated with high glucose (HG, 30 mmol/L), high-lipid (HL, 20%), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 10%) and hypoxia (95% N2, 5% CO2, 37 degrees C, 30 min, and then in the air 30 min) for 24 h, respectively, the activity of VEC and the adhesive effect of PMN to VEC were surveyed.

RESULTS

It revealed that HG, HL, TNF-alpha and hypoxia could enhance obviously the adhesion of PMN to VEC, the cell attachment rate in normal control, HG group, TNF-alpha, hypoxia and HL after 30 minutes contact were 100%, 129.6%, 136.7%, 151.4% and 167.7% (all P < 0.01, compared with control group) respectively, but high and low dosage of the Fusheng powder could significantly inhibit the adhesion of PMN to VEC.

CONCLUSIONS

HG, HL, TNF-alpha and hypoxia could all activate EC respectively and enhance the adhesion of PMN to VEC, but the Fusheng powder could protect VEC and partly block the effect of this adhesion. However, the effects of Fusheng powder on anti-adhesion are of great importance in clinical cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases.

Attachment, morphology, and protein expression of rat marrow stromal cells cultured on charged substrate surfaces

Although surface charge has been shown to affect the adhesion and morphology of a variety of cell types, the interactions of bone marrow stromal cells with charged surfaces still remain unclear. A novel electrical stimulation system was used to investigate the interactions between rat bone marrow stromal cells and charged substrates in this study. A conductive and transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) coating was used as an electret substrate. Rat marrow stromal cells were cultured on positive, negative, and uncharged ITO surfaces. Cell attachment, morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity, and expression of osteopontin and collagen type III were assessed using histochemical staining, immunolabeling, and fluorescence microscopy. Voltages of 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 V applied to the substrates created surface potentials but were insufficient to decompose the media. On positively charged ITO, cell attachment was enhanced in serum-supplemented and serum-free media. Furthermore, decreases in cell spreading, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteopontin were observed in cells grown on the positively charged ITO. These data indicate that positively charged surfaces enhance cell attachment but suppress cell spreading and differentiation of rat marrow stromal cells.

[Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and dermatomyositis (analysis of 12 cases)]

The onset relationship between dermatomyositis (DM) and malignant tumor, especially nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), was approached. Approximately 90 cases of DM were admitted in the hospital. Among them 15 cases were complicated with malignant tumor of which 12 cases were complicated with NPC (account for 80% of DM with complicated carcinoma). In addition to treat these patients with prednisone and antibiotics, radiation therapy has been applied for NPC and metastasis in the neck. During the hospitalizations, one patient died, eleven patients' NPC was controlled, and the DM was completely resolved or improved. There is an obvious relationship between DM and carcinoma. DM may improve or even subside with good short term prognosis, as long as the carcinoma is controlled successfully.

[Studies on Epstein-Barr virus in patients with primary sinonasal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and primary sinonasal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODS

Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, 22 patients with primary sinonasal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), including 13 tumours of T cell type and 9 of B cell type, and mucosa from twenty cases of nasonasosinusitis were tested for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA.

RESULTS

The results showed that 14 of 22 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (63.6%) and 4 of 20 nasonasosinusitis mucosa (20%) were EBV-DNAase gene positive (9 T cell type and 5 B cell type). The difference between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasal mucosa was statistically significant (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that EBV is not only present in B lymphocyte lymphomas but also in T lymphocyte lymphomas.

Enzyme immunoassay method for total urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) beta subunit and its application for measurement of total urinary FSH

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for total urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that can be used to evaluate frozen-thawed urine samples.

DESIGN

A method was developed for dissociating urinary FSH into subunits by boiling. An ELISA for the free beta subunit of FSH was used to measure total FSH in urine samples collected from male and female volunteers. The urinary FSH values were compared with serum FSH concentrations in paired samples.

SETTING

A clinical research laboratory.

PATIENT(S)

Serum and urine samples from normal male and female volunteers and from men with infertility were used to develop and validate an assay for total urinary FSH.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

RESULT(S)

Urinary FSH concentrations in frozen-thawed urine were highly correlated to matched serum FSH concentrations.

CONCLUSION(S)

A microtiter plate ELISA for FSH beta subunit provides an economical method for evaluating FSH secretion in men and women. This method has practical applications for population-based epidemiologic studies in which urine samples are collected in the field and stored frozen before analysis.

[Determination of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor of the sinonasal malignant neoplasms]

To examine the relationship between sex steroid receptor and sinonasal malignant neoplasms, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were determined in 25 cases of sinonasal malignant neoplasms, 10 cases of sinonasal papillomas, 31 cases of nasal polyps and 12 cases of normal nasal mucosa. The determination of ER and PR was done by radioligand binding assay of receptors (RBAR). The results indicated that sinonasal malignant neoplasms had higher concentrations of ER and PR binding protein, while sinonasal papillomas, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa were found to contain lower concentration of ER and PR, and the differences were significant. (P < 0.01). It is suggested that sinonasal malignant neoplasms might depend on ER and PR.

[Determination of soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in patients with allergic rhinitis]

To explore the regulatory mechanism of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R) in patient allergic rhinitis, SIL-2R levels in serum and nasal secretion were detected in 39 patients with allergic rhinitis, 19 patients with chronic rhinitis and 15 normal controls, The determination of SIL-2R was done by a sandwich ELISA method. The results showed that the SIL-2R concentrations in patients with allergic rhinitis were significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001). These results suggest that SIL-2R may play an important role in allergic rhinitis.

Total urinary follicle stimulating hormone as a biomarker for detection of early pregnancy and periimplantation spontaneous abortion

Total concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were evaluated in daily urine samples from conceptive and nonconceptive menstrual cycles by measurement of the FSH beta subunit following treatment of the samples to dissociate the FSH heterodimer. Samples were self-collected by normal subjects during cycles in which daily blood samples also were obtained. Daily blood and urine specimens were collected prospectively from 10 subject in conceptive cycles, which led to normal pregnancies, and from 10 subjects with bilateral tubal ligations to provide control samples form nonconceptive cycles. Mean serum and urinary FSH concentration profiles wer parallel in both groups following ovulation and during he first 9 days of the luteal phase. Mean values for both serum and urinary FSH rose significantly above the postovulatory baseline by 10-12 days following the midcycle luteinizing hormone (LH) peak in nonconceptive cycles, but did not rise at any time following ovulation during conceptive cycles. Following regression analysis of the changing FSH concentration between days 9-14 post-LH surge in conceptive cycles, a slope of </= 0.02 ng FHS/mg creatinine/day was selected as a cutoff point to identify conceptive cycles. There was a high concordance between the day of LH peak in serum and the day of FSH peak in urine. Therefore, in applying the algorithm, the day of FSH peak in urine was used to determine the days for which the FSH slope would be calculated, i.e., days 9-14 post-FSH peak in urine. The sensitivity and specificity of the change in urinary FSH concentrations to detect pregnancy in a different set of 55 cycles were found to 88.9% and 89.3%, respectively. All six cases of early fetal loss in the sample set were correctly identified. These results suggest that urinary FSH can be used as an additional biomarker for the verification of early pregnancy in prospective epidemiological studies in which early fetal loss is a suspected outcome.

Fusion expression of mutated cecropin CMIV inE. coli

A cDNA coding mutated cecropin CMIV fromBombyx mori was synthesized according to its amino acid sequence usingE. coli biased codons. The gene was cloned into the fusion expression vector pEZZ318 and was expressed inE. coli HB101. The fusion protein produced was purified by affinity chromatography to yield 26 mg/L fusion product. The anti-bacterial activities of recombinant cecropin CMIV were recovered after cleavage by chemical method.