TRPV4-induced Neurofilament Injury Contributes to Memory Impairment after High Intensity and Low Frequency Noise Exposures / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Exposure to high intensity, low frequency noise (HI-LFN) causes vibroacoustic disease (VAD), with memory deficit as a primary non-auditory symptomatic effect of VAD. However, the underlying mechanism of the memory deficit is unknown. This study aimed to characterize potential mechanisms involving morphological changes of neurons and nerve fibers in the hippocampus, after exposure to HI-LFN.@*METHODS@#Adult wild-type and transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 4 knockout (TRPV4-/-) mice were used for construction of the HI-LFN injury model. The new object recognition task and the Morris water maze test were used to measure the memory of these animals. Hemoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine morphological changes of the hippocampus after exposure to HI-LFN.@*RESULTS@#The expression of TRPV4 was significantly upregulated in the hippocampus after HI-LFN exposure. Furthermore, memory deficits correlated with lower densities of neurons and neurofilament-positive nerve fibers in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) and dentate gyrus (DG) hippocampal areas in wild-type mice. However, TRPV4-/- mice showed better performance in memory tests and more integrated neurofilament-positive nerve fibers in the CA1 and DG areas after HI-LFN exposure.@*CONCLUSION@#TRPV4 up-regulation induced neurofilament positive nerve fiber injury in the hippocampus, which was a possible mechanism for memory impairment and cognitive decline resulting from HI-LFN exposure. Together, these results identified a promising therapeutic target for treating cognitive dysfunction in VAD patients.

Texture Analysis of Three-Dimensional MRI Images May Differentiate Borderline and Malignant Epithelial Ovarian Tumors

Objective@#To explore the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based whole tumor texture analysis in differentiating borderline epithelial ovarian tumors (BEOTs) from FIGO stage I/II malignant epithelial ovarian tumors (MEOTs). @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 88 patients with histopathologically confirmed ovarian epithelial tumors after surgical resection, including 30 BEOT and 58 MEOT patients, were divided into a training group (n = 62) and a test group (n = 26).The clinical and conventional MRI features were retrospectively reviewed. The texture features of tumors, based on T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging, were extracted using MaZda software and the three top weighted texture features were selected by using the Random Forest algorithm. A non-texture logistic regression model in the training group was built to include those clinical and conventional MRI variables with p value < 0.10. Subsequently, a combined model integrating non-texture information and texture features was built for the training group. The model, evaluated using patients in the training group, was then applied to patients in the test group. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic performance of the models. @*Results@#The combined model showed superior performance in categorizing BEOTs and MEOTs (sensitivity, 92.5%; specificity, 86.4%; accuracy, 90.3%; area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.962) than the non-texture model (sensitivity, 78.3%; specificity, 84.6%; accuracy, 82.3%; AUC, 0.818). The AUCs were statistically different (p value = 0.038). In the test group, the AUCs, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.840, 73.3%, 90.1%, and 80.8% when the non-texture model was used and 0.896, 75.0%, 94.0%, and 88.5% when the combined model was used. @*Conclusion@#MRI-based texture features combined with clinical and conventional MRI features may assist in differentitating between BEOT and FIGO stage I/II MEOT patients.

Characterization of oil/water partition coefficient of chishao terpene glucoside components based on contribution rate of representative components for myocardial ischemia / 中国中药杂志

The components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCMCs) are the basic unit of raw materials for Chinese medicines, and their physical and chemical properties directly affect the choice of dosage forms and the optimization of prescriptions. However, most of TCMCs are multi-component complex systems, and the characterization of their overall properties is still in the exploration stage. On the basis of biological activity, the representative components are determined, and then the individual characteristics are fitted with the weight coefficient of efficacy contribution rate, which may provide reference for characterizing the overall properties of TCMCs. In this study, with the pharmacological effects of isoproterenol(ISO)-induced myocardial ischemia in rats as the indicators, the pharmacodynamic contribution rates of three representative components of chishao terpene glucoside components(CSTGCs) were evaluated by the normalization weighting method. The contribution rates of paeoniflorin, paeoniflorin and benzoylpaeoniflorin were 54.87%, 32.46% and 12.67%, respectively. The oil-water partition coefficients of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin in water and buffer solutions with different pH values were measured, and the oil-water partition coefficients of CSTGCs were characterized by the weight of their pharmacodynamics contribution rate. The results showed that the apparent oil-water partition coefficient(log P) of CSTGCs in the phosphate buffer system such as n-octanol-water(pH 2.0, 2.5, 5.0, 5.8, 6.8) were 0.18-0.22, indicating that CSTGCs have common absorption and low permeability, providing basis for the preparation of CSTGCs.

Characterization analysis technique of Panax notoginseng saponin subcomponents for prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia based on their structure and effect differences / 中国中药杂志

According to the structure and effect differences of Panax notoginseng saponin components(PNSC), subcomponent division and network pharmacological characterization were conducted to provide a research basis for the medicinal properties of P.notoginseng saponin subcomponents and the technical design of unit preparations. PNSC were screened by the TCMSP database and subcomponents were classified according to systematic clustering. Then the subcomponents obtained were subjected to target prediction and attribution analysis by PharmMapper server, GeneCards, DisGeNET and HOME-NCBI-GENE database. A subcomponent target interaction network was constructed by using the STRING database. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis were performed on each subcomponent target using the DAVID database. The subcomponents-targets-pathways visualization network was constructed by Cytoscape. The subcomponent targets and pathways involved were compared to analyze the differences in anti-myocardial ischemic drug mechanisms and the rationality of subcomponent division. Eighteen compounds of PNSC were screened out, and classified into three subcomponents A, B, and C according to their properties, involving 67 targets and 17 common anti-myocardial ischemic pathways directly or indirectly related to myocardial ischemia. Subcomponent A had the highest number of targets and the target interaction was dense, possibly indicating its key role in the mechanism of pharmacodynamics. Subcomponents A, B, and C had similar basic structures, and KEGG and GO analysis showed that they all can enhance the heart function and protection of cardiomyocytes by inhibiting apoptosis, promoting angiogenesis and regulating inflammatory response to play the effect on myocardial ischemia. This study fully reflected the differences in the efficacy of various subcomponents in preventing and treating myocardial ischemia due to the different physical properties of P. notoginseng saponin subcomponents. To some extent, the differences in the efficacy of each subcomponent in the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia could verify the rationality of the division of P. notoginseng saponin subcomponents according to the structural properties, realizing the characterization of P. notoginseng saponin subcomponents based on structure and effect differences.

Screening of active anti-myocardial ischemia components of Panax notoginseng based on molecular docking technology / 中国中药杂志

The molecular docking technology was used in this study to virtually screen the active anti-myocardial ischemic components in Panax notoginseng, clarify the compositions of the anti-myocardial ischemic component unit and the basis for pharmacological activity of P. notoginseng, and provide the basis for the acquisition of the component raw materials and the formulation design before the preparations. One hundred and nineteen compounds in P. notoginseng were collected by searching TCMSP to establish the ligand database, and TNF, IL1 B, NFKBIA, and NOS3 which were related with myocardial ischemia were selected to create the receptor database. Then Discovery Studio software LibDock module was used to dock the ligands and receptors, with the approved small-molecule drugs which were related to targets or the treatment of myocardial ischemia disease in the DrugBank as the reference, and the average scores of approved small-molecule drugs were set as the threshold. A total of 13 compounds with a score above the threshold and in the top ranking were virtually screened. The study showed that all the 13 components screened out were saponins, which constituted the main component unit of the anti-myocardial ischemic activity of P. notoginseng, namely the P. notoginseng saponin components. After the comparative analysis of the main active residues of the approved commercial drugs and P. notoginseng saponin components on each target, the similarity of their effects suggested that the P. notoginseng saponin components may have the same anti-myocardial ischemic efficacy as clinical drugs. The components of P. notoginseng which exerted anti-myocardial ischemic activity were mainly the saponin components. The preliminary screening of the active anti-myocardial ischemic components of P. notoginseng had been completed, which provided a certain reference for the development of anti-myocardial ischemic Chinese medicine component preparations.

Layer-specific strain assessment on left ventricular function before and after PCI in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the changes of left ventricular function in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before PCI and within 24 hours after PCI by layer-specific strain, and to explore the value of this new assessment method for quantitative monitoring on the myocardial function in STEMI patients. Methods: A total of 40 patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction, who underwent PCI in Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University during July 2017 to July 2018, were included in this prospective cohort study. According to the symptom to balloon time (STB), the patients were divided into STB ≤6 hours group (26 cases) and STB 6-12 hours group (14 cases). Echocardiography was performed before, immediately, 3 hours and 24 hours after PCI. Echocardiographic indexes including endocardial myocardial longitudinal strain (LS-endo), 18-segment full-thickness myocardial longitudinal strain (LS) of left ventricle and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. The mean LS-endo and LS values of myocardial segments in infarcted area (IALS-endo, IALS) and the mean LS-endo and LS values of myocardial segments in non-infarcted area (NIALS-endo, NIALS) were calculated. Results: There were 34 males and 6 females in this cohort and age was (62±10) years. In STB≤6 hours group, the IALS-endo value ((13.7±4.9)% vs. (10.0±2.7)%, P<0.05) and NIALS-endo value ((17.0±2.9)% vs. (14.6±2.9)%, P<0.05) were significantly higher at 24 hours after PCI than those before PCI. In the group of STB 6-12 hours, IALS-endo decreased immediately after PCI ((6.7±3.3)% vs. (11.9±6.5)%, P<0.05), and there was a rising trend at 3 hours after PCI (P>0.05). At 24 hours after PCI, the index was higher than that immediately after PCI ((13.6±8.4)% vs. (6.7±3.3)%, P<0.05). The NIALS-endo value was significantly higher at 24 hours after PCI than that before PCI ((17.1±2.1)% vs. (14.5±3.2)%, P<0.05). In the STB 6-12 hours group, the decrease rate of IALS-endo immediately after PCI was higher than that in the STB ≤6 hours group (93% (13/14) vs. 35% (9/26), P<0.001). In STB ≤6 hours group, the NIALS value at 24 hours after PCI was higher than that before PCI (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in IALS, NIALS and GLS at other time points (P>0.05). Conclusions: Layered LS is superior to full-thickness LS and GLS in evaluating left ventricular function in STEMI patients. LS measured by echocardiography can continuously and quantitatively evaluate the changes of left ventricular myocardial function in STEMI patients before and after PCI.

CD137 signaling promotes angiogenesis through regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate whether CD137 signaling can promote angiogenesis via regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization. Methods: (1) The primary peritoneal macrophages in mice induced by 3% thiglycollate broth were divided into three groups: control group, CD137 signaling activated group and CD137 signaling inhibited group. Various specific markers of M1 and M2 macrophages were detected to observe the phenotype change of macrophages, and the macrophages protein expression of CD137, CD86 and CD206 was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The protein and mRNA expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase Ⅰ(Arg-1) was determined by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. The secretion levels of IL-12 and IL-10 in culture supernatant of macrophages were detected by ELISA. (2) Macrophages were co-cultured with the endothelial cells (bEnd.3), and macrophages were implanted in the upper chamber, endothelial cells were implanted in stromal glue of the lower chamber. The experiment was divided into three groups: the control group, CD137 signaling activated group and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) inhibited group, and tube formation ability of endothelial cells in each group was determined. Results: (1) The purity of primary peritoneal macrophages in mice was (97.93±1.31)%. The expression of CD137 on the surface of macrophages was (97.40±2.70)%. (2) Compared with control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Arg-1 were significantly increased and the mRNA and protein expression of iNOS were significantly decreased in CD137 signaling activated group (all P<0.05). Compared with CD137 signaling activated group, the mRNA and protein expression of Arg-1 were significantly lower and the mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS were significantly higher in CD137 signaling inhibited group (all P<0.05). FCM results showed that the average fluorescence intensity of CD206 was higher, while the average fluorescence intensity of CD86 was lower in CD137 signaling activated group than in control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively); the expression of CD206 was significantly lower, while the expression of CD86 was higher, in the CD137 signaling inhibited group than in CD137 signaling activated group (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). ELISA results showed that the secretion of IL-10 was higher, and the secretion level of IL-12 was significantly lower in CD137 signaling activated group than in control group (both P<0.01); the secretion of IL-10 was significantly lower and the secretion of IL-12 was significantly higher in CD137 signaling inhibited group than in CD137 signaling activated group (both P<0.05). (3) Values of the formation of tube length and branch number were both longer in CD137 signaling activated group than control group (P<0.05). The formation of the tube length and branch number were less in PPAR-γ inhibited group than in CD137 signaling activated group (P<0.05). Conclusion: CD137 signaling can promote angiogenesis by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization.

Advances in research on the mechanism of long-QT syndrome caused by traditional Chinese medicine affecting hERG potassium channel / 药学学报

Drug-induced cardiotoxicity is recently a major concern. Cardiotoxicity is the leading cause of drug withdrawal from the market. Long-QT syndrome is one of the most important manifestations of cardiotoxicity. hERG potassium channel is an important target of drug-induced arrhythmia and antiarrhythmia drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine is a traditional medicine in China with a long history and a wide range of clinical use. However, the multi-organ toxicity caused by traditional Chinese medicine is still a problem to be solved. Some traditional Chinese medicines already in clinical use have been withdrawn from the market because of their potential cardiotoxicity or severe arrhythmias. The cardiac toxicity of more than 50 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines causing arrhythmia was reported, while more than 20 of them are induced by affecting on the hERG potassium channels. Therefore, finding out the mechanism of drug-induced long-QT syndrome and the regulatory target of drug intervention is the key research goal in today's medical field. In this paper, we summarized the mechanisms of long-QT syndrome induced by traditional Chinese medicine with Ikr/hERG potassium channel as the main target. It provides a theoretical basis for the rational use of related traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice, the avoidance of cardiac toxicity and the development of regulatory targets for drug intervention.

Discovery and verification of representative ingredients of Chishao terpene glucoside components against ischemia and hypoxia injury / 药学学报

The discovery and verification of components are prerequisites for developing of component preparations. The molecular docking technique and pharmacodynamic activity evaluation provide effective methods for the discovery and verification of the representative components of Chishao terpene glucoside components (CSTGCS) against ischemia and hypoxia injury. The chemical constituents of CSTGCS were analyzed qualitatively by UPLC-TOF/MS/MS. Main chemical constituents were docked with key receptor proteins of myocardial ischemia to preliminarily screen anti-ischemia active ingredients, and screening for main active ingredients with Libdockscore. Then a H9c2 cell hypoxia injury model was established, and creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined to screen the representative combinations in CSTGCS. In addition, apoptosis index, apoptotic protein expression and mitochondria-associated mRNA levels were determined to verify the inhibition of the representative components (RCS) on the apoptosis of hypoxic cells. Eventually, the representative components of CSTGCS were determined. The results showed that paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoyl paeoniflorin and oxypaeoniflorin were considered to be the main active components because of their high matching with target proteins (4TWT, 3O4O, 4KZN, 1M9J) in space and energy. There was no statistical difference in regulating CK, LDH, SOD, MDA levels and maintaining mitochondrial function as well as inhibiting cell apoptosis between CSTGCS group and RCS group (paeoniflorin + albiflorin + benzoyl paeoniflorin combination). Therefore, paeoniflorin, albiflorin and benzoyl paeoniflorin were selected as the most representative ingredients of CSTGCS against ischemia and hypoxia injury, providing a basis for the overall properties of the components and formulation of CSTGCS.

Characterization of overall biopharmaceutical properties of traditional Chinese medicine components based on identification of representational components / 中国中药杂志

Preformulation research, an in-depth research for pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties of raw materials, has been widely used in the field of chemical drugs. Although traditional Chinese medicine components (TCMCs) are the basic units in Chinese medicine preparation, the properties characterization of these components is still in an exploratory stage, because empiricism and blindness are still present in the development of the Chinese medicine preparations. TCMCs, a complex multi-component system, is very difficult to be analyzed in details. Herein, a research idea is put forward for the characterization of overall properties by using representative compositions. Firstly, various composition groups were set up for screening the representative components by in vitro and in vivo efficacy evaluation according to the original proportion. Then the equilibrium solubility, oil/water (O/W) partition coefficient and apparent permeability coefficient of the representative components were detected. Subsequently, the similarity assessment and discrete analysis were performed for the subdivision of TCMCs. The overall properties of TCMCs were fitted by mass fraction or efficacy contribution of each representative component, so as to characterize the overall properties of components/sub-components.

Effects of Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction on blood lipid content, oxidative stress and ox-LDL/Lox-1 pathway in ApoE-/- mice / 中国中药杂志

To observe the functions of Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction（GXBD） on regulating lipid metabolism, anti-oxidation, and interposing ox-LDL/Lox-1 pathway, and to explore its anti-atherosclerosis (AS) mechanisms. AS models were established by using 42 Apo-E-/- male mice with high fat diet. AS model mice were randomly divided into the model group, simvastatin group, and GXBD high and low dose groups. C57BL/6J male mice were used as the normal control group, n=10 and the treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, SOD, MDA, GSH-px, and ox-LDL in blood serum were tested 24 h after the last administration. The changes of aortic tissues structure were observed by HE staining; the expression levels of Lox-1 protein and the expression levels of mRNA were detected by Western blot and PCR respectively.Results showed that the blood lipid levels and MDA, ox-LDL levels in blood serum of model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group, but SOD, GSH-px levels were significantly lower than those in the normal control group, and the Lox-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were also significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05), namely aortic atherosclerosis lesions were obvious in model group.The levels of blood lipid and MDA, ox-LDL of GXBD high and low dose groups and simvastatin group were significantly lower than those in model group, while SOD, GSH-px levels were significantly higher than those in model group, and Lox-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly lower than those in model group(P<0.05), namely the aortic atherosclerosis lesions were significantly relieved. The above results indicated that GXBD was capable of modulating blood lipid, anti-oxidation, and inhibiting the expression of Lox-1, and interposing ox-LDL/Lox-1 pathway in the AS model Apo-E-/- mice, which may be one of the mechanisms of anti-atherosclerosis.

International experiences on pay-for-performance programs and implications for China / 中国卫生政策研究

In the past decade, pay-for-performance (P4P) programs in the health care sector have been im-plemented throughout the world. These programs differ in their design, as they have different targets ( hospitals or physicians) and different performance sectors incentivised. P4P has also been introduced to Chinese hospitals re-cently. This article reviews major P4P initiatives (programs of the U. K. , U. S. , France, etc. ) and collects common design factors for analysis ( targets, quality measures, incentive schemes, performance benchmarks, etc. ) . The pros and cons of each design factor are discussed, and some inevitable empirical pitfalls are also reviewed. It is anticipa-ted that such international experiences can provide possible future reference for the Chinese hospital remuneration re-form.

The effect of CD137-CD137 ligand interaction on the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice atherosclerotic plaque model / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of CD137-CD137L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Atherosclerotic plaque model was produced by rapid perivascular carotid collar placement in ApoE(-/-) mice. In vivo, the expression of NFATc1 in mice plaque and lymphocytes was detected by immunohistochemical and flow cytometry, respectively. In vitro, the NFATc1 mRNA and protein expressions in cultured lymphocytes of ApoE(-/-) mice were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In vivo, after stimulating CD137-CD137L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 was significantly upregulated in the atherosclerotic plaques and lymphocytes. In vitro, the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in cultured leukocytes of ApoE(-/-) mice were also significantly increased, the maximal effect appeared post 20 µg/ml anti-CD137 mAb-stimulation and reached maximum at 24 h at any concentrations. Anti-CD137L mAb significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in lymphocytes of ApoE(-/-) mice, maximal effect appeared at 20 µg/ml anti-CD137L mAb and reached minimum at 24 h.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD137-CD137L interactions can modulate the expression of NFATc1 in this ApoE(-/-) mice atherosclerotic plaque model.</p>

Effect of the costimulatory molecules OX40-OX40 ligand interaction on the expression of NFATc1 in leukocytes of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of OX40/OX40L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in ApoE-/- mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lymphocytes were prepared from mouse spleens after Collar-treated Surgery, then incubated with a range of agonistic anti-OX40 mAbs and inhibitory anti-OX40L mAb to stimulate or inhibit OX40-OX40L interaction in vitro. The expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice was measured by Real Time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After stimulating OX40-OX40L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice was significantly increased, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40 mAb-stimulated, and peaked at 24 h at any concentration (P < 0.01). (2) Anti-OX40L mAb significantly suppressed the expression of NFATc1 in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40L mAb, and peaked at 24 h (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>OX40-OX40L interaction can regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice.</p>

Reconstruction of large through-and-through palate defects with folded free forearm flap / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the reconstruction method of large through-and-through palate defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2003 to 2006, 7 cases of large through-and-through palate defects were reconstructed with vascularized folded free forearm flap. 8 flaps were used, including 7 free forearm flaps and 1 pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the tissue flaps survived well except one flap necrosis because of arterial thrombosis. The appearance of reconstructed palate was acceptable, and the functions of swallowing and speech were normal or almost normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is feasible and effective to repair large through-and-through palate defects with folded free forearm flap.</p>

Intra-specific genetic relationship analyses of Elaeagnus angustifolia based on RP-HPLC biochemical markers / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Elaeagnus angustifolia Linn. has various ecological, medicinal and economical uses. An approach was established using RP-HPLC (reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography) to classify and analyse the intra-specific genetic relationships of seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, collected from the Xinjiang areas of China. Chromatograms of alcohol-soluble proteins produced by seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, were compared. Each chromatogram of alcohol-soluble proteins came from a single seed of one wild plant only. The results showed that when using a Waters Delta Pak. C18, 5 microm particle size reversed phase column (150 mm x 3.9 mm), a linear gradient of 25%-60% solvent B with flow rate of 1 ml/min and run time of 67 min, the chromatography yielded optimum separation of E. angustifolia alcohol-soluble proteins. Representative peaks in each population were chosen according to peak area and occurrence in every seed. The converted data on the elution peaks of each population were different and could be used to represent those populations. GSC (genetic similarity coefficients) of 41% to 62% showed a medium degree of genetic diversity among the populations in these eco-areas. Cluster analysis showed that the seventeen populations of E. angustifolia could be divided into six clusters at the GSC=0.535 level and indicated the general and unique biochemical markers of these clusters. We suggest that E. angustifolia distribution in these eco-areas could be classified into six variable species. RP-HPLC was shown to be a rapid, repeatable and reliable method for E. angustifolia classification and identification and for analysis of genetic diversity.

Role of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma in mediating proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells induced by advanced glycation end products / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of pioglitazone on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and expression of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). To investigate the possible role of PPARgamma in mediating AGEs induced proliferation of VSMCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary cultures of smooth muscle cells from rat aorta were exposed to AGEs of different concentrations and different times prior to co-treatment with pioglitazone and AGEs. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was adopted for the quantification of the cell proliferation ratio and PPARgamma expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AGEs increased the proliferation of VSMCs. AGEs treatment to VSMCs decreased mRNA and protein levels of PPARgamma in a time- and dose-related manner (P < 0.05). Pioglitazone inhibited the AGEs-induced proliferation of VSMCs in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Activating PPARgamma in VSMCs, pioglitazone may play a role in anti atherosclerosis. The reduction in PPARgamma expression may be implicated in vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.</p>

Identification of Rhodiola species by using RP-HPLC / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

An approach was established using RP-HPLC (reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography) to identify ten species of Rhodiola, R. coccinea A. Bor, R. junggarica C.Y. Yang et N.R. Cui spn., R. heterodonta A. Bor, R. linearifolia A. Bor, R. pamiro alaiucm A. Bor, R. kaschgarica A. Bor, R. litwinowii A. Bor, R. gelida schrenk, R. rosea L. and R. quadrifide Fisch et Mey collected from the Tianshan Mountains areas of China. Chromatograms of alcohol-soluble proteins, generated from these ten Rhodiola spp. were compared. Each chromatogram of alcohol-soluble proteins came from a single seed of one wild species only. The results showed that when using a Waters Delta Pak. C18, 5 microm particle size reversed phase column (150 mm x 3.9 mm), a linear gradient of 22%-55% solvent B with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and a run time of 67 min, the chromatography gave optimum separation of Rhodiola alcohol-soluble proteins. Chromatogram of each species was different and could be used to identify those species. Cluster analysis of genetic similarity coefficients of 37% to 60% showed a medium degree of genetic diversity among the species in these eco-areas. Cluster analysis showed that the ten species of Rhodiola can be divided into four clusters and yielded the general and unique biochemical markers of these species. RP-HPLC was shown to be a rapid, repeatable and reliable method for Rhodiola species identification and analysis of genetic diversity.

Domestic abuse on women in China before, during, and after pregnancy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Some researchers found that partner-perpetrated physical violence increased in frequency and severity during the postpartum period compared with the antenatal period, however, limited data exists describing abuse of women in China. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of abuse in China before, during, and after pregnancy, and explore possible factors related to abuse.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A community-based face-to-face survey of a representative group of women who had a child aged 6 to 18 months in 32 communities of Tianjin, Liaoning, Henan, and Shaanxi provinces was carried out between November 1, 2001 and February 28, 2002.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of domestic abuse (emotional, sexual, or physical) occurring in any period (before, during, or after pregnancy) was 12.6%. The prevalence of abuse during the approximate 9 months of pregnancy (4.3%) was relatively lower compared with the prevalence of abuse during the 12 months before pregnancy (9.1%) and after delivery (8.3%) during the mean 11-month postpartum period studied. Abuse before pregnancy was a strong risk factor for abuse during pregnancy and abuse after pregnancy, and abuse during any previous period was a strong risk factor for subsequent abuse. Many women who suffered abuse of any kind generally experienced multiple acts over time and most acts were not severe. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with abuse during pregnancy included women previously witnessing domestic violence, a poor relationship with the partner, socioeconomic level, alcohol consumption, and smoking.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is necessary to do in-depth training and to raise awareness of partner abuse among all health professionals. Routine screening of abuse in maternity clinics is advocated to decrease the adverse impact of abuse on women and fetuses.</p>

Domestic violence against women before, during and after pregnancy / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine patterns of abuse before, during, and after pregnancy and the possible factors related to abuse.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A community-based face-to-face survey of a representative group of women having a child aged 6 to 18 months in 32 communities of Tianjin, Liaoning, Henan and Shaanxi provinces was carried out between November 1, 2001 and February 28, 2002.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rate of domestic violence (emotional, sexual and physical) occurred in any period (before, during and after pregnancy) against women was 12.6%. The prevalence of domestic violence against women during the approximate 9 months of pregnancy (4.3%) was relatively lower than that during the 12 months before pregnancy (9.1%) and during the mean 11 months postpartum period (8.3%). Domestic violence against women before pregnancy was a strong risk factor for abuse during and post pregnancy. Abused women and perpetrators were more likely to be in lower social class were smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Abused women were more likely to be witnessing violence in the past and having poor relationship with partner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of domestic violence against women was high which called for in-depth training and improving awareness for all health professionals.</p>