Transcriptome-wide identification and expression pattern analysis for Dof gene family in Panax ginseng from Jilin / 中国中药杂志

Dof(DNA binding with one finger), a unique class of transcription factors in plants, play an important role in seed development, tissue differentiation, and metabolic regulation. To identify the number and function of Dof gene family members in Panax ginseng, this study identified the members of Dof gene family in P. ginseng and systematically analyzed their structures, evolution, functional differentiation, expression patterns, and interactions using bioinformatics methods at the transcriptome level. At the same time, the association analysis of Dof genes from P. ginseng with key enzyme genes for ginsenoside synthesis was carried out to screen the candidate PgDof genes involved in the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis. The results showed that there were 54 genes belonging to the Dof gene family in P. ginseng from Jilin. All PgDof genes had Zf-Dof conserved motifs, implying that they were evolutionarily conserved and could be divided into five groups. Expression pattern analysis confirmed that the expression of PgDof gene family members in different tissues, different year-old P. ginseng, and different farm varieties varied significantly. Simultaneously, as revealed by "gene-saponin content" and "gene-gene" linkage analysis, an important candidate PgDof14-1 gene involved in the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis was obtained. From the established genetic transformation system of this gene in the hairy roots of P. ginseng, a positive hairy root clone was determined. This study has laid a theoretical foundation for the study of Dof gene family in P. ginseng.

Reviews on natural monocyclic sesquiterpenoids and their bioactivities / 中国中药杂志

Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenoids composed of three isoprene units( 15 carbons). Sesquiterpenoids possess a variety of different structures,including acyclic sesquiterpenes,monocyclic sesquiterpenoids,bicyclic sesquiterpenoids,tricyclic sesquiterpenoids,tetracyclic sesquiterpenoids and macrocyclic sesquiterpenoids. Among them,a large number of monocyclic sesquiterpenoids were isolated and display extensive bioactivities,such as cytotoxic,antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,antibacterial and other activities. In this review,we summarized the progress about the phytochemistry and biological activities of monocyclic sesquiterpenoids( a total of161 compounds) reported from 2014 to 2018( 5 years),including megastigmanes,monocyclofarnesol-type,bisabolane-type,germacrane-type,and other types of monocyclic sesquiterpenoids. Furthermore,several future research perspectives and development of sesquiterpenoids as potential therapeutic agents were discussed as well.

Constituents isolated from n-butanol extract of leaves of Moringa oleifera / 中国中药杂志

Seventeen compounds were isolated from n-butanol extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera, using column chromatography over macroporous resin HP-20,Sephadex LH-20, and ODS. Their structures were identified as two carboline,tangutorid E(1) and tangutorid F(2); three phenolic glycosides,niazirin(3)，benzaldehyde 4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside(4) and 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosidebenzoic acid(5); four chlorogenic acid and derivatives,4-caffeoylquinic acid(6),methyl 4-caffeoylquinate(7),caffeoylquinic acid(8) and methyl caffeoylquinate(9); two nucleosids,uridine(10) and adenosine(11); one flavone,quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12); five other types of compounds,phthalimidineacetic acid(13),3-pyridinecarboxamide(14),3,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid(15),5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid(16) and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde(17) by the spectral data of ¹H, ¹³C-NMR and MS. Among them,compounds 1-2,7,9-10,16 and 17 were isolated from M. oleifera for the first time.

Reviews on natural naphthoquinones and their bioactivities / 中国中药杂志

The naphthaquinones are widely distributed in plants. They are usually in higher plants, but a few of them were also found in microorganisms. There is a lot of research showing that they had multiple pharmaco-activities such as cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, etc. In recent years, they have attracted extensive attention at home and abroad especially in terms of the anti-tumor activity. For further research, 69 new natural naphthoquinones reported in the last five years (2013-2017) were reviewed. They were divided into five major types: simple 1,4-naphthoquinones, furan and pyran naphthoquinones, 1,2-naphthoquinones, naphthohydroquinones and naphthoquinone polymers, which showed cytotoxic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial biological activities, et al. The research of these compounds in the future was also proposed.

Study on effect of artificial CsB and its components on bile acid metabolism in rats with liver fibrosis and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

Bile acid is a type of metabolite degraded from cholesterol in liver. Its accumulation in liver could cause liver diseases, liver damage and liver fibrosis. In this experiment, dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) liver fibrosis was established in rats. The rats were delivered into the normal group, the model group and four treated groups. After the four-week modeling, the treated groups were orally administered with drugs for 2 weeks, whereas the model and normal groups were given equal amount of sterile water at the same time. In the experiment, serum bile acid was taken the as marker, and liver function indexes and changes in bile acid metabolism were detected and observed to identify liver damage-related bile acid targets. It was the first time to evaluate the reverse effect of artificial CsB and its components on liver fibrosis in rats with bile acid metabolic level, and discuss its potential mechanism. The main study contents and results are as follows: a quantitative analysis was made on totally 17 endogenous bile acids, including taurocholic acid conjugated bile acid, glycine conjugated bile acid and free bile acid, and a liver damage evaluation was made for the model according to the detection of serum biochemical indexes and the pathological biopsy. After modeling, ALT, AST activity and TBil content significantly increased, whereas Alb significantly decreased. According to the pathological biopsy HE staining, the model group showed damage in normal hepatic lobule structure, liver cell edema and connective tissue proliferation in portal area; The treated groups showed mitigation in pathological changes to varying degrees. Cordyceps sinensis and its components may impact the bile acid metabolism in rats by activating HDCA, TCA, TCDCA, TLCA, TUDCA, UDCA, THDCA metabolim-related receptors or blocking relevant signaling pathway.

Study on growth of height among students during their adolescence in Zhongshan, Guangdong / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To discuss characteristics of height growth such as Peak Height Velocity (PHV) and Age at Peak Height Velocity (PHA) during adolescence,and to compare the results with other research findings.Methods Primary and middle school students' annual physical examination data of Zhongshan in 2005-2010 was used.The height velocity by age,PHV,PHA,height velocity by PHA were calculated.Results The average peak height velocity boys was ( 10.03 ± 1.67 ) cm/yr.and that of the girls was ( 8.39 ± 1.05 ) cm/yr.Both findings were close to the results from previous similar findings.The average age at which peak height velocity reached 12.28± 1.30 years for boys and 10.78 ± 1.04 years for girls,both lower than the previous findings.The correlation coefficients,between height level and PHA were -0.357 (P＜0.001) for boys and -0.338 (P＜0.001) for girls.Conclusion The height levels were positively related to the height velocity before PHA.The Zhongshan students' PHA was lower than the Beijing,Shanghai and Shenyang students,also lower than American and Britain students',but their PHVs were similar.

Digit length ratio and male fertility among infertile patients in Ningxia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between the digit length ratio (DLR) and male fertility in Ningxia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using an electronic sliding caliper, we measured the lengths of the index finger (D2), middle finger (D3), ring finger (D4) and little finger (D5) of both the right and left hand of 136 infertile males in Ningxia, 45 of them with normal and the other 91 with abnormal semen, including 28 cases of oligozoospermia, 10 cases of obstructive azoospermia (OA) and 53 cases of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). We calculated the DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5 and compared them among different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean values of FLR presented a pattern of D2:D3 < D2:D4 < D3:D4 < D2:D5 < D4:D5 in the infertile males. DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand were significantly higher in the abnormal than in the normal semen group (t = 2.56, 2.48, 3.57, 2.85, 2.53; P < 0.05); those of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand presented a pattern of NOA > oligozoospermia > OA > normal semen group, while that of D3:D5 presented a pattern of NOA > OA > oligozoospermia > normal semen group. The NOA group showed a significantly higher DLR of the right hand than the normal semen group in D2:D3, D2:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5, the oligozoospermia group in D2:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5, and the OA group in D2:D3 (P < 0.05). The D4:D5 DLR of the right hand was remarkably higher in the Han than in the Hui ethnic group (t = 2.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Higher DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand were associated with lower fertility in infertile males in Ningxia. And the D4:D5 FLRs of the right hand may be different between Hui and Han infertile men in Ningxia.</p>

Lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic growth pattern among old and middle-aged males in Shanghai community / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the age-related growth pattern of the prostate among 40 -70 year-old males in Shanghai community.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using cluster and stratified random sampling and IPSS, we investigated the prevalence of LUTS among 1000 males aged 40 -70 years in the general population of Shanghai from November 2009 to June 2010. We measured the transverse, anteroposterior and vertical diameters of the prostate and its transition zone in each volunteer by transrectal ultrasonography and established the equation for the age-related growth pattern of the prostate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 40 to 49-, 50 to 59- and 60 to 70-year groups, the incidence rates of moderate and severe LUTS (IPSS > or = 8) were 10.0%, 15.0% and 28.7%, respectively. The length, width, height and volume of the prostate and its transition zone were positively corrected with age (P < 0.05). The prostatic growth pattern equations based on the parameters of the transverse, anteroposterior and vertical diameters were Y = 1.6 x 10(-5)X3-0.002 1X2 + 0.074 6X + 0.677 2, Y = -2.4 x 10(-5)X3 + 0.003 3X2-0.1312X + 1.269, and Y = 1.6 x 10(-5)X3-0.001 8X2 + 0.073X- 0.690 9, respectively. The transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the prostate grew at a relatively similar rate, while the transverse diameter grew obviously faster than the vertical diameter before 60 years old, but the latter significantly increased and even exceeded the former after 60 years old.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of LUTS among old and middle-aged males in Shanghai community is similar to that recently reported at home and abroad. The transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the prostate grow at a relatively similar rate, but the vertical diameter increases faster after 60 years old.</p>

Quantitative analysis by real-time elastosonography for the differential diagnosis of azoospermia: preliminary application / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the quantitative analysis by real-time elastosonography in the differential diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We evaluated the elastosonographic images of 200 cases of OA, 300 cases of NOA and 100 normal healthy controls, calculated the strain ratio of the testis to the scrotal skin and the median strain ratio among the three groups, and analyzed the best cut-off point for differentiating OA and NOA by the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median strain ratio of NOA was 0.49 +/- 0.43, while that of OA was 0.35 +/- 0.31, with significant difference between the two groups (Z = - 19.173, P = 0.000 < 0.017). According to the results of ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve was 0.857 +/- 0.012 and the best cut-off point for differentiating OA and NOA was 0.395 (sensitivity = 84.5%, specificity = 74.5%, accuracy = 80.5%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Quantitative analysis by real-time elastosonography is a new valuable technique for the differential diagnosis of azoospermia.</p>

Ultrasonographic features of epididymides in obstructive azoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ultrasonographic features of epididymides in congenital obstructive azoospermia (COA) and acquired obstructive azoospermia (AOA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 211 infertile men with obstructive azoospermia were observed by scrotal ultrasonography, and the features of the epididymal ultrasonograms were compared between COA and AOA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>COA exhibited significantly higher rates of ectasia in the epididymal head, cord-like changes, abrupt tapering and absence of the epididymal body and tail than AOA (P < 0.05), while AOA showed markedly higher rates of epididymal body and tail duct ectasia and epididymal inflammatory mass than COA (P < 0.01). Tubular ectasia of the epididymal duct in the head, body and tail were markedly higher in the COA (14 [5.9%], 41 [17.2%] and 20 [8.4%] cases in 236 epididymides) than in the AOA (P < 0.05). Retiform ectasia were markedly higher in the AOA (119 [64.0%], 142 [76.3%] and 109 [58.6%] cases in 186 epididymides) than in the COA (P < 0.05), with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). Ultrasonographically, the epididymides of the COA patients were characterized by irregular ectasia of the epididymal tube with decreased and unclear wall echoes (P < 0.05), and those of the AOA patients by regular ectasia with enhanced wall echoes (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ultrasonographic epididymal features of COA are obviously different from those of AOA, which is of important clinical application value for distinguishing the two conditions from each other.</p>

Quantitative analysis of microcirculation in renal solid lesions with gamma curve fitting technique of contrast-enhanced ultrasound / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To evaluate the role of gamma curve fitting technique of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in quantitative analysis of microcirculation in renal solid lesions. Methods A total of fifty patients with renal parenchyma solid lesions were performed contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The images were analysed by computer with gamma fitting analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasonic system. The quantitative parameters were obtained by the time-intensity curves, such as ascending slope (a3), descending slope (a2), arrival time (AT), time to peak intensity (TTP), basic intensity (BI), peak intensity, amplification (AMP), area under the curve (AUC), mean transit time (MTT) and perfusion index (PI). The parameters were compared between renal malignant and benign solid lesions. Results Fast-in and fast-out was the main perfusion mode in renal malignant tumors while slow-in and slow-out was found in renal angiomyolipoma (AML). The perfusion modes in renal malignant tumors and renal AML were fast-in and fast-out in 28 cases and 0 case, fast-in and slow-out in 4 cases and 1 case, slow-in and fast-out in 5 cases and 1 case, and slow-in and slow-out in 1 case and 10 cases, respectively. There were significant differences in the quantitative parameters such as a2, AUC and PI between renal malignant tumors and renal AML obtained by the time-intensity curves (P<0.05). Conclusion Gamma fitting analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound system can provide quantitative information of microcirculation of renal tumors, which helps to differentiate benign renal tumors from malignant ones.

Effects of Danggui Buxue Decoction () on lipid peroxidation and MMP-2/9 activities of fibrotic liver in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of Danggui Buxue Decoction (, DBD) on the liver fifibrosis related to hepatic lipid peroxidation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2/9 activities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The liver fifibrosis in 28 rats was induced by an injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and fed with high lipid and low protein diet for 6 weeks, the model rats were randomly divided into the model group and DBD treated group, 14 in each group, and another 10 rats as the normal group were observed as well. Rats in the DBD group were administered with DBD at the dose of 6 g/kg body weight for 6 weeks since CCl(4) intoxication. The hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were examined with HE and Sirius red stain. The liver function including serum alanine aminotransamine (ALT), aspartate transamine (AST), albumin (Alb) and total bilirubin (TBIL), liver triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assayed. Hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp) content was detected with Jamall's method. The alpha-SMA expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the Western blot. Liver MMP-2 mRNA was analyzed with Real-time PCR, and MMP-2/9 activities were measured with gelatin zymography and in situ zymography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, the levels of ALT, AST and TBIL, the content of Hyp, TG and MDA were remarkably increased, the Alb content and SOD activity were signifificantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05), and higher levels of MMP-2 mRNA and MMP-2/9 activities (P<0.01), the hepatic fatty degeneration and collagen accumulation and fifibrosis at liver were observed. Compared with the model control, DBD group showed slighter hepatic fatty degeneration and collagen deposition, and had lower levels of ALT, AST and TBIL activities, lower contents of MDA, TG and Hyp, but higher SOD level and Alb content (P<0.05), and DBD also down-regulated MMP-2 mRNA expression and decreased MMP-2/9 activities in the fifibrotic livers (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The action of DBD against liver fibrosis is related to prevent lipid peroxidation and inhibit MMP-2/9 activities in the fibrotic livers.</p>

Effect of Jianpi Huoxue decoction-containing serum on tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion and gene expression of endotoxin receptors in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Jianpi Huoxue decoction (JHD)-containing serum on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion and endotoxin receptor gene expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cytotoxicity of blank-control serum and JHD-containing serum at different concentrations were evaluated through the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay in RAW264.7 cells. RAW264.7 cells were divided into six groups: 5% blank-control serum group (C1, n=3), 5% blank-control serum plus LPS group (L1, n=4), 5% JHD-containing serum plus LPS group (J1, n=4), 10% blank-control serum group (C2, n=3), 10% blank-control serum plus LPS group (L2, n=4), and 10% JHD-containing serum plus LPS group (J2, n=4). After cultured with the corresponding serum for 1 h, cells in L1, L2, J1 and J2 were treated with LPS (0.1 microg/mL) for 12 h without rinse. The supernate, cells, protein and RNA were collected for assay. TNF-alpha in the culture supernate was assayed by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein expression of TNF-alpha in RAW cells was detected by Western-blot. TNF-alpha, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4 and CD14 mRNA expression in RAW cells were detected by real-time RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The LDH assay supported that cultured for 24 h or less with the JHD-containing serum at the concentration of 10% or lower, RAW264.7 cells showed no cytotoxicity. After stimulation with LPS for 2 h, TNF-alpha in the culture supernate of the 5% blank-control serum plus LPS group (L1, P=0.03), 10% blank-control serum plus LPS group (L2, P=0.002) and in the cell layer (P=0.01) of these groups increased remarkably. After stimulation with LPS for 1 h, the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha (P=0.004), TLR (P=0.03), CD14 (P=0.004) was up-regulated obviously. In the 10% JHD-containing serum plus LPS group (J2), the protein expression of TNF-alpha in both supernate (P=0.04) and cell layer (P=0.04), gene expression of TNF-alpha (P=0.03), TLR4 (P=0.001), CD14 (P=0.001) were all inhibited. On the other hand, the TLR2 mRNA expression was not up-regulated after LPS stimulation in the 10% blank-control serum plus LPS group (L2).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JHD-containing serum inhibited the LPS-induced cytokines expression in RAW264.7 which was probably associated with its inhibitory effect on the mRNA expression of LPS receptors TLR and CD14.</p>

Effects of Danggui Buxue Decoction on liver fibrosis and hepatic lipid peroxidation in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) on liver fibrosis and to explore its mechanism related to hepatic lipid peroxidation in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liver fibrosis model was established in 28 rats by the combination of injecting carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) subcutaneously and feeding high lipid and low protein diet. The model rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, the model group (n = 14) and the treated group (n = 14). Besides, a normal group was set up with 10 normal rats. For the treated group, rats were administered with DBD at a dosage of 6 g/kg body weight once a day by gastrogavage starting from the day of modeling for 6 successive weeks and to the control group, equal volume of normal saline was administered instead. The inflammation and fatty degeneration in rat liver tissues were examined with HE staining; the collagen deposition observed with sirius red; the liver function including serum level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb) and total bilirubin (TBil) were determined using corresponding test kits; the hepatic lipid peroxidation indexes, including triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by biochemical methods; the hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp) content was detected with Jamall's method and the expression of collagen type I was analyzed by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in the normal rats, serum ALT, AST, TBil level, TG and MDA content remarkablely increased, level of Alb and SOD activity decreased, and hepatic fatty degeneration and collagen pathological deposition in liver was more obvious in the model rats (all P < 0.05). While in the DBD group, the hepatic fatty degeneration and collagen deposition were significantly improved, changes of all the above-mentioned indexes were significantly reversed (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DBD has a good antagonist effect against experimental liver fibrosis, and its mechanism may be related to the anti-lipid peroxidation injury effect.</p>

Hepatitis viruses infection situation in Mianyang of the Sichuan province / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis viruses in Mianyang of the Sichuan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EIISA was used for detecting anti-HAV IgG, HBsAg/HBsAb, anti-HCV IgG and anti-HEV IgG of the serum samples. All sample were collected in Mianyang areas in 2007.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1352 samples were detected. The positive rates of anti-HAV, HBsAg/HBsAb, anti-HCV,and anti-HEV are 81.07% (1096/1352), 5.40% (73/1352) and 61.32% (829/1352), 0.37% (5/1352) and 49.26% (666/1352), respectively. The positive rate at different age group, for anti-HAV was 38.21% of 10-19 years old, 83% of 20-29 years old, 88% of 30-39 years old, 95.03% of 40-49 years old, 97% of 50-59 years old, 97.77% of 60-69 years old, 97.52% of > or =70 years old. For HBsAg/HBsAb were 5.65% or 50.83%, 10.0% or 68.0%, 5.20% or 78.80%, 5.97% or 78.11%, 6.50% or 62.50%, 1.12% or 51.40%, 4.96% or 30.58% at the same age group, respectively,for anti-HCV, was 0.33% of 10-19 years old, 0.80% of 30-39 years, 0.56% of 60-69 years old, 0.83% of > or =70 years old.For HEV-IgG was 26.58% of 10-19 years old, 42.0% of 20-29 years old, 55.22%-61.0% of 30-> or =70 years old, for anti-HEV IgM, was 10.06% (53/527) in the positive samples of HEV-IgG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The inoculation againt HAV and HBV is enhanced in the young population. HBsAg carrier and HCV infection is decreasing. The HEV infection is actually increasing.</p>

Relationship between ultrasonographic velocimetric parameters and microvessel density in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the relationship between velocimetric parameters by using color Doppler ultrasonography and microvessel density (MVD) in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its clinical significance for preoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods Twenty-nine thyroid tumors were examined preoperatively by color Doppler ultrasonography. The velocimetric parameters including peak systolic velocity (V(max)), end-diastolic velocity (V(min)) were evaluated respectively and resistance index (RI) was calculated. Immunohistochemistry was applied by using polyclonal rabbit anti-human Von Willebrand factor in all cases after operation and microvessel density was calculated based on it.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the twenty-nine patients who underwent surgery, seventeen patients were diagnosed in papillary thyroid carcinoma and twelve patients in thyroid adenoma. In velocimetric analysis, the RI was significantly higher in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma than those with thyroid adenoma (t = 3.3108, P < 0.01). V(max) and Vmin were no significance in those two tumors respectively (Z = 0.9520, P > 0.05; Z = - 1.6618, P > 0.05). MVD was also significantly increased in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (t = 8.1991, P < 0.01). There was a significant positive association between RI and MVD (r = 0.7924, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Color Doppler ultrasonography could well display the blood flow of thyroid tissue and its nodules. The velocimetric parameter RI was higher in papillary thyroid carcinoma than in adenoma and was along with its MVD. RI may provide valuable information for diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma preoperatively.</p>

Effects of corydyceps polysaccharide on liver fibrosis induced by DMN in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of Corydyceps polysaccharide (CP) actions against liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, DMN-induced liver fibrosis model group and CP treated group. Model group and CP group were injected intraperitonealy with 0. 5% dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) at dose of 2 mL x kg(-1) for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Then the later group was orally taken CP for 4 weeks. Liver tissue hydroxyproline (Hyp) content was determined by Jamall's method. The liver serum of ALT and AST activities, level of albumin and total bilirubin were analyzed The liver collagen deposition and were observed with Masson' collagen stains. In addition,the tissue inhibitor of metallprteinase-2 (TIMMP-2) level, metalloproteinade-2 (MMP-2) activity, type IV collagen content were observed. Liver samples were also analyzed malondiadehyde (MDA)level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compare with model group, CP improved the hepatic function (ALT, AST, Alb and Tbil). There were significant decreased of MDA content in CP group, SOD of CP group were markedly increased. Compared to those of normal control group, Hyp content, IV collagen content, TIMMP-2 level in liver tissue of model group increase significantly, and MMP-2 activity decreased, while CP decrees these pathological increase at different degrees.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CP exerts rather good action against liver fibrosis, and with the mechanism relating to improve degradation of the deposited collagens and anti-lipid peroxiation.</p>

The role of hepatic sinusoid capillarization during the formation of portal hypertension in fibrotic rats induced by dimethylnitrosamine / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the role of hepatic sinusoid capillarization during the formation of portal hypertension in fibrotic rats induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hepatic fibrotic rats were induced by administration of DMN intraperitoneally three times a week for 4 weeks. The rats were harvested on day 2 and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 24. The formation of liver fibrosis and hepatic sinusoid capillarization were observed by morphologic methods. Pressure of portal vein (Ppv) was directed measured with intubation tube method by mesentry anterior vein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Ppv was getting higher and higher with the administration of DMN. After four weeks, the Ppv was higher than that of control [(1.10+/-0.18)kPa vs (0.52+/-0.04)kPa, t=6.41, P<0.01]. The dynamic change of hepatic sinusoid capillarization was in accordance with that of Ppv, which normalized gradually after the DMN was stopped. Significant positive correlation existed between the dynamic change of Ppv and the expression of vWF, laminin and alpha-SMA in sinus (r=0.833, P<0.01; r=0.953, P<0.01; r=0.919, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hepatic sinusoid capillarization is the vital cause for portal hypertension in fibrotic rats induced by DMN.</p>