Determination of Low Level Uranium Isotopes in Vegetation Samples / 分析化学

An analytical method was developed for determination of low-level uranium isotopes in vegetation samples. Dry ashing method was employed to decompose organic matters of vegetation. The sample ash was further digested using multiple acids. Uranium in the prepared sample solution was separated and purified by an extraction chromatography using UTEVA resin. The chemical recovery of uranium in the separation procedure was more than 94% , and more than 99% of Na, K, Ca and other matrix elements and interfering elements were removed. Three natural uranium isotopes were finally measured with high sensitivity ICP-MS/MS. The detection limits of the method for 238U, 235U, 234U were 3. 05, 0. 34 and 0. 04 pg/g, respectively. The detection limits for 238U and 235U were 10 times better than the reported values. Analysis result of U in GBW-10046 standard reference material was in good agreement with reference value, indicating that this method was reliable. The method was successfully applied to determination of uranium isotopes in the vegetation samples collected in Xi′an region, and it was found that the uranium concentrations and isotopic ratios in these vegetation samples fall well into natural level, and there was no significant artificial uranium contamination. This was the first survey of the three natural uranium isotopes in vegetation samples in this region.

Neuroprotective Effects of Electroacupuncture Preventive Treatment in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Prone 8 Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the preventive treatment effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on cognitive changes and brain damage in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 5-month-old male SAMP8 and age-matched homologous normal aging mice (SAMR1) were adopted in this study. EA stimulation at Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN 3) was performed every other day for 12 weeks, 4 weeks as a course. Morris water maze test and Nissl-stained with cresyl violet were used for cognitive impairments evaluation and brain morphometric analysis. Amyloid-β (A β) expression in hippocampus and parietal cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 3 courses of EA preventive treatment, the escape latencies of 8-month-old SAMP8 mice in EA group were significantly shortened than those of un-pretreated SAMP8 mice. Compared with SAMR1 mice, extensive neuronal changes were visualized in the CA1 area of hippocampus in SAMP8 mice, while these pathological changes and attenuate cell loss in hippocampal CA1 area of SAMP8 mice markedly reduced after EA preventive treatment. Furthermore, A β expression in hippocampus and parietal cortex of SAMP8 mice decreased significantly after EA treatment, and neuronal apoptosis decreased as well.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA preventive treatment at GV 20 and EX-HN 3 might improve cognitive deficits and neuropathological changes in SAMP8 mice, which might be, at least in part, due to the effects of reducing brain neuronal damage, decreasing neuronal apoptosis and inhibiting A β-containing aggregates.</p>

Study on protective and haemodynamic effects of Danshen Tongluo capsule on rats with myocardial infarction / 中国中药杂志

To study the protective effect of Danshen Tongluo capsule on rat hearts in the myocardial infarction (MI) model. After being fed with high fat diets for one month, the SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group and the model group according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). The MI model group was duplicated by ligating coronary artery and then divided into five groups: the model group, the positive control group (model + captopril), the small dose group (model + Danshen Tongluo), the medium dose group (model + Danshen Tongluo) and the high dose group (model + Danshen Tongluo). Four weeks later, changes in myocardium ultra-structure were observed by hemodynamics, cardiac ultrasound and electron microscope. The results showed: (1) All doses of Danshen Tongluo capsule could significantly reduce the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P <0.01), increase the maximum internal pressure of the left ventricle (+ dp/dtmax), and lower the drop rate of left ventricular pressure (- dp/dtmax), with statistical significances in medium and high dose groups; (2) The B ultrasound results showed increase in EF and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) in all dose groups of Danshen Tongluo capsule; (3) The medium dose group showed significant decrease in myocardial infarction index (P <0.01) and injured and fractured myofilament and sarcomere of ischemic myocardium in myocardial ultra-structure; All of Danshen Tongluo capsule-treated groups revealed reduction in myocardial injury and myocardial infraction area. The study preliminarily proves that Danshen Tongluo capsule can improve hemodynamic function, and has a protective effect on myocardial ischemia.

Effects of kaixin jieyu decoction on behavior and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in cerebral hippocampus of a rat vascular depression model / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects and anti-depression mechanisms of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction (, KJD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat vascular depression (VD) model was established by ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (LBCCA) combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, VD model, VD + high-dose KJD [15.4 g/(kg·d) of crude drug], VD + medium-dose KJD [7.7 g/(kg·d) of crude drug], and VD + fluoxetine [2.4 mg/(kg·d)] groups (n=8 in each group), and the treatments lasted for 21 days. Changes of behavior and hippocampus pathology were observed. The level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) protein and mRNA in hippocampus was detected respectively by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham group, rats in model group showed a variety of behavioral obstacles, including a significant reduction in sucrose consumption percentage, horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests (P<0.05 or P<0.01), pathological damage like neuronal degeneration, necrosis, and a significant decrease of GFAP protein and mRNA in hippocampus (P<0.01); compared with the model group, rats in the high-dose KJD group, medium-dose KJD group and fluoxetine group obtained notable higher behavioral scores, and pathological injury lessened in hippocampus with a increased expression of GFAP protein and mRNA P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with the medium-dose KJD group and fluoxetine group, GFAP mRNA in high-dose KJD group expressed higer (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LBCCA combined with CUMS may cause depression-like behavioral changes resulting in the VD model of rats whose depression state can be ameliorated by KJD, and the mechanism of cerebral protection is related possibly with promoting expression of GFAP in hippocampus.</p>

Effects of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction () on behavior, monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serotonin receptor subtype expression in the brain of a rat depression model / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the mechanisms underlying the anti-depressant effects of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction (, KJD) by investigating the effects of KJD on behavior, monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype expression in the brain in a rat model of depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat depression model was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, depression model (CUMS), CUMS+KJD (7.7 g/kg(-1)·d(-1) of crude drug), and CUMS+fluoxetine (2.4 mg/kg(-1)·d(-1)) groups (n=12 in each group), and the treatments lasted for 21 days. We regularly evaluated body weight, sucrose consumption, and horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests. The content of the monoamine neurotransmitters 5-HT, norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) and the DA metabolite homovanillic acid in the cerebral cortex, and 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, were determined respectively by high-performance liquid chromatography-coularray electrochemical detector and real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, CUMS rats showed a variety of depression-like behavioral changes, including a significant reduction in body weight, sucrose consumption, and horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and a significant decrease in 5-HT and NE levels and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression. In contrast, they showed a significant increase in 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex. In the hippocampus, 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression was lower whereas 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression was higher than in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Treatment with KJD or fluoxetine partially attenuated these changes (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>KJD could normalize the levels of 5-HT and NE and adjust the balance of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor expression in rat cerebrum, and this may be one of mechanisms of antidepressant effects of KJD.</p>

Bioactive proteins in healthy pregnancies and preeclampsia: relevance to hypertension and proteinuria / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Bioactive proteins, such as cytokines and chemokines, have not been systematically evaluated in healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies. We aimed to investigate the difference of these proteins between healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies in order to help clarify their potential roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Samples of amniotic fluid and maternal/umbilical cord blood were collected from normal pregnancies and women with preeclampsia for examination of bioactive proteins. Fifty-three pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Of them, 30 pregnant women were recruited as healthy controls, and 23 pregnant women were diagnosed with preeclampsia. An antibody array was used to screen for higher levels of cytokines and related proteins in amniotic fluid than in the blood samples, and these proteins were then selected for quantification by immunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Interleukin-1 receptor 4, hepatocyte growth factor, and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor were significantly elevated in the blood of preeclampsia patients. In particular, interleukin-1 receptor 4 was 8-fold higher in preeclampsia patients than in the healthy pregnancies. Moreover, in cord blood samples hepatocyte growth factor and interleukin-8 were significantly higher in preeclampsia patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Because of the biologic activities, Interleukin-1 receptor 4, hepatocyte growth factor, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and interleukin-8 in maternal and/or cord blood could play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia.</p>

Genotypic and clinical features of spinal muscular atrophy type 3 / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the genotypic and clinical features and laboratory examinations of spinal muscular atrophy type 3 (SMA III).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Results of genetic testing and laboratory exams of 18 SMA III patients were collected and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of onset of patients was 6.1 years, with the course of disease lasting from 13 months to 28 years. All patients became symptomatic with lower extremity muscle weakness. The symptoms gradually aggregated, with proximal lower limb muscle becoming atrophic and proximal upper limb muscle becoming weak. Genetic testing indicated that all subjects possessed homozygous deletions of SMN1 gene. Electromyography (EMG) of 15 subjects indicated neurogenic damage. Whilst younger patients had normal level of creatine kinase (CK), elder patients had higher level of CK, though no linear correlation was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Full understanding of Clinical, especially the growth features of SMA III, in combination with genetic testing, can facilitate diagnosis and early intervention of the disease.</p>

Study of dystrophin gene non-deletion/duplication mutations causing Becker muscular dystrophy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify potential mutations in patients featuring Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) and to enhance the understanding of non-deletion/duplication mutations of the dystrophin gene causing BMD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of two patients affected with BMD were collected. Potential mutations in the dystrophin gene were screened with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay (MLPA). Biopsied muscle samples were examined with HE staining, immnostaining with anti-dystrophin antibody, and electronic microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MLPA assay suggested that both cases were probably due to non-deletion/duplication mutations of the dystrophin gene. Light and electronic microcopy of skeletal muscle biopsies confirmed dystrophic changes in both patients. For patient A, immunostaining showed non-contiguous weak staining for most parts of sarcolemma. For patient B, immunostaining showed positive result with N-terminal anti-dystrophin antibody and negative result with C-terminal anti-dystrophin antibody.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For patients with mild phenotypes but without dystrophin gene deletion/duplication, muscle biopsy and immunochemistry are helpful for diagnosis and prognosis.</p>

Effect of Qiangxin Fumai Granule () on electrophysiological functions of the sinoatrial node during ischemia-reperfusion of the right coronary artery in rabbits / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of the Chinese medicine Qiangxin Fumai Granule (, QFG) on electrophysiological functions of the sinoatrial node during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of the right coronary artery in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The right coronary artery IR model in rabbits was adopted. The modeled rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: the model group, the atropine group, the high-dose QFG group, and the low-dose QFG group, with 8 animals in each group. In addition, twelve rabbits were selected for the sham-operative group. The drugs were administered once via duodenal perfusion after modeling had been stabilized for 10 min. The changes in AA interval, the sinoatrial conduction time (SACT), the sinus node recovery time (SNRT), the corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) and the index of sinus node recovery time (ISNRT) at different time points during ischemia and reperfusion were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The AA interval was prolonged for more than 40 ms in the model group during ischemia. Compared with the model group, the four electrophysiological parameters abovementioned in the high-dose QFG group and the low-dose QFG group were decreased to different extents at each time point (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and no statistically significant differences were found between the QFG groups and the atropine group (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFG is beneficial for accelerating the recovery of sinus node autorhythmicity and conduction function, so as to protect electrophysiological functions of the sinoatrial node. Accelerating the recovery of autorhythmicity and conduction function in the sinus node is considered its electrophysiological mechanism in the treatment of sinoatrial node injury induced by ischemia.</p>

Experiment of effective components from traditional Chinese herbs on ischemic left ventricular remodeling / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of effective components extracted from medicines compatibility on ischemic myocardial remodeling.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The animal models of ischemic myocardial remodeling was copied by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery in rat. And then decoction and effective components extracted from the same medicines were administrated to rats. The heart function was detected by ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and the heart morphology was examined by Hematoxylin and Eosin, picrosirius staining respectively on the 3rd and 56rd day.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Both concentrated decoction and effective components compatibility showed good restrained effects on ventricle malignant remodeling, such as improved heart function, reduced the area of myocardial infarction, lowered heart index, mitigated the fibrosis level and decreased apoptosis cell numbers in infarction and non-infarction areas. The difference were statistically significant when compared with the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and effective components treated group had better effects than concentrated decoction group (P < 0.05). Concentrated decoction group showed little effects on the 3rd day, while effective components group showed significant effect (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Effective components compatibility has better effects on inhibiting the process of ischemic myocardial remodeling than concentrated decoction. Effective components compatibility has better effects on ventricle malignant remodeling by eliminating the interfrence non-pharmacodynamic elements of the medicine.</p>

Titin gene mutations in Chinese patients with dilated cardiomyopathy / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Titin is recently known as the largest protein which exists in the striated muscle sarcomere and is dynamic both in biomechanics properties and biochemical functions. Four possible disease-associated mutations located in three exons (3, 14, 49) of titin gene (TTN) have been identified in Japanese DCM patients in 2002. We observed the possible association of TTN mutation in Chinese patients with DCM.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three exons of TTN (3, 14, 49) were screened in 117 DCM patients and 120 controls by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequence. SSCP was carried out following a protocol optimized for each PCR fragment after amplification. Abnormal SSCP results were subsequently confirmed by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mutations reported in Japanese DCM patients were not identified in this patient cohort. A novel mutation [the G13053A (TTN cDNA sequence, X90568) change resulted in amino acid change at position 4351 (Gly4351Asp)] was found in two young DCM patients from a DCM family (1.7%). There was no similar mutation in controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This novel Gly4351Asp mutation in TTN might be associated with DCM.</p>

Intervening effect of Qiangxin Fumai Granule on arrhythmia induced by right coronary artery ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the development of arrhythmia induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of the right coronary artery in rabbits and the intervening effect of Chinese medicine Qiangxin Fumai Granule (QFG), a Chinese preparation for activating yang and promoting blood circulation, on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rabbit right coronary artery I/R model was adopted. Forty healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups, the sham-operation group, the model group, the atropine group, the high-dose QFG group, and the low-dose QFG group, eight in each group. The drugs were administered via duodenal perfusion 10 min after ischemia. The changes of AA interval before and after medication were observed and the scores of arrhythmia were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During ischemia period, AA interval prolonged for more than 40 ms in the model group, and the scores of arrhythmia showed a rising trend along with the prolonging of ischemia, with the presence of atrial-ventricular block (AVB) and aggravating of sinus and atrial arrhythmia; during reperfusion period, the incidence of AVB decreased, and AA interval somewhat decreased. The AA intervals and scores of arrhythmia in the high and low-dose QFG groups were significantly lower than those in the model group respectively (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFG is beneficial for shortening AA interval and preventing arrhythmia induced by I/R.</p>

Effects of heparin and anticardiolipin antibodies positive serum from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss on proliferation of BeWo cells / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of anticardiolipin antibodies positive serum from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss on the proliferation of BeWo cells as well as the modulation of heparin on the growth of BeWo cell.Methods Thirty patients with recurrent pregnancy loss whose anticardiolipin antibodies were positive and thirty healthy women with a history of term delivery were selected.Their sera were separately added to BeWo cell culture systems which contained either heparin or not.After 24 hours, the PCNA and 490 nm A value were detected by immunofluorescence and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT),and the proliferation of BeWo cell was evaluated.Results In the culture systems with heparin and normal serum,normal serum,heparin and serum with positive autoantibody,serum with positive autoantibody,the mean fluorescence gray scale values of PCNA were 34.8?3.1,33.8?1.8,33.4?2.2 and 25.1?2.3,the 490 nm A values were 0.0560?0.0033,0.0535?0.0024,0.0524?0.0027 and 0.0350?0.0040,respectively.Conclusions The serum with anticardiolipin antibodies from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss can influence the prospective potency of BeWo cell,inhibit cell proliferation in vitro.Through this direct effect on biological behaviour of the trophoblastic cell,it will lead to recurrent pregnancy loss,whereas heparin can increase the ratio of pregnancy by reversing such effects in those patients.