[Determination of isorhamnetin in Hippophae rhamnoides Linn from West Sichuan plateau using near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy].

The objective of this study was to develop a method for the determination of isorhamnetin in Hippophae rhamnoides Linn from West Sichuan plateau using near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Applying the method of mixing with SiO2, the near infrared spectra (NIS) with the range of 12 000-4 000 cm(-1) were recorded for the Hippophae rhamnoides Linn containing isorhamnetin with the content of 0.1%-0.

Berberine inhibits cytosolic phospholipase A2 and protects against LPS-induced lung injury and lethality independent of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor in mice.

Acute lung injury is still a significant clinical problem having a high mortality rate despite significant advances in antimicrobial therapy and supportive care made in the past few years. Our previous study demonstrated that berberine (Ber) remarkably decreased mortality and attenuated the lung injury in mice challenged with LPS, but the mechanism behind this remains unclear. Here, we report that pretreatment with Ber significantly reduced pulmonary edema, neutrophil infiltration, and histopathological alterations; inhibited protein expression and phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2; and decreased thromboxane A2 release induced by LPS.

Piezo-assisted in vitro fertilization of mouse oocytes with spermatozoa retrieved from epididymides stored at 4 degree C.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of partial zona pellucida incision by piezo micromanipulation (ZIP) on the in vitro fertilizing ability of stored mouse spermatozoa. The storage conditions were optimized by storing the mouse epididymides at 4 C in mineral oil or in the mouse body for up to 4 days after death, and the retrieved spermatozoa were used to fertilize fresh oocytes. No significant difference was observed in fertilization rates between the treatments when epididymides were stored for up to 2 days, but the fertilization rates in mineral oil were higher (P<0.

[Analysis on factors affecting maternal mortality in China].

Objective: To investigate the factors related to maternal mortality rate in 1000 counties of projects on reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) and eliminating tetanus neonates in China, 2003.

Methods: Study on the association was performed using data on average income per capita, hospital delivery rate and MMR.

Results: Data showed that income per capita and hospital delivery rate had strong association with MMR.

[Expression of high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum.

Methods: Levels of HMGB1mRNA were detected with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in PBMC and levels of HMGB1 protein in PBMC and plasm were measured with Western blot in 38 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 24 with inactive RA and 20 healthy controls. Ficoll density gradient centrifugation was used to separate PBMCs from peripheral blood.

[An epidemiological study on conjoined twins in China, from 1996 to 2004].

Objective: To understand the trend of incidence of conjoined twins and its epidemiological characteristics in China during 1996 to 2004.

Methods: A descriptive epidemiology of conjoined twinning in China from 1996 to 2004 was investigated by using data from National Center for Birth Defects Monitoring Program (NCBDMP). Data were collected from more than 400 hospital-based units involved in the program.

[The relationship between the gene polymorphism of TGF-beta1 and early renal injury in patients with essential hypertension, and the effect of the gene polymorphism of TGF- beta1 on the individual treatment with valsartan].

Objective: To analyze the association of transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) gene +869T/C polymorphism and the serum level of TGF-beta1 in patients with early essential hypertension and early renal injury. To study the effect of the gene polymorphism of TGF-beta1 on the individual treatment with valsartan.

Methods: Eighty patients with early essential hypertension and early renal injury were treated with valsartan, and their polymorphism of TGF-beta1 gene +869T/C was analyzed by sequence specific primers-polymerase chain reaction method.

[Study on separation and purification of total alkaloids and mesaconitine with X - 5 macroporous resin].

Objective: To study systematically the factors which affect separation and purification of the total alkaloids and mesaconitine with X -5 macroporous resin.

Method: With the content of the total alkaloids and mesaconitine as parameters, the optimum condition of absorption and elution were studied in the process of the purification with X -5 macroporous resin.

Result: The X - 5 macroporous resin yielded the best separating efficiency when the concentration of the extracted solution was 1 g raw material per 1 mL, pH 12.

[A study on selective killing effect of Hsv-tk/GCV driven by human telomerase catalytic subunit promoter on human lung cancer cell A549].

Objective: To study selective killing effect of herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (Hsv-tk/GCV) driven by human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) promoter on lung cancer cell line A549 in vitro.

Methods: (1) Expression plasmids of Hsv-tk gene driven by hTERT promoter and sv40 promoter respectively (pGL3-hTp-tk and pGL3-sv40-tk) were transfected into telomerase-positive human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and telomerase-negative fetal lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5. Reverse transcription-PCR was performed to detect expression of tk gene in above transfected cell lines; (2) Inhibition effect on proliferation of above transfected cell lines treated with GCV was investigated with MTT method; (3) Influence of GCV on apoptosis and cell cycle of above transfected cell lines was investigated with flow cytometry.

Neutral sulfate berberine modulates cytokine secretion and increases survival in endotoxemic mice.

Aim: Berberine is thought to be an immunomodulator, so the present study aimed to investigate the effect of berberine on mortality, lung and intestine injury in endotoxemic mice, and the mechanism of its action.

Methods: Mice were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 28 mg/kg, ip), and neutral sulfate berberine was administrated intragastrically. Mortality was monitored every 12 h, and histology of the lungs and intestine as well as the plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon- gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-10, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were examined.

[Study on cloning of hTERT promoter and its targeting transcriptional activities in telomerase-positive lung cancer cells].

Objective: To clone sequence of hTERT promoter and study its transcriptional activity and its relationship with hTERT mRNA expression and telomerase activity in various kinds of human lung cancer cells and normal cells, and to investigate the targeting transcriptional activity of hTERT promoter in tumor cells.

Methods: About 1.1 kb promoter of the 5'flanking sequence of the hTERT was amplified from genomic DNA isolated from 293 cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable copolymers of 5-benzyloxy-trimethylene carbonate with 1,4-dioxan-2-one.

Enzymatic ring-opening copolymerization of 5-benzyloxy-trimethylene carbonate (BTMC) and 1,4-dioxan-2-one (DON) was investigated for the first time. Immobilized porcine pancreas lipase (IPPL) on silica particles was selected to perform the copolymerization. A series of novel biodegradable copolymers with different compositions were characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and GPC.

[Prevalence analysis on congenital hydrocephalus in Chinese perinatal from 1996 to 2004].

Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of congenital hydrocephalus in Chinese perinatal.

Methods: From 1996 to 2004, data gained from Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network were used to depict the epidemiology of congenital hydrocephalus in China. All perinatal born in hospitals had an access within 7 days after delivery.

[Study on the preparation and spectral characteristics of nano-NiO].

The NiO nanoparticles with the size of 9-30 nm were prepared by solid state method using nickel acetate and sodium hydroxide as the raw materials, and Tween 80 as the dispersant. The structure, morphology, size, and infrared and UV-Vis spectra were characterized by XRD, TEM, FTIR and UV-Vis, respectively. The XRD and TEM revealed that the products are spherical with cubic structure.

[Mutation analysis of SRD5A2 gene in patients with hypospadias].

Objective: To explore possible molecular mechanism of hypospadias and relationship of the mutation of SRD5A2 gene to hypospadias.

Methods: 96 blood samples from the patients with hypospadias were obtained and DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were performed to analyze the coding regions of SRD5A2 gene.

[Study on ion beam mutagenizing of the Trichosporon lactis T for enantioselective separation of ibuprofen].

The initial strain, Trichosporon Lactis T, isolated from soil sample, having the capability of enantioselectively hydrolyzing S-isomer of racemic ibuprofen ethyl-ester into the corresponding S-ibuprofen, was implanted by 30 KeV, 1 x 10(15) ions/cm2 - 5 x 10(15) ions/cm2 low-energy N+ for the purpose of obtaining mutants with high-efficiency hydrolyzing enzyme to produce active S-ibuprofen. Under the dosage of 30 KeV, 4 x 10(15) ions/cm2, the mutation rate is the highest, with 32.9 % positive and 37.

[Directed evolution of Thermophilic esterase from the archaeon Aeropyrum pemix K1].

Thermophilic esterase (APE1547) from Aeropyrum pernix K1 was subjected to error-prone PCR (epPCR) to enhance activity. For the screening of mutants, an efficient and reliable assay suitable for high throughput screening was developed based on the enzyme thermostability. Two successive rounds of random mutagenesis by epPCR resulted in a four amino acid substitution variant M020 with significantly increased activity (six-fold under the screening condition.

Robust and fast learning for fuzzy cerebellar model articulation controllers.

In this paper, the online learning capability and the robust property for the learning algorithms of cerebellar model articulation controllers (CMAC) are discussed. Both the traditional CMAC and fuzzy CMAC are considered. In the study, we find a way of embeding the idea of M-estimators into the CMAC learning algorithms to provide the robust property against outliers existing in training data.

Effects of neutral sulfate berberine on LPS-induced cardiomyocyte TNF-alpha secretion, abnormal calcium cycling, and cardiac dysfunction in rats.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of neutral sulfate berberine on cardiac function, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) release, and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in cardiomyocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods: Primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes were prepared from ventricles of 3-4-day old Sprague-Dawley rats. TNF-alpha concentrations in cell-conditioned media were measured by using a Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and cardiomyocyte [Ca(2+)]i was measured by using Fura-2/AM.

[Analysis of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading death cause in China from 1996 to 2000].

Objective: To study the trend of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading cause of the deaths in China from 1996 to 2000.

Methods: The data presented in this report were obtained from the national child mortality surveillance network, including 116 counties (cities) throughout China. The target population was all children under 5 years old in the monitored areas whose mothers or fathers had resided in the area for at least one year.

[An epidemiological investigation on gastroschisis in China during 1996 to 2000].

Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of gastroschisis in China from 1996 to 2000.

Methods: The birth defects monitoring program was undertaken in 450-466 hospitals from 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions of China. Data about births including intrauterine death and stillbirth of 28 weeks of gestation was collected to report through the medical records over the time period 1996 to 2000.

[Protective effect of non-mitogenic haFGF on retinal injury induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in Sprague-Dawley rats].

Aim: To study the effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor (nm-haFGF) on retinal injury induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in Sprague-Dawley rats and its mechanism.

Methods: Female rats of 50-days-old were injected with MNU (60 mg x kg(-1)) intraperitoneally, and three doses of nm-haFGF (1.25 microg, 2.

[Prokaryotic expression of HPV 16 L1 gene and identification of its immune activity].

Aim: To express the major capsid protein of human papillomavirus type 16 L1(HPV 16 L1) in E.coli and identify its immune activity.

Methods: The L1 gene of HPV 16 was cloned into the expression vector pThioHisC.

[Study of genic mutations of androgen receptor in hypospadias].

Objective: To study genic mutation of androgen receptor in hypospadias in Chinese.

Methods: Ninety-two patients with hypospadias were selected for the AR gene study (penile 33, scrotal 49, perineal 10; cryptorchidism 15, micropenis 34, indirect hernia 3, augmentation of breast 2, other deformities 8; posses family history 23) while 93 health men as the control. The DNA was collected from 5 ml venous blood by using the method of phenol/chloroform, and quantified with the agarose gel electrophoresis.