Comparison of HPLC fingerprints and determination of main components of Viticis Fructus from different species / 中国中药杂志

In order to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Viticis Fructus, this study established HPLC fingerprints and evaluated the quality of 24 batches of Viticis Fructus samples from different species by similarity evaluation and multivariate statistical analysis(PCA, HCA, PLS-DA). On this basis, an HPLC method was established to compare the content differences of the main components, including casticin, agnuside, homoorientin, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The analysis was performed on the chromatographic column(Waters Symmetry C_(18)) with a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-0.05% phosphoric acid solution(B) at the flow rate of 1 mL·min~(-1) and detection wavelength of 258 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃ and the injection volume was 10 μL. The HPLC fingerprint of 24 batches of Viticis Fructus samples was established with 21 common peaks, and nine peaks were identified. Similarity analysis was carried out based on chromatographic data of 24 batches of chromatographic data of Viticis Fructus, and the results showed that except for DYMJ-16, the similarity of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia was ≥0.900, while that of V. trifolia was ≤0.864. In addition, the similarity analysis of two different species showed that the similarity of 16 batches of V. trifolia var. simplicifolia was 0.894-0.997 and that of the eight batches of V. trifolia was between 0.990 and 0.997. The results showed that the similarity of fingerprints of these two species was different, but the similarity between the same species was good. The results of the three multivariate statistical analyses were consistent, which could distinguish the two different species. The VIP analysis results of PLS-DA showed that casticin and agnuside contributed the most to the distinction. The content determination results showed that there was no significant difference in the content of homoorientin and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in Viticis Fructus from different species, but the content of casticin and agnuside was significantly different in different species(P<0.01). The content of casticin was higher in V. trifolia var. simplicifolia, while agnuside was higher in V. trifolia. The findings of this study show that there are differences in fingerprint similarity and component content of Viticis Fructus from different species, which can provide references for the in-depth study of the quality and clinical application of Viticis Fructus.

Effect of Doxycycline on Intrinsic Apoptosis of Myeloma Cell Line H929 and Its Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism of the in vitro toxicity of doxycycline to myeloma cell line H929 and also the possible pathway involved its toxicity.@*METHODS@#Myeloma cell line H929 was treated with DOX, MEK inhibitor U0126 or RAS agonist ML-098, either alone or in combination. Then, the expression of p-MEK, caspase-3, caspase-9 and c-Jun in H929 were used to detected by Western blot; the cells proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively.@*RESULTS@#DOX significantly increased the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9, and down-regulated the level of p-MEK in H929 (P<0.05). MEK antagonist U0126 significantly increased the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9, and down-regulated the level of p-MEK (P<0.05). After Dox combined with ML-098 treatment of H929 cells, the apoptosis rate of H929 cells was lower than that of DOX alone treatment group(P<0.05). Compared with DOX alone treatment group, the expressions of p-MEK and p-ERK1/2 in DOX+ML-098 combined treatment group were increased, and the levels of cleaved caspase-3,9 in H929 cells were decreased (P<0.05). The levels of c-Jun mRNA and protein increased in H929 when treated by DOX alone (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#DOX can induce apoptosis of H929 via intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and MEK/ERK pathway and c-Jun possibly play a role in this process.

The Effect of Doxycycline on the Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, and analyze the effect of doxycycline (DOX) on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in MM cells.@*METHODS@#The peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of MM patients were collected, and the patients were divided into three groups: newly diagnosed group, remission group and relapsed/refractory group, while the peripheral blood samples of 34 health people and the bone marrow samples of 17 IDA patients were selected as normal control and control group. The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by ELISA. The protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in H929 cells treated by different concentrations of DOX were analyzed by Western blot. After H929 cells was treated by Akt inhibitor MK-2206 2HCl in combination with DOX, Western blot was used to detect the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9.@*RESULTS@#The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in newly diagnosed MM patients were higher than those in control (P<0.05), while for the patients in the remission group were decreased, but still higher than those in control. The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased again for the patients in relapsed/refractory group, and showed no significant difference as compared with those in newly diagnosed group. The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 could be inhibited by 10 mg/L and 15 mg/L DOX treated by H929 cell. The protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 showed no altered in H929 cells treated by 5 nmol/L MK-2206 2HCl alone. DOX exerted more profound inhibitory effect to MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in H929 cells when Akt inhibitor MK-2206 2HCl was combined with DOX.@*CONCLUSION@#The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are increased in MM patients and related to the disease status of MM. DOX can inhibit the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in MM cells, and antagonizing its activation of Akt signaling pathway can further enhance the inhibitory effect.

Comparison of UPLC Fingerprint and Determination of Main Components Before and After Processing of Artemisiae Argyi Folium Processed with Four Excipients / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish the ultra-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） fingerprints of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Argyi Folium processed with four excipients， and quantitatively analyze the 8 phenolic acids and flavonoids contained in them， in order to explore the quality evaluation method of Artemisiae Argyi Folium processed with four excipients. Method:UPLC was used with Shim-pack XR-ODS C₁₈ column （2.0 mm×75 mm， 2.2 µm）， mobile phase of acetonitrile （A） -0.2% formic acid aqueous solution （B） for gradient elution （0-1 min， 10%A； 1-2 min， 10%-15%A； 2-17 min， 15%-18%A； 17-24 min， 18%-28%A； 24-36 min， 28%-38%A； 36-41 min， 38%-60%A； 41-45 min， 60%-100%A）， detection wavelength of 330 nm and flow rate of 0.2 mL·min^-1. The UPLC fingerprints of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing were established， and analyzed by chemometrics. Contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid， 3-caffeoylquinic acid， 4-caffeoylquinic acid， 3，4-dicaffeoylquinic acid， 3，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid， 4，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid， jaceosidin and epuatilin in the decoction pieces were determined. Result:The fingerprints of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing were established， and the UPLC characteristic chromatograms of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing had good consistency， and the similarity was >0.94. Compared with Artemisiae Argyi Folium， the contents of 3-caffeoylquinic acid and 3，4-dicaffeoylquinic acid had no significant change after processing， the contents of jaceosidin and epuatilin decreased after processing， while the contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid， 4-caffeoylquinic acid and 4，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid increased significantly （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）， their average increasing rates were 32.50%， 66.83%， 29.39%， respectively. And content of 3，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid was significantly decreased （<italic>P<</italic>0.01） ， and the average reduction rate was 51.25%. Conclusion:The contents of chemical components in Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Argyi Folium processed with four excipients have changed to a certain extent. Among them， 5-caffeoylquinic acid， 3，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid， 4-caffeoylquinic acid and 4，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid can be used as the key indicators for quality evaluation of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing.

Comparison of UPLC Fingerprint and Determination of Index Components Before and After Processing of Cyperi Rhizoma Processed with Four Excipients / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the quality evaluation method of Cyperi Rhizoma processed with four excipients. Method:Ultra-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） fingerprints of raw products and processed products with four excipients of Cyperi Rhizoma were established， and the changes of chemical components in the fingerprints before and after processing were compared by chemometric analysis. The mobile phase was consisted of methanol （A）-water （B） for gradient elution （0-10 min， 5%-40%A； 10-30 min， 40%-70%A； 30-40 min， 70%A） at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min^-1. The injection volume was 3 μL， the column temperature was 35 ℃， and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. The content changes of main index components in Cyperi Rhizoma before and after processing were compared by UPLC. The mobile phase was methanol-water （75∶25） and the detection wavelength was 242 nm. Result:Processing with four excipients had a significant impact on the overall characteristics of chemical components in the fingerprint of Cyperi Rhizoma. A total of 28 characteristic peaks were identified in fingerprints of the raw and processed products. Among them， peaks 1， 2 and 4 were specific peaks of the processed products， peak 5 was characteristic peak of the raw products. Peak 2 was identified as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural， peak 24 as cyperenone and peak 27 as <italic>α</italic>-cyperone. The 5-hydroxymethylfurfural produced by the processing with four excipients came from rice vinegar， rice wine and Maillard reaction of polysaccharides in Cyperi Rhizoma. The results of determination showed that there was no significant difference in the content of cyperenone after processing， but the content of <italic>α</italic>-cyperone decreased significantly. Conclusion:In the process of Cyperi Rhizoma processed with four excipients， there are new components produced by structural transformation， which are accompanied by changes in the content of index components. In this study， the quality of raw and processed products of Cyperi Rhizoma can be rapidly and effectively evaluated from qualitative and quantitative aspects.

Analysis on Content Change and Transformation Rule of Main Characteristic Components in Stir-frying Process of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To study on the content change and transformation rule of eight main characteristic components in stir-frying process of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Method::The contents of liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were determined simultaneously by HPLC. The chromatographic conditions were Waters Symmetry® C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), and the mobile phase of acetonitrile (A)-0.05%phosphoric acid solution (B) for gradient elution (0-9 min, 19%-25%A; 9-18 min, 25%-34%A; 18-38 min, 34%-51%A; 38-58 min, 51%-89%A), the flow rate of 1 mL·min-1, the detection wavelengths at 320 nm (0-16 min), 276 nm (16-25 min), 370 nm (25-28 min), 254 nm (28-58 min), the injection volume of 10 μL and the column temperature at 30 ℃. Result::After stir-frying, the total content of three components with dihydroflavone as mother nucleus was decreased, while the total content of three components with chalcone as mother nucleus showed an upward trend, the content change of glycyrrhizic acid was not obvious, but glycyrrhetinic acid content showed a slight upward trend. When the monomer heating temperature reached 130 ℃, dihydroflavones and chalcones could be isomerized with each other, and with the increase of temperature, the isomerization became more obvious. When the heating temperature rose to 180 ℃ (isoliquiritin apioside was 130 ℃), in addition to the isomerization, the glucosidic bond of flavonoid glycosides began to break and gradually transformed into the corresponding secondary glycosides or aglycones. Glucosidic bond of glycyrrhizic acid could also be broken to form glycyrrhetinic acid, which was detected at 150 ℃. Conclusion::The change of chemical composition is complex during stir-frying process of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, in addition to the isomerization and glucosidic bonds breaking observed in this experiment, there may be other complex reactions. The content of one compound in the herb is affected by many factors during its processing, such as the time and temperature of frying, the stability of the compound itself and so on.

Pharmacological research progress of sodium ferulate in cardio-cerebral vascular disease / 中草药

Sodium ferulate is the sodium salt of ferulic acid, an extract of traditional Chinese herbal medicines for promoting blood circulation and detoxification, and it is rich in sources, with few side effects and high safety. Sodium ferulate has many pharmacological effects, which is a cardiovascular drug researched and developed independently in China. It was first approved in 1990 for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, the clinical application of sodium ferulate has become increasingly widespread, and the research field is continuously expanding. Sodium ferulate is effective in treating respiratory diseases, diabetes and complications, and protecting the liver and kidney from damage. Meanwhile it has been widely used in cardiovascular diseases. Here we reviewed the research status of the prominent pharmacological effects of sodium ferulate on cardiovascular diseases in the past 30 years, mainly focusing on the antithrombotic effects, the protection of blood vessels, and the anti-oxidative effect of sodium ferulate. It is expected to provide guidance for clinical applications of sodium ferulate.

Increment of N-cadherin Expression in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Accompanies by Imparment of Bone Marrow B Lymphocyte Production in MRL/lpr Lupus Mice / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the hematological changes in MRL/lpr lupus mice and detect N-cadherin expression in their bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC).@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood cell count was analyzed. The ratio of each lineage in bone marrow was analyzed by flow cytometry. Bone marrow CFU-pre-B, BFU-E and CFU-GM were detected by colony formation assay. Expression of N-cadherin in BMMSC was analyzed by Western blot before and after treatment with the BMP/Smad pathway aganist BMP-2 and inhibitor Noggin.@*RESULTS@#Hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit decreased in lupus mice, compared with C57BL/6 mice. The ratio of B220+ lymphocyte and the number of CFU-pre-B in bone marrow of lupus mice decreased. Expression of N-cadherin in BMMSC of lupus mice was higher than that in the control group. Expression of N-cadherin decreased in BMP-2-treated BMMSC and increased after Noggin treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#Hematological changes in lupus mice include anemia and impairment of bone marrow B cell production. The expression of N-cadherin in BMMSC of lupus mice increases which maybe involved in abnormal hemogenesis in MRI/Ipr lupus mice.

Expert consensus on prescription comment of Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting the rational use of drugs in Beijing / 中国中药杂志

With the growth of number of Chinese patent medicines and clinical use, the rational use of Chinese medicine is becoming more and more serious. Due to the complexity of Chinese medicine theory and the uncertainty of clinical application, the prescription review of Chinese patent medicine always relied on experience in their respective, leading to the uncontrolled of clinical rational use. According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and characteristics of the unique clinical therapeutics, based on the practice experience and expertise comments, our paper formed the expert consensus on the prescription review of Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting the rational use of drugs in Beijing. The objective, methods and key points of prescription review of Chinese patent medicine, were included in this expert consensus, in order to regulate the behavior of prescription and promote rational drug use.

Correlation between tumor-associated macrophages and the occurrence and development of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Xinjiang / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the correlation between tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)and the occurrence and progression of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods We collected 200 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),cancer adjacent normal(CAN)tissues and clinical pathological data of the specimens.CD68 was used as the TAM marker,and immunohistochemistry(IHC)counts were used to detect the distribution of TAMs and quantify the density of TAMs in tumor nest/epithelial and surrounding stroma.At the same time,by combining with clinical pathological data and the patients' prognosis,we analyzed whether the high density of TAMs distribution was associated with the occurrence and development of Kazakh ESCC and the patients' poor prognosis.Results ① The density of TAMs in the tumor nests and stroma was significantly higher than that in CAN tissues(P＜0.05).② The density of TAMs in tumor nest had a significant positive correlation with lymph node metastasis and clinical pathological stage(advanced)in Kazakh ESCC(P＜ 0.05),and this correlation was more evident between the density of TAMs in tumor stroma and lymph node metastasis and clinical pathological stage (advanced)(P＜0.001).③ The survival analysis found that the high density of CD 68-positive TAMs in cancer nest showed a positive correlation with poor prognosis of ESCC(P＜0.05).Conclusion High density of TAMs can promote the occurrence and development of Kazakh ESCC in Xinjiang and can be used as a poor prognostic factor for ESCC in Kazakh population.

Description and Factors Affecting the Referral of Presumptive Tuberculosis Patients in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

To describe and analyze the factors affecting the referral of presumptive tuberculosis patients between health-care facilities that are not affiliated with the National TB Control Program (NTP) and NTP-designated medical facilities in China, we carried out a retrospective study based on data collected in the Tuberculosis Information Management System in 2015. Out of 324,221 presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases reported by non-NTP health-care facilities, 302,006 (93.1%) reported cases successfully arrived at designated medical facilities and 22,215 cases (6.9%) were lost to follow-up. The arrival rate of presumptive cases among male patients (92.9%) was slightly lower than that among female ones (93.7%), and this difference is statistically significant. The majority (73.3%) of reported cases were local permanent residents. Migrants have a higher risk of being lost to follow-up compared with local residents (adjusted odds ratios 4.126 and 5.003, respectively). Compared with farmers and herdsmen, pre-school children, unemployed laborers, retirees, and people with other occupations (adjusted odds ratios 2.361, 1.274, 1.068, and 1.993, respectively) had higher rates of loss to follow-up during the referral and tracing processes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the high referral rate of presumptive TB cases from non-NTP health-care facilities to designated medical facilities in China is due to implementation of effective active case identification strategies. In addition, migrant populations, pre-school children, unemployed laborers, and retirees were identified as high-risk groups that contribute to the loss to follow-up.

Mutual Impact of Diabetes Mellitus and Tuberculosis in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

China has a double burden of diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis, and many studies have been carried out on the mutual impact of these two diseases. This paper systematically reviewed studies conducted in China covering the mutual impact of epidemics of diabetes and tuberculosis, the impact of diabetes on multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and on the tuberculosis clinical manifestation and treatment outcome, the yields of bi-directional screening, and economic evaluation for tuberculosis screening among diabetes patients.

Clinical study of the clusters of diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser corneal refractive surgery / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the potential causes and management of the clusters of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) after laser corneal refractive surgery.METHODS: The study enrolled 98 eyes (53 patients) complicated with DLK after receiving laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), FS-LASIK or small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in our center from February 10th,2016 to February 22th,2016.They were given clinical classification treatments according to corneal layer inflammatory extent and then followed up after 1, 3, 5, 7, 10d and 1mo.RESULTS: The clusters of DLK occurred 5 times in the study period.The incidence and degree of DLK significantly decreased after changed the sterilization, surgical equipments, temperature and humidity of the operating room.There were 80 eyes (82%) had stage 1 DLK, 11 eyes (11%) had stage 2, 4 eyes (4%) had stage 3 and 3 eyes (3%) had stage 4.The incidence of DLK after FS-LASIK was 40% (79 eyes in 42 patients), that after LASIK assistant by Hastome keratome was 45% (10 eyes in 5 patients), that after SMILE was 20% (9 eyes in 6 patients).After intensive treatment, as glucocorticoid treatment and flap lifting flushing, all cases recovered within 1mo.CONCLUSION: The outbreak of DLK may be associated with the disposable item, flushing liquor, temperature and humidity of the operating room.Early diagnosis, prevention and treatment are the key of decreasing the incidence of DLK.

Effect of Qiguiyin Decoction on multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Qiguiyin Decoction, QGYD) on multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A pseudomonal infection model in SD rats was established by injecting multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa intraperitoneally. Infected rats were randomized into four groups treated with Pure water, QGYD, ceftazidime, or combined QGYD and ceftazidime. Blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta. Serum was then collected and analyzed by peptide array for immune responsiveness to multidrug-resistant beta-lactamase proteins, including Verona integronen-coded metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (VIM-1), Sao Paulo metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (SPM-1), and Temoniera (TEMs). Blood levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QGYD enhanced antibody reactivity against VIM-1 [epitopes 7-11 and 36-40] and TEM-1 [epitopes 26-27, 52-55, and 66-70]. QGYD treatment restored the compromised antibody reactivity against VIM-1 [epitopes 53-54 and 56-58] and SPM-1 [epitopes 16-19 and 82-85] following pseudomonal infection. Serum levels of IL-1β and Th1/Th2 in the rats were significantly elevated following pseudomonal infection (P<0.05 orP<0.01). In contrast, QGYD and combination QGYD and ceftazidime treatment restored the elevated serum IL-1β and Th1/Th2 levels to normal (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>QGYD improves the immune response to pseudomonal infection in rats by stimulating the production of protective antibodies against drug-resistant proteins VIM-1, SPM-1, and TEM-1. In addition, it protects the immune system and maintains immune responsiveness by restoring IL-1β and Th1/Th2 levels.</p>

A new sesquiterpene lactone from the fruits of Illicium henryi / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents of the fruits of Illicium henryi.@*METHOD@#Chromatographic separations on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel and MCI gel were used to isolate the compounds. The structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data analyses.@*RESULTS@#Seven compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as 10-benzoyl-cycloparvifloralone (1), cycloparvifloralone (2), 2α-hydroxycycloparviforalone (3), henrylactone B (4), merrillianone (5), henrylactone C (6) and 7, 14-ortholactone- 3-hydroxyfloridanolide (7).@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1 is a new sesquiterpene lactone. The tested compounds showed weak anti-HBV activities on HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion and HBV e antigen (HBeAg) secretion using Hep G2.2.15 cell line.

Changes of centrosome and related protein in malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cell induced by coal tar pitch smoke extracts / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the centrosome abnormalities in the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) induced by coal tar pitch smoke extracts and to investigate the role and action mechanism of centrosome in the lung cancer induced by coal tar pitch.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Medium-temperature coal tar pitch smoke extracts were used to treat immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and establish a malignant transformation model. The treated BEAS-2B cells were used as exposure group, and solvent control group and normal control group were also set for passage culture. The changes of centrosome in BEAS-2B cells seeded on coverslips were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The mRNA expression of p53, p21, and cyclin E in BEAS-2B cells was measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and their protein levels in BEAS-2B cells seeded on coverslips were measured by semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall rate of centrosome abnormalities in BEAS-2B cells at passage 20 was 6.56±1.01% in the exposure group, significantly higher than those in the normal control group (3.40±0.86%) and solvent control group (3.14±0.59%) (P < 0.05). In addition, the exposure group had a significantly higher overall rate of centrosome abnormalities in BEAS-2B cells at passage 30 compared with the normal control group and solvent control group (22.39±9.5% vs 4.34±1.04%, P < 0.05; 22.39±9.5% vs 4.33±1.20%, P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and solvent control group, the exposure group had significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of p53 and significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of cyclin E in BEAS-2B cells at passages 20 and 30 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Centrosome abnormalities occur before the malignant transformation in BEAS-2B cells treated with coal tar pitch smoke extracts, and they may be mediated by the p53/p21/cyclin E signaling pathway.</p>

Differences in the population of genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis between urban migrants and local residents in Beijing, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Currently, migration has become one of the risk factors of high burden of tuberculosis in China. This study was to explore the influence of mass migration on the dynamics of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis in Beijing, the capital and an urban area of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and thirty-six M. tuberculosis strains from the Changping district, where the problem of urban migrants was more pronounced than in other Beijing regions, were genotyped by Spoligotyping, large sequence polymorphisms (LSPs 105 and 181), and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) typing. Based on the genotype data, the phylogeny of the isolates was studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Changping district, the proportion of Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis isolates amounted to 89.0% (299/336), among which 86.6 % (252) belonged to the modern lineage. The frequency of modern Beijing lineage strains is so high (around 75% (252/336)) that associated risk factors affecting the tuberculosis epidemic cannot be determined. The time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of the Beijing lineage strains was estimated to be 5073 (95% CI: 4000-6200) years. There was no significant difference in the genetic variation of Beijing isolates from urban migrants and local residents.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clone of modern Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis, which is dominant in the Beijing area, most likely started to expand with the five thousand-year-old Chinese civilization. In the future, with the urbanization in the whole of China, modern Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis may gain the larger geographical spread.</p>

Clinical and radiographic predictors in diagnosing sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-negative patients: a cross-sectional study in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In county-level tuberculosis (TB) dispensaries in China, the accurate diagnosis of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPT) needs to be improved by developing and validating clinical and radiographic predictors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was conducted simultaneously in three counties per province in Chongqing Municipality and Liaoning Province in China between May 2005 and May 2006. A total of 432 new SNPT patients who are HIV-negative and more than 15 years old diagnosed by expert panels in county-level TB dispensaries were recruited. Their sputum samples were collected for culture before anti-TB treatment, and the treatment outcomes (changes of X-rays) were followed up at the end of the 6th month.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 432 SNPT patients, sputum culture positive (9.7%) or culture negative with good changes of X-rays at the end of the 6th month (73.6%) was validated as SNPT. Four predictive variables were associated with validated SNPT in the multivariate logistic regression model: age ≤55 years old (odds ratio (OR) 5.66; 95% CI 2.69-11.91), >60 days of cough (OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.10-12.65), ≥10% of pulmonary consolidation in the lungs (OR 5.40; 95% CI 2.90-10.06), and pulmonary consolidation in the upper lobe anterior segment (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.57-5.72). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.83).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Four predictors of clinical and radiological characteristics that had a good diagnostic performance of SNPT deserve to be recommended as index indicators of SNPT diagnosis in county-level TB dispensaries in China.</p>

Analysis on the spatial clustering of tuberculosis based on provincial level in China from 2008 to 2010 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the tuberculosis clustering areas and the changing trend, from 2008 to 2010, so as to provider the reference for tuberculosis control.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Global spatial autocorrelation and SaTScan methods were used to detect and analyse the spatial clustering of total tuberculosis notification rate and the new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis notification rate, at the provincial level from 2008 to 2010.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The spatial clustering (SC) phenomenon was significant on total notification rate and new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis notification rate from 2008 to 2010 (P < 0.01). The coverages of clustering areas on total notification rate showed a reduction from 19 provinces to 14 provinces, distributed in the south, west and north-east areas of China. The coverages of clustering areas on new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis notification rate concentrated in 14 provinces which covered the south and north-east of China.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The disease burden and the risk of transmission in the clustering areas of tuberculosis both located in the south and the north-east of China. The disease burden of tuberculosis was high in the west of China, but not the areas with high risk of transmission.</p>

Study on absorption and accumulation of mercury in rats by repeated administration of Yuhong ointment / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study in vivo mercury absorption and accumulation through repeated transdermal administration of Yuhong ointment containing calomel, in order to provide scientific evidences for clinical safe medication.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 100 SD rats were randomly classified into five groups: the control group, the Yuhong ointment group, the double-concentration Yuhong Ointment group, the quadruple-concentration Yuhong ointment group and the 1.6% calomel group. The rats were treated with the dosage of 0.04 g . cm-2 by repeated transdermal administration for 2, 4 weeks. After the drug discontinuance for 4 weeks, the levels of mercury in blood, urine, and tissues of heart, liver, brain and kidney were determined, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the control group, the blood mercury level of the Yuhong ointment group show no obvious change after treatment for 4 weeks. However, the levels of mercury in blood and urine of other experimental groups increased significantly with time and the increase in dosage, and so did the level of mercury in major organ. At 4 weeks, all experimental groups showed increase in the content of mercury, and kidneys displayed the highest level, whereas brain displayed the lowest level After the drug discontinuance for 4 weeks, the mercury level in blood and urine of every dose group recovered to normal, with significant decline in the content of mercury in each organ.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After transdermal administration in rats for 4 weeks, there was no obvious absorption of mercury in blood. Mercury was mainly accumulated in kidneys and excreted through urine. The results suggest that the patients' mercury content and kidney function indexes need to be monitored in long-term clinical use of Yuhong ointment.</p>