Polymorphism of the melatonin receptor genes and its relationship with seasonal reproduction in the Gulin Ma goat breed.

Melatonin is thought to be the main molecule that transmits the signal of seasonal change to the neuroendocrine system in seasonal breeding species. Melatonin exerts its effects through specific melatonin receptors, MTNR1A and MTNR1B. In the present study, six native goat breeds in China and one introduced goat breed were analysed to investigate the relationship between the genetic polymorphism of receptor genes and seasonal reproduction. Sequencing results showed that there were five polymorphic mutations in the MTNR1A gene and two in the MTNR1B gene. In the MTNR1A gene, genotypes AA, AB and BB for 424C>T and genotypes CC, CD and DD for 589C>A were observed in these goat breeds. In all six native goat breeds, only genotype AA was detected. In the MTNR1B gene, genotypes EE, EF and FF for 1179G>A and genotypes GG, GH and HH for 1529A>G were detected. However, in Gulin Ma goats, the genotypes EE and HH were not found. Moreover, the base of G at position 1179 and A at position 1529 were linked (By Arlequin ver 3.1, Zoological Institute, Berne, Switzerland, http://cmpg.unibe.ch/software/arlequin3,D' = 0.7496, r(2)  = 0.4421, χ(2)  = 489.8679, p = 0.000). Among these mutations, no amino acid change was found in MTNR1A, while both of the mutations in MTNR1B gene caused amino acid changes of R222H and S339G, respectively. The structural analysis showed that the R222H mutation occurred in the first amino acid residue of the third cytoplasmic loop, and the S339G mutation was located in the carboxyl terminus of the protein. In terms of seasonal breeding, all the genotypes we detected showed a similar kidding frequency distribution trend with a higher frequency in May-August than in January-April and in September-December. This suggests that the relationship between the polymorphisms in the MTNR1A and MTNR1B genes and seasonal breeding could not be established.

Polymorphisms of STAT5A gene and their association with milk production traits in Holstein cows.

The STAT5A gene was studied as a candidate gene for five milk production traits (milk yield at 305 days, protein percentage, fat percentage, lactose percentage and dry matter percentage) in Holstein cows. According to the sequence of bovine STAT5A gene, two pairs of primers (P1 and P2) were designed to detect polymorphisms of STAT5A gene in 401 Holstein cows by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP. The results showed that the products amplified by primers P1 and P2 displayed polymorphisms. For P1, three genotypes (AA, AG, and GG) were detected, and the frequency of AA/AG/GG was 0.252/0.486/0.262, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed a single nucleotide substitution A-G at 14217 bp (GenBank NC_007317) of bovine STAT5A gene while compared GG genotype with AA genotype. The differences of the least squares means for the four milk production traits (milk yield at 305 days, fat percentage, lactose percentage and dry matter percentage) between AA, AG and GG were not significant (P > 0.05). Least squares mean of protein percentage for AG or GG was significantly higher than that for AA (P < 0.05); the difference of the least squares mean for protein percentage was not significant between AG and GG (P > 0.05). For P2, three genotypes (CC, CT, and TT) were detected in Holstein cows, and the frequency of CC/CT/TT was 0.751/0.234/0.015, respectively. Sequencing revealed an insertion CCT at 17266 (NC_007317) of bovine STAT5A gene while compared CC genotype with TT genotype. The differences of the least squares means for the three milk production traits (protein percentage, lactose percentage and dry matter percentage) between CC, CT and TT were not significant (P > 0.05). Least squares mean of milk yield at 305 days for TT or CT was significantly higher than that for CC (P < 0.05); the difference of the least squares mean for milk yield at 305 days was not significant between TT and CT (P > 0.05). Least squares mean of fat percentage for CC or CT was significantly higher than that for TT (P < 0.05); the difference of the least squares mean for fat percentage was not significant between CC and CT (P > 0.05). The results preliminarily indicated that allele G of A14217G polymorphic site of STAT5A gene is a potential DNA marker for improving protein percentage in dairy cattle, 17266indelCCT polymorphic site of STAT5A gene is a potential DNA marker for improving milk yield at 305 days and fat percentage in dairy cattle.

Polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor 1 gene and its association with litter size in Small Tail Han sheep.

The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene was studied as a candidate gene for high prolificacy in sheep. Polymorphisms of 5' regulatory region and all four exons of IGF1 gene were detected in Small Tail Han (n = 277), Hu (n = 58), Texel (n = 48) and Dorset (n = 46) sheep by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP analysis. A microsatellite polymorphic site and a restriction fragment length polymorphism were shown in the 5' regulatory region of IGF1 gene. The ewes with genotype 123/123 bp had 0.81 (P < 0.05) or 1.03 (P < 0.01) lambs more than those with genotype 125/125 bp or 125/127 bp, the ewes with genotype 123/125 bp had 0.46 (P < 0.05) or 0.68 (P < 0.01) lambs more than those with genotype 125/125 bp or 125/127 bp. In addition, there were two mutations (C1511G and A1513G) in 5' regulatory region of IGF1 gene. The ewes with genotype BB or AB had 0.96 (P < 0.05) or 0.38 (P < 0.05) lambs more than those with genotype AA, but there were no significant differences between BB and AB genotypes (P > 0.05) in Small Tail Han sheep. These results preliminarily indicated that these polymorphisms of IGF1 gene could be used in molecular marker-assisted selection for sheep breeding programs.

Polymorphism of bone morphogenetic protein 4 gene and its relationship with litter size of Jining Grey goats.

Two pairs of primers (P1 and P2) were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of exon 2 and intron 2 of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene in both high fecundity breed (Jining Grey goat) and low fecundity breeds (Boer, Angora and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats) by single strand conformation polymorphism. Results showed that no polymorphism was detected for exon 2 (primer P1) of BMP4 gene in four goat breeds. For intron 2 (primer P2), three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in Jining Grey and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats, two genotypes (AB and BB) in Angora goats, and only one genotype (AA) in Boer goats. Sequencing revealed one mutation (2203G>A) of BMP4 gene in the genotype BB in comparison to the genotype AA. The differences of litter size between AA, AB and BB genotypes were not significant (P > 0.05) in Jining Grey goats. A pair of primer (P3) was designed to detect polymorphism in the 3' flanking region of BMP4 gene that contained dinucleotide repeated sequence (CA) in the four goat breeds by microsatellite analysis. For primer P3, three genotypes (CC, CD and DD) were detected in four goat breeds. Sequencing revealed one more CA dinucleotide in genotype DD than in genotype CC. The Jining Grey does with genotype CC had 0.55 (P < 0.05) or 0.72 (P < 0.05) kids more than those with genotype CD or DD. These results preliminarily indicated that allele C of BMP4 gene is a potential DNA marker for improving litter size in goats.

Polymorphisms of the cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) gene and their association with reproductive traits in Chinese goats.

Polymorphisms of the CART gene were investigated by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis in 540 samples from 10 goat breeds. Ten novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms as well as three microsatellites were detected; a mutation, 77T → C, led to an amino acid change (Leu → Ser). Associations between polymorphic loci and reproductive traits were analyzed in Chuandong White, Guizhou White and Gulin Ma breeds. Mutation at position 524 had no significant effect on litter size in these three goat breeds. The polymorphism 539C → A differed significantly among the three breeds (P < 0.05); C(7)T(8)/C(9)T(8) at 939 was associated with larger litter size (P < 0.05) than genotypes C(7)T(8)/C(7)T(8) and C(7)T(8)/C(8)T(8). No significant association of birth weight was found with gene variation (524C → T, 539C → A and 939 CnTn). These findings could be valuable for marker-assisted selection for goat breeding.

Identifying the molecular targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) in ox-LDL induced macrophage-derived foam cells based on the integration of metabolomics and network pharmacology.

The identification of network targets is one of the core issues used to reveal the molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is also the grand challenge of modernization of TCM. In this study, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed based on the integration of network pharmacology and metabolomics, which was used as an effective approach to elucidate the relationship between disease pathway proteins and the targets of active small-molecule compounds. The intermolecular transfer process of the drug effect of active compounds in Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) was revealed and visualized using the PPI network. Our study indicates that PTGS2 was the most important disease protein regulated by the active compounds in SM. Furthermore, the drug targets that can be linked to PTGS2 were regarded as direct targets and the direct targets of the active compounds were identified, respectively. Western blot and co-immuno precipitation (Co-IP) were used to verify the results of the network analysis and reveal the intermolecular transfer process of the effect of Tan IIA. Biological validation revealed that Tan IIA-EDN1-PTGS2-anandamide was a major intervention way of Tan IIA on early atherosclerosis (AS). This work provides a new perspective for the discovery of drug targets and the specific approaches regulated by the active compounds in SM on disease pathway proteins, which is beneficial for understanding the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds and expanding their clinical applications.

Determining the absolute efficiency of a delay line microchannel-plate detector using molecular dissociation.

We present a method to measure the absolute detection efficiency of a delay-line microchannel-plate detector using the breakup of diatomic molecular ions. This method provides the absolute total detection efficiency, as well as the individual efficiency for each signal of the detector. The method is based on the fact that molecular breakup always yields two hits on the detector, but due to finite detection efficiency some of these events are recorded as single particles while others are detected in pairs. We demonstrate the method by evaluating the detection efficiency for both timing and position signals of a delay-line detector using laser-induced dissociation of molecular ions. In addition, the detection efficiency as a function of position has been determined by dividing the detector into sectors.

Prognostic significance of overexpressed long non-coding RNA TUG1 in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) study has gradually become one of the hot topics in the field of RNA biology. However, little is known about the pathological role of lncRNA TUG1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. This study attempted to investigate the association of lncRNA TUG1 expression with progression and prognosis in ccRCC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using qRT-PCR, the expression of TUG1 was measured in 203 ccRCC tissues and 45 adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Then, the relationships between TUG1 level and the clinicopathological factors of patients with ccRCC were analyzed. The prognostic significance was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The relative level of TUG1was significantly higher in ccRCC tissues compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissues (p < 0.01). Furthermore, TUG1 was associated significantly with histological grade, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (all p < 0.05). Interestingly, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that higher TUG1 expression levels were associated with a shorter overall survival (p < 0.001) in ccRCC patients. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that high TUG1 expression was an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that TUG1 may act as a tumor promoter in ccRCC and could serve as a potential therapeutic target for this tumor.

Quantitative Identification of Compound-Dependent On-Modules and Differential Allosteric Modules From Homologous Ischemic Networks.

Module-based methods have made much progress in deconstructing biological networks. However, it is a great challenge to quantitatively compare the topological structural variations of modules (allosteric modules [AMs]) under different situations. A total of 23, 42, and 15 coexpression modules were identified in baicalin (BA), jasminoidin (JA), and ursodeoxycholic acid (UA) in a global anti-ischemic mice network, respectively. Then, we integrated the methods of module-based consensus ratio (MCR) and modified Zsummary module statistic to validate 12 BA, 22 JA, and 8 UA on-modules based on comparing with vehicle. The MCRs for pairwise comparisons were 1.55% (BA vs. JA), 1.45% (BA vs. UA), and 1.27% (JA vs. UA), respectively. Five conserved allosteric modules (CAMs) and 17 unique allosteric modules (UAMs) were identified among these groups. In conclusion, module-centric analysis may provide us a unique approach to understand multiple pharmacological mechanisms associated with differential phenotypes in the era of modular pharmacology.

Universality analysis of the existence of substantia nigra "swallow tail" appearance of non-Parkinson patients in 3T SWI.

OBJECTIVE: To use the 3.0T susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for universality analysis of the "swallow tail" appearance in the substantia nigra of non-Parkinson disease and discuss its lack of the value of imaging diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Take 3.0TMR SWI in 60 PD patients (Group PD) and non-PD volunteers (Group N-PD), on the map of range analyze morphology and number of "swallow tail" appearance in substantia nigra of N-PD group volunteers, and compare the performance image of the corresponding region of the patients in the PD group. RESULTS: After, 15 patients with lesions in the brain stem and significant motion artifacts were excluded. Forty-nine cases of group N-PD (96.08%) had typical "swallow tail" appearance in the bilateral or unilateral substantia nigra compacta posterolateral. All 54 patients with group PD (100%) lacked the "drop" rear elliptical high signal. CONCLUSIONS: On the 3.0T SWI range map, the "swallow tail" appearance is ubiquitous in the substantia nigra of patients with non-PD. The deficiency of the signs has high sensitivity and specificity for PD diagnosis.

A study on lesion pattern of bilateral cerebellar infarct.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the lesion patterns and stroke mechanism of the acute bilateral cerebellar infarct. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to Xiangyang Hospital with acute cerebellar infarcts, confirmed by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), were investigated. Patients were divided into two groups by lesions: unilateral cerebellar infarct (UCI) and bilateral cerebellar infarct (BCI). The demographic features, involved territories and concomitant lesions outside the cerebellum (CLOC). The causes were analyzed. RESULTS: Amongst the 115 patients hospitalized with posterior circulation cerebral infarct due to acute stroke, 56 patients had cerebellar infarct. There were 36 (64.3%) cases of unilateral cerebellar infarct and 20 (35.7%) cases of the BCI. The baseline information shows that stroke history (p = 0.002), fibrinogen (p = 0.036) and admission NIHSS score (M) (p = 0.001) for the BCI group are higher than the unilateral cerebellar infarct group. The incidence rate of cerebellar infarct in a posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) blood supplying territory is the highest by divisions of vascular distribution. Unilateral cerebellar infarct occurs more often (p = 0.006); BCI is more common in PICA+SCA blood supplying territory (p = 0.004). The incidence rate of BCI merged with CLOC is much higher than the unilateral cerebellar infarct (p = 0.002). Merged infratentorial lesions are more common (p = 0.022) than BCI with atherosclerosis (p = 0.041). Offending artery diseases are mainly in the V4 segment of the vertebral artery, and in the severe stenosis or occlusion of V4 and BA junction. CONCLUSIONS: BCI was frequently involved in the PICA + SCA territory. Our results support the fact that embolism resulted from large artery atherosclerosis is the important stroke mechanism in the BCI.

The study of the distribution character of cerebral arterial stenosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease by means of 64 slices CT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of cerebral artery stenosis in patients with the ischemic cerebrovascular disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease were enrolled and divided into three age brackets, the youth group (18-44 years old, 12 cases), middle-aged group (45-59 years old, 45 cases), and the old-aged group (≥60 years old, 87 cases). They were then ensued the analysis of the distribution of characteristics of cerebral artery stenosis. RESULTS: A total of 414 pathological vessels had been detected from the 144 patients with arteriostenosis or occlusion, amongst which were 24 single vascular stenosis (16.7%) and 120 multiple stenosis. (83.3%, p<0.01) The incidence of single arteriostenosis was 16.7%, and the multiple arteriostenosis 83.3%. The incidence rate of single intracranial artery stenosis was significantly higher than that of the coexistence of extracranial and intracranial artery stenosis (60.4% vs. 31.3% vs. 8.3%, p<0.01). The respective parts that were subject to intracranial and extracranial artery lesions were: a middle cerebral artery and extracranial vertebral artery. The incidence of pure anterior circulation stenosis and anterior and posterior circulation stenosis was significantly higher than that of pure posterior circulation stenosis (83.3% vs 41.7% vs. 22.9%, p<0.05, p<0.01). The pure intracranial artery stenosis of young and middle-aged group was significantly higher than that of extracranial artery stenosis of the old-aged group (83.8% vs. 75.6% vs. 49.4%, p<0.05). The incidence of pure intracranial artery stenosis of the old-aged group was significantly higher than that of the middle-aged group (12.6% vs. 2.2%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral artery stenosis in patients with the ischemic cerebrovascular disease was dominated by multiple stenosis. The incidence of intracranial artery stenosis was significantly higher than that of extracranial artery stenosis. The distribution of cerebral artery stenosis varied with age.

Visualization of nigrosomes-1 in 3T MR susceptibility weighted imaging and its absence in diagnosing Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the imaging features of nigrosomes-1 in the substantia nigra through 3T MR susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and its disease-specific changes for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 116 subjects were included in this study and allocated into 3 groups: 54 patients diagnosed with PD were assigned to the PD group, 51 age- and sex-matched volunteers without PD served as the control N-PD group, and 11 clinically suspected PD patients were allocated to the undiagnosed (UD) group. All patients received 3.0T superconducting MRI scanning on xxx. The images were analyzed and compared to assess the ability of nigrosomes-1 signals to depict PD pathology. RESULTS: The signals of nigrosomes-1 were strong, droplet-like or oval in shape, and were found in 49 patients from the N-PD group (96.08%), on both sides of the SN (47 cases) and unilaterally (2 cases). In contrast, these signals were absent in all 54 cases from the PD group, and were undetected in 7 out of 11 cases in the UD group, 7 cases without the "drop" and 1 case with narrow strips of hyperintensity were clinically proven to PD, 2 cases with the typical hyperintensity were clinically proven to Parkinson's plus syndrome, 2 cases with slightly wider strip of hyperintensity were less sensitive to the drug levodopa. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of typical droplet-like or oval-shaped nigrosomes-1 signals in 3.0T MR SWI may prove useful in identifying PD and Parkinson's syndrome with high sensitivity and specificity.

A study on the protective role of doxycycline upon dopaminergic neuron of LPS-PD rat model rat.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective role of doxycycline upon the dopaminergic neuron of the lipopolysaccharide-Parkinson disease (LPS-PD) model rat and its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, LPS group and doxycycline intervention. Group; establishing The PD model was created by injecting LPS stereo-tactically into the substantia nigra; observing the changes in the dopaminergic neurons and the major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) positive microglia before and after the intervention of doxycycline with immunohistochemical staining. Using the HPLC-ED (high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector) to test the changes in the striatal dopamine (DA), and DOPAC (dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid) content; adopting Western blotting was adopted to test the expression of the substantia nigra microglia MHC II (major histocompatibility complex II) protein. RESULTS: After the intervention of doxycycline, in the LPS group, the surviving dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra rose from 38% ± 5% to 79% ± 4% (p < 0.01); striatal DA and DOPAC content of the LPS group increased from 4.89 ± 0.27 and 0.70 ± 0.07 to 7.00 ± 0.34 and 1.10 ± o. 10 respectively (p < 0.01). The average number of rotation induced intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine of the animals in the LPS group reduced from (208 ± 14); time/30 min to (80 ± 12) times/30 min (p < 0.01); while the number of the MHC II positive cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the LPS group reduced from 835 ± 82 to 354 ± 59 (p < 0.01); Western blotting of the MHC II protein expression showed a significant reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Doxycycline can inhibit degeneration of LPS-induced dopaminergic neurons. Its neuroprotective function is achieved by downregulating the microglia MHC II expression.

Study on the carotid atherosclerotic plaque of patients suffering from ischemic cerebrovascular disease by 64 slices CT.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the features of a carotid plaque of patients suffering from carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic cerebrovascular disease by 64 slices computed tomography (CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with carotid atherosclerosis were divided into the ischemic event group (n=48) and non-ischemic event group (n=52). The features of the carotid plaque were detected by 64 slices CT. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen plaques were found in the ischemic event group. The proportions of fatty, calcified, and mixed plaque were 35.4%, 30.1%, and 34.5%. There are 78 plaques found in the non-ischemic event group. The proportions of fatty, calcified, and mixed plaque were 21.8%, 51.3%, and 26.9%. The distribution difference between the three types of plaques was statistically significant (p<0.05). The proportions of mixed plaque composed mainly of fatty plaque were 64.1% and 23.8%. These two constituent ratios are significantly different from those of statistical processing (p<0.01). There are 10 cases of plaque ulceration out of the 100 cases, among which eight are from the ischemic event group and two cases from the other group. After statistical processing, the incidence rates of plaque ulceration from these two groups are significantly different (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 64 slices CT can accurately present the morphological features of the carotid plaque. It indicates that the fatty plaque, mixed plaque composed mainly of fatty plaque and ulcerative plaque can cause ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Recurrent ischemic events and risk factors in patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the recurrent ischemic events and risk factors in patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with acute cerebral infarction or transient ischemia attach (TIA) and intracranial arterial stenosis confirmed through CTA examination, were enrolled from the Department of Neurology. All cases were followed-up regularly and divided into recurrent group and non-recurrent group according to occurrence of cerebrovascular events. Major observation index: (1) the occurrence of endpoint; (2) new stroke in responsible artery; (3) drug therapy compliance was used. RESULTS: A total of 142 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria, among them 121 cases (85.2%) completed the follow-up, and in 16 cases (13.2%) ischemic cerebrovascular stroke events occurred within one year, while among these vascular lesions recurred on the ipsilateral side in 12 cases (75%). Single factor analysis showed that difference between recurrent group and non-recurrent group on irregular use of statins (p = 0.017), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.017) and severe arterial stenosis (p = 0.030) were statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that irregular use of statins (OR=3.719, p = 0.005), diabetes (OR=1.842. p = 029) and severe arterial stenosis (OR=1.503. p = 0.045) were correlated with the recurrence of symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis had a higher recurrence rate of stroke; whereas patients with irregular use of statins, diabetes and severe arterial stenosis had a higher recurrence risk of stroke.

Garlic for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: In the past decade, garlic has become one of the most popular complementary therapies for blood pressure (BP) control used by hypertensive patients. Numerous clinical studies have focused on the BP-lowering effect of garlic, but results have been inconsistent. Overall, there is a dearth of information available to guide the clinical community on the efficacy of garlic in hypertensive patients. AIM: To systematically review the medical literature to investigate the current evidence of garlic for the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched for appropriate articles from their respective inceptions until August 2014. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials comparing garlic vs. a placebo in patients with hypertension were considered. Papers were independently reviewed by two reviewers and were analyzed using Cochrane software Revman 5.2. RESULTS: A total of seven randomized, placebo-controlled trials were identified. Compared with the placebo, this meta-analysis revealed a significant lowering effect of garlic on both systolic BP (WMD: -6.71 mmHg; 95% CI: -12.44 to -0.99; P = 0.02) and diastolic BP (WMD: -4.79 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.60 to -2.99; P < 0.00001). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials. CONCLUSION: The present review suggests that garlic is an effective and safe approach for hypertension. However, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials focusing on primary endpoints with long-term follow-up are still warranted before garlic can be recommended to treat hypertensive patients.

[Pharmacokinetics of matrine in healthy volunteers].

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic analytical method was established for determining the concentration of matrine in human serum. The recovery of matrine was 99.1-102.2%. The RSD (%) in within-day and between-days were no more than 6%. The calibration curve was linear in the range from 1.25 micrograms.ml-1 to 40.0 micrograms.ml-1 with r = 0.9997. The serum drug concentration-time curve after iv infusion with a dose of 6 mg.kg-1 in 100 ml glucose solution for 8 healthy volunteers was fitted to a 2-compartment open model. The excretion of unchanged drug in urine was 52.75% of the dose in 32 h and the ClR was 143.79 ml.min-1.

[Therapeutic effect of kangke injection on viral myocarditis and its anticoxsackie virus mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Kangke Injection in treating viral myocarditis. METHODS: Kangke Injection is the effective ingredient extracted from Radix Sophora flavescens (RSF). Seventy-six cases of virus myocarditis suffering from the continuous positive Coxsackie B virus ribose nucleic acid-polymerase chain reaction (CBVRNA-PCR) in blood, their peak value in blood was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and compared with 50 cases treated by glucose-insulin-potassium chloride (GIK). RESULTS: The clearance rate of CBVRNA-PCR and RSF was dose-dependent. The effective rate of RSF on palpitation, chest distress, dispnea was 96.02%, and that of arrhythmia was 100%, all of them were better than those of control. After RSF therapy, the parameters of heart function of ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac index (CI) elevated significantly (P < 0.01), left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were decreased statistically significantly, while after 5 month therapy, the anti-Coxsackie group B virus neutralizing antibodies of RSF group was returned to normal titer, natural killer (NK) cell activity elevated, P < 0.01. CONCLUSION: RSF was an effective substance for regressing the "Pathologic status" of viral myocarditis.

Above threshold Coulomb explosion of molecules in intense laser pulses.

We have measured and explained a new mechanism of molecular ionization near the appearance intensity that produces a sequence of peaks in the nuclear kinetic energy spectrum separated by the photon energy. Our interpretation is based on an internally consistent model for the nuclear motion during an intense laser pulse. Within this model, the same concepts and language can be used for both dissociation and ionization, leading to a more unified understanding of the dynamics.