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Objective To construct a machine learning model based on radiomics features by combing conventional B-mode transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)in order to improve prostate cancer (PCa) detection in the peripheral zone, and to explore its clinical application value. Methods A retrospective study of 109 cases (45 benign, 64 malignant lesions) with targeted biopsy-confirmed pathology who underwent B-mode and CEUS examinations was performed. Time-intensity curves were obtained using Sonoliver software forall lesions in regions of interest. The following parameters were collected: the maximum intensity (IMAX), the rise time (RT), the time to peak (TTP), and the mean transit time (MTT). Clinical risk factors, including age, serum total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), free PSA(fPSA), f/t PSA, prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), were collected. Feature selection and model construction were carried out by feature correlation analysis and multivariable Logistic regression analysis, respectively. Results Finally, 32 features were screened out by the radiomics models. Three radiomics models (B model, CEUS model and B-CEUS combined model) were established by logistic regression, and radiomics scores were obtained at the same time. The risk factors like age, PSAD, and RT were significant independent predictors (P＜0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of B model, CEUS model, B-CEUS combined model, risk factor model and risk factor-radiomics combined model were 0.75, 0.71, 0.73, 0.70 and 0.84, respectively, and the area under the curves(AUC) were 0.79, 0.75, 0.84, 0.79 and 0.91, respectively. The risk factor-radiomics combined model had a significant significance in the validation cohort (P＜0.05). Conclusions The machine learning model combined with conventional B-mode TRUS, CEUS, and relevant clinical factors can better predict the benign and malignant prostate peripheral lesions, which may significantly support clinical decision-making.

To optimize the processing technology of Gastrodia elata by water in which millet had been cooked and investigate the effects of LPS-induced microglia (BV2) inflammatory responses. Determination of gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin A, parishin B, parishin C, parishin E in the extract of Gastrodia elata by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the content of six components were used as evaluation index, the volume ratio of water in which millet had been cooked to water, cooking time and drying temperature were selected as single factor variables. The designation of orthogonal test was based on single factor on three indicators, then optimization of the preparation technology. Comparison of the content of six components in different processed product. The neuroinflammatory cell model was induced by LPS and the cell viability was evaluated after treatment with the extract of processed products by a Cell Counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β in the cell culture medium were measured with ELISA kits. The protein expressions of TLR4, MYD88, P65, INOS, COX-2, IL-1β in LPS-induced BV2 cells were detected by Western blot. The results showed that the cooking time and the volume ratio of water in which millet had been cooked to water had a significant effect on the test results. The water in which millet had been cooked of Gastrodia elata processing technology: The ratio of the volume water in which millet had been cooked to water was 1:3, the boiling time was 25 min and the temperature of drying was 75 °C. The comprehensive score of the six components in processing with water in which millet had been cooked products was higher than that of steamed products. The extract of Gastrodia elata had exhibited varying degrees of protective activity on LPS-induced BV2 cells. The results showed that the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β was significantly increased in BV2 microglial cells induced by LPS compared with the normal control group (P<0.001). Compared with the LPS group, the two extract of Gastrodia elata significantly decreased the expression level of TNF-α (P<0.05), IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.001), IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.001) in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. The result of Western blot showed that PZH significantly inhibited the LPS-induced TLR4/MYD88/NF-κ B signaling pathway activation, and decreased the protein expressions of TLR4 (P<0.01), MYD88 (P<0.01, P<0.05), P65 (P<0.01), INOS (P<0.05), COX-2 (P<0.05, P<0.001), IL-1β (P<0.001). The optimized processing technique is simple, stable and feasible. The mechanism of processed drugs of Gastrodia elata may reduce inflammatory factor expression by inhibiting the TLR4/MYD88/NF-κ signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the soil in Zhangwu County of Liaoning Province as test object, a comparative study was made to understand the composition of soil exchangeable base under traditional tillage and 6 year conservation tillage (no-tillage plus straw mulch). Comparing with traditional tillage, conservation tillage increased the total amount of exchangeable base (SEB) and the contents of ex changeable K, Ca, and Mg in top (0-15 cm) soil, suggesting its positive effect in increasing soil nutrient holding capacity and buffering ability. This effect had a close relationship with the changes of soil organic matter and clay contents, according to correlation analysis. In addition, the K/ SEB and Ca/ Mg ratios were higher, while the (Ca+Mg) / SEB, Ca/ K, and Mg/ K ratios were lower under conservation tillage than under traditional tillage, illustrating that the effects of conservation till age on soil exchangeable base were mainly presented in the relative enrichment of soil exchangeable Ca and K, especially K. Conservation tillage increased the stratification ratio (0-5 cm/5-15 cm and 0-5 cm/15-30 cm) of soil exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, and SEB, suggesting the increase of the vertical variability of SEB in plough layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for postoperative pathological upgrade of prostate cancer patients with single core positive biopsy, and to attempt to build a mathematical model for predicting postoperative pathological upgrade in these cancer patients with single core positive biopsy., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 349 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing radical prostatectomy at Peking University First Hospital from January 2015 to August 2020. The patients' age, body mass index, clinical stage, prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) scores, prostate volume in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Gleason score of biopsy, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) before biopsy and operation, surgical method and pathological stage were inclu-ded in the analysis. The variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis were included to construct multi-variate Logistic regression and the nomogram was drawn. The model was evaluated using the receiver operating curve., Results: A total of 71 patients were included in this research, with 34 patients in the upgraded group and 37 patients in the non-upgraded group. There were no significant differences in the patients' age ( P =0.585), body mass index ( P =0.165), operation method ( P =0.08), prostate volume in MRI ( P =0.067), clinical stage ( P =0.678), PI-RADS score ( P =0.203), difference of PSA density ( P =0.063), Gleason score in biopsy ( P =0.068), PSA before puncture ( P =0.359) and operation ( P = 0.739) between the two groups. However, there were significant differences in the proportion of tumor tissue ( P =0.007), postoperative pathological stage ( P < 0.001) and postoperative Gleason score ( P < 0.001) between the two groups. The preoperative variables with a P value of less than 0.1 (prostate volume in MRI, difference of PSA density, proportion of tumor tissue and Gleason score in biopsy) in univariate analysis were included in the Logistic regression, and the nomogram was drawn. Only the prostate volume in MRI had a P value of less than 0.05. The area under the curve of the model was 0.773., Conclusion: In patients with single core positive biopsy, if the prostate volume is small or the proportion of tumor in positive core is small, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of postoperative pathology upgrading, preoperative risk stratification should be carefully considered for patients with possible pathological upgrading. This model can be used to predict the pathological upgrade of patients with single core positive biopsy.

Objective: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with Alport syndrome (AS) and confirm the existence of a splicing variant., Methods: An AS patient diagnosed at the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University on January 8, 2021 for significant proteinuria and occult hematuria was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were carried out to identify potential genetic variants. An in vitro experiment was also conducted to verify the abnormal mRNA splicing. Bioinformatic software was used to analyze the conservation of amino acids of the variant sites and simulate the 3D structure of the variant collagen IV protein. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were carried out on renal tissues from the patient to confirm the presence of AS kidney injury., Results: The patient, a 21-year-old male, had a 24-hour urine protein of 3.53 g/24 h, which fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for proteinuria. His blood uric acid has also increased to 491 μmol/L. DNA sequencing revealed that he has harbored a c.835-9T>A splice variant of the COL4A5 gene, which was not found in either of his parents. In vitro experiment confirmed that the variant has removed 57 bp from the exon 15 of the mRNA of the COL4A5 gene. The deletion may cause loss of amino acid residues from positions 279 to 297, which in turn may affect the stability of the secondary structure of the α5 chain encoded by the COL4A5 gene. The amino acids are conserved across various species. The result of homology modeling indicated that the trimerization of Col-IV with the mutated α5 chain could be achieved, however, the 3D structure was severely distorted. The AS kidney damage was confirmed through immunofluorescence assays. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the c.835-9T>A variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PVS1&#95;Moderate+PS3&#95;Moderate+PM2&#95;Supporting+PS2+PP3+PP4)., Conclusion: The c.835-9T>A variant of the COL4A5 gene probably underlay the AS in this patient. In vitro experiment has confirmed the abnormal splicing caused by the variant. Histopathological examination of the kidney tissue has provided in vivo evidence for its pathogenicity. Above finding has expanded the mutational spectrum of the COL4A5 gene.

Objective: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of Rauwolfia extract (RE) on the proliferation of prostate cells in the rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Methods: We randomly divided 48 male SD rats into six groups of an equal number, BPH model control, finasteride, low-concentration RE, medium-concentration RE, high-concentration RE and normal control, and established a BPH model in the former five groups by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate following castration. We treated the rats of the finasteride and RE groups intragastrically with finasteride solution at 5 mg/kg and RE at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg respectively, and those of the model control and normal control groups with an equal dose of normal saline, all once a day for 28 consecutive days. Then, we killed all the animals, collected their prostate tissue, obtained the wet weight and volume of the prostate, the prostate index and the contents of serum T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), observed the morphological changes of the prostate tissue by HE staining, counted the glands in the prostate tissue, measured the intraglandular area, and determined the expressions of PCNA and α-SMA by immunohistochemistry., Results: Compared with the rats of the normal control group, the BPH model controls showed significantly increased wet weight (［0.923 ± 0.15］ vs ［1.455 ± 0.52］ g, P < 0.05), volume (［1.035 ± 0.29］ vs ［1.687 ± 0.31］ ml, P < 0.05) and index of the prostate (［0.23 ± 0.04］% vs ［0.37 ± 0.15］%, P < 0.05), dilation, hyperemia and edema of the prostatic stroma and vessels, and proliferation rate of the prostatic cells, but remarkably decreased number of glands (［20.35 ± 3.83］ vs ［12.56 ± 2.58］, P < 0.05), epithelial thickness (［39.76 ± 5.20］ vs ［19.52 ± 1.52］ μm, P < 0.05) and intraglandular area (［12.3 ± 1.21］ vs ［5.96 ± 0.34］ ×103μm2, P < 0.05). In comparison with the BPH model controls, the animals treated with RE, especially in the high-concentration RE group, exhibited marked decreases in the weight (［1.455 ± 0.52］ vs ［0.862 ± 0.31］ g, P < 0.05), volume ( ［1.687 ± 0.31］ vs ［0.952 ± 0.28］ ml, P < 0.05) and index of the prostate (［0.37 ± 0.15］% vs ［0.22 ± 0.07］%, P < 0.05), dramatic improvement in the number of glands (［12.56 ± 2.58］ vs ［18.36 ± 1.25］, P < 0.05), epithelial thickness (［39.76 ± 5.20］ vs ［19.04 ± 3.89］ μm, P < 0.05) and intraglandular area (［5.96 ± 0.34］ vs ［10.25 ± 0.98］ ×103μm2, P<0.05］, P < 0.05), remarkable down-regulation of the expressions of PCNA and α-SMA, and significant reduction of the contents of serum T (［19.147 ± 3.214］ vs ［6.016 ± 1.978］ ng/ml, P < 0.05) and DHT (［9.052 ± 0.633］ vs ［2.532 ± 0.386］ ng/ml, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Rauwolfia extract can inhibit the proliferation of prostate cells and relieve BPH symptoms in a concentration-dependent manner in rats with BPH.

Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome(Live qi stagnation transforming into fire pattern) is one of the core contents of the theory of emotional diseases in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). It is the key link of the pathogenesis change of emotion-related diseases and widely exists in the pathological process of various related diseases. However, due to the lack of animal models in line with the characteristics of TCM syndromes, the research on biomedical basis of Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome and study of Chinese medicines for soothing liver and purging fire have been restricted seriously. This study found that the pathological process of facial fire-heat symptoms of Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome was similar to the facial symptoms due to the emotional stress-induced latent herpes simplex virus-1(HSV-1) reactivation. Therefore, this study proposed that the emotional stress-induced latent HSV-1 activation be used to establish the animal model of Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome. In this study, the state-of-art literature in the field of Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome was summarized, and the experimental animal model of Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome was established from the perspective of emotional stress-induced latent HSV-1 reactivation to reveal the active substances, potential targets and pathways related to the pathological mechanism of the syndrome. This study was expected to provide reference and basis for the pharmacodynamic characterization of commonly used Chinese medicine for Gan-Yu-Hua-Huo syndrome in clinical practice.

Objective: To explore the genetic etiology of a fetus with Cornelia de Lange syndrome type 1., Methods: Clinical data of the fetus was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from amniotic fluid and peripheral blood samples of the parents and subjected to low-depth copy number variant sequencing, whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the candidate variant was predicted based on the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Minigene assay was used to assess the effect of the variant on mRNA splicing., Results: WES revealed that the fetus has harbored a heterozygous c.5808+5gG>A variant in the intron of the NIPBL gene, which was predicted to affect the mRNA splicing. The same variant was not detected in either parent. The variant was not recorded in ExAC, 1000G and dbSNP databases. Comprehensive analysis showed that the variant was deleterious and may result in skipping of exon 31 during mRNA splicing., Conclusion: The fetus was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange syndrome type 1. Splicing variant identified by WES may be verified by minigene assay in vitro, which can provide more evidence for the prediction of its pathogenicity.

Objective: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a patient with 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency., Methods: The patient was infertile without contraception. Laboratory examination showed her chromosomal karyotype to be 46, XX. DNA sequencing was performed to detect variants of CYP17A1 gene in the patient and her family members., Results: Sanger sequencing revealed that the patient has carried homozygous variant c.1486C>T in the exon 8 of the CYP17A1 gene, which resulted in substitution of arginine by cysteine (p.Arg496Cys). Her family members were all heterozygotes for the same variant., Conclusion: Homozygous variant of the CYP17A1 gene c.1486C>T probably underlay the 17-hydroxylase deficiency in this patient. Above finding has enabled accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for her family.

A two-season soil culture experiment was continually conducted to study the effects of three organic materials,namely Danty, Peat and Biochar,respectively,on combined forms and bio-availability of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) under Cd and Pb in single and combined pollution during 2014-2015. This study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for remediating greenhouse soil contaminated with heavy metals Cd and Pb using organic materials. The main results were as follows: the content of DTPA-Cd decreased significantly by 11.9%( P <0.05) in the soil of Cd and Pb combined pollution with the application of danty, the total of exchangeable Cd, carbonate-bound Cd and iron-manganese oxide bound Cd was reduced by 26.4% and 34.4% in the soil, and the accumulation of Cd in shoots was significantly cut down by 32.0% and 28.0% ( P <0.05) respectively in Cd single and Cd and Pb combined pollution after applying danty; the content of DTPA-Pb was significantly depleted by 83.5% and 83.8%( P <0.05), the total of exchangeable Pb, carbonate-bound Pb and iron-manganese oxide bound Pb was decreased by 34.5% and 13.9% in the soil and the accumulation of Pb in shoots was significantly reduced by 32.0% and 30.0% ( P <0.05) in Pb single and Cd and Pb combined pollution respectively as the use of danty. The content of DTPA-Cd was significantly decreased by 18.9% ( P <0.05) in the soil of Cd and Pb combined pollution with the use of peat, the accumulation of Cd in shoots was reduced by 38.0% and 23.4%( P <0.05) in Cd single and Cd-Pb combined pollution respectively after the application of peat; The content of DTPA-Pb was significantly decreased by 2.7% and 7.2%( P <0.05), the total of exchangeable Pb, carbonate-bound Pb and iron-manganese oxide bound Pb was decreased by 15.8% and 14.6% in the soil and the accumulation of Pb in shoots was significantly reduced by 12.7% and 23.4% ( P <0.05) respectively in Pb single and Cd and Pb combined pollution due to the application of peat. The pH value of the soil was increased by the use of biochar, the content of DTPA-Cd was reduced by 4.7% and 15.0% respectively in the soil of Cd single and Cd and Pb combined pollution, and the accumulation of Cd in shoots was significantly minified by 38.0% and 23.4% respectively in Cd single and Cd and Pb combined pollution as the application of biochar. The content of DTPA-Pb was decreased by 6.8% and 1.0% and the total of exchangeable Pb, carbonate-bound Pb and iron-manganese oxide bound Pb was cut down by 11.9% and 30.0% in the soil of Pb single and Cd and Pb combined pollution respectively by the application of biochar. The content of Cd in plant was most significantly positively correlated with the content of exchangeable Cd in soil ( P <0.01). The content of Pb in plant was most significantly positively correlated with the total of exchangeable Pb, carbonate-bound Pb and iron-manganese oxide bound Pb ( P <0.01). In summary, after the application of danty, peat and biochar, the proportion of highly active content of Cd and Pb was minified through adjusting soil pH and immobilizing Cd and Pb by means of adsorption and complexation in greenhouse soil. With the analysis of input-output, the application of danty, peat and biochar costs 4050 yuan·hm -2 , 11250 yuan·hm -2 and 22500 yuan·hm -2 , respectively. Thus danty, peat and biochar could be used as effective organic agents in the remediation of Cd and Pb contaminated greenhouse soil.

Objective: To investigate the acute toxicity and assess the median lethal dose (LD50) of matrine in Kunming mice., Methods: Matrine at different doses were administered in Kunming mice via intraperitoneal injection, and the toxic reactions and LD50 of matrine was observed and determined., Results: The acute toxicity test of matrine indicated that the tolerable dose of matrine was above 80 mg/kg in Kunming mice, and the LD50 was 157.13 mg/kg (95%CI, 88.08-280.31 mg/kg). Morphological observation revealed degenerative changes of the nerve cells in the brain tissue of the mice., Conclusion: The nervous system is the main target organ by the toxicity of matrine.

Taking the soil in Zhangwu County of Liaoning Province as test object, a comparative study was made to understand the composition of soil exchangeable base under traditional tillage and 6-year conservation tillage (no-tillage plus straw mulch). Comparing with traditional tillage, conservation tillage increased the total amount of exchangeable base (SEB) and the contents of exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg in top (0-15 cm) soil, suggesting its positive effect in increasing soil nutrient holding capacity and buffering ability. This effect had a close relationship with the changes of soil organic matter and clay contents, according to correlation analysis. In addition, the K/SEB and Ca/Mg ratios were higher, while the (Ca+Mg)/SEB, Ca/K, and Mg/K ratios were lower under conservation tillage than under traditional tillage, illustrating that the effects of conservation tillage on soil exchangeable base were mainly presented in the relative enrichment of soil exchangeable Ca and K, especially K. Conservation tillage increased the stratification ratio (0-5 cm/5-15 cm and 0-5 cm/15-30 cm) of soil exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, and SEB, suggesting the increase of the vertical variability of SEB in plough layer.

Objective: To investigate the value of 64-detector spiral computed tomography versus MRI in the assessment of right ventricular function., Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (15 males, 15 females, 48 +/- 24 years) underwent 64-detector spiral computed tomography CT and breath-hold MRI. With semiautomatic contour detection software, the parameters of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume and ejection fraction were determined from short-axis CT reformations (MPR) created at every 5% of RR-interval. The results from CT were compared with those from MRI using Pearson correlation test and Bland-Altman plot., Results: The CT values of mean end-diastolic volume (146 +/- 27) ml, end-systolic volume (70 +/- 20) ml, stroke volume (75 +/- 12) ml and ejection fraction (52% +/- 5%) correlated well with those by MRI [146 +/- 25 ml (r = 0.959), 66 +/- 17 ml (r = 0.914), 80 +/- 15 ml (r = 0.706), 55% +/- 7% (r = 0.612)]. A strong correlation between MSCT and MRI was also found in the Bland-Altman plot., Conclusion: 64-detector spiral CT can accurately assess the right ventricular function. It is a valuable method for evaluating cardiac function.

Objective: To observe the protective effect of Oviductus Ranae (OR) capsules on the reproductive organs in an aged mouse model established by D-galactose injection., Methods: Forty-eight female Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, namely the high- and low-dose OR groups, diethylstilbestrol (DT) group, and model group. The mice received subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 6 weeks to establish aging models. Another 12 mice were injected daily with normal saline (NS) to serve as the normal control group. From the third week of the experiment, the mice were given oral OR at low or high doses (in the OR groups) or vegetable oil (in the model or control groups) till the sixth week. In the last two weeks, the vaginal smears were obtained from the mice for evaluating the changes of the vaginal keratinocytes and counting the days of estrus. After completion of drug administration, all the mice were sacrificed and the serum content of estradiol (E(2)) was detected by radioimmunoassay, with the ovarian and uterine indices determined. The ovarian and uterine pathologies were observed using HE staining, and SOD and MDA activities in the ovary and uterus were also assessed., Results: OR obviously increased E(2) level and the ovarian and uterine indices in the aged mice, also alleviating the pathological change of the ovary and uterus. OR substantially depressed MDA content and enhanced SOD activity in the ovary and uterus., Conclusion: OR has definite antioxidative effects and ameliorates the degenerative changes of the reproductive organs in mouse models of aging.

Objective: To test 5 kinds of alkaloid of Sophora alopecuraides L., the effects of TBSA, MT, OMT, SC, SRI against adenocarcinoma of colon cell line SW620., Methods: SW620 cell line was treated with alkaloid at various concentrations. The effect on cell proliferative activity was measured by MTT assay and the effects of alkaloids against cell growth were compared. The changes of cell morphology were observed through optical microscope and fluorescence microscope and the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay after the treatments., Results: According to the results of MTT assay, all of the 5 kinds of alkaloid especially SRI and MT were identified to produce growth inhibition against SW620 cells. The sequence of the intensity of effect was TBSA < OMT < SC < MT < SRI. Further study of SRI and MT demonstrated their effects on inducing SW620 cell apoptosis, and SRI showed the strongest effect. Both SRI and MT induced SW620 cells to apoptosis in a dose-and-time-dependent manner., Conclusion: The 5 kinds of alkaloid especially SRI and MT may inhibit the growth of SW620 cells,and induce SW620 cell apoptosis. The results of this study pave the way for further identification of the effective components in Sophora alopecuraides L. that inhibit colorectal carcinoma both in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: To study the contents of the flavonoids in the extract of Lespedeza virgate., Methods: The constituents in the ethanol extraction of the aerial parts of Lespedeza virgate were isolated and purified using column chromatography, and the isolated compounds were identified according to their physicochemical and spectral data., Results and Conclusion: Eight flavonoids were isolated and identified as tricin (I), kaempferol (II), apigenin (III), kaempferitrin (IV), morin (V), luteolin (VI), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (VII), chrysoeriol-7-rutinoside (VIII). The compounds I, II, III, V and VI were isolated for the first time from the plant, and the compound VIII was isolated from this genus for the first time.

Objective: To investigate the effects of matrine on the cell cycle and apoptosis in human colon adenocarcinoma SW620 cells and explore the possible mechanisms., Methods: The effect of matrine on cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay, and the cell cycle arrest induced by matrine was determined by flow cytometry. The changes of cell morphology were observed through optical microscope, fluorescence microscope and electron microscope, and the cell apoptosis was detected using Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay., Results: Matrine inhibited the proliferation of SW620 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, the matrine-treated cells showed increased cell percentage arrested in G 0/G1 phase with decreased S-phase cells. Morphologically, the SW620 cells treated with matrine exhibited cell shrinkage, cell size reduction, plasma condensation, cytoplasmic vacuolar changes, and formation of apoptotic body with also the presence of the signet-ring cells, all typical of apoptotic cells., Conclusion: Matrine exposure of SW620 cells inhibits the cell proliferation, causes cell cycle arrest at G 0/G1 phase, and induces apoptosis in a dose- and time- dependent manner.

Objective: To study the effects of Yifuning soft gelatin capsules (YFN) on pathology and biomechanical indexes of ovariectomied female rats., Method: Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats without pregnancy and delivery were used,50 of them were ovariectomized and randomly divided into 5 groups: ovariectomy(OVX), OVX with diethylstilbestrol tables (DT), OVX with YFN (high dose,middle dose and low dose), the others were sham-operated group. The rats began to take the rats drugs in the fifth week after the operation. After 12 weeks of treat ment the rats were killed, and the bones were collected to inspect. The pathology of bone was observed with the HE stain and the area of trabecular was detected. The electronic testing device was used to detect the biomechanical properties., Result: The results indicated that the rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) was a success. Compared with the model group, after application of the drugs, the observation of HE showed different repairing around trabecular. The biomechanical parameters also increased significantly., Conclusion: YFN can effectively prevent the loss of bone in OVX rats and strengthen bone quality, and has a good effect on PMO oostmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objective: To study the effects of Yifuning soft capsules on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized female rats., Method: 60 female sprague-dawley rats in 3-month were used, 50 of them were ovariectomized and randomly divided into 5 groups: ovariectomy (OVX), OVX with diethylstilbestrol tables (DT), OVX with YFN (high dose, middle dose and low dose), the others were sham-operated group. Began to give the rats drugs in the fifth week after the operation. After 12 weeks killed the rats. The blood,the uterus and bones were collected to inspect. The content of estrogen (E2) in serum was detected by radioimmunoassay method. The contents of Ca, P, ALP in serum were detected using the automic biochemistry-analyse device. The uterus were weight and the length, width, dry weight and net weight of the shoulder bone were measured. The contents of Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn in the bone were measured using the automic absorption spectrophotometer. The right femer and the third lumbar vertebra were detected for BMD using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner and compression test using electronic testing device., Result: After using the drugs,the content of E2, Ca in serum, the weight of uterus, the contents of Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn in the bone and the BMD of right femer increased significantly, the content of P, ALP in serum decreased significantly., Conclusion: Yifuning soft capsules has a good effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis, which provides evidence for clinical use.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yi-Fu Ning Soft Gelatin Capsules on estrogen receptor expression in bone of postmenopausal osteoporosis rats., Method: 60 female Sprague-Dawley rats in 3-month were used, 50 of them were ovariectomized and randomly divided into 5 groups:ovariectomy (OVX), OVX with diethylstilbestrol tables (DT), OVX with YFN (high dose, middle dose and low dose), the others were sham-operated group. The rats were administrated initially in the fifth week after the operation. After 12 weeks the rats were killed. The blood and bones were collected to inspect. The content of Estrogen (E2) in serum was detected by radioimmunoassay method. The expression of estrogen receptor in bones was studied with Western blotting., Result: After using the drugs, the content of E2, the estrogen receptor expression in bone increased significantly., Conclusion: Yi-Fu Ning Soft Gelatin Capsules has a good effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis by increasing E2 and ER expression in bones.