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This study aimed at analyzing the effect of genotype (G), environment (E) and their interactions (G x E) on the major bioactive components of 2-year licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) population, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the licorice breeding with high content of bioactive components and quality improvement.Four genotype licorice populations were transplanted under four different environments by using complete randomized block design with three replicates, and four major bioactive components, including glycyrrhizin (GL), total saponins (TS), liquiritin (LQ) and total flavonoids (TF) were determined by UV and by HPLC.The major bioactive components of licorice were influenced by genotype and environment, and the genotype had more effect on all of the bioactive components. The contents of GL and LQ were codetermined by genotype and environment factors.There exist different selective effects on different growth region for quality breeding in cultivated population of licorice.

To find out the influence of differences pruning on Lonicerea Japonicae Flos on it's yield and quality, and provide reference for reasonable pruning.Using different pruning treatments, the growth and yield and chlorogenic acid and galuteolin contents of Lonicerea Japonicae Flos were measured and compared. And the source and sink theory were used to interpret the rationality of the best way.There existed significant differences in the growth and branching and yield at differences pruning methods, but not including chlorogenic acid and galuteolin contents of Lonicerea Japonicae Flos.The best pruning treatments is in shearing.

To explore the changes of metastatic potential of residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after in vivo chemotherapy and its mechanism.Nude mouse models of orthotopic HCC in the nude mouse livers was established using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97L cells. Oxaliplatin (10 mg/kg, once per week) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to mice in the trial group. Mice in the control group received 0.2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride on the same days. On day 7 after the third injection, all mice were sacrificed and tumor fragments of equal volume (2 mm×2 mm×2 mm) from each mouse of the oxaliplatin-treated and untreated groups were reinoculated into the livers of each new recipient mouse correspondingly. The growth, metastasis and molecular phenotype of the reinoculated tumors in both groups were determined.In the new recipient mice, compared with untreated tumors, oxaliplatin pre-treated tumors grew significantly slower [(2624.59 ± 491.60) mm(3) vs. (3849.72 ± 827.09) mm(3), P0.001], but gave more spontaneous metastasis to the lung (10/12 vs. 3/12, P = 0.012). A decreased expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of N-cadherin, vimentin and transcription factor Snail were detected in the oxaliplatin pre-treated tumors by immunohistochemistry, which provided the evidence of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in these tumors.Residual hepatocellular carcinomas after in vivo chemotherapy grow slower but gain enhanced metastatic potential to the lung, associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Sorafenib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was undertaken to determine whether the growth and metastasis of HCC were influenced in mice receiving sorafenib prior to implantation with tumors, and to investigate the in-vivo and in-vitro effect of sorafenib on natural killer (NK) cells. In sorafenib-pretreated BALB/c nu/nu mice and C57BL/6 mice, tumor growth was accelerated, mouse survival was decreased, and lung metastasis was increased. However, the depletion of NK1.1(+) cells in C57BL/6 mice eliminated sorafenib-mediated pro-metastatic effects. Sorafenib significantly reduced the number of NK cells and inhibited reactivity of NK cells against tumor cells, in both tumor-bearing and tumor-free C57BL/6 mice. Sorafenib down-regulated the stimulatory receptor CD69 in NK cells of tumor-bearing mice, but not in tumor-free mice, and inhibited proliferation of NK92-MI cells, which is associated with the blocking of the PI3K/AKT pathway, and inhibited cytotoxicity of NK cells in response to tumor targets, which was due to impaired ERK phosphorylation. These results suggest immunotherapeutic approaches activating NK cells may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in HCC patients.

Background Promotion of endothelial normalization restores tumor oxygenation and obstructs tumor cells invasion, intravasation, and metastasis. We therefore investigated whether a vasoactive drug, tanshinone IIA, could inhibit metastasis by inducing vascular normalization after palliative resection (PR) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A liver orthotopic double-tumor xenograft model in nude mouse was established by implantation of HCCLM3 (high metastatic potential) and HepG2 tumor cells. After removal of one tumor by PR, the effects of tanshinone IIA administration on metastasis, tumor vascularization, and survival were evaluated. Tube formation was examined in mouse tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs) treated with tanshinone IIA. Results PR significantly accelerated residual hepatoma metastases. Tanshinone IIA did not inhibit growth of single-xenotransplanted tumors, but it did reduce the occurrence of metastases. Moreover, it inhibited PR-enhanced metastases and, more importantly, prolonged host survival. Tanshinone IIA alleviated residual tumor hypoxia and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vivo; however, it did not downregulate hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) or reverse EMT of tumor cells under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Tanshinone IIA directly strengthened tube formation of TECs, associated with vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 1/platelet derived growth factor receptor (VEGFR1/PDGFR) upregulation. Although the microvessel density (MVD) of residual tumor tissue increased after PR, the microvessel integrity (MVI) was still low. While tanshinone IIA did not inhibit MVD, it did dramatically increase MVI, leading to vascular normalization. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that tanshinone IIA can inhibit the enhanced HCC metastasis associated with PR. Inhibition results from promoting VEGFR1/PDGFR-related vascular normalization. This application demonstrates the potential clinical benefit of preventing postsurgical recurrence.

PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected on campus of Xinjiang Agricultural University during Dec. 14-28, 2009, and the speciation of Cd in PM10 and PM2.5 and its health risk index was analyzed. The results showed that the pollution caused by PM10 and PM2.5 was severe here during the heating period; Cd in PM10 and PM2.5 was of concentration 3.642 and 1.964 ng x m(-3) respectively, mainly in the form of residue; however, Cd in PM2.5 had a higher bioavailability than that in PM10. The carcinogenic risk of Cd in PM10 and PM2.5 was 6.56 x 10(-6) and 3.46 x 10(-6) respectively, which were both acceptable.

The contents of K, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Cu and so on in the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall and in the soil in which they grew were determined by ICP-AES technique to study the mineral elements utilization of P. lactiflora Pall. The results indicate that the elements utilization rate of P. lactiflora Pall is different in different locations, so the contents of mineral elements in the roots of P. lactiflora Pall and even the quality of medicinal materials coming from them in different locations are different. The contents of Ca, Fe, Zn and so on in Chi Shao in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia are relatively high. The contents of mineral elements in soil influence not only themselves' utilization but also other mineral elements utilization of P. lactiflora Pall.

Background & Aims Antiangiogenic agents can sometimes promote tumor invasiveness and metastasis, but little is known about the effects of the antiangiogenic drug sorafenib on progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Sorafenib was administered orally (30 mg · kg −1 · day −1 ) to mice with orthotopic tumors grown from HCC-LM3, SMMC7721, or HepG2 cells. We analyzed survival times of mice, along with tumor growth, metastasis within liver and to lung, and induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Polymerase chain reaction arrays were used to determine the effects of sorafenib on gene expression patterns in HCC cells. We analyzed regulation of HIV-1 Tat interactive protein 2 ( HTATIP2 ) by sorafenib and compared levels of this protein in tumor samples from 75 patients with HCC (21 who received sorafenib after resection and 54 who did not). Results Sorafenib promoted invasiveness and the metastatic potential of orthotopic tumors grown from SMMC7721 and HCC-LM3 cells but not from HepG2 cells. In gene expression analysis, HTATIP2 was down-regulated by sorafenib. HCC-LM3 cells that expressed small hairpin RNAs against HTATIP2 (knockdown) formed less invasive tumors in mice following administration of sorafenib than HCC-LM3 without HTATIP2 knockdown. Alternatively, HepG2 cells that expressed transgenic HTATIP2 formed more invasive tumors in mice following administration of sorafenib. Sorafenib induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCC cell lines, which was associated with expression of HTATIP2. Sorafenib regulated expression of HTATIP2 via Jun-activated kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 signaling. Sorafenib therapy prolonged recurrence-free survival in patients who expressed lower levels of HTATIP2 compared with higher levels. Conclusions Sorafenib promotes invasiveness and the metastatic potential of orthotopic tumors from HCC cells in mice, down-regulating expression of HTATIP2 via JAK-STAT3 signaling.

Through the method of simulating the heavy metal pollution in farmland, the graphite oven (GF-990) atomic absorption was used for analyzing the regulations of the earthworms inducing the soil Cd2+ absorbed by the perennial ryegrass. The result indicated: (1) under the circumstance of the soil Cd2+ density of 3-6 mg x kg(-1), the positive relevance appeared extremely remarkably that the contents of Cd2+ in underground portions of the perennial ryegrass relate to the earthworm quantity (r = 0.883 2-0.986 2), but in the portion above ground the positive relevance did not appear extremely remarkably (r = 0.345 5-0.325 4); And the negative relevance appeared remarkably that the contents of Cd2+ in the soil relate to the earthworm quantity (r = -0.588 7(-) -0.678 4). (2) Under the conditions of isometric number of earthworms, the more the density of Cd2+ in the soil, the more the increase of Cd2+ in both portions under and above ground of perennial ryegrass. (3) Under the same soil environment, the negative relevance appeared that the number of earthworms relates to the contents of Cd2+ in the earthworms (r = -0.982 0(-) -0.991 6).

The comparative research on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Serial -Niche Particle Swarm Optimization (SNPSO) to gain a optimal side-hulls's arrangement of trimaran. With stretched technology in object function, SNPSO improve the velocity of constringency and the efficiency of exploiture. Using the SNPSO in the arrangement of side-hulls, overcoming the disadvantage of losing the optimal arrangement in experiment research. The convergence results of PSO and SNPSO in the arrangement of side-hulls are accordant, but the SNPSO performs well than PSO in convergence and exploitation in numerical experimentation.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a HPLC method for the quantitative determination of four nitrogenous compounds in Pinellia peda-tisecta. METHOD: The determination was carried out on Diamonsil-C18 column(4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile-water-triethylamine in gradient elution acetonitrile-water- triethylamine. The mobile phase was a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and detection wavelength as 254 nm. RESULT: The linear ranges of trigonelline, thymine, amidopurine and hypoxanthine were 0.2 - 1.0 microg (r = 0.999 6), 2.6-13 microg (r = 0.999 8), 0.55-2.75 microg (r = 0.999 9), 0.65-3.25 microg (r = 0.999 8), respectively. The average recoveries of trigonelline, thymine, amidopurine and hypoxanthine were 100.6%, 99.89%,100.5% and 100.0% respectively, and the RSD of the above four compounds were 2.4%, 0.20%, 1.1%, 1.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This method is reliable, accurate and specific. It can be used for quality control of the tube of P. peda-tisecta.

The interactions often appear as two oppositecases, namely weak and strong couplings. In the weakcoupling regime, wavefunctions of molecules and SP modesof plasmons are considered to be unperturbed. The strongcoupling or coherent coupling occurs when resonant exciton–plasmon interactionsmodifymolecularwavefunctions andSPmodes, whereby the excitation energy is shared and oscillatesbetween the plasmonic and molecular systems (Rabi oscil-lations), leading to vacuum Rabi splitting of energy levels atthe resonance frequency. This is similar to behaviors ofpolaritons in an optical microcavity.

The contents of gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid and paeonol extracted in different growth years, collecting season and of different parts of Paeonia lactiflora were determined. The results showed that the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora collected in autumn are the highest, and the contents of benzoic acid was lower than that of those collected at other time. The longer is the age of Paeonia lactiflora, the higher is the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin. The contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in the root of Paeonia lactiflora were higher than those in other parts of the plant. There is a certain content of paeoniflorin in the leaves of Paeonia lactiflora. Judging from the result, paeoniflorin is synthesized in the leaf and then transported to the root. Catechin is not synthesized in the leaf, but mainly in the root. Paeonia lactiflora should be collected in autumn, and immature plant should not be collected.

To study the chemical constituents of the Ficus microcarpa.Isolation and identification were carried out by using various chromatography techniques and spectral methods.Eight compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified as beta-amyrone (I), lupeol (II), lupeol acetate (III), maslinic acid (IV), epifriedelinol (V), stearic acid (VI), beta-sitosterol (VI), daucosterol (VI).Compounds I, II, VI are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective To compare pharmacognostic characteristics and microscopic characteristics of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (chishao) from different areas. Method Pharmacognostic characteristics and microscopic characteristics of Radix Paeoniae Rubra were compared by microscope count methods. Result Chishao in duolun was more straighter and longer, cortex with a set of closely spaced rill, peel off easily, pink section, etc. The wild chishao were different from the cultivated chishao on pharmacognostic characteristics and microscopic characteristics, such as appearance shape, smell, vessel arrangement, and number of crystal and starch in unit area. Conclusion Chishao in duolun were different form others, appearance shape, wood fiber, difference of appearance shape, vessel arrangement, and number of crystal and starch in unit area can be used as identificatin feature of the wild chishao and the cultivated chishao.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with a spectra range of 4 000-400 cm(-1) was used to identify fifty nine samples of wild or cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. from six different places around China. The 1D spectra and their second derivative spectra of herbal samples, the corresponding extract samples and two marker compounds (glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin) were compared. The wide peak in 1 100-1 000 cm(-1) was used to identify the components of polysaccharide; the peak at 1 318 cm(-1) mainly belonged to calcium oxalate; the peaks at 1 745 and 1 386 cm(-1) were used to assess the content of glycyrrhizic acid; the peaks at 1 612 and 1 512 cm(-1) were the characteristic peaks of liquiritin. The intensity of characteristic peaks can represent the content of corresponding compound. The horizontal and vertical comparisons of all herbal samples showed that the characteristic peaks of wild samples were strong, and all wild samples had the similar quality; the characteristic peaks of cultivated samples were weaker than those of the wilds; the ages of glycyrrhiza had great effect on the quality of samples.

The efficiency and precision of traditional particle swarm optimization were always influenced deeply by initial positions of particles and the initialization of random numbers, especially in the optimization of the best principal dimensions of ship. The numerical distributions of different chaotic sequences were analyzed in this paper, and the chaotic sequences were introduced into particle swarm optimization to improve the ergodicity of particles in feasible region. After analysing all the constraints, the method of controlling the principal components of variables by controlling the constraints of the problem was proposed, and it was used to improve the efficiency of chaotic particle swarm optimization. Besides, the neglect of some key conditions was eliminated with the ergodicity of chaotic map. The numerical experiments showed that, the chaotic particle swarm optimization which based on tent map and improved logistic map had shorter running time but higher efficiency than basic particle swarm optimization. After all the analysis, the improved chaotic particle swarm optimization was used to search the best principal dimensions of a real ship in this paper, and the calculating example showed that the new method was feasible for optimizing the principal dimensions of ship.

Purpose: Aberrant activation of β-catenin contributes to the malignant phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia is also known to promote HCC invasion and metastasis. However, the association between β-catenin and the proinvasive role of hypoxia remains unclear. We investigated the role of β-catenin in the proinvasive consequences of hypoxia in HCC. Experimental Design: We established in vitro and in vivo hypoxic models to investigate the expression of β-catenin in hypoxic HCC cells and its role in hypoxia-induced aggressiveness. The clinical significance of β-catenin and/or hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α) was evaluated using HCC tissue microarrays. Results: Hypoxia induced β-catenin overexpression and/or intracellular accumulation in four HCC cell lines through downregulating the endogenous degradation machinery, and promoted in vitro invasion and in vivo metastasis of MHCC97 and Hep3B cells. Besides morphologic changes, hypoxic MHCC97 and Hep3B cells exhibited molecular alterations consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, characterized by the loss of epithelial cell markers (E-cadherin and plakoglobin) and upregulation of mesenchymal markers (vimentin and N-cadherin), as well as the increase of matrix metalloproteinase 2. However, silencing β-catenin in these hypoxic cells reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition and repressed metastatic potential. Positive expression of β-catenin in HCC tissue microarray was associated with the expression of HIF-1α (P = 0.034), and coexpression of β-catenin and HIF-1α in HCC was correlated with shorter overall survival and time to recurrence. Conclusion: β-Catenin in HCC is activated by hypoxia and contributes to hypoxia-induced metastatic potential. Clin Cancer Res; 16(10); 2740–50. ©2010 AACR.

Previous studies have demonstrated that tyroserleutide (YSL) inhibits tumor growth in an animal model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its effects on HCC metastasis are still not fully understood. To examine YSL as a novel agent to prevent HCC metastasis, a metastatic human HCC orthotopic nude mouse model of MHCC97L was used. The antitumor and antimetastasis effects of YSL were also evaluated in combination with radiation. Hypoxia and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules were studied. YSL inhibited MHCC97L cell invasion in vitro with or without irradiation. YSL did not significantly inhibit tumor growth but decreased pulmonary metastasis and prolonged life-span for more than 40 days, which correlated with down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Radiotherapy inhibited early-stage tumor growth and promoted tumor hypoxia. The re-implanted tumor volume in the radiotherapy group was not significantly different from the control, in which the incidence of lung metastasis increased after radiotherapy (6/6 versus 3/6, P = 0.046); however, YSL inhibited the growth of re-implanted tumor after radiotherapy. Furthermore, YSL at 160 or 320 μg/kg/day almost completely inhibited lung metastasis induced by irradiation (1/6 versus 6/6, P = 0.002 for both dosages). YSL down-regulated hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4), and inhibited EMT was associated with the antimetastasis capability of YSL. Our data suggest that YSL inhibits the enhanced invasiveness and metastatic potential of HCC induced by irradiation through down-regulation of HIF-1α and TMPRSS4 and inhibition of EMT. YSL may have potential as a new antimetastasis agent for radiotherapy.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy is a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its clinical benefit is often accompanied by acquired resistance. In animal studies, antiplacental growth factor therapy is effective with less resistance. The role of placental growth factor (PlGF) in the progression of HCC is not clear. In our study, we used immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays to investigate PlGF expression in tumor and peritumoral liver tissues from 105 patients with HCC. Intratumoral and peritumoral PlGF mRNA expression was analyzed in another cohort of 37 patients. Peritumoral PlGF expression was significantly higher than intratumoral PlGF expression (p < 0.001). Intratumoral PlGF expression was not associated with patients' overall survival (OS) or time to recurrence (TTR). However, peritumoral PlGF expression, which was associated with tumor size, presence of intrahepatic metastasis, TNM stage and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, was an independent risk factor for OS (p = 0.026) and TTR (p = 0.041). The prognostic value of peritumoral PlGF expression was further validated in a validation cohort (n = 394). We inferred that the elevation of PlGF in peritumoral liver might be induced by hypoxia. We found that peritumoral PlGF expression was associated with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (p = 0.017). PlGF expression was elevated in L02, a hepatic cell line, under hypoxic conditions in vitro. These findings indicate that high peritumoral PlGF expression is associated with tumor recurrence and survival after resection of HCC. PlGF could be a target of adjuvant therapy and deserves further investigations.

To evaluate the immunogenicity, safety and stability of the manufacture process regarding three consecutive lots of influenza split vaccines (Anflu).A double-blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial was conducted in healthy volunteers. A total of 566 subjects aged 18 to 60 years were recruited and stratified into four age groups before randomly assigned into four groups. Each group would receive one dose of influenza vaccine from either one of the three lots of Anflu or one lot of the licensed control vaccine. Each dose of the vaccines contained 15 microg of each of the H1N1, H3N2 and B type antigen. Safety was assessed through 30-minute observation for immediate allergic reaction and three-day observation after vaccination. HI antibody titers were determined before vaccination and on day 21, after vaccination.Mild adverse reaction was reported and the overall incidence rates on fever of the four groups were from 1.4% to 2.8% but no significant difference was observed between groups. Seroconversion rates of the three viral strains in four groups were 80.3% and above with fold increase asor = 11.1 and protection rate wasor = 93.4%. For the three lots of investigated vaccines, all of the indexes of the three viral strains in four groups exceeded the standards on EMEA and FDA for influenza vaccine.The three consecutive lots of Anflu appeared to be good, with both consistent immunogenicity and safety, indicating the stability of manufacture process.

To establish the focus management mode and the report criteria more perfectly for the virus hepatitis cases, especially for the hepatitis B.One district was set as the research area, in which there was enough cases resource and relatively separated from the other districts, then a first or second-class hospital was appointed to take the cases focus diagnosis, report and management.The focus hospitals had reported 97% (323/331) of cases in the research area between June,2007 and June,2008; moreover,the rate in establishing case-card was 97.21% (314/323), as compared with that in period of 2007 (261), the cases reported declined 61.30% in the first half year of 2008 (101).It should be an imperative situation to establish a report criteria and management mode for virus hepatitis (hepatitis B), however it is necessary to have more supports from health administrations.

In order to analyze the clinical features and laboratory findings in patients with acquired hemophilia A, one case of acquired hemophilia A was studied, the medical history, clinical features, ultrasonography and laboratory examination including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and FVIII:C, FIX:C, FXI:C, FXII:C ratio, as well as medical treatment were analyzed. The results showed 99.3 sec of APTT, 13 sec of PT, and 13.5 sec of TT, 2% of FVIII:C, 7% of FIX:C, 9% of FXI:C and 21% of FXII:C. The prolongation of APTT could not be completely corrected by mixing the patient plasma with an equal volume of normal fresh plasma; the APTT increased with prolongation of incubation time, when patient plasma was mixed with an equal volume of normal fresh plasma and incubated at 37 degrees C. The plasma FVIII:C, FIX:C, FXI:C and FXII:C levels in patient were 6%, 75%, 95% and 123% respectively, when patient's plasma was diluted by tenfold and mixed with an equal volume of non-diluted normal plasma. FVIII inhibitor in the patient's serum was at a level32.0 Bethesda units/ml after acquired hemophilia was diagnosed, the patient was admitted to hospital and given orally prednisone and azathioprine therapy. One month later, clinical status of the patient were improved with 33.3 seconds of APTT, 128% of FVIII level and elimination of FVIII inhibitor. In conclusion, inquiring case history, analyzing imaging results, detecting level of APTT, performing dilution test and assaying titer of FVIII inhibitor can reduce misdiagnosis and wrong therapy for patients with acquired hemophilia A. The FVIII inhibitor can be eliminated and function of clotting can be recovered by using immunosuppressive therapy.

To study the interspecies allelopathy of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Caragana microphylla and reveal the relationship between different interactions and provided the theory reference for their application of compounding planting pattern in practice.Water extracts of G. uralensis and C. microphylla root, stem and leaf were used to dispose mutual seeds, young seedlings and transplants.The germination of G. uralensis seed wasn't restrained significantly by the water extract of C. microphylla root, stem and leaf (1-50 g x L(-1)). However, the inhibitory effect of a high concentration water extract of C. microphylla stem and leaf (50 g x L(-1) was stronger. There wasnt significant difference in the effect of the water extract of C. microphylla cast, root and stem on the growth and quality of G. uralensis transplant. Moreover, the water extract of G. uralensis root, stem and leaf can improve the germination of C. microphylla seeds and the growth of seedlings, while its effective extent didn't reach an obvious different level.There exists no significant difference between the interspecies allelopathy of G. uralensis and C. microphylla.

To screen and isolate secondary metabolite biosynthesis-related gene for establishing the foundation of functional gene research, we construct a cDNA library of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.Total RNA was isolated from G. uralensis using the method of lithium chloride sedimentation. Double strand cDNA was joined into pBlueScript II vector. The number of clones, recombinant rate and length of insert fragments were determined.The capacity of the original library was 1.15 x 10(7) with a recombinant rate of 98.2% and the inserted cDNA fragments ranged from 0.5 to 4.8 kb. 126 ESTs through random sequencing were obtained. The most homological proteins came from leguminous plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and so on. Most of the proteins were related to genes linking cell matabolism, resistance, growth retardation and dormancy.The library has enough capacity, high recombinant rate and long insert fragment for the further study.

To study the geographical variation of morphologic and germination characteristic of different Glycyrrhiza uralensis provenance seeds, approach the geographical variation mode and ecology mechanism, and laid theoretical foundation for districting and allocating of G. uralensis seeds.Field investigation and laboratory analysis were applied. Seed shape and kilosseed weight were sampled randomly, germination rate germination force by general methods.The morphologic characteristic of G. uralensis seeds showed roughly longitude variation tendency that the seeds increased gradually from west to east. While the germination characteristic showed roughly altitude variation tendency that the seeds germination rate and germination force increased with the increase of the altitude, and the average germination rate was the same with the seeds morphologic characteristic. The results of analysis correlated with the climatic factors show that the morphologic characteristic of G. uralensis was positive correlated with annual rain-fall of the habitat, and the germination rate was quickened by drought, high temperature and strong sunshine.The morphologic and germination characteristic and of G. uralensis seeds present distinguished geographical variation, and the formation of the variation was related to the ecological environment in which the seed provenance adapted.

Determining and comparing the saponins and flavonoids contents in Glycrrrhiza uralensis Fisch to know theObjective: Determining and comparing the saponins and flavonoids contents in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch to know the dynamic variation.The contents were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.Two contents had basically theMethods:The contents were determinedby ultraviolet spectroihotometry. Results: Two contents had basically the same change cultivated in Gansu and Inner Mongolia.The plant 3-year cultivated has the highest content. Having high con-same change cultivated in Gansu and Inner Mongolia. Conclusion:The plant 3-year cultivated has the highest content. Having high content of Saponins in August and flavonoids in May and October which can be used as the basis for harvesting and processing.

To study the 4 different processing methods of Dendrobium loddigesii. and find a optimal method.Drying in the shade, fire drying at different temperature, twist and fire drying, to scald by boiling water then twist and fire drying were used to process D. loddigesii and determined the content of polysaccharide after processed.The rate of dryed medical material was about 36%, and the content of polysaccharide was 16.39% which was scald by boiling water then twist and fire drying was higher than others.The method scald by boiling water then twist and fire drying is good for medical materials dried and the remaining of active component. It provide a scientific evidence to Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2005 and offer quantization index to the processing of Dendrobium loddigesii.

To find out the effects of different levels and combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the growth and secondary metabolites of Scutellaria baicalensis.The quantities of growth, physiological indicators and baicalin contents in different fertilization treatment were calculated and compared.The growth physiological indicators and baicalin contents of S. baicalensis in complex fertilization treatment were better than those in single element fertilization treatment, and nutrition balance types better than maladjustment type. The reasonebly fertilitzing in complex fertilization treatment, nitrogen could improve the fertilizer efficiency of phosphorus.According to the fertilization mathematic model, the optimum fertilization dosage should be primarily defined as N: 22.6-25.0 g/m2, P: 30.6-44.6 g/m2, K: 5.4-21.4 g/m2, that is 2N:3P:1K.

The morphological characters and the polysaccharides content of Dendrobiam loddigesii from different habits were studied in this paper. The results showed that there were remarkable differences in morphology from five areas, such as stem height and diameter, laminae sizes and figures, amount of lateral bud, and texture of stem. The content of polysaccharides from sample of Xingyi and Anlong, Guizhou Province, respectively 22. 62% and 20. 96% , were higher than that of other areas. It can be preferentially choosed as good materal on commareial production.

Antibodies targeting GD3 gangliosides highly expressed on melanomas mediate immune effector functions in vitro and inhibit animal model melanoma tumor growth in vivo. Because GD3 is expressed also on a subpopulation of human lymphocytes, we characterized the in vitro immune effects of murine R24 and a chimeric anti-GD3 antibody (KW-2871).Anti-GD3 complement-mediated (CMC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were tested against cell line Mel-624. Antibody-mediated lymphocyte expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was quantified. The effect of antibody and antibody-treated lymphocyte supernates on effector cell ADCC and Fc receptor expression were evaluated.R24 and KW-2871 antibodies mediated CMC and ADCC to the Mel-624 cell line. R24 induced potent lymphocyte proliferation and enhanced lymphocyte RNA expression of IL-4 (2-4 logs), IL-10, and IFN-gamma (10-fold). KW-2871 induced no lymphocyte proliferation and had minimal effects on lymphokine expression (5-fold). Preincubation of effector cells with either antibody inhibited ADCC and reduced monocyte expression of FcgammaRI and II. Supernates of effector cells preincubated with either antibody were able to inhibit ADCC.R24 and KW-2871 antibody differ in their lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine release activity but have similar inhibition of lymphocyte ADCC and FcgammaR expression in vitro.

KW-2871 (IgG1 kappa chimeric antibody) targets GD3, which is upregulated in melanomas. We conducted a phase I trial of KW-2871 in patients with metastatic melanoma.Seventeen (17) patients were enrolled and received an initial test dose (10 mg/m2) intravenously. Two 2 weeks later, patients were stratified into 4 cohorts to receive 4 doses of KW-2871 (infused over 1 hour) at 2-week intervals (20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/m2). No premedications were administered for the test or first therapeutic doses.Dose-limiting toxicities were Grade 3 laryngospasm and chest tightness with the initial therapeutic infusion at doses of 80 and 60 mg/m2. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was established at 40 mg/m2 of KW2871. The most common side-effect was urticaria (Grades 1-3) in 16 of 16 patients during an initial therapeutic infusion without premedication. The mean terminal half-life, clearance, and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-t)) at a dose of 40 mg/m2 for course 1 were 146 +/- 31 hours, 28 +/- 6 ml/hour, and 1922 +/- 491 mcg*hour/mL, respectively. Anti-human chimeric antibody was not detected. Two (2) patients in the 40 mg/m2 cohort had stable disease.An MTD of 40 mg/m2 without premedication was established for KW-2871, with urticaria being the most common side-effect and dose-limiting anaphylactoid infusion reactions.

To study the inhibiting effect of medicinal fungi Phellinus igniarius extracts on S180 tumor and the immunoregulation effect on the S180-induced tumor mice.S180 mice were orally given 100, 200, 400 mg x kg(-1) dosage of P. igniarius extracts, then the inhibition grow effect, spleen index, and thyme index were measured.Medicinal fungi P. igniarius extracts can increase the spleen index and thyme index and the inhibiting tumor rate was 31.88%, 46.25%, 53.13%, respectively. Also, medicinal fungi P. igniarius extracts can prolong life in mice.The medicinal fungi P. igniarius extracts show obviously anti-tumor effect and immunoregulation effect.

Elucidate the medicinal licorice species circumscription in order to develop licorice resources in China and select new cultivars.PCR amplification, DNA sequencing and cladistic analysis.Acquire the ITS sequences and phylogenetic tree of 8 licorice species.According to results Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa and G. glabra var. glandulosa should be combined into G. and G. glabra respectively and G. egladulosa is an independent species.

To study the chemical constituents of the volatile oil from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides.The volatile oil was steam distillation. Chemical constituents were separated and analyzed by GC-MS. The relative content of each component was determined by area nomalization.24 volatile compounds were isolated and identified for the first time, representing 70.83% of the total oil.The main constituents of this oil were aldehydes (31.15%), terpene and their oxide (20.66%), alkyls (8.35%), Furan heterocyclic compounds (6.41%), non terpene alcohol (4.26%). There are 12 compounds with contents over 3%. Among them, borneol has the highest content (9.35%).

The corn seedlings in hydroponic culture are treated with the lead acetate solutions of various concentrations, the content of Pb2+ in the roots, stems and leafs of the corns at 10th day, 20th day and 30th day is measured. The analyzing conclusions are that the contents of Pb2+ in the corns display a sequence of rootleafstem, the contains of chlorophyll in corns fall off, the raising of Pb2+ in solutions, the membrane penetrability of the corns increased along a sequence of rootleafstem, and the harmful rate of Pb2+ display a sequence of rootleafstem in corns. The data of the study gives some references for the further researches of the crops, relating the endurance and the distributing of corns with Pb2+.

To study the shade-endurance property of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and provide rationale for the practice of inter-cropping G. uralensis with trees.Black shading nets were used to provide five different environments of light intensities (light penetration rates of 100%, 75%, 65%, 50% and 25%, respectively). To assess the shade-endurance capacity of G. uralensis, several aspects were evaluated, including growth characters, physiological and ecological characters, biomass, and chemical contents.G. uralensis is a light-favored plant. The growth indices such as plant height, stem diameter, leaves number, root diameter, biomass, and daily average photosynthetic rate (Pn) are highest when light permeation rate is 100%. All these indices decrease when light intensity decreases. However, G. uralensis possesses shade-endurance capacity to some degree; it adapts to the shading environment by increasing the leaf area and chlorophyll contents. Shading has no obvious effect on the absolute light energy utilization rate (Eu) or Fv/Fm ratio. The influence of shading on the chemical contents of G. uralensis is obvious.

To ascertain the relationship between glycyrrhizinic acid content and the underground part growth character of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and provide the theoretical evidence for wild resources protection and artificial cultivation method of G. uralensis.Through the analytical investigation on the underground part of G. uralensis and analysis of glycyrrhizinic acid content in different organs, parts, ages, and diameter medicinal materials, the systematic study on the relationship between glycyrrhizinic acid content and the underground part growth character of glycyrrhiza uralensis was carried out.The underground part of a G. uralensis seedling consisted of seed root, random root, horizontal underground stem, vertical underground stem and assimilating root. The glycyrrhizinic acid content in horizontal underground stem with the age below two years old or in random root with the diameter below 0.5 cm was low. The difference of glycyrrhizinic acid content among horizontal underground stem, random root and vertical underground stem was obvious, but the difference between horizontal underground stem and random root was not obvious.The horizontal underground stem was of G. uralnesis acts as a link that can connect random root, vertical underground and stem assimilating root, so that the whole underground part constructs one huge underground net system. The glycyrrhizinic acid accumulation is a effected by organ type, growth age, root diameter and grow position, and the distribution pattern of random root and vertical underground stem has influence on glycyrrhizinic acid distribution in horizontal underground stem.

To study the effect of drought stress on the growth of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and its drought resistance characteristic.The growth in dicators of G. uralensis including leaf, stem, root and biomass were measured when two-years-old G. uralensis had lived in drought stress soil for 60 days.The growth of all organs of G. uralensis was restrained because of drought stress, especially to up ground organs.It is obvious that the restraining effect of drought stress on G. uralensis possesses organ speciality. Both yield and quality of G. uralensis will be satisfied when it grows in the soil with relative water content of 50%.

To find out the present situation and the development trend special fertilizer of the traditional Chinese medicina plants.By consulting a great deal of literatures on special fertilizer and fertilization on traditional Chinese medicine herbs, and based on the scientific research and manufacture experience of the author, and the theoretic actuality of the researches on the fertilization of traditional Chinese medicine herbs, the present study of the special fertilizer inside and outside of our country was analyzed.The view points of developing special fertilizer for Chinese traditional medicine were put forward, and the development trend of special fertilizer for traditional Chinese medicine herbs was forecasted.

To find out the licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis) distribution area, resource complexion and resource reserves of northeast China, to analyze the cause of the swing of the pendulum of resources, to put forward the countermeasure of resource protection and to provide evidence for the establishment of relative statutes.Combination of visit-inquisition and sample-square investigation involving the resource complexion of the 32 counties and cities in the northeast China wasmade.The east distribution boundary and the whole distribution current of licorice in the northeast China were determined the northeast licorice distributing region was compartmentalized into three typical sub-regions, and the licorice population character and artificial disturbing status in main counties of every sub-region were described. The licorice reserves were also figured out. At the same time, the nature and the artificial factors that influenced the swing of the pendulum of licorice resource were analyzed, and the correlative safeguard measure was brought forward.

To investigate the latest wild and cultivated licorice resource status; bring forward the licorice resource protection and sustainable utilization countermeasures in the center and western area of China.With study both in interview survey and field survey.All samples investigated were the species of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Human actions is concerned with the community status, reserves per unit and quality. Excessive exploitation made the licorice quality lower and reserves decrease.Enforcing the wild licorice resource protection and improving licorice cultivated technique are brought forward to act as the sustaining countermeasures.

The paper investigates the dynamical behaviors of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) in water, focusing on the effect of external environment (i.e., water) on SWCNT. The SWCNT-water system comprises three constituent parts, that is, the SWCNT, the absorbed layer of water molecules, and the water flow around the water layer. The SWCNT and the absorbed layer of water are modeled as two-layer thin shells coupled via the interlayer vdW interaction, and the water surrounding the absorbed water layer is considered as the potential flow. The numerical simulations show that the vdW interaction is responsible for an upshift in the frequency of the SWCNT and preserving the stability of system. Flow velocity has almost no effect on the natural frequency of SWCNT, while being quite significant for destabilizing of the CNT-fluid system. In addition, the effect of wavenumber on the coupled system is also considered. The study not only greatly reduces simulation time but also provides a new model to explain the experimental observation available in particular cases.

A self-propelled swimming fish model is established, which can reflect the interaction between fish movement, internal force generated by muscle contraction, and the external force provided by fluid. Using finite element immersed boundary method combined with traditional feedback force method, the self-propelled swimming fish is numerically simulated. Firstly, a self-induced vibration of a cantilever beam immersed in a fluid is one of the benchmarks of fluid-structure interaction, which is used to verify the validity of the numerical method. Secondly, start and cruise process of a single swimming fish in a straight-line swimming state is simulated and analysis of the flow characteristics and fish body movement features is done. The results reveal that the fish gain energy from flow field by the conversion of “C” type and “S” type of fish body.

Microvessel density (MVD) as an angiogenesis predictor is inefficient per se in cancer prognosis. We evaluated prognostic values of combining intratumoral alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive stromal cell density and MVD after curative resection in hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hypovascular pancreatic cancer (PC). Tissue microarrays were constructed from tumors of 305 HCC and 57 PC patients who underwent curative resection and analyzed for α-SMA and CD34 expression by immunostaining. Prognostic values of these two proteins and other clinicopathological features were examined. Both low α-SMA density and high MVD-CD34 were associated in HCC with the presence of intrahepatic metastasis and microvascular invasion, and they were related to lymph node involvement and microvascular invasion in PC (p

Background Heterogenity in gene expression profiles in tumor endothelial cells (TEC) has been reported reported. Our previous studies showed TEC is also different from endothelial cells isolated from adjacent normal liver tissue (NEC) in term of response to chemotherapeutics and anti-angiogenesis drugs. Methods TEC and NEC were isolated by CD31 and CD105 antibody conjuaged magnetic beads from tumor and adjacent nontumor liver tissues from 5 patients who were diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma with a positive alpha fetoprotein (> 20ng/ml). The purity of ECs was proved by LDL internalization assay, tube formation, immunostaining and RT-PCR to exclude tumor cell contamination. VEGFR1, VEGFR2, FGFR-2, CD31 and CD105 expression on the isolated ECs were assayed by flow cytometry within 3-5 passages. Response of different types of ECs to sorafenib treatment was observed, including cell proliferation, VEGFRs and FGFR expression. Results The isolated ECs were proved by tumor formation and LDL internalization. More than 97% cells are LDL positive. AFP was not detectable on the isolated ECs in both flow cytometry assay and immunostaining assay. VEGFRs and FGFR expression were different on CD105+TEC and CD31+TEC among different patients, ranging from 18% to 67% for VEGFR1, 1% to 8% for VEGFR2, and 18% to 25% for FGFR-2 on CD105+TEC, and 18% to 90% for VEGFR1, 10% to 40% for VEGFR2, and 18% to 30% for FGFR-2 on CD31+TEC. Expression of VEGFRs and FGFR is higher on CD105+ECs than those on CD31+ECs. While between TEC and NEC, the expression of VEGFRs and FGFR is also heterogeneous. Sorafenib at 5 mM inhibted proliferation of TEC and NEC in a dose-dependent manner, while NEC is more sensitive to sorafenib treatment. Conclusions VEGFRs and FGFR expression were different among different patients; CD105+EC and CD31+EC are probably two types of ECs with different biological features. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3493. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3493

Background The opposite effects of chemotherapy, which enhance the malignancy of treated cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are not well understood. We investigated this phenomenon and corresponding mechanisms to develop a novel approach for improving chemotherapy efficacy in HCC. Methods Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 (with low metastatic potential) and MHCC97L (with moderate metastatic potential) were used for the in vitro study. An orthotopic nude mouse model of human HCC was developed using MHCC97L cells. We then assessed the metastatic potential of surviving tumor cells after in vitro and in vivo oxaliplatin treatment. The molecular changes in surviving tumor cells were evaluated by western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The Chinese herbal extract Songyou Yin (composed of five herbs) was investigated in vivo to explore its effect on the metastatic potential of oxaliplatin-treated cancer cells. Results MHCC97L and HepG2 cells surviving oxaliplatin treatment showed enhanced migration and invasion in vitro. Residual HCC after in vivo oxaliplatin treatment demonstrated significantly increased metastasis to the lung (10/12 vs. 3/12) when re-inoculated into the livers of new recipient nude mice. Molecular changes consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed in oxaliplatin-treated tumor tissues and verified by in vitro experiments. The Chinese herbal extract Songyou Yin (4.2 and 8.4 g/kg) attenuated EMT and inhibited the enhanced metastatic potential of residual HCC in nude mice (6/15 vs. 13/15 and 3/15 vs. 13/15, respectively). Conclusions The surviving HCC after oxaliplatin treatment underwent EMT and demonstrated increased metastatic potential. Attenuation of EMT by Songyou Yin may improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in HCC.

Background: In preliminary studies, we have shown increased intrahepatic and pulmonary metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) long-time after radiotherapy using a metastatic human HCC orthotopic nude mice model. Tyroserleutide (YSL), which was authorized by Food and Drug Administration of USA as an orphan drug in September 2004, is a novel small molecule antitumor tripeptide. Previous studies have demonstrated YSL inhibited tumor growth of HCC in animal model. However, its effects on HCC metastasis are still unknown. We investigated YSL effects on the irradiation-induced invasiveness and metastatic potential of HCC and its related mechanism. Methods: The invasiveness of MHCC97L cells in vitro was detected using transwell invasion assay. A metastatic human HCC orthotopic nude mice model of MHCC97L was applied. YSL was administered directly to the model and further to the model postradiotherapy. Effects on tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis were evaluated. Pimonidazole and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) were used as hypoxia markers. Hypoxia, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4), and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins (E-cadherin, SIP1, Vimentin, and N-cadherin) were determined by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot. Results: YSL inhibited MHCC97L cells proliferation and invasion in vitro with or without irradiation. YSL did not significantly prohibit tumor growth but decreased pulmonary metastasis and prolonged life-span, which correlated with down-regulation of MMP-2. Radiotherapy inhibited tumor growth in early stage and promoted tumor hypoxia. Considering the limited life-span of mice, as well as discharging the effects of tumor load on mice, we adopted “tumor re-inoculation”. Although the replanted tumor volume in radiotherapy group had no significance in statistics as compared to its control, the incidence of lung metastasis increased postradiotherapy (6/6 versus 3/6, P = 0.046). YSL inhibited the growth of replanted tumor with radiotherapy. Furthermore, YSL almost completely inhibited lung metastasis induced by irradiation. YSL at 160 or 320 μg/kg/day significantly reduced lung metastases (1/6 versus 6/6, P = 0.002 for both groups, compared with the radiotherapy group). YSL down-regulated HIF-1α and TMPRSS4, and eventually inhibited EMT (up-regulation of E-cadherin and down-regulation of SIP1, Vimentin and N-cadherin) were associated with its anti-metastasis capability. Conclusions: YSL inhibits the enhanced invasiveness and metastatic potential of HCC induced by irradiation through down-regulation of HIF-1α and TMPRSS4 and inhibition of EMT. YSL may act as a new anti-metastasis agent for the clinical use of combination with radiotherapy. [Supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation-funded project (No. 20080440077)] Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1556.