Elevation of glutathione levels by ammonium ions in primary cultures of rat astrocytes

It is well established that ammonia is detoxified in the brain to form glutamine and that astrocytes play a major role in this process. The synthesis of glutamine requires glutamate and ATP. Since glutamate and ATP are also required for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), we examined the effect of pathophysiological concentrations of ammonia on levels of GSH in primary cultures of astrocytes. GSH content in the medium increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the presence of ammonia. After an initial decrease, cellular GSH content increased in a similar manner. The levels of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were also increased. A linear relationship was observed between ammonia concentration and the increase in GSH levels. An increase in the efflux of GSH from cells into medium was also observed under these conditions. Buthionine sulfoximine and acivicin, but not methionine sulfoximine, blocked the ammonia induced increase in GSH levels. No, or minor, changes in the activities of enzymes (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, GSH reductase and GSH-peroxidase) that might influence GSH levels were identified and thus could not account for the ammonia induced increase in GSH levels in astrocytes. These findings indicate that pathophysiological concentrations of ammonium ions result in increased astroglial levels of GSH which may affect the metabolism and function of astrocytes.

[Relation of pilots symptoms with some physiological parameters under vestibular stimulus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation of vestibular stimulus induced symptoms to electrogastrogram (EGG), electronystagmogram (ENG), acupoint potential (AP), skin temperature (ST) heart rate variability (HRV) and content of urine hormones.

METHOD

The physiological parameters were recorded before, during and after vestibular stimuli. Graybiel's scoring standard was used, and progressive regression analysis of symptoms and physiological parameters were made.

RESULT

The regression equations were obtained from data before, during and after the stimuli.

CONCLUSION

Three regression equations might be used.

Molecular basis of NMDA receptor-coupled ion channel modulation by S-nitrosylation

Several ion channels are thought to be directly modulated by nitric oxide (NO), but the molecular basis of this regulation is unclear. Here we show that the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-associated ion channel was modulated not only by exogenous NO but also by endogenous NO. Site-directed mutagenesis identified a critical cysteine residue (Cys 399) on the NR2A subunit whose S-nitrosylation (NO+ transfer) under physiological conditions underlies this modulation. In cell systems expressing NMDARs with mutant NR2A subunits in which this single cysteine was replaced by an alanine, the effect of endogenous NO was lost. Thus endogenous S-nitrosylation can regulate ion channel activity.

Treatment of severe electrical burns

In summary, electrical injury is a typical type of burn injury with a unique mechanism of systemic and local damage. Resuscitation is more complex in critical patients than that of thermal injury. Local management is more difficult, which could be eventually accomplished by sequential procedures of debridement and operation. Although the modern trend of performing early debridement and operation might be promising, traditional experiences are still being used in clinical care. Progress in clinical management has brought about an improvement in therapeutic outcome, resulting in a decrease of amputation rate and reduced disability. Some typical types of electrical injury demand special treatment, which might prove to be effective. Close observation and timely treatment of the injury itself and related complications will be lifesaving in caring for critical electrical injury. Some special therapeutic measures would be indicated and might be fruitful in proving their efficacy. New measures aimed at theoretical problems will be promising if electroporation could be effectively treated.

[Epidemiological analysis on the risk factors of intrauterine transmission of hepatitis virus C]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possibility and risk factors of intrauterine transmission of hepatitis virus C (HCV) in Taiyuan City.

METHODS

Anti-HCV and HCV RNA were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR), in 64 mothers with HCV or HCV RNA positive and their newborns cord blood samples. Case-control study was used for the risk factors analysis.

RESULTS

The infection rate of HCV was 66.15% in newborns from anti-HCV or HCV RNA positive mothers. The intrauterine transmission rate was 100% in newborns from HCV RNA positive mothers. There was a significant correlation between HCV intrauterine transmission and maternal history of blood transfusion and abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and the relative risk was 317.15 and 2.60, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher incidence of intrauterine transmission was found in newborns from HCV RNA or anti-HCV positive mothers. The high risk factors of intrauterine transmission are maternal blood transfusion history and abnormal ALT.

Proteasome-dependent cyst formation and stage-specific ubiquitin mRNA accumulation in Entamoeba invadens

Proteases play an important role in the pathogenic mechanisms and differentiation events of protozoan parasites; the proteasome/ubiquitin system is essential for maintaining the differentiation state of many cell types. A single input of the specific inhibitor of proteasomes, lactacystin, prevented encystation of the protozoan parasite Entameoba invadens, whereas a cysteine protease inhibitor, E64, only delayed encystation. The ameba target of lactacystin was purified and it displayed the features typical of eukaryotic 20S proteasome complexes. In addition, transcripts encoding ubiquitin were detectable in trophozoites stage cells, disappeared immediately following transfer of amoebae to encystation induction medium, and reappeared at the same time during encystation as other encystation-specific transcripts. These results demonstrate that proteasome function is required during the conversion of the disease-causing trophozoite into the infectious cyst stage of Entamoeba parasites, and that ubiquitin transcript levels undergo an unusual decrease during the early stages of this differentiation process.

Immunocytochemical localization of histamine in enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in rat oxyntic mucosa: a transmission electron microscopy study using monoclonal antibodies and conventional glutaraldehyde-based fixation

Histamine (HA), contained in the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells of the gastric mucosa in animals, plays an important role in gastric acid secretion, although methods for its exact morphological localization are still lacking. We used a pre-embedding indirect immunoperoxidase approach to define the fine structural localization of HA in rat oxyntic mucosa that was fixed with a glutaraldehyde-based fixative and HA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs AHA-1 and 2). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the peroxidase endproduct not only was concentrated in the cores of cytoplasmic granules but also was distributed to a high degree in the cytoplasm peripheral to the granules of the ECL cells. These results suggest that in ECL cells HA is enzymatically synthesized in the cytoplasm, then is transported and stored in the cores of the granules before its release from the basal lamina. The present HA immunoelectron microscopic method with MAbs would be applicable more generally to the ultrastructural identification of HA-containing cells.

A genetic linkage map of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] based on amplified fragment length polymorphism

A genetic linkage map of tef was constructed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers using F(5) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived by single seed descent from the intraspecific cross of 'Kaye Murri'×'Fesho'. A total of 192 EcoRI/MseI primer combinations were screened for parental polymorphism. Around three polymorphic fragments per primer combination were detected, indicating a low polymorphism level in tef. Fifty primer combinations were selected to assay the mapping population, and 226 loci segregated among 85 F(5) RILs. Most AFLP loci behaved as dominant markers (presence or absence of a band), but about 15% of the loci were codominant. Significant deviations from the expected Mendelian segregation ratio were observed for 26 loci. The genetic linkage map comprised 211 markers assembled into 25 linkage groups and covered 2,149 cM of genome. AFLP is an efficient marker system for mapping plant species with low polymorphism such as tef. This is the first genetic linkage map constructed for tef. It will facilitate the mapping of genes controlling agronomically important traits and cultivar improvement in tef.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers linked to a major quantitative trait locus controlling scab resistance in wheat

ABSTRACT Scab is a destructive disease of wheat. To accelerate development of scab-resistant wheat cultivars, molecular markers linked to scab resistance genes have been identified by using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived by single-seed descent from a cross between the resistant wheat cultivar Ning 7840 (resistant to spread of scab within the spike) and the susceptible cultivar Clark. In the greenhouse, F(5), F(6), F(7), and F(10) families were evaluated for resistance to spread of scab within a spike by injecting about 1,000 conidiospores of Fusarium graminearum into a central spikelet. Inoculated plants were kept in moist chambers for 3 days to promote initial infection and then transferred to greenhouse benches. Scab symptoms were evaluated four times (3, 9, 15, and 21 days after inoculation). The frequency distribution of scab severity indicated that resistance to spread of scab within a spike was controlled by a few major genes. DNA was isolated from both parents and F(9) plants of the 133 RILs. A total of 300 combinations of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primers were screened for polymorphisms using bulked segregant analysis. Twenty pairs of primers revealed at least one polymorphic band between the two contrasting bulks. The segregation of each of these bands was evaluated in the 133 RILs. Eleven AFLP markers showed significant association with scab resistance, and an individual marker explained up to 53% of the total variation (R(2)). The markers with high R(2) values mapped to a single linkage group. By interval analysis, one major quantitative trait locus for scab resistance explaining up to 60% of the genetic variation for scab resistance was identified. Some of the AFLP markers may be useful in marker-assisted breeding to improve resistance to scab in wheat.

[Effects of vestibular stimulus on heart rate variability]

Possible effects of vestibular stimulation autonomic nerve function in pilots were studied by observing changes of Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Time domain and frequency domain analyses demonstrated that the primarily averages, standard deviation of the HRV averages(SD), least or greatest value, deviation of greatest minus least value, interrelated averages, square root of the mean of the sum of squares of differences between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD), total power(TP), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/TP, HF/TP, and LF/HF all had significant increase or decrease (P <0.05 - <0.01) and the degrees of changes were related to the intensity of the stimulations.

Immunoelectron microscopic study for polyamines

The polyamines (PAs) are ubiquitous polycationic metabolites in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and are believed to be intimately involved in the regulation of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis, the exact function of which remains unclear, mainly because of a lack of knowledge of PA subcellular localization. In this study, using immunoelectron microscopy, we have demonstrated that PAs are predominantly located on free and attached ribosomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the neurons of the lateral reticular nucleus of rat medulla oblongata. The nuclei, axons, and nerve endings were devoid of PA. This suggests that PAs are one of the components of biologically active ribosomes, being closely involved in the translation processes of protein biosynthesis.

Synergistic activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 promoter by myocyte enhancer factor 2C and Sp1

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor plays important roles in neuronal development, plasticity, and cell death. NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) is an essential subunit of the NMDA receptor and is developmentally expressed in postnatal neurons of the central nervous system. Here we identify on the NR1 promoter a binding site for myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), a developmentally expressed neuron/muscle transcription factor found in cerebrocortical neurons, and study its regulation of the NR1 gene. Co-expression of MEF2C and Sp1 cDNAs in primary neurons or cell lines synergistically activates the NR1 promoter. Disruption of the MEF2 site or the MEF2C DNA binding domain moderately reduces this synergism. Mutation of the Sp1 sites or the activation domains of Sp1 protein strongly reduces the synergism. Results of yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation experiments reveal a physical interaction between MEF2C and Sp1 proteins. The MEF2C DNA binding domain is sufficient for this interaction. Dominant-negative MEF2C interferes with expression of NR1 mRNA in neuronally differentiated P19 cells. Growth factors, including epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, can up-regulate NR1 promoter activity in stably transfected PC12 cells, even in the absence of the MEF2 site, but the Sp1 sites are necessary for this growth factor regulation, suggesting that Sp1 sites may mediate these effects.

[Patterns of care in community mental health services in Lombardy]

OBJECTIVE

The analysis aims to study patterns of care of patients in contact with 5 Psychiatric Services in Lombardy. Four patterns have been identified long term-high users, non long term-high users, long term-non high users, non long term-non high users.

DESIGN

Data were provided by the regional Psychiatric Information System. The cohort of patients have been composed by 5,670 patients included in 1994 one year prevalence.

SETTING

Five Psychiatric Services (Merate, Treviglio, Crema, Desio, Castano Primo) with a total population of 610,184 inhabitants aged over 14. MAIN UTILISED MEASURES: Some sociodemographic and clinical variables have been taken into consideration for a descriptive analysis; a multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify the characteristics of patients associated with different patterns.

RESULTS

Long term-high users were 5.3%, i.e. a mean rate of 4.9/10,000 residents over 14, and absorbed 60% of resources, the absence of a partner was associated in regression analysis with this pattern. Non long term-high users were 1.2%, i.e. a mean rate of 1.1/10,000 residents over 14, and absorbed 7.8% of resources; age below 45, unemployment, absence of a partner, severe mental illness and first contact with Psychiatric Services in the period 1985-1989 were predictive variables. Long term-non high users were 23.4%, i.e. a mean rate of 21.6/10,000 residents over 14, and absorbed 18.1% of resources; age below 45, unemployment, living alone, absence of a partner, severe mental illness and first contact with Psychiatric Services before 1990 were predictive variables. Non long term-non high users were 70.1%, i.e. a mean rate of 64.8/10,000 residents over 14 and, absorbed 18.1% of resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Data show that on the whole the activity of Psychiatric Services is addressed to most serious patients, though considerable differences between Psychiatric Services utilisation may be found. This study highlights the importance of a regional Psychiatric Information System, that allows the monitoring in time and in the regional territory of patterns of care.

Enzyme immunoassay for a characteristic protein in the animal crude drug lumbricus

A new method was developed to measure the content of a Lumbricus component in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). An antiserum specific to Lumbricus was elicited in a rabbit following immunization with a suspension of Lumbricus fragments. A characteristic antigen protein, 70 kDa, was found in Lumbricus and was purified almost to singleness using a column chromatography series of gel filtration and DEAE-Sepharose. A selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) was developed using the antiserum and the purified 70 kDa protein as a solid-phase antigen. The SAEIA was specific to Lumbricus species, and showed no cross-reaction with any crude drugs other than Lumbricus. This SAEIA detected 70 kDa protein in the amount of 10 ng/ml with excellent reproducibility (coefficient of variation=3.0%) and an EC50 of 0.24 microg/ml. Using this assay, Lumbricus levels were easily determined in a Lumbricus-based TCM Kazecoll, but not in the control Kazecoll (Kakkonto) prepared without Lumbricus. The SAEIA for 70 kDa protein was simple, accurate, reproducible and may provide a general analytical method for the quality control of Lumbricus-based TCMs.

Androgen regulation of the human ornithine decarboxylase promoter in prostate cancer cells

We studied the response of the human ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) promoter to androgen in human prostate cancer cell lines. In the well-differentiated, androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer line LNCaP, a genomic ODC promoter fragment that includes putative androgen response elements was suppressed by androgen. In contrast, the androgen-regulated probasin promoter was induced by androgens. The ODC promoter was also induced by cotransfected androgen receptor in the poorly differentiated, androgen-insensitive human prostate cancer cell line PPC-1. We examined the effects of cotransfected mutant androgen receptors containing the LNCaP mutation or DNA-binding mutations. All cotransfected androgen receptors switched the ODC androgen response from suppression to induction in LNCaP cells. Gel-shift and DNA footprint assays demonstrated androgen receptor binding to an ODC sequence that does not contain a consensus androgen response element. Deletion of the sequence abolished androgen suppression of the ODC promoter. We propose a model of pleiotropic gene regulation by androgen that requires a regulatory balance between androgen receptor and a transcription factor binding to the nonconsensus androgen response element.

[Observation of electronystagmogram in pilots under vestibular stimulation]

The relationship between electronystagmogram(ENG) and intensity of vestibular stimulation was observed in 62 pilots. 31 pilots received low intensity vestibular stimulation and the other 31 pilots received higher intensity vestibular stimulation. Electronystagmogram were recorded and analysed. The results showed that there was no relationship between the ENG parameters and stimulation intensity, but both slow phase and fast phase velocities and amplitudes were lower under Coriolis acceleration stimulus, while all of them were higher under angular acceleration and angular stimulations. It was also found that the fast phase amplitude of ENG was related to motion sickness symptoms of the subjects.

Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins and neuron-restrictive silencer factor participate in cell-specific transcriptional control of the NMDAR1 gene

Our previous studies revealed that a proximal region of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1) promoter is important for cell-type-specific expression. We have now explored the contributions of several regulatory elements to this specificity. Deletion of the neuron-restrictive silencer element partially relieved the suppression of promoter activity in C6 glioma and HeLa cells. An overlapping G(C/G)G/tandem Sp1-containing region crucial for both basal and nerve growth factor (NGF)-regulated promoter activity specifically bound nuclear proteins on its purine-rich sense strand. A faster migrating complex, single-stranded binding protein complex 1 (SBPC1), was highly enriched in HeLa cells, whereas a slower migrating complex, SBPC2, was enriched in PC12 cells. A high ratio of 2/1 complex correlated with a high level of promoter activity. NGF treatment of PC12 cells reduced SBPC1 but increased SBPC2. Competition experiments showed that the SBPC1 binding required a dG4 sequence and the SBPC2 needed a core of TG3A plus a 5'-flanking sequence. Single-stranded DNA encompassing TG3A and/or dG4 specifically suppressed cotransfected NMDAR1 promoter activity. UV cross-linking studies indicated that a 31.5-kDa protein mainly formed SBPC1, whereas SBPC2 contained several larger proteins. Our results suggest that neuron-restrictive silencer factor and single-stranded DNA-binding proteins may both play a role in cell-type specificity of the NMDAR1 gene, and the latter may also be involved in basal and NGF-regulated activity.

Development and application of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for Glycyrrhizae Radix protein (GRP) using monoclonal antibodies

We have developed mouse monoclonal antibodies (anti-GRP mAb-1-5, all IgG1 sub-isotype mAbs) against Glycyrrhizae Radix protein (GRP), which was recently determined to be a marker protein of Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR). Among these, anti-GRP mAb-1 and 2 were found to recognize different epitopes on the GRP molecule, as demonstrated by ELISA analysis, and were used for the development of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay (SEIA) for GRP in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). The SEIA was based on the principle of binding an analyte to anti-GRP mAb2 coated on polystyrene microtiter wells, followed by immunoreaction with biotinylated anti-GRP mAb1 and horseradish peroxidase-streptavidin. The SEIA was specific to GRP in GRs, and showed no cross-reaction with any Leguminosae crude drugs other than GRs. This SEIA detected GRP with excellent reproducibility (coefficient of variation=5.9%), an EC50 of 11.5 ng/well and a detection limit of 0.1 ng/well. The present SEIA was about 10-times more sensitive in detecting GRP than the selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) for GRP previously developed using an antiserum to GR itself. Also, the SEIA has such a low assay background that it allowed us to detect a low concentration of GRP in Kyuki-tyoketsu-in-daiichi-kagen (KTIDK), a TCM consisting of only 2.7% GR. The GRP SEIA was simple, accurate, reproducible and may provide a general analytical method for the quality control of GR-based TCMs.

Isolation and characterization of phenoloxidase from egg masses of the gastropod mollusc, Biomphalaria glabrata

Previous studies have shown that phenoloxidase activity is present in the albumen gland and egg masses of Biomphalaria glabrata, and its potential role in egg formation in this snail has been proposed. In the present study, a phenoloxidase enzyme has been isolated from the supernatant of egg mass homogenates using a combination of hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration high-performance liquid chromatography (GF-HPLC). The isolated phenoloxidase eluted as a single peak of activity upon GF-HPLC (representing a 132-fold purification) and subsequently was detected as a single band with an estimated molecular mass of 35 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. Phenylthiourea-inhibitable mono- and diphenoloxidase activities were demonstrated for the isolated enzyme suggesting that both enzyme activities are associated with a single, tyrosinase-type molecule.

Phenoloxidase activity in the reproductive system of Biomphalaria glabrata: role in egg production and effect of schistosome infection

Infection by larval trematodes often causes a cessation of egg production in its molluscan intermediate host and is referred to as parasitic castration. Because phenoloxidase (PO) has been shown to be involved in egg formation in other invertebrate species, we investigated the role of PO in normal egg production in the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, and the effects of Schistosoma mansoni infection on the PO pathway in this snail. Our data showed that PO activity in the albumen gland (AG) is initially expressed when snails reach a size of approximately 8 mm in shell diameter and continues to increase as snails grow, indicating a developmental link between snail size and AG PO expression. Egglaying was also shown to be coincidental with the onset of PO expression in the AG, thereby supporting a direct association between PO activity and egg production. In addition, exposure of snails to diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), a PO inhibitor, affected normal in vivo egg production, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the numbers of eggs laid in DDC-treated groups compared to nontreated groups. Normal resumption of egg-laying activity in treated snails following withdrawal of the drug indicated that inhibition was reversible. Taken together, the results of our developmental and DDC-exposure studies provide strong support for a crucial role of PO in normal egg production in this animal. Finally, AG PO activities of infected and uninfected control snails were measured over the course of S. mansoni infection. Our results showed that both total and specific enzyme activities in the AG of infected snails were significantly decreased at 28 and 33 days postinfection (PI) when compared to those of control snails. Results of subsequent experiments assessing the effects of larval infection on L-tyrosine (PO substrate) levels in AG and ovotestis revealed a significant increase in the levels of this compound in both organs over the course of infection. It is concluded that AG PO activity is functionally linked to egg formation in normal snails and that a strong association exists between parasite-mediated decrease in AG PO activity and parasitic castration. However, from the data presented, a direct causal relationship linking infection, decreased PO, and castration has yet to be established.

[EGG and nausea under vestibular stimulus]

81 pilots were exposed to vestibular stimulus with Coriolis acceleration. They were divided into two groups, the first group consisted of 38 pilots with nausea symptoms, the second group 43 pilots without nausea symptom. Dominant frequency instability coefficient (DFIC), dominant power instability coefficient (DPIC), Tachygastria, Bradygastria and normal slow wave components (NSW) of the electrogastrogram (EGG) were analyzed. The results showed that Bradygastria and NSW of EGG were related to nausea symptom of pilots under Coriolis stimulation.

Polyamine-like immunoreactivity in rat neurons

The localization of polyamine (PA) pools in motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons and in the nerve cells of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of rats was examined by immunocytochemical method using the monoclonal antibody ASPM-29 specific to spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) fixed in situ. Strong PA immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm and dendrites of the large perikaryon of motor neurons in the anterior spinal column, in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, in the pyramidal cells of the cerebrum, in the nerve cells of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei in the hypothalamus, and in the nerve cells of the spinal and autonomic ganglions. No PA immunoreactivity was seen in the nucleus and nerve terminals of the neurons. The PA immunoreactivities in the motor and sensory neurons were characterized by clustered masses and blocks of immunoreactive cells. Irrespective of location, small and medium-sized neurons were weakly PA-positive. The glia cells, some stellite cells, and Schwann cells were almost completely PA-negative. These results may suggest that in neurons PAs are not transported axonally, but are located in conjunction with Nissl bodies (the rough endoplasmic reticulum), specified as sites for protein synthesis within cells.

Application of a licorice root specific protein to a general method for the assay of licorice root components in traditional Chinese medicines

A new fuzzy immunoassay method generally applied to ten Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) preparations of four different botanical origins was studied. Four kinds of antisera were elicited in rabbits immunized with GRs of different botanical origins. The presence of the characteristic GR protein (GRP) was shown using Western blot analyses and selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) methods. A GRP was isolated from one of the GR specimens which was selected using SAEIA methods. The isolated GRP was heated to reduce its binding activity to an anti-GR serum. A new fuzzy SAEIA method generally applicable for assay of the extract of the ten GR specimens was developed using heat-treated GRP as the solid-phase antigen. The fuzzy SAEIA method was successfully applied for the detection and quantitative analysis of the GR component contained in traditional Chinese medicines.