Objective:To study the best extraction technology of Qishan sugar-free granule. Methods:The effects of boiling dura-tion, boiling times and water addition ratio on the extraction process were investigated by using L9 (34 ) orthogonal design, and the con-tents of total flavonoids, baicalin and berberine were taken as the indices. Results:The optimum conditions were as follows:10-fold a-mount of water for 2 cycles, and every extracting time was 1 hour. Conclusion: The best extraction technology of Qishan sugar-free granule is obtained, and the process is stable and feasible, and the contents of active components are high.

Objective To test the content of menthol in Chuanbei Pipa Syrup(CPS)by GC, and to evaluate its quality. Meth-ods The content of menthol in CPS was determined by capillary gas chromatography. DB-WAX capillary column (30 m ×0. 319 mm × 0. 50μm) was used with nitrogen as carrier gas. The precolumn pressure was 500 kPa and the column temperature was at 110 ℃ with split ratio of 25 : 1. The temperature was set at 250℃ for sample injection and for the detector. Results The content of menthol in CPS produced by Henan Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. , Zhengzhou Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. and Yunan Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. was 0. 154 mg/mL, 0. 203 mg/mL and 0. 109 mg/mL, respectively. Of them, the men-thol content in CPS produced by Zhengzhou Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. met the requirements of Pharmacopoeia(2005 edition), and that of the other two species was slightly lower. Conclusion The methods are convenient, reliable and accurate for the de-termination of menthol content in Chuanbei Pipa Syrup.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the improved percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) in elderly patients with mitral stenosis. Methods Elderly patients with severe mitral stenosis received an improved PBMV which included a modified way of atrial septal puncture and technique across the mitral valve. The left atrial pressrue (LAP), mean pulmonary pressure (MPA), mean gradient across the mitral value (MPG) and mitral valve area (MVA) were recorded and compared before and after the operation. Long term follow up were made. Results After operation, the LAP decreased [(25.3±6.7) mm Hg vs.(16.4±5.8) mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 Kpa], MPG decreased [(17.6±6.7) mm Hg vs.(6.8±2.9) mm Hg], MPA decreased [(38.6±12.1) mm Hg vs. (29.2±9.8) mm Hg], MVA increased [(1.05±0.22)cm2 vs.(1.61±0.38)cm2] and the New York heart association heart function classification improved. The follow-up result showed that the effect of PBMV was constant. Conclusions Improved PBMV may be an effective and safe measure for patients with mitral stenosis.

Objective: To analyze the expression of mecp2 gene at mRNA and protein;Cerebral cortex level in the cerebral cortex of the normal Wistar rat throughout development. Methods: We chose the 15th day (E15), 17th day (E17), 19th day (E19) of embryo period, the day of birth (P0), the 7th day (P7), the 14th day (P14), the 28th day (P28) of postnatal period, and adulthood as analyzing time points. The expression of mecp2 gene at mRNA level was analyzed by real time PCR and Northern blot. The expression of MeCP2 protein was analyzed by Western blot. Results: There was one type of mecp2 mRNA transcript (approximately 10 kb) expressed in the cerebral cortex of the normal Wistar rat. The expression level of mecp2 mRNA varied subtly during the development. There was one type of MeCP2 protein (75 000) expressed in the cerebral cortex of the normal Wistar rat. The expression level of MeCP2 protein remained the lowest on E15, from E19 to adulthood the expression levels of MeCP2 protein increased dramatically compared with that on E15. From P7 to adulthood, the differences of expression between two time points were subtle. Conclusion: The expression level of MeCP2 protein increases as the neurons in the cerebral cortex of normal Wistar rat grow mature. This indicates that MeCP2 protein is very important to neuron's maturation, and probably has relationship with maintaining maturation state of neurons.

Objective To analyze the relationship between thyroid function and grades of diabetic nephropa-thy (DN).Methods One hundred and twenty patients with definite DN were classified into the four groups,and forty patients with non-DN diabetic was NDN group.Their serum albumin,blood hemoglobin,serum potassium,functional parameters of thyroid and dependability to DN were analyzed.Results The plasma albumin ofⅢ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ group were (41.3 ±3.6)g/L,(30.5 ±4.8)g/L and (28.3 ±5.9)g/L,which were lower than those of NDN group (F=11.36,P<0.05).24h urine protein ofⅢ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ were (0.48 ±0.29)g,(1.86 ±0.54)g and (1.69 ±0.67)g, which were higher than those of group NDN (F=7.12,P<0.05).Triiodothyronine(T3)ofⅢ,ⅣandⅤgroup were (0.98 ±0.38)nmol/L,(0.75 ±0.41)nmol/L and (0.60 ±0.28)nmol/L,which were lower than those of NDN group (F=7.64,P<0.05).Tetraiodothyronine(T4)of III,IV and V group were (6.06 ±1.76)nmol/L,(5.31 ±1.98)nmol/L and (4.65 ±1.87)nmol/L,which were lower than those of NDN group (F=6.83,P<0.05 ).Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)ofⅢ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ group were (4.37 ±2.12)pmol/L,(3.33 ±2.30)pmol/L and (2.91 ±1.82)pmol/L, which were lower than those of NDN group (F=7.14,P<0.05 ).Correlation analysis indicated that FT3 was an independent predictor for the severity of diabetic nephropathy.Conclusion In the patients with DN Ⅳ and Ⅴ,DN has attained a very severe status and the treatment of DN should be intensive.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetic microangiopa-thy which gradually become the major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in recent years, even though its patho-genesis remains to be elucidated. Proteinuria is one of important malignant factors leading to the deterioration of DN as well as its mainly clinical feature. Lately experimental evidences show that podocyte phenotypic transformation could be a causative role in the genesis of the early DN proteinuria. In this context, it ’s necessary to review the relative bio-logical characteristics of podocyte phenotypic transformation, its associated signaling pathways, its relationship between proteinuria and the possible mechanism of its medical intervention including valsartan and triptolide.

In the present study, through a functional strategy, a metagenome library of the marine microbes from the surface water of the South China Sea was screened for beta-glucosidase and six positive clones were obtained. One of these clones, pSB47B2, was subcloned and further analysed in sequence. The result showed that there was an open reading frame for a novel beta-glucosidase, which was nominated as bgl1B. Using pET22b(+) as vector and Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) as host, Bgl1B was overexpressed recombinantly with high yield obtained and substantial enzymatic activity detected. The recombinant protein (rBgllB) was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and further biochemically characterized. The results indicated that, with pNPG as substrate, the optimum pH and temperature for the hydrolytic activity of rBgl1B were about 6.5 and 40 degrees C respectively. Under the optimum conditions, rBgl1B hydrolyzed pNPG with an activity up to 39.7 U/mg, Km and Vmax being 0.288 mmol/L and 36.9 micromol/min respectively. In addition, rBgl1B could also hydrolyze cellobiose, with a Km of 0.173 mmol/L and a Vmax of 35 micromol/min. However, we did not detect evident hydrolytic activity of rBgl1B to lactose, maltose, sucrose, and CMC. The enzymatic activity of rBgl1B to pNPG was stimulated to certain degrees by low concentration of Ca2+ or Mn2+, whereas it exhibited significant tolerance against high Na+. Distinguished from most of the beta-glucosidases derived from fungi, which display the highest activities under acidic conditions, rBgl1B exhibited relatively higher activity and stability at pH between 7.0 and 9.0.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme Stability ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Metagenome ; genetics ; Metagenomics ; methods ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Seawater ; microbiology ; beta-Glucosidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine whether genetic polymorphisms of beta2-adrenergic receptor gene affect asthma susceptibility and play a role in disease regulation.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-six unrelated childhood asthma cases and 32 families with 192 samples were studied. The polymorphisms at amino acid positions 16, 27, 164 and nucleic acid residue 523 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease digestion.

RESULTSThe amino acid 164 Thr/Ile variant was seen only in the heterozygote form, and it occurred with a frequency of 3% which is similar to the published results among Caucasians. There were significant differences in the allele frequencies of the other 3 polymorphisms between Chinese and the published results among Caucasians (P<0.001). No polymorphism was found to be associated with total serum IgE, the number of positive prick skin test and FEV1. No significant association was noted between either the arginine-glycine 16 or the glutamine-glutamate 27 polymorphisms and the airway responsiveness to beta2-agonists in childhood asthma cases.

CONCLUSIONIn this study population, the authors were unable to confirm that the polymorphism of beta2-adrenergic receptor gene is a crucial factor of the susceptibility to asthma and a major genetic determinant of different clinical status.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Asthma ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Codon ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; genetics ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 ; genetics

Objective To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of measles in patients of different age groups in Northeast China in 2014.Methods The clinical data of patients with measles in ten hospitals of infectious diseases in Northeast China from January 2014 to June 2014 were collected.Patients were divided into <16 age group and ≥16 age group, and the epidemiology , clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of all patients were retrospectively reviewed .SPSS 17.0 was used for data analysis.Results There were 1 401 patients with measles, in which 402 were <16-year old, and 999 were ≥16-year old.Clinical manifestations were mainly maculopapule (100.0%), fever (84.58%), cough (85.80%), Koplik’ s spot (73.23%), pharyngeal hyperemia (71.23%), diarrhea (43.97%), expectoration (40.97%), tears (39.40%) and runny nose (30.55%).The incidences of Koplik’s spot, sputum, pharyngeal hyperemia and diarrhea in <16 age group were lower than those in ≥16 age group (χ2 =8.364, 29.768, 10.953 and 6.701, P<0.05 or <0.01); while the incidence of runny nose was higher than that in ≥16 age group (χ2 =6.703, P<0.05).Abnormalities were found in blood routine examination, C-reactive protein (CRP), liver and kidney function, serum electrolyte levels, myocardial enzymes, and so on.Increasing in WBC, PLT and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB), and decreasing in WBC were observed in 38(9.45%), 122(30.35%), 279(69.40%) and 105(26.12%), patients in <16 age group, which were higher than those in ≥16 age group [45(4.5%), 14(1.40%), 347(34.73%) and 202(20.22%)], and the differences were of statistical significance (χ2 =12.593, 274.033, 139.385 and 5.830, P<0.05 or P<0.01).Increasing in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), CRP, total bilirubin level (TBil), creatine kinase (CK), and decreasing in albumin (Alb), K+, Na+, Cl-were observed in 70(17.41%), 7(1.74%), 38(9.45%), 7(1.74%), and 214(53.23%), 59(14.68%), 45(11.19%), 94(23.38%) patients in <16 age group, which were lower than those in ≥16 age group [668(66.87%), 89(8.91%), 277(27.73%), 714(71.47), and 268(26.83%), 339(33.93%), 642(64.26%), 450 (45.05%)], and the differences were of statistical significance (χ2 =281.230, 23.073, 50.687, 159.740, and 14.674,114.286, 44.268, 271.546, P<0.01).Laryngitis and pneumonia were the most common complications.The incidence of laryngitis in <16 age group was 12.69% (51/402), which was higher than that in ≥16 years group (93/999, 9.31%,χ2 =3.545, P<0.05);while the incidence of spot shadows demonstrated by X-ray in <16 years group ( 72.89%, 121/166 ) was higher than that in ≥16 years group (265/445, 59.55%,χ2 =9.249, P<0.01).Conclusions There are differences in clinical features of measles in patients between <16 age group and ≥16 age group.Basic immunization in children and revaccination in adults should be enhanced to control the epidemics of measles .

BackgroundThe relationship between lipids and coronary artery disease has been well established. However, this is not the case between lipids and heart failure. Ironically, high lipid levels are associated with better outcomes in heart failure, but the mechan-isms underlying the phenomenon are not fully understood. This study was performed to test the hypothesis that reduced intestinal lipid absorption due to venous congestion may lead to low lipid levels.MethodsWe collected data of clinical characteristics, echocardio-graph, and lipid profile in 442 unselected patients with congestive heart failure. Correlations between lipid levels[including total cho-lesterol(TCL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and triglycerides(TG)]and right ventricle end diastolic diameter (RVEDD), left ventricle end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), right atrium diameter (RA), left atrium diameter (LA), or left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were analyzed using Pearson correlation and partial correlation. RVEDD, LVEDD, RA, and LA were indexed to the body surface area.ResultsThere was a significantly inverse correlation between TCL le-vels and RVEDD (r=-0.34,P<0.001) and RA (r=-0.36,P<0.001). Other lipids such as LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG had asimilar inverse correlation with RVEDD and RA. All these correlations remained unchanged after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, physical activity levels, comorbidities, and medication use.ConclusionsLipid levels were inversely correlated to RVEDD in patients with congestive heart failure; however, because this was an observational study, further investigation is needed to verify our results as wellas identify a causal relationship, if any.