A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of tetrahydropalmatine (THP) and dehydrocorydaline (DHC) in rat plasma. The compounds were simply pretreated by protein precipitation using acetone. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase SB-C18 column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (0. 1% acetic acid) and step gradient elution resulted at a flow rate of 0.80 mL x min(-1). A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as detector and operated in the positive ion mode. Quantification was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transitions m/z 356. 2 --> m/z 191.9 and m/z 366. 2 --> m/z 350.2 for THP and DHC respectively. The method showed excellent linearity over the concentration range 1-1 000 ng x mL(-1) of two components (r = 0.994 for THP and r = 0.992 for DHC). The low limits of quantification were both 1 ng x mL(-1). The extract recoveries of analytes were from 71.71% to 91.59% for THP and from 83.27% to 103.15% for DHC. The precisions, the accuracy and the stability of the analytes meet the requirements. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of THP and DHC after oral administration of the total alkaloid extraction of Rhizoma Corydalis (Yanhusuo). The AUC were (1.90 +/- 0.04), (2.58 +/- 0.08) and (4.34 +/- 0.19) mg x L(-1) h for low, medium and high doses of THP, respectively. While the DHC concentrations in plasma of low dose and medium dose were too lower to be detected, the AUC of high dose was (0.0896 +/- 0.0002) mg x L(-1) h.
Administration, Oral ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Berberine Alkaloids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was applied for the quantification of each component: tetrahydropalmatine (THP), dehydrocorydaline (DHC), salvianolic acid B (SAB), ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and Rd in the Chinese herbal component SSTG (Shuangshentongguan) with different combinations. The pharmacokinetic data were analyzed with WinNonlin 5.2 software. The results showed that combination can increase the THP AUC value while the AUC values of SAB, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and Rd were reduced. These results showed significant differences. The AUC value of ginsenoside Rb1 was increased when combined with Danshen or Yanhusuo, but reduced when combined with Danshen and Yanhusuo. The DHC concentration in serum was too low to be determined.
Benzofurans ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacokinetics ; Phenanthrolines ; pharmacokinetics

This study was purposed to investigate the relationship between expression of the FANCG gene and adult sporadic acute myeloid leukemia (AML), real-time PCR with SYBR Green I technique was used for detecting FANCG gene expression level in bone marrow mononuclear cells of 54 newly diagnosed AML patients, 46 AML patients in complete remission (CR) and 36 control samples. β-actin gene was used as internal reference. Relative changes of FANCG gene expression level were detected by 2(-ΔΔCT) method in newly diagnosed AML patients and control samples, in newly diagnosed AML and patient in CR, as well as in AML patients in CR and control samples. The results showed that the relative expression level of FANCG mRNA was 0.56 ± 0.27 in newly diagnosed group, 0.75 ± 0.54 in AML CR group, and 0.85 ± 0.45 in control group. The expression level of FANCG mRNA in newly diagnosed group was significantly lower than that in control and AML CR groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant deference in comparison of AML CR group with the control group (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the expression of FANCG gene decrease in the newly diagnosed AML patients. There is no significant difference between AML CR group and control group, which indicated that FANCG gene may be related with the onset and the prognosis of AML, and may provide a clinical value for evaluating effect of chemotherapy.
Adult ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group G Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To study the risk factors related with progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI)after severe head injury for a view to early diagnosis and treatment for this disease and providing a basis for effective prevention. Methods In a retrospective study of 262 patients with severe brain injury in considering the clinical data of the PHI, the occurrence is variable, and age, gender, bleeding site, type of bleeding, dilated pupils starus, level of systolic blood pressure on admission, time of CT for the first time,GOS scores, injured mechanism, interval between first and second time CT, application of high-dose mannitol, platelet (PLT) count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial prothrombin time (APTT) were considered as independent variables. Results The incidence rate of having PHI was 47.7% (125/262);single-factor analysis revealed that, as compared with those in patients with non-PHI, 7 factors in patients with PHI were significantly different, namely, age, type of hemorrhage, interval between injury and first-time CT, GCS scores, PLT count, PT and APTT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the results showed that interval between injury and first-time CT, GCS scores, PLT count were the risk factors of having PHI, and their OR values were 3.5448, 3.2975 and 2.2361, respectively. Conclusion For patients with severe brain injury, the sooner the first time CT examination is performed, the lower the GCS scores are and the lower the PLT count is, the higher risk of having PHI is. Thus, dynamic CT formal review is suggested to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of PHI.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of lutein on apoptosis and its mechanism.

METHODThe cells of human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 were grown in RPMI medium containing 10% bovine serum and were treated with lutein at 100 microg x mL(-1) concentration. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the effects of lutein on cell apoptosis of EC9706 cells. Histochemistry was performed to determine apoptosis-related protein expresion.

RESULTFlow cytometry analyses revealed that lutein increased EC9706 cell apoptosis ratio when treated with lutein 100 microg x mL(-1) at 96 h. Lutein decreased the expression of Bcl-2 protein and increased the expression of Bax protein in EC9706 cells.

CONCLUSIONLutein could inhibit mitosis and stimulate apoptosis of EC9706 cells. The apoptotic effect may result from the down-regulation of expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulation expression of Bax.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lutein ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo determine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in assessing the left ventricular diastolic function and in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction.

METHODSWe measured the peak diastolic velocities of mitral annulus in 81 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction and 50 normal volunteers by Doppler tissue imaging using the apical window at 2-chamber and long apical views, respectively. The myocardial velocities were determined with use of variance F statistical analysis.

RESULTSEarly diastolic myocardial velocities of mitral annulus were higher in normal subjects than in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with either delayed relaxation, pseudonormal filling, or restrictive filling. However, peak myocardial velocities of mitral annulus during atrial contraction were similar in normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

CONCLUSIONDoppler tissue imaging can directly reflect upon left diastolic ventricular function. Early phase of diastole was the best discriminator between control subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Diastole ; physiology ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; methods ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition among in-patients with liver diseases in Beijing, China, and to evaluate the relationship between nutritional risk and prognosis.

METHODSA total of 331 in-patients with liver diseases under care at the Artificial Liver Center of Beijing Youan Hospital were consecutively enrolled for study between April 2012 and December 2012. Nutritional status was determined by calculating each patient's ratio of real weight to clinically ideal weight, the triceps skin fold (TSF), and the mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC). Nutritional risk was estimated using the Nutritional Risk Screening questionnaire 2002 (NRS-2002). In addition, each patient's Child-Pugh stage, body mass index (BMI), power of gripping, serum albumin and pre-albumin levels, lymphocyte count, hospital length of stay, complications, alcoholism history, and outcome after discharge were recorded for analysis.

RESULTSOne-hundred-and-thirteen of the patients (34.1%) were defined as at nutritional risk upon hospital admission. The ratio of nutritional risk was lowest in patients with chronic hepatitis (17.0%) and highest in patients with acute on chronic liver failure (56.5%). The ratios of malnutrition evaluated by TSF and MAMC were 36.9% and 38.7%, respectively. Among the patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, the ratio of Child-Pugh stage C was higher for individuals defined as at nutritional risk than for those without. When TSF-based ratio of malnutrition was higher for individuals with a history of alcoholism than for those without. BMI, power of gripping, serum albumin level, serum pre-albumin level, and lymphocyte count were all lower for individuals defined as at nutritional risk than for those without. Hospital stay, ratio of complication onset, and ratio of death were all higher for individuals defined as at nutritional risk than for those without.

CONCLUSIONTSF and MAMC can be used to evaluate the nutritional status of in-patients with liver diseases. Patients with nutritional risk (as determined by the NRS-2002) have poorer prognosis and may benefit from nutritional intervention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Liver Diseases ; epidemiology ; Male ; Malnutrition ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Prevalence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effect of AMIE methods on movement disorder in the child of convulsive cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of CP children were randomly divided into an integration treatment group and a rehabilitation group, 60 cases in each group. The integration treatment group were treated with acupuncture (A), massage (M), injection (I) and five animal exercise (E) therapies for 60 times, and the rehabilitation group were treated with Bobath training therapy for 60 times. Scores for movement function before and after treatment were used for assessment of therapeutic effect. Twelve months later, understand whether or not the children can walk on ones own.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 76.70% in the integration treatment group and 58.4% in the rehabilitation group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); there were significant differences in the two groups in differences of movement function scores before and after treatment (P < 0.05). After one year's follow-up survey, 36 children could walk by themselves in the integration treatment group, which were significantly more than 24 children in the rehabilitation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAMIE methods is effective for treatment of movement disorder in the child of convulsive cerebral palsy, and the short-term therapeutic effect is same as that of Bobath training method and the long-term therapeutic effect is better than that of Bobath training method.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Cerebral Palsy ; therapy ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections ; Male ; Massage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Movement Disorders ; therapy

BACKGROUNDThe 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is associated with the high risk of severe complications and is spreading more rapidly throughout the world than other reported seasonal influenzas. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the nature herbal medicine Lianhuaqingwen capsule (LHC) in patients infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus.

METHODSA total of 244 patients aged 16 - 65 years confirmed with influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by the real time RT-PCR were randomized to one of two treatment groups of 122 patients each. Each group assigned to receive either LHC or Oseltamivir for five days and observation for seven days. The patients were enrolled within 36 hours of illness onset if they had an axillary temperature of ≥ 37.4°C and with at least one of the following symptoms: nasal obstruction, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, myalgia, chills and sweating. The primary end point was the duration of illness.

RESULTSOf 244 patients, 240 (98.36%) patients with a median age 21 years completed the study between October 24, 2009 and November 23, 2009. There were no significant overall differences between LHC treated and Oseltamivir treated patients in the median duration of illness (LHC 69 hours vs. Oseltamivir 85 hours P > 0.05) or the median duration of viral shedding (LHC 103 hours vs. Oseltamivir 96 hours, P > 0.05). However, it was worthwhile to note that LHC significantly reduced the severity of illness and the duration of symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue (P < 0.05). Both study medications were well tolerated. No drug related serious adverse events occurred during the study.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with Oseltamivir, LHC achieved a similar therapeutic effectiveness reduction of the duration of illness and duration of viral shedding. Therefore, LHC might be an alternative therapeutic measure for influenza A (H1N1) virus infections.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This paper is aimed to establish the method of fingerprint analysis of chemical constituents by reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) for the quality control of the roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). The method was performed on a ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (50 mm x 2.1 mm ID, 1.7 microm) with a mixed mobile phase of water and acetonitrile in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 0.3 mL x min(-1) and the wavelength of measurement was 203 nm. Eleven batches of the Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma were determined. The UPLC chromatographic fingerprints of chemical constituents were established from the eleven batches of the Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and showed fifteen characteristic common peaks, among which fifteen peaks were recognized and nine compounds (ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rf, Rg2, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd) were determined by comparison with chromatographic behaviors and UV spectra of the authentic compounds. The eleven batches of samples were classified as two clusters by hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principle component analysis (PCA), and six samples were confirmed to establish the mutual model. The quality was assessed by similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of TCM (2004B Version). The convenient and high specific method can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of the Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cluster Analysis ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry